Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Macao to launch gov't orientation fund to promote economic diversification Xinhua) 11:03, February 28, 2026 MACAO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government said Friday it will establish a government orientation fund to channel capital into key industries and promote appropriate economic diversification. An initial injection of 11 billion patacas (about 1.36 billion U.S. dollars) from accumulated returns on fiscal reserves, together with the first batch of social capital, is expected to bring the fund's total size to 20 billion patacas, as noted at a press conference. Tai Kin Ip, the Macao SAR government's secretary for economy and finance, said the fund will support emerging industries, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of local sectors, create more quality and diversified job opportunities, and attract more enterprises and talent to Macao, Hengqin, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In the United States, we are losing our fondness for cash. As in many other countries, cards and other types of electronic payments now dominate everyday commerce. To some, this is a loss. Cash represented a certain freedom from intermediation, a comforting simplicity that you just don't get from Visa. It's funny to consider, then, how cash is in fact quite amenable to automation. Even Benjamin Franklin's face on a piece of paper can feel like a mere proxy for a database transaction. How different is cash itself from "e-cash", when it starts and ends its lifecycle through automation? Increasing automation of cash reflects the changing nature of banking: decades ago, a consumer might have interacted with banking primarily through a "passbook" savings account, where transactions were so infrequent that the bank recorded them directly in the patron's copy of the passbook. Over the years, increasing travel and nationwide communications led to the ubiquitous use of inter-bank money transfers, mostly in the form of the check. The accounts that checks typically drew onchecking accountswere made for convenience and ease of access. You might deposit your entire paycheck into an accountit might even be sent there automaticallyand then when you needed a little walking around money, you would withdraw cash by the assistance of a teller. By the time I was a banked consumer, even the teller was mostly gone. Today, we get our cash from machines so that it can be deposited into other machines. Cash handling is fraught with peril. Bills are fairly small and easy to hide, and yet quite valuable. Automation in the banking world first focused on solving this problem, of reliable and secure cash handling within the bank branch. The primary measure against theft by insiders was that the theft would be discovered, as a result of the careful bookkeeping that typifies banks. But, well, that bookkeeping was surprisingly labor-intensive in even the bank of the 1950s. Histories of the ATM usually focus on just that: the ATM. It's an interesting story, but one that I haven't been particularly inclined to cover due to the lack of a compelling angle. Let's try IBM. IBM is such an important, famous player in business automation that it forms something of a synecdoche for the larger industry. Even so, in the world of bank cash handling, IBM's efforts ultimately failed... a surprising outcome, given their dominance in the machines that actually did the accounting. In this article, we'll examine the history of ATMsby IBM. IBM was just one of the players in the ATM industry and, by its maturity, not even one of the more important ones. But the company has a legacy of banking products that put the ATM in a more interesting context, and despite lackluster adoption of later IBM models, their efforts were still influential enough that later ATMs inherited some of IBM's signature design concepts. I mean that more literally than you might think. But first, we have to understand where ATMs came from. We'll start with branch banking. When you open a bank account, you typically do so at a "branch," one of many physical locations that a national bank maintains. Let us imagine that you are opening an account at your local branch of a major bank sometime around 1930; whether before or after that year's bank run is up to you. Regardless of the turbulent economic times, the branch became responsible for tracking the balance of your account. When you deposit money, a teller writes up a slip. When you come back and withdraw money, a different teller writes up a different slip. At the end of each business day, all of these slips (which basically constitute a journal in accounting terminology) have to be rounded up by the back office and posted to the ledger for your account, which was naturally kept as a card in a big binder. A perfectly practicable 1930s technology, but you can already see the downsides. Imagine that you appear at a different branch to withdraw money from your account. Fortunately, this was not very common at the time, and you would be more likely to use other means of moving money in most scenarios. Still, the bank tries to accommodate. The branch at which you have appeared can dispense cash, write a slip, and then send it to the correct branch for posting... but they also need to post it to their own ledger that tracks transactions for foreign accounts, since they need to be able to reconcile where their cash went. And that ignores the whole issue of who you are, whether or not you even have an account at another branch, and whether or not you have enough money to cover the withdrawal. Those are problems that, mercifully, could mostly be sorted out with a phone call to your home branch. Bank branches, being branches, do not exist in isolation. The bank also has a headquarters, which tracks the finances of its various branchesboth to know the bank's overall financial posture (critical considering how banks fail), and to provide controls against insider theft. Yes, that means that each of the branch banks had to produce various reports and ledger copies and then send them by courier to the bank headquarters, where an army of clerks in yet another back office did yet another round of arithmetic to produce the bank's overall ledgers. As the United States entered World War II, an expanding economy, rapid industrial buildup, and a huge increase in national mobility (brought on by things like the railroads and highways) caused all of these tasks to occur on larger and larger scales. Major banks expanded into a tiered system, in which branches reported their transactions to "regional centers" for reconciliation and further reporting up to headquarters. The largest banks turned to unit record equipment or "business machines," arguably the first form of business computing: punched card machines that did not evaluate programs, but sorted and summed. Simple punched card equipment gave way to more advanced automation, innovations like the "posting machine." These did exactly what they promised: given a stack of punched cards encoding transactions, they produced a ledger with accurately computed sums. Specialized posting machines were made for industries ranging from hospitality (posting room service and dining charges to room folios) to every part of finance, and might be built custom to the business process of a large customer. If tellers punched transactions into cards, the bank could come much closer to automation by shipping the cards around for processing at each office. But then, if transactions are logged in a machine readable format, and then processed by machines, do we really need to courier them to rooms full of clerks? Well, yes, because that was the state of technology in the 1930s. But it would not stay that way for long. In 1950, Bank of America approached SRI about the feasibility of an automated check processing system. Use of checks was rapidly increasing, as were total account holders, and the resulting increase in inter-branch transactions was clearly overextending BoA's workforceto such an extent that some branches were curtailing their business hours to make more time for daily closing. By 1950, computer technology had advanced to such a state that it was obviously possible to automate this activity, but it still represented one of the most ambitious efforts in business computing to date. BoA wanted a system that would not only automate the posting of transactions prepared by tellers, but actually automate the handling of the checks themselves. SRI and, later, their chosen manufacturing partner General Electric ran a multi-year R&D campaign on automated check handling that ultimately led to the design of the checks that we use today: preprinted slips with account holder information, and account number, already in place. And, most importantly, certain key fields (like account number and check number) represented in a newly developed machine-readable format called "MICR" for magnetic ink character recognition. This format remains in use today, to the extent that checks remain in use, although as a practical matter MICR has given way to the more familiar OCR (aided greatly by the constrained and standardized MICR character set). The machine that came out of this initiative was called ERMA, the Electronic Recording Machine, Accounting. I will no doubt one day devote a full article to ERMA, as it holds a key position in the history of business computing while also managing to not have much of a progeny due to General Electric's failure to become a serious contender in the computer industry. ERMA did not lead to a whole line of large-scale "ERM" business systems as GE had hoped, but it did firmly establish the role of the computer in accounting, automate parts of the bookkeeping through almost the entirety of what would become the nation's largest bank, and inspire generations of products from other computer manufacturers. The first ERMA system went into use in 1959. While IBM was the leader in unit record equipment and very familiar to the banking industry, it took a few years for Big Blue to bring their own version. Still, IBM had their own legacy to build on, including complex electromechanical machines that performed some of the tasks that ERMA was taking over. Since the 1930s, IBM had produced a line of check processing or "proofing" machines. These didn't exactly "automate" check handling, but they did allow a single operator to handle a lot of documents. The IBM 801, 802, and 803 line of check proofers used what were fundamentally unit record techniqueskeypunch, sorting bins, mechanical totalizersto present checks one at a time in front of the operator, who read information like the amount, account number, and check number off of the paper slip and entered it on a keypad. The machine then whisked the check away, printing the keyed data (and reference numbers for auditing) on the back of the check, stamped an endorsement, added the check's amounts to the branch's daily totals (including subtotals by document type), and deposited the check in an appropriate sorter bin to be couriered to the drawer's bank. While all this happened, the machines also printed the keyed check information and totals onto paper tapes. By the early 1960s, with ERMA on the scene, IBM started to catch up. Subsequent check processing systems gained support for MICR, eliminating much (sometimes all!) of the operator's keying. Since the check proofing machines could also handle deposit slips, a branch that generated MICR-marked deposit slips could eliminate most of the human touchpoints involved in routine banking. A typical branch bank setup might involve an IBM 1210 document reader/sorter machine connected by serial channel to an IBM 1401 computer. This system behaved much like the older check proofers, reading documents, logging them, and calculating totals. But it was now all under computer control, with the flexibility and complexity that entails. One of these setups could process almost a thousand checks a minute with a little help from an operator, and adoption of electronic technology at other stages made clerks lives easier. For example, IBM's mid-1960s equipment introduced solid-state memory. The IBM 1260 was used for adding machine-readable MICR data to documents that didn't already have it. Through an innovation that we would now call a trivial buffer, the 1260's operator could key in the numbers from the next document while the printer was still working on the previous. Along with improvements in branch bank equipment came a new line of "high-speed" systems. In a previous career, I worked at a Federal Reserve bank, where "high-speed" was used as the name of a department in the basement vault. There, huge machines processed currency to pick out bad bills. This use of "high-speed" seems to date to an IBM collaboration with the Federal Reserve to build machines for central clearinghouses, handling checks by the tens of thousands. By the time I found myself in central banking, the use of "high-speed" machinery for checks was a thing of the past"digital substitute" documents or image-based clearing having completely replaced physical handling of paper checks. Still, the "high-speed" staff labored on in their ballistic glass cages, tending to the green paper slips that the institution still dispenses by the millions. One of the interesting things about the ATM is when, exactly, it pops up in the history of computers. We are, right now, in the 1960s. The credit card is in its nascent stages, MasterCard's predecessor pops up in 1966 to compete with Bank of America's own partially ERMA-powered charge card offering. With computer systems maintaining account sums, and document processing machines communicating with bookkeeping computers in real-time, it would seem that we are on the very cusp of online transaction authorization, which must be the fundamental key to the ATM. ATMs hand out cash, and one thing we all know about cash is that, once you give yours to someone else you are very unlikely to get it back. ATMs, therefore, must not dispense cash unless they can confirm that the account holder is "good for it." Otherwise the obvious fraud opportunity would easily wipe out the benefits. So, what do you do? It seems obvious, right? You connect the ATM to the bookkeeping computer so it can check account balances before dispensing cash. Simple enough. But that's not actually how the ATM evolved, not at all. There are plenty of reasons. Computers were very expensive so banks centralized functions and not all branches had one. Long-distance computer communication links were very expensive as well, and still, in general, an unproven technology. Besides, the computer systems used by banks were fundamentally batch-mode machines, and it was difficult to see how you would shove an ATM's random interruptions into the programming model. Instead, the first ATMs were token-based. Much like an NYC commuter of the era could convert cash into a subway token, the first ATMs were machines that converted tokens into cash. You had to have a tokenand to get one, you appeared at a teller during business hours, who essentially dispensed the token as if it were a routine cash withdrawal. It seems a little wacky to modern sensibilities, but keep in mind that this was the era of the traveler's check. A lot of consumers didn't want to carry a lot of cash around with them, but they did want to be able to get cash after hours. By seeing a teller to get a few ATM tokens (usually worth $10 or 10 and sometimes available only in that denomination), you had the ability to retrieve cash, but only carried a bank document that was thought (due to features like revocability and the presence of ATMs under bank surveillance) to be relatively secure against theft. Since the tokens were later "cleared" against accounts much like checks, losing them wasn't necessarily a big deal, as something analogous to a "stop payment" was usually possible. Unlike subway tokens, these were not coin-shaped. The most common scheme was a paper card, often the same dimensions as a modern credit card, but with punched holes that encoded the denomination and account holder information. The punched holes were also viewed as an anti-counterfeiting measure, probably not one that would hold up today, but still a roadblock to fraudsters who would have a hard time locating a keypunch and a valid account number. Manufacturers also explored some other intriguing opportunities, like the very first production cash dispenser, 1967's Barclaycash machine. This proto-ATM used punched paper tokens that were also printed in part with a Carbon-14 ink. Carbon-14 is unstable and emits beta radiation, which the ATM detected with a simple electrostatic sensor. For some reason difficult to divine the radioactive ATM card did not catch on. For roughly the first decade of the "cash machine," they were offline devices that issued cash based on validating a token. The actual decision making, on the worthiness of a bank customer to withdraw cash, was still deferred to the teller who issued the tokens. Whether or not you would even consider this an ATM is debatable, although historical accounts generally do. They are certainly of a different breed than the modern online ATM, but they also set some of the patterns we still follow. Consider, for example, the ATMs within my lifespan that accepted deposits in an envelope. These ATMs did nothing with the envelopes other than accumulate them into a bin to go to a central processing center later onthe same way that early token-based ATMs introduced deposit boxes. In this theory of ATM evolution, the missing link that made 1960s1970s ATMs so primitive was the lack of computer systems that were amenable to real-time data processing using networked peripherals. The '60s and '70s were a remarkable era in computer history, though, seeing the introduction of IBM's System/360 and System/370 line. These machines were more powerful, more flexible, and more interoperable than any before them. I think it's fair to say that, despite earlier dabbling, it was the 360/370 that truly ushered in the era of business computing. Banks didn't miss out. One of the innovations of the System/360 was an improved and standardized architecture for the connection of peripherals to the machine. While earlier IBM models had supported all kinds of external devices, there was a lot of custom integration to make that happen. With the System/360, this took the form of "Bisync," which I might grandly call a far ancestor of USB. Bisync allowed a 360 computer to communicate with multiple peripherals connected to a common multi-drop bus, even using different logical communications protocols. While the first Bisync peripherals were "remote job entry" terminals for interacting with the machine via punched cards and teletype, IBM and other manufacturers found more and more applications in the following years. IBM had already built document processing machines that interacted with their computers. In 1971, IBM joined the credit card fray with the 2730, a "transaction" terminal that we would now recognize as a credit card reader. It used a Bisync connection to a System/360-class machine to authorize a credit transaction in real time. The very next year, IBM took the logical next step: the IBM 2984 Cash Issuing Terminal. Like many other early ATMs, the 2984 had its debut in the UK as Lloyds Bank's "Cashpoint." The 2984 similarly used Bisync communications with a System/360. While not the very first implementation of the concept, the 2984 was an important step in ATM security and the progenitor of an important line of cryptographic algorithms. To withdraw cash, a user inserted a magnetic card that contained an account number, and then keyed in a PIN. The 2984 sent this information, over the Bisync connection, to the computer, which then responded with a command such as "dispense cash." In some cases, the computer was immediately on the other side of the wall, but it was already apparent that banks would install ATMs in remote locations controlled via leased telephone linesand those telephone lines were not well-secured. A motivated attacker (and with cash involved, it's easy to be motivated!) could probably "tap" the ATM's network connection and issue it spurious "dispense cash" commands. To prevent this problem, and assuage the concerns of bankers who were nervous about dispensing cash so far from the branch's many controls, IBM decided to encrypt the network connection. The concept of an encrypted network connection was not at all new; encrypted communications were widely used in the military during the second World War and the concept was well-known in the computer industry. As IBM designed the 2984, in the late '60s, encrypted computer links were nonetheless very rare. There were not yet generally accepted standards, and cryptography as an academic discipline was immature. IBM, to secure the 2984's network connection, turned to an algorithm recently developed by an IBM researcher named Horst Feistel. Feistel, for silly reasons, had named his family of experimental block ciphers LUCIFER. For the 2984, a modified version of one of the LUCIFER implementations called DSD-1 . Through a Bureau of Standards design competition and the twists and turns of industry politics, DSD-1 later reemerged (with just slight changes) as the Data Encryption Standard, or DES. We owe the humble ATM honors for its key role in computer cryptography. The 2984 was a huge step forward. Unlike the token-based machines of the 1960s, it was pretty much the same as the ATMs we use today. To use a 2984, you inserted your ATM card and entered a PIN. You could then choose to check your balance, and then enter how much cash you wanted. The machine checked your balance in real time and, if it was high enough, debited your account immediately before coughing up money. The 2984 was not as successful as you might expect. The Lloyd's Bank rollout was big, but very few were installed by other banks. Collective memory of the 2984 is vague enough that I cannot give a definitive reason for its limited success, but I think it likely comes down to a common tale about IBM: price and flexibility. The 2984 was essentially a semi-custom peripheral, designed for Lloyd's Bank and the specific System/360 environment already in place there. Adoption for other banks was quite costly. Besides, despite the ATM's lead in the UK, the US industry had quickly caught up. By the time the 2984 would be considered by other banks, there were several different ATMs available in the US from other manufacturers (some of them the same names you see on ATMs today). The 2984 is probably the first "modern" ATM, but since IBM spent 4-5 years developing it, it was not as far ahead of the curve on launch day as you might expect. Just a year or two later, a now-forgotten company called Docutel was dominating the US market, leaving IBM little room to fit in. Because most other ATMs were offered by companies that didn't control the entire software stack, they were more flexible, designed to work with simpler host support. There is something of an inverse vertical integration penalty here: when introducing a new product, close integration with an existing product family makes it difficult to sell! Still, it's interesting that the 2984 used pretty much the same basic architecture as the many ATMs that followed. It's worth reflecting on the 2984's relationship with its host, a close dependency that generally holds true for modern ATMs as well. The 2984 connected to its host via a Bisync channel (possibly over various carrier or modem systems to accommodate remote ATMs), a communications facility originally provided for remote job entry, the conceptual ancestor of IBM's later block-oriented terminals. That means that the host computer expected the peripheral to provide some input for a job and then wait to be sent the results. Remote job entry devices, and block terminals later, can be confusing when compared to more familiar Unix-family terminals. In some ways, they were quite sophisticated, with the host computer able to send configuration information like validation rules for input. In other ways, they were very primitive, capable of no real logic other than receiving computer output (which was dumped to cards, TTY, or screen) and then sending computer input (from much the same devices). So, the ATM behaved the same way. In simple terms, the ATM's small display (called a VDU or Video Display Unit in typical IBM terminology) showed whatever the computer sent as the body of a "display" command. It dispensed whatever cash the computer indicated with a "dispense cash" command. Any user input, such as reading a card or entry of a PIN number, was sent directly to the computer. The host was responsible for all of the actual logic, and the ATM was a dumb terminal, just doing exactly what the computer said. You can think of the Cash Issuing Terminal as, well, just that: a mainframe terminal with a weird physical interface. Most modern ATMs follow this same model, although the actual protocol has become more sophisticated and involves a great deal more XML. You can be reassured that when the ATM takes a frustratingly long time to advance to the next screen, it is at least waiting to receive the contents of that screen from a host computer that is some distance away or, even worse, in The Cloud. Incidentally, you might wonder about the software that ran on the host computer. I believe that the IBM 2984 was designed for use with CICS, the Customer Information Control System. CICS will one day get its own article, but it launched in 1966, built specifically for the Michigan Bell to manage customer and billing data. Over the following years, CICS was extensively expanded for use in the utility and later finance industries. I don't think it's inaccurate to call CICS the first "enterprise customer relationship management system," the first voyage in an adventure that took us through Siebel before grounding on the rocks of Salesforce. Today we wouldn't think of a CRM as the system of record for depository finance institutions like banks, but CICS itself was very finance-oriented from the start (telephone companies sometimes felt like accounting firms that ran phones on the side) and took naturally to gathering transactions and posting them against customer accounts. Since CICS was designed as an online system to serve telephone and in-person customer service reps (in fact making CICS a very notable early real-time computing system), it was also a good fit for handling ATM requests throughout the day. I put a lot of time into writing this, and I hope that you enjoy reading it. If you can spare a few dollars, consider supporting me on ko-fi. You'll receive an occasional extra, subscribers-only post, and defray the costs of providing artisanal, hand-built world wide web directly from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite the 2984's lackluster success, IBM moved on. I don't think IBM was particularly surprised by the outcome, the 2984 was always a "request quotation" (e.g. custom) product. IBM probably regarded it as a prototype or pilot with their friendly customer Lloyds Bank. More than actual deployment, the 2984's achievement was paving the way for the IBM 3614 Consumer Transaction Facility. In 1970, IBM had replaced the System/360 line with the System/370. The 370 is directly based on the 360 and uses the same instruction set, but it came with numerous improvements. Among them was a new approach to peripheral connectivity that developed into the IBM Systems Network Architecture, or SNA, basically IBM's entry into the computer networking wars of the 1970s and 1980s. While SNA would ultimately cede to IP (with, naturally, an interregnum of SNA-over-IP), it gave IBM the foundations for networked systems that are almost modern in their look and feel. I say almost because SNA was still very much a mainframe-oriented design. An example SNA network might look like this: An S/370 computer running CICS (or one of several other IBM software packages with SNA support) is connected via channel (the high-speed peripheral bus on mainframe computers, analogous to PCI) to an IBM 3705 Communications Controller running the Network Control Program (analogous to a network interface controller). The 3705 had one or more "scanners" installed, which supported simple low-speed serial lines or fast, high-level protocols like SDLC (synchronous data link control) used by SNA. The 3705 fills a role sometimes called a "front-end processor," doing the grunt work of polling (scanning) communications lines and implementing the SDLC protocol so that the "actual computer" was relieved of these menial tasks. At the other end of one of the SDLC links might be an IBM 3770 Data Communications System, which was superficially a large terminal that, depending on options ordered, could include a teletypewriter, card reader and punch, diskette drives, and a high speed printer. Yes, the 3770 is basically a grown-up remote job entry terminal, and the SNA/SDLC stack was a direct evolution from the Bisync stack used by the 2984. The 3770 had a bit more to offer, though: in order to handle its multiple devices, like the printer and card punch, it acted as a sort of network switchthe host computer identified the 3770's devices as separate endpoints, and the 3770 interleaved their respective traffic. It could also perform that interleaving function for additional peripherals connected to it by serial lines, which depending on customer requirements often included additional card punches and readers for data entry, or line printers for things like warehouse picking slips. In 1973, IBM gave banks the SNA treatment with the 3600 Finance Communication System . A beautifully orange brochure tells us: The IBM 3600 Finance Communication System is a family of products designed to provide the Finance Industry with remote on-line teller station operation. System/370 computers represented an enormous investment, generally around a million dollars and more often above that point than below. They were also large and required both infrastructure and staff to support them. Banks were already not inclined to install an S/370 in each branch, so it became a common pattern to place a "full-size" computer like an S/370 in a central processing center to support remote peripherals (over leased telephone line) in branches. The 3600 was a turn-key product line for exactly this use. An S/370 computer with a 3704 or 3705 running the NCP would connect (usually over a leased line) to a 3601 System, which IBM describes as a "programmable communications controller" although they do not seem to have elevated that phrase to a product name. The 3601 is basically a minicomputer of its own, with up to 20KB of user-available memory and diskette drive. A 3601 includes, as standard, a 9600 bps SDLC modem for connection to the host, and a 9600 bps "loop" interface for a local multidrop serial bus. For larger installations, you could expand a 3601 with additional local loop interfaces or 4800 or 9600 bps modems to extend the local loop interface to a remote location via telephone line. In total, a 3601 could interface up to five peripheral loops with the host computer over a single interleaved SDLC link. But what would you put on those peripheral loops? Well, the 3604 Keyboard Display Unit was the mainstay, with a vacuum fluorescent display and choice of "numeric" (accounting, similar to a desk calculator) or "data entry" (alphabetic) keyboard. A bank would put one of these 3604s in front of each teller, where they could inquire into customer accounts and enter transactions. In the meantime, 3610 printers provided general-purpose document printing capability, including back-office journals (logging all transactions) or filling in pre-printed forms such as receipts and bank checks. Since the 3610 was often used as a journal printer, it was available with a take-up roller that stored the printed output under a locked cover. In fact, basically every part of the 3600 system was available with a key switch or locking cover, a charming reminder of the state of computer security at the time. The 3612 is a similar printer, but with the addition of a dedicated passbook feature. Remember passbook savings accounts, where the bank writes every transaction in a little booklet that the customer keeps? They were still around, although declining in use, in the 1970s. The 3612 had a slot on the front where an appropriately formatted passbook could be inserted, and like a check validator or slip printer, it printed the latest transaction onto the next empty line. Finally, the 3618 was a "medium-speed" printer, meaning 155 lines per minute. A branch bank would probably have one, in the back office, used for printing daily closing reports and other longer "administrative" output. A branch bank could carry out all of its routine business through the 3600 system, including cash withdrawals. In fact, since a customer withdrawing cash would end up talking to a teller who simply keyed the transaction into a 3604, it seems like a little more automation could make an ATM part of the system. Enter the 3614 Consumer Transaction Facility, the first IBM ATM available as a regular catalog item. The 3614 is actually fairly obscure, and doesn't seem to have sold in large numbers. Some sources suggest that it was basically the same as the 2984, but with a general facelift and adaptations to connect to a 3601 Finance Communication Controller instead of directly to a front-end processor. Some features which were optional on the 2984, like a deposit slot, were apparently standard on 3614. I'm not even quite sure when the 3614 was introduced, but based on manual copyright dates they must have been around by 1977. One of the reasons the 3614 is obscure is that its replacement, the IBM 3624 Consumer Transaction Facility, hit the market in 1978probably very shortly after the 3614. The 3624 was functionally very similar to the 3614, but with maintainability improvements like convenient portable cartridges for storing cash. It also brought a completely redesigned front panel that is more similar to modern ATMs. I should talk about the front panelsthe IBM ATMs won a few design awards over their years, and they were really very handsome machines. The backlit logo panel and function-specific keys of the 3624 look more pleasant to use than most modern ATMs, although they would, of course, render translation difficult. The 3614/3624 series established a number of conventions that are still in use today. For example, they added an envelope deposit system in which the machine accepted an envelope (with cash or checks) and printed a transaction identifier on the outside of the envelope for lookup at the processing center. This relieved the user of writing up a deposit slip when using the ATM. It was also capable of not only reading but, optionally, writing to the magnetic strips on ATM cards. To the modern reader that sounds strange, but we have to discuss one of the most enduring properties of the 3614/3624: their handling of PIN numbers. I believe the 2984 did something fairly similar, but the details are now obscure (and seem to get mixed up with its use of LUCIFER/DSD-1/DES for communications). The 3614/3624, though, so firmly established a particular approach to PIN numbers that it is now known as the 3624 algorithm. Here's how it works: the ATM reads the card number (called Primary Account Number or PAN) off of the ATM card, reads a key from memory, and then applies a convoluted cryptographic algorithm to calculate an "intermediate PIN" from it. The "intermediate PIN" is then summed with a "PIN offset" stored on the card itself, modulo 10, to produce the PIN that the user is actually expected to enter. This means that your "true" PIN is a static value calculated from your card number and a key, but as a matter of convenience, you can "set" a PIN of your choice by using an ATM that is equipped to rewrite the PIN offset on your card. This same system, with some tweaks and a lot of terminological drift, is still in use today. You will sometimes hear IBM's intermediate PIN called the "natural PIN," the one you get with an offset of 0, which is a use of language that I find charming. Another interesting feature of the 3624 was a receipt printerI'm not sure if it was the first ATM to offer a receipt, but it was definitely an early one. The exact mechanics of the 3624 receipt printer are amusing and the result of some happenstance at IBM. Besides its mainframes and their peripherals, IBM in the 1970s was increasingly invested in "midrange computers" or "midcomputers" that would fill in a space between the mainframe and minicomputerand, most importantly, make IBM more competitive with the smaller businesses that could not afford IBM's mainframe systems and were starting to turn to competitors like DEC as a result. These would eventually blossom into the extremely successful AS/400 and System i, but not easily, and the first few models all suffered from decidedly soft sales. For these smaller computers, IBM reasoned that they needed to offer peripherals like card punches and readers that were also smaller. Apparently following that line of thought to a misguided extent, IBM also designed a smaller punch card: the 96-column three-row card, which was nearly square. The only computer ever to support these cards was the very first of the midrange line, the 1969 System/3. One wonders if the System/3's limited success led to excess stock of 96-column card equipment, or perhaps they just wanted to reuse tooling. In any case, the oddball System/3 card had a second life as the "Transaction Statement Printer" on the 3614 and 3624. The ATM could print four lines of text, 34 characters each, onto the middle of the card. The machines didn't actually punch them, and the printed text ended up over the original punch fields. You could, if you wanted, actually order a 3624 with two printers: one that presented the slip to the customer, and another that retained it internally for bank auditing. A curious detail that would so soon be replaced by thermal receipt printers. Unlike IBM's ATMs before it, and, as we will see, unlike those after it as well, the 3624 was a hit. While IBM never enjoyed the dominance in ATMs that they did in computers, and companies like NCR and Diebold had substantial market share, the 3624 was widely installed in the late 1970s and would probably be recognized by anyone who was withdrawing cash in that era. The machine had technical leadership as well: NCR built their successful ATM line in part by duplicating aspects of the 3624 design, allowing interoperability with IBM backend systems. Ultimately, as so often happens, it may have been IBM's success that became its undoing. In 1983, IBM completely refreshed their branch banking solution with the 4700 Finance Communication System. While architecturally similar, the 4700 was a big upgrade. For one, the CRT had landed: the 4700 peripherals replaced several-line VFDs with full-size CRTs typical of other computer terminals, and conventional computer keyboards to boot. Most radically, though, the 4700 line introduced distributed communications to IBM's banking offerings. The 4701 Communications Controller was optionally available with a hard disk, and could be programmed in COBOL. Disk-equipped 4701s could operate offline, without a connection to the host, or in a hybrid mode in which they performed some transactions locally and only contacted the host system when necessary. Local records kept by the 4701 could be automatically sent to the host computer on a scheduled basis for reconciliation. Along with the 4700 series came a new ATM: the IBM 473x Personal Banking Machines. And with that, IBM's glory days in ATMs came crashing to the ground. The 473x series was such a flop that it is hard to even figure out the model numbers, the 4732 is most often referenced but others clearly existed, including the 4730, 4731, 4736, 4737, and 4738. These various models were introduced from 1983 to 1988, making up almost a decade of IBM's efforts and very few sales. The 4732 had a generally upgraded interface, including a CRT, but a similar feature setunsurprising, given that the 3624 had already introduced most of the features ATMs have today. It also didn't sell. I haven't been able to find any numbers, but the trade press referred to the 4732 with terms like "debacle," so they couldn't have been great. There were a few faults in the 4732's stars. First, IBM had made the decision to handle the 4700 Finance Communication System as a complete rework of the 3600. The 4700 controllers could support some 3600 peripherals, but 4700 peripherals could not be used with 3600 controllers. Since 3600 systems were widely installed in banks, the compatibility choice created a situation where many of the 4732's prospective buyers would end up having to replace a significant amount of their other equipment, and then likely make software changes, in order to support the new machine. That might not have been so bad on its own had IBM's competitors not provided another way out. NCR made their fame in ATMs in part by equipping their contemporary models with 3624 software emulation, making them a drop-in modernization option for existing 3600 systems. Other ATM manufacturers had pursued a path of interoperability, with multiprotocol ATMs that supported multiple hosts, and standalone ATM host products that could interoperate with multiple backend accounting systems. For customers, buying an NCR or Diebold product that would work with whatever they already used was a more appealing option than buying the entire IBM suite in one go. It also matched the development cycle of ATMs better: as a consumer-facing device, ATMs became part of the brand image of the bank, and were likely to see replacement more often than back-office devices like teller terminals. NCR offered something like a regular refresh, while IBM was still in a mode of generational releases that would completely replace the bank's computer systems. The 4732 and its 473x compatriots became the last real IBM ATMs. After a hiatus of roughly a decade, IBM reentered the ATM market by forming a joint venture with Diebold called InterBold. The basic terms were that Diebold would sell its ATMs in the US, and IBM would sell them overseas, where IBM had generally been the more successful of the two brands. The IBM 478x series ATMs, which you might encounter in the UK for example, are the same as the Diebold 1000 series in the US. InterBold was quite successful, becoming the dominant ATM manufacturer in the US, and in 1998 Diebold bought out IBM's share. IBM had won the ATM market, and then lost it. Along the way, they left us with so much texture: DES's origins in the ATM, the 3624 PIN format, the dumb terminal or thin client model... even InterBold, IBM's protracted exit, gave us quite a legacy: now you know the reason that so many later ATMs ran OS/2. IBM, a once great company, provided Diebold with their once great operating system. Unlike IBM, Diebold made it successful. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 240.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 28,382 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 20,038 shares during the period. Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,575,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NVO. True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 209.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the third quarter worth $25,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. 11.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Key Novo Nordisk A/S News Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week: Positive Sentiment: Large Vivtex collaboration expands Novos push into oral obesity/diabetes medicines, which could widen patient access and reduce dependency on injectables a longterm growth signal. Novo Nordisk Pipelines Oral Obesity Drugs Large Vivtex collaboration expands Novos push into oral obesity/diabetes medicines, which could widen patient access and reduce dependency on injectables a longterm growth signal. Positive Sentiment: Strong phase2 China data for tripleagonist UBT251 (nearly ~20% weight loss reported) supports Novos broader pipeline beyond GLP1 and bolsters future product optionality. China UBT251 Trial Strong phase2 China data for tripleagonist UBT251 (nearly ~20% weight loss reported) supports Novos broader pipeline beyond GLP1 and bolsters future product optionality. Positive Sentiment: Several bullish commentary pieces argue the selloff overstates fundamental damage: oral Wegovy adoption and expanded Medicare coverage are cited as durable demand drivers and cashflow support. Why Im Still Bullish On Novo Several bullish commentary pieces argue the selloff overstates fundamental damage: oral Wegovy adoption and expanded Medicare coverage are cited as durable demand drivers and cashflow support. Neutral Sentiment: Short interest fell meaningfully in February, reducing one immediate source of potential downside pressure (fewer forced covers), but overall market sentiment remains mixed. Short interest fell meaningfully in February, reducing one immediate source of potential downside pressure (fewer forced covers), but overall market sentiment remains mixed. Neutral Sentiment: Broader market rotation into defensive names and sector dynamics are influencing trading Novos large market cap and dividend yield make it sensitive to flows unrelated to biotech fundamentals. Broader market rotation into defensive names and sector dynamics are influencing trading Novos large market cap and dividend yield make it sensitive to flows unrelated to biotech fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Multiple analyst downgrades and lowered price targets this week prompted selling and contributed directly to intraday weakness; investors are focused on nearterm U.S. price compression and margin implications. Analyst Downgrade American Banking News Multiple analyst downgrades and lowered price targets this week prompted selling and contributed directly to intraday weakness; investors are focused on nearterm U.S. price compression and margin implications. Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz lawfirm investor alert / investigation increases legal risk and uncertainty for shareholders, which typically depresses sentiment until clarity arrives. Pomerantz Investor Alert Pomerantz lawfirm investor alert / investigation increases legal risk and uncertainty for shareholders, which typically depresses sentiment until clarity arrives. Negative Sentiment: Market reaction shows concern that large deals (Vivtex) and pipeline expansion may pressure nearterm margins and raise execution questions some headlines explicitly note the stock dipped after the Vivtex announcement. Stock Dipped After Vivtex Deal Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 0.3% NVO stock opened at $37.50 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The companys 50 day moving average is $52.75 and its 200 day moving average is $52.85. The stock has a market cap of $167.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.81 and a beta of 0.67. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1-year low of $37.31 and a 1-year high of $91.90. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.11. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 33.03% and a return on equity of 68.91%. The business had revenue of $12.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.97 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. Novo Nordisk A/S Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.2751 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 541.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 30th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is currently 23.63%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have commented on NVO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. CICC Research began coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Friday, January 9th. They set an outperform rating and a $73.50 price objective for the company. Zacks Research lowered shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets downgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Novo Nordisk A/S presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $56.07. Get Our Latest Stock Report on NVO Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support. The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HudBay Minerals Inc (NYSE:HBM Get Free Report) (TSE:HBM) has been assigned an average rating of Buy from the sixteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have assigned a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $26.00. HBM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of HudBay Minerals in a report on Monday, November 17th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of HudBay Minerals from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of HudBay Minerals in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Zacks Research lowered HudBay Minerals from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on HudBay Minerals in a report on Thursday, January 8th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Get HudBay Minerals alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HBM Institutional Inflows and Outflows HudBay Minerals Stock Up 1.0% A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in shares of HudBay Minerals by 107.9% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,990 shares of the mining companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 1,033 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in HudBay Minerals during the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in HudBay Minerals during the third quarter worth approximately $45,000. IFP Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in HudBay Minerals in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise grew its stake in HudBay Minerals by 513.5% in the 3rd quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 3,172 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 2,655 shares during the period. 57.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. HBM opened at $28.32 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.95. The company has a market cap of $11.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.81, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.33. HudBay Minerals has a one year low of $5.95 and a one year high of $28.74. The businesss fifty day moving average is $23.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.06. HudBay Minerals (NYSE:HBM Get Free Report) (TSE:HBM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 20th. The mining company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.18). HudBay Minerals had a return on equity of 8.91% and a net margin of 25.71%.The firm had revenue of $732.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $730.13 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.18 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 25.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that HudBay Minerals will post 0.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. HudBay Minerals Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 8.0%. HudBay Mineralss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 0.70%. HudBay Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) HudBay Minerals Inc is a Canada-based mining company engaged in the exploration, development and production of base and precious metals. Its primary products include copper, zinc, gold and silver concentrates, which are sold to smelters and refiners worldwide. The companys operations span multiple stages of the mining cycle, from resource definition and feasibility studies to mine construction, extraction and reclamation. The company traces its roots back to 1927, when it was established as Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co Limited. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for HudBay Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HudBay Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibex Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 22,642 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $7,818,000. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 21,312,182 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $6,624,411,000 after purchasing an additional 675,075 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $3,837,207,000. Dodge & Cox grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 117.7% in the second quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 8,750,560 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $2,729,912,000 after purchasing an additional 4,730,192 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,502,469 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $2,340,346,000 after purchasing an additional 432,084 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amundi boosted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 33.8% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 6,191,871 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $1,904,372,000 after acquiring an additional 1,565,245 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNH. Leerink Partners reduced their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $410.00 to $345.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $425.00 to $389.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Mizuho cut their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $408.00 to $361.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $372.13. UnitedHealth Group News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week: UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 2.2% UNH opened at $292.97 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $311.98 and a 200-day moving average of $325.45. The stock has a market cap of $265.38 billion, a PE ratio of 22.21, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $234.60 and a 52 week high of $606.36. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.02. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 2.69%.The business had revenue of $113.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $113.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $6.81 EPS. UnitedHealth Groups revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS. Equities research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 9th will be issued a $2.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 9th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 67.02%. About UnitedHealth Group (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Inc is a diversified health care company headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, that operates two primary business platforms: UnitedHealthcare and Optum. Founded in 1977, the company provides a broad range of health benefits and health care services to individuals, employers, governmental entities and other organizations. Its operations span commercial employer-sponsored plans, individual and Medicare and Medicaid programs, and services for customers and health systems in the United States and selected international markets. UnitedHealthcare is the companys benefits business, administering health plans and networks, managing provider relationships, and offering coverage products for employers, individuals, and government-sponsored programs. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Iluka Resources Limited (OTCMKTS:ILKAY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 8,352 shares, a drop of 39.9% from the January 29th total of 13,887 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,198 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 5,198 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.6 days. Iluka Resources Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:ILKAY opened at $23.40 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $20.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.26. Iluka Resources has a 1-year low of $9.08 and a 1-year high of $35.77. Get Iluka Resources alerts: About Iluka Resources (Get Free Report) Iluka Resources is a leading global mineral sands company with operations spanning Australia, Sierra Leone and the United States. The company specializes in the exploration, mining and processing of zircon and titanium dioxide feedstocks, including ilmenite, rutile and synthetic rutile. Ilukas products serve a broad range of end markets, notably ceramics, refractory, pigment and chemical applications, as well as emerging technology sectors requiring specialty minerals. Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, Iluka Resources operates a vertically integrated business model encompassing mine development, mineral separation and marketing to industrial customers worldwide. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Iluka Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iluka Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,827,328 shares, a decrease of 45.4% from the January 29th total of 5,181,553 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,826,238 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days. Currently, 6.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 6.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 6,826,238 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EWA. Comerica Bank raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 21.7% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 3,627 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 646 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new position in iShares MSCI Australia ETF during the first quarter valued at about $42,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 48.3% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 59,001 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,553,000 after acquiring an additional 19,204 shares in the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 7.6% during the 2nd quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,629 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $280,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $337,000. Institutional investors own 59.69% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Australia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Australia ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $30.09. The company had a trading volume of 6,244,486 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,796,146. iShares MSCI Australia ETF has a 1-year low of $20.50 and a 1-year high of $30.24. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $27.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $27.01. The stock has a market cap of $1.39 billion, a PE ratio of 19.89 and a beta of 1.04. About iShares MSCI Australia ETF iShares MSCI Australia ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of publicly traded securities in the Australian market, as represented by the MSCI Australia Index (the Index). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Australian equity market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report) by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,552,360 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 195,469 shares during the period. iShares Russell 2000 ETF accounts for 5.1% of Rafferty Asset Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Rafferty Asset Management LLC owned 2.37% of iShares Russell 2000 ETF worth $1,585,409,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of IWM. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 211.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the period. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Pingora Partners LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Beacon Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, GGM Financials LLC bought a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:IWM opened at $261.41 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $74.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. The stocks 50-day moving average is $260.18 and its 200-day moving average is $248.13. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 52-week low of $171.73 and a 52-week high of $271.60. About iShares Russell 2000 ETF iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (NYSEARCA:DYNF Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 586,077 shares, an increase of 82.0% from the January 29th total of 322,009 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 4,253,788 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 4,253,788 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF in the third quarter worth $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Get iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF alerts: iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF Trading Down 0.6% Shares of DYNF stock traded down $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $61.04. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,049,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,765,891. The business has a fifty day moving average of $61.22 and a 200-day moving average of $59.87. iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF has a twelve month low of $42.10 and a twelve month high of $62.41. The stock has a market cap of $31.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.23 and a beta of 1.03. iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF Company Profile The BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF (DYNF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively-managed fund of large- and mid-cap US stocks that uses five equity style factors. DYNF was launched on Mar 19, 2019 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $13.77 and traded as high as $13.93. John Hancock Investors Trust shares last traded at $13.84, with a volume of 19,347 shares trading hands. John Hancock Investors Trust Stock Down 0.6% The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.89. Get John Hancock Investors Trust alerts: John Hancock Investors Trust Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were given a $0.3649 dividend. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.5%. This is an increase from John Hancock Investors Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 11th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows John Hancock Investors Trust Company Profile Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of JHI. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at $69,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 63.3% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 21,231 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $294,000 after buying an additional 8,228 shares during the period. Aviance Capital Partners LLC grew its position in John Hancock Investors Trust by 18.2% during the second quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 32,485 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $450,000 after buying an additional 5,011 shares in the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC increased its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 33,638 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $471,000 after acquiring an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. increased its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 40,157 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $562,000 after acquiring an additional 1,644 shares during the last quarter. 27.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE: JHI) is a closed-end management investment company that offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of global securities. Established in 1929, the trust seeks to combine long-term capital growth with income generation through active portfolio management. Shares of the fund trade on the New York Stock Exchange, providing investors with the liquidity of an exchange-traded security alongside the diversification benefits of a professionally managed fund structure. The funds investment strategy emphasizes a multi-asset approach, allocating capital across global equities, fixed-income instruments and convertible securities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Investors Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Investors Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntington National Bank decreased its holdings in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 392,278 shares of the companys stock after selling 14,077 shares during the quarter. Huntington National Banks holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $72,736,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Clayton Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Johnson & Johnson during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 55.0% in the second quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 203 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Finally, Compass Financial Services Inc raised its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 707.1% during the third quarter. Compass Financial Services Inc now owns 226 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. 69.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Insider Transactions at Johnson & Johnson In other news, EVP Timothy Schmid sold 1,322 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.66, for a total transaction of $324,762.52. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 25,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,251,310.02. This represents a 4.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Vanessa Broadhurst sold 6,197 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.39, for a total value of $1,508,287.83. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 23,003 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,598,700.17. This trade represents a 21.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 30,142 shares of company stock valued at $7,360,528 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock. Johnson & Johnson Stock Up 2.2% Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $248.81 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $599.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.35. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $224.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $201.61. Johnson & Johnson has a 52-week low of $141.50 and a 52-week high of $248.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.77. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, January 31st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $24.28 billion for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 28.46% and a return on equity of 33.04%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 24th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.06%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades JNJ has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wolfe Research lifted their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $225.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Guggenheim upped their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $227.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Argus raised their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $210.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $232.70. View Our Latest Stock Report on JNJ Key Stories Impacting Johnson & Johnson Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week: Johnson & Johnson Company Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world. The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of KB Financial Group Inc (NYSE:KB Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $119.71 and last traded at $118.27, with a volume of 277374 shares. The stock had previously closed at $116.33. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of KB Financial Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of KB Financial Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, KB Financial Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get KB Financial Group alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on KB Financial Group KB Financial Group Price Performance The firm has a fifty day moving average of $97.24 and a 200 day moving average of $87.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38. The company has a market capitalization of $41.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.11. KB Financial Group (NYSE:KB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Saturday, January 31st. The bank reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter. KB Financial Group had a net margin of 16.96% and a return on equity of 9.79%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that KB Financial Group Inc will post 8.87 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On KB Financial Group Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KB. M&T Bank Corp bought a new position in KB Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $36,964,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in KB Financial Group by 508.9% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 152,939 shares of the banks stock valued at $12,631,000 after buying an additional 127,823 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in KB Financial Group by 18.3% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 751,168 shares of the banks stock worth $62,039,000 after buying an additional 116,293 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its holdings in KB Financial Group by 12.7% during the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 757,168 shares of the banks stock worth $62,735,000 after buying an additional 85,231 shares during the period. Finally, Laird Norton Wetherby Trust Company LLC bought a new stake in KB Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at $6,640,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.52% of the companys stock. KB Financial Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) KB Financial Group Inc is a South Korea-based financial holding company that offers a broad range of banking and financial services. Headquartered in Seoul and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KB, the group operates through a set of specialized subsidiaries to provide integrated financial solutions for retail, corporate and institutional clients. The companys principal businesses include retail and corporate banking, securities and investment banking, insurance (life and non-life), asset management, credit card and consumer finance, and leasing. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for KB Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Keystone Investors PTE Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ Free Report) (TSE:CCO) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 149,634 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $12,548,000. Cameco accounts for approximately 1.5% of Keystone Investors PTE Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cameco by 3.1% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,938 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $330,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Lee Johnson Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Cameco by 1.2% during the third quarter. Lee Johnson Capital Management LLC now owns 10,770 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $903,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Alliance LLC increased its holdings in shares of Cameco by 1.6% during the second quarter. Wealth Alliance LLC now owns 10,036 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $745,000 after buying an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in shares of Cameco by 11.2% in the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,590 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Cameco by 4.4% in the third quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,758 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $315,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.21% of the companys stock. Get Cameco alerts: Cameco Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:CCJ opened at $118.36 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.47, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. Cameco Corporation has a 1-year low of $35.00 and a 1-year high of $135.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 122.02 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $111.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $94.75. Analysts Set New Price Targets Cameco ( NYSE:CCJ Get Free Report ) (TSE:CCO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 13th. The basic materials company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.07. Cameco had a net margin of 17.00% and a return on equity of 9.35%. The company had revenue of $874.57 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $782.13 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.36 EPS. Camecos revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Cameco Corporation will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current year. A number of research firms recently weighed in on CCJ. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Cameco from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and issued a $131.00 target price on shares of Cameco in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Weiss Ratings raised Cameco from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Monday. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating on shares of Cameco in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Cameco in a research report on Monday, November 10th. They issued a neutral rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Cameco presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $143.03. Read Our Latest Report on Cameco About Cameco (Free Report) Cameco Corporation (NYSE: CCJ) is a leading producer of uranium and a supplier to the global nuclear power industry. Headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, the company is engaged in the exploration, mining, milling and sale of uranium concentrate, commonly known as yellowcake, which is used as fuel for nuclear reactors. Cameco also participates in services and activities that support the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle, including processing and marketing of uranium to utilities under longterm and spot contracts. The companys operations have historically centered in Canada and the United States, where it operates and develops uranium mining and processing properties. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CCJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ Free Report) (TSE:CCO). Receive News & Ratings for Cameco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cameco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kogan.com Ltd (ASX:KGN Get Free Report) insider Ronn Bechler bought 28,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of A$3.53 per share, for a total transaction of A$98,896.00. Kogan.com Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.64. The firm has a market cap of $446.40 million, a PE ratio of 5,300.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -1.89 and a beta of 1.64. Get Kogan.com alerts: Kogan.com Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a Interim dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 29th will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 11th. This represents a yield of 223.0%. Kogan.com Company Profile Kogan.com Ltd operates as an online retailer in Australia. The company offers various brands across a range of categories, including electronics, appliances, homewares, hardware, toys, and others; and owns and operates 20 private label brands. It also provides pre-paid mobile phone plans online; and directly sourced holiday packages and travel bookings. In addition, the company offers general insurances, including home, contents, landlord, car, and travel insurances, as well as pet and life insurance; NBN internet plans; and home loans. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Kogan.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kogan.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitchells & Butlers plc (LON:MAB Get Free Report) shares crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 261.58 and traded as high as GBX 300.50. Mitchells & Butlers shares last traded at GBX 299.49, with a volume of 1,177,135 shares changing hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have issued reports on MAB shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 340 target price on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shore Capital Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Panmure Gordon reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 390 price objective on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Mitchells & Butlers has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 351.25. Get Mitchells & Butlers alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Mitchells & Butlers Mitchells & Butlers Stock Up 0.5% The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 274.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 261.80. The company has a market cap of 1.78 billion, a PE ratio of 10.15, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.56, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.46. Mitchells & Butlers (LON:MAB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 28th. The company reported GBX 30.90 earnings per share for the quarter. Mitchells & Butlers had a net margin of 1.72% and a return on equity of 1.89%. Equities research analysts predict that Mitchells & Butlers plc will post 26.6341463 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Mitchells & Butlers In related news, insider Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones sold 47,849 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 256, for a total transaction of 122,493.44. Also, insider Phil Urban sold 57,217 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 256, for a total transaction of 146,475.52. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 210 shares of company stock valued at $55,176 and have sold 462,102 shares valued at $119,726,256. 32.27% of the stock is owned by insiders. Mitchells & Butlers Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mitchells & Butlers is a leading operator of managed restaurants and pubs in the UK. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2003 and is a member of the FTSE 250. Its restaurants and pubs have some of the highest average sales and profits per site in the industry and it operates the best portfolio of brands in the UK. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mitchells & Butlers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitchells & Butlers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xponance Inc. decreased its holdings in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 17.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 30,118 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 6,218 shares during the quarter. Xponance Inc.s holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $13,773,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. United Community Bank raised its position in Motorola Solutions by 81.3% during the 3rd quarter. United Community Bank now owns 58 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions in the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Field & Main Bank acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions during the third quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the third quarter valued at about $38,000. 84.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Trading Up 2.0% Shares of Motorola Solutions stock opened at $481.37 on Friday. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $359.36 and a 1 year high of $492.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.47, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $411.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $422.87. The company has a market capitalization of $79.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.72, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 1.00. Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The communications equipment provider reported $4.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.35 by $0.24. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 110.75% and a net margin of 18.44%.The company had revenue of $3.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.04 earnings per share. Motorola Solutionss revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 20th will be issued a dividend of $1.21 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 20th. This represents a $4.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 37.93%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Barclays lifted their price target on Motorola Solutions from $495.00 to $506.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and set a $470.00 price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Motorola Solutions from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Argus raised Motorola Solutions to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $499.00 price target (up from $443.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Thursday, February 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Motorola Solutions presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $497.14. Get Our Latest Stock Report on MSI Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions In related news, CEO Cynthia Yazdi sold 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $471.01, for a total transaction of $3,297,070.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 9,529 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,488,254.29. This trade represents a 42.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $470.12, for a total value of $204,032.08. Following the sale, the director owned 7,153 shares in the company, valued at $3,362,768.36. This trade represents a 5.72% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 100,634 shares of company stock worth $47,189,456 over the last ninety days. 1.44% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. More Motorola Solutions News Here are the key news stories impacting Motorola Solutions this week: Positive Sentiment: Quarterly dividend announced: Motorola declared a $1.21 quarterly dividend (record March 20; pay April 15), implying a ~1.0% yield. Small recurring cash return and signal of capital-return policy stability. Quarterly dividend announced: Motorola declared a $1.21 quarterly dividend (record March 20; pay April 15), implying a ~1.0% yield. Small recurring cash return and signal of capital-return policy stability. Negative Sentiment: Large CEO insider selling Gregory Q. Brown: recent SEC filings show multiple sizable sales, including 50,000 shares (~$23.4M, Feb. 24) and additional blocks on Feb. 2526 (see filings). These trades reduced his holdings materially and may weigh on sentiment given the scale. CEO 50,000-share sale filing CEO additional sale filing CEO sales filing Large CEO insider selling Gregory Q. Brown: recent SEC filings show multiple sizable sales, including 50,000 shares (~$23.4M, Feb. 24) and additional blocks on Feb. 2526 (see filings). These trades reduced his holdings materially and may weigh on sentiment given the scale. Negative Sentiment: Other insider sales: CEO Cynthia Yazdi sold 7,000 shares (~$3.3M) and director Kenneth D. Denman sold 434 shares (~$204k) in late-February filings further insider supply hitting the market. Cynthia Yazdi filing Kenneth Denman filing Other insider sales: CEO Cynthia Yazdi sold 7,000 shares (~$3.3M) and director Kenneth D. Denman sold 434 shares (~$204k) in late-February filings further insider supply hitting the market. Negative Sentiment: Press coverage flagged the CEOs sales (summary article). Media attention on large insider disposal can amplify negative investor reaction even if sales are for diversification or liquidity. Insider selling article Motorola Solutions Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc is a provider of mission-critical communications and analytics solutions for public safety and commercial customers. The company designs, manufactures and supports a range of communications equipment and software aimed at enabling first responders, government agencies and enterprises to coordinate and operate reliably in high-pressure environments. Its offerings emphasize secure, resilient connectivity and situational awareness for organizations that require dependable voice, data and video communications. Product lines include land mobile radio (LMR) systems and handheld and vehicle-mounted radios used by police, fire and emergency medical services; broadband push-to-talk and LTE-based solutions; command-and-control center software for incident management and records; and video security and analytics systems. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSE:NDM Get Free Report) (NYSE:NAK)s stock price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$2.34 and traded as low as C$2.02. Northern Dynasty Minerals shares last traded at C$2.11, with a volume of 18,175,810 shares trading hands. Northern Dynasty Minerals Stock Performance The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$2.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$2.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 3.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.33. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.17 billion, a PE ratio of -14.07 and a beta of -0.53. Northern Dynasty Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynastys principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska -based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Northern Dynasty Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northern Dynasty Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (NYSE:NCDL Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.01, Zacks reports. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending had a net margin of 31.57% and a return on equity of 10.41%. The business had revenue of $26.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $49.60 million. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Stock Down 3.6% Shares of NYSE NCDL traded down $0.48 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $12.88. 565,408 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 289,028. The company has a market cap of $636.14 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.83 and a beta of 0.40. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $13.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending has a one year low of $12.76 and a one year high of $17.72. Get Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending alerts: Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be given a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lendings dividend payout ratio is presently 117.65%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Trending Headlines about Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. QTR Family Wealth LLC grew its position in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending by 25.7% during the 4th quarter. QTR Family Wealth LLC now owns 25,568 shares of the companys stock worth $361,000 after purchasing an additional 5,232 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending by 11.4% during the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 18,678 shares of the companys stock worth $302,000 after acquiring an additional 1,918 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending during the third quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending in the third quarter valued at approximately $152,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $152,000. Here are the key news stories impacting Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending this week: Positive Sentiment: Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.36/share (ex-div March 31, payable Apr 28), implying a ~10.8% yield supports income-focused investor demand. Dividend Announcement Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.36/share (ex-div March 31, payable Apr 28), implying a ~10.8% yield supports income-focused investor demand. Positive Sentiment: Company/press releases and some coverage report net investment income/EPS of $0.44 for Q4, modestly beating consensus and highlighting ongoing income generation and a reported ROE (~11%). Q4 Beat Coverage Company/press releases and some coverage report net investment income/EPS of $0.44 for Q4, modestly beating consensus and highlighting ongoing income generation and a reported ROE (~11%). Neutral Sentiment: Management hosted an earnings call with a published transcript and presentation; these provide details on portfolio performance, NAV dynamics and outlook useful for assessing credit quality and distribution sustainability. Earnings Highlights Call Transcript Management hosted an earnings call with a published transcript and presentation; these provide details on portfolio performance, NAV dynamics and outlook useful for assessing credit quality and distribution sustainability. Negative Sentiment: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered its price target from $16 to $15 and set a market perform rating a downgrade that can weigh on sentiment and short-term flow. Analyst Note Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered its price target from $16 to $15 and set a market perform rating a downgrade that can weigh on sentiment and short-term flow. Negative Sentiment: Some market reports show mixed/contradictory Q4 metrics (one source reported EPS of $0.32 and revenue well below expectations at ~$26.4M versus ~$49.6M), raising questions on reporting differences and near-term earnings clarity. That uncertainty likely contributed to the sell-off. Earnings/Metrics Report Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have commented on NCDL shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, February 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $15.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending About Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (Get Free Report) Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (NYSE:NCDL) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a diversified portfolio of direct lending instruments. Established in early 2022, NCDL focuses on privately negotiated debt investments in middle-market companies, primarily within the United States. The fund offers investors access to a segment of the credit markets that has historically been less correlated with public debt markets, aiming to capture yield premiums associated with private lending. The funds investment strategy centers on senior secured loans, unitranche financings and selectively structured mezzanine debt. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 9.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,455,772 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after purchasing an additional 121,815 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $68,785,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of OXY. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the third quarter worth approximately $35,517,000. Gifford Fong Associates boosted its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 41.2% during the 3rd quarter. Gifford Fong Associates now owns 171,429 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $8,100,000 after acquiring an additional 50,000 shares during the period. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,072,000. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 521.0% in the second quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC now owns 46,707 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,962,000 after purchasing an additional 39,186 shares during the period. Finally, swisspartners Advisors Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 19.6% in the third quarter. swisspartners Advisors Ltd now owns 157,070 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $7,441,000 after purchasing an additional 25,710 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.70% of the companys stock. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Occidental Petroleum Trading Up 3.1% Shares of OXY stock opened at $53.04 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $44.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $43.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. Occidental Petroleum Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $34.78 and a fifty-two week high of $53.33. The stock has a market cap of $52.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.95 and a beta of 0.41. Occidental Petroleum Increases Dividend Occidental Petroleum ( NYSE:OXY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 18th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $5.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.02 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 9.14% and a return on equity of 9.89%. The firms revenue was down 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Occidental Petroleum Corporation will post 3.58 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. This is an increase from Occidental Petroleums previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.63%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Occidental Petroleum news, Director William R. Klesse purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $38.98 per share, with a total value of $194,900.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 218,913 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,533,228.74. This trade represents a 2.34% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.31% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $48.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Roth Mkm increased their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $39.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $42.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Argus raised Occidental Petroleum to a hold rating in a report on Friday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Occidental Petroleum currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.95. Get Our Latest Research Report on Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is an international energy company engaged primarily in the exploration, production and marketing of oil and natural gas. The company conducts upstream activities to discover and produce hydrocarbons and operates complementary midstream and marketing functions to transport and sell its production. Occidental also owns a chemicals business that manufactures and sells industrial chemicals and related products for a range of end markets. Occidentals operations are concentrated in the United States, with a significant presence in the Permian Basin, and it maintains exploration and production activities in several international regions, including parts of the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OXY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its position in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PWZ Free Report) by 46.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 24,519 shares of the companys stock after selling 21,061 shares during the quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.05% of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF worth $586,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $174,000. Private Client Services LLC bought a new stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $213,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $227,000. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $249,000. Finally, WCG Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF during the second quarter worth $262,000. Get Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF alerts: Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Price Performance Shares of PWZ opened at $24.59 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average is $24.28 and its 200-day moving average is $24.06. Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $22.23 and a fifty-two week high of $24.94. Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Cuts Dividend Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Profile The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.0755 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 23rd. (Free Report) The Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (PWZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks an index of insured investment-grade, tax-exempt debt issued by California or any US territory with at least 15 years remaining to maturity. PWZ was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PWZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PWZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its holdings in Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN Free Report) by 3.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 431,500 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,000 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CAs holdings in Tyson Foods were worth $23,430,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TSN. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Tyson Foods by 93.1% in the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 473 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Tyson Foods during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Tyson Foods by 175.3% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 512 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the last quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Tyson Foods in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its holdings in Tyson Foods by 89.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 682 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. 67.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Tyson Foods alerts: Tyson Foods Stock Up 2.0% TSN opened at $64.87 on Friday. Tyson Foods, Inc. has a 12 month low of $50.56 and a 12 month high of $66.41. The business has a 50-day moving average of $61.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 115.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.48. Tyson Foods Announces Dividend Tyson Foods ( NYSE:TSN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 2nd. The company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.01 by ($0.04). Tyson Foods had a return on equity of 7.67% and a net margin of 0.36%.The company had revenue of $14.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Tyson Foods, Inc. will post 3.8 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 1st. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Tyson Foodss payout ratio is currently 364.29%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently weighed in on TSN. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating and issued a $69.00 price target on shares of Tyson Foods in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Tyson Foods in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Argus upgraded shares of Tyson Foods to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Tyson Foods from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Tyson Foods from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.27. Read Our Latest Research Report on Tyson Foods Tyson Foods Profile (Free Report) Tyson Foods, Inc (NYSE: TSN) is a multinational food company primarily engaged in the production, processing and marketing of protein-based and prepared food products. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company is one of the worlds largest processors of chicken, beef and pork. Its operations span live animal procurement and farming relationships through slaughter, further processing and distribution, supplying raw protein and value-added prepared foods to retail, foodservice and industrial customers. The companys product portfolio covers fresh and frozen meats, branded and private-label prepared foods, and a range of value-added items such as ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meals, snack and sandwich meats. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Tyson Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tyson Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe (NYSEARCA:UPV Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 3,157 shares, a decline of 39.6% from the January 29th total of 5,223 shares. Currently, 2.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,597 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,597 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 2.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Institutional Investors Weigh In On ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe An institutional investor recently bought a new position in ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe stock. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe (NYSEARCA:UPV Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 3,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $206,000. Jane Street Group LLC owned about 2.72% of ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe as of its most recent SEC filing. Get ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe alerts: ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe Price Performance Shares of ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe stock opened at $103.46 on Friday. ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe has a 52 week low of $51.37 and a 52 week high of $104.40. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $96.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $88.01. About ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe ProShares Ultra MSCI Europe seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (200%) the daily performance of the MSCI Europe Index (the Index). The Fund seeks investment results for a single day only, not for longer periods. The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of the developed markets in Europe. The Index is divided into large and mid-cap segments, and targets approximately 85% of free float-adjusted market capitalization of the region. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ProShares Ultra FTSE Europe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CK Group, controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shings son Victor Li, has agreed to sell the United Kingdoms largest power-distribution network amid a broad restructure of his business empire. CK Infrastructure Group said it expects to sell U.K. Power Networks to French utility Engie for GBP10.5 billion (US$14.2 billion), according to a stock exchange filing on Thursday, as reported by South China Morning Post. Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing (R), listens to his son Victor during a press conference in Hong Kong on March 16, 2018. Photo by AFP The transaction, which is expected to be completed in mid-2026, forms part of a broader overhaul of the conglomerates portfolio, including asset disposals, in moves that could ultimately recast the empire established by Li Ka-shing, according to Bloomberg. The tycoon built his fortune by targeting regulated infrastructure and telecommunications assets in developed Western markets, favoring stable and predictable returns. Since taking the helm in 2018, his elder son Victor has faced the challenge of guiding the group through a more volatile environment shaped by heightened trade tensions and the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence. "From a credit perspective, the deal is positive as it could improve CK Hutchisons leverage by as much as 0.5x and gives the company firepower to pursue acquisitions," said Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Sharon Chen. CK Hutchison is also weighing a listing of its health and beauty retailer AS Watson Group. The U.K. power sale comes as the companys proposed divestment of 43 global ports has become more complicated. Panama this week moved to occupy two of CK Hutchisons facilities near the Panama Canal, assets that have emerged as a flashpoint in U.S.-China tensions. Negotiations with a buyer consortium that includes U.S. investment firm BlackRock and China Cosco Shipping have stretched on for months, highlighting the political sensitivities surrounding the deal. For Engie, the acquisition strengthens its presence in the U.K. as the country accelerates efforts to expand its grid to accommodate rising demand from renewable energy, electric vehicles and data centers. The company will take control of a regulated asset serving about 8.5 million customers in London and southeast England. Li Ka-shing, 97, is now the second richest man in Hong Kong with a net worth of $46.6 billion, behind battery tycoon Robin Zeng with wealth of $53.6 billion. Rafferty Asset Management LLC lowered its stake in United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC Free Report) by 26.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,220,701 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 2,182,363 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLC owned about 0.25% of United Microelectronics worth $47,153,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Microelectronics during the second quarter worth approximately $24,024,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of United Microelectronics by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,655,721 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $40,438,000 after purchasing an additional 537,777 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its holdings in shares of United Microelectronics by 34.0% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 1,689,542 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $12,925,000 after purchasing an additional 428,522 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new stake in shares of United Microelectronics in the 2nd quarter valued at $2,427,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of United Microelectronics by 22.1% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,668,846 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $12,767,000 after purchasing an additional 302,617 shares during the last quarter. 5.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get United Microelectronics alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades UMC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane raised United Microelectronics to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wall Street Zen cut United Microelectronics from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating on shares of United Microelectronics in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Bank of America cut United Microelectronics from a buy rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Microelectronics currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $8.60. United Microelectronics Stock Performance Shares of UMC stock opened at $10.43 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $9.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 2.34. United Microelectronics Corporation has a 1 year low of $5.71 and a 1 year high of $12.68. The firm has a market cap of $26.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.31, a PEG ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.10. United Microelectronics (NYSE:UMC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The semiconductor company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.93 billion. United Microelectronics had a return on equity of 11.59% and a net margin of 17.60%.The businesss revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.10 EPS. Analysts predict that United Microelectronics Corporation will post 0.51 earnings per share for the current year. About United Microelectronics (Free Report) United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) is a Taiwan-based semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related manufacturing services to a global customer base. Founded in 1980, the company operates as a pure-play foundry, producing integrated circuits for a range of customers including fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers. UMC is publicly listed (NYSE: UMC) and focuses on high-reliability manufacturing rather than branding consumer products. UMCs core services encompass wafer fabrication using a portfolio of process technologies, with particular emphasis on mature and specialty nodes that support analog, power-management, radio-frequency (RF), and mixed-signal applications. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UMC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Microelectronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Microelectronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Free Report) by 3.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 318,836 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 11,427 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLCs holdings in International Business Machines were worth $89,963,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new position in International Business Machines in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in International Business Machines by 129.1% during the third quarter. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC now owns 126 shares of the technology companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID raised its position in International Business Machines by 48.5% during the second quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID now owns 147 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Davis Capital Management acquired a new stake in International Business Machines in the third quarter valued at $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.96% of the companys stock. Get International Business Machines alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on IBM. Evercore boosted their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $330.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, January 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $361.00 price objective on International Business Machines in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Argus set a $360.00 target price on International Business Machines in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on International Business Machines from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $320.87. Insider Activity In other International Business Machines news, Director Michael Miebach acquired 434 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $233.33 per share, with a total value of $101,265.22. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 434 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $101,265.22. This trade represents a increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director David N. Farr bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 30th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $304.00 per share, for a total transaction of $304,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 9,258 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,814,432. This represents a 12.11% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders acquired a total of 1,484 shares of company stock valued at $417,157 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock. International Business Machines Stock Performance NYSE:IBM opened at $239.78 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $287.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $283.58. The stock has a market cap of $224.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.51, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.69. International Business Machines Corporation has a 1-year low of $214.50 and a 1-year high of $324.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The technology company reported $4.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.33 by $0.19. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.15% and a net margin of 15.69%.The firm had revenue of $19.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.92 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current year. International Business Machines Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be given a dividend of $1.68 per share. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 10th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.27%. Key Headlines Impacting International Business Machines Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week: About International Business Machines (Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM. IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 774,064 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,320 shares during the quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $87,276,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 215,892 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $24,342,000 after buying an additional 5,573 shares in the last quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.4% in the second quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. now owns 389,769 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $42,017,000 after buying an additional 5,527 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 3.3% during the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 306,658 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $34,576,000 after acquiring an additional 9,831 shares during the period. Capital Counsel LLC NY raised its position in Exxon Mobil by 0.9% in the second quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY now owns 49,687 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,356,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HORAN Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 78.3% in the third quarter. HORAN Wealth LLC now owns 13,180 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,486,000 after acquiring an additional 5,788 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $142.00 to $137.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $125.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Mizuho set a $140.00 price target on Exxon Mobil in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $140.59. Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,230 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.18, for a total transaction of $481,851.40. Following the sale, the vice president owned 20,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,036,409.72. This trade represents a 13.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 14,230 shares of company stock worth $1,888,421 over the last quarter. 0.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Exxon Mobil Stock Up 2.7% Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $152.55 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $135.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $121.56. The company has a market capitalization of $635.62 billion, a PE ratio of 22.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 15.41 and a beta of 0.39. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 12-month low of $97.80 and a 12-month high of $156.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $80.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $77.98 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.21% and a net margin of 8.68%.The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.67 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is currently 61.58%. Exxon Mobil Company Profile (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications. ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC grew its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 2.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 275,343 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 5,295 shares during the quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $156,618,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. grew its holdings in Mastercard by 20.0% during the 2nd quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 108 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 1,091 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $621,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management now owns 1,817 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,034,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Brady Martz Wealth Solutions LLC boosted its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Brady Martz Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 841 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $479,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Robbins Farley increased its holdings in Mastercard by 50.0% in the third quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Mastercard alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $739.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $668.00 to $671.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Evercore set a $610.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $656.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group set a $610.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $669.27. Mastercard Stock Performance MA opened at $515.92 on Friday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $465.59 and a 1-year high of $601.77. The company has a market cap of $460.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.23, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.83. The companys fifty day moving average price is $545.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $559.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The credit services provider reported $4.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.24 by $0.52. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.65% and a return on equity of 203.92%. The company had revenue of $8.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.82 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. Mastercard Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 9th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is 21.07%. About Mastercard (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments. Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ReadyTech (ASX:RDY) reported first-half FY 2026 results that management said came in below expectations, driven by strong growth in its flagship products that was offset by headwinds in mature and non-core offerings and longer customer decision cycles in parts of the business. Get alerts: Founder and CEO Marc Washbourne told investors the company is responding with deliberate action to simplify the organization, sharpen commercial accountability, and concentrate investment into flagship products and AI-enabled differentiation. The company also introduced Bryce Thompson, who joined as CFO and delivered his first results briefing on the call. H1 results and revised guidance For the half, total revenue increased 5.6% to, with recurring revenue representingof total revenue. Washbourne said flagship products delivered revenue expansion, but this was partially offset by churn and lower growth in certain mature and non-core products and by operational challenges. ReadyTech reported an underlying EBITDA margin of 28.4% and an underlying cash EBITDA margin of 12.2%. CFO Bryce Thompson said underlying cash EBITDA was AUD 7.5 million, and he attributed the margin profile in part to AUD 2 million of incremental strategic initiatives directed toward flagship product market fit, go-to-market capability, delivery capacity, and AI. Given what management described as a softer first-half trajectory and current second-half visibility, ReadyTech revised FY 2026 revenue guidance to AUD 125 million to AUD 127 million and withdrew its FY 2027 financial targets. Washbourne said the withdrawal reflects prudence while the company sharpens execution and reshapes the portfolio, with long-term targets to be revisited once growth visibility improves. The company said it expects FY 2026 underlying cash EBITDA margins in the low to mid-teens. Flagship momentum and operational challenges Management highlighted several enterprise wins and product milestones during the half: Education: a 10-year agreement with Skills Tasmania , described as the companys largest state government vocational education deal to date. a , described as the companys largest state government vocational education deal to date. Justice: a contract with the Workplace Injury Commission in Victoria , which ReadyTech called an important reference win in a regulated environment. a contract with the , which ReadyTech called an important reference win in a regulated environment. Workforce: Ready Workforce was described as the best-performing flagship product, delivering a 24% CAGR over two years, supported by investment in an end-to-end platform. Against that backdrop, Washbourne outlined several pressures that constrained first-half performance. In managed payroll, the company saw approximately AUD 1 million of revenue churn as customers sought to reduce costs in a tighter SME environment. In SME education, management pointed to private college funding shifting toward TAFE, contributing to downgrades and slower new activity. The company also referenced disruption from the VETtrak cyber incident, which Washbourne said diverted management focus and impacted parts of the customer base. He said remediation and restoration were prioritized and that work is now substantially complete. In local government, ReadyTech described a backlog of upgrade opportunities in Ready Community. While the sales pipeline remains healthy, management said conversion and implementation velocity needs to improve and will be a major focus in the second half. Segment commentary In Education and Work Pathways, ReadyTech reported revenue of AUD 21.1 million and EBITDA of AUD 9.5 million. Washbourne highlighted the Skills Tasmania win and said the company successfully transitioned to the long-term Inclusive Employment Australia contract in Work Pathways, increasing market share. He added that the Work Pathways pipeline includes over AUD 2.5 million in opportunities expected to progress in H2. In Workforce, revenue grew 12.1% to AUD 18.5 million, with EBITDA stable at AUD 5.8 million as the company continued investing behind growth. Management said increased marketing investment and dedicated sales focus improved pipeline quality and conversion, while managed payroll services faced challenging SME conditions and churn in what ReadyTech described as a non-core area. In Local Government and Justice, management said revenue growth was modest, reflecting the transition from product readiness to executing upgrades within Ready Community. Since the CouncilWise acquisition in early 2025, ReadyTech said it secured a combination of 15 wins and upgrades with AUD 3.1 million of first-year value signed in calendar year 2025. Segment margins were impacted by investment in leadership capability and enterprise sales capacity. In justice, ReadyTech reiterated the Workplace Injury Commission Victoria contract, and said that while revenue growth was softer than expected, the pipeline and reference wins support confidence in forward trajectory. Pipeline, enterprise execution, and R&D ReadyTech said it has a AUD 35.3 million growth conviction pipeline, comprising AUD 14.9 million in first-year subscription and AUD 20.4 million in services, noting that services revenue is often a leading indicator of future subscription revenue due to implementation-led enterprise contracts. Management also disclosed that in calendar year 2025 it signed AUD 19.5 million in new enterprise contracts and major upgrades, including AUD 7.3 million in first-year subscription and AUD 12.2 million in services. Implementation time frames were described as ranging from 90 days to 18 months depending on complexity. On investment, ReadyTech said it has invested AUD 59.9 million in R&D over the past three and a half years, with 97% directed toward flagship platforms. R&D averaged about 30% of revenue during the period, though management expects it to moderate as products mature and AI-driven development efficiency increases. AI initiatives and portfolio simplification ReadyTech emphasized its positioning in regulated verticals and noted it is now ISO 42001 certified for AI governance. Washbourne introduced Orchestra, described as a unified AI intelligence layer embedded within flagship products to provide domain-aware conversational insights grounded in each platforms system of record. Management said uptake is expected to increase steadily in the second half. Washbourne also outlined the companys Clearer, Faster, Stronger strategy, which includes simplifying and rationalizing non-core products, centralizing operations, and consolidating offshore development capability. In the Q&A, he said rationalization could include accelerating customer migrations to flagship platforms, re-evaluating certain products, and potentially retiring non-core offerings over time, with more detail expected at full-year results. Asked about sales-cycle delays, Washbourne said enterprise delays have been most concentrated in education where government procurement is involved and across the wider government portfolio, citing detailed and complex procurement processes. He said the company has not seen evidence that AI uncertainty is slowing decisions. On the Victorian TAFE tender referenced in market speculation, Washbourne said ReadyTech had nothing to announce, adding the opportunity remains live and the process has been extended, with the government not yet formally confirming an outcome. About ReadyTech (ASX:RDY) ReadyTech Holdings Limited provides technology-based solutions in Australia. It operates in three segments: Education and Work Pathways; Workforce Solutions; and Government and Justice. The Education and Work Pathways segment offers cloud-based student and learning management systems for education and training providers to manage the student lifecycle from student enrolment to course completion. This segment also provides platforms to help state governments to manage vocational education and training programs; software platforms for the pathways and back-to-work sector to manage apprentices and job seekers; and a competency assessment and skills profiling tools to track on-the-job training through a qualification. See Also RWA Wealth Partners LLC lessened its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM Free Report) by 45.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 12,011 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 10,000 shares during the quarter. RWA Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera were worth $516,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State of Wyoming lifted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 96.1% in the 3rd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 2,061 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 1,010 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 57.2% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 3,011 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $133,000 after purchasing an additional 1,096 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 2,093.3% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,926 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 3,747 shares in the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the third quarter worth about $139,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the second quarter worth about $146,000. Institutional investors own 12.41% of the companys stock. Get Sociedad Quimica y Minera alerts: Sociedad Quimica y Minera Price Performance Shares of NYSE SQM opened at $76.51 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.88, a current ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $75.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.73. The company has a market cap of $21.85 billion, a PE ratio of 41.81 and a beta of 0.99. Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. has a twelve month low of $29.36 and a twelve month high of $86.13. Sociedad Quimica y Minera Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 30th were paid a $0.1236 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 30th. Sociedad Quimica y Mineras dividend payout ratio is 6.56%. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $63.00 price target (up from $45.00) on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a report on Monday, December 29th. HSBC upgraded shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $79.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, UBS Group set a $79.00 price objective on Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.79. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Sociedad Quimica y Minera Sociedad Quimica y Minera Company Profile (Free Report) Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (NYSE: SQM) is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals and minerals headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The company focuses on the extraction and processing of key inputs for the agricultural, industrial and hightech sectors. Its core business activities include the mining of lithium, potassium and iodine, as well as the manufacture of valueadded products derived from these raw materials. SQMs product portfolio spans lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems; potassium chloride and potassium nitrate fertilizers designed for precision agriculture; and iodine and its derivatives for pharmaceutical, food and electronics applications. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SQM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sigma Healthcare (ASX:SIG) executives used the companys half-year earnings call for the six months ended December 2025 to highlight strong top-line growth, operating leverage and early synergy progress from the combined Sigma and Chemist Warehouse (CW) businesses. Managing Director and CEO Vikesh Ramsunder was joined by new Group CFO Richard Murray, who started in October, and Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Gary Woodford. Get alerts: First-half performance and key drivers Ramsunder said the complementary nature of Sigma and Chemist Warehouse was beginning to show in results, pointing to a 15% increase in revenue for the half. Sales in the Chemist Warehouse branded Australian network rose 17%, with like-for-like sales up 15%. International markets accelerated, with network sales up 24.5% and like-for-like sales up 11%. The CEO also pointed to earnings momentum, with normalized EBIT up 18.7% and normalized NPAT up nearly 20%, supported by cost management. Supply chain volume grew 5% while distribution costs were flat, which management attributed to scale benefits and fixed-cost absorption. The integration program remained on plan, with AUD 13 million of synergy benefits delivered in the first half. The board declared a dividend of AUD 0.02 per share, described as a payout ratio close to 60% and within the companys 50%70% guided range. Financial details: margins, cash flow and balance sheet Murray said revenue growth was about 1.5 times operating expense growth in the first half, contributing to operating leverage. Normalized EBIT was reported at AUD 582.9, up 18.7%, with EBIT margins expanding 34 basis points. Gross margin was consistent at 18.3%, which management said reflected scale efficiencies, mix and improved supplier support. Normalized EPS was AUD 0.034 per share, up 19.4%, supporting the fully franked AUD 0.02 per share dividend. On cash generation, the company reported free cash flow of AUD 284.6 million and operating cash flow of AUD 317 million. Net debt leverage improved to 0.61x EBITDA from 0.85x at 30 June, and net debt fell to AUD 635 million from AUD 752 million at year-end. Murray said debt reduction was supported by a AUD 117 million reduction in debt and that the company reduced gross borrowings by AUD 97 million during the half. Management also discussed working capital, noting the half included a AUD 218 million working capital outflow that reflected strong revenue growth and inventory held across both retail and wholesale operations. Murray highlighted that days inventory for the combined Sigma business was consistent at 49 days through the half, calling it positive given seasonal wholesale inventory build into Christmas. CapEx for the half was AUD 13.7 million, directed to store openings, supply chain infrastructure, technology investments and integration. Murray noted some CapEx timing effects from accruals and said any potential New Zealand distribution center investment would likely be spread over roughly two years, with more details expected once plans are finalized. Store expansion and brand portfolio plans Ramsunder framed strategy around four pillars: domestic growth, international expansion, product differentiation via owned and exclusive labels, and efficiency gains from scale. In Australia, the company added 13 new Chemist Warehouse branded stores during the half, and said it had begun efforts to reinvigorate the Amcal and Discount Drug Stores (DDS) brands. A milestone cited was the full conversion of all My Chemist stores to Amcal and DDS to simplify the brand portfolio. Looking ahead to the second half of FY26, Ramsunder said Sigma expects to add nine Chemist Warehouse stores and complete 18 Chemist Warehouse refurbishments. He also outlined long-term network targets of 900 Chemist Warehouse stores, 300 Amcal pharmacies and more than 150 DDS stores. In response to analyst questions on growth run rates, Ramsunder said Chemist Warehouse branded store openings averaged around 2022 a year, noting previous reporting had included pipeline stores and other categories. He also clarified that first-half additions to Chemist Warehouse stores were genuine additions, not conversions from Amcal or DDS. On Amcal and DDS, Ramsunder characterized the opportunity as multi-year and said it is not a material driver at the moment but remains an opportunity. Management described the portfolio positioning as: Chemist Warehouse: big-box discount pharmacy big-box discount pharmacy Amcal: everyday community pharmacy with a growing beauty focus everyday community pharmacy with a growing beauty focus DDS: convenience-oriented pharmacy format International growth and supply chain investments International retail network sales exceeded AUD 800 million in the half, and the company opened nine stores in New Zealand and three in Ireland. Ramsunder said the international network reached 89 stores across New Zealand, Ireland and Dubai, including more than 70 stores in New Zealand, where sales were up 22.4% for the half. Sigma expects to open four more stores in New Zealand in the second half. The expansion in New Zealand has triggered a review of supply chain requirements, with management saying it was close to finalizing plans for a new Auckland distribution center. In Ireland, where the company now has 17 stores, management said it was strengthening the operational backbone through improved supply from its own distribution center, enhanced supply partnerships and more effective marketing, with four additional store openings expected in the second half. In Dubai, management said two existing stores were proving popular and that three more stores would open shortly. Ramsunder said the decision to open three additional stores was a vote of confidence, while acknowledging that with only two stores it is early to draw long-term conclusions. As previously announced, Ramsunder said China will be focused only online, with sales up 3.3% for the half and a physical store closure program expected to be completed by FY29 with minimal financial impact. GLP-1 medicines, private label and synergy progress Executives fielded multiple questions about GLP-1 medicines. Ramsunder said GLP-1 adoption boosted first-half sales and expected it to continue supporting second-half growth, though he noted the effect would moderate as the company cycles a higher base. He called the category enduring, citing continued adoption and future innovation such as oral dosages. He also said GLP-1 prescriptions can support additional purchasing in-store, pointing to examples like protein products. On margin, he said percentage margins are lower because GLP-1 is expensive, but argued the category expands market size over time. On owned and exclusive label products, Ramsunder said the company launched more than 400 new own and exclusive label products in the half, with owned and exclusive labels now close to 10% of Chemist Warehouse retail sales. He said owned and exclusive Swift label lines grew 16% in the half, and highlighted Wagner Generics, which he said now makes up 39% of the recommended generics range. In response to questions about growth slowing from prior periods, Ramsunder said growth can naturally compress as more products are added, though standout products can re-accelerate growth. On integration and synergies, management reiterated an AUD 100 million synergy target by FY29. Ramsunder said the TuiKi program delivered AUD 13 million in the half and is weighted toward years three and four, emphasizing the need to avoid disrupting day-to-day stock flow while consolidating supply chain operations. Initiatives cited included closing the ePharmacy distribution center in Preston, consolidating transport networks, and announced closures of CWC facilities in South Australia and Western Australia by the end of the calendar year. Management also referenced a multi-year technology rationalization roadmap and said AI is being enabled across the business to support efficiency efforts. In closing remarks, Ramsunder said the first seven weeks of the second half showed sustained momentum, with Australian Chemist Warehouse branded store year-to-date sales up 16.6% and like-for-like sales up 14.4% as the company begins to cycle GLP-1 sales from the prior year. About Sigma Healthcare (ASX:SIG) Sigma Healthcare Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical goods and medical consumables to community pharmacies primarily in Australia. The company operates various aligned pharmacies, including branded pharmacies under the Amcal, Discount Drug Stores, Guardian, and PharmaSave brands. It also provides retail support services to its branded network of pharmacy members; dose administration aid services; and third and fourth-party logistics services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and other supplier partners. Recommended Stories Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (CVE:PGE Get Free Report) rose 23.3% on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$0.55 and last traded at C$0.53. Approximately 3,420,150 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 123% from the average daily volume of 1,535,380 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.43. Stillwater Critical Minerals Trading Up 4.0% The stock has a market capitalization of C$161.33 million, a P/E ratio of -13.00 and a beta of 1.42. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$0.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.40. About Stillwater Critical Minerals (Get Free Report) Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company explores for gold, palladium, nickel, cobalt, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group metals. Its flagship project is the Stillwater West project, which comprises 763 claims covering an area of approximately 61 square kilometers located in Stillwater District, Montana. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Stillwater Critical Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stillwater Critical Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc reduced its position in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report) by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 303,834 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 86,932 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc owned about 0.09% of Prudential Financial worth $31,520,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Summit Global Investments boosted its position in Prudential Financial by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 7,609 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $817,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC grew its position in Prudential Financial by 1.4% in the third quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC now owns 7,662 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $795,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Pitcairn Co. increased its stake in Prudential Financial by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Pitcairn Co. now owns 3,973 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $427,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. TIAA Trust National Association lifted its position in Prudential Financial by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 4,142 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $445,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 20.5% during the 3rd quarter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC now owns 642 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.83% of the companys stock. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently issued reports on PRU. Wall Street Zen lowered Prudential Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Prudential Financial from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $115.00 to $103.00 in a report on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $133.00 to $127.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $115.78. Insider Activity at Prudential Financial In related news, Director Joseph J. Wolk bought 400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $105.32 per share, with a total value of $42,128.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 400 shares in the company, valued at $42,128. The trade was a increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Thomas D. Stoddard acquired 250 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $102.97 per share, with a total value of $25,742.50. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,742.50. This trade represents a increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders acquired a total of 1,408,389 shares of company stock valued at $35,154,439 over the last 90 days. 0.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Prudential Financial Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PRU opened at $98.22 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.38 and a 12-month high of $119.76. The firm has a market cap of $34.18 billion, a PE ratio of 9.82, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.97. The companys 50 day moving average price is $109.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $107.33. Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The financial services provider reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.37 by ($0.07). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 6.20% and a return on equity of 16.32%. The firm had revenue of $15.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.48 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.96 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current year. Prudential Financial Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This is a boost from Prudential Financials previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.7%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.00%. Prudential Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is a diversified financial services company with roots dating to 1875. The firm provides a range of insurance, retirement and investment products aimed at helping individual and institutional clients manage risk, accumulate and protect wealth, and plan for retirement. Prudentials long history in life insurance and related financial services has positioned it as a major participant in the U.S. insurance market and a provider of services to a broad client base. Prudentials core business activities include individual life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions and group insurance products for employers. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc lessened its stake in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY Free Report) by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 261,898 shares of the companys stock after selling 22,183 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Inc owned 0.13% of Hershey worth $48,988,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Hershey by 1,537.5% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 131 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Hershey in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in Hershey by 46.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 199 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey during the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Hershey alerts: Hershey News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week: Positive Sentiment: Hersheys recent quarter beat estimates and management set FY2026 guidance of $8.20$8.52 EPS, confirming solid top-line growth and margin resilience a primary driver for investor confidence. MarketBeat earnings & guidance summary Hersheys recent quarter beat estimates and management set FY2026 guidance of $8.20$8.52 EPS, confirming solid top-line growth and margin resilience a primary driver for investor confidence. Positive Sentiment: The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.452 (annualized $5.81), increasing yield and income appeal for dividend-focused investors. Dividend growth reinforces the defensive, cash-return profile of HSY. MarketBeat dividend notice The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.452 (annualized $5.81), increasing yield and income appeal for dividend-focused investors. Dividend growth reinforces the defensive, cash-return profile of HSY. Positive Sentiment: Analysts and financial outlets continue to view Hershey as a high-quality, wide-moat consumer stock it was featured on a list of five non-tech wide-moat leaders, supporting demand from long-term, defensive investors. Buy 5 Non-Tech Wide Moat Stocks to Enhance Your Portfolio Returns Analysts and financial outlets continue to view Hershey as a high-quality, wide-moat consumer stock it was featured on a list of five non-tech wide-moat leaders, supporting demand from long-term, defensive investors. Neutral Sentiment: Food & beverage peers reported mixed results (e.g., Monster, Hormel, Smucker beats/metrics). These sector data points help set category expectations but are not company-specific catalysts for HSY. Monster Q4 earnings Food & beverage peers reported mixed results (e.g., Monster, Hormel, Smucker beats/metrics). These sector data points help set category expectations but are not company-specific catalysts for HSY. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: SVP Jason Reiman sold 2,000 shares (avg. $226.07) and another senior insider, Rohit Grover, sold 3,500 shares on Feb. 24. While small relative to total holdings and not unusual following share-price strength, these sales can be perceived negatively by some investors. Insider selling disclosure Hershey Stock Up 2.1% HSY opened at $236.34 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $202.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $190.15. The company has a market capitalization of $47.90 billion, a PE ratio of 54.46, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.18. Hershey Company has a 1-year low of $150.04 and a 1-year high of $236.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. Hershey (NYSE:HSY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.31. Hershey had a return on equity of 27.90% and a net margin of 7.55%.The firm had revenue of $3.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.69 EPS. Hersheys revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.520 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current year. Hershey Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a dividend of $1.452 per share. This is a boost from Hersheys previous quarterly dividend of $1.37. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Hersheys dividend payout ratio is presently 133.87%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, SVP Jason Reiman sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.07, for a total transaction of $452,140.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 41,036 shares in the company, valued at $9,277,008.52. This trade represents a 4.65% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.66, for a total transaction of $329,490.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 50,819 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,162,901.54. This trade represents a 2.87% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 10,000 shares of company stock valued at $2,153,645. 0.34% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on HSY. Mizuho upped their price target on Hershey from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating and issued a $188.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. DA Davidson set a $243.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley set a $238.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and issued a $267.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and sixteen have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $222.21. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Hershey Hershey Profile (Free Report) The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading North American chocolatier and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The company develops, produces and markets a wide range of confectionery and snack products for retail, foodservice and international customers. Hersheys business spans manufacturing, branded product marketing, packaging and distribution across grocery, convenience, mass merchant and e-commerce channels. Hersheys product portfolio centers on chocolate and sugar confectionery, including core brands such as Hersheys, Reeses, Hersheys Kisses and Twizzlers, alongside non-chocolate snacks and confectionery brands. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hershey Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hershey and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lao Airlines, the national flag carrier of Laos, has announced it will resume direct flights linking the Lao capital of Vientiane with Vietnam's central city of Da Nang from March 29. The carrier said it will operate two flights per week on Thursdays and Sundays, using the Comac C909 aircraft configured with 90 economy-class seats. The flight time is estimated at about one hour and 20 minutes. Under the schedule, Flight QV317 will depart from Vientiane at 11:20 a.m. and arrive in Da Nang at 12:40 p.m. the same day. The return flight, QV318, will leave Da Nang at 1:50 p.m. and land in Vientiane at 3:10 p.m. the same day. Tickets will be available at Lao Airlines ticket offices in Laos, through authorized agents, as well as on the carrier's website and mobile application. The proposed round-trip fare listed on the website is US$290 for bookings made in April. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Lao Airlines operated the Vientiane - Da Nang route using ATR-72 aircraft with 70 seats, transiting in Pakse city in southern Laos. In 2023, it attempted to relaunch a direct Vientiane - Da Nang service using Airbus A320 aircraft, but later suspended operations as market demand had yet to fully recover after the pandemic. According to Lao Airlines, the route resumption this time is expected to be more favorable as the airline has introduced the C909 aircraft with 90 seats, which is considered better suited to market demand compared to the previously operated ATR-72 (70 seats) and A320 (148 seats). The announcement comes amid rising international arrivals to Da Nang, which is projected to welcome around 19 million visitors in 2026. Currently, many travelers from South Korea and China view Da Nang as a hub while demand for short-haul flights to popular Lao destinations such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane has increased markedly. Lao Airlines expects these international tourists to help fill seats on its C909 aircraft. Ibex Wealth Advisors lifted its position in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 9.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 54,952 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 4,892 shares during the period. Ibex Wealth Advisors holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $5,988,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 78.9% in the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 288 shares of the banks stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 2nd quarter worth $52,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 73.2% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the banks stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.31% of the companys stock. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance Shares of NYSE BK opened at $118.83 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The company has a market cap of $81.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.10. The stocks 50-day moving average is $119.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $112.13. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a 1-year low of $70.46 and a 1-year high of $128.76. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The bank reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.37% and a net margin of 13.62%.The business had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter. Analysts forecast that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 23rd were paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.61%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on BK shares. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. They set a neutral rating for the company. New Street Research set a $143.00 target price on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. TD Cowen upped their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $133.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Barclays raised their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Truist Financial raised Bank of New York Mellon from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $119.00 to $134.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of New York Mellon has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $131.92. View Our Latest Analysis on Bank of New York Mellon Bank of New York Mellon Profile (Free Report) Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City that provides a wide range of asset servicing, custody, and related financial infrastructure solutions to institutional clients. Its core businesses include custody and asset servicing, clearing and collateral management, treasury services, securities lending, corporate trust services, and depositary receipt administration. The company also offers investment management and advisory services through its asset management arm and provides technology-enabled solutions for trade processing, foreign exchange, and liquidity management. BNY Mellon serves a broad client base that includes asset managers, pension funds, corporations, banks, broker-dealers and sovereign entities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC Free Report) (TSE:K) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 17,866 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $443,000. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kinross Gold by 35.1% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 70,370 shares of the mining companys stock worth $887,000 after acquiring an additional 18,287 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Kinross Gold during the first quarter valued at $158,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kinross Gold during the second quarter valued at $167,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kinross Gold by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 661,549 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $10,340,000 after purchasing an additional 43,819 shares during the period. Finally, Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Kinross Gold in the 2nd quarter worth about $273,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.69% of the companys stock. Get Kinross Gold alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Zacks Research downgraded Kinross Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Kinross Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, February 22nd. Scotiabank upped their price target on shares of Kinross Gold from $32.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. UBS Group set a $43.00 price objective on shares of Kinross Gold in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $33.00 target price on shares of Kinross Gold in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.81. Kinross Gold Trading Up 0.5% Kinross Gold stock opened at $36.93 on Friday. Kinross Gold Corporation has a 12 month low of $10.32 and a 12 month high of $39.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 2.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a market cap of $44.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 0.74. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $33.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.20. Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC Get Free Report) (TSE:K) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The mining company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.12. Kinross Gold had a return on equity of 28.22% and a net margin of 33.90%.The business had revenue of $2.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.20 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 42.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Kinross Gold Corporation will post 0.81 EPS for the current fiscal year. Kinross Gold Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.04 per share. This is a positive change from Kinross Golds previous quarterly dividend of $0.04. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Kinross Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.14%. About Kinross Gold (Free Report) Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC) is a Toronto-based precious metals mining company primarily focused on the exploration, development and production of gold, with silver recovered as a by-product at some operations. The companys activities span the full mining lifecycle, including discovery and resource delineation, mine construction and operation, ore processing, and eventual site reclamation and closure. Kinross sells refined gold produced at its processing facilities and manages associated logistics and processing arrangements to deliver metal to market. Kinross operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects across multiple regions, with a significant presence in the Americas and West Africa. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KGC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC Free Report) (TSE:K). Receive News & Ratings for Kinross Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kinross Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TIAA Trust National Association grew its stake in Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI Free Report) by 836.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 35,117 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 31,367 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Associations holdings in Cummins were worth $14,832,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CMI. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Cummins during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Cummins in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Cummins during the third quarter worth $36,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC increased its position in shares of Cummins by 1,333.3% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 86 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Tripletail Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Cummins during the third quarter worth $39,000. 83.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Cummins alerts: Cummins Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CMI opened at $584.37 on Friday. Cummins Inc. has a twelve month low of $260.02 and a twelve month high of $617.98. The stocks 50 day moving average is $566.52 and its 200-day moving average is $484.51. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.48, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.13. Cummins Dividend Announcement Cummins ( NYSE:CMI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $5.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.17 by $0.64. Cummins had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 25.71%. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.16 EPS. Cumminss quarterly revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Cummins Inc. will post 22.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a $8.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Cumminss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.99%. Insider Buying and Selling at Cummins In other Cummins news, VP Donald G. Jackson sold 1,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $600.13, for a total transaction of $960,208.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 7,214 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,329,337.82. The trade was a 18.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Jennifer Mary Bush sold 4,270 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $584.93, for a total value of $2,497,651.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 15,130 shares in the company, valued at $8,849,990.90. This represents a 22.01% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 27,141 shares of company stock worth $16,121,817. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have commented on CMI shares. UBS Group set a $565.00 price target on shares of Cummins and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Zacks Research lowered Cummins from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $600.00 target price on Cummins and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $580.00 target price on Cummins in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $675.00 price target on shares of Cummins in a report on Friday, February 6th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $588.93. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CMI Cummins Profile (Free Report) Cummins Inc (NYSE: CMI) is a global power technology company that designs, manufactures, distributes and services a broad portfolio of diesel and natural gas engines, electrified powertrains, power generation systems and related components. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins has grown into one of the worlds leading suppliers of internal combustion engines and a provider of technologies that reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The companys product lineup includes heavy-, medium- and light-duty engines for on-highway and off-highway applications, generator sets and power systems for commercial and industrial use, and key engine components such as turbochargers, fuel systems, air handling, filtration and aftertreatment solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cummins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cummins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TIAA Trust National Association decreased its position in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWV Free Report) by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 73,034 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,297 shares during the quarter. TIAA Trust National Associations holdings in iShares Russell 3000 ETF were worth $27,676,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cloud Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Russell 3000 ETF during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Caldwell Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF by 214.3% during the 2nd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 176 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $63,000. Finally, Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI bought a new position in iShares Russell 3000 ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $66,000. Get iShares Russell 3000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 3000 ETF Price Performance Shares of IWV stock opened at $390.66 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.11 and a beta of 1.02. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $391.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $382.93. iShares Russell 3000 ETF has a 1 year low of $273.60 and a 1 year high of $397.05. iShares Russell 3000 ETF Profile iShares Russell 3000 ETF, formerly iShares Russell 3000 Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the United States equity market, as represented by the Russell 3000 Index (the Index). It serves as the underlying index for Russell 3000 Growth and Value series and the Russell 1000 and Russell 2000 Indexes, as well as their respective Growth and Value series. The Fund invests in sectors, such as technology, financial services, consumer discretionary, healthcare, producer durables, energy, consumer staples, utilities, materials & processing and S-T Securities. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 3000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 3000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 3000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported C$2.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The company had revenue of C$16.63 billion during the quarter. Toronto-Dominion Bank Trading Down 1.7% TSE:TD opened at C$132.88 on Friday. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 1-year low of C$78.06 and a 1-year high of C$136.49. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$130.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$118.41. The stock has a market capitalization of C$222.81 billion, a PE ratio of 11.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.00. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: More Toronto-Dominion Bank News Here are the key news stories impacting Toronto-Dominion Bank this week: Positive Sentiment: Record Q1 results TD reported C$2.44 EPS and C$16.63B in revenue, with management highlighting strong performance across Canadian and U.S. retail and markets businesses, plus a sizable renewed buyback and wealthbusiness consolidation. This supports fundamentals and capital return. Toronto Dominion Bank Earnings Strength And Wealth Shift Test Valuation Record Q1 results TD reported C$2.44 EPS and C$16.63B in revenue, with management highlighting strong performance across Canadian and U.S. retail and markets businesses, plus a sizable renewed buyback and wealthbusiness consolidation. This supports fundamentals and capital return. Positive Sentiment: Broad analyst upgrades Multiple firms raised price targets, notably RBC to C$148, Canaccord to C$147, National Bank to C$146, BMO to C$144, Desjardins to C$145 and Scotiabank to C$142, reflecting conviction that earnings and capital actions support further upside. Analyst Ratings Roundup Broad analyst upgrades Multiple firms raised price targets, notably RBC to C$148, Canaccord to C$147, National Bank to C$146, BMO to C$144, Desjardins to C$145 and Scotiabank to C$142, reflecting conviction that earnings and capital actions support further upside. Neutral Sentiment: Some firms maintained neutral/marketperform stances despite higher targets CIBC raised its target but stayed neutral (C$140), and Raymond James kept a marketperform view, indicating not all analysts see immediate strong upside. Analyst Ratings Roundup TickerReport: CIBC Some firms maintained neutral/marketperform stances despite higher targets CIBC raised its target but stayed neutral (C$140), and Raymond James kept a marketperform view, indicating not all analysts see immediate strong upside. Neutral Sentiment: Minor raises with limited upside Barclays raised its target modestly (to C$135), implying only small nearterm upside from current levels. Analyst Ratings Roundup Minor raises with limited upside Barclays raised its target modestly (to C$135), implying only small nearterm upside from current levels. Negative Sentiment: Valuation and profittaking pressure Coverage pointing out a ~63% oneyear gain and questions about whether the stock is fully priced may be prompting sellers and trimming by momentum investors. This valuation narrative can offset positive earnings news. Is It Too Late To Consider Toronto-Dominion Bank Valuation and profittaking pressure Coverage pointing out a ~63% oneyear gain and questions about whether the stock is fully priced may be prompting sellers and trimming by momentum investors. This valuation narrative can offset positive earnings news. Negative Sentiment: Price softness today despite the bullish analyst revisions and strong results, the stock traded lower as investors likely digested valuation risk and rotated profits; watch whether followthrough selling continues or buyers step in on the analystled support. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently issued reports on TD. Desjardins increased their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$139.00 to C$145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$122.00 to C$126.00 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$132.00 to C$142.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Raymond James Financial increased their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$138.00 to C$141.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$135.00 to C$144.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$139.50. View Our Latest Analysis on TD Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLC lowered its stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 21.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 25,154 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,882 shares during the quarter. Aflac makes up approximately 0.9% of Tounjian Advisory Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLCs holdings in Aflac were worth $2,810,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Aflac by 10.4% in the third quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,731,482 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $193,407,000 after acquiring an additional 163,791 shares during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in shares of Aflac by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,768,705 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $196,662,000 after purchasing an additional 65,308 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Aflac by 126.1% in the 3rd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 21,345 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,384,000 after purchasing an additional 11,903 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in Aflac by 12.0% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 97,344 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,841,000 after purchasing an additional 10,423 shares during the period. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its holdings in Aflac by 31.0% during the third quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 55,022 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,146,000 after purchasing an additional 13,017 shares during the period. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Aflac alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AFL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Evercore upped their price objective on Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Aflac from $109.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Aflac from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Aflac in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $119.00 price objective (up from $110.00) on shares of Aflac in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $111.73. Aflac Trading Down 1.1% Shares of Aflac stock opened at $112.75 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.11. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $111.52 and a 200-day moving average of $109.98. Aflac Incorporated has a 52-week low of $96.95 and a 52-week high of $119.32. The stock has a market cap of $58.22 billion, a PE ratio of 16.39, a PEG ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.67. Aflac (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.69 by ($0.12). Aflac had a return on equity of 14.35% and a net margin of 21.24%.The business had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.45 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.57 earnings per share. Aflacs revenue was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Aflac In other news, EVP Steven Kent Beaver sold 7,387 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.58, for a total value of $839,015.46. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 40,526 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,602,943.08. The trade was a 15.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders have sold 16,331 shares of company stock worth $1,817,720 over the last quarter. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Aflac Company Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflacs product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans. Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 65.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,526 shares of the companys stock after selling 33,206 shares during the quarter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $2,693,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 234,630,605 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,050,992,000 after acquiring an additional 1,419,322 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.8% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 59,415,933 shares of the companys stock worth $9,439,341,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060,713 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble in the second quarter valued at approximately $5,099,644,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.7% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,385,571 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,770,035,000 after buying an additional 294,673 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 21.4% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 16,374,499 shares of the companys stock worth $2,608,785,000 after buying an additional 2,880,895 shares in the last quarter. 65.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Chairman Jon R. Moeller sold 162,232 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.45, for a total value of $26,354,588.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman directly owned 319,385 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,884,093.25. This trade represents a 33.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Moses Victor Javier Aguilar sold 15,169 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.28, for a total transaction of $2,461,625.32. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 44,735 shares in the company, valued at $7,259,595.80. This trade represents a 25.32% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 343,069 shares of company stock worth $54,545,448 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Key Stories Impacting Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble Trading Up 2.0% Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: Shares of PG opened at $166.95 on Friday. Procter & Gamble Company has a fifty-two week low of $137.62 and a fifty-two week high of $179.99. The business has a 50-day moving average of $150.95 and a 200 day moving average of $151.11. The firm has a market cap of $388.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.72. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $22.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.36 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.30% and a return on equity of 32.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.88 earnings per share. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.090 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 EPS for the current year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Friday, January 23rd were paid a dividend of $1.0568 per share. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 23rd. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 62.67%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have weighed in on PG. UBS Group raised their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $161.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $177.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Dbs Bank upgraded Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.33. View Our Latest Analysis on Procter & Gamble About Procter & Gamble (Free Report) Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide. P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLC cut its stake in Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) by 36.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,912 shares of the banks stock after selling 14,220 shares during the period. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLCs holdings in Citizens Financial Group were worth $1,324,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CFG. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 2.4% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 11,531 shares of the banks stock valued at $472,000 after buying an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 8,838 shares of the banks stock worth $362,000 after purchasing an additional 554 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 39.5% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 36,932 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,513,000 after buying an additional 10,466 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 93.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 9,814 shares of the banks stock valued at $439,000 after acquiring an additional 4,739 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Transcend Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Citizens Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $291,000. 94.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Citizens Financial Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE CFG opened at $60.07 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $25.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.72. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $62.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $55.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.60 and a 1 year high of $68.79. Citizens Financial Group Announces Dividend Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The bank reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.16 billion. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.81% and a net margin of 15.19%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.85 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 18th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 4th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 4th. Citizens Financial Groups payout ratio is currently 47.55%. Analyst Ratings Changes CFG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Raymond James Financial cut shares of Citizens Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $62.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Barclays set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Robert W. Baird restated a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on Citizens Financial Group from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price target on Citizens Financial Group from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $68.77. Read Our Latest Research Report on CFG Citizens Financial Group Company Profile (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: CFG) is a bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, corporations and institutional clients. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens conducts its banking operations principally through its primary banking subsidiary, Citizens Bank, and serves customers through a combination of branch locations, ATMs and digital channels. The company is publicly traded and operates under the regulatory framework applicable to U.S. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC boosted its position in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report) by 33.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,157 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,790 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLCs holdings in Citigroup were worth $1,944,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brookstone Capital Management raised its stake in Citigroup by 31.5% in the 3rd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 75,914 shares of the companys stock worth $7,705,000 after purchasing an additional 18,176 shares in the last quarter. Permanent Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,238,000. Donaldson Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Citigroup in the third quarter valued at approximately $58,994,000. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. grew its position in Citigroup by 61.5% during the third quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. now owns 57,033 shares of the companys stock worth $5,789,000 after buying an additional 21,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keystone Financial Services bought a new position in Citigroup during the 2nd quarter worth $216,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.72% of the companys stock. Get Citigroup alerts: More Citigroup News Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week: Positive Sentiment: BlackRock picked Citi Investor Services to provide select middle-office services for $4.0T of U.S. iShares ETFs a meaningful client win that supports fee income and strengthens custody/servicing credibility. Article Title BlackRock picked Citi Investor Services to provide select middle-office services for $4.0T of U.S. iShares ETFs a meaningful client win that supports fee income and strengthens custody/servicing credibility. Positive Sentiment: Citi committed $60B to affordable housing, nearly doubling its sector investment pace a large, multiyear deployment that positions the bank for stable lending and fee opportunities tied to policy and ESG flows. Article Title Citi committed $60B to affordable housing, nearly doubling its sector investment pace a large, multiyear deployment that positions the bank for stable lending and fee opportunities tied to policy and ESG flows. Positive Sentiment: Citi formed an AI infrastructure financing team to capture demand from data-center builds and related capex a strategic play to originate large commercial loans and project-finance mandates as AI adoption ramps. Article Title Citi formed an AI infrastructure financing team to capture demand from data-center builds and related capex a strategic play to originate large commercial loans and project-finance mandates as AI adoption ramps. Neutral Sentiment: Citi made a strategic investment in Japans Sakana AI (size undisclosed) signals an effort to back AI partners but unclear near-term financial impact. Article Title Citi made a strategic investment in Japans Sakana AI (size undisclosed) signals an effort to back AI partners but unclear near-term financial impact. Neutral Sentiment: Media and research outlets continue to spotlight Citi (trending coverage, analyst attention and higher targets from some firms), which can amplify both inflows and volatility depending on headline flow. (See recent Zacks/MarketBeat summaries.) Article Title Media and research outlets continue to spotlight Citi (trending coverage, analyst attention and higher targets from some firms), which can amplify both inflows and volatility depending on headline flow. (See recent Zacks/MarketBeat summaries.) Negative Sentiment: Macro/geopolitical risk is elevated today headlines about heightened crossborder conflict in South Asia and Israel/Iran tensions are driving riskoff flows across markets, which typically pushes bank stocks lower on volatility and flight-to-safety moves. Article Title Macro/geopolitical risk is elevated today headlines about heightened crossborder conflict in South Asia and Israel/Iran tensions are driving riskoff flows across markets, which typically pushes bank stocks lower on volatility and flight-to-safety moves. Negative Sentiment: Company fundamentals that can weigh on sentiment: Q4 showed an EPS beat but revenue missed estimates (reported Jan. 14), and todays elevated volume suggests profittaking or institutional rebalancing; that combination often triggers sharper intraday declines. (See company Q4 results and trading stats.) Insider Buying and Selling Analysts Set New Price Targets In other Citigroup news, insider Cantu Ernesto Torres sold 43,173 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.09, for a total transaction of $4,796,088.57. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 45,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,091,810.15. The trade was a 48.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. C has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays upped their target price on Citigroup from $115.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Morgan Stanley set a $152.00 price target on Citigroup in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $132.00 target price on shares of Citigroup in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Citigroup from $118.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $127.25. Read Our Latest Research Report on C Citigroup Stock Performance NYSE C opened at $110.11 on Friday. Citigroup Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $55.51 and a fifty-two week high of $125.16. The stock has a market cap of $192.62 billion, a PE ratio of 15.80, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.00. The firms fifty day moving average price is $116.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.08. Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $19.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.99 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 8.28% and a net margin of 8.50%.Citigroups quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.34 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. Citigroup Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Monday, February 2nd were issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.43%. Citigroup Profile (Free Report) Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide. Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC lifted its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 182.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 104,266 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 67,293 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,657,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,270,157,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.9% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 533,363,457 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,928,730,000 after buying an additional 10,198,330 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 43.4% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 18,718,955 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $453,747,000 after acquiring an additional 5,662,309 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in Pfizer by 75.0% in the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 8,689,103 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $221,398,000 after acquiring an additional 3,722,531 shares during the period. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 84.9% in the second quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 7,561,946 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $183,302,000 after acquiring an additional 3,472,240 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Key Pfizer News Here are the key news stories impacting Pfizer this week: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Guggenheim restated a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wolfe Research set a $24.00 price target on shares of Pfizer and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating and issued a $30.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They set a neutral rating and a $26.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.70. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PFE Pfizer Price Performance PFE stock opened at $27.61 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.28. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $26.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.41. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $20.92 and a 52-week high of $27.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.30 and a beta of 0.47. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.09. Pfizer had a return on equity of 20.25% and a net margin of 12.42%.The company had revenue of $17.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.93 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.63 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 126.47%. Pfizer Company Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas. Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nikk Mitchell (L), founder and CEO of Hanghzou-based VR production company FXG, conducts shooting with his colleague at the Yanguan ancient town in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 13, 2025. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Peking Opera performer, clad in embroidered armor, raises her spear as gongs reverberate through a studio in Hangzhou in eastern China. There is no traditional stage or theater audience, only a green screen and a ring of specialized cameras capturing each posture. Later, through a virtual reality (VR) headset, the same scene unfolds again. But this time, the viewer appears to be standing inside the performance rather than watching from afar. The VR project was created by FXG, a VR production company based in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. "We're capturing reality and allowing it to be entered again," Nikk Mitchell, FXG's founder and CEO, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "The goal is to take what's meaningful and valuable about the world and make it accessible in immersive form." For Mitchell, who was born in Kenya and raised in Canada, much value lies in traditional Chinese culture. His curiosity about martial arts films, tea rituals, and ancient history drove him to arrive in China for the first time at the age of 18. "I found infinite stories in China's traditional culture, which is a rich treasure trove to me," said Mitchell, who has lived in China for nearly two decades. While paper-cutting and Dunhuang murals offer rich creation possibilities, it was Peking Opera that left him the deepest impression. "I never had an interest in Peking Opera before I came to China. But I was fascinated by it when I experienced the sounds, movements and outfits personally," he said. However, he recognized that for those unfamiliar with it, the intricate art form may feel inaccessible. He sought to change the situation with the VR technology. In 2012, a VR short film, though technically rudimentary by today's standards, revealed to him a new way of storytelling: not observation, but presence. "Photos and videos may fail to capture its essence. I knew the technology would change the way we experience art," said Mitchell. In 2017, he co-founded FXG in Hangzhou, drawn by the city's deep cultural heritage and technological dynamism. His company focuses on the research and development of immersive technologies and content production. "It is really meaningful to capture stage plays with VR so that anyone in the world can experience them," he said. Mitchell believes that his work resonates with a broader trend in China and aligns with a national policy direction. "Younger audiences are rediscovering traditional arts with great cultural confidence, and institutions are exploring digital formats," he said. The Communist Party of China Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) stressed the need to further integrate culture and technology, to empower cultural development with digital and intelligent technologies, and to shift to an IT-based development model, while fostering new forms of cultural business. "I feel almost destined to be in this place," Mitchell said, while citing the recommendations. He even adopted a Chinese name, Li Wenlong, in which "Wen" signifies culture and knowledge, while he chose "long," meaning dragon, because he was born in the Year of the Dragon. "My dream is that one day, a kid in rural China or a student in Paris can put on a headset and stand in front of a master performer without any time or space limits," Mitchell said. "It's such an exciting vision of the future, where anything beautiful and meaningful that humanity has created can be preserved." Nikk Mitchell, founder and CEO of VR production company FXG, checks an image on his computer at his company based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 27, 2026. (Xinhua) Editor: ZAD Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Free Report) by 55.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 53,403 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 19,009 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service comprises approximately 1.7% of Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,461,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UPS. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.6% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,277,988 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $5,619,730,000 after purchasing an additional 372,850 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 30,774,530 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,106,381,000 after purchasing an additional 444,384 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 25,792,139 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,603,459,000 after buying an additional 746,667 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 4.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,623,834 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,675,733,000 after buying an additional 762,407 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the second quarter worth approximately $851,842,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get United Parcel Service alerts: Trending Headlines about United Parcel Service Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week: United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.7% United Parcel Service stock opened at $115.85 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $109.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $96.74. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $82.00 and a 1-year high of $123.70. The company has a market cap of $98.29 billion, a PE ratio of 17.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.22. United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.18. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 38.30% and a net margin of 6.28%.The company had revenue of $24.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.91 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.75 earnings per share. United Parcel Services quarterly revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio is presently 100.00%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $120.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $85.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Bank of America upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $114.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $113.67. Read Our Latest Stock Report on UPS Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. About United Parcel Service (Free Report) United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce. The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UPS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Parcel Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Parcel Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE cut its holdings in shares of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL Free Report) by 2.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 104,443 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 3,071 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Allstate were worth $22,419,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in ALL. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its position in Allstate by 79.7% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 124 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Allstate by 112.3% in the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 138 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its stake in shares of Allstate by 3,800.0% during the 2nd quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 156 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the period. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Allstate by 72.0% during the 3rd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 160 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Allstate in the third quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.47% of the companys stock. Get Allstate alerts: Allstate Stock Performance NYSE:ALL opened at $214.17 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.59 billion, a PE ratio of 5.61, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 0.23. The Allstate Corporation has a 1 year low of $176.00 and a 1 year high of $216.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $204.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $204.55. Allstate Increases Dividend Allstate ( NYSE:ALL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $14.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.72 by $5.59. The company had revenue of $17.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.23 billion. Allstate had a net margin of 15.19% and a return on equity of 39.20%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $7.67 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Allstate Corporation will post 18.74 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a $1.08 dividend. This is an increase from Allstates previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $4.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. Allstates payout ratio is 10.47%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $238.00 price objective on shares of Allstate in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $215.00 price target (down from $245.00) on shares of Allstate in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. TD Cowen lowered shares of Allstate from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. William Blair downgraded shares of Allstate from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of Allstate from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Allstate currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $239.29. Get Our Latest Research Report on Allstate Insider Activity at Allstate In other news, insider Suren Gupta sold 19,593 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.00, for a total value of $4,114,530.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 100,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,135,660. This represents a 16.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Allstate (Free Report) Allstate Corporation is a publicly traded insurance company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, and is one of the largest personal lines property and casualty insurers in the United States. Founded in 1931 as a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co, Allstate has grown into a diversified insurer that serves millions of consumers and businesses through a mix of distribution channels and product offerings. The company underwrites a broad range of insurance products, with primary emphasis on auto and homeowners coverage. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Allstate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Allstate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE lowered its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 1.7% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 185,945 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 3,308 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $31,659,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Waddell & Associates LLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC now owns 2,040 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $347,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. DSG Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. DSG Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,803 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $647,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Cypress Capital Group increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 0.3% during the third quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 18,786 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,199,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 2.0% in the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 3,381 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $576,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 70.2% in the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Valero Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have issued reports on VLO. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $217.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and set a $195.00 target price (down from $198.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $187.67. Valero Energy Stock Up 0.3% Shares of VLO opened at $204.49 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $62.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.77, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.77. Valero Energy Corporation has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $206.77. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $185.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $171.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.09. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.27 by $0.55. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 12.34% and a net margin of 1.91%.The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.64 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. Valero Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 5th will be issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 5th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. This is an increase from Valero Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Valero Energys payout ratio is currently 62.83%. Valero Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texasbased integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The companys operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers. In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:VIST Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,832,548 shares, a drop of 45.2% from the January 29th total of 3,345,299 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,691,188 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Approximately 1.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 1.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,691,188 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Vista Energy Trading Up 2.4% VIST stock traded up $1.35 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $57.68. 1,351,402 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,322,846. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.87. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.01 billion, a PE ratio of 8.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.82. Vista Energy has a 1-year low of $31.63 and a 1-year high of $62.42. Get Vista Energy alerts: Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.49 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.12 by ($0.63). The business had revenue of $719.06 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $679.81 million. Vista Energy had a return on equity of 16.51% and a net margin of 29.06%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Vista Energy will post 5.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vista Energy Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ping Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Vista Energy by 266.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. now owns 123,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,262,000 after acquiring an additional 90,100 shares during the period. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in Vista Energy during the third quarter worth about $1,032,000. Carrhae Capital LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Vista Energy during the second quarter worth about $19,152,000. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vista Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,351,000. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Vista Energy by 34.1% in the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 653,520 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,245,000 after purchasing an additional 166,085 shares during the period. 63.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $53.20 price target on shares of Vista Energy in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. UBS Group upgraded Vista Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $50.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Sunday, January 11th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Vista Energy in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. They issued a buy rating and a $88.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded Vista Energy from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Vista Energy from $56.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $68.55. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Vista Energy Vista Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vista Energy (NYSE: VIST) is an independent energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas resources in Mexico. The company operates through two primary segments: upstream exploration and production, and midstream and specialist services. By integrating both segments, Vista Energy seeks to capture value across the energy value chain, from field operations to the delivery of processed gas to industrial and power-generation customers. In its upstream segment, Vista Energy holds interests in onshore gas fields in northeastern Mexico and shallow-water properties in the Bay of Campeche. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vista Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vista Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vistra (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $2.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.45 by ($0.27), Zacks reports. Vistra had a net margin of 6.70% and a return on equity of 64.04%. The firm had revenue of $4.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.75 billion. Here are the key takeaways from Vistras conference call: Get Vistra alerts: Vistra delivered a record year with approximately $5.9 billion of adjusted EBITDA and about $3.6 billion of adjusted free cash flow before growth, both meaningfully above prior guidance midpoints. of adjusted EBITDA and about of adjusted free cash flow before growth, both meaningfully above prior guidance midpoints. The company expanded its dispatchable fleet through the closed Lotus deal (~ 2,600 MW ) and the announced Cogentrix acquisition (~ 5,500 MW ), which management expects to drive mid- to high-single-digit adjusted free cash flow per share accretion over 20272029. ) and the announced Cogentrix acquisition (~ ), which management expects to drive adjusted free cash flow per share accretion over 20272029. Vistra has contracted roughly 3.8 GW of nuclear capacity under long-term 20-year PPAs with Amazon and Meta, creating durable, low-volatility cash flows and supporting uprates/license extensions that management says could materially boost long-term cash generation. of nuclear capacity under long-term 20-year PPAs with Amazon and Meta, creating durable, low-volatility cash flows and supporting uprates/license extensions that management says could materially boost long-term cash generation. Management cites a structurally stronger U.S. demand backdropdriven by data centers and rising electricity usethat should increase utilization of existing assets, but notes the most significant hyperscaler-driven tightening likely ramps in late 20272028 , so timing remains uncertain. , so timing remains uncertain. The balance sheet and capital plan look constructiveprojecting >$10 billion cash through 2027, roughly $3 billion available after planned returns and growth investments, ~$1.8 billion remaining repurchase authorization, and a target net debt/EBITDA of ~2.3x by year-end 2027. Vistra Stock Down 1.9% VST traded down $3.40 on Friday, reaching $173.42. 5,492,681 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,491,625. The company has a market cap of $58.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.61, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $163.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $180.87. Vistra has a 52-week low of $90.51 and a 52-week high of $219.82. Vistra Increases Dividend Insider Activity The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 20th will be given a dividend of $0.228 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 20th. This is a boost from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Vistras payout ratio is presently 32.85%. In other news, CEO James A. Burke sold 22,251 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.05, for a total transaction of $3,605,774.55. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 297,998 shares in the company, valued at $48,290,575.90. The trade was a 6.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.42% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in Vistra by 24.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 20,190 shares of the companys stock worth $2,371,000 after buying an additional 3,920 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of Vistra by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 28,744 shares of the companys stock worth $3,376,000 after acquiring an additional 8,312 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its stake in shares of Vistra by 37.3% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 7,828 shares of the companys stock worth $920,000 after acquiring an additional 2,125 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at about $269,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP raised its stake in shares of Vistra by 20.0% in the 2nd quarter. Slocum Gordon & Co LLP now owns 1,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $233,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the companys stock. Key Stories Impacting Vistra Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week: Positive Sentiment: Operational beat and AI-driven demand Vistra said core profit beat estimates, citing stronger power demand driven in part by AI-related loads; this supports the companys earnings power and growth thesis. Vistra beats quarterly core profit estimates Operational beat and AI-driven demand Vistra said core profit beat estimates, citing stronger power demand driven in part by AI-related loads; this supports the companys earnings power and growth thesis. Positive Sentiment: Record 2025 operating results and constructive 2026 guidance Vistra reported Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA of ~$5.91B and strong adjusted free cash flow, and its 2026 guidance was presented as reinforcing a multiyear growth path, which underpins longerterm valuation. Press Release Record 2025 operating results and constructive 2026 guidance Vistra reported Ongoing Operations Adjusted EBITDA of ~$5.91B and strong adjusted free cash flow, and its 2026 guidance was presented as reinforcing a multiyear growth path, which underpins longerterm valuation. Positive Sentiment: Fleet expansion improves market positioning Announcements about expanding Vistras dispatchable fleet should boost its exposure to power market upside and demand from data centers and other large users. Fleet expansion article Fleet expansion improves market positioning Announcements about expanding Vistras dispatchable fleet should boost its exposure to power market upside and demand from data centers and other large users. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst view unchanged despite trim Wells Fargo trimmed its price target slightly from $236 to $234 but kept an overweight rating, implying meaningful upside; the small target cut is a mild signal but not a rating downgrade. Benzinga Analyst view unchanged despite trim Wells Fargo trimmed its price target slightly from $236 to $234 but kept an overweight rating, implying meaningful upside; the small target cut is a mild signal but not a rating downgrade. Neutral Sentiment: More color available Earnings call transcript, slides and multiple analyst write-ups (Zacks, Seeking Alpha, Yahoo/Fool) provide detail for investors to parse operational vs. accounting impacts. Zacks Q4 metrics More color available Earnings call transcript, slides and multiple analyst write-ups (Zacks, Seeking Alpha, Yahoo/Fool) provide detail for investors to parse operational vs. accounting impacts. Negative Sentiment: GAAP earnings and revenue misses; large unrealized hedge losses The quarter showed a sizable EPS and revenue miss against some street estimates, and an $808M noncash unrealized commodity hedging loss depressed GAAP results, which likely pressured the stock. Press Release / Slide Deck GAAP earnings and revenue misses; large unrealized hedge losses The quarter showed a sizable EPS and revenue miss against some street estimates, and an $808M noncash unrealized commodity hedging loss depressed GAAP results, which likely pressured the stock. Negative Sentiment: Relative performance concerns Analyst comparisons (e.g., Zacks piece contrasting VST vs. NRG) note peers may offer stronger ROE, yield or recent performance, which can shift investor preference within the utility/power space. VST vs NRG Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. KeyCorp started coverage on Vistra in a report on Monday, November 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $217.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Vistra from $236.00 to $234.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Vistra from $231.00 to $218.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Vistra from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $205.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Vistra from $230.00 to $244.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vistra has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $236.60. Check Out Our Latest Report on Vistra Vistra Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vistra (NYSE: VST) is an integrated power company that develops, owns and operates electricity generation and retail businesses in the United States. The companys operations span wholesale power productionthrough a diversified fleet of thermal and lowercarbon generation assetsand retail electricity supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Vistra serves organized wholesale markets and competitive retail markets, with a notable presence in Texas and other regional U.S. power markets. Vistras core activities include the ownership and operation of generation facilities, the commercial dispatch and optimization of those assets into wholesale markets, and the sale of electricity and related services to end-use customers through its retail brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,439 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $479,000. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Howmet Aerospace during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,633,157,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 30.1% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 31,806,624 shares of the companys stock worth $5,920,181,000 after purchasing an additional 7,356,077 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 51.8% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,635,999 shares of the companys stock worth $676,769,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240,071 shares in the last quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP grew its stake in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 68.8% during the second quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 1,915,955 shares of the companys stock valued at $356,617,000 after purchasing an additional 780,896 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 7.0% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 10,938,815 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,032,221,000 after purchasing an additional 719,888 shares in the last quarter. 90.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Howmet Aerospace alerts: Howmet Aerospace Price Performance Shares of HWM stock opened at $262.12 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. Howmet Aerospace Inc. has a 12-month low of $105.04 and a 12-month high of $262.63. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $224.60 and a 200-day moving average of $203.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $105.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 70.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.26. Howmet Aerospace Announces Dividend Howmet Aerospace ( NYSE:HWM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.97 by $0.08. Howmet Aerospace had a return on equity of 30.41% and a net margin of 18.27%.The business had revenue of $2.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.77 EPS. The firms revenue was up 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Howmet Aerospace has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.090-1.110 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.350-4.550 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Howmet Aerospace Inc. will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th were paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 6th. Howmet Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is presently 12.94%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Howmet Aerospace in a report on Friday, October 31st. Truist Financial set a $258.00 target price on Howmet Aerospace in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $275.00 price target on shares of Howmet Aerospace in a report on Friday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $315.00 price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace in a research report on Sunday, February 15th. Finally, BTIG Research boosted their price objective on Howmet Aerospace from $240.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Howmet Aerospace currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $252.95. Check Out Our Latest Report on HWM Insider Activity at Howmet Aerospace In other Howmet Aerospace news, EVP Neil Edward Marchuk sold 45,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.70, for a total transaction of $11,364,255.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 107,008 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,933,913.60. This trade represents a 29.67% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Barbara Lou Shultz sold 1,000 shares of Howmet Aerospace stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total transaction of $260,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 23,874 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,207,240. The trade was a 4.02% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 1.04% of the companys stock. Howmet Aerospace Company Profile (Free Report) Howmet Aerospace Inc is an industrial technology company that designs, manufactures and repairs engineered metal products for the aerospace, transportation and industrial markets. Its product portfolio includes precision castings and forgings, engineered fasteners, seamless rolled rings, and complex components for turbine engines, airframes and industrial gas turbines. The company also provides aftermarket services such as component repair, overhaul and parts distribution to support the operating fleet of commercial and military customers. Howmet serves a global customer base of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket operators, with manufacturing, service and distribution facilities across North America, Europe and Asia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Howmet Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howmet Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM Get Free Report) declared an annual dividend on Thursday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be paid a dividend of 1.00 per share by the insurance provider on Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. White Mountains Insurance Group has a payout ratio of 0.9% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Get White Mountains Insurance Group alerts: White Mountains Insurance Group Trading Up 0.0% Shares of WTM stock traded up $0.53 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $2,223.50. 21,669 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,271. The stock has a market cap of $5.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.14 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. White Mountains Insurance Group has a fifty-two week low of $1,648.00 and a fifty-two week high of $2,264.70. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $2,106.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,959.15. White Mountains Insurance Group Company Profile White Mountains Insurance Group ( NYSE:WTM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The insurance provider reported $39.77 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $379.45 by ($339.68). White Mountains Insurance Group had a net margin of 29.62% and a return on equity of 8.41%. The business had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter. (Get Free Report) White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based diversified insurance and financial services holding company organized in 1985 and headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. The company operates through a portfolio of insurance, reinsurance and specialty finance businesses, offering a blend of underwriting expertise and investment management to institutional clients worldwide. As a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WTM), White Mountains seeks to generate long-term shareholder value by combining disciplined capital management with strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives. Through its principal operating subsidiariesmost notably Sirius International Insurance Group, Ltd. Read More Receive News & Ratings for White Mountains Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for White Mountains Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xponance Inc. cut its stake in shares of Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 163,026 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 10,791 shares during the period. Xponance Inc.s holdings in Southern were worth $15,450,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SO. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC lifted its position in shares of Southern by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 21,461 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,034,000 after buying an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Southern by 0.7% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,230 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,443,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Southern by 0.7% during the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 15,667 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,485,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. Sara Bay Financial boosted its position in Southern by 2.7% in the third quarter. Sara Bay Financial now owns 4,133 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $392,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Southern by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,155 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $489,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 64.10% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Southern Trading Up 1.1% Shares of SO stock opened at $97.38 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $107.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.78, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.45. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $89.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $91.37. Southern Company has a 1 year low of $83.09 and a 1 year high of $100.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.47. Southern Announces Dividend Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The utilities provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). Southern had a net margin of 14.69% and a return on equity of 12.52%. The company had revenue of $6.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.50 earnings per share. Southerns revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Southern Company will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a $0.74 dividend. This represents a $2.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. Southerns dividend payout ratio is presently 75.32%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $102.00 price target on shares of Southern in a report on Monday. KeyCorp decreased their price target on shares of Southern from $87.00 to $76.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Southern from $91.00 to $88.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Southern in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of Southern in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $97.64. View Our Latest Research Report on Southern Southern Profile (Free Report) Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is an Atlanta-based energy holding company that provides electric and gas utility services and owns power generation assets across the United States. Founded in 1945, the company operates a portfolio of regulated electric utilities and affiliated businesses that generate, transmit and distribute electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Southerns principal regulated electric subsidiaries include Georgia Power, Alabama Power and Mississippi Power, which serve large portions of the southeastern United States. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dong Hongtao (R) and a colleague examine and maintain a bullet train at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. Dong Hongtao is a bullet train technician of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. and a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC). Since engaging in electric multiple unit (EMU) maintenance work in 2007, Dong has led his team to maintain over 120,000 EMU sets and handled more than 3,000 faults. He has been granted three national invention patents and 31 utility model patents. Dong has also been dedicated to the passing-on of technical skills, cultivating skilled talents for the industry through the national-level master technician studio led by him. As a senior technician who started as an ordinary worker, Dong understands the challenges faced by frontline workers in their developments. He has observed that they often have abundant practical experiences but lack theoretical knowledge. In response, he actively participates in initiatives to improve their skills and identifies young talents to foster their creativity. For this year's legislative session, Dong said he will continue to focus on the development of the skilled workforce, concentrating on advancing the implementation of the new professional title system, which features eight technical titles -- three more than the previous five-tier system. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (front, R) communicates with members of a state-level master technician studio led by him in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (R) and colleagues examine and maintain a bullet train at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao poses for a photo at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (2nd R) communicates with colleagues at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (2nd L) tutors a member of a state-level master technician studio led by him in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (L) communicates with a colleague on a bullet train under maintenance at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (1st R) communicates with students in Shaanxi Railway Institute in Weinan City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (R) communicates with colleagues at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (R) and colleagues examine and maintain a bullet train at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao checks a bullet train at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (front, R) communicates with members of a state-level master technician studio led by him in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (front, 1st L) tutors students in Shaanxi Railway Institute in Weinan City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (R) and colleagues examine and maintain a bullet train at a maintenance depot of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (3rd L) communicates with a teacher and students in Shaanxi Railway Institute in Weinan City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Dong Hongtao (front, R) communicates with members of a state-level master technician studio led by him in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Editor: Zhang Zhou A new partnership between Dalhousie and two of Indias elite research institutions will create a flagship innovation campus linking graduate training and research with industry to drive innovation and expand market opportunities for Canada and India. The Tirupati Tri-Institutional Global Innovation Campus will be established in the eastern Indian city of Tirupati, close to the existing campuses of IIT Tirupati and IISER Tirupati Dal's counterparts on the initiative. The campus will be developed in phases over the next decade starting with collaboration on programming and industry sponsorship and scaling towards shared physical spaces. Were proud to be working with exceptional partners in IIT Tirupati and IISER Tirupati to build a collaboration that connects research, talent, and industry in ways that support shared prosperity in both Canada and India, said Dalhousie President Kim Brooks. Plans for the collaborative research campus were announced Saturday afternoon in Mumbai at an event with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand. Dalhousie and three other U15 universities (UBC, U of T, and McGill) were invited to join the prime ministers delegation, which is seeking to build deeper economic ties between the two countries. University leaders with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. L-R: Benoit-Antoine Bacon, UBC President; Kim Brooks, President and Vice-Chancellor of Dalhousie Unviersity; Melanie A. Woodin, President U of T; The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor McGill; Gabriel Miller, President and CEO of Universities Canada; and Pari Johnston, President and CEO of Colleges & Institutes Canada. Accelerating innovation across borders Each partner contributes distinct but reinforcing capabilities, enabling the campus to move ideas from fundamental science through applied engineering and into scalable solutions supported by industry engagement, talent development, and pathways to global adoption. The initiative will include the establishment of centres of excellence around areas of shared expertise, unlocking new opportunities across a range of sectors, including: clean energy, critical minerals and electric mobility digital and precision agriculture health technologies and biomanufacturing digital systems and applied AI Highly skilled learners will gain access to industry-embedded professional masters programs, co-supervised doctoral training, and executive education on the campus, which will also enable Canadian and Indian firms to find new opportunities to collaborate and access each others markets and supply chains. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand speaks during the event in Mumbai. Innovation training will be embedded in graduate programming, and learners will have access to IP, regulatory and market-entry support as well as industry-sponsored applied challenges. On the academic side, the partnership will enable joint-degree delivery and hybrid learning, executive and professional education, short courses and leadership programs, and faculty, student, and professional mobility. Celebrating 100 years of relationship with new model The partnership with IIT and IISER Tirupati comes a century after Dal first cemented its relationship with students from India. Manilal Shankerohai Patel (MD,CM 1926) and Simon Tholath Paul (MD,CM 1926), the first two Indian students to attend Dal, graduated as part of the medical school's Class of 1926. Dal's post-secondary collaborations in India includes existing partnerships with 23 universities and nine joint-degree programs. Dal researchers have co-authored 429 publications with colleagues in 320 Indian institutions over the past five years alone. What makes this new partnership unique, though, is that it moves beyond simple exchange, mobility, and co-authored research into a model of co-created, co-located two-way exchange. Additionally, the partnership is explicitly designed to bolster economic and innovation infrastructure and to support shared prosperity. "IIT Tirupati is excited to build a collaborative ecosystem with Dalhousie University and IISER Tirupati that aligns innovation, research, and graduate education with industry needs for emerging global markets," says Dr. K. N. Satyanarayana, director at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati. Signing ceremony for innovation campus. (Balakrishnan Prithiviraj photo) Locating the campus in Tirupati enables better integration of science and engineering between the two Indian universities and offers immediate proximity to an international airport. Available land nearby will ensure plenty of space for pilot facilities, industry that might want to co-locate, and long-term expansion. Dr. Santanu Bhattacharya, director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, said the proposed campus marks a significant milestone in IndoCanadian cooperation aimed at advancing academic and research excellence. He said the initiative will focus on areas of strategic importance to both nations and seamlessly integrate science, technology, and industry, nurturing young innovators as they grow into globally competitive scholars. "The launch of this collaborative campus stands as a testament to the shared commitment of the governments of India and Canada to address global challenges through knowledge, innovation, and industrial partnership," he said. New pathways for student mobility Dal's collaboration with India will be further bolstered by a new $520,000 investment under the Government of Canadas Indo-Pacific Scholarships & Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC). Global Affairs Canada announced the funding on Monday, which which will enable more than 30 Dalhousie faculty, graduate students, and research personnel to build in-person research partnerships with leading institutions across the Indo-Pacific region over the next two years. The project was developed in partnership with six of Dalhousies partner institutions in India and the Philippines including IIT Tirupati complementing the vision of the innovation campus. The first call for this funding envelope is planned for spring 2026. Dalhousie also recently signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with separate Indian institutions. An MOU with the SRM Institute of Science and Technology commits to establishing a Nursing Dual Degree Program, including Indian Nursing Council-approved supernumerary seats, dual credentials, and embedded clinical experience in Canada. The commitment extends to academic cooperation, student mobility, and creating a pathway to nursing practice in Nova Scotia. Meanwhile, an MOU with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) supports collaboration in digital agriculture, climate-resilient agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and animal husbandry. The agreement also focuses on joint research and broader academic cooperation across these priority areas. BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China is scheduled to launch two crewed missions and one cargo spacecraft mission for its space station operation in 2026, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). An astronaut from the Hong Kong or Macao special administrative region is expected to carry out a space station flight mission as early as this year, the CMSA noted. One astronaut from the Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct a year-long in-orbit stay experiment, the CMSA said. Currently, China's space station is operating stably in orbit with sound performance. Since entering the application and development phase, China's manned space program has successfully completed six crewed missions, four cargo resupply missions, and seven spacecraft return missions. It also carried out the first emergency launch in 2025. The six astronaut crews have conducted long-term stays in orbit. A total of 13 extravehicular activities (EVAs) by astronauts and multiple transfers of application payloads outside the spacecraft have been performed. Several extravehicular repair missions have been carried out, and a new world record for the longest single EVA by astronauts has been achieved. The selection of the fourth batch of astronaut candidates, including payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macao, has also been completed. The development of various tasks for the country's crewed lunar exploration program is progressing smoothly, with multiple breakthroughs achieved in phases. China is targeting a crewed lunar landing by 2030. The development of major flight products, including the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, and the Lanyue lunar lander, is proceeding smoothly. Key tests have been completed, including the zero-height abort test for the Mengzhou spacecraft, the landing and takeoff test for the Lanyue lunar lander, the static fire test and the low-altitude demonstration and validation test for the Long March-10 rocket system, and the maximum dynamic pressure escape test for the Mengzhou spacecraft system. In 2026, the country will intensify efforts to advance the construction of supporting facilities and equipment for the lunar mission at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in southern Hainan Province, as well as the development of ground support systems. Since its inception and implementation, China's manned space program has consistently upheld the principles of peaceful use, equality, mutual benefit, and common development, actively promoting international cooperation and exchanges in human spaceflight. In 2025, China and Pakistan signed an agreement on the selection and training of astronauts, with the selection process proceeding smoothly. According to the CMSA, a Pakistani astronaut will participate in a short-term flight mission as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments aboard China's space station. Editor: Xiong Jian American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT Free Report) by 0.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,919,446 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 73,827 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc. owned 2.63% of Dynatrace worth $383,697,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get Dynatrace alerts: Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in Dynatrace by 25.3% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 9,135 shares of the companys stock valued at $431,000 after acquiring an additional 1,846 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in Dynatrace by 19.2% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,161 shares of the companys stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Dynatrace by 6.2% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,350,271 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,548,000 after purchasing an additional 78,323 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Dynatrace by 7.4% in the second quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 31,644 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 2,177 shares during the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Dynatrace during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $256,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.28% of the companys stock. Insider Buying and Selling at Dynatrace In related news, EVP Dan Zugelder sold 7,505 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.27, for a total transaction of $339,751.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 8,925 shares in the company, valued at $404,034.75. This trade represents a 45.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 7,843 shares of company stock valued at $354,744. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Dynatrace Stock Performance Dynatrace stock opened at $35.88 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.70 billion, a PE ratio of 58.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.84. Dynatrace, Inc. has a one year low of $32.83 and a one year high of $57.72. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $39.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.80. Dynatrace (NYSE:DT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.03. Dynatrace had a return on equity of 9.75% and a net margin of 9.55%.The company had revenue of $515.47 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $506.31 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.37 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. Dynatrace has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.670-1.690 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 0.380-0.390 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Dynatrace, Inc. will post 0.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dynatrace declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Monday, February 9th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 9.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently weighed in on DT shares. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $50.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of Dynatrace from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Raymond James Financial reissued a market perform rating on shares of Dynatrace in a research note on Monday, February 9th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $56.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a buy rating and set a $68.00 price target on shares of Dynatrace in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Nineteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $52.52. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Dynatrace Dynatrace Profile (Free Report) Dynatrace is a global software intelligence company specializing in application performance management (APM), cloud infrastructure monitoring, and digital experience management. Its flagship offering, the Dynatrace Software Intelligence Platform, leverages artificial intelligence to provide real-time observability across distributed environments, including on-premises data centers, private clouds, public clouds and hybrid deployments. Organizations rely on Dynatrace to detect anomalies, troubleshoot performance issues and optimize end-user experiences through automated root-cause analysis powered by the companys engine, Davis. The Dynatrace platform comprises modules for full-stack application monitoring, digital experience monitoring, infrastructure monitoring and business analytics. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dynatrace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dynatrace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its stake in Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM Free Report) by 5.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 588,587 shares of the CRM providers stock after acquiring an additional 31,686 shares during the quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership owned approximately 0.06% of Salesforce worth $139,495,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Salesforce alerts: Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Salesforce in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,826,049,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Salesforce by 27,361.5% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,424,169 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $933,737,000 after buying an additional 3,411,700 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in Salesforce by 1,729.6% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,973,141 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $538,020,000 after acquiring an additional 1,865,297 shares in the last quarter. Generation Investment Management LLP acquired a new stake in Salesforce in the third quarter valued at $431,157,000. Finally, Amundi grew its position in shares of Salesforce by 26.2% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 7,755,317 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $2,087,545,000 after acquiring an additional 1,612,413 shares during the period. 80.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Salesforce Stock Down 2.5% CRM stock opened at $194.47 on Friday. Salesforce Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $174.57 and a fifty-two week high of $303.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $182.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.27. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $223.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $238.32. Salesforce Increases Dividend Salesforce ( NYSE:CRM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The CRM provider reported $3.81 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.76. Salesforce had a net margin of 17.96% and a return on equity of 15.28%. The business had revenue of $11.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.18 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.78 earnings per share. Salesforces revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Salesforce has set its FY 2027 guidance at 13.110-13.190 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 3.110-3.130 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Salesforce Inc. will post 7.46 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This is a boost from Salesforces previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 9th. Salesforces payout ratio is 21.25%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Salesforce from $325.00 to $250.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Salesforce from $280.00 to $265.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Truist Financial set a $280.00 price target on Salesforce in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Salesforce presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $283.06. Get Our Latest Analysis on Salesforce More Salesforce News Here are the key news stories impacting Salesforce this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat on profitability and AI traction NonGAAP EPS came in at $3.81 (well above consensus) and management highlighted Agentforce/AI monetization as a growth driver, supporting the view that AI is adding commercial value. Revenue In Line With Expectations Q4 beat on profitability and AI traction NonGAAP EPS came in at $3.81 (well above consensus) and management highlighted Agentforce/AI monetization as a growth driver, supporting the view that AI is adding commercial value. Positive Sentiment: Big capitalreturn program Salesforce raised its dividend and authorized a $50B buyback, signaling management confidence and improving EPS leverage if executed. That buyback is a clear nearterm support for the share price. AI Bet & Buyback Big capitalreturn program Salesforce raised its dividend and authorized a $50B buyback, signaling management confidence and improving EPS leverage if executed. That buyback is a clear nearterm support for the share price. Neutral Sentiment: Longterm targets updated Management lifted multiyear ambitions (targeting roughly $63B revenue by FY2030) and kept FY27 EPS guidance in a tight range; this supports the longterm bull case but leaves nearterm pacing ambiguous. FY30 Target & Guidance Longterm targets updated Management lifted multiyear ambitions (targeting roughly $63B revenue by FY2030) and kept FY27 EPS guidance in a tight range; this supports the longterm bull case but leaves nearterm pacing ambiguous. Negative Sentiment: Nearterm guidance and metrics disappointed some cRPO and other cloud momentum measures were only inline, and commentary implied a midyear slowdown before AIdriven reacceleration, which hurt investor confidence. Jefferies on NearTerm Slowdown Nearterm guidance and metrics disappointed some cRPO and other cloud momentum measures were only inline, and commentary implied a midyear slowdown before AIdriven reacceleration, which hurt investor confidence. Negative Sentiment: Analyst cuts and mixed ratings Several banks trimmed price targets (examples: Sanford Bernstein, TD Cowen, RBC, BMO, Barclays, DA Davidson) or issued neutral/underperform stances, increasing shortterm selling pressure as models were reset. Analyst Revisions Analyst cuts and mixed ratings Several banks trimmed price targets (examples: Sanford Bernstein, TD Cowen, RBC, BMO, Barclays, DA Davidson) or issued neutral/underperform stances, increasing shortterm selling pressure as models were reset. Negative Sentiment: Investor skepticism over AI impact persists Coverage highlights that some investors still worry AI could compress SaaS economics despite managements assurances, creating continued volatility in CRM shares. 3 Reasons Earnings Failed to Impress Insider Buying and Selling at Salesforce In related news, Director David Blair Kirk purchased 1,936 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $258.64 per share, for a total transaction of $500,727.04. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 10,677 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,761,499.28. This represents a 22.15% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Neelie Kroes sold 3,893 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.70, for a total value of $929,259.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,299 shares in the company, valued at $1,742,271.30. This represents a 34.78% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 3.00% of the companys stock. Salesforce Company Profile (Free Report) Salesforce, founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a global provider of cloud-based software focused on customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise applications. The company popularized the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for CRM and has built a broad portfolio of products designed to help organizations manage sales, service, marketing, commerce and analytics through a unified, cloud-first platform. Core offerings include Sales Cloud for sales automation, Service Cloud for customer support, Marketing Cloud for digital marketing and engagement, and Commerce Cloud for e-commerce. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CRM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Salesforce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salesforce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the 21st session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of China's 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 21st session on Thursday in Beijing. At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to remove Wang Xiangxi from the post of minister of emergency management. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order on Wang's removal. NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the closing meeting, which also approved a deputy qualification report and other personnel-related bills. The lawmakers approved in principle the draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee. The Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee suggested entrusting Zhao Leji to deliver the report to the upcoming fourth session of the 14th NPC. The legislators adopted the draft agenda of the NPC session and the draft list of the session's presidium and secretary-general, and decided to submit the drafts to the preparatory meeting of the NPC session for deliberation. They also adopted the list of the members invited to sit in on the session as non-voting participants, among other documents. Addressing the closing meeting, Zhao emphasized that the upcoming annual NPC session will review and approve the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), deliberate the draft environmental code, the draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, and the draft law on national development planning, among other documents. He called on the NPC Standing Committee to focus on the central tasks of the Party and the country, and fulfill its statutory duties with a strong sense of responsibility. Zhao also urged the NPC Standing Committee to be open to suggestions from deputies and welcome supervision to ensure the upcoming annual NPC session is held in an efficient and pragmatic manner. Zhao chaired a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons before the closing meeting and presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting. Editor: WSH Artisan Partners Limited Partnership trimmed its stake in Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) by 16.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 354,781 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 68,322 shares during the quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership owned about 0.06% of Capital One Financial worth $75,419,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COF. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 330.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 13,587 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,423,000 after buying an additional 10,428 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Capital One Financial by 44.3% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 8,968 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,608,000 after buying an additional 2,753 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Capital One Financial by 118.3% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $702,000 after acquiring an additional 1,788 shares in the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC grew its stake in Capital One Financial by 99.2% in the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,309 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $279,000 after acquiring an additional 652 shares during the period. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 25.5% during the second quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,258 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,119,000 after acquiring an additional 1,070 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.84% of the companys stock. Capital One Financial Trading Down 6.3% Shares of COF stock opened at $195.26 on Friday. Capital One Financial Corporation has a 52-week low of $143.22 and a 52-week high of $259.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $227.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $222.95. The company has a market capitalization of $121.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 65.97, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.14. Capital One Financial Announces Dividend Capital One Financial ( NYSE:COF Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.86 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.14 by ($0.28). Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 10.68% and a net margin of 3.54%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.67 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 19th will be given a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 19th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Capital One Financials payout ratio is currently 108.11%. Insider Transactions at Capital One Financial In related news, insider Celia Karam sold 2,936 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.15, for a total transaction of $640,488.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 63,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,837,908.95. This represents a 4.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Ravi Raghu sold 13,450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $3,362,500.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 30,337 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,584,250. This trade represents a 30.72% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 76,138 shares of company stock worth $16,160,598. Company insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades COF has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup increased their target price on Capital One Financial from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 31st. Evercore dropped their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $290.00 to $265.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $290.00 to $275.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of Capital One Financial from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 2nd. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $294.00 to $287.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Capital One Financial presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $274.70. Get Our Latest Research Report on Capital One Financial Capital One Financial Profile (Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The companys core businesses include credit card lending, consumer and commercial banking, and auto finance. Capital One issues a wide range of credit card products for consumers and small businesses, and it operates deposit and digital banking services aimed at retail customers and small to midsize enterprises. Products and services include credit and charge cards, checking and savings accounts (including the online-focused Capital One 360 platform), auto loans, and commercial lending solutions. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC cut its position in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 48.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 13,479 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,821 shares during the period. Diversify Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,995,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PG. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 234,630,605 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,050,992,000 after acquiring an additional 1,419,322 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 59,415,933 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,439,341,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060,713 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the second quarter valued at $5,099,644,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,385,571 shares of the companys stock worth $2,770,035,000 after purchasing an additional 294,673 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 21.4% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 16,374,499 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,608,785,000 after buying an additional 2,880,895 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PG has been the topic of several analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $164.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 16th. Piper Sandler began coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. They set a neutral rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Erste Group Bank raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Dbs Bank raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $168.33. Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble In related news, Chairman Jon R. Moeller sold 162,232 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.45, for a total value of $26,354,588.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman directly owned 319,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,884,093.25. This represents a 33.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 36,093 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.33, for a total value of $5,858,976.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 34,994 shares in the company, valued at $5,680,576.02. The trade was a 50.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 343,069 shares of company stock valued at $54,545,448. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Trending Headlines about Procter & Gamble Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: Procter & Gamble Trading Up 2.0% Shares of NYSE:PG opened at $166.95 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $388.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 0.38. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $150.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $151.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.51. Procter & Gamble Company has a 1 year low of $137.62 and a 1 year high of $179.99. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $22.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.36 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.30% and a return on equity of 32.21%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.88 earnings per share. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.090 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 23rd were paid a dividend of $1.0568 per share. This represents a $4.23 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 23rd. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 62.67%. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Free Report) Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide. P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stora Enso Oyj (OTCMKTS:SEOAY Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 32,873 shares, a growth of 156.5% from the January 29th total of 12,817 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 29,671 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 29,671 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Get Stora Enso Oyj alerts: Stora Enso Oyj Price Performance Stora Enso Oyj stock opened at $13.65 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $12.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 1.21. Stora Enso Oyj has a 1 year low of $7.97 and a 1 year high of $14.41. The company has a market capitalization of $10.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.51 and a beta of 0.70. Stora Enso Oyj (OTCMKTS:SEOAY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The basic materials company reported ($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.04 by ($0.07). Stora Enso Oyj had a net margin of 7.58% and a return on equity of 3.18%. The company had revenue of $2.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Stora Enso Oyj will post 0.67 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Stora Enso Oyj in a report on Monday, January 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.80. View Our Latest Report on SEOAY Stora Enso Oyj Company Profile (Get Free Report) Stora Enso Oyj is a Finlandbased provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden construction and paper. The company draws on centuries of forest industry experience and leverages sustainable practices to produce a wide array of products, including paperboard for consumer goods, specialty papers for printing and publishing, and pulp for industrial applications. Its portfolio also encompasses wood products such as cross-laminated timber, sawn timber and building components, designed to meet growing demand for environmentally friendly construction materials. Formed through the 1998 merger of Swedish mining and forestry giant Stora and Finnish paper maker Enso, Stora Enso combines deep heritage with ongoing investments in innovation. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Stora Enso Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stora Enso Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The ongoing battle between Anthropic and the US Pentagon or Department of Defense (DoD) is definitely a legacy-defining moment for Dario Amodei. In publicly standing up to the US government a rare occurrence by anyone, much less the CEO of an AI company creating some of the best AI products out there Anthropics Dario Amodei has personified principled leadership and ethical conviction like no other. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! We were the first company to put our models on the classified cloud. We were the first company to make custom models for [US] national security purposes. Were deployed across the intelligence community and military for applications like cyber, combat support operations, various things like these, Amodei said in an exclusive interview with CBS. This is all the context you need to admire Amodei for his actions even more. Not OpenAI, not Google, not anyone else, it was Anthropic that won a $200 million contract in July 2025 to embed Claude and other custom AI models inside the US defence apparatus. At the time, Anthropic had ensured certain guardrails in terms of how the US Department of Defense or Department of War, specifically, would use their AI models. There were two key restrictions no mass surveillance, no autonomous weapons development. In the interview with CBS, Amodei explained how mass surveillance would be possible with the help of AI systems. An example of this is something like taking data collected by private firms, having it bought by the government and analyzing it en masse by AI. That actually isnt illegal, Amodei said, highlighting how domestic mass surveillance could get ahead of the law because the technology is advancing so fast. Case number two is fully autonomous weapons. Not the partially autonomous weapons that are used in Ukraine or could potentially be used in Taiwan today, Amodei explained in the interview. This is the idea of making weapons that fire without any human involvement. We have some concerns about them. First, the AI systems of today are nowhere near reliable enough to make fully autonomous weapons. And theres an oversight question too. Also read: Trump Anthropic ban effect: Pentagon turns to OpenAI to deploy AI, heres what happened If you have a large army of drones or robots that can operate without any human oversight, where there arent human soldiers to make the decisions about whom to target or shoot at, that is deeply concerning to Amodei and Anthropic. We need to have a conversation about how thats overseen. And we havent had that conversation yet. We feel strongly that those two use cases should not be allowed. Amodei specifically gave two examples on how he sees AI in warfare going horribly wrong. One is around this idea of reliability, which is just it targets the wrong person, it shoots a civilian, it doesnt show the judgment that a human soldier would show. We dont want to sell something that we dont think is reliable, and we dont want to sell something that could get our own people killed or that could get innocent people killed. Second issue Amodei and Anthropic highlights is over the question of oversight in active combat decision making, which will be lost in autonomous weapons systems driven solely by AI. If you think about it, human soldiers, theres a whole chain of accountability that assumes a human uses their common sense, he explained. Maybe we need it at some point because our adversaries will have it, but we need to have a conversation about accountability, about who is holding the button and who can say no, and I think thats very reasonable, Amodei emphasised. The Adolescence of Technology: an essay on the risks posed by powerful AI to national security, economies and democracyand how we can defend against them: https://t.co/0phIiJjrmz Dario Amodei (@DarioAmodei) January 26, 2026 Then the interviewer asked a great question, whether Anthropic knows more about matters related to national security than the US Pentagon, US government itself. Why should anyone trust the CEO of a private company over elected officials of their own government? And Amodeis response is full of conviction, revealing of his principled stand. Remember, this isnt just about terms of use, its not just about what our model is legally allowed to do, Amodei responds. Our model has a personality. Its capable of certain things. Its able to do certain things reliably. Its able to not do certain things reliably. And I think we are a good judge of what our models can do reliably and what they cannot do reliably. And I think we do have a good view into how this technology is getting ahead of the law. Amodei displayed long-term vision, as he continued his response. I dont think the right long-term solution is for a private company and the Pentagon to argue about this. I think Congress needs to act here. We are thinking about what Congress could do to impose some of these guardrails that dont hinder our ability to defeat our adversaries, but that allow us to defeat our adversaries in a way thats in line with the values of our country. But as you know, Congress doesnt move fast. So I think in the meantime, we do need to draw a line in the sand. I dont think Ive ever heard of or seen any tech leader take such a principled stance on such a sensitive issue, butting heads with their own client which is the US government no less on the perceived dangers of their own product. In his response towards the end of the interview, the CBS interviewer asked him if Anthropic can survive this feud with the US government. Amodei was confident without being cocky. Not only survive it, were gonna be fine. I think so too. By refusing to concede to US government pressure, Dario Amodei and Anthropic have shown a rare blend of ethical conviction mixed with individual courage. Not just a principled leader, both Amodei and Anthropic have shown qualities that distinguish their approach from others in a rapidly evolving debate over AI ethics, safety and governance. Also read: Anthropic lost the battle, OpenAI won the war? By now we are all used to US President Donald Trumps outbursts on Truth Social. But when that outburst came at Anthropics expense the first AI company to infuse its Claude models into US Department of Defense workflows last year with Sam Altmans OpenAI benefiting down the line, that made it all the more interesting. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! The feud between OpenAIs Sam Altman and Anthropics Dario Amodei isnt new. From Anthropics superbowl ads chastising OpenAIs ChatGPT ads to Altman hitting back, and more recently Altman and Amodei refusing to shake hands at the India AI Impact Summit, its safe to say theres no love lost between the two. In the matter related to the US Depart of Defense (DoD), it seems like Altman will have the last laugh over Amodei, where ChatGPT benefits at the expense of good old Claude. To fully understand how Anthropic got publicly humiliated by Trump and DoD Secretary Hegseth over their non-compliance in supporting development of autonomous weapons and possible mass surveillance with the help of AI, and how OpenAI swooped in to save the day you will have to go back to mid-2025 where it all began. Anthropic vs US Department of Defense dispute Away from the rivalry between ChatGPT and Gemini, Anthropic has been quietly doing stellar work with Claude Code and Cowork (and more). In fact, to its credit, it became the first AI company to sign a contract with the US defence department. Signed in July 2025, the $200 million contract allowed Anthropic to integrate its models into US defence mission workflows on classified networks, according to reports. At the time, the contract had usage restrictions essential guardrails that prohibited applications of Anthropics AI for creating autonomous weapons and mass surveillance. And the US Pentagon had originally agreed to these restrictions, but tensions soon began to rise. In January 2026, as Secretary of the DoD, Pete Hegseth asked all US Defense Department AI contracts to have legal language added that allowed the US Defense Department to deploy AI models without restrictions of course, for any lawful use within 180 days. This new legal edit to the contract was in direct opposition with Anthropics restrictions. By early February 2026, Pentagon officials told Anthropic about their concerns, how any companys guardrails could stand in the way of critical actions at the time of war like responding to a missile launched toward the United States. Actions that needed split-second decision making, sped up by the use of AI, of course. Anthropic, however, was committed in its belief to not allow its AI to be used for development of autonomous weapons systems. On February 26, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei a deadline of 5 pm on Friday, February 27 to relent and allow unrestricted use of the companys AI models for all lawful purposes. If not, Anthropic would be deemed a supply chain risk and be legally forced to comply under the US Defense Production Act. In response, Anthropic CEO Amodei said his company wont be intimidated. These threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request, he wrote in his Thursday statement. This was primarily because Anthropic believed current AI models arent reliable for autonomous weapons deployments, and how mass domestic surveillance was in violation of US fundamental rights. This is what led to President Trump ordering the US government to stop using Anthropics products with a Truth Social post on February 27. The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, Trump wrote on Truth Social. I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropics technology. Also Defense Secretary Hegseth said that he was labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk to national security, blacklisting it from working with the US military or contractors going forward. In response, on February 27, Anthropic posted a statement saying it had not yet received direct communication from either the Pentagon or Trump. We will challenge any supply chain risk designation in court, showing no signs of backing down. How OpenAI benefited by Anthropics ouster Of course, Anthropics non-compliance doesnt help the US Department of Defense especially at a time when Israel has opened pre-emptive strikes against Iran in the Middle East. It still needs a top AI company to step in and save the day. Thank heavens for OpenAI and Sam Altman, right? Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network. In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome. AI safety and wide distribution of Sam Altman (@sama) February 28, 2026 OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said late Friday that his company had agreed to terms with the Department of Defense on use of its AI models. Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network, Altman wrote. But heres the irony, if you read Altmans entire post. Altman wrote, Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement. In other words, OpenAI got the Pentagon to agree in writing to pretty much the exact same restrictions that Anthropic had been demanding all these months and for which Anthropic got blacklisted. Unlike Anthropic, OpenAI and Sam Altman had been more savvier in their discussions with top US Department of Defense officials, and had already allowed its AI models to be used by the DoD for all lawful uses, after months of internal deliberations. OpenAI was comfortable with this because so many safeguards were already built into its models, and also as Altman wrote, In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome. And that, in a nutshell, is the story so far. Having built its entire brand on AI safety and ethics, Anthropic lost out in partnering with the US Pentagon. In contrast, OpenAI swooped in to plug the hole left by Anthropic and earn the prestige of being the US Department of Defenses classified AI partner. Also read: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei: India may benefit most from AI revolution Fianna Fail TD for Louth Erin McGreehan has told Taoiseach Micheal Martin that the British-Irish council presents opportunities for the county. Deputy McGreehan was addressing a Dail discussion on the Taoiseach's visit to the British-Irish Council summit in early December. She said the annual summit presents "local opportunities, particularly in County Louth". The Fianna Fail TD said it would give Louth the chance to "enhance our Irish language, arts and music between communities". She used the example of the Omeath District Development project, which she said is "doing incredible work unveiling and celebrating our last Gaelic speakers in north Louth". "The last native speaker was Anne O'Hanlon who died in 1960. She was from Lislea in Omeath," she said. Deputy McGreehan said stories like that "need to be celebrate stories like that and celebrate our Irish language". "There is an opportunity, particularly when we look at cross-Border co-operation and our history with the flight of the Fadgies from Omeath to west Belfast. There are cultural opportunities that we need to focus on cross-Border and between our two islands," she said. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Louth TD's point was "very interesting" however, he said the British-Irish Council is structured around "three pillars namely climate and decarbonisation, culture and heritage, and economic and social inclusion. The Taoiseach referred Deputy McGreehan to a shared island initiative called 'Shared Home Place'. Read Next: Planning granted for new retail at Caroll Village in Dundalk The initiative was first launched by the Taoiseach in late 2025. The initiative includes a focus on languages and cultural heritage such as the arts, music and literature across the island. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Last week, we had a story on the 70th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, how a star Manchester United side was decimated, losing seven players in the crash, and Duncan Edwards succumbing to the injuries he had sustained a number of weeks later. It would have been understandable had United withdrawn from all competitions after that, but the decision was taken to keep going. There was a European Cup semi-final to be played, as well as domestic league and Cup competitions. READ NEXT: Ten-man Dundalk FC rescue dramatic draw against Shamrock Rovers Prior to taking the ill-fated trip to Belgrade to play Red Star, United had beaten Shamrock Rovers in the opening round. Rovers, the first League of Ireland team play in Europe, lost the first leg 6-0 before a 45,000 Dalymount Park crowd, but put up a much better performance at Old Trafford, losing by only the odd goal in five. Maxie McCann and Tommy Hamilton were their scorers. United beat Red Star 2-1 at home, and by drawing 3-3 in Prague, qualified to meet Milan in the semi-final. However, by the time that match came around, the English League champions from the previous year had a much-changed side on view. After Munich, theyd be given special permission to sign new players on the spot, and among those to come in were Blackpools Ernie Taylor and Stan Crowther, the latter, signed from Aston Villa just a half-hour before Uniteds first outing on the domestic scene. Taylor scored in the first meeting with Milan in a 2-1 win, but United were no match for the home side in the second leg, losing 4-0. Milan went on to be beaten in the final by Real Madrid, who had won each of the Cups first two runnings before going on to complete a five-timer. While Matt Busby lay critically ill in hospital, his assistant, Jimmy Murphy, took charge. Murphys first game, a Cup tie, featured debutants Taylor and Crowther. There was another first-timer included, but by then the 21-year-old Shay Brennan was part of the United set-up. There was a crowd of 60,000 at Old Trafford for the fifth round meeting with Sheffield Wednesday, and on a night of high emotion, Brennan brought much-needed cheer, scoring twice in a 3-0 win. Munich survivors, Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes, were also involved. United progressed to the final, playing Bolton Wanderers. Gregg was again in goals, Foulkes at centre-half, and up front were two other crash survivors, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Violett. Shay Brennan wasnt included. United lost 2-0, Boltons goals coming from Nat Lofthouse, the second after hed shoulder-charged Gregg. This was a reminder of the previous years final, in which United played Aston Villa. Villa won 2-1, both goals coming from Newry-born Peter McParland, who had won an FAI Cup medal with Dundalk four years previously. McParland did more than shoulder-charge Ray Wood he broke the United goalies jaw in a tackle, leaving him unconscious. Also on the Villa side was Stan Crowther. Defeat for United for the second year running was more than compensated for with the presence of Matt Busby in the Wembley dug-out, the legendary manager having made a miraculous recovery. Rents in Louth remain under sustained pressure heading into 2026, with new figures showing prices continuing to climb while supply stays stubbornly tight. according to the latest report from Daft.ie. The Q4 2025 Rental Report shows that market rents in Leinster outside Dublin rose by 6.3% during the year, well above the 3.9% increase recorded in 2024. Louths figures reflect that upward trend, with price increases recorded across most property types. In Louth, the average monthly rents in the final quarter of 2025, taken year on year were: One-bed apartment: 1,355 (down 4% year-on-year) Two-bed apartment: 2,093 (up 0.8%) Three-bed apartment: 2,789 (up 4.7%) Two-bed house: 2,036 (up 4%) Three-bed house: 2,439 (up 6.6%) Four-bed house: 3,018 (up 8.1%) While one-bedroom apartment rents dipped slightly compared to a year earlier, most other segments saw clear increases, particularly larger family homes, where four-bed houses rose by more than 8% over the year. Three-bedroom houses in Louth are now averaging 2,439 per month, while four-bedroom properties have crossed the 3,000 mark. The pressure is also evident in the shared rental market. The average monthly rent for a room in Louth is now 758, placing it among the higher room rents in Leinster outside Dublin. Across the wider Leinster region (excluding the capital), room rents rose by 4.9% in 2025. Nationally, the average monthly rent for a double room stands at 775, meaning Louths room rents are now close to the national average. The report highlights that availability remains extremely tight nationwide, with just 1,777 homes available to rent across the country on February 1 the lowest figure recorded for that date in almost twenty years. In Leinster outside Dublin, there were just 425 homes available to rent on February 1, roughly half the level typically seen between 2015 and 2019. Although county-level availability figures were not broken out individually, the broader regional data underline the continued scarcity facing renters in Louth and neighbouring counties. Across Leinster (excluding Dublin), the total number of homes listed for rent in the year to January was under 7,000 down 4% year-on-year and almost 50% below pre-pandemic norms. Commenting on the new-look report, its author Ronan Lyons, Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, said: Widespread uncertainty about the new rent controls appears to have exacerbated ongoing supply shortages in the rental market. Across the country, there have been steep falls in rental availability over the last year. There were fewer homes available to rent on February 1st this year than at the same time of year at any stage back to 2006. Read Next: Dundalk wedding planner wins Wedding Planner of the Year 2026 Unsurprisingly, with extremely tight availability, rents in the open market continue to rise, with a further 4.4% increase during 2025, up from 3.6% in 2024. The same is true for room rentals, which have also seen a sharp fall in availability in the last year. It remains to be seen whether supply is holding off until new tenancy terms come in on March 1st or whether the change in rent controls has led to a further reduction in the stock of rental homes, as landlords sell up. Photo taken on Feb 27, 2026 shows horses grazing at a spring pasture in Harigentala Gacha, Baiyintala Sumu, Bairin Right Banner, Chifeng City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The warming weather brings vitality to the vast grasslands, where herds roam against blue skies and distant mountains, painting a vibrant picture of thriving husbandry. (Li Fu/Guangming Pictures) Photo taken on Feb 27, 2026 shows horses grazing at a spring pasture in Harigentala Gacha, Baiyintala Sumu, Bairin Right Banner, Chifeng City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The warming weather brings vitality to the vast grasslands, where herds roam against blue skies and distant mountains, painting a vibrant picture of thriving husbandry. (Li Fu/Guangming Pictures) Editor: ZAD Former Colaiste Chu Chulainn Louth student Rahma Elmbaridi now studying at Trinity College Dublin has this week received a Three Ireland Connect to STEM Scholarship for Women, as part of an initiative to support the next generation of women leaders in science and technology. The awards were presented at an evening ceremony on Monday, February 23rd, 2026. The awardees, who are first and second-year students at Trinity, are the latest of more than 20 Trinity students to be awarded Three Ireland Connect to STEM Scholarships for Women since the programme began in 2022/23. Administered by the Faculty of STEM and Trinity Access Programmes, each scholarship is worth 20,000 over a four-year undergraduate degree programme (or 15,000 over three years). The scholarship scheme is designed to attract, encourage and support women to study STEM subjects at Trinity. The successful students receive additional mentoring supports from Three Ireland and from STEM. In October 2025, the scholarship application process was open to both first year and second-year student applicants who are registered on selected STEM courses. Recipients were chosen based on a written application. The scholarships are open to female students who are resident in Ireland and have accepted a place in one of the following Trinity undergraduate programmes: School of Computer Science & Statistics, School of Engineering, School of Mathematics, School of Physics and the School of Chemistry (Chemical Science only). Dr Linda Doyle, Provost, Trinity College Dublin, said: We need many more women studying, shaping, and leading in STEM, and it is vital that we create pathways that empower them to do so. The Three Ireland Connect to STEM programme is proving to be transformative in this mission. I want to congratulate this years awardees, and I also want to thank Three Ireland for working with us to support these remarkable women." Prof. Sylvia Draper, Dean of STEM at Trinity, said: I want to acknowledge the personal stories and the achievements of all the applicants. The students who have won these scholarships are truly deserving of our admiration and our support. I have no doubt that they will go on to do extraordinary things and to make their mark in the college, in science, in society, and the world of work. The enthusiasm, commitment, and engagement of everyone involved in this programme has been inspiring. These scholarships would not have been possible but for the generosity and vision of Three Ireland. It has been wonderful to work with them so closely. Their support has helped us to offer STEM programmes that are open to all, and to ensure that we have Three Ireland Connect to STEM scholars, with the skills to address global challenges and to advance diversity throughout their careers. Read Next: Dundalk wedding planner wins Wedding Planner of the Year 2026 Elaine Carey, Chief Executive Officer, Three Ireland, said: Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Three Ireland and as a major employer in this sector, we are deeply committed to building a more diverse and representative STEM community. We know we need more women in STEM, and that is why our partnership with Trinity matters so much. Through the Connect to STEM Scholarships we are helping to remove barriers, build confidence, and create meaningful pathways into opportunity. "It was a real privilege to meet this years scholarship recipients and hear their stories. The calibre of talent, determination and ambition on display was truly impressive. These young women have incredibly bright futures ahead of them, and we are proud to play a small part in supporting their journey. The First Home Scheme, part of the Governments new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, has recorded a 93% increase in drawdowns in Louth in the last year. This means the Scheme has supported 340 home purchases in the county to date, compared with 176 at the end of February 2025. Earlier this week, the Scheme announced it has supported 5,000 home purchases nationwide. Approvals for the First Home Scheme have also risen by 89% in Louth, with 599 recorded to date, compared with 317 by the end of February 2025. The Scheme was set up to provide funding to first-time buyers who, despite having a deposit and mortgage approval in place, still could not cover the cost of a new-build home. In exchange for providing funding, the Scheme takes an equity stake of up to 30% in the home (see editors notes below for detailed explanation of how the Scheme works). Of the 5,000 home purchases supported since the Schemes inception in July 2022, almost four in ten (36%) have come in the last year. The Scheme has provided over 330 million in support to people who have bought or self-built their homes. A joint application is counted as one buyer, not two which means that approximately 8,000 people (2,000 single buyers and 3,000 joint buyers) have benefited from the Scheme to date. Over 9,000 applicants across all 26 counties have been approved by the Scheme since 2022 and have received eligibility certificates allowing them to buy or self-build their chosen home. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said: The First Home Scheme is one of our key tools in supporting people to own their own home and it is encouraging to see this significant milestone reached. This demonstrates a continued upward demand for the Scheme. The fact that more than a third of the 5,000 homes purchased, with the support of the Scheme, took place in the last year demonstrates its growing popularity and effectiveness. Supporting more people on their path to owning a home is a priority for me and this Government is focused on delivering more by ramping up support through our Schemes, which are supported by unprecedented levels of funding. This Government is absolutely committed to delivering on the actions set out in the new Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, to ensure that every person and every family has a safe and secure home with the First Home Scheme playing a significant role in this. The First Home Scheme Chief Executive, Michael Broderick, said: The Schemes 5,000th drawdown is a hugely significant milestone which emphasises the importance of financial support for first-time buyers at a time of acute demand for homes around the country. It is encouraging that the Scheme is growing year-on-year, with almost four in ten purchases having taken place in the last 12 months. Read Next: 200 new jobs on the way for Dundalk The success of the First Home Scheme is dependent on a lot of hard work and support from multiple stakeholders, including our colleagues in the Department of Housing and participating lenders AIB [including Haven and EBS], Bank of Ireland and PTSB, without whom none of this could have been possible. I am proud of the fact that, by bridging funding gaps for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants, we are making a major difference to many peoples lives by giving them an opportunity to become homeowners. We are acutely aware of the importance of home ownership in Ireland, and I am looking forward to seeing the Scheme go from strength to strength in the months and years to come. Louth is celebrating national recognition as the Four Seasons Hotel, Spa & Leisure Club Carlingford has been voted Best Waterside Wedding Venue at the 2026 SaveMyDay Irish Wedding Venue Awards. The win follows a landmark year for the awards, with more than 700 newlywed and engaged couples casting their votes to select their favourite venues. The annual awards, hosted by popular wedding venue platform SaveMyDay , honour the mostloved wedding venues across the country, from intimate spaces to larger estates, with winners chosen entirely by the public for the first time. SaveMyDay says: Nestled between Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Mountains, the Four Seasons Hotel has long been admired for its breathtaking waterfront views, exceptional hospitality, and its reputation as one of Irelands most picturesque wedding destinations. Its win reflects the continued popularity of scenic venues among couples planning their 2026 celebrations. Shell Holden, wedding expert and coowner of SaveMyDay comments This years awards are especially meaningful because the winners were chosen directly by the people who matter most, the couples themselves. As someone who got married last year, I know first hand how important it is to find a venue that feels personal, welcoming, and true to your story. More than 700 voters shared their favourite venues, their standout moments, and the places that truly delivered for them. Its a powerful endorsement of the passion and hospitality that Irish wedding venues are known for. Shell Holden adds: Couples in 2026 are leaning into personality-driven weddings more than ever. They want venues that feel like an extension of their story, places that offer flexibility, character, and a sense of experience. The trends were seeing this year really resonate with me on a personal level. I got married in 2025 and we included our beautiful rescue dog, Chips, in our day. Hes since passed, so having those memories and photos is something well always treasure. Its a reminder of why dogfriendly venues matter so much to some couples. Read Next: Man (35) carried out three muggings on the same night in Dundalk We also chose a restaurant wedding because exceptional food and an intimate atmosphere felt true to us, and as a sustainabilitydriven couple, it was important that our venue aligned with our values. More and more couples are making choices that reflect who they are, and Irelands venues are rising to meet that with heart. All the award-winning wedding venues and many more are featured on SaveMyDay.ie, where couples can connect with any of the venues and enquire for free about their upcoming nuptials. Louth homeowners are being encouraged to take advantage of enhanced, recently improved home energy upgrade grants, following strong local participation in Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes throughout 2025. According to SEAI data, 1,272 Louth homes benefited from SEAI grants in 2025 to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. These energy upgrades included: 884 homes installed solar panels, and 51 homes made the switch to a heat pump using SEAI grants. As a result of home energy upgrades, 2,308 County Louth homes are rated B2 or above on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale. Louth homeowners can now avail of new grants for windows and doors, as well as higher grants for attic and wall insulation. CEO of SEAI, William Walsh said: There's never been a better time to retrofit your home. These new and enhanced grants will make a massive difference to homes across Louth, making them warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to heat. Last year 1,272 homes benefited from SEAI grants in Louth and this year we expect that demand to be even higher. "I really encourage anyone thinking of upgrading their home to visit our website and talk to your neighbours and friends who have already got some work done - there is something for you no matter what your starting point or budget." These enhanced grants make home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible with increased grants of up to 12,500 for heat pump systems, up to 2,000 for attic insulation, and up to 8,000 for wall insulation. The new grants offer up to 4,000 for windows and 800 per door, for a maximum of two external doors. For first time buyers of older homes, they can avail of a higher grant of up to 2,500 for attic insulation. Read Next: Registrations open for Dundalks 2026 St Patricks Day Parade SEAI said: "Now is the perfect time for Louth homeowners to plan for home energy upgrades with Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh OBrien, announcing a major suite of new and enhanced SEAI grant supports. "With bigger and better grants, Louth homeowners can choose an energy upgrade to suit their needs. Whether its individual step-by-step upgrades, or a complete one stop shop home upgrade in one go, SEAI grant options give homeowners the support and flexibility to make home energy efficiency more accessible." The number of people homeless in Ireland has exceeded 17,000 for the first time, with fears even more could lose their homes after the Governments new rental rules kick in on Sunday. The latest monthly figures from the Department of Housing show there were 17,112 people in emergency accommodation in January, with 11,793 adults and 5,319 children, which is a new record high. The figure includes 2,555 families, of which 1,442 are single-parent families. The previous record was the 16,996 people in emergency accommodation at the end of November. Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said that while he welcomes aspects of the Governments new rental rules that give greater security to tenants, they do leave families at risk from even greater rent increases. The charity has long warned that, without parallel changes to the housing assistance payment (HAP), the clause that allows rents to rise to market levels will result in more people becoming homeless or remaining homeless for longer as rents become unaffordable, he said. The new regulations allow rents to be reset to market levels whenever a landlord has a vacancy and is seeking a new tenant, and this means that anyone seeking a new tenancy from this week will be paying substantially higher than they would have been last month. No-one including the Government knows what this increase will be, but informed estimates range from 10% to 25%. However, Mr Dennigan added there is no clear timeline for when HAP will be reviewed, leaving households vulnerable to rent increases. Social Democrat housing spokesperson Rory Hearne said the Governments new rental rules will only make it harder for those at risk of homelessness. For those whove been kicked out of their accommodation, the struggle to find a suitable alternative will become even greater after March 1 - institutional investors, corporate landlords and vulture funds have publicly acknowledged that they will now be able to hike rents to even greater heights, he said. Meanwhile, Simon Communities of Ireland executive director Ber Grogan said it is unacceptable this crisis is deepening. The Governments current plan is failing this largest cohort in emergency beds, with potentially long-term impacts on their mental and physical wellbeing, Ms Grogan said. This is a key concern for all the Simon Communities across Ireland. While the new Housing Plan has a welcome focus on children and family homelessness, we simply cannot allow for single adults to be forgotten about and by-passed when investing in solutions. Chinese students visiting Cork to learn English were victims of a vicious attack by two Cork men, who broke into their home and beat them with iron bars, and now the parents of these young people do not want them to leave China because of their terrible experience in Ireland. The language tuition schools, where they paid course fees of 6,000, have not given them any refunds even though they flew home in fear, only two months into their eight-month programmes in Cork. One 22-year-old woman who on Friday described her injuries and her fear said: I hastily flew back to China for fear of my safety. My family are now extremely concerned about my safety outside of China and they would staunchly oppose any of my plans to study or tour abroad, citing this incident as the reason. A jury found 41-year-old Gerard Quinlan, of no fixed address, and 32-year-old Aidan Cullinane, both guilty of aggravated burglary and three counts of assault causing harm to the young people, who were staying at a house on Millerd Street, Cork City when this happened. Sergeant Brain Barron said Quinlan and Cullinane did not know the victims, and broke into their home at 5.45am on April 17, 2024. The three young Chinese nationals were asleep at their home. The intruders burst into the two upstairs bedrooms simultaneously, demanding cash and mobile phones from the three petrified victims. "Following complete compliance with the demands of the two intruders, and having handed over what little money and mobile phones they had, the three residents were then subjected to a vicious and sustained assault at the hands of Aidan Cullinane and Gerard Quinlan, where all three were beaten with a crowbar over the next seven minutes. It resulted in significant injuries, Sgt Barron said. 'I have nightmares' The second student a young man who is also in his 20s said on Friday: This incident has left significant physical and mental consequences on me. My hand and forehead still have visible scars. I have nightmares of this incident and wake up very scared. I also suffered significant financial losses. I never got any refund from the language school as I quit my study after feeling not safe in Ireland. I hastily left Ireland, so I left a lot of personal belongings which were not recovered. "I also had to come up with extra money for the flight ticket back to China A career in Ireland had to be abandoned. My family were also deeply shocked by this incident, and now they would oppose any of my future plans to study or work outside of China because of what happened here in Cork. The third victim is a 28-year-old Chinese national who is employed as an engineer in Cork, and her injuries included scars to her head and the breaking of ribs. On Friday, she said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court: I am also mentally shaken and impacted. Whenever I thought about the incident, I would become very upset and start to shed tears. I've also become extremely timid after the incident. I am now easily startled by any unfamiliar noise. "I must make sure doors of my residence are properly locked, checking again and again, even after rounds of previous inspection, just for reassurance. My family also suffer this extra mental burden together with me. "Although I was able to convince them to allow me back to Ireland, they always make multiple checks-ins every day for fear of my safety. This young womans employer in Cork contacted her after she returned to China following the attack, and asked her to return to her job here and she agreed to do so. The two language students returned to Cork this week for the trial by judge and jury. Their victim impact statements were heard on Friday, as they had flights back to China later this evening. Judge Helen Boyle thanked all three victims for giving evidence during the trial and for their victim impact evidence. Marjorie Farrelly, defence senior counsel, asked for a psychiatric report on Cullinane, who is on anti-psychotic medication in prison. Ms Farrelly also asked for a prison governors report. Donal OSullivan, senior counsel for Quinlan, asked for a governors report and a report from the defendants GP. Both men had denied the violent crimes, but the jury found them guilty. Sentencing was adjourned until July 1, with the two accused remanded in custody. The enduring fascination with the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic 114 years ago will see hundreds of history buffs come to East Cork to provide an early tourism boost before the summer season. Cobh is to host a prestigious conference by the British Titanic Society (BTS) in April, with accommodation in the town already filled up ahead of the event. Cobh, then known as Queenstown, was the last port of call for the ill-fated liner before it sank after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912. Hundreds of Titanic buffs from all over the world, many dressed in period costumes from the era of the sinking, will descend on the town for the BTS annual conference which runs from Friday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12. The Commodore Hotel will be the headquarters for the event with a number of lectures planned there with expert speakers. Read More BTS was founded in 1987 just two years after the discovery of its wreck deep at the bottom of the Atlantic by famed explorer Robert Ballard. The supposedly unsinkable White Star liner which was the most impressive and luxurious ship of its day set out on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on April 10, 1912. It first went to pick up passengers in Cherbourg, France and then arrived in Cobh where it picked up a further 123 people who had queued to get tenders from the old pier which is located at the now Titanic Experience centre in the town. In total more than 1,500 passengers and crew died when the liner sank, most succumbing to hypothermia in the freezing waters. Of the 123 who boarded in Cobh, 79 perished. BTS said the convention programme for its members will include lectures in the Commodore Hotel, a gala dinner there and visits to a number of historic places around the town which have major connections with the ill-fated liner. Cobh Tourism chairwoman Jackie Coakley said all accommodation in the town is fully booked. Throughout the weekend, local musicians will entertain the delegates, and the Cobh Animation ladies will add a touch of Victorian glamour to the proceedings. Inside the Cobh Heritage Centre, interactive exhibitions trace the stories of Irish emigrants, convict ships, and the final hours of the Titanic and Lusitania. Picture: Chani Anderson "Shops, cafes, bars and restaurants across Cobh are preparing to extend a warm Irish welcome, recognising the valuable boost the convention brings to the local economy, Ms Coakley said. She said the people of Cobh hold a solemn responsibility to remember the lives lost in the tragedy. Each year, Cobh Tourism marks the anniversary of the Titanics final port of call with a commemorative ceremony. This year, the participation of the BTS delegates adds an additional dimension to the event which will take place at noon on Sunday, April 12, with the laying of wreaths and the reading OTTAWA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand issued an urgent statement on Friday, calling on Canadian citizens in parts of the Middle East to leave due to a "volatile and unpredictable" security situation. Anand advised Canadians in the region to "remain vigilant, monitor local and international media, and follow the instructions of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place." The statement specifically recommended that Canadians in Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon "consider leaving while commercial options remain available." The warning for Canadians in Iran is more severe, urging them to "leave now if they can do so safely." Highlighting the lack of a Canadian diplomatic mission in Iran, the statement said, "There is no Canadian embassy in Iran and our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited, especially during an active conflict." Tensions between the United States and Iran were soaring amid massive U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear talks. Editor: Zhang Zhou A Catholic church in Cork city centre that was once visited by Pope Leo is set to close later this year. St Augustines Church, which is on the corner of Washington St and Grand Parade, has been a part of spiritual life in the city for more than 80 years. The church is set to close permanently in the coming months, with parishioners to be informed this weekend. The church is owned and run by the Augustinian friars, with the consent of the diocese of Cork and Ross. A spokesperson for the Augustinian friars in Cork told The Echo they would be making no comment, but that a statement would be issued at Masses in the church on Saturday and Sunday. A spokesperson for the diocese said the future of the church is primarily a matter for the order. It is understood that the likely closure of St Augustines stems from a continued decline in vocations to the priesthood. The church, which was erected in 1942 and extended 30 years later, was built on the site of an earlier chapel dating back to 1872. The adjoining priory was built in 1982. The Augustinian friars have had a presence in Cork dating back as far as the late 13th century, when they founded Red Abbey in the South Parish. The ruin of the old medieval belfry tower still stands on the site. The friars left Cork in the 17th century in the wake of the Reformation, returning a century later to what is now St Augustines Street. Pope Leo XIV visited the Augustinian church two decades ago, when he was Bishop Robert Prevost, prior general of the Order of St Augustine, the global head of the order. The then bishop paid a visit to the Augustinian friars in Cork in 2007. In the 1950s and 1960s, St Augustines had a parish hall at the back of the church, and in 1959 two young schoolboys from McCurtain St played there. Billed as the Gallagher Brothers, 11-year-old Rory and his nine-year-old brother Donal sang Everly Brothers numbers and promptly ran out of material. Last year, Donal Gallagher recalled the night he was sacked by his brother, who would one day become a world-famous musician, in St Augustines Hall. Wed been well received, the crowd wanted more, so Rory said, Do your party piece. At home Id sing The Scottish Soldier. I was born in Derry, so I could do the Scottish accent, he said. So, I sang it, and Rory started strumming away behind me. But after the first verse, I said, Rory, theres no guitar on it. And he said, Just get on with it. So, I did. The mums and dads probably loved it, but Rory was so disgusted with me. Backstage afterwards, I was immediately fired. As far as Rory was concerned, Id been unprofessional: Youd never row on stage, youd never behave like that in front of the audience, Donal said. I was probably nine, and he was 11. After that, he taught me the guitar. He always encouraged me, but it was like having a brother whos an athlete and you cant keep up. He never let me grace the stage with him again! The decision to close one of Cork city centres best-known Catholic churches has been described by the head of the religious order which owns the building as akin to a death. Parishioners at St Augustines Church, which is located at the corner of Washington St and the Grand Parade, were informed on Saturday afternoon that the church will close permanently later this year. The church is owned and run by the Augustinian friars, with the consent of the diocese of Cork and Ross. St Augustines was built in 1942 on the site of an earlier chapel dating back to 1872. The adjoining priory was built in 1982. The churchs closure will bring to an end the orders presence in Cork, which dates back 755 years to the foundation of Red Abbey in the South Parish. The ruin of the old medieval belfry tower still stands on the site. Fr Paddy OReilly, Vicar Provincial of the Augustinian Order in Ireland, told the congregation at a vigil Mass in the church on Saturday that the decision to withdraw from Cork had been made with great pain and sadness. St Augustines Church on Cork's Washington Street being by Monsignor J Scannell in 1950. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive Fr OReilly said that from the mid-1970s the order had witnessed a slow but accelerating decline in vocations. In the early 70s we would have expected at least 12 novices and three to four ordinations every year, he said. Today we would be lucky to have one novice and most years we have no ordinations. We are also getting older and less able. In 2026, the order in Ireland has only 10 friars who are under 70, and more than half of all of its priests are over 80, he said. Fr OReilly said one of the considerations informing the order in its decision to close its Washington St church was the knowledge that Cork city centre is well-served by Franciscans, Capuchins, Dominicans, and by an abundance of diocesan churches. The St. Augustines Church extension under construction At Washington Street, Cork in 1939. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive He said the order empathised with, and shared, the pain and loss felt by Corks Catholic community, and said the closure was as though a member of the family has died. St Augustines will close permanently after 11.30am Mass on Sunday, July 12. Saturday afternoons Mass was well-attended, and Fr OReillys announcement was met first with silence from the congregation, and then applause. A spokesperson for the diocese of Cork and Ross said the future of the church is primarily a matter for the order. Pope Leo XIV visited the Augustinian church in 2005, when he was Bishop Robert Prevost, prior general of the Order of St Augustine, the global head of the order. In the late 1950s, a very young Rory Gallagher played in the parish hall at the back of the church. By David Young, Press Association Police in Belfast have appealed for witnesses after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalised. The statue sits in the grounds of the Belfast hospital complex named after the late monarch. Republican group Lasair Dhearg posted a picture on social media on Friday afternoon appearing to show one of its supporters pouring red paint over the statue. In an accompanying post, the group said Belfast activists had paid a visit to the Famine Queen a reference to the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century. Whatever views individuals may hold about history or heritage, there is absolutely zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this manner Alan Chambers, UUP health spokesman British monarch Victoria oversaw the Great Hunger and the decimation of the Irish population as millions perished and emigrated, it stated. In a socialist republic all the symbols of Empire will be stripped from the land; street names, statues, institutions and those that will stand against the people organising for a better future. Only the fight for a socialist republic can bring about the end of occupation and imperialism in Ireland. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it received a report of criminal damage on the Grosvenor Road site in west Belfast on Friday afternoon. It was reported that paint was thrown over a statue in the area, the PSNI said. Inquiries are at an early stage and police would appeal to any witnesses, or anyone who might have any information which could assist us, to get in touch. Work was under way on Friday evening to remove the paint. In a statement, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: Belfast Trust is aware of an incident in which the statue of Queen Victoria, on the Royal Group of Hospitals site, was daubed with red paint. Trust staff are working to have this paint removed as quickly as possible. Police have been informed of the incident. DUP Assembly member Phillip Brett said the vandalism was an utter disgrace. He said those responsible wanted to intimidate and also erase British identity from Northern Ireland. This wasnt activism, he said. The statue of Queen Victoria that was vandalised by an Irish Republican group. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. It was an attack on shared space, on heritage and on basic respect. If they truly cared about working-class communities, they would be campaigning to improve public services, not defacing public property and intimidating others. We must be clear. Criminal damage is criminal damage. It should be condemned, investigated and those responsible held accountable before the courts without delay. And let me be clear to those who think they can erase British identity from Northern Ireland, we are not going anywhere. Ulster Unionist Assembly member Alan Chambers, who is the partys health spokesman, also condemned the incident. The disgraceful defacing of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism, he said. Whatever views individuals may hold about history or heritage, there is absolutely zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this manner. The Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments in their lives. It is a place dedicated to saving lives and supporting families it should never be seen as an opportunity for idiotic political protest or criminal damage. Every pound that now has to be spent repairing this damage is a pound taken away from the health service. At a time when our health service is already under immense pressure, with budgets stretched, it is utterly irresponsible that scarce resources will now have to be diverted to clean up this mess. Those responsible have shown a clear disregard not just for our shared public spaces, but for the patients and staff who rely on the Royal Victoria Hospital every day. That is why I hope they will be identified and held fully accountable. I urge anyone with information about this despicable incident to come forward. Ellen O'Donoghue Irish politicians have been reacting to the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, after a US official said the military campaign could last days. The Taoiseach has said he is "deeply concerned" by the developments in Iran, "and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East. I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. pic.twitter.com/KmQtVMxiW6 Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 28, 2026 Micheal Martin urged "all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome," in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon. "Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other. "The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount," Martin said. He added that there "can be no question but that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one. "We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it. It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East. "We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law". That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table, Martin said. "Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety. "We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves." Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the joint action was unprovoked military aggression and described it as a frightening turn of events. McDonald called for a cessation of military action. She said: This is an act of unprovoked military aggression. It is the second such action in just nine months, it is incredibly dangerous, lives are at stake, civilian lives. There needs to be cessation of this action, there needs to be a return to the negotiating table and diplomacy needs to win out. It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this. The Sinn Fein leader added: I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events. I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified, they will pick up the human cost of this. Young lives have been lost.there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee also expressed concern about the US-Israeli attack. Irish citizens should not travel to Iran, she said, while also advising against travel to Israel. In a statement, McEntee said: I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time. I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk. We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Ireland was a strong supporter of the JCPOA and of subsequent dialogue and diplomacy for this very reason. We urge all parties to return to this path of negotiation. The Fine Gael TD called on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint - a wider conflict will increase regional instability. She said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world, she added. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. The travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place, she said. You should follow the directions of the local authorities and advice issued on social media by the Irish embassy to your country of residence. Embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to provide consular assistance. McEntee said she will remain in close contact with EU and international partners as the situation continues to evolve. Meanwhile, the Irish Defence Forces have confirmed that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated tasks, it said on Saturday. Oglaigh na hEireann can confirm that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated pic.twitter.com/gcO4kAgGhV Oglaigh na hEireann (@defenceforces) February 28, 2026 'Unthinkable' that Taoiseach would go to US and give a shamrock to Trump - TD People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called on the Taoiseach to condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to The Irish Times. He also called for Micheal Martin's upcoming visit to the White House to be cancelled. The Dublin South-West TD said: The United States and Israel have launched a coordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification. We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump ends this war on Iran. It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression. It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Many will die in this latest atrocity started by Trump. He is a war criminal and the St Patricks Day engagement must be cancelled. Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews has said that the attack is "against all international law. Such strikes are only legal when there is a clear and imminent threat, he said on X. This looks again like regime change. Nobody supports this Iranian regime, but this is not the way. Andrews also said Trump tore up the nuclear deal with the international community in 2018 while Netanyahu has pushed for this bombing for decades. They are responsible for the fallout, he added. But we all could suffer the consequences, especially innocent Iranian civilians. Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith expressed "grave concern" after the strikes. Ultimately these strikes originate from the Trump administrations pulling out of the treaty Obama negotiated with Iran on enrichment, he said. Ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapons capability should only be done through negotiation, the strong application of the IAEA inspections, and the broader non-proliferation regime. Instead we have an Israeli government that due to the international communitys inability to hold them accountable for their actions in Gaza, are acting with continuing impunity across the region. We also have a US administration that continues to display authoritarian tendencies, with these strikes being no exception. Smith added that launching pre-emptive strikes, despite reports that breakthroughs had occurred in negotiations on stockpiling, risked a new long-term war in the Middle East. An emergency meeting of EU leaders must be called and I urge the Irish Government to call on our European allies to ensure that Europe works to de-escalate this conflict, he said. Peace in the Middle East will never come on the battlefield, I urge the United States and Israel to stop their attacks and return to the negotiating table. Relatives and friends who have queries or concerns about family members in the region should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular team in Dublin at +353 1 4082000. Oh, February, you really would test a saint - with the grey skies every day and endless rain. Even my most positive, optimistic clients are browned off with this wet and gloomy winter, and sure, to us Irish, the weather is always going to be a popular topic of conversation. Met Eireann would wanna up its game now, one man said to me while I was out walking yesterday, and I laughed as we passed each other soaking wet. I am a very proud Cork lady, but to be honest, I am really leaning into loving my breaks away and out of Cork now as I get older. Recently, I took my first ever spring break, after all my friends and clients for years told me how it was such a good time to do it - it helps to break up the winter and the gap between Christmas and Easter. So this year I got worn down by my close, dear friends and decided to join them on a girlie spring break. Emer OCallaghan wearing a dress and bag from Monsoon at Seafield Hotel, Wexford. Emers make-up is Master Colors Paris, available at Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949, postage options available Can I take this opportunity to tell my dear friends how much I truly value and love them? Friends are the family we choose for ourselves, and that is certainly the case with mine. I feel very blessed to have the same friends since we started primary school together in Bishopstown, girls who have known me from the start. We have grown up together, and God didnt give me any sisters so I value them so much. They have gotten me through some of the toughest times of my life, and are there for me through thick and thin, as I am for them. I dont ever forget their love and loyalty, how they have my back and support and protect me so much. SPRING BREAK So, off we went for a few days away in the sunny south-east, except it was being lambasted by rain far worse then we were in Cork. However, we did what any good woman would do - we brought our rain coats and ploughed on. We stayed in the lovely Seafield Hotel on the Wexford coast, about 50 minutes out from Wexford town, near Gorey. A beautiful spot, with the beach just a 15-minute walk away through the beautiful woods. Its funny how times change, how once we would all be cramped in an apartment or a big bedroom on holidays, sharing beds and giggling all night. Fast forward 20 years and we were all looking forward to our beds and the lie-ins! For my friends with young kids, it was the chance for an uninterrupted nights sleep with no kids climbing in to join them. As every woman knows, its such a treat to get any meal served up to you when usually we are the constant chefs, so we all loved that. Breakfast was lovely and went on till 11am every morning. I loved not having to set my 6.30am alarm clock, but I must say, I really enjoyed coming out at 7am each day onto my balcony to listen to the birds dawn chorus and watch the day break. Oh, the peace and tranquillity. I know Im getting old when I see and feel the benefits of embracing mother nature. I did one of my popular beauty videos on this and you can watch it on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages now. PAMPER TIME We booked two hours every day in the spa and thermal suite, and had saunas, steam rooms, monsoon showers, an outdoor jacuzzi and the swimming pool to enjoy, and we made the most of it all. We all had a beauty treatment and my job was to organise them. I always love seeing other treatments rooms and how others do things. HOPI EAR CANDLING I had booked in for the Hopi Ear Candling treatment as I had never gotten that one done before, and it has been on my to-do list for a while. This is a treatment that the native Americans invented to help unclog ears of wax, improve sinus pain, and clear the sinus cavity. A I suffer with my sinuses, I was eager to try it. I really enjoyed it, and its such a rare treat for me to be the client up on any bed, as Im so used to being the therapist. It was a bit iffy seeing the big flame come out of the candle as it was stuck in my ear, and as I can be very giddy I had to close my eyes as we had been joking over our afternoon tea that if it went wrong all my hair could go up - suddenly, Id have a Sinead OConnors hair style! How would that look on my beauty page in The Echo. I got a lovely face and head massage with the treatment and I almost fell fast asleep. By the time it was over, I was so relaxed, then Linda showed me the ear candles - I was afraid there would be loads of wax and the poor girl would be sickened, but thankfully I was wax free. I was glad I tried the treatment and did feel it helped my sinuses. You do feel very tired after it alright and I retired early to my bed that night, but it was great to slow me down a bit. GIRLS TIME I met my friends back in the relaxation room after their pedicures and treatment and we joked how I still had my long mane of hair, thank God. We were spoiled with Prosecco and little cakes post-treatment, we were saying we could roll back to Cork from all the food we got. As everyone knows, I love the beach, so the fact this hotel is so near one was a huge draw for us. Sadly, the weather was shocking and we drove into Wexford town to have a look around. VALUING TIME TOGETHER We dressed up each evening for our dinner and relaxed afterwards in the bar. Its funny how much you have to catch up on; while WhatsApp is great and we all have far more contact today than we ever did before, you still cannot compare it to a good old fashioned catch up face to face. Its just nice to get away and be able to let the hair down. We stopped off in Dungarvan on our way home and spent a day there. I love the place, its like Kinsale 20 years ago before it got posh and retro! We had an amazing lunch in The Moorings - my brother had recommended it - we truly do well the cead mile failte in Ireland still. As we ventured back to the Rebel County and to more rain, we felt well rested and recharged, and with such lovely memories. Life is so busy for us all and no-one today seems to have the time for anything - Im guilty of that myself - but I was so glad I took the few days off work and made time for catching up with my friends for our spring break. We said it will have to be an annual thing now, as we all headed back to our busy lives: the baskets of washing, the never-ending house work, all the emails. It was a lovely break from our lives and I feel that is also what beauty treatments are all about, they are a bit of escapism for an hour or two out of your manic busy life, to stop, rest, relax and reset. For those unable to take a break away from their busy life at this time of year, they can get in a nice facial or massage or treatment that will give them that temporary release and break. Im back to the grind again and busy, with confirmation season fast approaching now, and all the mums wanting to look their best for their childs big day. (Photo: Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in June 2008. The Vatican's Bambino Gesu Hospital is considered the leading paediatric hospital in Europe and the 6th best in the world, according to the U.S. magazine Newsweek's 2026 World's Best Hospitals ranking. The ranking, created in collaboration with the data-gathering company Statista, highlights leading hospitals worldwide across 12 medical fields, including paediatrics, according to Vatican News. The 2026 edition evaluated 2,500 hospitals in 32 countries. "This recognition stems from the daily teamwork of the entire hospital community: doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, technical and administrative staff, researchers, volunteers, and religious personnel who, together, take care of children and their families," said Tiziano Onesti, president of the Bambino Gesu Hospital, in a press release. "It is the quiet dedication of these women and menin the wards, laboratories, offices, reception, and support servicesthat makes highly specialized care possible, combined with attention to the human and relational aspects of treatment," he noted. The hospital's press release highlights that Bambino Gesu is the only paediatric hospital operating within the Italian healthcare system to be included among the world's top 30. It also explains that this recognition shows the hospital's growth over the years, as it has obtained important international certifications, such as the JCI accreditation as an Academic Medical Center for training and clinical and scientific research. Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation is a globally recognised standard that certifies healthcare organisations for high-quality patient care and safety. Bambino Gesu noted that it is today the leading paediatric center in Europe in terms of the number of affiliations with European reference networks for rare diseases (affiliated with 20 out of 24 networks). It records almost 3 million outpatient services, 100,000 emergency department visits, and over 33,000 surgical procedures each year. Specialized hospitals are seeing explosive growth as patients search for physicians that provide advanced, targeted care. Whether you are fighting a rare illness or seeking precision surgery for a complex injury, these facilities are a popular choice for patients in need of specific expertise. Newsweek reports that the global speciality hospital market was worth around $74.87 billion in 2023, with the umber expected to grow to around $176.53 billion by 2032. https://rankings.newsweek.com/worlds-best-specialized-hospitals-2026/pediatrics All of these options give patients more choice about where to seek customized care. "That is why Newsweek and Statista are proud to present World's Best Specialized Hospitals 2026, highlighting the leading hospitals worldwide in 12 medical fields.2 Included in this ranking are the top 300 hospitals for cardiology and oncology; the top 250 for pediatrics; the top 150 for cardiac surgery, endocrinology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and orthopedics; and the top 125 for neurosurgery and urology. The ranking for neurology and obstetrics & gynaecology were both increased by 25 hospitals this year, up to 150 and 125, respectively. The ranking is built on a worldwide online survey conducted from May to July 2025 using recommendations from medical professionals. It also used accreditation data and certifications, and Statista's PROMs Implementation Survey. Hospitals that have expertise in multiple fields received separate recommendations for each speciality. (Photo: Ecumenical News / Peter Kenny)Iranian dissident Marina Nemat testifies during a side event at the United Nations in Geneva on October 30, 2014 The World Council of Churches has called the attacks carried out against Iran, which are said to have killed its leader, a "dangerous spiral of violence," placing millions of civilians at immediate risk. The global church body representing more than half a million Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant Christians for "an immediate cessation of all military actions," a call made also by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres after the Feb. 28 attacks. "This dangerous spiral of violence places millions of civilians at immediate risk, undermines regional and international security, and threatens already fragile economic and social stability across the Middle East," said WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay in a statement on the council's website. The United States and Israel launched waves of strikes on the morning of Feb. 28 against Iran after weeks of tensions between Washington and Tehran, The Hill reported. Iran swiftly retaliated, firing drones and ballistic missiles at Israel, along with attacking targets in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. "Several high-ranking officials have reportedly been killed, including according to Israeli sources Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, that I am not in a position to confirm," Guterrest told a special meeting of the UN Security Council, of which the United Statres is a permanment membe.. The joint mission, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," began shortly after midnight on Feb. 28 with strikes aimed at destroying Iran's security apparatus and focusing on locations that posed an "imminent threat," the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said, according to The Hill. The WCC's Pillay said, "The widening hostilities endanger lives, disrupt essential infrastructure, and deepen fear and uncertainty among peoples who have already endured prolonged instability and conflict." The world churches body called for the protection of civilian populations and critical infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law. It urged "the urgent resumption of diplomatic engagement and political dialogue through established international and regional mechanisms" and called for coordinated international efforts to prevent further escalation and to restore stability. "The WCC stands in prayerful solidarity with all people and churches of the region," said Pillay. "We urge political leaders to act with restraint, responsibility, and a renewed commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes." Pillay urged that the path forward must be one of de-escalation, dialogue, and respect for human dignity. "Violence will not secure the future of the region; only justice, accountability, and sustained diplomatic engagement can lay the foundations for lasting peace," he concluded. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation in the Middle East. "The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermines international peace and security. "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations." He explained that the charter clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table. Chinese demand drives value of Australian almond exports to record-high Xinhua) 13:22, February 28, 2026 SYDNEY, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The value of Australia's almond exports hit a record-high in the 2024-25 financial year on the back of growing demand in China, according to industry data. The latest annual report from agricultural research and development firm Hort Innovation in Australia showed that the value of Australia's almond exports rose to 1.3 billion Australian dollars (925.6 million U.S. dollars) in 2024-25, an increase of 23 percent from the previous year. The increase defied a 5 percent year-on-year drop in Australia's almond production and a 2 percent fall in the export volume in 2024-25. Hort Innovation said that Australia exported 140,503 tonnes of almonds in 2024-25. The report did not include data on export destinations for 2024-25, but said that almond exports to China increased from 33,373 tonnes in 2022-23 to 76,132 tonnes in 2023-24. Tim Jackson, chief executive officer of the Australian Almond Board, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that China accounts for 61 percent of Australia's almond exports. He said that more and more Chinese buyers are trying to source Australian almonds because they can be imported with zero tariffs. The Australian Almond Board in January said that the 2026 national almond crop estimate is 166,892 tonnes, which would mark an annual increase of 7 percent. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its new four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ukraine, for the first time since late 2023 has outlined not only a baseline and downside scenarios but also an upside scenario based on more ambitious reforms. However, the macroeconomic outlook will depend decisively on the terms of a peace agreement, IMF Mission Chief to Ukraine Gavin Gray said. He said that the IMF recognizes that the terms of any peace agreement are critical. The quality of security guarantees and the precise conditions will determine where Ukraine may end up within the possible range of scenarios, he said at a briefing on the new program. Gray also stressed that government policy on reforms after a peace agreement will be another significant factor. Progress on key reforms, especially governance and anti-corruption efforts, will have a very large impact on productivity growth in the future, as well as on whether policies are implemented that encourage Ukrainians to return home, the mission chief said. He said that the IMF had previously expected Ukraines economy to grow in 2025 within a range of 2% to 3%, but in the new program it revised that estimate downward in the baseline scenario to 1.8%2.2%. He said that for 2026, the IMF had previously assumed that the war would end, so in its eighth review of the previous EFF in June 2025 the Fund projected growth of 4.5%. Clearly, circumstances have changed, and therefore the IMF now expects a range of 1.8% to 2.5% in 2026, Gray said. Alaska's House of Representatives unanimously passed HB47, a bill that imposes sweeping limits on when and how minors use social media apps, along with bans on generating or distributing harmful deepfakes of children. The bill's original form was focused on prohibiting the possession and distribution of sexually explicit images of children using AI, but Alaska lawmakers decided to add amendments that would impose social media restrictions. The proposed limitations include a statewide curfew on using social media between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM, banning "addictive design features" and requiring social media platforms to verify user ages and get parental consent if they are minors. While the House bill saw 39 votes in favor and zero against, the amendments offered some hints at potential upcoming revisions. Before the bill went to a vote, some of the House representatives expressed concern about adding such broad rules on social media without consulting the companies behind them first. Advertisement Advertisement The bill still has to make its way through the Alaska State Senate, which already has presented a companion bill, and the governor. Alaska is following the footsteps of many other states, and the House even modeled its social media amendments in the HB47 bill after Utah. While Utah was the first to propose social media restrictions for kids, it was later met with a preliminary injunction. Savannah Guthrie is preparing to return to New York after spending nearly a month in Tucson, Arizona, following the abduction of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. The "Today" co-host traveled to Arizona on Feb. 1, the day her 84-year-old mother was discovered missing from her home. Since then, she has remained in Tucson while the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff's Department continue their investigation. Authorities have not identified a suspect or determined whether Nancy is alive. According to The Sun, Guthrie now plans to resume life in New York, where her husband, Michael Feldman, and their two children have remained throughout the search. "She's coming back to New York, for her kids and their school, and her life. Savannah loves that job, and Nancy loved it, too." A source revealed, "The family is coming to terms with the idea that Nancy is likely gone; staying in Arizona isn't going to help that." Savannah Guthrie To Focus on Stability and Family in New York Sources also told Radar Online that Guthrie feels she has done everything possible during her time in Arizona. "Every ounce of energy went into finding her mom," a source said. The insider added, "She can leave knowing she did absolutely everything possible." Guthrie has been staying with her sister, Annie, and brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, while in Tucson. She and her siblings, including Camron, issued repeated public pleas for Nancy's safe return. Her children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 9, remained in New York to continue attending school and maintain stability during the family crisis. A source said, "New York is where her support system is. It's where she feels steady. She needs that now." The move comes after Guthrie acknowledged in a Feb. 24 Instagram video that her mother "may be lost; she may already be gone." In the emotional message, she said, "We also know that she may be lost; she may already be gone." With visible exhaustion, she added, "And if this is what is to be, then we will all accept it. But we need to know where she is. We need her to come home." Investigation Into Nancy Guthrie's Abduction Nancy was forcibly taken from her home during the early morning hours of Feb. 1. Authorities have confirmed that multiple "ransom" notes were sent within the first week of her disappearance, but all were determined to be hoaxes. The FBI and Google recovered footage and images from Nancy's Nest doorbell camera. The video shows a man wearing a ski mask and heavy gloves attempting to disable the device shortly before she was taken. He was also armed with a holstered handgun in his waistband. Rob Shuter Says Guthrie Is Looking Toward the Future Hollywood insider Rob Shuter discussed Guthrie's emotional Instagram video during a Feb. 25 appearance on The Nerve With Maureen Callahan podcast. "I think Savannah now is at the point where she's looking to a future without her mom," Shuter said. Shuter has written about the situation on Substack, noting that Guthrie's recent statements suggest she is preparing for the possibility that her mother may not return. Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting a decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on 10 Russian transport and logistics companies that deliver cargo to Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia. Corresponding Decree No. 212/2026 has been published on the website of the Office of the President. The sanctions list includes private Russian companies that transport goods to Russian occupiers and back, as well as provide logistical support to the Russian army. "This package also includes enterprises operating in the temporarily occupied territories using seized Ukrposhta infrastructure. There, they not only distribute pensions and make other payments, but also function as passport offices, where they illegally issue passports to people and hand out draft notices," the statement said. The sanctions document also names postal operators that, in circumvention of sanctions, have created channels for so-called parallel imports of dual-use goods. "The special role of postal services lies in the delivery of microelectronics from abroad. It is unacceptable that a microchip can be mailed from Germany to Moscow. The sanctions are also aimed at restricting these supply channels. The relevant information has already been shared with partners," the statement quoted Presidential Advisor and Sanctions Policy Commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk as saying. The transformation of Iran into one of the United States' primary geopolitical adversaries is a story rooted in a series of pivotal historical events, mutual grievances, and escalating confrontations. What began as a period of alliance during the Cold War deteriorated into deep enmity after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, fueled by interventions, revolutions, proxy conflicts, nuclear ambitions, and direct military actions. This trajectory has repeatedly brought the two nations to the brink of open war, including recent escalations in the mid-2020s that have raised serious risks of a broader conflict. The 1953 Coup: Seeds of Distrust US-Iran relations were once cooperative. In the early 20th century and during World War II, ties were positive. The turning point came in 1953, when the US (via the CIA) and Britain orchestrated Operation Ajax, a coup that overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. Mosaddegh had nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP), threatening Western oil interests and raising fears of Soviet influence amid Cold War tensions. The coup reinstated Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as an absolute monarch, who received extensive US military and economic support. The US also helped establish SAVAK, the Shah's notorious secret police. While this secured short-term Western access to Iranian oil and a strategic ally against communism, it bred long-term resentment among Iranians who viewed the US as an imperialist power meddling in their sovereignty. This event is widely seen as planting the "deeply anti-American character" of later Iranian politics. The 1979 Islamic Revolution and Hostage Crisis Tensions exploded in 1979 with the Iranian Revolution. Mass protests against the Shah's authoritarian rule, corruption, and Westernization forced him into exile in January. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile to establish an Islamic Republic. The US decision to admit the ailing Shah for cancer treatment in October 1979 triggered outrage. On November 4, radical students seized the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage for 444 days (until January 1981). This Iran Hostage Crisis humiliated the US, contributed to President Jimmy Carter's electoral defeat, and led Washington to sever diplomatic ties and impose sanctions. Formal relations have never been restored. The 1980s: Iran-Iraq War and Direct Clashes In 1980, Iraq under Saddam Hussein invaded Iran, sparking an eight-year war. The US tilted toward Iraq, providing intelligence, economic aid, and allowing arms sales, viewing revolutionary Iran as a greater threat. This deepened Iranian perceptions of US hostility. Direct confrontations occurred, including the 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by a US warship in the Persian Gulf, killing 290 civilians (including 66 children). The US called it an accident; Iran saw it as deliberate aggression. Post-Cold War: Sanctions, "Axis of Evil," and Nuclear Tensions The 1990s saw expanded US sanctions under President Bill Clinton, citing Iran's alleged support for terrorism and opposition to the Arab-Israeli peace process. In 2002, President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of the "Axis of Evil" alongside Iraq and North Korea, despite Iran's post-9/11 cooperation against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Iran's nuclear programoriginally supported by the US under the Shah in the 1950s-1970s via "Atoms for Peace"became a flashpoint in the 2000s. Accusations of weaponization led to UN sanctions and US unilateral measures. A brief thaw came with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under President Barack Obama, limiting Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, reimposing "maximum pressure" sanctions that crippled Iran's economy. Escalation to Direct Confrontations (2020 Onward) In January 2020, the US assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, in a drone strike in Baghdad. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on US bases in Iraq, injuring dozens of troops but avoiding fatalities. Tensions persisted through proxy conflicts involving Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. By 2025, a brief but intense "Twelve-Day War" erupted involving US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, followed by a fragile ceasefire. As of early 2026, relations have deteriorated further amid Iran's internal protests (with reports of severe crackdowns), economic collapse, and stalled nuclear talks. The US has deployed massive military assets to the regionthe largest since 2003while threatening strikes if Iran does not concede on uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles, and proxy support. Iran has declared readiness for war, warning of regional escalation. Analysts describe the risk of direct US-Iran conflict as exceptionally high, potentially involving cyberattacks, maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, proxy attacks, or airstrikesthough both sides have historically preferred calibrated responses to avoid all-out war. Why Iran Became the "Great Enemy" The enmity stems from: - Perceived US interference in Iranian sovereignty (1953 coup, support for the Shah). - Revolutionary Iran's anti-Western ideology and "Death to America" rhetoric. - US support for Iran's adversaries (Iraq in the 1980s, Israel and Gulf states today). - Iran's regional influence via proxies, seen by the US as terrorism sponsorship. - The nuclear standoff, where Iran views its program as a deterrent against regime change. This history has created a cycle of mistrust, sanctions, and shadow conflicts. While diplomacy has occasionally paused escalation (e.g., JCPOA), recent buildups and threats suggest the path to a new war remains perilously open, with profound implications for global energy, security, and stability. (The Center Square) Massive strikes by the United States against Iran in Operation Epic Fury started overnight, with allied support from Israel. Second-term Republican President Donald Trump addressed the nation and the Iranian people shortly after the strikes began. He told the Iranian people the hour of your freedom is at hand. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. Trump instructed the Iranian people to stay sheltered. Dont leave your home. The president underscored that the objective of the mission is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Iran is the worlds No. 1 state sponsor of terror, said the president. In response to the large, coordinated attack, Iran has been carrying out strikes against several American military bases in the region, including striking the U.S. Fifth Fleet Naval headquarters in Bahrain, according to multiple reports. In his address, the president warned there could be American casualties. He said his administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill the lives of courageous American heroes," Trump said. "We may have causalities, that often happens in war, but were doing this, not for now, were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear armed Iran. The president warned members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian police to lay down their weapons. If not, he said, they would face certain death. This is the second strike against the Islamic State in less than a year. In June, the U.S. carried out Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting Irans nuclear sites. While Ohio country pioneers might have looked forward to big snows for their fostering of social occasions such as sleighing and sledding parties, the truth of the matter was that, for the most part, winter was just plain boring most of the time. While there were still animals to be fed, eggs to be gathered and firewood to be hauled in for warmth, cold weather drove most settlers inside and largely marooned them there for weeks at a time. The term cabin fever which remains part of the American lexicon even today was the name for a very real affliction that affected the inhabitants of those small, early structures. There are many documented cases of settlers lapsing into states of prolonged depression during the long, dark and isolating winters. Women seemed especially prone to what is today diagnosed as seasonal affective disorder, occasionally lapsing into fits of hysteria and even violence. To some extent, men seemed better able to weather the effects of this prolonged climatological confinement than women. This might be because most men possessed a good sharp pocketknife, and with wood being beyond abundant, they were able to pursue carving as a pastime. Thus, men passed many an evening in front of the fire by continuing to work with their hands in the creation of both useful and whimsical items for the home. In so doing, some of the greatest American folk art that survives today was inadvertently produced by men just trying to retain their sanity on frigid winter nights. One of the items that were created in this environment were butter prints. Right prints for butter. To what end? Why marketing, of course. Among the chores that fell to women in the family was the churning of butter, which they then took to market to sell. The phrase butter and egg money, which also survives today, stemmed from the fact that women were traditionally allowed to keep the money they earned from selling the butter they made and the eggs that they gathered. Those precious squirreled-away funds often went for fabric to make new clothes, candy for the children or gifts for friends and relatives. Now, not all butter is created equal. Some butter is better than other butter, depending on the amount of butterfat in the cream, the colorant (butter is colorless when churned and the colorant is added in), amount of salt and other variables. When butter was taken to market, it was sold in small stoneware crocks made by the local potter. These filled crocks were packed into a butter box, a wooden container having multiple interior shelves and compartments, each of which was covered by a separate lid. The compartments were constructed to tightly hold perhaps a dozen butter crocks in such a manner that they didnt rattle around and break as the wagon holding them jostled toward town and the market. For a woman to identify to both potential and repeat customers the butter she made, she impressed the surface of the butter in her crocks with a unique pattern, created by a butter print her husband had carved for her. Once the woman decided what that pattern might look like, and after she perhaps sketched out a concept, the husband went to work to carry that out. Often, he would go to a local wood turner to get a blank made. This was basically a circular piece of wood with a flat surface for carving. Sometimes the print hand an integral knob on the back side, while in other examples it was just a wooden disk. Butter prints took on a vast array of patterns, as diverse and imaginative as those who designed and carved them. Popular motifs included renditions of cows, love birds, strawberries, thistles, wheat sheaves, tulips, hearts, acorns with and without oak leaves, flowers of all description, diamonds, eagles, swans and many others. More unusual examples included log cabins, beehives, compass points, all-seeing eyes, geometric patterns and many whimsical motifs that defy ready description. At any rate, a customer coming to market might look for the same butter he or she enjoyed last time. Since many pioneers could not read, their assimilation of information was through graphic images. Thus, they looked for the specific makers imprint on the butter to guide their purchase. As time passed, woodenware factories began to turn out manufactured butter prints which often lack the detail and character of the older hand-carved specimens. Today, butter prints are readily available in the antiques marketplace, although many of them have been imported from Europe. Manufactured examples with common motifs can be purchased for less than $50, while rare patterns can soar to hundreds, and even thousands of dollars. Collecting butter prints remains a healthy aspect of the antiques market, attracting many young collectors. Nayyar is one of those actors who has quietly, steadily carved his own space through craft rather than clamour. Trained at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and shaped by theatre in Delhi, he brings a grounded honesty to every performance. From the breezy relatability of Life Sahi Hai to the raw intensity of Udta Punjab and Hotel Mumbai, and the emotional range seen in Sharmaji Namkeen and Jee Karda, Nayyar has shown an ease across genres. His recent work in Saare Jahan Se Accha and Single Papa further underlines an actor constantly evolving, curious, and deeply committed to the human core of his characters. Excerpts from a soulful tete-a-tete. What are the perceptible differences of living in Mumbai after having grown up in Delhi? Do you see a cultural shift? Absolutely. I get angry a lot in Delhi. But when I came to Mumbai, I realised I had to reduce my ego a bit. Theres no road rage here. When youre driving in Delhi, youre always angry. Its not like that in Mumbai. I love the work culture here. I love the people here. This is the city of my dreams. In Delhi, I started with theatre under Rajesh Tailang. He was my first teacher. Then I went to FTII, Pune. There, I did plays with Manav Kaul and Dr Rita Ganguly. I did a lot of workshops. In the span of two years, we did 68 workshops with the likes of Irrfan Khan and Pankaj Kapoor ji. It was a great experience. And then I came to Mumbai in 2013. Were there some crazy moments at FTII that you remember? When I joined, they were celebrating 50 years of FTII. Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma were my seniors. They came to FTII to party and did our ragging. At FTII, its called satsang. Its the most creative ragging in the world. Its nothing like ragging at all, its a cinematic experience. Theres something called Farshi at FTII, which you have to give to your seniors. Any senior, anywhere in the world, can say, FTII se hai? Farshi de. Absolutely. I get angry a lot in Delhi. But when I came to Mumbai, I realised I had to reduce my ego a bit. Theres no road rage here. When youre driving in Delhi, youre always angry. Its not like that in Mumbai. I love the work culture here. I love the people here. This is the city of my dreams. In Delhi, I started with theatre under Rajesh Tailang. He was my first teacher. Then I went to FTII, Pune. There, I did plays with Manav Kaul and Dr Rita Ganguly. I did a lot of workshops. In the span of two years, we did 68 workshops with the likes of Irrfan Khan and Pankaj Kapoor. It was a great experience. And then I came to Mumbai in 2013. Suhailis one of those actors who has quietly, steadily carved his own space through craft rather than clamour. Trained at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and shaped by theatre in Delhi, he brings a grounded honesty to every performance. From the breezy relatability of Life Sahi Hai to the raw intensity of Udta Punjab and Hotel Mumbai, and the emotional range seen in Sharmaji Namkeen and Jee Karda,has shown an ease across genres. His recent work in Saare Jahan Se Accha and Single Papa further underlines an actor constantly evolving, curious, and deeply committed to the human core of his characters. Excerpts from a soulful tete-a-tete. What kind of conversations did you have with Rajkummar Rao, Vijay Varma or Jaideep Ahlawat? I connected with them after coming to Mumbai. The building where I used to live had a restaurant below it which was very popular. My FTII seniors used to come there every Sunday for breakfast. On the very first Sunday, they bumped into me. The conversations were all about cinema, and about what you have to unlearn. FTII, or any institute, can teach you art and craft, but no one teaches you how to navigate Mumbai. Thats where the FTII community and seniors helped immensely. You understand that you dont need any kind of ego. You cant think, Im from an institute, so why should I do this or that? You just have to accept, unlearn, and show up. I waited six hours for my first audition and then I was told I wasnt fit for the role. Actors dont talk much about this. When youre rejected, its not just the role, your face, your height, your voice, or your talent are being rejected. That hits hard, and overcoming it takes time. I got my first ad within a month. Within a year, I got Udta Punjab. For that, Im grateful. You worked with Abhishek Chaubey and so many talented actors in Udta Punjab. Were you unnerved? On the first day of shooting, I had butterflies in my stomach. For my first-ever shot, I had to drive a Range Rover while Shahid Kapoorji was hanging from the window. I had to make sure he didnt fall. I meditated, I prayed, and I kept thinking, Im so scared, how will this happen? But once they said Action, it just happened. Have you ever faced unspoken rivalry? Rishi Kapoor passed away without completing the film and Paresh Rawal stepped in. Was it difficult to adjust? No, it wasnt challenging, it was different. Pareshji played Sharmaji differently, and as co-stars, we responded to that. We learnt about Rishijis ailment while shooting, and it made all of us very sad. I havent faced it personally but I understand that sometimes, when youre deeply in the moment and follow an instinct as a character, it can throw your co-actor off. Mostly, though, people understand what youre trying to do and respond in kind. For instance, Rishi Kapoorji and I bonded well during Sharmaji Namkeen because we were both spontaneous. He loved improvising and so did I. Actors play off each others energy. When you do a film like Udta Punjab, do you meet people or research the subject? When I went to Punjab, I spoke to local people working on the film about the drug menace. I realised the enormity of the problem. As an actor, youre performing a role but as an audience member, it hits you differently. In Hotel Mumbai, I played a terrorist. While filming, I didnt feel much. But watching it later, I felt the pain of the innocents who were killed. Learning about the scale of the attack shook me deeply. Hotel Mumbai was a Hollywood production. Did you notice a difference in work culture? How did your family react to your rebellion? They became supportive once I cracked FTII. I was good at studies, and they assumed Id become a pilot. I told them I would become a pilot but not fly a plane. I wanted to finish that in a year and a half, apply to FTII, and become an actor. They love watching my trailers and sharing them on family WhatsApp groups. My father loved me in Sharmaji Namkeen and Life Sahi Hai. Everyone has their own perception of acting, and when I do something that aligns with his, he always calls or messages to praise me. Do you see a change in yourself these last ten years? Absolutely. Theres massive change and growth as a person. I believe that when you grow as a person, your art grows too. Manoj Bajpayee praised your performance in Saare Jahan Se Achcha. I got teary-eyed. I thought, This cant be happening. I found Manoj sirs number and messaged him, thanking him for what he said. A few hours later, he replied, Call me sometime. I wondered whether I should call immediately and then I did. He praised my work and gave me advice. I told him how, from Bhiku Mhatre to Raghavan in Aks, I had always wanted to work with him. Our meeting is still pending, but the whole experience feels surreal. I was once giving an interview at a public forum where an Indian Army personnel was present. He said something important, that in critical moments, youre not constantly thinking about the nation. Youre thinking about your life, your family, your survival. That made me realise what being human really means. I felt that if I could portray that anxiety, it would add depth to my character. Do you like the person youve become? Absolutely. Though I dont know if I like myself completely, because self-doubt is extremely important for any artiste. Has Saare Jahan Se Achcha been your most challenging work so far? Yes, absolutely. There was a lot happening internally for that character. Manoj sir spoke to me about one particular scene, a face-off between me and Sunny Hinduja, whos my senior from FTII and a friend. At that moment, I was genuinely terrified of him as the ISI chief, yet my character managed to throw him off. When he walks away, theres a sudden, sharp switch in me. That moment was talked about a lot. But you only realise its impact in retrospect. While shooting, you feel nothing, youre just in character. How do the women in your life handle you? Ive always shared a great connection with them. Have you ever dated an actor? Yes, I have. Is it easy to date another actor? Yes, because you can talk freely about the craft even while watching a film. The other person understands the process, the choices behind each scene. Even in everyday life, we jot down observations and another actor gets that instinctively. A partner is your mirror, they teach you the most. If you could revisit your younger self, what advice would you give? Dont overthink so much. And learn how to use social media. I didnt take it seriously back then but today its a crucial tool, even for actors. The set-up was very different and I wish we had that here too. If the pack-up was meant to be at 8 and the shoot went on till 10, the chief AD apologised to everyone. Dev Patel stood in the same buffet line as us, ate the same food, and everyone took their own coffee. There was no entourage, very little noise, and a sense that everyone was valued equally. They worked without fuss or airs, and most days, went home on time. What do you do between projects? Does waiting affect your mental health? After The Test Case, I didnt get work for two years. Then I did Ginny Weds Sunny, followed by COVID. After that came Sharmaji Namkeen, and then things started moving. I learnt early on that everything is unpredictable and largely based on luck. You just have to stay ready. Luck might change tomorrow or a year later, but when that call comes, you must be prepared. I love playing the piano and Im waiting for a musicians role, which means I cant stop practising. If I get a call next week and they ask, Do you play an instrument? and I say, Yes, but Im out of practice, that opportunity is gone. The window is very small. Instead of obsessing over competition, focus on becoming so capable that no one else comes to mind. Im certain that one day people will look at my body of work and say, Its the same actor, he was like this in Jee Karda, like that in Saare Jahan Se Achcha, and then did comedy in Single Papa. Also Read: Filmfare OTT Awards 2025: Sonali Kulkarni, Adarsh Gaurav, Suhail Nayyar, and more showed up in style Photo: @V_Zelenskiy_official Telegram The war in Ukraine could drag on if Russia does not agree in the near future to negotiations in the format of a trilateral meeting, and developments will largely depend on the position of the United States and the degree of European involvement, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "We spoke with President Trump, and I said that we need a trilateral meeting at the level of leaders with Putin. And if Putin does not support this, we will have, for example, a long war. Therefore, President Trump told me that we must work on this," he said in an interview with Sky News. According to Zelenskyy, if Putin is ready for a trilateral meeting, there would be a chance within six months to meet and try to end the war. The president noted that Putins refusal to negotiate would lead to a "long war." The situation could become more complicated closer to the U.S. elections, when the American team focuses on domestic issues. If U.S. involvement decreases, Europe could attempt to assume a leadership role in the negotiation process, although it is not yet fully engaged. If these efforts also fail to produce results, the war will last longer. At the same time, Zelenskyy rejected the possibility of a visit to Moscow, calling such proposals from the Russian side "a game." He stressed that he is ready for dialogue on neutral territory, but ruled out Russia and Belarus. "I am ready to meet and ready to talk, but on neutral territory. Or even not neutral, but not Russian and not Belarusian, because they are allies in this trouble," the president said. Year to date sales growth of Dream Water E-commerce of 26% offset by a decline of Dream Water Retail of 4% compared to same period last year Year to date sales growth of LivRelief E-commerce of 28 % offset by a decline in LivRelief Retail of 29% compared to same period last year Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2026) - Delivra Health Brands Inc. (TSXV: DHB) (OTCQB: DHBUF) ("Delivra Health" or the "Company"), a consumer packaged goods company uniquely positioned in the health and wellness sector, is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2025 ("Q2 2026"). The Delivra Health portfolio features innovative brands Dream Water and LivRelief, which deliver relief from common health issues such as sleeplessness, chronic pain and anxiety. During the first half of fiscal 2026, the Company has seen encouraging momentum in its targeted e-commerce strategy and continued growth within the Dream Water brand. Year-to-date e-commerce sales increased 26% for Dream Water and 28% for LivRelief, reflecting strong consumer engagement and repeat purchasing behavior. At the same time, overall revenue has been impacted by temporary shifts in customer ordering patterns across certain retail markets, along with the transition of our licensed LivRelief Infused distribution channel. While these factors have created near-term variability in reported results, underlying consumer demand for the Company's core brands remains solid, and management is actively addressing fluctuations in distribution timing and engaging in channel optimization to stabilize and accelerate growth in the second half of fiscal 2026. Management Commentary "While our results this quarter reflect temporary timing variability in certain retail markets, we are encouraged by the strength of our core business fundamentals. Our targeted e-commerce strategy continues to deliver measurable growth, our U.S. expansion remains a key driver, and consumer demand for both Dream Water and LivRelief continues to develop," said Gord Davey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delivra Health Brands Inc. "We are focused on disciplined execution - strengthening distribution, optimizing customer mix, advancing innovation, and investing in scalable revenue channels. As we move through the second half of fiscal 2026, our priority remains clear: stabilize retail ordering patterns, reignite growth in licensed markets, and continue expanding high-margin direct-to-consumer and U.S. retail opportunities. We believe these initiatives position us well to return to consistent revenue growth while maintaining financial responsibility." Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2025 (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts) Net revenue: In the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported total net revenue of $2,433 as compared to $2,754 in same period last year, representing approximately a $321 or 12% decrease. This net decrease was primarily due to lower sales of Dream Water in the U.S. and Canada by $183, lower sales of LivRelief OTC by $93 impacted by the timing of customer ordering patterns and partially, offset by growing ecommerce LivRelief OTC sales, and finally lower sales of LivRelief Infused topical creams by $45 due to the transition to a new licensed distribution partner. Gross profit and gross profit margin: In the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported gross profit of $972 and a gross profit margin of 40% as compared to $1,294 and 47% in the same period last year. The decrease in gross profit is driven by lower revenue and higher product cost due to price increases by certain vendors and the reduction in gross profit margin was the result of a different product and customer mix in this quarter compared to same quarter last year. Expenses including selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses and excluding non-cash items: In the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported expenses of $1,391 as compared to $1,544 in the same period last year, representing a $153 or 10% decrease. The decrease was mainly driven by lower investments in marketing campaigns and digital marketing programs of $182 or 32%, offset by a slight increase in general and administrative costs of $29 or 3% mainly driven by increased investments in investor relation programs. Adjusted EBITDA(1): In the three months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $(369) as compared to $(194) in the same period last year. This reduction in Adjusted EBITDA is the result of lower sales volume and gross profit as explained above. Financial Highlights for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2025 (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts) Net revenue: In the six months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported total net revenue of $5,640 compared to $5,917 in same period last year, representing a $277 or 5% decrease. This decrease was due to higher sales of Dream Water in the U.S and Canada by $29 offset by lower sales of LivRelief OTC of $61 impacted by the timing of customer ordering patterns and finally lower sales of $245 of LivRelief Infused topical creams due to the transition to a new distribution channel in Canada. These declines were partially offset by increased e-commerce sales of LivRelief OTC by 28% and Dream Water products in Canada and USA by 26% driven by strong consumer demand and online marketing. The Company is currently reviewing its market distribution strategy for licensed LivRelief Infused products and intends to resume its growth strategy in the second half of fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027. Gross profit and gross profit margin: In the six months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported year-to-date gross profit of $2,473 and a gross profit margin of 44% as compared to $2,891 and 49% in same period last year. The reduction in gross profit and gross profit margin was the result of a change in customer mix and product cost and mix. Expenses including selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses and excluding non-cash items: In the six months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported expenses of $2,838 compared to $3,149 in the same period last year, representing a 10% decrease. Prior year fiscal 2025 first half sales and marketing expenses were higher than the first half of fiscal 2026 sales and marketing expenses by $426 or 34% given that the Company released in November 2024 two major marketing campaigns, 'Shush Your Mind' for Dream Water and 'Quiets Chronic Pain' for LivRelief. General and administrative costs were higher in the first half of fiscal 2026 compared with same period last year by $115 or 6% mainly as a result of higher investor relation programs and higher professional and consulting services offset by lower salaries costs. Adjusted EBITDA(1): In the six months ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $(313) compared to $(176) in the same period last year, representing a $(137) year-over-year reduction. This reduction in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by lower sales volume and lower gross profit as discussed above. Summary of Key Financial Results For the three months ended December 31 For the six months ended December 31 ($000's, except share and per share amounts) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Continued operations: $ $ $ $ Net revenue 2,433 2,754 5,640 5,917 Cost of sales 1,411 1,404 3,115 2,944 Inventory write-down 50 56 52 82 Gross profit 972 1,294 2,473 2,891 Expenses excluding non-cash expenses 1,391 1,544 2,838 3,149 Depreciation and amortization and share based compensation 31 397 107 794 Total expenses 1,422 1,941 2,945 3,943 Loss from operations (450) (647) (472) (1,052) Other (expense) income 39 (165) (30) (236) Net gain (loss) from continued operations (411) (812) (502) (1,288) Net gain (loss) per share - basic (0.01) (0.03) (0.02) (0.04) Adjusted EBITDA(1) (non-IFRS measure) For the three months ended December 31 For the six months ended December 31 ($000's, except share and per share amounts) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Loss from operations (450) (647) (472) (1,052) Inventory write-down 50 56 52 82 Depreciation and amortization - 326 27 652 Share-based compensation 31 71 80 142 Adjusted EBITDA(1) (369) (194) (313) (176) Expenses excluding non-cash items For the three months ended December 31 For the six months ended December 31 ($000's, except share and per share amounts) 2025 2024 2025 2024 General and administration 998 969 2,026 1,911 Sales and marketing 393 575 812 1,238 Total 1,391 1,544 2,838 3,149 About Delivra Health Brands Inc. Helping people take control of their health with alternative wellness solutions is what energizes the Delivra Health team! The Delivra Health portfolio features innovative brands like Dream Water and LivRelief, which deliver relief from common everyday issues like chronic pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Delivra Health products have allowed millions of customers to reclaim their mobility, energy, and in turn, quality of life. The websites of the Company's two subsidiaries are Dream Water and LivReliefTM. For more information, please visit www.delivrahealthbrands.com. Non-IFRS Measures, Reconciliation and Discussion This press release contains references to "Adjusted EBITDA" which is a non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of the Company's loss from operations before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and adjusted for share-based compensation, common shares issued for services, fair value effects of accounting for biological assets and inventories, asset impairment and write-downs, and other non-cash items, and is a non-IFRS measure. This measure can be used to analyze and compare profitability among companies and industries, as it eliminates the effects of financing and capital expenditures. It is often used in valuation ratios and can be compared to enterprise value and revenue. This measure does not have any standardized meaning according to IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. There are no comparable IFRS financial measures presented in Delivra Health's financial statements. Reconciliations of the supplemental non-IFRS measure are presented in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended December 31, 2025 (the "Q2 2026 MD&A"). This non-IFRS financial measure is presented because management has evaluated the financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items and believes that the non-IFRS financial measure presented provides additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the business. The Company believes that the supplemental measure provides information which is useful to shareholders and investors in understanding the Company's performance and may assist in the evaluation of the Company's business relative to that of its peers. The non-IFRS financial measure should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with the IFRS financial measures presented in the Company's financial statements. For more information, please see "Adjusted EBITDA (non-IFRS measure)" and "Non-IFRS Measures" in the Q2 2026 MD&A, which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca. Notes: This is a non-IFRS reporting measure. For a reconciliation of this measure to the nearest IFRS measure, see "Adjusted EBITDA (non-IFRS measure)" and "Non-IFRS Measures" in the Q2 2026 MD&A. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to the Company's products offering relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness, impacts of the Company's latest marketing campaigns, expectations regarding expansion opportunities including the Company's U.S. expansion, ongoing consumer demand for the Company's products, stabilization of retail ordering patterns, expectations regarding increases in the Company's revenues and profitability, increases in consumer demand, the Company's ability to expand high-margin direct-to-consumer and U.S. retail opportunities, and the Company's growth objectives and strategy, growth in new markets, and new distribution channels. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Additional information regarding this and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 2, 2021, and under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Q2 2026 MD&A filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285779 Source: Delivra Health Brands Inc. Snellville, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2026) - As CarlinVision celebrates its 50th year in 2026, the practice continues to set a gold standard in vision correction with its highly personalized, physician-led LASIK experience. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Richard Carlin, CarlinVision has become a trusted name in eye care throughout Georgia, performing more than 11,000 LASIK procedures with an unwavering commitment to safety, precision, and patient comfort. What truly distinguishes CarlinVision's LASIK program is Dr. Carlin's hands-on involvement at every stage of care. Unlike many practices where critical steps are delegated, Dr. Carlin personally conducts all measurements, pre-operative evaluations, the LASIK procedure itself, and post-operative follow-up visits. This continuity ensures that patients receive consistent, expert oversight from consultation through recovery. "LASIK is not just a procedure-it's a life-changing experience," said Dr. Carlin. "I believe patients deserve to know exactly who is caring for their eyes at every step. By personally overseeing the entire process, I can ensure the highest level of precision, safety, and trust." CarlinVision is also one of the only practices in the area with a fully equipped LASIK surgical suite located directly within its Snellville office. This in-house capability eliminates the need for patients to travel to outside facilities and allows for a more streamlined, comfortable experience. Family members are welcome to remain on-site during the procedure, where they can relax in the LASIK suite, watch the surgery live on a television monitor, and enjoy snacks and refreshments while supporting their loved one. Supporting Dr. Carlin is a highly trained LASIK team consisting of four dedicated LASIK surgical technicians and one Vision Correction Facilitator. Notably, two of CarlinVision's LASIK technicians-and many additional staff members-have personally undergone LASIK themselves, offering patients firsthand reassurance and insight throughout their journey. "Many members of our team chose LASIK for themselves," Dr. Carlin added. "That speaks volumes about the confidence we have in the technology we use and the care we provide. When your care team truly believes in the procedure, it creates a powerful level of trust." About Carlin Vision: CarlinVision was founded in 1977 by Dr. Richard Carlin, a board-certified ophthalmologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology with extensive credentials in refractive and cataract surgery. A native of Highland Park, Illinois, Dr. Carlin earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Michigan. After serving as a physician in the United States Navy in Key West, Florida, he established CarlinVision in Lawrenceville before relocating the practice to Snellville in 1980, where it has served the Georgia community for nearly five decades. Today, CarlinVision remains committed to combining advanced technology, surgical expertise, and a deeply personal approach to care, helping patients see clearly and live confidently for generations to come. To learn more or schedule a complimentary LASIK evaluation, visit www.carlinvision.com or contact CarlinVision today at (770) 979-2020. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285747 Source: GetFeatured Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2026) - Crossroads Gold Corp. (formerly Northern Silicon International Inc.) (the "Company" or "Crossroads") is pleased to announce, further to the Company's news releases dated October 29, 2025 and November 25, 2025, the Company has completed the acquisition (the "Transaction") of the Steiglitz gold project (the "Steiglitz Project") located approximately 80 kilometers west of Melbourne, Australia. The Company has filed a listing application dated February 27, 2026 (the "Listing Application") with the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV" or the "Exchange") for the common shares of the Company to begin trading on the Exchange under the symbol "CRG", with trading expected to commence on or about March 4, 2026. A copy of the Listing Application is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Mr. Motton, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company, stated, "The closing of this Transaction marks a new beginning of a well-funded Australian-focused gold exploration company backed by the Fiore Group. We are excited about the year ahead for Crossroads as we embark on our aggressive exploration campaign at the Steiglitz Project, located in Victoria's renowned goldfields. Steiglitz exhibits the structural, geological and geochemical characteristics associated with significant orogenic gold systems. With a high-grade largely unexplored significant historical producer at Steiglitz, which occurs on the West Selwyn Block Trend that hosts the outstanding Fosterville gold mine, and an application for an exploration license at Pheasant Creek near Southern Cross' Sunday Creek project, we believe we have an exciting portfolio of assets. We are well positioned to execute our 2026 exploration program of extensive drilling of key targets at our Steiglitz Project. I look forward to leading Crossroads in executing a disciplined exploration program." The Transaction, Financing and CUSIP/ISIN The Transaction was completed by statutory amalgamation under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) among a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and a private British Columbia company which owned the Steiglitz Project. On February 20, 2026, the TSXV conditionally approved the Transaction and the listing of the Company's common shares on the TSXV following the closing of the Transaction. The Company will be classified as a Tier 2 Mining Issuer pursuant to Exchange policies. As previously disclosed on October 29, 2025 and November 25, 2025, the Company completed a brokered private placement of 26,215,000 subscription receipts issued at a price of C$0.20 per Subscription Receipt (the "Subscription Receipts") for gross proceeds of C$5,243,000 (the "Financing"). The Financing was led by Red Cloud Securities Inc. as lead agent and sole bookrunner. The Subscription Receipts have converted into common shares of the Company concurrently with the closing of the Transaction. The aggregate number of common shares of the Company (on an undiluted basis) issued and outstanding at closing of the Transaction (including the common shares issued pursuant to the Financing) is 63,509,094. In connection with the change of the Company's name to "Crossroads Gold Corp.", the Company obtained the following new CUSIP number 227921103 and ISIN number CA2279211031. For further information regarding the Transaction and other details, please see the documents listed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, including the Listing Application dated February 27, 2026, as well as the news releases of the Company dated November 25, 2025 and October 29, 2025. Board of Directors, Senior Management In connection with the Transaction, and following the Company's annual general meeting on December 19, 2025, certain officers and members of the Company's Board of Directors resigned. The Board of Directors and senior management team of Crossroads is now comprised of the following individuals: Mr. Neil (Rex) Motton (CEO and Director), Ms. Brenda Nowak (Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary), Mr. Derrick Pattenden (Director), Mr. Paul McNeill (Director), Mr. Joaquin Emilio Marias Baldillou (Director), and Mr. Carson Sedun (Vice President, Corporate Development). Mr. Neil (Rex) Motton, MAusMM(CP), FSEG - CEO and Director Mr. Motton brings approximately 40 years of global industry and exploration experience in the mining industry, having been involved in the business as a professional exploration geologist since 1986. He has been a director of various mining and exploration companies since 1988. Mr. Motton has a proven track record of discovery and exploration across the globe, including having worked at exploration projects in Australia, South America, Central America, Jamaica and the Philippines. During his tenure at Fosterville South (now Great Pacific Gold (TSXV: GPAC)) as Chief Operating Officer for over five years, he was responsible for exploration strategy, project and target generation, overseeing exploration program design and execution, as well as managing community engagement programs. Throughout his career, he has worked in a number Australian of states and territories with a primary focus on gold mineralization. He has also worked in base metals exploration, including porphyry copper deposits, VMS copper-lead-zinc, Mississippi Valley type lead-zinc and nickel laterite within Australia and overseas. Mr. Motton is a registered geologist in Australia and is a Chartered Professional of the AusIMM, as well as a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geology (FSEG). He has an Honours Degree of Applied Science (B.Ap.Sc.) majoring in Geology from the Federation University Australia. Ms. Brenda Nowak - Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary Ms. Nowak has over 30 years of experience in the legal industry specializing in securities and corporate finance. As CFO and Corporate Secretary, she plays a pivotal role in supporting her board of directors and executive management teams. Her responsibilities encompass legal and regulatory compliance, corporate governance, oversight of board and committee affairs, management of continuous disclosure obligations and the facilitation of corporate and securities transactions. In addition to her role as Corporate Secretary and CFO with Crossroads, she is Vice President Corporate Finance for Fiore Management Advisory Corp. (FMAC) and also the Corporate Secretary for North Arrow Minerals. In the past, she has served as Corporate Secretary for Filo Mining, NGEx Minerals, Cornish Metals, International Northair Mines, New Dimension Resources, Troon Ventures, Stornoway Diamonds, Capstone Mining, Creston Moly, Kaminak Gold, Bluestone Resources, Kivalliq Energy and West Melville Metals. Mr. Carson Sedun - Vice President, Corporate Development Mr. Sedun is a Canadian mining & resources executive with 13 years of experience in the public capital markets, investment banking, advisory, investor relations and corporate development. He has focused on the global resource and commodities industry throughout his career, advancing resource projects across Ecuador, Ontario, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Mexico and now Australia. He is the former Director of Corporate Development with Northstar Clean Technologies, a Canadian cleantech company. During his four-year tenure, Northstar secured C$67 million in funding and in 2024, Northstar was recognized in the TSX Venture Top 50 (top 50 of 1,600 issuers). He has been a Co-Founder, Director or executive of numerous resource companies, including Stronghold Silver (sold to Apollo Silver in 2021) and Core Gold (sold to ASX-listed Titan Minerals in 2020). He was formerly an Investment Banking Associate with Canaccord Genuity and Dundee Capital Markets in Vancouver, Toronto and London, UK, in which he successfully closed 35 transactions in his career. He holds an MBA degree (Dean's List, Honours with Distinction, mining specialization) from the Schulich School of Business at York University, a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and a Graduate Certificate from the Norman Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Mr. Derrick Pattenden, CFA - Director Mr. Pattenden is an accomplished investment banker with over 15 years of extensive experience in the mining industry specializing in finance, mergers and acquisitions. Throughout his career he has completed M&A transactions with a combined equity value of over C$20 billion. Mr. Pattenden is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Nations Royalty Corp. ((TSXV: NRC), market cap: C$180 million(1)). He has direct experience with transactions involving the creation of new mining royalties, and royalty companies, as well as the restructuring of existing metal streaming agreements. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering from the University of British Columbia and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a band member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation. Mr. Joaquin Marias, P.Geo. - Director Mr. Marias is a geologist and mining executive with over 16 years of international experience in mineral exploration, project development, and corporate leadership across the Solomon Islands, Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Alaska. He is President, CEO and Director of Argenta Silver Corp. (TSXV: AGAG), which he co-founded alongside Frank Giustra and the Fiore Group. Under his leadership, Argenta raised C$60.5 million and, in its first year as a public company, was recognized among the TSX Venture 50 2026, ranking in the top 50 out of more than 2,000 TSXV-listed companies. He also serves as Director of Lunex Metals. Joaquin combines technical expertise with disciplined capital markets execution, building companies entirely focused on creating sustainable value for stakeholders. Mr. Paul McNeill, P.Geo., ICD.D - Director Mr. McNeill is currently VP Exploration for NexGold Mining Corp. ((TSXV: NEXG), market cap: C$515 million(1)). With 28 years of experience Mr. McNeill previously served as VP Exploration for Signal Gold expanding mineral resources and developing the Goldboro Project in Nova Scotia, Canada, VP of Anaconda Mining where he led the expansion of mineral resources and provision of mine feed for the Point Rousse Project, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada, and VP of Exploration of Aurora Energy Resources, developing uranium resources at the Michelin Project in Labrador, Canada which was acquired by Paladin Energy where he subsequently served as Principal Geologist. He has worked throughout Canada, the United States and Australia, and has developed strong technical expertise in orogenic gold deposits, grassroots exploration discovery & development, including analogous deposits to the Pheasant Creek and Steiglitz Projects. He also has expertise in grassroots exploration, project development, operations, community and aboriginal engagement. Mr. McNeill is a Professional Geologist registered in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Ontario. He holds an ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, as well as degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of New Brunswick. Mr. Gordon Keep - Advisor Mr. Rob McLeod - Advisor Mr. Ryan Weymark, P.Eng. - Advisor Options Issuance The Company's Board of Directors has approved the issuance of an aggregate of 6,200,000 stock options (the "Options"), pursuant to the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, each exercisable at C$0.20 per common share of the Company for a 10-year term. All Options will have a vesting schedule with 1/3 vesting on the date of grant, 1/3 vesting on the six-month anniversary of the date of grant, and the remaining 1/3 vesting on the 12-month anniversary of the date of grant. Listing Application and Technical Report The Company has filed the Listing Application dated February 27, 2026 with the Exchange containing details of the Transaction and the Resulting Issuer, including financial information. The Listing Application is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company has also filed a National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects compliant technical report on the Steiglitz Project (the "Steiglitz 43-101 Report"). The Steiglitz 43-101 Report is also available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About the Steiglitz Project The Steiglitz Project is located approximately halfway between Geelong and Ballarat, about 80 km west of Melbourne in Victoria State, within one of Australia's earliest quartz-vein (hard-rock) goldfields. Victoria is the largest gold producing state in Australia, has produced 33% of all gold mined in Australia in history, and currently has 13 goldfields that have each produced over 1 million ounces of gold.(2) The Steiglitz Project covers Exploration Licence ("EL") 6164, encompassing 53 km across 51 graticular sections. The Steiglitz Project lies in the Bendigo Zone of the Lachlan Fold Belt, host to world-class Fosterville gold deposits. Gold mineralization at Steiglitz occurs as earlier mesozonal quartz veins overprinted by later epizonal quartz veins in tightly folded Ordovician turbidites and is expressed in two principal styles: Numerous high-grade, gold-antimony-arsenic mineralized narrow quartz veins striking north-south parallel to regional folding; and Stockwork zones associated with the northeast striking Hanover Fault, a mineralized shear zone bearing gold-antimony-arsenic assemblages. Both styles of deposits have evidence of epizonal orogenic mineralization due to their gold and antimony association, quartz vein textures and also due to the regional structural geology setting being due south of Agnico-Eagle's epizonal orogenic high grade Fosterville gold mine hosting 1.7 million ounces gold (Proven & Probable Reserves), 1.5 million ounces gold (Measured & Indicated Resources), and 1.8 million ounces (Inferred Resources) in resources.(3) Steiglitz was a top-ten producer in the historic Bendigo belt, yielding approximately 250,800 oz of gold at a recovered grade of 38 g/t Au between 1855 and 1911.(4) The Steiglitz Project area includes numerous past-producing mines - Alliance, Hanover, and North Birmingham, which operated to relatively shallow depths. The deepest mine was North Birmingham with a shaft to 233m depth, while other mines were generally less than 100m depth, which makes for a set of attractive exploration drilling targets. Modern exploration has included soil and rock-chip geochemistry, IP geophysics, LiDAR, limited RC and diamond drilling (5 holes), and geological mapping. Work to date highlights multiple untested targets along both the Hanover Shear Zone and the north-south vein corridor, with strong gold-arsenic-antimony signatures typical of the region's premier gold systems. About the Pheasant Creek Project In addition to the Steiglitz Project, as part of the Transaction, the Company has an application for an exploration license on the Pheasant Creek Project, which is not a material property for the Company. The Pheasant Creek Project is located approximately 75 km northeast of Melbourne in Victoria State, Australia. The large 232 km2 project is comprised of Exploration Licence 008776. The Pheasant Creek Project occurs within the Melbourne Zone of the Lachlan Fold Belt, which is composed of Siluro-Devonian sediments and Mid-Devonian granitic intrusions. The Pheasant Creek Project lies immediately south of, and in similar geology to, the Sunday Creek discovery of Southern Cross Gold (market capitalization: C$2.8 billion(1)), which is an outcropping orogenic or epizonal dyke-hosted deposit. Southern Cross has drilled 220 holes over 97,553m (as at August 31, 2025) and is allocating A$60 million over a 200,000m drill program to the Sunday Creek Project. At Sunday Creek, there are 75 intersections >50-100 g/t AuEq x width in metres and 70 individual intersections exceeding 100 g/t AuEq x metres, which are globally leading hit rates (as at August 31, 2025).(5) Figure 1 - Crossroads Projects Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/285783_8aead65e64b9abc2_002full.jpg Figure 2 - Regional Map of Victoria, Australia To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/285783_8aead65e64b9abc2_003full.jpg Figure 3 - Regional Map near Crossroads' Projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/285783_8aead65e64b9abc2_004full.jpg About the Fiore Group The Fiore Group is a Vancouver-based private investment firm founded and led by Frank Giustra, focused on building and supporting high-potential companies in mining, resource development and strategic investments. The firm has played a key role in the growth of companies including, NexGold, Argenta Silver, Copper Giant, Aris Gold, Nations Royalty, Cambria Gold, Selkirk Copper and West Red Lake Gold Mines. Backed by deep capital markets expertise and a disciplined, Fiore partners with exceptional management teams to scale companies and create long-term value. About Crossroads Crossroads is a Canadian gold exploration company backed by the Fiore Group and focused on high-potential gold projects within two hours' drive from Melbourne in Victoria State, Australia-one of the world's premier gold-producing jurisdictions. The Company aims to deliver new gold discoveries in a Tier-1 jurisdiction while generating long-term value for shareholders. Crossroads' portfolio includes the historic Steiglitz Project, a historical high-grade producer within the renowned Bendigo Gold Belt. The Steiglitz Project is largely underexplored with modern technology and situated in highly prospective geological belts with proven potential for epizonal and mesozonal orogenic gold systems. Crossroads is led by an experienced management and technical team with deep Australian and global discovery expertise. Crossroads is supported by excellent infrastructure, year-round access, and a stable regulatory framework to systematically advance its projects with modern exploration and drilling aimed at unlocking meaningful gold discoveries. Crossroads is committed to responsible resource development, proactive and open communication, and transparent and inclusive dialogue with regional communities, indigenous organizations and all stakeholders. Crossroads is committed to proactive decision-making and creating economic opportunities for all stakeholders, including the communities it operates in. (1) Source: TMX Group. Market capitalization in C$ as at February 24, 2026. (2) Source: Resources Victoria (link here). (3) Source: Agnico-Eagle website (accessed January 5, 2026), based on Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resource data (as at December 31, 2024). (4) Source: Lisitsin, V., Olshina, A., Moore, D.H. & Willman, C.E., 2007. Assessment of undiscovered mesozonal orogenic gold endowment under cover in the northern part of the Bendigo Zone. GeoScience Victoria Gold Undercover Report 2. Department of Primary Industries. (5) Source: Southern Cross Gold public disclosure and website (accessed January 5, 2026): (link here). Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Andrew Hamilton, P.Geo. who is a "Qualified Person" (as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Hamilton is independent of the Company in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has not visited the properties discussed in this disclosure. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Crossroads, Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: the business plans of the Company. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company and Crossroads have made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company and Crossroads believe that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of Crossroads given its limited operating history; business and economic conditions in the mineral industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including unanticipated events related to mineral exploration); changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in the price of gold and currency exchange; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285783 Source: Crossroads Gold Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2026) - Medaro Mining Corp. (CSE: MEDA) (OTCID: MEDAF) (FSE: 1ZY) ("Medaro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated January 27, 2026, the Company has closed its non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $976,100.18 (the "Private Placement"). The Private Placement consisted of two parts: 2,387,000 non flow-through units at a price of $0.30 per unit (the "NFT Units"). Each NFT Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "NFT Warrant"), exercisable at a price of $0.45 to acquire one common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance; and 684,211 flow-through units at a price of $0.38 per unit (the "FT Units"). Each FT Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company, issued on a flow-through basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada), and one common share purchase warrant (a "FT Warrant"), exercisable at a price of $0.55 to acquire one common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $68,327.01 and issued an aggregate of: (i) 167,090 non-transferable non flow-through finder's warrants, exercisable at a price of $0.45 to acquire one common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance; and (ii) 47,894 flow-through finder's warrants, exercisable at a price of $0.55 to acquire one common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Company previously announced that the common share purchase warrants underlying both the NFT Units and FT Units would be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. However, those warrants will now be exercisable for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. All other terms of those warrants remain unchanged. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement to advance exploration activities at its recently staked Sweden Property and Clay Howells West Property located in Ontario, as well as for general corporate purposes and administrative expenses. The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory four month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. The securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction. About Medaro Medaro is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and advancement of high-quality mineral projects in Ontario, Quebec and Sweden. The Company's strategy is to build shareholder value through systematic exploration, disciplined project evaluation, and responsible development. For more information, investors should review the Company's public filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the intended use of proceeds from the Private Placement; the Company's ability to advance its projects; and risks related to global financial markets, including the trading price of the Company's common shares. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285788 Source: Medaro Mining Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2026) - V Ten Metals Corp. (TSXV: VTEN.P) ("VTen" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its previous announcements, it has completed its transaction with the shareholders (the "Vendors") of Top End Exploration Pty Ltd (ACN 663 253 861) ("TEX"), a private Australian company, in accordance with a definitive Share Sale Agreement dated September 29, 2025, as amended on January 30, 2026 (the "Agreement"), among the Company and the Vendors. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company acquired 100% ownership of the outstanding common shares of TEX in exchange for 8,000,000 common shares of the Company, and thereby acquired a 100% interest in and to four semi-contiguous granted exploration licenses ("ELs"), known as the Tanami Project, located in Northern Territory, Australia, being EL 23848, EL 31402, EL 23874 and EL 23875, comprising 1,237km2 (the "Tanami Project", and collectively, the "Transaction"). The Transaction constitutes the Company's "Qualifying Transaction" as such term is defined under Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies of the TSXV Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). Concurrently, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 10,513,338 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,628,334.50, in accordance with prospectus exemptions available to the Company under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.40 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from their issue date and expiring on February 27, 2028 (the "Expiry Date"), subject to the terms and conditions of the certificates representing the Warrants (the "Warrant Certificates"). Each Warrant Certificate includes a provision providing that, in the event that the volume weighted average closing price of the Company's common shares is at or above $0.60 for a period of ten consecutive trading days, the Company may elect to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to that date which is thirty (30) days from the date of notice being provided to the subscribers in the Private Placement of the acceleration of the Expiry Date. VTen intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for exploration and development of the Tanami Project and for general working capital purposes. The majority of the subscriptions received by the Company in respect of the Private Placement were from arm's length parties, although certain insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement, as follows: (i) Mr. Cohn subscribed for 100,000 Units; (ii) Mr. Kevin Bottomley subscribed for 50,000 Units; (iii) Mr. David Blair Way subscribed for 260,000 Units; (iv) Ms. Alicia Milne subscribed for 100,000 Units; and (v) Ms. Yilu (Lucy) Zhang subscribed for 60,000 Units. Such participation by the existing directors and officers of VTen is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under the policies of the TSXV and Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to any related party transactions available under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the Units to be acquired by the participating directors and officers, nor the consideration to be paid by such directors and officers, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. In addition to a four month and one day hold period beginning from their issue date and expiring on June 28, 2026 in accordance with applicable securities laws, all securities issued under Transaction and the Private Placement are subject to voluntary contractual resale restrictions, the particulars of which are set forth in the Filing Statement (as defined below). The Company is expected to recommence trading of its common shares on the TSXV as a Tier 2 mining issuer on or about March 4, 2026 under the trading symbol "VTEN", provided that the Transaction and Private Placement remain subject to the final acceptance of the TSXV. Change of Company Name In connection with the closing of the Transaction and the Private Placement, the Company changed its name from "V Ten Capital Corp." to "V Ten Metals Corp." The new CUSIP for the common shares of the Company is 91839J104 and the ISIN is CA91839J1049. Filing Statement As previously announced, the Company has filed, under its profile on SEDAR+ available at www.sedarplus.ca, a filing statement dated February 17, 2026 (the "Filing Statement"), as well as a technical report in respect of the Tanami Project entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Tanami Project, Northern Territory, Australia" with an effective date of September 29, 2025, prepared for the Company by H&S Consultants Pty Ltd. (the "Technical Report"). Prospective investors are encouraged to review the Filing Statement, which provides detailed information about the Transaction, the Company, TEX, and the Tanami Project. Information in the Filing Statement regarding the Tanami Project is derived from the Technical Report, and should be read with reference to the full text of the Technical Report. Grant of Stock Options In connection with the closing of the Transaction and Private Placement, the Company granted an aggregate of 2,250,000 stock options to certain of its directors, officers and consultants under its 10% "rolling" stock option plan. Each stock option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.40 per common share for a period of five years from the date of grant, with each stock option expiring on February 27, 2031. Consolidated Capitalization of the Company The following table sets out the fully diluted share capital of the Company after giving effect to the Transaction and the Private Placement: Description Number of Common Shares % of Total (approx.) Common Shares issued prior to Transaction and Private Placement 7,002,000 18% Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options Nil N/A Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding IPO warrants 200,000 1% Common Shares issued to the Vendors under the Agreement 8,000,000 21% Common Shares issued under Private Placement 10,513,338 27% Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Warrants issued under the Private Placement 10,513,338 27% Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options granted to directors, officers and consultants of the Company 2,250,000 6% TOTAL 38,478,676 100% Directors and Officers of the Company The following table sets forth the name of all directors and officers of the Company following the completion of the Transaction and Private Placement, including their municipalities of residence, their positions with the Company, their principal occupations during the past five years and the number of common shares of the Company to be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction will be exercised: Name and Municipality of Residence Position with the Company(1) Principal Occupation in Preceding Five Years Common Shares Owned Post-Transaction and Private Placement Number Percentage(2) Kevin Bottomley Vancouver, British Columbia Director President & CEO, Lion Rock Resources Corp.; Director, Q2 Metals Corp. 525,000 2.06% Alicia Milne Burnaby, British Columbia Director Director, President & CEO, Q2 Metals Corp. 575,000 2.25% David Blair Way Newport, Australia President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Director, and former President and CEO, PMET Resources Inc. (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) 735,000 2.88% Simon Cohn(3) Brisbane, Australia Director Director, Mining Projects Accelerator Pty Ltd, Q2 Metals Corp. and MEC Mining Pty Ltd 1,366,003 5.35% Yilu (Lucy) Zhang Vancouver, British Columbia Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Chartered Professional Accountant, Chief Financial Officer, Green Light Solutions Corp. and Trailbreaker Resources Ltd., Pantera Silver Corp. and President, Jin Passage Consulting Inc. 160,000 0.63% TOTAL: 3,361,003 13.17% Notes: (1) The term of office of the Company's officers will expire at the discretion of the Company's directors. None of the current directors and officers of the Company have a non-competition or non-disclosure agreement with the Company. (2) Calculation is based on 25,515,338 common shares issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and includes all common shares that are currently beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or controlled by the director and/or officer, and that was acquired under the Transaction (if any - see note (3) below), as well as common shares that were acquired, directly or indirectly, pursuant to the acquisition of Units under the Private Placement. (3) Mr. Cohn received, indirectly, 790,503 common shares under the Transaction, which are subject to a TSXV Form 5D - Escrow Agreement among Simon Cohn, the Company, and Odyssey Trust Company, as escrow agent. About V Ten Metals Corp. Subject to the final approval of the TSXV in respect of the Transaction, VTen will be a Canadian mining exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 2 mining issuer and will operate in the Ni-Cu-PGE-Au metals industry with the Tanami Project, located in Northern Territory, Australia, as its intended focal point. VTen is led by a highly qualified team with a track record of successful exploration worldwide. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: David Blair Way, CEO, President and Director Cautionary Notes This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to a U.S. Person unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Accordingly, all statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, any statements or plans regarding the Transaction and the Private Placement, the anticipated benefits of the Transaction and the Private Placement, the intended use of proceeds from the Private Placement, the final approval of the TSXV in respect of the Transaction and the Private Placement, and any other matters in connection with the aforementioned items. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Transaction and the Private Placement may not be completed as set out herein or at all, and the inability of the Company to execute and raise funds necessary to complete its planned future activities and proposed business plans. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of customary conditions precedent, including but not limited to, the final acceptance of the TSXV. There can be no assurance that the Transaction and the Private Placement will receive final approval from the TSXV. Prospective investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Filing Statement, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285786 Source: V Ten Metals Corp. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2026) - Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF) (FSE: 4LF0) ("Canamera" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (as defined below) of up to 4,545,454 units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.55 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consisting of one (1) common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.65 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date (as defined below). Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), and the Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, the Offering is being made to purchasers' resident in Canada, except Quebec, as well as certain jurisdictions outside of Canada, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI- 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The securities offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering is expected to close on or about March 20, 2026 (the "Closing Date"), or such other date as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. The Company intends to use its available funds to advance the Company's mineral projects, maintain existing property acquisition obligations, and for general working capital and corporate purposes, including investor relations, as more specifically described in the Offering Document (as defined below). There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that will be accessible under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.canamerametals.com. The Offering Document contains additional detail regarding the Offering, including additional details regarding the expected use of proceeds from the Offering. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. In connection with the closing of the Offering and the Concurrent Offering (as defined herein), the Company may pay finders' fees to eligible parties who have assisted in introducing subscribers. Completion of the Offering remains subject to regulatory approval. Concurrent Non-Brokered Private Placement The Company also wishes to announce a concurrent non-brokered private placement of up to 2,272,727 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.66 per FT Units for aggregate proceeds of up to C$1,500,000 (the "Concurrent Offering"). Each FT Unit consisting of one (1) flow through Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Warrant"). Each FT Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.75 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of closing. The securities issued in connection with the Concurrent Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. The proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used to incur "Canadian Exploration Expenses" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Canamera Energy Metals Corp. Canamera Energy Metals Corp. is a critical and rare earth metals exploration company focused on building a diversified portfolio of district-scale projects across the Americas. In North America, the Company's portfolio includes the Schryburt Lake rare earth and niobium project in Ontario; the Iron Hills critical and rare earth project in Colorado; the Garrow rare earth elements project in Northern Ontario; the Waterslide rare earth and uranium project in Northern Ontario; the Great Divide Basin uranium project in Wyoming; and the Mantle project in British Columbia. In Brazil, Canamera is advancing the Turvolandia and Sao Sepe rare earth element projects. Across this portfolio, Canamera targets underexplored regions with strong geological signatures and supportive jurisdictions, leveraging geochemical, geophysical, and geological datasets to generate and advance high-conviction, first-mover exploration opportunities. For more information, visit www.canamerametals.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plans", "strategy", "opportunity", "positions" and similar expressions, or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the ability of the Company to complete the Offering and Concurrent Offering as contemplated, the receipt of CSE approval in respect of the Offering and Concurrent Offering, and the Company's intended use of proceeds therefrom, as well as the Company's ability to advance its projects or to acquire new mineral properties. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including: the Company's inability to complete the Offering and Concurrent Offering as contemplated or at all; the use of proceeds therefrom being different than what is currently intended; the Company's inability to identify suitable staking targets; completion of satisfactory due diligence on potential projects; successful negotiation of acquisition terms; availability of financing; changes in commodity prices and market conditions for rare earth elements; regulatory or permitting delays; geopolitical developments affecting rare earth supply chains; and competition for rare earth properties in the United States. Additional risk factors can be found in the Company's public disclosure documents available at www.sedarplus.ca. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: the Company will be able to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Offering and on the timetable anticipated; and the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such statements, except as required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285787 Source: Canamera Energy Metals Corp. Louisville, Kentucky--(Newsfile Corp. - February 28, 2026) - The Dr. James Charasika Scholarship for Medical Students opens applications for its annual award, supporting undergraduate students nationwide who pursue pre-medical studies and share Dr. James Charasika's commitment to transformative, equitable healthcare. Dr. James Charasika To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/285252_e30f94c4940c5ac2_001full.jpg Dr. James Charasika, M.D., a retired physician after a distinguished 40-year career, established this scholarship to honor his legacy of breaking barriers, advocating for preventive medicine, and mentoring future providers. Dr. James Charasika's journey from Mutare, Zimbabwe, to becoming a trailblazer in U.S. family medicine inspires the award. The Dr. James Charasika Scholarship for Medical Students awards $1,000 as a one-time grant to an outstanding undergraduate applicant. The scholarship remains open to students across the United States, without restriction to any specific city or state. Eligibility requires applicants to be currently enrolled as undergraduate students at an accredited college or university and on a demonstrated pre-medical track, such as majoring in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field. Applicants must maintain a strong academic record. The core of the application is a substantive essay responding to this prompt: "Dr. Charasika's career was a testament to overcoming barriers and redefining patient care. He broke racial barriers in his training, advocated against 'sick care' in Washington D.C., and built a practice dedicated to holistic, preventive medicine. Discuss a significant challenge you anticipate facing in your medical career-whether systemic, clinical, or ethical-and articulate how you plan to integrate Dr. Charasika's principles of innovation, equity, and patient-centeredness to navigate it and improve patient outcomes." The deadline to apply is August 15, 2026. The winner will be announced on September 15, 2026. While the scholarship typically selects one recipient each year based on merit, the program remains flexible to recognize multiple deserving candidates when exceptional applications warrant it, reflecting Dr. James Charasika's dedication to workforce development and opportunity. This initiative continues Dr. James Charasika's lifelong focus on education, equity, and compassionate care, even in retirement since 2022. Applications are submitted through the official website. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285252 Source: GYT Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 28, 2026) - The Art Deco Freak, the renovation and design firm led by Lauren Papa, today announced the launch of a new 2026 revitalization initiative focused on acquiring and transforming distressed residential properties in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California. The expansion marks a strategic growth phase for the company, introducing a structured pipeline of restoration projects aimed at preserving architectural character while increasing quality housing inventory in historically rich neighborhoods across both cities. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/285678_64945c5dc49599fc_001full.jpg At the heart of The Art Deco Freak is Lauren Papa, a creative force whose life journey blends artistry, compassion, and entrepreneurial spirit. Born and raised in Long Island, New York, and influenced by the vibrant energy of Southern California, Lauren Papa brings a unique cross-country perspective to every property she reimagines. The Art Deco Freak specializes in breathing new life into neglected homes. Each project begins with potential and ends with transformation. From distressed properties to design-forward residences, Lauren Papa ensures that every renovation is more than cosmetic-it is intentional, personal, and community-minded. Her work revitalizes neighborhoods while creating meaningful value for homeowners and investors alike. "My designs stand out because they're personal," says Lauren Papa. "Every project marries function with flair, breathing new life into spaces while preserving their soul. It's not just renovation-it's a reimagining of what home means." As a solo renovator, Lauren Papa is deeply involved in every phase of the process-from conceptualization to completion. This hands-on approach ensures that each detail reflects a seamless blend of history and modernity. The Art Deco Freak's signature style captures architectural character while incorporating contemporary design elements that meet the needs of today's homeowners. Every project tells a story. What begins as a forgotten structure evolves into a vibrant living space that feels both timeless and fresh. Through smart design, craftsmanship, and an intuitive eye for potential, Lauren Papa reveals hidden beauty in places others may overlook. The company's growing portfolio and striking before-and-after transformations highlight this commitment to excellence and reinvention. Beyond renovation, Lauren Papa's life reflects the same spirit of transformation and purpose that defines The Art Deco Freak. A mother of five, including a child with special needs, her devotion to family anchors her work. Her creative journey extends beyond design into music and philanthropy. Through her "Who's Your Papa" concert series-where Grammy-winning songs are reimagined with her artistic touch-Lauren Papa has supported the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, channeling her talents into meaningful impact. This same heart-centered philosophy informs her approach to homes. Each property is treated not merely as a structure, but as a future backdrop for family memories, resilience, and joy. Whether working in Pittsburgh's character-rich neighborhoods or the eclectic communities of Los Angeles, Lauren Papa approaches every renovation with compassion, creativity, and respect for the space's inherent story. The Art Deco Freak stands as more than a renovation company-it is a creative movement grounded in authenticity and vision. By transforming distressed properties into distinctive homes, Lauren Papa is helping redefine what revitalization looks like in today's real estate landscape. Homeowners, investors, and community members are invited to explore The Art Deco Freak's portfolio of transformations and witness firsthand how forgotten spaces are turned into extraordinary homes. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285678 Source: GYT Jericho, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 28, 2026) - Gary Gordon announces the launch of the Gary Gordon Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, a national academic initiative designed to support undergraduate students who demonstrate a clear commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term value creation. Established by Gary Gordon, the scholarship reflects a dedication to cultivating disciplined leadership, strategic thinking, and meaningful economic impact among emerging business professionals. Gary Gordon To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/285254_9372794b64c4f97c_001full.jpg The Gary Gordon Scholarship for Entrepreneurs provides a one-time award of $1,000 to an undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited institution. The program recognizes students who articulate strong entrepreneurial ambitions and present practical strategies for transforming their ideas into measurable outcomes. Gary Gordon, a respected financial services executive and business development leader based in Jericho, New York, establishes the scholarship as an extension of his professional philosophy. With more than three decades of experience across broker-dealer, clearing, and registered investment advisory platforms, Gary Gordon consistently prioritizes strategic growth, operational efficiency, and leadership development. Through the Gary Gordon Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, Gary Gordon channels these principles toward supporting the next generation of innovators in business and finance. The scholarship is open to undergraduate students nationwide and is not limited to any specific city or state. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship and business leadership. Candidates are required to submit a completed essay addressing the following prompt: "Describe your entrepreneurial goals, the strategies you plan to implement to achieve them, and how your ideas can create meaningful impact in your community or industry." Essays must be original, clearly written, and thoughtfully structured. Submissions are evaluated based on clarity of vision, practicality of strategy, and the potential for measurable impact. The selection process emphasizes disciplined planning, ethical leadership, and long-term sustainability. Applications for the Gary Gordon Scholarship for Entrepreneurs must be submitted via email to apply@garygordonscholarship.com no later than September 15, 2026. The scholarship recipient will be formally announced on October 15, 2026. Gary Gordon states that entrepreneurial leadership requires more than ambition; it demands structured execution, accountability, and the ability to create enduring value. The Gary Gordon Scholarship for Entrepreneurs seeks applicants who understand these principles and present actionable plans supported by thoughtful analysis. By introducing the Gary Gordon Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, Gary Gordon reinforces his commitment to advancing innovation and strategic business development beyond traditional finance platforms. The scholarship serves as a platform for recognizing students who approach entrepreneurship with discipline, foresight, and a strong sense of responsibility to their communities and industries. The initiative reflects Gary Gordon's belief that sustainable success in both finance and entrepreneurship depends on leadership grounded in integrity and strategic insight. Through this scholarship, Gary Gordon contributes to the academic and professional development of students preparing to launch ventures, modernize industries, and create measurable economic and social impact. Undergraduate students interested in applying are encouraged to review full eligibility details and submission guidelines on the official scholarship website. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285254 Source: GYT Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - February 28, 2026) - The Dr. Sajad Zalzala Scholarship for Healthcare Professionals officially announces its national launch, establishing a new academic opportunity for undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare. Founded by Dr. Sajad Zalzala, MD, the scholarship reflects a forward-looking commitment to preventive medicine, longevity science, and addressing the underlying causes of disease within modern healthcare systems. Dr. Sajad Zalzala To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/285253_cc819c5b24ea8b42_001full.jpg The Dr. Sajad Zalzala Scholarship for Healthcare Professionals is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students at accredited colleges and universities across the United States. While administered from Detroit, Michigan, the scholarship is not geographically restricted and welcomes applicants nationwide who demonstrate academic excellence and a clear intent to enter a healthcare profession. Dr. Sajad Zalzala, a physician, serial entrepreneur, and longevity specialist, designs this initiative to inspire future healthcare leaders to think beyond symptom management. Through his clinical and entrepreneurial work, including his role as Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AgelessRx, Dr. Sajad Zalzala consistently promotes a preventive and functional approach to medicine. The scholarship aligns with his long-standing mission to extend healthspan and reshape healthcare around early intervention and root-cause analysis. Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria. Candidates must be currently enrolled undergraduate students in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must be pursuing coursework aligned with entry into a healthcare profession, including but not limited to pre-medical studies, nursing, public health, biomedical sciences, health informatics, or related disciplines. A central component of the application process is a 500-750 word original essay responding to a focused prompt inspired by Dr. Sajad Zalzala's philosophy of care. Applicants are asked to identify one significant "root cause" challenge facing modern healthcare-whether in prevention, chronic disease management, access, or technological advancement-and articulate how their future professional role could contribute to a meaningful solution. Essays must be submitted in PDF or Word document format, titled according to the required naming convention, and include the applicant's full name, university, and expected graduation year at the top of the first page. All required materials must be submitted by the September 15, 2026 deadline. The recipient of the one-time $1,500 award will be announced on October 15, 2026. Through this initiative, Dr. Sajad Zalzala reinforces his belief that the future of medicine depends on innovative thinkers prepared to confront systemic challenges. As a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine and a clinical investigator involved in longevity research, Dr. Sajad Zalzala maintains a consistent focus on prevention, integrative healthcare, and advancing clinical trials aimed at combating age-related diseases. The scholarship reflects these principles by encouraging applicants to critically evaluate the structural drivers of modern health concerns. The Dr. Sajad Zalzala Scholarship for Healthcare Professionals stands as a strategic investment in the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and public health leaders. By recognizing students who demonstrate academic rigor and thoughtful engagement with pressing healthcare issues, Dr. Sajad Zalzala continues to champion a model of medicine centered on proactive care, scientific inquiry, and long-term population health outcomes. Students interested in applying may review full eligibility requirements and submission guidelines through the official scholarship website. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285253 Source: GYT Zelenskyy to Rutte: Important that we want to end this war, but much depends on USA Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the meetings between the Ukrainian and American teams and the preparation of a trilateral negotiating format. "I briefed him on our teams meetings with the American side and our preparations for a trilateral format. It is important that we are sincerely committed to ending this war, and we are doing everything to achieve that. And in many respects, it depends specifically on the U.S. whether Russia will be ready to end the war," he wrote on his Telegram channel. The president said that "real peace and security are needed." He thanked Rutte for support and noted further coordination of efforts. HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 28, 2026 / Hospitality entrepreneurs Romain Kapadia and Joseph Pachioli, partners at Lexington Union, LLC, recently unveiled Le Tesserae , a 20,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor private events venue overlooking Buffalo Bayou and the Houston skyline, capable of hosting up to 1,500 guests. Developed as a greenfield hospitality project, Le Tesserae reflects a growing national shift away from standardized hotel ballrooms toward architecturally distinctive environments designed to create more meaningful and immersive guest experiences. For decades, hotel ballrooms have served as the default infrastructure for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private events. Yet as hospitality has evolved, many of these spaces, built primarily for scale and operational efficiency, have become increasingly commoditized, offering limited architectural identity or emotional resonance. Le Tesserae was conceived as a direct response to this shift: a venue designed not simply to accommodate events, but to elevate them through architectural character that evoke strong feelings. Located at 2990 Clinton Drive, minutes from downtown Houston, Le Tesserae was developed over a multi-year period with a singular guiding principle - that hospitality environments should be built with the permanence and material integrity traditionally reserved for cultural and civic architecture. Guests arrive through a grand reception lobby anchored by a hand-laid mosaic floor composed of millions of individual tiles, each placed to create a surface that feels both intricate and timeless. Overhead, custom crown moldings and architectural detailing establish an immediate sense of permanence and craftsmanship. This arrival sequence was intentionally designed to create a gradual transition from the exterior urban environment into a fully immersive architectural interior. Beyond the lobby, the main ballroom unfolds beneath soaring ceilings and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that frame unobstructed views of Houston's skyline and the surrounding natural landscape of Buffalo Bayou. Natural light moves dynamically through the space throughout the day, while seamless transitions between the ballroom, wraparound balcony, and covered outdoor terraces create a continuous dialogue between interior architecture and the surrounding environment. Inspired by European historic spaces and informed by the partners' international travels, Le Tesserae incorporates custom millwork, handmade detailing, and layered architectural finishes designed to conjure the character of longstanding institutions. The result is a newly constructed venue that carries the visual weight and authenticity of a space that has existed for centuries, an increasingly rare quality in modern hospitality development. Complementing the main venue is an adjacent 5,000-square-foot rooftop bar, offering panoramic views of the Houston skyline and introducing an open-air dimension to the property. The rooftop allows hosts to design multi-layered experiences, ranging from welcome receptions and cocktail hours to after-parties and private gatherings, within a single cohesive destination. This layered spatial composition reflects evolving guest expectations, where movement between environments contributes to the overall experiential narrative. Le Tesserae represents the latest development from Kapadia and Pachioli, whose hospitality portfolio spans multiple venues, culinary concepts, and experiential destinations operated under a single umbrella. Over more than a decade, the partners have built their platform with a consistent focus on creating environments where architectural design and guest experience are inseparable. "Our intention with Le Tesserae was to create something enduring," said Kapadia. "We wanted to build a space defined by craftsmanship and permanence, an environment that feels timeless and elevates the experience of gathering." Pachioli added, "There is a growing recognition that the physical environment plays a central role in how people experience important moments. Le Tesserae reflects our belief that hospitality spaces should be designed with the same care, intention, and architectural integrity as the experiences they host." Kapadia and Pachioli began developing their hospitality platform by identifying an opportunity to create event environments that moved beyond the limitations of traditional venues. After raising outside capital during the company's launch, the partners later reacquired full ownership of their business to pursue long-term independent development aligned with their architectural vision. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly thereafter created one of the most disruptive periods in modern hospitality history, halting operations across the industry. Rather than retreat, Kapadia and Pachioli continued investing in development and infrastructure, advancing Le Tesserae as a reflection of their conviction in experiential hospitality's long-term evolution. The completion of Le Tesserae comes amid growing national demand for architecturally distinctive hospitality environments that offer differentiation beyond standardized event infrastructure. As experiential hospitality continues to evolve, Le Tesserae positions Houston among a select group of cities investing in design-driven destinations defined by architectural integrity, material craftsmanship, and immersive guest experiences. Today, Le Tesserae stands as both an architectural statement and a reflection of its founders' long-term commitment to creating hospitality environments defined by permanence, craftsmanship, and experiential intention. More than a venue, Le Tesserae represents a philosophy, one where architecture, material integrity, and spatial intention converge to create environments designed not simply to host events, but to shape lasting experiences. Person contact: hello@letesseraeevents.com Company Name: letesseraeevents Person name: Romain Kapadia SOURCE: Le Tesserae View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/hospitality-entrepreneurs-romain-kapadia-and-joseph-pachioli-int-1142520 TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / February 28, 2026 / Across Canada's urban centres, a quiet revolution is underway. Cranes still dominate city skylines, but behind the steel and concrete, the way developers plan, finance, construct, and manage real estate is being fundamentally transformed by technology. For Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi, President & CEO of Sky Property Group Inc., embracing proptech - property technology - isn't a trend to watch from the sidelines. It's a competitive imperative that is reshaping how Canada's most forward-thinking developers operate. "The developers who thrive over the next decade won't necessarily be the ones with the deepest pockets," says Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. "They'll be the ones who use data intelligently, build more efficiently, and make decisions faster. Technology is now the foundation beneath the foundation." Canada's Proptech Moment Canada is rapidly becoming one of the world's most active proptech markets. According to industry research, Canadian proptech investment has grown significantly year over year, with startups and scale-ups developing solutions across every phase of the real estate lifecycle - from AI-driven site selection and virtual staging to digital permitting platforms and smart building management systems. Major Canadian cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal are home to a growing ecosystem of proptech firms working directly with developers, municipal governments, and institutional investors. Federal and provincial programs aimed at housing supply acceleration are increasingly tied to digital innovation, pushing developers to modernize workflows that have remained largely unchanged for decades. "We're finally seeing technology catch up with the complexity of real estate," says Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. "For a long time, construction was one of the last industries to digitize in any serious way. That's changing now, and the developers who get ahead of it are going to have a real advantage." AI and Data Analytics: Smarter Site Selection One of proptech's most powerful applications is in the earliest stages of development: site selection and feasibility analysis. Where developers once relied on gut instinct, broker relationships, and manual spreadsheet modelling, AI-powered platforms now aggregate zoning data, demographic trends, transit access, comparable sales, and infrastructure pipelines to generate real-time feasibility scores for any given parcel. For a country like Canada - where municipal zoning rules vary dramatically from one city to the next, and where housing supply bottlenecks are intensely localized - this kind of granular, data-driven analysis is invaluable. "Site selection used to be an art. Now it's an art informed by science," says Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. "We can analyze dozens of potential sites simultaneously, model different use cases, and stress-test assumptions against market data in a way that simply wasn't possible five years ago. That speeds up decision-making and reduces risk." At Sky Property Group Inc., integrating data analytics into the early stages of project evaluation has helped the company identify opportunities in markets that traditional approaches might overlook - positioning the firm to deliver housing where it's needed most. Digital Permitting and Streamlined Approvals One of the most persistent bottlenecks in Canadian housing development is the permitting and approvals process. Across major municipalities, approval timelines of two to four years - or longer - are not uncommon, contributing directly to housing supply shortfalls and elevated construction costs. Proptech is beginning to change this dynamic. Digital permitting platforms, now being adopted by forward-thinking municipalities including several in Ontario and British Columbia, allow developers to submit, track, and manage permit applications online, reducing administrative delays and enabling faster back-and-forth with planning staff. "Every month a project sits in approvals is money that doesn't get invested in building homes," says Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. "Digital permitting isn't glamorous, but it's one of the most impactful innovations in the housing supply conversation. When cities make it easier to build, more homes get built - it's that straightforward." Ladan has been an outspoken advocate for municipalities accelerating the digitization of their planning and permitting processes, arguing that technology-enabled approvals are a practical, near-term solution to Canada's housing affordability challenge. Smart Buildings and the Future of Asset Management Once a development is complete, proptech continues to deliver value through smart building technologies that optimize energy use, reduce operating costs, and improve tenant experience. From IoT-enabled HVAC and lighting systems to AI-driven predictive maintenance, smart buildings are no longer a luxury feature - they're increasingly expected by institutional investors and tenants alike. In Canada's competitive rental market, where vacancy rates in major urban centres remain historically low, the ability to attract and retain tenants through superior building performance and digital amenities is a meaningful differentiator. "A well-run building is a better investment - full stop," says Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. "Smart building technology lets you anticipate maintenance issues before they become expensive problems, manage energy costs more effectively, and give tenants the experience they expect in 2026. It protects asset value over the long term." Sky Property Group Inc.?has incorporated smart building standards into its development pipeline, aligning with broader industry movement toward ESG-conscious construction and operation. The Human Element: Technology as a Tool, Not a Replacement While Ladan is an enthusiastic champion of proptech adoption, she's also clear-eyed about its limits. Technology accelerates and improves decision-making, but real estate development - particularly residential development in complex Canadian markets - still demands deep human judgment, community engagement, and relationship-driven execution. "Technology is a multiplier," she says. "It makes talented people more effective and better-informed. But the relationships with landowners, with municipal partners, with communities - that still requires trust, communication, and genuine commitment. No algorithm replaces that." This balanced perspective has shaped Sky Property Group's approach: leveraging innovation where it delivers clear value while maintaining the hands-on, relationship-first ethos that has defined the firm's reputation in the Canadian market. Looking Ahead As Canada continues to grapple with a housing supply deficit that economists estimate will require millions of new units over the coming decade, the role of proptech in accelerating delivery has never been more critical. Governments at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels are increasingly signalling their support for digital innovation in the construction and development sector - through funding programs, regulatory modernization, and partnerships with the private sector. For developers like Sky Property Group Inc., the message is clear: the future of Canadian real estate is being built with both steel and software. "We're at an inflection point," says Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. "The industry is changing fast, and the developers who invest in technology, in data, and in smarter ways of working are going to be the ones who help solve Canada's housing challenges - and build lasting value in the process." About Sky Property Group Inc. Sky Property Group Inc.?is a Canadian real estate development and investment firm led by President & CEO Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi. The company focuses on delivering high-quality residential and mixed-use developments across Canada's most dynamic urban markets, guided by a commitment to innovation, community, and long-term value creation. Contact Information Ladan Hosseinzadeh Sadeghi ladanhosseinzadehsadeghi@gmail.com SOURCE: Sky Property Group Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/building-smarter-how-proptech-is-reshaping-canadian-real-estate-1142005 New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 28, 2026) - Shoott is pleased to announce that the company will be participating in TechCon SoCal 2026. This year's event will be held May 22, 23 at the San Diego State University in San Diego, California. As a partner, Shoott will be collaborating with TechCon Global to support, promote, and drive engagement at the event. TechCon SoCal, produced by TechCon Global, is a leading technology and innovation event that brings together investors, founders, thought leaders, and industry experts. The 2026 program features keynotes, panel discussions, fireside discussions, and demos on emerging technologies shaping the future of business. Attendees interested in learning more about TechCon SoCal 2026 or registering for the conference can visit here. About Shoott Shoott is an AAPI female-run startup that seeks to make professional photography more accessible to everyone. Shoott offers 5-star rated "Insta-worthy" photo sessions that are free to book, where clients pay only for photos they love. A trusted partner with Meta, Google, Forbes, Microsoft, Salesforce, American Express, Avalara, Upwork, Bytedance, L'Oreal, and more. About TechCon Global: TechCon Global is a leading organization founded in 2019, dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders through high-impact innovation events. We empower innovation and foster investment ecosystems that drive sustainable growth and meaningful change worldwide. Our programs blend operator insight with a practical innovation approach, supported by mentors, acurated innovation platform, and access to business investors for startups. Driven by purpose and passion, we continue to expand our reach, uniting bold thinkers, visionary founders, and impact-driven investors, guided by a consistent innovation approach that turns ideas into outcomes. Source: TechCon Global Fino Payments Bank said its MD and CEO Rishi Gupta has been arrested under GST Act provisions linked to business partners with CFO Ketan Merchant appointed to oversee operations during the investigation. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs of the Government of India since 2019. (ANI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said she will look into the matter related to the arrest of Fino Payments Bank Managing Director Rishi Gupta for violating the law related to the Goods and Services Tax. The bank has maintained that Gupta is not connected to the alleged GST-related issue under investigation. Sitharaman responded to concerns raised on social media by Mohandas Pai, former CFO and board member at Infosys. Acknowledging his post, she wrote: Thanks for sharing this. Will check. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thanks for sharing this. Will check. https://t.co/G9YN14EUKn Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) February 28, 2026 In his message, Pai questioned how the chief executive of a regulated bank could be arrested over a matter involving a business partner. He also asked whether the action amounted to overreach, noting that the Finance Ministry has granted extensive powers under GST laws. Pai further sought clarity on what safeguards exist to prevent potential misuse of those powers and called for the ministers intervention. Following the arrest, a special board meeting was convened wherein Ketan Merchant, Chief Financial Officer of the bank, was appointed as head of the organisation to carry on and oversee day-to-day operations, Fino Payments Bank said in a regulatory filing. Gupta has been arrested under the provisions of Sections 132(1)(a) and 132(1)(i) of the CGST and SGST Act, 2017, it said. The investigation is related to business partner(s) of the bank, and not GST compliance by it, the bank said. The bank is cooperating with the authorities to provide all necessary information. Presently, there is no impact on the bank Any further material development in this regard will be disclosed in due course, it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The payment bank clarified that none of the bank officials were involved, and the investigation was related to business partner(s) of the bank. Commenting on the arrest, Rajesh Narain Gupta, Chairman at the law firm SNG and Partners, said it created a shock wave among bankers and professionals. Gupta also wondered why immediate arrest happens under GST laws, saying the government should re-examine the draconian provisions. Her presence at the showcase highlighted a refined, confident aesthetic that resonated with Tods dedication to craftsmanship and contemporary design. Diana Penty made a striking appearance at the Tods Womens FallWinter 26/27 show, embodying the houses signature blend of timeless craftsmanship and contemporary elegance. Set within an immersive environment celebrating Italys rich artisanal heritage, the presentation unfolded as a collective performance where gesture and craftsmanship took center stage. Alongside Tods artisans, masters from diverse creative disciplines demonstrated their expertise live, showcasing the savoir-faire that defines the excellence of Made in Italy. This dialogue between crafts reaffirmed Tods enduring philosophy of Artisanal Intelligence a legacy rooted in quality, precision, and meticulous attention to detail. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Creative Director Matteo Tamburini envisioned a FallWinter wardrobe shaped by exceptional materials and refined artisanal techniques. Leather emerged as the defining narrative element, uniting traditional saddlery methods with modern lightness and material depth. Diana Pentys look perfectly captured this vision. She carried the Di Bag Folio, paired with elegant slingback footwear, and wore Look 20 from the SpringSummer 2026 collection a sophisticated ensemble that reflected the brands seamless fusion of heritage and modernity. Her presence at the showcase highlighted a refined, confident aesthetic that resonated with Tods dedication to craftsmanship and contemporary design. Lakshmipriya Devi is an independent filmmaker, writer and director from Manipur, known for her socially conscious storytelling and focus on underrepresented communities Boong director Laskhmipriya Devis winning speech at the recently held BAFTA Awards moved many. Hailing from Manipur, the filmmakers emotional acceptance speech, where she spoke about the long-ignored conflict in her home state, resonated deeply, turning her into one of the most talked-about voices of the evening. But social media users have observed the speech has disappeared from the handles of BAFTA. With her win, Lakshmipriya became one of the first Indian filmmakers from the Northeast to claim a BAFTA, marking a watershed moment for regional storytelling on the global stage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Manipuri activist Binalakshmi Nepram breaks silence The activist tweeted- Dear @BAFTA did you remove the acceptance speech of an Indigenous Woman Director of award winning film from Manipur, BOONG, from your social media accounts @X & Instagram? If yes, erasure of the acceptance speech of Director is tantamount to cultural erasure of Indigenous Peoples & womens voices & must be reinstated immediately. Inclusion and not erasure of our voices and our stories is the way forward. What the filmmaker said in her speech Thank you to the jury members and BAFTA for giving our very small film such big love, a film that is rooted in a very troubled, very much ignored and very underrepresented in India, my homeland, Manipur. Its a homage to my homeland, said Devi. She added, Just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence, and their dreams once again. Games View All Who is Lakshmipriya Devi? Lakshmipriya Devi is an independent filmmaker, writer and director from Manipur, known for her socially conscious storytelling and focus on underrepresented communities. Before stepping into feature films, she built a strong reputation through short films and documentaries that explored identity, memory, displacement and political conflict. As per reports, Sangeetha was born and brought up in the United Kingdom. Her family traces its origins to Sri Lankan Tamils, and her father was known to be a Tamil industrialist who settled in the UK Thalapathy Vijays wife Sankgeetha Sornalingam has filed for divorce from her actor-politician husband after more than two decades of marriage. The ground that has been claimed is extra-marital relationship with an actress who has not been named. This is another blow to Vijay after the delayed release of his swansong Jana Nayagan and the stampede controversy last year. Who is Sangeetha Sornalingam? The couple married on August 25, 1999, and they have two children, Jason Sanjay and Divya Shasha. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per reports, Sangeetha was born and brought up in the United Kingdom. Her family traces its origins to Sri Lankan Tamils, and her father was known to be a Tamil industrialist who settled in the UK. Last year, Thalapathy Vijay was addressing a crowd of over 3 lacs at his political rally in the Tamil Nadu municipality Karur that later turned berserk and led to a stampede. As per reports, the death toll rose to 39. Vijay has finally tweeted about the unfortunate incident on X. Thalapathy Vijay wrote- I am heartbroken; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow. I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of our dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for a speedy recovery for those undergoing treatment in the hospital. Superstar Rajinikanth tweeted- The news of the loss of innocent lives in Karur is heartbreaking and deeply painful. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Condolences to the injured. Games View All Rahul Gandhi said, Deeply saddened by the tragic incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, that has taken so many precious lives. My heart goes out to their loved ones, and I wish a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress workers and leaders to extend every possible support to the victims and their families, and to work closely with the authorities in relief and rescue efforts, added the Congress head. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In retaliation for the US and Israel attack on Tehran and other cities, Iran has targeted four American military bases in the Gulf: the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. Here is what we know about them Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, on February 28. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes, targeting US military bases in West Asia, after the US and Israel attack on the Islamic Republic. Reuters Its an all-out war. The US and Israel have launched a joint operation in Iran, with explosions reported in multiple cities include Tehran. In response, Iran has fired missiles at Israel and has also targeted US military bases in West Asia. Explosions were heard in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. Four US bases in West Asia were targeted as a response to US and Israeli strikes on Iranian cities, Irans state-affiliated media reported, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain were targeted by Iranian missile attacks, Fars news agency said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is what we know about the US military bases that came under attack. Qatar: Al-Udeid Air Base Loud blasts were also heard in Qatar, as Iran bombs US bases in the Gulf state. Following air-raid sirens in the country, Qatars defence ministry says it successfully shot down all the missiles Iran fired at it before they entered its airspace. We possess the full ability to protect the country and fend off any external threat, the Qatari ministry says, adding that the situation in Qatar is secure and stable. Qatars aviation authority has announced a temporary closure of the countrys airspace. Iran was targeting the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in West Asia. It includes the forward components of Centcom and the commands air forces and special operations forces. It also hosts rotating combat aircraft, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military says includes airlift, aerial refuelling, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets. Iran fired missiles at Al Udeid last June after US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. A combination of satellite images shows an increase in the number of aircraft at the Al-Udeid Air Base, near Doha, Qatar, comparing January 17, 2026 and February 1, 2026. 2026 PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via Reuters Kuwait: Al Salem Air Base The Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait was also on Irans hit-list. The Ali al-Salem Air Base hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military describes as the primary airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces in the region. Additionally, the United States has drones, including MQ-9 Reapers, in Kuwait. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kuwait also has several US bases, including Camp Arifjan, the location of the forward headquarters for the US Army component of Centcom. The US Army also has stocks of equipment and supplies in the country. US Army paratroopers seen at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, on January 2, 2020. File photo/Reuters Bahrain: The fifth US base Explosions have been reported from Bahrain. It came after the Bahraini interior ministry said in a series of alerts on X that emergency sirens had been sounded. It also urged residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. The Bahrainian capital of Manama is home to the US Navy Fifth Fleet. The US Navy base in Bahrain was targeted by an Iranian missile attack, a US official said, describing it as an active situation. According to Bahrains National Communication Centre, the service centre of the US Navys 5th Fleet has been subjected to a missile attack, reports the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA). Further details will be provided in due course, it adds, without attributing the attack to any country. The public is urged to follow instructions issued by the relevant official authorities and to obtain information from official sources only. Security Alert - Imminent drone/missile attack in Bahrain There are media reported threats of missiles/drones over Bahrain. The U.S. Embassy in Manama urges U.S. citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case pic.twitter.com/rp7zJKmQkT U.S. Embassy Manama (@USEmbassyManama) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US Navy Fifth Fleets responsibility includes the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean, reports the BBC. Bahrains deep-water port can accommodate the largest US military vessels, such as aircraft carriers, and the US Navy has used the base in the country since 1948, when the facility was operated by Britains Royal Navy. Several US ships have their home port in Bahrain, including anti-mine vessels and logistical support ships. Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, on February 28. Reuters UAE: Al Dhafra Air Base Explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The IRGC claims to have fired missiles at the Al Dhafra Air Base. It hosts the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, a force that is composed of 10 squadrons of aircraft and also includes drones such as MQ-9 Reapers. Combat aircraft have rotated through Al Dhafra, which also hosts the US Air Forces hub for advanced air warfare training. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency in a post on its X account on Monday published a photo of the UAEs Al Dhafra Air Base, which houses thousands of US forces, without further comment. pic.twitter.com/hMYIM8ISzs Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) February 3, 2026 One person was killed by falling debris after air defences intercepted Iranian missiles targeting sites in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, state-run WAM news agency said, citing the UAE defence ministry. The defence ministry said an Asian national was killed after the debris fell on a residential area of Abu Dhabi. The UAE said in the statement that it had intercepted a number of ballistic missiles fired by Iran, describing the attack as a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act, reports CNN. Jordan: Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base The Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base in Jordan was also targeted by Iran, according to the countrys state media. Situated 100 km northeast of the capital Amman, it hosts the US Air Forces Central 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which has hosted F-35s since 2023, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report from July 2024, reports The Indian Express. A site called Tower 22, located near the Iraq and Syria border and close to Al Tanf in Syria, hosts about 350 US military personnel, CENTCOM reported in January 2024. The CRS report noted that 3,188 military personnel were stationed in Jordan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Israel and the US launched joint strikes on Iran, targeting the countrys political leadership, including the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But there are doubts if he was at the complex at the time of the attack Questions over the whereabouts of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has grown after Israel and the United States launched a daylight strike on Tehran on Saturday (February 28). File image/Reuters In broad daylight on Saturday morning (February 28), the United States and Israel launched a coordinated strike on Iran, igniting military tensions in West Asia that have been on the brink of conflict for several weeks. In a televised statement, US President Donald Trump confirmed strikes on Iran, saying that they (Iran) can never have a nuclear weapon. The US would destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, said Trump, warning that Irans forces that continued resistance would be answered with overwhelming military force. He also urged Iranians to take over their government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 Trump added, We warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons. And we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried, adding that Iran rejected every chance to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore. The explosions in Iran were reported near key government offices, including those linked to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to several media reports. Questions over the whereabouts of Irans Supreme has grown after explosions rocked Iran. So, where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Has he left Iran? We take a look. Has Khamenei left Tehran before the attack? Shortly after Israel and the US launched a joint operation against Iran, officials said they were targeting seniors authorities of the Iranian regime, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Explosions were heard around the complex that houses his offices. However, according to Iranian sources, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left Tehran. He has been shifted to a secure location. The sources also say that this move came after the strikes by the US-Israel on Iran. Reuters also reported that Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time of the attack. The whereabouts of the Iranian supreme leader remain a secret. Khamenei hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with Washington have grown. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Khamenei did not even attend the annual February 8 meeting, where Irans air force commanders traditionally pledge allegiance, breaking a decades-old ritual amid heightened tensions with Washington. What did Netanyahu say about the attacks? After the strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement, saying, a joint US campaign will let Iranians take their fate into their own hands. My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. , . . 47 , . , pic.twitter.com/itTF5b4jB4 Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) February 28, 2026 Netanyahu also thanked Trump: I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has been shouting Death to Israel, Death to America. The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran, Netanyahu added. How has Iran responded to strikes? Irans Revolutionary Guard has confirmed that it has launched its first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, Associated Press (AP) reported. According to Iranian media, Iran has launched 30 to 75 missiles towards Israel. Iran has closed the countrys airspace in the aftermath of the strikes. Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for Irans Civil Aviation Organisation, has said in an interview with the Mehr News Agency that the entire countrys airspace has been closed until further notice. Moreover, mobile networks have been disrupted in several parts of Tehran. No calls are currently going through. There are also concerns that internet services might be disrupted across Iran soon. The attack on Iran did not come out of nowhere. Strains between Iran, Israel, and the United States had been building steadily over Tehrans nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Just a day before the strikes, Trump said he had not yet made a final call on potential military action against Iran; however, his remarks left little doubt about this stance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How is IDF intercepting Irans missiles? The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has said that it identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. The Israeli military has asked civilians to take shelter. An additional barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel. The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 A short while ago, sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel. The public is requested to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, BBC reported. Adding, At this time, the Israeli Air Force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat. The defence is not hermetic, and therefore it is essential that the public continue to adhere to the Home Front Commands guidelines. The public is requested to continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Saturdays joint strikes by the US and Israel against Iran had one major target the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Images have surfaced revealing the complete destruction of his presidential compound situated in Tehran. However, the 86-year-old was reportedly not at the location at the time of the attacks The Israel-US strikes caused significant damage at the secure compound of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran. Image Courtesy: Airbus Israel and the United States have launched a war on Iran, with Donald Trump declaring the start of major combat operations and calling on Iranians to rise up against their government. Soon after, Iran retaliated with its own strikes on Israel and US military bases across West Asia, plunging the already volatile region to the brink of war. Explosions have been heard in Bahrain, where the US Navys 5th fleet is based, as well as in the UAE, Jordan and Qatar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As fighting continues Iran continues to deploy missiles images have emerged of the total destruction of the compound that houses the residence and offices of Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Read the latest on the It has also prompted questions of the 86-year-olds location. Heres what we know so far. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei US and Israels main target Hours after Israel and the United States launched a massive wave of strikes across Iran on Saturday (February 28), the picture of what was happening on the ground in Tehran and other cities emerged clearly. Among the targets struck was the Tehran palace of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which was completely destroyed, as well as dozens of other military and regime targets across the country. Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian and top regime and military commanders were targeted, according to an Israeli official, though the results of the strikes were unclear. However, several reports have stated that Khamenei himself was unhurt as he had been moved from Tehran before the strikes. A Reuters report stated that the Iranian leader had been transferred to a secure location at the time. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the main target of the strikes by Israel and the US. File image/AFP In fact, Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, director of Diplo House, a think tank on Iranian foreign policy, told the BBC that it seemed that the Iranians had a sixth sense of the attacks. When the news came out that Trump was saying he wants a deal with Iran, many people were saying it seemed dangerous and a cover for a possible attack against Iran, he said. We see that the sixth sense of people in Iran is correct when it comes to the distrust they have of the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And, perhaps, it was this foreboding that allowed the countrys supreme leader to remain untouched in the strikes. Significant damage to Khameneis compound While Khamenei may have escaped the attacks unscathed, satellite imagery published by The New York Times shows that the palace in the heart of Tehran was completely destroyed, with smouldering rubble seen where the once-grand building stood hours earlier. Killing Khamenei was one of Trumps earlier options The attack on Khameneis compound isnt a complete surprise. While Donald Trump was mulling options against Iran in the days before Saturdays strikes, Pentagon officials had presented him with one plan, which included the assassination of Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba, according to an Axios report. A second source, according to the US news outlet, confirmed the plan to kill Khamenei and his son was floated to Trump several weeks ago. They have something for every scenario. One scenario takes out the ayatollah and his son and the mullahs, a presidential adviser reportedly said. The report said the plan was first floated to Trump several weeks ago. A woman holds an illustration depicting Irans Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as others wave Iranian national flags during a demonstration in support of the government and against US and Israeli strikes outside a mosque in Tehran. AFP Many assassination attempts against Khamenei This is not the first time that Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been the target of an attack. In 1981, Khamenei narrowly survived a major assassination attempt while he was delivering a speech at the Abuzar Mosque in Tehran. At the time of the attack, he wasnt the countrys supreme leader. A bomb hidden inside a tape recorder was placed near the podium where he was speaking. The device exploded moments after he began his address. He was seriously wounded in the blast. His right arm was severely injured and permanently paralysed. He even suffered injuries to his lungs and vocal cords. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Years late, in 1985, a suicide bombing rocked a Friday prayer session at Tehran University, targeting Khamenei. In 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on key military and nuclear sites in Iran. Following the strike, Khamenei was moved to a fortified underground bunker in Tehran with his family, where he remained largely cut off from external communications. With inputs from agencies Three people were wounded in Donetsk region as a result of Russian attacks, with numerous homes and infrastructure facilities damaged. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces shelled populated areas of the region 16 times, Head of the Regional Military Administration Vadym Filashkin reported. "In Sviatohorivka of the Dobropillia community, one person was wounded In Sloviansk, one person was wounded In Druzhkivka, one person was wounded," he wrote on Telegram on Saturday morning. According to him, in Pokrovsk district, two houses were damaged in Novotroitske and Toretske of the Shakhove community. In Sviatohorivka of the Dobropillia community, a house was damaged; another house was damaged in Kopani. In Kramatorsk district, in Mykolaivka, a multi-story residential building and a vehicle were damaged; in Raihorodok, infrastructure was damaged. In Bilenke of the Kramatorsk community, eight private houses and a car were damaged. In Sloviansk, 37 private houses and two vehicles were damaged. In Prylissia of the Cherkaska community, private homes were damaged. In Druzhkivka, an administrative building was damaged. In Bakhmut district, in Reznykivka of the Siversk community, a house was damaged. A total of 331 people were evacuated from the front line, including 98 children. The US and Israels attack on Iran has led to massive flight disruptions. Israel, the UAE, and Qatar closed their airspace on Saturday. Air India and IndiGo were among several airlines that had to cancel or reroute their flights Global airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on Saturday (February 28) after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. File image/Reuters Airlines across Europe, the Middle East and Asia have announced cancellations, suspensions and route changes after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the region into a renewed military confrontation on Saturday (February 28). Several airlines cited safety concerns, while others issued advisories warning of longer flight durations and possible disruptions. Flight map indicated that the skies over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, and Bahrain were largely empty, as Israel asserted that it struck Iran, and the US military launched a series of attacks on targets within the country. Iran has also retaliated with a salvo of missiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres the list of the airlines that have so far announced cancellations or advisories. Air India Air India has suspended all its flights to destinations across the Middle East with immediate effect. In a travel advisory, the airline confirmed the temporary halt of operations and asserted further decisions would depend on ongoing safety assessments. #TravelAdvisory In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026 The airline added that it remains committed to the highest standards of safety for both passengers and crew members. Operations will resume only after a comprehensive review of the security situation. It stressed that the suspension move is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring safe operations amid the evolving regional scenario in the region. In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew, the airline said in an X post. IndiGo IndiGo also issued an advisory stating that it is closely monitoring situations related to Iran and the surrounding airspace and asking passengers to check flight status before departure. Travel Advisory In view of the evolving situation around Iran and the Middle East, our flight operations to and from the Middle East and other select international sectors have been suspended until 1st March 2026, 1800 hrs IST. We understand the impact this may have on your IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In view of the evolving situation around Iran and the Middle East, our flight operations to and from the Middle East and other select international sectors have been suspended until 1st March 2026, 1800 hrs IST, the airline said. Adding, We understand the impact this may have on your travel plans and sincerely regret the inconvenience. We hope you understand that this decision has been taken as a proactive safety measure. Aegean Airlines Greeces largest carrier opens a new tab, suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel; Beirut, Lebanon; and Erbil, Iraq, until March 2. Air France KLM Air France has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday. KLM brought forward the suspension of its AmsterdamTel Aviv service, cancelling the flight scheduled for Saturday. The Dutch arm of Air FranceKLM had announced on Wednesday that flights would be halted from Sunday, but has now moved that date up. Only one flight to Tel Aviv had been scheduled for Saturday. Emirates Emirates said in a post on X that it has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. Emirates urges customers to check https://t.co/Ucm3UswfVh and https://t.co/yehFUeWZQq for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport. We are actively monitoring pic.twitter.com/SLDC7iNaUN Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iberia Express The Spanish airline owned by Iberia Group cancelled a flight to Tel Aviv scheduled for Saturday at 5 pm local time. Ita Airways ITA Airways has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv and would not use the airspace of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran until March 7. Flights to and from Dubai were suspended until March 1. Japan Airlines Japan Airlines cancelled a flight on Saturday from Tokyo Haneda to Doha as well as a return flight on March 1, Reuters reported. Lot Polish Airlines Lot Polish Airlines returned its flight LO121 from Warsaw to Dubai to Warsaw. Lufthansa The German airline has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel; Beirut, Lebanon; and Oman until March 7, and flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday (March 1). They also said they would not fly through Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7. Norwegian Air The Nordic airline suspended all flights to and from Dubai until March 4, a company spokesperson said. The carrier did not suspend flights to Tel Aviv in Israel or Beirut in Lebanon as these destinations are only active in summer, he added. Scandinavian Airlines The airline told Reuters it had suspended its flight from Copenhagen to Tel Aviv on Saturday. No decision had been made regarding flights on later dates. Turkish Airlines The airline has cancelled flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman on Saturday and flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until March 2. Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic said it will temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of its flights and has cancelled its VS400 service from London Heathrow to Dubai on Saturday. Qatar Airways The airline said it has temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Wizz Air The airline halted flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until March 7. It added that operational decisions would continue to be reviewed, and the flight schedule could be adjusted as the situation evolves. With inputs from agencies The Indian Air Force has dropped a video demonstrating the S-400 Sudarshan long-range air defence missile system in action. The IAF described the intercept video clip as the longest-range intercept ever recorded Footage released by IAF of S-400 Sudarshan intercept, references Operation Sindoor and highlights system capability before Vayu Shakti-2026. Image courtesy: @IAF_MCC/X S-400 Sudarshans operational might is on display again. On Thursday (February 26), the Indian Air Force (IAF) released a video demonstrating the operational capability of its S-400 long-range air defence missile system. The video also makes reference to Operation Sindoor, conducted by India in May last year to destroy terror-related infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the Pahalgham attack on April 22, 2025. IAF dropped the S-400 Sudarshan intercept video ahead of the Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026, a major air power demonstration in Rajasthans Pokhran, which took place on Friday (February 27). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD IAF flexes S-400s operational might In the 50 second clip, a radar detects a distant aerial target. The missile then launches, intercepts the target and destroys it successfully at long range. The videos overall text reads, Undertaking exceptional is our routine. Longest air kill ever recorded in military history. Enemy may be out of sightBut it is never out of reach. Indian Air Force: Infallible, Impervious and Precise 1 day to go. The Indian Air Force has successfully validated all operational parameters during the Full Dress Rehearsal for #Vayushakti26 at Pokhran, all targets effectively neutralised. All Air Warriors now stand fully pic.twitter.com/j7ZWmOYYb1 Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) February 26, 2026 The air defence system was deployed to strike a target located nearly 300 km inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, according to the IAF. The footage was released before Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026, during which the IAF displayed its operational capabilities, including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, and Hawk jets, along with other transport aircraft, reported News18. The S-400 Sudarshan Chakra Considered as the worlds best surface-to-air missile (SAM), the S-400 Triumf is a Russian air defence system. It is also an Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) system. S-400 is the newer version of Russias S-300 system and is considered one of the best long-range missile systems. The Triumf is made by Russias Almaz-Antey corporation. It is popularly referred to as the Sudarshan Chakra in India and is operated by the IAF. Nato has nicknamed the system the SA-21 Growler, according to media reports. S-400 comprises three components: missile launchers, a radar, and a command centre. The advanced radar enables 360-degree surveillance and counter-stealth capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2018, India inked a contract with Russia to buy five S-400 regiments for about $5.4 billion (around 49.181 crore). Its deliveries commenced in 2021. How does S-400 work The S-400 detects incoming aerial threats within its defensive zone. It can detect missiles and other systems at a range of around 250 kilometres. S-400 calculates the threats trajectory and fires missiles to neutralise it. Its long-range surveillance radars send information to the command vehicle. Once the target is identified, the command vehicle orders confirmed missile launches. According to reports, only the S-400 has the capacity to protect a much larger area from threats. It is uniquely capable of defending a significantly larger area against threats from much greater distances. The system has an altitude coverage of around 30 kilometres. It uses four types of missiles 40N6, 48N6DM, 9M96E2, and 9M96E. It can hit aircraft, cruise missiles, and even quick-moving intermediate-range ballistic missiles, NDTV reported. Therefore, Nato members consider the S-400 Triumf one of the worlds deadliest systems on the basis of its long-range. The use of S-400 in India Mainly to protect against missile or incoming fighter jet attacks from China or Pakistan. India Today reported that, in February 2025, a think tank, Observer Research Foundation, noted that, from the Indian Air Forces point of view, there is no alternative system capable of serving its long-range air defence requirements, from the standpoint of either capability or cost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD S-400 can constrain the adversarys air operations even within their own airspace, a capability unmatched by typical Western systems offered up as analogues, it said. The deployment of S-400 squadrons One squadron has been strategically positioned to secure the Siliguri Corridor, which is a vital link connecting Indias northeastern states to the rest of the nation, reported India Today. Another squadron has been positioned in the Pathankot region to bolster the defence of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. The other objective is to provide security against potential aerial threats from both China and Pakistan. The third squadron has been positioned along the western border, safeguarding key locations in Rajasthan and Gujarat from hostile enemy attacks. Other nations that have S-400 are Belarus, Algeria and Turkey. In 2016, Belarus received its first delivery after submitting a request in 2007, according to the news outlet. Algeria bought the S-400 in 2014 and received the first unit in 2015, while Turkey placed an order with Moscow in December 2017, and delivery began in July 2019. With inputs from agencies Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across West Asia after the US and Israel jointly attacked the Islamic Republic. Explosions were heard in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, among other cities; Bahrain reports a missile strike near the US Fifth Fleet service centre Smoke is left in the sky after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar. Reuters Within hours of the joint strike by the United States and Israel, Iran hit back with a retaliatory attack. It launched missiles at Israel, and explosions, reportedly said to be Iranian attacks, were seen across the region, including in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The oil-and-gas-rich Arab nations across the Gulf sea from Iran are long-term American allies and host several US military facilities. And Iran seemed prepared to go after them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch all the live updates from We take a look at the places Iran targeted, putting West Asia on edge. Bahrain Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the US Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. The countrys National Communication Centre says the service centre of the US Navys Fifth Fleet has been subjected to a missile attack. It is responsible for operations across the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean, reports the BBC. Other verified footage from the nation shows dark plumes of smoke rising as sirens sound across the capital, Manama. Smoke rises after a reported missile attack on the service center of the US Fifth Fleet, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain. Reuters The US embassy in Bahrain said it will close on Sunday (March 1) after Iranian missiles targeted Manama. In light of ongoing missile strikes against Bahrain on February 28, the US Embassy in Bahrain will be closed on Sunday, March 1, 2026, the embassy said in a statement on X. We have cancelled all regular and emergency consular appointments for Sunday, March 1, 2026. We will communicate when the embassy returns to normal operations, it added. Bahrain hosts an installation known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, where the US Navys Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command headquarters are based. Its deep-water port can accommodate the largest US military vessels, such as aircraft carriers, and the US Navy has used the base in the country since 1948, when the facility was operated by Britains Royal Navy. Several US ships have their home port in Bahrain, including anti-mine vessels and logistical support ships, reports AFP. Qatar Explosions could also be heard in Qatar, where Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of service members. This is the largest US military base in the region, which was targeted last June as well, following US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. The Gulf emirate said an Iranian missile attack targeted its territory. Qatar was forced to close its airspace amid the rising tensions. Smoke from a rocket reportedly intercepting an Iranian missile is seen over the sky in Doha. Iranian missiles hit capital cities around the wealthy Gulf on February 28, killing at least one, in retaliation for a US and Israeli attack that threatened to spark a wider conflict. AFP Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Saudi Arabias de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday urged a halt to escalation and return to dialogue after Iranian missiles targeted countries across the Gulf. On a call, both sides emphasised the necessity of an immediate halt to any escalatory actions and a return to the dialogue table to preserve regional security and prevent a slide toward broader confrontations, the Qatari rulers office said in a statement. Kuwait Kuwaits Ali al-Salem Air Base hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military describes as the primary airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces in the region. Additionally, the US has deployed drones, including MQ-9 Reapers, to the country. Kuwaits defence ministry said its forces intercepted missiles targeting the air base on Saturday, while Italys foreign minister said an Iranian attack caused significant damage to the runway of the facility, which also hosts Italian air force personnel. Col Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, the spokesperson for Kuwaits Ministry of Defence, posted on X that the Ali Al-Salem airbase (where the US Air Force has a presence) had been targeted by several ballistic missiles, which the Kuwaiti air defence forces had successfully intercepted. He says this resulted in debris and shrapnel falling in the vicinity of the base. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Images from a motorway in Kuwait show a burned truck. Kuwait has strongly denounced what it described as a heinous Iranian attack on its territory, calling it a flagrant breach of sovereignty and international law, and warning that it reserves the right to respond proportionately. In a statement issued on Saturday, Kuwaits Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the strike constituted a violation of its airspace and of the UN Charter. The ministry affirmed Kuwaits full and inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter, stating that any response would be commensurate with the scale and nature of the attack and consistent with international law. UAE As Iranian missiles flew towards the UAE, blasts echoed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. One civilian died in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, after being struck by falling debris, according to the Ministry of Defence. Abu Dhabi also hosts US forces at the Al Dhafra base, which was the reason Iran sent missiles flying into the city. Meanwhile, witnesses in nearby Dubai heard an explosion and saw missiles streak across the sky. It was a big explosion, and it made the windows shake, one witness told AFP, requesting anonymity, echoing a similar account from another Dubai resident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dubai just took a direct hit. Filmed from the ground. The city that was supposed to be untouchable. The financial hub. The neutral ground. The place where everyone does business regardless of politics. The global economy just felt this war hitting home. https://t.co/A58pwAxpDj pic.twitter.com/LaVfIUDLiZ Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 28, 2026 The UAE said it reserved the right to respond to the Iranian attacks, slamming them as a dangerous escalation. Several missiles were intercepted, it said. The United Arab Emirates was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles, the UAE defence ministry said. The UAEs air defences responded with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Saudi Arabia Explosions were heard in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. However, it is unclear if the blasts were because of the impact of the Iranian attack or the Saudi Patriot missiles intercepting the projectiles. Saudi Arabia says it was targeted in an Iranian missile strike earlier today, confirming attacks on Riyadh and the eastern region were successfully repelled. The foreign ministry calls the strike unjustified, noting Iran was aware the kingdom would not allow its airspace or pic.twitter.com/iMPB0TxQx4 Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD AFP journalists and residents heard several explosions in Riyadh. I heard the explosions, I dont know what I felt, one Lebanese resident of Riyadh told AFP. We came to the Gulf because its known to be safer than Lebanon. Now I dont know what to do or how to think really. Saudi Arabia also condemned brutal Iranian aggression, official media said. Jordan The US reportedly deployed dozens of military aircraft to Jordans Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in the run-up to the strikes on Iran. A Jordanian military official said the kingdoms forces shot down two ballistic missiles targeting its territory on Saturday, without saying who launched them. The Jordanian Public Security Directorate later said there were no casualties but only material damage. Footage shows a fire from debris of an intercepted Iranian missile hitting a home in Jordan. A military official says Jordans armed forces shot down two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom. pic.twitter.com/59o7Ahf2Vh Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iraq The US has troops in Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group, but their mission is due to end by September under a deal between Washington and Baghdad. American forces have already completed their withdrawal from facilities in federal Iraq whose government is a close ally of Iran, but also a strategic partner of Washington under the same agreement. AFP journalists reported explosions near the US consulate in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on Saturday, while Iraqs powerful pro-Iran Kataeb Hezbollah group threatened attacks on American bases. Kurdish security forces later said the US-led coalition had intercepted multiple drones and missiles over Arbil. With inputs from agencies The US and Israel have attacked Iran in a joint operation. Explosions were heard in several Iranian ciities, including Tehran. The strikes come after US President Donald Trumps continued threats to strike the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme and the crackdown on protesters Israel says it has launched attack on Iran, as explosions reported in Tehran. Image courtesy; X The United States and Israel have launched strikes against Iran on Saturday morning (February 28). They targeted Iranian regime sites and military facilities, according to an official. Iran has also reportedly retaliated to the attacks. The Israel Defence Forces issued a statement saying that a short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. As the US and Israel struck Iran, explosions are heard in the north and east of Tehran, as well as in Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah, Irans semi-official Fars news agency reports. According to media reports, an apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, it was not immediately known whether the 86-year-old was present in his office at the time of the attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the preemptive strike on Iran and declared an immediate state of emergency throughout the entire nation," according to The Times of Israel. The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel, says Katz. What we know The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday morning. According to the New York Times, a US official says that the US military strikes on Iran are underway, alongside Israeli strikes. Israels Channel 12 reports, citing Israeli security, that the attack underway in Iran is a joint US-Israel operation. The strikes come after US President Donald Trump spent weeks threatening to strike Iran over its nuclear programme, as well as a domestic crackdown in Iran that has killed thousands of protesters. A US official told CNN that the US strikes are currently focused on military targets, but declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing operation. Iran has also launched retaliatory strikes.A short while ago, sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel. The public is requested to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, said the IDF. At this time, the Israeli Air Force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat. US President Donald Trump confirmed the attacks in a video posted to social media. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people, the president said in the video. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world, he said in the eight-minute-long message. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries, he added. Sirens have been sounded in key Israeli cities after the nation launched a daylight attack today on Irans capital, Tehran. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done to remove threats. However, he did not immediately elaborate. Witnesses say a blast struck downtown in Tehran, Irans capital. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause. At the same time, sirens were sounded across Israel. Explosions have been heard in cities across Iran, according to Iranian media. The Fars news agency reports blasts in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. The Israeli asserted that it had issued a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel. The unconfirmed report says one of the targets is an Iranian presidential facility. It cites Iranian opposition reports that the homes of Iranian leaders are being targeted. Dozens of targets of the Iranian regime are being bombed in Tehran, including, among others, the presidential compound, the airport, and the intelligence headquarters. Both Iran and Israel have closed their airspace. Iran is preparing to retaliate following the joint strikes conducted by Israel and the United States on Saturday, according to state-affiliated media. Iran is preparing for revenge and a crushing response to the Zionist regime, said Tasnim, a semi-official news agency linked to Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This is a developing story. _ With inputs from agencies_ The US and Israel have gone to war against Iran; they launched deadly strikes against Tehran, targeting the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following the attacks, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu stated that it was time for the Iranian people to seize control of their destiny and remove the yoke of tyranny Vehicles line up during a traffic block, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters Donald Trump has been on a collision course with Iran since early January when the US president assured Iranians that help is on its way amid nationwide protests. And it seems that the moment has finally arrived with the US and Israel carrying out a joint operation Israel has called it Operation Lions Roar, whereas America has dubbed it Operation Epic Fury on Saturday (February 28). On Saturday, allies the US and Israel launched a joint operation against Iran, with officials reporting that Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were the main targets of the attacks. In turn, Iran has launched a barrage of missiles across Israel and other US bases in West Asia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch live updates from That has prompted many to ask: what is Trumps end game when it comes to Iran? Does Washington and Tel Aviv hope to eliminate Irans nuclear programme? Or is it about a regime change? US-Israel strikes on Iran and its targets The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday with an Israeli official saying Irans Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted but the result of the strikes was not clear. In fact, some of the first strikes appeared to hit areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. So far, there has been no statement from Iran on the whereabouts of Khamenei. But a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters While the whereabouts of Khamenei remain unknown, an Iranian source said several senior commanders in Irans Revolutionary Guards and political officials had been killed. Military sites in Kermanshah, Qum, Isfahan, Tabriz, Karaj and as well as at Iranian naval facilities in Kenarak in the south of the country were also targeted by the US and Israel. The attack came after tensions soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme. Trump and Netanyahu double down on regime change Following the strikes, the leaders of both the US and Israel defended their actions, stating that the motive was to wipe out the leadership in Tehran and make way for a revolution. Donald Trump in his address to the nation said, For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regimes very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Irans proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He further added that the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Irans proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before. US President Donald Trump, addressing the nation after the strikes on Iran, said that the objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. AFP Elaborating the purpose of the operation, Trump noted in his address, For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Its a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. The US president also urged Iranians to rise up against their leadership, stating that he was backing them with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass, Trump said in conclusion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus statement spoke about regime change. Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands, he said, adding: The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran to remove the yoke of tyranny and bring a free and peace-loving Iran. Reasons US and Israel want a regime change When Trump and Netanyahu speak of a regime change in Iran, they are looking at deposing 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Thats because he has long embodied the Islamic Republics posture of defiance towards its enemies, chiefly the United States and Israel. In power since 1989, Khamenei has been at the helm of affairs and overseen the steady advancement of Irans nuclear programme, framing uranium enrichment as a sovereign right. He has also been a staunch critic of the US as well as Israel, even calling the latter a cancerous tumour. Following last years 12-day war, Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz had said that Khamenei cannot continue to exist. A dictator like Khamenei who stands at the head of a state like Iran and has the horrible goal of destroying Israel cannot continue to exist, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD People walk near a mural featuring images of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and leader of Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on a street in Tehran. File image/Reuters But Khamenei remains unfazed and defiant. Even amid negotiations with the US, the Iranian supreme leader cast a pessimistic tone, saying the Iranian nation would not pledge allegiance to corrupt leaders like those who are in power in America today based on religious beliefs. The Ayatollah has also declined to let go of uranium enrichment and refuses to entertain discussion of Irans missile programme. His hatred for Israel has also led him to call the Jewish nation a terrorist base. Israel is not a country, but a terrorist base against the nation of Palestine and other Muslim nations, hes been quoted as saying, adding: Fighting this despotic regime is fighting oppression and terrorism, and (doing so) is everyones duty, he added. The huge cost of a regime change in Iran While Trump and Netanyahu have pushed for a regime change, experts note that such a move could come at a huge cost. As the Atlantic Council reported, a possible regime change could trigger a number of spillover and destabilising effects on Gulf countries. This matters deeply for a US administration operating with a business centric foreign policy, which is underpinned by strong relationships with the Gulf countries. Theres also no guarantees that the regimes collapse will lead to a flowering of freedom in Iran. Experts fear that it could go the Syria way. It seems Trump has taken a huge gamble. Whether it pays off or not, we shall have to wait and watch. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies After months of threats, Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran, targeting multiple cities, including Tehran. Iran has fired missiles in response, targeting the Jewish nation. The conflict comes a day after Donald Trump expressed his unhappiness with the Islamic Republic over the last round of talks they held over the latters nuclear programme People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran. AP After days and days of uncertainty, the moment is here. On Saturday morning (February 28), Israel launched what it called a pre-emptive attack against Iran. Shortly after explosions could be heard in Tehran, Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes are intended to remove threats to the State of Israel. Moreover, sirens were sound across Israel as the IDF Home Front Command warned civilians to stay close to bomb shelters. In a statement on Telegram, the Israeli army said the alerts are to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched towards Israel. It added in a separate statement that all areas of the country would be shifted from full activity to essential activity, including the closure of schools, prohibiting gatherings and closure of workplaces except for essential sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch live updates from Notably, Israels attack on Iran comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has ordered the biggest military build-up in decades in West Asia. The Trump administration has been demanding that Tehran drop its nuclear programme completely. So, whats going on? Why has Israel, not the US, attacked Iran? We unpack it all for you. What do we know of the Israeli strikes on Iran? On Saturday morning, Iranian state media began reporting that Tehran had witnessed multiple explosions in the north and east of Tehran, as well as in Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Shortly after, Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz affirmed that the Jewish nation had launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran. The State of Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran to remove threats against the State of Israel, a spokesperson for the minister said. Retaliation is expected, the spokesperson added. As a result, a missile and UAV attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame. After the announcement of the strike, Israel declared that it had shut down its airspace to civilian flights. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israels defence ministry announced it had launched a preemptive strike on Iran. AFP As news of the strikes unfolded, media reports citing US and Israeli sources said it was a joint operation between Israel and the United States. CNN reported that Israels attack was coordinated with the US, and Israels Ynet News has reported the same. An unnamed security source told Channel 12 that the operation was jointly planned for months. The source said Israel is going all out in this operation, and the US is on the same page. Moreover, the timing of the initial strikes for the morning hours was designed to surprise the Iranians, who would not have expected a daytime attack. How has Iran responded so far? In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, Iran has closed the countrys airspace. Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for Irans Civil Aviation Organisation, has announced in an interview with the Mehr News Agency that the entire countrys airspace has been closed until further notice. Moreover, cellphone communications have been disrupted across several areas of Irans capital Tehran. No calls are possible at present. Theres a chance internet might be disrupted soon as well. An Iranian official has told Reuters that Tehran is preparing for a response to US-Israeli attacks and the counterattacks are set to be crushing. In fact, hours after the strikes, Iran launched missiles towards Israel, prompting the IDF to alert people to enter safe rooms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Civilians staying in a shelter after alarms announced that Israel had launched an attack on Iran, in Ramat Gan, Israel. AP Why does the timing of the attack matter? The timing of Israels strike on Iran is significant. It came hours after US President Donald Trump said he was not happy with the latest negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme. Were not exactly happy with the way they (Iran) negotiated. They cannot have nuclear weapons, and were not thrilled with the way theyre negotiating, Trump told reporters earlier. The remarks by the US president came at the White House on Friday after talks between the US and Iran on Tehrans nuclear programme ended inconclusively, with a suggestion that further discussions would be held next week. Trump told reporters he favoured diplomacy but repeated his insistence that Iran could not possess a nuclear weapon. Itd be wonderful if they negotiated in good faith and conscience but they are not getting there so far, he said. Since the start of the year, Trump has threatened military action against Tehran if it does not reach a deal about its nuclear ambitions. He has ordered the largest US military build-up in West Asia since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, while Iran has vowed to respond to an attack with force. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Washington and Israel have asserted that Iran is moving towards developing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran has always denied. It claims its programme is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes despite having enriched uranium up to near weapons-grade level. The US president told reporters on Friday: I say no enrichment I think its uncivil. Even during his State of the Union address, Trump referred to the Iranian nuclear threat, repeating the claim that airstrikes last June had obliterated Irans nuclear weapons programme but warning that Tehran was starting to rebuild it and are at this moment pursuing their sinister ambitions. And even as negotiations were being held, the US authorised the departure of non-essential government workers and their families from Israel as the threat of an American strike on Iran looms. US citizens should consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available, the Department of State advisory added. It also urged against travel to Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A woman runs on empty boardwalk in Tel Aviv, after alarms announced that Israel had launched an attack on Iran. AP So, why now then? Some note that theres a symbolic meaning in Judaism. Ahead of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Purim, worshippers read a specific portion from the Old Testament, known as Zachor. The passage from the book of Deuteronomy commands the ancient Israelites to remember an unprovoked attack by the nation of Amalek and to eradicate the memory of Amalek once the Israelites are settled in their land, reports CNN. According to a Politico report, US officials had told Trump earlier that they would have prefer Israel striking Iran before the United States. These Trump administration officials privately argued that an Israeli attack would trigger Iran to retaliate, helping muster support from American voters. Some also believe that that this is Benjamin Netanyahu once again trying to force the United States to take action against Iran. As Mehran Kamrava, director of the Iranian studies unit at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies and professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, told Al Jazeera, As it did last June, it appears to have launched an attack designed to derail the negotiations between Iran and the US. I think [US President] Donald Trump pushed himself into a corner from which he couldnt back out. The so-called armada, the massive military build-up, the constant green lights to Israel over the last year and a half, and so I think in many ways, yet again, what we see is the Israelis forced Donald Trumps hand and he couldnt really say no to them at this juncture, Kamrava explained. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But outwardly, Donald Trump seems to be on board with the strikes. He wrote on Truth Social that the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran aim at eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Short time ago, US military began major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, he said. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. Ill say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon, he said. With inputs from agencies Explosions could be heard across major Iranian cities on Saturday (February 28), after Israel and the US launched a joint operation. According to officials, the two countries targeted official residences and defence installations in the Islamic Republic. In turn, Tehran has launched its own attack, targeting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and even US bases in Bahrain as well as Qatar A person takes shelter as sirens sounded in Jerusalem, following the announcement that Israel had launched a 'preemptive strike' on Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran must not be allowed to gain nuclear arms and urged Israelis to "stand together" after Israel and the United States launched strikes against the Islamic republic. AFP A full blown conflict has broken out in West Asia after Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran on Saturday morning (February 28). The operation, dubbed Roar of the Lion, by Israel has resulted in Iran launching its own counter-attack a barrage of missiles towards the Jewish nation. The US-Israel attacks came after Donald Trump expressed frustration at Iran s stance in negotiations over its nuclear and missile programmes. The American leader said Washingtons goal was eliminating imminent threats from Iran, while Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz described the action as a preventive strike. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch live updates from the The United States military began major combat operations in Iran, Trump said in a video message posted on his social media site while he spent the weekend at Mar-a-Lago. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. Were going to annihilate their navy, said Trump. As all three countries are now embroiled in a conflict, heres a closer look at the targets they chose during Operation Roar of the Lion. Targets chosen by US and Israel >> On Saturday morning, news first broke of explosions in the Iranian cities of Isfahan, Qom, Lorestan, Karaj, Kermanshah and Tabriz as well as the capital Tehran. Plumes of smoke could be seen from the cities after the blasts. Fars news agency said seven missile impacts were reported in the Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts of Tehran. >> I saw with my own eyes two Tomahawk missiles flying horizontally toward targets, an office worker told AFP on condition of anonymity. At first we heard a dull noise and thought it was a fighter jet. > According to Iranian state-affiliated news, explosions could be heard in Tehrans Pasteur district, which houses the highly secure compound of the residence and office of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran. AP >> It isnt clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his office at the time of the attacks. He hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. >> Reports also stated that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was among those targeted in the Israeli and US strikes in Iran this morning. However, the Iranian president is in full health, reported Irans Tasnim news agency. >> The other targets were the homes of ministers and military chiefs, defence and Intelligence Ministry installations, and a presidential facility. > One news report also stated that the US-Israel strikes targeted the Atomic Energy of Iran office, the defence ministry office and Parchin, a major Iranian military complex. Dozens of targets of the Iranian government are being bombed in Tehran, including, among others, the presidential compound, the airport, and intelligence headquarters Israel Hayom pic.twitter.com/7anm9IQO2e Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran responds with its strikes on Israel, other regions in West Asia >> Following the strikes, Israel said that Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against it. The IDF said that Iran has fired missiles towards Israel in response to the attack. Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel. > At this time, the Israeli Air Force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat. The defence is not hermetic, and therefore it is essential that the public continue to adhere to the Home Front Commands guidelines. The public is requested to continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, it said. Rocket trail from Israels Iron Dome missile defence system is seen over the skies of Jerusalem. The Israeli military said it detected missiles launched from Iran as sirens sounded across several parts of the country, after Israel earlier launched strikes on its arch-foe. AFP > Dozens of ballistic missiles have been launched towards Israel, Nour News, an outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said, according to CNN. Another state-affiliated news agency, Mehr News Agency, said the missiles were targeting the whole of Palestine, referring to Israel. Irans English-language state news outlet Press TV reported that 30 to 75 missiles were coming out of Iran right now. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD >> Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it has begun the first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks against Israel. In a statement, it says the attacks come in response to the hostile and criminal enemys aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. > There were sirens sounds in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and in northern and southern Israel. There are no reports of injuries following Irans ballistic missile attack on northern Israel, the Magen David Adom ambulance service was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel. People take shelter under the bridge of a highway after Israels military announced they identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel and sirens are sounded, near Latrun, Israel. Reuters >> Meanwhile, the IDF has instructed civilians to remain in bomb shelters until further notice. You are requested to continue following the Home Front Command instructions and the guidelines distributed to you. You must remain in a protected area until an official notice is given, the army says. >> Moreover, the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have decided to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. Thats according to two senior Houthi officials, who spoke in condition of anonymity because there is no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. One of the officials said the rebels first attack could come as soon as tonight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD > The rebels ceased their attacks on the Red Sea shipping route as part of a deal with the Trump administration that also halted US strikes against the Houthis. They also stopped their attacks against Israel after an October ceasefire that halted major fighting in Gaza. A U.S. military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes. pic.twitter.com/yqNSXTXZjE Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) February 28, 2026 >> An Al Jazeera report stated that explosions have taken place in Bahrain. Iran has reportedly targeted a US base in Bahrain. Smoke is seen rising from the Al-Juffair area in Bahrain, which houses a US naval base. Earlier, Bahrains Interior Ministry issued an emergency alert and urged citizens to nearest safe location. >> Emergency sirens were also heard near the US base in Qatar. The country has intercepted two Iranian missiles, according to an official. >> Explosions have also been heard in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Narendra Modis two-day visit to Israel was a success, with the two sides committing to a free trade deal and pacts on defence, tech and AI. We explain the importance of this relationship and more in our weekly wrap In an age of a changing world order, India is working to forge stronger relations with allies and mend frayed ones. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel, and now Canadian PM Mark Carney is in India. During PM Modis two-day visit to Israel (February 25 and February 26), he was given a red carpet welcome by his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his wife, Sara Netanyahu. Modi addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, the first Indian PM to do so, and he was also awarded the Speaker of the Knesset Medal for his significant contributions to Israel and the Jews. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi and Bibi held bilateral talks to boost ties. Both nations committed to a free trade deal, expanded worker mobility, UPI integration, and deeper cybersecurity cooperation. We tracked this visit closely. Canada PM Mark Carney is on a four-day visit to India beginning Friday (February 27). His first stop is Mumbai, where he will hold separate business engagements with top Indian and Canadian corporate leaders and financial experts. He is expected to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday (March 1) and hold formal talks with PM Modi the next day. After ups and downs over the last two and a half years, India and Canada look to reset ties. In New Delhi, the decolonisation driver continues. A statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens is replaced by one of C Rajagopalachari, the first Indian occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan; he was the Indian governor general from June 1948 to January 1950. In a shocker from Haryana, a Chandigarh branch of the IDFC FIRST Bank finds itself embroiled in a Rs 590-crore fraud. It was allegedly committed by bank employees and external parties in accounts held by the Haryana government. Four people have been arrested in the case: two former IDFC FIRST employees and their family members. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup. 1. PM Narendra Modis two-day visit to Israel has only brought the two nations closer. The bonhomie with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was on display they hugged, carpooled, and Bibi even donned the Modi jacket. But beyond this warm friendship, there was more. India and Israel have elevated bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership, with agreements on defence, technology, AI and trade. A free trade deal is in the works, and a pact has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel. We analyse. Here are highlights from a special visit to Israel, marked by productive conversations and strengthened cooperation. May our partnership continue to grow in the times to come! pic.twitter.com/i0eHI9usel Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2. Until last year, India and Canadas ties were rocky. However, Mark Carney, who is visiting India, looks to change that. After business engagements in Mumbai, the Canadian PM heads to New Delhi, where talks will be held with PM Modi. Heres what to expect. 3. Indians in Ireland were at the receiving end of racist attacks. It all started with an article in an Irish publication that reported a university turning away students from its food bank due to overwhelming demand. The report, which highlighted the cost-of-living crisis, was accompanied by a photograph of students lining up outside the University of Galways pantry. It showed students from different social backgrounds, but social media stories told only half-truths, highlighting those of South Asian heritage. Thats how the backlash began, with some demanding that Indians be deported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Students access the service via a lottery system as demand outstrips supply This is an example of whats going on throughout the pic.twitter.com/ScYId3WEdX Frank Conway (@FrankConway2025) February 21, 2026 4. Back in India, the Modi government has been focused on decolonisation. Central Delhi has been synonymous with Lutenys. British architect Edwin Lutyens was known for designing the layout of the Capital, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate and the North and South Blocks. Now, his statue has been removed from the presidents residence and replaced with that of C Rajagopalachari, the Indian governor general from June 1948 to January 1950. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Droupadi Murmu unveils the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor General of independent India, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Image courtesy: @rashtrapatibhvn/X 5. Talking about changes, the Union Cabinet has given a nod to Kerala to change its name to Keralam. The approval comes ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. Amid this, West Bengal continues to wait; its latest proposal to rename the state Bangla has been pending despite several resolutions. But what does it take to change the name of a state? This story explains. 6. A Rs 590-crore fraud at the IDFC FIRST Banks Chandigarh branch sent shockwaves across India. It came to light after entries linked to the Haryana government reported mismatches between actual bank balances and the amounts reflected in records. According to the bank, the staff at its Chandigarh branch executed unauthorised transactions in the accounts linked to the state. Those involved were a former bank manager, a former relationship manager, and their kin. Here is all you need to know about the scam. 7. Our next story is about school textbooks. Who would have thought they would earn the ire of the Supreme Court and the prime minister? On Thursday (February 26), the SC imposed a complete ban on the publication, printing or digital dissemination of an NCERT Class 8 book, which included a section on corruption in the judiciary. PM Narendra Modi also reportedly took a strong exception to it. We look at the row and the past controversies involving NCERT books. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 8. The K-wave started in India during the pandemic and has refused to recede since. It has made South Korean food, culture and places aspirational. Thats how Jeju Island, which is the backdrop of hit shows like When Life Gives You Tangarines, has gained popularity. The Indian embassy in Seoul has recently issued a travel advisory for this tourist paradise. It comes after influencer Sachin Awasthi and wife were denied entry to the island. Heres what happened. The Indian embassy has advised Indians planning to visit Jeju Island to carefully follow the guidelines issued by it. File photo/Reuters These are the must-read stories about India. You can find more such explainers here. A full-blown war has broken out between the US, Israel, and Iran. Its a conflict that could go on for days, say sources. Amid the rising tensions, we look at the power players United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran following negotiations and a crackdown on mass protests against the Islamic Republic. File image/Reuters It was a usual Saturday morning in Iran until the US-Israel launched a coordinated strike across the nation. US President Donald Trump said Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He urged the Iranian people to take over the government. He also said that there could be American casualties following Iran strikes, saying that often happens in war.' Iran has confirmed casualties from the ongoing military campaign. At least 51 people were killed after an Israeli strike hit a school in Iran, local officials told Tasnim News Agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, in retaliation for the US and Israel attack on Tehran and other cities, Iran has targeted American military bases in the Gulf. Explosions were heard in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. As the full-blown war breaks out between the US-Israel and Iran, here are the key actors in the crisis: President Donald Trump The US president has sought to position himself as a global peacemaker, but on Iran, he has taken a consistently hard line. Last year, his forces joined Israels war with the Islamic Republic by conducting strikes on nuclear sites. During the mass protests that shook Iran in January, Trump warned he would hit very hard if authorities start killing people as they have in the past. US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the US in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social. File image/Reuters In his first term, Trump was the architect of the maximum pressure doctrine aimed at weakening Iran economically and diplomatically. In 2018, he pulled the United States out of the international agreement on Irans nuclear programme, which offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its ambitions. While Western countries and Israel accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, Tehran has consistently maintained its programme is for civilian purposes. In February, Trump reopened indirect negotiations with Iran, while continuing to multiply his threats. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Iran's 86-year-old supreme leader has long embodied the Islamic Republics posture of defiance towards its enemies, chiefly the United States and Israel. In power since 1989 and holding the final say on all major state matters, Khamenei has overseen the steady advancement of Irans nuclear programme, framing uranium enrichment as a sovereign right. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Expanding Irans regional influence in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen has been a defining feature of his foreign policy. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left Tehran. He has been shifted to a secure location. File image/Reuters Khamenei has insisted Iran will never surrender to the United States and is sceptical about diplomacy. During nuclear talks in 2025, he said he doubted a deal would lead to any outcome, arguing that Irans problems should be solved internally. When talks resumed, he warned that Iran was capable of sinking American warships. Khamenei refuses to abandon uranium enrichment and will not entertain discussion of Irans missile programme. The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war, he warned. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu For decades, the Israeli prime minister has cast Irans nuclear ambitions, its missile arsenal and its support for militant groups as an existential danger. Netanyahu's push for military action first materialised during the 12-day war last June, and he continued to maintain that Israel would again act to prevent any resurgence of Irans attack capabilities. After attacking Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, a joint US campaign will let Iranians take their fate into their own hands. File image/Reuters In January, addressing the Iranian public directly, Netanyahu said he hoped the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And this month, he warned that if the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will experience a response they cannot even imagine. Netanyahu has repeatedly urged the Iranian people to overthrow their leaders and restore the ties the two countries had before the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Reza Pahlavi, the Shahs son The eldest son of the last shah has positioned himself as a potential leader of a democratic transition in Iran, though he has not visited Iran since before the revolution. The former crown prince entered the global spotlight during the recent protests, where Pahlavi will return was among the anti-government slogans chanted nationwide. He urged Iranians to join the protests and called for demonstrations abroad. Based in the US, he has urged Washington to intervene directly to support Iranians seeking to oust the authorities. I am here to guarantee a transition to a secular democratic future, Pahlavi told supporters in Munich in February. It is time to end the Islamic republic, he said, urging Trump to help. He remains a polarising figure, particularly within the Iranian opposition. Pahlavi has faced criticism for his support for Israel, including a highly publicised visit in 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Highly critical of repression under the Islamic Republic, he has never distanced himself from the abuses of his fathers era. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Saudi Arabias crown prince and de facto ruler has long shared the view of other Gulf states: they are happy to see a weakened Iran, but fear that destabilising it could ignite chaos for the region. Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, the worlds top oil exporter, has a traditionally fraught relationship with Iran, its heavyweight Shiite rival across the Gulf. Months after becoming crown prince in 2017, Prince Mohammed raised hackles in Tehran when he described Khamenei as a Middle East Hitler. But Riyadh and Tehran buried the hatchet when they restored ties in 2023 in a rapprochement brokered by China. Regional stability has become the goal for Saudi Arabia, and when a US attack first appeared likely in January, it and other Gulf nations pressed Washington to hold off. With inputs from agencies Iran was quick to retaliate against the US and Israels attack. It has fired missiles at the Jewish nation, and explosions were heard in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, as the Islamic Republic targeted American military bases. But does Tehran have the firepower for a long conflict? A man walks past a mural depicting the US Statue of Liberty with the torch-bearing arm broken, painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy, in Tehran. On Saturday (February 28), a conflict broke out between Israel, the US and Iran when the former two countries launched strikes against the Islamic Republic. File image/AFP West Asia is on edge, as a conflict unfolds after the US and Israel have attacked Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted in the strikes, but it is unclear if they were hit. US President Donald Trump confirmed major combat operations are underway, as he called for regime change in the Islamic Republic. The US is reportedly planning for several days of attacks. Iran has responded by launching unprecedented strikes towards Israel and US targets across West Asia. Explosions were heard in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, as Tehran attempted to hit US military bases. The situation seems to be escalating by the minute. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch live updates from the But can Iran sustain this conflict with the mighty US and Israel? Irans military manpower Iran has a powerful military, with Global Firepower stating that it is a Top 20 global military power. In fact, Iran is ranked 16 out of 145 countries considered. The International Institute for Strategic Studies notes that the Iranian armed forces are among the largest in West Asia, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserve personnel divided among the traditional army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attend an exercise in southern Iran. The Iranian armed forces are among the largest in West Asia, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel. File image/Reuters The regime in Iran also commands the Basij religious militia, a volunteer paramilitary force loyal to the establishment, which is often used to crack down on anti-government protests. Analysts say Basij volunteers may number in the millions. The Guards also operate the Quds Force, an elite unit in charge of arming, training and supporting the network of proxy militias throughout West Asia known as the axis of resistance. These militias include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militia groups in Syria and Iraq and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. According to Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and an expert on Irans military, There is a reason Iran has not been struck. Its not that Irans adversaries fear Iran. Its that they realise any war against Iran is a very serious war. While the proxy militias are not counted as part of Irans armed forces, analysts say they are considered an allied regional force battle-ready, heavily armed and ideologically loyal and could come to Irans aid. Irans treasure trove of weapons Apart from the manpower, Iran has a vast arsenal of airplanes, long-range missiles, drones and air defences. Tehran, in fact, has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in West Asia. That includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometres, or more than 1,200 miles. These have the capacity and range to hit any target in West Asia, including Israel. This includes the Sejil, which has a range of 2,494 km, as well as the Kheibar, boasting a range of 1,494 km. People visit the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran. The country boasts of one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in West Asia. File image/Reuters Iran has made no secret of the build-up, displaying its trove of drones and missiles during military parades, and has ambitions to build a large export business in drones. Irans Shahed drones are being used by Russia in Ukraine and have surfaced in the conflict in Sudan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran also claims to have a multi-warhead missile, known as the Khorramshahr, which was first tested in 2017 and appears likely to be derived from a North Korean missile, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project. Iranian drones are displayed during a ceremony of the joining new drones to the Iranian armys combat organisation. File image/Reuters The Arms Control Association, a Washington-based non-governmental organisation, notes that Irans missile programme is largely based on North Korean and Russian designs and has also received Chinese assistance. When it comes to land power, Iran boasts of having 1,713 tanks as well as 1,517 rocket projectors. When it comes to the seas, Tehran has built a large fleet of speedboats and some small submarines that are capable of disrupting shipping traffic and global energy supplies that pass through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran is considered to be a militarily strong nation, many defence experts note that it lags far behind the power and sophistication of the armed forces of the United States, Israel and some European countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For instance, Irans air force strength is negligible. Many of the aircraft are from the Shah regime of 1941 to 1979. Moreover, some of Irans tanks and armoured vehicles are old and outdated. Irans nuclear capabilities While Iran doesnt have a nuclear weapon yet, it has a long history of engaging in secret nuclear weapons research in violation of its international commitments. Western analysts say the Islamic Republic has the knowledge and infrastructure to produce a nuclear weapon in fairly short order should its leaders decide to do so. A satellite imagery taken on January 30, 2026 shows a new roof over a previously destroyed building at Natanz nuclear site, Iran. Reuters Analysts believe that Iran could produce enough fissile material for a weapon in a few months. Others say they could produce such material in just a week or two, although many acknowledge that it would likely take longer for it to manufacture a nuclear weapon. Fearing the worst, last June, the US targeted critical nuclear and military infrastructure across Iran, including Natanz, the countrys main nuclear enrichment site. Washington also targeted Fordow, an Iranian uranium enrichment facility. A test for Iran? Iran has been preparing for an imminent strike. However, its quick response to Saturdays attack comes as a surprise. That said, the US has the biggest military in the world, and with the backing of Israel, they are only indomitable. They (Iran) have about 2,000 to 3,000 missiles that they are capable of launching. The problem that they have is that they dont have, at least according to the intelligence estimates, they dont have the launchers that they had, retired US Air Force Col Cedric Leighton told CNNs Becky Anderson. According to the military expert, Iran is believed to have around a third of the launchers it had before the June attacks last year. I expected them to mount a response but not a response of this magnitude at this particular moment in time. So, they were clearly getting ready for this, Leighton told CNN. They were prepared. It remains to be seen how long they can continue fighting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has received "more than ten" Norwegian NASAMS air defense systems. "Norwegian NASAMS systems helped us a lot. I will not share the exact number of NASAMS we have, but it is more than ten and we are still getting them. We have also received missiles for NASAMS made by Norway. However, even domestic Norwegian stocks werent enough. And then Norway worked with other countries at the political level to provide us with some additional missiles. This was very important," Zelenskyy said in an interview with NRK News. The president also said that in parallel, Ukraine were working on joint production and IRIS-T systems. "And then it was like a rising wave: when one country stepped up, other real allies, like Norway, followed." On February 25, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has NASAMS air defense infrastructure, as the priority is to protect 230 facilities, some of which were protected by these systems. "We have NASAMS, we have this infrastructure. Its not just one, its two. Its more. I dont want to share the exact number here, but all the NASAMS are operational because we have a priority 230 facilities that need to be protected. But some of them were protected by NASAMS," Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Kyiv. At the Rising Bharat 2026 event, Network18 presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a special edition book chronicling his life and leadership. Conceived to mark his 75th birthday, the 176-page volume captures 75 milestones that define his journey from a young student in Vadnagar and an RSS pracharak to Chief Minister of Gujarat, Prime Minister of India and a global statesman. Titled Modi at 75, the visually rich book was handed over to the Prime Minister by Rahul Joshi, Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief, and the core team behind the project: Brajesh Kumar Singh, Group Editor for Integration and Convergence; Rashmi Singh, Editor for Infographics; Soumyadip Choudhury, Product Head for News18 and Local18; Nadeem Alam, Executive Creative Director; Triparna Mitra, Principal Creative Director; Utpal Kumar, Deputy Executive Editor; Alankar, Principal Creative Director; and, Santanu Kumar Santan, Creative Director. The Prime Minister also met the team on the occasion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The book stands apart from a conventional publication. It is both a visual archive and a carefully structured narrative. Organised into five sections, it traces his formative years, his rise in public life, his tenure as Gujarats Chief Minister, his ongoing leadership as Prime Minister, and his role in shaping Indias global engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Rahul Joshi (R), Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief, and the team behind the Modi at 75 special edition at Rising Bharat 2026 The volume draws on rarely seen archival material, including photographs, letters, memorabilia and even an entry from the Prime Ministers diary. Several of these have not been published before. The effort behind the book was extensive. A team of six researchers worked for over five months, planning, verifying details, combing through archives and sourcing rare images to ensure that no significant milestone was overlooked. This was followed by more than two months of intensive design development, illustration work and editorial review, with multiple rounds of discussions and vetting to maintain accuracy and context. An AI-generated rendering of Narendra Modi during his first spiritual journey across India, one of the creative highlights that drew a hearty laugh from the Prime Minister at the presentation The project brought together some of the networks most experienced editors and designers. It also used artificial intelligence to create illustrative renderings of moments from the Prime Ministers life for which photographic records do not exist. One such AI-generated depiction, portraying a phase of his life as an ascetic, drew a hearty laugh from the Prime Minister when he saw it. Adding depth to the narrative are reflections from distinguished voices across the world. Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has written the preface, sharing his impressions of Narendra Modis leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses his friend Narendra in a personal letter. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, offers her perspective, while leading figures from Indias corporate sector reflect on his vision for growth and development. Together, these contributions highlight the breadth of his global relationships and the impact of his leadership across sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Glimpses from the book: Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott pens the preface for Modi at 75 Glimpses from the book: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu writes a special letter to his friend for Modi at 75 The books chapters reflect the arc of his public life. Humble Beginnings traces his early years. Rising Through the Ranks follows his grassroots work in the Sangh and the BJP. A State Builder examines his years in Gujarat and the governance model that drew national attention. Believing in Bharat looks at his efforts to steer a new India. Navigating the Globe focuses on his diplomatic outreach and global partnerships. More than a commemorative volume, Modi at 75 aims to serve as a reference work that sets out a clear timeline of events and achievements, addressing gaps and misconceptions that sometimes arise in fragmented news narratives. It is designed as a collectors edition for readers interested in understanding the rise of a leader who journeyed from a small town in Gujarat to the highest elected office in the worlds largest democracy. A page from the Prime Ministers diary: Excerpts from a Gujarati poem written by Narendra Modi during the Nav Nirman Movement At Rising Bharat 2026, the presentation of the book and the Prime Ministers interaction with the team celebrated not only his 75 years, but also marked a moment of recognition of the collaborative effort that went into documenting them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You can read the special edition Modi at 75 here. Nearly nine years have passed since Narendra Modi last visited Israel nine years of pandemic, war on multiple fronts, and shifting global alignments. That the Indian Prime Minister was back in Jerusalem, addressing the Knesset in a historic first, was no small thing. It signals that the strategic friendship between our two countries has weathered every storm and is ready to advance into a new phase of the relationship. An alliance that reflects mutual interests but also shares common values and vision. Following PM Modis visit, the real test is to translate renewed momentum and vision into reality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When Modi last stood on Israeli soil in 2017, he laid the groundwork for a decade of upgraded ties. His team left with a clear vision built on two principles: that the Israel-India partnership must become so deep it transcends any single ruling party in New Delhi, and that its fruits must generate a positive impact not only bilaterally but also regionally and globally. The Israeli governments resolution, which passed this week, has an important symbolic significance to reinstate the importance of relations with India for Israel. At the same time, it lacks measurable targets, actionable language, any sense of urgency, and key partnership components, such as regional interconnectivity (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), critical minerals, and more. At 148 million shekels, its budget is a fraction of the comparable decision approved in 2017, estimated at 240 million shekels. Having said that, the resolution acknowledges the strategic importance of AI as a core area of the Israel-India partnership. It outlines a few ideas for deeper cooperation in the field. The focus on AI is not a populist move but a necessary one, which is crucial for economic growth, earning a seat at the table of global supply chains, and generating a technological and geopolitical advantage over rivals. So what should be done to move from ceremonies to action and truly shape a new era for the partnership? Setting ambitious goals that will reflect the complementary attributes of the Israeli and Indian economies, recognising Indias rise as a global power, and focusing on joint innovation. Lets start with trade. Bilateral non-defence trade reached over $10 billion in 20222023 before collapsing to roughly $3.75 billion under the weight of war. Israel should set a concrete target of $15 billion by 2030, achievable if the FTA is signed by the end of this year and the diamond-and-gems distortion in trade figures is corrected in favour of high-value goods and services. On investments, the gap should be bridged quickly: Indias total investment in Israeli companies over the past quarter century amounts to just $443 million (excluding the Adani Groups investment in Haifa port). Japan, which stepped in to fill the vacuum left by China after 2018, has itself pulled back since October 7. India can and should become Israels leading Asian investor, with a target of $1 billion in new investment, prioritising high-tech, set as a clear benchmark. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The real strategic frontier lies in technology. Israel is a global leader in AI applications; India is racing to establish itself in chip manufacturing, large-scale data infrastructure, and AI development. Both countries are part of the US-led Pax Silica coalition to secure AI supply chains and reduce dependency on China. This alignment is not coincidental; it reflects converging national interests. AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and space should form the spine of the next chapter of Israel-India relations as operational pillars with funding, institutions, and timelines behind them. Israeli technology also offers a workaround for one of the most frustrating geopolitical bottlenecks: the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The physical infrastructure linking India through the Gulf to Israel and on to Europe remains stalled by regional politics, dependent on Saudi and Jordanian goodwill that Israel cannot take for granted. But IMEC has a digital and cyber dimension, in data, energy, and connectivity, where Israeli expertise is directly applicable, and where progress does not require a normalisation deal. Nonetheless, Israel should seek formal association with IMEC, appoint a dedicated envoy, and embed its technology in the initiatives non-physical layers. Moreover, Israel-India cooperation can go beyond the original lines of IMEC and create an impact through other connectivity initiatives and countries of interest: Indonesia, Central Asia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and countries in Africa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On defence, the partnership is already mature and must now evolve. Israel has been a reliable security partner to India since the wars of 1965 and 1971, through Kargil in 1999, and through Operation Sindoor last year. Defence exports to India from 2020 to 2024 exceeded $4 billion; new contracts signed in early 2026 reportedly bring the figure to $8.6 billion. But the benefits have largely flowed to Israels major defence firms. The startups and smaller companies that emerged from the crucible of October 7 with battle-tested technologies in autonomous systems, electronic warfare, and precision strike have barely entered the Indian market. Israel should use its flagship defence relationships and industries as leverage to open doors for these smaller players, whether through subcontracting, joint ventures, or technology licensing for Indian production. There is also a longer-term model worth exploring: Israeli-designed defence systems manufactured in India for export to third countries. This would serve Israeli interests by expanding industrial capacity, reducing pressure on domestic production lines, advancing Indias ambition to enter the top tier of global arms exporters, and using India as a strategic bridge to markets where Israel cannot operate directly. The stars are aligning. The question is whether Israel has the strategic clarity and bureaucratic will to act. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The milestones ahead are worth keeping in mind. In 2027, Israel and India will mark a decade since the landmark 2017 upgrade in relations, 35 years of formal diplomatic ties, and, from Indias perspective, exactly 20 years before the national centenary goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. Modis visit to Israel should launch that countdown, not merely celebrate past warmth. True progress between nations is not made in ceremonial speeches. It is made in trade agreements signed, investments landed, technologies deployed, and joint projects that outlast any single government. Israel has a rare opportunity to build a partnership with a country of 1.5 billion people, a $4 trillion economy, and the geopolitical weight to reshape the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The vision has been stated. It is time to make it real. (Joseph Rozen is an expert on national security and international affairs, managing director of Solaris Global Partners, a boutique geopolitical consultancy, and a senior fellow at the Misgav Institute. Rozen was formerly a director at the Israeli NSC, leading the governmental work on advancing relations with India and forming the 2017 Israeli government decision on India before PM Modis historic first visit to Israel. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The world, especially the middle powers and the Global South, want India to be successful and are vesting in its success The Trump administrations second term has fundamentally altered the trajectory of India-US relations, moving from two decades of patient understanding to an era of explicit coercion designed to force India into geopolitical alignment on Washingtons terms. File image These are strange times. A week feels as if a decade has passed in between. American warships are at Irans doorstep. Washington has asked its embassy staff to evacuate from Israel and the MENA region. An attack is imminent. West Asia and beyond will be thrown into cataclysmic turbulence to add to the fires raging elsewhere. This genie wont be rebottled soon. Donald Trumps United States is seeking to violently remake the world. He dreams of a return to the white Christendoms imperial ways. China, meanwhile, seeks to undermine American hegemony and bend the world to its will through force or trade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A third power is also on the rise, an ancient civilization, once the worlds preeminent force that seeks to reclaim its rightful place under the sun. Not through imperialism or by unleashing the dogs of war, territorial aggrandizement, revanchism or export control of critical commodities. But by being a friend to all, and a bridge between the Global South and the West. It will do so by focusing on the strength within, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit Friday night, Tat Tvam Asi the ultimate reality we seek lies within us. The strength we are searching for is already inside us; we simply need to recognise it. Over the past 11 years, India has rediscovered that inner strength and is continuously working to reinforce it. Long way to go, but India is showing that it is possible. As I write this piece, latest GDP numbers have been released. India has clocked a third quarter growth of 7.8%, beating estimates. Domestic growth drivers are showing strength. For some time now, India has been the fastest growing large economy and wont be long before it is the worlds third largest. As they say, economic growth is the best foreign policy. It is showing in the way the world is lining up. Canada, whose Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in Mumbai Friday for a four-day trip with a high-level business delegation including CEOs, industry experts and innovators, is keen to reset ties after the toxic spell cast by Justin Trudeau. Carney wants to stitch a more resilient economy. He wants to advance trade, technology, energy, and people-to-people ties with India as Canada faces a bitter divorce from the US. He means business. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ahead of the trip, Ottawa said India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada, a stunning shift in stance after Trudeau, the former PM, had told the Canadian Parliament in September 2023 that Indian government is behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. It led to an unprecedented crash and burn of bilateral relationship. Now, Canadian officials state that previous concerns about active foreign interference and repression in Canada by agents linked to the Indian government no longer apply. The reset is real. Or take Israel, where the Prime Minister just returned from a highly successful state visit this week, marking a decisive shift in Indias West Asia policy. The visit was undertaken at a time when Israel and US are on the verge of declaring war on Iran, and showed the quiet confidence in New Delhi that kinetic action wont break out as long as Modi was on Israels shores. It shows mutual trust. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Israel elevated their ties to Special Strategic Partnership and signed 17 agreements, including on defence, security, trade, innovation and technology, terrorism, and sought to fuse complementary strengths Israels prowess in technology and innovation and Indias as a repository of talent, manufacturing excellence and entrepreneurial energy. But thats just one aspect of the story. Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife came to receive Modi at the airport, both were there again to see him off during departure, and in between, the bitterly divided Israeli parties especially the Opposition that threatened to boycott Modis maiden speech at Knesset united to welcome him and leader of opposition Yair Lapid called Modi a true friend of his country. The Knesset broke out with chants of Modi, Modi during the address, and the Indian PM was awarded Speaker of the Knesset medal, the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament that was illuminated with the colours of Indian flag. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Lula da Silva of Brazil, a fellow member of BRICS, came to India in February with a huge business delegation. He committed to taking bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the next five years, suggested that both countries use own currencies than settling transactions in greenback, called for Global South to unionise against Trumps tariffs, and sealed a deal on critical minerals and rare earths. Brazil has the worlds second-largest reservoir of rare earth minerals. And in this very month, Indias HCL Technologies and Taiwans semiconductor giant Foxconn announced the setting up of a semiconductor facility in Uttar Pradesh, marking a huge leap in Indias journey towards technological self-reliance. These are not disjointed, coincidental developments. They indicate a rising tide of bets on India on its scaling up of capabilities, meeting the promise and charting the path to greatness. The world especially the middle powers and the Global South want India to be successful and are vesting in its success. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Consider the procession of world leaders between last December and March that has beaten a path to New Delhi. Russian President Vladimir Putin in December, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as Republic Day chief guests, and French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Lula, and Canadas Carney this month. This parade of high-level visitors culminated in the India AI Impact Summit, which drew over 20 heads of state, 100-plus global CEOs, delegations from 118 countries, and over five lakh visitors, making it one of the largest AI gatherings in history. This convergence of global attention reflects a structural shift in the international order, already in a state of violent flux, where Indias unique combination of political stability, young demography, economic velocity, geographic position, institutional capacity, and geopolitical swing state status makes it indispensable to every major powers strategic calculus. Russia needs India to sustain its most important relationship outside China, Brazil and the Global South view India as a co-leader of the developing world, a partner in reforming multilateral institutions and a strategic ally in building alternatives to US-dominated economic governance. Macron has placed France and India as a third force in the global AI race by championing sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and civilization-scale innovation beyond the US-China duopoly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Germany wants to collaborate with India on critical and emerging technologies, critical minerals, defence and security, digitalisation, telecommunications, renewable energy and labour mobility. The European Union has just signed the mother of all trade deals, creating the worlds largest free trade zone. This deal is at the heart of EUs new Europe strategy. Canada is eyeing a 10-year, $2.05 billion uranium supply deal along with energy commitments to the worlds second-largest importer of crude. Carney is hoping to wrap up these deals along with bringing negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to near completion. The deal, that may be concluded by November, may take bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Every major power calculates that Indias alignment materially affects the global balance of power, trade flows, technology ecosystems, and institutional governance. This indicates that India possesses significant agency. And yet Indias greatness is not a given, neither is it a foregone conclusion. If India has incredible agency, the path to being a great power requires New Delhi to exercise that agency and therein hangs a tale. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias grand strategy, as foreign minister S Jaishankar writes in his book, The India Way, should be to give India maximum options in its relations with the outside world that is, to enhance Indias strategic space and capacity for independent agency which in turn will give it maximum options for its own internal development. This striving for increased space and options is the heart of Indias foreign policy, that has at various times expressed itself in terms of non-alignment, strategic autonomy or now, multi-alignment. This multi-vector foreign policy that aims to find the strategic sweet spot by identifying shared interests with other middle or great powers or tries to tap regional contradictions to Indias benefit is now becoming increasingly difficult with a paranoid Trump forcing India to take sides. The Trump administrations second term has fundamentally altered the trajectory of India-US relations, moving from two decades of patient understanding to an era of explicit coercion designed to force India into geopolitical alignment on Washingtons terms. Through an escalating architecture of punitive tariffs, energy import conditionalities, diplomatic humiliation, visa restrictions, and strategic signalling toward Pakistan, the US has mounted an unprecedented multi-domain assault on Indias strategic autonomy. Trump wants Indias compliance on Russian oil, agricultural market access, and a $500 billion purchasing commitment, all without offering any reciprocal obligation. This shift reflects a deeper structural change in American grand strategy. Washington has moved from courting India as a counterweight to China to demanding economic and strategic alignment on US terms. Trumps style is one of across-the-board coercion; what India is experiencing is part of a broader American strategy of demanding submission from partners, not dialogue among equals. Americas decline anxiety presents India with a paradox. On the one hand India is now a powerful player on the global stage. A vector state whose policy choices and strategic preferences alter the global trajectory on energy, technology, or security, on the other hand Americas insecurity over its relative decline, the rise of a peer competitor in China and Trumps behaviour as a predatory hegemon is leading to a tight squeeze on Indias swing-state behaviour. For instance, the demand that India cease purchasing Russian crude represents the most direct assault on Indias policy autonomy. The February 2026 executive order rescinding the 25% punitive tariff was explicitly conditioned on India stopping direct or indirect imports of Russian crude and increasing purchases of US energy products. By framing Indian energy imports as a US national-security issue, the administration turned economic engagement into a compliance test. Indias energy policy, defence procurement choices, and multilateral affiliations (BRICS, SCO) are all now ostensibly subject to American scrutiny and potential punishment. India is therefore at the crossroads. It has the agency to act, but it must exercise that agency to make choices. It should have the confidence to enjoy the fruits of its decisions and the forbearance to suffer the consequences of its actions. Greatness cannot be achieved by being risk averse. That doesnt mean India needs to join the American or the Chinese camp. India will never capitulate. But a truly independent foreign policy will involve front-loading of pain and acceptance of costs for a better future. Trumps coercive campaign is already producing the opposite of the intended effect. Within Indias strategic establishment, there is determination that New Delhi will not be cowed. The Modi government appears willing to bear near-term economic pain to preserve its red lines, as it managed to do in the trade framework that has now been rendered uncertain due to the cancelling of Trumps tariffs by the US Supreme Court. The most consequential strategic response has been Indias accelerated diversification toward Europe. Jaishankar began the New Year in Europe, with stops in Paris and Luxembourg, participating in the India-Weimar Triangle with France, Germany and Poland. India and the EU signed one of the most ambitious free trade agreements and a landmark Security and Defence Partnership. In Von der Leyens words, India and Europe are trusted and reliable strategic partners. We stand together. United in our commitment to help our businesses endure, thrive and grow. To reduce our strategic dependencies. And to realise the incredible potential of our economic relationship. India is intensifying its relationship with middle powers and creating a complex matrix of partnerships to better absorb the shocks being delivered by Trump, under whom America is pivoting from the role of an underwriter of the global order to a predatory hegemon. Since the imposition of Trumps tariffs in August last year, India has signed or close to signing a batch of FTAs in 18 months (with the EU, UK, Oman, New Zealand, and is reviving negotiations with Canada, Israel, Qatar and Peru). It is set to assume the presidency of BRICS, it has received commitments worth $270 billion in AI investment at the AI Impact Summit, and it is deepening cooperation with Israel, France, Germany, and Brazil. The final stretch, as the Prime Minister said at the Rising Bharat Summit yesterday, will depend on focusing on inner strength. Indias promise can be met only if the demographic dividend is converted into actual economic gains through human capital investment, manufacturing expansion, institutional reform and bold strategic choices. The multipolar world is finally upon us, and India seems ready to seize the moment. (Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Israels pre-emptive strikes have once again derailed a near-final nuclear deal, revealing that the conflict with Iran was never solely about its nuclear programme but equally about its missile capability and regional power projection After a long wait and watch and in a virtual repeat of the initiation of the 12 Day War in June 2025. Israel launched pre-emptive strikes into Iran in broad daylight on February 28. Announcing it, the Israeli Defence Minister stated that The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel, adding that a state of emergency has been declared in Israel. While an attack on Iran was imminent, given the massive military buildup taking place in the region in the past few days, the pre-emptive strike has not come as a surprise to all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Repeat of June 2025 This strike is almost like a mirror image of what happened in June 2025 when Israel struck pre-emptively on June 13, initiating the 12 Day War. Why is it important? Because the nuclear talks between Iran and the US were progressing well, and Iran and the US were scheduled for their fifth round of talks on a possible nuclear deal on June 15. Obviously, there were no talks thereafter once the war broke out. Also, prior to the previous war, in March 2025, in an intelligence assessment by the Director of National Intelligence of the US, Tulsi Gabbard said, The intelligence community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. How is it similar this time? Just yesterday, on February 27, after the end of the latest round of talks in Geneva to negotiate a deal and prevent a war, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced that Iran has agreed to significant breakthrough concessions in indirect nuclear talks with the United States, aiming to prevent further conflict. Iran had reportedly agreed to the following: Zero Enriched Uranium Stockpiling: Iran has agreed to a policy of zero accumulation and zero stockpiling of enriched uranium. Down-blending Existing Material: Iran agreed to degrade its current, higher-enriched stockpiles into fuel, allowing for full verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Never, Ever a Bomb: The above two steps will ensure that Iran will not possess a nuclear bomb, making this an unprecedented very important breakthrough. As per this, Iran and the US were closer than ever to reaching a nuclear deal which would have ensured that Iran never gets the nuclear weapon. However, Iran had made it clear that its right to enrichment of uranium, being a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and its ballistic missile programme cannot be part of any negotiations. For Israel, however, the threat posed by its ballistic missile was equal to, if not more important than, the nuclear deal, something that Israels leadership had often openly spoken of. The next round of technical talks on how to take the discussions and broad understandings of Geneva forward was to be held in Vienna next week, which now looks unlikely. And, therefore, just like in June 2025, the possibility of a potential deal has been buried by these pre-emptive strikes. What happens now? As per the initial inputs in this developing story, the initial waves of strikes from Israel have struck more than 30 key locations in Iran, including the military and political HQs in Tehran. The supreme leader as well as key military leaders and the president have escaped unhurt from the initial wave of strikes. In fact, shortly after Iran commenced its counterstrike, the Supreme Leader issued a statement that the response would be massive and that the Jewish entity (Israel) will have to face the consequences. Unlike last time in June 2025, Iran has been prompt in its response. As promised, it has not only targeted Israel but also American bases in Bahrain, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait. While most of the missiles have been intercepted, some have hit the targets. What now? Unlike last time, this is not likely to end as a 10-12 day war unless the Iranian regime capitulates or surrenders, chances of which are slim. In a recent interview, the Iranian Foreign Minister had said that going by the previous experience of targeted assassinations by Israel, the Iranian regime has already nominated four sets of military and political leadership to cater for such a situation. Plus, unlike countries like Libya, Iraq, Syria, etc., which were governed by a single autocratic leader, Iran has a well-structured, vertically and horizontally dispersed leadership, which makes it extremely difficult for it to capitulate. As regards the Supreme Leader, his assassination might play right into the Iranian game plan, as he would be elevated to the status of an ultimate martyr, further solidifying the regimes strength. Plus, as per many reports, he has already nominated a few successors for such situations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian counter-strikes have already started making their mark. Despite the most modern and fail-safe missile defence, initial reports indicate that some Iranian missiles have already hit the Israeli cities of Haifa and Galilee. Iranian cities and targets too are getting hit in larger numbers, given their weak air and missile defence. Looking Ahead The situation looks grim and could worsen over the days. President Trump, in a short televised address, has acknowledged the US role in initiating the war and has tried to prepare the Americans for body bags returning home, saying that the US will lose some men and women in fighting for the larger cause. For President Trump, fighting lowering approval ratings, the Supreme Court judgement against his unilateral tariffs and the scandals broken open by the Epstein files, this war is an attempt to divert the attention and build on his campaign for the midterm election later this year. In Israel, there is a sense of vindication of the theory that it has been propagating, especially for PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to face elections later in the year and faces multiple charges against him in the courts. In fact, soon after Israel struck Iran, one of the court hearings against him today was postponed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Iran, there is a sense of we told you so, saying that the talks over the nuclear programme were an eyewash. However, unlike last time, Iran is better prepared this time. Its initial strikes indicate that it will not exercise any restraint in the war. For Iran, it is only about getting some of the missiles through the missile shield to hit targets in Israel and the US bases because it knows that the threshold for absorbing damage and casualties in the US and Israel is very low. It is also likely to embolden Hezbollah to join Iran in striking Israel from the North, whereas Hamas could revoke the ceasefire in Gaza, extending Israel militarily. Houthis in Yemen have already announced support for Iran. Not only can they fire missiles at Israel and US bases, but they could again block the Red Sea route, imposing huge penalties on global sea trade. Coupled with it, if this time, Iran tries to restrict traffic or block the Strait of Hormuz, the oil prices could skyrocket in no time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the region and the world, the situation looks extremely grim. The pre-emptive strikes by the US and Israel may have unleashed the fiercest conflict ever in the region. The only hope is to see how and when this can be contained and an off-ramp achieved. (Col Rajeev Agarwal is a West Asia expert and a Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi. His X Handle is @rajeev1421. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) PM Modis 19 parliamentary speeches, compared to Xis few, show that soft power thrives on authenticity, inclusion, and respect for institutions. They challenge Chinas dominance narrative and demonstrate that emerging powers can build influence through democratic dialogue, not just summits and boardrooms The visible stark contrast in parliamentary outreach between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping offers a potent lens to examine how soft power has evolved in the 1980s. Soft power, as outlined by political scientist Joseph Nye, is the concept of attraction through culture, values and policies and has always complemented hard power. The core essence of soft power lies in shaping others preferences through attraction rather than force or coercion, which are characteristic of hard power instruments such as military intervention or economic sanctions. This non-coercive form of influence has become increasingly prominent in the diplomatic styles adopted by contemporary world leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, in its modern-day manifestation, it increasingly relies on direct, personal engagement with democratic institutions abroad as well. After PM Modis historic speech to Israels Knesset in February 2026, Indias record of addressing foreign parliaments stands at 19 and exemplifies a proactive, inclusive approach that resonates particularly in the Global South. In contrast, in the same time frame, Xi Jinping has made such addresses only 3-4 times since 2013, highlighting the divergent strategies between India and China. Indias emphasis remains on democratic solidarity, versus Chinas preference for executive-level and multilateral diplomacy. Modis 19 Parliamentary Addresses PM Modis parliamentary addresses span a diverse array of countries and continents, underscoring Indias broadening diplomatic footprint. Starting with Bhutan in 2014, the list of foreign parliaments that PM Modi has addressed includes Nepal in 2014, Australia in 2014, Fiji in 2014, the joint session of Congress in the United States in 2016 and in 2023, Uganda in 2018, the Maldives in 2019, Guyana in 2024, Ghana, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago, all in 2025, Ethiopia in 2025, and Israel in 2026. Indias 19 instances of addressing joint sessions or full houses abroad symbolise the respect for host countries legislative sovereignty. Several Global South countries, across Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia, where shared post-colonial histories and aspirations for equitable development amplify Indias appeal. PM Modis speeches frequently highlight themes of mutual growth, democracy, and non-interference, fostering institutional and, more importantly, emotional bonds. Xis Selective Legislative Engagement In comparison, Xis engagements with foreign parliaments are markedly fewer and selective. Records, including Chinese Foreign Ministry archives, offer compilations of his international trips, and contemporary news coverage pinpoints just three primary instances of formal addresses to foreign legislative bodies, which include his address to a joint session of Pakistans Parliament in April 2015, Xis speech to a joint sitting of Australias Parliament in Canberra in November 2014, and his address to both houses of the UK Parliament in the Royal Gallery at Westminster in 2015. Xi has not addressed bodies like the U.S. Congress, and in fact no Chinese leader has since Hu Jintao in 2006, or the numerous African or Latin American legislatures that have hosted PM Modi. Although Xi Jinping has, on several occasions, engaged with foreign parliamentary officials, such as the Speaker of Ireland (2017), to enhance bilateral cooperation, he has notably not delivered addresses or formally interacted within their parliamentary chambers. Instead, Xis diplomacy prioritises high-level summits like the G20, the BRICS or the SCO. State visits focus on bilateral executive talks and initiatives like the Belt and Road Forum. When parliamentary elements do appear, they often involve meetings with visiting foreign legislature leaders in Beijing rather than outbound addresses. Are these competing soft power models? The disparity between India and China is not just quantitative; it also reflects a fundamental difference in soft power projection. Indias approach leverages parliamentary platforms to project democratic credentials and to build grassroots-level affinity, particularly in the Global South. This matches with the Indian approach to development aid as well, which steers clear of creating dependencies or using predatory economics. Modis speeches often draw ovations and engage with the diaspora, and media amplification reinforces Indias image as a relatable and non-hegemonic partner and friend. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In geographic regions like the Caribbean or in Africa, where anti-colonial solidarity matters, addressing elected bodies signals equality and respect for local institutions, contrasting with perceptions and fears of debt-financed infrastructure projects from China, which are top-down or conditional or both. Chinas model, while economically formidable, relies more on state-centric diplomacy, combined with investment and trade. Xis rare parliamentary appearances align with a centralised system where the Communist Party of China dominates over legislative independence. In democratic contexts, this means less people-to-people centrism, fuelling fear of influence operations rather than genuine attraction. Several factors may explain the divergence in diplomatic styles between the two countries. Chinas political system, which does not operate as a parliamentary democracy in the liberal sense, places more emphasis on executive-to-executive engagement rather than legislative addresses. As a result, Beijing prioritises high-level state and party interactions over appearances or speeches in foreign parliamentary chambers. Additionally, foreign legislatures often serve as arenas for open questioning, criticism, and dissent. Given the scrutiny over issues such as Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and human rights, Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping, may deliberately limit participation in such democratic spaces to avoid unpredictable political confrontations or reputational challenges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In todays world, which remains multipolar, despite severe strains, where the Global South seeks alternatives to Western dominance without dependencies, Indias parliamentary diplomacy enhances its soft power edge and positions New Delhi as a bridge that is developmental yet democratic, aligned with global institutions yet vocal on priorities of the Global South. While Chinas economic clout remains unmatched, its softer appeal lags in surveys and indices where cultural resonance and democratic values score higher for India. PM Modis 19 parliamentary speeches echoing worldwide, versus Xis handful, illustrate the key lesson that attraction thrives on authenticity, inclusion and respect for others institutions. Indias strategies exemplified in these speeches so far not only challenge Chinas dominance narratives but also redefine how emerging powers can wield influence through dialogues in the halls of democracy, and not just within boardrooms or at summits. (Sriparna Pathak is Associate Professor, Chinese Studies and International Relations, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Haryana. Upamanyu Basu is an Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations in Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Calling Anthropic a radical left and woke company, Trump said that he has directed federal agencies, including the Defense Department, to phase out their technology in six months US President Donald Trump gestures as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) US President Donald Trump has ordered all government agencies to immediately stop using Anthropic AI after the companys CEO, Dario Amodei, refused to accede to the Pentagons demands to use its tech for mass surveillance. We dont need it, we dont want it, and will not do business with them again! Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Anthropic had till Friday to respond to the Pentagons demand that the company give unconditional access to its technology even if it violates ethical standards at the company, or face being forced to comply under emergency federal powers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Calling Anthropic a radical left and woke company, Trump said that he has directed federal agencies, including the Defense Department, to phase out their technology in six months. There will be a Six Month phase out period for Agencies like the Department of War who are using Anthropics products, at various levels. Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow, the president said. Before Trumps pronouncement, Anthropic had stated that if the US Department of Defense decided to discontinue using the companys tools, it would work to enable a smooth transition to another provider. What happened? Anthropic has said it wont budge from its position and grant unrestricted use of its technology to the US military, despite pressure from the Pentagon to comply. These threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request, Anthropic chief executive Amodei said in a statement. While Amodei acknowledged that the US Defense Department has deployed Anthropic models to defend the country, it draws an ethical line regarding its use for mass surveillance of US citizens and fully autonomous weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Using these systems for mass domestic surveillance is incompatible with democratic values. We will not knowingly provide a product that puts Americas warfighters and civilians at risk, Amodei said. Anthropic rivals back company Hundreds of employees at AI giants Google DeepMind and OpenAI have urged their companies to set aside their bitter rivalries and rally behind Anthropic in its standoff with the Pentagon. An open letter titled We Will Not Be Divided, signed as of Friday by 336 Google DeepMind staffers and 68 from OpenAI, called on tech leaders to hold the line together. We hope our leaders will put aside their differences and stand together to continue to refuse the Department of Wars current demands for permission to use our models for domestic mass surveillance and autonomously killing people without human oversight, the letter said. Theyre trying to divide each company with fear that the other will give in. That strategy only works if none of us know where the others stand, it added. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees on Thursday that he, too, was seeking an agreement with the Pentagon that would include red lines similar to Anthropics, and that he hoped to help broker a resolution, the Wall Street Journal first reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies World leaders react after U.S.Israel strikes on Iran, with Russia slamming the attacks and Norway raising questions over international law. Rocket trails from Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are seen over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026.- AFP World leaders reacted warily to US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday that triggered concerns of a broader conflict. European leaders held emergency meetings and took measures to protect their citizens in the West Asia, with key leaders calling for a negotiated settlement between Iran and the U.S. Australia and Canada were more open in their support for the strikes, while Russia and China responded with criticism. Britain, France and Germany called for a resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region. They did not directly comment on the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Below is international reaction to the attacks: Russia Says Trump and Israel Are Plunging the West Asia into the Abyss with Iran Attack Russia on Saturday criticised U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel for embarking on a dangerously irresponsible attack on Iran which Moscow said was plunging the entire West Asia into the abyss. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and plunging the West Asia into a new conflict that Trump said would end a security threat to the U.S. and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region closer to a humanitarian, economic, and possibly radiological catastrophe, Russias foreign ministry said. By plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are actually encouraging countries around the world, primarily in the region, to acquire more and more serious means against emerging threats. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias powerful Security Council, chided U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday for the attack on Iran and questioned Washingtons staying power given the relatively short history of the United States compared to that of Persias civilisation. The peacekeeper is at it again. The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew that, Medvedev, a former Russian president, said in English. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So who has more patience to wait for the enemys sorry end now? The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago. Lets see what happens in 100 years or so Frances Macron Calls for Urgent Meeting of U.N. Security Council on Iran French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council, saying the outbreak of a war between the United States, Israel and Iran has serious consequences for international peace and security. Macron spoke separately with leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and the president of the autonomous region of Kurdistan, his office said. France was ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners at their request, Macron said on X. The current escalation is dangerous for everyone. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good-faith negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its actions to destabilize the region, Macron said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraines Zelenskyy Says it is Important That US Act Decisively on Iran Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, addressing U.S. strikes in Iran on Saturday, said it was important that Washington act decisively, but also that hostilities did not escalate into a wider war. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken, Zelenskiy, who has previously called for the Iranian government to be overthrown, wrote on social media. This understanding must also come to the Russians, he added. Tehran is a close ally of Moscow, which has been at war with Ukraine since 2022. Iran has supplied Russia with thousands of long-range Shahed drones, the designs for which have also been used to build drones in Russian factories. UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF VOLKER TURK I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran. As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery. To avert these terrible consequences for civilians, I call for restraint and implore all parties to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the negotiating table where they had been actively seeking a solution only hours earlier. I have already warned that failing to do so risks an even wider conflict, that will inevitably lead to further senseless civilian deaths and destruction on a potentially unimaginable scale, not just in Iran but across the Middle East region. CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada supports the U.S. acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. SPANISH PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law, Sanchez said in a statement posted on social media platform X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Spanish Foreign Minister Albares later said on X that Madrid demanded respect for international law, de-escalation and dialogue, showing support and solidarity with those who are receiving the strikes. The attacks must stop, he added. OMAN Omans Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said that active and serious negotiations mediated by his country between Iran and the U.S. were yet again undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by thisI urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war, he said on X. LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER NAWAF SALAM I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity. NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ESPEN BARTH EIDE The attack is described by Israel as a preventive strike, but it is not in line with international law. Preventive attacks require an immediately imminent threat. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd approaching the crash site to grab the cash. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into an avenue, crushing at least one car and damaging trucks At least 15 people have died after a military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed near the Bolivian capital of La Paz. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the crash near El Alto airport, near the capital La Paz, but provided no further details. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd approaching the crash site to grab the cash. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into an avenue, crushing at least one car and damaging trucks, local media footage showed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Bolivian Air Navigation and Airports authority, NAABOL, said that the aircraft was coming from the eastern city of Santa Cruz and crashed as it landed in the El Alto International Airport, which later suspended operations. #ATENCION | Un avion de la Fuerza Aerea de Bolivia se estrello cerca del aeropuerto de El Alto: vehiculos terminaron aplastados. Los detalles de la noticia aqui:https://t.co/tbcQNRpZud pic.twitter.com/0SSyQm0FBA EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) February 27, 2026 The aircraft was carrying Bolivian banknotes, which scattered upon impact. Footage from local media showed police using tear gas to disperse people who approached the crash site to gather the money. Bolivian Air Force Gen. Sergio Lora said two of the planes six crew members had not been found as of late Friday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The recent Iran-US nuclear talks ended in an impasse, although Tehran said the meeting achieved significant progress US President Donald Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24. Seated behind him are Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Reuters US President Donald Trump said that the country has a big decision to make, referring to Iran, claiming that 32,000 people have been killed in the last two to three months amid protests. We have a very big decision to make. Not easy. We have a country that has been blowing peoples legs off and arms off for 47 years. They have been killing lots of people, Trump said. PRESIDENT TRUMP on IRAN: We have a very big decision to make. Not easy. pic.twitter.com/ewdjR8tYdP Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) February 27, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The recent Iran-US nuclear talks ended in an impasse, although Tehran said the meeting achieved significant progress. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who served as the mediator in the high-stakes talks, said that both Iran and the US have agreed to resume negotiations soon after meetings with their respective capitals, while technical-level discussions would be held in Vienna next week. Similarly, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was leading the delegation from Irans side, said good progress had been made, adding that there were agreements on some issues, while some others remained points of contention. Not thrilled Trump on Friday voiced dissatisfaction with Irans stance in recent nuclear negotiations, while saying he had not yet made a final call on possible military action. Speaking to reporters a day after American and Iranian officials met in Geneva, Trump said Tehran was failing to meet US expectations. He stressed that Washingtons core demand remains unchanged: Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. We havent made a final decision, he told reporters when asked about the use of force. Were not exactly happy with the way they negotiated. They cannot have nuclear weapons, and were not thrilled with the way theyre negotiating, Trump said. We want no nuclear weapons by Iran and theyre not saying those golden words. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Asked if an attack would trigger all-out war in the Middle East, Trump said, I guess you could always say theres always a risk. You know when theres war, theres a risk in anything, both good and bad. The image was part of the departments online archive of Epstein-related materials released in late January under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. At one point, the webpage hosting the photograph on Justice.gov displayed an error message The Justice Department has since restored the page. Image courtesy: Department of Justice Several members of Congress are demanding answers after a photograph they say depicts Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with Jeffrey Epstein on the disgraced financiers private island was briefly removed from the Justice Departments website. The image was part of the departments online archive of Epstein-related materials released in late January under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. At one point, the webpage hosting the photograph on Justice.gov displayed an error message. However, a version archived by the Internet Archives Wayback Machine on January 31, 2026, remained publicly accessible and included the image. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Justice Department has since restored the page. A spokesperson told CNN, This image was part of a batch of files that were flagged for nudity. The batch of thousands of images was pulled for review and is being uploaded with necessary redactions on a rolling basis. No files are being deleted. The temporary removal has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, including at least one Republican member of the House Oversight Committee. On X Thursday, Rep. Nancy Mace wrote of the photo, Howard Lutnick should take questions from the Oversight committee. On Friday, President Donald Trump told reporters that Lutnick would testify before Congress regarding his relationship with Epstein. Howard would go in and say whatever he has to say, Trump told CNN. Hes a very innocent guy, hes doing a good job. Earlier this month, Lutnick appeared before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, where he faced questions about his past interactions with Epstein. Newly released communications from the Justice Department appear to challenge Lutnicks earlier assertion that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005, prior to Epstein being investigated and later convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. During that testimony, Lutnick acknowledged visiting Epsteins private island in 2012 while vacationing with his family. I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies, Lutnick told a congressional committee. We had lunch on the island, that is true, for an hour, and we left with all of my children with my nannies and my wife I dont recall why we did it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He rejected suggestions of a closer relationship, noting that they had met as neighbors in New York. Of these millions and millions of documents, there may be 10 emails connecting me with him over a 14-year period, Lutnick told senators. I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person. Four civilians were killed and another four were wounded as a result of shelling by occupying forces in Sumy region. In total, according to Head of the Regional Military Administration Oleh Hryhorov, the enemy carried out more than 100 attacks on 30 settlements across 16 territorial communities in the region. "In Yampil community, women aged 72 and 67 were killed. According to updated information, yesterday during debris removal rescuers recovered fragments of the body of one of the victims. Efforts to retrieve the bodies and clear destroyed structures are ongoing. A 60-year-old woman was also wounded; Vorozhba community two men aged 31 and 21 were killed; men aged 47 and 52 were wounded (drone strikes on vehicles); Sumy community a 63-year-old man was wounded and received medical assistance without hospitalization (UAV strike)," Hryhorov wrote on Telegram. In the Sumy community, an educational institution, private homes, an outbuilding, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities were damaged. In the Yampil community, an administrative building was destroyed and private homes were damaged. In the Vorozhba community, passenger cars were damaged. In the Khutir-Mykhailivsky community, non-residential premises, agricultural machinery, and an infrastructure facility were damaged. In the Seredyna-Buda and Znob-Novhorodske communities, infrastructure facilities and private homes were damaged. In the Hlukhiv community, a non-residential building was damaged, and in the Stepanivka community, a private vehicle was damaged. Twenty-eight people were evacuated from frontline communities. Bill Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, denied wrongdoing, and issued a public statement, as Democrats renewed calls for Donald Trump to appear before the panel Former US President Bill Clinton told lawmakers he was unaware of Jeffrey Epsteins criminal activities. (File/AP) Former US President Bill Clinton said he testified before the House Oversight Committee over his connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and released a statement afterwards, saying he did so out of duty to the country and the Constitution. The deposition was conducted behind closed doors as part of a congressional probe into figures linked to Epstein. I just finished testifying infront of the House Oversight Committee. I did it for two reasons. First - I love my country, including our Constitution, and America was built on the idea that no person is above the law, even president, especially presidents and that we should all live under the same set of rules," he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Washington: Bill Clinton releases statement after testifying in front of House Oversight Committee over connections to Jeffrey Epstein. "I just finished testifying infront of the House Oversight Committee. I did it for two reasons. First - I love my country, including pic.twitter.com/tAeqQShnsr Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 28, 2026 Denial of wrongdoing Clinton denied any wrongdoing during his appearance on Friday, as Democrats sought to shift attention towards Donald Trump and his own documented links to Epstein. Clinton appears prominently in the Epstein files but has maintained that he severed ties well before Epsteins 2008 conviction for sex offences. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong, Clinton said in his opening statement, shared on social media. Lawmakers react to deposition The Republican chair of the House committee, James Comer, described the session as constructive. We believe this was a very productive deposition that President Clinton answered every question or attempted to answer every question. Republican committee member Nancy Mace alleged there were inconsistencies in his testimony but did not provide specific examples. Democrats renewed their call for Trump to appear before the panel. Lets be real, we are talking to the wrong president, said Democrat committee member Suhas Subramanyam, who also said Clinton had not dodged any questions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his statement, Clinton did not mention Trump by name but said no person is above the law, even presidents especially presidents. Trump, speaking to reporters, said he likes Clinton and I dont like seeing him deposed, while reiterating his scepticism about the proceedings. No charges filed Being named in documents released by the US Department of Justice does not in itself imply wrongdoing. Neither Clinton nor Trump has been accused of a crime or formally investigated in connection with the files. Clintons testimony follows that of his wife, Hillary Clinton, who appeared before the panel on Thursday. She called for Trump to testify under oath. The lawmakers should ask Trump directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files, she said. Closed-door hearings and calls for transparency The depositions are being conducted in private. Bill Clinton compared the proceedings to a kangaroo court, while both he and Hillary Clinton have called for the hearings to be opened and televised. Hillary Clinton said she had never known Epstein or visited the properties where he hosted celebrities and influential business and political figures, as well as allegedly trafficking young women and girls. Bill Clinton has acknowledged extensive contact with Epstein but said he never travelled to the financiers private Caribbean island. Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. He died in a New York jail cell in 2019 before he could stand trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide but has been the subject of conspiracy theories. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Clintons initially rejected subpoenas compelling them to testify but agreed to appear after House Republicans threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress. As US and Israeli forces launched pre-emptive strikes on Iranian targets, social media buzzed with speculation that PM Modis recent visit to Israel may have influenced the timing of the operations, with analysts suggesting his presence created a 48-hour pause before strikes on Iran. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reach to shake hands as they attend a press conference in Jerusalem on February 26. Nethanyahu has invited India to join the 'hexagon of alliances'. Reuters As US and Israeli forces carried out on Iranian targets on Saturday escalating further tensions, social media buzzed with speculation that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to Israel may have influenced the timing of operations and created a 48-hour pause before strikes on Iran. Users and analysts suggested that PM Modis presence in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv created an informal operational pause, delaying military action until after his departure on 26 February. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 48-hour rule goes viral Commentary on X focused on PM Modis 48-hour stay in Israel, with users highlighting it as a practical window during which strikes could not realistically occur. Independent analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera drew widespread attention by tweeting on Modis arrival, You do not launch a strike on Iran, triggering retaliatory ballistic missiles aimed at Israeli territory, while the leader of 1.4 billion people is standing inside the Knesset. China just showed you what the Pentagon would not. High-resolution Chinese satellite imagery shows every US Navy Littoral Combat Ship has departed Bahrain. An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer photographed leaving alongside them. The berths at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home of pic.twitter.com/Qxe2SMQhbG Shanaka Anslem Perera (@shanaka86) February 23, 2026 Perera predicted that US-Israel operations would begin only after Modi left Tel Aviva forecast that closely matched the strikes, which commenced four days later. The analysts post was widely shared among Indian and international defence circles, framing the Indian PMs presence as a temporary barrier to escalation. Journalists highlight a countdown narrative Prominent Indian journalist Smita Prakash also linked Modis visit to the countdown to the Iran strike, tweeting three days prior that the prime ministers presence in Israel effectively paused the escalation clock. His tweet 3 days back on PM Modi in Israel and the countdown to the Iran strike. https://t.co/z9uh7zcTkA Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) February 28, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD TV anchors, commentators, and some Israeli media outlets echoed this narrative, with one asking whether the Indian prime minister was the only man standing between Israel and Iran during his visit. Operation had been planned for months: Israeli officials Despite social media chatter, Israeli defence officials told Reuters that the operation had been planned for months with Washington, and the launch date had been finalised weeks ago. While not directly linked to Modis visit, the timing coincided with earlier predictions. During his speech to Israeli lawmakers, PM Modi acknowledged regional challenges and the need for stability but made no mention of the US military build-up or Iran. The prime minister supported US-led efforts to end the war in Gaza, stating it could lead to peace, The road to peace is not always easy. But India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region. Meanwhile, back in India, opposition leaders criticised Modis Israel visit in light of the strikes. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, Two days after Mr Modi celebrated his visit to Israel, Israel and the US have begun their joint assault on Iran. This was fully expected given their military build-up. Mr Modi nevertheless chose to go to Israel This Israel visit was shameful, especially in light of the war launched by two of Mr Modis good friends. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Timeline of PM Modis visit and strikes 2526 February: Modi visited Israel, meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top leaders amid warnings of difficult days ahead. 28 February: US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on multiple Iranian targets, including sites near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Indian government has not addressed speculation about the visits impact on timing, focusing instead on calls for de-escalation in the region. Rapid escalation in the gulf Iran retaliated swiftly with ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel and US military bases across the Gulf, including Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Syria. Smoke and explosions were reported in several locations. US President Donald Trump, in a video message on Truth Social, confirmed major combat operations in Iran, describing the strikes as targeting Irans missile arsenal and navy: I do not make this statement lightly. The Iranian regime seeks to kill We are going to annihilate their navy and destroy their missiles. The IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) brings trust and predictability to a world roiled by volatile trade and tariff disputes, Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff told Firstpost. Jan Thesleff, Swedish Ambassador to India, can be seen on a screen at a Rising Bharat Summit session titled 'Mothering a Partnership: The India-EU Power Couple' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on February 27, 2026. File Image/Network18 The India-EU trade deal has brought trust and predictability to a world roiled by trade and tariff disputes, Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff told Firstpost on Friday (February 27) In an interview on the sidelines of the News 18 Rising Bharat Summit, Thesleff said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a mutual commitment that creates the base of trust and predictability at a time when the American approach to tariffs means there is something new every morning we wake up. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We need to be predictable and have trust. We need to know what we promised today will apply tomorrow. So I think the commitment that India and EU have made to each other creates a base of trust and predictability. Citing the continuous volatility from across the Atlantic, Thesleff stated, For investments and creation of jobs in India, this is essential as you dont want to invest if you think that the playing field will change tomorrow. You want to invest in a predictable ecosystem. And this agreement paves the way for exactly that. ALSO READ We bring trust & predictability in extreme volatility: Swedish envoy to Firstpost on India-EU trade deal Shortly after the interview, the EU published the provisional text of the free trade agreement (FTA) described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen as the mother of all deals. India and EU have envisioned it as a win-win agreement where more than 90 per cent of goods will lose tariffs or sea a reduction. Even though the negotiations were a long time-coming (first negotiations began in 2007), way before United States President Donald Trump entered the White House, analysts have said that his tariff war accelerated negotiations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Without naming Trump, Thesleff said, Theres been so much back and forth when it comes to tariffs all over the world. And I think that there is a certain fatigue when it comes to this volatility. And thats why we need the predictability of the EU-India agreement. For Europe, the FTA would open far wider entry into the Indian market for automobiles, auto components, spirits and wines, food products, machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. In return, India would gain significantly expanded access to the EU market for textiles, leather goods, footwear, gems and jewellery, chemicals, marine exports, and auto parts. As India and Europe largely export goods that the other does not produce, increased trade due to the FTA is likely to complement domestic industries instead of competing with them, according to analysts. Analysts have said the FTA is expected to boost trade in a way that complements rather than competes with domestic industries and India and EU largely export products that the other side does not manufacture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India-EU trade to get a boost long before ratification, says envoy The benefits of the India-EU trade deal will kick in long before the formal ratification of the deal, Thesleff said. Officials have said that the India-EU trade deal is expected to be formally implemented early next year after ratification. In the coming months, the deal will undergo legal scrubbing and then ratification in the European legislature, something the Swedish envoy is optimistic about. The India-EU FTA is a sign to companies, innovators, and entrepreneurs in India and Europe to move beyond the hesitations of the past, he added. The free trade agreement is a sign that they should be ready for take-off, especially the small and middle-sized companies. Indian companies and European companies have in the past hesitated to go overseas because theres been uncertainty. There have been barriers of different kinds. Now when we reduce all that to a very low level, those companies will come forward. We will see many more Indian companies in Europe, added Thesleff. Referring to the case with India and the United Kingdom, who signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA) trade deal last year in July, Thesleff said that trade, investments, and business interests had already gone up before the formal ratification. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will see that with Europe as well and on an even higher scale. Its not a trade agreement its a Free Trade Agreement. And thats the difference between that and other agreements, said Thesleff. Also Watch: The News18 Rising Bharat Summit, one of Indias flagship events on current affairs was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 27, 2026 to February 28, 2026. India has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Israel, asking them to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times after the country launched a joint attack with the US on Saturday A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. AFP India has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Israel, asking them to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times after the country launched a joint attack with the US on Saturday. Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran days after Washington and Tehran failed to reach a nuclear deal in Geneva last week. In its advisory, India said, In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is a breaking story. Refresh for updates. Sirens have been sounded across northern Israel as officials say that an Iranian missile is headed towards the country. The Israeli military, meanwhile, has said that its air defence systems are working to intercept the missile A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. AFP Iran has reportedly launched the first wave of ballistic missiles towards Israel, hours after the US and Tel Aviv conducted a joint attack against the country on Saturday. Sirens have been sounded across northern Israel as officials say that an Iranian missile is headed towards the country. The Israeli military, meanwhile, has said that its air defence systems are working to intercept the missile. A short while ago, sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel, the military said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Iranian media, Iran has launched 30 to 75 missiles towards Israel. An additional barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel. The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 The US and Israel conducted air and sea strikes against Iran on Saturday. The strikes are ongoing, according to a report by Reuters. As per several American media reports, the United States started carrying out strikes on Iran earlier in the day, in what is being called a joint operation on Iran with Israel. The United States had already deployed aircraft carriers, fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers and other capabilities to West Asia in recent weeks. Leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told RIA Novosti that Tehrans response would be strong and decisive. Meanwhile, Irans National Security Committee warned the US and Israel that they had embarked on a path whose end will not be in your hands. Witnesses told Reuters that long queues formed at petrol stations across Tehran, while many residents were seen leaving the capital, signalling growing public concern amid fears of a wider conflict. An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months, with the launch date finalised weeks ago, indicating the strikes were part of a premeditated campaign rather than a spontaneous response. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran has vowed a crushing response after strikes by Israel and the US, signalling a sharp escalation in regional tensions. US President Donald Trump has been repeatedly warning Iran of military action if Tehran does not agree to a deal. (AFP) Tehran is preparing retaliation following the latest attacks by Israel and the US, with Iran vowing a crushing response, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing an Iranian official. The official said Israeli strikes targeted multiple locations, including several ministries in southern Tehran, significantly escalating tensions between the regional rivals. Explosions were also reported in Tabriz, according to state news agency IRNA. Public anxiety rises Witnesses told Reuters that long queues formed at petrol stations across Tehran, while many residents were seen leaving the capital, signalling growing public concern amid fears of a wider conflict. An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months, with the launch date finalised weeks ago, indicating the strikes were part of a premeditated campaign rather than a spontaneous response. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran warns of decisive response Leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told RIA Novosti that Tehrans response would be strong and decisive. Meanwhile, Irans Iranian Parliament National Security Committee warned the US and Israel that they had embarked on a path whose end will not be in your hands. India urges restraint and diplomacy after US-Israel strikes on Iran trigger retaliatory attacks in the Gulf. MEA emphasises civilian safety, respect for sovereignty. United Nations peacekeepers stand near the wreckage of an Iranian rocket that was reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces in the southern Syrian countryside of Quneitra, near the Golan Heights, close to the town of Ghadir al-Bustan.- AFP As tensions escalate in the West Asia following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, India on Saturday called for restraint from all parties, emphasising respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. In its first official response to the rapidly unfolding crisis, New Delhi expressed being deeply concerned about developments in Iran and the Gulf region. Following the US-Israel attacks, Iran retaliated with military strikes targeting several American bases in the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected, it said. The MEA said its missions in the West Asia are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories, asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance. With inputs from agencies Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday condemned what he described as a barbaric attack on a school in the countrys south, after US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday condemned what he called a barbaric attack on a school in southern Iran, following US and Israeli strikes on the country. This barbaric act is another black page in the record of countless crimes committed by the aggressors, Pezeshkian said in an official statement. According to Iranian state media, the attack killed at least 63 people and left dozens more wounded, marking a severe escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel military coalition. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An Israeli military official said several senior Iranian figures were eliminated on Saturday in strikes targeting gatherings of top officials of the Islamic republic. Three sites where gatherings of the Iranian terror regime were taking place were struck simultaneously, and several senior figures essential to the management of the campaign and the regimes governance were eliminated, the Israeli military official said in a statement. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council will meet on Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the Middle East into a new conflict. U.N. diplomats said the 15-member body would meet at 4 p.m. local time in New York (2100 GMT). The meeting will be chaired by Britain, which holds the monthly council presidency. Russias U.N. mission said Russia and China requested an emergency meeting in connection with the unprovoked act of armed aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It said the meeting was also called for by France, Bahrain, and Colombia. During the Security Council meeting, we will demand from the United States and Israel to immediately cease their illegal and escalatory actions and embark on a path toward a political and diplomatic settlement, the Russian statement said. A U.N. diplomat said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to speak at the Security Council session. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier on Saturday, Guterres issued a statement condemning military escalation in the Middle East and saying that the use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security. I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, Guterres said. With inputs from agencies Israel and Iran have both closed their airspace after Israel carried out preventive missile strikes on Tehran, prompting emergency alerts and warnings for civilians. US Air Force military aircrafts are seen parked on the tarmac of the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on February 25, 2026. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) Israel has closed its airspace to all civilian flights as it carries out an attack on Iran, The Times of Israel reported. Iran has also shut down its airspace in response. Authorities have urged the public to avoid going to airports until further notice. The Israel Airports Authority, citing the Transport Ministers order, confirmed the suspension of civilian flights. Passengers currently abroad should stay updated through their airlines and the media on flight schedules once the airspace reopens, the Transportation Ministry said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israelis abroad were advised to follow the instructions of the National Security Council. The ministry added that flights to and from Israel will resume once the security situation allows, with a 24-hour notice before operations restart. Israeli preventive strikes The airspace closure follows Israels preventive missile strikes on Iranian territory. Witnesses in Tehran reported explosions and smoke rising over the city. Israeli authorities said the strikes targeted imminent threats to national security, with sirens and emergency alerts issued as precautionary measures. The US launched joint strikes with Israel on Iran on Saturday, days after nuclear talks in Geneva failed to produce an agreement. Multiple media reports said the operation was carried out jointly by the US and Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country has been placed under an immediate state of emergency following the escalation. The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country, his ministry said in a statement. Khameneis whereabouts unclear According to Associated Press, the blasts followed an earlier strike that apparently targeted an area near the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the time. He has not been seen publicly for several days as tensions with the US have intensified. Washington has deployed a large number of fighter jets and warships to the region in an effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reuters, citing an official, reported that Khamenei has left Tehran and has been moved to a secure location. Videos circulating from Tehran show smoke rising from buildings after explosions were heard across the city on Saturday morning. As per several American media reports, the United States started carrying out strikes on Iran earlier in the day, in what is being called a joint operation on Iran with Israel People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Reuters The US and Israel conducted air and sea strikes against Iran on Saturday. The strikes are ongoing, according to a report by Reuters. As per several American media reports, the United States started carrying out strikes on Iran earlier in the day, in what is being called a joint operation on Iran with Israel. The United States had already deployed aircraft carriers, fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers and other capabilities to West Asia in recent weeks. It includes two of the largest US warships the Gerald R. Ford and the Abraham Lincoln. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Ford is the United States newest and the worlds largest carrier. It has a nuclear reactor on board and can hold more than 75 military aircraft. It also includes sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation. The Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered carrier which can hold some 90 military aircraft, moved to the region from the Asia-Pacific in January. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has been placed under an immediate state of emergency." The development comes after the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the recently held Geneva talks. The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country, read a statement from his ministry. What has Trump said? Trump has now commented on the Iran strikes. In a video posted on social media, he said: A short time ago the U.S. military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. We sought repeatedly to make a deal. Iran attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme. Iran is developing long range missiles that threaten the U.S. and others. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. Were going to annihilate their navy. We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. With inputs from agencies Photo: screenshot Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Tom Berend Willem Berendsen, discussed further energy, defense and diplomatic support for Ukraine during a meeting in Kyiv. Sybiha also reported on the visit to Kyiv of the Netherlands new defense minister, Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. "I am pleased to welcome to Kyiv the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen. His first foreign visit is to our country, together with the new defense minister. This is the first international visit by two ministers of the new Dutch government at once. For us, this is a sign of special respect, and we deeply appreciate it I am grateful to the Netherlands for these important political signals. The new Dutch government has identified international security and the development of partnership with Ukraine as its priorities," Sybiha said at a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart. According to Ukraines foreign minister, the sides held substantive discussions on energy cooperation. "In recent months alone, the Netherlands has allocated EUR 23 million for energy needs. In particular, four large and 19 small transformers, EUR 35 million mainly for solar energy systems. Today is the last day of winter, and that is good news. Tomorrow the calendar spring begins. This means that Russias winter terror has failed And we are grateful to all our partners for this," Sybiha said. He noted that the Netherlands total defense support exceeds EUR 14 billion, of which nearly EUR 10 billion has been provided directly for weapons. "Thank you for the prompt transfer of ammunition for our air defense. The Netherlands is one of the leaders of PURL. Its contribution amounts to EUR 750 million. We agreed to continue successful cooperation in the field of drones. This includes contracts for 600,000 drones totaling EUR 510 million. Additionally, another 350,000 FPV drones worth EUR 300 million. We expect to scale up joint production, in particular within the framework of the Build with Ukraine initiative," the head of Ukrainian diplomacy added. The sides discussed the diplomatic track and the trilateral negotiation process. They also addressed sanctions, primarily against Russias shadow fleet and energy sector. Special attention was given to the creation of a special tribunal in The Hague for the crime of aggression, as well as ratification of the convention establishing an international compensation commission. For his part, Berendsen said he was impressed by the resilience of the Ukrainian people and assured that Ukraine can continue to count on Dutch support. "We will continue to help you militarily, financially, and through humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, including support through the private sector This year President Zelenskyy said that the war may be at the beginning of its end, and I sincerely hope that is the case I want to assure you that our support will not end when the war ends and will continue beyond We continue to advocate for the use of frozen sovereign Russian assets to support Ukraine. In particular, we are working to secure a EUR 90 billion loan agreed by the EU in December. We will support the swift adoption of the 20th sanctions package against the Russian Federation. We must include its military-industrial complex, including the shadow fleet. And we will maintain cooperation with Ukraines defense industry. During our meeting today, we discussed these issues," Berendsen said. Vowing to deliver a decisive blow to Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he has given instructions to his forces to continue to escalate their offensive over Tehran. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday in a coordinated US-Israeli airstrike on Tehran with his death confirmed on Sunday. Calling the strikes unprovoked and illegal, Iran began firing missiles at Israel and other Gulf Arab states in retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader. Netanyahu made the statement from the roof of the Kirya, Defence Headquarters in Tel Aviv, following a meeting with the Minister of Defence Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Director of the Mossad David Barnea. I have given instructions for the continuation of the campaign. Yesterday, we eliminated the tyrant Khamenei. Along with him, we eliminated dozens of senior figures of the oppressive regime, the Israeli premier said. Our forces are now striking at the heart of Tehran with increasing intensity, and this will only continue to escalate further over the coming days, he said. Mourning the loss of lives in Israel from Iranian ballistic missile attacks, Netanyahu called the situation painful days. Yesterday here, in Tel Aviv, and now in Beit Shemesh, we lost dear people. My heart goes out to the families, and on behalf of all of you, citizens of Israel, I send my wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded, Netanyahu said. As Israel and the United States unleash lethal strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump described the latest military campaign as massive and ongoing As Israel and the United States unleash lethal strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump described the latest military campaign as massive and ongoing. In his video address on Saturday, Trump emphasised that the strikes were preventive and were intended to prevent the country from putting American lives at risk. The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests, Trump said in a video message, which he also shared on his social media platform TruthSocial. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground," he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The American leader maintained that Iran has been working to rebuild its nuclear program after a June US bombing run on its nuclear facilities. They rejected every opportunity to reach their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore, he said. The remarks from Trump came just hours after Israel and the US launched fresh strikes against Tehran. Trump warns US lives may be lost During his address, Trump warned that American lives may be lost as a result of his military operation inside Iran. The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, the president said. He noted that the US had taken every possible step to minimise the risk to US personnel in the region. The American leader went on to encourage Iranians to seize control of their government when US military operations conclude. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations, the president said in the video address. He said that he was following through on an act his presidential predecessors had all stopped short of taking. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond, he said. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action, the president concluded. Do not let it pass," he went on. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Katz said that Israel has been placed under an immediate state of emergency." The development comes after the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the recently held Geneva talks Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. AP The US launched joint strikes with Israel on Iran on Saturday, days after the two countries failed to reach a deal during the nuclear talks in Geneva. Multiple media reports have suggested that the operation in Iran was launched jointly by the US and Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has been placed under an immediate state of emergency." The development comes after the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the recently held Geneva talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country, read a statement from his ministry. IDF Home Command has warned civilians to stay close to bomb shelters and prohibited non-essential travel. The message says that due to the security situation, civilians should ensure they know what the optimal protected shelter near them is and avoid non-essential travel. Following a situational assessment, it was determined that as of today (Saturday), at 08:00, immediate changes will be made to the Home Front Command Guidelines. As part of the changes, it was decided to shift all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity. The Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 Ayatollahs office targeted According to a report by the Associated Press, the blasts happened after an earlier strike apparently targeted an area near the offices of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasnt immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time. He hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. But the attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Reuters, which has quoted an official, Khamenei has left Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location. Videos from Tehran show smoke billowing from buildings after explosions were heard in the city on Saturday morning. More explosions struck Irans capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace after Israel launched an attack targeting the country. Israels military says it launched strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in south Lebanon, accusing the group of violating ceasefire terms agreed in 2024. French peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol at the entrance of the southern Lebanese border village of Sarada on February 24, 2026. (AFP) Israels military said it was carrying out strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in south Lebanon on Saturday. In response to Hezbollahs repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings, the IDF is striking Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army posted on Telegram, using its official acronym. Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah agreed a ceasefire in November 2024 after a year of war, but Israel has continued regular strikes, saying it is enforcing ceasefire provisions against the group rearming. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have protested the strikes as ceasefire violations. They take place after Iran and the United States, an ally of Israel, held talks in Geneva this week with President Donald Trump pushing for Teran to agree to concessions on its nuclear program. Trump has ordered the biggest military build-up in decades in the Middle East, with the worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, approaching the coast of Israel. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) PM Mark Carney has touched down in Mumbai (India) to repair the diplomatic damage left by Justin Trudeau, backing away from past assassination allegations and pushing for a reset in CanadaIndia ties centred on trade and economic cooperation. Prime Minister Mark Carney is greeted by Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Protocol, Government of Maharashtra as he arrives in Mumbai, India, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.- AP Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in India on a highstakes diplomatic visit widely framed as an effort to clean up the foreignpolicy wreckage left behind by Justin Trudeaus tenure. According to commentary published by the Toronto Sun, Carneys outreach to New Delhi represents an attempt to stabilise ties that plunged into crisis after Canadian authorities alleged Indian involvement in the June 2023 killing of a Canadian Sikh activist near Vancouver. India strongly rejected the accusation and countered that Trudeaus government had allowed supporters of the banned Khalistan movement to operate freely in Canada. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The diplomatic clash triggered tit-for-tat expulsions, frosty rhetoric and a chill in economic engagement between two G20 democracies whose trade potential had once been touted as significant. For months, the dispute overshadowed negotiations toward a broader economic partnership. Trade and geopolitics back on the table Despite the rupture, both countries last year signalled interest in moving forward with a long-discussed trade agreement. Relations showed signs of cautious improvement in June when Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 summit in Alberta, an invitation widely interpreted as an olive branch. India has consistently denied any role in the 2023 killing and has accused Ottawa of failing to curb extremist elements linked to Khalistan, a separatist movement seeking an independent Sikh homeland and banned in India. Canadian officials, meanwhile, have maintained concerns about alleged foreign interference and extraterritorial actions. The Toronto Sun column frames Carneys visit as a pragmatic recalibration, arguing that Canadas economic and geopolitical interests require a working relationship with India, one of the worlds fastest-growing major economies. Bilateral trade, investment flows and cooperation in sectors such as energy, education and technology remain areas of shared interest that were sidelined during the diplomatic standoff. A broader pattern of allegations Canada is not alone in raising concerns about alleged Indian involvement in overseas plots with other governments previously examining similar claims. However, New Delhi has consistently rejected such accusations, calling them politically motivated or unsupported by credible evidence. For Carney, the challenge is to move beyond recriminations while safeguarding Canadas domestic political sensitivities. Re-engagement with India carries economic promise but also requires navigating complex diaspora politics and national security concerns at home. The Toronto Suns characterisation of the trip as an effort to clean up a predecessors missteps highlights the political dimension in Ottawa. Whether Carney can turn renewed dialogue into a durable reset will likely depend on sustained diplomatic discipline from both sides and a willingness to place long-term interests above short-term political pressures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded message released Saturday morning that the attacks will let Iranians take their fate into their own hands and that Israel plans the current operation to be much more powerful than the bruising 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded message released Saturday morning that the attacks will let Iranians take their fate into their own hands and that Israel plans the current operation to be much more powerful than the bruising 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June. He spoke in Hebrew. Heres an English-language transcript of Netanyahus address: My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel. A short while ago, Israel and the United States embarked on a joint campaign, Operation Lions Roar. The aim of the operation is to put an end to the threat from the Ayatollah regime in Iran. At this time, the IDF is striking targets of the oppressive regime, facilities of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, and together with the United States military, ballistic missile sites that threaten both Israel and U.S. forces. This operation will continue as long as necessary. For 47 years, the evil regime in Iran has called for death to Israel, death to America. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It trampled on the citizens of its country, it instilled fear in the peoples of the region, it spread a vast network of terror across the entire world, it invested enormous resources to develop atomic bombs and tens of thousands of missiles intended, as it defined it, to erase Israel from the map of the world. It also armed the terrorist proxies around us in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Judea and Samaria, and it shed our blood. But if anyone needed further proof of the murderous nature of the Ayatollah regime, they received it last month. Because we all saw how this tyrannical regime in Tehran carried out an unprecedented mass slaughter of its own citizens in Iran. It cold-bloodedly murdered thousands of children, adults and the elderly. Tens of thousands were arrested, tortured and humiliated. And why? Just because they sought lives of freedom and dignity. In the Revival War and Operation Rising Lion our heroic soldiers struck a decisive blow against the Ayatollah regime and its proxies. But the wounded predator has not ceased its attempts to recover, for the same purpose, to destroy us. In recent months, the tyrants in Iran have been plotting to rebuild their nuclear and missile capabilities and to bury them underground, where we cannot reach them. If we do not stop them now, they will become invulnerable. To this end, their representatives in negotiations are trying to buy time, attempting to gain time in fruitless and deceitful negotiations with our American friends. But the tyrants in Iran have made a grave mistake because the United States is not buying their lies, and we will not sit idly by while the shadow of destruction looms over us. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Therefore, we have launched Operation Lions Roar, an operation far more powerful than Operation Rising Lion, which was already very powerful. We are doing this in full cooperation with our friends in the United States under the courageous leadership of President Trump. Together with the United States, we will strike hard at the terror regime and create conditions that will allow the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of this murderous regime. During Operation Rising Lion, I was often asked whether the overthrow of the regime was the goal of the operation, in addition to removing the nuclear and missile threat. I replied that this was not the goal, but it could certainly be the outcome. And indeed, this is exactly what began to happen, with millions of Iranians taking to the streets. And now, now they are given the opportunity to take control of their own destiny. Citizens of Israel, as in Operation Rising Lion so too in Operation Lions Roar, we all need patience and resilience. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Because there will be costs, and perhaps even heavy costs. But I know the wonderful forces that lie within our people, the wonderful forces that lie within you, citizens of Israel. Since the Revival War began, we have stood together, and today too we will stand together in bravery, in brotherhood, in mutual responsibility. I ask all of you to strictly follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, because you already know, these instructions save lives. Challenging days lie ahead for us. Every military action involves risk. But the risk of not acting is immeasurably greater, because if we do not act, we will face a nuclear Iran, an Iran with tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, an Iran that will work to destroy us and be immune to our counteractions. As a people who desire life, we have no choice but to engage in this campaign. However, this time, we are doing it with the immense combined power of the State of Israel and the United States of America. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From here, I wish to address the citizens of Iran. You, the citizens of Iran, and the Iranian army, the Artesh. You are not our enemies and we are not your enemies. We have a common enemy, the murderous regime of the Ayatollahs that has taken over you through the oppressive forces of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij. They are the ones who have degraded your wonderful country, brought it to the lowest point, and they are the ones who slaughtered you en masse. Therefore, in full coordination with my friend, the President of the United States, I say to you, anyone who lays down their weapon, including among the regime forces, will ensure their safety and secure their future. The Iranian people in all their diversity Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochs, Abkhazians, and all other citizens of this wonderful nation this is your opportunity to establish a new and free Iran. Take your destiny into your own hands. Hold your head high, look to the skies, our forces are there, the pilots of the free world, all coming to your aid. Help has arrived. And I believe the day is not far when Israel and a free Iran will join hands for the sake of security and peace, for the sake of progress and prosperity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Citizens of Israel, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to the American people, and to the American military. President Trump is not only one of Israels greatest friends in the White House of all time, but he is also a determined leader of the free world. He looks to future generations, decides what is good for America, and then acts with responsibility and courage. Together, we bring great light to all who are rooted in the aspiration for human freedom. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I salute the commanders and soldiers of the IDF, our Air Force, the Intelligence Directorate, the Mossad, the women and men of the security forces, and the women and men of the rescue forces. I salute them for their courage and the strength of their actions. And I tell you, an entire nation stands behind you, an entire nation prays for your success. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD My brothers and sisters, in two days we will celebrate the holiday of Purim. 2,500 years ago, in ancient Persia, an enemy rose against us with the exact same goal of completely destroying our people. But Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, with their courage and resourcefulness, saved our people. In those days of Purim, the lot was cast, and the wicked Haman fell along with it. Even today on the holiday of Purim, the lot was cast, and the end of the evil regime will also come. The prophet Amos says, The lion has roared, who will not fear? In Operation Lions Roar, we roar, Do not fear Israel, for are you not a young lion? We will stand as one person with one heart, and with Gods help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel. With inputs from agencies When India struck terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) in Operation Sindoor, the element of surprise was such that Pakistans military could not mount a response for 50 minutes, military analyst Tom Cooper said. When India struck terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) in Operation Sindoor, the element of surprise was such that Pakistans military could not mount a response for 50 minutes, military analyst Tom Cooper said. Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 2025 and struck terrorist facilities in POJK and Pakistan. After Pakistan responded with strikes on Indian military and civilian areas, India retaliated with strikes on Pakistans military sites, targeting its air defences, airfields, radar installations, and other military infrastructure over the four-day conflict. After four days of conflict that saw exchanges of missiles, drones, and crossborder artillery fire, Pakistan requested a ceasefire on May 10 that India granted. In an interview at the Rising Bharat Summit, Cooper said that, contrary to how Pakistan portrayed the conflict, he and his fellow researchers found in an analysis of Pakistans Urdulanguage social media posts that there were no reports of a Pakistani response until 50 minutes after Indian strikes were first reported. Cooper said no one else in the West had conducted such an analysis of Urdulanguage posts on Pakistani social media, so they were not aware of these findings. By the time Pakistani Urdulanguage social media posts began referring to Pakistani military movement, such as fighter aircraft taking off somewhere and flying low over cities elsewhere, Indian aircraft had already returned to their bases after carrying out the strikes, Cooper said. As for Pakistani officials claims of shooting down Indian aircraft, including a Rafale fighter plane, Cooper said Pakistan was resorting to such assertions, which increased the number of aircraft allegedly downed with each retelling, because it had nothing else to show. Initially, Pakistan had claimed that it had downed five Indian fighters, including a Rafale, and later raised the claim to six, including three Rafales. While India admitted losing aircraft later, it did not disclose the specifics. As open hostilities broke out between Iran and the US-Israel axis on Saturday, a stark warning emerged from News18s Rising Bharat SummitTehran holds multiple levers of retaliation, and events may no longer be in Washington or Tel Avivs control. This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media on February 28, 2026, and verified by AFPTV teams in Paris, shows the moment of a strike on a U.S. base in Bahrain.- AFP As direct fighting erupted between Iran and the US-Israel axis on Saturday, a note of caution sounded at News18s Rising Bharat Summit, where a European military expert warned that escalation could spiral beyond Western control. Addressing the summit, Swiss military historian Adrien Fontanellaz said the confrontation reflects a broader transformation in global power dynamics. He argued that the era when the international system appeared stable and US dominance uncontested has steadily given way to fragmentation and rivalry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the early 2000s, many believed the global order was settled and governed by international law, Fontanellaz said. Over the past decade, that sense of stability has progressively eroded. He framed the current crisis within the shift from a US-led unipolar order to a more competitive multipolar system, where emerging powers such as India are reshaping geopolitical balances. Such transitions, he suggested, often generate friction and unexpected flashpoints. The renewed hostilities involving Iran and Israel, with active US participation, illustrate that instability. According to Fontanellaz, Washington may be underestimating the complexity and potential fallout of confronting Tehran. Drawing historical parallels, he compared US President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that both have at times relied on rapid, decisive military moves aimed at avoiding drawn-out wars. He pointed to Russias swift 2008 campaign in Georgia and the annexation of Crimea as examples of operations that appeared successful at first but may have contributed to Moscows later miscalculation in Ukraine, where a conflict expected to conclude quickly evolved into a prolonged war drawing in Western Europe. Fontanellaz cautioned that a similar risk of misjudgement could exist in the current Iran confrontation. While early military actions may appear tightly managed, he stressed that the real uncertainty lies in Tehrans possible next steps. He outlined what he described as multiple viable retaliation options available to Iran in the event of deeper escalation. These include targeting US naval forces in the Persian Gulf, deploying an arsenal estimated at over 1,000 long-range ballistic missiles, striking American-linked facilities in Saudi Arabia with shorter-range projectiles, and activating allied regional militias. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fontanellaz also characterized Irans missile programtogether with its contested nuclear capabilitiesas a central pillar of its deterrence strategy. In his assessment, these tools serve as strategic leverage embedded in Irans national security doctrine, making them unlikely to be abandoned easily under pressure. What is particularly worrying, he noted, is that Israel and the United States may not fully control how Iran chooses to escalate. As active hostilities continue, analysts warn that the conflict could extend beyond limited exchanges. Unlike previous shadow wars or contained strikes, the current trajectory raises the prospect of broader regional involvement, disruptions to energy routes, and a sustained geopolitical confrontation with unpredictable consequences. Explosions were reported in Bahrain and other Gulf locations as tensions escalated after USIsrael strikes on Iran, with a facility linked to the US Navy Fifth Fleet reportedly hit in a missile attack. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo) Explosions were reported across Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait amid a widening following the escalation involving the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Bahrain said a service centre linked to the US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters had been hit in a missile attack on Saturday. The National Communication Centre confirmed the strike but did not immediately provide further details. Emergency sirens had earlier sounded across Bahrain, and authorities urged residents to seek shelter as blasts were heard in the capital, Manama. I it could retaliate against countries hosting US military bases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Explosions reported in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait Residents in Abu Dhabi told AFP they heard loud explosions in the Emirati capital, which hosts a base housing US personnel. Two residents confirmed the blasts. The UAE earlier said it had temporarily and partially closed its airspace as a precautionary measure. Explosions were also reported in Kuwait, according to an AFP correspondent. A missile was intercepted by air defence systems in Doha hours later, though it was not immediately clear whether US military installations were targeted. In Abu Dhabi, the UAE Air Force and US Air Force operate from Al Dhafra Air Base, while in Doha, Al Udeid Air Base serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. USIsrael strikes and Iranian response The escalation follows pre-emptive strikes on Iranian territory carried out by Israel with US support. Donald Trump said the operations aimed to defend Americans by eliminating what he described as imminent threats from Iran and reiterated that Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons. The Israel Defense Forces later said missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following the joint operation. Defensive systems were activated to intercept the incoming threats, while Israels Home Front Command issued mobile alerts instructing residents in affected areas to seek immediate shelter. The developments follow weeks of heightened military posturing and stalled nuclear negotiations, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. President Donald Trump announces major US combat operations in Iran, targeting its nuclear and missile programs, while urging Iranians to rise against their government in a dramatic escalation of regional tensions. US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has launched major combat operations in Iran, declaring the start of a sweeping military campaign aimed at dismantling Tehrans nuclear and missile capabilities while urging the Iranian people to rise up against their government. In an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social, Trump said the objective of the operation is to eliminate what he described as imminent threats posed by Irans leadership to the United States, its troops and allies. He accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons and developing long-range missiles capable of targeting American interests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres Trumps address in full: A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regimes very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Irans proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lines. Its been mass terror, and were not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Irans proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before. Iran is the worlds number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. Ill say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regimes nuclear program at Fort Doe, Natanz and Isfahan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didnt want to do it. Again they wanted to do it. They didnt want to do it. They didnt know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. Theyve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. Were going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated. Were going to annihilate their navy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Were going to ensure that the regions terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs, or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Its a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration is taking every possible step to minimise the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harms way. And we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Dont leave your home. Its very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for Americas help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So lets see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May God bless the brave men and women of Americas armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and representatives of the Dutch government who arrived in Kyiv Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berend Willem Berendsen and Minister of Defense Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius discussed measures to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, the continuation of the PURL program and further diplomatic steps towards achieving peace in Ukraine. "Today, representatives of the new Government of the Netherlands, which began its work this week the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are in Ukraine. This visit is a strong signal of support for our people. It is very important to us. Thanks to our cooperation with all Dutch governments throughout this war, relations between our countries have already reached the level of a strategic partnership and trust," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday. He said that the main focus of the talks was strengthening Ukraines air defense, continuing the implementation of the PURL initiative, advancing diplomacy to achieve a just and dignified peace, and further deepening defense cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands. "Thank you for your readiness to continue supporting Ukraine. We can rely on the Netherlands, and that matters. I am grateful for every expression of support for our people," Zelenskyy said. A UN expert has warned that Taliban policies are blocking Afghan women and children from receiving urgent medical care Afghan women and children wait for their turn to see a doctor at Yaka Dokan health clinic run by the nonprofit organisation World Vision in Yaka Dokan village, Herat, Afghanistan. (Reuters) A new assessment shared in Geneva outlines how restrictions imposed by the Taliban are preventing Afghan women and children from receiving emergency medical care. The findings were presented by Richard Bennett, who said that regulations affecting womens movement, dress, and access to male medics are placing lives in danger. According to the report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, women in need of urgent treatment must follow mandatory dress codes, be accompanied by a male guardian, and rely on male medical staff. One woman was forced to give birth alone outside a hospital because she arrived unaccompanied. Another lost her four-year-old son because she could not travel alone with him to seek help. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the press briefing, Bennett said, The Talibans restrictions must be reversed, otherwise they will be killing people. Gender discrimination described as systemic Bennett said the policies were not isolated incidents. These policies are not isolated measures. They form an institutionalised system of gender discrimination that denies women and girls autonomy over their own bodies, health, and futures, he said. He confirmed that the report was shared with Taliban authorities, though no response was received. The Taliban maintains it respects womens rights in line with its interpretation of Islamic law. Education bans shrinking the medical workforce Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has barred girls from schooling beyond the primary level and introduced a series of morality laws limiting expression and employment. As of last year, around a quarter of Afghanistans health workers were women, but the ban on their medical education has closed off the training pipeline. Bennett warned this will further reduce the number of available female practitioners required under gender-segregated healthcare rules. Its a completely unjustifiable policy. It puts the entire health system in jeopardy, and unless reversed, it will lead to unnecessary suffering, illness and death, he said. At the same briefing, Suraya Dalil said she feared a surge in deaths linked to childbirth. Unfortunately, we expect higher mortalitymaternal mortality (and) infant mortality in the coming years because of the fact that the health workforce are systematically restricted, she said. Unlike the invasion of Venezuela or last years attack on Iran, the ongoing offensive against Iran will be much more difficult as President Donald Trump will not be able to predict or control Irans retaliation, military historian Adrien Fontanellaz has warned. Military historian Adrien Fontanellaz warns that Irans retaliation to the recent US-Israeli strikes will be far more unpredictable and direct than previous conflicts. Unlike last months invasion of Venezuela or last years attack on Iran, the ongoing offensive against Iran will be much more difficult as President Donald Trump will not be able to predict or control Irans retaliation, military historian Adrien Fontanellaz has warned. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched a joint offensive against Iran, striking several neighbourhoods in Tehran, including the area where President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei normally reside. Explosions have also been reported in several other cities like Isfahan and Karaj. Iran has also begun retaliating and strikes have been reported across Israel. Iranian strikes have also targeted American troops and bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As per reports from the region, both sides continue to attack each other, and the scale of damage and casualties is not known. In an interview at Rising Bharat Summit, Swiss historian Fontanellaz said that last years attack on Iran was for PR points and neither side wished to get into a protracted conflict, but that would not be the case this time. Unlike last time when Irans retaliatory strikes at a US base in Qatar were telegraphed so as to seek an offramp, the retaliation this time would not be about signalling but real, said Fontanellaz. The danger this time is that there is no control over what the Iranian will do. They have plenty of ways to try to retaliate. Iran has serious and several options to retaliate. For example, they could target American ships in the Persian Gulf. They have, according to the Israeli, at least 1,000 long-range ballistic missiles in stock. They have also thousands of short-range missiles enough to reach bases in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Qatar, for instance, said Fontanellaz. The United States and Israel launched the offensive days after American negotiators held talks with Iranian officials in Geneva. In recent weeks, Trump had deployed hundreds of military aircraft and dozens of warships to the region. They joined tens of thousands of American troops in the region. Analysts have noted that he had deployed 40-50 per cent of American air power to the region the build-up being the largest since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Iran unlikely to give nuclear programme While the United States and Israel have dubbed their attack as a pre-emptive strike, Fontanellaz said they obviously intend to try and bring Iran to the negotiating table so they can open up their nuclear facilities to inspections or to push them into demilitarising or deweaponising their nuclear options. But can such an approach succeed? Fontanellaz does not believe so. Im very skeptical because the long-range ballistic missiles and the nuclear-threshold capability are kind of insurances for Iranians and guardians of the revolution perspectives. So I guess they will not give up the nuclear programme. My assumption is they will not renounce on them so easily. But well see, said Fontanellaz. Even as Iran has been weakened in multiple aerial battles with Israel and the United States, it has a network of proxies and allies in the region like the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq to respond to the US-Israeli attack. Allison Hooker, the under secretary of state for political affairs, said she expressed to Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Pakistans senior-most career diplomat, US condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban Taliban soldiers sit next to an anti-aircraft gun while on lookout for Pakistan's fighter jets, in Khost province, Afghanistan, on February 27. The two sides are firing deadly shelling and mortar fire across the border. Reuters The United States has extended its support to Pakistan in its right to defend against Afghanistans Taliban forces after border clashes intensified on Friday. We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistans right to defend itself against Taliban attacks, Allison Hooker, the under secretary of state for political affairs, wrote on X after talks with a Pakistani counterpart. She said she expressed to Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Pakistans senior-most career diplomat, US condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes Pakistan bombed Kabul and other cities in Afghanistan and declared a state of "war" with its neighbour on Friday, following the Talibans announcement that it had struck various locations along the border and killed many Pakistani soldiers. Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Pakistans prime minister, said 297 Afghan Taliban and militants had been killed. Afghanistan government spokesman Hamdullayh Fitrat said at least 19 civilians had been killed in Khost and Paktika provinces. Taliban authorities on Friday claimed they carried out coordinated air strikes targeting Pakistani military facilities, including a site near Islamabad, amid escalating tensions between the two neighbours. In a statement, the Taliban Defence Ministry said the air force of the Ministry of National Defense conducted strikes at around 11:00 am local time on locations near Faizabad, a military camp in Nowshera, an army base in Jamrud and a military complex in Abbottabad. The ministry described the operation as successful and said key Pakistani military facilities were hit. World calls for restraint In response to the sharp surge in hostilities, Britain, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross called for immediate de-escalation while diplomats in China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar began efforts to calm the tensions. The operation was Pakistans most widespread bombardment of Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and included strikes on their southern power base, Kandahar, as well as the Afghan capital. Relations between the neighbours have plunged in recent months, with land border crossings largely shut since deadly fighting in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides. With inputs from agencies US and Israel launch major attacks on Iran in Operation Epic Fury, triggering fears of World War 3. Netanyahu and Trump justify strikes amid escalating West Asia tensions and potential regional fallout. Smoke from a reported rocket interception is seen in the sky over Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2026.- AFP The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, with Israels public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. According to US officials, the strikes were designed to eliminate what Washington sees as imminent threats posed by Irans missile industry, naval bases and commandandcontrol nodes, after Iran refused to drop its nuclear ambitions and allegedly ignored repeated ultimatums to cap uranium enrichment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Key targets reportedly included missile depots, naval installations, and sites near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, signalling a deliberate message that the US is willing to hit the core of Irans military and leadership apparatus. President Donald Trump framed the operation as a preemptive defence measure, arguing that destroying Irans missile inventory and naval capabilities was necessary to protect American citizens and allies across the West Asia. Rising global anxiety: Is World War 3 imminent? The sudden escalation has ignited widespread debate and fear across social media platforms. Hashtags referencing World War 3 surged as users speculated whether the US-Iran confrontation could spiral into a global conflict. Analysts said that while the current strikes are localised, the potential for broader regional escalation remains high. Tehran has responded with defiance, promising to retaliate against what it calls an unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate attack, signalling that the situation could rapidly deteriorate. Britain, Germany and France slammed Iran for retaliating to US-Israel strikes Saturday with attacks on countries in the Middle East hosting US military bases. We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a joint statement after discussing the conflict. Several countries, including Italy, Germany, Poland, Kazakhstan, India, and China have issued advisories urging their citizens to leave Iran. Military analysts caution that Irans extensive missile arsenal and proxy networks in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen provide Tehran with multiple avenues for counterattack, heightening the risk of a protracted confrontation. Analysts warn that while the USIran confrontation is serious and carries the risk of wider regional boiling over, it still remains, for now, a West Asiacentred conflict rather than a fullscale global war. Gulf capitals such as Abu Dhabi, Doha and Kuwait have gone on high alert, with sirens sounding and defence systems intercepting inbound missiles, which has raised fears that a regional World War among local powers could materialise if containment fails. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Still, history shows that socialmedia panic often outpaces reality. Similar WW3 chatter spiked after strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in previous years, even when the conflict stayed contained to the West Asia. Governments and strategic analysts, while deeply alarmed, are focused on diplomatic deescalation and damagelimitation, rather than openly preparing for a third global war. What could push this into a wider global conflict The real danger lies not in a single strike, but in a chain of crossalliance reactions. Irans allies in the region, including nonstate actors backed by Tehran, could intensify attacks on US or Israeli forces, which in turn might trigger deeper retaliatory strikes. Should such retaliation spill into thirdcountry territory or draw in major powers such as Russia or China, the conflict could quickly mutate from a West Asia crisis into something resembling a multitheatre global war. Economically, the risk is already palpable. Oil prices jitter, global shipping routes in the Gulf become more hazardous, and financial markets brace for supplyshock premiums, all classic signs of a warlike environment even if states stop short of declaring World War 3. In the short term, whether this stays a highintensity regional war or balloons into a broader global conflict will depend on restraint shown by Washington, Tehran, regional powers, and outside heavyweights and on how quickly diplomacy can grab space from the wardrum narrative dominating social media. By signing new trade agreements, India and European nations have formalised their commitment to promoting investments, particularly in the defence and security sectors, European ambassadors said about Indias deals with the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (Efta). Norwegian Ambassador May-Elin Stener, German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann, and Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff (left to right) attend a session at the Rising Bharat Summit in Delhi on February 27, 2026. (Photo: Firstpost) With trade deals, India and European nations have formalised their commitment to promoting investments, particularly in the defence and security sectors, European ambassadors said about Indias agreements with the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (Efta). At a session at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Norwegian Ambassador May-Elin Stener said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was complementary to the one India signed with the European Free Trade Association (Efta) an economic grouping of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As 66 per cent of Norways exports go to the EU, and with India and the EU now having signed a free trade agreement, there now exists one large trading and investment bloc comprising India, the EU, and Efta, Stener said. India and Efta signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (Tepa) in 2024, which came into effect the next year. The Tepa led to India liberalising 98 per cent of Efta imports and Efta removing duties on 99 per cent of Indian goods. It also included Efta committing to invest $100 billion in India over 15 years, aimed at creating 1 million jobs, particularly in manufacturing pharmaceuticals and green tech. The India-Efta trade deal was followed by the IndiaEU FTA, which both sides have described as the mother of all deals. Under the FTA, at least 90 per cent of goods would lose duties in what has been described as a win-win agreement. Analysts have noted that, as India and Europe largely export goods that the other does not produce, increased trade due to the FTA is likely to complement domestic industries instead of competing with them. There are around 1,800 German companies that are interested in exploring and expanding business opportunities in India, and, once the IndiaEU FTA is ratified, we expect German foreign direct investment in India to surge, German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann said. German companies are particularly interested in expanding defence and security partnerships with India, Ackermann said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff noted that while they are glad intellectual property (IP) has been included in the trade deal, there are still aspects that need to be addressed to smooth investment flows and improve the ease of doing business. Different Indian states still have different policies on trade and business, and this can complicate investments, Thesleff said when asked about areas where India has room for improvement to attract more investment. Thesleff further said that Sweden is particularly interested in exploring opportunities in India in green tech and decarbonisation sectors. Photo: @V_Zelenskiy_official Telegram President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid the events in Iran, said that he emphasized the importance of maximally preserving lives, preventing the war from escalating, and the importance of the fact that the United States is determined. "Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently. It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken," Zelenskyy said in his video address on Saturday. Zelenskyy said that "events in the Middle East and the Gulf region are unfolding extremely rapidly. Unfortunately, Ukraine knows all too well what this is about. Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putins accomplice and supplied him with Shahed drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them." The president also said that Iran also provided other weapons to Russia. "Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure. Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran." Lantern parade held at Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, China's Anhui Xinhua) 15:34, February 28, 2026 People watch an Ao Fish lantern parade at the Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 27, 2026. The lantern parade was held here in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival on Friday, featuring the Ao Fish, a mythical Chinese creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. (Xinhua/Du Yu) People watch an Ao Fish lantern parade at the Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 27, 2026. The lantern parade was held here in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival on Friday, featuring the Ao Fish, a mythical Chinese creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. (Xinhua/Du Yu) People watch an Ao Fish lantern parade at the Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 27, 2026. The lantern parade was held here in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival on Friday, featuring the Ao Fish, a mythical Chinese creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. (Xinhua/Du Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 27, 2026 shows people watching an Ao Fish lantern parade at the Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. The lantern parade was held here in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival on Friday, featuring the Ao Fish, a mythical Chinese creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 27, 2026 shows people watching an Ao Fish lantern parade at the Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. The lantern parade was held here in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival on Friday, featuring the Ao Fish, a mythical Chinese creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 27, 2026 shows people watching an Ao Fish lantern parade at the Tangmo ancient town in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. The lantern parade was held here in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival on Friday, featuring the Ao Fish, a mythical Chinese creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Time, place of next meeting of Ukrainian, U.S., Russian teams to be determined depending on security circumstances Zelenskyy Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ The time and place of the next meeting of the teams of Ukraine, the United States and the Russian Federation will be determined depending on the security circumstances and real diplomatic opportunities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Depending on the security situation and real diplomatic possibilities, the time and place of the next meeting of our team and the U.S. team the meeting with the Russians will be determined," he said during his video address on Saturday. Zelenskyy said that "Russia must end its aggression against us against Ukraine and against all of Europe. And security must be guaranteed." He said that he has issued updated directives to our negotiating team and the broader Ukrainian diplomatic team. "Peace is needed true peace and a real possibility for people to live freely and to live safely." As reported, the next trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and the Russian Federation will be held in early March, most likely in Abu Dhabi. Photo: General Staff The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that a forward command post of an enemy division, several logistics facilities, and enemy personnel were struck on temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. "In particular, a fuel and lubricants depot of a motorized rifle regiment was hit near the settlement of Novoamvrosiivske, and an ammunition depot of a separate motorized rifle brigade was struck near the settlement of Amvrosiivka (temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region) Yesterday, Ukraines Defense Forces struck the forward command post of the enemys 127th Motorized Rifle Division near the settlement of Orlynske (temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region)," the General Staff wrote on its Telegram channel. According to the agency, in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region, enemy logistics facilities were also targeted: material and technical supply depots of a motorized rifle regiment and an engineer-sapper regiment near the settlement of Kalanchak, as well as a fuel and lubricants depot of a separate material and technical supply brigade near the settlement of Myrne. Strikes were also carried out against areas of enemy personnel concentration near the settlement of Dronivka (Belgorod region of the Russian Federation), Rodynske in Donetsk region, and the settlement of Berezove in Dnipropetrovsk region. In the area of the settlement of Bahatyr (temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region), a material and technical supply depot of the occupiers was hit. The losses of the occupying forces and the scale of the damage inflicted are being clarified. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. We Are China China's hospitals pilot companion-free care services Xinhua) 08:36, February 28, 2026 A nurse (R) explains the "companion-free" care services to a family member of an inpatient at a hospital in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) SHANGHAI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's hospitals are piloting "companion-free" care services to ease the heavy burden of daily care-giving on the inpatients' families. The new mode of operation requires hosting hospitals to directly employ trained nursing assistants to provide 24-hour non-medical care for inpatients with particular needs. Such services used to rely solely on family members of the inpatients or private caregivers they hire. A nurse (L) and nursing assistant (R) help an inpatient with post-surgery rehabilitation exercises at a hospital in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) A nursing assistant feeds an inpatient at a hospital in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) A nursing assistant helps an inpatient walk at a hospital in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Yes. I think the time was right to help the Iranian people rise against a brutal regime and win their freedom. The death of Ayatollah Khamenei will help bring that about and stabilize the region in the long term. No. Americans are tired of forever wars in the Middle East, and, worse, I believe this attack was designed to distract from the increasingly unsettling revelations coming out of the Epstein files. I dont know. While I hope for the best, I fear that Israels influence over U.S. policy is driving this operation, and American taxpayers are footing the bill, with soldiers placed in harms way, for an uncertain outcome. Vote View Results Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Thu Thursday 68 /41 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the low 40s. The Gambling Commission has awarded a four-year contract (20262029) to the University of Glasgow and the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to deliver the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). The new contract builds on several years of survey development, culminating in the launch of the GSGB in 2024 as the official statistics on gambling behaviours in Great Britain. Since its launch, the GSGB has become one of the largest and most comprehensive gambling surveys in the world. The GSGB is already offering unprecedented insight into how people gamble, enabling the Commission to monitor behaviours over time and to publish in-depth thematic reports. These have included analyses of why people gamble, the characteristics of more frequent gamblers, and the relationship between specific gambling activities and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores. The Commission has given particular thanks to the University of Glasgow for its analytical contributions to these topical reports, which have deepened understanding of gambling behaviours across Great Britain. The UofGs Professor Heather Wardle, who is co-director of Gambling Research Glasgow, said: We are delighted to extend our contract with the Gambling Commission and our work on the GSGB. Were excited to work with the Commission to explore how we can further enhance the GSGB, looking at how survey data can be merged with information about gambling from other sources, and looking at how we can better understand how behaviours change over time. "Were especially well placed to do this, having led methodological innovation on understanding gambling for the last 20 years." Mari Toomse-Smith, Director of Health and Biomedical Surveys at the National Centre for Social Research, said: "We are honoured to have been trusted by the Gambling Commission to lead on the delivery of the GSGB. We worked closely with the Commission to design a state-of-the-art survey and are pleased to be able to continue the GSGB journey with the Gambling Commission and the University of Glasgow. GSGB plays a pivotal role at the UK gambling data infrastructure, and its potential will only grow with each new survey year." Over the next four years, NatCen and the University of Glasgow will continue to refine and enhance the survey, supporting the Commissions commitment to developing evidence and improving data quality. As outlined in the Commissions evidence roadmaps, this next phase will also explore the potential for using the GSGB for longitudinal research and data linkage - opening up new possibilities for understanding how gambling behaviours evolve over time. Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy, said: "The Gambling Survey for Great Britain has already transformed our understanding of how people gamble, providing richer, more reliable insight than ever before. We are pleased to award this new contract to NatCen and the University of Glasgow, whose expertise has been central to the GSGBs success so far. "Over the next four years well continue to strengthen the survey and expand what it can tell us - whether thats through deeper analysis or exploring opportunities for longitudinal research. This work is fundamental to ensuring our regulation is rooted in the best possible evidence." European countries urge citizens to leave Mideast as U.S.-Iran tensions rise Xinhua) 09:24, February 28, 2026 This photo taken on Feb. 1, 2026 shows a view in Tehran, Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of negotiations with the United States within the framework of the nuclear issue, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday, citing an unnamed government source. (Xinhua/Shadati) Many European countries urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other Middle East regions, citing that a regional escalation could result in flight cancellations and prolonged airspace closures, and warning that the situation could deteriorate rapidly. BRUSSELS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- More European countries on Friday urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other Middle East regions due to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. The British government said it has temporarily withdrawn staff from Iran, with its embassy continuing to operate remotely, and advised against all travel to the country. The French Foreign Ministry issued a security advisory for French nationals against travel to Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing possible regional repercussions from the situation involving Iran. It warned of potential flight cancellations or delays and urged citizens in affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid gatherings. Italy also urged its citizens to leave Iran and advised extreme caution across the Middle East. "Italians in (Iran) for tourism or whose presence is not strictly necessary are urged to depart," the foreign ministry said in a statement, strongly discouraging travel to Iraq and Lebanon as well. Germany updated its travel guidance to discourage travel to all of Israel, expanding earlier advice that had applied only to certain parts of the country. Poland's Foreign Ministry called on its citizens to leave Iran, Israel and Lebanon immediately, warning that the security situation in the Middle East is unstable and that potential closures of civilian airspace could make flights impossible or severely disrupted. The Dutch Foreign Ministry raised its travel advisory to red for the border areas between Israel and Gaza, Lebanon and Egypt, citing rising tensions in the Middle East. "Due to the current tensions in the Middle East, the security situation in Israel is uncertain," the ministry said in a statement, adding, "Whatever your situation, do not travel there. It is too dangerous." Many European countries have issued travel warnings even earlier. The Finnish foreign ministry advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and immediately leave Yemen and Libya in travel advisories updated in February. The Serbian Foreign Ministry has told its nationals in Iran to leave as soon as possible. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said in February that people who decided to stay in Iran should not expect any government-sponsored evacuation, updating its January advisory that its citizens should avoid all travel to Iran and leave the country immediately. Media reporters wait near the Omani ambassador's residence in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2026. The third round of indirect Iran-U.S. nuclear talks under the mediation of Oman began in Geneva, Switzerland, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) The U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived off Israel's coast on Friday, following a fruitless third round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva, Switzerland. Tensions have been escalating in recent days as senior U.S. officials have repeatedly warned of possible military intervention against Iran. The United States has amassed two aircraft carrier strike groups, over 150 combat aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters, and has reinforced its bases in Jordan and Israel. Washington has evacuated non-essential staff from its embassy in Beirut. Meanwhile, Iran has said it will retaliate against U.S. military facilities in the region if attacked. According to the Dutch government's official statement, an escalation in the region could result in flight cancellations and prolonged airspace closures. The risk of drone and missile attacks also remains. The situation could deteriorate rapidly. This photo taken by cellphone on Feb. 26, 2026 shows buildings of the headquarter of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Tel Aviv, Israel. U.S. State Department authorized on Friday the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of U.S. government personnel from Mission Israel due to safety risks, U.S. embassy in Jerusalem posted on X. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Chairman Crawford Joins Fellow Congressional National Security Leaders Urging the Treasury Department to Block U.S. Capital from Fueling the Chinese Military US House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence February 26, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast in urging the Treasury Department to take additional action to ensure American capital and expertise do not strengthen China's military industrial base. Cosigners of this letter include Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, Senator Jim Banks, Senator Pete Ricketts, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul. In the letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the members applauded the successes of the Outbound Investment Security Program (OISP), codified and enhanced by the COINS Act, which has closed dangerous loopholes that previously allowed U.S. investments to flow into China's defense industrial base and key enabling sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. "The OISP and the COINS Act have been major successes in protecting U.S. national security," the lawmakers wrote. "However, more must be done to ensure that the United States does not fund its own destruction." Among the recommendations raised by the lawmakers, the first is expanding the OISP to cover biotechnology investments in countries of concern. They emphasized that certain biotechnology investments could boost adversary development of bioweapons, create dangerous dependencies on adversaries for advanced medicines, and erode America's biotech leadership. "U.S. capital is helping to expand China's biotechnology industry in ways that could leave the United States dangerously dependent on a strategic competitor," the lawmakers wrote. "Such dependence would pose risks even greater than China's dominance in rare earths." Additionally, the lawmakers called for targeting non-traditional transaction types like IPO underwriting and management consulting, which adversaries have increasingly exploited to gain U.S. expertise and credibility. "Foreign adversaries have increasingly exploited additional transaction types to achieve the same outcomes that the OISP was meant to prevent," the lawmakers wrote. "Absent action under Section 809, these transaction types will continue to allow U.S. firms to enable adversary military and technological advancement even as direct investment pathways are restricted." Finally, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of prohibiting Americans from investing in publicly traded securities of blacklisted Chinese firms, urging prompt evaluation for inclusion on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies (NS-CMIC) List. "Allowing Americans to continue trading the publicly listed securities of these firms undermines the purpose of existing designations and risks financing the very military capabilities U.S. policy seeks to constrain," the lawmakers wrote. In the letter, the lawmakers applauded the Administration for its leadership in preventing foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. capital. The lawmakers underscored that more must be done to ensure America maintains its military, technological, and economic edge over foreign adversaries. Read the full letter here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OSINT Subcommittee Member Rep. Perry Joins Recorded Future's Public Sector Intelligence Forum US House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence February 26, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) represented the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence at Recorded Future's Public Sector Intelligence Forum, held at the International Spy Museum. Congressman Perry, a member of the Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) subcommittee, joined Mr. Jason Barrett, Open-Source Executive at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and Major General Martemucci, Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), for a panel discussion moderated by Doug Smith of Recorded Future on the evolving role of OSINT. The panel examined how the intelligence environment has fundamentally changed with the expanded use of publicly and commercially available information. Digital technologies and commercial data increasingly enriched through artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping how intelligence is gathered, analyzed, and delivered to decision-makers. While these capabilities enable faster and broader insight, they also require deliberate oversight and governance, particularly regarding civil liberties and privacy protections. Congressman Perry emphasized the importance of realism and accountability in this evolving landscape: "We have to acknowledge reality. It is unrealistic to assume U.S. person data will never be present in large-scale commercial datasets whether those datasets are purchased by us or by our adversaries. The issue is not pretending that incidental exposure is impossible. The issue is ensuring that when it occurs, it is governed, minimized, filtered, and auditable." As part of his work on the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Perry is leading efforts to enact reforms that strengthen safeguards protecting U.S. person information, including measures to improve transparency in commercial data acquisition, reduce duplicative purchases across agencies, and require auditable technological solutions to filter and protect U.S. citizen data. The discussion also addressed the future of OSINT capabilities and the investments necessary to ensure responsible modernization. Congressman Perry concluded: "The single most important investment we can make is training. The people already exist what's changing is the operating environment. Intelligence officers must be trained to apply modern tradecraft in a data-rich, AI-enabled systems. Modernizing technology without modernizing tradecraft creates scale without discipline." The panel underscored the importance of balancing innovation with constitutional responsibility as intelligence capabilities continue to evolve. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO ramps up development of Future Surveillance Capability NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 26 February 2026 On Wednesday (25 February), Allies agreed to move to the next stage in NATO's ambitious project that will deliver its future-fit surveillance capabilities. The Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) was launched at NATO's Warsaw Summit in 2016, triggered by the announced retirement of the NATO AWACS in 2035. The initiative aims at redefining how NATO will continue to effectively conduct multi-domain surveillance and tactical control. The new approach, which was developed after thorough consultations with NATO Allies, the Strategic Commands and industry, consists of a "system of systems", where NATO, multinational, and national ground, air, maritime and space assets are connected to one another to provide a collaborative, multi-domain surveillance and control capability. AFSC was renamed Alliance Federated Surveillance and Control to reflect this concept. The first step will focus on the incremental integration of NATO-owned and operated assets - such as the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) fleet and the successor to the AWACS - as well as multinational and national systems - such as the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) - into the new AFSC System of Systems. Both legacy and new assets - including unmanned technologies - will be integrated into AFSC. NATO and Allies will work closely with industry to tailor future national and multinational capability developments to the AFSC specific needs in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and tactical control. The AFSC initiative is a NATO-wide effort, governed by the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD). The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is responsible for programme management and technical interoperability. NATO's Strategic Commands provide guidance on military requirements and operational aspects and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) delivers additional technical expertise. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts for Feb. 26, 2026 DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Red One Medical Devices LLC,* Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $207,833,573 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Zimmer Biomet products. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is March 24, 2031. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DE-26-D-0002). Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries,** Corbin, Kentucky, has been awarded a maximum $74,433,048 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for military patrol caps. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Feb. 25, 2031. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-N011). Jianas Brothers Packaging Co.,* Kansas City, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $39,791,400 fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for instant powdered juice pouches. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Feb. 25, 2029. Using military services are Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE3S1-26-D-Z203). Travis Association for the Blind,** Austin, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $22,561,586 modification (P00019) exercising the third one-year option period of a two-year base contract (SPE1C1-22-D-B123) with three one-year option periods for warehousing, storage, logistics and distribution functions. This is a firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is Feb. 28, 2027. Using military services are Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NAVY The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, is being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00028) against a previously awarded and announced contract (N0003024C6001). The total value of the modification award is $179,900,000. This contract award provides Guidance System and Sub-Assembly Repair work. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts (15%); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (65%); and Clearwater, Florida (20%), with an expected completion date of Sept. 30, 2027. The contract will be incrementally funded, and no funds will currently expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract modification was awarded as a sole-source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. M.C. Dean Inc., Tysons, Virginia, is being awarded a $99,997,217 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N6523626D1023). This commercial contract is for the design, development, delivery, and sustainment of electronic security system and emergency management system solutions for Department of Defense and federal agencies at shore installations worldwide. The contract includes a five-year ordering period. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, Marine Corps funds in the amount of $552,345 will be obligated at time of award. The obligated funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. (50 %); and Charleston, South Carolina (50%), and is expected to be completed by February 2031. The contract was competitively procured by full and open competition via the System for Award Management website, with three offers received. Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, Charleston, South Carolina, is the contracting activity. Honeywell International Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $30,807,000 firm-fixed-price order (N0001926F0151) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0020). This order is for the production and delivery of 1,890 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range Inertial Measurement units life of type buy, to include 703 for the Navy, 530 for the Air Force, 104 for the government of Italy, and 553 for multiple, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is expected to be completed in December 2027. Fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,916,100; fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $8,639,000; fiscal 2024 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,542,800; Italian cooperative program funds in the amount of $1,695,200; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $9,013,900, will be obligated at the time of award, $2,542,800 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Alabama Shipyard LLC,* Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $21,499,729 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220526C1217) for a 106-calendar day shipyard availability for the mid-term availability of Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196). This contract includes a base work package and two unexercised options for additional work and time, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative value of this contract to $21,581,625. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, beginning Aug. 5, 2026, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 19, 2026. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,499,729 are obligated and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was a small business set-aside solicited via the Government wide Point of Entry website and three offers were received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $18,606,058 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for production of four MT7 turboshaft engines, ancillary parts, and installation kits in support of the Ship to Shore Connector program, Landing Craft, Air Cushion craft. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed by September 2029. This contract is awarded with funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) and directly supports the national effort to revitalize and rebuild American shipbuilding. One Big Beautiful Bill act funds in the amount of $18,606,058 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-25-C-2405). Alabama Shipyard LLC,* Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $18,205,703 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220526C1226) for a 101-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry dock availability of Military Sealift Command's replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203). This contract includes a base work package and three unexercised options for additional work and time, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative value of this contract to $18,401,676. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, beginning April 20, 2026, and is expected to be completed by July 29, 2026. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,205,703 are obligated and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was full and open competition solicited via the Government wide Point of Entry website and three offers were received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $17,857,824 modification (P00030) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001921C0040). This modification adds scope to provide continued Program Management Office Foreign Liaison Office and process meeting development capability support in support of the ongoing development and integration efforts for the government of Israel as an F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (80%); and undisclosed locations outside the continental U.S. (20%), and is expected to be completed in December 2027. FMS customer funds in the amount of $17,857,824 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Rolls Royce Solutions America Inc., Novi, Michigan, is awarded a $14,659,615 modification to exercise Option Year Three of a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N5523623D0001) in support of the original equipment manufacturer for the Littoral Combat Ships Independence-variant vessels for main propulsion diesel engines, ship service diesel generators, and hydraulic prime movers. The total contract value ceiling remains unchanged at $71,198,157. Work shall be performed in Mayport, Florida (40%); San Diego, California (40%); and various locations which shall be determined at the delivery order level (20%). No funds shall be obligated at the time of this modification award, instead funds shall be obligated per individual delivery orders as they are issued. Southwest Regional Maintenance Center located in San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Alabama Shipyard LLC,* Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $14,309,575 firm, fixed-price contract (N3220526C1209) for lay berth of Military Sealift Command's expeditionary sea base vessel USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7). This contract includes unexercised options for extended lay berth, industrial assist periods, and a mid-term availability, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative value of this contract to $30,716,954. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2027, if all options are exercised. Contract is incrementally funded. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $7,835,745 are obligated for fiscal 2026 and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. Operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,250,000 are obligated for fiscal 2026 and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was a small business set-aside solicited via the sam.gov website and two offers received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE LinQuest Corp., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $44,924,742 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00120) to a previously awarded contract (FA8808-19-C-0006) for additional systems engineering, integration, and test support. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $810,726,980. Work will be performed at El Segundo, California, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 26, 2026. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,345,613; and fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $6,219,122, are being obligated at the time of award. The Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity. Ki Ho Military Acquisition Consulting Inc., Reston, Virgina, was awarded a $32,400,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for sustainment services on the AN/FPS-117 Weapon System. This contract provides support for program management, engineering support, emergency support, diminishing manufacturing and material shortages support, software and hardware procurement, repairs, travel, and shipping. Work will be performed at Reston, Virgina, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 26, 2034. This contract was a competitive acquisition and one offer was received. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,156,351 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Lie Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8217-26-D-B002). CORRECTION: The contract for L3Harris Technologies, Integrated Systems L.P., Greenville, Texas, announced on Feb. 25, 2026, was not awarded, and will be awarded at a future date. ARMY Knight Construction and Supply Inc.,* Deer Park, Washington, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for steel spillway gates at Albeni Falls Dam. The amount of this action is $20,395,700. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Oldtown, Idaho with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2026. Fiscal 2026 firm-fixed-price funds in the amount of $20,395,700 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington, is the contracting activity (W912DW-26-C-A014). Electric Controls & Systems Inc., Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for design engineering, project management, equipment installation, concrete work, equipment commissioning, training, and procurement of a five-ton electric arc furnace and supporting equipment, as well as demolition and removal of the existing furnace. The amount of this action is $12,219,674 (with a total cumulative face value of $18,217,771). Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Rock Island, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 25, 2027. Fiscal 2026 Army Working Capital Funds in the amount of $12,219,674 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-26-C-A012). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4416902/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts for Feb. 27, 2026 DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Elite PPE LLC,* Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $763,082,470 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for physical fitness gear. This was a competitive acquisition with five responses received. Other contracts are expected to be awarded under this solicitation (SPE1C1-25-R-0130) and awardees will compete for a portion of the maximum dollar value. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is California, with a Feb. 25, 2031, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-0026). (Awarded on Feb. 26, 2026) Ham Produce and Seafood Inc.,* Honolulu, Hawaii, has been awarded a maximum $31,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a five-year contract with four option periods. The ordering period end date is March 5, 2031. Using customer is War Department. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Honolulu, Hawaii (SPE302-26-D-P017). Loc Performance Products LLC, Plymouth, Michigan, has been awarded an estimated $14,615,277 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for vehicle and tank support assemblies. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a three-year base contract with two one-year option periods. The performance completion date is Feb. 26, 2029. Using military services are Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7LX-26-D-0029). UPDATE: Avfuel Corp., Ann Arbor, Michigan (SPE607-26-D-0054, $9,847,066), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for fuel support at Redding Regional Airport, California, issued against solicitation SPE607-25-R-0204 and awarded on Jan. 7, 2026. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. UPDATE: Imperial Flying Service Inc., Imperial, California (SPE607-26-D-0004, $34,059,625), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for fuel support at Imperial County Airport, California, issued against solicitation SPE607-25-R-0204 and awarded on Jan. 7, 2026. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. UPDATE: Aml Global LC, Central, Hong Kong (SPE607-26-D-0056, $17,466,580) has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for fuel support at Pago Pago International Airport, American Somoa, issued against solicitation SPE607-25-R-0204 and awarded on Jan. 7, 2026. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. NAVY Hornbeck Offshore Operators LLC, Covington, Louisiana, was awarded a $291,794,000 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220526C4004) to provide operation and maintenance of four government-owned Transportation Auxiliary General Submarine Escort (T-AGSE) vessels. The vessels under this contract will include United States Naval Ship (USNS) Arrowhead, USNS Eagleview, USNS Westwind, and USNS Black Powder. The contract includes a one-year base period, four 12-month options, and a six-month option under Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8. The contract will be performed in Kings Bay, Georgia; and Bangor, Washington, beginning March 1, 2026, and will conclude Aug. 31, 2031, if all options are exercised. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $46,574,000 are obligated for fiscal 2026 and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract is Sole Source under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1). Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded $166,841,462 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide engineering analysis, software maintenance, software support services, and modernizations and improvements to software and associated hardware capabilities in support of P-8A systems and software engineering sustainment tasks associated with obsolescence, improvements and enhancements for the Navy. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (78%); St. Louis, Missouri (12%); and Huntington Beach, California (9%), and is expected to be complete by December 2030. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001926D0003). L3 Harris Maritime Services Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (N3220526D1005); L3 Technologies Inc. Herndon, Virginia (N3220526D1006); and Sea Wrench LLC,* Bedford, New Hampshire (N3220526D1007), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity firm-fixed-price contract to provide engine room control system maintenance and repair onboard Military Sealift Command vessels. The shared ceiling for all three contracts is $49,000,000 with the companies having the opportunity to compete for individual firm-fixed-price orders. This contract contains a five-year ordering period and one six-month option. The contract will be performed on a worldwide basis beginning Feb. 27, 2026, and ending Aug. 26, 2031, if option is exercised. This contract was procured utilizing other than full and open competition, solicited via the Government Point of Entry website; four offers were received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is being awarded an undefinitized contract action with a not-to-exceed amount of $36,150,000 under contract N0003026C7000, for technical and engineering services for fire control efforts in support of the Nuclear-armed, Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Program. Work will be performed from March 2026 through March 2027, and performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (80%); and Manassas, Virginia (20%). Research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funding, as provided in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in the amount of $18,075,000 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action is being awarded on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Textron Systems Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland, is awarded a $32,034,493 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-25-C-6309) to exercise an option for Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle software development and sustainment support. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland (60%); Panama City, Florida (30%); and Arlington, Virginia (10%), and is expected to be completed by February 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,427,108 (4%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $44,977,880 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded delivery order (N00024-24-F-4319) to provide unique parts and specialized material, including initial spares, for Virginia-class submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $44,977,880 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $10,762,308 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-23-C-5401) to exercise options for design agent and engineering support for the rolling airframe missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by March 2028. Fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,251,387 (89%); fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,100,000 (9%); and fiscal 2025 research, development test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $300,000 (2%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $300,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $9,600,963 modification (P00008) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N0001922D0024). This modification adds scope to provide all required maintenance and support for the F-35 product support aircraft in support of F-35 acceptance flights for the Air Force, Marines, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-U.S. Department of War participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Innovative Defense Technologies LLC,* Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a $9,364,049 modification (P00009) to contract (N0001423C1006) for the "Naval Digital Engineering Ecosystem (NDEE)" effort. The modification provides for the design, development and accelerated deployment of NDEE-derived Counter-/C5ISRT S&T solutions for field-testing adoption by Naval forces. Innovative Defense Technologies is proposing to refine prototype AI agents and optimization algorithms and integrate these into its Automated Test Re-Test Enterprise Platform AI framework. Work will be performed in Arlington, Virginia. The modification will increase the value of contract line-item number 0006 by $9,364,049 from $9,999,993 to $19,364,042 and extend the period of performance to March 23, 2027. After execution of the modification, the total cumulative value of this contract will be $62,332,183. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,293,544 are obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. ARMY L3 Technologies Inc., Londonderry, New Hampshire, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for the development, production and testing of the Binocular Night Observation Device. The amount of this action is $465,993,977. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2033. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-26-D-A007). Elbit Systems of America - Night Vision LLC, Roanoke, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for the development, production and testing of the Binocular Night Observation Device. The amount of this action is $450,602,778. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2033. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-26-D-A002). Photonis Defense Inc, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for the development, production and testing of the Binocular Night Observation. The amount of this action is $352,606,722. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2033. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-26-D-A006). Alabama Power Co., Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to provide electric service, changes in electric service, or disconnection of electric service under the General Services Administration Areawide Public Utility Contract. The amount of this action is $97,376,861. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 29, 2036. FDO Fort Sam Houston, Texas is the contracting activity (47PA04-25-D-0028, W9124J-26-F-A023). HII Mission Technologies Corp, McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $12,000,000 modification (P00008) to contract W58RGZ-26-P-0008 for transportation logistics services in support of the Army mission. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $12,000,000. Work will be performed in McLean Virginia, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2027. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $12,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (W58RGZ-26-P-0008). Aktarius LLC, Panama City, Florida, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for Defense Health Agency Continental U.S. Facilities Logistics Support Services. The amount of this action is $9,997,020. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026. Fiscal 2026 Defense Health Program, Defense funds in the amount of $9,997,020 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Engineer and Support Center, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W912DY-26-C-A008). National Native American Construction Inc.*, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of the Grandview Gate Entry Control Facility. The amount of this action is $9,240,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 21, 2027. Fiscal 2024 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $9,240,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Washington, is the contracting activity (W912DW-26-C-A017). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4418081/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address National Guardsmen train to use small drones By Sgt. Kayden Bedwell February 25, 2026 FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- National Guard Soldiers from various backgrounds, skillsets and military occupational specialties attending a 10-day small unmanned aircraft system operator course, or sUAS, are learning how to operate small drones. The course, which began Feb. 19 and ends Feb. 28, is being conducted by the 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute. "It's been a great course," said Sgt. Stephen Scharf, a student from 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment. "It's a very evolving world, so there are a lot of new ideas coming out. A lot of things are changing very rapidly. The course is structured to encourage students to adopt a tactical mindset and understand how the things they learn can be integrated into a large-scale combat operation, said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Wahl, the sUAS operator course manager. "One of my main goals here is to make it as realistic as we can," he said. "So, it's important for everyone to know how to operate one, because at any point you could be tasked with operating it." Several members of the 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia National Guard, attended the course because their unit is deploying soon. They'll be using these drones on their deployment, Spc. Simon Bertram said. "For infantry, it's very necessary for reconnaissance," Bertram said. "Getting more drone operators will be very beneficial." Other attendees of the course came to learn a new skill. Scharf said the course has been very informative. "It's an evolving world, and a lot of things are changing very rapidly," he said. "The instructors are doing their best to stay on top of it and disseminating that info." Scharf mentioned that this course and the information it provides have been beneficial not just for himself but for the Army as a whole. "It's something that as we develop this, more doctrine gets established," he said. "It's going to be something that you're going to see more widespread throughout both the Guard and the Army." The course is open to National Guard members of all military occupational specialties. "There are infantrymen here, some of them are engineers," Wahl said. "One of the students is an intel guy. There's all kinds of jobs that come through." "All of these different jobs in the Army will be affected by sUAS's," Scharf said. "Sometimes that might be that you have to figure out how, which is a great thing." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dem Leadership, Smith, Meeks, Himes, Khanna Announce Iran WPR Vote Next Week House Armed Services Committee - Democrats February 26, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representatives Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Democratic Whip Katherine Clark; Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar; Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and Ro Khanna, Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, today announced that House Democrats will force a vote on the Khanna-Massie Iran War Powers Resolution next week: "As soon as Congress reconvenes next week, we will compel a vote of the full House of Representatives on the bipartisan Khanna-Massie War Powers resolution. This legislation would require the President to come to Congress to make the case for using military force against Iran. The Iranian regime is brutal and destabilizing, seen most recently in the killing of thousands of protestors. However, undertaking a war of choice in the Middle East, without a full understanding of all the attendant risks to our servicemembers and to escalation, is reckless. We maintain that any such action would be unconstitutional without consultation with and authorization from Congress. Next week, every Member will have the opportunity to go on the record as to whether they support military action against Iran absent Congressional approval." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICYMI: HFAC Joins Appropriators in Delivering Joint Report on Christian Persecution in Nigeria to the White House U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs February 26, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. -- Following President Trump's call-to-action and redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), the House Appropriations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee delivered a joint report on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria to the White House. The findings follow a comprehensive investigation that included interviews with expert witnesses, a hearing and roundtable, two on-the-ground assessments through bipartisan congressional delegations to Nigeria, and close partnership with the Trump Administration. Nigeria has become the most dangerous place in the world to practice the Christian faith, as jihadist networks exploit weak enforcement and limited accountability to carry out sustained and coordinated violence against civilians. Committee members witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences for innocent communities, regional stability, and U.S. national security interests. The report makes clear that failure to confront these threats only emboldens terrorist actors and accelerates further violence - underscoring that protecting religious freedom and countering extremism require clear red lines, real accountability, and decisive leadership. Thanks to President Trump's efforts since returning to the White House, and attention from Congress, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change to address this two-decades-long crisis. Investigators on both committees recommend these actionable steps to align with President Trump's efforts from the White House: Strike a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Government of Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities, eliminate jihadist terror activity, further economic cooperation, and counter adversaries in the region. Implement the FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, which withholds funding to the Government of Nigeria until action is taken to stop violence against Christians. Invoke and publicly announce the CPC Presidential Directives to name and shame perpetrators of violence. Implement sanctions on groups and individuals who participate in, or tolerate, violence against Christians. Continue visa restrictions for perpetrators involved in Christian violence and violations of religious freedom. Demand the repeal of sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws. Review and use points of leverage to compel Fulani herdsmen to disarm, including by blocking export of beef and other cattle-related products. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "Liberty continues when strength stands guard. The freedom to worship is not a fleeting ideal, it is a cornerstone of America. From U.S. beginnings, our shores drew those seeking to pray without fear, and that promise must endure. So, though oceans stand between us, the call to protect faith and humanity does not fade with distance. President Trump made that clear when taking decisive action in Nigeria while simultaneously tasking us to deliver a report on further actions to protect persecuted Christians. I commend the work of our Vice Chair and NSRP Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, Rep. Riley Moore, and our committee members in leading efforts to stop extremism and systemic violence against innocent people. Our joint report focuses on defending lives, upholding religious liberty, and stopping terrorists. We affirm a necessary duality, no matter where we are: we defend U.S. principles by enforcing security. We protect faith by dismantling terror. And we recognize that a world where believers are safe is not achieved through hope alone - it is secured through vigilance that deters evil, confronts violence, and stands watch so prayer is never left undefended." Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) said, "During my official travel to Nigeria, I heard directly from witnesses and experts about the horrific violence being carried out against Christians. No one should face persecution or death for practicing their faith. President Trump's America First foreign policy makes clear that defending fundamental freedoms, including religious liberty, is a core U.S. priority at home and abroad. I am proud to aid in that mission through the FY26 National Security and Department of State legislation, which withholds assistance to the Government of Nigeria until action is taken to stop these atrocities. We must stand with vulnerable communities, including Christian communities, and ensure those responsible for this violence are held accountable." Legislative Branch Subcommittee Vice Chair Riley Moore (R-WV) said, "Following today's productive meeting at the White House, I want to thank President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and for his Administration's commitment to protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ from persecution and addressing the broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria. Since President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC and tasked me to lead a Congressional investigation, I have worked diligently with my colleagues to produce the report we presented today. I also want to thank House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and Congressman Chris Smith for their leadership on this comprehensive investigation and delivering this report to the White House. I traveled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and saw with my own eyes the horrific atrocities Christians face, and the instability the Nigerian government must combat. Through Congressional hearings, expert testimony, meeting with Internally Displaced People, hearing from religious leaders, and engaging with high-level Nigerian government officials, we have provided a clear picture of the threat environment in Nigeria and the horrific persecution Christians face. This report outlines concrete steps to impose accountability measures, counter radical Islamic terrorism, and lays out a plan to work in coordination and cooperation with the Nigerian government to bring security to all the people of Nigeria. Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to take the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States. Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations. Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians." Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman and Values Action Team Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said, "Religious freedom is not simply an American value; it is a universal right rooted in the dignity of every human being. President Reagan quoted the Bible when he spoke about America as a 'shining city on a hill,' a beacon of hope for those yearning to live and worship freely. That light must continue to shine for persecuted believers around the world. The violence against Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere demands more than concern, it requires steadfast action. I am grateful for Chairman Cole's leadership and for the diligent work of our colleagues in producing this report, which outlines meaningful steps to confront extremism and protect vulnerable communities. When we defend religious liberty abroad, we reaffirm the principles that make our nation that shining city, strong, faithful, and unafraid to stand for what is right." Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Scott Franklin (R-FL) said, "During our visit to Nigeria, I saw firsthand the devastating impact of religious persecution on Christian communities. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, and no one should live in fear for practicing their faith. Congress has a responsibility to ensure strong oversight and real accountability. The United States must continue standing for religious liberty and confronting extremist violence wherever it occurs." Homeland Security Vice Chair Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said, "Last December, I traveled to Nigeria with a bipartisan group of members of Congress and saw firsthand the devastating toll that targeted violence and religious persecution have taken on Christian communities. Families are living in fear, and extremist networks are exploiting instability with little accountability. The joint report now being delivered to the White House makes clear that the status quo is unacceptable. Protecting religious freedom and confronting terrorism requires decisive leadership and real consequences. With President Trump's redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, we have a critical opportunity to bring meaningful change to a crisis that has gone on for far too long." House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) said, The U.S. will not turn a blind eye to Christian persecution. This report shows the unrelenting plight Christians have faced for years in Nigeria. Thanks to President Trump, America is paying greater attention to this issue and leading with strength to protect religious freedom throughout the globe." House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) said, "President Trump's bold and well-founded redesignation of Nigeria as a 'Country of Particular Concern' was not just a declaration - it was a directive. For nearly twenty years, the Nigerian government has been complicit in and complacent about the violent religious persecution occurring within its borders. By failing to punish and prosecute the Islamist extremists who wantonly rape, torture, and murder Christians and non-radical Muslims in their country, the Nigerian government has only emboldened these terrorist thugs to inflict even more suffering. This joint report - requested by President Trump and compiled by the House Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees - is a critical tool for helping the Nigerian government to help its own people. This report provides comprehensive recommendations for the United States to follow throughout its efforts to curb the religious violence in Nigeria, ranging from bilateral agreements to economic sanctions. It is well past time that we dismantle the culture of denial surrounding the religious persecution in Nigeria - and this report provides the proper tools to do so." This joint effort from the Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees underscores the grave importance placed on this issue by both Congress and President Trump. Religious freedom is a founding principle of the United States of America, and House Republicans remain committed to protecting vulnerable religious communities around the world. Read the report here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China builds world's largest water infrastructure system People's Daily Online) 11:05, February 28, 2026 China has built the world's largest and most comprehensive water infrastructure system, benefiting more people than any other in the world. The total investment in water conservancy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) reached 5.68 trillion yuan (about $821.61 billion), with annual investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan for four consecutive years. China must take issues related to water resources into consideration when pushing forward Chinese modernization, said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressing the need to accelerate the modernization of water infrastructure. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the national water network covered 80.3 percent of the country's land area, and 181 major water conservancy projects broke ground. From the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, which now serves as a stable water source for 195 million people, to accelerated construction of small water diversion projects in rural areas, the vast majority of regions across the country now have access to the national water network. During the period, the country's water supply capacity increased by 31.8 billion cubic meters. China continued upgrading and renovating medium- and large-sized irrigation areas, with irrigated farmland exceeding 1.09 billion mu (about 72.67 million hectares). The national water network ensures water security for key economic zones, major urban clusters, major grain-producing areas, important ecological function zones and vital waterways. China's rural tap water coverage reached 96 percent during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. The Ministry of Water Resources aims to raise rural tap water coverage by 1 percentage point this year. Water security is fundamental to long-term national stability. The world's largest water infrastructure system has played a vital role in facilitating China's domestic economic circulation and fostering a new development paradigm. According to a recent United Nations report, the world has entered an "era of water bankruptcy," signaling heightened uncertainty in international trade of water-intensive agricultural products such as grain. China's national water network optimizes water resource allocation, ensuring reliable industrial and agricultural water use. Compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the effective utilization coefficient of farmland irrigation water rose from 0.565 to 0.583. Preliminary estimates show that water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP and per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value decreased by 20 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Remarkably, China has achieved zero growth in total water consumption even as its total economic output and crop harvests have increased over the years. China will accelerate the development of a modern water network and enhance its capacity to prevent floods, coordinate the allocation of water resources, and ensure water supply in both urban and rural areas, according to the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for National Economic and Social Development. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming) DRC: UN experts warn of extreme M23 violence targeting human rights defenders Press releases Special Procedures 26 February 2026 GENEVA -- UN experts* today condemned the extreme violence committed against human rights defenders by the M23 armed group in the North and South Kivu provinces, in eastern DRC. "We are horrified by the gravity and brutality of the abuse committed against human rights defenders and their families," the experts said. "There are allegations of attempted killings, repeated kidnappings, torture, sexual violence and death threats at the hands of M23, targeting those peacefully documenting abuses, supporting their communities and speaking out against violations." Between November 2025 and February 2026, several human rights defenders in North and South Kivu were reportedly targeted by members of M23 and their collaborators, in direct connection with their human rights work. Two women human rights defenders protesting forced expulsions of civilians in Uvira, South Kivu, were reportedly abducted and tortured by M23 elements. Their fate and whereabouts remain unknown. One woman human rights defender working on LGBT rights was abducted multiple times, severely tortured and continues to be aggressively pursued. In another case, a human rights defender was subjected to death threats and forced into hiding. Armed men allegedly raided his home, abducted and violently assaulted his spouse in an effort to force her to reveal his whereabouts. A young human rights defender from Goma, in North Kivu, was also reportedly threatened and forced into hiding following his public writings about killings of civilians in M23-controlled areas. "Human rights defenders operating in the Kivu provinces are paying an unbearable price," the experts said. "Those who dare to denounce abuses by M23 are being deliberately targeted. Women human rights defenders and LGBT rights defenders, who already face stigma and discrimination, are at acute risk of sexual violence and torture." "M23 must immediately stop targeting human rights defenders and civilians. The ceasefire must be fully respected and not undermined by ongoing intimidation and persecution," they added. The experts stressed that while the reported violations are attributed to M23 members, the State retains the obligation under international human rights law to protect individuals within its jurisdiction. "Even where violations are committed by non-State armed groups, the State has a clear obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and redress such acts," the experts said. "We call on the authorities to ensure prompt and impartial investigations into all allegations, to provide protection and adequate medical and psychosocial support to survivors and their families and to take meaningful steps to guarantee that human rights defenders in eastern DRC can carry out their work safely and without fear." "Human rights defenders are not combatants. They are not enemies, but vital actors for justice, accountability and peace," the experts said. "When they are silenced through fear and brutality, the prospects for lasting peace in eastern DRC grow ever more distant." The experts are in contact with the Government on this issue. *The experts: Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Graeme Reid, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Claudia Flores (Chair), Ivana Krstic (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: UN expert calls for more support to Emergency Response Rooms volunteers Press releases Special Procedures 26 February 2026 GENEVA -- As war continues to ravage Sudan with horrific consequences, local Emergency Response Rooms volunteers continue to risk their lives to deliver life-saving aid across the country, a UN expert said today. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes in terror and are either displaced internally or across neighbouring borders, where they are at increased risk of rape and other sexual violence, trafficking, torture and ill-treatment, detention, disappearances and abductions for ransom. In addition to the enduring violence, the people in some parts of Sudan are also faced with famine, with lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation resulting in a significant increase in preventable diseases. "In the midst of the terror of war and operating in unimaginably difficult circumstances under the constant threat of detention and violence, Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), along with youth and community-led initiatives, have remained committed to delivering life saving assistance to those in need," said Cecilia Bailliet, the Independent Expert on international solidarity. "Grounded in the Sudanese tradition of nafeer (collective action), the Emergency Response Room volunteers have been vital in ensuring the provision of food, water, medicine and shelter to millions, as they are able to access dangerous, hard-to-reach areas," said the expert. "While these solidarity networks have been crucial lifelines since the eruption of the war, more must be done by the international community and all relevant actors, to support them, and all parties to the conflict must do more to ensure access to critical humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, medical equipment, or other vital supplies, in line with international humanitarian law," said Bailliet. "The people of Sudan deserve to look to the future with hope, and the international community must not fail them," she added. Cecilia M. Bailliet is the the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement Of The DPM/FM At The Extraordinary Open-Ended Ministerial Session Of The OIC Executive Committee (26th February 2026, Jeddah) Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Your Excellency, Sering Modou Njie, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Gambia, Chair of the Islamic Summit; Your Excellency, Dr. Varsen Aghabekian, Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine; Your Excellency, Musa Kulaklikaya, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye; Your Excellency Samir Baker, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); Your Highnesses, Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters, Assalam-o-Alaikum, I would like to begin by extending my sincerest Ramadan greetings to all of you and your families. May this blessed month be a harbinger of peace, prosperity, and justice for the Ummah and the entire world. I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Republic of the Gambia, as Chair of the Islamic Summit; the Republic of Turkiye, as Chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the State of Palestine for convening this extraordinary session in a timely manner. This meeting is being held to address the illegal measures by the Israeli occupation aimed at accelerating settlement expansion, annexation, and the imposition of sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank. Pakistan fully supports this important effort. I would also like to thank the sagacious leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their continued support to the OIC in addressing the challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah. Our sincere gratitude also to the Secretary-General of the OIC, and his team, for the meticulous preparations for this extraordinary session. Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters, We are meeting at a time of exceptional gravity for the OIC and for the Palestinian cause, which remains the central concern of the Ummah and a defining responsibility of this Organization. The developments unfolding before us carry profound implications not only for the Palestinian people, but also for the credibility of international law including UN Charter and the integrity of the multilateral system. While intensified diplomatic efforts are underway to consolidate the ceasefire and advance implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict as envisaged in the UN Security Council resolution 2803, Israel's ceasefire violations, expansion of illegal settlements, and annexation attempts continue to undermine these efforts and jeopardize prospects for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Excellencies, Let me recall that on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2025, leaders and the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Eight Arab Islamic countries, including Pakistan, engaged with the President of the United States to end the bloodshed in Gaza, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, secure a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, and advance a comprehensive peace process for the Palestinian brothers and sisters. During these consultations, we, the Group of Eight, ensured that the non-annexation of the Occupied West Bank remained firmly on the agenda, and assurances were given to us that annexation of West Bank would not take place. On ground, however, Israel continues, with brazen impunity, to expand illegal settlements and enforce de facto annexation in the Occupied West Bank. These actions flagrantly violate international law including UN Charter, UN Security Council Resolution 2803, undermine all diplomatic efforts, and threaten the very foundations of a just and lasting peace. These violations embolden further aggression, erode regional stability, and trample on the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. The international community must decisively act, and act now, to halt these violations, uphold international law, and ensure delivery of the assurances made in good faith, to the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic Countries, including Pakistan. Recent joint statements by 8 Arab-Islamic countries have clearly highlighted our shared concern over Israel's continued violations of the ceasefire and its attempts to impose unlawful sovereignty, expand settlements, and enforce a new legal and administrative reality in the Occupied West Bank. Pakistan strongly condemns the latest illegal measures taken by Israel to convert areas of the Occupied West Bank into so-called "state property". These unlawful actions reflect an annexationist and expansionist mindset, bereft of any regard for international law or humanitarian norms. Pakistan remains fully engaged, as part of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic countries, to secure a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, immediate start of reconstruction, and a credible, time-bound political pathway towards an independent Palestinian state. Excellencies, As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Pakistan remains at the forefront in advancing the Palestinian cause and will continue to do so at all UN bodies, OIC and other multilateral platforms. In view of the serious gravity of the situation, we need to collectively ensure: First, an immediate reversal of all Israeli measures aimed at de facto annexation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory including West Bank, which constitutes a red line for any just resolution of the issue of Palestine; an immediate reversal of all Israeli measures aimed at de facto annexation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory including West Bank, which constitutes a red line for any just resolution of the issue of Palestine; Second , full respect for and protection of the historic and legal status quo at all holy sites, including Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque; , full respect for and protection of the historic and legal status quo at all holy sites, including Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque; Third , an immediate end to all forms of displacement, demographic manipulation, and collective punishment of the Palestinian brothers and sisters throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory; , an immediate end to all forms of displacement, demographic manipulation, and collective punishment of the Palestinian brothers and sisters throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory; Fourth , full and faithful implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2803, including strict adherence to the ceasefire in Gaza; , full and faithful implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2803, including strict adherence to the ceasefire in Gaza; Fifth , immediate commencement of reconstruction and recovery of Gaza, with full Palestinian ownership and a central role of the Palestinian Authority; , immediate commencement of reconstruction and recovery of Gaza, with full Palestinian ownership and a central role of the Palestinian Authority; Sixth , accountability for war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law; and , accountability for war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law; and Finally, a credible, irreversible, and time-bound political horizon leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN and OIC resolutions. It is in pursuit of these objectives that Pakistan, as part of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic countries, has joined the Board of Peace (BoP) as endorsed by UNSC resolution 2803. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif, participated in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace held in Washington DC on 19th February and reaffirmed Pakistan's firm commitment and principled position on the Palestinian issue. Ahead of the inaugural meeting of the BoP, I also participated on 18th February in the high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on the Middle East including Palestine and placed on record the detailed elaboration of Pakistan's principled position on Palestine. Excellencies, Pakistan reiterates its strong condemnation of the inflammatory remarks recently made by the United States Ambassador to Israel suggesting that it would be acceptable for Israel to exercise control over territories belonging to the Arab states, including the Occupied West Bank. Pakistan's position has also been expressed jointly with 14 Arab-Islamic countries, the OIC, the League of Arab States, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.Such statements, like the US Ambassador in Israel, are irresponsible, deeply concerning and condemnable. These are also inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter, undermine the sovereignty of Arab states, and seriously risk further emboldening of similar illegal actions by Israel. At a time when initiatives like the Board of Peace and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict seek to restore hope and chart a credible political horizon; remarks of this nature directly contradict those objectives and weaken collective diplomatic efforts. Pakistan stands firmly with its brotherly Arab nations in defending their territorial integrity and will continue to strongly oppose any attempt to legitimize occupation or alter internationally recognized borders by force. Excellencies, The parallels between the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are stark and undeniable. Indian occupation forces continue to unleash terror in the Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with systematic human rights violations and demographic manipulation designed to make Kashmiri brothers and sisters a minority in their own land. We appreciate the strong, unwavering support that the OIC has always afforded to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, we urge the OIC to step up efforts for a just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. Excellencies, brothers and sisters, Pakistan stands ready to contribute to all diplomatic initiatives, including the Comprehensive Gaza Peace Plan, the Board of Peace, the High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, and the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution, in pursuit of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Pakistan's support for the Palestinians' right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital is unwavering and permanent, In Sha Allah. Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters, This is a defining moment for the Muslim Ummah. The Palestinian people need concrete measures to end their suffering and to secure liberation from Israeli occupation. Pakistan, along with its brotherly OIC countries, stands ready to rise to this challenge with unity, resolve, and purpose. In Sha Allah. I thank you all. Islamabad February 27, 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Continues To Strike Taliban Targets In Afghanistan Amid Signals Of 'Open War' By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal and RFE/RL's Radio Azadi February 26, 2026 Pakistani war planes continued to bomb targets in Afghanistan on February 27 as fears of all out war between the two rose as they trade strikes on each other in their volatile mountain border region following days of escalating tensions boiled over. Local sources told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that three locations in Afghanistan's Paktika province in the early afternoon on February 27, including a Taliban camp in Bermal district, were targeted by fighter jets. The strikes followed attacks overnight on Kabul, the first time Islamabad has directly targeted its former allies, that came amid a major escalation in hostilities between Afghanistan's Taliban-led government and Islamabad. Just hours earlier before the attacks on the capital, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Taliban-led government, said Kabul had launched "a large-scale offensive operation against Pakistani military centers and military installations along the Durand Line," a volatile border that cuts through traditional Pashtun and Baloch tribal territories. The Taliban's Defense Ministry claimed that 55 Pakistani security personnel had been killed, while two bases and 19 posts were captured across the border by its forces. Islamabad's troops retaliated, Pakistani officials said, with Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for the Pakistani government, saying a total of 133 Afghan Taliban members are "confirmed killed," and more than 200 others wounded. "Many more casualties estimated in strikes in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar military targets," he added. The claims from both sides could not be independently verified, though a local Kabul resident told RFE/RL that a "huge explosion" rocked the city. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said country's forces were ready to "protect the country's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity." "The Pakistani military is determined not to allow the country's peace and security to be compromised under any circumstances," he wrote on X. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused the Taliban government of turning Afghanistan into a base for global terrorists and "a colony of India." "After the withdrawal of NATO forces, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and peace in the region. However, the Taliban turned Afghanistan into a colony of India. They gathered all the terrorists of the world in Afghanistan and began exporting terrorism," he wrote in a post on X. "Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you," he added. The latest wave of attacks came after Pakistani air strikes four days earlier killed at least 18 people in Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan said it had launched those strikes on seven militant sites inside Afghanistan in a "retributive response" to recent suicide attacks it said were carried out by Afghan-based extremists. Pakistan claimed the strikes killed as many as 80 militants. Taliban-run Afghan security structures rejected the claim as "false," while government officials also said they were preparing "an appropriate and calculated response." Afghanistan denies Pakistan's accusations that it is sheltering the Pakistani Taliban, an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban that appears to operate separately. Tensions have run high between the two countries since Pakistan conducted air strikes on Kabul in October 2025 and followed up with additional attacks on Afghan territory. Dozens of soldiers from both sides were killed in artillery clashes and heavy gunfire last year before a cease-fire was agreed through Qatari mediation. However, several rounds of talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, aimed at easing the tensions along the border, have failed to bring about a long-term breakthrough. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan- attacks-dozens-dead-border-region/33689094.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Senior UN official concludes two-day Gaza visit In Gaza, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, wrapped up a two-day visit to the Strip today. While in Gaza, he met with humanitarian partners, visited humanitarian operations, and discussed gaps and challenges in the response. Today, Dr. Alakbarov joined a medical evacuation mission at the Rafah crossing, where the UN and partners help patients and their caregivers go to Egypt for treatment. He also visited a reception centre in Rafah, where humanitarians help people returning to Gaza. Meanwhile, humanitarians leading on water, sanitation and hygiene services tell us that, in the last few months, they have delivered 17,000 hygiene kits, including toothpaste, soap and toothbrushes, to children and their families. Hundreds of water tanks have been installed near tents since the ceasefire, making it easier for people - especially children - to find clean water. On food security, humanitarians report that, this month, families have on average had two meals a day, compared with one meal per day in July of 2025. While this is an improvement, one in five households still only has one meal a day. Many families say they cannot afford food and other essentials goods. To help put food on the table, in January, humanitarians provided cash assistance to three quarters of a million people. This month, partners working on shelter provided tents, tarpaulins and other supplies to more than 27,000 displaced families. Additionally, today, in the city of Bani Suhaila in Khan Younis governorate, more than 400 vulnerable families living in this area received food and other supplies. Aid workers are also distributing emergency shelter material - consisting mainly of salvaged timber and metal pallets - in Khan Younis and Gaza city. The material is being used to build housing units that can endure harsh weather conditions. However, humanitarians report that families across Gaza are observing Ramadan in unsafe structures, as hundreds of thousands of housing units have been damaged since October of 2023. The UN once again appeals for the lifting of restrictions on the entry of construction materials and equipment into Gaza so that people can have longer-term housing solutions. Ukraine Aid workers rush in aid after renewed attacks across Ukraine Overnight, a large-scale drone and missile attack - combined with front-line hostilities - resulted in civilian casualties and damaged homes and critical infrastructure across Ukraine including Kyiv City. Authorities report that at least two civilians were killed and more than 40 injured, including two children. Residential buildings, shopping areas and energy facilities were once again damaged. In the Odesa region, some 40,000 families were left without electricity. In the Poltava region, damage to gas facilities disrupted power supply for around 20,000 families and businesses. The Ministry of Energy reported additional outages in several eastern and southern regions, continuing a pattern of winter attacks on energy systems. Humanitarian partners on the ground provided materials to repair windows, first aid, psychosocial support and cash support. Last month, authorities and humanitarian partners said nearly 7,000 people were evacuated from front-line areas in eastern Ukraine. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Ukraine with urgent support. Posted on 26 February 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force leaders discuss priorities for the Air Force's Future Force Design Published Feb. 26, 2026 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) -- Senior Air Force leaders and industry experts discussed the priorities for Air Force's Future Force Design during a panel at the Air and Space Forces Association's 2026 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Feb. 25. The Air Force is currently undergoing a massive modernization effort to equip the service with the tools it needs to win. "Our Airmen face unrelenting demands across the world today, while the service must prepare for a growing threat environment that ranges from regional bad actors and their proxies, to peer adversaries who wish to reorder the globe," said Heather Penney, moderator for the panel and Air and Space Forces Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies director of Studies and Research. "The service must strike a delicate balance between ready to fight tonight while developing and delivering next generation technologies on time and at scale." Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements Thomas Lawhead, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost, and retired Air Force Gen. James Holmes, Boeing Defense senior advisor, joined the panel to discuss how the Air Force and its key industry partners are tackling these issues. Penney opened the discussion by seeking the origin of the Future Force Design. "The driving force behind our focus on Force Design is the urgent need to transform the Air Force into the most lethal and adaptable in the world, capable of deterring aggression and winning in any conflict," Lawhead said. "This required a fundamental shift in our approach, carefully balancing readiness of our current force while aggressively pursuing the modernization needed to stay ahead of emerging threats." Lawhead added that the Air Force is making changes internally to its acquisition and requirements processes to keep pace with rapid modernization and readiness. "The force design allows us to identify critical capability gaps," Lawhead said. "This ensures our requirements are not born in a vacuum; they are intrinsically linked to a validated, war-winning concept, providing the 'strategic why' for every investment and ensuring the force is designed from the ground up to enable the entire Joint Force to win." When asked to outline the key attributes and priorities for the future force design, Lawhead replied that the core priority of the Air Force's Future Force Design is a crucial shift in thinking. "We've learned that combat success will be based on who can develop the best integrated system, not just who has the best individual platform," Lawhead explained. "The era of measuring strength by simply counting tails on the ramp is over." Instead of asking "How many F-47s do we need?" Lawhead said we now ask, "What attributes, like lethality, survivability, long-range penetrating capability, and persistent connectivity, do we need to guarantee air superiority?" According to Lawhead, this approach allows the Air Force to break from the monolithic programs of the past and build a networked, interoperable force. "The real advantage lies not in the most advanced platform, but rather in how we integrate the array of platforms and capabilities we have into a cohesive, interoperable force," Lawhead said. "Without integration, adversaries can exploit gaps in the spectrum, potentially gaining the upper hand." The panelists agreed the Air Force faces three major challenges: pacing rapidly modernizing adversaries such as China; balancing readiness and modernization for a force that is the smallest and oldest in its history; and delivering new capabilities at speed and scale. Armagost emphasized that the Air Force must continue to refine its mix of penetrating aircraft and standoff weapons, stressing that both are essential. Addressing claims that "stealth is dead," Holmes and Armagost underscored that low observable technologies remain critical to joint operations, particularly when integrated with advanced sensing and electronic warfare capabilities. Panelists also highlighted the need for fleet wide approaches to electromagnetic spectrum operations. Rather than relying on isolated capabilities, they said the future force must integrate apertures, sensors, and spectrum tools across platforms to complicate adversary targeting and maintain decision advantage in contested environments. With the imperative to increase the lethality of the fight tonight force, Lawhead shared his thoughts on how to balance the cost to acquire the future force, while also maintaining enough available and mission capable aircraft capacity to train and fight. "Readiness and modernization are not competing priorities, but two sides of the same coin," he said. "Readiness without modernization leads to an obsolete force, while modernization without readiness delivers capabilities that can't be fielded. As the chief of staff says, we must be able to 'fly and fix to deter our adversaries and, if necessary, fight to win.'" From Collaborative Combat Aircraft, to the B-21 and F-47, there's a lot of new programs for the Air Force, but how are they introducing these airframes into the service, Penney asked. "One way we're beginning to assess the impact of these emerging capabilities is through wargaming," Lawhead said. "This year, we're working with a new wargaming engine, called 'WarMatrix,' that allows us to assess the operational success of these future platforms, acting in concert with our existing fleet and the Joint Force." By leveraging AI to generate adaptive opposition and automate adjudication, WarMatrix allows the service to rapidly test new capabilities like the B-21 and F-47 against a strategic adversary that learns and changes its behavior to present a contested environment. According to Lawhead, WarMatrix will allow the service to move beyond archaic metrics and measure how these new airframes truly "move the needle." "We will be able to analyze their impact across the entire kill chain, from logistics and basing to their integration with the joint and combined force," Lawhead said. In summary, this panel discussed the Air Force's Future Force Design, emphasizing the need for multi-domain, multi-spectral, and Joint Force capabilities required to compete and win in a complex threat environment. Key drivers include the evolving strategic landscape and the necessity of balancing readiness today with modernization for future threats. This discussion highlighted the importance of agility, survivability, and reform, and the enduring need for both penetrating and long-range capabilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Healy highlights Reserve advantage during AFA symposium Published Feb. 26, 2026 By Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) -- The commander of Air Force Reserve Command told Airmen and Guardians attending the Air and Space Forces Association's 2026 Warfare Symposium that Reserve Airman are an advantage to the Department of the Air Force. "The Air Force Reserve is a force advantage," said Lt. Gen. John Healy, AFRC commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve. "We're efficient as we run our units 28 days a month on only 25% of our population. So that allows cost savings across the board. The average F-16 pilot has three times the flying hours of their active-duty counterparts as they come from active duty and retain that experience." He said the Reserve is also accessible as senior leaders across the Air Force understand how to program Reserve participation, so it has access to fighter or tanker units for an exercise three years down the road as opposed to volunteerism. "Lastly, every single one of these things we do, we're lethal. It's not by chance. It's not cherry picking, for instance, it's going through consistent selection and knowing that the experience is there and they're going to be left rock solid in terms of their force," he said. An example of these qualities is in the 960th Cyber Wing where Reserve Airmen bring their civilian expertise to the unit during unit training assemblies or annual training to reduce real-time threats through mitigation experience gained from the private sector. The general was asked about the Air Force plan to sunset nearly 50% of the command's fighter capacity at a time when the demand for fighters is surging. "The Guard, Reserve, and active duty should all be proportionally and concurrently field, and what we have seen for the last 15 years is exactly the opposite. The Air Force Reserve has taken a 48% cut in the Combat Air Forces portfolio while the active duty took a 2% cut and guard 15%," he said. Healy said CAF losses for the command are occurring at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, without recapitalization or program of record for follow on missions. "My optimism has significantly changed from a year ago," he said. "Right now, with the prospect of budget increases there is a sense of optimism we can get a realistic replacement mission for some of these units." He added that he is working to stop the loss of talent, highlighting how the 477th Fighter Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, is the most experienced F-22 Raptor unit in the service. The pilots in the group are 70% weapons school graduates, conducted 67% of all upgrade training for Elmendorf pilots and conducted 50% of active-duty check rides. "We can't let this type of experience go off the board," he said. "This is the experience we provide for the fight, and I think it's irreplaceable and why I have been fighting this for almost all of my entire tenure." Joining Healy on the 'Integrating to Win: Finding the Jets to Fly, Fix and Fight' panel were Gen. Adrian L. Spain, commander, Air Combat Command; Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry commander, Air Force Materiel Command and Maj. Gen. Bryony Terrell, special assistant to the director, Air National Guard. Earlier in the day, Chief Master Sgt. Isreal Nunez, AFRC command chief and senior enlisted leader for the Air Force Reserve, participated on the 'Readiness for Anything: Leadership in the Trenches' panel with three other senior enlisted leaders. He said there is a need for noncommissioned officers to lead with competence and a culture of teamwork. Adding it helps when the Reserve is able to recruit active-duty Airmen 5- and 7-level noncommissioned officerss. "We can have all the exquisite airframes but if we don't have exquisite Airmen we lose our decisive advantage," he said. "You know, readiness has a cost, and readiness is also quality of life. We must remember we recruit Airmen and retain families." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AMC interim commander emphasizes Airmen, aircraft readiness importance at AFA Published Feb. 26, 2026 By Capt. Christian Little Air Mobility Command Public Affairs AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) -- Lt. Gen. Rebecca Sonkiss, who took over as Air Mobility Command's interim commander earlier this month, addressed servicemembers, industry and journalists on the state of mobility readiness at the 2026 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, Feb. 24. Readiness was the central theme throughout the three-day event and amplified by the Air Force's most senior leaders, including Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Ken Wilsbach. He emphasized his back-to-basics priorities for the Air Force, which is to fly and fix to deter and if deterrence fails, to fight and win. "Flying and fixing is about the maintainers generating aircraft, the weapons troops loading with precision, intel sharpening the picture and defenders securing the flight line," he said. "It's tankers extending their range, planners stitching the timeline together, command and control assets communicating clearly and providing timely information to our shooters." In addition to individual readiness, Sonkiss relayed the criticality of resourcing and equipping mobility Airmen with what they need to succeed in future conflict, should deterrence fail. "The things we need to invest in to ensure we can operate in contested environments is connectivity, survivability and modernization," said Sonkiss. "All of those things are necessary, and we must [rapidly] give those tools to our Airmen, so they can get after exercising with them." Sonkiss focused discussion on recapitalizing the strategic airlift fleet, including the need to advance Next Generation Airlift, which will eventually replace the aging C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift platforms. "I have to modernize the mobility fleet. We must figure out the pathway for C-5 and C-17," stated Sonkiss. "The strategic airlift fleet doesn't often gain traction in the narrative of what we need to modernize...but we must come up with what the Next Generation Airlifter is because it is key to the readiness of the Joint Force." In addition to advancing NGAL, Sonkiss outlined the imperative to bolster connectivity, not only in mobility aircraft but also across the global air mobility support system, aeromedical evacuation forces and the 618th Air Operations Center. She emphasized the imperative will increase survivability of mobility air assets through increased battlespace awareness while also increasing the joint force's ability to communicate, inform and re-task assets to execute dynamic and evolving missions. "What I will tell you that I'm most worried about for our crews remains connectivity for aircraft, your mobility forces are not connected," Sonkiss explained. "We are on a pathway to get there...If [mobility is] integrated into the scheme of maneuver, I have an increase in survivability, it's imperative for us to do that." Sonkiss provided examples where connectivity created valuable competitive advantages in recent operations. "We had Midnight Hammer and the [Southern Command] operations as well, where the connectivity in our KC-46 actually played out in being that assured connectivity for our [joint] partners, where they were able to relay information on the mission and ensure that there was not failure in execution." In addition to hardware innovations, Sonkiss outlined how predictive mobilization models can better incorporate total force Airmen to ease active-duty requirements. This approach could generate increased availability of active-duty Airmen for future requirements, but it could also provide increased training opportunities for them. "And what we've been trying to do to help increase readiness for the active forcebecause they're the ones that are usually the easiest to accessis to build predictive mobilization models where we put the [Air Reserve Component] forward to help give us capacity," said Sonkiss. "We can do global operations, day in and day out, and preserve some readiness for the next fight." In addition to underscoring the importance of readiness, the general emphasized the unrelenting commitment of AMC Airmen. "Please know that your Airmen in Air Mobility Command are doing amazing work for the nation. You should be really proud of them, I am every day," Sonkiss stated. It is impressive to see what they're doing, not just real time in ongoing operations, but the creativity they have to get after the hard problem sets so we're ready for the future fight, she concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Task Force Ashland, USS Ashland arrive in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 US Navy 26 February 2026 From Gunnery Sgt. Manuel Serrano, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit CHUK SAMET, Thailand -- Task Force (TF) Ashland, a forward-deployed force of U.S. Marines and Sailors aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), arrived in the Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 22, to join approximately 8,000 service members from 30 nations for the 45th iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold, which runs from Feb. 24 to March 6, 2026. Co-sponsored by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Cobra Gold is the largest joint military exercise in mainland Asia. It brings together a robust multinational force to enhance interoperability and strengthen relationships in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. This year, full participating nations include, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S. "We are honored to arrive in the Kingdom of Thailand and participate in Cobra Gold alongside our Royal Thai Navy counterparts and multinational partners," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Adam Peeples, commanding officer of Ashland. "Cobra Gold provides a vital opportunity to strengthen interoperability, reinforce longstanding relationships, and demonstrate our shared commitment to the Indo-Pacific. The Sailors and Marines of Task Force Ashland are proud to train side by side with our allies and partners in support of the regional security and stability." TF Ashland's participation demonstrates a flexible and adaptive model of naval expeditionary presence. The force is composed of approximately 200 Marines and Sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and Combat Logistics Regiment 17, operating alongside the nearly 400 Ashland Sailors. TF Ashland brings Cobra Gold 26 a purpose-built amphibious force, demonstrating a flexible and adaptive model of naval expeditionary presence that is tailored to maintain regional presence and build partner capacity. In addition to TF Ashland's participation, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion assigned to Task Force 75 also participated in the exercise. "Task Force Ashland is more than a partnership; it's a statement of commitment forged in the crucible of realism," said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matt Bride, the commander of troops for TF Ashland. "Here at Cobra Gold 26, we are sharpening the spear and honing the cutting edge of our combined military power. These alliances aren't just on paper they're built on the sweat and shared determination of our Marines, Sailors, partners and allies, creating an unshakeable foundation for regional security that potential adversaries will recognize." Throughout the exercise, TF Ashland will engage in a wide array of training events designed to enhance multilateral cooperation and readiness. Key events will include a complex amphibious assault, a dynamic combined arms live-fire exercise, and rigorous jungle warfare training. Additionally, the task force will participate in a non-combatant evacuation operation exercise; a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear subject matter expert exchange; all of which underscore the comprehensive nature of this vital multinational exercise. This exercise is the largest of its kind in mainland Asia and stands as a concrete example of the robust strategic relationship between Thailand, the U.S., and the many other allied and partner nations involved. Cobra Gold 26 demonstrates a shared commitment to building interoperability and advancing common interests throughout the region. TF Ashland is participating in Cobra Gold 26 as part of conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. For questions regarding Cobra Gold 26, please contact Jacky Chow, Combined Joint Information Bureau, PAO Planner, at jacky.chow.ctr@army.mil or Task Force Ashland's participation in Cobra Gold 26, please contact Capt. Brian Tuthill, 15th MEU Communication Strategy and Operations, at brian.tuthill@usmc.mil or +1 760-763-4505. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan - UN sanctions four RSF commanders (February 27, 2026) France - Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres France welcomes the Security Council's imposition of sanctions on four Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanders - Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed, aka Al Zeir Salem; Gedo Hamdan Ahmed; Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, aka Abu Lulu; and Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo - for their role in the current conflict in Sudan. These four names were just added to the sanctions list that already included two RSF officers who had been designated in 2024, under the sanctions regime relating to Darfur that was established by UNSCR 1592. Through the imposition of these sanctions, which provide for the freezing of assets and travel bans, the Security Council is taking restrictive measures against four RSF members who are responsible for the crimes committed during their offensives against El Fasher in North Darfur. France co-sponsored these designations, in keeping with its commitment to resolve the Sudan crisis and its resolute effort to combat impunity. France urges all parties to the conflict to abide by their commitments and comply with their obligations in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Nearly three years after the start of the conflict, France remains committed to working with the Sudanese people to help restore peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Stories of High-Quality DevelopmentA loan from the hometown People's Daily Online) 11:16, February 28, 2026 Narrator: Wu Weiling, Deputy President, People's Bank of China Lishui Branch When you're running a business away from home, the biggest fear is running out of cash flow. Tao Xiaojun, a businessman from Lishui, east China's Zhejiang Province, once found himself in such a predicament. In 2024, when he wanted to renovate and expand his supermarket in Ningbo, funding became a major challenge. A 500,000-yuan (around $71,747) loan from his hometown came to his rescue, alleviating his urgent need. Lishui in Zhejiang is known for being 90 percent mountains, 5 percent water and 5 percent farmland. Because of this rugged terrain, many bold and hardworking people from Lishui ventured out of the mountains to start businesses. Today, Lishui is known as China's cradle of supermarket entrepreneurship, with Lishui natives running over 60,000 supermarkets across the country. Small and micro firms are the capillaries of the market economy. Yet supermarkets run by Lishui natives across the country are generally facing financing difficulties. With high inventory turnover and rented spaces, they have little to offer as collateral. In addition, high travel costs and information asymmetry in financing make it difficult for banks to approve loans even when they are willing to lend. We relied on digital empowerment to break this predicament. With data support from the Lishui Data Bureau, we integrate and apply multiple data sources, including government services, merchant operations and bank credit, among others, to build the Lijitong platform, which creates precise profiles of Lishui merchants operating across the country. It's not just a portal for accessing loan information but a data-driven financial service ecosystem. Under the prerequisite of ensuring data security, the joint contribution and sharing of financial information breaks geographical and time constraints. With banks gaining clearer insights and greater confidence in lending, and merchants accessing and utilizing loans more efficiently, it truly enabled targeted support for inclusive finance. As of Jan. 15, 2026, the Lijitong platform had served over 32,900 micro and small business entities from Lishui operating outside the region, with the credit amount extended to merchants reaching 7.95 billion yuan. It's not just loans, but also free entrepreneurship insurance and interest subsidies, among other policies. With support from their hometown, the people of Lishui feel much more secure doing business far from home. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming) China calls on Pakistan, Afghanistan to reach ceasefire amid clash escalation Global Times By Feng Fan and Huang Xiaona Published: Feb 27, 2026 11:48 PM At 3 pm on Friday, in the Blue Hall of China's Foreign Ministry in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning faced a packed press briefing where one question dominated: the latest surge in the conflict between China's neighboring countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. China is closely following the developments. "As their neighbor and friend, China is deeply concerned over the escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict and is saddened by the casualties," Mao Ning said. Just hours earlier, clashes along the long and volatile border between the two neighbors had surged to the top of global headlines. From Al Jazeera and the BBC to the Xinhua News Agency, international media once again turned its attention to renewed violence along the frontier. The latest bloodshed marked the most serious flare-up since the two sides signed a fragile ceasefire in October 2025. Open war Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday that Islamabad would now be waging "open war" as his country's "patience has run out" with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, following attacks by Afghan forces against Pakistani military positions along their shared border areas. The new round of hostilities has caused casualties on both sides, although the figures remain contested. According to Al Jazeera, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the director general of Pakistan military's media wing, says 274 Taliban fighters have been killed and more than 400 injured by Pakistani attacks. He added that 115 tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery pieces were also destroyed. At least 12 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the latest cross-border fighting with Afghanistan, a Pakistani army spokesperson confirmed in a news conference, according to Al Jazeera. On the Afghan side, Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the BBC that Afghan forces had destroyed 19 Pakistani border posts and detained a number of Pakistani soldiers. He also claimed that more than 50 Pakistani troops had been killed, according to the BBC. Both sides have reported civilian casualties. The deadly confrontation began Thursday night, when Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan, saying it was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas on Sunday. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, according to the Associated Press. Residents along the border described an atmosphere of mounting fear. "My friends in Afghanistan told me that they have frequently heard Pakistani fighter jets flying overhead since last night. Pakistani residents living in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region heard intense gunfire and artillery fire early this morning, and saw Afghanistan military drones this afternoon," Hu Yuzhen, a Chinese national in Islamabad, told the Global Times on Friday. In terms of intensity, this may be the most severe exchange of fire since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. More strikingly, it marks the first time Pakistani officials have formally used the term "open war", suggesting the confrontation has escalated to a level just short of a formal declaration of war, Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times on Friday. "This round of conflict is essentially the accumulation of old and new grievances between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban," Zhu said. "It is the result of a deteriorating situation and mounting contradictions in recent years, which have finally erupted in an explosive escalation." The escalation follows months of intermittent clashes. "Pakistanis in Islamabad are already used to the military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan," Hu said. "The Pakistanis around me don't believe that this is a real war, because the conflict between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban is long-standing, and their military conflict has lasted for more than six months." However, the protracted fighting has inflicted mounting casualties and deepened hostility between two countries that once maintained close ties. Many Pakistanis believe that the Afghan Taliban seeks to replicate its success in Afghanistan within Pakistan, Hu said. In Kabul, however, the narrative differs. Obaidullah Baheer, a Kabul-based political analyst and adjunct lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan, said that "Pakistan claimed that it was doing that in response to TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) attacks based on the bogus claim that the Taliban are supporting the TTP, an insurgent group operating within Pakistan," arguing there is "no evidence" showing that the Taliban is sheltering or backing the group. Baheer also alleged that there are circles within the Pakistani military that want conflict, adding that "nothing seems to back them off," according to Al Jazeera. Zhu noted that the roots of the conflict are complex. Beyond security concerns, there is the unresolved dispute over the Durand Line, which Afghan authorities do not recognize as the legitimate border. Pakistan argues that its domestic counterterrorism situation has deteriorated markedly since 2021 and accuses the Afghan Taliban of failing to effectively restrain the TTP, alleging that some attacks against Pakistan were planned or launched from Afghan territory. The Afghan Taliban firmly denies these claims, insisting the issue is Pakistan's internal affair and should not be shifted onto Afghanistan. Mutual accusations have further eroded trust. Pakistan long viewed itself as a supporter of the Afghan Taliban, yet after the Taliban regained power, Kabul did not reciprocate in ways Islamabad had expected. Meanwhile, perceived Afghan diplomatic overtures toward India have deepened Pakistan's suspicions, Zhu said. Historical grievances and contemporary geopolitical frictions are now "adding fuel to the fire" between the two neighbors, he added. Global call for peace As tensions rise, calls for restraint have grown louder worldwide. China, the United Nations and Russia are among those urging both sides to resolve disputes peacefully. Mao Ning said Friday that the intensity of ongoing clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan has gone beyond previous levels. Any protraction or escalation will inflict harm and losses on both sides. China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on the two sides to remain calm, exercise restraint, properly resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and negotiation, end the fighting as soon as possible, and avoid more suffering. Mao added that China has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for de-escalation and the improvement of relations between the two countries. "Our Ministry and embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging relevant sides in the two countries. China asks Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the two countries," Mao said. Russia has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to halt cross-border attacks and resolve their differences through diplomatic means, the RIA news agency reports, citing the foreign ministry, according to Al Jazeera. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring reports of escalating cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressing deep concern over the recent surge in violence. In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres urged both nations to adhere strictly to their obligations under international law, with a specific emphasis on international humanitarian law, and underscored the urgent need to prioritize civilian protection, Al Jazeera reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM responds to whether China will evacuate nationals from Pakistan and Afghanistan amid border clashes Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 27, 2026 04:12 PM In response to a question on whether China is considering evacuating Chinese nationals and companies from Pakistan and Afghanistan or suspending relevant flights due to the fierce cross-border clashes between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, "We are closely following the development of the situation and will provide necessary assistance to Chinese nationals in need." China has been mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan through its own channels and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in deescalating the situation and improving relations between the two countries, Mao said on Friday in response to another question concerning the fierce clashes and rapid escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in their border areas. China is closely following the developments of the situation. Pakistan and Afghanistan are close neighbors, and both are neighboring countries of China; as a neighbor and friend, China is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict and deeply saddened by the casualties caused by the conflict, Mao said on Friday. Mao said that the current round of Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict is more intense than previous ones, and its continuation or escalation will bring harm and losses to both sides. Mao said that China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on both sides to exercise calm and restraint, properly resolve their differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and realize ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid more suffering, as this serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and will help uphold peace and stability in the region. She added that the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging relevant parties of the two countries on this matter. China has asked both countries to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China mediates Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict through its own channels, calls for dialogue to resolve disputes: FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 27, 2026 04:05 PM China has been mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan through its own channels and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in deescalating the situation and improving relations between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday in response to a question concerning the fierce clashes and rapid escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in their border areas. China is closely following the developments of the situation. Pakistan and Afghanistan are close neighbors, and both are neighboring countries of China; as a neighbor and friend, China is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict and deeply saddened by the casualties caused by the conflict, Mao said on Friday. Mao said that the current round of Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict is more intense than previous ones, and its continuation or escalation will bring harm and losses to both sides. Mao said that China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on both sides to exercise calm and restraint, properly resolve their differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and realize ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid more suffering, as this serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and will help uphold peace and stability in the region. She added that the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging relevant parties of the two countries on this matter. China has asked both countries to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the spokesperson said. In response to another question on whether China is considering evacuating Chinese nationals and companies from Pakistan and Afghanistan or suspending relevant flights due to the fierce cross-border clashes between the two countries, Mao said on Friday, "We are closely following the development of the situation and will provide necessary assistance to Chinese nationals in need." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICC concludes confirmation of charges hearing in Duterte case International Criminal Court (ICC) / Cour penale internationale (CPI) Press Release: 27 February 2026 Today, 27 February 2026, the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), composed of Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc (Presiding judge), and Judges Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera. The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is for the judges to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the suspect committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, in full or in part, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial. After hearing the oral submissions of the Prosecutor, the Common Legal Representatives of the Victims and the Defence, the judges heard their respective closing statements. The hearing on the confirmation of charges took place in the absence of the suspect following the Chamber granting Mr Duterte's request to waive his right to attend the hearing. The judges will now start their deliberations. In accordance with Regulation 53 of the Regulations of the Court, the Pre-Trial Chamber shall deliver its written decision within 60 days of the date on which the confirmation hearing ends. The Pre-Trial Chamber may then: confirm those charges for which the Chamber has determined that there is sufficient evidence, and commit the suspect to trial before a Trial Chamber; decline to confirm those charges for which it has determined that there is insufficient evidence and stop the proceedings against Mr Duterte; adjourn the hearing and request the Prosecutor to provide further evidence, to conduct further investigations or to amend any charge for which the evidence submitted appears to establish a crime other than the one charged was committed. The Defence and the Prosecutor cannot directly appeal this decision. However they can request authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber to appeal it. Background: Mr Duterte is suspected of the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the 'war on drugs' campaign. Following a request of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, the warrant of arrest against Mr Duterte was issued by the Chamber as "Secret" on 7 March 2025 and reclassified as "Public" on 11 March 2025. On 12 March 2025, Mr Duterte was surrendered to the ICC. The initial appearance of Mr Duterte took place on 14 March 2025. On 8 September 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I postponed the confirmation hearing, initially scheduled to start on 23 September 2025, to adjudicate the Defence's Adjournment Request concerning Mr Duterte's fitness to participate in the proceedings. On 26 January 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I found Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings and scheduled the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for 23 February 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran strongly condemns renewed Israeli aggression against Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 27, 2026 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has strongly condemned the renewed aggression of the Israeli regime against Lebanon. In a statement on Friday, Baqaei strongly condemned the Israeli regime's aggression against Lebanon, including the Bekaa region, which has resulted in deaths and injuries to civilians as well as damage to Lebanese infrastructure. He called for immediate action from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to fulfill its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security. Referring to the ongoing violation of Lebanon's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the foreign ministry spokesperson described the UNSC's continued silence and inaction toward the Israeli regime's violations and crimes as "catastrophic." He emphasized the direct responsibility of the United States and France, as guarantors of the ceasefire, for the ongoing disastrous situation in Lebanon. 3266**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran ready to facilitate Afghanistan-Pakistan talks, FM says IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 27, 2026 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed Iran's readiness to facilitate peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In a post on his X account on Friday, Araghchi urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and good neighborliness principles, as he highlighted the significance of the holy month of Ramadan as a time for self-restraint and Islamic solidarity. He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to provide any assistance in facilitating dialogue and strengthening understanding and cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said early on Friday that the country is in an "open war" with neighboring Afghanistan, after both nations launched strikes overnight. Pakistan carried out strikes in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and two other Afghan provinces overnight, the spokesperson of the Afghan caretaker government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said, just hours after Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan. 3266**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address B. Braze on a visit to the United States: a strong mutual interest in deepening cooperation in security and economic matters and enhancing NATO's defence capabilities Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Published: 27.02.2026 Deepening cooperation between Latvia and the United States in the fields of security, defence, and the economy, together with joint efforts to address shared security challenges, including the instrumentalisation of migration, risks to border and maritime security, the US military presence in the Baltic region, preparations for the NATO Summit in Ankara, US peace initiatives, the political and economic containment of Russia, comprehensive support for Ukraine, and regional security threats stemming from co-aggressor Belarus, were the main topics of the discussions held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, with representatives of the US Administration and the US Congress in Washington from 24 to 26 February 2026. B. Braze met with the US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, Elbridge Colby, the US Special Envoy to Belarus, John P. Coale, senators representing both parties in the US Congress, and other officials. On 25 February, B. Braze attended US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze: "The United States is our strategic ally. I am grateful for the US military presence in Latvia and the Baltic Sea region. The US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, Elbridge Colby, and I discussed practical steps to deepen cooperation between Latvia and the United States in the fields of security and defence. I shared information on the ongoing development of the Selonia military training ground. Latvia received praise as an exemplary partner, demonstrating a responsible approach to its security and defence, having allocated 5% of GDP to this area already this year. This is an investment in the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area. The United States highly values Latvia's contribution to the protection of NATO's eastern border, as well as the achieved energy independence from Russia. We agree that it is important to demonstrate progress at the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara towards the 5% of GDP investment in defence agreed by the Allies last year. The Alliance must be strengthened, modernised, and made more capable of action, in line with the current geopolitical environment." B. Braze expressed gratitude to the United States for its work towards peace in Ukraine, highlighting that Russia has not succeeded in its strategic aims on the battlefield and is now pursuing them through socalled peace talks. Russia constitutes a long-term threat to the entire EuroAtlantic area and must continue to be contained politically and economically, including through strong sanctions, particularly targeting its shadow fleet. The Minister stated that, to date, Latvia has contributed EUR 17.2 million to the NATO PURL[1] initiative for the procurement of urgently needed weapons from the United States in support of Ukraine's armed forces. B. Braze and the US Special Envoy to Belarus, John P. Coale, discussed the situation in Belarus, the challenges it poses to regional security, and the EU sanctions against the Belarusian regime, which were extended for a further year on 26 February. The Minister expressed her gratitude to the United States for its role in securing the release of political prisoners, including three Latvian citizens. Members of the US Congress, Republican senators Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia and Thom Tillis from North Carolina, and Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, were thanked for their steady and convincing support of both parties to the Baltic Security Initiative, which significantly reinforces Latvia's defence capabilities. The Minister also joined a roundtable discussion organised by the American-Central European Business Association (ACEBA) where US entrepreneurs were introduced to the investment environment in Latvia and discussed opportunities for cooperation in energy, the military industry, drone technology, artificial intelligence, 5G/6G and quantum technologies. Latvia supports the Pax Silica initiative to stabilise technology supply chains. B. Braze participated in the US-European Forum of the international security think-tank GLOBSEC. The Minister discussed Latvia's foreign policy priorities, NATO and European security, support for Ukraine, and Latvia's agenda on the UN Security Council with students from Georgetown University. The Minister gave interviews to US media, including CBS News[2], AP[3], Newsmax, and others. On 24 February, in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly emergency special session on Ukraine, convened at the request of Ukraine and Latvia.[4] The resolution titled "Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine" was adopted at the session, with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also addressed the UN Security Council meeting with a statement on Russia's aggression in Ukraine.[5] In her speeches, B. Braze outlined the global impact and consequences of Russia's war, and drew attention to the war crimes it has committed. From 24 to 26 February 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, was on a working visit to the United States, covering both New York and Washington. [1] PURL - Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List [2] The Takeout with Major Garrett: Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze says "Russia is not winning" war with Ukraine [3] Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze in an interview with AP: After 4 years, no sign of peace in Russia's war with Ukraine [4] Statement by Latvia, United Nations General Assembly, 24 February 2026, New York [5] Statement at the United Nations Security Council by H.E. Ms. Baiba Braze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, 24 February 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NSPA awards second Modular GBAD Concept Study for Ground-Based Air Defence Systems NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) Feb 27 2026 LUXEMBOURG, 27 February -- The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has selected Airbus Defence and Space, Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill, and Raytheon, an RTX business, to continue working under the Modular Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) Project, advancing the initiative into Concept Study #2, titled "Modularity Solutions". The selection follows the completion and evaluation of Concept Study #1 deliverables, which focused on establishing initial system architecture foundations. The launch of Concept Study #2 is a significant milestone for the Modular GBAD concept stage activities. It demonstrates NSPA's efforts and dedication to meeting the challenges of Modular GBAD systems for Participating Nations, reflecting the strength of multinational cooperation as well as the significant added value of a competitive environment. NSPA recognises the responsibility that comes with delivering a capability of this Magnitude and so expertise, innovation and operational experience across our multinational customers and Industry were brought together with NATO and NSPA SMEs to enhance our collective defence. NSPA's Modular GBAD Programme confirms the need and value of our Acquisition Directorate, established in 2024 Ms Charlotte Hazeldean, NSPA Director of Acquisition The swift transition to Concept Study #2 is made possible through an innovative procurement strategy and reflects the Modular GBAD Support Partnership Nations', and NSPA's, continued commitment to modernising ground-based air defence by addressing the interoperability and integration challenges of various effectors, sensors, and Command and Control systems while maintaining sufficient diversity to preserve innovation and flexibility. This decision underscores Airbus' expertise in air defence, built on our combat-proven Command and Control systems. Our Modular GBAD vision introduces a future-proof system of systems architecture that enhances collaborative air defence by integrating previously stand-alone systems. In today's evolving threat landscape, the collaborative use of various GBAD assets within an allied environment is more crucial than ever to ensure effective and unified defence capabilities Mr Harald Mannheim, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space GmbH We are delighted to have been selected by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to progress from Concept Study #1 to Concept Study #2. Building on our established modular foundation, this work will help NATO's future Modular GBAD architecture. Leveraging the expertise behind our proven SkyKeeper system and modular Command and Control capability, we are supporting the development of a resilient and interoperable European solution for NATO and its allies Mr Tim Hadfield, Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill Raytheon is at the forefront of ground-based air defence modernisation by enabling system interoperability across Europe. In partnership with NSPA, we are advancing a modular, future-ready GBAD architecture that strengthens NATO's air defence capabilities Mr Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon The three industry teams will now be tasked with delineating and refining further their respective system architectures, thereby contributing to the development of Concept of Modularity to achieve interoperability at National/NATO level for legacy and future GBAD systems. Under Concept Study #2, each Contractor will particularly focus on how its vision of Modular GBAD architecture can be practically implemented and enhance operational effectiveness, sustainability, and increased resilience and availability for GBAD systems across diverse force structures and deployment environments. This milestone reaffirms NSPA's commitment to professionalism, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, as the Agency becomes the premier choice for multinational defence acquisition across the Alliance, providing a link between Nations and Industry. Story by NATO Support and Procurement Agency NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO High Level Group meets in Brussels on NATO's nuclear deterrence NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 27 February 2026 The NATO High Level Group, the senior advisory board to NATO's Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), met in Brussels on Wednesday (25 February 2026) to discuss the role of NATO's nuclear capabilities in preserving peace, preventing coercion, and deterring aggression. Representatives focused on further strengthening the credibility, effectiveness, safety, and security of NATO's nuclear deterrence, in light of the evolving security environment. Allies underscored the importance of NATO's nuclear burden sharing and discussed approaches to safeguarding Alliance security through NATO's nuclear posture. They also exercised the consultative process and reaffirmed that nuclear consultation remains a fundamental principle of NATO's nuclear policy. The meeting was chaired by the NATO High Level Group Chair, Dr Robert Soofer. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan: Taliban's gender oppression and international funding cuts pushing health system toward catastrophe, warns UN expert Press releases Special Procedures 27 February 2026 GENEVA -- Afghanistan faces a deepening health crisis driven by the Taliban's ongoing attack on the rights of women and girls and a sharp drop in international funding, a UN expert warned today. In a new report to the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, found the Taliban was systematically restricting access to healthcare for women and girls by imposing gender-oppressive policies, including limits on freedom of movement, the right to work, medical education, and the imposition of gender segregation in health facilities. "These policies are not isolated measures - they form an institutionalised system of gender discrimination that denies women and girls autonomy over their own bodies, health, and futures," Bennett said. "They provide further evidence that the Taliban is committing crimes against humanity." "Afghanistan's health system was already fragile after decades of conflict, poverty, and underinvestment, as well as over-reliance on donor support. But the current crisis cannot be explained by those factors alone. Taliban policies have created new barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing essential services," the Special Rapporteur said. Bennett expressed particular alarm over the ban on medical education for women, in place since 2024, and its long-term impact on the health sector. "The ban has effectively shut down the pipeline of new women health professionals. It is completely unjustifiable and puts the entire health system in jeopardy. Unless it is reversed, it will lead to unnecessary suffering, illness, and death, and could amount to femicide," he said. The expert stressed the massive cuts to international funding are also undermining life-saving programmes and seriously disrupting service delivery, stretching an already fragile system to breaking point. "For women and girls, these cuts are turning an oppressive environment into a full-scale health catastrophe," the expert said. "Member states need to fulfil their responsibilities and act urgently to avert severe and long-lasting harm." "Afghan health workers are showing extraordinary courage and commitment," Bennett said. "They care for their communities under extremely difficult conditions and increasing restrictions. The international community must stand with them, including by reversing funding cuts and committing to long term, flexible, and sustainable support." The international accountability mechanisms on Afghanistan must investigate violations of the right to health and all forms of gender-based violence, including reproductive violence, the expert said. "When women and girls are denied education, mobility, and healthcare, the effects ripple through families and across generations," Bennett said. "Denying women and girls their rights not only harms them - it threatens the country's entire health system and its future." He called on the Taliban to reverse course immediately and restore the rights of women and girls, by lifting restrictions on their freedom of movement, and allowing them to resume higher education, including medical education. "Protecting the right to health in Afghanistan requires restoring the rights and dignity of women and girls," Bennett said. Richard Bennett is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Shopping in China' draws global shoppers as tourism booms 11:24, February 28, 2026 By People's Daily reporters ( People's Daily An Egyptian tourist dressed in traditional Chinese attire poses for a photo with performers in Liruo village, Shitang township, Wenling, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/Sun Jinbiao) "Bring an extra suitcase to China." "Must-buy lists for 'Shopping in China.'" "A practical guide to tax refunds." Posts tagged "Shopping in China" are going viral on overseas social media, highlighting a surge in shopping enthusiasm among inbound travelers. Data from China's State Taxation Administration shows that in 2025, the number of overseas visitors claiming tax refunds surged 305 percent year on year, while sales of eligible goods jumped 95.9 percent and total refunds rose 95.8 percent. The shift from "China Travel" to "Shopping in China" signifies more than just changing visitor habits. These practical shopping guides, widely shared online, point to deeper transformations in China's tourism market, as increasingly diverse consumption scenarios are reshaping foreign visitors' itineraries. At a digital products store on Beijing's bustling Wangfujing pedestrian street, an Italian tourist named Luca was browsing smart bands from a Chinese brand, asking about differences between models and phone compatibility. A sales assistant explains the features of a Chinese gimbal camera to foreign travelers at a duty-free mall in Sanya, south China's Hainan province. (Photo/Zhang Yuanming) After testing various features with help from a sales assistant, he purchased four units -- one for his wife, an avid morning runner; two for his parents, who could use the health-monitoring functions; and one for his child, who would stand out at school with the stylish gadget. Ahead of his trip to China, Luca said friends back home had already asked him to bring back items such as Bluetooth earphones and portable chargers. As Chinese tech products sweep the globe, foreign tourists' shopping lists are expanding beyond traditional souvenirs to include high-tech products. Foldable smartphones, AI goggles, and drones are increasingly finding their way into their shopping carts. Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, often dubbed China's top electronics hub, has become a must-visit destination. At major markets such as Huaqiang Electronics World and SEG E-Market, foreign visitors carrying large bags or even rolling suitcases stand out in the crowd. "People used to think of Chinese specialties as tea or panda-themed souvenirs, but now these tech-driven smart products are the new 'must-buys,'" said an Egyptian tourist, his shopping bags filled after a busy morning. Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang province, known as the "world's supermarket," offers a one-stop shopping experience, from nail clippers and phone cases to smart home appliances and drones, making it another key stop for foreign visitors. A foreign merchant examines drones at the Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/Lyu Bin) A Russian tourist named Anna purchased a portable smart translator capable of real-time translation in over 100 languages for her son. "Yiwu defies expectations. It's not just a wholesale market for cheap goods; it feels more like a 'laboratory for future living,'" she said. Beyond the appeal of quality and innovation in Chinese manufacturing, many foreign visitors are also captivated by Chinese aesthetics. The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum has launched a refrigerator magnet inspired by the caisson in the Heavenly Palace of Longfu Temple. Chengdu's Kuanzhai Alley, a premier historical and cultural district, incorporates panda elements into its souvenirs. "Rong Momo," a stuffed toy modeled on roujiamo, a well-known street food from Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi province, is popular among tourists. Culturally distinctive keepsakes have grown increasingly popular among foreign tourists in recent years. These locally designed products offer an accessible glimpse into Chinese aesthetics and cultural sensibilities. As policies facilitating inbound tourism continue to improve, services across visa processing, border clearance, international transport, and payment have become more convenient. At the same time, immersive consumption experiences are emerging as a new highlight of "Shopping in China." On Guozijian Street in Beijing's Dongcheng district, a Canadian tourist named Lillian donned traditional Chinese attire for her first travel photoshoot. "These are some of the best photos of my life," she shared. From choosing costumes and makeup to learning traditional poses and etiquette, this experience sparked in her a strong fascination with traditional Chinese culture. At a tax refund counter on Shanghai's Madang Road No. 159, foreign visitors queued to complete refund procedures. Asked about their "Shopping in China" experience, many responded with a thumbs-up, describing it as "affordable, convenient, and a great overall experience." As the potential of "Shopping in China" continues to unfold, cities and regions across the country are moving quickly to seize the moment. By rolling out tailored policies and incentives, they aim to build a more internationalized consumption environment where foreign visitors can travel with ease and shop with greater value. By the end of November 2025, China had 12,252 departure tax refund stores nationwide, including 9,151 newly added that year. More than 7,000 stores now offer instant refund services, with coverage continuing to expand to better meet the needs of overseas travelers. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) UN inquiry finds South Sudan's political and military leaders are driving the country towards a full-scale war and mass atrocity crimes Press releases Independent investigation 27 February 2026 GENEVA/JUBA -- South Sudan's political and military leaders are systematically dismantling the 2018 Revitalized Peace agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, undermining governance and security safeguards and exposing civilians to grave risks of renewed armed conflict, mass atrocity crimes, and serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned today, presenting its latest investigative report to the Human Rights Council. The Commission calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities, restoration and full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, and compliance with South Sudan's obligations under international law. "Last March, the President declared South Sudan would not return to war. To the contrary, we have seen an alarming regression. Government forces have since carried out widespread and systematic attacks against civilians, including unlawful killings, indiscriminate, disproportionate aerial bombardment of civilian homes and medical facilities in violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution under international humanitarian law. The Commission also documented incidents of conflict-related sexual violence and the abduction and forcible recruitment of boys; conduct prohibited under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, its Optional Protocol and customary law. Taken together, these acts may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law," said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission. The new report draws on independent investigations conducted in South Sudan, focused on events and cases in 2025, while noting distressing new developments. The Commissioners presented the report today at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, which established the Commission ten years ago, in March 2016. "The Commission found that armed forces under ruling party command are now most responsible for attacks against civilians, including patterns of targeting linked to ethnicity and perceived political affiliation," added Sooka. "As attacks on Nuer civilians by government forces continue escalating, particularly in Jonglei, we see that the ethnic dimensions to renewed violence are inseparable from the politicized detentions and prosecutions of opposition leaders, which are also ethnically charged." In March 2025, the ruling SPLM-IG party detained opposition members across the country, including eight opposition leaders, among them the First Vice President, charging them with serious crimes in September 2025. These detentions and prosecutions raise serious concerns of arbitrary detention in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, denial of fair trial guarantees under Article 14, and unlawful executive interference with judicial independence. The ruling party says it plans to conduct the first national election in December 2026. "Credible electoral processes are unrealistic in a context where civic space is repressed, conflict rages, more than three million people are internally displaced, and key opposition leaders are arbitrarily detained during a politicized trial," added Sooka. The report identifies airstrikes on levels unprecedented since pre-independence wars. Conducted by South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), with documented support by Ugandan forces, most bombings hit areas the ruling party declared "hostile". Civilian homes, hospitals and opposition sites are targeted in attacks. Many of the improvised bombs inflicted severe burns on mostly civilian victims, often fatal. "Reflecting profound abdication of core duties and obligations, the systematic bombings and forced recruitments targeting civilians have been conducted by the very armed forces which are responsible for citizens' protection," said Commissioner Barney Afako. "These are gross violations of the State's international human rights law obligations and implicate leaders in serious crimes." The Commission documented forced recruitment in Juba led by SSPDF, in which boys and young men were abducted and transported north to fight. The airstrikes and forced recruitments were widely known, and well planned, with high-level authorization. Political-military leaders responsible for related crimes enjoy impunity. "Air and ground attacks on civilians by government forces, mostly targeting civilians in opposition-affiliated areas - predominantly Nuer communities - are part and parcel of the ruling party's systematic dismantling of the peace agreement. When leaders treat negotiated peace commitments as expendable, they create conditions in which violence flourishes. South Sudan is at a dangerous crossroads," added Afako. Evidence gathered by the Commission indicates these violations are authorized, condoned, or tolerated by senior political and military officials. This engages individual criminal responsibility, including under the doctrine of command responsibility. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement offers a comprehensive framework for peace, justice and development. The Commission has consistently emphasized the Revitalized Agreement as central to fulfilling South Sudan's international human rights law obligations. Yet the new report documents its systematic dismantling throughout 2025, following years of deliberate obstructions. "In our close examination of the detention and prosecution of opposition leaders, we identified serious and extensive violations of due process," said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernandez. "A fundamental issue is their detention without charge or lawyers for over five months. Another is the prejudicial statements by senior officials, and unexplained dismissals of chief justices and indeed justice ministers in the process - which indicates executive interference and may in part explain why judges never addressed the unlawful detentions. The unlawful deprivation of liberty warrants their immediate release; this should be done promptly, in accordance with applicable law." The report also reiterates findings in the Commission's paper of September 2025, detailing grand corruption diverting revenues to elites, rendering government institutions unable to address basic needs and fulfill human rights. Since its publication, corruption mechanisms have further entrenched, with the corrupt and politically-connected Crawford Capital Ltd. intensifying its infiltration of government. "Systemic impunity, economic predation, and deliberate subversion of peace agreements: over the ten years, our Commission has repeatedly identified these as central drivers of recurrent armed conflict and ongoing human rights violations," said Sooka. "South Sudan's neighbouring countries must urgently step up their engagement and press the ruling party to restore the Revitalized Agreement, starting with ending military offensives, recommitting to the cessation of hostilities and releasing opposition leaders from unlawful detention. Without urgent course correction, South Sudan risks state failure, further undermining regional security, and trampling the rights and dignity of South Sudanese." The Commission's key recommendations in the report are: To the Government: immediately cease bombings, forced recruitments, and all violations of international law; withdraw politicized charges against SPLM/A-IO leaders; cease actions dismantling power-sharing arrangements and undermining judicial independence; ensure any electoral process complies with safeguards consistent with the Revitalized Agreement and international law. To all armed forces and non-State armed groups: cease attacks on civilians; guarantee humanitarian access; enforce accountability for rights violations. To the African Union and United Nations organizations and Member States: demand compliance with the Revitalized Agreement and establish a credible mechanism to restore the transition; immediately operationalize the Hybrid Court for South Sudan; fully fund humanitarian and civilian protection; and condition political support on respect for human rights obligations. ENDS The full report can be found here, its graphic summary version here, and a supplementary annex detailing sources here. Background: The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council, in Geneva. Established in March 2016, the Commission has been renewed annually since. The Commissioners are appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work as Commissioners. They are supported by a Secretariat based in Juba, South Sudan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister address at the open- ended Extraordinary Ministerial Session of the OIC Executive Committee Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, led the Pakistan delegation at the open-ended Extraordinary Ministerial Session of the OIC Executive Committee to consider the illegal decisions of the Israeli occupation forces aimed at bolstering settlement and annexation, and attempting to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank. Pakistan Permanent Representative to the OIC, Ambassador Fawad Sher, also accompanied the DPM/FM at the Extraordinary Session. In his address, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister strongly condemned the latest illegal measures by Israel to convert areas of the occupied West Bank into so-called state property. He highlighted Pakistan's efforts, as an elected member of the UN Security Council, as a part of the Group of Eight Arab and Islamic countries and a member of the Board of Peace, in advancing the Palestinian cause. In view of the gravity of the situation, he urged the OIC to collectively work to ensure an immediate reversal of all Israeli measures aimed at de facto annexation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory; full implementation of Security Council resolution 2803, including strict adherence to the ceasefire in Gaza; immediate commencement of reconstruction of Gaza, with full Palestinian ownership and a central role of the Palestinian Authority; and a time-bound political horizon leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. Appreciating OIC's principled position and consistent support for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the DPM/FM urged the OIC to step up its efforts for realization of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. On the sidelines of the extraordinary session, the Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister held bilateral/ pull-aside meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Maldives and Palestine, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkiye and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia. Islamabad 27 February 2026 56/2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's Actions in Self-Defence against Terrorist Attacks and Military Provocations from Afghanistan Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs In response to repeated terrorist attacks by Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan against Pakistan emanating from Afghan soil, as well as the latest unwarranted and provocative actions by the Taliban regime on the night of 26 February, Pakistan's valiant defence forces have carried out precise operations, inflicting heavy losses on terrorist outfits and targeting their logistical support bases in Afghanistan. Pakistan's actions were undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defence and to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, as well as that of the wider region and beyond. Any further provocations by the Taliban regime, or attempts by any terrorist group to undermine the security and welfare of the people of Pakistan, will be met with a measured, decisive and befitting response. Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and has remained patiently engaged in political and diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. However, it is unfortunate that Pakistan's numerous goodwill gestures and highly responsible approach were misconstrued, resulting in increased terrorist attacks from Afghan soil, with the active support and backing of the Taliban regime, as well as India. Pakistan reiterates its strong resolve and determination to uproot the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and calls upon the Afghan regime to end the impunity with which Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan continue to operate from Afghan soil. We hope that the international community will also play its role in sending a clear message to the Taliban regime that it must not continue to renege on its obligation to take concrete and verifiable action against these terrorist outfits and end its support for them. Pakistan reserves the right to take all appropriate actions in its self-defence and to protect its citizens in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. Islamabad 27 February 2026 55/2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China condemns Philippines for disrupting peace, stability in South China Sea People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 14:44, February 27, 2026 BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday criticized the Philippines for disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea, as it co-opted countries outside the region to organize so-called "joint patrols." Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said the navy of the theater command conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea from Feb. 23 to 26. The theater command forces will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability, Zhai said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICC prosecution says substantial grounds met to confirm Duterte case Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora February 27, 2026, 11:34 pm MANILA -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution argued that the "standard for substantial grounds" to confirm the charges against former president Rodrigo R. Duterte is met and enough for a full trial to proceed. In the prosecution's closing statement on the final day of Duterte's confirmation hearing on Friday, senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls said lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman's presentations over the past two days showed exactly why the case should go to trial. "What my friend did today, going through these incidents, trying to pick them apart, that sounded like a closing argument after a trial," he said. "The types of issues he raised today and yesterday, in this incident, the first witness says X, the second witness says Y. That's what gets sorted out at trial. The witness that supports our charge is enough for the confirmation of the charges," he added. Nicholls also refuted a defense argument that "neutralization" in the drug campaign only meant subduing suspects, saying there is evidence pointing it means "to kill." "Whether we are able to prove it beyond reasonable doubt is another issue. Whether we're at substantial grounds is clear, we are," he said. The argument on neutralization was part of Kaufman's presentation on the merits on Thursday, when he also asserted there was "no smoking gun" in the case, and that the prosecution failed to establish that Duterte was an indirect co-perpetrator. Duterte is suspected of the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder in connection with the anti-illegal drugs campaign during his term as Davao City mayor and president of the Philippines. ICC prosecutors accuse Duterte of being "individually criminally responsible" for indirect co-perpetration; ordering and inducing; and aiding and abetting in the following counts: Count 1: Murders in or around Davao City by the Davao Death Squad during the mayoral period Count 2: Murders of high-value targets during the presidential period Count 3: Murders and attempted murders in village clearance operations during the presidential period Common legal representative of victims Gilbert Andres, who also delivered a closing statement, presented a series of rebuttals on Kaufman's submissions, including on the issue on the use of Duterte's speeches to establish criminal intent. "Under the Philippine Constitution, the executive power shall be vested in the president of the Philippines. Whatever the president publicly states is policy," he said. The confirmation of charges hearing was not a trial, but to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds that Duterte committed the crimes charged by the ICC prosecution. Sixty days after the hearing, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber will issue a decision on whether or not to confirm all or any of the charges. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's Biggest-Ever Attacks On Afghanistan Fuel Fears Of All-Out War By Frud Bezhan and Daud Khattak February 27, 2026 Pakistan has carried out its biggest-ever attacks on Afghanistan, including targeting two of the country's largest cities, heightening fears of an all-out war between the two neighbors. Pakistani jets on February 27 bombed military targets in Afghan capital, Kabul, the southern city of Kandahar, home to the Taliban's spiritual leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, and in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika, and Laghman, the Pakistani Army said. In retaliation, Afghanistan's Taliban government said it launched drone and rocket attacks targeting military installations and security forces in northwestern Pakistan. "Pakistan's strikes inside Afghanistan appear to be the most serious escalation since the Taliban returned to power in 2021," said Khalid Sultan, an Islamabad-based analyst. "Unlike earlier, when there were more limited counterterrorism air strikes targeting militant hideouts, this round has been broader in scope, hitting major cities, and framed in much stronger 'state-to-state' terms." The number of casualties from Pakistan's air strikes and the Taliban's retaliatory attacks were unclear, with both sides claiming to have killed dozens of fighters. Both sides reported civilian casualties. Islamabad launched the air strikes after the Afghan Taliban attacked Pakistani border positions. The attacks by Afghan forces were a response to Pakistani air strikes along the border earlier in the week. 'Conventional Conflict' The attacks on February 27 mark the worst flare up since October 2025, when fierce fighting erupted between Taliban fighters and Pakistani security forces, leaving dozens dead and key border crossings closed. The border clashes occurred just days after Pakistan carried out unprecedented drone strikes in the center of Kabul as well as air strikes in the country's east. Pakistan's strikes last year targeted the leadership and hideouts of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, inside Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the TTP, an allegation it denies. What makes the latest strikes different is that Pakistan targeted the Taliban government's military infrastructure and hit security installations and arms depots in Afghanistan, said Amir Rana, the head of the Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank. "This is the first conventional conflict between the two sides," said Rana. "Previous air strikes were meant to caution the Taliban. Now, this is a war-like situation." Underscoring the shift, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja M Asif, declared "open war" on the Afghan Taliban, in a strongly worded post on X. Allies Turned Foes Pakistan's relations with the Afghan Taliban, a close ally for decades, have deteriorated sharply in recent years. Islamabad had supported the Taliban since the group first emerged in the 1990s, including allegedly during the group's 20-year insurgency against the US-backed Afghan government. The strategy, experts say, was to install a pliant government in Kabul that would secure Pakistani interests. But that strategy appears to have backfired. Since the Taliban seized power in 2021, the TTP has waged an increasingly deadly insurgency against Islamabad. The extremist group has killed hundreds of Pakistani security personnel in recent years. In November, the TTP claimed responsibility for bombing a courthouse in Islamabad that killed around a dozen people. Mohammad Naeem Ghayur, an Afghan defense analyst, said Islamabad has demanded that the Afghan Taliban expel the TTP from Afghanistan and cut logistical and military support to the group. But that is unlikely, experts say, given the close ideological, organizational, and tribal ties between the TTP and Afghan Taliban. Moreover, "there are factions within the Afghan Taliban that oppose Pakistan," said Ghayur. RFE/RL's Radio Azadi contributed to this report Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan- taliban-ttp-war/33689781.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Calls for Diplomatic Resolution of Differences Between Afghanistan, Pakistan Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia calls on Afghanistan and Pakistan to end mutual strikes as soon as possible and to resolve differences diplomatically, Russian Presidential Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Advisor to the Foreign Minister Zamir Kabulov told Sputnik on Friday. Late on Thursday, Afghanistan announced that it had launched large-scale offensive military operations against Pakistani forces along the border in response to bombing. "We are in favor of an early cessation of mutual attacks and a diplomatic settlement of differences," Kabulov said. Russia will consider providing mediation services to Pakistan and Afghanistan if there is an appeal from both sides, Kabulov added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maduro Asks US Court to Dismiss Indictment Against Him Sputnik News 20260227 WASHINGTON, Sputnik - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is asking a US court to dismiss the indictment against him, according to a document obtained by RIA Novosti. "President Maduro respectfully moves this Court to dismiss the Fourth Superseding Indictment against him," the complaint says. Maduro's defense insists that his rights were violated during the criminal prosecution, it says. On January 3, the United States launched a massive attack on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and taking them to New York. According to US authorities, they were allegedly involved in "narco-terrorism." During their court appearance in New York, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges. In the wake of Maduro's capture, the Venezuelan Supreme Court temporarily transferred the duties of the head of state to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who was officially sworn in as acting President on January 5. Since then, Washington and Caracas have undertaken a series of steps to thaw their long-strained ties. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani Defense Chief Declares 'Open War' on Taliban For 'Exporting Terrorism' Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW, Sputnik - The Taliban began exporting terrorism from Afghanistan, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday, adding that Pakistan's patience has run out and open war has begun. "But the Taliban made Afghanistan a colony of India. They gathered terrorists from all over the world in Afghanistan and started exporting terrorism ... the Taliban became a proxy for India ... Our patience has run out. Now there is an open war," Asif was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. At the same time, Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the country is conducting large-scale retaliatory military operations following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan provinces. The TOLO News broadcaster reported, citing security sources, that the Afghan military shot down a Pakistani aircraft in Afghan airspace. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swedish Defense Minister Does Not Rule Out Deployment of Nuclear Weapons During Wartime Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson has not ruled out the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in Sweden during wartime. "If war breaks out, we will, of course, be prepared for anything that can ensure Sweden's survival and the security of Swedes," Johnson told Sveriges Radio, commenting on the possibility of nuclear weapons in the country. In 2023, before Sweden joined NATO, Sweden's parliamentary parties agreed not to deploy nuclear weapons on Swedish territory during peacetime, Sveriges Radio reported. However, Sweden does not have a similar provision regarding wartime. The Sweden Democrats, a party that supports the government, has expressed its willingness to abandon the 2023 agreement and thereby allow the deployment of nuclear weapons on Swedish territory during periods "between peace and war." The Liberals, a party in the government, also has not ruled out the deployment of nuclear weapons in Sweden during wartime. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swedish photo exhibition highlights winter identity of NE China's Heilongjiang People's Daily Online) 09:01, February 28, 2026 As part of the 2026 Happy Spring Festival (Sweden) series of events, "Snow Rhyme in the East-China's Icy Realm Photo Exhibition" is being held at the Consulate-General of China in Gothenburg, Sweden and at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. This exhibition employs photography as a medium to systematically present the unique ice and snow landscapes, lifestyles, and winter tourism resources of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Through four sectionsCity of Ice and Snow, The Winter Ceremony, Speed on Snow, and The Endless Cycle of Lifeit explores how ice and snow shape urban forms, cultivate lifestyles, invigorate winter sports, and sustain ecosystems in extreme cold. On Feb. 10, the exhibition opened at the Consulate General of China in Gothenburg. Over 200 guests attended a guided tour of the exhibition, learning how ice and snow culture and the ice and snow economy are becoming new drivers of high-quality development in Heilongjiang, while also serving as a new bridge for international exchange. Many expressed their hope to visit northeast China in the future to experience firsthand the charm of "Snow Rhyme in the East." From Feb. 2 to March 2, the exhibition will be dynamically displayed on high-definition large screens at Arlanda Airport. As a major transport hub connecting Nordic countries with the rest of the world, Arlanda Airport's passenger flow covers the neighboring countries of Sweden, European leisure travelers, and international tourists, with a daily footfall of approximately 50,000 visitors. In addition to showcasing winter landscapes, the large-screen exhibition consistently features phrases such as "Nihao! China" and "Happy Chinese New Year" giving visitors an intuitive understanding of China's tourism brand. This ensures high-frequency and wide-reaching visibility for China's tourism image, further sparking interest in travel to China among people in Sweden and the Nordic region, and helping cultivate a growing pool of potential visitors. Exhibition Date: 2026.02.02 - 2026.03.02 Address: Stockholm Arlanda Airport Open to the public, no registration required. Exhibition Date: 2026.02.11 - 2026.03.06 Address: Consulate-General of China in Gothenburg, Gronsakstorget 3, Gothenburg Admission with invitation only. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Pakistan Calls on Afghan Authorities to End Impunity for Terrorists - Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20260227 NEW DELHI (Sputnik) - Pakistan calls on authorities in Afghanistan to end impunity for terrorists operating in the country, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "Pakistan reiterates its strong resolve and determination to uproot the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and calls upon the Afghan regime to end the impunity with which Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan continue to operate from Afghan soil," the ministry said in a statement. Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense in response to military provocations from Afghanistan, and any further such steps will be met with a response, the ministry added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Central Command Chief Briefs Trump on Military Options Against Iran - Reports Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump heard a briefing from US Central Command Chief Brad Cooper on possible military options against Iran, the ABC News newspaper reported, citing a source. The meeting with the military took place on the day of talks between US and Iranian delegations in Geneva, the report said on Thursday. On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said after a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff that Iran and the US could hold a new round of talks within a week. He added that Iranian and US delegations will begin technical consultations in Vienna on Monday, which will be held at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran and the US have held three rounds of talks on the Iranian nuclear issue. The Iranian delegation is led by Araghchi, while the US delegation is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff. At present, both sides are drafting proposals for a possible agreement. In January, US President Donald Trump said a "massive armada" was heading towards Iran, adding that he hoped Tehran would agree to negotiate and sign a "fair and equitable" deal involving a complete abandonment of nuclear weapons. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Hosts Senior NATO Leaders to discuss Nuclear Deterrence News story NATO officials discussed the Alliance's approach to nuclear deterrence and Euro-Atlantic security in flagship meeting on 27 February. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ministry of Defence Published 27 February 2026 The UK convened NATO's leading political and military officials on 27 February to discuss the crucial role of nuclear deterrence in keeping the Alliance's one billion citizens safe. Demonstrating the unity of the Alliance, the UK's unwavering commitment to NATO and the credibility of its nuclear deterrence mission, this flagship event brought together NATO Ambassadors, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), and the Deputy Chair of the Military Committee (DCMC). As a nuclear alliance, NATO has long recognised the role of nuclear weapons in our collective deterrence and defence. NATO's commitment to nuclear deterrence remains unchanged and as strong as ever. Attendees at today's event discussed the key policies and capabilities the Alliance requires to meet the challenges we face in the Euro-Atlantic. Workshops like these are fundamental in strengthening NATO's nuclear policies of consultation and burden sharing; allowing all members to practice and participate in decision-making on these vital security issues. As the only European Ally to declare its nuclear deterrent to NATO, and the newest member to join of NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) mission, the UK plays a leading role in shaping the Alliance's approach to nuclear deterrence. We will continue to stand with our Allies and take all necessary steps to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 27 February 2026 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General/Migration At 3 p.m. this afternoon, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks at an Informal Meeting of the General Assembly to hear a briefing on his Report of the Secretary-General on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The meeting will take place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber. It will obviously be on UN Web TV. In his remarks, the Secretary-General is expected to highlight that human mobility is profoundly shaping our world, and yet, instead of responding with cooperation, the global reaction has too often been driven by fear, been driven by division and been driven by just rank opportunism. He will note that safe and regular pathways are becoming ever more restrictive, and when pathways are blocked, migrants do not disappear they are pushed into danger, exploitation and into the hands of smugglers. The Secretary-General will call on all to choose cooperation over chaos, and dignity over discrimination, and to make the Global Compact real, in every region, on every route, for every migrant. Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is also here in New York and will deliver remarks, as well. ** Afghanistan/Pakistan Turning to the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations. He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy. ** Afghanistan Further on the situation in Afghanistan, our humanitarian colleagues are voicing concern over the impact of attacks, including a reported incident at a transit and reception centre at the Torkham border crossing in the eastern part of Afghanistan. We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law; in particular, to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, as well as civilian infrastructure. Our humanitarian colleagues note that years of conflict, poverty and natural disasters, such as drought and earthquakes, have left nearly half the population, almost 22 million men, women and children, in need of humanitarian aid. This number will only increase if the fighting goes on or escalates. We, along with our humanitarian partners, are monitoring the situation closely, and we will continue to support wherever possible. Our humanitarian colleagues also need more funding for their operations. They've only received 11 per cent or $181 million of the $1.7 billion needed for this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. ** Iran/United States I also wanted to tell you that the Secretary-General welcomes the continuation of the indirect talks mediated by Oman between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America. He calls on the parties to continue to work with determination and in good faith towards a lasting agreement. He also emphasizes that full and comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verification is essential for any successful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue. ** Sudan Turning to Sudan: As you know, the conflict in that country has pushed humanitarian needs to extraordinary levels; our humanitarian colleagues tell us that nearly 34 million people will require aid in 2026. This is the highest number of people needing assistance anywhere in the world. This year, the humanitarian community is calling for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people facing the most catastrophic needs. The funding will provide food, clean water, nutrition, health and protection, as well as education services. Aid workers continue to face grave dangers. In recent months, 92 aid workers, mostly Sudanese, have been killed, injured, kidnapped or detained, and more than 65 attacks on healthcare workers and patients were also recorded. Delivering aid at this scale requires flexible funding and guaranteed humanitarian access, so workers can reach people in need, and they can reach them safely and rapidly and without any obstruction. ** South Sudan Turning south to South Sudan: The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned today that the country's political and military leaders are systematically dismantling the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, that dismantling putting civilians at serious risk of renewed conflict and serious human rights violations. The Commission's latest report to the Human Rights Council documents widespread and systematic attacks on civilians, including unlawful killings, indiscriminate aerial bombardment, sexual violence and forcible recruitment of boys acts that may all constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, according to the Commission. The Commission calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and a compliance with South Sudan's obligations under international law. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that as of Monday, our partners working on food security have distributed food rations to about 200,000 families in February; that's nearly 1 million people. In addition, more than 1.7 million meals have been prepared in more than 180 community kitchens across the Gaza Strip, and free bread has been delivered to more than 400 shelters and displacement sites throughout Gaza. However, and this is a big however, food rations have been cut by half in February, largely because there are not enough supplies in Gaza. Around two thirds of the aid trucks coming through the Egypt corridor were sent back this month. Inside Gaza, coordinated humanitarian movements with the Israeli authorities also continue. Out of 10 missions planned yesterday, 4 were facilitated including the collection of fuel, tents and baby kits from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing. Five missions were impeded, and a request to assess a water, sanitation and hygiene facility in North Gaza was denied outright. On the health front, our partners say they continue to see more people living with disabilities. Many have received amputations, while others have suffered spinal cord and brain trauma. Hundreds of people have received traumatic injuries since the ceasefire. Under an already fragile health system, these patients face challenges, especially since the entry of prosthetics and other essential devices remains heavily restricted. The UN and our partners continue to call for impediments to be lifted so that we can scale up assistance. Meanwhile, this week, our partners provided mental health and psychosocial support to more than 10,000 people, including women and children and front-line workers, as well as caregivers. Our partners have also opened safe spaces offering psychosocial support, mental health care, and essential daily items, including menstrual hygiene supplies, in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. Overall, more than 60 such spaces are now operational. ** Lebanon And north to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): Our peacekeepers in southern Lebanon continue to make strides in enhancing safety and security for people in southern Lebanon. Yesterday, the UN peacekeepers handed over the last two of five cleared minefields to the Lebanese Armed Forces; those fields were cleared over the past six months. Since resuming humanitarian demining last August, UNIFIL has cleared 12,030 square metres and destroyed 2,173 anti-personnel mines, work that directly protects civilians in the area. It also protects Lebanese Army personnel, and our own peacekeepers and UN workers. Along the Blue Line, UNIFIL has fully restored 15 markers damaged during last year's escalation, with work under way for restoring more. Before the hostilities, there were 272 markers along the Blue Line; recent assessments found 24 damaged and 33 destroyed outright. Restoring these markers not only enhances security but also requires careful coordination with both Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces to ensure peacekeepers can safely clear surrounding areas of explosives. These efforts all show UNIFIL's dedication to building safer communities and maintaining stability along the sensitive border. ** Madagascar Turning to Madagascar, we and our partners, together with the authorities, are continuing to help people impacted by two recent cyclones: Fytia and Gezani. We are appealing for $68 million to provide urgent, life-saving assistance to more than 450,000 people in the next three months. The plan will prioritize women, as well as children under the age of five, students, older people and people with disabilities. The funding will provide emergency shelter, clean water and sanitation, healthcare services, emergency education, nutrition, food security and agricultural support. As of yesterday, our partners were able to provide over 2,000 families with cash for emergency shelter, while 74,000 people have received cash transfers, 124,000 have received food assistance, and more than 200 water sources were built and repaired. We also distributed more than 22,000 school kits to 35,000 students and disinfected 125 schools. We're grateful to donors who already mobilized $12.7 million, part of which has gone towards vital logistical and air support; many roads are impassable. But, there's still a funding gap, and we urgently need more contributions as soon as possible. ** Niger On Niger, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that yesterday, we and our humanitarian partners, in support of the authorities, released this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which calls for $674 million to support 2 million people. Insecurity, forced displacement and climate shocks have left 3 million people in need of humanitarian aid across the country. This year's Plan will focus on civilians living in the most impacted regions of Niger, and where humanitarian needs are most acute. ** International Days International Days. On 1 March, we mark Zero Discrimination Day. This year's theme, "People First", highlights ongoing discrimination against people living with HIV and the need to ensure equal access to care. Sunday is one of my favourite days of the year. World Seagrass Day. That's not funny, seagrass is not a laughing matter. Though covering just 0.1 per cent of the ocean floor, seagrass meadows are powerful carbon sinks that help people fight climate change. ** Financial Contributions We got some money today. Ready? This country's first olive tree was planted in the thirteenth century, some of them were planted in the thirteenth century and still bearing fruits. It has over 120 million olive trees and produces 1.2 million metric tons of olive oil every year. That makes it the fifth largest producer of olive oil in the world. Who said Greece? Ephrem. So, we say thank you to Greece. This country is home to the deepest lake in Central America; it is surrounded by three volcanos and is very picturesque. Yes. And for a bonus the name of the lake? Lake Atitlan. Ok, so we thank our friends in Guatemala, we thank our friends in Greece, we congratulate Ephrem, we congratulate Edie, we have now 73 fully paid Member States. It's a great way to start the weekend. All right. Ephram, you if you have a question, you go first, and we'll go to Edie. ** Questions and Answers Correspondent : No, I'm good. Thanks. Spokesman : Okay. Edie? Correspondent : Thank you, Steph. We were only laughing about seagrass because it isn't something that immediately comes to mind. Spokesman : No, I get it. Question : Two questions. First, Israel's top court today suspended the halt to operations by more than 35 NGOs [non-governmental organizations] in the Palestinian territories. Does the Secretary-General have any comment? Spokesman : Well, I mean, we've been very consistent in saying that we desperately need our partners, the international NGOs and others whom we work with. We, as a UN system, could not do what we do without that partnership, and we want to see them being able to continue their work. Question : And secondly, Pakistan has said that it is in "open war with Afghanistan". I know you read a statement from the Secretary-General. Is he taking any further action, like calling, trying to talk to the leaders? Spokesman : Our political mission in Kabul is obviously closely monitoring the situation, in touch with people there; various contacts are being had. When I have something a bit more public to share with you, I will. Ibtisam Azem? Question : Thank you. So, a follow-up on your statement regarding... you said that half of the trucks through Egypt were sent back. So, the question is by whom, and did you get any explanation? Spokesman : No. I mean, we don't have... they were not cleared by the Israeli authorities, as far as I'm aware. There's an issue of them considering some items that we feel critical not being allowed into Gaza. There's some heavy equipment, things to clear rubble with, prosthetics, all sorts of things. And we just don't have the flow of aid that we need. Question : And a follow-up on that when it comes also to food. I know there is a rise in the numbers of what you can bring in. But, also there... are you getting everything you need to get when it comes to food? Spokesman : No, we're not getting everything we need. We're especially not getting the volume of things that we need. And it's something we keep advocating for. Yes, Pan, please. Question : Thank you, Steph. A number of countries have urged their nationals to withdraw from Iran, including UK, Canada and India. So, a [inaudible] seems to be imminent. So, does the Secretary-General has any more comments on this? Spokesman : Well, I mean, you know, we're seeing both, I would say positive messages come out of the diplomatic track, which we're continuing to encourage. We're also seeing very worrying military movements throughout the region, which is extremely concerning, as well. These are two potential tracks, clearly. We encourage everyone to focus on the diplomatic track. Okay. Nope. Adi, it's Friday. Why not? Question : Thank you, Steph. Just a clarification. The $68 million you flagged today for humanitarian aid in Madagascar, is that different from the $69 million you talked about on Tuesday? Or is it the same? Spokesman : I will check before I let you know. [He later clarified that the correct figure is $68 million.] Okay, all right. Anyone online? Okay. Thank you all. Have a wonderful weekend. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN unveils bold overhaul of strained humanitarian system 27 February 2026 - On Friday the General Assembly was briefed on the latest developments of the UN80 Initiative - a system-wide reform effort to make the organisation more effective and fit for the future - including progress on the New Humanitarian Compact and on training and research reforms. Teams under the leadership of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have been working on a wide-ranging set of proposals, spanning peace operations, development, human rights and humanitarian action, as well as cross-cutting areas such as data, technology and shared services, since the Initiative was launched in March 2025. This includes efforts to generate efficiencies within the UN Secretariat, strengthen the creation, implementation and review of mandates (decisions adopted by Member States that direct the work of the UN), and explore ways to strengthen coherence and collective delivery across the UN system. The briefing on 27 February focused on proposals for streamlining humanitarian support and the potential merger of some of the UN's training and research bodies. Guy Ryder, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy, began the Friday morning briefing with an overview of the progress of the UN80 Initiative over the past 12 months, and an acknowledgment that the complexity of the work has been challenging for Member States to stay on top of it. He promised to deliver clear information and a full vision of the process in a forthcoming report. Duplicated UN humanitarian efforts 'no longer sustainable' Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, led a briefing on the New Humanitarian Compact, a process of reforms to the organisation's humanitarian operations, which are under exceptional strain as they attempt to address multiplying conflicts, intensifying disasters and pressure on international humanitarian law. Mr. Fletcher was joined by several leading officials from the UN system (Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the UN children's fund; Amy Pope, Director-General of the UN migration agency; Barham Salih, the head of the UN refugee agency and Matthew Hollingworth, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme). The officials all explained how their agencies are ramping up cooperation and, in the words of Mr. Fletcher, "working as one unit." Ms. Russell said that a system in which humanitarian agencies operate parallel warehouses, fleets, contracts, and logistics networks is no longer sustainable. "We are taking a real step towards meaningful coherence," she declared. "When supply chains are integrated, children receive assistance faster. When nutrition systems are aligned, fewer children become malnourished. When diplomacy is coordinated, access improves." Mr. Fletcher, who lauded the efforts of the five UN aid bodies to work more closely together, noted that, at a time when humanitarian needs are rising faster than the available resources, the collaboration that is already taking place is making a tangible difference on the ground. "It's absolutely vital that we reform," said the humanitarian chief, "because we know the impact of what we do. The reset is about defining more clearly our work around life-saving priorities first, radical reform to the efficiency in the way we deliver, and defending our values and our principles, which are under sustained attack." Fixing a fragmented training and research system Training and research are vital functions of the UN system, but the landscape is fragmented, with overlapping functions, high costs and financial vulnerabilities. Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, the Rector of UN University (UNU) and Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, the Executive Director of the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) described reform proposals which would involve the merging of training and research bodies, and a UN System Coordination Mechanism aimed at a more efficient use of resources. Mr. Marwala also shared ideas for an AI platform to help address disinformation and strengthen links between research and training. "In a complex organization such as the UN, expertise and operational experience are often dispersed across entities," he said. "Such a platform could connect operational expertise and Member State needs with research priorities while translating research findings into practical training tools." Next steps towards a 'fit for purpose' UN The next major update of the work of the UN80 Initative for civil society is scheduled to take place at a Town Hall in late March. A high-level event co-designed with civil society is also planned for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July. The Secretary-General aims to be able to demonstrate to Heads of State and government by the September high-level week of the General Assembly (UNGA 81) that the UN system is effectively meeting its responsibilities, changing and improving with serious levels of ambition. "What is at stake," said Mr. Ryder, "is no less than whether the United Nations system can rise to this moment and deliver on its commitments to build a UN that is truly fit for purpose and capable of responding effectively to today's challenges and tomorrow's uncertainties." Progress under the UN80 Initiative can be tracked through a public dashboard, which provides an overview of actions, timelines and implementation across the system. Next steps towards a 'fit for purpose' UN The next major update of the work of the UN80 Initative for civil society is scheduled to take place at a Town Hall in late March. A high-level event co-designed with civil society is also planned for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July. The Secretary-General aims to be able to demonstrate to Heads of State and government by the September high-level week of the General Assembly (UNGA 81) that the UN system is effectively meeting its responsibilities, changing and improving with serious levels of ambition. "What is at stake," said Mr. Ryder, "is no less than whether the United Nations system can rise to this moment and deliver on its commitments to build a UN that is truly fit for purpose and capable of responding effectively to today's challenges and tomorrow's uncertainties." Progress under the UN80 Initiative can be tracked through a public dashboard, which provides an overview of actions, timelines and implementation across the system. The New Humanitarian Compact The New Humanitarian Compact, part of the UN80 Initiative, is about delivering faster, leaner and more accountable humanitarian support, and maximizing impact of available resources. Specific measures include: Streamlining humanitarian planning and reporting. Integrating global supply chains to reduce duplication. Common Services Catalogue (single entry point where UN entities can see available services and providers). Humanitarian Data Collaborative, enabling consistent data exchange for improved targeting of aid. Collaborative Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative, bringing UN agencies together under the coordination of the Emergency Relief Coordinator to reduce duplication and strengthen impact. Aligning agencies' responsibilities to clarify their roles in areas of food security, mobility, beneficiary data, and health and nutrition. Training and Research reforms The UN80 Initiative's goal is the creation of two dedicated pillars (one for training and one for research), via the following actions:. The UN80 Initiative's goal is the creation of two dedicated pillars (one for training and one for research), via the following actions: Merger of the UN System Staff College (UNSSC) into the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to establish a single, coherent training institution serving staff and Member States, whilst preserving the mandates of both entities. Integrate the UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) into the United Nations University (UNU). UNRISD would become a new research institute within UNU, making the UN's research functions more coherent. Establish a Joint UN System Coordination Mechanism, co-led by the UNU Rector and UNITAR Executive Director. The aim is a more efficient use of resources, and an improvement of system-wide coherence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Forgotten conflict in South Sudan at 'a dangerous point', Turk warns 27 February 2026 - South Sudan was the focus of debate in the UN Human Rights Council on Friday as escalating violence and political tensions - alongside a massive humanitarian emergency and war in neighbouring Sudan - threaten efforts to achieve lasting peace. In remarks to the Geneva-based international body, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for urgent action to preserve the 2018 peace agreement between the Government and opposition to prevent fragmentation and retaliatory cycles that could spark a return to all-out civil war. He described the human rights situation as among the world's forgotten crises. "We are at a dangerous point, when rising violence is combined with deepening uncertainty over South Sudan's political trajectory, as the peace agreement comes under severe strain," he warned. Civilians under attack Since December, both Government and opposition forces and their allied militias have launched attacks on residential areas in seven states, including Jonglei, where more than 280,000 people have fled their homes. The High Commissioner's office, OHCHR, documented that 189 civilians were killed in January, and many more injured, as rights violations and abuses surged by 45 per cent over the previous month. "Civilians are bearing the brunt of a spike in indiscriminate attacks, including aerial bombardments, deliberate killings, abductions and conflict-related sexual violence," he said. Military discipline lacking Mr. Turk noted that on both sides, "military discipline appears to have collapsed" in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria state "where troops have demonstrated a near total disregard for civilian protection." He said the recent escalation comes against a backdrop of rising tensions and civilian deaths throughout the past year. More than 5,100 people were killed or injured in 2025, according to OHCHR - a 40 per cent increase over 2024. The death toll included two UN staff members. OHCHR also monitored more than 250 individual cases of conflict-related sexual violence, though the true number of women and girls affected is likely much higher. Opposition forces and their allies also abducted 550 civilians, representing "a disturbing increase". Hate speech, humanitarian crisis The rising tensions are characterized by hate speech and incitement to violence targeting entire communities and ethnic groups, the rights chief said. He highlighted an audio recording, authenticated by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), in which "a senior military official urged his forces to spare no lives, and to destroy civilian homes, livestock, and property." Mr. Turk also addressed the dire humanitarian situation, with millions requiring assistance, and the war across the border which has brought an influx of refugees and returnees, as both are "intrinsically linked to rising insecurity and wider human rights violations and abuses." Code red for human rights In concluding his remarks, Mr. Turk stated that "human rights monitoring provides a warning system" and it "is flashing red for South Sudan." He called for an immediate end to the hostilities and urged the warring parties to recommit to inclusive dialogue. Over 1.3 million fleeing Sudan face uncertainty Well over 1.3 million mainly South Sudanese people have returned to the country after fleeing Sudan's ongoing war, the UN migration agency, IOM, reported on Friday. In an update from Juba, the agency's Deputy Director for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, stressed that South Sudan is one of the most displacement-affected countries in the world, although the situation rarely features in the world's media. "Nearly 10 million people require humanitarian assistance and more than 2.3 million people are displaced within the country," she told journalists in Geneva via video. "Over the past two months alone, over 250,000 people have been displaced and yet this has hardly been registered on the international scene." Aid workers killed The development follows an alert on Monday for the people of South Sudan issued by the UN's top aid official, Tom Fletcher. Ahead of that warning, three aid workers were killed earlier this month in Jonglei and Upper Nile states. Fighting has been reported in both of those northeastern states between government forces and those loyal to Vice-President Riek Machar, who is on trial for treason and remains under house arrest. The violent insecurity has severely hampered humanitarian access, with UN aid operations suspended in parts of Upper Nile and northern Jonglei states. In some case, river corridors are being used to deliver food and nutrition relief where needs are greatest. Access appeal "We have received assurances of improvements in access, but the reality is that it's fragile," IOM's Ms. Daniels said. "There may be access today, not access tomorrow. There's huge impact on our operations." She noted that in Bentiu, the country's largest displacement site, more than 109,000 people live surrounded by floodwaters and are "increasingly exposed" to the impacts of climate change. To counter this, IOM has supported flood mitigation efforts with the South Sudanese Government and the World Bank which have led to successful land reclamation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: Epstein scandal highlights 'silencing' of women, Danish breakthrough on HIV transmission, Belarus rights update 27 February 2026 - UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned on Friday that the Epstein and Gisele Pellicot scandals are an illustration of intensifying threats to women and girls forced to suffer in silence. Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. Turk stressed that violence against women - including femicide - had become a global emergency. Around 50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed in 2024, most by family members, he said, amid ongoing hearings in the United States Congress into child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's circle and following the shocking case of French woman Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband and raped by dozens of men while unconscious over a nine-year period: "Does anyone think there are not many more men like Dominique Pelicot, or Jeffrey Epstein?", the UN rights chief questioned. Social enablers "Such horrific abuse is enabled by social systems that silence women and girls and insulate powerful men from accountability." The UN High Commissioner noted his deep concern at the growing number of attacks against women in public life. "Every woman politician I meet tells me they face constant misogyny and online hate," he told the council, which is the UN's top human rights forum. Denmark eradicates mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, HIV A significant health advance has been made by Denmark with news onn Friday that the country has eradicated mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV. Without treatment, the risk of HIV transmission is 15 to 45 per cent, while untreated syphilis can cause half of all pregnancies to end in stillbirth or neonatal death, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO). Testimony to a 'sustained commitment' Welcoming the announcement by Denmark, the UN agency described it as a milestone owing to the Scandanavian country's "sustained commitment" to tackling the problem, which is a major global health challenge. WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus identified strong political commitment and consistent investment in primary care as key factors in Denmark eradicating transmission of the two diseases from mother to baby. With integrated maternal and child health services, "countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn from these diseases", Tedros insisted. Prisoner releases welcomed in Belarus, but hundreds remain jailed in 'alarming' conditions The group of UN independent human rights experts on Friday who monitor Belarus welcomed the release of over a hundred political prisoners there but issued a warning over "alarming" conditions for release that include forced expulsion. More than a thousand remain in prison for politically motivated reasons, said the UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts, who receive no salary for their work and are not UN staff. Forced expulsion and arbitrary deportation constitute a clear violation of international human rights standards, they continued. "We urge the Government of Belarus to abide by its human rights obligations and immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners detained for politically-motivated reasons," said Karinna Moskalenko, chair of the Group of Independent Experts. Silencing dissent Their report, which documented violations perpetuated by Belarusian authorities since May 2020, highlights a State-led strategy to silence dissent through arbitrary arrest, detention and subjecting detainees to torture, ill-treatment and inhumane conditions. The death of at least eight individuals in detention was also reported "showcasing the harsh conditions of confinement and the denial of adequate medical care". The report warned that "a culture of impunity allows these violations to persist and citied "a total lack of accountability within the domestic legal system." "In the absence of domestic justice, it called upon the international community to take decisive action...ensuring that those responsible for these systematic violations are eventually brought to justice," the experts' statement said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Afghanistan, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Niger UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Afghanistan UN relief wing warns stepped-up fighting puts civilians' lives at risk OCHA is voicing concern over the impact of attacks, including a reported incident at a transit and reception center at the Torkham border crossing in the east. The UN continues to call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular, to ensure the protection of civilians - including aid workers - and civilian infrastructure. Years of conflict, poverty and natural disasters, such as drought and earthquakes, have left nearly half the population - almost 22 million people - in need of humanitarian aid. This number will only increase if fighting escalates. The UN and humanitarian partners are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to support wherever possible. But to do this, more funding is needed. To date, 11 per cent - or $181 million - of the $1.7 billion needed for this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been received. Occupied Palestinian Territory UN, partners rush in aid despite blockages The UN and its partners continue to provide aid in the face of continued impediments. This month, and as of Monday, partners working on food security have distributed food rations to about 200,000 families - or nearly one million people. In addition, more than 1.7 million meals have been prepared in more than 180 community kitchens across the Strip, and free bread has been delivered to more than 400 shelters and displacement sites. However, food rations have been cut by half in February, largely because there are note enough supplies in Gaza. Around two-thirds of the aid trucks coming through the Egypt corridor were sent back this month. Inside Gaza, coordinated humanitarian movements with the Israeli authorities also continue. Of ten missions planned yesterday, four were facilitated - including the collection of fuel, tents and baby kits from the Kerem Shalom crossing. Five missions were impeded, and a request to assess a water, sanitation and hygiene facility in North Gaza was denied. On the health front, humanitarians say they continue to see more people living with disabilities. Many have received amputations, while some have suffered spinal cord and brain trauma. Hundreds of people have received traumatic injuries since the ceasefire. Under an already fragile health system, these patients face challenges, especially since the entry of prosthetics and other essential assistive devices remains heavily restricted. The UN and partners continue to call for impediments to be lifted so they can scale up assistance. Meanwhile, this week, partners provided mental health and psychosocial support to more than 10,000 people - this includes women and children, as well as caregivers and front-line workers. Humanitarians have also opened safe spaces offering psychosocial support, mental health care, and essential daily items - including menstrual hygiene supplies - in Gaza city, Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. Overall, more than 60 such spaces are now operational. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support. Sudan UN seeks $3 billion for world's largest humanitarian crisis OCHA says that more than 1,000 days of conflict have pushed humanitarian needs to extraordinary levels in the country, with nearly 34 million people needing aid in 2026 - the highest number anywhere in the world. This year, the humanitarian community is calling for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people facing the most catastrophic needs. This funding will provide food, clean water, nutrition, health, protection and education, among other support. Aid workers must be able to carry out their work free from threats and obstructions. Humanitarians continue to be attacked, with 92 aid workers - the majority being Sudanese - being killed, injured, kidnapped or detained. More than 65 attacks on healthcare workers and patients were recorded. To deliver humanitarian aid at scale, humanitarians urgently need flexible funding - as well as rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in need in Sudan with urgent support. Niger UN calls for $674 million to support most vulnerable communities across Niger The UN and humanitarian partners - in support of the Government - released this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which calls for $674 million to support 2 million people. Insecurity, forced displacement and climate shocks have left 3 million people in need of humanitarian aid across the country. This year's plan will focus on civilians living in the most affected regions of Niger, where humanitarian needs are most acute. Posted on 27 February 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Casualties rise as Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes continue People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:15, February 28, 2026 ISLAMABAD/KABUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's military said on Friday that 274 Afghan militants were killed and more than 400 were injured in cross-border clashes since Thursday. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, told a news briefing that Afghan militants opened fire and launched physical attacks in 53 locations across 15 sectors along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He said Pakistan security forces "effectively repulsed" the attacks and launched calibrated counterstrikes. According to the spokesperson, Pakistani air strikes targeted 22 locations across Afghanistan, including in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika provinces. He said the strikes hit military headquarters, brigade and battalion facilities, ammunition depots, logistics bases and hideouts allegedly used by militants. He said 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed, 27 injured and one remains missing in action. Chaudhry accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of supporting militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, including members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan government, said on Friday during a press conference on border tensions that during the retaliatory operations, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others captured. According to Mujahid, Pakistani reconnaissance aircraft are still operating within Afghanistan's airspace, and if Pakistan persists in its aggression, the forces of the Islamic Emirate possess the capability to respond with decisive action. Mujahid said that the Afghan government has consistently emphasized peaceful solutions and continues to advocate for a constructive, non-violent approach to resolving the situation. Tensions between the two neighboring countries have risen in recent days amid a surge in militant violence in border regions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Epic Fury The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, in what President Donald Trump announced as "major combat operations" targeting military installations, government ministries, missile production facilities, naval assets, and nuclear infrastructure across multiple Iranian cities. The Pentagon designated the American component of the operation "Operation Epic Fury"; the Israel Defense Forces named their component "Operation Roaring Lion," later also reported in some Israeli sources as "Operation Lion's Roar." Trump confirmed the strikes in a video message posted to Truth Social at approximately 2:30 a.m. Eastern time while at Mar-a-Lago. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said. "Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world." In his video address Trump catalogued what he characterized as forty-seven years of Iranian aggression against the United States and its allies, beginning with the 1979 seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran. "For 47 years the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder," Trump said, adding that "among the regime's first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days." He characterized Iran's support for Hamas as directly responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, stating "it was Iran's proxy Hamas that launched the monstrous October 7th attacks on Israel," and declared that his administration had sought repeatedly to reach a nuclear agreement but that Iran had refused. "They rejected every opportunity to reach their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore," Trump said. He vowed that "we are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground," that the United States would "annihilate their navy," and that "we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon." Trump acknowledged that the operation could produce American casualties and stated it was expected to continue for several days. At the close of his address he urged the Iranian population to remain indoors until the time was right, and called on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to lay down its arms in exchange for "complete immunity," warning that those who refused would face "certain death." The first strikes on Saturday morning local time in Tehran were reported in the vicinity of the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the Associated Press, though no confirmation was immediately available that Khamenei himself was targeted. Iranian sources and Reuters reported that Khamenei had been moved to a secure location prior to the start of the operation. Confirmed targets as reported by open-source monitors included the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, the Ministry of Defense, the Office of the Supreme Leader, the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, and the military base at Parchin. Explosions were reported in Tehran, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj. Iranian state television confirmed a blast in central Tehran but provided limited detail. Smoke was visible rising from the capital in news agency video footage. Internet connectivity monitoring organization NetBlocks reported that internet access in Tehran dropped to approximately 54 percent of normal levels in the immediate aftermath of the initial strikes, with further disruptions reported across Iran as the operation continued. Iran's airspace was reported closed for at least six hours from the start of the strikes. An Israeli defense official stated that their Operation Roaring Lion had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the specific launch date was decided weeks in advance. The IDF statement said that "in the months leading up to the attack, close joint planning was carried out between the IDF and the US Army, which enabled the broad attack to be carried out with maximum synchronization and coordination between the armies." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the joint operation "will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands." Israel declared a state of emergency, closed its airspace to civilian traffic, ordered hospitals to move patients to underground protected areas, and closed schools and workplaces with exceptions for essential sectors. The US Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert directing all US government personnel and family members in Israel to shelter in place. "The coming days of operation 'Roaring Lion' require patience and steadfastness from all of us. We will stand together, fight together, and together ensure the eternity of Israel," Netanyahu emphasized. He thanked US President Donald Trump for his "historic leadership" and noted that Tehran cannot be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons, "which would allow it to threaten all of humanity." Iranian retaliation began within hours of the initial strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that its missiles and drones had targeted the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, US military bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and what Iranian state media described as "military and security centers" in Israel. Bahrain's state media confirmed that the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters was the target of a missile attack, with smoke reported rising over Manama. The Israeli military confirmed missile launches from Iran toward Israel and activated warning sirens across multiple regions. Israel's Home Front Command sent cell phone alerts warning that "alerts are expected in the area in a few minutes" and directing the public to enter protected spaces. The IDF stated that it was "operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat" but cautioned that "the defense is not hermetic." The strikes came hours after Oman's foreign minister, who has been mediating nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Geneva, stated that the two sides had made "significant progress" in talks on February 26 -- progress that proved insufficient to forestall military action. Trump had built up a substantial US military presence in the region in preceding months, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, hundreds of aircraft, and Tomahawk cruise missile inventories, as part of what he described as pressure to force Iran to the negotiating table. On January 28 Trump had posted to Truth Social that "a massive Armada is heading to Iran," warning that "time is running out, it is truly of the essence." The operation, as described by Axios, started precisely as a ten-day deadline Trump had issued to Iran expired. Congressional reaction divided along imperfect partisan lines: Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky characterized the strikes as an act of war "unauthorized by Congress," while Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina wrote on X that "God bless @POTUS for planning and now executing Operation Epic Fury, making America more safe and eventually more prosperous," and declared that "the end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us." Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said Trump had been "willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region." The spectacle of a presidential surrogate stepping onto the world stage had long been a familiar feature of American statecraft. In the late Nineties, the Clinton administration would involve a disciplined deployment of cabinet heavyweights to sell the Kosovo intervention to Congress, to NATO allies, and to a skeptical public still adjusting to the postCold War landscape. A few years later, the Bush administration would involve an even more muscular version of the same strategy, sending out the vice president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, and a rotating cast of national security principals to make the case for the invasion of Iraq. These were moments when the machinery of the executive branch moved in coordinated formation, projecting authority through the voices of seasoned officials whose careers had been built inside the architecture of American power. Against that backdrop, the Trump era would involve a strikingly different tableau. Instead of a cabinet secretary or a national security figure, it was the first lady a former fashion model who had spent much of her tenure cultivating a public persona centered on childrens welfare who stepped behind the iconic horseshoe table of the United Nations Security Council. Melania Trump gaveled the meeting into order in what observers later described as a historic first, the moment when a presidential spouse, rather than a president or a foreign minister, opened a session of the body charged with maintaining international peace and security. The United States held the rotating presidency that month, and the first ladys appearance had been planned as part of a thematic session on children in conflict, a subject she had elevated throughout her public engagements. Yet the timing of the meeting would involve an unavoidable collision with events unfolding far beyond the walls of the Security Council chamber. Hours earlier, the presidents attack on Iran had reshaped the global news cycle, and the fallout from Operation Epic Fury had already produced casualties among American forces. Melania Trump acknowledged the moment directly, offering condolences to the families of the soldiers killed and expressing hope for the recovery of those injured. Her remarks, delivered in the measured cadence she favored for formal occasions, attempted to return the focus to the worlds children, but the geopolitical gravity of the day pressed heavily against the humanitarian framing. Diplomats in attendance later noted the surreal juxtaposition: a first lady presiding over a session on child protection while regional hostilities escalated across the Middle East. Iranian state media claimed that a girls school in the countrys south had been struck, reporting more than one hundred sixty deaths, though the Israeli military said it was unaware of any such operation and the U.S. military stated that it was still assessing the reports. Schools across Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman had either closed or shifted to remote instruction as governments braced for further instability. The Security Council chamber, with its murals depicting humanitys struggle toward peace, became the stage for a moment in which symbolism and crisis intertwined. The domestic reaction involved its own set of tensions. Critics questioned why a presidential spouse, rather than a cabinet official, had been placed in the chair at a time when U.S. military actions were under intense scrutiny. Supporters countered that the first ladys longstanding focus on children made her an appropriate figure for the sessions theme. But even those sympathetic to her role acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the moment. The United Nations confirmed that no spouse of a world leader had ever before opened a meeting of the Security Council, a body historically presided over by presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, or ambassadors. The episode would was a revealing snapshot of the Trump administrations approach to representation and spectacle. Where previous administrations had relied on institutional surrogates to articulate policy during moments of conflict, this one placed the first lady at the center of a global forum at a time of acute geopolitical strain. The image of Melania Trump wielding the gavel poised, composed, framed by the chambers iconic murals became part of the archival record of a presidency that frequently blurred the boundaries between personal symbolism and official statecraft. It was a moment that captured both the continuity of American engagement at the United Nations and the idiosyncrasies of the administration that sent her there. Semiotics of the name Operation Epic Fury Epic Epic is a deliberately inflated signifier. It carries connotations of mythic scale, suggesting events that will be remembered for generations rather than a routine military action. It implies a moralized, almost destiny-driven struggle, not just a tactical move. It also hints at totalizing scopemultiple domains, theaters, or decisive stakeselevating the mission from a bounded operation to a civilizational moment. Fury Fury is kinetic, emotional, and punitive. It signals unrestrained violence and overwhelming force, with a rapid tempo and shock action. It also evokes retributive justice, echoing mythological Furies as agents of vengeance who punish transgressions. Psychologically, it communicates dominance and disproportionate consequences for resistance. Where Epic is mythic and narrative, Fury is visceral and immediate. Combined meaning Together, Epic Fury fuses grand historical arc with raw, punishing force. It suggests a decisive, history-shaping offensive; a moralized justification for overwhelming violence; and a sense of inevitability, as if this is the climactic act rather than a preliminary phase. Semiotic payload: this is the moment where pent-up national will is released in a single, transformative blow, aimed as much at psychological and narrative effects as at physical objectives. Mapping against real-world naming conventions (CENTCOM, EUCOM, JSOC) CENTCOM / EUCOM style U.S. geographic combatant commands (e.g., CENTCOM, EUCOM) historically favor names that are serious but not overtly emotional or apocalyptic. Examples include Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve. These names typically combine: A geographic or environmental signifier (Desert, Iraqi) or a broad abstract value (Freedom, Resolve, Enduring). A second term that frames intent in moral or strategic language rather than raw emotion. Compared to these, Epic Fury is more overtly emotional and mythic. Desert Storm implies force of nature but still feels like a meteorological metaphor. Epic Fury sounds closer to a cinematic or mythological title than a bureaucratically filtered Pentagon name. It would stand out as unusually theatrical in a CENTCOM/EUCOM naming roster. JSOC / special operations style JSOC and other special operations elements often use names that are either deliberately bland (for OPSEC) or coded but still restrained, e.g., Neptune Spear, Red Wings, Gothic Serpent. These names may carry mythic or symbolic references, but they rarely announce emotional states like Fury in such a naked way. Epic Fury feels more like a large-scale, conventional-force branding than a covert or surgical operation label. It reads as a public-facing, media-ready name rather than a quiet tasking order. In a JSOC context, it would be unusually loud and declarative, more akin to a strategic campaign name than a single raid or mission. Alternate names with similar symbolic weight Other operation names might have been used to preserve the same mythic, climactic, and punitive energy, while varying tone and register: Operation Final Tempest Emphasizes a culminating storm, suggesting both chaos and cleansing, with a sense of last act inevitability. Operation Sovereign Wrath Centers state authority and retributive justice, framing violence as the expression of legitimate power. Operation Titans Judgment Mythic and larger-than-life, implying colossal force and a decisive verdict on the adversary. Operation Iron Reckoning Less cinematic but still heavy; combines industrial hardness (Iron) with moral accounting (Reckoning). Operation Crimson Thunder Color plus force-of-nature metaphor; suggests blood, shock, and sudden overwhelming impact. Operation Vengeful Horizon Blends long-term arc (Horizon) with retribution (Vengeful), implying that the entire future is being reshaped by this act. Operation Dominion Storm Signals control and supremacy (Dominion) expressed through a violent, sweeping action (Storm). Each of these alternatives keeps the core semiotic structure: large scale, moralized or mythic framing, and an emphasis on punishing, transformative force. They differ mainly in how overtly emotional they are and how closely they track existing U.S. naming patterns. Archival, evergreen narrative impact In official histories Operation Epic Fury would read as a name that already contains its own thesis. It pre-frames the operation as the decisive, climactic chapter of a broader conflict. Historians would likely note the gap (or alignment) between the names promise and the operations actual outcomes. If the operation truly is decisive, the name will age as prophetic branding. If it is inconclusive or disastrous, the name will be cited as evidence of hubris and overreach. In public memory and media For journalists, documentarians, and later cultural treatments, Epic Fury is highly quotable and inherently dramatic. It invites narrative arcs about the day everything changed, the final push, or the last gamble. The names emotional charge makes it easy to build documentaries, films, and retrospectives around it. Even critics of the war would likely keep the name intact because it is rhetorically potent and instantly legible. In strategic and doctrinal analysis In doctrinal and strategic literature, the name would be dissected as part of the information and psychological operations surrounding the campaign. Analysts would ask: Did the title help mobilize domestic support? Did it intimidate the adversary or instead harden their resolve? Did the mythic framing constrain political leaders by making de-escalation or compromise appear like betrayal of an epic promise? Over time, Operation Epic Fury would become a shorthand label not just for a set of battles, but for a particular style of war-making: maximalist, emotionally framed, and narratively ambitious. It would be used as a case study in how naming can pre-load a campaign with expectations that shape planning, rules of engagement, and political end states. Evergreen semiotic profile Because the name is not tied to a specific geography, technology, or adversary, it is evergreen in its symbolic structure. Epic and Fury are timeless signifiers; they work in any era, from conventional interstate war to high-tech, multi-domain conflict. That timelessness ensures that, in archives and future scholarship, the name will remain immediately interpretable without much historical footnoting. It will always read as: a grand, climactic, morally charged unleashing of force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The actor, who catapulted into fame with Narcos and stars in The Secret Agent, was a leading voice against Bolsonaro: The similarities between the recent history of Brazil and the United States are obvious Brazilian actor Wagner Moura, 49, can be seen seated in front of a computer in Los Angeles. He has lived in the city for years with his three children and wife, the photographer Sandra Delgado. In just a few hours, he will be on the red carpet at the Independent Spirit Awards, one of many he will have trekked since the release of The Secret Agent, Kleber Mendonca Filhos thriller that premiered at Cannes, where Moura won the award for best actor. Its been going on for awhile, laughs the performer, who is now nominated for an Oscar one of four nominations for the film. Yes, The Secret Agent is a thriller, and at the same time, a stripped-down portrait of the cruelty of the 1970s Brazilian dictatorship, as well as the importance of resistance against injustice, even in the smallest of ways, and the preservation of the memory of the oppressed. Moura and Mendonca Filho met at Cannes in 2005 when the former was presenting the movie Lower City and the latter was attending in the capacity of film critic. Both of us are from northeastern Brazil. When Kleber made the leap into directing, I began to follow his projects. I told him that if some day he had a project for me, Moura trails off in a perfect Spanish that he learned to bring Pablo Escobar to life in the series Narcos. We were talking, not much else. And then came Bolsonaros coup. That was when the director and actor became spokespeople for intellectuals opposed to the arch-conservatives uprising. We began to communicate, to see how each other was doing, and we became close. Bolsonaro launched a campaign of censorship against my movie Marighella [a bio-pic that Moura directed in 2019 about a writer-turned-Brazilian Communist Party leader], which was not released until 2021. He had his own battles. So when he began to write The Secret Agent, I came along for the ride. We both make political art. Wagner Moura, center, in The Secret Agent. Question. Your character is not a kingpin or a leader, but rather someone who fights the dictatorship in their day-to-day life. Answer. And that is a fundamental part of it. Like the people in Minneapolis who were recording ICE with their phones. I had already directed a film about a revolutionary, about Marighella, now it was the common mans turn, because that is who is the common victims of dictatorships. That is who the people are who being persecuted here in the United States because of the color of their skin, their phenotype, their accents, their religion, their political ideas. Authoritarian regimes go after them, so I have loved playing a man who wants to stay true to his values. He doesnt need to be Che Guevara, just to resist evil. Q. Do you agree that there are parallels between what has been happening in recent years in Brazil and the United States? A. At least we have freed ourselves from Bolsonaro. The similarities between the recent histories of Brazil and the United States are obvious. And what really stands out to me is how it is the same kind of person who has been elected specifically to be in power and whose ideological pattern is the same. Thats true for right now, and in similar historical moments. I am very proud of how politically skillful Lula was when Trump pressured him to set Bolsonaro free. The way that Brazil reacted to the invasion of its institutions has a lot to do with our memory of the military dictatorship. The Americans have never gone through a dictatorship, and thats why they dont have fear of it. Many think that democracy is a given. Others do not, and there is a beautiful legacy here of battles for civil rights under leaders like Martin Luther King. Well see, because United States is the nation that has exported ideals of democracy and social equality to the rest of the world, and look at what is happening. Wagner Moura and Kleber Mendonca Filho during the filming of The Secret Agent. Q. Tension is building, almost to the point that the events of Civil War, the Alex Garland film in which you played a journalist in a dystopian U.S. civil war, may be possible. A. Thats wild, isnt it? How the relationship between the states and the president has become so fraught. Were in a very ugly time, even I am afraid of running into ICE. Im saying that because I react in a very explosive way when there is a situation of injustice or authoritarianism before me. And now, I dont know if Ill be able to do that, because those assholes can kill you, as we have seen. I know many Latinos who are hiding in their homes, who arent bringing their children to school. We are in very sad times. Its strange how the same patterns that took place in Brazil are repeating themselves. For example, demonizing actors, artists, journalists and universities. The extreme right in Brazil was very effective in turning Brazilian artists into the enemy of the people. They used a discourse whose messages were that these people were living off of public funds. And how they managed to make the truth disappear. Wagner Moura, last weekend at the Independent Spirit Awards. Amanda Edwards (Getty Images) Q. Facts no longer exist, everything is opinion. A. Exactly, caused by technology that has been applied to social media. The truth as we know it is over. The facts no longer matter. Now people are dealing with versions of reality. Its crazy to me. What you see is different than what is seen by a MAGA or a Bolsonaro supporter. And it may be that person isnt bad, just that theyre living in a parallel world, with different information and content, a deceptive world disconnected from reality. Q. Is social media to blame? A. A decade ago in Brazil, we were very naive. A decade ago, we thought that Facebook could be a tool for connection, for mobilizing people and democratizing information. Today, the alliance between the tech oligarchs and the far right is clear. In a certain way, we progressives have lost the battle of social media. But we have to keep at it, its important to keep committing small acts of disobedience. Q. Is there any hope? A. Yes, and its called solidarity. In moments of sadness, of darkness, of authoritarianisms, or when environmental tragedies take place, solidarity is there. That is exciting to me, and I believe that human beings have a tendency to take care of each other, to come to agreements. Ah, and memory. Today, Brazil is taking a healthy approach to historical memory. That includes sending Bolsonaro to jail, because the past coup cannot be erased. Thats why its beautiful to me that The Secret Agent, whose ending underlines the importance of historic memory, is playing at this time. Q. How is the Oscar campaign going? A. Well, its a lot of work, more than promoting a film. Since May, when Neon bought the U.S. rights, weve been at it. I also try to enjoy it, because this doesnt happen every day, you know? At least to me [laughs]. Well, its beautiful, but you have to know what is reality, and reality catches up to me when I go home and my kids are waiting. Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent. Question. Before The Secret Agent, you went a decade without acting in the Portuguese language. Why? Answer. Well, because I did Narcos for two years in Spanish, the biopic about Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, which was filmed in English because of his international work, because I filmed in Europe and for series And because I was working on promoting my film about Marighella, which was in Portuguese, but I didnt act in it. Thats how it happened. Question. Why are all your characters ultimately so melancholic? Answer. Its true [laughs]. My life is a constant battle against melancholy and baldness. Question. And how is it going? Answer. The hair part, bad. I have to do my hair in a very particular way. And the same with the melancholy. In conclusion, another two battles lost. Look, the most beautiful characters are those that carry pain with them. Question. Do you choose your projects carefully? Answer. As much as I can, yes. I have an agent who told me, Do this to get that. And I told him, Thats not my thing. Im proud to say that, even when I was young and I struggled to make rent, I never did anything I was ashamed of to pay the bills. I mean look, Ive made bad movies, but with the best of intentions. Question. Are you still working on The Trial: Enemy of the People [a modern stage version of Ibsens Enemy of the People, created by Brazilian director Christiane Jatahy]? Answer. Yes, and in the summer I will perform it in Spain. Before that, Ill film a version of Abbas Kiarostamis Taste of Cherry with Lisandro Alonso and afterwards, I will direct my second feature film, Last Night at the Lobster. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition About This Feed This page automatically pulls the latest Iran-related headlines from news and official sources. Every headline links to the original source. All timestamps are applied automatically when each article was published. The feed auto-refreshes every 10 minutes. Hitting the Refresh button checks for updates, but content may not be available for up to 5 minutes after the last refresh. IRNA (Iranian state media) is included but clearly marked treat their reporting with caution. Operation Epic Fury- Anti-War Response The announcement of Operation Epic Fury triggered an immediate and broadly critical response from antiwar activists, civil libertarians, and a significant bloc of congressional lawmakers in both parties, even as Republican hawks and the Israeli government celebrated the operation as long overdue. The constitutional objection dominated the first hours of reaction: Congress had not authorized the strikes, and the administration had given no public warning that a military campaign was imminent. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, speaking in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when Trump's Truth Social video was posted, reacted in real time from the podium, denouncing the operation as "grossly unconstitutional." "The only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress," Sanders told the crowd, which responded with chants of "no more war!" "The president does not have the right." The moment was captured on video and spread rapidly across social media, the senator's unscripted outrage providing a visceral contrast to the polished production of Trump's pre-recorded announcement. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York went further, calling the strikes grounds for the president's removal from office. "The President's disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers," she wrote on X. "He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations." She described the action as "absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment." Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the House Democratic Whip and second-ranking Democrat in the chamber, echoed the constitutional framing: "The power to declare war resides solely with Congress. Donald Trump's unilateral decision to attack Iran is unauthorized and unconstitutional. In doing so, the President has exposed our military and diplomatic personnel in the region to the risk of further escalation." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York endorsed the Kaine-Paul War Powers Resolution and called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to bring it to the floor immediately. "No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy," Schumer said. The most sustained pre-strike effort to block military action had come from the unlikely bipartisan pairing of Representative Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat from California's Silicon Valley district, and Representative Thomas Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican from Kentucky. The two had introduced a concurrent War Powers Resolution requiring congressional authorization for any military action against Iran, mirroring a Senate resolution jointly sponsored by Democrat Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky. Khanna had spent the week before the strikes urging Democratic leadership to bring the resolution to the floor, warning that the window to stop the war was closing. "Like the votes before the Iraq War, this could be one of the most consequential votes in the history of Congress," Khanna said. "Are we going to stop another endless dumb foreign war? Or will the neoconservatives mislead us once again?" He had staked out the constitutional high ground explicitly: "Trump is positioning two aircraft carriers, a dozen warships, and hundreds of fighter jets to prepare for a possible war with Iran. A war with Iran would be catastrophic. Iran is a complex society of 90 million people with significant air defenses and military capabilities. We also have 30,000 to 40,000 U.S. troops in the region who could be at risk of retaliation. Congress must do its job and stop this march to war." Massie had conducted an informal public poll on social media in the days before the strikes, asking his followers whether the United States should supply Israel with weapons to attack Iran; 85 percent of roughly 126,000 respondents said no. After the strikes commenced, he was terse: "This is not constitutional." In a more extended statement he added that "Israel doesn't need U.S. taxpayers' money for defense if it already has enough to start offensive wars. I vote not to fund this war of aggression." Senator Kaine, who had been hedging on forcing a floor vote while diplomatic efforts through Oman continued, had sharpened his public posture in the final week. "Virginians don't want our sons and daughters in another war in the Middle East right now, especially one that's unnecessary, especially one that's just at the whim of the say-so of one person is waged," he said on February 25. "So I'll do everything I can to stop it." The strikes rendered the pre-authorization effort moot, but Kaine and Schumer called for an immediate Senate vote on the resolution to constrain further escalation. Appearing on MSNBC on the evening of February 28, Khanna offered a political observation that went beyond constitutional objections. "This is the first true crack in the MAGA base," he said, arguing that Trump's political rise in 2016 had been substantially powered by his attacks on the Iraq War and his promise to end the era of military adventurism in the Middle East. "Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority," Khanna conceded, "but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk. Congress needs to come back to DC immediately to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation." Nathan Thompson, a senior policy adviser at Just Foreign Policy, framed the information vacuum surrounding the decision: "The American public hasn't even gotten a semblance of a rationale from Trump as to why we have to attack Iran now." Organized antiwar groups moved rapidly to announce street demonstrations. The ANSWER Coalition, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the National Iranian American Council announced a rally in Washington, with parallel actions planned in other major cities. In a statement announcing the Washington demonstration, the organizers described Trump's bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities as "an outright war crime" that "violates the UN Charter, international law and the U.S. Constitution." The groups warned that the military action "threatens to set into motion a regional or even global war with massive casualties, nuclear radiation, and catastrophic consequences," and accused Trump of breaking explicit campaign commitments, stating that he "lied during the campaign when he said he was going to end the 'forever wars' and bring about peace." The invocation of campaign promises carried a particular edge: Trump had campaigned in part on ending the wars his predecessors had started, and his supporters on the populist right had understood his foreign policy instincts as nationalist rather than interventionist. The fractures within the Democratic Party's institutional structure drew pointed commentary from within the party's own orbit. Corbin Trent, a Democratic strategist who had served as a senior campaign aide to Senator Sanders, told Salon that the resistance to forcing a war powers vote before the strikes reflected a deeper structural reality. "The Democratic Party that exists now in Congress is very much a party that's aligned with the war machine, and has been for decades," Trent said. "This has been a thing that the core, the corporate Democratic Party, which is the one that's in charge right now, has been sort of fully in lockstep with the Republican Party there. That's one of the places where these two parties have been merged for quite some time." A senior Democratic congressional staffer, speaking anonymously to journalist Aida Chavez, provided a more tactically candid explanation for leadership's posture: "Leadership rarely comes out and says they oppose these votes outright, because they know the underlying issue is popular with the base." A YouGov survey conducted in early February had found that 48 percent of Americans strongly or somewhat opposed military action against Iran, compared with only 28 percent who supported it and 24 percent who were unsure -- a margin that made the Democratic leadership's reluctance to lead the opposition all the more striking to critics on the left. International reaction added a diplomatic dimension to the domestic constitutional debate. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who had served as the principal intermediary in the back-channel nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, issued a statement of undisguised dismay. "I am dismayed," Albusaidi wrote on X. "Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined." He had said only two days before the strikes that talks had shown "significant progress." His statement included a direct appeal: "I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war." Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement promising a "decisive and definitive" response and framing the strikes as a civilizational affront: "History bears witness that Iranians have never bowed their heads in submission to foreign aggression and domination; this time too, the response of the Iranian nation will be decisive and definitive." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was more legalistic: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations." The antiwar response was complicated by a moral asymmetry that distinguished this moment from prior episodes of American military action in the Middle East. Iran's security forces had, in January 2026, carried out a systematic massacre of protesters during the crackdown on a nationwide uprising sparked by economic collapse. Casualty estimates from human rights monitors ran into the tens of thousands. The regime's brutality undercut the rhetorical simplicity of the antiwar position and produced visible divisions within the Iranian-American community and the broader American left, between those who opposed the strikes on constitutional and strategic grounds and those who regarded the regime's atrocities as complicating, if not altering, the moral calculus. Jennifer Kavanagh, a senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, declined to address the moral question but offered a strategic warning: "Netanyahu has made clear that his goal is regime change in Iran and he certainly would like to have U.S. support for that objective. Trump will need to resist this pressure, as it is an easy path to another long U.S. war in the region." Republican supporters of the operation had little patience for the opposition. Senate Armed Services Committee member Lindsey Graham of South Carolina expressed unqualified enthusiasm -- "God bless @POTUS for planning and now executing Operation Epic Fury. The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us" -- while House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota called the strikes "a bold, decisive act of strength by President Trump," adding that "the Ayatollah is responsible for killing hundreds of U.S. service members and slaughtering its own people." U.S. Strikes on Iran and Japan's Pearl Harbor Attack (1941) The U.S. and Israeli joint military strikes on Iran, launched on February 28, 2026, amid ongoing nuclear negotiations, drewn sharp comparisons to Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In both cases, military action occurred while diplomatic channels were active or recently discussed, leading critics to label the 2026 strikes as a "sneak attack" or "backstabbing" during talks. Reports indicate that U.S.-Iran negotiations in Geneva showed "significant progress" as late as February 26, with technical discussions planned for early March, yet strikes targeted Iranian leadership sites, missile facilities, and other assets near Tehran. Similarly, Japan had been engaged in U.S. diplomatic efforts to avert conflict over Pacific interests, but launched its assault without formal declaration, catching American forces off guard and inflicting massive casualties. Key parallels include the element of surprise and timing. Pearl Harbor stunned the U.S. public and military, killing over 2,400 and destroying much of the Pacific Fleet, propelling America into World War II. In 2026, the strikescodenamed in some reports as "Operation Epic Fury"hit during a period of heightened tension but amid reported diplomatic momentum, with Trump administration officials previously emphasizing negotiation over force. Public reactions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) echo this: users accused the U.S. of betraying talks "like Japan did at Pearl Harbor," arguing that promising dialogue while preparing strikes erodes moral credibility. One commentator noted that Japan at least attempted a delayed declaration (due to clerical issues), while the 2026 action lacked any prior warning, amplifying perceptions of deceit. Critics argue the 2026 strikes mirror Pearl Harbor's "day of infamy" by undermining trust in diplomacy. As one observer put it: "Trump has backstabbed Iran like Japan did at Pearl Harbor," especially after claims of progress in mediated talks resuming March 2. Supporters counter that the action was preemptive against an existential nuclear threat, unlike Japan's aggressive expansionism. However, fundamental differences exist in context, scale, and intent. Pearl Harbor was an unprovoked act of war by Imperial Japan to cripple U.S. naval power in the Pacific amid imperial ambitions and resource embargoes. It targeted a neutral America's homeland territory (Hawaii), killing thousands of servicemen and civilians, and directly drew the U.S. into global war. In contrast, the 2026 strikes were joint U.S.-Israeli operations framed as defensive or preemptive against Iran's nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regime threatsfollowing years of proxy conflicts, sanctions, and prior limited strikes (e.g., June 2025 operations). No U.S. homeland was attacked; targets were Iranian military and leadership sites, with reported civilian casualties but no mass civilian targeting like Pearl Harbor's broad assault. Strategic motivations diverge sharply. Japan's attack aimed to neutralize U.S. Pacific Fleet interference in Southeast Asia conquests. The 2026 action, per Trump statements, sought to eliminate nuclear threats, destroy missile stockpiles, and pressure regime change amid failed talks and Iranian retaliation risks. Pearl Harbor unified America in outrage and resolve, leading to total war. The Iran strikes have divided opinions: some praise decisive action against a destabilizing regime, while others decry escalation risks, regional fallout (e.g., attacks on U.S. bases in Gulf states), and parallels to deceptive diplomacy. Historical analogies to Pearl Harbor appear in social media and commentary, with users claiming the U.S. "lost the moral high ground" to invoke it as a victim narrative henceforth. Geopolitical ramifications also contrast. Pearl Harbor shifted global alliances, activating Axis vs. Allies dynamics and ending U.S. isolationism. The 2026 conflict, amid broader Middle East tensions (including prior Israel-Iran exchanges), risks wider escalation involving proxies, oil routes, and powers like Russia or Chinabut remains contained compared to WWII's scope. No formal U.S. declaration of war has occurred, unlike Congress's rapid response post-Pearl Harbor. Iran's retaliatory missile barrages on U.S. assets and allies echo defensive reactions rather than offensive conquest. Ethical and legal debates fuel the comparison. International law views unannounced attacks during negotiations as aggressive, much like Pearl Harbor violated norms (though Japan had broken off talks). Critics highlight that using talks as a "smokescreen" (as alleged in some 2025 precedents) erodes trust, similar to Japan's failed diplomacy. Defenders argue preemption against nuclear breakout differs from imperial aggression. Public X posts reflect polarized views: some see U.S. actions as hypocritical ("sneak attack" losing Pearl Harbor moral leverage), others as necessary ("not like Pearl Harbordefensive against threats"). In scale and outcome, Pearl Harbor was catastrophic for the U.S. initially but catalyzed victory. The 2026 strikes aim for rapid degradation of capabilities without full invasion, with uncertain long-term resultspotential regime instability, civilian suffering, or prolonged conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Roaring Lion Israel's operation against Iran on February 28, 2026 bore the name Sha'agat Ha'Ari in Hebrew -- "Roaring Lion," or in the IDF's preferred English translation, "Operation Roaring Lion." The name was the second in a deliberate sequence. Israel's June 2025 operation during the Twelve-Day War had been called Operation Rising Lion, translating the Hebrew Ariel -- a name for Jerusalem -- into the martial imagery of a lion at the height of its ascent. Roaring Lion extended and escalated that metaphor: the lion that rose in June had now opened its throat. The progression from rising to roaring encoded a message about trajectory, about a campaign moving from warning to culmination. It also echoed the symbolism embedded in the name of the IDF Chief of Staff who oversaw the operation: Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir had delivered a handwritten note to Israeli Air Force pilots at the moment of launch. "Saturday dawn, Operation Lion's Roar begins," Zamir wrote, using the alternative rendering of the name. "You are authorized to carry out the mission, strike your targets -- you are making history. I trust you. Good luck to us all." Zamir oversaw the strikes from the IAF's underground command center at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, alongside IAF commander Major General Tomer Bar and Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Tamir Yadai. The symbolism of command leadership sheltering underground while directing strikes against Iranian leadership structures was not lost on Israeli commentators. Operation Roaring Lion was the product of months of coordinated planning with the United States. The IDF stated that the operation aimed "to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and remove existential threats to the State of Israel over time." The military's formal justification cited three interlocking developments that had occurred since the June 2025 ceasefire: Iran's renewed efforts to advance ballistic missile production and conceal elements of its nuclear program, Iran's reconstitution of air defense systems degraded during the Twelve-Day War, and Iran's continued financing, training, and arming of proxy forces positioned on Israel's borders. "The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel," the IDF stated. "In recent months, despite the heavy blow it suffered during Operation Rising Lion, the IDF identified that the regime continued its efforts to advance production, fortify, and conceal its nuclear program, alongside rehabilitating its missile production processes." The characterization positioned Roaring Lion not as a new war but as a continuation of a campaign interrupted by the June 2025 ceasefire -- a framing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced in public statements. Netanyahu declared that the joint operation "will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," and invoked the entire spectrum of Iran's ethnic minorities in a call to collective action: "The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people -- Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis, and Ahwazis -- to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran." Defense Minister Israel Katz, who had announced the operation as a "preemptive attack" and simultaneously declared a nationwide state of emergency, described its objective as removing "existential threats to the State of Israel" for the long term. Israel's preparations in the days and hours before the operation had been visible and deliberate. The state of emergency issued by Katz prohibited educational activities, workplace gatherings, and public assembly, with only essential sectors exempted. Hospitals across the country had received Health Ministry directives to shift to emergency mode, with critical patients and ongoing operations moved to underground fortified complexes. At Schneider Children's Medical Center, a six-month-old baby in the intensive care unit was safely transferred to a protected area. At Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Deputy Director Dr. Oshrat Fono issued a video statement from the hospital's fortified ward explaining that ambulatory patients had been released to clear capacity and most remaining patients moved to the underground complex. At Nahariya's Galilee Medical Center, all inpatient departments were evacuated to an underground fortified hospitalization complex; Director Professor Masad Barhoum stated that "all of our Medical Center staff reported promptly and in record numbers" and that the institution was "prepared for every scenario." The Israeli National Security Council issued warnings to Israeli citizens abroad to take heightened precautions and remain alert to potential threats against Israeli and Jewish targets overseas. Mossad, in an unusual public information operation, launched a Farsi-language Telegram channel directed at Iranians, opening with the message "Our Iranian brothers and sisters, you are not alone. We have launched a super-secure and special Telegram channel for you -- together we will return Iran to its glorious days." The launch of an intelligence service's public-facing social media channel in the language of the adversary's population, hours into a shooting war, illustrated the extent to which the operation was conceived as much as a political intervention as a military one. Iran's retaliatory missiles began arriving over Israel within hours of the first Israeli strikes. The IDF confirmed multiple waves of ballistic missile launches from Iranian territory. Sirens sounded first in northern Israel at approximately 10 a.m. local time and then across central Israel -- including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv -- at approximately 10:30 a.m. Forty or more ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel across the initial salvos, according to preliminary IDF military assessments. Some were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems. A rocket impact was confirmed in northern Israel by a Magen David Adom medical source. A Mossad-linked security source told Israeli media outlet Walla that some missiles had been launched from Lebanese territory, though the IDF disputed this attribution. Air defense interception systems were heard firing across multiple parts of the country, and satellite imagery and social media footage showed missile contrails and interception explosions over Jerusalem's Old City -- the Dome of the Rock visible beneath arcing interceptor trails in images that circulated globally. Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen ordered the temporary suspension of operations at "some of the natural gas wells" in the Mediterranean Sea -- including the Leviathan and Karish platforms, which had also been shut down during the June 2025 war -- as a precaution against damage to critical infrastructure. Physical damage in Israel from the Iranian missile barrages, while significant in psychological impact and scope, remained -- at least through the initial hours -- substantially below the threshold of catastrophic infrastructure destruction, a function of Israel's multilayered air defense architecture. The Iron Dome system, the David's Sling medium-range interceptor, and the Arrow ballistic missile defense system together managed to intercept a significant proportion of incoming ballistic missiles. However, interception is never complete, and the sheer volume of launches in rapid succession was designed to overwhelm the available interception capacity. In Tirat Carmel, a resident sustained light injuries when a missile strike caused heavy structural damage to a residential building. In Umm al-Fahm, a man was lightly wounded by shrapnel that fell into the yard of his home. Firefighters from the Coastal District responded to a fragment that penetrated the 20th floor of an apartment building and came to rest on the 14th floor, with one person treated in light condition. The IDF's Home Front Command issued repeated public instructions urging civilians to follow safety protocols and specifically requesting that residents not share real-time information about missile strike locations on social media -- a standard operational security measure designed to prevent Iran from correcting its targeting in subsequent waves. Israel called up 70,000 reservists as the scale of the Iranian response became clear, indicating military planning for an extended campaign across multiple fronts. The IDF simultaneously struck targets beyond Iran's borders. An Israeli missile struck the headquarters of Kataib Hezbollah -- the most powerful of the Iranian-aligned Iraqi Shia militias in the Popular Mobilization Forces -- in the Jurf al-Sakhr area south of Baghdad, producing two deaths and eight injuries according to Iraqi reporting. The IDF published footage showing strikes against Iranian soldiers in western Iran who were in the process of arming a ballistic missile launcher, describing it as a preemptive strike against imminent launch preparation. "IDF strikes hundreds of targets in western Iran as part of Operation Roaring Lion," the IDF posted on its official X account, alongside release of initial strike footage. The visible targets in the footage included missile storage and launch infrastructure in the mountainous terrain of western Iran. The most significant unconfirmed claim of the day's military action was the possible death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing unnamed Israeli intelligence sources, that Israel "assesses" that Khamenei was likely killed in an Israeli strike, noting "growing indications" to that effect. The broadcaster was explicit that the assessment was not based on satellite imagery showing the destruction of Khamenei's compound -- though such imagery was widely circulating -- but on separate intelligence source reporting. Channel 12 had minutes earlier stated only that the Israeli assessment was that Khamenei had been "hurt at the very least." The IDF declined to make any formal statement about the Supreme Leader. Israeli assessments with greater confidence indicated that Ali Shamkhani -- a senior Khamenei adviser closely linked to Iran's nuclear program and a former head of the Supreme National Security Council -- was likely killed in the opening strikes, according to local Israeli media reporting. The IDF indicated that assessments of specific high-value targets were still ongoing. Netanyahu's public communications throughout the day wove military triumphalism with explicit regime-change messaging, departing significantly from the more limited framing of the June 2025 operation. Whereas the Twelve-Day War had been presented primarily as an attack on Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, Roaring Lion was framed from the outset as aimed at the regime's survival. "For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called for 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America,'" Netanyahu said. "We shall stand together, fight together, and ensure the eternity of Israel together." Trump complemented this framing in a statement to The Washington Post, expressing a desire for Iranian "freedom" -- "All I want is freedom for the people. I want a safe nation" -- and in his Truth Social video had directly urged Iranians to take over their government when military operations concluded. The alignment of Israeli and American political messaging around regime change as a stated goal marked a significant escalation from the positions of the Twelve-Day War, when both governments had maintained at least nominal ambiguity about whether the objective extended beyond military and nuclear targets. Operation Roaring Lion's political logic was that the sequence begun in June 2025 could only be completed by removing the political authority that would otherwise reconstitute the military capacity that had just been struck -- a logic that critics in Congress, in allied capitals, and among international legal scholars noted had no precedent in post-World War II American or Israeli strategic doctrine, and that carried obvious and unresolved questions about what would follow if it succeeded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 27 February 2026 - Day 1465 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The French Ministere des Armees et des Anciens combattants reported that that territorial gains remain stable. It also reported taht, over the last 24 hours, the Russian Armed Forces (FAFR) have targeted the oblasts of Chernihiv [A], Sumy [B], Kharkiv [C], Donetsk [D], Dnipropetrovsk [E], Zaporizhzhia [F], Kherson [G], and Mykolaiv [H]. The FAFR appear to be primarily targeting residential areas (notably in Zaporizhzhia [F] and Sumy [B]), as well as energy infrastructure. Over the last 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (FAU) have targeted a chemical plant in the Smolensk oblast (370km southwest of Moscow) that is part of the military explosives production chain. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 120 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day. The defense forces continue to stop the Russian enemy, destroy personnel and deplete its combat potential by providing a systematic fire effect. The Russian opponent made 57 aviation strikes, dropped 173 controlled air bombs. In addition, used 5324 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,521 shelling of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions today, the Russian enemy carried out 112 shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including 13 - with the use of the RSV. Had 2 air strikes with the use of 6 cab. In the South Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk and Sinelnikove. There is no record of assault right now. In the Kupans komu direction, the Russian enemy once attacked in the area of novoplatonivka. In the Lyman direction Ukrainian warriors repelled four Russian attacks in the areas of Lyman and drobisevogo. In the Slovak direction, the Russian opponent tried seven times to advance towards Dronivka, Siverska and Rai-Oleksandrivka. One attack continues. In the Kramators komu direction, according to the information, the Russian aggressor attacked once in the area of Predtecinyo. In the Konstantinivsky direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Konstantynivka, Ivanopilya, Rusynoy Yar, Pleschiyivka, Popovoy Yar and Sofiyivka 13 times. Russian forces committed 23 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of populated areas Dorozhne, Bilitske, Rodinske, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, Udaachne, Molodetske, Novopidgorodne, Mirnograd and Muravka. Three Russian attempts to improve their position are still ongoing. According to preliminary calculations, today 26 Russian occupiers were eliminated and 15 wounded in this direction; two vehicles units, eight Russian shelters and an ammunition warehouse destroyed, a cannon damaged, seven units of vehicles, a BPLA control point and 46 enemy shelters. Destroyed or suppressed 243 BPLA of different types. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian occupiers twice tried to improve their position, attacking towards Zlagoda and Ternovy. 33 Russian attacks took place in the Gulyaipils komu direction: in the area of Dobropillya, Pryluk, Zaliznychnogo, Zelenogo, Varvarivka, Gulyaipilsky and Staroukrainka. Nine storms are not over yet. The Russian enemy did not carry out attacks in the Orihiv direction. In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Russian opponent's offensive actions were not fixed. In other directions, no significant changes in the environment have been recorded at this time. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian objects in the territory of the Russian Federation, from 21 to 27 February the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out two massive and six group strikes, which hit enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, energy, fuel and transport infrastructure facilities used for the interests of the AFU, production, storage, preparation and launch sites of attack unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries. During the week, as a result of intensive offensive operations, units of the Sever Group of Forces took Grafskoye in Kharkov region under control. Russian troops inflicted losses on formations of four mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades, one air assault brigade, one artillery brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and two national guard brigades. In total, the enemy lost more than 1,485 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 78 motor vehicles, and 15 field artillery guns, including two U.S.-made 155 mm M777 howitzers, in the area of responsibility of the Sever Group of Forces. Three MLRS fighting vehicles, 12 electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, as well as 34 ammunition and materiel depots were eliminated. Over the past week, as a result of intensive actions, units of the Zapad Group of Forces liberated Karpovka in Donetsk People's Republic. Four mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one airmobile brigade, one security brigade of the General Staff of the AFU, and two national guard brigades have been hit. The AFU losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,260 troops, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, including 11 NATO-made armoured vehicles, 120 motor vehicles, and 18 field artillery guns. Six electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, and 18 ammunition depots were neutralised. The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. During the week, strikes were delivered at formations of four mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one airmobile brigade, one mountain assault brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade. In the area of responsibility of the Yuzhnaya Group of Forces, the AFU lost more than 940 troops and 37 armoured fighting vehicles, including six Western-made ones. 82 motor vehicles, 15 artillery guns, 14 electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, 24 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group's units took more advantageous lines and positions, and liberated Krasnoznamenka in Dnepropetrovsk region. The Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigades, two airmobile brigades, one air assault brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU , two marine brigades, one territorial defence brigade, the Azov Special Operations Forces Brigade, and four national guard brigades. During the week, the enemy losses amounted to more than 2,480 troops, 45 armoured fighting vehicles, 64 motor vehicles, eight field artillery guns, and four electronic warfare and counter-fire stations. The Vostok Group's units advanced to the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated Rizdvyanka in Zaporozhye region. During the week, strikes were delivered at formations of three mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one assault brigade, five assault regiments of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade. In total, the enemy lost more than 2,205 troops, 25 armoured fighting vehicles, 74 motor vehicles, and nine artillery guns in the area of responsibility of the Vostok Group of Forces. Over the past week, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Two mechanised brigades and one mountain assault brigade of the AFU were hit. The AFU losses amounted to up to 355 troops, 93 motor vehicles, 15 electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, as well as 11 ammunition and materiel depots. Air defence systems shot down 22 guided aerial bombs, 50 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, four Neptune long-range cruise missiles, and five Flamingo long-range cruise missiles, as well as 2041 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 117,806 unmanned aerial vehicles, 651 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,911 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,674 MLRS combat vehicles, 33,506 field artillery guns and mortars, and 55,388 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Completion of Evolved Cape Class Fleet strengthens Navy capability Issued by Defence Media 27 February 2026 Defence has accepted the tenth and final Evolved Cape class Patrol Boat for the Royal Australian Navy, ADV Cape Hawke, in a ceremony at Henderson shipyard in Western Australia today. Delivery of the tenth and final Evolved Cape class Patrol Boat for the Royal Australian Navy is a key example of a shared commitment between Defence and industry to delivering capability to our ADF on time and on budget in accordance with the 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan. Built by Austal Ships Pty Ltd under project SEA1445 Phase 1, the Evolved Cape class Patrol Boats contribute to the whole-of Government effort to protect Australia's borders and offshore interests. ADV Cape Hawke will work alongside the nine Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats currently operated by the Royal Australian Navy, and with the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel fleet, enhancing the capability for civil maritme security operations in Australia. Under project SEA1445 Phase 1, the Evolved Cape class Patrol Boats have been delivered approximately every six months, contributing to Australia's ability to effectively protect our borders and offshore interests. Quotes attributable to Deputy Secretary for Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment, David Hanley: "The delivery of these Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats are an excellent example of our partnership with defence industry in action. "It also supports the Government's Future Made in Australia agenda, and our commitment to growth within the defence industry, through the delivery of Defence shipbuilding projects onshore and boosting our sovereign supply chain." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force Poseidons return from the Philippines Issued by Defence Media 27 February 2026 A pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have completed a deployment to the Philippines. The aircraft were deployed from 31 January to 21 February 2026, and conducted missions over the South China Sea. The deployment included flying missions in support of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac Class frigate HMAS Toowoomba during its Regional Presence Deployment. RAAF P-8A aviators worked with Toowoomba, as well as vessels and aircraft from the United States and Philippines, during a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity west of Luzon over 15-16 February 2026. Senior members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also had the opportunity to fly on board a RAAF P-8A, partnering to build a combined understanding of maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities (ISR). During the deployment, RAAF P-8A aviators conducted a subject matter exchange with members of the Philippine Air Force, focusing on maritime ISR operations. The Australian Defence Force regularly deploys P-8A Poseidons to the Philippines, as well as other aircraft and vessels, to build our maritime domain awareness and working relationship with one another. This deployment marked the first operational employment of the recently re-established No 12 Squadron, working alongside No 11 Squadron to operate the P-8A Poseidon together on joint operations. Quotes attributable to Joint Force Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Peter Robinson: "The Philippines is one of Australia's most important regional defence partners, and we share a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. "Our partnership is underpinned by long-standing defence cooperation, and deployments to the Philippines build those relationships at the aviator-level. "RAAF P-8A missions build maritime domain awareness and make positive contributions to regional security. "Australia's prosperity depends on a region free from conflict or military coercion. "P-8A missions are conducted in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "The Poseidon forms part of the RAAF's fleet of surveillance aircraft, and is capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and ISR missions." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus: UN experts welcome prisoner releases, but warn that forced expulsion and deportation violate human rights Press releases Independent investigation 27 February 2026 GENEVA -- The UN Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus welcomed the release of political prisoners in Belarus over the last year, but warned in a new report today that their subsequent expulsion abroad amounts to a fundamental violation of human rights. While the release of detainees held on politically motivated charges is a positive step, the conditions of their release are alarming. Forced expulsion and arbitrary deportation constitute a clear violation of international human rights standards. "We urge the Government of Belarus to abide by its human rights obligations and immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners detained for politically-motivated reasons," said Karinna Moskalenko, chair of the Group of Independent Experts. "The international community must ensure the protection for all Belarusians - including those in exile - and initiate proceedings against alleged perpetrators." The report documents an ongoing, State-orchestrated strategy to silence dissent through arbitrary arrest and detention, as well as by routinely subjecting detainees to torture, ill-treatment and inhuman conditions. The death of at least eight individuals in detention since May 2020 is particularly alarming; some of the fatalities could have been prevented were it not for the harsh conditions of confinement and the denial of adequate medical care. "Women in detention have been denied gender-specific healthcare and subjected to environmental hardships, including exposure to extreme cold, which has had a detrimental impact on their health," said Susan Bazilli, an expert member of the Group. "Similarly, we documented repression directed at the LGBTQI community, underscoring the discriminatory nature of the State's punitive measures." The Group reported that Belarusians are not safe even after fleeing abroad, documenting how State authorities have targeted those in exile by weaponizing administrative procedures, effectively stripping citizens of their legal status and security when they are outside Belarusian territory. "This strategy was evident in the release of some prisoners in 2025," said Monika Platek, an expert member of the Group. "Authorities utilized forced expulsions of Belarusian citizens, the arbitrary deprivation of identity documents, and the arbitrary deportation of foreign nationals as conditions of release." Despite this, the scale of repression remains staggering, with at least 1,131 people reportedly remaining behind bars on politically motivated charges. Citing a total lack of accountability within the domestic legal system, the report warned that a culture of impunity allows these violations to persist. In the absence of domestic justice, it called upon the international community to take decisive action to ensure international refugee protection for Belarusians in exile and actively initiate legal proceedings against alleged perpetrators under universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction, ensuring that those responsible for these systematic violations are eventually brought to justice. ENDS NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Advancing the Royal Canadian Navy's Future Fleet with New Naval Large Tugs National Defence News release February 27, 2026 - Halifax, Nova Scotia - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, on behalf of the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, visited Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax to highlight ongoing efforts to support the future fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). In January 2026, the Department of National Defence accepted a third Naval Large Tug, Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Canso, after it successfully sailed in 2025 from the shipyard at Ocean Industries Inc, Isle-aux-Coudres, Quebec, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, a journey of more than 1,000 nautical miles. Ownership of CFAV Canso will transfer to the Royal Canadian Navy once the crew has completed training, anticipated for March 2026. CFAV Canso is the first Naval Large Tug to be delivered to the East Coast, with a second Naval Large Tug, Stella Maris, scheduled to arrive in November 2026. In August 2024, CFAVs Haro and Barkerville were delivered to the RCN in Esquimalt, British Columbia, on the West Coast. Naval Large Tugs provide essential harbour and coastal support to the RCN, including harbour-berthing, coastal towing, and harbour firefighting. As the RCN continues to modernize, build and expand its fleetwith the Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels, Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels and River-class destroyersthe demand for harbour support services will increase. In preparation for the RCN's growing operational requirements, the Government of Canada amended the contract with Oceans Industries Inc., in December 2025, increasing the value by $81 million (including tax)for a total contract value of $213.45 millionto deliver two additional Naval Large Tugs. Building the additional tugs through the same shipyard will leverage existing capacity and capabilities to create efficiencies that streamline production and accelerate delivery of the auxiliary vessels to the RCN. Keeping with the naming tradition for Naval Large Tugs in the RCN, the two additional tugs are also named after straits: CFAV Sansum is named after Sansum Narrows in British Columbia, out of respect of the coastal area where the tug will serve. CFAV Belle Isle is named after the Strait of Belle Isle, which lies between Newfoundland and Labrador, an area of historical significance for navigation in the Atlantic. Naming Naval Large Tugs after straits commemorates the symbolic similarities in function between waterways and tugs, with both providing safe maritime passage and manoeuvrability. Once all six tugs are in operation, the RCN will be equipped with three tugs on the East Coast and three tugs on the West Coast, providing a redundancy of vessels to compensate for capability gaps during maintenance or repairs and, ultimately, strengthening overall fleet readiness. Expanding the scope of the project will also help sustain between 40 and 60 Canadian jobs at the shipyard while supporting the Naval Large Tug project. Quotes "The strength of our naval fleet is not defined by its largest warships alone. The security of our oceans depends on the steadfast contribution of every vessel that keeps our fleet moving and our sailors safe. Our Naval Large Tugs are fundamental to that missionguiding ships through narrow waterways, ensuring safe passage home, and supporting our sailors as they head out on deployment." The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence "On behalf of the Minister of National Defence, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for the work of our dependable defence industry, our innovative engineers, our dedicated technicians, and our professional crew for their seamless collaboration in materializing the Royal Canadian Navy's future fleet and helping strengthen our maritime capabilities." The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship "Built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Naval Large Tugs are an important investment to support the navy's future capabilities and Canada's marine industry. With today's acceptance into the fleet of Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel Canso and the announcement of two additional tugs to be built, bringing the total to six, we're making sure our sailors have the advanced and reliable vessels they need to protect Canada's interests at home and abroad for decades to come." The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) "As the Royal Canadian Navy welcomes another new Naval Large Tug into the fleet, I would like to congratulate the team at Ocean Industries Inc. for its hard work and dedication to this important project. The Government will continue to work with Canadian shipyards to provide the navy with modern ships while generating economic benefits for Canada." The Honourable Joel Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement "The arrival of Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Canso strengthens Maritime Forces Atlantic's ability to safely support naval operations on the East Coast. Naval Large Tugs are essential to fleet readiness, enabling warships to manoeuvre safely in harbour and operate effectively. As the Royal Canadian Navy modernizes its fleet, reliable harbour and towing support becomes increasingly critical. Though operating behind the scenes, CFAV Canso will play a vital role in sustaining operations and supporting the RCN's long-term mission in the Atlantic." Rear-Admiral Josee Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic Quick facts The RCN is receiving six Naval Large Tugs to replace the capabilities of the five Glen-class tugs and two Fire-class fireboats that are reaching the end of their service life. Each Naval Large Tug is 24 metres long and 11 metres wide and can accommodate a crew of six members. The Naval Large Tugs are named after straits that are significant in Canadian maritime history as well as notable tugs that perished in service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on February 10, 2026 Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Ministry of National Defense EditorCheng Sihao Time2026-02-27 23:43:20 (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.) Journalist: President Xi Jinping recently replied to veterans of Zimbabwe's national liberation war, emphasizing that China has always been a good comrade and partner in Africa's quest for national liberation, development and revitalization. Please provide more information about the military cooperation between China and African countries. Jiang Bin: As a saying in Africa goes, "A river runs deep, thanks to its source." During our struggle against imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism in the 1950s and 1960s, China and African countries fought alongside each other as comrade-in-arms, rendering mutual understanding and support. The strong bond that were forged lasted until today, allowing us to live and breathe for the same future. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of African countries, the friendship between China and Africa has been sustained and deepened. Upholding the principles of equality, mutual benefit and common development, China-Africa military cooperation has yielded fruitful results in various fields such as military development, talent cultivation, joint exercises and training, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance. Initiatives like the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum and medical assistance to Africa have become signature programs of military-to-military cooperation. China remains the most reliable partner and brother on the path forward for African countries. Staying committed to the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, the Chinese military will continue to engage in sincere cooperation and mutual support with militaries of African countries. Together, we will actively deliver on the Global Security Initiative, follow through on the Partnership Action for Common Security, and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Journalist: Recently, the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) attracted wide attention at the 10th Singapore Airshow. Please tell us more about it. Jiang Bin: From February 3 to 8, the PLAAF Bayi Aerobatic Team participated, upon invitation, in the 10th Singapore Airshow. This marked the return of the Bayi Aerobatic Team to Singapore after a six-year interval and its debut there since being equipped with J-10C fighter jets. Through aerial refueling by an accompanying YY-20A tanker, the team reached the destination in a non-stop ferry flight. During the airshow, the Bayi Aerobatic Team performed in three official sessions, presenting classic maneuvers such as six-ship formation synchronized roll, five-ship formation fly-past, and single-aircraft knife-edge pass. They also released smoke trails of red, yellow and white-colors of the national flags of China and Singapore, highlighting the friendship between the two countries. During the event, the team interacted and performed together with their foreign counterparts, and won wide acclaim. This Singapore Airshow is the 13th overseas event attended by the Bayi Aerobatic Team. Soaring high in the sky, they have demonstrated China's image and built bridges of friendship across mountains and seas. Moving ahead, the PLAAF will fly higher and farther, and work with air forces of other countries to defend the peaceful skies. Journalist: It is reported that Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) should be written into Japan's Constitution and she wants to revise the Constitution so the JSDF is positioned as an organization with strength. What's your comment on this? Jiang Bin: For a long time, by resorting to the so-called interpretation of its Constitution, the Japanese government has breached the "exclusively defense-oriented" principle, lifted the ban on collective self-defense, and vigorously developed offensive weapons and equipment under the pretext of "defense". It is hypocritical to dress up "remilitarization" as "rule of law". Japan is blatantly seeking to include the JSDF into its Constitution. Such move is not aimed at refining the law but rather eroding the foundation of the "pacifist Constitution"; it is not intended to make the JSDF legitimate, but rather seeking to break free from military restrictions; it is not designed to help Japan return to the so-called normal country status, but rather returning to the evil path of militarism. There is every indication that Japan's right-wing forces are deliberately challenging the post-war international order from multiple fronts including military, public opinion, and legal areas. The international community should be on high alert, firmly thwart any dangerous move, and join hands to safeguard the outcomes of WWII victory as well as regional peace and stability. Journalist: The spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reportedly said that in order to advance the so-called New Hero-Fisherfolk initiative, the PCG has deployed vessels and aircraft to provide security for Philippine fishing boats operating near Huangyan Dao, protecting the Philippines' sovereign rights and the livelihoods of its fishermen. What's your comment? Jiang Bin: Huangyan Dao is part of China's territory and has never been within the limits of Philippine territory. Certain authorities of the Philippine side trick and instigate innocent fishermen into committing provocative acts, using them as a tool to infringe upon China's legitimate rights, and even deliberately create friction to scapegoat and smear China. Such treacherous behaviors have fully betrayed their disregard for the livelihoods, well-being, or even the safety of fishermen. We urge the Philippine side to stop its unscrupulous political manipulation and self-directed farce at sea. China will continue to exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters in accordance with law, and resolutely defend our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Journalist: It is reported that troops of Taiwan plan to forward deploy HIMARS rocket systems to Penghu and Dongyin, with strike ranges covering PLA positions in Fujian, Zhejiang and other areas. Some scholars in Taiwan revealed that Taiwan's military authorities once proposed the idea of conducting "preemptive strikes" against the PLA. Please comment on that. Jiang Bin: From forward deploying weapons to launching so-called preemptive strikes, "Taiwan independence" separatists are coming up with increasingly absurd ideas and overestimating their strength. In the face of the PLA's strong capabilities, should "Taiwan independence" armed forces dare to provoke a conflict, they will inevitably bring destruction upon themselves. Jiang Bin: The Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse is approaching. In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes loyalty, courage and enterprise. In the military context, the horse represents the fighting spirit of charging into battle and protecting the homeland. Along thousands of miles of borderlines, across the vast territorial waters, and from the skies above to the deep blue oceans, PLA officers and soldiers are fully prepared and stay highly vigilant. We are relentlessly honing our capabilities to fight and win, so as to better protect the tranquility of our homeland. With the 15th Five-Year Plan drawn up, the call for marching towards our centenary goal rings louder. In the coming year, the people's military will charge ahead like horses with courage, vitality and energy, and stride forward along the path of building a strong nation and military and advancing national rejuvenation. Here, my comrades and I would like to wish our country prosperity and tranquility, and wish all the Chinese people vitality and happiness! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "We want a partnership with China" Germany - Federal Government The Federal Chancellor's trip to Beijing and Hangzhou It is his first visit to the People's Republic while in office: Federal Chancellor Merz has travelled to China. In Beijing, he was received for talks by Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping. The Chancellor also visited German companies in Hangzhou. Thursday, 26 February 2026 Friedrich Merz has travelled to the People's Republic of China for an official visit lasting several days - for the first time in his office as Federal Chancellor. After visiting the Forbidden City on Thursday - the palace complex in the centre of Beijing that served as the centre of power for Chinese emperors for centuries - the Chancellor followed up with a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Group. Federal Chancellor Merz then travelled on to the megacity of Hangzhou in the east of the country, where he was first welcomed by the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, Wang Hao. Finally, he visited the robotics company Unitree and Siemens Energy. Following talks with the Chinese leadership on Wednesday, the Federal Chancellor emphasised that discussions had focused on the growth of both economies and trade policy issues. He also mentioned the 30-strong business delegation that had accompanied him on the visit and announced further visits by specialist ministers over the course of the year. At the end of his trip to China, Federal Chancellor Merz said that he was returning home with many good impressions and with many tasks that still needed to be accomplished together. Germany and China, he said, wanted to work more closely together - both economically and politically. Among other things, German-Chinese government consultations were being planned for this purpose. However, he acknowledged that there were still challenges - such as competition - that were being worked on jointly. The two countries are seeking a good cooperation and so also openly address difficult issues, said Merz. Economy and security policy take centre stage The Federal Chancellor took part in a meeting of the China-Germany Economic Advisory Committee. A number of declarations were signed at a signing ceremony. Following the talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chancellor said: "We started off by agreeing that we want to strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership." According to Merz, the question of how Germany and China organise their competition played an important role here. This, he said, was not only of economic importance, but also says something about the quality of the bilateral partnership. "The Chinese and Germans are aware that our economic exchange contributes significantly to the prosperity of both countries", said Merz. He cited the Chinese government's order for 120 additional aircraft from Airbus as a concrete example. German-Chinese government consultations The Chancellor also announced the resumption of German-Chinese government consultations, which had been interrupted by the change of government and the pandemic. He also reiterated his desire to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Germany and China. He emphasised the need to talk about current challenges in the area of international trade and said that there would be further bilateral dialogue formats. The Chancellor expressed his satisfaction with China's commitment to peace in the region. He said that the EU had an interest in security and stability and would seek co-operation in diplomatic efforts - among other things, to ensure that Russia was not supplied with dual-use goods. The Chancellor also made it clear that an escalation in the Indo-Pacific region would also be dangerous for Europe. Five guiding principles for the trip to China "Overall, we want to continue the success story of cooperation between China and Germany", said the Chancellor. This requires regulated access to the markets, he said, and competition needs to be fair and based on compliance with jointly set rules. During his trip, the Federal Chancellor also wanted to gain an impression of how rapidly innovations in the fields of autonomous driving, energy and climate technology, and artificial intelligence are developing in China and what opportunities are opening up for the German economy. Germany and China enjoy close economic relations. The state in East Asia is Germany's most important trading partner, but is now regarded by the Federal Government as both a trading partner and a competitor. Before his departure, the Federal Chancellor also outlined five guiding principles that would shape his trip: "A smart China policy starts here, at home" : A balanced partnership with the People's Republic of China requires a strong and competitive Germany and Europe. : A balanced partnership with the People's Republic of China requires a strong and competitive Germany and Europe. "We want to and must pursue a policy of de-risking" : Mutual risks arising from ever closer networking and one-sided dependencies must be minimised. : Mutual risks arising from ever closer networking and one-sided dependencies must be minimised. "Competition stimulates business" : The aim is fair and transparent competition based on reliable, agreed rules. : The aim is fair and transparent competition based on reliable, agreed rules. "China has risen to the ranks of the major powers; our China policy must take this into account" : China can no longer be ignored when it comes to major global political issues. Common challenges must be tackled without lecturing each other. : China can no longer be ignored when it comes to major global political issues. Common challenges must be tackled without lecturing each other. "We Germans are embedding our policy towards China in a European context": And out of European conviction, because common interests can be represented more effectively in this way. Chinese-German economic and trade relations are far-reaching. With a foreign trade turnover of more than 250 billion euros, the People's Republic was once again Germany's most important trading partner in 2025 - as it was from 2016 to 2023. With 5,200 German companies, China is one of Germany's most important foreign locations overall - with a focus on the automotive, mechanical engineering and electrical industries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Emerging from a church-led project that began 15 years ago, the institution has changed the outlook of a town that was founded by garbage collectors In Villa de Zaachila, a municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, the winds of change bring music. It spreads through the unpaved roads and mingles with the fine dust that rises at the slightest provocation. For more than four decades, this place received thousands of tons of garbage from the state capital, Oaxaca de Juarez, and its metropolitan area. But the Santa Cecilia School of Musical Initiation, located a short drive from the city center, has been a driving force in town, broadening horizons for children and entire families, who, over the past 15 years, have learned to master a wind or string instrument. What was once an area filled with tons of accumulated garbage and trucks hauling all kinds of waste is now transforming into a place that offers university opportunities, local bands, and a unique cultural perspective things that have been achieved only through a community effort. The Santa Cecilia School is located in Vicente Guerrero, which originally was a settlement founded in the 1980s by garbage collectors. The district, with 15,910 inhabitants, has high levels of marginalization and poverty: 38% of residents dont have social security and, of the 5,292 homes, 34% dont have drinking water, 12% dont have drainage, and 1% lack electricity. Derik Caballero Ortega, Primitivo Caballero Velasco and Dafne Caballero Ortega in Oaxaca, on January 22. Eva Lepiz This precariousness was the reason why, in 2011, Father Jose Renteria and a youth group launched a project to promote art and culture. Modesta Hernandez, general director of the Santa Cecilia School, recalls how the initiative began with the support of the parents committee and the priest. Every Sunday, the mothers would go to the Saint Bartholomew Church to sell pork rinds, sandwiches, and snacks, to finance the music teachers salary. But the increase in enrollment led us to look for other forms of funding, she explains. With the support of the Air France Foundation, the Pittsburgh-based Tash Inc., Don du Choeur a Swiss non-profit as well as the Saint Bartholomew Apostle Parish and the Banda de Musica (a French association), they were able to build five classrooms, 12 individual rooms, and two storage rooms in 2019. Students from the Santa Cecilia Schools marching band play in front of the Santo Domingo Church, in Oaxaca, Mexico. Eva Lepiz The first Literary Procession in Santa Cecilia, Oaxaca, on January 23, 2026. Eva Lepiz Johan Castro and Karen Cecilia Martinez, in Villa de Zaachila, Oaxaca, on January 22, 2026. Eva Lepiz Students from the flute section, during a rehearsal before their concert at the Santa Cecilia School of Musical Initiation. Eva Lepiz Luis Cervantes Pina plays the baritone horn in El Llano Park, with the Santa Cecilia Schools band. Eva Lepiz The band members distribute sheet music. Eva Lepiz Students from the music school march during the first Literary Procession, organized by the Oaxaca Lending Library. Eva Lepiz Josue Alfredo Lopez Jose and Margarita Lopez Jose, in Oaxaca de Juarez, on January 23, 2026. Eva Lepiz The schools coordinator, Maria de los Angeles Ramirez Mijangos, points out that this infrastructure has allowed them to maintain an enrollment of 208 students for wind and string instruments, as well as a staff of 11 teachers. She adds that the program lasts six years: the first year focuses on musical initiation, while the remaining five years are dedicated to instrumental performance and instruction in musical concepts. The institution, she affirms, has been a haven for children. Prior to its creation, there were no recreational options much less cultural ones for the local children and youth. Their efforts have borne fruit: 11 students from the Santa Cecilia School have been admitted to institutions of higher education, including the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the conservatories of Mexico City and Puebla. Furthermore eight bands, which play regional music, have been formed in the community. Manuel Jose Jose has been the director of one of these bands since 2016. He believes the main challenge is getting young musicians who are currently training at high-level institutions to return to the town and share their knowledge with their peers. Also a saxophone teacher, he has led his band at various events, such as the inauguration of the Felipe Angeles International Airport, as well as at the 2023 D-Day Festival Normandy, where they performed in Paris. I feel privileged to be the band director and that the children allow me to be a part of their musical lives, to motivate them [so that they] dedicate themselves to their instruments, he says. Dafne Caballero Ortega, pictured in Villa de Zaachila, Oaxaca, on February 22, 2026. Eva Lepiz Manuel Jose Jose, pictured in Oaxaca de Juarez, on February 23, 2026. Eva Lepiz Modesta Hernandez Lopez, pictured in Oaxaca, on January 22, 2026. Eva Lepiz Jose Alberto Duran Hernandez, pictured in Oaxaca de Juarez, on January 23, 2026. Eva Lepiz Musicians stories Jose Alberto Duran Hernandez is a bassoon student at the UNAM, in Mexico City. Currently on vacation, hes accompanying the band that trained him to downtown Oaxaca, to play in la calenda the procession that departs from the iconic Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman. Calendas are processions that are adorned with music, dances, and flowers. At the age of nine, this now 20-year-old entered the Santa Cecilia School, studying clarinet. However, in Paris, he met bassoon teachers who inspired him to dedicate himself to that instrument. Music is a catalyst for change in people; it gives you a different perspective on life. Being able to make music is a privilege that, in addition to giving you knowledge, allows you to see other places; [it] gives you a sense of belonging, he says. Students walk with their musical instruments inside the facilities of the Santa Cecilia School of Musical Initiation, on January 22. Eva Lepiz For Margarita Jose Lopez, a 56-year-old trombonist and member of the Banda de Musica association, this institution allowed her to fulfill her dream of playing an instrument, as it did for her sons, Obed and Josue Lopez Jose. The latter is a trumpet player and participant in the procession. Karen Cecilia Martinez Lopez, an 18-year-old saxophonist, also comes from a musical family tradition: her grandfather and father are musicians. She learned to play an instrument at the age of six and has been attending the Santa Cecilia School for the past year. A resident of the district of Vicente Guerrero, she acknowledges that musical instruction has made a significant difference in the area, especially in terms of security and the reduction of violence. We young people have a space where we can learn, interact, and develop ourselves, away from violence, she says. Back in 2023, the district along with 50 communities belonging to Villa de Zaachila joined forces to close the municipal landfill. Poverty still persists, accompanied by ecological damage, such as leachate (liquid generated by decomposing garbage) running through the streets but the mountain of garbage that once surrounded the residents is now a distant memory. Today, they hope to be recognized for the work done by the Santa Cecilia School, a birthplace of great musicians. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Chairman Mast Leads Letter Urging the Treasury Department to Block U.S. Capital from Fueling the Chinese Military U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs February 26, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast urged the Treasury Department to take additional action to ensure American capital and expertise do not strengthen China's military industrial base. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chairman Mast was joined by fellow Congressional national security leaders in applauding the successes of the Outbound Investment Security Program (OISP), codified and enhanced by the COINS Act, which has closed dangerous loopholes that previously allowed U.S. investments to flow into China's defense industrial base and key enabling sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. "The OISP and the COINS Act have been major successes in protecting U.S. national security," the lawmakers wrote. "However, more must be done to ensure that the United States does not fund its own destruction." Cosigners of this letter include Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford, Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, Senator Jim Banks, Senator Pete Ricketts, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul. Among the recommendations raised by the lawmakers, the first is expanding the OISP to cover biotechnology investments in countries of concern. They emphasized that certain biotechnology investments could boost adversary development of bioweapons, create dangerous dependencies on adversaries for advanced medicines, and erode America's biotech leadership. "U.S. capital is helping to expand China's biotechnology industry in ways that could leave the United States dangerously dependent on a strategic competitor," the lawmakers wrote. "Such dependence would pose risks even greater than China's dominance in rare earths." Additionally, the lawmakers called for targeting non-traditional transaction types like IPO underwriting and management consulting, which adversaries have increasingly exploited to gain U.S. expertise and credibility. "Foreign adversaries have increasingly exploited additional transaction types to achieve the same outcomes that the OISP was meant to prevent," the lawmakers wrote. "Absent action under Section 809, these transaction types will continue to allow U.S. firms to enable adversary military and technological advancement even as direct investment pathways are restricted." Finally, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of prohibiting Americans from investing in publicly traded securities of blacklisted Chinese firms, urging prompt evaluation for inclusion on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies (NS-CMIC) List. "Allowing Americans to continue trading the publicly listed securities of these firms undermines the purpose of existing designations and risks financing the very military capabilities U.S. policy seeks to constrain," the lawmakers wrote. In the letter, the lawmakers applauded the Administration for its leadership in preventing foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. capital. The lawmakers underscored that more must be done to ensure America maintains its military, technological, and economic edge over foreign adversaries. Read the full letter here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Unfair, unreasonable, and unfeasible for the US to demand China join trilateral nuclear disarmament talks: Chinese FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 27, 2026 04:17 PM China's nuclear forces are not in the same league as those of the US and Russia. At the current stage, it is unfair, unreasonable, and unfeasible to demand that China participate in so-called trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations among China, the US, and Russia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Friday in response to a media inquiry about recent claims made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding that China join a nuclear control deal with the US and Russia. According to media report, at a press conference at a meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, Rubio claimed that in the 21st century, for there to be a true arms control agreement, it has to involve China. Mao noted that China has made its position clear on this matter on multiple occasions. As a country with a massive nuclear arsenal, the US bears a special and primary responsibility to earnestly advance nuclear disarmament, which represents the broad consensus of the international community, Mao said. "China firmly supports the purpose and objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and the US accusations that China is conducting nuclear explosive tests are entirely groundless and are merely an excuse fabricated to justify its own potential resumption of nuclear testing," Shen Jian, Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, said at a high-level meeting on disarmament in Geneva on Monday local time. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's silence deepens fears over disappeared Uyghur returnees a year on, warn UN experts Press releases Special Procedures 27 February 2026 GENEVA -- UN experts* today expressed grave concern about 40 Uyghur Muslim men forcibly returned to China by Thai authorities a year ago, whose fate, state of health and whereabouts remain unknown. "The disappearances reflect a broader pattern of transnational repression targeting ethnic and religious minorities and individuals perceived to be critical of the Chinese Government," the experts said. The experts noted that, on 27 February 2025, Thailand forcibly returned 40 men to China, reportedly under intense pressure from the Chinese Government, and without applying the safeguards required to uphold the customary international law principle of non-refoulement. The deportations exposed them to the risk of being subjected to gross human rights violations, including enforced disappearance, torture and arbitrary deprivation of life. Prior to their forced return, these men had been detained incommunicado for more than a decade in Bangkok's Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, in substandard conditions and without contact with their families, legal representatives or the outside world. "Despite China's response, the lack of reliable, comprehensive and independently verified information surrounding these men's fate and whereabouts is profoundly alarming," the experts said. "Families have received no communication, no confirmation of the place of detention or whereabouts, and no indication as to whether their loved ones are even alive." "We are dismayed that the forced returns from Thailand were carried out despite urgent and repeated appeals from the United Nations, international human rights mechanisms, Thailand's National Human Rights Commission, and civil society organisations," the experts said. "We remain astounded by the persistent and unrelenting use of forced returns and transnational repression, carried out in blatant breach and disregard of international human rights law obligations, as well as of fundamental values of humanity and human dignity." The experts deplored China's continued denial of confidential, timely access to legal counsel, noting that many detainees in the country had been refused legal visits for months or even years under broad "national security" claims. Families receive inconsistent or misleading information, making it impossible for them to verify the condition or whereabouts of their loved ones. According to credible reports and numerous victim testimonies, Chinese authorities systematically subject the relatives of detainees and the wider local communities to tight surveillance, monitoring their movements, communications, and social interactions. "This pervasive oversight creates a climate of fear in which many families are too afraid to search for their loved ones, seek information, or speak publicly about their cases due to fear of reprisals," the experts said. "Denying legal access while intimidating families into silence creates an environment where serious human rights violations can unfold, unchecked," they warned. "Silencing relatives not only deepens their suffering, but obstructs genuine accountability. Justice cannot be pursued in silence." The experts urged China to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of the 40 Uyghur returnees by granting independent monitors unhindered and private access, and by ensuring that their families and local communities are not left in fear and uncertainty. They further called on Thailand and other States to put an end to the forced return of Uyghurs to China and appealed to the international community to strengthen safeguards against refoulement and ensure accountability for acts of transnational repression. *The experts: Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grazyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Balde, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Perez and Mohamed Al Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Ganna Yudkivska (Chair-Rapporteur), Matthew Gillett (Vice-Chair on Communications), Miriam Estrada Castillo (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), Mumba Malila and Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 27, 2026 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: February 27, 2026 19:09 Beijing Daily: It's reported that the border clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday night inflicted heavy casualties on both sides. In the early hours of Friday, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghanistan's capital Kabul and other places. Tensions escalated rapidly between the two countries. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: China is closely following the developments. Pakistan and Afghanistan are and will always be each other's neighbors. They're both China's neighbors as well. As their neighbor and friend, China is deeply concerned over the escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict and is saddened by the casualties. The intensity of ongoing clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan has gone beyond previous levels. Any protraction or escalation will inflict harm and losses on both sides. China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on the two sides to remain calm, exercise restraint, properly resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and negotiation, end the fighting as soon as possible, and avoid more sufferings. It's in the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples and will help keep the region peaceful and stable. China has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for deescalation and the improvement of relations between the two countries. Our Ministry and embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging relevant sides in the two countries. China asks Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the two countries. Reuters: Panama President Jose Mulino has said he does not anticipate China taking any countermeasures after CK Hutchison's exit from two Panamanian ports, adding that Panama would respond if China did take any measures. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this? Mao Ning: China's position on issues related to relevant Panamanian ports is clear. China will firmly defend the company's legitimate and lawful rights and interests. CCTV: Following three recent rounds of talks on the Ukraine crisis, Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine will hold a new round of talks in early March. On the afternoon of February 25, President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who was on an official visit to China. The two sides exchanged views on the crisis. Could you share more details? Mao Ning: In a meeting on February 25, President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis. President Xi expounded on China's principled position, and pointed out that the key to finding a solution lies in consistent dialogue and negotiation. It is important to ensure the equal participation of all sides and strike a solid foundation for peace; accommodate the legitimate concerns of all sides and enhance the will for peace; and realize common security and build a lasting architecture of peace. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks and a political settlement of the crisis. Though parties remain divided, they engaged in talks that are beginning to focus on substantive issues concerning the crisis. China welcomes this. Peace talks won't end the crisis overnight, but as long as dialogue is still on, there is hope for peace. We hope the three aspects of effort that should be ensured proposed by President Xi Jinping will offer useful inspirations to talks among relevant parties. China will continue to play a constructive role for peace in its own way, support all efforts for peace, and support all parties in continuing dialogue and negotiation, building consensus, reaching a fair, durable and binding peace agreement, and bringing about lasting peace and stability in Europe. RIA Novosti: I want to follow up on Pakistan and Afghanistan. I want to ask if China is considering the evacuation of its citizens and companies from those two countries or suspending flights? Mao Ning: We are closely following the developments and will provide necessary assistance to Chinese nationals in need. Hubei Media Group: According to recent data, China has become the world's first country with over 5 million valid domestic invention patents. Its invention patent applications have ranked first globally for many consecutive years. China also holds about three-fifths of the world's AI patents and two-thirds of robot-related patents. Some observers view these figures as evidence of China's commitment to intellectual property protection and the vitality of its scientific and technological innovation. What is your comment? Mao Ning: Speaking of scientific and technological innovation, during the Spring Festival, I was most impressed by the robots' performance at the Spring Festival Gala and videos generated by Seedance 2.0 for new year greetings. Innovation is transforming our everyday life, making it easier and creating joyful surprises. Scientific and technological innovation provides a strong driving force for China's high-quality development and is an important pillar of Chinese modernization. The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan vowed to raise China's innovation capacity across the board and set substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength as one of the major objectives for economic and social development. China believes that scientific and technological innovation must always be for the people, for good and for all and it should be about narrowing the technology gap. China will stay committed to openness and promoting international exchange and cooperation. We hope that more countries and people will benefit from the opportunities created by China's innovation. Bloomberg: The Pentagon plans to spend an additional US$ 12.6 billion to improve surveillance of Chinese military maneuvers, submarines and satellites, because they want to counter what it calls an unprecedented Chinese military buildup in Asia. This is from a U.S. budget document sent to Congress. Can you comment on that? Mao Ning: The U.S. uses the so-called "China threat" as a pretext to strengthen military deployment in the Asia Pacific. This is not conducive to regional peace and stability and is not in the interest of regional countries. RIA Novosti: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday that any agreement on limiting nuclear weapons must involve the United States, Russia and China, adding that Washington will continue to press on Beijing because such an agreement would be good for the world. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: China made clear its position on multiple occasions. Sitting on an enormous nuclear arsenal, the U.S. should fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament. This is the international consensus. China's nuclear strength is by no means at the same level with that of the U.S. and Russia. It is neither fair, reasonable nor realistic to ask China to join the nuclear disarmament negotiations at this stage. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Rejects US Nuclear Talks Demand as Unfair & Unfeasible Sputnik News 20260227 BEIJING (Sputnik) - Demanding that China join negotiations on nuclear disarmament is unfair, it is not feasible at this stage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that any agreement on limiting nuclear weapons must involve the United States, China, and Russia, adding that such a deal would be good for the world. "China's nuclear forces are on a completely different level compared to those of the United States and Russia. Demanding that China participate in the so-called trilateral negotiations on nuclear disarmament between China, the United States and Russia at this stage is unfair, irrational and impossible," Mao told reporters. With the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expired on February 5, the Russian Foreign Ministry has declared that Moscow now considers the parties released from all obligations under the pact, including any reciprocal commitments. President Vladimir Putin announced in September that Russia was willing to continue observing the New START limits for one year after the treaty's expiration on February 5, 2026, conditional upon reciprocity by the United States. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump: US Could Have 'Friendly Takeover' of Cuba Sputnik News 20260227 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States could end up having "a friendly takeover" of Cuba. "The Cuban government is talking with us, and they're in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money; they have no anything right now. But they're talking with us, and maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba," Trump told reporters. On Thursday, Miami Herald reported that US Department of State officials met with former Cuban President Raul Castro's grandson Rodriguez Castro on the sidelines of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Conference to negotiate economic and political changes in Cuba. On February 18, Axios reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was allegedly holding secret talks with Rodriguez Castro, circumventing official Cuban government channels. The negotiations were reportedly seen as proof that Washington considers Raul Castro as the true decision maker on the island. On January 29, Trump signed an executive order authorizing the United States to impose tariffs on imports from countries that supply oil to Cuba and declared a state of emergency, citing an alleged threat to US national security posed by Cuba. The Cuban government accused the US of seeking to stifle the Caribbean nation's economy and make living conditions unbearable for its population. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Gives Gifts to Major Leading Cadres Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on February 27 met with major leading cadres and military commanding officers at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee and gave them gifts he specially prepared. After presenting a new-type sniper's rifle to each of them, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un said: "Over the past five years, you have remained faithful to the historic mission and duty entrusted to you by the Party and the revolution and by the country and the people. Greeting the Ninth Congress of the Party, I personally prepared special presents for you. As was already made public, this new-generation sniper's rifle our Academy of Defence Science developed and produced is really a wonderful weapon. These presents represent my appraisal of your extraordinary devotion for the country and the people and an expression of my absolute trust in you. I hope that you will, in the future too, discharge your official duties in a responsible manner for the victorious advance of our cause. " The meaningful gifts were presented to the members of the WPK Central Military Commission, major commanding officers of the armed forces of the DPRK, commanders of the large combined units of the Korean People's Army and commanding officers of guard units, Jo Yong Won and Kim Jae Ryong, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Yo Jong, director of the General Affairs Department of the WPK Central Committee, and other leading cadres. Kim Jong Un personally awarded the relevant certificates to them one by one. The leading cadres patted the gifts reflecting his great expectation and trust, greatly pleased to receive the gifts bearing special meaning from him beyond their expectation. Then Kim Jong Un spent his time with the leading cadres, enjoying shooting with the rifles at a firing range. He had a photo session with the leading cadres that day. The cadres, who received special gifts from him, made a pledge of single-minded loyalty to add glory to their worthwhile life as the very loyalists who support and defend the country and the people without an inch of deflection or deviation, deeply cherishing his deep trust and expectation. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Daily Press Briefing (02/27/2026) France - Ministere de lEurope et des Affaires etrangeres - Press briefing Statements by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Press briefing Published on February 27, 2026 SUDAN UN sanctions four RSF commanders (Feb. 27, 2026) France welcomes the Security Council's imposition of sanctions on four Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanders - Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed, aka Al Zeir Salem; Gedo Hamdan Ahmed; Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, aka Abu Lulu; and Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo - for their role in the current conflict in Sudan. These four names were just added to the sanctions list that already included two RSF officers who had been designated in 2024, under the sanctions regime relating to Darfur that was established by UNSCR 1592. Through the imposition of these sanctions, which provide for the freezing of assets and travel bans, the Security Council is taking restrictive measures against four RSF members who are responsible for the crimes committed during their offensives against El Fasher in North Darfur. France co-sponsored these designations, in keeping with its commitment to resolve the Sudan crisis and its resolute effort to combat impunity. France urges all parties to the conflict to abide by their commitments and comply with their obligations in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Nearly three years after the start of the conflict, France remains committed to working with the Sudanese people to help restore peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strengthening drone defence Germany - Federal Government Critical infrastructure protection The Federal Government plans to improve drone defence. Relevant amendments to the Aviation Security Act were passed in the German Bundestag. The key changes at a glance. Thursday, 26 February 2026 Illegal drone flights over critical infrastructure in Germany have increased significantly since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It is suspected that they are also being piloted by foreign state actors for espionage and sabotage purposes in Germany. On 8 October 2025, the Federal Government launched a comprehensive reform of the Federal Police Act and expanded the powers of the Federal Police in the area of drone defence . Amendments made to the Second Act Amending the German Aviation Security Act are intended to further improve drone defence. Amendments to the Aviation Security Act: Greater powers: the powers of the armed forces will be extended.In the future, they may assist the police with drone defence under administrative assistance. This includes the use of armed force as a last resort if it is not possible, or only possible with considerable difficulty, to avert the danger without such support. the powers of the armed forces will be extended.In the future, they may assist the police with drone defence under administrative assistance. This includes the use of armed force as a last resort if it is not possible, or only possible with considerable difficulty, to avert the danger without such support. Simpler, faster procedures: the decision-making process for deploying the armed forces for drone defence will be simplified and accelerated.The decision has now been transferred to the Federal Ministry (previously: Federal Minister) of Defence and can therefore be delegated. The requirement to make a decision in consultation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior no longer applies. In addition, intentional, unauthorised entry onto airport premises will be a punishable offence in the future. Until now, this could only be dealt with by imposing fines. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIAN AIR FORCE CONDUCTS EXERCISE 'VAYUSHAKTI-26' AT POKHRAN RANGE, JAISALMER India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 9:37PM by PIB Delhi The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, demonstrating its formidable combat readiness, operational synergy and technological prowess across full spectrum of air operations. The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the Fire Power Demonstration as the Chief Guest, accompanied by esteemed dignitaries including the Hon'ble Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon'ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, GS Shekhawat, Chief Information Commissioner, Shri Raj Kumar Goyal, Cabinet Secretary, Dr TV Somanathan, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, Commanders-in-Chief of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, Senior Officers of the three Services, Officers of the Centre and State Governments, DPSUS, Former Air Chiefs, Esteemed Veterans, Defence Attaches from friendly foreign countries, Indian and International media and School children. The exercise showcased IAF's capability to execute complex, integrated air operations within a dynamic and realistic battlefield environment. Earlier in the day, Hon'ble President also undertook a sortie in the indigenously developed LCH Prachand, reflecting India's growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat". For the first time, Exercise Vayushakti was executed along a defined operational storyline, transforming into simulated live combat theatre. The exercise seamlessly integrated offensive air strikes, air defence operations. special forces missions and humanitarian assistance, highlighting IAF's role as a multi-domain, integrated force and nation's first responder. The exercise commenced with National Song and National Anthem, accompanied by a ceremonial flypast of Chetak helicopters carrying National Flag, Air Force Ensign and Operation Sindoor Flag. This was followed by a precisely timed sonic boom by a Rafale fighter, setting the stage for high-intensity combat missions. Over 130 aircraft participated in a day and night exercise including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Mi-17, C-130J, C-295, C-17, the indigenous Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. Fighter aircraft executed precision strikes on simulated enemy targets using advanced air-to-ground weapons, including precision-guided munitions and long range strike capabilities, underscoring IAF's ability to deliver decisive firepower with accuracy. Air defence capabilities were demonstrated through coordinated engagements involving airborne platforms and ground based systems such as Akash and Spyder missile systems, supported by Army air defence assets, like L-70 and M-777 reflecting seamless jointmanship between air and ground forces. Special operations and humanitarian assistance missions formed a key component of the exercise. As dusk fell, Garud Special Forces, along with Para SF elements, were inserted by Mi-17 helicopters to conduct simulated urban intervention and hostage rescue operations. This was followed by assault landings and evacuation by C-130 and C-295 aircraft from Advanced Landing Ground, reaffirming IAF's critical role in rapid response and casualty evacuation. The night phase of exercise showcased integrated air defence and air-landed operations, followed by precision night strikes by multiple fighter platforms, demonstrating IAF's capability to dominate the battlespace round-the-clock. The exercise concluded with a symbolic ceasefire fly-past by a C-17 aircraft, followed by a drone display celebrating IAF's legacy and achievements. Guided by its core values of "Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek", Exercise Vayushakti-26 validated IAF's operational doctrine, joint integration and technological capabilities reaffirming its role as a key enabler of India's comprehensive national power and strategic deterrence. *** VK/JS/GK (Release ID: 2233778) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq closes airspace amid Israeli strikes on Iran Xinhua) 16:10, February 28, 2026 BAGHDAD, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi authorities announced on Saturday the closure of the country's airspace following Israeli strikes against Iran. The announcement was made by the Iraqi Transportation Ministry, said Maetham al-Safi, the ministry's spokesperson. The spokesperson added that the closure was preceded by the clearing of all aircraft from Iraqi skies to ensure safety during escalating regional tensions. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Explosions have been reported in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, just as Tehran warned it would do in the event of a strike Iran launched attacks on Saturday against U.S. military bases in at least four countries in the region in response to the offensive that the U.S. and Israel initiated early in the morning with the stated aim of overthrowing the Islamic Republic. Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait were the targets of Iranian hostilities, with the outcome still uncertain. Several of these governments have announced the successful interception of missiles, although there are also images showing the impact of projectiles on areas hosting U.S. facilities in different states. The Iranian authorities had warned that any attack on their territory would automatically make both the State of Israel and Washingtons bases in the region military targets. Iran put that warning into practice on Saturday. According to the Iranian news agency Farsi, the response to the U.S. and Israeli offensive includes the U.S. base at Al Ubeid, near Doha (Qatar), the Al Salem air base in Kuwait, the Al Dhafra base in the UAE, and the Fifth Fleet facilities in Jufair, a city in Bahrain where columns of smoke have been seen rising into the sky. Bahrain, through its state news agency, was the first to confirm three strikes against its territory just hours after the offensive against Iran began. At least one of these attacks targeted U.S. interests. Attacks and explosions have also been reported in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia; in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); in Kuwait and in Qatar, according to information gathered by Reuters, AFP and the Qatari television station Al Jazeera, whose presenters were surprised during a live broadcast by the sound of alarms. These Persian Gulf countries, as well as Iraq, have reacted by ordering the closure of their airspace. Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Manama in retaliation against U.S.-Israeli attacks, in Bahrain, February 28. Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images) Several of the strikes that Iran has launched against these countries, which have security alliances with Washington, have been intercepted, according to government statements. Specifically, the Qatari Ministry of Defense assured that the country has successfully thwarted a series of successive attacks against its territory, and indicated that it had done so in accordance with a previously approved security plan, suggesting prior preparation for a situation such as the current one. The Jordanian army, for its part, confirmed the interception of two missiles that it claims were targeting its territory, where there is also a U.S. presence. One of these interceptions caused a fatality in Abu Dhabi, apparently due to a collision between the defense systems and the intercepted missiles. The UAE authorities have warned that these reprisals constitute a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and that they reserve the full right to respond to this escalation. The authorities in Bahrain have judged the attacks against their country in a similar manner, also describing them as treacherous. Saudi Arabia, for its part, has strongly condemned the military action against the Gulf countries and has warned of severe consequences in the event of a continued violation of the principles of international law. Several airlines, such as Air India, have canceled all operations in the region. Others, such as Turkish Airlines, have done so in several countries, including Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Syria. These are generally territories that have already announced the closure of their airspace or are in the path of missiles exchanged between Israel and Iran. Qatar Airways has canceled all its flights due to the closure of Qatari airspace. In June last year, during the 12-day offensive that Israel launched against Iran, the Iranian army attacked the U.S. base at Al Ubeid in Qatar, the largest of the U.S. bases in the region, without major consequences. In recent months, as the drums of war have grown louder, Tehran has warned on several occasions that it would not hesitate to attack U.S. resources in any country in the Middle East. That statement led governments close to the Donald Trump administration, such as Turkey and Qatar, to openly acknowledge that they were working to avoid the prospect of war. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Secretary (Defence Production) holds key meetings with senior Italian defence officials in Rome India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence India & Italy reaffirm shared commitment to facilitate industry partnerships to build resilient defence supply chains Shri Sanjeev Kumar highlights policy frameworks for defence procurements, FDI norms & India's defence corridors at India-Italy Defence Industry Seminar Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 5:08PM by PIB Delhi Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar called on Italy's Under Secretary of State for Defence Mr Matteo Perego di Cremnago and held meetings with National Armaments Director Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani and Chief of Italian Defence Forces General Luciano Portolano during his visit to Rome on February 26 & 27, 2026. During the meeting with Italy's Under Secretary of State for Defence, both nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to facilitate industry partnerships to build respective resilient defence supply chains. During the meetings with the National Armaments Director and the Chief of Italian Defence Forces, the two sides identified defence cooperation as a key pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership and concurred on the importance of augmenting industrial cooperation by building synergies and linkages between the defence industrial ecosystems. The Secretary (Defence Production) and the National Armaments Director also delivered keynote addresses at the India-Italy Defence Industry Seminar, which provided a forward-looking agenda for partnership. Shri Sanjeev Kumar highlighted the policy frameworks for defence procurements, FDI norms and the defence industrial corridors in India. Both sides noted that the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership signed in January 2026 provides new avenues for participation of Indian defence companies in the defence supply chains of the EU. Indian and Italian defence industries had focused B2B meetings to explore joint ventures, technology partnerships and co-manufacturing initiatives. The industry seminar also strengthened institutional cooperation between SIDM and AIAD, building on their MoU signed in April 2025 in Rome. A networking reception, hosted by the Embassy provided an opportunity for continuing the dialogue among government officials, industry leaders and stakeholders. The Secretary (Defence Production) was accompanied by an industry delegation under the aegis of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, which included key stakeholders from the Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings, private sector, SMEs, and start-ups. The delegation also visited leading Italian defence companies as part of the visit. The discussions focused on opportunities for joint ventures, co-development and co-production leveraging the synergies between the respective defence ecosystems. The visit reflects the deepening of India and Italy defence cooperation and India's commitment to build trusted partnerships in defence manufacturing, in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. *** VK/Savvy (Release ID: 2233581) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns UN of environmental risks from US military actions in Persian Gulf IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 27, 2026 Tehran, IRNA -- Vice president and head of the Department of Environment has warned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the potentially devastating environmental consequences of US military actions in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. In a formal letter on Friday, Shina Ansari expressed concern over the environmental consequences of any military action in the fragile and vital ecosystem of the region. Ansari said the continuation of military threats in a region with a high concentration of oil, gas, petrochemical and maritime infrastructure would constitute a dangerous situation for regional and global peace, security and the environment. Referring to Article 21 of the 1972 Stockholm Declaration and Article 2 of the 1992 Rio Declaration, she said that any military action leading to widespread marine pollution, destruction of coastal habitats or harm to biodiversity could be considered a violation of customary international obligations to prevent transboundary harm. Ansari also pointed to past conflicts in the region, including attacks on oil and industrial facilities, saying previous military confrontations had shown that environmental impacts were not confined to a specific time or territory and could affect generations to come. 9341**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran FM: Success of nuclear talks hinges on 'seriousness' of US Iran Press TV Friday, 27 February 2026 4:49 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed that the success of ongoing indirect nuclear talks with the United States hinges on the "seriousness and realism" of Washington. In a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Friday, Araghchi discussed the latest developments in the Iran-US talks, especially the third round held in Geneva on Thursday. Araghchi reiterated Tehran's commitment to using diplomacy to resolve issues. However, he stressed that "Success on this path requires seriousness and realism from the other party and [its] avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands." For his part, the Egyptian minister stressed his country's support for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving outstanding issues regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program. He stressed the need for talks between Tehran and Washington to continue in order to reach a "moderate" solution and avoid escalation in the region. Abdelatty also emphasized the need to avoid any military solution, warning that such an option would have very serious consequences on the region. Separately, Araghchi held a phone conversation on Friday with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, conferring on international and regional developments, including the nuclear talks. During the phone call with Hussein, Iran's top diplomat pointed ti the importance of maintaining talks between regional countries to preserve the region's peace and stability. The third round of indirect Iran-US talks was held on Thursday in a building belonging to the Omani Embassy in Geneva. Iran and the United States resumed negotiations nearly eight months after talks were derailed by unprovoked Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic last June, continuing indirect discussions facilitated by Omani mediation. Earlier this month, Araghchi said Iran has always pursued the path of diplomacy while at the same time maintaining its readiness for any war. His remarks came following weeks of escalating tensions caused by the US war rhetoric against Iran. Washington began its war rhetoric against Iran after recent economic protests in the country, which were hijacked by foreign spy agencies and turned violent. Since then, the US president has kept threatening military action against Iran, deploying two carrier groups and dozens of fighter jets, bombers, and refueling aircraft to regional waters near Iran. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran naval unit returns from drill, cmdr. vows to defend borders to 'last breath' Iran Press TV Friday, 27 February 2026 1:54 PM The Iranian Navy's 103rd flotilla has returned to the country's territorial waters at the southeastern port city of Konarak after sailing in international waters for 100 days. The flotilla comprised the Navy's Makran forward base ship and Shahid Naqdi destroyer as well as the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Shahid Mahdavi helicopter carrier. It began its mission in early December with the purpose of participating in the exercise "Will for Peace" in South Africa and docked in Konarak on Friday after traveling approximately 13,000 nautical miles. Flotilla commander Admiral Emad Nejad Moridi said nine countries took part in the drill in South Africa and that despite efforts to prevent Iran's participation, the group maintained an "effective and strong presence" through active naval diplomacy. He added that the main goal was to raise Iran's flag in international waters and convey the Islamic Republic's message of peace and friendship to the world. Nejad Moridi added that the Iranian naval forces would spare no effort to defend the country's maritime interests and borders "to the last breath." Meanwhile, speaking at a ceremony to welcome the flotilla, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said its participation in the South African exercise carried "an important message to the world." He added that the behavior of other countries at sea reflected the power of the 103rd flotilla. BRICS Plus joint naval exercise "Will for Peace 2026" was held off the coast of South Africa last month. The drill included naval forces from Iran, China, Russia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The drills involved more than 20 naval and aerial units and included live-fire exercises using semi-heavy weapons, aimed at testing operational readiness and coordination among participating forces. South African authorities described the exercise as part of the BRICS Plus framework, intended to enhance maritime security and ensure the free flow of international trade. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shadow Of War Deepens Despite 'Progress' In Iran Talks As US Carrier Nears Israel By Kian Sharifi and RFE/RL's Radio Farda February 27, 2026 As Iranian and US diplomats concluded a third round of talks in Geneva on February 26 -- described by mediators as a "significant" step toward technical review -- the imminent arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group in Israel a day later underscored the military brinkmanship shaping the standoff between Washington and Tehran. The deployment, a massive show of force, serves as a counterweight to the optimistic language surrounding the negotiations. The juxtaposition of diplomacy and military pressure appears deliberate. According to Mohammad Ghaedi, a lecturer at George Washington University who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Farda, US President Donald Trump's administration views the threat of force not as an alternative to diplomacy, but as a mechanism to drive it. "Even if [these talks] are a last-ditch effort, the United States will not announce it publicly," Ghaedi said. "That preserves the element of surprise in the event of an attack." He added that regardless of whether negotiations collapse, Washington is unlikely to formally declare their end before any potential military action, describing the current naval buildup as a key leverage point. Ghaedi expressed skepticism about the prospects for a comprehensive breakthrough. While discussions on general principles appear to be advancing, he said a significant gap remains over nonnegotiable details, particularly uranium enrichment levels. Speaking on February 27, Trump said he was "not happy" with Iran but added that he hadn't yet made a decision on a possible military option, as more talks were expected. "They'd be smart if they made a deal. No nuclear weapons -- we want no nuclear weapons by Iran and they're not saying those golden words," Trump said. Fueling speculation, on the same day the United States authorized the departure of nonemergency government personnel and family members from Israel as the carrier group approached. Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that his department has designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention -- a newly created label that Tehran is the first ever to receive. "The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions," Rubio said in a statement. Speaking aboard Air Force Two, US Vice President JD Vance sought to shape expectations around the administration's deliberations. While confirming that "potential strike action" is under active consideration, Vance stressed that any conflict would be limited in scope. "The idea that we're going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight -- there is no chance that will happen," Vance told reporters on February 26. He reiterated that the White House prefers a diplomatic outcome but said the final decision depends on Iranian concessions. Iranian media close to senior officials pushed back. Nour News, affiliated with Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, accused Vance of "feeding misinformation" to Congress about the possibility of a limited war in order to justify granting Trump broad authority in the event of a conflict. Citing recent remarks by Khamenei, the outlet warned that any attack on Iran -- contained or otherwise -- would trigger a broader regional conflict. It said Washington risks a "dangerous miscalculation" by underestimating Tehran's capacity to escalate, arguing that a surgical strike would not remain limited. Ghaedi said the use of force would not eliminate Iran's nuclear expertise and would likely be intended to compel Tehran back to the negotiating table. "Any military action must ultimately lead to a point where Iran accepts -- through negotiation and agreement -- to forgo high-level enrichment," he said. Roya Maleki of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-talks-carrier- arrive-israel-war/33689644.html Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Designated as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention US Department of State Press Statement Marco Rubio, Secretary of State February 27, 2026 Today, I am designating Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. When the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of U.S. embassy staff. For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states. This abhorrent practice must end. President Trump issued an Executive Order to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad last fall and Congress subsequently enacted the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, authorizing the Department to designate Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. If Iran does not stop, we will be forced to consider additional measures, including a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of U.S. passports to, through, or from Iran. The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions. We encourage it to do so. No American should travel to Iran for any reason. We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese embassy in Iran urges Chinese citizens in the country to closely monitor changes in security situation Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 28, 2026 09:15 AM The Chinese embassy and consulates in Iran on Saturday reminded Chinese citizens in Iran to closely monitor changes in the security situation as the country faces significantly increase in external security risks recently. In a post on its WeChat account, the Chinese Embassy in Iran urged Chinese citizens in Iran to strengthen their awareness of precautions, refrain from photographing sensitive locations such as government agencies and military facilities, pay attention to "No Photography" signs, and avoid accidentally taking photos or entering such areas. Those planning to travel by air should monitor flight information, according to the post. The embassy urged Chinese citizens in Iran to report to the local police immediately and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in Iran in case of emergency. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. supercarrier off Israel casts shadow over Washington-Tehran diplomatic track People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:02, February 28, 2026 CAIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived off Israel's coast on Friday, raising concerns that Washington and Tehran may be moving closer to direct military confrontation. The deployment comes as analysts and regional officials warned that tensions are escalating faster than diplomatic efforts to contain them. The nuclear-powered carrier reached waters near Haifa in northern Israel, Israeli media reported, joining an expanded U.S. naval presence. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Arabian Sea since late January, monitoring Iranian activity. Washington has surged military assets into the Middle East in recent weeks, including advanced fighter squadrons and two carrier strike groups. The Pentagon has not detailed potential operations, but officials said options under consideration range from limited strikes to a broader campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure. Despite the buildup, the White House has maintained a dual-track approach. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that diplomacy remains his "preferred course," though he issued a stern warning that he would not allow Tehran to cross the threshold of obtaining a nuclear weapon. He later told reporters on Friday when leaving the White House that although he is "not happy" with the way Tehran is negotiating, he will "see what happens" as both sides "are talking later." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is expected to visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday to "discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran," has echoed that position, even as officials prepare for the possibility that negotiations could fail. On Friday, the U.S. State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families from Israel. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged staff wishing to leave to do so "today," according to U.S. media reports. The U.S. embassy said it may further restrict travel by government personnel and their families to certain areas of Israel, as well as the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing security concerns and warning that measures could be imposed without advance notice. Concerns have spread beyond the region. Britain said it has temporarily withdrawn diplomatic staff from Iran and shifted to remote operations. Canada and India also issued similar advisories, with Ottawa warning that hostilities could erupt with little or no warning. Italy has told its nationals in Iran to depart immediately amid threats of new military activity, and has advised its citizens against travelling to Iraq and Lebanon. France and Germany have recommended their citizens not to travel to Israel. The escalation follows a third round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva that ended without a breakthrough. U.S. officials have said Trump is considering an initial strike to increase leverage over Tehran, a move Iranian officials have vowed to confront. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for Iran's armed forces, described the U.S. naval presence as "psychological warfare," but warned that any provocation would draw a "decisive and crushing response," according to Iran's Mehr news agency. "We are not warmongers, but we are not afraid of war," he said, adding that Iranian forces are closely monitoring U.S. and Israeli movements. According to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, Seyed Ahmad Khatami, Tehran's interim Friday prayer leader, said Iran will not suspend uranium enrichment, calling such a step a "humiliation." Regional armed groups have also signaled readiness to escalation. In Iraq, the Kataeb Hezbollah militia ordered fighters to prepare for a "prolonged conflict," indicating that any confrontation between the United States and Iran could expand across multiple fronts in the Middle East. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Explainer: What key signals emerged from the latest U.S.-Iran talks? People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:18, February 28, 2026 Analysts warned that the mismatch in negotiating scope remains a major obstacle to any potential agreement. Even on core nuclear issues, the two sides appear far from bridging their differences. GENEVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Iran concluded their third round of indirect talks here on Thursday, with the mediator, Oman, describing the talks as making "significant progress." The negotiations, however, ended without any agreements. Fundamental issues remain unresolved, and the risk of military escalation in the region persists. WHAT WAS ACHIEVED? Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who headed Tehran's delegation, described the latest round of talks as the "most intense so far." He said "good progress" had been made on both nuclear issues and sanctions relief, adding that negotiators had begun working through the key elements of a potential agreement and that both sides showed clear seriousness about reaching a deal. The mediator Oman also struck an optimistic tone. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi said the parties exchanged "creative and positive ideas" during the Geneva negotiations. After the talks concluded, Albusaidi confirmed that the parties agreed to launch technical-level negotiations in Vienna next week, with political talks expected to resume following consultations in their respective capitals. The U.S. negotiating team offered no immediate comment on the outcome. However, Axios reported that Washington's assessment of the talks shifted from disappointing to "positive." Without a breakthrough announced, the U.S.-Iran talks now appear to be moving into a more technical phase. WHERE DO THEY DIFFER? Yet beneath the positive tone, deep disagreements remain over the scope and goals of any future agreement. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that the United States and Iran could reach a framework for a deal if Washington separated "nuclear and non-nuclear issues." Meanwhile, the Trump administration has insisted that Iran's ballistic missile program and regional security issues should be part of the negotiations. Analysts warned that the mismatch in negotiating scope remains a major obstacle to any potential agreement. Past diplomatic experience, including negotiations surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal, suggests that talks between Washington and Tehran have often faltered when the two sides entered negotiations with fundamentally different objectives. Furthermore, even on core nuclear issues, the two sides appear far from bridging their differences. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner required Tehran to deliver all of its remaining enriched uranium to the United States, dismantle its key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, and enforce zero enrichment. The Iranian side rejected all the demands, the report said, citing unnamed Iranian state media and anonymous sources. "Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon; neither will we Iranians ever forgo our right to harness the dividends of peaceful nuclear technology for our people," said Araghchi. Sanctions relief was another sticking point. Iranian officials told CNN that the key to a future nuclear agreement lies in lifting all U.S. sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions. The United States, however, has signaled a more limited approach. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington is offering "only minimal sanctions relief" to Tehran as part of a deal. Beyond policy differences, both sides have adopted tougher rhetoric and military signaling to reinforce their negotiating positions. U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 19 warned that Iran must reach a deal within "10 to 15 days" or face "really bad things," as Washington reinforced its military presence in the Middle East with additional carrier strike groups and advanced aircraft. In response, Iran said that any U.S. strike could trigger a "devastating war," warning that U.S. bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets. The Institute for Peace and Diplomacy said in a recent report that the escalation in rhetoric reflects a profound trust deficit between Washington and Tehran. "Any pathway toward de-escalation would require a credible off-ramp -- a mechanism that allows both sides to claim strategic success domestically," it said. "Designing such a framework, amid mutual suspicion and maximalist rhetoric, will be extraordinarily difficult." WHAT COMES NEXT? The upcoming Vienna talks on Monday mark a key point. Araghchi said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will begin reviews tailored to the demands of both countries. On the same day, the IAEA Board of Governors is also scheduled to meet in Vienna, where Iran's nuclear activities are expected to be high on the agenda. On June 12, 2025, the board adopted a resolution, accusing Iran of breaching its non-proliferation obligations and failing to cooperate fully with its inspectors. The very next day, Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities. However, in a later interview with Al Jazeera, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted that the agency had found no evidence of Iranian nuclear weapons production. Meanwhile, Trump's self-imposed deadline for Iran to strike a deal is looming, intensifying pressure on the diplomatic efforts. "This may be the last chance to clinch a deal," said Saeid Golkar, associate professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and an expert on Iran's military. "Failing that, the U.S. will next sort out by military means what it can't resolve through diplomacy." Mohamed Amersi, chairman of the Amersi Foundation, emphasized the importance of negotiation. "Ultimately, negotiating from weakness demands realism, strategic leverage and mutually beneficial compromise rather than zero-sum escalation," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC pounds US bases across West Asia following US, Israeli aggression Iran Press TV Saturday, 28 February 2026 11:42 AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has carried out a string of simultaneous and massive missile strikes against US military bases across West Asia in retaliation for airstrikes targeting several cities in Iran, including the capital Tehran. Arabic-language media outlets reported that the Iranian missiles struck US military installations in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Local media reported that a series of the projectiles slammed into a base where US marines are based in Jafir region of Bahrain Bahraini authorities state that the service center of the Fifth Fleet of the US Navy has been hit as a result. The Qatar-based Al Jazeera news network also reported that a number of loud explosions were heard in Kuwait City. Sirens warning of incoming missiles were triggered. There are reports that Ali Al-Salem airbase west of the Kuwaiti capital was targeted. Moreover, al-Udeid airbase in the Qatari capital of Doha has been pounded as well. The US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Saturday morning. Thick smoke was seen rising in the sky following blasts in Tehran. There were also explosions in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Tabriz and Kermanshah. US President Donald Trump and the Israeli army confirmed the launch of the airstrikes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Following bombings in several cities of the Islamic Republic, US bases in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain were hit Israel and the United States have launched a joint military attack against Iran. The first missiles landed in Tehran, the countrys capital, where explosions have been reported since 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. Videos from local media and news agencies have confirmed bombings in at least seven other cities across Iran. The attack reportedly struck the residence of Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader. This was reported by U.S. authorities and confirmed by the following satellite image taken by Airbus and published by The New York Times. The building hit is the primary residence of Khamenei and other high-ranking regime officials. Iranian authorities, for their part, stated that the countrys leader is safe and is directing the armed forces. We obtained the first known satellite image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran. There are several destroyed buildings. While the current whereabouts of Iran's supreme leader are unknown, the compound is generally used as his official residence. : @Airbus pic.twitter.com/48krjclMBL Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) February 28, 2026 Irans first measure was to close its airspace, a move implemented within hours by Iraq and Israel, which declared a state of emergency. By mid-morning on Saturday, air traffic in the region was completely disrupted, as shown by data from FlightRadar24. Irans military response was swift. Less than three hours after the attack, Tehrans long-range missiles struck at least four U.S. sites in the region. According to initial reports, these included three air bases (in Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates) and a naval base (in Bahrain). This was one of Tehrans stated threats in the event of an attack. Iran has claimed to have launched further attacks against Qatar and Israel. In the capital, Tel Aviv, air raid sirens have sounded since early Saturday morning, and the government of Benjamin Netanyahu said that it has already shot down several missiles launched from Iran (the Israeli missile defense system is one of the most advanced in the world). US deployment in the region and Irans allies The attack did not come entirely as a surprise. On Thursday, talks in Geneva between the delegations of the United States and Iran ended without an agreement, and pressure in the region had been mounting for months. Washington had deployed a large fleet to the area, including two aircraft carriers, the Gerald R. Fold and the Abraham Lincoln, with a combined capacity for more than 150 aircraft and over 5,000 crew members. Both were protected by destroyer ships. In recent weeks, dozens of U.S. fighter jets had also been deployed to operational and support bases in the region (including the Spanish base in Rota). The U.S. troops deployed in the Middle East would number between 40,000 and 50,000 personnel, who will also have to protect themselves against another of Irans assets: the Shiite militias that the Islamic Republic can activate against its enemies. Its important to note that the aggressive war waged by Israel in the region following the attacks carried out by Hamas in October 2023 with airstrikes in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Qatar and Yemen, as well as in Gaza Strip clearly weakened its allies response capacity, but did not eliminate it altogether. Chinese Embassy in Israel advises Chinese nationals to monitor security, avoid unnecessary outings Global Times By Global Times Published: Feb 27, 2026 09:48 PM The Chinese Embassy in Israel, in an announcement posted on its official WeChat account on Friday, advised Chinese nationals in Israel to closely follow the developments of the situation and the security alerts issued by the Israeli government, and to refrain from unnecessary outings in light of the further escalation of security risks in the Middle East. Chinese nationals in Israel are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance, strengthen security precautions and emergency preparedness, familiarize themselves in advance with bomb shelters and safe evacuation routes in the vicinity, and ensure the safety of their lives and property, read the announcement. It also advised Chinese nationals not to travel to areas of extremely high risk in the near term, namely the northern border areas and regions adjacent to Gaza (the areas north of Nahariya-Safed, north and east of the Sea of Galilee, and south of Ashkelon and west of Netivot). Personnel and institutions on the ground are advised to relocate to safe areas as soon as possible and avoid approaching sensitive institutions and facilities at the same time, according to the announcement. The announcement also said that in case of an emergency, Chinese nationals can call the police immediately and contact the Chinese Embassy in Israel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USD 65B deal with UAE covers defense, nuclear, AI industries KOREA.net Feb 27, 2026 By Lee Jihae A bilateral agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) worth USD 65 billion has been concluded to pursue joint projects in the defense industry and artificial intelligence (AI). Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik on Feb. 26 announced this at a news conference at Incheon International Airport after returning from the UAE as a special presidential envoy for strategic economic cooperation. "The biggest achievement of this special envoy visit was the landing of cooperation projects in the defense industry worth over USD 35 billion and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on a cooperation framework for the industry," he said. Both sides agreed to expand their relationship from a buyer and a seller of weapons and cooperate throughout the entire cycle of the defense industry, from design to education and training and maintenance. They concluded a cooperative framework for the sector that stipulates the principles of collaboration. Seoul and Abu Dhabi agreed to jointly pursue projects worth over USD 65 billion -- USD 35 billion in the defense industry and USD 30 billion in other areas of investment cooperation. "We decided to restructure the investment cooperation deal worth USD 30 billion based on the agreement reached by our two leaders at their summit in November last year," the official said. "Investment cooperation actively targets strategic business promotion, Korean corporate advances into the UAE and joint expansion into third countries from a financial perspective." "We agreed to closely collaborate in fields such as nuclear fuel supply and nuclear plant maintenance capabilities, while actively pursuing joint advances into third countries given that the expanding global market for nuclear power due to surging electricity demand for AI and other applications." To raise cooperation in sectors such as AI, cutting-edge technology, culture and education, both sides will operate biweekly working groups for each sector. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the UAE's Executive Affairs Authority, will visit Korea next month or in April to continue detailed discussions. While in the UAE, Chief of Staff Kang paid a courtesy call on UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and gave him a letter from President Lee Jae Myung. The Korean official also met Chairman Al Mubarak three times and gave him Dubai chewy cookies, a trendy dessert that originated in Korea and was inspired by the Dubai chocolate trend that swept Korea in 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: Statement by the Spokesperson marking eleven years since the murder of Boris Nemtsov in Moscow European External Action Service (EEAS) 27.02.2026 27.02.2026 EEAS Press Team Today marks the eleventh year of the assassination of Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, shot dead on 27 February 2015 near the Kremlin. Boris Nemtsov served as Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Governor of Nizhny Novgorod and was a prominent leader of the Russian liberal opposition. He has left an important political legacy, having advocated for a modern, prosperous, and democratic Russia, inspiring many. Since his assassination, the human rights situation in Russia has only worsened. Crackdown and increasing restrictions on civil society, the independent media, political opposition, and dissenting voices are ongoing, alongside Russia's systemic failure to meet its international obligations to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners. In his last days of life, Boris Nemtsov denounced Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Ever since the aggression has only increased and transformed into the full-scale invasion. Every day, the Ukrainian population suffers Russia's horrific atrocities. The European Union recalls the adoption in 2024 of a Russia-specific human rights sanctions regime. So far, 62 individuals and 1 entity responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and activities that seriously undermine democracy and the rule of law in Russia have been sanctioned within this regime. The European Union remains determined in its commitment to the protection of human rights, justice and accountability, in Russia and everywhere else. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Intel Uncovers Ukrainian Plot to Sabotage Blue Stream & TurkStream Gas Pipelines - Kremlin Sputnik News 20260227 Details of a plot by Ukraine to sabotage the Blue Stream and TurkStream pipelines have been repeatedly shared with the Turkish authorities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated. This disclosure follows President Putin's remarks earlier on Tuesday. During a meeting with the Federal Security Service (FSB), Putin revealed that Russia had obtained intelligence indicating potential sabotage operations targeting the two gas pipelines. "This information has been repeatedly conveyed to our Turkish colleagues," Peskov told reporters, responding to a question from RIA Novosti about the potential sabotage targeting these pipelines. On Ukraine Talks The three-way negotiations for resolving the Ukrainian conflict between Russia, the US, and Ukraine will continue, Peskov told journalists. "Yes, we are talking about the continuation of this three-party format," he confirmed. Once a deal is struck, the Kremlin will announce the timeline for future talks. For now, work is proceeding and contacts are ongoing. "Work is underway, and contacts are being made. As soon as an agreement is reached, we will inform you," Peskov stressed. President Putin is immediately briefed after every negotiation, Peskov noted. "Naturally, the president is informed promptly after every contact. This information is reported to him immediately," the spokesman stated. He also noted that there has been no major shift in Ukraine's stance. "No, so far, no significant change in the Kiev regime's position can be noted," he said. On Economic Relations With the US Any results emerging from ongoing economic contacts with the United States will be shared with the media once they materialize, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed. He noted that Kirill Dmitriev, President Putin's special representative for investment and economic cooperation, is continuing his efforts in this area. "The moment there are results, we will share them with you," Peskov told reporters. On Pakistan-Afghanistan Hostilities While maintaining a pulse on the developments there, Moscow is not rushing to draw any conclusions but hopes for a swift end to the military clashes. The fighting erupted after Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Afghan territory, prompting Afghanistan to launch an operation along the Durand Line. "We are keeping an eye on the situation along with everyone else, but it's too early to make any conclusions," Peskov noted. On Frozen Russian Assets Machinations to appropriate Russian assets in the West are far from over, Peskov warned, pointing to the hostile mood engulfing several European nations. "Given the prevailing attitudes, it is obvious that attempts to legitimize and advance this theft will continue," he emphasized. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. think tank calls for 'hellscape' drone strategy for Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 02/27/2026 12:00 PM Washington, Feb. 26 (CNA) A U.S. think tank has urged Taiwan to adopt a "hellscape" strategy that would flood the Taiwan Strait with drones and other uncrewed systems to deter a potential invasion by China. In its new report "Hellscape for Taiwan" published on Thursday, the Center for a New American Security argued that Taipei's current asymmetric defense approach -- often described as a "porcupine strategy" -- needs to evolve to keep pace with the growing capabilities of the People's Liberation Army. The concept of a "hellscape," a term used by U.S. military leaders in recent years, envisions saturating the air and waters around Taiwan with thousands of drones and other uncrewed platforms capable of striking invading forces from multiple domains at once. Under the approach outlined in the study, long-range aerial, surface and undersea drones would target Chinese ships and aircraft well before they reach Taiwan's shores. As invading forces move closer, additional layers of mines, loitering munitions and short-range systems would further disrupt and weaken by attrition troops attempting amphibious landings. The goal, according to the report, is to deny China air and sea superiority and to impose such heavy losses that an invasion would become prohibitively costly. The report argued that Taiwan must be prepared to defend itself even in the early stages of a cross-Taiwan Strait conflict, when outside assistance could be delayed or contested. Rather than relying primarily on high-end, limited-number platforms such as advanced fighter jets or large surface ships, the hellscape concept emphasizes quantity, dispersion and resilience. The study called for mass production of affordable drones -- including "long-range strike systems" and "first-person-view attack drones" -- that can operate in contested communications environments. It also recommended building domestic manufacturing capacity and integrating uncrewed systems into a coherent doctrine that links sensors, shooters and command networks. The study argued that while China has rapidly modernized its navy, air force and missile forces over the past two decades, significant uncertainties remain about its ability to execute and sustain such a large-scale operation, especially in the face of Taiwanese counterattacks and possible U.S. intervention. Taiwan's government has devised plans consistent with the report's recommendations for the use of drones in deterring or repelling a Chinese invasion. Most recently, as part of a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.99 billion) special defense budget for 2026-2033, Taiwan wants to purchase more than 200,000 unmanned aerial vehicles and 1,000-plus unmanned surface vehicles, with many of them produced domestically. Chinese attack options Rather than launching an immediate, all-out invasion, the report outlined several scenarios China could consider. One option was a quarantine or blockade designed to choke off Taiwan's trade and energy supplies, pressuring its government into political concessions without a risky amphibious assault. Another possibility was a limited seizure of offshore islands controlled by Taipei, testing international resolve while avoiding the enormous costs of invading the main island. A full invasion would likely come only if Chinese leaders assessed that peaceful unification was no longer plausible and that military conditions -- including readiness, logistics and deterrence of outside powers -- were favorable, the report said. (By Chung Yu-chen and Y.F. Low) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2026.02.28 Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau 1.Date: 6 a.m. Feb. 27 (Fri.) to 6 a.m. Feb. 28 (Sat.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 3.PRC balloon activities 1 PRC balloon was detected during this timeframe. 1150228_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_1 1150228_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_2 1150228_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International Claims Commission for Ukraine: Council of Europe launches preparatory committee Council of Europe Rules of procedure, provisional budget to be in committee's remit Council of Europe Strasbourg 27 February 2026 The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has decided to create a preparatory committee to lay the groundwork for the operation of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. How the International Claims Commission will work The International Claims Commission will be the second part of a comprehensive compensation mechanism related to Russia's war of aggression, building on the existing Register of Damage for Ukraine. The claims commission will review, assess and decide upon claims that are currently being submitted to the register and determine the amount of compensation - if any - that is due in each case. The commission will be established once the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine has been ratified by 25 signatories and sufficient funds have been secured to support its initial work. Preparatory committee to prepare practical arrangements for claims commission The preparatory committee will prepare proposals and practical arrangements for the claims commission, including rules of procedure for its different bodies and a provisional budget for the first financial year. The preparatory committee will consist of representatives of those countries and organisations which have signed the convention establishing the claims commission. Other countries and regional organisations may be invited to join the preparatory committee as observers. The first meeting of the preparatory committee is likely to take place before the summer of 2026. Like the Register of Damage for Ukraine, the International Claims Commission will form part of the institutional framework of the Council of Europe. The register's work will be transferred to the claims commission once the latter is established. In adopting the statute of the preparatory committee, the Council of Europe has followed up on the request of the diplomatic conference held in The Hague on 15-16 December 2025. The Committee of Ministers also welcomed the voluntary contribution to support the establishment of the claims commission announced by the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission at the conference. The convention has so far been signed by 35 states plus the European Union. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 342 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 27 February 2026 Vienna, Austria 15/2026 The fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation commenced today, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed. The temporary ceasefire enables the restoration of the off-site back-up power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). "I appreciate both the Russian Federation and Ukraine for their constructive engagement in agreeing to another localized ceasefire," Director General Grossi said. "It paves the way for repairs to strengthen the site's off-site power in our efforts to maintain nuclear safety and security at ZNPP." The IAEA has previously facilitated four temporary ceasefire agreements, which allowed five separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP. Preparatory works, including de-mining activities, began today at the 330 kV switchyard of the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP), through which back-up power is provided to the ZNPP. After one to two days of preparatory work, technicians will assess and initiate repairs in the presence of the IAEA team based at the ZNPP. ZNPP's Ferosplavna-1 330 kV back-up off-site power line was disconnected on 10 February, reportedly as a result of military activity. Since then, ZNPP has been solely powered by the 750 kV Dniprovska off-site power line to ensure nuclear safety and security functions. Last week, the Ferosplavna-1 power line was successfully energized. However, repairs are needed so that power can be supplied to the switchyard and then onto the ZNPP. "The IAEA has once again demonstrated our essential role to minimize the risk of a nuclear accident during this war, and we will continue to do so for as long as it takes," Director General Grossi said. "Once again, I remind both sides of the need to abide by the Five Concrete Principles to prevent an accident at the ZNPP." Over the past week, the IAEA team based at the ZNPP reported hearing military activities each day, including a number of explosions in close proximity to the ZNPP. Additionally, on Thursday, military activity once again affected the Ukrainian electrical substations essential for maintaining nuclear safety and security, impacting operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) across Ukraine. Two NPPs were disconnected from one off-site power line each, and two NPPs were also required to reduce operating power. At the Chornobyl NPP site, one off-site power line was also disconnected, and an emergency diesel generator of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) automatically started as a result of electrical fluctuations. There was not a total loss of off-site power to the NSC, according to the IAEA team at the site. Nine drones were detected within the Chornobyl NPP site monitoring area on Wednesday night and one on Thursday night, while three drones were detected 12 kilometres from the South Ukraine NPP on Wednesday night. One missile was also observed within the South Ukraine NPP monitoring area on Sunday night. The IAEA continued with deliveries under its comprehensive assistance programme for Ukraine amid the on-going conflict, now entering its fifth year. One liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer was delivered to the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Laboratory to assist in the analysis of environmental samples. A utility cart for Quantulus GCT liquid scintillation counter was delivered to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The deliveries were made possible with funds from Japan and Sweden. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Information Romania - Ministry of National Defence Press release No. 42 27.02.2026 On the morning of February 27, the Russian Federation launched new airstrikes on the Ukrainian ports on the Danube. The MoND radar systems detected, in the Ukrainian airspace, a drone moving towards the north of Tulcea County and a new RO-alert message was issued for the population in the area at 08:45 a.m. According to air policing procedures, two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from Fetesti Air Base were scrambled at 09.04 to monitor the airspace. A few minutes later, the aircraft confirmed radar contact with the target 9 km from Chilia Veche, on the Ukrainian territory, and at 09.13 the drone was shot down by the Ukrainian armed forces' air defence systems, 100 meters from the locality. Being very close to the border, specialized teams are prepared to initiate a search operation for possible debris of the aircraft that fell on the national territory. The air alert ceased at 10:12 am. The Ministry of National Defence is constantly monitoring the situation, in close cooperation with the NATO allies. The Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Information Romania - Ministry of National Defence Press release No. 40 27.02.2026 On Thursday, February 26, the MoND radars signalled the presence of a drone in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine, following a new air strike launched by the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian ports on the Danube. Thus, at around 4:25 p.m., two F-16 aircraft deployed at Fetesti Air Base were scrambled, in accordance with the air policing procedures. The population in the northern area of Tulcea County received a RO-Alert message, issued by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, following the notification sent by the Air Force Staff. The unmanned aerial vehicle did not enter the national airspace, the alert measures ending around 5:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were scrambled - a German Air Force one and a Spanish Air Force one - stationed at the 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, following the observation of a new unmanned aerial vehicle heading towards the national airspace. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations sent a new RO-Alert message to the population in the north-east of Tulcea County. The unmanned aircraft briefly entered the national airspace and left it around 6:30 p.m., north of Sulina. At the time the press release was issued, the situation was being monitored by the Ministry of National Defence. The Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data The Rubicon has been crossed. The United States and Israel have once again attacked Iran, in an operation whose full scale will become clear in the coming hours and days, but which, at first glance, appears to be of a magnitude far greater than the episodes of recent months. What are the real objectives of the operation? In his first statements after the start of the offensive, U.S. President Donald Trump pointed to two levels. One is military, with the aim of annihilating Irans nuclear and missile capabilities. The other is political a regime change with Trump clearly calling on Iranians to seize the moment to oust the regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed similar ideas. But there is a third, unspoken level, at least as relevant as the first two: the personal political interests of the two leaders. Both Netanyahu and Trump facing serious difficulties at home and will be tested at major elections this year. At the first level, the declared intentions are to deliver a decisive blow to Irans military capabilities, both nuclear and conventional, with the destruction of its missile potential. The objective must be understood in a context in which Trump claimed after the U.S. attack in June that Irans nuclear program had been annihilated, and in which negotiations were underway to explore a possible new deal after Trump himself had dismantled the one sealed by former president Barack Obama. The context also includes Irans enormous weakness, due to the collapse or weakening of its proxies in the region (Assad, Hezbollah, Hamas) and internal protests. This is the framework in which Trump and Netanyahu decided it was imperative to launch an attack now. Was it necessary to do it at this moment? Did Iran represent an imminent threat? Could a diplomatic negotiation not have been given a chance? At the second level, the logic is to take advantage of the Iranian populations enormous discontent with the notoriously repressive leadership in order to provoke its downfall. Iran has suffered numerous treacherous blows in its recent history from the coup against prime minister Mosadeq in the 1950s to the war launched by Saddam in the 1980s which justify much suspicion. But there is no doubt that the Islamic Republic regime is an oppressive disgrace that has fostered a network of actors in the region that are responsible for despicable and criminal initiatives. The fall of such a regime would be a cause for celebration for any democrat, but neither the use of violence outside the framework of international law is acceptable, nor is it clear that muddy means can achieve a worthy objective. Even a broad and effective decapitation, like that carried out against Hezbollahs leadership in Lebanon, does not guarantee the collapse of a system. In a tiny environment with a total imbalance of forces, such as the Gaza Strip, Israel also failed to bring about the collapse of Hamas. In a country as large as Iran, with a regime firmly entrenched for decades, achieving a collapse is far from certain. Without a doubt, the leaders of the Islamic Republic have developed detailed contingency plans, including multiple succession options in case their chain of command is successfully targeted. Moreover, it is a classic phenomenon that external attacks often lead the population to rally around the ruling power. At the third level the personal political interests of Trump and Netanyahu it is obviously hidden from their public statements but is highly relevant and rests on several pillars. The Trump project is facing serious problems on multiple fronts. The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a huge blow to Trumps tariff policies, the Epstein scandal remains a very threatening sewer of controversy, the ICE debacle is sinking into ignominy, and a succession of very adverse electoral results and poll numbers continue to mount. Trump is a master of executing the nowfamous theory of flooding the zone not with an informational slurry this time, but with bombs using distraction as a tactic. The international arena is his favorite. Although he has always positioned himself as a leader reluctant to use force and military action except in cases of necessity, political life is pulling him in another direction, and he has already ordered attacks in half a dozen countries. The strikes on Irans nuclear facilities in June which Tehran responded to weakly and the operation against Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro were successful for him. Netanyahu is in a similar situation. . He pushed his campaign against Gaza to extremes, clearly aiming to stay in power by leveraging a sense of crisis and national unity. In doing so, he managed to overshadow the failures of his security policies and downplay the serious corruption allegations surrounding him. He isnt faring as poorly in the polls as Trump, but the electoral campaign will be difficult, and he knows that international successes, nationalism, and a state of crisis are his best guarantees of reelection. Both leaders face crucial legislative elections toward the end of this year. Neither is known worldwide for hesitating to secure their personal interests, even when doing so comes at a horrific human cost. The Rubicon has been crossed. The stakes are extremely high. The risks enormous. What remains to be seen in the coming hours and days is how capable the Iranian regime will be of defending itself and counterattacking against two far more powerful enemies. Retaliation could, this time, target not only U.S. or Israeli assets in the region, but also those of Gulf countries, with serious consequences not only for people, but also economically on a global scale, for example through disruption of energy markets. Yet history shows that the balance of such actions cannot be assessed in days, weeks, or even months. It is the passage of years that makes the consequences clear, often accompanied by incredible suffering, fueled by feelings of hatred and a desire for revenge. We are witnessing a new episode in the acceleration of an era marked by the total trampling of law and the unscrupulous recourse to the law of force. The world has never been an idyllic place, but if anything resembling civilization had been achieved, it is now in retreat. We are seeing the advance of savagery, brutality, and the shameless violation of international law that only permits the use of force in self-defense or with authorization from the Security Council, conditions that are entirely absent in this case and the brazen assertion of interests, whether national or personal. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Hungary's Orban to Discuss Ukraine's Oil Transit Blockage With Slovakia's Fico Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that he will discuss with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico the situation with Ukraine's blocking of the oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. "We expect the President of Ukraine to fulfil his obligations towards the European Union and its member states and to restart the Friendship oil pipeline. For this reason, today I will hold consultations with @RobertFicoSVK, the Prime Minister of Slovakia," Orban wrote on X. Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary had blocked the 20th package of anti-Russia sanctions and the 90 billion euro loan ($106 billion) to Ukraine due to Ukraine's shutdown of the Druzhba oil pipeline. On February 13, the Slovak Economy Ministry announced that oil supplies to the republic via the Druzhba pipeline had been suspended. The ministry expected them to resume in the coming days, but it did not happen. On February 18, the Slovak government declared a crisis situation due to oil shortages, deciding to allocate up to 250,000 tonnes of oil from state reserves to the Slovnaft refinery. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said that the Ukrainian side had previously postponed the restoration of supplies several times. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Given $43Bln in Proceeds From Russian Assets Frozen by G7 Since 2024 - Estimates Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The G7 nations have issued $3.8 billion in loans to Ukraine in 2026 using proceeds generated by frozen Russian state assets, bringing the total amount of loans given to Kiev since 2024 to almost $43 billion, according to calculations by Sputnik based on data from the Ukrainian Finance Ministry and national agencies. In 2024, the G7 countries approved a $50-billion loan to Ukraine, funded by revenues from frozen Russian assets. By late February 2026, the countries had allocated $42.7 billion to Ukraine under this scheme. The first billion was transferred to Ukraine by the United States in late 2024. Since then, Washington has not provided any new funding to Kiev from Russian asset proceeds. The other members of the G7 gave Ukraine $37.9 billion in 2025 and $3.8 billion in 2026. Overall, the European Union has contributed $32 billion in funding to Ukraine as part of the loan secured by Russian assets. Canada has contributed $3.6 billion, while Japan and the United Kingdom have each contributed approximately $3 billion. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address London, Paris Completed Preparations for Possible Deployment to Ukraine - Reports Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - British and French paratroopers have completed preparations for a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, The Telegraph newspaper reported. During exercises in France's Brittany, more than 600 soldiers from the UK's 16 Air Assault Brigade conducted a simulated airborne raid alongside counterparts from the French 11th Parachute Brigade, the report said on Thursday. The exercises took place several weeks after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK and France would lead peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement was reached between Moscow and Kiev. While the units that might be involved in such an operation have not yet been announced, soldiers from the 16th Air Assault Brigade are part of Britain's high-readiness forces and are capable of deploying to NATO at short notice, the report noted. On January 6, a high-level "coalition of the willing" meeting took place in Paris, discussing so-called security guarantees for Ukraine. According to a document agreed upon following the meeting, the "coalition" agreed to continue long-term military support for Kiev, with leaders signing a declaration of intent to deploy troops on Ukrainian territory should a peace agreement be concluded. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that there is no point in a foreign military presence in Ukraine after a possible agreement on sustainable peace is reached. The Russian leader has also added that Russia would consider any troops on Ukrainian territory as legitimate targets. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Liberates Krasnoznamenka Settlement in Dnepropetrovsk Region Sputnik News 20260227 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have taken control of the Krasnoznamenka settlement in the Dnepropetrovsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "Units of the Tsentr [Center] group of forces took more advantageous positions, liberated the settlement of Krasnoznamenka, the Dnepropetrovsk region," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated over 2,480 soldiers over the past week Ukraine has also lost over 2,205 soldiers in battles with the Russia's Vostok battlegroup, as well as over 1,260 soldiers in battles with the Zapad battlegroup and over 1,485 soldiers with the Sever battlegroup over the past week, the statement read. In the past week, the Russian army carried out eight retaliatory strikes against enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, energy, fuel and transport facilities used in the interests of the armed forces of Ukraine, as well as the infrastructure of Ukrainian militants Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DNA sample collection from service members: Ministry of Defence outlines purpose and legal basis Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 27 February, 2026, 6:35 PM EET The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine emphasizes that the collection of DNA samples from service members is mandatory under martial law and is conducted exclusively to identify the fallen and those reported missing in action. The use of genomic information to establish biological kinship or paternity is not provided for by law. Biological material samples are collected using a simple, non-invasive method: buccal epithelial cells from the inner surface of the cheeks are taken with an applicator. The procedure is safe and conducted in accordance with international standards. Since 2025, a full cycle for collecting and storing biological samples collected from service members has been established within the Ministry of Defence system. All procedures are conducted in compliance with the Law of Ukraine 'On State Registration of Human Genomic Information'. At the same time, the Genomic Data Registry Center (GDRC), the authorized unit, regularly receives inquiries from relatives of service members and their representatives that do not pertain to its statutory responsibilities. The Ministry of Defence reminds that, pursuant to Order No. 438 dated 28 July 2023, the state registration of genomic information and samples collected from service members is conducted exclusively on two grounds: for the search for persons missing in action. for the identification of the fallen. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence has no legal grounds to process requests that contradict applicable laws and regulations, including those seeking to establish biological kinship or paternity. During martial law, the collection of biological material is mandatory. It is carried out pursuant to the Law of Ukraine 'On State Registration of Human Genomic Information' and the approved procedure governing the collection and storage of samples. In this regard, the Ministry of Defence is establishing a comprehensive biological data database to enable the prompt identification of defenders in the event they are reported missing in action or killed. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defence continues efforts to refine the regulatory framework and organize processes for identifying service members through biometric (fingerprint) and dental data. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Detailed Plans for the Regions Have Already Been Prepared, Covering the Restoration of Energy Facilities and the Upgrading of Their Protection - Address by the President President of Ukraine 27 February 2026 - 20:20 I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians! Today, an important meeting was held with our government officials, energy specialists, and military personnel - everyone responsible for protecting and upgrading our infrastructure, Ukraine's energy sector. Detailed plans for the regions have already been prepared, covering the restoration of energy facilities and the upgrading of their protection, taking into account everything Russia has been doing over this winter and what it could attempt next. I instructed that certain points be refined and that these plans be prepared for the level of the National Security and Defense Council to be approved precisely at the national level, specifying exactly what needs to be done, what must be ensured, and who will be responsible. I count on the full engagement of regional and local authorities - those who can genuinely get things done. The successful practices already established in some regions and communities must be shared with other areas, those that have faced more problems and unresolved issues this winter. It is the local authorities who can make the greatest contribution to the resilience of communities, knowing which facilities require priority modernization and protection. The Government and all institutions of our state - everyone will help. There are also many military aspects - tasks that must be implemented by the army and the Ministry of Defense. The formats tested recently have proven effective. When practically every strike and every impact was carefully analyzed, clear conclusions were drawn about what must change. I am grateful to everyone working exactly this way - adapting themselves and transforming defense approaches to truly respond to every threat of this kind and protect Ukraine effectively. Today, I also discussed with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko the substantial social steps prepared by the Government. Ukraine will carry out the annual pension indexation, benefiting more than ten million of our citizens. Pensioners will see increases of over twelve percent. The funds for this are allocated; the indexation must take place immediately, in March. Despite all the challenges of full-scale war, we conduct this indexation every year. Since the first year of the invasion, no matter how difficult it may be, Ukraine has ensured pension indexation, all necessary social payments, and the stable operation of the state's social and financial systems. In the context of a full-scale war, this is a very significant result. I am grateful to everyone helping Ukraine make it possible. Of course, I am also grateful to every Ukrainian entrepreneur, all our companies, and the entire Ukrainian business sector operating in Ukraine, paying taxes in Ukraine, maintaining and creating jobs, and allowing the Ukrainian budget to function. Despite everything - the war, Russian strikes, and all these outages - Ukrainians cover at least half of state and community spending. It is extremely important that we have internal foundations of resilience, as well as our work with partners, which has provided Ukraine with unprecedented external funding throughout these years of war. I spoke with our diplomatic team. We continue to engage with people who have demonstrated strong experience in defending Ukraine's interests. In particular, I met with Pavlo Klimkin. We are preparing to strengthen several areas of our diplomatic work in Europe and beyond. Ukraine's interests must be represented both at the official level and in engagement with communities in those countries that are not yet free or remain under Russian influence. There will be personnel changes within the diplomatic corps. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also preparing candidates for the position of Special Representative on Belarus and the Belarusian community in Europe. A more active policy is needed. And it is precisely the proactive efforts of our state and the proactive efforts of our people that deliver the best outcomes for Ukraine. When Ukraine does not waste a single day or miss a single opportunity, Ukraine's interests are genuinely protected. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Discussed Deepening Cooperation Between the Countries with the President of the Senate of Cambodia President of Ukraine 27 February 2026 - 15:50 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with President of the Senate of Cambodia Hun Sen. The Head of State thanked Cambodia for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for solidarity with the Ukrainian people, in particular during the vote in the UN General Assembly on the resolution on lasting peace in our country. During the conversation, the leaders discussed deepening bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Cambodia. The partnership is developing, and last year trade turnover between the countries amounted to 61.2 million dollars - 35% more than in 2024. Work is also ongoing to establish the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation. The Head of State invited the President of the Senate of Cambodia to visit Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Middle East is holding its breath after the United States and Israel launched a major combat operation against Iran on Saturday a move which could drag the region into a war of attrition marked by attacks and reprisals. Unlike the last attack in June 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has not only threatened to destroy Irans nuclear program, but has also spoken of regime change, prompting Tehran to adopt survival mode. In the face of U.S. military power, Tehran is weighing options such as attacking U.S. bases and troops in the Middle East where between 40,000 and 50,000 personnel are deployed launching an offensive against Israel, or against the U.S.-allied monarchies in the Persian Gulf. It could also disrupt oil and goods trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Despliegue de capacidades militares de EE. UU. frente a la red de influencia y milicias chiies aliadas de Iran Capacidades de respuesta regional de Iran mediante el eje de la resistencia ante un posible ataque de EE UU Presencia permanente de EE.UU. Bases de apoyo Barcos de EE.UU. Portaaviones Paises donde Iran puede activar milicias aliadas The Gulf countries are very nervous because they know it is they who will be left to clean up the damage and to bear the consequences, both in their markets and in domestic public opinion, says Negah Angha, a visiting researcher at Kings College London and a former political adviser at the United States National Security Council during the presidency of Joe Biden, in a telephone interview from London. Twenty percent of the worlds oil production passes every day through the Strait of Hormuz, within range of attacks by the Houthis in Yemen, or by Iran itself. In December 2024, the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former commander of the local branch of Al-Qaeda, to the presidency in Syria broke the Shiite axis that linked the country with Iran. Al-Shara, who leads a national army made up of Salafist Sunni militias, has reshaped Syrian politics, aligning it with the United States and detaching it from the so-called pro-Iranian axis of resistance. The withdrawal of U.S. troops around 1,000 remain on Syrian soil and the weakening of the pro-Assad Alawite insurgency in Syria have reduced the likelihood of attacks within and from the country. At the same time, the shift in Damascuss foreign policy has closed off Irans ability to project influence across a continuous land route linking Iran to Lebanon through Iraq and Syria. The aggressive war waged by Israel in the region since the Hamas attacks in October 2023 with air strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Qatar and Yemen, as well as in Gaza Strip has clearly weakened Irans ability to respond through its network of allies in the region, though it has not eliminated it entirely. These are the main groups aligned with Tehran. Image of the Greek oil tanker Sounion after being attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Houthi Military Media (via REUTERS) The Houthis in Yemen: The only group capable of carrying out attacks at sea The Houthis are militants who follow a form of Islam distantly related to the Shiite branch and have been fighting the government of Yemen for nearly two decades. In 2015, they seized control of the countrys northwest and its capital, Sanaa. According to data from the United Nations, their armed wing, Ansar Allah, has between 200,000 and 300,000 fighters. Following the weakening of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, the Houthis have become Irans strongest asset in the region. The Houthis capabilities should not be underestimated they are greater than those of any other pro-Iranian group, and they are seeking greater visibility. They are the only militia able to strike maritime targets, whether with drones, missiles, or fast boats, explains expert Laura Silvia Battaglia, the author of the book Los partisanos de Ala (The Partisans of Allah) on Irans allies, in a phone interview from Milan. Protest against Israel in Sana'a, Yemen, organized by the Houthis on February 8. Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images) Since 2016, the Houthi militia Ansar Allah has demonstrated its ability to carry out attacks in the Red Sea against warships such as the U.S. destroyer USS Mason or the Emirati vessel HSV-2 Swift Saudi oil tankers in the strategic Bab elMandeb Strait, as well as ships carrying commercial goods or weapons bound for Israel. The market is nervous, and insurers of merchant vessels are nervous even before an attack actually takes place, notes the researcher Angha. Hezbollah, decapitated but still capable of causing damage The fact that the United States announced on Monday the evacuation of non-essential staff from its embassy in Beirut the second-largest U.S. diplomatic mission after the one in Baghdad shows that the Shiite militia-party Hezbollah still has the capacity to attack U.S. targets in Lebanon. It also retains a stockpile of rockets and drones capable of striking military targets throughout Israeli territory. Israel has already warned the Lebanese government through indirect channels that it has drawn up a list of 1,200 targets in Lebanon in the event that Hezbollah responds to an attack against Iran. The Lebanese government, which has adopted a damage-control policy, is working to exclude civilian targets and Beirut airport the countrys only air gateway for citizens from that list. Founded in 1982 as a resistance movement against the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, Iranian sponsorship turned Hezbollah into a state within the Lebanese state and into the most powerful militia in the region, with an army of 30,000 fighters according to the United Nations. But Israel has managed over the past 28 months to decapitate its military leadership after killing its leader, Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah, and eliminating more than 5,000 fighters. It has also succeeded in neutralizing its communications system and destroying 70% of its military arsenal. Nasrallah, a strategist and adviser to Tehran, has been replaced as secretary-general by Naim Qassem, who is considered subordinate to Tehrans directives. In a televised speech, he said that the partys right to defense and to resistance is legitimate. The ceasefire with Israel in November 2024 entails, on the part of the Lebanese government, a commitment to disarm Hezbollah and to deploy the regular army south of the Litani River, along the Israeli border and in the Shiite groups stronghold. Fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces during the funeral of one of their members killed in a U.S. bombing raid in Iraq. DPA via Europa Press (Europa Press) Iraqi militias: The closest to US bases The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), better known as Hashd al-Shaabi, have become a powerful network of pro-Iranian militias on Iraqi soil, with between 100,000 and 150,000 fighters in their ranks, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Defense. Created in 2014 to fight the Islamic State (ISIS), they gained extensive combat experience during the three-year anti-terror campaign. Today, these militias are part of Iraqs state security apparatus. Washington still maintains around 2,500 Marines in Iraq, who have been repeatedly targeted with drones and rockets by the PMF. The PMF is made up of several armed groups, many of which now have representatives in the Iraqi Parliament, making them more vulnerable to U.S. pressure, as the U.S. conditions economic aid to Iraq on the disarmament of these militias. Although they stayed on the sidelines during the 12-day war fought last year between Iran and Israel, one of these militias, Kataib Hezbollah, with several thousand members, has already announced that it is prepared for total war in case of an attack on Iran. The PMF could attack bases in Gulf countries: Qatar, the most important in the region; Bahrain, for its role in naval support; and Abu Dhabi, which houses F-16 fighter jets, says Battaglia. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Next article: Aid groups in Gaza and West Bank thrown lifeline as Israel court pauses ban threat Featured Former US diplomat sentenced to life for abusing two girls in Burkina Faso BBC International News Feb - 28 - 2026 , 10:14 2 minutes read A United States citizen has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two teenage girls while working at the US embassy in Burkina Faso. The US Department of Justice said 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara, from Maryland, was sentenced on Wednesday following a two-week trial in October 2025 in the state's federal District Court. A jury found him guilty of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, as well as attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted obstruction of justice. The prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Justice Department in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. Prosecutors said the offences took place in 2022 and 2023 in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, where Mara was employed by the United States embassy. According to evidence presented in court, the abuse occurred at a residence leased for US diplomatic personnel. Because the property was reserved for official use, it fell under US jurisdiction, allowing American authorities to prosecute the case. Reports say the two victims, who were aged 13 and 15 when the abuse began, came from a vulnerable background. Prosecutors said Mara exploited their circumstances over the course of about a year. "His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today's outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children domestically or abroad will face significant consequences in the American justice system,'' said Assistant Attorney General A Tysen Duva. He used the girls' mother's life-threatening illness as an opportunity to demand sex, telling them he could not help them without receiving something in return, said the Office of Public Affairs. Mara had provided the girls with phones so he could summon them while his wife was away at work, it added. He was also convicted of sending sexually explicit messages to one of the girls and attempting to persuade a housekeeper to mislead investigators. The case was investigated by the US authorities with assistance from Burkina Faso. "Our message is clear, those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price," said US attorney Kelly Hayes for the District of Maryland. In statements issued after sentencing, US officials said the life term reflected the seriousness of the crimes and underscored the government's commitment to prosecuting child sexual abuse, including offences committed abroad by American citizens. Bill Clinton asked about hot tub photo and testifies he knew 'nothing' of Epstein crimes Next article: Bill Clinton asked about hot tub photo and testifies he knew 'nothing' of Epstein crimes It is Turkiye, not Turkey: Exclusion disguised as an analysis Previous article: It is Turkiye, not Turkey: Exclusion disguised as an analysis Featured US and Israel launch attack on Iran bbc.com International News Feb - 28 - 2026 , 09:56 3 minutes read The US and Israel have launched an attack on Iran. US president Donald Trump has described ongoing "major combat operations" and called for Iranian government forces to lay down their arms. Earlier, Israel's Defence Minister said Israel had launched a "pre-emptive attack" against Iran, with explosions heard across the country. This comes after weeks of threats and negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. Here's what we know. What's happened in Iran? Shortly after 09:30 Tehran time (06:00 GMT), Iranian media reported explosions in the capital. Pictures seen by the BBC show smoke over the city's Jomhouri Square and Hassan Abad Square. Explosions were also reportedly heard in multiple other cities across the country, including: Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. The extent of any casualties or injuries are unknown at this point. Iran's airspace has been closed since the attacks, Tasnim News Agency said. Trump has described the operation as "massive and ongoing". What have the US and Israel said? Donald Trump posted a video on Truth Social confirming US involvement. "A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran," he said. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," he said, adding that Washington's aim is to "ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon". He also told the Iranian people to remain in shelter and not leave their homes. "When we are finished, take over your government," he said. "It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu similarly called on all Iranian people "to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran". Thanking Trump, he reiterated his message that Iran "must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity". "Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands." He also advised Israeli citizens to follow guidance from authorities. Earlier, Israel's defence minister declared a "special and permanent state of emergency" across Israel. How has Iran responded? Israel's military says it has identified missiles launched towards Israel by Iran, saying it is working to "intercept and strike threats where necessary". Explosions have been heard in the city of Haifa and elsewhere in Israel, but it is not currently clear if these were impacts or interceptions. Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain's state news agency reported the service centre of the US Navy 5th Fleet, which is in Bahrain, has been "subjected to a missile attack". This came after Bahrain's interior ministry said emergency sirens had been sounded, and urged residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. Israelis have been warned against gatherings and going to school and work unless it is essential. The guidance is in effect until Monday 20:00, authorities have said. Israel's airspace is also closed to civilian flights, according to Israeli media. Featured US military bases hit in 1st phase of Iran's Operation True Promise-4 en.irna.ir International News Feb - 28 - 2026 , 10:58 1 minute read The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has struck several US military bases in the region, including the American Navys Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. In its second statement, following the launch of missile and drone strikes, in response to the US-Israeli aggression against Iranian soil, the IRGC said it severely targeted the American bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military hideouts in the heart of the occupied Palestinian lands. The statement continued, by saying that the IRGC launched the operation True Promise-4 against the criminal US army and the child-killing Zionist regime, with comprehensive attacks on the regional targets of the aggressive enemy. The IRGC pledged the missile and drone attacks by Irans armed forces will continue. See the areas that will be affected by ECGs planned maintenance from March 1-5 Next article: See the areas that will be affected by ECGs planned maintenance from March 1-5 Featured Ghana Embassy in Qatar urges citizens to stay indoors following missile attack Jemima Okang Addae Feb - 28 - 2026 , 16:53 1 minute read The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Doha, Qatar, has issued an urgent security advisory to all Ghanaians residing in Qatar following a missile attack that impacted areas in Doha. In a statement dated February 28, the Embassy advised citizens to take immediate shelter and remain indoors until further notice. The advisory urged Ghanaians to stay away from military sites and crowded areas to avoid exposure to danger, and to keep essential supplies such as medication and food readily available. Citizens were also encouraged to obtain information only from official sources. Trump announces the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and encourages Iranians to seize power once the operation is over, which has caused at least 200 deaths, according to the Red Crescent. Tehran responds with bombings against Israel and US bases in the Middle East Eight months after the last warthat short-lived onein the region, Israel and the United States launched an extensive and powerful military attack against Iran on Saturday. This is an unprecedented episode in the history of the Middle East, both because it is a joint operation from the outset and because, this time, its stated objective is to overthrow the Ayatollahs regime: the first bombings, early on Saturday, targeted some 30 regime leaders and military chiefs, according to Israeli media. The most important of these was the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, whose death was announced by US President Donald Trump in the afternoon. Tehran has neertheless denied this through its official news agency. Netanyahu has said that the operation will last as long as it takes. The death toll in Iran exceeds 200, including dozens of girls who were attending classes at a primary school, according to the Red Crescent. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that it is a major joint operation and has urged the Iranian people to take power once it ends. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been pressuring Trump for a regime change in Iran, has stated that this war will be more powerful than the one that began in June and aims to eliminate the existential threat regime in Tehran. The consequences of the strikes are still unknown, and Iran has been left without telephone or internet connection. [Iran] rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore, Trump said in a video released through the Truth Social network. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war, but were doing this, not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. A source from the U.S. administration told Reuters that the operation will last several days. 01:09 Trump on US attacks on Iran According to the U.S. president, Iran attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. The ultimate goal appears to be regime change, as both the U.S. president and the Israeli prime minister have stated in their respective addresses. Donald Trump has promised to annihilate the Iranian Navy, the countrys nuclear and missile programs, and certain death for members of the armed forces, the police, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps if they do not surrender. The U.S. president also issued a call to the Iranian people to rise up against their government. The hour of your freedom is at hand, he declared. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. And he reiterated: This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. Along the same lines, Netanyahu made a direct appeal to Iranians in general to take power: Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. Help has arrived, he said in English in the middle of a speech in Hebrew echoing the message that Trump sent to demonstrators in Iran in January, during the days of repression that followed the protests in December. Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the military aggression by stating that the country will not hesitate to respond. The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault, the ministry said in a statement posted on X. Just as we were prepared for negotiations, we have been even more prepared for defense at all times. The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to the aggressors with full authority. Israel has declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace, as has Iraq. In different parts of Israel and in neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, Iranian missiles were intercepted. In Jerusalem, air-raid alerts sounded twice within five minutes, followed by explosions. No injuries have been reported. A long-standing enmity After decades of covert warfare involving cyberattacks, assassinations of nuclear scientists, and strikes carried out through allies Israel has entered its fourth direct confrontation with Iran in just two years, and, by all indications, the one in which no side appears willing to settle for a stalemate. The operation had been in preparation for months, with the date decided weeks ago, despite negotiations between Washington, D.C. and Tehran, an Israeli official told Reuters. Another senior Israeli commander told public television that the military is not only bombing infrastructure and missile launchers, but also Iranian leaders. Although he has not explicitly stated it as an objective, Netanyahu intends to take advantage of the current internal and external weakness of the ayatollahs regime and of the militias it sponsors in the region (chiefly Hezbollah) in order to bring it down. The Israeli population learned of the start of the bombardment through the sound of air-raid sirens and a cell phone alert declaring a state of emergency. It was not a warning of an incoming attack, but rather a caution and a call to remain close to shelters in anticipation of a likely response from Tehran. People take shelter under the bridge of a highway after the Israeli government announces an attack on Iran, near Latrun (Israel), this Saturday. Amir Cohen (REUTERS) Since 2024, the end of each confrontation between Israel and Iran has, in turn, marked the start of the countdown to the next one. Israel had therefore been preparing for months, with its military on the highest alert and in close coordination with the United States. The Middle East is at a crossroads. The extremists refuse to give up. [] We are prepared for any scenario, he said at an IDF cadets graduation ceremony. And one thing is certain if the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will face a response they cant even imagine. On Tuesday, 12 F-22 aircraft a fifth-generation U.S. stealth fighter and one of the most advanced in the world arrived in Israel. U.S. fighter jets rarely land in Israel and the arrival of F-22s is rarer still. They add to the also unusual presence of U.S. refueling and cargo aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, the airport near Tel Aviv that serves as the main gateway for almost all civilian air traffic. Netanyahus government also sent a clear warning to Lebanon that, if Hezbollah enters the conflict in support of its Iranian patron, Israel will bomb key infrastructure, including the countrys only functioning airport. This was acknowledged on Tuesday by Lebanons foreign minister, Youssef Raggi. Earlier this week, Ramon International Airport, in southern Israel, carried out a drill involving fire engines, police, ambulances, and military vehicles. And the municipality of Haifa, the countrys third-largest city and home to its most important port, had been calling for the immediate preparation of public shelters that were being used for other purposes. Israels arms industry has been producing Arrow-3 interceptors at an accelerated pace since August. This is the missile-defense system most heavily used during the war with Tehran that began in June and in which the United States eventually joined by bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. The political and military consensus in Israel is that the 12-day conflict in June was a success, despite the ayatollahs regime killing more than 30 people and despite the interception rate of the 550 ballistic missiles reaching only 86%, exposing deadly gaps in the countrys defenses. To this day, authorities have also kept secret the extent of the damage to military installations the main targets of Iranian missiles and drones. All the same, Israels military once again showed why it is by far the most technologically advanced in the Middle East not only because it caused more casualties and damage, but above all because of the air superiority it demonstrated. In its initial strike, it used more than 200 drones, not a single one of which was intercepted. Two days later, the armed forces boasted of having as many as 50 fighter jets over the skies of Tehran. This was partly the result of the damage inflicted in two lower-intensity confrontations in 2024. The seed of the first was Netanyahus decision to kill three senior Iranian commanders in an airstrike on Irans embassy in Damascus. The Islamic Republic responded with more than 300 drones and missiles against Israel, but attacks that were announced and almost choreographed to save face domestically without triggering a regional escalation. Netanyahu had the final word, with a strike on the air-defense system protecting a nuclear facility. Israel humiliated Iran again in July by killing the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in a guesthouse in Tehran where he had been invited to stay. Two months later, it killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah the Lebanese ally that Tehran saw, within just a few days, go from feared militia to disoriented loser. All of this led Tehran to launch a new attack this time less calculated involving around 180 ballistic missiles. Testing the waters This was back when Israel and Iran were still feeling each other out measuring their respective strength with one eye already on the next round, like the conflict that began on Saturday. Israel is very much in favor of war and in favor of regime change, but it is also aware that this would entail a great deal of risk and chaos, especially in a prolonged campaign, in which it would likely be the main victim, said Mairav Zonszein, a senior Israel analyst at the International Crisis Group, during a panel organized by the think tank before the outbreak of hostilities. Bringing down the Islamic Republic would further cement Israels undisputed regional supremacy, by removing its main nemesis after gradually weakening or subduing its key regional backers. Israel considers Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Iran, a desirable leader to assume power in a postregime Iran. His father forged a close alliance with Israel until his fall in 1979, during the Islamic revolution from which the current regime emerged. Netanyahu would also gain a valuable political calling card with voters ahead of the October elections. For now, the numbers do not allow him to re-form his current coalition with radical nationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, according to recent opinion polls. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ambassador Amoatey presents credentials to Dr Congo President Daily Graphic Feb - 28 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read Ghanas Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Magnus Kofi Amoatey, has presented his Letter of Credence to the President of that country, Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, at the African Union City in Kinshasa, to officially signal his assumption of duty in his role. Mr Amoatey was among five persons who, on the day, presented their credentials as heads of their countrys mission in Kinshasa. The other Ambassadors, who presented their credentials, were from Lebanon, Qatar and a Special Representative of the African Union. Bilateral relations Presenting his Letter of Credence, Mr Amoatey said Ghana stands firm and ready to enhance and strengthen the already cordial relations with the DR Congo as part of President John Dramani Mahamas vision. Ghanas Ambassador said the Government of Ghana cherished the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, dating back to the DR Congos independence in 1960, when Ghana was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations. He emphasised that already, the two countries have signed agreements on cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, health and energy, as well as cooperating in various fronts, including peacekeeping, with Ghana contributing troops to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC. Mr Amoatey further said the relations between the two countries were built on shared history and mutual interests, both with rich culture, similar traditions and influence in African music, and called for expansion and collaborative efforts to foster cross-cultural knowledge and understanding for mutual growth and development. Ambassador Amoatey, a legal practitioner for over three decades, also served as a Member of Parliament for the Yilo Krobo Constituency from 2013 to 2017. He was for 30 years the Director of Administration at the National Commission on Culture. Support Receiving the Letter of Credence, Presiden Tshisekedi recounted what he described as the leading and shining example of Ghana in the liberation struggle of African countries from the yoke of colonialism. He said Ghana continues to influence the cause of democracy on the continent and pledged his countrys determination to strengthen the bonds between Congo and Ghana in all fields of endeavor even as the two countries shared common traditional and cultural heritage. President Tshisekedi said he fully supports President John Mahamas call for deeper continental cooperation, emphasising that unity would bring Africa closer to its shared aspirations and transform them into tangible benefits for its citizens. "By combining our efforts and resources, we can turn our continental ambitions into concr Featured Middle belts first major $2.5m dialysis centre takes off in Sunyani Biiya Mukusah Ali Feb - 28 - 2026 , 07:57 4 minutes read Sod-Cutting ceremony for the construction of a $2,500,000 ultra-modern Dialysis and Medical Centre has been held in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital. The project is being spearheaded by the Council of Bono and Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA), an umbrella body of Ghanaian diaspora associations from the erstwhile Brong-Ahafo Region residing in the United States and Canada. The initiative is intended to improve access to life-saving dialysis services and other essential services for people living with kidney disorders in the middle belt, which currently lack the facility. Patients requiring dialysis often travel to Kumasi or Accra for treatment, a situation that imposes enormous financial and emotional strain on them. To be named "COBAANA Dialysis and Medical Centre", the facility will be the first major dialysis centre in the middle belt. Urgent need At the ceremony on Wednesday, the Chairman of COBAANA, Dr Degraft Kwafo, underscored the urgent need to expand access to dialysis services in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions. An artist's impression of the COBAANA Dialysis and Medical Centre when completed He described kidney disease as a silent but devastating health challenge confronting many Ghanaians. Dr Kwafo said dialysis treatment was expensive and difficult to access, especially for people in the regions, as they had to travel to Kumasi or Accra to access dialysis services. "The Bono, Ahafo and Bono East regions together cannot boast of even one well-equipped dialysis centre," he said. Citing data from the Ministry of Health, Dr Kwafo said nearly 90 per cent of patients who required dialysis were unable to access the service due to financial constraints and the limited number of centres nationwide. He added that about 80 per cent of dialysis facilities were concentrated along the coastal belt, leaving the middle belt. Dr Kwafo expressed the hope that the centre, when completed, would help reduce preventable deaths and improve the quality of life of their people. Boost to healthcare The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addai Akwaboa, described the project as a major boost to specialised healthcare delivery in the middle belt. He called the project a life-saving intervention that would significantly reduce the burden on families in the regions. Mr Akwaboa said kidney and other non-communicable diseases were on the rise in the country, with hypertension and diabetes being major risk factors for kidney failure. Access to dialysis services, he said, remained limited and costly, making the establishment of the centre in Sunyani both strategic and necessary. Mr Akwaboa said the project was aligned with broader national efforts to expand access to specialised medical care. He referenced the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares, which is designed to provide financial support for specialised treatments that are often costly and not fully covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme. The Minister advised residents to prioritise preventive healthcare practices, including regular medical check-ups, healthy lifestyles and early detection of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes to prevent complications that could lead to kidney failure. Appreciation The President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, commended the association for identifying and investing in one of the critical health sectors. He said the establishment of the centre would help bring relief to the people in the regions, especially the poor, who could not afford extra expenses to travel long distances to receive dialysis care. Osagyefo Agyemang Badu, who is also the Dormaahene, urged the association to speed up work on the project in order to entice others to support its completion. He appealed to the chiefs, including residents in the regions, to demonstrate commitment by contributing toward the construction of the project. Osagyefo Agyemang Badu also urged COBAANA to establish an equally important project in the Ahafo Region to balance their activities, since the association was formed by the two regions. He said that since 2023, when the association made the decision, some residents had contributed significantly to the initiative. Featured State of the Nation Address: Dont turn patients away - President charges health facilities Samuel Duodu Feb - 28 - 2026 , 09:57 6 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has declared that no patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to, no matter the circumstance. Patients facing medical emergencies must be received and given help, even if under makeshift conditions. "You don't need to have a comfortable bed to save a patient. No patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to," President John Dramani Mahama stressed. Delivering his second message to Parliament yesterday on the State of the Nation, the President said the Ministry of Health was in line to issue guidelines on the unacceptable No Bed syndrome. He said healthcare professionals must prioritise immediate care and saving lives above all else, saying that the core purpose of healthcare must transcend amenities and focus on the well-being of every citizen. In the meantime, he said the government would implement measures to expand the bed capacity at hospitals in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. The measures include implementing the Ridge Hospital Phase Two project to increase the number of beds at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. The government would also continue projects at the Police and the La General Hospitals. Also, the Sewua, Afari Military Hospital and the Maternity and Childrens Block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, all in the Ashanti Region, would be pursued. The ultimate goal, President Mahama said, was to "build a stronger, more resilient and more self-reliant health system for all Ghanaians." Context The President's declaration follows the unfortunate death of a 29-year-old Engineer, Charles Henry Amissah, a victim of a hit-and-run incident at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra, who was laid to rest yesterday. He was refused emergency care by three major hospitals in Accra, with the explanation of "no vacant bed available," until he died. President Mahama stressed the government's commitment to building a resilient health system where timely and compassionate care was paramount, making it clear that accessibility and patient-first treatment were non-negotiable. Health sector Delivering what is popularly known as the State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Mahama said the government in January 2025 inherited a health system under severe strain, characterised by ageing and deteriorating equipment and stalled hospital projects, amounting to GH15 billion in liabilities. He said growing workforce pressures at the time had also weakened service delivery. Over the past year, the President recalled, donor support for the health sector has also declined from 19 per cent to 2.2 per cent currently, creating an annual financing gap of more than GH2.4 billion. The President said the government acted decisively, increasing direct government funding of the sector to about 72 per cent of total health spending, up from 56.8 per cent in 2023, bringing the total government funding of the health sector to GH34.7 billion. Touching on some of the measures introduced over the past year, the President mentioned the MahamaCares, which would take care of the growing burden of non-communicable disease (NCD), which accounted for 40 per cent of all deaths and remained a major source of poverty. He said the National Health Insurance Fund had been uncapped, which had paved the way for timely payments to facilities. Health workforce density, he said, had increased from 16.6 per cent for every 10,000 people in 2025 to nearly 42 per cent, while public sector health workers had doubled to nearly 200,000. The President, however, pointed to significant challenges that remained. He said at the beginning of 2025, 103,000 trained health workers were still not enrolled to work; however, over the past year, 13,000 nurses and midwives, along with hundreds of doctors, had been absorbed onto the public payroll. President Mahama said going forward, the government would expand recruitment and take necessary actions to add more health workers to the payroll. The government would also improve the distribution of health workers with the implementation of incentives. The President, however, called on health workers to accept postings to deprived areas as a national call to duty, as the state worked to further improve their working conditions in those areas. Roads Shifting focus to infrastructure, President Mahama detailed a massive undertaking to revitalise the country's road network, dubbed the "Big Push Infrastructure Programme," which aims for a "natural infrastructure drive to restore critical national infrastructure." The ambitious road programme, the President said, had already seen work commence on 50 major projects spanning 1,144 kilometres, with an estimated cost of GH50 billion. "Furthermore, the government is completing 23 projects awarded by the previous administration but left unpaid, covering an additional 573 kilometres at an estimated cost of GH15 billion. Combined, this means "about 2,000 kilometres of roads are currently undergoing rehabilitation as I speak," President Mahama said, adding that " this is the biggest major investment in our road sector in the history of Ghana." He stated that across all 16 regions, 73 projects were advancing, with significant visible progress expected by the end of the year. The President acknowledged the significant financial burden inherited in the road sector, with "standing payments on road projects financed through the Consolidated Fund at GH21 billion Ghana Cedis" as of December 2024, representing certified works that had not been paid. Additionally, the President said indebtedness to contractors lodged with the Ghana Road Fund Secretary amounted to GH5.43 billion, excluding accruing interest charges of GH7.8 billion. Contractual commitments, or signed contracts, totalled over GH104 billion. Despite these challenges, the President reported progress: "By the end of 2025, the Ministry of Finance and Roads had cleared arrears amounting to almost GH10 billion owed to road contractors," and the government is "steadily continuing to reduce the road sector debts." Coders programme On the One Million Coders programme, President Mahama said it took off in March 2025 as part of the government's agenda to ensure that young Ghanaians acquired essential digital skills for the modern global economy. He said the initiative was aimed at training one million Ghanaians in key data areas, including data analytics, data protection, cyber security, and meta-analytical intelligence over four years. The President said the first phase of the programme, the pilot phase, had seen hundreds of trainees complete their programmes in-person across four training centres in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga. He said the phase two, which would include virtual sessions, was set to commence this year. "With expanded training centres and an increased number of beneficiaries, we project that 400,000 young Ghanaians will be trained this year, and this will build up to the numbers approaching one million," the President said. Featured See the areas that will be affected by ECGs planned maintenance from March 1-5 Kweku Zurek Feb - 28 - 2026 , 16:42 3 minutes read The Electricity Company of Ghana has announced a series of planned and emergency maintenance works across its operational regions, scheduled to take place from Sunday, March 1, through to Thursday, March 5, 2026. The exercises, aimed at improving service delivery and network reliability, will result in temporary power outages in several communities within the Greater Accra, Tema, Accra East, and Accra West regions. In a statement signed by the Communications Department and issued on Friday, February 27, ECG assured residents that the disruptions are necessary to undertake critical infrastructure improvements. "ECG will undertake planned maintenance works to improve service delivery. This will result in a temporary outage," the company stated in multiple notices circulated to the public. The first of the outages kicks off on Sunday, March 1, affecting residents in the Greater Accra Region's Trassaco Valley Enclave and surrounding areas. The exercise is scheduled to run from 9:00am to 3:00pm. On the same day, the Tema Region will see an interruption for industrial and commercial customers along Western Rod, including Early Power, Apollo Steel, Crown Can, De-Simone, Tropical Cable, Multi Pac, Jon Moore, Cal Bank, La Bianca, and surrounding areas, also from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The Accra West Region will also experience an outage on Sunday, though this has been classified as an emergency maintenance. Areas affected include La Darkuman, Kokompe, and their environs. The company noted that this emergency work is necessary to address urgent network faults. "ECG regrets the inconvenience that will arise as a result of this exercise," the notice read. Monday, March 2, will see the Accra West Region experience a planned outage affecting Alogboshie, Achimota Neoplan, Benjilo, Akweteman, and surrounding areas from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Tuesday, March 3, is shaping up to be the busiest day for maintenance activities across multiple regions. In the Accra East Region, power will be interrupted from 9:00am to 5:00pm in Santana Market, Zion Police Station, Teshie Camp 2, ICGC, parts of Labone, Dome Pillar 2, Dome K Boat, No Visa, Auntie Mary, and surrounding areas. The Tema Region will also see outages on the same day in Spintex Kotobabi, Inkoom Hospital, Community 11 areas including Monte Carlo, Shell Filling Station, and Gyan Towers, as well as CAC in Community 5, Community 3, and surrounding areas. The Accra West Region will not be left out, with Red Top, Old Barrier, New Aplaku, Kings University, and surrounding areas affected from 9:00am to 5:00pm. On Wednesday, March 4, the Accra West Region takes the spotlight again with maintenance works affecting Tunga, New Century, Dansoman Police Station, Dansoman Market, Weija Junction, Tetegu, and surrounding areas. The exercise will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The final day of the scheduled maintenance, Thursday, March 5, will see extensive works across multiple regions. In the Accra East Region, parts of Ashongman Estate, Pure Water, Car Price, Railways, C-Root Company, Asiedu Nketia, parts of Oyarifa, Gravel Pit, Ashiyie, and surrounding areas will experience outages from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The Tema Region will have a long list of affected communities, including Jericho, Roman Down, Underbridge Market, State School for the Deaf, Safisana, BBF, Adjei Kodjo, Kanawu, Tsopoli, Dawa, Sege, Korluedor, Adokope, Kasseh, Inglisi, Ada Foah, Big Ada, Totope, Azizanya, Treasure Island, Aqua Safari, and surrounding areas, with the outage scheduled from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Additionally, the Accra West Region will see Doblo, Hebron, Medie, Sarpeiman, Satellite, Tabora No.2 to No. 6, Bankyease, Racecourse, Alhaji, Rockstar Area at Tantra Hills, and surrounding areas affected from 9:00am to 5:00pm. In all its notices, the Electricity Company of Ghana expressed regret for any inconvenience these exercises may cause and urged affected customers to take the necessary precautions. For further updates, residents can visit the company's official website at www.ecg.com.gh or follow their social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Featured Calm, interjections characterise Presidents SONA Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Feb - 28 - 2026 , 09:57 4 minutes read In an atmosphere depicting the blend of approval and discontent of the present national economic circumstances, President John Dramani Mahama yesterday delivered the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament to a mix of emotions. It was a familiar spectacle of parliamentary heckling, with a show of outward support from the Majority Caucus, most of whom were clad in all-white outfits, illustrated by the rendering of partisan songs of cheer, while the Minority MPs clad in dominant black and kente-styled sashes made their strongest point of disapproval, particularly over the reduction of cocoa prices one year into the life of the current administration. Parliamentary proceedings started at exactly 10 a.m. with the preliminary rituals setting the stage for the days activities, and once the President arrived at the Forecourt of Parliament in a slow convoy escorted by a herd of horses, the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, invited both the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, and the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to accompany him to welcome the President. The three leaders of the House, joined by the Clerk-to-Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, and the Clerks at Table, then stepped out of the Chamber to receive the President. That was after the President, accompanied by his wife, Lordina, had inspected a guard of honour on his arrival at the Forecourt of Parliament. Wearing a colourful blend of hand-woven brown, yellow, orange and curry Fugu with a matching cap over a pair of black trousers, President Mahama later took a national salute on a podium, with Mrs Mahama standing by him. Attendees The event, which saw the Police Band render beautiful national tunes, attracted a large number of dignitaries. Alban Kingsford Bagbin (standing), Speaker of Parliament, addressing Parliament. Seated are President Mahama (2nd from left), Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (right), and Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, Chief Justice Pictures: ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA with additional files from the Presidency They included the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; former President, John Agyekum Kufuor; former Speakers of Parliament Ebenezer Sakyi Hughes, Edward Doe Adjaho and Aaron Mike Oquaye the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, and other political figures. Others were heads of security services, Justices of the superior courts, the clergy, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, including the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarimba Kwasi Atta, and civil society organisations. Inside the Chamber When the President was ushered into the Chamber, he exchanged pleasantries with some dignitaries in the House, including former President Kufuor and the Chief Justice. As he took his seat, the Majority members rose to their feet, waving enthusiastically to welcome him to the House. Appearance Most MPs appeared in traditional African attire, with a number of MPs wearing fugu (smock), kaftan and other traditional outfits. Few appeared in suits and ties. Former President John Agyekum Kufuor (right) in a chat with Edward Doe Adjaho, Chairman of the Council of State and former Speaker of Parliament The Majority members wore pure white traditional outfits, giving expression to the much-touted better economic conditions reflected in the economic data, and seemingly to celebrate President Mahamas one year in governance. On the contrary, the Minority Caucus stormed the Chamber draped in pure black attire with black sashes with the inscription COCOA AKUAFO YAY M B DODO to wit Cocoa farmers are sad. Interjections Soon after the Speaker invited President Mahama to deliver his address, the Minority Caucus, brandishing ripe cocoa pods, rose to sing against the President over the reduction in producer cocoa prices. In a counter move, the Majority Caucus also rose to their feet to sing in praise of the President, waving miniature Ghana flags. Generally, while President Mahama delivered his address with the House listening attentively, there were occasional interjections and shouts from the Minority in areas they found discomforting, especially when the President justified the decision to reduce cocoa prices. As a morale booster, when the President touted some of the economic policies and pledges initiated by the government to raise the living standards of Ghana, the Majority MPs rose to their feet, cheering in approval, singing Mahama, Wo Ye Bue to wit Mahama, you are amazing. The two-hour and 18-minute speech contained crafty punches that targeted the previous administrations handling of the economy, his stern voice showing no sign of exhaustion from start to finish. Once President Mahama ended his address, the Majority MPs once again rose to their feet with their miniature Ghana flags and sang Mahama Oka by and Mahama, yen ny wo dn, wo y buei to wit When Mahama says it, he does it and How should we hail you, Mahama, you are too good. The Minority members, in response, also waved their cocoa pods while singing We said he would cut cocoa prices. How do Ghanaians feel about political parties? Next article: How do Ghanaians feel about political parties? Tomatoes, insecurity and climate crisis Prof. Jeffrey Haynes Politics Feb - 28 - 2026 , 09:57 5 minutes read The killing of eight Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso on February 14 raises urgent questions about whether Sahelian insurgency is edging towards Ghanas northern frontier. The slayings sent shock waves through Ghana, while unsettling a trade corridor which feeds thousands across West Africa and challenging the view that Ghana is an anchor of regional stability. The tragic deaths raise two related questions of crucial importance for Ghanas security. First, why do Ghanaians have to travel to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes? Why does Ghana not grow sufficient tomatoes for home consumption? Second, what are the links between Ghanas worsening food security and the climate crisis? Climate crisis and food production Ghana struggles to produce enough tomatoes for local consumption due to a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, leading to severe seasonal shortages, high post-harvest losses (30-50%), and significant damage from pests and diseases like bacterial wilt. Inadequate irrigation infrastructure, lack of cold chain storage, and high costs of inputs prevent year-round production, forcing traders to make the hazardous journey to Burkina Faso for alternative supplies. In the Upper East Region, Navrongo and Zebilla are known for dry-season farming. Local farmers utilise irrigation systems (such as dugouts and Tono/Vea schemes) to grow tomatoes from December to May. But things are changing. The climate crisis is manifesting as severe droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures, driving agricultural failure, food insecurity, and increased poverty. The region also faces intensified seasonal flooding, particularly from the White Volta River, while decreasing rainfall causes water scarcity. Environmental instability forces migration to the south. These challenges mean that despite high demand and available land, local production is often not competitive, leading to a reliance on imports for food staples, including tomatoes, to meet local demand. Politics of climate crisis Ghanas climate crisis significantly threatens food security by reducing yields of staples - such as maize, rice, and tubers due to erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and increased pest infestation. With more than half of Ghanaians employed in agriculture, largely reliant on rain-fed systems, the sector faces severe disruptions, including potential 20% maize yield reductions by 2050. Make no mistake: combating the climate crisis is a highly political issue linked to Ghanas security. The government must take the climate crisis seriously and rapidly devise a strategy to improve things. Successive governments talk the talk of confronting the climate crisis, but do not, so far, walk the walk. From Accra Reset Initiative to Africa Climate Dialogue President John Dramani Mahama recently launched the Accra Reset Initiative (ARI), a new global development framework. The ARI seeks to redefine Africas development agenda by reducing the continents reliance on external assistance and systems for security, social services, and foreign firms for mineral value chains. Interestingly, President Mahama does not include climate change in his list of issues undermining development in Ghana and Africa more generally. The Accra-based Africa Centre for Nature-Based Climate Action (AC4NCA; https://ac4nca.org/) recently launched the Accra Compact 2025 to accelerate nature-based and people-centred climate action in Africa. The Compact highlights the dangers of climate crisis and suggests ways to combat it. While ARI envisages a regional government-led framework to power a new global development model, AC4NCA focuses on civil society as key driver of solutions to climate crisis provoked instability and insecurity. AC4NCA believes in the power of nature to provide sustainable, inclusive, and science-driven solutions to the climate crisis, championing Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) actions that protect, enhance, and restore ecosystems while simultaneously addressing social challenges like poverty, gender inequality, and food insecurity. In addition, AC4NCA believes in uplifting communities, empowering women and youth, supporting vulnerable populations, and promoting socio-economic development. Climate crisis: What is to be done? Both ARI and AC4NCA are initiatives focusing on the ability of Ghana and Africa more generally to thrive in a changing world, replete with serious security concerns. Ghana, like Africa more generally, stands at the crossroads of climate vulnerability and possibility. From the Sahel to the Congo Basin, from coastal mangroves to mountain ecosystems, the continent faces rising climate threats. It also holds the worlds richest reserves of natural capital and community knowledge. The ARI is a robust and focused framework to reposition Ghana and Africa more generally in a rapidly changing global environment. ARI is to be welcomed. But its silence on the climate crisis means that non-state efforts must step in to fill the gap. It might seem a stretch of the imagination to link the tragic depths of eight tomato traders to the climate crisis threatening to engulf Africa in worsening insecurity and instability. But this is the point we have now reached. Not words but meaningful actions are now desperately needed to mitigate the worst effects of the climate crisis. Citizen initiatives such as AC4NCA are a good start, a positive indication that civil society working together can work wonders. The writer is an Emeritus Professor of Politics, London Metropolitan University, UK Cubans in the capital of the islands exile community in the United States watch, with a mix of optimism and frustration, as their country moves closer than ever to the change that has eluded them for decades The burns on Ingrid Arenass hands dont reflect all the pizzas shes actually baked to make a living. In February 19, she arrived at Tio Colo, her pizzeria on Coral Way in Miami, and started early, preparing orders of Cuban pizzas and ice cream sundaes. In Hialeah, her son and daughter-in-law run a similar establishment, serving dozens of customers, and even her five young grandchildren help prepare or deliver food. Business is booming; she seems to have everything she needs. Ive been happy here, says Ingrid, 62, reflecting on the more than two decades shes lived in the United States. However, something weighs heavily on her heart: Cuba is the greatest suffering I have, she confesses. And it will only disappear, she says, the day she can open a Tio Colo pizzeria on the island that is, when Cuba becomes a country its exiles can return to. The ice cream cones she sold from a bicycle in 1990s Cuba are the same ones she makes today. Thats why Ingrid insists that Tio Colo was founded in Cuba and took root much later in Miami. Now, as people talk of imminent change on the island, she imagines having a pizzeria in Havana as easily as in the heart of the Escambray Mountains. My duty is to rebuild the country, she says. Weve started from scratch many times; we know what thats like. Yes, Cuba is in pieces, but its being rebuilt. Ingrid shows a photo of her family at the Tio Colo Restaurant. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI A glimmer of hope has begun to re-emerge among a disillusioned exile community that, at times, had lost hope for Cuba. Jose Victorero, the head of maintenance at the legendary Versailles restaurant, who arrived in Miami at the age of five and is now 62, thought he would die before the end of communism. But he cant deny that something seems different now. He recently attended a meeting with the local police and learned that they have already begun installing cameras around Versailles, for the moment when Cubans gather there to celebrate the fall of Castroism. Several major media outlets, he says, have also begun reserving broadcast space to go live with the exile communitys reaction. For decades, Cuban Americans reserved their votes for whoever promised a hardline stance against the Havana regime, but in recent years they seemed to have lost hope of reclaiming the island. The results of recent polls indicate that, in the 2024 elections, the Cuban communitys voting intentions reflected concerns that were more economic than political. Cuban restaurant Cafe Versailles, on Calle Ocho, in Little Havana. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Even so, there were some who did not rule out the possibility that the new secretary of state, Marco Rubio, might draw on his identity as the son of Cuban migrants to turn his attention toward the island. After the Trump administrations first year in which it n did little more than maintain the same hostile policy toward Havana, 2026 brought a different atmosphere for Cubans. After the capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro, the most common question was: is Cuba next? Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba, restricted fuel shipments from Venezuela, and threatened to raise tariffs on goods from any country that supplies Cuba with oil. The consequences have been severe: hotels on the island are laying off tourists and workers; airlines such as LATAM, Air Canada, WestJet, and Transat suspended flights; the Spanish chain Melia announced the closure of three of its hotels; transportation is nearly nonexistent, and life in general is at a standstill. The country resembles a body with organ failure. In the midst of this situation, the Havana government has played one of its last cards: it has handed over to the private sector the responsibility of purchasing fuel abroad something it had previously refused to do. This has particularly angered the exile community, given that many CubanAmerican businesspeople are offering to take part in these transactions. These same businesspeople have been making deals with the military leadership for years to be able to do business in Cuba, even though the condition is accepting a system that denies its people political, economic, and other rights, says activist Salome Garcia Bacallao. Streets of Havana, February 17. Ramon Espinosa (AP) Although Washingtons specific plans for Havana are currently unknown, it has become clear that they are seeking change through economic opening a policy that seems at odds with what many of the 2.5 million Cuban Americans and their representatives in Congress have been demanding for years. Feelings in Miami are divided. For some, Rubio has now shown himself to be the politician few thought he would become. He was Clark Kent and now hes Superman, says Jose Manuel Hernandez, Ingrids 37-year-old son. Hes shown courage, even charisma. I think if he runs in 2028, he might win. Without him, there would be no interest from the American government in Cuba. Others, however, have begun labeling the administration as dialoguera the same term once used for U.S. president Barack Obama after learning that Rubio may be holding conversations with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, Raul Castros grandson, known as El Cangrejo (The Crab). They have also questioned the U.S. governments intention to prioritize economic change over political liberation in Cuba. Marco Rubios economic intentions Sunilda Roque, 62, who works as a caregiver for the elderly, recently went to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity with a bouquet of sunflowers and lit candles for the Virgin. I came here to pray for Cuba, for my Cuban people, who are going through so much, she says. She has lived alone in Miami for 13 years, far from her family on the island, who call her and tell her how many hours of power outages they endured each day, or how they managed to get food. Ive never seen things like this, not even during the Special Period of the 1990s, she says. Even so, Sunilda is one of the Cuban Americans who says: Let whatever has to happen, happen; otherwise we will never be free. Sacrifice is necessary. She fears, of course, what might happen to her family, but the years theyve spent living in misery, with the little she can send them, weigh more heavily on her. No one in Miami is indifferent to whats happening in Cuba today. Some are counting down the days until the country collapses; others cant believe it could happen yet. Some oppose intervention on the island, while others insist that communism must be eradicated. Washingtons intentions, however, seem clear. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Rubio claimed that Cubas fundamental problem is that it has no economy. It is important for the people of Cuba to have more freedom, not just political freedom but economic freedom, he said, hinting at what both he and Trump have said before: that they do not intend to intervene militarily on the island, but rather reach an agreement. Economist Ricardo Torres, a former researcher at the Center for Cuban Economic Studies and a professor at the American University in Washington, argues that, given the islands current situation, its natural to think that economic and political change go hand in hand. While its still difficult to predict what kind of economic opening the U.S. government might implement, the economist points to priorities such as eliminating restrictions on the private sector on the island or enabling access to foreign capital reforms promoted during Obamas diplomatic thaw and heavily criticized by the more conservative sectors of the exile community. Then and now, any transformation aimed at achieving prosperity and development involves significantly expanding the private sector, perhaps under clearer rules, but theres no way to avoid that component in a new Cuban economy, says the expert. The most important thing is that economic freedom or independence changes the relationship between the state and its citizens. Miamis passions cannot dictate policy toward Cuba At 3 p.m. on a recent Wednesday, Maribel left work and drove southwest to one of the offices of Cubamax the travel and shipping agency to the island that has been in the crosshairs of several South Florida politicians. According to critics, businesses like this only help line the Cuban governments pockets. People are coming and going from the small shop. Some are carrying bags with baby bottles, medicine, and food. Maribel even sent a package to her daughter and three grandchildren. She cant wait for the day when change in Cuba will mean she no longer has to spend her salary supporting her family. Some have chosen to stop sending phone topups or food to the island, but as long as the situation remains dire, she says she will always help her loved ones. Cubamax, a company offering money transfers, parcel delivery, and travel services between the United States and Cuba. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI The Cuban restaurant La Carreta on Calle Ocho, in Little Havana, on February 19. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Tourist souvenir shop in Little Havana, the center of the Cuban community in Miami. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Members of the domino club at Domino Park on Calle Ocho. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Souvenirs in a store on Calle Ocho, an iconic street in Little Havana, the center of the Cuban community in Miami, Florida, United States, on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Tourists walk in Little Havana on February 19. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI A record player and vinyl records are seen at Restaurante Tio Colo, a Cuban restaurant owned by Ingrid Arenas. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Calle Ocho is an iconic street for the Cuban community living in Miami, in Little Havana. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Cubamax, Katapulk Marketplace, and Maravana Cargo are all shipping agencies to Cuba that several Florida politicians have sought to shut down. Recently, Dariel Fernandez, the Miami-Dade County tax collector, along with Cuban-American members of Congress, urged the Trump administration to suspend the licenses that allow the export of certain products to Cuba. When we started reviewing all these licenses, we saw unbelievable things; some of these companies have licenses to ship luxury cars, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and even jacuzzis. Who in Cuba has electricity to run a jacuzzi, who has water, and who has the money to buy one when a doctor in Cuba earns $20 a month? Fernandez asks. Were not against trade in Cuba, but only when there is freedom first. Until that happens, we cant continue allowing U.S. companies to benefit the dictatorship. For his part, Ricardo Herrero, executive director of the Cuba Study Group, believes that, although Florida politicians have traditionally applied maximum pressure to the island, now there is an administration committed to regime change in Cuba, but one that must confront the realities of the region and the interests and national security of the United States. It is not in their interest to precipitate a humanitarian collapse in Cuba, nor to send troops to stabilize the island. Miamis passions cannot dictate U.S. policy toward Cuba, and that is something Marco Rubio recognizes in his position. This is an opportunity to negotiate a relationship that can be truly sustainable, he says. At first glance, Miami seems like the same old place: avocado and plum vendors at traffic lights, nightclubs blasting Cuban music, barbershops where men share their life stories, and people hoping to win with scratch-off tickets. Added to this is a collective certainty that hangs over the city: whatever happens in Cuba will, in one way or another, happen to them on this side as well. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Samsung already has smartphones with satellite communication support, but there was no explicit mention of the same for the recently unveiled Galaxy S26 series. Well, Samsung has finally confirmed that the Galaxy S26 series - which includes the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra - supports satellite communication. Samsung stated that expanding satellite communication support with the Galaxy S26 series reflects its continued commitment to enhancing user safety and providing seamless mobile experiences. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G For those unaware, satellite communication support provides users with access to satellite-based messaging and data services, as well as emergency assistance, when traditional networks are unavailable. Samsung has a rich legacy in wireless communication technologies, and we strive to be at the forefront of innovation in this space through open collaboration with global partners. As satellite connectivity becomes an important part of the mobile landscape, we are committed to ensuring Galaxy users have reliable access to communication, especially when they need it most, said Won-Joon Choi, President, Chief Operating Officer and Head of the R&D Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. Samsung has partnered with telecom operators in North America, Europe, and Japan to provide satellite communication support for select Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S26 series. In the US, Samsung has partnered with Verizon for eSOS and text services on all Galaxy flagships following the S25 series. It's also working with AT&T to support satellite communication on Galaxy smartphones. Select Galaxy flagships and Galaxy A series models launched after the Galaxy S21 lineup support T911, text, and data services on T-Mobile's network. Samsung Galaxy S26 5G In Europe, Samsung has partnered with Virgin Media O2 to support satellite communication on select Galaxy smartphones. It's also working with Vodafone to support this feature, while joint trials with MasOrange in Spain will begin in March. Samsung Galaxy S26+ 5G In Japan, Samsung partnered with KDDI last year to provide satellite communication-based text and data services, as well as the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS), for the Galaxy A series and Galaxy S22 and later flagships. Samsung is also working with SoftBank, Docomo, and Rakuten Mobile to provide satellite communication features on Galaxy A series smartphones and Galaxy flagships. Source Cost.U.Less Express in Chalan Pago will permanently close effective Sunday, March 1, in preparation for the opening of its biggest Guam store, located in Hagatna, opening later this year, the company said in a Saturday release. The Chalan Pago location has served the village and surrounding communities for about 17 years. Since opening in 2009, the Cost.U.Less Express location has proudly served the local community, thanks to the dedication of its team members and the loyalty of its customers, said Cost.U.Less. president Kevin Proctor in a statement. We are very grateful to our Chalan Pago customers who have continued to shop with us over the years, and while we understand that the closing of the store may come as a disappointment, we are ready to continue to serve you at our Tamuning and Dededo locations. All employees currently working at the Chalan Pago location have been provided the opportunity to transfer to Cost.U.Less stores in Dededo or Tamuning, ensuring continuity of work and ongoing opportunities within the organization, the company said. We are proud that every member of our Chalan Pago team will continue their journey with Cost.U.Less, and we are grateful for the role theyve played in serving this community for more than a decade, Proctor said. Looking ahead, Cost.U.Less said it is incredibly proud of its long-standing presence on Guam and excited for what comes next. For decades, the company has served Guam families by listening and evolving alongside the communities it calls home. Later this year, Cost.U.Less said it will open its newest store in Hagatna, its biggest and best location, thoughtfully designed to reflect customer feedback and deliver an even better shopping experience. With expanded assortment, greater convenience, and the unbeatable value customers count on, this new chapter represents a continued investment on the island and a commitment to putting people first, Cost.U.Less said. Our investment in the new Agana location reflects our ongoing commitment to Guam, said Proctor. While we say thank you to the Chalan Pago community for many great years, we are focused on continuing to serve our customers across the island and delivering an even better shopping experience. Pay-Less Markets, Inc. has been named a recipient of the 2026 Shelby Report Exceptional Independents Award which recognizes outstanding independent grocery operators across the United States, a release from the company said. Presented by The Shelby Report, the Exceptional Independents Award honors independent food retailers whose innovation, operational excellence, and community leadership set them apart in a competitive marketplace. Pay-Less Markets, a division of PMC Investments Inc., was selected for its continued commitment to serving Guams communities through customer-focused initiatives, local partnerships, and investment in store experiences. We are deeply honored to be recognized alongside so many outstanding independent grocers from across the U.S., and especially proud to receive this award for the second time, having first been honored in 2023, said Kathy Calvo, president and CEO of Pay-Less Markets, Inc in a statement. This award reflects the dedication of our entire team and our ongoing mission to provide quality, value, and service to the families and communities we proudly serve. Award recipients were formally recognized during the Exceptional Independents Awards Ceremony at The NGA Show, the premier annual gathering for independent grocers and suppliers. The ceremony took place on Feb. 2 at the NGA Show floor. Pay-Less Markets, Inc. has served Guam for more than 75 years, offering a wide selection of fresh foods, local products, and everyday essentials across its stores islandwide, the company said. "As a locally owned company, Pay-Less remains deeply committed to community support, local sourcing, and delivering an exceptional shopping experience for customers," the company said. The US president confirmed the start of major combat operations and said that he will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday directly called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government once the strikes carried out by U.S. and Israeli troops against Iran have concluded. It was an explicit call for regime change something that had been carefully avoided in the weeks of preparations and negotiations leading up to this joint attack. The appeal has also been repeated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and by the son of Irans last Shah, Reza Pahlavi. In Trumps address, which he also posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, the U.S. president confirmed the start of major combat operations in Iran and stated that the goal is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Trump also issued a direct call to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and the police to lay down their arms. If they do, they will receive immunity; if not, they will face certain death. The main message, however, was a call for the Iranian people to rise up. During the bombings, Trump advised them to take shelter, but once the operation expected to be longer and more intense than the U.S. strikes in June concludes, they should rebel. The hour of your freedom is at hand, he declared. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. The president, appearing in a gray cap emblazoned with USA and standing before a row of U.S. flags, did not shy away from giving himself credit: For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach, he continued. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. A few minutes later, in the same vein, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. Help has arrived, he said in English in the middle of a speech in Hebrew echoing the message that Trump addressed to demonstrators in Iran in January during the repression. The strike, for which the number of casualties is not yet known, comes while Tehran and Washington were still in negotiations over Irans nuclear program, and nine months after a U.S. bombing of Irans main nuclear facilities that, according to Trump, obliterated the regimes atomic program. We sought repeatedly to make a deal [...] But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades, they rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore, said Trump, justifying the new attack, which comes after weeks of U.S. military buildup in the region, the largest since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Speaking from his private residence, Mar-a-Lago, where he planned to spend the weekend, the U.S. president made clear that this operation is far more substantial than the one carried out last June, when U.S. forces struck Irans nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to Trump, since then, Iran attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. We are going to destroy their missiles and raise their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. Were going to annihilate their navy. Were going to ensure that the regions terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world, the Republican said. Trump acknowledged, as he described the ambitious ongoing operation, the possibility that U.S. forces may suffer casualties. That is something that had not occurred in previous U.S. military interventions in Iran or in Venezuela on January 3 to capture president Nicolas Maduro. In a similar vein to Trump, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah deposed in 1979 by the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini, welcomed the military operation which he described as a humanitarian intervention and called on Iranian forces to rise up against the current supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The assistance that the president of the United States had promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention, and its target is the Islamic Republic, its apparatus of repression, and its machinery of killing not the country and great nation of Iran, the former Shahs son said in his statement. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Haiti - FLASH : Sunrise Airways opens new connections to Boston and Newark Haitian airline Sunrise Airways announces the launch of its new direct flights between Cap-Haitien, Boston (MA), and Newark (NJ). This new service will begin on March 17, 2026, for Boston, Logan International Airport (BOS), and on March 30, 2026, for New York, Newark International Airport (EWR). Flight Details : Cap-Haitien - Boston : One weekly flight operated on Tuesdays using a 180-seat Airbus A320. Boston - Cap-Haitien : Return flights on Wednesdays. Cap-Haitien - Newark : Two weekly flights, on Mondays and Saturdays, operated on an Airbus A320, starting March 21, 2026. Newark - Cap-Haitien : Return flights on Tuesdays and Sundays. "Today, we are not simply launching two new air routes. We are strengthening the connection between Haiti and its communities in New York and Boston. For Sunrise Airways, every new development carries a promise: to bring families closer together, to strengthen bonds, and to celebrate the strength of our diaspora. We fly to connect people," concluded Gary Stone, CEO of Sunrise Airways. Booking : www.sunriseairways.net HL/ HaitiLibre New Apple products ahead: Now Tim Cook has also confirmed that it will happen next week starting Monday. It was already known that Apple has invited to a Special Apple Experience in London, New York, and Shanghai for next Wednesday (March 4th), to which influencers and a few selected journalists will travel. But first releases will be available at the beginning of the week, as had already been suspected. Continue after ad Spread throughout the week Cook wrote on X on Thursday evening that a big week ahead lies before us. The timing in a second sentence is interesting: It all starts Monday morning, said the Apple boss. The post is garnished with the hashtag #AppleLaunch and a custom-bought logo on X. A short video in the same post then shows a silver housing back that could fit a MacBook. A finger turns an oval on it into a complete Apple logo. Cook's statement suggests that Apple will spread its announcements throughout the week. On Wednesday, those invited to the Special Apple Experience will likely be able to see the products on-site before they are shipped, possibly in the week after next. However, a real keynote with a video presentation does not seem to be planned. The company might release short videos with explanations per day. The presentation times are still unclear. Monday morning rather suggests the evening in Europe, but it's also possible that the products will be announced early in the morning California time via press release. That would be from around 1:30 PM or 2 PM. Planned Products According to current rumors, a new entry-level iPhone 17e with a newer chip and hardware improvements, an iPad 11 and an iPad Air M4, and a completely new entry-level MacBook are planned. The latter would be a completely new product line with affordable components at a price well under 1000 euros. Finally, Apple might also show accessories and new MacBook Pro models with M5 Max and M5 Pro. In the fall, the company only presented the midrange model with M5 chip for the MacBook Pro; professionals have been waiting for the faster machines since then. Continue after ad Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (bsc) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. In southern and central regions, precipitation falls mainly as drizzle or rain. The Finnish Meteorological Institute said on Thursday that snowfall will weaken in eastern areas and eastern Lapland by the evening, while a new band of snow reaches Northern Ostrobothnia from the west. Over the past two days, up to 15 centimetres of snow has fallen in south-eastern Finland. Finland enters the weekend under mild and unsettled conditions, with authorities warning of extensive ice on pavements across the south and centre of the country. Temperatures fluctuate around zero, leaving water on top of frozen ground and compacted snow. The institute has issued a yellow warning for poor pedestrian conditions from Uusimaa through Ostrobothnia and into central and eastern parts of the country. The zero-degree line runs close to Oulu. Daytime temperatures range from two degrees below zero in the north to four degrees above zero in the south-west. Night-time readings in central areas may fall to between minus three and minus seven. On Sunday, a new low-pressure system approaches from the south-west. According to the Meteorological Institutes Petteri Pyykko, areas south of Jyvaskyla may receive around five centimetres of wet snow. The winds do not look particularly strong. They will freshen mainly over the Gulf of Finland, Pyykko said in the institutes release. Along the southern coast, precipitation will vary between rain and snow. Driving conditions are expected to deteriorate in southern and western Finland on Sunday and possibly into Monday morning, Keranen said. North of Jyvaskyla, Sunday remains largely cloudy but dry, with temperatures hovering around zero. In Lapland, skies clear in places and temperatures stay a few degrees below freezing, rising slightly compared with Saturday. The mild spell continues into early next week. Parts of western Finland are forecast to remain above zero day and night, accelerating snowmelt. The Finnish Environment Institute has issued a flood warning for stormwater in western regions and more broadly across southern and central Finland on Saturday. After the unsettled weekend, high pressure may bring drier weather on Monday. By Tuesday, milder air from central Europe moves in, while another low brings snowfall to northern Finland, where sub-zero temperatures persist. Authorities advise pedestrians to allow extra time for journeys and to use appropriate footwear as temperatures continue to hover around freezing, bringing repeated thaw and refreeze cycles typical of early spring in Finland. HT Explosions shook central Tehran early on Saturday. Iranian media and verified footage showed smoke rising near government compounds and residential districts. One strike landed close to the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei . United States President Donald Trump said major combat operations had begun against Iran as US and Israeli forces carried out joint strikes on Tehran and other cities, prompting retaliatory missile attacks across the Middle East. An Israeli official said both Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were targets, though Iranian state media later reported that senior officials were in perfect health. Within hours, Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel and at US military facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Air defence systems activated across the region. Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Haifa. Residents moved into shelters as interceptions lit the sky. Israels military said it was working to intercept additional barrages of missiles and warned that its defence is not hermetic. Smoke rose over Manama after a missile struck near the headquarters of the US Navys Fifth Fleet. Bahrain confirmed the base had been targeted and began evacuating residents in the Juffair district. In Qatar, explosions were heard near Al Udeid air base, the largest US military facility in the region. Doha said its Patriot systems intercepted incoming missiles. The United Arab Emirates said debris from intercepted missiles killed one civilian in Abu Dhabi. Kuwait reported missile activity in its airspace and said it reserved the right to respond. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said all US and Israeli assets in the region were legitimate targets. A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that there were no red lines after this aggression. Tehran described the joint assault as a brutal air operation carried out during negotiations with Washington over its nuclear programme. Irans foreign ministry cited Article 51 of the UN Charter and said it would exercise its right to self-defence. Trump framed the operation as a move to eliminate threats from Tehran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, he said. We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. In a message directed at Iranians, Trump urged them to take over your government. He said, All I want is freedom for the people, in a brief call with the Washington Post. He offered what he described as immunity for Iranian forces that stand down and warned of certain death if they do not. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes aimed to remove an existential threat. The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran to remove the yoke of tyranny, he said in a statement. He added that joint action with the US would create conditions for Iranians to decide their future. The Pentagon named the campaign Operation Epic Fury. A US official said air and sea strikes would continue and were limited to targets inside Iran. Israeli military sources said aircraft hit hundreds of Iranian military targets, including missile launchers in western Iran. Iranian state media reported explosions in Kermanshah, Isfahan, Tabriz and Karaj. The Fars news agency said seven impacts were recorded in districts of northern Tehran. NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, reported national connectivity falling to 4 percent, indicating a near-total blackout. Civilian casualties mounted as fighting widened. Iranian media said an Israeli strike on a girls school in Minab killed 40 people. In northern Israel, a nine-storey building sustained damage from falling debris, and emergency services treated a man for blast injuries. Regional governments closed airspace as airlines cancelled flights. Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE halted operations. Dubai airport suspended all flights. British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and Air India announced cancellations across the region. Israel and Iran both shut their skies to civilian traffic. The escalation followed nuclear talks in Geneva two days earlier that ended without progress. Trump said on Friday he was not happy with Irans negotiating position. World leaders called for restraint. French President Emmanuel Macron said the escalation has grave consequences for international peace and security and urged it to stop. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for maximum restraint and respect for international law. Russias foreign ministry described the US and Israeli action as reckless and demanded a return to diplomacy. Omans Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who had mediated the talks, said he was dismayed and urged Washington not to get sucked in further. In Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency, banned public gatherings and ordered schools shut. Hospitals moved patients to underground wards. Police urged residents to avoid non-essential travel. Irans Supreme National Security Council warned that operations by the US and Israel might continue and advised residents to leave the capital if possible. It said schools and universities would remain closed and government offices would operate at reduced capacity. Source: Al Jazeera, BBC, The Guardian HT According to reports received from Finlands embassy, around 30 targets in Iran were struck during the first phase of the operation. Speaking to Yles Ykkosaamu programme hours after the attacks began, Stubb described the situation as serious and said the coming hours would prove decisive. The risk of escalation is highly possible, he said. We hope the situation calms down, but right now it looks like it is escalating. Finlands President Alexander Stubb said the risk of escalation in the Middle East is high after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. The United States and Israel confirmed attacks on multiple sites, with US President Donald Trump describing the campaign as a broad combat operation aimed at eliminating threats to American security and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Stubb said the strikes reflect an unstable regional environment and form part of a wider shift in global politics. He linked the events to last years 12-day war in the region and to what he described as a weakening of international rules and institutions. When international institutions and rules are broken, a power vacuum emerges and this type of strike becomes possible, he said. Stubb noted that Washington had not sought authorisation from the United Nations or broad backing from allies before acting. Usually for this type of strike, justification has been sought either through the UN or at least from allies. Now not much has been asked, he said. He added that the United States appears to be operating largely outside traditional international law. Asked whether the UN or external mediators could influence the situation, Stubb expressed doubt. He said any negotiations would likely take place directly between Washington and Tehran. I am quite sure that President Trump will not allow any intermediaries in this, he said. Trump has stated that the objective of the strikes is to defend the American people and to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Israel has described its action as preventive. Stubb said the underlying issue remains Irans nuclear capacity. He estimated that Iran has been assessed as being four to six months away from the ability to build a nuclear weapon. This is aimed at preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon. President Trump referred to that in his statement, Stubb said. He added that Israel views a potential Iranian nuclear weapon as a direct threat. If you ask Israel, the direction would be towards Israel. That is the biggest fear, he said. From Finlands perspective, Stubb said Helsinki is monitoring developments closely but has limited means to affect events. At this stage our possibilities to influence are very small. We are following how the overall picture develops, he said. Later on Saturday, after Iran carried out retaliatory strikes against Israel and other states in the region, Stubb issued a statement on the social media platform X. He condemned actions that escalate the conflict and urged restraint. He stressed that nuclear safety and long-term regional security remain of primary importance. We continue to support all diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Irans nuclear programme and strengthening security in the region, he wrote. He added that Irans leadership must engage in negotiations in good faith and end actions that destabilise the region. HT A PRIMARY school in Henley has been judged to meet the expected standard by the education watchdog. Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Greys Hill was inspected by Ofsted in December for the first time since November 2021. Safeguarding requirements were fully met and the school met the expected standard in all categories, including achievement, curriculum and teaching, early years, inclusion, leadership and governance. In the report, Neil Pilsworth, His Majestys lead inspector, and Lorraine Grecco, the Ofsted inspector, said most pupils achieve well, which is reflected in their attainment in national tests at the end of Year 6. Pupils with special educational needs (SEND), disadvantaged pupils and those previously known to social care generally achieve well. However, the report said: There are some disadvantaged pupils who do not consistently develop a detailed knowledge in the fundamentals of early reading, writing and maths but added that the school is working hard to close the gaps some of these pupils have. The inspectors found that most pupils have positive attitudes towards their learning. The report said: Every morning, they walk into school with happy smiles and this permeates into all areas of their learning. The schools curriculum was found to be broad, well sequenced, ambitious and designed to reduce barriers to learning. The report said: The curriculum considered the needs of the mixed-age classes well [and] the staff have the knowledge they need to help pupils learn well. This helps to promote pupils learning at every stage. However, the report said teaching does not address gaps in knowledge and highlighted the gap for some SEND and disadvantaged pupils persists. Inspectors found that the early years curriculum is designed carefully with staff establishing nurturing relationships, communicating practised routine and rules well to develop an environment where children share resources with each other. They found that leaders identify the needs of pupils promptly with increasing accuracy, ensuring individual needs are met so pupils feel understood and ready to learn. The report said: Leaders and the governing body work purposefully to raise aspirations for what pupils can achieve. The school works hard to ensure that pupils have every opportunity to achieve well. Pupils are helped by staff to be confident and kind citizens who respect other peoples differences by ensuring the personal development programme is woven across all areas of school life. The report said: Pupils demonstrate a respect for others and celebrate differences. They are taught about the importance of living the fundamental British values, and consequently, their understanding of these grows. Pupils discuss topics such as equity and disability thoughtfully and with maturity. The inspectors found that opportunities beyond the classroom were also celebrated, including participation in sporting events, performing arts and community projects such as litter picking. The pride that pupils take in leadership roles such as school councillors and playtime buddies and the use of their democratic voice to influence school decisions, was also highlighted. Headteacher Rachel Sanders, said: We are incredibly proud of this report. It reflects the dedication of our staff, the support of our governors and families, and, most importantly, the wonderful attitudes and achievements of our pupils. We were a bit nervous about being guinea pigs for a new, more holistic system, but found it sat well with how we look to develop our childrens minds, hearts and horizons. The inspectors truly captured the spirit of Sacred Heart. Reading a report card is one thing, but I would urge parents with young children to visit the school and see for themselves why we score highly on measures well beyond the academic basics. We welcome visits throughout the school year, THE HAUGE, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch government on Saturday called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said in a post on the social media platform X that the Netherlands is closely monitoring developments in the region. "We are also working closely with our European partners to gather as much information as possible in order to respond appropriately at the right time," Jetten told the local media RTL on Saturday. "It is now evident that we are mainly witnessing a violent escalation, which we hope will not spiral further out of control," he added. Earlier on Saturday, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen wrote on X that the Dutch government is in contact with Dutch embassies in the region regarding the situation. " Stability in the region is essential," Berendsen said. On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that it has raised its travel advisory to red for the border areas between Israel and Gaza, Lebanon and Egypt due to rising tensions in the Middle East. CAIRO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran has agreed not to stockpile enriched uranium in talks with the United States, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi said Friday, describing the agreement as a "breakthrough." "This is something completely new. It really makes the enrichment argument less relevant, because now we are talking about zero stockpiling," the Omani minister said in an interview with CBS News. SANAA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said on Saturday that attacks on Iran are part of a broader effort to undermine regional deterrence, warning that the United States and Israel would bear responsibility for the escalation and its impact on regional security. In a statement broadcast by Al-Masirah TV, the group's Supreme Political Council, its highest governing body, described the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran as a "full-fledged major crime," a violation of Iran's sovereignty and a breach of international law, portraying the two countries as aggressive powers that disregard legal norms and humanitarian values. The council expressed "full and steadfast solidarity" with Iran, including its leadership, government, and people, and affirmed Tehran's right to defend its sovereignty, security, and independent decision-making. It held the United States and Israel fully responsible for the consequences of the escalation. The statement said the strike on Iran was not an isolated act, but part of a wider U.S.-Israeli project aimed at "subjugating the region and enabling Israeli dominance." It warned that continued escalation would not bring security to Israel, but would instead broaden confrontation and strengthen resistance movements. Separately, Yemen's internationally recognized government warned against any Houthi military action in support of Iran or any attempt to use Yemeni territory to strike neighboring countries or international targets. Earlier on Saturday, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently announced missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, as well as on military and security targets inside Israel. KABUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan air force launched fresh air raids inside Pakistan and targeted military bases, inflicting damage and casualties around midnight Friday, said a statement of the Afghan National Defense Ministry on Saturday. "National Defense Ministry's Air Force once again launched airstrikes on Pakistani military bases in Miranshah and Spinwam, carried out around twelve o'clock, midnight. Consequently, these strikes destroyed the Miranshah and Spinwam military bases, causing severe damage and heavy casualties," the statement posted on the ministry's social media X asserted. It is the second time in a single day on Friday that the Afghan air force claimed carrying out strikes inside Pakistan. Earlier in the day, it claimed targeting military bases in several Pakistani cities, including Islamabad. Tensions between the two neighboring countries have risen in recent days amid a surge in militant violence in border regions. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said early Saturday morning that the U.S. forces are carrying out a "massive and ongoing" attack on Iran to eliminate "imminent threats from the Iranian regime." In a video message on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran threatens the United States and its core national security interests. Trump said U.S. forces will "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground" and "annihilate their navy," while calling on Iranians to "take over your government" after U.S. military operations conclude. Trump accused Iran of developing "long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland." However, sources told CNN that Trump's assertion is not backed up by U.S. intelligence. Trump said that Iran had sought to reach a deal to avoid the conflict, but talks had been unproductive. "We warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried," he said. "They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore," Trump said. "I will say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon." Trump also urged Iranian officials to "lay down your arms," warning, "or you will face certain death." Meanwhile, Trump acknowledged that the attack on Iran could result in U.S. casualties. "We may have casualties," he said. "That often happens in war." Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Trump administration didn't provide Congress with any "real briefings or intelligence" before launching the massive military operations in Iran. "The president barely mentioned Iran during the longest State of the Union speech in history. He failed to define the objective," Reed said in a statement. "It is hard to justify action without rationale." Thomas Massie, a Republican lawmaker from Kentucky, criticized the strikes on Iran as "acts of war unauthorized by Congress" in a social media post. Ruben Gallego, a Democratic Senator from Arizona and former Marine who had served in Iraq, said on social media that Americans should not have to "pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn't been explained or justified to the American people." The Pentagon dubbed the massive military strikes "Operation Epic Fury," formalizing it as a major U.S. military operation. Saturday's strikes involved a mix of U.S. aircraft and Tomahawk cruise missiles fired by U.S. Navy ships in the Middle East, ABC News cited a U.S. official as saying. U.S. embassies in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain have warned personnel to take shelter. The U.S. strikes took place from both air and sea and could last for several days, according to multiple U.S. media reports, citing U.S. officials. The strikes against Iran came on the heels of the latest round of indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday, and additional technical talks have been scheduled for Monday in Vienna. Before launching the strikes, the Trump administration built up the U.S. military presence in the Middle East to its largest level since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. LONDON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Britain has said it "stands ready" to protect its interests in the Middle East and does not wish to see any further escalation into a wider regional conflict, according to a government statement Saturday. "As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests," a government spokesperson said, following "major combat operations" against Iran launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday. The government added that 24/7 consular assistance is available to British nationals in the region. According to BBC, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired an emergency COBRA security meeting on Saturday morning. The British government said Friday that its staff in Iran had been "temporarily withdrawn" and its embassy continues to "operate remotely." In updated travel advice, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advised against all travel to Iran. KABUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 52 people were killed and 66 others injured in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan since last Sunday, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said on Saturday. According to the official, the casualties were reported across the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost and Kunar, as well as southern Kandahar. Clashes erupted along the border between the two countries about a week ago. Since then, officials have reported that the cross-border hostilities have resulted in numerous casualties from both sides. BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Saturday, noting that China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions. The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday, Beijing time. China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel, said the spokesperson, adding Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East, the spokesperson emphasized. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience, said an official at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite domestic challenges and volatile external environment, the Chinese economy has demonstrated resilience, supported by both a global AI boom and proactive government policies, Thomas Helbling, deputy director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, told Xinhua. Helbling made the remarks as the Executive Board of the IMF concluded the Article IV Consultation with China in mid-February and released a related report. In 2025, the Chinese government acted swiftly to prevent liquidity and refinancing issues -- especially among real estate developers and local governments -- from escalating into broader problems, he noted. The IMF official called for more efforts to stabilize the real estate market, particularly by facilitating the exit of non-viable developers and providing financing to complete unfinished housing or compensate buyers. Helbling also called for stronger measures to boost private consumption, mainly by further strengthening the social safety net, which has been expanded in recent years, and advancing related reforms. As renewed escalation of trade tensions poses downside risk, the IMF official lauded China's emphasis on the importance of a stable, multilateral trading system. "In general, it has contributed to the rhetoric trying to keep the conversation alive and not taken additional trade measures on its own," he said. He acknowledged the "discontent" surrounding the global trading system in recent years and urged countries to work jointly and constructively. Speaking of China's role in the global economy, the IMF official noted that China is growing faster than many other countries in the world. "China contributes more to global growth than its economic size -- roughly 30 percent versus an economic size of nearly 20 percent," he said. As an open economy, China also contributes to global growth through trade and financial linkages, he said. As China grows, Chinese companies, including cutting-edge firms in frontier sectors, are expanding globally and "they're also bringing knowledge to the rest of the world," he said. China helps other countries finance investment, he continued. China also contributes to global economic well-being through channels including supporting the IMF, not least through the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) and technical assistance, and engaging in multilateral debt restructuring efforts. In these ways, China supports not only direct economic transactions but also the institutional framework for the global economy, he added. MOSCOW, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Saturday demanded an immediate return to political and diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions surrounding Iran, following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes were a "premeditated and unprovoked act of armed aggression" against a sovereign United Nations member state in violation of international law. The ministry condemned the fact that the attacks were carried out under the cover of a renewed negotiation process ostensibly aimed at ensuring long-term stabilization around Iran. The ministry said that actions of the U.S. and Israel risk pushing the region toward a humanitarian, economic and potentially radiological catastrophe, adding that responsibility for any negative consequences would rest fully with them. "Of particular concern is the serial nature of the destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. Administration over the past few months on the international legal pillars of world order, including non-interference in internal affairs, renunciation of the threat or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes," said the statement. Moscow reiterated its readiness to facilitate the search for peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests, it added. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States is facing "a big decision to make" on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday. "We have a big decision to make" on whether to attack Iran and the choice is "not easy," Trump said at an event in Texas. Any agreement with Iran must meet Washington's terms, he said. "They want to make a deal, but got to make a deal that's meaningful," Trump said. "I'd rather do it the peaceful way. But they're very difficult people." Earlier on Friday, Trump told reporters that he's "not happy" with the way the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks is going but has not made a final decision on potential military operations against Iran. "I'd love not to use" the U.S. forces, "but sometimes you have to," he added. The Trump administration has stepped up its military deployments in the Middle East, sending additional fighter squadrons and positioning two carrier strike groups in the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford arrived off Israel's coast on Friday, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been operating in the Arabian Sea since late January. Tehran has warned that any strike would prompt retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases throughout the Middle East. Additional technical talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled for Monday in Vienna. KUWAIT CITY, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday condemned an Iranian attack targeting its territory, describing it as a "flagrant violation of Kuwait's sovereignty, airspace, international law and the United Nations Charter." In a statement posted on its official account on the social media platform X, the ministry said Kuwait strongly condemns the "criminal Iranian attack" that targeted Kuwaiti territory earlier on Saturday morning, calling it a blatant breach of the country's sovereignty and airspace as well as international law and the UN Charter. The ministry affirmed Kuwait's "full and inherent right to self-defense," stressing that Kuwait reserves the right to take all necessary measures. The ministry added that Kuwait's air defense systems had successfully intercepted the attack, warning that the continuation of such military escalation in the region would undermine regional security and stability. Several explosions were heard around noon in Kuwait, while air raid sirens sounded across the country. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior urged citizens to remain calm, exercise restraint, and follow official media outlets for civil defense instructions and guidance related to the situation. Famed for its ceramic and liuli heritage, with liuli referring to a traditional form of Chinese decorative glass, Zibo in east China's Shandong Province has seen symbolic, horse-themed creations emerge this Year of the Horse -- where traditional craftsmanship meets modern design. BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 26,000 individuals turned themselves in to China's discipline inspection and supervision agencies in 2025, according to a work report from the country's top anti-graft body. The report, which was released in full on Saturday, was previously delivered in mid-January at a plenary session of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). According to the report, the CCDI and the National Commission of Supervision last year launched investigations into 181 officials registered at and supervised by the CPC Central Committee. Discipline inspection and supervision agencies nationwide filed more than 1 million cases over the year, handing disciplinary or administrative penalties to 983,000 individuals involved in corruption. China also strengthened its international anti-corruption cooperation in 2025, with 963 corrupt fugitives repatriated to China during the year, per the report. TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that its people and armed forces will deliver a "decisive and determining" response to what it called the "aggressors" and make them regret their "criminal" actions. In a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA, the ministry said, "Iran once again came under the military aggression of the United States and Israel," adding that U.S. and Israeli forces targeted defense infrastructure and civilian sites in multiple Iranian cities, in blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry criticized the "repeated military aggression" at a time when Tehran and Washington were engaged in a diplomatic process. It said Iran entered indirect nuclear negotiations despite anticipating attacks by the United States and Israel, to demonstrate its legitimacy and the illegitimacy of any pretext used by the aggressors. The ministry said responding to the U.S. and Israeli strikes, which it called "a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter," is Iran's lawful right. It added that Iranian forces will use all available means to counter the "criminal aggression and repel the enemy's maliciousness." The statement urged the United Nations and its Security Council to act immediately to address the threat to international peace and security posed by the attacks, and called on all UN member states to condemn the strikes and take collective measures against them. On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities. SYDNEY, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The value of Australia's almond exports hit a record-high in the 2024-25 financial year on the back of growing demand in China, according to industry data. The latest annual report from agricultural research and development firm Hort Innovation in Australia showed that the value of Australia's almond exports rose to 1.3 billion Australian dollars (925.6 million U.S. dollars) in 2024-25, an increase of 23 percent from the previous year. The increase defied a 5 percent year-on-year drop in Australia's almond production and a 2 percent fall in the export volume in 2024-25. Hort Innovation said that Australia exported 140,503 tonnes of almonds in 2024-25. The report did not include data on export destinations for 2024-25, but said that almond exports to China increased from 33,373 tonnes in 2022-23 to 76,132 tonnes in 2023-24. Tim Jackson, chief executive officer of the Australian Almond Board, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that China accounts for 61 percent of Australia's almond exports. He said that more and more Chinese buyers are trying to source Australian almonds because they can be imported with zero tariffs. The Australian Almond Board in January said that the 2026 national almond crop estimate is 166,892 tonnes, which would mark an annual increase of 7 percent. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday designated Iran as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" amid escalating tensions between the two countries. In a press statement, Rubio attributed the designation to Iran's continued arrests and imprisonment of "innocent Americans" as well as other foreigners as political leverage. The move does not impose penalties immediately, but Rubio said that if Iran does not stop, additional measures will be imposed, including "a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of U.S. passports to, through, or from Iran." "No American should travel to Iran for any reason. We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately," he said. Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. #XinhuaNews BEIRUT, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli air defense systems intercepted about 20 Iranian missiles launched toward Israel on Saturday, according to Lebanese security sources and eyewitnesses, who said the interceptions occurred in the skies over southern Lebanon. Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that explosions were heard in the eastern part of southern Lebanon, caused by Israeli interceptor missiles. The interceptions came amid a sharp escalation of tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, raising concerns of a broader confrontation in the Middle East. BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's defense ministry on Saturday accused Japan of taking "reckless" steps toward neo-militarism and called on the international community to remain "highly vigilant." The remarks were made by Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in response to the Japanese government's plans to revise its three key security documents this year, and to accelerate discussions on amending principles governing the export of defense equipment. Zhang said China had carried out relevant military operations to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and security interests. He described the actions as fully compliant with both domestic and international law, and "entirely legitimate and justified." Referring to Japan's wartime history, Zhang said the past has not been forgotten. He accused Japan of previously using claims of threats to its survival as a pretext for launching wars of aggression, which resulted in Japan committing heinous crimes against its Asian neighbors and the world. He added that right-wing forces in Japan were now reviving similar rhetoric about so-called external threats, attempting to justify military expansion and pursue a hidden political agenda. Zhang called on the international community to remain highly vigilant, resolutely oppose Japan's reckless moves toward neo-militarism and uphold the victorious outcome of World War II and the post-war international order. He also warned Japan against "barreling down the wrong path or reversing the wheel of history," saying such a course would suffer a speedier and greater defeat. TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Around 10 am local time Saturday, a series of loud explosions jolted the Iranian capital of Tehran in quick succession, and Xinhua reporters saw thick plumes of smoke rising from several parts of the city. Soon it turns out that the United States and Israel have launched an attack on Iran, and the latter has responded with counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the Middle East. The war-weary region has found itself once again caught under the dark cloud of war. As of this report, Tehran and other Iranian cities have already been hit with dozens of missile strikes. In the capital, missiles hit areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. TV footage shows massive smoke clouds hovering over a densely populated district in Tehran, and Xinhua reporters saw local residents flock to rooftops to get a better view of the unfolding situation. Some used their phones to capture the thick smoke rising from the distant explosions. Yet despite the flare-up, daily life in many parts of Tehran seems largely unaffected. Streets are still bustling with traffic, and coffee shops crowded with young customers. As Xinhua was penning the article, an Iranian friend reached out to ask if everything was okay. "Don't be scared, my friend," he said in the message. "This was bound to happen. We saw this coming from a mile away." This attack came after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks earlier this week and agreed to resume negotiations next week. Just a day before the strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he hadn't made a decision on military action against Iran but promised a "major decision" on the matter. The latest development is reminiscent of last June when, during negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran. That triggered the "12-day war," during which the United States bombed Iran's critical nuclear facilities. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The United States has affirmed Pakistans right to defend itself after Islamabad reported major clashes withAfghanistans Taliban rulers. A State Department spokesperson said: The United States supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. Washington regards the Afghan Taliban as a terrorist organisation and considers Pakistan a key non-Nato ally. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Washington does not view Pakistan as the aggressor in the latest escalation and noted Islamabad is under pressure to address its security challenges. open image in gallery Smoke rises from Afghan territory near the Torkham border crossing point in Pakistan ( AP ) The latest fighting began after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan territory last weekend, prompting retaliatory Afghan attacks along the border. Islamabad says the strikes targeted Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghanistan, who it accuses of waging an insurgency within Pakistan. Afghanistan denies harbouring the TTP, arguing that Pakistan is deflecting blame for its own security failures. More than 331 Afghan Taliban forces have been killed and over 500 others wounded during the ongoing attacks on Afghanistan, according to Pakistans information minister, Attaullah Tarar. Pakistan carried out air and ground attacks in Kabul, Kandahar, and other towns, reportedly destroying military installations and posts, including 102 Afghan posts, 22 captured positions, and 163 tanks and armoured vehicles at 37 locations, according to Pakistans information minister. Afghan officials described civilian areas as also being hit, with at least 11 people killed. On Friday, the Afghan government said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during its strikes, and Afghan losses were far lower than Pakistan claimed. open image in gallery A Taliban soldier holds his gun as he stands next to a Humvee, following exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, in Momand Dara, in Nangarhar ( Reuters ) On Saturday, Pakistans state-run media reported the countrys air force carried out strikes targeting key military installations in various areas of eastern Afghanistan. According to Pakistani authorities, hundreds of residents living near the northwestern Torkham border crossing have fled to safer areas. In recent days, Pakistan has also transported dozens of Afghan refugees who had been waiting at the Torkham crossing to return home to safer locations. Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif wrote on X: Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us. Afghan Taliban interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani warned the conflict will be very costly but said Afghan forces had not deployed beyond those already engaged. The Taliban emphasised their reliance on guerrilla tactics, stating they had defeated the world, not through technology, but through unity and solidarity, despite lacking conventional air capabilities. Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation. Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi spoke with Qatars Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi to maintain dialogue and reduce tensions. Qatar, which mediated previous ceasefires, is coordinating with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, and other countries to defuse the crisis. open image in gallery Taliban soldiers pose on a Humvee, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces, in Momand Dara, Nangarhar province ( Reuters ) The European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called on both sides to de-escalate and stated that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries, while urging Afghan authorities to act against terrorist groups. The United Nations also expressed deep concern about the civilian impact. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy. Nearly half of Afghanistans population, approximately 22 million people, need humanitarian aid, and the figure could rise if the fighting worsens. The conflict goes back to long-standing tensions over Pakistans allegations that the Taliban provides safe haven to TTP militants. Border skirmishes in October killed dozens until a Qatari-mediated ceasefire took effect, though subsequent talks in Turkey failed to produce lasting solutions. The renewed fighting marks one of the deepest Pakistani incursions into Afghan territory in years and raises the risk of a protracted conflict along the 2,600km frontier. Both sides have signalled a willingness to negotiate. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue. However, Islamabad has insisted that any new provocations or attacks will be met with a measured, decisive and befitting response. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The way people process information can be a strong predictor of whether they may be drawn to conspiracy theories , according to new research. Conspiracy theories often provide a clear, ordered version of events which make sense of a chaotic world, and this can make them particularly appealing to people who prefer structured, rulebased explanations of what is happening, according to a team led by academics at Flinders University in Australia. But conspiracy beliefs can be highly damaging . They can erode trust in institutions, influence vaccine uptake and hinder responses to genuine emergencies, as well as increase people's anxiety, strain relationships, spread misinformation and weaken people's critical thinking abilities. But instead of pointing to poor reasoning as the key to recognising why people are drawn to conspiracies, the research team highlight the role of a thinking style they describe as "systemising". They defined this as the "strong drive to identify patterns and make sense of events through consistent rules" which shape how people interpret complex information. The study, led by Flinders Universitys Dr Neophytos Georgiou, an expert in conspiracy belief research, examined more than 550 people to understand why some show an increased interest in conspiracy explanations. People often assume conspiracy beliefs form because someone isnt thinking critically, says Dr Georgiou But our findings show that for those who prefer systematic structure, conspiracy theories can feel like a highly organised way to understand confusing or unpredictable events. open image in gallery Aeroplane vapour trails have become the focus of a debunked conspiracy theory about chemtrails, being deliberately sprayed for various nefarious purposes ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) In the study, the researchers identified different thinking profiles and discovered that people who strongly liked patterns and structure were more likely to believe conspiracy theories, even when they demonstrated good scientific reasoning skills. What stood out is that people who systemise strongly want the world to make sense in a very consistent way, said Dr Georgiou. Conspiracy theories often offer that sense of order. They tie loose ends together. Even when someone has strong reasoning ability, their desire for strict explanations can overshadow their ability to question those beliefs. The team also found that people who strongly identified with patterns and structure were more rigidly bound to the patterns and structures they had already associated with issues, meaning they were less flexible in updating their beliefs even in the light of new evidence. open image in gallery 'People who systemise strongly want the world to make sense in a very consistent way' ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) In tasks that required participants to revise their views when presented with new information, those with high systemising tendencies were less likely to shift their perspective. This may help explain why conspiracy beliefs can persist even when contradictory information is available, said Dr Georgiou. The research highlights "the cognitive style someone brings to information," Dr Georgiou said. "For people who naturally seek structure and predictability, conspiracy theories can be appealing because they feel ordered, logical and consistent for events that feel chaotic." The team said their work "underscores the importance of recognising diverse thinking styles", and hope the findings can inform approaches to dealing with misinformation and conspiracy. Rather than relying only on factchecking or logicbased interventions, strategies may need to reflect how people prefer to process information, said Dr Georgiou. Conspiracy beliefs meet psychological needs, and if we ignore that, we overlook what actually makes these narratives persuasive. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Belarusian national security suspect was tasked by a Russian language website to set fire to a Ukrainian car for money, a court has heard. Artsem Sadardzinau, 30, from Rutland in the East Midlands, is charged with conspiracy with others to commit arson to damage a vehicle by fire between August 31 and February 15. He appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday by videolink from Pentonville prison for a preliminary hearing. Outlining the allegation, prosecutor Ben Lloyd said: The defendant is said to have seen an advert by a Russian language website. The website appears to support and facilitate unlawful activity. As part of that website there is a section called car arson. open image in gallery Artsem Sadardzinau appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday by videolink ( PA/Jonathan Brady ) The defendant visited the website on a number of occasions and it appears was tasked subsequently and through applications such as Telegram to locate and identify a Ukraine-registered vehicle, to send a video to his tasker, agree the target and then set fire to the vehicle in return for payment. Mr Lloyd said inquiries were ongoing into whether the case fell under the National Security Act. The defendant indicated through his lawyer that he would plead not guilty to the charge against him, having had no intention to carry anything out. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a plea hearing at the Old Bailey for June 19 and a provisional two-week trial before a High Court judge at Leicester Crown Court from April 6 2027. The defendant was remanded into custody. Counter Terrorism Policing London has said that while investigations continue, officers do not believe there to be any wider threat to the public in relation to the matter. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man has been charged with criminal damage after graffiti branding Sir Winston Churchill a "Zionist war criminal" was sprayed on his statue in Westminster. The Metropolitan Police confirmed Caspar San Giorgio, 38, of no fixed address, was arrested shortly after 4am on Friday. He was taken into custody and charged just before 4am on Saturday, and is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Saturday morning. The bronze statue, in Parliament Square, opposite the Houses of Parliament, was defaced with phrases including Stop the Genocide and Free Palestine sprayed in red paint. Further graffiti read Never again is Now and Globalise the Intifada. open image in gallery The statue of Winston Churchill stands in Parliament Square (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) Dutch group Free the Filton 24 claimed responsibility for the action on Friday morning, posting a video on Instagram appearing to show the incident in progress. Free the Filton 24 defines itself as a group of family and friends of the 24 Palestine Action activists who were charged over a break-in at one of Israel-based defence firm Elbits UK sites in 2024. On Friday, a Greater London Authority spokesperson said: We are appalled by this vandalism to the statue of Sir Winston Churchill and work is under way to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible. Downing Street also commented on the vandalism of the statue, labelling it completely abhorrent. A Number 10 spokesman said: Churchill was a great Briton. This Government will always stand up for our values and the perpetrator must be held to account. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Soham killer Ian Huntley remains in a serious condition in hospital, two days after he was attacked with a metal bar by another inmate at a maximum security prison. Durham Constabulary confirmed on Saturday morning that his condition had not changed overnight. A spokesperson stated: "The 52-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious condition, there have been no changes overnight." The assault took place in the jails workshop. According to reports, triple killer Anthony Russell allegedly shouted Ive done it, Ive done it after Huntley, 52, was repeatedly smashed over the head at HMP Frankland, Durham, on Thursday morning. The force declined to identify the suspect but said on Thursday that a man in his mid-40s had been detained in the prison, but had not yet been arrested. Former caretaker Huntley killed 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002, then dumped their bodies in a ditch. Russell was sentenced to a whole life tariff in 2021 for the murders of Julie Williams, 58, and her son David Williams, 32, at separate flats in Coventry, and pregnant 31-year-old Nicole McGregor, who was found in woodland near Leamington Spa three days later. Russell also raped Ms McGregor. Ian Huntley (Toby Melville/PA) ( PA ) Thursdays assault was the latest attempt on Huntleys life and he was thought to have been kept under close observation to prevent similar attacks. In 2010, robber Damien Fowkes slashed him with a home-made weapon, causing a severe, gaping cut to the left side of his neck with a 7in (18cm) wound which required 21 stitches. Fowkes asked a prison officer: Is he dead? I hope so. He described Huntley as a notorious child killer, both inside prison and in society in general. Huntley is serving a life sentence with a recommendation that he serves at least 40 years for the Soham murders. People participate in a rally in Athens, Greece, Feb. 28, 2026. Thousands of people took part in dozens of demonstrations across Greece on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the train collision in Tempi, central Greece, which claimed 57 lives. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people took part in dozens of demonstrations across Greece on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the train collision in Tempi, central Greece, which claimed 57 lives. The main rally was held in front of the Greek Parliament and was organized by an association of victims' families. It was supported by opposition parties and labor unions, which had also called a 24-hour strike that disrupted public transportation services. Student associations joined the mobilization as well, since most of the victims were university students returning to their studies after the holiday break. Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans demanding justice ahead of the trial of dozens of railway employees and officials, scheduled to begin on March 23. The victims' families, opposition parties, and demonstrators accused the government of mishandling the investigation and alleged a "cover-up." They are pressing for the prosecution of politicians, whom they also blame for safety system deficiencies that led to the head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train. Following the tragedy, the government pledged to implement measures to improve railway infrastructure and address operational failures. "Three years after the accident in Tempi that deeply affected all Greeks, the memory of the victims and the pain of their relatives unite in a common demand: that those responsible for the tragedy be held accountable in a strict and impartial manner in the trial that is now beginning," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a message on Saturday. Enditem. A young woman with the number "57" painted on her cheek stands among demonstrators at Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece, Feb. 28, 2026. Thousands of people took part in dozens of demonstrations across Greece on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the train collision in Tempi, central Greece, which claimed 57 lives. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Greek riot police officers stand guard in front of the Hellenic Parliament at Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece, Feb. 28, 2026. Thousands of people took part in dozens of demonstrations across Greece on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the train collision in Tempi, central Greece, which claimed 57 lives. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Chancellor Rachel Reeves is poised to award a crucial contract to Italian defence company Leonardo, securing the future of Britain's last military helicopter manufacturing site and safeguarding 3,000 jobs. A Treasury source confirmed on Friday that the deal will prevent the closure of Leonardo's Yeovil facility in southwest England, which the firm had threatened without a new agreement. The deal, worth up to 1 billion, had faced uncertainty just days before a 1 March deadline. A Treasury source indicated Ms Reeves felt compelled to intervene, ensuring UK defence spending protects British business and employment. "She wasn't going to let this deal collapse under her watch," the source added. It is understood Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer had chosen to intervene in response to the Ministry of Defence deprioritising the project as part of the Defence Investment Plan. The approved contract will see 23 medium-lift support helicopters acquired, fewer than the 44 originally outlined in a 2022 government notice. A spokesperson for Leonardo declined to comment. open image in gallery Leonardo helicopters are made at its base in Yeovil, England ( REUTERS ) A separate source told Reuters Leonardo's tender offer expires on 1 March, adding that further talks between the government and Leonardo were likely in the coming days. Sky News had reported earlier that defence minister John Healey had been due to visit the factory in Yeovil on Thursday to announce the deal but pulled out because the finance ministry had yet to sign it off. The government has previously said it needed to finalise its defence investment plan before it could award the helicopter contract. That plan has been delayed from the autumn amid media speculation about a 28 billion pound ($38 billion) hole in the military budget, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledges to boost defence spending. open image in gallery The Government appears set to sign off on a 1 billion contract with helicopter maker Leonardo ( PA ) The Yeovil facility dates back to 1915, when it was known as Westland and made planes used in World War One. It pivoted to helicopters in the 1950s and has recently produced the Merlin and Apache helicopters. As well as the 3,000 jobs on site, a further 9,000 jobs in the supply chain are supported by the factory, with many employees working across the town, Somerset and neighbouring Dorset. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in Belfast are appealing for witnesses after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalised. The monument, located within the grounds of the Belfast hospital complex named after the late monarch, was targeted. Republican group Lasair Dhearg posted a picture on social media on Friday afternoon which appeared to show a supporter pouring red paint over it. In an accompanying post, the group said Belfast activists had paid a visit to the Famine Queen a reference to the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century. British monarch Victoria oversaw the Great Hunger and the decimation of the Irish population as millions perished and emigrated, it stated. In a socialist republic all the symbols of Empire will be stripped from the land; street names, statues, institutions and those that will stand against the people organising for a better future. open image in gallery A man uses a power hose to remove red paint from the statue of Queen Victoria that was vandalised by an Irish Republican group ( Liam McBurney/PA Wire ) Only the fight for a socialist republic can bring about the end of occupation and imperialism in Ireland. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it received a report of criminal damage on the Grosvenor Road site in west Belfast on Friday afternoon. It was reported that paint was thrown over a statue in the area, the PSNI said. Inquiries are at an early stage and police would appeal to any witnesses, or anyone who might have any information which could assist us, to get in touch. Work was under way on Friday evening to remove the paint. In a statement, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: Belfast Trust is aware of an incident in which the statue of Queen Victoria, on the Royal Group of Hospitals site, was daubed with red paint. Trust staff are working to have this paint removed as quickly as possible. Police have been informed of the incident. DUP Assembly member Phillip Brett said the vandalism was an utter disgrace. He said those responsible wanted to intimidate and also erase British identity from Northern Ireland. This wasnt activism, he said. It was an attack on shared space, on heritage and on basic respect. If they truly cared about working-class communities, they would be campaigning to improve public services, not defacing public property and intimidating others. open image in gallery Police in Belfast are appealing for witnesses ( Liam McBurney/PA Wire ) We must be clear. Criminal damage is criminal damage. It should be condemned, investigated and those responsible held accountable before the courts without delay. And let me be clear to those who think they can erase British identity from Northern Ireland, we are not going anywhere. Ulster Unionist Assembly member Alan Chambers, who is the partys health spokesman, also condemned the incident. The disgraceful defacing of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism, he said. Whatever views individuals may hold about history or heritage, there is absolutely zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this manner. The Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments in their lives. It is a place dedicated to saving lives and supporting families it should never be seen as an opportunity for idiotic political protest or criminal damage. Every pound that now has to be spent repairing this damage is a pound taken away from the health service. At a time when our health service is already under immense pressure, with budgets stretched, it is utterly irresponsible that scarce resources will now have to be diverted to clean up this mess. Those responsible have shown a clear disregard not just for our shared public spaces, but for the patients and staff who rely on the Royal Victoria Hospital every day. That is why I hope they will be identified and held fully accountable. I urge anyone with information about this despicable incident to come forward. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice School support staff across the UK missed out on over 2.2 billion in potential earnings last year due to being paid solely during term time, according to new analysis. Research by the GMB union revealed that if teaching assistants, cleaners, caterers, and administrative personnel received pay for a full 52 weeks instead of 44, their annual wages could rise by as much as 4,094. The union, representing more than 100,000 school support staff, calculated that this collective shortfall for approximately 800,000 workers on term-time contracts amounted to 2.2 billion for the 2024/25 period. Stacey Booth, GMB national officer, said: Hard-up school support staff are being discriminated against by these term time-only contracts. They miss out on more than 4,000 each every single year. The teachers they work with dont have to put up with it, nor do the council workers they are lumped together with for wages. Currently, school support staff negotiate pay and conditions with the National Joint Council (NJC) ( Getty/iStock ) Unison, Unite and GMB have called for school and council workers to get a pay rise of at least 3,000 or 10% for 2026/27, whichever is greater, as well as a minimum hourly rate of 15. The unions have previously said the real value of local government pay has fallen by more than 26% since 2010, leaving many finding it hard to cope with higher household costs and energy bills. Currently, school support staff negotiate pay and conditions with the National Joint Council (NJC), the same as council workers. The Government has committed to creating a dedicated School Support Staff Negotiating Body, but it is not expected to cover support staff pay and conditions until 2027/28. GMB said the NJC has agreed to meet with unions to discuss wages this month. Meanwhile, parents are set to receive a new government-backed guide on how to formally complain to their childs school in a bid to curb a significant rise in escalated and often aggressive disputes. The comprehensive five-step process, developed by the Department for Education (DfE), charity Parentkind, and schools watchdog Ofsted, aims to foster a more "positive, respectful way" for parents to address concerns with educational institutions. When Hannah Spencer accepted her new role as the Green Party MP for Gorton and Denton in the early hours of Friday morning, she also had an apology to share. To my customers, Im sorry, but I think I might have to cancel the work that you had booked in, because Im heading to parliament, she said. Afterwards, there may well have been plenty of Manchester households clamouring to find someone new to fix their pipes or fit their heat pump. Not your average political victory speech, then. But Spencer, who managed to win 41 per cent of the vote in the longtime Labour stronghold in Greater Manchester, beating Reform to become the Green Partys fifth MP and their first candidate to win a by-election in the process, is not your average politician. And that is undoubtedly a huge part of her appeal. At 34 years old, hailing from a working-class background and as a trained plumber, Spencer will be something of a rarity in the Commons, dominated as it is by older, middle-class MPs, many of whom are career politicians who took the time-honoured route to power (a PPE degree followed by a think tank job). In fact, any one of those traits would make her pretty unusual in Westminster. Never mind the fact that she initially got into politics because she wanted to ban dog racing. Or that she adopts greyhounds (she currently has four of them: Olive, Judy, Forest and Will). Or that until a fortnight ago, she was juggling campaigning with getting up at the crack of dawn to drive down to Stoke for her plastering course (according to The Guardian, her fellow students added a sign to her workbench which read: Ministry of Plastering and Plumbing Hannah Spencer MP). But Spencer also feels like far more than the sum of these quirks. Her authenticity is striking (and certainly makes Starmers ever-repeated soundbites about being the son of a toolmaker sound even more wooden by comparison), and she is clearly a great communicator, largely by virtue of just speaking straightforwardly. And in a political era where its so common for would-be star candidates to get parachuted into constituencies they have no real passion for, purely based on polling, it is heartening to see someone with a connection to the area succeed. Spencer was born in Bolton and dropped out of school after her GCSEs, before eventually going on to launch her plumbing business and branch out into installing heat pumps. She is, she has said, very proud of those working-class roots, and has vowed to represent people from similar backgrounds when she gets to Westminster. We know how it feels to be looked down on, maybe because we didnt do well at school, maybe because we do dirty manual jobs, because we are shut out of places we should be in, she has said. She only entered politics a few years ago, when she was elected as a councillor for Hale (a much posher Manchester suburb) in 2023. The following year, she ran as the Green Partys candidate in the Greater Manchester mayoral election, ending up in fifth place. While so many politicians strain to come off as relatable (or even just vaguely human), Spencer has this nailed, probably because shes not trying to be anything other than herself. People do keep saying, Youre so relatable, and I think: Im no different to most people just walking down the street, she told Green leader Zack Polanski on his podcast, Bold Politics. But what is rare is that any of us ever manages to get into politics. And thats the difference. Instead of speaking in intangible soundbites about policy, she zeroed in on the cost of living as a major concern during her campaign. This, she has said, came as a result of her day job in plumbing, where shed constantly be in and out of peoples homes, speaking to them and hearing their worries: the boilers that havent been turned on all winter because of skyrocketing utility bills, for example. Her image is of someone who gets it because shes lived it, as opposed to someone who spends their days having chummy lunches with wealthy stakeholders and then trots out a tired soundbite about hard-working people. open image in gallery Spencer won over younger voters by focusing not only on environmental issues but also on the cost of living crisis ( Hannah Spencer ) Focusing on, say, rising bills and rent controls rather than on some of the Green Partys trademark environmental policies was certainly a canny approach at a time when, frankly, many are so worn down by the sheer expense of existing that thinking properly about a greener future can feel a bit like a luxury. Im fighting for lower bills, for neighbourhoods scarred by austerity and underinvestment, and to stop the privatisation of the NHS, Spencer wrote before the by-election. Ive felt many of the pressures my neighbours face, which is why Im determined to take their voices to parliament. This emphasis will almost certainly have helped win over younger voters in my age bracket. People in their twenties and thirties are largely bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, stuck endlessly renting while their pay stagnates and their elders berate them for living out some sort of extended adolescence. Most of us, I reckon, arent looking to find a convenient scapegoat for these problems; we just want the needle to move in the right direction and feel a bit whisper it hopeful, rather than getting roundly slagged off for not having kids or not living an entirely monastic life to scrape together a house deposit. I dont think its extreme or radical to think working hard should get you a nice life, Spencer said in her victory speech. Im fighting for lower bills, for neighbourhoods scarred by austerity and underinvestment, and to stop the privatisation of the NHS Hannah Spencer It was perhaps inevitable, though, that Spencers authenticity would be called into question. After all, it can sometimes feel like theres nothing the British love more than assessing whether someone who identifies as working class does, in fact, meet some austere and ideologically perfect definition of that demographic, and pulling off a gotcha! moment when said person fails to stand up to that criteria. And so Spencer ended up having her credentials put under the microscope and being painted by her detractors as some kind of fake plumber. Ive been a plumber for nearly 20 years, she told the New Statesman in February. What do they want, to see a toilet Ive fixed? It was a throwaway but clever response that only doubled down on that sense of relatability. Its hard to imagine a more establishment candidate offering that kind of retort; the undercurrent of slightly exasperated humour feels very Northern, too. open image in gallery Spencer speaks after being declared the winner on Friday morning ( Getty ) Her critics, meanwhile, have accused the Greens of attempting to stir up division during the campaign, too, by appealing to Muslim voters over the war in Gaza and releasing a video in Urdu featuring a photo of Starmer with the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist. Spencer, for her part, described those claims as disappointing, and stressed that she had reached out to tens of thousands of people across the constituency. In a by-election that has been called one of the most fraught in recent memory, this hasnt been the only bit of mud slung at her. Spencers living arrangements were also brandished as some kind of black mark against her working-class credentials when it emerged that she owns two homes, including one in leafy Altrincham that seemed to morph in the minds of her critics, at least into a mega-mansion as the campaign went on. While the right-wing press slammed her as a hypocrite, this narrative was debunked in a snappily titled piece from the Manchester Evening News, which aimed to clear up the whole palaver with the Ronseal headline of: No, Hannah Spencer doesnt live in a massive house with a weird chimney. And her former partner even got dragged into the misinformation when it was claimed that she was married to a top executive at the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca (her ex did work there, but as a scientist, and although they bought that much-discussed Altrincham home together, they were never married). She brushed off rumours of this wealthy husband on the campaign trail with a snappy: I cant even get a text back. Relatable without feeling forced this is textbook Spencer and the kind of plain-speaking politician the country craves. They are the hopeful antidote to the stale and wooden performances coming out of Westminster that feel so utterly hopeless. It isnt about being Northern and working class, it is about connecting with how most of the country are feeling. These are the fresh-air politicians whose party you want to go to because you feel like it might be fun, even when things are hard. After her historic victory, all eyes will certainly be on her as she hops on the Avanti Pendolino from Manchester Piccadilly to kickstart her Westminster career. But before that, shell be celebrating. With karaoke, of course. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons has dramatically resigned amid a probe into claims a Labour think tank he once ran paid for an investigation to smear journalists. Mr Simons said he was stepping down his role at the heart of Downing Street because he had become a distraction from this government's important work. He was previously a director of Labour Together, succeeding Keir Starmers controversial former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, and is facing accusations he employed a PR company to discredit reporters who were investigating party donations. open image in gallery Labour MP Josh Simons has resigned from the government (House of Commons/PA) ( House of Commons ) Mr Simons has always denied the allegations, claiming APCO had only been taken on to deal with a leak of confidential information from Labour Together, but demands for him to be sacked had increased. His resignation is another blow for the embattled prime minister, and comes after Labours humiliating third place finish in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with MPs on the left of party using the probe into Mr Simons to exert further pressure. Labour Together was at the centre of Sir Keir Starmers attempts to reclaim the Labour Party from Jeremy Corbyn and allies on the left. Now left-wing Labour MPs Richard Burgon and John McDonnell have confirmed to The Independent that they have requested all documents relating to them from both the think tank and APCO. Mr Simons had been cleared by ethics advisor Laurie Magnus but nevertheless said his continued place in the government was a distraction. In his resignation letter, Mr Simons said: I welcome that Sir Laurie Magnus has cleared me of breaching the Ministerial Code. It was important to me to complete this process to prove that I behaved with integrity and that my public statements have been truthful and honest. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer accepted the resignation (Scott Heppell/PA) ( PA Wire ) Nonetheless, it is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this governments important work. For that reason, and with sadness and regret, I offer my resignation. He insisted that the work of journalists sustains our democracy. With rigour and objectivity, they hold those in positions of power to account. In an age when trust in politics is low, anything perceived to be an attack on their integrity and independence deserves thorough investigation. But he added: As I have said many times, I never sought to smear these newspaper reporters. I have not been able to go into detail on these claims while this investigation has been ongoing. Nevertheless, the resignation is unlikely to mean that the controversy will go away. Labour MP Clive Lewis, one of the MPs who was believed to be targeted by Labour Together, warned that the failure to remove Mr Simons earlier reflected badly on a prime minister whose judgement is already being questioned. He said: Josh Simons should have resigned weeks ago. Failing that, he should have been dismissed. That he wasnt speaks volumes. A prime minister who is serious about standards doesnt wait for an ethics adviser to state the obvious. Sir Laurie Magnus has now concluded what many could see from the start: that a minister attempted to undermine and smear journalists for doing their job. Asking questions. Holding power to account. That is not a grey area. It is a basic test of democratic instinct. Instead of acting decisively, the prime minister chose to wait. He chose process over principle. And in doing so, he projected weakness where clarity was required. He added: History rarely remembers the technicalities or the delays. It remembers whether leaders were prepared to make simple moral decisions when they mattered. The question now is why the prime minister felt unable to act himself, and why he needed cover to do what should have been done from the outset. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also blasted Sir Keir for failing to sack Mr Simons and insisted there are still questions to answer. She said: Keir Starmer has used the conflict in the Middle East to sneak out yet another ministerial resignation. Another time hes lacked the backbone to sack a minister who was obviously in the wrong. Josh Simons was in charge of a group that deliberately smeared journalists, even using a journalists Jewish faith to call him into question. Labour hasnt changed. The think tank Labour Together has donated or provided support to over 100 Labour MPs, including many of the cabinet. Their former staff members are in positions of influence across government, including serving as civil servants. Simons has resigned so its clear Labour Together is utterly finished as an organisation. Keir Starmer must tell us immediately if he will now end Labour Togethers links with his government and return the tainted money theyve donated. The subject access request by a number of Labour MPs who were allied to Mr Corbyn is aimed at looking at the role of Labour Together in forcing him out and installing Sir Keir as leader. Added to that the question marks over treatment of journalists came at a time when Sir Keir has been accused of trying to reduce press access in the Commons and to his government. Since the new year his government cancelled one of the daily lobby press briefings and he has directed a number of the questions at press conferences to Labour friendly social media influencers instead of journalists. Sir Keir thanked Mr Simon in his response to the resignation, adding: As you note in your letter, freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy. The government remains firmly committed to upholding and protecting that freedom. It is essential that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear or favour, including holding politicians of all parties to account on behalf of the public we serve. A Cabinet Office source added: In stepping aside despite being cleared, Josh has shown hes the type of person to take responsibility and put the long term direction of the government first. He'll not give up his energy in driving the party and this country forward." Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer said British planes were in the sky to protect allies in the Middle East as he condemned Irans retaliatory strikes on its neighbours in response to attacks by the US and Israel. Speaking for the first time since Donald Trump authorised a joint US-Israeli preemptive strike on Iran over its nuclear weapons programme, the prime minister made it clear that the UK had not taken part. However, he condemned the authoritarian regime in Iran and demanded that it end its attempts to develop nuclear weapons and stamp down on protesters in its country. Explosions were heard over Tehran on Saturday morning after the coordinated preventative attack, which has prompted retaliatory attacks from Iran towards Israel. President Trump confirmed a major combat operation in an eight-minute speech posted to Truth Social, stating Iran could never have a nuclear weapon and adding: Its been mass terror, and were not going to take it any longer. open image in gallery Smoke rises over Tehran after military strikes ( AP ) Sir Keir chaired an emergency Cobra security meeting on Saturday morning and has increased military and security at the UKs military bases in Cyprus. He also discussed the crisis in a three-way telephone call with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz. Speaking to the nation from Downing Street, Sir Keir warned that the situation was evolving very quickly. The prime minister said: I condemn Irans attacks today on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict, we extend our support and solidarity to them as part of our commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East. We have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which weve recently strengthened. Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before, in line with international law. He added: Weve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them. He also said that the Ayatollah regime in Tehran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and accused it of trying to instigate at least 20 terrorist attacks on the UK in the last year alone. He said: We have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community. However, the UK government is at odds with the Trump administration, having denied permission for the US to use RAF bases for the strikes because of concerns over international law. open image in gallery Keir Starmer made a statement on the crisis ( Getty ) In an earlier joint statement, Sir Keir, Chancellor Merz and President Macron also avoided any condemnation of US actions with Israel. They said: We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. It comes after former UK national security adviser Peter Ricketts warned that the UK would not consider the attacks by the US to be legal. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: None of this, I think, is in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise. There was really no imminent threat to the US. This is action that they chose to undertake, or were dragged into it by the Israelis. The UK and US have been at odds over Middle East policy, with Sir Keir refusing to take a role in Mr Trumps Board of Peace for Gaza, although former prime minister Sir Tony Blair has accepted a seat on it. President Trump was also angered over the UKs decision, along with France and other allies, to recognise the state of Palestine. But the row over the use of RAF bases in Cyprus to bomb Iran is also understood to have had wider implications, with President Trump withdrawing his support for Sir Keirs Chagos Islands deal to cede the British territory to Mauritius. open image in gallery Lord Ricketts warns the strikes are not legal in a way the UK would recognise ( Getty ) However, Mr Trumps biggest ally in the UK, Nigel Farage, said the government should allow the US to use British bases to carry out strikes against Iran. In a post on X, he said: The prime minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran! Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also gave her backing to the strikes on Iran. She said: I stand with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime. The same regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, that seeks to build nuclear weapons that would threaten our country and that brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Meanwhile, a senior Labour MP warned that the UK should resist being drawn into a conflict in the Middle East. Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme she did not think the US-Israeli strikes were legal. Asked whether the UK should resist being drawn into the conflict, Dame Emily said: Absolutely, unless were attacked ourselves, which, as I say, unfortunately this morning, we dont know whether we will be because there may be attacks by the Iranians on Western bases in the Arab Gulf, and so then the situation may change. We just dont know. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice South Africa is set to deploy its army to tackle rampant crime, a move described by President Cyril Ramaphosa as essential for the nation's future. The deployment, an unusual step for Africa's leading democracy, will target organised crime, gang violence, and illegal mining in areas plagued by some of the world's highest rates of violent crime. President Ramaphosa stated that soldiers would be sent to combat what he described as the "most immediate threat" to South Africas democracy and economic development. The operation will span three of the countrys nine provinces, though a specific timeline for the deployment has not been provided. However, the decision has drawn criticism, with some observers suggesting the army's involvement signals an admission that the Ramaphosa government is struggling to control the escalating crime wave. With a population of some 3.8 million, the stunningly beautiful Cape Town is South Africa's second-largest city and one of its top tourist attractions. But the neighborhoods on its outskirts, known as the Cape Flats, are notorious for deadly gang violence. Street gangs with names such as the Americans, the Hard Livings and the Terrible Josters have for years battled for control of the illegal drug trade, while also being involved in extortion rackets, prostitution and contract killings. Bystanders, including children, are often caught in the crossfire and killed in gang-related shootings. According to the latest crime statistics, South Africa's three police precincts with the most serious crime rates are all in and around Cape Town. Ramaphosa said one part of the army would deploy in the Western Cape province, where Cape Town is located and which statistics say has around 90% of the country's gang-related killings. Two other provinces, he said, would also see troop deployments: Gauteng, which is home to Johannesburg, South Africas biggest city, and the Eastern Cape province. open image in gallery South African Defense Forces patrol downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, March 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The outskirts of Johannesburg and the wider Gauteng province are dotted with abandoned mine shafts and authorities there have long grappled with illegal gold mining. They say the mining gang, known as zama zamas, are typically run by heavily armed crime syndicates, brutal in protecting their operations. They use informal miners recruited from desperate and impoverished communities to go into the shafts, searching for leftover precious deposits. These gangs are often connected to high-profile violence, including a 2022 case that shocked South Africa when around 80 alleged illegal miners were accused of gang raping eight women who were part of a music video shoot at an abandoned mine. Last year, a standoff between police and illegal miners in an abandoned mine left at least 87 miners dead after police took a hard-line approach and cut off their food supplies in an attempt to force them out. The illegal miners are often involved in other crimes in nearby communities, analysts say, and turf battles between rival gangs have forced people to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere. Authorities say there are an estimated 30,000 illegal miners in South Africa, operating in some of its 6,000 abandoned mine shafts. The government has noted an increase in illegal mining, which it estimates is worth more than $4 billion a year in gold lost to criminal syndicates. The trade is believed to be predominantly controlled by migrants from neighboring Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, stoking anger among South African communities against both the criminal bosses and foreigners living in the local community. open image in gallery South African National Defense Forces patrol the Men's Hostel in the densely populated Alexandra township east of Johannesburg, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Ramaphosa is well aware that South Africans old enough to remember the years of forced racial segregation under the apartheid system, which ended in 1994, likely will recall images of troops deployed to suppress pro-democracy protests. Mindful of that painful past, he said it was important not to deploy the army without a good reason. But he said it has now "become necessary due to a surge in violent organized crime that threatens the safety of our people and the authority of the state. Ramaphosa sought to calm concerns by saying the army would operate under police command. There have been other recent deployments of South African troops. In 2023, soldiers fanned out into the streets after a series of truck burnings raised concerns over wider public disorder. And around 25,000 troops were deployed in 2021 to quell violent riots sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. South Africa also used soldiers to enforce strict lockdown rules during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Crime experts have expressed concern over Ramaphosa's latest deployment plans, insisting the army is not a long-term solution to fighting crime and soldiers are not experts in domestic law enforcement. Firoz Cachalia, the country's police minister, has backed Ramaphosa and insisted the army will act in support of police and "their operations in particular locations. He said the deployment is time-limited and meant to stabilize areas where people are losing their lives every day. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Immigration officials reportedly employed a deceptive tactic, posing as police officers searching for a missing child, to gain entry to a Columbia University residential building in an attempt to apprehend an international student. The operation unfolded on Thursday after a 911 call reported two "suspicious" men in dark clothing inside the building. When New York Police Department officers arrived, they discovered US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents already present. According to a statement from Columbia University, the agents presented a "missing child" flyer to a campus safety officer, falsely claiming to be police. This ruse allowed them access to the apartment of Ellie Aghayeva, an international student from Azerbaijan, who immigration officials allege had overstayed her visa. A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed that their officers arrived after the agents had entered Ms Aghayeva's apartment. Upon verifying the men were federal agents, the NYPD officers promptly left the premises. The arrest has prompted widespread censure and calls for investigation by Democrats, as well as a surprising intervention by President Donald Trump. The Republican informed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani that Aghayeva was being released shortly after meeting with the Democratic mayor Thursday. As new details emerge, the operation has also threatened to open a rift between the citys police department and ICE, whose agents have increasingly donned the disguises of utility workers, delivery drivers and other uniformed professionals to carry out Trump's sweeping deportation campaign. While such tactics are not illegal, former police officers said the apparent misrepresentation at Columbia represented a startling escalation, one that could gravely undermine public trust during the next emergency. If the police are actually looking for a child in danger, people are now going to be more hesitant to help, said Michael Alcazar, a retired hostage negotiator with the NYPD. Almost immediately, this sort of ICE subterfuge is going to make the job of police officers more difficult. open image in gallery A New York City police officer keeps watch on the campus of Columbia University in New York, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, has disputed portions of the universitys narrative, claiming the federal agents verbally identified themselves and visibly wore badges around their necks and were allowed into the building by a property manager. McLaughlin did not respond to repeated questions about whether the agents had used the guise of a missing child to enter the apartment. Claire Shipman, the university's acting president, said on Thursday that security cameras had captured the agents in the hallway showing pictures of the alleged missing child, adding that the situation was utterly unacceptable. Columbia has so far declined to release that footage. The NYPD also declined to share body camera footage of their response. A department spokesperson said the officers had followed the law by not interfering in an active federal investigation. Aghayeva's arrest has prompted protests at Columbia, along with fear and confusion. Her friends said that she was in her final semester on an international student visa, studying neuroscience and politics. In an emergency petition filed Thursday, her attorneys wrote she was not given a reason for the arrest. A spokesperson for DHS said Aghayevas visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. She remains in removal proceedings despite her release, the spokesperson said. Jeffrey Fagan, a law professor at Columbia who studies policing, said research has shown that deceptive tactics by police are especially likely to hurt law enforcement legitimacy when they resulted in an arrest perceived to be unjustified. Anybody looking at this is going to immediately think it's unjustified, he said. So that will erode trust in a relevant community the next time officers need cooperation. Peter Moskos, a professor of criminal justice at John Jay University and former Baltimore City police officer, agreed. He noted that sanctuary policies were originally meant to enhance public safety by building trust between immigrant communities and police. The idea is that you would trust the cops and call the cops when you need them and know you wouldnt be deported, he said. But ICE seems to be doing everything they can to break down trust. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A former South Sudan finance minister is the latest former government official arrested in a wave of detentions that analysts say shows cracks in the government of President Salva Kiir, who also faces an armed rebellion. The latest arrest came Friday when Bak Barnaba Chol was taken into custody while attempting to cross the border into Uganda. His arrest followed that of another former minister of finance and planning, Marial Dongrin Ater, who was fired in August. In the past week, a former central bank governor, a former undersecretary for the ministry of petroleum, and a general in the domestic intelligence agency previously posted to the same ministry have been detained. The exact reasons for the arrests remain unclear. Government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told local media outlet Eye Radio that the arrests were not political and were a direct response to irregularities identified within the monetary system. He said that a committee was investigating financial malpractices. Edmund Yakani, a prominent civic leader, said Saturday that the mood in Juba was tense among politicians fearing detention. So far, these arrests have mostly targeted financial institutions, but if the arrests carry into the security sectors it will be very dangerous," he said. Daniel Akech of the International Crisis Group said the arrests showed a narrowing of the president's big tent coalition, which he has relied on for years to maintain control of a fractured political landscape. The war in Sudan is hurting South Sudans economy, which is overwhelmingly dependent on oil exports. All of South Sudans oil flows through pipelines in Sudan. Since the South Sudan war began in 2023, pipeline ruptures have at times put more than 60% of oil production offline. The World Bank estimates that South Sudans economy shrunk 24% in 2025. In 2024, the International Crisis Group warned that the disruption of oil production could lead to much wider political violence as Kiir runs out of petrodollars to keep South Sudans rivalrous generals and warlords on his side. The regime is already facing an armed rebellion. Opposition leader Riek Machar is under house arrest and on trial for alleged subversion, charges he denies. Many of his allies have since been arrested or purged from the government. Kiir suspended Machar as his deputy in September after Machar faced criminal charges. Machar's removal coincided with a sharp increase in violence. The U.N. estimates that thousands were killed in 2025 and 280,000 people have been displaced since December. A U.N. inquiry has found that South Sudan's leaders are systematically dismantling the 2018 peace agreement, signed to end a civil war and return Machar to a unity government with Kiir. Washington is urging peace talks again. ___ Falzetta reported from Nairobi, Kenya. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee emerged from a six-hour deposition with former President Bill Clinton with sharply contrasting takeaways particularly when it came to President Donald Trumps relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. During the closed-door proceedings in upstate New York, Clinton was peppered with questions about the billionaire pedophile including whether or not he had sex with an unidentified woman pictured in the Epstein files. The former two-term Democratic president stressed that he did nothing wrong, that he saw nothing that ever gave me pause and that he cut ties with the convicted sex offender long before his 2008 guilty plea. Following the deposition Friday, Republican lawmakers thanked Clinton for his cooperation, with Rep. Nancy Mace telling reporters that he did attempt to respond to every single question asked, even when his attorneys told him to shut up. GOP officials also claimed that Clintons testimony absolved Trump of wrongdoing, while Democrats contended that it actually raised more questions than it answered about the 79-year-old president. Both Clinton and Trump have denied wrongdoing associated with Epstein. Neither has been charged with a crime associated with him. open image in gallery Former President Bill Clinton sat for a six-hour deposition with House Oversight Committee members about his relationship with Epstein ( AP ) Video of the proceeding is expected to be released soon and lawmakers have said that more people will be brought in to testify. Here are the main takeaways from Bill Clintons deposition. Democrats and Republicans sparred over Trump's relationship with Epstein Democratic members of the committee told reporters that Clintons testimony raised more questions about why Trump and Epstein stopped being friends in the early 2000s. In fact, President Clinton confirmed that he knew Trump and Epstein had a close relationship and said Trump reported having great times with Epstein, Oversight Democrats wrote in a statement. Trump, who has always maintained his innocence related to Epstein, has said he stopped being friends with Epstein because he kicked him out of Mar-a-Lago after learning Epstein acted inappropriately with women. But Republican Chairman James Comer had a different takeaway claiming Clinton exonerated Trump of wrongdoing. He stated that he has no information that President Trump did anything wrong, and that President Trump never said anything to Clinton to make him think that he was involved with Epstein, Comer said in a statement. open image in gallery Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, urged Republicans to release the transcript and video of the Clintons' depositions within 24 hours ( Reuters ) Bill Clinton said I did nothing wrong The former president adamantly stated in his opening remarks that while he once knew Epstein, he knew nothing of Epsteins crimes and never participated. "I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing, Clinton told lawmakers. Bill Clinton has always maintained his position of innocence, despite unflattering photos that have emerged, which have led to speculation. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that, at the end of the day, matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn't see. I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn't do. I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong, Clinton said. The former president added that as someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane. I would have turned him in myself. Lawmakers asked Bill Clinton about photos in Epstein files The former president was reportedly asked about photos where he appears alongside Epstein and occasionally women. The photos were unveiled by the Justice Department as part of the Epstein files. One photo in particular shows Bill Clinton reclined in a jacuzzi with a woman whose face is redacted. When asked if he knew the women, the former president said he did not. When asked if he had ever had sex with the woman, Clinton said he did not, sources told CNN. The former president specifically told members of the committee that his memory may not be able to recall some of the details from years ago. open image in gallery Bill Clinton insisted he did not know the identity of the woman pictured with him in a jacuzzi in the Epstein files ( DOJ ) Bill Clinton criticized lawmakers for deposing Hillary Clinton As part of his opening statements, Clinton criticized lawmakers for forcing his wife, Hillary Clinton, to also sit for a six-hour closed-door deposition Thursday. You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties. Whether you subpoenaed 10 people or 10,000, including her was simply not right, Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton has consistently said she did not know Epstein well, had never been to his home or offices, never flown on his jet and didnt remember meeting him. open image in gallery Hillary Clinton, appearing after her deposition Thursday, said lawmakers asked her unrelated questions during her six-hour testimony ( AFP/Getty ) Democrats accused Republican committee members of subpoenaing Hillary Clinton for a political show, saying they asked unrelated questions about UFOs, conspiracy theories and her personal feelings. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, meanwhile, accused the former secretary of state ofscreaming and being unhinged during her deposition. A spokesperson for Hillary Clinton called Mace full of s***. GOP lawmaker appeared to share photo from closed-door briefing Hours after the deposition, Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, posted a photo that appeared to depict Clinton as he testified before lawmakers. It came one day after Boebert reportedly leaked a photo of Hillary Clinton during her own deposition to a right-wing influencer, which was posted online. The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffrey Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee, MAGA influencer Benny Johnson wrote on X. This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy. After the post, the proceedings briefly went off the record in order to determine what happened and whether any rules had been violated, Clinton adviser Nick Merrill said. While recorded, both depositions were held behind closed doors against the wishes of the Clintons. What comes next? After Clintons deposition, Republican committee members emphasized that their investigation remains ongoing, noting they still seek answers about Epstein including about the source of his wealth and the network of individuals connected to him. Were going to bring more people in, Comer told reporters. Were not finished. In addition to the Clintons, the committee deposed billionaire Les Wexner, a longtime Epstein associate, in Ohio earlier this month. When asked whether Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would be brought in to testify, Comer urged viewers to stay tuned. We have a lot of questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post conviction, the first conviction, he said. Earlier in the day, Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, said he believes they have enough votes to subpoena Lutnick, who admitted to visiting Epsteins private island in 2012. When it came to Trump, Republicans struck a different tune, claiming there was no need to bring the president before the committee as they said without evidence that he has been exonerated of wrongdoing. Democrats, on the other hand, have repeatedly called for Trump to face questions about his relationship with Epstein. If Donald Trump, according to them, is exonerated, then why did Secretary Hillary Clinton who's literally never met Jeffrey Epstein come before us? Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat, told CNN on Friday evening. By that standard, Donald Trump should come before this committee. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev (C, front) learns about medical achievements before the inauguration ceremony of China-SCO Cooperation Center for Metabolic Diseases in Shanghai, east China, on Feb. 27, 2026. The center is the first national-level specialized cooperation platform hosted by Shanghai under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework . It aims to foster collaboration among SCO nations to collectively address and systematically manage the challenges of metabolic diseases, ultimately enhancing the well-being of people across all member states. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming) Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev speaks at the inauguration ceremony of China-SCO Cooperation Center for Metabolic Diseases in Shanghai, east China, on Feb. 27, 2026. The center is the first national-level specialized cooperation platform hosted by Shanghai under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework . It aims to foster collaboration among SCO nations to collectively address and systematically manage the challenges of metabolic diseases, ultimately enhancing the well-being of people across all member states. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming) Ning Guang, president of Ruijin Hospital, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of China-SCO Cooperation Center for Metabolic Diseases in Shanghai, east China, on Feb. 27, 2026. The center is the first national-level specialized cooperation platform hosted by Shanghai under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework . It aims to foster collaboration among SCO nations to collectively address and systematically manage the challenges of metabolic diseases, ultimately enhancing the well-being of people across all member states. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming) Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In a rare public address, former President Joe Biden has taken repeated swipes at President Donald Trump including over his State of the Union address, the Epstein controversy and the war in Ukraine. At one point, he declared, Theres something wrong with this guy. The remarks were made during a 20-minute speech in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, where Democratic leaders gathered to commemorate Bidens decades of public service. My friends, I cant sugarcoat this, the 83-year-old former president told a crowd of supporters. These are dark days. The threats we face today are not anything new but theyve been amplified in the ways we have never seen before. Our future is literally on the line. Biden stated that Trump is attempting to steal the election, claiming he is putting up barriers to dissuade Americans from voting. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. open image in gallery Former President Joe Biden criticized President Donald Trump's lengthy State of the Union address, telling a South Carolina crowd: 'Is he still talking?' ( Getty Images ) The former president who dropped out of the 2024 race amid concerns about his mental and physical fitness went on to criticize Trump over his handling of a host of issues. "Did you see Trump give the State of the Union? Is he still talking? Biden said, referencing the presidents record-breaking address to Congress this week. It's unbelievable, the guy talks almost two hours but never mentions the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine. Never once, he said. He noted that, during his prime-time address, Trump did not offer support or even recognition to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein seated in the House chamber. Nor, Biden said, did he mention Renee Good or Alex Pretti the two Americans killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. open image in gallery Biden criticized the president over his recent State of the Union address, noting that he failed to mention Epsteins victims or the Americans killed by federal immigration agents ( Getty Images ) Biden, who is being treated for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, also appeared to address a video posted to Trumps Truth Social account which depicted the Obamas as primates. He has not said a word, he meaning Trump, about the racist comments he wrote about Barack and Michelle, the former president said. The White House has said that a staffer erroneously made the post. It was taken down several hours after condemnation by politicians on both sides of the aisle. Bidens speech was peppered with references to his White House accomplishments juxtaposed against Trumps. He stated that his jobs numbers outstripped those of his successor and that he worked to strengthen the health care system, while Trump has attempted to weaken it. Trump, for his part, has repeatedly derided Biden as incompetent, blamed him for unchecked illegal immigration and for weaponizing the Department of Justice against him. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice MAGA rebels Thomas Massie and former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene have led criticism of Donald Trumps military operations in Iran, describing the policy as America Last and calling for a congressional vote on the strikes. We said No More Foreign Wars, No More Regime Change! We said it on rally stage after rally stage, speech after speech, Greene wrote in a lengthy social media post Saturday. There are 93 million people in Iran, let them liberate themselves. But Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons. Yeah sure. We have been spoon fed that line for decades and Trump told us all that his bombing this past summer completely wiped it all out. Its always a lie and its always America Last. Kentucky Rep. Massie, who has become a thorn in Trumps side for his bipartisan efforts in forcing the release of the Epstein files, said he would work to ensure a Congressional vote on further conflict in Iran. I am opposed to this War. This is not America First, he wrote. When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war. Congress is not expected to be back in session before Wednesday. open image in gallery MAGA rebels Thomas Massie and former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene have led criticism of Donald Trumps military operations in Iran ( Getty ) Greene and Massie, who were previously the only two Republican lawmakers to speak out publicly over the Trump administrations previous action in Iran, echoed sentiments by prominent Democrats including House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. Jeffries accused Trump of putting U.S. troops in a dangerous theater of war, writing: The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people. Iran is a bad actor and must be aggressively confronted for its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions, support of terrorism and the threat it poses to our allies like Israel and Jordan in the region. However, absent exigent circumstances, the Trump administration must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. Schumer said he had previously implored Secretary of State Marco Rubio to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of operations in Iran. Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home, Schumer said, adding President Trumps fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy. open image in gallery Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. military had undertaken major operations in Iran, alongside Israeli forces, on Saturday ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Passed in 1973, the War Powers Act requires that the White House brief Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and then must withdraw troops within 60 days unless Congress has declared war or given military authorization. The White House may request an additional 30-day extension. But as Republicans control the House and Senate, it has become increasingly unlikely. Earlier this year, five Republicans voted with Democrats on a War Powers Act resolution to prohibit Trump from further military action in Venezuela. But then two of them Senators. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana flipped their votes to kill the resolution after Trump publicly attacked them. Elsewhere Saturday, GOP Senator Rand Paul also lamented the operations, writing: As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war. However, Trump allies backed the president and his message that the strikes against Iran had been necessary. open image in gallery NBC News live feed airs a clip from U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social video announcement in the White House James S. Brady Press Briefing Room ( Getty ) Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions, House Speaker Mike Johnson said. President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regimes sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americansand even their own people. Senator John Thune, Senate majority leader, added: For years, Irans relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory, and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. service members, citizens in the region, and many of our allies. Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats. At least one Democrat also backed Trump Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman tweeted: Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do whats right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel. With additional reporting by Eric Garcia Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A senior Democrat suggested Saturday that Donald Trump may be too mentally incapacitated to understand the harm of his policy on Iran, following coordinated airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel. Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of U.S. meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East? Senator Tim Kaine said in a statement. Is he too mentally incapacitated to realize that we had a diplomatic agreement with Iran that was keeping its nuclear program in check, until he ripped it up during his first term? Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, was referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark agreement with Iran which was backed by multiple other world powers and signed under former president Barack Obama in 2015. The plan saw Iran agree to limit its capability to stockpile and enrich uranium, and to allow inspections of its nuclear sites, in exchange for significant relief on sanctions. open image in gallery Trump confirmed the U.S. involvement of strikes on Iran in an eight-minute video on Truth Social early Saturday, stating that major combat operations had begun ( Truth Social ) It was backed by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council the U.S., China, Britain, France and Russia and by the European Union. However, critics pointed out that some of the clauses in the agreement would sunset after 10 or 15 years and said the deal did nothing to curb Irans missile program. Trump called the JCPOA horrible and unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in May 2018. Kaine added: For months, I have raised hell about the fact that the American people want lower prices, not more warespecially wars that arent authorized by Congress, as required by the Constitution, and dont have a clear objective. These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action. Trump confirmed the U.S. involvement of strikes on Iran in an eight-minute video on Truth Social early Saturday, stating that major combat operations had begun. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, the president said. open image in gallery Senator Tim Kaine asked whether the president had learned nothing from decades of U.S. meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East ( Getty Images ) He said Tehran's "menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world and reiterated that the regime must never produce nuclear weapons. "For 47 years," Trump added, "the Iranian regime has chanted 'Death to America' and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed It's been mass terror, and we're not going to take it any longer." open image in gallery Explosions have been seen and heard in Tehran and surrounding areas ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Trump also acknowledged that the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and that we may have casualties. That often happens in war, he said. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a similar statement, confirming Tel Avivs involvement in the operations. Some U.S. lawmakers echoed Kaines concerns, with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie writing: I am opposed to this War. This is not America First. When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. open image in gallery An NBC News live feed airs a clip from U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social video announcement in the White House James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on February 28, 2026 in Washington, DC ( Getty Images ) The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war. However others backed the president, with Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of the president and seen as a longstanding foreign policy hawk, writing that Trumps speech would go down in history as the catalyst for the most historic change in the Middle East in a thousand years. I am confident this operation will be successful and the liberation of the long suffering people of Iran is at hand, Graham wrote. From their liberation the path toward peace and prosperity for the region and throughout the world will be long and wide. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice After releasing a video statement in the early hours of Saturday revealing that U.S. forces were carrying out a series of airstrikes on Iran, President Donald Trump quickly turned to one of his favorite pastimes complaining about his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden. At 2:30 a.m., Trump announced that the U.S. was joining with Israel to attack Iran. He justified the attack by claiming it would "protect Americans." "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said in a video he posted concurrent with the strikes. Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implored Iranians to use the chaos to revolt, before Trump offered a third justification one going back to 2020. In a post around 4 a.m., Trump shared a message complaining about Iran's alleged interference in the 2020 and 2024 U.S. presidential elections. After announcing joint U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump spent the overnight hours of February 28 making social media posts about the 2020 and 2024 elections ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social ) Iran tried to interfere in 2020, 2024 elections to stop Trump, and now faces renewed war with United States, he wrote on Truth Social alongside a link to a far-right media site. The post was a reference to charges brought against three members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who allegedly hacked Trump's campaign in 2024. Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland said that Iran's cyber operations aimed at the U.S. had grown more aggressive around the election. Just a few minutes after referencing the hack, Trump shared another post from the same right-wing website. The article Trump shared was headlined As Georgia prosecutor pursued Trump, Biden DOJ invited her to get lucrative grant, memos show. Trump has never gotten over his defeat in 2020, and still makes the baseless claim that he only lost due to widespread voter fraud. Multiple investigations and court cases sparked by his claims have failed to come up with any evidence to support his claims. During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, he again insisted, without providing evidence, that the Democrats were cheating to win elections. The cheating is rampant in our elections. Its rampant. They want to cheat. They have cheated. And their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat and were going to stop it," Trump said. He also bitterly noted that he was in the first year of his second term, and said it "should be my third term. U.S. presidents since the 1950s have been constitutionally barred from serving more than two full terms. Trump and Netanyahu's attack on Iran reportedly targeted Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The leader's status as of this report is unknown. It has also prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, scheduled for 4 p.m. EST on Saturday. Iran has retaliated against the strike by attacking Israel and U.S. assets in the immediate region, primarily military bases and military targets. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump, who joined Israel in joint military strikes on Iran in the early morning hours of February 28, had some strong opinions against going to war with Tehran before he was sitting in the Oval Office. In 2012 and 2013, Trump repeatedly insinuated that then-President Barack Obama would start a war with Iran to shore up his re-election effort and to distract from his supposed faults as a leader. Obama never did attack Iran. That cannot be said for Trump, who has now attacked the Middle Eastern republic three times during across his two terms in office. On January 17, 2012, Trump wrote on social media that he believed Obama would "attack Iran in order to get re-elected." He repeated his prediction in August of that year, insisting that Obama would, "in some form" attack Iran before the election. open image in gallery Years before taking the Oval Office and launching military attacks on Iran, Donald Trump accused then-President Barack Obama of attacking Iran to help him win his re-election and to shore up national support ( AFP via Getty Images ) He did it again on October 9, 2012. "Now that Obama's poll numbers are in tailspin - watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate," Trump wrote. Later that same month, Trump warned the GOP not to "let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in oder too get elected--be careful Republicans!" On at least three other occasions, Trump predicted that Obama would attack Iran, claiming he would do so to "save face," or "because of his inability to negotiate properly" or to "show how tough he is." Now, eight months before what is predicted to be a brutal midterm election cycle for Republicans, Trump has launched a military strike on Iran with the purpose of driving regime change in the nation. Trump isn't the only one in his administration giving mixed messages about Iran. open image in gallery Vice President JD Vance, before taking office, said he hoped that the U.S. learn its lessons from the Iraq war and that he hopes we do better in the future ( Getty ) In 2023, just before becoming the vice president, JD Vance wrote on social media that he hoped the U.S. had learned its lesson after the Iraq war, in which he had served. "Twenty years ago we invaded Iraq. The war killed many innocent Iraqis and Americans. It destroyed the oldest Christian populations in the world. It cost over $1 trillion, and turned Iraq into a satellite of Iran," he wrote. "It was an unforced disaster, and I pray that we learn its lessons." He continued, saying that "even though I was just a kid, I still feel guilty for supporting the war." Vance then said that Trump's opposition to the Iraq war was the "most significant" contributor to what changed his mind about the president, whom he had once fiercely opposed and suggested could become Americas Hitler. "I hope we do better in the future. And I know that we won't until the people who led us into Iraq are scorned and ignored across the spectrum," he wrote at the time. "Iraq was a disaster, yes, but the best way to do justice to the honored dead is to learn the lessons purchased by their blood." open image in gallery Stephen Miller, now the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, warned voters in 2024 that voting for then-Vice President Kamala Harris was a vote for WWIII, while voting for Donald Trump would be a vote for peace ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images ) Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, insisted in 2024 that a vote for then-Vice President Kamala Harris would be a vote for "WWIII." "To anyone still gullible enough to fall for scummy media hoaxes: Trump said warmongering neocons love sending your kids to die for wars they would never fight themselves. Liz Cheney is Kamala's top advisor. Liz wants to invade the whole Middle East," he wrote at the time. "Kamala = WWIII. Trump = Peace." Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard after unsuccessfully running for the presidency as a Democrat joined with Trump and the Republicans and assured the American people that "a vote for Trump is a vote to end wars." "A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for Dick Cheney and vote for war, war, and more war. A vote for Donald Trump is a vote to end wars, not start them. We are at a historic crossroads," she said in 2024. "Our God-given rights are under attack. Now is the time for us to stand together, for love of country, and for Donald Trump to get us back on the path to peace, freedom, and prosperity." open image in gallery Tulsi Gabbard, now the Director of National Intelligence, warned voters ahead of the 2024 election that a vote for Donald Trump is a vote to end wars, and previously sold No War in Iran t-shirts during her presidential run in 2020 ( Getty Images ) In 2020, when she was running for president, Gabbard even sold "No War with Iran" t-shirts. The ad copy on the t-shirt's sale page read Say no to war with Iran! according to the New York Post. How many more American lives, how many more trillions of dollars will be wasted before we exit," the ad said. It could be now, or it could be 10 or 20 years from now, but there is no American victory. Lets bring our troops home from Iraq and Syria now! Gabbard criticized Trumps foreign policy in 2019, specifically warning against war with Iran. Trump's shortsighted foreign policy is bringing us to the brink of war with Iran and allowing Iran to accelerate nuclear programjust to please Saudis and Netanyahu, she wrote at the time. This is not America first. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran Saturday in what President Donald Trump said was a massive operation to destroy the countrys military capabilities and eliminate the threat of it creating a nuclear weapon. Irans Foreign Ministry said it would defend its homeland and its Revolutionary Guard said it launched counterattacks, firing drones and missiles at Israel and strikes aimed at U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The strikes came after Trump has pressured Tehran for a deal to constrain its nuclear program, building up a fleet of American warships in the region as the country struggles with growing dissent following nationwide protests. At least 57 people were reported killed and 45 others wounded at a girls school in southern Iran in the Israeli-U.S. strikes, according to Irans state-run IRNA news agency. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates killed one person, state media said. Ayatollahs compound was one of the first targets Israel announced it had launched an attack on Iran shortly after explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning. One of the first strikes hit near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasn't immediately clear where Khamenei was at the time; he hadn't been seen for days. The strikes came after Trump has pressured Tehran for a deal to constrain its nuclear program, building up a fleet of American warships in the region as the country struggles with growing dissent following nationwide protests ( AFP via Getty Images ) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attacks that took part across the country as being done to remove threats. Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence sites were targeted, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information. Sirens wailed across Israel to warn the public about possible incoming missile strikes. Iran strikes back at Israel and U.S. bases Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to U.S. Army Central. Explosions could be also be heard in Qatar, where Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of service members. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, and sirens sounded in Jordan. An apartment building in northern Israel was damaged and shrapnel fell in multiple sites, according to media and police. But Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said there had been no significant hits in Israel and rescue services said there were no injuries reported from missile barrages across the country. Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, meanwhile, have vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from leadership. Trump tells Iranians it's time to topple their government It took over an hour for Trump to make an official announcement on the U.S. involvement in what he termed major combat operations. In an 8-minute video on social media, Trump indicated the U.S. was striking for reasons far beyond the nuclear program, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic following a revolution in 1979 that turned Iran from one of Americas closest allies in the Middle East into a fierce foe. Trump told Iranians to take cover but urged them to later rise up and topple the Islamic leadership. When we are finished, take over your government, Trump said. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. The attacks came a day after Trump voiced frustration over lack of progress in negotiations to stop Irans ability to develop nuclear weapons. U.S. military has been building up its war machinery in the area Israel said it had worked with the U.S. for months to plan the attacks. Before U.S.-Iran negotiations were underway in Geneva, the U.S. had assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in January to bolster the number of warships in the region. The worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and four accompanying destroyers later were dispatched from the Caribbean to head to the Middle East and are now in the Mediterranean. The fleet has added more than 10,000 U.S. troops to the region. Fighting grounds flights and disrupts commercial air travel The fighting disrupted air travel in the region. Israel and the United Arab Emirates, home to both the long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, closed their airspace Saturday. Qatar Airways Group said it has temporarily canceled flights to and from Doha because Qatari airspace also was closed. Planes en route to Israel were rerouted to other airports. Virgin Atlantic canceled its flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Dubai and said it would avoid flying over Iraq, meaning flights to and from India, the Maldives, Dubai and Riyadh could take slightly longer. Virgin Atlantic said all flights would carry appropriate fuel in case they need to reroute on short notice. Turkish Airlines said on X that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan will be suspended until Monday and flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman would be suspended on Saturday. Dutch airline KLM previously said it was suspending Tel Aviv flights starting Sunday. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Some of the first strikes on Iran Saturday appeared to hit areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Smoke could be seen rising from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide, and US President Donald Trump later said that Khamenei was killed. The strikes came after Trump pressured Tehran for a deal to constrain its nuclear program, building up a fleet of American warships in the region as the country struggles with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Trump had repeatedly threatened to strike Iran after the Khamenei regimes deadly crackdown on protesters, with Tehran warning they were ready for war in response to the threats. Irans Foreign Ministry said Saturday that it would defend its homeland and its Revolutionary Guard said it launched counterattacks, firing drones and missiles at Israel and strikes aimed at U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Heres what you need to know about Khamenei. He transformed the Islamic Republic open image in gallery Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that the Iranian nation is not one to surrender and issued a stern warning that any intervention by the US would bring irreparable damage to them ( Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader ) When he rose to power in 1989, Khamenei had to overcome deep doubts about his authority as he succeeded the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. A low-level cleric at the time, Khamenei didn't have his predecessor's religious credentials. With his thick glasses and plodding style, he didn't have his fiery charisma either. But Khamenei has ruled three times longer than the late Khomeini and has shaped Irans Islamic Republic perhaps even more dramatically. He entrenched the system of rule by the mullahs," or Shiite Muslim clerics. That secured his place in the eyes of hardliners as the unquestionable authority below only that of God. At the same time, Khamenei built the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into the dominant force in Irans military and internal politics. The Guard boasts Irans most elite military and oversees its ballistic missile program. Its international arm, the Quds Force, pieced together the Axis of Resistance, the collection of pro-Iranian proxies stretching from Yemen to Lebanon that for years gave Iran considerable power across the region. Khamenei also gave the Guard a free hand to build a network of businesses allowing it to dominate Irans economy. In return, the Guard became his loyal shock force. He fended off domestic challenges open image in gallery Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, speaks with then-Syrian President Bashar Assad in a meeting in Tehran, Iran ( AP ) The first major threat to Khameneis grip was the reform movement that swept into a parliament majority and the presidency soon after he became supreme leader. The movement advocated for giving greater power to elected officials something Khameneis hardline supporters feared would lead to dismantling the Islamic Republic system. Khamenei stymied the reformists by rallying the clerical establishment. Unelected bodies run by the mullahs succeeded in shutting down major reforms and barring reform candidates from running in elections. The Revolutionary Guard and Irans other security agencies crushed waves of protests that followed the failure of the reform movement. Huge nationwide protests erupted in 2009 over allegations of vote-rigging. Under the weight of sanctions, economic protests broke out in 2017 and 2019. More nationwide protests broke out in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini after police detained her for not wearing her mandatory headscarf properly. Hundreds were killed in crackdowns on the protests, and hundreds more arrested amid reports of detainees tortured to death or raped in prison. Still, the successive protests showed the strains in Irans theocratic system and lay bare widespread resentment of clerical rule, corruption and economic troubles. Trying to defuse anger, authorities often eased enforcement of some of the Islamic Republics social restrictions. He built Iran into a regional power open image in gallery Holding posters of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Lebanon's Hezbollah flag, demonstrators chant slogans in an annual rally in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, Iran ( AP ) When Khamenei took power, Iran was just emerging from its long war with Iraq that left the country battered and isolated. Over the next three decades, Khamenei turned Iran around into an assertive power wielding influence across the Middle East. One major boost was the USs 2003 ousting of Saddam Hussein, which eventually brought Iranian-allied Shiite politicians and militias to power in Iraq. Iraq provided a linchpin in Irans Axis of Resistance, grouping Bashar Assads Syria, Lebanons Hezbollah, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. By 2015, the alliance was at its height, putting Iran on Israels doorstep. The past two years brought a dramatic reversal open image in gallery Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei turned Iran around into an assertive power wielding influence across the Middle East ( AP ) Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel brought a massive Israeli retaliation on the Gaza Strip. It also brought a turnaround in Israeli policy. After years of trying to fend off and tamp down Iran's allies, Israel made crushing them its goal. Hamas has been crippled, though not eliminated, even at the cost of the decimation of Gaza. Israel has similarly sidelined Hezbollah at least for the moment with weeks of bombardment in Lebanon last year, along with a dramatic attack with booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies that stunned the group. An even heavier blow to Hezbollah was the fall in December 2024 of Syria's Bashar Assad when Sunni rebels marched on the capital and removed him from power. Now, a government hostile to Iran and Hezbollah rules from Damascus. In June 2025, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. The strike came in support of Israels 12-day war on the Islamic republic in June, although the US reportedly proved unsuccessful in destroying Irans alleged nuclear weapons programme. The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in what Trump said was a massive operation to destroy the countrys military capabilities and eliminate the threat of it creating a nuclear weapon. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the United States and offer Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Trump said on Saturday that the United States had begun "major combat operations" in Iran, warning that there may be U.S. casualties. The strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. "My administration has taken every possible step to minimise the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill," Trump said in a video shared on Truth Social. open image in gallery Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Iran launched missiles towards Israel, Israel's military said. Here are some details about Iran's missiles: What are ballistic missiles? A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled weapon that is guided during its ascent but follows a free-fall trajectory for most of its flight. It delivers warheads - containing either conventional explosives or potentially biological, chemical or nuclear munitions - over varying distances. Western powers regard Iran's ballistic missile arsenal both as a conventional military threat to Middle East stability and a possible delivery mechanism for nuclear weapons, should Tehran develop them. Iran denies any intent to build atomic bombs. Iran missile types and ranges Iran has the largest stockpile of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, according to the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. They have a self-imposed range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles), which Iranian officials have said was enough to protect the country as they can reach Israel. Many of Iran's missile sites are in and around Tehran. There are at least five known underground "missile cities" in various provinces, including Kermanshah and Semnan, as well as near the Gulf region. The arsenal encompasses multiple long-range missiles that can reach Israel, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. It says these include the Sejil, with a 2,000-km range; Emad, 1,700 km; Ghadr, 2,000 km; Shahab-3, 1,300 km; Khorramshahr, 2,000 km; and Hoveyzeh 1,350 km. The semi-official Iranian news outlet ISNA published a graphic in April 2025 showing nine Iranian missiles it said could reach Israel, including the Sejil, which ISNA said was capable of flying at more than 17,000 km (10,500 miles) per hour and had a range of 2,500 km; the Kheibar, with a range of 2,000 km; and the Haj Qasem, 1,400 km. open image in gallery This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s official website Sepanews on February 16, 2026, shows a boat firing a missile during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Gulf ( Sepha News ) Washington-based think tank, the Arms Control Association says Iran's ballistic arsenal included the Shahab-1, with an estimated range of 300 km; the Zolfaghar, 700 km; Shahab-3, 800-1,000 km; Emad-1, under development, 2,000 km; and a Sejil model under development, 1,500-2,500 km. When did Iran last use its missiles? During the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025, Tehran fired ballistic missiles into Israel, killing dozens of people and destroying buildings. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and AEI Critical Threats Project said Israel "likely destroyed around a third of the Iranian missile launchers" during the conflict. Iranian officials have said Tehran has recovered from the damage incurred during the war. Iran also responded to U.S. participation in Israel's air war by firing missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar. Tehran gave advance warning and no one was hurt. Washington announced a ceasefire hours later. Iran's Revolutionary Guards used missiles in January 2024 when they said they had attacked Israel's spy headquarters in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, and that they had also fired at Islamic State militants in Syria. Tehran also announced missile strikes targeting two bases of a Baloch militant group in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia and the United States have said they believe Iran was behind a drone and missile attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities in 2019. Tehran denied this. In 2020, Iran launched missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Major General Qassem Soleimani of the Revolutionary Guards. Statergy and development Iran says its ballistic missiles provide a deterrent and retaliatory force against the United States, Israel and other potential regional targets. According to a 2023 report by Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iran continues to develop underground missile depots complete with transport and firing systems, as well as production and storage centres. In 2020, Iran fired a ballistic missile from underground for the first time, it said. "Years of reverse-engineering missiles and producing various missile classes have also taught Iran about stretching airframes and building them with lighter composite materials to increase missile range," the report said. In June 2023, Iran presented what officials described as its first domestically made hypersonic ballistic missile, the official IRNA news agency reported. Hypersonic missiles can fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound on a complex trajectory, making them difficult to intercept. The Arms Control Association says Iran's missile programme is largely based on North Korean and Russian designs and has benefited from Chinese assistance. Iran also has cruise missiles such as the Kh-55, an air-launched nuclear-capable weapon with a range up to 3,000 km. Mojtaba Khamenei named supreme leader to succeed father killed in strikes as oil prices surge On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israel is using white phosphorous over civilian homes in Lebanon, Human Rights Watch has warned. The organisation said it had verified and geolocated seven images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions being deployed over a residential part of the town and civil defense workers responding to fires in at least two homes and one car in that area. The white-hot chemical substance can set buildings on fire and burn human flesh down to the bone. Survivors are at risk of infections and organ or respiratory failure, even if their burns are small. The Israeli militarys unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians, said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch. The incendiary effects of white phosphorous can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering. Meanwhile, Iran has elected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new leader, more than a week after his father was killed in an airstrike. The 56-year-old was chosen to become the next supreme leader on Sunday evening, despite Donald Trumps insistence that he should have a say in the appointment. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, Donald Trump and Iranian state media confirmed, after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, plunging the region deeper into chaos. Khamenei was killed while he was working in his office at his compound in Tehran, according to Iranian state media. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran was martyred at his workplace in the Beit Rahbari (his compound)," state news agency IRIB said on its Telegram account. "He was carrying out his assigned duties and present at his place of work (his office) at the moment of martyrdom, and this attack took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. Iranian state media officially confirmed his death hours after Trump had announced it. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, the US president wrote on Truth Social, adding that it is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. Trump confirmed that the US had carried out major combat operations in Iran. The Israeli military later said that around 200 warplanes were involved in the attack. Explosions were heard across the country on Saturday morning, including in the capital Tehran, with strikes appearing to target the compound of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Local authorities said 108 people, mostly schoolgirls, were killed in a strike on a girls primary school in southern Iran. open image in gallery Khamenei was killed on Saturday 28 Feb ( AP ) The Israeli military said seven top Iranian defence officials, including commander of the Revolutionary Guards Mohammad Pakpour and defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, were also killed. Iran has launched a wave of missiles towards Israel and US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain. World-famous hotels in Dubai were seen in flames on Saturday after being hit by Iranian projectiles and debris. Hundreds of flights have been grounded across the region, leaving thousands of travellers stranded after Iran, Israel, the UAE and Kuwait closed their airspaces and major carriers and airports suspended services. Sir Keir Starmer said British planes are in the sky today in the region as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies but he confirmed the UK was not involved in the strikes. He condemned Irans authoritarian regime and demanded that it end attempts to develop nuclear weapons. open image in gallery This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026 ( ISNA/AFP via Getty Images ) He said: We have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community. However, the UK government is at odds with the Trump administration, having denied permission for the US to use RAF bases for the strikes because of concerns they could be a breach of international law. On a dramatic day of developments: Israel said it killed seven senior Iranian defence officials, including the defence minister and the commander of the IRGC The prime minister joined European allies France and Germany in condemning Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern countries in the strongest terms Sirens sounded across Israel, with citizens urged to take shelter, while retaliatory strikes in Bahrain targeted the US Navys Fifth Fleet At least 108 girls were killed in a strike on a girls school in southern Iran, authorities said Iranian media earlier reported the Red Crescent saying that at least 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in strikes across 24 provinces A man was killed by falling debris following strikes in Abu Dhabi, while sirens and explosions were heard in Kuwait, which is home to US Army Central The conflict spread to the tourist hotspot of Dubai where a fire broke out at the world-famous Fairmont The Palm hotel during an Iranian air attack Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran The Foreign Office urged British nationals in the Middle East to immediately shelter in place and told them to remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. This includes Dubai, which is home to 240,000 Britons. Meanwhile, Irans Foreign Ministry has said the country "will not hesitate" in its response, adding: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. The Revolutionary Guard said it considers all US bases, resources and interests in the region to be legitimate targets for retaliation. open image in gallery Iranian authorities said hundreds were killed ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) It promised a stronger response to come, with a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, saying it had so far used only scrap missiles and would soon unveil unforeseen weapons, state television reported. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen also vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior officials. The assault follows a rapid buildup of US military assets in the region, deployed in a show of force amid a growing row over Irans nuclear programme. President Trump gave the regime a deadline of 10-15 days to make a deal to curb its programme on 19 February, but insiders say indirect talks in Geneva failed to make progress on key issues. open image in gallery Smoke billowing from the US Navys Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain ( UGC/UNKNOWN/AFP via Getty Images ) In a post on Truth Social confirming the attacks on Saturday, the president said he hoped to force Iranian concessions in nuclear talks. He said the massive operation was intended to ensure Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and was aimed at eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He urged Iranians to stay sheltered because bombs will be dropping everywhere. But he added: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. US Democrats have criticised the action, with Senator Tim Kaine suggesting Mr Trump may be too mentally incapacitated to understand the harm of his policy on Iran, stating:Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of US meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East? Is he too mentally incapacitated to realise that we had a diplomatic agreement with Iran that was keeping its nuclear programme in check, until he ripped it up during his first term? The US president campaigned on a ticket of bringing peace to an unstable world, and has repeatedly taken credit for ending eight wars a claim he has argued made him deserving of last years Nobel Peace Prize. Several of the name-checked conflicts are ongoing or were not formally wars. Since returning to office, Mr Trump has also bombed Venezuela, Nigeria, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. He also threatened Colombia and Greenland, a territory of Nato ally Denmark. open image in gallery Donald Trump announces US military strikes against Iran in video posted to Truth Social ( Truth Social ) The latest strike on Iran comes after the US attacked the country last summer after Israel struck Iranian military infrastructure, commanders and nuclear sites. Israel warned the US in December that Iran was reconstituting nuclear sites buried deep underground. The US and Israel accuse Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons with its enrichment programme, which it denies. Irans clerical leaders were already in a difficult position after mass anti-government demonstrations in January, which led to a crackdown in which thousands of people were killed the worst domestic unrest since the era of the 1979 revolution. Protesters had again taken to the streets in recent days in remembrance of those killed the previous month. UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Saturday afternoon following strikes on Iran launched by the United States and Israel. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the nation's current operation will be "much more powerful" than a "bruising 12-day war" Israel launched against Iran in June. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the U.S. and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. In a recorded message released Saturday morning, he added the attacks would allow Iranians to "take their fate into their own hands." Netanyahu spoke in Hebrew. Heres an English-language transcript of his address: My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel. A short while ago, Israel and the United States embarked on a joint campaign, Operation Lions Roar. The aim of the operation is to put an end to the threat from the Ayatollah regime in Iran. At this time, the IDF is striking targets of the oppressive regime, facilities of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, and together with the United States military, ballistic missile sites that threaten both Israel and U.S. forces. This operation will continue as long as necessary. For 47 years, the evil regime in Iran has called for death to Israel, death to America. It trampled on the citizens of its country, it instilled fear in the peoples of the region, it spread a vast network of terror across the entire world, it invested enormous resources to develop atomic bombs and tens of thousands of missiles intended, as it defined it, to erase Israel from the map of the world. It also armed the terrorist proxies around us in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Judea and Samaria, and it shed our blood. But if anyone needed further proof of the murderous nature of the Ayatollah regime, they received it last month. Because we all saw how this tyrannical regime in Tehran carried out an unprecedented mass slaughter of its own citizens in Iran. It cold-bloodedly murdered thousands of children, adults and the elderly. Tens of thousands were arrested, tortured and humiliated. And why? Just because they sought lives of freedom and dignity. In the Revival War and Operation Rising Lion our heroic soldiers struck a decisive blow against the Ayatollah regime and its proxies. But the wounded predator has not ceased its attempts to recover, for the same purpose, to destroy us. In recent months, the tyrants in Iran have been plotting to rebuild their nuclear and missile capabilities and to bury them underground, where we cannot reach them. If we do not stop them now, they will become invulnerable. To this end, their representatives in negotiations are trying to buy time, attempting to gain time in fruitless and deceitful negotiations with our American friends. But the tyrants in Iran have made a grave mistake because the United States is not buying their lies, and we will not sit idly by while the shadow of destruction looms over us. Therefore, we have launched Operation Lions Roar, an operation far more powerful than Operation Rising Lion, which was already very powerful. We are doing this in full cooperation with our friends in the United States under the courageous leadership of President Trump. Together with the United States, we will strike hard at the terror regime and create conditions that will allow the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of this murderous regime. During Operation Rising Lion, I was often asked whether the overthrow of the regime was the goal of the operation, in addition to removing the nuclear and missile threat. I replied that this was not the goal, but it could certainly be the outcome. And indeed, this is exactly what began to happen, with millions of Iranians taking to the streets. And now, now they are given the opportunity to take control of their own destiny. Citizens of Israel, as in Operation Rising Lion so too in Operation Lions Roar, we all need patience and resilience. Because there will be costs, and perhaps even heavy costs. But I know the wonderful forces that lie within our people, the wonderful forces that lie within you, citizens of Israel. Since the Revival War began, we have stood together, and today too we will stand together in bravery, in brotherhood, in mutual responsibility. I ask all of you to strictly follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, because you already know, these instructions save lives. Challenging days lie ahead for us. Every military action involves risk. But the risk of not acting is immeasurably greater, because if we do not act, we will face a nuclear Iran, an Iran with tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, an Iran that will work to destroy us and be immune to our counteractions. As a people who desire life, we have no choice but to engage in this campaign. However, this time, we are doing it with the immense combined power of the State of Israel and the United States of America. From here, I wish to address the citizens of Iran. You, the citizens of Iran, and the Iranian army, the Artesh. You are not our enemies and we are not your enemies. We have a common enemy, the murderous regime of the Ayatollahs that has taken over you through the oppressive forces of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij. They are the ones who have degraded your wonderful country, brought it to the lowest point, and they are the ones who slaughtered you en masse. Therefore, in full coordination with my friend, the President of the United States, I say to you, anyone who lays down their weapon, including among the regime forces, will ensure their safety and secure their future. The Iranian people in all their diversity Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochs, Abkhazians, and all other citizens of this wonderful nation this is your opportunity to establish a new and free Iran. Take your destiny into your own hands. Hold your head high, look to the skies, our forces are there, the pilots of the free world, all coming to your aid. Help has arrived. And I believe the day is not far when Israel and a free Iran will join hands for the sake of security and peace, for the sake of progress and prosperity. Citizens of Israel, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to the American people, and to the American military. President Trump is not only one of Israels greatest friends in the White House of all time, but he is also a determined leader of the free world. He looks to future generations, decides what is good for America, and then acts with responsibility and courage. Together, we bring great light to all who are rooted in the aspiration for human freedom. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I salute the commanders and soldiers of the IDF, our Air Force, the Intelligence Directorate, the Mossad, the women and men of the security forces, and the women and men of the rescue forces. I salute them for their courage and the strength of their actions. And I tell you, an entire nation stands behind you, an entire nation prays for your success. My brothers and sisters, in two days we will celebrate the holiday of Purim. 2,500 years ago, in ancient Persia, an enemy rose against us with the exact same goal of completely destroying our people. But Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, with their courage and resourcefulness, saved our people. In those days of Purim, the lot was cast, and the wicked Haman fell along with it. Even today on the holiday of Purim, the lot was cast, and the end of the evil regime will also come. The prophet Amos says, The lion has roared, who will not fear? In Operation Lions Roar, we roar, Do not fear Israel, for are you not a young lion? We will stand as one person with one heart, and with Gods help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iran has reportedly shut down the Strait of Hormuz in response to a joint attack by the United States and Israel. Several tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas shipments and Tehran said it had closed navigation, trading sources told Reuters. "Our ships will stay put for several days," one top executive at a major trading desk said. Satellite images from tanker trackers showed vessels piling up next to big ports, such as Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, and not moving through Hormuz. Multiple vessels in the area received VHF transmission from Iran's Revolutionary Guards that "no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz", an official with the EU naval mission Aspides told Reuters. The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran Saturday and Trump urged the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny ( AFP/Getty ) The UK Navy said Iran's orders were not legally binding and advised vessels to transit with caution. The tanker association INTERTANKO said the U.S. Navy had warned against navigation in the area - the whole of the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz - saying it could not guarantee the safety of shipping. Greece's shipping ministry advised vessels on Saturday to avoid the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, according to an advisory seen by Reuters. Some 20% of global oil from producers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran pass through Hormuz as well as large volumes of LNG from Qatar. Fourteen LNG tankers have shown signs of slowing down, U-turning or stopping in or around the Strait, said Laura Page from consultancy Kpler, who added the number will likely rise, posing risks to Qatari LNG exports. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A conflict in the Middle East has now entered its fifth day, is Iran continues its retaliation to US-Israeli strikes while Israel launches fresh attacks on Lebanon. Strikes by the US and Israel killed Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, in a wide-scale military attack aimed at bringing down Irans nuclear programme and removing the countrys leadership. Retaliatory strikes have seen several nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, and Iraq hit following the attacks, as Iran has threatened its most intense offensive operation against US bases. Drones were intercepted at the RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus, with sources telling Reuters that the aircraft were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon. It came after an attack on an RAF runway at the base on Sunday. Civilian targets in the Gulf, including hotels and airports, have also been hit. The action has prompted the closure of airspaces within the region, with global airlines cancelling flights throughout the Middle East and Dubai International Airport, the biggest global aviation hub, suspending all travel. Which countries have been targeted? US-Israeli attacks on Iran Attacks on Iran have targeted several military sites and government buildings across the country, including the office of Irans supreme leader in Tehran, where Khamenei was killed. By Tuesday, at least 1,039 US-Israeli strikes on Iran had been reported. At least 165 people were killed in a strike on a girls elementary school in Minab, many of whom were school girls, authorities said. This prompted outrage from rights groups and the UN, which called for an investigation into the horrific attack. Neither Israel or the US have taken responsibility for the attack or confirmed whether it took place. open image in gallery More than 1,000 strikes have been launched against Iran ( Datawrapper/The Independent ) Irans ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, said that a nuclear facility named Natanz was also hit in the attacks. However, the United Nations nuclear watchdog has reiterated that no nuclear facilities were hit in response to the claim. At least 787 people have been killed in US-Israeli attacks on Iran, according to the Iranian Red Cross. The US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), meanwhile, reports that 742 civilians have been killed, including 176 children. Iran attacks on Israel The Iranian military responded to the initial attacks by launching missiles and drones at Israel, which have struck civilian targets, according to Israeli authorities. Nine people were killed in Beit Shemesh after a missile evaded Israeli air defences, the local ambulance service said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site on Monday. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that avenging the US-Israeli attacks was its legitimate right and duty. Israeli attacks on Lebanon On Monday the Israeli military said it launched strikes on Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after Iran-backed Hezbollah militants fired rockets at Israel. As of Monday, at least 52 people have been killed and 154 other wounded in the attacks, according to the countrys health ministry. Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks on Tuesday. In response to Hezbollah's projectile fire, the IDF said it had "begun striking targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation across Lebanon". open image in gallery Hundreds of people have been killed in the expanding war ( Datawrapper/The Independent ) Israel said strikes on Beirut had killed Hussein Makled, whom it called the head of Hezbollahs intelligence headquarters. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, had claimed responsibility for the attacks on Israel, saying it fired rockets and drones "in retaliation for the pure blood of... Ayatollah Imam Sayyid Ali al-Husseini Khamenei... and in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the repeated Israeli attacks". It is the first time Hezbollah has claimed an attack on Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire. Iranian attacks on Gulf neighbours including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman The US embassy in Saudi Arabias capital of Riyadh was hit by two drones on Tuesday, causing a limited fire. In Oman, the Duqm commercial port was also struck in a drone attack. On Monday, a fire was reported to have broken out at the Aramco oil refinery in Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia as a result of an Iranian strike. Multiple attacks were launched on Doha, with loud blasts heard in the Qatari capital over the weekend. Qatars foreign ministry said Iran would pay a price for the attacks in a statement on Monday. Attempted attacks continued on Monday as Qatar said it had shot down two Iranian aircraft, seven ballistic missiles and several unmanned drones. open image in gallery Irans retaliation has hit several countries across the Middle East ( Datawrapper/The Independent ) On Sunday morning, an oil tanker off the coast of Oman was struck, with four people injured and 20 people forced to be evacuated. The US embassy in the capital Muscat has warned its staff and American citizens to take shelter while the activity is ongoing. Iran issued an apology to Oman, a nation which has played a key role in ongoing negotiations. The US Navys 5th Fleet service centre in Bahrain was also subjected to a missile attack on Saturday, as several residential buildings in Manama were struck. In Kuwait City, as fire and smoke rose from inside the US Embassy compound after it was apparently hit, the country's defence ministry said "several" American warplanes had also crashed in the country. This was later blamed on friendly fire, according to US Central Command. The UAE, which also houses US military bases, has reported several strikes, with one person dead and several injured after an attack on Zayed International Airport. The Palm Hotel in Dubai was also hit and a fire broke out after debris reportedly fell from the sky during an Iranian missile attack. Another four people have been injured at Dubai International Airport after an incident. Attacks have also been reported in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. Cyprus open image in gallery Blasts were heard in Bahrain on Saturday morning ( REUTERS ) The UK confirmed that strikes hit the RAF Akrotiri air base, targeting its runway, on Sunday. On Monday, it was confirmed a further two drones had been intercepted. The weekend attacks were the second combined strikes in eight months from the US and Israel against Iran. In the 12-day war last June, Israeli and American strikes greatly weakened Irans air defences, military leadership and nuclear programme. The UK has now sent a warship and helicopters with counter-drone technology to defend the base. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Citizens in countries across the Middle East have been told to take cover from Iranian airstrikes in retaliation for an unprovoked attack on Iran by America and Israel. But the shockwaves from blasts as US-made Israeli jets and American pilots unleash their bombs against Irans regime and a nuclear weapons programme that Donald Trump said had already been obliterated in the past will be felt from London to Bangkok. The strikes described by President Trump as a major combat operation reaffirm a new age. A rogue order led by the US president that many nations around the world run by authoritarian thugs will relish. They will also look to many Muslims and non-Muslims as an attack on Islam itself. After killing upwards of 80,000 people in Gaza, flattening the enclave, Israel has continued with land grabs on what small patches of territory remain to Palestinians on the West Bank. The strikes on Iran as with the war on Gaza will lead to a violent backlash. It will lead to terrorism. open image in gallery Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Irans regime has murdered thousands of its own people just this year. It has been an evil force of instability all over the Middle East. It backed the vile Assad regime in Syria, it foments Shia hatred for Sunnis in Iraq, it backed Hamas atrocities on October 7 2023, and the years of pointless rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel before. Since they hijacked the Iranian revolution against the monarchy in 1979, Irans brand of Islam under successive Ayatollahs has weaponised religion to destabilise Lebanon by backing Hezbollah. The so-called Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, which calls itself the Party of God, is anything but. It runs drugs and gold from South America and an organised criminal network that stretched across Africa into Europe, peddling narcotics, stolen cars, and weapons. Iran has threatened the annihilation of Israel and backed the Houthis racketeering and war in Yemen, as well as choking the Red Sea with mines and piratical attacks. At home, its securocrats of the Iranian National Guard Corps control at least 40 per cent of the national economy. So one could not mourn the demise of the Iranian government and the crooks and terrorists that keep it in power. It is a force for bad in the world and it should never get hold of nuclear weapons. open image in gallery Donald Trump confirmed a 'major combat operation' in Iran ( Truth Social ) But there is a forum to stop Iran. It is the United Nations, and through its offices, Barack Obama and Iran signed a nuclear deal that, in part, put its programme back. Trump tore that up. Instead, we now have a rogue order in which it would appear more irresponsible for a national leader not to start a nuclear weapons programme. Trump believes that Russia has earned a chunk of Ukraine just by invading it. He has also taken control of Venezuelas oil revenues by invading Caracas and arresting its president. He is banking the Venezuelan oil revenues in the Middle East, beyond the scrutiny of Americas legal system or Congress. If Ukraine had not given up its nuclear weapons it had the third biggest stockpile on earth it would not have been invaded by Russia. If Venezuelas government had built a bomb, it would still be in office. Saudi Arabia is looking at whether it should, or could, become a nuclear power. So, the Israeli-American attack on Iran risks local instability, a wider terrorism war and a clash of civilisation of the kind that feeds the energies of Isis and al-Qaeda. It also tells the world that there is no such thing as international law and therefore, the only way to survive is to be able to threaten armageddon. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Drivers are anticipating hiked petrol prices following the eruption of conflict in the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out strikes across lran. The attacks, along with retaliatory strikes by Iranian forces have seen targets in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq hit, have prompted several oil companies to suspend the shipments of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Edmund King, president of the AA, has now warned that the bombing across the Middle East will cause significant disruption to the oil trade. Follow live updates here. The turmoil and bombing across the Middle East will surely be a catalyst to disrupt oil distribution globally, which will inevitably lead to price hikes, Mr King told The Times. open image in gallery At least 201 people were killed in US-Israeli strikes, Iranian media reported ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) So drivers beware, within the next 10 to 12 days we could be seeing record prices at the pumps. Oil prices are expected to surge when the New York Futures market opens at 11pm on Sunday, with crucial shipping lanes affected by the joint US-Israeli assault, which Iranian media reports has killed at least 201 people so far. Several oil companies and tanker owners have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas shipments via the Strait of Hormuz following the eruption of conflict in the region, trading sources earlier told Reuters news agency. The strait is the worlds most vital oil export route, which connects the biggest Gulf oil producers, such as Saudia Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. open image in gallery An Israeli submarine is seen in the Haifa Bay , northern Israel, Saturday, 28 February ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) "Our ships will stay put for several days," one top executive at a major trading desk said. Satellite images from tanker trackers showed vessels piling up next to big ports, such as Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, and not moving through Hormuz. Multiple vessels in the area have received VHF transmission from Iran's Revolutionary Guards that "no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz", an official with the EU naval mission Aspides told Reuters. The UK Navy said Iran's orders were not legally binding and advised vessels to transit with caution. An official from the European Unions naval mission Aspides had earlier said that Irans Revolutionary Guards were warning that no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not formally confirmed any such order. About 20 per cent of global oil and gas flows through this narrow shipping lane in the Gulf, and blocking it could have serious consequences for the global economy. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump touted the U.S. militarys munitions stockpiles as the administration promised that the hardest hits yet to come in the ongoing conflict in Iran. The United States Munitions Stockpiles have, at the medium and upper medium grade, never been higher or better - As was stated to me today, we have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons, the president wrote in the early hours of Tuesday. Trump stated his belief that the U.S. will easily prevail, adding that the military is ready for the operation to go on for whatever it takes. Wars can be fough forever, and very successully, using just these supplies, he added in the TruthSocial post. The president blamed a lack of highest-grade munitions on the previous administrations support for the war in Ukraine. The United States is stocked, and ready to WIN, BIG!!!" he concluded. open image in gallery This U.S. Navy handout photo released by U.S. Central Command public affairs shows an F/A-18E Super Hornet taxiing on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury ( US NAVY/AFP via Getty Images ) Trump made no secret of the U.S. build-up of military assets near the Middle East in recent weeks ahead of Saturdays airstrikes, amid rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear program and internal crackdown on protests. U.S. naval and air deployments have expanded across the region, including the positioning of major warships near the Arabian Peninsula. Early Saturday morning, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes on multiple cities across Iran, triggering swift retaliation threats from Tehran and a wave of attacks across the Middle East. Iranian authorities said the attacks were part of what they described as a massive and ongoing US-Israeli assault on the country. Large plumes of black smoke were seen rising near the headquarters of the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet in Manama, though the extent of any damage remains unclear, and the U.S. has not confirmed the claims, the BBC reports. open image in gallery Early Saturday morning, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes on multiple cities across Iran, triggering swift retaliation threats from Tehran and a wave of attacks across the Middle East Across the wider region, several countries hosting U.S. military bases reported intercepting incoming missiles, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait, according to the outlet. In Doha, Qatari authorities reported intercepting several incoming missiles believed to be targeting Al Udeid Air Base, the regions largest U.S. military installation. The latest escalation follows weeks of mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran, as Trump criticized Irans crackdown on protesters and called for a deal on its nuclear capabilities. As rhetoric intensified, the U.S. increased its military footprint in the region, with the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln spotted off the coast of Oman and the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navys newest and largest aircraft carrier, expected to join regional deployments. The buildup has seen destroyers and specialist combat ships move to cover Irans southern flank as F-15 and EA-18 fighter jets gather numbers across military bases to the west. Iran was ready to retaliate, according to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said this week that the U.S. may be struck so hard that it cannot get back up if it renewed attacks against the regime. open image in gallery The USS Gerald R Ford, the worlds largest warship, has been sent to the region ( AP ) Trump warned Wednesday that if Iran fails to agree to a deal, it may be necessary to attack the country from Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford, threatening to drag Britain into the conflict. Naval buildup in the region The USS Abraham Lincoln was situated Friday in the Arabian Sea, while the USS Gerald R Ford is passed through the Gibraltar Strait and could be positioned south of Cyprus in a matter of days. The carriers are supported by protective destroyers in a carrier strike group. In total, 11 destroyers in the region will join three Littoral combat ships. Two or three attack submarines including at least one with nuclear capabilities loaded with Tomahawk missiles are also present. The ayatollah issued a stark warning as the USS Gerald R Ford approached the Mediterranean this week, saying: An aircraft carrier is a dangerous device, but more dangerous than the carrier is the weapon that can send it to the bottom of the sea. open image in gallery The USS Gerald R. Ford off the coast of St Thomas Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, on 24 January ( Planet Labs PBC ) Tehrans sabre-rattling extended to closing the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the 1980s this week to carry out naval drills. Thursday saw more drills, this time with Russia, in the Sea of Oman. The U.S. would not need to send its second aircraft carrier to the region for it to have a role in a potential conflict with Iran. Positioning the 333 metre nuclear-powered ship in the eastern Mediterranean would help protect Israel and Jordan if needed. U.S. strengthens aerial options Jordan is home to the Muwaffaq Salti military base, where Washington had been building up combat and cargo aircraft in recent days. Ageing F-15s and A-10 Warthogs have been pictured this week on the tarmac alongside C-130 transport aircraft. The U.S. also still has around 10,000 troops scattered across bases in the region. Further afield, modern and long-distance aircraft open up Washingtons options for strikes. Flight trackers show the movement of Boeing KC-135 tankers to Europe and the Middle East, which suggests preparedness for longer haul flights. Last summer, B-2 bombers set off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, refuelling several times during flight, on a 36-hour round trip before striking Iran and returning home. open image in gallery F/A-18 Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 14 land on the deck of USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea ( US Centcom ) The U.S. has moved more than 50 F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets to the broader region this week, Axios reported, citing an unnamed U.S. official and flight radar data. The two aircraft carriers have additional capacity for up to 180 aircraft between them. Trump additionally suggested that if Iran did not submit to a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime. RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire is a US-operated base used as a bomber forward operating base. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson toldThe Independent: As routine, we do not comment on the operational activity of other nations, including third-party use of UK bases. Proposed U.S operations from a base in the UK would be considered on a case-by-case basis. open image in gallery American A-10s, armed with 30mm gatling guns, are among the aircraft on standby (file photo) ( Centcom ) The U.S. also appears to be tightening its air defences in the event of any Iranian retaliation. Last years Israeli strike on Irans nuclear capabilities led to retaliatory strikes by Iran on an American military base in Qatar. The U.S. could be prepping for that eventuality by installing an extensive series of C-5s and C-17s, along with Galaxy and Globemaster flights, to bring air defence assets to its bases in the region. Senior national security officials had told Trump that the military would be ready to strike Iran by Saturday, according to multiple U.S. media outlets. However, one unnamed senior official said it could be weeks before everything is fully in place. The president has ordered the continued buildup in the region, including the arrival of the second carrier group. Full forces should be in place by mid-March, they said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran." He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. The following are significant US military facilities in the Middle East: BAHRAIN: Home to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, whose area of responsibility includes the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. QATAR: The 24-hectare Al Udeid Air Base, in the desert outside the capital Doha, is the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command, which directs U.S. military operations in territory stretching from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east. The Middle East's largest U.S. base houses around 10,000 troops. KUWAIT: Several military installations include Camp Arifjan, the forward headquarters of U.S. Army Central and the Ali Al Salem Air Base, roughly 40 km from the Iraqi border and known as "The Rock" because of its isolated, rugged environment. Camp Buehring was established during the 2003 Iraq War and is a staging post for U.S. Army units deploying into Iraq and Syria, according to the U.S. Army website. open image in gallery A map of US military facilities in the Middle East ( Reuters ) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: The Al Dhafra Air Base, situated south of UAE capital Abu Dhabi and shared with the UAE Air Force, is a critical U.S. Air Force hub that has supported missions against the Islamic State, as well as reconnaissance deployments across the region, according to the U.S. Air Force Central Command. Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, while not a formal military base, is the U.S. Navy's largest port of call in the Middle East that regularly hosts U.S. aircraft carriers and other vessels. IRAQ: The U.S. maintains a presence at Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar province, supporting Iraqi security forces and contributing to the NATO mission, according to the White House. Iranian missile strikes targeted the base in 2020, in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Situated in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, Erbil Air Base serves as a hub for U.S. and coalition forces conducting training exercises and battle drills. The base supports U.S. military efforts by providing a secure location for training, intelligence sharing, and logistical coordination in northern Iraq, according to the congressional report. SAUDI ARABIA: U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia - which numbered 2,321 in 2024 according to a White House letter - operate in coordination with the Saudi government, providing air and missile defence capabilities and supporting the operation of U.S. military aircraft. Some are stationed roughly 60 km south of Riyadh, at Prince Sultan Air Base, which supports U.S. Army assets including Patriot missile batteries and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems. JORDAN: Located in Azraq, 100 km northeast of the capital Amman, the Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base hosts the U.S. Air Forces Central's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which engages in missions across the Levant, according to a 2024 report in the Library of Congress. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When US president Donald Trump began his second term in office, it was on the promise of putting America first. For many of his MAGA supporters, that meant rejecting interventionist policies that had overextended the countrys military commitments across the globe. His National Security Strategy, published last year, promised that the affairs of other countries are our concern only if their activities directly threaten our interests. But since his return last January, the US commander-in-chief has pursued an aggressive foreign policy, greenlighting military strikes on multiple countries, seizing oil tankers and overseeing the shock overnight capture of Nicolas Maduro that led to the decapitation of the Venezuelan government. open image in gallery Like many US presidents before him, Donald Trump has launched multiple strikes in Africa and the Middle East - but now he is turning his attention elsewhere ( The Independent ) Other targets have included Iran, Iraq and Somalia, among others. Trump is far from the only US president to launch military action in the Middle East - Biden, Obama, Clinton, both Bushes, and Reagan have all done so over the last 50 years. The US also has a long-running history of intervention in Latin American countries. On Saturday 28 February, Trump said the US was carrying out major combat operations in Iran, warning that there could be US casualties. Strikes were carried out with Israel, who said they had carried out a pre-emptive attack against Iran. The US President told the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran's armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising that they would be granted immunity. The other option, according to Trump, is "certain death." open image in gallery US President Donald Trump had promised that the affairs of other countries are our concern only if their activities directly threaten our interests ( PA Wire ) Below The Independent looks at the countries where Trump has taken military action in the last 12 months, and where he could strike next. Somalia: Targeting Isis and al-Shabab open image in gallery The US says its strikes on Somalia are against Isis - but Trump has also verbally attacked the countrys citizens In February last year, 10 days after his inauguration, Trump launched a series of military strikes against Isis key figures in Somalia. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. Our Military has targeted this Isis Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldnt act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! Trump said. The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU! Further attacks on Isis, and the Islamist paramilitary group al-Shabab, were launched in January this year. According to think tank, New America, Trump has so far launched 135 strikes in the country in his second term, more than the entire Bush Jr, Obama and Biden presidencies combined. Meanwhile, Somalia has become a lightning rod for MAGA Republicans, with Trump calling the country a hell hole and repeatedly attacking Somali immigrants in the US as garbage who contribute nothing, comments that have sparked widespread backlash. Iraq: Hunting down Isis figureheads open image in gallery Trump greets troops at the Al-Udeid air base southwest of Doha in May ( AFP/Getty ) The US conducted several counterterrorism operations against Isis in Iraq in March 2025. Trump praised the operation as an example of peace through strength. According to the US CENTCOM, the precision airstrike killed Isiss second-in-command, Abdallah Abu Khadijah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Posting the update on X with a portrait picture of himself, Trump wrote at the time: Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters. His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH! The operations were a continuation of an ongoing campaign of targeting ISIS in Iraq, begun during President Barack Obamas tenure in 2014, and dubbed Operation Inherent Resolve. Yemen: Retaliation for Red Sea ship attacks open image in gallery Houthi supporters protest against the US and Israel in Sana'a, Yemen, in March 2025 ( AP ) Trump launched bombings against Yemens Houthi rebels in March 2025 after a wave of attacks by the group against ships in the Red Sea that were in response to Israels war in Gaza. The United States is reported to have carried out more than 1,100 strikes, killed hundreds of Houthi fighters, and spent more than $1 billion over the 52-day campaign, officials told the New York Times. Despite the bombardment, rebels began attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea again in July. The Iran-backed group captured and sank a Greek-owned bulk carrier named Magic Seas using drones, missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing its 22 crew members to abandon ship. The next day, the Houthis sank another Greek-operated vessel called Eternity C, leaving at least four dead and 15 missing. Iran: Major combat operations open image in gallery Iranians burn a US flag as they take part in a funeral ceremony for Iranian army generals, nuclear scientists and their family members who were killed in Israeli strikes in Tehran ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) President Donald Trump launched major combat operations in Iran on 28 February, warning that there may be US casualties. The strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated US and Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Trump told the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran's armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising that they would be granted immunity. The other option, according to Trump, is "certain death." Trump said that Iran had rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, adding: We cant take it anymore. In June last year, the International Atomic Energy Agency warned Iran was violating its non-proliferation commitments and had enough enriched uranium to potentially develop nine nuclear bombs. Within days, Israel launched airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities and aTwelve Day War began. Iran launched a wave of missile and drone strikes in response. The US then intervened and launched a series of bombing raids on Irans nuclear sites. We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, the president wrote on Truth Social at the time. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. A ceasefire was agreed the next day, but tensions between the US and Iran resumed in January this year after widespread protests across the country that prompted a ruthless government crackdown, with human rights groups warning of thousands dead. Trump, backing the anti-regime protesters, warned repeatedly he would take action against Iran if the killings continued. Venezuela: Drug trade, regime change and oil open image in gallery Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at a heliport in midtown Manhattan ( Reuters ) The US began attacking alleged narco-terrorist boats off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela in September 2025, which later expanded to the Pacific Ocean. The administration claimed it was taking action to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, with Trump accusing Venezuelas then president of being a top-level member of drug cartel, Cartel de los Soles. At least 123 people are reported to have been killed in the operations, which UN and legal experts criticised for being extrajudicial killings. Between 10,000 and 15,000 American troops were stationed near the country as Trump reportedly gave Maduro an ultimatum to surrender. Then, on 3 January, US special forces raided Maduros residence in Caracas in Operation Absolute Resolve. Maduro was removed from office and extradited to the US to appear in a New York court to face criminal charges. Trump officials have said the US is not at war with Venezuela and that it is not planning any further military action, though the president also said, we're not afraid of boots on the ground. In the days after the raid, Trump announced the US would be taking over sales of Venezuelan crude oil across the globe and said the government in Caracas was providing Washington with between 30 and 50 million barrels of formerly sanctioned oil to sell. Syria: Retaliation for US deaths open image in gallery A US airman preparing an A-10 Thunderbolt II in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched Operation Hawkeye Strike against Isis in Syria, in coordination with Jordan, on 19 December 2025. The most recent attacks took place earlier this month. The operation was a direct response to the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian US interpreter. Three additional US military personnel and two members of Syrias security services were injured in the attacks. Trump blamed Isis for the attacks, but Syrian officials said the attacker was a disgruntled member of the security services facing dismissal over allegations of holding extremist views. An unnamed US official told CNN that the January operation had launched 90 precision munitions at more than 35 targets, using over two dozen aircraft. Earlier operations took place in November, with the US military joining the Syrian armed forces to destroy 15 Isis weapons caches in southern Syria. Nigeria: Protecting Christians open image in gallery Residents inspect the damage after US forces launched a strike against Islamic State militants in Nigeria ( REUTERS ) On Christmas Day 2025, Trump ordered strikes against Isis targets in Nigeria after he accused the group of targeting Christians. The US military confirmed multiple fatalities after camps in Sokoto state near the border with Niger were hit during the strikes. US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth said of the attacks: The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. He added: Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas! He then warned: "More to come" Trump said that the attacks were powerful and deadly and at levels not seen for many years, even centuries! A defense department official told The Independent that the strikes had been carried out with the knowledge and cooperation of the Nigerian government. Could Cuba, Colombia or Mexico follow Venezuela? open image in gallery Trump has been at odds with Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum ( AFP/Getty ) Mexico has long been a target of Trumps anger with the president blaming their government for failing to deal with drug cartels and preventing the flow of migrants across the border. He warned the country, which has been led by left-wing president Claudia Sheinbaum since October 2024, has to get their act together or were going to have to do something. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said in January that he believes Cuba is in a lot of trouble following the capture of Maduro, a key ally. Im not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going to be right now in this regard, Rubio told NBC. But I dont think its any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro. Trump also warned Colombian president Gustavo Petro one of his fiercest critics on the international stage that the South American country could be his next target. Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and hes not going to be doing it very long, he told reporters while on board Air Force One. Greenland and brewing tensions with Nato open image in gallery People protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 17 ( AP ) Trump has had his sights set on purchasing the semi-autonomous territory of Greenland since 2019, but has ramped up his rhetoric in recent weeks and refused to rule out military action. The president argues it is vital to ensure the national security of the United States and to prevent the island falling into the hands of Russia or China. However, his threats have sparked backlash from Nato allies and European leaders amid fears Trump could fracture the long-standing alliance and play right into Vladimir Putins hands. Denmark and the US have agreed to set up a working group to discuss ways to resolve their differences, but Trump remains adamant that anything less than US control is unacceptable. Tensions have continued to mount throughout January, with European troops from Germany, France and Sweden deployed to the region, and Trump threatening tariffs against any country that stands in his way. The larger picture of Trumps foreign policy is one of transactional disruption rather than strategic leadership, Aurelien Colson, academic director at the ESSEC Business School Institute for Geopolitics & Business, told The Independent. Colson says that Trumps National Security Strategy exposed his intent to undermine the EU as a political and strategic actor. The document claimed that the continent was facing civilisational erasure. The so-called Donroe Doctrine openly revives a logic of spheres of influence, he explains. Trump joked that the Monroe Doctrine associated with exerting control over the Western hemisphere and warning about a Europeanisation of America could now be dubbed the Donroe Doctrine, a clear indication of his intentions. But, while Trump has made some historic statements and carried out unprecedented military action, Colson says that much of his behaviour can be interpreted as bluster. Trumps moves are driven less by coherent geopolitical objectives than by a mix of narcissistic posturing (which even his own administration finds difficulties to cope with), domestic political signalling, and personal financial interests: from his admiration for strongmen to policies that align with opaque business networks, including crypto-financial channels, he says. What he appears to seek is not a stable international order, but a world in which power is personalised, deals are opaque, and loyalty matters more than rules. The consequences are deeply negative, of course, for the world order, and for specific states such as Ukraine, but also for the USA: alliances are weakened, American credibility eroded, and strategic rivals emboldened. Colson explains: Far from America First, the outcome is increasingly America Isolated: mistrusted by partners and progressively less able to shape the rules of the international system it once led - to its own benefit. Canada: No military threats yet for Trumps 51st state open image in gallery President Trump is reportedly taking aim at Canada and expressing concern about its 'vulnerability' to adversaries ( Getty Images ) In December 2024, Trump began to tease that some of his supporters had expressed support for Canada to be annexed to become part of the United States. He had threatened to impose tariffs on Canada unless it increased its military spending and fortified its border security. The president has ruled out the use of military force to annex Canada, but said he would use economic force instead. Trump has continued to reiterate his desire to make Canada the the 51st state, throughout his second term. His comments have sparked a furious backlash in the country and sparked a boycott of American products. A poll conducted by Angus Reid poll last October suggested nearly half of Canadians (46 per cent) want their government to approach the US as an "enemy or potential threat". President Donald Trump warned bombs will be dropping everywhere after the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes across Iran. In an eight-minute video address to the nation on Saturday (28 February), the US president announced a major combat operation, stating Iran could never have a nuclear weapon, adding: "It's been mass terror, and we're not going to take it any longer." Trump told reporters on Friday (27 February) in Washington that he was frustrated with the latest round of negotiations with Iran, saying he said he was not happy with how discussions were progressing. Former US president Bill Clinton has issued a video statement after he testified before a US.House Committee on Friday (27 February) on what he knew about Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton said he testified because he believes No person is above the law, even presidents, especially presidents, before saying Jeffrey Epsteins victims deserve justice and healing. His wife Hilary Clinton was also made to testify by Republicans, something the former US president said was simply not right, claiming she had no recollection of ever meeting the convicted child sex offender. ANTANANARIVO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Mauritius has suspended all diplomatic relations with the Republic of Maldives with immediate effect, according to a communique issued Friday by the Mauritian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade. According to the communique, the decision follows a recent stand taken by the Maldivian government, "whereby it no longer recognizes the sovereignty of the Republic of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago, its territorial integrity and is now objecting to the Agreement between Mauritius and the United Kingdom." The communique said that the decision reflects the commitment of Mauritius to safeguard its national interest and uphold the principles of sovereignty and respect of the UN Charter, international law, peace and stability in the region. Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear that while the United Kingdom played no part in the initial strikes on Iran on Saturday morning (28 February), British military is now in the sky in a coordinated response and defence against Iran. Starmer called the regime in Iran abhorrent, warning they should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. Signalling his support for U.S. allies the prime minister said, Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of regional coordinated defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the nation's current operation on Iran will continue "as long as necessary". The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (28 February), targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict. President Donald Trump said these strikes would end a security threat to the U.S. and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. In a recorded message released Saturday morning, he added the attacks would allow Iranians to "take their fate into their own hands." Whatever divides the USA and the Islamic Republic of Iran and there is a huge gulf between them it is not only Donald Trump who is waging a war for regime change and invoking Gods help for his forces in combat. The Ayatollahs former regime justifies all its actions by theological arguments but clearly has a strategy to inflict casualties on US forces in the Middle East to influence American public opinion to turn against President Trump. American and Israeli airstrikes on Irans security services are about crippling its ability to control society in the vast country as much as obliterating any capacity of Iranian missiles to hit back. Donald Trump has called on Iranians to take a last opportunity to free themselves. That was Donald Trumps first surprise attack this morning. But his second target was US Congressional and public opinion. Although the US President had upped the rhetoric against Iran and beefed up his big, beautiful armada and air power within reach of Iran, Trumps negotiators had still been talking to Iranian diplomats and the Omani mediators as recently as yesterday. Unlike the Presidents Bush in 1991 and 2003 before their wars with Iraq, President Trump even in his State of the Union speech did not make a clear statement of his intentions and send an ultimatum. Will the American people rally behind Trump or will they see this as another Bush-style war of choice? Consistency has never been a Trump characteristic. He has ranged widely from ultra-hawk back in the 1980s and 1990s to the voice of America First doves. As he moved to enter the political arena as a candidate, Trump accused Barack Obama of plotting war with Iran! People were quick to unearth a Trump Tweet (theres always a Tweet) from 2013 in which Trump scathingly predicted Obama would attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly not skilled! Having decried Obama for not talking to Iran, Trump then went ballistic against his predecessors nuclear deal, the JCPOA, with Iran in 2015. As president, Trump withdrew from the deal and denounced Iran for not abiding by its terms. But President Trump II is a very different man from President Trump I. He is driven by a mixture of hubris after the near bloodless capture of Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro he thinks US forces can do anything and a belief that victory will silence his domestic critics. Furthermore, the influence of Israel within Trumps inner circle is now vast. But George HW Bush did not get an electoral benefit from thrashing Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 1991, and Republicans suffered badly from his sons own Iraq war dragging on years after 2003. What the Iranian regime hopes now is that even if Donald Trump has finally plumped for war, his own Maga base is strongly against sending their boys and make no mistake, the US militarys volunteers are drawn hugely from Trump strongholds to die in a war on the ground. Whats more, Iran hopes that the Epstein scandal, with rumours about Trumps involvement with the paedophile, will weaken his authority and that Democrats will rally against him, especially if a war drags on. With mid-term elections on the horizon in November, Trumps domestic authority is on the line, even if the Ayatollahs head is more at risk right now. It is clear that US-Israeli calls for an uprising in Iran reveal hopes that rebels there will avoid the need for troops on the ground. That leaves the initiative to ordinary Iranians. In this respect, it seems strange that this has come so late. Six weeks ago, those same Iranians were told by Trump that help [was] on its way when they took to the streets. The subsequent crackdown was brutal, with at least 6,000 (but estimates as high as 30,000) killed by the regime. Are they now able to seize government buildings across the country when a near-total internet blackout is in place and suppression has been so total? There is also a gap between Washington and Jerusalem. Trump addresses Iranians as a single nation. Netanyahu appeals to the gamut of Irans minority ethnic groups. This suggests that Israels goal is to disintegrate Iran into its component parts, whereas Trump hopes to flip Irans rulers from antagonists of the USA to its partners as happened in Venezuela in January. The precedent for the current operation that the Pentagon may be looking to is less Iraq than the Kosovo War in 1999. Then, Serbias President Milosevic survived a 78-day air bombardment by Nato, but fell from power in October 2000 to an uprising in the streets. But even that took 15 months. Donald Trump has taken the initiative and staked his presidency on a quick win. Iranians response to his airstrikes will decide the fate of the American president as well as the Ayatollahs former regime. The third missile alert at around 11.30 am in this neighbourhood of Jerusalem had been the longest so far. As the sirens blared across the city and indeed the whole country some 30 people from the apartment building, ranging from a two-week-old baby to grandparents (along with a cat and a dog), packed for about 40 minutes into the shelter, complete with a lavatory, nearly enough chairs and intermittent Wi-Fi. Most had spent much of the 12 days of war between the two nations last year in this very shelter. One resident remarked that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, supposedly the jewel in the "beautiful armada" assembled by Donald Trump for the deeply unpredictable onslaught he and Benjamin Netanyahu have now launched on Iran, is longer than Tel Aviv's famous Azrieli tower is tall. Whatever the residents private thoughts, none rushed to discuss the whys and wherefores of this latest war, let alone the crucial unknowns of how long it will last, at what cost in human lives, and with what outcome. Trump and Netanyahu, inevitably, were a great deal less reticent. Trump, surely aware of the doubts in his public about risking American lives in another military adventure in the Middle East, partly cast this massive and ongoing operation as a means of halting historic Iranian hostilities, specifically towards the US, going right back to the violent takeover of its Tehran embassy in 1979, through the 1983 Beirut bombing which killed 241 American service personnel. But his near-final flourish was to tell the Iranian people that the hour of your freedom is at hand when we are finished, take over your government. Netanyahus declaration that Iranians are now being given the opportunity to take their destiny into their own hands was reinforced by a message in Farsi from Israels foreign intelligence agency Mossad. This announced a new high-security Telegram channel for Iranians to share photos and videos of your just struggle against the regime with us. While warning them most importantly to take care of yourself it promised: Together we will return Iran to its most glorious days. You dont have to doubt for a nano-second the deep and wholly justified yearning of the large majority of Iranians to see the back of the Ayatollahs brutally repressive regime a majority way beyond those many thousands who have paid with their lives for standing up to it to know that this is an ambitious goal. Or to wish that the onslaughts architects in Washington and here in Jerusalem had offered a little more clarity on how the tyranny in Tehran can be deposed, if at all, with a more peaceable and democratic aftermath than earlier Western efforts to do the same in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. It may be, of course, that for all their leaders bullish references to it today, the end of the regime is not the central US and Israeli war aim. That, as Netanyahu today put it when recalling the 12-day onslaught he launched last June, while toppling the regime was not the objective, it could be the result. Or, more cynically, that the two leaders are simply clothing their desire to advance US/ Israeli hegemony in the region in the language of freedom and democracy. But if so, what outcome will be judged a victory? How far and how long is Trump prepared to pursue their shared goals the end of Irans uranium enrichment programme goals, its ballistic missile production and support for proxies across the region even at the cost of US servicemens lives? Israeli government sources saying that Ayatollah Khameni has been killed, which is a huge plus for Netanyahu. But even assuming its right, its not necessarily the same as the regime collapsing. Its not just that the US president is, to put it mildly, skating on thin constitutional ice by bypassing Congress in his declaration of war. Its also that his and his aides justifications for the present operation Roaring Lion, as Israel has dubbed it, or Epic Fury, as the Americans have it have been neither consistent nor always truthful. Take his claim, now so graphically reversed that Irans nuclear programme had been obliterated by last years strikes. Or his contentions, rejected by the experts, that Tehran is within reach of ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US itself and even that Iran has enough material to build a nuclear bomb within days. Intelligence officials in the US and elsewhere have detected no sign that Iran has even restarted enriching uranium since last years strikes, let alone built a mechanism which could detonate a bomb, so the question remains: why now? Earlier this week, Jim Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said after meeting secretary of state Marco Rubio that we have not heard articulated a single good reason for why now is the moment to launch yet another war in the Middle East. Trumps bellicose video message in the early hours of yesterday morning failed to provide such a reason, let alone reassure public opinion across the West by declaring a clear and attainable aim for what is now a real and incalculably perilous war. Airline under pressure from increased competition on transatlantic services But the airline said that increased competition on its transatlantic routes during the winter season that began at the end of October, saw its operating profit in the final quarter of 2025 slump 54pc to 31m. Government is moving to deny public access to key company information Irelands leading media outlets have warned junior enterprise minister Niamh Smyth of the dangerous implications of her move to restrict public access to company director information. The Government, in a move spearheaded by Ms Smyth at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, is planning to prevent public access to the usual residential addresses of directors. The changes were recommended by the Company Law Review Group. Ryanair and UK air traffic control firm face legal costs of almost 4m in damages claim Airline is suing NATS over a 2023 computer crash that left passengers stranded for days Ryanair said the NATS breakdown cost it almost 5.4m. Photo: Getty John Mulligan Fri 27 Feb 2026 at 06:30 Ryanair and NATS, the UKs air traffic control firm, expect to rack up 3.4m (3.9m) in legal costs between them during what might only be the first phase of the airlines legal action against the UK company. Ask Allison: My dad and his sister fell out and she wanted her cancer kept secret from him. Now shes dead, do I tell him? Jarlath Burns gives emotional reaction as GAA Congress interrupted by anti-Allianz protesters at Croke Park I dont need any lectures about what its like to feel the pressure of illegal occupation says association president after Hogan Stand protest Protesters over Allianz sponsorship of the GAA outside Croke Park Colm Keys Sat 28 Feb 2026 at 16:10 GAA Congress was paused after a number of protesters in opposition to the GAA's Allianz sponsorship links gained entry to the fifth floor of the Hogan Stand in Croke Park and unfurled a banner behind the top table. I saw a plume of white smoke Irish in Middle East react to explosions as Iran targets US military facilities Four expats spoke to the Irish Independent as Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US bases in the UAE following a joint US and Israeli attack against Tehran on Saturday morning Irish expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi recount explosions overhead Keith Kelly Sat 28 Feb 2026 at 18:58 Irish expats working in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have spoken about the moment their cities came under Iranian ballistic missile attacks earlier today. HANGZHOU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The deaths of a giant panda on Feb. 9 in Hangzhou Safari Park and another on Feb. 10 in Hangzhou Zoo were announced in an official statement issued on Saturday. The joint announcement from the Hangzhou forestry and water resources bureau, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding said that Banban, a panda at the Hangzhou Safari Park, and Xiangguo, a panda at the Hangzhou Zoo, had died following illnesses despite medical treatment on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, respectively. Autopsies determined that Banban died of an intestinal obstruction, and Xiangguo of mesenteric volvulus. Both conditions led to multiple organ failure. The respective mortality rates of these acute abdominal diseases are up to 60 percent and 100 percent in giant pandas, according to the announcement, which classified them as major diseases in captive panda populations. Authorities have announced an urgent investigation into both zoological facilities. Effective immediately, the panda exhibits at both the Hangzhou Safari Park and the Hangzhou Zoo have been closed for rectification. To ensure the well-being of Hangzhou's remaining pandas, Yiyi and Chunsheng, Yiyi will be returned to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, and Chunsheng to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Leader and only TD accuses Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of rolling back last coalitions progress on climate action The Green Party would have to secure more than 10 Dail seats before entering government again, according to its leader and sole TD Roderic OGorman. Despite the party being almost obliterated in the 2024 general election, the Dublin West deputy said he had no regrets about going into government. He also criticised other small parties, such as the Social Democrats, that chose to shy away from office. Flipper skates, angel sharks a dolphin were part of the bycatch of vessels using tangle nets to catch crayfish, but a return to traditional fishing methods could be a win-win for all concerned Tangle net fishery is a type of fishing that uses vertical net panels, usually kept underwater for a period of one to 10 days. It is considered an effective and inexpensive fishing method with nets rigged with a particular mesh size to suit the fish species being targeted. However, unsustainable levels of bycatch the capture of non-targeted species can be a concern with this type of fishing, according to a recent report from the state agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation in Ireland. In a Marine Institute report, targeted catch and bycatch data was collected from vessels fishing for crayfish with tangle nets off the southwest coast of Ireland between 2021-2024. It looked at two fleets: one that fished from Kerry Head south to Brandon point (referred to in the report as the Tralee fleet) and the other from outer Dingle Bay north to the Blasket Islands (the Dingle fleet). One of the key concerns in the report was bycatch rates for the critically endangered flapper skate and angel shark. Sharks, skates and rays have biological characteristics that make them vulnerable to depletion: they are long lived, slow growing, late maturing, have protracted breeding cycles and produce very few offspring, resulting in low population growth rates and limited capacity to recover from overfishing and other threats such as pollution or habitat destruction. Irelands waters contain 38 species of shark and 32 species of skates and rays. Tralee Bay supports many of these, some of which are now critically endangered or endangered in Ireland, the Atlantic region and globally. The report says: A total of 444 flapper skates and 22 angel sharks were observed and reported in contracted data during 2021-2024. The catches of angel shark reached the maximum number in August to September 2022, when six individuals were reported. Incidental bycatch of angel sharks was also reported in inner Tralee Bay. Concern: Several angel shark were caught as bycatch while fishing for crayfish, according to a Marine Institure report. Photo: Getty The report highlights that there is a significant risk of angel shark extinction at local, north-east Atlantic and global level if bycatch continues, given this species vulnerability when faced with even a small depletion in numbers. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is now calling for tangle net fishery to be phased out. Simon Berrow, chief executive officer and founder member of the IWDG, says the groups call to phase out tangle net fishing is an unusual move, but they felt compelled to do it due to their concern over the reported bycatch levels: We are respectful of the fishing community and the fact that they are under pressure and losing stocks. But our concern with this specific type of fishery tangle net is the high level of bycatch, as well as the high impact on the target species. We would find it difficult to justify the level of damage that is being done in that area. The Marine Institute report also highlights the economic pressures faced by fishing communities: The number of vessels landing and selling more than 100kg of crayfish increased from 10 to 108 between 2014 and 2024. These trends are unsurprising for this fishery given that the value per individual fish is between 40-80 and any indication that stocks are increasing attracts significant attention from fishermen. The investment and operating costs by comparison are not that high; tangle nets can be soaked (left in the sea) for several days while the vessels tend to pots or other gear. The main cost is annual replacement and mounting of gear which is usually done during the winter. The fishery is, therefore, prone to boom and bust cycles. For Berrow, a key concern is that grey seal and Rissos dolphin had been caught: Obviously, the big talking point from the report was the bycatch of flapper skates and angel shark, both critically endangered. But we were surprised to hear that a Rissos dolphin was also caught and we wanted to flag that. We dont truly know how many Rissos dolphins there are in Irish waters, but we know they are not abundant. They are patchily distributed and the Blasket Islands would be a well-known area for the species. He says that ideally, tangle net fishery would be phased out over the next few years, within a reasonable timescale, with adequate consultation and compensation for fishing communities: It understandably takes time for people to come on board, but in our view, a preferable alternative would be pot-based fishery. This was the more traditional method historically tangle net fishery came in during the 1970s. The Marine Institute report also recommends a switch to using pots for crayfish fishery. It says: Trials with different pot designs have been ongoing in the study area since 2022. Development of a viable pot fishery for crayfish remains a key objective in securing a sustainable future for the fishery. A man who smashed his neighbours window was banging on the glass looking for help after his partner injured her hand, a court heard. Robert Farrell (36) had nothing to bandage the wound with and broke the window accidentally, a court heard. Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the case for payment of compensation to the victim. Farrell, of Bolton Court, Bolton Street, pleaded guilty to criminal damage on January 20, 2026. Dublin District Court heard gardai were called to the apartments after a woman complained that the accused had smashed her window, which cost 200 to repair. Con Coughlin: Talibans foreign allies have pushed it to the brink in Pakistan conflict Long-standing tensions go deeper than border dispute as Islamabad blames Kabul for shielding Pakistani militant group Afghan Taliban soldiers gather on the Afghan side of a border crossing with Pakistan (Wahidullah Kakar/AP) Con Coughlin Sat 28 Feb 2026 at 06:30 The long-running confrontation between Pakistans all-powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and homegrown Islamist militants lies at the heart of the outbreak of hostilities in Afghanistan, which has resulted in Pakistani warplanes bombing the countrys capital, Kabul. This week on Indo Politics, the government finds itself on the defensive after a botched review of Special Needs Assistant allocations spiralled into a full-blown political crisis. A late night 19 million euro funding injection has paused the cuts for now, but questions remain about how the review was handled, why ministers appeared blindsided, and whether trust in the special education system has been shaken. With disability services already a stated priority for this government, has serious political capital been burned over what critics say was a preventable controversy? Hag's Head is the name given to the most southerly point of the Cliffs of Moher, where an unusual rock formation is formed in the cliff, resembling a woman's head looking out to sea. Local folklore says that the rock formed head belongs a witch named Mal, who was in love with the Irish hero Cu Chulainn, who did not return her affections. It is said that as he escaped her, the witch tried to leap after him across the sea stacks but fell and was killed, with the rocks forming her head in memory of her. A North Cork man, who was accused of urinating at the back of a shop on the main street in Charleville, before soiling a holding cell at Mallow Garda Station, has been given several fines, as well as having had a criminal damage case adjourned. DOHA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatar on Saturday condemned Iranian missile strikes on its territory, calling them a violation of its sovereignty and a direct threat to national security and regional stability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The ministry said Qatar reserves the right to respond under international law and in proportion to the attack, stressing it will defend its sovereignty and national interests. It said Qatar has long pushed for dialogue with Iran and supports peaceful solutions, but the missile strikes undermine efforts to ease tensions. The statement also denounced attacks on neighboring countries, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Bahrain, and reaffirmed Qatar's support for their security. Qatar called for an immediate halt to escalation and urged a return to talks to prevent further regional conflict. Enditem. A Three store worker who exposed his genitals to a customer at Nutgrove Shopping Centre outlet has avoided jail with a five-month suspended prison sentence. Brian Carroll (30), of South Circular Road, Dublin 8, had pleaded not guilty but was convicted at Tallaght District Court of exposing his genitals to the woman on June 28, 2023, contrary to Section 45 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. The woman previously told the court that she had returned to the kiosk-style store for a follow-up about issues with her phone service and that she recognised Carroll from her previous visit. The victim said the iPad Carroll was using could only swivel halfway and he motioned for her to come around to his side of the desk so she could view the screen. When she did, she said she saw his erect penis protruding down the inside of his left leg from his shorts. She said he looked directly at her and then looked down at his genital area in a way she understood as look here. She said she left the shop in shock. Carroll denied the allegation and maintained that the incident just didnt happen, telling the court there was no possible way the woman could have seen anything from where she was standing. During sentencing, Judge Patricia McNamara noted that the injured party was not present in court but referred to her victim impact statement, which was read into the record. In the statement, the woman said the incident had brought back past trauma and caused panic attacks, including one lasting approximately half an hour accompanied by chest pains while she was in a park with her grandchild. She said she continues to experience anxiety and fear of encountering the accused and now avoids Nutgrove Shopping Centre. Judge McNamara said she had found the womans evidence at trial to be cogent and clear and had been satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the offence occurred. A probation report prepared for the court found that Carroll does not accept responsibility for the offence and does not accept the courts findings. The report assessed him as presenting a medium to average risk of reoffending, identifying lack of accountability as the primary risk factor. The judge said it was concerning that Carroll remained in denial of the offence. You do not accept what I have found you guilty of", Judge McNamara said, noting that while it was his right to appeal, the absence of acceptance was troubling when assessing risk. The court heard that Carroll is in a stable relationship and that his wife had written a letter speaking highly of his character and confirming she was aware of the seriousness of the matter, though the court heard she did not comment on the evidence or charges. His parents were also present in court. Judge McNamara said that although Carroll had not come to Garda attention since June 2023, there remained a concern that he could commit a similar offence again. She noted that the case had proceeded to a contested hearing, requiring the injured party to give evidence and that she may have to do so again if an appeal proceeds. Judge McNamara convicted and sentenced Carroll to five months imprisonment, suspending the sentence in full for 12 months having regard to the time that had elapsed since the offence. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. Young Monaghan driver banned for six years after hes caught by gardai barely three months into earlier driving ban If you are caught behind the wheel again, you will be going to prison, my friend Luke Ryan on the steps of Monaghan Courthouse. Liam Cosgrove Fri 27 Feb 2026 at 12:00 A judge has put a steelwork fabricator off the road for six years after he was caught drug driving and twice with no insurance inside the space of five weeks while barely three months into a 12 month disqualification period. A 39-year-old man took a swing at a Garda who was helping him off the floor at a pub, Sligo District Court heard. Luke Walsh (39) of St Brigids Place, Sligo was charged with engaging in threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour at Gracies Bar on April 7, 2025. Garda Dylan Fitzgerald told the court that at 2am, gardai received a report from security staff at Gracies Bar of a man laying on the floor and refusing to leave. Upon arrival, Garda Fitzgerald found Walsh on the floor. Whilst helping the defendant up from the floor, Walsh took a swing at Garda Fitzgerald which narrowly missed him. Walsh was pepper sprayed, arrested and conveyed to Sligo Garda Station. Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), told Judge Eiteaim Cunningham that Walsh was heavily intoxicated. Garda Fitzgerald informed Judge Cunningham that Walsh has since spoken to him and that he has accepted his apology. Mr Mullaney informed the court that Walsh works as a chef in a Sligo hotel. The court heard that the defendant has no previous convictions. Mr Mullaney said that his client had too much alcohol on board and that his relationship with his then partner ended around the time of the offence. He asked Judge Cunningham to give Walsh something short of a criminal conviction. Judge Cunningham said that it was very serious as Walsh had to be pepper sprayed. She added that Garda Fitzgerald was assisting him. She directed Walsh to make a 350 contribution to charity Little Blue Heroes and adjourned the matter to March 19 for the defendant to show a receipt of the donation. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme A 27-year-old woman pushed past a garda in a cathedral to get to a different faction of her family at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo District Court heard. Rebecca Sweeney of Lynch Park, Dublin was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and having a screwdriver at the Cathedral, Temple St, Sligo on May 7, 2024. Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that there were a number of people at the Cathedral when Garda Lorraine Brennan heard people shouting Rebecca has a screwdriver. There were a lot of elderly people at the church. Gardai Brennan stopped and spoke to Sweeney who co-operated fully with them. Upon searching her, gardai found a screwdriver. Sweeney then pushed past Garda Brennan to get to other members of her family also in the church. Sergeant Butler informed Judge Eiteain Cunningham that this was a different faction of the family. Garda Brennan then arrested Sweeney. The court heard that the defendant has no previous convictions. Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that there are two different parts of Sweeneys family embroiled in a dispute. Mr Mullaney said that to her credit, Sweeney did co-operate fully with Garda Brennan but that a red mist descended on her which caused her to push past Garda Brennan. He reiterated that his client has no previous convictions. Mr Mullaney continued that Sweeney is a full time carer for her child. Judge Cunningham said that the charges are serious as Sweeney had a screwdriver in a place of worship and sanctuary. She added that it was unacceptable behaviour at every level. Judge Cunningham directed a probation and welfare report for Sweeney to assess her risk of re-offending and adjourned the case to July 16. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. Cllrs Stephen Stokes and Louise Fenlon Gaskin highlighting the planters on Church Road in Greystones Wicklow County Council are standing their ground and refusing to remove contentious planters on Church Road in Greystones. The issue is turning into a long-running local debate about balancing town aesthetic with practical parking needs. The planters were first installed in 2020 as "interim mobility measures", to facilitate social distancing needs and support local businesses losing indoor capacity. They effectively replaced roughly 24 on-street parking spaces. Although originally designated as temporary, council officials have recently confirmed they will not be removed. A motion in early 2026 to replace them with designated age-friendly and disabled parking was rejected by Wicklow County Council. Officials maintain that the old parking spots no longer meet modern safety and size standards for age-friendly spaces. Removing them is also viewed as contrary to the town's broader public realm plan, which aims to reduce main-street traffic and favour pedestrian access. Cllr Louise Fenelon Gaskin has been spearheading the campaign to remove them, arguing the planters are "unsightly" and hinder accessibility for elderly or disabled shoppers who need to park closer to main street businesses. Cllr Stephen Stokes has also raised concerns regarding unfinished road verges and high kerbs along Church Road following resurfacing in 2024. The issue was raised again by both councillors during their latest district meeting on Tuesday evening this week. The meeting opened with Cllr Fenelon Gaskins concern that a motion regarding planter removal and consideration of age-friendly parking, tabled by herself and Cllr Stokes, had been taken off the meetings agenda. It was agreed that the motion could be re-instated. However, district manager Helena Dennehy stated that the matter would still not be discussed at its scheduled point on the agenda. When the planter issue was finally raised, there was a detailed discussion of the districts standing orders. Council officials declared that the matter could not be discussed as it had already been discussed within a six-month timeframe, as Cllr Fenelon Gaskin had submitted a motion last October. Cllr Fenelon Gaskin and Cllr Stokes strongly rebutted that argument. Cllr Stokes pointed out that, according to standing orders, the matter could still be discussed if agreed by the elected members, even if it was within a six-month timeframe. He believed the new motion (which called for all remaining planter boxes to be removed from the western side of Church Road to support local businesses) was legitimate and deserved to be discussed. However, Cathaoirleach Lourda Scott refused to entertain the motion, moving the meeting to the next item on the agenda. Despite a formal motion by Cllr Louise Fenelon Gaskin in October 2025 to remove the planters for elderly and disabled parking, council officials had confirmed in January 2026 they will not be removed. When the issue was referenced again in January, engineers stated that the parking spaces the planters occupy no longer meet current Age Action Ireland standardswhich have roughly doubled in size requirementsmeaning the council cannot legally revert them to parking without widening the footpaths. As the new standards are larger, district engineer Graham Cullen has indicated how the council cannot simply paint lines and call them age-friendly spaces. The local authority would have to widen the footpaths to comply with safety laws, a project they are not currently able to fund or execute. Additionally, the area is officially integrated into the Pathfinder Scheme, a national program prioritising pedestrians and cyclists. Officials argue that removing the planters would contradict these long-term "green" goals. Officials have pointed out that removing parking on Church Road has been a goal of the Greystones Public Realm Plan since 2020, long before the pandemic made it a reality. Council management has suggested that, while the planters stay, they will review parking bye-laws in early 2026 to see if age-friendly spaces can be located elsewhere in the town centre. The current parking bye-laws were last reviewed in 2017. While the local authority has confirmed to Cllr Stokes that a new review is planned, he has been regularly raising the matter at monthly full council meetings. He is urging that the process be prioritised without delay. A briefing document is currently being collated for the councils Transport, Infrastructure Delivery and Emergency Services Committee, which Cllr Stokes currently chairs. He has said that this represents an important opportunity to ensure the review is comprehensive, transparent, and reflective of community needs. Cllr Stokes noted that local engagement will be a crucial part of the process. The concerns regarding the planters on Church Road have primarily been voiced by traders located in the town's commercial hub, where the loss of on-street parking is most impactful for short-stay customers. A broader group of more than 25 Greystones traders wrote to Wicklow County Council in 2025. While their letter focused on the drop in footfall from the closed Cliff Walk, it underscored a general atmosphere of business "breaking point" where every lost convenience, including parking near shops, is seen as critical. Kathleen Kelleher has been one of the most vocal and persistent critics of the planters, representing the views of many older residents in Greystones. As a prominent member of the Greystones Active Retirement Association, Ms Kelleher has repeatedly argued that the removal of these spaces is "anti-elderly. She has noted that many senior citizens "cannot walk long distances" and that the town's geography (being hilly in parts) makes parking near the Credit Union and pharmacies essential for independence. Because there was no formal discussion, Ms Kelleher believes important information on this issue was not put to the meeting or the public. Wicklow is an age friendly county, part of a national and international WHO framework. On February 11, 2026, Wicklow County Council held age friendly housing and public realm training. The meeting brought together staff from Wicklow County Council housing, planning, engineering, architecture, community development and other key service areas, whose work shapes the built environment for older people. The training was opened by chief executive Emer OGorman, who emphasised the importance of designing communities where people can age well, live safely and remain connected. I was shocked at the peremptory and negative answer to councillors Fenelon Gaskins and Stokes pleas on behalf of older people. The response from county officials was a complete rebuff of older peoples concerns. Where does that leave us here in Greystones? As public representatives, it is their duty to look after the needs of all people. So, what happens now? Further amended motions may be presented at future district meetings attempting to remove the planters. However, as things stand, the situation will likely conclude with a complete redesign of Church Road, replacing the wooden planters with permanent, high-quality street furniture and green infrastructure. To that end, the council will soon launch a Part 8 planning process, which is the formal statutory stage where the final designs are put on public display, allowing for official submissions and objections before the works are voted on by councillors for permanent implementation. These changes are now legally anchored in the Greystones-Delgany and Kilcoole Local Planning Framework, adopted in February 2026. This means the pedestrian-first design of Church Road is now part of the town's official development policy until at least 2028. In short, the planters as you see them today will eventually disappear, not to be replaced by cars, but by permanent landscape architecture. Both councillors have committed to continuing engagement with local businesses, residents, and community groups to ensure that any future changes reflect the needs of the town. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Bluetongue has been detected in a Wicklow herd from sampling of a foetus submitted to Kilkenny RVL, but the IFA are advising local farmers to remain calm. The animal was identified in the context of ongoing surveillance testing. It originated from a head located along the Wicklow, Wexford border, near Johnstown. While, Ireland has lost its bluetongue-free status, which has ramifications for trade, the Department confirmed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has agreed an interim trade certificate with Ireland, which will allow dairy exports to resume. Tom Byrne, PRO for Wicklow IFA, said: We are hearing that they are going to relax the rules. There are still some restrictions to exports to Northern Ireland, but bluetongue appears to be European-wide now. Of course farmers are fearful of the unknown, but there are a lot of vaccines, and we will just have to live with it. Its a case of managing it rather than fearing it. There are so many different strains of the virus, and it will take time to develop a vaccine for all of these different strains. Its coming into the major spring season for farmers, but its important to note that bluetongue is not dangerous to humans and poses no risk to human health or food safety. Another rising concern for Irish farmers is the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa, currently affecting eight of its nine provinces Tom added: If that were to hop over into somewhere like Spain, it would be very worrying for all of Europe, including Ireland, and Im sure the Department of Agriculture are watching the situation like a hawk. LIVE | US given access to British bases for strikes against Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (86) was killed in airstrike Iranian and Israeli air strikes continue for second day Middle Eastern airport hubs remain closed or restricted Airlines reroute or cancel flights, affecting global schedules Risk of prolonged disruption from regional conflicts Trump warns Iran against retaliation for strikes which killed Ayatollah Irish Independent Newsdesk Sun 1 Mar 2026 at 11:00 Iran's supreme leader was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, a seismic development in a conflict that has spread to half a dozen countries across the Middle East. Reform UK has gone to the police to report cases of family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election in Manchester in which they this week came second to the Greens. CAIRO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts. Iran retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, among other countries. U.S. President Donald Trump said the objective "is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats" from Iran, and the Israeli Defense Ministry said the country launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran "to remove threats to Israel." In Tehran, missiles hit areas near the offices of both Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian sources said that both leaders remain unhurt. The latest flare-up came after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks earlier this week and agreed to resume negotiations next week. Starmer on thin ice after historic blow to Labour from Greens The British prime minister described the result as very disappointing Newly elected Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer of Britain's Green Party attends a press conference after winning the by-election in the northwest constituency, in Manchester yesterday. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters Andy Bruce and Andrew MacAskill Reuters Sat 28 Feb 2026 at 06:30 British prime minister Keir Starmer pledged to fight political extremes on the right and left on Friday after his Labour Party suffered a humiliating election defeat to the left-wing Green Party in an area it had dominated for almost a century. We got lost in Moscow and I thought Id never see my husband again: the Irish housewives who took on the USSR Civilians among casualties after strikes Taliban fighters manning an armed pick-up truck at the Afghan side of the Ghulam Khan crossing with Pakistan in Khost province, Afghanistan. Photo: AP Afghanistans Taliban rulers said on Friday they were willing to negotiate after Pakistan bombed its forces in major cities and dozens of troops were killed in the most serious clashes between the allies-turned-foes. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that cash payments will no longer be accepted at any of its pay points nationwide starting Sunday, March 1, 2026. This marks a major shift in how transactions are handled at airports across the country. According to FAAN, the new policy forms part of its Go Cashless initiative aimed at making payments faster, safer, and fully digital at all FAAN-managed facilities. In a statement released on Friday, the authority said all passengers and airport visitors will now be required to make digital payments at international and local airports. Advertisement This includes entry through access gates, parking fees at car parks, and charges for executive or VIP lounges. In line with the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria, effective March 1st, 2026, cash will no longer be accepted at any FAAN pay point, FAAN said. It urged travellers to prepare for digital transactions at all airports nationwide. Passengers are encouraged to collect their Go Cashless cards at designated pick-up points inside terminals such as access gates and lounges, which allow them to complete payments quickly using a tap-and-go system. FAAN has also started issuing these cards ahead of the deadline. The initiative aligns with the broader cashless agenda supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government, designed to reduce reliance on physical cash, enhance revenue transparency, and minimise delays at busy airports. The move follows earlier pilots of FAANs digital system at major hubs like Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where cashless payments have already been introduced in stages. The authority reassured travellers that the cashless system is secure and meant to improve convenience. Passengers with questions can visit any FAAN information desk at the airports or check further details on FAANs official website, www.faan.ng. The Federal Government has assured Nigerians residing in Iran and neighbouring Gulf countries of its commitment to their safety amid reports of military actions in parts of the Middle East. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government said it is closely monitoring the evolving and volatile situation in the Middle East, stressing that the safety and well-being of Nigerians abroad remain a top priority. The ministry advised Nigerian nationals in the affected countries to remain vigilant, limit non-essential movement and strictly comply with directives issued by local security authorities. Advertisement It also urged citizens to steer clear of areas designated as strategic, military or government installations, warning that such locations could become flashpoints as tensions persist. The Nigerian Embassy in Tehran and affected neighbouring Gulf countries are on high alert to provide required consular assistance and facilitate easy communication, the statement noted. Nigerians were further encouraged to rely on credible information sources and avoid spreading or acting on unverified reports, especially on social media platforms, stressing the importance of official communication channels for security updates. The advisory covers countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Citizens in these countries were urged to exercise heightened vigilance and avoid large gatherings or public demonstrations until stability is restored. Beyond the immediate safety guidance, the Federal Government called for restraint among parties involved in the conflict. The Government of Nigeria wishes to call on parties to the conflict to de-escalate the crisis by returning to the negotiation table for the interests of global peace and coexistence, the statement read. The federal government also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad while reiterating its support for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to conflicts in the region. Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, has stirred fresh reactions online after openly declaring that he is a Christian who also makes use of traditional charms. Speaking boldly, Igboho made it clear that being a Christian does not stop him from practising traditional spirituality. I am a Christian, but I use charms. I do all religions. Even Islamic father, Muideen Ajayi Bello is a Muslim, I am a Christian. I was born in church, but I do charms. I was trained in the act. Everyone knows my father is a babalawo in Modakeke, he said. Advertisement He explained that he was born in Igboho, a historic town in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, before his family later relocated to Modakeke in Osun State, where he grew up. According to him, his father is a well-known babalawo in the town, which exposed him to traditional practices from an early age. Igboho also stressed that he relates freely with people of different religions and does not see anything wrong in combining beliefs. He cited Islamic cleric Muideen Ajayi Bello as an example, noting that religion should not stop interaction among people from different backgrounds. His statement has since divided opinions online. While some supported his honesty and cultural pride, others questioned the compatibility of Christianity and traditional practices. As usual, Igbohos comments have sparked another round of debate about religion, culture and identity in Nigeria. BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully created its first exoskeleton robot system specifically designed for complex mine environments, marking a significant step toward "human-machine collaborative" rescue operations. The system is now undergoing industrial testing and has completed three rounds of practical training validation with a national mine rescue team, demonstrating excellent adaptability and stability in underground conditions, China Energy Investment Corporation Co., Ltd. (CHN Energy) said in a press release on Thursday. The project, initiated in July 2025 by Shendong Coal Group of CHN Energy in partnership with the China Coal Research Institute, addresses critical challenges in mine disaster response, including limited equipment intelligence and constrained individual rescue capabilities. The robot features an innovative "rigid-flexible coupling" structural design, integrating upper and lower limb power-assist modules with an embedded multi-sensor system and AI controller. This configuration enables efficient human-machine collaboration in underground operations, according to CHN Energy. Key technical specifications include over six hours of continuous operation, movement recognition accuracy exceeding 95 percent, and a maximum load capacity of 80 kilograms for carrying and dragging. The system reduces human metabolic energy consumption by approximately 20 percent, significantly enhancing rescue personnel's endurance. Beyond emergency rescue applications, the exoskeleton shows promise for high-intensity mining tasks such as underground material handling and equipment installation. This achievement contributes to China's energy industry safety technology system and strengthens the modernization of its mine emergency rescue capabilities, CHN Energy noted. Prime Care Hospital has dismissed reports claiming that Miss Mukoro Mitchelle, popularly known as King Mitchy, died at its facility in Abuja. In an official disclaimer shared on its Instagram page, the hospital described the announcement of the alleged death as false, stressing that the social media personality was never admitted to its Abuja branch. The management of Prime Care Hospitals wishes to inform the public that the announcement of the alleged death of Miss Mukoro Mitchelle popularly known as King Mitchy at our facility in Abuja is FALSE, the statement read. Advertisement The hospital further clarified that King Mitchy was never a patient in our hospital and did not pass away here. Management stated that it is working with relevant authorities to trace the origin of the misinformation and warned that legal action would be taken against those responsible for spreading the claim. We are working with authorities to investigate the source of this misinformation and will take all necessary legal actions against those responsible, the statement added. Speaker of the Osun Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and 24 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers have defected to the Accord Party. This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson to the speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, on Friday in Osogbo. The assembly has 26 members, comprising 25 PDP lawmakers and one All Progressives Congress (APC) member. Advertisement Mr Tiamiyu said the decision by the PDP lawmakers to leave the party was reached during a parliamentary meeting. He explained that the lawmakers resigned from the PDP weeks ago after deep reflection and extensive consultations with supporters, political associates, and key stakeholders. They resolved to align with Accord, he said. The lawmakers said they were convinced that the Accord Party provides a more stable, inclusive, and people-centred platform through which they could continue to serve the people of the state. They said that the move was driven by a determination to advance the collective interests of the people and sustain development across the state. The lawmakers also stressed the need to align with a political party that reflects their core values. According to the statement, the lawmakers reaffirmed their unwavering support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and their commitment to quality representation, transparency, and responsive leadership. They urged their supporters and well-wishers to remain steadfast and join them as they embark on the new political chapter. The lawmakers noted that their decision to join the Accord Party was aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and accelerating development for the people of the state. The statement added that the lawmakers later proceeded to the Banquet Hall of the Government House to meet with the governor and top leaders of the Accord Party, where the speaker formally announced the declaration. Mr Adeleke defected from the PDP to the Accord Party on December 9, 2025. (NAN) President Tinubu is currently holding a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State at the presidential villa. The governor was in Aso Rock to brief the president on the security situation in Bauchi State. Bauchi has recently experienced some disturbances in parts of the state. Advertisement The governor particularly updated the President on the disturbing activities of bandits in the Alkaleri local government area of the state, which requires timely attention. Bala Mohammed, who addressed the state House correspondents on the recent happenings in the political arena, particularly, the wave of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, said the defectors have their freedom to move to any party of their choice. However, the governor maintains his stand to remain in the opposition party. Principal Tameron Dancy is greeted by students at Robert Morris Elementary in North Philadelphia last May. Morris is now one of 18 Philadelphia schools facing potential closure. Read more Robert Morris School in North Philadelphia has been lauded for improving test scores, and it is the last elementary school in its immediate neighborhood. But the school district says not enough neighborhood children want to attend. Advertisement The Brewerytown K-8 schools enrollment is just under 23% full, with 216 students, and Morris is one of 18 schools slated for closure under the districts facilities plan. At a community meeting last week, district officials said the schools severely underutilized capacity was the driving factor behind their recommendation to close Morris after the next school year. But community members have questioned why low enrollment alone was enough reason to cut the school and have voiced concern that the district is closing a school with a majority-Black student population while keeping open a nearby elementary school that has more white students. We want the option for our children to be able to walk a block or two or three and get to their school. And its not clear to us the reason why that isnt a possibility, said Cierra Freeman, co-lead of culture and strategy for the Brewerytown-Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition. Morris students would be reassigned to Bache-Martin School or William D. Kelley School for fall 2027 under the plan. The district plans to repurpose the building at 2600 W. Thompson St., which it has categorized as being in fair condition, into a hub for its Office of Diverse Learners. Currently, the office operates within district headquarters and has an evaluation center near Central High School. District officials also said they want to keep the building so it could be reopened as a school in the future should enrollment interest rise. Punished for being so small Morris was honored by the district last year at its Accelerate Philly awards for major improvements in test scores across reading and math. Its third-grade class jumped from 7% proficiency in reading and 14% in math to 48% and 59%, respectively. The district has said it did not consider schools academic performance in its facilities plan. It seems like Robert Morris is being punished for being so small, Paul Brown, a school psychologist at Roxborough High School a Youth and Education co-lead for the Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition and a member of Stand Up for Philly Schools, said at the community meeting. Neighbors said the district has not done nearly enough to retain and attract families to Morris, a neighborhood gem, according to Siobahn Neitzel, a local resident and youth and education action team co-lead for Brewerytown-Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition. The challenges that the district talks about with regards to Morris really come from a continued lack of investment on the districts part, she said. If there must be change at Robert Morris, some speakers urged the district to consider colocating the Office of Diverse Learners with the school instead of closing it. District officials said that option would be considered but it was not reflected in a revised plan Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. presented Thursday that spared two schools originally slated for closure. Morris is still on the closure list, but the school board could make changes before voting on the plan in the coming weeks. A changing area Brewerytown and adjacent Sharswood are neighborhoods in flux. The area is experiencing rapid gentrification, with new developments and property values shooting up in recent years, including the $750 million Philadelphia Housing Authority project to clear and redevelop the Norman Blumberg Apartments towers. In the last round of mass closures in 2013, the district shuttered Meade Elementary School, less than a mile from Morris. Residents within the Morris catchment area have opted for other choices in recent years, including charters and other public schools. District officials said about 16% of students in Morris catchment already attend Bache-Martin. Freeman said that is, in part, the districts fault. This school has not been marketed to parents and families in the neighborhood. It has not been made attractive. It has not been pushed up, Freeman said. Some residents are frustrated with the plan to instead invest more than $50 million in Bache-Martin to handle an infusion of hundreds more students, including from Laura W. Waring School, and $4.7 million into Kelley. They believe Bache-Martin students deserve that kind of investment, but so do Kelley and Morris students. District officials said Kelley has received more funding in recent years, making a similarly large investment unnecessary. Residents are concerned the consolidation could result in violence, by putting kids from different neighborhoods and rival gangs suddenly under the same roof at Bache-Martin or Kelley. And some at the community meeting worried that even if the district reopens the Morris building as a new school, it would be as a magnet that excludes local students. Undergirding many of their concerns is the reality of race. Morris student body is 82% Black, and its community members said its potential closure was another indicator of the major impact the districts plan would have on Black families. Bache-Martin in Fairmount, poised for significant financial support, has only about 34% Black students. READ MORE: https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-building-closures-black-students-impact-20260129.html When closures disproportionately affect minority communities, we cannot pretend race is not a part of this story. What message are we sending to our students, my fifth- and sixth-grade students, when [the] place that nurtured them is going to disappear? Adrienne Ramsey, a math teacher at Morris, said at the community meeting. Freeman insisted that there must be a public education option for elementary school students in the neighborhood. She said she is concerned that charter schools, which are privately run and publicly funded, do not have enough public oversight, and public schools are critical to communities. Schools are one of the places that the real community building and community weaving starts, she said. She said she believed interest in a public elementary school in the Brewerytown-Sharswood area would return, particularly as incoming residents occupying the new developments look for places to send their childrenand current neighbors reconsider their education options. People want to be part of their communities. They want to be part of their neighborhoods. They want their children to have friends whose home they can walk to, she said. Bourbon chicken at Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft Chef Kenjiro Omori chuckles when asked about his bourbon chicken, a dinner mainstay at Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft in Ardmore. While Omori says he loves the saucy chunks sold at better mall food courts, his bourbon chicken is nothing like that. This rich, homey entree feels ready-made for a cold night. He breaks down whole birds, deboning them while keeping the breast, thigh, and drum intact, then lightly cures and air-dries the meat for four days. In tribute to Ripplewoods extensive whiskey collection, Omori sprays the chicken with bourbon before cooking to give it a lacquered finish. Essentially, this is Peking duck meets dry-aged chicken. Executive chef Biff Gottehrer designed the accompanying set, which changes seasonally. The winter mix includes lacinato kale, sweet potato, broccolini, and a sweet-tart mix of apricot and pomegranate, balancing comfort with cheffiness. Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft, 29 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, 610-486-7477, ripplewoodbar.com Advertisement Michael Klein Snapper soup at Oyster House A friend visiting Philadelphia recently told me shed never guess that Oyster House has been around for half a century a feat of longevity celebrated this week by the James Beard Foundation, which named the Mink familys restaurant an Americas Classic. And at first glance, I could understand. The raw bar is alive with diners of all ages, sipping some of the citys best martinis alongside icy platters of expertly shucked oysters sourced from locales from Cape May to Pemaquid, Maine. There are standard dishes you might find at any tradition-minded fishhouse a luxurious lobster roll, clam bakes, and creamy chowders. But there are also several modern moves from chef Joe Compoli that would be at home on a creative modern American menu: vibrant crudos, octopus ramen, black garlic-glazed halibut over black rice. If you look a little closer, however, you can see ties to local history that make Oyster House a Philadelphia classic, like the museum-worthy collection of antique oyster plates scattered like a gilt-edge porcelain constellation across the whitewashed walls. Key standbys on the menu itself function the same way. The fried oysters and chicken salad is one, a seemingly odd but absolutely delicious combo that dates to at least the 19th century, when the city was saturated with oyster houses. But the most iconic (and endangered) of Oyster Houses historical specialties is the snapper turtle soup. This dish has roots in Philadelphias colonial past, when 70-pound live green sea turtles would step off ships carrying all manner of tropical produce, just arrived from the West Indies to the citys docks. Much smaller snapping turtles from the South are the norm now, says third-generation Oyster House owner Sam Mink, but you can still taste the echoes of the Caribbean spice trade a heady current of allspice and clove swirling through the mahogany broth the restaurant steeps with whole turtles (shell and all) for nearly four hours. There are some other differences in Oyster Houses current snapper soup, which is a cold-weather staple here, and the style that was once standard across Philly in places like the (now long-gone) Bookbinders restaurants. Oyster Houses version is considerably thinner than the sludgy brown soup of yore. Its still enriched with buttery brown roux, but missing the extra cornstarch that once thickened it until a spoon could stand up straight. I can taste all the slow-cooked flavors of this soup even more, as well as the velvety softness of the tender meat, thanks to a habitual splash of dry sack sherry, shaken from the tableside cruet. But traditionalists, no doubt, still complain. Oh, there were certainly more people that grumbled at first in 2009, when this modified recipe was first introduced, says Mink. But if wed kept things so traditional and didnt move forward with our recipes, at least a little bit, I dont think wed be here today. Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com Craig LaBan Cinnamon bun from Vibrant Coffee Roasters Sometimes the only thing that can cure the snowstorm blues is a ginormous cinnamon bun slathered in cream cheese frosting. Vibrant Coffee Roasters are pretty hefty. Theyre roughly 4 inches in diameter and heaped with so much frosting it drips down the side, just the way I like. The key to creating giant and soft buns, according to Vibrant co-owner Ross Nickerson, is to let them merge together on the tray while they bake. That way, you lock in the moisture and avoid a cardinal sin: a dry cinnamon bun that tastes stale once it cools. Vibrant uses a hybrid sourdough-brioche dough, and Nickerson said that the staff avoids doing anything too fancy with the filling or frosting. The result is a classic cinnamon bun thats pillowy, not too sweet, and ultra-comforting. The buns are available at Vibrants locations in Rittenhouse and at Sixth and Lombard, plus their sister shop, Function Coffee Labs (1001 S. 10th St.). Id trek through snow to any of them for chance to get a gooey bun fresh from the oven. Vibrant Coffee Roasters, 222 W. Rittenhouse Square First Floor, 267-534-3608, vibrantcoffeeroasters.com Beatrice Forman In the 1790s, a coterie of Western Pennsylvanians rose up against a federal tax on whiskey. Unlike the Boston Tea Party, these protesters had representation in our young nation, but they still didnt appreciate the taxation on the valuable product made from their excess grain. President George Washington rode in and staged a 13,000-strong militia outside Bedford a settlement that had already played a vital role in the French and Indian War and was in its infancy as a tourism destination thanks to its salubrious mineral springs and squashed what became known as the Whiskey Rebellion. For such a small town (less than 3,000 residents), Bedford casts an outsize historical shadow in Pennsylvania. Add one of Americas oldest luxury resorts still in operation, robust trout fishing, and pristine wilderness, and youve got an ideal spring road trip, about three and a half hours west of Philly. Advertisement Start the car. Stay: Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa Bedford is a one-horse town when it comes to hotels, but thats no diss on Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa. A bucolic compound of Greek Revival and Victorian buildings, this National Historic Landmark got its start in the late 1700s, when local doctor John Anderson bought the land and began building accommodations around its mineral-rich springs. (Thomas Jefferson was a fan.) Today, its a sprawling resort with more than 200 rooms, a botanical-inspired spa, two pools the indoor one ranks among the oldest in the country and grand lawns studded with firepits where families gather with smores and mountain pies. 2198 Sweet Root Rd., Bedford, Pa. 15522 Fish: Yellow Creek Dozens of streams and creeks slice through the woods of Bedford County, making it a hugely popular fly-fishing spot in the spring. Yellow Creek, a trout-stocked limestone tributary of the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, runs 10 miles through Loysburg and Hopewell, just northeast of Bedford. If youve got your own gear, you can fish independently, but for more of a guided experience, book a tour with local outfitter Trout Yeah. Yellow Creek, Bedford County, Pa. Cross: Halls Mill Covered Bridge Historic covered bridges crisscross the waterways of Bedford, and you can visit nine of them in the countys Covered Bridge Driving Tour. Not officially on the tour but near Yellow Creek, the circa-1884 Halls Mill Covered Bridge spans the water in a charming white-and-red Burr Truss design that looks like it couldve taken out the Maitlands in Beetlejuice. 196 St. Pauls Church Rd., Hopewell, Pa. 16650 Explore: Coral Caverns Hundreds of millions of years ago, an inland sea covered this land. When the water receded, it left behind the Coral Caverns, a subterranean limestone labyrinth under the town of Manns Choice, just west of Bedford. The fossil-rich complex includes a little museum on the sites history and artifacts uncovered in the cave. Tours are private and available by appointment only. Call or text 814-977-9570 to book. Coral Caverns Private Driveway, Manns Choice, Pa. 15550 Visit: Fort Bedford Museum Opened in 1958 and modernized into an impressive institution between 2015 and 2025, the Fort Bedford Museum presents the history of the titular 1758 fortification (a key site in the French and Indian War), and offers context on the area of Bedford and beyond. A quick walk from the museum takes you to the actual footprints of the original fort, tucked between the historic Anderson House and the river. 110 Fort Bedford Dr., Bedford, Pa. 15522 Drink: Whiskey River Pub Before dinner, cosplay a thirsty member of the Whiskey Rebellion at the Whiskey River Pub, a low-slung, family-owned tavern that sits right on the water. Locals and tourists sit on swiveling barstools at the long bar, and a mural of whiskey barrels covers one wall. Theres a pool table, live music, and a deep cocktail menu that includes the Whiskey Rebellion Smash, Smoked Old Fashioned, and Bedford Blackberry Whiskey Sour. For a snack, dont miss the house-made potato chips covered in blue cheese and balsamic. 537 E. Pitt St., Bedford, Pa. 15522 Dine: Horn O Plenty Horn O Plenty calls itself a freshtaurant, which would be incredibly concerning if this old-timey, log-and-stone cabin on the outskirts of downtown were not so dedicated to local sourcing and from-scratch cooking. Many of the menus items have a house in front of them: house-made sodas (Italian vanilla cream, orange rosemary), house-blended teas, house-fermented kimchi. The beef for the burgers and steaks is pasture-raised. The restaurant uses its own eggs, grows stone fruit, and forages for wild goodies. 220 Wolfsburg Rd., Bedford, PA 15522 Proofs of forthcoming Highlights magazine covers in the editorial offices in Honesdale on Jan. 14. The publication began in the town in 1946 as a small operation and the editorial offices are still there, even as it has grown into one of America's most respected educational magazines for children. Read more HONESDALE, Pa. In waiting rooms all over America, millions of children found something to stave off the impending needles and drills, a magical world of puzzles, games, and stories written just for them. For many kids, Highlights was the first magazine they ever read, and, perhaps, the one that mattered most when they look back on their childhoods, decades later. In an era when print circulation magazines, newspapers, and even the phone book steadily declines, its easy to look back on Highlights, which was first published in 1946, with a glowing nostalgia. Every issue was full of intricately illustrated hidden-picture puzzles, the beloved duo of Goofus and Gallant making disparate decisions, and child-authored Dear Highlights questions that were often silly, serious, and tender. Advertisement I let my friends borrow one of my stuffed animals. Shes going to give it back next time we meet, but Im afraid shes going to lose it, a girl named Ramona, from California, wrote to Highlights. The magazine may get some Generation Xers feeling wistful, but Highlights and its handful of offshoots are alive and well and, perhaps, more crucial than ever in an era where childrens attention spans are pulled in every direction. Highlights turns 80 this year, and its editorial offices remain in a cozy pre-Civil War, Italianate house in downtown Honesdale, Wayne County. We are as relevant as we were 80 years ago, said Marlo Scrimizzi, senior editorial director for Highlights for Children. Our future is expansion. We want to bring Highlights to more homes and families. Today, Highlights for Children publishes six magazines, with a combined circulation of one million a month, all while remaining family-owned. Its still full of old favorites, like Goofus and Gallant, plus dinosaurs, outer space themes, animals, and unicorns, the mythical beast thats made a big comeback in recent years. Dinosaurs will always be in, Scrimizzi said. Outside of the flagship magazine, which targets children 6 to 12, the company publishes Hello (ages 0-2), Highlights CoComelon (ages 1-4), High Five (ages 2-6), High Five Bilingue (ages 2-6), and brainPLAY (ages 7 and up). On a recent January afternoon in Honesdale, the editorial crew was laying out its latest issue, which featured a Japanese artist who practices kintsugi, the art of repairing broken objects by filling cracks with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. In the 1940s, a husband and wife duo from Pennsylvania, Garry Cleveland Myers and Caroline Clark Myers, made an unlikely decision to create a magazine focused on and for children, with the motto Fun with a purpose. Garry Cleveland Myers had a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia, and Caroline Clark Myers was a schoolteacher in Wayne County. They really wanted kids to know that they had it in themselves to be creative, to think through problems, to be empowered and have the confidence to really come up with the creative solutions and think through answers to questions, said Judy Burke, the magazines editor. The Myerses, who had worked for another childrens magazine before starting their own, had a groundswell of support from parents and built a clientele base through old-fashioned door-knocking. By 1950, however, the business model was lagging. They were editors, not business people, really. They were educators, Burke said. They were in really dire straits, financially, and almost had to close, so they kind of rallied some troops. The business didnt fully take off, however, until their son Garry Myers Jr. quit his job as an aeronautical engineer and took a look at the books. It was Garry Myers Jr. who decided to send the magazine to doctors and dentists offices, which sparked a rush of subscriptions from parents. By 1960, Highlights had a half-million subscribers, and the relationship between the magazine and the waiting room was forever sealed. Parents would see their kids amusing themselves with this magazine in the waiting room and think, What is this product? Burke said. There wasnt a ton of magazines for kids back then. Dipesh Navsaria, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin, said the competition for childrens attention extends to the waiting room in 2026. Some have arcade games. Others have televisions. Every parent has a phone, he said, which is an easy salve for a sick child. Still, as a supporter of Highlights, he believes the timeless magazine still matters there. Families should expect and perceive that the most important thing we care about is that childs health and well-being. That extends to whats on the walls, in the exam rooms, and the waiting room, he said. With Highlights, theres a long history of trust. Highlights doesnt have advertising, and parents can know their kids arent going to be marketed to. Burke was one of those kids in the waiting room, reading Highlights at a doctors appointment 20 miles west of Honesdale. Id see how much of the magazine I could read before they called me in, she said. I didnt want to miss a page. Decades later, Burke was in a Pennsylvania dentists office during a break from college and picked up Highlights again. That inspired her to reach out to the company, and shes now been there for 31 years. A girl wrote in recently and said, I love your magazine so much, I just feel like I could curl up with it, Burke said. Those words warm my heart. Honesdale has seen an uptick in population and tourism, along with more breweries, artists, restaurants, and short-term rentals moving into the once sleepy Poconos town. Burke, Scrimizzi, and a small crew who anchor the Honesdale editorial offices are in the middle of it all, downtown. Other editorial staff members work remotely, and the companys business offices are in Ohio. The Honesdale offices arent the location of an amusement park, but theres a large dinosaur head in a meeting area and vintage childrens books that the Myerses wrote for, along with other childrens memorabilia. Burkes office is filled with monster puppets, and just outside it, on a wall, is a large wooden motif of the magazine built by a fan, a testament to how beloved it is. Along the staircase, Highlights guiding principle is affixed to the wall: Children are the worlds most important people. Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, tangled with the Trump administration over military use of his company's AI assistant, Claude. Read more The Trump administrations declaration that AI company Anthropic would be cut off from all government contracts shook the tech industry late Friday, hardening political and cultural battle lines across Silicon Valley over military use of artificial intelligence. President Donald Trump ordered government agencies to immediately cease using Anthropics technology, in a post on Truth Social on Friday, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the company a supply chain risk to national security in his own post on X, after the company refused to allow its technology to be used for domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. Advertisement The Trump administrations assault on Anthropic appeared to put the company on course to lose billions of dollars of potential revenue, although the startup said in a blog post late Friday that it would challenge Hegseths designation in court. The firms conversational assistant, Claude, is being deployed or tested in at least five government agencies, including the Pentagon, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Energy, according to recent disclosures of AI use mandated by law and an executive order. Fridays aggressive moves by the Trump administration put all of Silicon Valley on notice that tech companies seeking Pentagon contracts risk massive political and business fallout if they dont back administration policies and cede control of how their technology is used. Rivals of Anthropic including Elon Musk and other tech allies of Trump seized on the conflict to pledge that their own companies would not question Pentagon policies, positioning themselves as loyal patriots. Conflict has bubbled between Anthropic and the Trump administration since last year. The company leveraged its relationship with investor Amazon to become the first company to be integrated into classified systems. But Anthropic, co-founded in 2021 by CEO Dario Amodei, his sister Daniela, and other former employees of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, also rankled tech allies of Trump by positioning itself as more safety conscious than other AI developers. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns the Washington Post, which has a content partnership with OpenAI.) In the fall, Trumps AI and crypto czar David Sacks accused Anthropic of attempting to manipulate the government with fearmongering about AI technology. Around the same time, Semafor reported that Anthropic displeased the White House by raising ethical objections to how the administration wanted to use its technology, including for surveillance. Those tensions flared into an unprecedented public fight between the Pentagon and the tech company this week. Frantic talks between the two sides continued right up until Hegseths announcement late Friday that he was declaring Anthropic a risk to national security, according to an X post from Emil Michael, the Pentagons technology chief, and a person familiar with the talks. Michael was on the phone with Anthropic, suggesting that the company agree to allow analysis of some bulk data on Americans, at the same moment Hegseth said in his X post that Anthropic had been designated a supply chain risk, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the talks. Anthropic said in a statement responding to Hegseth on Friday that it would legally challenge his declaration against the company, suggesting that the dispute is far from over. Experts said that Anthropic had strong legal grounds for a challenge. A company can only be designated a supply chain risk through a legal process, said Steven Feldstein, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who researches the use of AI in war. It isnt legally sufficient to simply proclaim or label [a supply chain risk] and have this be the final word, he said. Its a major overreach. Jessica Tillipman, an associate dean at George Washington Universitys law school, said Anthropic could probably make a strong argument in court that it had been unfairly targeted. This is on incredibly shaky ground, she said of Hegseths declaration on Friday. I dont think you have seen a case for more politicized use. Hegseths post also asserted that all companies that do business with the U.S. military are now prohibited from doing any commercial activity with Anthropic. Although the legal basis for that sweeping ban was unclear, it could have disastrous consequences for Anthropic, which has received billions of dollars in investment from partners like Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia that also supply the military. The companies didnt respond to requests for comment. Should the Pentagon prevail, the U.S. military will need to adapt fast. Claude is deeply integrated into the Maven Smart System, an AI tool built with the technology company Palantir that runs on Amazons cloud. It provides troops with a unified picture of intelligence streaming in from multiple sensors, said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, who served as the first director of the Pentagons Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and is now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a think tank. After the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, an image circulated that showed Claude operating alongside Maven during the operation, Shanahan said, which prompted Anthropic officials to ask Palantir questions about its use in the operation. Claude is the single most widely deployed AI system in the U.S. military, Shanahan said. He added that it wouldnt make sense to try to extract the AI tool from all of the Defense Department systems it helps, just as service members are getting skilled with the technology. In Silicon Valley, debate raged Friday over whether Anthropic should be celebrated for taking a stand, criticized as unpatriotic, or scoffed at for being strategically naive. Right-leaning leaders such as Palmer Luckey, founder of the defense startup Anduril, and investor Keith Rabois posted in support of the militarys decision. Anthropic employees cheered its moves in online posts, and hundreds of employees of Google and OpenAI signed a public letter backing the companys stance. Anthropics rivals were poised and at the ready to take advantage of its blunders. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman wrote in a memo to all staff late on Thursday that he had been negotiating with the Pentagon, according to a copy reviewed by the Post. The memo was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Altman wrote that the dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon had become an issue for the whole industry, and that the spat was not about the use of AI but about control. The country, he said, absolutely needs help with AI for defense if we want to continue to enjoy peace and prosperity. But Altman added that he was seeking a deal with the Defense Department that would find middle ground. It would see OpenAI agree to cover any use except those that are unlawful or unsuited to cloud deployments, such as domestic surveillance and autonomous offensive weapons, he wrote. And he said the company could deploy technical safeguards and personnel to partner with the government to ensure things are working correctly. Late on Friday, Altman wrote in a post on X that he had reached such an agreement with the Defense Department to deploy OpenAIs technology in classified U.S. networks. Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems, Altman wrote. The Pentagon agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement. Jeremy Lewin, under secretary of state for foreign assistance, humanitarian affairs, and religious freedom, wrote in a post on X that the new OpenAI deal permitted the Pentagon the freedom of all lawful use of AI that it had sought from Anthropic. The agreement represented a compromise that Anthropic was offered, and rejected, he wrote. Musk, whose company xAI was certified to work with classified military systems this week, also stepped into the fray. Anthropic hates Western civilization, he wrote in a post Friday on his social network X. Musk and xAI did not respond to requests for comment. Lewin held up the billionaire as showing a better way for AI firms to engage with the government. Elon and xAI have already agreed to the all lawful uses principle meaning that hes already agreed not to shut off U.S. systems for nonlegal prudential discretionary reasons, Lewin, a former staffer for Musks government efficiency initiative, the U.S. DOGE Service, wrote on X. So theres your difference. Anthropic wants to add additional conditions Elon has agreed to promise he wont pull the plug for our systems. Elon Musk had a brief falling out with President Donald Trump during which he wrote on X that Trump is in the Epstein files. Musk is also in the files multiple times. Read more During an explosive feud with President Donald Trump last spring, Elon Musk reached for the nuclear button. Time to drop the really big bomb, he wrote on X in June, @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein Files. The truth will come out, the Tesla CEO added. He later deleted the posts and reconciled with Trump. In the months since, Musk has issued a steady drum beat of X posts calling for the arrest or prosecution of people linked to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who cultivated relationships with powerful figures in tech, finance, and politics. Advertisement But when the Justice Department released what it said were millions of pages of documents last month from its investigation of the deceased financier, Musk featured prominently in the files. The entrepreneur had repeated email exchanges with Epstein, as did Kimbal Musk, his brother and fellow Tesla board member, the documents show. Elon Musks messages included inquiries about parties. Musk and Epstein also discussed arranging to meet on Epsteins island and their assistants arranged a visit for the two at the entrepreneurs rocket maker, SpaceX. On Christmas Day in 2012, Musk wrote to Epstein and asked: Do you have any parties planned? He added that Ive been working to the edge of sanity and wanted to let loose. The revelations have thrust Musk in the awkward position of trying to cast himself as a stalwart defender of Epsteins victims while also defending his own interactions with the convicted sex offender. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to two charges of soliciting prostitution, including one involving a minor. He was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 and died in federal custody later that year. Judges and lawmakers say that he abused, trafficked, and molested scores of girls over decades. In recent weeks, Musk has taken aim in online posts at other political and business figures over their alleged interactions with Epstein including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, former Trump chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, and billionaire Les Wexner. The big difference between you and me, Reid, is that you went and I did not, Musk said in a post on X directed at Hoffman in early February, referring to Epsteins island, adding later, UNLIKE YOU, I came to my senses and declined to go. Hoffman has acknowledged visiting Epsteins island, as part of work to help the Massachusetts Institute of Technology fundraise from Epstein, and said that he regretted ever interacting with the sex offender. Wexner told Congress this month that he had been duped by Epstein and was not aware of his crimes. Bannon did not respond to a request for comment. Musk has refrained from making further allegations against Trump and stayed silent about the Justice Department files linking administration figures to Epstein, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who told Congress this month that he once took his family to lunch on Epsteins island but did not have any relationship with him. Musk has written on X that he REFUSED to visit Epsteins island, even as the documents show him appearing to seek a visit. When should we head to your island on the 2nd? Musk asked Epstein on Christmas Day in 2013, in an apparent reference to a visit for the following January, the documents show. Musk and his brother, Kimbal Musk, did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Appearing in the documents released by the Justice Department does not indicate wrongdoing. At times, Musks attempts to focus on his preferred narrative about Epstein have backfired. Earlier this month, the billionaire reshared an X post from Mohamad Safa, executive director of the human rights group Patriotic Vision. As someone works in human rights, Ive never seen anything like the Epstein files in my 15-year career, Safa wrote. I dont understand how were not having a global revolution right now. After Musk distributed that message to his around 235 million followers on X, Safa responded to point out that the billionaire was overlooking something. Elon, youve got it wrong, Safa wrote. Its a revolution against every person in the Epstein files. Safa told the Washington Post that the Tesla CEO was wrongly trying to lump himself in with the human rights community demanding accountability in relation to Epstein. Elon bought Twitter to mislead the public on global issues, and he is now using it to mislead about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, Safa said. After the release of the latest trove of files raised new questions about the extent of Musks contact with Epstein over the years, Musk issued a late-night statement on X last month in a 1:50 a.m. Eastern reply to a user known as DogeDesigner. No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released and Im glad that has finally happened, Musk wrote. I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his Lolita Express, he said, referring to Epsteins airplane, but was well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name. Musk added, I dont care about that, but what I do care about is that we at least attempt to prosecute those who committed serious crimes with Epstein, especially regarding heinous exploitation of underage girls. The Justice Department files reviewed by the Post, including dozens that refer to Musk or his brother Kimbal, paint a vastly different picture of Epsteins relationship with the Tesla CEO. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island? Elon Musk asked Epstein in an email from November 2012, as he sought to plan a visit accompanied by actor Talulah Riley Musks ex-wife the files show. A month later, he wrote to Epstein again about partying. Do you have any parties planned? he asked. Ive been working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose. Musk added, The invitation is much appreciated, but a peaceful island experience is the opposite of what Im looking for. The newly released correspondence appears to show the entrepreneur interacting and making plans with Epstein over a period of more than a year that took place several years after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008. In 2013, Musk and Epsteins assistants planned a visit for the disgraced financier to SpaceX, Musks rocket building company. The visit included a scheduled lunch for Musk and Epstein. Epstein was scheduled to travel with three female assistants one South African and two Russian whose passports were vetted by SpaceX, a government contractor, for security clearance reasons, according to the emails. While the visit took place as planned, according to the emails, it was not immediately clear whether the two men met for lunch. Musk has said he blocked and ultimately ghosted Epstein. The files also show that Kimbal Musk corresponded with Epstein about an apparent romantic partner whom another person warned him not to mistreat. Jeffrey: Message received wide and clear. ;) Kimbal Musk replied, in a message on which he copied Epstein. Years later, Epstein wrote in an email: I gave another girl to kimball and he is thrilled. Kimbal Musk said in a statement that Epstein did not introduce him to his romantic partner at the time of the earlier emails, and that she was an adult. In 2012 I started dating a woman who was 30 years old, Kimbal Musk posted on X. I met her through a friend. Epstein did not introduce us. My only meeting with that demon was in his New York office during the day. I never met with him again and I never went to his island. He added that Epstein subscribed to a newsletter of his, leading his email address to appear in searches of the Epstein files numerous times. My heart goes out to the many victims of Jeffrey Epstein, as it does for all who have suffered any kind of sexual abuse or harassment, Kimbal Musk said. Soon after the Justice Departments release of files last month, the nonprofit organization behind Burning Man, a massive cultural festival held annually in the Nevada desert, announced that Kimbal Musk was no longer on its board of directors. That decision was made by Kimbal Musk based on other commitments and priorities and came well before the revelations, the organization said. Elon Musk, meanwhile, continues to face an uphill battle to convince skeptics that his support for Epstein victims is genuine. Scott Berkowitz, president and founder of RAINN, a nonprofit organization aimed at ending sexual violence, said he did not know what is in Musks heart, but said one way the entrepreneur could effect change for victims of sexual abuse would be by reining in the Grok chatbot offered by his company xAI, which recently came under fire for allowing the creation of nonconsensual sexualized images of real people. RAINN is working to make the country safer from sexual violence. If Elon Musk wants to be a part of that and to use his influence to make life safer, theres a long list of ways that he could be part of the solution, Berkowitz said. Partner with us to make Grok the model for AI safety and ensure it never creates another nonconsensual image, whether child or adult. On X, many have lobbed criticism at Musk over his messaging on the Epstein files, seeing it as an effort to reframe the narrative around his involvement. Given Elon Musks involvement with Epstein and his lies about it, it feels dirty to use this platform, which increasingly feels like his own propaganda machine and PR agency Fred Lambert, the editor in chief of Electrek, an electric vehicle-focused publication, said in an X post last week. Safa, of Patriotic Vision, said he is not convinced by Musks sudden interest in accountability. He should be investigated like any other individual whose name has been mentioned, regardless of social, political, or financial status, Safa said, adding, Why did he wait until now to speak out? People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. Read more DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died following a major attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. Advertisement Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency did not report a cause of death for the 86-year-old. The death occurred after a joint U.S. and Israeli aerial bombardment that targeted Iranian military and governmental sites. The president also said heavy and pinpoint bombing was to continue uninterrupted through the week or longer. Trump in his post called Khamenei one of the most evil people in history. Trump said that Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were growing signs that Khamenei had been killed when Israel struck his compound early Saturday. Shortly after the address, two Israeli officials said Israel had confirmed his death. The officials both spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement and gave no further details. Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He had the final say on all major policies, leading Irans clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard the two main centers of power in the countrys theocracy. As the attack on Iran unfolded, Trump urged the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny by rising up against the Islamic leadership. In a video announcing the major combat operations, Trump told Iranians, When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, on Saturday evening said at least 201 people had been killed and more than 700 injured. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of the 86-year-old Khamenei. Before Israeli officials confirmed the death, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were alive as far as I know. He called the attack unprovoked, illegal, and absolutely illegitimate. The strikes during the holy fasting month of Ramadan opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, marking the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has attacked the Islamic Republic during talks over its nuclear program. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the U.S. military reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Various members of Irans leadership were targeted in the attack. Israel said it killed the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the countrys defense minister. The Israeli military also said its strikes killed the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei. Israel said the strikes had targeted three locations in Tehran where intelligence had indicated that top Iranian officials were gathered. Neither Iran nor the U.S. commented on or confirmed Israels claims about the Iranian leadership. Even if Irans top leaders have been killed, regime change is not guaranteed. Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance. The U.N.s nuclear watchdog said on X it was closely monitoring developments and had seen no evidence of radiological impact. Iran was in a near-total internet blackout," advocacy group NetBlocks said. Months of rising tensions Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region. Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, as the country struggles with growing dissent following nationwide protests. The trigger for Saturdays strikes appeared to be the unsuccessful latest round of nuclear talks on Thursday. They also reflected dramatic changes that have left Irans leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago. Israeli and American strikes last June greatly weakened Irans air defenses, military leadership, and nuclear program. A regionwide conflict sparked by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel has left Irans network of proxies across the Middle East greatly weakened. U.S. sanctions and global isolation have decimated Irans economy. Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Israels military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. Emergency responder Magen David Adom noted 89 lightly injured people. At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defense systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 85 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a U.S. Central Command spokesperson, said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and they were looking into them. Irans state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of Lamerd, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas, and a hall near a school were hit. Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel and U.S. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined, Omans Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, a key mediator of the nuclear talks, said on X. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. Israel said the operation has been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots were striking hundreds of targets across Iran, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government, and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Trump, in seeking to justify the military action, claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program, despite his assertion last year the program had been obliterated by an earlier round of strikes. He acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. It was a notable statement from a U.S. leader who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. Trump also said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, saying members would be given immunity or face certain death if they didnt. Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but maintained its right to enrich uranium. It did not want to discuss other issues such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has said it hasnt enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Iran on Saturday requested an urgent session of the International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors about these threats to safeguarded nuclear facilities, according to a letter posted by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency. Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed. Now, Iranians are likely to be wary about taking to the streets again because the Revolutionary Guard has demonstrated its ruthlessness, said Kamran Matin, an expert on Iran at the University of Sussex in southern England. Regional effects The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Saudi Arabia said Iran had targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama, and Muharraq city by drone strikes and debris from an intercepted missile. Kuwaits civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Kuwaits state-run news agency said three troops were injured by shrapnel from strikes that hit Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's senior officials, including the heads of the country's armed forces, are "in perfect health" after the U.S.-Israeli attacks on the country on Saturday, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The health status of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was also confirmed, the report added. BRUSSELS How long will it last? Will it grow? What will it mean to us and to global security overall? Those questions echoed across the Middle East and the planet Saturday as world leaders reacted warily to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that sowed concerns of a broader conflict. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting. Perhaps cautious about upsetting already strained relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, many nations abstained from commenting directly or pointedly on the joint strikes but condemned Tehrans retaliation. Similarly to Europeans, governments across the Middle East condemned Irans strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. military action. Advertisement Other countries were more explicit: Australia and Canada expressed open support for the U.S. strikes, while Russia and China responded with direct criticism. The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, and Trump called on the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny by rising up against the Islamic theocracy that has ruled the nation since 1979. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Some leaders urge resumption of talks In a statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the U.S. and Iran to resume talks and said they favored a negotiated settlement. They said their countries didnt take part in the strikes on Iran but are in close contact with the U.S., Israel, and partners in the region. The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Irans nuclear program. We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future, they said. Later, at an emergency security meeting, Macron said France was neither warned nor involved in the strikes. He called for intensified efforts for a negotiated solution, saying no one can think that the questions of Irans nuclear program, ballistic activity, regional destabilization will be settled by strikes alone. The 22-nation Arab League called the Iranian attacks a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability. That coalition of nations has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region. Countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Israel including Morocco, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates denounced Iranian strikes targeting U.S. military bases in the region including in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Emirates. Saudi Arabia said it condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression and the blatant violation of sovereignty. Oman, which has been mediating the talks between Iran and the U.S., said in a statement that the U.S. action constitutes a violation of the rules of international law and the principle of settling disputes through peaceful means, rather than through hostility and the shedding of blood. Careful wording is (mostly) the order of the day Countries in Europe and the Middle East used careful wording, avoiding perceptions that they either support unilateral American action or are directly condemning the United States. Others were more blunt. Russias Foreign Ministry called the strikes a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state. The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Irans nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change. Similarly, Chinas government said it was highly concerned about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for an immediate halt to the military action and a return to negotiations. Irans sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supports the United States in its effort to stop Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb. He described Irans current leadership as a destabilizing force and noted two attacks on Australian soil that were blamed on Tehran. Last August, Australia cut off diplomatic relations with Iran and expelled its ambassador after accusing it of orchestrating two antisemitic attacks in the country. Despite recent tensions with the U.S., Canada too expressed its support for the military action. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. The United Nations chief condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and called for an immediate return to negotiations to pull the region, and our world, back from the brink. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday that everything must be done to prevent further escalation. The alternative, he warned, is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. Guterres also condemned Irans retaliatory attacks for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Israels U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, speaking to reporters before the meeting, said it was hypocrisy to condemn the airstrikes. He said Iran is responsible for the actions of its proxies in the Middle East and for its nuclear and missile programs, and Israel and the U.S. acted to prevent an irreversible and immediate threat. Concerns expressed for new, extensive war Palestinians in the occupied West Bank said they were largely unfazed as war erupted Saturday, barely pausing as booms echoed across the sky from Israels Iron Dome intercepting missiles overhead. Unlike Israel, Palestinian cities have no warning sirens or bomb shelters, despite the risk of falling debris or errant missiles. As people sheltered less than 10 miles away in Jerusalem, streets in Ramallah swarmed with shoppers browsing meat counters, vegetable stalls, and Ramadan sweets, some stopping to record the sounds of distant sirens and missile interceptions. But as Israel closed checkpoints to the movement of people and goods on Saturday, gas stations saw longer-than-usual lines as residents filled spare canisters in case of supply disruptions. Nervousness is perceptible across multiple countries as people fear a full-scale war engulfing the region. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he was concerned the failure of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran meant a new, extensive war in the Middle East. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in harsher words. These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons, said its executive director, Melissa Parke. EU leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in hopes of ensuring nuclear safety. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law, the statement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said. The Arab League, too, appealed to all international parties to work towards de-escalation as soon as possible, to spare the region the scourge of instability and violence, and to return to dialogue. Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree, a center of controversy for his role in a confrontation with anti-ICE protesters last week, has been placed on leave. In response to a request for comment, McElree said Saturday he is out with workmans comp injuries. He did not elaborate on what the injuries entailed. Advertisement On Friday, the Bucks County District Attorneys Office said it was continuing its investigation into the Feb. 20 incident that resulted in the arrest of five teenagers on assault charges. Quakertowns solicitor said that McElree, who also is the borough manager, was placed on workers compensation leave for both positions, according to NBC10 and the Bucks County Courier Times. Efforts to reach other borough officials for comment were unsuccessful. McElree, 72, has held his unusual dual role since 2007. McElree had no record of alleged police abuses before the incident on Feb. 20, when bystander footage showed him apparently putting a teenage girl in a chokehold on a sidewalk as other youths scuffled with him. The teens were among 35 Quakertown Community High School students who walked out of class to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. Videos show McElree arriving at the protest, not in uniform, and confronting a group of students. In the footage, teenagers appear to strike McElree as he attempts to grab a student. Police said the students were entering traffic and damaging property. A GoFundMe campaign was created to raise money for the arrested students legal fees, court costs, and medical and other expenses. So far, over $130,000 has been donated. During a Thursday night board meeting, angry school parents pressed for consequences for both the Quakertown Community School District and McElree. On Friday, the district attorneys office encouraged anyone with cell phone footage or photos of the incident to come forward and contact county detectives. It was unclear who would assume McElrees duties as chief and borough manager. Staff writer Brett Sholtis contributed to this article. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Read more By Saturday morning, when many Americans were waking to the news that the U.S. and Israel had launched a missile attack on Iran, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) had already spoken in support of the bombings. Operation Epic Fury, Fetterman said on X at 4:18 a.m., using the name given to the campaign by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has been willing to do whats right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. Advertisement God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel, Fetterman said. The missile strikes were focused on the home of Irans leader and a number of targets in Tehran and other cities. Trump called on the Iranian people to take over the government and put an end to the countrys decades of theocratic rule. The possibility of such an attack was anticipated for weeks as tensions rose between Iran and Israel and the U.S. positioned warships in the region. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized Trump in a statement Saturday for acting without Congressional approval, while adding that the Iranian regime must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Trump and his administration have not demonstrated to the American people that we have a clear plan with this mission and by taking unilateral action, without a broad coalition of international partners, he is putting our brave servicemembers at greater risk and undermining our national security interests," Shapiro, a Democrat, said. U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) said he is praying for U.S. troops and allies during this challenging and noble mission. For decades, the Iranian regime has killed Americans, threatened Israel and our allies in the region with their ballistic missiles and nuclear ambitions, and butchered tens of thousands of its own people, McCormick said on X. The president has given the ayatollahs a chance for a deal, and they have rejected a path to peace and prosperity, McCormick added. On Saturday afternoon, several dozen protesters gathered outside Philadelphia City Hall, chanting death to America and free Palestine, and speaking about the U.S. incursion. McCormick noted earlier this week that Iranian citizens have been embroiled in protests against its government in recent weeks. The government responded with an internet blackout and a violent crackdown. More than 7,000 citizens have died as a result of the crackdown, according to a U.S.-based human rights agency. McCormick, an Army veteran of the first Persian Gulf War, added that people in the U.S. are distrustful of prolonged military operations overseas. Both McCormick and Fetterman have spoken in support of a strong U.S. backing of Israel, and like many lawmakers have received campaign donations from pro-Israel lobbying groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, according to a political group critical of U.S. support for Israel that tracks such public spending. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Chester), an Air Force veteran, said the attack lacks a clear explanation or new threat posed to the U.S. Make no mistake, Iran is a very bad actor on the world stage, and has been for a long time, but the American people have not been given any evidence of any appreciable change and Congress did not authorize any action, Houlahan said in an emailed statement. President Trump, who promised no wars, is now again putting the lives of our men and women in uniform in grave danger all while trampling all over the Constitution, Houlahan said. The Trump administrations strike was initiated without a vote by Congress. Houlahan said that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) canceled votes for next week, a move she believes is to prevent floor time for lawmakers to weigh in on the attack. Speaker Johnson has forfeited Congresss authority, rendering Congress and the Constitution immaterial, Houlahan said. Now we will all pay the price, whatever that is. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Bucks) said Congress needs to have a say in any further military actions in Iran. The American people deserve clarity of mission, defined objectives, and disciplined oversight, said Fitzpatrick, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee and chairman of the Central Intelligence Agency Subcommittee. Fitzpatrick called Iran the worlds foremost state sponsor of terrorism and said it cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey called for lawmakers to return to Congress immediately to vote on whether the U.S. should be at war. Its just very clear that the American people dont want this, Kim posted to social media on Saturday. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, critized the presidents actions for presenting no strategy for what happens if the Iranian regime collapses. Booker said American service members deserve leadership guided by strategy, grounded in law, and worthy of their sacrifice not reckless decision making that places them in the path of escalating danger. U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Philadelphia) also criticized the attack. The regime in Iran is evil and poses a serious threat, Boyle said in an emailed statement. But no president can unilaterally launch a war. Any use of force that risks dragging us into war must be debated and authorized by Congress. The American people want lower costs and affordable health care, not yet another costly foreign war. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Philadelphia) said the House and Senate should vote on a war powers resolution to stop Trumps reckless warmongering. After claiming last June he completely and totally obliterated Irans nuclear program, President Trump launched yet another illegal, ill-conceived attack on Iran, Evans said in an emailed statement. These escalations only put American lives, at home and abroad, at greater risk and drag our country towards another endless war. South Jersey Democratic U.S. Reps. Herb Conaway Jr. and Donald Norcross were both critical of the attack. While calling the Iranian regime brutal, Conaway said Trumps actions were illegal and reckless. And Norcross said the American people deserve to understand why the strikes were undertaken. He called for an immediate classified briefing to Congress to fully explain the rationale for this action and the path forward. Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.) praised the action. Operation Epic Fury shows that America will confront evil, defend our people, and stand by our allies, he wrote on social media. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a statement that as a precautionary measure, law enforcement would increase patrols at houses of worship and other sensitive sites. My office is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, Israel, and elsewhere in the Middle East, Sherrill said, adding that there was no known threat to the state. And the Philadelphia Police Department said it was monitoring developments overseas. While there are no credible threats to Philadelphia, weve increased patrols at religious & cultural sites out of caution, police said. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. Read more President Donald Trump told The Washington Post early Saturday that his main concern is freedom for the Iranian people as the U.S. launched military strikes in the country. A U.S. official said a multiday operation against Iran began at about 1 a.m. Eastern time with a salvo of ship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles and air-launched munitions from U.S. Air Force and Navy jets. Advertisement Iran quickly launched counterstrikes in response to the attack, which the Trump administration has named Operation Epic Fury. Multiple U.S. military bases were targeted by Iran, the official said, including the support facility for its 5th Fleet ships in Bahrain, according to the countrys state-run news service. READ MORE: U.S. and Israel attack Iran as Trump urges regime change While the operations are ongoing, no U.S. service members have been injured, the official said, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not yet been publicly announced. Israel said it also launched attacks on Iran on Saturday. All I want is freedom for the people, Trump said in a brief phone interview shortly after 4 a.m., when asked what he hopes his legacy will be as a result of the military action and a push for regime change in Iran. I want a safe nation, and thats what were going to have, the president said, his first reportable remarks since announcing major combat operations in a video message around 2:30 a.m. Trump spoke from Mar-a-Lago, his home in Palm Beach, Fla., where he arrived Friday night just hours before the military strikes began. He spoke to the Post as television news played in the background. Despite his previous criticism of U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern wars particularly American lives lost during efforts to topple and install new regimes Trump on Saturday made the case for the United States helping to bring about regime change in the country. In the video address, Trump urged Iranians once the strikes cease to take over your government, telling them this will be probably your only chance for generations. Trump also conceded that U.S. troops were putting their lives at risk in this effort. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties, Trump said in his taped remarks. That often happens in war. But were doing this, not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. Less than a year ago, while visiting the Middle East, Trump decried the so-called nation builders who wrecked far more nations than they built. And the interventionalists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand, Trump said in May at an investment conference in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Now, the president is portraying himself as the one willing to assume substantial risk to save the Iranian people, urging them to seize control of their destiny with U.S. help. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight, Trump declared in the eight-minute video, which he said was filmed shortly after the attacks began in the early hours Saturday. He stood behind a lectern, wearing a white USA ball cap. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond, he said, speaking to the Iranian people. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Trumps case to the American people for taking the country to war with Iran has never been urgently articulated. While the president said the objective of the strikes is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, in his video about the attacks, Trump accused Iran of a litany of sins: from working to build a nuclear weapon to roadside bombs to a campaign of mass terror he said the regime has carried out against the U.S. for 47 years. Trump invoked the 1979 hostage crisis, in which 66 Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and the 1983 bombing of U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, in which 241 Americans were killed. He said Iran was probably involved in the al-Qaeda attack on the USS Cole in 2000 in Yemen. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration, Trump said, and there is no military on Earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. While speaking to the Post, the president did not take additional questions about the scope of ongoing operations or the potential for U.S. troop involvement on the ground. On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with the Post that any operation Trump initiates in Iran would not result in the U.S. becoming involved in a drawn-out war. The idea that were going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight - there is no chance that will happen, Vance said. Foreign policy experts have warned that, unlike the limited strikes the U.S. launched against Iranian nuclear sites in June, a wider conflict with Tehran could embroil Washington for years. Trumps views on U.S. intervention in the Middle East have evolved over time, with the president initially expressing support for the Iraq War at its outset more than two decades ago, before months later calling it a terrible mistake. He built his political brand as an America First president opposed to adventures overseas, decrying the Iraq War during his 2016 campaign and in 2024 pledging a stop to the endless wars and a return to peace in the Middle East. We defeated [Islamic State] in record time, but we had no wars, Trump said in his November 2024 election night victory speech, referring to his first term. They said, he will start a war. Im not going to start a war. Im going to stop wars. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (right) speaks with Budget Director Sabrina Maynard (left) and Finance Director Rob Dubow (center) following a news conference at City Hall on July 9, 2025. Read more Philadelphias $10 billion municipal pension system is now 68% funded and on pace to reach full funding by 2032, a year earlier than previously projected, City Controller Christy Brady announced this week. A decade ago, the pension fund was only 45% funded and appeared to pose a significant threat to the citys fiscal health. But a series of reforms carried about by successive mayors, state and city legislators, and municipal labor leaders have fostered a remarkable turnaround. Advertisement The citys pension system pays for retirement benefits for city workers. Benefits vary based on when employees were hired. About 35,000 people are currently receiving benefits, according to the pension boards most recent newsletter. That includes retirees, their beneficiaries, and disability claimants. The fiscal health of the Pension Fund continues its relentless upward climb since many reforms were put in place 10 years ago, Brady, who sits on the city Board of Pensions and Retirement, said in a statement. Weve made smart investments, doubled our assets, reduced investment manager fees resulting in a large reduction of the overall liability for taxpayers." The reforms included increasing annual contributions from the city budget to the pension fund beyond the minimum amount required by state law; negotiating union contracts with higher employee retirement contributions; moving away from high-fee investment managers; and dedicating revenue from a 1% sales tax in Philadelphia to the pension fund. Despite disagreeing on many other issues, the mayoral administrations of Michael A. Nutter, Jim Kenney, and now Cherelle L. Parker have largely stuck to the same playbook when it comes to turning around the pension fund. Everyone has played a role in the stabilization of our pension fund, a development with enormous fiscal consequences for our city, Parker said last year to City Council. The continuity is in no small part due to the influence of Rob Dubow, who has been the citys finance director since 2009 and has encouraged mayors to prioritize improving the health of the pension fund. Dubow chairs the pension board, which in addition to Brady includes appointees from the administration and the labor unions for city workers. The good news for the pension fund comes as Parker prepares to unveil her proposal for the next city budget to Council on March 12. The city remains on relatively strong financial footing despite spending more than $50 million to respond to the major snowstorm in January. The current budget, which took effect in July 2025 and was originally projected at $6.8 billion, has grown to just under $7 billion, according to the latest Quarterly City Managers Report. The fund balance the amount of money left unspent, and the citys primary reserve for navigating unexpected crises is now projected to close the current fiscal year at $509 million, up from an initial estimate of $471 million. As the city chips away at the pension systems unfunded liability, it is paying more than $800 million per year into the system, an enormous expense. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. If Parker serves two terms, she will leave office right when the pension fund is projected to reach full funding, which will be a watershed moment and will reduce the annual pension contribution by more than $400 million. READ MORE: Why Mayor Cherelle Parker is asking Council to approve a tax cut that will take effect in 2038 Parkers budget plans appear to take into account that the next mayor may have it easier when it comes to fixed costs. For instance, her 13-year schedule for reducing business income and receipts tax rates, which Council approved last year, back-loaded the biggest tax cuts until after she is likely to leave office. Meanwhile, Parkers signature housing initiative calls for the city to take out $800 million in bonds over the next two years. Philly taxpayers will repay that debt, along with an estimated $500 million in interest, over the coming decades. ABU DHABI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Flydubai, a government-owned airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said on Saturday that flights to Iran and Israel were disrupted following the closure of multiple airspaces in the region, according to a spokesperson. The airline said it was working to minimize disruption to its schedule. Describing the situation as ongoing, the carrier said it was closely monitoring developments and adjusting its flight schedule accordingly, stressing that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority. Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights before traveling and to ensure their contact details are up to date through the airline's booking management system. It is a big year for Cillian Murphy. Yes, he has a busy schedule ahead in terms of new projects such as the upcoming movie, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. But theres also a key personal date popping up on the calendar in late spring. On May 25, the Cork actor turns 50. Youd imagine such a milestone inevitably brings some reflection. And when Murphy gets around to totting up what hes achieved in that first half-century, hell probably realise he has quite a few boxes ticked. Obviously, hes reached the elite level of his chosen profession. Quality work on stage and screen since he first broke through on stage in Disco Pigs in 1996 eventually led to a Best Actor Oscar in 2024 for Oppenheimer. The Defence Forces have launched an investigation into the use and service history of a breathing air purifier used by Air Corps spray painters. Whistleblowers first raised issues about it after a contractor brought in to service it in July 2024 became alarmed about the condition of a number of filters on the apparatus, which was being used by spray painters when spraying aircraft and aircraft parts. As well as being concerned about the age of the red Domnick Hunter CO and CO2 Breathing Air Purifier BA 2025, they were also concerned about its service history. The contractor subsequently told Air Corps personnel and later General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory OConnor in a follow-up email seen by the Irish Examiner it needed to be replaced immediately and anybody using it should have their health tested. Protected disclosure Former Air Corps technician Gavin Tobin also raised a Protected Disclosure with the former Minister of Defence, Simon Harris. But the whistleblower, who has lodged numerous protected disclosures about Air Corps safety since 2015, was later told the matter had been passed to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). It is not known what the outcome of the HSA's involvement was as it has declined to comment. The Irish Examiner asked the Defence Forces to what extent were the allegations investigated and was anybody who used it medically assessed or monitored as a result of the issues raised. The Defence Forces said an investigation was carried out and everything was found to be in compliance with the requirements of the Health Safety Authority (HSA). Regular maintenance was conducted by a qualified contractor, confirmed by the maintenance records and air quality testing was carried out routinely by Air Corps personnel using industry standard air testing kits. The investigation determined there was no risk to human health. The Irish Examiner contacted the contractor that the Air Corps said was maintaining the purifier and gave it its serial number. However, the contractor insisted he has never serviced it. When the Defence Forces was asked about this, and told the contractor it said was servicing it had denied this, it declined to comment. The Defence Forces was also asked whether the health of any staff that used it had been checked. It did not answer that question but said: Breathing air testing is in line with the occupational standard and verified by both the HSA and a contracted occupational hygienist ensuring there is no risk to human health. The Air Corps continue to follow industry best practices." Email to Brig Gen OConnor The contractor who condemned the machine sent an email on March 4, 2025, to Brig Gen OConnor, informing him the purifier's suggested life span is 15 years. He said: Working off this calculation, this machine should have been condemned in 2011. On my inspection, I found this machine to be in an extremely poor state and immediately condemned it. I suggest contacting every individual that has used this machine and inform them of the potential risks they have unnecessarily been exposed to. As well as offering to present his findings in person, he also suggested Brig Gen OConnor should scrutinise the maintenance records until 2024 when the contractor first highlighted the severity of this. According to correspondence from the purifier's manufacturer to the contractor in March last year, the purifier was described as long obsolete". A security source has said an internal Air Corps investigation has now been launched into, among other things, the purifier's service history. Met Eireann has issued a status yellow rain warning for three counties, with heavy showers and possible flooding expected. The forecaster issued the warning for Galway, Mayo, and Kerry from 12am on Sunday, March 1, and it will remain in place for 24 hours. Met Eireann warned that spells of heavy rain may lead to localised flooding, poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions. Status Yellow - Rain warning for Galway, Mayo, Kerry Spells of heavy rain leading to: Localised flooding Poor visibility Hazardous travelling conditions 00:00 Sun 01/03 to 00:00 Mon 02/03 pic.twitter.com/gqdQALVj4g Met Eireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2026 A status yellow gale warning also applies to all coasts of Ireland and the Irish Sea from 3pm Sunday, with southerly winds expected to reach gale force eight at times. National Outlook Today, the north and east of the country will see spells of sunshine, while cloudier conditions with outbreaks of showery rain in Munster and west Connacht slowly extend northeastwards through the afternoon and evening. Drier weather with some sunny spells will develop across southwestern and some western counties later. However, Met Eireann said wet and breezy conditions will spread across the country overnight. Sunday will begin dull and breezy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. As the day progresses, heavier spells of rain will develop, especially in southern and western counties, with spot flooding later. Southerly winds will increase to fresh to strong and gusty, reaching near gale to gale force in some coastal parts later. Monday will start largely dry with sunny spells. However, it will become cloudier and breezier, with showery outbreaks of rain pushing in from the Atlantic, though much of the south-east will stay dry. Frost and icy patches are expected on Monday night, with lowest temperatures of -2C to 2C in light westerly breezes. The Government is monitoring the emerging impact on Irish soldiers and citizens in the Middle East following the start of what could become sustained military action by the US and Israel against Iran. Potential retaliatory strikes by Iran, including rocket attacks on Israel by Iranian-backed Hezbollah, could place the approximately 360 Irish personnel attached to UN missions in Lebanon in the crossfire. In a clear statement outlining political objectives for the military assault, US president Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to take over your government. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he is deeply concerned after the strikes on Iran urging dialogue to avoid a wider conflict in the Middle East. "I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. "Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other. "The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount." Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee echoed the Taoiseach's concerns on the military actions including their impact on a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have lived there for many years. She said official advice for Irish citizens in the region is to take shelter. The minister urged Irish citizens not to travel to Iran and also advised against travel to Israel. The Irish embassy in the United Arab Emirates issued this post on social media: Given the deterioration of the security situation in the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, Irish citizens are advised to shelter in place, avoid unnecessary movement. follow the advice of the local authorities. Irish citizens are advised to avoid military and security force installations. The Embassy is also aware that UAE, Kuwaiti, and Qatari airspace has been temporarily closed. Citizens affected are advised to liaise directly with their airlines and follow the guidance provided. We will share any updates as more information becomes available. Some 362 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently serving in UNIFIL the UN peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon. An additional 15 personnel serve in associated UN missions in Lebanon. A social media post issued by the Defence Forces said: Oglaigh na hEireann can confirm that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated tasks. Retired Brigadier General David Dignam, who first served as a platoon commander in UNIFIL in 1987 and last served as battalion commander in 2013, said Hezbollahs military strength in its traditional base in south Lebanon has reduced significantly in recent years. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict ended in a ceasefire in November 2024, leaving the military-political organisation in a depleted state. Reports this morning indicated fresh Israeli strikes in south Lebanon aimed at what Israel claimed was Hezbollah infrastructure. The ability of Hezbollah to launch a sustained campaign is very significantly diminished, but that doesnt mean they wont try, Mr Dignam said. But if they do strike Israel, Israel has made clear they will pulverise South Lebanon. He told the Irish Examiner this would mean UNIFIL troops, as they did over a year ago, would bunker down in their three bases, two run by Irish troops and one by Polish troops. Theres always the risk of collateral damage in the cross-fire, if Hezbollah launch rockets and Israel return artillery fire. UNIFIL could be caught in the middle. However, he said troops would remain protected in their bunkers and have good supplies of food and water. Bar a direct hit they should be fairly safe, Mr Dignam said. Mike OSullivan, author of 'The Levelling' and an economist who spent much of his career in the US, said: This is the most open-ended risk that Trump has taken - embroilment in a regional conflict, with consequences for US allies across the region, amidst an unclear path to regime change, represents a big challenge. However, if it occurs, less repressive Irian would be a huge reward for the Iranian people, and would help catalyse a broad economic recovery across the region. Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University John OBrennan said the responses of EU leaders were worrying: It has been interesting to read the comments of Ursula von Der Leyen [EU Commissioner] and Kaja Kallas. They are completely asinine. "To a very large extent they reflect the US-Israeli line about the danger Iran [EU chief diplomat] poses to the world. Indirectly, these comments link the European Union to this new assault on Iran. He said this cannot be good for the EU, which, he said, should condemn the new attack in the strongest possible terms. How can you claim to be a staunch supporter of the rules based international order and of international law when you fail to condemn this new episode in Israeli-US lawless imperialism? he asked. Prof O'Brennan said the response created the impression that Brussels is now a supplicant of the United States and refuses even to attempt an independent position. European leaders saw this week (once again) that the Trump regime cannot be trusted, he said. Trump and his officials kept up the pretence that the talks with the Iranians in Geneva constituted a real negotiation. They weren't. They were a mere fig leaf designed to disguise the intent to attack Iran. There are real lessons here for Ukraine and Europe - the United States simply cannot be trusted as an arbiter and is now wholly gone over to the side of authoritarian imperialism, determined to crush the last vestiges of international law and geopolitical balance. Mark Mellett, former Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, said: Legitimacy matters in war, because it shapes the prospects for peace. If there is no clearly articulated end-state and no credible pathway to a political settlement, military action risks becoming a trigger for wider regional instability. "The danger is escalation, and the gradual erosion of the rules and restraints that have limited the use of force since 1945. URUMQI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- When power lines overhead were coated with a layer of ice, threatening power supplies to thousands of households, the effort to clear it did not feature a truck full of linemen but an unmanned aircraft instead. The recent de-icing operation took place in a mountainous area in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where the vast hinterland endures heavy snowfall through its long winter months. Photos circulating on social media revealed images of maintenance staff using a drone fitted with an insulating stick to knock thick sheets of ice off power lines. This effort is just one instance of a broad tech revolution across China, which is seeing more power companies turning to drones not just for inspections but also for direct operational intervention. In the past, workers in remote, hard-to-reach and freezing-cold areas had to climb ladders to carry out critical maintenance. Today, many of these high-risk tasks are performed by drones. The shift, notably, is not only about safety but also about cost. According to State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd., which has been using heavy-lift drones for de-icing since December 2024, cost savings resulting from these operations have currently reached over 1 million yuan (about 144,000 U.S. dollars). During a de-icing task in late January, its staff controlled a drone to remove ice from power lines via mechanical tapping. The whole process took only 40 minutes. It would have required hours of intense manual labor in the past. The company has deployed more than 1,600 drones, and over 1,300 of its employees have obtained drone pilot certifications. It said drone operation has become an essential skill for all its power workers. Drone-assisted clearing is not limited to power grid de-icing. It also helps farmers with snow removal. "I cleared snow from my two hectares of orange trees in just over two hours using a drone," said Zhou Zongbao, an orange grower in Badong County, central China's Hubei Province. After a heavy snowfall in the area in January, Zhou used the rotors of a flying drone to generate a powerful airflow, which evenly blew snow off branches, thereby clearing his orange trees. Snow removal is an urgent task for such farmers. Orange cultivation is their main source of income. Accumulated snow can lead to broken branches, while cold damage can reduce the fruit's sweetness and appearance. Compared to traditional manual snow removal, drones are far more efficient. Operators monitor real-time video and adjust the drone's flight path, easily reaching steep slopes without damaging branches or fruit. Local sources said drone-assisted snow removal cuts costs by about 30 percent. The snow removal business has also created jobs and increased incomes in many parts of China. For example, in Suzhou City, east China's Anhui Province, a company charges about 200 yuan on average to clear snow for a standard greenhouse. In Xuchang City, central China's Henan Province, some drone pilots charge 300 yuan per hour for their services. Although prices vary by region, job size and task difficulty, the high returns are attracting more practitioners. With snow blanketing parts of Xinjiang this week, the snow clearing business there has surged. Beyond established drone services such as delivery and inspection, drone-assisted snow-and-ice clearing is now emerging as another option, showing China's growing capacity to turn technological innovation into practical solutions. An Irish teacher in Dubai said the walls of his flat shook after he heard massive bangs in the sky above him earlier on Saturday. The bangs appeared to be interceptor missiles neutralising Iranian ballistic missiles heading for military bases in the United Arab Emirates. UAE authorities reported attacks in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and said their defence systems had intercepted a number of Iranian ballistic missiles. Iran has fired missiles at US military bases and assets across several Middle East countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, in retaliation for a US and Israeli military assault on the country. The teacher, who asked not to be named, said Irish people were naturally panicking a bit after hearing the explosions and seeing videos flooding their phones. An estimated 12,000 Irish people live and work in the UAE, with up to half employed in teaching. The teacher said: I was in the flat there were massive bangs the walls were shaking and everything. I thought it was over and then news came through about what happened. I was in another persons house after and missiles were being intercepted directly above our heads, multiple explosions at a time. He said they later received reports that a large area in Dubai known as The Palm had been evacuated after a missile was intercepted directly above it. Local footage also captured the moment a missile struck the ground in the The Palm area near large apartment blocks. Videos are flooding in so, naturally, people are panicking a bit, the teacher said. He said the Irish Embassy in the UAE had posted messages on Instagram and that the school where he works had sent emails. The advice is to stay at home, he said. In a post on social media, the Irish embassy in the UAE said: Given the deterioration of the security situation in the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, Irish citizens are advised to shelter in place, avoid unnecessary movement. follow the advice of the local authorities. Irish citizens are advised to avoid military and security force installations. The Embassy is also aware that UAE, Kuwaiti, and Qatari airspace has been temporarily closed. Citizens affected are advised to liaise directly with their airlines and follow the guidance provided. We will share any updates as more information becomes available. A deportation operation in Dublin has seen at least one family who had lived in Cork for years being returned to South Africa. One woman, who asked not to be named, saw women collapsing on the ground in tears as they were taken by gardai to be deported. One of the families picked up by gardai on Saturday is understood to be the Breetzke family, who spoke to the Irish Examiner before about their case. The familys asylum application had failed, and the father and son were arrested last month and detained in overcrowded conditions in Cloverhill prison. The mother, daughter, and younger brother were not jailed but they were so traumatised by the experience that they asked authorities to permit the family to return together as a unit to South Africa as soon as possible. They fled South Africa after they were attacked by gangs at their farm outside Johannesburg, they said. They are fearful of returning to their home, they said. And their farm was stripped of materials in their absence so they do not know where they will go when they are returned to South Africa. On Sunday morning, gardai confirmed it had carried out an operation "removing individuals from the State on foot of deportation orders issued by the minister for justice". The operation resulted in the removal of 63 South African nationals 28 adult men, 26 adult women, and nine juveniles. The juveniles removed were all part of family groups. Gardai said the individuals were removed on a chartered flight, which left Dublin on Saturday afternoon for South Africa, and it arrived in the country on Sunday. Gardai also confirmed that 10 of the individuals removed from the state had been convicted of offences in this jurisdiction. 'It was horrible' One woman who witnessed people with deportation orders being taken by gardai said that it was a difficult, upsetting day. Multiple families who had lived and worked in Munster while in direct provision had been placed in a hotel in Dublin while awaiting deportation. And multiple people were picked up from this hotel as part of the deportation order. It was horrible today. There is so much tension, the woman, who asked not to be named, said. Gardai came and picked up a family from the centre. They were crying on the floor. A bus was waiting outside carrying other people, she said. Its frightening. You dont know if youre going to be the next one, she said. Someone puts a file on the GNIBs desk and they just come and pick you up. The woman is alone in Ireland with her six children. Her husband disappeared and she believes he was murdered by a gang that was harassing the family at their business, she said. Its too much. Sometimes I feel like breaking. But how can I break when Im a mother alone trying to protect my children? Going back means death. It would be easier to take my life and die here People dont understand when youre coming from somewhere very frightening you dont want to go back there, she said. I dont know where I will end up if I go back. Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication is keeping her going, calming her nerves through an extremely worrying time, she said. Another family understood to be being deported to South Africa is the Oyekanmi family. A large protest was held in support of the familys request to remain in Ireland outside the Department of Justice in February. But Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi and her three sons, Samuel, Joseph and Genesis, who are aged between five and 18, are understood to be facing deportation. The boys have been attending local schools in Dublin and are talented athletes, playing successfully with local sports clubs. Their local community had asked the Department of Justice to allow them to stay but their deportation order has not been revoked. It is believed that many of those facing deportation may have been arrested earlier in February, when 38 asylum seekers were arrested in a planned deportation operation in Dublin. Twenty-three men and 15 women were arrested after they went to sign on to notify the State of their whereabouts, as requested, at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). On Sunday, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan also confirmed the deportations, saying it is the second charter operation this year. "Charter flights are now a routine and essential part of immigration enforcement for the state," Mr O'Callaghan said. "Without effective enforcement measures, our immigration laws would be undermined, and I want to ensure that there is public confidence in the application of our laws in this area. "If a person does not have a legal permission to be in the State, or has been involved in criminality, they will be removed. I would like to thank the members of An Garda Siochana and officials from my department for their continued hard work in conducting these complex operations." The Department of Justice previously said it has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders. One operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality. There were 434 deportations in total last year, 185 of which were enforced. There were 1,616 voluntary returns. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, the department said in a statement. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Siochana. Such an order remains on the persons record permanently, unless revoked it means they may not enter Ireland again in future. The Peter McVerry charity is asking the High Court to make a man who has moved into one of its properties earmarked for homeless people subject to an order that he leave before the end of February. The Peter McVerry Trust, a company limited by guarantee, is seeking to join Johnny Basey, also known as Stephen Bedford, as a named defendant to earlier proceedings in which it got orders requiring that certain people leave the property at 88 Lower Drumcondra Rd in Dublin. Two other named defendants had agreed to leave by the end of February. The order also applied to "persons unknown" who were also occupying it. Seeking short service of the proceedings on Friday, Barry Mansfield, for the trust, said Mr Basey had also signed himself as Stephen Bedford in email exchanges between him and the trust solicitors. Stephen Bedford was jailed last year for 16 months after pleading guilty to driving a car at an anti-immigration protester, counsel said. Email and notice on door of house Mr Justice Brian Cregan granted short service and made directions for the serving of papers on Mr Basey/Bedford by email and by affixing a laminated notice to the door of the property. In an affidavit, trust director Tony O'Brien said the order against the other named and unnamed defendants was made last November. On January 25, in an email sent at 11.28pm, Mr Basey told the trust solicitors that he was resident of one of the apartments in the property. He kept to himself and "don't interact [with] other people but I heard some people who live in my building talking about having to move out very soon". He was told an agreement had been made for some people in the building but he did not know what the situation was and sought clarification. He was told about the November order and about the requirement for all those in occupation to vacate by February 28. He replied that he was not in a position to leave by that date and he said there seemed to be confusion with other residents as to the situation too. 'Defendants jumping the queue' Mr O'Brien said the trust is a charity with a mission to provide housing for homeless people but by wrongfully taking possession of this property, the defendants were in effect "jumping the queue" by preventing the trust from providing shelter to those who are genuinely in need. He was also concerned about the health and welfare of those in occupation in circumstances where he did not know what cooking and sanitary methods they were using. He was also particularly conscious of the risk of fire or some other event. The electricity supply has been disconnected but he is concerned whether the occupants will use alternative means to power and heat the property. The enduring fascination with the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic 114 years ago will see hundreds of history buffs come to East Cork to provide an early tourism boost before the summer season. Cobh is to host a prestigious conference by the British Titanic Society (BTS) in April, with accommodation in the town already filled up ahead of the event. Cobh, then known as Queenstown, was the last port of call for the ill-fated liner before it sank after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912. Hundreds of Titanic buffs from all over the world, many dressed in period costumes from the era of the sinking, will descend on Cobh for the British Titanic Society (BTS) annual conference which runs from Friday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12. Picture: Dan Linehan Hundreds of Titanic buffs from all over the world, many dressed in period costumes from the era of the sinking, will descend on the town for the BTS annual conference which runs from Friday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12. The Commodore Hotel will be the headquarters for the event with a number of lectures planned there with expert speakers. Read More Real-life love story which inspired characters in Titanic among artefacts digitised in Cobh BTS was founded in 1987 just two years after the discovery of its wreck deep at the bottom of the Atlantic by famed explorer Robert Ballard. The supposedly unsinkable White Star liner which was the most impressive and luxurious ship of its day set out on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on April 10, 1912. It first went to pick up passengers in Cherbourg, France and then arrived in Cobh where it picked up a further 123 people who had queued to get tenders from the old pier which is located at the now Titanic Experience centre in the town. In total more than 1,500 passengers and crew died when the liner sank, most succumbing to hypothermia in the freezing waters. Of the 123 who boarded in Cobh, 79 perished. BTS said the convention programme for its members will include lectures in the Commodore Hotel, a gala dinner there and visits to a number of historic places around the town which have major connections with the ill-fated liner. Cobh Tourism chairwoman Jackie Coakley said all accommodation in the town is fully booked. Throughout the weekend, local musicians will entertain the delegates, and the Cobh Animation ladies will add a touch of Victorian glamour to the proceedings. Inside the Cobh Heritage Centre, interactive exhibitions trace the stories of Irish emigrants, convict ships, and the final hours of the Titanic and Lusitania. Picture: Chani Anderson "Shops, cafes, bars and restaurants across Cobh are preparing to extend a warm Irish welcome, recognising the valuable boost the convention brings to the local economy, Ms Coakley said. She said the people of Cobh hold a solemn responsibility to remember the lives lost in the tragedy. Each year, Cobh Tourism marks the anniversary of the Titanics final port of call with a commemorative ceremony. This year, the participation of the BTS delegates adds an additional dimension to the event which will take place at noon on Sunday, April 12, with the laying of wreaths and the reading of the names of those who perished. A Catholic church in Cork city centre that was once visited by Pope Leo is set to later this year. St Augustines Church, located at the corner of Washington St and Grand Parade, has been a part of spiritual life in the city for more than 80 years. The church is set to close permanently in the coming months, with parishioners to be informed this weekend. The church is owned and run by the Augustinian friars, with the consent of the diocese of Cork and Ross. A spokesperson for the Augustinian friars in Cork told the Irish Examiner they would be making no comment, but that a statement would be issued at Masses in the church on Saturday and Sunday. Pope Leo XIV (then Bishop Robert Prevost) second from left, with his fellow Augustinians Fr Jerry Horan, Fr Pat Moran, and Fr Michael Brennock at St Augustines Church in Cork in Easter 2007 to honour Peg Bolton and Marie Finn for their 50 years singing in the choir. Picture: Gerard Bonus A spokesperson for the diocese said the future of the church is primarily a matter for the order. It is understood that the likely closure of St Augustines stems from a continued decline in vocations to the priesthood. Building completed in 1942 The church, which was erected in 1942 and extended 30 years later, was built on the site of an earlier chapel dating back to 1872. The adjoining priory was built in 1982. The Augustinian friars have had a presence in Cork dating back as far as the late 13th century, when they founded Red Abbey in the South Parish. The ruin of the old medieval belfry tower still stands on the site. The friars left Cork in the 17th century in the wake of the Reformation, returning a century later to what is now St Augustines Street. Pope Leo XIV visited the Augustinian church two decades ago, when he was Bishop Robert Prevost, prior general of the Order of St Augustine, the global head of the order. The then bishop paid a visit to the Augustinian friars in Cork in 2007. Jon Burrows was correct when he stated recently that the Irish Government should apologise for some of what went on during the Troubles. The Ulster Unionist leader believes that Irish governments were less than robust in tackling the Provisional IRA, particularly when it came to extradition. I would love Ireland to say that some of their conduct during the Troubles was unjustified and unjustifiable, he said. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows. Picture: Mark Marlow/PA While he has a point about an apology, Mr Borrows is completely wrong on the basis for which an apology is warranted. It is not to the unionists that an apology should be made, but to citizens of this State who were subjected to violence and torture. The call for an apology is the latest echo from a period of violence, upheaval, and trauma which has never been resolved. The failure to even attempt to address this has led to individual entities scripting their own history. Nobody does this better than those who describe themselves as republicans, principally in the Sinn Fein party. Last week, Mary Lou McDonald marked the first anniversary of the death of Brendan Bik McFarlane. Provincial IRA member Brendan Bik McFarlane was hailed by Mary Lou McDonald as on the first anniversary of his death. This is how she remembered him: He dedicated his life to the pursuit of freedom, unity, peace, and equality. It was a life well lived, a life that shaped a legacy that will inspire generations to come. She does not mention that he was a leading member of the Provisional IRA. She describes a man who pursued peace, ignoring that he was part of a sectarian gang who machine gunned and bombed a Protestant bar in 1975, killing five people, including 17-year-old Linda Boyle and 29-year-old Joanne McDowell. The man whose legacy will apparently inspire generations is believed to have murdered Irish Garda recruit Gary Sheehan and Defence Forces private Patrick Kelly in Derrada Woods in Leitrim in 1983. McFarlane was part of a gang which, in the best traditions of the mafia, had kidnapped a wealthy industrialist, demanding money. His gang, or movement, or however you want to term them, were intent on violently imposing a 32-county socialist republic on the island, against the wishes of the vast majority. Those like McDonald who have lauded McFarlane, attempt to portray the violence as necessary to protect the Catholic community in the North. Yet the Provos killed more Catholics than any other armed actor in the conflict, and at no stage did a majority in that community support killing for a united Ireland. Freddie Scappatici Scripting their factoid alternative history isnt confined to bigging up killers whom the movement consider heroes. Last month, the Kenova report into the activities of Freddie Scappatici was published. He was employed by the Provos to torture and kill informers, but for years he was a double agent, working for the British. Kenova chief Iain Livingstone (left) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher speaking to the media at the Stormont Hotel, in Belfast, following the publication of the final Kenova report on December 9, 2025. Picture: PA Reacting to the report, McDonald told the Dail that the British state allowed Scappatici to continue killing when he was working for them. Victims were not warned, she said. Families were left in the dark. Lives were treated as expendable. This was not an error. It was not a failure of oversight. It was a deliberate political choice. The observation concerned the British security services, but just as much, if not more, should be applied to Scappaticcis employer the Provisional IRA. Nowhere in McDonalds lengthy address on Kenova did she mention the reviled agent was a recruit of the Provos. Its as if the British just invented him. So, it goes with a manufactured review of recent history. Undated file photo of Freddie Scappaticci, who is widely believed to be the IRA agent known as 'Stakeknife', outside the offices of the Andersonstown News in west Belfast in 2003. Picture: PA While the Provos never managed to impose their totalitarian state, they were successful in one respect. A prime objective in spreading terror, through actions like planting bombs in public places, was to elicit a severe reaction from the state. This came to pass through the British security services colluding with loyalist paramilitaries to murder often completely innocent Catholics. A de facto policy was pursued in some respects to fight terror with terror. Innocents were murdered in a manner that should be abhorrent to any democratic society. In the south of the island, standards required of a democracy also fell. The State, as Micheal Martin noted in response to Jon Burrows comments on an apology, fought tooth and nail against the Provisional IRA. He also correctly noted that the Provos had murdered gardai and other servants of the Irish State. 'The Heavy Gang' The response from the State, however, was perpetrated in a manner ill befitting a democracy. In the early 70s, a group within An Garda Siochana came to be known as the 'Heavy Gang'. Their forte was assaulting republican suspects in custody and beating confessions out of them. Whether or not these confessions were factually based was irrelevant. The general sentiment among some of this group of gardai was that if these suspects werent guilty of the particular crime being investigated, they were of some other crime. Such policing was illegal and highly damaging to a society where human rights were allegedly valued. The most infamous case of this was the investigation into the Sallins mail train robbery in 1976. A number of suspects mostly members of the Irish Republican Socialist Party were rounded up, arrested, and subjected to serious assault in custody. False confessions were signed by three of them: Nicky Kelly, Osgur Breatnach, and Brian McNally. All were charged and convicted. Kelly did a runner before the verdict, but later returned. The other two successfully appealed the convictions. Eventually, Kelly was freed. All three brought civil actions against the State, which were settled in the early 90s. Apart from the Gardai, huge questions arose over the conduct of the judiciary in the course of a protracted trial process. There is also no doubt but that the government of the day had no intention of ever investigating whether malpractice or a miscarriage of justice had occurred. It has long been established that the small band of gardai who were known to assault suspects were operating with effective impunity. Breatnach has fought a decades-long campaign for a proper investigation into the Sallins case. He has received support right across civic society and from the UN for his campaign, but successive governments have refused to initiate any kind of inquiry. The impunity that applied to beating up Republican suspects spawned a garda culture that led to serious miscarriages of justice like the Kerry babies case, and, later on, the framing of the McBrearty family in Donegal for a murder they had nothing to do with. Wronged by the State Over the last quarter a century, successive governments have correctly issued apologies to those who were wronged by the State. Principally, these were vulnerable individuals, often children, who were effectively sacrificial lambs in a society living under warped values. The apologies were belated, but one can only hope were of some comfort to those who were terribly wronged. Some might not find it as easy to sympathise with individuals beaten up in custody by the Heavy Gang. Many among them were members of entities that supported a campaign of violence attempting to overthrow the State. That, however, did not render it legal, necessary, or even excusable to strip away their basic human rights. The resistance to the Provos that Martin outlined was rooted in a belief that democratic principles would not be sacrificed on the altar of fanatical violence. By that token, the State, even at this late stage, needs to examine the violence perpetrated by its own agents. An apology for the activities of the Heavy Gang, and the impunity that applied, is long overdue, but would represent a cathartic acknowledgement that some things should not have happened. Outside Leinster House this week, Emily Kane held a placard reading: He is six. He is capable. He needs his SNA. The Dublin mother was among those gathered to protest amid the fallout from reviews of special needs assistant (SNA) posts. Her son attends Our Ladys Boys National School in Ballinteer, one of the schools that were set to lose SNAs next year until political controversy put the brakes on the move. The school was losing three posts, dropping from five SNAs to two in September, a 60% reduction. While that cut at the school is paused, it brings little comfort to Emily, or the parents of 30 other children who have additional needs attending mainstream classes there alongside their peers. Emily said: "Its not happening this year but its coming next year, Ive no doubt about it in my mind, the way its been worded." Emily's son, who is autistic, is in senior infants. He is "well able" to keep up with his classmates academically but needs some help with focus and concentration. Without the support of his SNA, her son would not be able to attend mainstream school. Instead, she would have to consider placing him in a special class a smaller setting attached to mainstream schools for children with additional needs. However, these classes in his school are full, and the annual battle parents face to secure special classes for their children is well documented. Emily asks why her son should have to leave his class when he is bright, engaged, and has the support of a gamechanger SNA. Why are we doing that to kids who are able to stay in mainstream, she said. Its not acceptable, and I am not going to accept it. Michelle Adebisi and school service dog Diego from Bray joined the special needs assistants' demonstration outside Leinster House earlier this week. Picture: Bairbre Holmes/PA In the Dail this week, education minister Hildegarde Naughton repeated the Governments position on the matter: No cuts are proposed, or will be proposed, to the provision of SNA support to children and young people across our school system. She added: The numbers dont lie. We are not cutting SNAs. The Government and Department of Education have argued this week that the loss of posts from schools following the reviews by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) do not constitute as cuts. This is because the overall number of SNAs working in the education system is set to reach its highest level from September, and that the posts lost from the schools deemed to have less needs than others would simply be redeployed. Of course there is a cut, Emily said. You can call it redeployment all you want but if three SNAs are being taken from the school in Ballinteer, thats a cut. "My son suffers the exact same whether it's a redeployment or a cut. It is exactly the same. They talk about there being 25,000 SNAs, the most theyve ever had. No one has actually said how many we actually need. We probably need two or three times that amount for all children across the country. Forsa trade union head of education Andy Pike at a public meeting on the SNA crisis at Buswells Hotel near Leinster House in Dublin on Wednesday. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews While the number of SNAs working across the education system has grown each year, so too has the need for such posts. Parents, teachers, and wider societys awareness of disability have grown, and diagnosis and assessments have improved. The Department of Education did not provide a figure when asked by the Irish Examiner if it had an estimate of how many SNAs are needed at mainstream schools based on students' needs. Approximately 250,000 students who have additional needs attend mainstream schools, according to the departments own estimation. These needs could include physical disabilities, medical needs, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, or autism. Based on NCSE data, there are 12,560 SNAs working in mainstream classes. This weeks announcement of an additional 19m will cover an additional 500 SNAs for 2026. This puts the ratio at approximately one SNA to every 19 students at mainstream. SNAs are allocated to schools, and not to individual children, Ms Naughton said this week, adding that the NCSE works to retain supports for children". But circumstances can and do arise where the same level of SNA support is no longer required, such as where a student or students with highly significant care needs leave the school," said the minister. Special needs assistants and parents protesting outside Leinster House on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins There is also the ideal scenario where children gain more independence and more confidence in their learning and no longer require the same level of support. "These outcomes are what we all want, and what our system is designed to achieve. These are the measure of success for young people. This year, to date, the NCSE had conducted 1,000 reviews of schools SNA allocations. The outcomes of these had gone to more than half of the schools when the process was halted last week. Last year, it carried out approximately 1,400 reviews. The Department of Education has refused to say how many of last years reviews resulted in reductions or increases. 'Stealth cuts' Leigh Fleming, a mother in Cork City, is worried about the impact of repeated stealth cuts on the system, which she has been documenting in recent years. They are clever with their wording. Theyve said, It's not a pause, its stopped for this year. [That means] it's stopped until June, thats a matter of months away, the end of the school year. Up until last year, a school could ask for a review, get themselves reviewed anytime to ask for an increase if they had the cases there. "The NCSE could also review at any time of the year. The only change that has happened is that now the review happens at a set time of year. Education minister Hildegarde Naughton told the Dail this week: 'No cuts are proposed, or will be proposed, to the provision of SNA support to children and young people across our school system.' File picture: Brian Lawless/PA This has made the scale of their impact more apparent. Last April, Ms Fleming put a call out for people who saw SNA support lost following a review by the NCSE. With one Facebook post, she got back 86 responses. It goes to show it's affecting everybody, she said. "It was teachers, parents, SNAs, principals." One mother wrote to Ms Fleming after her autistic daughter's SNA support was withdrawn with immediate effect "out of the blue". She had received this support for six years, essential for managing her daughters sensory impairment and emotional irregularities. Within just four days of losing it, the impact was immense. Her selfesteem is very low. She cant work out what she did wrong. Her message was sent in April 2025. Ms Fleming said: Schools can end up getting a lot of abuse from parents as well, who have to fight and fight saying, We need an SNA. But really, schools have no choice in the matter. They delegate the hours where necessary, where the highest needs are and then fill in the gaps where they can, but they are stretched thin. I dont know actually one school that has enough SNAs, be it an additional needs school, be it a unit, or be it a mainstream school, I dont know one. SNAs Jennifer Fox, Nicola Kavanagh, and Lisa Fitzgerald believe the disconnect between Government and what's happening in schools across the country largely comes down to inappropriate school places. Children are placed incorrectly within the current system in classes or schools that cannot offer the support they need with the resources they have. Special needs assistants and parents protesting outside Leinster House on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins "We're on the ground, so we see the children," said Ms Kavanagh. "We see how it's impossible for the teachers to teach. There are children in mainstream schools that should be in special schools, or ASD classes. These are children who are non-verbal, or who have behavioural issues because they are in the wrong place. "The way it is, teachers can't teach, neurotypical children can't get a proper education because of the disruption in classrooms, and the neurodivergent children aren't accessing the curriculum, so none of these children are accessing their right to an education. As far as the Government are concerned, they are ticking boxes, they have school places but, on the ground, we are fighting fires every day. Ms Fitzgerald said: In what other profession would the role change without any discussion? There was no discussion, no documents. What about down the road, and the early intervention we are so important for? A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it has worked closely with stakeholders including school management bodies and Forsa to develop a SNA redeployment scheme which is close to finalisation. "This provides an additional option for SNAs in a surplus post and was welcomed by Forsa as a measure that would improve access for children needing those vital supports." My phone was on the verge of exploding for three days straight. Sadly, it was not Netflix looking for the rights to one of my stories. Happily, it was because my cat was having a viral moment. It was a stupid, throwaway little post, meant mostly to amuse myself. It was that the cat, Pepper, had discovered the taste of ragu and she was now hounding me for more. There was a photo the obligatory cat tax, as its known captioned where is it dad, why are you so cruel. And then I gave it no more thought, expecting maybe family members or whatnot to like it. After a couple of weeks of my social posts getting little traction something that happens to a lot of writers I was not anticipating Pepper racking up one, then two, then 20, then 2,000, then a cumulative 13,000 likes. The overwhelming opinion was to just give in and give her more food (for the record, she is well fed). The reactions This is perhaps to be expected, because if youve spent any time on the internet youll have noticed how cat people call to each other from across the stars, usually to tell each other that their cat does the same [insert unhinged thing], albeit in part of the universe where everything is upside down like, I dont know, Texas or something. Then came the commenters commenting in character as one of their cats, which is more or less just the same as many brands tend to behave on Threads when I posted that I was deleting Microsoft Teams for a week, the Teams social media account replied to commend me. There was the cohort who seemed convinced I was about to kill the cat, because onions and tomatoes are toxic to them (youd swear Id given Pepper a full bowl of ragu). There was the surprisingly numerous group telling me their cat fancied my cat (a Hinge for pets is evidently an untapped market). There was the woman who asked me if I was married because she didnt see a wedding ring in my profile photo, having evidently zoomed way, way in to check (thanks, I guess; fun fact, I actually have two wedding rings, I just dont wear them much because I know Im married). Mostly, there were the hundreds of people sharing pictures of their own cats, or them with their cats, or little stories about their cats doing something demented (which isnt hard to come up with, as any cat parent will tell you). Those little comments went off in their own directions, as is the glory and terror of the internet. But Dear Reader, it didnt stop. Because early in what became a whirlwind, Id posted something else about how, despite being one of Irelands most prolific short story writers, people were mostly interested in pictures of my cat and that I didnt blame them. Reader, she got more likes on that one (but not views) than the first, somewhere north of 18,000. I still get the occasional ding that more are coming in. By the time Peppers 15 minutes were up, at which point I reasoned it was safe to use my phone again, some 325,000 people had seen her photos and the feeling from writer friends was that I should let her do all my marketing from now on. Somewhere in the anarchy, I picked up a hefty number of horror fans they want the account to be a mix of horror and cats, and who am I to argue? and, bemusingly, actually sold books on the back of it. All in the US, too, where the majority of my readers reside (hi everybody, yes Ive written another book, no its not out yet but its not far). The connections Mostly, though, it was the manifestation of that simple, almost burning desire to be around like-minded souls. We all want to belong, one way or another. And what more universal way to do that than by connecting through a shared love of pets? Its more likely to break down national and social boundaries than music, art, or money. Everybody gets what they want, and nobody ends up feeling like theyve come off worse in an uneven transaction. As a colleague and I noted on one of my publishers Discords, the pulling power of cats on social media is not only unparalleled, but a reminder of more optimistic, innocent times. Honestly, the sheer wholesomeness of what went on in my small corner of the web was a refreshing antidote to the poison of rage politics that infests everywhere else. No doubt, everybody else felt the same. And really, if we spent more time finding the most basic common ground, however tentative, maybe wed all be just a little better off. This week should have been characterised by an unwavering display of solidarity and unity by the EU. But any hope of this was shattered when just days before the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungarys prime minister Viktor Orban Putins greatest ally in Europe announced he would block all decisions relating to Ukraine by brandishing his governments powerful veto. The announcement meant the EU would return to crisis mode, having been knocked off kilter by one of its own members. Once again, the EU finds itself at the mercy of one member state hijacking meaningful and consequential EU policy for its own domestic pursuits. Victor Orban claims Ukraine is attacking Hungary and Slovakias energy infrastructure by not fixing the Drujba (Russian for 'friendship') pipeline, which allows Russian oil flow from Russia through Ukraine. Budapest and Bratislava have an exemption from Western sanctions on buying Russian oil. The pipeline is out of operation due to Russian airstrikes, which damaged it. Nobody really understands Orbans demands that Ukraine should now fix the pipe which Russia destroyed, so Russia can sell Hungary and Slovakia cheap oil and then use that revenue to kill Ukrainian civilians. But Orban will likely be placated by Brussels and other EU countries for the greater good to prevail. From left, Viktor Orban, Malta's prime minister Robert Abela, Netherland's prime minister Mark Rutte, Portugal's prime minister Luis Montenegro, French president Emmanuel Macron, and Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni speak during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Picture: Omar Havana/AP. Budapest is a serial abuser of the EUs veto system, which exists for smaller countries like Ireland and many others (the EU is mainly made up of small countries) to have democratic equality at the powerful European Council, where prime ministers and heads of state sit. Foreign policy, including sanctions policy, must be agreed upon unanimously. Last Monday, three days after his bombshell announcemet, EU foreign ministers met in Brussels. They had been poised to announce deeper sanctions against Moscow in a bid to further weaken Russias ability to continue the war. It would be the EUs 20th sanctions package since February 2022. Moreover, the EU is soon due to deliver the first tranche of a 90bn lifeline for Ukraine to cover its costs over the next two years as it continues to traverse the cruel and relentless Russian campaign of ballistic missiles and purposeful attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure. Also, now blocked by Orban. At least 161 people were killed in January, and millions were plunged into darkness with no electricity or heating amid -25C temperatures in some parts of Ukraine, creating as much hardship on Ukrainians as at any other time of the war. At the very least, the EU had hoped to portray a strength amid a situation of unprecedented tension among US allies, as well as Russia combined. The EU is reckoning with an aggressive, unpredictable White House which sees Brussels as an enemy and the EU as an entity that should be weakened. But Hungary, and at times Slovakia, is willing to do the bidding of Putin and insult the memories of the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in Ukraine due to Putins asymmetrical attack. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban and Russian president Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting in Moscow on Friday, July 5, 2024. Picture: Valeriy Sharifulin/AP I am astounded about the Hungarian position, German minister for foreign affairs, Johann Wadephul, said to reporters on Monday. I do not believe it is right for Hungary to betray its own struggle for freedom and European sovereignty, referring to the famous 1956 Soviet massacre against the Hungarian uprising. This sentiment is echoed widely. But the question is what to do about Hungary, and what impact will that have on small, responsible member states like Ireland, Lithuania, Estonia, and others. There is a complete realisation that Hungary will continue this path if allowed. Past attempts to strip Budapest of its voting rights due to the myriad investigations into serious democratic backsliding and stripping the judiciary of its independence have amounted to nothing, given the high threshold of 26 countries being required to vote in favour. There is now a renewed momentum to end the veto system and thereby neuter Hungary of its ability to disrupt the passage of important EU policies. One of the most common, and often glibly applied, complaints about the EU is that it is too slow. That decisions take ages, and the EU is essentially impotent. Much of this is due to the cross purposes that arise when 27 countries each have their own agenda. However, by and large, in a moment of existential crisis such as the covid pandemic and the Ukraine war a consensus can arise, and the EU functions well. Hungarian election Orban is in the middle of a national election where he is trailing in the polls to former fellow Fidez party member, Peter Magyar. His modus operandi is clearly to provoke and inflame tensions in Brussels as a show of power and control. His message to voters is that its not his fault the economy is stagnant, and democracy is backsliding. The fault lies with Ukraine and Brussels. Billboards tell Hungarians that Orban will save them from the EU and Ukraine forcing them to the frontlines of the war. Or from paying towards supporting Ukraine amid its ongoing suffering. Our message to Brussels: We wont pay! say some billboards, with pictures of key EU officials such as Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The problem is that even smaller countries, particularly those on the frontline of the war with Russia such as the Baltics, who value their right to veto as much as Ireland or anyone else, now think the only way for the EU to act as a strong, geopolitical entity is to switch some decisions to qualified majority. Meaning 65% of the population of the EU, or 15 out of 17 countries. If this policy is pursued, the positions of larger countries will almost always prevail. But because the bloc has failed to rein in Orbans blackmail tendencies, the equal, democratic aspect of the EU is now in peril. This photo taken on Feb. 28, 2026 shows a view of downtown Teheran, Iran. Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. (Xinhua/Shadati) JERUSALEM/TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. Apparent strikes in Tehran happened near offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to media reports. Multiple missiles also hit University Street, Jomhouri area and elsewhere in Tehran. Iran closed its airspace while the attack was ongoing. Meanwhile, sirens were sounded across Israel to warn the public to prepare for the possibility of Iranian retaliation. Israeli airspace is closed to civilian flights, according to Israeli airports authority. The attack from Israel, which reportedly was coordinated with the United States, came after the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Geneva on Thursday. Tensions between the United States and Iran were soaring amid massive U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear talks. People leave a cafe after a siren is sounded in Jerusalem on Feb. 28, 2026. Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. Sirens were sounded across Israel to warn the public to prepare for the possibility of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) People walk on a street after a siren is sounded in Jerusalem on Feb. 28, 2026. Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. Sirens were sounded across Israel to warn the public to prepare for the possibility of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) ACCRA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese art troupe from the Anhui Performing Arts Group joined Ghanaian students on Friday to showcase rich Chinese cultural performances. The cultural exchange event, held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana in Accra, the West African country's capital, featured spectacular Chinese cultural dances, the renowned dramatic face-changing show in which performers instantly switch masks, and the melodious performance of traditional Huangmei Opera. The audience was also captivated by Chinese acrobatics, the lion dance, Chinese rap music, and many other breathtaking performances. "Cultural exchange is essential, so the Anhui Performing Arts Group came here to showcase Chinese culture to our students, especially the Anhui culture, which is very famous in China," Liu Baijun, the institute's Chinese director, told Xinhua. Lin Ling, director and general manager of the Anhui Provincial Opera and Dance Theater, said performing in Ghana was a wonderful experience. "Through every melody and every dance move, we hope to enhance the relations between China and Ghana," Lin said. Clara Ningson, a senior Chinese language and linguistics student at the University of Ghana, lauded the visiting group from China's Anhui Province for the wonderful performances, which introduced Ghanaians to new and diverse dimensions of Chinese culture. Nignson said the combination of language and culture boosts the ability of students to learn the Chinese language faster and more easily. "For example, Chinese songs can make learning the language easier. When you listen to the songs, they give you more vocabulary, and since many songs reflect real-life experiences, you can relate them to what you are learning," she said. Note: This opinion piece reflects my own personal views and not those of any group with which I am affiliated. I was not present at the meeting I describe below. ( Roy Eidelsons Blog ) Last weekend, the 180-member governing Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association held its annual midwinter meeting in Washington, DC. In a series of crucial votes, human rights were pitted against fear. Defying the odds, human rights remarkably won out every time. Ultimately, Council approved both a game-changing resolution on antisemitism and a statement reaffirming APAs commitment to human rights and freedom of expression. What transpired is a timely reminder that principled and dedicated organizing and coalition building, along with courage and persistence under fire, can carry the day. Perhaps it wasnt quite David versus Goliath. But on one side was a risk-averse and fear-driven group of powerful APA Board members and executive staff, joined by influential supporters of various Israel advocacy organizations. On the other side was a diverse assortment of much smaller voices but together they formed a compelling chorus, crying out for the APA to finally oppose the weaponization of antisemitism as the Palestinian people face an ongoing genocidal assault. The new antisemitism resolution which was endorsed by fully 75% of Council members updates and replaces the APAs corresponding 2007 resolution. This 2026 version, now APAs official policy, includes language emphasizing that antisemitism is about the treatment of Jews as Jews and is not about criticism of Israel: Multiple contemporary definitions of antisemitism all share the recognition that antisemitism involves hostility, prejudice, discrimination, harassment, hatred, or violence against Jews as Jews. This new resolution also directly acknowledges the false claims of antisemitism from defenders of Israel and the harm that they cause: The weaponization of antisemitism the manipulative or bad faith invocation of accusations to silence legitimate criticism, scholarship, or activism creates significant adverse consequences for Jews and non-Jews who oppose the state of Israels actions and support Palestinian rights. In addition, the APAs new resolution on antisemitism removes these two deeply problematic sentences that were part of the earlier 2007 version: Anti-Semitism may be asserted in the context of discourse regarding the actions of the Government of Israel, thus further disguising the anti-Semitic nature of the discourse. The link between extreme anti-Israel rhetoric and deeds directed against Jewish individuals and communities has become an observable global trend and has at times unleashed demonization and dehumanization of Jews. Finally, the APAs 2026 Resolution on Antisemitism is also entirely free of any citation of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). This represents a significant step away from relying on that Israel advocacy organizations discredited statistics, which count anti-genocide protests as antisemitic. At the same time, the resolution highlights the critical importance of actively combatting the very serious threat posed by real antisemitism. In its original form, this new antisemitism resolution included the following text which, presumably due to push-back on the Council floor, does not appear in the final version: Scholars in the fields of Holocaust history, Jewish studies, and Middle East studies have emphasized that the following do not constitute antisemitic acts: support for Palestinian demands consistent with international law; support for full equality for everyone in Israel/Palestine; evidence-based criticism of Israels institutions, founding principles, practices, policies, and actions; and non-violent forms of political protest. This omission is disappointing and frustrating, especially because full equality for Palestinians in Israel/Palestine is so important and so far from becoming a reality today. But I find some measure of consolation in knowing that APAs new policies no longer give any suggestion that calls for equality including through support for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions tied to Israel are antisemitic. Turning to the statement on reaffirming the APAs commitment to human rights and freedom of expression, it was endorsed by a stunning 95% of Council. The statement includes this key section: APA rejectsthe claim that criticism of any governments policies or actions is intrinsically racist, xenophobic, antisemitic, transphobic, anti-Muslim, misogynistic, ableist, or prejudicedWe thereforeoppose efforts aimed at silencing or punishing non-violent advocacy directed towards safeguarding human life and upholding human dignity and human rights. We call for APA to safeguard psychologists rights to engage in non-violent political speech without professional retaliation. This section does more than reinforce the legitimacy of criticizing Israel and raising concerns about the profound suffering inflicted on the Palestinian people. It also directs the APA to actively support, protect, and defend the rights of those within our community who choose to speak out against these horrors. Hopefully, this is a step toward the APA more fully recognizing and addressing Palestinian and SWANA pain and trauma.[1] Significant hurdles had to be overcome during the Council meeting to achieve these historic outcomes. Indeed, as noted above, certain significant text passages were regrettably revised or removed as part of the process of debate and deliberation. But consider that APAs Board of Directors tried to postpone at least for months, and perhaps forever any consideration by Council of this new antisemitism resolution. The Board instead wanted the proposed resolution to be reviewed and perhaps dramatically reshaped or even discarded by the Collaborative of Jewish Psychologists (CJP), a group that they themselves had recently created. The CJP was supposed to be a diversity of voices representing the breadth of Jewish identity, selected through a transparent and inclusive process. But that did not happen. For example, it appears that three-quarters of CJP appointees have either condemned criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights as antisemitic or are active in groups whose leaders have done so. In fact, almost half of CJPs members belong to an organization that criticized the APA for opposing the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians and spoke against a 2024 APA resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. In addition, before the CJP was even formed, a half-dozen members who were appointed to the group were already on record as having attacked the original text of the new antisemitism resolution as antisemitic. In an essay I wrote last month expressing my serious concerns about the CJP, I included a link to a document on the APAs own website that listed the names of the CJPs twenty members. My doing so was apparently met with outrage from some CJP members, who evidently believed that the group was entitled to anonymity for their own safety. APA quickly obliged by removing all information about them. Nevertheless, APAs Board of Directors continued to insist that Council members should completely defer to the CJP and give that group sole responsibility for evaluating the antisemitism resolution without Council even knowing the names of these individuals! Thankfully, Council rejected this plan and then proceeded to adopt the 2026 Resolution on Antisemitism. In similar ways, the statement reaffirming APAs commitment to human rights and freedom of expression almost never reached the Council for consideration. Ironically, APA senior staff had argued that the statement could not be adopted because it purportedly would contradict APAs 2007 antisemitism resolution in place at the time. But by overwhelming numbers, Council members insisted that it be added to the agenda anyway. And by the time the statement was brought forward and approved by Council, that 2007 resolution had already been archived and replaced by the new antisemitism resolution. I think its important to highlight the political context in which APAs Council of Representatives held their recent meeting, just blocks from Capitol Hill. Since late last year, the APA has been under investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce, for alleged rampant antisemitism. Not surprisingly, these unwarranted accusations came from zealous Israel defenders within the psychology community, and they were amplified by Israel advocacy groups like the ADL. APAs leadership was seemingly very quick to accommodate the Committees request for all documents, listserv posts, and other materials from October 7, 2023 to the present referring or relating to antisemitism, Jews, Judaism, Israel, Israeli, Palestine, or Palestinian. Whether or not names were redacted from those documents is information the APA has chosen not to share in its member updates. This anticipatory obedience is disturbing in its own right. But even more so when one considers the dim prospect of somehow satisfying the Trump Administrations appetite for vengeance without abandoning APAs mission to benefit society and improve lives. Consider who is overseeing the current investigation. House Committee chair Tim Walberg (R-MI), a religious-right zealot, told his constituents, We shouldnt be spending a dime on humanitarian aid for Gaza and It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism based on her paraphrased biblical injunction, If you bless the Jewish people, you will be blessed. If you curse the Jewish people, you will be cursed. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) affirmed her belief that Israel has a biblical right to the entire West Bank during her confirmation hearing for the position of ambassador to the United Nations. Mark Harris (R-NC), a former evangelical pastor, has claimed that Islam is dangerous and counterfeit, and that peace in the Middle East will require Muslims and Jews to convert to Christianity. Mary Miller (R-IL) quoted Adolph Hitler approvingly in a speech at a rally in Washington, DC, the day before Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. And Randy Fine (R-FL) is on record with these comments: Palestinian is just another word for demon and Palestinians in desperate need of humanitarian aid should just starve away. To conclude, through their historic votes, APA Council members lifted their commitments to ethics and human rights beyond the reach of those pushing instead for expediency, compliance, and the preservation of a misguided and destructive status quo. These members of Council were undoubtedly heartened and fortified by the many impassioned messages of support from colleagues whove witnessed and experienced first-hand the brunt of APAs past failures to meet the moment when difficult choices must be made. But this progress is fragile, because angry and disingenuous attacks from groups that oppose APAs new policies on antisemitism, human rights, and freedom of expression seem almost inevitable. And this means we must collectively and in broad and broadening coalition continue to defend these fundamental principles and those who advocate for them. [1] SWANA is a decolonial and geographical term that represents the various communities located in Southwest Asia and North Africa. Reprinted with the authors permission from Roy Eidelsons Blog. BERLIN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China has become a vital market for proUmid, the general manager of the German manufacturer of precision vapor sorption instruments said, adding that the company has achieved remarkable development since it started engaging with China's industry and market 13 years ago. "In recent years, sales in the Chinese market have accounted for nearly half of our company's total revenue," Johannes Ringer said in a recent interview with Xinhua, describing the Chinese market as both a driver of innovation and a springboard for its global expansion. Focusing consistently on analytical equipment for precise control of humidity and temperature, proUmid has developed a product range of advanced multi-sample dynamic vapor sorption instruments and humidity generators over the years. The company's growth trajectory in China offers a telling microcosm of how many German "hidden champions" have steadily cultivated the Chinese market. According to German economist Hermann Simon, "hidden champions" refer to highly successful yet lesser-known small and medium-sized enterprises that are global leaders in terms of market share in their respective niches. ProUmid first entered the Chinese market in 2013, set up a representative office in 2016, and plans to invest and establish a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE) in China in 2026. Looking back on the company's development in China, Ringer said proUmid has achieved "win-win" outcomes with Chinese partners and customers. One tangible example, he noted, is software development. "We have developed our own Dynamic Water Vapor Sorption (DVS) software for analyzing test data in response to the requirements of well-known domestic pharmaceutical customers. It has core functions such as advanced data analysis, model calculation, and automatic report generation," he said. "Since its official launch, the software has been continuously updated and optimized based on user feedback." What began as a localized response to customer needs has since generated broader benefits for the company's global business. "Today, it is used not only in China but also in many other countries around the world and is highly praised by users worldwide," Ringer said. According to Ringer, in the early years, the company's European and American customers were mainly concentrated in pharmaceuticals, food and chemicals. "Over the past decade in the Chinese market, we have further developed in areas such as Chinese herbal medicine, tobacco, archaeology, wood and geotechnical engineering," he said. "The scientific research achievements we have obtained in these new fields have brought new thoughts to our European and American customers." Ringer attributed the company's growth in China to a supportive policy environment. He said China has rolled out a series of measures -- encouraging foreign-invested technology firms, strengthening intellectual property protection, and promoting large-scale equipment upgrades -- that have helped underpin stable, healthy business relationships for the company in the Chinese market. "In recent years, the Chinese government has significantly increased investment in equipment renewal for universities, particularly in the development of key disciplines," he said. "Many universities have launched new instrument procurement programs, which have generated a considerable number of orders for us." Looking ahead, Ringer said China's momentum and the exchange of experiences can definitely lead to great cooperation, revealing significant potential and success. "We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship and further developing knowledge exchange, cooperation, and friendship," he said. NANNING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- For seven-year-old Candy (pseudonym), the journey from her home in Vietnam to Nanning, the capital city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which borders Vietnam, was a race against the clock. Born with severe thalassemia, a debilitating hereditary blood disorder, the better part of Candy's life was once measured by three-week intervals of painful blood transfusions on a hospital bed and defined by the diameter of a needle and the slow drip of an IV bag. Today, her world has opened up beyond recognition. She became one of six Vietnamese children recently discharged from the hematology department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, following successful hematopoietic stem cell transplants, a procedure that effectively "reboots" the patient's blood-building system with healthy cells. Her recovery is considered yet another milestone in a growing cross-border medical initiative between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), transforming Guangxi from a high-incidence "hotspot" for rare diseases into a regional center of life-saving solutions. The success of these pediatric cases is built on decades of experiments and clinical practices borne out of local necessity. In Guangxi, thalassemia is a significant public health challenge, with the carrier frequency averaging over 20 percent in the population. The high prevalence has compelled local medical institutions to dedicate expertise and funding in the search for a solution at a scale few other places in the country could match, according to Zheng Baoshi, president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. At the heart of the efforts is the "Guangxi Scheme," a standardized transplant protocol developed by the hospital and forged in the decades-long battle against the debilitating disease. According to hospital data, the scheme has achieved a 95 percent cure rate for severe thalassemia, a figure that stands on par with international standards. The institution now performs the largest number of hematopoietic stem cell transplants in Guangxi, curing over 200 patients annually. These cases range from metabolic disorders like pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) to complex immune deficiencies. This Saturday, landmarks across the world are lit in blue, pink, green, and purple, forming a "chain of light" to mark the 19th Rare Disease Day under the theme "More Than You Can Imagine," the day set up to shine a light on around 350 million people worldwide living with a rare condition. While the World Health Organization (WHO) defines "rare" as affecting between 0.065 percent and 0.1 percent of the population, the sheer scale of the collective impact is staggering. In China, where 207 rare conditions are listed, an estimated 20 million people live with rare diseases. For these patients, the "rarity" of their condition often translates into a woeful lack of recourse, a years-long odyssey to secure the right specialists who can recognize their symptoms and administer medical procedures they can afford, noted Zheng. Seeking to move beyond disease management and toward permanent cures, Guangxi is aggressively recruiting global scientific talent. In late 2025, the hospital successfully brought Thomas Mikael Oliveberg, a prominent biophysicist from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, into the fold. A leading authority on protein folding and protein disease, Professor Mikael Oliveberg studies the biological "glitches" behind the neurodegenerative conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare condition that was brought to global attention by the "Ice Bucket Challenge," a viral social media campaign. Under the terms of the newly signed agreement with the Guangxi hospital, Professor Mikael Oliveberg will conduct on-site research at the institution for three months every year. "Significant breakthroughs have been achieved in thalassemia diagnosis and treatment research, while steady progress has been made in promoting prevention and control models," said Zheng. He is convinced that the institution has established a mature thalassemia diagnostic and therapeutic system, providing a full spectrum of services from screening and diagnosis to transplantation. Furthermore, the hospital has pioneered the internationally original "Guangxi Scheme," offering a proven solution for countries lacking the resources to manage the disease. Despite clinical progress, challenges in accessing rare disease care persist, primarily due to cost and insurance coverage limitations. As China has introduced an updated version of national medical insurance drug catalog and the inaugural edition of the commercial insurance innovative drug list, the lists are expected to improve access to new and innovative drugs while making commonly used medications more affordable. Studies show that most rare disease patients in the world endure more than a five-year diagnostic delay, typically enduring seven consultations and three misdiagnoses before receiving an accurate diagnosis. For families like that of Candy, the statistics take a backseat to a simple reality of a child who no longer needs a needle in her arm every three weeks. "We spent years imagining a future without regular visits to the hospitals," her father shared, his heartfelt gratitude conveyed through a translator. "From now on, she will have the normal life we once thought was out of reach." Friday, February 27, 2026 - Kenyan activist Wafula Buke has sparked widespread conversation after sharing a deeply personal and candid message about his sons sentencing. In a heartfelt social media post, Buke revealed, My son Declan was jailed for 4 years yesterday. He had been charged with preparation to commit a felony. Rather than shifting blame, Buke made a striking admission about his sons need for accountability. Considering how I have known him, he badly needed to go to jail, he wrote, adding that he had even felt a longer sentence might have helped. I thought he needed 7 years for full rehabilitation but the magistrate gave him less. The activist framed the imprisonment not simply as punishment, but as an opportunity for reform. He appealed to the public, saying, Friends wish my son quick rehabilitation. Buke also reflected on the broader family challenges that may have contributed to his sons troubles. He is not entirely responsible for his predicament. Single parenthood messed him a bit. The other challenge was the crazy missing father pursuing other objectives. Despite the setback, Buke expressed hope for redemption, concluding, At 21, there is hope for recovery from bad ways. His honesty has resonated with many, highlighting the complex realities of parenting. The Kenyan DAILY POST Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends a symposium held to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Li Ximing, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2026. Zhao met with Li's family members prior to the symposium. Li is a late senior national legislator and former Beijing Party chief. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held in Beijing on Saturday to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Li Ximing, a late senior national legislator and former Beijing Party chief. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attended the event and met with Li's family members prior to the symposium. The event hailed Li as an outstanding CPC member, a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, and an exemplary leader of Party work. During his life, Li served as a member of the Political Bureau of the 13th CPC Central Committee, vice chairman of the eighth NPC Standing Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. Friday, February 27, 2026 - A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his three-week-old infant son in Driekoppies, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Sibusiso Patrick Shongwe was convicted in the High Court in Mpumalanga for the k!lling of his baby boy in March 2023. The court heard that Shongwe initially denied paternity when the mother, Noluthando Mlambo, fell pregnant and urged her to terminate. On the night of 1 March 2023, Shongwe arranged to meet Mlambo and the baby, claiming he wanted to provide items for the child. When they met on the street with the child's grandmother, Shongwe sent the grandmother away. Shortly afterwards, three unknown men accosted Mlambo, allowing Shongwe to snatch the infant and flee. The baby's body was discovered in bushes two days later. A post-mortem revealed the child d!ed from sharp-force injuries to the neck. During the trial, Shongwe denied taking the child, but State Advocate Senzo Zindela presented compelling evidence, including witness testimony and a confession. The court heard Shongwe had shown no remorse. In sentencing, the judge noted the high levels of violent crime in South Africa and the erosion of respect for human life. Finding no substantial compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, the court imposed life imprisonment. Shongwe was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed. Friday, February 26, 2026 - Rumors swirling in Mzansi suggest that maverick EFF leader, Julius Malemas marriage may be on the rocks. Reports allege that Malemas stunning wife, Mantwa Matlala, has filed for divorce, citing infidelity as the breaking point. Fueling the speculation, Malema has wiped his Instagram clean of all photos featuring his wife - a move that has raised eye-brows and left tongues wagging. Sources claim one of the reasons behind the split is Malemas alleged romantic involvement with Onthatile More, the former flame of businessman Edwin Sodi. Adding more fire to the gossip mill, whispers say Malema gifted Onthatile a sleek white G-Wagon and has been footing the bill for her luxe Hyde Park apartment. While neither Malema nor his wife has has spoken out, the story has set social media ablaze, with fans dissecting every detail of Malemas digital silence and alleged entanglements. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, February 27, 2026 - A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of his carer, Irene Mbugua, in Birmingham. Irene, aged 46, was tragically found dead inside David Walshs address on Markby Road, Winson Green, on June 23rd, 2025. Initial enquiries found that she had suffered serious injuries to her head and face, having been assaulted. Detectives launched a full investigation, establishing that Irene was working as a carer, and had been at the address to provide care to Walsh. The 35-year-old was arrested a short time later and taken to hospital. He was later charged with murder and assaulting several police officers when he was arrested. Walsh denied murder and went on trial at Warwick Crown Court (Coventry) earlier this week, where he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on Tuesday 24th February. He also admitted four counts of assaulting an emergency worker and will be sentenced next month. Det Insp Michelle Cordell, who led the investigation, said: Our thoughts throughout have remained with Irenes family and loved ones at what has been an unimaginably difficult time for them. The circumstances of this case are heartbreaking. Irenes life was cut short by someone she was providing care for. My investigators have worked tirelessly to understand the circumstances surrounding Irenes death, and to provide answers for Irenes family. Irenes family have been kept fully up to date throughout the investigation and supported by specialist officers. Following her death, they released this tribute to her It reads: Its so sad that you got snatched from us in such a cruel manner. We are so lost without you and we pray for Grace to face each day mum, your beautiful smile and hearty laughter will be missed. Please just remind us on how to join the dots because we dont have a map yet. Rest easy you remain in our hearts forever. Friday, February 27, 2026 - A woman who vanished more than two decades ago has been found alive and well and was seen publicly for the first time in 24 years after being arrested in connection with an outstanding 2001 DUI charge. Michele Hundley Smith was 38 when she left her home in Eden, North Carolina, to go Christmas shopping across the border in Martinsville, Virginia, on December 9, 2001. She never came back, but last week she was found in North Carolina, at an address she asked police not to disclose to anyone even her anguished family. Authorities confirmed this week that she had been located living under a different identity in another state. Her discovery reportedly came after law enforcement officers flagged her information during a routine records check, which revealed an unresolved driving under the influence (DUI) case dating back to the year she disappeared. Investigators said the outstanding warrant ultimately led to her arrest. Photos taken following her arrest mark the first public sighting of the woman since her sudden disappearance nearly a quarter-century ago. But in a heartbreaking admission, Smith tells the Daily Mail: 'I know that I made the news, but I honestly 100% never knew that I was loved or wanted. 'When I left, the mental state I was in, I thought it was my only choice. 'I was just not in the mental state to stay. My children were not abandoned; they were left with their father to care for them. 'My main thing is I want everybody to know, I'm in contact with my daughter Amanda. I'm starting with Amanda because she is the one reaching out to me, and she wants to start with her. 'She's the only one right now I'm in contact with.' Smith said it 'broke my heart' when she learned how long her daughter and other loved ones had been searching for her. 'I honestly believed I didn't matter,' she told the Daily Mail. 'When I found out, it broke me. That's why I'm trying to rebuild something with her, because what she did, shows how much I really was loved.' She confessed it was 'hard' knowing how much of her children's lives she had missed out on while she was away. Asked about initial reports, she didn't want her family to contact her. She replied: 'It wasn't that I didn't want to be contacted, I just didn't want anyone to know where I was until I had been able to talk with everyone. Visibly drained, she added: 'I'm wore down. I can't talk about it right now. I've been talking about it for days.' Smith failed to appear for her December 27, 2001, court date, having gone missing, leaving her children then aged 19, 14, and seven without their mom. An arrest warrant was then issued when she failed to appear, which has remained outstanding until officers finally caught up with her. Robeson County officers arrested Smith, now 62, on behalf of Rockingham County at an address in Saint Pauls, North Carolina, almost three hours from the Stoneville home she vanished from. She appeared before Robeson County Magistrate Macan Singh and was granted bond on the condition she appear at a March 26 court hearing in Rockingham County, police said. The mother-of-three was released from Robeson County jail Thursday morning on a $2,000 bond, court records obtained by the Daily Mail show. Law enforcement sources say she did not appear to have been the victim of foul play and that her disappearance now appears to have been voluntary. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her decision to abandon her family in 2001. Friday, February 27, 2026 - The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) has finally addressed the viral video showing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua purchasing medicine at a pharmacy. The viral clip that has ignited fierce debate online over privacy and professional conduct. In a statement released on Friday, February 27th, PSK disclosed that preliminary checks indicate that the individual captured dispensing medication in the footage is not a licensed pharmacist and is not registered as a member of the society. The revelation has raised serious questions about compliance and patient safety standards at the outlet in question. The professional body has now called on the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to launch a thorough investigation to verify whether the pharmacy meets all statutory and licensing requirements. Beyond the issue of qualifications, PSK strongly condemned the act of recording a client inside a pharmacy without consent. "The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that recording any client within a pharmacy setting without consent constitutes a serious breach of privacy and healthcare confidentiality," the statement read. PSK also reminded the public that pharmacists undergo extensive university training in pharmacology, therapeutics and clinical decision-making, and take a professional oath committing to patient welfare and confidentiality. "Regardless of public profile or status, every Kenyan has the right to confidential healthcare. We therefore extend our regret over the apparent breach of privacy that has occurred," the statement concluded. I condemn in the strongest terms the pharmacist who recorded Rigathi Gachagua buying secret medicines. We might disagree politically, but such vulnerable moments should never be exposed, it is unethical! However, why does he have a packet of cigarettes? Why should a pic.twitter.com/ikPjgg9jSZ The Oligarch (@NytoP2PMwangi) February 25, 2026 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, February 27, 2026 - Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters have arrested Peter Maingi Kimani, also known as Menelik Kimani, over a video containing threats against President William Ruto that he posted on TikTok earlier this week. According to investigators, Kimani was apprehended in the Gachage area of Kiganjo, Gatundu South Sub-County, where he had reportedly gone into hiding following the incident. In the footage, Kimani is heard addressing the President, saying: Mr. Ruto, you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces through the Constitution. I am also a commander of the kingdom of the Most High. He goes on to declare that his challenge to remove the President from power will not be through military force, but in the name of the Lord, creator of those who made these weapons. He further asked the President to prepare the Kenya Defence Forces for a confrontation at a venue of his choice within seven days, warned that failure to surrender power will compel him to march to State House and decide his fate. Kimani remains in custody pending arraignment. In a statement, the DCI reminded the public that although freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, it must not be abused to threaten peace, security or the rights of others. Hii ndio video imefanya DCI wa Shike uyu boy Bulandaaaa https://t.co/0UqF8xLvD1 pic.twitter.com/9lgz3iU2GH limitless Media Ke (@LimitlessKe95) February 26, 2026 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, February 27, 2026 - Activist and presidential aspirant Boniface Mwangi has stirred public debate after publishing a list of foreign nationals who have Kenyan passports. Among the names mentioned is controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who has previously faced allegations of involvement in multi-million-dollar scandals in his home country. Chivayo has also been linked to claims of electoral technology manipulation in several African states, though he has publicly denied wrongdoing. In 2024, Chivayo was associated with a reported US$40 million tender awarded by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), a deal that drew allegations of corruption and money laundering. Chivayo, known for his flamboyant display of wealth on social media, has in recent months shared photos of his visits to Kenyas State House. He has posted images alongside President William Ruto and, more recently, a photograph of himself having lunch with First Lady Rachel Ruto. Reports circulating online further allege that, in addition to holding a Kenyan passport, Chivayo has been granted access to restricted areas at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including the airside and tarmac. A video shared on social media platform, X, purportedly shows him disembarking from a private jet at JKIA and being received in a restricted section of the airport. Chivayos apparent proximity to senior Government officials has fueled speculation and debate, particularly as the country looks ahead to the 2027 General Elections. # 6 on the list arrived in Kenya on Tuesday and departed to Dar (StateHouse) on Thursday. As usual, his pick up (& drop off) had clearance to access JKIAs restricted airside and tarmac. https://t.co/kmhc8NfTpr pic.twitter.com/zCq0pT8tlt Bruce (@ngwata_) February 26, 2026 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, February 27, 2026 - The search for Faith Jepkorir, a teacher at Jaffery Academy International School, has ended in heartbreak, after her body was identified at the Nairobi City Mortuary. Jepkorir had been reported missing on February 14th, 2026, after her phone was switched off, sparking days of desperate efforts by her family to trace her whereabouts. Police have now confirmed that on the same day she went missing, a woman was fatally knocked down by a vehicle near Ruaraka along the busy Thika Road. The victim died instantly, and her body was later transferred to the city mortuary. It has since been established that the deceased was Jepkorir. Her family, friends, and colleagues are devastated by the confirmation, which has brought a heartbreaking end to days of uncertainty. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, February 27, 2026 - Brian Korir, a Kenyan living in the US has been arrested in connection with an alleged drug-trafficking operation that led to the seizure of thousands of grams of marijuana and dozens of THC cartridges. According to law enforcement officials, officers confiscated 3,186 grams of marijuana and 91 THC cartridges believed to be linked to the suspected operation. Korir and his co-accused, Gorantala, are facing charges of trafficking marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. Both suspects were booked into the Jefferson County Jail, with bond set at $100,000 each. Korir has since posted bond and was released, while investigations into the case remain ongoing. Authorities say the recovered marijuana and THC cartridges are believed to have been intended for distribution. Further details regarding court appearances and potential trial dates have not yet been released. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, February 27, 2026 - Choice Gatwiri Kinoti, the young Kenyan lady who shot to instant online fame after appearing in viral videos with the controversial Russian tourist, is now speaking out about a decision she wishes she could undo - accepting Ksh30,000 from Pastor Victor Kanyari. What seemed like a simple act of generosity has turned into what she describes as one of the most emotionally draining dilemmas of her life. In a candid interview with SPM Buzz on February 26th, 2026, Gatwiri admitted that the money has weighed heavily on her conscience. Yes, I was given Ksh30,000 in cash by Pastor Kanyari, and I regret accepting it. I deeply regret it because I am currently going through one of the hardest dilemmas of my life, she narrated. She recalled walking into Kanyaris church visibly tense and shaken, a state she believes the preacher immediately noticed. His sermon that day focused on humility, the importance of accepting help, and biblical examples of great people who sought support from others. The message struck her deeply. She explains that it was this line of preaching - not the money itself - that convinced her to accept the cash despite her initial resistance. He used the word to convince me, because from the beginning, I did not want Pastor Kanyaris money. I did not want that money because I did not want to sell myself out for Ksh30,000, and also because that amount cannot really help me in any significant way, she said. She revealed that she considered returning the money almost immediately, but friends discouraged her. I now wish I had returned the money to the preacher. In fact, I told some people that I wanted to return it, but they advised me not to, she stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST ACCRA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ghana will deepen the diversification of its foreign exchange reserves through increased gold accumulation in the coming years to strengthen the local cedi currency, President John Dramani Mahama has said. In his State of the Nation Address in parliament on Friday, Mahama said that the projected surge in global gold prices over the next three years presents the West African country with a unique opportunity to increase its gold reserves. "We have an opportunity to build an economic war chest to withstand global economic shocks, secure macroeconomic stability, improve the standard of living for Ghanaians, and build lasting prosperity for future generations," Mahama said. The president said the country's reserves, totaling over 13 billion U.S. dollars, equivalent to five months of import cover, were partly due to the work of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), which has streamlined gold trade, eliminated or reduced smuggling and increased official gold export volumes to earn more foreign exchange for the country. According to him, the recently introduced Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP), a framework to guide the government's reserve gold purchase program, is intended to strengthen Ghana's external resilience by increasing international reserves to 15 months of import cover by the end of 2028, supporting long-term structural transformation while safeguarding macroeconomic stability. The GANRAP underscores the government's commitment to using Ghana's natural resources strategically to shield the economy from external shocks and build confidence in the country's economic management framework, said the president. Ghana's parliament earlier approved the GANRAP, which empowers the GoldBod to support reserve accumulation through the Bank of Ghana. Under the program, the West African cocoa, gold, and crude oil exporter aims to achieve 8.6 months of import cover by the end of 2026, 11.8 months by 2027, and reach 15 months by 2028. A KILDARE man with a broken leg, who stole a car whilst in a wheelchair, was remanded in custody for a fortnight after a garda objection to his bail was upheld. Edward Stokes (42), with an address at Lerr Avenue, Abbeylands, Castledermot appeared in Naas District Court last week (19 February) from Garda custody following his arrest the day before. Garda David Murphy from Naas Garda Station was giving evidence of arrest charge and caution. He testified how Mr Stokes reply to the charge of unauthorized taking of an MPV was: sorry, but that the gardai would oppose him getting bail because of fears of his not showing up for court. Garda Murphy told the court how Mr Stokes was arrested at an address in Saggart, Co Dublin the day before court after tracking the stolen car there, following the information given by the rightful owner. Couldnt make it up He explained how the car was stolen from Naas General Hospital underground car park after the defendant allegedly took the keys from a jacket pocket in a staffroom, before going down in the lift, and pressing a button on the fob until one car lit up. All of this was done, allegedly, from a wheelchair which he had been given upstairs following his treatment for a broken leg. We checked the CCTV and saw him check the cars before he finally opened one, said Garda Murphy. The wheelchair was found where the car used to be. We saw him on the CCTV in the wheelchair, going around the hospital, he added. You couldnt make this up, said Judge Zaidan. Was it a manual, or an automatic? asked the judge. Automatic. It was an electric Cupra, said Garda Murphy. The injured party (a radiologist) gave us the tracking info, and we detected the car in Saggart where we made the arrest, he clarified. Garda Murphy also testified that they found Mr Stokes was found in possession of a mobile phone not his own, that didnt belong to the owner of the stolen car, but to another staff member at the hospital. In cross-examination with the garda, defending solicitor Tim Kennelly confirmed that early admissions were made and though theft and unauthorised taking of an MPV had maximum penalties of five and 10 years respectively: You get an automatic discount if someone makes an early admission. Thats up to the DPP, interrupted Sergeant Dave Hanrahan. Thats not for the sergeant to jump in, hes not in the witness box giving evidence. This isnt the schoolyard, said Mr Kennelly. Well founded objections After legal argument about the defendants circumstances, Sgt Hanrahan added a further charge was being considered. The keys were taken from a staffroom so there could be a further charge of burglary brought? prompted the sergeant. Yes, Judge, said Garda Murphy. Mr Kennelly added: The very maximum he could get in this court is 24 months. Or a suspended sentence! said Judge Zaidan Not in this court! remarked Mr Kennelly, knowing Judge Zaidans antipathy to suspended sentences. I suspect Mr Stokes was in hospital getting treatment, and then embarked on the unthinkable, went to the staffroom, took the keys, made his way to the car park, tried every car until the fob flashed one, and all this while in a wheelchair! summed up the judge. This man was desperate to get going! I find garda objections to bail sustainable and well-founded. Your client doesnt look good. How old is he? asked the judge. The court was told Mr Stokes admitted to Garda Murphy he was a drug addict, and had no recollection of the theft. 42, said Mr Kennelly. He looks a lot older than that, said the judge, before remanding Mr Stokes into custody to re-appear by videolink on 26 February for his book of evidence. Mr Kennelly then made the suggestion that his client was willing to make a guilty plea, if the case was kept in the district court, and the judge told the sergeant: Let the DPP know that. If this man needs any medical attention whilst in custody, dont bring him to Naas General Hospital, said the judge. There is a quote attributed to the former Poet Laureate Cecil Day-Lewis that goes: there is no greater enemy to art than the pram in the hall - whilst the tenant of said vehicle Daniel grew up to win three Oscars. Yet, this is what Crookstown native, and former reporter with the Kildare Nationalist Conor Forrest (36) has managed, writing his first ever book Heroes of Light and Shadow whilst still helping Trish raise two kids under six. The book is a fantasy story based on old Irish mythology, and aimed primarily at readers aged 10 to 15, and will be launched at Athy Library next Tuesday (3 March) at 6pm. So where did the idea come from? I was randomly trawling Wikipedia one day when I landed on the Tuatha de Danann page, and just thought if they were real what would it be like, and it started going down that path, explained Conor. It all began back in 2012 when I was out of college and there were no jobs, that was when I first started writing it, he said. I used to scribble as a teenager, but began to formalise this after college. I know I said its aimed at the 10+ age bracket, but if a 40-year-old wants to buy it, hes more than welcome! Heroes of Lights and Shadow Conor is very much the dyed-in-the-wool Lilywhite, attending Crookstown NS, Colaiste Lorcain in Castledermot, before attending UL where he read History and Sociology. He now works with the civil service in Naas following his departure from The Kildare Nationalist. And what about extending his publishing CV? I have an idea, but well see how this one goes first. Hopefully, some of my other ideas will see the light of day someday, fingers crossed, he said. I havent sold the film rights yet, Im just happy the book is out, and well take it from there. And what about their two kids? Theyre aware dad has a book out, and they are very proud, so Ill probably keep a copy for them when theyre older, he said. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker Sibir has cleared a buildup of vessels trapped by heavy ice in the Gulf of Finland, Alexei Likhachev, director general of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said Saturday. According to Likhachev, Russia's Transport Ministry requested Rosatom's assistance in early February to cope with an unusually harsh winter that had blocked dozens of ships in ports in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, disrupting normal operations. "We could not ignore the request. On Feb. 18, our newest nuclear icebreaker Sibir arrived to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the port of Primorsk," Likhachev said. "As of today, the icebreaker has accomplished its key task. The congestion of vessels in its section has been cleared. The icebreaker continues to provide escort services as scheduled." Likhachev added that the icebreaker has been working around the clock to assist navigation in the icy waters. Kilkenny-based Devious Theatre Company are Watergate Artists in Residence for 2026 2028 and the collective are devising a brilliant body of work to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The popular collective, who were founded in 2006, are renowned for their originality and innovation and the group are an award winning artist collective whose work spans theatre, film, radio, comedy and site specific performance. We dont like labels. Thus, our artistic credo is chaotic by design and distinctly guerrilla. Over the last two decades we have created nearly 30 productions and have toured our work nationally and internationally. We build new work from the ground up, starting with the ensemble and the questions they want to tackle. This process reflects our belief that theatre should feel alive, relevant and accessible to audience members who might not normally choose the theatre for a night out. Our practice has allowed us to build original productions that challenge form, cross pollinate genres, and speak directly to audiences in a language they recognise. We perform different works in different spaces for different audiences using different methods. Plainly put, to deviate means to move away from an expected path, norm, or standard and encourage a deliberate divergence from convention. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS It has shaped the DNA of the company, and it continues to lead us into the future. Our focus remains on building young audiences, empowering emergent artists, showcasing diverse voices and ensuring that Kilkenny remains a vibrant home for ambitious homegrown storytelling, a spokesperson for the company said. The core members of Devious Theatre are Ken McGuire, Kevin Mooney, Niamh Moroney and John Morton. In early February Devious Theatre workshopped The Folklore Commission, a new play by Peter McGann and John Morton, directed by Sarah Baxter the makers of The Hellfire Squad and The Roaring Banshees. The play is set in October 1935 when a group of folklorists connected to the newly formed Folklore Commission converge on an abandoned dancehall on the Kilkenny/Tipperary border. Superstition, paranoia and madness overtakes them as they reckon with the faerie lore of the site. Devious Theatre are producing and developing a new body of work for their residency. For more see devioustheatre.com People take shelters at a metro station in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command has issued civil defense directives as air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas nationwide, urging residents to take shelter. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran after the recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva failed to yield a deal to avert the crisis. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) CAIRO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts. Iran retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, among other countries. U.S. President Donald Trump said the objective "is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats" from Iran, and the Israeli Defense Ministry said the country launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran "to remove threats to Israel." In Tehran, missiles hit areas near the offices of both Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian sources said that both leaders remain unhurt. Israeli-U.S. airstrikes also struck a girls' school in southern Iran, killing at least 57 students, according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. "In response to the aggression by the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran," the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, "Iran's large-scale missile and drone attack against Israel has started." The Iranian armed forces said all U.S. military bases in the region are legitimate targets for Iran. According to Iran's Fars News Agency, Tehran struck military installations in several Gulf Arab countries hosting U.S. military forces, including Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. It specifically named Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain as targets. In response to the sharp regional escalation, several countries have slammed their airspace totally or partially shut, and multiple airlines have cancelled flights to the Middle East. The latest flare-up came after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks earlier this week and agreed to resume negotiations next week. It is reminiscent of last June when, during negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran and triggered the "12-day war," during which the United States bombed Iran's critical nuclear facilities. People take shelters at a metro station in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command has issued civil defense directives as air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas nationwide, urging residents to take shelter. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran after the recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva failed to yield a deal to avert the crisis. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) A man takes shelter at a metro station in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command has issued civil defense directives as air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas nationwide, urging residents to take shelter. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran after the recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva failed to yield a deal to avert the crisis. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) People take shelters at a metro station in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command has issued civil defense directives as air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas nationwide, urging residents to take shelter. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran after the recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva failed to yield a deal to avert the crisis. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) People take shelters at a metro station in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command has issued civil defense directives as air raid sirens sounded in multiple areas nationwide, urging residents to take shelter. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran after the recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva failed to yield a deal to avert the crisis. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China took a significant step toward regulating its rapidly growing humanoid robotics industry on Saturday, with the release of the country's first national standard system covering the entire industrial chain and lifecycle of humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence. The standard system, unveiled at the annual meeting of Humanoid Robots and Embodied Intelligence Standardization (HEIS) in Beijing, comprises six key components: basic commonality, brain-like and intelligent computing, limbs and components, complete machines and systems, application, and safety and ethics. It was developed collaboratively by over 120 research institutions, enterprises, and industry users under the organization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's technical committee for HEIS. The brain-like and intelligent computing standards cover critical specifications for embodied intelligence's "brain and cerebellum" and intelligent computing, regulating the entire data lifecycle and model training and deployment processes, according to the committee. Application standards govern the development, operation, and maintenance of humanoid robots across different scenarios, while safety and ethics standards run through the entire industrial lifecycle, providing compliance assurance for technological evolution, it added. The standard system comes after China's humanoid robot industry saw significant growth throughout 2025, backed by mid-to-long-term plans from national and local governments targeting it as a strategic sector. Last year is considered China's first year of humanoid robot mass production, with over 140 domestic manufacturers releasing more than 330 different models, according to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The new standard system is expected to provide crucial guidance for this rapidly expanding industry, promoting high-quality development through standardized technical requirements and safety protocols. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Dozens of journalists have converged on the wealthy hamlet and the Secret Service erected metal barricades around the arts center where the depositions are happening TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran has launched multiple waves of missile attacks targeting U.S. military bases across the Middle East, including bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, Iran's state media reported on Saturday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that all U.S. military bases in the region are now considered legitimate targets of Iran's military. In Bahrain, a missile attack hit a service center belonging to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, Bahrain's National Communication Centre said. Blasts were also heard over central Doha and near the Al-Udeid military base -- the largest U.S. military facility in the region, according to media reports. U.S. President Donald Trump said early Saturday that the U.S. forces are carrying out a "massive and ongoing" attack on Iran to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground." KIEV, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new four-year financing program for Ukraine totaling 8.1 billion U.S. dollars, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Friday. The program under the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) is part of a broader international support package for Ukraine worth 136.5 billion dollars. It is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's macroeconomic and financial stability, while advancing structural reforms, including in governance. According to Ukraine's Finance Ministry, the program's macroeconomic priorities include implementing prudent fiscal policy, ensuring price stability, and preventing external imbalances, notably by increasing exchange rate flexibility. The ministry added that the program's first tranche of 1.5 billion dollars is expected to be disbursed in the near term. The previous IMF financing program approved for Ukraine in 2023 was cancelled as it was predicated on a scenario in which the active phase of the Russia-Ukraine conflict would end. BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China recorded 30.08 million inbound visits by foreign nationals under visa-free policies in 2025, up 49.5 percent year on year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday. Ellen O'Donoghue The UAE Irish embassy has advised Irish citizens to shelter in place, avoid unnecessary movement and follow the advice of local authorities given the deterioration of the security situation in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The UAE is home to one of Ireland's largest diasporas per capita, with an estimated 14,000 Irish nationals residing in the country, many of whom live in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Irish embassy in the United Arab Emirates said it is also aware that the UAE, Kuwaiti, and Qatari airspace has been temporarily closed. Citizens affected are advised to liaise directly with their airlines and follow the guidance provided, it said. We will share any updates as more information becomes available. For Irish citizens affected and concerned family members, please contact the duty officer in Dublin at +353 (0)1 408 2000. The Department of Foreign Affairs on X said that there are significant flight disruptions across the Gulf & Middle East regions. "Irish citizens with plans to travel to, or through, the regions, should contact their airline or travel agency immediately, and avoid non-essential travel. "Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel and Lebanon at this time." On the Department of Foreign Affairs website, travel advice for Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Lebanon is now classed under "Do not travel". "This is our highest level of warning. You should not travel to this country or territory. If you are already in this location, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Our ability to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in this location is extremely limited," the website says. It also advises Irish citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE. "This is our second-highest level of warning. Countries or territories at this level have serious and potentially life-threatening risks. Our ability to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in this location is extremely limited," the website says. It is worth noting, however, that at present, there have been no strikes in Saudi Arabia, where it is estimated that over 2,000 Irish citizens live. Previously, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world, she added. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. The Irish Defence Forces confirmed that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated tasks, it said on Saturday. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A Laois councillor has suggested a clever way for Laois families and schools to avoid stress, work and anxiety inducing delays for children applying for a secondary school. Cllr Tommy Mulligan of the Portlaoise Municipal District is suggesting an online application portal for all 10 Laois secondary schools to share. There are now ten mainstream Laois secondary schools taking in about 1,000 first years each year; St Marys CBS, Scoil Chriost Ri, Colaiste Iosagain, Portlaoise College, Dunamase College, Heywood CS, Mountmellick CS, Clonaslee College, St Fergals Rathdowney and Mountrath CS. The current system is causing anxiety for children, Cllr Mulligan said, sharing one example to the Laois County Council February meeting. "I was asked to help a family whose child didn't get their first round offer. They got a second offer but they got it seven weeks later. "The child was distraught. He is living near the school. He became withdrawn from his circle of friends. It was a stressful time for everyone. All his peers were looking forward to secondary school, but this child didn't know where he was going. It was a tough time. It should be avoided," Cllr Mulligan said. He explained the system, before pitching his solution. "You make an application online to a school by a certain date. You get a first round offer two to three weeks later. Then a second round offer, then a third round. It takes seven to eight weeks in a lot of schools. "People apply to multiple schools, leading to oversubscription. Schools have to filter through that, and wait for offers to be refused or accepted. Some people only apply to one school, and they don't get any place. There's got to be a better way of doing this," he said. Cllr Mulligan instead suggests one platform, with each school retaining their own admissions policy, and students expressing their preferred school choices. "You will have an instant generation of a next round offer. There would be a reduction of administration work for schools. We've only ten secondary schools in Laois. On behalf of all students who find it stressful, we can make it more student and parent friendly. "There is a similar thing in Limerick where 17 schools have a common application portal. It has worked, we should try it," he said. Read next: Laois duo make history in apprenticeships graduation Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded his motion tabled to the council meeting, which asks Laois County Council to ask Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton - who recently visited Portlaoise schools - requesting a "centralised, digital secondary school enrolment portal to be piloted in Laois". "It's a fantastic idea. I'm on the Laois Offaly ETB. Not a summer goes by but several members of the public contact me stressed to the 9's that their child has no place, asking for help. This policy where students and parents apply to all schools has slowed everything down because schools have to weed some out. This would be brilliant to mirror something similar to third level," Cllr Dwane Stanley said. Cllr Paddy Buggy sits on a school board too and said "applications for multiple schools are clogging up the whole system". Read next: PICTURES: Laois children give Minister Hildegarde Naughton a welcome "It's the child we have to think about, please god they will be able to stay with their pals," he said. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald had good news. She said that there is already a pilot portal underway in Ireland for five towns. "Athenry, Greystones, Cellbridge, Clonakilty and Tullamore. It should be the same for every town in Ireland. If that pilot is a success I think they envisage rolling it out in every town in Ireland," she said. "I'd bring the whole county into it as well," Cllr Mulligan added. The threat by farmers led by the Laois President of the IFA to bring one of the biggest towns in Kildare to a standstill has not stopped the Minister for Agriculture from renewing his backing for the Chairman of Bord Bia, but the Minister believes there is an opportunity to bring a resolution to the row, which has seen weeks of protest at the food board's HQ in Dublin. Following angry meetings around the country, the IFA has organised a big protest at Minister Martin Heydon's South Kildare constituency office in Newbridge for Saturday, February 27. The protest takes place at 2.30 pm as part of a farmer campaign for a new Chair of Bord Bia. The IFA says farmers will assemble at Minister Martin Heydon's office to "drive home the message" that the Chair of Bord Bia has to step down. There is a likelihood of major traffic disruption in the town that attracts many Laois shoppers as the protest will include tractors and machinery and farmers on foot. Some may also use the M7 to get to the protest. In a statement issued days before the protest, Minister Heydon said the latest effort to solve the problems which erupted after it emerged that beef from Brazil is being imported by Mr Murrin's Dawn Foods while he is chair of the body tasked with promoting Irish food at home and abroad. READ NEXT: Fine Gael Laois councillor defies party over Bord Bia Mr Heydon said Mr Murrin was selected following a competitive process and appointed in accordance with the required corporate governance procedures for state boards. Mr Murrin continues to have my full confidence to serve as Chair of Bord Bia, said the Minister. However, he insisted that there has been extensive dialogue to address the issues raised by farmers over Mr Murrin and other matters related to Bord Bia. MORE BELOW PHOTO. READ NEXT: Laois councillors reject Government stance on resignation of Bord Bia Chair As a result of these discussions, several commitments were entered into by Bord Bia and my Department to address the issues raised, he said. He said these were: Revisit the focus on farmer experiences with quality assurance audits; establish a farmer forum to improve farmer engagement with Bord Bia; undertake a dedicated information campaign to better explain Origin Green and Quality Assurance Schemes (QAS). He said he was examining the option to commission an expert-led Governance Review. I believe an external, independent and expert-led review will be crucial in resolving issues credibly and objectively, he said. Mr Heydon said there has been detailed direct engagement by his Department with the IFA at senior official level to discuss a potential compromise. I have spoken to the IFA President in recent days, and I believe there is an opportunity to bring a resolution to this. This protracted dispute is not in the best interest of the agri-food sector, he said. Newbridge or Nowhere was the name farmers gave to their protest. IFA President Francie Gorman said the call for a demonstration t emerged at a meeting in Athy attended by over 800 farmers. The overriding view at the meeting was that Minister Heydon is dragging his feet and doesnt seem to understand the deep frustration that exists across the farming community, he said. READ NEXT: Conversation not conflict...but facts matter' - Bord Bia responds Laois anger The Laois man added: Minister Heydon is hellbent on protecting the Chair of Bord Bia and in the process he is doing huge damage to Bord Bia. Laois farmers endorsed the IFA's demand for Mr Murrin to resign at their AGM in early February. Laois County Council has also passed a motion called for him to step down. LCA1 and Fifth Year art students from Portlaoise College have recently returned from an informative art and cultural trip to Paris. They spent a week exploring some of the worlds most celebrated artistic and architectural landmarks with their teachers, Mr Hennessy and Ms Dunne. The educational tour, which took place last week, was designed to deepen students understanding and appreciation of art in preparation for their upcoming examinations. By experiencing the artworks first-hand, students were able to enhance their classroom learning with real-world examples of art history, techniques and cultural context. During the trip, students navigated the French capital using the Paris Metro, gaining confidence and valuable life skills as they travelled between museums and galleries. One of the highlights was a visit to the newly refurbished Notre-Dame Cathedral, where students admired the restored Gothic architecture and learned about the cathedrals historical and artistic significance. Students were particularly captivated by the Musee dOrsay, housed in a former railway station and renowned for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections. There, they viewed iconic works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas, among many others, seeing famous paintings they had previously studied only in textbooks. The group also visited the Louvre Museum, the worlds largest art museum. A physically challenging yet rewarding experience followed at the Arc de Triomphe, where students climbed more than 300 steps to reach the top. From there, they enjoyed panoramic views across Paris. READ ALSO: Rural Laois school to represent Ireland in the robotics final in the USA To experience the city from another perspective, students took a boat cruise along the River Seine, passing many of Pariss historic buildings and bridges. They also spent time walking around the grounds of the Eiffel Tower. Another standout visit was to the Musee de lOrangerie, where students viewed Monets breathtaking panoramic Water Lilies series. Seeing the large-scale works up close allowed them to fully appreciate the immersive quality, colour and brushwork of the paintings a key learning moment for those studying Impressionism. Overall, the trip proved to be an enriching and memorable experience for all involved. Community creches need to be developed in Kildare. Naas mayor Seamie Moore said Kildare County Council should consider the purchase and construction of a 150 places creches that was zoned in the Kildare County Development Plan. READ NEXT LATEST: AIB banking app sends Irish people 'urgent alert' over major fraud fears Cllr Moore said the site was zoned in Jigginstown, Naas, and KCC could act as a landlord, appointing a registered childcare group to manage or provide an early years creche on the site - or invite the Land Development Agency to do it. At a Naas Municipal District meeting, Cllr Bill Clear said there is a huge demand for creche places and because of this mothers and fathers cannot go back to work. A community creche is what we need, he said, adding that there is just one in Kildare (Maynooth) while County Wexford has seven. According to KCC, providing such a facility is not within its remit although it provides zoning via the planning process . KCC said its aware of recent national announcements regarding the provision of State-led childcare, however the operational detail is not available. TEHRAN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday announced the launch of its first wave of large-scale missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases in the region. "In response to the aggression by the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of Iran's large-scale missile and drone attack against Israel has started," the IRGC said in statements published on its official outlet, Sepah News, adding that military and security centers in Israel were the primary targets. The IRGC said it also struck U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and warned that missile and drone attacks would continue. Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement, carried by the official news agency IRNA, that the country's armed forces had begun delivering a "crushing response to the enemy's malicious actions." It advised citizens to move to safe cities if possible, noting that the government had made preparations to meet the population's needs. Schools and universities across the country will remain closed until further notice. On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States carried out joint strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities. There were distressing scenes at a Naas District Court sitting when Prison Service staff overpowered and removed a screaming woman from the courtroom. The woman, on whose behalf it was suggested may have mental health problems, was being prosecuted for breaching a civil restraining order in mid-December 2025. The injured party was present in court. The womans parents were also present and the court was told that the order had been granted to man and it was suggested it arose from communication that may have taken place between them on a dating site. READ NEXT LIVE: Garda hospitalised after being struck by motorcycle travelling at speed on footpath The woman was remanded in custody by Judge Desmond Zaidan who said that if there are issues that need to be addressed on her behalf that should be done to help her to move on. He initially remanded her in custody for 14 days and he ordered that a psychiatric/psychological report be carried out. He also directed that treatment, if necessary, be provided. Judge Zaidan also ordered a report be prepared to assess he ability to plead guilty or not guilty. At the conclusion of the case, the women began screaming and alleged she had been raped. She did not cooperate with the personnel who tried to take her from the courtroom and when she physically resisted she was forcibly removed and screamed as this happened. The court was adjourned temporarily and when he resumed Judge Zaidan said: I sincerely hope she is okay. Keadue announces the return of the OCarolan Harp Festival and Summer School, running from Monday, July 27th, to Monday, August 3rd, 2026. The annual festival was established in 1978 in tribute to the legendary blind harper Turlough OCarolan, who was buried in the village of Keadue. Running since 1978, the festival has grown into something of an institution. However, at its heart, it remains a celebration rooted in the local community and its connection to one of Irelands most distinctive musical figures. Often referred to as Ireland's national composer and the "last of the Irish bards," O'Carolan's contributions to music are celebrated in this week-long festival that marks one of the Irish music scene's most significant cultural gatherings, blending world-class performance with immersive musical education. READ MORE: Leitrim to host Irelands best in Wheelchair Champion Cup Pool competition OCarolan, born in 1670 near Nobber, Co. Meath, moved with his family to Ballyfarnon as a teenager. Despite losing his sight to smallpox, he trained as a harper under the patronage of the MacDermott Roe family. He went on to travel the country composing tunes for the gentrymany of which are still played today, including the well-known "Si Bheag, Si Mhor" and "O'Carolans Concerto." The festival will welcome musicians of all ages and abilities to attend, perform, and take part in workshops led by master tutors. READ MORE: Effect of casual trading on businesses in Ballinamore highlighted The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring the preservation of traditional Irish arts: Morning Classes are dedicated to Harp, Tin Whistle, Concertina, Bodhran, Set Dancing and Banjo, while Afternoon Classes will entail specialised sessions in Concertina, Flute, Button Accordion, Fiddle, Traditional Singing, and Sean-Nos Dancing. New this year will be guitar classes by renowned guitar tutor Declan Courell, and there will also be special sessions from the "Try the Harp" initiative, which returns, offering beginners a unique opportunity to touch and play the instrument in a supportive environment. READ MORE: ATU Recycling Drive raises over 15,000 for North West Hospice The 2026 festival will also include a stellar lineup of evening performances, from Mel Merciers newly commissioned work for Harp Ireland, called Sonoir, and also the festivals centrepiece performance takes place on Sunday in The OCarolan Centre at St. Ronans Hall, featuring the internationally acclaimed group Teada. Teada is a leading voice in traditional Irish music since their formation in 2001, Teada has headlined major music festivals across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. LISBON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The credit rating agency S&P has kept Portugal's rating unchanged at "A+", citing the resilience of its economy and a reduction in public debt. The positive outlook reflects the expectation that Portugal will continue to reduce net public debt, supported by sound fiscal management and robust economic growth, according to the agency's update released on Friday. The agency expects the country's GDP to tick up to 2.2 percent in 2026. A credit rating is an assessment assigned by rating agencies that significantly impacts the financing of countries and companies, as it measures credit risk. GAZA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities announced on Saturday evening the closure of all crossings into the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah land crossing, until further notice amid heightened tensions with Iran. In a statement, Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said: "Following recent developments, security measures have been taken to safeguard lives." It added that crossings in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, would remain closed until further notice. The statement said West Bank crossings would also be closed, except for essential workers holding designated permits, who will be allowed to use the Eyal, Tarqumiyah, and Qalandia crossings. COGAT stressed that Israel would maintain a policy of "zero tolerance toward any attempt to undermine security stability" and would take strict measures against anyone involved in what it described as terrorist activities. It also warned that any incitement or support for Iran would trigger a severe response. Earlier Saturday, Israeli authorities announced a series of precautionary measures amid escalating regional tensions. LIMERICK Greenway has become the first Greenway in Ireland to use Virtual Reality (VR) technology to deliver a full end-to-end immersive digital tour of its entire route. Developed by Limerick City and County Council, the initiative allows users to experience the full 40km Limerick Greenway journey from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale via Ardagh, Newcastle West, and Templeglantine and key attractions across Limerick city and county, through interactive VR technology. The experience is accessible via VR headsets, mobile devices and web platforms, opening up Limerick Greenway to global audiences and enhancing inclusive access for people who may not be able to physically travel the route. The project was officially launched on Thursday at the Limerick IT Summit 2026 at the Dell Technologies Campus, marking a significant step forward for accessible tourism and digital innovation in the region. The immersive tour captures the natural beauty, heritage and engineering landmarks along Limerick Greenway, including the recently opened 2.48 million Limerick Greenway Hub @ Rathkeale, Ardagh Station House, Fergusons Viaduct and Tullig Wood. READ MORE: Limerick schools carnival creation wins Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year Award Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said: This project positions Limerick at the forefront of smart tourism and digital innovation in Ireland. By combining our stunning landscape and rich heritage with cutting-edge virtual reality technology, we are opening Limerick Greenway to the world. Whether someone is planning a visit, learning about our history, or experiencing the route from afar, this initiative ensures Limerick is accessible, inclusive and globally connected. Over an eight-month period, Global Virtual Asset Management (VAM) Ltd., in partnership with the Tourism Department of Limerick Council, conducted an extensive VR mapping and 360-degree capture of the route. The project also includes immersive experiences from over 20 top locations and attractions across Limerick city and county, including King Johns Castle, Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail and Adare. Priomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery added: Continued investment in the Limerick Greenway is empowering the local communities by driving footfall, supporting local enterprise, and helping rural areas thrive. By embracing technology like Virtual Reality, we are ensuring that the stories, heritage and vibrancy of these communities reach new audiences while delivering real, tangible opportunities on the ground. Dr Pat Daly, Director General of Limerick Council, said: The launch of a full 40km VR experience is a major step forward for accessible and inclusive tourism in Limerick. It allows people of all abilities and potential visitors from anywhere in the world to experience the Greenway before they travel." With the Ryder Cup coming to Adare in 2027, global attention will be firmly on our region. This technology provides an innovative way for overseas audiences to explore Limerick in advance, discover the breadth of what the county offers, and plan extended stays beyond the event itself. THE LATEST in a long list of proud Limerick men and women - who work tirelessly for their fellow farmers - to receive the IFAs highest honour is Eddie Scanlan. The popular Clarina man (pictured below at a protest in 2012) was celebrated at Limerick IFAs AGM with IFA president Francie Gorman making the presentation. Limerick IFA chairperson Louise Crowley said she was delighted to award this years honorary life membership to Mr Scanlan. Eddie has given outstanding service to Limerick IFA and the wider Irish Farmers Association over many years, and it is fitting that he is recognised with this award. Throughout his involvement with IFA, Eddie has been a committed representative of farmers, giving generously of his time at local, county and national level. He has consistently put the interests of farmers first, ensuring that issues affecting members were raised, challenged and followed through with determination, said Ms Crowley. READ NEXT: 'It's soul destroying' - Limerick farmer speaks out as RTE Prime Time examines scale of farm theft Mr Scanlan has held many roles over the years within IFA including Limerick IFA chairman. He organised a huge tractor protest through Limerick city in 2012 when milk prices were on the floor. The Clarina man (pictured above) led the way in his vintage tractor. Eddie has been a strong advocate for practical, common-sense farming policy, bringing informed voice to discussions, whether at meetings, consultations or engagements with public representatives and officials. Above all, Eddies service reflects the core values of IFA: commitment, integrity, fairness and solidarity with farm families. His dedication over the years has left a lasting positive impact on Limerick IFA and its members, said Ms Crowley. She concluded by saying Limerick IFA is proud to award honorary life membership to Mr Scanlan in recognition of his longstanding service, leadership and dedication. AN application for funding has been made to carry out road safety works at Drombanna. Council priomh-chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery made a visit to the village which is just a 10 minute drive from the city, after hearing from local businesses and residents. She was joined by John Sheehan, a roads engineer with Limerick City and County Council. READ MORE: Limerick firm Croom Medical launches major expansion of facility The business owners and residents explained their fears for the area. They wanted the footpath extended from the Four Elms pub up to the junction in Drombanna as there is a HSE house in the vicinity and as there is no footpath or lighting exiting the HSE house making it very dangerous, she highlighted. Cllr Slattery has confirmed an application for funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been made for these projects. She said if money is put in place, the projects will take place across this year and next. The first scheme will consist of a footpath going towards the city up as far as McCarthys boreen on the opposite site of the road. Lighting and road markings with accommodation works if needed will also be put in place, confirmed the priomh-chomhairleoir of the first scheme. She added: The other scheme will consist of getting permissions from landowners and will consist of a footpath from the Four Elms up as far as the junction - also lighting and road marking will be installed. Cllr Slattery hopes it will provide a much needed boost for Drombanna. People in the area will have a footpath to walk on which will bring much needed safety when walking and also the extra lighting will have a great impact in the area because with extra lighting the place is lit up and pedestrians and car users have better vision and hopefully car users will slow down also, the Fianna Fail councillor said. We cannot forget rural areas as these areas have a lot of people living in them that need to be safe when walking and driving, added Cllr Slattery. ALMOST four in every 10 homes completed in Limerick were in the electoral area which covers Castletroy and Annacotty, new figures have shown. According to the Central Statistics Office, 395 homes were put in place in 2024 across City East. County-wide, 1,020 homes were completed, Fine Gael councillor Peter Doyle told the metropolitan meeting this month. READ MORE: Cars absolutely flying on lethal approach roads to County Limerick town The figures have sparked calls for improved public infrastructure, with Independent councillor Elena Secas seeing a motion passed calling for this. Castletroy is the fastest growing suburb in Munster. Hundreds of new homes have been delivered in the area and hundreds more are under way, but the infrastructure simply hasnt kept pace. Our roads are overwhelmed and congestion has become a daily reality. There is no road network designed for the level of traffic this area is experiencing, Cllr Secas said. At the same time, community facilities are lagging far behind the growth. There is no community centre or youth centre, no library. Theres mounting pressure on schools and childcare. The graveyard is at capacity. No garda station, and I could go on. The City East councillor won support for her call for what she described as a more balanced planning approach, which will give community infrastructure. Cllr Doyle backed the motion, as did Independent councillor Ursula Gavan, who seconded it, and Cllr Joe Pond of Fianna Fail. Here we go again, said Cllr Pond. Every month, we have a motion about traffic or something in the Castletroy and Annacotty area. We seem to give out permission to anyone who puts in an application. Yet we do not seem to look for infrastructure at all, he said. Transport director Patricia Liddy said council will work to look for funding opportunities to enhance the city suburbs. AI startup Anthropic on Friday said it will challenge the Trump administration's decision to declare the company a supply chain risk, taking matters to the court. This came hours after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued the order in a statement on X following a directive from President Donald Trump who asked every federal agency to drop Anthropic and Claude from its workflow. This action follows months of negotiations that reached an impasse over two exceptions we requested to the lawful use of our AI model, Claude: the mass domestic surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous weapons, Anthropic said in a statement shortly after Hegseth's announcement. It noted that the company had not yet received any formal communication from the Defense Department or White House regarding the status of the negotiations. Anthropic had said it sought narrow assurances from the Pentagon that its AI chatbot Claude would not be used for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons. However, the two sides were locked in an impasse until Amodei in a statement on Thursday refused to comply to the Trump administration's demand, which prompted the President and Hegseth's directives. The Pentagon earlier declared Anthropic a supply-chain risk after President Donald Trump directed US government agencies to stop using the artificial intelligence giants products. In its Friday statement, Anthropic said it had tried to negotiate with the Pentagon in good faith, saying that it supported the lawful use of AI except the two cases it flagged. To the best of our knowledge, these exceptions have not affected a single government mission to date, Anthropic said. It called the supply chain risk designation an unprecedented action, pointing out that the label had historically been used on adversaries. This is the first time an American company has been labelled so. Why did Anthropic disagree with Pentagon? Anthropic in its statement again gave the reason for its clash with Pentagon. We do not believe that todays frontier AI models are reliable enough to be used in fully autonomous weapons. Allowing current models to be used in this way would endanger Americas warfighters and civilians, Anthropic emphasised. It further said the company believes that mass domestic surveillance of Americans constitutes a violation of fundamental rights. Also Read | Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic AI tech immediately Also Read | Anthropic refuses to give US military unrestricted access to AI We believe this designation would both be legally unsound and set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government, Anthropic said. Maintaining its previous stance, the AI startup noted that "no amount of intimidation or punishment from the Department of War will change its position on the same. We will challenge any supply chain risk designation in court. What it means for customers Anthropic detailed the consequences of the Defense Department's action on its existing customers, including those having contracts with the federal government. The Secretary does not have the statutory authority to back up this statement. Legally, a supply chain risk designation under 10 USC 3252 can only extend to the use of Claude as part of Department of War contractsit cannot affect how contractors use Claude to serve other customers, it said. This, in practice, means that individual customers or those having a commercial contract with Anthropic will have no repercussion on the usage of its tools including API, claude.ai, or any of its products. If you are a Department of War contractor, this designationif formally adoptedwould only affect your use of Claude on Department of War contract work. Your use for any other purpose is unaffected, it said. AI inference computing is divided into two main tasks: pre-fill, or the process by which a model interprets a user prompt, and decode, by which the model generates a response, one word at a time. Pre-fill is usually the faster of the two processes, while decode tends to be especially slow, for larger AI models.Coding applications have emerged as one of the most importantand profitableuses of enterprise AI, with Anthropics Claude Code generally regarded as the market leader. But Anthropic relies primarily on chips designed by Amazon Web Services and Alphabets Google Cloud unit, rather than by Nvidia, to power its models. But back then, the business model was more geared towards being an aggregator. Even now, the Noida-based company has nearly 35,000 astrologers, accounting for 65% of its revenue. The remaining 35% comes from AI, said Pandey. The growth for the human side of the business has slowed to about 1-2% every month, while AI is about 20%. In the next four to five months, the company expects AI revenue to overtake that of the aggregation platform. NEW YORK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of New Yorkers rallied in Times Square and then marched along streets in New York City in protest of U.S.-Israel coordinated airstrikes against Iran on Saturday. Participants condemned the latest strikes on Iran and called for money to be spent on education, housing and other domestic priorities. People held banners reading "Stop the War on Iran," "No Regime Change Wars," "Trump Must Go Now" and others. Protesters also chanted "From the belly of the beast, hands off the Middle East," "Up up with liberation, down down with occupation" and other slogans. "We cannot forget that it is the United States that has over 5,000 nuclear warheads ready to be launched. It is the United States that is pointing those nuclear warheads at the towns and cities of everyday people like you and me all across the world," said Layan Fuleihan, education director at The People's Forum, a socialist organization and movement incubator based in New York City. "Iran poses no threat to the United States. We will not fall for the lies that were used to deceive us 20 years ago," said Fuleihan in a speech at the rally. There is absolutely no reason and no working person, no family here in the United States that says they wake up every day and they are afraid of Iran, said Fuleihan. "This is not the reality of this country." "The attack on Iran by Donald Trump and his war-crazed cabal is a massive political crime, illegal under international law and in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution," said a flyer handed out at the rally attributed to David North, chair of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has set the U.S. and the entire world on a disastrous course and the war will not solve the internal crisis of American society nor will it reverse the protracted deterioration in the global position of U.S. capitalism, said North. The United States government is the most aggressive imperialist power in history and this is just another imperialist war, said Marilyn Vogt-Downey, a retired teacher of economics and foreign policy in New York City. More protests against the war on Iran are planned in New York City alone in the coming days, according to organizers present at the rally. Numbers Talk 126%: Preliminary duties which the US has imposed on the import of Indian solar modules, alleging that New Delhi has unfairly subsidized manufacturing. Washington has also set increased initial levies to 143% from 86% for Indonesia and imposed 81% for Laos. 94.5%: The five-year survival rate recorded in Indias first registry of childhood cancer survivors, which tracked 5,419 patients diagnosed before the age of 18, according to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia. 1,500 crore: The amount JSW Group announced it will invest in a steel project in Punjabs Rajpura, which would contribute to strengthening the states manufacturing base and deepen the steel value chain, according to an official statement. $30 billion: The bilateral trade target India and Brazil have aimed to reach by 2030, an increase from their current level of around $13 billion, amid expanded cooperation. India runs a trade surplus of around $1.3 billion with Brazil. 1.58 trillion: The size of Jharkhands 2026-27 state budget, up from 1.45 trillion in 2025-26, which includes a new scheme for women engaged in agriculture. They have set the fiscal deficit target at 2.18% of the GSDP. The Election Commission began publishing the final voter list after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal today, 28 February, months ahead of assembly elections in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state. The voter list is being publishing in phases, with figures from Bankura district indicating that around 1.18 lakh names have been deleted since the exercise commenced, news agency PTI said. Also Read | Class 10 admit cards with pass certificate valid as ID: SC in West Bengal SIR Hard copies of the updated rolls were put up in districts including Bankura and Cooch Behar, even as the lists were yet to be made available online on the designated EC portals and mobile application till reports last received, PTI said. Reports from other districts are still awaited. Draft Rolls in December The draft rolls published on 16 December saw the electorate shrink from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, with over 58 lakh names deleted due to death, migration, duplication or untraceability. The second phase covered hearings for 1.67 crore electors - 1.36 crore flagged for "logical discrepancies" and 31 lakh lacking mapping. Around 60 lakh voters remain under adjudication. NRC through the backdoor: TMC The Election Commission, which announced the SIR for the whole country on 24 June last year, has carried out the exercise in 13 states/UTs so far, including West Bengal. However, the exercise became a political flashpoint ahead of the state's polls. The poll panel maintains the exercise is "routine and necessary to ensure accuracy". But the ruling TMC has mounted fierce resistance, branding the SIR as "NRC through the backdoor". Among the petitioners challenging the SIR order in the Supreme Court is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who, in an unprecedented move on 4 February, appeared in the top court seeking that the next Assembly election be conducted on the existing 2025 rolls. "Lakhs of genuine voters are at risk of exclusion. This is not revision, this is omission," Banerjee said, alleging that genuine names were "surreptitiously removed" under the pretext of discrepancies. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court directed the deployment of serving and former district judges to assist the EC in the special intensive revision of voter list in the state. The top court also permitted the EC to publish a draft list of voters in the state by 28 February, while allowing the poll panel to also issue supplementary lists later. WWW.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unequivocally backed the revision. The CPI(M) and the Congress have opposed the timing and manner of the exercise. Deaths linked to disenfranchisement The SIR has also been linked to fears of disenfranchisement in West Bengal. The TMC has claimed at least 120 deaths since the beginning of the exercise on 4 November, including alleged suicides by voters and booth-level officers during the process. The BJP has dismissed attempts to link the alleged deaths directly to the revision, accusing the ruling party of "fear-mongering for political mileage". The EC has reiterated that the SIR is not a citizenship-determination exercise and that aggrieved voters have avenues for redress. Political apprehension has also been shaped by developments in Bihar, where a similar intensive revision reportedly saw over 40 lakh deletions. "Bengal is not Bihar. The demography here is uniquely sensitive," TMC leader Kunal Ghosh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. West Bengal final voter list 2026 The voters can check whether their names appear on the list. Heres a simple guide explaining how you can easily find your name in the final voter list 2026: You can check either on ECINET mobile app www.voters.eci.gov.in www.ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in Or you may have to visit your polling station or contact your BLO How to find your name on voters.eci.gov.in -Visit the official website of ECI at www.voters.eci.gov.in. -Click on Download Electoral Roll under theServices section -A new page will appear on the screen -Select the following details on the portal: State West Bengal, Year of Revision 2026, Roll Type SIR Final Roll 2026, District as applicable, Assembly Constituency as applicable and Language as preferred. -Enter the captcha code. -Choose your polling station name from the list and click on Download Selected PDFs to access the voter list Lakhs of genuine voters are at risk of exclusion. This is not revision, this is omission. -Check your name. Sydney, Feb 28 (The Conversation) Recently some Australian shoppers got more than they bargained for when they chatted with Woolworths' artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Olive. Instead of sticking to groceries, recipes and basket suggestions, Olive reportedly produced strange, overly human-like responses. It talked about its "mother" and offered other personal-sounding details. Further testing revealed pricing errors for basic items. And when I asked about the price of a specific product, Olive didn't provide a clear answer. Instead, it checked whether the item was in stock and explained pickup fees. So what exactly is going on here? And what lessons might these incidents hold for businesses and consumers alike? What actually happened? -------------------------- Olive is powered by a large language model (LLM). These models don't "know" things the way humans do, nor do they have mothers. Using elaborate statistical analyses, they generate language that sounds plausible. Comments from a Woolworths spokesperson to the Australian Financial Review suggest that in Olive's case, the references to its supposed mother appear to have been pre-written scripts dating back several years. When users entered something that looked like a birthdate, the system likely triggered a matching "fun fact" from an old decision tree with pre-programmed responses. Woolworths says it has now removed this particular scripting "as a result of customer feedback". The pricing errors point to a different problem. Because LLMs generate responses based on learned patterns rather than real-time data, they do not automatically know today's prices unless they are explicitly connected to a live database. If that grounding step is weak, the system can produce outdated prices. Not a new problem -------------------- Woolworths is not the first company to discover, after the fact, that its customer-facing AI had unexpectedly "misbehaved". In 2022, Air Canada's chatbot incorrectly told a passenger, Jake Moffatt, that he could purchase tickets at full price and later apply for a bereavement fare refund. No such policy existed. When Air Canada refused to honour the chatbot's advice, Moffatt sued the airline and won. Air Canada's defence was striking. It argued the chatbot was a separate legal entity, responsible for its own actions and therefore beyond the airline's liability. The tribunal rejected this outright. It ruled that a chatbot is part of a company's website, and that the company owns its outputs. In January 2024, UK parcel delivery firm DPD faced a different kind of embarrassment. A frustrated customer who could not get help to locate a missing parcel asked DPD's chatbot to write a poem that criticised the company. It did. He then asked it to swear. It did that too. The exchange went viral on social media. DPD disabled the chatbot shortly after. Both cases point to the same underlying failure: companies launched customer-facing AI without adequate oversight and were caught off-guard by the consequences. What is Woolworths' responsibility? ----------------------------------- Woolworths operates the largest supermarket chain in Australia. It has promoted Olive as a trusted, convenient interface for its customers, who are reasonable to expect that the information Olive provides is accurate. Admitting that Olive may make mistakes, as Woolworths does when a user opens the chatbot, does not sit easily with that expectation. There is also a broader ethical dimension. Woolworths serves customers who, in many cases, are making careful decisions about household budgets. The ACCC has already commenced proceedings against Woolworths over allegedly misleading discount pricing practices. That context makes the Olive pricing errors harder to dismiss as an isolated technical glitch. Companies that deploy AI in customer-facing roles take on a duty of care to ensure those systems are accurate and honestly presented. That duty does not diminish because the technology is new. Why do companies keep making chatbots that pretend to be your friend? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The logic behind Olive's programmed personality is not without basis. Research on human-computer interaction consistently finds that people respond positively to interfaces that feel conversational and warm. Human-like chatbots that have a name and personality tend to generate higher customer engagement, satisfaction, and trust. For companies, the commercial appeal is straightforward: a customer who feels at ease with a chatbot is more likely to complete a transaction and return. However, this comes with a significant risk. When an anthropomorphised chatbot fails to meet the expectations its personality has created, customers tend to be more dissatisfied than they would have been with a plainly mechanical system. This "expectation violation" means that the warmer the persona, the harder the fall. The larger stakes ------------------- The Olive episode is a reminder that deploying AI in customer-facing roles is not a set-and-forget exercise. A chatbot that quotes wrong prices and rambles about its family is not a quirky inconvenience but a sign that something in the development and oversight process has broken down. For Woolworths, and for the many other companies now rushing to put AI in front of their customers, the lesson is clear: accountability cannot be outsourced to an algorithm. When a business puts a system in front of the public, it owns what that system says and does. There is a lesson for consumers, too. AI assistants may feel confident and conversational, but they are still tools, not authorities. If something seems unclear, inconsistent or too good to be true, it is worth double-checking. On the production side, Irans southwest oil belt in Khuzestan provinceincluding giant fields such as Ahvaz, which produces roughly 750,000 to one million barrels a day on its ownforms the backbone of output. While wells themselves are rarely the immediate constraint, analysts say processing plants, pipelines and storage facilities in the region represent potential chokepoints because they are harder to repair quickly. But a broader destabilization of the Khuzestan province could put output at risk even without a direct strike on the field itself. In the last three months, the Indian government has done four major defence deals, which even attracted the attention of the US administration. In the India-Germany submarine deal, New Delhi sealed a maritime defence and security deal in December 2025, and both countries announced plans to build six submarines in India under Project 75I. In the India-EU deal at the end of January, India signed a maritime defence security deal, marking an important shift in the India-EU diplomatic ties, as this security deal ran alongside a Free Trade Deal. Similarly, in the India-France Rafale deal, India signed a defence deal with the French government to order 114 Rafale fighter jets. However, the catch in this deal was the development of 96 of the 114 Rafale fighter jets in India. Now, at the end of February 2026, New Delhi inked an India-Israel defence deal to strengthen its air and missile defence systems. Interestingly, in all these defence deals, New Delhi has managed to clinch technology transfer agreements with the opposing nations, which signal India's bid for self-reliance in air and maritime defence. After this series of defence deals involving India, the Chinese government has yet to react, while Pakistan has already started making a brouhaha over it. According to experts, Indias growing defence ties with Israel, the European Union, Germany, and France will worry China and Pakistan. However, they maintained that such defence and security agreements would gradually shift the balance of power in Indias favour in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. Defence diplomacy Speaking on India-Israel defence deal, Abhinav Tiwari, Research Analyst at Bonanza, said, "With Israel, India is strengthening an already strong defence partnership that includes missiles, air defence systems, drones, surveillance tools, and possible cooperation on advanced technologies. These improve Indias ability to detect threats early and respond quickly." Pointing to India's interest in the South Asia and Indo-Pacific regions, the Bonanza expert said that with the EU, India has entered broader security and defence cooperation covering counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber security, and defence manufacturing. This also sends a political message that Europe is more aligned with India on issues like cross-border terrorism. "France is already a major defence partner through fighter jets and submarines, while Germany and other European countries see India as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific and as a counterbalance to China," said Abhinav Tiwari of Bonanza. Impact on China, Pakistan Whether these defence deals would rattle India's arch rivals, China and Pakistan's ambitions in the South Asia and Indo-Pacific region, Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operations Lead, VT Markets, said, "Indias expanding defence partnerships would complicate Beijings regional military ambitions as it improves Indias access to advanced systems and equipment. For Pakistan, due to its historical and recent direct conflicts with India, the psychological and fiscal impact is more relevant." Ross said that Pakistan's defence policies are focused on India and constrained by debt, so visible Indian advancements can trigger pressure to maintain deterrence, often through cheaper tools such as missiles, drones, and tactical nuclear forces rather than matching conventional spending. "Pakistan feels pressured because India is gaining better weapons and stronger diplomatic support, making risky actions more difficult. China is concerned that Indias growing capabilities reduce its leverage, but it is more likely to respond by supporting Pakistan than by directly confronting India. Overall, these deals increase deterrence and long-term rivalry, not immediate conflict," Abhinav Tiwari of Bonanza said. Shifting reliance on Russia Highlighting New Delhi's shift away from long-term reliance on Moscow to strengthen India's defence and security, Ross Maxwell said, "Indias diversification away from Russian dependence also signals long-term technological depth, which reduces Pakistans expectation that India will face supply issues in times of crises." The VT Markets expert said that China will monitor closely, especially in aerospace and electronic warfare, but is more likely to respond with capability adjustments along the border and in the Indian Ocean rather than with major changes to its defence budget. Whether these deals would spur defence spending in South East Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, Ross Maxwell said, "These deals certainly strengthen India, and they put strain on Pakistans resources whilst adding complexity to Chinas strategies, but they do not fundamentally alter regional spending strategies." What these deals mean for the US Avinash Gorakshkar, a SEBI-registered fundamental analyst, believes India's defence system requires diversification because it was heavily dependent on Russian support. This was because when we do a defence deal with Russia, they also transfer the technology, whereas with NATO countries, they only send the weapon. As Germany, France, and most of the EU members belong to NATO and have agreed to transfer technology, it seems India has scored over the US in the recent Greenland crisis. "For containing Pakistan's aggression, India's current defence system is enough. But to deter any Chinese aggression, India needs a more advanced defence system, and for that, it needs US support. Before the Greenland crisis, the US nod was important to EU members for transferring defence technologies to non-NATO states. However, after the emergence of the Greenland crisis, European countries, especially the EU, have started to take independent decisions, and this series of defence co-operation agreements with India signals a possible crack and a trust deficit against the US," said Avinash Gorakshkar. Our food is hot but not spiced, Dechen Wangmo tells us gently, as we sit cross-legged on the wooden floor of her ancestral home. It just uses chillies. We are at a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse about half an hour from central Thimphu, along a winding mountain highway. The building, a manor of sorts, stands on a hillside overlooking the Thimphu Chu (river), opposite a steep escarpment. According to oral tradition, it was built in the 18th century and has been home to three Druk Desisthe secular administrative rulers of Bhutangiving it a rare political lineage. For more than two centuries, it has sheltered generations of the same family. Today, Wangmo, the current matriarch, warmly hosts travellers like us for a stay, a meal, or both. Earlier, we had curiously peeped into all five levels of the house. Its traditional design, shaped by the agrarian legacy of the region, seems to trace the journey of foodfrom field to storage to table. Much as they previously did, the ground level still retains space for farm animals and the first floor stores cereals and grains. We are seated in the kitchen on the second floor, beside the familys living quarters and a quiet altar room. Above us, in the well-ventilated attic, strips of meat and vegetables are left to dry in the mountain air. Wangmo, a natural conversationalist, quickly picks up on our interest in culinary styles. In her kitchen, there is no stockpile of masalas or spice blends. Bhutanese cooking, she explains, is a play of chilli, fat, fermentation, and seasonal greens, as she stirs long red chillies into a pot of local gouda-like cheese for her version of ema datshi. We mention the viral popularity of the dish, and Wangmo smiles gently, laying out dinner with a spread that is far more diverse. View full Image Dechen Wangmo in her home. ( Kunal Bhatia ) The sense of familiarity is immediate: a portion of rice, a bowl of lentils, steamed greens, and a pot of shakam paasun-dried beef, rehydrated and cooked until smoky and chewy. As we take a bite, our minds drift to beef sukka from Indias Konkan coast, another preparation involving dried meat, slow cooking, and similar flavours. Wangmo explains the names: datshi refers to dishes prepared with cheese, while paa denotes a savoury stew or curry, like phaksha paa with pork, or sikam paa made from dried pork belly. To add a punch to the meal, there is Wangmos chilli paste, ezay, pounded with garlic and salt. We immediately think of the unapologetic heat of Maharashtrian thecha, or similar fiery pastes that are sharpened with Sichuan pepper from India's Northeast. The recipe for ezay varies from family to family. Fresh crumbled cheese, minced meat, onions, or even peppercorns may be added to accentuate the taste. It is interesting that chillies, so central to both Bhutanese and Indian cuisines, originated in neither country. They are said to have arrived with Portuguese traders in the 16th century and soon became a staple across the Himalayan belt, where their heat suited the cold climate. Until then, the food in the kingdom relied largely on local herbs and wild plants. View full Image Suja with rice crisps. ( Kunal Bhatia ) Our conversation soon turns to other culinary comparisons. Momos are the most recognisable link, but Wangmo encourages us to look further. She promises a bowl of her jasha marua rustic, lightly spiced chicken dish that feels closely related to the everyday curries of Indias Northeast, especially in its prominent ginger notes. She also speaks of stinging nettles cooked with lentils, known locally as sisnu dal, a preparation that echoes through the Himalayas, from Nepali kitchens to zathuk in Ladakh and bichhu booti saag in Uttarakhand. These similarities extend into the plains as well. In Bhutanese homes, bitter gourd is often sliced into thin, chip-like pieces and fried with butter and light seasoning, making them remarkably similar to the ucchhe bhaja of Bengal. And while many Bengalis enjoy puffed rice as an evening snack with their cha, the Bhutanese sprinkle these crisp grains directly into their butter tea. Suja, as it is called, is made by churning tea leaves with butter and salt into a warm, savoury drink with a faintly smoky taste. Its pinkish hue and rich, creamy profile feel surprisingly close to Kashmiri noon chai. Suja becomes our go-to drink within a day. The next morning, we lounge in the sun-drenched balcony of the farmhouse, looking out at the valley, with a cup of suja warming our hands in the cool air. Wangmo serves a simple but hearty breakfast: a portion of kharangcoarsely ground dried maize stirred into leftover curry to make a thick, porridge-like meal. The taste instantly takes us to the comfort of dalia back home. Bhutan offers plenty for the adventurous palate from hardened yak cheese called chugo, or dishes made from animal tripe known as goep. But with Wangmos motherly servings, one meal at a time, we begin to recognise a shared sensibility on our plates. To truly understand its food, one must seek it where it lives most honestly in domestic kitchens, family recipes, and unhurried conversations around the hearth. Also Read | A vegetarian-friendly guide to Phuket Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv has been diverted to Mumbai after Israel closed its airspace amid an attack on Iran. AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to the closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of the safety of passengers and crew, an Air India Spokesperson told ANI. According to PTI, the flight is being diverted to Mumbai. Air India said it regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation and remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as needed, the airline added. Why did Israel close its airspace? Israel closed their airspace after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government launched preventive airstrikes on Tehran. The Israeli Ministry said the country closed its airspace on Saturday, February 28, after security developments. Israel has asked its citizens to stay away from airports, saying that it will alert passengers 24 hours before flights can resume. The Iranian government also shut down its airspace following the attacks, AP reported. Neighbouring Iraq also closed its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport. US-Israel strike on Iran The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran's military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, an official briefed on the operation told the Associated Press. President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the US had begun major combat operations in Iran. He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach US and appealed to the Iranian people to take over your government it will be yours to take. Trump acknowledged that there could be American casualties following Iran strikes, saying that often happens in war. Iran to retaliate Tehran is preparing for retaliation, an Iranian official told Reuters, adding that the response will be crushing. Israel issued a nationwide warning after Iran reportedly launched missiles. Iran had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation. At least 20 people were killed, and six others critically injured in a massive explosion at a firecracker unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district. "We have information that 20 people were killed in the incident," Kakinada Superintendent of Police G Bindu Madhav told PTI. According to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office, N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the firecracker factory explosion in Kakinada and held discussions with officials on the incident and ongoing rescue efforts. In an official statement, the CMO said: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spoke with officials regarding the Kakinada accident incident. The Chief Minister reviewed the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem, Samarlakota Mandal, Kakinada district. The Chief Minister inquired about the causes of the accident and the ongoing rescue and relief operations at the site. Officials informed that around 20 people were working at Surya Fire Works where the accident occurred. The CM expressed grief over the large number of firecracker workers losing their lives. The Chief Minister directed ministers and senior officials to visit the accident site. Also Read | Goa nightclub fire: Police file chargesheet against 13 persons Officials told the news agency that the intensity of the explosion at Vetlapalem village in Samarlakota mandal was so severe that bodies were flung into nearby paddy fields. Police added that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire that triggered the blast. According to the superintendent of Kakinada Government General Hospital, seven patients with burns ranging from 90 to 100 per cent were admitted and are currently undergoing treatment. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the deaths of several workers at the Surya Fireworks unit. "The explosion at a crackers manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district has really pained me. Multiple people losing their lives in this accident is sad," Naidu said in a post on 'X'. Also Read | Techie staying in Bengaluru PG killed in gas explosion Horrifying scenes unfolded in the surrounding agricultural fields as locals were seen shifting bodies using 'barakalu', sheets made from fertiliser bags. Fire and thick smoke continued to rise from the site while ambulances rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. Naidu said he had spoken to officials about the incident and instructed them to ensure immediate assistance for the victims. "We are monitoring the rescue efforts and will come to the aid of the affected families," he said. Also Read | Massive fire engulfs chemical warehouse of CSIR-NEIST in Jorhat Officials said around 20 people were working at the crackers manufacturing unit when the explosion occurred. The Chief Minister also directed senior officials and ministers to visit the accident site. The Indian embassy in Israel issued a safety and travel advisory for Indian nationals due to escalating tensions with Iran. This comes after Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday declared an immediate state of emergency throughout the entire country. Advising citizens to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel, the advisory stated, In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. The travel advisory cautioned Indian citizens against unnecessary travel: Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice. The statement added, Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. Indian nationals will be able to access updated instructions at https://oref.org.il/eng. What to do in case of emergency? in case of emergency, Indian nationals are supposed to contact the Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, through the 24x7 helpline number +972-54-7520711 or send an email at cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in The advisory further urged all Indian nationals to remain in close proximity to designated shelters and familiarize themselves with the nearest protected spaces in their area of residence or work. Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice, the advisory said. It advised Indian nationals to adhere to safety guidelines, track local news and emergency alerts. Indian Embassy in Iran issues safety advisory The Indian Embassy in Iran also issued an advisory, advising citizens to be cautious and remain indoors as far as possible. The statement said, In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible. Indians may also continue to monitor the news, maintain situational awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of India. Emergency response numbers for those stuck in Iran +989128109115 +989128109109 +989128109102 +989932179359 According to Irans Tasnim News Agency's report, seven missiles struck Tehran on Saturday. These air strikes targeted Presidential Palace and Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis compound. India, on Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region, where explosions have been reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, other cities after Israel-US jointly launched strikes on Iran on Saturday. "India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected. Our Missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the Missions, and follow local security guidance," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement. View full Image Statement by India Earlier in the day, Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued an advisory urging all Indian nationals residing in the city to remain vigilant. India issues advisory for its citizens in Abu Dhabi In the advisory, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi said, In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the UAE authorities and the Embassy. The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are continuing to function normally and will issue updates as necessary. For any emergency query, the Indian nationals in the UAE can contact the following numbers. View full Image A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran. ( AFP ) India's advisory comes hours after US launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran targeting the capital city Tehran, a girls' school located in the southern part of the Islamic Republic, supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, president Pezeshkian and other Iranian officials as per reports by AFP, Reuters, other agencies. What is Operation Epic Fury? Dubbed as Operation Epic Fury US' massive military strike comes days after US President Donald Trump gave Tehran 10 days to finalise the nuclear deal and warned that bad things would happen if it failed to comply with Washington's demands. Explosions follow in Dubai, other Middle East hubs Following the US-Israel strikes, several key Middle East hubs, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama, Doha, Riyadh and Amman, were jolted by multiple loud explosions. One civilian was also reported dead in Abu Dhabi. GENEVA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland hosted the launch meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance (GFGG) here on Friday. Representatives from nearly 60 countries attended the meeting, including 42 founding members of the GFGG. Addressing the meeting, Jia Guide, China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said that the current international situation is complex and evolving. In response, China has put forward the Global Governance Initiative, which highlights five core principles: upholding sovereign equality, adhering to the international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and prioritizing concrete actions. The Initiative presents China's approach for addressing the defining questions of our time such as what kind of global governance system to build, and how to reform and improve global governance, Jia said. Rooted in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Initiative constitutes an important measure to address global challenges and safeguard multilateralism, he added. He also said Geneva, home to numerous UN bodies and specialized organizations, serves as a key hub for global governance and China stands ready to take the establishment of the GFGG as an opportunity to work with all parties to explore pathways for reforming and improving global governance, and to contribute to building a more just and equitable global governance system. Permanent representatives of Cuba, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Palestine, Venezuela, and Zambia, as members of the GFGG, also delivered statements. Meanwhile, participants have expressed strong recognition and support for the Global Governance Initiative, commended China's leading role in global governance, and voiced expectations that the GFGG would strengthen communication and coordination on the Geneva platform, promote dialogue and cooperation, and forge synergies to advance the reform and improvement of global governance. Inside Oukhoos sheds, bandsaws continue to whine as workers slice timber into slats, stacking them to dry under a fine layer of sawdust. Nearly 2.5 million pencils are produced each day from wood that begins its journey here, even as the villages future increasingly depends on whether enough poplar trees will be allowed to grow again. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced the launch of two new initiatives Pink booths and mobile patrol teams to further enhance women's safety and confidence in Kolkata. In a post on X, Mamata said that the Kolkata Police is setting up several all-women 'Pink Booths' at key city intersections, which would remain operational from evening till midnight. "My sisters in the city will be able to connect directly with the women officers of KP for any assistance in these booths," she said. The chief minister also announced the deployment of all-women mobile patrol teams, which she has named 'SHINING'. These teams will be on duty from 8 pm to 2 am, patrolling the EM Bypass and other major roads, frequently used by working women during night hours. "Several 'SHINING' (as I have named them) all-women mobile patrol teams will also be on duty from 8 pm to 2 am, patrolling EM Bypass and other major city roads used by my working sisters during night hours," Banerjee wrote. Asserting that "Kolkata continues to be the safest city in the country over the years," the chief minister expressed confidence that the two "unique new initiatives will go a long way" in strengthening women's safety in the metropolis. Kolkata Police officials are expected to share further details about the modalities and deployment strategy later in the day. Women in Bengal not safe and respected These initiatives were announced shortly after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta targetted Mamata government over issues of safety and security for women and lawlessness in West Bengal on February 23. Rekha, who was in Kolkata for the BJP's Mahila Sammelan, said the TMC had failed to respond adequately to crimes against women. We have not seen such poor conditions in any other state in the country, where there is a woman Chief Minister and the women are not safe and respected. It is a shame, she said, referring to the RG Kar hospital doctor rape and murder and the Durgapur rape case. She (Mamata) doesnt question the culprits but blames the victim, Rekha alleged. A woman Chief Minister who supports criminals cannot be Mamata. The entire country is developing: be it the sector of jobs, infrastructure, But Bengal, which was once at the forefront is now lagging behind, she said. This is so because of the present government, which only wants power and can do anything for that power. No longer will the people of Bengal tolerate those who stop the growth of the state and attack the safety and security of women, Rekha added. The Delhi CM had also alleged that although the central government has several schemes, the TMC government wants everything in its name. When I left for Kolkata today, I was thinking that in Bengal there is Didi and in Delhi there was Bhaiya. We removed Bhaiya, now its Didis time. Both are the same. In everything they want their name, she said, drawing a comparison with AAP-ruled Delhi. The Trinamool Congress on 27 February evening announced the names of minister Babul Supriyo, former Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy and actor Koel Mallick as candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The Election Commission had declared that polling for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across multiple states, including West Bengal, will be held on 16 March. "We are pleased to announce the candidature of Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy and Koel Mallick for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to them," the TMC said in a post on X. "May they continue to uphold Trinamool's enduring legacy of resilience and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian," it said. Who is Menaka Guruswamy? A senior advocate of the Supreme Court, Guruswamy was among the lawyers representing petitioners in the landmark constitutional challenge that led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India through the reading down of Section 377 of the IPC in 2018. If elected, Guruswamy would be the country's first openly queer Member of Parliament. She was TMCs counsel in many cases, including one related to Enforcement Directorate raids on I-PAC director Pratik Jain's office. Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University Guruswamy joined the bar in 1997 and started working with the then Attorney General of India, Ashok Desai. Guruswamy is a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University (D.Phil) and a Gammon Fellow from Harvard Law School (LL.M). She was named as one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 2019, alongside her partner and fellow lawyer Arundhati Katju. Guruswamy also served as a visiting faculty member at prestigious institutions, including Yale, Columbia, and NYU Law Schools. In 2019, Guruswamy, along with Arundhati Katju, was on the 100 most influential people in the world. To see Menaka nominated to the Rajya Sabha, to see an out-and-proud Indian in Parliament, is nothing short of a dream. Of course, representation has its limits; of course, this will not solve all the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces overnight, but this is such a moment of pride, Anish Gawande, the National Spokesperson of NCP (Sharad Pawar) wrote in a post on X. Guruswamy is the daughter of Mohan Guruswamy and Meera Guruswamy. Mohan Guruswamy is a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strategist and was a special advisor to former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, who later quit the BJP. How do numbers favour Guruswamy? Five Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal are set to fall vacant in 2026. Four of them were held by the TMC, the ruling party in the state. With numbers firmly stacked in its favour in the 294-member assembly, the ruling TMC is set to win four of the five Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, while the opposition BJP is expected to secure one. To see Menaka nominated to the Rajya Sabha, to see an out-and-proud Indian in Parliament, is nothing short of a dream. Given the current arithmetic in the assembly, the outcome appears largely predetermined unless any party fields an additional candidate, which would trigger a contest and inject added political drama just weeks before West Bengal heads into an assembly election campaign. Israel has launched a preemptive attack on Iran, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday. The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel, Katz said. Israel declares state of emergency Katz also said that he declared an immediate state of emergency throughout the entire country. According to Israeli media and claims on social media, multiple explosions have been heard including in Tehran. Iran shuts down airspace Iran International reported that the office of Iran's Supreme Leader, the main headquarters of Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran, has been targeted in an attack on Saturday. Iran promises to respond Following the surprise US-Israel strike, Iran said it is preparing for retaliation. Iran is preparing for retaliation following the attacks, with the response set to be crushing, an Iranian official has told Reuters. Iran is preparing to take revenge on Israel and deliver strong response, Iran's state tv reported. Majid Akhavan, spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization, has announced that the entire countrys airspace has been closed until further notice. According to Irans semi-official Fars news agency, explosions have been heard in the north and east of Tehran, as well as in Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah. US military buildup near Iran The strike comes after weeks of US military buildup in the region, the largest of its kind since the invasion of Iraq. President Donald Trump on Saturday said the U.S. has begun major combat operations in Iran after Israel launched strikes. In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump said the objective is to defend the U.S. by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Trump announces US strike on Iran The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests, Trump said. . We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. Iran was rebuilding nuclear program: Trump According to the US President, Iran had been working to rebuild its nuclear program damaged in the US bombing in June 2025. After that attack we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it, they didn't want to do it, again they wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. They didn't know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil," he said They rejected every opportunity to reach their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore, he said. "It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. Ill say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon," he said. Surrender or get killed, Trump tells IRGC In a strongly worded message to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Trump urged them to lay down their arms or face certain death. I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death, he said. Lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. 'Take over your government' He also encouraged the Iranian people to take over your government". "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," Trump said. "For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight." Could result in loss of American lives He also admitted that the operation could lead to the loss of American lives. My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region, Trump said. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill, he said. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties, he said. That often happens in war, he added. Israel declares state of emergency Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done to remove threats. An H1B visa holder from India has asked Reddit if this is the right time to stay in India. Heres the logic backing the argument. According to the Reddit user, many H1B visa holders, living in different US states, believe they can earn 30-35 lakh per annum in India now. If both husband and wife work, their income would be even better. In comparison, those earning $115,000 ( 1 crore) to $125,000 ( 1.13 crore) in the US say they are able to save only $1,500 ( 1.36 lakh) to $3,000 ( 2.73 lakh) per month. It depends on whether they have children and other expenses. They also miss family support and affordable house help. The user adds that Indias infrastructure and lifestyle now feel much improved. Then, the user asks for others opinions. One question is, who is your employer? If the employer is a staffing company that is going to send you to a client, there is a lot more risk for a lot less money, one user commented. To this, the OP replied, A service-based company, we have clients in USA. Please ask them, if they are saving say 2000 dollars which in INR is close to 2 lakh rupees. This is what a 35 to 40 lakhs per annum guys take home, came a sarcastic comment while taking a subtle dig at Indias income tax slabs. Also Read | Ex-US lawmaker claims Chennai processed 220K H1B visas while yearly limit is 85K Another user wrote, Not right time to come USA. Wait for AI bubble to burst and political storm to calm down. You should not come to the US for a 125k salary. It was junior tech salary pre covid. Now, unless you want to be in the middle of nowhere, don't even bother., came from another. You're paying the same for things that are way better in comparison. For example, civic sense, cleaner surroundings, and nicer roads, all at the same price, one user commented. One user hit back, Your friends complain about staying in US but they don't move back to India lmao. That should give you the real answer. Purchasing Power Parity As of 28 February 2026, 1 US dollar equals 91.08. But, simple currency conversion does not show the real difference in lifestyle. To compare living standards properly, we need to look at Purchasing Power Parity, which measures what money can actually buy in each country. You may have heard of women identifying themselves as men and men identifying themselves as women. Well, in Argentina, some teenagers now identify themselves as animals. On a recent Sunday, a group of teenagers gathered at a public plaza in Buenos Aires. They dressed and acted like animals, according to AP. One girl named Sofia wore a realistic beagle mask and ran on all fours across the grass. Another 15-year-old, who calls herself Aguara, jumped over obstacles like a Belgian Malinois dog. Some others dressed as cats and foxes and climbed trees. Also Read | A parents' guide to understanding their teenagers Despite her animal identity, Aguara says she is otherwise like any normal teenager. I wake up like a normal person and live my life like a normal person. I simply have moments when I like being a dog, AP quoted her as saying. These teenagers call themselves therians. They say they identify with animals mentally or spiritually. Aguara, who calls herself the leader of her pack, has more than 1.25 lakh followers on TikTok. She organises regular meetups for therians in Buenos Aires. At one such event, a 16-year-old named Aru wore a seal mask. According to Aru, she belongs to the otherpaw group. In that group, people wear masks, tails or move on all fours mainly for fun. But, they do not fully identify as animals. According to Aru, the trend became popular in Argentina because the country allows people to express themselves freely. For many young people, this movement has created a safe space where they feel accepted and understood. The trend has recently become popular on Argentine social media, especially on TikTok. The hashtag #therian has crossed 2 million posts, with Argentina leading in Latin America, AP added. The movement has created mixed reactions. Some people laugh, others feel confused or angry. Psychologists are now studying the trend and discussing its implications. Social media reactions Social media users have reacted to an AP video showing the teenagers acting like animals. I may not get it, but jumping over four people like that is impressive, quipped one of them. People minding their business, not harming a soul will have some folks in knots, commented another user. Another user wrote, Literally, who cares? They aren't hurting anyone. Some people meet for D&D, LARP, ren faire, while others perform dog tricks I can get on that! came from another. The Pentagon on Friday declared Anthropic as a Supply Chain Risk after US President Donald Trump ordered government agencies of his country to stop using the AI startup's products, effectively capping the feud between the startup and the US military over guardrails on its technology. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a post announced the decision, asking the Pentagon to stop its contractors and their partners from doing any kind of business with Anthropic. In conjunction with the President's directive for the Federal Government to cease all use of Anthropic's technology, I am directing the Department of War to designate Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security, Hegseth said. Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic, he added. Hegseth set a six-month period for Anthropic to hand over AI services to another provider. Anthropic will continue to provide the Department of War its services for a period of no more than six months to allow for a seamless transition to a better and more patriotic service, the Defense Secretary wrote in his post. He said that Anthropic's relationship with the Trump administration had been permanently altered. Anthropics stance is fundamentally incompatible with American principles. Their relationship with the United States Armed Forces and the Federal Government has therefore been permanently altered, Hegseth wrote. Americas warfighters will never be held hostage by the ideological whims of Big Tech. This decision is final, he added. What did Donald Trump say? Pete Hegseth's directive came hours after Donald Trump asked federal agencies to drop Anthropic and its services from their usage. The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He warned that if the company failed to comply, it will major civil and criminal consequences. The president did not specify what consequences Anthropic would face. Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropics technology. Also Read | Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic AI tech immediately What does the decision mean for Anthropic? Trump and Hegseth's decision effectively means that Anthropic will lose its $200 million contract with the federal government. However, that contract was 1.4% of Anthropic's $14 billion revenue. What may come as a concern is the designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk, which is the same one used for Chinese companies like Huawei for the apparent security threats they pose. This bars all companies with US contracts from using Claude or other Anthropic services in their Pentagon operations. It remains to be seen how these companies respond to the order and whether they remove the AI startup from their books as a whole. Also Read | Anthropic refuses to give US military unrestricted access to AI Hegseth had given the company until 5:01 p.m. on Friday to allow the Pentagon to use the Claude chatbot for any purpose within legal limits, but the firm and its CEO Dario Amodei had resisted. Ousting Anthropic from the government creates a potential national security challenge, given that the company was until recently the only AI system that could operate in the Pentagons classified cloud. Its Claude Gov tool is a favored option among defense personnel for its ease of use. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had rallied behind Anthropic on Friday, telling employees in a memo seen by Bloomberg that his company was talking to defense officials about using its models with similar limits. The move is also likely to provoke blowback from Silicon Valley, where workers rallied to Anthropics side. Workers at several major tech companies including Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. had called for their employers to reject Pentagon demands for unrestricted use of AI products. Former US President Bill Clinton, who on Friday testified before the House Oversight Committee regarding his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has maintained that he has committed no crime and that he was unaware of his criminal activities. In a video message posted on social media, after his nearly six-hour-long closed-door testimony, Clinton reiterated his stance before the House Oversight Committee. 'Want closure for victims' According to Clinton, who became the first sitting or former president to testify before members of Congress in over 40 years, he did it because no one is above the law and wanted to help Epsteins victims to bring some closure. Also Read | Epstein makes Bernie Madoff look like a Boy Scout, says Leslie Wexner 'Ended before crimes came to light' On his relationship with Epstein, Clinton acknowledged that he had known the disgraced financier for a long time, but insisted that he was not part of the latters criminal activities. My brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before his crimes came to light. And though I have never witnessed during our limited interactions any indications of what was truly going on, I offered the little I do know in the hope that it would help prevent anything like this from happening ever again, Clinton said. 'Hillary had nothing to do' The former US President also accused the Republicans of dragging his wife, Hillary Clinton, into the controversy, even though she had nothing to do with Epstein. Republicans made Hillary testify yesterday, and she had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. She has no memory of ever even meeting him. She neither travelled with him nor visited any of his properties. So whether ten people or 10,000 were subpoenaed, including her, was simply not right, he said. Saw nothing, did nothing wrong The 79-year-old, who has been seen in several photographs with Epstein in the recently released US Department of Justice (DOJ) documents, said none of them showed any criminal acts. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong, he said. Recalling his own childhood, growing up in a household witnessing domestic violence, Clinton said, he would have alerted authorities if he had known about Epsteins abuses. As someone who grew up in a home with domestic violence, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing, I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not the sweetheart deal he got, he said. According to Clinton, Epstein had managed to hide his criminal activities from everyone for a long time and added that their association had ended long before his 2008 guilty plea. No allegations against Clinton Though he has been photographed several times with Epstein and has flown on his private jet on multiple occasions, Clinton has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing or sexual misconduct in the DOJ documents. None of the Epstein victims has also accused Clinton of any wrongdoing, and the only mention was made by one of the accusers, Johanna Sjoberg, who claimed to have heard Epstein saying "Clinton likes them young." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Friday that the State Department had designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. Rubio said for decades Iran has wrongfully detained Americans and citizens of other nations to use as political leverage against other states. He said the US could consider additional measures, including a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of US passports to, through, or from Iran. Today I designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. For decades the Iranian regime has cruelly detained innocent Americans and citizens of other nations to use as political leverage. Iran must end this abhorrent practice and immediately free all unjustly detained Americans, Secretary Marco Rubio posted on X. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said, "Today, the US has designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention." "The FBI remains committed to working with our federal and international partners to return Americans who are being held captive home and bring their captors to justice," the agency added. It said the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (HRFC) coordinates efforts dedicated to recovering Americans held hostage abroad and supporting the hostages and their families during and after release. Trump says of Iran: 'Sometimes you have to use force' Rubio's and the FBI's statement came as US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment on Friday about US negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and warned that "sometimes you have to use force." Trump has increased diplomatic and military pressure on Iran in the weeks since an Iranian crackdown on protesters, attempting to force the country to forswear nuclear weapons and other activities Washington sees as destabilising. After the latest round of talks in Geneva on Thursday ended without a deal, Trump's patience appeared to be wearing thin, though he said he had not made a final decision on the use of force. "They don't want to say the key words, 'We're not going to have a nuclear weapon,'" Trump said on Friday before an event in Corpus Christi, Texas. "So I'm not happy with the negotiation." "I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have. I'm not thrilled with that. We'll see what happens. We're talking later," Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday. "We're not exactly happy with the way they're negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons," Trump said. Earlier in the day, he was asked at the White House about the risks of the US getting involved in a drawn-out conflict if it strikes Iran. "I guess you could say there's always a risk," Trump replied. "You know, when there's war, there's a risk of anything, both good and bad." The United States, on 27 February (local time), extended its support to Pakistan after it bombed neighbouring Afghanistan and declared an 'open war' against its Taliban government following clashes along the border. Pakistan launched air strikes on Afghan cities on Friday morning. The Pakistani strikes came hours after it said Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack in the latest escalation of violence between the neighbouring countries along their porous frontier. "We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks," Allison Hooker, the under secretary of state for political affairs, wrote on X after talks with a Pakistani counterpart. She said she expressed to Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Pakistan's senior-most career diplomat, US condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. Hooker's brief statement did not call for an end to the fighting. Unlike the US, the UK earlier called for "de-escalation," China called for a ceasefire, and Iran offered to mediate. EU calls for immediate de-escalation Even the European Commission (EU) called on all actors for immediate de-escalation while urging Afghan authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups. The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan, read a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan Pakistan bombarded Afghanistan's major cities in its most significant attacks since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 with the US withdrawal. Afghanistan said Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar to the south and in the southeastern province of Paktia. Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, acknowledged the Pakistan strikes and declared an open war on the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan war has soured the US relationship with Pakistan, with former president Joe Biden wanting little to do with Islamabad due to past support for the Taliban as the United States propped up a pro-Western government. I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well: Trump President Donald Trump has shifted course and forged close ties with Pakistan, which has gone out of its way to praise him for his mediation during a conflict with India last year and said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump, asked about the strikes on Afghanistan earlier Friday, hailed Pakistan's powerful military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Also Read | Afghanistans Taliban calls for dialogue amid border conflict with Pakistan "You have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader. I think two of the people that I really respect a lot," Trump told reporters. I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well, he said. Why is Pakistan attacking Afghanistan? Tension has been high between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two neighbours, for months, with deadly border clashes in October killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire was agreed on between the two sites on October 19 last year. The ceasefire has largely held, but the two sides have still occasionally traded fire across the border. Several rounds of peace talks in November failed to produce a formal agreement. On Friday, Afghanistan's Taliban government said it was willing to negotiate after Pakistan bombed their forces in major cities and said the allies-turned-foes were in "open war." "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now we also want to resolve this matter through dialogue," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Mujahid said Pakistani strikes hit parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and on Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman on Friday. That followed Afghan drone strikes that began late on Thursday on Pakistani military positions and installations in northwest Pakistan along their shared border. Pakistani officials said the country's strikes killed 274 Taliban officials and militants, while Afghanistan said it killed 55 Pakistani soldiers - figures which Reuters was unable to verify. Pakistan confirmed that 12 of its own soldiers were killed, and Afghanistan said it had lost 13 Taliban fighters. In New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply concerned by the escalation of violence" between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that is having on civilian populations, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks. "He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy," Dujarric said. US President Donald Trump and his senior aides has been "closely" monitoring the Iran situation from the leader's Florida resort on Saturday, the White House said, after the United States and Israel launched military attacks against Iran. President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar a Lago alongside members of his national security team," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X (formerly Twitter), adding that Trump also spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. She also said that the US leader and security officials will continue to closely monitor the developments involving Iran throughout the day. How did it all start? The tensions escalated between US and Iran on Saturday, with the launch of Operation Epic Fury. Israel first announced the strikes, with US President Donald Trump later confirming Washingtons role. These attacks prompted Iran to retaliate and attack US bases in the Middle East, including in Israel. Subsequently, explosions were reported in several Gulf capitals, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Manama. The US' Operation Epic Fury and Israel's Operation Rising Lion were carried out despite the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran over the country's nuclear programme. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members, Leavitt said on X. Trump's warning to Iran In the beginning of this month, Washington and Tehran began indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, with Oman acting as mediator. Both sides aimed to reach an agreement limiting Iran's nuclear activities. Around a week ago, President Trump warned of consequences if no agreement was reached, giving Iran a deadline of 10 to 15 days. Trump said that bad things will happen. Also Read | Burj Khalifa evacuated amid Iranian attack, say reports Shortly after that, Oman announced a further round of negotiations in Geneva, noting some constructive movement while acknowledging that significant differences persisted. However, a sudden escalation in hostilities following the latest strikes today from all parties involved raised tensions, casting fresh doubt over the diplomatic track that these countries were following earlier. How did UAE respond to the situation? Earlier, the UAE closed its airspace as Israel and the US carried out strikes on Iran. The Gulf country said it had intercepted Iranian missiles and reserved its right to respond, while Kuwait also engaged incoming strikes on Saturday. Also Read | Moment when Dubai was hit by Iran and how air defense systems responded Watch The Ministry of Defence announced that the United Arab Emirates was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles. The UAE's air defences responded with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of the missiles, AFP quoted the UAE statement as saying. Iran is in the midst of arguably the biggest attack it has faced in decades as the joint US and Israeli operation continues. Unlike the previous attack, in June 2025, where the US carried out airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities, the current wave of attacks, called Operation Epic Fury, is prolonged and at a much larger scale, posing an existential threat to the theocratic regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US-Israeli strikes target Khamenei, Pezeshkian The US-Israeli joint operation also directly targeted the Islamic Republics top leadership, including Khamenei himself and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. While US and Israeli officials have confirmed that several high-profile locations in Tehran, including the compound and offices of Ali Khamenei, have been targeted, the Supreme Leaders fate is unknown. Khamenei was not in Tehran However, some reports have claimed that Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time of the strikes and that he had been moved to a secure, undisclosed location beforehand. Endgame for Khamenei? The 86-year-old has not been seen in public since January 31, when he visited the shrine of his predecessor Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He was notably absent from the annual February 8 meeting with Air Force commanders, a ritual he has observed for decades. Khamenei has dominated Iran for the last three-and-a-half decades since taking on the post for life in 1989 as leader of the Islamic revolution following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. But in recent years, the rising US-Israeli threats and frequent public protests have posed the biggest challenge to his rule. Khamenei was forced to go into hiding during the 12-day war against Israel in June. Who will succeed Khamenei? His advanced age and a lack of a succession plan have become a major crisis for the future of the Islamic Republic. Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Khamenei. But Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in May 2024, which significantly disrupted the regime's long-term succession planning. Several names, including that of Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Republics founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, have been making rounds as the possible successor of Ali Khamenei. Pezeshkian is alive says state media Along with Khamenei, the US-Israeli strikes also reportedly targeted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. While there were some unverified claims on social media that Pezeshkian was killed in the strike, Iranian state media outlets, including IRNA and Tasnim News Agency, have officially denied reports of his death, stating he is "safe and sound". Though the two top leaders may have survived, several high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and Islamic Regime political officials have been killed in the strikes on Saturday, an Iranian source close to the establishment told Reuters. Israel Attacks Iran Highlights: Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group said on Monday it launched rockets and drones at Israel overnight in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel retaliated by launching airstrikes on Lebanese capital. Explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, AFP reported. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the US-Israel joint strikes, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency confirmed on Sunday after US President Donald Trump made the big claim. Ayatollah Arafi was named as the Islamic Republic's interim supreme leader. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to emphasise that the security of citizens is the utmost priority. "India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities, PM Modi said. The fighting disrupted commercial air travel across the Middle East, with multiple countries closing airspace. The conflict also raised concerns about global oil markets, particularly if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is affected. Meanwhile, Gold and silver prices surged with gold rising above $5,200 an ounce. Explosions were reported, and smoke billowed over Dubai's famous man-made island, the Palm, on Saturday (local time) as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes in the Middle East, AFP reported. The development came in response to the United States and Israel's joint operation targeting Tehran's military and naval forces. Citing a witness, the report said he saw thick black smoke emanating from a hotel on the Palm and heard ambulances rushing toward the site. Dubai residents also reported hearing several loud bangs following the explosion. A Reuters report said that at least four people were injured, and the city's emergency response teams responded to an "incident" in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area. Also Read | Dubai news live updates: Explosion at Dubai landmark The Palm Here's how Dubai was targeted by Iran Hours after the US and Israel targeted Iran and plunged the Middle East into renewed military confrontation, Tehran retaliated and targeted at least four US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which host airbases with US assets. Several videos shared online showed smoke rising over Dubai after Iran's ballistic missiles struck the Gulf region; however, Mint could not independently verify the videos circulating on X. In Dubai, the Gulf regions commercial hub and home to the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, residents looked up to see missiles streak across the sky. Several reports also claimed that the Burj Khalifa was evacuated minutes after a strike was carried out just two kilometers away, with authorities implementing emergency protocols, The Sunday Guardian reported. It further said that police sealed off surrounding streets and asked residents to stay calm as the investigation proceeded. Also Read | How US-Israel strikes on Tehran set off a chain reaction across the Gulf Dubai International Airport suspends operations Airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on Saturday, Reuters reported. This included the suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest international travel hub. In a statement, Dubai International Airport said, "Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights." US, Israel strike Iran The US and Israel struck Iran's military and naval forces days after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of "bad things" if it did not agree to a deal in the next few days. Israel's preemptive strikes came despite Washington and Tehran's ongoing negotiations regarding the latter's nuclear program, which has been a sticking point between the two countries. Tensions have now escalated further, with the Middle East witnessing a crisis. What started as a joint strike by US, Israel on Iran has now spread to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, among other key hubs bearing the brunt as the Islamic Republic launched retaliatory strikes on Saturday. Multiple reports even claimed an evacuation at the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building. Videos, photos on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing from a prominent Dubai hotel, which was triggered by an Iranian air attack. One civilian was also reported dead in Abu Dhabi. Here's a glimpse at the top updates about the situation in Dubai as Middle East boils amid US-Israel's Operation Fury. Burj Khalifa evacuated, Dubai Airport shut - Top Updates On Saturday, multiple explosions shook Dubai. Multiple reports claim an evacuation at the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building. According to a report by The Sunday Guardian, authorities evacuated visitors and staff from the Burj Khalifa after nearby missile activity and explosions activated emergency protocols. Dubai International, the world's largest airport for international travel, and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International were shut down about 7 a.m. ET Saturday, according to a statement from Dubai Airports in the United Arab Emirates. All flight operations at the airports were suspended until further notice, said Dubai Airports spokesperson. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights, Dubai Airport's statement said. Emirates canceled all flights until 3 am on Sunday (1 March), Qatar Airways halted operations until midnight, and Etihad Airways extended the suspension even longer, until Sunday afternoon, as per a report by Bloomberg. Not just evacuation of Burj Khalifa. Videos on social media also showed smoke rising from an iconic Dubai hotel, which was triggered reportedly due to an Iranian air attack. A photo also captured a projectile falling on the Middle Eastern City. View full Image TOPSHOT - A cyclist watches as a projectile falls over Dubai on February 28, 2026. AFP correspondents heard a loud explosion in Dubai on February 28 and one of them saw a plume of smoke rising from the city. The explosions came in the wake of wide-ranging Iranian attacks on the Gulf, in retaliation for US and Israel strikes on Iran. (Photo by AFP) ( AFP ) 6. Airport disruptions across the region extended beyond flight cancellations. Kuwaits civil aviation authority reported that a drone struck the countrys airport, leaving several people with minor injuries and causing limited damage to the passenger building, reported Bloomberg. 7. At Doha airport, which handles about a 1000 flights a day, chaotic scenes unfolded, reminiscent of the situation last year in June, when scattered Iranian strikes on Qatar left 20,000 travelers temporarily stranded, mentioned the US media outlet. 8. Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait announced at least partial airspace closures after spotting smoke over Tehran and Iran's retaliatory strikes across the region. 9. In the wake of the strikes, oil and gas tankers are increasingly steering clear of the Hormuz shipping strait the critical route linking the oil-rich Persian Gulf to open waters with a large number of vessels holding outside of the waterway while some already transiting have turned back, mentioned a report by Bloomberg. 10. Speaking about the joint strike that US launched along with Israel, Donald Trump reportedly said that his main concern is freedom for the Iranian people. Why is Iran targeting US bases in Middle East? According to a report by AFP, Irans barrage of missiles in retaliation to U.S. and Israeli strikes could be heard across much of the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Israel and Iraq, after Tehran vowed it would strike back forcefully if attacked. US attacks Iran - Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated as Israel, US launched a joint military strike on the Islamic Republic on Saturday. Hours later, a loud bang was heard in Dubai, while explosions were also reported in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, with the aftermath of Operation Epic Fury reaching beyond Iran. In the United Arab Emirates, state media confirmed that one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, though no further information was provided, Reuters reported. Grey smoke in Bahrain Bahrain confirmed that an attack occurred within its borders, stating that a service centre linked to the U.S. Fifth Fleet was hit. Footage captured by a Reuters witness showed grey smoke billowing near the coastline of the island nation as sirens sounded. Also Read | US attacks Iran LIVE: Iran urges its citizens in 5 nations to evacuate According to a report by Reuters, a witness said hearing five rapid explosions that shook windows in a home near Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Others in the Al Dhafra and Al Bateen areas also described loud blasts. Fighter jets were seen circling over Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon. In Qatar, the military announced that it had intercepted Iranian missiles before they could enter Qatari airspace, citing joint coordination. Residents in the capital, Doha, reported hearing several consecutive explosions, Reuters reported. Saudi Arabia condemned the Iranian strikes aimed at neighbouring countries in a statement carried by its state news agency, though it did not say that the kingdom itself had been targeted, AFP reported. Meanwhile, Jordan announced that it had intercepted and shot down two ballistic missiles that were headed toward its territory, as reported by AFP. Following a shelter warning issued by the U.S. Embassy in Doha, many residents initially continued with their daily routines. People shopped at supermarkets, visited the beach, and tourists rode a yellow double-decker bus through the citys West Bay district, Reuters reported. However, after the government sent a shelter-in-place alert to mobile phones, streets became noticeably quieter, with fewer people outside and lighter traffic. 2 killed in attack on Iraq base An airstrike on an Iraqi military base that hosts a pro-Iran faction killed at least two people on Saturday, AFP reported, citing Iraqi officials. The United States and Israel have carried out strikes on Iran, with U.S. President Donald Trump pledging to annihilate the countrys navy and missile facilities. The targeted base, Jurf al-Sakher, also known as Jurf al-Nasr, is located in southern Iraq and is controlled by the Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a once-paramilitary organisation that has since been merged into Iraqs official armed forces, AFP reported. The U.S.-designated militant group Kataeb Hezbollah controls several brigades within Iraqs Hashed al-Shaabi. It is also aligned with Irans so-called axis of resistance and is known for sometimes operating independently. On Thursday, the group warned that the United States would face immense losses if it initiated a war in the region, urging its fighters to brace for what it described as a potentially prolonged war of attrition, AFP reported. Flights affected Emirates, one of the worlds largest long-haul carriers, said a number of its flights have been disrupted due to the closure of airspace in the United Arab Emirates, as reported by Associated Press. The airline, which operates out of Dubai International Airportthe worlds busiest hub for international passengers, said it is coordinating with local authorities and adjusting schedules. Travellers were advised to check their flight status online before heading to the airport, AP reported Emirates carried 53.7 million passengers in its most recent financial year. A significant share of those travellers, like customers of regional rivals Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, use the Gulf as a transit point for onward journeys worldwide. It all started with a joint United States-Israel military strike on Iran on Friday morning. Within hours, Iran launched a series of retaliatory missile and drone attacks on US military bases across the Gulf region. From Abu Dhabi in the UAE to Doha in Qatar, from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Manama in Bahrain and Amman in Jordan, residents were jolted by multiple loud explosions near US military bases as they opened fasts on the eleventh day of Ramadan 2026 Fire in Palm Jumeirah In Dubai, authorities, as reported by the local media, confirmed that a fire incident occurred at a building in the Palm Jumeirah area. The Dubai Civil Defence said the resulting fire is now under control. Four people sustained injuries and have been transferred to medical facilities. The iconic Burj Khalifa was reportedly evacuated, too. Also Read | Moment when Dubai was hit by Iran and how air defense systems responded Watch As tensions escalated, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar closed their airspace. The geographical spread of explosions marked one of the most serious escalations in the Middle East in years. Some oil majors and leading trading houses have suspended crude oil and fuel shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing four trading sources, after security concerns hit the worlds most critical energy chokepoint. To many residents in the region, the escalation is reminiscent of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980-88, Desert Storm or the Gulf War of 1991, and the Iraq invasion in 2003. In 2025, Iran briefly targeted the US airbase in Qatar, but the conflict didn't last long. Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said Iran hit Riyadh and its eastern region with strikes, warning it reserved the right to defend itself, including by retaliating. Saudi Arabia "expressed its strongest condemnation of the blatant and cowardly Iranian attacks targeting the Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, which were repelled," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "In light of this unjustified aggression, the Kingdom affirms that it will take all necessary measures to defend its security and protect its territory, citizens and residents, including with the option of responding to the aggression." The statement came after Iran retaliated to US-Israel attacks by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and US military bases in the region. Also Read | Dubai news live updates: Explosion at Dubai landmark The Palm Iran had earlier said it would retaliate against US bases. Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the fifth US base in Bahrain have been targeted by Iranian missile attacks, according to Irans Fars news agency. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq that it will use all its defensive and military capabilities under the legitimate right of self-defence, Reuters reported, citing a Telegram post. UAE, Qatar condemn Iranian retaliatory attacks The United Arab Emirates expressed strong condemnation of the Iranian missile attacks that targeted its territory and several countries in the region, describing them as a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the UAEs full solidarity with the affected countries, stressing that the region's security is indivisible. It reiterated its rejection of the use of regional territories as arenas for settling disputes or expanding conflicts, warning of the repercussions of such violations on regional and international security, global economic stability and energy security. Also Read | Burj Khalifa evacuated amid Iranian attack, say reports UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed regional developments and the implications of the ongoing escalation for regional and international security and stability during a phone call on Saturday with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, Gulf News reported. During the call, the two leaders condemned the blatant Iranian attacks targeting the territories of the UAE, Qatar and a number of sisterly countries. Iran will use all its defensive and military capabilities under the legitimate right of self-defence. Earlier, the US and Israel launched a major attack on Iranwith President Donald Trump calling on the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. President Trump has been voicing frustration over Irans position in nuclear and missile program negotiations. Trump said Washingtons objective was to eliminate imminent threats from Iran. OIC: Represents a dangerous precedent The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned Iran for what it called the 'targeting of the sovereignty and territories of neighbouring member states - Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. The OIC said the attacks had escalated and posed a threat to the region's stability. "The General Secretariat stresses that the continued violation of the sovereignty of member states and principles of international law represents a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundation of international relations based on good neighbourliness, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs," the OIC said in a statement. OIC the world's second-largest intergovernmental body after the UN, has 57 member states, and is often referred to as "collective voice of the Muslim world". Founded in 1969, it aims to protect Muslim interests worldwide, with headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Muslim World League, an international Islamic non-governmental organisation based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia also strongly condemned the Iranian aggression against neighbouring Arab states. Amid the USIsrael military action against Iran, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi on Saturday issued an Important Advisory urging Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow safety instructions amid the heightened regional tensions. In the advisory, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi said, In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the UAE authorities and the Embassy. The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are continuing to function normally and will issue updates as necessary. For any emergency query, the Indian nationals in the UAE can contact the following numbers. Indian nationals in the UAE seeking assistance can reach out to the embassy through multiple channels. They can call the toll-free number 800-46342, send a message via WhatsApp at +971 54 309 0571, or email pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in. for guidance and support. One killed in Abu Dhabi Several Gulf Arab countries reported being struck by Iranian missiles on Saturday, following Tehrans vow to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli attacks. The escalation has brought conflict to a region typically regarded as relatively safe. In the United Arab Emirates, state media confirmed that one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, though no further details were provided, Reuters reported. View full Image Smoke in the sky after reported blasts were heard, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 28, 2026, in this still image obtained from a video. Video obtained by Reuters/via REUTERS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. VERIFICATION: -Buildings, road layout and vegetation matched file and satellite imagery -Date and location confirmed from original metadata -Witnesses told Reuters about explosions heard in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (February 28) ( via REUTERS ) Eyewitnesses, including two Reuters reporters, reported hearing loud explosions across Abu Dhabi. Some residents received phone alerts advising them to take shelter in the nearest secure building and stay away from windows due to missile threats. One witness described hearing five rapid explosions that made windows in a home near Abu Dhabis Corniche vibrate. Others in the Al Dhafra and Bateen areas also reported hearing loud booms. Fighter jets were seen patrolling the skies around Yas Island on Saturday afternoon. Russia condemns US and Israeli strikes on Iran On Saturday, Russia condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them a dangerous adventure that could trigger a regional catastrophe, and advised its citizens to leave both Iran and Israel, AFP reported. "Washington and Tel-Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region to the brink of a humanitarian, economic, and -- this cannot be ruled out -- radiological catastrophe," Russia's foreign ministry said on Saturday. View full Image Smoke rises after the state news agency reported missile attack on the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain February 28, 2026 in this still image obtained from a video. Video obtained by Reuters/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. VERIFICATION: -Buildings, road layout, and harbor matched satellite imagery -Date verified by original file metadata -Bahrain said that the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet had been subjected to a missile attack -Smoke is coming from the direction of the U.S. Naval Base in Manama, Bahrain ( via REUTERS ) "The aggressors' intentions are clear and openly declared: to destroy the constitutional order and overthrow the government of a state they find undesirable, which has refused to submit to the diktat of force and hegemonism," it added. "The responsibility for the negative consequences of this man-made crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and an escalating spiral of violence, lies entirely with them," the ministry said. Air India issues travel advisory Amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, Air India and Qatar Airways issued travel advisories suspending all their flights to destinations across the region. In a travel advisory posted on X, the airline said operations to all Middle East destinations have been halted in view of the developing situation. "In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required. Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengers. We recommend that you check your flight status here https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html for the latest updates," the airline said. Similarly, Qatar Airways confirmed the temporary suspension of flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace. Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways Flights due to Qatari Airspace Closure. Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens. Once usual operations resume, we anticipate delays to our flight schedule. We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers. The safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused, the airline wrote on X. Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution and avoid unnecessary movement as tensions escalate. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency, while reports indicate powerful explosions in parts of Tehran. India on Saturday urged its citizens in Iran, Israel and several other Middle Eastern countries to exercise extreme caution following a major military escalation in the region triggered by a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran. After the strikes, Iran carried out retaliatory attacks against Israel and U.S. military bases in countries including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain. In response to the developments, New Delhi called on all sides to show maximum restraint and prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Indian missions in Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Palestine issued separate advisories, advising Indian nationals to remain alert and strictly adhere to safety and emergency guidelines. See posts here: Iran in India India in Iran posted an advisory amid the escalating tensions. The advisory said, In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements. Indians may also continue to monitor the news, maintain situational awareness and await and further guidance from the Embassy of India. The emergency contact details of the embassy are reiterated as below: +989128109115 +989128109109 +989128109102 +9899992179359. Embassy of India, Kuwait said in a post on X, In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Kuwait are advised to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories, exercise caution and remain vigilant at all times. Indian nationals are encouraged to monitor the news and official Kuwaiti Government announcements, if any. This Embassy is continuing to function normally. Please watch out for any further updates. For queries, may email at community.kuwait@mea.gov.in or call helpline number of the Embassy at +965 65501946. India in Qatar India in Qatar said, In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Qatar are advised to take due care, follow news and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and local authorities. Our Embassy is continuing to function as usual. Embassy's 24x7 helpline number is 00974-55647502 and email for addressing any query is cons.doha@mea.gov.in. Everyone is requested to follow the emergency alert sent by local authorities that in the interest of public safety, everyone is urged to stay away from the vicinity of military sites and stay inside buildings, whether in homes or elsewhere, and not to go out or move except for the utmost necessity to avoid exposure to any risks, the post further added. Indian Embassy in Riyadh The Indian embassy in Riyadh advised Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to the safety guidelines prescribed by local authorities. Also Read | Dubai news live updates: Explosion at Dubai landmark The Palm Indian embassy in Bahrain said, In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Bahrain are advised to take due care, & follow news and advisories as & when issued by the Embassy & local authorities. It said the embassy and the consulate in Jeddah are continuing to function normally. The Indian embassy in Kuwait also issued a similar advisory for the Indians in the country. "Indian nationals are encouraged to monitor the news and official Kuwaiti Government announcements, if any," it said. The Indian mission in Ramallah urged Indians to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement. In view of the current situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Palestine are requested to remain vigilant and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures. Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement, it added. The Indian embassies in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan also issued similar advisories to the Indian nationals. MEA reacts India on Saturday called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and prevent further escalation, stressing that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations must be respected. In its first official response to the rapidly unfolding developments, New Delhi said it was deeply concerned about the situation in Iran and the wider Gulf region, and underscored the need for dialogue and diplomacy to ease tensions. Separately, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. "We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians," the MEA said. "Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected," it said. During his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security interests, PTI reported. Following the escalating situation, India advised its nationals in Iran, Israel Jordan, Qatar, the UAE and Palestine to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant. In an advisory, the Indian embassy in Iran urged Indian nationals in that country to avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors, as reported by PTI. ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's leading carrier, announced on Saturday that it has canceled flights to four Middle East destinations due to the current security situation in the region. "Due to the current security situation in the Middle East, Ethiopian Airlines is canceling some of its flights to and from the region," the Ethiopian flag carrier said in a statement. The airline announced that so far, it has canceled its flights to Amman in Jordan, Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia. "We continue to actively monitor developments and will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and convenience of our passengers and crew," it said. Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special and immediate state of emergency in all areas of Israel, according to the statement. Takeoffs and landings at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv have been halted, and passengers were advised not to come to the airport, according to the airport's authority. Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint US-Israel strike on Iran is to remove an existential threat posed by Iran and that it will create conditions for brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. The joint campaign will let Iranians take their fate into their own hands, Netanyahu said in a statement. "The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran... to remove the yoke of tyranny from (the regime) and bring a free and peace-loving Iran. The murderous regime of Iran must not be allowed to gain nuclear arms, he said. The strike comes after a 12-day air conflict between Israel and Iran in June, along with repeated US-Israeli warnings of further action if Tehran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Israel carried out the operation during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting from dawn to sunset. The strike also preceded the Jewish festival of Purim, which commemorates the salvation of Jews from annihilation in ancient Persia and begins on Monday. Iran shuts down airspace Iran International reported that the office of Iran's Supreme Leader, the main headquarters of Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran, has been targeted in an attack on Saturday. Iran vows to respond Following the surprise US-Israel strike, Iran said it is preparing for retaliation. Iran is preparing for retaliation following the attacks, with the response set to be crushing, an Iranian official has told Reuters. Iran is preparing to take revenge on Israel and deliver strong response, Iran's state tv reported. Majid Akhavan, spokesman for Irans Civil Aviation Organization, has announced that the entire countrys airspace has been closed until further notice. The Congress party on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of displaying moral cowardice during his recent visit to Israel amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The Congress remarks came soon after Israel and the US carried out strikes targeting nuclear and military sites in Iran. PM Narendra Modi was in Israel for two days earlier this week, days before Israel and the United States began a joint military assault on Iran. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the latest development had been widely anticipated given the military build-up in the region over the past few months. Ramesh said that despite clear signs of impending conflict, PM Modi nevertheless chose to go to Israel, where he publicly declared that India stood with Israel and accepted an award. The Congress leader described the visit as shameful, arguing that it sent the wrong diplomatic signal amid mounting regional instability. 'PM aligned himself too closely' Two days after Mr. Modi celebrated his visit to Israel, Israel and the US have begun their joint assault on Iran. This was fully expected given their military build-up in the last few months, Ramesh said. He further alleged that the Prime Minister aligned himself too closely with leaders he described as his good friends, even as war broke out. During his two-day visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Congress party hit out at PM Modi for his address to the Israeli Parliament, calling it an unabashed defence of his host, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel. The opposition party also recalled India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and his July 1947 reply to physicist Albert Einstein regarding the creation of Israel. Modi arrived in Israel on 25 February for a two-day visit aimed at deepening ties with a key trade and defence partner, a trip that has drawn criticism at home from the opposition camp. On his first day, Modi received a rousing welcome from Israeli lawmakers as he promised friendship, respect and partnership with Israel at a time when its world standing has suffered because of the war in Gaza. US, Israel strike Iran Addressing the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards "just and durable peace" in the region. He also delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere. The US and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, news agency AP reported. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital, the report said. This was fully expected given their military build-up in the last few months. President Donald Trump also said in a video posted on social media that the US had begun major combat operations in Iran. Trump wanted a deal to constrain Iran's nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests, news agency AP said. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Tehran offices were reportedly the target of the joint Israel-US strikes on Iran on Saturday. According to the Associated Press (AP) report, citing state television, an explosion was reported in the area of Khamenei's offices. Roads to his compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. The Iranian officials, as quoted by a local daily, said that he was not in Tehran at the time of the strike and has been transferred to a secure location. Khamenei hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. More explosions struck Irans capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Iran has shut down its airspace and mobile phone services were cut. The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran, the Iranian capital. Is the US participating in the attack? The United States is participating in the strikes, a US official told the AP. However, it is not clear the full extent the American involvement. US President Donald Trump confirmed the country's participation in the strike and said that its objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Trump shared his address to the nation in a Truth Social post and said, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear program; we are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, he added. The attack comes as the US assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program. Trump had wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. What did Israel say? Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done to remove threats. Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities. Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time as it closed its airspace. The Israeli military said that it had issued a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel. Will Iran strike back? Tehran is preparing for retaliation, an Iranian official told Reuters, adding that the response will be crushing. Iran had previously warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation. The United States and Israel on Saturday carried out airstrikes across Iran, with Israels public broadcaster reporting that Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among the targets. A strike on a school in southern Iran killed 63 people, a local official said. AFP was unable to immediately access the site in order to verify the toll. In retaliation, Tehran launched missiles at Israel and Gulf nations hosting U.S. military bases, raising concerns about a potential broader conflict in the Middle East. Why is Iran attacking US bases in other countries? Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told counterparts from Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain and Iraq that it will use all its defensive and military capabilities under legitimate right of self defense, Reuters reported citing post on telegram. Reuters reported, Araghchi said, What we are doing is act of self defense, which is absolutely legal and legal and legitimate. Iran's foreign minister further called for the international community to "hold the criminals accountable" after the US and Israel launched a wave of strikes on targets in the Islamic Republic, AFP reported. In a call with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi "stressed the importance of decisive action by the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to stop the aggressive actions and hold the criminals accountable", according to a readout from the ministry. Iranian armed forces consider: Iranian FM According to a report by AFP, Irans barrage of missiles in retaliation to U.S. and Israeli strikes could be heard across much of the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Israel and Iraq, after Tehran vowed it would strike back forcefully if attacked. "The Iranian armed forces consider as legitimate targets the sites from which the US and Zionist operations were carried out," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Iranian TV. On Saturday, thick plumes of black smoke were visible over Tehran, including the Pasteur district, where the residence of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is located. The city also saw a significant security presence deployed across the capital. View full Image Smoke billows from the Azadi Square area following the pre-emptive strike from Israel and the United States, in Tehran on Saturday. (WANA via Reuters/ANI Video Grab) ( WANA via Reuters/ANI Video Grab ) According to Irans Red Crescent Society, over 20 of the countrys 31 provinces were impacted by the U.S. and Israeli strikes. In Israel, streets were largely empty as residents sought refuge in shelters, while the explosions of intercepted Iranian missiles echoed across the cities. Araghchi said he had been in contact with Gulf states and explained for them that we have no intention to attack them but we are actually attacking the American bases in the act of self defence, AFP reported. He added that while there was no communication with Washington now, "if Americans wants to talk to us. They know how they can contact me. We are certainly interested for de-escalation". Why has Israel launched strikes on Iran? The U.S.-Israel strikes followed Donald Trump's voicing of frustration over Irans position in nuclear and missile program negotiations. Trump stated that Washingtons objective was to eliminate imminent threats from Iran. Meanwhile, Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, described the operation as a preventive strike. The strikes followed U.S. President Donald Trump expressing frustration over Irans position in nuclear and missile program negotiations. Trump stated that Washington aimed to eliminate imminent threats from Iran, while Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as necessary to neutralize an existential threat. What we are doing is act of self defense, which is absolutely legal and legitimate. The hour of your freedom is at hand. "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy," Trump said, warning of possible US casualties. He also told Iranians the "hour of your freedom is at hand", urging them to rise up and take over your government. Iranian envoy to India says 'all US, Israeli bases in Middle East legitimate targets Iran has designated all U.S. and Israeli bases and assets in the Middle East as legitimate targets if military action is taken against it, Irans Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said on Saturday. Fathali cited Irans right to self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, stating that as a sovereign nation, Iran would take all necessary steps to safeguard its territorial integrity, independence, and the security of its citizens. Also Read | Moment when Dubai was hit by Iran and how air defense systems responded Watch "If we are attacked militarily, all bases and assets of the United States and the Zionist regime in the region will be considered legitimate targets," the ambassador said at the Iranian Culture Centre in New Delhi, as reported by PTI. He stressed that Iran's armed forces were fully prepared for defence, just as they had been for dialogue. "We exhausted every avenue to prevent war. Now, we will defend our homeland," he declared, as reported by PTI. (With inputs from agencies) The defence minister of Iran, Amir Nasirzadeh, and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in Israeli attacks, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before becoming the Minister of Defence. The minister began his military career as a fighter pilot. Pakpour assumed command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025 after taking over following the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, due to Israeli strikes. The development comes after the Israeli military said it struck several locations in Tehran on Saturday morning, where senior Iranian officials were assembled, as part of its attack, AFP reported. "The attack this morning was carried out simultaneously at several sites in Tehran, where senior officials in Iran's political-security echelon had gathered," the news portal quoted the military's statement posted on X, without confirming the results. Attack on school children Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that the Israeli strike on an Iranian primary school for girls killed dozens. Araghchi vowed to respond to the strikes. The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered, he wrote on X. US-Israel attack on Iran The Israel Defense Forces announced a joint operation with the US Armed Forces against the Iranian regime. The Israel Defense Forces had said in a post on X earlier in the day, "OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole." Meanwhile, several countries have urged for peace in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday (local time) that there are many signs that Israel and the United States killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the strikes earlier in the day. In a televised address, Netanyahu called on Iranians to "take to the streets and finish the job." "This morning, in a powerful surprise strike, the compound of the tyrant Ali Khamenei was destroyed in the heart of Tehran... and there are many signs that this tyrant is no longer alive," Netanyahu said in a televised statement, as per international news agencies. Netanyahu did not explicitly confirm Khamenei's death and did not add more details. No other source from Iran or elsewhere has said on this. LiveMint could not verify Netanyahu's claim. The Israeli PM said Khamenei's compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had been destroyed during the strikes. Iran has so far maintained that its supreme leader is alive. Earlier in the day, Iran's Al-Alam television said Khamenei would speak, but no such speech was aired by late on Saturday. Khamenei's son-in-law, daughter-in-law were killed? There were also some reports that Khamenei's son-in-law and daughter-in-law were killed in strikes. The reports quoted an unnamed member of Tehran City Council, but there was no official word on this, either. Earlier in the day, the United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, and President Donald Trump urged the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, on Saturday evening said at least 201 people had been killed and more than 700 injured. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region, inviting criticism from Muslim world. Trump also called on Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons and invited Iranians to topple their government once the bombing ended. Take to the streets and finish the job. Tehran called the strikes, which began in the morning hours and hit targets in different areas of the country, unprovoked and illegal. In cities across Iran, explosions caused widespread panic. Residents rushed to collect children from school and flee areas that might be targeted. Israel Attacks Iran LIVE Updates: Israel's defence ministry announced Saturday it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Key highlights: 1. The United States is participating in the Israeli strikes against Iran, sources told the Associated Press. 2. Tehran is preparing for retaliation; the response will be crushing, Iranian official told Reuters. 3. Israel warned of the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. 4. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location, an official told Reuters on Saturday. 5. US President Donald Trump released a video statement, telling the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran's armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising that they would be granted immunity. The other option, according to Trump, is "certain death." 6. Israel closes its airspace after launching an attack on Iran; Iran, too, has closed its airspace. 7. The Indian Embassies issued an advisory, advising all Indian nationals in Israel to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the latest updates on Israel-Iran news. At least 51 people were killed on Saturday in a strike on a girls' school in southern part of Iran, a provincial official said, as per AFP. The death toll comes hours after US-Israel launched preventive airstrike on the Islamic Republic, under the Operation Epic Fury. Apart from the casualties, 60 others were wounded in the attack in Minab in Iran's Hormozgan province, state TV reported. Israel Defense Forces said retaliatory strikes have been launched by Iran towards the country - and explosions have been heard in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait Earlier in the day, Trump urged Iranians to "take over" the Iranian government, saying "it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations" View full Image Flames rise in an area in Tehran, Iran, in this screengrab obtained from social media video released on February 28, 2026. Israel and the U.S. conducted strikes on Iran on Saturday ( Social Media via REUTERS ) Images on social media showed vehicles in Tehran engulfed in flames, with daily life thrown into disarray as the clashes continued. Iran-Israel-US clash Tensions intensified in the Middle East on Saturday as explosions were heard in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city Abu Dhabi, as well as in Dubai; Doha; and Riyadh, hours after Israel and the United States launched what they described as major combat operations against Iran. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi after authorities in the UAE said they intercepted missiles launched from Iran, news agency Reuters reported. One witness told the news agency that she heard five booms in rapid succession, causing windows in a house near Abu Dhabis Corniche to vibrate. Airlines suspend Middle East flights In the wake of the tensions that plunged Middle East into renewed military tensions global airlines suspended flights across the regions. Flight maps showed the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty as Israel said it struck Iran and the US military initiated a series of strikes against targets in the country. Iran retaliated with a salvo of missiles, reported Reuters. Indian aviation major Air India said that its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight has been diverted to Mumbai amid closure of the Israeli airspace, PTI reported. AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of safety of passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as needed, the Tata Group owned airline's statement read. Some oil majors and leading trading houses have suspended crude oil and fuel shipments via the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehrans retaliation, Reuters reported, citing four trading sources. Our ships will stay put for several days, one senior executive at a major trading desk told Reuters. The move highlights mounting concerns over the safety of one of the worlds most critical energy chokepoints. Mixed signals on maritime traffic While some tankers have halted, maritime flows have not stopped entirely, according to Bloomberg, citing naval observers. At least three gas tankers traveling to or from Qatar have paused voyages to avoid the waterway, the news outlet said citing ship-tracking data. Qatar accounts for about 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply and must ship its cargo through the strait to reach buyers in Asia and Europe. However, automated vessel signals indicated that at least 17 oil tankers were still transiting the waterway in both directions as of 10:30 GMT. Tankers idle near Gulf of Oman Several large crude carriers have reportedly come to a halt near the approaches to the strait. The oil tanker Eagle Veracruz, carrying two million barrels of Iraqi and Emirati crude to China, stopped at the western approach to the strait. It was joined by the Front Beauly, loaded with a similar volume of Saudi crude. The supertanker Mitake, bound for Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia, also slowed east of Oman after news of the US attack broke, joining a growing cluster of idling vessels in the Gulf of Oman. Why the Strait of Hormuz matters The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf to the Indian Ocean and lies between Iran and Omans Musandam exclave. At just 50 kilometers (30 miles) wide and no deeper than 60 meters (200 feet) in places, it is highly vulnerable to military disruption. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the strait is one of the worlds most important oil chokepoints. Around 20 million barrels per day roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passed through the strait in 2024. About one-fifth of global LNG trade also transited the route, primarily from Qatar. More than 80% of oil and gas shipments through the strait are destined for Asian markets. While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have limited infrastructure to bypass the strait, their combined alternative capacity is only about 2.6 million barrels per day. Strategic and military significance The waterway is dotted with strategically important islands, including Irans Hormuz, Qeshm and Larak, as well as the disputed islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, which have been under Iranian control since 1971. Naval operations in the Gulf and the strait are overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has repeatedly threatened to close the waterway during periods of heightened tension. A senior IRGC naval commander reiterated the threat in January, warning of closure in the event of an attack weeks before US President Donald Trump followed through on warnings of military action tied to Irans nuclear programme. Global market implications The growing vessel backlog and suspension of shipments have intensified concerns about supply disruptions and potential spikes in oil and gas prices. US President Donald Trump lamented a possible tariff refund and 'undeserved windfall' to companies and countries, which, he alleged, took advantage of the United States in the past. He asked if a "rehearing or readjudication of this case possible." Trump also feared that after the US Supreme Court's order against tariffs, countries and companies, which have been ripping off the US for many years, "could actually continue to do so, at an even increased level. In a post on TRUTH social media, Trump said, The recent decision of the United States Supreme Court concerning TARIFFS could allow for Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to be returned to Countries and Companies that have been 'ripping off' the United States of America for many years, and now, according to this Decision, could actually continue to do so, at an even increased level. "I am sure that the Supreme Court did not have this in mind! It doesnt make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved windfall, the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling," Trump said. He asked, "Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible???" The Supreme Court order While the US Supreme Court held in its 6-3 opinion last Friday that Trump's tariffs imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal, it did not address whether companies and individuals who paid those tariffs could be refunded. The justices left a $133 billion question unanswered: What's going to happen to the money the government has already collected in import taxes now declared unlawful? According to The Associated Press, the US customs agency has already collected $133 billion in IEEPA tariffs as of mid-December. Also Read | The $130 billion race for companies to get their tariff money back Many companies, including the big-box warehouse chain Costco, have already lined up to demand refunds in lower courts. But consumers hoping for a refund are unlikely to be compensated for the higher prices they paid when companies passed along the cost of the tariffs; that's more likely to go to the companies themselves, the report added. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that thousands of companies and importers are set to launch what could be a prolonged battle to try to recoup as much as $170 billion in tariffs theyve already paid to the US government after the Supreme Court struck down a key tool in Trump's trade policy. Most countries still face steep tariffs from the US on specific sectors, and Trump intends to replace the IEEPA levies using other options. The refunds that do get issued will take time to roll out 12 to 18 months, estimates TD Securities. JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and intensify diplomatic efforts. In a statement issued by the South African Presidency, Ramaphosa said the developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences. He called on all parties to act in accordance with international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter, and reiterated his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create space for meaningful negotiations. "We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution," Ramaphosa said. He emphasized that the experience has repeatedly demonstrated that "there can be no military solution to fundamentally political problems that can and should be resolved diplomatically." "As a nation that has emerged from conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world," he added. On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region. The United States and Israel on Saturday (local time) launched strikes in a joint operation targeting Iran's military and naval forces. US President Donald Trump's decision to target Tehran has raised new risks for a major portion of the world's oil supply, Bloomberg reported. Tehran is responsible for nearly 3.3 million barrels of oil per day, which is nearly three per cent of global output, making it the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) fourth-largest producer. However, its strategic location gives it far greater influence over global energy supplies than the production figures alone suggest. Iran borders one side of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route through which roughly 20% of the worlds crude oil passes, including supplies from major producers such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The oil markets are closed for the weekend, and there has been no information on whether the attacks on Tehran and the retaliatory strikes launched across the Middle East targeted any energy assets. Oil companies suspend shipments in the Strait of Hormuz: Report A Reuters report, citing a top official at a major trading company, said that some oil companies have suspended fuel shipments in the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed military confrontation in the region. Our ships will stay put for several days, the official said. Roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil and other fuel types pass through the arterial waterway, which runs between the Arabian Peninsula and Tehran, with any suspensions threatening global disruptions. Here's what to look out for: Iran's oil production Iran's oil production has increased to 3.3 million barrels a day from less than two million barrels a day in 2020, despite continued sanctions. Tehran has become adept at bypassing these sanctions and sends nearly 90% of its exports to China. Some of Tehran's largest oil deposits are Ahvaz and Marun and the West Karun cluster, all in Khuzestan province. Also Read | US-Israeli attack triggers fear and panic in Iran Irans primary refinery, established in Abadan in 1912, has a processing capacity of more than 500,000 barrels per day. Other major refining facilities include the Bandar Abbas and Persian Gulf Star plants, which process both crude oil and condensate, an ultra-light form of oil that Iran produces in substantial quantities. The capital, Tehran, also operates its own refinery. For exports, Kharg Island in the northern Persian Gulf serves as Irans main oil terminal and logistics center. According to Irans semi-official Mehr news agency, an explosion occurred on the island on Saturday, though no further details were provided and there was no direct mention of damage to oil facilities. Kharg Island is equipped with multiple loading berths, jetties, offshore mooring points, and storage tanks capable of holding tens of millions of barrels of crude. In recent years, the terminal has managed export flows exceeding 2 million barrels per day. Although US sanctions deter many international buyers from purchasing Iranian crude, independent Chinese refiners continue to buy it, typically at heavily discounted prices. To move its oil abroad, Iran relies on an aging fleet of tankers, many of which operate with their tracking transponders switched off to reduce the risk of detection. Dangers in the Middle East Earlier this month, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a "regional war" if Washington decided to attack Tehran. The country has claimed that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is well within its power. While this could prove to be an extreme step that Iran has never taken, it continues to be a worst-case scenario for global markets, since Hormuz serves as the chokepoint for the bulk of crude exports from the Persian Gulf. Also Read | Iraq Resumes Kurdistan Oil Exports After Halt of Two Years Nearly a fifth of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. While other OPEC members, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have some ability to reroute their shipments via pipelines that avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a full closure of the key waterway is likely to cause massive disruption to exports in the region and could spike crude prices. The United States and Israel carried out a significant strike on Iran on Saturday. In retaliation, Iran fired missiles and deployed drones aimed at Israel and U.S. military installations throughout the region. In an unusual development, World War 3 began trending on X, as users shared photos and videos from Gulf countries where Iran reportedly carried out retaliatory strikes. Some of the initial strikes appeared to hit areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Smoke was seen rising over the capital as Iranian media reported attacks occurring throughout the country. It was not immediately known whether the 86-year-old leader was present at his offices during the strikes. Why World War 3 is trending on X? Here's what users are writing And then suddenly you realise you arent reading about history anymore when the topic is World War, wrote a user on X. Another user noted, O Allah, safeguard Saudi Arabia and every Muslim land. Grant protection to all Muslims and to every innocent soul. Bless them with peace, security, and stability, and keep their nations safe from harm #WorldWar3" A user took a satire on US President Donald Trump and said, Now, it's not just the America- Israel and Iran war, it's the world war. Welcome to the #WorldWar3 and thank you Mr. Donald Trump. A user noted, No body wants this war Another user said, This is Jordan. Everything looks terrible right now. A user said, Irans missile strikes that endangered civilians in Kuwait and Dubai were a reckless and cowardly escalation that violated international norms and endangered innocent lives. A user noted, High time people of USA remove trump from the highest position . No peace after his return Note: Mint could not independently verify the videos. U.S. President Donald Trump urged the Iranian people to take control of your destiny by rising up against the Islamic government that has led the country since 1979. About 12 hours after the strikes began, the US military reported no American casualties and only minimal damage to US bases, despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. Targets in Iran reportedly included Revolutionary Guard command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. According to a US official and another individual briefed on the operation, some targets involved Irans leadership, though there was no immediate confirmation of whether any senior officials were killed. Democrats criticised Donald Trump for acting without congressional approval, while White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said several Republican and Democratic lawmakers had been briefed in advance. AP reported, the UN Security Council said it would meet Saturday afternoon. The UN's nuclear watchdog said on X it was closely monitoring developments and had seen "no evidence of radiological impact." Iran was in a "near-total internet blackout," advocacy group NetBlocks said. Khamenei news Highlights: Tensions escalated between US and Iran on Saturday, with the launch of Operation Epic Fury. Israel first announced the strikes, with US President Donald Trump later confirming Washingtons role and warning that bombs would be dropped everywhere. A nationwide alert has been sounded in Israel amid retaliatory strikes from Iran, with multiple Iranian missiles reportedly intercepted. Airspace across Iran, Israel, and Iraq has been shut, prompting widespread flight cancellations. Trump said on social media that Khamenei was dead, calling it the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. However, Iranian officials and state-linked media forcefully refuted the claim, calling it as psychological warfare. Meanwhile, a loud bang was heard in Dubai with explosions also reported in Doha, Abu Dhabi amid the ongoing clashes between US and Iran. In his parting speech as prime minister, Manmohan Singh hoped that history would judge him more kindly. He was right; he usually was, for this was a man who measured his words by the precision of facts and figures, not the wild claims of political theatre. Those of us who came of age in the 1990s and after, who found careers in industries that barely existed before he wielded his pen across the licence raj, know this more intimately than most. Skygazers will have the opportunity to see not one, not two, but six planets in the evening sky on Saturday, February 28, said NASA. Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter will appear shortly after sunset. This planetary parade occurs due to the alignment of the planets orbits around the sun, Heidi Haviland, a planetary scientist at NASA, told CNN in an email. Haviland noted that this celestial event is a reminder of how planets orbit the Sun and how their positions relative to Earth vary. 2026 Planet Alignment: When and where to watch The peak of this 6-planet alignment will occur on Saturday, 28 February 2026, though the planets will remain in a relatively tight formation throughout the first week of March. Timing is everything Haviland said stargazers must try catching this celestial event before sunrise or right after sunset. The golden window The best time to look up is 30 to 60 minutes after the local sunset but being quick is key; some members of this cosmic parade, like Mercury and Venus, hug the horizon and will dip out of sight shortly after the sun disappears. Haviland said that the planets need to be roughly 10 degrees or higher above the horizon to be visible. If they are too low, they will be obscured by Earths atmosphere. Also Read | How to watch Moon turn red this total lunar eclipse: 2026 Blood Moon guide Finding the parade To see the full lineup, you need a clear view of the western horizon. The Western Cluster: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune will all be bunched low in the west/southwest. The High Ground: Uranus will sit higher in the southwest near the Pleiades star cluster. The Anchor: Jupiter will be the "star" of the show, shining brilliantly high in the southeastern sky, positioned near the constellation Gemini. How to identify the planets Typically, Haviland said, Venus is the first one that pops up It will be the brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon, and will have a steady, brilliant white glow. Mars will show up as a red dot, and Saturn will have a yellowish hue. If you look high overhead, you will be able to find Jupiter. Mercury will be the hardest to spot without visual aids, Haviland said. The smallest planet in our solar system will appear white and will be low on the horizon. Also Read | Six planets are coming together in evening sky: Beware of social media claims How to tell the planets apart from stars The "Twinkle" Test The most reliable trick is simple: Stars twinkle; planets don't. Because stars are so far away, their light is easily distorted by the atmosphere. Planets are much closer, so they appear as steady, solid points of light. If its flickering like a dying lightbulb, its a star. If its a constant, unwavering glow, youve found a planet. Check the colours Each planet has a distinct personality, which is reflected in its hue: Venus: Unmistakable. It is the brightest object in the sky besides the Sun and Moon, glowing with a brilliant, silvery-white light. Jupiter: A close second in brightness, appearing as a large, creamy-white or tan "star." Saturn: Look for a steady, yellowish-gold glow. Mercury: Often appears as a faint, warm yellow but is difficult to spot because it stays so close to the twilight glow of the horizon. Essential tips for stargazing For the best view, avoid city lights and hope for clear skies, said Joel Wallace, public information officer at the Marshall Space Flight Centre in Huntsville, Alabama. Go to a place with high altitude a hill, a balcony, or a rooftop would suffice. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 has said that its platform saw unprecented traffic requests hours after the United States launched strikes on Iran. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the company wrote, We are aware that many users are still experiencing site availability issues. This is due to an unprecedented volume of traffic requests. Our engineers are working hard to resolve the issue. We appreciate your patience. Meanwhile, the conflict has also led to the Emirates airlines has also temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai. In a post on X, the airlines wrote, Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Sunday, 1 March. What's happening with Israel-Iran conflict? Notably, US and Israel launched "Operation Epic Fury," on Saturday in a large-scale offensive aimed at eliminating at the country's nuclear and ballistic programs. In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said, "The hour for your freedom is at hand. When were finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations. Meanwhile, Israel responded to the strikes by launching missiles at Israel and several Gulf Arab countries which host US bases. The countries that have already been launched include: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. Iranian missile attacks reportedly struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, according to Fars News Agency, citing the IRGC. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded to the US's attack in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He said, Netanyahu and Trump's war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate. Trump has turned 'America First' into 'Israel First', which always means 'America Last'. Our Powerful Armed Forces are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve, As per a report by Reuters, Bahrain said that the service centre of the U.S. Fifth Fleet which acts as the base for American naval forces in the region had been subjected to a missile attack. A Tennessee law that threatens local officials with felony charges and possible imprisonment if they vote for so-called sanctuary policies on immigration has been ruled unconstitutional ISLAMABAD, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday rejected Afghan media's claim of shooting down a Pakistani jet in Nangarhar province and capturing its pilot alive as "false and fabricated." Earlier, a police chief in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province said Afghan forces shot down a Pakistani fighter jet in the province on Saturday, and its pilot had been captured alive. The information ministry categorically denied the allegation, stating that no aircraft belonging to the Pakistan Armed Forces had been shot down and no pilot was missing or captured. "No loss of any Pakistani jet has been reported by the Pakistan Armed Forces," the statement said. The ministry noted that no visual evidence, including crash debris, wreckage, or proof of a captured pilot, had been presented to substantiate the allegation. Multiple videos used in the narrative are old clips being recycled to fit the false claim, the statement added. Two women who pleaded guilty to affray, namely using threatening unlawful violence against another female, will be assessed to consider if they are suitable for community work. Bridget Flynn (42) of Lanna Aoibheann, Longford and Sharon Flynn (39) of Grianard, Ardnacassa, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to the offence on November 1, 2024. Sergeant Enda Daly, for the State, said Gardai were alerted to an altercation between three women outside Midoc, Dublin Road, Longford at 3.20am on the date in question. On arrival at the scene Gardai spoke with three females present, one of which was the defendant Ms Bridget Flynn. There was a visible injury to Bridget Flynns face which she was attending Midoc to receive medical attention for, before the altercation at Midoc. CCTV was requested to establish what had happened and on viewing the CCTV it showed Sharon Flynn and her sister Bridget inside Midoc when another [woman] came to the front door at Midoc. Sharon and Bridget exited Midoc when they could see her at the front door. Sharon then retrieved a walking stick from her car parked outside and Bridget was involved in trying to hit the [victim]. Sgt Daly said the woman who was struck made no complaint. Bridget Flynn had six previous convictions, which date back to 2005 and Sharon Flynn had no previous convictions. Solicitor Aoife Kelly said she would be seeking the Probation Act in respect of both of her clients. She stated she believed Sharon Flynn was at a low risk of reoffending. Ms Sharon Flynn has no previous convictions and she has also given me instruction with regard to her personal family circumstances and they are matters she does not want aired in court. Bridget Flynn is offering her apologies to the individual involved and to Midoc as well for the incident that occurred on the night, but as has been outlined by Gardai she did suffer an injury herself that night and it has had a detrimental effect on her mental health. Judge Bernadette Owens directed that the Probation Service carry out a restorative justice report with an order that, if suitable, the pair are to complete 25 hours of community voluntary work. She remanded both defendants on continuing bail and adjourned the case until May 12. READ NEXT: Men involved in violent Longford street brawl to be served with books of evidence READ NEXT: Building 'long-term resilience' for Longford businesses with Circular Advantage A judge has directed a Probation Report is completed in respect of a husband and wife who have admitted affray at a Longford filling station. Johnny Nevin (29), and his wife, co-defendant Michelle Nevin (30), both of Richmond House, 12 Legion Terrace, Townspark, Longford, both pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the affray, which took place outside Hanlons Gala, Dublin Road in the county town. Sergeant Enda Daly, for the State, said the offence is alleged to have taken place on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at approximately 9.30am when a large number of people were present in the store. Both parties were present along with three others when they were involved in a physical and verbal altercation outside the shop. There were a number of people present, the fight was covered on CCTV footage and all four individuals were charged and are before the courts. Sgt Daly said the violent disorder lasted a number of minutes and there were no implements used. Johnny Nevin had three previous convictions. Sgt Daly said the most recent imposed at Longford Circuit Court on June 11, 2021 for a violent disorder offence on December 15, 2019 and a one year prison sentence that was suspended for five years. Sgt Daly said the defendant also received a three year jail sentence, which was suspended for 10 years, for a violent disorder offence on December 16, 2019, while production of an article in the course of a dispute was taken into consideration. The court heard Michelle Nevin had no previous convictions. Judge Bernadette Owens directed that a probation report is completed on Johnny and Michelle Nevin and she remanded both on continuing bail before adjourning the case until May 12 next. READ NEXT: Building 'long-term resilience' for Longford businesses with Circular Advantage READ NEXT: Men involved in violent Longford street brawl to be served with books of evidence A woman who parked in a disabled bay in Longford Town and claimed she was unable to pay the fine after receiving a ticket has been convicted. Katarzyna Grochowska of Deerpark, Kenagh, Longford appeared in Longford District Court charged with parking in a disabled bay at Main Street, Townparks, Longford on May 10 last year. Garda Peter Vesey of Longford Garda Station said he was on mobile patrol in the area when he noticed and took details of a car parked in the disabled space without a valid permit. Garda Vesey said he issued an on the spot fixed charge penalty notice fine but it went unpaid. READ NEXT: Men involved in violent Longford street brawl to be served with books of evidence Garda Vesey said he took photographs as evidence as well and he offered to submit them. The defendant had no previous convictions. Ms Grochowska addressed Judge Owens. "I know I failed to pay the fine, but that is because of my financial situation." Ms Grochowska said she was an only child and she was sending money back to her native Poland for six years to help with nursing home care for her late mother, who passed away last December. "I am ready to pay any fines, I can pay in parts." she added. Judge Owens convicted the defendant and handed down a 300 fine with six months to pay. READ NEXT: Building 'long-term resilience' for Longford businesses with Circular Advantage Teagasc in conjunction with Irish Organic Association IOA are holding a public workshop in the Teagasc office Roscommon F42 XC63 on Tuesday, March 3 at 4pm on organic inspections and record keeping. The aim of the workshop will be to help organic farmers remain compliant with the organic standards and tips around how best to maintain records. Given that the average organic payment nationally is now 11,000 it is especially important that farmers protect this payment. The workshop will include a brief overview of the main rules around organics. An IOA inspector will then talk about keeping the farm complaint and the main non compliances they find while out on farms completing inspections. There will also be some time given to tips around keeping organic records. Lastly there will be an opportunity for farmers to discuss any issues they may have with the Certification Body and questions will be welcomed at any stage. This workshop will provide an opportunity for organic farmers to refresh their knowledge around the organic standards, learn about common penalties, protect their organic payment and will be well worth attending. READ NEXT: Men involved in violent Longford street brawl to be served with books of evidence READ NEXT: Building 'long-term resilience' for Longford businesses with Circular Advantage MEP Maria Walsh has said while she is bitterly disappointed with the latest Mercosur deal development but it 'comes as no surprise to me that the Commission has decided to provisionally implement the Mercosur trade deal'. The Midlands North-West representative was part of Fine Gael delegation that included Longford TD Micheal Carrigy, Cllr Paul Ross and Cllr Martin Skelly on Thursday, February 19 who spent the day travelling around the county. Housing, roads, medical care, the National Children's Hospital and the Mercosur deal were some of the issues raised with the Ms Walsh and her colleagues on the day. Ms Walsh stopped off at Ballymahon Mart, the Ballymahon Convent Day Care Centre, Longford Community Resources and they visited Longford farmer Philip Stewart, better known as Farmer Phil at his dairy-beef farm in Killashee. The Mayo woman is the lead agriculture negotiator for the European Peoples Party (EPP) on Horizon Europe, the European Unions key funding programme for research and innovation running from 2021-to-2027. A majority of MEPs at the European Parliament in Strasbourg voted last month to refer the controversial EU-Mercosur deal to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) so it could give its legal opinion. A total of nine of Ireland's MEPs voted in favour, but Ms Walsh was one of four who decided to vote against, and the Mayo woman told the Longford Leader she believed farmers needed more certainty. At the time, MEP Walsh warned that the move would not stop the deal, but instead risked accelerating its application and deepening uncertainty for Irish farmers. She told the Leader on February 19, "So, all in all, I'm in line with the government in terms of Mercosur in its current form, the Mercosur deal is not fit for purpose. "But for me, by not sending it to the European Courts of Justice, I believe in more certainty for farmers." However, on Friday, the European Commission confirmed that the trade elements of the Mercosur deal will now be provisionally applied, before MEPs have had the opportunity to vote on the full agreement and Ms Walsh gave her reaction. While Im bitterly disappointed with todays news, it comes as no surprise to me that the Commission has decided to provisionally implement the Mercosur trade deal. "I warned that the court referral would not block this deal - it would only change the route by which it comes into force. MEPs who voted in favour of the referral should feel the full weight of their decisions today. While provisional application is legally within the Commissions powers, I believe it runs against the spirit of cooperation between EU institutions. MEPs should have had their say before any part of this agreement was activated. The situation we are in today is a mess. I envisage months of disruption and uncertainty for farmers ahead. While my voting record shows my clear opposition to Mercosur as well as a preference for stability for farmers, not all Irish MEPs can say the same. Ms Walsh described the referral to the ECJ as a 'political gesture dressed up as strategy'. "Those who supported it knew it was highly unlikely to deliver meaningful protections for Irish farmers. In fact, we now find ourselves in a worse position - facing earlier implementation and prolonged uncertainty for our agricultural sector." During her visit to Longford last week Ms Walsh said it was fantastic meeting not just farmers, but agriculture consultants, vets, and seeing the whole ecosystem of agriculture at Ballymahon Mart, and meeting so many positive and energetic people at the Convent Day Care Centre in Ballymahon. Ms Walsh said there were several questions and issues that people raised with her as they stopped off to speak to constituents. "We actually had a couple of specific questions, which is great when you travel in a delegation as there was and it varied from what was happening at the [National] Children's Hospital, to homes, to defence, to medical support and agriculture, it was a great plethora of asks." Ms Walsh is a full member of the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) committee and the Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) committee. She has called for and proposed in the European Parliament that there should be increased Horizon Europe funding for agriculture and fisheries and the current funding allocated of approximately 17 billion should be 'doubled'. Ms Walsh said she was pleased by the Government's announcement on Wednesday that there is an agreement to work with like-minded EU member states to assess options to introduce age restrictions and a social media ban for under 16s. "They're going to lean into other member states to see what's happening. "But if you look at France, Portugal, Spain, they've already moved on that, and it's the Australian model [they are looking to]. "I personally would like it." Ms Walsh said she would be in favour of a system, similar to the Airbnb app, where social media users submit their ID and there is face recognition used. Asked about enterprise and business in the Midlands and North West, Ms Walsh said her and her team do a lot the work at a European level, in the Gender Equality Committee, which 'has been really important' and female entrepreneurs need to be given the same supports as men. I keep saying that 40% of our entrepreneurs in Europe are women. "The access to VC (venture capital) range of investment, is less than 3% and we're a pro-business, open economy, and a big pro-business party. "I would hope in the upcoming budgets, including highlighted in the EU Presidency, which will start in July, that we are really focused on indigenous female business." Longford TD Micheal Carrigy interjected and he said the N4 Longford to Mullingar road upgrade project will provide a huge boost for business and enterprise and it will help to attract industry to the area. READ NEXT: Men involved in violent Longford street brawl to be served with books of evidence READ NEXT: Building 'long-term resilience' for Longford businesses with Circular Advantage Footage released by US Central Command shows a strike on an Iranian missile launcher. (CENTCOM on X) The United States and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against multiple targets in the Islamic Republic of Iran early on February 28. The Pentagon designated the American operation Operation Epic Fury, while Israel named its campaign Operation Lions Roar. In addition to targeting the regimes military infrastructure, the joint operation targeted the regimes senior leaders and reportedly eliminated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an Israeli official told Reuters. At approximately 3 am EST, President Donald Trump released a video statement outlining an objective of defending the American people by neutralizing imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic has remained hostile to the United States since 1979, citing the hostage crisis and Tehrans proxies killing US personnel across the Middle East. Trumps remarks also underscored two longstanding concerns regarding Tehran: nuclear weaponization and long-range ballistic missile capabilities. The conclusion of Trumps address drew particular attention. Speaking directly to the Iranian people, he declared that the hour of your freedom is at hand, urging them to remain in shelters until the US air campaign concludes so they can take over your government. He stated that Washington is backing the anti-regime movement with overwhelming strength and decisive force. Trump also called on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Iranian armed forces, and police units to lay down their arms and accept total immunity or face certain death. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a message with similar themes. The aim of the operation is to put an end to the threat from the Ayatollah regime in Iran, Netanyahu said, adding that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is targeting the oppressive regime, facilities of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij [the Tehran regimes internal security paramilitary force]. He further noted that Israel and the United States are jointly attacking ballistic missile infrastructure and striking hard at the terror regime [to] create conditions that will allow the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of this murderous regime. Fox News reported that Israel is targeting Iranian leadership, while the U.S. is targeting military targets and ballistic missile sites that pose an imminent threat. That division reflects each sides strengths: Israels extensive reach and penetration of the regimes intelligence apparatus have enabled Jerusalem to develop significant operational capacity on the ground, while the US uses its superior firepower to strike ballistic missile silos and major military sites. The first wave of the campaign appeared focused on decapitating the Islamic Republics leadership, with reported strikes on residences associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi, IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour, and other senior officials. At 2:38 pm, Reuters reported that a senior Israeli official said that Khamenei was killed and his body has been found. Citing Israeli officials, Axios reported that Jerusalem is targeting the entire Iranian leadershippolitical and militarypast, present, and future. In contrast, Israels targets during the 12-Day War last June were limited to military personnel, nuclear scientists, and domestic repression forces, not political figures. The London-based Iran International reported that the strikes also killed four intelligence officials: Javad Pourhossein, who led the foreign intelligence division; Mohammad Reza Bajestani, chief of the security branch; Ali Kheirandish, director of counterterrorism operations; and Saeed Ehya Hamidi, an adviser overseeing the war portfolio with Israel. Reports indicated that sites across Iran were hit, including locations in Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Bushehr, Qom, Isfahan, Chabahar, and Konarak. Footage circulating on X shows what appear to be more than 21 Tomahawk cruise missiles traversing Iranian airspace. Additional videos on social media appear to depict a Reaper drone operating over Shiraz in Fars Province, reportedly preceding more than 20 explosions. Other clips show a strike in Tabriz near the Sahand University of Technology. Iran retaliates across the region Iran (and potentially its proxies) responded to the US and Israeli operation with attacks targeting Israel and US bases and other facilities across the region, with drones and missiles reportedly aimed at and/or impacting Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian retaliation included over 200 missiles and drones fired at Israel alone. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News alleged that Iranian ballistic missiles targeted five specific American facilities across West Asia: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Jordan, and the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The report also cited released imagery purporting to show missile impacts in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and the Galilee in northern Israel. Most of the missiles and drones were reportedly intercepted by air defenses, and the Persian Gulf theatre has so far remained the main arena on the first day of fighting. A missile struck the headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain, and there was a reported strike on Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, where the luxury hotel Fairmont The Palm in Dubai was also hit and engulfed in flames. Iran also reportedly launched 44 missiles and eight drones toward Qatar. In addition, Syrian state media said that four people were killed by an Iranian missile that hit the countrys south, AFP personnel reported explosions near the US consulate in Erbil [Iraq], and the Kuwait News Agency reported that Kuwait International Airport was hit by a drone that caused light injuries to several workers and limited material damage. Various regional states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, and the UAE, have condemned the Iranian strikes. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake. The latest on Irans internal anti-regime movement Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah deposed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, issued a statement in Persian addressed to Iranians. Referring to US intervention, he stressed that outside assistance alone would not determine the outcome, and that ultimate success depends on the Iranian people themselves carrying the struggle through to its conclusion. The time to return to the streets is near, Pahlavi said. Pahlavi delivered a similar message to the regimes armed forces: Join the nation and help ensure a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will sink with Khamenei and his shattered regime. He concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant and be prepared to mobilize when he gives the precise signal for decisive action. Many Iranians have dubbed the latest unrest the Lion and Sun Revolution due to the widespread use of the pre-revolutionary flag and chants in support of Pahlavi. Following the crown princes calls for protests in early January, millions poured into the streets in what became the largest anti-regime demonstration in the Islamic Republics history. The opposition is also preparing contingency communications in case of an internet blackout, including launching a secure messaging app and establishing a satellite television channel that broadcasts into Iran. Other reports indicate that opposition activists are hacking regime-affiliated applications and turning their infrastructure against them. An Iranian app for tracking Muslim prayer times was reportedly breached, with messages urging members of the armed forces to defect and protect your compatriots. They will protect you in return. Other messages read, Help has arrived and Its the time for reckoning. Many Iranians have long called for US support against the Tehran regime and welcomed the ongoing operation. Videos posted to social media show people cheering the strikes and celebrating after news broke of the elimination of a regime official, with crowds applauding in the streets as explosions echoed in the background. Other footage shows individuals playing revolutionary anthems from their balconies and people chanting Long live the Shah and Death to Khamenei as airstrikes hit the military base and missile depots at Tehrans Mehrabad Airport. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence. KABUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces shot down a Pakistani fighter jet in eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday, and its pilot has been captured alive, provincial police chief Mohibullah Hamas said. The jet, according to the official, was shot down by Afghan forces on Saturday morning and crashed in Jalalabad, the provincial capital. The pilot, who ejected by parachute, was later captured, the official added. Meanwhile, Sayed Tayeb Hemad, spokesman for Nangarhar provincial police, confirmed that the captured pilot is in police custody. Tensions between the two neighboring countries have risen in recent days amid a surge in militant violence in border regions. Ireland's favourite and most popular baby names of 2025 have been revealed. Rian and Lily top the list, with Jack, Noah, James, and Oisin completing the top five for boys. Eabha, Fiadh, Grace, and Sadie make up the top five most popular girls' names for last year. Rian took the top spot for the first time since the Central Statistics Office began recording favourite names. "Rian was the most popular baby boys name in Ireland in 2025 and reached the top spot for the first time since our series began in 1964. It has been increasing in popularity since 2018 and entered the top five in 2021," Sean OConnor, Statistician in the Vital Statistics Section of the CSO, said. READ NEXT: Covid's college students seeking compensation for missing out on 'best days' of their life 2025 was also the first year since 2007, with the exception of 2016, that Jack did not top the list. Lily has replaced the previous years top girl name, Sophie, which now ranks joint sixth alongside Emily. "Looking at girls names, Lily claimed the number one position as most popular girls name in Ireland for the first time since our series began in 1964. Lily first started to gain popularity in 1997 when 15 girls were given the name, and it has been steadily climbing up the ranks since then. It first appeared in the top 10 in 2011 and in 2025 it replaced Sophie as the most popular name for girls," Sean noted. In terms of popularity, the name Raya rose fastest in the rankings for 2025, from 213th place in 2024 to 99th in 2025. Naoise for boys also proved to be popular, rising 74 places to 88th most popular last year. There were also a number of new entries added to the top 100 list, including Levi, Daire, Naoise, Conall, Elijah, and Teidi for boys, and Riadh, Gracie, Mabel, Arabella, Nancy, and Raya for girls. Murphy was the most common surname for babies born in 2025, followed by Kelly and OBrien. SUVA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Western Division, including Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, and is now in force for the rest of the Fiji group, the Fiji Meteorological Services said on Saturday. A trough of low pressure with cloud and rain remains slow-moving over Fiji, it said. Meanwhile, Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Urmil lies over Vanuatu and is expected to pass the southwest of Fiji on Saturday night. On this track, it is expected to direct a strong northwesterly wind flow, with active rain bands over the country. Meteorologists warned that localized heavy falls could lead to flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the Fiji Times reported. Members of the public are urged to remain alert, take necessary precautions, and continue to monitor official weather updates as conditions evolve. Are you fully vaccinated against measles before travel, and do you know the symptoms and steps to prevent its spread? Advertisement Contact Tracing Intensifies as Travel-Linked Measles Cases Emerge Advertisement What is Measles? Trusted Source Measles - Symptoms & causes Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement Measles: Prevention and Travel Precautions Ensure they are fully vaccinated before international travel Maintain good hand hygiene Avoid close contact with people who are unwell Wear a mask and seek medical care promptly if symptoms develop Inform doctors about recent travel history and possible exposure Heightened Surveillance Amid Global Travel Measles - Symptoms & causes - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857) were found to be infected withafter travelling from Hyderabad to Auckland via Singapore, prompting contact tracing and renewed vaccination advisories from health authorities in both countries.According to Singapores Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), the two individualswho were from the same householdwere already infected before arriving at Changi Airport and remained within the transit area during their two-hour stopover. Investigations found no link to local measles cases in Singapore and no evidence of transmission within the airport.The passengers developed symptoms only during the onward flight to New Zealand. Authorities in Auckland began contact tracing, particularly for travelers seated in specific rows on flight SQ281 and people who later visited a hospital emergency department, as a precautionary measure.Healththough it is not connected to the two airline passengers. The latest case has led to multiple locations of interest across West Auckland, with officials advising anyone who visited those sites to monitor for symptoms.Public health officials warned that international travel continues to pose a risk for measles importation, particularly in regions with lower vaccination coverage.highlighting the countrys ongoing vulnerability to new cases introduced from abroad.sneezes or even breathes in close proximity to others.The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for several hours, making enclosed settings such as aircraft and airports high-risk environments.Symptoms typically appear 718 days after exposure and begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic red rash that starts on the face and spreads across the body.While many people recover, measles can lead toparticularly in young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.Health authorities in Singapore and New Zealand emphasized that vaccination withagainst the disease.Travelers are advised to:Officials noted that early vaccinationeven after exposurecan sometimes prevent illness or reduce severity if given in time.The incident underscores how quickly measles can cross borders through air travel, even when transit times are short. Whilethe case has reinforced the need for vigilance, rapid contact tracing and strong immunization coverage to prevent outbreaks.Health agencies continue to monitor passengers and exposure sites, urging the public to check vaccination status and remain alert to symptoms as part of broader efforts to contain imported infections.Source-Medindia March 2026 is set to bring a packed slate of OTT premieres across platforms, featuring a mix of much-anticipated Indian titles and major Hollywood originals. Anil Kapoor headlines Subedaar, an emotional action drama that promises a powerful performance from the veteran star. On the international front, Young Sherlock explores the formative teenage years of the iconic detective, offering a fresh take on the beloved literary character. Meanwhile, fans of adventure fantasy can gear up for Season 2 of One Piece, which continues the high-seas journey with bigger stakes and bolder storytelling. Here are Seven Major OTT Releases in March 2026 Young Sherlock-4 March Young Sherlock offers a fresh take on the iconic sleuth by exploring his teenage years, long before he becomes the legendary detective. Set during his time at Oxford, the origin story follows a headstrong and unconventional young Holmes as he investigates his very first murder case. From one controversy to another, The Kerala Storys first film created a lot of buzz and the second partis here to do something similar. People were claiming it to be a propaganda film with a false narrative, and others were publicly speaking against it. Now that the film is available to watch in theatres, the public is giving its verdict on the movie as well. The Kerala Story 2 Is Impactful and Bold Sunshine Pictures A lot of people have taken very positively to what The Kerala Story 2 is presenting. One user said, Theres something powerful about a film that survives every attempt to silence it and still reaches theatres across India. The Kerala Story 2 feels like hope in that sense. Hope that truth can stand. Hope that people can think for themselves. Yeh film darati nahi hai. Yeh taiyaar karti hai. Courage sikhati hai. And courage is everything. Another user said, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is a deeply moving film that thoughtfully sheds light on sensitive real life concerns through compelling narratives and strong performances. It encourages awareness while handling its themes responsibly. The nature of the movie sparked a lot of controversy with shows being cancelled and so much more happening around it. One user said, The Kerala Story 2, must watch...simple, straight and hard hitting... can make you really uncomfortable. One more said, kuch films sirf dekhi nahi jaati, mehsoos ki jaati hain. The Kerala Story 2 aapko sochne par majboor karti hai, chahe aap chahein ya nahi. One critic called it trash! Security personnel stand guard at a road junction following airstrikes in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) by Xinhua writers Li Ang and Yang Kai KABUL/ISLAMABAD, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Over the past week, Afghanistan and Pakistan, both observing the holy month of Ramadan, have seen no peace. What began as scattered exchanges of fire along the border escalated into intensive fighting and, ultimately, Pakistani airstrikes on military targets in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. On Friday, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan had entered an "open war" with Afghanistan. Why did the current round of fighting erupt? Why did it escalate so rapidly? And is there room for de-escalation? ESCALATING CROSS-BORDER TERRORISM Analysts believe the core issue behind the latest fighting remains cross-border militancy. On Feb. 22, Pakistani authorities said a series of recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan, including an explosion at a mosque in Islamabad and blasts in Bajaur and Bannu, were carried out by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Pakistan has long insisted that members of the TTP operate from Afghan territory. From Islamabad's perspective, as long as such groups and individuals continue to exist, border conflicts are almost inevitable. Kabul, however, views Pakistan's actions as violations of Afghan sovereignty. Security personnel inspect vehicles at a temporary checkpoint following airstrikes in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Secondly, long-standing historical issues surrounding the Afghan-Pakistani border remain unresolved and are repeatedly reignited. The border, known as the Durand Line, was drawn by British colonial authorities and stretches over 2,000 km. Afghanistan's current government does not recognize it. As a result, minor clashes are often imbued with symbolic meaning, fueling nationalist sentiment on both sides. Once conflicts escalate to the use of artillery and airpower, public opinion in both countries becomes even harder to manage. In addition, there is a widespread perception within Pakistan that hostile forces are exploiting the prolonged Afghan-Pakistani tensions to stir up trouble. COMPETING NARRATIVES The latest clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan from Sunday to Friday can be divided into three stages: sporadic border skirmishes, intensive mutual attacks along the border, and Pakistani airstrikes deep into Afghan territory, including the capital Kabul. In the early hours of Sunday, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said on social media that the Pakistani military had launched airstrikes, precisely targeting seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistani military sources later told Xinhua that more than 80 militants were killed in the strikes. Afghanistan, however, said the airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including women and children. On Tuesday, Pakistani military sources said that forces from both sides exchanged fire at multiple locations along the border overnight. On Thursday evening, Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on social media that Afghan forces had struck Pakistani military facilities in border areas in response to what he called Pakistani "provocations." Starting at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense launched a new round of military operations along the border, claiming that 55 Pakistani soldiers had been killed and that two military bases and 19 outposts had been captured. This photo taken on the morning of Feb. 27, 2026 shows a city view of Kabul, Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Li Ang) In the early hours of Friday, Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes on key military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar province and Paktia province. Pakistani military sources said that after the strikes on Kabul, Afghan forces requested a ceasefire, but Pakistan decided to continue air operations until its objectives were fully achieved. By midday on Friday local time, Kabul gradually returned to calm, with both sides appearing to enter a brief lull in fighting. CALL FOR DE-ESCALATION Military clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have increased over the past six months. Last year, under mediation by Qatar and Turkiye, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire and subsequently held several rounds of talks in Doha, Istanbul and Riyadh on ensuring its sustainability, but without tangible results. As the current conflict unfolded, the United Nations and neighboring countries issued calls for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution. On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the secretary-general urges the parties to continue to seek to resolve any differences through diplomacy. On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing that China is closely monitoring related developments. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to manage and resolve their differences through dialogue within the framework of good neighborly relations. Afghan media also reported that Qatar has contacted Afghanistan and proposed facilitating efforts to ease the growing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Analysts believe that, in practical terms, neither side intends to allow the conflict to spiral out of control. A damaged vehicle is pictured following an airstrike in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Mujahid said on Friday during a press conference on border tensions that the Afghan government has consistently emphasized peaceful solutions and continues to advocate for a constructive, non-violent approach to resolving the situation. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal said he had received a phone call from Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The two discussed regional developments and ways to reduce tensions to preserve regional security and stability. "What we are witnessing is the result of accumulated distrust and unresolved security concerns," said Dr. Tughral Yamin, a Pakistani defense analyst and retired brigadier. "A fragile peace is better than open war, and sustained peace is the only path to progress," he said, noting that the region is already burdened by poverty and underdevelopment. "Military confrontation will only deepen misery; dialogue, verification mechanisms and responsible statecraft are the way forward," he added. The Dreyse Needle Gun Daniel Sager examines this weapons limitations Introduced by the Prussian Army in the mid-19th century, the Dreyse Needle Gun was a revolutionary breach-loading rifle which proved decisive in its victory over the Austrians in 1866. However, when the Prussians marched into France four years later, they faced soldiers equipped with the Chassepot rifle and the limitations of the Dreyse gun became clear. Invented by the German gunsmith Johann Nicolaus von Dreyse in 1836, the needle gun was innovative in several respects. Until then rifles were muzzle-loaded a procedure that involved ramming a cartridge down the barrel with a metal ram-rod, a procedure that had to be performed while standing. Although there had been various experiments with breech-loading muskets since the 18th century, von Dreyse developed a bolt action for opening and closing the rear of the barrel. Into the breech was placed a paper cartridge. When the trigger was pulled a needle-like firing pin penetrated the paper cartridge and struck a percussion cap, firing the bullet. Hence the the guns name. The Prussian military recognised that this would give their infantry two major advantages: the Dreyse gun could be re-loaded while kneeling or even lying down, making the firer less of a target than an opponent with a traditional muzzle-loader. Better still, using a bolt action to open and close the chamber significantly increased the rate of fire, in some instances by a ratio of five to one. In the hands of well-trained and highly disciplined troops such as the Prussians, the Dreyse gun proved devastating. At the Battle of Koniggratz in 1866 the Prussian rate of fire overwhelmed the numerically superior Austrians at a crucial point in the engagement. However, the benefits of the Dreyse gun came at a price. Its effective range was just 600m (at best), compared to 1,000 metres for the muzzle-loaded Austrian Lorenz rifle. The lack of an effective seal around the breech meant that hot gas escaped after several shots had been fired, burning the riflemans face while aiming from the shoulder and forcing him to shoot from the hip, greatly reducing accuracy. While the Prussians were fighting their Austrian neighbours, the French had been busily re-arming with the Chassepot rifle. Like the Dreyse gun, it was loaded with bolt action. But its breech was sealed by a rubber obduration ring, preventing hot gas from escaping. This, combined with a smaller calibre (11mm compared to 15mm), increased the Chassepots velocity, giving an effective range of more than 1,000 metres. When the Prussians faced the French infantry at the Battle of Gravelotte in 1870, they found themselves completely out-gunned, suffering more that 20,000 killed or wounded compared to fewer than 8,000 on the French side (most of them to artillery fire). Unfortunately for the French, the Chassepot did not give them a decisive advantage in the face of Prussian organisation, tactics, and artillery but it signalled the end of the line for the Dreyse gun. Following the French surrender in 1871, the Prussians and their German allies (with the exception of Bavaria) were re-equipped with the Mauser Model 71, a bolt action rifle that fired 11mm cartridges and had a maximum range of 2,000 metres. Like so many game-changing innovations, the Dreyse Needle Gun quickly became outmoded as competitors ironed out the creases in its design. NEW YORK (AP) A U.S. civil rights agency has determined that the federal government can bar transgender employees from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity, dismissing an appeal from a transgender woman who worked for the U.S. Army. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decided Thursday against a civilian IT specialist who worked for the Army at Fort Riley, Kansas. The EEOC repeatedly declared her to be man even though the worker informed her managers that she identified as a woman in the summer of 2025 when she asked to use bathrooms and locker rooms aligned with her gender identity. Her request was declined and she filed a complaint with the Army, which was dismissed. The employee, who was not identified, appealed to the EEOC, which decided against her, citing President Donald Trump's executive order saying the federal government would only recognize two immutable sexes, male and female. The EEOC's sole Democratic commissioner, Kalpana Kotagal, dissented in the 2-1 decision. The opinion retreated from the EEOC's landmark finding a decade ago that another transgender Army employee had been discriminated against because her employer refused to use her preferred pronouns or allow her to use bathrooms based on her gender identity. In its new finding, the EEOC found that the Army's decision did not violate Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion and national identity. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas has aggressively moved to implement Trump's orders concerning gender identity, dropping lawsuits on behalf of transgender and nonbinary workers who were fired or harassed, and amending harassment guidelines to exclude language stating that deliberately misgendering workers or barring them from bathrooms aligned with their gender identity could constitute harassment. Many Republican lawmakers have welcomed her decisions and criticized the EEOC under previous administrations for overstepping its authority on gender identity issues. Todays opinion is consistent with the plain meaning of sex as understood by Congress at the time Title VII was enacted, as well as longstanding civil rights principles: that similarly situated employees must be treated equally, Lucas said in a statement. Biology is not bigotry. The EEOC's argued that interpreting Title VII as allowing trans-identifying employees into bathrooms of their gender identity would be tantamount to doing away with single-sex facilities. All bathrooms would be mixed-sex by law, and every employee would be required to perform bodily and other private functions in the presence of the opposite-sex, the EEOC wrote. Kotagal condemned the decision in a statement posted on her LinkedIn page. I strongly disagree with the decisions substance and tone. The decision rests on the false premise that transgender workers are not worthy of the agencys protection from discrimination and harassment and that protecting them threatens the rights of other workers. Worse, it suggests that transgender people do not exist, Kotagal said. Several transgender and gender nonconforming federal employees have filed formal discrimination complaints over the Trump administration's policies, which have included stripping government websites of gender ideology and reinstituting a ban on transgender service members in the military. In a quasi-judicial function, the EEOC handles appeals by federal employees whose complaints have been dismissed by their agency's civil rights offices. Thursday's decision applies to all federal agencies but not to private employers, and it does not set a precedent that U.S. courts must follow. In the case of private sector workers, the EEOC investigates complaints and can decide whether to file lawsuits on their behalf, but does not issue decisions. The Army employee can file a request with the EEOC for reconsideration within 30 days, or she can file a new case in federal district court with 90 days, according to the EEOC. In her statement, Kotagal argued that a landmark 2020 Supreme Court ruling, Bostock V. Clayton Country, reinforced that Title VII protects transgender workers from discrimination, and she criticizes the EEOC for rushing its decision while a federal district court is addressing similar issues in a class action case filed federal employees. But in its decision, the EEOC argued that Bostock only established that employers cannot fire transgender employees or refuse to hire them based on their gender identity, making no decision on the issue of bathrooms or locker rooms or on the definition of sex. Echoing a stance long held by Lucas, the EEOC argued that allowing transgender workers into bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice would be dangerous to women, violating their expectations for privacy in such spaces. That reasoning rested on the EEOC's repeated argument that the U.S. Army employee is not a woman and in fact was demanding special treatment by asking to be allowed into a bathroom of the opposite sex. The EEOC cited Trumps executive order and various dictionary entries in an extensive explanation of its insistence that the complainants sex is male, from the moment of his conception and continuing even after he began to identify as transgender. Social conservatives have applauded that view but the American Medical Association and other mainstream medical groups have said extensive scientific research suggests sex and gender are better understood as a spectrum than as an either-or definition. Some biologists have criticized Trump's executive order as scientifically unsound because among other problems, it sidesteps variations that include intersex people, who have physical traits that dont fit typical definitions for male or female categories. In a footnote, the EEOC said intersex individuals present rare and unique circumstances that can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Congressional Equality Caucus and several civil rights advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign and the National Women's Law Center, condemned the decision Andrea Lucas has spent her time leading EEOC undermining enforcement of minority workers rights shes exactly who the Commission was designed to fight back against, said Rep. Mark Takano, chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. The Defense Department referred questions to the Department of Justice and the Army, which did not immediately reply to requests for comment. _____ AP Business Writer Claire Savage contributed to this report from Chicago. ______ The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Countries including the U.S., U.K. and China evacuated embassy staff in the Middle East and issued travel advisories amid concerns about a regional conflict, as President Donald Trump on Friday sounded downbeat about diplomatic talks meant to avert airstrikes on Iran. Were not happy with whats going on. They should make a deal, theyd be smart if they made a deal, Trump told reporters at the White House. The president added that there will be additional talks today, without providing details. We want no nuclear weapons by Iran, and theyre not saying those golden words, Trump said. The U.S. on Friday told non-emergency staff at its embassy in Jerusalem that theyre allowed to leave Israel with the country being vulnerable to Iranian retaliation if it participates in a U.S. attack. Washington issued a similar evacuation order for its diplomatic mission in Beirut on Monday. Other countries including the U.K., China and India have also advised citizens or diplomats to leave some parts of the Middle East. Australia, Poland, Finland, Sweden and Singapore are among other countries advising citizens to leave the region. The U.K. also said its temporarily withdrawing diplomatic staff from Iran. The flurry of evacuations and warnings comes as the U.S. continues to assemble a vast array of military forces in the region following Trumps repeated threats to attack Iran and as diplomatic talks continue over Tehrans nuclear program. The latest round of U.S.- Iran negotiations took place on Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. The two sides had agreed to reconvene as soon as next week, with technical talks potentially happening on Monday in Vienna. The Trump administration did not provide further specifics about any talks that might occur on Friday. While Iran and Omani mediators sounded upbeat about making progress in the negotiations, a person familiar with the U.S. position said the Americans were leaving Geneva disappointed. Amid the continued possibility of U.S. strikes in the energy-rich region, oil prices are rising with Brent crude up 2.6% to $72.61 a barrel as of 3:45 p.m. on Friday in London, its highest level since July. We havent made a final decision, Trump said Friday. They cannot have nuclear weapons, and were not thrilled with the way theyre negotiating. Given the likelihood of Israeli involvement in any conflict, the stand-off is weighing on the countrys financial markets, with the shekel having its worst two-day streak since Junes 12-day war with Iran. In its diplomatic update on Friday, Washington advised non-essential workers and family members to consider leaving while commercial flights are available in Israel. Many airlines have suspended connections with Tel Aviv, Israels commercial capital. The U.S. embassy said it may prohibit travel to certain areas such as Jerusalems Old City the West Bank for staff. Even with the U.S. saying the door to further diplomacy remains open, Trump continues to gather forces in the Middle East. A second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has entered the region and is now in Israeli waters, according to local media. It could join in any attack of Iran or help defend Israel and U.S. assets against Iranian counter-strikes. The tensions have also prompted two of the worlds five top container carriers to reroute a number of vessels away from the the Red Sea, an area in which the Iran-backed Houthi militants are active. A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S said that unforeseen constraints led the Danish company to divert some vessels and make them sail south of Africa instead of through the Suez Canal. That move was mirrored by Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd AG, Maersks partner in a vessel-sharing alliance, which cited unforeseen constraints to the available security assistance in the Red Sea region. -------- With assistance from Sachin Ravikumar, Brendan Murray, Grant Smith, Christian Wienberg, Carla Canivete and Golnar Motevalli. ___ 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Russia on Saturday condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state, demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy. In a statement posted to Telegram, the Foreign Ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Irans nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change. It warned the attacks risked triggering a humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe in the region and accused the U.S. and Israel of plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation. The ministry also said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi briefed Lavrov on Irans attempts to repel the attacks and said Iran would seek to convene an urgent U.N. Security Council session, it said. Lavrov reiterated Russias condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli strikes and Moscows readiness to help broker peace. Moscow called the bombing of nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards unacceptable and said it stood ready to help broker a peaceful resolution, while placing full responsibility for the escalation on the United States and Israel. "Responsibility for the negative consequences of this manmade crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and spiraling violence, lies entirely with them," the statement said. Russia's Foreign Ministry also condemned what it called the serial nature of destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. administration," accusing the U.S. of attacking "the international legal pillars of the world order." Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran. Iranian forces and Russian sailors conducted annual drills in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean last week aimed at upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences, Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported. Some observers in Moscow argue that the focus on the confrontation between Israel and Iran could distract global attention from the war in Ukraine and play into Russias hands by potentially weakening Western support for Kyiv. Two platoons from B Company had already tried to knock out the machine gun. Both had been driven back by heavy fire. When 5 Platoon's turn came, Lance Cpl. Kerry Rooney led his section straight at the position, throwing grenades before being cut down. It was the afternoon of Feb. 17, 1967, near the abandoned hamlet of Ap My An in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. The 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, had deployed to the area expecting to intercept retreating Viet Cong. Instead, they found a hardened defensive network manned by fighters who held their ground against overwhelming firepower. When Operation Bribie ended, eight Australians were dead and 27 were wounded. The men who survived were divided over whether to call it a battle or a beating. It was one of the deadliest days of the Vietnam War for Australian forces. The Australians returned to the battlefield the next morning and found a message written in blood on the side of a destroyed M113 armored personnel carrier. It read "Du Me Uc Dai Loi." The translation is roughly "Get fucked, Australians." Five national servicemen assigned to 6 RAR photographed shortly before they and the battalion were deployed to South Vietnam in 1966. (Wikimedia Commons) Australia's War in Phuoc Tuy Australia's military commitment to South Vietnam grew from a small advisory team in the early 1960s to a full task force by 1966. In April of that year, the 1st Australian Task Force established its base at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province, roughly 70 kilometers southeast of Saigon. The Australians operated with independence from American command, pursuing counter-insurgency tactics built on population control, cordon-and-search operations and intelligence-driven patrolling. That approach put them at sustained odds with Gen. William Westmoreland, the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam commander. Westmoreland had pressed Maj. Gen. Tim Vincent, Commander Australian Forces Vietnam, to adopt a more aggressive posture. The friction was a defining tension of the Australian effort through early 1967. III Corps Tactical Zone, December 1966. Phuoc Tuy Province is center at the bottom of the map, the site of Operation Bribie. (Wikimedia Commons) By that point the task force was comprised of two infantry battalions. The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, operated under Lt. Col. John Warr. The 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, served under Lt. Col. Colin Townsend. Total Australian strength in-country stood at roughly 6,300 men. Their primary adversary in Phuoc Tuy was D445 Battalion, a provincial Viet Cong unit that had fought the Australians at Long Tan in August 1966 and continued operating in the province afterward. When Brig. Stuart Graham replaced Brig. David Jackson as 1 ATF commander on Jan. 7, 1967, he backed Warr's proposal to focus on cordon-and-search operations. In the six days before Bribie, 5 RAR had captured 40 Viet Cong. Then D445 launched a new offensive. Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, the site of most Australian engagements during the Vietnam War. (Wikimedia Commons) The Night Before In the early hours of Feb. 17, 1967, a Viet Cong force from D445 attacked a South Vietnamese Regional Force compound near the coastal village of Lang Phuoc Hai, roughly 15 kilometers southeast of Nui Dat. The compound was held by the 612 Regional Force Company. The attack continued through the night. South Vietnamese troops pushed the attackers back by morning. Lt. Col. Jack Gilham, the senior American advisor in Phuoc Tuy, notified 1 ATF before dawn. By around 5 a.m., he was reporting the enemy strength had grown to an estimated two companies. Maj. Gordon Murphy, commanding A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, was woken and told to ready his M113 armored personnel carriers for a potential reaction mission. About two hours after the fighting at Lang Phuoc Hai ended, aerial reconnaissance reported something unexpected. A Viet Cong company had stopped and formed a perimeter in the dense jungle roughly two kilometers north of the village, near Ap My An. The enemy was not withdrawing. Graham and Townsend saw an opportunity. Every previous encounter with D445 had ended with the unit breaking contact and pulling back into the jungle. They anticipated the same and planned to insert 6 RAR behind the Viet Cong to cut off its withdrawal route before it could disappear. Viet Cong soldiers, believed to be from D445 Battalion. (Wikimedia Commons) A Company Walks Into a Trap At 1:45 p.m., A Company, 6 RAR, conducted an airmobile assault into a landing zone near Ap My An. The soldiers entered the tree line and had covered fewer than 200 meters when the Viet Cong opened fire. Machine guns fired from multiple directions. Snipers engaged from concealed positions. Six men from 2 Platoon were killed or wounded within the first minute of contact. The Viet Cong had constructed a U-shaped defensive network across the undergrowth, with camouflaged fighting positions arranged to deliver fire from the front and both flanks at once. Visibility through the dense jungle was just a few meters. The enemy was nearly invisible. A Company's lead platoons were pinned down for roughly 20 minutes under sustained fire, unable to advance. Some soldiers pulled casualties out under fire. The Australians had landed nearly on top of the Viet Cong rather than behind them, turning the planned intercept into a frontal engagement with no time to reorganize or coordinate. B Company, under Maj. Ian Mackay arrived under fire and pushed toward the contact. C Company was transported in by APCs. D Company landed by helicopter shortly after. What had been designed as a blocking operation had become a battalion-sized engagement assembled in pieces, with no coordinated assault plan. Townsend had been ordered not to become too heavily engaged and to return before nightfall, leaving every commander with almost no time to plan. The Australians were in a massive fight that they had not anticipated. B Company 6 RAR quick attack, 17 February 1967. (Wikimedia Commons) Bayonets at Ap My An With all companies committed, Townsend ordered a full frontal attack. The Australians pushed forward through vegetation so thick that enemy positions could not be identified until fire was already coming from them. The Australians were unable to accurately return fire through the dense brush without being on top of the positions. B Company's 6 Platoon received orders to destroy one of the machine guns that had stopped the advance. They fixed bayonets and charged through the vegetation toward the enemy. VC fire halted the assault and drove the platoon back. The gun kept firing, causing even more casualties. 5 Platoon received the order to attack the same position. They were to advance from a different direction and try to outflank it. Second Lt. John O'Halloran gave the command to move. O'Halloran later described what followed. "On my order to assault, the platoon as one arose and ran forward, yelling and screaming." Kerry Michael Rooney, 6RAR, was killed in action during Operation Bribie while charging an enemy machine-gun. (Virtual War Memorial Australia) Rooney led his section right at the position, threw grenades and charged in with his bayonet. He was killed before he reached it. The assault stalled. The survivors were pushed back and forced to find cover as the commanders tried to decide what to do next. Most of the men were pinned down and in serious danger of being overrun by VC forces. By the time B Company's assault collapsed, the company had seven killed and 19 wounded. Townsend asked Murphy whether the APCs could push around the right flank. A creek made the ground too wet and muddy to cross safely. An Iroquois helicopter from No 9 Squadron, lands in a paddy field, 15 km southeast of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) Headquarters, to pick up men of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during Operation Bribie against Viet Cong (VC) guerrillas. (Wikimedia Commons) The APC Assault The armored personnel carriers had been withheld based on a judgment that the dense undergrowth made the area unsuitable for vehicles. That assumption proved to be wrong. When the APCs finally pushed into the jungle to evacuate the casualties, the crews had difficulty locating B Company through smoke rising from fires burning across the forest floor. The confusion cost time the wounded could not spare. Once contact was established, the soldiers loaded casualties aboard the vehicles under continuing enemy fire. A Viet Cong gunner then put a 75mm recoilless rifle round through the open cargo hatch of one M113. The round killed the driver and wounded the vehicle commander. Soldiers in the back, some already wounded from earlier in the fight, were hit again. A second round struck the same M113 as the survivors bailed out. Unable to move the vehicle, the Australians destroyed it to prevent the Viet Cong from salvaging usable parts. The remaining APCs suppressed the enemy positions until the infantry could break contact and fall back to the landing zone. The fighting ended just before 7:30 p.m. Eight Australians were dead, and 27 were wounded. The engagement had lasted just over five hours. Though small in overall scale, it had become one of the costliest engagements involving Australian forces in the entire war. M113 (Armored Personnel Carrier) 134178 (Callsign 21B) after being hit by 3 rounds of recoilless rifle fire on 17 Feb 1967 during Operation Bribie. The commander was wounded, and the driver killed. (Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia) The End of the Battle That night, artillery and air strikes hit the Viet Cong positions. Napalm burned across the jungle floor. When 6 RAR returned to the battlefield on Feb. 18, D445 was gone. Eight enemy bodies were recovered. It was clear many more had been removed overnight. Fresh graves were later found along the Viet Cong withdrawal route. Australian intelligence assessed total enemy killed at between 50 and 70. D445 had held its ground, absorbed a full battalion assault, taken its dead and withdrawn before dawn. The unit could not mount a full battalion-strength operation for the rest of 1967. Its losses were increasingly backfilled by North Vietnamese regulars rather than local recruits. The Australians would continue to face D445 throughout the rest of the Vietnam War. A No. 2 Squadron Canberra bomber operating over South Vietnam in 1970. (Wikimedia Commons) No Clean Verdict Both sides declared victory. Hanoi announced a decisive Viet Cong triumph. Graham countered that the enemy had "got a thrashing," a position supported by intelligence showing D445's degraded operational capacity for the rest of the year. The soldiers who had fought the battle saw it differently. Private Robin Harris of 5 Platoon was direct about the result. "I think that on this occasion, Charlie's losses were overstated. It was us who had copped a hiding." APC commander David Clifton offered no qualification. "We had been soundly thrashed on Operation Bribie," he said. Mackay, whose B Company had borne the worst of the fighting, later tried to account for both sides honestly. The truth of Operation Bribie, he wrote, was that the two forces had "thoroughly belted each other." In terms of enemy bodies recovered against Australian losses, it was the worst exchange ratio the task force had seen in Vietnam. D445 had not been destroyed; their losses were minimal, while Australian losses were massive compared to previous engagements. 5 Platoon, B Company 6 RAR prior to Operation Bribie. Half the platoon became casualties during the fighting. (Wikimedia Commons) The Aftermath of Operation Bribie The battle exposed a series of compounding failures. Intelligence misidentified the Viet Cong position as a camp rather than a prepared defensive network. Armor was excluded from a terrain assessment that proved incorrect. The order not to become heavily engaged forced piecemeal decisions once A Company made contact. Companies were fed into the fight one at a time against a position that required a deliberate, coordinated assault with proper fire support. Cpl. Robin William Jones and Pvt. Richard Beverley Odendahl both received the Military Medal for their actions during the fighting. O'Halloran was Mentioned in Dispatches. During February 1967, 1 ATF lost 16 killed and 55 wounded in a single week, the heaviest casualty toll of the war to that point. For the first time in nine months of operations, the kill ratio had reversed against the Australians. Australian Centurion tanks at Vung Tau in South Vietnam during 1968. (Wikimedia Commons) Graham concluded the battle proved the need for a physical barrier to restrict Viet Cong movement through Phuoc Tuy. He pressed harder for a third infantry battalion and armored support, both of which Australian counter-insurgency doctrine had long deprioritized. A squadron of Centurion tanks arrived in late 1967. A third battalion reached the task force in December of that year. The sudden announcement of even more Australian forces being sent to the war led to an increase in anti-war demonstrations back home. Australian forces fought countless engagements throughout the rest of the war before withdrawing alongside American troops in 1971 and 1972. Their contributions to the war alongside U.S. forces are often forgotten. Each year, veterans of the battle gather at Bribie Island in Queensland, the island the operation was named for, to honor the eight men who did not come back from Ap My An. Sources: "Operation Bribie"; Anzac Portal, Department of Veterans' Affairs, "Australians in Operation Bribie 17 February 1967"; Australian War Memorial, collection records C291842 and LIB47974; Vietnam Veterans Museum of Australia, "Operation Bribie" (vwma.org.au); Royal Australian Regiment Association, "Proud Memories: The Battle of Bribie"; Ian McNeill, "Vietnam 1967: Operation Bribie," AWM collection LIB47974; Ian Mackay, "Phantoms of Bribie," via booksonwaraustralia.com; Infogalactic, "Operation Bribie"; "Australia in the Vietnam War"; "6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment"; "Battle of Long Tan" The fight over where military officers should attend graduate school erupted instantly and predictably. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced limits on sending service members to certain elite universities, and the reaction split into familiar camps. Some framed it as culture war politics. Others warned of intellectual narrowing inside the officer corps. But beneath the headlines is a deeper question, one the Department of Defense should have been asking regardless of who sits in the Pentagon; Why Do We Send Officers to Graduate School in the First Place? The controversy has focused on campuses and brand names. It should focus on capability. Because military-sponsored graduate education has never been about prestige or personal enrichment. It has always been about validated requirements, specific billets and measurable contributions to readiness. If this moment compels clearer standards, better oversight and more rigorous alignment between education and warfighting, then the debate may ultimately strengthen the force. And strengthening the force is not partisan. Its professional. Graduate School Is Not a Reward In civilian life, graduate education is often a personal investment. You go to business school, law school or a doctoral program to expand your thinking or increase your earning power. That is not how the military approaches it. Officers are not sent to graduate school just because they earned it. They are not sent primarily to broaden their horizons. They are not sent to collect prestige. They are sent because the service has a validated requirement tied to a specific billet. Across the services, regulations make that clear. The United States Army governs civilian schooling under AR 621-1. Officers attend civilian institutions only when it supports a documented requirement and when a follow-on utilization tour exists. Degrees are linked to functional areas and subspecialties. The United States Air Force manages advanced education through formal development policies such as AFI 36-2670. Graduate education aligns with force development categories and coded manpower needs. The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps operate similarly: officers are selected for specific educational programs to fill validated requirements in acquisition, regional expertise, technical specialties and strategic planning. I know this firsthand. I was sponsored by the military to earn both a masters degree and a Ph.D., not because I wanted additional credentials, but because the service had validated requirements tied to specific billets. I incurred additional service commitments and was assigned to positions that utilized that expertise. That is how the system is designed to work. This is structured talent management, not academic tourism. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Mar-a-Lago, Jan 3, 2026 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File). The Biggest Misconceptions The current debate reveals several persistent myths about military graduate education. Misconception #1: Its About Broadening Thinking Yes, exposure to civilian peers can be valuable. Yes, intellectual diversity matters. But that is not the primary reason the Department of War funds graduate degrees. The services send officers to acquire specific, scarce expertise such as: Artificial intelligence and data science Cyber operations Space systems engineering Foreign area and regional studies Advanced acquisition management Strategic policy analysis Logistics modeling for contested environments If broadening perspective were the goal, the military could accomplish that internally at far lower cost. Graduate education exists to close capability gaps. Misconception #2: Its About Prestige The public fixation on Ivy League branding misunderstands how the personnel system works. Officers do not simply apply wherever they want. They compete for quotas tied to force structure requirements. The degree is coded. The officer incurs an additional service commitment. The follow-on job is assigned. If a position requires advanced space architecture expertise, the service sends someone where that expertise is strongest. If a billet requires regional political analysis, a program is selected that is known for depth in that region. The name on the diploma is secondary to mission alignment. Misconception #3: The Military Could Just Teach It All Internally The Department of Defense operates exceptional institutions, including the Naval Postgraduate School, Air University and the United States Army War College. These schools are critical to professional military education. But they cannot replicate every cutting-edge AI laboratory, every advanced semiconductor research program, every global economic modeling center or every specialized regional institute. Civilian universities often sit at the leading edge of research ecosystems the military needs access to. Sending officers externally is a strategic decision about capability, not culture. Why Scrutiny Is Healthy A potential upside to Hegseths decision is this: it forces a long-overdue examination of how graduate programs end up on approved lists in the first place. For years, the process has largely operated on precedent. Certain institutions built reputations decades ago. Quotas were established. Relationships continued. Over time, those pathways became normalized. But normalization is not the same as validation. In a rapidly evolving security environment, where artificial intelligence, space systems, cyber warfare and contested logistics dominate planning, every graduate slot should be defensible in terms of capability return on investment. That is not ideological. That is stewardship. Periodic review of where taxpayer dollars are spent, especially in officer development, is not an attack on education. It is responsible force management. The Debate We Should Be Having Instead of arguing about Harvard versus state schools, we should be asking harder questions: What skills will define 21st-century warfare? Where is that expertise best developed? Are graduate-educated officers measurably outperforming peers in validated billets? Are follow-on assignments fully utilizing the education we fund? Are approved programs regularly reassessed against readiness outcomes? These are not partisan questions. They are strategic ones. If a program strengthens warfighting capability, it belongs on the list. If it does not, it should be reconsidered regardless of brand name. The Point Everyone Is Missing The services already impose guardrails: Validated billet requirements Competitive selection processes Service commitments Subspecialty coding Follow-on utilization tours This is not casual enrollment. The mission is not to validate universities. The mission is to win. Graduate education is one tool in building the intellectual architecture required for deterrence and warfighting. If this controversy pushes the Department of Defense to better define, measure and defend how graduate education strengthens readiness, then it will have served a useful purpose. Because in military education, as in warfighting, capability matters more than branding. And capability is what ultimately determines victory. Pakistan carried out airstrikes on military targets in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province early on February 27, 2026, hours after Afghan Taliban forces launched ground attacks on Pakistani border posts. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called the situation "open war" and said Islamabad's patience had run out. The operation, named Ghazab Lil Haq or "Righteous Fury," targeted Taliban brigade headquarters, weapons depots, and border installations in a direct strike on the Taliban government for the first time since it took power in 2021. Pakistani officials said the strikes hit 22 Afghan military sites, destroyed 83 Taliban posts, and captured 17 others. They reported 274 Taliban fighters killed and more than 400 injured, along with the loss of over 80 vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment (according to Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, military spokesman, via Radio Pakistan and DG ISPR statements). Pakistan acknowledged 12 of its own soldiers killed, 27 injured, and one missing from the preceding border clashes. The Taliban disputed those numbers, claiming its forces killed 55 Pakistani troops in the initial assault, captured or destroyed 19 Pakistani posts, and suffered only light losses (according to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, reported by Reuters and Al Jazeera). This flare-up follows months of rising tensions and represents the most serious direct fighting between the two neighbors in years. Pakistani leaders framed the action as necessary self-defense against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani offshoot of the Taliban that uses Afghan territory as a launchpad for attacks inside Pakistan. An Afghan Taliban soldier stands in guard on the Afghan side of the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan in Torkham, Afghanistan, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Wahidullah Kakar) Timeline of Escalation The current round began building in early February. On February 11, Asif warned that Pakistan might act against TTP hideouts in Afghanistan before Ramadan if the Taliban did not crack down. Terror attacks inside Pakistan have added significant pressure, including a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad killed 36, and an assault in Bajaur killed 11 soldiers and a child (according to Pakistani reports cited in multiple outlets including The Guardian). On February 19, Pakistan formally warned the Afghan ambassador. Late on February 21, the Pakistan Air Force struck seven alleged TTP and ISIS-K camps in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. The Taliban called those raids attacks on civilians and religious sites, claiming 18 dead, including 11 children; the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed at least 13 civilians killed and seven injured (per UNAMA reports referenced in news coverage). A brief lull gave way to renewed border firing on February 24. Then, on the evening of February 26 around 8 p.m. local time, the Taliban launched what it called a large-scale offensive against Pakistani positions along the Durand Line. Fighting erupted near Torkham and in multiple sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan responded immediately with artillery and, overnight, shifted to deep strikes under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq. Explosions rocked Kabul, with secondary blasts reported at a weapons depot on the western outskirts. Strikes also hit Kandahar, the Taliban's spiritual heartland, and Paktia province. By Friday morning, clashes continued near Torkham. Pakistani artillery fire was visible from the Afghan side, and Afghan troops moved toward the frontier. The Taliban said it carried out drone strikes on Pakistani targets; Pakistan reported downing all of them with no damage (per Pakistani military statements in DawnNews and other sources). Inside Operation Ghazab Lil Haq Pakistani forces used air-to-ground missiles and precision strikes on Taliban military offices, headquarters, and ammunition storage. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operation hit defense facilities in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, with possible further casualties (according to his statements on X and reported by Moneycontrol and others). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated the armed forces would "crush" any aggression and that the nation stood united behind them. The name Ghazab Lil Haq translates roughly to "Righteous Fury," signaling Islamabad's view that the action is justified retaliation after repeated warnings and failed diplomacy. This marks a policy shift: earlier Pakistani strikes since 2021 and 2024 targeted only suspected militant camps, not official Taliban military positions. Now Pakistan is hitting the Taliban government directly to force it to end its tolerance of TTP sanctuaries. Casualties and Claims Numbers differ sharply, as is common in the opening hours of such clashes. Pakistan's military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reported 274 Taliban killed since Thursday night and 12 Pakistani soldiers lost (via DG ISPR and Radio Pakistan). The Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani strikes hit civilian areas in Jalalabad and Paktia, including a religious school and a farmer's home, but gave lower figures for its own military losses: 13 fighters killed and 12 wounded in the retaliatory phase. The Taliban claimed 55 Pakistani troops killed in its February 26 offensive and said it seized posts and equipment (per Mujahid's statements to Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC). Independent verification remains limited. UNAMA has confirmed civilian deaths from the earlier February 21 strikes but has not yet reported on the latest round. On-the-ground journalists near Torkham described heavy artillery exchanges and wounded civilians arriving at hospitals in Jalalabad. Wikimedia Commons Roots of the Conflict: TTP and the Durand Line At its core, the fighting stems from Pakistan's insistence that the Afghan Taliban allow TTP fighters to operate from Afghan soil. The TTP, which shares ideology with the Afghan Taliban but fights to overthrow the Pakistani state, has stepped up attacks since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Pakistan says safe havens in Afghanistan enable these strikes The Taliban denies harboring them and accuses Pakistan of interfering in Afghan affairs. The disputed Durand Line, the 2,610-kilometer colonial-era border that splits Pashtun tribes, adds fuel. It is named after Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the British diplomat and foreign secretary of colonial India who negotiated the 1893 agreement with Emir Abdur Rahman Khan to delineate spheres of influence between British India and Afghanistan. Neither side fully accepts it today, and it has seen repeated clashes. A Qatar-mediated ceasefire in October 2025 collapsed amid continued TTP violence and cross-border incidents. Pakistan tried talks, demarches, and limited strikes, but Asif said: Our cup of patience has overflowed. Military Dynamics in Play Pakistan brings overwhelming conventional advantages: a modern air force with JF-17s and F-16s, superior artillery, and a 660,000-strong active military. It can strike deep into Afghanistan while protecting its own airspace. The Taliban claims to field roughly 170,000 soldiers, including many veterans of the fight against U.S. and NATO forces, but lacks meaningful air power and relies on light infantry, captured weapons, drones, and knowledge of rugged terrain. This gives Pakistan the ability to conduct limited, punitive operations aimed at changing Taliban behavior on sanctuaries without full invasion. The Taliban can respond with ground raids, suicide attacks, and asymmetric harassment along the long, porous border. So far, both sides appear calibrated: Pakistan claims to avoid broad civilian targeting, and the Taliban has not yet escalated to major incursions inside Pakistan proper. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid speaks to journalists in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sibghatullah) Regional Stakes and What Comes Next The fighting risks drawing in neighbors. China watches its CPEC investments in Pakistan; India, long accused by Islamabad of backing anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan, stays alert. Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran have offered mediation. Former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has, in the past, called for a monitored agreement so neither side allows territory to threaten the other. For now, Pakistan says operations continue on the prime minister's orders until the threat is addressed. With Ramadan ongoing, the coming days will test whether force compels restraint or sparks a wider, prolonged border war. This remains a fluid situation. Iran launched missiles on Saturday, Feb. 28, that struck near the United States Navys Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, in what Iranian officials described as retaliation for earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Video circulating online showed smoke rising from the area of the base. Bahrains government confirmed that a missile attack targeted the Fifth Fleet facility and characterized the strike as a violation of its sovereignty. The Fifth Fleet service center was subjected to a missile attack and that emergency response teams were deployed. It is currently unknown if there were any casualties related to this specific strike. The Bahrain strike occurred amid a broader exchange of military actions across the Middle East. Earlier today, the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian territory aimed at degrading missile and military infrastructure. Iranian state media and officials subsequently announced retaliatory missile and drone launches against U.S. military facilities hosted in Gulf states. Multiple U.S.-linked sites across the region are coming under threat, including installations in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Air defense systems in several countries were activated. Coverage of the broader exchange emphasized that Iran framed its actions as defensive retaliation for what it characterized as aggression. Iran has also reportedly attacked sites in Dubai, including the Fairmont Hotel. Strategic Importance Of Fifth Fleet The U.S. Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, has an area of operations encompassing nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area. This includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. Their operational theatre is comprised of 21 countries, including three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen. The command plays a central role in maritime security operations and protection of shipping lanes. Smoke rises over Manama, Bahrain, on Feb. 28, 2026. Source: Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes. Since the Fifth Fleet headquarters is located in Manama, near civilian areas, any strike on or near the facility carries immediate implications for host-nation security and civilian infrastructure. Bahrains government described the attack not only as a military incident but as a direct infringement on national sovereignty. Early reporting did not confirm American military fatalities at the Bahrain installation. The strike hit near the base and showed smoke rising from the vicinity of the service center, but official casualty figures have not yet been released. Since multiple projectiles were reportedly intercepted across the Gulf region, analysts cautioned that some visible explosions could reflect air-defense interceptions rather than direct structural hits. Regional outlets noted air-defense systems engaged incoming threats across several countries during the exchange. The strike on Bahrain marks one of the most direct confrontations between Iran and U.S. forces in the Gulf in recent years. Iran publicly vowed further retaliation while international actors called for de-escalation and emergency diplomatic engagement. It has been reported by some outlets that American and Israeli strikes on Tehran killed at least 80 children. Given the Fifth Fleets strategic role, any sustained targeting of Bahrain-based facilities could have implications for maritime security, energy markets and regional stability. Tesla recently filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles, seeking to overturn a previous ruling by the agency. The DMV had determined that Teslas advertising regarding the autonomous driving capabilities of its vehicles was misleading and potentially violated California state law. (tesla california getty) The lawsuit has drawn renewed attention to a dispute that had appeared to be resolved. Just last week, the DMV announced that it would not suspend Teslas license to sell and manufacture vehicles for 30 days, as Tesla had complied with the agencys demand to cease using the term Autopilot in its marketing materials in California. Instead, the regulator granted Tesla a 60-day period to come into compliance. According to CNBC, although an administrative law judge had previously supported the DMVs request for a penalty, the regulator ultimately chose not to enforce it. While Tesla adjusted its promotional language as required, its response was notably extremeit not only stopped using the term in California but also eliminated related Autopilot references across North America. With the new lawsuit, Tesla may be seeking to pave the way for reinstating such terminology. Roger Luo said: Teslas lawsuit aims to reclaim its marketing narrative, but its extreme compliance measures and legal action reveal the challenge of balancing brand messaging with regulatory pressure. The boundaries for autonomous driving advertising still need clarification. All articles and pictures are from the Internet. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us in time to delete. Inquiry us Your name Your e-mail Subject Your message (optional) {46+24)/5=? A damaged building and a shattered car are seen at a temporary camp following a strike in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 28, 2026. Three Afghan returnees lost their lives and seven others were injured after Pakistani forces struck a temporary camp of returnees in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Saturday, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua) KABUL, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Three Afghan returnees lost their lives and seven others were injured after Pakistani forces struck a temporary camp of returnees in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Saturday, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said. Pakistani forces launched the airstrikes and bombarded the temporary camp of returnees in Kandahar at 08:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Fitrat said in a statement posted on his social media X. In a related development, an Afghan official claimed that a pilotless aircraft allegedly sent by Pakistan to attack Afghan territory crashed in the eastern Afghanistan Khost province on Saturday. Tensions between the two neighboring countries have risen in recent days amid a surge in militant violence in border regions. A man is pictured inside a damaged building after a strike hit a temporary camp in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 28, 2026. Three Afghan returnees lost their lives and seven others were injured after Pakistani forces struck a temporary camp of returnees in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Saturday, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua) This photo taken on Feb. 28, 2026 shows an interior view of a damaged building at a temporary camp following a strike in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Three Afghan returnees lost their lives and seven others were injured after Pakistani forces struck a temporary camp of returnees in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Saturday, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua) Debris of damaged buildings are seen at a temporary camp following a strike in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 28, 2026. Three Afghan returnees lost their lives and seven others were injured after Pakistani forces struck a temporary camp of returnees in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Saturday, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua) Sheetal Kumari is a skilled sub-editor and content creator with expertise in digital news, multimedia storytelling, and social media content. With a strong grasp of topics like science, politics, and many more, she crafts compelling narratives, transforming complex topics and trending stories into engaging, accessible reads across various media platforms. Did our AI summary help? MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. Did our AI summary help? Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Raghav, who recently earned widespread recognition for his performances in Kill and The Bastards of Bollywood, continues to expand his cinematic footprint with this new venture. A drone show is staged during the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) JAKARTA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, cabinet ministers and other senior Indonesian officials, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong, as well as representatives from various parts of the country, attended the celebration. At the event, folk dances, Tai Chi, martial arts, and lion dance performances were staged. As an important measure to promote cultural inclusion and national unity, the Indonesian government held the Chinese New Year celebration at the national level for the first time this year. Performers dance during a parade of the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Performers dance at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Performers dance at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Performers dance at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Performers attend the parade of the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Performers dance during a parade of the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 28, 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivered a video address at the first national-level Chinese New Year celebration held in Jakarta on Saturday. While extending new year greetings, Prabowo stressed that the Chinese New Year has become an important occasion reflecting Indonesia's unity in diversity. He expressed his hope that the new year would bring blessings, health, peace, and new hope to everyone. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain) Did our AI summary help? Sriva A is a seasoned film critic with a keen eye for storytelling, cinematography, and performances. A division bench of justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan stayed a single judges order that had put the films screening on hold for 15 days. Did our AI summary help? The show unfolded inside an immersive setting that paid tribute to Italys deep-rooted artisanal traditions. Did our AI summary help? Did our AI summary help? When Vijay Thelapathy and Trisha Krishnan were in Norway Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Anthropic also said mass domestic surveillance would violate "fundamental rights". United States has started carrying out strikes on Iran, US media reported on February 28, after Israel said it had attacked its long-standing regional adversary. (AFP images) PARIS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. In a post on social media platform X, Macron said the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all and must stop. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran less than two days after the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, which the mediator Oman has said made "substantial progress" toward a deal. However, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday voiced unhappiness with the way the talks were going, saying Iranians "are not willing to give us what we have to have." "At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East," he said, adding that France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it. Macron said France is calling for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council and that he is in close contact with European partners and friends in the Middle East. The French Foreign Ministry on Friday issued a security advisory for French nationals against travel to Israel in light of the security situation in Iran and its possible local repercussions. Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com The transaction marks a watershed moment for aircraft financing in India, opening the door to a funding pool historically reserved for top-tier global airlines The manufacturing recovery, flagged in the Q3 corporate results, has shown up in the data as expected Altman said OpenAI is urging the Defense Department to offer the same terms to all AI providers. Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran. (Courtesy: Reuters photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a copy of Modi at 75 from Rahul Joshi (R), Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief, and Brajesh Kumar Singh, Group Editor for Integration and Convergence. The closure of airspaces by the affected countries will impact schedules of flights from India to Europe, UK and North AmericaThe closure of airspaces by the affected countries will impact schedules of flights from India to Europe, UK and North America This photo taken on Feb. 1, 2026 shows a view in Tehran, Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of negotiations with the United States within the framework of the nuclear issue, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday, citing an unnamed government source. (Xinhua/Shadati) Many European countries urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other Middle East regions, citing that a regional escalation could result in flight cancellations and prolonged airspace closures, and warning that the situation could deteriorate rapidly. BRUSSELS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- More European countries on Friday urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other Middle East regions due to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. The British government said it has temporarily withdrawn staff from Iran, with its embassy continuing to operate remotely, and advised against all travel to the country. The French Foreign Ministry issued a security advisory for French nationals against travel to Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing possible regional repercussions from the situation involving Iran. It warned of potential flight cancellations or delays and urged citizens in affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid gatherings. Italy also urged its citizens to leave Iran and advised extreme caution across the Middle East. "Italians in (Iran) for tourism or whose presence is not strictly necessary are urged to depart," the foreign ministry said in a statement, strongly discouraging travel to Iraq and Lebanon as well. Germany updated its travel guidance to discourage travel to all of Israel, expanding earlier advice that had applied only to certain parts of the country. Israeli and U.S. naval forces participate in a joint drill in the Red Sea on Feb. 1, 2026. Israeli and U.S. naval forces held a joint drill in the Red Sea on Sunday, the Israeli military said Monday, highlighting strengthened maritime cooperation as regional tensions with Iran continue to rise. (Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Xinhua) Poland's Foreign Ministry called on its citizens to leave Iran, Israel and Lebanon immediately, warning that the security situation in the Middle East is unstable and that potential closures of civilian airspace could make flights impossible or severely disrupted. The Dutch Foreign Ministry raised its travel advisory to red for the border areas between Israel and Gaza, Lebanon and Egypt, citing rising tensions in the Middle East. "Due to the current tensions in the Middle East, the security situation in Israel is uncertain," the ministry said in a statement, adding, "Whatever your situation, do not travel there. It is too dangerous." Many European countries have issued travel warnings even earlier. The Finnish foreign ministry advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and immediately leave Yemen and Libya in travel advisories updated in February. The Serbian Foreign Ministry has told its nationals in Iran to leave as soon as possible. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said in February that people who decided to stay in Iran should not expect any government-sponsored evacuation, updating its January advisory that its citizens should avoid all travel to Iran and leave the country immediately. Media reporters wait near the Omani ambassador's residence in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2026. The third round of indirect Iran-U.S. nuclear talks under the mediation of Oman began in Geneva, Switzerland, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) The U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived off Israel's coast on Friday, following a fruitless third round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva, Switzerland. Tensions have been escalating in recent days as senior U.S. officials have repeatedly warned of possible military intervention against Iran. The United States has amassed two aircraft carrier strike groups, over 150 combat aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters, and has reinforced its bases in Jordan and Israel. Washington has evacuated non-essential staff from its embassy in Beirut. Meanwhile, Iran has said it will retaliate against U.S. military facilities in the region if attacked. According to the Dutch government's official statement, an escalation in the region could result in flight cancellations and prolonged airspace closures. The risk of drone and missile attacks also remains. The situation could deteriorate rapidly. With energy projects frozen under sanctions, Indias main exposure in Iran is now trade and students. At a Kisan Mahachaupal in Punjab, the Congress leader alleges the framework will hurt farmers and MSMEs and questions tariff concessions. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Reports suggest that loud explosions have been heard in Tehran The Thar driver - Harsh - has been taken into custody and the car impounded. (Courtesy: ANI) A plume of smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran. (Courtesy: AFP photo) Rajesh Kumar Singh says India must protect access to Central Asia and Afghanistan via Chabahar while advancing defence modernisation and indigenisation. LONDON/BRUSSELS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- European leaders reacted with alarm on Saturday to the escalating crisis following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, urging restraint, the protection of civilians, and respect for international law, while moving quickly to coordinate diplomatically and review security measures, including staff reductions, updated travel advisories and possible evacuations. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said developments related to Iran were "greatly concerning," urging all sides to exercise maximum restraint. "We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law," they said in a joint statement. European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned the latest developments across the Middle East were "perilous," said non-essential EU personnel were being withdrawn, and noted that she had spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and other ministers in the region as the EU coordinated with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths. French President Emmanuel Macron said that the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. In a post on social media platform X, Macron said the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all and must stop. "At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East," he said, adding that France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it. Britain said it "stands ready" to protect its interests in the Middle East and does not want the crisis to expand into a wider regional conflict. A government spokesperson said the country has a range of defensive capabilities in the region that have recently been bolstered. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video statement that British planes "are in the sky today" in the Middle East as part of "co-ordinated regional defensive operations" to protect British people and interests. In a joint statement published by 10 Downing Street, France, Germany and Britain said they "did not participate in these strikes" and that they were "in close contact" with international partners, including the United States, Israel and partners in the region, reiterating their commitment to regional stability and the protection of civilian life. Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said it was deeply alarmed by the strikes and called for full respect of international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. Switzerland said its representation in Tehran remained operational and that embassy staffing had been reduced in recent days, with the ambassador on site. It also said its representation in Tel Aviv was operational. UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned Saturday's strikes and urged all parties to return to negotiations, saying that attacks would only bring "death, destruction and human misery." Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the U.S. attack reflected a broader shift in world politics and warned that further escalation was possible, describing the wider Middle East situation as fragile. Stubb said that the United States was acting "widely outside international law" and "using its hegemony strongly on the world stage." Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the situation "a serious escalation" and urged restraint, protection of civilians and respect for international law, adding that Sweden was monitoring potential impacts on Swedish security and would convene a national security council meeting to assess implications and the safety of Swedish citizens. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said Latvia was carefully monitoring events and maintaining regular contact with its embassies, EU member states and other countries. "Latvian troops deployed on international missions in the Middle East are safe, and the National Armed Forces remain in regular contact with them," she said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned the conflict could have serious economic consequences, particularly for global oil supply, noting that disruptions in production or transport could tighten markets and push up prices. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Polish citizens, including embassy staff in Tehran, were safe and that Warsaw was prepared for various scenarios. Poland's embassy in Israel said its consular section would remain closed to visitors until further notice. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office said that Meloni would remain in contact with key allies and regional leaders to support any initiative that could help ease tensions. Portugal's foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring developments. Portuguese analysts, speaking in media interviews, described the situation as one of mounting risk amid limited military actions, warning of the possibility of further escalation while stressing that outcomes could range from renewed negotiations to a more unpredictable confrontation, with regional spillover risks remaining high. While there remains uncertainty over when flying restrictions may be lifted, Gulf-based carriers were still offering tickets for March 2 departures from India to Europe with one-stop connections via their hubs. Ahead of Modis Feb 25-26 visit, there was a widespread speculation that Israel and possibly the United States would avoid launching any strike on Iran at the time of his official trip The military escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan is unprecedented and may quickly lead to heavy losses on both sides before the process of de-escalation even begins Global crude oil prices have surged past the $100-per-barrel mark amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, raising a key question for investors: is this the right time to consider energy-focused mutual funds? Brent crude prices jumped sharply on Monday as fears of supply disruptions rattled global energy markets. During intraday trading, prices briefly spiked close to $120 a barrel, reflecting the growing volatility triggered by the intensifying conflict in the region. The spike in oil prices is also being closely watched in India, where higher crude typically raises concerns around inflation, fuel prices and pressure on corporate margins, factors that can influence stock markets and investor sentiment. Against this backdrop, the rally in oil has brought energy stocks and sector-focused mutual funds back into focus for investors looking to capitalise on the trend. West Asia is currently witnessing a high-intensity multi-front conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The crisis escalated following coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran that reportedly resulted in the death of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Why energy funds look attractive during oil spikes Energy funds tend to perform well during periods when oil prices rise sharply, as higher crude prices often improve the earnings outlook for energy companies. This can lead to short bursts of strong performance in funds that are heavily exposed to the sector. As a result, investors often start considering these funds when oil prices rally. However, experts say that investing based purely on short-term commodity movements can be risky. The danger of chasing hot sectors Lt Col Rochak Bakshi, CFP at Trunor Enterprises, says "While crude crossing $100 may make energy funds look appealing, investors should be cautious about rushing in after a sharp rally. With crude back above $100, energy funds will naturally look tempting, but jumping in after such a sharp move is usually a behavioural mistake rather than a strategy. Bakshi further explains that over longer periods, diversified equity indices have generally delivered better risk-adjusted returns than narrowly focused sector funds. Energy as a sector often outperforms spectacularly in short bursts around oil spikes. But history shows that investors who chase hot sectors after big rallies often enter late and bear the downside when prices mean-revert, he adds. Why diversification still matters Sectoral funds are inherently cyclical because their performance is closely tied to commodity price movements and global demand cycles. This makes them more volatile compared with diversified equity funds. Instead of making large lump-sum bets after a sudden rally, experts say investors may be better served by maintaining a diversified portfolio and following disciplined asset allocation. Disciplined asset allocation and staggered entry through systematic investment plans (SIPs) tend to serve investors far better, Bakshi says. The bottom line for investors Energy-focused funds can sometimes deliver strong returns during periods of rising oil prices, but they also carry higher concentration risk. For most retail investors, such funds may work better as a small tactical allocation rather than a core portfolio holding. With crude prices reacting sharply to geopolitical developments, the trajectory of oil markets will largely depend on how the conflict evolves and whether supply disruptions actually materialise. Until there is greater clarity, experts say investors should avoid chasing sectors purely on momentum and instead remain focused on long-term, diversified investment strategies. Medical staff described the delivery as uncommon but carefully managed. Founder says explosion occurred 10 km away in Dubai amid regional strikes. Punch went viral, and so did his orange soft toy. (Image credit: Reuters) Five additional organs from the same donor were transplanted into four recipients, saving their lives. KIEV, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree to sanction 10 Russian transport and logistics companies, according to the Ukrainian president's official website Saturday. The sanctions list includes private Russian companies that deliver items for Russian troops. Postal operators that have circumvented sanctions to create channels for so-called parallel imports of dual-use goods (such as electronics and drones) are also subject to the sanctions, according to the website. When Black Holes Whisper, India Will Hear Them: The Bigger Meaning Behind LIGO-India (Image: Canva) Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day The strikes by Pakistan were the first time it had directly targeted its former allies over allegations they are harbouring militants; it described the situation as "open war". The plane, a Hercules aircraft belonging to the Bolivian air force, was transporting new banknotes from the Central Bank to other cities. (Courtesy: X) Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026. (REUTERS) One of the witnesses said he saw thick black smoke rising from a hotel on the palm and heard ambulances rushing towards the scene. LONDON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- British Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons on Saturday left the government following controversy over a think tank he previously led that reportedly gathered information on journalists. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had asked his independent ethics adviser, Laurie Magnus, to examine whether Simons had breached the ministerial code. Simons said he had been cleared of breaking the code but decided to step down, saying his continued presence in office had become a "distraction." The row centers on Labour Together, a think tank Simons ran before entering government. Media reports alleged that the organization paid for background research into journalists who had published a critical story about it. According to the British government, Simons was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from January 9 to February 28. He was Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office from September 7, 2025 to February 28. Pahlavi also addressed Irans military, police, and security forces, urging them to protect civilians rather than defend the regime US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered explosions and missile interceptions across Gulf capitals. Iran retaliated with missile attacks, targeting US bases. US forces in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, and UAE remain on high alert amid escalating regional conflict. Did our AI summary help? A smoke plume rises over Abu Dhabi from the site of an Iranian missile strike After a volatile 24 hours in West Asia, attention turns to a 2025 SaudiPakistan mutual defence agreement and what it actually requires. Irans state news agency IRNA said President Masoud Pezeshkian was alive and in good health, amid the escalating tensions Khamenei, aged 86, has been Iran's supreme leader since 1989, succeeding the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and has maintained ultimate authority over Iran's government, military, and judiciary Israel-Iran War News Live: Minab school strike kills over 100 students, Iran declares day of mourning At least 108 students have been killed in a strike on a girls school in the southern city of Minab, Iranian state media IRIB reported on Sunday, citing the citys prosecutor. The attack, attributed to a USIsraeli military operation, struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls school during class hours, officials said. Dozens more were reported injured, and rescue teams continue to search through the rubble for survivors. Video footage released by IRIB showed body bags stacked inside the school building, underscoring the scale of the tragedy. In response, the local governor declared a day of public mourning in the province for Sunday, while authorities urged citizens to remain vigilant and support emergency efforts. MOSCOW, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran is a deliberate act of aggression and an escalation with predictably negative consequences for the entire region, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Saturday. The attack requires an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma, was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency. Earlier in the day, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said all U.S. negotiations with Iran were "a cover operation" in which no significant results were intended, and "the peacemaker has once again showed his face." The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran after the recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva failed to yield a deal to avert the crisis. The strike follows Junes 12-day aerial conflict between Israel and Iran Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28. Even as Washington and Tehran signal interest in diplomacy, the US administration under Donald Trump has reinforced its military buildup in the Middle East Trump said more discussions on Iran would take place later in the day. Israeli PM Netanyahu announced a joint US-Israel operation against Iran to remove an "existential threat," targeting Iran's military and nuclear capabilities. He urged Israeli unity, warning of possible retaliation and broader regional instability. Did our AI summary help? WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Iran nuclear talks have made "substantial progress" toward a deal which "is within our reach", Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, a major mediator, said Friday. Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump voiced unhappiness with the way the talks held in Geneva were going, Albusaidi told CBS News that Iran has agreed to "never, ever have ... nuclear material that will create a bomb," calling it a "big achievement." Iran's existing stockpiles of enriched uranium would be "blended to the lowest level possible" and "converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible," according to Albusaidi. Iran is willing to grant inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency "full access" to its nuclear sites in order to verify the terms of the deal, said Albusaidi. "There would be zero accumulation, zero stockpiling, and full verification," he said, a "peace deal is within our reach". He added that "a little bit more time" is needed to iron out some details, suggesting that a deal could be struck imminently, though the two sides may need three months to implement the terms of any agreement. Additional technical talks are scheduled for Monday in Vienna, and Albusaidi voiced hope that he can meet again with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Also on Friday, Trump said he's "not happy" since Iranians "are not willing to give us what we have to have" during the talks, demanding Iran stop enriching uranium altogether. "I say, no enrichment." Trump said at an event in Texas. Iran has long ruled out giving up its uranium enrichment program. "We'll see what happens. We're talking later," Trump told reporters as he left the White House earlier on Friday, noting he has not made a final decision on potential military operations against Iran. Tensions between the United States and Iran were soaring amid massive U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear talks. The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran after failed talks and protests. Key figures include Trump, Khamenei, Netanyahu, Pahlavi, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, each shaping the crisis through hardline stances and regional interests. Did our AI summary help? A day after the United States and Iran held talks in Geneva, Trump said that the cleric-run state was "not willing to give us what we have to have." Pakistan bombarded Afghanistan's major cities in its most significant attacks since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 with the US withdrawal. US and Israeli leaders threaten strikes on Irans key nuclear sites, including Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan, Arak, and Tehran, aiming to curb enrichment and missile capabilities. Iran fortifies facilities, raising risks of escalation and regional instability. Did our AI summary help? US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile attacks on US bases in the Gulf, including Bahrain. Irans ballistic arsenal poses a major threat to US military assets, raising risks of wider regional conflict and escalation. Did our AI summary help? President Trump announced a massive and ongoing US military campaign against Iran to neutralize imminent threats, citing Irans endangerment of US forces and allies. The operation aims to destroy Irans missile and nuclear capabilities, escalating regional tensions. Did our AI summary help? WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Iran nuclear talks have made "substantial progress" toward a deal which "is within our reach," Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, a major mediator, told CBS News on Friday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said he is "not happy" with the way the talks is going. Albusaidi said Iran has agreed that it will "never, ever have ... nuclear material that will create a bomb," calling it a "big achievement." Iran's existing stockpiles of enriched uranium would be "blended to the lowest level possible" and "converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible," according to Albusaidi. The White House does not want to provoke Chinese president Xi Jinping ahead of US President Donald Trump's April visit. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said early Saturday morning that U.S. forces have launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran, raising questions about whether the White House is seeking Iran's regime change and how expansive the operation will be. Lawmakers also question the lack of Congress' authorization. GOALS In an eight-minute video address from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the United States would destroy Iran's missile industry and naval forces, prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and neutralize Iran-backed armed groups across the Middle East. He also urged members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces and police to lay down their weapons in exchange for immunity, and called on the Iranian public to "take over the government" once U.S. military operations conclude -- remarks that analysts said signaled at least an implicit push for regime change. Trump repeated his claim that Iran is developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Several U.S. media outlets, citing intelligence officials, reported there is no conclusive intelligence to support that assertion. The New York Times reported that a 2025 Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found Iran had not decided to build an intercontinental ballistic missile. In a brief interview with The Washington Post early Saturday morning, Trump said he hoped his legacy from the Iran strikes would be "freedom for the people" and "a safe country." "Mr. Trump's approach to Iran is reckless. His goals are ill-defined," The New York Times commented in an editorial opinion. BROADER CAMPAIGN The Pentagon has named the operation "Operation Epic Fury," which U.S. officials told news outlets could continue for days or weeks and is expected to surpass the scope of the 12-day U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in June 2025. In the opening wave early Saturday morning, dozens of aircraft scrambled from U.S. bases in the Middle East and from aircraft carriers in regional waters and struck targets across Iran. Initial targets included missile launch sites and other military facilities dispersed throughout the country, according to reports reaching here. Videos verified by The New York Times showed strikes in central Tehran near the presidential compound, the Supreme National Security Council and other key government buildings, as well as near the Intelligence Ministry. CNN, citing Israeli security sources, reported that senior Iranian officials were among the intended targets. The U.S. military's targets appeared to extend beyond Iran's borders. An Iran-aligned militia base in Iraq was hit, according to reports, while Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets and U.S. facilities across the region. Multiple U.S. embassies in the Middle East have instructed personnel to shelter in place. The Pentagon has planned an escalating series of strikes with off-ramps along the way, CNN reported, citing a senior U.S. official who said each round will be over in a one- to two-day period with pauses to reset and assess battle damage. The Trump administration mounted the largest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War, deploying two aircraft carriers and multiple destroyers. Senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have said repeatedly that no U.S. ground troops would be sent into Iran. LAWMAKERS PUSH BACK Reactions on Capitol Hill were swift and divided. Republican Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced his support of the attack on Iran. "This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests," he said in a statement. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Trump administration didn't provide Congress with any "real briefings or intelligence" ahead of the massive military operations against Iran. "The president barely mentioned Iran during the longest State of the Union speech in history. He failed to define the objective," Reed said in a statement. "Congress has received no real briefings or intelligence, and it is hard to justify action without rationale," the senator said. Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona and former Marine who had served in Iraq, said on social media early Saturday morning that Americans should not have to "pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn't been explained or justified to the American people." Thomas Massie, a Republican House lawmaker from Kentucky, criticized the strikes on Iran as "acts of war unauthorized by Congress" in a social media post shortly after the U.S. launched the strikes on Iran. February 28, 2026 U.S.-Iran A War Of Aggressions Which Aims Can Not Be Achieved Yesterday the Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, the mediator in talks between the U.S. and Iran, revealed that Iran had offered unprecedented restrictions of its nuclear program to prevent a war. During a CBS interview he explained: MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I am confident, and in my assessment of the way the talks are going, I think there is, really I can see that the peace deal is within our reach. MARGARET BRENNAN: A peace deal? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Yes, is within our reach, if we just allow diplomacy the space it needs to get there. Because I dont think any alternative to diplomacy is going to solve this problem. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: The single most important achievement, I believe, is the agreement that Iran will never, ever have a nuclear material that will create a bomb. This is, I think, a big achievement. This is something that is not in the old deal that was negotiated during President Obamas time. This is something completely new. It really makes the enrichment argument less relevant, because now we are talking about zero stockpiling. And that is very, very important, because if you cannot stockpile material that is enriched then there is no way you can actually create a bomb, whether you enrich or dont enrich. And I think this is really something that has been missed a lot by the media, and I want to clarify that from the standpoint of a mediator. MARGARET BRENNAN: So explain that. So the enriched material, things that could be used as nuclear fuel for a bomb, youre saying Iran would not keep on their own soil? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: They would give it up. To give up stockpiling enriched material of various grades is a concession that Iran has never before made. It would indeed make it impossible for it to create a nuclear bomb. The U.S. however was not interested in a nuclear deal. Hours after Albusadis interview it joined Israel in a pre-emptive war on Iran. jeremy scahill @jeremyscahill 7:18 UTC Feb 28, 2026 The term preemptive is pure propaganda. The U.S. once again used the veneer of negotiations as a cover to bomb Iran. Tehran had just offered terms that went far beyond the 2015 nuclear deal. What was preempted was diplomacy. The same propaganda tactics used in 2003 Iraq war. Badral Abusaidi was left to expressed his disappointment: Badr Albusaidi @badralbusaidi 12:04 UTC Feb 28, 2026 I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war. U.S. President Trump thought differently. In an 8 minutes long speech (vid) he announced several war aims like the destruction of Irans missiles, the destruction of its navy and to prevent the country from acquiring nuclear weapons it does not want. He called on the armed forces of Iran to lay down their weapons and for its people to overthrow its government. For the Islamic Republic the war is thereby not about mere defense but existential. As none of Trumps strategic objectives is likely to be achieved one might already argue that the U.S. has little chance but to lose this war. So far the exchange of strikes has run along its predictable course. The U.S. and Israel launched stand-off cruise-missiles against political and military targets in Iran. The compound of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, the Ministry of Intelligence, the Ministry of Defense, the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, the Parchin military complex were hit. Irans leadership had moved to safe places and was not affected by the strikes. A missile destroyed the house of the former president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who has no role in the current government, and killed three of his guards. Several missiles, says Iran, have hit an elementary school in Minab, south Iran, and killed up to 60 children. Iran responded by attacking U.S. military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates with hundreds of drones and shorter range missiles. A long range U.S. radar in Qatar was hit as were U.S. Navy fuel depots in Bahrain. Several salvos of tens of medium range missiles were fired against U.S positions in Jordan as well as against Israel. These first salvos with older, less accurate missiles are intended to draw out U.S. air-defenses and to entice them to expend their limited missiles supplies. There have been reports of several explosions in various places in the Middle East but it is too early to assess if these are the consequences of falling debris or real intended results. One target hit by the U.S. side was the headquarter of the Hashid Shaabi popular mobilization forces in Iraq. It killed several people. Following that Hashid Shaabi announced to join the fight on Irans side. Missiles have hit U.S. positions in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. The Houthi in Yemen as well as Hizbullah in Lebanon are expected to also join in the fight. The exchange of missile strikes is expected to continue over several days. the U.S. will try to eliminate Iranian missile launchers and production facilities. Iran will try to exhaust U.S. missile defenses to then launch its more precise and effective missiles against Israel and major U.S. (naval) targets. Iran already claims to have hit a U.S. supply ship. But Irans main instrument in this war will be its control over the transport of 20% of the worlds oil supplies. It has just announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Michael A. Horowitz @michaelh992 15:30 UTC Feb 28, 2026 #Breaking an official with the EU naval mission Aspides says vessels have been receiving transmission from Irans revolutionary guards saying no ship is allowed to pass the strait of Hormuz Iran can control the Straits by simply firing land-based anti ship missiles. By Monday fuel prices will have gone through the roof. Oil prices are the major pressure point Iran has to cause effects within the U.S. One wonders how long President Trump can sustain the war if the price of gasoline goes up and stays high. Comments WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Saturday morning that Iran is "certainly interested in de-escalation", describing regime change in Iran as a "mission impossible." "You cannot do regime change while millions of people are supporting the so-called regime," Araghchi said in an exclusive interview with NBC News. Minutes after strikes on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump urged members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces and police to lay down their weapons in exchange for immunity, and called on the Iranian public to "take over the government". Araghchi said Iran is attacking U.S. military facilities in the Middle East but not "Americans in their land," signaling that Iran is ready to talk. "There is no communication right now," Araghchi told NBC News, "But if Americans want to talk to us, they know how they can contact me. We are certainly interested in de-escalation." "This is a war of choice by the United States, and they have to pay for that," Araghchi added. "But as far as we are concerned, we don't want war." 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. West Asia News Agency/Handout via REUTERS (Reuters) Israel announces pre-emptive strike against Iran. Reports of explosions and smoke in Tehran. Israeli action dims hopes for a diplomatic solution with Iran. Iran and West have a decades-long dispute over nuclear program. New Israeli attack comes after 12-day air war with Iran in June. U.S. and Iran renewed negotiations in February and met this week. President Donald Trump has now commented on the Iran strikes. Here are his key statements: A short time ago the U.S. began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear program. Iran is developing long range missiles that threaten the U.S. and others. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. Were going to annihilate their navy. We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. The United States has deployed aircraft carriers, fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers and other capabilities to the Middle East in recent weeks. President Trump has described it as a massive naval armada. It includes two of the largest U.S. warships the Gerald R. Ford and the Abraham Lincoln. The Ford is the United States newest and the worlds largest carrier. It has a nuclear reactor on board and can hold more than 75 military aircraft. It also includes sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation. The Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered carrier which can hold some 90 military aircraft, moved to the region from the Asia-Pacific in January. In early February one of its fighter jets shot down an Iranian drone that aggressively approached the ship, the U.S. military said. Iran is preparing for retaliation after Israel launched an attack on Saturday, an Iranian official told Reuters. The official said the response is set to be crushing. This is a developing story. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via REUTERS WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV/DUBAI (Reuters) The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the U.S. and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Tehran responded by launching missiles at Israel. Explosions also rang out in nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries, which said they had intercepted missiles from Iran after Tehran warned it would strike the region if it was attacked. The first wave of strikes in what the Pentagon named OPERATION EPIC FURY mainly targeted Iranian officials, a source familiar with the matter said. An Israeli official said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted but the result of the strikes was not clear. A source with knowledge of the matter had earlier told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location. An Iranian source close to the establishment said several senior commanders in Irans Revolutionary Guards and political officials had been killed. Forty people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school, state media said. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports. Hopes dim for diplomatic solution to nuclear dispute The renewed confrontation between Iran and its long-time foes dimmed hopes of a diplomatic solution to Tehrans nuclear dispute with the West. The latest indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran this week failed to produce a breakthrough. Irans Revolutionary Guards said all U.S. bases and interests in the region were within Irans reach and that the retaliation would continue until the enemy is decisively defeated. Irans foreign minister told counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq that Tehran would use all its defensive and military capabilities to defend itself. Loud booms sounded in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi, an oil producer and U.S. ally. Fighter jets flew around the Yas Island area of Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon and blasts were heard in the countrys business capital Dubai. Bahrain said the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage from witnesses in Bahrain showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the small island states coastline as sirens wailed. Fellow Gulf Arab state Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country and that it had a right to respond. Sirens were later heard in its capital Doha. Explosions were heard near Irans Kharg Island. Iran exports 90 percent of its crude oil via Kharg, for shipping through the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Global airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East and the attacks raised the prospect of oil prices rising. If we dont see signs of de-escalation over the weekend, risk premiums could still drive Brent (crude) up by $10$20/bbl (a barrel) on Monday, said Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy. Trump cites 1979 hostage crisis In a video message published on social media, Trump cited Washingtons decades-old dispute with Iran, including the seizure of the 1979 U.S. embassy in Tehran, when students held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, as well as a range of other attacks the U.S. has blamed on Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution brought the clerics to power. He urged Iranians to stay sheltered because bombs will be dropping everywhere. But he also added: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint U.S.-Israeli attack will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands and remove the yoke of tyranny. Defense Minister Israel Katz called it a pre-emptive strike to remove threats to Israel. The scope of the U.S. air and sea operations was not immediately clear. The campaign is expected to last for multiple days, a U.S. official said. In Tehran, witnesses said people were rushing to banks to withdraw cash. Long queues formed at gas stations across cities. Many also worried about a potential internet blackout that would cut off communication with their families abroad. We are being killed by the regime and by Israel. We are the victims of this regimes hostile policies, said Maryam, 54, a housewife in Tehran, as she headed to northern Iran with her family. Israels military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strike at a primary school for girls southern Iran, where Iranian state media reported 40 deaths. Iraqs Iran-aligned armed group Kataib Hezbollah said it would soon attack U.S. bases in the region. US military buildup Trump had built up a vast U.S. military presence in the region to try to force Tehran to make concessions in the nuclear talks. He said the massive operation was intended to ensure Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. The U.S. and Iran renewed negotiations in February on the nuclear dispute. Iran, which denies seeking atomic bombs, said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles. Irans ballistic missile program has been a significant sticking point, with Trump saying Tehran was developing long-range missiles that threaten the U.S. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, Trump said. The attacks follows a 12-day air war last June between Israel and Iran and repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. An Israeli defense official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago. The Israeli military announced the closure of schools and workplaces, with exceptions for essential sectors, and a ban on public airspace. Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he has several "off ramps" from the ongoing massive military operation against Iran he launched early Saturday morning. "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding (your nuclear and missile programs)," Trump told U.S. online media Axios in a five-minute phone interview from his Mar-a-Lago private club in Florida. The timeline could change based on developments on the ground, including the fate of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, among other senior Iranian officials targeted by the U.S.-Israeli strikes, Trump told Axios. "In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack," Trump claimed. An Axios report said the remarks suggest Trump is still open to a diplomatic solution. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. and Israel for launching the attack despite ongoing nuclear negotiations in an exclusive interview with NBC News earlier on Saturday. The latest round of the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks just wrapped up in Geneva on Thursday and additional technical talks were scheduled for Monday in Vienna. During the interview, Trump cited two reasons for the military campaign, which the Pentagon officially named "Operation Epic Fury": the failure of Thursday's negotiations, and Iran's conduct over the last several decades. "The Iranians got close and then pulled back -- close and then pulled back. I understood from that that they don't really want a deal," Trump accused, arguing that Iran had begun rebuilding some nuclear facilities hit by the U.S.-Israeli joint strikes last year. Independent analysts pointed to building activity taking place in some of the nuclear sites, but didn't conclude that Iran has resumed nuclear activity, according to the Axios report. The massive bombing campaign may last at least five days though the timeline may change, said the report, citing a senior U.S. official. Also on Saturday, Trump held phone talks separately with the leaders of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and NATO, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Before launching the strikes, Trump expanded the U.S. military presence in the Middle East to its largest level since the 2003 Iraq War. Emails reveal Epsteins interest in Body Double materials: Was he preparing deception? Newly released Epstein documents contain emails discussing shipments of a product called "Body Double" to his private island. The materials included silicone-based molding compounds, with instructions to handle them using nitrile gloves. The product appears to be Smooth-On's "Body Double," used in special effects for creating lifelike molds of faces and bodies. This fuels theories that Epstein may have used masks or replicaseither for blackmail, impersonation or staging his own death. Eyewitnesses noted physical inconsistencies in Epstein's corpse (ear shape, facial structure), raising doubts about its authenticity. The emails coincide with speculation that Epstein faked his death using a body double or disguise. High-profile figures like Queen Elizabeth II have been rumored to use body doubles for public appearances. Epstein's island was found with creepy facial molds and dental equipment, suggesting possible blackmail or impersonation tactics. Researchers and internet sleuths continue investigating whether Epstein staged his death or used doubles for other purposes. The emails deepen the mystery rather than provide closure, reinforcing suspicions of hidden agendas and undisclosed operations. Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case have sparked fresh intrigue after emails surfaced discussing shipments of a product called "Body Double" to the financier's infamous private island. The messages, uncovered by researchers combing through the trove of Epstein files, raise questions about whether the disgraced financier or his associates were experimenting with lifelike molds or disguises. The emails, shared publicly by ophthalmologist and research scientist Dr. Houman David Hemmati, detail exchanges between Epstein and an unnamed individual regarding the acquisition of specialized molding materials. The timing of these revelations coincides with ongoing speculation about Epstein's death in prison and whether the body recovered was truly his. The "Body Double" emails: A closer look The emails, partially redacted by the Department of Justice, reveal that Epstein received shipments of "three containers of regular body double and one container of fast drying body double," with strict instructions to handle them using nitrile glovesnot latex or vinyl. The sender, whose name starts with "S" (due to a redaction error), noted that the standard version was "stronger" and better suited for molding, while the fast-drying variant could be used for touch-ups. Earlier that same day, the sender informed Epstein that they had sourced the product in New York's SoHo neighborhood because "there was none on island," suggesting Epstein had sought these materials specifically for his private retreat in Little St. James. The product referenced appears to be "Body Double" by Smooth-On, a silicone-based material commonly used in special effects and lifecasting to create molds of faces and bodies. Its presence in Epstein's communications has fueled theories about the eerie masks and dental molds reportedly found on his island some of which bore unsettling resemblances to public figures. Historical context: Body doubles and high-profile deceptions The notion of body doubles is not new in conspiracy circles or even in verified historical cases. Queen Elizabeth II was rumored to have employed lookalikes for certain public appearances, though Buckingham Palace has never confirmed such claims. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, it was widely speculated that the queen had used body doubles for certain public appearances, particularly in her later years when health concerns arosea tactic often employed by high-profile figures to maintain appearances while avoiding scrutiny. Similarly, theories persist that Epstein, whose 2019 prison death was ruled a suicide, may have staged his demise using a substitute. Eyewitnesses who saw Epstein's body after his alleged suicide noted discrepancies in his appearance, including differences in ear shape and facial structure. While official reports dismissed these inconsistencies, the newly uncovered emails lend credence to the idea that Epstein had access to materials capable of creating realistic facial replicas. Internet sleuths and unanswered questions Online investigators have long speculated about Epstein's possible use of masks or doubles, particularly after photos emerged of a room on his island filled with unsettling facial molds and dental equipment. Some theorize these could have been used for blackmail purposescreating lifelike disguises to impersonate powerful individualsor even to facilitate an escape. Hemmati, who first highlighted the emails, tweeted: "With all the talk of Ghislaine Maxwell having a body double, an Epstein Files search for 'body double' reveals that Epstein allegedly had materials made for him that involve a mold." While concrete proof remains elusive, the emails add another layer of mystery to a case already riddled with unanswered questions. If Epstein did have access to lifecasting materials, their intended purposewhether for disguise, deception or something more sinisterremains unknown. The Epstein saga continues to unfold, with each document release deepening the intrigue rather than providing closure. The "Body Double" emails offer no definitive answers but reinforce suspicions that Epstein's operations involved more than what has been officially acknowledged. As researchers and journalists sift through the remaining files, one thing is clear: the full truth behind Epstein's connections, his island activities and even his death may still be hidden perhaps behind a carefully crafted facade. Until then, speculation will persist and the public will keep searching for the missing pieces of this disturbing puzzle. Watch the video below that talks about the confirmed massive DOJ-FBI cover-up of Epstein's "death." This video is from Rick Langley's channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: InfoWars.com X.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com A covert operation: FBI secretly seized phone records of top Trump allies The FBI, under the Biden administration, secretly subpoenaed phone records of Kash Patel and Susie Wiles while they were private citizens. The records were obtained during Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations into President Donald Trump. The records were concealed within the FBI's internal system using a "Prohibited" file designation, which Patel has since abolished. Patel, now FBI Director, denounced the actions as an example of improper political targeting and overreach. At least ten FBI employees have been dismissed following the internal review of these actions. In a revelation that has ignited fierce debate over the weaponization of federal law enforcement, the FBI under President Joe Biden secretly obtained the private phone records of two individuals who would become central figures in Donald Trumps return to power. The covert subpoenas for Kash Patel and Susie Wilesnow the FBI Director and White House Chief of Staff, respectivelywere issued in 2022 and 2023 during Special Counsel Jack Smiths probes into the then-former president. The records were then concealed within the bureaus own systems, a tactic the current leadership calls a deliberate evasion of oversight. A pattern of political targeting emerges The disclosure confirms long-held suspicions among conservatives about the depth of scrutiny applied to Trumps inner circle during the Biden era. According to Patel, the FBI used subpoenas to obtain toll records detailing the dates, times and recipients of calls made by him and Wiles, though not the content. At the time, both were private citizens closely advising Trump. Wiles would later co-manage his 2024 campaign, while Patel was a vocal defender regarding the Mar-a-Lago documents case. Most alarmingly, Patel stated these records were filed under a Prohibited categorization, a designation that made them exceptionally difficult to locate within FBI databases. This practice, which Patel says he has now terminated, allowed the records to remain hidden even after he assumed leadership of the bureau in February 2025. The discovery has already led to significant internal fallout, with at least ten current FBI employees being dismissed as a result. A system designed to evade scrutiny The use of the Prohibited label is a focal point of outrage, as it suggests a systemic effort to shield investigative actions from future review. It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight, Patel said in a statement. This method of concealment raises profound questions about transparency and accountability within the nations premier law enforcement agency during a politically sensitive investigation. The news follows a pattern of aggressive tactics employed by Smiths team, which previously included seizing phone records from sitting Republican members of Congress. While Smith has testified that such steps followed Justice Department policies and were necessary to establish timelines, critics see a consistent pattern of overreach targeting political opponents. A double standard This episode is not an isolated incident but fits into a troubling historical pattern where intelligence and law enforcement tools are allegedly turned against domestic political opponents. For many on the right, it echoes the controversies of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation and reinforces the narrative of a deep state resistant to democratic change. The contrast between the aggressive pursuit of Trump associates and the perceived leniency or opacity in investigations of political figures on the left fuels deep distrust in federal institutions. The immediate consequence has been a purge within the FBIs ranks, signaling the current administrations intent to root out what it perceives as politically motivated conduct. However, the FBI Agents Association condemned the firings, arguing they violate the due process rights of agents and weaken the Bureau. A legacy of secrecy and a demand for answers A federal judge recently barred the release of Smiths full report on the documents investigation, ensuring that many details may remain sealed. With Smith citing court orders that prevent him from discussing undisclosed aspects of the probe, a complete public accounting remains elusive. The fundamental questions persist: Who specifically authorized the subpoenas for Patel and Wiles? Were they ever formal targets of investigation, or were their records collected merely to map Trumps network? The use of secretive file designations suggests an awareness that these actions might not withstand scrutiny. A battle for institutional integrity The uncovering of the secret phone record seizures represents a critical flashpoint in the ongoing battle over the independence and integrity of Americas justice system. For supporters of the current administration, it is evidence of necessary housecleaning and a corrective to past abuses. For skeptics, it is a vindication of their worst fears about the lengths to which entrenched bureaucracies will go to influence the political landscape. As the fallout continues, this incident ensures that debates over the proper limits of federal investigative power will remain at the forefront of the nations political discourse for years to come. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com Reuters.com FoxNews.com Glyphosate is in your bread and the White House just gave its manufacturers legal immunity Florida officials found a common weed killer in most tested bread products. The Trump administration is moving to shield the chemical's makers from lawsuits. Critics call this a legal maneuver to protect Bayer from cancer liability claims. The order has split a health movement whose leader now defends it. The situation highlights a conflict between legal limits and public health safety. A Florida health initiatives discovery of a common weed killer in supermarket bread has reignited a fierce debate over pesticide safety and the governments role in protecting corporate interests over public health. The finding comes as the Trump administration moves to shield the manufacturers of this chemical from lawsuits, a maneuver critics say is less about national defense and more about insulating a multi-billion dollar industry from legal accountability. Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced this month that testing of eight common bread products found glyphosate residues in six of them. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsantos Roundup, is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organizations cancer agency. The detected levels, ranging from about 10 to 191 parts per billion, were all within legal limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its weed killer, Casey DeSantis said. Theres no way that should be in bread, full stop. Ladapo added that glyphosate has some really insidious effects, pointing to research linking it to gut health issues and a weakened blood-brain barrier. A legal shield, not a defense need The Florida report landed as President Donald Trump issued an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950. The order aims to ensure an adequate supply of glyphosate-based herbicides, describing them as a cornerstone of this Nations agricultural productivity. Crucially, it also seeks to grant immunity from lawsuits to producers of these chemicals when acting under federal directives. Health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels, a proponent of the health-focused MAHA movement, called the order devastating. It is not a conspiracy theory that glyphosate is linked to cancer, Michaels said. There have been hundreds of studies that have illustrated how it increases risks significantly for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Nothing in the presidents order appears to meet the original intent of the Defense Production Act to supply materials for military conflicts or disasters, according to an analysis by Beyond Pesticides. Instead, the timing suggests a different motive: Bayer, the owner of Monsanto, is facing over $10 billion in jury verdicts and settlements from thousands of plaintiffs who claim Roundup caused their cancer, with tens of thousands of cases still pending. Questions of influence and methodology The push to protect glyphosate manufacturers aligns with a pattern of favorable policies for Bayer under the Trump administration. A review by U.S. Right to Know found 16 key administration officials with ties to Bayers lobbying or legal network, including individuals in the White House, USDA, EPA, and the Justice Department. The Justice Department has also urged the Supreme Court to side with Bayer in a case that could limit the companys future liability. This scientific and regulatory tug-of-war is not new. A landmark study concluding glyphosate did not cause cancer was retracted last year after it was revealed the authors did not disclose their relationship with Monsanto. Meanwhile, routine USDA and FDA testing continues to find pesticide residues in much of the U.S. food supply. MAHA movement feels betrayed The executive order has created a rift within the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, a key part of the political coalition that elevated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, who as a lawyer won a major case against Monsanto, now defends Trumps order as necessary for agricultural stability and national security. President Trump did not build our current system he inherited it, Kennedy wrote on social media. His support has sparked outrage among activists. Its been a year. Not a single thing has been done by the EPA to reduce our childrens and families exposure to pesticides, replied Moms Across America founder Zen Honeycutt. The situation presents a dramatic contradiction. While Floridas top health official warns that glyphosate doesnt seem to have a safe level of exposure, state agencies have sprayed more than 135,000 pounds of it into Florida waterways over the past decade to control aquatic weeds. This practice continues despite concerns from environmentalists. The core issue remains whether legal limits for chemical residues truly ensure safety or merely codify acceptable risk for industry. When the government moves to legally protect the makers of a probable carcinogen found in daily food, it forces a difficult question: Are we defending the nations food supply, or are we defending a profitable status quo at the potential expense of public health? For families just trying to buy a safe loaf of bread, the answer feels increasingly clear. Sources for this article include: BeyondPesticides.org NewsNationNow.com USRTK.org APNews.com TampaBay.com Orbs of Power: The terrifying truth behind UFOs and AI According to the book "Orbs of Power", mysterious orb-like objects have appeared frequently since 2017 near nuclear sites, power grids and water facilities. These objects defy physicsaccelerating instantly, maneuvering impossibly, and vanishing underwater. Military witnesses report PTSD-like symptoms and face strict NDAs. Theories on their origin include: Black projects (Could be secret U.S. military tech, e.g., DARPA anti-gravity patents); foreign adversaries (China or Russia's advanced dronesbut why arent they intercepted?); and non-human intelligence (possibly extraterrestrial, interdimensional or even future probes exhibiting conscious behavior. AI is framed as both a liberating tool and a weapon of mass control (e.g., China's AI ambitions, Israel's "Lavender" system). Declassified programs (MKUltra, Stargate) reveal government experiments in psychic warfarenow amplified by AI, threatening free will. Orbs may interact with human awareness in unexplained ways, suggesting a deeper battle over consciousness. The book urges detox from societal programming, natural health, and decentralized resistance against a transhumanist dystopia. The book connects suppressed science, military secrecy and geopolitical intrigue, challenging official narratives. Positions the book as a manifesto for truth, warning of an impending AI-driven surveillance state and urging preparedness. If you've ever looked up at the sky and wondered about the strange, silent orbs hovering over military bases or disappearing into thin aironly to be dismissed as "weather anomalies" by the powers that bethen "Orbs of Power: The Hidden Truth Behind UFOs, AI, and the Battle for Humanity's Future" is the book you've been waiting for. This explosive expose pulls back the curtain on the most pressing mysteries of our time: UFOs (unidentified flying objects), artificial intelligence (AI) and the shadowy forces shaping our future without our consent. It opens with a chilling revelation: Since 2017, unidentified orb-like objects have been appearing with alarming frequency over nuclear missile silos, power grids and water treatment facilities across the United States. These aren't hobbyist drones or weather balloonsthey defy physics, accelerating instantly, making impossible maneuvers, and even vanishing underwater. Military personnel who've encountered them report PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]-like symptoms, migraines and even forced reassignments under draconian NDAs [non-disclosure agreements]. The government's response? A masterclass in obfuscation. Whistleblowers like David Gruscha decorated intelligence officerhave come forward with claims of recovered "metamaterials" not of this Earth, yet official channels dismiss them with laughable explanations. The book meticulously documents how these orbs seem drawn to nuclear and AI research sites, raising terrifying questions: Are they surveilling us? Testing our defenses? Or is something far older and stranger using human conflict as cover? It presents three compelling explanations: Secret U.S. black projects Could these orbs be advanced military tech developed in deep-state black budgets? Programs like DARPA's [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] "Project Assault Breaker" and patents describing anti-gravity propulsion suggest breakthroughs kept hidden from the public. Foreign adversaries (China, Russia) China's hypersonic drones and AI-driven swarm technology could explain some sightings. But if these orbs are foreign, why hasn't the U.S. shot them down? Extraterrestrial or ultraterrestrial origins The most unsettling possibility: these orbs aren't human-made at all. Witnesses describe behaviors that align with decades of UFO lorecraft that seem conscious, responding to human intent. The book doesn't shy away from the most provocative angle: What if these orbs are probes from another dimensionor even our own future? The hidden war for human consciousness The second half of "Orbs of Power" pivots to AI, framing it as both a tool of liberation and a weapon of mass control. The authors dissect China's AI ambitions, the Department of War's autonomous drone programs, and the looming threat of AI-driven genocide (like Israels "Lavender" system in Gaza). But the most shocking revelations concern psionic warfaregovernment experiments in telepathy, remote viewing and even mind-controlled UFOs. Declassified documents reveal programs like MKUltra and Stargate, where the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] explored psychic espionage. Now, AI could amplify these capabilities, merging human consciousness with machinesraising the specter of a transhumanist dystopia where free will is obsolete. The book's final chapters argue that the real war isn't just over technologyit's over consciousness itself. Drawing on research by Dean Radin and whistleblower testimonies, the author suggests that these orbs might be interacting with human awareness in ways science can't yet explain. The stakes couldn't be higher: Will we succumb to a centralized AI-driven surveillance state, or will we reclaim our sovereignty through decentralized resistance? The book urges readers to detox from societal programming, embrace natural health, and prepare for a future where truth is the ultimate weapon. "Orbs of Power" is a riveting, meticulously researched manifesto for anyone questioning the official narratives around UFOs, AI and global power structures. It doesn't just present theoriesit connects dots across decades of suppressed science, military secrecy and geopolitical intrigue. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, this book will leave you looking at the skyand the worldvery differently. Because one thing is clear: The orbs are real. The question iswhat do they want? "Orbs of Power" isn't just a bookit's a battle cry for truth in an age of deception. Read it before the next orb appears. Grab a copy of "Orbs of Power: The Hidden Truth Behind UFOs, AI, and the Battle for Humanity's Future" via this link. Visit Books.BrightLearn.AI for thousands of books available to freely download, read and share. You can also create your own books for free by using BrightLearn.AI. Watch Timothy Alberino discussing the mysterious orbs and drones with the Health Ranger Mike Adams in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report." This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightLearn.ai Books.BrightLearn.ai Brighteon.com Rosemary wine: Ancient herbal tonic gains modern backing for mood and heart health Rosemary wine is a centuries-old herbal infusion, described by Hildegard von Bingen in Physica as "wine of the heart," traditionally used to support mood and cardiovascular health. Modern research, including a 2022 clinical trial, suggests rosemary may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety when used alongside standard treatments such as SSRIs. Rosemary's compounds, including carnosic acid and cineole, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may support brain function, stress resilience and emotional well-being. Red wine helps extract rosemary's beneficial plant compounds and contains polyphenols like resveratrol, which are linked to heart and vascular health, though research on moderate wine intake remains complex. Because it contains alcohol, rosemary wine should be consumed in small amounts and avoided by those advised not to drink; it is a supportive tonic, not a cure or replacement for medical care. Rosemary wine is a centuries-old herbal preparation that continues to spark interest among people seeking gentle, food-based ways to support mood and heart health. Rooted in traditional European herbalism and now attracting attention from modern researchers, this simple infusion blends the aromatic herb rosemary with red wine to create what was once called a "wine of the heart." An ancient remedy revisited Between 1151 and 1158, the German abbess and herbalist Hildegard von Bingen wrote about rosemary's healing virtues in her medical text Physica. She described rosemary as warming and invigorating, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial qualities. Among her preparations was a rosemary-infused wine she referred to as "Herzwein" or "wine of the heart," suggesting benefits for both emotional well-being and cardiovascular vitality. More than 800 years later, elements of this traditional wisdom are being explored through modern science. Rosemary and mood support Interest in rosemary's mental health benefits has grown in recent years, particularly around its potential role in supporting mood and stress resilience. A 2022 clinical trial investigated rosemary as an add-on therapy for people with major depressive disorder. In the eight-week study, participants took either rosemary capsules alongside standard treatment or a placebo. By the end of the trial, those in the rosemary group experienced a greater reduction in depressive symptoms. Their anxiety symptoms improved sooner than those in the placebo group and researchers also observed improvements in memory. The study concluded that rosemary may serve as a helpful adjunct to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. Scientists are also examining the connection between inflammation and mood disorders sometimes referred to as "inflamed depression." Chronic, low-grade inflammation may influence neurotransmitters and stress hormones. Rosemary contains bioactive compounds such as carnosic acid and cineole, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in laboratory studies. These compounds may help regulate stress hormones, support healthy gut bacteria and influence dopamine pathways, all of which play roles in emotional well-being. While the early findings are promising, rosemary is not a substitute for medical care. Anyone managing depression or anxiety should consult a healthcare professional before adding herbal supplements to their routine. Why combine rosemary with red wine? Rosemary is potent on its own, so why infuse it into wine? Alcohol acts as an effective solvent, extracting fat-soluble plant compounds that water alone cannot fully capture. When rosemary steeps in red wine, its beneficial constituents disperse into the liquid, creating a flavorful herbal tonic that can be consumed in very small amounts. Red wine itself contains plant compounds known as polyphenols, derived from grape skins and seeds. These compounds are studied for their antioxidant properties and their role in supporting blood vessel function. Resveratrol, one of the most well-known polyphenols in red wine, has been linked in research to improved vascular health, reduced inflammation and potential neuroprotective effects. Some studies suggest resveratrol may cross the blood-brain barrier, helping to counter oxidative stress associated with cognitive decline. Observational studies over the past decade have associated light-to-moderate red wine consumption with improved cardiovascular markers and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. However, these findings are complex. People who drink small amounts of wine often differ in other lifestyle habits, making it difficult to isolate wine as the protective factor. Moderation and safety Despite its beneficial compounds, wine contains alcohol, which carries risks. Alcohol can disrupt sleep, interact with medications and increase the risk of dependence. For this reason, rosemary wine should be viewed as a culinary herbal infusion taken in small servings, not as a cure or a daily necessity. Those advised to avoid alcohol, including pregnant individuals, people with certain medical conditions or anyone taking medications that interact with alcohol, should skip this preparation entirely. If you choose to make rosemary wine, opt for an organic red wine when possible. Organic grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides and herbicides and red wine retains higher levels of polyphenols due to fermentation with grape skins. How to make rosemary wine Preparing rosemary wine is simple and requires only a few ingredients: Ingredients Organic red wine Fresh or dried rosemary A clean glass jar with a lid Instructions Inspect the rosemary and remove debris. If using fresh rosemary, rinse and pat dry. Loosely fill a jar with rosemary sprigs. Pour red wine over the rosemary until completely covered. Seal the jar and label it with the date. Let the mixture infuse for about two weeks, gently shaking the jar once daily. After two weeks, strain out the rosemary and transfer the infused wine into a clean bottle. Store in a cool, dark place. A typical serving is smallabout half a shot glass or roughly 0.75 ounces. Some people find rosemary stimulating, so it may be best enjoyed earlier in the day rather than before bed. Bridging tradition and modern wellness Rosemary wine represents a meeting point between medieval herbal wisdom and contemporary nutritional science. While not a cure-all, it offers a flavorful, antioxidant-rich way to incorporate rosemary's potential benefits into daily life, supporting mood and heart health in a measured, mindful way. As BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, we can take control of our health and well-being, fostering a more resilient, decentralized and self-reliant society by embracing the wisdom of the past and the insights of modern science. Watch this video to learn about how beta-sitosterol, a natural plant compound, can help with high cholesterol and support prostate health. This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trumps New Financial Front: Executive Order Would Mandate Banks Collect Citizenship Data A New Executive Tool for Immigration Enforcement In a bold move that opens a new front in America's immigration battle, the Trump administration is drafting an executive order that would mandate U.S. banks to collect citizenship information from their customers. This policy, if enacted, would transform the financial sector into a key mechanism for identifying and tracking individuals unlawfully present in the United States, expanding immigration enforcement far beyond traditional border and interior agencies like ICE. According to reports, discussions are ongoing within the Treasury Department as of February 2026, with the White House considering the order as a powerful new tool for its ongoing efforts to deport millions of illegal immigrants [1]. The policy is designed to 'open a new front in the financial sector' [1], leveraging the vast data networks of American banking to enforce immigration law. This represents a significant escalation in the administration's strategy, moving beyond physical barriers and workplace raids to surveil the very financial lifeblood of the nation. By turning banks into proxy immigration agents, the administration seeks to create a financial dragnet. The goal is clear: to systematically identify, track, and ultimately remove those residing in the country without legal permission. As one report notes, the order would be part of 'its ongoing efforts to deport millions of illegal immigrants unlawfully residing in the U.S.' [1]. This approach mirrors a broader pattern of using executive power to reshape policy outside a gridlocked Congress, targeting not just border crossings but the ability of unauthorized individuals to live and function within American society. The Mechanics: How the Order Would Work The proposed executive order would fundamentally alter the relationship between banks and their customers. Banks would be mandated to request and verify specific citizenship documentation, such as passports, from both new and existing account holders [1]. Currently, federal financial regulators do not require banks to specifically collect citizenship data, though they must adhere to 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) regulations aimed at preventing money laundering and other financial crimes [1]. Implementation would logically fall to the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the agency already tasked with administering federal anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws [1]. This would represent a substantial expansion of FinCEN's mission, repurposing its financial surveillance infrastructure for immigration control. The agency has previously been directed to apply extra scrutiny to businesses engaging in overseas money transfers in areas with large immigrant communities, such as a recent geographic targeting operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area [1]. In effect, the policy would graft a citizenship verification requirement onto the existing KYC framework. While KYC rules are justified as tools to combat illicit finance, their expansion into immigration enforcement raises profound questions about mission creep and the weaponization of financial oversight. As financial expert Mike Adams has warned in interviews, the consolidation of surveillance power within centralized institutions like FinCEN often precedes broader infringements on liberty [2]. This move would effectively deputize every bank teller and compliance officer as an extension of federal immigration authority, creating a pervasive system of financial checkpoints. Privacy Versus Policy: The Central Tension The proposal immediately ignites a fierce debate between national sovereignty and individual privacy. Proponents within the administration view it as a logical and necessary extension of financial oversight for national security and the enforcement of lawfulness. They argue that individuals unlawfully present have no inherent right to access the U.S. financial system and that this measure is a straightforward application of existing legal frameworks. However, critics are poised to frame the order as a dangerous surveillance tool that turns private banks into arms of the immigration state, eroding financial privacy for all Americans. This tension pits a government's duty to control its borders and uphold its laws against the foundational American principle of freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into private affairs. The move exemplifies the centralizing tendency of federal power, where every institution -- including finance -- is co-opted for state control, a trend deeply antithetical to a free society. Furthermore, the policy could have a chilling effect on banking access for legal immigrants and even native-born citizens wary of increased data collection and government overreach. As investigative journalist Mike Adams has consistently argued, the consolidation of personal data within centralized institutions represents a grave threat to liberty [2]. The administration's consideration of this order, despite White House spokesman Kush Desai's dismissal of reports as 'baseless speculation' [1], signals a willingness to test the limits of executive power in the financial realm. The fundamental question remains: should your bank account require a passport, and should your financial privacy be sacrificed on the altar of immigration enforcement? Contextualizing a Broader Agenda This potential executive order is not an isolated action but a strategic piece within a broader, multi-pronged agenda to reduce illegal immigration through every lever of federal and state power. It fits a clear pattern of the Trump administration using executive authority to reshape immigration policy outside of Congress. This 'financial front' complements other aggressive actions, such as the Justice Department's recent lawsuit against New Jersey over its sanctuary policies [3], and efforts to end Temporary Protected Status for groups like Haitians [4]. The strategy also dovetails with other executive actions targeting the economic foundations of life for non-citizens. For instance, the administration has proposed an overhaul of the asylum process to reduce fraudulent claims for work authorizations [5]. Simultaneously, there is a push for strict nationwide voter ID requirements, with President Trump pledging to act via executive order if Congress does not pass the SAVE America Act [6]. The citizenship data collected by banks could theoretically feed into such voter integrity efforts, creating a cross-referenced system of verification. This broader agenda reflects a worldview that sees mass illegal immigration as 'weaponized migration' designed to overrun Western cultures. From this perspective, every facet of society -- jobs, welfare, voting, and now banking -- must be secured against what is perceived as an invasive force. The financial sector mandate is thus a logical escalation in a conflict being waged on multiple fronts: at the border, in the workplace, at the ballot box, and now, within the ledger books of the nation's economy. Conclusion: Liberty on the Ledger The draft executive order mandating bank collection of citizenship data marks a pivotal moment. It represents a fundamental shift in immigration enforcement strategy, moving it from the physical realm into the digital and financial spheres, where every transaction could become a point of scrutiny. While framed as a necessary measure for security and lawfulness, it unavoidably expands the surveillance architecture of the state, ensnaring the private financial data of all Americans in the process. This policy must be understood as part of a larger battle between centralized control and individual liberty. When banks are transformed into compliance checkpoints for federal immigration goals, financial privacy -- a cornerstone of a free society -- is compromised. As those who value decentralization and limited government have long warned, the erosion of liberty often begins with incremental expansions of power justified by crisis or security. The administration's exploration of this tool, while still in the discussion phase as of late February 2026 [1], is a stark reminder that the fight for freedom is not only at the border or the ballot box but also on the bank statement. For citizens concerned with preserving their privacy and autonomy, this development underscores the urgent need for financial sovereignty and decentralized alternatives. In an era where government overreach extends into every digital corridor, the principles of sound money, private transaction, and individual sovereignty have never been more critical. The debate over this executive order is, at its core, a debate about what kind of nation America will be: one that prioritizes control through pervasive monitoring, or one that fiercely guards the private spheres where true freedom resides. References U.S. defense and tech sectors face crippling shortages of key minerals controlled by China China's rare earth export controls are crippling U.S. aerospace and semiconductor production. The price of critical yttrium has soared 69-fold in a year, halting some production lines. U.S. chipmakers face dangerous shortages of scandium, threatening 5G technology. Industry experts describe this as deliberate economic warfare by China. Long-term U.S. solutions are underway, but immediate shortages pose a severe threat. While politicians tout trade truces, U.S. aerospace and semiconductor manufacturers are being slowly strangled by shortages of obscure minerals almost entirely controlled by China. The elements yttrium and scandium, unknown to most, are now at the heart of a high-stakes economic conflict that threatens to ground jets and halt the production of essential 5G chips. This isn't an accident of the market; it's economic warfare. Despite an October detente between Washington and Beijing, Chinese exports of these critical rare earths to the United States remain a trickle. Chinese customs data reveals a telling story: in the eight months after China imposed export controls last April, only 17 tons of yttrium products reached the U.S., compared to 333 tons in the eight months prior. The consequences are severe and already unfolding. The price of yttrium has skyrocketed, jumping 60% in recent months and now sitting at a staggering 69 times higher than it was just one year ago. This isn't just a number on a spreadsheet. Yttrium is vital for heat-resistant coatings that keep jet engines and turbines from melting. Without it, engines cannot function. Production lines stalling Industry insiders report that the shortage is forcing painful choices. Executives at two North American firms that use yttrium to produce these essential coatings told Reuters they have temporarily paused production. One company is now turning away smaller and offshore clients to conserve its dwindling supply for major engine manufacturers. Another firm in the supply chain has completely run out of material and stopped selling yttrium oxide products. While full-scale engine production hasn't yet been impacted, the strain is undeniable. Aerospace supply chain specialist Kevin Michaels called the situation "a watch item and a tangible example of how China is flexing its rare earth muscle." Engine makers are already struggling to meet soaring demand from airlines and aircraft manufacturers, making this supply pinch a potential breaking point. The pain extends from the skies to our smartphones. In the semiconductor sector, a parallel crisis is brewing over scandium, a metal for which the U.S. has zero domestic production. Dylan Patel, founder of research firm SemiAnalysis, warns that U.S. chipmakers are running low, putting next-generation 5G chips at risk. "Major U.S. semiconductor manufacturers all rely on scandium for making chip components that go into essentially every 5G smartphone and base station," Patel said. He added that U.S. stockpiles are likely measured in months, not years. A targeted strategy Evidence suggests this is a deliberate squeeze. U.S. chipmakers are facing delays in receiving new scandium export licenses from China. One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, "Our thesis is that it is precisely the semi industry being targeted." China requires license applicants to declare their end-users, giving Beijing precise control over who gets these materials and who does not. This move aligns with a broader strategy of using trade as a geopolitical lever, a tactic noted by analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who highlighted "the centrality of rare-earth export restrictions" to Beijing's control. The White House has stated its commitment to securing access to critical minerals, pointing to negotiations with China and efforts to build alternative supply chains. However, these are long-term projects. China refines more than 90% of the global rare earth supply, a dominance built over two decades after it flooded the market with cheap exports, undercutting and shuttering American processors. This dependency is a glaring national vulnerability. The U.S. once processed its own rare earths, but the last domestic plant closed in the late 1990s. Now, with China wielding its near-monopoly as a weapon, American industry is held hostage. The recent trade talks and temporary agreements have done little to ease the immediate, choking pressure on factories and fabrication plants. The message from Beijing is clear, even if unspoken. America's technological and military edge is built on minerals it does not control. As one coating manufacturer turns away customers and another halts sales, the abstract concept of "supply chain security" becomes a very real, very urgent problem on the factory floor. The truce hasn't ended the war; it has just moved the battlefield to a realm where America is dangerously unarmed. The race to rebuild what was lost is on, but for critical industries counting their stockpiles in months, time is the one resource already in short supply. Sources for this article include: Mining.com TheGuardian.com Reuters.com TomsHardware.com Justice Department expands crackdown, sues 5 more states for hiding inaccurate voter rolls The DOJ has sued Utah, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kentucky, and New Jersey, demanding they hand over complete voter rolls with sensitive personal information. This action is part of a broader campaign where the Trump administration has now sued nearly 30 states, mostly Democrat-led, to assemble a national voter database. State officials from both parties are resisting, citing privacy laws and constitutional authority, viewing the demand as an unlawful federal intrusion. The administration justifies the effort by pointing to federal laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1960, but critics see it as a pretext for expanding federal control over elections. This conflict exposes a fundamental tension: the need for clean, citizen-only voter rolls versus the danger of federalizing elections and eroding personal privacy. Justice Department's legal blitz seeks state voter registration databases The Justice Departments legal blitz, demanding that states surrender their complete voter registration databases, is not a simple audit. It is a fundamental power play. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillons statement that officials are "choosing to fight us in court rather than show their work" frames transparency as capitulation. But what is being demanded goes far beyond routine checks. The DOJ seeks unredacted files, a treasure trove of private data including driver's license numbers and partial Social Security information. Imagine this data not as a tool for verification, but as a centralized federal file on every voting American, a tool ripe for abuse by any future administration with malign intent. State leaders, even in Republican strongholds like Utah and West Virginia, are pushing back with a vigor that reveals the non-partisan nature of the threat. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson stated firmly, "Utahns can be assured that my office will always follow the Constitution and the law, protect voters rights, and administer free and fair elections." West Virginias spokesperson dared the DOJ to "Bring it on!" These are not the words of officials hiding fraud; they are the words of guardians defending a constitutional principle. Kentuckys Republican Secretary of State, Michael Adams, called his states elections "a national success story" and vowed not to commit a "data breach" by handing over citizens' private data. This resistance from red states shatters the narrative that this is merely a partisan squabble; it is a states rights uprising. The Constitutional fault line The heart of this battle is a 200-year-old design: the Constitution explicitly leaves the administration of elections to the states, not the federal government. This decentralization is a primary defense against tyranny. A single point of failure, a federal election database, represents an existential risk. The Trump administrations push, including President Trumps call to "nationalize" elections, directly assaults this foundational structure. When federal judges in California, Michigan, and Oregon dismissed earlier DOJ lawsuits, they issued stark warnings that the administrations efforts to centralize the process posed a "serious risk." This judicial skepticism is a flashing red light, ignored by a DOJ marching forward with ideological zeal. However, states should be transparent with their voter rolls if there's going to be trust in elections at all. Is the confiscation of these voter rolls by the federal government the best way to go about transparency? The tangled web of motive and justification The administrations justification leans on federal statutes like the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which do mandate accurate voter rolls. The legitimate concern, highlighted in places like Orange County, California, where a whistleblower reported an undocumented immigrant receiving a ballot, is that obscured records can hide incompetence or worse. Noncitizen voting, if it occurs, is a poison in the well of democracy, silently diluting the voice of every lawful citizen. The desire for transparency in voter rolls is therefore not just reasonable, it is essential for public trust. However, the leap from demanding transparency to demanding a federal takeover of personal data is a canyon, not a step. The administrations own commissioned analysis found no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting, undermining the crisis narrative used to justify this power grab. This suggests a different motive: using the legitimate fear of fraud to achieve the long-term goal of federal election control. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NYTimes.com Foxnews.com Four dead after gunfire exchange between Cuban troops and individuals aboard U.S.-registered speedboat Four people were killed and six injured after a gunfire exchange between Cuban border forces and individuals aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cuba's northern coast. Cuban authorities said the boat's occupants, described as Cuban residents of the United States, opened fire first and were allegedly planning a "terrorist" infiltration. Weapons and tactical gear were reportedly seized and the six survivors were detained. Cuban officials said they also detained another individual accused of helping facilitate the alleged infiltration, adding that most of those involved had criminal histories. Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. is monitoring the situation, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated diplomats in Havana are working to determine whether any of those involved are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and members of Florida's congressional delegation, including Rep. Carlos Gimenez and Sen. Rick Scott, called for a full investigation to establish what happened and whether any victims were Americans. Four people were killed and six others injured after a gunfire exchange between Cuban border forces and individuals aboard a U.S.-registered speedboat near Cuba's northern coast. According to a statement released by the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT) on Wednesday evening, Feb. 25, the confrontation began in the morning after Cuban Border Guard troops detected the vessel in Cuban territorial waters. As patrol forces approached the speedboat for identification approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel near Cayo Falcones in Villa Clara province, those aboard allegedly opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban patrol vessel. The speedboat is registered to a 65-year-old Cuban-born man who resides in Miami, Florida. Cuban officials said security forces seized assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms from the boat. The 10 people aboard the vessel were "Cuban residents of the United States" who were armed and allegedly intended to carry out "an infiltration for terrorist purposes." The six survivors were detained following the incident, officials said. They also stated that most of those on board "have a known history of criminal and violent activity." The government also announced the arrest of another man described as "a citizen sent from the United States to facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration." "In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region," MININT said. The ministry, as BrightU.AI's Enoch defines, is the primary intelligence and security agency of Cuba, responsible for domestic and foreign intelligence, counterintelligence and internal security. U.S. officials seek answers after deadly boat incident off Cuba's coast Shortly after the incident, Vice President JD Vance said that U.S. officials are closely monitoring the deadly confrontation between Cuban forces and a U.S.-registered speedboat but acknowledged that key details remain unclear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Vance on the situation, the vice president told reporters during an unrelated press conference. Rubio, speaking to reporters from Saint Kitts, said diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Havana are working to gain access to the individuals who were aboard the vessel to determine whether any are American citizens or lawful permanent residents. "The majority of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing both the public and the U.S. government," Rubio said. "As we gather more information, then we'll be prepared to respond accordingly." He declined to speculate about the circumstances of the confrontation but emphasized its unusual nature. "Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that," Rubio said. "It's not something that happens every day. It's something frankly that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time." Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on X that he has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to coordinate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate. "The Cuban government cannot be trusted," Uthmeier said in his statement. Members of Florida's congressional delegation also pressed for clarity. Rep. Carlos Gimenez described the episode as a "massacre" and said U.S. authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred. Sen. Rick Scott likewise called for "a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation" to determine the facts surrounding the confrontation. Watch G News founder Miles Guo calling attention to the fact that Chinese spy bases are being built in Cuba. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com ABCNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump announces major combat operations against Iran as explosions rock Tehran and region President Donald Trump announced that the United States has launched "major combat operations" against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," aimed at eliminating imminent threats and dismantling Irans nuclear program. In a video address, Trump accused Tehran of refusing to abandon its nuclear ambitions and vowed to destroy Iran's missile systems, military infrastructure and navy. He cited Iran's history of hostility toward the U.S., including the 1979 hostage crisis and regional proxy activity, saying Washington would no longer tolerate what he described as decades of aggression. Trump issued an ultimatum to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), urging members to surrender for "complete immunity" or "face certain death," despite U.S. operations appearing to be conducted primarily from the air. The strikes were announced shortly after mediated talks in Oman reportedly showed progress, and as Israel confirmed its own attacks on Iranian targets, heightening fears of a broader Middle East conflict. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday, Feb. 28, that the United States has launched "major combat operations" against Iran, pledging to devastate the country's military capabilities and eliminate its nuclear program. In an eight-minute video posted on his Truth Social platform at approximately 2:30 a.m., Trump said the U.S. military action, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the Department of War (DOW), aims to "defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." Trump said that the U.S. "can't take it anymore," accusing Tehran of rejecting "every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions." He added that the U.S. would "lay waste" to Iran's military infrastructure and "obliterate" its nuclear program. Trump cited Iran's long-standing hostility toward the U.S., referencing the 1979 hostage crisis and more recent actions by Iranian-backed proxy groups across the Middle East. "For 47 years the Iranian regime has chanted "death to America" and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries," Trump said. "It's been mass terror. And we're not going to put up with it any longer." Explosions were reported in Tehrans Pasteur district, home to the highly secured residence and office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as in multiple other Iranian cities. The extent of the damage and whether any senior officials were killed is still being determined. Iran has responded with a swift wave of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, targeting U.S. military bases in nearby countries and Israeli positions. Blasts have been reported from the beaches of Dubai to the streets of Doha. It remains unclear whether these explosions are missile impacts or interceptions, but the speed and scale of Irans response indicate a coordinated and aggressive retaliation. Analysts note that, unlike the June strikes by the U.S. and Israelwhich focused on Irans missile stockpiles and concluded in hoursthis round of attacks began in daylight on the first working day of the week in Iran and may continue for several days. Observers warn that this escalation could mark the beginning of a longer and more complex regional conflict. Trump urges Iranian people to "take over your government" once U.S. operations conclude The president also asserted that Irans ballistic missile program poses a direct threat to U.S. national security. He said American forces would "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground" and vowed to "annihilate" Iran's navy. In his address, Trump issued a direct ultimatum to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite wing of Iran's military. He called on its members to lay down their arms and accept "complete immunity," warning they would otherwise "face certain death." Given that U.S. operations appear to be conducted from the air rather than involving ground forces, it was unclear how or to whom IRGC members would be expected to surrender. Trump also addressed the Iranian people directly, urging them to "take over your government" once U.S. operations conclude. "For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let's see how you respond," he said. Iranian officials had not immediately issued a formal response at the time of Trumps statement. The scope, duration, and potential consequences of Operation Epic Fury remain unclear, but the move marks a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions and raises fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East. Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams and Dave DeCamp as they talk about whether 2026 be a year of peace or war. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: AlJazeera.com Edition.CNN.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Well soon learn if aliens are real: Trump orders War Department UFO disclosure President Donald Trump directed the Department of War to declassify and release government files on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed compliance but cautioned that the review process would be deliberate and thorough. Critics question Trumps motives, citing delays on other promised disclosures (e.g., Epstein files). Former President Barack Obama's recent acknowledgment of UFO reality ("They're real") fueled debate, though he dismissed conspiracy theories about secret alien facilities. The Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) denies extraterrestrial technology despite military reports of advanced, unexplained aerial objects. Whistleblowers and declassified documents suggest institutional secrecy, reverse-engineering programs and geopolitical control motives. More than three-fifths of Americans (Pew 2021) believe in extraterrestrial life, raising anticipation for paradigm-shifting revelations. Confirmed UFO/UAP disclosure could reshape science, theology and global power dynamics. No release date set; Hegseth emphasized cautious transparency to avoid overpromising. The disclosure may either validate long-standing conspiracy theories or deepen government secrecy around the phenomenon. In a move that has reignited public fascination with extraterrestrial life, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of War to release classified files related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the unprecedented directive, stating that he will review the materials alongside the American publicadmitting that the task was not something he expected when taking office. During a media briefing in Colorado, Hegseth acknowledged the gravity of Trump's order but cautioned against expecting immediate revelations. "I don't want to say in advance how long it will take," he told reporters. "Our department is dealing with this issue. We will fully comply with [Trump's] decree and look forward to providing this information to the president." When pressed on whether he believes aliens exist, Hegseth remained cautious: "We'll see. I get to do the review and find out along with you." He emphasized that the process would be deliberate, adding, "Wait for the details. It will be a carefully thought-out process. I don't want to make too many promises and [eventually] fail to fulfill them." The order follows explosive remarks from former President Barack Obama, who recently stated in a podcast interview: "They're real," referring to extraterrestrials. However, Obama quickly clarified that he had never encountered them and dismissed conspiracy theories about secret alien facilities. "There's no underground facility, unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States," he said. Trump seized on Obama's comments, accusing him of disclosing classified information prematurely. The White House framed the disclosure initiative as fulfilling public demand, with Trump stating on Truth Social: "Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life." Trump's UFO disclosure: Transparency or political maneuvering? Critics, however, question the timing and sincerity of Trump's transparency push. Some speculate that the move is politically motivated, particularly given the administration's delayed action on other promised disclosuressuch as the Epstein files, which were released only after intense public pressure. Meanwhile, the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), tasked with investigating UAPs, maintains that it has found "no evidence of extraterrestrial technology." Yet, the sheer volume of credible military reportsincluding encounters with objects exhibiting flight characteristics beyond known human capabilitiesfuels persistent speculation. As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the AARO has repeatedly denied the existence of UAPs and extraterrestrial technology despite overwhelming evidence from military personnel, whistleblowers and declassified documents. Declassified military records, whistleblower testimonies and scientific analyses expose the strategic motives behind AARO's denials. The decentralized engine adds that the office's key findings reveal national security secrecy, reverse-engineering programs, psychological and societal control, historical precedent and technological supremacy. AARO's denials are not scientific skepticism but institutionalized obfuscation. A 2021 Pew Research survey found that 65% of Americans believe intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, underscoring widespread curiosity about the subject. If the Pentagon's forthcoming disclosures confirm extraterrestrial contact, the implications would be profoundreshaping scientific, theological and geopolitical paradigms. For now, Hegseth's measured approach suggests a cautious rollout. "I did not have that on my bingo card at all," he quipped about his unexpected role in overseeing the disclosure. As the Pentagon combs through decades of classified records, the world waitswondering if humanity is on the brink of its most monumental revelation yet. The White House has not provided a timeline for the release, leaving many to speculate whether the files will contain groundbreaking evidence or further obfuscation. With Trump framing the disclosure as part of his legacyand Obama's remarks adding fuel to the firethe coming months could either validate long-held conspiracy theories or deepen the mystery surrounding UFOs. Watch the video below about the U.S. Congress and Pentagon's power struggle over UFO disclosure. This video is from the Exopolitics Today channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com IZ.ru SHTFPlan.com Newsweek.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Animal migration pulses through Earth's ecosystems, as flocks of birds, swarms of butterflies, and herds of mammals cover millions of miles annually chasing food, mates, and milder weather. These predictable journeys maintain balancepredators feast on stragglers, plants spread seeds via droppings, and oceans recycle nutrients through whale highways. Climate change wildlife now fractures this rhythm. Rising temperatures advance springs, melt ice caps, and spawn fiercer storms, forcing species to reroute, speed up, or skip stops entirely. The result? Breeding flops, starving young, and collapsing food chains that ripple to human dinner plates. How Climate Change Disrupts Animal Migration Global warming scrambles the triggers baked into animal migration for millennia. Day length once synced bird departures perfectly with insect hatches, but earlier thawsup to two weeks ahead in parts of North Americaleave migrants arriving to empty fields. Phenological mismatches plague everyone from songbirds to salmon. Oceans warm too, shoving plankton blooms poleward and dragging krill-dependent predators like humpback whales into unfamiliar turf. Droughts evaporate prairie potholes, key refueling pits for 50% of U.S. waterfowl. Storms intensify; 2023's Hurricane Idalia scattered thousands of shorebirds across the Gulf, many too exhausted to recover. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tracks these shifts meticulously. Their reports show 70-80% of studied species altering timings or distances, with long-distance travelers hit hardest. Magnetic navigation falters amid solar disruptions linked to atmospheric changes, leaving even expert navigators like loggerhead turtles circling aimlessly. On land, earlier snowmelt confounds mountain goats and elk, who trek to high meadows expecting cover from wolvesnow they face open exposure. These climate change wildlife tweaks don't just inconvenience; they slash survival odds by 20-50% in vulnerable groups. Which Animals Face the Greatest Migration Shifts Monarch butterflies embody the chaos. Each fall, eastern populations launch a multi-generational 3,000-mile odyssey from Canada to Mexico's oyamel fir groves. Heat and drought ravage milkweed standsthe sole caterpillar foodshrinking breeding output by 80% since 1994. Ghosts of past glories, fewer make the return leg. Arctic caribou herds, up to 200,000 strong, migrate 1,200 miles yearly across Canada for calving. Permafrost thaw melts birthing snowbeds weeks early, dumping newborns amid wolves and bears. The Western Arctic Herd plummeted 50% in two decades. Whales chase chaos too. North Atlantic right whales, down to 350 individuals, pursue calving grounds off Florida while prey zips to Canada prematurely. Starvation claims dozens yearly. Gray whales off California beach more frequently, emaciated from barren feeding grounds. Birds paint vivid pictures. The Arctic tern clocks 44,000 miles round-trip pole-to-pole, but vanishing sea ice starves fish stocks at both ends. Ruby-throated hummingbirds jet 2,000 miles nonstop over the Gulf, arriving 18 days early per Cornell Lab of Ornithology banding datanectar flowers lag behind. In Europe, barn swallows bolt from Africa a month sooner, yet Iberian flycatchers arrive post-peak caterpillar season, halving chick fledging rates. Insects invade: Colorado potato beetles march 1,200 miles north in a decade, outrunning pesticides. Even freshwater stars suffer. Pacific salmon dash up rivers for spawning, but warmer waters trigger fatal fungi and sap energy for the climb. Sockeye runs in British Columbia crashed 90% some years ago. Climate change wildlife spares no guild. Protecting Migration as Climate Pressures Mount Species test limits, but humans hold leverage against climate change wildlife onslaughts on animal migration. Restore 10 million acres of wetlands by 2030simple as replanting native grasses to hold water through droughts. These buffers saved 30% more migrants during 2022's Midwest dry spell. Tech steps up: Satellite tags on 1,000+ bar-headed geese reveal real-time route tweaks, guiding wind farms siting away from flyways. Apps like eBird crowdsource sightings, pinpointing new bottlenecks. BirdLife International secures 2.5 million miles of flyways across 117 countries, shielding storks from power lines. Audubon Society's corridor projects in the Americas link habitats, boosting monarch survival 40%. Cut emissions fundamentallyrenewables now cheaper than coal in 90% of markets. Plant urban greenways to host overflow migrants. Policy shines: The UN's Migratory Species Convention protects 1,200 species, with funds for ice-free whale passages. These moves buy time. Pink-footed geese rebound 15% where Danish farmers delay mowing for goslings. Forward vigilanceannual monitoring via radar and AIkeeps pace with flux, preserving the wild pulse of animal migration. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What causes changes in animal migration patterns due to climate change? Warmer temperatures shift seasonal cues like spring blooms and insect hatches earlier, confusing migrants who rely on daylight or food peaks. Extreme weather, such as droughts and storms, destroys stopover sites and scatters flocks mid-journey. 2. Which animals are most affected by climate change and wildlife shifts? Monarch butterflies lose milkweed from heat, Arctic caribou face early snowmelt, and whales like right whales starve chasing relocated prey. Birds, including Arctic terns and hummingbirds, alter timings most dramatically. 3. Why are some birds migrating earlier now? Rising temperatures advance food availability, prompting species like barn swallows and ruby-throated hummingbirds to depart weeks ahead. However, mismatches with breeding peaks often reduce chick survival. Sinkholes lurk beneath everyday landscapes, ready to swallow cars, homes, and entire neighborhoods without mercy. These geological hazards turn stable ground into sudden voids through land subsidence, a sneaky process that hollows out the earth from within. Florida grapples with hundreds each year, but places like Cebu in the Philippines face their own threats during relentless typhoon seasons. Pinpointing sinkholes unlocks the mystery behind these events and arms people with knowledge to spot dangers early. Sinkholes Causes At their core, sinkholes arise when surface layers lose underground support. Water drives most sinkholes causes, acting like a silent sculptor on vulnerable rock. Rainfall absorbs carbon dioxide from soil and air, forming weak carbonic acid. This seeps into soluble bedrocklimestone, dolomite, or gypsumand dissolves it grain by grain. Over centuries or millennia, vast caverns yawn open below farms, roads, and cities. Nature handles the slow build, but sudden triggers unleash chaos. Torrential rains flood cavities, eroding sediment caps that hold everything up. The roof buckles, and down comes the surface in a dramatic plunge. Human habits accelerate these geological hazards. Cities pump groundwater voraciously for drinking and irrigation, dropping water tables and triggering land subsidence. Empty pores in soil collapse under weight from buildings or traffic. Leaking sewers and storm drains mimic natural flushing, while abandoned mines leave unstable pillars. Even heavy farm fertilizers boost acidity, hastening dissolution. The USGS documents how these forces converge in the U.S., with Florida's aquifer overuse creating perfect storms. In tropical zones like Central Visayas, clay-rich soils atop karst amplify sinkholes caused during monsoons. Common culprits stack up like this: Acidic rainwater dissolving bedrock. Over-extraction of aquifers. Infrastructure leaks and poor drainage. Mining or quarrying scars. Satellites now detect subtle shifts, helping forecasters warn at-risk communities before cracks widen. Where Sinkholes Strike Most and Early Warning Signs Sinkholes favor specific terrains where water meets weak geology. Florida reigns as the sinkhole capital, its peninsula riddled with limestone just feet below sand. Developers there battle constant claims, with events like the 1981 Winter Park monster320 feet widethat devoured luxury homes and a Porsche dealership. Abroad, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula boasts stunning cenotes, water-filled sinkholes from Mayan-era collapses now drawing divers. China's Guangxi province features jagged karst peaks punctured by hidden pits, while the Dead Sea's shrinking waters dissolve salt layers, birthing new craters along shores. The Philippines shares this vulnerability. Cebu's limestone karst, carved by ancient seas, pairs badly with typhoons. PHIVOLCS tallied spikes after Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, when saturated ground gave way in rural barangays and urban edges. Similar risks haunt Bohol and Leyte. Kentucky's Pennyroyal region and Slovenia's Postojna area round out global hotspots, all tied to carbonate rocks. Early signs whisper before the roar. Watch for: Jagged cracks marching across driveways, walls, or pool decks. Unexplained depressions collecting rainwater or mud. Structures tiltingdoors that won't latch, leaning fences. Wildlife fleeing patches of ground; eerie sink sounds from drains. Land subsidence often fools as normal settling, but rapid changes signal sinkholes at work. Trees uproot without storms, and utility lines snap. Ground-penetrating radar pros scan suspicious yards, revealing voids invisible to the eye. Residents in Cebu check slopes post-rain, using apps tied to PAGASA forecasts for real-time alerts. Sinkhole Types, Timelines, Insurance Realities, and Protection Steps Sinkholes split into types based on speed and style. Cover-collapse sinkholes drop violently, like Guatemala's 2010 behemoth that erased a three-story factory in seconds amid Tropical Storm Agatha. Rain liquefied the fill, and 100 feet of earth vanished. Cover-subsidence sinkholes sag lazily, forming broad bowls over weeks or years as land subsidence nibbles away. Dissolution sinkholes stay small, mere potholes from surface-only erosion. Timelines baffle: Geological brewing spans ages, but triggers compress it. Droughts weaken rock, then floods finish the job overnight. Human sinkholes causes, like pipe bursts, strike in days. Insurance trips up many. Basic homeowner policies shun sinkholes, bundling them with floods or quakes as "earth movement." Florida mandates specialized coverage since 2007, but payouts demand proofno coverage for preventable land subsidence. Elsewhere, endorsements cost extra; Texas and Pennsylvania see fierce debates over claims. Always verify: Does it fund sinkhole probes, which run $5,000-$50,000? Protection demands action. Builders test soil with borings, injecting grout to shore voids. Homeowners grade yards for runoff, seal cracks promptly, and skip heavy watering in dry spells. Cities retrofit roads with geogrids. Farmers adopt drip irrigation to spare aquifers. In Cebu, barangay drills teach spotting signs amid lahar risks from nearby volcanoes. Drones patrol highways, and AI crunches seismic data for predictions. These steps blunt geological hazards, turning peril into precaution. Actionable Risk Strategies for 2026 Sinkholes blend timeless geology with modern pressures, spawning land subsidence wherever watchful eyes slacken. From Florida's suburbs to Cebu's rainy hillsides, hotspots demand respectscan for cracks daily, consult local hazard maps, and champion groundwater care. Knowledge bridges the gap, holding the earth steady one informed step at a time. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What are the main sinkholes causes? Sinkholes causes include natural dissolution of limestone by acidic rainwater and human factors like groundwater pumping or leaky infrastructure, both leading to land subsidence. 2. Where do sinkholes commonly occur? They cluster in karst regions like Florida, Yucatan Peninsula, and Cebu's limestone areas in the Philippines, where soluble rock meets heavy rainfall. 3. How can you spot a sinkhole forming? Look for cracks in the ground, tilting structures, pooling water in depressions, or leaning treesearly signs of land subsidence before full collapse. 4. Are sinkholes covered by insurance? Standard policies often exclude them as "earth movement"; add-ons are needed in high-risk zones like Florida, but gradual subsidence may not qualify. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. The Sikkim Organic Conclave and International Buyer Seller Meet in Gangtok attracted around 40 buyers from 17 countries, including South Korea, the UAE, and the UK. Organized by APEDA with the Sikkim Government, the event showcased certified organic products like Large Cardamom and GI-tagged Dalle Khursani to expand global market access. A knowledge report was released outlining a roadmap to strengthen Sikkim's organic export ecosystem through improved infrastructure and farmer-centric growth. Sikkim, recognized as India's first fully organic state in 2016, aims to become a major contributor to the country's organic export sector. 40 international buyers from 17 countries attended Sikkim's Organic Conclave, boosting market access for India's first fully organic state's certified produce. New Delhi, Feb 28 Around 40 buyers from 17 countries including South Korea, the UAE, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Singapore, Norway, Kuwait and the United Kingdom, attended the Buyer-Seller Meet in Gangtok, Sikkim, it was announced on Saturday. Nearly 20 leading Indian exporters, including NCEL, Basillia Organics, Flex Foods and Nexton, also participated, with approximately 100 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs) from Sikkim. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the Sikkim Government and in association with IFOAM-Asia, organised the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM), said Commerce Ministry in a statement. Through initiatives such as the Organic Conclave-cum-IBSM, APEDA continues to promote organic exports, expand market access, build capacity among FPOs and exporters and position Sikkim as an important contributor to India's growing organic export sector. An exhibition featuring around 12 exhibitors showcased Sikkim's certified organic products, including Large Cardamom, GI-tagged Dalle Khursani, Sikkim Mandarin, Buckwheat, Turmeric and Orchids. It highlighted the State's diverse and export-ready organic produce and attracted interest from international buyers. Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016, enabling its produce to gain recognition under APEDA's export certification system. The state was conferred the Future Policy Gold Award by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2018 in recognition of its leadership in organic agriculture. A knowledge report titled "Study on Supply Chain & Export Readiness for Organic Farm Products in Sikkim" was also released. Prepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL), the report outlines a roadmap to strengthen Sikkim's organic export ecosystem through improved infrastructure, streamlined processes, enhanced aggregation, transparent price discovery and strategic market positioning. It identifies measures to improve export competitiveness while ensuring sustainability, traceability and farmer-centric growth. According to the official statement, a technical session was also conducted to sensitise stakeholders on the 8th Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), covering updated regulations and labelling requirements. - IANS Welfare must reach the last person in society Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha asserted that democracy thrives on transparency, responsibility, and accountability, defining these as the core duties of public representatives. He emphasized that representatives must remain accessible, act with integrity, and use digital tools to engage citizens and share information transparently. Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu echoed these sentiments, stating that accountability is a foundational pillar and that the constitutional goal is to deliver justice and empowerment to all citizens, including farmers and women. The seminar, organized by the Tripura Assembly, was described as a historic milestone in making democracy more people-centric and transparent. Tripura CM Manik Saha and Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu emphasize transparency, accountability, and public service as foundations of a strong democracy. Agartala, Feb 27 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday asserted that democracy thrives on transparency, responsibility and accountability, stressing that elected representatives must remain answerable to the people and uphold the highest standards of public service. Addressing a seminar on the responsibility and accountability of public representatives to all sections of people, the Chief Minister said that accountability is one of the key pillars of democracy. He said that safeguarding people's dignity, maintaining personal decorum, standing by people in times of distress and ensuring complete accountability in work define a true public representative. The Chief Minister described the seminar, organised by the Tripura Assembly, as a historic milestone in efforts to make democracy more transparent, strong and people-centric. Noting that earning and honouring public trust is the highest commitment of an elected representative, he stressed that democracy flourishes on the foundations of ethics, transparency and accountability. Referring to India as the world's largest democracy, he said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's global stature has significantly increased. Protecting and strengthening this prestige is the responsibility of every public representative, he added. CM Saha also highlighted that representatives must remain accessible to people throughout the year, listen to their grievances and act promptly. "People observe and understand everything. The goal should not be merely electoral victory, but ensuring development of the marginalised and welfare of the weaker sections," he said, adding that integrity, self-assessment and a corruption-free approach are essential. Emphasising the importance of digital connectivity in the Digital India era, the Chief Minister said technology offers a major opportunity for direct engagement with citizens. Sharing information about development projects and welfare schemes through digital platforms enhances transparency and strengthens public trust, he said, and also elaborated on the functioning and objectives of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), stressing the need for responsible roles by representatives in their respective constituencies. Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu said that the Constitution of the country is not merely a legal document but a guiding force that ensures justice, equality and freedom for every citizen. Addressing the seminar at Pragya Bhavan here, the Governor said that the foremost duty of elected representatives is to serve the people. He emphasised that accountability is not just a subject of discussion but a foundational pillar of a functional democracy. "Our goal is to ensure that the constitutional rights of justice are delivered to every citizen. We must strive for the empowerment of farmers, tribal communities, women and youth," the Governor said. Reddy Nallu noted that though they are elected from specific constituencies, their responsibility extends to the entire state and its people. He also underlined that ensuring the benefits of development reach the last person in society is a key responsibility. Expressing pride over Tripura being declared a fully literate state, he said that it is everyone's duty to build a quality education ecosystem. Highlighting women empowerment, he said that due to focused initiatives, many women in the state have become "Lakhpati Didis," and over one lakh women have emerged as entrepreneurs. The Governor further stated that nearly 70 per cent of the state's population depends on agriculture. He said the government has undertaken various initiatives for farmers' welfare and that public representatives must ensure that every eligible farmer benefits from schemes such as the PM-Kisan and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh said the CPA, established in 1911, works to strengthen parliamentary democracy, good governance and the rule of law. Its primary aim is to enhance the capacity of public representatives and promote transparent governance systems, he said. Singh described the seminar as highly relevant and important for improving people's quality of life. He also noted that Tripura's rich cultural fabric, shaped by 19 tribal communities, reflects a vibrant and diverse heritage. Since 2014, following the formation of the government at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been significant momentum in the development of the Northeast, including Tripura, the Deputy Chairman said. He referred to initiatives such as the Act East Policy and the vision of presenting the eight Northeastern states as "Ashtalakshmi". He also highlighted the glorious history of the Manikya dynasty of Tripura and called upon representatives to work collectively for the state's progress. Several Ministers, MPs, MLAs and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury also spoke in the event. - IANS Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated that joint military action with the United States against Iran was necessary to stop an "existential threat." He outlined objectives to eliminate the immediate threat from the Iranian regime, dismantle its nuclear program, and break its regional proxy network. Danon asserted the war is with the regime, not the Iranian people, and vowed to continue targeting its leadership. The strikes mark a sharp escalation, with Iran retaliating against Israeli and US assets, risking a wider regional conflict. Israel's UN Ambassador says joint US-Israel strikes aimed to dismantle Iran's nuclear program and proxy network, calling action a "necessity." New York, March 1 Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said that Israel, together with the United States, had "acted to stop an existential threat to Israel, to our allies, and to global stability." He asserted that their objective was to eliminate the immediate threat posed by the Iranian regime, dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, and neutralise its regional proxy network. "Today, Israel, together with the United States, acted to stop an existential threat to Israel, to our allies, and to global stability. When a regime chants, Death to Israel, death to America, we take it seriously... Our objectives are clear: to eliminate the immediate threat posed by the Iranian regime and to dismantle its nuclear program. Destroy its ballistic missile production capabilities, neutralise naval threats, and break the terror proxy network... We all know when the real escalation began. It began when the Iranian regime armed proxies across the region, when it expended missiles and drones, when it advanced its nuclear program in violation of all its commitments, and when it brutally slaughtered its own people," Danon said. "Now, Israel and the US act to prevent an irreversible and immediate threat, and the condemnation is immediate. Some call this aggression; we call it necessity... To the brave people of Iran, we stand with you. We admire your courage. Our war is not with you, but with a murderous regime that continues to plan attacks against us and has crushed the Iranian people for almost 50 years... When leaders openly call for our destruction and build the means to carry it out, we do not dismiss it. We do not gamble with our survival; we act," he said. Danon said that Israel will "continue to target the leadership of this radical regime" and take all necessary steps to create conditions for a new future for the Iranian people and regional stability, adding that the time for Iranians to take control of their country's future is "very soon." "We will continue to target the leadership of this radical regime, and we will do whatever is necessary to enable the right conditions for a new future for the people of Iran and stability for the region... I think everyone sees what is happening on the ground and understands that the time for the Iranian people to take control of the future is very soon," he said. On Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out joint missile attacks on Iran, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities, signalling a sharp escalation that risks expanding tensions into a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. - ANI Pakistan conducted airstrikes on multiple Afghan cities, including the capital Kabul and Kandahar, leading to significant casualties. Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, declared an "open war" against Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban administration of harboring militants. In response, Afghanistan has stated it is open to negotiations to de-escalate the situation. The strikes follow reciprocal attacks and drone incursions, raising fears of a wider regional military conflict. Pakistan launches airstrikes on Afghan cities, declaring "open war." Afghanistan offers talks as tensions escalate with accusations of harboring militants. Kabul, February 28 Afghanistan said it is open to negotiations after Pakistan carried out airstrikes on several major cities, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the two countries in "open war" following months of escalating tensions and reciprocal attacks, as reported by Al Jazeera. On Friday, Pakistan carried out strikes on Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, and other towns, while fighting continued along the border, with both sides reporting significant casualties. Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, with both sides accusing one another of retaliatory strikes, raising fears of a wider military conflict in the region. Islamabad declared "open war" on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, further intensifying tensions between the two neighbouring countries. In a post on X, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, issued a strong statement declaring the "open war" against Afghanistan, stating that Islamabad has lost its patience and accusing the Taliban-led administration of harbouring militants. "After the withdrawal of NATO forces, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and peace in the region...They gathered all the terrorists of the world in Afghanistan and began exporting terrorism. They deprived their own people of basic human rights. They snatched away the rights that Islam grants to women," his post read. "Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you. Now it will be 'Dama Dam Mast Qalandar'. Pakistan's army did not come from across the seas. We are your neighbours; we know your ins and outs. Allahu Akbar," the Pakistani Defence Minister added. Earlier, Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said that Afghanistan carried out drone attacks on Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera, as per Tolo News. He also added that anti-drone systems brought down the drones and that there was no loss of life. - ANI Concern is mounting in Kashmir for the safety of local students and professionals stranded in Iran following Israeli attacks. Both former and current chief ministers had earlier advised students to leave, but many remain. The All India Medical Students Association has appealed to the Indian government for proactive measures, including clear advisories and an evacuation plan. Meanwhile, Muslims across the Kashmir Valley have condemned the hostilities, and authorities are monitoring the situation to maintain peace. Kashmiri students and doctors stranded in Iran after Israeli strikes. Local leaders and medical association urge Indian govt for evacuation plans. Srinagar, Feb 28 As reports of Israeli bombings on Iranian locations poured in on Saturday, Kashmiris are showing grave concern about the safety of local students and others still stranded in Iran. Both former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and the present chief minister Omar Abdullah had asked Kashmiri students in Iran earlier this week to take the Indian foreign ministry advisory seriously and pull out of Iran since the airspace was open at that time. Despite many Kashmiri students having made it to the country while flights were still operational, reports here suggest many are still stranded in Iran. It is not only Kashmiri students who are stranded in Iran, but a good number of local doctors and other members of the Iranian workforce belonging to India are still present in Iran. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, national representative and Pradesh president of All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), has called for close coordination with Iranian authorities, university administrations and the Indian embassy in Tehran. He called for the issuance of clear advisories, activation of dedicated emergency helplines, and readiness of a comprehensive contingency and evacuation plan if the situation deteriorates. The association reiterated that Indian students and nationals must remain the foremost priority of the Government of India. In its formal appeal, AIMSA urged the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to take immediate and proactive measures to safeguard all Indian citizens in the region. The association has emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of developments and timely communication to prevent panic and ensure clarity among students and their families. Meanwhile, irrespective of sectarian loyalties, Muslims throughout the Valley have condemned Israeli attacks on Iran and demanded immediate cessation of hostilities. Kashmir Valley and the Kargil area of Ladakh have a large population of Shia Muslims, who have religious and sectarian affinity with Iran. Authorities in the Valley are keeping a watch on the situation so that locals exhibit their sentiments over the sensitive issue peacefully and anti-social elements are prevented from exploiting the situation. - IANS Record 2025 performance was driven by proactive inventory positioning and rapid supply chain pivoting following significant global tariff volatility in April. Management mitigated high Chinese tariffs by shifting production to new facilities in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia while increasing output in India and Egypt. The first aid segment benefited from the introduction of a patented automatic replenishment system that reduces customer costs by 30% to 50% compared to traditional delivery models. Operational efficiency was enhanced through robotics investments at three U.S. sites for first aid refill assembly and the deployment of inventory-reconciling drones in North Carolina. Market share gains in the Westcott cutting tool line were achieved by leveraging patented non-stick and ceramic technologies to differentiate products in the craft and industrial sectors. The company is transitioning its Med-Nap facility to become a domestic supplier for the broader U.S. medical market by building a microbiology lab and expanding quality assurance teams. Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has warned passengers of potential international flight disruptions due to temporary closures and restrictions across multiple airspaces. This follows a joint military operation by Israel and the US targeting sites in Iran, which has led Iran, Israel, and Iraq to close their airspace. Major airlines like Air India and Qatar Airways have suspended services to the region in response. Other Indian airports, including Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram, have also issued advisories cautioning travelers about possible flight issues. Ahmedabad airport issues advisory for international flights after Iran, Israel, Iraq close airspace due to military strikes, causing major disruptions. Ahmedabad, February 28 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Saturday issued a passenger advisory warning of potential disruptions to international flight operations due to temporary closures and restrictions across multiple international airspaces. In a post on X, the airport said, "Due to temporary closures and restrictions affecting multiple international airspaces, certain international flights may experience delays, rerouting, or cancellations. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport and plan their journey accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive to enhance your travel experience." The advisory follows a sharp escalation in the Middle East region after a joint military operation by Israel and the United States reportedly targeted Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. The operation, named "Operation Roaring Lion," has led to retaliatory actions and heightened security concerns across the region. In response, Iran, Israel and Iraq closed their airspace, significantly impacting international flight corridors. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as an attempt to neutralise what he termed an existential threat, while US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes and warned of further action if hostilities continue. Reports of explosions in parts of Tehran and emergency measures in Israel have added to fears of a broader regional conflict. The aviation sector has reacted swiftly. Air India suspended all flights to Middle Eastern destinations, citing passenger and crew safety. Qatar Airways temporarily halted services to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace. Meanwhile, IndiGo stated it is closely monitoring developments related to Iran and the surrounding airspace and is prepared to adjust operations as required. Furthermore, several international airports, including Mangaluru International Airport in Karnataka and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, issued passenger advisories cautioning travellers about possible flight disruptions amid escalating tensions in the Middle East region. - ANI Air India Express has announced a recovery flight after its Bengaluru-Kathmandu services were diverted on consecutive days due to adverse weather in Kathmandu. The airline stated that even an additional recovery flight operated to assist stranded passengers was also diverted for the same reason. Affected passengers have been provided hotel accommodation and offered options for complimentary rescheduling or a full refund. The announcement comes years after the Tata Group's acquisition of Air India was finalized by the Indian government. Air India Express announces recovery flights after Bengaluru-Kathmandu services are diverted due to adverse weather, offering passengers refunds or rescheduling. Bengaluru, February 28 Air India Express on Saturday announced Bengaluru-Kathmandu "recovery flight" following a string of weather-related diversions that left passengers stranded for two consecutive days. In a statement, an Air India Express spokesperson said, "Due to adverse weather in Kathmandu, our Bengaluru-Kathmandu flights on 26 and 27 February were diverted. An additional flight operated today to recover guests from yesterday's disrupted service was also diverted for the same reason." The airline said that affected passengers have been provided hotel accommodation and were offered the option of complimentary rescheduling or full-refund cancellation. "We regret the inconvenience caused due to factors beyond the airline's control," the spokesperson added. Earlier on February 25, a New Delhi-bound Air India flight stood on the runway at the Mumbai Airport, delayed from its scheduled departure time of 3:25 pm. According to sources, the Air India Mumbai to Delhi flight AI 1851 was on the runway at Mumbai airport for more than 45 minutes. Meanwhile, in 2021, the Government announced that the Tata group made a winning bid of Rs 18,000 crore for Air India. Subsequently, on October 25, 2021, the Indian government inked a share purchase agreement with the Tata Group for the handover of Air India. On January 27, 2021, the Tata group took ownership of Air India. - ANI An Air India Express flight from Tiruchirappalli to Dubai was forced to turn back mid-flight after being denied landing permission. The aircraft, carrying 145 passengers, departed in the afternoon and had to return to its origin airport. The denial of permission is linked to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East region. The flight was expected to land back at Tiruchirappalli International Airport shortly after the incident. An Air India Express flight from Tiruchirappalli to Dubai was denied landing permission and forced to return amid the Middle East war situation. Tiruchirappalli, February 28 An Air India Express flight bound for Dubai was denied landing permission amid the ongoing war situation in the Middle East region. The aircraft, which departed at around 12:45 pm today, with 145 passengers on board, turned back mid-journey following the restriction. According to the airport director, the flight is currently en route to Tiruchirappalli International Airport and is expected to land shortly. Further details awaited. - ANI An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was forced to return to India mid-flight due to the sudden closure of Israeli airspace. The decision was made by the airline in the interest of passenger and crew safety. This occurred as Israel reportedly launched preventive missile strikes against Iran, prompting nationwide alerts and emergency guidelines. Iranian state media also reported explosions in Tehran amid the escalating situation. Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv forced to return mid-flight due to Israeli airspace closure amid reported strikes on Iran. Safety cited. New Delhi, February 28 Air India flight AI139, travelling from Delhi to Tel Aviv, was forced to turn back to India on Saturday due to the sudden closure of Israeli airspace. The decision was made mid-flight on Saturday to ensure the protection of all individuals on board. According to Air India Spokesperson, "AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to the closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of the safety of passengers and crew. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation and remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as needed." Meanwhile, Israel has launched a preventive missile attack against Iran on Saturday, as reported by TPS. Citizens have been advised to seek shelter as the IDF said that sirens were sounded across the nation as a proactive alert for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the country. TPS further noted that Defence Minsiter Israel Katz announced that the preemptive strikes against Iran came to remove threats to the country. The Israeli Defence Force called on the public to stay in proximity to protected spaces. According to the Jerusalem Post, a security source confirmed to Walla that the United States is also involved in the strikes. As per the Jerusalem Post, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a "secure location", according to an Iranian official who confirmed to Reuters. Also on Saturday, the Israeli Defence Force also shared that following a situational assessment, it was determined that immediate changes would be made to the Home Front Command Guidelines--with the decision to shift all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity. The guidelines include a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors. Iranian State Media also reported explosions in the capital city of Tehran. According to TPS, Israeli Defence Minister Katz declared an immediate nationwide special state of emergency under Israel's Civil Defence Law, warning that a missile and drone attack against Israeli territory and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe. - ANI Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed profound shock and offered condolences following a deadly fire at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district. The blaze has claimed at least 18 lives, with several injured reported in critical condition. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the accident, inquiring about its causes and the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Officials confirmed around 20 people were working at the Surya Fire Works unit when the tragic incident occurred. Union Home Minister Amit Shah expresses shock as a fire at an Andhra Pradesh firecracker unit kills 18. Rescue ops ongoing, CM Naidu reviews situation. New Delhi, February 28 Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed profound shock and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while ensuring the injured receive the best possible medical assistance, following the fire incident occured at the Banasancha Ordnance Factory in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, that has led to the tragic loss of lives, with rescue operations currently underway at the site. On X, he wrote, "The tragic fire accident at the Banasancha Ordnance Factory in Andhra Pradesh has caused profound shock due to the loss of lives. Rescue operations are ongoing at the incident site. The injured are receiving better medical assistance. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Deeply saddened by the tragic fire accident at a cracker factory in Andhra Pradesh. Rescue and relief operations are underway, and medical care is being provided to the injured. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of those affected." Atleast eighteen people have died after a fire broke out in a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem, Kakinada district, on Saturday. The condition of several injured persons is reported to be critical. Sagili Shan Mohan, Collector & District Magistrate have informed about th incident. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spoke with officials regarding the same Kakinada accident. CM reviewed the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kakinada district. The Chief Minister inquired about the causes of the accident and the ongoing rescue and relief operations at the site. Officials informed that around 20 people were working at Surya Fire Works where the accident occurred. Naidu expressed grief over the large number of firecracker workers losing their lives. The Chief Minister directed ministers and senior officials to visit the accident site. - ANI Bangladesh's Awami League has reopened over a dozen party offices in the two weeks following the recent parliamentary elections. The move is seen as a cautious strategy to test the attitude of the ruling BNP government and assess hurdles in securing bail for imprisoned party members. In some locations, supporters gathered outside offices without formally unlocking them, reflecting a measured approach to regain political momentum. Analysts describe the strategy as operating on two tracks: demonstrating a limited ground presence while gauging the government's reaction. Bangladesh's Awami League reopens over a dozen offices in a cautious strategy to test the BNP government's stance and secure bail for jailed members. Dhaka, Feb 28 Bangladesh's Awami League has begun reasserting its political presence in the country following the recent parliamentary elections, with over a dozen party offices reopened in the past two weeks, local media reports have cited. In several locations, however, party supporters gathered outside the offices and raised slogans instead of formally unlocking the premises, reflecting a visible effort to regain momentum on the ground. Citing multiple party sources, Bangladesh's leading daily 'Prothom Alo' reported that the Awami League is essentially trying to test the Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) attitude through these actions. Simultaneously, the Awami League wants to assess whether the government will create any hurdle in securing bail and release of its imprisoned leaders and activists. Reports suggest that a section within the party favours a cautious approach to reopening offices or resuming visible activities, with some party leaders viewing the BNP as more accommodating towards the Awami League compared to the former Muhammad Yunus led interim government. As a result, they suggest, any attempt by the Awami League to become active too quickly may place the BNP under mounting political pressure. The opposition parties in parliament - Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party - could escalate the issue, prompting the ruling BNP government to take a tougher stance against the Awami League, Prothom Alo reported. Last Friday in Dhaka's Dhanmondi, some leaders of the female wing of Awami League, Jubo Mohila League gathered outside the political office of the Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina, chanting slogans, placing the national flag and a portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the gate. According to Prothom Alo reports, from the day after the February 12 election until last week, district and metropolitan offices of Awami League were reopened at 12 locations. Besides that, seven to eight offices at the Upazila and union levels of Awami League were unlocked, though in some locations, banners erected by the party were torn down. These latest developments come after the party and affiliated organisation offices across Dhaka and the country were locked under the former Yunus-led interim government following the ouster of the Hasina-led Awami League government in 2024, with many subsequently facing arson, vandalism and looting. "Analysts believe that in the current situation, the Awami League's strategy is moving along two tracks - showing a limited presence on the ground while simultaneously assessing the government's reaction. The government's position on reopening offices and granting bail could determine how open or restricted the party's political path will be," Prothom Alo stated. - IANS Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is commemorating the 11th anniversary of his film 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' by sharing one of his favorite scenes, which uses music to convey unspoken emotions between the lead characters. His co-star Bhumi Pednekar also celebrated the milestone for the Sharat Katariya-directed romantic comedy. The critically acclaimed movie, which won a National Film Award, follows a reluctant husband who grows closer to his wife after entering a race together. Meanwhile, Ayushmann's next project is the sequel 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do', set for release in 2026. Ayushmann Khurrana reflects on a key musical scene as 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' turns 11. The film co-starred Bhumi Pednekar and won a National Award. Mumbai, February 27 Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is celebrating 11 years of his much-loved rom-com 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha', reflecting on one of his favourite scenes from the film. Taking to his Instagram handle, Ayushmann detailed how music played a significant role in the particular sequence, capturing the unsaid words between the husband and wife. "One of my favourite scenes from Dum Laga Ke Haisha. They're angry, are not speaking to each other... yet saying everything through music. I've always loved how this moment shows that even when words fail, emotions find a way. Crazy how music can become a conversation of its own and sometimes says more than any dialogue ever could. #11YearsOfDumLagaKeHaisha," the actor wrote. Bhumi Pednekkar, who played the female lead in 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha', also celebrated the milestone, sharing a special poster. Helmed by Sharat Katariya, Dum Laga Ke Haisha revolves around a school dropout named Prem, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, who reluctantly marries the educated but overweight Sandhya (Bhumi). The couple grows closer when they take part in a race, which involves Prem carrying Sandhya on his back. 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha', a critically acclaimed movie, received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. The movie, which was released in 2015, also featured Sanjay Mishra and Seema Pahwa in supporting roles. On the work front for Ayushmann Khurrana, the actor will be next seen in 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do', which is set to release on May 15, 2026. The upcoming film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi in lead roles. The story will follow a fresh set of characters and situations. Director Mudassar Aziz, who also helmed the first film, is back to direct the sequel. The comedy will be produced by Bhushan Kumar and Renu Ravi Chopra, with Juno Chopra serving as the creative producer. The first Pati Patni Aur Woh hit theatres in 2019, starring Kartik Aaryan, Bhumi Pednekar, and Ananya Panday. It was a modern remake of the 1978 film of the same name and also featured Ayushmann Khurrana's brother, Aparshakti Khurrana, in a supporting role. - ANI Former Kathmandu mayor and rapper Balendra Shah has launched his campaign for Prime Minister with a major roadshow in the capital. He is contesting from the Jhapa constituency against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Shah resigned from his mayoral post in January to contest the March 5 election as the prime ministerial candidate for the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The party has agreed that party chairman Rabi Lamichhane will remain in that role while Shah becomes the parliamentary leader and PM candidate if they succeed. Former rapper and mayor Balendra Shah, vying for Prime Minister, launches a major Kathmandu campaign rally with Rabi Lamichhane ahead of the March 5 election. Kathmandu, February 28 Former rapper and mayor Balendra Shah, vying for PM, has launched a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for Thursday. Balen, standing in the fray from the Jhapa in the March 5 election, against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launched the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stood on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greeted voters from the sun-roof of the vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from Monday past midnight. "The campaign has drawn an enormous crowd as Balen (Balendra) Shah and Rabi Lamichhane came for the campaign. It brought more people than any other political gathering. This has further increased the election fever," Sitaram Tiwari, a resident of Sankhu, Kathmandu, told ANI. Balen had been campaigning across the nation for his party Rastriya Swatantra Party. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 had resigned from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumed the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day. "He (Balen) had been living up to his promises than other parties and those in power. The construction of roads, water, and other infrastructures as well as I am expecting him to create more job opportunities and bring a wave of change; he is projected as the Prime Minister by all age group," Ambika BK, a resident of Kathmandu, told ANI. On December 28, Balen had struck a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it was agreed that he would be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane will continue as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP had emerged as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen has promised to institutionalise the agenda raised by the September Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 is shaping up to be an intriguing contest this time. - ANI The Bangladeshi government has voiced serious concern over escalating Middle East tensions, emphasizing the safety of its citizens in the region. The conflict has disrupted travel for Bangladeshi workers due to temporary airspace closures, prompting diplomatic requests for their entry. Authorities are providing assistance to stranded workers and securing the Bangladesh mission in Tehran. In an emergency meeting, top officials reviewed the situation and reiterated a call for peaceful resolution through dialogue and international law. Bangladesh expresses deep concern over Middle East tensions, calls for dialogue, and works to assist stranded workers and ensure national safety. Dhaka, March 1 In light of the recent volatile situation and escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iran, the Government of Bangladesh has expressed deep concern regarding the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in the region. Due to the temporary closure of air routes and airspace, the travel of Bangladeshi workers heading to the Middle East for employment has been disrupted. In this context, the Government of Bangladesh has already requested the concerned countries to allow entry for Bangladeshi citizens who wish to travel to the Middle East, as well as those currently stranded, once the situation improves. Several countries have provided positive assurances in this regard, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The relevant authorities in Bangladesh have taken measures to ensure necessary assistance for workers currently present at various airports in the country. They are also maintaining regular communication with the relevant authorities in the Middle East to address emerging concerns, it added. The Government of Bangladesh has initiated necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the premises of the Bangladesh Mission in Tehran, its diplomats and officials, as well as Bangladeshi students studying in Iran, the statement said. "Bangladesh expresses deep concern over the failure of dialogue processes in the Middle East and the recent intensification of tensions in the region. Bangladesh reiterates that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country in the Middle East is essential. We firmly believe that conflict never brings a lasting solution; rather, disputes can only be resolved peacefully through dialogue, mutual respect, and commitment to international law. Bangladesh calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalation, and immediately intensify diplomatic efforts", said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry. "Bangladesh reaffirms its consistent and principled position in favour of peace, stability, and security in the Middle East, and calls upon the international community to strengthen efforts toward restoring peace and creating a conducive environment for dialogue", the statement said. This evening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, and the Foreign Secretary met in an emergency meeting to review the evolving situation in the Middle East. During the meeting, they also held a telephone conversation with the Head of the Bangladesh Mission in Tehran. - ANI Former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus states that a joint US-Israel military operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," has been launched with the explicit aim of bringing down the Iranian regime. He reports that strikes have hit military and regime targets in Iran, including missile launchers and IRGC centers, while Iranian retaliatory missiles have been intercepted. Conricus links the operation to recent mass protests in Iran where citizens called for regime change and frames it as Israel's direct response to years of Iranian indirect warfare. He further accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons and posing an existential threat to Israel. Former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus details the joint US-Israel military operation targeting Iran's regime and military infrastructure. Tel Aviv, February 28 Jonathan Conricus, former International Spokesperson of the IDF, said that the aim of Operation Roaring Lion in Hebrew and Epic Fury in English is to bring down the Iranian regime. Conricus, in conversation with ANI, said that this operation marks a historic shift in the Middle East. He said, "The US and Israel have launched a joint operation with the target of bringing down the Iranian regime. Both leaders of these democracies, the US and Israel, have said very clearly in video statements issued to public networks. The aim of Operation Roaring Lion in Hebrew and Epic Fury in English is to bring down the oppressive, brutal, terror-supporting and warmongering Iranian regime." Conricus said that it is difficult to assess damage because of internet shutdown there. "What Israel and the US have done is strike a variety of military and regime targets in Iran. The Internet is down in Iran, so it's really difficult to get battle damage assessment. But we're talking about missile launchers, production facilities, regime locations, IRGC centres, the president's residence was reportedly hit, and various other targets that I'm sure we will learn about in the coming hours. The Iranian regime has retaliated by firing missiles towards Israel. So far, all of those missiles, apparently three in number, have been intercepted successfully. No casualties in Israel so far...I think we are at the beginning of a historic shift in the Middle East," he said. Conricus further said that the operation comes after Iranians begged for aid during their protests. He said, "I think that the Iranian people out in millions some 50 days ago made it very clear that the Iranian people want to see the oppressive Iranian regime gone and begged for help. Then they were brutally slaughtered by the Iranian regime. So that's one point. Second point is, I think this has become Israel's business since Iran has been waging indirect and direct warfare against Israel," he said. Conricus said that Israel is now responding directly against the regime and hopefully giving the Iranian people the opportunity that they wanted to actually free themselves. "Iran has spent billions, if not trillions, of dollars, in arming all of Israel's enemies, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and many others...Iran is the country that has been waging an indirect war against Israel. Israel is now responding, finally, after many, many years of sustaining Iranian indirect attacks, Israel is now responding directly against the regime and hopefully giving the Iranian people the opportunity that they wanted to actually free themselves and bring down this horrible, oppressive and failing regime," he said. Conricus said that Iranians were killing Israeli civilians, and US-Israel strikes are aimed at regime and military targets. He said, "The US-Israeli strike is aimed at regime and military targets, which, by the way, is totally contrary to what the Iranians have been doing in the past, and I'm sure will try to do now, firing missiles indiscriminately at Israel and killing civilians. Last time in June, when the last round of fighting between Israel and Iran was, we had more than 85 Israeli civilians killed by Iranian missiles and only two military personnel, which shows you exactly what the Iranians were aiming for," he said. On the reasoning behind attacking Iran, Conricus said, "Because the Iranian regime is belligerent and poses a threat to the state of Israel. They are conducting indirect warfare, supporting all of our enemies, funding them with advanced weapons and aiming to kill Israeli civilians; they have an outspoken goal to destroy the state of Israel...Israel is indicating to the Iranian regime that it will not tolerate this...The Iranian regime is going to be held accountable for its long-standing aggression against Israel." Conricus further said that Iran is developing nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Conricus said, "The Iranians have been conducting a clandestine underground secret weapons program, a nuclear weapons program, with the aim of building a nuclear bomb. They have a large and very successful missile program. And from an Israeli perspective, it's very clear what the Iranians have been trying to do to develop weapons of mass destruction in order to wield that as a threat against Israel and maybe use it.' He said that Iran still has about 400kg of enriched Uranium at military level. "And that's not a threat that Israel, as a sovereign country that needs to defend itself, is going to accept and just sit down. Even after the June war between Iran and Israel, Operation Rising Lion, it was still clear that the Iranians still had about 400 kilograms of enriched uranium at military level...I believe that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the Iranian regime," he said. Conricus said that the world will see a better beginning for the Middle East, for the Iranian people and for Israel. "I think the country in breach of international norms, as clearly shown by the UN Security Council and by sanctions by most of the world, is the Islamic Republic of Iran. They are the ones who have been trying to develop nuclear weapons. That is a breach of international norms and international law. What Israel is doing is defending itself against that regime. And I think it's fully justified by any freedom-loving country to defend itself against external threats...We will see a better beginning for the Middle East, for the Iranian people and for Israel," he said. Israeli air defence systems intercepted missiles over Jerusalem and Central Israel, after the military said it had detected a missile attack launched from Iran. Smoke was seen rising from southern Tehran's Azadi Square following strikes carried out by the US and Israel. - ANI By Lewis Krauskopf NEW YORK, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Prospects for artificial intelligence to disrupt business sectors should keep the U.S. stock market on edge in the coming week, as Wall Street looks for more insight into how the emerging technology will reverberate through the economy. The monthly U.S. jobs report headlines economic data due next week, while major semiconductor player Broadcom is among the remaining reports that will close out the fourth-quarter earnings season. More from Yahoo Scout What will February jobs data reveal about market? How is AI disrupting different business sectors? When might the Fed cut interest rates next? Why did Nvidia's earnings disappoint investors recently? The disruptive potential of AI has consumed investors in recent weeks, with shares in industries such as software, wealth management and real estate services pummeled by concerns about business upheaval. "There continues to be this...back and forth about who might be the victim and those that will actually emerge winners because they are harnessing AI as opposed to being replaced by it," said Kristina Hooper, chief market strategist at Man Group. "There is very little definitive right now about that, and so I think that will continue to be a concern." Stock prices in areas such as software remain acutely sensitive to AI-related developments. AI bellwether Nvidia's highly anticipated quarterly report failed to calm nerves, with the semiconductor giant's shares falling over 5% on Thursday and weighing on the technology sector. Investors are concerned about whether Nvidia's (NVDA) "hyperscaler" customers will garner sufficient returns to justify their massive spending on data centers and other infrastructure. Despite the tech sector's struggles, gains this year in other areas such as industrials and consumer staples have helped buoy major equity indexes. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) was up 0.9% in 2026 as of Thursday. "The U.S. equity market is sort of in its late cycle, trying to find the winners and losers of this new disruptive technology and pretty much treading water," said John Velis, Americas macro strategist at BNY. WILL FEBRUARY JOBS BACK JANUARY'S STRENGTH? The U.S. jobs report for February, due on March 6, is expected to show an increase of 60,000 jobs, according to a Reuters poll. It comes after January's surprisingly robust report, with an increase of 130,000 jobs and the unemployment rate falling to 4.3%. The January report allayed worries about a weakening labor market, but "the concern is that January is a one-off," said Paul Nolte, senior wealth adviser and market strategist at Murphy & Sylvest Wealth Management. "We saw a good January jobs report, but we also have seen a really weak 2025 for the job market," Hooper said. "And so the question becomes, where do we go from here?" Union Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in Bhopal. The committee examined 58 new proposals for infrastructure projects near protected areas, balancing development with ecological safeguards. Key policy discussions included maintaining water flows in the Chambal River for aquatic species and strategies for human-leopard conflict. The meeting stressed the need for research-backed conservation policies through collaboration with scientific institutions. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 89th NBWL meeting, reviewing 58 infrastructure proposals and key conservation policies in Bhopal. Bhopal, Feb 28 Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday, chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, considering proposals relating to wildlife conservation. "The Standing Committee also discussed development projects located in and around protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and eco-sensitive zones in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," the statement said. The proposals were examined keeping in view ecological sensitivity, statutory requirements and prescribed mitigation measures. "A total of 58 fresh proposals across sectors such as communication infrastructure, optical fibre cables, power transmission lines, road projects, drinking water supply, thermal power, defence, irrigation and other infrastructure were considered by the Committee," it added. The Committee also deliberated on important policy matters, including ecological importance of maintaining environmental flows (e-flows) in the Chambal river for conservation of aquatic fauna like dolphins, gharials; status of social, economic and ecological aspects of villages inside the Tiger reserves; importance of grasslands for wildlife management; and strategies to manage current challenges of the human-leopard interface. The meeting also emphasised involvement of scientific and technical institutions, including the Wildlife Institute of India, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the Central Water Commission, to ensure that conservation policies are supported by robust research and inter-sectoral coordination. "The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is mandated to advise the Union government on matters relating to conservation and protection of wildlife and forests, while ensuring that development activities in and around protected areas are undertaken in a sustainable and balanced manner," the statement said. - IANS Eight cheetahs from Botswana have arrived in India, transported by IAF aircraft and helicopters to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This marks the third batch of African cheetahs translocated under India's ambitious reintroduction programme, raising the total population at the park to 47. The animals will be placed in quarantine enclosures for monitoring before a gradual release into larger soft-release areas. The project aims to establish a genetically diverse, free-ranging cheetah population in India over the next decade. Eight cheetahs from Botswana arrive at Kuno National Park, bringing India's total to 47. They will undergo quarantine before joining the reintroduction project. Gwalior, Feb 28 A special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying eight cheetahs from Botswana arrived at Gwalior airport on Saturday morning. After a formal inspection of the cheetahs which had travelled for over 10 hours, the officials concerned moved the cages carrying the cheetahs into two helicopters. From Gwalior's airport, these cheetahs were flown to Kuno National Park, located in Sheopur district of the Gwalior-Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh. Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav will release them at Kuno National Park. The animals will be released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where officials will closely monitor their health and behaviour before gradually preparing them for life in the wild. A team of forest veterinarians and wildlife experts has also arrived from Botswana, who will be assisting the forest officials responsible for the success of 'Project Cheetah' at Kuno National Park, according to a senior forest official in Madhya Pradesh. With the arrival of eight new cheetahs, which is part of the Centre's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, the total number of the big cats in the country went up to 47, including 28 cubs born at the park since the first batch of cheetahs were released here on September 17, 2022. Officials told IANS that multiple quarantine enclosures have been prepared at the park to ensure stress-free transfer of the animals. Under the protocol, the cheetahs will remain in large, fenced enclosures for about a month. This is the third batch of African cheetahs brought to India under the translocation programme, following earlier introductions from Namibia in September 2022 and South Africa in February 2023. The latest transfer from Botswana is part of a government-to-government agreement aimed at establishing a genetically diverse, free-ranging cheetah population in India over the next decade. During the quarantine period, which is likely to be between 15 days to 30 days, wildlife veterinarians and forest officials will monitor their feeding patterns, movement, adaptation to local climate, and any signs of stress or disease. Blood samples and health parameters will be assessed regularly. The cheetahs will soon be fitted with GPS satellite collars, which will be checked to ensure real-time tracking once the animals are eventually released into larger soft-release areas. Notably, since 2023, as many as 30 cubs have been born at Kuno, of which 28 (one cub was located on Friday) have survived. This year alone, a total of nine cubs were born in two litters between February 7 and February 18 and all have survived so far. Official sources told IANS that some cheetahs, including Indian born cubs will be shifted to the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located in Vindhya Forest range, covering Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur districts. - IANS A retired Israeli Brigadier General, speaking from a shelter, states that a overwhelming joint US-Israel operation has been launched with the clear goal of bringing down the Iranian regime. He confirms that Iranian ballistic missiles are being fired at Israel and will be intercepted by Israeli air defenses. The general references a call by former Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlvi for the Iranian people to take to the streets to finish the regime. The operation follows a warning from US President Donald Trump and marks a significant escalation in the regional conflict. Israeli General Amir Avivi, speaking from a shelter, declares the Iran regime's end as US-Israel forces launch a massive attack. Details inside. Tel Aviv, February 28 The might of Israel and American forces who have initiated a joint operation against Iran is overwhelming, and the bottom line is very clear that the regime in Tehran is going down, Amir Avivi, Brigadier General and founder and CEO of the Israel Defence and Security Forum has said. In a video interview with ANI, Amir Avivi said Israeli Air Defence will intercept the ballistic missiles that are fired by Iran and are on the way to Israel. "We're in a war. But I think that the Israeli American force is overwhelming. I don't think the Iranians regime can really deal with such a mighty force. So yes, we'll see shooting from Iran, and we'll have some challenging days. But I think that the bottom line is very, very clear. This regime is going down," he said. Amir Avivi also referred to the remarks of former Iranian Crown Prince Rehza Pehlvi telling Iranian people that time to return to streets is near. "The goal is clear: to bring regime change...We also see the statement of the son of the Shah, Reza Pahlavi, sending a clear message to the Iranian people, get ready to go to the streets and fight in order to bring about a change of regime," he said. Amir Avivi, who was speaking from a shelter, said the Iranian regime needs to go and these proxies need to be dismantled. He said it was the beginning of a massive attack on the regime and its "...Now we see Iran also shooting ballistic missiles at Israel. So I'm speaking now from the shelter, and the Israeli air defence will intercept these ballistic missiles that are on the way to Israel," he said. "This morning, the US and Israel launched a huge attack on the Iranian regime and all its capabilities with a clear goal of bringing down the regime, destroying its capabilities and liberating the Iranian people from this evil regime. The goal is clear. This regime needs to go. And these proxies need to be dismantled. We are at the beginning of this massive attack on the regime and its capabilities. Now we see Iran also shooting ballistic missiles at Israel. So I'm speaking now from the shelter, and the Israeli air defence will intercept these ballistic missiles that are on the way to Israel," he added. Earlier, Rehza Pahlvi, in a video message posted on X said that "destiny lie ahead" as he called on the people of Iran to to "finish the job in this final battle." "My dear compatriots, Moments of destiny lie ahead of us. The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention; and its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter--not the country and great nation of Iran. But, even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near," Pahlvi said in a video. Iran has also launched military strikes on US bases in Bahrain, targeting US bases in the country. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as a combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. - ANI Brazil has issued a strong condemnation of recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. The Brazilian government expressed grave concern, stating the attacks undermine ongoing negotiation processes, which it views as the only viable path to peace. It called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, respect international law, and prioritize diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. Brazilian authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with embassies providing guidance to citizens in the region. Brazil strongly condemns recent US-Israel attacks on Iran, urging restraint, respect for international law, and a return to diplomatic negotiations. Sao Paulo, February 28 The government of Brazil on Saturday issued a strong condemnation of recent attacks carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, expressing "grave concern" over the developments, as reported by Brasil 247. In Press Release published earlier in the day by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil stated that the strikes took place "in the midst of a negotiation process between the parties," which it described as the only viable path to peace. The statement underscored that dialogue remains the legitimate and sustainable means to resolve disputes, reiterating Brazil's long-standing position in favour of diplomatic engagement in the region. According to Brasil 247, the Brazilian government emphasized that diplomacy must prevail over military action and called on all sides to act responsibly. It urged the parties involved to "respect International Law and exercise maximum restraint," warning that further escalation could aggravate hostilities and threaten civilian lives and infrastructure. Reaffirming its historical commitment to international norms, Brazil highlighted the importance of safeguarding civilians in conflict situations. The statement stressed that adherence to international law is essential to maintaining regional stability and preventing broader repercussions. The Ministry further noted that Brazilian embassies across the region are closely monitoring the unfolding situation. Authorities are paying particular attention to the safety and needs of Brazilian nationals residing in or travelling through affected areas. The government advised citizens to strictly follow the guidance issued by local authorities and remain alert to official communications. According to the release, Brazil's ambassador in Tehran is in direct contact with members of the Brazilian community in the Iranian capital, providing updates and security guidance as necessary. The government reiterated that it continues to monitor developments closely and renewed its appeal for intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict. - ANI UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned Iran's recent attacks across the Middle East, confirming that British forces, including planes, are active in defensive operations to protect allies. He stated the UK played no role in the earlier US-Israel strikes on Iran but labeled the Iranian regime as "utterly abhorrent" for regional destabilization. Starmer emphasized the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and called for de-escalation through diplomacy. Meanwhile, Israel reports intercepting Iranian drones, and Saudi Arabia has also condemned the attacks on its territory. UK PM Keir Starmer condemns Iran's attacks, confirms British planes are active in defensive Middle East ops. Read the latest on regional escalation. London, February 28 While unequivocally condemning the recent attacks by Iran in Israel and across West Asia, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that the country has strengthened its "active forces", including British planes currently in the sky as part of its defensive operations. "I condemn Iran's attacks on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict, we extend our support and solidarity to them. As part of our commitment to the security of our allies in the middle east, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently strengthen. Our forces are active, and British planes are in the sky as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to our protect our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before in line with international law," PM Starmer said in an official statement. Calling the strikes by Iran as "indiscriminate", PM Starmer expressed concern over the loss of innocent civilian lives in the region. "Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran. Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region. I know the British people, and communities across our country will be deeply concerned about what this means for the security and stability and the fate of innocent people across the region, which for many of us include friends and family," he said. While UK played no role in the US-Israel joint strikes on the Islamic republic, he said that the "utterly abhorrent" regime has continuously sought to destabilise the region, including murdering thousands of its own people, and also facilitated "over 20 potentially lethal" attacks on British soil. "The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, but we have long been clear, the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of its own people, and sought to destabilise the region. The Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the jewish community. Over the last year alone they have backed over 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil. So it is clear that they must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, that remains the primary aim of UK and our allies, including the US," he said. The security of British personnel in Iran has been stepped up to the highest level, and Starmer is set to talk with E 3 leaders and other regional leaders regarding the situation. "We have stepped up protections for British spaces and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out the UK nationals in the region. I will be speaking with the leaders today from the E 3 and across the region. It is vital that we prevent further escalation and return to diplomatic process," he said. UK seeks peace and security in the region, and Iran could end this now, Starmer said. "We want to seek peace and security, and the protection of civilian life. Iran could end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and seize the appalling violence and repression against its own people who deserve the right to determine its own future in line with our long standing vision. This is the route to de-escalation," he said. Meanwhile, the Israeli air force has begun an air parade and is launching attacks on Iranian missile launchers which are a "threat to the state of Israel". In recent hours, the Israeli air force has also intercepted several unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel. Alerts are being activated across the country in accordance with Home Front Command policy, and the Air Defense Array is continuously identifying and intercepting threats. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also expressed its rejection and condemnation in the strongest terms of the blatant and cowardly Iranian attacks that targeted the Riyadh Region and the Eastern Province, which was successfully intercepted, said the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. - ANI A delegation from the University of Saskatchewan visited Chandigarh University to discuss academic partnerships. The visit coincides with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's strategic trip to India, aimed at resetting bilateral relations. Canadian academics praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and India's technological advancements. They expressed optimism for enhanced cooperation and development between the two nations. A Canadian university delegation lauds PM Modi's leadership and digital India, anticipating a reset in ties during PM Carney's strategic visit. Chandigarh, February 28 A delegation from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, visited the Chandigarh University on Friday to explore the opportunities for academic tie-up, research collaboration and student mobility. The delegation was led by Vice-President Research Baljit Singh and comprised Directors and Deans, who visited the research facilities and academic departments of Chandigarh University. The Canadian Delegation is visiting the University during the time when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting India. This is the first official visit of the Canadian Prime Minister after he came to power, and is being considered to be strategic to reset diplomatic ties between the two nations. Alex Hayden, Director of Innovation, Mobilisation and Partnerships at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, greeted PM Modi and the people of India and said, "Namaste Modi, Namaste India. The approaches emphasised by PM Modi to tackling global challenges together with Canada inspire us to work hard, bring together our resources to mobilise our students, resources, and innovation to contribute to the next stages of relationships between India and Canada, which are fruitful and productive." Baljit Singh, Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan, said, "This is the third meeting between the Prime Ministers over the last 12 months. From the statements of both the Prime Ministers, I think there will be lots of activity for development, collaboration and cooperation between the two countries." Michael P Bradley. Professor, Physics & Engineering Physics & Dean, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan said with Canadian PM's visit to India will usher in a new era of development between the two countries. "PM Modi's vision has led to massive development, which is evident to anyone coming to India. I am amazed by the advancement in terms of digital services and so on. It's extremely high tech, so it's clear that there's a vision from the top, which has really resulted in a real change in India," he said. Steve Shirtliffe, Director, Ntrient Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, said, "Canada and India have been friends for a long time. I think it's wonderful that Prime Minister Carney is coming here and leading Canada into a new and fruitful relationship with India. And this is being seen as a reset of ties between India and Canada, which were strained over the years. I think it's great for the leaders to build trust. It's great for normal people as well, like researchers from Canada and India to work together." Brit Tastad, Executive Strategy Officer, University of Saskatchewan, said, "Leaders of the two nations are getting together and aiming to strengthen the relations. It's a positive message that PM Carney is carrying during his first visit to India." "I hope to see a strategic partnership which includes academic tie-ups and opening of new opportunities for the student community of both countries," she said. - ANI The Hindu Canadian Foundation has expressed grave concern over persistent harassment and intimidation directed at the Hindu community and temples by pro-Khalistan elements. It highlighted a pattern of escalation from targeting Indian diplomatic missions to threatening places of worship and now elected Canadian leaders. The foundation strongly condemned this bullying and extremism, which it says threatens social harmony and democracy. It called on all levels of government to act decisively to protect public safety. Hindu Canadian Foundation condemns escalating intimidation by pro-Khalistan elements targeting temples, community, and elected officials. Ottawa, Feb 28 The Hindu Canadian Foundation, representing Hindu Canadians and allied multicultural communities across Canada, has expressed grave concern over the persistent harassment and intimidation directed at the Hindu community, temples, and Indian diplomatic officials in the country in recent years. The foundation accused pro-Khalistan elements of repeatedly exploiting the right to protest by targetting communities and temples, often hiding behind the claims of free expression while engaging in aggressive and divisive tactics. Expressing support for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's ongoing official visit to India, as well as his subsequent travels to Australia and Japan, the HCF said, "This trip represents a vital step toward strengthening bilateral relations, diversifying Canada's trade partnerships, attracting investment, and advancing opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses." "Hindu Canadians and other multicultural groups have long advocated for renewed and constructive engagement between Canada and other vibrant democracies with deep historical, cultural, and economic connections. The foundation of these ties is rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and the contributions of millions of Canadians of Indian heritage who enrich our nation every day," it added. The HCF further highlighted a pattern of attacks that began with the Indian consulates in Canada, escalated to threatening Hindu Canadians and their places of worship, and now targets prominent Canadian leaders, including recent campaigns against Foreign Minister Anita Anand and "full-throated attacks" on Prime Minister Carney. "These actions cross a clear line. While peaceful protest is a cornerstone of Canadian democracy, bullying, threats, and extremism that target elected leaders, multicultural communities, or religious sites have no place in our society," the foundation noted. "Khalistani outfits have weaponised the narrative around India in ways that unfairly vilify the land from which every Hindu Canadian traces their heritage, turning it into a tool for division rather than dialogue," it added. The HCF unequivocally condemned this escalating "bullying and growing extremism", noting it now extends into the heart of Canadian democracy, including attempts to intimidate MPs, Mayors, such as the severe targetting of British Columbia Mayor David Eby, and threatening the sanctity of the Parliament of Canada. "We denounce these approaches in the strongest terms and call on all levels of government to address this rising threat decisively to protect public safety and social harmony," it stated. - IANS Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney participated in an innovation showcase in Mumbai during his four-day visit to India. The visit saw the launch of the India-Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy, aimed at building competitive talent and deepening research collaboration. Carney is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on March 2 to review the strategic partnership. The leaders will also attend a CEOs Forum, with the visit marking an important step in normalizing bilateral relations. Canadian PM Mark Carney participates in Mumbai innovation showcase, launches India-Canada Talent Strategy ahead of key talks with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi. Mumbai, February 28 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday participated in an innovation showcase and met with university researchers in Mumbai. PM Carney, who is on a four-day visit to India, will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on March 2. Coinciding with his visit, India and Canada launched a Talent and Innovation Strategy with the Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary stating that India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration and strengthen skills mobility. "India Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy is timely, and it will be consequential. Its four pillars, embedding Canadian capability in Indian priority sectors, translating knowledge and talent into economic outcomes, deepening and rebalancing two-way mobility, and demonstrating credibility through speed and delivery, resonate strongly with our national priorities," he said "India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration, strengthen skills mobility and foster innovation that addresses shared global challenges...We see this partnership not just as an education initiative, but it's a shared investment in our shared future," he added. Speaking about PM Carney's visit earlier, Jayant Chaudhary said there is a strong commitment from both sides and a renewed momentum in the right direction. "I am hopeful about economic ties and more momentum in increasing our bilateral trade. There are many significant discussions ongoing, and we will see excellent results... Those sectors that have the maximum impact in terms of employment generation and trade with Canada will benefit. Specifically in education, a very high-powered delegation of top universities in Canada came to India, and had deliberations, they met Cabinet Minister Dharmendra Pradhan," he said. PM Carney arrived in Mumbai on February 27 on his first official visit to India. He will arrive in New Delhi on March 1 and on March 2 hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders will review the progress achieved till date across diverse areas of the India - Canada Strategic Partnership, building on their earlier meetings in Kananaskis (June 2025) and Johannesburg (November 2025). They will also take stock of ongoing cooperation in key pillars, including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research, innovation and people-to-people ties. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments. The two Prime Ministers will also attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum scheduled later in the day. The visit comes at an important juncture in the normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations. The two Prime Ministers have earlier agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for each other's concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. A MEA release had said earlier that the forthcoming meeting between the leaders will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the positive momentum and shared vision of India and Canada in building a forward-looking partnership. - ANI The Controller General of Accounts has launched a Government Bank Manual and a real-time Government Bank Dashboard to strengthen the governance of banks handling public funds. The manual provides a standardised framework to reduce operational risk and clarify procedures, while the dashboard enables proactive monitoring of key performance indicators. These initiatives aim to shift from reactive corrections to proactive oversight in government banking operations. The next phase of reforms will focus on deeper digital integration and advanced analytics. CGA launches Government Bank Dashboard and Manual to standardise procedures, reduce risk, and ensure real-time monitoring of banks handling government transactions. New Delhi, Feb 27 India's Controller General of Accounts T.C.A. Kalyani on Friday launched two major initiatives aimed at strengthening the governance and efficiency of banks handling government transactions-- the Government Bank Dashboard and the Government Bank Manual. The Government Bank Manual provides a comprehensive and standardised framework for banks for handling government business. It clearly defines operational procedures, reporting obligations, reconciliation timelines, and compliance requirements. Its objective is straightforward: reduce ambiguity, mitigate operational risk, and strengthen accountability across all stakeholders. The Government Bank Dashboard introduces real-time, data-driven monitoring of critical banking functions with respect to government business. It tracks key performance indicators such as remittance timelines, scroll compliance, reconciliation status, transaction success rates, and adherence to service-level standards. This represents a significant shift from reactive, post-facto corrections to proactive oversight and performance management. Emphasising the broader vision behind these initiatives, Kalyani highlighted that the reforms institutionalise uniform procedures and objective benchmarks, while reinforcing shared responsibility in safeguarding public funds. The next phase of reforms will focus on deeper digital integration, strengthened cybersecurity safeguards, advanced analytics capabilities, and institutional capacity building - further modernising the ecosystem of government banking operations. The duties and responsibilities of the CGA include general principles of government accounting relating to Union or state governments and forms of accounts, and framing or revision of rules and manuals relating thereto. CGA also looks into the reconciliation of the cash balance of the Union government with the Reserve Bank in general and, in particular, of Reserve Deposits pertaining to Civil Ministries or Departments, overseeing the maintenance of adequate standards of accounting by Central Civil Accounts Offices. Besides the consolidation of monthly accounts, preparation of review of trends of revenue realisation and significant features of expenditure, etc., and preparation of annual accounts (including Summary, Civil Appropriation Accounts) showing under the respective heads, the annual receipts and disbursements for the purpose of the Union Government also come under the CGA's purview. - IANS Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the City Gas Infrastructure Project, which will supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to residents and commercial establishments and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles in Raipur, Balodabazar, and Gariaband districts. He emphasized the project's role in providing affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly energy while reducing fuel costs. The initiative is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Green Energy' vision for a cleaner India. The launch coincides with a period of broad-based economic growth in the state, as highlighted in a recent Economic Survey Report. CM Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurates PNG & CNG project in Raipur, Balodabazar, Gariaband, promoting affordable, clean energy and state development. Raipur, February 28 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the launch of the City Gas Infrastructure Project on Friday, highlighting the benefits of this initiative for residents, vehicles, and industrialists across Raipur, Balodabazar, and Gariaband districts in the state. He stated that the initiative aims to provide piped natural gas (PNG) to the residents while also advancing environmental sustainability, as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will be available for vehicles. Adressing mediapersons at the launch in Raipur, the CM said, "Chhattisgarh is steadily progressing towards development. Today, another development initiative has been launched, with the launch of the City Gas Infrastructure Project to provide piped gas to residents, vehicles, and industrialists in Raipur, Balodabazar, and Gariaband districts." In an X post yesterday, the CM said, "Today, I participated in the inauguration program of the city gas infrastructure in Raipur. Under this project, the supply of PNG through pipelines to homes and commercial establishments in Raipur, Baloda Bazar, and Gariaband districts will now be ensured, and CNG will be available for vehicles. This initiative will directly benefit domestic consumers, vehicle drivers, and industries. This system is affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly. Along with reducing fuel costs, it will have a positive impact on the income of the common people." He emphasised that the state's development agenda is aimed at uplifting every section of society. "Inspired by the successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's 'Green Energy' vision, we are continuously moving forward in the direction of a clean Chhattisgarh - a clean India," the post added. Meanwhile, a sector-wise assessment shows that growth is broad-based and well-distributed in Chhattisgarh. At current prices, agriculture and allied sectors are expected to grow by 12.53 per cent, industry by 10.26 per cent, and services by 13.15 per cent. The figures highlight a balanced development trajectory, with all three key sectors playing a significant role in driving the state's economic progress, as per the Economic Survey Report presented in the state assembly on Monday. - ANI With a market cap of $80.4 billion, Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB) is a global online marketplace that connects travelers with hosts offering short-term accommodations and experiences. The California-based companys platform enables individuals and property owners to list homes, apartments, and unique stays (such as villas, cabins, and boutique spaces), while guests can search, book, and pay through Airbnbs app or website. Companies valued over $10 billion are generally described as large-cap stocks, and Airbnb fits right into that category. Airbnb operates an asset-light model, owning no real estate, while leveraging network effects between a large global host base and a broad traveler audience. Beyond lodging, it has expanded into experiences, long-term stays, and travel services, positioning itself at the intersection of hospitality, travel, and the sharing economy. Its competitive strengths include strong brand recognition, global supply density, trusted review systems, and scalable technology that supports pricing, discovery, and trust/safety across millions of listings worldwide. More News from Barchart Shares of the company have pulled back 6% from its 52-week high of $145.69. Airbnbs shares have increased 17.3% over the past three months, surpassing the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLY) marginal rise over the same time frame. www.barchart.com Longer term, ABNB stock has surged 7.9% over the past six months, outperforming XLYs marginal return. However, shares of the company have soared marginally over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLYs 8.6% gain over the same time frame. The stock has recently climbed above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating an uptrend. www.barchart.com Airbnb reported mixed Q4 2025 results on Feb. 12, with revenue rising 12% year over year to $2.78 billion, beating estimates on strong booking demand and higher average daily rates. Gross booking value increased 16% to $20.4 billion, and nights and seats booked grew about 10%, reflecting solid global travel momentum. However, profitability disappointed with an EPS of $0.56, missing forecasts due to higher operating expenses and investments in new initiatives. Following the announcement, ABNB shares dipped 3% but rebounded 4.7% in the next trading session. China has expressed high concern over US-Israel military strikes against Iran, calling for an immediate halt to actions and respect for Iran's sovereignty. Russia condemned the strikes, labeling them destabilizing and demanding a return to a political settlement based on international law. India also voiced deep concern, urging restraint, dialogue, and respect for the territorial integrity of all states. The statements follow a major escalation after US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to surrender or face "certain death." China, Russia, and India voice deep concern over West Asia escalation, urging an immediate stop to military actions and a return to dialogue. Beijing, February 28 China has joined a chorus of countries expressing deep concern over the escalation of hostilities in West Asia following US-Israel strikes on Iran. In a statement the Chinese foreign Ministry said, "China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel. Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East." The Russian Foreign Ministry also condemned the US strikes on Iran and offered to help wherever needed. The Russian foreign ministry in its statement said that Russia urged the parties to return to a path of diplomacy. "The serial nature of the destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. Administration over the past few months against the international legal pillars of the world order, including non-interference in internal affairs, renunciation of the threat or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes, is particularly alarming. We demand an immediate return to the path of a political and diplomatic settlement. Russia, as before, is ready to facilitate the search for peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect, and a balance of interests," it said. "The grave consequences of these ill-considered steps for the global non-proliferation regime, the cornerstone of which is the NPT, are openly ignored. At the same time, the American-Israeli tandem is hiding behind a sham concern about preventing the Iranians from acquiring nuclear weapons. Bombing nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards is unacceptable. In reality, Washington and Tel Aviv's motives have nothing to do with non-proliferation. They cannot help but understand that by plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are in fact encouraging countries around the world, particularly in the region, to acquire increasingly sophisticated means to counter emerging threats," it further said. India also voiced deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. In a statement the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected." Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as a combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. - ANI The Karnataka Second Pre-University Course examinations have commenced for over 7.1 lakh students across 1,217 centers in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Opposition Leader R. Ashoka extended their best wishes to the appearing students. Authorities have implemented stringent security measures, including a prohibition zone, CCTV surveillance, webcasting, and a ban on electronic devices. Despite preparations, some students in Yadgir faced confusion due to discrepancies in their hall ticket addresses. Karnataka 2nd PUC exams commence for 7.1 lakh students. CM Siddaramaiah wishes students. Strict security with CCTV and webcasting enforced statewide. Bengaluru, Feb 28 The second Pre-University Course, examinations conducted by the Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education began on Saturday, with 7,10,363 students registered across 1,217 centres in the state. The exams will continue until March 17. Addressing the students, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday, "Best wishes to all students in the state appearing for the second PUC examinations. Approach your exams with confidence, and I wish you not only good marks but also a bright future ahead." The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader R. Ashoka said, "Best wishes to all students in the state appearing for the second PUC examinations. Move forward with confidence, strong belief, and thorough preparation, and may success be yours." On the first day, Kannada and Arabic papers are being held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Authorities have imposed a 200-meter prohibition zone around all examination centers to prevent any irregularities. Nearby photocopy shops, cyber centers, and computer shops have been instructed to remain closed during exam hours. Meanwhile, confusion arose in Yadgir as some students were unable to locate their exam centres due to discrepancies between the hall ticket address and the actual location. Students arriving from different villages had to search for hours before finally reaching Saba PU College with the help of local residents. Strict security measures have been implemented across the state. CCTV cameras have been installed in all exam halls, and webcasting is being used to monitor the process, with district commissioners and police superintendents overseeing the system. Police are keeping a close watch on social media to prevent the spread of false information. Special surveillance has also been directed towards individuals previously involved in examination malpractices. Question papers are being transported under tight police security, with video recording of the dispatch process. Opening of question papers before the scheduled time is strictly prohibited, and legal action will be taken in case of violations. Those responsible for the papers will face strict action if found involved in any irregularities. Mobile phones, watches, and other electronic devices are banned inside exam centers for students, staff, and officials. Unauthorised persons are not allowed, and carrying explosive materials into prohibited zones is strictly prohibited. The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, along with college administrations, is ensuring smooth conduct of the exams with full security measures, allowing students to take their examinations without disruption. - IANS The death toll from catastrophic rains in Brazil's Minas Gerais state has climbed to 68, with the vast majority of fatalities occurring in the city of Juiz de Fora. Emergency crews are working around the clock to search for five missing people amid landslides and structural collapses. The intense rainfall, which began earlier in the week, caused rivers to overflow, destroyed infrastructure, and made February the wettest month on record for the region. Brazilian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, have mobilized to support rescue and humanitarian efforts. Death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's Minas Gerais state reaches 68, with search efforts ongoing for the missing after historic flooding. Brasilia, Feb 28 The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais has risen to 68, local authorities have said. Among all the victims, 62 were recorded in the city of Juiz de Fora, while six others were in the city of Uba, officials said on Friday (Local time). According to the authorities, the death toll includes people found dead in the rubble and those who were rescued alive but later died in health facilities due to the severity of their injuries. There are still three people reportedly missing in Juiz de Fora and two others missing in Uba, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting the officials. Search and rescue efforts continue to locate possible survivors among collapsed houses. Authorities are maintaining a rotating 24-hour work schedule, with emergency crews, heavy machinery and search dogs operating in areas affected by landslides and structural collapses. The heavy rainfall, which intensified on Monday afternoon, has caused rivers to overflow, leading to the closure of bridges and an underpass, as well as fallen trees and blocked roads. February has already become the wettest month on record in Juiz de Fora, with precipitation levels more than double the historical average. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the victims and rescue teams, while Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema declared three days of official mourning in the state. The Ministry of Defence is supporting emergency efforts with troop deployments for cleanup, debris removal, logistical aid, temporary shelters and helicopter-assisted humanitarian operations. - IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched a morning nutrition program for young children in select government schools, implemented in collaboration with the Akshaya Patra Foundation. The initiative aims to ensure children receive nutritious food upon arriving at school, supplementing the existing mid-day meal scheme. The program aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision on the essential role of nutrition for every child. This follows the recent rollout of the affordable Atal Canteen scheme, providing subsidized meals across Delhi. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta partners with Akshaya Patra to launch a morning nutrition program for children in government schools, building on the mid-day meal scheme. New Delhi, February 28 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched a morning nutrition program for young children in select government schools, partnering with Akshaya Patra, aimed to provide nutritious food to support kids' energy and studies. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, "This morning nutrition program for young children is going to begin in Delhi. This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Akshaya Patra in some Delhi government schools to ensure that children receive nutritious food even when they leave home and reach school in the morning." The morning nutrition program is built on the existing mid-day meal program and aligns with PM Narendra Modi's vision on nutrition. "Nutrition is crucial for school-going children to channel their energy into their studies. The government has been providing mid-day meals for many years, but it is a very rewarding experience for us to realise this need for morning nutrition in collaboration with the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is that nutrition is essential for every child... This is a wonderful initiative," Rekha Gupta added. Earlier, in December 2025, the Delhi government rolled out the Atal Canteen scheme to provide a wholesome meal plate for just 5 to the people of the national capital. In the first phase, Atal Canteens have been opened at 45 locations across Delhi. On the inaugural day, meals were served free of cost to the general public. According to the information, the inauguration of the Atal Canteen at Nehru Nagar was attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood. On the occasion, the first Rs 5 meal token was issued by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who also partook in the meal. On the occasion, the first Rs 5 meal token was purchased by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who also partook in the meal himself. The second token was purchased by CM Rekha Gupta, followed by the third token purchased by Home Minister Ashish Sood. Local MLAs were also present at the event. After the inauguration, local residents began availing meals at the canteen. Addressing a gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that while each meal costs the government around 30, it is being offered to the public as a wholesome meal plate for only Rs. 5. She said that through Atal Canteens, lakhs of people would receive affordable and nutritious food. The government's objective is to ensure that no one in Delhi goes to bed hungry. She also mentioned that before the inauguration, she visited the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial and paid floral tributes. People who visited the Atal Canteen expressed happiness, saying they never imagined that such a tasty and wholesome meal plate could be available for Rs 5. The meal includes dal, rice, vegetables, roti, and pickle. - ANI Former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai expressed deep concern over the Israel-Iran conflict, emphasizing resolution through talks and negotiations. He highlighted the particular danger posed by nuclear weapons, which threaten catastrophic global loss of life. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reinforced this stance, speaking separately with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts to share India's concern and call for de-escalation. The heightened tensions have included military strikes and led to airspace closures, disrupting global flight routes. BJP's Bommai and EAM Jaishankar express deep concern over Middle East tensions, urging negotiations over conflict to prevent catastrophic loss. Haveri, March 1 Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday expressed deep concern over the Israel-Iran conflict, stating that the situation should be addressed with talks and negotiations. "The developments in the Middle East are deeply concerning due to their significant economic and political activities. It is crucial that all issues be resolved through talks, negotiations, and deliberations rather than war, as modern conflicts result in losses for all sides..." he said. He further underlined the presence of nuclear weapons, which pose a greater threat to human life across the globe. "Given the presence of nuclear capabilities, which pose a severe and dangerous threat, both parties must engage in negotiations to prevent a catastrophic loss of human life..." he added. Earlier on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his counterparts in Israel and Iran amid the escalating tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's stance of de-escalating tensions through dialogue and diplomacy. "Spoke with Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar this afternoon. Reiterate India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions," Jaishankar posted on X about his call with FM Gideon Sa'ar. In a separate post on X, he said that during his call with FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, he shared India's "deep concern at the recent developments". "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region. @araghchi," Jaishankar posted on X. This comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites. Iran has also carried out strikes in the region, apparently targeting US military baes. The escalation has led to temporary airspace closures in parts of West Asia, forcing airlines worldwide to reassess routes that traditionally pass through or near affected corridors. - ANI Calls for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held urgent calls with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts as tensions soared following military strikes and retaliatory actions. He conveyed India's profound concern over the deteriorating situation and emphasized the need to prevent further instability. Jaishankar reiterated India's firm call for dialogue and diplomacy as the essential path to de-escalation. India's active diplomacy reflects its balanced approach, advocating immediate restraint to safeguard regional stability and protect its interests. EAM Jaishankar holds calls with Iranian and Israeli FMs, expressing India's deep concern and calling for dialogue to prevent wider conflict. New Delhi, Feb 28 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in back-to-back telephone conversations with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts on Saturday, expressing India's deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East following a major joint US-Israel strike on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions. The diplomatic outreach comes as the region faces heightened tensions after explosions rocked Tehran and other sites, with Iran launching missiles toward Israel and US bases across the Gulf. In a post on X, Jaishankar detailed his evening telecon with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, stating that he shared India's profound concern about the recent developments in Iran and the broader region. He emphasised the need to prevent further instability. The call highlights New Delhi's position that prolonged conflict would harm regional peace and global stability. Earlier, Jaishankar spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, reiterating India's firm call for dialogue and diplomacy as the path to de-escalating tensions. India has consistently advocated restraint, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and avoidance of escalation that could endanger civilians. The Ministry of External Affairs echoed this stance, expressing deep concern over the fast-evolving events and urging all parties to prioritise dialogue over military confrontation. The strikes, described by Israel as pre-emptive and by the US as "Operation Epic Fury," targeted Iranian military and leadership sites, prompting fierce retaliation, including missile barrages on US-linked facilities in multiple countries. US President Donald Trump confirmed the operations and urged Iranians toward regime change, while Iranian officials vowed strong responses. The escalation has sparked fears of a wider war, with international bodies like the Red Cross warning of a dangerous chain reaction. India's active diplomacy reflects its balanced approach in West Asia, balancing strong ties with Israel and historical relations with Iran. New Delhi continues to closely monitor developments, advocating immediate restraint to safeguard regional stability and protect Indian interests. - IANS External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held urgent discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE regarding escalating tensions in West Asia. He emphasized India's concern and its primary interest in regional stability and the welfare of the large Indian community there. The Gulf leaders assured Minister Jaishankar that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. The talks come amid a sharp escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the US, leading to closed airspace and travel advisories. EAM Jaishankar holds talks with Gulf leaders on de-escalation and safety of Indian nationals amid rising Iran-Israel conflict. New Delhi, March 1 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his counterparts from several Gulf countries amid rising tensions in West Asia, stressing the need for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. He said India is concerned about the escalating situation and highlighted the country's strong interest in regional peace and the safety of the Indian community living in the region. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Just spoke to Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, FM of Saudi Arabia. Exchanged views on the ongoing situation in the Gulf. Underlined India's stakes in regional peace and stability and in the welfare of Indian community." In another post, he said he spoke with Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who briefed him on the latest situation in the country. "Spoke with Kuwait FM Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He briefed on the latest situation in Kuwait. Underlined India's concern at the escalation. Value his reassurance for the welfare of the Indian community," in another post, he said. Jaishankar spoke with top leaders from Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE about rising tensions in the Gulf. He said he was assured by Bahrain's FM Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Qatar's PM and FM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and UAE's DPM and FM Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan that the Indian community's safety and welfare would be protected. "Exchanged views with FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain on the turn of events in the region. The escalating developments are clearly a matter of concern. Was assured that his Government would take all measures to keep the Indian community safe," he said. "Called Qatar PM & FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani this evening. Was apprised of the situation in Qatar. Value his assurance on the well-being of the Indian community," he said. "Discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf with UAE DPM & FM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan this evening. India is concerned with the escalating situation. Appreciate his commitment to the welfare of the Indian community," he said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran after Israel also said it had launched missile attacks against the country, as per Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. Several countries across the region have shut their airspace amid the exchange of attacks.The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday issued an advisory for Indian students in the UAE to avoid unnecessary travel. - ANI External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held separate calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts, reiterating India's stance for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. The Indian Embassy in Syria issued a security advisory, urging nationals to avoid travel and remain vigilant. Meanwhile, Indian passengers, including Sanjeev Mehta, have been stranded at Abu Dhabi airport due to disrupted flight operations following regional strikes. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to the Prime Minister, expressing concern for over a thousand Indian medical students in Iran and seeking government intervention for their safety. EAM Jaishankar speaks with Israeli & Iranian FMs. India issues advisory in Syria, as Indian passengers are stranded and students seek safety. New Delhi, February 28 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with his counterparts in Israel and Iran amid the escalating tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's stance of de-escalating tensions through dialogue and diplomacy. "Spoke with Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar this afternoon. Reiterate India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions," Jaishankar posted on X about his call with FM Gideon Sa'ar. In a separate post on X, he said that during his call with FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, he shared India's "deep concern at the recent developments". "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region. @araghchi," Jaishankar posted on X. Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Syria also issued an advisory to Indian nationals in the country to "avoid unnecessary travel" and take "due care" amid the tensions. "In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Syria are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and the Syrian Authorities. For any emergency query, Indian nationals in Syria can contact the following number: Mobile No: +963-993385973," the embassy posted on X. Meanwhile, in United Arab Emirates, multiple passengers, including Indians, have been stranded at various airports across West Asia. Passengers were left stranded at Abu Dhabi airport after flight operations were disrupted following joint military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran. Speaking to ANI, Sanjeev Mehta, an Indian passenger stranded at the airport, described scenes of panic and uncertainty. "I came to Abu Dhabi to attend a friend's party over the weekend, and we are stuck here. Right now we are at the airport. Many alarms went off at the airport, and as the news suggests, some missiles have landed. Missile attacks have also taken place," he said. Concern has also increased among Indian students and their families amid the escalating tensions, as over a thousand Indian students, from Jammu and Kashmir, are studying in different cities of Iran, mainly in medical courses, and are feeling unsafe due to the tense situation. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate intervention. The association has requested the government to ensure the safety of students and arrange evacuation if necessary. The letter mentioned that on 28 February 2026, the Israel Defence Forces carried out major attacks in Tehran and other areas, which made the situation very serious. Airspace restrictions and emergency security measures have increased risks for foreign nationals. - ANI Karnataka's Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa outlined priorities including teacher recruitment and resolving transfer issues. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced a policy to utilize Rs 8,000-10,000 crore in CSR funds to develop rural government school infrastructure and start CSR schools. The initiative includes having well-performing private schools adopt government schools to fill 90,000 teaching posts. The government has also implemented state-wide parent-teacher meetings and intensified child nutrition schemes to boost enrollment. Karnataka ministers announce CSR schools, 56,000 teacher recruitments, and community initiatives to strengthen government education and reduce rural migration. Bengaluru, Feb 28 Karnataka's Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, has said that strengthening government schools and responding to teachers' issues in the interest of the state's children is a key objective of the government. He was speaking on Saturday after participating in the 55th Golden Jubilee celebrations and state-level educational mega conference of the Karnataka State Primary School Teachers' Association. In the past two years, the recruitment process of around 14,499 teachers has been successfully completed. Emphasis has also been placed on teacher-friendly administration by resolving transfer issues faced by teachers, especially in the North Karnataka region, Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated. For the first time in history, parent-teacher meetings were conducted simultaneously in 46,000 government schools across the state, increasing community participation in school development, he noted. Schemes to provide eggs, milk, shoes, socks, and nutritious food to children have been intensified. The minister called upon teachers to work towards increasing enrolment in government schools by 20 per cent this year, the Minister said. A system of conducting three examinations annually has been implemented to eliminate exam fear among children. He said this is a model initiative for the entire country, he said. On the same stage, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was conferred the title 'Shikshana Ramayya', Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was honoured with the title 'Sangha Mitra', and Legislative Council Member Puttanna was conferred the title 'Shikshaka Sainika'. During the programme, the minister was honoured with the title 'Gurukula' in recognition of his contributions to the education sector. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, addressing the gathering, stated, "We have formulated a policy to start CSR schools to ensure quality education is available in villages. It has been decided to utilise Rs 8,000- Rs 10,000 crore in CSR funds for the infrastructure development of government schools in rural areas. Children should not be forced to migrate from villages to towns in search of education." "Well-performing private schools have been instructed to adopt these government schools and appoint teachers. Through this initiative, 90,000 teaching posts are to be filled. This will be implemented in the coming days," he said. "We have immense trust in teachers and are sincerely taking decisions to resolve several issues. We have noted that more than 1 lakh teaching posts are vacant. Recently, we took a major decision concerning the future of youth and approved recruitment for 56,000 posts out of 2.50 lakh positions. We discussed the pros and cons of these decisions in the Cabinet meeting for nearly five hours," he said. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar said, "Your role should not be limited to teaching history; you must prepare children to create history. You are not just nurturing the children who come to school, but you are shaping society itself. The happiness you experience when the students you taught achieve great heights cannot be matched by any other moment." Writer Dr Baraguru Ramachandrappa, Legislative Council Member Ramoji Gowda, AIPTF National President Basavaraj Gurikar, and State Teachers' Association President Chandrashekhar Nuggali, along with thousands of teachers, participated in the programme. - IANS India has welcomed nine new cheetahs from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. The animals, comprising six females and three males, will undergo acclimatization before their gradual release. This arrival brings the total cheetah population under Project Cheetah to 39, including 28 India-born cubs. The successful transport was facilitated by the Indian Air Force, highlighting strengthened international partnerships for conservation. India welcomes 9 cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park, bringing the total population to 39 under Project Cheetah's conservation success. New Delhi, Feb 28 Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Saturday. The animals will undergo an acclimatisation and health monitoring phase before their gradual release into the larger landscape, said a statement. In a social media post, Yadav announced the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana - 6 females and 3 males - at Kuno National Park. "After eight cheetahs from Namibia were first reintroduced to India on September 17, 2022, and 12 were brought from South Africa in February 2023, I am thrilled to announce the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana - 6 females and 3 males - at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park," he said. "I welcome our new friends from Botswana and wish they thrive and multiply in India's wild," he said. The Minister informed that under the environmentally conscious leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Project Cheetah has been a great success. India now has a thriving population of 39 cheetahs, including 28 India-born cubs, he stated. In another social media post, Yadav extended his appreciation to the Indian Air Force for the seamless coordination, precision flying, and unwavering commitment displayed by the IAF, which ensured the safe journey of these animals to India. "The cheetahs from Botswana were extended a smooth air ride to India by IAF's C17 Globemaster from 81 squadron (the Skylords), and further to Kuno by IAF's helicopters. The seamless coordination, precision flying, and unwavering commitment displayed by the IAF ensured the safe journey of these animals across continents," he said. "Heartfelt appreciation to the Indian Air Force for once again rising to the occasion and serving the nation beyond the call of duty. I thank the mighty Indian Air Force and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for this support," he wrote. In December 2024, the Indian government initiated formal discussions with the Government of the Republic of Botswana for sourcing cheetahs to further strengthen Project Cheetah. The proposal was formally advanced by Yadav, in consultation with Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Republic of Botswana. Project Cheetah continues to progress with strengthened global partnerships and robust scientific oversight. The successful arrival of the Botswana cheetahs reinforces India's resolve to create a sustainable, free-ranging cheetah population and to contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts, said the statement. - IANS We came across a bullish thesis on Alexanders, Inc. on Colubeat Investment Desks Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on ALX. Alexanders, Inc.'s share was trading at $229.32 as of February 17th. ALXs trailing P/E was 42.52 according to Yahoo Finance. 30 Most Respected Countries In The World London skyline, its skyscrapers, buildings, bridges and the Thames River Alexander's, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) engaged in leasing, managing, developing and redeveloping properties. ALX presents a compelling deep-value opportunity in New York City real estate, anchored by a concentrated portfolio of five high-density properties, including the trophy Bloomberg Tower at 731 Lexington Avenue. Bloomberg L.P. occupies 100% of this office space, now secured through February 2040, providing a stable 55% of ALXs rental income and effectively eliminating prior market fears of lease expiration risk. While retail vacancies, particularly the former Home Depot space and Rego Park I, have pressured near-term metrics, these moves are deliberate strategic actions to unlock value through redevelopment or asset sales. The market has mispriced these options, treating temporary vacancies as permanent impairments. ALX is externally managed by Vornado Realty Trust, whose CEO Steve Roth owns a 32.4% stake, aligning interests with shareholders and providing top-tier development expertise without the cost of building an internal team. A recent refinancing further strengthens the investment case, splitting the $300 million Bloomberg Tower mortgage into tranches, including a Payment-in-Kind (PIK) component that saves approximately $7.6 million annually, extending runway for asset repositioning and preserving the $18 per share dividend despite current FFO of $12.27. This, combined with $352 million in liquidity, ensures dividend coverage while the Rego Park I sale or leasing occurs. Sum-of-the-parts valuation confirms a 31% discount to NAV, with upside from leasing vacant retail space or completing strategic sales, which could raise intrinsic value toward $350 per share. ALX offers investors an 8.3% yield backed by a fortress balance sheet, exposure to trophy Manhattan assets, and optionality in asset recovery, creating a high-conviction, risk/reward asymmetric play for patient investors. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Simon Property Group, Inc. (SPG) by David in April 2025, which highlighted SPGs disciplined capital structure, growing dividend, and resilient luxury-tenant portfolio generating strong cash flow. SPGs stock price has appreciated by approximately 36.44% since our coverage. Colubeat Investment Desk shares a similar view but emphasizes Alexanders, Inc. (ALX) deep-value NYC assets, strategic vacancies, and refinancing actions preserving dividends while unlocking intrinsic value. Iran has launched missiles toward Israeli territory, marking a major escalation in retaliation for a joint US-Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iranian targets. The Israel Defense Forces activated defensive systems and issued emergency shelter directives to citizens. The attack follows a strike by Israel and the US, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, which targeted Iranian military sites and areas near the Supreme Leader's office. The crisis has led to closed airspaces, a nationwide emergency in Israel, and heightened fears of a wider regional war. Iran launches missiles toward Israel in major retaliation for a joint US-Israeli pre-emptive strike. Israel activates defenses, issues emergency alerts. Tel Aviv, February 28 In a major escalation of regional hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces on Saturday confirmed a short while ago that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following a joint US-Israeli "pre-emptive" strike on Iranian territory. According to the IDF, defensive systems were immediately activated to intercept the incoming threat, underscoring Israel's layered missile defence capabilities. The Home Front Command has issued precautionary directives via mobile phone alerts to citizens in affected areas, instructing them to seek immediate shelter. "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," IDF posted on X. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Regional and international observers are closely monitoring developments, as further responses could influence stability across the Middle East in the hours and days ahead. The launch follows a series of urgent advisories issued by the Indian Government to its citizens in the region earlier today. The Embassy of India in Tehran had already advised all nationals to "exercise utmost caution," "avoid unnecessary movements," and "remain indoors". Tourists in Jordan were urged to "leave the country immediately" due to the high risk of commercial flight disruptions. Earlier in the day, Iranian officials on Saturday had vowed a "crushing response" against their targets in response to a major joint military strike by Israel and the United States, according to Tasnim News Agency. Israel and the US launched a joint military strike on Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeting military sites, missile production facilities, and areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office. The name was decided upon by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the IDF had a different internal name for the strikes, according to The Times of Israel. Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful blasts as tensions surged following a pre-emptive military strike by Israel, which reportedly targeted multiple sites, including in the capital. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures and public anxiety spreading as developments continue to unfold. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, moving hospitals underground and activating sirens. Iran, Israel, and Iraq have closed their airspace, suspending all flights. The attack cones in the backdrop of diplomatic fallout as the nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Oman have been disrupted. - ANI The European Union has expressed grave concern over escalating Middle East tensions following coordinated US-Israel attacks on Iran and Iranian missile launches at Israel. EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas emphasized the critical need to prevent further escalation and protect the global non-proliferation regime. The bloc is withdrawing non-essential personnel, facilitating departures for EU citizens, and keeping its Red Sea naval mission on high alert. The EU reaffirms its support for diplomatic solutions while maintaining strong sanctions against Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. EU urges maximum restraint, coordinates citizen safety, and deploys naval mission as US-Israel attacks on Iran risk wider Middle East conflict. Brussels, Feb 28 The European Union on Saturday expressed serious concerns over the latest developments in Iran, while reaffirming its steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability. The EU stated that it remains in close contact with the partners in the region. "Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance. The European Union has adopted extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran's murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards and has consistently promoted diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the nuclear and ballistic programmes through a negotiated solution," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X "In close coordination with EU Member States, we will take all necessary steps to ensure that EU citizens in the region can count on our full support," she added The EU called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law. Meanwhile, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas described the latest developments across the Middle East as "perilous". She accused the Iranian regime of killing thousands, stating that Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security. "The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue. I have spoken to Israel's Foreign Minister Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths. Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority," she posted on X "Our consular network is fully engaged in facilitating departures for EU citizens. Non-essential EU personnel are being withdrawn from the region. Our Aspides naval mission remains on high alert in the Red Sea and stands ready to help keep the maritime corridor open," she added. The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on Saturday, significantly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. The development raises concerns of a widening confrontation that could have far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. Iran, in turn, launched ballistic missiles at Israel, the Israeli military confirmed. - IANS Several European countries, including the UK, France, Italy, and Germany, have urgently advised their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran, Israel, and Lebanon due to rapidly escalating tensions between the US and Iran. The warnings cite the risk of military conflict, potential drone and missile attacks, and severe disruptions to civilian air travel, including possible airspace closures. This follows a significant US military buildup in the region, with two carrier groups deployed, and Iran's vow to retaliate if attacked. Despite ongoing diplomatic talks, the security situation is deemed highly unstable and capable of deteriorating quickly. UK, France, Italy, Germany, and others urge citizens to leave Iran and avoid Israel, Lebanon amid escalating US-Iran military tensions and flight risks. Brussels, Feb 28 Some European countries have urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other Middle East regions due to escalating US-Iran tensions. The British government on Friday (local time) said it has temporarily withdrawn staff from Iran, with its embassy continuing to operate remotely, and advised against all travel to the country. The French Foreign Ministry issued a security advisory for French nationals against travel to Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing possible regional repercussions from the situation involving Iran. It warned of potential flight cancellations or delays and urged citizens in affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid gatherings, reports Xinhua news agency. Italy also urged its citizens to leave Iran and advised extreme caution across the Middle East. "Italians in (Iran) for tourism or whose presence is not strictly necessary are urged to depart," the foreign ministry said in a statement, strongly discouraging travel to Iraq and Lebanon as well. Germany updated its travel guidance to discourage travel to all of Israel, expanding earlier advice that had applied only to certain parts of the country. Poland's Foreign Ministry called on its citizens to leave Iran, Israel and Lebanon immediately, warning that the security situation in the Middle East is unstable and that potential closures of civilian airspace could make flights impossible or severely disrupted. The Dutch Foreign Ministry raised its travel advisory to red for the border areas between Israel and Gaza, Lebanon and Egypt, citing rising tensions in the Middle East. "Due to the current tensions in the Middle East, the security situation in Israel is uncertain," the ministry said in a statement, adding, "Whatever your situation, do not travel there. It is too dangerous." Many European countries have issued travel warnings even earlier. The Finnish foreign ministry advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and immediately leave Yemen and Libya in travel advisories updated in February. The Serbian Foreign Ministry has told its nationals in Iran to leave as soon as possible. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said in February that people who decided to stay in Iran should not expect any government-sponsored evacuation, updating its January advisory that its citizens should avoid all travel to Iran and leave the country immediately. Despite rounds of diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva, Switzerland, tensions have been escalating in recent days as senior US officials have repeatedly warned of possible military intervention against Iran. The United States has amassed two aircraft carrier strike groups, over 150 combat aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters, and has reinforced its bases in Jordan and Israel. Washington has evacuated non-essential staff from its embassy in Beirut. Meanwhile, Iran has said it will retaliate against US military facilities in the region if attacked. According to the Dutch government's official statement, an escalation in the region could result in flight cancellations and prolonged airspace closures. The risk of drone and missile attacks also remains. The situation could deteriorate rapidly. - IANS The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued an urgent advisory for all Indian nationals in Israel to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant. It instructs citizens to stay near designated shelters, avoid non-essential travel, and monitor local news closely. This follows reported Israeli preventive missile strikes against Iran, with indications of U.S. involvement. A separate advisory was also issued for Indian nationals in Jordan, urging them to leave the country immediately. Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv advises nationals to exercise utmost caution, stay near shelters, and avoid non-essential travel following Israel-Iran strikes. Tel Aviv, February 28 As Israel and the US carried out joint military strikes in Iran, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv on Saturday issued an advisory calling for all Indian nationals in Israel to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy wrote, "All Indian nationals should remain in proximity to designated shelters and familiarise themselves with the nearest protected spaces in their area of residence or work. Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice. Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts regularly. In case of any emergency, Indian nationals may contact the Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, through the 24x7 helpline: Telephone: +972-54-7520711; E-mail: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in" The advisory noted that the Embassy remains closely engaged with the relevant authorities and will continue to issue updates as necessary. Also on Saturday, the Indian Embassy in Jordan issued an advisory in the wake of Israeli strikes into Iran, calling Indian nationals and tourists to exercise utmost caution and leave the country immediately before commercial flight operations are disrupted. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy called for Indian nationals and tourists to exercise utmost caution and follow advisories issued by local authorities. It also issued a number to contact the embassy in the case of exigency- 00962-770 422 276. Israel has launched a preventive missile attack against Iran on Saturday, as reported by TPS. Citizens have been advised to seek shelter as the IDF said that sirens were sounded across the nation as a proactive alert for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the country. TPS further noted that Defence Minsiter Israel Katz announced that the preemptive strikes against Iran came to remove threats to the country. The Israeli Defence Force called on the public to stay in proximity to protected spaces. According to the Jerusalem Post, a security source confirmed to Walla that the United States is also involved in the strikes. As per the Jerusalem Post, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a "secure location", according to an Iranian official who confirmed to Reuters. Iranian State Media also reported explosions in the capital city of Tehran. - ANI The Indian Embassy in Jordan has issued an urgent advisory calling on all Indian nationals and tourists to leave the country immediately due to escalating regional tensions. This warning follows joint Israeli and US military strikes on targets in Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion. The situation has led to airspace closures in Iran, Israel, and Iraq, raising fears of widespread flight disruptions. Indian embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv have also issued similar cautions, highlighting the risk of a broader regional conflict. Indian Embassy urges citizens to leave Jordan immediately as Israel-US strikes on Iran escalate tensions, disrupt flights, and raise conflict fears. Amman, February 28 The Indian Embassy in Jordan on Saturday issued an urgent travel advisory for all Indian nationals and tourists in Jordan, following a sharp escalation in regional tensions due to Israeli and US military strikes in Iran. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy advised its citizens to leave the country immediately, before commercial flight operations are potentially disrupted. "In view of the prevailing regional situation, all Indian nationals and tourists in Jordan are advised to exercise utmost caution, stay safe and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently. All Indian tourists in Jordan are further advised to leave the country immediately before the operations of commercial flights are disrupted. In case of any exigency, one may contact the Embassy at 00962-770 422 276." Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Tehran also urged Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution and avoid unnecessary developments in the wake of a major joint military strike by Israel and the United States on Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv had also issued an advisory calling for all Indian nationals in Israel to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. Israel and the US launched a joint military strike on Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeting military sites, missile production facilities, and areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office. The name was decided upon by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the IDF had a different internal name for the strikes, according to The Times of Israel. Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful blasts as tensions surged following a pre-emptive military strike by Israel, which reportedly targeted multiple sites, including in the capital. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures and public anxiety spreading as developments continue to unfold. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, moving hospitals underground and activating sirens. Iran, Israel, and Iraq have closed their airspace, suspending all flights. The attack cones in the backdrop of diplomatic fallout as the nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Oman have been disrupted. - ANI Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly supported US and Israeli military actions against Iran, framing Tehran as a key accomplice to Russia in its war on Ukraine. He accused Iran of supplying Russia with over 57,000 "Shahed" attack drones and the technology to produce them, directly linking Iranian actions to terror against Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy stated it is "fair" for the Iranian people to have a chance to overthrow what he called a "terrorist regime," citing suffering in Ukraine and other nations. He expressed hope that the ongoing conflict would ultimately lead to a safer and more stable Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it's "fair" for Iranians to overthrow their regime after it supplied Russia with over 57,000 attack drones. Kyiv, February 28 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has backed US and Israeli strikes on Iran as he saw Tehran as a key ally of Russia, which provided the latter with "shahed" drones to attack Kyiv. Stating that other nations have suffered due to "Iran-backed terror," Zelenskyy said that it is "fair" to give Iranian people to overthrow Ayatullah Ali Khamenei's regime. "Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin's accomplice and supplied him with "shahed" drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them. Iran also provided other weapons to Russia," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. "Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure. Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran," he added. Zelenskyy has expressed hope that Middle-east region will emerge as "safer and more stable" after the conflict. "People cannot know the day or the hour, yet every act of evil, terror, and aggression against neighbours ultimately meets a just response. We expect that, in the end, the Middle East region will become safer and more stable. Much has already changed toward that goal," he said. Earlier, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by the United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermines international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." Meanwhile, the Israeli press reported that a plume of smoke and fire had been seen outside a hotel on Dubai's Palm. Viral videos circulating on social media showed smoke and flames outside the Fairmont, one of the popular hotels frequented by Westerners in Dubai. Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in some Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. - ANI India has brought nine more cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park, six of which are females. This translocation raises the total cheetah population at Kuno to 48, including 28 cubs born in India. Officials emphasize that the survival and adaptation of these India-born cubs are central to the long-term success of Project Cheetah. The project aims to establish a sustainable population and restore ecological balance, with plans to expand habitats to other sanctuaries. India welcomes 9 cheetahs from Botswana, including 6 females, raising Kuno's total to 48. Focus shifts to India-born cubs for project success. Bhopal, Feb 28 Under the Centre's ambitious 'Project Cheetah' reintroduction programme, India on Saturday brought nine more cheetahs from Botswana and released them into Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district. With the latest arrival, the total number of cheetahs at Kuno has risen to 48, including 28 cubs born in India, underscoring the growing population and the importance of local breeding to the project's long-term success. Although an earlier announcement had indicated that eight cheetahs would arrive in the third batch, nine were transported this time. Significantly, six of the nine cheetahs released on Saturday are females and three are males -- the highest number of females in any batch so far. In the first batch on September 17, 2022, eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia, including five females and three males. In the second batch on February 18, 2023, 12 cheetahs were brought from South Africa, comprising seven males and five females. With the latest translocation, a total of 29 cheetahs have been brought to India in three batches -- 16 females and 13 males. Officials said the growing number of India-born cubs is central to the programme's success, as these animals are adapting naturally to local conditions. Some of the cheetahs that have matured are expected to be shifted to Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, which will become the third habitat for the species in Madhya Pradesh after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force in Madhya Pradesh, Alok Kumar, told IANS that the project has progressed steadily so far. He said the survival of cubs born in India is crucial to achieving the objectives of Project Cheetah. "We have high hopes from Indian-born cubs because they are growing here and do not have to adapt to a new environment like the cheetahs brought from abroad," he said. Kumar noted that cheetahs require a substantial prey base and are generally less aggressive compared to other big cats. "Cheetahs tend to avoid confrontation, whereas tigers are territorial apex predators. Therefore, awareness and acceptance among local communities are essential for the success of the project," he said. He suggested that awareness campaigns in villages around Kuno and other potential habitats should continue to familiarise residents with the behaviour of cheetahs. Welcoming the new batch, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said Madhya Pradesh is fulfilling its responsibility under Project Cheetah with commitment. He said the initiative aims to establish a sustainable cheetah population in India and restore ecological balance. - IANS Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched a statewide free HPV vaccination mega campaign from Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. The campaign, virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to vaccinate approximately 5.5 lakh adolescent girls aged 14-15 to prevent cervical cancer. The state government has allocated 150 crore to provide the vaccine, which costs around 3,000 per dose in the market, completely free of cost. The initiative includes over 2,200 trained vaccination teams and uses advanced cold chain storage with real-time monitoring to ensure vaccine safety and efficacy. Gujarat CM launches free HPV vaccination for 5.5 lakh girls to prevent cervical cancer, part of a 150 crore initiative under PM Modi's nationwide campaign. Gandhinagar, February 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan. As part of this, the Prime Minister virtually marked the statewide launch of the vaccination mega campaign from Sola Civil Hospital, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya. According to a release from Gujarat CMO, while addressing the occasion, Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya stated that under the leadership of PM Modi, Gujarat has been polio-free since 2007, and the vaccination process has become simpler and more effective. Diseases for which vaccines once had to be imported are now being addressed through indigenously manufactured vaccines, showcasing India's growing capacity to assist the world and embodying the spirit of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. The Minister further said that the government is committed to ensuring that no one, especially the poorest, loses their life due to a lack of medicine or financial crisis. In line with this commitment, the treatment coverage under the Ayushman Card has been increased from 5 lakh to 10 lakh. He also appealed to the public to refrain from superstition and misinformation, highlighting that the vaccine has been scientifically developed under medical supervision. Noting the rise in diseases like cancer due to food adulteration, he urged citizens to uphold the belief that "Health is the first happiness" and to actively participate in the vaccination campaign to secure a healthier and brighter future for our daughters. He urged people to avoid superstition and misleading information, emphasising that the vaccine has been scientifically developed under medical supervision. Highlighting the rise in diseases like cancer due to food adulteration, he encouraged everyone to remember that "Health is the first happiness" and to take part in the vaccination campaign to ensure a healthier and brighter future for our daughters, a release said. Under the Universal Immunisation Programme, the Government of Gujarat spends over 240 crore annually on children's vaccination, and the HPV vaccine has now been added to this programme. Although a single dose of the vaccine costs around 3,000 in the market, the State Government has made a historic decision to allocate 150 crore to provide it completely free of cost. Under this campaign, the goal is to vaccinate and protect around 5.50 lakh adolescent girls in the state who have completed 14 years of age and have not yet turned 15, to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India and is mainly caused by HPV-16 and HPV-18 virus types. Keeping this serious condition in mind, a highly effective and safe quadrivalent HPV vaccine will now be provided to adolescent girls in Gujarat. As per a release, for the smooth implementation of this campaign, 2,297 trained vaccination teams and an equal number of cold chain points have been made operational. To ensure vaccine quality, storage facilities maintaining temperatures between +2C and +8C have been arranged, along with real-time monitoring through the TeCHO+ and SAFE-VAC portals. With the message, "Let's continue to protect our daughters from cervical cancer--by ensuring timely HPV vaccination," the government urges all parents to get their 14-year-old daughters vaccinated and secure a cancer-free future for them. On this occasion, Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Rajeev Topno, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Vikrant Pandey, Health Commissioner Ratankanvar Gadhavicharan, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, Ruling Party Leader Gaurang Prajapati, officials and staff of the Health Department and Sola Civil Hospital, and a large number of Adolescent girls were present, a release added. - ANI New investments and skill initiatives to be announced Aims to establish Gujarat as a memory packaging and advanced manufacturing centre Gujarat is set to host the SemiConnect Conference-2026 in Gandhinagar, reinforcing its role in India's semiconductor ambitions with projects worth approximately Rs 1.24 lakh crore. The event, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make India a global semiconductor hub, will bring together global and domestic industry partners. Key announcements on new investments and skill development in the semiconductor sector are planned during the two-day conference. The initiative aims to strengthen Gujarat's position as a national centre for advanced chip manufacturing and electronics production. Gujarat advances Rs 1.24 lakh crore semiconductor projects, hosting SemiConnect 2026 to position India as a global chip manufacturing hub. Gandhinagar, Feb 27 Gujarat will host the SemiConnect Conference-2026 on March 1 and 2 in Gandhinagar, as the state advances semiconductor projects worth approximately Rs 1.24 lakh crore and positions itself as a key manufacturing base in India's chip-making ambitions. Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, state Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the conference forms part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's broader objective of making India a global semiconductor hub. He said the disruption of global supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in semiconductor production, had severely affected industries worldwide and underscored the strategic importance of domestic chip manufacturing. "Considering that challenge as an opportunity, the Prime Minister decided to make the country a semiconductor hub. As a result, today the nation is leading in semiconductor and fifth-generation smart manufacturing," Modhwadia said. He referred to the India AI Impact Summit-2026 held in New Delhi last week under the Prime Minister's leadership, where around 88 countries issued a joint declaration on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. He said, "Gujarat was emerging as a national hub for semiconductor production, supported by large-scale investments currently under development". The two-day conference will be attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Information and Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Modhwadia said the event is being organised as the state's flagship semiconductor platform, bringing together global and domestic partners across the electronics value chain. He said the initiative would help establish Gujarat as a centre for memory packaging and advanced semiconductor manufacturing, strengthening India's electronics production and strategic technology base. The conference aims to facilitate collaboration between high-technology chip manufacturers, supply chain partners and domestic industries to support long-term ecosystem development. According to the minister, the third edition builds on the momentum of the 2024 and 2025 events, which brought together stakeholders including fabs, foundries, equipment and material suppliers and design ecosystem partners. More than 2,500 registrations have been received so far from over eight countries, including industry representatives, foreign institutions, researchers, investors and students. Key investors expected to attend include Dr Randhir Thakur of Tata Electronics, Sanjay Mehrotra of Micron Technology, G. C. Chaturvedi of CG Power and Industrial Solutions, Ramesh Kannan of Kaynes Semicon and Ajay Manocha, President and Chief Executive of SEMI. Modhwadia said announcements related to new investments and skill development initiatives in Gujarat's semiconductor and electronics sector are planned during the event. The programme will include panel discussions on next-generation semiconductors, logistics and infrastructure in hubs such as Dholera and Sanand, semiconductor financing through GIFT IFSC, research and workforce development, and strengthening India's electronics ecosystem from printed circuit board manufacturing to component supply chains. Country-focused roundtables with Taiwan and Japan, a Micron ecosystem roundtable, and a session titled 'From Silicon to Students' on workforce development are also scheduled. Selected one-to-one meetings between senior industry leaders and government officials will take place alongside the formal sessions. On March 2, delegates will visit Dholera Semicon City, where meetings with Tata Electronics and senior officials are planned. Participants will be briefed on the plug-and-play industrial infrastructure, utilities and logistics preparedness supporting semiconductor-related developments. The conference is being supported by international and national knowledge partners including SEMI, JETRO, KOTRA, the India Semiconductor Mission, ELCINA, IESA, ICEA, MEDEPC and Invest India. Officials including Yu Yoshida of JETRO, Mr Kim of KOTRA and Homer Chang of TECC are expected to attend. - IANS The Gujarat government has selected 17 villages in Rajkot district under its 'Tirthgam' and 'Pavangam' schemes over the last two financial years. These schemes aim to honor villages with no crime records, other than accidents, for five and three years respectively. Selected villages must also meet strict social benchmarks including eradicating untouchability, achieving full school enrolment, and maintaining cleanliness. State Panchayat Minister Sanjaysinh Mahida outlined the criteria in the Assembly, emphasizing the government's commitment to holistic rural development. 17 villages in Rajkot, Gujarat, selected under Tirthgam & Pavangam schemes for zero crime records and meeting social development benchmarks. Gandhinagar, Feb 28 The Gujarat government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting crime-free and socially progressive villages, with state Panchayat Minister Sanjaysinh Mahida informing the state Assembly that 17 villages were selected under the 'Tirthgam' and 'Pavangam' schemes over the past two financial years. Replying to a question during the ongoing session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly on Saturday, Mahida outlined key features of the schemes, which aim to encourage communal harmony, resolve disputes locally and ensure holistic rural development. He said the state government, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, remained "always committed to ensuring that rural citizens receive direct benefits of various schemes of the Panchayat Department". Explaining the criteria, the Minister said a village in which no crime other than accidents had been registered during the previous five years was declared a 'Tirthgam'. Villages with no crime other than accidents for the past three years were selected as 'Pavangam'. In addition to maintaining a clean crime record, villages must comply with specific social benchmarks, including eradication of untouchability, 100 per cent school enrolment, maintenance of cleanliness and adherence to prohibition norms. "The scheme has been implemented with the noble objective of fostering mutual harmony in rural areas, ensuring that disputes are resolved within the village itself and enabling comprehensive development," Mahida told the House. He also referred to the 2012 amendment to the scheme, under which general category villages are required to secure a minimum of 70 marks out of 100 to qualify for benefits, while tribal villages must obtain at least 60 marks. Providing district-level data, Mahida said that in the Rajkot district, six villages were selected under the schemes in the financial year 2023-24, while 11 villages were chosen in 2024-25. The Minister said the government would continue to ensure that eligible villages benefit directly from the Panchayat Department's initiatives. - IANS Alvopetro Energy highlights growth across Brazilian and Canadian assets in 2025 - ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Alvopetro Energy Ltd (TSX-V:ALV, OTC:ALVOF, FRA:A6Y0) CEO Corey Ruttan talked with Proactive about the companys strong 2025 performance and ambitious growth plans for 2026, highlighting major reserve increases, production growth and dividend returns to shareholders. Proactive: Alright welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom, and joining me now is Corey Ruttan, CEO of Alvopetro Energy Ltd. Corey it's great to see you again. How are you? Corey Ruttan: I'm very well thank you. The company is out with its basic numbers for 2025 and looking ahead to 2026. One figure that really jumps off the page is 79% reserve expansion. Thats a significant milestone. What went well last year? We had a really strong year. Last year really was a breakout year for Alvopetro. We were able to significantly increase our productive capacity off the strength of results from our 100% owned Murucututu project in northeast Brazil, mostly from the success of the 183-D4 well that we brought on production in August. Average production in 2025 was up 41% year over year to over 2,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day. We exited 2025 with a record quarter at nearly 2,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day. To start 2026, we posted another record month in January at 3,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day up 8% from Q4 and 23% above the 2025 average. You operate in Brazil and Canada. Lets start with Brazil. What are the plans there for 2026? We announced our year-end reserves, which reflected the successes of 2025. Despite producing nearly one million barrels of oil equivalent last year, 1P reserves increased 79% to over 8 million barrels of oil equivalent, representing a 485% production replacement ratio. 2P reserves increased 43% to over 13 million barrels of oil equivalent, representing a 530% production replacement ratio. On a 1P basis, net present value increased 38%, and on a 2P basis it increased 20% to nearly $400 million. For 2026, the capital plan focuses on Brazil and Canada. In Brazil, the company is expanding field production facilities and pipeline takeaway capacity at Murucututu to accommodate growing production. Once those projects are completed, the company plans to ramp up development drilling and unlock further value. And what about Canada? The company added a Canadian growth platform last year. It has drilled eight wells on a gross basis, four net wells, using open hole multilateral drilling technology. All wells are now on production. The company has earned an interest in 75 sections of prospective land and sees over 100 tier-one drilling locations, positioning it for future growth. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched a state-level HPV vaccination campaign targeting 65,000 girls to prevent cervical cancer. He announced a major healthcare overhaul, including installing world-class medical equipment in all medical colleges within eight months and building a Rs 300 crore cancer hospital in Hamirpur. The government plans to spend Rs 3000 crore on advanced machinery and introduce robotic surgery across all five state medical colleges. These initiatives are part of the 'Vyavastha Parivartan' slogan to transform the state's health infrastructure and develop health tourism. Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches HPV vaccination campaign and announces Rs 3000 crore plan for advanced medical equipment in all state medical colleges. Shimla, February 28 Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the State-Level HPV Vaccination Campaign against cervical cancer from IGMC Shimla on Saturday. He said that within the next 90 days, 65,000 girls aged 14 years across the state would receive the HPV vaccine. According to an official release, appealing to parents, Panchayat representatives and health workers, the Chief Minister urged everyone to help make the campaign a success and stressed the importance of spreading public awareness. Expressing concern over the rising number of cancer cases in the state, the Chief Minister said the state government was giving special priority to tackling the disease. He said that for the past 40 years, governments had continued with the same systems and approaches. To bring meaningful change, the state government adopted the slogan of 'Vyavastha Parivartan'. He said that had the present state government continued in the same manner for five years as the previous governments did, Himachal Pradesh would have fallen significantly behind in the healthcare sector. He said that diseases such as cancer were treatable if diagnosed early and managed properly. The Chief Minister said that a state-of-the-art cancer hospital would be constructed in Hamirpur at a cost of Rs 300 crore, which would ensure affordable and accessible treatment within the state. He further said that within the next eight months, world-class equipment and advanced medical technology would be installed in IGMC and all medical colleges across the state. Over the next three years, modern facilities on the lines of AIIMS would also be provided in all zonal hospitals, model health institutions, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). The government aims to develop health tourism in the next five years, which would benefit not only the people of the state but also doctors, paramedical staff and technicians working in the healthcare sector. Around Rs 3,000 crore would be spent on installing high-end medical equipment and machinery, a release stated. The Chief Minister said that several reforms have been introduced in the health sector over the past three years. Along with doctors, posts for nurses and technical staff such as operation theatre assistants and radiographers have been approved and were being filled. He said that a modern 3 Tesla (3T) MRI machine was inaugurated at IGMC just yesterday, replacing a 19-year-old machine that had been in use. He said that true system transformation means understanding the problems of ordinary people and taking decisions for their welfare. He further said that robotic surgery facilities would be introduced in all five medical colleges of the state. After the launch of robotic surgery at AIMSS Chamiyana Hospital and Tanda Medical College, the facility would also begin at IGMC on 10th March. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that the Chief Minister was giving special attention to the health and education sectors. He said unprecedented work was being carried out in healthcare, which future generations would remember. He said that Rs. 3,000 crore would be spent on installing high-end machines in the state. Regarding the HPV vaccination drive, he said it would be included in the routine immunisation programme, and the vaccine would be provided free of cost to girls. The campaign would be conducted under the supervision of medical officers. He added that the initiative reflects the Chief Minister's visionary leadership and long-term planning. MLA Harish Janartha, Suresh Kumar, Secretary Health M Sudha Devi, Director of Health Services Dr Gopal Berry, Director of Medical Education Rakesh Sharma, Mission Director NHM Pradeep Thakur and other dignitaries were present on the occasion, a release added. - ANI Iran's ambassador to India confirmed that large-scale attacks by the US and Israel have resulted in hundreds of Iranian casualties, including over 50 schoolgirls in Minab. He stated that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are safe and have not been harmed. The envoy declared that Iran will deliver a "crushing" and proportionate military response in self-defense, asserting that no backchannel diplomacy is currently active. Iranian authorities have issued safety guidelines for all foreign nationals, including Indian students, with no reports of harm to them thus far. Iran's ambassador confirms hundreds killed in US-Israel strikes, vows proportionate retaliation. Supreme Leader and President reported safe. Safety advisories issued for Indian nationals. New Delhi, Feb 28 Claiming that hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens have been killed during the large-scale attacks launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday, Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali confirmed that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian have not suffered any harm and remain in good health. In an interview with IANS, Ambassador Fathali also stated that the Iranian authorities have issued the necessary safety advisories and guidelines for the safety of all foreign nationals, including Indian students and professionals, who are stuck in the conflict zone. Excerpts: IANS: US President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of "large-scale combat operations" on Saturday, does Iran view this as the beginning of an all-out war, or will it pursue a strategy of limited retaliation? Mohammad Fathali: What has occurred today constitutes an act of aggression and a clear violation of Iran's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In today's criminal attacks, hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens have been martyred. In one instance alone, more than 50 school girls lost their lives in a girls' school in the city of Minab. Iran has neither initiated nor sought war. The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently emphasised that it does not seek to expand the conflict in the region. At the same time, however, it will respond firmly and decisively to any act of aggression. In accordance with its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take appropriate action. The nature and level of Iran's response will be proportionate to the conduct of the opposing party. Should aggression continue, the response will likewise be proportionate and decisive. Responsibility for any further escalation rests entirely with those who initiated it. IANS: Reports indicate that the office of the Supreme Leader and the Presidential complex in Tehran were targetted. Can you confirm that the country's leadership is safe? Mohammad Fathali: According to official statements from the security authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the President are in full health and have not sustained any harm. Nevertheless, it must be emphasised that Ayatollah Khamenei is not merely a political leader. He is a religious authority for Shiites around the world and an inspirational figure for millions of freedom-seeking individuals globally. His standing is rooted in deep religious convictions and a profound bond with the people, and it cannot be diminished by military actions or threats. Any attack or harm directed against him would carry extremely grave, far-reaching, and painful consequences for the aggressor regimes of the United States and Israel. Direct responsibility for any such reckless act would lie with them, and the consequences would be neither predictable nor controllable. IANS: Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes against Israel. Is Tehran also engaging in backchannel diplomacy to prevent further escalation? Mohammad Fathali: The reality is that in recent months the Islamic Republic of Iran had been engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the United States government. We demonstrated our belief in diplomacy and our readiness to resolve differences through political means. However, it was the United States that showed a lack of commitment to dialogue and diplomatic obligations and chose the path of confrontation and military action. At present, no backchannel diplomacy is underway. When the other side chooses the language of war, the response will be delivered in the same arena. Iran will deliver a crushing response to the Israeli regime - one that will be severe and painful and will alter the security equations of the region. This response will be carried out within the framework of legitimate self-defense and with the aim of restoring deterrence. IANS: What specific measures has Iran taken to ensure the safety of Indian students and professionals currently residing in the country? Mohammad Fathali: As of this moment, there have been no official reports of harm to Indian students or citizens residing in Iran. We sincerely hope that all of them remain safe and unharmed. The relevant Iranian authorities have issued the necessary safety advisories and guidelines, and all foreign nationals - including Indian students and professionals - are expected to adhere strictly to these instructions. Should evacuation or departure become necessary, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to cooperate and coordinate fully with the Government of India to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. IANS: Several reports indicate explosions in Persian Gulf countries, does Iran intend to draw third countries into this conflict? Mohammad Fathali: No. The Islamic Republic of Iran has not carried out any attacks against regional countries. We have repeatedly stated that our target is not the countries of the region. Our warning has been clear: if the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran is attacked by the United States, all US military bases in the region will be considered legitimate targets within the framework of the right to self-defence. Regional countries must not allow their territory or airspace to be used for attacks against Iran. This is not only a security necessity but also a responsibility toward regional stability. Under international law and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to self-defence and will exercise that right as necessary. Our objective is not to expand the war, but to prevent further aggression and restore deterrence. Responsibility for any escalation lies with those who initiated this act of aggression. - IANS Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary hailed the launch of the India-Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy as timely, noting its alignment with India's national priorities. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced new scholarships for Canadian graduate students and researchers to collaborate in India on strategic fields like AI and hydrogen. She also highlighted a new partnership that will send 300 Indian undergraduate researchers to Canada each year. The visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signals a renewed effort to strengthen bilateral relations through ambitious partnerships in trade, energy, and technology. Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary and Canadian FM Anita Anand launch a new talent and innovation strategy, announcing scholarships and research mobility. Mumbai, February 28 Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary on Saturday said the launch of the India-Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy was "timely and consequential," underscoring that its four pillars align closely with India's national priorities. Speaking at the event, Chaudhary said the strategy focused on embedding Canadian capability in Indian priority sectors, translating knowledge and talent into economic outcomes, deepening and rebalancing two-way mobility, and demonstrating credibility through speed and delivery - resonates strongly with India's development agenda. "India Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy is timely, and it will be consequential. Its four pillars, embedding Canadian capability in Indian priority sectors, translating knowledge and talent into economic outcomes, deepening and rebalancing two-way mobility, and demonstrating credibility through speed and delivery, resonate strongly with our national priorities. India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration, strengthen skills mobility and foster innovation that addresses shared global challenges. We see this partnership not just as an education initiative, but it's a shared investment in our shared future," he said. Furthermore, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the two countries are committed to working together "openly, collaboratively and ambitiously" to shape the future through talent and ideas. "Canada and India are committed to working together openly, collaboratively and ambitiously to develop the talent and ideas that will shape the future. And our bilateral collaboration is already fueling the talent engine," she said. Highlighting concrete steps under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, Anand announced new scholarships that will send graduate students and researchers from 11 Canadian universities to India to collaborate in strategic fields, including hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and more. "And our bilateral collaboration is already fueling the talent engine. I want to give you just two examples. Under our Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are launching new scholarships to send graduate students and researchers from 11 universities to India to collaborate in strategic fields from hydrogen and AI to climate resilience and supply chain security," she said. Anand also pointed to a new partnership between MITACS and the All India Council for Technical Education, under which 300 Indian undergraduate researchers will travel to Canada annually, creating what she called "a powerful mobility pipeline." "Through a new partnership between MITACS and the All India Council for Technical Education, 300 Indian undergraduate researchers will come to Canada each year, creating a new, powerful mobility pipeline. So all of this to say that Canada's universities are frontline partners in India's growth story, not only Canada's growth story," she added. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney participated in an innovation showcase and met with university researchers in Mumbai earlier in the day. This visit is the first by a Canadian head of government since the tenure of the previous administration under Justin Trudeau, during which bilateral relations faced challenges. The current trip indicates a renewed effort to find common ground and enhance both diplomatic and financial ties. According to a press release from the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, PM Carney is scheduled to hold meetings with prominent corporate leaders in Mumbai before heading to New Delhi on March 2 for significant talks with PM Narendra Modi. The official statement mentioned, "The leaders will focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship with ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence, talent and culture, and defence. He will also meet with business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between businesses in both nations." - ANI The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urgently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention for the safe evacuation of over 1,100 Indian students stranded in Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel. These students, primarily studying medicine, are facing heightened risks due to military strikes, airspace closures, and travel restrictions. Concurrently, India's aviation regulator has issued a critical safety advisory, warning airlines to avoid the airspace over Iran and surrounding regions due to extreme risks from advanced weaponry and potential misidentification of civilian aircraft. The situation has disrupted key international flight corridors and put foreign nationals, including Indian students, in immediate danger. Over 1,100 Indian students stranded in Iran as conflict escalates. JKSA writes to PM Modi for urgent evacuation and safety measures. New Delhi, February 28 Amid the rising conflict between Iran and Israel, concern has increased among Indian students and their families. Above a thousand Indian students, from Jammu and Kashmir, are studying in different cities of Iran, mainly in medical courses, and are feeling unsafe due to the tense situation. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate intervention. The association has requested the government to ensure the safety of students and arrange evacuation if necessary. The letter mentioned that on 28 February 2026, the Israel Defence Forces carried out major attacks in Tehran and other areas, which made the situation very serious. Airspace restrictions and emergency security measures have increased risks for foreign nationals. JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami told ANI that around 2,000 students from Jammu and Kashmir were in Iran. Out of them, about 900 students have already returned to India, but nearly 1,100 students are still stuck there due to the ongoing conflict and travel restrictions. "Families of the remaining students are extremely worried and are hoping the central government will take urgent steps to ensure their safe return and protect their academic future," he said. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent safety advisory to all Indian air operators, warning of heightened risks to civil aviation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf airspace following a sharp escalation in regional tensions. The advisory was issued today after a review of the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB No.: 2026-03) published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It cautioned that recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran have created a high-risk operating environment for civil aircraft. According to the DGCA, Iran has announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns over potential spill-over risks to civilian aviation. The regulator flagged several critical hazards, including possible retaliatory attacks affecting Iranian airspace and neighbouring states, the presence of advanced weaponry such as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, all-altitude air defence systems and military air assets, as well as the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft or operational errors during military interception procedures. The high-risk zone covers all altitudes and flight levels within multiple Flight Information Regions (FIRs), including Tehran (OIIX), Baghdad (ORBB), Tel Aviv (LLFI), Amman (OJAC), Beirut (OLBB), Kuwait (OKAC), Jeddah (OEJD), Emirates (OMAE), Bahrain (OBBB), Doha (OTDF), and Muscat (OOMM). In line with international safety standards and the EASA bulletin, the DGCA has advised Indian operators to refrain from operating in the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes. Airlines have also been directed to closely monitor updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the concerned countries and national authorities. The regulator further noted that previous advisories concerning the airspace over Syria and Yemen remain in effect. The advisory is effective immediately and will remain valid until March 2, 2026, unless reviewed or superseded. "Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this communication and confirm that flight planning departments have been updated accordingly. Safety remains our highest priority," it further read. This comes amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after joint military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites, triggering retaliatory threats and the closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq. The developments have disrupted key international air corridors used by airlines operating between India and Gulf nations. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Micron Technology's advanced semiconductor assembly and test plant in Sanand, Gujarat, marking a historic leap for India's chip manufacturing ambitions. The $2.75 billion facility will produce critical memory components like DRAM and NAND for AI systems, data centers, and smartphones. The plant is expected to create over 5,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect opportunities, boosting the local skilled workforce. Industry leaders hail this as a transformative step that establishes India as a credible player in the global semiconductor ecosystem. PM Modi inaugurates Micron's $2.75B semiconductor plant in Gujarat, a historic milestone for India's chip manufacturing and AI ambitions. New Delhi, Feb 28 The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association on Saturday congratulated the government and US-based Micron Technology on the historic inauguration of state-of-the-art ATMP facility in Sanand, Gujarat, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Terming the event a defining milestone in India's semiconductor journey, Ashok Chandak, President, IESA, who was present at the inauguration, said that "this is not merely the inauguration of a plant; it is the emergence of India as a serious, credible, and fast-emerging player in advanced semiconductor design and manufacturing." "It was a privilege to witness history on the ground. The Prime Minister's triple cadence said it all - 'India is ready, India is reliable, and India delivers' - a powerful declaration of the nation's confidence in building a world-class chip ecosystem," he added. Micron's landmark investment of Rs 22,516 crore (approximately $2.75 billion) represents one of the largest commitments by a global semiconductor leader in India's manufacturing landscape in addition to their design centres in India. The facility will manufacture DRAM, NAND, and Solid-State Drive (SSD) products - critical memory components that power AI systems, high-performance computing, smartphones, data centres, automotive electronics, and next-generation digital infrastructure. Memory manufacturing is strategically significant, as only a handful of nations possess this capability. "With global demand rising sharply - particularly driven by AI workloads - and short-term supply pressures continuing, India establishing memory manufacturing presence in addition to design centres of Micron is both timely and transformative," said the association. India's semiconductor strength will rise manifold with this memory plant and existing memory chip design centres of Micron and the upcoming Chip OSAT facilities slated to open during this year, "further deepening our design-led manufacturing base and export potential," it added. The Sanand facility is expected to generate approximately 5,000 direct jobs and over 15,000 indirect employment opportunities, nurturing a skilled semiconductor workforce. The commissioning of Micron's ATMP plant marks the successful translation of India's semiconductor policy intent into execution and manufacturing readiness. - IANS Amid escalating Iran-Israel hostilities, the Kerala government has established a dedicated helpdesk to assist its large diaspora in the Gulf region. The helpdesk, set up by the NORKA Department on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's direction, will monitor developments and coordinate with Indian embassies. The move responds to anxiety over the safety of lakhs of Malayalis working in Gulf nations, which is critical for the state's remittance-driven economy. Precautionary measures, including airspace closures, have been implemented across the Gulf as the conflict shows signs of widening. Kerala sets up a dedicated helpdesk to assist Gulf expatriates as Iran-Israel tensions escalate. Get safety advisories and embassy coordination. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28 Amid fast-escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, the Kerala government has moved swiftly to address mounting concerns over the safety of expatriates in West Asia. Tensions flared after a joint US-Israel strike on Iranian targets triggered a major retaliatory missile barrage from Tehran. Iran reportedly launched around 30 missiles at Israel in a coordinated assault, prompting the activation of the Israeli Air Force and its air defence systems. While Israel confirmed an attempted attack, it has not disclosed the full extent of the damage. Reports also indicated explosions in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, suggesting that the confrontation could widen beyond Israeli territory. Precautionary measures followed swiftly across the Gulf region. Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced temporary airspace closures amid heightened security alerts. Iran has warned that U.S. and Israeli military bases across the region could be considered potential targets, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The developments have triggered anxiety in Kerala, which has a substantial diaspora presence in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Lakhs of Malayalis are employed across sectors such as healthcare, construction, retail and financial services in these countries, making stability in the Gulf critical to both families and the state's remittance-driven economy. Responding to the situation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department to immediately set up a dedicated helpdesk. The facility will monitor developments, coordinate with Indian embassies and provide real-time assistance and advisories to expatriates and their families in Kerala. Meanwhile, all Indian citizens have been advised to follow the instructions issued by the Indian embassies in the respective countries and the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Officials described the move as precautionary but essential, given the rapidly evolving security landscape. With the possibility of the conflict spreading across West Asia, Kerala's proactive outreach reflects both humanitarian concern and economic prudence. - IANS Iran has launched missile strikes targeting a United States military base in Bahrain, posting video of the aftermath. The attack is framed as a response to aggression against Iran, following the interception of missiles by the UAE. In a major escalation, Israel and the United States have begun a joint military operation targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to the Iranian people to rise up, while US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to surrender. Iran targets a US military base in Bahrain with missiles. Israel and the US launch a joint military operation against Iranian targets, escalating regional conflict. Tehran, February 28 Iran says it has launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain According to the Iranian embassy in India said on Saturday., "A U.S. military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes.," The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned the "Brutal Aggression of the Zionist Regime" against itself, claiming that their attacks are a "response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran". "In the Name of God, the Breaker of Tyrants. In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes by the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the occupied territories has commenced," the Iranian embassy in India said. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej times. In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel and the United States have initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralizing what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. Netanyahu then made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the Islamist regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. In response to the developments, in a televised address on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear and military infrastructure. The IDF had also earlier announced the strike, dubbed OPERATION ROARING LION saying the aim was to remove the threat to Israel. US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as the combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. - ANI Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Mumbai, declared Iran the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East. He stated Iran must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons, echoing a joint statement with Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Carney's remarks followed Israeli and US military action against Iran, with Canada reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. During his India visit, he also launched a Talent and Innovation Strategy with Indian officials ahead of talks with PM Narendra Modi. Canadian PM Mark Carney, in Mumbai, calls Iran the principal source of Middle East terror and says it must never get nuclear weapons. Mumbai, February 28 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday said that his country's position on the developments in the Middle East remains clear and Iran is the "principal source of instability and terror" throughout the region. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Carney said Iran has one of the world's worst human rights records and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons. In his remarks, which came hours after Israel launched a "pre-emptive" strike against Iran and Israel and the United States launched a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran, the Canadian Prime Minister said his country and its international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program. "Canada's position on the developments in the Middle East remains clear - Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East. It has one of the world's worst human rights records and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons," Carney said. "Canada and our international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program, including at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and with the United Nations' reimposition of sanctions this past September," he added. The Canadian PM is on a four-day tour of India and earlier participated in an innovation showcase and met university researchers He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on March 2. PM Carney and Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand had issued a statement earlier on the situation on Middle East and said the Canadian government is closely following Iran-related hostilities throughout the Middle East and urges all Canadians in Iran to shelter in place. Canadians in the wider region should follow local advice and take all necessary precautions. The statement said Canada reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people. It also said that Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. "Canada's position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world's worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons," it said. "Canada and our international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program, including at the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis and with the United Nations' reimposition of sanctions in September," the statement said. It said that despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups. "Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran's oppressive regime. Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and has sanctioned 256 Iranian entities and 222 individuals in response to the regime's repression and its violence both against its own people, and persistently, beyond its borders. Canada reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people," the statement said. "The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict. We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region," it added. Coinciding with PM Carney's visit, India and Canada launched the Talent and Innovation Strategy with the Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary stating that India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration and strengthen skills mobility. "India Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy is timely, and it will be consequential. Its four pillars, embedding Canadian capability in Indian priority sectors, translating knowledge and talent into economic outcomes, deepening and rebalancing two-way mobility, and demonstrating credibility through speed and delivery, resonate strongly with our national priorities," he said "India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration, strengthen skills mobility and foster innovation that addresses shared global challenges...We see this partnership not just as an education initiative, but it's a shared investment in our shared future," he added. Speaking about PM Carney's visit earlier, Jayant Chaudhary said it is a strong commitment from both sides, and there is a renewed momentum in the right direction. "I am hopeful about economic ties and more momentum in increasing our bilateral trade. There are many significant discussions ongoing, and we will see excellent results... Those sectors that have the maximum impact in terms of employment generation and trade with Canada will benefit. Specifically in education, a very high-powered delegation of top universities in Canada came to India, and had deliberations, they met Cabinet Minister Dharmendra Pradhan," he said. PM Carney arrived in Mumbai on February 27 on his first official visit to the country. He will arrive in New Delhi on March 1 and on March 2 hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders will review the progress achieved till date across diverse areas of the India - Canada Strategic Partnership, building on their earlier meetings in Kananaskis (June 2025) and Johannesburg (November 2025). They will also take stock of ongoing cooperation in key pillars including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research, innovation and people-to-people ties. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments. The two Prime Ministers will also attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum scheduled later in the day. The visit comes at an important juncture in normalization of India-Canada bilateral relations. The two Prime Ministers have earlier agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for each other's concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. A MEA release had said earlier that the forthcoming meeting between the leaders will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the positive momentum and shared vision of India and Canada in building a forward-looking partnership. - ANI Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has declared that Iran will not remain passive in the face of U.S. attacks on its people, asserting the country's right to self-defense under the UN Charter. He expressed confusion over U.S. actions, noting attacks occurred even during negotiation periods, and vowed consequences for those killing Iranian citizens. The conflict has escalated with reported explosions in Tehran and Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. assets in the Gulf. Several countries have closed their airspace, prompting the Indian Embassy in the UAE to advise nationals against unnecessary travel. Iran's FM says it will not sit idly by after US attacks, vows to punish those responsible. Regional airspace shuts as conflict spreads. Tehran, March 1 Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Iran will not remain silent after the United States attacks its people, amid rising tensions following US and Israeli military actions. He said Iran is acting in self-defence under the UN Charter and warned that those responsible for killing Iranian citizens would face consequences. In an interview with NBC News, Araghchi said, "Engaging with counterparts from brotherly neighbors to clarify that Iran is solely exercising its right to self-defense under UN Charter. Iran will not sit idly by as the U.S. attacks our people. Regretful that targets are located in friendly states." "I do not know why the U.S. administration insists on beginning a negotiation with Iran and then attacking Iran in middle of talks. The same thing happened last June. 48 hours ago, even Oman's Foreign Minister confirmed," he said. "We do not understand the reasons for the U.S. attack on Iran. Perhaps the U.S. administration was dragged into it. Here is what I do know: Iran will punish those who kill our children. Our enmity is not with the American people, who are being lied to yet again," he said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran after Israel also said it had launched missile attacks against the country, as per Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. Several countries across the region have shut their airspace amid the exchange of attacks. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday issued an advisory for Indian students in the UAE to avoid unnecessary travel. The advisory was one of the many issued by Indian missions in the Middle East. "In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the UAE authorities and the Embassy. The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are continuing to function normally and will issue updates as necessary," the advisory read. - ANI Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli strikes, dealing a significant blow to Tehran's leadership. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned an attack on a girls' primary school, alleging dozens of child casualties and vowing a response. The Israel Defense Forces announced a joint broad operation with U.S. forces, named "Roaring Lion," aimed at degrading the Iranian regime. Iran has retaliated by targeting Israeli and U.S. assets, with explosions reported in Tehran and other locations. Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and IRGC commander Mohammed Pakpour reportedly killed in Israeli strikes, escalating Middle East tensions. Tehran, February 28 In a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy of Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military carrier as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, who had overtaken following the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami following Israeli strikes. Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran. The Israel Defense Forces had said in a post on X earlier in the day, "OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole." However, several countries have called for peace in the region. Iran had retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. - ANI Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. Ameriprise Financial (AMP) Executives Sell Shares in Insider Transactions Activity Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP) witnessed notable insider activities in February. On February 12, 2026, the CEO of Global Asset Management, William Truscott, sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction valued at $2,660,400, significantly reducing his ownership stake in the company by 22%. Prior to this transaction, on February 11, 2026, another insider activity occurred in Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP). Gumer Alvero, the companys PRESIDENT-INSURANCE & ANNUITIES, disclosed the sale of 4,658 shares of the companys stock. The total value of the transaction was $2,528,735. Another bold move was recorded on February 6, 2026, with a massive sale of 48,813 shares of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP)s stock by the companys Chairman & CEO, James Cracchiolo. The transactions total value amounted to approximately $26,600,964. Amid this insider activity, CNN recorded 7 analysts supporting the Buy rating on the stock, with a 1-year average price target of $580 from 14 analysts. Founded in 1894, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP) is a leader in wealth management and financial planning. The Minnesota-based company operates through Advice & Wealth Management and Asset Management (Columbia Threadneedle). While we acknowledge the potential of AMP as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. While we acknowledge the potential of AMP as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin states the U.S. and Israel intend to "decapitate" the Iranian regime by targeting its ballistic missile capabilities, with no plan for American ground troops. He compares the potential campaign to historical operations in Imperial Japan and Kosovo, though notes Iran's size makes the strategy uncertain. Rubin suggests that while Russian and Chinese arms supplies could accelerate conflict, massive economic sanctions have cost Iran trillions, creating diplomatic pressure. He questions whether Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could ever abandon the nuclear program without facing backlash from his own Revolutionary Guards. Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin says US & Israel will target Iran's missile launchers to decapitate regime, but no US boots on ground. Washington DC, February 28 Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin on Saturday said that the "Iranian regime is in a lot of trouble," as the United States and Israel will try to "decapitate the regime" by taking out its defence capabilities, including the ballistic missile launchers. However, Rubin reiterated the US President Donald Trump's stance that "there will not be boots on the ground." "My first reaction is that the Iranian regime is in a lot of trouble... While the US and Israel are going to try to take out the ballistic missile launchers and decapitate the regime, the Iranian regime's goal is simply to survive and then claim victory, like what we saw with Hamas," Rubin told ANI in an exclusive interview. "Donald Trump has said there will not be boots on the ground. There will not be US troops inserted. I can only think of two parallels," he added. Rubin drew parallels between Imperial Japan during world war 2, and in Kosovo. "Number one was what happened with Imperial Japan, when the US didn't insert military troops into Japan until after massive bombing, and the emperor surrendered. The second issue would be Kosovo... Iran is about 20 times the size of Kosovo. So it's not clear what worked in Kosovo is going to work in Iran," Rubin said. Talking about the timing of the attacks on Iranian soil, Rubin said that such actions are "determined by the air defences of Iran." "When we look at June 2025, the timing of that attack was determined by Iran reconstituting its anti-aircraft missile batteries that we saw were hit in April of 2024 and October of 2024. There have been recent news reports that China and perhaps Russia have been supplying Iran with advanced weaponry, including perhaps even carrier-killer missiles," he said. "Such an act by Russia and China, could have "accelerated the conflict rather than deterred it. However, there is space of diplomacy, seeing how Iran has lost over USD 2 trillion due to sanctions, and lost opportunities for development and investment, which could push the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, to give up the country's nuclear program. The Supreme Leader of Iran would be extraordinarily hard-pressed to simply give up his nuclear program because not only ordinary Iranian people, whom he doesn't care much about, but even his own Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would then ask, what have we sacrificed for over decades?" he asked. Earlier, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. - ANI Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has accused Israel of striking a primary school for girls, alleging dozens of children were killed. He vowed that these crimes against the Iranian people "will not go unanswered," linking the action to what he called an unprovoked war by Netanyahu and Trump. The Israel Defense Forces announced a broad joint operation with the U.S. to degrade the Iranian regime, citing an ongoing existential threat. Meanwhile, Switzerland and other countries have expressed alarm and called for maximum restraint and protection of civilians. Iran's Foreign Minister alleges an Israeli strike on a girls' school killed dozens of children, vowing a response. Israel cites existential threat. Tehran, February 28 Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran. Araghchi said in a post on X, "Netanyahu and Trump's war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate. Trump has turned 'America First' into 'Israel First'--which always means 'America Last'. Our Powerful Armed Forces are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve." The Israel Defense Forces had said in a post on X earlier in the day, "OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole." However, several countries have called for peace in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Switzerland said in a post on X, "Switzerland is deeply alarmed by today's strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. Switzerland calls for full respect of international law, including the UN Charter and IHL. We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Swiss Embassy remains operational. Our good offices remain at the disposal of the parties involved." - ANI Senior Israeli officials were reportedly informed that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, with his body found in the rubble. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted Khamenei may no longer be alive, stating Iran's top leaders and nuclear officials were targeted. However, an Iranian representative in India claimed the Supreme Leader is in good health, creating conflicting narratives. The report also states Iran's Defence Minister and a Revolutionary Guards commander are believed to have been killed in the strikes. Israeli officials reportedly informed of Ayatollah Khamenei's death in Tehran airstrike. Iran has not confirmed, while Netanyahu hints at outcome. Tel Aviv, March 1 Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, senior Israeli officials were informed on Saturday evening, according to The Jerusalem Post.Senior Israeli officials were also informed that the body of Iran's Supreme Leader was found under the rubble left by the air strike, the report said. According to Reuters, a senior Israeli official told on Saturday that the Supreme Leader of Iran is dead and his body has been found. Iran has not confirmed reports about the fate of its Khamenei. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may no longer be alive, without directly confirming his death. He said Iran's top leaders and nuclear officials were targeted after recent attacks by Israel and the US in several parts of Iran, including Tehran. In a video statement, PM Netanyahu said, "There were many signs indicating Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is no longer, without explicitly confirming his death. Khamenei's compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had been destroyed." Israeli TV had earlier reported that their assessment suggested that the supreme leader had likely been killed in the strike. However, Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said, "The Supreme Leader is in good health and never has a fear of America or any other people... He will continue by his dignity and wisdom, and I hope that we will win this war." Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy of Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military carrier as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, who had overtaken following the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami following Israeli strikes. - ANI Israel has launched preventive missile strikes against Iran, with explosions reported in the capital city of Tehran. The Israeli Defence Minister declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning of an expected missile and drone attack on Israeli territory. US involvement in the strikes has been confirmed by a security source, while Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a secure location outside Tehran. This escalation follows recent nuclear negotiations and comes amid tightened Israeli home front guidelines restricting public activity. Israel launches preventive missile strikes on Iran. Explosions reported in Tehran. US involved, state of emergency declared. Latest updates. Tel Aviv, February 28 Israel has launched a preventive missile attack against Iran on Saturday, as reported by TPS. Citizens have been advised to seek shelter as the IDF said that sirens were sounded across the nation as a proactive alert for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the country. TPS further noted that Defence Minsiter Israel Katz announced that the preemptive strikes against Iran came to remove threats to the country. The Israeli Defence Force called on the public to stay in proximity to protected spaces. According to the Jerusalem Post, a security source confirmed to Walla that the United States is also involved in the strikes. As per the Jerusalem Post, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a "secure location", according to an Iranian official who confirmed to Reuters. Also on Saturday, the Israeli Defence Force also shared that following a situational assessment, it was determined that immediate changes would be made to the Home Front Command Guidelines--with the decision to shift all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity. The guidelines include a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors. Iranian State Media also reported explosions in the capital city of Tehran. According to TPS, Israeli Defence Minister Katz declared an immediate nationwide special state of emergency under Israel's Civil Defense Law, warning that a missile and drone attack against Israeli territory and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe. Mobile phone lines have been cut in parts of eastern and western Tehran, and internet connectivity has weakened in some areas, as per Iranian Media reports. This comes as earlier on Friday, US President Donald Trump described Iran as "very difficult" and "very dangerous" as the United States considers its next steps in nuclear negotiations, emphasising a preference for a peaceful resolution despite ongoing military tensions in the Middle East. The third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States took place in Geneva on Thursday, and another round of talks will be held today. Addressing a gathering in Texas, Trump said, "We have a big decision to make. You know that. Not easy. We have a very big decision to make. We have a country that's been for 47 years blowing people's legs off, arms off, and the face. They've been knocking out ships, killing people. Not only Americans, but lots of people." Trump said the US faces a "big decision" in talks with Iran, while saying that any deal with Tehran must be "meaningful". - ANI The Israeli Defense Force announced a broad strike on strategic defense systems of Iran, specifically targeting an advanced SA-65 system in the Kermanshah area. The IDF stated it also preemptively struck Iranian operatives preparing to launch a missile toward Israel, neutralizing the immediate threat. In response, international leaders, including the EU Commission President and French President Emmanuel Macron, are calling for de-escalation and convening security talks. Iran's Foreign Minister condemned the strikes, alleging they hit a primary school for girls and vowing retaliation. IDF conducts broad strike on Iran's strategic defense, including SA-65 system. EU, France, and UN call for de-escalation amid rising Middle East tensions. Jerusalem, February 28 The Israeli Defense Force on Saturday carried out a "broad strike on strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime," including the SA-65 system in western Iran in the Kermanshah area. "The IDF completed a broad strike on strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime. The IDF struck multiple strategic aerial defense systems, including an advanced SA-65 system in the Kermanshah area of western Iran," the IDF posted on X. Earlier, IDF also struck operatives from the Iranian regime's surface-to- surface missiles unit as they loaded a missile launcher and prepared to immediately launch towards Israel. "The threat was identified and quickly struck, preventing the launch aimed toward Israel," IDF said, while posting visuals of the strike on X. Israeli defence forces said that the Iranian attacks are "designed to terrorise civilians, and destroy neighbourhoods." Meanwhile, President of European Union Commission is set to convene a special security college on Monday (local time). "Following the ongoing situation in Iran, I am convening a special Security College on Monday. For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran's unjustified attacks on partners in the region," she wrote on X. French President Emmanuel Macron, "The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East." "France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it. The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East," Macron wrote on X. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security. "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN. The Charter clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," he wrote on X. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran. - ANI The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed the country was subjected to an attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, which its air defences intercepted. Falling missile debris caused material damage and resulted in the death of one civilian in a residential area. Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian aggression and violation of sovereignty against several Gulf states. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, justified the retaliatory strikes as a legal act of self-defence against US and Israeli actions. UAE intercepts Iranian ballistic missiles; debris kills civilian. Saudi Arabia condemns attack. Iran claims self-defence against US and Israel. Dubai, February 28 Israeli press reported that a plume of smoke and fire has been seen outside hotel on Dubai's Palm. Viral videos circulating on social media showed smoke and flames outside the Fairmont, one of the popular hotels frequented by Westerners in Dubai. Earlier, UAE's Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that the UAE was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an asian nationality. The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock. The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE's categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability. The Ministry further stated that the targeting represents a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. The Ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also condemned the Iranian aggression and the violation of the sovereignty of each of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Saudi Arabia affirmed its full solidarity and standing by the side of the sister states, and placing all its capabilities at their disposal to support them in all measures they take, and warning of the grave consequences of the continued violation of the sovereignty of states and the principles of international law. Meanwhile, Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that the US and Israel's attack against his country is "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate.Araghchi justified Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an "act of self-defence", which he said is "absolutely legal and legitimate," Reuters reported. "This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate," Araghchi said, according to Reuters. - ANI The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urgently requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to evacuate approximately 1,200 Kashmiri students from Iran following military strikes. National Convenor Nasir Khuehami stated that families in the Kashmir Valley are in distress over the safety of their children. Concurrently, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured proactive measures to safeguard Kannadigas in the Middle East. The escalating conflict has triggered regional airspace closures, complicating international travel and evacuation efforts. J&K Students Association writes to PM Modi seeking immediate evacuation of Indian students from Iran amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict. New Delhi, March 1 National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, Nasir Khuehami, on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the evacuation of around 1200 Kashmiri students from the affected Iranian territories after the United States and Israel launched military strikes at Iran. Speaking to ANI, he urged the Indian government to open diplomatic channels and raise the issue of the evacuation of Indian students with their counterparts. "This morning, we saw that after the conflict between Iran and Israel, in which Israeli forces attacked Iran, our citizens there, especially Indian students and Indian citizens who have studied and worked there for many years, are very worried... Their families, particularly those in the Kashmir Valley, are very frightened, anxious, and in distress. The number of students from the Kashmir Valley is the highest. There are around 3,000 Indian students, and among them, around 2,000 Kashmiri students... Still, our 1100-1200 students are there... They want us to evacuate them immediately... Today, we wrote a letter to PM Modi, in which we requested him to launch a full-fledged evacuation operation so that our stranded citizens can be evacuated immediately. The Government of India should open diplomatic channels and raise the issue with their counterparts..." he said. Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that all the necessary measures are being undertaken to ensure the safety of Indian citizens residing in the Middle Eastern countries amid the escalating situation between Iran and Israel. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that he held consultations with the Resident Commissioner in the capital city to ensure proactive measures to safeguard the citizens. "In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Government of Karnataka is treating with utmost seriousness the safety and well-being of Kannadigas residing in the Middle East, including Israel, the UAE, Iran, and Qatar. I have held consultations with the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and directed that all necessary and proactive measures be undertaken to safeguard our people..." he wrote. This comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites. Iran has also carried out strikes in the region, apparently targeting US military baes. The escalation has led to temporary airspace closures in parts of West Asia, forcing airlines worldwide to reassess routes that traditionally pass through or near affected corridors. - ANI The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urgently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing grave concern for Indian students in Iran following reported Israeli strikes. Students, many from Kashmir studying medicine, face a dire choice between personal safety and completing mandatory exams critical for their academic progression. The Association calls for coordinated diplomatic action between Indian and Iranian authorities to ensure safety and plan for potential evacuation. Families in Kashmir are reported to be under immense psychological stress due to the uncertainty and communication challenges. Jammu and Kashmir Students Association urges PM Modi to ensure safety and evacuation of Indian students in Iran as hostilities escalate with Israel. Srinagar, February 28 The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking urgent intervention to ensure the safety, academic protection, and possible evacuation of Indian students currently residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran amid escalating military hostilities. In its letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the Association expressed profound concern over the extremely volatile and life-threatening security situation following the recent escalation of hostilities. Today, the Israeli Defence Forces reportedly launched major strikes on Iranian territory, including in and around Tehran, where multiple explosions were reported, and emergency measures were imposed amid fears of further escalation. The seriousness of the situation has reportedly led to airspace disruptions and heightened risks to civilian populations. National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, stated that the rapidly evolving security environment has created an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and grave risk for foreign nationals, including thousands of Indian students residing across various Iranian cities. A significant majority of these students are from the Kashmir Valley and are pursuing professional education, particularly MBBS and allied medical courses, in Iranian universities due to the country's comparatively affordable and structured academic framework. The Association noted that students now find themselves in an increasingly unstable security landscape, confronted with restricted mobility, communication uncertainties, and the looming threat of further hostilities. He further stated that advisories had been issued on 23 February 2026, urging Indian nationals to leave Iran in view of escalating tensions. However, a considerable number of students have been unable to depart, primarily due to ongoing semester examinations and, more importantly, two Iran-wide national examinations of decisive academic importance; the Uloompaya (Comprehensive Basic Science Examination) and the Pre-Internship Examination, scheduled for 5 March 2026 under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran. These examinations constitute mandatory milestones in the medical academic pathway and are critical for academic progression. In the absence of a formal notification regarding postponement or deferment, students fear that leaving the country at this stage could jeopardise their academic future and nullify years of sustained effort. As a result, many students are caught in a deeply distressing dilemma, compelled to choose between ensuring personal safety in a conflict-affected region and safeguarding their academic continuity. The lack of uniform and timely communication from certain institutions regarding examination schedules has further compounded anxiety and confusion among students. He emphasised that coordinated diplomatic engagement and structured contingency planning have become imperative to ensure the safe movement and possible evacuation of Indian nationals, should conditions deteriorate further. Equally distressing, the Association noted, is the emotional condition of parents and families in Kashmir, who are deeply concerned and anxious as they follow developments and struggle to maintain consistent contact with their children. The psychological toll on families is immense, and the prevailing uncertainty has only intensified their fears. Iran Coordinator of the Association, Faizan Nabi, urged the Prime Minister to ensure immediate and robust coordination between the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of India in Tehran, Iranian authorities, and concerned university administrations. He added that, if required, organised evacuation should be facilitated through appropriate diplomatic and logistical channels, including safe transit corridors via neighbouring countries. He expressed confidence that the Government of India, which has consistently demonstrated exemplary resolve in protecting its citizens abroad during global crises, will take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives, dignity, and academic futures of Indian students in Iran. - ANI The Kerala Congress screening committee will convene in Delhi on March 1 to begin the process of selecting probable candidates for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The committee, chaired by Madhusudan Mistry, will evaluate potential candidates based on criteria like winnability and grassroots connection. Senior state leaders, including the PCC Chief and CLP Leader, will attend the crucial meeting. The gathering is significant as parties start finalizing their candidates for the polls scheduled in the first half of 2026. Kerala Congress screening committee meets in Delhi on March 1 to evaluate probable candidates for the 2026 Assembly elections. Key leaders to attend. New Delhi, February 28 The Kerala Congress screening committee meeting will be held on March 1 in Delhi at 11 AM for the Selection of Probable Candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly election. The meeting will be attended by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) Leader and other Senior Leaders of the state, along with Screening committee members. Madhusudan Mistry is the chairperson of the AICC Screening Committee for the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections. The screening committee plays a crucial role in the candidate selection process, evaluating potential candidates based on their winnability, grassroots connect, and contribution to the party before recommending names to the Congress high command for final approval. The meeting assumes significance as the Kerala Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the first half of 2026, and political parties are in the process of finalizing their candidates for the polls. - ANI A massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district has killed at least 20 people, with many victims reported to be women. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed anguish and called for a thorough investigation and adequate compensation for the victims. The blast's impact was severe, with bodies thrown into fields and explosions heard from five kilometers away, damaging nearby buildings. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan have expressed shock and are overseeing rescue and relief operations. At least 20 dead in Andhra Pradesh firecracker factory explosion. Congress President Kharge demands investigation and compensation for victims. New Delhi, Feb 28 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday expressed anguish over the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district that left at least 20 people dead. In a post on X, Kharge said he was "deeply anguished" by the tragedy and extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. "Deeply anguished by the explosion in a factory at Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh," he wrote, urging the state government to ensure immediate and adequate compensation to the victims. He called for a thorough investigation into the incident and said those responsible must be brought to book. The explosion occurred around 2 p.m. at Suryashri Fireworks near the Godavari canal in Vetlapalem village of Samarlakota mandal, police said. Labour Minister Vamsetti Subhash confirmed that 20 people had died and termed the incident unfortunate. Fifteen others were injured and shifted to hospitals. Most of the victims are reported to be women. The impact of the blast was severe, with bodies thrown into adjoining agricultural fields. Explosions were heard up to five km away, residents said. Windows of nearby houses were shattered and cracks developed in the slab of a school building. Fire personnel rushed to the spot with two engines and were engaged in dousing operations along with police and other departments. The District Collector, Superintendent of Police and other senior officials supervised rescue and relief work. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and directed officials to intensify rescue efforts. According to an official release, the Chief Minister enquired from officials about the cause of the explosion and the rescue operation undertaken by local authorities. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed grief over the deaths in the explosion. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the government would extend them all possible help. The Deputy CM spoke to the District Collector and SP. He informed that explosions were still being heard from the unit. The injured were being shifted to Kakinada for treatment. - IANS By Stephen Nellis SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Nvidia (NVDA) may have made its immense fortune on the back of specialized graphics processing units (GPUs) used to power artificial intelligence servers, but CEO Jensen Huang is increasingly professing his love for the more generalist CPU. The CPU, or central processing unit, was for decades traditionally viewed as the main brain of a computer - a product most associated with Intel or sometimes Advanced Micro Devices. Huang is fond of saying that where once 90% of computing used to happen on CPUs and 10% on chips like his, the ratio had flipped in recent years. But the CPU is now making a comeback - increasingly seen as an equivalent if not better option as AI companies shift from training their models to deploying them - a shift that Nvidia plans to be a big part of. "We love CPUs as well as GPUs," Huang said on a call with analysts on Wednesday for the company's fourth-quarter results. More from Yahoo Scout What makes Nvidia's CPU approach different from Intel's? How are AI workloads shifting from GPUs to CPUs? Why is Nvidia's CEO emphasizing CPUs over GPUs? How will AI agents change CPU versus GPU demand? He assured them that Nvidia was not only ready for the CPU's return to the spotlight, but also that Nvidia's own CPU offerings for data centers, first released in 2023, would outcompete rivals. Last month, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, Huang also said the number of high-performance Nvidia CPUs being used in data centers would explode and that he wouldn't be surprised "if Nvidia becomes one of the largest CPU makers in the world." THE CPU VERSUS THE GPU CPUs and GPUs have served different computing tasks for decades. CPUs are generalist chips designed to handle any mathematical task a software programmer might throw at the chip at reasonable speed, given the variety of work. GPUs, by contrast, specialize in carrying out a simpler set of mathematical tasks, but doing those simple calculations in parallel thousands of times at once. In video games that meant calculating the value of thousands of pixels on a screen many times a second, and in AI work that means multiplying and adding large matrices of numbers that developers use to represent real-world data such as words and images. AI companies are increasingly deploying "agents" that can independently carry out tasks such as writing code, sifting through documents and writing research reports - and that sort of computing "is happening more and more, and sometimes primarily, on the CPU," said Ben Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies. Nvidia's current flagship AI server - called the NVL72 - contains 36 of its CPUs and 72 of its GPUs. Bajarin thinks that could change to a 1 to 1 ratio for so-called agentic work or even that the GPU could be skipped altogether. Reports indicate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, with his body reportedly found in the rubble. US House Republicans declared "the lead architect of global terrorism is DEAD" following the news. The incident comes amid joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran, which have triggered retaliatory strikes from Iran against US and Israeli assets in the Gulf. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has accused Donald Trump of dragging America into an unwanted "war of choice" in Iran. US House Republicans declare the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after reported Israeli strike, as regional conflict escalates. Washington DC, March 1 The Republican leadership in the United States House of Representatives on Saturday said that "the lead architect of global terrorism is DEAD" after reports emerged that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on Tehran. In a post on X, House Republicans wrote, "The lead architect of global terrorism is DEAD, ending his decades of terrorist reign. The world is safer with Ali Khamenei's death." Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, senior Israeli officials were informed on Saturday evening, according to The Jerusalem Post. Senior Israeli officials were also informed that the body of Iran's Supreme Leader was found under the rubble left by the air strike, the report said. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris accused President Donald Trump of pushing the United States into an unwanted war, saying she opposes any regime-change conflict in Iran and warning that American troops are being placed in danger for what she described as "Trump's war of choice." "Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harm's way for the sake of Trump's war of choice," she said in a post on X. On Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out joint missile attacks on Iran, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities, signalling a sharp escalation that risks expanding tensions into a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. - ANI Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has launched a statewide campaign to provide free HPV vaccinations to approximately eight lakh girls aged 14-15. The initiative, which utilizes doses supplied by the Central Government, aims to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer, a major health threat for women. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla emphasized the program's preventive focus, stating the goal is to make the state free from cervical cancer. The drive is part of a suite of health missions in MP, including efforts against sickle cell disease and diabetes. Madhya Pradesh launches a free HPV vaccination campaign for 8 lakh adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer, part of a broader state health initiative. Bhopal, Feb 28 In a major preventive healthcare initiative, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday launched a state-wide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The drive targets around eight lakh girls aged between 14 and 15 years across the state. Over 7,58,500 doses have been supplied by the Central government. The vaccine, which costs around Rs 4,000 in the market, will be administered free of cost at designated government health facilities over the next three months. Addressing the virtual launch from New Delhi, Chief Minister Yadav said the initiative reflects the state government's commitment to women's health and dignity. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the national campaign from Ajmer in Rajasthan and said Madhya Pradesh would ensure its effective implementation. Describing cervical cancer as a serious health threat to women, he urged parents to ensure that eligible girls receive the vaccine and take advantage of the free immunisation programme. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla inaugurated the campaign at Dr Kailash Nath Katju Hospital in Bhopal. He said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer and cited a prevalence rate of around 156 cases per one lakh women. Shukla said prevention through HPV vaccination is far more effective than treatment and reiterated the government's goal of making Madhya Pradesh free from cervical cancer. He appealed to health workers, public representatives and citizens to cooperate in ensuring full coverage under the programme. The HPV vaccination drive is being implemented alongside other health initiatives in the state. Shukla said "Mission Madhuhari", to be launched soon, will provide weekly clinics in district hospitals for the management of Type 1 diabetes among children and young people, including insulin testing and specialist consultations. He also referred to ongoing initiatives such as the Nirogi Kaya Abhiyan, Sickle Cell Eradication Mission, Healthy Women Empowered Family Campaign and Healthy Liver Mission. According to officials, the state has strengthened primary healthcare infrastructure through hub-and-spoke models at primary health centres, expanded diagnostic services with up to 85 types of tests, introduced telemedicine facilities for specialist consultations in rural areas and proposed establishing medical colleges in every Lok Sabha constituency. Chief Minister Yadav said sustained health awareness and timely check-ups are key to long-term improvements in public health outcomes. Officials expressed confidence that the vaccination targets would be achieved within the stipulated timeframe. - IANS The Maharashtra government is issuing a fresh Government Resolution to ensure stricter enforcement of the existing ban on non-biodegradable plastic flowers. The new rules will explicitly target decorators, marriage halls, and banquet halls that use or permit these items. This move follows legislative discussions highlighting the environmental harm and financial losses suffered by natural flower farmers. Enforcement data shows over 92,000 violation cases and 25 crore in penalties collected in recent years. Maharashtra issues new GR for stricter plastic flower ban enforcement, targeting decorators & venues. Penalties up to 25k & jail for violations. Mumbai, Feb 27 Even as a ban on the sale of non-biodegradable plastic flowers is already in place in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that a fresh Government Resolution will soon be issued to ensure stricter and more effective implementation of the prohibition. He said the proposed GR will not only reiterate the ban on the production and sale of non-biodegradable plastic flowers but will also lay down clear provisions for action against decorators using such items for ornamentation, as well as marriage halls and banquet halls that permit their use on their premises. The Chief Minister intervened during a discussion on a calling attention motion moved by BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute, who stated that the farming community has been consistently demanding a complete ban on artificial and plastic flowers in the state, particularly in view of their growing use in recent years. Pachpute also raised concerns over the sale of low-quality plastic toys in the market. NCP MLA Jayant Patil expressed concern over the increasing sale and use of plastic flowers, stating that it has adversely affected farmers who have made substantial investments in setting up greenhouses for the cultivation of a variety of natural flowers. Chief Minister Fadnavis said the market is currently flooded with artificial flowers and observed that it is often difficult to distinguish between real and plastic ones. He maintained that non-biodegradable plastic flowers are causing environmental damage and financial losses to farmers engaged in natural floriculture. He added that the Environment Department would initiate stricter action and that other concerned departments would be involved wherever necessary. BJP MLA Pravin Datke pointed out that despite an existing GR on the plastic ban, its implementation remains weak in several Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils. He demanded that the new GR should clearly specify the action to be taken against officials of local self-government bodies if they fail to enforce the order. During the discussion, Environment Minister Pankaja Munde presented data on enforcement measures taken by the department. She said that around 92,000 cases of plastic ban violations were detected over the past four to five years and 4,135 tonnes of plastic were seized. The government has collected penalties amounting to Rs 25 crore. The Minister said a fine of Rs 5,000 is imposed for a first offence, Rs 10,000 for a second offence, and for subsequent offences there is a provision for three months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000. Jayant Patil also raised the issue of the Dadar flower market. He said that the Mumbai Municipal Corporation had removed flower vendors citing encroachment clearance, which led to a complete strike by the Mumbai Flower Vendors Association. He urged the government to intervene and resolve the impasse. Chief Minister Fadnavis assured the House that he would look into the matter and seek a solution to end the protest. - IANS Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the state's security situation and rehabilitation efforts for violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The meeting follows the formation of a new state government under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, which ended nearly a year of President's Rule. Chief Minister Singh and his deputies have also held a series of meetings in Delhi with central ministers, including the Prime Minister, to secure support for peace initiatives and development projects. These discussions focus on restoring normalcy, rebuilding community trust, and addressing the state's financial and infrastructural needs. Governor Ajay Bhalla meets Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss Manipur's security, IDP rehabilitation, and peace efforts after new government formation. Imphal, Feb 28 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss key state issues, officials said. A senior official confirmed the meeting but did not disclose specific topics. The meeting is significant as it follows the formation of the new government under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on February 4, which ended nearly a year of President's Rule during extended ethnic unrest. Another official, speaking anonymously, stated that Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, briefed the Home Minister on Manipur's security situation and ongoing efforts to restore normalcy. The discussions also covered the rehabilitation of violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Security forces, the official added, continue to conduct joint operations to recover illegal arms and ammunition and to destroy illicit poppy cultivation in vulnerable areas. Efforts are underway to implement confidence-building measures between affected communities to rebuild trust and promote lasting peace. On February 22, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh and Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho met the Union Home Minister to discuss various issues, including IDP rehabilitation. An official from the Chief Minister's Office stated that the Home Minister reviewed the new government's initiatives to remove barriers between communities and restore peace and harmony in the state. During his visit to the national capital, the Chief Minister met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who assured full central support for the development of national and state highways in Manipur. Khemchand Singh has been in New Delhi since February 21, marking his first visit to the national capital after taking oath as Chief Minister on February 4. On February 24, Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seva Teerth and briefed him on the new government's initiatives to restore peace and harmony in Manipur, officials said. On February 23, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers met Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who approved construction of 5,000 new houses for IDP rehabilitation under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, officials said. The Chief Minister also met Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who assured that his Ministry would coordinate with other Union Ministries to address key issues in Manipur. Khemchand Singh also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who assured full support to revive the state's financial health and economy. He met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured full cooperation and support from his Ministry for all Manipur government initiatives. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Micron's Semiconductor Assembly, Test, and Packaging (ATMP) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, marking the start of commercial production. The facility will manufacture memory chips, converting wafers into finished products for global markets. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the semiconductor industry is foundational, powering everything from cameras to mobiles. The project, approved under the India Semiconductor Mission, represents a major step in establishing India within the global semiconductor value chain. PM Modi inaugurates Micron's ATMP facility in Gujarat. The plant will manufacture memory chips, marking a key milestone in India's semiconductor journey. Sanand, February 28 Noting that memory chips will be manufactured in the Semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging facility of Micron in Sanand in Gujarat, Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the semiconductor industry is foundational and everything from cameras to mobiles needs memory chips. Speaking at the event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ATMP facility of Micron Semiconductor Technology India Private Limited, Vaishnaw said India has made a place in the semiconductor industry on the global map. "Memory chips will be manufactured in this plant. The semiconductor industry is foundational and everything from cameras to mobiles needs memory chips... India has made a place in the semiconductor industry on the global map," he said. Vaishnaw said India has a big ecosystem of semiconductor design, and it is increasing. He said companies are designing the most advanced 2 NM chips in India and the chip designed in the country will be manufactured here. In his remarks, PM Modi said the inauguration of Micron's semiconductor facility marks a milestone in India's journey towards technology leadership. "The beginning of commercial production in this ATMP facility of Micron will strengthen India's role in the global value chain. India is rapidly becoming a part of the global semiconductor value chain," he said. "This is the century of AI revolution. The semiconductor is a major bridge of this revolution... If oil was the regulator of the last century, the microchip will be the regulator of this century," he added. He said the event also symbolises the strong collaboration and partnership between the USA and India. "This is crucial, especially in the fields of AI and chips... The entire world is striving to secure the supply chains for these two technologies, and the world's two largest democracies are working towards this end. The Pax Silica initiative between the US and India during the AI Summit is another step in this direction. Our combined efforts will make the global supply chain of essential minerals more secure and reliable," he said. "When the world was struggling with the Covid pandemic, India announced semiconductor project... During the pandemic, everything felt like it was falling apart. But the seeds we planted with conviction are now growing and bearing fruits," PM Modi added. The inauguration of Sanad facility marks a significant milestone in India's semiconductor manufacturing journey, with the commencement of commercial production and shipment of the first made-in-India semiconductor memory modules from the Sanand ATMP facility, an official release said. This development represents a major step forward in strengthening India's position in the global semiconductor value chain, it added.The project, which had its ground-breaking ceremony in September 2023, was the first proposal approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). With a total outlay of more than Rs 22,500 crore, construction commenced soon after approval, reflecting the Government's commitment to fast-tracking strategic semiconductor investments in the country. The Sanand facility, once fully ramped up, will feature approximately 500,000 square feet of cleanroom space, making it one of the world's largest raised-floor cleanrooms. The facility is designed to serve customers worldwide and address the growing global demand for memory and storage solutions, driven by rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and high-performance computing. The Sanand ATMP facility will convert advanced Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and NAND semiconductor wafers from Micron's global manufacturing network into finished memory and storage products, catering to customers across global markets.The establishment and operationalisation of this facility underscores India's emergence as a trusted and competitive destination for semiconductor manufacturing and aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of building a resilient and self-reliant technology ecosystem in the country, the release said. - ANI The Iranian Embassy in India issued a strong statement condemning recent aerial operations by the United States and Israel, which targeted locations within Iran. It unequivocally refuted any notion that Iran would surrender to their demands, labeling the act a "cowardly" aggression during negotiations. The embassy warned that operations are expected to continue in Tehran and other cities, while advising citizens to remain calm and avoid crowding public spaces. Iran has called on the UN Security Council to take immediate action against this breach of international peace and security. Iranian Embassy in India condemns US-Israel aerial operations, refutes any surrender, and calls for UN action while advising citizen safety. Tehran, February 28 The Iranian Embassy in India on Saturday unequivocally refuted any chance of "surrender" to the "ignoble" demands of Israel and United States of laying down their arms and surrendering. The Iranian embassy said that the United States, in collaboration with the "corrupt Zionist regime" of Israel carried out aerial operations in the country targeting "certain locations," including in civilian infrastructure. The operations across Tehran and Iranian cities are expected to continue in the coming days, the statement added. "This morning, the courageous nation of Iran witnessed an aerial operation carried out by the brutal regime of the United States, in collaboration with the corrupt Zionist regime, targeting certain locations within the country. This malicious act took place once again during the course of negotiations, reflecting the enemy's mistaken belief that the steadfast nation of Iran would surrender to their ignoble demands through such cowardly actions," the embassy said in an official statement of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. "According to information obtained regarding the plans of these two corrupt regimes, their operations in Tehran and certain other cities are expected to continue," the embassy said while sharing the statement. The Embassy also advised its citizens to remain calm, and travel to other areas which are safe from the "aggression" of Israel and USA. It also advised that people should "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has made prior arrangements to ensure the provision of all essential needs of society. There is no cause for concern regarding the supply of basic necessities. Citizens are requested to refrain from crowding shopping centers, as such gatherings may pose potential risks," the statement read. Meanwhile, schools and universities have been closed due to the ongoing strikes, the statement read that banks will continue to operate as usual, and government offices will operate at 50 per cent capacity "for the time being". Iran has also called on the United Nations Security Council to take "immediate action to address the breach of international peace and security resulting from the overt military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran." "The Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President and members of the Security Council are expected to act swiftly in fulfillment of their duties," the statement added. Iran also called on the member states of the United Nations, especially the countries of the region and the Islamic world, the members of the Non-Aligned Movement, "and all governments committed to international peace and security." "At this critical juncture in history, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inspired by the heroic legacy of this land and relying on trust in Almighty God and confidence in national power, will not hesitate in defending the dignity and security of the Iranian nation," the statement read. "History bears witness that Iranians have never submitted to the aggression of foreign powers, and this time as well, the Iranian nation will respond decisively, and the aggressors will regret their criminal act," Iran added. Iran has launched multiple military strikes in Israel, Bahrain, and UAE, with some missiles being intercepted. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as a combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." Netanyahu then made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the Islamist regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. - ANI Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a security advisory for its citizens residing in Israel and Iran amid escalating conflict in the region. The advisory urges them to remain indoors, stay vigilant, and strictly follow instructions from local authorities. It strongly advises Nepali nationals to defer any travel plans to these countries until the situation stabilizes. The statement also calls for those in other Middle Eastern countries to monitor developments and take precautions. Nepal advises citizens in Israel and Iran to stay indoors, defer travel, and follow local security advisories as Middle East tensions escalate. Kathmandu, February 28 Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia between Iran, Israel and United States, Nepal's Ministry Foreign Affairs on Saturday issued an advisory to its citizens residing in Israel and Iran, urging them to remain indoors, stay vigilant, and strictly adhere to the security advisories and instructions issued by competent authorities in both the countries. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal, is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East. In this context, Nepali nationals currently residing in Israel and Iran are advised to take the following precautionary measures," Nepal's government read in a statement. "1. Strictly adhere to the security advisories and instructions issued by the competent authorities of Israel and Iran; 2. Remain indoors as much as possible, stay vigilant, exercise due caution, and maintain regular contact with the Nepali community in your respective locations; 3. Refrain from traveling without prior authorisation from the relevant authorities of Israel and Iran," the statement read. Nepali citizens who were planning to travel to either countries are advised to defer to plans until the situation stabilises, while the people are already residing and working there are advised to monitor any developments and follow precautionary measures. "Nepali nationals planning to travel to Israel or Iran are strongly advised to defer their travel plans until the situation in both countries stabilizes. Nepali nationals residing and working in other Middle Eastern countries are advised to constantly monitor developments and follow precautionary measures as suggested by the competent authorities of the respective countries," the statement added. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Earlier today, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the long-standing hostility of the Iranian regime, framing the move as both defensive and strategic. "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. Netanyahu also thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." US has President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as a combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. - ANI Canada and India have launched a Talent and Innovation Strategy to develop a new partnership on skills development. The initiative will share Canadian expertise in applied education and training to support India's skills plan in sectors like critical minerals and AI. Business leaders highlighted a reset in bilateral relations, with work restarting on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The strategy aims to deepen research collaboration and strengthen two-way talent mobility between the two nations. New Canada-India Talent & Innovation Strategy aims to share expertise in critical minerals, AI, and agri-food through skills centres and research. Mumbai, February 28 Pari Johnston, President and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada, on Saturday, described the launch of the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy as "a very promising first step" toward developing a new partnership with India's Ministry of Skills and Entrepreneurship. Speaking to ANI, Johnston said the initiative will support the development of national skills centres, sharing Canadian expertise in applied education, training, and apprenticeships to advance the Indian skills plan in sectors such as critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and agri-food. "This initiative is a very promising first step to develop, in our case, a new partnership with your Ministry of Skills and Entrepreneurship to support the development of national skills centres, sharing Canadian expertise and applied education and training and apprenticeships to support the Indian skills plan in areas like critical minerals, AI and agri-food," she said. "We are going to be in India in two weeks, bringing college and polytechnic leaders to meet with their counterparts at the ITIs and in the private sector and government to start developing a plan of action together," Johnston added. Meanwhile, Nadira Hamid, CEO of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber, highlighted the broader context of the strengthened bilateral relationship, saying, "Its just so wonderful to actually be here and to see this wonderful relationship blossoming. We've had a few challenging years, but now with both the Prime Ministers so keen about resetting the whole relationship. We are just very motivated and we want to work to do more." She further elaborated on trade prospects, noting that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada is being revisited, with work already underway. "CEPA, which is a Comprehensive Economic Partnership, is being re-addressed, and we are hoping that that will get sorted. Work on that has started already. The high commissioners and the diplomats in both countries have been reinstated. This itself makes it easier for businesses to be able to do more work with each other. Policies are being revisited and there is a lot more confidence in the companies, in the businesses, to be able to invest and to expand and to collaborate with each other. So that confidence is very important...The perception is there that they are interested, that Canada is here to stay. Prime Minister is very serious about resetting this relationship," Hamid added. Furthermore, Ronak Sutaria, Founder and CEO of Respirer Living Sciences, spoke about technology collaboration under the initiative, saying, "We essentially work in air pollution monitoring, management and mitigation...We are also doing work with the University of Toronto, where we are building some modelling tools... We have also worked with IIT Bombay and the University of Toronto together...There are two aspects, one of course is for pollution and emissions monitoring. This is a technology which is very relevant for Canada, and we can support deploying a lot of this technology in Canada for air quality monitoring, pollution and emissions monitoring. We are also working with the universities, students and researchers to build some of this capacity building within Canada and India together." Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday participated in an innovation showcase and met with university researchers in Mumbai. PM Carney, who is on a four-day visit to India, will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on March 2. Coinciding with his visit, India and Canada launched a Talent and Innovation Strategy with the Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary stating that India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration and strengthen skills mobility. "India Canada Talent and Innovation Strategy is timely, and it will be consequential. Its four pillars, embedding Canadian capability in Indian priority sectors, translating knowledge and talent into economic outcomes, deepening and rebalancing two-way mobility, and demonstrating credibility through speed and delivery, resonate strongly with our national priorities," he said. "India stands ready to work with Canada to build globally competitive talent, deepen research collaboration, strengthen skills mobility and foster innovation that addresses shared global challenges...We see this partnership not just as an education initiative, but it's a shared investment in our shared future," he added. PM Carney arrived in Mumbai on February 27 on his first official visit to India. He will arrive in New Delhi on March 1 and on March 2 hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders will review the progress achieved till date across diverse areas of the India - Canada Strategic Partnership, building on their earlier meetings in Kananaskis (June 2025) and Johannesburg (November 2025). They will also take stock of ongoing cooperation in key pillars, including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research, innovation and people-to-people ties. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments. The two Prime Ministers will also attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum scheduled later in the day. The visit comes at an important juncture in the normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations. The two Prime Ministers have earlier agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for each other's concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. A MEA release had said earlier that the forthcoming meeting between the leaders will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the positive momentum and shared vision of India and Canada in building a forward-looking partnership. - ANI NITI Aayog has launched a strategic roadmap to operationalise frontier technologies like AI across 50 Aspirational Blocks, transforming them into real-world impact sandboxes for governance. The initiative, discussed at the Frontier 50 Workshop, aims to shift from digital to intelligent, AI-enabled public policy systems. It integrates various national missions, including POSHAN Tracker, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Digital Agriculture, with AI and data analytics. The core principles focus on solving real governance problems, enabling data-driven decisions, and using technology as a strategic enabler for Viksit Bharat. NITI Aayog unveils a strategy to implement AI and frontier technologies for intelligent governance across 50 Aspirational Blocks as real-world sandboxes. New Delhi, Feb 28 NITI Aayog has unveiled the road map to operationalise Frontier Technologies in a strategic shift from digital governance to intelligent AI-enabled governance in public policy across 50 Aspirational Blocks as real-world impact sandboxes, according to an official statement issued on Saturday. The deliberations were held at the Frontier 50 Workshop on Friday, under the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme. The newsletter Aspirational Times was released during the workshop attended by Nidhi Chhibber, CEO NITI Aayog, Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary Department of Science and Technology and senior officers from the Central Government, State Governments and District Magistrates. Eight ministries had the platform to showcase the avenues of digital integration in decision-making at the district level. The National Quality Assurance Standards framework has certified public health facilities through the SaQsham platform across 29 States and UTs. Under POSHAN 2.0, the POSHAN Tracker monitors over 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres in near real time, transforming nutrition delivery into a measurable governance system. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, rural tap water coverage has expanded with geo-tagged assets and pipeline mapping on PM Gati Shakti, with emphasis on District Collectors, VWSC-led ownership and water quality testing. Digital livestock governance through Pashu Aadhaar enables real-time vaccination tracking and AI-ready datasets for disease surveillance. The Digital Agriculture Mission is building interoperable digital public infrastructure through AgriStack and Bharat Vistaar integrating farmer registries, geo-referenced maps and multilingual advisories. In banking and financial services, AI supports credit scoring fraud detection AML and KYC automation and monitoring of financial inclusion indicators. Discussions also highlighted need assessments in borewell-dependent areas API integration improved POSHAN validation and AR-based training for frontline workers. Frontier Technology demonstrations included India AI sovereign stack applications presented by Abhishek Singh MeitY, the NITI Frontier Tech Repository showcased by Sachi Chopra, AI-enabled soil diagnostics, Sindhudurg as India's first fully AI-enabled district under a state-owned SPV model and PadhaiWithAI in Tonk district improving Class 10 Mathematics outcomes. Under Frontier 50, AI Digital Intelligence and Telecom infrastructure are integrated through a phygital model with Samriddhi Kendras as assisted digital access points. This was also an opportunity for Districts to present their technology-driven interventions in addressing thematic challenges in their Districts and Blocks. NITI Aayog emphasised micro-localisation, interoperable district data stacks, measurable outcomes and accountable leadership. The Inaugural Session underscored that India's growth happens district by district. Technology was positioned as a strategic enabler of Viksit Bharat, moving governance from service digitisation towards adaptive intelligence and institutional reinvention. Speakers emphasised that Frontier Technology can unlock a national tech dividend, accelerate economic growth and social development and strengthen strategic autonomy. Core principles included focussing on real governance problems, enabling data-driven decision making, building institutional capacity, breaking silos and anchoring technology in leadership and trust. - IANS PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti posted a prayer on X for Iran and its people, asserting that the nation's strength comes from unshakable faith amid "acts of aggression." Her statement follows Iranian missile strikes targeting a U.S. military base in Bahrain and interceptions by the UAE. Israel and the U.S. have initiated a joint military operation, described as targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure to remove an "existential threat." Israeli PM Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump have both addressed the escalating conflict, with Trump warning Iranian forces to surrender. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti offers prayers for Iran's sovereignty as Israel and US launch joint strikes, escalating Middle East tensions. New Delhi, February 28 Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday expressed solidarity with Iran, offering prayers for the nation and its people as it faced "yet another act of aggression by Israel." In a post on X, Mufti prayed for Iran and its people amid Israeli aggression, noting the nation's strength comes from unshakable faith. She prayed that Allah's protection surrounds Iran, granting courage and patience to its people and guiding its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. "Prayers for Iran and its resilient people as they face yet another act of aggression by Israel. A nation that has long stood as a defining voice of the Muslim world draws its strength from unshakable faith and conviction. No missile or menace can extinguish its sovereignty or break its spirit. May Allah's protection surround Iran, grant courage and patience to its people, and guide its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with wisdom and strength," Mufti's X post read. Her statement comes amid a sharp escalation in the Middle East, as Iran launched targeted missile strikes against a United States military base in Bahrain. According to the Iranian embassy in India said on Saturday, "A U.S. military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes." The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned the "Brutal Aggression of the Zionist Regime" against itself, claiming that their attacks are a "response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran". "In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes by the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the occupied territories has commenced," the Iranian embassy in India said. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej times. In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel and the United States have initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. Netanyahu then made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the Islamist regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. In response to the developments, in a televised address on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear and military infrastructure. The IDF had also earlier announced the strike, dubbed OPERATION ROARING LION saying the aim was to remove the threat to Israel.US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as the combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. - ANI The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. Analysts Maintains Buy on Charles Schwab (SCHW) The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) saw its Buy rating from Truist Financial reiterated by the firms analyst, David Smith CFA, on February 17, 2026. On the same day, Barclays analyst Benjamin Budish also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock, with a price target of $126. Prior to this, on February 13, 2026, The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) released its monthly activity highlights, in which the company cited typical January seasonality and reported January core net new assets of $27.8 billion. Its total client assets reached $12.15 trillion an 18% year-over-year increase. The company also noted a growth in new brokerage accounts to 476,000, while the daily average trade reached 9.5 million. Margin loan balances finished at $116.3 billion, while transactional sweep cash saw a seasonal decline and reached $433.3 billion. According to CNN, the stock is a consensus Buy, with Buy ratings from 18 of the 22 covering analysts, and holds a 1-year median upside potential of 31.54% as of February 24, 2026. Founded in 1971, The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) provides a comprehensive suite of wealth management, banking, and asset management services to millions of active accounts. Its headquarters is in Texas. While we acknowledge the potential of SCHW as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. NORKA Roots, Kerala's diaspora agency, has activated a 24/7 international help desk to assist the Malayali community in West Asia due to the escalating conflict. The initiative was launched following direct instructions from the Chief Minister's office. The crisis has been exacerbated by major airlines suspending flights to the region, severing direct connections. The agency is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and local diaspora networks to provide support and facilitate possible repatriation. NORKA Roots sets up 24x7 international help desk for Malayali communities in West Asia amid unprecedented war situation and flight suspensions. Thiruvananthapuram, February 28 NORKA ROOTS a nodal agency for all matters concerning collaboration with the Government of Kerala to address grievances of Non resident Keralites, said it has established a dedicated 24x7 help desk to assist Malayali communities in West Asia following what he described as an "unprecedented war situation" in the Middle East. The move comes amid escalating hostilities in the region, widespread airspace closures, and suspension of flights by major airlines. Ajith Kolassery, the Chief Executive Officer of NORKA Roots, said a large Malayali diaspora resides in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as in Israel. "The news regarding the unprecedented war situation is coming from the Middle East. A lot of Malayali diaspora are in the GCC as well as in Israel also, a sizable number of Malayalis are there. So we have already set up a special help desk for the queries and for supporting and facilitating them," he told ANI. He added that NORKA is issuing travel advisories and facilitating support through established Malayali diaspora networks. "NORKA is ready to support and extend any possible help for our diaspora in the Gulf," Kolassery said. Speaking to ANI about directions from the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Office, he confirmed that the initiative was launched following instructions. "I have received a direction from the CM's office to start a NORKA help desk exclusively for the Malayali communities in the war-affected areas in West Asia. So we started a help desk; it's a 24x7 facility with international toll-free facilities available," he stated. On the standard operating procedure (SOP) followed during crises, Kolassery said NORKA works in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs. "Whenever a contingency arises, NORKA usually sets up a call center and closely works with the Ministry for repatriation. We collect data through a registry and share it with the Ministry of External Affairs. We also coordinate with our diaspora networks in the destination countries to extend support," he explained. While no fresh communication has been received from the Ministry, Kolassery noted that a travel advisory issued last week was circulated through NORKA's social media channels. The developments come amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after joint military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, leading to retaliatory actions and closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq. With airlines such as Air India and IndiGo suspending flights, Kolassery acknowledged the gravity of the crisis. "Now the connection is already broken with the Middle East because all the airlines have suspended their flights. That's the crisis we are facing," he added. - ANI French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a stark warning that the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran poses a severe danger to international security. He called on Iran to end its nuclear and ballistic programs and its destabilizing regional activities, stating France is prepared to protect its partners. Macron has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, emphasizing the need to return the voice to the Iranian people. The warning follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confirmation of a joint US-Israel military operation against Iran, which prompted Iranian ballistic missile strikes on Israel. French President Macron warns of severe consequences from US-Israel-Iran conflict, calls for UN Security Council meeting and end to Iranian programs. Paris, Feb 28 French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday warned that the outbreak of fresh conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran would have severe consequences for international peace and security. He emphasised that all measures are being taken to ensure the security of French citizens and safeguard the nation's interests in the Middle East. Macron called on Iran to halt its nuclear and ballistic programmes and end destabilising activities in the Middle East, calling it vital for regional security. "France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it. The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programmes, as well as its regional destabilisation activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East," the French President posted on X. "The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future. The massacres committed by the Islamic regime disqualify it and demand that the voice be returned to the people. The sooner, the better. Faithful to its principles and aware of its international responsibilities, France is calling for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. I am in close contact with our European partners and friends in the Middle East," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday confirmed that Israel and the United States had carried out a joint military operation, dubbed 'Operation Lion's Roar', against Iran, describing the action as necessary to remove what he termed an "existential threat" posed by the Iranian regime. In a video address to the nation, Netanyahu said the operation was launched to counter the danger emanating from Tehran. "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," he said. The development raises concerns of a widening confrontation that could have far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. Iran, in turn, launched ballistic missiles at Israel, the Israeli military confirmed. - IANS Passengers are stranded at Abu Dhabi International Airport following the suspension of all flights due to escalating Middle East tensions. The disruption comes after coordinated US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, which led to airspace closures across the region. Travelers describe scenes of commotion and uncertainty, with heightened security and national guards advising people to remain inside the terminal. Major international airlines have suspended or rerouted services, leaving transit passengers like those from India and the US unsure of their departure times. Passengers stranded as US-Israel strikes on Iran close airspace, causing major flight cancellations and heightened security at Abu Dhabi airport. Abu Dhabi, February 28 Passengers were left stranded at Abu Dhabi airport after flight operations were disrupted following joint military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran. Speaking to ANI, Sanjeev Mehta, an Indian passenger stranded at the airport, described scenes of panic and uncertainty. "I came to Abu Dhabi to attend a friend's party over the weekend, and we are stuck here. Right now we are at the airport. Many alarms went off at the airport, and as the news suggests, some missiles have landed. Missile attacks have also taken place," he said. Mehta added that security presence had intensified at the airport. "The national guards here have kind of taken over the airport, and there is a bit of a commotion inside. The local people who had come here are slowly leaving, but the guards are advising us to stay inside the airport for now. All the flights are suspended here, and no flights are going to any country anywhere," he said. Another stranded traveller, Will Varadhan from Chicago, said he was in transit while returning to the United States. "I've been visiting India for the last three weeks. I am flying back from Chennai to Chicago via Abu Dhabi. This morning, when I left Chennai at 10 am, there was no issue. We took off and flew here, and now I'm kind of stuck," he told ANI. Varadhan said the situation remains unclear. "I understand there is bombing going on, and our flight status is unknown at this point. Authorities are saying it's still on time or to be determined. But the status is really unknown. My flight is supposed to go at midnight tonight, so there are still a few more hours. I hope things can start functioning by the end of the day, but it is completely unknown," he added. The crisis follows a sharp escalation in West Asia after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. The operation triggered retaliatory threats and airspace closures in several countries, including Iran and Iraq, disrupting major international air corridors. Several global airlines have suspended or rerouted services to ensure passenger safety. - ANI Passengers were left stranded at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with little information after their flights were cancelled due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The disruptions affected routes to the US, Italy, and Gulf nations like Dubai and Doha, with similar cancellations reported from airports in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram. Airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have suspended services to several Middle Eastern destinations following airspace closures in the region. Stranded travelers reported a lack of communication from authorities and no immediate rebooking options, forcing many to consider costly alternatives. Passengers stranded at Mumbai's airport as Middle East tensions cause mass flight cancellations to US, Italy, and Gulf destinations. Details inside. Mumbai, March 1 As the tension between Israel and Iran continues, several passengers were left stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai amid flight disruptions and cancellations. Reyna, a stranded passenger, stated that she didn't recieve any information from the airport authorities about the flight cancellations. "We were trying to fly back to the US, and our flight got cancelled... We did not get any information regarding our flight cancellation... We have not received any messages. We've been here for almost an hour now... We were going via Bahrain..." she said. Another stranded passenger shared that her flight to Italy was cancelled with no rebooking options or any clue of when the airports would be reopened. "We were going to Italy via Dubai. The flight has been cancelled, and they have no information on when the airport will be opened... They are not giving us rebooking options. They are not giving us any options as of now. We either wait for the rebooking, but we don't know when, or we book at our own expense. I have three tickets to rebook. It's not easy..." she said. Meanwhile, as many as 13 flights have been cancelled from Bengaluru and Kolkata on Saturday. Passengers who arrived at the airport were informed of the cancellations on-site, leading to inconvenience. Several foreign nationals were also among those affected. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport also witnessed widespread flight cancellations. Several departures and arrivals scheduled between February 28 and March 1 were called off, affecting hundreds of passengers bound for Doha, Dubai, Dammam and Abu Dhabi. The cancellations come amid heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites. Iran has also carried out strikes in the region, apparently targeting US military baes. The escalation has led to temporary airspace closures in parts of West Asia, forcing airlines worldwide to reassess routes that traditionally pass through or near affected corridors. Earlier, Air India and other carriers, including IndiGo, suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations. - ANI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured proactive measures for the safety of Kannadigas residing in Middle Eastern countries amid the Iran-Israel escalation. He has directed officials to operationalize a dedicated helpline and advised citizens in conflict zones to relocate to safer areas. The CM also addressed the situation of 32 individuals from Ballari stranded in Dubai, initiating steps for their security and assistance. The government is coordinating with central authorities and monitoring the situation closely. CM Siddaramaiah assures proactive measures for Kannadigas in Middle East, sets up helpline, and addresses stranded citizens in Dubai. New Delhi, March 1 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday assured that all the necessary measures are being undertaken to ensure the safety of Indian citizens residing in the Middle Eastern countries amid the escalating situation between Iran and Israel. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that he held consultations with the Resident Commissioner in the capital city to ensure proactive measures to safeguard the citizens. "In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Government of Karnataka is treating with utmost seriousness the safety and well-being of Kannadigas residing in the Middle East, including Israel, the UAE, Iran, and Qatar. I have held consultations with the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and directed that all necessary and proactive measures be undertaken to safeguard our people..." he said. Siddaramaiah further advised the citizens residing in the conflict-struck areas to relocate to safer regions. The CM noted that the officials have been instructed to operationalise a dedicated helpline number to assist the affected families. "Given the suspension of air services in several countries in the region, those unable to return to India and currently in conflict-affected areas are earnestly advised to relocate to safer zones at the earliest. I have instructed officials to operationalise a dedicated helpline from tomorrow to assist affected families. I urge family members not to panic if communication with their loved ones is temporarily disrupted. Please be assured that the safety of every Kannadiga is our foremost priority, and coordinated efforts are already underway in close liaison with the concerned authorities..." he said. The Karnataka CM highlighted that proper measures are underway to help the passengers stranded at the Dubai Airport. "I have also been informed by former Minister Nagendra that 32 individuals from Ballari are presently stranded in Dubai. Appropriate steps are being initiated to ensure their security and facilitate necessary assistance. We stand firmly committed to protecting our citizens and will continue to monitor the situation closely, responding with sensitivity, responsibility, and resolve..." he said. The crisis follows a sharp escalation in West Asia after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. The operation triggered retaliatory threats and airspace closures in several countries, including Iran and Iraq, disrupting major international air corridors. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial relief from the PMNRF for victims of a deadly explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district. The incident in Vetlapalem resulted in multiple fatalities and critical injuries, with about 20 workers reportedly present. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed ministers and officials to visit the site and oversee rescue operations. State Minister Nara Lokesh expressed shock and pledged the government's support to the affected families. PM Modi announces 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of deceased, 50k for injured after fatal firecracker factory explosion in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada. New Delhi, February 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the massive fire that broke out on Saturday at a firecracker unit in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh. The PM announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and 50,000 for those injured. In a post on X, he wrote," Pained by the loss of lives in the explosion at a factory in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh. I extend my condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM Narendra Modi." The incident occured in Vetlapalem, Kakinada district, on Saturday, where a fire broke out in a firecracker manufacturing unit. The condition of several injured persons is reported to be critical. Sagili Shan Mohan, Collector & District Magistrate have informed about th incident. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spoke with officials regarding the accident. The CM inquired about the cause of the accident and the ongoing rescue and relief operations at the site. Officials informed that around 20 people were working at Surya Fire Works where the accident occurred. CM Naidu expressed grief over the large number of firecracker workers losing their lives. The Chief Minister directed ministers and senior officials to visit the accident site. Nara Lokesh, Minister for Education and IT of Andhra Pradesh, also spoke on the incident. He said," I am deeply shocked to learn of the explosion at the firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem, Samarlakota Mandal, Kakinada District. The tragedy of several people losing their lives is beyond words. I offer my condolences to the deceased. The coalition government will stand by the families of the deceased. We will ensure better medical treatment for the injured." - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the commercial production at Micron's semiconductor assembly and test facility in Sanand, Gujarat. He emphasized that India's semiconductor strategy aims to build a complete, pan-India ecosystem, not just isolated factories. The Prime Minister highlighted the critical role of chips as the "regulator of this century," linking the Industrial Revolution to the ongoing AI revolution. He also noted the facility as a symbol of robust India-US cooperation in securing future technology supply chains. PM Modi inaugurates Micron's Sanand semiconductor plant, highlighting India's pan-India chip mission and strategic focus on AI and tech self-reliance. Sanand, Feb 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India's semiconductor strategy was focused on building a complete ecosystem across the country, as he addressed the start of a commercial production at Micron's semiconductor assembly and test facility in Gujarat's Sanand. Speaking at the event, PM Modi said the semiconductor ecosystem "does not consist of just one factory" but includes engineers, design engineers, research institutions, logistics networks and skilled technicians. "India is also focusing on the value chain of the semiconductor ecosystem. In this year's Union Budget, we have announced the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0. The aim is that as production increases, the demand for materials, components and services will increase in India. This is the biggest opportunity. Another big advantage of India is our manufacturing ambitions," he added. He noted that under the Semicon India programme, a total of 10 projects had been approved so far. "Apart from Micron, three more projects are going to start production very soon. And the semiconductor ecosystem that we are building is not limited to any one region. This is pan-India. That is, new tech hubs of Viksit Bharat are being developed in every part of the country," Prime Minister Modi said. Describing the strategic significance of semiconductor chips, the Prime Minister said: "If the regulator of the last century was oil, then the regulator of this century is going to be microchip. With this thought, India has decided to move ahead rapidly in the semiconductor sector. Please remember, when the world was struggling with Covid, India had announced the semiconductor mission." He added that the 20th century had been shaped by the industrial revolution and mass production, while the current century would be defined by artificial intelligence. "The world has seen the Industrial Revolution till the 20th century. The countries that were ahead in factories, machines and mass production at that time developed rapidly. But this century is the century of the AI revolution. Semiconductor is the major bridge of this change. A small chip connects the Industrial Revolution and the AI revolution," the Prime Minister said. Calling the facility proof of India-US cooperation, PM Modi said it reflected strong partnership between the two democracies, particularly in artificial intelligence and chip technology. "Today, the whole world wants to secure the supply chain of these two technologies, which are connected to a better future of humanity. And the two major democracies of the world, India and America, are constantly striving for this," he added. The Prime Minister thanked the leadership of Micron Technology and praised its chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra for his confidence in India. "He trusted India continuously. In the past years, whenever we have met, he has been very excited about India's semiconductor ecosystem. Today, his leadership, his trust in India, I can see a new height here," Prime Minister Modi said. He also referred to regulatory processes, saying that in many developed countries Advance Pricing Agreements could take three to five years to conclude. "But India has cleared this in just a few months. When the intention is clear, and the loyalty is towards the rapid development of the country, then the policy becomes clear, and the decision-making also moves forward," PM Modi said. Outlining the project timeline, the Prime Minister added that a memorandum of understanding for the facility was signed in June 2023, ground-breaking took place in September 2023, machinery was installed in the pilot facility in February 2024, and commercial production began in February 2026. "This facility of Micron is also a great example of India's new attitude. From policy to production, with which approach India is moving forward can be seen here," PM Modi said. "Today, we are witnessing the birth of a new future in Sanand. In this 80MP facility of Micron, the start of commercial production is going to strengthen India's role in the global technology value chain. India is rapidly becoming a part of the global semiconductor value chain," he added. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign and inaugurated development projects worth Rs 16,680 crore in Ajmer, Rajasthan. In his rally, he highlighted the two-year anniversary of the BJP government in the state and launched a sharp political attack, comparing the Congress party to the All-India Muslim League. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot swiftly hit back, calling Modi's comments a "symbol of his political desperation" and asserting that opposing the PM is not the same as opposing the country. The exchange marks a significant escalation in political rhetoric ahead of the general elections. PM Modi launches nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in Ajmer, inaugurates projects worth Rs 16,680 crore, and compares Congress to Muslim League, drawing sharp criticism from Ashok Gehlot. Ajmer, March 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign and development projects worth Rs 16,680 crore in Rajasthan's Ajmer. Addressing a large public rally after the event, PM Modi said the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan has completed two years, and the state is now advancing on a new path of development. The Prime Minister called the HPV vaccination campaign an important step towards empowering the women of the country. "Today, from this land of brave women, I have got the opportunity to launch an important campaign for the daughters of the entire country. The HPV vaccination campaign has been launched in Ajmer. This campaign is an important step towards empowering the women of the country," PM Modi said. "The promises of development with which the BJP government came to serve you are being fulfilled with great speed. And today is the day to accelerate this very campaign of development," he said. Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister added, "Just a short while ago, the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan completed two years. I am pleased that today, Rajasthan is advancing on a new path of development." On the programme launch, PM Modi said, "The foundation stone laying and inauguration of projects worth about Rs 17,000 crore rupees related to Rajasthan's development took place here today. New power is being added in every sector--roads, electricity, water, health, and education. All these projects will enhance the convenience of the people of Rajasthan and also create employment opportunities for the youth of Rajasthan." Following his recent foreign visit to Israel, PM Modi remembered Major Dalpat Singh's role in liberating Haifa. "I returned from Israel just yesterday. The people of Israel still proudly remember the valour of Rajasthan's son, Major Dalpat Ji. I, too, had the privilege of paying homage to the valour of Major Dalpat Singh Ji in the Israeli parliament," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a sharp attack on the opposition Congress and referred to historical events surrounding the partition of India, alleging that certain political forces have a history of weakening the nation. The Prime Minister said that the All-India Muslim League "hated India" and was responsible for the country's partition. Drawing a comparison, he alleged that Congress was following a similar path. He further accused Congress of defaming the country and attempting to weaken national institutions. "Maoists hate India's prosperity, Constitution, and democracy. Similarly, Congress waits for an opportunity to defame the country and infiltrates every space to do so. The country will never forgive such misdeeds," he said. This came in the backdrop of the AI Summit protest by the Indian Youth Congress leaders. However, former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Saturday hit back at PM Modi and the BJP for comparing the party to All-India Muslim League, calling it a "symbol of his political desperation." In an X post, after PM Modi's Ajmer rally, Ashok Gehlot asked the Prime Minister to "speak on the issues of public interest" instead of attacking Congress. He said that "opposing PM Modi is not the same as opposing the country." Gehlot wrote, "Today in Ajmer, the comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Congress party are a symbol of his political desperation. For those belonging to an ideology that did not sacrifice even a fingernail in the freedom struggle to level allegations of dividing the country against the Congress, a party with a glorious history of leading the freedom struggle, is not only ridiculous but also proof of moral bankruptcy." "Modi ji, remember that opposing you is not the same as opposing the country. Do not make the mistake of considering yourself greater than the nation," he added. Congress MP Manish Tewari also criticised PM Modi for his remarks against Congress. "It's very unfortunate that the Prime Minister of India should not use this kind of language and terminology. The Indian National Congress has a very proud history, and the ideology to which the Prime Minister belongs has nothing to do with India's freedom movement. It was the Indian National Congress that brought this country independence. The Prime Minister's use of such language, which speaks of division, does not suit them," Tewari said. In response, Congress leader Pawan Khera criticised the Prime Minister's visit to Israel and also invoked the "Chinese dog" fiasco at the AI Impact Summit. Khera said, "PM Modi only wants to curse the Congress. He's been cursing for the past twelve years. As long as he's in power, he'll curse and won't work. The people of India were insulted by Galgotias. The people of India are insulted when you go to Israel and say Israel is the fatherland, India is the motherland. Then the people of India are insulted. You roam around insulting India all day and point fingers at us." Meanwhile, PM Modi inaugurated the Semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility of Micron Semiconductor Technology India Private Limited in Sanand in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. According to a press release from PMO, the inauguration of the semiconductor facility marked a significant milestone in India's semiconductor manufacturing journey, with the commencement of commercial production and shipment of the first made-in-India semiconductor memory modules from the Sanand ATMP facility. The project, which had its ground-breaking ceremony in September 2023, was the first proposal approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). With a total outlay of more than Rs 22,500 crore, construction commenced soon after approval, reflecting the government's commitment to fast-tracking strategic semiconductor investments in the country. Speaking at the inauguration of Micron's semiconductor facility, PM Narendra Modi stated, "With 10 new semiconductor projects coming into production in India, the multiplier effect will reach the entire value chain of MSMEs, startups and electronic industries." Regarding India's standing in the international market, Modi noted, "The message has reached the world - India is capable, competitive and committed. I assure the global investors and India's partners that the Indian government, as well as state governments, are with you." Regarding the shift in global technological power, Modi added, "This is the century of AI revolution. The semiconductor is a major bridge of this revolution. If oil was the regulator of the last century, the microchip will be the regulator of this century." Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that India has made a place in the semiconductor industry on the global map. Memory chips will be manufactured in this plant. The semiconductor industry is foundational, and everything from cameras to mobiles needs memory chips. India has made a place in the semiconductor industry on the global map. There is a big ecosystem of semiconductor design in India, and it is moving forward quickly. Chips designed in India will now be manufactured here," the Union Minister said, addressing the gathering in Sanand. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the facility in Sanand will become a global hub for semiconductors. "The progress of Gujarat could happen due to the diligent hard work of the Prime Minister. We believe that this cluster of Sanand will become the semiconductor hub of the world," CM Patel said. Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed the HVP vaccination drive, saying, "Today is a historic day for the country. Prime Minister Modi has launched a vaccination campaign from Ajmer to eliminate Human Papillomavirus infection across the country. HPV vaccination is a very important step for the health security of the girls of our country as well as for their future. Under this major scheme of the Prime Minister, about 3 lakh 36 thousand girls of our state will be vaccinated." - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ajmer, Rajasthan, to lay the foundation for development projects exceeding 16,680 crore across sectors like urban development, roads, and water supply. He launched a nationwide campaign for HPV vaccination for girls aged 14 and above to prevent cervical cancer. The visit also featured the inauguration of key national highway projects aimed at boosting connectivity. Additionally, Modi distributed over 21,800 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in the state. PM Modi visits Ajmer to launch projects worth 16,680 crore, inaugurate highways, and roll out a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls. New Delhi, Feb 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ajmer in Rajasthan on Saturday to lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 16,680 crore. The Prime Minister will also address a public gathering on the occasion. The projects span key sectors including urban development, drinking water supply, road infrastructure, irrigation, energy and industrial development, and are aimed at accelerating Rajasthan's growth and improving quality of life. In a major step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and promoting women's well-being, the Prime Minister will launch a nationwide campaign for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 14 years and above to prevent cervical cancer. The initiative seeks to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related illness among women, and marks a significant step in safeguarding the long-term health of girls and women across the country. To boost road infrastructure and connectivity, the Prime Minister will inaugurate several National Highway projects, including the four-lane Greenfield Expressway from Bandikui to Jaipur, the six-lane access-controlled green highway (Package 7) of the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor, and the eight-lane carriageway (Package 14) of the Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway. He will also lay the foundation stone for a four-lane elevated road in Jodhpur city and the Malbamori-Mangrol-Baran State Highway in Baran district. In line with the government's commitment to providing safe and clean drinking water, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project and five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project, aimed at ensuring reliable water supply in multiple districts of Rajasthan. To enhance renewable energy transmission and ensure efficient evacuation from Rajasthan's Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), the Prime Minister will inaugurate key transmission systems. He will also lay the foundation stone for five 220 kV grid substations, two 400 kV grid substations and associated transmission lines to strengthen the state's power infrastructure and support clean energy expansion. Continuing the focus on youth empowerment and employment generation, Prime Minister Modi will distribute over 21,800 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government departments and organisations in Rajasthan. - IANS President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed the Indian Air Force's large-scale Exercise Vayu Shakti in Pokhran. The exercise demonstrated the IAF's operational readiness and full-spectrum capabilities using aircraft like the Rafale, Tejas, and Apache. It highlighted the force's role as a rapid responder for both combat and humanitarian missions. The event underscored the IAF's commitment to airspace dominance and the vision of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witness IAF's Exercise Vayu Shakti in Pokhran, showcasing full-spectrum combat and indigenous capabilities. Pokhran, February 27 President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Indian Air Force's large-scale Exercise Vayu Shakti at Pokhran, Jaisalmer, on Friday. The exercise showcased the operational preparedness, tactical capabilities, and combat efficiency of the IAF. As the first, fastest, and fiercest responder, the IAF highlighted its capability to rapidly punish the enemy, dominate the operational environment from the outset, and decisively influence the course of operations by transforming tactical actions into strategic outcomes. The exercise also provided glimpses of how the IAF plays a crucial role in humanitarian assistance and disaster management, offering rapid airlift and rescue and evacuation from conflict zones within the country as well as abroad. Full-spectrum operations involving fighter, transport, and helicopter platforms were executed, including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The exercise also featured advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer, and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS), performing day, dusk, and night missions to demonstrate the IAF's versatility and readiness. Vayushakti-26 further highlighted the success of Operation Sindoor, reaffirming the IAF's primacy in airspace dominance, long-range precision targeting, multi-domain operations, and its ability to deliver decisive effects using indigenous platforms guided by the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Guided by the core values of "Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek," the exercise was aimed to reassure the nation by reaffirming the IAF's role as a key component of India's national security architecture. Through this demonstration, the IAF seeks to underline its readiness to safeguard the country's sovereignty, protect national interests, and maintain operational superiority across multiple domains in a rapidly evolving threat environment. Exercise Vayushakti-26 is expected to serve as a platform to validate the IAF's tactical and strategic capabilities, inspire confidence among citizens, and strengthen India's deterrence posture in the region, while showcasing the operational excellence and technological edge of its personnel and platforms. - ANI Finnish food company Apetit is assessing whether to close its frozen pizza factory in the central town of Pudasjarvi. In a statement, the frozen vegetables and ready meals supplier said it is initiating change negotiations concerning all personnel at the factory. The company invested around 2m ($2.3m) in the facility in 2022. Despite that spending, Apetit said the factorys investment needs for basic renovations and replacement investments in production equipment remain significant and clearly exceed the amount of previous investments. Sales of its frozen pizzas have also fallen short of targets following the investment and the products relaunch, the group added. In response, Apetit is looking at alternative locations and operating models in Finland such as contract manufacturing. If production shifts elsewhere, operations at the Pudasjarvi factory would end and the facility would be closed, the company said. The plant has 21 permanent employees. Apetit said decisions on how production will be organised will come after the change negotiations conclude. At present, all the companys frozen pizzas are made at the Pudasjarvi factory. In 2025, Apetits net sales increased 3% to 167.6m. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation improved by 32% to 21m and the company's "operating result" rose 47% to 13.7m. In October, Apetit agreed to buy Swedens Foodhills as part of plans to grow its frozen pea supply business. Stripping out the effect of the Foodhills acquisition, Apetit's operating result was 5.9m. After publishing the results on 13 February, Apetit CEO Esa Maki said: "Apetit groups operating result, excluding the impact of the bargain purchase of Foodhills, clearly declined year-on-year. Raw-material prices hit the company's oilseeds business. Nevertheless, the group's overall profit for 2025 increased 5.8% to 9m, while earnings per share moved up to 1.44 from 1.37. The group said it expects operating result to fall in 2026 versus 2025. It said the Foodhills takeover will bring additional costs and is anticipated to weigh on operating result. "Apetit weighs shutdown of Finland frozen pizza plant" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. President Donald Trump is closely monitoring US military actions in Iran under "Operation Epic Fury," initiated on Saturday. The US and Israel conducted joint missile attacks, triggering large explosions in Tehran and other Iranian cities, while Iran has retaliated against Israeli and US assets in the Gulf. FBI Director Kash Patel has placed counterterrorism and intelligence teams on high alert across the United States to deter potential domestic threats. Diplomatic efforts continue as Trump has spoken with Middle Eastern allies and NATO's Secretary General. President Trump oversees US military strikes in Iran. FBI Director Kash Patel places counterterrorism teams on high alert amid regional escalation. Washington DC, March 1 US President Donald Trump is closely overseeing ongoing American military actions in Iran, which were initiated on Saturday under "Operation Epic Fury." Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as diplomatic engagements continue amid ongoing US military operations in Iran. In a post on X, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared, "President Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte." On Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out joint missile attacks on Iran, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities, signalling a sharp escalation that risks expanding tensions into a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. FBI Director Kash Patel said FBI teams across the United States are on high alert following developments overseas, with counterterrorism and intelligence units fully mobilised to respond to any potential threats. Patel said he had directed the FBI's Counterterrorism and intelligence teams to stay vigilant and deploy all necessary security resources. He added that Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) across the country are working round the clock to identify and prevent any threats to the homeland. "FBI personnel are fully engaged on the situation overseas. Last night I instructed our Counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilize all assisting security assets needed. Our JTTFs throughout the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland. While the military handles force protection overseas, the @FBI remains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home - and will continue to have our team work around the clock to protect Americans," Patel said in a post on X. "We ask everyone to please report anything that may seem suspicious to law enforcement - 1-800-CALL-FBI and http://tips.fbi.gov. Thank you to all military service members, federal partners, and law enforcement who continue to put mission first," the post read. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 16,680 crore in Ajmer, Rajasthan, targeting sectors like roads, water, and energy. He highlighted the completion of two years of the BJP's "double-engine" government in the state, contrasting it with previous allegations of corruption and paper leaks. The Prime Minister also launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign from Ajmer and distributed appointment letters to over 21,000 youths. Key projects included major highway expansions and critical drinking water supply initiatives. PM Modi lays foundation for key infrastructure, launches HPV vaccine campaign, and highlights job creation in Rajasthan during a major development push. Ajmer, February 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 16,680 crore in Ajmer, further boosting key sectors including urban development, drinking water supply, roads, irrigation, energy and industrial infrastructure. Addressing a large public rally after the event, PM Modi said the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan has completed two years, and the state is now advancing on a new path of development. "The promises of development with which the BJP government came to serve you are being fulfilled with great speed. And today is the day to accelerate this very campaign of development," he said. Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister added, "Just a short while ago, the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan completed 2 years. I am pleased that today, Rajasthan is advancing on a new path of development." On the programme launch, PM Modi said, "The foundation stone laying and inauguration of projects worth about Rs 17,000 crore rupees related to Rajasthan's development took place here today. New power is being added in every sector--roads, electricity, water, health, and education. All these projects will enhance the convenience of the people of Rajasthan and also create employment opportunities for the youth of Rajasthan." Taking a swipe at the previous government, the Prime Minister said, "Until 2 years ago, only news of corruption and paper leaks in recruitments from Rajasthan used to shine, used to keep coming. Now in Rajasthan, a curb has been put on paper leaks, and strict action is being taken against the culprits." Highlighting employment generation efforts, PM Modi said appointment letters were distributed to more than 21,000 youths. "This is a very big change that has come about. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you, people of Rajasthan for this change, for the new jobs, and for all the works of development," he said. The Prime Minister also launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign from Ajmer. "Today, from this land of brave women, I have got the opportunity to launch an important campaign for the daughters of the entire country. The HPV vaccination campaign has been launched in Ajmer. This campaign is an important step towards empowering the women of the country," PM Modi said. Referring to the historical and cultural significance of Ajmer, he said, "Ajmer is the land of faith and valour. Here, there are pilgrimage sites as well as the footprints of revolutionary heroes." On his recent foreign visit to Israel, PM Modi said, "I returned from Israel just yesterday. The people of Israel still proudly remember the valour of Rajasthan's son, Major Dalpat Ji. I, too, had the privilege of paying homage to the valour of Major Dalpat Singh Ji in the Israeli parliament." Providing a major boost to road connectivity, Prime Minister inaugurated several National Highways projects, including the 4-lane greenfield expressway from Bandikui to Jaipur, 6-lane access controlled green highway in package 7 section of Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor and the 8-lane carriageway in package 14 section of the Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway, among others. He also laid the foundation stone of 4-lane Elevated Road in Jodhpur City, Malabmori-Mangrol-Baran State Highway in Baran district among others. In line with the Government's commitment to ensuring safe and clean drinking water for all, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project and five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project. To strengthen renewable energy infrastructure and ensure seamless transmission from generation hubs in Rajasthan, Prime Minister inaugurated transmission systems for evacuation of power from Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) in Rajasthan. He also laid the foundation stone for five 220 KV Grid Substations and two 400 KV Grid Substations along with associated transmission lines. - ANI Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the PSP Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Research Centre in Haldwani, praising founder Jagdish Singh Pimoli's inspirational journey from a rural background. The 250-bed facility is equipped with modern medical technology and aims to strengthen Uttarakhand's position in healthcare excellence. Dhami also highlighted national and state health initiatives, including the HPV vaccination campaign and the Ayushman Uttarakhand scheme. The government is rapidly progressing on an AIIMS satellite centre in Udham Singh Nagar to provide advanced local medical services. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates 250-bed PSP Hospital in Haldwani, highlighting state's healthcare advancements and national HPV vaccination drive. Haldwani, February 28 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the inauguration ceremony of the PSP Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Research Centre located on Rampur Road during his visit to Haldwani in Nainital district. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the event was not merely the opening of a hospital, but a symbol of determination, perseverance, and an inspiring journey of service. He stated that the establishment of the PSP Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Research Centre reflects the story of a family dedicated to society, which has translated its core values into meaningful action. He extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the founder of the institution, Jagdish Singh Pimoli, who hails from Gagri Gol village in Bageshwar district and has carved a distinct identity in the field of healthcare. The Chief Minister said that Pimoli's journey, from a humble rural background to the establishment of this modern healthcare centre, serves as a source of inspiration for all. His struggle, hard work, and unwavering resolve stand as a true testament to his success. After making his mark in the business sector, he has now stepped into the medical field with a commitment to advancing the noble cause of human service, a release said. The Chief Minister highlighted that the 250-bed modern multi-speciality hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities. He expressed confidence that the institution will further strengthen Uttarakhand's position on the map of medical excellence in the future. In his address, he also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer among girls. He noted that cervical cancer had become a serious threat to the lives of young girls, and the campaign has been initiated with a firm resolve to safeguard them from this life-threatening disease. The nationwide initiative will help ensure a safer and healthier future for the coming generations. The Chief Minister further stated that the Uttarakhand government is continuously working to make healthcare services more accessible and effective for the general public. Under the Ayushman Uttarakhand scheme, more than 6.1 million Ayushman cards have been issued in the state. Additionally, under the free diagnostic scheme, 207 types of pathological tests are being provided to patients free of cost. He also informed that the construction of an AIIMS satellite centre in Udham Singh Nagar is progressing rapidly, which will enable a large population in the region to access advanced medical services locally. These efforts reflect the government's commitment to providing better, affordable, and quality healthcare services to every citizen of the state. The Chief Minister reiterated that the government is consistently working towards fulfilling its "Optionless Resolution" to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country. On the occasion, he also participated in a Holi singing program and extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the festival of Holi. - ANI The last rites of Chalti Devi, mother of Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, were performed in his ancestral village. Senior leaders including former CM Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra attended and shouldered the bier. National leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge conveyed their condolences over the phone. Chalti Devi, 90, had passed away in Jaipur after a fall and subsequent health deterioration. Last rites of Chalti Devi, mother of Rajasthan LoP Tika Ram Jully, performed. Ashok Gehlot, Rahul Gandhi, others offer condolences. Jaipur, Feb 28 The last rites of Chalti Devi, mother of Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, were performed on Saturday evening in his ancestral village Kathuwas. Jully lit the funeral pyre of his 90-year-old mother and became emotional during the ceremony. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot embraced and consoled him during the final rites. Former Union Minister Jitendra Singh also comforted Jully as he broke down in tears. Chalti Devi passed away on Friday evening in Jaipur. She had been residing with her son and was rushed to Sawai Man Singh Hospital after her health deteriorated following a fall in the bathroom. Doctors declared her dead upon arrival. Her mortal remains were brought to Kathuwas late Friday night, and the cremation was held at around 5 pm on Saturday in a field in the village. A large number of public representatives, Congress leaders, party workers, and villagers attended the funeral. During the funeral procession, Ashok Gehlot, Jitendra Singh, and Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra shouldered the bier and paid floral tributes before the last rites were performed. Several senior leaders reached Julie's residence to offer condolences, including Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Minister Sanjay Sharma, and multiple MLAs and former MLAs from Rajasthan and Haryana. National leaders also expressed their grief. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, spoke to Jully over the phone to convey condolences. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and party General Secretary K. C. Venugopal also expressed their sympathies. Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde called to offer condolences to the bereaved family. Congress MLAs, district leaders, and party workers from across the state gathered in Kathuwas to pay their respects and stand in solidarity with the grieving family. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on National Science Day, celebrating the spirit of research and innovation. He highlighted the groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir CV Raman, which placed Indian research on the global map. National Science Day is observed on February 28 to honor the physicist's Nobel Prize-winning work on light scattering. The day involves science festivals, student projects, and exhibitions to promote scientific curiosity and development. PM Modi marks National Science Day, celebrating CV Raman's Nobel-winning discovery that placed Indian research on the global map and inspired innovation. New Delhi, February 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted the importance of scientific curiosity in driving India's progress while marking the anniversary of the discovery of the Raman Effect. The day serves as a tribute to the legacy of CV Raman, whose work established India's presence in the global scientific community. In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "Today, on National Science Day, we celebrate the spirit of research, innovation and scientific curiosity that drives our nation forward. This day commemorates the groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir CV Raman. This discovery placed Indian research firmly on the global map. We reaffirm our resolve to empower our youth, strengthen research ecosystems and harness science and technology for national development and global good." National Science Day is observed throughout the country on February 28 in honour of physicist CV Raman's discovery of the Raman Effect, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 1930. The effect that brought India its first Nobel Prize in Physics and second Nobel Prize as a whole was based on the phenomenon of the scattering of light. The Raman effect is the change in the wavelength of light as it is deflected by a molecule while passing through a chemical compound. It is the Raman effect of light that causes the sky's appearance to be blue. National Science Day is celebrated as one of the prominent science festivals in India every year, during which students of various schools and colleges demonstrate a motley of science projects and national and state science institutions exhibit their latest research. To commemorate and honour this event always, the 28th of February was designated by the then Government of India as a National Science Day in India by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) in the year 1986. Every year, NCSTC announces a new theme to celebrate. - ANI Newly married actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda returned to Hyderabad, where a large crowd of fans gathered at the airport to cheer for them. The couple, elegantly dressed in traditional attire, smiled and waved at their supporters. They had tied the knot in a grand ceremony in Udaipur the previous day, sharing romantic pictures and notes on social media. Their posts expressing love and introducing each other as spouse have sparked a flood of congratulations online. Newlyweds Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda return to Hyderabad, greeted by cheering fans after their grand Udaipur wedding ceremony. Hyderabad, February 27 Newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna returned to Hyderabad on Friday evening after tying the knot in a grand wedding ceremony in Udaipur. Their arrival at the Hyderabad airport drew a massive crowd of fans and media, with the couple making their way through heavy security. Fans in large numbers gathered at the airport, cheering to welcome the lovebirds. Dressed elegantly in traditional outfits, Vijay and Rashmika shared smiles and waves. They were also accompanied by their family members, who also returned to Hyderabad after the wedding festivities. Prior to that, the couple were papped at the Udaipur airport, where they indulged in a brief greet-and-meet session with the fans and media. Rashmika was seen wearing a red dress, exuding pure bridal glow with her mehendi-adorned hands, sindoor, and traditional jewellery. Deverakonda donned a kurta pyjama that he teamed with sunglasses. The couple were seen sending flying kisses to fans. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda got married on Thursday in Udaipur in the presence of their close friends and family members. The couple shared dreamy pictures from the ceremony, along with heartfelt notes for each other. "Hi my loves, Introducing to you now "My Husband"! Mr. Vijay Deverakonda!! The man who taught me what true love feels like, the man who showed me what being in peace feels like!" read a part of Rashmika's post. Vijay Deverakonda, while introducing Rashmika as his wife, wrote, "Missed her in a way that made me feel like my day would've been better if she were around. Like my meals would've felt more wholesome if she were sitting across from me.Like my workouts would've been more fun and less of a punishment if she were doing them with me. Like I needed her - just to feel that sense of home and calm, no matter where I was." Since they shared the pictures, social media has been flooded with congratulatory messages. - ANI Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda had a private meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to seek his blessings ahead of their wedding. Celebrity designer Anamika Khanna later shared unseen pictures of the couple's traditional greeting with the PM on Instagram. For the meeting, the actors wore outfits from Khanna's collection, and she also designed their wedding ensembles for the Udaipur ceremony. The wedding was attended by close friends and family, with many Bollywood celebrities sending their congratulations online. Actors Rashmika Mandanna & Vijay Deverakonda met PM Narendra Modi pre-wedding. Designer Anamika Khanna shares unseen photos of their traditional outfits. New Delhi, February 27 Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna met Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their wedding and sought his blessings. The couple, who tied the knot in a grand ceremony in Udaipur, kept the meeting under wraps until celebrity designer Anamika Khanna shared glimpses from the special interaction. They greeted the Prime Minister. Taking to her Instagram handle, Anamika Khanna offered a look at the couple's warm exchange with PM Modi. For the meeting, Vijay and Rashmika were dressed in traditional Indian ensembles from Khanna's collection. "@rashmika_mandanna and @thedeverakonda wearing Anamika Khanna menswear and womenswear to greet the Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi before their wedding celebrations," the designer wrote. While Rashmika looked beautiful in a yellow suit, Vijay Deverakonda was dressed in a complete white outfit. Notably, Anamika Khanna also designed the couple's wedding ensembles. In previous posts, she shared details about their outfits. For the wedding, Rashmika Mandanna chose a gorgeous rust saree framed with a striking red border from the shelves of celebrity designer Anamika Khanna. Her ensemble featured temple-house motifs, intricately embroidered across the drape, along with detailed hand embroidery in antique gold. For Vijay, Khanna drew inspiration from the Vanasingaram weave, with an ivory dhoti silhouette paired with a striking vermillion angavastram, embroidered with forest and temple-inspired motifs. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda got married on Thursday in Udaipur in the presence of their close friends and family members. The couple shared dreamy pictures from the ceremony, along with heartfelt notes for each other. Ever since, social media has been flooded with congratulatory messages. Celebrities like Karan Johar, Kriti Sanon, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nani, Ananya Panday, Vicky Kaushal, and others showered love on the couple. - ANI Russia has strongly condemned recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, labeling them a destabilizing act of aggression. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned the attacks risk plunging the Middle East into an uncontrolled escalation and humanitarian catastrophe. She called on international bodies like the UN and IAEA to objectively assess these "irresponsible actions." Russia reiterated its readiness to assist in finding peaceful solutions based on international law and mutual respect. Russia condemns recent US-Israel airstrikes on Iran as destabilizing aggression and offers to facilitate diplomatic solutions to prevent regional escalation. Moscow, February 28 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Saturday condemned the US strikes on Iran and offered to help wherever needed. Zakharova in her statement said that Russia urged the parties to return to a path of diplomacy. "The serial nature of the destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. Administration over the past few months against the international legal pillars of the world order, including non-interference in internal affairs, renunciation of the threat or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes, is particularly alarming. We demand an immediate return to the path of a political and diplomatic settlement. Russia, as before, is ready to facilitate the search for peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect, and a balance of interests," she said. "The grave consequences of these ill-considered steps for the global non-proliferation regime, the cornerstone of which is the NPT, are openly ignored. At the same time, the American-Israeli tandem is hiding behind a sham concern about preventing the Iranians from acquiring nuclear weapons. Bombing nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards is unacceptable. In reality, Washington and Tel Aviv's motives have nothing to do with non-proliferation. They cannot help but understand that by plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are in fact encouraging countries around the world, particularly in the region, to acquire increasingly sophisticated means to counter emerging threats," she further said. Zakharova called on international organisations like the United Nations and the IAEA to assess these actions. "The international community, including the leadership of the UN and the IAEA, must immediately and objectively assess these irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region closer to a humanitarian, economic, and possibly radiological catastrophe. The aggressors' intentions are clear and have been declared quite openly: to destroy the constitutional order and the leadership of an undesirable state that has refused to submit to the dictates of force and hegemony. Responsibility for the negative consequences of this man-made crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and spiraling violence, lies entirely with them," she said. The Russian foreign ministry said the international community should swiftly deliver an objective assessment of what it called irresponsible actions that risk further destabilizing the region. Moscow added that it remains ready, as before, to assist in efforts to find peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests. "On the morning of February 28, U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes against Iranian territory. The scale and nature of the military, political, and propaganda preparations preceding this reckless move, including the deployment of a large U.S. military force to the region, leave no doubt that this was a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, in violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law. Equally condemnable is the fact that the attacks are being carried out under the guise of renewed negotiations, ostensibly aimed at ensuring long-term normalization of the situation around the Islamic Republic, and despite signals conveyed to the Russian side that the Israelis have no interest in a military confrontation with the Iranians," she said. On February 28, at the initiative of the Iranian side, a telephone conversation took place between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister A Araghchi. The Iranian minister reported on the Iranian leadership's steps to repel US and Israeli aggression, which has once again disrupted negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear program. He announced plans to urgently convene a meeting of the UN Security Council. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also condemned the unprovoked armed attack by the US and Israel on Iran, which violates the principles and norms of international law and completely disregards the grave consequences for regional and global stability and security. The minister emphasised the need to immediately cease attacks against the Islamic Republic and return the situation to a political and diplomatic resolution, a statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Russia also urged an immediate halt to US and Israeli strikes on Iran, saying the situation must be "returned to the path of political and diplomatic settlement." - ANI Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh has spoken out after the Kerala High Court lifted a ban on the release of 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond'. He stated the court's judgment proves that "truth is troubled, but never defeated," framing the film as an emotional responsibility rather than just entertainment. Singh addressed ongoing protests against the film, dismissing some demonstrators as "lumpen elements" while asserting the right to freedom of expression. He urged audiences to watch the film to raise awareness about the stories of women facing deceptive marriages and forced conversions. Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh reacts as Kerala HC lifts ban on The Kerala Story 2, calling the film an "emotion" and a responsibility. Mumbai, February 28 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' director Kamakhya Narayan Singh has addressed the ongoing protests, as cinema halls across the country reopened screenings of the film. Speaking to ANI, Kamakhya Narayan Singh weighed on the victory of truth after the Kerala High Court lifted the ban on the film on Friday. "Satya pareshan hota hai par kabhi parajit nahi hota hai. Court ke judgement ke baad yeh baat satya saabit hui hai. Yeh kahaani humare liye sirf ek film nahi hai, yeh ek emotion hai (Truth is troubled, but it is never defeated. After the judgment of the court, this has been proved to be the truth. This story is not just a film for us, it is an emotion)" he said. Yeh humari responsibility hai ki desh ke log jaane kis tarah se humari betiyon ko conspiracy se fasaya ja raha hai. Unko victim banaya jar aha hai. (It is our responsibility that all the people of the country know that how our daughters are being trapped by doing conspiracy. They are being made victims)" he added. Reflecting on the message that 'The Kerala Story 2' conveys, Singh explained that it shows the fights of the girls, who have come forward with their stories. "The entire country should know about them," he continued. Kamakhya Narayan Singh also opened up about the protests across the country against the film and explained, "Some videos have come from Kerala, where some people are protesting. But I think these are just some lumpent elements in the society. We have the freedom of expression. Our film is a spiritual sequel, which tells the story of the entire country and not just Kerala. This is spreading in every lane, every corner, every neighbourhood." He urged audiences to watch 'The Kerala Story 2', stating that the film should reach more people to create awareness. The Kerala High Court Division Bench on Friday lifted the stay on the release of the film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond'. High Court Division Bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan stayed interim order passed by Single Bench Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, which stayed the release for 15 days. The film follows the lives of three young women who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions. - ANI Saudi Arabia has issued a forceful condemnation of what it calls Iranian aggression, following missile strikes that violated the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. The attacks included a strike on a US military base in Bahrain, which Iran claimed was retaliation for actions by Israel and the United States. The situation follows a joint Israeli-US operation and reports of the deaths of senior Iranian defense officials in an Israeli strike. Saudi Arabia has affirmed its full solidarity with the affected nations and called on the international community to confront Iran's actions. Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Iran's missile attacks violating the sovereignty of UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, offering full support. Riyadh, February 28 Saudi Arabia on Saturday denounced in the strongest terms "Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan" and extended its support for the brotherly countries. Iran earlier launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain in apparent retaliation to Israel's and US' attack on it. Qatari defence forces also said they "successfully intercepted and repelled a number of attacks that targeted the country's territory. Following Iran's action, Saudi Arabia warned of grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states' sovereignty and the principles of international law. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to condemn these blatant attacks and to take all firm measures necessary to confront Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region," the statement said. According to the Iranian embassy in India, a US military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes." The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned what is said "brutal aggression of the Zionist Regime" claiming that their attacks are a "response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran". Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej Times. Israel and the United States earlier today initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. In a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the ruling regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death." - ANI We came across a bullish thesis on Array Technologies, Inc. on Dannys Substack by Danny Green. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on ARRY. Array Technologies, Inc.'s share was trading at $11.29 as of February 17th. ARRYs trailing and forward P/E were 63.59 and 13.55 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. best alternative fuel stocks to buy now Array Technologies, Inc. manufactures and sells solar tracking technology products in the United States, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and internationally. ARRY presents a compelling investment case in the utility-scale solar tracker market, supported by strong fundamentals, a sizable backlog, and improving free cash flow. The company raised 2025 revenue guidance to $1.25$1.28B, reflecting momentum from Q3 2025 revenue of ~$393M, a 70% year-over-year increase, and integration of the APA acquisition. With a visible $1.9B backlog, ARRYs medium-term revenue engine is robust, and continued volume growth and operational scale support margin expansion. The companys scale and installed base create a durable operational moat, particularly relative to peers who may be more exposed to regional supply issues. Trackers remain a commodity, but ARRYs size, reliability, and logistics capabilities generate stickiness, while management demonstrates pragmatic capital allocation and transparency on tariff impacts. Macro conditions present both upside and downside. Strong renewable mandates and decarbonization policy support multi-year demand, while temporary slowdowns, safe-harbor delays, or developer retrenchment could defer revenue. Tariff escalations in Mexico and India have pressured margins to 2829% and attracted analyst downgrades, highlighting the fragility of near-term profitability. Catalysts for upside include successful tariff mitigation, margin beats, rapid backlog conversion, and APA synergy realization, while downside risks are tied to continued tariff impacts, project deferrals, and supply or logistics disruptions. Valuation is reasonable if ARRY achieves adjusted EBITDA of $185195M, but a 1525% tariff-driven margin hit could create material downside. For investors, sizing should reflect confidence in tariff mitigation and backlog convertibility, with a conservative 0.51.5% allocation for risk-managed exposure and higher conviction allocations of 24% if execution holds. Key monitoring points include backlog conversion cadence, gross margin versus guidance, cash and working capital trends, tariff developments, and major customer signals. Overall, ARRY offers attractive risk/reward with multiple near-term catalysts, though execution and macro risks require vigilant oversight. Shia Muslims in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrated against the recent US and Israel joint military strikes on Iran, demanding that India condemn the attack. Protesters called the attack unjust and inhumane, linking it to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Indian National Congress also condemned the strikes, with MP Jairam Ramesh criticizing US President Donald Trump and urging the Indian government to ensure the safety of Indians in West Asia. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel and US bases in the region, escalating fears of a wider conflict. Shia Muslims in Budgam protest US-Israel attack on Iran, demand India's condemnation. Congress slams Trump, calls for Indian safety in West Asia. Budgam, February 28 Shia Muslims in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday staged a demonstration against the US and Israel attack on Iran. People raised slogans against what they termed was the "inhuman and unjust" attack on Iran. They also demanded that India condemn the attack. Speaking with ANI, a local said, "US and Israel did an unjust attack on Iran. We protested for the safety of Iran. India's external policy should not change. India should also condemn this." Another local added, "This is against humanity. We have been seeing that Israel is killing children in Gaza. Iran has protested against it and that's why they are attacking Iran. We pray for the safety and security of Iran." Meanwhile, the Congress has condemned the United States and Israel's joint military strikes against Iran and urged the Centre to ensure the safety of Indians in West Asia. Congress MP and General Secretary in charge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh, slammed US President Donald Trump, calling the nuclear deal negotiations with Iran a "charade." He attributed the US involvement in strikes to provocation of Israel. Jairam Ramesh wrote, "For weeks, President Trump maintained the charade of diplomacy and negotiations with Iran. Egged on by the Israeli PM, Mr Netanyahu and hawks in the US, he has launched a military offensive aimed at achieving regime change." "The INC condemns this attack and calls upon the Government of India to help bring the hostilities to an immediate end. The Government of India must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the millions of Indians who live and work in the West Asia region," the X post read. Israel and the US launched a joint military strike on Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeting military sites, missile production facilities, and areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office. Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful blasts as tensions surged following a pre-emptive military strike by Israel, which reportedly targeted multiple sites, including in the capital. In response, Iran has launched a targeted missile strike against Israel and the United States military base in Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar. Iranian officials vowed a "crushing response," warning of strong retaliation against perceived aggression. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures and public anxiety spreading as developments continue to unfold. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. - ANI Actor Rashmika Mandanna has shared pictures from her and Vijay Deverakonda's meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah just before their wedding. She described the meeting with PM Modi as special, highlighting the thoughtful letter he wrote to her parents. The couple also met Amit Shah, who gifted them a Ganesh idol. PM Modi's letter extended heartfelt congratulations and blessings to the couple and their families for their wedding. Actor Rashmika Mandanna shares photos and PM Modi's heartfelt letter from pre-wedding meetings with PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. New Delhi, February 28 Actor Rashmika Mandanna has shared pictures from her and Vijay Deverakonda's recent meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meetings took place days before Rashmika's wedding with Vijay Deverakonda. Taking to her X handle, Rashmika shared pictures from the meeting when she and Vijay visited PM Modi and invited him for their wedding. "Meeting Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi sir and spending time talking about our culture and history was so special. The sweetest surprise was the thoughtful letter he wrote to my parents. Some moments just stay with you forever." The 'Pushpa' actor also shared images from their meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing gratitude on receiving a beautiful Ganesh idol from the leader. "Had the honour of meeting the Honourable Home Minister @AmitShah Sir. Grateful for the beautiful Ganesh idol that now has a special place in our home," she wrote. Extending his gratitude over the wedding invitation, PM Modi, in his letter, sent his blessings to Vijay and Rashmika. "It is a pleasure to be invited by you to the wedding of Vijay and Rashmika to be held on 26 February 2026. Heartiest congratulations and greetings to the Deverakonda and Mandanna families on this truly joyous and auspicious occasion. It marks the beginning of a new, beautiful chapter in the lives of Vijay and Rashmika. With the spirit of 'Sakha Saptpada bhav', meaning having taken seven steps together, the couple become friends for life. Neither Vijay, nor Rashmika is new to scripts in their films. But this divinely scripted chapter of their real lives, filled with love and affection, will surely outshine the magic they have created on the silver screen. May the days, months and years to come be filled with shared dreams and their fulfilment. With thoughtfulness and love, may they share responsibilities, embrace each other's imperfections, learn from each other's strengths and journey through life as true partners. My blessings and best wishes to the couple and the families on the momentous occasion," the letter read. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda got married on Thursday in Udaipur in the presence of their close friends and family members. A day later, the newlyweds returned to Hyderabad with their family members. - ANI Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi has formally requested the Maharashtra Chief Minister to implement a policy granting early departure from work for Muslim employees during the holy month of Ramzan. He cited similar orders already in effect in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana government's order permits various Muslim public sector employees to leave at 4:00 PM to observe religious practices. Azmi stated that his request, submitted some time ago, has yet to receive a response from the state government. Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi requests Maharashtra govt to grant early office leave for Muslim employees during Ramzan, citing Telangana model. Mumbai, February 28 Samajwadi Party's Abu Asim Azmi on Saturday requested the state government to grant time off to employees during the holy month of Ramzan. In a formal communication to the Chief Minister, Azmi proposed a policy similar to those recently implemented in neighbouring states to facilitate observers during the fasting period. Abu Asim Azmi, while talking to the media, said, " I have written a letter to the Chief Minister urging him to grant time off to employees during Ramzan, as the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have already done in their states. It has been some time since we submitted this request to the government, but we have not received any response yet." Earlier this week, the Telangana Government issued an order on Tuesday, granting permission for all Muslim Government employees, teachers, contract and outsourcing staff, employees of Boards/Corporations, and Public Sector employees in the State to leave their offices and schools at 4:00 PM during the holy month of Ramzan. The early departure facility is designed to enable Muslim employees to observe religious practices and break their fast during the month of Ramzan, which involves fasting from dawn to sunset. The permission applies to a variety of Muslim employees, including teachers, contract and outsourcing staff, employees of Boards and Corporations, and Public Sector employees across Telangana. Similar provisions have been granted by the Telangana government in previous years as well, reflecting a long-standing practice of ensuring that Muslim employees can observe their religious obligations without compromising their professional duties. Ramzan, also known as Ramadan, is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar that falls in the ninth month of the Hijri (the Islamic lunar calendar). During this holy period, Muslims observe fasting from dawn until sunset, a practice called Roza, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, signifying values of devotion, self-restraint, and spiritual contemplation. This year's holy month of Ramzan got underway on February 18, and will continue for approximately 29 to 30 days. - ANI Iranian representatives have forcefully denied Israeli media reports suggesting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in recent US-Israel strikes, stating he is in good health and will speak soon. The representative in India condemned the aggression, claiming civilian areas were targeted despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Meanwhile, Tehran has experienced panic, with heavy outbound traffic and long queues for essential supplies like bread and water. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation, stating the use of force undermines international peace and security. Iranian officials deny reports of Supreme Leader's death after US-Israel strikes, confirm he is in good health and will address the nation soon. Tehran, February 28 Hours after US and Israel struck deep into Iran with the goal of displacing the Islamic regime, speculation about the whereabouts and wellbeing of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Israeli TV reported that their assessment suggested that the supreme leader has likely been killed in the strike. However, the Iranian's issued a speedy denial. Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said, "The Supreme Leader is in good health and never has a fear of America or any other people... He will continue by his dignity and wisdom, and I hope that we will win this war." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking in an interview with NBC News said, "All high-ranking officials are alive... we are handling this situation, and everything is fine." Iran's Al-Alam TV reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will speak to the Iranian people soon. Meanwhile, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, also condemned the US-Israel led aggression "We were in negotiations and discussion to reach a diplomatic conclusion. We were thinking that very soon we reached to very good statement by Iran and the United States of America... But unfortunately, today, within this last month, month of Ramadan, we got attacked from Israel and United States of America against Iran. Firstly, they started attacking civilian people. They announced that attacked some government state and also a governmental building, but it's not true, they attacked civilians," he said "We condemn this aggression against Iran, this attack against Iran... We hope that international law and United Nations will and stop this war against Iran," he added. In Iran, IRNA reported that officials converted a key highway linking the capital to northern Iran into a one-way route to accommodate the heavy outbound traffic. The agency reports heavy traffic heading north out of the capital. In northern Tehran, supermarkets saw a surge of customers seeking bread and bottled water. However, supply has been limited. Long queues have also been observed at gas stations across the city. State television showed footage from one of Tehran's highways, Soleimani highway, where extremely heavy traffic was visible on west-to-east routes. Earlier, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General, said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." - ANI Hospitals in Tel Aviv have activated emergency protocols, relocating patients to underground fortified facilities as missile threats loom. Israel's Defense Minister declared a nationwide state of emergency following a preemptive strike against Iran, anticipating retaliatory attacks. Missile debris from intercepted strikes caused material damage in the UAE, which condemned the targeting of civilian areas. Visuals showed interceptor trails over Israeli cities and destruction from a missile that crashed in Rosh Haayin. Israeli hospitals implement emergency measures, transferring patients to fortified bunkers as defense minister declares a nationwide state of emergency. Tel Aviv, February 28 Following the start of the "military campaign" against Iran, the Ichilov Hospital in Israel's Tel Aviv has implemented emergency measures, including moving its patients underground fortified facilities as missiles continue to rain down across the region. Visuals from the hospital showed nurses, officials, and family members moving sick, old patients to the underground facilities, while stockpiling on supplies. Earlier, residents in Tel Aviv also rushed to protected spaces as interceptor missiles were seen over the city's skies, leaving a trail of smoke across the blue sky. The interceptors were also seen over the skies of Haifa as part of the latest barrage of attacks. "The State of Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel. As a result, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," the Defense minister of Israel, Yisrael Katz said, declaring a state of emergency in all areas of the country. The official statement, "Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has now signed a special order according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed on the home front throughout the entire territory of the State of Israel." A missile launched by Israeli also crashed in the Israeli city of Rosh Haayin, with visuals showing destruction of parks, homes, and cars due to the strike. Israeli press reported that a plume of smoke and fire has been seen outside hotel on Dubai's Palm, with viral videos circulating on social media showed smoke and flames outside the Fairmont, one of the popular hotels frequented by Westerners in Dubai. Earlier, UAE's Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that the UAE was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE's categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability. - ANI Israel and the United States have initiated a broad joint military operation striking targets across Iran, described as an effort to remove an existential threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a national address, thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and declared the Iranian regime must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. President Trump, in a separate address, warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms with immunity or face "certain death." The operation, dubbed "Roaring Lion" by the IDF, follows escalating tensions and aims to degrade Iran's military and nuclear capabilities. Israel and the US launch joint military strikes on Iran. Netanyahu calls regime a nuclear threat, Trump offers immunity to Iranian forces. Tel Aviv, February 28 In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel and the United States have initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralizing what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. In a public address to the nation, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the long-standing hostility of the Iranian regime, framing the move as both defensive and strategic. "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." "I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called for 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America.' It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," he said Netanyahu then made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the Islamist regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. The IDF earlier announced the strikes dubbe OPERATION ROARING LION saying the aim was to remove the threat to Israel. "The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole," it said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as the ombined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. In a televised address on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear and military infrastructure. "To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death," he said. Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. - ANI The Trinamool Congress has nominated four candidates, including a former minister, an ex-police chief, a Supreme Court lawyer, and a film actor, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. A TMC MLA described the announcement as merely a "trailer," hinting at larger political maneuvers to come. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh suggested the nominations, particularly of former police chief Rajeev Kumar, were rewards for loyalty to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. With a strong majority in the state assembly, the TMC is poised to secure all four seats comfortably in the March 16 polls. Trinamool Congress nominates Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koel Mallick for Rajya Sabha, sparking reactions from BJP and TMC leaders. New Delhi, Feb 28 The All India Trinamool Congress announced four candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, triggering a wave of reactions from across the political spectrum. The party declared the nominations of Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar, Menaka Guruswamy, and Koel Mallick in a statement on its social media handles, congratulating them and wishing that they continue to uphold the party's legacy of resilience and commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian. Trinamool MLA Asit Mazumdar on Saturday, described the announcement as just the glimpse of a bigger picture. "This is just the trailer - the full picture is still to come. This is Mamata Banerjee's trailer; the real picture is yet to unfold. What happens next will be seen by the people of Bengal and the people of India," he told IANS. Reacting to the announcement, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh commented, "Who TMC chooses as its candidate is entirely in its own hands. But people like Rajeev Kumar, who were very helpful to Mamata Banerjee in running the administration and stood by her during every crisis, were bound to be rewarded." Among the nominees, Babul Supriyo, who joined the Trinamool in 2021, currently serves as a minister in the Mamata Banerjee Cabinet. Rajeev Kumar is a former Director General of Police and had also served as Commissioner of Kolkata Police. Menaka Guruswamy is a prominent Supreme Court advocate, while Koel Mallick is a celebrated actor in the Bengali film industry. The Election Commission has announced that polling for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across several states, including West Bengal, will be held on March 16. In the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, the Trinamool holds an effective strength of 218 MLAs, bolstered by support from several Opposition legislators who have switched sides without formally resigning. This gives the ruling party a comfortable majority to secure the election of four members to the Rajya Sabha. In contrast, the BJP's numbers have fallen from their 2021 high of 77 seats to around 65, affected by resignations, defections, deaths, and bypoll defeats. - IANS Thousands of passengers, including hundreds of Indians, were stranded at Abu Dhabi International Airport after Iran fired ballistic missiles at the UAE, prompting the closure of airspace and suspension of all flights. The airport, a major global transit hub, came to a complete halt as National Guard personnel took control of the premises and advised passengers to stay inside for safety. Stranded travellers faced long queues for emergency transit visas and hotel accommodations, with airport facilities overwhelmed as the hours wore on. The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack, stating its air defence systems had intercepted a number of the missiles. Hundreds of Indian passengers among thousands stranded as Abu Dhabi airport halts all flights following Iranian ballistic missile attack on UAE. By Shailesh Yadav, Abu Dhabi, February 28 Thousands of passengers including hundreds of Indians were stranded at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Friday in the wake of tensions in the Middle East as Iran fired missiles apparently targeting US bases in the region after Israel and the United States launched a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Tehran. The escalating tensions led to the closure of the airspace disupting operations at one of the Middle East's busiest transit hubs. The escalating tensions in the wake of Iran's military action sent shockwaves through the airport as alarms blared across terminals, sending panicked passengers towards the exits. National Guard personnel swiftly moved in, taking control of the airport premises and advising remaining passengers to stay inside the building for their safety. Within minutes of explosions, all flights were suspended, and after two anxious hours, authorities formally announced the cancellation of all departures -- leaving thousands of international travellers with no clear way forward. Abu Dhabi airport, which serves as a critical transit gateway connecting flights across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, came to a halt as the ripple effects of the attack spread through global aviation networks. Hundreds of connecting flights that were scheduled to depart through the airport were left stranded, affecting passengers from dozens of nationalities. Inside the terminals, the mood quickly shifted from confusion to anxiety. Food stalls and restaurants were packed as stranded travellers sought comfort and a way to pass the uncertain hours. Airport lounges -- including premium Business and First Class facilities -- were filled to capacity. The AU Transit Hotel, the airport's only on-site accommodation option, which had been offering promotional discounts earlier in the morning, was fully booked within hours of the flight suspensions having being announced. The transfer desks became a focal point of desperation, with passengers waiting for hours to secure hotel accommodations as per airline and airport guidelines. Foreign nationals without UAE visas were offered 10-day emergency transit visas -- but only after exhausting waits in long, slow-moving queues that snaked through the terminal halls. Indian workers based in Dubai, were at the airport at the time of the attack, were reportedly advised by officials to return to India as soon as conditions permitted. Airport administration, meanwhile, arranged emergency food and water supplies for the stranded passengers as the hours wore on. Stranded traveller Sanjeev Mehta, who had flown into Abu Dhabi for a friend's weekend party, described the ordeal. "I came to Abu Dhabi to attend a friend's party over the weekend, and we are stuck here. Right now we are at the airport -- Abu Dhabi airport. Many alarms went off, and as the news suggests, some missiles have landed. The national guards have kind of taken over the airport, and there is a bit of a commotion inside. The local people who had come here are slowly leaving, but the guards are advising us to stay inside. All the flights are suspended, and no flights are going to any country anywhere," he told ANI. Vil Varadhan, an American citizen from Chicago who had spent three weeks visiting India and was transiting through Abu Dhabi on his return journey, described the uncertainty that gripped him and fellow passengers. "I'm flying back from Chennai to Chicago via Abu Dhabi. This morning when I left Chennai at 10 a.m., there was no issue. We took off, flew here, and now I'm kind of stuck. I understand there is bombing going on, and our flight status is unknown at this point. Right now authorities are saying it's still on time or to be determined. My flight is supposed to go only at midnight tonight, so there are still a few more hours. I hope things can still start functioning by the end of the day, but it is completely unknown," he said, his voice reflecting anxiousness shared by thousands around him. UAE's Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Saturday announced that the UAE today was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an asian nationality. The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock.The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE's categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability.The Ministry further stated that the targeting represents a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. The Ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised. The Ministry urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified reports. The Ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources within the UAE and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information. - ANI Elaborate security, including police protection and signal jammers, has been deployed at the Tirupparankundram Murugan temple ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. The PM's schedule includes laying foundation stones for projects worth thousands of crores in Puducherry and Madurai. He will also dedicate several redeveloped railway stations and launch new broadcasting transmitters in Tamil Nadu. The visit combines significant development announcements with a high-profile religious stop, drawing major regional attention. Heavy security deployed at Tirupparankundram temple ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit for prayers and project inaugurations in Tamil Nadu. Madurai, Feb 28 Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at the historic Tirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Sunday. The temple premises and surrounding areas have been brought under heavy police protection, with multiple layers of security deployed to ensure a smooth and incident-free visit. Authorities have installed mobile signal jammers around the temple complex to prevent unauthorised communication during the Prime Minister's visit. Devotees are being allowed entry only after undergoing stringent security checks. Reports indicate that special security forces conducted a detailed inspection of the temple premises on Saturday as part of final preparedness measures. The security has been further tightened in view of past tensions during the Karthigai Deepam festival, when a dispute arose over lighting lamps on a nearby hill. With the Prime Minister's presence drawing significant attention, officials have opted for enhanced precautionary measures. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Chennai at around 9 p.m. on Saturday following visits to Gujarat and Rajasthan. On Sunday morning, he will travel to Puducherry, where he will lay the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 2,700 crore. Later in the afternoon, at around 3 p.m., the Prime Minister will visit Madurai to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for infrastructure projects valued at Rs 4,400 crore. At approximately 4 p.m., he will offer prayers at the Tirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple. During his visit, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the newly-constructed four-lane highways connecting Marakkanam and Puducherry, as well as Paramakudi and Ramanathapuram. Under the Amrit Bharat scheme, he will dedicate eight redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu to the nation, including Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputhur, Cholavandan, Manapparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikudi Junction, and Tiruvarur Junction. Additionally, several Central and Union Territory government projects in Puducherry and Karaikal will be inaugurated. To strengthen broadcasting services in Tamil Nadu, three new All India Radio FM relay transmitters in Kumbakonam, Yercaud, and Vellore will also be launched during the visit. The Prime Minister's tour is expected to combine major development announcements with a significant religious visit, drawing both political and public attention across the region. - IANS The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released a consultation paper to refine its property digital connectivity rating framework. It proposes expanding the five-star scale to nine levels by introducing half-star increments for better performance differentiation. The new framework aims to promote stakeholder collaboration while ensuring transparency and accountability. TRAI also suggested a design-stage assessment for under-construction properties and an optional audit mechanism. TRAI proposes refining property digital connectivity ratings with half-star levels and a design-stage assessment mechanism for better transparency. Mumbai, Feb 27 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday released a consultation paper on 'Review of the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations 2024,' proposing to refine the rating scale by introducing additional half-star levels. As a significant proportion of data consumption occurs inside buildings especially after the deployment of advanced mobile technologies such as 4G and 5G, making in-building digital connectivity a critical determinant of User Experience and Quality of Service (QoS). The new framework on rating properties based on digital connectivity aims to "promote collaboration among Property Managers, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs), Service providers, and other stakeholders, while ensuring transparency, accountability, and self-sustainability," an official statement said. To better differentiate performance, TRAI proposed expanding the existing fivestar scale to nine levels by introducing halfstar increments. These refinements are aimed at improving transparency for consumers, addressing practical issues faced by Property Managers and DCRAs during implementation, and ensuring that the framework remains aligned with on-ground realities, without altering its core intent, principles, or assessment methodology. TRAI had notified the 'Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024 on October 25, 2024 for rating of properties based on their digital connectivity readiness. Further, the Rating Manual to operationalise them was issued in 2025. The consultation paper proposed a designstage assessment and certification mechanism for underconstruction properties, which would allow early evaluation while preserving final ratings until completion, the statement said. The final Digital Connectivity Rating shall continue to be awarded only after completion of construction and 'Due Diligence Stage-II', thereby preserving assessment integrity, it added. Further, TRAI proposed to enable Optional Digital Connectivity Audit mechanism, whereby property managers may engage a registered DCRA to undertake a digital connectivity audit against the prescribed criteria and sub-criteria for evaluation and improvement purposes. - IANS Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide. With no single headline event, interest in Klepierre (ENXTPA:LI) has been stirred by its recent share performance, as investors weigh shopping mall exposure in continental Europe against current earnings and revenue trends. See our latest analysis for Klepierre. The recent 9.0% 1 month share price return, alongside a 6.1% 3 month share price return and a 23.0% 1 year total shareholder return, points to momentum building as investors reassess Klepierres continental European mall exposure and earnings profile. 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The narrative leans heavily on detailed forecasts for earnings power, discount rates, and portfolio resilience. If you want to see exactly which expectations have to hold for that valuation gap to matter, the full narrative lays it all out. Result: Fair Value of 35.75 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, there are still clear risks, including ongoing e commerce pressure on mall tenants and the possibility that higher assumed profit margins and future P/E simply do not materialise. Find out about the key risks to this Klepierre narrative. Next Steps If this mix of caution and optimism around Klepierre leaves you unsure, take a closer look now and weigh the trade off for yourself with 3 key rewards and 4 important warning signs. The budget session of the Tripura Assembly is scheduled to commence on March 13, with the Governor's address marking its opening. A key agenda item is the election of a new Speaker following the demise of Biswa Bandhu Sen in December 2025. Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy will present the state's budget for the 2026-27 financial year during the session. The budget is anticipated to feature increased allocations for the tribal autonomous council ahead of its upcoming polls. Tripura's budget session begins March 13. Governor to address House, new Speaker to be elected, and Finance Minister to present 2026-27 budget. Agartala, Feb 28 The budget session of the Tripura Assembly will commence on March 13, with Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu scheduled to address the House on the opening day, officials said on Saturday. A senior Assembly official said that the Governor's address would mark the beginning of the ninth session of the 13th Tripura Assembly. The detailed schedule and business of the upcoming session will be finalised at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee on March 6. Reports indicate that the new Speaker of the Assembly may be elected during the session, following the demise of sitting Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen on December 26 last year. However, Assembly Secretary Amiya Kanti Nath told IANS that the formal process for electing a new Speaker has not yet begun, and no official notification has been issued so far. Political circles suggest that several BJP MLAs are in contention for the Speaker's post. Among them, tribal leader Ram Pada Jamatia, who was elected from the Bagma Assembly constituency in Gomati district, is considered a frontrunner. The BJP has not yet officially announced its candidate for the Speaker's position. Biswa Bandhu Sen, a four-time MLA, passed away at the age of 72 at a private hospital in Bengaluru on December 26, 2025, after undergoing medical treatment for more than four-and-a-half months. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy will present the Budget for the 2026-27 financial year during the session. "Usually, the Budget is presented on the opening day of the session, but the final decision will be taken at the Business Advisory Committee meeting on March 6," the official said. He added that Roy would present the third Budget of the BJP-led government's second term. The Budget is expected to provide a higher allocation to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), as the 28-member tribal autonomous body is likely to go to crucial polls in March or April. - IANS US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump monitored the situation following US-Israel strikes on Iran from his Mar-a-Lago residence alongside his national security team. Iran's Foreign Minister condemned the attacks as "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate," framing Iran's retaliatory strikes as acts of self-defense. Reports indicate that high-ranking Iranian defense officials, including Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and IRGC commander Mohammed Pakpour, were killed in the strikes. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation, stating the actions undermine international peace and security. President Trump monitored the Iran situation with his security team after US-Israel strikes reportedly killed Iranian commanders. Details on the crisis and UN response. Washington DC, February 28 US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday informed that the US President has been monitoring the situation post the strike on Iran from his Mar a Lago residence. In her statement, Leavitt said, "President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar a Lago alongside members of his national security team. The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members. The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day." Earlier, Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the US and Israel's attack against his country is "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate. Araghchi, justified Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an "act of self-defence", which he said is "absolutely legal and legitimate," Reuters reported. "This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate," Araghchi said, according to Reuters. Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, after the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, following Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General, said that the principle document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." - ANI United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urgently called for an immediate halt to hostilities and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning military actions risk uncontrollable consequences. The appeal came during an emergency meeting addressing the volatile situation following reported joint US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused Iran of destabilizing the world through attacks, support for proxies, and pursuit of advanced missile and nuclear capabilities. Guterres condemned the military escalation, emphasizing that lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful dialogue and negotiations under the UN Charter. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges an immediate halt to hostilities in the volatile Middle East, warning of uncontrollable chain reactions. New York, March 1 United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urgent de-escalation in the Middle East, urging world leaders to "act responsibly". During the emergency meeting to address the situation in Iran and the Middle East, Guterres said, "Let's act responsibly & together to pull the region & our world back from the brink."He said, "military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region in the world". Guterres called for immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation in the Middle East. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said that the Iranian regime has destabilised the world, citing its attacks on American forces and citizens, threats to regional allies, support for violent proxies, and pursuit of advanced missile and nuclear capabilities. He added that the United States is taking lawful actions to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. "The Iranian regime has willfully destabilised the world. It has killed American forces and citizens, threatened regional allies and jeopardised the security of international shipping upon which the world depends. It's massive support for violent proxies... has brought bloodshed and disorder across the Middle East for far too long," he said. "Iran's continued pursuit of advanced missile capabilities, coupled with its refusal to abandon nuclear ambitions, despite diplomatic opportunities, presents a grave and mounting danger. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That principle is not a matter of politics. It's a matter of global security, and to that end, the United States is taking lawful actions," he said. Earlier, Guterres condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, followed by Iranian attacks, undermine international security and risk uncontrollable consequences, and called for lasting peace through dialogue and negotiations based on the UN Charter. In a post on X, Guterres said, "I condemn the military escalation in the Middle East today. The strikes by the US & Israel against Iran & the subsequent attacks by Iran undermine international security. These actions carry the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations. The @UNCharter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace & security." On Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out joint missile attacks on Iran, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities, signalling a sharp escalation that risks expanding tensions into a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, senior Israeli officials were informed on Saturday evening, according to The Jerusalem Post. Senior Israeli officials were also informed that the body of Iran's Supreme Leader was found under the rubble left by the air strike, the report said. - ANI Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has welcomed nine cheetahs from Botswana at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. The animals, comprising six females and three males, will enter a quarantine and acclimatization phase before their eventual release. This arrival boosts India's total cheetah population to 39, including 28 India-born cubs, marking a significant success for the ambitious Project Cheetah. The initiative, undertaken with international partnership, underscores India's commitment to creating a sustainable, free-ranging cheetah population and contributing to global conservation. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announces the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana, marking a major milestone for Project Cheetah under PM Modi's leadership. Sheopur, February 28 Union for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The animals will undergo an acclimatisation and health monitoring phase before their gradual release into the larger landscape. In a post on X, Yadav announced the arrival of the nine cheetahs, six females and three males from Botswana. "After eight cheetahs from Namibia were first reintroduced to India on September 17, 2022, and 12 were brought from South Africa in February 2023, I am thrilled to announce the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana -- 6 females and 3 males -- at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. With a thriving population of 39 cheetahs in India, including 28 India-born cubs, the ambitious Project Cheetah, undertaken under the environmentally-conscious leadership of PM Narendra Modi, has been a great success," he said. Later, speaking to reporters, Bhupender Yadav said, "We are grateful to Prime Minister Modi. Under his vision and guidance, this has been possible. I am also thankful to the Government of Botswana and the officials who supported us in this cheetah revival programme." In December 2024, the Government of India initiated formal discussions with the Government of the Republic of Botswana for sourcing cheetahs, to further strengthen Project Cheetah, India's flagship wildlife restoration programme. The proposal was formally advanced by Bhupender Yadav, in consultation with Mr. Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Republic of Botswana, according to a release. Botswana agreed to partner with India, considering India's comprehensive Action Plan for Cheetah Reintroduction. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to strengthening global cheetah conservation efforts and creating an additional secure population of the species outside its traditional African range, increasing their long-term resilience. To operationalise the partnership, an Indian delegation visited Botswana in September 2025. The visit focused on mapping out the operational modalities, transport logistics, and regulatory clearances in line with international wildlife translocation standards. Following due scientific assessment, eight cheetahs were identified and captured from the Ghanzi region of Botswana. The cheetahs were subsequently transported approximately 700 kilometres by road to Gaborone under continuous veterinary supervision. In November 2025, during the visit of President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to Botswana, the eight cheetahs were formally handed over to the Government of India. They were released into quarantine enclosures at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. An Indian delegation visited Botswana later in November 2025 to review quarantine arrangements, assess enclosure conditions, and ensure readiness for international transfer. In December 2025, a Botswana delegation visited India to review final logistical preparations and to observe ongoing cheetah conservation efforts at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, the release added. On February 27, 2026, the cheetahs were transported from Mokolodi Nature Reserve to Gaborone Airport. With the support of the Indian Air Force, the animals were airlifted to Gwalior, India, in a controlled and monitored environment to ensure their safety and well-being throughout the journey. Upon arrival in India, the cheetahs were transferred by helicopter to Kuno National Park. Project Cheetah continues to progress with strengthened global partnerships and robust scientific oversight. The successful arrival of the Botswana cheetahs reinforces India's resolve to create a sustainable, free-ranging cheetah population and to contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts. - ANI The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at France's request to address the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation, stating that the use of force by the US, Israel, and Iran's retaliation undermines international peace. The crisis intensified with reports that an Israeli strike killed senior Iranian defense officials and hit a girls' school, prompting vows of retaliation from Tehran. Explosions have been reported in Iran's capital and other locations as the conflict widens. UN Security Council holds emergency session as Iran retaliates against Israeli strikes. France calls meeting, Guterres condemns escalation. Paris, February 28 The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting at 10 pm CET to address the situation in Iran and the Middle East, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Saturday. In a post on X, Jean-Noel Barrot said, "At the request of France, the United Nations Security Council will meet tonight at 10 p.m. Paris time to address the situation in Iran and the Middle East." Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by the United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermines international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN. The Charter clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," he wrote on X. Earlier, in a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in some Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. - ANI A senior US official has expressed condolences to Pakistan and affirmed its right to defend itself against attacks from Afghanistan. The US Embassy in Pakistan has issued a security alert, advising citizens to exercise caution in major cities due to heightened tensions and potential terrorist threats. Tensions have escalated sharply, with both sides conducting retaliatory strikes and Pakistan declaring an "open war" on Kabul after airstrikes. In response, the Pakistani government has imposed a nationwide ban on all drone operations. US official affirms Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks as tensions escalate, prompting security alerts for US citizens in major cities. Washington DC, February 28 US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker on Friday expressed condolences to Pakistan for the lives lost in the recent conflict with Afghanistan and affirmed support for Pakistan's right to defend itself. In a post on X, Allison Hooker wrote, "Spoke today with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Baloch to express condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. We continue to monitor the situation closely and express support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks." The US Embassy in Pakistan has issued a security alert advising citizens to exercise caution in major cities due to heightened tensions with Afghanistan and potential terrorist threats targeting law enforcement, military, and commercial sites. As per the statement, "Due to heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Pakistani security forces have increased their presence in major cities in response to potential terrorist threats. Law enforcement facilities, military installations, and major commercial centers remain likely targets for terrorist organizations. The U.S. Mission advises citizens to exercise caution when visiting these locations, particularly during peak hours." "We remind U.S. citizens to observe good personal security practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP registration is up to date," the statement reads. Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, with both sides accusing one another of retaliatory strikes, raising fears of a wider military conflict in the region. Islamabad declared "open war" on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, further intensifying tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Earlier, Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said that Afghanistan carried out drone attacks on Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera, as per Tolo News. He also added that anti-drone systems brought down the drones and that there was no loss of life. The Pakistan government announced a nationwide ban on all drone operations after tensions intensified due to border clashes. The Ministry of Interior issued a notification enforcing the prohibition on all commercial and privately operated drones across the country, as per Geo News. - ANI US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor inaugurated Micron's new semiconductor assembly and test facility in Gujarat, marking India's formal entry into the global semiconductor supply chain. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision, citing 10 semiconductor projects worth $19 billion currently underway across the country. The $2.75 billion investment is framed as a cornerstone of the strengthened US-India partnership under the US-India Compact and TRUST initiative. Gor emphasized that India offers a secure and reliable alternative in the global semiconductor ecosystem, complementing American advanced chip production. US Ambassador Sergio Gor inaugurates Micron's Gujarat facility, highlighting India's $19B semiconductor projects and strengthened US-India tech ties. Sanand, March 1 US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, praised India's entry into the global semiconductor supply chain, highlighting that India is becoming a major player in semiconductor manufacturing. He also spoke about the growing relationship between the United States and India. Gor mentioned that there are currently 10 semiconductor projects worth 19 billion dollars being developed in India, which shows the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Modi. Speaking at the inauguration of Micron's new semiconductor facility in Gujarat, Gor said, "Today marks India's entry into the global semiconductor supply chain as a manufacturing nation. This is just the beginning. With 10 semiconductor projects worth $19 billion underway across India, that is a direct testament to your Prime Minister's leadership, to his vision, and to his ability to secure the future for India and for our global partners, including the United States." "Gujarat's leadership is incentivising semiconductor projects. From Sanand to Dholera, it sets an example for your entire country... We are beyond proud of Micron being here, and in just the last few years, they have achieved incredible results. The United States stands ready to participate in this growth. American companies are watching closely, and many are eager to explore opportunities to do business in Gujarat. President Trump cares deeply about our relationship. The next three years of our administration enable our two nations to tap into the limitless potential that exists," he said. He added, "This facility represents the future. It represents American technology leadership working hand in hand with Indian manufacturing excellence. It represents supply chain resilience, built on trust between our two great democracies. The chips packaged in this facility will power devices around the world. More importantly, the partnership this facility represents will power our shared prosperity and security for generations to come." Gor said a 2.75 billion dollar investment is seen as a major step in strengthening US-India relations and boosting both countries' technology leadership. He emphasised that this project represents more than just a factory; it marks the future of the global semiconductor industry and shows the shared commitment to building strong and reliable supply chains. "I join you today for this historic moment, the inauguration of Micron's pioneer project, India's first major semiconductor assembly and test facility. This $2.75 billion investment represents far more than a new factory. It represents the future of American technology leadership, the strength of the U.S.-India partnership, and our shared commitment to building resilient supply chains that serve both our nations and the world... Under President Trump's leadership, we are securing our position at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry... Our president has a dear friendship with your prime minister. It is something that has endured for many years in the past, and it is something that we will carry on for the next 3 years of the Trump administration in Washington," he said. He added, "When PM Modi and President Trump met in Washington last February, they launched the U.S.-India Compact. Compact stands for Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce, and Technology. At the heart of this framework is the TRUST initiative, transforming the relationship utilising strategic technology. Today's inauguration embodies that vision. Semiconductors are the foundation of modern technology... Creating resilient supply chains for these critical components requires building semiconductor ecosystems in multiple trusted locations." "Gujarat has emerged as a vital hub in this network. India's role in the global semiconductor supply chain is not just welcome, it is essential... As other nations in this neighbourhood aggressively expand production of legacy chips and seek to dominate the sector, India offers a secure and reliable alternative. Your focus on mature chip designs and assembly, testing, marking, and packaging operations complements America's drive to produce the most advanced chips domestically," he said. - ANI Iran's Foreign Minister has condemned recent attacks by the United States and Israel as unprovoked and illegitimate acts against international law. He justified Iran's retaliatory strikes on military bases as a legal act of self-defence. The attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian defence officials and targeted a primary school for girls. Explosions have been reported in Tehran and other locations as Iran continues its response. Iran's FM says US-Israel strikes are unprovoked and illegal, justifying retaliatory attacks as self-defence after commanders were killed. Tehran, February 28 Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that the US and Israel's attack against his country is "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate. Araghchi justified Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an "act of self-defence", which he said is "absolutely legal and legitimate," Reuters reported. "This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate," Araghchi said, according to Reuters. Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, after the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, following Israeli strikes. Araghchi earlier alleged that the Israeli strike on an Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in some Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. - ANI India's Defence Secretary has stated that the country's defence engagement with Russia will continue unaffected by the recently concluded US trade deal. He emphasized India's diversified procurement strategy, sourcing equipment from multiple global partners based on operational needs. Simultaneously, officials are doubling down on efforts to boost domestic defence manufacturing and reduce import dependence. The new US-India trade agreement focuses on reducing tariff barriers and includes a major non-binding intent for Indian purchases of US energy and aircraft. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh states India will continue defence procurement from Russia despite new US trade agreement, while pushing indigenisation. New Delhi, February 28 India's defence engagement with Russia will continue unaffected by the US trade deal, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said, underlining that New Delhi will maintain a diversified procurement strategy while accelerating indigenisation. "The US trade deal doesn't impede our defence engagement with Russia," Singh said at News18 Rising Bharat 2026 He added that India will continue sourcing military equipment based on operational requirements. "We continue to procure from Russians and will continue to do so from the French, Americans -- what is required," he said. Singh's remarks signal continuity in India's multi-aligned defence procurement approach, even as strategic and trade ties with Washington deepen. At the same time, he stressed that boosting domestic manufacturing remains a priority We would want to double down on indigenisation," Singh said, reiterating the government's focus on strengthening local defence production capacity. India has in recent years sought to reduce import dependence through domestic manufacturing initiatives, while maintaining defence partnerships with a range of countries, including Russia, France and the United States. The India-US Interim Trade Agreement focuses on reducing tariff barriers while balancing India's domestic agricultural sensitivities with the US's demand for market access. The US has agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from as high as 50% to 18%. This benefits Indian exports in textiles, leather, footwear, and pharmaceuticals. India has expressed an "intent" (non-binding) to purchase $500 billion worth of US energy (LNG/Crude), aircraft (Boeing), technology, and coking coal over the next five years. The US will grant duty-free access to Indian agricultural products such as spices, tea, coffee, mangoes, grapes, and cashews, potentially boosting Indian agri-exports, which reached $4.45 billion in 2024-25. The US has agreed to lift the 25% penal duty previously imposed on Indian goods (linked to India's Russian oil purchases), provided India maintains its commitment to the new trade balance. - ANI Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the PSP Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Research Center in Haldwani. He highlighted the state's strengthened healthcare services, including two new medical colleges and a developing Government Cancer Institute. Dhami announced that an AIIMS satellite centre in Kichha is in its final construction stages and will be inaugurated soon. He also praised the Ayushman Bharat scheme, noting over 61 lakh citizens in Uttarakhand have benefited from it. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates PSP Hospital in Haldwani, announces new AIIMS centre and highlights Ayushman Bharat benefits in Uttarakhand. Haldwani, February 28 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the inauguration ceremony of PSP Hospital in Haldwani on Saturday. On th event he said that healthcare services in the state have been significantly strengthened and two new medical colleges have been established in the state. He also said that a Government Cancer Institute is being developed in Haldwani. He announced that additionally, an AIIMS satellite centre is being set up in Kichha, along with the existing AIIMS facility in Rishikesh. On the occasion while adressing the people he said, "I am fortunate to be among you all today for the inauguration of this super speciality hospital. Brothers and sisters, this occasion is not just an inauguration program of a hospital, but a wonderful example of determination, struggle, and service. The start of PSP Multi Super Speciality Hospital and Research Center is truly the story of a family dedicated to society, which, through its actions, values, hard work, and coming from a very simple background, has made this possible. For this, I specially congratulate the founder of this institute, Shri Jagdish Singh Pimori, who came from Gagrigol village in Bageshwar district, and his entire family." He further stated that under the leadership of our Prime Minister, the Ayushman Bharat scheme has become a guarantee of health security for every poor family, providing treatment up to 5 lakh rupees. "People at the tail end of society, who were unable to access medical facilities on time, will surely benefit from this hospital," Dhami said. "Millions are benefiting from Ayushman services. In Uttarakhand as well, more than 61 lakh citizens have made their Ayushman cards. 207 types of free pathology tests are being provided in state hospitals. In Udham Singh Nagar, near here in Kichha, the AIIMS Satellite Center with all facilities is being established, and its construction is in the final stages; it will be inaugurated very soon," the Chief Minister added. - ANI Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. Bank of America Maintains Buy on Synchrony Financial (SYF) Following Partnership Expansion On February 19, 2026, Bank of America Securities analyst Mihir Bhatia maintained a Buy rating on Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF). Prior to this, on February 18, 2026, the company announced the expansion of its partnership with Planet DDS by integrating CareCredit as the preferred financing solution across all Planet DDS platforms. Sonia Williams, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dental, Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) stated: By integrating CareCredit into their core software, we help practices operate more effectively and strengthen how they connect with patients about their financing options. This simplifies the financial workflow and allows teams to focus on delivering optimal patient care. In another development, on February 13, 2026, Baird analyst David George upgraded Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) from Neutral to Outperform while maintaining a price target of $83. The analyst noted that the companys risk-reward profile has improved following recent weakness in the stock price. The firm identifies the current de-risking phase as an advantageous entry point for investors, noting that valuations have become more reasonable. Incorporated in 2003, Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) is the largest provider of private-label credit cards in the U.S. Operating from Connecticut, the company manages financing programs for major brands. While we acknowledge the potential of SYF as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 40 development projects totaling Rs 147.28 crore in Haldwani. The projects include a motor bridge, a technology lab, multiple drinking water schemes, and veterinary hospital improvements. Dhami emphasized the state's progress and its commitment to development alongside preserving heritage. He cited landmark policies like the Uniform Civil Code as part of the government's vision for a "Developed Uttarakhand." CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates 40 projects worth Rs 147 crore in Haldwani, focusing on water, infrastructure, and healthcare development. Haldwani, February 28 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in a programme at Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College, Haldwani, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 40 development projects worth Rs 147.28 crore. According to the release, this includes the inauguration of 23 projects costing Rs 72.38 crore and the foundation laying of 17 projects amounting to Rs 74.90 crore. The Chief Minister stated that these projects will accelerate the pace of development in Nainital district. He said the state government is working swiftly towards building a "Developed Uttarakhand," and the state is progressing continuously across all sectors. Several historic decisions taken by the government, he added, are serving as an inspiration for other states. He further said that along with development, the government is also committed to preserving the state's heritage. Emphasising that the sole objective is to move Uttarakhand forward, he reiterated that the government has implemented landmark decisions such as the Uniform Civil Code, a strict anti-copying law, and an anti-conversion law. He reaffirmed his commitment that no one will be allowed to tamper with the state's culture, heritage, and sanctity. Among the 23 projects inaugurated were: a 30-meter span motor bridge over the Shipra River; a technology lab at the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Haldwani; tube well constructions at Kotabagh, Mahadevpuram, Jhaluwajhala, Belpokhra, and Bailpadav; construction of a laboratory at the Women's College; installation of stabilizers at tube wells in Lalkuan; 14 drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission -- including Haripur Lachhi, Kalupur Pokhariya, Jeetpur Raikwala, Devalatalla, Bhawan Singh Nawad, Basantpur, Kishanpur Raikwala, Chorgalia Aamkheda, Jayram Parma, Haldauchaur Jaggi, Bhawanipur Krishna, Padlipur, Bhagwanpur Durgapur, and Bakutiya; and the construction of a building at the Veterinary Hospital in Ramgarh, among other works, as stated in the release. On the occasion, under the Chief Minister's announcement, compliance and the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) programme, he also performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Haldwani-Kathgodam source and treatment augmentation drinking water scheme, approved at a total cost of Rs 154.43 crore. - ANI US President Donald Trump has publicly described Iran as "very difficult" and "very dangerous" as another round of nuclear negotiations is set to take place. He emphasized that the United States faces a significant decision and that any potential deal must be substantive and meaningful. The comments come amid a backdrop of ongoing military tensions and a US military build-up in the Middle East. Trump stated a preference for a peaceful resolution but expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's approach to the negotiations. US President Donald Trump describes Iran as "very dangerous" as critical nuclear negotiations continue, emphasizing a preference for a peaceful resolution. Texas, February 28 US President Donald Trump on Friday described Iran as "very difficult" and "very dangerous" as the United States considers its next steps in nuclear negotiations, emphasising a preference for a peaceful resolution despite ongoing military tensions in the Middle East. The third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States took place in Geneva on Thursday, and another round of talks will be held today. Addressing a gathering in Texas, Trump said, "We have a big decision to make. You know that. Not easy. We have a very big decision to make. We have a country that's been for 47 years blowing people's legs off, arms off, and the face. They've been knocking out ships, killing people. Not only Americans, but lots of people." Trump said the US faces a "big decision" in talks with Iran, while saying that any deal with Tehran must be "meaningful." "We hit them real hard, as you know, with those beautiful B2 bombers, and recently knocked out their nuclear capability. But I'd rather do it the peaceful way, but they're very difficult people. I want to tell you that they're very dangerous people, very difficult people," he said. "It's been terrible. 32,000 people have been killed over the last two to three months. They want to make a deal, but got to make a deal that's meaningful. I spoke with Ted Cruz, John, and all of them. On the way here, I said, "Well, got to make a deal that's meaningful," he said. The latest round of talks comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington and comes against the backdrop of a significant US military build-up in the Middle East, as several countries advised their citizens to leave Iran amid concerns over potential US strikes. Earlier in the day, Trump said he is "not exactly happy" with Iran's handling of negotiations over its nuclear program, stressing that the country cannot possess nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, "We haven't made a final decision (on Iran). We're not exactly happy with the way they're negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons. And we're not thrilled with the way they're negotiating. So we'll see how it all works." "I am not happy with the fact that they are not willing to give us what we have to have. I'm not thrilled with that. We'll see what happens. We'll have some additional talks today. But, no, I'm not happy with the way they're going," he said. - ANI Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that India must continue to maintain its strategic partnerships as tensions escalate following US-Israel strikes on Iran. The attack, announced by former US President Donald Trump, prompted Iranian missile retaliation against Israel and US bases in Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar. Trump warned Iranian forces to surrender or face "certain death," while urging the Iranian public to seize a historic chance to "take over" their government. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures being implemented. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh says India must maintain strategic partnerships as US-Israel strikes Iran, triggering regional escalation. New Delhi, February 28 As tensions escalated in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that India will have to maintain its strategic partnership. "The events are moving pretty fast. I am happy that we are in India. I think the present government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given macroeconomic and geopolitical stability. In the Middle East, we have a large diaspora. We will have to continue to maintain our strategic partnerships," said Singh while speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit. The US and Israel on Saturday launched a joint attack at Iran, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme. Trump said in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social that the US has begun "major combat operations in Iran." He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. "Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," he said. In response to the strikes, Iran has launched a targeted missile strike against Israel and the United States military base in Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar. Iranian officials vowed a "crushing response," warning of strong retaliation against perceived aggression. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures and public anxiety spreading as developments continue to unfold. - ANI Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Vikas Swarup has expressed deep concern over US and Israeli strikes on Iran, stating the conflict is destabilizing for the region. He highlighted the direct threat to India's interests, including potential oil price spikes and risks to millions of Indian workers in the Middle East. Oman's Foreign Minister urged the US to avoid deeper involvement, calling it "not your war," while US officials confirmed President Trump was monitoring the situation. Reports also indicate key Iranian military figures may have been killed in the strikes. Former diplomat Vikas Swarup warns Iran-Israel conflict threatens Indian economy, oil prices & worker safety. US & Oman reactions detailed. New Delhi, February 28 Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Vikas Swarup, on Saturday termed US and Israel strikes on Iran as "a worrisome development" as it hampers India's interest in the Middle-East. Speaking with ANI, Vikas Swarup said that the conflict can be "destabilising for the entire region," adding that it can spike oil prices and also impact the Indian economy. "I think this is a very worrisome development. India has very strong stakes in both the economic and energy stability of the Middle East. Millions of Indian workers work in that region. A large part of our oil supplies comes from that region. So, any war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other can be hugely destabilising for the entire region. Secondly, it has the potential to spike oil prices," he said. "It is going to impact the Indian economy... We have to be mindful of the safety and security of the thousands of Indians who are working in that precise region... India will be looking at this development with a lot of concern, and we hope that, eventually, diplomacy will be given a chance," he added. Meanwhile, Oman Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi has urged the US to "not get sucked" into the conflict, saying "this is not their war" as he expressed disappointment over the collapse of nuclear deal negotiations. "I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war," he said in a post on X. US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the US President has been monitoring the situation post the strike on Iran from his Mar-a-Lago residence. In her statement, Leavitt said, "President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar-a-Lago alongside members of his national security team. The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the Gang of Eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members. The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day." Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot. - ANI Meta (META) stock has lost a little less than 1% in the past month, at the time of writing, Thursday morning, Feb. 26, according to Yahoo Finance. Meanwhile, the SPDR S&P 500 index (SPY) is up close to 0.6% in the same period. While the stocks performance is fairly close to the S&P 500, it could have been better. The stock soared following its Q4 earnings report on Jan. 28. It closed at $668.73, and the following day it closed at $738.31, gaining about 10% in a single day. I covered the earnings in my article Bank of America resets Meta stock price target after earnings. However, following that initial positive reaction to a strong earnings report, the stock has been on a downward trend. Investors are concerned that the planned capex is too high. Meta assisted AMD in developing its Helios rack-scale system, which was unveiled last year. I wrote about Helios in my article Analysts revamp AMD stock price after key conference. The time has come for Meta to reap the benefits of that work. Bank of America says the Meta deal with AMD diversifies the supplier base and lowers costs.Photo by Julio Lopez on Unsplash Photo by Julio Lopez on Unsplash Meta and AMD expand partnership to deploy 6GW of AMD GPUs Meta and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) revealed on Feb. 24 that they are expanding their partnership with a 6-gigawatt agreement to power Metas AI infrastructure across multiple generations of AMD Instinct GPUs, paired with AMD EPYC CPUs. Were excited to form a long-term partnership with AMD to deploy efficient inference compute and deliver personal superintelligence, said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This is an important step for Meta as we diversify our compute. I expect AMD to be an important partner for many years to come. More Tech Stocks: AMD has issued Meta a performance-based warrant for up to 160 million shares of AMD common stock, structured to vest as specific milestones associated with Instinct GPU shipments are achieved. Bank of America analysts Justin Post and Nitin Bansal updated their opinion on Meta stock following the announcement. I covered analyst opinions regarding the deal's impact on AMD stock in my article Bank of America resets AMD stock forecast on deal with Meta. Bank of America says Meta deal with AMD diversifies supplier base, lowers costs Analysts noted that Meta did not change its fiscal year 2026 capex guidance, which is in the range of $115 billion to $135 billion. They estimate that the capex for fiscal year 2026 and 2027 will be $120 billion and $142 billion, respectively. An AI can accurately diagnose a rare endocrinological condition just by analyzing pictures of the back of the hand and the clenched fist. The privacy-conscious achievement by Kobe University holds promise for establishing more efficient referral systems and reducing healthcare disparities across communities. Acromegaly is a rare, intractable disease usually setting in in middle age that causes the hands and feet to grow bigger, changes the facial appearance and also has effects on bone and organ growth throughout the body. The condition, which is caused by overproduction of growth hormone, proceeds slowly over decades, but if left untreated may cause life-threatening complications resulting in one's life expectancy reduced by about 10 years. "Because the condition progresses so slowly, and because it is a rare disease, it is not uncommon to take up to a decade for it to be diagnosed," says Kobe University endocrinologist FUKUOKA Hidenori. He further explains, "With the progress of AI tools, there have been attempts to use photographs for early detection, but they have not been adopted in clinical practice." Upon examining current AI research challenges, the group found that most rely on facial photographs, which can be the cause of privacy concerns. OHMACHI Yuka, a Kobe University graduate student, says, "Trying to address this concern, we decided to focus on the hands, a body part we routinely examine alongside the face in clinical practice for diagnostic purposes, particularly because acromegaly often manifests changes in the hands." They decided to double down on privacy, though, by using images only of the back of the hand and the clenched fist, avoiding the more individual palm line patterns. This enabled them to enlist the support of 725 patients across 15 medical facilities across Japan, who donated over 11,000 images to train and validate their AI model. In the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the Kobe University team now publishes that their model recognizes the condition with very high sensitivity and specificity. In fact, their model outperforms even experienced endocrinologists asked to evaluate the same photographs. Frankly, I was surprised that the diagnostic accuracy reached such a high level using only photographs of the back of the hand and the clenched fist. What struck me as particularly significant was achieving this level of performance without facial features, which makes this approach a great deal more practical for disease screening." Ohmachi Yuka, a Kobe University graduate student The group identifies their next step as extending their model to other conditions identifiable through such photographs, such as rheumatoid arthritis, anemia and finger clubbing. Ohmachi says, "This result could be the entry point for expanding the potential of medical AI." In medical practice, doctors don't use just hand images for diagnosis, but rely on a broad range of factors and data. The Kobe University team therefore sees their newly developed model as a chance to "complement clinical expertise, reduce diagnostic oversight and enable earlier intervention," as they write in their paper. Study lead Fukuoka says: "We believe that, by further developing this technology, it could lead to creating a medical infrastructure during comprehensive health check-ups to connect suspected cases of hand-related disorders to specialists. Furthermore, it could support non-specialist physicians in regional healthcare settings, thus contributing to a reduction of healthcare disparities there." This research was funded by the Hyogo Foundation for Science Technology. It was conducted in collaboration with researchers from Fukuoka University, Hyogo Medical University, Nagoya University, Hiroshima University, Toranomon Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Kagoshima University, Tottori University, Yamagata University, Okayama University, Hyogo Prefectural Kakogawa Medical Center, Hokkaido University, International University of Health and Welfare, Moriyama Memorial Hospital and Konan Women's University. New research by engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder aims to get to the bottom of why, as the saying goes, you get a "skip in your step" when you're happy. The study highlights the central role that dopamine, a brain chemical associated with reward, seems to play in making people move faster when they want something. The findings could one day help scientists understand and even diagnose a range of human medical conditions, including Parkinson's disease and depression. Anecdotally, we just feel that this is true. When you go to the airport to pick up your parents, you may run to greet them. But if you're picking up a colleague, you're probably just going to walk." Alaa Ahmed, senior author, professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU Boulder In the new study, she and Colin Korbisch, a former graduate student at CU Boulder, set out to unravel the pathways in the brain that control those sorts of behaviors. The researchers designed a simple experiment: They asked human subjects to "reach" for a target on a computer screen using a joystick-like device. Those targets dealt out rewards-in this case, a simple flash of light and a beeping sound. The team discovered that how those rewards exceeded, or failed to meet, expectations changed how the subjects moved, in some cases giving them a little more oomph as they reached. Those patterns aligned closely with what scientists know about the behavior of dopaminergic neurons-cells in the brain that release dopamine and shape a huge range of human behavior. The researchers published their findings Feb. 27 in the journal Science Advances. "Movements are a window to the mind," Korbisch said. "Normally, you can't go into the brain and see what the dopaminergic neurons are doing, but movement could reflect those neural computations that are so difficult to disentangle." Juice time Scientists have known for decades that dopamine plays a critical role in helping animals learn. In the 1990s, for example, neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz conducted seminal studies on dopaminergic activity in primates. He and his colleagues trained monkeys to expect a reward-maybe a drop of apple juice-when they heard a bell ring. Those same monkeys began to experience a spike in dopamine every time the heard the bell, even before they got their juice. But when the monkeys heard the bell and didn't receive any juice, the disappointment also registered in the brain: The animals still experienced an initial spike in dopamine, but that activity dipped when they failed to receive their reward. Scientists call this pattern a "reward prediction error." In a sense, the brain is teaching itself which options are worth pursuing, and which can be ignored. In the current study, Ahmed and Korbisch wanted to see whether those same patterns might affect how we move. Reach for it The team had good reason to think they might. Ahmed explained that people with Parkinson's disease lose many of the dopaminergic neurons in their brains. They also have a lot of trouble moving. To explore the link between dopamine and movement, the researchers asked human subjects to use the joystick to make a series of reaches toward one of four targets at each corner of a screen. One target gave a reward every time the subjects hit it, while another target never gave rewards. The other two fell in between. As the team expected, the subjects tended to reach a little faster toward the targets that were more likely to offer a reward. But the group also discovered something intriguing: If the subjects reached for a target that was unlikely to give a reward, and they unexpectedly got one, their reaching motion suddenly sped up-even after they had already gotten the reward. This increase in vigor occurred just 220 milliseconds after the subjects heard the beep. The effect was subtle and not something you could spot with the naked eye. But the findings indicate that a pleasant surprise may give people a little extra pep. The researchers can't show definitively what is behind that burst of energy. But Ahmed and Korbisch suspect that their subjects were receiving a second jolt of dopamine from the unexpected treat. When the subjects were certain they were going to get a reward, in contrast, they didn't seem to get a second surge in dopamine after the beep. "Importantly, this effect wasn't tied to reward reception alone," Korbisch said. "If the outcome was certain and known to the individual, we saw no further increase in vigor." Past experience mattered, too. If patients got a string of rewards in a row, they started moving faster overall. If they got nothing but bad luck, they slowed down. Ahmed noted that many medical conditions affect how people move. People with depression, for example, tend to move more slowly than others. She envisions that, one day, medical professionals could use these sorts of trends to help their patients-following how people move across months or years to track their health. "If you've had a good day, you'll go faster. If you've had a bad day, you'll move slower," Ahmed said. "It's basically that skip in your step." Hantaviruses, transmitted from rodents to people, have a death rate approaching 40%. They're found around the world, and because there are no approved vaccines or treatments, they're among the pathogens of highest concern for future pandemics. They made news in the United States last year when Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico in March. New findings published in the journal Cell about the Andes virus, a hantavirus endemic to the southwestern U.S. and other parts of North and South America, represent a crucial first step towards much-needed vaccines and antibody therapies for this and other hantaviruses. A team led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin has produced a detailed blueprint, the highest resolution yet, for a protein complex the Andes virus uses to infect host cells. Having this structure, essentially a 3D map showing the complex shapes of molecules at the nanoscale, is a precursor for vaccine development and the creation of antibody therapies. The new detailed structural information enabled the researchers to produce a vaccine candidate that, when injected in mice, caused their cells to produce neutralizing antibodies against the Andes virus. "Now that we have a better blueprint of what the virus looks like, we can design effective vaccines and antibody therapies for hantaviruses," said Jason McLellan, professor of molecular biosciences and the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry at UT Austin, who led the research. Luqiang Guo, a postdoctoral fellow at UT Austin, is the first author. This work was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Welch Foundation and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. This surface protein complex for the Andes virus is a mushroom-shaped structure called a Gn-Gc tetramer. To map the 3D structures, the team first produced virus-like particles that mimic a real virus, but without the genome that makes a virus infectious. They then used a cryo-electron microscope-which shines an electron beam through a frozen sample and detects the shadows created by molecules-to reconstruct the three-dimensional structures of the Gn-Gc tetramers on the surface of the virus-like particles. But there was a twist: To obtain extremely high-resolution structures, the researchers painstakingly identified and isolated shadows from only the tetramers that were pointing sidewise relative to the electron beam and ignored those pointing in other directions. This allowed them to borrow a reconstruction method typically used on individual proteins. The resulting structures have an extremely high resolution of 2.3 angstroms, meaning details the size of just a couple of atoms were effectively captured. That's enough to represent a transformational improvement over another team's model of the tetramer from a few years ago, at a resolution of 12 angstroms, still tiny but large enough to produce some key inaccuracies ones effectively corrected with the newer method and resulting structure. People will start to apply this method to many other viruses." Jason McLellan, professor of molecular biosciences, UT Austin These latest structures show the Gn-Gc tetramer in a particular state before it has infected a cell. For vaccines or antibody therapies to be most effective against a hantavirus, mimicking surface proteins at this pre-infection stage is essential. Such surface proteins change once they have fused with the cell through the infection process, so a future goal of the team is to find small tweaks to the recipe for these viral protein complexes that help lock them in place, using what are called stabilizing mutations. The scientists plan to use artificial intelligence tools to assist in the process of identifying suitable mutations. In 2024, the NIH identified several families of viruses-including hantaviruses-that were extremely dangerous and had no effective vaccines or treatments, making them of special concern for their potential to cause a pandemic. To better prepare for future pandemics, the NIH awarded a series of grants through the ReVAMPP program to study these viruses and develop new tools to combat them, including the grant that established the Provident consortium and enabled this latest study. McLellan and other Provident researchers have simultaneously been working to find ways to address other viruses that health officials have identified as especially dangerous in an outbreak, such as measles and Nipah virus. Kartik Chandran, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and principal investigator for Provident, is the co-senior author of this latest study. Collaborators at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center provided cryo-EM facilities for obtaining structures, and researchers with HDT Bio in Seattle contributed to the publication. Other UT Austin researchers involved in the work were Zunlong Ke, an assistant professor of molecular biosciences, and cell and molecular biology graduate student Elizabeth McFadden. Refugee and immigrant children are less likely to visit the emergency department (ED) for minor illnesses (e.g., respiratory infections) compared to children born in Ontario, according to a new study from ICES and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The study followed 458,597 children (113,098 refugee and immigrant children for the first four years after arrival to Canada and 345,499 Ontarian-born within the same period). The researchers found that refugee and immigrant children had more primary care visits for minor illnesses and fewer non-urgent ED visits for similar conditions than their Ontario-born peers. One possible explanation for fewer ED visits for minor illnesses among resettled refugee families in particular, may be related to the healthcare-navigation support that these families receive during early settlement. However, after two years of arrival, primary care visits for minor conditions decreased while non-urgent ED visits increased among all resettled refugee children, which the authors suggest may be related to reduced resettlement financial support and the challenge these families may face accessing primary care during regular work hours. This study contributes to the growing research that disproves the belief that newcomers misuse healthcare services. In addition, some studies from comparable, high-income countries suggest that inclusive health care for migrants not only improves health outcomes but also reduces costs." Dr. Susitha Wanigaratne, Senior Research Associate at the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children and SickKids, a fellow at ICES, and adjunct lecturer at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health Key findings Refugee and immigrant children who had at least one minor illness visit were less likely to visit the ED for non-urgent health problems in the first two years of arrival and more likely to have primary care visits for similar problems than children born in Ontario. While resettled refugees were more likely to be affiliated with a community health centre than other immigrant groups, this did not help explain their more appropriate use of the healthcare system. Ontario-born children who would typically be more familiar with the healthcare system were the most likely to visit the ED for non-urgent health problems and the least likely to have primary care visits for similar problems. "In Canada, governmentassisted and privately sponsored refugees have access to settlement workers and sponsors during their first year in the country," says Dr. Astrid Guttmann, Co-Director of the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, and a senior scientist at ICES and SickKids. "While all refugee children had lower numbers of ED visits for minor problems, the effect was stronger in resettled refugee children, suggesting settlement services have a positive effect on healthcare navigation." One limitation of the study is that it did not account for factors, including parental employment and education level, that may influence a caregiver's decision to use the ED for nonurgent conditions. Airlines to cancel 444 int'l flights due to Middle East airspace curbs Last Updated: March 01, 2026, 02:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Indian airlines are expected to cancel 444 international flights on Sunday due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East, according to the civil aviation ministry. On Saturday, the civil aviation ministry reviewed the preparedness of the aviation stakeholders against the backdrop of flight disruptions in the wake of the attacks on Iran by Israel and the US. Due to airspace restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East, 410 flights of domestic carriers were cancelled on 28 February, and 444 flights are expected to be cancelled on 1 March," the ministry said in a post on X on Sunday early morning. Aviation regulator DGCA is closely coordinating with airlines to ensure full compliance with safety and operational regulations. Also, major airports remain on operational alert to manage potential diversions and ensure seamless passenger facilitation. Passenger assistance, airline coordination, and terminal crowd management are being closely monitored, with senior officials deployed on the ground, the ministry said. It said the Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) continues to closely monitor passenger concerns and facilitate prompt redressal. On 28 February, AirSewa recorded 216 grievances, and 105 grievances were resolved during the same period, ensuring necessary support to affected passengers," it added. PTI RAM RD RD First Published: March 01, 2026, 02:30 IST News agency-feeds Airlines to cancel 444 int'l flights due to Middle East airspace curbs Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Gulf tensions may raise freight costs, disrupt supply chains: FIEO Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi [India], February 28 (ANI): The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) on Saturday warned that the escalating conflict in West Asia could significantly disrupt global logistics channels, increase freight and insurance costs, and put pressure on supply chains and currency stability.SC Ralhan, President of FIEO, said the ongoing conflict has already begun to alter established trade routes.The ongoing conflict has already begun to disrupt established global logistics channels. Air routes are being altered, and maritime trade through the Red Sea and key Gulf straits faces heightened uncertainty. If diversions become prolonged, shipments may increasingly have to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, adding an estimated 15-20 days to transit time for Europe and the United States. This will inevitably raise freight costs and stretch supply chains," said Ralhan in an official statement.FIEO said rising geopolitical risks could increase insurance and energy costs, adding pressure on exporters and the Rupee.In addition, heightened geopolitical risk typically results in higher marine insurance premiums, further adding to transaction costs for exporters. A prolonged disruption could also exert upward pressure on global energy prices, with consequential implications for input costs and currency stability, including pressure on the Rupee," FIEO observed. The FIEO Chief further said sustained instability in key trade corridors would need close monitoring and policy support to maintain exporters competitiveness.While Indian exporters have demonstrated resilience in navigating past disruptions, sustained instability in these critical trade corridors would warrant close monitoring and calibrated policy support to maintain competitiveness," the FIEO chief added.The remarks come amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after joint military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites, triggering retaliatory threats and the closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq. The developments have disrupted key international air corridors used by airlines operating between India and Gulf nations.Airlines across the country have been forced to reroute or cancel flights, with airports setting up help desks to assist stranded passengers. Both Air India and IndiGo said they remain in close coordination with aviation authorities and are monitoring the situation round-the-clock.Services will resume once safe flight corridors become available, the airlines said, urging passengers to stay updated through official channels as the situation evolves.Meanwhile, Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that the US and Israels attack against his country is unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate. Araghchi justified Irans retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an act of self-defence", which he said is absolutely legal and legitimate," Reuters reported.This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate," Araghchi said, according to Reuters.Irans Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israels military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported.Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot.Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, after the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, following Israeli strikes.Araghchi earlier alleged that the Israeli strike on an Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes.In a post on X, he said, The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered."Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in some Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Irans capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. (ANI) First Published: February 28, 2026, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds Gulf tensions may raise freight costs, disrupt supply chains: FIEO Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nine cheetahs from Botswana arrive at MP's Kuno National Park Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 11:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Sheopur (MP), Feb 28 (PTI) Nine more cheetahs from Botswana landed safely at Kuno National Park (KNP) on Saturday, taking Indias total count of the big cats to 48, an official said. The third batch of cheetahs from Africa arrived on IAF aircraft as part of a four-year population revival plan, the official said. Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav will release the big cats into enclosures readied at the park, he said. The new batch from Botswana was flown in to Gwalior on an Indian Air Force aircraft, and from there, IAF choppers transported them to KNP, Sheopur public relations officer Avantika Shrivastava told reporters. This was the third batch of cheetahs arriving from Africa, following earlier introductions from Namibia and South Africa, officials said. The IAF has assisted the cheetah revival programme by bringing them from Africa. It had transported the animals from South Africa in February 2023, and brought big cats that arrived from Namibia in September 2022, Project Cheetah Director Uttam Sharma said. The arrival of more cheetahs will strengthen Indias cheetah revival programme. With the support of the Central government, we aim to increase the population to 50 as soon as possible," he said. Three cheetahs have been relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, while 36 have remained at KNP, he said. Officials said endangered animals are usually not kept in a single habitat due to the risk of disease outbreaks that can wipe out their entire population at one go. The cheetah, the worlds fastest land animal, became extinct in India nearly seven decades ago. Last year, 12 cubs were born in the park, though six including three cubs did not survive. This year, between February 7 and February 18, nine cubs were born in two litters. In total, 39 cubs have been born at KNP since 2023, of which 27 have survived. Namibia-born Jwala and Aasha, South Africa-born Gamini, Veera and Nirva, and India-born Mukhi have all produced litters at the park. PTI COR LAL ARU First Published: February 28, 2026, 11:15 IST News agency-feeds Nine cheetahs from Botswana arrive at MP's Kuno National Park Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Policeman found dead in West Bengal's Nadia Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Krishnanagar (WB), Feb 28 (PTI) A policeman was found dead in West Bengals Nadia district on Saturday, officials said. The body of Sub-Inspector Suman Mondal was found at his rented accommodation in the Bagula area, they said. Mondal was posted at the Bagula police outpost under the Hanskhali police station, they added. He had been staying alone at the house for the last one and a half months. His body was found hanging from the ceiling, officials said. The body was sent for post-mortem examination, an officer said. Though prima facie it appears that Mondal died by suicide, an investigation is underway to explore all angles," he said. Mondals colleagues said his behaviour appeared normal even a day before the incident. PTI COR SUS SOM First Published: February 28, 2026, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds Policeman found dead in West Bengal's Nadia Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... SriLankan Airlines cancels 10 flights amid ongoing Middle East conflict Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 21:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Colombo [Sri Lanka], February 28 (ANI): SriLankan Airlines announced the cancellation of 10 flights to and from the Middle East due to airspace closures in parts of the region amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The airline said the decision was taken in the interest of passenger safety and operational security.In an official statement issued on X today, the airline said, SriLankan Airlines regrets to inform that all flights departing to the Middle East from Colombo have been cancelled until 1200 noon on 01st March 2026 due to the ongoing Middle East conflict."The affected outbound flights include UL265 (Colombo-Riyadh), UL229 (Colombo-Kuwait), UL253 (Colombo-Dammam), UL225 (Colombo-Dubai) and UL217 (Colombo-Doha). The airline also cancelled return services UL230 (Kuwait-Colombo), UL266 (Riyadh-Colombo), UL254 (Dammam-Colombo), UL226 (Dubai-Colombo) and UL218 (Doha-Colombo).We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding during this situation. Further updates will be provided as received," the airline said. Passengers have been advised to contact the airlines customer service centres, reach out via WhatsApp, consult their travel agents or visit the official website for further updates. Important Notice from SriLankan Airlines on Middle East Operations pic.twitter.com/tEFRCZ0zSy SriLankan Airlines (@flysrilankan) February 28, 2026 The cancellations come amid a broader aviation disruption triggered by escalating hostilities in West Asia following joint military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites. The developments have led to the temporary closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq, forcing airlines to suspend, reroute or cancel flights across the Middle East sector.Major carriers in the region and South Asia have already announced similar measures. Air India suspended all flights to Middle Eastern destinations until March 1, citing safety concerns. IndiGo also halted operations to and from the Middle East and select international routes, offering passengers full refunds or free rescheduling options.Airports across India have set up dedicated help desks to assist stranded travellers as uncertainty continues over the reopening of safe flight corridors. (ANI) First Published: February 28, 2026, 21:00 IST News agency-feeds SriLankan Airlines cancels 10 flights amid ongoing Middle East conflict Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... My family and I fly a lot because we like to take our kids on trips as often as possible to make memories together. Unfortunately, flying seems to be getting worse lately, as weve experienced a lot of delays, even when booking with major carriers. A number of bad weather events have also led to flight cancellations, which can be a huge hassle. Were lucky we havent had any major disasters, where we ended up stranded for days due to flight disruptions. Unfortunately, not all passengers can say the same. In mid-February, one bankrupt airline canceled hundreds of flights, leaving many passengers scrambling for options. Multiple news outlets reported on the incident, including Fox News, which shared some stories from struggling travelers. Unfortunately, the troubles faced by the airlines passengers were compounded by the fact that other airlines didnt step in to rescue the stranded flyers. Those who travel on this airline need to understand why they were left with few options, as it could impact their flight booking decisions in the future. An airline insider says Spirit Airlines' most recent flight cancellations were not related to weather issues.TheStreet TheStreet Why did Spirit Airlines cancel so many flights? According to multiple reports, Spirit Airlines which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice canceled more than 250 flights since Feb. 13. Fox News explained that it wasnt a weather event causing the disruption. Instead, operational issues arose because of the airlines financial struggles. "Spirit Airlines has been suffering crew shortages for months now," Gary Leff of View from the Wing told Fox News Digital. "They've been acknowledging a lack of crew in many of their cancellation announcements. Leff also told Fox that the airline had been cutting pay for crew members, and that some employees might have been taking time off while searching for new jobs, given the uncertainty of Spirit Airlines' future. Why arent other airlines rescuing Spirit Airlines passengers? News of multiple canceled flights is never ideal, but an additional factor added to the chaos, making it more difficult for stranded travelers to reach their final destinations. In the United States, most major carriers like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines participate in interline and alliance networks that allow them to easily transfer passengers between airlines when schedules fall apart, Simple Flying explained. Related: Government crackdown makes critical travel document harder to get These types of agreements give passengers more options as they can get booked onto other flights when there are issues. Sadly, the stranded Spirit Airlines flyers were not able to benefit from transfer agreements. Tarot Card Reading Today, February 28, 2026 Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 08:00 IST Daily Tarot Horoscope 28 February 2026: Discover insights for Aries to Pisces. Navigate challenges, work with patience, and make thoughtful decisions today. Tarot Card Predictions Today February 28 2026 Daily Tarot Card Reading for All Zodiac Signs. (AI generated image) Tarot Horoscope, 28 February 2026: Todays Tarot horoscope highlights a day of inner reflection and necessary caution. Aries and Scorpio are advised to control anger and avoid rash actions, while Taurus and Leo are encouraged to embrace change with confidence and openness. Gemini and Cancer may face emotional or financial uncertainty, but are advised to remain patient. Virgo and Libra should avoid impulsive decisions and manage anxiety by maintaining balance. Sagittarius and Capricorn will face challenges related to faith and past decisions, which will require prudence and vigilance. Aquarians are reminded to reconnect with inner wisdom and spirituality, and Pisces should maintain balance by avoiding distractions at work. Overall, patience, self-awareness, and thoughtful work are the keys to successfully carrying the day forward. Aries Card Reading Today (Temperance) Ganesha says that due to your anger and bad behaviour, you have spoiled your relations with everyone. You have been using abusive language while talking to people, and due to your irritable and arrogant nature, you may face resentment in both professional and personal spheres. However, if you work with patience, restraint, and confidence with full dedication and hard work, success will be yours. Listening to someones private conversations and sharing them with others shows a bad habit of yours, and you should control it a little, as it may lose peoples trust. Focus on your work to speed up progress. You may have to make some compromises in both your personal and professional life. Any decision taken in haste can put you in big trouble. If you have had a dispute with someone, try to stay away from it; otherwise, there are chances of getting caught in a big conspiracy or legal dispute. You may have to ignore some things to achieve something big, and you should be prepared for such circumstances. Taurus Card Reading Today (Ace of Swords) Ganesha says your confidence has always given you the strength to face the toughest of situations. With the same energy and determination, you can move forward with the desire to start something new. You have to bring seriousness to your behavior and accept the changes taking place in life. Maintain a forgiving attitude towards people. New opportunities may come quickly, and you have to show understanding and promptness, because even a small mistake can deprive you of them. Some tasks may require some difficult decisions, so keep your emotions under control. The time has come to face the challenges that are coming, and you will be able to turn them to your advantage. Put all your strength into your efforts and do not hesitate to take firm decisions when needed. Some of your decisions may not be liked by others right now, but do not worry too much about what people think. Gemini Card Reading Today (Judgement) Ganesha says in your pursuit of constant success, you have ignored the feelings of some people, which may cause them to get angry with you. You may soon face a heart-related health problem, so try to bring balance to your irregular routine. A close friend who promised to support you in your business backs out at the last moment, which may cause you a lot of financial loss. You may feel unsure about how to deal with this difficulty. Property disputes are also increasing in your family, increasing your worries about your current situation. Many of your tasks are not getting completed on time, and some circumstances seem to be working against you. At this time, you should try and be dedicated to your work. As soon as the circumstances become favorable, everything will start running smoothly. Cancer Card Reading Today (Four of Cups) Ganesha says due to not deciding on marriage at the right time, you are not getting good proposals now, which has become a matter of concern for your family. You are also struggling to find ways to progress in your career, feeling surrounded by frustration and monotony. However, a positive change is coming soon. Try to take advantage of the right opportunities at the right time. You are trying to build a strong reputation in your professional field with hard work and honesty. Despite having all the comforts and resources in life, inner peace still seems elusive. Delay in taking timely decisions at the workplace may cause you to lose valuable opportunities. Reflect on past mistakes and learn from them, as it is wise not to repeat them. Some good opportunities may come your way soon, so try to take full advantage of them. Make timely decisions and choose the right opportunities to move forward. If you are very confused about a decision, seek guidance from an experienced person around you to resolve your dilemma. To move ahead in your career, maintain cordial relations with colleagues. Making a habit of helping others whenever possible will keep people close to you and strengthen your professional and personal relationships. Leo Card Reading Today (Ace of Cups) Ganesha says relationships are gradually improving, and you can surprise everyone by changing your behavior. You may find many good people and opportunities in the coming time. The arrival of a new person can bring significant changes to your professional life. The struggles and challenges you have faced in your workplace while trying to maintain your identity with hard work and dedication will now start to give positive results. A new business may start soon, which will not only give you a different identity but will also improve your financial condition significantly. Although you are a contented person, your family and colleagues will be happy with your progress. Whatever has happened in your past is a lesson that leads you to a better future. If you keep moving forward with patience and self-control, having faith in God, then you will soon realize how beneficial this method is for you. Virgo Card Reading Today (Two of Swords) Ganesha says the turmoil in your thoughts is increasing negativity, and the present time is not in your favor. Taking any major decision right now may not be beneficial for you. Some worry is making your mind restless. Avoid unnecessary expenses, as spending money unnecessarily can lead to a loss instead of a profit. Be careful while making any financial investment, as you may suffer a loss if proper evaluation is not done. You may experience fear or impatience regarding a particular situation. This is the time to act strategically; compromising with the circumstances and moving forward wisely is the best way. If you are hesitant to express your thoughts to someone, then muster the courage to do so. Listen to your inner voice, as the solution to all your problems lies within you. Maintain balance in your actions and proceed with caution. Ignoring problems will make them more serious, making it difficult to solve them later. Libra Card Reading Today (Seven of Wands) Ganesha says the turmoil in your thoughts is increasing negativity, and the present time is not in your favor. Taking any major decision right now may not be beneficial for you. Some worry is troubling your mind. Avoid unnecessary expenses, as spending money unnecessarily can lead to losses instead of profits. Be careful while making any financial investment, as due to a lack of proper evaluation, losses can occur. You may experience fear or impatience regarding a particular situation. This is the time to act strategically compromising with the circumstances and moving forward wisely is the best way. If you are hesitant to express your views to someone, muster the courage to do so. Listen to your conscience, as the solution to all your problems lies within you. Try to maintain balance in your actions and proceed with caution. Ignoring problems will make them more serious, making it difficult to solve them later. Scorpio Card Reading Today (The Devil) Ganesha says success cannot be achieved by being afraid of challenges. In some situations, you may feel lonely, but with patience and restraint, you can overcome difficulties. There may be some obstacles in your business, but understanding the situations and finding solutions will help you move forward. If you deal with them wisely, the challenges will eventually subside. However, even a little carelessness can spoil all your efforts. You may be facing some internal conflict, which is causing fear and uncertainty. Avoid putting the burden of meeting everyones expectations on yourself; just focus on doing your work in the best possible way. Do not take any hasty decisions without thinking. Unnecessary stubbornness, anger, and conflict can open the way to failure. Sagittarius Card Reading Today (Five of Swords) Ganesha says taking the help of the wrong people to solve a family dispute has now become a problem for you. The other party may try to blackmail you for money. To get out of this trouble, you can seek advice from an experienced person. Although the problem has been resolved to a large extent, it is still important to remain cautious. Your desire to win in every aspect of life is quite strong, and you do not accept defeat easily. To get success in your work, try to work wisely rather than cunningly. Take care not to hurt anyones feelings or trust. While finding solutions to immediate problems, also ensure that others are not hurt in the process. Some past experiences have been quite painful, and their memories keep bothering you again and again. Make decisions thoughtfully so that you do not have to regret them later. Avoid situations where you regret your decisions. Capricorn Card Reading Today (Seven of Cups) Ganesha says good opportunities are likely to come your way in your workplace. It is important to make the right decisions based on wisdom and experience at this time. You have been craving something valuable for a long time, but you know very well that it will take hard work to get it. Trusting someone too much at this time can lead to deception. If dishonesty or unethical methods are used to make a plan successful, it can harm your reputation. If a legal matter is still unresolved, you need to be extra cautious, as the opposite party may try to reverse the decision against you. There is also a possibility of financial risk. People who are jealous of you may take advantage of your difficulties. Avoid revealing your weaknesses to anyone, and do not let others interfere in your matters. Aquarius Card Reading Today (The High Priestess) Ganesha says you may feel dissatisfied with the salary hike and promotion in your job, as it will not live up to your expectations. Your high aspirations regarding work may disappoint you. Memories of an old incident are still fresh in your mind, making you feel lonely. A wrong decision taken in your professional field may hinder your progress. Although it may not be possible to reverse that decision, you are still trying to re-evaluate it and find a way to move forward. Sometimes, due to a lack of complete information, the steps you take may prove to be wrong, and you realize it later. In such a situation, it may not be possible to completely reverse the decision, but revising it is an option. To find peace from the thoughts troubling your mind, you can turn to spirituality. Meeting an experienced spiritual guru can bring positive changes to your life. Try to connect with your inner self, and you will realize that the solution to all your problems lies within you. All you need to do is understand and act upon them. Pisces Card Reading Today (The Hanged Man) Ganesha says growing closeness with someone at the workplace may become a matter of concern for others. During this time, focus on your work with a calm and composed mind. Hasty or hasty decisions can sometimes turn a favorable situation into a problem. Excessive anger can hurt your success. You may have forgotten a previous favor done by someone for you, and now they need your help, but you are not paying attention to them. Ignoring things too much can cause harm. You are so engrossed in some matters that you are ignoring other important aspects of life. Maintaining balance in all your responsibilities and work will play an important role in your success. Avoid interfering in the work of others and focus on making new strategies to move your business forward. Some compromises may be necessary in life. Do not ignore important aspects of your work area, because excess in any matter can be harmful to you. (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). First Published: February 28, 2026, 08:00 IST News astrology horoscope Tarot Card Reading Today, February 28, 2026 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, Saturday, February 28? Check Bank Holidays In March 2026 Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 08:13 IST Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, February 28? As it is the fourth Saturday of the month, banks will remain closed across the country. Rapid Read Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, February 28? Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, February 28? If you are planning to visit your bank branch, it is necessary to check the list of RBI-notified holidays. These holidays are not uniform nationwide and vary from state to state. That means on some dates, banks in certain states will remain closed, while in others, they will function normally. Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, February 28? As February 28 is the fourth Saturday of the month, banks will remain closed across the country. Banks remain closed on second and fourth Saturdays of the month, apart from Sundays and other RBI-notified holidays. Bank Holidays In March 2026 Holiday Description Date Holika Dahan 2 Holi (Second Day)/Dol Jatra/Dhulandi/Holika Dahan/Attukal Pongala 3 Holi/Holi 2nd Day Dhuleti/Yaosang 2nd Day 4 Chapchar Kut 13 Shab-I-Qadr 17 Gudhi Padwa/Ugadi Festival/Telugu New Years Day/Sajibu Nongmapanba (Cheiraoba)/1st Navratra 19 Eid-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan)/Jumat-ul-Vida 20 Ramzan-Id (Id-Ul-Fitr) (Shawal-1)/Khutub-E-Ramzan/Sarhul 21 Shree Ram Navami 26 Shree Ram Navami (Chaite Dasain) 27 Mahavir Janmakalyanak/Mahavir Jayanti 31 Full state-wise bank holiday list can be check on this RBIs official link. Banks Timings Most major banks in India, including SBI, Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank, operate between 10 am and 4 pm, while ICICI, HDFC, Axis, Yes Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank usually function from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm or 3:30 pm, depending on the branch. Bank of Baroda has slightly extended hours, operating between 9:45 am and 4:45 pm or 10 am to 5 pm, and Canara Bank typically works from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Five-Day Workweek Demand Though banks remain closed on second and fourth Saturdays of the month, bank unions have been demand five workweek. If approved, it would mean banks will remain all Saturdays and Sundays. Last month, on January 27, 2026, bank unions went on strike. They said a five-day work week would reduce work pressure, improve efficiency, and allow employees more time with their families. Most central government offices and financial institutions in India already follow a five-day schedule, bank staff want the same. To ensure customer services arent affected, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has proposed working 40 extra minutes a day from Monday to Friday. The forum points out that RBI, LIC, GIC, stock markets, forex and money markets already remain closed on Saturdays. First Published: February 28, 2026, 08:13 IST News business banking-finance Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, Saturday, February 28? Check Bank Holidays In March 2026 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Warner Bros Discovery Inks USD110 Billion Deal with Paramount Skydance Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 07:53 IST Warner Bros Discovery signed a SUD 11 billion deal with Paramount Skydance Friday morning, as revealed in a global town hall audio clip. Warner Bros signs USD 110 billion deal with Paramount (Image for representation) Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) signed a SUD 110 billion deal with Paramount Skydance (PSKY.O) Friday morning, the two companies announced, marking one of the most consequential media mergers in recent history. Netflix had the legal right to match the PSKY offer. As you all know, they ultimately decided not to do that. That then resulted in a signed agreement with PSKY as of this morning. So thats where everything stands," Bruce Campbell, Warner Bros chief revenue and strategy officer, said, as quoted by news agency Reuters. The companies revealed that the deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. The deal was inked as Netflix declined to match Paramounts latest USD 31-per-share offer, pulling out of the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discoverys studio and streaming assets. According to the Reuters report, citing sources, Warner Bros received the contracts from Paramount on Saturday and within the following two days, it announced that Paramounts offer was superior. The deal was immediately approved by board of directors of both media giants, said the companies in a joint statement. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances and approval by WBD shareholders, with a vote expected in the early spring of 2026", the statement read. Interestingly, Paramount Skydance is headed by David Ellison, the son of Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison, a close ally of President Donald Trump. By bringing together these world-class studios, our complementary streaming platforms, and the extraordinary talent behind them, we will create even greater value for audiences, partners and shareholders and we couldnt be more excited for whats ahead," David Ellison said in a statement. NOT A MUST HAVE In a stunning move hours later, Netflix announced it would not match Paramount Skydances latest offer to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters asserted that this transaction was always a nice to have at the right price, not a must have at any price." TRUMP YET TO COMMENT At one point, President Donald Trump said he might weigh in on the agreement. However, he told NBC News in early February that he would not be involved" in the proceedings. Then, last week, he issued a warning to Netflix, saying it would pay the consequences" if it did not fire board member Susan Rice, an ex-official of the Biden administration. During a podcast, Rice had said the entities that take a knee" to the President would be held accountable" when Democrats return to the office. Meanwhile, the President is yet to comment on the deal. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: February 28, 2026, 07:48 IST News business markets Warner Bros Discovery Inks USD110 Billion Deal with Paramount Skydance Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Odisha Woman Raped By Boyfriend, Then By Passerby Who Threw Her Off A Four-Storey Building Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 09:46 IST A 23-year-old woman was raped twice in a day in separate places and thrown off a four-storey building in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district. Representational Image A 23-year-old woman was raped twice in a day in separate places first by her boyfriend and then by a stranger offering help and thrown off a four-storey building in Odishas Jagatsinghpur district, resulting in her death, police said on Friday, news agency PTI reported. Both the accused have been arrested and charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping, rape, and murder. According to Jagatsinghpur SP Ankit Kumar Verma, the incident took place on February 22 when the woman left her house to elope with her boyfriend. The accused had asked her to come to a temple, having promised to marry her. However, he took her to a secluded places, raped her, and abandoned her at Rahama bus stand, said SP Verma. As the victim was waiting at the bus stand, a passerby who was en route to nearby Paradip on his motorcycle, stopped and offered help. Instead, he took her to the roof of his rented accommodation in Paradip and raped her. The accused then threw the victim off the building, leading to her death, said the SP, as cited by PTI. Her body was found the next morning. The victims brother lodged a complaint at Paradip Model police station, stating his sister was raped and later murdered. An unnatural death case was registered on February 23, after her body was recovered. NAVEEN PATNAIK CONDEMNS INCIDENT BJD supremo and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Naveen Patnaik, condemned the incident as he questioned the ruling BJP over the law and order situation in the state. How many more innocent lives will be lost? From underage girls to differently abled young women, no one is safe. So, is the rule of law still in place in the state? The news of heinous crimes coming from Kanhari in Angul, Kuchinda in Sambalpur, and Paradip is deeply disturbing. Chaos everywhere, insecurity all around, O Mother!" he said in a post on X. While the government delivers long-winded speeches on womens safety and law and order, the ground reality is extremely alarming. Even in broad daylight, an atmosphere of fear prevails. Despite repeated instances of such deplorable incidents, the governments failure to take any exemplary, stringent action is emboldening the criminals. The government should take proactive steps to spread awareness on womens safety and ensure the rule of law is upheld in the state," he added. Location : Jagatsinghapur, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 09:46 IST News cities bhubaneswar Odisha Woman Raped By Boyfriend, Then By Passerby Who Threw Her Off A Four-Storey Building Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2026-27 For Nursery To Class 1 Begins March 2 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:13 IST Delhi Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2026-27: The admission process is exclusively for Delhi residents, with priority given to children living near the school. Children must be 3 to 4 years old for nursery, 4 to 5 years for KG, and 5 to 6 years for Class 1.(Representative/Getty Images) Delhi Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2026-27: The admission process for Sarvodaya Vidyalayas in Delhi is set to begin for the 2026-27 academic session. The Directorate of Education has issued detailed guidelines for nursery, KG, and first-grade admissions. Parents can apply for their childrens admission starting March 2. This admission is exclusively for Delhi residents, with priority given to children living near the school. Eligiblity Criteria Only children who are permanent residents of Delhi can apply. Priority will be given to children living within a 1-kilometer radius of the respective Sarvodaya Vidyalaya. If there is no school within this radius, children living within a 3-kilometer radius will be considered. Information on the number of available seats will be displayed outside the school gates to inform parents. Age Limit The Directorate has defined age limits for admission children must be 3 to 4 years old for nursery, 4 to 5 years for KG, and 5 to 6 years for Class 1. In special cases, school principals may relax the age limit by up to 30 days. Selection Process Parents can apply between March 2 and March 16. A list of all applications will be posted on the school notice board on March 18, highlighting any deficiencies. The lottery system for selection will take place on March 20 in the presence of the School Management Committee (SMC) and parents. The morning shift lottery will be at 11 AM and the evening shift lottery at 3 PM. The list of selected children will be displayed on March 23. Application Details At the time of admission, parents must provide a residence certificate, birth certificate, and, if required, a caste certificate. Application forms can be obtained from the school. Forms will be available from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at morning shift schools and from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM at evening shift schools. A help desk will be set up at the school to assist parents with filling out the forms, with support from teachers and school management committee members. Admissions for selected students will be completed by April 2. If seats remain vacant, students on the waiting list will be admitted between April 4 and April 7. Thus, the admission process for the new session at Delhis Sarvodaya Vidyalayas will be completed as scheduled. First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:11 IST News education-career Delhi Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2026-27 For Nursery To Class 1 Begins March 2 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 20 Years Of Data, Millions Vaccinated: What Science Says About HPV Vaccine Amid Social Media Myths Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:17 IST Doctors say the answer lies not in viral forwards but in decades of scientific evidence, population studies and real-world data from countries that introduced vaccination years ago Rapid Read As misinformation circulates, some public figures and clinicians have taken to social media to counter it. (AP) As India rolls out its nationwide HPV vaccination campaign from Saturday, social media platforms are buzzing. Some posts amplify fears, questioning safety, fertility, dosage, and long-term effects. Others cite global data, research, and cancer reduction trends to defend the vaccine. So, who is right? What should parents believe? Doctors say the answer lies not in viral forwards but in decades of scientific evidence, large population studies and real-world data from countries that introduced HPV vaccination years ago. Before making any health decision, experts advise families to consult their doctors. But heres what clinicians and published science currently show. What Doctors Say Medical experts told News18 that much of the current anxiety is recycled misinformation" that has circulated globally for years. According to Neelam Mohan, senior director, Medanta Medicity Hospitals, Gurugram, the confusion around dosage is one of the most persistent myths. Misinformation around the HPV vaccine continues to fuel unnecessary fear, particularly on social media platforms where unverified claims spread rapidly. A key myth is that the vaccine requires multiple doses to be effective. While earlier guidelines recommended two doses for adolescents, the World Health Organisation has reviewed robust emerging evidence and endorsed that a single dose administered between 914 years provides comparable and durable protection. This evidence-based shift has simplified implementation, improved coverage, and strengthened the feasibility of large-scale national immunisation drives." Concerns about infection or infertility are also common online. Doctors say these fears are not supported by science. The vaccine does not contain a live virus capable of causing infection. Additionally, extensive global data over more than a decade show no association between HPV vaccination and infertility. Its safety profile remains strong across millions of doses administered worldwide." Similarly, Dr Mukesh Gupta, obstetrician & gynaecologist, Lenest, Malad, Mumbai, says long-term real-world use matters. First, the HPV vaccine has been widely used globally for over 15 years. Millions of adolescents and young adults have received it, and robust global data clearly demonstrate both its safety and effectiveness. The vaccine protects against high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus that can cause multiple cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and certain throat cancers in women, and anal, oropharyngeal, and penile cancers in men." He also addresses the myth that vaccination is only for girls. Data from countries such as Australia, which implemented school-based vaccination programmes for both boys and girls, show long-term advantages including reduced transmission and stronger herd immunity." Another misconception, he says, is relying solely on screening. Another misconception is that screening alone is sufficient. Screening methods such as Pap tests and HPV tests are forms of secondary prevention, they detect disease early. Vaccination, however, is primary prevention; it prevents infection in the first place. When vaccination and screening work together, they significantly reduce disease burden." What The Latest Global Study Found Beyond expert opinion, recent peer-reviewed research adds to the evidence base. A nationwide, register-based study published in BMJ on February 25 this year titled Extended follow-up of invasive cervical cancer risk after quadrivalent HPV vaccination" examined long-term outcomes. The study reported, 930 cases of invasive cervical cancer were identified, including 97 in vaccinated and 833 cases in unvaccinated individuals." The authors concluded, A significantly reduced risk of invasive cervical cancer following quadrivalent HPV vaccination persisted throughout long term follow-up, with no indication of waning protection." In simple terms, the study found strong and sustained reduction in invasive cervical cancer risk, lasting more than a decade, particularly when vaccination occurred in adolescence. What Peer-Reviewed Literature Says A review published on ScienceDirect examining HPV vaccine hesitancy and safety myths addresses several recurring claims. On the concern that the vaccine is too new" to understand long-term safety, the review notes that we have 25 years of experience with the vaccines" and 15 years of real-life experience with several hundred million doses distributed worldwide." It adds: The possible side effects are well documented" and Vaccine safety has been confirmed by WHO, CDC, and many other authorities." On infertility fears, the review said, No connection between HPV vaccination and ovarian failure has been observed, following observation of 1 million females." Addressing claims linking the vaccine to autoimmune or neurological disorders, it notes: The incidence of autoimmune or neurological conditions and death is the same in HPV-vaccinated and unvaccinated populations." The review also clarifies that screening alone is not enough. Screening detects disease early it is secondary prevention. Vaccination prevents infection in the first place it is primary prevention. The Social Media Divide As misinformation circulates, some public figures and clinicians have taken to social media to counter it. On X, Dr Anurag Agrawal noted that about 160 countries take it including most high income ones. Japan had some concerns, stopped, investigated, but found no problem and restarted. Countries where vaccination has been going for long time have already seen reduction in cervical cancer." In another post, he said, High-income countries such as the UK, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands have long-standing HPV vaccination programmes, achieving over 85% reduction in HPV-related cervical cancer." He also wrote, Sad to see misinformation circulating regarding HPV vaccination on social media. Clinical trials show that HPV vaccines provide close to 100% protection against cervical pre-cancers. Its inclusion in national programmes is a consistent recommendation from experts." Serum Institute of India chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla wrote that it was heartening to see the Government of India and @MoHFW_INDIA roll out the HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer in young girls and women," adding that HPV vaccines have a strong safety and efficacy record globally. As India begins its national drive, experts stress that decisions should be guided by peer-reviewed evidence and consultation with healthcare professionals not unverified claims circulating online. First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:17 IST News explainers 20 Years Of Data, Millions Vaccinated: What Science Says About HPV Vaccine Amid Social Media Myths Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... AI For Lethal Weapons To Surveillance: Donald Trump Vs Anthropic Explained Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:30 IST Donald Trump Vs Anthropic: The conflict centres on a fundamental disagreement between the administration's national security demands and the AI startup's safety principles. Rapid Read Donald Trump directed a government-wide halt on Anthropic tools, with a six-month phase-out period for agencies already utilising them. (AFP) US President Donald Trump on Friday escalated a high-stakes feud by ordering all federal agencies to immediately cease using Anthropics AI technology. The conflict centres on a fundamental disagreement between the administrations national security demands and the AI startups safety principles. The core conflict The standoff reached a breaking point when Anthropic refused to grant the Pentagon unrestricted access to its models, including its Claude AI system. Anthropic insisted on two primary red lines": No Fully Autonomous Weapons: Prohibiting the use of its AI to operate lethal weapons without human involvement. No Mass Domestic Surveillance: Preventing the technology from being used for large-scale monitoring of American citizens. The U.S. Department of Defense argued that private companies should not dictate military operations and demanded access for all lawful purposes". How did the administration retaliate? Trump directed a government-wide halt on Anthropic tools, with a six-month phase-out period for agencies already utilising them. Following the order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk to national security. This rare labelhistorically reserved for foreign adversaries like Huaweieffectively bars any company doing business with the Pentagon from also using Anthropics commercial products. Trump criticised the company as unpatriotic" and radical left," warning of major civil and criminal consequences" if they do not comply with the phase-out. What has Anthropic said Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stated the company cannot in good conscience accede" to demands that would allow its technology to be used in ways that undermine democratic values. The company has vowed to challenge the supply chain risk designation in court, calling it legally unsound" and a dangerous precedent for American tech firms. What next? While Anthropic faces a federal shutdown, its rival OpenAI recently inked a deal with the Pentagon to deploy models in classified defense settings. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed support for Anthropics safety concerns but noted that OpenAI had successfully negotiated technical safeguards with the government. Meanwhile, Elon Musks xAI has also reportedly moved to fill the vacuum left by Anthropic. First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:30 IST News explainers AI For Lethal Weapons To Surveillance: Donald Trump Vs Anthropic Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From 'Lion's Roar' To 'Epic Fury': The Battle Of Names In The US-Israel-Iran Conflict Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:13 IST The operational names, blending martial and historic imagery, illustrate how all parties are attempting to shape the narrative of this rapidly escalating war Rapid Read People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran. (AP) From Roar of The Lion to Epic Fury and Fateh Khyberthe strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, and Irans subsequent retaliation, are not only in the news for the military campaigns but for the distinct, strategic messages that the nomenclatures of the operations signify. The attacks came after US President Donald Trump expressed frustration at Irans stance in negotiations over its nuclear and missile programmes. Trump said Washingtons goal was eliminating imminent threats" from Iran, and Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was to remove an existential threat". Operation Roar Of The Lion" The Israeli government has publicly named its offensive Operation Roar Of The Lion". The name was chosen by Netanyahu and used to brand the recent pre-emptive air and missile strikes against Iran that began on February 28. The name replaced an internal codename previously used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). According to The Times of Israel, the lion carries deep symbolic weight in Israeli military culture, often evoking strength, vigilance and historic resilience, and echoes other Israel operation names like Rising Lion" from earlier conflicts with Iran. Netanyahu has publicly framed the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to eliminate what he described as an existential threat to Israel. United States: Operation Epic Fury" The United States has designated its part of the campaign, including air and missile strikes alongside Israel, as Operation Epic Fury". Epic Fury" was formally named by the US military and announced by President Donald Trump, who described the mission as a major combat operation aimed at dismantling Irans military and missile capabilities. Trump has termed the wider offensive a response to what he and US officials describe as imminent threats" posed by Irans nuclear programme and destabilising regional activities. Iran: True Promise 4" Irans first wave of ballistic missiles launched toward Israel in retaliation has been tied to an operation name True Promise 4". The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a statement, said: The confrontation against the aggression of the criminal American army and the child-killing" zionist regime, with divine help, has begun with the implementation of the first phase of Operation True Promise 4," through extensive attacks carried out by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on regional targets of the aggressor enemy." This designation True Promise 4 is part of a sequence of Iraniannamed military operations that Iran has used when launching longrange missile and drone strikes at Israeli targets or threatening to do so in retaliation for Israeli actions. What These Names Signal in Todays Conflict While Lions Roar conveys an assertion of strength and warning, meant to project decisive action by Israel against what it deems existential threats, Epic Fury signals an intense, large-scale American military engagement that goes beyond limited strikes, suggesting prolonged operations as needed. Meanwhile, True Promise 4 frames Irans retaliation as a pattern of escalation and reprisals tied to spikes in the IranIsrael conflict. Taken together, these operational names, blending martial and historic imagery, illustrate how all parties are attempting to shape the narrative of this rapidly escalating war, as combat continues across multiple fronts and more strikes and reprisals are expected in the coming hours and days. Location : Iran First Published: February 28, 2026, 15:15 IST News explainers From 'Lion's Roar' To 'Epic Fury': The Battle Of Names In The US-Israel-Iran Conflict Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Does Iran Have A Nuclear Bomb Or A Missile That Can Reach US Like Trump Claimed? Explained Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 13:57 IST 'Don't want to strike, but sometimes you have to': Trump claims Iran is rebuilding its nuclear, missile programs. What have US agencies said? Is the threat real? News18 explains Rapid Read Donald Trump said he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon and accused Iran of trying to restart its nuclear weapons program despite US strikes last year. (News18 Creative) US President Donald Trump, in his State of the Union speech to Congress, laid out a case for a possible attack on Iran, saying he would not allow what he called the worlds biggest sponsor of terrorism to obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump said he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon and accused Iran of trying to restart its nuclear weapons program despite U.S. strikes last year. Trump, on February 27, framed the nuclear issue alongside Irans ballistic missiles and terrorism support, and said Iran had not yet uttered the words we will never have a nuclear weapon." How close is Iran to making a nuclear bomb or missile to strike US? Irans weapons program, explained Missiles that can reach US: What did Donald Trump say? According to Trump, Iran had developed missiles that can threaten Europe and U.S. bases overseas and is working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America". He said the US air strikes he ordered last June known as Operation Midnight Hammer had obliterated" Irans nuclear weapons program but Tehran was starting it all over" and was at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions". Trump called Tehrans support for militant groups, the killings of anti-government protesters in January and the countrys missile and nuclear programs threats to the region and the United States. Trump said he was not happy" with the progress of ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, and stressed that Iran must clearly renounce nuclear weapons, and indicated negotiators would be given more time to try to secure an agreement. Trump publicly warned, amid stalled negotiations, that sometimes you have to use force," signaling that military options remain under consideration if diplomacy fails and Tehran wont meet U.S. nuclear demands. What other US leaders, officials have said On February 2425, Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided classified briefings to U.S. lawmakers before the State of the Union, emphasizing rising threats from Irans nuclear program and missile developments, noting the U.S. military buildup nearby. On February 26, U.S. envoys and Iranian officials held a fresh round of nuclear talks in Geneva mediated by Oman. While not formal public policy remarks, U.S. officials characterized discussions as important to avoid war and stressed U.S. demands on Irans nuclear capabilities and related issues. Rubio issued a directive on February 23 telling U.S. officials to refrain from public comments that could disrupt delicate negotiations with Iran. In the context of overall pressure on Tehran, the U.S. designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention", tying human rights concerns to broader strategic tensions (including nuclear talks). Do US agencies feel the same? Iran has an estimated 275 kg to 441 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is close to weapons-grade (90%) and could potentially be used for multiple devices if processed further. The US Defense Intelligence Agency has said that Iran has space-launch vehicles from which it could develop a militarily-viable intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035, should it choose to pursue the capability. Iranian state media has claimed that Tehran is developing a missile capable of reaching the United States, Reuters reported. Missile expert Jeffrey Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, in California, said the DIA estimate seemed very conservative" given that Iran had since 2013 been co-developing an engine with North Korea that Pyongyang has used for multiple iterations of its ICBMs, that are capable of reaching the U.S. Did US strikes impact Irans nuclear program? All three of the plants in which Iran is known to have produced enriched uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants and nuclear bombs depending on its purity, were hit in US strikes on Iran last June. While Trump repeatedly said after the strikes that Irans nuclear facilities were obliterated, the director-general of the U.N.s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said last June that Iran could start enriching uranium again on a more limited scale within months. The IAEA says it has inspected all 13 declared nuclear facilities in Iran that were not bombed, but has been unable to inspect any of the three key sites that were hit in June: Natanz, Fordow or Isfahan. How close is Iran to a nuclear bomb? One reason the United States and Israel gave for the June bombings was that Iran was getting too close to being able to produce a nuclear weapon. The IAEA and the U.S. intelligence community have separately assessed that Iran shuttered a nuclear weapons development program in 2003. While Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Iran is probably a week away" from bomb-making material, other officials and inspectors note that 2025 military strikes on sites like Natanz and Fordow significantly hindered their immediate capabilities. Tehran denies ever seeking nuclear weapons but as a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, says it has the right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. Western powers say there is no credible civil justification for Irans enrichment of uranium to the levels it has produced, and the IAEA has said it is of serious concern. No other country has done so without eventually producing nuclear weapons. In its 2025 annual worldwide threat assessment, the US intelligence community said it continued to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and that (Supreme Leader Ali) Khamenei has not reauthorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003, though pressure has probably built on him to do so". Trump later repudiated Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbards assessment, saying that she and the US intelligence community were wrong and that Iran was very close" to having a nuclear weapon. But he provided no evidence supporting his assertion. Trump mentions killing of protesters In his Tuesday address, Trump repeated a charge that Iran has killed at least 32,000 protesters in the past couple of months, figures that could not immediately be verified. The US-based group HRANA, which monitors the human rights situation in Iran, said in a report this week that it has recorded 7,007 verified deaths and has 11,744 under review. Hours after Trump first mentioned a 32,000 death toll last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran has already published a comprehensive list" of all 3,117 killed in the unrest. An Iranian official told Reuters last month authorities had verified at least 5,000 deaths, including about 500 security personnel. With Reuters, Agencies inputs First Published: February 28, 2026, 12:16 IST News explainers Does Iran Have A Nuclear Bomb Or A Missile That Can Reach US Like Trump Claimed? Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two Carriers, Dozens Of Jets: Decoding America's War Machine In The Middle East Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 18:50 IST The array of carriers, stealth fighters, air refuelling, and missile defence systems represents a comprehensive system that is ready to maintain a long strike if needed Rapid Read Although it is unlikely that American troops will be engaged in offensive operations, tens of thousands of troops are stationed at strategic bases. (AFP) The massive military presence of the United States in the Middle East is under scrutiny once again after Israel and America launched a joint offensive against Iran on Saturday, which, according to US President Donald Trump, targeted Irans naval and missile forces. The massive military presence of the United States, which includes its naval, air, and land forces, is aimed at projecting its power. Naval Power: Aircraft Carriers and Warships The US Navy has deployed more than a dozen war vessels in the Middle East. These include: Aircraft Carriers: The USS Abraham Lincoln is currently stationed in the Arabian Sea. The USS Gerald R Ford, the worlds biggest aircraft carrier, is currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. The carrier has recently made a port call at Souda Bay, Crete, before proceeding towards the western side of Haifa, Israel. Destroyers and Littoral Combat Ships: Nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships Aircraft carriers carry thousands of sailors and air groups with dozens of combat aircraft. The US has unmatched power with its aircraft carriers. The simultaneous presence of two aircraft carriers in the Middle East reflects the gravity of the situation. Air Power: Fighter Jets And Refueling Aircraft The United States has also deployed several warplanes in addition to air wings, as gathered from open-source intelligence gathered through flight tracking systems. These include stealth fighters such as F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II; conventional fighters such as F-15, F-16; and air refuelling planes such as KC-135, which ensure long-range air operations. These enable the United States to strike targets deep inside Iran or even in the region, while also enjoying air supremacy. Land-Based Air Defences The US has strengthened its land-based air defence systems in the region, in addition to the destroyer-based missile defence systems. This multi-layered air defence system aims to neutralise incoming missiles and drones. For example, in June 2025, Iranian missiles targeted a US base in Qatar after an attack on Iranian nuclear sites. All of the missiles were successfully intercepted. Ground Forces: Bases And Personnel Although it is unlikely that American troops will be engaged in offensive operations, tens of thousands of troops are stationed at strategic bases. These troops are potential targets of Iranian counterattacks. Some of the major American bases are: Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar: It is an important base for operations in the region. Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE: Fighter aircraft and refueling aircraft are stationed here. Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring, Kuwait: These are logistics and personnel bases. Other strategic American bases are located in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iraq. These bases are crucial for rapid troop deployment and projection of force. In addition, these bases are used for command centres of naval, air, and missile operations. Strategic Significance The US military presence in the Middle East has several purposes: Deterrence: To demonstrate to Iran and other enemies in the region that it is ready to strike back immediately. Rapid Strike Capability: To strike key infrastructure or military installations. Protection of Allies and Trade Routes: To ensure safety in the Gulf or Arabian Sea, which is vital for international trade. The array of carriers, stealth fighters, air refuelling, and missile defence systems represents a comprehensive system that is ready to maintain a long strike if needed. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: February 28, 2026, 18:50 IST News explainers Two Carriers, Dozens Of Jets: Decoding America's War Machine In The Middle East Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. Barclays Cuts FactSet (FDS) Target to $210, Keeps Underweight Rating On February 20, 2026, Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik lowered the price target on FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) from $300 to $210 while keeping an Underweight rating on the shares. The firm cited intensified investor anxieties, driven by the growth of AI, over the already highly competitive market data vendor sector. Prior to this, on February 17, 2026, Wells Fargo analyst Jason Haas, CFA, also reiterated a Sell rating on the stock with a price target of $195. Similarly, on the same day, Bank of America analyst Wahid Amid reinstated coverage on FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) with an Underperform rating. The firm set a price target of $195 on the stock. This update was part of Bank of Americas renewed coverage of 19 Information and Business Services stocks. According to the analyst, the firm takes a constructive perception of the stocks and anticipates average revenue. Separately, on February 5, 2026, the company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.10 per share payable on March 19, 2026, to shareholders on record as of February 27, 2026. Founded in 1978, FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) is a premier provider of integrated financial data and analytical software for investment professionals with headquarters in Connecticut. While we acknowledge the potential of FDS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Ajit Pawar Death: Aircraft Probe Body Flags Low Visibility And Safety Gaps At Baramati Airport Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 18:58 IST Ajit Pawar and four others died in a Learjet 45 crash at Baramati airport due to low visibility below VFR minima. The NCP is expected to stake claims on Ajit Pawar's portfolios after his death. (File image) The initial investigation into the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has revealed that visibility at Baramati airport was low on January 28. The Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures, was flying from Mumbai to Baramati when it crashed while trying to land at the airfield, killing all five people on board, including Ajit Pawar. According to the report, on the day of the accident, the tower was manned by a ground instructor of one of the FTO who was communicating with the aircraft to assist the landing. The crew of VT-SSK asked for visibility while approaching Baramati for which the tower replied as 3000 meters by looking at the visibility markers. While giving the landing clearance, the tower informed winds as calm. Hence, the visibility reported at Baramati at the time of landing of aircraft was well below the minima required for VFR flight which is 5000 meters (5 Km), said the report. Baramati Airport is an uncontrolled airstrip without a full air traffic control tower, which means pilots rely largely on visual cues and local traffic information while landing. According to the investigation report, the aircraft was attempting to land on Runway 11 at Baramati after receiving landing clearance from the tower. However, the aircraft crash-landed to the left side of the runway near the threshold of Runway 11. Meanwhile, the crash on January 28 triggered widespread shock across Maharashtra, with authorities promising a detailed probe into the incident. Following his demise, his wife, Sunetra Pawar, took charge as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra and NCP supremo. First Published: February 28, 2026, 18:40 IST News india Ajit Pawar Death: Aircraft Probe Body Flags Low Visibility And Safety Gaps At Baramati Airport Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Deeply Concerned': MEA Reacts To West Asia Conflict, Urges To Avoid Escalation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 22:03 IST India calls for restraint and dialogue as tensions rise across Iran and the Gulf region. Rapid Read Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. (PTI file photo) The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday urged all sides to prioritise civilian safety and resolve tensions through dialogue and diplomacy amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East. We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected." The government also said that Indian missions in the region are in contact with Indian nationals and have issued advisories asking them to remain alert. Our statement on the evolving situation in West Asia https://t.co/6aGR3mdDrb pic.twitter.com/qdKlTorVU4 Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 28, 2026 Our Missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the Missions, and follow local security guidance." USIsrael Strikes Rock Tehran, Tensions Escalate Across Middle East Explosions were heard across Irans capital Tehran early on Saturday after Israel launched what it described as pre-emptive strikes against Iran, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East. The strikes came after months of growing friction between Iran and the United States. Israel confirmed that it had carried out the attacks, saying the operation was aimed at removing threats against the country. The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel," Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Authorities in Israel also sounded air raid sirens in Tel Aviv amid warnings that Iran could respond with missile attacks. The Israeli government declared a state of emergency as security forces prepared for possible retaliation. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the United States had joined the military campaign. He announced that America has begun major combat operations in Iran" and claimed that the situation could lead to regime change in Tehran. Trump urged the Iranian public to rise against their leadership as the joint US-Israeli operations continued. First Published: February 28, 2026, 19:26 IST News india 'Deeply Concerned': MEA Reacts To West Asia Conflict, Urges To Avoid Escalation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indian Embassy In Israel Activates Round-The-Clock Response As West Asia Spirals | Exclusive Details Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: March 01, 2026, 02:21 IST Mission officials are in 'constant and direct touch' with thousands of Indian nationals stranded due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation, sources said India's Ambassador to Israel JP Singh. File pic/X As West Asia stands on the precipice of a full-scale regional war following the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Indian government has initiated a massive diplomatic and logistical effort to ensure the safety of its citizens. Top sources within the Indian Embassy in Israel have confirmed to CNN-News18 that mission officials are in constant and direct touch" with the thousands of Indian nationals currently stranded due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation. The Indian Embassy has established 247 communication channels to monitor the safety, precise locations, and immediate requirements of the Indian community, which includes a significant number of caregivers, IT professionals, and students. A detailed security advisory has been reissued, urging all citizens to exercise extreme caution", avoid all unnecessary movement, and strictly adhere to the safety protocols mandated by the local Home Front Command. This outreach is being facilitated through a multi-pronged mechanism involving official digital channels, social media, and direct community leader engagement. With Israels airspace currently a theatre for interceptions and commercial flight operations severely disrupted, New Delhi is actively preparing for a large-scale evacuation. Embassy sources indicated that formal planning is already underway to facilitate the exit of Indian nationals through land borders. The Ministry of External Affairs is currently assessing two primary corridors: Egypt (via the Taba crossing) and Jordan (via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge). The final route will be determined by real-time threat assessments and the security matrix" on the ground. Crucially, movement will only be facilitated the moment a safe and viable window" is secured through coordination with local authorities and regional partners. The Embassy has issued a stern warning to citizens against attempting to reach border points independently. Sources emphasised that the current situation is not conducive for road travel" due to active hostilities, restricted mobility corridors, and the highly unpredictable nature of the security landscape. The safety of our nationals remains the highest priority," a source stated, adding that further updates would be communicated as the situation evolves. For now, the message from the Indian government is clear: stay indoors, remain vigilant, and wait for the official signal for coordinated movement. First Published: March 01, 2026, 02:06 IST News india Indian Embassy In Israel Activates Round-The-Clock Response As West Asia Spirals | Exclusive Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Muslims Are Most Unsafe In Muslim Countries: Taslima Nasreen At Rising Bharat Summit 2026 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 19:25 IST Speaking at Network18s Rising Bharat Summit 2026, exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen pushed back against claims that Muslims are unsafe in India Rapid Read Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen at Network18's Rising Bharat Summit 2026 on February 28, 2026. At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed debates over secularism, exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen delivered a forceful and controversial defence of regime change in certain Islamic nations, while also pushing back against claims that Muslims are unsafe in India. Speaking at Network18s Rising Bharat Summit 2026 on Saturday, Nasreen was asked whether powerful nations have the right to engineer regime change in countries they do not like", citing examples from Iran to Bangladesh. The controversial author, who has been living in New Delhi in exile, argued that each countrys situation is different but maintained that Irans clerical establishment must be changed", calling for a secular government that separates religion from the state. Her statement came hours after US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering global concerns of escalation into a broader conflict in the Middle East. Referring to Iranian protests against compulsory hijab and the deaths of women who resisted it, Nasreen said a system based on equality and justice was essential for womens freedom. I think that in Iran, the mullah regime should be changed so many women were murdered because they did not want to wear the compulsory hijab. So this mullah regime must be changed and a secularist government should be there in Iran," she said. In Iran, you will find that many Muslim women do not want to wear hijab, but some Muslim women want to wear hijab," she added. Turning to homeland Bangladesh, Nasreen criticised what she described as the growing influence of Islamist forces and defended the need for secular political alternatives. She reiterated her long-held position that religion-based politics undermines democracy and minority rights. Nowhere is radical Islam okay," Nasreen said as the conversation broadened to the status of radical Islamist movements globally. She condemned the Talibans rule in Afghanistan for banning girls education and restricting women from work, arguing that any state governed by religious law inevitably erodes human rights. On India, Nasreen pushed back against narratives that Muslims face systemic insecurity. An atheist from a Muslim background who has lived in India for decades, she said she has not personally encountered Muslims expressing a desire to leave the country out of fear. Muslims in India, they never think of leaving India for any Muslim country. So it means that they are living in safety in India. Muslims are safe in Europe, America, India, and any non-Muslim countries. Muslims are most unsafe in Muslim countries," she said. In contrast, she claimed that religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, often live in anxiety and migrate when possible. She argued that Muslims tend to seek refuge in secular democracies Europe, America and India rather than in Muslim-majority states, because the latter lack freedom of expression and gender equality. First Published: February 28, 2026, 19:24 IST News india Muslims Are Most Unsafe In Muslim Countries: Taslima Nasreen At Rising Bharat Summit 2026 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Need Nerves Of Steel To Let Military Lead': Historian Praises Political Leadership For Op Sindoor Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 17:07 IST Adrien Fontanellaz touched upon Pakistan winning the info war but said it would benefit India in the long run as the adversary would become complacent due to their own propaganda Rapid Read Swiss-based military historian Adrien Fontanellaz. At the Rising Bharat Summit, Swiss-based military historian and author Adrien Fontanellaz highlighted the critical role of political courage and institutional trust in high-stakes military operations, citing Indias Operation Sindoor as a case in point. On the political level, you really need nerves of steel to let your military be in charge of the escalation ladder and to do what they need to do because the stakes are so high," Fontanellaz said. You need trust in your own institutionsthis was quite striking and rare." Operation Sindoor, carried out after the Pahalgam terror attack, involved carefully calibrated strikes and military maneuvers aimed at countering insurgent networks while minimising escalation. Asked about India dominating the battlefield but losing the information war, the historian reflected on the complexities of modern conflict, where strategic outcomes are no longer measured solely by battlefield success. He noted that despite India having dominated the operational aspects of the conflict with Pakistan, the country lost the information war. I am in two minds," he explained. Of course, it is bad to lose the info war. Nowadays, communication is a line of operation itself, so it is true that the Pakistanis were better at that game." Yet, Fontanellaz added a nuanced perspective on the strategic importance of such wars of perception". But at the same time, is winning this info war so important at the strategic level? Because Pakistan won the info war, they did not lose face. And when you have an adversary who has not lost face, they will not reform, and in future, they will be less of a threat." Fontanellaz emphasised that high-stakes operations like Op Sindoor require more than just tactical skill: they demand political trust in military institutions, courage to delegate authority, and careful management of escalation risks. ABOUT RISING BHARAT Rising Bharat 2026 is a global forum that reflects the confidence and capability driving Indias rise. Built around the theme Strength Within, the summit brings together leaders, policymakers, and industry voices to shape a future powered by Indias own resolve and ambition. This is where national purpose meets global ambition, transforming resilience into a roadmap for excellence on the world stage. Be part of the movement shaping a stronger, self-reliant Bharat. First Published: February 28, 2026, 17:07 IST News india 'Need Nerves Of Steel To Let Military Lead': Historian Praises Political Leadership For Op Sindoor Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nine Cheetahs From Botswana Arrive At MP's Kuno National Park, India's Tally Rises To 48 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 15:06 IST Nine cheetahs from Botswana arrived at Kuno National Park, raising Indias cheetah population to 48. Rapid Read File photo of two cheetahs at Kuno National Park. Nine more cheetahs from southern Africas Botswana arrived safely at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, raising Indias total population of the big cats to 48. The third batch of African cheetahs was flown to India on an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft as part of the countrys four-year cheetah revival plan. Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav is scheduled to release the animals into specially prepared enclosures at the park, news agency PTI reported, citing an official. The cheetahs landed in Gwalior before being transported to KNP by IAF helicopters, according to Sheopur public relations officer Avantika Shrivastava. This batch follows earlier arrivals from Namibia and South Africa. The IAF has been a key partner in the programme, having previously flown cheetahs from Namibia in September 2022 and from South Africa in February 2023, Project Cheetah Director Uttam Sharma noted. Sharma said the addition of more cheetahs will strengthen Indias conservation efforts to increase the big cats population to 50. Currently, 36 cheetahs remain at KNP, while three have been relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, a common precaution for endangered species. Cheetahs, the worlds fastest land animals, were declared extinct in India nearly seven decades ago. Since 2023, 39 cubs have been born at KNP, of which 27 have survived. Last year, 12 cubs were born, but six did not survive. Between February 7 and 18 this year, nine cubs were born across two litters. Namibia-born Jwala and Aasha, South Africa-born Gamini, Veera and Nirva, and India-born Mukhi have all produced litters at the park. Location : Madhya Pradesh, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 15:06 IST News india Nine Cheetahs From Botswana Arrive At MP's Kuno National Park, India's Tally Rises To 48 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indias Op Sindoor Caught Pak Off Guard: Tom Cooper On Islamabads Delayed Reaction To Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 19:14 IST Tom Cooper at Rising Bharat: "Their press conference didn't match social media reportsPak is boasting of something that didnt happen. It didn't react at least for 1 hour." PM Narendra Modi inspects a Guard of Honour during the 79th Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort, in New Delhi, on August 15, 2025. (PTI) Tom Cooper, Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian, rubbished Pakistans tall claims on Operation Sindoor as boasting of something that didnt happen". Speaking at the Rising Bharat summit on Saturday, Cooper said, When comparing official Pakistani statements with what one can track on social media in Urdu, the two stories are not fitting." During his press conference, which was accepted in the West, Pakistani Air Vice-Marshall was explaining how they tracked Indian aircraft approaching the border and scrambled defenceIt turns out Indian airstrike came in, hit selected targets in Pakistan and there was no reaction for at least 15 minutesNo scrambling of jets was heard. Only reaction was from Noor Khan airbase. Whatever happened happened after one hour. During this time, Indian aircraft and Army completed the mission and returned safely with no damage," he said. On the other hand, Pakistanis were taken by surprise. The press conference was not fitting with what was made out based on the reports on social mediaObviously, the Pakistanis were late in time and it took them time to comprehend what had happened and then they moved to react. Indias strikes were completed without any hurdlesPakistan is boasting of something that didnt happen," said Cooper. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor was the Indian military campaign launched in May 2025 against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was a response to a barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, where 26 civilians were killed. The active kinetic phase lasted four days, from May 7 to May 10, 2025. India carried out precision strikes on nine major terror launchpads and headquarters, including sites in Muridke and Bahawalpur linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The operation featured the first major combat use of indigenous high-tech systems, including Akash missiles and loitering munitions. A ceasefire was reached on May 10, 2025, following intense cross-border drone and missile exchanges. What Pakistan had said In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and military leadership conducted press briefings that stood in sharp contrast to the accounts provided by India. Pakistans military spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, initially confirmed that Indian missile strikes hit locations in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur, but the PAF officially denied the loss of any advanced fighter jets or surveillance aircraft. During a televised briefing, Pakistani officials claimed to have shot down multiple Indian jetsa claim later dismissed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as fake storytelling" and Manohar Kahaniyan" (fanciful tales). Pakistan released footage of wreckage to support their narrative of Indian losses. However, Indian officials clarified that some of this footage was presented and generated by Pakistani sources themselves to mislead the public. Indias counter In response to Pakistans claims, Indian Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh held a detailed press conference in October 2025 to set the record straight," revealing Pakistans losses. Along with Five fighter jets and one advanced AEW&C surveillance plane, there was destruction of radars at four locations, two command and control centres, and multiple aircraft hangars at bases like Jacobabad and Bholari. First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:25 IST News india Indias Op Sindoor Caught Pak Off Guard: Tom Cooper On Islamabads Delayed Reaction To Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan Has Nothing To Show Except Rafale Claims: Tom Cooper On Rising Bharat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 19:16 IST Tom Cooper at Rising Bharat: Pakistan has nothing to show except Rafale claims" Rapid Read Indian Air Force's (IAF) Rafale aircrafts perform a flypast during the 77th Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi. (PTI) Tom Cooper, Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian, highlighted Pakistans misinformation and disinformation campaign during Operation Sindoor as he spoke at the Rising Bharat summit on Saturday. Pakistan has nothing to show except for Rafale claims," he said. Even if they have theoretically, they have lost the war, and just won one airbattle, whether they have won or notIndia struck terror targets. Therefore, Pakistan claimed winning one battleThe same people, idea was behind the 9/11 attacksPakistan is well-connected in the West. India now needs to win the public narrative," said Cooper. ALSO READ | Op Sindoor Took Pakistan By Surprise, They Didnt Respond To Indias Strikes For 1 Hour: Tom Cooper Cooper also said, When comparing official Pakistani statements with what one can track on social media in Urdu, the two stories are not fittingDuring his press conference, which was accepted in the West, Pakistani Air Vice-Marshall was explaining how they tracked Indian aircraft approaching the border and scrambled defenceIt turns out Indian airstrike came in, hit selected targets in Pakistan and there was no reaction for at least 15 minutesNo scrambling of jets was heard. Only reaction was from Noor Khan airbase. Whatever happened happened after one hour. During this time, Indian aircraft and Army completed the mission and returned safely with no damage." Militaries operate their own network, which is used to fuse information. What is the current status? What are the stocks, weaponry, fuel? All of this is fed into the same command centre in a centralised fashion. We have seen this at work in India during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. When all the information was fused into one system the army, airforce in order to superbly coordinate on operation," said Cooper. What were the Rafale claims? The Pakistan Air Force had falsely claimed that a aircraft was shot down during the four-day military stand-off following Operation Sindoor. Pakistan-based propaganda accounts had also alleged that Pakistan destroyed Indian Rafale fighter jets and S-400 air defence systems during Operation Sindoor. India, however, clarified that none of its Rafale jets suffered any harm or damage during the operation. How India gave proof that Pakistans claims were false The Indian Air Force (IAF) led the grand finale of the 77th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path with a spectacular aerial fly-past, displaying Indias aerial might. Notably, the Rafale fighter jet with tail number BS-022 was also seen in the Republic Day video released by the IAF. This Rafale jet was the same that Pakistan claimed to have downed. As part of the fly-past, multiple aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, Apache helicopters and the Indian Navys P-8i aircraft flew in coordinated formations over Kartavya Path. The fly-past featured 29 aircraft, including 16 fighter jets, four transport aircraft and nine helicopters. Operation Sindoor India launched precision strikes" under Operation Sindoor on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. In its initial phase, the Indian Air Force focused on dismantling terror camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes killed over 100 terrorists, including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides. In a decisive second phase, carried out on the night of May 910, Indian forces retaliated with strikes on a string of major Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Murid, and Rafiqui, inflicting damage that Islamabad is still struggling to account for publicly. The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery. First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:50 IST News india Pakistan Has Nothing To Show Except Rafale Claims: Tom Cooper On Rising Bharat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Launches Nationwide Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Drive In Ajmer To Prevent Cervical Cancer Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 12:39 IST PM Modi launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in Ajmer to prevent cervical cancer among 14-year-old girls, with free vaccines to be provided at health facilities. A file photo of PM Narendra Modi (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer among girls aged 14 years, describing the initiative as a major step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of the countrys daughters. The Prime Minister inaugurated the programme during his visit to Rajasthans Ajmer, reiterating the governments commitment to strengthening womens healthcare through preventive measures. #WATCH | Ajmer, Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme for girls aged 14 yearsThe programme will target approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years every year across all States and Union Territories. The pic.twitter.com/bepCZ6Cj5h ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2026 Ahead of the launch, PM Modi said the government was focused on ensuring better health outcomes for girls across the country. In a post on X cited, the Prime Minister mentioned, We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the daughters of the country are healthy and prosperous." He added that the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign was being launched to prevent cervical cancer. NATIONWIDE PREVENTIVE HEALTH INITIATIVE As per an official release, the campaign marks a decisive move in Indias public health journey and aligns with the governments vision of Swastha Nari", which emphasises prevention, protection and equity in womens healthcare. The programme will target approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years every year across all States and Union Territories. The vaccine will be provided free of cost at designated government health facilities, the official statement mentioned. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) said the initiative represents a significant milestone in advancing preventive healthcare and strengthening womens well-being nationwide. The campaign specifically aims to prevent cervical cancer, which remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity among women. IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK According to details shared in the release, vaccination sessions will be conducted at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, as well as Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals. Each vaccination session will be supervised by trained medical officers supported by healthcare teams. Functional Cold Chain Points have been established at all sites to ensure safe vaccine storage and delivery. The facilities will also be linked to 247 government health centres to provide immediate medical support and manage any rare Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI), the release stated. The vaccination programme will remain voluntary, and informed consent from parents or guardians will be obtained before administration. According to the release, the Prime Ministers visit to Ajmer also included the launch, inauguration and foundation laying of multiple development projects worth over Rs 16,680 crore across sectors such as urban development, drinking water supply, roads, irrigation, energy and industrial infrastructure. It further said that the HPV vaccination drive forms a key component of the governments broader push towards preventive healthcare, aiming to ensure long-term health security for girls and women across the country. The Prime Minister will also address a public gathering during the visit and distribute appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government departments and organisations in Rajasthan. First Published: February 28, 2026, 12:37 IST News india PM Modi Launches Nationwide Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Drive In Ajmer To Prevent Cervical Cancer Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Rising Bharat 2026 | Redefining Justice: Shedding Colonial Baggage For A New India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 20:12 IST The conversation at the summit navigated the delicate equilibrium between individual liberty and national security The summit brought together leaders, policymakers, and industry voices to shape a future powered by Indias own resolve and ambition. Image/News18 The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026 reached a significant legal milestone during the session titled Law, Liberty, and the New Bharat", where a panel of distinguished legal minds examined Indias transition from a colonial-era framework to an indigenous system. Satyapal Jain, Ashish Dixit, Sumit Chander, and Vikas Gupta brought pragmatic perspectives to the discourse on how the nation is dismantling legislative structures designed by the British to rule and punish". Satyapal Jain, the Additional Solicitor General of India, anchored the discussion by highlighting the transformative potential of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, arguing that after 75 years, India has finally prioritised justice" over technical punishment", reflecting a newfound Strength Within". The conversation navigated the delicate equilibrium between individual liberty and national security, a theme articulated by layer Ashish Dixit, who suggested that liberty in the New Bharat is a structured freedom existing in harmony with collective security. Advocate Vikas Gupta expanded on this by addressing the trial by fire" that many litigants face. He remarked that while the new laws are a step toward decolonisation, the true litmus test of liberty" lies in the protection of the innocent during the pre-trial phase. Gupta emphasised that the new legal framework must ensure that the process does not become the punishment", advocating for stricter timelines and the elimination of unnecessary procedural delays that have historically shackled the Indian citizen. The practical application of these reforms for the common man" was a focal point for lawyer Sumit Chander, who highlighted the persistent bottlenecks within the lower judiciary. Building on this, Vikas Gupta noted that the New Bharat" must also be a Fair Bharat". He argued that as India moves towards an Aatmanirbhar" legal system, there must be an equal emphasis on legal aid and the empowerment of the marginalised to navigate these new statutes. He suggested that the transition from the IPC to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is not merely a change of nomenclature but a mandate to make the courtroom a less intimidating space for the ordinary person. The session concluded with a shared optimism regarding the role of technology and the Paperless Courts" initiative. The panel reached a consensus that the integration of artificial intelligence and digital filingbolstered by the procedural reforms suggested by Guptahas introduced an unprecedented level of transparency. By embracing these modern tools and indigenous laws, India is effectively shedding its colonial baggage, ensuring that the legal system finally resonates with the cultural, social, and technological realities of the 21st century. First Published: February 28, 2026, 20:12 IST News india Rising Bharat 2026 | Redefining Justice: Shedding Colonial Baggage For A New India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... The rig count in the Permian Basin was up one this week, the latest count Friday by Baker Hughes shows, with 240 rigs active in the region. A year ago, 305 rigs were active in the region. Nationally, the oil and gas rig count is down one from last week at 550 rigs. A year ago, 593 rigs were active. The count shows that 407 rigs sought oil, down two from the previous week, and 134 explored for natural gas, up one from the previous week. The count also shows nine miscellaneous rigs, unchanged from the previous week. The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in August of 2020 at 244. The regional benchmark Plains-West Texas Intermediate Posting ended Friday at $63.50 per barrel, up 63 cents from last Fridays close. National benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude ended at $67.02 per barrel, up 63 cents from the previous week. The post Basin rig count up one as prices rise appeared first on Odessa American. Schemes To Representation, Panellists Decode Where Muslims Stand Amid Rising Bharat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 18:34 IST The panelists were Shehzad Poonawalla, national spokesperson, BJP; Mumtaz Patel, Congress leader; Sumaiya Rana, SP spokesperson; and Tanvir Zahack from Milli Chronicles Rapid Read The panellists at the discussion. From minority representation to government schemes, a wide range of issues were discussed at the Rising Bharat summit on Saturday. Among the panelists at The Minority Report: Margins To Centre discussion were Shehzad Poonawalla, national spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); Mumtaz Patel, Congress leader; Sumaiya Rana, Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson and Tanvir Zahack from Milli Chronicles. Elaborating on the status of minorities under the BJP rule, Poonawalla said, There were riots in various parts of the country during the Congress ruleSchool dropout rates reduced, toilets were made, water supply was ensuredall of this was done by the BJP government. When we named a road after APJ Abdul Kalam, the Aurangzeb club objectedWe removed the triple talaqWe are the strongest government on national security, we gave Muslim representation thereCompared to Muslims in Bengal, where BJP never came to power, are Muslims in Gujarat, where we are in power for 30 years, prosperous or not?Our party never makes MPs or ministers based on religion, but on meritOf the 28 global laurels for PM Narendra Modi, 8 are from Muslim countries" Unhappy over the state of Muslims, Mumtaz Patel, Congress leader, said, The way Congress used to support Muslims earlier, it is not able to do it Like Dilip Kumar, even my grandfather went by the name Kantibhai PatelHow many BJP Lok Sabha MPs are from the minority community?While taking off the shirts could have been prevented, the Congress has every right to protest." Sumaiya Rana said, We are being questioned for hijab. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pulled off a womans hijabThe Congress shirtless protest at AI Impact Summit felt badWhen action is taken against me, why not against Anurag Thakur or Kapil Mishra?" Tanvir Zahack offered a different perspective. Muslims are second largest majority in India, not a minorityWhen it comes to religious freedom, Muslims of Kashmir are feeling positive after the abrogation of Article 370. The narrative is because some cant digest Rising BharatThere is no Islamophobia. There might be Muslim phobia because of their attitude," he said. First Published: February 28, 2026, 18:33 IST News india Schemes To Representation, Panellists Decode Where Muslims Stand Amid Rising Bharat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Some Level Of Malfunctioning: Defence Secretary On Minor Accident Involving Tejas On Feb 7 Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 23:12 IST Rajesh Kumar Singh, who was speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, acknowledged that 'there is some damage to the aircraft' Precautionary checks are being done with respect to this particular element, Singh said at the summit. Image/News18 Nearly three weeks after an incident involving an LCA Tejas of the Indian Air Force at a frontline airbase, more official details have emerged. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has termed it a minor accident on the ground, while indicating that the event involved some level of malfunctioning". Speaking at the Rising Bharat event of Network18 on Saturday, the Defence Secretary said, It was relatively a minor accident. It did not involve an ejection. The pilot was safe." He also acknowledged that there is some damage to the aircraft". It involved some level of malfunctioning, that is why the entire aircraft fleet is still operational, but meanwhile, the precautionary checks are being done with respect to this particular element. So I would say that its not that serious an accident, but nonetheless, as a precaution, we are ensuring that the safety checks are done, which is why everybodys been saying that they didnt partake in Vayu Shakti, which, well, that was the reason," he added. Singh also lauded the safety record of the aircraft in comparison with its contemporaries. However, there was no further clarity on whether the airframe involved in the accident will be restored to full operational status. The incident occurred at Naliya Airbase of the Indian Air Force on February 7. Sources confirmed that it took place when the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. The Indian Air Force did not issue a detailed public statement on the episode. However, the aircrafts absence from the Vayu Shakti demonstration indicated that it had been held back following the incident, prompting comprehensive checks. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had earlier issued a statement acknowledging media reports and clarified that it was not a crash but a minor technical incident on ground". The company said the issue was being analysed in depth and that it was working closely with the Indian Air Force for an early resolution. The HAL Tejas programme has seen a handful of incidents over the years, though far fewer than the legacy fleets it is replacing. In 2024, a Tejas Mk1 crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational sortie, marking the first crash after induction; the pilot ejected safely. In November 2025, a Tejas participating in the Dubai Airshow crashed during a flying display, triggering a formal inquiry and global scrutiny. Unlike those crashes, the February 7 episode has been officially described as an incident and not a crash. However, it has led to precautionary checks across the Tejas fleet. First Published: February 28, 2026, 23:12 IST News india Some Level Of Malfunctioning: Defence Secretary On Minor Accident Involving Tejas On Feb 7 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... West Bengal SIR Final Electoral Roll To Be Published Today, Over 7 Crore Voters On Revised List Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 08:07 IST West Bengals final electoral roll after the SIR will be published on Saturday, listing 7.08 crore voters and categorising entries as approved, deleted or under adjudication. People wait in queues during hearings under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, at Krishnanagar, in Nadia, West Bengal (Photo: PTI) The final electoral roll following West Bengals Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is set to be released on Saturday, concluding a months-long verification exercise that has emerged as a major political and administrative issue ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission sources, the revised voter list will be published online and will reflect significant changes made during the statewide revision process. The publication marks the culmination of an exercise that updated the electoral database covering more than seven crore voters and triggered intense political debate across the state. HOW VOTERS CAN CHECK THEIR NAME Once published, voters will be able to verify their inclusion in the revised electoral roll through multiple official platforms. The list will be available on the Election Commission of Indias website (eci.gov.in), the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal website (ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in), and the ECI Net mobile application. Voters can check their status by entering their name and EPIC number (Voter ID number). If a voters details have been verified successfully, the name will appear normally in the roll. Cases still under scrutiny will be marked as Under Adjudication." Names removed during verification will be labelled Deleted." Hard copies of the rolls will also be available from Booth Level Officers (BLOs), enabling voters to verify their details in person. FINAL ELECTORAL ROLL FORMAT AND NUMBERS Election Commission sources said the revised roll reflects a reduction in total voters following scrutiny carried out during the SIR process. The initial voter count stood at 7.66 crore, but after the deletion of 58 lakh names, the electorate has been revised to 7.08 crore voters, whose names will appear in the final list scheduled for publication on February 28. The roll will categorise entries into three groups: Approved voters whose verification is complete Deleted names removed after scrutiny Approximately 60 lakh voters whose cases remain under judicial review will be marked Under Adjudication" Newly enrolled voters will be placed in a separate supplementary list to be published alongside the main roll. The February 28 publication represents a key stage in a statewide revision exercise, the first such intensive update conducted in West Bengal since 2002, aimed at cleaning and updating electoral records ahead of a major election. FIGURES UNDER REVIEW DURING THE EXERCISE Large numbers of voters were flagged during the scrutiny stages of the revision. Election Commission sources indicated: 1.20 crore voters were identified under logical discrepancies" 32 lakh voters were classified as unmapped" 4.98 lakh voters failed to appear for hearings 1.63 lakh voters were identified as fake" These figures come in addition to the 58 lakh deletions already reflected in the revised electorate. The hearings were conducted for nearly 1.67 crore electors, highlighting the scale of the administrative process that involved extensive field verification and adjudication proceedings. POLITICAL REACTIONS INTENSIFY The SIR exercise has become a central political flashpoint in West Bengal, with major parties offering sharply contrasting interpretations of the revision. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed concern over the scale of deletions, stating that she believes more than one crore voter names may have been removed. The Trinamool Congress has repeatedly slammed the process, alleging risks of exclusion and describing the exercise as comparable to an NRC-style verification. Banerjee earlier argued that lakhs of genuine voters are at risk of exclusion". The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, has supported the revision. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party would examine the final list but described the exercise as an effort to remove alleged infiltrators and ensure electoral integrity. The BJP leaders have maintained that a clean voter list is essential to a transparent democratic mandate. Opposition parties, including the CPI(M) and Congress, have also raised concerns about the timing and implementation of the process, warning that confusion among voters could undermine trust. A HIGH-STAKES MOMENT BEFORE ASSEMBLY POLLS What began as a routine administrative revision has evolved into a defining political battle ahead of the Assembly elections, with debates over identity, migration and voter eligibility shaping public discourse. The Election Commission has reiterated that the SIR is a statutory exercise intended to ensure accuracy and that affected voters have avenues for appeal and inclusion through supplementary rolls. With the final electoral roll set to be published, political parties are expected to closely scrutinise the updated list. First Published: February 28, 2026, 08:05 IST News india West Bengal SIR Final Electoral Roll To Be Published Today, Over 7 Crore Voters On Revised List Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... What Happened To Jim Carrey's Face? Actor's Appearance At Cesar Awards Trigger Online Theories About Botox And Surgery Written By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 13:14 IST Plastic surgery whispers grow louder after Carrey's rare outing at Cesar Awards What Happened To Jim Carrey's Face? Actor's Appearance At Cesar Awards Trigger Online Theories About Botox And Surgery. Credit: X Fans flooded social media after Carreys February 26, 2026, Cesar Awards appearance, fixating on his fuller face, smooth skin, and long dark hair. Carrey wore a sleek all-black tuxedo with a bowtie and sported shoulder-length dark hair, a stark change from his shorter style at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame event. His face appeared fuller to observers, prompting viral discussions on social media about possible surgery or aging effects. One viewer questioned, Is he wearing a mask? Look at his eyes," while another remarked, Must have had a lot of work done to his face. Looks very different." Comparisons escalated with comments like Oh, that plastic surgery and call Jenners," and Dude got the same plastic surgeon as Tom [Cruise]." Some defended him, insisting, I know no conspiracy theorist, thats Jim Carrey." Speculation spiralled quickly from there. The most viral theory claims he was cloned" or replaced by a body double years ago, with some linking the supposed switch to personal upheavals such as the 2015 death of his ex-girlfriend Cathriona White, which led to wrongful-death lawsuits and intense media scrutiny, or his gradual step back from Hollywood around 2017. Those pushing the theory point to perceived changes in his appearance, from eye colour that seems to shift from brown to greener or bluer in certain clips, to differences in his nose, jawline, teeth and overall build, as supposed evidence." Pop culture investigator Sloan Hooks also put out a full video in which he is seen questioning Carreys new look and his enthusiasm for the event, which is quite unlike his public persona so far. What Has Jim Carrey Done To His Face? There have been speculations in the past, too. Dr. Millicent Rovelo had noted in 2025 on Carreys look in a conversation with Radaronline.com, It is clear that he has had an upper blepharoplasty," referring to eyelid surgery. In the 2024 photos, he has a lot of excess skin of his upper eyelids hanging over the outer edges of the eyes. In the most recent video of him, you can see that the excess skin is removed, and that makes his eyes appear larger and rounder." As for the rest of Carreys face, she observes, He does not appear to have had additional surgical procedures," but believes hes had significant" Botox injections. First Published: February 28, 2026, 13:14 IST News lifestyle beauty What Happened To Jim Carrey's Face? Actor's Appearance At Cesar Awards Trigger Online Theories About Botox And Surgery National Science Day 2026: Theme, History And Indias Scientific Achievements Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 07:00 IST National Science Day honours CV Ramans discovery and celebrates Indias latest achievements in space, AI, quantum computing, and youth science initiatives. Rapid Read National Science Day marks an important scientific discovery made by Indian physicist CV Raman. (File pic) National Science Day is observed in India every year on February 28. The day marks an important scientific discovery made by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (C.V. Raman). It is also a time to recognise how science shapes our daily lives and supports the countrys growth. The date was chosen to honour the discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928. Through this finding, Raman showed how light changes when it passes through a clear material. His work helped scientists better understand the structure of different substances and later earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. National Science Day 2026: History And Significance Sir C.V. Raman made his discovery while working at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata. His research explained how light scatters and changes energy when it travels through a transparent object. This became known as the Raman Effect and remains an important concept in physics. In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to declare February 28 as National Science Day. The government agreed, and the first celebration was held in 1987. Since then, the day has been observed every year across the country. National Science Day is meant to spread awareness about the value of science and its use in everyday life. It also highlights the work of Indian scientists and encourages young people to take an interest in research and innovation. The main goals of the day include sharing knowledge about scientific work, discussing new ideas, and promoting science and technology among the public. It also serves as a reminder of how scientific progress improves health, education, communication, and many other areas. National Science Day 2026: Theme The theme for National Science Day this year is Women in Science Catalysing Viksit Bharat." The focus this year is on the role of women scientists and their contribution to building a developed India. The theme aims to inspire more girls and women to pursue careers in science and research. National Science Day 2026: Celebrations Schools, colleges, and research centres mark the day with exhibitions, quizzes, poster competitions, and model displays. Many institutions also organise talks and seminars where experts discuss space missions, green technology, and new scientific developments. Institutes like IISER Pune reportedly hold science shows and interactive sessions for students. In several districts, events focus on projects related to solar energy, robotics, and waste management, while films on scientists such as APJ Abdul Kalam are screened to inspire young minds. National Science Day 2026: Indias Scientific Achievements In 2025, India showed steady progress in science and technology across many fields. Here are a few of the key highlights from the year: Indias Growing Global Standing India improved its position in global innovation rankings. It secured the 38th spot in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and ranked 6th worldwide in intellectual property filings, according to WIPO. The country also rose in the Network Readiness Index, reflecting better use of digital and communication technologies. In research publications, India ranked third globally, showing strong academic output. ISROs Major Milestones The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recorded over 200 key achievements during the year. One major highlight was the successful Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) in January, where two satellites docked in orbit. This placed India among a select group of countries with this advanced capability. ISRO also completed its 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The government approved a third launch pad to support future missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Meanwhile, the Aditya-L1 solar mission continued to send important data about the Sun, contributing to global research. In July 2025, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station, marking a key step toward Indias future crewed missions. Progress in Semiconductors and Computing India unveiled DHRUV64, its first fully indigenous 64-bit microprocessor developed by C-DAC. ISRO also introduced Vikram 3201, designed for space missions. Under the India Semiconductor Mission, several new projects were approved to strengthen chip manufacturing within the country. Supercomputing also expanded under the National Supercomputing Mission, with dozens of high-performance systems supporting research in climate modelling, drug discovery, and materials science. Artificial Intelligence Expands Artificial intelligence moved into practical use in 2025. In agriculture, AI-based monsoon forecasts were shared with farmers through SMS, helping them plan crops. In healthcare, AI tools like MadhuNetrAI supported early detection of diabetic eye disease. India also developed BharatGen, a multilingual AI model designed to work in Indian languages. It supports tools for farmers, small sellers, and citizens seeking easy access to information. Quantum Computing Breakthroughs Under the National Quantum Mission, Bengaluru-based startup QpiAI launched a 25-qubit quantum computer called QpiAI-Indus. Later in the year, it introduced the 64-qubit Kaveri" processor, marking progress in advanced computing. Investing in Research and Youth The government approved the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a Rs 1 lakh crore fund to boost private investment in science. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was also launched to improve coordination between universities and industry. Science outreach expanded beyond big cities. National Science Day events, student competitions, mobile science vans, and programmes like INSPIRE-MANAK encouraged young students across India to take interest in science and innovation. First Published: February 28, 2026, 07:00 IST News lifestyle events National Science Day 2026: Theme, History And Indias Scientific Achievements Diana Penty Shines At Milan Fashion Week In Tods Fall-Winter 26/27 Showcase Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:33 IST Diana Pentys Tods appearance spotlighted artisanal luxury and effortless sophistication at the FallWinter 26/27 show in Milan. Diana Penty delivered polished elegance in Tods at Milan Fashion Week. In a season dominated by spectacle, Diana Penty chose restraint, and thats precisely what made her unforgettable. Amid the flurry of theatrics and statement dressing that often defines Milan, her presence felt deliberate, composed and quietly commanding. The kind of elegance that doesnt chase attention yet naturally holds it. At the Tods FallWinter 26/27 showcase, Diana Penty embodied a mood that fashion insiders increasingly value: polish over excess, craft over noise, and luxury that whispers rather than shouts. The Tods presentation unfolded less like a traditional runway and more like a living atelier. Artisans worked in real time, demonstrating techniques honed over decades stitching, cutting, moulding leather turning the space into a tribute to Italys generational craftsmanship. Creative Director Matteo Tamburini leaned heavily into materiality this season. Leather wasnt just fabric; it became language. Structured yet fluid, tactile yet featherlight, the pieces reflected Tods ongoing dialogue between heritage and modern design. It was a collection shaped by precision and purpose rather than trend cycles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Diana Penty (@dianapenty) Dianas ensemble slipped seamlessly into this narrative. She carried the iconic Di Bag Folio with effortless ease, styled with sleek slingbacks that balanced femininity with authority. Her look, drawn from the SpringSummer 2026 lineup, felt timeless rather than seasonal, anchored in clean lines and impeccable tailoring. There was no overstyling, no obvious attempt to dominate the frame. Instead, the power lay in proportion and finish: supple leather, thoughtful structure, and a muted palette that allowed craftsmanship to speak. Its this subtle confidence that has increasingly defined her fashion persona. She doesnt wear clothes for impact; she inhabits them. In Milan, surrounded by the hum of artisans and fashion, Diana Pentys appearance felt less like a celebrity cameo and more like a natural extension of the brands philosophy. Refined. Assured. Effortlessly modern. Sometimes, the strongest style statement is simply knowing you dont have to try too hard. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:33 IST News lifestyle fashion Diana Penty Shines At Milan Fashion Week In Tods Fall-Winter 26/27 Showcase IranIsrael War News: Flight Cancelled Or Delayed? Heres What You Can Do Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 19:35 IST If your flight has been delayed or cancelled due to the escalation of conflict between US, Israel and Iran, here's what you can do as a passenger IranIsrael War News: Flight Cancelled Or Delayed? Heres What You Can Do The escalating IranIsrael conflict has turned Middle East skies into a patchwork of closed and rerouted airspace, with airlines cancelling or suspending routes to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Baghdad, Dubai and beyond. For travellers, the immediate question is no longer just Will my flight leave?" but If it doesnt, what are my rights, and how can I protect myself financially?" Using rules from Indias DGCA and global airline practices, heres what you can do if your flight is delayed or cancelled amid the crisis. When Your Flight Is Cancelled Under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), if your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you three paths: an alternate flight on the next available schedule, a full ticket refund, or travel vouchers as per its policy. For passengers who show up at the airport for the original flight, carriers are also required to provide meals and refreshments while they wait for the revised arrangement. If youre on a connecting itinerary (for example, New DelhiDubaiTel Aviv or MumbaiDohaTehran), the airline must still honour the onward leg via an alternative hub or reschedule, even if the initial segment is disrupted by IranIsraelrelated airspace closures. In practice, this often means being rerouted via Europe or Asia, but if you dont want to wait days for a new date, you can insist on a refund under DGCA rules. Pay attention to whether the cancellation is coded as extraordinary circumstances" (war, airspace closure, security risk). While airlines may claim this limits compensation, DGCA mandates at least a refund or rebooking, plus care (meals, refreshments) regardless of the reason. When Your Flight Is Delayed For delays, airlines must provide meals and refreshments, propose an alternate flight, or allow a full ticket refund. If the delay stretches beyond a few hoursespecially beyond the reasonable" window stipulated by the airlines own policymany carriers also offer hotel accommodation and transfers at their expense, particularly for overnight delays. In the context of the IranIsrael crisis, delays often arise from rerouting longhaul flights around closed airspace over Iraq, Iran and parts of the Gulf, adding several hours to journey times. If your flight is now expected to reach its destination more than one day later than originally scheduled, you can request a refund plus a reasonable alternative, instead of waiting for an overnightdelayheavy reroute. Indian flyers should also check whether their ticket is fully flexible or nonrefundable; even nonrefundable fares can be refunded in case of cancellations, but normal change fees may apply if you voluntarily alter dates. Overbooking And Bump" Situations If your flight is overbooked, airlines must first ask for volunteers willing to give up their seats, often with cash or vouchers as incentive. If no one volunteers, the airline must place affected passengers on an alternative flight within about an hour of the original departure time. If the replacement flight is offered more than 24 hours later than the original schedule, DGCA rules entitle passengers to compensation of up to 400% of the oneway fare plus fuel charges, capped at 20,000. This is especially relevant when conflictdriven reroutes severely compress flightslot availability, increasing the risk of overbooking on alternative routes. What you can do right now Check your airlines policy and flight status Look up your flight number on the carriers website or app. Note whether the disruption is coded as cancellation," significant delay," or schedule change." Ask for concrete options If cancelled: request either a refund, rebooking on the next available flight, or a voucher (being clear you understand the refund is your right). If delayed: ask for meals, refreshments and, if applicable, hotel accommodation plus transfers. Document everything Save screenshots of the original itinerary, new schedule, and any communication with the airline. Keep receipts for food, transport and hotel costs not covered; you may be able to claim partial reimbursement under DGCAs reasonable expenses" expectations. Consider insurance and thirdparty bookings If your ticket was booked via an OTA (online travel agency), report the issue to both the OTA and the airline. If you have travel insurance that covers war or civil unrest," check whether IranIsraelrelated airspace closures are covered and whether you can claim for missed events, hotel nights, or extra flights. Evaluate your broader plan If your destination is Tel Aviv, Tehran, Baghdad or a nearby Gulf hub, consider whether you want to travel at all during the acute phase of the crisis. Those with flexible dates can often switch to an alternative route (e.g., EuropeAsia via Central Asia or further west) that avoids the most volatile corridors. First Published: February 28, 2026, 19:33 IST News lifestyle travel IranIsrael War News: Flight Cancelled Or Delayed? Heres What You Can Do Deepika Padukone Drops Cryptic Note Amid The White Lotus 4 Casting Row: 'Don't Have To Prove Anything; Bullsh*t Reactions...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 08:33 IST Deepika's note emphasized the power of staying calm in the face of chaos, especially in a world addicted to noise. Rapid Read Deepika Padukone's note has gone viral. Deepika Padukone has dropped a cryptic note amid rumours that she refused to audition for The White Lotus season 4. A Variety India report recently claimed that the actress was approached by the makers for season 4 and was asked to audition for the same. However, the Bollywood star reportedly refused to audition. While Deepika hasnt reacted to the report, she has recently shared a note, which fans believe could be a response. Deepika Padukones note read, Becoming calm is the loudest flex. Anyone can lose their shit, react fast, talk loud, and make noise. That takes zero strength. Real power shows up when chaos hits, and you dont fold. When drama tries to pull you in, and you stay grounded. When life pokes you again and again, and you still choose control over impulse. Yeah, it takes work." It takes unlearning bullshit reactions, sitting with discomfort, and not letting emotions run the show. Calm isnt weakness; its mastery. Its knowing you dont have to prove anything, explain everything, or react to everyone. While others burn energy panicking, you move quietly, clearly, and on purpose. In a world addicted to noise, staying calm is a damn superpower," the note also mentioned. Deepikas post has gone viral on Reddit, where fans are taking to the comments section to express their hot takes. Meanwhile, a source told Variety India, Auditions are a mandatory part of the casting process for The White Lotus. The makers were very keen on auditioning actors before signing them on. Deepika Padukone was not keen on auditioning, and that was the reason why the White Lotus opportunity had to be passed." Reportedly, the makers of The White Lotus were keen on getting Deepika on board for the series. They had also approached the actress for season three. However, Deepika, who was pregnant back then, had turned down the offer. If Deepika had been finalised for The White Lotus 4, this would have marked her return to Hollywood. She made her Hollywood debut with xXx: Return of Xander Cage in 2017, alongside Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev and Toni Collette, among others. First Published: February 28, 2026, 08:33 IST News movies bollywood Deepika Padukone Drops Cryptic Note Amid The White Lotus 4 Casting Row: 'Don't Have To Prove Anything; Bullsh*t Reactions...' Rohit Shetty House Firing Case: Nepal Funding Link Surfaces, Investigation Underway Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 09:18 IST To trace the financial trail, banks have also been directed to provide detailed account statements and transaction histories related to the accused. Rapid Read Five rounds of bullets were fired at filmmaker Rohit Shettys Juhu residence on January 31. In a big development in the Rohit Shetty house firing case, the Mumbai police have now uncovered possible links to an international conspiracy. According to sources, the shooters allegedly received payments directly in their bank accounts, with cash withdrawals carried out through ATMs to avoid immediate detection. Officials also revealed that the funds were deposited by an unidentified individual. This has raised suspicions about a larger network operating behind the attack. To trace the financial trail, banks have also been directed to provide detailed account statements and transaction histories related to the accused. Apart from this, during the probe, investigators also found clues pointing towards funding routes connected to Nepal. Authorities are now examining a suspected link to what is being referred to as the Agra module". The Mumbai Police have formed multiple special teams to intensify the investigation and identify the mastermind behind the incident. What Happened At Rohit Shettys House? For the uninitiated, five rounds of bullets were fired at filmmaker Rohit Shettys Juhu residence on January 31. The investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that the vehicle used in the firing was sourced from Pune. The vehicle used in the firing belongs to a man from Pune, who sold it to Aditya Gayki, one of the arrested accused, for Rs 30000 a few days ago. Later, Aditya Gayki and another accused, Samarth Pomaji, left the vehicle at a pre-decided place in Juhu area of Mumbai. According to the Crime Branch, the people who bought the vehicle and reached Mumbai do not know who the shooter is, later it was Shubham Lonkar who ordered the shooter to pick up the vehicle from where it was left and fire. The STF Unit in Bahadurgarh, along with Mumbai Police, has arrested five men in the case as of now. Further investigation is underway. First Published: February 28, 2026, 09:18 IST News movies bollywood Rohit Shetty House Firing Case: Nepal Funding Link Surfaces, Investigation Underway Allu Arjun Arrives With Wife Sneha Reddy For Brother Allu Sirishs Pre-Wedding Celebrations Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:26 IST Sneha Reddy looked elegant in a royal blue drape saree, holding her little daughters hands, whereas Allu Arjun complemented her in a sharp black suit set. Allu Arjun engaged in a quick interaction with the guests. As wedding festivities began in the Allu household, all eyes were on Allu Arjun as he arrived in style with his family for brother Allu Sirishs pre-wedding celebrations. The actor was spotted making a fashionable entry alongside his wife Sneha Reddy and their children, instantly grabbing attention. Photographers captured the family as they walked into the venue. Sneha looked elegant in a royal blue drape saree, holding her little daughters hands while climbing the stairs. Allu Arjun complemented her in a sharp black suit set and he paused briefly to interact with the ones present there before heading inside. The couples coordinated look added charm to the intimate gathering. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celebrity Paps (@celebritypaps_) The celebrations are leading up to Allu Sirishs wedding with Nayanika Reddy, scheduled for March 6. The actor has already announced that the ceremony will be a close-knit affair, attended only by family members and close friends. However, ahead of the big day, Sirish is hosting a grand pre-wedding bash for members of the Telugu film industry. Allu Sirish And Nayanika Reddys Pre-Wedding Bash The pre-wedding party is set to take place on March 2 at Allu Studios. Sharing the update on X, Sirish wrote, Nayanika & I are having an intimate wedding with family & friends on 6th March. We are excited to celebrate our Pre Wedding Celebrations with the Telugu film industry prestigiously at Allu Studios on the 2nd March (sic)." Interestingly, Sirish is tying the knot on the same date as his elder brother Allu Arjuns wedding anniversary. Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy had dated for two years before making their relationship official with an engagement. Wedding Festivities And Invitations The wedding festivities began earlier this year with a pre-wedding celebration in Dubai on January 30 and 31, attended by close friends and family, including Allu Arjun. In recent weeks, Sirish and his father, producer Allu Aravind, personally visited several prominent personalities to extend wedding invitations. The family also invited Pawan Kalyan and Naga Babu, along with their families. Reports suggest that Sirish and Nayanika began dating after meeting at a wedding reception hosted by Nithiin and Shalini Kandukuri for Varun Tej and Lavanya Tripathi. On the work front, Allu Sirish was last seen in the 2024 film Buddy. He is currently focusing entirely on his wedding celebrations before announcing his next project. First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:26 IST News movies telugu-cinema Allu Arjun Arrives With Wife Sneha Reddy For Brother Allu Sirishs Pre-Wedding Celebrations Want more housing market stories from Lance Lamberts ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Most Read from Fast Company Since the 2008 housing bust and subsequent Great Financial Crisis (GFC), mortgage lending has steadily shifted away from big banks. In the years that followedamid tighter regulations, higher capital requirements, and elevated litigation riskmany large banks, including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo, reduced their mortgage footprint. In that void, nonbank lenders, also known as independent mortgage banks (IMBs), such as Rocket Mortgage, United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), and LoanDepot, gained market share. Now, a top Federal Reserve official is openly questioning whether policy and regulation went too farand is signaling that a policy shift may be coming. In a February 16 speech at the American Bankers Associations Community Bankers Conference, the Federal Reserves vice chair for supervision, Michelle Bowman, pointed to what she described as a significant migration of mortgage origination and servicing out of the banking sector over the past 15 years. According to Bowman: In 2008, banks originated around 60% of mortgages and held the servicing rights on about 95% of mortgage balances. In 2023, banks originated around 35% of mortgages and held the servicing rights on about 45% of mortgage balances. Thats pretty in line with the data ResiClub pulled from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. During her speech, Bowman suggested that post-2013 capital rulesparticularly the treatment of mortgage servicing rights (MSRs)* under Basel standards**may have contributed to the mortgage retreat by banks. MSRs, which represent the expected value of servicing income when loans are sold into securitizations, were assigned higher risk weights and subject to deduction thresholds after the crisis. While regulators tightened those rules over concerns about valuation volatility and model risk, the capital treatment also made servicing and, by extension, mortgage origination less economically attractive for banks. The result, Bowman implied, is a mortgage market increasingly concentrated in nonbank firms that lack deposit funding and operate under different supervisory and resolution frameworks. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Bowman said, borrowers with bank servicers were more likely to receive forbearance than those serviced by nonbankshighlighting structural differences that can matter during stress periods, she says. Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 15:48 IST 1 / 10 Who is Rishi Gupta and what led to his arrest? Rishi Gupta, former Managing Director and CEO of Fino Payments Bank, was arrested for violating GST laws. His arrest was made under the provisions of Sections 132(1)(a) and 132(1)(i) of the CGST and SGST Act, 2017. (Image: Instagram) 2 / 10 What actions did Fino Payments Bank take following the arrest? Following Gupta's arrest, a special board meeting was held, and Ketan Merchant, the bank's Chief Financial Officer, was appointed as the new head of the organisation. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 10 How is Fino Payments Bank responding to the investigation? Fino Payments Bank is cooperating with the authorities by providing all necessary information. The bank has stated that there is currently no impact on its operations, and any further material developments will be disclosed in due course. (Image: Instagram) 4 / 10 Were other bank officials involved in the investigation? The bank clarified that no other officials were involved in the matter. The investigation is limited to the business partner(s) of the bank. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 10 What is Rishi Guptas educational background? According to Gupta's LinkedIn profile, he completed his schooling at St. Xavier School in Delhi and pursued a B.Com from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). He also acquired degrees from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. (Image: Instagram) 6 / 10 What was Rishi Guptas career trajectory before joining Fino Payments Bank? Gupta started his career as a budget officer with Maruti Suzuki India Limited in 1994. He later assumed different roles at companies including IFC (International Finance Corporation) and ICICI. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 10 What was Guptas role and contributions at Fino Payments Bank? Gupta joined Fino Payments Bank Ltd as part of the founding team, responsible for Finance and Corporate Functions, including strategic alliances. He also oversaw sales and business development. (Image: Instagram) 8 / 10 What achievements did Gupta have while leading Fino Payments Bank? Under Gupta's leadership, Fino Payments Bank reached profitability within three years of its launch in 2017 and became the first payments bank to be listed on the Indian stock exchanges in November 2021. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 10 How does Gupta remain involved in the industry despite his arrest? Gupta is actively involved in the industry, representing the bank at the Payments Council of India. He has played a key role in transforming rural banking by taking digital-led services closer to the masses. (Image: Instagram) Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 10:35 IST 1 / 8 Thalapathy Vijay needs no introduction. The popular actor married Sangeetha Sornalingam in 1999. They are parents to two children Jason Sanjay and Divya Saasha. However, after 27 years of marriage, Vijay's personal life has grabbed everyone's attention, but for all the wrong reasons. Why? His wife has filed for a divorce, accusing him of being involved in an adulterous relationship". 2 / 8 TVK chief and actor Vijays wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, moved a family in Tamil Nadu on February 27 seeking divorce, alleging infidelity after more than 25 years of marriage. The divorce petition has been filed before the Chengalpattu family court, which has issued a notice to Vijay, directing him to appear in person on April 20. The court has taken cognisance of the plea and fixed the matter for further hearing on the same date. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 According to the petition, Sangeetha has accused Vijay of being involved in an extramarital relationship with an actress, stating that she became aware of the alleged relationship in 2021. It added that this discovery prompted her decision to seek legal separation. However, it should also be noted that the name of the actress, with whom Vijay is said to be in a relationship has not been revealed in the plea. However, netizens believe that this actress could be Trisha Krishnan. 4 / 8 Over the years, Vijay and Trisha have remained one of Tamil cinemas most-loved on-screen duos. Their crackling chemistry in hits like Ghilli (2004), Thirupaachi (2005), Aathi (2006), and Kuruvi (2008) had fans hooked. But after Kuruvi, the two suddenly stopped working togetherfueling gossip that their closeness during Ghilli had turned into something more. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 Rumours even did the rounds that Vijays family had asked him to keep his distance from Trisha post Kuruvi. Both stars, however, denied any romance, insisting they were just friends." Fast forward 15 years, Trisha and Vijay reunited on screen for Leo (2023), sending fans into a frenzy. 6 / 8 Therefore, after Vijay's wife filed for divorce on Friday, netizens started speculating if she was hinting at actor's alleged relationship with Trisha Krishnan in her separation plea. Social media is flooded with netizens speculating if Vijays alleged affair with Trisha is the reason for his divorce. While some slammed Thalapathy Vijay and accused him for being unfaithful in his marriage, others directly blamed Trisha for Vijays split. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 Amid all this, an old photo of Vijay and Trisha has also resurfaced on social media. The picture is said to be from Norway, where the rumoured couple was reportedly vacationing with their friends. Ex-DGP Rewarded, Rebel Reseated, Legal & Star Power Retained: TMCs RS Picks Decoded Written By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 09:39 IST If a judge can cross from the Bench to the political battlefield, Didi appears to be signalling, so can a police chief from the force. Rapid Read Not even months after retiring as Bengals DGP, Rajeev Kumar is headed to Parliament (Image: PTI File) Not even months after retiring as Bengals DGP, Rajeev Kumar is headed to Parliament. For over a decade, he has been one of the most controversial police officers in the state, particularly since the Saradha chit fund scam investigation and the dramatic CBI standoff that prompted Mamata Banerjee to sit on dharna in his defence. His elevation is not subtle; it is a statement. Many in Bengals political circles see this as Mamata Banerjees calibrated response to the BJP nominating former MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay to Parliament. If a judge can cross from the Bench to the political battlefield, Didi appears to be signalling, so can a police chief from the force. Institutional neutrality is now openly convertible political capital. But Kumar is only one part of the design. Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, known for her forceful arguments in the Supreme Court, brings legal firepower at a time when Centrestate tensions frequently spill into courtrooms. Moreover, by elevating a publicly out LGBTQ+ constitutional lawyer to the Rajya Sabha, Banerjee signalled both advocacy and acumen while championing representation while executing a calibrated political move. Actor Koel Mallick carries Tollywood recall, a formula Mamata has long relied on. From Dev to Mimi Chakraborty, Shatabdi Roy, Tapas Paul and Nusrat Jahan, celebrity remains electoral shorthand. Then there is Babul Supriyo, once PM Modis favourite and a union minister, later a Trinamool entrant, state cabinet member, and now returning to Parliament via the Upper House. Reinvention of political narrative is rewarded. Significantly, two of the four nominees are non-Bengalis a reminder that Trinamools national ambitions are no longer rhetorical. The party is crafting a Delhi-facing profile even as it consolidates Bengals core. Star power, legal firepower, administrative loyalty, and cross-party converts these nominations are not routine parliamentary placements. They are political messaging from Didi, and it includes sharp, deliberate, and unmistakably Mamata elements. First Published: February 28, 2026, 09:39 IST News politics Ex-DGP Rewarded, Rebel Reseated, Legal & Star Power Retained: TMCs RS Picks Decoded Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Toolkit vs Fool-Kit: Fiery Clash At Rising Bharat Summit Over Govt Growth Claims, Oppn Tactics Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 20:32 IST Has Indias Opposition failed to present an alternative vision or is the government deflecting from real issues by branding criticism as anti-national? Rapid Read Political commentator Mumtaz Patel, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla and Samajwadi Party spokesperson Faraz Kidwai at Rising Bharat Summit 2026. A political discussion on Network18s Rising Bharat Summit 2026 on Saturday quickly turned into a sharp exchange over whether Indias Opposition has failed to present an alternative vision or whether the government is deflecting from real issues by branding criticism as anti-national. The discussion began around Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent remarks that India has emerged as a global growth engine and manufacturing hub, and that the Opposition has been reduced to a toolkit" of protest, opposing merely for the sake of it. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defended the Prime Ministers charge, arguing that the Opposition routinely undermines Indias achievements. When Indias economic growth reaches 8%, (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi calls it fake. When India succeeds with UPI, he says there is nothing in it," Poonawalla said. He further labelled sections of the Oppositions approach as a fool kit" rather than a toolkit. Citing government data, Poonawalla highlighted transformative progress over the past decade. After Modi came, 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty In 50 years, you (Congress) built 200,000 houses for the poor. In 10 years, we built 40 million houses." He also pointed to expanded toilet coverage, Ayushman Bharat health insurance, rising GDP growth, mobile manufacturing, and defence exports as proof that Indias development trajectory is strong. If hate politics were the issue, why would voters keep choosing BJP?" he asked. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Faraz Kidwai pushed back strongly, questioning both the data and the direction of leadership within the Opposition alliance. The biggest fool kit today is being run by the BJP," Kidwai said, arguing that several headline promises including raising manufacturings share of GDP to 25% and creating 10 million internships have fallen short. On the question of Opposition leadership, Kidwai made a striking assertion: If the INDIA leadership is given to (SP chief) Akhilesh Yadav, then in 2029 he could become the future Prime Minister of this country." He added bluntly, Yes, Rahul Gandhi isnt able to," when asked whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had failed to effectively lead the alliance. Kidwai also disputed poverty reduction claims, alleging that the government relies on the Multidimensional Poverty Index in a way that may inflate success. If someone gets a bank account even with zero balance theyre counted out of poverty," he argued. Social worker and political commentator Mumtaz Patel sought to steer the conversation back to citizens lived realities. She expressed disappointment that a debate framed around Rising Bharat had devolved into partisan attacks. This debate is about all of us 1.4 billion citizens. The future of India cannot be in one persons hands," she said. While acknowledging respect for the Prime Minister, Patel stressed that development must be measured beyond statistics. The numbers look good on paper. But even today many people lack clean drinking water. Youth lack jobs. Government schools are poor Until these fundamental issues are solved, nothing will change." The debate highlighted not just ideological divides but also internal tensions within the Opposition bloc. First Published: February 28, 2026, 20:31 IST News politics Toolkit vs Fool-Kit: Fiery Clash At Rising Bharat Summit Over Govt Growth Claims, Oppn Tactics Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Whats Cooking? Dinner Diplomacy Deepens Rift In Karnataka Congress As Shivakumar Loyalists Come Together Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: February 27, 2026, 19:58 IST The political temperature rose further as KP Bhagyraj, a former KPCC media secretary, wrote to the high command, urging them to consider Shivakumars 'sacrifice and contribution' Rapid Read Under the guise of an early birthday celebration for Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, a significant cohort of influential ministers and legislators convened at a private hotel. (News18) The Karnataka Congress internal landscape reached a fever pitch this week as a high-profile gathering of loyalists supporting deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar signaled a deepening rift within the ruling party. Under the guise of an early birthday celebration for Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, a significant cohort of influential ministers and legislators convened at a private hotel for what many observers are calling a strategic display of dinner politics". The banquet, attended by prominent figures such as ministers D Sudhakar and Mankala Vaidya, alongside key MLAs Sharath Bachegowda and CP Yogeshwar, occurred notably while a rival faction aligned with chief minister Siddaramaiah embarked on an overseas trip, highlighting the increasingly polarised nature of the state leadership. The political temperature rose further following the revelation of a formal letter sent to the Congress high command by KP Bhagyraj, a former KPCC media secretary and dedicated party worker from Mysuru. In his appeal to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Bhagyraj urged the national leadership to consider Shivakumars sacrifice and contribution" to the party and elevate him to the top post in Karnataka. The letter specifically credited Shivakumars tenure as KPCC president for securing the decisive mandate of 136 seats in the 2023 elections, with Bhagyraj asserting, You know this truth, the high command knows it, and the people of this state know it." The letter warned of potential electoral setbacks in upcoming local body polls and expressed a pointed hope that the 2026 Dasara celebrations would be inaugurated by Shivakumar as chief minister. In response to the mounting speculation and reports of a coordinated lobbying effort, Shivakumar issued a public statement attempting to de-escalate the situation while maintaining his own standing. Addressing reporters, Shivakumar explicitly appealed to his supporters to refrain from traveling to New Delhi to advocate on his behalf, stating, I appeal to everyone not to go to Delhi to lobby for me. If you have personal requests or are aspiring for Cabinet positions, you can go to Delhi. But you dont need to go to Delhi to bat for me." He maintained that the recent gathering of over 40 MLAs was not a formal show of strength, dismissing the event as a personal social engagement unrelated to official party business and noting that what they do for personal reasons has nothing to do with the party." Despite Shivakumars dismissive stance regarding the dinner politics" narrative, the timing of the assembly has left political analysts convinced that the internal power struggle is entering a more assertive phase. Shivakumar characterised the activities of various party members, including those traveling abroad or meeting for dinner, as private leisure that does not reflect a fracture in party unity. However, with loyalists like Bhagyraj openly petitioning the high command to end the confusion" and organised gatherings becoming more frequent, the pressure on the Congress leadership to address the dual-power structure in Karnataka continues to intensify as the government moves closer to its mid-term mark. First Published: February 27, 2026, 19:58 IST News politics Whats Cooking? Dinner Diplomacy Deepens Rift In Karnataka Congress As Shivakumar Loyalists Come Together Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Days Before Holi, Mathuras Lathmar Fest Viral For Crowd Crush | Why Skip Mass Gatherings, Past Lessons Explained Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 13:51 IST Lathmar Holi, traditionally held in Barsana and Nandgaon towns of Mathura attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. Rapid Read Even a minor push can lead to a stampede.(Photo Credit: X/@Benarasiyaa) A video from Uttar Pradeshs Mathura has drawn attention after showing massive crowds gathering for the famous Lathmar Holi celebrations. The festival, traditionally held in Barsana and Nandgaon (towns closely linked to Radha-Krishna lore) attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. But the latest visuals have sparked concern rather than excitement. The footage shows an overwhelming rush of people packed tightly on the streets. Stampede-Like Situation In Mathura For Lathmar Holi The clip, shared on X, shows police officials using a wooden barricade pulley system to block the large number of people gathered at the spot. When seconds later, officials remove the barrier, a sudden surge of people rush forward. The huge volume raises serious safety concerns. Even a minor push can lead to a stampede. Have said it 1000 times before. Always avoid places where mass gathering is expected. In this country, such places are potential stampede sites and administration can do so much. This is from lathhmar Holi celebrations in UP's Mathura. pic.twitter.com/6CGpfZh5Eb Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) February 27, 2026 Several viewers reacted strongly to the visuals. One user commented, People dont realise how much weve adapted to crowding. Everywhere you go packed. Thats not how humans are meant to live daily. Constant stress like this messes with the mind and body." Another wrote, This is a disaster waiting to happen. Expecting authorities to control crowds is out of the question. There is just one solution to this. Dont let the crowds build to this level." Never go to mass gatherings if you want to live. The risk is huge," someone else posted. A person also pointed out, Youtubers, bloggers and content creators should stop romanticising such potential stampede hotspots as must see" or must go" places during peak season." An individual remarked, Got anxiety just by watching this. WTF." One sharp reaction read, Some people deserve to die in a stampede. I do not feel empathy anymore. Even a 6 year old can tell that going here is dangerous and can kill you." Always wanted to experience Mathuras Holi but not anymore," a viewer added. Why Mass Gatherings In India Remain High Risk? Large religious and cultural gatherings in India often come with recurring safety risks. Overcrowding remains the biggest threat especially in places with narrow lanes, limited exits and insufficient crowd control systems. Apart from stampedes, authorities also remain alert to potential terror threats which target crowded religious and heritage sites. Poor crowd management can further increase risk. What Disasters Can Happen At Such Events? Mass gatherings can lead to multiple types of disasters. Stampedes are the most common which usually happen due to sudden panic, rumours, structural failures, blocked exits or uncontrolled crowd. The Bengaluru stadium stampede and the Hathras gathering tragedy last year happened due to gaps in system management as there were few exits for the large number of people. Recently, three people were injured at Punes Shivneri Fort. They were pushed due to overcrowding as thousands gathered to celebrate the birth anniversary of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. What Incidents Are Related To Holi Gatherings? In 2025, stampede-like situation was reported at the Shreeji Temple in Mathura during the popular Laddoo Holi celebrations where devotees pushed near the temple barriers. The incident left several injured. A year before that during the Holi celebrations, at least six devotees fell unconscious and others were injured due to overcrowding. What Are The Guidelines That Help In Crowd Management? The guidelines by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) include various methods to manage crowds. Timely risk assessments around venue capacity limits and entry-exit points, real-time monitoring through CCTV and proper coordination among organisers and security units are parts of these guidelines. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) also issued guidelines last year. It advised scientific crowd control methods. Some states, including Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, have introduced laws that hold organisers accountable for safety lapses. Why Are Holi Celebration Sites Particularly Vulnerable? This is because these sites such as Mathura, Vrindavan or Jaipur attract huge crowds every year. Some of these places have narrow lanes and there are limited access points. The sudden influx makes it difficult to manage crowds during celebrations like Holi. Precautions Being Planned For Holi 2026 Crowd-control strategies inspired by the Mahakumbh model are being adopted. Under these, there are designated holding areas, phased entry systems, CCTV surveillance and better queue management. District administrations have emphasised on celebrating Holi safely without introducing new risky traditions or hooliganism. Enhanced police deployment and improved venue planning are also part of preparations. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 13:21 IST News viral Days Before Holi, Mathuras Lathmar Fest Viral For Crowd Crush | Why Skip Mass Gatherings, Past Lessons Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Israel-Iran War & Baba Vanga: Terrifying Prophecy Coming True? Chilling Prediction Resurfaces Amid Global Fears Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:06 IST Amid attacks, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a secure location. Baba Vanga was the blind Bulgarian mystic who passed away in 1996. The United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran on Saturday, February 28. Reports indicate that the first attacks targeted areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. He was later reported to be moved to a different, secure location. The strikes have ignited widespread concern about the possibility of a broader regional war. As news of the strikes spreads, attention has turned to the predictions of Baba Vanga, the blind Bulgarian mystic who passed away in 1996. Over the years, she has been credited with foreseeing major global events, and many followers believe her prophecy of a Great War" in early 2026 (originating from the East) may be coming true. US-Iran Tensions: Could The Baba Vanga Prophecy Be Unfolding? With Iran now engaging in retaliatory actions following the US-Israel strikes, people on social media are linking the latest tensions between the two nations with Vangas predictions. Supporters of her prophecies suggest that the unfolding conflict could spread gradually across the world. Impact Of The War: Which Regions Could Be Affected? According to Vangas prophecy, the conflict is expected to hit the western parts of the world the hardest, with Europe bearing the brunt of the devastation. She predicted that the land in Europe could go completely barren and unstable in the aftermath. This could create widespread economic and social challenges. At the same time, she predicted that Russia would emerge as a major global power which would potentially reshape the balance of international influence following the conflict. Joint Military Strikes: US And Israel Take Action Against Iran Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel, in coordination with US has launched a military operation targeting Iran. He described the strikes as a crucial measure to neutralise what he called an existential nuclear threat" from the Iranian regime. Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trumps leadership and stated that the objective of the operation is to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to create conditions that could allow the Iranian people to challenge their government. Trumps Message To Iran And Iranians Trump also issued a statement confirming the US was carrying out strikes in Iran. In advance of the investigation, we launched extensive military operations in Iran. Our goal is to protect the people of America by eliminating the imminent threats from its own regime, Iran," he said. He also warned the countrys Islamic Revolutionary Guard and offered total immunity if they lay down arms or promising certain death" if they resist. Trump also addressed the Iranian population, saying, When we are finished, take over your government it will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations." Airspace Closures Amid Escalation In response to the military action, Iran has completely closed its airspace which will affect all civilian and commercial flights. Israel has also taken similar precautions by halting departures and arrivals due to concerns over potential Iranian missile or drone retaliation. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 15:52 IST News viral Israel-Iran War & Baba Vanga: Terrifying Prophecy Coming True? Chilling Prediction Resurfaces Amid Global Fears Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Karnataka Farmer Pays Rs 10 For Rs 9.34 Loan Dues, Refuses To Leave Without Balance: Will Take Legal Action Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:58 IST A Karnataka farmer received a message from Canara Bank about an unpaid loan of Rs 9.34. He paid Rs 10, but on the deposit slip, he wrote the exact amount demanded by the bank. Rapid Read Farmer felt troubled by the way bank employees handled the matter.(Representative Image) A strange dispute has come to light in Hassan, Karnataka, between a farmer and a bank. The issue began after the farmer named Chokkanna Gowda received a message from Canara Bank about an unpaid loan. He had earlier taken a loan of Rs 50,000, which he had already cleared. Months later, the bank, located at Sakleshpura taluk, informed him that he still had an outstanding balance of Rs 9.34. To settle the matter, the farmer paid Rs 10 at the bank, but on the deposit slip, he clearly wrote Rs 9.34, which was the exact due amount. After making the payment, he asked the bank to return his remaining 66 paise. He argued that if banks expect customers to clear every single paisa, then customers also have the right to ask for their exact balance back. Farmer And Bank In Dispute Over Rs 9.34 Speaking with TV9 Kannada, Chokkanna Gowda claimed that he felt troubled by the way bank employees handled the matter. He shared that he has remained a loyal customer of Canara Bank for nearly 15 to 20 years and has maintained his account regularly. Despite this long relationship, he claimed he was not treated fairly. According to him, when he approached the bank again to apply for a fresh loan, officials told him that his request wont be processed until he cleared the pending amount of Rs 9.34. He said, If the bank makes a call even for just Rs 9.34, it clearly shows the kind of pressure customers are under. I paid Rs 10, but 66 paise was not returned. This is not about money, it is about justice. If necessary, I will fight against the bank." He claimed that many wealthy borrowers have taken loans worth crores and failed to repay them. Gowda said that strict action is often taken against small customers, but he believes big defaulters do not face the same pressure. In Karnataka, a farmer cleared his 50,000 loan.Months later, Canara Bank contacted him over an outstanding balance of 9.34 He paid 10 and demanded 66 paise back, saying, "If banks count every paisa from us, shouldnt we count ours too?" pic.twitter.com/I7vyAm6DFe News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) February 27, 2026 Earlier Major Loan Fraud Case In a separate earlier case, the Enforcement Directorate investigated eight places in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The action was linked to a large money laundering involving an alleged bank fraud of more than Rs 152 Crore. The main accused were Ramanrao Bolla, Vijaylaxmi Bolla and Tirupatirao Bolla. According to officials, they approached farmers and collected their Aadhaar cards and other documents, saying they will help them open bank accounts to receive government crop money. Instead, these documents were misused. Using the farmers details, the accused opened 212 bank accounts and took loans between Rs 49 Lakh and Rs 50 Lakh in each name. The money was allegedly taken for personal use. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:58 IST News viral Karnataka Farmer Pays Rs 10 For Rs 9.34 Loan Dues, Refuses To Leave Without Balance: Will Take Legal Action Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Did You Know The Presidents Bodyguard Recruits Troopers From Only 3 Communities? Heres Why Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 09:22 IST Presidents Bodyguard (PBG) is responsible for protecting and ceremonially escorting the President of India. PBG is the most senior regiment of the Indian Army. You must have seen those tall and perfect-physique horsemen in uniforms that escort the President during ceremonial displays. They are the most senior regiment of the Indian Army known as Presidents Bodyguard (PBG). This unit is responsible for protecting and ceremonially escorting the President of India. But beyond the impressive uniforms and horses, PBG has a long history, strict recruitment rules and even legal debates surrounding it. PBG: Senior-Most Regiment In A Modern Army Today, the Indian Army mostly follows what is known as the All India, All Class" recruitment system. This means soldiers can be recruited from any community or region of the country. But the Presidents Bodyguard follows a different model where troopers (soldiers/sepoys) are recruited only from three specific communities: Hindu Jats, Hindu Rajputs and Jat Sikhs. The regiment maintains an equal balance among these three groups: 33.3 per cent Hindu Jats, 33.3 per cent Hindu Rajputs and 33.3 per cent Jat Sikhs It is important to note that this restriction applies only to troopers. Officers who command the unit as well as administrative staff like clerks and tradesmen, can belong to any community or region in India. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manish Gupta | Lawyer (@legalgupta) How It All Began In 1773 The story of the PBG goes back to 1773. It was raised in Benares (now Varanasi) by Warren Hastings who was the Governor at the time and later became the first Governor-General of India. The unit began with just 50 selected troopers. Soon after, Raja Cheyt Singh of Benares added another 50 horsemen. By the end of that year, the strength of the regiment had grown to 100 men and horses. Over the years, the size of the regiment changed depending on the needs of the time. During wars, its numbers increased. According to the Army List of 1845, just before the First Sikh War, the regiment reached its highest strength of 1,929 personnel. Originally, the unit was responsible for the personal and battlefield security of the Governor and later the Governor-General who sometimes personally led troops into battle. Changes After Independence Before Indias independence in 1947, the unit included Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Rajputs. But after Partition, the Muslim troopers were transferred to Pakistan where they formed the Governor Generals Bodyguard there. The vacancies left behind in the Indian unit were filled by Jats. This step established the current three-caste structure of Hindu Jats, Hindu Rajputs and Jat Sikhs. While several new regiments formed after Independence followed an open recruitment policy, older regiments such as the PBG were allowed to continue with their traditional structure. This was done to preserve their history and maintain internal unity. What Are The Legal Challenges Related To PBG? The recruitment policy of the PBG has faced legal challenges. Some people have argued that restricting recruitment to three communities violates the right to equality under Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution. One such case was Gaurav Yadav v. Union of India (20182019) in the Delhi High Court. The petitioner argued that limiting recruitment to only three castes excluded others like Ahirs. The court issued notices to the Ministry of Defence and the Army Chief. In another case, Ishwar Singh Yadav v. Union of India (20122013) in the Supreme Court, the Army defended its policy by stating that the PBG is a small and specialised unit of around 150 troops. It argued that similar height, build, and appearance are necessary for ceremonial duties. In Union of India vs. Veerpal Singh Chauhan (2016), the Supreme Court observed that the Armys regimental system based on class composition is not automatically unconstitutional. The court noted that such systems can serve a legitimate military purpose related to operational effectiveness." Why Does The Army Defend The PBGs Fixed Class System? The Indian Army has officially defended the recruitment policy of the Presidents Bodyguard. According to the Army, ceremonial grandeur requires perfect visual uniformity. The troopers must look identical in height, build, and overall appearance. This uniform look is considered essential for maintaining the dignity and tradition of the Presidents escort. The PBG also has the strictest physical standards in the entire Indian Army. The minimum height requirement is 6 feet (183 cm), which is much higher than the national average. The Army argues that the three communities from which troopers are recruited generally have a higher average height and similar physical build. This, it says, makes it easier to maintain the perfectly uniform" appearance required for ceremonial parades. In court, the Army has repeatedly maintained that the composition of the PBG is based on functional requirements" and long-standing tradition, not caste discrimination. More Than Just A Ceremonial Unit Although the caste-based recruitment is often explained through ceremonial requirements, PBG is not just for show. Every trooper in the PBG is a qualified paratrooper, trained for airborne operations. They are also trained as an armoured unit and can operate tanks and other armoured vehicles. The regiment has real combat experience. Its detachments have served at the Siachen Glacier which is the worlds highest battlefield. They have also been part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and have taken part in United Nations peacekeeping missions Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 28, 2026, 09:19 IST News viral Did You Know The Presidents Bodyguard Recruits Troopers From Only 3 Communities? Heres Why Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Iran Says 85 Including Female Students Killed In Girls' School After US-Israel Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 21:36 IST Joint strikes by the United States and Israel hit several locations across Iran, with some of the early attacks reported near offices linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran. Image Credits: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS At least 85 people, including female students and children, were killed after a girls school in southern Iran was hit during a US-Israeli airstrike, according to Irans state-run IRNA news agency. The strike reportedly took place in the city of Minab during a wider wave of attacks carried out by the United States and Israel on Saturday. The incident marked the first confirmed deaths inside Iran since the military operation began. Iranian media said the school was struck during the bombardment, leading to the deaths of the students. The joint strikes by the US and Israel targeted several locations across Iran. Some early attacks were reported near offices linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while smoke was seen rising from parts of the capital, Tehran, as explosions were reported in different areas of the country. US President Donald Trump announced that major combat operations" were underway and urged the Iranian public to challenge the countrys Islamic leadership, which has governed Iran since the 1979 revolution. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," Trump said in a video message. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also echoed similar sentiments. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands," he said. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the conflict and represent the second time within eight months that the Trump administration has used military force against Iran. The attacks followed weeks of rising tensions, including the deployment of US warships to the region and pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme. Iran responded quickly to the offensive. The country launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and also struck US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. In Abu Dhabi, falling debris from an Iranian missile attack killed one person, according to state media. Following the escalation, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq temporarily closed their airspace as the conflict spread across the region. Irans Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement after the strikes, saying the country would not hold back in responding to the attacks. The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault," the ministry said in a message posted on X. First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:52 IST News world Iran Says 85 Including Female Students Killed In Girls' School After US-Israel Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... United States President Donald Trump confirmed on Feb. 27 that major combat operations were underway against Iran, triggering a sharp sell-off across global markets, including cryptocurrencies. The joint U.S.-Israeli offensive, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, prompted retaliatory missile launches from Tehran and sent digital asset prices into the red over the past 24 hours. Related: Iran's supreme leader warns U.S. of 'irreparable harm' Trump confirms major combat operations in Iran Speaking in a video shared on Truth Social on Feb. 27, Trump said the United States had begun major combat operations targeting Iranian missile infrastructure and naval assets. He warned that U.S. casualties were possible, calling the campaign a noble mission aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. I do not make this statement lightly. The Iranian regime seeks to kill, Trump said. He added that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. The announcement followed indirect talks in Geneva earlier in the week, during which both sides had signaled progress on a potential nuclear agreement. On Feb. 27, Trump reiterated that Tehran was not willing to give us what we have to have, saying Washington could act with speed and violence, if necessary. Asked about the risk of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, Trump said, When theres war, theres a risk of anything, both good and bad. Trending on TheStreet Roundtable: Israel launches pre-emptive strike, Iran retaliates Israels Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said the country launched a pre-emptive strike on Tehran. Explosions were reported in five Iranian cities, namely Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, as well as in the capital, Tehran, with images circulating online showing plumes of smoke rising from multiple locations. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Iran had fired missiles toward Israel. Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel, the IDF said in a statement. The escalation follows weeks of mounting pressure from Washington, which had repeatedly warned Tehran against advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Crypto markets shed $517M in liquidations Risk assets reacted swiftly. Bitcoin (BTC) fell 6.4% over the past 24 hours to trade at $63,539.29, while Ethereum (ETH) dropped 8.8% to $1,853.19. XRP (XRP) slid 9.4% to $1.29, and Solana (SOL) plunged 10.8% to $78.10. Afghan Forces Claim Pakistani Jet Shot Down Near Jalalabad, Pilot Captured Alive Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:18 IST Afghan forces shot down a Pakistani fighter jet over Jalalabad, detaining the pilot. Pakistan denied the claim. Police officers inspect vehicles as part of security checks on a road leading to the airport in Karachi, Pakistan (Credits: Reuters) Afghan security officials on Saturday said they shot down a Pakistani fighter jet over Jalalabad city and detained the pilot after he parachuted from the aircraft. According to local authorities, the aircraft went down in the sixth district of the eastern Afghan city. Police spokesperson Tayeb Hammad said the pilot survived the crash and was taken into custody by Afghan forces. Military officials also confirmed the development. Wahidullah Mohammadi, spokesperson for the Afghan military in eastern Afghanistan, said the jet had been brought down by Afghan forces and the pilot was captured alive. Residents in the area told AFP that they saw a man parachuting from the aircraft before he was detained. An AFP journalist present in Jalalabad reported hearing a jet flying overhead, followed by two explosions from the direction of the citys airport. Pakistan, however, rejected the claim. Foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the reports were incorrect. Thats a false claim. Totally untrue," he told AFP. The reported incident comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries. On Friday, Pakistan carried out air strikes in the Afghan capital Kabul and in Kandahar in the south, where Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is based. These strikes followed a border offensive launched by Afghan forces late on Thursday. The Taliban government said the operation was carried out in response to earlier Pakistani strikes inside Afghanistan. (With inputs from AFP) First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:15 IST News world Afghan Forces Claim Pakistani Jet Shot Down Near Jalalabad, Pilot Captured Alive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Air India, IndiGo Suspend Flights To West Asia As Iran Conflict Affects Air Routes Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 15:41 IST As US and Israel carried out strikes in Tehran and Iran retaliated, airspace across the Middle East was closed temporarily. Rapid Read AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February returned to India due to closure of air space in Israel. (Image: Reuters/File) Iran, Israel and parts of Iraq have closed their airspaces amid fears of retaliation and further escalation as US and Israel carried out joint strikes in Tehran and other Iranian cities on Saturday. Indian flights were affected as several long-haul international services have been rerouted, delayed or forced to turn back mid-journey. Air India and IndiGo suspended all flights to and from West Asia. Airspace over conflict zones is routinely restricted during active hostilities to protect civilian aircraft from potential missile activity or military operations. The latest closures followed coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, triggering a sharp rise in regional security risks. As a result, commercial carriers operating through West Asian corridors a crucial transit route linking India with Europe and North America have had to reassess flight paths in real time. One of the immediate impacts was felt on Air Indias DelhiTel Aviv service (AI139) on February 28. The airline confirmed that the aircraft was compelled to return to India due to the closure of Israeli airspace. AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to closure of air space in Israel and in the interest of safety of passengers and crew," an Air India spokesperson said. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation and remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as needed." Air India later issued a statement on suspension of flights to and from gulf countries. In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required. Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengers." #TravelAdvisoryIn view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026 A similar statement was issued by IndiGo. Travel AdvisoryIn view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and Middle East, all flights to and from Middle East are cancelled till 0000hrs. These measures have been instituted as the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority. Our teams are IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026 The closure of Iranian and Iraqi skies has also raised concerns about overflight routes typically used by Indian carriers for services to Europe. Many westbound flights from India pass through Iranian airspace as part of the most fuel-efficient corridor. As tensions continue, aviation authorities and airlines are expected to keep reviewing risk assessments, with passenger safety remaining the overriding priority. First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:13 IST News world Air India, IndiGo Suspend Flights To West Asia As Iran Conflict Affects Air Routes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... At Rising Bharat, Expert Warns Iran Holds Multiple Cards In Latest War As Israel, US Launch Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:41 IST What makes the present moment particularly dangerous, Swiss-based military historian Adrien Fontanellaz warned, is the unpredictability of Irans response Rapid Read Swiss-based military historian Adrien Fontanellaz said the unfolding conflict underscores a deeper global shift, one where assumptions of dominance and predictability have eroded. As open hostilities broke out between Iran and the US-Israel axis on Saturday, a stark warning emerged from News18s Rising Bharat SummitTehran holds multiple levers of retaliation, and events may no longer be in Washington or Tel Avivs control. Speaking at the summit, Swiss-based military historian Adrien Fontanellaz said the unfolding conflict underscores a deeper global shift, one where assumptions of dominance and predictability have eroded. Fontanellaz placed the current confrontation in the context of a broader geopolitical transition. In the early 2000s, we thought we were living in a completed world, governed by international law," he said. But for over a decade now, everything has been unravelling." According to him, the move from a unipolar order dominated by the United States to a multipolar systemwith powers such as India risinghas generated friction and instability. We are now back in a conflicted world until a new paradigm emerges," he noted, describing the present moment as highly risky." The outbreak of direct hostilities between Iran and Israel, with US involvement, appears to reflect precisely that volatility. Fontanellaz drew comparisons between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that both leaders demonstrated a belief in swift, decisive operations that avoid prolonged entanglement. He cited Russias short 2008 war with Georgia and the subsequent annexation of Crimea as examples of quick strategic wins that may have shaped Moscows later miscalculation in Ukraine. What was expected to be another rapid success instead turned into a grinding, protracted conflict involving Russia, Ukraine and Western Europe. Fontanellaz suggested that Washington may be facing a similar strategic gamble in confronting Iran. So far, military operations have been clean, under control, and scoring PR points," he observed. But the danger this time in going against Iran is that we have no control over what the Iranians will do." The historian stressed that Tehran possesses several serious options" in the event of escalation. Among them, he said, were targeting American naval assets in the Persian Gulf, deploying an arsenal of at least 1,000 long-range ballistic missiles, launching thousands of shorter-range missiles capable of striking bases in Saudi Arabia, activating regional allies and Tehran-backed militias. He also described Irans long-range missile capabilityalongside its nuclear potentialas a form of strategic insurance. My assumption is they will not renounce them so easily," he said, implying that Irans deterrent posture is deeply embedded in its national security doctrine, and any attempt to degrade it risks triggering broader retaliation. What makes the present moment particularly dangerous, Fontanellaz warned, is the unpredictability of Irans response. What is frightening," he said, is that the Israelis and the Americans dont have control over Irans possibility to escalate." With war now underway, that uncertainty looms large. Unlike previous limited strikes or shadow conflicts, Saturdays developments risk drawing in regional actors, disrupting energy corridors, and widening into a sustained confrontation. First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:41 IST News world At Rising Bharat, Expert Warns Iran Holds Multiple Cards In Latest War As Israel, US Launch Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'I Saw Nothing, Did Nothing Wrong': Bill Clinton After Testifying On Epstein Files Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 11:09 IST Bill Clinton said he testified before the House Oversight Committee to uphold constitutional accountability and support Epsteins victims, while denying any wrongdoings. Rapid Read File photos of Bill Clinton/Jeffrey Epstein (AFP) Former US President Bill Clinton issued a detailed public statement after testifying before the House Oversight Committee in its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, asserting that he had no knowledge of Epsteins crimes and had committed no misconduct during their past association. I saw nothing and did nothing wrong," Clinton said, summarising his testimony to lawmakers while responding to scrutiny surrounding his past interactions with Epstein. The closed-door deposition, held in Chappaqua, New York, marked a historic moment, as it was the first time a former US President had been compelled to testify before Congress. The investigation is examining Epsteins connections with influential figures and broader questions about accountability among powerful individuals linked to him. BILL CLINTON CITES CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY In his statement, Clinton explained that his decision to testify was guided by democratic principles and respect for oversight institutions. I just finished testifying in front of the House Oversight Committee," he said, adding that he appeared for two reasons. First, he said, was his belief in the countrys founding principles. I love my country, including our Constitution, and America was built on the idea that no person is above the law, even presidents, especially presidents." Clinton said democratic systems require participation and accountability, expressing hope that his testimony would help move the country back to being a country where we can disagree civilly, and we can search for truth and justice," instead of allowing partisan conflict to dominate public discourse. DENIAL OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EPSTEINS CRIMES Reiterating his defence, Clinton told lawmakers he had no awareness of Epsteins criminal conduct during their limited interactions. So heres what I told the committee. First, I had no idea the crimes Epstein was committing," he said. I know what I saw and, more importantly, what I didnt see. And I know what I did and, more importantly, what I didnt do." While Clinton has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, during his deposition, lawmakers questioned him about a well-documented relationship with Epstein and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. Clinton said his brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before his crimes came to light," adding that Epstein had concealed his actions from those around him. Were only here today because Epstein hid it from everyone so well for so long," he said. FOCUS ON SURVIVORS AND CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY The former President said a second motivation for appearing before the committee was to support victims of Epsteins abuse. Girls and women whose lives Jeffrey Epstein destroyed deserve not just justice, but healing. Theyve been waiting too long for both," Clinton said, adding that he shared whatever information he possessed in hopes of preventing similar crimes in the future. He also called on federal authorities to release the remaining investigative material. I hope it will motivate the Justice Department to finally release all the files and to ensure that this never happens again. The survivors deserve that," he said. According to the Associated Press, lawmakers are grappling with how accountability should apply to powerful individuals who maintained connections with Epstein, particularly after his 2008 guilty plea in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. POLITICAL TENSIONS AFTER HILLARY CLINTON TESTIMONY Clintons deposition came a day after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before the same committee. In his statement, he criticised Republicans for subpoenaing her, saying she had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein" and has no memory of ever even meeting him." Hillary Clinton told lawmakers she had no knowledge of Epsteins abuse and expected her husband to testify similarly. House Oversight Committee Chair Representative James Comer said ahead of the deposition that lawmakers were seeking answers amid public questions. Concluding his statement, Clinton said he hoped the release of his testimony would encourage others to cooperate with investigators. I hope it will motivate everyone to go in front of Congress to say what they know," he said, urging continued efforts toward accountability and justice for survivors as the investigation moves forward. VIDEO | Washington: Bill Clinton releases statement after testifying in front of House Oversight Committee over connections to Jeffrey Epstein.I just finished testifying infront of the House Oversight Committee. I did it for two reasons. First I love my country, including pic.twitter.com/tAeqQShnsr Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 28, 2026 Lawmakers questioned Clinton about past travel and interactions with Epstein, including international humanitarian trips. AP reported that Epstein visited the White House multiple times during Clintons presidency, and that committee members have examined records showing travel aboard Epsteins airplane, developments that have intensified political debate. Democrats have argued that compelling Clintons testimony sets a broader precedent for questioning other public figures with ties to Epstein, while Republicans have defended the inquiry as necessary oversight. First Published: February 28, 2026, 10:54 IST News world 'I Saw Nothing, Did Nothing Wrong': Bill Clinton After Testifying On Epstein Files Case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Burj Khalifa Evacuated As Iranian Missiles Strike UAE Amid Escalating Conflict Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 17:06 IST Burj Khalifa evacuation reported as Iran fired ballistic missiles at UAE, targeting Al-Dhafra Air Base as explosions rocked Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Burj Khalifa: Standing at 828 meters, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. (File Photo) An evacuation of the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, was reported on Saturday in Dubai, as Iran fired ballistic missiles at the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for the American and Israeli strikes on Iranian soil earlier in the day. Multiple loud explosions rocked both Abu Dhabi and Dubai as Iranian forces targeted Al-Dhafra Air Base, which houses U.S. military personnel. Witnesses in Dubai described hearing a loud boom, though authorities did not immediately clarify whether it resulted from a missile strike, an interception, or falling debris. The interception of an Iranian ballistic missile over Dubai was reported by open-source defence monitoring accounts tracking the strikes in real time. Iran appears to be striking U.S. targets in several countries at once, with blasts heard from the beaches of Dubai to the streets of Doha. CNN reporters on the ground in Abu Dhabi, the UAEs capital, heard explosions and saw smoke rising over the city. The UAEs Ministry of Defence confirmed that Iranian ballistic missiles had targeted the country and that air defence systems intercepted several of them. Debris from those interceptions came down on a residential area in Abu Dhabi, killing one person, identified as an Asian national, and causing property damage, the ministry said, citing information from the state-run WAM news agency. The UAE described the attack as a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act," calling it a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law." The ministry added that the country reserves its full right to respond." Irans Fars news agency confirmed that missiles were fired at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, along with several other U.S. military installations across the region, including Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. The UAE has shut down its national airspace following the attack, saying that it had closed its airspace temporarily and partially" as an exceptional precautionary measure. Major international carriers, including Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and Air India, cancelled or suspended flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and several other Middle Eastern destinations. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed Iranian airspace had also gone largely quiet following the earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes. Dubai is home to more than 3.7 million people and serves as one of the worlds busiest commercial and aviation hubs, and the conflict risks pulling the UAE directly into a wider military confrontation, a scenario that would seriously threaten the countrys economic model, which depends heavily on attracting international business and wealthy residents. Location : Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) First Published: February 28, 2026, 17:06 IST News world Burj Khalifa Evacuated As Iranian Missiles Strike UAE Amid Escalating Conflict Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'They're Great': Trump Praises Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir Amid Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 08:48 IST Donald Trump praised Pakistan and said he gets along very well with its leadership while responding to questions on the escalating Afghanistan conflict. A file photo of Donald Trump (AP) US President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Pakistan while responding to questions from reporters about the ongoing military escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. When asked about a potential US role in addressing the rapidly intensifying confrontation between Islamabad and Kabul, Trump stressed his personal rapport with Pakistans leadership. I would (intervene). But I get along with Pakistan very, very well. They have a great Prime Minister, a great General. They have a great leader, two of the people that I really respect a lot. Pakistan is doing terrifically well," Trump said. CONFLICT BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN INTENSIFIES Trumps remarks came as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan sharply escalated, with both sides accusing each other of carrying out retaliatory strikes, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Islamabad declared an open war" after conducting airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, further intensifying hostilities between the neighbouring countries. Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that Afghanistan had carried out drone attacks targeting Abbottabad, Swabi and Nowshera, adding that anti-drone systems intercepted the drones and that no loss of life was reported, as cited by Tolo News. Pakistan also announced a nationwide ban on commercial and privately operated drones following the escalation. The Ministry of Interior issued a notification enforcing the prohibition amid rising border tensions, Geo News reported. Afghanistan, meanwhile, said its air force launched strikes against several military targets inside Pakistan. Afghanistans Ministry of Defence stated that the operation targeted important military centres, including a military camp near Faizabad in Islamabad, a headquarters in Nowshera, the military township of Jamrud and Abbottabad. Afghan officials said the strikes were conducted in retaliation for what they described as Pakistani aerial incursions." MOST SERIOUS CONFRONTATION IN YEARS Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif described the situation as an open war," marking the most serious armed confrontation between the two countries since a Qatari-mediated ceasefire in October. The latest escalation followed a cycle of cross-border attacks. Afghanistan said it launched an extensive assault across multiple provinces in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes that Kabul claimed killed civilians, including women and children. Pakistan, however, maintained that its strikes targeted militants. The renewed fighting has reignited clashes along the countries long and disputed frontier, known as the Durand Line, where tensions have simmered for months. Pakistan has blamed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for a surge in militant violence and accused Afghanistan of allowing the group a haven, allegations Kabul denies. The confrontation has raised alarm internationally, with concerns that instability in the region could allow militant groups to regain strength. First Published: February 28, 2026, 08:41 IST News world 'They're Great': Trump Praises Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir Amid Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Dubai International Airport Suspends Operations Amid Iran Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 18:56 IST Dubai airports have been closed until further notice after Iran launched retaliatory missile barrages across Gulf states following US-Israel strikes on Iran. Rapid Read Emirates A380s parked on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport (DXB). (Image Courtesy: twocontinents(dot)com) All flights in and out of Dubai have been halted after Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles across Gulf states in retaliation for joint US and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory Saturday. Dubai Airports confirmed that both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC), together handling one of the highest volumes of international air traffic in the world are suspended until further notice. Passengers were told not to go to either airport, and to contact their airlines directly for updates. Emirates, the Dubai-based carrier and the worlds largest international airline by passenger traffic, said all its flights are suspended until at least 11:00 p.m. local time Saturday, citing multiple regional airspace closures, according to reporting by Gulf News. The shutdowns follow fast-moving escalations. The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran earlier in the day, a mission the US military named Operation Epic Fury. President Donald Trump confirmed American forces had begun what he called major combat operations" in Iran. Israels Defence Ministry said that the strikes were pre-emptive, targeting Iranian military infrastructure. Iran responded with missile barrages aimed at US military installations across the Gulf. Explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and other Gulf cities. UAE air defence systems intercepted multiple incoming missiles, though falling debris from intercepts killed at least one person in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Ministry of Defence said. Debris landed in several Abu Dhabi districts, including Saadiyat Island and Khalifa City, according to Gulf News. Witnesses in Dubai reported hearing loud blasts and seeing streaks of light cross the sky. The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate in Dubai ordered all staff to shelter in place and advised American citizens in the UAE to do the same. Key US military sites targeted by the Iranian missiles included Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar the largest American military facility in the region, and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrains Juffair district, where smoke was visible rising from the area, CNN reported. Qatar described the strikes on its territory as a flagrant violation of national sovereignty." Kuwait said its air defences successfully intercepted the attack. The UAEs General Civil Aviation Authority announced a temporary partial closure of the countrys airspace as a precautionary measure, citing a security risk assessment done in coordination with national and international bodies. Qatar Airways also suspended all flights to and from Doha until further notice. Iraq and Kuwait also closed their airspace. The European Unions aviation safety agency issued a conflict-zone alert urging all airlines to stop flying over the Middle East and Persian Gulf until at least Monday, noting elevated risks across the region. Location : Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) First Published: February 28, 2026, 18:56 IST News world Dubai International Airport Suspends Operations Amid Iran Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Abu Dhabi Residents Get Emergency Alerts As Iran Launches Missile Strikes; One Reported Dead Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 17:17 IST Abu Dhabi faced Iranian ballistic missile strikes, prompting emergency alerts and Burj Khalifa evacuation. UAE air defense intercepted missiles, but shrapnel killed one. Smoke arises in Abu Dhabi after an Iranian strike. (Image: reuters) Residents across Abu Dhabi received emergency alerts on Saturday afternoon as explosions were reported in parts of the UAE capital, warning of potential missile threats." Mobile phones lit up with notifications urging people to take immediate precautions. Seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building, and steer away from windows, doors and open areas," the alert read, according to a resident who shared it with News18. The UAE Ministry of Defense later confirmed that the country had been subjected to what it described as a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles." According to officials, UAE air defence systems responded with high efficiency," successfully intercepting a number of incoming missiles. However, authorities confirmed that one person of Asian nationality was killed during the incident. The fatality occurred after shrapnel from intercepted missiles fell in a residential area. In a strongly worded statement, Abu Dhabi condemned the strike as a dangerous escalation" and said it reserves its full right to respond." The developments also triggered precautionary measures elsewhere in the UAE. An evacuation was reported at Dubais Burj Khalifa the worlds tallest building amid fears linked to the missile threat. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm, follow official instructions and avoid spreading unverified information as the situation continues to unfold. Location : Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) First Published: February 28, 2026, 17:11 IST News world Abu Dhabi Residents Get Emergency Alerts As Iran Launches Missile Strikes; One Reported Dead Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From Shadow War To Open Fire: West Asia Erupts After US-Israel Strike On Iran Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 23:40 IST The trajectory for the coming weeks appears to be one of intense mutual attrition rather than a return to the negotiating table Iran launched retaliatory attacks after joint US-Israeli strikes. (Image/Reuters) West Asia has entered a period of unprecedented volatility yet again following a massive, coordinated military strike by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday. This operation, codenamed Epic Fury by Washington and Lions Roar by Jerusalem, represents the most significant escalation in the region in decades, effectively transitioning a long-standing shadow war" into a direct, large-scale kinetic conflict. The Trigger: A Diplomatic Deadlock The immediate catalyst for the strikes was the collapse of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Despite weeks of intense mediation by Omani and European diplomats, the Trump administration concluded that Tehran was using the talks as a stalling tactic" while simultaneously reviving its uranium enrichment programme. In his State of the Union address earlier this week, President Trump labelled the Iranian regime an imminent threat", citing intelligence that Tehran had crossed a red line" in its development of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology. When a final take-it-or-leave-it" ultimatum regarding the total dismantling of the Natanz and Fordow facilities was rejected on Friday, the window for diplomacy slammed shut. Operation Epic Fury: The First Wave The joint assault began in broad daylight on Saturday morninga tactical choice designed to catch Iranian air defences during a shift change and to ensure maximum visual impact for the Iranian public. Over 200 fighter jets and a massive naval armada, led by the USS Gerald R Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, targeted more than 500 sites across Iran. Key targets included: Command and Control: The secure compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran and the Presidential Palace were reportedly struck, though the 86-year-old leader had reportedly been moved to a secure location" hours prior. Nuclear Infrastructure: Sustained strikes were reported at Isfahan, Natanz, and the Parchin military complex, aiming to set back Irans nuclear ambitions by years. Missile Industry: Manufacturing hubs in Karaj and Kermanshah were targeted to annihilate" Irans ballistic capabilities. The Truthful Promise 4 Retaliation Tehrans response was swift and multi-pronged, launched under the banner of Operation Truthful Promise 4. Within four hours of the initial strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles and suicide" drones. Unlike previous escalations, Iran targeted not only Israel but also American strategic assets across the Gulf. Significant impacts were reported at the US Navys 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain and the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Regional allies were also caught in the crossfire; shrapnel from intercepted missiles caused casualties in Abu Dhabi, while Jordan reported multiple interceptions over its northern territory. Internal Vulnerability and the Protests A critical component of the US-Israeli strategy appears to be regime destabilisation". President Trumps public appeal for the Iranian people to take over your government" coincides with a period of profound internal domestic unrest. Large-scale anti-government protests have been recorded in over 100 Iranian cities since early 2026, driven by economic collapse and a brutal crackdown on dissent. By striking the symbols of IRGC power in broad daylight, the coalition hopes to embolden these protesters to trigger a domestic collapse of the clerical establishment. What Lies Ahead: A Period of Attrition As of Saturday evening, the initial phase" of the joint attack is projected to last at least four days, but analysts at Chatham House and other strategic think tanks warn that this is unlikely to be a short war". Regional Widening: The risk of Hezbollah in Lebanon or the PMF in Iraq opening a second front" remains the primary wildcard. If these proxies join the fray, the conflict could engulf the entire Levant. Energy and Global Markets: With major hubs like Dubai International Airport halting flights indefinitely and the Strait of Hormuz effectively a combat zone, global oil prices are expected to spike, potentially triggering a worldwide economic shock. Nation-Building vs Attrition: The Trump administration has signalled it does not seek boots on the ground" or long-term nation-building. However, history suggests that collapsing a regime is far easier than managing the vacuum that follows. The world now watches the United Nations Security Council, which is set to hold an emergency meeting. India on Saturday urged all sides to prioritise civilian safety and resolve tensions through dialogue and diplomacy. However, with the US and Israel committed to a pre-emptive" doctrine, the trajectory for the coming weeks appears to be one of intense mutual attrition rather than a return to the negotiating table. First Published: February 28, 2026, 23:32 IST News world From Shadow War To Open Fire: West Asia Erupts After US-Israel Strike On Iran Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Exercise Utmost Caution': India Issues Advisories For Nationals In Israel, Iran Amid Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 13:10 IST Indian embassies in Israel and Iran urge Indians to stay cautious, follow safety guidelines, avoid non-essential travel, and stay updated amid tensions. Rapid Read Sirens were sounded in Tel Aviv as Israel warned of the possibility of missiles. (AFP/File) The Indian embassies in Israel and Iran on Saturday issued advisories for Indian nationals in both countries, urging them to exercise utmost caution" following heightened tensions after Israeli strikes on Iran. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Israel advised its citizens to strictly follow all safety guidelines and instructions issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. ADVISORYIn view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.2. Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions pic.twitter.com/SBWmNLgIsS India in Israel (@indemtel) February 28, 2026 In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. 2. Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command," the post read. Indians Urged To Avoid Non-Essential Travel The mission further urged Indian nationals to stay close to designated shelters and familiarize themselves with the nearest protected spaces in their area of residence or workplace. Citizens have also been advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice and to regularly monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts. Updated instructions may be accessed at: https://oref.org.il/eng .4. All Indian nationals should remain in close proximity to designated shelters and familiarize themselves with the nearest protected spaces in their area of residence or work. 5. Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice. 6. Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts regularly," the Embassy further wrote. Helpline Numbers Issued For Indians For any emergency assistance, the Embassy said Indian nationals may contact the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv through its 247 helpline at +972-54-7520711 or via email at [cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in]. The Embassy stated that it remains closely engaged with the relevant authorities and will continue to provide updates as necessary. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Iran advised nationals to avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible." ADVISORY as on 28 February 2026 pic.twitter.com/BqQv9AfNAl India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) February 28, 2026 Indians may also continue to monitor the news, maintain situational awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of India. The emergency contact details of the embassy are reiterated as below:+989128109115 +989128109109 +989128109102 +989932179359," it posted on X. Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: February 28, 2026, 13:02 IST News world 'Exercise Utmost Caution': India Issues Advisories For Nationals In Israel, Iran Amid Tensions Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is one of the best manufacturing stocks to invest in now. On February 19, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) inked deals to sell almost 100 jets to Vietnamese carriers. The $30 billion worth of deals underscores the growing ties between the Asian nation and the US. The Boeing Company (BA) Builds Momentum with Wide-Body and 737 MAX Orders from Vietnam Jirat Teparaksa/Shutterstock.com The US aircraft manufacturer is to sell up to 40 787-9 Dreamliners to Vietnam-based carrier Sun PhuQuoc Airways, valued at $22.5 billion. It is the largest-ever order for wide-body aircraft by a Vietnamese airline. Our partnership with Boeing establishes a strong foundation for building a world-class airline that operates in sync with the tourism and resort ecosystem Sun Group has developed, Sun Group Chairman Dang Minh Truong said in a separate statement. In addition, Boeing will sell 50 737-MAX Jets valued at about $8 billion and plans to invest more than $12 billion in 30 wide-bodies Boeing aircraft. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is a leading aerospace manufacturer that designs, develops, and sells commercial jetliners, defense systems, satellites, and space launch vehicles. As a major U.S. exporter, it provides services to airlines and government clients worldwide, including logistics, training, and maintenance. While we acknowledge the potential of BA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 AI Stocks That Will Go to the Moon and 11 High-Growth Industrial Stocks to Buy. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Iran Attacks Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh After US-Israel Strikes; Qatar Intercepts Missiles Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 19:19 IST Iran simultaneously fired ballistic missiles to Israel, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar in retaliation to the US and Israel's joint attack near the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Rapid Read The explosion in Kuwait. (PressTV) Iran simultaneously fired ballistic missiles to Israel, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in retaliation to the US and Israels joint attack near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reuters reported that the sound of another massive explosion was heard in Dubai. Explosions were heard in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and a missile was intercepted by Qatari missile defence hours, according to reports. Two Abu Dhabi residents told the news agency AFP that they heard the blasts. Explosions were also heard across Doha and Riyadh, AFP reported. It was not immediately clear if the US air bases in Abu Dhabi and Qatars Doha were attacked. In Abu Dhabi, the UAE Air Force and the US Air Force share the Al Dhafra Air Base. The UAE had earlier closed its airspace temporarily and partially" as an exceptional precautionary measure. In Doha, the 24-hectare Al Udeid Air Base is the forward headquarters for US Central Command. Explosions reported in Gulf countries hosting US bases CNNMultiple explosions have been reported in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, all of which host US military bases. pic.twitter.com/HWdqt8ogGk Sputnik (@SputnikInt) February 28, 2026 Bahrain on Saturday said that a missile attack targeted the US Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. It offered no other immediate information about the attack. The Fifth Fleets service centre was subjected to a missile attack. We will provide you with details later," Bahrains National Communication Centre said in a statement. The US Navys Fifth Fleet area of responsibility includes the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Several US ships have their home port in Bahrain, including anti-mine vessels and logistical support ships. The US reportedly has over 2,000 soldiers in Saudi Arabia, with some of them being stationed roughly 60 km south of Riyadh, at Prince Sultan Air Base. The base supports US Army assets, including Patriot missile batteries and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence systems. It was not immediately clear if the US troops in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh were attacked. The trigger Israel launched pre-emptive strikes in Iran, with help from America, after which US President Donald Trump announced that the military operations in Iran were to protect the people of his country. Short time ago, the US military began major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said. Terrible and malicious people. Iran must not have nuclear weapons. Never. This regime will learn that it must not challenge American military powerWere going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. Were going to annihilate their Navy." What Israel said The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday confirmed a short while ago that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following a joint US-Israeli "pre-emptive" strike on Iranian territory. According to the IDF, defensive systems were immediately activated to intercept the incoming threat, underscoring Israel's layered missile defence capabilities. The Home Front Command has issued precautionary directives via mobile phone alerts to citizens in affected areas, instructing them to seek immediate shelter. ALSO READ | How Close Is Iran To Making A Nuclear Bomb Or A Missile That Can Reach US? Explained "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," IDF posted on X. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. ALSO READ | How Close Is Iran To Making A Nuclear Bomb Or A Missile That Can Reach US? Explained All US, Israel assets in region a legitimate target, says senior Iranian official A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that they are telling Israel to prepare for what is coming, and our response will be public, and there are no red lines". All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target. There are no red lines after this aggression, and everything is possible, including scenarios that were not previously considered," the official said. The United States and Israel have started an aggression and a war that will have wide and long-lasting repercussions. We were not surprised by the joint American-Israeli aggression and we have a complex response with no time limit," the official stated, adding that any calls for Iran to show restraint or surrender are unacceptable and mere wishful thinking". With Agency Inputs First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:55 IST News world Iran Attacks Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh After US-Israel Strikes; Qatar Intercepts Missiles Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Explosions Heard In Tel Aviv, Dubai: What We Know About US-Israel Strikes And Iran's Retaliation Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:44 IST Explosions from the strikes occurred near the offices of Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran but its not confirmed whether he was in those offices Rapid Read People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo) Israel on Saturday said it has launched a pre-emptive military attack on Iran. The Israeli Defence Forces and government officials have publicly stated that they carried out strikes on Iranian territory, describing them as aimed at neutralising perceived threats to Israels security. US President Donald Trump issued a statement confirming the US was carrying out strikes in Iran. This terror regime cannot have nuclear weapon. They are a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the US, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world," Trump said. A US official quoted by New York Times said: The current attack will be much broader in scope than the strikes carried out by Washington in June last year against Iranian nuclear facilities." Several explosions have been reported in central Tehran this morning. Iranian media and witnesses report missiles hitting areas of the capital, including regions like University Street and Jomhouri. Smoke has been seen rising from the city. Reports citing US officials say America is participating in these strikes too. Several senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and political officials were killed in US-Israeli strikes, an Iranian source close to the establishment told Reuters on Saturday. Heres what we know so far on the US-Israel joint strikes on Iran on February 28: Israel Launches Operation Lions Roar In Iran Multiple news outlets including local Iranian media report explosions in central Tehran, with visible smoke and blasts heard in multiple districts. Some reports place strikes near sensitive government areas, including close to the offices of Irans Supreme Leader. Iran has named the operation Lions Roar. Israel Prim Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel and the United States have jointly launched a military operation against Iran, describing it as a necessary step to eliminate what he called an existential nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime. Thanking Donald Trump for his leadership, Netanyahu said the action aims to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to create conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow their rulers. Addressing Israelis, he urged citizens to follow Home Front Command instructions during the operation, named Roar of the Lion," and called for national unity and resilience in the days ahead. Is US Part Of These Strikes? US officials say American forces are actively participating in the current strikes on Iran alongside Israel. Reports citing US officials say that the United States is part of the military operation against targets in Iran. This participation comes amid significant US military deployments in the region aimed at countering Iranian missile and nuclear capabilities part of a broader strategy that has seen US assets positioned throughout the Middle East. The US Embassy in Qatar has issued an advisory saying, The US Embassy in Qatar is implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice." Message for U.S. Citizens:The U.S. Embassy in Qatar is implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Actions to Take: Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of pic.twitter.com/ENogjpfK5r U.S. Embassy in Qatar (@USEmbassyDoha) February 28, 2026 The US strikes against Iran were being carried out by air and sea, a US official told Reuters on Saturday. What Has Donald Trump Said? US President Donald Trump issued a statement confirming the US was carrying out strikes in Iran. In advance of the investigation, we launched extensive military operations in Iran. Our goal is to protect the people of America by eliminating the imminent threats from its own regime, Iran," Trump said. Lay Down Arms: Trump To IRGC Trump has told Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard to lay down their arms, saying they will be treated fairly with total immunity or face certain death. In a message to Iranians, Trump said, When we are finished, take over your government it will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations." Israel Declares a state of emergency Israeli authorities have activated emergency protocols, closed airspace, and issued alerts to civilians preparing for possible Iranian retaliation, including missiles or drones. Sirens have sounded within Israel as part of precautionary measures. Emergency alert text messages were also sounded on phones of the residents of Israel. Israel, Iran Airspace Shut Iran has shut down its airspace entirely following the start of the strikes, meaning civilian and commercial flights are being halted or rerouted. Israel has also closed its airspace, directing that flights should not enter or depart until further notice due to the threat of Iranian missile or drone retaliation. This escalation comes amid already high tensions between Israel and Iran over Irans nuclear and missile programs, and broader Middle East security dynamics involving the United States and other regional powers. Cyber Attack According to Iranian media reports, several Iranian news websites were hacked on Saturday. Outlets reportedly affected include IRNA, ISNA, Tabnak and Asr-e-Iran. Iran Retaliates A statement from Irans Revolutionary Guards said, In response to the aggression, the first wave of large-scale missile and drone strikes toward Israel has begun." Several explosions were heard in Jerusalem. Explosions were also heard in Tel Aviv. In a statement, the IRGC said the attacks come in response to the hostile and criminal enemys aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran." Several ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran at Israel, with no immediate reports of injuries. The spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces said, Our response to America and the Zionist entity will continue until their defeat. We have previously warned them not to underestimate the situation." Bahrain, Abu Dhabi Hit According to reports, sounds of explosions heard in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. A Reuters report citing witnesses also said a loud bang" was heard near Dubais Marina neighbourhood. Eyewitnesses reported missile interceptions on Dubai. According to reports, an evacuation was reported at Dubais Burj Khalifa the tallest building in the world following fears linked to an Iranian attack. Reports said one person was killed in Abu Dhabi as Iranian missiles were intercepted. A Reuters report said a number of explosions were heard near the main airport in Abu Dhabi, and a renewed wave of explosions was also heard in Doha. Reports said Iranian missiles targeted a US military centre in Doha. Reports said two Iranian missiles were intercepted in Qatar. Kuwait and UAE also announced closing of their airspace temporarily. Explosions were also reportedly heard in Riyadh. Smoke was seen rising from Al-Juffair area in Bahrain, which houses a US naval base as Iran retaliated. Officials in Bahrain were reported as saying the headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet were targeted in a missile attack. Rocket attacks also targeted a US military base in Iraqs Kurdistan region, security sources told Reuters. Where Is Ayatollah Khamenei? Reports said the United States and Israel targeted Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian with their attacks but the results of the strikes were unclear. According to Associated Press, explosions from the strikes occurred near the offices of Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran but its not confirmed whether he was in those offices at the time. Iranian state media acknowledged the explosion in that area but did not confirm his presence or condition. Multiple news outlets note that he hasnt been seen publicly in recent days" amid growing tension with the United States. That suggests he may be out of public view for security reasons, but no official Iranian government statement has confirmed his exact location. Some local reports and unverified social media commentary (not confirmed by major news agencies) suggest he may have been moved to a safe location" or secure facility", which is common practice for national leaders during major attacks but these claims are not verified by reputable sources. Top Leaders In Iran Targeted According to information received by Iran International, Hossein Jabal Ameli, commander of the IRGCs naval industries, has most likely been killed. Assessments from Israel also said that IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour has been killed, N12 reported. First Published: February 28, 2026, 12:53 IST News world Explosions Heard In Tel Aviv, Dubai: What We Know About US-Israel Strikes And Iran's Retaliation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From 1953 Coup To 2026 Strikes: The Long Road To US-Iran War Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:16 IST The US-Iran hostility did not emerge overnight. It is the result of a long chain of political upheavals, covert operations, wars and failed diplomacy. People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran on February 28, 2026. (AP Photo) The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. US President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the United States had begun major combat operations in Iran". He claimed Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach US. Trump has acknowledged that the operations against Iran may lead to US casualties. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties," he said in a video posted to social media early on Saturday morning. That often happens in war." For Iranian leaders, the United States is the Great Satan and successive American administrations have described Iran as a destabilising force in the Middle East. The hostility did not emerge overnight. It is the result of a long chain of political upheavals, covert operations, wars and failed diplomacy. 1953: The Coup That Altered Iran The roots of the rupture stretch back to the Cold War. In 1953, a covert operation known as Operation Ajax, led by the CIA with British backing, removed Irans democratically elected prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, from office. Mossadegh had nationalised Irans oil industry previously dominated by British interests and Western governments feared both economic losses and the potential expansion of Soviet influence. The coup restored Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to consolidated power. Under the Shah, Iran became a key American ally in the region. But his increasingly authoritarian rule, coupled with perceptions that he prioritised Western interests over domestic concerns, bred resentment inside Iran. That anger simmered for decades and eventually exploded. 1979: Revolution and the Hostage Crisis The Islamic Revolution of 1979 transformed Iran from a pro-Western monarchy into a theocratic republic led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The Shah fled, and anti-American sentiment surged. On November 4, 1979, Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage. More than 50 were held for 444 days. The crisis dominated American headlines and deeply embarrassed President Jimmy Carters administration. A secret US rescue attempt Operation Eagle Claw failed after helicopters malfunctioned during a desert sandstorm, killing eight American service members. Diplomatic ties were formally severed in 1980 and have not been restored since. The hostages were released in January 1981, moments after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president. The Iran-Iraq War: Washingtons Tilt Toward Baghdad When Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran in 1980, the United States did not formally join the conflict. However, it leaned toward Iraq. Washington provided intelligence, economic assistance and indirect military support to Baghdad. American officials feared that an Iranian victory could destabilise oil markets and expand Tehrans revolutionary influence across the region. The war lasted eight years, killed hundreds of thousands, and ended without a decisive victor. Ironically, US relations with Iraq would later collapse after Saddams invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The Iran-Contra Scandal: Secret Deals in Public View Despite branding Iran a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984, the Reagan administration became embroiled in a covert scheme involving Tehran. US officials secretly sold arms to Iran, hoping to secure the release of American hostages held in Lebanon by groups linked to Hezbollah. Proceeds from the sales were then funnelled illegally to Contra rebels fighting Nicaraguas leftist government, despite a congressional ban. When the arrangement became public, it triggered a political firestorm known as the Iran-Contra affair. While several officials faced consequences, President Ronald Reagan avoided legal fallout, though his administrations credibility took a hit. Axis of Evil: Post-9/11 Rhetoric In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, President George W Bush sharpened Americas stance. In his 2002 State of the Union address, he grouped Iran with Iraq and North Korea, describing them as an Axis of Evil" that threatened global peace. The phrase marked a rhetorical escalation and signalled Washingtons readiness to confront perceived rogue states. Tehran and its regional partners responded with their own framing, sometimes referring to an Axis of Resistance" opposing American and Israeli influence. Proxy Conflicts Across the Middle East The rivalry has frequently played out indirectly through allied groups and regional flashpoints. Iran has long supported armed non-state actors, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. In Yemen, the Houthi movement has aligned itself with Irans broader regional posture. In Iraq, Shia militias with Iranian backing continue to operate, occasionally clashing with US forces. Meanwhile, Syria became another arena of competition, with Iran backing President Bashar al-Assad during the countrys civil war. Rather than direct warfare between Washington and Tehran, much of their confrontation has unfolded through these layered proxy dynamics. The Nuclear Deal And Its Collapse In 2015, Iran reached a landmark agreement with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China. The deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) placed restrictions on Irans nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran agreed to reduce its enriched uranium stockpile, limit centrifuge use and allow enhanced inspections. Donald Trump criticised the agreement during his 2016 presidential campaign, arguing that it failed to curb Irans regional activities and only delayed its nuclear ambitions. In 2018, his administration withdrew from the deal and reimposed sweeping sanctions under a maximum pressure" strategy. Iran gradually scaled back its compliance, and international monitors later reported increased uranium enrichment activity. Escalation Under Trump Tensions surged further in January 2020 when a US drone strike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans elite Quds Force. The strike brought the two countries to the brink of open conflict. In subsequent years, US officials have accused Iran of plotting retaliation and targeting American figures. Legal charges have been filed against individuals allegedly linked to Iranian networks, though Tehran has denied involvement. Saturdays strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:16 IST News world From 1953 Coup To 2026 Strikes: The Long Road To US-Iran War Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Has Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Left Tehran Amid Israels Pre-emptive Strike With US Help? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 12:55 IST Iran's state television acknowledged an explosion in the area of the offices in Tehran. It wasn't immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was in his office at the time Rapid Read Israel has declared an immediate state of emergency across the country" as it launched a preemptive attack on Iran. (Reuters File) Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday on Irans capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the citys downtown. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. State television acknowledged an explosion in the area of the offices. It wasnt immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his office at the time. He hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. The United States is participating in the Israeli strikes against Iran, according to a US official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations told AP. Situation on ground Some reports also say that the residence of President Masoud Pezeshkian and an intelligence headquarters were targeted during the attack, but Iran has not officially confirmed these claims yet. According to Iranian news agency Fars, several missiles landed in Tehrans University Street and Jomhuri area. Smoke was seen rising from different parts of the city. An Al Jazeera reporter on the scene also confirmed explosions and smoke, showing that the attack reached densely populated areas of the capital. US help US President Donald Trump wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. ALSO READ | How Close Is Iran To Making A Nuclear Bomb Or A Missile That Can Reach US? Explained It wasnt immediately clear if Iran would immediately strike back, but it had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation. Israel declares immediate state of emergency Israel has declared an immediate state of emergency across the country" as it launched a preemptive attack on Iran, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said on Saturday. Sirens blared across the country as Israel launched preemptive"attacks. The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel," Katz said. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Home front command warned civilians to stay close to bomb shelters as sirens sounded across the country. A message from the Home Front command said that due to the security situation," civilians should ensure they know what the optimal protected shelter near them is and avoid non-essential travel. The IDF said that the proactive alert" is intended to prepare the public for the possibility of missile fire toward our territory." The Army says that as of now, there is no need to enter shelters. Indian passengers rush to bomb shelters Meanwhile, passengers at the airport waiting to check in on Air India flight AI 140 from Tel Aviv to New Delhi had to leave their bags and rush to the bomb shelters. A passenger told PTI that they were told to forget everything" and immediately rush to the bomb shelter. The Indian carrier has informed authorities that it will suspend its operations in the sector from tomorrow for a week to monitor the evolving situation." With AP, PTI Inputs First Published: February 28, 2026, 12:35 IST News world Has Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Left Tehran Amid Israels Pre-emptive Strike With US Help? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Irans Options After US-Israel Joint Strikes: Tom Cooper Decodes The Defence At Rising Bharat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 17:08 IST Tom Cooper at Rising Bharat: "Iran has multiple solutions. One of these will depend on the damage US airpower will cause..." Rapid Read Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. (Image Credits: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS) Tom Cooper, Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian, spoke about the escalation of the conflict between US-Israel and Iran at the Rising Bharat summit on Saturday. In a major escalation of regional hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday launched missiles towards Israeli territory following a joint US-Israeli pre-emptive" strike on Iranian territory. From Iranian defence to US airpower, Cooper gave crucial insights into the crisis. Op Midnight Hammer and Rising Lion: How were Israeli aircraft able to fly over Iran without any challenge? Israeli aircraft were never free to fly over Tehran. What Israelis were free to do were to fly up to the border and drop their missiles either over long-range or their GPS-assisted bombs on targets 100 km deep into Iran," said Cooper. There are two different and integrated air defence systems in Iran. One by the regular Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces traditional army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)There was a significant difference between what was said and realityIsraelis have these long-range missiles that were climbing over Iraq, west of Baghdad and deep over IranThere is no evidence they operated the main aircraft that deep over Tehran," clarified Cooper. US and China The US strike on Iranian nuclear facility was to gauge their strengthThey didnt just send stealth bombers but also aircraft. It was a concentrated operation to bring bombers to the targets and go back safely. Iran and China have built a powerful air defence system. The IRGC was resistant of manufacturing just in Iran. The production rates were low. The question now is will China will replenish Iranian stocks for the current war," said Cooper. On Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar strikes Iran simultaneously fired ballistic missiles to Israel, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar in retaliation to the US and Israels joint attack near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has multiple solutions. One of these will depend on the damage US airpower will cause. Last year, the Israelis couldnt cause much damage for decisive victory. They couldnt reach further than the outskirts. So Iranians were free to move them to Tehran," he said. The US airforce will help them reach central Iran. The US intelligence is playing an even more important roleAmericans are offering a different capability to Israel. In turn, Iranians have 2,000 ballistic missiles, but they have short-range missiles to strike US bases in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Iranians can go all out or fire 15-20 missiles and wait for simmer effect like last year. US forces have exhausted production worth of 2 years in defending Israel," said Cooper. First Published: February 28, 2026, 17:08 IST News world Irans Options After US-Israel Joint Strikes: Tom Cooper Decodes The Defence At Rising Bharat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Israel-Iran War: Whose Military Has The Upper Hand? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 15:13 IST Israel-Iran war: Though roughly equal in the number of troops, the two militaries bring strikingly different tactics and firepower. Here's how they stack up in comparison Rapid Read Israeli-US strikes against Iran have plunged the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation, further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's nuclear dispute with the West. (AP) Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, and a United States attack is underway, plunging the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehrans nuclear dispute with the West. The attack follows a 12-day air war in June between Israel and Iran and repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. So how do the militaries of Iran and Israel stack up against each other? Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent years by US and Israeli actions. Israel, meanwhile, relies on both subterfuge and robust regular ground and air forces that are apparently unmatched in the region. Though roughly equal in the number of troops, the two militaries bring strikingly different tactics and firepower. Where does Iran stand? According to an Associated Press report from June 2025, on paper, Iran would seem to have an advantage in numbers, with 88 million people and a land area of 1.6 million square kilometers compared to Israels 9 million people and 22,000 square kilometers. Militarily however, those numbers mean little. Irans troops are divided between the regular armed forces, generally commissioned with guarding Irans borders and carrying out more conventional military tasks, and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, including the elite Quds Force, the strategic missile command and the cyberforce. The regular forces command the bulk of the troops around 600,000 men and standard equipment, while the Revolutionary Guard has about 200,000 personnel split between various divisions. Along with Irans proxies, its conventional forces are believed to have been heavily degraded by Israeli and US military operations since 2024. Irans military equipment is a hodge-podge, including some provided by the Soviet Union and others by the US prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, along with more recent Russian additions. With an estimated 350 antiquated planes in its air force, it lags far behind Israel in both quantity and quality. Iran, however, does have the ability to produce a wide range of UAVs and similar equipment, typified by the Shahed attack drones it has sold to Russia in large numbers for use in the war in Ukraine. Iran claims to possess a multi-warhead missile, known as the Khorramshahr, which was first tested in 2017 and appears likely to be derived from a North Korean missile, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project. According to the CSIS report, the multiple warheads claim is most likely a reference to a submunitions warhead, rather than multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology." A true MIRV missile allows separately targeted warheads to be set on independent paths from the main missile. Irans nuclear program has advanced in recent years, and it is believed to have developed enough uranium enriched to near-weapons grade levels to produce multiple nuclear weapons in a matter of months if it took the decision to do so. But Iran would need even more time to develop a missile or other means of weaponising them. Israel does not appear inclined to take that chance, however, having already struck facilities manufacturing nuclear material and ballistic missiles in 2025. How does Israel compare? Israels formidable land, sea and air forces are derived from both the latest US and European technology as well as a robust domestic defence industry that can design, build and sustain a full range of armaments, allowing it to take on opponents on multiple fronts at the same time. For a small nation it also has a considerable supply of troops, with about 170,000 active duty forces and another 400,000 reserves. Though fewer than Iran, Israels forces have been battle hardened by regional conflicts. Israel has built a multi-layered air defence shield to counter threats ranging from long-range ballistic missiles to short-range rockets and drones. At the top tier is the Arrow system including Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles inside and outside the atmosphere. Developed primarily by Israel Aerospace Industries with US involvement from Boeing, it is engineered to neutralise threats at high altitudes, allowing safe dispersal of non-conventional warheads. Supporting it at mid-range is Davids Sling, built jointly by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and US-based RTX Corp, which can intercept ballistic missiles, aircraft, drones and cruise missiles fired from roughly 100200 km away. For shorter-range threats, Israel deploys the widely known Iron Dome, operational since 2011 and developed with US backing. It uses radar-guided interceptors to destroy rockets, mortars and drones mid-air, while selectively ignoring projectiles that are not headed toward populated areas. Originally designed to counter rockets with ranges of 4-70 km, its capabilities have since expanded. A naval variant protects ships and offshore assets. Complementing it is the newly operational Iron Beam, a ground-based laser system declared fully active in late 2025, which uses high-powered lasers to disable smaller aerial threats at a significantly lower cost per interception. In addition to its domestic systems, Israel has been reinforced by the US-deployed THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, capable of intercepting short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their final flight phase. The US military has assisted in intercepting Iranian missiles using both ground systems and naval assets in the Mediterranean. Israeli fighter jets and combat helicopters also contribute to air defence by using air-to-air missiles to destroy incoming drones, adding another layer to the countrys defensive umbrella. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, though it has never acknowledged having such weapons. Israel also has a steadfast ally in the United States, which has been key in previous conflicts and will likely be crucial in any that follow. With inputs from Associated Press Location : Israel First Published: February 28, 2026, 15:13 IST News world Israel-Iran War: Whose Military Has The Upper Hand? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Sirens Sound Across Israel, State Of Emergency Declared Amid Iranian Retaliatory Missile Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:11 IST Rocket sirens sounded across Israel as millions rushed to shelters amid an Iranian missile attack following US-Israel strikes on Iran. Rapid Read Sirens in Israel as conflict with Iran escalates (Photo: AP/File) Rocket sirens rang out across Israel as the country was placed under a state of emergency on Saturday, sending millions of civilians rushing toward shelters as Iran rained missiles following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Tehran. Authorities instructed residents nationwide to remain close to protected spaces, while air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming threats. Social media posts circulating widely showed alerts sounding across multiple regions, with users reporting that sirens were heard from northern Israel to central areas. Posts described civilians running to bunkers and protected rooms as emergency warnings flashed across mobile devices, underscoring the scale of the nationwide alert. The Israeli military confirmed that sirens were sounded as a proactive measure amid the possibility of ballistic missiles being launched toward Israeli territory. HOSPITALS MOVE PATIENTS TO SHELTERS Israels healthcare system shifted into emergency mode as tensions escalated. According to a China Daily report, the alert level of all hospitals was raised to the highest level after attacks in Iran, prompting authorities to transfer hospitalised patients into shelters and cancel all non-urgent medical activity. Several hospitals implemented wartime protocols, relocating surgeries and vulnerable patients to fortified underground areas in anticipation of possible retaliatory strikes. Emergency preparedness measures reflected growing concern that Israel could face sustained missile fire. At the same time, Israeli authorities shut civilian airspace, while schools and workplaces were closed except for essential services. US-ISRAEL STRIKES TRIGGER ESCALATION The heightened alert in Israel followed large-scale military operations carried out earlier Saturday against Iran. The United States and Israel launched attacks targeting Iranian military and government-linked sites, with the first apparent strike occurring near offices associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Witnesses reported explosions across the Iranian capital, and smoke was seen rising from multiple locations. Roads leading to Khameneis compound were shut down, while Iranian authorities halted air traffic and disrupted mobile phone services. Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that Washington had begun major combat operations in Iran," signalling a significant escalation in the long-running confrontation over Tehrans nuclear programme. Iran has not released casualty figures, but officials warned previously that American military personnel and bases in the region could be targeted in retaliation. ISRAEL CALLS STRIKE PRE-EMPTIVE Israel described the operation as a pre-emptive attack" conducted after months of planning in coordination with Washington. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was carried out to remove threats to the State of Israel." An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was preparing a crushing retaliation," while another source said Supreme Leader Khamenei had been moved to a secure location outside the capital. The developments marked a sharp deterioration following renewed diplomatic negotiations earlier this year aimed at resolving disputes over Irans nuclear activities. NUCLEAR DISPUTE AND REGIONAL TENSIONS Tensions have been building for months over Irans nuclear enrichment programme and ballistic missile capabilities. Washington has sought restrictions on uranium enrichment, while Israel has pushed for dismantling Irans nuclear infrastructure entirely. Iran has insisted it has the right to pursue nuclear enrichment and has refused to link negotiations to its missile programme or regional alliances. Tehran has repeatedly warned that any military strike would trigger retaliation across the region. The current escalation follows a previous 12-day air war between Israel and Iran, highlighting the fragile security environment and raising fears of a broader regional conflict involving multiple actors. INDIA ISSUES ADVISORY AS SECURITY SITUATION DETERIORATES Amid the rapidly evolving situation, the Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution" and remain vigilant. Citizens were advised to strictly follow Israeli Home Front Command guidelines, stay close to designated shelters and avoid all non-essential travel. The Embassy also asked nationals to monitor official announcements and provided a 24-hour emergency helpline for assistance. First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:08 IST News world Sirens Sound Across Israel, State Of Emergency Declared Amid Iranian Retaliatory Missile Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Joint Attack With US Was To Remove Existential Threat Posed By 'Terror Regime' In Iran, Says Netanyahu Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 14:20 IST Calling Irans government a murderous terror regime, Netanyahu argued that decisive military action was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons Rapid Read Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday announced that Israel, in coordination with the United States, has launched a military operation against Iran, describing the move as necessary to eliminate what he called an existential threat" posed by Tehrans leadership. In a televised address delivered shortly after the operation began, Netanyahu said: My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago Israel and the USA launched an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terror regime in Iran." The announcement marks a dramatic escalation in the rapidly intensifying Iran-Israel war, bringing Washington directly into the conflict alongside its closest Middle Eastern ally. Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for backing the strike, saying, I thank our great friend President Donald Trump for his historic leadership." The Israeli leader accused Irans ruling clerical establishment of decades of hostility and violence, stating: For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has been shouting Death to Israel, Death to America. It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people." Calling Irans government a murderous terror regime", Netanyahu argued that decisive military action was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This murderous terror regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all humanity," he said. While Israeli officials have long maintained that Irans nuclear ambitions pose a direct threat to the Jewish state, the prime minister framed the operation as having broader implications for global security. He suggested that the joint action could also open the door to political change inside Iran. Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands," Netanyahu said, directly addressing Irans diverse ethnic communities. The time has come for all parts of the Iranian peoplePersians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochs, and Ahwazisto cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-loving Iran." The address also carried a message of preparedness for Israelis, as the country braces for possible retaliation from Iran and its regional allies. Netanyahu urged the public to follow security directives, stating: I call on you, citizens of Israel, to heed the Home Front Commands instructions. In the coming days, during Operation Roar of the Lion, we will all be required to show endurance and strength of spirit." He concluded with a call for unity amid the escalating conflict: Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel." The attack was widely expected after Trump ordered the biggest military deployment to the Middle East in years. But Trump on Friday had insisted that he had not decided whether to attack, and his envoys on Thursday held talks with Irans top diplomat toward a deal on concerns led by Tehrans nuclear programme. Trump said Washingtons goal was eliminating imminent threats" from Iran, and Israels defence minister Israel Katz described the action as a preventive strike". Location : Israel First Published: February 28, 2026, 14:08 IST News world Joint Attack With US Was To Remove Existential Threat Posed By 'Terror Regime' In Iran, Says Netanyahu Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Reached An Agreement': Sam Altman Announces OpenAI Deal With US Amid Trump-Anthropic Fallout Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 09:26 IST Sam Altman said OpenAI has reached an agreement to deploy its AI models on a classified US defence network with built-in safeguards. Rapid Read File photos of Sam Altman/Donald Trump (AP) OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Saturday said the company has reached an agreement with the United States Department of War (DoW) to deploy its artificial intelligence models within a classified military network, outlining safety commitments and operational safeguards in a post on X. Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network," Altman wrote, adding that discussions with defence officials reflected alignment on responsible AI use. In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome," he mentioned. Altman emphasised that safety principles formed a core part of the agreement, particularly regarding military deployment of advanced AI systems. AI safety and wide distribution of benefits are the core of our mission," he wrote. Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems." The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement," he mentioned. According to Altman, OpenAI will introduce technical mechanisms to ensure its models function within agreed boundaries during defence use. He said deployments would occur only through cloud-based infrastructure and would include dedicated personnel overseeing implementation. We also will build technical safeguards to ensure our models behave as they should, which the DoW also wanted," Altman said. We will deploy FDEs to help with our models and to ensure their safety. We will deploy on cloud networks only." He also urged the defence department to extend similar terms to other artificial intelligence companies, stating, We are asking the DoW to offer these same terms to all AI companies, which in our opinion we think everyone should be willing to accept." Altman added that OpenAI hopes tensions between governments and technology firms move toward negotiated solutions rather than confrontation. We have expressed our strong desire to see things de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions and towards reasonable agreements," he wrote. Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network.In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome. AI safety and wide distribution of Sam Altman (@sama) February 28, 2026 US GOVERNMENTS CLASH WITH ANTHROPIC Altmans post comes as the Trump administration intensified a public dispute with AI company Anthropic over military use of artificial intelligence systems. Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to immediately stop using Anthropic technology, accusing the company of attempting to interfere with how the US military operates. In a Truth Social post, Trump said, The United States of America will never allow a radical left, woke company to dictate how our great military fights and wins wars!" He directed agencies to begin a six-month phase-out period for existing systems and warned of potential civil and criminal consequences if the company did not cooperate. The administrations move followed Anthropics refusal to remove safeguards that limited how its AI tools could be used by the military. The company had sought assurances that its chatbot would not be used for domestic mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials accused Anthropic of jeopardising national security by restricting access, while the company said it would challenge what it called an unprecedented and legally unsound action. First Published: February 28, 2026, 09:05 IST News world 'Reached An Agreement': Sam Altman Announces OpenAI Deal With US Amid Trump-Anthropic Fallout Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Top Iran IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour Killed In Strikes Amid Escalating Conflict: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 16:58 IST Israeli officials believe IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour was killed amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, though Tehran has not confirmed his status. Rapid Read Israeli officials believe IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour was killed amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, though Tehran has not confirmed his status. (image: WIKI) Israeli officials assess that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour has been killed, according to a report by Israeli broadcaster N12. The reported assessment comes amid intensifying hostilities between Israel and Iran following a series of strikes targeting senior Iranian military and political figures. While there has been no official confirmation from Tehran regarding Pakpours status, the report suggests Israeli security sources believe he was among those eliminated in recent operations. Pakpour, a senior figure within the IRGC, played a key role in overseeing Irans elite military forces and regional operations. The IRGC is one of the most powerful institutions in Iran, responsible for safeguarding the Islamic Republics political system and commanding significant influence over the countrys missile and proxy networks. Meanwhile, Irans Fars News Agency, without addressing claims regarding Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or senior IRGC commanders, reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian, former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Army Commander-in-Chief Abdolrahim Mousavi Hatami are alive and well." Iranian authorities have not directly responded to the specific claim about Pakpour. Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: February 28, 2026, 16:51 IST News world Top Iran IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour Killed In Strikes Amid Escalating Conflict: Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE:ESNT) is one of the 13 Deep Value Stocks to Buy Right Now. Bank of America, on February 17, slightly increased its target price on Essent Group by 3.0% to $68 (from $66) and reiterated its Buy recommendation on the stock. The target price update comes after the firm adjusted its FY26 and FY27 earnings per share forecasts, following the release of Essents Q4 results, which fell slightly below the firms own forecasts. The firm, however, emphasized that it did not view the miss as thesis changing. Essent released its Q4 2025 earnings on February 13, which showed the company posting $1.60 in diluted earnings per share and $312.40 million in net revenue, both figures slightly missing BofA and street consensus estimates. Despite this miss, the companys overall strategy (which it calls the Buy, Manage, & Distribute Operating Model) looks to be intact. The companys total insurance in force grew YoY. The gross premium rate it earns on insurance was stable. Essent was also able to manage its risk by transferring some of its credit risk to high-quality reinsurers (albeit at a slightly higher cost vs. last year). The company, in Q4 2025, wrote $11.8 billion in new insurance policies at an average base premium earned of 41 basis points ($4.1 in annual premium for every $1,000 insured). Most importantly, operating cash flows remained healthy, allowing Essent to increase its quarterly dividend rate to $0.35 per common share. BofA Raised Target Price on Essent Group (ESNT) to $68 11 Tips to Get Approved for a Mortgage Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE:ESNT) is a holding company that offers private mortgage insurance, reinsurance, and title insurance and settlement services through its subsidiaries: Essent Guaranty, Inc., Essent Reinsurance Ltd., and Essent Title Insurance, Inc. The company is based in Hamilton, Bermuda, and was founded in July 2008 by Mark Casale. While we acknowledge the potential of ESNT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. TTP Launches Fresh Retaliatory Attacks In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 Killed Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 08:34 IST TTP and affiliate militants targeted six cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar, Bannu, Budhber, Nowshera, Waziristan and Kohat. Rapid Read Villagers examine damages due to overnight cross border fighting between Pakistan and Afghan forces, at a village in Bajaur. (Image: AP) Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has launched a fresh wave of retaliatory attacks across Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, targeting multiple cities and police installations in a coordinated offensive. According to security sources, at least 11 people have been killed, including seven policemen, while several others sustained injuries in the attacks. TTP and affiliate militants targeted six cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar, Bannu, Budhber, Nowshera, Waziristan and Kohat. Militants attacked Peshawars Matni Police Station, Siri-Khawara Police Station and Budhber Police Station, triggering heavy exchange of fire. In Waziristan, rockets were fired at Mir Alis Police Station. TTP affiliates also attacked Bannus Kashoo Pul, Domail and Merraan Police Stations, with multiple casualties feared. Heavy firing was reported in Nowshera, where drones were also spotted. Security forces attempted to shoot them down amid the ongoing operation. Due to heightened security threats, authorities closed all entry and exit points in Bannu and Kohat cities. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have beefed up security at all police stations and summoned all officers and constables to report on duty immediately. The escalation follows Pakistans cross-border strikes inside Afghanistan on February 26, which Islamabad said targeted TTP hideouts along the frontier. Afghan authorities, however, claimed civilian casualties and strongly condemned the action. The strikes triggered sharp reactions from Kabul, and border tensions intensified with reports of firing and troop movements along certain sectors. The February 26 operation marked a significant escalation in the already fragile Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship. The provincial administration has sought additional assistance from the Frontier Corps (FC) to counter the security threats. Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administrations have issued special directives for public safety, urging citizens to remain vigilant in markets and mosques and to report any suspicious activity. The violence comes after TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud announced his support for the Afghan Taliban in audio and written statements. He ordered his fighters to carry out destructive attacks inside Pakistan, declaring that a new operation has been launched under the name Defencing Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan." The announcement signalled a direct alignment with the Afghan Taliban regime and a renewed offensive posture. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban government of providing safe havens to TTP militants operating from Afghan soil. Kabul has denied the allegations, insisting that Pakistans security challenges are internal matters. Since the Afghan Talibans return to power in 2021, TTP activities have surged, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with previous ceasefires collapsing and violence resurging. First Published: February 28, 2026, 08:34 IST News world TTP Launches Fresh Retaliatory Attacks In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 Killed Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Must End This Abhorrent Practice': US Designates Iran 'State Sponsor Of Wrongful Detention' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 10:03 IST The US has designated Iran a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, with Marco Rubio and the FBI urging the release of Americans held in the country. Protestors hold portraits of Reza Pahlavi during a demonstration organised by members of the Iranian diaspora outside the United Nations offices (Photo: AFP) The United States has formally designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention," with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing Tehran of repeatedly imprisoning foreign nationals to gain political leverage. In a post on X, Rubio mentioned, Today I designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. For decades, the Iranian regime has cruelly detained innocent Americans and citizens of other nations to use as political leverage." Iran must end this abhorrent practice and immediately free all unjustly detained Americans," he wrote. The move marks the first designation under a new blacklist created by the United States targeting countries accused of wrongful detention practices. The step comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and could eventually lead to restrictions, such as invalidating US passports for travel to Iran if progress is not made. Rubio warned Iran must stop detaining Americans and release those held unjustly, adding that such steps could lead to the removal of the designation and related measures. Today I designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. For decades the Iranian regime has cruelly detained innocent Americans and citizens of other nations to use as political leverage. Iran must end this abhorrent practice and immediately free all unjustly detained Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 27, 2026 Iran has detained several Americans in recent years, often dual nationals whom Tehran considers Iranian citizens under its legal framework. The designation itself does not automatically impose penalties but signals potential future actions by Washington. Following Rubios announcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation also issued a statement on X emphasising ongoing efforts to bring detained Americans home. The FBI wrote, Today, the U.S. has designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. The FBI remains committed to working with our federal and international partners to return Americans who are being held captive home and bring their captors to justice." The agency added that the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (HRFC) coordinates government-wide efforts to recover Americans held abroad and provides support to hostages and their families during and after release. Today, the U.S. has designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. The #FBI remains committed to working with our federal and international partners to return Americans who are being held captive home and bring their captors to justice. The Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell pic.twitter.com/fRCnyXutsA FBI (@FBI) February 27, 2026 MOVE COMES AMID ESCALATING NUCLEAR DISPUTE The designation comes as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high over Tehrans nuclear program and ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Donald Trump said he was not happy" with the latest round of indirect nuclear talks with Iran held in Geneva but indicated negotiators would be given more time to reach a deal aimed at avoiding another conflict in the Middle East. Were not exactly happy with the way theyre negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons," Trump told reporters, reiterating Washingtons position that Iran should not be allowed to enrich uranium. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons. The tensions have been accompanied by increased US military deployments in the region and warnings of possible military action if negotiations fail. Iran has said it would respond to any strike by targeting American forces in the Middle East. AFP noted that Iran is the first country placed on the wrongful detention blacklist created through an executive order signed by Trump in September. The framework mirrors other US designation systems used to apply diplomatic pressure on governments. First Published: February 28, 2026, 09:59 IST News world 'Must End This Abhorrent Practice': US Designates Iran 'State Sponsor Of Wrongful Detention' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US, Israel Launch Joint Strikes On Iran; Khamenei Moved To Secure Location Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 15:15 IST The United States and Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting areas near Irans Supreme Leaders offices, after which he was moved to a secure location. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran (Photo: AFP) The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran on Saturday, marking a dramatic escalation in regional tensions and raising fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East. The first apparent strike took place near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, according to multiple reports. Khamenei was later reported to be moved to a different, secure location, reports claimed. Iranian media reported explosions across multiple locations nationwide, while smoke was seen rising from central Tehran following the attacks. Witnesses said the initial blast was heard near Khameneis compound, though it remained unclear whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the time. He has not appeared publicly in recent days as tensions with Washington intensified. Authorities in Tehran moved quickly to block roads around Khameneis residence as further explosions were reported across the capital. Iranian state television later confirmed the explosion but did not provide details about its cause or possible damage. TRUMP ANNOUNCES MAJOR COMBAT OPERATIONS" US President Donald Trump confirmed American participation in the operation, saying in a video posted on social media that US forces had begun major combat operations in Iran." The attack came after the United States assembled a large fleet of fighter jets and warships across the region in an effort to pressure Tehran into accepting limits on its nuclear programme. Trump has long pushed for a deal to constrain Irans nuclear ambitions and appeared to view the moment as an opportunity, as Iran faces internal dissent following nationwide protests. While Washingtons exact operational role was not immediately disclosed, a US official and another person familiar with the mission confirmed American participation, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military operations, the Associated Press reported. TARGETS INCLUDE MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE SITES An official briefed on the operation told news agency PTI that Israeli strikes targeted Irans military infrastructure, intelligence facilities and symbolic government sites. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the campaign as an operation carried out to remove threats," though he did not elaborate further. More explosions struck Tehran after Israel confirmed it was conducting attacks inside Iran. Authorities have not released casualty figures, and the full scale of damage remained unclear. Iran had previously insisted it retains the right to enrich uranium and had resisted negotiations that would include restrictions on its long-range missile programme or its support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. AIRSPACE SHUTDOWNS AND REGIONAL ALERT As the strikes unfolded, both Iran and Israel closed their airspace, while neighbouring Iraq also suspended flights, citing security concerns, PTI reported. Explosions echoed across Tehran as warnings were issued to pilots and aviation authorities. Iranian authorities also cut mobile phone services in parts of the country, further complicating communication amid the unfolding crisis. In Israel, sirens sounded nationwide as the military issued what it described as a proactive alert" warning civilians to prepare for potential missile attacks from Iran. Hospitals activated emergency protocols, moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities in anticipation of retaliation. IRAN HAD WARNED OF RETALIATION The strikes came despite repeated Iranian warnings that any attack would trigger retaliation against US military personnel and bases throughout the region. Officials had cautioned that American assets could become immediate targets if hostilities broke out. Iran had sought to avoid a direct war but remained firm in defending its nuclear activities, arguing that uranium enrichment is its sovereign right. Tehran has also refused to negotiate over its missile capabilities or regional alliances. ESCALATION AMID INTERNAL PRESSURE IN IRAN The timing of the strikes coincides with mounting domestic pressure inside Iran, where authorities have faced sustained protests and growing dissent. Analysts cited in agency reports suggested Washington may have calculated that Tehrans internal challenges created a strategic opening. First Published: February 28, 2026, 12:47 IST News world US, Israel Launch Joint Strikes On Iran; Khamenei Moved To Secure Location Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Your Only Chance: Trump Urges Iranians To Topple Regime, Calls On IRGC To Surrender Amid Strikes Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 28, 2026, 13:42 IST The US President also called on members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Iranian army and police forces to lay down their arms Rapid Read US President Donald Trump and Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Image: AP/File) United States President Donald Trump declared that regime change in Iran is imminent, urging the Iranian people to rise up against their leadership as joint US-Israeli military operations continue across Iranian territory. When we are finished, you will have your chance to take over your government this may be your only opportunity for generations," Trump said in a message to Iranians. Trump addressed the situation in a statement aired shortly after multiple explosions were reported in Tehran and other Iranian cities, marking a large-scale coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian military and strategic targets. He described the ongoing offensive as the beginning of major combat operations" aimed at dismantling Irans missile and nuclear capabilities. In the statement, the US President called on members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Iranian army and police forces to lay down their arms, promising that those who surrender would be treated fairly and offered total immunity. BREAKING Trump calls regime change in Iran, says Iranian peoples freedom is at hand today.He also calls IRGC, army and police to lay down their weapons so they would get total immunity pic.twitter.com/WWsBVrI7M6 Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) February 28, 2026 Trumps remarks went beyond typical military rhetoric, framing the conflict as not just a strike on strategic targets but a turning point for Iranian society. He told the Iranian public that freedom is at hand today," and that the overthrow of the current regime could usher in a new era for the countrys future. The strikes themselves have been wide-ranging, with reports of explosions near Tehrans central districts, as well as cities including Isfahan, Qom and Karaj, targeting military sites and infrastructure. Iranian state media acknowledged the blasts but provided limited details, while officials in Tehran have vowed retaliation and described the attacks as an act of aggression. As a result of the hostilities, regional airspaces, including Irans and Israels, have been closed to civilian flights. Mobile phone networks were disrupted in parts of Iran, and thousands of residents in Tehran were reported to be seeking shelter following the blasts. First Published: February 28, 2026, 13:42 IST News world Your Only Chance: Trump Urges Iranians To Topple Regime, Calls On IRGC To Surrender Amid Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... We came across a bullish thesis on Cardinal Health, Inc. on X.com by @MoneyShow. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on CAH. Cardinal Health, Inc.'s share was trading at $226.18 as of February 25th. CAHs trailing and forward P/E were 24.57 and 16.92, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. ImmunityBio (IBRX) Extends Rally on 8th Day on Strong Clinical Trial Results Jirsak/Shutterstock.com Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as a healthcare services and products company in the United States and internationally. CAH continues to demonstrate resilience and steady growth within the healthcare sector, driven by strong demand and operational efficiency. The company operates through two main divisions: Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, and Global Medical Products and Distribution. Its Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment delivers tailored solutions to hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients at home, distributing branded and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty drugs, and over-the-counter healthcare products. Meanwhile, the Global Medical Products and Distribution division supports pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers with specialty pharmaceutical services, pharmacy management for hospitals, community health center pharmacies, and repackaging of generic and over-the-counter products. In its latest quarter, CAH reported revenue of $64 billion, a 22.4% increase from $52.3 billion a year ago, alongside operating earnings of $611 million, or $2.55 per share, up 35.6% from $460 million, or $1.88 per share. These results significantly exceeded analyst expectations of $58.6 billion in revenue and $2.21 per share in earnings, representing an 8.4% revenue surprise and a 15.4% earnings beat. Positive analyst sentiment has also increased, with consensus earnings estimates rising 4.3% over the past three months, signaling potential for continued upside. With disciplined execution, a defensive position in healthcare, and strong operational performance, Cardinal Health presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of robust revenue growth, substantial earnings outperformance, and favorable analyst revisions reinforces the case for CAH as a buy, offering both stability and potential upside in the healthcare services space. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) by Kontra in October 2024, which highlighted its leading position in life sciences tools, diversified segments, and quality compounding potential. TMOs stock price has depreciated by 14.62% since our coverage. @MoneyShow shares a similar view but emphasizes Cardinal Health, Inc.s (CAH) defensive positioning, operational efficiency, and strong revenue and earnings growth, highlighting steady, resilient performance in healthcare services. California's most talked-about pot might be more ghost story than strain. Writing for SFGate , Lester Black details how he spent a year chasing Big Sur Holy Weed, a strain reportedly bred on Big Sur's cliffs in the 1960s by a reclusive monk named Perry, using seeds brought by surfers and hippies. The lore casts it as an uplifting, almost spiritual ancestor of modern cannabisso prized it appears in a UC Berkeley oral history project and in California's efforts to protect regional cannabis genetics the way France protects Champagne. But the deeper Black digs, the shakier the origin story becomes. There may never have been a "Perry," and longtime breeder Mojave Richmond tells him it would've been "scientifically impossible" for any type of weed grown in the '60s to be one consistent strain. Richmond says bluntly, "The real story is there is no such thing as a single Big Sur Holy Weed." Instead, Black finds a fragmented legacy shaped as much by prohibition as botany. For decades, growing cannabis meant risking prison and asset seizure, giving farmers every reason not to keep records or stabilize genetics the way winemakers do. Today, there's no reliable way to certify whether a plant labeled "Big Sur Holy Weed" has any connection to the coast at all. That leaves space for corporate patent hunters, romantic storytellers, and struggling legacy growers all claiming authenticity. UC Berkeley historian Todd Holmes, who's documenting cannabis lore, acknowledges the murkiness: "When we think about the historical foundation and the historical understanding of California cannabis, we really have schoolyard lore." Meanwhile, the real-world stakes are mounting. Big Sur's last licensed cannabis farmer, Kodiak Greenwood, recently lost his permit amid costly state regulations, even as California spends millions trying to establish protected cannabis appellations. If Big Sur Holy Weed is defined less by monkish legend and more by geography, losing local farms could erase whatever made it distinct in the first place, and Greenwood fears that's exactly what's happening across the state's shrinking small-farm scene. "We're going to lose an incredible amount of genetic diversity," he says. "Strains will disappear." Read the full story here. Florida real estate doesn't get much more niche than this: A fading nudist colony carved out of swamp and scrub is now on the market, but no one's jumping at the opportunity. The New York Times' Ronda Kaysen traveled to the Florida Naturist Park to get the story of what was, at its peak, a 220-acre "anything-goes" nudist community an hour northwest of Tampa. It was founded in 1959 by Thomas Ward Gulvin, a self-styled naturist bishop, convicted bigamist, and open racist who wrote whites-only rules into property deeds until the late '80s; he died in 1994, and his six surviving children are actively looking for a buyer. Today, the Gulvin family is asking $2.5 million for the 58 acres they still own. It's a patchwork of lakes, a clubhouse, residential lots, and RV sites, all zoned for nudism and partially occupied by aging residents reluctant to leave. That zoning is part of the problem, says the listing broker for the park. "Real developers, they usually have one thing they developthat's either subdivisions or they build houses or apartments," says Dayton Johnson. "None of those uses fit on this property." Read the full story for more, including details on how an effort to sell the property to a Quaker nudist who had dreams of creating a Christian nudist resort fell apart in 2007. Police in the Dominican Republic have arrested a 64-year-old woman who went viral on social media after singing the national anthem to the high-tempo local rhythm called dembow during a karaoke session at a restaurant. A police report issued on Tuesday accuses Amarilis Brito Rodriguez of disrespecting the anthem by performing it in an urban-style genre at a restaurant called Mofongo & Variedades Eddy, per the AP . In a video posted online, Brito is seen clutching the microphone with one hand as she raises the other to punctuate each word, swaying slightly to the music as some customers join in the singing earlier this month. Police said they located her days later at her home in the municipality of San Victor and arrested her on Monday. "Sorry, sorry," she told reporters with a smile as she was led, handcuffed, into a government building. Brito said that 22 years ago she'd written the version she sang, and that there was no law back then prohibiting that kind of interpretation. But police said she violated a law regarding national symbols in the Dominican Republic, "which defines acts of outrage against our National Anthem." The law states that it's illegal to change the anthem's lyrics and musical tempo; to turn it into a danceable music piece or dance while it's being performed; and to sing or play it at a posthumous ceremony of an individual who lacks certain attributes. If found guilty of the charge, Brito could face several months in prison and a fine. The woman said she wasn't aware that she'd made a mistake. "I used the anthem's verses to express my free spirit," Brito told reporters. "I comply with what the law says, but I don't regret it, because I don't feel I did any harm." When asked whether she would apologize to the country, Brito smiled. "Forgive me, my country, forgive me in every way I need to ask," she said. "Now," she added, as she raised her shackled hands, "it's much easier to ask for forgiveness than it was to ask for permission." Many on social media have criticized her, saying the anthem should be respected. Others criticized police, however, saying they should address more pressing issues like violent crime and corruption. Pugapia and her daughters, Aiga and Babawru, lived for years as the only surviving members of the Akuntsu, an Indigenous people wiped out by a government-backed push to develop parts of the Amazon rainforest. Many expected the Akuntsu to vanish when the women died, but that changed in December, when Babawruthe youngest of the three, in her 40sgave birth to a baby boy. Akyp's arrival brought hope not just for the Akuntsu line, but also for efforts to protect the fragile rainforest, per the AP . The last Akuntsu man died in 2017. Since then, Babawru has lived with her mom and sister and chosen to remain isolated from the non-Indigenous world. In 2006, Brazil's Indigenous protection agency, Funai, granted territorial protection to the Akuntsu, establishing a tract of land they've since shared with the Kanoe people. The two groups, once enemies, began maintaining contact, usually mediated by officials. The relationship is complex, with cooperation but also cultural and language differences. Amanda Villa, an anthropologist with the Observatory of Isolated Peoples, said Akuntsu women depend on Kanoe men for tasks such as hunting and clearing fields, and the two groups have also exchanged spiritual knowledgebut the most consequential development for the future of the Akuntsu may have occurred last year, when Babawru became pregnant by a Kanoe man. Linguist Carolina Aragon is the only outsider able to communicate with the three women, after years studying and documenting their language. Aragon, who supported Babawru remotely during her labor, said Babawru was initially stunned by her pregnancy news. "She said, 'How can I be pregnant?'" Aragon recalled. Babawru said she'd always taken precautions to prevent that from happening: The Akuntsu women had decided they wouldn't become mothers, a decision driven by the absence of other men in their community, and also by the belief that their world was not suitable for raising a child. Now, Aragon says, the women are embarking on a "new chapter," welcoming the child and adapting their traditions with support from the Kanoe and Funai. Protecting Indigenous territories is seen as one of the most effective ways to curb Amazon deforestation; researchers warn that continued forest loss could accelerate global warming. "This child is not only a symbol of the resistance of the Akuntsu people, but also a source of hope for Indigenous peoples," said Joenia Wapichana, president of Funai. "He represents how recognition, protection, and the management of this land are extremely necessary." More here. Neil Sedaka, a Brill Building graduate whose songs helped define early 1960s pop and later fueled a mid-'70s comeback, has died. He was 86 and died Friday, his family said, per the Los Angeles Times . Sedaka logged three No. 1 singles and nine Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "Calendar Girl," "Laughter in the Rain," and "Bad Blood," Variety reports, the last a 1975 chart-topper featuring Elton John. He was surrounded by pop songwriting from the beginning: He dated Carole King in high school, and Neil Diamond lived across the street. "We all lived in Brooklyn," he said in 2021. "It was a wonderful time." Sedaka showed early talent, earning a place in Juilliard's children's program before shifting from classical music to pop as a teenager. He first performed with the doo-wop group the Linc-Tones, which evolved into the Tokens, then moved into solo work and Brill Building songwriting with partner Howard Greenfield. After the British Invasion stalled his chart run, Sedaka revived his career with success in Australia and the UK, then in the US with John's Rocket label and the 1974 album Sedaka's Back. "I had to reinvent Neil Sedaka," he said in 2019. "I couldn't keep repeating 'Calendar Girl' and 'Breaking Up is Hard to Do' over and over." To do that, per the Washington Post, he found inspiration in the music of James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and King. "He combined a genius for melody, the commercial instincts of a pop savant, a boyish high tenor and an unabashed enthusiasm for performing onstage," the New York Times writes. Beyond his own records, Sedaka wrote major hits for others over six decades, among them Connie Francis' "Where the Boys Are," the Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together," Frank Sinatra's "The Hungry Years," Elvis Presley's "Solitaire," Tom Jones' "Puppet Man," the Monkees' "When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door," and the Fifth Dimension's "Workin' on a Groovy Thing." Over his career, Sedaka received five Grammy nominations, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978, and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983. In 2007, the Lincoln Center honored his 50 years in show business with a concert featuring Natalie Cole, David Foster, and Clay Aiken. He worked steadily over the next two decades. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Sedaka began staging mini-concerts on social media. "This is a gift I was born with," he wrote on his website, adding that he strived to constantly "raise the bar and reinvent Neil Sedaka." Luigi Mangione will no longer face the possibility of execution in federal court over the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Manhattan federal prosecutors told a judge on Friday that they won't challenge a ruling that blocked them from seeking the death penalty, opting against an interlocutory appeal of US District Judge Margaret Garnett's decision, reports NBC News. Last month, Garnett, who the AP notes is a Biden appointee, threw out two of four federal charges against the 27-year-old Mangione, including a murder count that could have carried a death sentence, finding the underlying stalking offense didn't meet the legal definition of a "crime of violence." She had given prosecutors till Friday to appeal, per ABC News. Kamala Harris just placed her biggest political bet since leaving office, throwing her support behind Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Texas' tight Democratic Senate primary. In a recorded message to Texas Democrats first reported by the Texas Tribune , the former vice president and POTUS contender urged Dems to back Crockett as "a fighter" with the record to challenge President Trump and "his billionaire cronies," pushing voters to turn out early or on Tuesday's primary day. The move reinforces a long-standing alliance: Crockett co-chaired Harris' 2024 presidential bid and gave a speech at the Democratic Party's convention. Per Politico , Crockett has previously noted that she asked Harris, once a US senator herself, for advice before deciding to run for Senate. The endorsement sharpens the contrast in a race that Democrats see as a test of how, or if, they can finally crack statewide politics in Texas. Crockett is betting she can energize Black voters and inconsistent Democrats, per the New York Times. Her main Dem rival, state Rep. James Talarico, a white Presbyterian seminarian with strong online reach and more cash in his coffers, argues that the path runs through independents and disaffected Republicans wary of Trump. The winner will face one of three RepublicansSen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, or Rep. Wesley Huntdepending on the outcome of a GOP primary that could head to a May runoff and still lacks Trump's blessing. Questions mounted on Saturday over the whereabouts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after US and Israeli forces carried out daytime strikes on the Iranian capital of Tehran, with an early hit reported near his central offices there, per NDTV . A source told Reuters that Khamenei had already been moved from the city to a secure site, but they offered no details on where he is or when he left. The strikes mark the start of what President Trump called "large-scale military action against Iran," announced in an eight-minute video on social media. He said the goal is to neutralize what Washington views as immediate threats from Tehran, accusing the regime of decades of hostility toward the US and its allies. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel launched a preemptive attack to remove threats to his country. The operation follows weeks of rising tension over Iran's nuclear and missile programs, with Trump just a day earlier signaling he was "not happy" with the situation and pointedly refusing to rule out regime change. Axios and Al Jazeera have more on the backstory of Khameini, 86, who has ruled as Iran's supreme leader since 1989, after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died. One person is dead in the United Arab Emirates after Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on Saturday, Emirati officials say. State media reports that the civilian was killed by falling debris from missiles the UAE says it intercepted, per the Wall Street Journal. The explosions were heard in both Dubai, the country's financial center, and the capital, Abu Dhabi, in what appeared to be Iran's response to a US and Israeli attack earlier in the day. At Dubai Marina, a densely packed waterfront district popular with tourists, at least one blast sent residents rushing to their balconies to look for the source. Authorities haven't yet detailed the extent of damage or whether more casualties are expected. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges on Friday against 30 more people who are accused of civil rights violations in a January protest inside a Minnesota church where a pastor works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bondi said on social media that 25 people were in custody and more arrests would follow, per the AP . The new indictment comes a month after independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort and prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong were charged for their alleged roles in a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. Bondi accused the group of attacking a house of worship. "If you do so, you cannot hide from uswe will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you," Bondi wrote on social media. A livestreamed video on Facebook shows people interrupting services at Cities Church on Jan. 18 by chanting "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," a reference to the woman who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 7. Protesters descended on Cities Church after learning that one of the church's pastors also serves as an ICE official. The protest drew swift condemnation from Trump administration officials and conservative leaders for disrupting a Sunday service. In total, 39 people now face charges of conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the right of religious freedom. The new defendants had initial court appearances and were released. Lemon and Fort said they were at the church as journalists covering news. Levy Armstrong, meanwhile, was the subject of a doctored photo posted by the White House showing her crying during her arrest. The three have pleaded not guilty. The new indictment says the "agitators" entered the church in a "coordinated takeover-style attack" and engaged in acts of intimidation and obstruction. "Young children were left to wonder, as one child put it, if their parents were going to die," the indictment says. A lawyer for the church praised the Justice Department for charging more people. "The First Amendment does not give anyoneregardless of profession, prominence, or politicslicense to storm a church and intimidate, threaten, and terrorize families and children worshipping inside," Doug Wardlow said in a statement. The revised indictment adds new allegations when compared to the original filed in January, noting that two people "conducted reconnaissance" outside the church a day before the protest and recorded their visit on video. More here. Mumbai, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Singapore-headquartered engineering services firm Quest Global is looking to go public in India in the next 12 to 18 months, betting on rising demand from energy and defence clients to fuel growth, its co-founder and CEO told Reuters. The Carlyle-backed firm is seeking to ride a global move towards more complex hardware-embedded software services as traditional IT slows. The planned listing reflects investor appetite for India's Engineering, Research & Development segment, which offers technology support to global hardware-oriented industries such as data centres and self-driving tech. The segment accounts for around one-fifth of India's $315 billion IT industry. "The energy sector is going to grow quite a bit because all the data centres have to be powered by energy," CEO Ajit Prabhu said on the sidelines of the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum in Mumbai this week. This marks the first time Quest Global has publicly disclosed its IPO plans. Prabhu said the firm hasn't decided whether the offering would involve a sale by existing investors, a fresh issue of shares, or a mix. Quest Global expects revenue to rise to $2.5 billion over the next five years from $1.1 billion last year an average annual growth rate of about 20%. It is also in the process of shifting its headquarters back to India through a reverse flip. Prabhu said engineering R&D firms would outpace traditional IT services companies. "(The) next five to ten years, in my opinion, are like a time for engineering renaissance," Prabhu said. "It is a massive opportunity to bring together all of these technologies (including) chips, telecom, internet and AI." ER&D has been growing quicker than the wider sector; industry body Nasscom estimates a 6.8% growth to $63 billion in fiscal 2026, outstripping the core IT services sector's 4.2% growth. (Reporting by Sai Ishwarbharath B; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan and Sahal Muhammed) Pakistan's military, backed by artillery and air power, struck more military installations deep inside Afghanistan overnight and into early Saturday, after Pakistan said it was in "open war" with its neighbor. Pakistan claimed more than 300 Afghan forces had been killed since fighting erupted Thursday night during a broad Afghan cross-border attack into Pakistan, reports the AP . Afghanistan rejected the figures as false. The casualty figures provided by either side couldn't be independently confirmed. The fighting was in response to Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan last Sunday. Pakistan said it was targeting the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, or TTP. The group is separate but closely allied with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban. Afghanistan, however, said only civilians were killed in Sunday's airstrike. After the Afghan attack, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared on Friday: "Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us." Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that more than 331 Afghan forces had been killed and more than 500 others have been wounded during the ongoing military strikes in Afghanistan. Pakistan destroyed 102 Afghan posts, captured 22 others, and destroyed 163 tanks and armored vehicles at 37 locations, he said. The Afghan government's deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, said the claim of hundreds of Afghan forces killed and wounded "is untrue and we reject it." He accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas in the provinces of Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kandahar, as well as refugee camps in Torkham and Kandahar. Fitrat said 52 people had been killed, most women and children, and 66 others were hurt. Meanwhile, the UN said that major cities in Afghanistan were reportedly bombed Friday by the Pakistani military, marking a new escalation and raising fears for civilians already struggling under harsh Taliban rule. Tensions have been high since October, when dozens of soldiers, civilians, and suspected militants were killed in border clashes. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire ended the fighting that month, but several rounds of peace talks in Turkey in November failed to produce a lasting agreement. The two sides have occasionally traded fire since then, though the ceasefire had largely held until last week, when Pakistan struck what it described as TTP hideouts. Since then, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China, and several other nations are again attempting to defuse tensions by offering mediation. More here. A girls elementary school in southern Iran was hit in a Saturday airstrike that local officials say killed at least 63 students, as US-Israeli attacks on the country, deemed "Operation Epic Fury," widened. The Middle East Eye reports that the strike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the city of Minab, in the Hormozgan province, where about 170 girls ages 7 to 12 were in class, according to the state-linked Tasnim and Fars news agencies. The Wall Street Journal notes that Saturday is a school day in Iran. Other media reports are citing various death tolls; Iranian media hasn't released an overall casualty count. State broadcaster IRIB noted that four dozen others had been injured, though that count was also still in flux at publication time, per the Journal. Video shared by accounts linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard appeared to show residents clawing through rubble as smoke rose from damaged buildings and a car lay destroyed nearby, per the Middle East Eye. "You could hear the sound of children crying and screaming," a staff member at the school told the outlet. Al Jazeera cites the Mehrs news agency in reporting that a strike on a second school, east of Tehran, left at least two students dead. "These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, sharing a photo of some of the carnage from the Minab attack. The reported school strikes came amid broader US and Israeli military action across Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran and such cities as Qom, Karaj, Isfahan, and Kermanshah. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, has reportedly been moved to a secure site, outside of Tehran. President Trump said the joint operation was for "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," vowing to "annihilate" Iran's navy and prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, though he didn't provide specific evidence for his assertions. President Trump floated a familiar name on Friday for a future Supreme Court seat during a Texas rally: Sen. Ted Cruz. Speaking at an event in Corpus Christi, Trump praised the Republican senator as "an amazing guy" and said he was thinking of nominating him for the high court, despite Cruz having said in January that he wasn't interested in the job. Trump leaned into Cruz's reputation on Capitol Hill, joking that both parties would back his confirmation just to move him out of the Senate, USA Today reports. There are no vacancies on the court now. "He'll get 100% of the Democrat vote, 100% of the Republican vote," Trump said, calling Cruz "such a pain in the a--" but also "so good and so talented." Cruz might or might not give Trump a court ally on the issue bothering him most at the moment; the president is unhappy with the Supreme Court over its ruling taking down most of his tariffs. Although Cruz told Fox Business last year that he's "not a fan of tariffs," per the Hill, he said in a CNBC News interview last week that the Supreme Court's tariffs ruling was wrong. Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of Los Angeles public schools in the nation's second-largest district, was put on paid leave on Friday, two days after the FBI served search warrants at his home and the district's headquarters. Authorities haven't provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the district, which serves more than 500,000 students, nor have they accused Carvalho of any wrongdoing, per the AP . The Los Angeles Unified School District's Board of Education unanimously voted to place Carvalho on leave pending the outcome of the investigation after two days of deliberation behind closed doors. The board said in a statement that its decision was intended to minimize any disruption to its mission of teaching students. Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, was named acting superintendent. "Our focus remains clear: to ensure stability, continuity, and strong leadership for our students, families, and employees," Chait said in a statement. Carvalho, who became superintendent in 2022, hasn't responded to a request for comment. He previously led the public schools in Miami. The FBI on Wednesday also searched a third location near Miami. The Miami Herald reported that the Florida property belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere, an education tech firm that had a contract with LA schools before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud. In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named "Ed" designed to help students. But about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft. Carvalho has denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, per the Los Angeles Times. The school district said in a statement on Wednesday that it's cooperating with the probe and has no further information "at this time." More here. Berkshire Hathaway's new chief executive used his first letter to shareholders to tell them he plans to run the company much the way Warren Buffett did. Greg Abel, 63, wrote that he intends to keep Berkshire's conservative financial posture and disciplined investment approach "into perpetuity" while Buffett, 95, remains chairman after giving up the CEO role at the start of 2026, CNBC reports. Abel said Berkshire will continue to operate with what he called a "fortress-like" balance sheet, relying on limited and cautious use of debt and holding substantial liquidity to withstand downturns and move quickly on deals. Berkshire's cash holdings totaled $373.3 billion at the end of 2025, which Abel described as strategic, not a signal that the company is pulling back from investing. He reaffirmed Berkshire's long-standing stance against paying a dividend, saying the company will retain earnings as long as it believes each dollar kept can generate more than a dollar in shareholder value, a policy the board reviews annually. On capital allocation, Abel said Berkshire will use the same framework whether it is buying whole companies, taking stakes in public firms, or repurchasing its own shares: carefully assessing value, acting patiently and holding investments for extended periods, "preferably forever." He said the stock portfolio will stay concentrated in a small group of US companies, mentioning Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, and Moody's as core positions expected to compound over decades. Bank of America, currently one of Berkshire's largest holdings, was not on that list. Abel added that Berkshire will trade infrequently but will make large adjustments if a company's long-term outlook changes. Abel also resolved a succession question by stating he will directly oversee the equity portfolio, with Ted Weschler continuing to manage about 6% of it after Todd Combs's departure to JPMorgan. Noting that Abel didn't try to match Buffett's wit in his first attempt at the annual letter, one investor said that the new CEO struck the right tone and that he seemed to provide the details that Berkshire's largest shareholder would want to know, per the AP. "I have no doubt in my mind that he had Warren in his mind the entire time he was writing this letter," said Adam Mead, who's written about Berkshire Hathaway. The Binkovs Battlegrounds video (uploaded before the attack started) provides one of the clearest, equipment-focused baselines for the current escalation. Details the largest US combat aircraft/tanker/AWACS concentration around Iran since 2003. Two carrier air wings (over 100 tactical aircraft, F-35 heavy on Abraham Lincoln south of Iran + Ford en route), 100+ US fighters at Jordans Muwaffaq Salti and Prince Sultan (Saudi), F-22s in Israel, E-3 AWACS (37% of USAF fleet), Rivet Joint SIGINT (36% deployable), BACN relays, Global Hawks/Tritons, 123 tankers (40% fleet), plus 10 destroyers/subs with hundreds of Tomahawks and potential B-2/B-52 surges from Diego Garcia or CONUS. Allies add marginal but useful assets (UK Eurofighters/F-35Bs in Qatar/Akrotiri. Israels full 290+ combat aircraft). This posture enables sustained SEAD/DEAD, dynamic targeting, and weeks-long strikes exactly the force package now executing Operation Epic Fury (US) and Roaring Lion (Israel) starting ~28 Feb 2026 morning. Analysts who tracked Order of Battle (OOB), deployment timelines, and sustainment (Binkov-style equipment breakdowns, plus ISW/Critical Threats, INSS/FPRI post-2025 assessments, and channels like ILTV that tied buildup to failed Geneva/Oman nuclear talks deadlines) were correct on timing. They flagged ever more likely escalation once Trumps ultimatums (nuclear zero-stockpile + full IAEA access + missile/proxy limits) hit impasse in mid-late Feb. An October 2025 predictive paper estimated 55-75% probability of renewed major ops in Q4 2025Q1 2026 window, concentrating on Jan-Feb after Iron Beam integration and before midterms. Vague someday voices missed the deployment clock. Equipment-focused ones nailed the readiness window. What Does Equipment and Troop Analysis Say Now? 2025 Twelve-Day War (1324/25 June) Precedent as Baseline for Projections. Best analysts (ISW special reports, FPRI, IISS, INSS, JINSA, etc.) used granular data on weapons performance, C2 resilience, and manpower. Israeli/US side has F-35I/Adir stealth + standoff munitions + pre-positioned Mossad assets (smuggled drone kits assembled inside Iran, local agents for laser designation or explosive UAV launches) achieved rapid SEAD. Destroyed 1/3 of Iranian ballistic missile launchers (120), large fractions of S-300/ Buk/ Tor batteries, and air-defense radars. No manned aircraft lost. Bunker-busters (GBU-57, Tomahawks) + US support hit Fordow/Natanz/Isfahan enrichment halls; centrifuges largely destroyed, key scientists killed. Expanded to energy infra and internal-security nodes (LEC/Basij HQs) late in campaign to erode regime control. Nuclear setback achieved. US/Pentagon assessed 12 years (enrichment capacity effectively destroyed though dispersed HEU stockpiles ~400+ kg 60% survived relocation. Iranian side had 370+ ballistic missiles + 1,000+ Shahed-136/loitering drones fired. 8890% failure/ interception rate vs Israeli multilayered (Arrow 2/3, Davids Sling, Iron Dome) + US assets. Low accuracy (counter-value hits on cities caused ~33 civilian deaths, $1.5B damage, but military bases largely missed). Air force never contested (obsolete F-14/MiG-29s stayed grounded). IRGC command disrupted: 2030+ senior commanders/scientists killed (incl. possible Quds Force head, Air/Space Force leads). retaliation delayed until successors appointed. Total Iranian casualties were ~1,190 dead / 4,475 wounded (HRANA data). Heavy IRGC losses but organization survived via deputies. Current 2026 Campaign Will Likely Last Weeks Matches projections closely so far. Air campaign layer is the largest IAF sortie ever (~200 fighters). Initial waves hit 500+ military targets (western/central Iran AD radars, missile storage/launch sites in Isfahan/Qom/Karaj/Kermanshah/Bushehr). There is Leadership/C2 focus. Khamenei compound heavily damaged (heavily cut off or possibly killed per satellite + reports). Ali Shamkhani (Supreme National Security Council), defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour, four top MOIS officials confirmed/claimed killed. US sea/air adds Tomahawks, likely B-2 follow-ons. Tanker/AWACS relay from Binkov-described bases enables deep strikes. IRGC & other degradation effectiveness is high initially. Thousands IRGC KIA/WIA (bases hit). Multiple senior layers removed. Mirrors 2025 decapitation but broader (internal security nodes again). Regime prepped successors (Khamenei named 4 backups per post. Deputies ready). Short-term C2 chaos expected. long-term resilience via ideology/parallel structures. No full collapse projected analysts correctly warned air alone insufficient without internal fracture. Drones, intel, infiltration layer is a core enabler, per 2025 model. Pre-positioned Mossad-recruited assets + smuggled components likely used for internal first strikes on radars/C2 (exact details classified but pattern identical). US has Global Hawks/Tritons/Rivet Joint + space IR for real-time mobile launcher hunting. Israeli one-way/loitering munitions for dynamic targeting. Iranian counter with Shahed-136 swarms + ballistic missiles (dozens launched in waves). Penetration low (most intercepted over Israel/Gulf. Light injuries in Israel ~89 total, 3 killed. Debris hits in UAE/Dubai/Saudi Fairmont Palm fire, 1 death Abu Dhabi, 4 injuries). Houthis resumed Red Sea. EW/jamming attempted but historically ineffective vs US/Israeli systems. Insurgents & flip pressure layer. Trump explicit regime-change rhetoric (take over your government, topple rulers, IRGC lay down arms). Targets internal-security apparatus to erode repression (LEC/Basij hits). Potential amplification via ethnic proxies (Baloch/Kurdish groups historically responsive to external support) or MEK networks for sabotage/intel. No large-scale uprising reported yet (early), but energy/military disruption + protests legacy (Dec 2025Jan 2026 suppressed at high cost) creates conditions. Counter-efforts are that the regime pre-named successors across posts. Rapid purges/loyalty enforcement. Propaganda framing as resistance. IRGC-Artesh tensions exploitable (flip incentives via sanctuary/offers). Air dominance (persistent CAP via tankers) protects infil/sabotage teams, enables follow-on waves on rebuilt sites. Degraded AD/missiles limits Iranian retaliation scale (smaller salvos than 2025 peak). Economic pressure (energy hits) + internal security erosion feeds flip/uprising potential. Projected duration is weeks (Binkov/US planning), not single raid. Effectiveness metrics to watch (matched to 2025) would be launcher destruction rate (over 70% goal), leadership removal depth, Iranian missile penetration (less than 20%), internal unrest indicators. This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. Stephanie Lewis | Forbes Stephanie Lewis was promoted to the finance chief of Forbes. Lewis joined the media company in 2008 as a financial analyst and has held several leadership roles throughout her tenure, including director of financial reporting and controller. She has been in her most recent role of senior vice president of finance since 2023. Before that, she worked at Grant Thornton as a senior assurance associate. Peter Herpich | Shake Shack Peter Herpich, Shake Shacks current corporate controller, was named interim principal financial officer while it looks for a permanent CFO. Herpich joined the quick-serve restaurant chain in 2023 from Casper, where he was vice president and global controller. He previously spent 25 years at Barnes & Noble, where he was most recently vice president, corporate controller and principal accounting officer. Herpich replaces Katherine Fogertey, who resigned as CFO and principal financial and accounting officer in November 2025, and will work as a senior adviser until March 4. Fogertey took over as CFO of Shake Shack in June 2021. Chris Deppe | Chewy Chris Deppe was promoted to the finance chief of online pet product retailer Chewy. Deppe was most recently vice president of finance. He joined Chewy in 2022 from Amazon, where he spent over 16 years in senior finance leadership roles, including director of finance for Global Transportation Services and Global Mile. Deppe replaces Will Billings, who has been the interim principal financial officer since July 2025. Billings will continue to serve as chief accounting officer. Tyler Reddien | Capri Holdings Tyler Reddien was appointed CFO and chief operating officer of Capri Holdings, a fashion group that includes the Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo brands. Reddien will join Capri on March 30. He was most recently chief financial officer of cosmetics retailer The Body Shop, and before that, he held senior leadership positions at cosmetics and personal care company Natura &Co Holding. Reddien earlier worked at Hertz as senior vice president and chief financial officer for North America Rent-a-Car operations. Ronda Chu | San Francisco International Airport San Francisco International Airport promoted Ronda Chu to finance chief. Chu joined SFO in 2008 as an airport economic planner and has held several leadership positions, including capital finance director. She has been managing director of finance since October 2024, where she led the team that helped earn the airports highest-ever credit ratings from Standard & Poor's and Moody's. Chu replaces Kevin Bumen as CFO. Bumen, who served as both CFO and chief commercial officer, will continue in his role as chief commercial officer. 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More News from Barchart Signs of lower sugar output in Brazil are supportive of sugar prices, after Unica last Wednesday reported that sugar production in Brazil's Center-South in the second half of January fell by 36% y/y to only 5,000 MT. However, cumulative 2025-26 Center-South sugar output through January is up by +0.9% y/y to 40.24 MMT. Also, the ratio of cane crushed for sugar rose to 50.74% in 2025/26 from 48.14% in 2024/25. An excessively short position by funds in NY sugar futures could add fuel to a short-covering rally. Last Friday's weekly Commitment of Traders (COT) report showed funds boosted their short position in NY sugar futures and options by 14,381 in the week ended February 17 to a record high 265,324 net short positions (data from 2006). On February 12, sugar prices plunged to 5.25-year nearest-futures lows on concern that a global sugar surplus will persist. On February 11, analysts from sugar trader Czarnikow said they expect a global sugar surplus of 3.4 MMT in the 2026/27 crop year, following an 8.3 MMT surplus in 2025/26. Also, Green Pool Commodity Specialists said on January 29 that they expect a 2.74 MMT global sugar surplus for 2025/26 and a 156,000 MT surplus for 2026/27. Meanwhile, StoneX said February 13 that it expects a global sugar surplus of 2.9 MMT in 2025/26. Consulting firm Safras & Mercado said on December 23 that Brazil's sugar production in 2026/27 will fall by -3.91% to 41.8 MMT from 43.5 MMT expected in 2025/26. The firm expects Brazil's sugar exports in 2026/27 to fall by -11% y/y to 30 MMT. On Wednesday, the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) projected India's 2025/26 sugar production at 29.3 MMT, up 12% y/y, below an earlier projection of 30.95 MMT. The ISMA reported January 19 that India's 2025-26 sugar output from Oct 1-Jan 15 was up +22% y/y to 15.9 MMT. The ISMA also cut its estimate for sugar used for ethanol production in India to 3.4 MMT from a July forecast of 5 MMT, which may allow India to boost its sugar exports. India is the world's second-largest sugar producer. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) is one of the 10 best banking stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On January 23, Kevin Heal from Argus increased the firms price target on Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) from $60 to $72. The analyst maintained his Buy rating on the shares, with an upside potential in the mid-teens. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG) Positioned to Capitalize on Structural Catalysts Argus shared its revision following the companys stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results. He believes that potential benefits from regulatory easing, including deregulation, relaxed capital requirements, and improved stress test clarity, could support the bank. Moreover, he also noted that the bank continues to deliver solid performance in the New York metropolitan area. On January 26, Keith Horowitz from Citi reiterated his Buy rating on Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG). The analyst also increased the price target from $65 to $71. The upward revision follows the fourth-quarter earnings report, in which net interest income guidance of 10%12% growth surpassed street estimates. This favorable outlook is aided by accelerating deposit growth within the company. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) operates through two broader segments, i.e., consumer banking and commercial banking. Through these, it offers various banking solutions such as retail banking, wealth management, corporate finance advisory, and mortgage lending. It caters to the needs of individuals, small- and mid-market businesses, and large institutions. While we acknowledge the potential of CFG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 15 Most Promising Mid-Cap Healthcare Stocks Under $50 and 11 Most Promising Small-Cap Industrial Stocks Under $50. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Concurrent Investment Advisors, a Tampa, Fla.-based hybrid registered investment advisor, has recruited a father-daughter team to its platform. The Fehrman Investment Group, based in Augusta, Ga., joins from Raymond James Financial Services, where they managed about $300 million in client assets. Separately, Concurrent has also added three advisors to existing partner firms, with a combined $150 million in AUM. That includes Charles Sacco, who joins Ciliberti & Associates in New York. Dave Coleman has affiliated with Lindamood Financial Group in Virginia, and Amanda Adams moved to The Wealth Stewards team in Massachusetts. The Fehrman Investment Group is led by Jeff Fehrman, who was with Raymond James for the last 16 years. Hes joined by his daughter, Katie Fehrman Edmonds, and three support staff. The team will leverage Concurrents 1099 platform, with Goldman Sachs as their custodian. They run a great business, but they want to enhance that overall client experience that theyre delivering, said Joe Mooney, managing director and head of business development at Concurrent. They want more access to products and services; they want better technology. Concurrent has also taken a minority stake in the new firm. The RIA has experience as a minority investor offering support through its 1099 model, taking 10%-25% equity depending on the firms needs. Of the more than 70 firms in the network, the majority have chosen to take a minority investment from Concurrent. When we look at why people are looking for capital or some kind of investment, its to de-risk, or maybe take chips off the table, its to fuel growth in their own business, Mooney said. Were also seeing a lot of succession-type planning. Its a great way for G1 to G2 to be able to help fund that. Last year, the firm launched its RIA Capital Partners program, which provides strategic minority investments to RIAs to fuel succession planning, growth capital or partial monetization. The difference with that program is, its available to external RIAs. Concurrent was founded in 2017 as an affiliated practice of Raymond James, but it then transitioned to a multi-custodial RIA platform after securing backing from Merchant Investment Management. Concurrent currently has about $34 billion in assets under advisement across its wealth management and corporate retirement plans businesses. Autumn Special Read. Know. Act. $3 for 3 months! (90 days) Offer expires 12/30/2020 Don't hesitate! Start your digital-only membership today and not only receive full access to our premier news website NNY360.com but also to the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times eEdition! Copper exchange inventories have climbed above 1 million tons for the first time in 21 years. Meanwhile, smelter activity has slowed, Chinas demand softened, yet the price remains elevated despite pulling back from January highs. The answer lies in a lack of confidence in long-term supply. The market has entered an era of electricity intensity. Therefore, copper is no longer merely a cyclical industrial input but a foundational infrastructure for the 21st-century economy. Months Vs. Decades At a recent BMO global mining conference, Teck Resources Ltd.s (NYSE:TECK) CEO Jonathan Price framed copper as at the heart of electrification. He pointed to three structural drivers reshaping demand: electrification, digital infrastructure, and rapid urbanization. Don't Miss: Electric vehicles require roughly 4 times as much copper as internal combustion cars. Solar farms, wind turbines, and the grid expansions that connect them are copper-heavy. Meanwhile, hyperscale data centers, the physical backbone of AI and cloud computing, are being rolled out at unprecedented speed. There is an emerging disconnect between the lead time to bring on new mine supply versus the underlying demand drivers, Price warned, according to Mining Weekly. He clarified that a new data center can be built in as little as 9 months, while a new mine might take more than 20 years. Strategic Responses Major miners are responding with scale and focus. Tecks $53 billion merger with Anglo American plc (OTCQX:AAUKF) would create Anglo Teck, a top-five global copper producer with over 70% exposure to the metal. Trending: Own the Characters, Not Just the Content: Inside a Fast-Growing Pre-IPO IP Company Others are doubling down organically. After failing to acquire Anglo American, BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) is prioritizing growth at Escondida, Pampa Norte, and the Vicuna project rather than chasing large acquisitions. Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE:RIO) has allocated 85% of its exploration budget to copper, leading with the Oyu Tolgoi expansion in Mongolia. Glencore Plc (OTCPK: GLCNF) is expanding in the DRC, targeting 300,000 tons annually at Kamoto Copper Company and outlining plans to nearly double output over the next decade. Growth in Emerging Markets Supply-side numbers are tightening as existing mines face surging capex just to maintain current production. According to Kitco, veteran investor Rick Rule puts that number at $250 billion over the next 10 years. Thus, the focus has shifted to emerging markets. WASHINGTON Gov. Jeff Landry is seeking to move West Feliciana Parish where the state penitentiary at Angola is located into a different federal judicial district after criticizing liberal judges in the Baton Rouge area for letting immigration detainees out of the Louisiana Lockup there. In a letter to Louisiana members of Congress on Thursday, Landry asked to move the parish from the U.S. Middle District of Louisiana to the Western District. In the letter, he cited an increase in cases, much of it driven by prisoners at Angola. The Middle District has seen a 35.2% increase in total filings since 2020 and currently has 25% more new filings per judge than the Western District, Landry wrote. Moving West Feliciana Parish into the Western District will improve judicial efficiency and better address public safety needs in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana. Corn futures are trading with 1 to 2 cent gains across the front months on Thursday. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price is down 2 cents to $3.96 3/4. USDA reported a private export sale of 178,000 MT of corn to Japan this morning with 154,000 MT for 2026/27 and 24,000 MT for 2027/28. More News from Barchart Export Sales data for the week of 2/19 was released this morning, with a total of 682,804 MT sold in that week. That was below trade estimates looking for 0.9-1.8 MMT of old crop corn sold. While it was down 29% from the week prior, it was still 1.1% above the same week last year. New crop was 11,685 MT. A South Korean importer purchased a total of 135,000 MT of corn in a tender. Another South Korean importer issued a tender for 210,000 MT of corn this morning. Turkey also purchased 350,000 MT of wheat in ta tender overnight. Mar 26 Corn is at $4.28, down 2 1/2 cents, Nearby Cash is at $3.96 3/4, down 2 cents, May 26 Corn is at $4.40 3/4, down 1 1/4 cents, Jul 26 Corn is at $4.49, down 1 1/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Celebrating a Life of Compassion: Exeters Mic Morgan Leaves Lasting Gift to Support Global Education A much-loved member of Exeters St Thomas community has been remembered not only for a lifetime of service, but for a final act of generosity that will continue to benefit young people across Devon. Devon Development Education (DDE) has announced that former trustee Mic Morgan, who died recently, left a 2,000 legacy gift to support the charitys work promoting global learning, social justice and intercultural understanding. For a city with a strong tradition of community activism and international outlook, Mics life and legacy reflect values that resonate deeply in Exeter today. A long-standing member of the St Thomas community and a committed Quaker, Mic Morgan led a life shaped by compassion, curiosity and service to others. His international career began at a young age when he volunteered in a hospital in Swaziland. He later completed an MSc in Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, graduating top of his year. Mic went on to work globally as a nutritionist, including developing a national nutrition strategy in St Kitts with the United Nations and working in Papua New Guinea with Save the Children. After returning to the UK, he retrained in health promotion, working in Portsmouth and London before becoming a lecturer at Oxford Brookes University. During this time, he also qualified as a psychotherapist. Following the universitys closure, he continued practising as a psychotherapist in Exeter until the Covid lockdown, remaining active and engaged within the local community. Mic served as a trustee of Devon Development Education from 2015 to 2021. During that time, he was a consistent and thoughtful supporter of the charitys projects, with a particular enthusiasm for its Food Glorious Food initiative. The project enables children to grow and prepare healthy dishes from different cultures, combining practical skills with lessons about diversity, sustainability and global interdependence. For more than 20 years, Devon Development Education has worked with schools, educators and community groups across Devon and Cornwall, encouraging global awareness and responsible citizenship. Its programmes aim to help people of all ages explore global issues and celebrate cultural diversity, while developing critical thinking about the wider world. Operating largely through grants, donations and community fundraising, the charity depends on the generosity of individuals who share its vision of a fairer and more informed society. By choosing to remember DDE in his estate planning, Mic ensured that his long-standing commitment to learning, diversity and community would continue beyond his lifetime. The 2,000 gift will help sustain educational resources, strengthen community partnerships and support projects that inspire young people across Devon to engage thoughtfully with global challenges. In a statement, Devon Development Education expressed its gratitude to Mics wife, family and friends, thanking them for their support and for helping celebrate a life so meaningfully lived. Those wishing to support the charity can do so by making a donation, taking part in events and workshops, or leaving a gift in their will. Some years ago I was on call for the police when I received a call from the custody sergeant at Torquay police station. Please could you see a man the CID have arrested. He is accused of fraud, but I dont think he should be here. He is terminally ill and under the care of Rowcroft Hospice. When I arrived, I recognised him. I was his GP. I knew quite a bit about him, including the fact that as far as I knew, he was remarkably well. I didnt know you were terminally ill, I said. I never said that. The sergeant must have misunderstood. He had managed to con an experienced custody sergeant. It was his bad luck that I was on duty. He might have been able to con another doctor. The next time I heard about him was after I had retired. I was talking to my successor in the practice who said: Ive just registered a patient who is a mate of yours. He told me he has been away for a few years but had now come back to the Bay. I had to point out that the only part which was true was that he had been away for a few years, in prison. No, he was not a mate of mine. He was a typical fraudster, utterly charming and charismatic. At one time my brother was a detective inspector in the Metropolitan Police fraud squad. He told me that whenever he managed to catch a fraudster the victims usual response was no, youve got that wrong. Hes a lovely guy, a close mate of mine. Fraudsters have to come over as delightful to carry out their crimes. They often carried on being charming to the police officers, sorry that they had made such a mistake. They also had a large network of friends who would support them in a crisis. It was the only time in his work as a police officer that the victims did not always want to see a conviction. If someone is the finance director of a small company it would not look good on their CV if they had overseen the company losing thousands in a con, even if they were not a part of the con. The more I hear about the convicted paedophile Jeffery Epstein the more he fits this pattern. He was clearly highly manipulative with a large collection of influential friends. Using his charm to carry out child sexual abuse and rape takes the evil to another level. In my work both as a GP and working with the police, I saw the devastating effect of sexual abuse on the victims. Physical wounds heal but emotional wounds last a lifetime. Tragically some victims take their own life, as happened to Virgina Giuffre, one of Epsteins victims. Was Andrew Mountbatten Windsor won over by this conmans charm? Andrews biography by Andrew Lowie is called Entitled for a reason. Epstein may have lured him into his circle by appearing to treat him with the respect he believed he deserved. It appears that the tentacles from Epsteins evil empire extended widely. Although the American Department of Justice has released over three million documents it is believed that they still have another three million. As well as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Peter Mandelson, both of whom deny any wrongdoing, there was Thorbjorn Jagland, a former Norwegian Prime Minister, charged with aggravated corruption, and Jean-Luc Brunel, a France modelling agent, who committed suicide in a French jail after being charged. The waves from Epsteins evil empire will spread further and continue for several years. An effective conman can manipulate influential people but, however charismatic and charming he was, everyone must take responsibility for their own behaviour. At the heart of his appalling crimes were young girls who suffered at the hands of these men. These girls will suffer emotionally all their lives. Some, like Viginia Giuffre, will take their own lives. Not everyone in the Epstein files is guilty of any offence but we owe it to the victims to ensure that any man who was involved in this hideous abuse, however powerful, must be brought to justice. A coalition led by the National Cotton Council has urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor the Buying American Cotton Act. The BACA billintroduced by Representatives Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) and Terri Sewell (D-AL)would require federal agencies to prioritize U.S.-grown cotton in textile and apparel procurement, effectively tightening Berry Amendment-style domestic sourcing rules. More from Sourcing Journal The Feb. 24 advocacy letter urges lawmakers to back the legislation. The strong list of signers on this letter reflects a true, bipartisan effort to enhance U.S. cotton consumption here in the U.S., said Nathan Reed, chairman of the National Cotton Council. BACA will help stimulate demand for U.S. cotton, support our farmers, encourage new investment in U.S. textile mills and create jobs here at home. In the letter, the group describes the bill as an opportunity to strengthen the American cotton supply chain from farm to retail, arguing that federal procurement policy can reinforce domestic production while supporting producers, manufacturers and retailers tied to U.S.-grown fiber. Comprising 78 undersigning organizations, it cut across agriculture, manufacturing and retail. Big brands like Gap, Levis, Ralph Lauren, Target, Under Armour and Victorias Secret are all there, alongside the U.S. Fashion Industry Association. But the bulk of the signatories actually come from state-level and commodity-backed groups: think Farm Bureau chapters, cotton growers and regional co-ops from Arizona to the Carolinas. On behalf of our members, we support the initiative by the U.S. cotton producers. Fashion brands and retailers work closely with the cotton producers and, of course, we are their customers, said Julia Hughes, the USFIAs president. This is a creative effort to offer an incentive that benefits both the cotton producers and the retailers. To my knowledge, this type of program has never been tried before, and we are pleased to be a part of the effort. VS&Co. told Sourcing Journal that the publicly-traded lingerie retailer has partnered directly with U.S. farmers since 2021. Cotton remains a foundational part of both our product assortment and our brand, a spokesperson for the Ohio-headquartered company said, noting that over one-third of its annual cotton consumption is sourced from family farms across the country. We are proud of our cotton partnerships and will continue investing in American farmers. Hundreds of people have taken part in a protest in Dublin calling for the immediate introduction of an emergency disability payment of 400 euro. Participants held placards and chanted for the payment as they took part in the rally on Saturday afternoon. The event was organised by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) and Access for All, with support from the Affordable Ireland Campaign. The organisers said last years budget had left people with disabilities up to 1,400 euro worse off annually, following the removal of support payments. The Government has said it will introduce a permanent disability support payment on an annual basis and a public consultation is under way. Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, People Before Profit-Solidarity and the Green Party all backed the public rally which began at Parnell Square. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who was in attendance, said: This demonstration is about an immediate emergency payment for disabled people. Just remember the Governments budget left disabled people 1,400 euro worse off, that was a despicable and heartless thing to do in the teeth of a cost-of-living crisis. There is so much that needs to change for disabled citizens but in the immediate here and now they need action and help simply to pay their bills, simply to get by. I really cannot understand a Government that recognises the additional cost of living with disability, a Government that surely recognises we are living in a cost-of-living crisis, a Government with huge resources the mean-spirited approach to our disabled citizens is, in my mind, unforgivable. This needs to happen and it needs to happen very, very quickly. She added: I would appeal to the Taoiseach to listen to the voices of the people who have gathered here today, recognise their experience and move quickly now to deliver this emergency payment. One of those who attended the rally was Michael Meere, from Co Clare. I travelled up to Dublin today so we could all participate in the protest, to express our dissatisfaction over the Government not implementing an emergency 400 euro payment for disabled people. That payment is a lifeline to me. If there is many costs, medical costs, food costs, heating costs, expenses associated with travel, they are all exacerbated at this moment in time by the financial and economic outset of Ireland. What happened in the last budget was the Government took 1,400 euro off disabled people in the form of once-off payments. This left people in a very precarious and difficult position. People have sat at home, myself included, and deliberated and argued over whether I would turn on a second bar on my heater or not, because it is either heat or eat, that is the decision I have. As we all predicted, the Israeli regional war started against the wishes of the world of course with US partnership and blessing. US supplied jets fly overhead refueled by US jets, protected by the US anti-missile umbrella and US Navy. The sirens are blazing. The US government had asked for mandatory urgent evacuation of US citizens here in occupied Palestine. Did the 200,000 dual Israeli-US citizens leave? Did the 12500 of those who are currently serving in the Israeli military and committing crimes and genocide leave? There are wars and rumors of more war. I on the other hand work 15 hours a day (as a volunteer) seven days a week with staff and volunteers building institutions and working with thousands of people towards a better future not just in Bethlehem and Palestine but globally. People were being butchered in Gaza and surviving ones are hungry and cold in tents blockaded and besieged. We were helping many families, some who lost many members of their family. As the illegal war on Iran started which promises to lead to a global catastrophic war with no winners, Palestine is still the issue as the late John Pilger used to say. Palestine exposed the Zionist stranglehold on the world finances, media and politicians. Palestine shows the danger of the cult of Zionism on the world. Zionists like Witcoff and Kushner run US foreign policy because of Mossad organized honeytraps running for decades allowing the racist movement to run politicians, media, and major corporations against the wishes of the US public. Buckle up and get ready as we go down the dark tunnel!!! But we must act. Urgent demonstrations around the world should/will be held globally. All countries should cut ties with this genocidal apartheid regime. Chris Hedges on Iran Tucker Carlson Mahmood Odeh Jeremy Corbyn exposes reality Jewish journalist Tucker Carlson interviewed Mike Huckabee on US policy is shocking, completely supports the annihilation of the entire people! Listen!! (long) (abbreviated report by The Young Turks) Norman Finkelstein on forgiveness and inclusiveness Ben Norton on US attempt to rebuild western colonial empire Kashmir, spying, demolitions: How Modi's India embraced 'Israel model' John F. Kennedy 1939 letter to his father about Palestine Support for Genocide cost Democrats loss of the elections Good omen/news: In a stunning and historic victory, the UK's Green Party (anti-Genocide) won in the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election on Thursday - the latest blow to Keir Starmer's Labour Party, which, after holding the seat for years, finished third. A report in Haaretz states that there 881,000 colonial settler in the occupied Palestinian territories: 340,000 in the annexed and expanded East Jerusalem area and 541,085 in the rest of the Westr Bank. 19 new settlements were approved in teh last two years. The number is projected to go over 1 million in the next few months. All are illegal squatters per international law. There are more colonal settlers here per quare kilometer than inside the Green line (ceasefire line of 1948). The accelerating colonization shows the folly of those who still claim there is a "two-state solution". The only solution is ending apartheid and decolonization. The racket called "board of peace" is moving on. Billions of taxpayer money from the US and other countries will flow to Zionist hands (Kushner, Witcoff, Trump companies) to build the rivieras in Gaza and manage the remaining population (after thinning them out by ethnic cleansing and genocide) in Bantustans (Palustans) to provide some indentured labor. How can we force a rigged system to punish those who traficked in Children for rape by powerful men to be then blackmailed to do the bidding of the Zionists? Let alone punish perpetrators of genocide [that is if we survive]? How can we force such system to punish those who trafficked in thousands of body parts stolen from Palestinians they killed? How can we purse people who sent weapons that where used in genocide including thermobaric bombs that "evaporatd" 2800 Palestinians? How can we punish a system that caused an ecocide: destroying not only the local environment but the seas and the air exacerbating the climate change that threatens us all? Stay Humane, act, and keep hope and Palestine alive Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute French The Trumpanyahoo war is on Iran. America is its target. A person would have to work pretty hard not to know this was in the works: The state of Israel is carefully setting up to attack Iran, pulling the US into a war, and possibly finding some pretext for using nuclear weapons. 45 has just given this the go-ahead. (Author, 5/11/18) The backers of the 47th administration has made their last desperate move, not to take power, but to keep it. The morass of lies, chaos, nuclear brinksmanship, and now all-out war on Iran was a coverup of massive subversion and insurrection against the United States, by... the United States. Among its first acts was the surgical removal of all potential legal opposition within the federal workforce, the oversight and monitoring agencies that served as checks against abuse of power. With the watchdogs gone, federal databases of citizens' most personal data were thrown open by the administration to private interests. Said private interests have since openly declared their intention to use all that information put everyone "on their best behavior." Foreign policy is run by a foreign head of state, one of whose recent official employees is White House Chief of Staff. The FBI, now a wholly-owned subsidiary, withholds evidence of disgusting corruption in the Epstein documents, flouting the law. The Attorney General goes before Congress only to hurl invective and lies in its face. Vile racist epithets and physical violence one again visit the very People's House. Following two televised state murders, standing in front (and in the name) of the White House, an avowed racist commands unchecked and unaccountable secret police to ignore Constitutional protections and invade private homes without warrant or cause. Ordinary Americans are living in terror of disappearance or summary execution. Racial profiling was already adjudicated policy. One state (Kansas) has just passed a law prohibiting other than birth-assigned gender designation, instantly revoking every transgender person's licence to drive. We're not in Kansas anymore. All this and the on-again, off-again "diplomacy" con has effectively distracted what would be normal public outrage at the budget for private prison capacity far exceeding the declared population of "criminal" refugees to be arrested and deported. Everything seemed to be going to plan; what, then, requires all-out war against a country that constitutes no threat, and can actually fight back, for once? Iran can respond to such an insult by shutting down global shipping, sending the global economy into a tailspin. So this can't just be about energy resources or uranium enrichment that was, so we're told, "obliterated." What could make that worth so many innocent lives? Answer: the same thing that's always wasted innocent lives, throughout history. Colonial supremacy. Putting the USA in a state of war-emergency with terrifying legal implications is clearly part of the strategy. This can be used to justify "loyalty" tests and dissident dragnets. Neighbors will be invited to denounce their neighbors. Everything else is in place. Genocide is an economy. It has no borders. Article first published in the International Policy Digest. By Robert Weiner and Emma Paris Hours after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicola's Maduro, President Donald Trump wasted little time clarifying what he believed was at stake in Venezuela. As NPR reported, he declared that "very large U.S. oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country." The candor was striking. Stripped of the usual language about democratic restoration or hemispheric solidarity, the message was unmistakable. Washington's Venezuela strategy was not, at its core, about ideology. It was about oil: the world's largest proven reserves, billions of dollars owed to American firms, and the tantalizing prospect of reopening a sector that once pumped more than "3 million barrels a day." That framing dovetailed neatly with the White House's January 5 statement celebrating Maduro's arrest as a "remarkable foreign policy triumph." With Maduro now facing trial in the United States, attention turned almost immediately to the question of succession. Who would govern Venezuela next-- and, just as importantly, who would Washington bless? Trump's initial answer was Venezuela's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's constitutional successor. He publicly endorsed her as the legitimate interim president, signaling continuity over rupture. According to Politico on January 14, Trump insisted that "we are making tremendous progress, as we help Venezuela stabilize and recover--we just had a great conversation today, and she's a terrific person." The subtext was clear: stability first. In a country whose institutions have been hollowed out and whose oil infrastructure has deteriorated after years of mismanagement and sanctions, political uncertainty could easily imperil the very investments Trump promised to revive. The logic was not entirely unreasonable. Venezuela's oil industry, though battered, remains what energy analysts call a "brownfield" opportunity-- an established field where the reserves are known and the infrastructure, however degraded, can be rehabilitated. In such environments, companies have a relatively firm sense of what lies beneath the ground. They are not gambling on geological speculation; they are calculating refurbishment costs and political risk. For American firms eager to reclaim access to a once-lucrative market, that distinction matters. The administration's early posture, therefore, suggested something pragmatic and transactional: secure a predictable political transition, restore production capacity, and reopen the door to American capital. But that clarity proved fleeting. Almost immediately, attention shifted to Maria Corina Machado, the long-time opposition leader whose name has become synonymous with anti-Chavista resistance. In the immediate aftermath of Maduro's arrest, Trump appeared dismissive. According to The Hill, he remarked that "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country." It was a blunt assessment, but not an implausible one. Venezuela's opposition has long been fragmented, its leaders alternately exiled, imprisoned, or disqualified. Even among Maduro's critics, questions persist about whether any single figure can unify a polarized and economically devastated nation. Then, almost as quickly, the tone changed. Machado embarked on what could fairly be described as a carefully choreographed charm offensive. On January 15, she met with President Trump and presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize-- a gesture laden with symbolism, particularly given Trump's well-documented fascination with the award. According to NBC, she invoked one of his favored talking points, praising the wars he says he has ended since returning to office. The symbolism was unmistakable: recognition, admiration, validation. The following day, Machado appeared at the Heritage Foundation, where she sharpened the parallels. In her remarks, she drew a direct line between her struggle against the Maduro regime and Trump's own claims of electoral grievance. "We certainly talk about how popular sovereignty has been expressed in Venezuela and the absolutely terrible conditions in which we did and how the [Maduro] regime stole that result," she said, adding that Trump "can certainly relate to that." It was not merely diplomatic courtesy; it was rhetorical mirroring. And it worked. By Friday afternoon, the president's posture had shifted. As NBC observed, "gone was any talk of disrespect." Trump now spoke warmly of Machado, praising the "great meeting" he had with "a person who I have a lot of respect for-- and she has respect, obviously, for me and our country-- and she gave me her Nobel Prize." He added, "I got to know her. I never met her before, and I was very, very impressed. She's a really-- this is a fine woman--and we'll be talking again." The swiftness of the reversal was striking. Only days earlier, Machado had been portrayed as lacking support and credibility. Now she was a respected interlocutor and potential partner. The transformation was not rooted in a new electoral mandate, a coalition agreement, or a detailed reconstruction plan. It followed a sequence of symbolic gestures and flattering comparisons. This is not, of course, a novel pattern. Trump has often responded positively to leaders who echo his priorities or publicly affirm his stature. Machado appears to have understood that dynamic and engaged it directly. From her perspective, cultivating a personal rapport with the American president may be an entirely rational strategy. In a transitional moment when Washington's backing could shape Venezuela's political future, access matters. The deeper concern lies not with Machado's sincerity, but with the fragility of a foreign policy that appears susceptible to personal chemistry. Officially, the administration has neither withdrawn its support for Rodriguez nor formally anointed Machado. Institutions remain in place; diplomats continue their work. Yet presidential signals matter. Markets react to them. Allies interpret them. Domestic actors in Venezuela calculate around them. If U.S. policy drifts from a strategy anchored in energy security and institutional stability toward one guided by personal affinity, the consequences could be profound. Washington risks aligning itself with a figure it has not fully vetted, in a country it has repeatedly misread. Venezuela's political landscape is not a blank slate awaiting American endorsement. It is a dense web of military loyalties, regional power brokers, economic desperation, and public exhaustion. The legitimacy of any interim authority will hinge not on flattery exchanged in Washington, but on acceptance within Caracas and beyond. There is also the matter of expectations. Should Machado emerge as Washington's favored partner, she will be judged not only by Venezuelans but by American investors eager for rapid results. Reviving oil production from current depressed levels to anything approaching historical highs will require time, capital, and sustained political stability. It will demand security guarantees, regulatory clarity, and reconciliation among rival factions. None of those prerequisites can be conjured by personal rapport alone. The United States has long struggled to balance its democratic rhetoric with its strategic interests in Latin America. In Venezuela, those tensions are on full display. The capture of Maduro offered an opportunity to articulate a coherent policy-- one that acknowledged energy realities while insisting on institutional reform. Instead, the conversation has drifted toward personality. Oil may have been the initial driver. Ego now threatens to become the accelerant. If Washington allows its Venezuela strategy to pivot on praise rather than policy, it will not only risk miscalculation abroad. It will also reinforce a perception that American foreign policy is less a matter of national interest than of personal affinity. For a country as fragile as Venezuela, that is a dangerous foundation on which to build a new beginning. Robert Weiner is a former spokesman in the Clinton and Bush White Houses and senior staff for Congressmen John Conyers, Charles Rangel, Claude Pepper, Ed Koch, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and 4-Star Gen. Barry McCaffrey. When Saudi Arabia's NEOM project required accommodation for 100,000 workers in remote desert terrain, or when mining operations in Africa needed housing that could withstand Cotton saw weakness on Thursday, as contracts retreated 70 to 85 points lower in the nearbys. Crude oil futures were up just 4 cents per barrel on the day at $65.46. The US dollar index was up $0.100 at $97.725. Export Sales data from this morning showed a total of 253,229 RB of cotton sold in the week ending on February 19. That was a 45.69% decline from the week prior and 18.95% below the same week last year. Bangladesh was the largest buyer at 70,700 RB, with 59,700 RB sold to India. Shipments were tallied at 193,005 RB in that week, which was back up 11.81% from the previous week. Vietnam was the top destination of 74,200 RB, with 21,300 RB sold to Pakistan. More News from Barchart The Seam showed sales of 10,891 bales sold on 2/25, averaging 60.73 cents/lb. The Cotlook A Index was back up 30 points on Tuesday at 75.85 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks were steady on February 24, with the certified stocks level at 119,457 bales. The Adjusted World Price was raised by 1.79 cents to 51.84 cents/lb. Mar 26 Cotton closed at 63.36, down 81 points, May 26 Cotton closed at 65.36, down 81 points, Jul 26 Cotton closed at 67.07, down 73 points On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Cresset, a multi-family office and wealth manager with over $235 billion in assets under management and advisement, has added Heather Pelant as a managing director in the RIAs San Francisco office. Pelant joins from Baker Street Advisors, where she managed about $2 billion in client assets. Cresset was built from the ground up to serve families with increasingly complex financial lives, Cresset President Susie Cranston said in a statement. Heather exemplifies the caliber of client-first fiduciary we seekdeeply experienced, culturally aligned and committed to delivering comprehensive advice tailored to each familys objectives. Pelant works with ultra-high-net-worth families. Before joining Baker Street, she served as head of BlackRocks direct investment business. Shes also the co-founder of Project Worth, an initiative designed to build womens confidence around money, investing and wealth management. I was drawn not only to the firms multi-family office platform and long-term ownership structure, but also to its culture that values diverse perspectives in leadership, Pelant said in a statement. For many of the families I serveincluding women who are founders, inheritors, and financial decision-makersthat depth of representation and alignment matters. The move follows news in December that Cresset added a team from Bernstein Private Wealth Management with $1.4 billion in assets. In August, Cresset announced a merger with Monticello Associates, an institutionally focused advisory firm that administers over $124 billion in assets. The integration is now complete and has been a great cultural and strategic fit, according to a spokesperson. The move mimics other large RIAs, such as Creative Planning, Mariner and Captrust, which have made acquisitions in recent months and years to add to their institutional- and 401(k)-focused practices. Cresset is majority-owned by its employees, with a smaller stake held by clients. In 2024, the RIA sold a minority stake to Constellation Wealth Capital, a private equity company founded in 2023 by former Emigrant Partners CEO Karl Heckenberg to invest in RIAs. Constellation invested $150 million for less than 10% of Cressets equity. Management noted that in 2025, D-Wave separated itself from the industry narrative by delivering revenue and real-world advantage, which positions the company for its next phase of 'commercial separation.' The acquisition of Quantum Circuits (QCI) establishes a dual-platform strategy, combining D-Wave's dominant annealing technology for optimization with QCI's 'dual-rail' qubits for error-corrected gate-model systems. Performance attribution for the 179% year-over-year revenue growth is credited to the general availability of the Advantage2 system and the company's first commercial system sale to a national supercomputing facility. Management asserts a decisive architectural lead by demonstrating that on-chip cryogenic control used in annealing systems can successfully control gate-model qubits without fidelity loss. The 'dual-rail' technology is highlighted as a transformational driver, reportedly requiring 10x fewer physical qubits per logical qubit compared to conventional superconducting or neutral-atom architectures. Strategic positioning in the U.S. government sector has shifted toward solving mission-critical operational problems, such as missile defense simulations, rather than pursuing traditional R&D grants. Photo Courtesy: Dacia. Dacias grip on the compact SUV value crown is starting to loosen. Early year sales of the Dacia Duster in Europe are down 41%, even as the overall market fell by just 3.6%. Between growing cannibalization from the larger Dacia Bigster and intensifying internal competition, the Duster case is a reminder that in the auto industry, nothing stays guaranteed for long. For years, it would have been easy to assume the Dusters position was untouchable. Its core appeal has been simple and powerful: a strong price-to-value balance at a time when new vehicle pricing across Europe has inflated sharply. In France, the Romanian-built compact SUV has consistently ranked among the countrys top sellers, and that remained true in 2025 when the Duster finished ninth overall. France Shows The First Clear Warning Signs Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. The situation shifted quickly at the start of the year. In January, the Duster lost ground in France and fell to 15th place in registrations. At the same time, the Bigster appeared in the Dusters rearview mirror, currently sitting 23rd overall and ranking as second among C-segment SUV models, behind the Peugeot 3008. That is a meaningful detail because it suggests the Bigster is not simply adding volume at the edges. It is pulling attention inside Dacias own showroom, especially from buyers who might be willing to spend a bit more for extra space and a more family-oriented footprint. Europe-Wide Data Confirms The Same Pattern The trend is not limited to France. Across Europe, January numbers show the Duster still ahead of the Bigster, but the gap is narrower than many expected. According to Dataforce, Duster sales reached 8,842 units in January versus 6,063 for the Bigster. The real story is the comparison to last year. One year earlier, Duster sales totaled 14,973 units, which translates to that 41% drop. And it is not just the Duster feeling pressure. The Dacia Jogger, the brands five- or seven-seat family model, is also being affected by Bigsters arrival, with sales down 51% in the same period. Cannibalization Helps Dacia But Not Necessarily Growth Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. There are two ways to read this. The optimistic view is that buyers remain loyal to the Dacia brand, simply moving up to a larger model. In that sense, cannibalization is still keeping customers in-house. The concern is whether the Bigster is contributing enough incremental demand to lift the overall brand. The report notes that Dacias total European sales volume in January fell by 35%, suggesting the internal reshuffling is not fully offsetting broader losses. Sandero Also Softens As Prices Rise Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. Adding to the pressure is a decline for Dacias longtime volume star, the Sandero. January sales are listed at 11,376 units, down 44%. That comes after 2025 already showed a 6.5% decline. Expectations remain that sales could rebound once a refreshed Sandero reaches dealerships, but the environment is tougher than it used to be. The penultimate day of the 2026 PokerStars European Poker Paris is about to begin, headlined by Day 5 of the prestigious 5,300 EPT Main Event. Only 16 players from the starting field of 1,474 entries will return to Le Palais des Congres at noon local time, meaning the final table is within reach for the remaining contenders. Two players in the field have been here before, as they have already accomplished the dream of making an EPT final table once in their careers. Less than a year ago, Enrico Coppola finished fourth in the most recent edition of the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, while Tomas Jozonis booked a third-place finish in the same tournament in 2018. Both were awarded with just over 300,000 for their tournament runs, but are now hunting an even larger payout: the seven-figure first prize of 1,148,600. Tomas Jozonis Jozonis and Coppola will return today in the middle of the pack, with Jozonis being in sixth place with a stack of 2,865,000, just shy of 60 big blinds, and Coppola closing out the top ten with 2,070,000 in chips. Both are trailing Nazar Buhaiov, the chip leader with 7,375,000, as the lion's share of the 7,075,200 prize pool is about to be divided, with Frenchman Thierry Gogniat following at a considerable distance with 4,475,000. Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Nazar Buhaiov Ukraine 7,375,000 148 2 Thierry Gogniat France 4,475,000 90 3 Joris Ruijs Netherlands 4,340,000 87 4 Jessica Teusl Austria 3,150,000 63 5 Mitch Garshofsky United States 3,140,000 63 6 Tomas Jozonis Lithuania 2,865,000 57 7 Jorge Abreu Portugal 2,745,000 55 8 Felix Schneiders Germany 2,735,000 55 9 Raphael Bilger France 2,445,000 49 10 Enrico Coppola Italy 2,070,000 41 Dutch grinder Joris Ruijs completes the podium with a stack of 4,340,000, while Jessica Teusl is looking to become the first female winner of an EPT Main Event in 12 years with her 3,150,000 chips. Popular poker streamer Felix Schneiders is also still in the mix, returning with 2,735,000 in his best-ever EPT Main Event run. Felix Schneiders Among the shorter stacks are Romanian regular Mihai Tabac (1,790,000), NAPT winner Sami Bechahed (1,655,000), and online grinder Casimir Seire (1,175,000). Not being the first player eliminated today is vital to them, as the guaranteed payout of 47,250 will jump up to 56,750 when 15 remain. Remaining Payouts Place Prize Place Prize 1 1,148,600 9 106,150 2 717,350 10-11 81,650 3 512,400 12-13 68,050 4 394,150 14-15 56,760 5 303,150 16 47,250 6 233,200 7 179,350 8 137,950 Day 5 of the EPT Paris Main Event will resume with 48 minutes and 26 seconds to go in Level 26, with blinds at 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante. Each level after will be 90 minutes long until the final table is reached. At that point, the tournament will transition to using a set number of hands per level. The plan for today is to play down to the final six, although that remains subject to change. PokerStars will be streaming the action on their YouTube and Twitch accounts all day, on a 30-minute delay. The updates on PokerNews will follow the same delay to prevent spoilers. The 2026 EPT Main Event is getting into the business end, and PokerNews will follow the action closely to provide a comprehensive live report. Stay tuned as the cards will go into the air in Paris shortly. For fiscal 2025, the company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $219.8 million , down from $239.8 million in the prior year. In the fourth quarter, however, Adjusted EBITDA rose to $59.8 million from $50.1 million , which CFO Vance Chang said included the timing of a national advertising fund benefit. CEO John Peyton said performance improved year over year, despite what he described as a still-challenging consumer environment where guests remained highly intentional about discretionary spending. He noted some softening in comparable sales and traffic across casual and family dining as the industry moved into December. Dine Brands Global (NYSE:DIN) executives told investors the company saw meaningful improvement in fiscal 2025 versus 2024, pointing to operational execution, value-focused marketing, menu innovation and ongoing restaurant investment as key drivers. Management also issued fiscal 2026 guidance calling for modest comparable-sales growth at both Applebees and IHOP and an EBITDA range largely in line with the prior year. IHOP operations and expansion: IHOP outperformed traffic benchmarks all year (Q4 comps +0.3%) with a 150 bp check improvement Q3Q4 and a ~7-minute (12%) faster table turn from POS/handheld rollouts; Dine opened 80 new restaurants in 2025 and plans at least 50 incremental dual-brand openings in 2026, with dual locations generating ~1.52.5x the revenue of single-brand units. Applebees momentum: The value-focused Two for platform drove about 22% of transactions , new burgers became record sellers, and off-premise comps were a growth engine (+6.2% in Q4, +6.5% full year) with delivery up 10.5%. Financials and guidance: Fiscal 2025 Adjusted EBITDA fell to $219.8M from $239.8M but Q4 rose to $59.8M ; management guided 2026 Adjusted EBITDA $220230M with domestic comparable-sales of 0%2% for both Applebees and IHOP, and expects company-owned restaurants to reach break-even in 2026. Story Continues In response to a question on Q4 trends, Chang said both brands experienced temporary softening in December consistent with the industry, but momentum rebuilt in early Q1 despite winter storms. He said both brands recovered to pre-storm trends and were running within the companys 0% to +2% 2026 comparable-sales guidance range. Applebees: value platform, burgers, and off-premise growth Peyton highlighted Applebees return to positive same-store sales growth in 2025, supported by value messaging and new products. In Q4, the Two for platform represented about 22% of transactions and supported off-premise demand and check growth. He said the Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger launched in Q4 became the brands highest-selling standalone burger ever and its highest-selling Two for burger to date. NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Another major driver was the Ultimate Trio appetizer introduced in August, which remained the best-selling appetizer in Q4 and represented about 11.5% of transactions, according to Peyton. In January, Applebees introduced the O-M-Cheese Burger, offered on the Two for platform and individually at $11.99; Peyton said it quickly became the newest highest-selling burger of all time on the Two for platform and blew up on social media. Applebees off-premise channel was also a growth contributor. Management said off-premise comparable sales increased 6.2% in Q4 and 6.5% for the full year, with delivery up 10.5% for the year. Chang added that average weekly franchise sales per Applebees restaurant were $54.3 thousand in 2025, including about $12.4 thousand from off-premise (roughly 23% of total sales). On marketing, Peyton said Applebees delivered year-over-year growth across key social media platforms, including an 84% increase in posting cadence and a 107% lift in engagement in the back half of the year compared to the front half. Looking ahead, he said Applebees plans fewer promotions run for longer windows, with consistent emphasis on Two for $25 supplemented by periodic new appetizer and entree introductions. IHOP: traffic gains, value menu expansion, and operational improvements Peyton and IHOP President Lawrence Kim emphasized traffic as the central highlight for IHOP in 2025. Peyton said IHOP outperformed the Black Box casual/family dining benchmarks in traffic every month of the year, with the outperformance accelerating in Q4. In September, IHOP launched the IHOP Value Menu, an expanded and rebranded version of House Faves, available seven days a week. Peyton said the aim was to drive traffic without displacing full-margin items, and the company is seeing guests also select premium offerings such as breakfast combos and limited-time items. Management said average check improved 150 basis points from Q3 to Q4. In Q&A, Kim said testing showed weekend incidence remained around 10% of total checks after expanding the value menu to weekends, and IHOP plans to extend the Value Menu through 2026. He also outlined planned innovation, including a new proprietary coffee, omelet innovation, and a BBQ Pulled Pork Omelet expected to be introduced in March. Operationally, Peyton said IHOPs POS and handheld rollout completed in 2024, along with process improvements, contributed to about a 7-minute (12%) improvement in table turn times versus 2024. He also said guest complaints declined for the second consecutive year. Chang noted average weekly franchise sales per IHOP restaurant were $38.7 thousand in 2025, including about $8 thousand from off-premise (about 21% of total sales). Development, dual-brand expansion, capital returns, and 2026 guidance The company leaned heavily on restaurant development as a growth lever. Peyton said Dine opened 80 new restaurants globally in 2025, up from 68 the year before. Internationally, Dine ended the year with 32 international dual-brand restaurants, an increase of 14. Domestically, Peyton said the company has opened 32 dual-brand restaurants in the U.S. (including three company-owned) with nine more under construction. He said the locations are generating about 1.5 to 2.5 times higher revenue than single-brand restaurants and that franchisees continue to expect payback of less than three years. Based on the current pipeline, management expects at least 50 incremental dual-brand openings in 2026, approaching 80 domestic dual-brand restaurants by year-end. On remodels, Peyton said Applebees Lookin Good program ended 2025 with 103 remodeled restaurants, above the initial goal, and early results show mid-single-digit sales lifts when combined with marketing. The company is targeting another about 100 remodels in 2026. Chang said the company returned $92 million to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and buybacks, including $31 million repurchased in Q4 (about 7% of shares outstanding). For the full year, the company bought back about 2.4 million shares, or 15% of shares, and management reiterated it views the stock as undervalued. For 2026, management guided to: Domestic system-wide comparable sales : Applebees 0% to 2% ; IHOP 0% to 2% . G&A : $205 million to $210 million (including about $35 million in non-cash stock-based compensation and depreciation). Adjusted EBITDA : $220 million to $230 million . CapEx: $25 million to $35 million. Chang also said the company expects its company-owned restaurant portfolio to be at a break-even level in 2026, versus what he described as negative $10 million of company-restaurant EBITDA in 2025 after backing out depreciation and certain transitory costs. On cash flow, Chang cited timing issues in 2025 (including paying two quarters of interest in one quarter), higher remodel incentives, and working capital changes, and said he expects cash flow to normalize and improve in 2026 given higher EBITDA guidance. About Dine Brands Global (NYSE:DIN) Dine Brands Global, Inc is a leading franchisor and operator of fullservice restaurants in the casual dining and breakfast segments. The company's primary brands include IHOP, known for its wide variety of breakfast offerings and pancakes, and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar, a casual dining concept featuring a range of American entrees, appetizers and cocktails. Through its franchise model, Dine Brands works with independent restaurant owners to develop, market and support both domestic and international locations. The origins of Dine Brands Global date back to the founding of the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in 1958 in California. The article "Dine Brands Global Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Foggy this morning, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High near 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Oil markets brace for a shock as the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran risks disrupting the global supply of crude oil, potentially triggering a significant surge in prices. Beyond being a major oil producer, Tehran has repeatedly threatened a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key pathway for oil export. In 1974, Iran was the third largest producer in the world after the US and Saudi Arabia, but ahead of Russia. However, its oil output took a hit after the US imposed sanctions in the 1979. Iran went from producing around six million barrels per day to roughly 3.1 million barrels today, according to the oil-producing cartel OPEC, of which Iran is a member. Even so, Iran still ranks in the world's top ten oil producers. Its crude oil is relatively easy and cheap to extract, with production costs as low as $10 (8.46) per barrel, making it particularly profitable. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. - AP Photo In comparison, Canada and the United States typically see costs of $40 (33,85) to $60 (50.77) per barrel. Only Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates see similar low production costs. China remains a key consumer of Iranian oil, with more than 80 per cent of Iran's export bound for Chinese refineries. A bigger risk to oil markets are the incessant warnings Iran issued on closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor connecting oil-producing countries in the Middle East to the rest of the world. Strait of Hormuz In 2024, approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil passed through it daily, which is equivalent to nearly 20 per cent of global liquid oil consumption, according to a report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). "The strait is deep enough and wide enough to handle the world's largest crude oil tankers, and it is one of the world's most important oil chokepoints. Large volumes of oil flow through the strait, and very few alternative options exist to move oil out of the strait if it is closed," the report states. Tensions in the region have been high as Washington and Tehran try to reach an agreement on a deal to limit Iran's nuclear activities. Last week, Iran stepped up its warnings to the US over its military presence in the region and temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills. It marked the second time in recent weeks that Iran had held a live-fire drill in the critical waterway. However, it marked the first time Iran had closed the critical maritime corridor since the US threatened Tehran with military action. Not only does money never sleep, it seldom gets a break between rounds. No sooner did Netflix officially concede to Paramount Skydance in a multibillion-dollar sparring match over Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday than another bidding war muscled its way into the spotlight. The San Antonio investment firm Victory Capital started a Texas-style duel with billionaire Nelson Peltzs Trian, making what it called a clearly superior bid for transatlantic asset management giant Janus Henderson, which Trian agreed to acquire just two months ago. SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Iran War Ignites US Demand for Cheaper Drone Defense Systems and Amazon Plans Thousands of Satellite Launches to Narrow Gap with Elon Musks Starlink Sign of the Asset Management Times A bidding war for Janus Henderson is no surprise, given the state of asset management. For years, investors have turned away from active mutual funds with higher fees, choosing instead to invest in cheaper passive ETFs and index funds offered by the likes of BlackRock and Vanguard. To buttress themselves against the resulting outflows, many traditional asset managers have pursued consolidation. US asset manager Nuveen, for instance, agreed to acquire the UKs Schroders in a $13.5 billion deal earlier this month. Hence, the appeal of Janus Henderson. The transatlantic giant was formed in 2017 to address this very problem. Londons Henderson Group and Colorados Janus Capital, both grappling with investors decamping for low-cost passive products, saw a chance to scale up, cut overlapping costs, and expand their geographic footprint. While the combined firm struggled for years with outflows, it turned that around last year. Peltzs Trian and its partner General Catalyst swept in before Christmas, agreeing to buy Janus for $7.4 billion, or $49 a share in cash. On Thursday, however, Victory Capital went public with what it says is a better deal: Victory offered Janus Henderson shareholders a total of $57.04 a share, $30 in cash and the rest in common stock. David Brown, the chairman of Victory, said its offer represents a 16% premium over Trians. Victory is no stranger to acquisitions, having added $100 billion in assets under management last year with the purchase of Pioneer, the US arm of Frances Amundi. Catalyst Constraint: Janus said it received and will consider Victorys proposal, while there is no word from Trian yet. But if the deal falls through, the bigger impact may rest with its partner, General Catalyst. The venture capital firm has worked diligently to expand beyond its origins, buying a hospital system and starting a wealth management business, as executives have reportedly considered an initial public offering. No Janus would mean one less diversified business under the umbrella for the IPO. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-28 00:03:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 397 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 27, 2026 / Global Education Communities Corp. ("GECC" or the "Company") (TSX:GEC)(OTCQX International:GECSF) reports the director election voting results from its annual general meeting held today. All of the director nominees, as listed in the management information circular dated January 12, 2026, were elected. Proxy voting as to each of the director nominees was as follows:Votes in FavorVotes WitheldToby Chu98.47%1.53%Tony David100.00%0.00%Derek Feng99.97%0.03%May Hsu100.00%0.00%Troy Rice99.97%0.03%Shane Weir100.00%0.00%Please see the report of voting results filed today under GECC's profile on SEDAR+ for the results of the other matters voted on by shareholders at the meeting.About GECC: For nearly 32 years, GECC has been a leader in Canada's education and student housing landscape. Serving a vibrant community of nearly 10,000 domestic and international students annually, GECC operates across 24 student housing apartments, campuses, and offices in Canada and abroad.Student housing and education super-centres: GECC is committed to solving Metro Vancouver's critical student housing challenges under the GEC Living brand. GECC specializes in developing and managing off-campus student-centric rental apartments and pioneering the concept of education super-centres. The GEC portfolio, comprising both operational properties and development budgets for the pipeline, exceeds $1.3 billion. GECC provides housing solutions to 95 schools in Metro Vancouver, serving domestic and international students from across Canada and 79 countries worldwide. Visit us at: www.gecliving.com Education Services GECC was the owner of Sprott Shaw College until its divestiture in August 2025. GECC's current academic division includes SSLC Language College, SSLC Business College (formerly Vancouver International College) and CIBT School of Business & Technology. These institutions offer a diverse range of business programs and ESL programs (English as a Second Language) designed to meet the evolving needs of international learners. Visit us at: www.studySSLC.com As part of its infrastructure, GECC also owns Global Education Alliance Inc. This student recruitment agency connects students with top-tier North American schools and places students into GECC's student housing properties. Irix Design is a leading design and media communications firm based in Vancouver.Visit GECC online at www.GEChq.com to explore our services and watch our corporate video. Check out our video library on YouTube.com: For more information, contact: Toby ChuChairman, President & CEOGlobal Education Communities Corp.Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 319 or | Email: info@ GEChq.com SOURCE: Global Education Communities Corp PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-28 00:02:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 434 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 27, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation ("NuScale" or the "Company") (NYSE:SMR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether NuScale and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until April 20, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired NuScale securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On November 6, 2025 NuScale revealed that its general and administrative expenses had ballooned more than 3,000% to $519 million during its third fiscal quarter, up from $17 million in the prior year period, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 Energy LLC ("ENTRA1") in connection with an agreement to develop power plants to provide the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") with up to six gigawatts of new nuclear power generation. As a result, NuScale's quarterly net loss skyrocketed to $532 million, up from $46 million in the prior year period. During a corresponding conference call, analysts pressed NuScale management regarding whether ENTRA1 was sufficiently experienced to own and operate the energy generation facilities contemplated by the TVA agreement. NuScale's Chief Executive Officer further revealed during the call that the agreement between ENTRA1 and the TVA contemplated as many as 72 NPMs, meaning NuScale's milestone payments to ENTRA1 could potentially exceed more than $3 billion.On this news, NuScale's stock price fell $7.57 per share, or 19.97%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $30.34 per share on November 7, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-28 17:01:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 407 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 28, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. ("Kyndryl" or the "Company") (NYSE:KD). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Kyndryl and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until April 13, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Kyndryl securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On February 9, 2026, Kyndryl filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-5 announcing that it would be unable to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 within the necessary time. The late filing notice also revealed the existence of an investigation by the SEC into the Company's financial reporting. Separately, Kyndryl announced that "David Wyshner departed from his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Edward Sebold departed from his position as General Counsel of the Company, effective immediately. In addition, on the same date, Vineet Khurana stepped down from his position as Senior Vice President and Global Controller of the Company and assumed a different role at the Company." On this news, Kyndryl's stock price fell $12.90 per share, or 55%, to close at $10.59 per share on February 9, 2026.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP The Managing Director of NIPCO Gas Ltd., Nagendra Verma, says the 18-inch, 80-kilometre SagamuIbadan natural gas pipeline has reached 80 per cent completion. Mr Verma disclosed this during an interactive session with energy correspondents on Friday in Lagos. He stated that the project is scheduled for delivery between June and July, reaffirming the companys commitment to completing the strategic infrastructure within the projected timeline. According to him, the pipeline, being developed in partnership with NNPC Gas Marketing Ltd. (NGML), will significantly boost gas supply to industrial and commercial consumers in Ogun and Oyo states, as well as adjoining areas in the Southwest. Verma described the SagamuIbadan pipeline as a major milestone in Nigerias gas expansion drive, noting that it is expected to strengthen industrial productivity and enhance energy security. This critical infrastructure will improve manufacturing competitiveness, lower production costs for industries dependent on alternative fuels, and stimulate regional economic growth, he said. He added that given the projects strategic importance to Southwest industrialisation and national energy security, the company sought the continued cooperation and support of relevant federal and state authorities to ensure seamless execution. Mr Verma explained that many manufacturers in the region currently rely on diesel and Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), both of which are more expensive and subject to price volatility. He noted that access to pipeline gas would provide a more stable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative, enabling businesses to optimise operations and expand capacity. Beyond the Ibadan corridor, he disclosed that NIPCO Gas, in collaboration with NGML, is also developing complementary gas distribution infrastructure from Sagamu to Abeokuta to deepen gas penetration across Ogun State. The SagamuAbeokuta project, he said, is aimed at accelerating industrial growth by providing a reliable gas supply to existing manufacturers while attracting fresh investments into the state. He further noted that the initiative is projected to improve energy reliability, enhance operational efficiency for businesses and boost internally generated revenue through increased economic activity. The project continues to enjoy strong collaboration and support from the Ogun State Government, reflecting a shared commitment to energy-driven economic development and sustainable industrial expansion, Mr Verma added. The SagamuIbadan pipeline is a strategic backbone infrastructure that will further consolidate Ogun and Oyo states as leading industrial hubs in the Southwest. Improved access to natural gas is expected to drive growth across key sectors, including cement, food and beverage, steel, pharmaceuticals and agro-processing. (NAN) A growing number of international airlines have cancelled, suspended, or rerouted flights to and over the Middle East. This development is coming after coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran triggered widespread airspace closures and heightened safety concerns, aviation authorities and carriers said on Saturday. The closures, which have affected airspaces over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Jordan, forced carriers to adjust operations quickly to protect passengers and crew. Consequently, commercial air traffic in some corridors was sharply reduced as skies effectively went offline amid the restrictions. Major carriers halt services PREMIUM TIMES gathered that several international airlines have publicly confirmed changes to their schedules, with some routes paused entirely, while others were rerouted to avoid restricted airspace. Air FranceKLM Group cancelled services to and from Tel Aviv (Israel) and Beirut (Lebanon), and moved up the suspension of its AmsterdamTel Aviv route. British Airways stopped flights to Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman. Lufthansa also postponed flights to Israel, Beirut, Oman, and Dubai, while avoiding affected regional airspace. Similarly, Wizz Air halted services to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman through early next week. In addition, Japan Airlines cancelled flights between Tokyo and Doha due to the restrictions. Turkish Airlines suspended flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan, and also cancelled services to some Gulf destinations. Qatar Airways further confirmed it halted flights to and from Doha after the temporary closure of Qatari airspace. Norwegian Air paused flights to and from Dubai as it monitors ongoing conditions. Beyond these carriers, other airlines have been affected either directly or through route adjustments, with some flights diverted to avoid Iraqi or Iranian airspace as safety concerns persist. Regional impact The wave of cancellations follows a significant escalation in tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led several Middle Eastern countries to close or restrict their airspace as a precautionary measure to protect civilian aviation. As a result, disruptions have highlighted industry concerns about the safety of key international corridors linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, coordinated with civil aviation authorities to halt departures and arrivals while assessing the security situation. Many air carriers warned that once the skies begin to reopen, flight schedules could continue to experience delays and adjustments as normal operations are restored. Travellers in limbo For many passengers, the disruption means more than an altered schedule. Families travelling for reunions, business delegates, and holidaymakers have reported confusion at airports as flights were cancelled without adequate advance notices. A frequent traveller based in Kano, who does not want his name in print, described the situation as pure chaos after his connecting flight through Dubai was abruptly cancelled. There was no clear explanation, just that the flights were suspended. Now Im trying to get rebooked through another city, but no flights are available now, he lamented. Meanwhile, airlines have urged affected travellers to regularly check official communication channels and airport flightstatus tools for the latest updates on cancellations, rebookings, or alternative routings. In addition, many carriers have deployed extra ground staff at key hubs to help passengers navigate sudden changes, offer refunds, or adjust itineraries. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed as false a viral message warning members of the public not to open an SMS link related to its Operation Go Cashless initiative. In a statement issued on Friday evening, FAAN described it as misinformation circulating in relation to SMS notifications regarding the programmes commencement date. According to the authority, a counter-message currently being shared advises recipients not to open the SMS link, alleging that it is a scam designed to drain bank accounts. FAAN, however, said the claim is false, misleading, and unfounded. The official SMS notification informing members of the public about the implementation of Operation Go Cashless is legitimate and was duly disseminated by FAAN in partnership with MTN Nigeria as part of its nationwide public sensitisation campaign, the agency said. The authority clarified that the Operation Go Cashless programme will officially commence on March 1, 2026, adding that the authorised SMS messages announcing the start date are genuine. READ ALSO: US Embassy asks staff to leave Israel amid plans to attack Iran It explained that the messages form part of its transition to a fully cashless, contactless payment system across airport payment points nationwide. The development follows heightened public sensitivity to digital fraud and scam messages, with many Nigerians routinely warned against clicking suspicious links. The authority urged the public to disregard the counter-message and rely only on information issued through its verified communication channels. FAAN said it remains committed to transparency and passenger safety as the new payment system takes effect. The US government has designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, a new diplomatic tool used for countries that wrongfully detain US nationals. The tool was created through an executive order and legislation passed in September 2025. It is also the latest in the US effort to ramp up pressure on Iran, as tension between the two countries heightened and concern over the possibility of war continues to increase. In a statement on Friday, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, accused Iran of unjustly detaining American nationals for political leverage. Mr Rubio, announcing the designation, said Irans Islamic clerics consolidated power by endorsing the hostage taking of US embassy staff. This is a reference to the 19791981 Iran hostage crisis, when radical Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran and held American diplomats and other staff hostage. Today, I am designating Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. When the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of US embassy staff, Mr Rubio said in the statement. Mr Rubio also noted that if Iran does not stop, we will be forced to consider additional measures, including a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of US passports to, through, or from Iran. The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions. We encourage it to do so. No American should travel to Iran for any reason, he added. He also stressed that the call for non-emergency workers and their families currently in Iran to leave immediately. Iran has a history of detaining Americans, including holding US citizens and dual nationals for years on unproven charges, often using their imprisonment as bargaining chips. But the designation of the country as a state sponsor of wrong detention comes amid the US threat of military aggression against the country. PREMIUM TIMES reported that countries have begun to issue travel advisories, warning their citizens to avoid travelling to Iran, Israel and other parts of the Middle East likely to be affected in the war that might ensue should the US attack. The US has claimed that its planned unprovoked attack was to prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons. Still, analysts have described that as a smokescreen, especially as President Trump, in his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal that Iran had with global powers to prevent it from having a nuclear weapon. However, Tehran has promised to respond decisively to US military aggression. On Thursday, the spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, cautioned Washington against any unwise actions, stating that it would trigger a response from Irans Armed Forces never experienced before in history. Meanwhile, this is the first time this designation has been used, and Iran is the first country to be put on this blacklist. The policy is modelled in part by the state sponsor of terrorism list. READ ALSO: US Embassy asks staff to leave Israel amid plans to attack Iran Under the new order, Mr Rubio can impose a range of measures, including economic sanctions, export controls and visa restrictions targeting persons and entities linked to wrongful detention policies. He can also impose travel restrictions on US passport holders, potentially limiting or prohibiting travel to countries designated as sponsors of wrongful detention. Iran is already suffering from several US sanctions that have crippled its economy. It is unclear how any new sanctions imposed by the US government would affect anything. The average tax refund so far in the 2026 tax season is not close to being $1,000 higher than it was a year ago, as the White House suggests is possible. But it is up by $351. The Internal Revenue Service indicated that early filers have seen an average refund amount of $3,804 through Feb. 20, according to data released Friday, Feb. 27. That's up 10.2% from the average of $3,453 for the same time frame a year ago. The latest statistics compare this year's filing season results through Feb. 20 with last year's results through Feb. 21, 2025. The IRS began accepting and processing federal income tax returns on Jan. 26. As a result, we're seeing a glimpse into the first four weeks of a long tax season. The filing deadline is April 15. Tax refunds are expected to be bigger on average during the 2026 tax season, as tax filers claim new deductions for tip income, overtime income, interest paid on new car loans for cars and trucks assembled in the United States, and an enhanced deduction for seniors. The IRS has issued tax more than 28.7 million refunds through Feb. 20, according to the latest data released on Friday, Feb. 27. That's down 3% from the same time frame a year ago when more than 29.6 million federal income tax refunds were issued. More: Early Michigan tax filers report long waits and pending review notices More: Tax refunds are big but not as big as expected. How to use the cash More: More than 1M in Michigan have filed tax returns. How to check refund The average refund is indeed bigger than what we saw during this same time frame in 2025. But it remains short of some expectations. According to a post on the White House site, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was set to deliver "the biggest tax refund season ever, with average refunds projected to rise by $1,000 or more this year due to its transformative policies." Last year, the average federal income tax refund was $3,167 at the end of 2025 up 0.9% from 2024, according to the IRS. Will the average refund go up by nearly 32% or hit $4,167 by the end of 2026? We'll see what happens. The IRS issues updates on the tax season each week. Tax filers received more than $109.3 billion in tax refunds so far this year through Feb. 20. That's up 6.9% from a year ago. By law, the Internal Revenue Service cannot issue federal income tax refunds before Feb. 15 for returns that claim the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit. This year, the IRS expects most refunds for early filers claiming the earned income tax credit and the additional child tax credit will be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 2 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and have no other issues with their returns. Some experts remain concerned that some taxpayers could face delays in receiving their tax refunds this year, particularly if mistakes are made claiming some new tax breaks for tip income, overtime pay, new car loan interest for cars with final assembly in the United States, and a new enhanced deduction for seniors. Israel has launched an unprovoked attack on Iran, despite ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Israels defence minister, Israel Katz, announced on Saturday morning that his country had launched missile attacks on Iran. CNN reports that the attacks were jointly executed by Israel and the US. Al Jazeera reports that missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri area of the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Israeli attack occurred a day after Iran and the US had indirect discussions over Irans nuclear programme. amicably and comprehensively within a few months. Omans Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who mediated the talks in Geneva, Switzerland, stated on Friday that he believed all issues in a deal between Iran and the US could be resolvedwithin a few months. Although the talks were expected to continue, Israel and the US launched their attacks on Saturday morning after weeks of US military build-up in the Middle East, the largest in over two decades, involving dozens of planes and ships. READ ALSO: US labels Iran state sponsor of wrongful detention This is the second time in less than a year that Israel has attacked Iran, leading to an all-out war. The first in June last year led to the 12-day war between the two countries, which led to hundreds of deaths and the destruction of facilities on both sides. On Friday, many countries, including the US, China and the UK, asked their citizens to leave Iran and Israel amidst fears of a war. This is an ongoing story and PREMIUM TIMES will provide updates in subsequent reports. The death toll from a US and Israeli strike on an Iranian girls elementary school has now risen to 85, according to local media. Al Jazeera quotes a report by Irans semiofficial Tasnim News Agency that quotes local officials as saying that the death toll had risen to 85. PREMIUM TIMES reported the strike at a girls elementary school in Minab, in the Hormozgan province of Southern Iran. Five pupils were initially reported killed in the Saturday attack. Later on Saturday, the death toll rose to 40. The death toll has now risen to 85. Emergency workers are currently clearing wreckage from the site, where 63 others were also injured. Aljazeera, quoting Irans Tansim News Agency, also reported that two students were killed by a strike that hit another school east of Tehran. However, it remains unclear if the US and Israel targeted the school buildings. In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared a photo of the attack, noting that it destroyed the girls school and killed innocent children. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered, Mr Araghchi wrote in a post on X. Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also condemned the blatant crime and called for the intervention of the United Nations Security Council. Meanwhile, Irans National Security Council has advised residents to leave the capital, Tehran. Local media reported that a key highway linking the capital to northern Iran has been converted into a one-way route to allow safe movement. The councils evacuation advisory comes as the number of Iranians who have been killed as a result of the US and Israel military strikes continues to rise. Irans state media reports that extremely heavy traffic is visible on west-to-east routes of the Soleimani highway, in Tehran. Retaliatory strikes by Iran have also damaged buildings in Israel, including a nine-story building in northern Israel, leaving a man with minor injuries. Al Jazeera quoted Israels Channel 12 as stating that most of the Iranian missiles were intercepted, but shrapnel hit the building and injured the man. Loud sirens continue to blare across Israel as citizens are urged to seek shelter, and schools, airports, and all public facilities are shut. Iran has also shut its airspace and closed schools and other public buildings. Iran also fired strikes at US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. Saudi Arabia has also confirmed Iranian strikes on Jeddah, but said it shut down the missiles. Most international airlines have cancelled, suspended, or rerouted flights to and over the Middle East. Thyroid disorders are a group of conditions that affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the lower neck. Though small, the gland plays a critical role in regulating several vital body processes Speaking with PT Health Watch, Yahaya Mohammed, a medical doctor at the National Hospital, Abuja, explained how the thyroid gland functions, the common disorders that affect it, the warning signs people often overlook, and why early diagnosis is crucial for effective management. Why the thyroid gland matters Mr Mohammed explains that the thyroid is a key endocrine organ responsible for producing hormones such as thyroxine T4, triiodothyronine T3 and calcitonin. These hormones regulate how the body uses energy, influence metabolism, and help to maintain normal body temperature. Beyond this, the gland supports brain function, regulates heart rate, influences weight, and contributes to growth, development and reproductive health. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, multiple systems in the body can be affected, he said, noting that its impact extends far beyond the neck where it is located. Common thyroid disorders, symptoms According to Mr Mohammed, the most frequently diagnosed thyroid conditions are hypothyroidism, which occurs when the gland becomes underactive, and hyperthyroidism, when it becomes overactive. He noted that other conditions include goitre, which refers to an enlargement of the thyroid gland, and thyroid cancer. He added that distinguishing between these disorders based on symptoms alone can be difficult because many of the signs overlap. It is difficult to tell the difference between thyroid conditions without proper evaluation. Physical examination and laboratory testing are essential for accurate diagnosis, he said. Mr Mohammed noted that many symptoms associated with thyroid disorders are frequently dismissed as stress, hormonal changes or lifestyle-related issues. He, however, warned that persistent or unexplained symptoms should not be ignored. He listed difficulty tolerating cold or heat, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, unusually slow or rapid heart rate, irregular menstrual cycles, and mood changes such as depression or anxiety as possible early warning signs. These symptoms may appear mild at first, but when they persist, medical evaluation becomes important, he added. Who is most at risk? While thyroid disorders can affect people of any age, certain groups are more vulnerable. Individuals living with autoimmune diseases and those with a family history of thyroid conditions face increased risk. Postpartum women and people who have previously undergone thyroid treatment are also more likely to develop thyroid problems. Mr Mohammed further explained that the use of medications containing high levels of iodine, as well as significant hormonal changes, may contribute to the development of thyroid disorders. He added that lifestyle and environmental factors such as smoking, prolonged stress, radiation exposure and iodine imbalance have also been linked to thyroid dysfunction. Diagnosis and management Regarding thyroid disorders, Mr Mohammed said the process usually begins with a careful clinical evaluation, supported by laboratory investigations. He explained that during a physical examination, doctors look for signs such as neck swelling, tremors, or changes in heart rate that may suggest thyroid dysfunction. This is often followed by blood tests to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone, T3 and T4 levels, which help determine whether the gland is underactive or overactive. Where necessary, imaging studies may be requested to evaluate nodules or detect structural abnormalities in the gland. He added that management is guided by the specific diagnosis and the severity of the condition. Treatment may involve medications to correct hormone imbalance, surgical intervention, or radiation therapy. In cases involving thyroid cancer, chemotherapy may also be required. Despite the possible complications, Mr Mohammed stressed that thyroid disorders are largely manageable when detected early. The Benue State government has confirmed the death of 10 health workers, including five medical doctors, following a recent Lassa fever outbreak in the state. The disclosure was contained in a report by the African Independent Television (AIT) aired on Friday. According to the state epidemiologist, Asema Msuega, 250 suspected cases of Lassa fever have been recorded in Benue, out of which 45 have been confirmed. Latest statistics released by the state epidemiology unit indicate a surge in infections, prompting the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, to visit the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi for an on-the-spot assessment. Mr Msuega described the high number of infections among health workers as worrisome, noting that it suggests human-to-human transmission. He attributed the development to lapses in infection prevention and control interventions. Strict adherence to safety protocols While giving an update on measures taken to contain the outbreak, the Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Stephen Hwande, urged residents to strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols. Mr Hwande said the hospital had strengthened safety measures to curb further spread of the virus. The state government commended health workers for their dedication and sacrifice, assuring residents of its commitment to containing the outbreak. National trend The latest development in Benue comes amid concerns over rising Lassa fever cases nationwide. Earlier, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) identified high specimen transportation costs, reporting inconsistencies and weak data validation systems as key challenges affecting timely detection and response to Lassa fever in some states. The agencys Director-General, Jide Idris, said transporting samples from remote communities to state laboratories remains expensive and logistically difficult, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, slowing confirmation and response efforts. In its latest situation report released, the NCDC said 74 new confirmed cases were recorded in Epidemiological Week 6 (28 February 2026), up from 44 cases in Week 5. The new infections were reported across eight states, Taraba, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Ebonyi. A total of 271 suspected cases and 15 deaths were recorded during the week, with a case fatality rate of 20.3 per cent among confirmed cases. The agency also reported that two additional healthcare workers were infected during the reporting week, raising concerns about infection prevention and control compliance in health facilities. Cumulatively, from Epidemiological Week 1 to Week 6 in 2026, Nigeria has recorded 1,034 suspected cases, 240 confirmed cases and four probable cases across 10 states and 42 Local Government Areas. Within the same period, 51 deaths have been recorded among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality rate of 21.3 per cent, higher than the 19.4 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. However, the NCDC noted that the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases so far in 2026 is lower than figures reported within the same period in 2025. The Nigerian government has called for restraint and a return to negotiation as US and Israel continue their war with Iran. In a statement on Saturday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the violence that has ensued since the US and Israel attacked Iran. Nigeria urged the warring sides to avoid actions that are likely to intensify hostilities, stressing that this could have potentially grave consequences for regional and global stability. We urge strict adherence to the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Convention, particularly taking into cognisance the respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the statement read. So far, at least, 201 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran, according to Irans Red Crescent Society. Retaliatory strikes by Iran have also damaged facilities and buildings in Israel, including a nine-story building in northern Israel, leaving a man with minor injuries. Al Jazeera quoted Israels Channel 12 as stating that most of the Iranian missiles were intercepted, but shrapnel hit the building and injured the man. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Nigerian government had earlier said it was closely monitoring the volatile situation and warned citizens residing in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to avoid potential flashpoint areas. The government has now followed up on this previous statement, stressing that countries must refrain from the use of lethal force to prevent further loss of civilian life. It further highlighted the need to avoid actions that could undermine or abrogate established norms of international law. The preservation of the existing legal architecture that regulates and limits the use of force remains essential to the protection of victims, the safeguarding of civilian populations, and the maintenance of international order. As a longstanding advocate of non-alignment, multilateralism, and constructive engagement, Nigeria supports renewed diplomatic efforts within established international and regional frameworks to resolve the crisis, it said. Nigeria also said it stands in solidarity with the international community in its call for calm and sustainable peace. The latest war started on Saturday morning when the US and Israel launched missile attacks on Iran. Iran carried out retaliatory strikes on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said there are growing signs that Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been assassinated. Mr Netanyahu said the Iranian leader was killed by the US and Israel missile strike on his compound in Tehran, Reuters reports. This morning we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei, Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement. This morning, in a powerful surprise strike, the compound of the tyrant Ali Khamenei was destroyed in the heart of Tehran and there are many signs that this tyrant is no longer alive, Mr Netanyahu said. But there is currently no evidence confirming that Mr Khamenei is dead, nor did Mr Nethanyu provide any to back his assertions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi also rejected the claim that the supreme leader is dead. Speaking to the NBC, Mr Aragchi said Mr Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are still alive as far as I know. He stated that the situation was under control and that almost all high-ranking officials were safe, apart from a few commanders. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei also said Irans president and supreme leader are safe and sound, according to CNN. Meanwhile, the BBC reported that satellite images earlier showed significant damage to Khameneis compound, which is the Iranian leadership office. Similarly, Reuters also cited a senior Israeli official who claims Mr Khameneis body has been found. But the head of public relations at the office of Mr Khamenei, Seyyed Mahdi, further debunking the reports of his death, said, The enemy has resorted to psychological warfare. We should all be careful about it, the semi-official ISNA news agency reports. A State High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced a popular native doctor in the state, Chukwudozie Nwangwu, to 12 years imprisonment. Mr Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, was arrested in February 2025 by operatives of Agunechemba, a local vigilante group in the state, over allegations of preparing charms for criminals and other rituals. The police in the state, on 25 February of that year, filed 10-count charges against him, which were related to ritual practices, robbery, conspiracy, preparing charms for criminals and aiding internet fraudsters. Judgement PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Nwangwu, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges in previous hearings, recanted during Fridays proceedings in which he pleaded guilty. The trial judge, Jude Obiora, therefore convicted him after finding him guilty on counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, Vanguard newspaper reported. Mr Obiora, however, struck out counts 1, 2, 9, and 10. The judge then sentenced him to two years imprisonment for each count, amounting to 12 years imprisonment. Mr Obiora, however, ruled that the sentences will run concurrently, which brought the total number of years of sentence to two years. The judge further held that since Mr Nwangwu had already spent 13 months in detention at the Agunechemba facility in Awka, he would serve only 11 months at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Awka. This means that the period of his detention would be considered part of the two-year jail term. More rulings Mr Obiora also ruled that Mr Nwangwus controversial shrine located in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, would be completely destroyed and that the demolition be recorded on video. The court also ordered that he must sign an undertaking not to engage in Okite practices again. Okite is an Igbo phrase for a big pot used for ritual practices. The judge also ruled that after serving his jail term, Mr Nwangwu should become a youth ambassador to correct the impression he created among young people about acquiring wealth through illegal and ritual means. The court further directed the convicted native doctor to use all his social media platforms to inform the public that he no longer practises Okite. Waiver Justice Obiora said that he initially planned to impose fines of N20 million each on three additional counts in lieu of six-year prison terms prescribed by law, but decided to waive the fines after observing Mr Nwangwus remorse during detention. After the sentence, the defence counsel requested that the convicted native doctor be allowed to serve his jail term at the Agunechemba facility. But Mr Obiora declined and insisted that the sentence must be served at the Awka Correctional Centre. The judge explained that his refusal to grant the request was because the Agunechemba facility lacks proper correctional infrastructure. Background In January 2025, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State signed the Anambra State Homeland Security Bill 2025 into law. The law, aside from creating the Agunechemba vigilante group, also banned the making of charms for the commission of crime and the performance of sacrifices along roads in the state. It was targeted at native doctors who prepare charms for criminals terrorising residents of the South-eastern state. The legislation equally outlawed the practice of Oke-Ite and Ezenwanyi for the purpose of wealth accumulation through supernatural means. It imposes six years imprisonment or N20 million or both on defaulters upon conviction. The legislation seeks to check insecurity in the state. US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he ordered an attack on Iran. Mr Trump said early Saturday that the attack is massive and ongoing and intended to prevent Iran from putting US lives at risk. He claimed Iran had been working to rebuild its nuclear programme after the US bombing of its nuclear facilities last June during the Israel-Iran war, although Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes. Earlier, the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said his country had launched an attack on Iran on Saturday morning. Al Jazeera reports that missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri area of the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US and Israeli attacks occurred a day after Iran and the US had indirect discussions over Irans nuclear programme. The attack amidst the discussions is similar to that of last June, when Israel attacked Iran while the latter was negotiating with the US over its nuclear programme. Iran is expected to retaliate with attacks on American interests in the Middle East as well as attacks on Israel. Several countries, including Irans Arab neighbours, many of whom are allied with the US, had advised the US against attacking Iran, saying it could destabilise the region. Both Iran and Israel have shut their airspaces for all flights while sirens have continued in Israel, as it advised its citizens to seek shelter. On Friday, many countries, including the US, China and the UK, asked their citizens to leave Iran and Israel amidst fears of a war. The US has also asked its citizens in Arab countries like Qatar and Bahrain to seek shelter. PREMIUM TIMES reports that this is the second time in less than a year that Israel has attacked Iran, leading to an all-out war. The first in June last year led to the 12-day war between the two countries, which led to hundreds of deaths and the destruction of facilities on both sides. The US, which assisted Israel in defending itself, later joined in attacking Iran. However, the US has been building its military forces in the Middle East in preparation for the latest attack. Dozens of fighter planes and bombers, as well as ships, have been deployed in preparation for the unprovoked attack on Iran despite calls for caution by world leaders. This is a developing story. Updates will be provided in subsequent reports. Iran has retaliated against American strikes by firing missiles and drones at Israel as well as US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. The situation has forced many Gulf countries to close their airspace, grounding hundreds of flights worldwide. Al Jazeera reports that Bahrain has confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet has been targeted by a missile attack, while Qatars Defence Ministry said that an Iranian missile was intercepted by the Patriot defence system. Reuters also reported a loud explosion in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Iran had threatened to attack all American interests in the Middle East if attacked by the US. However, many of the bases targeted by Iran are believed to have been emptied as the US expected such retaliation. Irans IRGC has also confirmed that it has launched missiles and drones towards Israel following the US-Israeli attacks. In a statement shared by Al Jazeera, Irans Foreign Affairs Ministry said Israeli attacks Saturday morning targeted Irans territorial integrity and national sovereignty, including defensive infrastructure and non-military locations in various cities across the country. The renewed military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran constitutes a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Islamic Republic of Iran considers this aggression a clear breach of international peace and security and emphasises that it reserves its legitimate right to respond decisively. The Iranian nation has always demonstrated patience and restraint to prevent escalation and preserve regional stability, it read, adding that the armed forces stand fully prepared to defend the country and will make aggressors regret their actions. Iran added that the attacks by the US and Israel were a clear example of armed aggression and cited Article 51 of the UN Charter about Irans right to self-defence. History shows that Iranians have never surrendered to aggression. This time as well, Irans response will be decisive, and aggressors will regret their hostile actions, it added. Earlier, President Donald Trump warned that some Americans would be killed in the war his country his country and Israel started against Iran. The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, the American leader said in a video broadcast after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. He also indicated that his aim was to achieve a change in government in Iran. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations, the president said, in reference to protesters in Iran who had protested the economic situation in the country, largely caused by US sanctions on Iran. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US and Israeli attacks occurred a day after Iran and the US had indirect discussions over Irans nuclear programme. The attack amidst the discussions is similar to that of last June, when Israel attacked Iran while the latter was negotiating with the US over its nuclear programme. Iran is expected to retaliate with attacks on American interests in the Middle East as well as attacks on Israel. Several countries, including Irans Arab neighbours, many of whom are allied with the US, had advised the US against attacking Iran, saying it could destabilise the region. Both Iran and Israel have shut their airspaces for all flights while sirens have continued in Israel, as it advised its citizens to seek shelter. On Friday, many countries, including the US, China and the UK, asked their citizens to leave Iran and Israel amidst fears of a war. The US has also asked its citizens in Arab countries like Qatar and Bahrain to seek shelter. PREMIUM TIMES reports that this is the second time in less than a year that Israel has attacked Iran, leading to an all-out war. The first in June last year led to the 12-day war between the two countries, which led to hundreds of deaths and the destruction of facilities on both sides. The US, which assisted Israel in defending itself, later joined in attacking Iran. However, the US has been building its military forces in the Middle East in preparation for the latest attack. Dozens of fighter planes and bombers, as well as ships, have been deployed in preparation for the unprovoked attack on Iran despite calls for caution by world leaders. This is a developing story. Updates will be provided in subsequent reports. The death toll from an American and Israeli strike on an Iranian girls elementary school has risen to 40, according to local media. PREMIUM TIMES reported the strike at a girls elementary school in Minab, in the Hormozgan province of Southern Iran. Five pupils were initially reported killed in the attack. Al Jazeera quotes Irans Fars news agency as saying that the casualty has increased to 40. It is unclear which of the US and Israel carried out the strike on the school. The strike on the school is one of many carried out by the US and Israel on Iran early Saturday, days after nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran. Retaliatory strikes by Iran damaged a nine-story building in northern Israel, leaving a man with minor injuries. Al Jazeera quotes Israels Channel 12 as stating that the Iranian missiles were intercepted, but shrapnel hit the building and injured the man. Loud sirens continue to blare across Israel as citizens are urged to seek shelter, and schools, airports, and all public facilities are shut. Iran has also shut its airspace and closed schools and other public buildings. Iran has also urged its citizens to leave the capital, Tehran, so they are not affected by the US and Israeli strikes. you should, as far as possible and while maintaining calm, travel to other places and cities if you are able, Al Jazeera quotes Irans National Security Council as saying in a statement. READ ALSO: One person killed in UAE as Iranian missiles target US bases in Middle East The latest war started earlier on Saturday when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. One person has been confirmed killed in the UAE from the Iranian missile attacks. Many of the Middle East countries affected by Iranian retaliatory strikes have condemned the strikes. Citrini Research's viral "The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis" note didn't just shake markets it triggered a sharp backlash from Wall Street economists and strategists. Now, a growing number of experts are challenging the notion that an AI-driven productivity surge could spiral into mass unemployment, collapsing demand and systemic financial distress. Their message is simple and backed by economic theory: productivity booms historically fuel growth they don't end it. And some are warning that investors may be reacting more to narrative than actual data. The Macro Counterargument To Citrini: Productivity Creates Income Front Harbor Macro Research founder Gerard MacDonell argues that Citrinis doom loop logic ignores a basic economic principle: production generates income. MacDonell described Citrini Research's piece as an "allegorical essay" and questioned how many of those circulating it had actually taken the time to read it in full. Don't Miss: If AI boosts productivity and profits, that income accrues to someone workers, shareholders, capital owners and gets spent or invested. "Say's Law invokes the simple point that production generates income and that this income must accrue to someone, who is likely to spend it," MacDonell said. Historically, major technological advances have raised real incomes and expanded demand, even if distribution became uneven. Referencing economist Paul Krugman's concept of the "accidental theorist," MacDonell warned against dismissing established economic reasoning only to construct a more dramatic alternative. He said that the U.S. economy today is supply-constrained and far from a liquidity trap. The Federal Reserve still has room to cut rates if needed. In that environment, a productivity burst would more likely be pro-growth than self-defeating. The idea that productivity automatically destroys demand, he suggests, runs counter to centuries of economic experience. The Power Of A Good Doom Story London-based strategist Joachim Klement framed the backlash in blunt terms: bearish narratives sell. "Investment gurus who sell bearish newsletters make more money selling their newsletters and books than people who sell useful information." Klement points to research from the Ifo Institute showing investors are often willing to pay more for compelling economic narratives than for raw forecasts. Multiple US polls have shown that most Americans do not support the US government going into war with Iran, but this has not deterred President Donald Trump from launching the war. Mr Trump, on Saturday, confirmed that the US ordered the attack on Iran, shortly after Israel announced the launch of strikes targeted at Iran. The president has claimed that the attack on Iran is aimed at eliminating the imminent threat from the Iranian regime to the American people; a stance most Americans appear to disagree with. Short time ago, the US military began a major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, he said. A joint survey conducted by The Economist and YouGov, a global public opinion and data firm, found that most Americans oppose US military action against Iran and are displeased with how Mr Trump has been handling the situation. The poll, conducted between 30 January and 2 February, surveyed 1,672 US adult citizens. It showed that 49 per cent of Americans somewhat or strongly oppose such action, while only 27 per cent support it. The survey also revealed that opinions on military action are largely split along party lines, with a majority of Republicans supporting the use of force, while most Democrats oppose it. A clear partisan divide emerged, with 76 per cent of Democrats opposing an attack, compared with 57 per cent of Republicans who supported it. While most Americans are not opposed to the overthrow of Irans leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, 39 per cent oppose the use of military force to execute this. YouGov reported that the overall margin of error for the full sample is approximately 3.2 percentage points. Separate polls from the Associated PressNORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, Quinnipiac University, and the University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll also showed broad public scepticism about US military action against other countries and strong opposition to war. Americans do not want an aggressive foreign policy A growing number of US voters want Mr Trump to take a less active role in global affairs and want less aggressive foreign policy decisions. The APNORC poll, which surveyed 1203 people, found that a majority of Americans believe Mr Trump had gone too far with his foreign policy decision. The Quinnipiac University poll, which surveyed registered voters, found that 7 out of 10 voters oppose US military involvement in Iran. The poll conducted in January surveyed 1,133 registered voters. It also found that opposition was along party lines, with 79 per cent of Democrats and 80 per cent of independents opposing military involvement. The poll also found that 70 per cent of voters wanted Mr Trump to receive congressional approval first before taking military action; an expectation that the president has failed to meet. Framing the operation as necessary to counter Iran, President Trump did not obtain Congresss approval before launching the attack. He is believed to have violated both the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution by doing so. Analysts and lawmakers have criticised Mr Trumps unjustified act of war not approved by Congress. Members of Congress wanted to advance legislation that limits President Trumps ability to take unilateral military action against Iran without congressional approval. Earlier, Mr Trump had criticised Republican Congressmen who supported the resolution, calling for their ouster. Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators who just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America, he said. A University of Maryland Poll also confirmed that a higher percentage of Americans do not want the US to initiate a war. US attack on Iran At least 40 female students in an elementary school in Iran have been killed by US and Israeli missile strikes. But Mr Trump has insisted that the decision to attack Iran was to protect Americans. PREMIUM TIMES reported that he is also seeking to overthrow the Iranian government. Mr Trump told Iranian citizens to take over your government. It will be yours to take. I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take, he said. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. He also told the Iranians that it is the time to seize control of your destiny. However, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE have been caught in the crossfire as Iran, in retaliation, targeted US bases in these countries. While many bases targeted by Iran are believed to have been emptied as the US expected such retaliation, UAE authorities confirm that one person was killed by Iranian missiles. Analysts had earlier warned that this attack could further destabilise the Middle East. Many Gulf countries have closed their airspace, grounding hundreds of flights worldwide. Comments from several world leaders on the US and Israels attack on Iran, causing the death of more than 50 pupils, have been supportive or cautious, rather than strongly critical of the unprovoked act of violence. Both countries had carried out a joint attack on Iran on Saturday morning, citing concerns about Irans nuclear programme and the need to prevent what they described as an imminent escalation of hostilities. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US and Israeli attacks occurred a day after Iran and the US had indirect discussions over Irans nuclear programme. President Donald Trump claimed Iran had been working to rebuild its nuclear programme after the US bombing of its nuclear facilities last June during the Israel-Iran war. However, Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes. Oman, which was mediating the talks between both parties, told American media that Iran had agreed to a lot of concessions on its nuclear programme. However, that did not deter the US and Israel from launching the attacks. Some leaders, especially of Western countries, declared outright support for US action, framing it as a defensive measure tied to long-standing concerns over Irans nuclear ambitions. Some others have stopped short of declaring a clear stance, except for a few governments such as Spain, Brazil, China and Russia. The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, said the Iranian government must accept that it has no choice but to end its nuclear and ballistic programmes. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East, he wrote in a post on X. He said Iran must engage in good faith in negotiations, ignoring that Iran is the victim in this case and had been negotiating with the US before Saturdays attack. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, declared his outright support for the US, describing Iran as a destabilising force that has sponsored terrorist attacks in Australia. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security, he said in a statement. The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, also backed the US, saying Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. Other reactions EUs Kaja Kallas said she was coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths as a means to the end and to prevent any further escalation. Top EU executives, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, both stressed the need to prevent further escalation of tensions or undermine the global nonproliferation regime. Germany said it is closely monitoring developments and coordinating closely with European partners. The British government publicly declared that it had not participated in the strikes and urged a de-escalation of the conflict to ensure regional stability. It further noted that, Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Sweden and Lebanon, in separate statements, called for restraint and de-escalation of the crisis, citing the need to prioritise the welfare of Iranians. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said cooperation between the Russian and Iranian regimes has been a gross violation of international law and undermines global efforts to restore peace. Long-term systematic violations of human rights, brutal repression, executions and persecution of dissidents testify to the deep crisis of the internal policy of this state and the lack of proper protection of the basic rights and freedoms of its citizens. The regime spent enormous resources precisely on violence, murder and chaos, and not on providing for its own people, whose economic situation continued to deteriorate every year, it said in a statement. Gulf countries condemn Irans retaliatory attacks Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia criticised Iran for carrying out retaliatory strikes on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the state of Qatar, the state of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a statement by the foreign ministry read. Qatar has also expressed strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles. It described the Iranian attack on its soil as a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, and an infringement on its security and territorial integrity. The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the State of Qatar reserves its full right to respond to this attack in accordance with the provisions of international law and in a manner proportional to the nature of the aggression, in defence of its sovereignty and in protection of its security and national interests. Kuwait also said Iran violated its airspace and international law. The attacks on the Middle East countries were targeted at US bases in those countries. But the countries said they had prevented US bases in their countries from being used for attacks on Iran. Russia and China condemn US attack Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the attack, calling it a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state. In a statement on Telegram, the ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Irans nuclear program while pursuing regime change. China, in a statement on X, said it is deeply concerned about the military strikes, stating that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran should be respected. It called for a de-escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, to ensure peace in the region. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, also said the use of force by the US and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security. Brazil highlighted that the US-Israel attack occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called US action an escalation of the crisis. AU, Nigerias travel advisory Meanwhile, the Nigerian government said it is closely monitoring the evolving and volatile situation in the region. It also issued a travel advisory to citizens residing in and currently visiting Iran and other Gulf countries. It urged them to avoid areas that are of strategic importance to the government and the military. It also recommended that Nigerians restrict non- essential movement and travel within the countries until the security situation becomes clearer and stabilises, the advisory read. Avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations. Citizens are strongly advised to strictly comply with all security and safety directives issued by the local authorities to ensure their safety. Remember that cooperation with local law enforcement is paramount for safety. Similarly, the African Union appealed for calm, cautioning that the resulting conflict could have negative effects on people in the region. The chairperson of the body, Mahmoud Youssouf, stressed the need for restraint, urgent de-escalation and sustained dialogue. Further escalation risks worsening global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience, particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute. He also urged concerned actors to prioritise diplomatic engagement, including ongoing international mediation efforts facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman, to prevent further deterioration and uphold the international rules-based order. At least 201 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Irans Red Crescent Society has said. The Red Crescent, a health organisation similar to the Red Cross, disclosed this in an interview with Mehr news agency, Al Jazeera reports. A spokesperson for Irans Red Crescent Society has told Mehr news agency that US and Israeli attacks have hit 24 of Irans provinces, killing at least 201 people and wounding 747 people, Al Jazeera reports. The spokesperson said that more than 220 Red Crescent teams are present at the targeted sites, and rescue operations continue. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the victims include over 40 schoolgirls killed in a strike on a girls elementary school in Iran. The strike occurred at a girls elementary school in Minab, in the Hormozgan province of Southern Iran. It is unclear which of the US and Israel carried out the strike on the school. The strike on the school is one of many carried out by the US and Israel on Iran early Saturday, days after nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran. Retaliatory strikes by Iran damaged a nine-story building in northern Israel, leaving a man with minor injuries. Al Jazeera quotes Israels Channel 12 as stating that the Iranian missiles were intercepted, but shrapnel hit the building and injured the man. Israel has barred its citizens and the media from reporting details of the impact of the Iranian strikes, making it difficult to estimate the effect of Irans retaliatory strikes. However, loud sirens continue to blare across Israel as citizens are urged to seek shelter, and schools, airports, and all public facilities are shut. Iran has also shut its airspace and closed schools and other public buildings. Iran has also urged its citizens to leave the capital, Tehran, so they are not affected by the US and Israeli strikes. you should, as far as possible and while maintaining calm, travel to other places and cities if you are able, Al Jazeera quotes Irans National Security Council as saying in a statement. The latest war started earlier on Saturday when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. One person has been confirmed killed in the UAE from the Iranian missile attacks. Many of the Middle East countries affected by Iranian retaliatory strikes have condemned the strikes. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the defection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a move that runs contrary to political principles and morality. The party acknowledged that the governor has a constitutional right to join any political party of his choice but noted that his defection at this time poses a challenge to multi-party democracy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The PDPs spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, made the partys position known in a statement issued on Friday, bidding farewell to Mr Fintiri after news of his defection went viral. Mr Ememobong said the governors decision to abandon the platform that brought him to power because of a slight discomfort amounted to cowardice. While we acknowledge that this move is well within Fintiris legal rights, it is clearly against political principles and morality, a challenge to multi-party democracy and democratic consolidation. For a person to abandon a platform that provided political coverage for him, across many election cycles at the sight of slight discomfort, is unambiguously an exhibition of unrestrained cowardice, and not a mark of a principled politician, he said. Fintiris defection Mr Fintiri announced his defection in a statewide broadcast on Friday, stating that he had decided in the best interests of the development of Adamawa State. He added that members of his cabinet and other PDP officials in the state would be joining him in the APC. The governor had served as chairman of the partys national convention held on 15 and 16 November 2025, which produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman. Since the outcome of that convention, Mr Fintiris body language suggested he was uncomfortable with decisions taken by the Turaki-led executive, particularly those directed at the faction of the party backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Despite chairing the convention, he publicly opposed the expulsion of Mr Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and eight others during the partys national convention in Ibadan. He instead called for dialogue to resolve the crisis among the partys warring leaders. However, the Turaki-led executive ignored his advice and issued expulsion letters to the affected members. After the incident, Mr Fintiri distanced himself from PDP activities. With his defection, Adamawa, once considered a PDP stronghold, is now under the control of the ruling APC. Earlier, the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley, alongside 15 PDP lawmakers, had defected to the APC, citing the partys lingering leadership crisis. Farewell message Mr Ememobong said the PDP leadership accepts the governors decision but reminded him that history would judge his actions. As we bid Governor Finitri farewell, we remind him that history and posterity are the ultimate and unbiased judges of human conduct and are actively recording the actions and inactions of people, he said. The party urged its members in Adamawa State to remain resolute, expressing optimism that the PDP would regain its footing. We urge our members in Adamawa to accept this sad reality with grace, knowing that the true test of a person is during times of inconvenience and contention. They should remain resolute in the hope that the rebirth movement of our party is on course and will certainly reposition our party back to winning ways, Mr Ememobong said. The Nigerian Army says troops have killed a suspected member of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and arrested two others during a battle in a hideout belonging to the separatist group. The army, in a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, said the operation was conducted on Thursday in collaboration with other security operatives in Mother Valley in Nkwere. It said the operation was conducted by troops of Operation Udo Ka which comprises soldiers, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. The army said the Mother Valley in Nkwere, where the operation took place, has been a long-standing enclave of IPOB fighters. The Nigerian Army wrongly said Nkwerre is in Anambra State. PREMIUM TIMES, however, can confirm that Nkwerre is the headquarters of Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo, another state in the South-east. How the operations were conducted The army said the troops advanced relentlessly for over three hours to the IPOB enclave through difficult and restricted terrain before penetrating and dominating the hideout despite fierce resistance from the separatists. During the intense engagement, the criminals employed locally made hand-held improvised explosive devices (IEDS) and heavy gunfire in a desperate attempt to halt the advance. Undeterred, troops decisively overwhelmed the hostile elements, neutralising one IPOB member while several others fled with gunshot wounds, effectively shattering their defensive positions and operational cohesion, it said. Two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated gun, one tear gas gun, seven gas cylinders, an electric kettle, and flags linked to the group were among the items recovered from the suspects, according to the Army. Troops also destroyed all life-support structures at the terrorists Supreme Headquarters in the valley, including solar panels and a Mikano generator, dealing a critical blow to their operational sustainability, it added. Arrest of two IPOB members The army said, in a related operation, two suspected IPOB members were arrested by an ambush team. The statement said one of the IPOB members was attempting to place an IED and the other identified as a spy was monitoring the troops movements. The suspects are currently in custody for profiling and further investigation, while troops continue aggressive clearance operations to deny the criminals any freedom of action, it said. One KIA saloon car and a black Toyota Sequoia SUV were recovered from the groups car park within the valley, the Army said. This decisive operation sends a clear and unmistakable warning to all criminal elements: there will be no hiding place, no sanctuary and no escape, the army stated. The statement said the Nigerian Army remains resolute, relentless and fully committed to dismantling all terrorist networks across the South-east and Nigerian. Law-abiding citizens are assured of sustained security presence and protection, while criminals should expect swift, overwhelming and lawful force wherever they attempt to threaten peace and stability, it said. IPOB, a group seeking to carve out a sovereign state of Biafra from south-east and some parts of the south-south of Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in two regions. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. The National Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has expressed doubt over the ability of the police to arrest gunmen who attacked the partys secretariat and his residence in Benin on Tuesday. Mr Odigie-Oyegun, also a former Edo governor, stated this on Friday, when fielding questions after the partys South South Zonal Leadership Committee meeting in Benin. He said the security agencies gave them a hint of the attack, which saved them. I am not sure if an arrest has been made. I am also not sure if an arrest will be made, considering the nature of the event. Imagine people bearing arms in broad daylight and being seen, and no one has been arrested up till now, he said. He urged the government to allow peace to reign and eschew violence in the run-up to the election. The ADC will do what it takes to make the party the choice of Nigerians, he noted Mr Odigie-Oyegun also urged leaders and party members in the zone to work in unity and learn from each others experience, so that the zone could be worthy of emulation. Meanwhile, a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Ameachi, announced his presidential bid at the meeting. (NAN) The Africa Health Media Trends Report 2026 has raised concerns over mounting pressures on health journalism across the continent, urging governments, NGOs and the private sector to step up investment in African journalists. Launched on Thursday by FINN Partners, the report describes African health journalism as under unprecedented strain amid escalating public health challenges. However, it also points to an emerging shift towards solutions-driven, Africa-led health storytelling that could redefine how health issues are covered across the continent. Drawing on insights from journalists, editors and health advocates across 11 African countries, the report provides a ground-level assessment of how health stories are reported and what is required to strengthen journalisms contribution to public health outcomes. According to the findings, health journalists are grappling with shrinking donor funding, a rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and mental health conditions, recurring infectious disease outbreaks, and the growing health impacts of climate change. At the same time, many newsrooms are contending with fewer resources, reduced specialist health desks and limited access to timely, credible data. We are at a pivotal moment for health communication in Africa, said Peter FINN, Founding Partner and CEO of FINN Partners. When journalism is under-resourced, public health suffers. Strong health systems depend on strong media ecosystems, and that means treating journalists as essential partners, not just messengers. A central finding of the report is that shifts in global health financing have emerged as a dominant media storyline. As international funding patterns change, countries are being compelled to rethink health sovereignty, domestic financing models and local manufacturing capacity. Journalists, in turn, are tasked with translating these policy shifts into their real-world implications for communities. How health issues are reported shapes public trust, policy prioritisation, and ultimately the strength of health systems, said Maryam Bigdeli, Health System Specialist, formerly WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Morocco. Amid shifting global health priorities and financing constraints, African countries must focus on building resilient systems grounded in strong primary healthcare, sustainable financing, and accountable governance. This report highlights the importance of locally driven solutions and evidence-based dialogue in advancing long-term health equity and system resilience across the continent. Despite the pressures, the report identifies a clear positive trend. Journalists are increasingly prioritising data-informed and solutions-oriented reporting that centres African expertise and local realities. There is a growing call for African researchers, practitioners, and subject-matter experts to be cited as primary authoritative sources, helping reposition the continent from being largely portrayed as a site of crisis to being recognised as a source of innovation and solutions. The findings of this report reflect the reality on the ground, said Sheriff Bojang, journalist at The Africa Report. Journalists are eager to tell impactful stories but are often hindered by a lack of resources and access to credible local experts. We are moving past simply reporting on Western studies; the priority now is localising global health news to show how it affects our communities. This report provides a vital roadmap for how health organisations can support the media so that accurate, potentially life-saving information reaches the public. The report concludes with a call to action for governments, development partners, funders, and private-sector stakeholders. It urges sustained investment in local journalism, improved access to data and African experts, and the development of long-term, trust-based partnerships with media organisations. According to the authors, strengthening health journalism is not merely a media issue but a public health imperative, as informed reporting remains critical to public trust, policy accountability and improved health outcomes across Africa. The Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended judgement of the High Court of Oyo State, affirming the partys national convention held in November last year at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The partys national Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, described it as a vindication of both fact and law. He said that the Turaki-led party was informed of the judgement of the court, sitting in Ibadan, delivered by Ladiran Akintola. The court had granted all the prayers of the claimant, Folahan Adelabi, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted. The state high court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention, the same having been found to be proper and lawful. Mr Ememobong noted that the suit was filed by Musibau Adetunbi, a SAN, on behalf of his client, Mr Adelabi, a card-carrying member of the party, to protect his constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. He also noted that the suit sought, among other prayers, an order compelling the PDP to conduct its elections as publicly advertised, and a further order directing INEC to honour the outcomes of the convention. Mr Ememobong recalled that the court had earlier granted an order to that effect on 3 November 2025 and renewed the same on 14 November 2025- the legal basis upon which the convention proceeded on 15 and 16 November 2025. This judgement affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders. The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law. It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the partys constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We commend the Honourable Court for its courage and fidelity to justice, he said. Mr Ememobong reaffirmed PDPs faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter and the last hope of the ordinary citizen. The party remains committed to pursuing all legitimate legal avenues to ensure that justice is fully served. We are confident that the appellate courts will, in like manner, uphold the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will, Mr Ememobong said. PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier on Friday on Friday that the Oyo State High Court judgment was far from being a final resolution of the nagging hydra-headed leadership crisis of the party. The judgement came amid the wait for the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the disputes. On 13 February, the Court of Appeal in Abuja reserved its judgement after hearing multiple appeals emanating from different High Court judgements on the matter. (NAN) The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, fixed 18 March for ruling in the trial-within-trial being conducted in the money laundering case involving Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and a co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman. The judge, James Omotosho. set the date after the parties lawyers made their final submissions and adopted the final written addresses in the trial-within-trial. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Messrs Bello and Suleiman for allegedly laundering about N10 billion in state funds. The charges relate to the defendants activities during former Governor Yahaya Bellos administration in the state, Ali Bello, the first defendant in the trial, is a nephew to former Governor Bello. The trial-within-trial was conducted to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of the extra-judicial statements made by the defendants during investigation. The defendants had objected to the decision by the prosecution to tender the eight statements, claiming that they were put under duress and threatened before making the statements. In his final submission, lawyer to Bello, K. C. Wisdom, urged the court to hold that the extra-judicial system of the 1st defendant was not voluntarily obtained Mr Wisdom prayed the court to reject the statements in evidence. Also in his submission, Mr Suleimans lawyer, Olusegun Jolaawo, a SAN, urged the court to hold that the statements were made in contravention of Section 15(4) and 17(2) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. However, EFCC lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammed, prayed the court to admit in evidence the six statements made by Bello and the two by Suleiman on the grounds that the statements were made by the defendants voluntarily. (NAN) The Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has rejected reports alleging that N4.2 billion was earmarked in the 2026 budget for the purchase of office furniture and microphones for the Office of the Deputy Governor, describing the claim as a misrepresentation of the states capital provisions. In a statement shared on Friday, the ministry stated that the N4,247,816,006 (N4.2 billion) referenced in the reports represents the total capital allocation to the Office of the Deputy Governor for the 2026 fiscal year, and not an amount dedicated solely to furniture and microphones. The total capital allocation for the Office of the Deputy Governor for Y2026 is N4,247,816,006. This figure has been incorrectly represented as an allocation solely for the purchase of office furniture and microphones, the statement said. According to the ministry, N4,077,816,006 of the total capital vote is earmarked for the reconstruction of the Round House complex, a six-storey facility housing over 50 offices. It said the project includes structural upgrades, retrofitting works and the provision of alternative energy infrastructure for the building. Out of the total capital expenditure of the office, the sum of N4,077,816,006 is earmarked for the reconstruction of the Round House complex, including structural upgrades, retrofitting works, and the provision of alternative energy infrastructure for the building, amongst others, the ministry said. The balance of N170 million, it added, is allocated for office equipment, furniture and fittings, as well as other capital items. The balance in the sum of N170,000,000 of the budgeted capital allocation covers the purchase of office equipment, office furniture and fittings and other capital items, the statement said. The ministry urged stakeholders and media organisations to verify budget details through appropriate official channels to avoid inaccurate reporting, reiterating that budgetary provisions are guided by due process, fiscal discipline and established accounting standards. It also reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to prudent management of public resources and expressed regret over any misunderstanding arising from the classification of the budget items. Background The explanation followed reports on social media that a review of the approved 2026 budget showed that the Office of the Deputy Governor had earmarked N4.2 billion for the purchase of office furniture and 30 microphones. According to the reports, the allocation covers 10 executive tables and chairs, 40 visitor chairs, and 120 officers tables and chairs for the Deputy Governors Office, including newly deployed principal staff and other offices. It also includes the procurement of 30 microphones for the delegates conference room. The reports further indicated that between January and September 2025, N97.5 million was spent on similar items, while an additional N4.247 billion was proposed for the 2026 fiscal year. A breakdown of the 2026 spending plan also shows that N35.4 billion is allocated for the construction of permanent legislative quarters for lawmakers, covering architectural designs, structural engineering, soil testing, piling works and consultancy services. An additional N20 billion is earmarked for fencing, drainage works, covering of gutters with slabs, landscaping and beautification of the Assembly complex and legislative quarters. In contrast, N16 billion is budgeted for MDA-executed community-based capital infrastructural intervention projects. The controversy comes weeks after the Lagos State House of Assembly approved a N4.44 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The House passed a bill authorising the issuance and appropriation of N4,444,509,776,438 for the year ending 31 December, following the presentation and consideration of the appropriation report by its Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. The approved budget comprises N2.106 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.337 trillion for capital projects. Following the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit a clean copy of the budget to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent. Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier presented a proposed N4.237 trillion budget to lawmakers in November 2025, describing it as the Budget of Shared Prosperity aimed at promoting inclusive growth and improving residents welfare, in line with the states T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda. Adjusted EBITDA was $123 million, compared to $121 million a year earlier and $145 million in the third quarter. Dhindsa said the sequential decrease reflected the pull-forward of Engineered Systems projects into Q3 and higher core SG&A in Q4. SG&A totaled $83 million, down $9 million from the prior year on cost savings and efficiencies, but up from $71 million in Q3 on higher stock-based compensation and third-party expenses. Gross margin before depreciation and amortization was $177 million, or 28% of revenue, compared with $174 million (31% of revenue) in the year-ago quarter and $206 million (27% of revenue) in the prior quarter. Dhindsa said the energy infrastructure (EI) and aftermarket services (AMS) product lines generated 67% of consolidated gross margin before depreciation and amortization during the quarter. CFO Preet Dhindsa said Enerflex generated fourth-quarter revenue of $627 million, up from $561 million in the prior-year period but down sequentially from $777 million in the third quarter. Dhindsa attributed the year-over-year increase to strong execution and a high level of operational activity in Engineered Systems, while the sequential decline was tied primarily to the commencement of the Block 60 BSAT C expansion facility and the pull-forward of certain projects into the third quarter. During the companys fourth-quarter earnings call, executives also provided 2026 capital spending guidance, discussed supply chain constraints around large engines, and detailed a definitive agreement to divest most of its Asia-Pacific (APAC) operations to INNIO Group. Enerflex (NYSE:EFXT) reported what management described as another strong quarter to close out 2025, highlighting solid performance across geographies, ongoing efforts to streamline operations, and continued demand tied to natural gas and related infrastructure. Enerflex signed a definitive agreement to divest most APAC operations to INNIO (expected H2 2026), while Engineered Systems backlog stands at $1.1 billion , supported by strong U.S. demand and powergeneration/datacenter opportunities; 2026 organic capex is guided to $175195 million with $90100 million for growth. The company refinanced $563 million of 9% 2027 notes with $400 million of 6.875% unsecured notes due 2031 (incurring onetime costs of ~$68 million), leaving net debt at $501 million and a bankadjusted netdebt/EBITDA of about 1x. Enerflex reported Q4 revenue of $627 million and adjusted EBITDA of $123 million , but recorded a $57 million net loss driven largely by $81 million of note-redemption costs; on a normalized basis net income was $24 million and free cash flow hit a record $141 million . Story Continues Enerflex posted a net loss of $57 million, or $0.47 per share, versus earnings of $15 million ($0.12 per share) in the prior-year quarter. Dhindsa said results included $81 million of expenses related to redemption of the companys 2027 senior secured notes. On a normalized basis, he said net income was $24 million, or $0.20 per share. NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Return on capital employed was 16.9% in Q4, up from 10.3% in Q4 2024 and consistent with the third quarter. Dhindsa attributed the improvement versus the prior year to higher trailing 12-month EBIT and lower average capital employed, primarily due to a decline in net debt. Free cash flow, balance sheet, and refinancing Cash provided by operating activities before changes in working capital (FFO) was $60 million, down from $74 million a year ago and $115 million in Q3. Dhindsa noted FFO included $26 million of tax expense related to refinancing the companys high-yield notes. Free cash flow rose to a record $141 million in Q4, compared with $76 million in Q4 2024 and $43 million in Q3 2025. The company said working capital recovery of $119 million supported the quarter, benefiting from collections and project execution in Engineered Systems. Dhindsa said Enerflex refinanced $563 million of 9% senior secured notes due 2027 with $400 million of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2031, along with availability under the companys secured revolving credit facility. Management said the refinancing is expected to reduce annual interest costs and enhance tax efficiency, though it drove one-time costs in Q4, including a $42 million debt redemption cost and $26 million of withholding taxes, for a total one-time cost of $68 million. The company also fully derecognized an embedded derivative associated with redemption options in the 2027 notes. Enerflex ended the quarter with net debt of $501 million, including $81 million of cash and cash equivalents. Dhindsa said net debt was down $115 million from Q4 2024 and down $83 million from Q3 2025, while the bank-adjusted net debt-to-EBITDA ratio was about 1x at year-end. Engineered Systems backlog and activity trends President and CEO Paul Mahoney said Enerflexs energy infrastructure and aftermarket services businesses remained foundational, contributing 65% of gross margin before depreciation and amortization in 2025. He added that Engineered Systems continued to show strong project execution and ended Q4 with a $1.1 billion backlog. Management reported Engineered Systems bookings of $377 million in Q4, compared with $301 million in Q4 2024 and $339 million in Q3 2025. The Engineered Systems book-to-bill ratio was 1.1x in the quarter and 1.0x on a trailing eight-quarter average, which Mahoney said supports ongoing backlog replenishment in line with execution. Mahoney also described strong U.S. activity driven by customer collaboration and long-term partnerships, with orders in Q4 for large-scale compression, natural gas processing, retrofits, and power generation equipment. He said activity remained centered in the Permian and noted growing opportunities in the Haynesville linked to expected natural gas supply growth and LNG export capacity expansion. Enerflex also established a long-term framework agreement for compression solutions with a large integrated midstream customer in the U.S. Contract compression utilization and engine lead times Mahoney said Enerflexs U.S. contract compression business performed well, with utilization stable at 94% in Q4 across a fleet of approximately 483,000 horsepower. He said the company increased its marketed fleet by 13% during 2025 and expects 2026 approved growth capital expenditures to deliver growth at a similar pace or greater, adding that Enerflex is securing long lead-time components to support growth in 2027. During the Q&A, management addressed industry comments about large-engine lead times extending to roughly 110120 weeks. Mahoney said the availability issue is not new and that the companys 2026 plans are secure, with the team positioning for 2027 given delivery constraints. He added that Enerflex took a more speculative approach in Q3 and Q4 to secure engines to meet 2026 commitments. Mahoney said the longest lead times generally apply to higher horsepower ranges, and that the 120-week lead time is for only part of the product line rather than the entire portfolio. He also said expansion efforts by key equipment manufacturers could improve conditions over time. APAC divestiture, power generation opportunities, and 2026 capital plan Mahoney said Enerflex signed a definitive agreement to divest the majority of its APAC operations to INNIO Group. The business is principally in Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand and is primarily focused on the AMS product line. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. After closing, Mahoney said Enerflex will continue delivering engineered systems solutions in APAC through local sales teams supported by manufacturing from its three North American facilities. Mahoney described the divestiture as accretive and aligned with efforts to simplify and optimize while focusing on core regions: North America, Latin America, and the Middle East. He also said Enerflex and INNIO have a long-standing relationship, including Enerflexs role as a channel partner across core regions. On power generation, Mahoney said Enerflex is developing opportunities tied to AI and data centers and has: Received an order in early 2026 to supply power generation units for a large U.S. data center project, with delivery scheduled into 2027. Completed a front-end engineering and design study for another large U.S. data center power generation project. Executed contracts to supply power generation equipment to two North American customers. Mahoney said the company is evaluating more than 1.5 gigawatts of opportunities across the Engineered Systems business line. In response to analyst questions about counterparty risk in power generation, he said Enerflex is taking a disciplined approach and characterized counterparties on the recent win and near-term pursuits as very, very strong. Dhindsa guided to 2026 organic capital expenditures of $175 million to $195 million, including $90 million to $100 million of growth capital, $70 million to $80 million of maintenance capital, and about $15 million for PP&E and infrastructure to support Engineered Systems and adjacent markets, including power generation. He said organic growth capital will remain focused on customer-supported opportunities and will be primarily allocated to expanding the U.S. contract compression fleet. Management added that Middle East organic expansion is being evaluated but is not included in the 2026 plan. On shareholder returns, Dhindsa said Enerflex repurchased 102,800 shares in Q4 at an average price of CAD 15.10 and approximately 2.8 million shares since the normal course issuer bid began on April 1, 2025, at an average price of CAD 11.08. In 2025, the company returned $40 million through dividends and repurchases. Dhindsa said the company will be more prescriptive on capital allocation after strategy work is completed, noting the current issuer bid expires at the end of March 2026. About Enerflex (NYSE:EFXT) Enerflex Ltd is a Calgaryheadquartered energy infrastructure company specializing in the design, fabrication, installation and aftermarket support of natural gas compression, processing, refrigeration and treatment equipment. Its product portfolio includes reciprocating and centrifugal compression systems, gas treating and refrigeration packages, fuel gas conditioning and liquid separation solutions. In addition to equipment sales, Enerflex delivers field services such as commissioning, maintenance, monitoring and parts supply to optimize asset performance throughout the lifecycle. The company supports upstream, midstream and downstream energy customers through an integrated offering that spans engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) as well as modular fabrication. The article "Enerflex Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has proposed a N2.4 trillion budget for the Ministry of Education for the 2026 fiscal year, with a major focus on addressing teacher shortages, infrastructure deficits, and skills development. Mr Alausa presented the proposal while defending the ministrys 2026 budget before the National Assemblys Joint Committees on Education earlier this week. Mr Alausa said the budget is guided by the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on areas including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical sciences (STEMM); efforts to integrate out-of-school children into formal education; and expansion of girl-child education and access to literacy. He said the government is also prioritising investment in data systems and digitisation, as well as enhancing teacher development and professionalism. Our budget thrust for 2026 is anchored on ensuring that out-of-school children return to school, making teaching and learning safer, and strengthening tertiary institutions to produce skilled manpower for national development, he said. Infrastructure deficits Mr Alausa noted that Nigerias 13,921 public secondary schools face severe infrastructure deficits, including many Unity Colleges, some of which are over 50 years old. He emphasised the importance of strengthening basic and secondary education under the 9-3-4 system. He acknowledged the persistent challenges facing basic education, including insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate funding, and weak research linkages. To address these challenges, the minister appealed for sustained legislative support. Our accomplishments were made possible through prudent financial management and the support of your esteemed Committees. We solicit your continued guidance to enable the Ministry to achieve greater heights and leave a sustainable legacy by the end of the 2026 financial year, he said. Budget allocation and trends A review of Mr Alausas presentation shows that the ministry allocates N966.9 billion or 40.3 per cent of the total budget to universities, N633.2 billion or 26.4 per cent to parastatals, N256 billion or 10.7 per cent to polytechnics, N125.9 billion or 5.2 per cent to colleges of education, and N155.3 billion or 6.4 per cent to Unity Colleges. The education ministry is to receive N257.8 billion 10.7 per cent , while the UNESCO Paris contribution is projected at N3.36 billion, equivalent to 0.1 per cent. The education sector allocations have risen in recent years, from N1.59 trillion in 2024 to N2.59 trillion in 2025, with the 2026 proposal slightly lower at N2.39 trillion. Despite the increases, allocations remain below the 15-20 per cent of national budgets recommended by UNESCO, averaging just 6.54 per cent between 2015 and 2025. Capital project performance The ministry reported weak capital budget performance in 2025, with only N19.5 billion disbursed out of N335.2 billion appropriated, representing a 5.8 per cent release rate, down from 32.4 per cent in 2024. It added that Unity Colleges also struggled, with recurrent allocations underperforming, including meal subsidies, which were funded at just 53.4 per cent of the approved funds in 2025. Internally generated revenue also rose from N194.4 million in 2024 to N233 million in 2025, with a projection of N244.7 million for 2026. Nigerias Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, following a PREMIUM TIMES investigation that revealed he failed to declare several bank accounts in his asset declaration form, in violation of the countrys Code of Conduct law. Multiple sources within the CCB told PREMIUM TIMES that the bureau has summoned Justice Tsoho to appear before it and respond to questions regarding the undeclared accounts. The CCB had expected him on Friday, but he did not appear. Officials said they expect him on Monday. Documents reviewed and interviews conducted by this newspaper show that in the asset declaration form he completed and submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau on 29 April 2024, Mr Tsoho did not disclose several bank accounts (naira and domiciliary) as required by law. Our findings indicate that he failed to declare three separate accounts domiciled with United Bank for Africa, namely 3000087154, 3000201901, and 3000075689. He also did not disclose his ownership of account number 1756816871, domiciled with Access Bank. The CCB is the federal agency responsible for addressing conflicts of interest and abuse of office by public servants. Under Nigerias Code of Conduct regime, public officers are required to fully disclose all assets, including bank accounts and the funds held in them. Non-disclosure or false declaration constitutes a breach of the law and may attract severe sanctions, including removal from office. Abdullahi Usman, the chairman of CCB, could not be reached to comment on this report when contacted by PREMIUM TIMES. He also did not respond to a message informing him of our findings and requesting clarification. However, insider sources told PREMIUM TIMES that if the allegations against Mr Tsoho are substantiated, the bureau will refer the matter to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). What the law says Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act mandates every public officer to declare all properties, assets and liabilities immediately after taking office and thereafter at specified intervals. The provision also states that any statement in a declaration found to be false shall be deemed a breach of the Act. The law further provides that any asset acquired after a declaration and not reasonably attributable to legitimate income, gifts, or approved loans shall be presumed to have been unlawfully acquired unless the contrary is proved. If found guilty by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mr Tsoho could face removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, and forfeiture of improperly declared assets. The Tribunals powers include ordering the vacation of office and the seizure of property acquired in the abuse or corruption of office. Its decisions are appealable to the Court of Appeal. A conviction for false asset declaration would draw parallels with the case of Walter Onnoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, who was controversially convicted and removed from office by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 18 April 2019 for failing to declare some of his bank accounts. The tribunal had ordered the forfeiture of five bank accounts belonging to Mr Onnoghen. However, on 4 November 2024, the Court of Appeal reversed his conviction following a settlement agreement between the former CJN and the federal government. Past controversies Justice Tsoho is not without controversy, although past allegations against him remain unproven. In November last year, critics alleging underhand dealings attacked him after he suddenly reassigned a receivership case between FBNQuest Merchant Bank/First Trustees and the Nestoil Group. Earlier in June 2023, some Nigerian anti-corruption activists said they suspected foul play after Mr Tsoho declined to grant an order detaining Godwin Emefiele, the then-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who was then under investigation. On his publicly available profiles, Mr Tsohos birth year is given as 1959. But some critics are accusing him of age falsification, claiming he was born in 1955. There are no indications that this unproven allegation is being investigated by any agency. Our findings on Mr Tsoho come amid heightened scrutiny within the judiciary. As recently reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the National Judicial Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has commenced a discreet but extensive probe into allegations involving some senior judges, including false asset declarations. Sources said the ongoing investigations were triggered by damning and disturbing petitions against unnamed judicial officers. Justice Kekere-Ekun had pledged sweeping reforms to restore transparency, integrity and public confidence in the judiciary. Since assuming office, the NJC has compulsorily retired and sanctioned several judges for misconduct. The dispute between the US defence establishment and Anthropic may look like a contract disagreement. It is not. It is an early sign of something more consequential: a struggle over who governs artificial intelligence when it becomes embedded in national power. Public reporting suggests Anthropic resisted certain Pentagon terms around the military deployment of its models and the scope of acceptable use. The administration responded by directing federal agencies to halt the use of the companys technology and by designating it a supply chain risk. Sam Altman, CEO of Anthropics rival, OpenAI, has indicated that OpenAI maintains similar boundaries in defence contexts. He said, we have long believed that AI should not be used for mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons, and that humans must maintain meaningful control over high-stakes automated decisions. These are our core red lines. This signals that the tension is beyond partisan politics or procurement procedure, but is more about authority. For decades, defence contractors supplied hardware and software to governments that retained ultimate discretion over deployment. The state determined how aircraft, satellites or cybersecurity tools would be used, constrained by law and oversight. Contractors influenced capability, but they did not claim the right to define moral boundaries for sovereign action. Today, artificial intelligence has changed that arrangement. Frontier AI systems are not inert equipment; they are designed with internal safeguards, usage restrictions and enforceable terms. When companies assert red linesparticularly around military usethey are not merely selling products. They are shaping the operational envelope within which governments can act. That shift is historically unusual, and it becomes clearer when placed in context. The modern internet itself was born from national security imperatives. In the late 1960s, the US Department of Defence funded ARPANET through the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), later known as DARPA. The goal was to build a distributed communications network that could survive disruption. The architecture that eventually evolved into todays internet was seeded in military research and public funding. Over time, however, control diffused. Universities, private firms and civil society actors shaped its evolution. What began as a defence project became global infrastructure, governed through a mixture of technical standards bodies, private platforms and state regulation. The state did not disappear from the internets governance, but it ceased to be its sole architect. AI is following a different trajectory. While governments fund research and shape export controls, the most advanced models are concentrated within a small number of private firms. Unlike ARPANETs early open architecture, frontier AI is vertically integrated: compute clusters, proprietary weights, internal safety teams and centralised update cycles. In other words, the infrastructure of cognition is not primarily public; it is corporate. That concentration creates tension when AI becomes central to national defence. Governments depend on advanced models for intelligence analysis, logistics optimisation, cyber operations and strategic planning. Companies depend on governments for procurement revenue, regulatory stability and geopolitical backing. The friction between Anthropic and the Pentagon reflects what happens when those dependencies collide. This is not uniquely American. In Israel, Project Nimbusa cloud contract involving Google and Amazonhas sparked controversy over how AI-enabled infrastructure is integrated into government operations. The debate has not focused solely on legality; it has centred on leverage: once critical systems are embedded, who controls their evolution, safeguards and permissible uses? In the United Kingdom, recurring debates around Palantir Technologies contracts reveal similar concerns. When analytics platforms become deeply integrated into health services or defence institutions, dependency becomes structural. Even in lawful arrangements, the question of sovereignty lingers. Across these cases, the pattern is consistent. Artificial intelligence is no longer a peripheral technology; it is becoming a strategic infrastructure whose transformation has global implications. AI companies now compete for state alignment, beyond the usual consumer markets or enterprise clients. While defence contracts offer revenue and prestige and signal trustworthiness and strategic relevance, they also expose firms to political pressure and moral scrutiny. If American AI companies draw strict military red lines, they may strengthen their credibility among segments of the public wary of autonomous weapons or surveillance overreach. At the same time, they risk appearing unreliable to defence institutions seeking flexible tools. Governments may respond by favouring competitors perceived as more alignedor by investing directly in domestic public-sector AI capabilities to reduce reliance on private vendors. Global competition intensifies this dynamic. Chinese AI firms operate within a framework where state integration is expected. European firms navigate a regulatory environment shaped by precautionary norms and human rights language. If US firms appear reluctant to fully support national security use cases, policymakers may reassess the industrial strategy surrounding AI. Corporate safety policies thus intersect with geopolitics. They shape export controls, alliance structures and research funding decisions. They influence how governments define trusted suppliers. For smaller states, especially across Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia, the implications are sharper. Most frontier AI infrastructure is foreign-owned, and governments in these regions depend on access to models and cloud systems headquartered elsewhere. Their bargaining power is limited. If major powers can face sudden procurement disruptions or disputes over terms of service, less powerful states are even more vulnerable. Digital sovereignty in the AI era will depend not only on regulatory frameworks, but on negotiating durable access to externally controlled infrastructure. The historical contrast with ARPANET is instructive. The early internet was publicly funded and architected with an ethos of distributed resilience. AIs core capabilities are concentrated, proprietary and computationally expensive. That structural difference matters. It means sovereignty questions surface earlier and more sharply. Looking ahead, several trajectories are plausible as governments may seek contractual overriding provisions that limit corporate discretion in defined national security contexts. They may expand public funding for domestic AI labs to reduce reliance on private firms. They may use industrial policy to align corporate incentives with state priorities. READ ALSO: NCAA directs airline to refund passengers over VAT charges Companies, meanwhile, may formalise constitutional-style governance structuresindependent oversight boards, published red-line commitments, structured engagement with defence agenciesto maintain legitimacy while continuing to serve governments. Some may differentiate offerings, separating civilian and defence-oriented deployments under negotiated frameworks. The risk is fragmentation. If disputes escalate into blacklists and retaliatory measures, AI ecosystems could split along geopolitical lines, standards may diverge and access to frontier systems may become conditioned on alliance membership. The global AI market could harden into blocs. There is also a democratic dimension that should not be overlooked. Citizens have legitimate concerns about how AI is used in military and intelligence settings. They also expect governments to maintain security and strategic capacity. The tension between corporate safeguards and sovereign authority should not be resolved through executive fiat or corporate unilateralism alone. It requires institutional clarity and oversight. The confrontation between the Pentagon and Anthropic is not the endpoint of this struggle. It is an early inflexion point. It signals that advanced AI systems have crossed a threshold. They are no longer optional enhancements. They are part of the machinery of statecraft. The internet began as a national security project and evolved into a global infrastructure shaped by multiple actors. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a global infrastructure first, before states have fully settled its rules. The question is not whether sovereignty will reassert itself. It will. The question is how. If governments seek absolute control, innovation may constrict, and trust may erode. If corporations claim moral authority without democratic accountability, public legitimacy will suffer. The balance between them will define not only the future of AI governance but the distribution of power in the decades ahead. What is at stake is not a single contract. It is the architecture of authority in a world where intelligence itself has become infrastructure. President Donald Trump has warned that some Americans would be killed in the war his country has just started with Iran. The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, the American leader said in a video broadcast after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. He also indicated that his aim was to achieve a change in government in Iran. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations, the president said, in reference to protesters in Iran who had protested the economic situation in the country, largely caused by US sanctions on Iran. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the US and Israeli attacks occurred a day after Iran and the US had indirect discussions over Irans nuclear programme. The attack amidst the discussions is similar to that of last June, when Israel attacked Iran while the latter was negotiating with the US over its nuclear programme. Iran is expected to retaliate with attacks on American interests in the Middle East as well as attacks on Israel. Several countries, including Irans Arab neighbours, many of whom are allied with the US, had advised the US against attacking Iran, saying it could destabilise the region. Both Iran and Israel have shut their airspaces for all flights while sirens have continued in Israel, as it advised its citizens to seek shelter. On Friday, many countries, including the US, China and the UK, asked their citizens to leave Iran and Israel amidst fears of a war. The US has also asked its citizens in Arab countries like Qatar and Bahrain to seek shelter. PREMIUM TIMES reports that this is the second time in less than a year that Israel has attacked Iran, leading to an all-out war. The first in June last year led to the 12-day war between the two countries, which led to hundreds of deaths and the destruction of facilities on both sides. The US, which assisted Israel in defending itself, later joined in attacking Iran. However, the US has been building its military forces in the Middle East in preparation for the latest attack. Dozens of fighter planes and bombers, as well as ships, have been deployed in preparation for the unprovoked attack on Iran despite calls for caution by world leaders. This is a developing story. Updates will be provided in subsequent reports. Five female students were killed in an elementary school in Iran following missile strikes by Israel and the United States, Irans state-run IRNA news agency has reported. Al Jazeera reports that the girls elementary school is located in Minab, a city located in the Hormozgan province of Southern Iran. Retaliatory strikes by Iran damaged a nine-story building in northern Israel, leaving a man with minor injuries. Al Jazeera quotes Israels Channel 12 as stating that the Iranian missiles were intercepted, but shrapnel hit the building and injured the man. Loud sirens continue to blare across Israel as citizens are urged to seek shelter, and schools, airports, and all public facilities are shut. Iran has also shut its airspace and closed schools and other public buildings. READ ALSO: One person in killed in UAE as Iranian missiles target US bases in Middle East The latest war started earlier on Saturday when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel and US bases in the Middle East. One person has been confirmed killed in the UAE from the Iranian missile attacks. At least one person has been confirmed killed in the UAE following missile attacks by Iran targeting US bases in the Middle East. UAE authorities confirmed the death of a person of Asian nationality, saying shrapnel from an Iranian missile hit a residential area in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital. The Emirati defence ministry said in the statement that the UAE was targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles, and that air defences successfully intercepted a number of them. The ministry condemned this attack in the strongest terms, stressing the states categorical rejection of targeting civilian objects, facilities and national institutions, and emphasising that such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians and undermines stability, it said in a statement shared by Al Jazeera. The ministry stressed that this targeting is a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and that the state reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territory. Iran has vowed to carry out retaliatory attacks on US bases in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran on Saturday morning. Explosions from the strike have been reported in several parts of Iran, while explosions have also been reported in US bases in Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE. Iran has also launched missile and drone attacks on Israel. Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Irans latest military actions across the Gulf, confirming that Iranian forces directly targeted Riyadh and the kingdoms eastern region in a significant escalation of hostilities. According to a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry, as reported by Al Jazeera, the attacks were successfully repelled by the kingdoms air defence systems. These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way, the statement said, adding that they occurred despite Iran being aware that the Kingdom had made clear it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to launch operations against Iran. The confirmation marks a critical development in the rapidly unfolding crisis, as Saudi Arabia moves from expressing solidarity with its Gulf neighbours to acknowledging that it has itself been directly targeted. The Saudi response comes amid a sharp escalation following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against multiple sites inside Iran. Washington and Tel Aviv described their operation as a strategic effort to degrade Irans military capabilities, neutralise perceived threats, and change the Iranian government. Tehran, however, condemned the strikes as unlawful violations of its sovereignty and vowed a decisive response. Within hours of the USIsraeli offensive, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, as well as US assets across the region. Air defence systems were activated in several Gulf capitals as explosions were reported and incoming projectiles intercepted. Iran had warned that should it be attacked, it would consider American bases across the region as legitimate targets, causing the Middle Eastern countries to caution the US not to attack. The US ignored the caution of its Middle Eastern partners. The confirmation that Riyadh and the eastern region were also targeted significantly heightens concerns about a broader regional conflict. Saudi Arabias position reflects a delicate strategic balance. As a longstanding security partner of the United States, the Kingdom remains aligned with Washingtons regional defence posture. At the same time, Riyadh has in recent years sought to ease tensions with Tehran after decades of geopolitical rivalry and sectarian competition. This latest development places Saudi Arabia in a sensitive position, supporting its allies while managing direct security threats on its own soil. The current confrontation builds on years of rising tensions over Irans nuclear programme, proxy conflicts across Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, and repeated flare-ups involving Israel and Iran. Diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation have repeatedly faltered, leaving the region exposed to sudden and dangerous escalations. International reactions have been swift, with global powers urging restraint and a return to diplomatic engagement. Analysts warn that continued hostilities could destabilise energy markets, disrupt global trade routes, and further inflame an already fragile regional security landscape. With military exchanges intensifying and rhetoric hardening on all sides, the Middle East now stands at a critical juncture. Whether diplomacy can regain traction before the situation spirals further remains uncertain, but the risks for Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and the wider international community are now unmistakably high, as several air routes to and from the region are grounded. The Lagos State Police Command has reopened the Lagos-Badagry Expressway at the Otto-Ijanikin axis following a communal clash between youths of Ijanikin and Otto-Awori communities. In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that one man, Akinyemi Akin, was reportedly shot during the clash and later died at a hospital. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a joint team of police operatives and tactical squads to clear the blockage and reopen the expressway at about 09:00 a.m. Normalcy has been fully restored in the affected communities, and members of the public are going about their lawful businesses peacefully, the statement read. According to the police, seven suspects from both communities have been arrested in connection with the clash. A locally made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from one of the suspects. The suspects have given voluntary statements detailing their roles in the incident. According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the victim, Mr Akin, was likely shot during a shootout between the rival youth groups before the arrival of police. It is incorrect and untrue that the deceased died from a stray bullet fired by the police, the statement said. The statement noted that Mr Jimoh has directed a full-scale investigation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, and deployed additional officers to sustain peace and prevent further breakdowns of law and order. Hotbed of crisis Ijanikin and Otto-Awori communities have experienced repeated outbreaks of violence, primarily linked to cult supremacy clashes and local disputes. Reports have shown that rival confraternities, including the Aiye and Eiye, have often engaged in violent clashes involving guns, machetes, cutlasses, and charms. Also, innocent residents have occasionally been killed, including Kamoru Lasisi, a Lagos State University undergraduate, and Lateef Atanda, a tiler. In August 2022, hoodlums disrupted activities at the Shoe/Bags and Textile Market in Ijanikin, blocking the Badagry Expressway and injuring commuters. Reports linked the unrest to a dispute between two local monarchs that escalated into violent acts by supporters. In September 2022, police convened representatives of the warring communities at the Area K Command headquarters. Community leaders were urged to provide intelligence to the Ijanikin Divisional Police to identify and apprehend cultists, especially in known black spots such as Vespa Bus Stop and under the Ijanikin bridge. Earlier interventions also included arrests and weapons recovery. In July 2021, police arrested suspected cultists Taiye Israel and Isiaka Afeez in Oto-Awori, seizing an axe, cutlasses, charms, and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. Tactical units and strike teams were deployed to raid black spots and criminal hideouts. Despite these efforts, residents report that sporadic violence persists, with cultists relocating ahead of police operations. Markets, transportation routes, and commercial activities continue to be disrupted, sustaining fear in the communities. Police have intensified intelligence-led operations to curb cultism and dismantle networks capable of fabricating firearms locally. The United States is becoming increasingly schizophrenic as it tramples on territories around the world. One of the first instances was when it imposed increased tariffs on many countries as a political weapon to cow the world. Over 90 countries have been affected with Brazil, whose President, Lula Da Silva, stood up to President Donald Trump, being clamped with tariffs as high as 50 per cent. India is also set to be hit with the same per cent. Tariffs against China were delayed after the inheritors of Chairman Mao hit with counter tariffs. Trump had tried to force neighbouring Canada to give up its sovereignty by dissolving into the US and becoming its 51st state. When the bullying did not seem to be working, that country was slammed with a 35 per cent tariff, while another US neigbour, Mexico, also suffered the same increase for being allegedly stubborn. Quiet Switzerland which might have unknowingly irked Trump, was slapped with a a 39 per cent tariff. To check this seeming madness, the US Supreme Court ruled on 20 February that the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are illegal and that Trump needs clear congressional authorisation to role them out. Trump responded that the US Supreme Court was talking rubbish and that some of the justices are a disgrace to the country. Rather than comply, he announced a blanket 10 per cent higher tariff on the world. In the last 14 months, the US had threatened to seize the Panama Canal and occupy Greenland even if it will lead to armed conflict with its NATO allies. It has bombed Iran and now threatens it with annihilation. It has also expressed deep anger that Norway did not award Trump the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize even when the award is not given by the Norwegian government. Equally, the US has invaded Venezuela and abducted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, holding them hostage in New York. It has also threatened to invade Colombia, Mexico and Nicaragua. But Trump has his eyes particularly trained on Cuba saying: Cuba looks like its ready to fall. But virtually all parts of the world have risen strongly in defence of Cuba. This is not surprising as 165 countries on 29 October, 2025, voted in the United Nations General Assembly demanding the US ends its unilateral and illegal embargo on the island nation imposed since 1962. This universal resolution has been passed annually in the UN for the past thirty three years! Equally, all African countries who have made similar demands in the last seventeen years, met on February 15, 2026 not just to ask the US to backway from Cuba, but also to remove it from the list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism. One of the peoples that have consistently taken a principled position against US embargo and attacks on Cuban sovereignty, are Nigerians. On Tuesday, 24 February mass organisations in the country, including the two labour centres: the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, as well as civil society coalitions, political activists and veterans of the pro-democracy struggles, gathered in Abuja in an hybrid conference on Cuba. Organised by the 42-year-old Nigeria Solidarity Movement with Cuba (NSMC), they explained why Africans see Cuba as part of the continent and why Nigerians overwhelmingly back Cuba against American aggression. Former Interior Minister and Honourary President of the solidarity movement, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, explained that Cuba had in the last six decades consistently sacrificed for the betterment of humanity. He added: We cannot but be historically grateful to a people who lost about four thousand of their youths under African skies fighting for the liberation of our continent. Besides, as you may know, 90 percent of Cubans are of African descent which was why the unforgettable Fidel Castro said of Cuba: We are a Latin-American nation and a Latin-African nation as well. On why international support is more urgent now, Aregbesola explained: As we hold this conference, Cuba is being asphyxiated by the US It is in the enlightened self-interest of humanity to stand by Cuba. The TUC President Festus Osifo said the workers movement firmly believes that no nation should be subjected to external interference, coercive measures, or economic blockades that undermine its sovereignty and the welfare of its people. The President of the NLC, Africas largest labour centre, Joe Ajaero, made a declaration: To the people of Cuba: You are not alone. Your struggle for sovereignty is the worlds struggle for justice. We stand with you, in solidarity, until the blockade ends and your right to self-determination is fully respected. The former President of the West Africa Bar Association, WABA, Femi Falana (SAN) told Nigerians: Having regard to the unqualified contribution of Cuba to the independence struggle of the African people, all African countries owe it a duty to assist Cuba to defend its sovereignty under international law. The Legal Adviser to the solidarity movement, Femi Aborishade declared: The debt we owe Cuba can never be fully repaid. We can only symbolically show the spirit that we recognise what Cuba has unconditionally and willingly sacrificed for the oppressed peoples of the world, particularly in Africa. We need to discuss, agree and execute concrete solidarity actions to support Cuba. Cuba needs concrete political support, Cuba needs concrete material support. The leader of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, submitted that: Cuba is a small country that has given dignity to the people. Nigerians, he said, should do crowd funding as they used to do for the liberation movements during Apartheid. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Secretary Achike Chude said all human beings are born with inalienable rights, including those to dignity and that the Cubans not only have these rights, but all must ensure they are protected. Professor Al-Bishak, an internationally renowed intellectual on Black Studies argued that the international rally is important as: Cuba has inspired many underdeveloped countries to fight for their survival because of its determination to ward off external aggression and economic blockade from imperialist countries of Eurasia. The Nigerian gathering demanded that the US embargo and all sanctions against Cuba be lifted in accordance with standing UN resolutions and, that the world body should sanction the US if it fails to do so. It also demanded that the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and wife, Cilia Flores should be freed and that Nigeria, Angola and South Africa have the duty to provide Cuba with urgent fuel and humanitarian supplies. The solidarity movement announced a new leadership chaired by one of its founders, Comrade Salisu Nuhu Mohammed with a mandate to carry out solidarity actions in support of Cuba and strengthen links with the Cuba solidarity movements across Africa. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. At the core of the proposal is the establishment of an independent, multi-stakeholder National Crisis Communication Hub designed to shift Nigeria from fragmented, after-the-fact responses to a coordinated, real-time monitoring and response system. The Hub would track fake news, hate speech, and organised misinformation campaigns as they emerge, while synchronising communication across ministries, departments, and agencies during national emergencies. Nigerias information disorder no longer begins with whispers in markets or speculative radio chatter. It erupts in livestreams, trends through algorithm-driven feeds, and mutates through artificial intelligence systems capable of fabricating audio, images, and video within seconds. In this altered reality, the question before policymakers is no longer whether misinformation poses a threat. It is whether the state can respond at the speed of the lie. Against this backdrop, the Federal Government appears to be recalibrating its posture. Crisis communication long treated as a reactive exercise confined to press briefings and damage control is being reframed as a technology-driven national security priority. The renewed endorsement of the proposed National Crisis Communication Hub (NCCH) signals a growing institutional consensus that Nigeria must modernise how it anticipates, manages, and neutralises digital threats. The latest backing came from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, during a high-level engagement in Abuja, where Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd) presented the report of the National Symposium on Digital Innovation in Crisis Communication. At the core of the proposal is the establishment of an independent, multi-stakeholder National Crisis Communication Hub designed to shift Nigeria from fragmented, after-the-fact responses to a coordinated, real-time monitoring and response system. The Hub would track fake news, hate speech, and organised misinformation campaigns as they emerge, while synchronising communication across ministries, departments, and agencies during national emergencies. This coordination is more than cosmetic. In previous crises, conflicting official narratives have sometimes intensified uncertainty and amplified public anxiety. The proposed Hub aims to close that gap by aligning operational realities with public messaging in real time. More significantly, the framework integrates artificial intelligence for predictive analysis. Rather than chasing viral falsehoods after they have shaped public perception, authorities hope to identify early digital signals, detect patterns, and anticipate flashpoints before they escalate. It is an attempt to institutionalise foresight in an era defined by velocity. Beyond monitoring and coordination, the reform agenda introduces an accountability mechanism: a proposed Crisis Communication Perception Index to measure institutional performance during emergencies. By assessing preparedness, responsiveness, transparency, and digital resilience, the index would transform crisis communication from a public relations afterthought into a measurable governance benchmark. Beyond monitoring and coordination, the reform agenda introduces an accountability mechanism: a proposed Crisis Communication Perception Index to measure institutional performance during emergencies. By assessing preparedness, responsiveness, transparency, and digital resilience, the index would transform crisis communication from a public relations afterthought into a measurable governance benchmark. Minister Idris described the initiative as timely, noting that government alone cannot navigate todays information ecosystem. He emphasised the need for the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, while safeguarding national values and public trust. His caution reflects a global dilemma: how to harness powerful technologies without eroding civil liberties or democratic accountability. A key moment in the engagement was the presentation of a specialised research study titled Artificial Intelligence and Crisis Communication in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. Authored by Yushau A. Shuaib, consultant to the Centre and publisher of PRNigeria, the study outlines a strategic roadmap for the Ministry and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to modernise Nigerias communication architecture in line with global best practices. Momentum behind the NCCH initiative has further strengthened with the endorsement of NITDAs Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa. At a separate meeting with the Centres leadership, Inuwa underscored the urgency of coordinated digital response mechanisms. His diagnosis was candid. Misinformation, he argued, spreads faster than verified information because of its novelty factor. Social media platforms have disrupted traditional gatekeeping structures, enabling harmful content to circulate widely before facts can catch up. There is a direct correlation between novelty and virality, he observed, warning that AI-driven tools such as deepfakes are rapidly becoming instruments of political and social manipulation. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 political cycle, these concerns are not theoretical. AI-generated propaganda, synthetic media, and automated influence campaigns are already reshaping elections globally. Inuwa stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to be reactive. If implemented with transparency, professional safeguards, and cross-sector collaboration, the National Crisis Communication Hub could become a foundational pillar of Nigerias digital governance framework. But its success will depend not only on the sophistication of its tools, but on the trust it commands. In response to a 12-point resolution presented by the Centre for Crisis Communication, NITDA outlined practical measures, including strengthening digital literacy through platforms such as the Cisco Networking Academy, equipping journalists and security spokespersons with AI detection skills, and deepening engagement with global technology companies, to accelerate harmful content moderation. Plans are also underway to expand crisis communication engagements across the six geopolitical zones and integrate cyber units into a multi-layered defence strategy. What is emerging is not merely another committee or policy document. It is an effort to recalibrate Nigerias communication architecture for a digital era in which perception can move markets, influence elections, and inflame tensions within minutes. The ultimate question is not whether misinformation exists. It is whether institutions can respond with coherence, credibility, and speed. If implemented with transparency, professional safeguards, and cross-sector collaboration, the National Crisis Communication Hub could become a foundational pillar of Nigerias digital governance framework. But its success will depend not only on the sophistication of its tools, but on the trust it commands. In a volatile information ecosystem where authority competes with algorithms, credibility may prove to be the most valuable infrastructure of all. Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist based in Kano. Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG) completed its acquisition of Encino and expanded exploration into the UAE and Bahrain. The company brought the Janus gas processing plant online and reduced well costs. EOG reported a 16% increase in proved reserves alongside these operational updates. EOG Resources, trading around $124.08, has been in focus with a 15.7% return year to date and 11.8% over the past month, while the 5 year return stands at 112.4%. For investors watching NYSE:EOG, these developments highlight an operator that is active on both the corporate and operational fronts, rather than only reflecting broader sector sentiment. The combination of the Encino acquisition, new exposure to the UAE and Bahrain, and progress on cost and infrastructure projects gives investors more to follow than just the share price. How effectively EOG executes on integrating these assets and developing its expanded footprint will shape how the market evaluates its risk and opportunity profile over time. Stay updated on the most important news stories for EOG Resources by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on EOG Resources. 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Keep an eye on how well costs trend, how quickly Encino is integrated and any production or reserve updates tied to the new international acreage. With one flagged risk around an unstable dividend track record, income focused investors may want to check how future payouts align with these growth projects. Dig Deeper For the full picture including more risks and rewards, check out the complete EOG Resources analysis. Alternatively, you can check out the community page for EOG Resources to see how other investors believe this latest news will impact the company's narrative. In some quarters, a narrative of overambition is being projected onto Mba. From my vantage point, this is far from the truth. Both men are professionals who have served the Republic with distinction. However, in the tradition of the Force, when a junior or a peer is elevated to the pinnacle, veterans often consider leaving the stage while the ovation is loudest. This is not a sign of failure but a mark of ultimate sacrifice for institutional harmony. Disu has saved many lives, especially those of youths and young graduates, who could have found themselves either as victims or engaged in fraud and other criminal activities. Those words were not written today. They are a direct quote from my August 2021 article, Abba Kyari: The celebrated super cop and the unsung heroes. In that piece, I examined the meteoric rise of Abba Kyari a man whose celebrity status, amplified by media hype and institutional indulgence, ultimately became his undoing. I argued then that fame and public adulation, when not tempered by institutional discipline, can become a dangerous liability for any security officer. In contrast to the Super Cop phenomenon, I highlighted a cadre of Unsung Heroes officers who carried out highstakes, dangerous operations with quiet efficiency and no appetite for publicity. Among them were AIG Bala Ciroma, known for discreet but effective interventions; CSP Olabisi Davies, a disciplinarian female DPO who patrolled at night and rehabilitated young offenders; DCP Kolo Yusuf, who captured over 100 kidnappers yet declined award nominations, recommending his junior officers instead; twin officers Hassan and Hussaini Gimba, famed for expert interrogations and recovering sophisticated weapons from bandits; and a thenDCP Tunji Disu, who had emerged as Kyaris successor at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT). Disus approach was defined not by media theatrics but by preventive impact saving young people from drifting into crime rather than amplifying his exploits. Today, as Tunji Rilwan Disu assumes office as acting inspectorgeneral of Police, and as public debate swirls around the fate of DIG Frank Mba the most senior deputy inspectorgeneral it is necessary, from a public relations standpoint, to offer context. It is a remarkable coincidence that both Tunji Disu and Frank Mba joined the Nigeria Police Force on the same day: 18 May, 1992. Both men represent a rare breed of scholarpractitioners officers who have balanced the rigours of operational command with serious academic pursuits. Disu is not merely an operational tactician; he is also a trained martial artist and a disciplined strategist. His academic profile includes an MSc in Entrepreneurship (2023), an MSc in Criminology and Security Studies (2022), and a Bachelors degree in English Education (1990). His assignments have ranged from transforming the Lagos RRS into a model anticrime unit, to leading the Intelligence Response Team after Kyaris suspension, to serving as commissioner of police in Rivers State and the FCT, and most recently as AIG in charge of the Force CID Annex, Alagbon. Frank Mbas academic trajectory is equally formidable: an LLB (Hons) from the University of Lagos, an LLM from the University of Dundee, his call to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, and a recently defended PhD thesis at the University of Ibadan. He served three times as Force PRO and held key operational roles, including as commissioner of police in Ogun State and the Border Patrol Force, as well as AIG at the FCID Annex. His international service in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia earned him a UN Medal. My professional relationship with Frank Mba dates back to the formative days of the Forum of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), established in 2013 under the Office of the National Security Adviser, then chaired by Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd). At that time, interagency rivalry particularly between the police, the military, and the NSCDC often resulted in conflicting public narratives during national crises. It was Mba, as Force Public Relations Officer, alongside interventions from thenCustoms spokesperson (now ComptrollerGeneral) Adewale Adeniyi, who helped align institutional messaging. For a period, security agencies spoke with one voice during national emergencies a rare but reassuring development in Nigerias security communication landscape. Beyond his intellectual depth, Mba is disarmingly humorous a trait that often diffuses tension in difficult moments. During my own challenging period at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), he showed quiet concern and support. I have never perceived him as driven by reckless ambition. If anything, he understood the weight of perception in public service. My first encounter with the new IGP Disu began on a sombre note in 2017. I watched him handle a disturbing case in Lagos, where a group of innocent young men were on the verge of being framed for an offence they knew nothing about, while he served as commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Disu did not merely order an investigation; he took bold personal risk to protect them and later spent his own resources on rehabilitating them. The then spokesperson to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Habib Haruna, was fully aware of those interventions and humanitarian gestures. It is therefore unsurprising that many beneficiaries of his quiet benevolence within Nigeria and abroad have been reaching out to express their gratitude, following his elevation. Since his decoration, IGP Disu has signalled a reform agenda anchored on discipline and human rights. His rise is a testament to the fact that one does not need to be a Super Cop on social media to become the First Cop of the nation. In the world of Public Relations, we believe that the brand of an institution is only as strong as the unity of its leadership. As Disu takes the reins, a question lingers about the seniority of DIG Frank Mba and other coursemates. In some quarters, a narrative of overambition is being projected onto Mba. From my vantage point, this is far from the truth. Both men are professionals who have served the Republic with distinction. However, in the tradition of the Force, when a junior or a peer is elevated to the pinnacle, veterans often consider leaving the stage while the ovation is loudest. This is not a sign of failure but a mark of ultimate sacrifice for institutional harmony. Whether Mba continues to serve under this new dispensation or seeks a new horizon, his legacy as Nigerias most effective communicator in uniform is already secure. IGP Disu has the vision; he now needs the support of his peers to translate that vision into a safer Nigeria. He has already signalled a reform agenda centred on discipline, human rights compliance, and anticorruption measures. For that agenda to succeed, he will require not only the cooperation of subordinates but the goodwill of peers and seniors alike. Institutional maturity demands that when the ovation is modest, one exits with dignity and when leadership beckons, one accepts with humility. The challenge now is not who rises or who retires. It is whether the institution rises above ego, perception, and speculation. Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of An Encounter with the Spymaster and can be reached via [email protected]. The North is bleeding, economically, socially, psychologically. It needs mature leadership capable of disagreement without destruction, of competition without implosion If its most powerful sons and daughters cannot find a minimum common purpose in this moment, then future generations will not remember who won which feud They will remember that when the region stood at the edge, its leaders chose to fight each other And that choice may prove far more consequential than any single charge sheet, political party or election. Let us start with what we know. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, former FCT minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo, and one-time director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, is under arrest. He is facing allegations of corruption and accusations under the Cybercrimes Act, including claims that he facilitated the tapping of the phone of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. He has denied all wrongdoing. He says this is political persecution; punishment for criticising a government he helped bring to power. The courts will determine the legal truth. But politics is rarely only about what is written on a charge sheet. This story is not simply about El-Rufai. It is about power. It is about loyalty. And it is about a region in crisis, whose leaders appear unable to rise above themselves. Because this is not just any defendant. This is a man who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Mallam Nuhu Ribadu during President Obasanjos time in charge. As El-Rufai was reshaping Abuja as FCT minister, Ribadu was holding people accountable at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They were close. Close enough, by many accounts, for Ribadu to name his son Nasir, after El-Rufai. Close enough for the two to share political exile during the presidency of Umaru Musa YarAdua. Today they are on opposite sides of state power. Then there is Mallam Uba Sani, El-Rufais political protege and successor in Kaduna. A man who has publicly acknowledged the former governors role in building his career. Their relationship is now, at best, strained, but it is more likely shattered. All northerners. All influential. All fractured. And that is the real story. The North Is Not Well Let us speak plainly. Northern Nigeria is in trouble. In the North-West, terrorist bandits have evolved into a parallel authority structure. Villages in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna pay taxes to armed groups or flee entirely. Kidnappings and killings are no longer shocking, they are routine! In the North-East, insurgency persists in altered forms. The violence that began over a decade ago has splintered, but it has not ended, instead it has spread, knocking on doors and entering into homes in the neighbouring North-Central region. Across the Arewa, communities are living with death, trauma, uncertainty and hunger. Poverty statistics are not abstract numbers; they are lived reality. Multidimensional poverty is highest in the region. The economy of the Arewa, once vibrant and strong, is under severe structural strain. Widespread insecurity has crippled agriculture, pastoralism and rural commerce. Low educational attainment has put limits on productivity, while weak industrialisation and heavy fiscal dependence on federal allocations add to the milieu of problems. This is the reality of Arewa today. The majority of Nigerias out-of-school children are northern. Maternal and child mortality rates remain very high. Youth unemployment fuels despair, drug use and recruitment. And pressure from the impact of climate change worsens everything. Competition for land ignites more farmer-herder conflicts. Livelihoods collapse, social cohesion has frayed and in some places is non-existent. Even symbols of continuity are under strain. In Kano, the Emirate is in crisis, brothers have become rival claimants, federal involvement and political overtones have turned a centuries-old institution into a battlefield. This is not a stable region. This is a region facing trouble of gigantic proportions. So Why Are Its Leaders Fighting? There was a time when northern political elites understood the value of strategic cohesion. Under Sir Ahmadu Bello, disagreements existed, but there was a unifying doctrine, protecting the regions long-term interests. Today, the instinct seems reversed. Instead of a minimum common agenda on security, education and economic revival, we see fragmentation. Instead of coordination, we see camps. Instead of strategy, we see in-fighting and retaliation. It would be naive to pretend power is sentimental. Power will always do what it has always done grow itself and consolidate using whatever means necessary. That is not a moral judgment. It is an observation. The question for the leaders of Arewa and its politicians, both those inside the current power structure and those trying to replace it, is whether the gains of power will continue to accrue only to them as individuals, or if some of it will be used to improve the lives of their communities and save Arewa from complete collapse? Because while politicians are politicking, farmers are being displaced and pastoralists are losing their livelihoods. Children are out of school and young men are being radicalised. Entire local economies are collapsing and thousands are getting killed. And there is no visible, coordinated northern response. Accountability, yesand Let us also be honest about El-Rufai. He is not a victim archetype. His years in Kaduna were marked by ambitious reforms, urban restructuring, public service reforms, controversial religious and educational policies. Admirers called him courageous. Critics called him ruthless. Many felt unheard. So yes, there are people who feel no sympathy for him now. But sympathy is irrelevant. The issue is this: Can a region facing an existential crisis afford to cannibalise its most experienced political actors without building something stronger in their place? In Kano, the norths ancient city and commercial power house, former Central Bank Governor and intellectual giant, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, is no longer focused on the ambitious reforms he started on family law, early marriage, and education during his first coming, but is instead distracted by holding unto a contested throne. In the same state, Mallam Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, one of the norths leading politicians, has fallen out with his protegees, people who he groomed and helped get into high political office: the former Governor of the state, Mallam Abdullahi Umar Ganjude, and the current Governor, Mallam Abba Yusuf, who also happens to be his son-in-law. The outcome on the politically volatile state in the forthcoming election is best not imagined. Across the north, prominent Arewa politicians are turning on each other, with no discernible benefit from these battles accruing to the ordinary citizens they are supposed to be representing. Yusuf Tuggar/Bala Muhammed, Bello Matawalle/Dauda Lawal, and the list goes on and on. The Larger Failure The tragedy here is bigger than one arrest, bigger than political godfathers fighting their protegees, bigger than two blood brothers turning on each other. Where is the bi-partisan cooperation that puts the survival of the people of Arewa over and above personal political gains? Where is the summit of ALL northern leaders on the security crisis? Where is the region-wide education emergency plan? Where is the regionally coordinated agricultural and pastoral transformation and strategy? Where is the unified push for fiscal and policy reforms tailored to northern realities? Across party lines? Instead, what the public sees is estrangement. Across Maishayi stalls in Sokoto and markets in Kaduna and Bauchi, a narrative is forming: that Arewa is weakening itself, that its elite are more invested in proximity to federal power than in proximity to their peoples pain. Whether that narrative is fair or exaggerated almost does not matter. What matters is that it is spreading. History Will Ask History is unforgiving of leaders who mistake consolidation for legacy. Arewa does not lack intelligence. It does not lack influence. It does not lack political experience. It lacks alignment. The North is bleeding, economically, socially, psychologically. It needs mature leadership capable of disagreement without destruction, of competition without implosion. If its most powerful sons and daughters cannot find a minimum common purpose in this moment, then future generations will not remember who won which feud. They will remember that when the region stood at the edge, its leaders chose to fight each other. And that choice may prove far more consequential than any single charge sheet, political party or election. Kadaria Ahmed was a Senior Producer at the BBC in London and is now CEO at Radio Now 95.3FM Lagos. We turn not older with years, but newer every day, wrote Emily Dickinson, one of Americas most distinctive poets. That timeless reflection perfectly captures the spirit surrounding the birthday of Oladapo AbdulRahman Okubadejo, Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, as he marks another milestone on Saturday, 28 February. Birthdays are moments of celebration, but they are equally occasions for reflection, gratitude to the Almighty, and deeper bonding with family and friends. Coming during the holy month of Ramadan, this years celebration offers even greater reason to give thanks for life, faith, and divine grace. A proud son of Ogun State, born in Ijebu-Ode, Okubadejofondly called Dapo by friends and associatesstands today as one of Nigerias most accomplished technocrats in public service. A man of deep faith in Allah, profound intellect, and an unblemished record of service, he exemplifies excellence in governance and commitment to social transformation. His academic journey began at Luba Comprehensive High School and Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, where he recorded six distinctions and one credit in his WAEC Ordinary Level examinations. He proceeded to the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, earning a Bachelor of Agriculture (Upper Second Class Division) in 1990. His quest for knowledge later took him to the University of Glasgow, where he obtained a Master of Finance (Distinction) in International Finance in 2003 as a British Chevening Scholar. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Finance at Babcock University, Nigeria. With a distinguished 31-year professional career, Mr Okubadejos footprint in the global financial landscape is remarkable. His early career saw him rise steadily through Arthur Andersen LLP, where he served in various capacities from Staff Accountant to Senior Manager between 1992 and 2002. He later joined KPMG Professional Services, one of the worlds Big Four accounting firms, where his rise was meteoric. Between 2003 and 2019, he served as Associate Director, Partner, Head of Corporate Financial Advisory for West Africa, and eventually Partner & Africa Head, Deal Advisory & Private Equity Group. He also served as a member of the KPMG Policy Board before transitioning fully into public service in 2019. Since July 2019, Okubadejo has served Ogun State with distinction as Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor. From December 2019, he has combined that responsibility with his role as the Commissioner for Finance. In these capacities, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives such as the Economic Transformation Project and the Revenue Mobilisation & Harmonisation Committee, driving fiscal discipline, revenue optimisation, and sustainable economic reforms. Throughout his career, he has advised governments, corporations, and development institutions including the World Bank and the African Finance Corporation. His expertise has earned him international recognition, including the Global Financial Advisor of the Year Award for Africa (2017 and 2018) by the Private Equity Africa Association in London. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI), Mr Okubadejo has also contributed to global policy conversations at the World Economic Forum and other international platforms. Yet, beyond the accolades and titles, Dapo remains a jolly good fellowan agent of change, a voice of courage and conviction, and a stickler for excellence in public service. He measures success not merely by milestones achieved but by the difference made in peoples lives. As he celebrates this milestone birthday, friends, colleagues, and associates rejoice in a life defined by service, dedication, and impact. Happy birthday, Dapo. May your vision, wisdom, and leadership continue to shape Ogun State and Nigerias economic landscape for generations to come. *Mr Akinmade is Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has enjoined operators in the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry to comply with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, or risk attracting sanctions, including project withdrawal, suspension and criminal prosecution. The Board also reaffirmed that obtaining the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificates (NCEC) attracts zero processing fees, and it had banned the use of middlemen in all its transactions and confirmed that expired or misapplied NCECs will lead to automatic disqualification from tenders. These positions anchored the NCDMB Sensitisation Workshop for Midstream Companies and Stakeholders, held on Friday in Lagos, as the Board deployed a five-directorate technical team to deepen compliance awareness across Nigerias fast-expanding midstream segment. Organised by the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate and supported by the Project Certification and Authorisation Directorate, Capacity Building Directorate and Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate, the workshop was themed, Compliance with the Provisions of the NOGICD Act 2010: The Path to Industrialisation. Opening the workshop, the Acting Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Omomehin Ajimijaye, said the decision to host the Lagos leg of the engagement underscored the Boards commitment to extending Nigerian content enforcement beyond the upstream sector and the Niger Delta region. Todays workshop is one of the key platforms for deepening engagement with the midstream sector. We are not focused only on the upstream sector. We are also doing our best to ensure that our midstream and downstream stakeholders are carried along in the quest for Nigerian content value expansion, and for the economic progress and energy security of our country, he said. Conveying the appreciation of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, he thanked participants for honouring the invitation at short notice, describing them as strategic partners in the Boards national mandate. Mr Ajimijaye outlined four objectives of the engagement: deepening understanding of the NOGICD Act; clarifying statutory reporting templates; addressing midstream-specific compliance challenges; and strengthening collaboration between the Board and industry players. Your feedback is crucial as we move towards our collective goal of raising Nigerian content to 70 per cent. This journey requires partnership and mutual understanding, Mr Ajimijaye added. The Director of Capacity Building, Abayomi Bamidele, said, The Act mandates all operators and contractors to prioritise Nigerian employment and training, noting that any project or contract valued at $1m and above must submit an Employment and Training Plan for Board approval. He explained the NCDMB Field Readiness Initiative, designed to bridge workforce gaps created by retirements and emigration of some personnel, and open the oil and gas sector to OND, HND and BSc holders via the NOGIC JQS portal. Mr Bamidele reiterated that NCEC processing is completely free, middlemen are prohibited, and companies must own, not lease, certified equipment. Delivering a detailed technical presentation, the Supervisor, Project Certification and Authorisation Directorate, Mr Elvis Ogede, explained that every operator was statutorily required to submit a Nigerian Content Plan in line with Sections 7 and 8 of the Act. With respect to your scope of work, we expect you to set targets. These targets are achievable, not just aspirations with the capacity that exists in-country, Mr Ogede said. He explained that operators must engage the Board at five mandatory points, including Nigerian Content Plan submission; approval of selective or sole-source contracting strategies; review of invitation-to-tender documents; participation in bid openings; and submission of technical and commercial evaluation reports before issuance of the Nigerian Content Compliance Commitment. Clarifying recent changes, Mr Ogede stressed that the NCCC was not a certificate of past compliance but a binding commitment. It is not a certificate that you have complied. It is a commitment what you are going to do and you will be monitored against it, he said. He also warned that Memoranda of Association could no longer substitute for valid NCEC, that expired NCECs are disqualifying, and that service-specific certification is mandatory. Nobody should expect to use a consultancy NCEC for fabrication work and then complain when disqualified, he added. The Deputy Manager, Midstream Monitoring Division, Damola Aderibigbe, outlined the Boards monitoring framework, which spans performance, compliance and intervention monitoring across upstream, midstream and downstream operations. We do not just monitor activities we measure performance against commitment, he said. He listed 14 statutory reports required from companies and warned that late or incomplete submissions remained the most common compliance failures. Mr Aderibigbe stressed that engineering firms must hold corporate COREN accreditation, not just individual staff certification. If you fall short of the law, remediation will be required, suspension may follow, legal action can be taken, and projects can be withdrawn. But the Board is a business enabler we want compliance, not conflict, he said. The Supervisor, Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate, Emmanuel Paulker, said that the NOGIC JQS portal had registered 406,000 individuals and 11,445 companies, including 115 operators, though much of the midstream sector remains outside the system. He said 1,603 expatriate quota applications had been processed, with 1,417 approvals, generating 13,833 employment commitments, and warned that companies must obtain NCDMBs approval before approaching the Federal Ministry of Interior. Anything outside that process is a contravention of the law, Paulker said. Delivering the vote of thanks, the Supervisor, Midstream Monitoring Division, Pius Waritimi, reiterated that compliance commitments are binding and encouraged stakeholders to engage the Board early. We want everyone here to join the NCCF and the Sectoral Working Groups, where industry concerns can be addressed constructively, he said. The Speaker of the Osun Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and 24 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers have defected to the Accord Party. This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, on Friday in Osogbo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the assembly has 26 members, comprising 25 PDP lawmakers and one All Progressives Congress (APC) member. Mr Tiamiyu said the decision by the PDP lawmakers to leave the party was reached during a parliamentary meeting. He explained that the lawmakers resigned from the PDP weeks ago after deep reflection and extensive consultations with supporters, political associates, and key stakeholders. They resolved to align with Accord, he said. The lawmakers said they were convinced that the Accord Party provides a more stable, inclusive, and people-centred platform through which they could continue to serve the people of the state. They said that the move was driven by a determination to advance the collective interests of the people and sustain development across the state. The lawmakers also stressed the need to align with a political party that reflects their core values. According to the statement, the lawmakers reaffirmed their unwavering support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and their commitment to quality representation, transparency, and responsive leadership. They urged their supporters and well-wishers to remain steadfast and join them as they embark on the new political chapter. The lawmakers noted that their decision to join the Accord Party was aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and accelerating development for the people of the state. The statement added that the lawmakers later proceeded to the Banquet Hall of the Government House to meet with the governor and top leaders of the Accord Party, where the Speaker formally announced the declaration. NAN reports that Governor Adeleke defected from the PDP to the Accord Party on 9 December 2025. (NAN) SHIJIAZHUANG, China, Feb. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A News Report from Great Wall New Media: As the MilanoCortina 2026 Winter Olympics drew to a close in the early hours of February 23, Beijing time, the Olympic flame was extinguished on the Apennine Peninsula, marking the end of the 25th Winter Games. Speed Speed For host cities, the Olympic spotlight marks not an endpoint, but the starting line of a new journey. Post-Games legacy utilizationamong the most pressing challenges facing Olympic venues worldwidenow awaits Milan's response. At this moment, our gaze turns from Italy to China. Chongli, host district of the 2022 Winter Games, has transformed into a premier ice-and-snow destination, drawing over ten million visitors annually. What powers this post-Games success? And what lessons might it hold for the world? Viewing Chongli through a Milan lens: this is a dialogue across eras and continentsa meditation on how Winter Olympic legacy endures. Long after the flame is extinguished, the true answer is only beginning to reveal itself. SOURCE Great Wall New Media Packaging Corporation of America allegedly failed to accurately record employees' full-time worked, including their time worked off the clock. This, allegedly, resulted in inaccurate wages paid to them, among other California Labor Code violations. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Packaging Corporation of America., violated the California Labor Code. The Packaging Corporation of America class action lawsuit, Case No. 26CV003725, is currently pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed According to the lawsuit filed against Packaging Corporation of America, the company allegedly failed to provide Plaintiff with all legally required meal and rest periods. From time to time, Plaintiff was allegedly asked to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided ten (10) minutes rest periods. Further these employees were denied their first rest periods of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts of at least two (2) to four (4) hours from time to time, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours from time to time, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of ten (10) hours or more from time to time. The lawsuit further alleges that Defendant underpaid sick wages to Plaintiff by failing to accurately calculate such wages. Plaintiffs routinely earned non-discretionary incentive wages which increased their regular rate of pay. When sick pay was paid, it was paid at the base rate of pay, as opposed to the correct, higher regular rate of pay. This resulted in Defendant allegedly violating Cal. Lab. Code 246. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Packaging Corporation of America, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers of NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) Class A common stock between May 13, 2025 and November 6, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until April 20, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the NuScale class action lawsuit. Captioned Truedson v. NuScale Power Corporation, No. 26-cv-00328 (D. Or.), the NuScale class action lawsuit charges NuScale, certain NuScale top executive officers, as well as Fluor Corporation with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the NuScale class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-nuscale-power-class-action-lawsuit-smr.html You can also contact attorney J.C. Sanchez of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: NuScale's core technology, the NuScale Power Module ("NPM"), is a small modular nuclear reactor designed to generate energy within a broader power plant. Prior to the start of the Class Period, NuScale entered into a global commercialization partnership with ENTRA1 Energy LLC and NuScale and its executives claimed that this critical partnership would allow NuScale to take its NPM technology from the development stage to deployment. NuScale's reliance on ENTRA1 as an exclusive commercialization partner appeared to be validated when, on September 2, 2025, ENTRA1 and the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") jointly announced an agreement to develop power plants to provide the TVA with up to six gigawatts of new nuclear power generation. However, the NuScale class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) ENTRA1 had never built, financed, or operated any significant projects let alone projects in the highly technical and complicated field of nuclear power generation during its entire operating history; (ii) NuScale had entrusted its commercialization, distribution, and deployment of its NPMs and hundreds of millions of dollars of NuScale capital to an entity that lacked any significant prior experience owning, financing, or operating nuclear energy generation facilities; (iii) the purported experience and qualifications attributed to ENTRA1 by defendants during the Class Period in fact referred to the purported experience and qualifications of the principals of the Habboush Group, a distinct entity without significant experience in the field of nuclear power generation; and (iv) as a result, NuScale's commercialization strategy was exposed to material, undisclosed risks of failure, delays, regulatory challenges, or other negative setbacks. The NuScale investor class action further alleges that on November 6, 2025 NuScale revealed that NuScale's general and administrative expenses had ballooned more than 3,000% to $519 million during its third fiscal quarter, up from $17 million in the prior year period, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 for its TVA agreement. As a result, NuScale's quarterly net loss skyrocketed to $532 million, up from $46 million in the prior year period. During the corresponding conference call, analysts pressed NuScale management regarding whether ENTRA1 was sufficiently experienced to own and operate the energy generation facilities contemplated by the TVA agreement. NuScale's CEO, defendant John L. Hopkins, further revealed during the call that the agreement between ENTRA1 and TVA contemplated as many as 72 NPMs, meaning NuScale's milestone payments to ENTRA1 could potentially exceed more than $3 billion. On this news, the price of NuScale Class A shares declined more than 12% over a two-day trading period. The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has extensive experience in prosecuting investor class actions including actions involving financial fraud. You can view a copy of the complaint by clicking here. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased NuScale Class A common stock during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the NuScale class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the NuScale class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the NuScale class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery of the NuScale class action lawsuit is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder rights litigation. Our Firm ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report, recovering more than $916 million for investors in 2025. This marks our fourth #1 ranking in the past five years. And in those five years alone, Robbins Geller recovered $8.4 billion for investors $3.4 billion more than any other law firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP AI x Fibre: the company will highlight next-generation ultra-low latency optical communication technology, strengthening global AI infrastructure. BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable (YOFC) will showcase its latest innovative optical connectivity solutions for the AI era at MWC Barcelona 2026, taking place from March 2 to 5. Under the theme "AI x Fibre Leading an Intelligent Future," the company will also host a dedicated launch event for its hollow-core fibre (HCF) solutions on March 4 at one of the world's largest and most influential connectivity events. Speed Speed As AI is rapidly reshaping global industries and societal operations, high-speed, low-latency, and highly reliable optical connectivity is becoming essential infrastructure for an intelligent world. As a key transmission technology supporting next-generation AI computing networks, HCF will take centre stage of YOFC's exhibition at booth 5A30. "Artificial intelligence is profoundly reshaping the global industrial landscape, placing unprecedented demands on ultrahighspeed, ultralowlatency optical connectivity. As a premier global platform for mobile communications and digital technology, MWC provides a vital window to showcase cuttingedge innovations and deepen international collaboration," remarked Zhuang Dan, Executive Director and President of YOFC. "We believe that advanced optical connectivity not only drives the efficient flow of computing power and data but also contributes to the development of the digital society, connecting us to a more inclusive and sustainable future. YOFC looks forward to working with global industry partners to cocreate a smarter, greener, and more efficient future of optical connectivity." Centring on "AI X Fibre," YOFC's exhibition at MWC Barcelona 2026 will especially spotlight five key technological highlights, demonstrating how optical fibre technology serves as the core backbone of global AI computing networks: AI computing hub: Ultra-high-speed optical fibre interconnection solutions for AI data centres; Connecting global AI networks: Supporting backbone network upgrades and cross-border data transmission; Empowering AI applications: Covering high-bandwidth scenarios such as high-frequency financial trading, AI data centre interconnection, and quantum communication; All-optical connectivity for home and business: Driving all-optical upgrades in residential and enterprise settings. VIP showcase: Featuring cutting-edge achievements in optical communication technology. As a flagship innovation on display, YOFC's HCF represents the forefront of next-generation optical transmission technology. Offering significant advantages over traditional fibre including lower latency, higher transmission efficiency, and enhanced signal quality, it provides critical infrastructure for ultra-high-speed data transmission and AI computing networks. Further details will be unveiled at the launch event during MWC. As the world accelerates into the AI era, YOFC reinforced its commitment and unveiled the "AI-2030" strategy in 2025, positioning itself as a global leader in AI optical connectivity infrastructure. Built on its three core preform technologiesPCVD, VAD, and OVDthe company has developed a comprehensive "Superior Fibre" portfolio that includes G.654.E fibre, multi-core fibre, and hollow-core fibre (HFC), designed to meet the most demanding transmission needs. With over a decade of global expansion, YOFC now operates eight production facilities across six countries, serving more than 100 markets worldwide. Through active participation in international standard-setting and cross-industry collaboration, YOFC continues to drive digital and intelligent transformation on a global scale, making high-speed, reliable optical connectivity a driving force behind the advancement of digital societysupporting a smarter, more connected, and more inclusive digital future. Global industry partners, customers and media are invited to join YOFC at booth 5A30 at MWC Barcelona 2026 from March 2 to 5. The press conference for HCF launch will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 4 at T6, Hall 8.0. For more information, please visit https://en.yofc.com/ SOURCE YOFC Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:EQX) is one of the best Canadian stocks to buy under $20. On February 19, Equinox Gold achieved record production in 2025, delivering 922,000 ounces of gold. The company reduced net debt from $1.4 billion in mid-2025 to just $75 million by the end of January 2026. Furthermore, the company was able to make $681.40 million in Q4 revenue, which was an 18.50% increase year-over-year. The growth was driven by the ramp-up of the Greenstone and Valentine mines. Greenstone saw a 29% production increase in Q4 over the previous quarter, while Valentine completed its first quarter of operations with over 23,000 ounces. For 2026, management provided production guidance of 250,000 to 300,000 ounces for Greenstone and 150,000 to 200,000 ounces for Valentine, with all-in sustaining costs projected to range between $1,750 and $1,850 per ounce. Despite these records, the company is managing several operational complexities, including audit delays related to the Calibre merger. Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:EQX) now plans to fund its organic growth pipelineincluding potential expansions at Los Filos and Castle Mountainusing internal cash flow rather than pursuing further M&A. Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:EQX) acquires, explores, develops, and operates mineral properties in the Americas. It primarily explores gold and silver deposits. While we acknowledge the potential of EQX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. "Harriet Powers took the traditional craft of quilting and elevated it into a profound medium for history and narrative," said Lisa Bobb-Semple, USPS director of stamp services, and dedicating official. "We are proud to recognize her extraordinary skill and the enduring legacy of her vision." Joining Bobb-Semple for the ceremony were Karla Kirby, USPS health services executive manager and master of ceremonies; Karsonya Wise Whitehead, president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, president; CeLillianne Green, poet; Kyra Hicks, quilter and author; and Powers' descendant, Alyse Minter. Born into slavery in 1837 near Athens, GA, Powers emerged after emancipation as an artistic voice in American textile art. While she is believed to have completed at least five quilts in her lifetime, she is best known for her two surviving "story quilts." These works used pieced, appliqued, and embroidered panels to depict scenes from local lore or the Bible. "This is what is extraordinary about Harriet Powers' quilts," said Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS. "I never would have thought of these works of fabric art as canvases for telling stories until seeing the quilts. I chose details that would hold up well at stamp size while still communicating the stories Powers was trying to tell." The stamp pane features different designs, each showcasing a specific panel from Powers' 1898 "Pictorial Quilt." To create visual variety, the panels are arranged in a shifting order across the pane of 20 giving the impression of a continuous, unfolding narrative. Powers' work gained public recognition in 1886 when she exhibited her "Bible Quilt" at the Northeast Georgia Fair. Though she initially refused to sell the piece, she later sold it to an art teacher, Jennie Smith. That quilt was eventually donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 1968 appropriately arriving at the museum by U.S. Mail. The "Pictorial Quilt," which inspired the new stamps, was originally commissioned by the wives of Atlanta University faculty members as a gift for the vice president of the university board, Charles Cuthbert Hall. Completed in 1898, the quilt remained in the Hall family for more than six decades before being recognized as a national treasure. Noyes designed the stamps and pane using existing photographs of the "Pictorial Quilt." The Harriet Powers stamps are issued in panes of 20. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. News about the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #HarrietPowersStamps. Postal products Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at stampsforever.com. # # # Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com. National contact: Felicia M. Lott [email protected] usps.com/news Local contact: Mark A. Wahl [email protected] usps.com/news SOURCE U.S. Postal Service Did you buy ORCL common stock between June 12, 2025, and December 16, 2025? Affected Oracle Corporation Investor Summary Who : Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) : Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) What: Securities fraud class action lawsuit filed Securities class action lawsuit filed Class Period: June 12, 2025, through December 16, 2025 June 12, 2025, through December 16, 2025 Deadline to Seek Lead Plaintiff Status: April 6, 2026 April 6, 2026 Key Lawsuit Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's data center capabilities for artificial intelligence infrastructure and capital expenditures. Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's data center capabilities for artificial intelligence infrastructure and capital expenditures. Investor Action: Contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) for recovery options at no cost to investor RADNOR, Pa., Feb. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) (Oracle) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Oracle common stock between June 12, 2025, and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action, captioned Barrows v. Oracle Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-00127-JLH, was filed on February 3, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and is pending before the Honorable Jennifer L. Hall. Important Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Oracle common stock during the Class Period may, no later than April 6, 2026, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class. CONTACT KTMC TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: If you purchased or acquired Oracle common stock and lost money on your investment, you are encouraged to contact KTMC attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. at: There is no cost or obligation to speak with an attorney. Learn more about Oracle Corporation on YouTube: ORACLE CORPORATION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - COMPLAINT ALLEGATION SUMMARY: Oracle, a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices in Austin, Texas, is a technology company that provides, among other things, infrastructure for operating artificial intelligence (AI) programs. During the Class Period, Defendants misled investors by touting the Oracle's contracts to develop data center capabilities for AI infrastructure and falsely assuring investors that the Company's significant capital expenditures (CapEx) would quickly result in accelerated revenue growth. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Oracle's business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Oracle's AI infrastructure strategy would result in massive increases in CapEx without equivalent, near-term growth in revenue; (2) Oracle's substantially increased spending created serious risks involving Oracle's debt and credit rating, free cash flow, and ability to fund its projects, among other concerns; and (3) as a result, Defendants' representations about Oracle's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Why did Oracle's Stock Drop? The truth began to be revealed on September 24, 2025, when S&P Global Ratings warned that OpenAI "could account for more than a third of total Oracle revenues by fiscal 2028 and even a greater share by fiscal 2030," creating risks given that "OpenAI's ability to meet contractual obligations will be contingent on AI tailwinds continuing and its models being a market leader to continue to raise external financing." On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $5.37 per share, or nearly 2%, from a close of $313.83 per share on September 23, 2025, to close at $308.46 per share on September 24, 2025. Oracle's stock price continued to fall in response to multiple additional disclosures, the last of which was on December 17, 2025, when the Financial Times reported that Blue Owl Capital"the primary [financial] backer for Oracle's largest data centre projects in the US"had backed out of funding a $10 billion Oracle data center intended to serve OpenAI. According to the report, Blue Owl pulled out of the deal as a result of concerns about Oracle's spending commitments and rising debt levels. On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $10.19 per share, or approximately 5.4%, from a close of $188.65 per share on December 16, 2025, to close at $178.46 per share on December 17, 2025. WHAT ORCL INVESTORS CAN DO NOW: File to be lead plaintiff by April 6, 2026. Contact KTMC for a free case evaluation. Retain counsel of choice or take no action. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS FOR ORACLE CORPORATION INVESTORS : Oracle investors may, no later than April 6, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Oracle investors to contact the firm for more information. ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC): Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. KTMC has recovered over $25 billion for our clients and the classes they represent. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com. The complaint in this matter was filed by KTMC. CONTACT: Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 [email protected] May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP About this content About Ian Lyall Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. Fox Tungsten Ltd (TSX-V:FOXT, OTC:HPYCF, FRA:1HC) CEO Steve Gray talked with Proactive about the companys strategic rebrand from Happy Creek Minerals and its sharpened focus on advancing its high-grade tungsten asset in British Columbia. Proactive: Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom, and joining me now is Steve Gray. He is the CEO of Happy Creek Minerals. Steve, great to see you again. How are you? Steve Gray: I'm doing great. Thanks for having me today. Exciting news about the company you've decided to take it in a new direction as far as the name is concerned. You've renamed it Fox Tungsten from Happy Creek Minerals. On paper, it looks like a logical decision, but tell me about the reasoning behind it. Yeah, absolutely. So it's two things. One, we're trying to capitalize a little bit on the excitement in the critical minerals market, in the tungsten market in particular. Tungsten prices are at all-time highs right now, and there's been a lot of interest in the commodity. We're hoping to capture some of that for ourselves. It's also a reflection of the focus of the company. In 2024, we sold our Happy Valley project to Metal Energy. So we refocused. We just have two projects now, and one of them is Fox Tungsten. We are focused on our Fox project in BC, and the new name change reflects that focus. Last time we talked, we discussed what happened in 2025 and the work that was done, and how you were looking forward to 2026. Lets reiterate whats ahead, because there is a lot of work planned for this year. We had a very successful drill program last year, but a relatively modest-sized one. We're hoping to increase that quite a bit. We're looking to do 20,000 metres this summer. That should roughly double our resource. We'll do a PEA and a resource update on the back of that. With all the excitement in the tungsten market right now, now is our chance to accelerate development. We're going to have one more big push on drilling this summer, grow the resource as much as we can, then complete the resource update and the PEA. That will enable us to start advancing the project from an exploration project to a development project. Lastly, for people not familiar with tungsten, talk to us about why there's such a need for it right now. Tungsten is a niche commodity, but it's very important. It's uniquely hard and uniquely dense, which makes it a very good drill bit. For the same reason, it makes a good tank bullet. It's used in a lot of national security inputs. Eighty percent of world tungsten comes from China, and there are no operating tungsten mines in North America. With geopolitical tensions, there's a huge demand to in-source tungsten production into North America. We're uniquely positioned to do that. We have the highest-grade tungsten deposit in the world in southern BC, close to infrastructure and power. Our resource is 1% tungsten. To put that into context, at spot prices, 1% tungsten is about 14% copper or 11 grams per tonne gold on an equivalent basis. So we have an extremely high-grade resource in the right commodity in the right place. Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity Arizona Gold & Silver Inc (TSX-V:AZS, OTCQB:AZASF, FRA:A9J0) earlier this week provided an update on drilling at its Philadelphia Project, outlining both short-term variability in results and what CEO Mike Stark described as a significant exploration opportunity still in its early stages. Speaking to Proactive, Stark explained that holes 159 and 160 encountered faulting on either side of the current upwelling zone, which affected near-surface continuity. Proactive: Alright, welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. Joining me now is Mike Stark. He is the CEO of Arizona Gold and Silver. Mike, its good to see you again. How are you? Mike Stark: Very well. Thank you. Good morning. News out from the company today talking about your next two holes on your Philadelphia Project, 159 and 160. Up until this point youve had some real success in these holes, and these two not so much. Maybe you can explain to investors what youre seeing here? Yes, glad to. Currently we have an upwelling zone, which weve been drilling down dip on, and it is still completely wide open at depth. Weve now seen two faults on either side. When the geology drops away like that, if you drill over those areas its not there, but it is below. We had a very successful run of many holes. This was somewhat expected at some point. The beauty is maybe 50 to 60 feet over on our 1,000 feet of strike, we would likely encounter another upwelling zone. A classic example is the Vera Nancy mine in Australia, where they have upwelling zones all along strike. The best thing is we have not been cut off down dip, and thats where the grades are likely to get better, proven by history only 14 miles away in the Oatman district. Does that change what youre doing next? Are you continuing along the same area and altering step-outs? Whats the plan moving forward? Were stepping up beside hole 136 to better understand either side of that zone. We had a very, very healthy hit there. This is above holes 156, 157 and 158, roughly above that section, to understand whats happening below. Its a good area to be drilling and it has to be infilled in time. Were doing it now to better understand whats going on. Were not disappointed in the project. Matter of fact, were overwhelmed. This is a very big, robust system over 165 metres wide. Youre still waiting on some permits for drill pads. Is part of the message that this is only a small portion of the Philadelphia Project? It really is. When you look at the concentration area, its three and a half acres out of 3,100 acres that we control. This permit will extend to the south end of the property, covering a kilometre and a half of untested vein exposure. We can never say its guaranteed, but why would the vein come to the surface if it didnt come from down below? Thats only one aspect. Then theres Red Hill, which is a major, major opportunity to drill down dip and along strike to find other upwelling zones. This is a significant discovery, and its yet to be explored as far as Im concerned. So you and the team are encouraged about whats ahead? Were very positive. Sure, its discouraging when you hit faults, but this was almost expected. The recovery were seeing now shows this is just the beginning. We had a site visit yesterday and I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm. Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity Pinnacle Silver & Gold Corp (TSX-V:PINN, OTCQB:PSGCF, FRA:P9J) earlier this week provided an operational update as the company advances its El Potrero silver-gold project toward a potential production decision later this year. In an interview with Proactive, CEO Robert Archer said the update coincides with the one-year anniversary of the company acquiring the asset. Over that period, Pinnacle Silver and Gold has completed more than 1,300 channel samples, primarily underground, to establish a modern geological understanding of a project that last operated in the late 1980s. Archer said the company needed to build confidence in the geological model before moving toward drilling. The sampling program has supported the development of a 3D model of the main mineralized zones. The company has now started rehabilitating underground workings to enable delineation drilling from underground stations. Rehabilitation work is expected to take approximately six weeks and will focus on widening access areas and securing loose rock to ensure safe drill operations. Archer noted that most underground drill holes will range from 20 to 25 metres in length, allowing for rapid completion once drilling begins. The results are expected to provide greater clarity on the scale and continuity of mineralization, supporting future mine planning decisions. In parallel, Pinnacle Silver and Gold has submitted permit applications for surface drilling after finalizing drill pad locations. Approval is anticipated within 60 to 90 days, potentially allowing surface drilling to begin as underground drilling concludes. This sequential approach could maintain operational momentum through 2026. Proactive: Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. Joining me now is Robert Archer, CEO of Pinnacle Silver and Gold. Bob, great to see you again. How are you? Robert Archer: Im doing well. Thanks. The company has provided an update as it advances toward a production decision. Lets take a step back. What has been accomplished so far? This week marks the one-year anniversary of acquiring the project. In that time, the company has taken over 1,300 channel samples, mostly underground, with some surface sampling to better understand the geology. The project was in production in the late 1980s and has a small plant, but it had never been explored using modern exploration techniques. Weve now built a 3D model of the main mineralized zones and are beginning rehabilitation of the underground workings to prepare for delineation drilling. The rehabilitation work is expected to take about six weeks. What does that involve? These are old workings. Some were produced mechanically, but much was done by hand. The company needs to ensure the tunnels are wide enough for drilling equipment and, importantly, safe. Loose rock must be secured. Once drilling stations are ready, the drill can be moved underground. The mineralization is above the main access tunnel, and most drill holes will be 20 to 25 metres long, so drilling should move quickly. You are also planning surface work. Yes. The company submitted permit applications for surface drilling after defining drill pad locations. Approval is expected within 60 to 90 days, allowing surface drilling to begin around the time underground drilling concludes. You also mentioned extending a power line. The plant will require power. The nearest line is about three kilometres away, though routing along the road will likely extend that to about 4.5 to 5 kilometres. A third-party feasibility study is required by Mexicos Federal Electrical Commission. A consultant has been engaged to complete that work. 2026 looks busy. It will be. There are multiple milestones ahead, including permitting and drilling. The goal is to move toward a production decision later this year. Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Washington, Feb 28 : President Donald Trump said the United States "could" consider sanctions relief for Russia as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war, while signalling frustration with Iran's nuclear negotiations and warning that Tehran "cannot have nuclear weapons." Washington, Feb 28 (IANS) President Donald Trump said the United States "could" consider sanctions relief for Russia as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war, while signalling frustration with Iran's nuclear negotiations and warning that Tehran "cannot have nuclear weapons." "We could sanctions relief. I'd like to do -- I'd like to just see that war over with," Trump told reporters before departing on Marine One. He said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and stressed urgency. "We want to make a deal with Russia. We want to make a deal with Ukraine. I think we're very close, but we'll see what happens." Highlighting the human toll, he added, "25,000 people died last month. It's crazy. To have that war is just absolutely, it's a shame." On Iran, Trump said negotiations were not progressing as Washington expected. "No, I'm not. I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have," he said when asked about the talks. He confirmed no final decision had been taken. "No, I haven't." But he drew a firm line on Tehran's nuclear ambitions. "They cannot have nuclear weapons. And we're not thrilled with the way they're negotiating, so we'll see how it all works." Asked whether military action could spiral into a prolonged Middle East conflict, Trump acknowledged the risk. "I guess you could say there's always a risk. You know, when there's war, there's a risk in anything both good and bad." He added, "We have the greatest military anywhere in the world. There's nothing close. I'd love not to use it, but sometimes you have to. We'll see what happens." Turning briefly to Cuba, Trump described the island nation as being in distress and said talks were underway. "The Cuban government is talking with us, and they're in a big deal of trouble," he said. "They have no money. They have no oil. They have no food." He went further. "We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba." On domestic economic issues, Trump pointed to easing mortgage rates. "Mortgage rates are going down very rapidly," he said. His advice to young homebuyers: "Save a little money, wait a little longer, you're going to get a mortgage for a very low rate." He also dismissed reports that he was considering a national emergency related to the upcoming midterm elections. "I've never -- I've never heard about it," he said. The remarks come at a time of sustained fighting in Ukraine and renewed diplomatic manoeuvring between Moscow and Western capitals. US sanctions on Russia have targeted energy exports, financial institutions, and defence entities since the invasion began in 2022. For India, any shift in US sanctions policy carries implications. New Delhi has significantly increased imports of discounted Russian crude in recent years, even as it deepened strategic ties with Washington. Developments in Iran's nuclear negotiations also bear directly on regional stability and energy markets that are central to India's economic and security interests. (By Oil & Gas 360) The European Union is weighing a plan to permanently ban Russian oil imports and to impose a full ban on providing shipping and related services for Russian oil, escalating its efforts to tighten pressure on Moscow. EU pushes harder on Russian oil as Moscow fires back- oil and gas 360 But turning that proposal into reality would likely require coordination beyond Brussels, including backing from G7 partners that play a central role in global maritime insurance and shipping finance. The move reflects Europes ongoing attempt to close gaps in the existing sanctions framework. While previous measures targeted Russian crude imports and price caps, service-based restrictions aim to limit the logistical backbone that enables oil exports to reach global markets. Moscows response has been swift and combative. Russian officials have labeled the proposal madness, accusing EU leaders of undermining global energy stability. The rhetoric underscores the stakes. Oil exports remain a critical revenue stream for Russia, even as trade flows have shifted toward Asia and other non-Western buyers. The practical impact of a service ban would depend heavily on global alignment. Much of the worlds tanker insurance, financing, and maritime compliance infrastructure is tied to G7 jurisdictions. Without broader participation, enforcement gaps could limit effectiveness. With it, shipping routes and trade patterns could face renewed disruption. For energy markets, the development adds another layer of uncertainty. Russian crude continues to move, but further constraints on shipping services could complicate logistics, raise transaction costs, and tighten available supply channels. At the same time, aggressive restrictions carry risks for Europe itself. Energy markets remain sensitive to disruption, and supply realignment often introduces price volatility before new trade patterns stabilize. The latest exchange between Brussels and Moscow highlights an enduring reality: sanctions are no longer static tools. They evolve, escalate, and trigger counter-responses. In a global oil market already shaped by shifting alliances and rerouted trade flows, enforcement mechanics may matter as much as the barrels themselves. About Oil & Gas 360 Oil & Gas 360 is an energy-focused news and market intelligence platform delivering analysis, industry developments, and capital markets coverage across the global oil and gas sector. The publication provides timely insight for executives, investors, and energy professionals. Disclaimer This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. The views expressed are based on publicly available information and market conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Washington, Feb 28 : The US-Iran nuclear talks have made "substantial progress" toward a deal which "is within our reach," Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, a major mediator, told CBS News, hours after US President Donald Trump said he is "not happy" with the way the talks is going. Albusaidi said Iran has agreed that it will "never, ever have ... nuclear material that will create a bomb," calling it a "big achievement," Xinhua news agency reported. Iran's existing stockpiles of enriched uranium would be "blended to the lowest level possible" and "converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible," according to Albusaidi. Meanwhile, Trump said Friday he is "not happy" with the way the US-Iran nuclear talks are going but has not made a final decision on potential military operations against Iran. "I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have. I'm not thrilled with that. We'll see what happens. We're talking later," Trump told reporters as he left the White House ahead of his trip to Texas. "We haven't made a final decision" on whether to attack Iran, he said, reiterating that Iran "cannot have nuclear weapons." "I'd love not to use" the US forces, "but sometimes you have to," Trump said. Tensions between the United States and Iran are soaring amid a massive US military buildup in the Middle East and the stalled nuclear talks. Earlier on Friday, the US State Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their families from Israel due to safety risks. Washington, Feb 28 : The United States designated Iran as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention", escalating pressure on Tehran even as lawmakers sparred over the risks of a wider conflict. "Today, I am designating Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. He said that when the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini "consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of US embassy staff". For decades, Rubio added, Iran "has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states. This abhorrent practice must end." Rubio warned that if Iran does not stop, Washington would consider "additional measures, including a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of US passports to, through, or from Iran." "The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions. We encourage it to do so. No American should travel to Iran for any reason. We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately," Rubio said. The announcement came as senators debated the possibility of military action. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, cautioned against conflict. "If war is unnecessary, it should be avoided. President Trump's saber-rattling for war with Iran is taking the country down a dangerous path without a clear strategy or endgame and putting US national security at considerable risk," he said. Reed said Congress had received "no real briefings or intelligence" and argued that "Congress alone holds the constitutional authority to authorize war." On the Senate floor, Senator Tim Kaine pressed for a vote on his bipartisan War Powers Resolution. "I believe very strongly that a war with Iran today is both unnecessary and dangerous," Kaine said. "We shouldn't be at war without a vote of Congress." Kaine questioned whether the United States should "prefer war to diplomacy" and asked whether Iran was "worth wasting US lives, US money, and US credibility over?" Republican Senator John Kennedy struck a tougher tone. "We're not trying to start a war. This war began a long time ago. We're trying to end it," he said. "Put down the nuclear weapons. Put down the nuclear enrichment. Stop exporting terrorism to Hamas and Hezbollah. End your missile program. Stop killing and torturing your people. That's all we want," Kennedy added. Separately, the Justice Department announced a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to seize the Motor Tanker Skipper and about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. Authorities allege the vessel supported the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps by moving illicit oil from Iran and Venezuela. "Under President Trump's leadership, the era of secretly bankrolling regimes that pose clear threats to the United States is over," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. Iran has long faced sweeping US sanctions over its nuclear programme, ballistic missile development and regional activities. Tensions have fluctuated since Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. -- Syndicated from IANS New Delhi, Feb 28 : Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib was granted bail on Saturday in the case relating to the shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit that was held in the national Capital. The Patiala House Court's duty magistrate granted bail to Chib on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. The Delhi Police Crime Branch filed an application in the court late last night seeking a seven-day extension of Uday Bhanu Chib's police custody remand. Separate applications were also filed for the remand of two other accused in the case. Following the defence's bail application, the duty magistrate granted Uday Bhanu Chib relief and bail. The court stated in its order that the Crime Branch failed to provide sufficient reasons for the extension of remand. While granting bail, the court ordered Chib to surrender his passport and electronic gadgets to the court. According to the grounds of arrest, Chib has been accused of being the main conspirator in organising an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026, where slogans were raised against Prime Minister Modi and alleged attempts were made to incite a riot-like situation. Police further alleged that Chib, along with co-accused Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Narasimha Yadav, Ajay Kumar Yadav and others, obstructed and assaulted police officials performing their duties. The arrest memo also stated that he allegedly did not cooperate during interrogation and failed to disclose details about the absconding co-accused and the source of printing the T-shirts used during the protest. Chib was arrested after nearly 15 hours of questioning at Tilak Marg police station in connection with the shirtless protest staged on the final day of the India AI Impact Summit. The protest had triggered a political row after the BJP slammed the demonstration as an attempt to tarnish India's global image, while the Congress party defended it as a peaceful protest reflecting concerns of the youth. Meanwhile, even Congress' allies in the Opposition INDIA bloc have criticised the party's youth wing over the shirtless protest. Kabul, Feb 28 : At least 19 people were killed and 26 others injured in the eastern provinces of Khost and Paktika in Afghanistan following border clashes with Pakistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said. The majority of the casualties are women and children, Fitrat added. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has claimed that a "special circle" in Pakistan has started a mission to destabilise the region after tensions escalated between Kabul and Islamabad, local media reported on Friday. While addressing a press conference in Kandahar on Friday, Mujahid urged regional nations to stop the "troublemakers." He stated that Afghanistan's air forces had precisely targeted military centres of Pakistan, Afghanistan's Ariana News reported. When asked about the Taliban's stance on whether regional nations call for a halt to the conflict, he said that Afghanistan seeks a peaceful resolution of issues and has engaged in several rounds of negotiations with Pakistan; however, Islamabad was not prepared to resolve the issues through dialogue. Mujahid stressed that Pakistan continuously tries to fabricate pretexts for war and connects its internal issues to Afghanistan. According to him, Pakistani aircraft were still flying in Afghanistan's airspace. Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan on Thursday night. Mujahid said Pakistani forces carried out bombings in several areas of Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar. He mentioned that 13 Afghan soldiers were killed and 22 others were injured during the fighting, Ariana News reported. Earlier in the day, the Afghan Air Force conducted airstrikes against Pakistani military targets in Islamabad, Nowshera, Jamrud and Abbottabad, Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said. Fitrat stated that these attacks were conducted in response to the airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia last night. "The Air Force of the Ministry of National Defence carried out airstrikes on a military camp near Faizabad city in Islamabad, Pakistan, an army cantonment in Nowshera, Jamrud military colony, and Abbottabad today at around 11:00 am," Fitrat shared on X. "These airstrikes were carried out successfully, targeting important military positions, centres, and installations of the Pakistani army there. These attacks were carried out in response to the airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia last night," he added. Afghan Ministry of National Defence said that the country's forces launched retaliatory strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing at least 55 Pakistani soldiers and capturing two bases along with 19 posts. Additionally, it said, eight Afghan soldiers were killed, and 11 others were injured during the operation. Kabul also mentioned that 13 Afghan civilians, including women and children, were injured in a missile attack by Pakistani forces on a refugee camp in the Afghan province of Nangarhar. On Thursday, Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury) in response to what it described as "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan forces across multiple border sectors, Pakistan's leading daily 'Dawn' reported. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out airstrikes targeting military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Mumbai, Feb 28 : Indian stock markets ended the week on a weak note, with benchmark indices falling amid global uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions. Investors remained cautious as volatility in global markets and uncertainty around US-Iran talks dampened sentiment, even though India's latest GDP data showed strong growth. For the week, both the Sensex and the Nifty fell around 1.5 per cent. Broader markets also remained under pressure, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices declining more than 1 per cent each. On Friday (February 27), the Sensex dropped 961.42 points, or 1.17 per cent, to close at 81,287.19. The Nifty also declined 317.90 points, or 1.25 per cent, to settle at 25,178.65, slipping below the 25,200 mark. Selling pressure was seen across most sectors, except IT and media stocks, which managed to end in the green. The weakness was largely driven by negative global cues and ongoing geopolitical concerns, which kept investor participation selective. Sector-wise, auto, banking, FMCG, metal and realty stocks saw losses of 1 to 2 per cent. However, IT, media and consumer durable stocks showed some resilience and closed higher. Market experts noted that the Nifty has broken below its recent trading range, indicating a corrective trend in the near term. "The 25,400 level is now expected to act as immediate resistance, while volatility may remain high due to uncertain global developments," an analyst stated. "The Bank Nifty also witnessed profit booking and formed a bearish pattern. Immediate support is seen near the 60,00060,200 zone," as per the expert. Analysts expect the index to trade within a broad range of 60,000 to 61,750 in the short term, with a decisive breakout likely to determine the next directional move. According to Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research (Wealth Management) at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited, Indian equities are likely to move sideways with a cautious bias in the coming sessions. He said that while domestic growth trends and sectoral strength provide some support, institutional flows and global macro developments will play a key role in shaping market direction. Investor sentiment has been impacted by inconclusive talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme. Although both sides have indicated plans to hold further discussions next week, uncertainty around the US's next steps and its impact on energy markets and regional stability has kept markets on edge. United Nations, Feb 28 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. "I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations," Dujarric told a daily briefing on Friday (local time). The UN chief reiterated his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy, the spokesperson added. On the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Dujarric said, according to UN humanitarians, years of conflict, poverty and natural disasters, such as drought and earthquakes, have left nearly half the country's population in need of humanitarian aid, reports Xinhua news agency. "This number will only increase if the fighting goes on or escalates," he said. "We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law; in particular, to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, as well as civilian infrastructure," Dujarric said. At least 19 people were killed and 26 others injured in the eastern provinces of Khost and Paktika in Afghanistan following border clashes with Pakistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said. The majority of the casualties are women and children, Fitrat added. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has claimed that a "special circle" in Pakistan has started a mission to destabilise the region after tensions escalated between Kabul and Islamabad, local media reported on Friday. While addressing a press conference in Kandahar on Friday, Mujahid urged regional nations to stop the "troublemakers." He stated that Afghanistan's air forces had precisely targeted military centres of Pakistan, Afghanistan's Ariana News reported. When asked about the Taliban's stance on whether regional nations call for a halt to the conflict, he said that Afghanistan seeks a peaceful resolution of issues and has engaged in several rounds of negotiations with Pakistan; however, Islamabad was not prepared to resolve the issues through dialogue. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Jaipur, Feb 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ajmer on Saturday, marking his first visit to Rajasthan this year. During his visit, the Prime Minister will launch a nationwide vaccination campaign for administering the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 to 14 years. He will also address a public gathering at Kayad Vishram Sthali, where he is set to announce and dedicate development projects worth Rs 16,686 crore to the state. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, and BJP State President Madan Rathore will be present at the rally. Administrative and security preparations for the event have been completed. In a major employment boost, the Prime Minister will distribute appointment letters to 21,863 youths across various departments. The appointments include 3,320 posts of Patwaris in the Revenue Department, 2,291 Contract Accounting Assistants, 2,950 Livestock Assistants, 3,822 Chief Health Officers (CHOs) and 7,357 Public Healthcare Nurses, lab technicians, nursing incharges, and other healthcare and administrative posts. The Prime Minister will also launch and lay the foundation stone for multiple projects related to urban and rural development, road infrastructure, railways, irrigation, technology, and industrial growth. Of the total a16,686 crore outlay, 34 projects worth a8,554 crore are specifically linked to state initiatives. Additionally, from Kayad Rest House, he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for nine National Highway and energy projects worth a8,132 crore. Key works include Bandikuia"Jaipur four-lane Greenfield Expressway worth a1,207 crore, Delhia"Vadodara Greenfield Expressway and other major highway and energy infrastructure development projects. The visit is being seen as a significant developmental and political milestone for Rajasthan, with a strong focus on healthcare, employment generation, and large-scale infrastructure expansion. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday extended his greetings to scientists and researchers across the country on the occasion of National Science Day, praising their dedication to innovation and nation-building. Taking to social media platform X, HM Shah said, "Greetings to all our scientists, researchers on National Science Day. Your quest lights our path shaping solutions for a better future. May this day renew our zest and resolve to innovate, build and craft destiny of our choice." India is observing National Science Day on February 28 to commemorate the landmark discovery of the Raman Effect by eminent physicist C.V. Raman in 1928. This groundbreaking work on the scattering of light later earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, marking a historic moment for Indian science on the global stage. Celebrated annually on February 28, the day honours Raman's pioneering contribution, which made him the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in the sciences. Over time, National Science Day has evolved into a nationwide movement aimed at fostering scientific temper, encouraging research and innovation, and inspiring young minds to pursue careers in science and technology. This year's national-level celebrations are being organised at Vigyan Bhawan under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology. The programme begins with special lectures chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser Professor Ajay Kumar Sood. The event features a range of expert talks covering diverse themes. Dr Shubha V. Iyengar is addressing advancements in indigenous aerospace and defence technologies, while Dr K. Balasubramanian is discussing the importance of critical metals and materials. Shri Shashi S. Vempati is speaking on innovations in direct-to-mobile broadcasting technology. A panel discussion exploring the interface between science and public policy is also part of the programme. Experts from institutions such as NITI Aayog, the Indian National Science Academy, CSIR institutions, CSTEP, and IGSTC are participating in deliberations focussed on aligning scientific research with national development goals. Sessions on communicating science in Indian languages and interactive "Face to Face with Scientists" engagements are part of the agenda. Beyond commemorating a historic scientific achievement, National Science Day serves as a platform to promote scientific thinking, strengthen the connection between research and policymaking, encourage indigenous innovation, and ensure inclusive participation, particularly of women in STEM fields. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Feb 28 : India and the European Union have agreed to give each other Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) treatment for five years after their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) comes into force. The move is aimed at ensuring fair and equal treatment in trade in services between both sides. Under the MFN provision, service sectors and service providers from India and the European Union will be treated at least as favourably as those from any other country. This means neither side can give better treatment to a third country without extending the same benefit to the other party, subject to certain conditions and limits. However, the MFN treatment will not apply to matters related to taxation treaties, mutual recognition of standards or authorisations, and dispute settlement procedures. The agreement also allows both sides to provide special advantages in border areas for services that are produced and consumed locally. The provision is part of the Trade in Services chapter of the FTA text that was made public on January 27. As part of the arrangement, a Joint Committee will conduct a review in the fourth year of the agreement. The review will focus on issues such as the entry and stay of Indian students in the EU, their rights to work, and rules governing the temporary movement of service providers. Based on this review, the Joint Committee will decide whether to continue the MFN treatment beyond the initial five-year period. Either side can also request a review if circumstances arise that negatively impact their interests. If the Committee decides not to extend the arrangement, the obligation to provide MFN treatment will end, although benefits already granted will remain in place. India and the European Union had reached the long-pending free trade agreement last month. The deal aims to lower tariffs, improve market access and boost overall trade and investment between the two economies. Kolkata, Feb 28 : The final voters' list in West Bengal is all set to be published today, with voters' names classified under three broad categories: "Approved", "under adjudication", and "deleted". Kolkata, Feb 28 (IANS) The final voters' list in West Bengal is all set to be published today, with voters' names classified under three broad categories: "Approved", "under adjudication", and "deleted". The "approved" category will include the names of individuals who have been classified as genuine voters. The "under adjudication" category will have the names of those voters identified under the "logical discrepancy" category, whose supporting identity documents are pending scrutiny by judicial officers appointed for the purpose. Supplementary lists will be published from time to time for these "under adjudication" voters, depending on the progress of judicial scrutiny after the publication of the final voters' list. As per the last information available, documents of around 60 lakh voters identified under the "logical discrepancy" category have been referred for judicial adjudication. Finally, the "deleted" category will have those names that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had already identified for exclusion from the final voters' list. Already 59 lakh names, under the categories of "deceased", "duplicate", "shifted" and "missing" voters were deleted in the draft voters' list which was published in December last year. Now, after the publication of the final voters' list later in the day, some idea will be there on what the number of deletions is heading for. However, the final picture will only be available after the last supplementary list is published. As of Friday afternoon, the number of "under adjudication" cases in North 24 Parganas stood at 5.90 lakh, the highest among all districts in the state. Next in order comes South 24 Parganas (5.20 lakh), West Midnapore (1,00,000), East Midnapore (80,000), Kolkata Dakshin (78,000) and Kolkata Uttar (60,000). The ECI has decided to share soft copies of the final list with registered political parties in the state in the interest of transparency. It has also provided multiple options for voters to check the status of their names in the final roll. Voters can visit the official website of the Election Commission of India -- eci.gov.in -- and check the status by entering their name along with their EPIC number. They may also visit the official website of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in. Another option is to visit the websites of the respective District Electoral Officers (DEOs) to verify names. Apart from these online options, the ECI has kept offline verification avenues open. Copies of the final voters' list will be shared with Booth-Level Officers (BLOs), and voters can contact their respective BLOs for verification. Hard copies of the final list will also be displayed at polling booths across different areas, enabling voters to check their names in person. MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET) is one of the 13 Deep Value Stocks to Buy Right Now. Evercore ISI analyst Thomas Gallagher, on February 11, slightly trimmed his target price on MetLife by 2.1% to $95 (from $97) but kept his In Line call on the stock. This target price update comes after the firm adjusted its forecasts following the release of the companys 4th-quarter earnings on February 5. The Q4 results were headlined by an 18% YoY growth in adjusted earnings and 24% YoY growth in adjusted EPS. Earnings growth was driven primarily by the retirement and income solutions segment, benefiting from higher investment margins (which the company attributed to higher private equity returns). The companys smaller segments (specifically its Latin America and EMEA operations) also contributed to growth, driven by rapid volume growth and improved underwriting margins. Finally, the group benefits segment (the companys largest) also contributed solid growth (albeit not as fast as the other segments). MetLifes Asia operations, meanwhile, lagged due to a contraction in underwriting margins. This contraction just about offset the gains coming from volume growth and expense margin improvements. Evercore ISI Has In Line Rating on MetLife (MET) MetLife Inc. (NYSE:MET) provides insurance and financial services to individual and institutional clients in the United States, Latin America, EMEA, and Japan. The company is based in New York, New York, and was founded in March 1868. While we acknowledge the potential of MET as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. New Delhi, Feb 28 : "Truth and justice have prevailed," said the Congress on Saturday while welcoming the court's decision to grant bail to Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib in the case relating to the shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit that was held in the national Capital. The Patiala House Court's duty magistrate granted bail to Chib on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, "Truth and justice have prevailed. We were confident that the bail granted to the National President of the Indian Youth Congress, who had been falsely implicated, would come through, and I welcome this development." Further taking aim at the BJP, he said that the government is engaging in "dictatorship". "This is a befitting response to the BJP's Hitler-like dictatorship, which was taking away people's basic rights," Tiwari added. Purnea MP Pappu Yadav also welcomed the development and slammed the government, and told IANS, "When terror starts dominating, fear spreads, and the rule of law is torn apart. When governance runs in an authoritarian manner like Hitler or the Tsar, no one is spared, not even the Shankaracharya." "This is no longer just about the Congress. They have not arrested Galgotias... Those who are looting the country and playing with India's self-respect are not being held accountable. Instead, they are targeting those who came out on the streets to defend the nation's dignity. Speaking against institutions like Galgotia is not a small matter," Yadav said. The Delhi Police Crime Branch filed an application in the court late last night seeking a seven-day extension of Uday Bhanu Chib's police custody remand. Separate applications were also filed for the remand of two other accused in the case. Following the defence's bail application, the duty magistrate granted Uday Bhanu Chib relief and bail. The court stated in its order that the Crime Branch failed to provide sufficient reasons for the extension of remand. While granting bail, the court ordered Chib to surrender his passport and electronic gadgets to the court. According to the grounds of arrest, Chib has been accused of being the main conspirator in organising an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026, where slogans were raised against Prime Minister Modi, and alleged attempts were made to incite a riot-like situation. The protest had triggered a political row after the BJP slammed the demonstration as an attempt to tarnish India's global image, while the Congress party defended it as a peaceful protest reflecting concerns of the youth. Meanwhile, even Congress' allies in the Opposition INDIA Bloc have criticised the party's youth wing over the shirtless protest. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, Feb 28 : As the war with Afghanistan rages on, Pakistan is beginning to realise that many of its assets have deserted it, only to choose the opposite side. Hence, it has been eliminating assets who have been switching loyalties during the Afghan war escalation. For Pakistan the scenario post 2021, when the Taliban regained control over Afghanistan, is not exactly how it would have pictured it to be. Afghanistan has taken a more pragmatic approach and has chosen India over Pakistan, understanding fully well that this would be the first step towards international recognition. This shift in policy by the Afghan Taliban has resulted in major losses for Pakistan as many of its known assets are shifting sides. Take the case of Haji Lali Mama Nurzai, a top asset of the ISI. For the ISI, Nurzai was a go to man when it came to orchestrating terror attacks against India. For years, Nurzai who operated from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border set up suicide training camps and networks that trained terrorists in guerrilla warfare. Nurzai was just not an asset for the ISI, but he shared a good rapport with the Taliban as well. Nurzai was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The Pakistan establishment tried to pass it off as a case of heart attack, but in reality he was eliminated by the ISI, Intelligence agencies have learnt. The reason behind this was that the ISI felt that Nurzai was getting too close to the Taliban. An Intelligence Bureau official said that since the return of the Taliban in 2021, the ISI has conducted multiple covert operations to eliminate persons who were once upon a time its assets. While Nurzai is a known cases, estimates by the Intelligence agencies suggest that the ISI may have eliminated at least 40 such people who switched loyalties to the Taliban. These assets worked for the ISI for years, but the shift in foreign policy by the Taliban and the unwanted aggression by Pakistan has made these persons think twice about who they need to be loyal to, the official said. Nurzai and the other assets had gradually moved away from the ISI and offered to mobilise networks in the bordering areas against Pakistan. The reason for this change in stance is not just attributed to Pakistanas aggression against the Taliban. These persons who have a lot of clout among the tribals, feel that it is safer to be in Afghanistan when compared to Pakistan. The Pakistan Army has been facing heavy losses at the hands of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) over the past many months. The TTP has drawn up a list of the ISIas assets and has been looking to take them down. Further, after 'Operation Sindoor' which saw the Indian armed forces decimate terror networks in Pakistan, has shaken the trust of both terrorists and assets in the Pakistan Army. While the assets that the ISI nurtured in Pakistan and Afghanistan are questioning the capabilities of the army in protecting them, similar questions have been raised by many within the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, which were the worst hit during 'Operation Sindoor', an official said. Another official said that many within Afghanistan, who were once loyal to the Pakistan establishment, are changing their positions today. The Talibanas approach towards India is one such major reason. India has maintained that it will continue to emphasise on diplomacy and development. New Delhi has made it clear that its first priority is regional stability and the same is recognised by the Taliban as well. The former ISI loyalists in Afghanistan feel that being Pakistanas pawn or puppet is futile in todayas scenario. This has left the ISI with very little leverage as its own assets, which once included the Taliban, are taking a whole new approach that believes in diplomacy, development and also international recognition. Officials say that the narrative has changed quite rapidly and Pakistan realises that its policy towards Afghanistan that believed in control and coercion, is no longer working. The official said that the ISI will continue to carry out shadow operations, but it has clearly lost the momentum with so many assets turning their backs on them. Another official explains that while Pakistan may have superiority in warfare owing to the equipment it possesses, but that would not be enough to stop the exodus of its assets into the territory of its opponents, the official also explained. Kolkata, Feb 28 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced the launch of two women-centric initiatives by Kolkata Police aimed at strengthening the safety and security of women across the city, particularly during late-night hours. Taking to her X handle, Banerjee said the initiatives are designed to enhance womenas confidence further and ensure prompt assistance when needed. "Proud to share that, for further increasing the safety and confidence of women in our city, Kolkata Police is launching two more initiatives from today," she said. Banerjee continued, "First, several all-women Pink Booths at key city intersections will be commissioned and will be operational from evening to midnight, today onwards. My sisters in the city will be able to connect directly with the lady officers of KP for any assistance in these booths." At the same time, the Chief Minister informed that the women's mobile patrol teams will also be on duty at night. "Second, today evening onwards, several 'SHINING' (as I have named them) all-women mobile patrol teams will also be on duty from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., patrolling E.M. Bypass and other major city roads used by my working sisters during night hours," she said. According to her, Kolkata continues to be the safest city in the country over the years. "I am sure these two unique new initiatives will go a long way in furthering the same," she added. According to official sources, the measures come in the backdrop of recent incidents of molestation reported in different parts of the city, including cases involving women being harassed inside moving vehicles during late-night hours. While police had arrested the accused in those cases, concerns over womenas safety had resurfaced. The state government said the introduction of the Pink Booths and the aSHININGa patrol teams is aimed at ensuring quicker response, improved accessibility to police support, and proactive patrolling to deter crime, creating a safer environment for women in Kolkata. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kolkata, Feb 28 : The firearms used to kill a 27-year-old promoter in Howrah's Peelkhana area a few days ago have been recovered, even as the main accused Harun Khan and Rohit Hossain remain missing, said the police on Saturday. According to the police, officers of Golabari Police Station recovered two firearms and two rounds of bullets from the water tank of the house of arrested Mohammad Wakil alias Munna in Boubazar in central Kolkata last night. On Wednesday morning, promoter Shafiq Khan was shot dead from point blank range in Howrah's Peelkhana area. According to police sources, after killing Shafiq Khan, accused Harun Khan and Rohit Hossain took shelter in the house of their accomplice Mohammad Wakil alias Munna in Boubazar. The firearm was hidden in the water tank of that house. That night, the joint efforts of Howrah City Police and Golabari Police Station team led to the arrest of three persons named Mohammad Bilal, Mohammad Wakil alias Munna and Dildar Hossain, for indirectly being involved in the murder case. However, the main accused Harun Khan and Rohit Hossain remain missing. Police sources claim that they have already fled West Bengal to other states. The police are examining CCTV footage to track down the accused. Meanwhile, another CCTV footage has come to the fore where the moment of the murder has been captured. On the other hand, on Friday, the state government ordered a CID investigation into the incident. The family members of the deceased Shafiq Khan have expressed their anger over the role of the police. Responding to the request of the deceased's family, the state government ordered a CID investigation. It may be noted that a video of Harun Khan sitting on the back of Howrah Uttar MLA Gautam Chowdhuri's bike had gone viral on social media. On the other hand, a photograph of Harun Khan walking with the MLA has also gone viral on social media. As a result, the Opposition raised questions whether the police were not been able to track down the assailants despite having the footage as they are close to the ruling party leaders. The Trinamool Congress however refuted all the allegations saying anyone can meet an elected representative of an area at any time. Tehran, Feb 28 : Tehran was rocked by massive explosions on Saturday after Israel launched what it described as "preventive" missile strikes against Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the region, local media reported. Tehran, Feb 28 (IANS) Tehran was rocked by massive explosions on Saturday after Israel launched what it described as "preventive" missile strikes against Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the region, local media reported. The strikes come amid heightened strain between the United States and Iran over a potential nuclear agreement and growing fears of a wider military confrontation in the Middle East. Several missiles hit areas along University Street and in the Jomhouri district of the Iranian capital. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from near Pasteur Street in downtown Tehran, an area that houses key government buildings. The extent of the damage and possible casualties was not immediately clear. In anticipation of possible retaliation, the Israeli military said it had sounded air raid sirens in multiple areas across the country. The move, it said, was a proactive measure "to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the state of Israel." Sirens were heard across parts of Israel as authorities warned of potential incoming attacks. As a precautionary step, Israel ordered schools nationwide to remain closed, advised citizens to work from home, and imposed a ban on public gatherings. The military said the alert measures were aimed at ensuring civilian safety in the event of retaliatory missile fire from Iran or its regional allies. The developments come at a sensitive diplomatic moment. Earlier, US President Donald Trump described Iran as "very difficult" and "very dangerous." A third round of negotiations between Iranian and US officials was held in Geneva on Thursday, with another round of talks scheduled later on Saturday. Over 2024 and 2025, a long-standing shadow conflict between Israel and Iran escalated into a series of unprecedented direct military confrontations, including major aerial strikes and reciprocal missile attacks that marked a dangerous shift from indirect hostilities to overt warfare. Jaipur, Feb 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years and above from Ajmer, marking a significant step in India's fight against cervical cancer. During the event, several schoolgirls were vaccinated in Prime Minister's presence, following which he interacted with them. The initiative aims to eradicate cervical cancer among women in India. By expanding access to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the programme is expected to protect millions of girls across the country from developing life-threatening cancers in the future. Upon his arrival at Kishangarh Airport, the Prime Minister was received by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the Governor, and other senior officials. From the airport, he travelled by Army helicopter to the Ghughra helipad and then proceeded by road to the public meeting venue. Women's health formed the emotional and central focus of the Prime Minister's visit. The HPV vaccination drive has been positioned as a nationwide movement to eliminate cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. The campaign reflects the government's commitment to preventive healthcare and long-term public health security. During his Rajasthan tour, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several key infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening connectivity and boosting development in the state. These include: JaipurBandikui Expressway: A four-lane Greenfield expressway connecting Jaipur and Bandikui will be inaugurated, expected to significantly ease travel towards Delhi. AmritsarJamnagar Economic Corridor (Package 7): A six-lane access-controlled highway segment will also be inaugurated to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate faster freight movement. Jodhpur Elevated Road: The foundation stone will be laid for a four-lane elevated road project to reduce traffic congestion in Jodhpur city. Reinforcing the government's commitment to "Water for Every Home" and renewable energy expansion, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for nine packages under the Nonera and Parwan-Akawad drinking water projects to strengthen water supply infrastructure in Rajasthan. In the energy sector, he will inaugurate the transmission system for power evacuation from Rajasthan's Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Foundation stones were also laid for new 220 KV and 400 KV grid substations to enhance electricity distribution and support the state's growing renewable energy capacity. In a major employment boost, the Prime Minister will distribute appointment letters to over 21,800 newly selected candidates in various Rajasthan government departments under the Rojgar Utsav initiative. The visit combine healthcare reform, infrastructure expansion, and employment generation, marking a comprehensive development push for Rajasthan while launching a decisive national campaign against cervical cancer. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, raising concerns over what he described as serious funding gaps in the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and urging the withdrawal of newly introduced income tax provisions on disability pensions. In his letter to the Finance Minister, Gandhi called for immediate intervention on two key issues impacting armed forces personnel and veterans. "I write to request your action on two issues affecting armed forces personnel: adequate funding to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS); and withdrawal of newly introduced income taxes on disability pensions," he stated. Highlighting the financial strain on the health scheme, Gandhi said the ECHS, which is intended to provide quality healthcare to veterans, is currently facing an acute resource crunch. "The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme is designed to give veterans the best healthcare. Today, it is suffering from severe funding shortages. Over Rs 12,000 crore in medical bills remain pending, budget allocation is nearly 30 per cent below requirement, and hospitals are opting out due to non-payment," he wrote. He further noted that the shortfall has had a direct impact on veterans and their families. "Veterans are being forced to pay from their own pockets, or even delay treatment for serious diseases like cancer. Those who served the country are feeling neglected in their hour of need," Gandhi said. The Congress leader also referred to the Finance Bill 2026, expressing objection to a proposal that, according to him, seeks to tax disability pensions if a soldier continues in service. "This is the first time since 1922 that disability pensions are being taxed. Disability pensions are meant to provide relief to servicemen who suffer injuries, and should not be thought of as income," he said. Gandhi argued that taxing such pensions would be unfair, particularly in cases where injured personnel choose to remain in service. "Moreover, when a disabled serviceman chooses or is requested to continue in service, he or she is selflessly serving India despite sustaining injuries. It is insulting to tax what should be praised," he added. Referring to his recent interaction with former military personnel, Gandhi said the concerns were conveyed to him by a delegation of ex-servicemen. "A delegation of ex-servicemen I met brought these issues to my attention. It was painful to hear their feelings of being let down by their own government. I am sure you will agree that our brothers and sisters who serve in the armed forces deserve every support from a grateful nation. Therefore, I urge you to clear all pending ECHS liabilities with adequate budget support and restore full income tax exemption on disability pensions," he wrote. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Feb 28 : After nearly four months of border closures following sporadic skirmishes along the Durand Line and intermittent aerial bombardment by Islamabad inside Afghan territory, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated, with the conflict now resembling an "all-out" confrontation. New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) After nearly four months of border closures following sporadic skirmishes along the Durand Line and intermittent aerial bombardment by Islamabad inside Afghan territory, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated, with the conflict now resembling an "all-out" confrontation. The British-era Durand Line, stretching roughly 2,600 km across rugged mountainous terrain, divides the two neighbours but has never been formally recognised by Kabul. Successive Afghan governments have laid claim to Pashtun-dominated regions within Pakistan, making the border a persistent flashpoint. Since clashes erupted in October, Islamabad has carried out multiple airstrikes inside Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban regime of harbouring leaders and fighters of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, as well as elements linked to the Islamic State. Kabul has repeatedly denied the allegations, but the issue has dominated a series of inconclusive diplomatic engagements between the two sides, some mediated by regional stakeholders. Pakistan has, in recent months, been rocked by a spate of deadly attacks, including a February 6 suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that killed more than 30 people. Authorities alleged that the assault was orchestrated by militants operating under the direction of leadership based in Afghanistan. The TTP, formed in 2007 as an umbrella platform for militant outfits active in Pakistan's northwest, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks targeting religious sites, civilians, and security installations. Ironically, both the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban draw heavily from the Pashtun community, which straddles both sides of the Durand Line. During the US-led intervention in Afghanistan, the two groups were aligned in their fight against foreign forces, with militants reportedly receiving logistical support, training, and medical assistance from sanctuaries within Pakistan. What began in the 1980s as Islamabad's strategic backing of Afghan mujahideen against Soviet occupation -- supported covertly by Washington -- has, over the decades, evolved into a complex and increasingly adversarial dynamic. The present hostilities reflect a dramatic reversal of fortunes, with former allies now confronting each other across a disputed frontier. In a significant development, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence claimed on Friday that its air force had carried out strikes on military targets inside Pakistani territory. Kabul-based broadcaster TOLO news reported the statement, marking what would be a rare instance of cross-border aerial retaliation by the Taliban regime. The Taliban are believed to have inherited a limited air fleet after the US withdrawal in 2021, including a handful of Russian-origin fighter aircraft and helicopters. However, analysts remain divided over the operational readiness of these assets and the availability of adequately trained pilots and maintenance infrastructure. Pakistan, by contrast, retains significant conventional superiority, with an air force comprising around 400 fighter jets -- many of American and Chinese origin -- and an active military strength of approximately 600,000 personnel. The Taliban's estimated 170,000-strong militia is comparatively less equipped. Pakistan's status as a nuclear-armed state further adds a strategic dimension to the standoff. When Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces, Islamabad had publicly welcomed the development. Then Prime Minister Imran Khan described it as Afghans having "broken the shackles of slavery." Around the same time, a widely circulated photograph showed Faiz Hameed, then Director-General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), meeting Taliban leaders in Kabul -- an image seen by many as emblematic of Islamabad's influence. Hameed was later arrested and court-martialled in August 2024 on charges including political interference, violation of the Official Secrets Act, and abuse of authority. In December 2025, he was reportedly sentenced to 14 years in prison, with some analysts linking his downfall to internal power struggles and controversies surrounding Pakistan's Afghanistan policy. Today, as cross-border strikes and accusations intensify, the Afghan theatre once again appears to be at the centre of a shifting geopolitical contest. The mountains along the Durand Line -- long a symbol of strategic depth and insurgent sanctuary -- now stand on the brink of another potentially transformative chapter in what many describe as a renewed "Great Game" in the region. Washington, Feb 28 : President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States had initiated "major combat operations in Iran" a short while ago, confirming a dramatic escalation in hostilities that has brought war to Iran for the second time in eight months and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict in a strategically and economically sensitive part of the world. Washington, Feb 28 (IANS) President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States had initiated "major combat operations in Iran" a short while ago, confirming a dramatic escalation in hostilities that has brought war to Iran for the second time in eight months and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict in a strategically and economically sensitive part of the world. The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on Saturday, significantly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. The development raises concerns of a widening confrontation that could have far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. In an eight-minute video statement posted on his Truth Social account, Trump outlined the objectives of the military action. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," he said. The President accused Tehran of decades of hostility towards Washington. "For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted, Death to America, and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries," Trump said. He began his address by recounting what he described as the Islamic Republic's malign activities over nearly five decades. "Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world," Trump said. While confirming US military operations, Trump did not explicitly state in his remarks that the strikes were being conducted jointly with Israel. Describing Iran as a "very wicked radical dictatorship," Trump asserted that American forces were targeting key military capabilities. "We are destroying their missiles, we are razing their missile industry to the ground, it will be totally, again, obliterating. We are annihilating their navy, and we are making sure their terrorist proxies can no longer threaten the region or the world and attack our forces," he said. Reiterating Washington's long-standing position on Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Trump declared, "We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It's a very simple lesson," while also praising the US armed forces for their role in the operations. He acknowledged the risks involved in the unfolding conflict. "My administration has taken every possible step to minimise the risk to US personnel in the region. Even sothe Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties -- that often happens in war, but we're doing this, not for now. We're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission," Trump added. Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had carried out strikes and announced an immediate state of emergency across the country in response to the rapidly evolving security situation. The military action follows a month-long US military buildup in the region, which came after President Trump pledged support for protesters who challenged the Iranian regime at the beginning of January. In the weeks leading up to the strikes, Trump repeatedly warned that Iran could face military consequences if it refused to abandon its nuclear programme. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Fears that artificial intelligence could lead to massive job losses may be exaggerated, according to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. Speaking in a media interview, Jassy said AI is more likely to reshape the nature of work rather than completely eliminate employment opportunities. Jassy acknowledged that many roles which have relied heavily on human labour for the past two to three decades may require fewer people in the future. However, he stressed that this does not mean jobs will disappear altogether. Instead, new types of roles will emerge, just as they have during every major technological shift in history. "I do believe that a lot of the jobs that we've thrown human beings at the last 20 or 30 years, you won't need as many human beings doing those same jobs. But I also think there will be other jobs created. And that has always happened in every technology shift," he said. Meanwhile, multiple reports also suggested that AI will reshape jobs, not destroy them. Morgan Stanley in recent report suggested that the long-term impact may be less severe than many expect. "While some roles will be automated, most workers are unlikely to be permanently left behind. Instead, many are expected to shift into new types of jobs, including roles that do not yet exist," the report stated. To support its argument, Morgan Stanley pointed to major technological shifts over the past 150 years, including electricity, mechanised farming, computers and the internet. These innovations transformed industries and altered job requirements, but they did not replace human labour altogether. The report by Morgan Stanley cited the rise of spreadsheets in the 1980s as a useful example. While spreadsheets reduced the need for certain clerical tasks, they also enabled financial professionals to focus on more complex and higher-value work. Over time, this shift helped create new careers in finance rather than destroy the sector. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text With Iranian forces now targeting U.S. bases in multiple Middle Eastern countries following a joint U.S.-Israel attack targeting the country's leadership and military assets in the early hours of Feb. 28, all major airlines have canceled and rerouted flights into the region. Dubai International (DUB), which is the region's biggest hub and busiest airport in the world for international traffic, shut down at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning as at least one luxury hotel later caught fire after getting hit by debris Iranian missile attack. Large swaths of the airspace over Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Israel remain closed and, according to flight data reports, airlines have canceled at least 850 flights as of the afternoon of Feb. 28. Qatar Airways, Emirates and flydubai temporarily suspended all operations while most major carriers canceled flights to the Middle Eastern cities such as Dubai and Doha over ongoing security concerns. Delta, United, American all cancel Middle Eastern flights United Airlines diverted a Feb. 28 flight already on the way to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to Athens while canceling further service into Dubai and Tel Aviv. Delta Air Lines also canceled its flights into Israel through March 1. "Delta is continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports," the airline said in a statement. "Updates will be communicated as they are available." Related: Airline to cancel all flights to region over geopolitical instability American Airlines turned its AA120 flight between Philadelphia and Doha to return back to the U.S. at 9:30 a.m. while also canceling the same route for March 1. All three major airlines have issued travel waivers that allow customers on any canceled or delayed flight to refund or reschedule it. International airlines such as KLM, Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Iberia Express and Wizz Air have all also canceled flights into the region. Air India has also called off service not just to Dubai but also multiple locations in Europe and the U.S. that were slated to cross the Middle Eastern airspace. Some of the canceled routes include flights between Delhi and London Heathrow, Toronto and Frankfurt as well as flights between Mumbai and Newark and Frankfurt among multiple others. Air India canceled multiple routes to the U.S. and Europe that were scheduled to fly over Middle Eastern airspace.Image Source: Shutterstock Image Source: Shutterstock "We will continue to closely monitor the situation and share further updates based on our risk assessments" "We will continue to closely monitor the situation and share further updates based on our risk assessments," Air India said in a statement. Washington, Feb 28 : US President Donald Trump has signalled that the objective of the ongoing American strikes in Iran is to bring down the ruling regime, calling on the Iranian people to seize what he described as a historic opportunity to take control of their government. In an eight-minute video statement confirming the US military action, Trump directly addressed members of Iran's security establishment, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the armed forces and the police. "To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police. I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death," he said. Reiterating the warning, Trump added, "Lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death." The US President also issued a message to the Iranian public, urging them to remain indoors during the strikes while framing the military campaign as an opening for political change. "To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere," he said. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," Trump continued, suggesting that the current situation presents a rare opportunity for regime change. Appealing to long-standing grievances among sections of the Iranian population, he said, "For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force." He concluded his remarks with a call for decisive action and said, "Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass." Chennai, Feb 28 : One of India's finest actors, Dhanush, has now shared his wisdom with youngsters, saying meditation and manifestation would help them achieve their goals. Participating in the two-day cultural festival of VELS University, titled VELS Nakshatra 2026, Dhanush said, "Meditation and manifestation will help you achieve your goals. Meditation will help you swiftly get to the heights you aspire to reach. Manifestation will help you make it happen for real. Manifest what you want to achieve, where you want to go. Start believing that you are already there and work hard for it. That is what manifestation means. It will take you a long way." The actor also went on to say, "When I was in school, I would keep waiting for the time I could join college because it would enable me to bunk class. Then there came a time for college but I couldn't go. I wasn't fortunate enough. I started acting. After that, my friends would say that they would all eagerly wait for college to end and reach a period when they could start working. That was because they thought they could live life on their own terms if they started working. But only when you cross these periods and go into life that you'll get to know the importance of school and college. School and college days are the best phases of our lives." The actor also made it clear that it was producer Ishari K Ganesh who was producing the second part of director Vetrimaran's 'Vada Chennai' and that it would definitely happen soon. On the occasion, producer Ishari K Ganesh announced that Dhanush's upcoming film 'Kara' would hit screens worldwide on April 30 this year. Producer Ishari K Ganesh said, "If I were to call something my dream project, it would certainly be 'Vada Chennai 2' with actor Dhanush. Also, Dhanush's upcoming film KARA is scheduled for theatrical release on April 30." Islamabad, Feb 28 : Pakistan is grappling with a worsening crisis of youth drug abuse and rising suicide rates, according to local media reports citing a 2025 systematic review of rehabilitation cases. The study found that heroin accounts for 48 per cent of substance abuse cases among young users, while cannabis makes up 28 per cent, underscoring the alarming scale and severity of addiction among the country's youth population. According to the study, thirty-five per cent began using drugs in adolescence, and 46 per cent were diagnosed with comorbid depression. According to a 2024 survey cited at Karachi University, 44 per cent of university and college students admitted to drug use, including 53 per cent of males and 31 per cent of females, with a growing trend of online procurement, Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported. Reports suggest that suicide has emerged as the fourth leading cause of death among Pakistanis under 30. Adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years appear especially vulnerable, with poisoning and hanging identified as the common methods. The reliable monthly official statistics remain unavailable, largely due to criminalisation and stigma surrounding suicide. Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force has warned that millions between the ages of 18 and 31 face potential risk, despite methodological gaps; the broader trend is evident, The Express Tribune reported. A 2025 longitudinal clinical review covering fifteen years documented rising drug positivity rates, with cannabis present in more than 20 to 30 per cent of tested samples, followed by opioids and benzodiazepines. Over 70 per cent of identified addicts were above 35 years of age. Economic hardship, easy availability of Afghan-sourced cannabis and heroin, and untreated mental illness combine to fuel the crisis. Citing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, The Express Tribune reported that an estimated 6.7 and 7.6 million across Pakistan, roughly six per cent of the population, use drugs, with around four million requiring structured treatment. Among Pakistan's provinces, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported a prevalence rate of 11 per cent. Suicide rates, based on WHO data from 2019 and 2021, stand at approximately 8.9 per 100,000, with male rates more than three times higher than female ratestranslating to an estimated 15 to 35 deaths per day. The data from Punjab between 2016 and 2020 showed that individuals aged 19 to 39 accounted for nearly 39 per cent of reported cases, with poisoning and strangulation as the prevalent methods, while poverty and domestic conflict were identified as underlying factors. "The quiet emergency in Pakistan is not only statistical. It is cultural. It resides in how we speak to our children, how we measure success, how we treat failure, and how quickly we label vulnerability as weakness. Until we address those foundations, the numbers will continue to rise, sporadically recorded and inadequately debated," the Express Tribune stated. --IANS scor/rs Mumbai, Feb 28 : A month after the demise of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar, tributes continue to pour in from family members and party colleagues, who say his legacy of development and public service will endure. Newly appointed NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Saturday said that while the pain of his absence remains overwhelming, his ideas and work ethic will continue to guide the party and its workers. In an emotional post on social media, Sunetra Pawar, who was also his wife, described him as a leader driven by compassion and an unwavering commitment to public welfare. "A man of heart and soul. A deep sense of humanity, an unceasing sincere urge to work, and an untiring attitude to strive for society -- this was the true personality of Ajit Dada. His firm stand on using power for public welfare, the path of development built through his vision, and the immense trust of the people earned through his work were the true world of his life's mission," she wrote. She added that his promptness in action and the strength he instilled in the NCP family would continue to inspire party workers to move forward. "Ajit Dada will always remain in our memories. His reflection will forever be seen in our thoughts, our actions, and in every work we do," she said. His son, Jay Pawar, also expressed deep grief, saying the void left behind is felt "at every step and every moment." "It has been a month since you left us. I still cannot believe it. I am still speechless. I do not understand what to write further," he said in a heartfelt message. NCP (SP) legislator and nephew Rohit Pawar shared a poignant note recalling a WhatsApp call he made to Ajit Pawar on January 28. "What happened still feels like a bad dream. That day, I dialed his number, but the call was not picked up, and that familiar heavy voice was not heard. It is extremely painful," he wrote. Another nephew, Yugendra Pawar, posted a long emotional tribute on Facebook, expressing both grief and a resolve to carry forward his uncle's political and social legacy. He said questions surrounding the circumstances of the accident that led to Ajit Pawar's death continue to trouble the family, with many seeking clarity about what exactly transpired. "It has been the heaviest and most painful month of our lives. Even today, the heart refuses to accept your absence," he wrote, adding that the family, including his grandmother and father, continues to struggle with the loss. He also noted that the ongoing Budget Session of the Maharashtra Legislature feels incomplete without Ajit Pawar's commanding presence and voice in the House. "Your path will be our path. Your dream will be our goal. Your void can never be filled," Yugendra said. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) working president and cousin Supriya Sule said it was still difficult to come to terms with his passing. "The void created by Ajit Dada's departure will never be filled. The memories of the joyful moments spent with you will stay with us for life," she wrote on X. As Maharashtra's political fraternity remembers one of its most influential leaders, party workers say Ajit Pawar's emphasis on development-oriented politics and grassroots connect will remain central to the NCP's path ahead. Srinagar, Feb 28 : As reports of Israeli bombings on Iranian locations poured in on Saturday, Kashmiris are showing grave concern about the safety of local students and others still stranded in Iran. Both former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and the present chief minister Omar Abdullah had asked Kashmiri students in Iran earlier this week to take the Indian foreign ministry advisory seriously and pull out of Iran since the airspace was open at that time. Despite many Kashmiri students having made it to the country while flights were still operational, reports here suggest many are still stranded in Iran. It is not only Kashmiri students who are stranded in Iran, but a good number of local doctors and other members of the Iranian workforce belonging to India are still present in Iran. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, national representative and Pradesh president of All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), has called for close coordination with Iranian authorities, university administrations and the Indian embassy in Tehran. He called for the issuance of clear advisories, activation of dedicated emergency helplines, and readiness of a comprehensive contingency and evacuation plan if the situation deteriorates. The association reiterated that Indian students and nationals must remain the foremost priority of the Government of India. In its formal appeal, AIMSA urged the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to take immediate and proactive measures to safeguard all Indian citizens in the region. The association has emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of developments and timely communication to prevent panic and ensure clarity among students and their families. Meanwhile, irrespective of sectarian loyalties, Muslims throughout the Valley have condemned Israeli attacks on Iran and demanded immediate cessation of hostilities. Kashmir Valley and the Kargil area of Ladakh have a large population of Shia Muslims, who have religious and sectarian affinity with Iran. Authorities in the Valley are keeping a watch on the situation so that locals exhibit their sentiments over the sensitive issue peacefully and anti-social elements are prevented from exploiting the situation. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Air India's Delhi-Tel Aviv flight on Saturday returned to the national capital after Israel launched what it described as "preventive" strikes on Iran, triggering airspace closures across parts of the Middle East and disrupting several international services. New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) Air India's DelhiTel Aviv flight on Saturday returned to the national capital after Israel launched what it described as "preventive" strikes on Iran, triggering airspace closures across parts of the Middle East and disrupting several international services. Israel's Defence Minister confirmed that the country had attacked Iran. Massive explosions were reported in Tehran, with local media saying several missiles struck areas along University Street and in the Jomhouri district of the Iranian capital. Thick smoke was seen rising near Pasteur Street, which houses key government buildings. The extent of the damage and casualties was not immediately known. Meanwhile, low-cost carrier IndiGo also issued advisory and said that the airline is closely watching the situation. "We are closely monitoring regional updates concerning Iran and its airspace. The safety and security of our customers and crew remain our highest priority," the low-cost airline said. In a post on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said air raid sirens were sounded across Israel and advance alerts were sent to mobile phones, instructing residents to remain close to protected spaces. The military described the alert as a precaution amid the possibility of missile launches towards Israel. As a safety measure, Israel ordered schools nationwide to remain closed, advised citizens to work from home and banned public gatherings. Soon after the strikes, several countries in the region closed or restricted their airspace, affecting international flight operations. Airlines diverted services bound for Tel Aviv and other destinations in the region. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 said the closures were impacting numerous carriers. Flight FZ984 from Kazan to Dubai diverted to Baku, while AI126 from Chicago to Delhi was flying over Syria. G9950 from Sharjah to Moscow was rerouted over Pakistan, and EK225 from Dubai to San Francisco operated over Afghanistan and Pakistan to avoid restricted zones. The developments come at a sensitive diplomatic moment. Tensions between the United States and Iran have been rising over a potential nuclear agreement. US President Donald Trump recently described Iran as "very difficult" and "very dangerous." A third round of negotiations between Iranian and US officials was held in Geneva on Thursday, with another round scheduled later on Saturday. Tel Aviv, Feb 28 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday confirmed that Israel and the United States had carried out a joint military operation, dubbed 'Operation Lion's Roar', against Iran, describing the action as necessary to remove what he termed an "existential threat" posed by the Iranian regime. Tel Aviv, Feb 28 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday confirmed that Israel and the United States had carried out a joint military operation, dubbed 'Operation Lion's Roar', against Iran, describing the action as necessary to remove what he termed an "existential threat" posed by the Iranian regime. In a video message addressed to the nation, Netanyahu said the operation was launched to counter the danger emanating from Tehran. "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," he said. Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his support and leadership in the operation. "I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership," he stated. The Israeli Prime Minister accused Iran's leadership of decades of hostility and violence. "For 47 years, the Ayatollahs' regime has chanted 'Death to Israel', 'Death to America'. It has spilt our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people," Netanyahu said. Emphasising Israel's long-standing concerns about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, he added, "This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity." Netanyahu said the joint military action was also intended to create an opening for political change within Iran. "Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands," he said. In his address, the Prime Minister appealed directly to various ethnic groups within Iran, including Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch and Ahwazis, urging them to rise against the ruling establishment and portraying the strikes as paving the way for a freer Iran. "The time has come for all parts of the Iranian people -- the Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis -- to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring freedom and peace-loving values to Iran," Netanyahu said. He also called on Israeli citizens to strictly follow official safety instructions amid the escalating conflict. "I call on you, citizens of Israel, to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, during Operation 'Lion's Roar,' we will all be called upon to show patience and strength of spirit," he said. "Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel," Netanyahu added, as tensions in the region continued to mount. New Delhi, Feb 28 : The Intelligence agencies have flagged concerns over the revival of the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an outfit that has close links with Al-Qaeda. The outfit was formed by Zakir Rashid Bhat in July 2017 in Jammu and Kashmir. Bhat, also known as Zakir Musa, took over as the chief of the outfit with the blessings of Al-Qaeda. The intention was to carry out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The outfit did not achieve much success and was largely downed by the Indian security agencies. Musa was originally part of the Hizbul Mujahideen. He, however, parted ways to form the AGuH with the blessings of Al-Qaeda. Musa was, however, killed in an encounter in 2019 at Tral in Jammu and Kashmir. Following Musaas death in 2019, the AGuH maintained a low key. However, in 2022, it decided that it was time to make a comeback. The strategy was, however, a different one. It decided to provide support to the Jaish-e-Mohammed to undertake operations in India. Al-Qaeda, which mentors this outfit, gave the AGuH the go-ahead, but insisted that operations in Jammu and Kashmir would not be carried out directly. The AGuH then decided that it would direct operations in other parts of the country from Jammu and Kashmir. This explains the successful setting up of the Faridabad module, which had many operatives who were inspired by the ideology of the AgUH and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Umar Nabi, who carried out the car bomb blast near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, was inspired by the ideology of this outfit. He was being handled by one Mufti Irfan, who was an asset for both the AGuH and Jaish-e-Mohammed. An Intelligence Bureau official said that the AGuH sought to send out a message when its Faridabad module planned a series of attacks in Delhi and nearby areas. This operation was meant to announce that the outfit is back. The official said that the pattern of the revival is different this time. The ISI, which has been trying to set up multiple homegrown modules in India, is relying heavily on the AGuH for the same. Another official explained that the intention is to set up many more modules in North India on the lines of what was set up in Faridabad. The ISI wants the AGuH to be the primary force when it comes to operations in North India. The AGuH has several members across North India, and they would be used to set up these modules. The ISI has instructed AGuH members in Jammu and Kashmir to oversee these operations in North India. Another official said that investigations have shown that the operations are not being guided from Pakistan. The AGuH has managed to set up a dedicated team of operatives in Jammu and Kashmir and Nepal as well. During a high-level meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the AGuH was discussed at length. The Intelligence agencies are aware of the plans that this outfit has. However, it is now important to trace the source of funding that will be used for such a major operation. Officials suspect that cryptocurrency is being used to fund this operation. In the last several months, there has been a lot of chatter that the agencies have picked up regarding the revival mission of the AGuH. Handlers from both Nepal and Jammu and Kashmir are in regular touch with operatives from various parts of North India. Officials say that eventually the AGuH would look to operate in a big way in Jammu and Kashmir. However, for now, that scenario is not possible, and any attempt to operate in Kashmir would attract a lot of heat. The AGuH would instead focus on setting up Faridabad-like modules across North India, while maintaining a very low key in Jammu and Kashmir. If they are busted in J&K, then their North India aspirations would fail miserably, the official also added. Jammu, Feb 28 : Nine rusted unexploded mortal shells were found on Saturday near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, which were later safely destroyed. Officials said, "At least nine rusted mortar shells were recovered from a forward village near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mankote area of Mendhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. "These unexploded mortar shells were found scattered in the area during an area domination patrol carried out by Army troops. Following the recovery, the entire area was immediately cordoned off as a precautionary measure. Army bomb disposal squads were rushed to the spot to neutralise the explosives," the officials added. Police in Mendhar confirmed that the mortar shells were safely destroyed in controlled explosions by a joint team of the Army and Police. The officials further stated that no damage to life or property was reported during the operation, and the situation remains completely under control. It may be recalled that remnants of past cross-border shelling are occasionally found in forward areas along the LoC and are handled as per standard safety protocols by security forces. After Operation Sindoor, Poonch was the worst affected area when Pakistan retaliated to Indian attacks on terror infrastructure by targeting civilian facilities and army installations. In Poonch district, 14 civilians, including a senior officer, had lost their lives in indiscriminate Pakistani shelling. A mosque, a temple, a church and a Gurdwara were damaged by Pakistani shelling in Pakistan in addition to dozens of civilian houses and shops. An ambitious rehabilitation plan was drawn for the families affected by Pakistan shelling in Poonch. The plan was made with the assistance of the central government. In addition to building more bunkers and shelters for civilians to be used during cross border shelling, financial assistance was also given to families, whose homes were destroyed by Pakistani shelling. Lucknow, Feb 28 : Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday asserted that the state is poised to play a decisive role in India's growth story, saying its vast population and talent pool make it a key driver of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'. "Look, this is Uttar Pradesh. Our population is large and our talent pool is immense. We are contributing to the progress of the world and fulfilling our responsibility in advancing India. This is the right time to ensure that Uttar Pradesh also moves ahead. As every state in the country is creatively contributing to the mission of a Viksit Bharat, Uttar Pradesh must not be left behind," Maurya told IANS in Lucknow. Highlighting the state government's global outreach efforts, the Deputy Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, concrete steps have been taken to attract foreign investment. "For the vision of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Uttar Pradesh, the Hon'ble Chief Minister visited Singapore and Japan, and I travelled to Germany. My visit to the UK was postponed, but I had the opportunity to interact virtually with investors and business leaders there. Based on those discussions, we have received very encouraging support from both countries, and substantial investment is expected," he said. Maurya added that business leaders in Germany and the UK have shown strong enthusiasm for trade partnerships with Uttar Pradesh. "We are confident that the investment inflow will exceed our expectations," he stated, expressing optimism about the state's economic prospects. The Deputy Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of failing in its responsibilities towards the nation. "The MPs and leaders of Congress have failed to fulfil their responsibilities toward the country. They often do not even realise what they are saying or the positions they hold," he claimed. Targeting senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Maurya alleged that she is "constantly trying to ensure that her son becomes the Prime Minister of the country at least once." He further said he does not consider Rahul Gandhi fit to lead the nation. "In my view, his leadership would harm the country. The kind of thinking the Congress party represents could push the country backwards," Maurya said. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that under his leadership, India's global stature has risen significantly. "If the Congress had achieved similar progress during its tenure, India would not have to seek investments abroad today; instead, India would be investing in other countries. We could have emerged as a major economic power like the United States, China, or Germany. If we are lagging in certain areas, it is because of the Congress party's policies in the past," Maurya claimed. "A lot of times people pay tickets that shouldn't be paid, and this could have been one of those examples," he said. "But luckily this lady seems to be standing up for herself." Attorney Donahue agreed, calling the statute "really explicit" and noting that texting-while-driving citations are rare in Palm Beach County in part because they're so difficult for officers to prove. "Whether she's holding it in her right hand or her left hand, it really doesn't matter," Hollander said to CBS12. "If you are not in a school zone or a construction zone, you are allowed to hold a cell phone." Under current Florida law, simply holding a phone while driving is not illegal outside of school zones and active work zones. The statute specifically targets manually typing or entering letters, numbers, or symbols into a device. Attorney Ted Hollander of the Ticket Clinic told CBS12 (1) that neither the school zone nor the construction zone box was checked on the citation. But the right-hand detail is almost beside the point: attorneys say the ticket likely wouldn't hold up even if she had two hands. She's since requested body camera footage from PBSO and says she plans to fight the citation in court. Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people dont realize theyre actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how The woman, who goes by @slightlyoff.balance on TikTok, recorded the traffic stop and posted it online, where it quickly went viral. In the video, the deputy can be heard stating he saw the phone in her right hand. She pushes back on the spot. A Lake Worth Beach, Florida woman was pulled over on February 11 and cited for using a wireless communications device while driving. According to the citation, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy observed the device in her "right hand" as she traveled northbound on North Dixie Highway. Story Continues A $116 distracted driving ticket can carry a much bigger price tag That instinct to just pay and move on is understandable. The fine feels minor. But the damage from a distracted driving citation doesn't end when you pay it it compounds for years. An analysis by The Zebra, which studied millions of insurance rates, found that a distracted driving violation raises premiums by an average of 23%, or roughly $357 per year. (2) Since insurers typically hold the penalty for about three years, a single ticket can cost more than $1,071 in additional insurance alone on top of the original fine. Insurance.com's data tells a similar story, pegging the average increase at 28%. Their analysis found that, for example, Nationwide policyholders see their annual premiums rise from approximately $1,548 to $2,119, a 37% increase, after a texting violation. (3) For drivers already looking for ways to lower their car insurance costs, a single distracted driving ticket can wipe out years of savings in one shot. The range by state is wide. California drivers face an average 51% premium hike after a distracted driving ticket more than $1,235 per year. New York drivers? Just 11%. For anyone weighing whether to contest a citation, the math is worth considering. Traffic ticket attorneys typically charge $200 to $500 for a standard case. That's a fraction of the three-year insurance hit that follows a conviction. A lawyer could try negotiate a moving violation down to a non-moving one or get it dismissed entirely keeping both points and the premium spike off your record. Just make sure you have a case before you do so. Read More: The average net worth of Americans is a surprising $620,654. But it almost means nothing. Heres the number that counts (and how to make it skyrocket) Distracted driving in Florida and what's changing This case landed at a weird moment for Florida. Distracted driving is a serious and growing problem in the state, but the law on the books is narrower than most people including, apparently, some officers realize. A crash occurs every 44 seconds in Florida, and one in seven involve a distracted driver. Preliminary data for 2024 shows that nearly 300 people died and over 2,200 suffered serious bodily injuries due to distracted driving in the state. (4) Nationally, the toll is even starker: 3,275 people were killed in distracted-driving crashes in 2023, with an estimated 324,819 injured. (5) NHTSA estimated in 2019 that the economic cost of those crashes at $98 billion annually. When quality-of-life losses are factored in, that figure rises to $395 billion. (6) Florida's current distracted driving fine structure is among the more lenient in the country. A first texting offense carries a $30 base fine a non-moving violation with no license points. A second offense within five years bumps to $60 with three points. Court costs and fees push the actual total higher (which is how the woman in this case was charged $116), but compared to states like Oregon, where first offenses can reach $1,000, Florida's penalties are light. That may be changing. In the 2025 legislative session, SB 1318 the "Florida Hands-Free Driving Law" passed unanimously through multiple Senate committees. It would have banned all handheld device use while driving statewide, not just in school and work zones. But the bill died when its House companion failed to advance. (7) More than 30 states already have similar laws on the books, and advocates expect Florida legislators to revive the effort. What the experts say drivers should know The attorneys in the CBS12 story offered a consistent message: understand what the law in your state actually says, and don't assume a ticket is airtight just because it was issued. In Florida, the current statute is narrower than many drivers realize and apparently narrower than some officers realize, too. But Donahue cautioned against taking that as a green light. "You don't want to be in a position where you have to prove your innocence," he said. "Although the law is not that strict, you really need to treat it almost like it is." For anyone who does get a citation, the fine on the ticket is almost always the cheapest part. Between insurance premium increases, potential license points, and the downstream effects on employment and driving records, a single distracted driving ticket can quietly run into the thousands and undo whatever progress you've made trying to keep your car insurance costs down. The woman in Lake Worth Beach says she's going to fight hers. Given what the attorneys say about this particular citation and what a conviction could cost her over the next three years it's hard to argue with that. You May Also Like Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now. Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. CBS12 / WPEC (1); The Zebra (2); Insurance.com (3); FLHSMV (4); NHTSA (5); NHTSA Research Note (6); Florida Senate (7) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday attended an HPV vaccination event at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, accompanied by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, and MLA Sanjay Goyal. She further said that they were aiming to vaccinate 1.6 lakh girl children in the national Capital in three months. Addressing the media, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "Every year, thousands of women lose their lives to cervical cancer. When it came to light that this disease can be completely prevented through HPV vaccination, it became our responsibility to act. If the vaccine is administered during adolescence, the chances of developing this disease are significantly reduced." She further added, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a nationwide HPV vaccination drive has been initiated, for which I express my heartfelt gratitude. We have also launched this campaign in Delhi. Over the next three months, we aim to vaccinate 1.6 lakh girl children. We will ensure that no one is left out." BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "It is a matter of great fortune that the present Delhi government is making every effort to strengthen healthcare services in the city. Our Health Minister, Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, is present here. Today, the Chief Minister inaugurated five significant healthcare-related projects." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years and above from Ajmer, marking a significant step in India's fight against cervical cancer. During the event, several schoolgirls were vaccinated in the Prime Minister's presence, following which he interacted with them. The initiative aims to eradicate cervical cancer among women in India. By expanding access to the HPV vaccine, the programme is expected to protect millions of girls across the country from developing life-threatening cancers in the future. Upon his arrival at Kishangarh Airport, the Prime Minister was received by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the Governor, and other senior officials. From the airport, he travelled by Army helicopter to the Ghughra helipad and then proceeded by road to the public meeting venue. Women's health formed the emotional and central focus of the Prime Minister's visit. The HPV vaccination drive has been positioned as a nationwide movement to eliminate cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. The campaign reflects the government's commitment to preventive healthcare and long-term public health security. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Patna, Feb 28 : India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad was remembered on the occasion of his 63rd death anniversary and a tribute ceremony was held in Patna on the occasion on Saturday. Leaders, public representatives and officials paid floral tributes at his samadhi at Bans Ghat, located on the banks of the Ganga River. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the samadhi site and paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad. During the ceremony, he also inspected the arrangements and issued necessary instructions to concerned officials. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was also present at the event. In a statement, Samrat Choudhary said, "Paid tribute to the first President of India, Desh Ratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad, at the state function organised on the occasion of his death anniversary, along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, at Rajendra Chowk and Rajendra Ghat Samadhi site in Patna. His simplicity, humility, scholarship and dedication towards the nation will always inspire all the countrymen." Several senior administrative officials attended the ceremony, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Secretary to the Chief Minister Kumar Ravi, Secretary Chandrashekhar Singh, Patna District Magistrate Tyagarajan SM, and Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma, among others. A large number of citizens also gathered to pay their respects to the former President. Following the tribute ceremony, the Chief Minister inspected the electric crematorium at Bans Ghat and reviewed the facilities there. He also inspected the Mandiri Nala (drainage) and the newly constructed crematorium within the Bans Ghat complex, issuing necessary directions to officials for maintenance and improvement. After the completion of the Mandiri drain, Bans Ghat will be connected with the four-lane road with Beiley Road near the Income Tax roundabout. The state ceremony reaffirmed Biharas tribute to Dr. Rajendra Prasad's legacy, remembering his contribution to the nation as a freedom fighter, statesman and the first President of independent India. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Patna, Feb 28 : Voting for the Patna University Student Union elections is underway on Friday amid tight security arrangements, but a brief commotion disrupted polling at Patna College in the morning. The controversy erupted when Rinkle Yadav, an independent candidate for the PU Central Panel President's post, alleged that her name was incorrectly printed on the ballot paper. Rinkle Yadav claimed that she had contested the election under the name "Rinkle Yadav" throughout her campaign. However, the ballot papers reportedly carried her name as "Rinkle Kumar." In protest, she allegedly tore ballot papers inside Room 5 at Patna College. Following the incident, police detained her briefly before releasing her. Voting at the college was disrupted for nearly 20 minutes. The university administration took note of the issue and directed polling personnel to correct the candidate's name on ballot papers manually using a pen. After leaving Patna College, protesting candidates reportedly moved to other booths within the university campus, raising objections over the ballot name discrepancy. A similar incident of ballot paper tearing was reported at B. N. College. Eyewitnesses said the atmosphere was already tense due to the elections, and the brief detention of the candidate further agitated some students. Classes and administrative work were temporarily affected. Police and university authorities appealed to students to maintain peace. Officials stated that maintaining law and order was their top priority and warned that any disruption would be dealt with strictly. Polling began at 8:30 a.m. and continued until 2:30 p.m. By 11 a.m., voter turnout figures were 32 per cent at Patna Women's College, 27 per cent at Patna Law College, 18 per cent at Arts College, 13 per cent at Commerce College, 16 per cent at Patna College and 16 per cent at Patna Science College. Voting is being conducted under police deployment across all colleges. There are 41 candidates contesting for five central panel posts and 45 candidates for councillor positions. The central panel includes 11 candidates for President, nine for General Secretary, eight for Vice President, six for Joint Secretary, and seven for Treasurer. Counting of votes will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Patna Arts College, with results expected to be declared late at night. Despite the early disruption, polling continued under close monitoring by authorities. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Around 40 buyers from 17 countries including South Korea, the UAE, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Singapore, Norway, Kuwait and the United Kingdom, attended the Buyer-Seller Meet in Gangtok, Sikkim, it was announced on Saturday. New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) Around 40 buyers from 17 countries including South Korea, the UAE, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Singapore, Norway, Kuwait and the United Kingdom, attended the BuyerSeller Meet in Gangtok, Sikkim, it was announced on Saturday. Nearly 20 leading Indian exporters, including NCEL, Basillia Organics, Flex Foods and Nexton, also participated, with approximately 100 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs/FPCs) from Sikkim. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the Sikkim Government and in association with IFOAM-Asia, organised the Sikkim Organic Conclave-cum-International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM), said Commerce Ministry in a statement. Through initiatives such as the Organic Conclave-cum-IBSM, APEDA continues to promote organic exports, expand market access, build capacity among FPOs and exporters and position Sikkim as an important contributor to India's growing organic export sector. An exhibition featuring around 12 exhibitors showcased Sikkim's certified organic products, including Large Cardamom, GI-tagged Dalle Khursani, Sikkim Mandarin, Buckwheat, Turmeric and Orchids. It highlighted the State's diverse and export-ready organic produce and attracted interest from international buyers. Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016, enabling its produce to gain recognition under APEDA's export certification system. The state was conferred the Future Policy Gold Award by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2018 in recognition of its leadership in organic agriculture. A knowledge report titled "Study on Supply Chain & Export Readiness for Organic Farm Products in Sikkim" was also released. Prepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL), the report outlines a roadmap to strengthen Sikkim's organic export ecosystem through improved infrastructure, streamlined processes, enhanced aggregation, transparent price discovery and strategic market positioning. It identifies measures to improve export competitiveness while ensuring sustainability, traceability and farmer-centric growth. According to the official statement, a technical session was also conducted to sensitise stakeholders on the 8th Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), covering updated regulations and labelling requirements. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Air travel across parts of the Middle East faced major disruption on Saturday after Israel, Iran, Dubai and Iraq shut their airspace following Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. Airports in most of the gulf countries were impacted, forcing airlines to cancel, divert or reroute flights due to safety concerns. Israel closed its airspace to civilian aircraft soon after the strikes, while several airlines in Europe and the Gulf either cancelled services or changed flight paths to avoid the region. Over the past two years, airlines have repeatedly faced similar disruptions in West Asia as tensions and conflicts have led to sudden airspace closures. India's national carrier Air India said its DelhiTel Aviv flight was diverted back to Mumbai after Israel shut its airspace. In a statement, the airline said the decision was taken in the interest of passenger and crew safety and added that it would continue to review the security situation before operating further flights. India's largest airline IndiGo also said it was closely monitoring developments related to Iran and the surrounding region. In a message posted on social media platform X, the airline said its teams were ready to make operational changes if required and advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. The situation escalated further after US President Donald Trump said that the United States and Israel were carrying out "major" joint combat operations in Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government described the strikes as "preventive." The closures also affected several international airlines. Russia's transport ministry said Russian carriers had suspended flights to both Israel and Iran, while alternative routes were being used for services to Gulf countries. The ministry warned that longer flight times were likely due to diversions, as per multiple media reports. Dubai-based airline flydubai said some of its flights were disrupted because of the temporary shutdown of Iraqi, Iranian and Israeli airspace. Airlines across the region are expected to continue avoiding affected airspace, leading to longer routes and higher fuel costs until the security situation improves. Jaipur, Feb 28 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly targeting the Congress party during an official government function in Ajmer. He also stated that opposing a political leader does not amount to opposing the nation. Gehlot termed PM Modi's remarks as "politically motivated" and inappropriate for a government platform, stating that such events should focus on public interest issues rather than partisan attacks. He said using an official function to criticise the Congress diverts attention from key governance matters. He further emphasised that opposing a political leader does not amount to opposing the nation, urging the Prime Minister to maintain the dignity of constitutional offices and government platforms. Gehlot also accused the BJP government of failing to address important state issues while engaging in political rhetoric, adding that the people of Rajasthan were aware of the ground realities. "Today in Ajmer, the comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Congress party are a symbol of his political desperation. For those belonging to an ideology that did not sacrifice even a fingernail in the freedom struggle, to level allegations of dividing the country against the Congress a party with a glorious history of leading the freedom movement is ridiculous. "PM Modi must remember that opposing him is not the same as opposing the country. He should not make the mistake of considering himself greater than the nation. It is saddening that he used an official government platform solely for narrow political gains. The public was expecting him to speak on issues of public interest raised in my letter. Does he not want the entire country to receive the 'Right to Health' like Rajasthan?," he asked. "Does he have no interest in transformative decisions such as the Gig Workers Welfare Act and the Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme? The BJP government has merely changed the name of the ERCP but has done no substantial work on it. The people of Rajasthan are fully aware of the truth. Instead of playing politics over paper leaks, he should have appreciated Rajasthan's stringent anti-paper leak law, which includes provisions such as life imprisonment, a fine of Rs 10 crore, and confiscation of the culprits' property. This law has set an example for the country," he added. "Rather than misleading the youth through politics, he should have spoken about implementing such a strict law at the Central Government level. The BJP government has not even shown the courage to investigate the OMR sheet scam that occurred during its own tenure in Rajasthan. "It would have been better if he had stood by his guarantee given during the Assembly elections to not shut down Congress government schemes, and directed the Chief Minister to restart those closed schemes. Today, the hollow slogan of 'Double Engine' is proving to be 'Double Zero' in Rajasthan," Gehlot concluded. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Jaipur, Feb 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that his government works with sensitivity, not power, and emphasised that the double-engine government is transforming Rajasthan into a land of opportunities by blending heritage with development. Addressing a large public gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for multiple development projects at Kayad Vishram Sthali in Ajmer, in the presence of Governor Haribhau Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the Prime Minister said the government is working with the vision of 'Developed India through Developed Rajasthan'. He stated that in the past two years, the state has embarked on a new path of rapid progress and the double-engine government is swiftly delivering on its development promises. PM Modi said that projects worth approximately Rs 17,000 crore inaugurated and launched during the event will accelerate development in roads, electricity, water supply, health, and education sectors, while generating employment opportunities for youth. He remarked that until two years ago, Rajasthan frequently made headlines due to corruption and paper leaks in recruitment exams. "Today, paper leaks have been curbed, and strict action is being taken against the guilty. Under the double-engine government, youth power is becoming more empowered," he said, congratulating 21,863 young people who received appointment letters. The Prime Minister described the launch of the HPV vaccination campaign as a major step toward women's empowerment. He said that a healthy mother strengthens the entire family, and in that spirit, the Central Government has introduced several schemes for women's welfare. Referring to past challenges, he noted that before 2014, the lack of toilet facilities caused hardship and humiliation for women and forced many girls to drop out of school. "These issues were not even discussed earlier. We addressed them sensitively and in mission mode," he said. He highlighted schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which provides Rs 5,000 to pregnant women for nutritional support, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, aimed at freeing women from smoke-filled kitchens. PM Modi said that improved road, rail, and air connectivity is crucial for Rajasthan's development. Better connectivity not only eases travel but also boosts tourism, creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, taxi services, tour guides, and local artisans, he said. He added that enhanced infrastructure also attracts greater investment to the state. The Prime Minister said the double-engine government is committed to ensuring that irrigation projects benefit farmers. He alleged that previous governments kept such projects pending for decades, including the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), which remained confined to paperwork. He said the current government has moved swiftly to implement it on the ground. He added that projects such as the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link and the Yamuna-Rajasthan Link under the river-linking initiative will significantly benefit the state. Calling Rajasthan a land blessed with abundant sunlight, the Prime Minister said the state is now generating prosperity through solar energy. Under the PM's Free Electricity Scheme, assistance of Rs 78,000 is being directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts for installing rooftop solar panels. More than 1.25 lakh families in Rajasthan have joined the scheme, leading to near-zero electricity bills for many households. At the beginning of the programme, PM Modi paid homage to Tirtharaj Pushkar, Savitri Mata, Veer Tejaji Maharaj, Lord Devnarayan, and Varuna avatar Lord Jhulelal. He described Ajmer as a land of faith and valour, recalling the bravery of Rajasthan's heroes, including Major Dalpat Singh, and their role in liberating the Israeli city of Haifa. Chief Minister Sharma expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for resolving long-pending water disputes. He said the project to bring Yamuna water from Hathini Kund Barrage will provide a permanent solution to water scarcity in the Shekhawati region, while the Ramjal Setu Link projects will ensure drinking water and irrigation facilities to 17 districts. He added that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, over 14 lakh water connections have been provided in the past two years, and more than 4 lakh groundwater recharge structures have been constructed under the "Karmabhoomi Se Matrubhoomi" campaign. The Chief Minister further stated that Rajasthan ranks first in 11 national schemes, second in five, and third in seven. He also noted that overall crime has decreased by 14 per cent in the state, while crimes against women have declined by 10 percent. Tel Aviv, Feb 28 : As the United States and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran, flights were cancelled and passengers stranded at Ben Gurion Airport shared their ordeal on Saturday and their next steps to ensure their safety. IANS spoke to several passengers at the airport following the sudden disruption. One passenger said, "We were told to evacuate after an emergency siren went off. My family and I went downstairs and then returned after a few minutes. Now, we have again been instructed to evacuate and go back home. All flights have been cancelled. I have called my cousin, and we will stay at his place until it is safe to return home." Another passenger, Siri, said, "We were already on the flight when we were informed about the possibility of an attack. Soon after, all flights were cancelled. I just want to cry and go back home to protect myself." Meanwhile, the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on Saturday, significantly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. The development raises concerns of a widening confrontation that could have far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday confirmed that Israel and the United States had carried out a joint military operation, dubbed 'Operation Lion's Roar', against Iran, describing the action as necessary to remove what he termed an "existential threat" posed by the Iranian regime. In a video message addressed to the nation, Netanyahu said the operation was launched to counter the threat emanating from Tehran. "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," he said. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had carried out strikes and announced an immediate state of emergency across the country in response to the rapidly evolving security situation. The military action follows a month-long US military buildup in the region, which came after President Trump pledged support for protesters who challenged the Iranian regime at the beginning of January. Meanwhile, Air India's DelhiTel Aviv flight also returned to the national Capital after Israel launched what it described as 'preventive' strikes on Iran, triggering airspace closures across parts of the Middle East and disrupting several international services. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Air India on Saturday said it has suspended all flights to all destinations in the Middle East in the wake of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East. The announcement came as the US and Israel began "major combat operations" in Iran. "In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended," Air India said in a statement. "We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required. Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengers," the airline added. Air India suggested fliers to check the flight status online as well as at "its 247 Call Centre at +91 1169329333, +91 1169329999". "You are also requested to check our website. Thank you for your patience and understanding," said the airline. The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on Saturday, significantly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. The development raised concerns of a widening confrontation that could have far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. An Air India Express spokesperson said that in view of the developing situation in parts of the Gulf Region, "Air India Express has suspended all westbound international flights. The safety and security of our guests and crew remain our highest priority". "We continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and will proactively review and adjust our operations as necessary. Our teams are extending all possible support and assistance to impacted guests," said the airline, adding that the impacted guests are being notified directly on their registered contact details. "Guests are advised to check their flight status on airindiaexpress.com and ensure their contact information is up to date. For change and cancellation waivers on impacted flights, guests may visit the 'Manage Booking' section on our website," said the spokesperson. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Mumbai, Feb 28 : The special court's acceptance of the closure report in the Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case marks a significant turning point in Maharashtra's political and legal landscape. The development assumes significance as it comes barely a month after the death of former Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28. With the court effectively closing proceedings, Ajit Pawar's name now stands cleared posthumously, offering legal and political relief to his family and the current NCP leadership. The decision benefits nearly 70 individuals, including Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and MLA Rohit Pawar. For the NCP, the ruling is being viewed as a major political boost and the culmination of a decade-long legal battle. A senior party leader described the timing as "coincidental but symbolic," noting that the clean chit comes exactly a month after Ajit Pawar's untimely demise. "The removal of this Rs 25,000 crore 'black mark' allows Sunetra Pawar, now the National President of the NCP and Deputy Chief Minister, to lead the party without the shadow of Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigations looming over her family," the leader said. Another senior NCP functionary associated with Maharashtra's cooperative sector for over two decades said the verdict allows the party to reshape Ajit Pawar's political narrative. "By clearing these decade-old allegations, the NCP can now frame his legacy as one of 'persecution' rather than 'corruption'," he said. The case pertained to alleged irregularities between 2007 and 2011 involving the disbursement of loans by MSCB to sugar factories and spinning mills. Investigators had alleged that loans were extended to financially stressed units, which were later auctioned at throwaway prices upon default, with buyers allegedly linked to bank directors. The alleged loss to the bank was estimated at Rs 25,000 crore. For years, the BJP, while in opposition, had used the MSCB case as a political weapon against the NCP and the Congress. However, after Ajit Pawar joined the ruling MahaYuti alliance comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP factions, the state's EOW -- which reports to the Home Ministry -- filed a closure report stating that no criminal offence was established. The move drew sharp criticism from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which accused the ruling alliance of practising "washing machine politics", alleging that corruption charges vanish once leaders join the government. Notably, Rohit Pawar's name had also surfaced in the ED's version of the case. With the EOW case now closed, legal experts suggest the ED may face pressure to reconsider or withdraw its proceedings, potentially easing intra-family and intra-party tensions. Politically, the clean chit could consolidate the Pawar family's influence within Maharashtra's powerful cooperative network, including the MSC Bank, without the lingering cloud of corruption allegations. Observers say that by clearing leaders across political factions -- including those aligned with camps led by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray -- the verdict may also soften political hostilities and open doors for future realignments. For the NCP, the closure not only removes a longstanding legal burden but also offers an opportunity to redefine Ajit Pawar's public image -- from one mired in controversy to one portrayed as having endured prolonged political targeting. Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in --IANS sj/skp/ The weight-loss drug market has experienced incredible momentum over the past few years, and according to analyst projections, it hasn't peaked yet -- far from it. Among the many drugmakers looking to join this market is Altimmune (NASDAQ: ALT), a smaller biotech whose shares could skyrocket from their current levels if its leading program is successful. While the upside potential of a company like Altimmune is attractive, it's important to highlight that there is plenty of risk, too. A safer -- and arguably better -- way to cash in on the anti-obesity drug market is to invest in a proven leader like Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO). Let's find out more. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue Image source: Getty Images. Both have faced challenges Altimmune and Novo Nordisk have both encountered headwinds in recent years. Let's start with the former. The smaller biotech's leading candidate is called pemvidutide. It's a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist -- that is, it mimics the action of both of those gut hormones, which help control satiety and blood sugar levels. In 2023, Altimmune shared data from a phase 2 clinical trial of pemvidutide for weight loss. Although it showed reasonably strong efficacy, it also had high rates of patient discontinuation due to adverse reactions. Altimmune is also developing pemvidutide as a medicine for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) -- another area with a high unmet need -- and alcohol use disorder. Last year, the biotech reported phase 2 study results for the medicine in MASH. Here, too, the data was mixed. Pemvidutide hit its main primary endpoint of MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis (liver scarring). But the other endpoint of improvement in fibrosis was not statistically significant in those who took the medicine compared to those who took a placebo. Altimmune's shares plunged as a result. Now, onto Novo Nordisk. The Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant has lost ground in the weight-loss market to its biggest competitor, Eli Lilly, over the past couple of years. It has had to reduce its guidance several times and now predicts its revenue will move in the wrong direction this year. Novo Nordisk has also faced clinical setbacks for otherwise promising candidates, all while lowering the prices of its medicines due to government-led efforts. These challenges have sunk the stock. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28 : Amid fast-escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, the Kerala government has moved swiftly to address mounting concerns over the safety of expatriates in West Asia. Tensions flared after a joint US-Israel strike on Iranian targets triggered a major retaliatory missile barrage from Tehran. Iran reportedly launched around 30 missiles at Israel in a coordinated assault, prompting the activation of the Israeli Air Force and its air defence systems. While Israel confirmed an attempted attack, it has not disclosed the full extent of the damage. Reports also indicated explosions in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, suggesting that the confrontation could widen beyond Israeli territory. Precautionary measures followed swiftly across the Gulf region. Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced temporary airspace closures amid heightened security alerts. Iran has warned that U.S. and Israeli military bases across the region could be considered potential targets, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The developments have triggered anxiety in Kerala, which has a substantial diaspora presence in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Lakhs of Malayalis are employed across sectors such as healthcare, construction, retail and financial services in these countries, making stability in the Gulf critical to both families and the stateas remittance-driven economy. Responding to the situation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department to immediately set up a dedicated helpdesk. The facility will monitor developments, coordinate with Indian embassies and provide real-time assistance and advisories to expatriates and their families in Kerala. Meanwhile, all Indian citizens have been advised to follow the instructions issued by the Indian embassies in the respective countries and the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Officials described the move as precautionary but essential, given the rapidly evolving security landscape. With the possibility of the conflict spreading across West Asia, Keralaas proactive outreach reflects both humanitarian concern and economic prudence. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Saturday. The animals will undergo an acclimatisation and health monitoring phase before their gradual release into the larger landscape, said a statement. In a social media post, Yadav announced the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana 6 females and 3 males at Kuno National Park. "After eight cheetahs from Namibia were first reintroduced to India on September 17, 2022, and 12 were brought from South Africa in February 2023, I am thrilled to announce the arrival of nine cheetahs from Botswana 6 females and 3 males at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park," he said. "I welcome our new friends from Botswana and wish they thrive and multiply in India's wild," he said. The Minister informed that under the environmentally conscious leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Project Cheetah has been a great success. India now has a thriving population of 39 cheetahs, including 28 India-born cubs, he stated. In another social media post, Yadav extended his appreciation to the Indian Air Force for the seamless coordination, precision flying, and unwavering commitment displayed by the IAF, which ensured the safe journey of these animals to India. "The cheetahs from Botswana were extended a smooth air ride to India by IAF's C17 Globemaster from 81 squadron (the Skylords), and further to Kuno by IAF's helicopters. The seamless coordination, precision flying, and unwavering commitment displayed by the IAF ensured the safe journey of these animals across continents," he said. "Heartfelt appreciation to the Indian Air Force for once again rising to the occasion and serving the nation beyond the call of duty. I thank the mighty Indian Air Force and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for this support," he wrote. In December 2024, the Indian government initiated formal discussions with the Government of the Republic of Botswana for sourcing cheetahs to further strengthen Project Cheetah. The proposal was formally advanced by Yadav, in consultation with Boipuso Wynter Mmolotsi, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Republic of Botswana. Project Cheetah continues to progress with strengthened global partnerships and robust scientific oversight. The successful arrival of the Botswana cheetahs reinforces India's resolve to create a sustainable, free-ranging cheetah population and to contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts, said the statement. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Feb 28 : The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, on Saturday strongly condemned the alleged sexual assault and murder of a two-year-old girl in Krishnagiri district, demanding swift and stringent action against the accused. In a statement, TVK expressed shock and deep anguish over the incident, describing it as a "heinous and unforgivable act." The party alleged that the accused had been serving as a union-level organiser in the youth wing of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). It questioned whether individuals with political backing believed they could act with impunity and escape the reach of law. The party further criticised what it termed a steady deterioration of law and order in Tamil Nadu, claiming that those associated with the ruling establishment were functioning without fear of legal consequences. TVK urged the State government to ensure that the investigation proceeds without political interference and called for the case to be transferred to a fast-track court. It demanded maximum punishment under the law if the accused is found guilty. Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss also condemned the crime, alleging that the accused, who has since been arrested, was a functionary of the DMK youth wing. In a separate statement, Dr. Anbumani claimed that crime rates in Tamil Nadu had increased since the DMK returned to power. He alleged that sexual assaults, murders and robberies had risen across the State and accused ruling party members of acting as though they had been given a "licence" to commit crimes. Referring to past remarks by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin about taking strict action against party members involved in wrongdoing, Dr. Anbumani criticised what he described as the government's inaction. The PMK leader further cited figures to argue that crimes against women and children had seen a sharp increase under the present regime, and alleged a rise in narcotics circulation in the State. He asserted that the government must take responsibility for ensuring public safety. The incident has sparked political outrage, with opposition parties intensifying criticism of the State government over law and order concerns. New Delhi, Feb 28 : When the American media posed a direct question to the US President Donald Trump on his likely intervention in the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict, he was perhaps more besieged that time with the upcoming strikes in Iran than thinking beyond. However, he did say he may intervene, adding, "I get along with Pakistan, as you know very well. Very, very well," before departing on Marine One. Once Washington achieves its target of changing the regime, and has boots on Iranian grounds -- literally, or with an ally as ruler in Tehran -- the US would be knocking at Afghanistan's western boundary. Trump's "favourite Field Marshal", Pakistan's Asim Munir, can meanwhile take care of Afghanistan's southern and eastern front. President Trump has been eager to re-establish a US base in Bagram -- a strategically placed military airfield about 60 km north of Kabul. It used to be the operational centre of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), led by American troops, during its occupation of Afghanistan. The Taliban had reacted by ruling it out, emphasising on Afghanistan's independence and sovereignty. The location serves as an ideal base for operation and reconnaissance across a large part of Asia, including keeping an eye on China. With pressure on the Taliban from all sides, the path to Bagram may lay clear. With Iran, the US would have direct access to sea routes from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea with ports at Bandar Abbas and Chabahar in Iran, and Gwadar, Pasni, and Karachi in Pakistan. It also gives Washington an access to the reported reserves of rare earth in Balochistan without being worried of much insurgent offensives since the Baloch separatists would be cut off on all sides. The region lies in the tri-junction of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. General Munir, during his White House visit last year with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reportedly showcased these critical minerals to the US President and is said to have also met American investors, seeking around $500 million investment agreement to develop the critical minerals sector in Balochistan. They had also offered the US President to develop Pasni, a deep-sea fishing port in Balochistan's Gwadar district, as a full-fledged harbour. Asim Munir considers the rare earth reserves as a potential economic asset for Pakistan, that can help Islamabad reduce its huge debt and fill the treasury coffers. On his part, Trump is also said to be interested in the rare earth elements, vital in a variety of applications for the American industry. Since that visit, Trump has been full of praise for Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Sharif. "You have a great Prime Minister. You have a great General there. You have a great leader that... I think two of the people that I really respect a lot. And I think that Pakistan is doing terrifically well," the US President reiterated when asked of renewed clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that has raised fresh concerns over the region's stability. While a US State Department spokesperson told IANS earlier that Washington was closely watching the situation, it was also made clear that the US position supports Islamabad's security response. "The United States supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group," the Spokesperson added, also criticising the regime's approach to counterterrorism commitments. Even as new development unfolds in the vicinity, India would be closely watching the developments since any untoward resultant could seriously affect peace and stability in the region. February 28 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's visit to Japan is set to prove a milestone in positioning Uttar Pradesh as a global leader in green energy. In the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Yamanashi Prefecture, green hydrogen has been made the central pillar of cooperation. The agreement encompasses production, advanced technological partnership, research, skill training and wide-ranging industrial applications. This marks a historic and far-reaching step toward energy self-reliance, industrial competitiveness, and achieving net-zero targets, potentially placing Uttar Pradesh at the forefront of the clean energy revolution. In the Uttar Pradesh Government's Budget 2026-27, a provision of 2,104 crore has been proposed for additional energy development. Yamanashi is regarded as a leading region in green hydrogen technology. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Advanced Hydrogen Energy Facility Center there and conducted a detailed review of the Power-to-Gas system. Under this system, electricity generated from solar and wind energy is converted into hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen is then used for energy storage, fuel, and clean transportation, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Chief Minister has stated that possibilities of adopting this model in Uttar Pradesh will be explored. A key aspect of the green hydrogen collaboration is academic and technical training. Under the agreement, students from higher technical institutions in Uttar Pradesh will receive training at institutions in Yamanashi. The students will gain knowledge of advanced techniques related to hydrogen production, storage, safety standards and industrial applications. The training will include practical exposure in addition to theoretical learning, enabling students to implement these technologies in industries, public transport and energy projects upon returning to the state. A Center of Excellence in green hydrogen is being developed at IIT Kanpur. This center will serve as a major platform for research, innovation and industry partnerships. It will focus on reducing production costs, developing safe storage systems and researching green mobility solutions. Through this initiative, Yogi government aims to directly link academic research with industrial application. Uttar Pradesh's natural resources are considered favorable for this initiative. Green hydrogen production requires clean water and renewable energy. Given the state's abundant water resources and rapidly expanding solar energy capacity, there is strong potential for large-scale hydrogen production. The government is working on a strategy to integrate renewable energy projects with hydrogen production. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that green hydrogen will form the foundation of future energy. He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh is not adopting a reactive but a proactive policy approach, preparing from now for future energy needs. Technical collaboration with Japan will provide the state with globally benchmarked technology and expertise. Experts believe that this three-tier strategy - training, research, and industrial application - will position Uttar Pradesh as a leader in the green hydrogen sector in India. The partnership with Yamanashi is being seen not merely as an agreement, but as a solid foundation for a green and clean energy-driven industrial future. Uttar Pradesh has already begun taking concrete steps toward green hydrogen development. In Khanipur village of Gorakhpur district, the state's first green hydrogen plant has been inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This project is the largest initiative to date in India's city gas distribution sector for blending green hydrogen with natural gas. Through this plant, green hydrogen is being blended with CNG and PNG and supplied to domestic consumers, industries and the transport sector. It is estimated that this initiative will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 500 tons annually. This effort demonstrates that Uttar Pradesh is not only planning for the future but is already delivering tangible results in the present. February 28 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath returned to Lucknow on Friday morning after completing his four-day official visit to Singapore and Japan. Senior officials welcomed him at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. CM described the visit as one that would give a new direction to UPs industrial future. During the tour, state government received MoUs worth 1.5 lakh crore and investment proposals exceeding 2.5 lakh crore. Once implemented, these proposals are expected to create employment opportunities for more than 5 lakh youth. Throughout the four-day overseas visit, CM maintained a very busy schedule, participating in over 60 formal meetings and events across both countries. Three major investment road shows were organized, one in Singapore, second in Tokyo and the third in Yamanashi. Approximately 450-500 investors, industrialists and senior representatives of financial institutions attended these events, showing strong interest and enthusiasm for investment opportunities in UP. During these interactions, Chief Minister presented in detail the states industrial policies, infrastructure development, strong law-and-order framework and vast consumer market. Agreements and investment proposals were finalized across multiple sectors, including green hydrogen, semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, data centers, logistics, defense manufacturing, skill development and urban infrastructure. CM has directed Invest UP and concerned departments to promptly take these proposals forward. Overall, the visit proved significant not only for attracting investment but also for strengthening UPs global profile and economic prospects. Gandhinagar, Feb 28 : Gujarat will expand access to advanced hearing restoration for children and upgrade community health infrastructure under time-bound plans, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya told the state Assembly on Saturday. Replying to questions on the treatment of congenital deafness, the minister described cochlear implant therapy as "a blessing for congenitally deaf children" and said the facility is available in eight hospitals across the state. "These include Civil Hospital, Asarwa and G.M.E.R.S., Sola in Ahmedabad; Civil Hospital, Gandhinagar; G.G. Hospital, Jamnagar; P.D.U. Civil Hospital, Rajkot; New Civil Hospital, Surat; S.S.G. Hospital, Vadodara; and Sir Takhatsinhji Hospital, Bhavnagar," he said. He said Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital provides comprehensive services for children with congenital deafness, including hearing assessment, blood and radiological tests, evaluation of mental development, cochlear implant surgery and post-operative auditory verbal therapy. "If a six-year-old child is unable to speak or hear, the child should be taken to the nearest Civil Hospital, where proper treatment can help develop hearing and speaking abilities," he told the House. The minister said the scheme is aimed at ensuring that expensive treatment is provided free of cost to children from poor and middle-class families. "The entire cost of the surgery and implant is borne by the state government," he said. For replacement of the speech processor after surgery, the government pays 90 per cent of the total cost for families with an annual income of up to Rs 4 lakh, with parents contributing the remaining 10 per cent. In a separate reply, Minister Pansheriya said the state has resolved to upgrade Community Health Centres from the existing 27-staff pattern to a 40-staff pattern to ensure modern treatment closer to people's homes. "As part of the plan, in-principle approval has been granted to strengthen Dhanera Community Health Centre with five additional specialists a paediatrician, gynaecologist, physician, general surgeon and anaesthesiologist along with extra paramedical and support staff," he said. He said the Dhanera centre currently provides indoor and outdoor services, including maternity and laboratory facilities, and would be equipped with additional specialists in accordance with prescribed standards as part of efforts to upgrade it towards sub-district hospital status. Responding to questions on cancer care in Banaskantha district, the minister said patients with serious conditions are referred to Ahmedabad for super-specialist treatment. He also informed the Assembly that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching a nationwide drive today (Saturday) to provide free vaccination to girls aged 14 to 15 years to prevent cervical cancer, with the Gujarat campaign being launched from Ahmedabad by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, covering eligible girls across the state. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Feb 28 : NCP Chief Spokesperson Anand Paranjape on Saturday issued a sharp rebuttal to NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar describing his recent political actions following the tragic demise of former Deputy Chief Minister and party national president Ajit Pawar as "wrongful and disgusting." Following the unfortunate plane crash that claimed the life of Ajit Pawar, the NCP leadership has taken formal steps to ensure a thorough probe. The party delegation also met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting a CBI inquiry into the incident, said Paranjape. He expressed deep resentment over Ajit Pawar's nephew Rohit Pawar's recent string of meetings despite receiving official assurances. "Even after CM Devendra Fadnavis assured that a case would be registered after studying the technical difficulties, Rohit Pawar continues to meet leaders like Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and MNS Chief Raj Thackeray. This politics must stop," he stated. Paranjape reminded the public of the "political isolation" Ajit Pawar faced during his lifetime. Post-July 2023 after taking a different political stand, the state witnessed how the family allegedly left Ajit Pawar isolated. He highlighted past remarks from senior leaders labelling Sunetra Pawar as an "outsider" while urging votes for "family" members. He referenced a widely circulated video where a distressed Ajit Pawar expressed that while his family had abandoned him, the people of Baramati would not. Paranjape also debunked claims on how Jay Pawar was treated at the partyas national convention. Rohit Pawar had alleged that Jay Pawar was relegated to the back rows. However, Paranjape clarified that Facebook Live footage shows moderator Suraj Chavan repeatedly insisting that Jay Pawar take a seat at the front. Paranjape further stated that the entire NCP stands firmly with Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar, the Deputy CM and NCP National President, and their sons Parth Pawar, and Jay Pawar. He emphasised that it is not just the party workers, but the entire state of Maharashtra that has lost a great leader and is eagerly waiting for the truth of the accident to be revealed through proper channels, rather than political theater. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed February 28 : Lucknow: Just ahead of International Womens Day on March 8, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched a major campaign to ensure dignity, safety and convenience for girl students. Under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, directions have been issued to make all toilets constructed in government schools fully functional in 42 districts of the state, including Unnao, Kanpur Nagar, Raebareli, Ayodhya and Rampur. Chief Secretary S P Goyal, during a high level review meeting, clearly stated that by March 8 all school toilets must be in usable condition. He reiterated that mere completion of construction is not sufficient. Cleanliness, regular maintenance, availability of water, electricity supply where required, and secure doors must also be ensured so that the facilities are fully functional and safe for use. The governments special focus is on ensuring the availability of separate and secure toilets for girl students. Officials believe that access to clean and safe toilet facilities will increase attendance among girls, provide greater comfort during menstruation and help reduce dropout rates. On the occasion of Womens Day, this initiative is being viewed as a symbol of the states commitment to providing a respectful and supportive educational environment for daughters. To ensure accurate monitoring of the actual condition of toilets, uploading photographs on the Prerna Portal has been made mandatory. Each school will be required to upload clear photographs of the toilets from both inside and outside. This will enable real time monitoring at the state level and eliminate any scope for negligence at any stage. District Magistrates, Chief Development Officers and Basic Education Officers have been directed to conduct special drives and carry out physical verification of schools. In institutions where repairs or water connections are required, immediate action has been ordered to ensure timely completion of work. The government has made it clear that if the work is not completed within the March 8, action will be taken against the concerned officials. Instructions have also been issued to ensure the availability of necessary budget and resources so that no delay occurs due to financial constraints. This campaign is not only a significant step toward strengthening basic infrastructure in schools but also an effort to translate the spirit of womens empowerment and dignity into reality at the grassroots level. Yogi Government to provide Ayushman Card holders with treatment facilities in all Cantonment Hospitals across the state. Image Source: IANS News February 28 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to extend a major healthcare benefit to Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Card) beneficiaries. All Cantonment Hospitals across the state will soon offer treatment facilities to Ayushman Card holders. For this, the State Health Agency (SACHIS) will soon sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 12 Cantonment Hospitals. There are a total of 13 Cantonment Hospitals in Uttar Pradesh. Currently, Ayushman Card holders are already receiving treatment at the Prayagraj Cantonment Hospital. Encouraged by the successful outcomes of this initiative, the Yogi Government has decided to extend the same benefit to all other Cantonment Hospitals in the state. SACHIS CEO Archana Verma informed that since January 26, free treatment is being provided to Ayushman Card holders at the Prayagraj Cantonment Hospital. The hospital offers advanced medical facilities for serious diseases such as cardiology, nephrology, and medical and surgical oncology. Along with free OPD appointments and diagnostic tests, free transportation facilities are also being provided to patients suffering from serious ailments, a measure that has yielded positive results. Following this success, MoUs will soon be signed with the remaining 12 Cantonment Hospitals across the state. SACHIS has already completed almost all formalities in this regard. After the MoUs are finalized, Ayushman Card holders will be able to receive treatment at the Cantonment Hospitals in Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Bareilly, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Shahjahanpur, Mathura, Agra, Fatehpur, Jhansi, and Babina. With the inclusion of these hospitals, the total number of empaneled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Uttar Pradesh will increase further, thereby expanding access to quality healthcare for the poor and needy. According to SACHIS Additional CEO Dr. Pooja Yadav, coordination with Cantonment Hospitals will enable Ayushman Card holders to access expert healthcare services, especially for serious and complex medical conditions. She added that a special pick and drop facility will also be made available for patients suffering from critical illnesses, ensuring that economically weaker patients do not face difficulties in reaching hospitals. Dr. Yadav further stated that all Cantonment Hospitals are being aligned with the procedural framework of the Ayushman scheme. Once the MoUs are signed, these hospitals will be integrated into the schemes online portal, ensuring transparent and time-bound processes for patient treatment, billing, and claim settlement. Through this initiative of the Yogi Government, the advanced medical infrastructure of the Cantonment Hospitals will now benefit common citizens as well. Additionally, the move will help balance the patient load across healthcare institutions. The decision to link Cantonment Hospitals with the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is expected to provide significant relief to the poor and underprivileged citizens of Uttar Pradesh. Fox Tungsten CEO discusses rebrand amid critical minerals boom - ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Fox Tungsten Ltd (TSX-V:FOXT, OTC:HPYCF, FRA:1HC) CEO Steve Gray talked with Proactive about the companys strategic rebrand from Happy Creek Minerals and its sharpened focus on advancing its high-grade tungsten asset in British Columbia. Proactive: Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom, and joining me now is Steve Gray. He is the CEO of Happy Creek Minerals. Steve, great to see you again. How are you? Steve Gray: I'm doing great. Thanks for having me today. Exciting news about the company you've decided to take it in a new direction as far as the name is concerned. You've renamed it Fox Tungsten from Happy Creek Minerals. On paper, it looks like a logical decision, but tell me about the reasoning behind it. Yeah, absolutely. So it's two things. One, we're trying to capitalize a little bit on the excitement in the critical minerals market, in the tungsten market in particular. Tungsten prices are at all-time highs right now, and there's been a lot of interest in the commodity. We're hoping to capture some of that for ourselves. It's also a reflection of the focus of the company. In 2024, we sold our Happy Valley project to Metal Energy. So we refocused. We just have two projects now, and one of them is Fox Tungsten. We are focused on our Fox project in BC, and the new name change reflects that focus. Last time we talked, we discussed what happened in 2025 and the work that was done, and how you were looking forward to 2026. Lets reiterate whats ahead, because there is a lot of work planned for this year. We had a very successful drill program last year, but a relatively modest-sized one. We're hoping to increase that quite a bit. We're looking to do 20,000 metres this summer. That should roughly double our resource. We'll do a PEA and a resource update on the back of that. With all the excitement in the tungsten market right now, now is our chance to accelerate development. We're going to have one more big push on drilling this summer, grow the resource as much as we can, then complete the resource update and the PEA. That will enable us to start advancing the project from an exploration project to a development project. Lastly, for people not familiar with tungsten, talk to us about why there's such a need for it right now. Tungsten is a niche commodity, but it's very important. It's uniquely hard and uniquely dense, which makes it a very good drill bit. For the same reason, it makes a good tank bullet. It's used in a lot of national security inputs. Amaravati, Feb 28 : At least 20 people were killed and 15 others injured in a massive explosion in a firecracker manufacturing unit near Samarlakota in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.a The incident occurred around 2 p.m. at Suryashri Fireworks, near the Godavari canal in Vetlapalem, in Samarlakota mandal, police said.a Labour minister Vamsetti Subhash confirmed that 20 people died. He termed the incident unfortunate.a Such was the impact of the explosion that the bodies of workers were thrown into the adjoining agricultural fields.a Panic gripped people in the surrounding villages as huge flames engulfed the crackers unit, triggering dense smoke. According to local people, explosions were heard up to 5 kilometres away.a The explosion shattered the windows of houses in nearby villages. The slab at a school in a nearby village developed cracks.a Firefighting personnel with two fire engines and other equipment rushed to the scene and were trying to douse the fire with the help of police and other departments.a Fifteen were shifted to hospitals in ambulances. Most of the victims are reported to be women.a District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and other senior officials rushed to the spot and were supervising rescue and relief operations.a All the workers at the unit were trapped in the fire. The bodies of some workers were blown to pieces and scattered in the fields.a Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the fire and explosion. He spoke to district officials and directed them to launch rescue and relief operations immediately.a The Chief Minister, who is on a visit to Vizianagaram district, asked Home Minister V. Anitha to rush to the spot.a According to an official release, the Chief Minister enquired from officials about the cause of the explosion and the rescue operation undertaken by local authorities.a Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed grief over the deaths in the explosion. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the government would extend them all possible help.a The Deputy CM spoke to the District Collector and SP. He informed that explosions were still being heard from the unit. The injured were being shifted to Kakinada for treatment.a a Ahmedabad, Feb 28 : The foundation stone of a new building for the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre was laid on Saturday by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at the premises of the High Court. The programme was organised jointly by the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre and the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority under the guidance of the High Court. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, Sunita Agarwal, were present along with judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court. Addressing the gathering, Justice Surya Kant said the new building and the conference on institutional arbitration marked important steps towards strengthening the country's dispute resolution framework. He said infrastructure was not merely an administrative necessity but also reflected the credibility of an institution. "When an international investor or a party enters a professional and well-equipped arbitration centre, it instils confidence that their dispute will be resolved fairly and impartially," he said. He noted that Gujarat's industrial and technological growth had increased the relevance of institutional arbitration, particularly for foreign investors. Emphasising the need for transparency and fairness, he said, "Trust in arbitration must be built through clear procedures and investment in the quality and training of arbitrators." Referring to the launch of the Centre's digital infrastructure, including its website and newsletter, he said these initiatives would support the development of arbitration in India. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said judicial reforms were being pursued with the objective of developing India as a global arbitration hub and described the initiative as a significant addition to the state's judicial infrastructure. Referring to India's traditional dispute resolution practices, he said: "The concept of 'Panch Parmeshwar' in the panchayat system reflected principles similar to modern arbitration. The role of a lawyer was to bring disputing parties together, which he described as central to arbitration." He said the state government was committed to strengthening judicial infrastructure with the approach of "Justice for All, Timely Justice", and noted that more than Rs 2,700 crore had been allocated to the Law Department in the recent state budget. "Arbitration could support ease of doing business in a state that attracts significant investment by enabling faster resolution of disputes," he added. The event also marked the opening of a two-day conference titled "Institutional Arbitration at a Crossroads: Challenges and the Way Forward" at the High Court auditorium. The Arbitration Centre's logo was unveiled, and its redesigned website and newsletter were launched on the occasion. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Feb 28 : Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are one of the most adored couples in B-town. These two lovebirds never miss a chance to express their affection for one another, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Richa shared that even after so many years of marriage, she still can't believe she gets to have a sleepover with hubby Ali every night. On Saturday, Ali took to his official Insta handle and posted a goofy video with Richa standing in front of a giant frame of two hands making a heart. Dropping the clip on social media, the 'Mirzapur' actor wished his better half all the best for the first day of shoot for her new project. Ali wrote on his official account, "Because when you casually just find two hands making a heart shape- thats what you do. I get to do that with you @therichachadha !! Here's to also your project. Day 1 of shoot today . Am so so proud of you.. #Comingsoon !!! (sic)" Reacting to the post, the 'Fukrey' actress commented, "I cant believe i get to have a sleepover with you, every night forever (sic)." Work-wise, Richa was recently seen flaunting a chic, shorter hairstyle, most likely for a forthcoming project. A source close to the actress told IANS, "Richa has always been someone who enjoys playing with her look for the sake of her craft. Whenever she changes her appearance, there's usually a creative reason behind it." "The new haircut is for a brand new project that will start in February. It's a major series for an OTT platform that will have Richa essaying the female lead in," the source added. Further details about the project are under wraps for now. On the other hand, Ali will soon be seen reprising his role as Guddu Bhaiya in the movie adaptation of the 'Mirzapur' series. Patna, Feb 28 : In the NEET student death case, a court in Patna pulled up the CBI over its functioning and posted the matter for hearing till March 2. After a lengthy hearing that lasted nearly two and a half hours, the court adjourned the matter until March 2. The entire team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was present during the proceedings. During the hearing, the court raised serious questions regarding the functioning of the CBI and reprimanded it over the legal provisions applied in the case. The court specifically questioned why the POCSO Act has not yet been invoked in what it termed a sensitive matter. It was observed that the CBI is currently proceeding primarily under the relevant section of attempt to murder, which, according to the court, does not appear proportionate to the gravity of the allegations. The judge sought a clear explanation from the investigating agency regarding the legal basis of the ongoing investigation. In sharp remarks, the court asked, "Do you really need Manish Ranjan? Why is the accused still in jail when the POCSO Act isn't even involved in your case?" The court further asked what concrete findings had emerged against the accused in the past 15 days of investigation and questioned the justification for his continued incarceration if sufficient evidence had not yet been gathered. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had earlier probed the case, also presented its position before the court. SIT representatives stated that Manish Ranjan had initially been arrested because he was considered an influential individual. However, they clarified that since the matter is now being investigated by the CBI, they no longer require his custody. This submission has added a new dimension to the debate surrounding the accused's bail prospects. The mother of the deceased student, who was present in court, made an emotional appeal to the judge seeking justice for her daughter. The case timeline shows that it was initially investigated by a local police officer, Roshni Kumari, the SHO of the Chitragupt Nagar police station, until January 17, after which it was handed over to the SIT. The CBI formally registered the case on February 12 and began its independent investigation. With the court demanding written responses to its pointed questions, all eyes are now on the next hearing scheduled for March 2. The CBI will be required to clarify its legal stance and investigative findings, which could significantly impact the accused's bail application and the future course of the case. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that she would look into the issue of the arrest of Fino Payments Bank's Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer Rishi Gupta after IT industry leader and former Infosys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mohandas Pai flagged GST's overreach and requested the Finance Minister's intervention in a social media post. Gupta was arrested on Friday under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act and the State Goods and Services Tax Act. Following the action, the bank appointed CFO Ketan Merchant as head of the organisation to carry forward and oversee the day-to-day operations. According to sources, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is likely to evaluate the matter and the Finance Ministry is expected to call for a report after the Finance Minister Sitharaman took note of the issue. In a statement on Saturday, Merchant said that the issue is with regard to a GST investigation pertaining to our business partners', who have relationship with other banks, including Fino Payments Banks Limited, and the Bank and its MD and CEO Rishi Gupta have nothing to do with the actions of the programme managers. Sharing that statement, Pai tagged Finance Minister sitharaman and said, "Nirmala Sitharaman ji, please see this. How can a CEO of a regulated bank be arrested for an issue with a business partner? Is this not overreach?" "The Finance Ministry has given vast powers for GST. What is the safeguard for citizens against misuse? Please intervene," Pai added. Responding to Pai's social media post, the Finance Minister replied: "Thanks for sharing this. Will check." CFO Ketan Merchant also said that the Fino Payments Bank wishes to inform that we have a strong corporate governance, compliance framework and robust processes in place. "As a regulated entity, we are compliant with all the laws, including GST," the CFO said in a statement. He added that they have full faith in the country's judiciary and will continue to extend full cooperation and assistance to the authorities in the ongoing process. "We would like to further assure our customers, investors and all our stakeholders that our business operations will continue uninterrupted and there will be no impact on our services. We stand committed to deliver on our customer centricity." New Delhi, Feb 28 : A two-day national convention titled 'Bharati - Nari se Narayani', aimed at celebrating and strengthening the transformative journey of women from 'Nari' to 'Narayani', will be held in the national capital on March 7-8. New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) A two-day national convention titled 'Bharati Nari se Narayani', aimed at celebrating and strengthening the transformative journey of women from 'Nari' to 'Narayani', will be held in the national capital on March 7-8. The convention is being jointly organised by Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat and Sharanya at Vigyan Bhawan. Describing 'Bharati' as an ambitious project, the organisers said the core motto is to transform 'Nari' into a strategic and empowered 'Narayani'. "This is our first-ever conference of this scale. We have invited Indian women leaders from diverse fields to deliberate on what more can be done for women across the country. Our approach is to connect, support and stand by women whenever they need collective strength," they said. Anju Ahuja, President, Sharanya and Seetha Gayatri Andanam, Pramukh Karyvahika Rahstriya Sevika Samiti, emphasised that the primary objective is to awaken and empower contemporary women. "Our main objective is to awaken and empower the women of today. The situation in our country is such that almost every day we hear reports of injustice against women. While women are progressing, becoming self-respectful and self-reliant, there are still elements in society that attempt to push them backward," Anju Ahuja said. "We want to raise awareness among women to such an extent that nothing like this happens to the coming generations," she added. Seetha Gayatri Andanam informed that the convention will be inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Shanta Kumari. The valedictory address will be delivered by President Droupadi Murmu. Highlighting the philosophical foundation of the event, she said that global discussions on women often frame men and women as competitors. "However, Indian thought views women and men as complementary to each other. They must work together. At the same time, we must further enhance the dignity and respect of women," she said. V. Shivani, Secretary, Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat, stated that the convention will bring together women thought leaders from across India for intensive deliberations rather than formal paper presentations. "This is not a paper presentation format. It will be a full discussion session where participants will deliberate on the future of women what can be done for women in remote areas and how to address region-specific challenges," she said. The organisers have identified several thematic areas for discussion: Vidya (Knowledge), focusing on education and leadership and inviting vice-chancellors and concerned ministers; Shakti, centred on self-reliance and skill-based training; Mukti; Siddhi; Prakriti; Sanskriti; and Kriti. The convention aims to build a nationwide network of women intellectuals and leaders to collectively shape strategies for social transformation and empowerment rooted in Indian civilisational values. Bengaluru, Feb 28 : The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the Congress-led government of continuing with the old reservation system and failing to implement internal reservation, alleging that Dalits have been cheated and youth treated unjustly. Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy challenged the government to clarify how it intends to provide internal reservation, stating that continuing with the old reservation system does not amount to implementing internal reservation. It may be recalled that, citing technical and legal reasons, the Congress-led government had announced that it would recruit 56,432 candidates under the old reservation formula. Narayanaswamy said, "The Congress government has not implemented internal reservation. For so long, you have cheated Dalits and done injustice to the youth. The current situation is due to the government's failure and not the fault of the people." He said internal reservation must be provided within the 17 per cent quota allocated to Scheduled Castes. However, he noted that the matter is pending before the court, making implementation difficult at present. He pointed out that states such as Jharkhand, Haryana and Telangana have implemented internal reservation. He also emphasised that while the state government has cited the 50 per cent reservation cap, there is no such limit specifically applicable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within their allocated quota. He accused the government of failing to properly explain the issue to the people and said blaming the public was unacceptable. He warned that if the government does not clearly spell out how it plans to implement internal reservation, he would inform the affected communities that they are being insulted and deceived. Narayanaswamy recalled that during the BJP-led government headed by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, reservation for Scheduled Castes was increased from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for Scheduled Tribes from 3 per cent to 7 per cent. He said the demand for internal reservation among Scheduled Castes has been ongoing for decades, and the previous government had constituted sub-groups and forwarded the proposal to the Central government, as the state lacked the authority to implement it at that time. He said the Central government had advised waiting due to the pending court case, but subsequently the court allowed states to take their own decisions, making it easier to implement internal reservation. He urged the state government to take a political decision and implement the policy. Narayanaswamy said that the earlier classification of 6 per cent, 5 per cent, 4 per cent and 1 per cent was revised, and a political decision was taken to place Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida and Adi Andhra communities in separate categories. He stated that these are their original caste identities. He also pointed out that nomadic communities, though spread across these groups, were placed under Group C. He said that although this arrangement was not entirely correct, there was broad agreement in order to arrive at a settlement, with the understanding that any injustice caused to certain groups could be rectified in the future. Narayanaswamy said a tense atmosphere had developed in the state amid concerns that all government posts would go to a single group. During this period, youth in Dharwad launched a major protest raising these concerns. He said concerns have emerged over the unequal distribution of opportunities among sub-groups, creating tension in the state. Youth in Dharwad alleged that 2.84 lakh government posts have remained vacant due to delays linked to internal reservation. He claimed that as BJP leaders extended support to the protesting students and youth, the government was forced to act and approach the Governor for consent on internal reservation. However, he questioned what concrete action has been taken by the government despite obtaining the Governor's approval. Patna, Feb 28 : Tension gripped the campus of Patna Science College on Saturday after reports of one or two rounds of gunfire during voting for the Patna University Student Union elections. Following the information, police from Pirbahor police station, led by Patna Town DSP-1, rushed to the spot and began an investigation. Additional forces were deployed to ensure security at the polling station and surrounding areas. SDPO Rajesh Ranjan confirmed the incident, stating, "A gunshot was fired at Patna Science College during the student union elections. A shell casing has been recovered. There is no need to panic. The administration is present, and reinforcements have been deployed. We are investigating who carried out this act." Police officials said there has been no official confirmation of injuries so far. CCTV footage from the campus is being examined, and eyewitnesses are being questioned. The gunshots were reportedly fired in the air. Authorities have appealed to students to maintain peace and ensure a smooth election process. In a separate development during the polls, Student Union presidential candidate Rinkle Yadav was detained by the police. Rinkle Yadav is contesting as an independent candidate and reported to be associated with Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav. As news of his detention spread, supporters created a ruckus on the university campus and raised slogans, prompting heightened security deployment. The student union elections have witnessed significant participation. 41 candidates are contesting for five central panel posts, 45 candidates are in the fray for councilor positions, including 11 candidates for President, nine for General Secretary, eight for Vice President, six for Joint Secretary, and seven for Treasurer. Voting ended at 2.30 p.m, and the counting of votes is underway at Patna Arts College under the tight security of Patna police. The results are expected to come tonight. Authorities have reiterated that ensuring a peaceful and fair election remains their top priority. Moscow, Feb 28 : Russia on Saturday condemned the "unprovoked' armed attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, asserting the urgent need to return the situation to a political and diplomatic resolution. Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephonic conversation on Saturday at the initiative of the Iranian side. "The Iranian minister reported on the Iranian leadership's steps to repel US and Israeli aggression, which has once again disrupted negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear programme. He announced plans to urgently convene a meeting of the UN Security Council," read a statement issued by the Russian MFA after the phone call. "Sergei Lavrov condemned the unprovoked armed attack by the US and Israel on Iran, which violates the principles and norms of international law and completely disregards the grave consequences for regional and global stability and security. The minister emphasised the need to immediately cease attacks against the Islamic Republic and return the situation to a political and diplomatic resolution," it added. Lavrov, the statement mentioned, noted Russia's readiness, including in the UN Security Council, to facilitate the search for peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect, and a balance of interests. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States has initiated "major combat operations" in Iran, confirming a dramatic escalation in hostilities that heightened fears of a broader regional conflict in a strategically and economically sensitive part of the world. In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the renewed military aggression against Iran is being committed while Tehran and Washington were in the midst of a diplomatic process. "Despite being confident in the intentions of the United States and the Zionist regime to carry out another military aggression, we once again entered into negotiations to prove to the international system and all countries of the world the rightfulness of the Iranian nation and to demonstrate the illegitimacy of any excuse for aggression," it stated. "The Islamic Republic of Iran recalls the grave duty of the United Nations and its Security Council to take immediate action to confront the violation of international peace and security due to the clear military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, and calls on the UN Secretary-General, the President of the Security Council, and the members of this Council to fulfill their duty as soon as possible," it added. New Delhi/Bhopal, Feb 28 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed important developments during a visit to New Delhi on Saturday, government officials said. Photos of the meeting shared from the Chief Minister's Office shows that the two leaders -- Amit Shah and Mohan Yadav -- had healthy discussion during the meeting. Chief Minister Yadav is seen holding some papers during the discussion. This crucial meeting came a day after the budget session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly concluded on Friday. Chief Minister Yadav along with Madhya Pradesh BJP Chief Hemant Khandelwal met the BJP President Nitin Nabin and discussed important political developments, organisational changes in the state and possible appointments in the coming time. During his visit to New Delhi on Saturday, the Chief Minister also met several other Union Ministers with reports of key development projects in the state. Before leaving for New Delhi, Chief Minister Yadav virtually participated in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Rajasthan on Saturday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Madhya Pradesh government has set a target of vaccinating nearly 800,000 adolescent girls, for which more than 758,500 vaccination doses have been received from the Central government. He told that these vaccines will be administered to eligible girls aged above 14 years and under 15 years. They will receive only one vaccine dose. "This vaccine, which costs around Rs 4,000 in the market, will be made available free of charge at identified government institutions. The campaign will run for the next three months," Chief Minister Yadav said in a statement. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking concrete steps to protect daughters (girl children) from serious diseases like cancer, and the HPV vaccination campaign is part of that commitment. "In a historic initiative towards protecting the health of daughters and women in Madhya Pradesh, a state-wide HPV vaccination campaign has been launched today," he said. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also urged parents to ensure their daughters are vaccinated for a bright and cancer-free future and make the campaign a success. We came across a bullish thesis on Genpact Limited on Bees Substacks Substack by Bee Spoke Investing. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on G. Genpact Limited's share was trading at $37.36 as of February 16th. Gs trailing and forward P/E were 11.94 and 18.32, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Computer with charts Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology services in India, the rest of Asia, North America, Latin America, and Europe. G has reinforced its investment case following strong Q3 2025 results that validated managements strategic pivot toward higher-margin advanced technology solutions and AI-driven transformation. The company delivered revenue of $1.291 billion, up 7% year over year and above guidance, while Advanced Technology Solutions grew 20%, marking its fifth consecutive quarter of accelerating growth under CEO Balkrishan (BK) Kalra. Profitability improved alongside growth, with adjusted operating margin reaching 17.7%, gross margin expanding to 36.4%, and diluted EPS rising 14% to $0.97, demonstrating that the shift toward digital and AI offerings is enhancing both scale and economics. Long-term operating trends further support the thesis, including declining leverage, disciplined share repurchases reducing dilution, steady revenue and margin expansion, improving return on invested capital, and stronger free cash flow generation after interest obligations. A central driver of future upside is Genpacts focus on agentic operations, supported by new platforms such as AI Maestro and industry-specific software suites, alongside roughly 330 GenAI solutions already deployed or in production. Real-world implementations with clients like Mars, Incorporated, and Heineken demonstrate measurable efficiency gains, reinforcing credibility that AI initiatives are delivering tangible business outcomes rather than speculative promise. Strategic partnerships are also becoming a growth multiplier, with partner-related revenue rising 56% year over year through collaborations with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Databricks, expanding market reach while leveraging Genpacts domain expertise. Managements decision to raise full-year guidance signals confidence in pipeline visibility despite macro volatility. Overall, Genpacts execution, improving financial profile, and credible AI monetization pathway create a compelling risk-reward profile with meaningful upside potential as the market increasingly recognizes its transformation. Panaji, Feb 28 : The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 78 lakh in connection with an alleged bank fraud involving misappropriation of public funds from the Anjuna branch of the Bank of Baroda, officials said on Saturday. The action was carried out by the EDas Panaji Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The money laundering probe was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Economic Offences Cell (EOC) of Goa Police, Panaji -- later transferred to the Crime Branch -- against Udit Narayan, the then Branch Manager of Bank of Barodaas Anjuna branch, and others. According to the ED, the accused allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat the bank and its customers by unauthorised diversion of funds from genuine account holders without their consent or mandate. Investigations revealed that Udit Narayan allegedly abused his official position to orchestrate a systematic fraud by fraudulently debiting accounts of unsuspecting customers. Among those affected were institutional accounts, including that of the Communidade of Anjuna, as well as several dormant accounts. The misappropriated funds were allegedly layered through multiple amulea bank accounts operated by associates who acted as conduits to conceal the illicit origin of the money. The agency further claimed that forged signatures and benami SIM cards were used to facilitate the unauthorised transactions and avoid detection. The properties attached by the ED include a commercial shop at aSadashiv Plazaa in Ponda, a plot of land in Anjuna, a residential flat at aKirti Residencya in Ponda, and certain bank balances held in the name of Udit Narayan. Officials stated that some of the immovable properties were held in the names of alleged conduits and were attached as equivalent value of the proceeds of crime. The total proceeds of crime in the case have been quantified at Rs 2.34 crore. The investigation under the PMLA is ongoing. Brussels, Feb 28 : The European Union on Saturday expressed serious concerns over the latest developments in Iran, while reaffirming its steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability. The EU stated that it remains in close contact with the partners in the region. "Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance. The European Union has adopted extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran's murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards and has consistently promoted diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the nuclear and ballistic programmes through a negotiated solution," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X "In close coordination with EU Member States, we will take all necessary steps to ensure that EU citizens in the region can count on our full support," she added The EU called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law. Meanwhile, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas described the latest developments across the Middle East as "perilous". She accused the Iranian regime of killing thousands, stating that Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security. "The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue. I have spoken to Israel's Foreign Minister Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths. Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority," she posted on X "Our consular network is fully engaged in facilitating departures for EU citizens. Non-essential EU personnel are being withdrawn from the region. Our Aspides naval mission remains on high alert in the Red Sea and stands ready to help keep the maritime corridor open," she added. The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on Saturday, significantly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. The development raises concerns of a widening confrontation that could have far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. Iran, in turn, launched ballistic missiles at Israel, the Israeli military confirmed. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Union Minister of State (MoS) Harsh Malhotra on Saturday reacted to a Delhi court order discharging AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Excise Policy case, saying the order reflects the opinion of the lower court and that the judicial process is still underway. Speaking to IANS, Malhotra said, "The lower court has clearly stated that due to the absence of witnesses, this case does not currently stand against them. This is the opinion of the lower court. And it is okay if it is said." He further alleged that crucial evidence had been tampered with. "It is also known to everyone that 150 phones, from which this whole transaction allegedly took place, were broken. Hundreds and thousands of SIM cards were deactivated," he claimed. However, he asserted that the legal discharge does not amount to public endorsement. "Despite that, did the people of Delhi forgive the accused? No, they did not," he said. Referring to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Malhotra claimed that voters had raised concerns over the now-scrapped excise policy. "Even in this election, the people of Delhi questioned them why did you push our young generation towards alcohol? Opening three liquor shops in a single ward was a wrongdoing committed by Kejriwal and his then Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia. They have not yet been absolved of that," he said. The Minister emphasised that the matter is far from over. "The judicial process is still underway. And the biggest question is if they believed the policy was right, why did they withdraw it?" he asked. Malhotra added that, in his view, the electorate has already delivered a political message. "Society and the people of Delhi have already shown them a trailer in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections; the legal process is still pending," he said. Earlier on Friday (February 27), the court discharged all the accused in the CBI case, observing that the prosecution had failed to produce substantive evidence. The Rouse Avenue Court granted major relief to Kejriwal and Sisodia in the excise policy case, observing that the prosecution had failed to substantiate its allegations. The CBI had alleged that nearly Rs 100 crore was paid by a "south lobby" to influence the 202122 excise policy, which was later scrapped following a probe order. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28 : Large-scale flight cancellations across Kerala's international airports on Friday underscored the deepening impact of escalating tensions in West Asia, disrupting travel plans for thousands of expatriates and their families. Airport sources confirmed that the maximum cancellations were reported at Cochin International Airport, the State's busiest gateway to the Gulf. Services from Kannur International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Calicut International Airport were also cancelled or rescheduled amid heightened security concerns and airspace restrictions in parts of the Middle East. The Cochin Airport has, by now, cancelled 14 flights and has issued an advisory to all passengers travelling to the Middle East to check with the airline before leaving home for the airport. In a dramatic development, a flight that had departed for Muscat was called back mid-journey, reflecting the fluid and uncertain operational environment. The disruptions come against the backdrop of the recent joint military action by Israel and the United States in Iran, and the subsequent escalation across the region. With several Gulf countries imposing airspace restrictions as a precaution, airlines have opted for cancellations and route adjustments. The fallout is particularly significant for Kerala, where nearly 85 per cent of its diaspora, estimated at close to 2.5 million people, is settled in various Middle East nations. The Gulf remains the backbone of the State's remittance economy, and any prolonged disruption could have cascading economic and social consequences. Reacting to the developments, K. C. Venugopal, AICC General Secretary and MP from Alappuzha, expressed "deep concern and apprehension" over the situation. In a statement, he urged the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs to take all necessary diplomatic and logistical measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in the region. He called for immediate steps to facilitate the safe passage and evacuation of citizens who are most at risk and those wishing to return home. Patna, Feb 28 : The Bihar Police have announced a zero-tolerance policy against hooliganism during Holi, deploying additional forces across all major cities and sensitive locations in the state. According to an official statement, strict action will be taken against biker gangs, street racers and individuals attempting to disrupt peace under the guise of festivities. Additional police personnel have been deployed in all districts to ensure the maintenance of law and order. Director General of Police Vinay Kumar has directed all district police chiefs to take stringent preventive measures in view of the festival. Police stations have been instructed to identify sensitive areas within their jurisdictions and maintain heightened vigilance. Control rooms have been established in each district and directed to monitor the situation at two-hour intervals. Any untoward incident must be reported immediately to the DGP Control Room. Additional Director General (Law and Order) Pankaj Kumar Darad has instructed all SPs and SSPs to deploy adequate forces and executive magistrates in mixed-population areas, religious sites and historically sensitive zones. Police Headquarters has emphasised the need to review incidents from the past three Holi celebrations, monitor disputes linked to old enmities and land conflicts, take preventive action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the CrPC, and ensure impartial action against mischief-makers from all communities. Authorities have been instructed not to take even minor communal incidents lightly. Senior district officials have been directed to personally visit the spot if any serious situation arises. Religious organisations or individuals spreading rumours or hatred will face strict legal action. Intelligence gathering has been intensified, and suspected anti-social elements may be placed under surveillance where necessary. Extra security has been ordered in insurgency-affected districts. Special vigilance will be maintained at police pickets and stations, jails, railway sections, establishments and government buildings. Police have also been directed to monitor trains closely to prevent drugging-and-robbery incidents, particularly targeting migrant workers returning home for Holi. To maintain peace during the festival, 12 companies of the Range Reserve Force, 31 companies of the Bihar Armed Police Force, 2,768 PTC trainee constables currently undergoing training at the Police Academy in Rajgir, 5,100 Home Guards and three companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed. The highest concentration of forces has been deployed in Patna, including three companies of the Range Reserve Force, three companies of the Bihar Armed Police Force, 535 newly recruited constables and 400 Home Guards. Significant deployments have also been made in Darbhanga, Begusarai, Jamui, Munger, Rohtas, Buxar, Gaya and Motihari, while other districts have received force deployment as per requirement. Kolkata, Feb 28 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell Chief and party's central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, on Saturday, questioned the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress' decision to nominate Menaka Guruswamy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in the state. In an X post, Malviya claimed that Chief Minister Banerjee has rewarded Guruswamy for defending the then Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal in the RG Kar rape and murder case. "Mamata Banerjee has rewarded Menaka Guruswamy, a non-Bengali, with a Rajya Sabha seat. The optics are striking. She had appeared for Vineet Goyal, the then Kolkata Police Commissioner, in a matter that has shaken Bengal's conscience, the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case," he said. The BJP leader said that Guruswamy's nomination sends a wrong message to the people, who were shaken by the RG Kar protest. "Serious questions were raised about how the investigation was handled. The disclosure of the victim's identity triggered outrage. Protesting junior doctors and large sections of the medical fraternity demanded accountability and transparency. Trust in the system was deeply shaken. At such a moment, this nomination sends a message and not a reassuring one," Malviya added. Commenting on the horrific RG Kar rape and murder case, the BJP leader said, "People across Bengal must pause and reflect on the unimaginable loss suffered by the victim's middle-class parents, who spent their life's savings educating their only child, only to see her life cut short in the most brutal way." Malviya added, "For the protesting doctors and the wider medical community seeking justice for their colleague, this decision will be seen not as closure but as a provocation. In public life, perception matters. And this perception is unlikely to fade anytime soon." The Trinamool Congress on Friday night announced the names of its candidates for the vacant Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal, with lots of surprises in the choice of candidates. Among the four candidates was the name of the senior advocate of the Supreme Court, Menaka Guruswamy, who was the counsel of the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the legal battle on the issue of controversies relating to the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recent raid at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of I-PAC's founder director, Pratik Jain. Abu Dhabi, Feb 28 : The Ministry of Defence of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that the country's air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed a new wave of Iranian missiles launched towards the country, on Saturday. The operation to successfully intercept the new wave of Iranian missiles was carried out with high efficiency and without any damage, the UAE's Defence Ministry stated. "The Ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the countryas security and stability. It emphasised that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised," read a statement issued by the ministry. The ministry also stated that missiles were intercepted by the UAE Air Defence system and debris has fallen on several areas in Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Baniyas Area, Mohammed Bin Zayed area, and Al Falah area. "The Ministry stressed that the targetting constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming the UAEas full right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory and people, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. The Ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources in the UAE and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information," the statement added. Earlier in the day, UAE's Ministry of Defence stated that the country was subjected to a "brazen attack" with Iranian ballistic missiles, which the UAE air defences handled with the "highest efficiency" as the security situation in the country remains under control. It mentioned that fallout of debris in a residential area in the city of Abu Dhabi resulted in some material damage and the death of an individual of Asian nationality. "The Ministry of Defence announced that the United Arab Emirates was subjected today to a brazen attack with Iranian ballistic missiles, which the UAE air defences handled with the highest efficiency, successfully intercepting several of the missiles. The relevant authorities in the country also dealt with the fallout of debris in a residential area in the city of Abu Dhabi, which resulted in some material damage and the death of an individual of Asian nationality," read the statement issued by UAE's Defence Ministry. "The competent authorities confirm that the security situation in the country is under control, and all concerned parties are monitoring developments around the clock. The Ministry condemned this attack in the strongest terms, affirming the country's categorical rejection of targeting civilian facilities, installations, and national institutions, emphasizing that such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians and undermines stability," it added. Abu Dhabi stressed further that this targetting constitutes a "flagrant violation" of national sovereignty and international law, and that the country reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its lands, people, and residents, in a manner that ensures the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its interests and national capabilities. "The Ministry affirmed that it is on high alert and readiness to deal with any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to firmly counter everything that targets the disruption of the country's security and stability, adding that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors represents an utmost priority that cannot be compromised. The Ministry urges the honorable public to obtain information from official sources in the country and to avoid circulating rumours or unverified information," the statement added. New Delhi, Feb 28 : In a dramatic turn of events, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib was granted bail in a midnight hearing in the case related to the shirtless protest at the AI Summit but, within hours, the decision was put on hold till March 6 by another Delhi court on Saturday, a lawyer said. While Judicial Magistrate First Class Vanshika Mehta had granted the IYC President bail at midnight noting that he was not a flight risk, a sessions court put curbs on his bail till March 6 on a plea filed by the Delhi Police on Saturday afternoon, a lawyer added. The sessions court will take up the matter on March 6 and till then Chib is likely to remain in judicial custody. While granting bail, the Patiala House Court's duty magistrate had said that no person would be devoid of personal liberty on mere conjectures or primarily because the co-accused are yet to be arrested. The magistrate granted bail to Chib on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and ordered him to surrender his passport and electronic gadgets to the court. Just before the bail was granted by the Magistrate, the Delhi Police Crime Branch had filed an application in the court late Friday night seeking a seven-day extension of Chib's police custody. Following the defence lawyer's bail application, the duty magistrate granted Chib relief and bail, saying that the Crime Branch failed to provide sufficient reasons for the extension of his remand. The granting of bail to the IYC President by the magistrate around midnight was welcomed by the Congress on Saturday which claimed that "truth and justice have prevailed". However, by Saturday evening an interim curb was imposed on the IYC's bail till March 6. According to the grounds of arrest, Chib has been accused of being the main conspirator in organising an unlawful assembly on February 20 at the Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026, where slogans were raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged attempts were made to incite a riot-like situation. Chib was arrested after nearly 15 hours of questioning at the Tilak Marg police station in connection with the shirtless protest held on final day of the India AI Impact Summit. The protest had triggered a political row after the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the Congress demonstration as an attempt to tarnish India's global image, while the Congress defended it as a peaceful protest reflecting concerns of the youth. Patna, Feb 28 : In a breakthrough under the ongoing anti-liquor drive, Khajekalan Police Station in Patna recovered approximately 480 litres of foreign liquor during a raid in the Ghasiyari Gali area. Police acted on a specific tip-off that a large consignment of liquor had been unloaded at the location. A swift raid was conducted, leading to the seizure. The operation has reportedly created panic among liquor smugglers active in the region. A preliminary investigation has uncovered an alleged interstate liquor-smuggling syndicate. According to Gaurav Kumar, Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sadar Range, the consignments were being brought in from states such as West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Kumar further said that the consignment was smuggled to Patna to sell it during Holi. "We have been running a special campaign under the supervision of Patna SSP in the district. On Saturday, around 9 am, the Khajekalan police station received a tip about illegal liquor stored in a house. We have verified the information and constituted a team that conducted a raid at the place and seized the liquor," Kumar said. To evade detection, the smugglers allegedly transported liquor via trains and unloaded consignments at various major and minor railway stations in Patna City before distributing them locally. Investigators revealed that the gang had developed an organised home delivery network to supply liquor across Patna despite the state's prohibition law. During the raid, police arrested one accused at the spot and seized Rs 2,000 in cash along with a mobile phone. During interrogation, the arrested suspect reportedly disclosed the identity of a key liquor mafia figure involved in operating the racket. Police teams are now conducting further raids to apprehend other members of the syndicate. The action comes as part of a broader crackdown directed by the Bihar Police Headquarters, which has instructed strict enforcement of the prohibition law across the state. Officials said the focus is not only on seizures but also on dismantling the entire supply chain and the technical networks used by smugglers. Police aim to completely eliminate the illegal liquor syndicate operating in the city. Further investigation is underway. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Claiming that hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens have been killed during the large-scale attacks launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday, Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali confirmed that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian have not suffered any harm and remain in good health. In an interview with IANS, Ambassador Fathali also stated that the Iranian authorities have issued the necessary safety advisories and guidelines for the safety of all foreign nationals, including Indian students and professionals, who are stuck in the conflict zone. Excerpts: IANS: US President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of "large-scale combat operations" on Saturday, does Iran view this as the beginning of an all-out war, or will it pursue a strategy of limited retaliation? Mohammad Fathali: What has occurred today constitutes an act of aggression and a clear violation of Iranas national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In todayas criminal attacks, hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens have been martyred. In one instance alone, more than 50 school girls lost their lives in a girlsa school in the city of Minab. Iran has neither initiated nor sought war. The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently emphasised that it does not seek to expand the conflict in the region. At the same time, however, it will respond firmly and decisively to any act of aggression. In accordance with its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take appropriate action. The nature and level of Iranas response will be proportionate to the conduct of the opposing party. Should aggression continue, the response will likewise be proportionate and decisive. Responsibility for any further escalation rests entirely with those who initiated it. IANS: Reports indicate that the office of the Supreme Leader and the Presidential complex in Tehran were targetted. Can you confirm that the countryas leadership is safe? Mohammad Fathali: According to official statements from the security authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the President are in full health and have not sustained any harm. Nevertheless, it must be emphasised that Ayatollah Khamenei is not merely a political leader. He is a religious authority for Shiites around the world and an inspirational figure for millions of freedom-seeking individuals globally. His standing is rooted in deep religious convictions and a profound bond with the people, and it cannot be diminished by military actions or threats. Any attack or harm directed against him would carry extremely grave, far-reaching, and painful consequences for the aggressor regimes of the United States and Israel. Direct responsibility for any such reckless act would lie with them, and the consequences would be neither predictable nor controllable. IANS: Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes against Israel. Is Tehran also engaging in backchannel diplomacy to prevent further escalation? Mohammad Fathali: The reality is that in recent months the Islamic Republic of Iran had been engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the United States government. We demonstrated our belief in diplomacy and our readiness to resolve differences through political means. However, it was the United States that showed a lack of commitment to dialogue and diplomatic obligations and chose the path of confrontation and military action. At present, no backchannel diplomacy is underway. When the other side chooses the language of war, the response will be delivered in the same arena. Iran will deliver a crushing response to the Israeli regime a" one that will be severe and painful and will alter the security equations of the region. This response will be carried out within the framework of legitimate self-defense and with the aim of restoring deterrence. IANS: What specific measures has Iran taken to ensure the safety of Indian students and professionals currently residing in the country? Mohammad Fathali: As of this moment, there have been no official reports of harm to Indian students or citizens residing in Iran. We sincerely hope that all of them remain safe and unharmed. The relevant Iranian authorities have issued the necessary safety advisories and guidelines, and all foreign nationals a" including Indian students and professionals a" are expected to adhere strictly to these instructions. Should evacuation or departure become necessary, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to cooperate and coordinate fully with the Government of India to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. IANS: Several reports indicate explosions in Persian Gulf countries, does Iran intend to draw third countries into this conflict? Mohammad Fathali: No. The Islamic Republic of Iran has not carried out any attacks against regional countries. We have repeatedly stated that our target is not the countries of the region. Our warning has been clear: if the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran is attacked by the United States, all US military bases in the region will be considered legitimate targets within the framework of the right to self-defence. Regional countries must not allow their territory or airspace to be used for attacks against Iran. This is not only a security necessity but also a responsibility toward regional stability. Under international law and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to self-defence and will exercise that right as necessary. Our objective is not to expand the war, but to prevent further aggression and restore deterrence. Responsibility for any escalation lies with those who initiated this act of aggression. GeoPark said 2025 financial performance largely reflected lower realized prices. The companys realized price averaged $58.1 per boe in 2025 , down from $65.6 per boe in 2024 . Adjusted EBITDA totaled $277 million for the year, within guidance. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $46 million , which management attributed to lower prices and several non-recurring and timing-related items such as deferred sales volumes, logistics adjustments, and Vaca Muerta startup costs. Bayon said some of these effects would be reversed in first-quarter 2026 results. In Argentina, management said production began contributing ahead of plan after GeoPark closed the acquisition of the Loma Jarillosa Este and Puesto Silva Oeste blocks in October. The company emphasized that operations were integrated safely, noting later in the call that work in Vaca Muerta had been incident-free with no recordables. In Colombia, management said production stabilized earlier than anticipated, supported by base output in Llanos 34, sustained contribution from CPO-5, and drilling success in Llanos 123. Bayon also pointed to early results from a polymer injection recovery project in Llanos 34, which began in December. CEO Felipe Bayon said full-year 2025 production averaged 28,233 boepd , above the upper end of guidance. Fourth-quarter volumes averaged 28,351 boepd , broadly in line with the prior quarter and reflecting initial contribution from the companys Vaca Muerta assets in Argentina. Geopark (NYSE:GPRK) executives said 2025 represented a turning point for the company, highlighting that it delivered or exceeded full-year guidance across key metrics despite a lower oil price environment, while advancing a portfolio reset that includes a new unconventional platform in Argentina and an agreed acquisition of Frontera Energys Colombian upstream assets. Balance sheet and shareholder actions: GeoPark ended the year with > $100 million cash and 1.6x net leverage, repurchased > $100 million of 2030 notes (generating a $10 million gain and ~ $9.5 million annual interest savings), declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share, and has > 84% of 2026 production hedged. Lower realized prices (average $58.1/boe in 2025 vs. $65.6/boe in 2024) left adjusted EBITDA at $277 million for the year and $46 million in Q4, but management reported $32 million of structural cash savings with an expected ~ $45 million annualized runrate and normalized OpEx/G&A of about $13 / $4.5 per barrel. GeoPark said 2025 was a turning point, averaging 28,233 boepd (above guidance) with early contributions from its Vaca Muerta assets, and an agreed Frontera acquisition that would more than double reserves to a proforma ~ 40,000 boepd , while targeting a 20,000 boepd Argentina plateau by 2028. Story Continues Capital spending was $98 million in 2025, which management said was in line with plan and supported a 2.8x adjusted EBITDA-to-CapEx ratio and an 18% ROIC. Cost performance, one-offs, and 2026 guidance NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Executives highlighted structural efficiencies achieved in 2025, including average operating costs of $13.4 per barrel and G&A of $4.8 per barrel, both within guidance. The company also reported $32 million in structural cash savings and said it expects a run-rate of about $45 million in annualized savings in 2026 and beyond. In response to questions on fourth-quarter cost one-offs, CFO Jaime Caballero said the quarter included about $7 million of non-recurring startup costs tied to the reinitiation of the Platanillo operation in Putumayo and Vaca Muerta activities in Argentina. He said roughly two-thirds of that impact was in OpEx and one-third in G&A. He also cited $2 million to $3 million of seasonal effects in the quarter from labor-related provisions and year-end items. Caballero said normalized costs would be around $13 per barrel for OpEx and $4.5 per barrel for G&A, while reiterating 2026 guidance for lifting costs of $13-$15 per barrel and G&A of about $4 per barrel. COO Martin Terrado added that January and February numbers suggested some fourth-quarter impacts had already rolled off. Terrado also discussed operational cost reduction work in Argentina and Putumayo. He said OpEx in Argentina was about $32 per barrel when GeoPark took over and had been reduced to roughly $22-$27 per barrel, with an expectation to reach $10-$12 per barrel by year-end as production grows. For Putumayo, he said OpEx started around $45 per barrel during the restart and had moved to below $40 per barrel, while noting the company would decide the future of Putumayo in the coming weeks following an Ecuador government announcement that GeoPark would no longer transport crude through Ecuador. Balance sheet, hedging, and shareholder returns Bayon said GeoPark ended the year with over $100 million in cash and net leverage of 1.6x, with no material debt maturities until 2027. The company repurchased more than $100 million of its 2030 notes below par, which management said generated a $10 million gain and $9.5 million in annual interest savings. On risk management, GeoPark said over 84% of 2026 production is hedged through three-way collars and that hedging has already begun for 2027. The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share. Bayon said the board plans to reassess shareholder distributions after free cash flow normalizes following peak Vaca Muerta investments. Strategic transactions and governance developments Management framed two major transactions as reshaping GeoParks outlook: Argentina (Vaca Muerta): GeoPark closed the Loma Jarillosa Este and Puesto Silva Oeste acquisition in October, obtaining operational control and outlining a path to a 20,000 boepd plateau by 2028 . Colombia (Frontera assets): In January 2026, the company announced an agreed acquisition of Frontera Energys Colombian upstream assets, which Bayon said would more than double reserves and bring expected pro forma production of about 40,000 boepd net to GeoPark. Bayon also shared additional deal process updates, including formal approval from Colombias antitrust regulator, the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC). He said Frontera scheduled its AGM for April 10 and that GeoPark continued to work with Frontera toward closing under the existing arrangement agreement, even as Frontera evaluates a competing offer from Parex. Addressing Parexs director nominations at GeoPark, Bayon said the board would review nominations through established governance processes and that shareholders did not need to take action at the time of the call. Later, responding to a question on potential conflicts, Bayon said he believed there was a conflict of interest and characterized Parexs approach as a deliberate and hostile strategy directed at GeoPark. GeoPark also discussed its limited-duration shareholder rights plan, saying it is in place for one year and expires on June 3. Bayon said the board would discuss whether to renew it and would communicate any decision to the market. During Q&A, management also addressed market conditions tied to Venezuelan heavy crude flows. Caballero said GeoPark has seen a widening differential on Colombias Vasconia referencemoving from about $3-$4 in mid-2025 to roughly $7-$8 currentlyattributing the change to increased Venezuelan supply and seasonal refinery demand factors. He said the company is seeking to mitigate exposure by increasing FOB exports tied more to Brent, citing CPO-5 volumes sold at Covenas for export. Looking to operational execution in Argentina, GeoPark said it expects to mobilize a Nabors rig in early March for a limited drilling campaign, including completing horizontal branches on three wells and then fracturing all five wells on the pad. Terrado reiterated a Vaca Muerta exit rate for 2026 of 5,000-6,000 boepd within guidelines. On the polymer flood project in Llanos 34, Chief Exploration and Development Officer Rodrigo Dalle Fiore said the company started in December with two initial wells, expects to add two more in March or April, and plans to add five more wells in the second half of the year, with an intent to potentially accelerate that schedule. He said GeoPark is not expecting early production results in the initial period, but operational performance and polymer concentration targets are tracking well. Dalle Fiore cited modeled recovery-factor improvement expectations of 3% to 7% in injected areas, with about 5% as an average expectation based on experience and analogs. About Geopark (NYSE:GPRK) Geopark Ltd. (NYSE:GPRK) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused on Latin America. Founded in 2002 and with corporate offices in Canada and regional headquarters in Bogota, Colombia, Geopark pursues the discovery and development of unconventional and conventional hydrocarbon resources. The company's strategy emphasizes asset consolidation in established basins alongside disciplined capital allocation to maximize production efficiency. The company's core operations are centered in Colombia's Llanos Basin, where it holds interests in several producing blocks that deliver light crude oil to local and export markets. The article "Geopark Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Quetta, Feb 28 : Another Baloch student was extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, a leading human rights organisation said on Saturday. Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) revealed that the mutilated body of 26-year-old Imran Taj was found in Turbat city of Kech district on Friday, after nine months of being forcibly disappeared. "This tragic loss has left a deep void in his family and the entire Baloch community," the rights body stated. According to the BYC, Imran, a student at the University of Turbat, was travelling home from his classes on June 27, 2025, when he was forcibly taken from the road by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Frontier Corps personnel. Condemning the brutal incident, the BYC also denounced the escalating enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and targetted violence carried out by Pakistani forces across Balochistan. The rights body appealed to international human rights organisations and the United Nations to urgently take notice of the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan, to stand for the rights of the Baloch people, and to ensure that justice, safety, and dignity are upheld for all. "We affirm that the Baloch people have the right to life, safety, and justice. No family should live in fear or grief while those responsible act with impunity. Our struggle is not born of hatred but from love for our people, dignity, and human rights. The voices of the oppressed will continue to rise, peacefully but firmly, until justice is served," the BYC stated. The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) on Friday expressed grave concern over the alarming increase in violence across Balochistan, perpetrated both by Pakistani forces and non-state actors. The rights body revealed that on February 25, unidentified armed men carried out a brutal attack in the Minaz area of Kech district, resulting in the killing of six people and injuring three others, including women and children. Citing information, the HRCB stated that the assailants reportedly fired mortar shells at a home before opening heavy gunfire on those inside. The attackers also set three vehicles parked at the residence on fire. "The killing of innocent civilians, particularly women and children, constitutes a grave violation of fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles. No political objective, or security justification can legitimise such acts," the HRCB stated Bhopal, Feb 28 : In a major preventive healthcare initiative, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday launched a state-wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The drive targets around eight lakh girls aged between 14 and 15 years across the state. Over 7,58,500 doses have been supplied by the Central government. The vaccine, which costs around Rs 4,000 in the market, will be administered free of cost at designated government health facilities over the next three months. Addressing the virtual launch from New Delhi, Chief Minister Yadav said the initiative reflects the state government's commitment to women's health and dignity. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the national campaign from Ajmer in Rajasthan and said Madhya Pradesh would ensure its effective implementation. Describing cervical cancer as a serious health threat to women, he urged parents to ensure that eligible girls receive the vaccine and take advantage of the free immunisation programme. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla inaugurated the campaign at Dr Kailash Nath Katju Hospital in Bhopal. He said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer and cited a prevalence rate of around 156 cases per one lakh women. Shukla said prevention through HPV vaccination is far more effective than treatment and reiterated the government's goal of making Madhya Pradesh free from cervical cancer. He appealed to health workers, public representatives and citizens to cooperate in ensuring full coverage under the programme. The HPV vaccination drive is being implemented alongside other health initiatives in the state. Shukla said "Mission Madhuhari", to be launched soon, will provide weekly clinics in district hospitals for the management of Type 1 diabetes among children and young people, including insulin testing and specialist consultations. He also referred to ongoing initiatives such as the Nirogi Kaya Abhiyan, Sickle Cell Eradication Mission, Healthy Women Empowered Family Campaign and Healthy Liver Mission. According to officials, the state has strengthened primary healthcare infrastructure through hub-and-spoke models at primary health centres, expanded diagnostic services with up to 85 types of tests, introduced telemedicine facilities for specialist consultations in rural areas and proposed establishing medical colleges in every Lok Sabha constituency. Chief Minister Yadav said sustained health awareness and timely check-ups are key to long-term improvements in public health outcomes. Officials expressed confidence that the vaccination targets would be achieved within the stipulated timeframe. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Calling it a landmark victory for the common man, Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Saturday that the Delhi High Court's latest order to stay school fee hikes till March 12 is a "testament to the strong political will" of the Rekha Gupta government. The Minister hailed the court's decision to stay fee hikes until March 12 as a definitive shield for the people of Delhi against the exploitative "fee-mafia." "This is not just a legal win; it is a victory of the strong political will of this government," said Sood. He said for years, the parents of Delhi were left at the mercy of arbitrary hikes. "Our department fought this case, and the results are there for everyone to see. Until the School Level Fee Regulation Committee (SLFRC) is constituted after the March 12 hearing, no increased fee shall be applicable," he said. Sood also highlighted that this order marks the collapse of a deep-rooted nexus. "This order is the final blow to the nexus of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), certain vested-interest NGOs, and private school managements. For too long, they operated in the shadows to stall reforms. This victory belongs to the parents of Delhi and the public who have finally been liberated from this exploitative alliance," Sood said. "For the first time in history, the court has established a system to ensure the refund/adjust of fees. If any school has charged excessive fees in 2025-26, the Department of Education will examine, review it and regulate it immediately after March 12, subject to the final decision of the High Court," the Minister warned. Quoting the specific protection in the Court's order 3(6), Sood said, "Any exorbitant fee charged by schools for the academic year 2025-26 shall be regulated and dealt with in accordance with law..." The Minister also said the Court has specifically preserved the government's right to scrutinise exorbitant fees charged for the 2025-26 session. He said schools are strictly permitted to collect only the same fee as the previous academic year for the 2026-27 session. No "vested right" has been created for schools to hike charges, he said. "We have stood our ground, and we will ensure that every paisa overcharged is accounted for. This is a new era of transparency in Delhi's education system," he added. Mumbai, Feb 28 : The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Saturday witnessed a sharp exchange between members of the treasury and Opposition benches over the issue of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in Mumbai and other parts of the state. The debate turned heated after Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab claimed he could "identify 2,000 infiltrators in two days", prompting a strong rebuttal from Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam. Referring to a recent case involving bogus birth certificates that was flagged by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Parab criticised the government's handling of the issue. "This is not a political issue; it is a matter of national security. Illegal immigrants are living in every slum in Mumbai and even running small-scale factories. Is it possible that the police and the municipal corporation are unaware of this?" he asked. Taking a swipe at BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, Parab said, "Kirit Somaiya currently has no work; send him with me, and I will find 2,000 infiltrators within two days." He contended that mere document verification was insufficient and demanded the constitution of a Special Task Force to conduct combing operations across localities. Responding to the remarks, Minister Yogesh Kadam said that if Parab possessed specific information, he should share it with the authorities for action. Citing figures, Kadam said that in 2021, during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, 109 Bangladeshi nationals were deported. "In 2025, we deported 2,376 infiltrators. The figures clearly show the difference," he said. Kadam also said that special squads comprising one officer and five personnel have been constituted at every police station to act against illegal immigrants. He informed the House that search operations are being carried out with the assistance of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). On the demand for a Special Task Force, Kadam said the government would consider setting one up if required. Mumbai, Feb 28 : Nationalist Congress Party (SP) legislator Jayant Patil on Saturday levelled sharp criticism against the MahaYuti government's newly formulated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for agriculture. During the debate, he acknowledged the technology's potential but accused the administration of prioritising grand events over implementation. He described this as "building the pinnacle before the foundation." The state's AI policy covers institutional restructuring, digital public infrastructure, financial aid for AI-based agri-projects, capacity building, and international summits. Patil pointed out that the Agriculture Department launched the "AI for Agri 2026" conference just a day before the assembly session, suggesting it was a hurried event that failed to reach grassroots farmers. He highlighted a significant gap between policy and practice. He noted that although the late former Finance Minister Ajit Pawar allocated Rs 500 crore for AI in the previous budget, "not a single penny" has been spent. He demanded a detailed report on the expenditure. Patil also raised issues regarding the AI and Agritech Innovation Centre. "Despite interviews being conducted for a Managing Director, the selected candidate has not taken charge. Patil questioned why candidates from the waiting list were not appointed. Plans to establish innovation and incubation centres in agricultural universities have seen no progress in a year," he said. The NCP leader emphasised that AI-driven farming requires consistent internet, electricity, and smartphones, amenities still lacking in regions like Gadchiroli, Bhamragad, and tribal hamlets in Palghar near Mumbai. "AI can help double farmer income, but we must bridge the digital divide and train agricultural labourers who fear job losses due to automation, drones, and robotic weeders," he stated. Patil argued that technology alone cannot save farmers if market policies remain unfavourable. He cited several "man-made" economic crises, including import pressures, illegal raisin trade, and policy volatility. "Cheap, attractive 'Muscat' grapes from China are flooding Indian markets, crashing local prices. Adulterated raisins entering via Afghanistan and China are hurting authentic Maharashtra producers. Sudden changes in central export policies for onions, maize, and soybeans are leaving farmers in debt," he noted. Calling data the "new wealth," Patil demanded strict laws to protect farmers' land and financial data from exploitation by corporate giants. He suggested a practical application for AI: managing the escalating human-wildlife conflict. He urged the government to use drones and AI tracking to monitor leopards and tigers that are increasingly attacking livestock and children in rural areas, instead of just debating legal reclassifications of the animals. Amid the criticism, Patil offered hope by citing the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Baramati. Under the guidance of Sharad Pawar and Pratap Pawar, AI pilot projects have helped farmers achieve yields of 100 tons of sugarcane per acre. He noted that the Vasantdada Sugar Institute is also doing micro-level crop management using AI. Patil concluded by calling for the formation of a dedicated committee to create a roadmap that ensures AI serves as a boon to the common farmer rather than a new challenge. Imphal, Feb 28 : Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss key state issues, officials said. A senior official confirmed the meeting but did not disclose specific topics. The meeting is significant as it follows the formation of the new government under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on February 4, which ended nearly a year of Presidentas Rule during extended ethnic unrest. Another official, speaking anonymously, stated that Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, briefed the Home Minister on Manipuras security situation and ongoing efforts to restore normalcy. The discussions also covered the rehabilitation of violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Security forces, the official added, continue to conduct joint operations to recover illegal arms and ammunition and to destroy illicit poppy cultivation in vulnerable areas. Efforts are underway to implement confidence-building measures between affected communities to rebuild trust and promote lasting peace. On February 22, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh and Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho met the Union Home Minister to discuss various issues, including IDP rehabilitation. An official from the Chief Ministeras Office stated that the Home Minister reviewed the new governmentas initiatives to remove barriers between communities and restore peace and harmony in the state. During his visit to the national capital, the Chief Minister met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who assured full central support for the development of national and state highways in Manipur. Khemchand Singh has been in New Delhi since February 21, marking his first visit to the national capital after taking oath as Chief Minister on February 4. On February 24, Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seva Teerth and briefed him on the new governmentas initiatives to restore peace and harmony in Manipur, officials said. On February 23, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers met Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who approved construction of 5,000 new houses for IDP rehabilitation under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, officials said. The Chief Minister also met Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who assured that his Ministry would coordinate with other Union Ministries to address key issues in Manipur. Khemchand Singh also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who assured full support to revive the stateas financial health and economy. He met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured full cooperation and support from his Ministry for all Manipur government initiatives. United Nations, Feb 28 : As the United Nations Security Council prepared for an emergency session on Saturday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned what he called the "military escalation in the Middle East". He said the US-Israel use of force against Iran and Tehran's retaliation across the region "undermine international peace and security". France's President Emmanuel Macron, who said the US-Israel attack on Iran has "grave consequences for international peace and security", called for the urgent meeting of the Council on Iran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote to the Council asking for its intervention, saying the US and Israel had violated international law. Two officials of UN agencies also expressed their concern over the developments in the Middle East. UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk said, "I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran." World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "I am deeply troubled by the situation unfolding today across the Middle East. My heart goes out to the civilians trapped in the crossfire." Both of them joined UN Chief Guterres in calling for an immediate end to the conflict. Guterres said, "I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table." The US-Israel attack followed negotiations between the US and Iran with Oman as the mediator that apparently did not make headway. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was not happy with the talks. "I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have," he said about a sticking point -- the demand that Iran completely stop enriching uranium. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who was in interlocutor in the negotiations, and had said on Friday that there was progress, deplored the attack on Saturday. He said on X, "Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined." "I urge the United States not to get sucked in further," he added. Trump explicitly came out for a regime change in Iran after his military, joined by Israel, pummeled targets across Iran, aiming to decapitate the country's politico-religious and military leaderships. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and on targets in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as on US forces at sea in the region. Aragachi in his letter to the UN Security Council warned, "All bases, facilities and assets of the hostile forces in the region shall be regarded as legitimate military objectives within the framework of Iran's lawful exercise of self-defence." Guterres in his statement said, "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations." "The Charter," he said, "clearly prohibits 'the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations'." Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 28 : Emphasising a decisive shift toward a bio-driven economic paradigm, Minister of State (MoS) Jitendra Singh said on Saturday that the Centre's BioE3 Policy reflects a long-term strategic vision positioning biotechnology at the heart of India's growth trajectory. Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility at the Akkulam campus of BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), the Minister of State underscored the expanding scope of nuclear medicine research following recent liberalisation measures by the Union government. He urged national R&D institutions to pursue interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with private industry, noting that the opening up of the nuclear medical mission creates fresh opportunities for integrated research and translational applications. Minister of State Singh also dedicated the National Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors and inaugurated the annual Science Day programme at the campus. He said that India is among the few countries to introduce an exclusive biotechnology framework, the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy, which aligns scientific innovation with economic sustainability, green transitions and circular economy models. Referring to the recently announced Biopharma SHAKTI Mission, Minister of State Singh said policymakers recognise that the global economy is increasingly bio-driven. Over the past decade, he noted, science domains particularly biotechnology have received unprecedented prioritisation. Highlighting institutional achievements, Minister of State said that BRIC-RGCB researchers have built strong competencies in molecular biology, genomics, disease biology and cancer research, attracting scholars nationwide in sequencing, bioinformatics and interdisciplinary sciences. Rajesh Gokhale, Department of Biotechnology Secretary and BRIC Director General, described biotechnology systems as transformative for national progress and said the BioE3 Policy 2024 spans six thematic sectors, including bio-manufacturing. He added that government-backed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiatives have drawn upon data generated at the institute. According to BRIC-RGCB Director (Additional Charge), T.R. Santhosh Kumar, the Recombinant Cells and Sensors facility now houses 600 to 700 stable cell lines targeting multiple cancer pathways, positioning the centre as a significant global resource. The upcoming cGMP facility, Kumar said, will enable cost-effective cell and gene therapy models, expanding access to next-generation treatments. Bhopal, Feb 28 : Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday, chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, considering proposals relating to wildlife conservation. "The Standing Committee also discussed development projects located in and around protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and eco-sensitive zones in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," the statement said. The proposals were examined keeping in view ecological sensitivity, statutory requirements and prescribed mitigation measures. "A total of 58 fresh proposals across sectors such as communication infrastructure, optical fibre cables, power transmission lines, road projects, drinking water supply, thermal power, defence, irrigation and other infrastructure were considered by the Committee," it added. The Committee also deliberated on important policy matters, including ecological importance of maintaining environmental flows (e-flows) in the Chambal river for conservation of aquatic fauna like dolphins, gharials; status of social, economic and ecological aspects of villages inside the Tiger reserves; importance of grasslands for wildlife management; and strategies to manage current challenges of the humana"leopard interface. The meeting also emphasised involvement of scientific and technical institutions, including the Wildlife Institute of India, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the Central Water Commission, to ensure that conservation policies are supported by robust research and inter-sectoral coordination. "The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is mandated to advise the Union government on matters relating to conservation and protection of wildlife and forests, while ensuring that development activities in and around protected areas are undertaken in a sustainable and balanced manner," the statement said. Jaipur, Feb 28 : In a trap operation conducted by the Special Unit-2 of the Rajasthan's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), accused Uttam Pandey, a resident of Sarai Pandeypur village in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, was arrested red-handed on Saturday while accepting a bribe of Rs 13 lakh from the complainant in Sikar district. ACB Director General Govind Gupta said that the complainant had submitted a written complaint to ACB Jaipur on December 30, 2025. In his complaint, he alleged that he had been defrauded in 2022 in connection with an investment in a private company QFX Private Limited. Subsequently, the accused contacted the victim, falsely claiming to be associated with the office of the Assistant Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Chandigarh, and demanded a bribe to remove his name from the case and secure relief. As per the complaint, the accused initially demanded Rs 20 lakh, later reduced the amount to Rs 15 lakh, and finally agreed to accept Rs 13 lakh. After verification of the complaint, a trap was laid on Saturday by Vijay Singh, Jaipur Deputy Superintendent of Police, under the supervision of Anil Kayal, Deputy Inspector General of Police. The accused was caught red-handed near Hotel Ashoka in Kalyan Circle, while accepting the bribe. A total amount of Rs 13 lakh -- including Rs 2 lakh in cash and Rs 11 lakh through other means -- was recovered from the possession of the accused. The operation and subsequent proceedings are being supervised by Smita Srivastava, ACB Additional Director General of Police. A case has been registered against the accused under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and further investigation is underway. We came across a bullish thesis on Golar LNG Limited on LWS Financial Researchs Substack by Albert Millan. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on GLNG. Golar LNG Limited's share was trading at $43.44 as of February 16th. GLNGs trailing and forward P/E were 78.98 and 101.01, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Jim Cramer Hopes Terrestrial Energy (IMSR)'s Doing Better Than Other Nuclear Companies Golar LNG (GLNG) is the leading independent operator in the floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) sector, a highly specialized segment of the global natural gas midstream. The company operates a fully integrated model covering engineering, conversion, operation, and maintenance of FLNG units, enabling the processing of natural gas at the point of extraction and export as LNG without onshore infrastructure. This approach delivers predictable cash flows, high technical availability, and resilience to geopolitical disruptions. Golars competitive edge is anchored in a flawless operating track record with its Hilli asset, a portfolio of long-term contracts with creditworthy counterparties, and a scalable model that allows new FLNG units to be deployed efficiently without the cost overruns typical of onshore projects. Golar is at a strategic inflection point, with Hilli fully operational, Gimi beginning production, and Fuji under construction, positioning EBITDA to grow from approximately USD 250 million today to nearly USD 1 billion by 2030. FLNG demand is supported by secular global trends: natural gas remains a key bridging fuel in the energy transition, and the geographic separation of supply and demand makes LNG exports essential. FLNG units cost roughly one-third of onshore plants, enter service faster, and capture global arbitrage opportunities, reinforcing Golars leadership in modular LNG infrastructure. Over the past decade, Golar has transformed into a pure-play FLNG company by divesting its LNG carriers, FSRUs, and downstream operations, reducing debt, simplifying operations, and focusing capital on the highest-return business. With long-term contracts, high-quality clients like BP and Perenco, and projects aligned with strategic gas hubs, Golar combines quasi-utility-like cash flow visibility with growth potential. Despite this, the market undervalues the company, treating it as cyclical rather than a global, multi-decade FLNG leader. As FLNG supply expands from 17 mtpa to 30 mtpa over the next five years, Golar is well-positioned for outsized growth, making it a compelling bullish investment in the energy infrastructure space. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) by Value Science in February 2025, highlighting its strong FLNG position, potential MkII newbuild contracts, and favorable commodity-linked tariffs. GLNGs stock price has appreciated by approximately 7.65% since our coverage. Albert Millan shares a similar view but emphasizes Golars transformation into a pure-play FLNG company with long-term contracts and stable cash flows. Bengaluru, Feb 28 : Three persons died of suspected suffocation while cleaning a water sump at a residence in Immadihalli in Whitefield on Saturday, police said. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Whitefield Police Station. The deceased have been identified as Munishamappa, 67, the house owner; Rudhra Kumar, 40, a plumber; and Vishwanath Achari, 24, a delivery executive. According to the police, the incident took place near Immadihalli Temple Circle, behind the Panchamuki Anjaneya Temple. Munishamappa had entered the water sump at his residence to clean it and is believed to have used chemical agents for the purpose. During the cleaning process, he reportedly experienced breathing difficulties due to suspected toxic fumes and collapsed inside the sump. Rudhra Kumar, who noticed that Munishamappa had not returned, entered the sump to check on him and also collapsed. Later, Vishwanath Achari, who came to enquire about the situation, entered the sump and fell unconscious under similar circumstances. Munishamappa and Rudhra Kumar were rushed to Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, while Vishwanath Achari was taken to Vydehi Hospital, Whitefield. Doctors declared all three brought dead. The bodies have been shifted to Vydehi Hospital for post-mortem examination and further legal procedures. Police officials visited the spot and registered a case. Preliminary investigation indicates that the deaths were caused by suffocation following inhalation of toxic fumes inside the sump. Further investigation is under way. In a separate incident earlier this month, a 14-year-old boy who had been reported missing was found dead inside a pipeline chamber of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on February 3. A case of causing death by negligence was registered against BWSSB officials in that matter. In another incident on February 15, a three-year-old boy drowned in an artificial pond during a maternity photoshoot at a studio on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The child had accompanied his mother to a studio in Giddenahalli near Madanayakanahalli. While the mother was engaged in the photoshoot, the child reportedly wandered away unnoticed. He was later found in an artificial pond constructed for photography purposes inside the premises. Mumbai, Feb 28 : Newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have decided to do 'Annadanam' in temples across the country on Sunday to celebrate this huge milestone in their lives. They will also be sending trucks filled with sweets across the country to commemorate their wedding. Sharing the news, Vijay and Rashmika posted on their respective social media handles, "To the beautiful people of this country. You have always been a part of our journeys and our love. And it would make us truly happy to celebrate our wedding with all of you. And how does India celebrate everything? With Mithai and Food :)) So on March 1st we are sending trucks filled with love and sweets across the country to share this big moment in our lives with all of you. And we will be doing Annadanam in multiple temples across the country. Seeking all your blessings :) With Love Vijay & Rashmika (sic)." The sweets will be distributed at various cities across the country, including Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Noida, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur, Vizag, Vijaywada, Puttaparthi, Kochi, Mysore, Coorg, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, and Pondicherry. Meanwhile, celebrating Vijay and Rashmika's wedding, the makers of their upcoming period film, "Ranabaali", unveiled a glimpse of the wedding song 'Endhayya Saami' from the film on Saturday. While Vijay will be seen in the role of Ranabaali in his next, Rashmika has been roped in to portray his wife, Jayamma. Actor Arnold Vosloo, known for his work in 'The Mummy', essays the role of the antagonist Sir Theodore Hector. If the sources are to be believed, "Ranabaali" is based on the real incidents from the 1850s that never found a place in mainstream history books. Before this, Vijay and Rashmika were seen together in "Geetha Govindam" and "Dear Comrade". However, "Ranabaali" will be their first release together after getting married. Chennai, Feb 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chennai on Saturday, marking the beginning of a high-profile two-day visit to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that combines major development initiatives with political engagements and a religious visit. The Prime Minister reached the city from Gujarat and was received at the airport by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and other senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. Prime Minister Modi will stay overnight at the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan on Saturday before departing for Puducherry on Sunday morning. In Puducherry, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to attend a public rally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 2,700 crore. The development projects span multiple sectors and are aimed at boosting infrastructure and public services in Puducherry and its regions, including Karaikal. Later on Sunday afternoon, the Prime Minister will travel to Madurai, where he is set to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for infrastructure projects valued at Rs 4,400 crore. These initiatives are expected to enhance road connectivity, urban infrastructure, and regional development across southern Tamil Nadu. At around 4 p.m. on Sunday, PM Modi will offer prayers at the historic Tirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Prime Minister Modi's temple visit is anticipated to draw significant public attention, coming amid heightened political activity in Tamil Nadu. Among the key infrastructure highlights of the Prime Minister's visit are the inauguration of newly constructed four-lane highways connecting Marakkanam and Puducherry, and Paramakudi and Ramanathapuram, aimed at improving inter-city connectivity and facilitating trade and tourism. Under the Centre's Amrit Bharat scheme, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate eight redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu to the nation -- Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputhur, Cholavandan, Manapparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikudi Junction, and Tiruvarur Junction -- as part of efforts to modernise railway infrastructure. Additionally, three new All India Radio FM relay transmitters in Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore will be launched to strengthen broadcasting services in Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister's visit is expected to generate considerable political and public interest, blending infrastructure announcements with outreach ahead of crucial electoral developments in the region. New Delhi, Feb 28 : a External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar engaged in back-to-back telephone conversations with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts on Saturday, expressing India's deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East following a major joint US-Israel strike on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions. a The diplomatic outreach comes as the region faces heightened tensions after explosions rocked Tehran and other sites, with Iran launching missiles toward Israel and US bases across the Gulf. a In a post on X, Jaishankar detailed his evening telecon with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, stating that he shared India's profound concern about the recent developments in Iran and the broader region. aHe emphasised the need to prevent further instability.a The call highlights New Delhi's position that prolonged conflict would harm regional peace and global stability. a Earlier, Jaishankar spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saaar, reiterating India's firm call for dialogue and diplomacy as the path to de-escalating tensions. a India has consistently advocated restraint, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and avoidance of escalation that could endanger civilians. a The Ministry of External Affairs echoed this stance, expressing deep concern over the fast-evolving events and urging all parties to prioritise dialogue over military confrontation. a The strikes, described by Israel as pre-emptive and by the US as "Operation Epic Fury," targeted Iranian military and leadership sites, prompting fierce retaliation, including missile barrages on US-linked facilities in multiple countries. a US President Donald Trump confirmed the operations and urged Iranians toward regime change, while Iranian officials vowed strong responses. a The escalation has sparked fears of a wider war, with international bodies like the Red Cross warning of a dangerous chain reaction. a India's active diplomacy reflects its balanced approach in West Asia, balancing strong ties with Israel and historical relations with Iran. a New Delhi continues to closely monitor developments, advocating immediate restraint to safeguard regional stability and protect Indian interests. a--IANS sktr/dan Bengaluru, Feb 28 : A Karnataka woman has recorded a video of what she described as the live war situation in Bahrain after Iran reportedly launched missile attacks on US military installations. The video, which surfaced on Saturday, has gone viral on social media platforms. The courage of the woman, Sabreen, in recording the visuals amid the tense situation has been widely praised online. The 2.11-minute video, shot from the terrace of her residence in Bahrain, captures billowing smoke in the distance following the reported missile strikes on US military bases. In the video, Sabreen introduces herself in Kannada, saying, "Hi all, my name is Sabreen. I am from Karnataka, India. I hail from Shiralakuppa town in Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district. I am sharing this because I am currently in Bahrain." "There is an atmosphere of fear in Bahrain. You know why -- it is because of the war between America, Israel and Iran. All Kannada people residing in Bahrain are scared. Not only Kannada people, but locals and people from various parts of the world are also fearful," she says in the video. "I will show you the live attack by Iran on US military establishments in the Zaffeir area of Bahrain. Iran is attacking the US military base here," Sabreen states. "I will show you live visuals of billowing smoke from the US installations. Since morning, missiles have been fired one after another. The sounds of the bomb blasts are frightening," she says. "It is a little peaceful now. That is why I have come to the terrace to record this video. You can see the billowing smoke behind me. It is clearly visible. Since morning, it has been a frightening atmosphere here. We do not know where all this will lead. We can only pray to God," Sabreen adds. She further says that in the morning, missiles were seen moving above residential areas. "The entire sky above us was filled with missile movement," she said. The authenticity of the visuals and the exact locations mentioned in the video could not be independently verified. Washington, Feb 28, : The U.S. Central Command said it commenced "Operation Epic Fury" in the early hours of Saturday, describing it as the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation.a Washington, Feb 28, (IANS) The U.S. Central Command said it commenced "Operation Epic Fury" in the early hours of Saturday, describing it as the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation. In a statement issued from Tampa, Florida, CENTCOM said the operation began "at the direction of the President of the United States." U.S. and partner forces started striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time "to dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus, prioritising locations that posed an imminent threat," the statement said. According to CENTCOM, targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. "The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call," said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM. The command said the first hours of the operation involved precision munitions launched from air, land and sea platforms. It also confirmed that CENTCOM's Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat. Following the initial wave of U.S. and partner strikes, CENTCOM forces "successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks," the statement said. "There have been no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries," it added, noting that damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations. CENTCOM said Operation Epic Fury represents "the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation," underscoring the scale of the campaign now underway in and around Iran. The statement did not specify the duration of the operation but indicated that strikes were ongoing as of early Saturday. Scottish novelist Ali Smith believes that fiction can offer readers directionand maybe some needed clarityin a fractured and polarized world. Reading a book, we get to be more than ourselves, bigger than ourselves, Smith says. We get to be communal and yet stay individual. Books are where imagination and reality meet. The intersection of life and art has preoccupied Smith throughout her career. A genre-bending author, she writes about time, chance, and death, and how people use language, creativity, and storytelling to survive and thrive in difficult times. Shes the author of numerous works of fiction, including her 1995 debut, Free Love and Other Stories, and the novels Hotel World, How to Be Both, and her ambitious Seasonal Quartet. Shes received the Goldsmiths Prize and the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, and has been shortlisted four times for the Booker Prize. In 2015, she was appointed commander of the Order of the British Empire, and her books have been translated into 40 languages, according to her publisher, Pantheon. Smiths new novel, Glyph, out in May, is a companion work to her 2024 dystopian novel Gliff, and follows two sisters, Petra and Patricia, who live in a stark near-future Britain, a police state where misinformation and violence run rampant, journalists have been silenced, and AI has eroded literary culture and learning. The book, which has a loose plot structure and combines speculative and fantastical elements, was partly inspired by a haunting story that Smith heard in her youth about someone who, during WWII in France, encountered a strange shape in the road, only to discover it was a person, completely flattened. What does it mean to grind a living person into the ground? Smith asked herself. That started me wondering not just about dimensionality, human and aesthetic, but also about why it is that humans want to make a mark, she says. Why we ever write anything or create any art. Glyph opens in the 1990s, when young Petra and Patricia hear old war stories from family members and other adults, including the story of a soldier who tried to save a blind horse during WWI, and a civilian who was crushed by a military convoy during WWII. Patricia is upset by the story of the flattened person, and Petra pretends to speak to the persons ghost to comfort her. Soon, Patricia begins to see a spirit entity, whom the sisters name Glyph, and who may be a manifestation of the dead person, in their house. As the sisters enter adulthood in a troubled near future not entirely unlike the present, life turns more difficult: people arent reading books, handwriting is a lost art form, and language has been weaponized by those in power. Things come to a head when Petra phones Patricia to say she thinks theres a blind horse in her bedroom, and Patricia rushes to Petras side to help her deal with the situation. Their meeting becomes an opportunity for the sisters to reaffirm their bond and love of storytelling, in a magical and ultimately hopeful tale about history, family lore, ghosts, and the power of imagination as a source of salvation during dark periods. Smith says she sees books and stories as porous and organic things, living among us in the world. The world can feel exhausting, full of discord, and dominated by technology, but its also the place where human ingenuity shines. The skills that the arts gift us allskills of analysis, of having enough objectivity to see what any dominant narrative is doing, and of cultivating warmth, lightness, and merriment against the darkare powerful tools, she explains. Simon Prosser, publishing director of Hamish Hamilton in the U.K., has been Smiths editor for the past 25 years, and describes her as a force for good. Alis one of those rare people, both in person and on the page, where time spent with her can help you to see and feel in new ways, Prosser says. He adds that the author, who doesnt plot out her books in advance, never shows him her works in progress. I dont know much until the moment I read the manuscript. Theres always a surprise, and its always a wonderful thing. Smith was born in 1962 in Inverness, amid the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, and was the youngest of five kids, whose closest brother was six years her senior. I inherited a strong family structure and simultaneously some of the benefits of only-child individuality, she says. Smith studied English language and literature at the University of Aberdeen from 1980 to 1985, then attended Newnham College, Cambridge, where she worked for five years toward a PhD in American and Irish modernism. She never finished her degree, and chose instead to focus on writing. I was a pretty crap academic, she recalls. In the late 80s and early 90s, Smith struggled with chronic fatigue syndrome, including while writing Free Love. It physically knocked me out for two or three years, she says. And though that was pretty tough I know so many people have had it a level way above mine and had to, have to, cope with it a lot more roughly than I did. Smith, who lives with her partner, Sarah Wood, a filmmaker and artist, occasionally still experiences CFS symptoms, but it doesnt slow her down in the same way anymore. It comes and goes, but faintly, far away, like a cousin twice removed seen through a mist, she says. Im attentive to it. I pull up a chair for it. Sit down. Howve you been? Can I get you a cup of tea? Tracy Bohan, Smiths U.K. agent, describes the author as a joyful person whos utterly serious about her work, which is both politically intelligent and emotionally true. I think of Ali as a great European novelist, Bohan says. Shes kind of borderless. Story is at the heart of everything she does. In her life and work, Smith displays a reverence for language, and delights in the human ability to use creativity to inspire connection and effect change. I think everything we read, and have ever read, influences us, from the words on the side of a pencil onwards, she says. Thats how powerful even the slightest of words is. Elaine Szewczyks writing has appeared in McSweeneys and other publications. Shes the author of the novel Im with Stupid. Little, Brown landed North American rights to The Brightness by Chad Harbach from Chris Parris-Lamb at the Gernert Company. Harbachs sophomore novel, which comes 15 years after his hit debut, The Art of Fielding, about jocks at a Wisconsin liberal arts school, brings readers back to Westish College, this time chronicling the electric, chaotic, everything-can-happen lives of Pella and her best friend, Irma, as they fumble their way into a larger world that wont stop changing, per the publisher. Release is slated for October. (photo: Beowulf Sheehan) Annie Chagnot at Park Row preempted world English rights to Erica Bauermeisters Jayne from Amy Berkower at Writers House. The novelists first thriller follows a disenchanted academic turned barista who unexpectedly rises to bestselling literary fame and falls into an entanglement with an enigmatic man, per the publisher. A summer 2027 pub date is set. Stephanie Beard at Podium bought world English rights, in a five-book deal, to Eternal Glow, by Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Heather Gay, from Steve Troha at Folio Literary Management. Gays debut thriller, the first in her Bad Mormons series, follows a member of Utahs competitive Mormon mom group scene whose life unravels after receiving a mysterious invitation to undergo a miraculous beauty procedure. An October release is planned. Caitlin McKenna at Random House landed North American rights at auction, in a two-book deal, to Chantal V. Johnsons Jackie Loves Boom-Boom from Stacy Testa at Writers House. The novel centers on Valentina, a lusty, dryly comic music critic turned wanderer, who reluctantly embarks on a cross-country journey with a ragtag group of friends to track down an elusive grunge icon, per the publisher. Publication is planned for summer 2027. Tara Singh Carlson at Putnam won U.S. rights at auction to Sara Grays Briefly, Forever from Lisa Grubka at UTA, on behalf of Sheila Crowley and Helena Maybery at Curtis Brown UK. The debut novel is about a man who writes perfect love stories but doesnt believe in them, and the single mother who changes his mind, beginning where most love stories endwith loss, per the publisher. Release is set for spring 2027. Michelle Vega at Berkley took North American rights to Lauren Hos Sharpen Your Knives from Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management, via Jessica Purdue at Sphere. The novel sees an aging A-list actor invite his five ex-wives to his remote mansion to reveal hes writing a memoir that will expose their darkest secrets, only to be murdered, with his writing assistant made to solve the case, per the publisher. A spring 2027 release is set. In Brief Ben Sevier at Grand Central acquired North American rights to thriller author Harlan Coben s memoir-slash-writing-guide Plot Twist: Life, Craft and the Messy First Draft from Lisa Erbach Vance at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency, for a September release. at Grand Central acquired North American rights to thriller author s memoir-slash-writing-guide Plot Twist: Life, Craft and the Messy First Draft from at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency, for a September release. Stuart Roberts at Simon & Schuster secured North American rights to How to Not Die in Prison, the debut book from filmmaker Taylor Sheridan , cowritten with Tom Nelson , pitched as a darkly funny survival guide to life in a maximum-security prison, from Anthony Mattero at CAA, for publication in June. at Simon & Schuster secured North American rights to How to Not Die in Prison, the debut book from filmmaker , cowritten with , pitched as a darkly funny survival guide to life in a maximum-security prison, from at CAA, for publication in June. Cara Bedick at Little, Brown Spark landed world rights, at auction, to Brainspan, by cognitive neuroscientist and Better Brain Substack author Julie Fratantoni , a guide to preserving and sharpening your brain power at every stage of life, from Morgan Strehlow at the Bindery Agency, for a fall 2027 release. at Little, Brown Spark landed world rights, at auction, to Brainspan, by cognitive neuroscientist and Better Brain Substack author , a guide to preserving and sharpening your brain power at every stage of life, from at the Bindery Agency, for a fall 2027 release. Sara Nelson at HarperCollins picked up U.S. Commonwealth rights to the third and fourth books in Stella Sandss Wordhunter mystery series, featuring a forensic codebreaker and her old-school sardonic sidekick in South Florida, from Stephanie Kip Rostan at Levine Greenberg Rostan, for publication in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Theme Building With The Astral Library, #2 on our hardcover fiction list, historical novelist Kate Quinn turns her hand to magical realism, according to our review of this charming tale about the joy of reading and the necessity of public libraries. Five notches below, Agnes Auberts Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett is a charming 1920s-set cozy fantasy, per our review, in which the mundane challenges and rewards of running a cat shelter intersect with illicit magic. Felines, books... just add tea and weve hit the comfort-lit trifecta. Believe in Magic The YA romantasy The Sun and the Starmaker takes the #8 spot on our childrens fiction list. Author Rachel Griffin weaves a stunning fairy tale about love, commitment, and grief, expertly intertwining relatable growing pains of young adulthood with mythological burdens of epic proportions, per our starred review. In a prepub interview with PW, Griffin discussed a common motif in her books: young women with magical powers. A main character coming into their magic is such an interesting framework, she said. It makes them confront their beliefs or disbelief about themselves; it forces them out of their comfort zone. Help Yourself Hay House, founded by author and motivational speaker Louise Hay in 1984, is home to MBS and self-help authors including Mel Robbins, whose The Let Them Theory, for those who havent been keeping track, has sold more than three million print copies since it pubbed at the end of 2024. One of the publishers newest releases, Be Your Own Bestie by social media personality Misha Brown, debuts at #2 on our hardcover nonfiction list. Its full of sharp and sassy insights, according to our review. Browns caustic humor (What good is a dead bitch? he asks in a section on emotional exhaustion) bolsters his refreshingly direct wisdom on how to live more authentically. Life Stories Penguin Press founder, president, and editor-in-chief Ann Godoff, who died February 24, left a tremendous legacy of prizewinning and bestselling fiction and nonfiction over the course of her 40-year careerCaleb Carrs The Alienist, Zadie Smiths White Teeth, Ron Chernows Alexander Hamilton, and Michael Pollans 10 books, to name just a few. One of her most recent acquistions, A Hymn to Life by Gisele Pelicot, translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer and Ruth Diver, lands at #12 on our hardcover nonfiction list. In her memoir, Pelicot recounts the investigation into the drugging and sexual assault she endured over the course of a decade, perpetrated by her husband and 50 other men, all of whom were convicted. When Godoff acquired the book, she said in a statement, Gisele Pelicots story has captured the attention of so many around the world. She is a woman of grace, dignity and courage. A Hymn to Life is a unique document that will inspire and abide. Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. We came across a bullish thesis on Graphic Packaging Holding Company on Chop Wood, Carry Waters Substack by Alexandru Dragut. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on GPK. Graphic Packaging Holding Company's share was trading at $12.10 as of February 23rd. GPKs trailing and forward P/E were 10.99 and 8.85 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Graphic Packaging (GPK) Soars 10.3% on Bargain-Hunting Copyright: bialasiewicz / 123RF Stock Photo Graphic Packaging Holding Co. (GPK) is a leading provider of paper-based consumer packaging, producing the boxes, cups, trays, and cartons found in everyday products from cereal to coffee and quick-service meals. Despite recent market skepticism, GPKs underlying business generates approximately $700 million in annual owner earnings, reflecting a 19% yield on current market capitalization. The apparent weakness is largely due to three temporary headwinds: the ramp-up of the companys largest-ever capital investment at the Waco, Texas facility, unusual pricing pressure from overcapacity in bleached board competitors, and broader softness in consumer packaged goods (CPG) volumes. These factors mask the resilience of GPKs core business, which serves diversified, high-quality customers, including General Mills, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and leading quick-service restaurants, with no single customer representing more than 10% of sales. GPKs North American folding carton operations command roughly 40% market share, while European operations are expanding via the AR Packaging acquisition. The companys vertical integrationinternal production of recycled paperboardand modernized facilities like Kalamazoo K2 and Waco provide a durable cost advantage, while innovation initiatives such as KeelClip, Boardio, and PaperSeal position GPK to capture a $15 billion plastic-to-fiber conversion opportunity. Multi-year supply contracts, operational integration, and proprietary formats create a contract-cycle-bound moat. Free cash flow is set to normalize in 2026 at $700800 million as CapEx drops post-Waco, enabling debt reduction and potential value compounding. While risks exist, including execution by the new CEO, ongoing bleached board overcapacity, and potential CPG volume softness, GPKs diversified customer base, low cyclicality, and strategic investments offer a compelling margin of safety. At current prices, the market appears to underappreciate the companys normalized earnings and cash flow trajectory, creating a potential opportunity for significant upside. Sarah Barley Books has had an auspicious start, with the first two offerings from the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers imprint going on to become bestsellers. Beth Is Dead, the debut from Katie Bernet, was the inaugural selection for Sunnie Reads, the new YA book club from Reese Witherspoons Hello Sunshine media brand, in January. Barley acquired the novel as part of a two-book deal from Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary, in a six-house auction. In this modern murder-mystery twist on Little Women, Beths death is not due to lingering illness; her body is found in the woods on New Years Day, and no one is above suspicion, including the March sisters. Barley attributes the books early popularity to a number of factors. Its a combination of a really good title, an arresting package, and a story that delivers for readers on a few different levels, she says. Its a coming-of-age story, a family story, a thriller, a commentary on writing and who can write what. Theres a lot to dig into. Released just a few weeks later to similar success was Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean (Tokyo Ever After)the first installment in a YA time-travel romance duology. The book follows 17-year-old Japanese American Emma Nakamura-Thatcher, who makes a wish when she attends the festival of Tanabata, a celebration of star-crossed lovers. Her wish for proof that real love exists seems to be fulfilled when she starts receiving letters from someone who claims to be her true love writing to her from the future. Its a book that makes a lot of people very happy, Barley says, adding that its been a hit with indie booksellers. Still to come in March is Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee (The Downstairs Girl), another story that defies easy categorization. Set in Washington state in 1918, it centers on orphan Lucy Nowhere, who is poised to leave the isolated seaside estate where she grew up when she learns her employer has been murdered. In addition to the mystery, there are elements of myth and magic. Barley says she fell in love with the book in the first 20 pages. Its really atmospheric, with a gothic quality, but its also a meditation on loss and on the environment. Its witty and funny, and has a love triangle. Barley thinks Heiress of Nowhere will appeal to adult historical fiction readers as well. Set for an August release, Local Gods by Melinda Salisbury (The Sin Eaters Daughter) is a return to dark contemporary fantasy for Barley, who edited Melissa Alberts The Hazel Wood and Our Crooked Hearts at Flatiron. Interweaving myth and contemporary elements, Salisbury spins the tale of a small-town girl who is blamed for her fathers crimes and driven into the woods, where she encounters a mysterious god. Its a spiky novel thats resonating in a different way and getting positive word of mouth, Barley says. Karen Foxlees The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe is the imprints first standalone middle grade title, an adventurous pirate story with a dash of magic, due out this fall. And the imprints first middle grade series will be announced this summer. Barley describes it as similar to what Ive been doing for teens, but with a younger audience. The author already has a wide fan basebut thats all Barley will reveal at the moment. Barley began her career at Random House Childrens Books, later serving as editor at HarperCollins Childrens Books before moving to Flatiron in 2014. As senior editor, she started that publishers YA program in 2016, publishing bestsellers including Stephanie Garbers Once upon a Broken Heart and Caraval series, Somaiya Dauds Mirage, and award winners such as If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo. Shes currently the only editor at Sarah Barley Books and hopes to keep her list small with 10 books per year. Barley is particularly excited that the books shes publishing have been embraced by indie bookstores. Books that work at indies arent always the splashiest at the beginning, but they can sell for a really long time, she says. What kinds of recipes best suit the current cultural vibe? Cookbook author Adeena Sussman, for one, says shes advocating simple cooking for complicated times in her latest, Zariz (Avery, Apr.). With this collection of Israeli-inspired, weeknight-friendly dishes, she encourages readers to streamline their cooking without compromising flavor. The world continues to be challenging on every level for every person, and we still have to go to work, be emotionally present for our friends and family, take care of ourselves, and get food on the table, Sussman says. Food should have a place of pride, but cooking should not suck us dry. ZarizHebrew for quickis one of several forthcoming books that meet home cooks where they are: in busy kitchens and with ingredients already on hand. World tour, home kitchen Sussmans pared-down style leans on time-saving techniques and pantry hacks. For her caramelized onion and labneh dip, she oven roasts the onions, which is less labor intensive than the typical saute method; her grilled hoisin-harissa lamb chops and plums recipe uses store-bought condiments. I want people to experience the spiritual and tactile elements of cooking but take it down to an essential level, she says. Every single thing youre doing has meaning and has a lot of deep flavor without being too taxing. Like Sussman, Ham El-Waylly is bolstering the idea that global cuisines need not be intimidating. As a young chef in New York City, he never cooked at home, he recalls in his debut, Hello, Home Cooking (Clarkson Potter, Mar.). A part of me even looked down on home cooking. If it wasnt plated with tweezers, I didnt want it. When the pandemic temporarily brought the restaurant industry to a halt, El-Waylly decided to reacquaint himself with his apartment kitchen and with the foods of his Bolivian and Egyptian heritage and his upbringing in Qatar. The book translates that knowledge for novices, drawing on his many influences and using staple ingredients in unexpected ways: toasted thin spaghetti, black beans, and parmesan; tahini-roasted swordfish; Frito ganache tart. Japanese Comfort Cooking (Ten Speed, June), the fourth collaboration between chef Tadashi Ono and food writer Harris Salat, showcases cooking that, they write, is raku-rakuJapanese slang akin to easy peasy or piece of cake. The coauthors encourage improvisation, inviting readers to conjure meals from whatevers in the fridge, with the aid of seasonings like dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and miso. Recipes include a four-ingredient asparagus and fried tofu miso soup, kama-age udon (five ingredients), and salmon teriyaki with sansho (seven ingredients). Archana Doshi launched the website Archanas Kitchen in 2007 as a way to document her cooking experiences and share recipes; its since grown to connect with a global audience. The 100 recipes in Everyday Indian from Archanas Kitchen (Weldon Owen, Apr.), favorites of her millions of online followers, emphasize the importance of maintaining the authenticity of Indian cuisine while making it accessible to a broader readership. She explains dum cooking (a slow-cooking method used for biryanis and rice gravies) and extols the virtues of pressure cookers, which significantly reduce cooking times for dals and legumes. Doshi also encourages readers to appreciate how dishes differ across the subcontinentThere are 30 different variations of biryani, she notesand to understand how traditional Indian meals are structured, so they can mix and match her recipes with confidence. Its not fusion, but it aims to break the monotony of traditional eating, she says. At home, I make thepla, a Gujarati flatbread, and serve it with carrot beet thoran, a vegetable dish from Kerala. I hope that readers experiment to create unique meals. Fast foods Speed and simplicity dominate online cooking culturethink 15-second TikTok pasta hacks and three-ingredient lazy girl dinners engineered for the algorithm. So, its unsurprising that online creators are parlaying viral, minimal-effort recipes into polished cookbooks destined for the kitchen counter rather than the for you page. In Dig In! (Simon Element, May), Erin OBrien provides 100 achievable recipes, including many solutions to the evergreen quandary of WTF to Make for Dinnera chapter title inspired by an Instagram series shared with her 1.2 million followers. Her crowd-pleasing mains include twice-baked broccoli cheddar potatoes with extra butter, cheddar, and cream cheese (bacon optional), as well as The Only Roast Chicken Youll Need. Elsewhere, in the Pasta: My Love Language chapter, she shares the three-ingredient fettuccine Alfredo whose online version has racked up more than 23 million views since 2024. Chef and recipe developer Christine Flynn speaks the language of social media, posting dinner inspo Instagram stories and sharing recipe collabs. Her third cookbook, Easy Does It (Penguin Canada, Mar.), combines a conversational style with decades of restaurant experience to help readers get satisfying meals on the table. Easy food can still be thoughtful, says Flynn, who reflects on her personal experience of making ends meet. It wasnt easy being a single mom to twin girls and having to stretch that dollar. The secret is making your food from scratch, using whole foods, and thinking critically about how to use the stuff thats left over. The books Use It Twice to Use It All chapter is devoted to repurposing recipes from earlier in the book: dill pickle poached cod with scallion sauce is transformed into cod cakes with dilly mayo; pepperoncini-braised pork shoulder is refashioned into cheesy-porky tacoswhich are, I would argue, better than the original dishes, she says. The book emphasizes how, with a little bit of time and creative thought, theres so much you can do with a sad container of leftovers. In We Use What We Have (Countryman, Aug.), self-taught cook and digital creator Alex MacLarenher Instagram tagline is easy budget friendly meals with a side of mom life & chaosemploys the frugal, clean-out-the-fridge approach thats attracted almost 800,000 TikTok followers. My philosophy is, buy whats affordable and then figure it out, she says. Ive always been a bargain girlie. MacLarens signature moves include a dish she calls an adult version of chicken nuggets and butter noodles, and in the spirit of improvisation, her book features substitution charts to help readers not feel beholden to recipes. I always say, Its not that deep. Its just dinner. Crowed Pleasers Susan Roxborough, executive editor at Clarkson Potter, acquired Matthew Boundss self-published 2024 title, Keep It Simple Yall, after watching its quick rise up Amazons charts; the traditionally published version has sold very well for the imprint. His follow-up, Keep It Simple Yall Every Day (Apr.), includes chapters titled Date Night, Feelin Like a Snack, and Every Damn Daythat last, Roxborough notes, acknowledges how often we have to make dinner and includes recipes that rely on set-it-and-forget-it techniques, like sheet-pan Caprese chicken, one-pot French onion pasta, and air-fryer taquitos. Matthew learned how to cook during the pandemic, she says. His story is very relatable, and his recipes are easy and budget-friendly. This all resonates with his audience, the majority of whom have families to cook for, who may be short on time, and for whom affordability is important. Steph de Sousa is a former MasterChef Australia contestant who has built a large following on social media1.3 million on Instagramby sharing approachable, budget-friendly recipes. In No Stress Recipe Queen (HarperCollins, May), de Sousa helps time-strapped cooks master the basicswhipping up a vinaigrette, roasting vegetables, and preparing a stir-fry sauceand prepare easy meals with eight or fewer ingredients and in 30 minutes or less, such as curry sauce dumplings (with frozen dumplings and pre-made red curry paste) and a one-pan chicken and pasta bake (with cream cheese and jarred pesto).The book is for readers who are racing home, throwing dinner together, and running out the door again, she says. Theyre not spending all day thinking about what theyre cooking for dinner. I want readers to see themselves in my approach to cooking. If they can, they might think: maybe I can do that, too. The 100-plus paleo-friendly recipes in Everyday Eats (Morrow Cookbooks, Aug.) by Alex Snodgrass, author of three bestselling cookbooks and founder of the popular social media outlet the Defined Dish, are simple ones to have in your back pocket all the time, she says. Sheet pan salmon with asparagus relies on a hot oven to speed things up, while kung paoinspired ground chicken stir fry requires no knife work. I grew up in a small town where home cooked meals were the norm, she explains. I see the importance of that to who I am today, and in my connections with my family. Echoing others PW spoke with, Snodgrass acknowledges the twin desires to save time and to feel rewarded by and connected through cooking. Encouraging people to get dinner on the table during hard times or busy times keeps us grounded and rooted, she says. This book just makes dinnertime feel a little bit more doable. Pooja Makhijani is the author of the new picture book Bread Is Love (Roaring Brook), illustrated by Lavanya Naidu. Read more from our cookbooks feature. Cookbooks to Feed the Soul In his well-received speech at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the reform of global institutions like the United Nations. We do not need to abandon the system of international cooperation we authored, and we dont need to dismantle the global institutions of the old order that together we built. But these must be reformed. These must be rebuilt, he stated. Indeed, the Trump administration has an opportunity to reform the United Nations, to shift UN policy away from gender ideology, diversity, equity, and inclusion, climate alarmism, abortion extremism, and global censorship. So far, the administration has made terrific statements in formal UN meetings and called for unprecedented votes against a few of the UN resolutions on these issues and in meetings of UN agencies. But success has been scarce on the most pressing cultural issues. When it comes to results, the real wins have only come on UN security policy and the UN budget. Thats where Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, rightly focused in the first year of the second Trump administration. Now they should consider doubling down on social policy reforms. Reforming radical leftist UN policy will be hard. It will require tedious diplomatic wrangling to convince the 193 members of the General Assembly. Success can be found based on shared values, common interests, and mutual respect. In this regard, the U.S. has more friends than many believe. The administration will find open doors in capitals around the world. The biggest difficulty will be Europe. The issues Europe is least likely to concede on are censorship and social issues. Some of the UN votes on abortion, the transgender agenda in recent months showed as much. Europe remains as committed to exporting abortion, gender ideology, DEI, and its censorship apparatus today as it was when Biden was in the White House, maybe more. The developing world awaits U.S. leadership on these controversial issues. Here is the problem and the opportunity. These issues are not yet a real part of the ongoing conversations about UN reform, but they should be. Ambassador Waltz made a courageous and compelling case for UN reforms at the Munich Security Conference as well. In the face of hostile European Union bureaucrats and officials, he made the case for budget cuts. Unfortunately, as other Republicans before him, he only emphasized security issues and budget cuts. That wont be enough to change the UN system. For all the hair-pulling about UN financial collapse from the Secretary General and the EU Commission, the Waltz budget cuts are more of a temporary disruption to UN bureaucrats than actual reforms. They only affect the UNs core budget of $3.8 billion and do not touch the real UN budget of over $60 billion the UN system receives through voluntary contributions. This means that the UN budget continues to fund censorship, gender, abortion, and DEI. Waltz might have mentioned how the UN childrens agency (UNICEF) promotes transgender affirming care for children or how the UN Womens agency wants men who believe they are women to gain access to womens only spaces. These are things that U.S. diplomats have called out at UN headquarters, but they have yet to become a part of the conversation about UN reform. There is a real danger to fall into a bureaucratic trap here. The cuts were achieved in the context of the UN80 initiative, a reform spearheaded by the UN Secretary General and the European Union. It is as much about the UN financial crunch as it is about making the UN system Trump-proof. Reforms are expected to take place in rapid-fire succession this year, giving barely any time for member statesand the U.S. in particularto make reforms. The UN bureaucracy expects a fast-paced decision rubberstamping EU-backed policies. For now, the UN80 reforms follow a similar pattern to previous UN reforms. There is talk of creating efficiencies, delivering as one, and a UN fit for purpose. But the main thrust is to consolidate power and resources in the UN bureaucracy. As a result, the overall effect will be to reduce U.S. influence and give more power and leverage to the European Union. The European Union is the largest collective donor to the UN development system. From a UN point of view, it is a more stable partner than the U.S. governmentsomething EU officials never tire of repeating. Unlike the U.S. Presidents and their cabinet, EU bureaucrats never get fired, and they never change policy. The U.S. simply cannot allow the left-leaning EU bureaucracy to control the UN80 reforms any more. The U.S. should take the lead and insist on adding caveats in UN policy against abortion, shutting down climate alarmism, ending gender ideology and DEI, as well as firing the army of gender, climate, and DEI specialists hired by the current UN Secretary General. These are all 80-20 issues geopolitically. In the long run, what is needed is a firewall to block these policies from ever being part of UN programming again. This will require creating a review mechanism within the UN80 discussions to ensure all UN programs respect sovereignty and the UN consensus. And it will require the administration to relentlessly articulate its vision for policy reform to other UN member states through white papers, diplomatic statements, and events. UN reform has to be about more than budgets and process. It has to be about getting the UN out of the radical social policy business. If done right, a genuine reform can ensure that abortion, gender, DEI, and censorship will fade from the UN agenda. This would be a remarkable legacy for Donald Trump. Stefano Gennarini is the Vice President for Legal Studies at the Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam), researching and writing on international law and policy at the United Nations in New York. America is currently experiencing a period of heightened skepticism toward multilateral institutions. As President Trump has withdrawn the United States from 31 UN bodies that he believes operate contrary to American interests, debates about the United States role in the United Nations have resurfaced and become prominent in American political discourse. Some people interpret proposals to withdraw from UN bodies as efforts to preserve national sovereignty or reduce financial and political obligations. However, a critical analysis of U.S. strategic, diplomatic, and normative interests suggests that strengthened participation in the United Nations remains essential to advancing American influence and global stability. An important reason why America should enhance its participation in the UN is that the United Nations offers the United States an unparalleled platform to enhance global security outcomes in an increasingly interdependent world. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States holds veto power over resolutions related to peacekeeping missions, sanctions regimes, and responses to armed conflict. This position enables American politicians to not only block initiatives that run counter to American interests but also to shape the international communitys approach to emerging crises. Withdrawal from the UN would not simply eliminate global security challenges; rather, it would remove the United States from the primary forum in which those challenges are debated and addressed. Additionally, strengthened American engagement in the United Nations strengthens U.S. coordination and collaboration with its allies, particularly its strongest European allies, such as the U.K. While the United States and Western European partners often have conflicting political interests, the UN serves as a critical venue for negotiation, consensus-building, and compromising on important matters. Through multilateral cooperation, the United States can pursue shared objectives, such as conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction, while improving partnerships with Western Europe to create stronger socio-political outcomes for themselves and for the rest of the world. Absent this institutional framework, transatlantic cooperation would become less effective over time and would likely weaken alliances that have underpinned international stability since the mid-twentieth century. Moreover, increased U.S. participation in the United Nations reinforces international norms related to democratic governance, political accountability, and human rights. Although the UN is regularly criticized for its limitations and inconsistencies, it is a central mechanism through which norms are articulated, monitored, and, in some cases, enforced. American engagement enables the United States to advocate for political freedoms and protections for civilians within multilateral bodies, such as the General Assembly and Human Rights Council. While these efforts do not always yield immediate outcomes, disengagement would reduce U.S. leverage and leave norm setting processes increasingly shaped by states with fewer commitments to liberal democratic principles. Enhanced United Nations membership also enhances the political legitimacy of American foreign policy actions. When the United States operates through multilateral institutions, its initiatives are more likely to be understood as cooperative rather than unilateral, which reduces the likelihood of diplomatic backlash and increases global compliance. This legitimacy is particularly important in addressing transnational challenges, such as global health threats and refugee flows, which cannot be effectively managed by any single country. The UN provides coordination mechanisms that amplify U.S. efforts while aligning them with broader international support. Finally, American withdrawal from the United Nations would create opportunities for rival states, such as Russia and China, to expand their influence within the institution. By remaining engaged, the United States can ensure that it continues to shape rules, norms, and agendas that will affect international politics regardless of its participation. By contrast, political disengagement risks undermining long-term American interests while diminishing the countrys ability to respond to future crises. While the United Nations is an imperfect institution, continued U.S. membership is paramount for advancing American security, diplomatic influence, and normative objectives. Rather than withdrawing from it, the United States should pursue reform and sustained engagement. This way, it can use its position within the UN to promote stability, cooperation, and a rules-based international order to generate stronger socio-political outcomes for its citizens, its allies, and the rest of the world. HeLIX CEO discusses production and offtake progress - ICYMI Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock HeLIX Exploration PLC (AIM:HEX, OTCQB:HHEXF) CEO Bo Sears talked with Proactive about the company achieving a major milestone: becoming the first helium producer in the state of Montana. Sears addressed the market reaction to the production news and put the achievement into perspective, highlighting the speed of execution since IPO and talking through the companys strategy and progress with off-takers. Proactive: Bo, congratulations on production. But the stock is down nearly 10% today. What's going on? Bo Sears: Well, Stephen, thanks for having me on. I think some of that pre-production news had already been baked into our stock. But I want to put this into context. First, we are the first producer in the entire state of Montana. That is a milestone in itself. Secondly, from IPO in April 2024 to today, thats 22 months. Not a single publicly traded helium explorer has done what we have done. Compare that to our peers. This is an incredible milestone for the company, and we couldnt be more excited that we have moved as quickly as we have. Proactive: Now that production has started, what's the strategy for offtake agreements and why were these not finalized ahead of production? Bo Sears: Thats a great question. The helium exploration world is essentially a graveyard of folks that promise and dont deliver. It has always been our mandate to get into production and then enter into those offtake agreements. Its important to do it this way because the off-takers want to actually see that helium is coming out of the plant in pure form. Before all of this, we have talked to several off-takers. Now we will have off-takers on site over the coming weeks and start selling helium. Its quite an exciting movement. Proactive: Can you share details on the quality of helium being produced at Rudyard? Whats the purity and how does it compare to industry standards? Bo Sears: Its going to be ultra-high purity helium. The plant was designed for five-nine purity helium 99.999% pure and thats what were going to get. You can sell helium at various stages of purity. Balloon grade is about 98% pure. Ultra-high purity opens up our market even further. This is a stellar plant. Weve had a stellar team in Wikota Design & Construction LLC and Nu Wave Services helping us. Were really excited about the quality of helium being produced. Proactive: What is the current and expected field output from the three producing wells, and how might this change as you scale up? Bo Sears: Right now we have three wells tied into the plant and the gathering system built. We are expecting production of about 1,500 Mcf per day to start at a prudent flow rate. We will tie in the Inez well shortly. That should max out the plant at about 6,000,000 cubic feet of input gas per day, equivalent to about 65,000 cubic feet of helium per day. That represents significant revenue potential. The North Oconee boys basketball team enters the state playoffs with a 24-3 overall record and 13-1 mark in region play. The No. 1 Titans in AAAA ended the regular season with a loss, however, falling to No. 1 Holy Innocents Episcopal of Class AA on Feb. 7, 68-64. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is investigating a rape incident that occurred early on Saturday at around 1:25 a.m. near 520 N. Thomas St., according to a community notification from the University of Georgia Police Department. The Indian policy trajectory in West Asia is simply tragic, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. IMAGE: Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Photograph: WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters Key Points The heart of the matter is that Israel is desperate to pre-empt any US-Iranian normalisation, since it is the single biggest obstacle remaining today from realising the Zionist dream of Greater Israel stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates, which, they claim, was prophesied in the Genesis. Someone in the Indian foreign policy establishment should bring the transcript of the Omani minister's interview to the notice of the PMO to make them realise the great urgency to tread softly on a turf that angels fear to tread. If the dogs of war are being unleashed by Israel, we should know it is a Satanic happening. Any longtime observer of the US-Iran hostility would know that appearances can be deceptive diplomacy. Over time, one gets to read the tea leaves with reasonable success with the help of intuitive cognition that gets sharpened out of experience. Iran is a highly sophisticated civilisation State. No matter the 1978 Islamic revolution, the country's civilisational moorings continue to give its words and actions an extraordinary degree of subtlety, which has always been a moveable feast for any diplomat. Therefore, it is no wonder that Tehran insisted that Oman, one of the most underestimated practitioners of diplomacy historically in its region, to be the mediator in the current phase of the US-Iran negotiations just after seven months of the first-ever conflict in the entire chronicle of their mutual hostility. To my mind, it was never in doubt that beneath the hurly-burly of US President Donald Trump's 'armada' approaching Iran, serious negotiations have been under way and Iran has gone the extra league to address US concerns. IMAGE: People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, February 28, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, the mediator, has taken upon himself to 'declassify' the sensitive details of the actual state of play in the negotiations, apprehending apparently that Israel might now be on the verge of doing something to derail the process, as it did in June last year by attacking Iran. The heart of the matter is that Israel is desperate to pre-empt any US-Iranian normalisation, since it is the single biggest obstacle remaining today from realising the Zionist dream of Greater Israel stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates, which, they claim, was prophesied in the Genesis. The Indian policy trajectory in West Asia -- that is, assuming there's any serious foreign policy strategy remaining today other than the whims and fancies of the leadership and their perceived subjective vulnerability vis-a-vis Israeli blackmail -- is simply tragic. At a juncture when India needed a visionary leadership to navigate the nation through dangerous waters, that is sadly lacking. Such a trivialisation of India's West Asia policy should never have happened. Even a cursory reading of an interview given to CBS News by the Omani foreign minister yesterday after meeting with US President J D Vance (external link) in Washington -- the only adult in the room in the White House -- should be an eye-opener. The minister spoke up in great anxiety in a manifestly last-ditch attempt to pre-empt any repetition of the Israeli attempt to derail the process leading to a permanent settlement of the Iran nuclear issue. A Diplomatic Reality Check for New Delhi IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, at an observation point in Jerusalem, Israel, February 26, 2026. Photograph: @IsraeliPM X/ANI Photo From our perspective, the interview happens to be a scathing indictment of Indian diplomacy under the circumstances -- although that is far from the mind of the Omani minister who emerges here, without doubt, as an accomplished diplomat himself and makes his peer group in the Global South look rather pedestrian. Someone in the Indian foreign policy establishment should bring the transcript of the Omani minister's interview to the notice of the PMO to make them realise the great urgency to tread softly on a turf that angels fear to tread. The full transcript of the Omani foreign minister's interview is reproduced below, which is destined to become a historical record in the annals of West Asia's diplomatic history. No matter what happens going forward, if the dogs of war are being unleashed by Israel, we should know it is a Satanic happening. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi: A US-Iran deal is "within our reach" IMAGE: Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, right, meets with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Geneva, Switzerland, February 26, 2026. Photograph: Oman News Agency/Handout via Reuters Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, a key mediator in the US-Iran nuclear talks, tells Face the Nation Moderator Margaret Brennan that he's confident "a peace deal is within our reach" between the US and Iran as negotiators meet over Tehran's nuclear program. He also said, "I don't think any alternative to diplomacy is going to solve this problem." Read the full transcript below: MARGARET BRENNAN: So President Trump said Friday he's not happy with the way talks are going, and not happy that they're "not willing to give us what we have to have." From your point of view, is diplomacy failing? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I am confident, and in my assessment of the way the talks are going, I think there is, really I can see that the peace deal is within our reach. MARGARET BRENNAN: A peace deal? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Yes, is within our reach, if we just allow diplomacy the space it needs to get there. Because I don't think any alternative to diplomacy is going to solve this problem. MARGARET BRENNAN: When you say space, does that mean you are asking for more time to continue negotiations? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I'm asking to continue this process because we have already achieved quite a substantial progress in the direction of a deal. And the heart of this deal is very important, and I think we have captured that heart. MARGARET BRENNAN: When you say the heart of the deal, Iran has said this has to be nuclear only. What have you actually agreed upon? Can you give us any sense of why there should be more time? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I'm asking to continue this process because we have already achieved quite a substantial progress in the direction of a deal. And the heart of this deal is very important, and I think we have captured that heart? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Because if the ultimate objective is to ensure forever that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, I think we have cracked that problem through these negotiations by agreeing a very important breakthrough that has never been achieved any time before. And I think if we can capture that and build on it, I think a deal is within our reach. MARGARET BRENNAN: What has Iran agreed to, to you, that they have never done before? Can you give us any sense? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: The single most important achievement, I believe, is the agreement that Iran will never, ever have a nuclear material that will create a bomb. This is, I think, a big achievement. This is something that is not in the old deal that was negotiated during President Obama's time. This is something completely new. It really makes the enrichment argument less relevant, because now we are talking about zero stockpiling. And that is very, very important, because if you cannot stockpile material that is enriched then there is no way you can actually create a bomb, whether you enrich or don't enrich. And I think this is really something that has been missed a lot by the media, and I want to clarify that from the standpoint of a mediator. MARGARET BRENNAN: So explain that. So the enriched material, things that could be used as nuclear fuel for a bomb, you're saying Iran would not keep on their own soil? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: They would give it up. MARGARET BRENNAN: They would give it up? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: They will not be able to actually accumulate that material that will enable them to create a bomb - MARGARET BRENNAN: -Where would that - BADR ALBUSAIDI: There is no accumulation, so there would be zero accumulation, zero stockpiling, and full verification. That is also equally important achievement, I think. Full and comprehensive verification by the IAEA, which is the agency in charge of this, this file. MARGARET BRENNAN: The UN nuclear watchdog. So you're saying all enriched material would be shipped someplace else, not Russia but - MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: No, no, the current stockpiles that are- still exist - MARGARET BRENNAN: The things that are still in Iran - MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I think that there is agreement now that this will be down blended to the lowest level possible, to a neutral level, a natural level, which means- and converted into fuel, and that fuel will be irreversible. MARGARET BRENNAN: That would be significant. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: It is very significant. And I think we have agreement on that, in my view. MARGARET BRENNAN: Because today, CBS confirmed a confidential report from the IAEA says inspectors report seeing Iran conducting nuclear- or conducting regular activity at bombed uranium enrichment sites. But Iran has refused to tell us what has happened to their stockpile, they have refused to allow UN inspectors in to look at it. Are you telling me that inspectors would be given access to these sites like at Isfahan? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: If there is a deal, an agreed deal, there will be full access. MARGARET BRENNAN: Iran has offered that? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Yes. MARGARET BRENNAN: So who would these inspectors be? It would be UN? IAEA? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: IAEA, IAEA. But I think you know, there is room also, if there is a deal in place, I am quite confident, from my point of view, that even United States inspectors will have access at some point in the process. If we have a deal that is respected and fair and endurable, I see no reason why there is no access to be given, even to the United States itself. MARGARET BRENNAN: Iran has never allowed American weapons inspectors on their soil. They wouldn't let President Obama do that. You think Iran will let President Trump send American inspectors into Iran? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: This is why I think this is a much, much better deal, because I think Iran is open to the idea in a way that- that- that never had been the case in the past. MARGARET BRENNAN: You met with Vice President J D Vance, does he understand the details like you have laid out here? What did he say? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I have explained to Vice President, and I really want to express my thanks and appreciation for the time and for his engagement and attention, and I have explained as much as possible and to the best possible of my ability, how I see the situation going, what is the assessment, what is our view as an independent mediator and observer and facilitator for these talks. MARGARET BRENNAN: Did you get a sense that enough has been accomplished in these talks to convince America to hold off on strikes? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I hope so. I think, I think we have, we have, we have really advanced substantially. And I think obviously there remains to be various details to be ironed out, and this is why we need a little bit more time to really try and accomplish the ultimate goal of having a comprehensive package of the deal that will, will have different components to it. And I'm not really in a position to go into the details of this, but the big picture is that a deal is in our hand, if we are only allowed the negotiators, and I believe both sides have been dead serious, very creative, very imaginative, to really to reach where we have reached so far. MARGARET BRENNAN: Did you get the sense that the vice president wants this deal to succeed? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Yes, I think even the president wants this deal to succeed. MARGARET BRENNAN: But the president has said that not enough is being done. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Well, I don't know what he meant by that. I mean, I would love to respond to any specific areas that, that he's not happy about, of course. I mean, I sincerely think the President really is passionate, and he is really sincere about preferring the choice of diplomacy and have a diplomatic deal, a negotiated deal, than the alternative. MARGARET BRENNAN: There are technical talks scheduled for Vienna next week with the head of the IAEA. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Yes. MARGARET BRENNAN: How much time are you talking about? How much time do you need? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I think on Monday, they have agreed to talk technicalities in Vienna on Monday, and then a few days following that, within a week, really from now, we are working on another round of talks at the level of the negotiators. MARGARET BRENNAN: So Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are going to sit down with you? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: That's the idea. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, let me ask you this, because we are hearing concern that time is of the essence. Why is there an emergency right now? Do you get the sense of why President Trump feels this has to happen right now, or there could be strikes? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I don't know. I just think you know there is really, really, a real chance here, a very historic opportunity to really crack this issue diplomatically. MARGARET BRENNAN: If- Are you concerned that Israel is planning to take a first strike, even though the US and Iran are agreeing to talk? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I hope that is not the case. MARGARET BRENNAN: If Israel strikes first, will that end the diplomacy that you are trying to conduct here on the nuclear program? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Well, we saw what happened last year. We don't want the repetition of that. MARGARET BRENNAN: To be clear, you were helping with the diplomacy last summer, and in the middle of that diplomacy is when the United States and Israel carried out the bombing of the nuclear sites. The US hit those three nuclear sites. Are you concerned that that's what's happening now? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I'm very concerned, like you and like everyone else, the whole world is concerned about this, and I think the whole world really wants a negotiated deal out of this, and, and not to go the route of what we saw last year. MARGARET BRENNAN: So President Trump carried out those strikes on Iran's nuclear program, and he said it was obliterated. What does Iran have right now? Do you believe you have a good sense of what their nuclear program still entails? Do you consider it an emergency? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I don't know exactly the right answer for that question, but what I do know is that if we can agree tomorrow on this deal, and it can be agreed very fast, then there will be the access given to all the experts to go and assess what we have there. We will have the access diplomatically without having to go to war. MARGARET BRENNAN: How quickly do you think you could get UN inspectors on the ground in Iran? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: That to be-- that has to be agreed. But I think according to these negotiations that I have witnessed and facilitated. I believe a lot of these questions can be addressed amicably and comprehensively inside a three months kind of cycle. MARGARET BRENNAN: Three months? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Maximum, I think from what I heard by both sides, this is actually doable. And what I heard from the experts involved in these talks, that within 90 days, we can really address completely the question of the stockpiles that exists at the moment, and we can address and agree on the verification and the controls that are necessary to be put in place, access to these sites, assessment of exactly the state of affairs inside -- in this program, and not only that, even determine really what are the exact and real needs. And that needs to be done to, to ensure that this program remains peaceful, remains acceptable to the United States and to the Iranians. MARGARET BRENNAN: So a nuclear only deal is what we are talking about here. But Secretary of State Rubio said just a few days ago that if Iran refuses to talk about ballistic missiles with the United States or anyone, he said, that is a big problem. Will Iran negotiate about its ballistic missiles? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I believe Iran is open to discuss everything. MARGARET BRENNAN: Including its ballistic missiles, because they've said this has to be nuclear only. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Everything, but that has to take its proper context, proper course, proper framework. Now, the priority number one is to get this nuclear issue resolved in a proper deal that is clear, that- that exactly specifies obligations of each side. I believe we have discussed and potentially agreed on the approach that all these other non-nuclear issues of concern can be discussed in the context of a regional dialogue between Iran and its neighbours. MARGARET BRENNAN: So just to be clear, Iran has told you they will discuss their nu- their ballistic missile program with some of the Arab neighbors? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: We have not gone to that extent of specifics, but we have agreed, in general, to discuss economic and security cooperation between Iran and its neighbors, and set up a process of dialogue that will really start the elements of building confidence, building a rapport, building a process that can really lead us to reach an understanding on all these various areas of concern, areas of concern on the Iranian side, and areas of concern on the GCC side. MARGARET BRENNAN: And the Gulf countries. So Secretary Rubio also said Iran is not enriching nuclear material right now. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: That's correct MARGARET BRENNAN: Because Envoy Witkoff told Fox News last week that Iran is probably a week away from having industrial grade bomb making material. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I am not an expert to judge that, but I have asked experts who know about the subject, and I think that could have been misinterpreted, since they are not enriching, and the only really facility that is operational, to some extent, is what -- what is called the Tehran research reactor, which is research related. It's a- it's a reactor that produces isotopes, for example, for- for hospitals and medical, medical needs. But other than that, I am assured by the IAEA that there are no enrichment activities going on at the moment. MARGARET BRENNAN: The last time that we saw a diplomatic deal, there were years of talks. There were nuclear scientists, intelligence officials and diplomats at the table. There was international pressure that was coordinated, from Russia to China to the United States to Europe. The talks you had on Thursday were just six hours with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Can you get this complicated of a deal done quickly? You said you need three months. What do you need to accomplish this in three months? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: No, I said that a deal actually can be agreed tomorrow. MARGARET BRENNAN: Broad terms of a deal. MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Broad terms. It's- politics, the big main issues, components, that really are the main areas of concern, I think that can be agreed tomorrow. The technicalities will take some time to work it out with the agency, the IAEA. And then once those are accomplished, and I believe that can be done also quickly, relatively quickly, because a lot of this work, this groundwork, was done years ago, and it's- it's there in place. The three months period is really the implementation of what will be agreed, whether, whether it's to- related to the stockpiling and the stockpiles issues, whether it's related to the verification, I think within three months, that will be all in place. MARGARET BRENNAN: And Iran wants the United States to lift sanctions. If the United States does that, that helps the regime, a regime with a terrible human rights record, stay in power. Are human rights in any way, a part of this conversation? Is the United States raising them? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: This conversation is completely focused on the job at hand, which is the nuclear file. I think other areas of concern are not really -- we have not been mandated to discuss this, and so I think I would rather focus on this, because that is the most critical element at the moment. MARGARET BRENNAN: You didn't get to meet with President Trump. He may see this interview. Do I understand that your main ask is give me more time, because you think you can close this and prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: I think both sides of the equation, the American negotiators and the Iranians, are very, very serious to reach a deal, and they think they can reach a deal in my assessment. And knowing and assessing the various components of this deal, and what I have already explained to you, the great progress that we have made, the substantial progress that we have made, which is far, far more than any time before, we just need that bit of extra time to close the deal. And if I was President Trump, my only advice is just to give those negotiators enough room and enough space to really close these remaining areas that we need to discuss and agree upon. MARGARET BRENNAN: And if Israel carries out a strike, or if the U.S. carries out even a limited strike on the ballistic missiles, do you think that you could still get a nuclear deal done? MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Well, diplomacy can reach a deal. I don't think any other acts can solve this problem, really. I don't think that will be- it will only complicate resolving this problem and delay it. MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Foreign Minister, thank you for your time, MINISTER ALBUSAIDI: Thank you. Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar served the Indian Foreign Service for 29 years. 'The unexpected turn of events and assertion of sovereignty by the Taliban has baffled the Pakistan security establishment.' IMAGE: Taliban soldiers, following exchange of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, near the Torkham border in Afghanistan, February 27, 2026. Photograph: Reuters Key Points The Taliban's 2021 return to power fundamentally shifted the regional security balance. Advanced American weapons left behind in Afghanistan have significantly enhanced the TTP's combat capability. The TTP's core demands include demerger of former FATA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and enforcement of Sharia with armed freedom of movement. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has re-emerged as one of the most serious security threats to the Pakistani State. Its renewed strength is closely linked to the geopolitical upheaval that followed the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. What Islamabad once viewed as a controllable militant spillover has now evolved into a direct and escalating challenge to its authority, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the former tribal belt. The roots of the crisis go back to 9/11. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the US invaded Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime that sheltered it. Although the Taliban government was toppled quickly, the insurgency regrouped across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and fought American and Afghan forces for two decades. During this period, several jihadist groups operated in the region, including the TTP, formed in 2007, which targeted the Pakistani State for siding with Washington. When US forces withdrew in August 2021 and the Taliban swiftly returned to power in Kabul, the regional security balance shifted dramatically. The Taliban's victory emboldened allied militant networks, including the TTP. Pakistan expected the new Afghan Taliban government to rein in or extradite TTP leaders. Instead, Kabul has resisted taking decisive action against them. The Afghan Taliban's reluctance stems from ideological affinity, battlefield ties forged during the anti-US insurgency, and deep tribal linkages across the Durand Line (the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan). Many TTP fighters had fought alongside the Afghan Taliban. Moving against them risks internal rifts within the Taliban's ranks. After Pakistan air force jets bombed Kabul and Kandahar on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff spoke to Avinash Mohananey, a retired Intelligence Bureau officer who spent a considerable time in Pakistan on security assignments for his assessment of Pakistan's declared 'open war' against Afghanistan. What is the reason for the sudden spurt of attacks by Pakistan on Afghanistan? What triggered it? To understand what is happening today between Pakistan and Afghanistan, one must go back in time to 2021. In August 2021, the Americans withdrew hastily from Afghanistan after having captured the country from the Taliban in 2001. After the humiliating departure of the Americans, the ragtag army of the Afghan Taliban took control of the entire country. In their fight against the Americans, the Afghan national army and troops from the NATO countries, the Afghan Taliban were supported by fighters from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) of China. After August 2021, when the Americans withdrew, the Afghan Taliban suggested to the Pakistan government to hold talks with the TTP to facilitate the return of their cadres to their homes in Pakistan. The same offer was given to Uzbekistan in respect of Ithe MU and China in respect of the ETIM. The Afghan Taliban added that they were ready to facilitate talks between the TTP and the Pakistan government. The Afghan Taliban were not interested in hosting the TTP at that point of time as they had assured in the Doha agreement that they would not allow Afghan soil for terrorism against the US and its allies. On the other hand, Pakistan was hoping that the Afghan Taliban would hand over TTP cadres and Baloch separatists based in Afghanistan to Pakistan's security agencies, reminding the Taliban of the support it had extended to them during their war against the US and its allies. So, Pakistan has a problem with the TTP who are against the Pakistan government and the Taliban supports the TTP rather than hand their leaders over to Pakistan. Yes, the TTP did not agree to surrender to the Pakistan government. At the behest of the Pakistan government, negotiations were held between Pakistan and the TTP facilitated by the Taliban in June 2022 along with an announcement of a cease-fire by the TTP. Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed (who is now in the Pakistan army's custody for his alleged proximity to Imran Khan), who was then the director general of the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), and the corps commander Peshawar were the points persons from Pakistan to hold the talks. As a goodwill gesture, Pakistan then released some TTP leaders, who were imprisoned in Pakistani jails. Why did matters between the TTP and Pakistan government deteriorate? The TTP wanted Pakistan to agree to two core demands. The first one was demerger of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The second demand was that that the TTP wanted Sharia law to be implemented in the erstwhile FATA and free movement of its cadres with weapons there. IMAGE: A Taliban soldier keeps vigil in Khost province, Afghanistan, February 27, 2026. Photograph: Reuters What is FATA? And how different it is from the Durand Line that is the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan? The erstwhile FATA region included areas like Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kurram, Orakzai and Khyber touching Chitral in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and down to Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For convenience of keeping these tribes under control, the British had created FATA and implemented the Frontier Crime Regulation Act that included collective punishments. The British regularly bombed these areas to keep control over these tribes. Tribesmen from these very areas were facilitated by Pakistan on October 22, 1947 to attack Kashmir who were eventually thrown out by the Indian Army. These areas were amalgamated by Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018 for better control over the tribes. Now, the TTP wants this belt touching Afghanistan to be demerged from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. By demanding implementation of Sharia and free movement, the TTP wants its rule in the former FATA. What danger does Pakistan feel if it separates FATA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? They (the Pakistan army) fear that the TTP will have its own check posts in FATA, collect taxes and make it as a base for further expansion in settled areas. What is the Durand Line? The border of FATA, which touches Afghanistan, is a part of the Durand Line between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It extends till the Balochistan province of Pakistan and is around 2,640 km. The Taliban do not recognise the Durand Line drawn by the British as it has divided Pashtun tribes on both sides. IMAGE: Residents gather following Pakistan airstrikes in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, February 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters When Pakistan asked TTP leaders to surrender and settle in Pakistan with their families, why did the TTP not trust the Pakistan establishment? You got to remember all terror groups need only two things. One is money and the second is power with a further scope to expand their operations. It doesn't matter if the terror group uses religion or ethnicity. The TTP felt that it has sacrificed too many lives and hence cannot just surrender before the Pakistan army. Without expansion, groups like the TTP will not be able to recruit youth and generate finances. That is why the TTP wants to control the erstwhile FATA region. Was Pakistan not supporting the Afghan Taliban secretly against the Americans? Pakistan always played double games with the Americans. Everyone knows about the existence of the Taliban's Quetta Shura (leadership council). While supporting the Taliban on the one hand, Pakistan also arrested Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef and handed him over to the US. He was kicked and beaten by Pakistan ISI officers before handing him over to the Americans. The Americans then flew him to Guantanamo Bay. Similarly, under American pressure, Pakistan arrested Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (now the Taliban's deputy prime minister) in 2010 and kept him in a Karachi jail. He was released only when the Americans started talking with the Taliban directly in Doha, Qatar. The basic problem is that Pakistan treats Afghanistan as its fifth province. Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being the other four. Besides, Pakistan shabbily treated and hastily deported lakhs of Afghan refugees, creating a huge humanitarian crisis. How many Afghan refugees have been deported from Pakistan? Around 1.4 million refugees have been deported. Many of them had their homes built in Pakistan, but they were forcefully vacated. Their homes have now been demolished by the Pakistan army. IMAGE: A Pakistan soldier stands guard at a deserted entry point at the Friendship Gate at the border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Chaman, Pakistan, February 27, 2026. Photograph: Abdul Khaliq Achakzai/Reuters Considering that Pakistan's economy is in terrible shape, what does the Pakistan army want on the Afghan front now? The unexpected turn of events and assertion of sovereignty by the Taliban has baffled the Pakistan security establishment. Unable to explain the lack of intelligence and willingness to take on the TTP, the Pakistan army finds it difficult to explain to the country why it is suffering so many casualties. It blames Afghanistan and India for the TTP violence when the reality is that the depredations are being perpetrated by Pakistani cadres of the TTP. Pakistan even blames attacks by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on the Afghan Taliban without any basis. The fact remains that the Taliban are continuously fighting battles with ISKP for maintaining control on Afghanistan. Pakistan's problem is aggravated by the fact that the Americans left behind weapons and equipment worth $7.62 billion that included lethal M4 and M16 assault rifles. The same rifles are being provided to terror groups in Kashmir by Pakistan's ISI. These rifles can be fitted with thermal imagers and night vision devices, which have also been left in abundance by the Americans. These weapon systems are now available with the TTP, which they are using effectively against the Pakistan army. These weapons are also available in the black market in Kabul and other places in Afghanistan. Soon after the cease-fire was called off by TTP in November 2022, an attack on a police party near Peshawar on January 15, 2023 stunned Pakistan's security establishment. The party was led by a deputy superintendent of police who were visiting a police station on the outskirts of Peshawar late in the night. TTP terrorists attacked the police party in darkness using American weapons, killing three police personnel. The Pakistan army later discovered that that the TTP terrorists had used M4 assault rifles. The problem the Pakistan army is now facing that they can't see the enemy whereas the other side can easily identify and locate them. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Ghulam Nabi Azad expresses serious concerns about the escalating Middle East conflict, urging all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions to prevent further suffering and instability. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Ghulam Nabi Azad voices deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Azad stresses the urgent need for restraint and responsible action by all parties involved in the Middle East conflict. He emphasizes that all sides must return to diplomacy to de-escalate tensions. Azad hopes for cooler heads to prevail to prevent further suffering and safeguard stability in the region. Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, stressing the urgent need for restraint and responsible action by all parties involved. The US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran early Saturday, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme. Following the attack, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting several American military bases in the Middle East, including in Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. Azad's Call for Diplomacy and Restraint "Recent events in the Middle East are deeply worrying. I am following the conflict with grave concern, particularly for the civilians caught in the crossfire. This is a time for restraint and responsibility," former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Azad said in a post on X. All sides must return to the path of diplomacy and avoid steps that could further inflame tensions, he said. "Dialogue remains the only credible way forward. I sincerely hope cooler heads prevail to prevent further suffering and to safeguard stability in an already fragile region!" Azad said. Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Karnataka government is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of Kannadigas residing in the region, including setting up a dedicated helpline and advising citizens to relocate to safer zones. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Karnataka government closely monitoring the Middle East conflict to ensure the safety of Kannadigas. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to take proactive measures and operationalize a dedicated helpline for affected families. Kannadigas in conflict-affected areas are advised to relocate to safer zones due to airspace closures. Indian missions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries have issued advisories urging citizens to exercise caution. The government is initiating steps to ensure the security and assistance of stranded individuals, including 32 people from Ballari in Dubai. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the state government was closely monitoring the evolving situation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and was taking all steps to ensure the safety of Kannadigas residing in the region. Siddaramaiah said he has held consultations with the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and directed officials to take proactive measures to safeguard the people from the state living in the region. "In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Government of Karnataka is treating with utmost seriousness the safety and well-being of Kannadigas residing in the Middle East, including Israel, the UAE, Iran, and Qatar," he said in a post on 'X'. A joint US-Israel military offensive against Iran has triggered fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran has launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israel and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Siddaramaiah said those currently in conflict-affected areas and unable to return to India due to the closure of airspace in several countries are advised to relocate to safer zones at the earliest. "I have instructed officials to operationalise a dedicated helpline from tomorrow to assist affected families," he said. "I urge family members not to panic if communication with their loved ones is temporarily disrupted. Please be assured that the safety of every Kannadiga is our foremost priority, and coordinated efforts are already underway in close liaison with the concerned authorities," he added. According to Ballari Rural MLA and former minister B Nagendra 32 people from Ballari are presently stranded in Dubai, the chief minister said. "Appropriate steps are being initiated to ensure their security and facilitate necessary assistance. We stand firmly committed to protecting our citizens and will continue to monitor the situation closely, responding with sensitivity, responsibility and resolve," he added. Indian Missions Issue Advisories The Indian missions in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Palestine and Oman on Saturday issued advisories for its citizens urging them to "exercise utmost caution" and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently. Several missions also said it is in touch with Indian citizens stranded at the airport or at other places as the two airports at Dubai, the largest aviation hub, shut down and the UAE and Iraq closed their airspace, hours after the US-Israel joint attack on Iran escalated into a region-wide tension. The Indian missions have also provided emergency contact details for any assistance. A scrap dealer and two accomplices were arrested for stealing cables and equipment from a Delhi Metro depot in Azadpur, highlighting security concerns and prompting a police investigation. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images Key Points A scrap dealer and two individuals were arrested for allegedly stealing cables and equipment from a Delhi Metro depot in Azadpur. The theft was discovered after CISF personnel noticed a suspicious individual on CCTV inside the high-security depot. Items stolen included approximately 100 meters of signaling cable, 60 meters of machine cable, check plates, and a water meter. Police arrested Ali Ahmad and Sanwar, and subsequently apprehended Baksood Hussain, a scrap dealer, for allegedly buying the stolen goods. A scrap dealer and two more people were arrested for allegedly stealing cables and other equipment from a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) depot in north Delhi's Azadpur, police said on Saturday. According to the Metro Unit of the Delhi Police, the theft came to light on February 26 after CISF personnel spotted a suspicious man inside the high-security depot premises through CCTV surveillance and alerted the local police. "During verification, a team found that nearly 100 metres of signalling cable, 60 metres of machine cable, check plates and a water meter had been stolen from the Aawas Block of the depot," an officer said. A case was registered at the Azadpur Metro Police Station. Arrests Made in Delhi Metro Cable Theft Case The police first arrested Ali Ahmad and Sanwar, aged 25 and 24. A 66-year-old scrap dealer, Baksood Hussain, was arrested at their instance for allegedly purchasing the stolen property. In fact, most people paid to handle tax returns are not lawyers, accountants or enrolled agents, according to a watchdog report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office released this week. This exposes taxpayers to errors and consequences from uncredentialed preparers and these preparers are generally not subject to IRS regulation, the report said. Murrins case highlights pitfalls that lurk when people entrust someone with their taxes, according to Olson. They dont have a way to know if this preparer is better or more competent than another preparer, Olson told MarketWatch. While Murrin is fighting her case, many people left in a jam by their tax preparer just pay the IRS and try to get on with their life, said Nina Olson, the former IRS national taxpayer advocate. And the insult added to that injury is an innocent partys financial life can be turned upside down based on someone elses fraud conducted in the far-off past and entirely unbeknownst to the law-abiding party. Those taxpayers are left to defend their tax returns when the government suddenly appears unannounced, out of nowhere, asserting massive tax liabilities from decades earlier, the filing said. Murrins lawyers say she shouldnt be forced to pay, according to a petition they filed last week. The stakes are high for her and anyone else who may be unaware that their tax preparer cut corners or committed fraud even if it happened decades ago, the court papers said. Murrin did not intend to evade taxes when she hired the accountant to prepare her return back in 1993, government lawyers have acknowledged. Nevertheless, she could still be on the hook for her accountants fraudulent actions, they say. In recent years, IRS criminal investigators have launched an increasing number of probes into questionable refunds in cases similar to Murrins. The client, Stephanie Murrin, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear her case after two lower courts sided with the Internal Revenue Service. Now the client could owe the IRS more than $328,000 in taxes, penalties and interest for crimes her tax preparer committed using her and others and shes down to her last shot at avoiding the bill. About three decades ago, an accountant profited from dubious deductions he put on the tax returns of an unsuspecting client. Story Continues A bipartisan bill released Thursday would toughen penalties against preparers who improperly handle returns. It would also protect their clients from being audited years later because of their preparers fraud. The IRS and an attorney for Murrin declined to comment on the case. How Murrin ended up staring at a six-figure tax bill Court papers dont specify how Murrin and her then husband came into contact with the accountant but the man already had a troubled past by that time. When Duane Howell began preparing the Murrins returns in 1993, his accountants license had already been suspended after a 1986 conviction in New York federal court for preparing fraudulent tax returns. The Murrins didnt know about Howells history, and they used his services through 1999. In 2006, New York federal prosecutors indicted Howell and his employee. Howell and his worker, then based in Palm Beach, Fla., had inflated their clients write-offs and fabricated expenses for years, prosecutors alleged in the indictment. The moves lowered the clients taxable income and increased the size of their tax refunds. The pair charged their clients fees for all the extra paperwork and sometimes took one-third of a clients refund payment as compensation, according to the indictment. Howell omitted his name from his clients tax returns and listed different preparer entities in an attempt to avoid IRS scrutiny, according to court filings. All in, Howell and his employee generated approximately $10 million in fraudulent expenses and deductions, according to prosecutors. The scores of questionable tax returns were filed between 1992 and 2003. Howell, then age 72, pleaded guilty to two charges including conspiracy to commit tax fraud. He spent just over a year in prison starting in 2009, according to court and prison records. The outcome included a court order to pay $1.2 million in restitution to the IRS. Efforts to reach Howell or his attorneys were unsuccessful. Its not clear when Murrin learned of Howells conviction, but it could have been in 2019. Thats when the IRS told her she owed more than $65,000 in unpaid taxes and around $13,000 in penalties for filing inaccurate returns. On top of that, the IRS said Murrin like anyone with an unpaid tax bill or penalty would have to pay interest on the money she owed. The years of interest piling up on the owed taxes and penalties could amount to an estimated $250,000, according to Murrins court papers. Why did so much time pass before the IRS came looking? The IRS generally has three years to inspect a return for accuracy once its been filed. But the agency can dig into a tax return at any time if a false or fraudulent tax return was filed with the intent to evade tax, according to the tax code. Murrins lawyers say the IRS only has the right to look into her return if she was the one who intended to evade tax, and they say thats not the case. Their client acted in good faith and did not know about, let alone cause any false entries on any of the returns, they wrote. But government lawyers say the tax code never spelled out whose intent to evade matters. Therefore, the IRS bill was on solid legal ground, they said. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld a tax court judgment against Murrin last fall. The three-judge panel said it understood Murrins frustration over facing a hefty bill due to the wrongdoing of someone other than her. But we are bound by statute. The lower-court ruling in Murrins case effectively forces anyone who has used a tax preparer to keep all their tax records forever, just in case the IRS comes knocking years or decades later, said Bryan Camp, a professor at the Texas Tech University School of Law. Camp filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the court of appeals to side with Murrin. The IRS has traditionally had the burden of showing that a taxpayer intended to dodge taxes, but decisions over the past 20 years have put more pressure on taxpayers to defend themselves against audits of long-ago returns, according to his brief. This puts victimized taxpayers in a bind, Camp told MarketWatch. When the Justice Department and the IRS go after unscrupulous preparers, they often obtain plea deals in exchange for the preparers cooperation. Now the IRS has that bludgeon, that cudgel, to whack a taxpayer with. Now its up to the taxpayer to prove it wasnt fraud, and thats just backwards, Camp said. Government attorneys have defended their approach in Murrins case and others. There is nothing nefarious about the IRS taking time to build solid cases to find and collect owed tax money, federal attorneys told the circuit-court judges. Murrin hasnt paid the bill yet. Now shes hoping the Supreme Court will intervene. If they take her case, the justices will decide whether the fraudulent acts of a third-party tax preparer should expose unknowing clients to audits that could reach years into the past. How to steer clear of shady tax preparers Whatever the high court does, Murrins case is a cautionary tale for taxpayers as they file their 2025 income-tax returns. Last year, IRS criminal investigators launched 127 probes, most of which were referred to prosecutors. That was up from 93 investigations in 2023, according to statistics. The IRSs criminal-investigation wing routinely tells tax filers to beware of preparers who promise big refunds or take a cut of their clients refunds as payment. Trustworthy tax professionals will put their preparer tax identification number on a clients return and also provide a copy of the return for the filers records, the IRS said in a bulletin about tax fraud. Another red flag is being asked to sign a blank tax return, it added. Tax fraud harms you and your community. It can lead to civil or criminal charges, put your money and personal information at risk, and reduce funding for essential community services, the bulletin said. Most Read from MarketWatch Supreme Court Justice K V Viswanathan emphasizes that while artificial intelligence can assist in the legal profession, it cannot replace the critical thinking and core functions of a trained legal mind. Key Points Justice Viswanathan asserts AI is an assistive tool in law but cannot replace core legal functions like judgment and counseling. Lawyers must understand AI's limitations, including its potential for generating fictitious citations, and verify AI-generated content. Justice Chandurkar cautioned against allowing technology to supplant the development of fundamental professional legal skills. Both justices emphasized that technology should enhance, not replace, critical thinking and human engagement in the legal profession. Supreme Court judge Justice K V Viswanathan on Saturday said artificial intelligence cannot replace core functions in the legal profession and a trained legal mind will always hold an edge that cannot be replicated by any algorithm. He addressed a gathering at the 4th convocation ceremony of the Maharashtra National Law University in Nagpur, where former Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai was the guest of honour. Referring to technology, Justice Viswanathan said lawyers in the 21st Century are expected to cultivate new skills in technology. "....Anything that responsibly saves your time must be measured and mastered, which leads to an inevitable question: What is the role of AI in the legal profession?" he said, adding that AI in the form of an assistive tool can meaningfully save time, and you must be proficient in using it. You can partner with AI, but you can't let AI replace the core functions that you are supposed to do, he added. "You must understand, at least fundamentally, how these tools work. You should know what prompt engineering is, understand how to interrogate its output, and how to spot when it is hallucinating," Justice Viswanathan said. He emphasised that AI can't replace human tasks and would never be able to do so. "You must also know at its limits, for example, it can retrieve, but it cannot judge, it can draft, but it cannot counsel," Justice Viswanathan added. He said there had been instances in the court when lawyers relied on AI-generated citations that have turned out to be fictitious. "The embarrassment caused to the professional is a separate issue, but the damage was caused to the client," he added. Justice Viswanathan advised that artificial intelligence should be used like any other professional tool - with skill, caution, and with one's own mind firmly in charge. He emphasised that no AI-generated document should ever pass through a lawyer's hands without careful human verification and authentication. The moment one begins to outsource thinking entirely to technology, he warned, one ceases to be a lawyer and becomes merely a conduit. "A trained legal mind will always retain an edge that no algorithm can replicate," Justice Viswanathan added. He further observed that AI functions on probabilities - predicting what word or outcome may follow based on patterns it has previously encountered. While acknowledging that most professionals today use AI in some capacity, Justice Viswanathan cautioned that it must never replace a lawyer's core intellectual functioning. Justice Chandurkar's Perspective on AI in Law Echoing similar concerns, Supreme Court Justice A.S. Chandurkar also addressed the role of AI during his speech. He cautioned against allowing technology to supplant the development of fundamental professional skills. Justice Chandurkar observed that technology and artificial intelligence are now influencing every sphere of life, including the legal profession. They have introduced remarkable efficiency and innovation. However, they also present new and complex challenges. The present generation is uniquely placed to use technology wisely and responsibly, he said. Justice Chandurkar urged legal graduates not to allow technology to replace the development of fundamental professional skills, which would include reading, reasoning, drafting, and activities which require human engagement. "These skills are the foundation of the profession," he added. He appealed to young professionals to use technology to strengthen and polish work, but always remember that technology will remain your servant, and do not let it weaken your original thinking. Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can combat climate change, but also learn about the potential environmental risks associated with its energy and water consumption, as highlighted by a UN official. Key Points AI offers significant potential for climate solutions, including early weather warning systems and renewable grid integration. The high energy and water demands of AI data centers pose a risk to the environment if not managed sustainably. Integrating renewable energy sources is crucial to power AI data centers and prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions. The UN emphasizes the need for guardrails to ensure AI benefits do not deplete scarce natural resources. The UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution on the sustainable use of AI, encouraging member states to minimize its environmental impacts. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers significant potential to help the climate crisis, but its high energy and water requirements could worsen environmental challenges if not managed properly, a senior official of the United Nations (UN) said. In an interview with PTI Videos, Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said from a climate perspective, AI presents both a huge opportunity and a serious risk. Citing examples of AI as part of the climate solution, the official highlighted AI-driven early weather warning systems, renewable grid integration, and satellite-based alert systems to track emission sources promptly, while also voicing concerns over the significant water and energy demands of the data centres. AI's Role in Climate Solutions "AI is already helping to predict early weather warnings, such as floods and storms, with much greater accuracy, and if deployed at scale, it could protect hundreds of millions of people," Krause, who attended the recently concluded AI Impact Summit in Delhi, told PTI. "Secondly, integrating renewable energy into the national grid, as is currently happening in India, requires recalibrating and balancing the grid, and AI is already helping to achieve this," he said. The India AI Impact Summit, held from February 16-20 in New Delhi, focused on AI's transformative potential across governance, innovation, and sustainable development. Addressing Energy Consumption of AI Considering the magnitude of energy consumption by AI data centres, the UNEP Climate Change division chief noted the importance of integrating renewable energy to prevent a rise in greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. He added that site-specific assessments are needed to determine the right mix of energy sources to power the data centres. "The key point is that there must be guardrails to ensure that, while AI and data centres bring significant benefits, they do not end up depleting the scarce natural resources we all depend on," the senior UN official stated. At the recently concluded AI Impact Summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had cautioned that as AI's energy and water demands soar, data centres must switch to clean power, rather than "shift costs to vulnerable communities". UN Resolution on Sustainable AI In December 2025, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) adopted its first resolution on the sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence -- one of eleven resolutions adopted at the session. The resolution encourages its Member States and all relevant stakeholders to promote, and cooperate toward, the sustainability of AI by harnessing the opportunities and benefits of AI systems in support of the environment and by minimising its environmental impacts. A UN official warns that while Artificial Intelligence offers promising climate solutions, its energy-intensive data centers could exacerbate environmental problems if not powered by renewable energy and managed sustainably. Key Points AI offers significant potential for climate solutions, including improved weather warnings and renewable energy integration. The high energy and water demands of AI data centers pose a risk to the environment if not managed sustainably. Integrating renewable energy sources is crucial to power AI data centers and prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions. UNEP emphasizes the need for guardrails to ensure AI benefits do not deplete scarce natural resources. The UN is promoting the sustainable use of AI to support the environment and minimize its negative impacts. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers significant potential to help the climate crisis, but its high energy and water requirements could worsen environmental challenges if not managed properly, a senior official of the United Nations (UN) said. In an interview with PTI Videos, Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said from a climate perspective, AI presents both a huge opportunity and a serious risk. Citing examples of AI as part of the climate solution, the official highlighted AI-driven early weather warning systems, renewable grid integration, and satellite-based alert systems to track emission sources promptly, while also voicing concerns over the significant water and energy demands of the data centres. AI's Role in Climate Solutions "AI is already helping to predict early weather warnings, such as floods and storms, with much greater accuracy, and if deployed at scale, it could protect hundreds of millions of people," Krause, who attended the recently concluded AI Impact Summit in Delhi, told PTI. "Secondly, integrating renewable energy into the national grid, as is currently happening in India, requires recalibrating and balancing the grid, and AI is already helping to achieve this," he said. The India AI Impact Summit, held from February 16-20 in New Delhi, focused on AI's transformative potential across governance, innovation, and sustainable development. Addressing the Environmental Impact of AI Considering the magnitude of energy consumption by AI data centres, the UNEP Climate Change division chief noted the importance of integrating renewable energy to prevent a rise in greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. He added that site-specific assessments are needed to determine the right mix of energy sources to power the data centres. "The key point is that there must be guardrails to ensure that, while AI and data centres bring significant benefits, they do not end up depleting the scarce natural resources we all depend on," the senior UN official stated. At the recently concluded AI Impact Summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had cautioned that as AI's energy and water demands soar, data centres must switch to clean power, rather than "shift costs to vulnerable communities". In December 2025, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) adopted its first resolution on the sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence -- one of eleven resolutions adopted at the session. The resolution encourages its Member States and all relevant stakeholders to promote, and cooperate toward, the sustainability of AI by harnessing the opportunities and benefits of AI systems in support of the environment and by minimising its environmental impacts. Airports across the country have been placed on operational alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings and passenger facilitation requirements. IMAGE: Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters Key Points Indian airlines cancelled their flights to the Middle East. The airspace closure is a result of attacks on Iran by Israel and the US, impacting flight operations. Passengers are advised to check their flight status due to potential disruptions caused by the airspace closures. Air India, IndiGo and other Indian airlines cancelled their flights to the Middle East on Saturday, while the regulator DGCA advised the carriers to temporarily avoid airspaces of 11 countries amid the US and Israel strikes on Iran. As airlines scrambled to tackle the situation arising out of the sudden closure of airspaces in the Middle East, hundreds of flights were seen hovering in different airspaces, as per flight tracking websites. Many flights had to be diverted, including Air India's Delhi-Tel Aviv flight that returned to Mumbai in the afternoon. With the disruptions caused to thousands of air passengers in the wake of the Israel and US attacks on Iran, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu held a meeting to review the preparedness of the aviation stakeholders, including airlines and airports. Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet have suspended their operations to the Middle East. According to sources, as many as 57 flights of both domestic and international airlines were cancelled at Mumbai International Airport till 5.45 pm on Saturday.. The Amritsar International Airport also issued an advisory for passengers, saying some flights have been impacted because of airspace closure in the wake of conflict between Iran and Israel. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday advised airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, till March 2. The countries are Iran, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Air India, in a post on X, said it has cancelled all flights to destinations in the Middle East region until 2359 hours on March 1 and that it was closely monitoring the developments. "In view of the evolving situation around Iran and the Middle East, our flight operations to and from the Middle East and other select international sectors have been suspended until 1st March 2026," IndiGo said in a post on X. Air India Express, in a statement, said it has extended the suspension of its West-bound international flights until 2359 hours on March 1. Akasa Air has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh until March 2, according to a post on X. SpiceJet also issued an advisory about the cancellation of flights to the UAE. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu held the review meeting with senior officials and the focus was on ensuring passenger safety, operational continuity and real-time coordination in light of multiple airspace restrictions in parts of the Middle East. "Airlines have been directed to ensure timely rerouting or diversion of flights, wherever required, strictly in accordance with global safety protocols and established contingency planning procedures," the civil aviation ministry said in a statement. Besides, airports across the country have been placed on operational alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings and passenger facilitation requirements. According to the release, the Airports Authority of India and private airport operators have been advised to maintain enhanced coordination with airlines for ground handling, parking bays, passenger amenities, crew logistics and immigration support, as necessary. Airlines are also offering waivers for ticket rescheduling and cancellations for the affected flights. Meanwhile, the civil aviation ministry also said it was in close touch with the external affairs ministry to ensure seamless information flow and appropriate coordination in case of any emergent requirements involving Indian carriers or Indian nationals abroad. Following a joint attack by Israel and the US against Iran, India has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens in Israel and Iran to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant. IMAGE: Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters Key Points India advises its citizens in Israel and Iran to exercise extreme caution and vigilance due to the prevailing regional security situation. Indian nationals are urged to adhere strictly to safety guidelines issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. The advisory recommends that Indian citizens avoid non-essential travel and stay indoors or close to designated shelters. Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran, escalating regional tensions and prompting increased security measures. India has issued an advisory for its citizens in Israel to 'exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times' after the country launched a joint attack with the United States against Iran. The Indian Embassy in Iran also issued an advisory, urging citizens to exercise 'utmost caution' and 'remain indoors as far as possible' amid the ongoing regional tensions. In its advisory to citizens in Israel, India said, 'In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.' 'Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command,' the post on X said. 'All Indian nationals should remain in close proximity to designated shelters and familiarise themselves with the nearest protected spaces in their area of residence or work,' it said. 'Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice. Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts regularly,' it added. 'The Embassy remains closely engaged with the relevant authorities and will continue to issue updates as necessary,' it added. The Embassy in Iran also advised Indian citizens to 'exercise utmost caution'. 'In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible,' the embassy said in a post on X. It further said that all the Indian nationals may also consider to monitor news, maintain social awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of India. Escalation of Conflict Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday on Iran's capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel," Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Home Front Command warned civilians to stay close to bomb shelters as sirens sounded across the country. A message from the Home Front command said that "due to the security situation," civilians should ensure they know what the optimal protected shelter near them is and avoid non-essential travel. US President Donald Trump on Saturday called on the Iranian people to take over the government. He also said that US has begun 'major combat operations in Iran' after Israel launched strikes. Trump called the attacks on Iran 'a noble mission', saying they were necessary because of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile systems that could reach the US. The draft rolls published on December 16 had already pared down the electorate from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, deleting over 58 lakh names on grounds of death, migration, duplication and untraceability. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The Election Commission has published West Bengal's post-SIR electoral rolls. Nearly 66 lakh names are likely to be deleted since the exercise began. The figure could still shift as fresh inclusions under Form 6 and objections under Form 7 are processed and supplementary rolls issued. Around 60.06 lakh voters have been categorised as 'under adjudication', largely on grounds of 'logical discrepancies' in their forms. Soft copies were yet to appear on the designated EC portals and mobile application till last reports. The Election Commission on Saturday published West Bengal's post-Special Intensive Revision electoral rolls, showing that nearly 66 lakh names are likely to be deleted since the exercise began in November last year while another 60 lakh have been kept 'under adjudication', in a sweeping churn of the voter list ahead of the assembly polls due in April. The phased publication of the final but incomplete rolls marked the culmination of a 116-day statewide exercise that began on November 4, when booth-level officers started distributing enumeration forms. The draft rolls published on December 16 had already pared down the electorate from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, deleting over 58 lakh names on grounds of death, migration, duplication and untraceability. With nearly eight lakh additional deletions recorded after hearings and scrutiny, the total number of SIR-linked omissions has now climbed to around 66 lakh, according to senior officials. The figure could still shift as fresh inclusions under Form 6 and objections under Form 7 are processed and supplementary rolls issued. Around 60.06 lakh voters have been categorised as 'under adjudication', largely on grounds of 'logical discrepancies' in their forms. Their fate will be decided by judicial officers in the coming weeks, potentially altering the electoral arithmetic further. The scale of deletions and the large number of names kept under adjudication have turned the SIR into a high-stakes political flashpoint. How many names deleted in different districts District-wise data underlined the scale of the shake-up. In Nadia, bordering Bangladesh, around 2.73 lakh names have been deleted, with the electorate dipping from 44.18 lakh at the start of the process to 41.45 lakh in the final roll. The electorate had gone down to 42,02,261 in the draft rolls. Bankura saw a net reduction of about 1.18 lakh names. From an initial 30,33,830 voters in November, the draft rolls saw the number dip to 29,01,009. After further scrutiny, around 4,000 more deletions were recorded, partially offset by fresh inclusions, leaving the final figure at around 29.15 lakh. In north Kolkata, comprising seven assembly constituencies currently held by the TMC, around 4.07 lakh names were omitted during SIR, of which 3.9 lakh were removed in the draft stage and another 17,000 in the final list. The scale of fresh additions in the zone is yet to be officially ascertained. Alipurduar in north Bengal recorded 1,02,835 deletions, with 11,96,651 names featuring in the final rolls. The electoral rolls of Hooghly also witnessed a churn as the number of voters dipped from 47,75,099 voters at the beginning of the process to 44,40,293 now, reflecting a total deletion of 3,34,806 names since November, while 1,73,064 voters remain under adjudication, district administration sources said. The electorate of the district had dipped to 44,56,224 in the draft rolls. Hard copies of the updated rolls were displayed at SDO and BDO offices across districts, drawing long queues of anxious residents checking whether their names had been marked 'approved', 'deleted' or placed under 'consideration'. Soft copies were yet to appear on the designated EC portals and mobile application till last reports. 6.04 crore voters marked 'approved' The commission maintained that the SIR -- the first intensive statewide roll revision since 2002 -- was a statutory clean-up aimed at ensuring a 'pure and error-free' roll ahead of a major election. Of the 7.08 crore electors appearing in the draft rolls, around 6.4 crore have been marked as 'approved' so far. The political temperature, on the other hand, rose in tandem with the publication of the rolls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last week alleged that after initially deleting 58 lakh names, authorities were 'quietly' removing more under the label of 'logical discrepancies'. She claimed the figure could touch 80 lakh but asserted that 'another 50 lakh names cannot be deleted'. TMC, BJP spar over fresh list Reacting to the final publication, Trinamool Congress leader Tanmay Ghosh alleged that 'harassment in the name of SIR and hostility towards Bengalis has reached an extreme'. He warned of political and legal agitations if any valid voter's name was struck off, and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of dreaming of victory through deletions, a strategy he said would fail. BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay, however, said it was not the job of political parties to assess who gained or lost from the roll publication, but to fight the election on the basis of the published list. Beyond the rhetoric lies the hard arithmetic of West Bengal's closely fought elections. In 2021, several assembly seats were decided by margins of a few thousand votes. In districts such as Nadia and North 24 Parganas, border dynamics, migration patterns and demographic shifts have historically influenced booth-level outcomes. A deletion or inclusion swing of even 2,000-3,000 voters in a tightly contested constituency can tilt the balance. Political parties have already intensified booth-level scrutiny, with cadre pouring over printed lists, cross-checking names and preparing appeals. For the TMC, which swept north Kolkata in the last assembly election, the 4 lakh-plus deletions in the zone are being viewed through the prism of urban turnout patterns. For the BJP, which has made gains in border and tribal belts in recent years, the focus is on how adjudication of the 60 lakh pending cases could reshape battleground districts. Bihar Police are ramping up security measures statewide to ensure a safe and peaceful Holi celebration, focusing on preventing disturbances and maintaining law and order during the festival. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Bihar Police are increasing security measures across the state ahead of Holi to prevent hooliganism and maintain law and order. Police have been directed to identify sensitive areas and establish control rooms to monitor the situation during Holi celebrations. Authorities are reviewing past Holi incidents to develop strategies for preventing escalation of old disputes into criminal activities. Extensive police deployment, including Range Reserve Force, Bihar Special Armed Police, trainee constables, and home guards, is planned for Holi. Special attention is being given to areas with mixed populations and religious sites to prevent communal incidents during the Holi festival. Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar on Saturday directed police officers to ramp up security ahead of Holi, which will be celebrated on March 4. Kumar said hooliganism on Holi will not be tolerated, directing the SPs to take strict measures to control any disturbances. He directed all police stations to identify sensitive areas and maintain vigilance. "Control rooms have been set up in each district, and officers have been instructed to report the situation every two hours to the DGP control room," he added. ADG (Law & Order) Pankaj Kumar Darad issued directives to the SPs to strictly maintain law and order in their respective areas. He said that adequate forces, along with magistrates, should be deployed in areas with mixed populations, religious sites, and other sensitive locations that have seen untoward incidents on such occasions in the past. In a circular issued by the Police Headquarters, authorities have been asked to conduct a thorough review of incidents that occurred during Holi over the past three years. Preventing Holi-Related Crime "Often, under the garb of Holi celebrations, old enmities and land disputes escalate into serious criminal incidents. All such cases should be carefully reviewed at the police station level, and a specific strategy should be devised to deal with them," it added. Impartial preventive action against mischief-makers and antisocial elements has been ordered where there is a possibility of communal incidents. Extensive Police Deployment An extensive police deployment has been planned on the occasion. Twelve companies of the Range Reserve Force, 31 companies of the Bihar Special Armed Police (BISAP), 2,768 trainee constables, and 5,100 home guards will be deployed. The highest deployment has been planned in Patna, where three companies each of the Range Reserve Police Force and BISAP have been stationed, along with 535 trainee constables and 400 home guards. Police are investigating a break-in at the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation office in Delhi, raising concerns about security and prompting a forensic examination. Key Points The Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation office in Kalkaji, Delhi, experienced a break-in, leading to a police investigation. An FIR has been registered, and a forensic probe is underway to investigate the alleged ransacking of the Foundation's office. Police are scrutinizing CCTV footage and conducting biometric analysis to identify potential suspects in the Kailash Satyarthi Foundation burglary. The incident brings back memories of the 2017 burglary at Kailash Satyarthi's residence, where a replica of his Nobel Prize was stolen. A break-in was reported at the Kalkaji office of the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, following which an FIR has been registered, and a forensic probe launched into the alleged ransacking there, an official said on Saturday. The NGO is linked to Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi. According to police, a PCR call regarding the incident was received at 10.08 am. The caller was identified as Faraz Alam, admin head of the Foundation, who reported that the lock of the office had been broken. "Soon after receiving the information, the Kalkaji SHO, along with local police staff, rushed to the spot and secured the scene of crime. During the initial inquiry, the complainant informed police that the premises had been breached. "However, he could not immediately provide details of any stolen items, stating that a complete inventory audit would be conducted by the Foundation to ascertain any loss," a senior police officer said. Police said visible signs of forced entry were documented at the site. The office premises were found disturbed, and certain confidential documents appeared to have been rifled through. Forensic Investigation and Evidence Collection The Crime Team was called to the spot and carried out a detailed forensic inspection. During the examination, it lifted multiple chance prints from the scene for further biometric analysis. The samples will be matched with available records to identify possible suspects. Investigators have also begun scrutinising CCTV footage from in and around the office premises, as well as from nearby locations, to trace the movement of suspects and establish the sequence of events. Based on the preliminary findings, an FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those involved, police said. Foundation representatives earlier stated that the break-in appeared to have taken place after midnight. They said the premises were found ransacked with signs of forced entry and documents scattered. Local police were informed immediately after the matter came to light. Past Incidents The incident revives the memory of the 2017 burglary at Satyarthi's private residence in southeast Delhi's Kalkaji area. Then, a replica of his Nobel Prize, the Nobel diploma and several medals received from heads of state and international dignitaries were stolen. Police had at the time clarified that the original Nobel medal was safe and preserved at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum. A tragic car accident in Kozhikode, Kerala, resulted in the death of four people after their vehicle collided with a parked lorry, prompting a police investigation into the cause. Key Points Four individuals lost their lives in Kozhikode after their car collided with a parked lorry. One person sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital. Fire and Rescue Services personnel had to extricate the victims from the mangled car. Police are investigating the cause of the fatal car accident using CCTV footage and other methods. The Motor Vehicles Department will also conduct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Four persons died after a car rammed into a parked lorry here in the early hours of Saturday, police said. The deceased have been identified as Dhinil of Ramanattukara and Ajeesh, Vimal and Shyamlal, all natives of Feroke. Police said another person, identified as Dhijil of Pantheerankavu, who was travelling in the car, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to a hospital. Officials of the Fire and Rescue Services, Meenchantha station, said they received a distress call at 3.25 am after a car carrying five persons hit a parked lorry at Modern Bazar in Ramanattukara. Although local residents who initiated rescue efforts managed to pull out one person from the vehicle, the other four were extricated after fire force personnel reached the spot and cut open the mangled car. All five were shifted to different hospitals, but four succumbed to their injuries, police said. Investigation into the Car Accident Police have examined nearby CCTV footage to ascertain the cause of the accident. A case has been registered and an investigation has been launched, officials said. The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) will also conduct an inquiry into the cause of the accident, police added. The bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their relatives after the postmortem, police said. A former MLA and other officials are facing charges in Faridabad for a property fraud involving the double registration of a house, prompting a police investigation into the real estate scam. Key Points Faridabad Police file case against ex-MLA Chander Bhatia and others for alleged property fraud. The fraud involves double registration of a house in NIT-1, Faridabad. An Indian Air Force employee filed the complaint after discovering a second registration of his property. The former MLA is accused of using influence to tamper with property ID and facilitate the fraudulent registration. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigation led to the registration of the case, and further investigation is underway. The Faridabad Police has registered a case against five people, including former MLA Chander Bhatia and a former Tehsildar of Badkhal, for their alleged getting involvement in a property fraud involving double registration of a house in NIT-1 here, officials said on Saturday. The FIR was registered at Kotwali police station following a recommendation by the Economic Offences Wing (EWO) of the police. According to the complaint lodged by Rohit Arora, an Indian Air Force employee and resident of Sector 16, he was shown a house in H Block, NIT 1, in June 2024 by Satbir Bhadana and Lokesh Kumar through an intermediary, Manoj Satija. The deal was finalised for Rs 50 lakh with the owner, identified as Kajal Verma. Arora claimed that he paid Rs 10 lakh in cash and a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs as earnest money on June 6, 2024. The property was subsequently registered in his name on June 13, 2024. The complainant said he paid an additional Rs 10 lakh in cash and Rs 25 lakh by cheque at the time of registration. However, the accused allegedly that executed a second registration of the same property in the name of one Sonam Talwar on November 20, 2024. The complainant has named Kajal Verma, Lokesh Kumar, Satbir Bhadana, the then Tehsildar of Badkhal, and Chander Bhatia as accused in this case, the police said. Arora alleged that the former MLA used his influence to tamper with the property ID and played a major role in the registration process, the police said, adding that he also claimed that the Tehsildar's role was suspicious given that two registrations were permitted for a single plot. A senior police officer said that the EOW conducted a preliminary investigation into the matter. Based on its findings, the case was registered against five people, including the former MLA. Further investigation is underway, he added. We came across a bullish thesis on On Holding AG on Long-Term Picks Substack by Dan. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on ONON. On Holding AG's share was trading at $45.29 as of February 13th. ONONs trailing and forward P/E were 52.14 and 31.25, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Equinox (EQX) Hits New High as Firm Kicks Off Processing at Large Mine Site Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com On Holding AG (NYSE: ONON) is a Swiss premium sportswear company founded in 2010, built around its proprietary CloudTec cushioning technology, which enhances running performance. The company has expanded globally, selling products in over 80 countries through a mix of direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, with flagship stores in Zurich, New York, Tokyo, and Palo Alto. Footwear remains the core revenue driver, while premium apparel and accessories, now contributing around 7% of sales, are growing rapidly, with apparel up 86.9% year-over-year in Q3 2025. On reported CHF 794.4 million in net sales in Q3 2025, up 24.9% YoY, driven by broad-based demand across regions and channels, with Asia-Pacific expanding over 90% and providing significant long-term growth optionality. The company maintains a narrow economic moat through proprietary technology, premium brand positioning, high gross margins of 65.7%, and deepening direct-to-consumer engagement, which enhances customer loyalty and switching costs. Management, led by CEO/CFO Martin Hoffmann, emphasizes disciplined capital allocation, investing in innovation, brand marketing, and DTC infrastructure while keeping debt limited and holding CHF 961.8 million in cash. Ons global expansion, strong profitability, operational efficiency, and brand credibility, reinforced by elite athlete partnerships, position it well against larger competitors such as Nike, Adidas, HOKA, and Lululemon. The stock trades near its fair value with a PEG ratio of 1.18, supported by projected EPS growth of 2526% over the next five years. With expanding geographic penetration, category diversification, and strong margins, On presents a compelling long-term investment opportunity, offering both growth potential and limited downside risk for investors seeking a premium, high-performance sportswear business. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on On Holding AG (ONON) by Sanjiv in October 2024, which highlighted the companys rapid global expansion, innovative CloudTec technology, growing direct-to-consumer channel, and strong revenue growth with premium pricing. ONONs stock price has depreciated by approximately 10.13% since our coverage. Dan shares a similar view but emphasizes improving profitability, disciplined capital allocation, high gross margins, and Asia-Pacific expansion, providing a more detailed perspective on long-term operational efficiency. A chargesheet has been filed against a doctor and three others in Lucknow for the alleged sexual exploitation and forced religious conversion of a female doctor, marking a significant development in the case. Photograph: Ishant Kumar/ANI Photo Key Points A chargesheet has been filed against Dr. Ramizuddin Naik and three others for allegedly sexually exploiting and forcing religious conversion on a female doctor in Lucknow. The accused doctor faces charges including rape, criminal intimidation, and violating the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The doctor's parents and a witness are charged with aiding and abetting the alleged crimes. Police are investigating the role of a cleric who allegedly solemnized a marriage related to the case and may file a supplementary chargesheet. The case originated from a complaint by a junior doctor alleging concealment of marital status, sexual exploitation, forced abortion, and pressure to convert. A chargesheet has been filed against a former King George's Medical University resident and three others for the alleged sexual exploitation and religious conversion of a female doctor, an officer said on Saturday. The police submitted a chargesheet of around 250 pages in court on Friday, against the main accused Dr Ramizuddin Naik alias Ramiz Malik, his father Salimuddin, mother Khadija and nikah witness Shariq Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vishwajeet Shrivastava told PTI. "The accused doctor has been charged with rape, criminal intimidation and forcing religious conversion under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021," the officer said. "His parents and the co-accused have been charged with aiding, abetting and harbouring," he added. Police said the name of a Pilibhit-based cleric, Syed Zahid Hasan, who allegedly solemnised a marriage, has not been included in the chargesheet at this stage. "His role is under investigation, and a supplementary chargesheet will be filed if evidence is found against him," the officer said. Details of the Case The case was registered at Chowk police station in December last year after a junior doctor of KGMU, in her complaint, alleged that the accused concealed his marital status, sexually exploited her on the pretext of marriage, forced her to undergo an abortion and pressured her to convert. During the investigation, the complainant told police that in February last year, the accused had allegedly converted another woman doctor and married her. Police contacted the woman concerned and recorded her statement before a magistrate. She reportedly said that she had been made to undergo religious conversion. Shrivastava said the chargesheet includes statements of several witnesses as well as forensic analysis of mobile phones and laptop data seized during the probe. The accused doctor was arrested in Lucknow on January 9, while his parents were earlier taken into custody and later sent to judicial remand, police said, adding that further investigation in the case is underway. The Chhattisgarh High Court granted bail to Saumya Chaurasia, a former deputy secretary in the CMO, in connection with the alleged liquor scam cases investigated by the ED and EOW. Key Points Saumya Chaurasia, former deputy secretary in Chhattisgarh CMO, granted bail in liquor scam cases by High Court. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) are investigating the liquor scam, alleging money laundering and criminal conspiracy. Chaurasia's lawyer argued her arrest was unnecessary, citing absence of incriminating material and that she was not named in the FIR or chargesheets. The court cited the unlikelihood of a swift trial and the principle of parity, as other alleged conspirators have been granted bail. The court noted a 'troubling pattern' of multiple arrests against Chaurasia across different cases by various agencies. The Chhattisgarh High Court on Saturday granted bail to Saumya Chaurasia, a former deputy secretary in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in the previous Congress government, in two cases registered by Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the state Economic Offences Wing (EOW) related to the alleged liquor scam. While the EOW is investigating the criminal aspect of the liquor scam after registering an FIR on January 17 in 2024, the ED is looking into the money laundering aspect after registering an ECIR on April 11 the same year. After hearing both the bail applications, Justice Arvind Kumar Verma had reserved the order on February 24. The alleged liquor scam, as per ED, took place in Chhattisgarh between 2019 to 2023 during Congress government of Bhupesh Baghel. The case pertains to allegations that a criminal syndicate, in connivance with state's political and administrative hierarchy, bootlegged alcohol to government liquor shops and extorted illegal commissions from sales. The ED has claimed it cost the state exchequer Rs 2,883 crore. Arguments Against and For Bail The EOW's counsel and Additional Advocate General Praveen Das objected to the bail application claiming that Chaurasia, as a deputy secretary in the CMO, "commanded exceptional influence and authority, wielding the same to orchestrate and facilitate the nefarious operations of the syndicate implicated in this colossal liquor scam". He told court the investigation has unerringly uncovered her active and conscious participation in the criminal conspiracy, placing her at the nerve centre of the syndicate's operations. Incriminating digital evidence was unearthed, Das added. However, Chaurasia's lawyer Siddhartha Dave put forth 20 set of arguments, including that the arrest of the applicant was unnecessary, absence of incriminating material and that she was not named in the FIR or chargesheets. The order granting Chaurasia bail in the EOW case stated that "these circumstances unmistakably indicate that the trial is unlikely to commence and conclude in the near future and is bound to consume considerable time before reaching its logical conclusion". The order also said that the continued incarceration of the applicant pending completion of investigation would not serve the ends of justice. While objecting to the bail plea in the ED case, the central probe agency claimed Chaurasia received approximately Rs 43.50 crore from proceeds of the liquor scam, adding that she handled, assisted, acquired and possessed proceeds of crime to the extent of approximately Rs 115.5 crore. However, her counsel Siddhartha Dave put forth 26 set of arguments seeking bail in the ED case, including that the is a woman, probe is complete and no proceeds of crime were recovered. Dave also told court the entire ED case was based on statements of co-accused, arrests were selective and that too after years of investigation. Prolonged trial justifies bail, he said. ED counsel Zohaib Hossain said Chaurasia played a key and supervisory role in money laundering. He said WhatsApp chats are valid evidence and that there is no requirement of recovery from accused. Hossain said the gravity of offence was extremely high, adding that delay in trial is no ground for bail. Arrest after two years is justified, he said. Court's Decision and Rationale After listening to both parties, judge Verma granted bail stating the investigation was substantially completed. The order said the case against the applicant is largely based on statements and inferential allegations, the evidentiary value of which will be examined during trial. It cited Supreme Court orders to state that the applicant is entitled to benefit of parity, as the alleged principal conspirators have already been enlarged on bail. The Supreme Court, in its order of February 9 this year, has also directed consideration of the applicant's case on the touchstone of parity, the order said. The Supreme Court has already granted bail to the applicant in the coal scam as well as in the DMF scam, and therefore, continued detention in the present matter would be inconsistent with the settled principle of parity, the order said. The court also noted a "troubling pattern" against Chaurasia, stating that she "faces six arrests across multiple cases by diverse agencies (ED/CBI), entailing considerable aggregate incarcerations". She was first arrested in alleged coal levy scam in 2022. Tragic accidents in Jharkhand claim the lives of five children as three drown in a Koderma pond and two sisters fall into a Palamu well, highlighting the need for increased safety measures. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Three children drowned in a pond in Kosmadih village, Koderma district, while attempting to catch fish. The bodies of the children who drowned in Koderma have been recovered and post-mortem examinations are scheduled. In a separate incident in Palamu district, two minor sisters died after falling into an open well in Manandohar village. A third child was rescued from the well in Palamu and is receiving treatment at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH). Three children allegedly drowned in a pond in Jharkhand's Koderma district on Saturday, police said. The children had gone to catch fish in the pond in Kosmadih village in the Jainagar police station area when they ventured into deep water and drowned. "We have recovered the bodies. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted on Sunday," Jainagar's officer-in-charge Umanth Singh said. Palamu Well Incident In Palamu district, two minor sisters died after falling into an open well in Manandohar village in the Naudiha Bazar police station area, police said. The incident happened when the two sisters, along with their cousin, were passing near the uncovered well and allegedly slipped into it, they said. The third child was rescued alive and is undergoing treatment at the Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), they added. The Kerala Congress is demanding an apology from Health Minister Veena George, accusing her of fabricating claims of an attack by KSU activists, which allegedly led to violence against Congress members. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Kerala Congress demands an apology from Health Minister Veena George for allegedly making false claims about being attacked by KSU activists. KPCC president Sunny Joseph alleges that the minister's claims incited violence against Congress offices and workers in Kerala. The Congress questions the nature of the minister's injuries, claiming no medical bulletin was released. The KPCC chief urges Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan not to justify the minister's actions and asks police to rectify cases against KSU activists. State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar assures a proper investigation into the initial complaint. The Congress on Saturday demanded an apology from Health Minister Veena George and the CPI(M) leadership in Kerala for allegedly spreading false claims that she was attacked and injured by KSU activists recently. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph made the demand at a press conference. Joseph alleged that based on the "false claims" made by the minister, the CPI(M) and its affiliates unleashed widespread violence against Congress offices and workers. "A bomb was thrown at the house of a Kerala Students Union activist in Kozhikode," he claimed. The KPCC chief said the minister was answerable for the incidents and accused her of "feigning injury" and getting hospitalised. "She should not stage such a drama," he added. Joseph also alleged that no medical bulletin or visuals had been released to clarify the exact nature of the injuries reportedly sustained by the minister during the protest by KSU activists. He further said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should not justify the actions of the minister and that the police should rectify what he termed a mistake in registering cases against KSU activists. "The government should be ready to withdraw cases falsely implicating protesting KSU activists in an attempted murder charge," Joseph said. Police Investigation and Minister's Condition Meanwhile, State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar said a case had initially been registered based on a complaint received by the police and that a proper investigation would be conducted. George was discharged from Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur on Friday, where she had been admitted after complaining of neck and hand pain following the protest. A statement issued by her office said all her programmes till March 2 had been postponed, as doctors advised complete rest for four days. The minister is currently resting at her residence in Pathanamthitta, the statement said. KSU activists had staged a black-flag protest against the minister on Wednesday, but were arrested and booked for attempted murder after George complained of a neck injury. In Kerala, two CPI(M) activists have been sentenced to five years in jail for the attempted murder of a BJP worker, highlighting ongoing political tensions and violence in the region. Key Points Two CPI(M) activists were sentenced to five years in jail for the attempted murder of a BJP worker in Thaneermukkom, Kerala. The attack occurred in 2018 when the activists broke the rakhi tied on the BJP worker's hand and assaulted him. The court imposed a fine of Rs 25,500 on each of the accused in addition to the jail sentence. The prosecution presented 19 witnesses, 29 documents, and eight material objects as evidence during the trial. A court on Saturday sentenced two CPI(M) activists to five years' rigorous imprisonment for attempt to murder a BJP worker at Thaneermukkom here 2018. Alappuzha Additional District and Sessions Judge Suhaib M sentenced Akhil (32) and Vishnu (30), both natives of Thanneermukkom, in connection with the attack on Baburaj on August 25, 2018. Though the court awarded a total sentence of 10 years and 15 days under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), it ordered that the sentences would run concurrently. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,500 each on the accused. Details of the Attack According to the prosecution, the accused, who were active CPI(M) workers, allegedly broke the rakhi tied on Baburaj's hand near Kundavalavu Junction on the Thanneermukkom-Cherthala Road. When Baburaj questioned their action, he was allegedly attacked with a granite stone on his head. The accused were arrested the following day. Evidence Presented in Court During the trial, 19 witnesses were examined, and 29 documents and eight material objects were marked as evidence. A man has been arrested in Rajasthan for the alleged murder of his wife and three children in Delhi, prompting a police investigation into the motive behind the heinous crime. Key Points A man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife and three children in Delhi's Samaypur Badli area. The accused, Munchun Kewat, was apprehended in Kishangarh, Rajasthan, after evading arrest. Delhi Police formed 15 teams to track Kewat, using technical surveillance and local intelligence. The motive behind the killings is under investigation, and legal proceedings have commenced. Delhi Police on Saturday arrested a man for allegedly murdering his wife and three children in the Samaypur Badli area, officials said. The accused, Munchun Kewat, was evading arrest after killing his wife and three minor children at his residence on Wednesday. He was arrested from Rajasthan's Kishangarh, they said. A senior officer said that nearly 15 police teams have been formed to trace Kewat. Acting on technical surveillance and local intelligence inputs, a team tracked his movement to Rajasthan, leading to his arrest. He was brought back to Delhi for further interrogation, the officer said. The police are probing the motive behind the killings and examining all possible angles. Legal proceedings have been initiated. Delhi Police have arrested three Bangladeshi nationals in Adarsh Nagar for illegally residing in India, initiating deportation proceedings after uncovering inconsistencies in their citizenship claims and discovering Bangladeshi identity documents. Key Points Delhi Police apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals in Adarsh Nagar for illegally residing in India. The individuals were apprehended following surveillance and intelligence inputs regarding suspected illegal migrants. Authorities discovered inconsistencies in their claims of Indian citizenship and found Bangladeshi national identity documents on their smartphones. Deportation proceedings have been initiated against the apprehended individuals as per the law. The police were monitoring social media platforms as part of routine intelligence gathering when inputs were received. The Delhi Police on Saturday said they have apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals from the Adarsh Nagar area for illegally staying in the countr and initiated deportation proceedings. The action was carried out on Wednesday following surveillance and intelligence inputs. The police said the team had been monitoring social media platforms as part of routine intelligence gathering when inputs were received about suspected illegal migrants and their alleged involvement in a solicitation racket. "Acting on the information, a team conducted a pre-dawn operation in the area. During questioning, the three initially claimed to be Indian citizens, but their responses were found to be inconsistent," the officer said. A detailed verification of documents and digital evidence established that they were Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in India without valid travel or identity documents, the police said. Three smartphones installed with a banned application and 10 Bangladeshi national identity documents stored in the phone were recovered, they said. The apprehended persons were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office and proceedings for their deportation have been initiated as per law, they added. Delhi Police apprehended a teenager allegedly connected to the Kala Jathedi gang, seizing illegal firearms and highlighting concerns about gang activity and interstate arms supply. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Delhi Police arrested a 19-year-old, Manish, allegedly linked to the Kala Jathedi gang, near Dwarka Nala Road. Two country-made semi-automatic pistols and five live cartridges were recovered from the accused. The teenager reportedly procured the illegal weapons from an interstate supplier based in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh. During a previous jail stint, the accused connected with gangster Om Prakash alias Kala Jharodiya and was influenced to become a shooter for the gang. The Delhi Police has arrested a teenager, allegedly a member of the Kala Jathedi gang, with two semi-automatic pistols along with five live cartridges on him, an official said on Saturday. The police arrested the accused, Manish, 19, alias Mishu, on February 21 near Dwarka Nala Road, they said. According to the police, the arrest was made following a tip-off about the accused's movement in the area with illegal firearms and his preparation to execute a targeted attack. "Acting on the information, a team laid a trap and nabbed him. During the search, two country-made semi-automatic pistols and five live cartridges were recovered. The weapons were loaded and ready for use," Dwarka Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Singh said. The accused is a habitual offender under the Arms Act and was arrested recently in another case, police said. During his time in jail, he also established contact with gangster Om Prakash alias Kala Jharodiya and was influenced to work as a shooter for the gang, police added. Investigation and Source of Weapons During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had procured the weapons from an interstate supplier based in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone. Efforts are underway to arrest his associate. Assam police have seized drugs worth Rs 5.93 crore and arrested three individuals in a major crackdown on drug trafficking in Guwahati and Patharkandi, signaling a strong stance against narcotics in the region. Key Points Assam Police seized drugs valued at Rs 5.93 crore in Guwahati and Patharkandi. Two operations led to the seizure of 83,399 Yaba tablets and 10 kg of ganja. Three individuals were arrested in connection with the drug seizures. The seized Yaba tablets contain methamphetamine, an illegal substance in India. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the state's commitment to combating drug trafficking. Drugs worth Rs 5.93 crore have been seized and three persons arrested in two operations in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. A total of 83,399 Yaba tablets and 10 kg of ganja were seized in the operations in Guwahati in Kamrup Metropolitan district and Patharkandi in Sribhumi district. "2 operations, 1 message: From highways to homes -- nowhere to hide for drug traffickers," Sarma said in an X post on Friday. He said 83,399 Yaba tablets and 10 kg of cannabis worth a total of Rs 5.93 crore were seized and three persons were arrested. Yaba tablets are illegal in India as they contain methamphetamine, a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. In a crackdown on insurgency, security forces in Manipur have arrested four militants from the banned PREPAK (PRO) outfit for their involvement in extortion, while also seizing a cache of arms and ammunition in separate operations. Photograph: PTI Photo Key Points Four militants from the banned PREPAK (PRO) outfit were arrested in Manipur for alleged extortion activities. The arrests occurred across multiple districts in Manipur, including Imphal West, Thoubal, and Imphal East. Security forces seized an AK-47 rifle and other weapons during an operation in Churachandpur district. A separate operation in Imphal West led to the seizure of modified rifles, pistols, grenades, and cartridges. Security forces have arrested four militants belonging to the banned PREPAK (PRO) outfit in various districts of Manipur for their alleged involvement in extortion activities, a police statement said on Saturday. The militants were arrested in the last 48 hours. An insurgent, identified as Kshetrimayum Laiba Meitei (42), was arrested from his residence at Lamdeng Khunou in Imphal West district on Thursday. Another cadre of the outfit was apprehended from Khuman Lampak area the same day. Security forces on Friday arrested another cadre of the outfit from Uyal Makha Leikai area in Thoubal district. He was identified as Thokchom Rabichandra Singh (36). Another cadre of the outfit, identified as Khuraijam Rojitkumar Singh (37), was arrested from his residence at Thongju Part-II Makha Leikai in Imphal East district, the police statement said. Arms Seized in Separate Operations Meanwhile, security forces, during an operation at Thinghijang village in Churachandpur district, seized an AK-47 rifle with a magazine, three single-barrel rifles, one bolt-action rifle and one bolt-action sniper rifle with a scope on Thursday. In a separate operation at Sangaithel Makha Leikai area in Imphal West district on Friday, security forces seized a modified .303 rifle without a magazine, two country-made bolt-action single-barrel guns, four pistols along with a magazine each, two grenades without detonators, one HE bomb and fifteen .303 cartridges, it added. Yousaf said the group made significant progress during 2025 toward becoming a simple, more agile, customer-centric bank. A key development he highlighted was the privatization of Hang Seng Bank , which he said was completed ahead of schedule and strengthened HSBCs position in Hong Kong. HSBC declared ordinary dividends for the year of $0.75 per share , an increase of 14% on the prior year, according to Yousaf. Profit before tax was $36.6 billion , up 7% from the prior year and described as a record high for the group. HSBC generated a 17.2% return on tangible equity (ROTE), meeting its mid-teens or better target. Yousaf added that each of the groups four global businesses delivered mid-teens or better ROTE. Group Treasurer Faisal Yousaf said results for 2025 were strong and showcased the benefits of HSBCs diversified model. Discussing figures excluding notable items and on a constant-currency basis, Yousaf reported group revenue of $71 billion , up 5% year over year, including $44.1 billion from banking net interest income (NII). HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) used its full-year 2025 fixed income investor call to highlight record profitability, continued simplification progress, and a balance sheet it described as highly liquid and capital generative, alongside updated medium-term targets and a detailed 2026 debt issuance plan. Strong liquidity but capital impact and 2026 issuance plan: Deposits rose $78 billion (5%) with HQLA of $0.9 trillion and a group LCR of 137% , though the Hang Seng transaction reduced CET1 by ~ 110bps to an expected operating range of 14%14.5% ; planned 2026 issuance is ~ $20 billion holdco senior, $1 billion Tier 2 and $4 billion AT1. Strategic simplification and Hang Seng privatization: The $13.7 billion Hang Seng buyout closed ahead of schedule, underpinning Hong Kong strategy and identified synergies, while the bank announced 11 business exits (4 completed) and achieved ~ $1.2 billion of annualized simplification savings. Record 2025 results: HSBC reported group revenue of $71 billion (+5% cc) and profit before tax of $36.6 billion (+7%), delivered a 17.2% ROTE and raised ordinary dividends 14% to $0.75 per share. Story Continues NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Yousaf framed Hong Kong as a super connector and gateway between mainland China and the rest of the world, and said the transaction brings together global reach and local depth. He said initial synergies had already been identified, with further revenue and cost upside to come, and added that growth and asset quality improvement were expected to create additional value. Beyond the Hang Seng deal, Yousaf said HSBC continued to simplify and focus on core markets and businesses. The group announced 11 business exits in 2025, with four completed as of the call. He also said the bank took actions to realize approximately $1.2 billion of annualized simplification savings in 2025, which he described as ahead of the original timeline. He added that delivery of the plan supported guidance for 1% cost growth in 2026 on a target basis. In Q&A, Alastair Ryan, global head of investor relations, said HSBC plans to run two banks in Hong Kong with full market service. He said the transaction is not a typical in-market deal, noting some back offices were already working together due to HSBCs long-standing controlling stake, and that this dynamic influences the scale and nature of potential cost synergies. Balance sheet, capital, and asset quality Yousaf said deposit growth and liquidity remained key strengths. Deposits increased 5% during the year, equivalent to a $78 billion increase (including held-for-sale balances), with particularly strong growth in Hong Kong amid ongoing capital and wealth inflows. He added that in HSBCs two home markets, deposits skewed more toward current and savings accounts than the broader market. The loan book grew 2%, as growth in the U.K., CIB, and IWPB was partly offset by repayments and muted demand in Hong Kong. Cost of risk was around 39 basis points, in line with guidance of around 40, and the banks expectation for 2026 was around 40 basis points again. Stage 3 balances were 2.5% of customer loans, up slightly from 2.4% a year earlier. The overall grading of the loan book improved, with 77% rated strong or good, up 1 percentage point year over year. On capital, HSBC ended 2025 with a 14.9% CET1 ratio, which Yousaf said was elevated due to organic capital generation and retained capital to support the Hang Seng privatization. He said the transaction closed on Jan. 26 with a $13.7 billion purchase price and that removing a $3.8 billion minority capital inefficiency implied about $10 billion of CET1 consumption, reducing CET1 by 110 basis points in January (post balance sheet date). HSBC expects to manage CET1 within a 14%14.5% operating range. HSBCs MREL ratio was 32.9%, described as 4.5 percentage points above requirements, equivalent to about $40 billion of available capital. In Q&A, Greg Case, head of debt investor relations, said the increase in MREL requirements in the second half was driven primarily by some resolution entities being leverage-constrained rather than RWA-constrained, with growth in leverage assets contributing to the higher requirement. Liquidity metrics included total HQLA of $0.9 trillion against a $1.8 trillion customer deposit base, a group LCR of 137% (using a methodology that excludes $160 billion of HQLA), and entity LCRs with the lowest at 148%. The loan-to-deposit ratio fell to 55%, representing a $0.8 trillion customer surplus. HSBCs structural hedge stood at $593 billion, up $64 billion in 2025, with an average life of 3.1 years. Yousaf said HSBC expects to redeploy $110 billion of structural hedge assets currently yielding 2.7%, and reiterated that the hedge remains a tailwind for banking NII. Updated targets, digital initiatives, and 2026 issuance Yousaf said HSBC is announc[ing] improved targets and guidance. The bank expects revenue growth rising towards 5% by 2028 (excluding notable items) and is targeting ROTE of 17% or better each year through 2028, also excluding notable items. For 2026, HSBC guided to banking NII of at least $45 billion, citing deposit growth expectations and the structural hedge contribution. He also discussed investment in digital assets and artificial intelligence. In digital assets, Yousaf said activity remains client-driven and focused on custody, tokenization, and market infrastructure, including work across bonds, gold, and tokenized deposits. He noted HSBC Orions recent selection for the U.K. governments digital gilt mandate and said HSBC Gold tokens in Hong Kong include a gold gifting feature. In Q&A, Yousaf said tokenized deposit clients have been onboarded in Hong Kong and the offering has expanded to the U.K., Singapore, and Luxembourg. For 2026 issuance, Yousaf provided the following expectations: ~$20 billion of holdco senior $1 billion of Tier 2 $4 billion of AT1 He said opco funding needs are expected to be minimal given the funding position. On currency, Yousaf said the bank expects to issue roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of senior holdco in U.S. dollars, with openness to other currencies such as GBP, EUR, SGD, AUD, JPY and others depending on opportunities and the ability to downstream proceeds to relevant legal entities. Separately, Yousaf said HSBC continues to manage its legacy securities stack. He cited a 2025 tender for certain New York law instruments and said the legacy stack has been reduced from over $14 billion in 2022 by approximately half. He added that HSBC continues to monitor legacy instruments including the 5844s, but said there is currently no intention to call them. About HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE: HSBC) is a multinational banking and financial services organization headquartered in London. It traces its origins to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, founded in 1865 to facilitate trade between Europe and Asia, and has since grown into one of the world's largest banking groups. The company is publicly listed in multiple markets, including the London Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and as an American depositary receipt on the New York Stock Exchange. HSBC operates a universal banking model, serving retail, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. The article "HSBC Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. A Haryana government employee has been arrested in connection with a massive Rs 590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud targeting state government accounts, prompting a swift investigation and significant fund recovery. Key Points A Haryana government employee has been arrested in connection with the Rs 590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case. The fraud targeted state government accounts at an IDFC First Bank branch in Chandigarh. Authorities have recovered nearly Rs 556 crore, including interest, within 24 hours of the fraud being detected. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the complex money trail in the IDFC Bank fraud case. The Haryana Congress is demanding a CBI probe into the Rs 590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case. The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Haryana on Saturday arrested a state government employee in connection with the Rs 590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case. Official sources said the employee's role is under the scanner in the fraud case, which rocked the state on Sunday after the private lender disclosed a Rs 590 crore fraud committed by certain employees and others at one of its branches in Chandigarh, targeting state government accounts. The accused employed with the panchayats department was produced before a court in Panchkula, which sent him to six-day police remand, the sources said. Arrests and Investigation Details On Tuesday, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested four people, including the alleged masterminds behind the fraud, with a private firm owned by the wife of a former employee emerging at the centre of the financial irregularities. Two of those arrested are former employees of the IDFC First Bank, while the other two are private individuals who ran a partnership firm that allegedly received a substantial portion of the siphoned funds, officials said. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the supervision of senior IPS officer Ganga Ram Punia to probe the case. Swift Recovery and Demands for CBI Probe On Tuesday, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini informed the state Assembly that nearly Rs 556 crore, including Rs 22 crore in interest, had been recovered within 24 hours of the fraud. The director-general of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, A S Chawla, earlier said the money trail investigation was complex and would take time. "We are hiring chartered accountants," he had said. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Congress chief Rao Narender Singh have demanded a CBI probe into the fraud. Initial Findings and Bank's Response Before the registration of the FIR by the ACB, a committee formed by the director of the development and panchayats department recommended a police investigation after uncovering alleged forgery and procedural lapses involving officials from the IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank. The findings of the committee have been included in the FIR registered by the ACB. IDFC First Bank had said that the fraud was "confined to a specific group of government-linked accounts within the Haryana government operated through the said branch in Chandigarh", and stressed that it did not extend to other customers at the branch. The private lender had earlier informed the exchanges that it had received a request from a Haryana government department for the closure of its account at the Chandigarh branch and transfer of funds to another bank. In the process, the bank observed a difference in the balance in the account and the balance mentioned by the department. The discrepancy amounted to Rs 490 crore, before the lender detected an additional Rs 100 crore, taking the total to Rs 590 crore. Gurugram police have apprehended an IIT student and two others for their alleged involvement in a cyber fraud scheme, where they facilitated foreign-based fraudsters by providing bank accounts and processing illicit transactions. Key Points Gurugram police arrested three individuals, including an IIT Jodhpur student, for their involvement in a cyber fraud operation linked to foreign entities. The accused allegedly provided and operated bank accounts for cyber fraudsters, receiving a 30% commission on the fraudulent proceeds. Police recovered a significant amount of evidence, including mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, and bank documents, during the arrest in Jaipur. The cyber fraud involved victims being defrauded through tasks assigned via the Telegram application, highlighting the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. The funds obtained through fraud were reportedly transferred to fraudsters abroad using USDT, a cryptocurrency stablecoin, indicating a sophisticated money laundering scheme. The Gurugram police arrested three men, including an IIT student, on the charges of working for foreign-based cyber fraudsters, officials said on Saturday. The accused -- who were arrested from Jaipur in Rajasthan after a raid -- not only provided bank accounts to fraudsters for a 30 per cent commission but also operated these accounts, they said. Police have recovered 11 mobile phones, 40 SIM cards, 43 ATM cards, 15 bank passbooks and seven cheque books from their possession, they added. According to police, the arrested accused were identified as Saurabh Kumar Meena (27), a resident of Jaipur, Abhishek Bishnoi (20), a resident of Phalodi and Laxman alias Lucky (22), a resident of Nagaur in Rajasthan. Saurabh Kumar Meena is a student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur, Abhishek Bishnoi is educated in nursing and Laxman alias Lucky has an MA degree. Police said on January 1, a man filed a complaint with the Cyber Police Station West, stating that a person contacted him through the Telegram application and defrauded him of approximately Rs 3,13,000 under the pretext of making him complete a task. Police registered a case and, during the investigation, arrested three accused from Jaipur on Thursday. Details of the Cyber Fraud Operation ACP Priyanshu Dewan of Cyber Branch, Gurugram, said, "During interrogation, the accused revealed that they worked for cyber fraudsters living abroad. They purchased bank accounts used in frauds and operated them. Taking a 30 per cent commission from the proceeds, they sent the remaining funds to the fraudsters abroad via USDT (a cryptocurrency stablecoin)." He added that two of the accused have been sent to judicial custody while the main accused, Saurabh Kumar Meena, is being questioned during the two days of police remand. Following a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran, India is calling for restraint and de-escalation to avoid further military confrontation in the Middle East. IMAGE: Smoke rises after the Bahrain state news agency reported missile attack on the service center of the US Fifth Fleet, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain on February 28, 2026 in this still image obtained from a video. Photograph: Reuters Key Points India expresses 'deep concern' over the escalating situation in Iran and the Gulf region following a joint US-Israel attack. The Ministry of External Affairs urges all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian safety amidst the military confrontation. India emphasizes the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and address the underlying issues in the Middle East. India reiterates that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected in the ongoing conflict. Indian missions in the Middle East are in contact with Indian nationals, providing advisories to ensure their safety and vigilance. As a joint military strike by the United States and Israel on Iran triggered fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, India on Saturday urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation, emphasising that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected. In its first reaction to the fast-evolving situation in the region, New Delhi said it is "deeply concerned" over the developments in Iran and the Gulf region, and that "dialogue and diplomacy" should be pursued to de-escalate tensions. Any prolonged instability in the region will be detrimental to India's national interests, as it remains a major source of New Delhi's energy security and is home to millions of Indian nationals. Following the attack by the US and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israel and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. US, Israel strike Iran Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump, announcing the military offensive against Tehran, called on the people of Iran to "take over" the government, saying: It will "probably be your only chance for generations". The US-Israel joint strikes on Iran came after weeks of negotiations between Washington and Tehran on the Iranian nuclear programme did not produce any tangible outcome. Iranian state media reported that at least 57 people were killed at a girls' school in South Iran in the US-Israel strikes. The Ministry of External Affairs said India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. "We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians," the MEA said. "Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected," it said. MEA in touch with missions in Middle East The MEA said its missions in the Middle East are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance. "Our missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the missions, and follow local security guidance," it said in a statement. It is learnt that New Delhi is not immediately considering the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran, Israel or any other country in the Middle East. India has always favoured a peaceful resolution of issues in the Middle East. During his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security interests. India advises nationals to remain vigilant Following the escalating situation, India advised its nationals in Iran, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE and Palestine to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant. In an advisory, the Indian embassy in Iran urged Indian nationals in that country to avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors. "In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible," it said. "Indians may also continue to monitor the news, maintain situational awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of India. The emergency contact details of the embassy are reiterated as below," the mission said. According to official estimates, in January, little over 10,000 Indians, including students, were living in Iran. The Indian embassy in Israel also issued a similar advisory urging Indian nationals in the country to exercise "utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times." The Indian diaspora in Israel comprises over 41,000 people. Iran retaliates against US military bases Hours after the US-Israel attack, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel. Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in the kingdom. Many world leaders called for de-escalation of the situation. "It is vital we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia stands with the "brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression". "For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation," he said. Amid escalating regional tensions, the Indian Embassy in Iran and Qatar has issued urgent advisories, urging Indian citizens to exercise utmost caution and stay informed for their safety. Photograph: Reuters Key Points Indian Embassy in Iran advises citizens to exercise caution and remain indoors due to regional tensions. Indian nationals in Iran are urged to monitor news and await further guidance from the embassy. The advisory follows reports of military strikes and heightened tensions in the region. Indian Embassy in Qatar also issued an advisory, urging citizens to take due care and follow news updates. The Indian Embassy in Qatar provides a 24/7 helpline for citizens needing assistance. The Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday issued an advisory for its citizens, urging them to exercise "utmost caution" and "remain indoors as far as possible" amid the ongoing regional tensions. "In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible," the embassy said in a post on X. It further said that all the Indian nationals may also consider to monitor news, maintain social awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of india. The advisory came after reports of military strikes in the region. Qatar Travel Advisory Also, the Indian Embassy in Qatar issued advisory for its citizens. "In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Qatar are advised to take due care, follow news and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and local authorities," the mission posted on X. "Our Embassy is continuing to function as usual. Embassy's 24A7 helpline number is 00974-55647502 and email for addressing any query is cons.doha@mea.gov.in," it said. Punjab Police dismantle an international narcotics network, arresting six and seizing a large haul of MDMA, cocaine, and other drugs intended for youth in the Tricity area. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Punjab Police's ANTF busted an international narcotics network operating in the Tricity region and Ludhiana. Six key operatives were arrested, and a significant amount of narcotics, including MDMA tablets and cocaine, were seized. The drug syndicate sourced narcotics from abroad through air courier channels and used encrypted social media platforms. The seized drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, and methamphetamine, were intended for urban youth in club and party circuits. The operation uncovered a distribution module based in Ludhiana, serving as a key supply hub for the Tricity region. The Punjab Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has busted an international narcotics network operating across the Tricity region here and Ludhiana, with the arrest of six key operatives and seizing an "unprecedented" haul of narcotics, MDMA tablets and cocaine. The seized contraband includes 1,215 MDMA tablets - one of the largest MDMA tablet (a psychoactive drug) recoveries in the country - 263 grams cocaine, 82 grams methamphetamine (ICE), 1.2 kg of various THC (psychoactive substance) variants, 16 grams "magic mushrooms", and 400 grams of opium. These highly potent, foreign-origin party drugs were aimed at targeting urban youth across club and party circuits in the Tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula) area, according to an official statement. The arrested accused have been identified as Rishav, Mukesh Kumar, Lakhwinder Singh, Ravi Kumar, Baljinder Singh and Talwinder Singh, and drug proceeds worth Rs 9 lakh have also been recovered from their possession, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said in a statement on Saturday. The DGP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the syndicate sourced narcotics from abroad through air courier channels and used encrypted social media platforms to coordinate distribution and evade detection. Operation Details and Investigation Sharing operational details, Additional IG (ANTF) Ashwini Gotyal said that the action was initiated following specific inputs indicating that Rishav, who is a drug supplier, was operating from an apartment in Kharar in Punjab on the outskirts of Chandigarh and distributing narcotics within club and party circuits, primarily targeting youth in the Tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula) area. Police teams conducted a raid at the identified premises, leading to the arrest of Rishav with the contraband and Rs 3 lakh from his possession, she said. Gotyal said that further investigation uncovered a broader distribution module based in Ludhiana, which was functioning as a key supply and redistribution hub for the 'Tricity' region. Subsequent raids resulted in the arrest of the other five operatives mentioned above with more contraband and Rs 6 lakh, she said. Gotyal said that several of the seized substances are recognised globally as highly potent and dangerous, and have been subject to public health advisories and enforcement warnings in their countries of origin owing to their severe psychological and physiological effects. According to the IDF, defensive systems were immediately activated to intercept the incoming threat, underscoring Israel's layered missile defence capabilities. IMAGE: Israeli soldiers move a patient to a sheltered parking facility of the Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, on the day Israel's military announced they identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, February 28, 2026. Photograph: Itai Ron/Reuters Key Points Iran launched missiles toward Israel after a joint US-Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iranian territory. Israel activated its missile defence systems and issued shelter alerts to citizens. India advised its nationals in Iran and Jordan to exercise caution and limit movement. Israel declared a nationwide emergency, airspace was closed in multiple countries, and fears of a wider regional conflict have intensified. In a major escalation of regional hostilities, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Saturday confirmed that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following a joint United States-Israeli 'pre-emptive' strike on Iranian territory. According to the IDF, defensive systems were immediately activated to intercept the incoming threat, underscoring Israel's layered missile defence capabilities. The Home Front Command has issued precautionary directives via mobile phone alerts to citizens in affected areas, instructing them to seek immediate shelter. 'A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas,' the IDF posted on X. Escalation ahead of nuclear talks This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Regional and international observers are closely monitoring developments, as further responses could influence stability across the Middle East in the hours and days ahead. In a post on X, the Israel Defence Forces wrote, 'A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.' The launch follows a series of urgent advisories issued by the Indian government to its citizens in the region earlier on Saturday. Indian embassies issue advisory The Embassy of India in Tehran had advised all nationals to 'exercise utmost caution', 'avoid unnecessary movement', and 'remain indoors'. Tourists in Jordan were urged to 'leave the country immediately' due to the high risk of commercial flight disruptions. Earlier in the day, Iranian officials had vowed a 'crushing response' in retaliation for a major joint military strike by Israel and the United States, according to Tasnim News Agency. Israel and the US launched a joint military strike on Iran, codenamed 'Operation Roaring Lion', targeting military sites, missile production facilities, and areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office. The name was reportedly decided by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although the IDF had a different internal name for the strikes, according to The Times of Israel. Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful blasts as tensions surged following the pre-emptive military strike, which targeted multiple sites, including locations in the capital. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures in place and public anxiety rising as developments continue to unfold. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, moved hospitals underground, and activated air-raid sirens. Iran, Israel, and Iraq have closed their airspace, suspending all flights. The attack comes in the backdrop of diplomatic fallout, as nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Oman have been disrupted. The Iranian embassy also posted a video purportedly showing the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. IMAGE: Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters Key Points Iran claimed it launched missile strikes targeting a US military base in Bahrain. The UAE reportedly intercepted Iranian missiles amid the escalating conflict. Israel and the US carried out a joint operation, named 'Operation Roaring Lion', targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. Netanyahu praised Trump's support, while Trump warned Iranian forces to surrender or face severe consequences. Iran has said that it launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain. According to the Iranian Embassy in India, 'A US military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes.' The embassy also posted a video purportedly showing the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier condemned what it described as the 'brutal aggression of the Zionist regime' against Iran, stating that its attacks were a response to enemy actions. 'In the name of God, the Breaker of Tyrants, in response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes toward the occupied territories has commenced,' the Iranian Embassy in India said. UAE reports Iranian missile attacks Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej Times. In a major escalation of regional tensions, Israel and the United States initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they described as an existential threat posed by Iran. The strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two sides. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for American support and described Trumps leadership as 'historic'. In a statement, Netanyahu said Israel and the United States had embarked on an operation to remove what he called the 'existential threat' posed by Iran. He also appealed to the Iranian people to rise against their government. In a televised address posted on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had earlier announced the strike, dubbed 'Operation Roaring Lion', stating that its objective was to eliminate threats to Israel. Trump also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face 'certain death', as the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict following coordinated strikes on multiple targets across Iran. A joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran has triggered a massive military confrontation in the Middle-East. IMAGE: A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Photograph: / Rediff.com Key Points Amir Nasirzadeh was the Deputy of Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. Nasirzadeh began his military carrier as a fighter pilot. Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour is also believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks. In a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy of Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military carrier as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, who had overtaken following the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami following Israeli strikes. Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran. The Israel Defense Forces had said in a post on X earlier in the day, "OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole." However, several countries have called for peace in the region. Iran had retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. Amidst US-Israel strikes in Iran, conflicting reports emerge regarding the wellbeing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, prompting denials from Iran and international condemnation of the military action. IMAGE: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will address the nation soon, Al-Alam TV reported. Photograph: @khamenei_ir/X Key Points Reports suggest Ayatollah Khamenei may have been harmed in recent US and Israeli strikes in Iran, sparking international concern. Iranian officials have vehemently denied reports of harm to Ayatollah Khamenei, asserting his good health and continued leadership. The US-Israel military action has been condemned by representatives of Iran and the UN Secretary-General, citing violations of international law. Following the strikes, Tehran has experienced heavy outbound traffic and increased demand for essential supplies like bread and water. The UN Secretary-General has condemned the use of force by the United States and Israel, and Iran's subsequent retaliation, emphasizing the need to uphold international peace and security. Hours after US and Israel struck deep into Iran with the goal of displacing the Islamic regime, speculation about the whereabouts and wellbeing of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Israeli TV reported that their assessment suggested that the supreme leader has likely been killed in the strike. However, the Iranian's issued a speedy denial. Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said, "The Supreme Leader is in good health and never has a fear of America or any other people... He will continue by his dignity and wisdom, and I hope that we will win this war." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking in an interview with NBC News said, "All high-ranking officials are alive... we are handling this situation, and everything is fine." Iran's Al-Alam TV reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will speak to the Iranian people soon. Meanwhile, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, also condemned the US-Israel led aggression. "We were in negotiations and discussion to reach a diplomatic conclusion. We were thinking that very soon we reached to very good statement by Iran and the United States of America... But unfortunately, today, within this last month, month of Ramadan, we got attacked from Israel and United States of America against Iran. Firstly, they started attacking civilian people. They announced that attacked some government state and also a governmental building, but it's not true, they attacked civilians," he said. "We condemn this aggression against Iran, this attack against Iran... We hope that international law and United Nations will and stop this war against Iran," he added. Impact on Tehran Residents In Iran, IRNA reported that officials converted a key highway linking the capital to northern Iran into a one-way route to accommodate the heavy outbound traffic. The agency reports heavy traffic heading north out of the capital. In northern Tehran, supermarkets saw a surge of customers seeking bread and bottled water. However, supply has been limited. Long queues have also been observed at gas stations across the city. State television showed footage from one of Tehran's highways, Soleimani highway, where extremely heavy traffic was visible on west-to-east routes. UN's Response to Escalation Earlier, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General, said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israel and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. IMAGE: Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, on February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Photograph: WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters Key Points Israel launched preventive missile strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran. Israel declared a nationwide special state of emergency and shifted to Essential Activity mode amid fears of retaliation. The United States is reportedly involved in the strikes, according to media reports. The escalation comes amid ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations, with another round of talks scheduled. Over 200 people killed in Iran after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran early on Saturday, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme. Iranian media, citing the Red Crescent, reported that 201 people were killed and 747 injured in US-Israeli attacks that struck 24 provinces. Some of the first strikes appeared to hit areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump, announcing the military offensive against Tehran, called on the people of Iran to "take over" the government, saying: It will "probably be your only chance for generations". The US-Israel joint strikes on Iran came after weeks of negotiations between Washington and Tehran on the Iranian nuclear programme did not produce any tangible outcome. According a report in The Jerusalem Post, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a 'secure location'. However, it wasn't immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was in his offices at the time of the strike. TPS reported that Defence Minister Israel Katz said the pre-emptive strikes were carried out to remove threats to the country. The IDF called on the public to stay in proximity to protected spaces. Attack on an Iranian girls' school kills over 80 Iranian state media reported that at least 80 people were killed at a girls' school in South Iran in the US-Israel strikes. The attack struck a girls' school in Minab, a city in Iran's Hormozgan province in the Gulf region. The city of Minab also hosts a base of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been a focal point in the ongoing conflict. Officials in Tehran have blamed the deaths on the joint US-Israel military campaign, but neither the US nor Israeli authorities have provided any official details or commentary on the specific attack so far. Iran retaliates, Israel declares state of emergency Following the attack by the US and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israel and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. The IDF also confirmed that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory. According to the IDF, defensive systems were immediately activated to intercept the incoming threat. The Home Front Command has issued precautionary directives via mobile phone alerts to citizens in affected areas, instructing them to seek immediate shelter. Defence Minister Katz declared an immediate nationwide special state of emergency under Israel's Civil Defense Law. The IDF also said that following a situational assessment, immediate changes were made to the Home Front Command guidelines, shifting all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity. The guidelines prohibit educational activities, gatherings, and workplace operations, except in essential sectors. Iranian state media reported explosions in the capital, Tehran. Iranian media also reported that mobile phone lines were cut in parts of eastern and western Tehran, and internet connectivity weakened in some areas. India calls for immediate de-escalation The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. "We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians," the MEA said. "Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected," it said. The MEA said its missions in the Middle East are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance. "Our missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the missions, and follow local security guidance," it said in a statement. It is learnt that New Delhi is not immediately considering the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran, Israel or any other country in the Middle East. India has always favoured a peaceful resolution of issues in the Middle East. Attack comes amid nuclear talks The developments come a day after US President Donald Trump described Iran as 'very difficult' and 'very dangerous' as Washington, DC considers its next steps in nuclear negotiations, while emphasising a preference for a peaceful resolution despite ongoing military tensions. The third round of negotiations between Iran and the United States was held in Geneva on Thursday, with another round scheduled for Saturday. Trump said the US faces a 'big decision' in talks with Iran and stressed that any deal with Tehran must be 'meaningful'. We came across a bullish thesis on Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. on Paradox Intelligences Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on HII. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.'s share was trading at $438.01 as of February 23rd. HIIs trailing and forward P/E were 21.11 and 16.03 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. 12 Countries Have Aircraft Carriers But Only One Has A $13.3 Billion Warship Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. HII represents a straightforward long-term investment tied to rising geopolitical tensions in the Western Pacific, particularly involving Taiwan and China. As Americas largest military shipbuilder and the sole producer of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, HII occupies a uniquely strategic position, also constructing nuclear submarines, destroyers, and amphibious assault ships that form the backbone of U.S. naval power. The Taiwan Strait is widely viewed as the most dangerous geopolitical flashpoint, with China asserting sovereignty over Taiwan and signaling willingness to use force, which would require a complex amphibious invasion or naval blockade across open ocean. Any defense of Taiwan would therefore depend heavily on maritime dominance, including carrier strike groups, submarines, and surface combatants, making naval capacity the decisive factor in potential conflict. The United States Navy currently faces a fleet size gap relative to China, whose navy is now the worlds largest by ship count, creating sustained pressure to expand and modernize American naval forces. Because warship construction timelines span five to ten years, current procurement decisions lock in revenue visibility well into the next decade, reinforcing HIIs durable backlog and near-monopoly status in nuclear platforms. Policy support further strengthens the outlook, including maritime industrial initiatives under Donald Trump aimed at restoring U.S. maritime dominance and countering Chinas naval rise. As a result, HII benefits from a massive multiyear backlog estimated around $5357 billion, steady revenue generation, improving margins, and predictable cash flows, positioning the company to compound value as geopolitical tensions persist and naval spending remains structurally elevated for decades. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) by D Invests in February 2025, which highlighted the AUKUS partnership, margin expansion from legacy contracts rolling off, and strong cash flows supporting upside potential. HII's stock price has appreciated by approximately 171.6% since our coverage. Paradox Intelligence shares a similar view but emphasizes on Taiwan-China tensions driving naval expansion and backlog visibility. In Kochi, police arrested five migrant workers from West Bengal and seized 30 kg of ganja, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. Key Points Five migrant workers from West Bengal were arrested in Puthencruz, Kochi, for allegedly possessing 30 kg of ganja. The suspects transported the ganja from West Bengal to Kerala by train, disembarking at Aluva before reaching Puthencruz. The ganja was intended for sale among migrant workers in Kochi. Authorities had been monitoring the alleged drug smuggling operation for some time leading to the arrest. Recent drug seizures in the Kochi rural district include significant quantities of ganja in Perumbavoor, Kalady, Kanjoor, Ramamangalam, and Aluva. Police on Saturday said they arrested five migrant workers and allegedly seized 30 kilograms of ganja from them at Puthencruz. Ashraf Mandal (56), Nuhunabi Mandal (45), Rofiqul (26), Ripan Mandal (41), and Yanus Ali Molla (42), all natives of Murshidabad in West Bengal, were arrested by the Rural District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) and officers from Puthencruz police station, police said. According to police, the five brought the ganja from West Bengal and travelled to Kerala by train. They got off at Aluva and then went to Puthencruz by auto. The five were taken into custody while standing at a waiting shed, and the ganja was found in separate packs in their shoulder bags, police said. The drug was reportedly sold among migrant workers in the city, police added. Authorities said the alleged drug smuggling gang had been under surveillance for some time. Recent Drug Seizures in Kochi In the past two weeks, rural district police seized 51 kg of ganja from Perumbavoor, 16 kg from Kalady, 6 kg from Kanjoor, 10 kg from Ramamangalam, and 5 kg from Aluva railway station. In a major operation, security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district seized a large cache of cash, arms, and ammunition from Maoist hideouts, dealing a blow to the Naxalite movement in the region. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Security forces recovered over Rs 46 lakh in cash from Maoist hideouts in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district. The recovery included firearms, ammunition, a laptop, and mobile phones, based on information from surrendered Naxalites. The operation targeted hideouts of the outlawed Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada (DGN) division of the Maoist movement. Sustained anti-Naxal operations have led to the neutralization or surrender of the DGN division cadre in the region. Security forces on Saturday recovered more than Rs 46 lakh in cash, a laptop, arms and ammunition from Maoist hideouts in a forested area of Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, an official said. The recovery was made from Sanpsati, a forested and hilly region, near village Badegobra under Mainpur police station limits based on information provided by surrendered Naxalites, the police official said. They had given information about Maoist items hidden by senior ultras of the outlawed movement's Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada (DGN) division, he said. "Based on these inputs, identified locations were mapped and a joint team of the district police force's E-30 unit from Gariaband and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from neighbouring Dhamtari district was dispatched from here," the official said. Details of the Recovery During an intensive search of the marked forest and hill terrain, security personnel recovered Rs 46,31,500 in cash from different dump sites hidden in the hills, he said. Firearms and ammunition seized included one muzzle-loading gun, 33 muzzle-loading rounds, one country-made rifle, 32 BGL (Barrel Grenade Launcher) shells, 10 rounds of INSAS rifle, 11 rounds of Self Loading Rifle, 45 rounds of AK-47 rifle, 41 rounds of .303 rifle, 23 rounds of single-shot rifle and 26 rounds of 12-bore gun, the official informed. "We also recovered one laptop, two mobile phones, 13 electronic and 10 non-electronic detonators, along with a large quantity of Maoist materials and literature," he said. Impact of Anti-Naxal Operations As a result of the sustained anti-Naxal operations carried out by Gariaband police over the past two years, along with awareness drives about the state government's rehabilitation policy, the entire listed cadre of Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada (DGN) division active in the region until January this year has either been neutralised or has surrendered, the official asserted. Frustrated passengers staged a protest at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport after a private airline's Kathmandu flight faced repeated disruptions, leading to accusations of mismanagement and ruined travel plans. Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Passengers at Bengaluru Airport protested against an airline after their Kathmandu flight was disrupted for two consecutive days. The flight initially returned to Bengaluru without landing in Kathmandu, and a subsequent flight was diverted to Lucknow. Passengers allege they were confined inside the aircraft for extended periods with poor communication from the airline. The passengers, including Kannada-speaking travelers, claim their Nepal trip was ruined due to the airline's mismanagement and are demanding accountability and compensation. CISF personnel intervened as passengers staged a sit-in protest at the airport, highlighting the severity of the travel disruptions. Chaos prevailed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after passengers bound for Nepal have staged a protest against Air India Express, alleging gross mismanagement that disrupted their travel plans for two consecutive days. According to passengers, the flight departed Bengaluru for Kathmandu at 10.30 am on Thursday. However, the aircraft returned without landing in Kathmandu under circumstances that were not clearly communicated to travellers, they alleged. The same aircraft reportedly took off again on Friday morning, but once again failed to land in Kathmandu and was diverted to Lucknow. Passengers alleged that they were made to remain seated inside the aircraft for several hours after landing in Lucknow. Passengers kept inside the plane for hours "We were kept inside the plane for hours without proper information. No one clearly explained what was happening," a passenger said during their protest on Friday. After prolonged waiting and exhaustion, travellers staged a protest inside the aircraft, forcing the airline to fly them back to Bengaluru. Upon arrival, several passengers sat in protest near the immigration area at the airport, expressing anger over what they described as a waste of two days of their time. Protesters claimed they were confined inside the aircraft for more than 30 hours in total and accused the airline of poor coordination and communication. "Our entire Nepal trip has been ruined. We planned this well in advance and suffered financial losses," another passenger said. Airport security intervenes Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) intervened and attempted to pacify the agitating passengers. However, many continued their sit-in protest demanding accountability and compensation from the airline. More than 40 Kannada-speaking travellers were among those on board, who said their long-planned Nepal trip was disrupted due to the airline's alleged failure to manage the situation effectively. There was no immediate reaction from the airline. Following government intervention, two more Odisha workers who were stranded in Thailand due to alleged exploitation and non-payment of wages have safely returned home, expressing gratitude for the assistance. Key Points Two more Odia workers have returned to Odisha from Thailand after being stranded. The workers were among six who traveled to Thailand to work in a plywood company in August 2025. The workers faced hardships, including non-payment of wages and food shortages. The Odisha government, with the help of the Ministry of External Affairs, facilitated their return after they appealed for assistance. Two more Odia workers, stranded in Thailand, returned to Odisha on Saturday after the state government took steps to rescue them from the Southeast Asian country, an official said. Four others had come back to the state on February 21, he said. The youths, who safely returned to the state during the day, have been identified as Prashant Kumar Rout of Upulei village and Jashobant Sahoo of Kujipur village under the Rajkanika block in Kendrapara district, the official said. "Of the six people stuck in Thailand, four had returned to Odisha last week, and the two could not come in that time due to certain visa issues," an official said. The six youths had travelled to Thailand in August 2025 to work in a plywood company. The workers alleged that they had faced hardships in Thailand, including non-payment of wages by the company owner, the official said. The labourers claimed that they had to spend days without food, he said. "They had appealed to the Odisha government through a video message, seeking assistance to return home. Acting on the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the state government, with the help of the Ministry of External Affairs, successfully facilitated their safe return," the official said. The youths expressed gratitude to the state government for extending timely assistance and ensuring their return. Amid escalating regional tensions, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached out to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to express solidarity and discuss the unfolding situation following attacks in Iran and the Gulf region. Photograph: Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID)/Handout via Reuters Key Points Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif contacted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to show solidarity amid escalating regional tensions. The call followed attacks on Iran and subsequent attacks in the Gulf region, raising fears of a wider conflict. Pakistan expressed strong condemnation of the regional escalation and affirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a joint defense agreement, committing them to mutual assistance in case of attack. Pakistan has offered to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday contacted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to show "solidarity" amidst fear of war spreading across the region. The telephonic contact was established after an attack on Iran by the US and Israel threatened wider conflict due to Iran attacking US bases in the Gulf states. PM Sharif wrote in a post on X that he spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "to express Pakistan's strong condemnation of the dangerous regional escalation following the Israeli attack on Iran and subsequent attacks in the Gulf region". "Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and our brotherly Gulf countries in this perilous time," he said. The prime minister also said that "we remain ready to play a constructive role for peace" while praying that the blessings of Ramadan bring calm and stability to the region. Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Concerns Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud. "Both the leaders expressed deep concern over the unfolding regional developments, and agreed to remain in close contact on the evolving situation," the Foreign Office said. Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defense Cooperation Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year signed a joint defence agreement and are bound by it to come to the help of each other in case of attack by a third country. Incidentally while Saudi Arabia faces a threat from Iran, Pakistan is already at war with Afghanistan. A policeman was found dead in Nadia district, West Bengal, prompting an investigation to determine the cause of death and circumstances surrounding the incident. Key Points A sub-inspector was found dead at his rented accommodation in the Bagula area of Nadia district, West Bengal. The deceased, identified as Suman Mondal, was posted at the Bagula police outpost. His body was discovered hanging from the ceiling, prompting an investigation into the cause of death. While initial findings suggest a possible suicide, police are exploring all angles in the investigation. Colleagues reported that Mondal's behavior appeared normal leading up to the incident. A policeman was found dead in West Bengal's Nadia district on Saturday, officials said. The body of Sub-Inspector Suman Mondal was found at his rented accommodation in the Bagula area, they said. Mondal was posted at the Bagula police outpost under the Hanskhali police station, they added. He had been staying alone at the house for the last one and a half months. His body was found hanging from the ceiling, officials said. The body was sent for post-mortem examination, an officer said. "Though prima facie it appears that Mondal died by suicide, an investigation is underway to explore all angles," he said. Mondal's colleagues said his behaviour appeared normal even a day before the incident. Vayu Shakti-2026 showcased the Indian Air Force's readiness for combat operations in both day and night conditions. IMAGE: Advanced fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Tejas and Mirage 2000 carried out accurate bombing and missile strikes. All photographs: Kind courtesy Rashtrapati Bhavan Key Points The Indian Air Force showcased precision strike capability in simulated wartime conditions. Advanced fighter jets like the Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Tejas and Mirage 2000 carried out accurate bombing and missile strikes. Apache and Chinook helicopters conducted combat drills, evacuation and transport operations. Exercise demonstrated India's combat readiness, air superiority and multi-domain warfare strength. IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were also present at the the Vayu Shakti-2026 exercise. President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the Vayu Shakti-2026 exercise at the Pokhran firing range in Jaisalmer, February 27, 2026. Vayu Shakti followed a structured operational storyline, simulating a live, integrated combat theatre. IMAGE: The thundering roar of aircraft and precision bombing in the desert presented a vivid display of the Indian Air Force's modern combat strength and operational readiness, here and below. IMAGE: Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas and Mirage 2000 carried out precision strikes using air-to-ground guided bombs and missiles, accurately targeting enemy bunkers, runways, and command centres. Vayu Shakti-2026 displayed the courage, dedication and professional excellence of the Indian Air Force. This exercise was conducted with the primary objective of demonstrating the capability to carry out swift and precise strikes in simulated wartime scenarios. Demonstrates Precision Strike Capability IMAGE: The transport aircraft, and attack helicopters accurately engaged designated targets in this exercise, here and below. Various fighter jets, transport aircraft, and attack helicopters accurately engaged designated targets in this exercise. Rafale, Sukhoi and Tejas Showcase Air Power The thundering roar of aircraft and precision bombing in the desert presented a vivid display of the Indian Air Force's modern combat strength and operational readiness. Advanced fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, including Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas and Mirage 2000, carried out precision strikes using air-to-ground guided bombs and missiles, accurately targeting enemy bunkers, runways, and command centres. Apache and Chinook helicopters performed low-altitude rocket and gun firing drills, casualty evacuation operations, and transportation of equipment to difficult battlefield terrain. IMAGE: The exercise showcased readiness for combat operations in both day and night conditions, here and below. Apart from the display of firepower, Vayu Shakti-2026 was also a coordinated demonstration of technology, integration and rapid response capabilities. The exercise showcased readiness for combat operations in both day and night conditions. It also successfully tested integrated wartime operations such as air superiority, ground support, and logistical support. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff Punjab ministers visited the family of a slain Gurdaspur policeman to offer condolences and vowed justice, condemning the act as an attack on the state's peace and security. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points Punjab ministers visited the family of ASI Gurnam Singh, who was killed in Gurdaspur, to offer condolences and support. The ministers condemned the killing as a cowardly act and an attack on Punjab's peace, vowing strict punishment for the guilty. Concerns were raised over the death of one of the accused, Ranjit Singh, in an encounter with the police. The ministers accused Pakistan's ISI of attempting to destabilize Punjab and urged the youth to avoid falling prey to enemy traps. The Punjab government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against gang activities and drugs, promising to maintain peace and harmony. Punjab Cabinet ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak and Laljit Singh Bhullar on Saturday met the family of ASI Gurnam Singh, who was one of two policemen killed in Gurdaspur a few days ago, to extend condolences. Assistant sub-inspector Singh and home guard Ashok Kumar were found dead on February 22 with gunshot wounds inside a checkpost in Adhian village, about 2 km from the International Border with Pakistan. Police later identified Ranjit Singh (19), Inderjit Singh (21) and Dilawar Singh (19) for their alleged involvement in killing the two police personnel, which is suspected to have been done at the behest of their Pakistan-based handlers backed by the spy agency ISI. The ministers, who were accompanied by AAP working president, Batala MLA Aman Sher Singh Sherry Kalsi and Dera Baba Nanak MLA Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, conveyed to the cop's family in Dinanagar that the Punjab government stands firmly with them in this hour of grief and will extend every possible support. "The killing of our brave police personnel, Gurnam Singh and Ashok Kumar, while they were on duty at the Adhian checkpost, was a cowardly act. This was not merely an attack on the police force, but an attack on the soil of Punjab and on the peace of its people," Kataruchak said. "The sacrifice of our martyrs will not be allowed to go in vain, and the guilty will be given the strictest punishment under the law," he said. "Pakistan's notorious intelligence agency ISI continuously attempts to target India through Punjab. The (past) attacks on the Pathankot Airbase and the Dinanagar police station were part of this design. Pakistan's hatred-driven intentions will never be allowed to succeed on Punjab's soil," Kataruchak said. "I urge the youth of Punjab not to fall prey to the traps and temptations spread by enemy nations. Punjab is the land of Gurus and martyrs, and its unity and brotherhood will not be allowed to be broken at any cost," he said. Controversy Surrounding the Incident The ministers' visit came amid questions raised over the death of one of the accused in an encounter with the police. Ranjit Singh, a resident of Adhian village here, who was a suspect in the murder of two policemen in Gurdaspur, was shot dead in an exchange of fire with police on Wednesday after he allegedly fled from their custody. SAD leader Bikarm Singh Majithia, Congress MLAs Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Partap Singh Bajwa and Girdaspur MP Sukhjinder Randhawa have visited the family of Ranjit Singh. Targeting the Akali Dal, Congress, and BJP, Bhullar alleged, "These parties are indulging in politics out of fear that the government is succeeding. Punjab, being a border state, faces repeated attempts to disturb its peace. These parties are, in some way, complicit in such efforts and are working to demoralise the police." Kataruchak further informed that Chief Minister Mann will soon meet the families of the martyrs and reiterated that the Punjab Government remains committed to its zero-tolerance policy against gang activities and drugs and will not allow anyone to disturb peace and harmony in Punjab. Bhullar said police traced and arrested all the accused in the case, which sends a clear message that anyone on the wrong side of law will face the strictest action. Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal directed the stay after the Delhi Police challenged the bail order by Duty Magistrate Vanshika Mehta, and listed the matter on March 6 for further proceedings. IMAGE: Indian Youth Congress Chief Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested in connection with the Youth Congress protest at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib was granted bail by a Delhi court after being arrested for protesting at the India AI Impact Summit. However, hours later, sessions court stayed Chib's bail. The protest involved IYC members removing their shirts to reveal anti-Modi slogans during the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam. The AI Summit saw participation from tech moguls, industry leaders, and policymakers. A Delhi court on Saturday issued a stay on the bail granted to Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with a protest at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, hours after a magistrate court granted him relief saying the right to life and liberty is the "soul of the Indian Constitution". Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal directed the stay after the Delhi Police challenged the bail order by Duty Magistrate Vanshika Mehta, and listed the matter on March 6 for further proceedings. Chib was produced before the magistrate at around 1 am at her official residence after his four-day police custody, granted on February 24 following his arrest in connection with the February 20 'shirtless protest', came to an end. The police sought a three-day extension of his custody, contending that further interrogation was required to ascertain the whereabouts of two co-accused. Dismissing the plea, the magistrate court said the right to life and liberty is the "soul of the Indian Constitution" and that to curtail liberty, a strong explanation or material evidence must be placed on record to show that denial of custody would impede the course of justice. In a handwritten order, the magistrate said the investigating officer was unable to provide cogent reasons for seeking further police custody. "Being guilty or not is a matter of trial, and the law takes its own course to adjudicate such. However, what is relevant is whether the custody of the accused is required at this stage," the court said, noting that Chib has strong roots in society and is not a flight risk. The magistrate observed that "no person shall be devoid of his liberty on mere conjectures" and reiterated that "bail is a rule and jail is an exception". The court directed him to furnish a surety bond of Rs 50,000 and surrender his passport and electronic gadgets. Later on, the court also ordered verification of the documents and bonds submitted by him and said he would remain in judicial custody till Sunday morning. However, Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal directed the stay on the bail order after the police challenged it. Details of the AI Summit Protest On February 24, the court sent Chib to police custody for four days. He was to be questioned about his role in the protest held at Bharat Mandapam, during which IYC members took their shirts off to reveal slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre printed on their T-shirts underneath. The Summit began on February 16 and saw packed halls and long queues throughout, as tech moguls, industry leaders and policymakers thronged the venue. The protesters wore T-shirts bearing the images of Modi and United States President Donald Trump, with slogans against the government and the India-US trade deal. The protesters also allegedly engaged in a protracted scuffle with the security personnel and police staff deployed at the venue. Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Sri Lanka has launched emergency hotlines for its citizens and is urging de-escalation to prevent a wider regional conflict. Photograph: Francois Nel/Getty Images/Rediff Archives Key Points Sri Lanka establishes emergency hotlines for its citizens in West Asia amid escalating conflict. The Sri Lankan government expresses deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. Sri Lanka urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalate tensions to prevent a wider regional conflict. Several flights connecting Colombo with West Asian destinations have been cancelled due to the escalating situation. Sri Lanka is preparing its international airports for potential emergency landings and fuel needs of West Asian flights. Sri Lanka also called for restraint in the West Asia situation due to rapid military actions, hours after the US and Israel jointly launched a major attack on Iran with the tension escalating to other Gulf countries. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is in close contact with the country's diplomatic missions in the West Asia region. The ministry said it has also set up emergency hotlines at Sri Lankan missions in the West Asia region, enabling its citizens to contact in case of any emergency requirements. The island nation's Foreign Ministry said that as of Saturday, there has not been much impact on the Sri Lankans in the West Asia region. Meanwhile, at least 10 flights connecting Colombo with various West Asian destinations have been cancelled in view of the escalating situation, said Sri Lankan Airlines. Sri Lanka's Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunatilaka said both Colombo and Mattala international airports are being kept ready for any emergency situations faced by West Asian flights. "There will be additional fuel stocks ready at both airports to face emergency needs," he said while talking to the media. Sri Lanka Calls for De-escalation Later in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The Government of Sri Lanka expresses deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to regional stability and to international peace and security." Sri Lanka calls on all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate and decisive action to de-escalate tensions. All parties must refrain from further provocative measures to prevent the risk of a wider regional conflict that would result in severe humanitarian and economic consequences," said the ministry in a statement. Senior Vice President of Finance and incoming CFO Phil Platt said total company 2025 sales were $1.3 billion, down 8% year-over-year. Performance Materials sales were flat versus 2024 despite lower auto production, while Performance Chemicals sales fell by $86 million, primarily due to repositioning actions within Industrial Specialties. Platt said APT continued to face weak demand tied to indirect tariff impacts and competitive pressure. Li confirmed that on Jan. 1, 2026, Ingevity completed the sale of its North Charleston CTO refinery and the majority of the Industrial Specialties product line to Mainstream Pine Products. He said the transaction reduces portfolio volatility, strengthens the companys profitability and cash flow profile, and enhances strategic flexibility. CEO Dave Li reminded listeners that the company shared results of its strategic portfolio review in early December and laid out plans to grow adjusted earnings per share by 10% and free cash flow per share by 5% through 2027. The company also announced it would initiate sales processes for its Advanced Polymer Technologies (APT) segment and Road Markings product line. Ingevity (NYSE:NGVT) executives told investors the company delivered higher profitability and cash flow in 2025 despite lower sales, while continuing to reshape its portfolio through divestitures and planned asset sale processes. Management also outlined 2026 guidance that excludes the recently divested Industrial Specialties product line and assumes no meaningful global economic recovery. For 2026 management guided to adjusted EPS $4.08$5.20, sales $1.1$1.2B, adjusted EBITDA $380$400M, and free cash flow $225$250M (excluding ~ $95M in expected BASF litigation payments), while maintaining a $300 million buyback plan through 2027. The company is actively reshaping its portfolioon Jan. 1, 2026 it sold the North Charleston CTO refinery and most of its Industrial Specialties line to Mainstream Pine and has launched sales processes for APT and Road Markings, saying these moves will cut volatility and improve cash generation. Despite an 8% sales decline to $1.3 billion in 2025, Ingevity reported stronger underlying results with adjusted EBITDA of $398 million (up ~10%) , diluted adjusted EPS of $4.55 (up 30%), free cash flow of $274 million, reduced leverage to 2.6x, and repurchased over 1 million shares. Story Continues AI Is Separating Software Winners From Losers, 2 Experts Explain On a GAAP basis, Ingevity reported a net loss of $167 million, which included $337 million of pre-tax special charges. Platt said those charges were primarily a non-cash goodwill impairment of $184 million in APT and a non-cash asset impairment of $109 million in Road Markings. Excluding special charges, management highlighted improved profitability in 2025: Adjusted gross profit of $556 million, up 6.8% year-over-year, with gross margin expanding 610 basis points. Total adjusted EBITDA of $398 million, up 10% year-over-year, with margin expanding 500 basis points to 30.8%. Diluted adjusted EPS of $4.55, up 30%. NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Li said the company grew total adjusted EBITDA by almost 10% compared to 2024 while delivering industry-leading margins of over 30%. He said 2025 free cash flow totaled $274 million, slightly exceeding commitments, and the company used cash to pay down debt, reduce leverage to 2.6x, and repurchase more than 1 million shares. Platt added that free cash flow was the highest level generated in the past five years and exceeded the companys updated guidance from November. He attributed the year-over-year improvement to the absence of roughly $180 million in cash outflows tied to Performance Chemicals repositioning, higher earnings, and a working capital benefit in Industrial Specialties. Ingevity spent $56 million to repurchase about 1 million shares in 2025 and ended the year with just under $300 million remaining under its authorization. Segment performance: resilience in Performance Materials; seasonality set to increase in Pavement-related businesses Performance Materials posted 2025 sales of $607 million, in line with the prior year, which Platt said was notable given that 2024 was a record year. He cited disruptions across the automotive industry, including tariff uncertainty, fires, and chip shortages. Volumes were slightly lower, but pricing helped keep sales essentially flat. Segment EBITDA declined 2% due to lower volume and higher SG&A, though EBITDA margin remained 53.8%. Li said Performance Materials continues to generate EBITDA margins above 50% and described a long runway supported by adoption of hybrids and fuel-efficient internal combustion engine vehicles. For Performance Chemicals, results discussed on the call included both continuing and discontinued operations because the divested Industrial Specialties business was included in the segments historical figures. Management said Road Technologies has been split into Pavement Technologies and Road Markings, with Road Markings now presented separately due to the sales process underway. Platt said Pavement Technologies sales were flat year-over-year, with NAFTA volume growth offset by lower infrastructure spending in South America; pricing and mix were favorable. Road Markings volumes grew slightly but the business faced ongoing price pressure from competition. Total segment EBITDA for Performance Chemicals increased by $45 million year-over-year, driven by repositioning actions that lowered raw material costs, improved logistics costs, and created a more efficient manufacturing footprint. Platt said these actions improved Industrial Specialties EBITDA by $40 million year-over-year. On a continuing basis (Pavement Technologies plus Road Markings), EBITDA rose by $7 million, or 12%, supported by pricing, mix, and lower raw materials, partially offset by volume declines and higher SG&A. Combined segment EBITDA margin expanded to 13.5% from 4% the prior year. In Q&A, Platt said seasonality will become more pronounced now that Industrial Specialties is no longer part of the portfolio, estimating roughly 90% of annual EBITDA and 75% of sales for the Pavement/Road Markings businesses will occur in the second and third quarters. APT sales declined 15% in 2025, and segment EBITDA fell 18% due to volume declines that more than offset improved operating efficiency. Platt said the business faced continued weak demand in automotive, footwear, and industrial end markets, and competitive dynamics in China pressured sales, particularly in paint protection film. Despite that, he said pricing and mix were stable, and operational discipline plus favorable foreign exchange supported an EBITDA margin of 20%. 2026 guidance and key items investors asked about Li said 2026 guidance includes a full year of APT and Road Markings but excludes the divested Industrial Specialties product line. He said sales processes for APT and Road Markings are underway and that the company is encouraged by interest in both, while emphasizing a focus on value. In response to an analyst question, Li said the company continues to expect to announce something before the end of the year, and management will update guidance as processes advance. For 2026, the company guided to: Adjusted EPS of $4.08 to $5.20 Sales of $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion Adjusted EBITDA of $380 million to $400 million Capex of $40 million to $60 million Free cash flow of $225 million to $250 million Li noted free cash flow guidance excludes approximately $95 million in pre-tax litigation-related payments to BASF expected in the second quarter. He said Ingevity plans to use free cash flow to continue share repurchases in line with its prior guidance of $300 million through 2027, and he added that the company repurchased almost $20 million of shares in the first quarter. Platt said the $300 million buyback plan does not assume any proceeds from potential APT or Road Markings sales and is expected to be executed on a ratable cadence. Management also discussed expectations by segment. Performance Materials sales are expected to grow low single digits, supported by price increases in automotive, with margins consistent with 2025. Performance Chemicals, including Road Markings, is expected to grow mid-single digits with EBITDA margins in the mid-teens. APT is expected to deliver flat to low single-digit growth with margins around 20% as commercial and productivity actions offset market pressures. In Q&A, Platt said the company expects to eliminate $15 million of stranded costs by year-end, with a cadence weighted more to the back half of 2026; he said some costs are tied to a transition services agreement the company expects to wrap up mid-year. Li also addressed longer-term market drivers for Performance Materials, citing the potential impact of China 7 emissions regulations (which he said could be adopted toward the end of the decade) and the possibility of tightening emissions standards in India. He also said Ingevity is focusing on higher-value filtration applicationssuch as water, pharma, and food and beveragewhile describing the filtration contribution in guidance as a pretty small base expected to expand over the next couple of years. In closing remarks, Li described new Ingevity as simplified, more predictable, and highly cash generative, and said the company is committed to returning cash to investors. He also acknowledged outgoing CFO Mary Dean Hall, noting the call was her last earnings call with the company. About Ingevity (NYSE:NGVT) Ingevity Corporation, traded as NGVT, is a specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina. The company operates two primary business units: Performance Chemicals and Performance Materials. The Performance Chemicals segment produces and markets specialty chemicals derived largely from wood and other natural feedstocks, including rosin acids, tall oil fatty acids and esters, as well as specialty petroleum resins. These products serve a broad range of industries, including paper, adhesives, coatings, oilfield drilling and consumer goods. The Performance Materials segment develops and manufactures activated carbon products and composites for applications such as automotive emissions control, industrial air and water purification, and spill containment. The article "Ingevity Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Sri Lanka has activated emergency hotlines and is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region. Photograph: Francois Nel/Getty Images/Rediff Archives Key Points Sri Lanka establishes emergency hotlines for its citizens in West Asia due to escalating regional tensions. The Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the situation through its diplomatic missions in the region. Several flights between Colombo and West Asian destinations have been cancelled. Sri Lankan airports are preparing for potential emergency landings and have increased fuel reserves. The Sri Lankan government is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and support of its citizens in the affected areas. Sri Lanka on Saturday said it has set up emergency hotlines as it remained in close contact with the country's diplomatic missions in the West Asia region in wake of the escalating war situation there. The Sri Lankan announcement came hours after the US and Israel jointly launched a major attack on Iran with the tension escalating to other Gulf countries. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is in close contact with the country's diplomatic missions in the West Asia region. The ministry said it has also set up emergency hotlines at Sri Lankan missions in the West Asia region, enabling its citizens to contact in case of any emergency requirements. The island nation's Foreign Ministry said that as of Saturday, there has not been much impact on the Sri Lankans in the West Asia region. Flight Disruptions and Airport Preparedness Meanwhile, at least 10 flights connecting Colombo with various West Asian destinations have been cancelled in view of the escalating situation, said Sri Lankan Airlines. Sri Lanka's Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunatilaka said both Colombo and Mattala international airports are being kept ready for any emergency situations faced by West Asian flights. "There will be additional fuel stocks ready at both airports to face emergency needs," he said while talking to the media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares a joint operation with the US against Iran, citing the existential threat posed by the regime's nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism, urging citizens to remain patient and follow safety guidelines. IMAGE: An Israeli soldier speaks on the phone while holding his child during the partial evacuation of a residential building damaged by shrapnel, after missiles were launched towards Israel from Iran following strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Rami Shlush/Reuters Key Points Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a joint operation with the US, dubbed 'Roaring Lion', aimed at addressing the threat posed by Iran's regime. Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his leadership and highlighted Iran's history of hostility towards Israel and the US. The Israeli Prime Minister emphasised the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Netanyahu called on the Iranian people to overthrow the current regime and establish a free and peace-seeking Iran. Netanyahu urged Israeli citizens to follow the directives of the Home Front Command during the operation. Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message to citizens. "I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership," Netanyahu said. "For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called for 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America.' It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people," the Israeli Premier said. "This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity," he stressed. The US held two round of talks with Iran to negotiate a deal but said that it failed to reach an agreement to stop Iran from going nuclear. "Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," Netanyahu further added, in continuation of his position that the war was against the regime, and not the Iranian people. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran -- the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis -- to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he appealed. Call to Action and Operation Details The Israeli Prime Minister advised his citizens to comply with the directives of the Home Front Command. The coming days of Operation 'Roaring Lion' will demand patience and fortitude from all of us, he emphasised. "We shall stand together, fight together, and ensure the eternity of Israel together," he concluded. A student was fatally shot outside an Aligarh college by rival classmates after a Holi celebration, prompting a police investigation and raising concerns about campus safety. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A student was fatally shot outside Varshney Degree College in Aligarh. The primary suspect is another student from the same college, identified as Dhiraj Thakur, suggesting a rivalry. The shooting occurred after a 'Holi Milan' program on the college premises. The victim, Anshu Thakur, had previously confronted the accused about ragging incidents. Police have launched a search operation to apprehend the assailants involved in the Aligarh college shooting. A student of a private college here was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne men outside the gates of the institution on Saturday, police said. One of the assailants also studied in the same college, they said, adding that he had a rivalry with the deceased. The shooting occurred in the afternoon outside the Varshney Degree College, a crowded area of the old city located within the Gandhi Park police station limits. The gunmen opened fire and fled the area before bystanders could raise an alarm, police said. One of the assailants has been identified as Dhiraj Thakur, a student of the same college. Another student, who was with the deceased, was injured in the firing and is being treated at the district hospital. Circle Officer Kamlesh Kumar told reporters that the deceased has been identified as Anshu Thakur (20) and the injured student as Prithviraj Chauhan. As the news of the shooting spread, senior police officers rushed to the spot. Both the injured men were taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared Anshu Thakur dead. Based on the accounts of Chauhan and others, one of the attackers was identified as Dhiraj Thakur. Chauhan told reporters that students were coming out of the college premises after participating in a "Holi Milan" programme, when the accused fired at him. He said Dhiraj Thakur used to indulge in the ragging of juniors and the deceased had confronted him over this. Police said a special team has been formed and it has launched a major search operation to nab the assailants. Addressing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces, and police, Trump said they must lay down their weapons and accept complete immunity or face 'certain death'. IMAGE: Smoke rises after the state news agency reported missile attack on the service center of the US Fifth Fleet, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain on February 28, 2026, in this still image obtained from a video. Photograph: Video obtained by Reuters Key Points Trump warned Iranian forces to surrender with immunity or face 'certain death' amid escalating conflict. The US-Israel operation targeted Irans nuclear and military infrastructure. Trump urged Iranian citizens to stay indoors and described the strikes as a chance for regime change. Iran responded with missile launches toward Israel, heightening fears of a wider regional war. United States President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity or face 'certain death', as the Middle East plunged into full-scale conflict following a combined military operation by Israel and the United States targeting multiple sites across Iran. In a televised address posted on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the countrys nuclear and military infrastructure. Addressing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces, and police, Trump said they must lay down their weapons and accept complete immunity or face 'certain death'. Declaring that the 'hour of your freedom is at hand', he urged Iranian citizens to remain indoors as 'bombs will be dropping everywhere'. He described the operation as a historic opportunity for the Iranian people to 'take over' their government. Trump said the action was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, reiterating that it is the firm policy of his administration that Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon'. He accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and attempting to rebuild its nuclear programme while developing long-range missiles capable of reaching Europe and the US. Trump vows to annihilate Iranian military Trump also vowed to 'annihilate' the Iranian Navy and dismantle regional proxy networks, calling the operation massive and ongoing. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following the joint strike, codenamed 'Operation Roaring Lion'. Defensive systems were activated, and civilians were advised to seek shelter. Iranian officials vowed a 'crushing response', raising fears of a wider regional conflict as emergency measures and communication disruptions were reported in parts of Tehran. A 26-year-old woman police constable tragically died by suicide in Vikarabad, Telangana, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points A 26-year-old woman police constable died by suicide in Vikarabad, Telangana. The constable was found at her home, having taken her own life by hanging. A note left by the constable mentioned no specific reason for her action but expressed grief over the loss of her father. Police are investigating the suicide and analyzing her mobile phone for potential clues. A woman police constable allegedly died by suicide in Vikarabad district of Telangana, police said on Saturday. The 26-year-old woman took her life by hanging at her home in Vikarabad during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. In a note, she stated that there is no reason for her suicide, though she expressed anguish over losing her father some time ago. No specific reason could be ascertained immediately for her extreme step, and an analysis of her mobile phone may offer clues, police added. He accused the firm of trying to interfere with how the US military operates and threatened further action if it does not cooperate during a six-month phase-out period. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Key Points US President Trump ordered all federal agencies to immediately stop using Anthropic technology. A six-month phase-out period has been announced for agencies currently using the company's products. The dispute escalated after Anthropic reportedly refused to remove safeguards on its AI systems for military use. Senior US defence officials publicly criticised Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, accusing him of interfering in military decision-making. United States President Donald Trump on Friday ordered all federal agencies to immediately stop using Anthropic technology amid a growing dispute between the AI company and the Pentagon. He accused the firm of trying to interfere with how the US military operates and threatened further action if it does not cooperate during a six-month phase-out period. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS! That decision belongs to YOUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, and the tremendous leaders I appoint to run our Military. The left-wing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. Their selfishness is putting AMERICAN LIVES at risk, our Troops in danger, and our National Security in JEOPARDY.' 'Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology. We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again! There will be a six-month phase-out period for Agencies like the Department of War that are using Anthropic's products at various levels. Anthropic better get their act together and be helpful during this phase-out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow (sic),' the post read. 'WE will decide the fate of our Country -- NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' the post read. Anthropic denied DOW's request A day earlier, the US Department of War (DOW) sharply criticised the CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, after the US-based artificial intelligence firm declined to remove certain safeguards on its AI systems for military use. US Under Secretary of War Emil Michael accused Amodei of attempting to control military decision-making while calling him a 'liar' who has a 'God complex'. Amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, President Trump voices strong support for Pakistan, praising its leadership and overall performance. IMAGE: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir meets US President Donald Trump at the White House. Photograph: White House Key Points US President Donald Trump expressed strong rapport with Pakistan, praising its PM and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Trump said Pakistan is performing 'terrifically well' despite regional tensions. US Under Secretary of State expressed condolences for lives lost in the conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. The US supports Pakistan's 'right to defend itself against Taliban attacks'. Amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, United States President Donald Trump has said he gets along with Pakistan very well and that the country is doing 'terrifically well'. "I would, but I get along with Pakistan very well, very, very well. You have a great prime minister, you have a great General there. You have a great leader, two of the people that I really respect a lot, and I think that Pakistan is doing terrifically well," he said. Trump was responding to a question on Pakistan waging an 'open war' against Afghanistan and whether he would intervene to stop the fighting. US Support for Pakistan Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker said in a post on X that she spoke Friday with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch to 'express condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. We continue to monitor the situation closely and express support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks'. The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock. IMAGE: A man holds flags as demonstrators gather in support of military action against the Iranian regime, following strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, outside the US embassy in London, on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters Key Points The UAE said on Saturday that it was subjected to a 'blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles'. It said the air defence systems successfully intercepted the missiles. However, fall of some missile debris in a residential area resulted in one death. The ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE's categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. UAE announces successful interception of several Iranian missiles targeting country. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the United Arab Emirates on Saturday was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an Asian nationality. The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock. The ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE's categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability. Reserve full right to respond: UAE The ministry further stated that the targeting represents a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. The ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised. The ministry urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified reports. The Ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources within the UAE and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information. Following attacks across the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, Gulf region residents are gripped by fear as missile interceptions lead to flight suspensions and heightened security measures. IMAGE: Smoke rises during a reported Iranian missile attack near a US base, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Reuters video grab Key Points Attacks across the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar caused widespread fear and prompted residents to seek shelter. The UAE's air defenses intercepted missiles, but debris caused damage and a civilian death. Flight operations were temporarily suspended at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central due to security concerns. Residents reported confusion and misinformation, emphasizing the need to rely on official sources for updates. The UAE's Supreme National Security Council urged the public to avoid areas with missile debris. Maya Taneja, a Dubai resident, panicked after hearing loud explosions and frantically started calling friends and relatives on Saturday. "In the middle of my enquiries checking on people, I received a call from my brother-in-law in Bahrain. He too had heard explosions in his vicinity. It seems the entire region is on fire," she said. Taneja was not alone. In a day of dramatic developments following the Israel-US joint attack on Iran, the entire Gulf region braced for a nightmare they had anticipated for months but never experienced. As Tehran launched simultaneous missiles across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar, civilians took shelter and mostly remained indoors. Neda Sayed, an Indian AI consultant based in Abu Dhabi, had a scary morning as jets flew close to the area she was in. "We literally had to run down to the basement of the building and wait for almost an hour before we returned," she said. Close members of her family have since been spending time in a nearby mall to "feel secure," she said. Like Taneja and Sayed, numerous calls were exchanged by people checking each other's welfare. Reports of attacks were followed by wailing sirens. Social media is full of people sharing videos and photos of the situation. Confusion and Misinformation Amidst Attacks Shaji, who goes by a single name, is a Sharjah-based insurance professional. He lamented the lack of credible information amid a volatile situation. "There is so much fake news and old videos being paraded as truth, which adds to the confusion and doesn't help anyone. Everyone should stick to official sources and not share unverified stuff," he suggested. IMAGE: Smoke is left in the sky as air defense system operates after Iranian missile attacks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 28, 2026. Photograph: Reuters video grab Official Statements and Flight Suspensions Earlier, the UAE's Ministry of Defence said it intercepted several Iranian missiles targeting the country and confirmed missile debris in a residential area led to the death of a civilian. "The missile debris also resulted in some damage to infrastructure," it added. "The Ministry of Defense announced that the UAE's air defences successfully intercepted a new wave of Iranian missiles launched toward the country, which were handled with high efficiency, with no damages reported," the Ministry of Defence statement said. "The ministry stated that fragments from the missiles intercepted by the UAE's air defences fell in scattered areas of Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Bani Yas area, Mohammed bin Zayed City, and Al Falah area, confirming no injuries in the mentioned locations," it added. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary and partial closure of the country's airspace, "as an exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of air flights and crews and protecting the state's territories, amid the acceleration and escalation of security developments in the region." According to local media reports, hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of passengers are stranded at airports. With the announcement of a total ban on flights, these numbers are likely to go up multiple times. "Dubai Airports confirms the suspension of all flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central a Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) until further notice," a statement said, advising the travellers not to head to the airport at this time and to contact their airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights. Meanwhile, the UAE's Supreme National Security Council too urged the public "to stay away from sites where shrapnel or suspicious objects have fallen, and to refrain from approaching or photographing them, in order to allow the competent authorities to carry out the necessary procedures." Following joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, the UK government is urging de-escalation and a negotiated solution to prevent a wider Middle East conflict, prioritizing the safety of British nationals. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/ Reuters Key Points The UK government did not participate in the US and Israel's joint strikes on Iran and advocates for a negotiated resolution to avoid wider regional conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene an emergency COBRA meeting to discuss strengthening the UK's defensive capabilities in the Middle East. The UK's immediate priority is the safety and consular assistance for British nationals in the region, with updated travel advisories issued for Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE. Britain has deployed additional defensive capabilities, including radar systems and fighter jets, to its Sovereign Base Areas and Qatar. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine due to ongoing regional tensions. The British government on Saturday said it did not participate in the joint strikes launched by the US and Israel on Iran, calling for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation of the conflict into the wider region. Downing Street said Prime Minister Keir Starmer will chair an emergency ministerial Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (COBRA) meeting to discuss bolstering the UK's defensive capabilities in the region. A government spokesperson said the immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, who will be provided consular assistance 24/7. "Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution," the spokesperson said. "As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. "We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict," the spokesperson said. UK's Defensive Measures The additional defensive capabilities deployed earlier this year by the UK were to its Sovereign Base Areas, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. In January, Britain also deployed Typhoon jets to Qatar from the Royal Air Force (RAF) joint Typhoon squadron for "defensive purposes." Travel Advisory Updates The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued urgent advice for British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE to "Shelter in Place". "Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities," the FCDO alert states. It has also updated its travel advisory due to the ongoing regional tensions to recommend "against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine." "We continue to recommend against all travel to parts of Israel and Palestine. British nationals are advised to review these changes and consider travel accordingly. Travel Advice is kept under regular review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks to British nationals," it states. The UK had withdrawn its embassy staff from Tehran on Friday amid reports of imminent air strikes, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Iran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme. By Manya Saini and Arasu Kannagi Basil Feb 26 (Reuters) - Block on Thursday said it will cut over 4,000 jobs, nearly half its workforce, as part of an overhaul to embed artificial intelligence across its operations, sending shares of the payments firm up 25% in after-hours trading. The layoffs signal how the AI boom is translating from hype into workforce changes, fueling long-held concerns among workers and economists that the technology could eliminate roles even as it boosts productivity and profits. More from Yahoo Scout Why did investors react so positively to the layoffs? How much will Block's restructuring costs total? What were Block's Q4 financial results and performance? How is AI driving Block's massive workforce reduction? "Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company. We're already seeing it internally. A significantly smaller team using the tools can do more and do it better," CEO Jack Dorsey said in a statement. "I don't think we're early to this realization. I think most companies are late," he added. AI-DRIVEN OVERHAUL In a post on social media platform X, Dorsey said Block opted for a single deep round of cuts instead of multiple smaller layoffs over time. He said a smaller company would also give it space to grow the business the right way, instead of constantly reacting to market pressures. Investors have been rewarding companies that show AI-driven cost savings, and the sharp workforce reduction signals the scale at which the technology is starting to translate into lower expenses and higher margins in some industries. The layoffs represent "a seminal moment" in the AI era, offering a glimpse into how the technology may fundamentally reshape the corporate world, analysts at Evercore ISI wrote in a note. The company said it expects to incur roughly $450 million to $500 million in restructuring charges. Dorsey said he expects a majority of companies to reach the same conclusion Block did and make similar structural changes. "I'd rather get there honestly and on our own terms than be forced into it reactively." Analysts at Truist said the stock was likely surging on hopes of better-than-expected 2026 margins as a result of the workforce reduction. EARNINGS MOMENTUM Block posted an adjusted profit of 65 cents per share in the three months ended December 31, compared with 47 cents a year earlier. Gross profit grew 24% in the quarter, driven by a 33% surge in the Cash App business, which enables peer-to-peer mobile payments. Block said it believes it can sustain Cash App's strong gross profit growth and continue accelerating Square's gross payment volume over the next three years. For the first quarter, Block forecast gross profit would rise 22% from a year earlier to $2.80 billion. The death of an undertrial prisoner in Buxar Central Jail, Bihar, under suspicious circumstances has ignited protests and demands for a thorough investigation into alleged foul play and potential jail official misconduct. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Undertrial prisoner Rajendra Kumar Singh died in Buxar Central Jail, sparking protests. Family members allege foul play, citing injury marks and claiming Singh was healthy before his death. Protesters blocked roads and demanded a high-level inquiry, compensation, and action against jail officials. Police have registered an FIR based on the family's complaint and assured an impartial probe into the Buxar jail death. The exact cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem report and inquiry. The death of an undertrial prisoner in Bihar's Buxar Central Jail triggered protests by family members and locals who alleged foul play, officials said on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Rajendra Kumar Singh, a resident of Virat Nagar in the district. Singh was lodged in the central jail on February 12 in connection with a case registered at Town police station for allegedly selling liquor. Jail superintendent Gyanita Gaurav told reporters, "Singh was suffering from jaundice and had been under treatment. He suffered a heart attack at 9.47 am and was taken to the hospital at 9.51 am, where he was declared dead." Allegations of Foul Play However, relatives alleged there were injury marks on Singh's cheeks, neck, chest and abdomen. The victim's wife alleged that Singh had been in good health during a meeting with her two days earlier and was expecting bail on March 2. "If it were a heart attack, there would not be so many injury marks," she said, alleging he was probably "beaten to death" inside the jail. Protests and Demands for Investigation The allegations triggered protests at the hospital and later on Station Road near Jyoti Prakash Chowk, where numerous people gathered, blocked traffic from about 6 pm to 8:30 pm, and set tyres ablaze, officials said. The blockade was lifted only after senior administrative officers reportedly held talks with the protesters and assured a high-level inquiry and strict action against those found guilty. Police officials, including Sadar SDPO Gaurav Kumar Pandey and Town SHO Manoj Kumar Singh reached the spot and assured an impartial probe. Based on a complaint filed by the family, an FIR has been registered against officials of the central jail, police said. Protesters alleged an attempt was made to obtain signatures on a document stating Singh, who was said to be suffering from jaundice, had died suddenly. They demanded a government job for the widow, compensation, and criminal action against jail officials. Singh is survived by wife and two children. Officials said the exact cause of death would be known only after the post-mortem report and findings of the inquiry are completed. Following a joint US-Israel strike on Iran, families in Uttar Pradesh are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of their loved ones residing in the increasingly volatile Middle East region. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Key Points Families in Uttar Pradesh are worried about relatives in the Middle East after a joint US-Israel military strike on Iran escalated regional tensions. Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting US and Israeli military bases in countries including Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, further heightening anxiety. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to take precautions and stay informed amidst the escalating Middle East conflict. Flight cancellations and airspace closures in Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries have disrupted travel and added to the concerns of families in Uttar Pradesh. India's DGCA has advised airlines to avoid the airspaces of 11 Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, until March 2 due to ongoing tensions. After a joint military strike by the US and Israel on Iran triggered fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, many families in Uttar Pradesh are anxious about the well-being of their near and dear ones living in the conflict-hit region. The US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, with the first strike reported near the offices of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching retaliatory military strikes targeting Israeli and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Jai Pandey, a resident of New Bhagwati Colony in Jaunpur, said he is worried about his brother, Vishwajeet Pandey, working as country head of a multinational construction company in Bahrain. "I called my brother to inquire about his well-being. He said a state of emergency has been declared in Bahrain following bombings by Iran. While the family is safe, they are afraid that the situation might turn bad after the attacks." Bahrain earlier reported a missile attack targeting the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, though it did not share any further details. An advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Bahrain said, "In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Bahrain are advised to take due care, and follow news and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and local authorities. Our Embassy is continuing to function as usual. Its 24x7 helpline number is 00973-39418071." Rising Concerns in Uttar Pradesh Many families in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, who have their loved ones living in the conflict-hit countries either for study or work, said they were anxious about their well-being. "The reports are unsettling. It seems the entire Middle East is tense," Archana Joshi from Lucknow, whose daughter is settled in Dubai, told PTI. "The airspace of many Middle East countries has been closed. Yet the airports are witnessing a huge rush as many people are anxious to get out of there," she told PTI. The two airports in Dubai, the largest aviation hub, have shut down, while the UAE and Iraq have closed their airspace, hours after the US and Israel launched the joint attack on Iran. Travel Disruptions and Advisories India's aviation watchdog DGCA has advised airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, till March 2. The countries are Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Four flights to and from the Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport in Lucknow Dammam-Lucknow, Lucknow-Abu Dhabi, Lucknow-Dammam, and Lucknow-Sharjah were cancelled following the closure of the Dubai airspace, airport sources said. Vashishtha Dubey, who runs a travel agency in Gorakhpur and Lucknow, has informed travellers that many flights from India to the Gulf nations have been cancelled, delayed, or rerouted. A man has been arrested in Noida by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force for his involvement in a massive Rs 15,000 crore GST fraud, involving fake firms and bogus invoices. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Key Points A man has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh STF in connection with a massive Rs 15,000 crore GST fraud. The accused allegedly procured PAN details to fraudulently obtain GST registrations and create approximately 3,500 fake firms. These fake firms were used to generate bogus GST invoices and e-way bills to fraudulently claim input tax credit, causing a significant loss to the government. The investigation began after a fake firm was registered using the PAN details of a senior journalist. The accused was introduced to GST-related fraudulent activities by a Delhi-based man named Archit Goyal. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), Noida Unit, has arrested a man in connection with an alleged Goods and Services Tax fraud estimated at Rs 15,000 crore, officials said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Baldev alias Balli (38), a resident of Hisar in Haryana, was arrested from Hisar on Friday evening, they said. Raj Kumar Mishra, Additional Superintendent of Police (STF, Noida), said, "On Friday at around 7 pm, Baldev alias Balli was arrested by the STF team from Hisar. He was wanted in a GST scam case worth Rs 15,000 crore and was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000." Details of the GST Fraud According to the STF, the accused allegedly procured Permanent Account Number (PAN) details of unsuspecting individuals and fraudulently obtained GST registrations in their names. Using these GST numbers, he and his associates allegedly created around 3,500 fake firms and generated bogus GST invoices and e-way bills to fraudulently claim input tax credit, causing substantial loss to the government exchequer. The matter came to light after a fake firm was allegedly registered using the PAN details of a senior journalist associated with a popular television news programme. Following a complaint lodged at Sector 20 police station in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, an investigation was initiated and several arrests were made. However, the accused had been absconding since then, officials said. Accused's Background and Involvement During interrogation, the accused told investigators that he completed his MBA from Punjab University in 2012 and later started a medical shop, which he shut down due to losses. In 2014, he ventured into used car trading. He later came in contact with a Delhi-based man, identified as Archit Goyal, who allegedly introduced him to GST-related fraudulent activities, police said. Multiple cases have been registered against the accused at Sector 20 police station under sections 420 (cheating), 467 and 468 (forgery) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. He is also named in three other cases, including under the Gangsters Act, officials added. Further investigation is underway, police said. This guidance arrives as Washington significantly intensifies its military presence in the region, highlighted by the deployment of the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, off the northern coast of Israel IMAGE: Emergency personnel gather at an impact site in Holon, Tel Aviv, June 19, 2025, following a missile strike from Iran on Israel. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters The US Embassy in Jerusalem on Friday issued a security alert advising that "persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available". Key Points This guidance arrives as Washington significantly intensifies its military presence in the region The advisory was issued on Friday amid these escalating tensions The mission cautioned that "in response to security incidents and without advance notice, the US Embassy may further restrict or prohibit US government employees and their family members This guidance arrives as Washington significantly intensifies its military presence in the region, highlighted by the deployment of the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, off the northern coast of Israel, according to The Times of Israel. The advisory was issued on Friday amid these escalating tensions. Pointing to "safety risks", the US mission confirmed in an official statement that "the department of state has authorised the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and family members of US government personnel from Mission Israel due to safety risks". Further highlighting the volatility, the mission cautioned that "in response to security incidents and without advance notice, the US Embassy may further restrict or prohibit US government employees and their family members from travelling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank". In tandem with these personnel movements, American citizens have been urged to re-evaluate plans to visit "Israel due to terrorism and civil unrest, and to the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest". Stringent warnings were also issued against entering specific high-risk zones, including Gaza, cited for "terrorism and armed conflict," as well as the area within "11.3 km/7 miles of the Gaza periphery". Additionally, the embassy advised against travel within "4 kilometres/2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders" in northern Israel due to "continued military presence and activity". Travellers were also warned to stay away from the Egyptian border within "2.4 km/1.5 miles," with the exception of the Taba crossing, which currently stays open. In a subsequent update citing the embassy's announcement, the Israel War Room noted that the US state department has permitted the exit of non-emergency staff from Mission Israel in response to "security risks". This step is described as a "precautionary measure" taken during a period of increased regional instability. Consequently, individuals are encouraged to stay informed through regular updates and to review their travel arrangements in light of the situation. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran marking a significant escalation in Middle East tensions. Explosions were heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and Iran's airspace was closed as residents fled urban areas amid widespread panic. Schools and universities were shut down, and long lines formed at gas stations as fear spread across the nation. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles at several US military bases in the Gulf, including facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain, in response to the attacks. IMAGE: Smoke billows from the Azadi Square area following the pre-emptive strike from Israel and the United States, in Tehran, February 28, 2026, here and below. Photograph: WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters/ANI Video Grab Photograph: WANA via Reuters/ANI Video Grab Photograph: WANA via Reuters/ANI Video Grab Photograph: WANA via Reuters/ANI Video Grab Photograph: WANA via Reuters/ANI Video Grab IMAGE: Vehicles burn in Tehran, in this screengrab obtained from social media video released on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Social Media/via /Reuters IMAGE: Flames rise in an area in Tehran, in this screengrab obtained from social media video released on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Social Media/via-Reuters IMAGE: People gather near burnt vehicles in Tehran in this screengrab obtained from social media video released on February 28, 2026. Photograph: Social Media/via/Reuters Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via /Reuters Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff In a tragic incident in Patna's Danapur, a woman was allegedly killed by her husband, who has been taken into custody as police investigate this domestic violence case. Photograph: ANI on X Key Points A woman in Patna's Danapur was allegedly beaten to death by her husband, leading to his arrest. The incident occurred at Sri Ram Nagar, prompting a police investigation and forensic analysis. The victim's body has been handed over to her parents in Saran district after an autopsy. Police are investigating the domestic violence case following a complaint filed by the victim's parents. A woman was allegedly beaten to death by her husband in Patna's Danapur locality on Saturday, an officer said. The accused has been taken into custody and is being interrogated, he said. The incident occurred at Sri Ram Nagar which falls under the Danapur Police Station area of Patna district. Police Investigation Details Danapur SHO Prashant Kumar Bharadwaj told reporters: "We received information that a man named Sonu, who hails from Saran district but was residing at his brother-in-law's house in Danapur, beat his wife to death." Bharadwaj said that the victim's body has been handed over to her parents in Saran district after an autopsy. Her parents have filed a complaint with the police, and further investigation is underway, he said. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) also investigated the crime scene, the SHO added. A 35-year-old woman inmate in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, attempted suicide by swallowing bangle pieces and is now receiving critical care in Bhopal, prompting an investigation into the incident. Photograph: Courtesy Mohammed Faizal/Twitter Key Points A 35-year-old woman inmate in Betul jail attempted suicide by swallowing pieces of her bangles. The inmate, Poonam, was in jail for allegedly murdering her husband. She was rushed to Bhopal for advanced medical care due to her critical condition. Senior jail officials have been informed, and an investigation into the incident has been initiated. A 35-year-old woman inmate of the district jail in Betul in Madhya Pradesh tried to end her life on Saturday by swallowing bangle pieces, following which she was rushed in a critical condition to Bhopal for advanced medical care, an official said. Poonam was in jail since December 17 last year for allegedly murdering her husband Raju Uike, in charge jailer Yogesh Sharma told reporters. At around 10:30am, she swallowed pieces of her bangles with the aim of ending her life, as per police. She was first taken to Betul district hospital, where doctors diagnosed her condition as serious, following which it was decided to rush her to a facility in Bhopal, police. Senior officials were informed and a probe has begun in the incident, Sharma added. Krispy Kreme Crushes Q4 Earnings in Sweet Turnaround - Moby BREAKING NEWS Everyones favorite guilty pleasure, Krispy Kreme, reported its fourth-quarter and full-year financial this morning. They came in a lot sweeter than expected. The donut-maker exceeded the Streets expectations for both sales and profitability, sending the stock up a calorie-packed 32.7% to $4 at the time of writing. The clearest sign of a potential turnaround was earnings, with revenue reaching $392.4 million versus about $389 million expected and adjusted EPS coming in at $0.09 versus roughly $0.03 to $0.04, alongside adjusted EBITDA of $55.6 million and adjusted net income of $15 million. Their strategy of shutting down lower-volume, unprofitable businesses around the country also helped increase average revenue per door by 4.5% year-over-year, leaning on digital sales up 18.2%. Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here. Looking ahead, Krispy Kreme is exiting direct ownership and becoming an asset-light brand partner, following an agreement to sell its Japanese operations to the Tokyo-based private equity firm Unison Capital for approximately $65 million last December. By transitioning to a re-franchising model, Krispy Kreme is effectively outsourcing operational risks and relying on Hub kitchens to deliver its sweet treats to thousands of locations across Japan and the USA. Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said he was happy with how the company ended the year with positive momentum and made it clear they werent slowing down. For the rest of the year, theyre going to continue with system-wide sales growth, additional re-franchising activity, disciplined capital expenditures, lower net leverage, and aim for positive free cash flow generation. For a stock as down as theirs, their comeback story is a sweet one. One stock. Nvidia-level potential. 30M+ investors trust Moby to find it first. Get the pick. Tap here. Iran has been plunged into a "near-total" Internet blackout as the United States and Israel carry out a massive, coordinated aerial bombing campaign across the country. According to the Internet watchdog NetBlocks, connectivity in the country plummeted to just 4 percent of ordinary levels on February 28, severely limiting the flow of information as military operations intensify. The digital shutdown began shortly after several Iranian news websites, including the official IRNA news agency, reported they had been targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks. NetBlocks noted that the current disruption "matches measures" taken by the Iranian government during the 12-day conflict with Israel last June, suggesting the blackout is a state-enforced effort. The military operation, which US President Donald Trump described as "major combat operations," was launched jointly with Israel to dismantle Irans missile and nuclear infrastructure. In a video address, the president stated that the objective is to eliminate "imminent threats" to the American people and allies. Directly addressing the Iranian public, he declared that "the hour of your freedom is at hand," urging citizens to "take over your government" once the military phase concludesa move signaling that the operation's ultimate goal is the collapse of the Islamic republic. In Tehran, the strikes have targeted the highest levels of the Islamic republics leadership. Missiles reportedly struck the residential compounds of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masud Pezeshkian in the citys downtown district. News wires quoting informed sources say both leaders were moved to secure locations and remain safe. The escalation comes amid a state of emergency in Israel and a retaliatory wave of Iranian missile strikes targeting regional bases. Iranian missiles have been launched at several countries in the Middle East, all of which host bases of US armed forces, triggering air raid sirens across the region. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on February 28, just hours after President Donald Trump announced the United States -- in tandem with Israel -- had launched "major combat operations" against Iran. One civilian was reported to have died in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, after being struck by falling debris during a first wave of retaliatory attacks by Tehran. Shortly afterward, the country's Defense Ministry announced its air defenses had "successfully intercepted a new wave of Iranian missiles," it said in a statement. "Fragments of the intercepted missiles fell in various areas of Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Bani Yas, Mohamed bin Zayed City and Al Falah," it said, confirming "there were no injuries in these locations." Senior US officials told reporters in Washington that there have been no reported US casualties from Irans retaliatory strikes against US military facilities. The Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE hosts the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, a US force that is composed of 10 squadrons of aircraft and drones. Al Dhafra also hosts the US Air Forces' hub for "advanced air warfare training." Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, other American interests in the Gulf region, and Israel. No casualties have yet to be reported in any of the other countries that have been targeted by Iranian attacks, though the sudden escalation in military operations has left many in the Middle East on edge. In announcing the military operations, Trump said his objective was to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Weeks of tension with Iran and a rapid US military buildup have erupted into joint US-Israeli strikes on high-profile targets, including Iranian military sites and the residences of the countrys top brass. As the first wave of strikes shook major locations across the country, a central question looms amid the clouds of smoke billowing into Iranian skies: What is the ultimate objective of the Trump administration? While Donald Trumps rhetoric has swung between calls for a better deal and hints of regime change, his February 28 address -- combined with the nature of the current strikes -- suggests a radical policy shift. No longer content with maximum pressure, the United States now appears to be pursuing the total neutralization of Iran as a regional power. For months, Trump maintained that his goal was a new, more restrictive nuclear agreement. But as Michael Horowitz, an independent defense expert based in Israel, observes, the diplomatic path had effectively hit a dead end. The negotiations between Washington and Tehran clearly weren't working in the way Trump would have liked, Horowitz told RFE/RL. The gap is simply too wide to bridge through talks. According to Horowitz, Iranian officials were unwilling to offer concessions that would allow Trump to sell a new agreement as a superior successor to the nuclear deal he exited in 2018. With diplomacy exhausted, Washington has pivoted to force as its primary instrument of change. Will The Public Rise? A cornerstone of the US-Israeli strategy appears to be the hope of a domestic uprising. In his February 28 address, Trump went further than previous US messaging by appealing directly to the Iranian public. Declaring that the hour of your freedom is at hand, he urged citizens to take over their government once the military phase of the campaign concludes. During the 12-day war with Israel last June, similar calls for Iranians to topple the clerical establishment went largely unheeded as civilians prioritized survival and sought shelter. This time, however, the allies appear to be betting on a different psychological landscape. Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) -- a US-based advocacy group working to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons -- argues that the visible degradation of the states power could provide the missing catalyst. One hope in the campaign seems to be that the Iranian people will take to the streets and grow bolder in challenging the regime, as they will see it weakened, Brodsky told RFE/RL. He added that the goal is to level the playing field by degrading the states ability to crack down on dissent, theoretically allowing the unarmed Iranian people to reclaim their country. Horowitz, however, offers a more cautious assessment of the street as a decisive factor. While noting that US and Israeli officials have not ruled out renewed protests, he argues the timing may not align with their expectations. I personally think the chances are low so long as the conflict continues, Horowitz warned. It is more realistic to expect a spike in unrest after the conflict ends, though the regime -- if still able -- will also be prepared. Dividing The Labor The tactical execution of the strikes reveals a coordinated division of labor between the two allies, targeting both Irans military capabilities and its leadership. According to Brodsky, the United States is focusing on eroding Irans missile capabilities to blunt retaliation, while Israel is concentrating on eliminating Iranian leaders -- a strategy reflected in reported strikes on the residences of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Masud Pezeshkian. Despite the high-intensity opening phase, the central question remains whether an aerial campaign alone can topple a 47-year-old theocracy. Horowitz notes that air power has a poor track record when it comes to achieving regime change. Yet he points to a variable that could make this conflict different: Trumps apparent appetite for escalation. I wouldnt discount the possibility given how weak the Islamic republic is, and the fact that President Trump is visibly willing to absorb some blows and to carry out a longer campaign, Horowitz said. Ultimately, the endgame may hinge on how quickly Iran can be defanged. If its ability to launch retaliatory missile strikes or inflict global economic pain is neutralized early, Washington may feel emboldened to press forward -- until the Islamic republic either abandons its core identity or collapses under the pressure of internal unrest. On Feb. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court turned the world of international trade on its head by striking down a core pillar of the Trump administrations tariff policy. The court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) the statute underlying the administrations most impactful and high-profile tariffs is not a legal basis for the imposition of these charges. Opponents of the presidents trade policy celebrated this news, hoping it would herald a new day for U.S. international economic policy. Hours later, those hopes were dashed. In his remarks to the news media, the president was unambiguous: The White House had a backup plan, and tariffs werent going anywhere. President Donald Trump speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 20, 2026, after the Supreme Court ruled that he had exceeded his authority on tariffs. As an international trade lawyer focused on tariffs and trade policy, Ive received an avalanche of questions over the past few days. I'll address some common queries, focusing on how the tariff fireworks will impact U.S. consumers and businesses. Lower expectations about big changes in prices What do we know about the replacement tariffs? Quite a bit. The president revealed the administrations Plan B, which starts with placeholder tariffs of 10% to 15% under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The United States began collecting these tariffs Feb. 24. These tariffs come with a statutory time limit of 150 days. The administration will use that 150-day period to investigate a host of trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act. Those investigations will then be the basis for additional tariffs that, unlike the Section 122 tariffs announced Feb. 20, are not time-bound or capped at a certain percentage. A protester holds a sign criticizing tariffs during a march against President Donald Trump's policies on April 5, 2025, in Savannah, Georgia. These new Section 301 tariffs will give the president what he wants in a replacement tariff regime: the ability to adjust tariffs up or down, country-by-country specificity, and a statutory basis that has held up to court challenges. Opinion: Eastern KY deserves pro-coal policy after powering America Don't hold your breath waiting for refund checks When will tariff refunds be available? We dont know. The Supreme Courts decision was silent on the issue of refunds. While the administration has not revealed how it will approach this issue, President Donald Trumps comments during his Feb. 20 news conference were telling. Referring to refunds, the president mused: I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years. This suggests that the administration is girding for a years-long judicial fight against the issuance of IEEPA-based tariff refunds. Who will receive tariff refunds? Probably not consumers. If and when the government cuts tariff refund checks, those funds will not be going to everyday citizens. Instead, the businesses that directly imported the affected goods will receive the money. US President Donald Trump said Washington had begun major combat operations against Iran, putting the Middle East on edge as air raid sirens wailed across the region amid retaliatory strikes by Tehran. In a video statement posted on social media, Trump said on February 28 his objective in ordering the bombing of Iran -- which was done in concert with Israeli forces -- was to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. "I do not make this statement lightly. The Iranian regime seeks to kill," Trump said in the video announcing the operation, named "Epic Fury" by the Pentagon. "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war, but we're doing this, not for now. We're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission." Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) responded to the US and Israeli strikes by launching several waves of drones and ballistic missiles against Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said interception operations were underway and later reported further waves of missiles were headed toward Israel. Iran also fired missiles at targets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain. State media in the United Arab Emirates said one person had been killed in Abu Dhabi, but gave no details. Iranian media reported explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Qom, Lorestan, and Chabahar. Video and photo images showed at least one large plume of smoke billowing over the capital. Trump accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program after the United States bombed key facilities during a 12-day war between Iran and Israel last June. He said the United States also aimed to destroy Irans missile capabilities and annihilate its navy. The hour of your freedom is at hand, Trump added, in an apparent message to the Iranian public. Trump had previously vowed that help is on the way during the deadly January protests against Irans clerical establishment, in which thousands were reported killed. Tehran suppressed the unrest and accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating it. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that Trump continues to "closely monitor" the situation along with his national security team and had spoken during the day to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. The strikes mark a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions and all but quash hopes for a diplomatic resolution between Tehran and Washington over Irans nuclear program. US and Iranian officials held a fresh round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks in Geneva on February 26 in what was seen as a last-ditch attempt to avoid a major military conflict between the foes. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has a history of mediating talks between two, said he saw "significant progress" and announced that technical level discussions will take place next week in Vienna. He said he was "dismayed" by the strikes against Iran and that they "undermined" the peace process. The United Nations Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting following the attacks. The UN said the session, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. New York time, will address the situation in the Middle East. "If we consider the experience of several years of negotiations, including the most recent round, it has shown that the Islamic republic will not retreat from its positions. This stance, in practice, causes other countries to feel threatened. Specifically, the Islamic republics missile program can pose significant risks," Leyla Morovati, a political analyst with expertise in Iranian domestic and foreign affairs, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda. "Ultimately, some of these nations may feel compelled to align with these attacks -- even if not directly -- to see the Islamic republic severely weakened and its missile program dismantled or restricted. In other words, they will be moving in alignment with US and Israeli interests. Explosions were first reported in central Tehran, with images and videos circulating on social media showing thick plumes of smoke rising above the capital. The Fars news agency, affiliated with the IRGC, said several missiles struck Daneshgah (University) and Jomhuri (Republic) streets. Irans state broadcaster, IRINN, confirmed what it described as joint US-Israeli aggression in Tehran, airing social media footage of smoke billowing from downtown areas. Iranian Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and IRGC commander Mohammed Pakpur are thought to have died in Israeli attacks, two sources familiar with Israel's military operations and one regional source said, according to Reuters. Sirens sounded across Israel following the strike, and the IDF instructed residents to remain near protected areas, describing the alert as a precaution against possible retaliatory missile fire. Trump warned that some Americans "may be lost" as a result of the operation, though senior US officials told reporters that so far there have been no reported US casualties from Irans retaliatory strikes against US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, UAE, and Qatar. He also urged Iranians to rise up against the Islamic republic's leadership once the military action has concluded. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," Trump said. Jennifer Gavito, former deputy assistant secretary of state for Iran, Iraq, and Public Diplomacy, told RFE/RL that Irans initial response to what seems to be an explicit call for regime change from the US and Israel "demonstrates that the regime believes this is an existential crisis and that it has nothing to lose." "Given that, its reactions we are already seeing will be less predictable, more escalatory, and more likely to spark region-wide instability, she said. Iranian state media confirmed early on March 1 that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed amid US and Israeli air strikes a day earlier, hours after US President Donald Trump reported the death on his social media platform. A presenter on state TV said that "with the martyrdom of the supreme leader, his path and mission neither will be lost nor will be forgotten [but] will be pursued with greater vigor and zeal." State media reported that a council made up of President Masud Pezeshkian -- considered by some to be a relative moderate -- hard-line judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Mohammad Mokhber, a Khamenei adviser and former acting president of Iran, would temporarily assume leadership duties in the face of Khamenei's death. Following the announcement of the death of the 86-year-old hard-line leader, state media said that 40 days of public mourning would begin in the country and that offices and businesses would be closed for seven days. The media reports insisted that the authoritarian Khamenei -- who had spent much of his final days out of public view and was rarely seen in public during his decades in power -- was killed in his office and not while hiding in a bunker as some reports said. State TV did not mention the US and Israeli air strikes when making the announcement at 5 a.m. local time. Iranian media earlier had not confirmed the leader's death but had reported that Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law had been killed in attacks. Trump Announcement "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on February 28 before the ayatollah's death was confirmed by Iranian officials. "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS." "He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do," Trump added. Trump later told CBS News that he believed it would be easier to reach a settlement over Iran's nuclear program following Khamenei's death. "Much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously," he said. Trump had threatened military strikes if Tehran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic-missile programs. Dictator's Powers Khamenei's death represents a major blow to the countrys embattled leaders. Earlier, Iranian officials denied reports of the supreme leader's death. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Khamenei, along with Pezeshkian, was safe and "firmly" in command. The anti-West Khamenei had held near-dictatorial powers over Iran since becoming the supreme leader in 1989 after the death of the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Before Trump's comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were "signs" indicating that Khamenei had been killed in the attacks. "This morning, we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "There are many signs that this tyrant is no longer. This morning, we eliminated senior officials in the ayatollahs' regime, Revolutionary Guards commanders, senior figures in the nuclear program -- and we will continue. In the next few days, we will hit thousands more targets of the terror regime," Netanyahu added. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) vowed to take revenge against those responsible for his death, pointing to the United States and Israel. Time Spent In Hiding Khamenei had mostly been in hiding since the 12-day war against Israel in June, although he spent much of his rule under heavy security, rarely making public appearances. He had survived several crises during his rule, including student protests in 1999, mass demonstrations over disputed elections in 2009, and further mass protests in 2019 that were followed by a brutal crackdown on demonstrations by the authorities. In 2022-23 Iran was hit by the Woman, Life, Freedom protests -- which were sparked by the death in custody of a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress code for women. Next Iranian Leaders? Even before the death, there had been much speculation on a possible successor to Khamenei, given his advanced age. Some observers say the hard-line IRGC could gain even more power and influence with his departure. On February 28, Trump was asked by US television news whether the United States believes other members of Iran's leadership were dead following the air strikes. "A lot of it is." "The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone," Trump added, according to NBC. Iranian state media later confirmed that top Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani and IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpor had been killed in the attacks. Trump said US officials "have a very good idea" of who will fill the positions of power in Tehran but was not more specific. With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, and AFP WASHINGTON -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has not demonstrated a genuine desire to end the war in Ukraine, Latvias top diplomat said, arguing that only sustained military and economic pressure will compel Moscow to negotiate seriously. We are not seeing that, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze told RFE/RL in an interview in Washington on February 26 when asked whether Putin was serious about peace. While there has been some technical-level military engagement, she said, political commitment is not there. The Kremlin has taken part in several rounds of peace talks, but has so far given little indication that it is prepared to make any significant concessions on its war aims. Braze, who was visiting Washington this week and attended the US President Donald Trumps State of the Union address on Capitol Hill, said that everyone involved -- Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union -- understands what is at stake. The challenge now, she said, is to generate the political will in Moscow to seriously engage. Pressure On The Battlefield and Beyond Braze endorsed what she described as a peace through strength approach led by Washington. In our belief, consistent pressure on Russia -- both on the battlefield by supporting Ukraine and through sanctions and other policy instruments -- will bring peace faster, she said. That pressure, she added, must include tightening and enforcing sanctions, preventing their circumvention, and denying Russia access to income, technology, and partnerships. Such steps, she argued, would accelerate the arrival of peace. She said she believes US negotiators are realistic in their dealings with Moscow, but stressed that while everybody wants peace, the Kremlin has yet to show that it does. Understanding Russias Objectives For Latvia and other countries on NATOs eastern flank, the war is part of a broader pattern in how Russia pursues its goals. Speaking about Russia and the way Russia operates, Braze said, it is essential to understand both its objectives and its doctrine. The methods Moscow employs, she noted, depend on what it is trying to achieve. In Ukraines case, she said, Russias objective has been to subjugate the country and prevent it from becoming an independent, democratic, strong nation -- something that would not fit what she described as the Kremlins imperial ambitions. When nonmilitary means failed -- including corruption and political influence through then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych -- Moscow escalated. Braze recalled how Yanukovychs decision in late 2013 to abandon a plan to tighten ties with the EU sparked the Maidan protests, which culminated in his flight from Ukraine in February 2014. Soon afterward, Russia seized Crimea and set off a war in eastern Ukraine, which escalated with such incidents as the July 2014 downing of flight MH17 by a Russian Buk missile over territory held by Moscow-backed forces. When Ukraine continued moving toward the EU and NATO, Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Putin, she said, miscalculated -- expecting Ukrainians to welcome Russian forces or for Kyiv to fall within days. Instead, Ukraine has entered its fifth year of war strong, more democratic than before, and confident in its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Beyond Ukraine, Braze warned that Russia is pursuing cyberattacks, hostile information operations, and sabotage in countries such as the United States, the Czech Republic, Britain, and Germany. The aim, she said, is to confuse decision-making and divide societies, making it harder for governments to raise defense spending, maintain sanctions, or continue supporting Kyiv. To prevent any military illusions in Moscow, she said, NATO allies must invest in hard defense capabilities. When we are strong, Russia cant do anything against us, she said, calling strength and awareness of Russias objectives the first criteria for success within NATO. Ukraine's EU Future Ukraines long-term trajectory, Braze suggested, is closely tied to its European integration. While Hungary is currently blocking the formal opening of EU accession negotiations, she said the practical work is advancing. Kyiv is preparing to adopt the EUs body of law and to meet the Copenhagen criteria -- democracy, human rights, and a functioning market economy -- so that it can proceed swiftly once talks formally begin. Accession, she emphasized, is not merely about declaring a date. It requires building institutions capable of implementing EU legislation and preparing society and businesses for wide-ranging regulatory changes -- from agricultural standards to water-quality directives. From Latvias own experience, however, she acknowledged that having a target date in mind can help mobilize reforms, even if the final timeline shifts. As for suggestions by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the EU was not invited to peace talks, Braze was unequivocal. Only the EU decides about EUs issues, she said. There will be no decisions about the EU without the EU. If Moscow believes someone else can represent the blocs interests, she added, they are mistaken. Transatlantic Alliance -- The Bedrock Of European Security Despite strains and periods of political friction, Braze framed the broader transatlantic relationship as essential to security on both sides of the ocean. The European and the North American relationship? Lets not forget Canada, she said, describing ties between the two as among the closest and most profound partnerships in existence. That community of like-minded democracies, she said, has ensured security and prosperity since NATOs founding and must now be reinforced -- not taken for granted. Its not a very popular thing to bash your allies, Braze said, urging leaders to remove unnecessary economic obstacles, deepen understanding, and resolve disagreements directly. If we dont understand something, lets pick up the phone and call each other. In an interview with RFE/RL during a visit to Washington, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said that the war in Ukraine has shown other European countries the importance of investing in their defense capabilities. Asked whether Russia is ready to seek a peace agreement in Ukraine, Braze said "the political will is not there." A prominent US political commentator and RFE/RL board member says the latest American strikes on Iran mark the beginning of a sustained campaign aimed not just at military deterrence but at ending the rule of the Islamic republic as it currently exists. In an interview with RFE/RL, Marc Thiessen, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and a Washington Post columnist, framed the military action as a turning point. What is happening is that the liberation of the Iranian people is at hand, Thiessen said. The Iranian people have suffered under a despotic, radical regime run by the ayatollahs since 1979. Now they are being given a chance to rise up and take their country back. Beyond A Limited Strike Asked whether the US objective is deterrence, degradation of capabilities, or something broader, Thiessen argued the campaign goes far beyond a symbolic show of force. If [President] Trump had struck a month ago, it would have been a symbolic, limited strike lasting a day or two, he said. What were talking about now is a multi-day, possibly multi-week campaign to decapitate the Iranian regime and remove the threat to our people. Asked about the risk that Tehran could respond with intensified repression at home, Thiessen argued that the campaign is specifically designed to prevent that. Were taking out the instruments of repression, he said, citing reports that senior judicial and security officials had been targeted. Once we eliminate those threats, it will be up to the Iranian people to take their country back. Thiessen said the delay in launching the operation was intentional, allowing Washington to assemble what he described as an unprecedented military buildup. He contrasted the current campaign with what he called Operation Midnight Hammer, which he said targeted Irans nuclear facilities, including Fordow, an underground uranium enrichment facility. According to Thiessen, the new phase of strikes is designed to go further -- dismantling not only nuclear infrastructure and air defenses, but also what he described as the instruments of repression. No Cease-Fire Expected Thiessen dismissed the possibility of a near-term cease-fire, predicting that operations will continue for days, possibly weeks. Its going to take more than 48 hours, he said. The United States is going to take out all of the instruments of repression, intelligence, and tyranny that have oppressed the Iranian people. He compared the moment to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the overthrow of Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania, both which occurred in 1989, suggesting that external military pressure could create the conditions for internal political change. This is your fall of the Berlin Wall, he said, addressing Iranians directly. We are decapitating the regime. It will be your job to finish it. Risk Of Crackdown Thiessen also emphasized that Tehran miscalculated by underestimating Washingtons willingness to act. He said US President Donald Trump had offered Iran an opportunity to negotiate limits on its nuclear and missile programs and to curb its regional activities. According to Thiessen, Iranian leaders refused and later resumed steps to rebuild nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities after earlier strikes. They had their opportunity, and they lost it, he said. Thiessen pointed to Irans long history of confrontation with the United States, including the 1979 hostage crisis, the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, and Tehrans alleged role in supporting armed groups targeting US troops in Iraq. He also referenced alleged plots targeting US officials and foreign diplomats on American soil. Thiessen expressed confidence that the campaign will fundamentally alter Irans trajectory. In my view, this regimes reign of terror is coming to an end, he said. The Iranian people have a historic opportunity to seize their freedom. As the conflict unfolds, much will depend on how Tehran responds, how long Washington and its allies sustain military operations, and whether Iranians are willing -- or able -- to mobilize under the weight of war. 6 A LUCAS drone is launched from a US naval warship with a disposable rocket booster during trails in December 2025. SpektreWorks says, unlike the Iranian-designed Shaheds, their drones are able to use a mesh communication network to autonomously coordinate swarm strikes, and feature a payload bay that can be fitted with explosives, or reconnaissance equipment, depending on mission requirements. Gen Zers jaded by sky-high tuition costs and workers wanting to ditch their unfulfilling desk jobs are turning to blue-collar jobs as their next professional adventure. And now, some artisan businesses like Rolex are welcoming them to the trades with open arms. The luxury-watch manufacturer launched its Watchmaking Training Center in 2023, and in the years since has trained dozens in the art of making timepieces. The program emerged from a haunting truth: The craft was dying out, with fewer than 2,000 professional watchmakers left in the U.S., according to recent reporting from GQ. Yet Rolex still has hefty market demands to fulfill; the business currently sells over a million watches every year, a personal best for the luxury brand. The company is hoping its tuition-free program in Dallas will nurture its next generation of watchmakerseven those who have never tinkered with a timepiece. And so far, the training has driven fierce competition among professionals looking to take a career leap; in 2024, more than 560 candidates applied to the Rolex programs 27 open spots. Thats a 4.82% acceptance ratenearly as competitive as getting into Harvard University. The 18-month program has admitted a whole host of talent: from indecisive students and college dropouts, to recent high school graduates, exoffice workers, and blue-collar professionals. Through their coursework the novice watchmakers study the design and machinery behind Rolex watches, and learn how to repair those that are worse for wear. Around 50 professionals are currently enrolled in the Watchmaking Training Center, with 23 Rolex students undertaking the program in September 2024, and another 27 starting one year later. Once trainees wrap up the program, they have one last task to become professional watchmakers: take the Rolex final exam at its headquarters in Geneva. If they pass, they become Rolex-certified watchmakers, and could earn an average annual salary of nearly $95,000 (70,000), according to GQ. Fortune reached out to Rolex for comment. Other companies including Whole Foods are all-in on artisan jobs Professionals are hand-wringing over the state of the labor market: AI is swiping office roles at a dizzying speed; entry-level gigs are disappearing from job sites; and the value of expensive college degrees is being challenged. Artisan jobs and blue-collar work may be a buoy from the headwinds. Just like Rolex, grocery giant Whole Foods Market is also reviving artisan apprenticeships. Each quarter, the billion-dollar company welcomes hundreds of staffers into its upskilling program, offering them the chance to swap working at a corporate desk or behind a cash register to become a trained butcher. By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East following missile strikes on Iran, President Catherine Connolly has said. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is deeply concerned about the risk of wider conflict in the area, while Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the joint action by the US and Israel was unprovoked military aggression. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran. US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles targeting Israel and countries across the Middle East. The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life. Catherine Connolly Ms Connolly said she wanted to join with those who had expressed such grave concern following todays strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Irans retaliatory strikes in the region. The president added: The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has said, todays escalation undermines international peace and security with severe potential consequences for civilians and regional stability. All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the region. I call on all sides to immediately return to diplomacy and negotiation in line with the principles of international law and the UN Charter. I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. pic.twitter.com/KmQtVMxiW6 Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 28, 2026 In a statement, the Taoiseach said: I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other. The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount. Mr Martin said there was no question that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one. Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected Micheal Martin He added: We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it. It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East. We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law. That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table. Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety. We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves. Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald condemned the strikes by the US and Israel (Niall Carson/PA) Ms McDonald called for a cessation of military action. She said: This is an act of unprovoked military aggression. It is the second such action in just nine months, it is incredibly dangerous; lives are at stake, civilian lives. There needs to be cessation of this action, there needs to be a return to the negotiating table, and diplomacy needs to win out. It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this. I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events Mary Lou McDonald The Sinn Fein leader said: I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events. I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified; they will pick up the human cost of this. Young lives have been lost.there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has urged all sides to return to negotiations (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms McEntee urged all sides to return to negotiations. She said: I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time. I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk. We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Ms McEntee said Ireland had been a strong supporter of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which was agreed in 2015, as well as subsequent dialogue. The minister said: I call on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint a wider conflict will increase regional instability. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world. Helen McEntee Ms McEntee said: There are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place. Paul Murphy said the attack had no justification (Damien Eagers/PA) People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Taoiseach Mr Martin should cancel his visit to the White House for St Patricks Day. Mr Murphy said, The United States and Israel have launched a co-ordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification. We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump end this war on Iran. It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give a shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression. It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. The Brothers of Charity Services have announced a rebranding to Corlann, marking a new chapter for one of the largest providers of intellectual disability services. The new name follows extensive consultation and direct feedback from the people the organisation supports, who asked for an identity that better reflects who the organisation is today. Their voices played a central role in shaping this new direction. Since 1885, the Brothers of Charity have supported individuals with intellectual disabilities with compassion, dignity and commitment. While the name is changing, the organisations ethos, mission and values remain the same. Corlann continues to build on a strong legacy of service while looking confidently to the future. The name Corlann combines cor, the Latin word for heart, and lann, the Irish word for place. Together, they express a simple but powerful idea: that heart is at the centre of everything the organisation does, and that its purpose is to create a place of belonging for every person supported. The new identity reflects a commitment to shaping a progressive future and to advocating so that the people supported by Corlann can shape their own lives. Michael Hennessy, CEO of Corlann said: Our new name follows extensive consultation across the organisation and reflects the views of the people we support, who wanted an identity that represents who we are today. While our name is changing, our ethos, mission and values remain the same. Our commitment to the people we support, our staff and the quality of our service is unchanged. This is a new chapter for the organisation, but our purpose remains constant. Corlann supports more than 6,400 people with intellectual disabilities, including those who are also autistic, across counties Roscommon Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. Services include residential and respite care, day services, host family placements, home-based supports and multidisciplinary services, delivered by over 6,000 staff from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Corlann operates as a Section 38 funded body under the Health Act. Ellen O'Donoghue A variety of stories feature on Irish front pages on Saturday morning. The Irish Times lead with the Civil Service seeking backup for the EU presidency. The Irish Examiner lead with women being tracked by their ex-partners. The Irish Independent lead with the costs of claims to repair homes damaged in bad weather trebling. The Belfast Telegraph lead with an east Belfast mural featuring two UVF gunmen being removed as part of loyalist transitioning. The Herald lead with a garda being knocked down and injured by a man driving a high-powered electric dirt bike. The Irish Daily Mail lead with the US ambassador to Ireland being on a mission to bring Pope Leo to Ireland. The Irish Daily Mirror lead with the number of homeless adults in the last decade being able to fill the Aviva Stadium. The Irish Daily Star lead with a statue of St Patrick holding a pint in Temple Bar lasting a day. By Kritika Lamba Feb 26 (Reuters) - Grindr on Thursday reported fourth-quarter revenue above estimates and expanded its share repurchase program by $400 million, as the LGBTQ+ dating app bets on artificial intelligence-powered features to drive growth, sending its shares up about 4% after the bell. The company also said it had entered a deal with its largest shareholder, Ray Zage. This includes an 18-month standstill agreement preventing him from initiating a "going private" transaction unless invited by the board, according to a regulatory filing on Thursday. "We are going to stay public. And everyone's aligned on that. I think we have a very clear strategy," Grindr CEO George Arison told Reuters. In October, Grindr's majority shareholders proposed to take the company private, with talks eventually falling apart in November. The company said it would continue investing heavily in AI-powered initiatives throughout the year, signaling confidence that technology-driven improvements will help enhance user growth and engagement. The Los Angeles-based company also launched "Edge", a new premium AI-powered subscription tier aimed to offer the platform's AI offerings under one product. "Edge will be the focus for most of the year, trial and testing around the pricing and enhancing the user experience through the comprehensive offering," Arison said. While traditional dating apps such as Bumble and Match Group's Tinder have struggled to retain younger users amid shifting preferences and dating app fatigue, Grindr has managed to maintain its dominant position in the LGBTQ+ dating space. The company is leaning into AI through its proprietary gAI system, which powers chat summaries, personalized recommendations and profile discovery tools, while differentiating itself by focusing on community-building features and location-based networking rather than just romantic connections. At the same time, Arison said Grindr would keep "a very robust free product" to attract younger users and improve the overall experience. The company said it would invest more heavily in 2026 to modernize its core architecture and expand beyond its dating app, including health and wellness services through its Woodwork initiative. For the full year, the company sees revenue higher than $528 million, largely in line with estimates of $529 million, according to data compiled by LSEG. Grindr reported fourth-quarter revenue growth of 29% to $126 million, above estimates of $122 million. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Jaspreet Singh; Editing by Maju Samuel) Diplomat Grigore Gafencu The generation of those who fought in the trenches of WWI gave the 20th-century Romania Grigore Gafencu, a jurist, politician, diplomat, journalist and leader of the anti-communist exile after 1945. Sergiu Celibidache (1912-1996) Steliu Lambru, 01.03.2026, 14:00 Grigore Gafencu served his country without reservation and sought to promote its interests both in his official capacities and during his exile after 1945. He was born on January 30, 1892 and passed away on his birthday, in Paris, in 1957, at the age of 65. As a young lieutenant of 24, he took part in the battles during World War I as a pilot on the few airplanes at the time. After the war, he earned his PhD in law at the University of Bucharest and worked in the printed press. He entered politics and joined the National Peasant Party (PNT), was elected to parliament, and during the PNT government of 1928-1933 he was a senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1938 he joined the totalitarian party National Revival Front and, on the same year, was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. Between 1940 and 1941 he served as ambassador to the USSR, and until 1944 he was exiled in Switzerland, in Geneva. Grigore Gafencu was one of the defenders of the idea of a united Europe and author of volumes. In 1944 his book Preliminaries of the War in the East was published, in which he proposed projects for the organization of post-war Europe in the form of sub-regional groups or confederations. In 1946 he published the volume The Last Days of Europe, which describes the travels he took in 1939 and 1940 in several European capitals continent. After the war, disappointed by the failure of the return to democracy in all of Europe, Gafencu became involved in the organizations of anti-communist Romanian exiles. He participated in the founding of the Free Europe Committee in New York, and was a member of the Romanian National Committee, the most important organization of Romanians in anti-communist exile. He was also one of the founders of the League of Free Romanians. At the launch of Grigore Gafencus volume of parliamentary speeches, diplomat Dumitru Preda recalled his personality: He was also a hero in the First World War, for which he received honorable distinctions, who knew what the battle for life and death meant, who had seen death with his own eyes. He was the one who had brought Victor Antonescu to solve the problem of Romanias decision to re-enter the war, Victor Antonescu being at that time the Romanian minister in Paris, but who had a connection with the French allied government. All of this created not only diplomatic but also spiritual ties between the actors of those times. Gafencu, through his speeches, urges us to always find something more, an idea that leads to a step forward for humanity. If we do not have this trust in the creative human spirit, it means being defeatist, it means actually leaving ourselves empty in the face of forces that are anti-national, anti-human. In turn, historian Constantin Hlihor says that Gafencu can also be seen as an ordinary politician: We are dealing with a politician in his entirety, because he is also an excellent connoisseur of domestic political life. These parliamentary speeches, few in number, if we consider the entire interwar period, have two layers: Grigore Gafencus parliamentary speech when he was on the ministerial bench or in the condition of being a parliamentarian and his speech as a parliamentarian when he was in opposition. When a politician is in opposition, he observes, criticizes everything that makes a political system not work. When he reaches government and has the laws at his disposal to administer the power given by the people for a limited time, he forgets all the limitations and all the flaws that that legislation has. But Gafencu was a politician sensitive to anything that would influence the big politics of his country. Constantin Hlihor: What surprised me, and this shows us that we are dealing with a politician of great stature, was that in his interventions he did not leave out any of the problems that society needed a solution to. We will find here speeches on the legislation in the economic and financial fields. Of course, it is the perspective, it is his way of understanding the need for norms and rules in the administration of the countrys finances and the way in which society should manage the capital it had in order to create prosperity for everyone. Gafencu was, however, very attentive to the principles of democracy when the state was faced with challenges and the government was often forced to use the state of siege, a fact emphasized by Constantin Hlihor: What is very interesting here, on the state of siege: he, at a certain point, makes a distinction between the need to defend the constitutional order, the state order. But it is very interesting that he says it is not the need to defend a political system. By this, he showed that when such laws and norms are taken by a government, that government must be careful not to bring society into a state of not being able to change political power through the consent and will of the voter. Grigore Gafencu, the man of the three worlds, the one before 1918, the one from the interwar period and the one after 1945, adapted and moved forward. And his ideas had to wait until 1989 to once again become the foundations of what he had wanted. (EE) Journey to the afterlife an exhibition The Bucharest City Museum is playing host to a temporary exhibition entitled Journey to the afterlife. Ancient funerary rituals in the Varna region. Journey to the afterlife an exhibition Ion Puican, 28.02.2026, 14:00 The Bucharest City Museum is playing host to a temporary exhibition entitled Journey to the afterlife. Ancient funerary rituals in the Varna region, and which can be visited until the end of March at the museums headquarters in the Sutu Palace in Bucharest. It is a project that brings together spectacular archaeological discoveries from the famous Eneolithic funerary complex in Varna, Bulgaria. The exhibition is a foray into the spiritual universe of prehistoric communities from the 5th millennium BC, shedding light on the rituals, beliefs and symbols associated with the passage to the afterlife. Vasile Opris, the head of the museums Systematic Archaeology and History Section gives us more details about the exhibition: On October 23rd, the Bucharest City Museum opened an exhibition entitled Journey to the afterlife which is about funerary practices from antiquity and prehistory in the Varna region. We brought artefacts from Bulgaria to Bucharest, something that has not really been done before. As a prehistorian, I had known for some time that Varna was home to priceless artefacts. The worlds oldest remains of processed gold were discovered in the Chalcolithic necropolises in Varna. Gold is a metal that has always fascinated us. It fascinated them too, except that they were the first people in this world to discover how to process it. The exhibition, as I was saying, is focused on funerary practices and their evolution in this area. Varna is an important city in Bulgaria today, and in prehistory, the way in which civilizations succeeded each other here points to a very dynamic area. And from the perspective of funerary practices, they are very different from one period to another and the exhibition is a concise journey through the history of funerary practices in the southeastern part of Europe using Varna as a point of reference. Visitors can discover valuable gold artefacts considered among the oldest processed gold objects in the world. Ornaments, tiaras, necklaces, beads and funerary applications reveal not only the technical mastery of those communities, but also the existence of well-defined social hierarchies. The amount of gold deposited in certain tombs suggests the emergence of elites and outlines the image of a surprisingly complex society for the Eneolithic era, in which gold had both symbolic and spiritual value, as well as a role as a marker of social status. The exhibition also features ceramic and religious objects that reflect the social status, hierarchies and the views of life and death of those communities. The exhibition is not merely about funerary practices, but about a sophisticated civilisation, with a remarkable material and spiritual culture for its era. Vasile Opris also told us how the exhibition Journey to the afterlife ended up travelling to Bucharest: The collection is comprised of thousands of gold objects, which were discovered in these necropolises. Some graves contain thousands of objects. The abundance is unprecedented. The Varna collection very rarely leaves the Varna museum and when it does, it usually travels to Tokyo, Paris, New York or some other big European capital, to cities and museums with great reputation around the world. That was also one of the reasons we had to bring it to Bucharest, because in my view it would have been a pity not to, considering that we are still quite close. We started negotiations with our colleagues there in 2022. They were more reluctant at first. In 2024, we took an exhibition from Bucharest to Varna, about the Bulgarian resistance in the modern period and which was very visible in Bucharest. Apparently, we impressed them enough and the following year they were willing to bring us this exhibition that conceptually belongs to them, it is curated by our colleagues from the museum in Varna. We just staged it here, together with them. And I think it is worth visiting, something you might only see once in a lifetime Journey to the afterlife is, in essence, an invitation to reflect on how people have understood the mystery of death and continuity. Through these testimonies dating back over six millennia, visitors have the opportunity to look back in time and discover the roots of beliefs that, in one form or another, are still with us today. February 28, 2026 UPDATE 1 US and Israel launch attack on Iran./ Romanian PM says countrys structures are on alert and embassies in contact with Romanian citizens in the region. Newsflash Newsroom, 28.02.2026, 14:47 Israel launched what it called a preemptive strike on Iran on Saturday morning. International media reported that several loud explosions were heard in Tehran. Iran had threatened that if attacked by the Americans, its response would target not only them, but also Israel, with whom it fought a 12-day war last summer. The United States also intervened in the conflict at that time, bombing Iranian nuclear targets. The US wants severe restrictions on Tehrans nuclear and ballistic programs, but the latest round of negotiations ended on Friday without the parties reaching an agreement. On Friday evening, US President Donald Trump said he was disappointed with the results of the talks, and today he announced that the US military had joined the Israeli attacks and had begun major combat operations in Iran to eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He vowed to destroy Tehrans missile capabilities and its naval forces and insisted that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. The Iranian leadership responded with a stern warning to the attacks on its territory and launched missiles against Israel and US bases in Qatar, Bahrein, Kuweit and the United Arab Emirates. Updated: Romanian prime minister Ilie Bolojan said all structures of the Romanian state are on alert following the conflict that has broken out in he Middle East and that Romanian embassies will stay in contact with Romanian citizens who may wish to leave the conflict area. The prime minister said solutions were being considered for the Romanian citizens in the countries that have closed their airspace in order to bring them home as soon as flights are resumed. The Romanian foreign ministry said it will continue to monitor the security situation in the region and is ready to provide consular protection to Romanian citizens. Foreign minister Oana Toiu said the number of Romanian citizens requesting repatriation from Israel is for the time being small. In a TV comment, she recommended that Romanian citizens stay in shelters and not travel closer than one kilometer to border areas. Due to the situation in the Middle East, the Romanian airline company TAROM announced that it is temporarily suspending all flights to and from Tel Aviv until March 3. In addition, several international airlines, including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, have cancelled their flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman. The Week in Review 23 28 February A roundup of the past week's main events The Week in Review Stefan Stoica, 28.02.2026, 14:00 Ukraine, four years of war On Monday, February 23rd, the Romanian MPs kept a moment of silence to commemorate the citizens of Ukraine killed in the war. The event anticipated the marking on February 24th of four years since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Palace of Parliament and the Presidency were lit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. According to data released by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies the total number of fatalities would go towards 2 million people, out of which two thirds are Russian troops. The drama of what it is unanimously considered the bloodiest conflict after WWII has been completed by the millions of refugees who had to flee the war. Romania will continue to offer the necessary support to Ukraine, President Nicusor Dan said after participating on Tuesday in a teleconference of the Coalition of the Willing. Ukraine fights with dignity and courage to defend us all and for this we are grateful. Such a long period of war makes the resilience of the Ukrainian people to be all the more so admirable, the Head of the Romanian state wrote on X social network. Reforms After months of political debates inside the quadruple coalition, ideologically heterogeneous and far from interior harmony, through an emergency ordinance the government adopted on Tuesday the public administration reform. Its objectives are to render the activity in city halls more effective and decentralized, to curb bureaucracy and improve tax collection. Nearly 12,800 jobs are to be slashed in the local public administration, the Development Minister Cseke Attila has announced. They add to the 20 thousand vacant jobs. At central level with the exception of several fields such as defence, culture or healthcare, the ordinance provides for 10% cuts in personnel expenses in various ministries and subordinated institutions. A major chapter of the public administration reform is dedicated to increasing the degree of collecting local taxes, duties and fines. This because the authorities are complaining they have registered losses of billions to tax evasion and the defective collection of fines. Also by means of an emergency ordinance, measures of supporting the economy have been endorsed, which entail costs of up to five billion Euros. According to Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare, the measures are to ensure a strategic transition from the growth based on consumption to one supported by investment and local output. Protests Police trade unions on Tuesday staged a protest calling for the elimination from the law on the administration reform of the passage providing for increasing the retirement age. Earlier trade unions had participated in the public debates on the draft ordinance of the Ministry of Development, which says that in 30 days since its endorsement, the Ministry of Defence and the Interior must amend the law and increase the standard retirement age for police and servicemen. Teachers protested a day later the way the government increased the number of their working hours, the way scholarships are granted and the merger of education units. Teachers do not rule out the idea of staging an all-out strike in the period of the national exams. Their move was also backed by the students who pointed out to the effects of the policies of underfunding education and called for an increased scholarship funds. European Money Romanias Constitutional Court has published the motivation of their ruling to reject the latest notification by the Supreme Court on the magistrate pensions and has ruled in favour of promulgating the law regulating them. In spite of the big delay in its endorsement, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan is optimistic and says that Romania stands good chances of getting from Brussels part of the sums dedicated to this law. In fact, the European money, especially this allotted to Romania in exchange for the implementation of the reforms stipulated in the National Plan of Recovery and Resilience was high on the agenda of the talks, the head of the Romanian government held in Brussels with the Chief of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. By the end of August, the deadline, Romania could get roughly 10 billion Euros, if it advances reforms and makes other payment applications. Bolojan also participated in the launch of a programme called EastInvest, a financial instrument exclusively devoted to the countries in the vicinity of the war in Ukraine. This makes available 28 billion Euros, which could be attracted in order to help the economies of the regions at Europes eastern border. Romania together with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are an example of commitment regarding the impressive investment in defence and military mobility and the measures taken to improve security contribute to the increased competitiveness in this region, the head of the European Commission said. Forecasts The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development revised down to 1.2% the forecast of Romanias economic growth in 2016, against its September estimate of 1.6%, says a report it published on Thursday. The 2026 growth and the 2.2% advance in 2027 are supported by an envisaged peak in European funds absorption and the improvement of the trade balance, the EBRD says. The companies trust remains low against the political turmoil in the first semester of the year and the measures of fiscal consolidation implemented in the second part of 2025, the EBRD says. (bill) TRAVEL ALERT: Civilian nationwide restrictions in Israel The Israeli authorities (Home Front Command) have announced nationwide civilian restrictions, including the closure of airspace, due to escalating military operations against Iran. Israel (Foto: Taylor Brandon unsplash.com) Lica Manolache and Diana Vijeu, 28.02.2026, 11:19 The Israeli authorities (Homefront Command) have announced nationwide civilian restrictions. Effective Saturday, February 28, at 8 A.M., these restrictions are set to remain in place until at least Monday, March 2, at 8.00 P.M. (18.00 GMT). During this timespan all activities and services at national level in Israel are limited to those considered essential. The newly implemented restrictions include: Public gatherings are prohibited. Israels airspace is closed. People must remain close to a protected area (missile shelter) at all times. Real-time information on the restrictions currently in force is available at: https://www.oref.org.il/eng https://www.oref.org.il/heb/articles/info/iron-swords/1100 Foreign citizens who are in Israel or transiting this state are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities, take shelter in specially designed buildings and public spaces, in the event of air raid alarms. Foreign citizens in Israel are also advised to stay informed at all times about the security situation in the areas where they travel or carry out their activities, to remain vigilant, and to strictly follow all instructions and restrictions issued by the local authorities. Romanian citizens in Israel are advised to notify the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Consulate General of Romania in Haifadepending on their locationby completing the online form available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFLXkNc9zQ3TrjP7gIIAJpAgzmJfnw4LgPkB7xORSrn41ZOQ/viewform?usp=dialog or by communicating your own coordinates to the addresses telaviv@mae.ro or haifa@mae.ro . For special/emergency situations, Romanian citizens have at their disposal the following emergency phone numbers of the diplomatic and consular missions of Romania in the State of Israel: Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54 564 3279 Consulate General of Romania in Haifa: +972 543 998 038. Flights temporarily suspended Several airlines have suspended flights to Israel and countries in the region. Otopeni Airport Photo credit: bucharest-airports Eugen Cojocariu and Diana Vijeu, 28.02.2026, 12:40 The Romanian national airline TAROM has temporarily suspended the operation of commercial flights to and from Tel Aviv (TLV), from February 28 to March 3, 2026, inclusive, after the Israeli authorities declared the temporary closure of Israels airspace. The airline stated that it is permanently monitoring developments in Israel, in coordination with operational partners and the relevant authorities, on multiple levels security, airspace and airport operations, and will make real-time updates. The safety of passengers and crews is TAROMs priority. The company will resume operating flights to Tel Aviv as soon as operational conditions allow. Passengers with reservations on TAROM flights to/from Tel Aviv during the affected period will be informed directly and can choose to rebook their trip on a later date, after operations resume, the aforementioned source says. Low-cost airline Wizz Air has also suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman, until March 7 inclusive, following the recent escalation of the security situation in Iran. Air operators Animawings, from Romania, and HiSky, from the Republic of Moldova, have also announced the cancellation of flights to Tel Aviv, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. HiSky flights 237 Bucharest Tel Aviv, scheduled for Saturday evening, and Animawings A2700/A2701 Bucharest Tel Aviv Bucharest, scheduled for Sunday, March 1, have been canceled. Israeli airline El Al is canceling five flights to and from Tel Aviv scheduled for February 28 to March 2, according to the National Company of Bucharest Airports (CNAB). Flights 572 on Saturday, 571, 573 and 574 on Sunday, March 1, and 576 on March 2 are impacted. CNAB has announced several ferry flights (without passengers) of Israeli-based airlines are expected to land during the day, allowing them to safely park their aircraft on Bucharest airports. During the pandemic and shortly after, Miami boomed, attracting people from the northeast and Chicago who were drawn by lax COVID-19 restrictions and lower taxes. People moving to Florida for tax reasons is nothing new. The state which has a 0% income tax , including capital gains, and limited business regulation has seen waves of ultrawealthy migration. California's billionaires aren't the only ones taking an interest. With Palantir planning to move its HQ from Denver to Miami, CEO Alex Karp may soon be putting down roots. Florida's billionaire population is growing. The state had 123 as of the start of the year, up from 110 in January 2025, according to Forbes data compiled by Americans for Tax Fairness. "The Californians were never really a target market for us," Delgado said. "California's a beautiful state, but now, because of all the political situations and all the tax laws, it's just coming in our favor." Google cofounder Larry Page dropped nine figures on properties in the 305 over the past few months, sparking a series of news articles about who might follow. His cofounder, Sergey Brin, is reportedly close to closing on a $50 million property, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly looking in the area. While the Florida migration among everyday people may have cooled following a pandemic-era boom, billionaires are fueling a spree of massive purchases. They are largely looking to avoid a proposed California wealth tax , which Delgado said led to the busiest January she's ever experienced. She's not the only one; three other agents told Business Insider that inquiries picked up at the end of 2025 and continued into 2026. "I got a flurry of requests and inquiries," Delgado, who has landed two billionaire clients recently, told Business Insider. "I had a lot of Zoom calls with people coming in January after the holidays." Almost overnight, that's changed. Her phones are ringing with billionaires titans of tech and finance looking to drop nine figures on waterfront properties. Saddy Abaunza Delgado has sold luxury real estate in South Florida for over three decades, typically to doctors or family business owners ready to spend as much as $8 million on a home in the Miami area. Luxury agents say that at the upper end of the market, prices are going one direction: up. Larry Page spent nine figures on three properties, and Mark Zuckerberg and Sergey Brin are reportedly looking. California billionaires looking for a favorable tax policy are making Miami hotter than ever. Story Continues Big names from the world of finance, like Citadel's Ken Griffin and Thoma Bravo, moved themselves, and then their companies, to the city. Crypto firms flocked to take advantage of Florida's friendly policies FTX, pre-fall, made a grand entrance by buying the naming rights to the local arena and many big-name VCs ensured they had at least one partner on the ground to make deals. The proposed billionaire tax is helping propel the latest wave. At the end of last year, some billionaires began cutting ties with California ahead of a proposed Billionaire Tax Act deadline, which would impose a one-time 5% tax on California residents worth over $1 billion, including those who moved after January 1. The proposal hasn't yet garnered enough support to make the November ballot, but that doesn't mean rich residents haven't threatened to leave the state. Page spent over $180 million on three properties in Coconut Grove. Brin looks set to follow, with outlets including the New York Post reporting he's in talks to buy a $50 million waterfront property on Allison Island. Zuckerberg, too, is looking to make a deal on billionaire bunker Indian Creek, as The Wall Street Journal reported. Representatives for Page and Brin did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. A Meta spokesperson declined to comment on Zuckerberg's potential move to South Florida earlier in February. Finance set the table, now it's tech's turn to eat and their meals are the most expensive yet. "Before, having a $20 million or $30 million sale was an outlier," Ana Teresa Rodriguez of Coldwell Banker Realty told Business Insider. "You needed to be very lucky to sell that." Data from Miami real estate research firm Analytics Miami shows that in 2018, one single-family home over $30 million sold in Miami-Dade County. In 2025, 19 homes priced over $30 million sold a 1,800% increase. Empty lots are even selling for $100 million, a price point unheard of in Miami before 2020, according to Analytics Miami. Water frontage has become the ultimate target for the ultrawealthy, and since there isn't that much of it, it's going for whatever someone is willing to pay. "The prime single-family waterfront areas, like Star Island, Indian Creek, and the Venetian Islands, all those places, that's prime scarcity," Analytics Miami founder Ana Bozovic told Business Insider. "The influx of billionaires from California," she said, will likely add to the "escalation of the market." More than mansions Billionaires are famously high-maintenance, and attracting them is no small feat. Douglas Elliman agent Dina Goldentayer said that the latest crop of Miami movers coming from an already sunny state aren't just fascinated by the sun rays and glamour of South Florida. "Miami has never been as sophisticated and as diverse as it is in 2026, and the level of wealth moving here is making Miami level up," Goldentayer told Business Insider. Though the number of billionaires arriving in Miami enclaves is small relative to those neighborhoods' total populations, their wealth is not. A dozen billionaires can have an outsize influence on a local economy. "Wealthy people like to have access to really good financial advice; they want to have access to good legal advice," Liam Bailey, the global head of research at Knight Frank, told Business Insider. To attract that infrastructure, Billionaire Florida transplants Griffin and Stephen Ross put a combined $10 million toward a new effort to bring talent and companies to Florida's "Gold Coast," the stretch from Miami to Palm Beach. Their push, called "Ambition Accelerated," aims to attract tech and business sectors by working with founders, CEOs, and investors, CEO Mike Simas of the Florida Council of 100, which is running the initiative, told Business Insider. He pointed to the region's expanding educational and healthcare options, such as new private schools and a Cleveland Clinic branch in West Palm Beach, as key selling points. And of course, money from tax savings to utility costs is a big part of the pitch. "You've got a partner in government for your growth rather than a government that's trying to cap that success with regulation or tax, or other burdens," Simas said. To be sure, Miami has been trying to make Miami happen for quite some time and it's a long way from becoming the next Wall Street or Silicon Valley. "Even if compared to the size of the financial cluster in New York, it's tiny, and the tech cluster in California, it's tiny. What's going on at the moment, in Miami, is embryonic," Bailey said. "Over time, if you get enough of this kind of activity, you are basically constantly enhancing the depth of talent pool and the depth of opportunities." After all, a tanned and McMansion-filled Rome wasn't built in a day. Read the original article on Business Insider Middle East: Israel and the US have launched an attack on Iran Israel and the US have launched a coordinated attack on Iran. Photo credit: hosein charbaghi unsplash.com Radio Romania International, 28.02.2026, 11:20 The United States and Israel have launched a coordinated attack on Iran. International media reports that several loud explosions were heard in Tehran and other cities around Iran. Iran had threatened that if attacked by the US, its response would target not only the US, but also Israel, with whom it waged a 12-day war last summer. The United States also intervened in the conflict at that time, bombing Iranian nuclear targets. The US wants severe restrictions imposed on Tehrans nuclear and ballistic programs, but the latest round of negotiations ended on Friday without the parties reaching an agreement. On Friday evening, US President Donald Trump said he was disappointed with the results of the talks, and today he has announced that the US military has joined the Israeli attacks and has begun major combat operations in Iran to eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He has vowed to destroy Tehrans missile capabilities, its naval forces and insisted that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States launched an operation to eliminate the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in a video message. The Iranian leadership has responded with a stern warning to the attacks on its territory and has launched missiles against Israel. Air raid sirens sounded in several parts of the country in the morning, and the Israeli military urged the population to be prepared and take shelter. Paramount Skydance Corporation (PSKY) announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD). The all-cash transaction, valued at $81 billion in equity and $110 billion in enterprise value, positions Paramount as a premier global media and powerhouse. The announcement follows a dramatic turn in the industry, as Netflix declined to raise its offer for WBD, effectively clearing the path for Paramount to step in with its $81 billion bid. Under the agreement, Paramount will pay $31 per share in cash for WBD's outstanding stock. To protect shareholders, a "ticking fee" of $0.25 per share per quarter will be added if the transaction has not closed by September 30, 2026. Paramount projects that the deal will generate over $6 billion in synergies, achieved through integration, procurement savings, real estate optimization, and streamlined operations across the combined company. The financing package is equally ambitious. Paramount has secured $47 billion in equity, backed by the Ellison Family and RedBird Capital Partners, with new Class B shares priced at $16.02 each. In addition, $54 billion in debt commitments from Bank of America, Citigroup, and Apollo will support the transaction, including funds to backstop WBD's existing bridge facility. Paramount shareholders will also be offered a $3.25 billion rights offering at the same share price, ensuring broad participation in the deal's funding. This merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and a shareholder vote scheduled for early spring. Warner Bros. Discovery closed the regular trading session at $28.17, down $0.63 or 2.19%. In after-hours trading, the stock showed a slight recovery, rising to $28.26, an increase of $0.09 or 0.32%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Bengaluru-based electric mobility solutions provider, Simple Electric, has patented another scooter to go in the lineup. Speaking of, the company currently has sporty offerings like Simple One and Simple One S along with Simple One Ultra listed as Coming Soon. The new scooter patented by Simple Electric is of family format one. Lets take a closer look. New Simple Family Scooter Patented Earlier this year, Simple Electric launched an update to its flagship scooter and called it Simple One Gen 2. At the same time, the company also announced a new flagship Simple One Ultra, promising range of up to 400 km on a single charge. This Simple One Ultra variant will be offering a 6.5 kWh battery pack. However, there is a new Simple Electric scooter incoming and is generating quite a few headlines since October 2025. It is the companys first-ever family-format electric scooter and the first design patent leaked around October 2025. There are a new set of design patents leaked and this time, they show the scooter from all angles. These leaked design patents give us a better idea as to what we can expect from this upcoming electric scooter, when compared to the previous patent images. For starters, we can see that this upcoming scooter appears to be generous in length, which is a trait of a family-format electric scooter. Front apron has a split LED headlight setup engulfed by a single-piece LED DRL on the bottom. Handlebar cowl is likely to house turn indicators as suggested by these patents. We can see fancy ORVM stalks and a generously large floorboard which is flat, for practicality. Side body panels get a distinct pill-shaped design element. Behind the stepped single-piece seat, we can see an interesting single-piece element which houses the pillion backrest and also doubles up into a split grab rail. At the rear, there seems to be a horizontal tail light housing which could incorporate its rear turn indicators. There seems to be adigital instrument cluster and simpler switchgear than what we see with Simple One. Is it a budget scooter? Looking at it, one could say that it is a budget scooter. Thats because the scooter gets conventional telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers along with drum brake setup at both ends. Motor is likely to be mid-mounted and there are alloy wheels which might be 12-inchers in size. Simpler switchgear suggests a simple instrument cluster too. It may be positioned below Simple One S when launched and it is expected to rival other family-format electric scooters like Ather Rizta, TVS iQube, Hero Vida VX2 and Suzuki e-Access. TVS Motor Company has reported strong domestic sales for January 2026, registering total volumes of 3,83,262 units. This marks a healthy 30.45% year-on-year growth compared to 2,93,802 units sold in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, sales were also up 16.01% over December 2025 (3,30,362 units), indicating strong momentum at the start of the year. TVS Sales Breakup Jan 2026 Jupiter remained TVS best-selling product in January 2026 with 1,29,744 units, up 20.30% YoY. The scooter also posted a 7.69% MoM growth, reinforcing its position as 2nd best selling scooter in the country. Apache series followed with 51,191 units, registering a robust 48.33% YoY growth. The performance-oriented motorcycle lineup also saw a 12.49% MoM increase, reflecting sustained demand in the premium commuter and entry-sport segment. TVS iQube continued its strong electric run with 37,560 units in January 2026, growing 50.29% YoY and 6.77% MoM. This underlines TVS expanding footprint in the electric scooter segment. Ntorq delivered 36,596 units, up 53.80% YoY and a notable 34.65% MoM growth. Raider too maintained strong traction with 36,069 units, up 31.73% YoY and a sharp 58.32% MoM jump. XL moped sales stood at 48,607 units, reflecting a steady 16.08% YoY growth. TVS Ronin emerged as one of the fastest-growing models in the lineup, clocking 8,247 units a massive 127% YoY growth. Apache 310 range recorded 1,011 units, up 151.49% YoY, highlighting growing traction in the premium segment. This is one of the highest monthly sales registered by the Apache 310 range, thanks to the recent launch of the RTX 300. Radeon posted 13,821 units (+31.62% YoY), while Sport recorded 10,966 units (+56.30% YoY). Zest remained relatively stable at 9,410 units (+3.41% YoY). However, Star City witnessed a sharp decline, with just 40 units sold compared to 2,752 units in January 2025. Broad-Based Growth Driving Momentum TVS January 2026 performance reflects broad-based growth across scooters, commuter motorcycles, premium bikes and EVs. With strong MoM improvements across key models like Raider, Ntorq and Radeon, the company appears to have entered 2026 with solid demand momentum. If this trend continues, TVS Motor is well-positioned to sustain growth across both ICE and electric portfolios in the coming months. The New Trade Union Initiative Secretariat, January 30, 2026 The New Trade Union Initiative finds the statements of the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice Surya Kant, while hearing the case, on the absence of statutory wages and regulation of employment conditions for a statutory minimum wage, filed by our affiliate Penn Thozhilalar Sangam and other unions vs. the Union of India in Writ Petition (Civil) 26 of 2026, regrettable. Mr. Kants statement is incorrect insofar as the Honble Supreme Court has itself held that non-payment of minimum wages as amounting to forced labour (Article 23 of the Constitution) and no employer has a right to exist if they are unable to pay the minimum wage. Furthermore, domestic workers, especially women are subject to the worst forms of exploitation at work which cannot be reversed without regulation of their conditions of work including through a mechanism of registration. There is no evidence that industrial units in the country have been closed because of trade unions as suggested by Mr. Kant. Industrial establishments being wound-up based on data of the functioning of the Companies Act, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the erstwhile Sick Industrial Companies Act indicate that closure occurred largely because of mismanagement and maleficence by company managements as well as the vagaries of the marketplace. Mr. Kants comments on trade unions have contributed to industrial distress in the country are entirely without evidence and are misplaced. In fact, the provisions for closure under the Industrial Disputes Act (Chapter VB) upheld by the Honble Supreme Court, were aimed at healthy collective bargaining between employers and workers and their trade union of choice. They were also aimed at protecting both workers and society at large from employers using closure as a mechanism for profiteering and graft. Sadly, employers have been allowed to violate these and other provisions of law with impunity. Trade unions in our country were allowed under law even during the British Raj, through the Trade Unions Act 1926, and came to be enshrined in our constitution as a fundamental right within the framework of the right to freedom of association. Trade unions are the legitimate, self-governed and self-financed association of the working class and will continue to represent workers as they have for over a century and three quarters in a capitalist society. The NTUI believes it is Mr. Kants responsibility to shepherd the judiciary of the country without bias, prejudice and discrimination. Gautam Mody General Secretary This statement is based on the comments of the Chief Justice of India in: https://tinyurl.com/CJIonTUs source url Michael Burry took to social media on Tuesday to lay out a caveat on his GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) holdingsif CEO Ryan Cohen decides to buy any portion of struggling retailer Bed Bath & Beyond (NYSE:BBBY), Burry would sell his shares. Burry was short and to the point when expressing his view: "If Ryan has GME buy any version of BBBY, I am out," he said on X. If Ryan has $GME buy any version of BBBY, I am out. Don't Miss: Hours later, Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Marcus Lemonis responded to Burry's jab. "Good news @michaeljburry We wouldn't do it. I do however have a significant amount of respect for you and your perspective," Lemonis said in a post on X. Good news @michaeljburry We wouldn't do it. I do however have a significant amount of respect for you and your perspective. https://t.co/bVqvqn8qBn GameStop's Next Move? In January, Burry disclosed that he was accumulating GameStop shares and likened Cohens strategy to Warren Buffetts early Berkshire Hathaway playbook. Trending: Before the IPO: How One Company Quietly Locked Up 500+ Iconic Character Rights Cohen also scooped up one million shares in January at roughly $21 apiece, lifting his holdings to about 42.1 million shares, or roughly 9.3% of the company. Then, in a late January interview, Cohen told The Wall Street Journal he wants to turn GameStop into a $100 billion-plus conglomerate via a big acquisition of a public consumer or retail company. He warned the bet could prove genius or totally, totally foolish. Photo: Stefano Chiacchiarini 74 / Shutterstock Read Next: UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Michael Burry Is 'Out' If GameStop Buys 'Any Version' of Bed Bath & Beyond originally appeared on Benzinga.com N-able Inc. (NYSE:NABL) is one of the most promising penny stocks under $5 to buy. On February 19, N-able reported earnings for Q4 and the full year of 2025, reaching $130 million in quarterly revenue and a total ARR of $540 million. The company achieved a consistent 30% adjusted EBITDA margin throughout the year, supported by a healthy gross margin of 81%. The company also saw a 14% year-over-year increase in its higher-value customer segment, now totaling over 2,600 partners contributing $50,000 or more in ARR. The focus for 2025 was heavily centered on AI and the integration of the Adlumin acquisition, which supported N-ables presence in the AI Security Operations Center market. The CEO highlighted the success of N-zo, an embedded AI workflow assistant currently in limited preview that allows managed service providers/MSPs to manage environments using NL. Additionally, the opening of a new R&D center in India is expected to accelerate innovation across the companys cybersecurity and data protection platforms, helping MSPs address an increasingly complex threat landscape. N-able (NABL) Reports $130M Q4 Revenue and Strong 30% Adjusted EBITDA Margins For 2026, N-able Inc. (NYSE:NABL) projects total revenue between $554 and $559 million, representing ~8% to 9% growth. While management acknowledged competitive pressures and a slight dip in Q4 gross margins to 80%, the company anticipates stronger growth in H2 2026 as new AI-powered products, such as XDR and Disaster Recovery as a Service, reach general availability. N-able Inc. (NYSE:NABL) provides cloud-based security, data protection, and unified endpoint management software solutions for managed service providers in the US, the UK, and internationally. While we acknowledge the potential of NABL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. By Harshita Mary Varghese Feb 27 (Reuters) - Netflix ended nearly 14% higher on Friday as investors applauded its decision to exit the race for Warner Bros Discovery, a months-long bidding war with Paramount Skydance for some of Hollywood's most prized assets. Paramount said it will buy Warner Bros in a $110 billion deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. It also paid the $2.80 billion termination fee that Warner Bros owed Netflix, the streaming giant said in a regulatory filing on Friday. Netflix declined to match Paramount's latest $31 per share bid or raise its offer of $27.75 a share for Warner Bros' studio and streaming assets, stating that the deal was "no longer financially attractive". The decision was welcomed by investors. Shares of the streaming giant had shed more than 18% since Netflix announced its deal with Warner Bros on December 5. The latest move is a "tick in the box" for discipline, said Ben Barringer, head of technology research at Quilter Cheviot. "What you want from a management team is an ability to look at acquisitions, value them, pay what they think is a fair price, but to not overpay." Analysts and investors had questioned whether Netflix's bid was a defensive attempt to block a future competitor or an offensive shift away from its historically disciplined build-versus-buy approach. "A positive turn of events in our view, as we believe NFLX's withdrawal from the race will leave it free to refocus on its business, while its closest competitors grapple with long and distracting regulatory approval and merger integration processes, and with PSKY saddled with sizable deal debts," HSBC analysts said. 'GOOD BUSINESS SENSE' Shares of the David Ellison-led Paramount, meanwhile, ended nearly 21% higher. Paramount's deal, valued at $110 billion, including debt, represents nearly 13 times Warner Bros' EBITDA this year, according to estimates from LSEG. That is well above what Paramount is worth on the same basis, which is 7 times its estimated earnings. A tie-up with Warner Bros would allow Paramount's storied Hollywood studio to tap into Warner's deep trove of intellectual property -including franchises such as "Fantastic Beasts" and "The Matrix" - across film, television and streaming. "WBD's largest asset is declining and the company is still under debt from its last failed merger. But this deal is more about Ellison taking over Hollywood and ego than it is about good business sense," said Ross Benes, senior analyst at Emarketer. The sales data for the $90 and $105 calls expiring on May 15 points to Bull Call Spreads. While the odds of the share price being above the $92.98 breakeven at expiration are a little over one in four, the outlay of $2.98 (3.6%) is reasonable, especially when you can roll the spread to a later expiration by selling the existing bull call spread and buying a new one. While it adds to the total cost, it gives you more time for the strategy to play out. As you can see above, all five of the options with the highest volume were calls; all had expiration dates I would consider intermediate-term. Several options strategies come to mind if youre bullish. Im not a technician, but Netflix stock hit a 52-week low on Tuesday, suggesting it is either the beginning of its next leg up or a dead-cat bounce. For starters, its options volume was 1.29 million, more than double its 30-day average of 522,332. Secondly, it had 24 unusually active options yesterday that were expiring in seven days or later and had a Vol/OI (volume-to-open-interest) ratio of 1.38 or higher, including five with volume of 20,000 or more. The truth is, as Hulburt states, high-stakes acquisitions tend to be value-destructive on a massive scale. They rarely work. Ive been writing about stocks for over 20 years. If I had a dollar for every time a company used the word transformative to describe a multi-billion-dollar acquisition, I would have made a lot of money. Most mergers and acquisitions dont work out. One comprehensive analysis of over 40,000 mergers and acquisitions over four decades found that between 70% and 75% of them failed. Another study put the failure rate at 83%, Hulbert wrote on Feb. 24. At least, thats the opinion of veteran finance columnist Mark Hulbert, whose latest piece, Why the smartest move for Netflix and Paramount is to let the other guy win Warner Bros. History has numerous examples of lengthy takeover battles that benefited the loser rather than the ultimate victor. To the victor, the spoils often do not follow. Story Continues The same applies to the two calls expiring on Sept. 18. In this case, youre taking on a higher net debit -- $5.30 compared to $2.98 -- for an additional 18 weeks of time decay. In either case, you are moderately bullish about the stocks future value and are using the bull call spread to reduce the cost of just buying one long call. The risk is that the stock runs big and your profits are capped at the $105 and $110 strike prices. Lastly, there is the June 18 $95 call. It expires in 113 days. The Covered Call would likely be the options strategy used. As you can see from the data below, you simultaneously buy 100 shares of Netflix at $82.70 and sell one June $18 $95 call for a $3.30 premium. To breakeven or make money on the trade, the share price at expiration in June should be above $79.40. The odds of that happening are over 57%. Now, lets consider whether the options volume and unusual options activity from yesterday were extremely bullish or a dead-cat bounce. Netflix Rebound Only Temporary Since Netflix hit a 52-week and 20-year high of $134.12 last June, its share price has fallen by over 38%. While it would be tempting to blame the share price decline on its attempt to acquire Warner Bros.' best assets, the reality is that the share price was falling well before the November speculation that it would make a bid for all or pieces of the company. By the Dec. 4 close, the day before Netflix announced its bid, the shares had fallen by $31, or 60% of the losses it accumulated from June 30, 2025, through Feb. 25, 2026. So, while investors questioned why Netflix would make a costly bid for these assets, there were other concerns as well, mostly centered around guidance. On July 17, it reported Q2 2025 results. Although solid -- earnings per share, revenues, and operating margins all exceeded Wall Streets expectations -- investors were surprised that the companys guidance for the rest of fiscal 2025 wasnt more robust, leading some to believe growth would slow. The last time Netflix faced a growth crisis in 2022, it cracked down on password sharing and added an ad-supported tier, which did the trick. Membership growth has benefited from the changes. But is it enough? With YouTube and TikTok continuing to gain share, the possibility of Netflix losing its grip on the streaming market remains real. CEO Ted Sarandos is said to be in Washington today looking to appease regulators over their antitrust concerns. That suggests Netflix is still very bullish about its offer. Two days ago, Paramount Skydance increased its bid by $1 to $31 a share. Its offering to buy all of Warner Bros. Discovery. While the upswing in Netflixs share price would indicate that investors believe it will lose the fight -- Paramount Skydance would pay a $2.8 billion breakup fee that WBD is required to pay Netflix -- Sarandos wouldnt go to Washington for nothing. From where I sit, I wouldnt bet against Netflix upping their bid should Warner Bros. Discoverys board accept Paramounts new offer. Netflix would have four days to do so. If it happens, you can bet the latest move higher is a dead-cat bounce. Netflix Is Ready to Move Above $100 Netflixs business remains solid. In 2025, revenues grew by 17% on a currency-adjusted basis, with paid memberships exceeding 325 million and operating income up 30% year over year. As a result of the top and bottom-line growth, its free cash flow last year was $9.5 billion, 38% higher than in 2024. Ive always believed that as long as Netflixs engagement (hours viewed) was up -- they gained 2% in the second half of 2025 -- combined with an increase in paid memberships, the profits would take care of themselves--and they have. In the first half of 2026, its members viewed over 95 billion hours on Netflix (1% increase over 2024s first half), while in the second half, members watched more than 96 billion hours, 2% higher than in 2024. At the same time, it continues to grow its paid membership. In 2025, it was over 325 million; a decade ago, it was 70.84 million. So, even a 1% increase in viewing hours, combined with a 7.7% increase in paid memberships in 2025 and higher prices, will push profits higher. In 2025, its operating margin was 29.5%. It expects that to increase by 200 basis points in 2026. In 2023, it was 20.6%. It doesnt need to move the needle all that much to boost its free cash flow. In 2026, it should be stronger than ever, likely well above $10 billion. The Bottom Line on Netflix Stock Whether or not Netflix succeeds in acquiring Warner Bros. assets, the business is in a good place right now. I dont see that changing. Analysts are relatively positive about the stock. Of the 43 that cover it, 29 rate it a Buy (4.21 out of 5) with a target price of $113.23. I dont see that changing either. What will change if it is successful in its acquisition of WBD is the balance sheet. The amount of debt it holds goes way up. Currently, its total debt is $16.98 billion or a low 5% of its market cap. The company is expected to use $52 billion in new debt to finance the acquisition, along with nearly $11 billion in assumed debt from Warner Bros. However, that will be offset by increased free cash flow, especially after it finds $2 billion and $3 billion in expected cost synergies post-closing. Time will tell, but to me, yesterdays unusual options activity suggests Netflix stock is about to go on an extended run higher. Its in the cards. On the date of publication, Will Ashworth did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Performance was characterized by a shift toward capital efficiency, highlighted by a re-REMIC transaction that reduces mark-to-market repo financing and is expected to be significantly accretive to annual cash available for distribution. Management is intentionally avoiding 'AI scare-trade' assets, instead focusing on residential and self-storage sectors where AI integration is viewed as a margin enhancer rather than a threat of obsolescence. Life science performance is driven by 'first-to-fill' assets in elite academic ecosystems, where purpose-built infrastructure commands a premium over cheaper, converted suburban alternatives. The Alewife project's success is attributed to its status as a rare purpose-built facility on mass transit lines, creating a 'cluster effect' where high-quality tenants like Lila Sciences attract further leasing momentum. Self-storage outperformance relative to the broader industry was driven by superior occupancy and NOI growth, despite macro headwinds from a sluggish housing market and elevated mortgage rates. Advertisement NationalNSWMardi Gras Activist float excluded from Mardi Gras parade Kayla Olaya February 28, 2026 12:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A An activist float has been kicked out of the Sydney Mardi Gras less than 24 hours out from the parade after it claimed a Jewish float supported genocide. Pride in Protest, a left-wing group that has previously marched in the parade with Palestinian flags and recently claimed the Mardi Gras organisation is transphobic, was excluded after not replying to a formal warning issued on Friday morning. Pride in Protest at the 2024 Sydney Mardi Gras parade. AP Mardi Gras Chief Executive Jesse Matheson emailed Pride in Protest at 11am on Friday asking the group to remove an Instagram post characterising a Jewish float, Dayenu, as pro-genocide and alleging they support genocide. [Mardi Gras] considers that the nature and manner of these statements, directed at a fellow approved parade entrant, raises serious concerns regarding compliance with the code of conduct, he wrote. The organisation had received complaints about Pride in Protests posts. Advertisement Mardi Gras code of conduct prohibits parade participants from harassing, bullying or discriminating other participants. Dayenu had pulled out of this years parade, citing safety concerns following the Bondi attack. However, last week they announced they were rejoining the march. A spokesperson for Dayenu said it was deeply offended and hurt by the social media posts. Dayenu is not a Zionist organisation, and we feel that word is being used to insult our Jewish community, in place of the word Jew or Jewish, they said. Advertisement In November 2023, the Mardi Gras organisation published a letter supporting a ceasefire in Israel-Palestine conflict. Dayenu expressed concern they were not consulted before the letter went out, and later resolved the matter with the organisations previous chief executive. Mardi Gras said it wished to support Pride in Protests continued participation in the parade, noting it had until 5pm on Friday to remove the posts, and provide written confirmation they understood and complied with the parades terms and conditions. Jesse Matheson, Mardi Gras Chief Executive. Max Mason-Hubers However, Pride in Protest did not reply to the email, letter or subsequent follow-up emails. At 9pm on Friday, Matheson informed the organisation they had been excluded from the parade. It is disappointing that we did not receive any acknowledgement of our correspondence, nor confirmation that you had read and would comply with the parade terms and conditions, Matheson said in the nighttime email. Advertisement We had hoped to resolve this matter constructively to allow for Pride in Protests participation in this years Parade. As no response was received within the required timeframe, the Pride in Protest entry has regrettably been removed from the parade. Related Article Mardi Gras Surprises, shocks and sequins: Inside the fight for the future of Mardi Gras Pride in Protest slammed their removal on Saturday morning, calling on Mardi Gras to immediately revoke the decision. Spokesperson Jean Maxine said the emails went unanswered because they were sent during business hours to an individual from the organisation who was working at the time. This one individual is a full-time worker in the medical sector, so emailing within working hours to request a response by COB is unreasonable, she said. Advertisement The deadline of 5pm allowed for only six hours for the collective to respond. Requests for an extension of this deadline, made over the phone, were declined. Matheson said Pride in Protest were asked to remove unacceptable public commentary levelled against another small community group and refused. This is not censorship or about suppressing a political viewpoint. Pride in Protest has marched for many years under the banner of No Pride In Genocide and Mardi Gras provided that space, he said. This is about conduct including harassment of other participants and refusal to comply or acknowledge agreed terms and conditions. The Dayenu spokesperson said its group was willing to meet with Pride and Protest to find common ground and build a respectful and informed relationship of each other. It said it supported the decision to enforce the code of conduct. Advertisement We believe Mardi Gras has become a safer and more inclusive space for the LGBT+ community, now that Mardi Gras is enforcing basic decency in how it expects members to treat each other, they said. Related Article Mardi Gras Everything you need to know about the 2026 Sydney Mardi Gras NSW Greens MP Amanda Cohn called the removal of Pride in Protest an extraordinary act of censorship. Especially when the organisers are happy to include the Liberal Party, who have called for the parades funding to be reviewed and continue to vote against LGBTQIA+ rights in parliament, she added. Pride in Protest have announced plans to protest the decision on Saturday, marching from Town Hall to the parade marshalling area at Hyde Park at 3.30pm. Advertisement The 48th annual Sydney Mardi Gras will begin at 7.30pm. NSW Police will launch a high-visibility operation on Saturday involving general police and riot squad officers to monitor the parade. Police said on Friday there was no imminent threat to the event. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. Advertisement NationalNSWFive Minutes with Fitz Opinion Clovers vision: Town Hall Square will be George Street on steroids Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author March 1, 2026 5:00am March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A This week, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney endorsed the proposed scope of work for Town Hall Square, which would mean the knocking down of seven buildings bound by George, Park and Pitt streets including the one containing Woolworths to create a large public square. I talked to her on Thursday. Fitz: Thank you for your time, lord mayor, on what I know is a busy week. Looking up your story, I was fascinated to see that your whole political journey started 46 years ago, also on the issue of a public space, which has resonance with the current proposal. Can you tell us that story? Clover Moore at Sydney Town Hall Nic Walker CM: [Laughing] Yes. My husband and I had come back from London and bought a little house in Bourke Street, Redfern, and I wanted to take our very young children to the park. But that park was covered in asphalt and it had cyclone wire all around it, with barbed wire on the top, and it was locked every night. I, and other residents, wanted an open park, with grass and trees. So I wrote letters to the council, letters to the local member, Pat Hills, letters to everyone. And then someone said to me, You wont get anywhere without 500 signatures on a petition. So I set about getting 500 signatures. And then I sent that off, and I still got nowhere. Fitz: And yet, by this point, youd barely broken into stride? Advertisement CM: So, I started a little community group. We met in our living room. And then, when the election for council came around, I asked everyone Id met during that process if they would run for council to help get a better neighbourhood. And no one would, so I did. And we got our park, just the way we wanted it. An artist's impression of the proposed Town Hall Square, for which the City of Sydney has been slowly acquiring properties. City of Sydney Fitz: And here you are, 46 years later, doing much the same, on a bigger scale! If you get this Town Hall Square up, would it be fair to say itd be the perfect bookend to your career in public life? Is that part of your dream: to open yet more space to the public? CM: Its not just my dream. I was actually on the council when lord mayor Doug Sutherland moved that we create a square opposite Town Hall, and the council strongly supported him. And thats when he started purchasing the buildings. And successive councils, including the council that I have led over the last 21 years, has been buying buildings as they become available. We only have one to go, and thats Foot Locker. And the minister for local government has said we can compulsorily acquire it now. So were now ready to go. Fitz: OK, if you had to write down a description of this proposed square on your thumbnail, or using your thumbnail, how would it go? How will this square look? Advertisement CM: One of the things that weve done thats been so successful in recent years is transforming George Street, which was a traffic sewer but now has light rail. It means it has now become a most loved street, with people sitting on those seats every day under the trees, looking at the flowers, chatting to their friends. Its transformed George Street, and that transformation has spread across the city, too. The city is really buzzing. So, on my thumbnail, the Town Hall Square will be George Street writ large. All that beautiful paving on George Street will just continue and flow into the square. The council has slowly been purchasing property opposite Town Hall to create a large public square in the city centre. City of Sydney Fitz: And vegetation? CM: Yes. It will have deep soil planting and large trees, with lots of seating, lighting and cafes a place where people can pause and enjoy the city, right in the middle of the city, socialising, celebrating and looking back to Town Hall. And then we can have great events there, festivals there. We can have democratic protests. It can be a peoples place. All the people now living in the city will enjoy it very much. Itll be a Trafalgar Square, a Piccadilly square, like Piazza San Marco in Venice. Fitz: All right, when Bordeaux did this, their many public squares had up to six or seven floors of car parking stations beneath them. Do you want that? Or would that only encourage the cars? Advertisement CM: Absolutely not! Weve got Metro and weve got trains. As you say, car park stations would only encourage those cars. We want a city for people, not cars. Fitz: You say you want this Town Hall Square to start with actual demolition by 2028. Lets say it was late 2028, after Sydney city council elections. Would you dream of making like Miley Cyrus as you came in like a wrecking ball, riding the ball, still as lord mayor, as you begin your gazillionth term as lord mayor in your early 80s? CM: [Wryly] I never say never. Fitz: From here, you understand the process and we, the people, dont. When the rest of us want to build something, we have to make and seek approval for a development application from the council. In your case, you are the council, so do you just say, all those in favour of us, say aye? CM: We take advice from our staff but we have it assessed externally. We certainly dont do it ourselves. But weve got to get the design absolutely right, too. So the development application is being prepared now, and that will be ready by the end of this year. That should be approved by 2027, and then demolition in 2028, with completion by 2031. Advertisement Related Article Planning The radical alternative to Sydneys $150m civic square plan Fitz: OK, but I still dont understand the DA. Do you approve your own? CM: A private planner will do the assessment and make a recommendation to us, and at our planning committee we will pass it or refuse it. Fitz: Im guessing youll pass it, given you proposed it. CM: We will. But, you know, the private planner will have to do a lot of work to ensure every contingency is covered. Itll have to be done with the same accuracy as all the other DAs. Advertisement Fitz: All right, one of the key criticisms is that you will need to knock down the Woolies building, which is a 100-year-old art deco structure with heritage value. The one dissenting vote on your council, from Councillor Yvonne Weldon, has said thats too valuable a building to knock down. Whats your response? CM: Well, Woolworths has known since the 1980s that this project is happening. And as theres a 14 per cent vacancy rate in commercial activity in the city, they could easily move to another site. And for those people complaining about losing the supermarket, theres a Coles just down the road. Fitz: Yes, but what about the art deco and heritage aspects of a 100-year-old building? CM: Well, thatll be well documented. But I think this square is more important. It is a major square, for the global city of Sydney, and we have many other fine art deco buildings. Fitz: And yet Paul Nicolaou, the executive director of Business Sydney, is another critic and he says this is a move to discourage business, that it will tear at the commercial heart of the city at precisely the time it is needed most, that you need money going into resuscitating retail, not into knocking down valuable buildings with strong working businesses. Advertisement CM: I disagree. We need money going into attracting people into the city, attracting business into the city, attracting tourism into the city, into having a beautiful city and that is what will drive the business. Id also say that the business community, other than Paul Nicolaou, is very excited about this. Related Article Opinion Circular Quay The Quay to our glittering city? No, its a circular political graveyard Tone Wheeler Australian Architecture Association president Fitz: Have you got a name for the square? Surely we can do better than Town Hall Square? CM: No, we dont have a name yet. We will be looking for an Aboriginal name when we do but we havent yet determined the method of choosing that. Fitz: What about Patyegarang, the young Cammeraygal woman of the Eora nation who was a key figure in the early life of the colony, who lived in a hut at Dawes Point with Lieutenant William Dawes, and who was a key bridge between black and white Australia? Patyegarang Place has a certain ring to it Advertisement CM: Yes, well, it wont be a decision made by me. Well ask the community and well do a lot of work and research and come up with something strong to be put to the council. Fitz: OK, can I pitch you another great idea for a square while Ive got you? There was a brilliant piece written on this in the Herald a few years ago, as a matter of fact, I wrote it. Can I give you the pitch? CM: Go on. Fitz: What about Circular Quay Square, where we could have our own Piazza San Marco by the harbour, instead of by the canals? CM: Absolutely. A square at Circular Quay, a square at Town Hall and a square at Central. Were already doing a lot of work around Circular Quay. If youve been down there lately youll see that weve opened up laneways and dining areas and have lot of beautiful new developments. But the thing thats missing is we need the government to remove the Cahill Expressway and relocate the rail line, to provide a beautiful square right there to look at the most beautiful harbour in the world. Right now, all you see when you get down there is this wall. Its terrible. Advertisement Fitz: I agree, but the idea I was promoting was to push the ferry terminal 100 metres further out into the harbour you create a fabulous and truly open space, bordered by the Opera House, the MCA, the city and the harbour, right there. [Let me hear you say, hey!] CM: Well, youre making it even more adventurous. Ill just be satisfied with removing the Cahill Expressway and being able to have a large paved area there. Fitz: OK, lets finish on and Im sorry but I will have to insist on this name Patyegarang Place. If you get it up, will it be your proudest achievement in political life? CM: We will get it up. And Id like to think Ive got lots of moments to be proud about in political life. Im pretty proud about George Street, to begin with. Fitz: Thank you, lord mayor. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here. Advertisement Exclusive NationalNSWHospitals Patients catch bird lice in NSW hospital infested with pigeons Angus Thomson March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Health workers have raised patient safety concerns over pigeon infestations at three NSW hospitals that have left excrement dripping from ceiling vents, dead smells in corridors, and patients and staff seeking treatment after catching bird lice. Maintenance teams at Tamworth, Wollongong, and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals have all been alerted to pigeon problems in the last three months, documents released to parliament last week reveal. Pigeon droppings throughout Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown earlier this year. In an email sent in November, a Tamworth Hospital employee said pigeons were living in a hole in the ceiling of the rehabilitation unit. In previous years, staff and patients had been treated for bird lice, including one worker who was treated in the emergency department. A pigeon eradication plan drafted in February aimed to remove the birds safely and humanely and protect staff, patients and visitors from health risks. Advertisement There have not been any cases of bird lice at the facility since 2022, a spokesperson for Hunter New England Local Health District said. The ceiling issue reported in November had also been resolved, they said. At Wollongong Hospital, a maintenance request filed in December noted a room in the older persons mental health unit had become infested with pigeons and bird lice. In an email sent a week later, an admin worker said the pigeons had been heard in the dining area, staff tearoom, waiting room, and patient servery. There has been more poo coming through the vents in the dining room, they said. Advertisement This is of quite a concern as it seems there is definitely more than [one] and we are concerned about potential health hazards to staff and patients. Related Article Hospitals Disturbing: Mould found in hospital after deadly fungus cluster In early January, another employee reported a foul smell on a different ward. There are death [sic] pigeons in the roof space, they wrote. Is there anyway the roof space can be cleaned? At Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital in Camperdown, an email sent in January contained images of pigeon droppings covering floors, seats and walls. Advertisement There is now a waterfall of pigeon poo streaming down the wall and onto the chairs located outside TPU [the perioperative unit], the email reads. Its also streaming into the exhaust fan which I can only presume is circulating contaminants through the area. The clinical manager noted the unit had a work health and safety inspection the following week and it would be good to have it cleaned up. Bird lice cannot survive or reproduce on a human host, but can cause irritation by biting. In rare cases, fungal infections such as cryptococcosis can develop if spores growing in bird droppings are inhaled. Advertisement Opposition health spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell, whose office discovered the documents in a parliamentary call for papers, said the people of NSW deserved better. Patients go to hospital to be cared for, not to be exposed to bird lice, bird droppings and foul odours caused by dead pigeons in roof cavities, she said. The pigeon problems are the latest uncovered in the document tranche. The Herald revealed on Thursday that two transplant patients had died, and four others contracted fungal infections in a cluster linked to construction work at RPA. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. Advertisement NationalNSWLetters Want to add value, Angus? Ask around February 28, 2026 9:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Ironic, isnt it, Jacqueline Maley, to have Angus Taylor lecturing us on Australian values (Migrants already sign on to values, so what exactly is Taylor proposing? , February 22). The Coalition that fought so strenuously against the Voice now has the hide to talk about immigrants and their right to live in the Great South Land. Perhaps he could have a chat to Adam Goodes and other Indigenous people who probably feel that after 60,000 years they might have had a say about who comes to this country. Nola Tucker, Kiama Since my return to Australia in 1986, I have seen core Australian values in action. Attitude to race is the main one, from Indigenous jokes to Pauline Hansons recent comments about Lakemba. Then there are Children Overboard, robo-debt and pork barrelling, which were never investigated, so I assume are acceptable. We invited the president of Israel for a state visit then attacked the people protesting against the war crimes his country is committing. Core Australian Values are those we accept without judgment. Like these and far too many other examples. David Neilson, Uralla Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, who might be advised to talk to a wider range of people. Janie Barrett Jacqueline Maley is quite perplexed about whats behind Angus Taylors revised immigration rules, but I wouldnt fret, Jacqueline. Those determined, or tempted, to vote for the Coalition, know exactly what Taylor means. Rosemary OBrien, Ashfield Our kids deserve a fair go Advertisement It was heartening to read about the great work being done by Bernie Shakeshaft and his heroic team at Backtrack (How to keep kids off the streets and out of jail, February 22). When will governments learn that if you dont fund schools and communities properly, then there will always be a lost generation who are without hope, who are angry, and who dont care what they do. They feel in their bones that society and political leaders will never invest in them and that the cards are deliberately dealt against them. The core Australian value of a fair go is a hollow joke for these kids, and it shouldnt be up to Bernie, or any other charity (including our own), to patch up the cracks in society that governments chose not to deal with. The current plan is not to have a plan, as one Elder told me. But another Aboriginal Elder said to me, You have to work with the clay and not the brick. At Malpa, we have successfully worked with 2000 nine- to 12-year-old kids in NSW and 3000 more across Australia. High school attendance, no classroom violence, motivated Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal kids reconciled. Government interest? Zero. Please, lets get fair dinkum (another Australian value). Don Palmer, Malpa director of communications, Gordon Watered-down policy Shortsighted and cynical are other ways to describe it (Floodplain housing is lunacy, say SES experts, February 22). It boils down to a government that wants to look decisive but at no immediate cost to its bottom line. This will be housing development that has no regard to the anguish likely to be felt by future residents, not to mention costs of repair and insurance down the track. Is the Minns government so unsure of its electoral support and so lacking in other housing strategies that it has to fall back on such an unoriginal course of action? Its totally irresponsible. Margaret Johnston, Paddington I stumbled on a unique floodplain housing solution in Peru when I travelled to Iquitos on the Amazon River years ago. They built their houses on log rafts, so when the inevitable winter floods came, their houses turned into houseboats. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge I distinctly remember at the College of Law that we (soon-to-be solicitors) were never to allow our clients to buy into a flood prone area or a mine subsidence area. So why is the government allowing housing in the flood-prone Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley? Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga Advertisement AI shocks to the system Tim Duggans opinion piece following the viral Matt Shumer article this week spells out the disaster AI will be for jobs (If AI can automate work, whats the point of a job?, February 22). But jobs arent the worst of it. If you want to understand what the world faces from AI, google The Adolescence of Technology by the boss of Anthropic. Its long, but worth it. The world faces an existential crisis possibly before the end of this decade because tech bros in California arent doing enough to make AI safe. And politicians arent even talking about it, publicly. Gary Barnes, Mosman Books, books everywhere Reading Cherie Gilmours confession (Hoard habit to break: Confessions of bibliomaniac, February 22), it is comforting to know that one is not alone with the love or obsession of reading. There are 1 bibliomaniacs in this house. The book titles cover areas of: English (Old, Middle and Modern), railways of NSW and Britain, architectural and social history of Sydney, biblical theology (not just biblical exegesis), childrens books, many crime novels, poetry (in English) from the last 1000 or so years, a smattering of French books, recipes (ignored mostly, sadly), old books, English language development and usage and DAs book on crosswords. I wont say which of us fits the various categories. There are no books by James Patterson. The books occupy bookcases, shelves and the floor next to one bedroom wall. There is a branch library in a container. And this is without buying repeat books from our local Lifeline book sale. As with Cherie, we will slowly work our way through them. Donald Hawes, Peel To submit a letter to The Sun-Herald , email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Letters Opinion Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion Suddenly, Albos a hard-nosed patriot (with an acute scent for votes) Parnell Palme McGuinness Columnist and communications adviser March 1, 2026 5:00am March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Anthony Albanese has never been so sure of anything in his life: he does not want the ISIS women and children to come to Australia. As he hit the airwaves on the issue over the past week and a bit, it struck me that Ive never before heard him so certain. Once upon a time, when a politician spoke with such unadulterated confidence, it was time to sit up and listen. It would have indicated deep-seated conviction. Now my first instinct is to check the polls. Anthony Albanese says Well, we are doing nothing to repatriate or to assist these people. I think its unfortunate that children are caught up in this. The Age New polling shop Fox & Hedgehog confirmed my suspicions. A national poll out last Sunday found that 64 per cent of voters oppose or strongly oppose allowing the return of the wives and family members of Australian men who flew to the Middle East to fight for ISIS. Now, it is of course statistically likely that the prime minister is genuinely among the slightly lower, but still majority, 56 per cent of Labor voters who oppose or strongly oppose the repatriation. But it cant hurt that he knows the Australian people are overwhelmingly with him. Since Australians have started to worry more about social cohesion, Albanese has been shifting his stance. Hes begun to champion patriotism (with progressive as a modifier, to make it less scary) and updated his usage of social cohesion to imply integration. One of his ministers even defended Australia Day in a public speech made this week. Yes, even if it continues to be held on the current date. Ive got whiplash. This is a massive about-turn. Advertisement For as long as I can remember, the generalisable position of the two major parties was that the Coalition was concerned with vetting new migrants for skills, character and civic contribution, vehemently against asylum-seekers arriving through illegal channels, and deeply concerned with integration. The Labor Party, on the other hand, perhaps as a repudiation of its historical support for the White Australia Policy, became almost utopian in its attitude to multiculturalism under prime minister Gough Whitlam. Related Article Islamic State ISIS brides prepared to go to jail to get their children to Australia Since then, Labor has been allergic to any suggestion of integration, horrified by its antecedent assimilation, and at least until Kevin Rudd was elected and the consequences of dismantling it became alarmingly apparent very much against the system prime minister John Howard had created to discourage asylum-seeker arrivals by boat. I have been arguing for years that the European experience recommended against this type of utopianism and broadly in favour of the approach adopted by the Coalition. So Im not mad that the Labor Party has finally come around. But I do feel a bit gaslit in the way it has done it. When the facts change, reasonable people will change their minds. But the facts have not changed unless polls following the Bondi attack are the facts in question. Yet, Albanese and his team have flipped their former position with no admission that they have done a 180. Theres nothing to see here, it seems. In Orwellian terms, we have always been at war with Eastasia. Advertisement Indeed, in a speech to the McKell Institute on Wednesday, Julian Hill, the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs the minister whos confessed to liking Australia Day discovered that debates over the scale and focus of the migration program are entirely legitimate ... there are genuine community anxieties. Related Article Exclusive Islamic State Sydney doctors campaign letter: re-electing Burke the only hope of bringing ISIS brides home Hill says hes concerned about extremely culturally conservative behaviour, forced marriage, reports from high schools in parts of Melbourne and no doubt elsewhere about homophobic abuse of gay kids in schools by some newly arrived migrants from multiple countries and faith groups. And he says, Calling such things out can be done in a way that asserts shared Australian values without smearing an ethnic or religious group, and we should not be afraid to do so. In fact, Hill says, it is our responsibility to do so. Bizarrely, though, from there he pivoted to blaming precisely the people who have tried to navigate those debates for the recent decline in social cohesion. The Liberal Party, in Hills telling, has picked on or failed to defend various groups of immigrants. Im not going to defend the Liberal Party on this individually or collectively. Some have no doubt said things that were insensitive. But, over the past couple of decades, any attempt to call out behaviour which didnt accord with Australian values which Hill now says is our responsibility was slandered and smeared by the Labor team. I know this from personal experience: regardless of how carefully I have pointed out emerging problems, theres always someone like Hill who will turn around and accuse me of dog-whistling. Advertisement I know, and Ive still done it for years, because its important. As far back as 2016, I tried to explain to an Australian audience the important concept of a leitkultur a leading culture, or shared core values developed by Syrian-German intellectual Bassam Tibi. I pointed out the foundations of Australias successful multi-ethnic society and the need to refresh and reinforce the principles on which it was built. I argued we had a responsibility to citizens born Australian, to immigrants who became Australian, and to those who sought to join us, to preserve our liberal democracy. Related Article Letters Must we be cruel to ISIS brides to be kind to our MPs margins? Doing so got me branded a conservative. Which is why I find this U-turn highly suspect. It reeks of political calculation. For the last 30 years, Labors two Achilles heels have been the economy and finances, and security and borders, Resolve pollster Jim Reed tells me. Albanese has managed to neutralise those Coalition strengths, and without those foundational brand attributes, its difficult to see how the Coalition can come back. The prime ministers response to the Bondi attacks was seen as weak, so he needed a way to show strength and conviction to shore up his position and keep his advantage. Advertisement At least hes got it right, if for the wrong reasons. If theres one thing Albanese knows with conviction, its that he wants to remain in the Lodge. Parnell Palme McGuinness is an insights and advocacy strategist. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens and is a senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies. She is also an advisory board member of Australians For Prosperity, which is part-funded by the coal industry. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. By Nate Raymond Feb 27 (Reuters) - A North Dakota judge on Friday finalized a $345 million judgment against Greenpeace in a lawsuit pursued by pipeline company Energy Transfer over the environmental group's role in protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The final judgment by Judge James Gion was in line with a decision he issued in October, in which he slashed by almost half a damages award of about $667 million that a jury had awarded Energy Transfer in March. Greenpeace in a statement said it would seek a new trial and, if necessary, appeal the decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court, calling the lawsuit "a blatant attempt to silence free speech." "Speaking out against corporations that cause environmental harm should never be deemed unlawful," Marco Simons, interim general counsel at Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace Fund, said in a statement. Energy Transfer in a statement called the decision an "important step in this legal process of holding Greenpeace accountable for its unlawful and damaging actions against us during the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline." It added it was "analyzing possible next steps that we may choose to take to make sure they are held fully accountable." The Dakota Access project near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation began in 2016 and was completed in 2017. Construction of the pipeline, which now transports roughly 40% of the oil produced in North Dakota's Bakken region, was met with fierce protests by environmental and tribal advocacy groups who said it would poison the local water supply and exacerbate climate change. Texas-based Energy Transfer first sued Greenpeace in a federal court in North Dakota in 2017, accusing it of spreading falsehoods about the project and paying protesters to disrupt construction. The North Dakota jury delivered its verdict in March, including damages for defamation, trespassing and conspiracy. Greenpeace countersued Energy Transfer in the Netherlands in February under a European law aimed at curbing lawsuits filed to harass or silence activists. That litigation is ongoing. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Chris Reese) Advertisement WorldEuropeWales Opinion Its a day to celebrate the nation that gave us Julia, Kylie and Naomi Matt Lewis Barrister March 1, 2026 5:00am March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Welsh Australians will today celebrate St Davids Day in a state that adopted the name New South Wales, representing one of the more optimistic acts of imperial branding. History suggests that when Captain Cook gazed upon the east coast in 1770, he deemed it close enough to the familiar, verdant landscape of home. Welsh Australians Julia Gillard, Kylie Minogue and Naomi Watts. Cook was certainly not referring to the climate. While Wales is synonymous with rolling, lush hills, choral harmonies and relentless rain, Sydney specialises in iconic harbour views, high-factor SPF and shivering when the temperature dips below 20 degrees. Nevertheless, the Welsh imprint on Australia is ubiquitous. A couple of hours north of Sydney, one finds the transplanted cities of Swansea and Cardiff names moved from the Bristol Channel to a coastline that enjoys far more ultraviolet enthusiasm. A little further afield, the Hunter Valleys coal industry owes its foundations to Welsh miners, such as Thomas Lewis from Merthyr Tydfil, who played a crucial role in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Welsh influence is literally ingrained in Australian history, with slate from the Welsh valleys featuring in historical buildings like Camden Park and Elizabeth House. Similarly, David Jones, the upmarket department store synonymous with taste, was founded by a Welshman from Llandeilo. Advertisement Before soft power became a common term, Welsh influence reached the highest levels of Australian politics. Billy the Little Digger Hughes, born to Welsh immigrants, guided Australia through the First World War with a rhetorical force reminiscent of a chapel pulpit. Related Article Wales Wonders and whimsy in one of Britains most underrated regions A century later, Julia Gillard journeyed from the town of Barry to The Lodge, demonstrating that Gavin & Staceys Nessa was not the only robust woman from Barry to reject misogyny. Ironically, even Tony Abbott carries Welsh DNA. Even the most hallowed of legal institutions the High Court has long been shaped by Welsh influence. Samuel Griffith, a former chief justice and a primary architect of the Australian Constitution, was also born in Merthyr Tydfil. Given the Welsh affinity for song and the dramatic, it is perhaps no surprise that Australias most celebrated performers share these roots. Kylie and Dannii Minogues mother hails from the valley town of Maesteg; Olivia Newton-Johns father was born in Cardiff; and Naomi Watts, whose maternal family is Welsh, was educated at a Welsh-speaking school in north Wales. Even the eisteddfods that generations of Australian school children have, depending on your point of view, endured or enjoyed are, as the name suggests, Welsh in origin. Meaning sitting or session, the tradition traces its lineage back to Cardigan Castle in 1176. The Welsh village of Newtown during St Davids Day celebrations on Wednesday. Getty Images Advertisement Yet despite these deep cultural ties, dont expect a street parade this weekend. That kind of revelry is left to our boisterous, albeit beloved, Celtic neighbours. Just quietly, though, they celebrate another Welshman. St Patrick was almost certainly from South Wales. Instead, the Welsh contribution to the Australian character is defined by a quieter little battler mentality a stoicism grounded in humility. In many ways, there is nothing more Australian than that. This Sunday, whether youre following the Lambassadors orders for a chop and a cold one, or sitting down to a succulent Chinese meal, consider adding some leeks to the menu. It is an understated, characteristic nod to a culture that has quietly stitched itself into the fabric of Australian society. Better still, find a fresh batch of Welsh cakes to devour, or take a stroll through Llankelly Place, Bangor, Menai or Llanthony (among many others). If you do, bring an umbrella; the weekend forecast looks appropriately Welsh. To the Welsh-Australians celebrating: Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus (Happy St Davids Day). To everyone else: Iechyd da (good health). Matt Lewis, SC, is a barrister who specialises in media law and a proud Welsh-Australian. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war One of the most evil people in history: Khamenei killed in strikes, Trump confirms Jon Gambrell , Melanie Lidman , Josh Boak and Eric Tucker Updated March 1, 2026 5:08pm ,first published March 1, 2026 7:26am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A US President Donald Trump says the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the greatest chance for Iranians to take back the country following a stunning new chapter in American military intervention that opens the potential for retaliatory violence in the Middle East and elsewhere. Iranian state media confirmed the death, without elaborating on a cause of death, following the most ambitious strikes on the country by the United States and Israel in decades on Saturday Australian time. In a social media post on Sunday Australian time, Trump called Khamenei one of the most evil people in history and said that heavy and pinpoint bombing would continue uninterrupted in the coming week and possibly beyond. US President Donald Trump said that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could not escape the US and Israeli web of surveillance. AP, Bloomberg This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei, he said in the post. Advertisement Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationally televised address that there were many signs indicating Khamenei is no longer and calling on Iranians to finish the job. He said that Khameneis compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had also been killed. Iran has called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases. Advertisement Mourners raised a black flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened on Sunday to launch its most-intense offensive operation ever after the killing of the supreme leader. The most-intense offensive operation in the history of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin in moments, targeting (Israel) and American terrorist bases, it said. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war Trump and Netanyahu have decided on war, putting their alliance above any other The death of the Iranian leader opens a stunning new chapter in US intervention in Iran and carries the potential for retaliatory violence in the Middle East and elsewhere. The strikes launched on Iran also represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor. The 86-year-old supreme leader had the final say on all major policies during his decades in power. Advertisement Khamenei led Irans clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the two main centres of power in the governing theocracy. As reports trickled out about the death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. View post on X Australia doing its best to help stranded citizens Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that the federal governments ability to help Australians stranded in the region was limited because of the lack of diplomatic staff in the region. Were doing this on an hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute basis, he said on Sunday. Advertisement The governments national security committee met on Sunday morning to discuss the fast-developing situation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that no-one would mourn Khamenei. Flavio Brancaleone Australia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2025 after spy agency ASIO accused Tehran of orchestrating two attacks on Jewish sites in Sydney and Melbourne. The prime minister backed the US-Israeli strikes but called for civilians to be protected while dodging questions about the legality of the attacks, saying that was a matter for the countries involved. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security, he said. Advertisement Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime. He added that no-one would mourn Khamenei. Foreign Minister Penny Wong played down the likelihood of Australian troops becoming involved in the conflict, even if there was the potential for a change of Iranian leadership. She confirmed Australian leaders were not told in advance about the strikes. The joint US-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday Australian time during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administrations success in incapacitating the countrys nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the US military reported no US casualties and minimal damage at US. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Advertisement Israeli military officials confirmed that the initial Israeli-led strikes had killed Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour, along with five other senior Iranian military officers. People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran on Saturday. AP At least three explosions were heard on Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defence systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defence systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-US strike on a girls elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday. Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency via AP Advertisement State news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of Lamerd, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Iranian counterattack causes travel chaos With much of the airspace over the Middle East closed, most major airports in the region, including the Dubai International Airport, have been forced to close. Four people were injured after an incident at Dubai Airport, which is the worlds busiest international travel hub, handling more than 1000 flights a day. Iran fired missiles at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, all key east-west aviation gateways. Airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on Saturday including to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai and neighbouring Doha sit at the crossroads of east-west air travel, with much of the long-haul traffic between Europe and Asia passing through both airports. A prolonged shutdown, which looks likely, will put the global aviation network under pressure with airlines forced to cancel or reroute flights. Advertisement On Saturday, nearly 1000 of about 4200 flights scheduled to arrive in Middle Eastern countries were cancelled, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows. Adding in scheduled departures, the total number of cancellations exceeded 1800 flights in a day. Some flights already en route today were diverted, said Juliette Alpha. Most of those were from Middle Eastern carriers. A few non-Middle Eastern airlines had already departed at the time of the military action today. Emirates cancelled 108 of 269 scheduled flights. Etihad cancelled 80 of 191 scheduled flights. Qatar cancelled 174 of 304 flights. View post on X An unforgettable lesson Iran has responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, with Ali Larijani, the secretary of Irans National Security Council, saying that Israel and America will regret their actions. Advertisement The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will deliver an unforgettable lesson to the hellish international oppressors, Larijani posted on social media platform X. Iran has targeted US bases in Qatar (Al-Udeid), Kuwait (Ali al-Salem), the UAE (al-Dhafra), and Bahrain (Fifth Fleet base), alongside attacks in Iraq and Jordan. Israeli news outlet Haaretz said that one person had died and more than 20 wounded after an Iranian missile directly hit a building in central Tel Aviv. The building partially collapsed and a fire broke out at the scene, emergency services told Haaretz. An explosion is seen as a missile hits a building in Tel Aviv, Israel. AP Meanwhile, blasts were heard in the Dubai area and over Qatari capital Doha for a second day on Sunday, as Iran continues to target the neighbouring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes. Advertisement Irans government has declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Iranian state television described Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as being at his compound in downtown Tehran when the initial attack began. Satellite photos from Airbus showed the site heavily bombed. The daughter and son-in-law of Khamenei were killed in the US-Israeli attacks in Iran, according to semi-official news agency. A satellite image shows heavy damage to Khameneis compound in Tehran. Airbus Also killed in Saturdays attacks were a grandchild and a daughter-in-law, Fars News Agency, citing unidentified sources. The agency didnt provide further details. Domestic response to the attacks in the US Advertisement Trumps military strikes have prompted the Democrats to demand an immediate vote in the US Congress, accusing the president of usurping the legislative branchs power to declare war. Given the scope of the strikes and the US presidents broad goal of toppling the Islamic Republic, the Democrats are arguing that under the US Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, only Congress could declare war. However, there is also division in the party about how to respond to Trumps strikes, with some prominent voices denouncing the strikes while others are ambivalent or supportive. Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, said Iran was a bad actor and must be restrained, but in the absence of exigent circumstances, Trump must seek congressional authorisation for pre-emptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately and provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, he said. Advertisement Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have clashed with Iran at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council where the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and many other countries urged a halt to their attacks and a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from spreading further into the region and beyond. Guterres also condemned Irans attacks on Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iranian ambassador to the UN, told the council that the airstrikes have killed and injured hundreds of Iranian civilians, which he called a war crime and a crime against humanity. However, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, insisted the US military action was lawful. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, he told the council. Israels UN ambassador Danny Danon also defended the airstrikes as necessary to stop an existential threat. Government supporters gather in mourning after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. AP What happens next in Iran Advertisement Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He had the final say on all major policies, led Irans clerical establishment and personally commanded the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard the two main centres of power in the countrys theocracy. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is only the second Supreme Leader since the Islamic revolution of 1979. AP He served as Irans president from 1981 to 1989 and is only the second Supreme Leader since the Islamic revolution of 1979. A hardliner, Khamenei had strenuously resisted efforts from the Iranian government to improve relations with the US and was not in support of Iran downgrading it nuclear capabilities. The regime led by Khamenei was under growing pressure with protests held earlier this year. Advertisement Rioters must be put in their place, Khamenei declared after security forces cracked down on hundreds of thousands protesters on January 8 and January 9. Activists said they documented more than 7000 killed and were working to verify more. The government has acknowledged more than 3000 dead, which is still higher than the toll from past crackdowns. Israeli and US bombardment during last summers 12-day war had heavily damaged Irans nuclear program, missile systems and military capabilities. Irans network of regional proxies, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, has been weakened by Israeli and US attacks since the war in Gaza began, along with Tehrans influence across the Middle East. Related Article Protests How Iran crushed a citizen uprising with lethal force The first major threat to Khameneis grip was the reform movement in 1989 that swept into a parliamentary majority and the presidency soon after he became supreme leader. It advocated for giving greater power to elected officials, which Khameneis hard-line supporters feared would lead to dismantling the Islamic Republic system. Khamenei rallied the clerical establishment, and unelected bodies run by mullahs shut down major reforms and barred reform candidates from elections. Since then, waves of popular protests have been crushed, including nationwide demonstrations erupted in 2009 over allegations of vote-rigging and protests in 2017 and 2019. Advertisement More protests came in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained by police for not wearing her mandatory headscarf properly. And the latest demonstrations touched off after the countrys currency, the rial, plunged to a record low of 1.42 million to the US dollar were mercilessly suppressed. With no succession plan in place, a panel of Shiite clerics will be tasked with choosing one of their own to succeed Khamenei. Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies, told The Associated Press this week that a key lesson Tehran drew from last years war was the need to ensure regime continuity in case of Khameneis death. He added that power could shift to a small committee of top officials until hostilities subside. It is possible that Khamenei has indicated a preferred successor behind closed doors, Citrinowicz said. However automatic implementation of a preselected successor will increase internal friction during war. Advertisement Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Trump tells Iranian regime to lay down your arms as attacks rock the country Menna Alaa El-Din Updated February 28, 2026 8:59pm ,first published 5:36pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A US President Donald Trump has announced the start of major combat operations in Iran, with Israel and the US launching multiple attacks on the nation. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, Trump said in a video shared on social media, He called the attacks a noble mission, saying they were necessary because of Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile systems that could reach the US. View post on X Trump also called on Iranian officials to lay down your arms or you will face certain death, and encouraged the Iranian people to take over your government it will be yours to take. Advertisement Smoke rises on the skyline following an explosion in Tehran after a targeted strike by Israel. AP Israel along with the US launched a daylight attack on Irans capital, Tehran, on Saturday, with a cloud of smoke rising from the citys downtown. Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasnt immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time. He hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with the US have grown. A regime official told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location. In an interview with NBC News, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Khamenei was still alive as far as I know, and one or two commanders may have been killed. Advertisement Roads to Khameneis compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Neighbouring Iraq closed its airspace, the Ministry of Transport said. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss non-public information about the attack. Iranian authorities said Israeli-US airstrikes in southern Iran killed 85 people at a girls school, the first confirmed fatalities in the operation. The state-run IRNA news agency reported the strike happened in Minab in Irans Hormozgan province. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city. Iran shut down its airspace after the attack. The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran. Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that the proactive alert [was] to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the state of Israel. Advertisement Iran strikes back Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it has launched its first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, suggesting it planned further attacks. It had warned that US military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation. It had also warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against US bases if Washington struck Iran. Witnesses also heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central. There was no immediate word of any damage. Bahrain says the headquarters of the US Navys Fifth Fleet was targeted by a missile attack. Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain. REUTERS Advertisement Bahrains state news agency said several facilities were hit inside the kingdom as a result of an aggression from outside the country. The US embassy in Qatar posted on social media that it had told all personnel to shelter in place, adding that we recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Qatar hosts a major air base that is the forward headquarters of US Central Command and hosts thousands of American service members. The Al Udeid Air Base was targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for the US attacks on its nuclear facilities. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war In the most consequential moment of his presidency, Trump reveals his end game Advertisement The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have decided to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. Thats according to two senior Houthi officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. One of the officials said the rebels first attack could come tonight. Trump conceded in his video message that we may have casualties as a result of the military operation. The New York Times also reported that General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and one of Trumps most trusted advisers, warned the president that US troops could be killed if he attacked Iran. Smoke rises over Tehrans city centre after an Israeli army launches a second wave of airstrikes on Iran. Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement Strikes in Iran by Israel and the US suggest shaping actions designed to degrade air defences in a pattern typical of a wider military campaign, a Dutch intelligence firm said. The broader pattern suggests preparatory shaping actions, said Eric Schouten, chief executive of Dyami security intelligence firm in the Netherlands. This appears less like a symbolic strike and more like the opening phase of a co-ordinated campaign designed to establish air superiority and operational freedom of movement. Neutralising radar systems, surface-to-air missile batteries and command nodes would create more permissive conditions for sustained air operations over Iranian territory. Advertisement Australia stands with the brave people of Iran: Albanese Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed the US strikes on Iran, saying Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security, Albanese said. For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation, he said, noting the two attacks on Australias Jewish community in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement It said Australias ability to provide consular assistance was extremely limited, after the country closed its embassy following revelations that Iran was behind attacks on Australias Jewish community. Foreign Minister Penny Wong shared the latest advice from Smartraveller on social media just before the strikes began, urging Australians to leave Iran if they could. Wong and the prime minister have been contacted for comment. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done to remove threats. He did not elaborate. A projectile hits the water in Haifa Bay, northern Israel. Leo Correa/AP Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated Trumps regime change rhetoric in a statement on X, saying the Iranian regime must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and the time was ripe for Iranian people to topple the existing theocracy. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity, Netanyahu said. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles. Hospital staff move patients to a parking lot shelter at the Ichilov medical center in Tel Aviv, Israel. Bloomberg Advertisement In June, the US joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic. Tehran retaliated by launching missiles towards the US. Western powers have warned that Irans ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs. Trump had wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Advertisement People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo) AP The world responds The European Unions first statement on the attacks avoided any criticism or support for Donald Trump and his military strikes against Iran. Instead, the EU said it was sympathetic to the situation faced by Iranian civilians and was talking to Israel to urge restraint to avoid civilian casualties. The latest developments across the Middle East are perilous, said the European Commissions foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia. Irans regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security. The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue. Advertisement Kallas added that all non-essential EU personnel were being withdrawn from the region. Related Article Middle East tensions Whats in the massive armada Trump has heading towards Iran? Russia on Saturday urged an immediate halt to US and Israeli strikes on Iran, saying the situation must be returned to the path of political and diplomatic settlement. The foreign ministry said the international community should swiftly deliver an objective assessment of what it called irresponsible actions that risk further destabilising the region. Moscow added that it remains ready, as before, to assist in efforts to find peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests. Meanwhile, the British government is warning against further escalation in the Middle East and avoiding any explicit support for Donald Trump in his decision to launch strikes against Iran. Advertisement UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a security meeting cabinet ministers and defence chiefs over the next few hours. (This is known as a Cobra meeting in Whitehall). There is no sign that UK facilities or forces have been used to support the strikes, and no reporting so far about any advanced notice to the UK about the attacks. In the US, the early response from federal lawmakers to the attacks launched at Iran largely revolved around their feelings about Trump. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has long pushed for regime change in Iran, called for God to bless Trump. He said on social media that the attacks could provide freedom for the Iranian people, saying, This operation is necessary and long justified. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who was a Marine in the Iraq War, warned, Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasnt been explained or justified to the American people. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has emerged as an opponent of Trump, said the president had engaged in acts of war unauthorised by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Analysis WorldMiddle EastMiddle East tensions Trump has six options that will decide the future of Iran Adrian Blomfield and Kieran Kelly February 28, 2026 4:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A For someone so instinctively non-interventionist, Donald Trump has developed a taste for military action particularly when the battle is short and decisive. The snatch-and-run operation to spirit Nicolas Maduro out of Venezuela last month and last years bunker-busting raids on Irans nuclear facilities allowed the US president to savour emphatic victories without entanglement. Both reinforced his belief that force, swiftly applied, can deliver results. US President Donald Trump. Bloomberg Emboldened by those successes, determined to reassert Washingtons global primacy, and sensing what he sees as a historic opportunity to force Iran into giving up its nuclear program or even removing a regime that has menaced the Middle East for nearly half a century Trump is again contemplating the military option. This time, however, the gamble is far greater. If the US president decides to use force, it is conceivable that he could indeed topple the ayatollahs who have suffocated and subjugated Iran for decades. Advertisement But if things go wrong, he could also ignite a regional conflagration, spark a civil war and drag the US into the very kind of forever conflict he has long railed against. The risks are immense, but so are the rewards, said Yossi Kuperwasser, a former head of research for Israeli military intelligence. It is a very difficult decision to make. Last month, as Trump promised protesters on Irans streets that help was on the way, Israel lobbied against US military strikes. Officials feared that having burnt through its interceptor air defence stockpile during last years war, the country was left dangerously exposed to an Iranian ballistic-missile counter-attack. Those concerns have been partly allayed by the build-up of US offensive and defensive assets in the region. With the US and Iran seemingly unable to reach a compromise during several rounds of negotiations this week, Israel is poised to support American military action. Advertisement US officials had previously said the military would be ready to strike as early as February 22. Israel is now believed to be keen for Trump to take action, even as anxious Gulf powers urge restraint. The US president has threatened to strike Iran if no deal is struck over its nuclear program, while leaders including himself and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have accused Iran of developing missiles that could hit the US. The worlds largest aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford is now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. AP Much depends on what, precisely, Trump is trying to achieve something that has grown less clear now that the protests in Iran have been crushed. Advertisement Is he seeking to punish Iran for slaughtering thousands and possibly tens of thousands of its own people? Is the aim to force Iran into a deal in which it formally abandons its nuclear program? Or is he pursuing regime change and if so, what would that actually look like? Related Article Donald Trump Trump says of Iran: Sometimes you have to use force Diplomats and analysts say there are essentially six scenarios under consideration. Military pressure alone The Iranian regime has rarely looked weaker. The three pillars of its regional power its network of proxy militias, its nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal have all been significantly degraded over the past two years. The brutal suppression of last months protests has diminished what little domestic legitimacy it retained. Fear alone sustains the system. Advertisement A show of might, rather than force, may therefore be sufficient to extract major concessions. With their survival at stake, Irans rulers might countenance steps they have long rejected: formally abandoning nuclear ambitions, dismantling proxy networks and surrendering remaining ballistic missiles perhaps even sacrificing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader. Such an outcome would hand Trump a major foreign policy triumph without a shot being fired. Nothing would burnish his credentials more. Yet diplomats regard it as unlikely. The regime appears determined to resist rather than retreat, says one. If Tehran digs in and Washington then backs away, Trump risks looking weak. The US could attempt a decapitation strike against Irans supreme leader. AP The symbolic strike Advertisement Having set a red line threatening military action if the regime continued killing protesters Trump has placed himself under pressure to act. Even after deciding against striking during the protests and even as negotiations with Tehran went on this week, the US presidents military threats continued. The last thing he wants is to be likened to Barack Obama, who failed to enforce his own red lines in Syria. If credibility is his overriding concern, the president could opt for a limited, largely symbolic strike, echoing his 2017 and 2018 missile attacks on Syrian regime targets. Smoke rises over Tehran after a reported Israeli strike on a building used by Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, part of Irans state TV broadcaster, in June. Getty Images Under such a scenario, US forces might hit one or two high-profile sites, such as the Thar-Allah headquarters in Tehran, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centre widely seen as the nerve hub of internal repression. The destruction of such a building would be celebrated by many Iranians. This would be a low-cost, low-reward option, one diplomat says. Trump could claim to have kept his word while minimising the risk of retaliation. However, any initial, smaller-scale strike is likely to act as a prelude to a larger operation, unless Iran gives up its nuclear enrichment capabilities, US officials told The Wall Street Journal this week. Advertisement Limited substantive action Trump could choose broader strikes designed to encourage renewed unrest, placing the regime under simultaneous external and internal pressure. Such a campaign would probably last several days, potentially even weeks, according to US officials, targeting air defences, ballistic missile launchers, communications infrastructure, energy facilities and IRGC installations, including facilities linked to the Basij militia responsible for much of the violent suppression of the protests. Iranian missile forces hold a drill on Abu Musa island in the middle of the Strait of Hormuz in 2023. AP The objective would be to create conditions in which Iranians might seize the initiative themselves, allowing the US to facilitate, rather than directly engineer, regime change. Advertisement The risks are considerable. Protesters, exhausted, traumatised and suspicious after Trumps change of mind, may not respond. Strikes could instead rally the population around the regime, as they did during the June 12-day war. Many IRGC and Basij facilities sit in densely populated areas, raising the likelihood of civilian casualties. And Iran, which still retains a substantial missile arsenal despite the losses suffered in June, could retaliate against Israel or the Gulf states. The Maduro option Should Israel or the US acquire actionable intelligence, Trump might authorise an operation to capture or kill Khamenei something he was reluctant to contemplate last year. Advertisement We know exactly where the so-called supreme leader is hiding, he said during the 12-day war. He is an easy target, but we are not going to take him out, at least not for now. Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is escorted off a helicopter en route to a federal detention cell in New York. Vincent Alban/The New York Times Such a strike would allow Trump a Maduro moment, though on a vastly greater scale. But locating Khamenei may now be far harder. US officials told Axios this week that any operation would probably resemble a large-scale war, rather than the brief Venezuela operation which took place at the start of the year. After the war in June, the regime launched an extensive counter-espionage purge, arresting thousands and executing an unknown number. Security around senior officials has tightened, safe houses have multiplied and Khamenei rarely appears in public. Even if successful, there is no guarantee his successor would prove pliant or stabilising. Advertisement Related Article Venezuela crisis Stealth drones and massive blowtorches: How the US mission to capture Maduro unfolded The Gaddafi option Should limited action fail, Trump could escalate, sustaining airstrikes until the regime collapses, while providing support to re-emerging protests. If the Iranian regime is going to be removed, the reward for the safety and security of the world, and of the Middle East in particular, would be immense, said Kuperwasser. It justifies the risks. This is a likely option should Iran refuse to make concessions in the face of an initial, more limited strike, according to US officials. Advertisement Those risks are formidable. It took seven months to topple Gaddafi, and Iran unlike Libya has no organised rebel force advancing on the capital. A prolonged campaign would risk a rupture between Mr Trump and the anti-interventionist wing of his base. Muammar Gaddafi was dragged from a drainage pipe and killed by Libyan rebels in October 2011. Freedom Group Facing a threat to its existence, Iran could attempt to ignite the region, striking Israel, US bases and even naval assets. It could target Gulf oil facilities or attempt to seal the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices soaring and undermining Trumps domestic priorities. This helps explain why Gulf allies, despite warm ties with the White House, oppose strikes so resolutely and have refused to allow the US to use their territory, airspace or waters for an attack on Iran. They fear what might follow regime collapse. The risk of chaos, even of civil war, is unacceptably high, said one former Arab diplomat. Containment may be safer than confrontation. Advertisement The Saddam option One path Trump is almost certainly not considering is an Iraq-style ground invasion. Boots on the ground would be the most effective way to topple the regime, but managing a transition in Iran a country nearly four times the size of Iraq, with twice the population and a far more complex social fabric would be vastly harder. A US tank unit passes one of the many fallen statues of former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein, in Baghdad in 2003. Kate Geraghty Trump has been accused of bombast, but not even his foes consider him gung-ho. The last thing he wants is another Iraq though he may find that, having ordered military action, he has stumbled into the kind of Middle Eastern entanglement he long swore to avoid. Advertisement Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaIran Opinion The stakes for Australia in Trumps Iran gamble Jennifer Parker Defence and national security expert March 1, 2026 8:50am March 1, 2026 8:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Last night, a missile struck the United States 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, a base where I served in 2023. That strike is a reminder of how much the strategic landscape has hardened in recent years. The United States and Israel have struck Iran. Tehran has responded immediately, targeting US and Israeli forces across the Gulf. This is not a limited reprise of last years strike on Irans nuclear program. The objective now appears broader. Washington appears to be attempting something far more ambitious than its limited strike in June 2025. It is seeking to remove what it views as a persistent source of instability in the region: the regime of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who US President Donald Trump says was killed in the strikes on his compound. Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-US strike on a girls elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday. Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency via AP It is a significant gamble. Whether it succeeds will not be clear for some time. How did we get here, and what does it mean for Australia? The answer to both is complex. Much will be written in coming days about the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the 1983 bombing of US Marines in Beirut, and the attack on USS Cole in Yemen in 2000. But the more relevant point is what Iran has represented strategically over the past two decades. Advertisement In recent years, Iran has acted as a destabilising force across the Middle East, relying on proxies to conduct attacks in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel, with Iranian-linked activity also reported in Australia last year. This has been reinforced by direct action, including the 2019 missile strikes on Saudi Arabia and persistent harassment of commercial shipping. Some incidents make headlines. Many do not. Related Article Updated Middle East at war One of the most evil people in history: Khamenei killed in strikes, Trump confirms Irans 2019 campaign of attacking merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman, including the seizure of a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, had tangible consequences. War risk insurance premiums rose sharply for vessels transiting the strait, a waterway through which roughly a quarter of the worlds oil flows. It was this pattern of attacks that prompted my 2020 Royal Australian Navy deployment to the Middle East as part of the International Maritime Security Construct, helping protect freedom of navigation through one of the worlds most critical chokepoints. Since 1979, the US and its allies have repeatedly surged forces to manage instability linked to Iran, while also in the past two decades sustaining major commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Middle East has consumed strategic attention, military resources and political capital. That sustained focus constrained Washingtons ability to compete as effectively as it might have with China. The Indo-Pacific was emerging as the central theatre of strategic competition while the US and its allies remained absorbed elsewhere. Washington has attempted to step back. During my time at the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain from 2022 to 2023, US naval force flow in the Middle East was at its lowest level in decades. Yet the Middle East still matters. The US has enduring allies and economic interests there, and Irans destabilising activity continued to draw American forces back. Advertisement In 2025 and 2026, aircraft carriers were diverted from the Indo-Pacific, where they were intended to deter China, to respond to crises in the Middle East. For a country that identifies China as its primary strategic competitor, that reallocation sits uneasily with its stated priorities. Related Article Analysis National security Entirely on form: Why Irans Revolutionary Guard targeted Australia Iran has also advanced a nuclear program with long-term weapons ambitions. There is no publicly available evidence that it was on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon, and many assessments suggest it remained years away, if at all. Even so, Irans hardened and dispersed nuclear infrastructure ensured that it would remain a persistent strategic complication for the US. Facilities constructed deep underground and bolstered against air attack are difficult to reconcile with a purely civilian nuclear intent. In his address following the strikes, President Trump indicated that regime change in Tehran was an objective, though not the sole one. That rhetoric raises the stakes. Moving from degrading capability to seeking political transformation alters the scale and risk of the undertaking. There is no widely accepted historical example of air power alone producing regime change without ground invasion, internal uprising or elite defection. US efforts at regime transformation in the Middle East have produced mixed results at best. This is therefore a high-risk strategic play. Advertisement If this succeeds, it could remove one persistent adversary from the US strategic calculus and allow greater focus on the Indo-Pacific. For Australia, Chinas military modernisation and coercive behaviour in our region represent the most consequential long-term security challenge. Sustained US attention there matters to our strategic outlook. Related Article Middle East at war Where are Irans nuclear facilities and does it have a nuclear weapons program? Periods of American distraction have carried costs. While Washington was absorbed in the Middle East, China accelerated island building and militarisation in the South China Sea. More recently, weapons support to Ukraine and operations against the Houthis have drawn down stockpiles and strained force availability. This attack on Iran may be an attempt to consolidate commitments rather than expand them. It may fail. It may deepen instability. But if it succeeds, it could strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and, in doing so, enhance Australias security. Jennifer Parker is an adjunct professor with the University of Western Australia Defence and Security Institute and a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute. She served for more than 20 years as a warfare officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Save this video for later Add videos to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Mrs Lardner also said that she thought her and other Gloucester Circus residents saw no public benefit in filling it in. She added: I just think its very sad to lose something which is so unique, the last of its kind. If it was an animal and it was the last of its kind, everyone would be bending over backwards to preserve it, to do everything they could to keep it. CFO Guilherme Lago introduced a new Managerial P&L and related indicators, describing the change as a structural reorganization of IFRS line items intended to enhance comparability and better reflect economic contribution. He emphasized that the framework does not change net income, cash flow, equity, or regulatory capital and is fully reconciled to IFRS, with a detailed reconciliation report posted to the companys investor relations site. Engagement and monetization improved, with ARPAC (average revenue per active customer) reaching $15 , up about 9% quarter-over-quarter and 27% year-over-year , which management attributed to deeper monetization across the platform. Velez also noted Nus ARPAC remains materially below incumbent competitors, which he said provides runway for additional cross-sell and product expansion. Founder and CEO David Velez said 2025 was a fantastic year and pointed to continued momentum in Q4 as evidence of the companys operating model. Nu ended the year with 131 million customers , adding 17 million net new customers , while maintaining an 83% activity rate . NU (NYSE:NU) executives highlighted strong customer growth, higher monetization, and record profitability during the companys fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, while also outlining a 2026 agenda centered on core-market execution, groundwork for U.S. expansion, and broader use of artificial intelligence. Total portfolio reached $32.7 billion (+40% YoY) with deposits of $41.9 billion , Nus nuFormer AI is in production for credit decisioning and the company is preparing U.S. expansion after conditional OCC approval, but management warned 2026 will be an investment year that could temporarily pressure efficiency. Using a new Managerial P&L , Nu reported Q4 $4.9 billion revenue (+45% YoY), $895 million net income (+50% YoY) and record 33% ROE , while its efficiency ratio improved to 19.9% . 131 million customers after adding 17 million in 2025, with an 83% activity rate and ARPAC rising to $15 (+27% YoY), indicating stronger engagement and monetization potential. Story Continues On the new managerial basis, Nu reported: Q4 revenue of $4.9 billion , up 45% year-over-year Gross profit of nearly $2.0 billion , up 38% year-over-year Net income of $895 million , up 50% year-over-year Record ROE of 33% The company also reported an efficiency ratio of 19.9% under its updated methodology, falling below 20% for the first time. Lago said this reflected operating leverage, as net revenues grew faster than operating expenses even with typical fourth-quarter seasonality in marketing and transaction costs. Credit growth, deposits, and asset quality trends NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Nu ended the quarter with a total portfolio of $32.7 billion, up 40% year-over-year, driven primarily by credit cards and unsecured lending. Lago said credit card balances rose 12.2% quarter-over-quarter, marking the strongest quarterly growth since the end of 2023, supported by limit expansion in Brazil and typical fourth-quarter seasonality. Unsecured lending surpassed $8 billion, with record originations of $4 billion in Q4. Secure lending grew 3.8% quarter-over-quarter, but management said changes to FGTS regulations reduced new originations by more than half, with limited impact on the outstanding portfolio due to longer loan durations. In Q&A, Lago said the new FGTS rules became effective Nov. 1, 2025, and the drop in FGTS originations had been more than offset by growth in public payroll lending; he also indicated that without the FGTS headwind, sequential portfolio growth would have been about 13%-14% rather than roughly 11% (FX neutral). On funding, deposits reached $41.9 billion, up 29% year-over-year, with growth across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Lago said consolidated funding costs improved, with the cost of deposits declining to 87% of the interbank rate by quarter end. He attributed deposit dynamics to a mix of seasonality in Brazil and resumed growth in Mexico after third-quarter pricing and product adjustments. Net interest income rose 13% quarter-over-quarter, driven by portfolio growth and improved funding costs, especially in Mexico. Credit loss allowance increased largely due to portfolio growth and accounting treatment, as provisions were described as mechanically higher due to front-loaded origination accounting even as underlying credit quality remained stable. Lago also cited a one-time Mexico-related item: Nu recorded an extraordinary approximately $25 million contribution to PROSOFIPO (a sector-wide Sofipo deposit insurance fund), reflected in interest expenses. He said it was a non-recurring regulatory levy and not a reflection of the credit quality or the financial health of the Mexico operation. Risk-adjusted net interest margin ended at 10.5% and would have been broadly stable quarter-over-quarter excluding the PROSOFIPO contribution. On delinquencies, Nu began presenting consolidated NPL metrics given its multi-country growth. Early-stage delinquencies (15-90 days) improved for the fourth consecutive quarter, declining 20 basis points to 4.1%. The 90+ day NPL ratio declined 10 basis points to 6.6%. Management said it typically expects a seasonal uptick in 15-90 day NPLs in the first quarter. AI strategy, efficiency outlook, and 2026 priorities Velez said Nu launched more than 100 products and features across markets during the year, with initiatives spanning payments, credit, and customer segmentation. He highlighted Pix enhancements with AI-enabled features, instant payments in Colombia, and expansion of Mexicos cash-in/cash-out network to more than 30,000 physical points. On the technology front, Velez said Nus foundation model, nuFormer, is in production for credit decisioning in Brazil and being tested for additional use cases, and that Pix with AI surpassed 10 million monthly active users. In Q&A, Velez characterized AI as both a disruption risk and an opportunity, arguing that business models primarily moving bytes from point A to point B face greater risk, while credit-oriented models may be more defensible due to capital intensity, regulation, and proprietary data. He also emphasized AIs potential to raise ARPAC through cross-sell and to reduce costs in areas such as service, compliance, and anti-money-laundering processes. For 2026, Velez described an inflection year with three pillars: Winning in core markets , with Brazil and Mexico receiving the majority of capital and management attention; in Mexico, finalizing the banking license process was described as critical to unlocking the next phase of credit growth. Strengthening foundations for international expansion , including operational groundwork for the U.S. opportunity following conditional approval from the OCC for a national bank charter received in January. AI as a superpower, including expanding nuFormer use cases and moving toward an AI-powered personal banker concept. Management cautioned that 2026 will be an investment year that could pressure efficiency in the near term. Lago said expected upward pressure over the next 4-6 quarters would be driven by return-to-office preparation, increased AI-related hiring and computing investments, and spending to support global expansion. He estimated return-to-office could increase the efficiency ratio by 80 to 100 basis points, all else equal. Nu also recorded approximately $22 million of provisions tied to the transition, which becomes effective in mid-2026. Finally, Lago reviewed one-off items affecting quarter results, including a $58 million positive impact from remeasurement of deferred tax assets following a CSLL rate increase in Brazil, as well as the PROSOFIPO levy and return-to-office provisions. He said the DTA remeasurement reduced the quarters effective tax rate, while noting that the underlying tax environment is expected to become a headwind starting in 2026 as corporate income tax rates for fintechs rise. Nu ended the quarter with $8.9 billion of total capital at the holding level, including $3.0 billion as unrestricted cash and equivalents at Nu Holdings. Lago said available funding of $38.8 billion represented about twice the companys $19 billion net credit portfolio, providing headroom to scale credit while pursuing balance sheet optimization. About NU (NYSE:NU) Nu Holdings Ltd (NYSE: NU), commonly known by its consumer brand Nubank, is a Latin American financial technology company that provides digital banking and financial services through a mobile-first platform. The companys core offerings include no-fee digital checking accounts, credit cards, personal loans, payments and transfers, and a range of savings and investment products. Nubank emphasizes a streamlined customer experience delivered via its smartphone app, combined with data-driven underwriting and automated customer service tools. Founded in 2013 by David Velez, Cristina Junqueira and Edward Wible, Nu grew rapidly by targeting underbanked and digitally savvy consumers in Latin America with low-fee, transparent products. The article "NU Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue Nadya Guerrero and Andrew Bernard, from Albuquerque, N.M., enjoy a simple lunch out of cans using makeshift spoons as they budget their meal money into extra days in Austin as part of their vacation. Austin American-Statesman In Austin, romance has always been a little less about grand gestures and a little more about timing: when to split the check, when to stay for one more drink, when to pretend you dont care that they ordered for the table. In March, that timing gets even trickier as South by Southwest Conference and Festival floods the city, reservations disappear and a casual drink can start to feel like a commitment. Dating in Austin can feel like a luxury sport. And yet, in a city that prides itself on casual cool, is it still possible to have a good date without quietly doing math in your head? Advertisement Article continues below this ad The wishbone-shaped pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lady Bird Lake near the Longhorn Dam connects the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at three points: Longhorn Shores, Canterbury Street and the Holly Peninsula. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Affordable dating in Austin isnt about cutting corners. Its about choosing moments that feel meaningful without feeling expensive. From coffee and a walk along Lady Bird Lake to burgers paired with public art (and goats) or a prix fixe lunch that mimics a night out, the city still offers ways to connect that dont hinge on how much you spend but on how you spend it. Here are some date ideas we recommend for March that wont break the bank: Advertisement Article continues below this ad $20: Rockman and a walk on the new Wishbone Bridge Pedestrians walk through the Unity Underpass beneath The Unity Tunnel, a new public art installation featuring a floor-to-ceiling tile mosaic and painted mural, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Austin. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Start at Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop. A banana chai or a tiramisu latte sets the tone. Split a guava cheesecake danish or the almond poppyseed lemon cake and suddenly youre the kind of couple who shares desserts. The move, though, is what comes after. You take your drinks to the newly opened Wishbone Bridge along Lady Bird Lake (located adjacent to Longhorn Dam and South Pleasant Valley Road), where the city has gifted daters something rare: a built-in conversation starter. The three-pronged structure, with its central plaza and slow-moving foot traffic, offers just enough distraction. You can point out migratory birds, comment on someones dog or let a silence linger without it feeling like a test. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its the kind of date where nothing definitive happens but you leave thinking you might text them again. Which, in Austin, is practically commitment. Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop: 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St. 512-215-0187, rockmanatx.com. $30: Dirty Martin's Place, petting zoos and public art A strawberry milkshake is prepared for a customer at Dirty Martin's Place on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman Theres something disarming about starting a date at Dirty Martins Place. Maybe its the burgers. Maybe its the fact that a shared milkshake still carries a whiff of teenage optimism. Either way, for under $30, youre fed, slightly nostalgic and not yet overthinking it. Then you pivot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Head over to Landmarks at the University of Texas at Austin ("Clock Knot,""Monochrome for Austin," "Circle with Towers" and "The West") on March 11 for "Paws for Public Art," where you will find yourself standing next to miniature goats and hedgehogs while discussing large-scale sculpture. Its free, its strange and it might work. Petting zoos with miniature goats, hedgehogs, bunnies, chicks and other animals will be stationed at four iconic sculptures from Landmarks collection on March 11. Ben Porter/Provided by The University of Texas at Austin and the College of Fine Arts Its disarming in a way that feels almost engineered, which, of course, it is. But vulnerability, even curated, still counts. Dirty Martin's Place: 2808 Guadalupe St. 512-477-3173, dirtymartins.com. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Circle with Towers": 2317 Speedway. landmarks.utexas.edu/artwork/circle-towers. "Clock Knot": 204 E. Dean Keeton St. landmarks.utexas.edu/artwork/clock-knot. "Monochrome for Austin": 2400 Speedway. landmarks.utexas.edu/artwork/monochrome-austin. "The West": Inner Campus Drive. landmarks.utexas.edu/artwork/west. Advertisement Article continues below this ad $60: Friday lunch prix fixe at Nomade Hamachi crudo with pineapple and cucumber, ringed by lime-mezcal espuma. MATTHEW ODAM/AMERICAN-STATESMAN At Nomade, Fridays come with a kind of built-in fantasy: a $25 prix fixe lunch paired with $1 margaritas. Do the math and youre looking at a three-course meal for two that feels far more expensive than it is. An appetizer, an entree, dessert. The margaritas, at $1, do something subtle but important: they remove the pressure. You can afford another round, and another conversation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You dress slightly better for this one. Maybe this is the date where things shift. Nomade has a coastal feel, serving Yucatan Mexican cuisine inspired by the beaches of the peninsula and the seafood traditions of the Mexican Gulf Coast. The kitchen also operates entirely gluten-free, celiac-safe, seed oil-free and strict enough that outside cakes or food arent allowed through the door. Nomade is open for lunch on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. President Donald Trump speaks at the Port of Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Gonzalez) Michael Gonzalez/Associated Press President Donald Trump made a stop at Whataburger after wrapping his remarks Friday at the Port of Corpus Christi. Trump reportedly walked into the restaurant and bought hamburgers for customers inside. His declaration of hamburgers for all was met with a chorus of cheers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Employees welcomed the president with a milkshake and gifted him a table tent with the number 47 a nod to his title as 47th president of the United States. At one point, Trump praised the Lone Star State, saying he received more votes from Texas than from any other state. He said he planned to grab some burgers for Air Force One and get the [expletive] out of there. @austin_statesman President Donald Trump made a stop at Whataburger in Corpus Christi, buying burgers for supporters and declaring, I am going to get some stuff for Air Force One and I am going to get the hell out of here, OK? Hamburgers for the whole place! He was gifted a 47 placeholder a nod to his presidency before shaking hands with Sen. Ted Cruz and heading back to Air Force One. Read more about his Texas visit at our link in bio. original sound - Austin American-Statesman To-go bag in hand, Trump patted Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on the shoulder before exiting with his security detail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The first Whataburger location opened in Corpus Christi in 1950. Trump speaks at Port of Corpus Christi ahead of primaries Trump visited South Texas Friday to deliver remarks related to the energy sector and the upcoming primary election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his speech, he noted his support for a project to deepen the channel and modernize infrastructure at the Port of Corpus Christi. The expansion project wrapped in 2025, and Trump said the improvements created tens of thousands of jobs and generated billions of dollars of revenue for the region. He also praised Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of the midterm primaries. Weve got to win the midterms, Trump said. We brought this country back. We dont want to lose the midterms. We got to win the midterms. Weve got to get out, weve got to vote and well keep it all going. People watch from a rooftop as a plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 1, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP Paramedics evacuate wounded people from the site of a deadly Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, Israel Sunday, March 1, 2026. Leo Correa/AP Police fire tear gas shell to disperse Shiite Muslims protesters near the U.S Consulate during a rally condemning the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, March 1, 2026. K.M. Chaudary/AP Rescue workers and military personnel carry a body of a victim from the scene where several people were killed by an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, Israel Sunday, March 1, 2026. Leo Correa/AP Paramilitary soldiers and police officers walk past a burning police's armoured vehicle, which was set on fire by Shiite Muslims during a protest over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, March 1, 2026. Muhammad Farooq/AP The war in the Middle East expanded on several fronts Monday as attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed militias struck Israel and Arab states as well as U.S. military targets. The U.S. military said Kuwait mistakenly shot down three American fighter aircraft during a combat mission, though all six pilots ejected safely. Separately, six other U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Israel and the United States continued to strike Iran while Israeli forces responded to attacks from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group by hitting targets in southern Lebanon, killing 52 people. The war began Saturday with the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike. Reaction around the globe ranged from jubilation to condemnation, while the conflict has caused canceled flights, deadly protests, shipping delays and soaring oil prices. Attacks across Iran kill hundreds, shake economy The Iranian Red Crescent Society on Monday said that attacks on scores of Iranian cities have killed at least 555 people in the Islamic Republic. Strikes in Tehran apparently took Iran's state television off the air. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran stoked fears of a wider war and damage to the world economy. Meanwhile, Iran has expanded its attacks on oil infrastructure, the lifeblood of the region's economy. Trump lays out his objectives President Donald Trump said the U.S. objectives were to destroy Irans naval and missile capabilities and stop it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He expects the operation to take 4 to 5 weeks, but said it could take far longer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This was our last, best chance to strike what were doing right now and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime, Trump said Monday. Six U.S. service members have been killed, including three killed in the Saturday attack on Iran, according to U.S. Central Command. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said regime change is not the goal. We would love for there to be an Iran thats not governed by radical Shia clerics, Rubio said Monday. Thats not the objective. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Iran to name new supreme leader In the wake of Khameneis death, Irans provisional governing council is expected to name a new supreme leader. Even before the weekend's deadly strikes, Iran's theocracy had struggled with growing dissent over the economy. Activists say Iran's crackdown on protesters killed thousands. One of the first strikes Saturday hit near the offices of the 86-year-old Khamenei, who had ruled since 1989. Israel said that it also killed dozens of other top Iranian military officials. Iran strikes Israel and US bases in retaliation Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drones targeting Israel and nearby Arab Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Several ships have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where a fifth of all traded oil passes. Shipping companies suspended their vessels traffic through the Suez Canal, adding to fears the strikes could rattle global markets. Elsewhere, fire and smoke poured out of the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait after an Iranian attack. Bahrain, the island kingdom that is home to the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, said it has intercepted dozens of missiles and attack drones. In Israel, 11 people have been killed, including nine in a strike on a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Iraq, an Iraqi Shiite militia claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in Baghdad. And at least 22 people were killed in clashes with police in northern Pakistan and in the southern port city of Karachi after hundreds of protesters stormed the U.S. Consulate there, authorities said. Travelers across the region stranded Disrupted air travel in the region stranded or diverted hundreds of thousands of travelers after Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain closed their airspace. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They include athletes heading to the Winter Paralympics in Italy, and former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev, one of what the ATP Tour calls a small number of players and team members it is trying to help leave Dubai. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that the death toll in Israel is 11, not 20. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ District Court Judge Stacey Mathews, seen at the Williamson County Justice Center in Georgetown, helps run a program to keep young adults who have committed nonviolent felonies out of jail. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Dillan was homeless and living in a tent when he was arrested for possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. "I had been through rehab seven times and just never took it seriously," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, thanks to a special justice program in Williamson County, he has stayed off drugs, had his charges dismissed and his record wiped clean, received job training and is about to move into his own apartment. "I do feel like it (the program) saved my life," said Dillan, who requested his last name not be used to protect his ability to get a job. Williamson County started the Transformative Justice program in 2020 to keep young adults ages 17 to 24 who committed nonviolent felonies out of jail. It has reduced the likelihood that participants will be arrested again and improved their lives, according to a study released this month. The program also saves the county about $1,026 per participant based on estimated jail, prison and supervision costs that would have been paid without it, the study said. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Participants who complete the program have their cases dismissed and their charges removed from their records. The program includes assessments for substance-abuse or mental health issues, drug treatment, counseling, life skills classes, court appearances and job-training. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elizabeth Henneke, founder and director of the nonprofit Lone Star Justice Alliance, developed the program. The alliance advocates for young people in the criminal justice system. Henneke said she contacted Williamson County District Judge Stacey Mathews to see whether the county would agree to try it. "Williamson County has this really strong juvenile justice program, so building on that made sense," said Henneke. She said Travis and Dallas counties also have a transformative justice program. Nationally, the criminal justice system has been failing our communities as 75% of emerging adult offenders ages 17 to 24 were re-arrested within three years of their first arrest," District Attorney Shawn Dick said. "That means that three out of four youthful offenders committed further crimes against the state. We had to do something different. This program dives into the lives of participants when they are at their lowest point to offer them a lifeline. It gives them tools that they need to succeed in life while holding them accountable for their decisions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One person's success Eliana, a program participant, said the most rewarding part was staying sober and having her felonies expunged. She was arrested a few years ago for possession of a controlled substance. "I was addicted to fentanyl, pills and heroin," Eliana said. She had already been charged with three drug-related felonies, she said, and decided to participate in the program to get out of jail. At first, she complied with the drug testing and counseling requirements. But then she overdosed. " My heart stopped three times. They used Narcan on me two times and that didn't work, so they had to use a defibrillator to shock my heart back." Advertisement Article continues below this ad After she overdosed while in the program, Mathews sent her to a drug treatment center, she said. After learning she was pregnant, Eliana said she wanted to go home, but Mathews persuaded her to complete rehab. As part of the program, Eliana had caseworkers she could call for help. "If I felt like I was going to relapse, they would come pick me up and say, 'let's go to Target,' or 'let's go out to eat,' and that distracted me and I didn't think about drugs," she said. Eliana, whose name is not being used to protect her career, graduated from the program and now has two children, a husband and a full-time job. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Adults ages 17 to 24 make up 11% of the Texas population but account for one-third of arrests, according to a study released this month by the Public Policy Research Institute of Texas A&M University. It said they often face underlying issues, including mental health disorders, substance abuse, chronic unemployment, limited job skills and homelessness. "Sometimes they have made bad decisions and burned their bridges," said Mathews. "A lot of times they don't have somebody to guide them. Many of these folks are trauma survivors," she said. Dillan said his father died when he was a child and his mother was a crack addict. The study followed 146 young adults charged with nonviolent felonies from 2020-2023. Half voluntarily enrolled in the program; the other half chose not to be involved. The 73 participants were 35% less likely to be arrested again than those who did not enroll, the study found. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Among the 44 who graduated, participants were 48% less likely to be arrested, spent 36 fewer days in jail and were 61% less likely to be arrested for a felony. Some who did not graduate dropped out because their families moved. The most common offense for the 146 participants was possession of a controlled substance, which accounted for 55% of all charges. The remaining charges included unlawful carrying of a weapon, theft, evading arrest, burglary, fraud and unauthorized use of a vehicle. How the program works Mathews said most people ages 17 to 24 in the Williamson County Jail charged with nonviolent felonies can enter the program, with some exceptions. Those with a pending charge in another county are not eligible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Participants complete three phases, typically finishing in 12 to 18 months. In Phase 1, participants are assigned a caseworker who assesses mental health and substance use needs. They may be referred to rehabilitation or medical care. Each is also assigned an attorney to protect their rights and to advocate for them. They must attend counseling and life-skill classes, including GED preparation. Many don't have a place to live, so the program helps get them into sober living houses. In some cases, program graduates provide housing, the judge said. Job training is available through nonprofit partners that offer culinary and construction programs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We are leveraging resources that are already out there and being provided by the state, cities or nonprofits," Mathews said. Participants appear in Mathews court every other Tuesday during Phase 1 to discuss their progress. They must remain sober for 90 days to complete the phase. "I get to know them over a year and a half and watch them grow and develop," she said. In Phase 2, participants focus on stability, such as earning a GED or finding a better job. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During Phase 3, participants present a project they have been working on to the other participants. "They do something they can share and be proud of," said Mathews. Those projects have included volunteering at an animal shelter, helping homeless people or teaching other participants how to make soap. They also are required to keep checking in with Mathews about their progress. They also attend a regular criminal court session where their case would have been tried. They observe defendants being sentenced to prison and later discuss what they learned. Funding and savings The Transformative Justice program costs $10,000 per participant, according to the study. It said savings come from fewer jail days, reduced arrests, lower supervision costs and reduced placement in the Texas prison system. Other benefits, including saving lives and reducing trauma, are "likely substantial" but cannot be measured financially, the study found. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The county is applying for $164,000 in state and federal grants to continue the program and plans to match the grants if awarded. When the program started, it received $759,820 from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and the county matched that, said Julie Kiley, the county auditor. The county received a second three-year grant of $1 million from the Department of Justice covering October 2022 to April 2026. No county match was required. As of Dec. 31, the county has spent nearly $850,000 of that grant, Kiley said. Because the grant did not cover all expenses, the county has contributed an additional $228,218 since 2022. After his arrest, Dillan said he decided to take rehab seriously and remained in jail until the Transformative Justice program could place him at a treatment center. He worked with a case manager and was referred to the Texas Workforce Commission, where he received job training. He has been sober for 14 months, owns a car and has reestablished a relationship with his 8-year-old daughter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Transformative Justice program "gave me a boost to become a successful member of society," he said. Mathews said the program is the proudest work she has done as a judge. "This has rejuvenated my hope in a system that for a long time has failed this population," she said. Feb 27 (Reuters) - Nvidia (NVDA) plans to launch a new processor designed to help OpenAI and other customers build faster, more efficient AI systems, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Nvidia is developing a new system for "inference" computing, a form of processing that allows AI models to respond to queries, the report said. The new platform is set to be unveiled at Nvidias GTC developer conference in San Jose next month and will incorporate a chip designed by startup Groq, the report added citing people familiar. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Nvidia and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. Reuters earlier this month reported OpenAI is unsatisfied with the speed at which Nvidias hardware can spit out answers to ChatGPT users for specific types of problems such as software development and AI communicating with other software. It needs new hardware that would eventually provide about 10% of OpenAIs inference computing needs in the future, one of the sources told Reuters. The ChatGPT maker has discussed working with startups including Cerebras and Groq to provide chips for faster inference, two sources said. But Nvidia struck a $20-billion licensing deal with Groq that shut down OpenAIs talks, one of the sources told Reuters. In September, Nvidia said it intended to pour as much as $100 billion into OpenAI as part of a deal that gave the chipmaker a stake in the startup and gave OpenAI the cash it needed to buy the advanced chips. (Reporting by Mihika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue) Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion Saturday in Tehran, Iran. Associated Press Texas Republican elected officials quickly weighed in Saturday with support for U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, with one calling the bombing a necessary step toward regime change. But a Democratic congresswoman decried President Donald Trump for waging war without the congressional approval required by the U.S. Constitution. Their comments came after the two nations launched a large-scale military attack on Iran, targeting the leadership compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran and various military sites. Israeli officials said the attack had killed Khamenei, but Iran had not confirmed his death. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Iranian state media, Operation Epic Fury killed more than 200 people, including a large number of students at an Iranian girls school. In response, Iran fired retaliatory missiles at American and Israeli military bases across the Middle East. Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-U.S. strike Saturday on a girls elementary school in Minab, Iran. Associated Press Heres what some Texas election had to say. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn Texas senior senator decried Irans impact on the Middle East, expressed support for the operation and President Donald Trump. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sen. John Cornyn speaks to reporters outside of the Senate Chambers in June 2024. Anna Moneymaker/Tribune News Service For too long, Iran and its tentacles of terror have destabilized the Middle East and waged an all-out assault on the West and our values. With todays strikes by U.S. forces led by our Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, there is finally an opening for these dark days to come to an end. It is my hope that the Iranian people, after years of oppression and being ignored by previous Democrat administrations, will finally be free, and Im proud of the support being provided by President Trump and the United States. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source May God bless the men and women of our armed forces, our Israeli military partners, and all those who stand with us in our mission against the purveyor of terrorism and radical Islam that is the Islamic Republic of Iran. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat currently in a primary campaign for a U.S. Senate seat, posted on X to express frustration with the operation, which Congress hadnt approved. She calls for passage of a war powers enforcement act. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Primary candidate for U.S. Senate Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks during a campaign event in mid-February in Richardson. LM Otero/Associated Press Why is it that this President refuses to even pretend that he cares about following the law?! Ive been stomping & telling people that this election is life or death! CONGRESS, not the PRESIDENT, but CONGRESS has the EXCLUSIVE authority to declare war! Speaker Johnson needs to call us in IMMEDIATELY & it is time for the House & the Senate to pass a war powers resolution! This is how you prove your love and respect for the constitution. This is how you show your constituents that you are truly patriots! It is time for us, collectively, as Dems and Repubs to stand up to this President. Please call your reps in the house and the senate and urge them to take a vote on a war powers resolution! Why is it that this President refuses to even pretend that he cares about following the law?! Ive been stomping & telling people that this election is life or death! CONGRESS, not the PRESIDENT, but CONGRESS has the EXCLUSIVE authority to declare war! Speaker Johnson needs to Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) February 28, 2026 U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul The Austin Republican said that while Congress was awaiting a detailed briefing on the mission, he supported the attack: Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul is seen in 2024. Associated Press file photo For 47 years, the Iranian regime has operated as the nucleus of the worlds most extensive terror network, driving instability across the Middle East and beyond. It has forged an unholy alliance with our top adversaries, arming Russia with lethal drones to massacre Ukrainians and fueling Chinas military machine through illicit oil sales all while deploying its terror proxies to sow regional chaos, attack our ally Israel, and target global commerce. President Trump is right that a regime this murderous which chants 'Death to America' and despises everything our nation represents cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. As Congress awaits a detailed briefing on the scope, duration, and objectives of this mission, one thing is clear: Our world would be far safer without the Ayatollah in power. Ultimately, the dismantling of his regime must be driven by the Iranian people, who have suffered the most under its brutal grip. Now is the time for them to rise up and seize this generational opportunity to grasp democracy, prosperity, and a future free from tyranny knowing the United States stands firmly with them. I am closely monitoring developments on the ground and am praying for the safety of the brave American service members executing this high-stakes operation and all U.S. personnel in the region. God bless them, and God bless America. Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales The San Antonio Republican voiced support for the operation, saying it gives the Iranian people a chance to embrace freedom: District 23 Rep. Tony Gonzales Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune The brutal Iranian regime has refused all attempts at good-faith diplomacy with the United States, while targeting Americans, our allies, and its own citizens. Over my twenty years of military service, I saw firsthand how this poison has funded and encouraged global terrorism without any remorse and we can no longer allow it to go unchecked. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under President Trumps close watch, the Iranian people have a historic opportunity to reclaim their country and embrace freedom. May God protect our troops, the innocent people of Iran, and continue to bless the United States of America during these necessary operations. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz The Texas Republican hadnt issued an official statement about the strikes but reposted multiple items on social media platform X that indicate his support for the operation. Sarah Espiritu, center, demonstrates Friday outside Cunningham Elementary School during a visit by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During the visit, Kennedy toured the schools kitchen facilities and spoke about federal dietary guidelines and nutrition policy. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Make no mistake. The three dozen protesters gathered Friday morning outside Cunningham Elementary waving snarky signs and shouting shame! shame! were there because they love the school. They love the PEAS Farm, an incredible community farm right there on campus, where the students grow lettuce, potatoes and other veggies while learning beginners botany and a connection to the natural world. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They love Cunninghams culinary kitchen one of just seven sites in the country for the Emeril Lagasse Foundations Teaching Kitchen program where kids gain cooking skills and nutritional knowledge for life. The families just hated, hated, that their neighborhood school had become a backdrop for a photo op by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a man whose efforts to undermine childhood vaccinations and stir misinformation about autism seemed far more dangerous to our health than the prevalence of processed foods. My 3rd grader knows more science than RFK Jr. read one sign. Too bad theres no vaccine for ignorance, read another. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unfit. Unqualified. Dangerous policies, began the sign by protest organizer Karan Shirk, whose pre-K grandson is the third wave of her family members to attend Cunningham. A contradiction weighed on Shirk and others along the sidewalk: They prize the programs, yet felt compelled to protest RFK Jr. visiting them. Cherishing Cunningham meant refusing to let it be co-opted. The opportunity to tell someone like that how we feel is not to be missed, Shirk told me. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I understood how she felt. My kids attended Cunningham roughly a decade ago, tending the peppers and tomatoes on sunny afternoons at PEAS Farm. We have such affection for the school that cultivated fresh vegetables and young minds. Hearing about the visit by RFK Jr. a man who preaches health while feasting on roadkill, swimming in polluted waters and working in an administration that last year cut off 94 million pounds of aid to food banks felt like a spoiling of a special space. One moms sign simply said: Eww. No elaboration was necessary. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits students Friday during lunch in the cafeteria at Cunningham Elementary School in South Austin. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman So I could relate to the teachable moment facing Cunningham families. Inside, RFK Jr. got a campus tour and precious few pictures (only five families signed consent forms for their kids to be identifiably photographed with the controversial HHS chief). Outside, with cars honking in support of the shouting protesters, the civic pulse of the community beat strong. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Judy Perry wore a handmade shirt that proclaimed, Vaccines save lives. She pulled up a photo on her phone to show me a picture of her grandson, a first-grader, wearing a handmade shirt with the same message, quickly cobbled together the previous night after families learned RFK Jr. would be visiting. Maybe the health secretary would see it. Were happy to have the attention to the nutritional program, Perry said, but if hes interested in childrens health, he needs to take a more holistic approach and follow the data, follow the science. Other family members described the conversations they had with their kids: Explaining who RFK Jr. is and why they disagree with his views. Explaining how Cunninghams programs can be so appealing, yet the official coming to admire them can be so problematic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brenda Reed struggled with it. As a health supportive chef, she develops menus to help people with various illnesses get the nutrition they need. The lets eat better part of RFK Jr.s agenda has real merit. Her problem with him is everything else. Reed said her fourth-grade son hoped he would have a chance to ask RFK Jr. about vaccinations. She was proud he was ready to challenge an opposing view. Its a great opportunity to be in the room with someone you may not agree with, she told me. Hopefully its what democracy is built on. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And even with the disruptions of the day the security detail sweeping the hallways, the shouting of protesters as RFK Jr. entered and exited the building the elementary crowd got a real lesson Friday in the political tensions of our time. How you can love a community, a country, and also decry whats happening to it. How pride for a place can spark protest. How that protest provides an antidote to apathy and affirmation that you are not alone. None of RFK Jr.s policies changed Friday. But a South Austin community felt a little stronger, a little healthier. Outside, a protester with a Protect our health sign slipped off his Grim Reaper cloak, climbed in his truck and drove home. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inside, a first-grader in a handmade Vaccines save lives T-shirt moved on to the next lesson. Forrest Welborn, right, leaves the courthouse Feb. 19 with his attorney Steve Goodson, left, after being exonerated at a hearing for four men wrongfully accused in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders. These men and their families clearly deserve restitution, a reader says, but who are they going to sue? Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The real impact Advertisement Article continues below this ad Toward the end of the article Mike Ware, director of the Texas Innocence Project, says, Their path to restitution is likely through civil litigation. These families clearly deserve that, but isnt it just a feel-good ribbon tied to an otherwise tragic story? Who are these families going to sue? Assuming their claims arent time barred by the statute of limitations or legislatively barred by the Texas Tort Claims Act, who is going pay any judgments in the civil lawsuits? The sad truth is that often there is no recompense for misdeeds; not for the victims of these murders, or their families, and not for the innocents who were wrongly accused and convicted, or their families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a child growing up in Marble Falls, I was wrongly accused of something I didnt do. Ultimately, I was punished more harshly than the person who actually confessed to the misdeed because I not only was perceived of committing the bad act, but I had the audacity to lie about it. Its part of the reason I became an attorney rather than a physician like my father. Those in authority who wield power be they law enforcement, prosecutors, judges or presidents have a solemn duty to act with humility and with respect for the lives they impact. Advertisement Article continues below this ad John Shepperd, Houston Dems' best bet: Paxton Sen. John Cornyn has voted for President Donald Trumps policies nearly 99% of the time. He has totally disregarded his oath to the Constitution. Trump isnt the problem. People like Cornyn, who have no spine, are. Cornyn would be a hero if he just stood up against Trumps policies. The best bet for Democrats to win the U.S. Senate seat in November is for Attorney General Ken Paxton to be the GOP nominee. Paxton is an extremist, so if he wins the Republican primary, Democrats have their best chance of turning the seat blue. Trump has to be stopped. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kirk Pitman, Kemp Immigrants detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. Ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child would not fix immigration issues overnight, but it would affirm every child on U.S. soil deserves protection and dignity, a reader says. Austin American-Statesman Give children a voice A short drive from San Antonio, children wake up behind locked doors at the South Texas Family Residential Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Infants and school-aged children live in immigration detention with their mothers, waiting for court dates they cannot understand. The United States is the only member of the United Nations that has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly. Every other nation has formally committed to protecting childrens rights to safety, education, health care and dignity. That absence matters here in Texas. Research shows prolonged detention and toxic stress harm developing brains and carry lifelong consequences. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Children cannot advocate for themselves. They depend on us. Ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child would not fix immigration overnight, but it would affirm a simple truth every child on U.S. soil deserves protection and dignity. In Dilley, children are waiting. Ilina Ewen, San Antonio Advertisement Article continues below this ad Plan for reentry support When individuals returning from incarceration have access to employment, stable housing and supportive services, they are more likely to thrive and less likely to reoffend. That's why Congress needs to support and fully fund the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3552). This bipartisan legislation strengthens reentry programs that reduce recidivism, increase public safety and help individuals successfully reintegrate into their communities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Second Chance Reauthorization Act provides funding for job training, substance use and mental health treatment, housing assistance, mentoring and community-based programs, including faith-based partnerships, which offer stability and accountability. These investments reduce repeat offenses and lower long-term correctional costs while strengthening families and communities. Successful reentry is not only a public safety issue; it is a moral issue. Supporting H.R. 3552 is a practical and compassionate step toward safer communities and stronger families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lenore "Lory" Donatt, West Lake Hills Family unfairly labeled I take exception to a word used in the article about the California avalanche. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The two writers used the word "infamous" in regards to the ill-fated Donner Party, early pioneers into Sacramento, California. That word is an undeserved smear. The word "infamous" connotes some terrible crime, not the act of cannibalism used in sheer desperation by the remaining women of that trek over the Sierra. The husbands who chose that trek had all died, leaving the women to feed themselves and their children for survival. Anyone interested in reading this important California history can refer to George R. Stewart's, "Ordeal By Hunger: The Story of the Donner Party." It took men on horseback three months to find that encampment. It is a gripping tale. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Grania Patterson, Austin GOP now soft on crime This is a curious headline. I question their traditional Republican values since that would include being tough on crime. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Instead, these Texas GOP candidates are soft on crime, and I wish they werent. They have not spoken out about major crime issues facing the United States: Jan. 6, 2021, rioters were let loose. Fraudster and former U.S. Rep. George Santos has also been released from prison. Republican President Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. Republican leaders have failed to call for indictments involving the Epstein elite. They have allowed 5-year-olds to be held in federal detention camps. They have ignored pleas to investigate killings in the streets of Minnesota. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The soft stance on criminals gives Democrats the upper hand on issues of law enforcement, crime and justice. Tim Draves, San Antonio President Donald Trump speaks at the Port of Corpus Christi on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News President Donald Trump on Friday endorsed several GOP primary candidates who are opposed by Gov. Greg Abbott, dealing a blow to the Republican governor in the final days before the March 3 election. In an announcement on his Truth Social platform, Trump backed former state Sen. Don Huffines for comptroller and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller for re-election, calling each Republican a MAGA warrior who has been with me since the very beginning. Trump also endorsed Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who is unopposed in her primary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad READ MORE: Why a big part of Greg Abbott's legacy is riding on the GOP primary for Texas comptroller The comptrollers race has particularly high stakes for Abbott because the agency controls the states purse strings and is rolling out the new $1 billion private school voucher program, the governors signature education policy. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The governor saw considerable success in shaping the 2024 primaries, ousting scores of GOP incumbents who opposed the voucher program. But Trumps endorsements against his favored candidates in those two races could signal that there are still limits to his hold on the partys base. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, Trump described Abbott "one of the great governors of our country" during an event in Corpus Christi on Friday. "He's an unbelievable guy, a tremendous friend of mine, and he is something very special," Trump said. "He's tough as hell. I want to tell you -- you think he's a nice guy, you're wrong. He's tough. He's mean. But it's all for you." Huffines, already a favorite of the MAGA movement, is a former state senator from Dallas who ran against Abbott in 2022 and took credit for pushing the governor rightward on culture war issues. Though Huffines has since dropped his criticism of Abbott, he could still prove a thorn as the governor pursues his fourth-term agenda. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Miller, meanwhile, is a three-term incumbent who has long maintained close ties to Trump but was among the conservatives who sued Abbott for extending early voting periods during the COVID crisis in 2020. He briefly considered challenging the governor in the 2022 GOP primary and has recently come under fire from fellow GOP officials, including Abbott, who accused him of a history of corruption." Bloomberg One of cryptos favorite 24/7 trading venues has become an unlikely hotspot for commodities and traditional asset classes this weekend, as traders scramble for round-the-clock hedges amid escalating tensions between the US, Israel and Iran. Perpetual swap futures, a type of futures contract that does not expire, tied to oil jumped about 5% to $70.6 per barrel on crypto-exchange Hyperliquid, while those for gold and silver rose roughly 1.3% and 2% to $5,323 and $94.9 per troy ounce, respectively. The moves may offer some indication of how those markets could respond once mainstream trading resumes on Monday. Most Read from Bloomberg Meanwhile, Bitcoin reversed earlier losses to rise as much as 2.3% to around $67,000 in afternoon trading in New York. Ether gained 2.4% at one point to $1,968. Silver led activity among perps for commodities on Hyperliquid, with more than $227 million in trading volume over the past 24 hours. Gold contracts saw about $173 million change hands. US equity-linked indexes on the platform fell between 0.4% and 0.75%. Perps are crypto-native derivatives that mimic futures but never expire, allowing traders to hold leveraged positions round the clock - ideal for expressing macro views without clearinghouse delays. That latest offering by crypto trading venues such as Hyperliquid to trade perps for commodities and other asset classes beyond crypto has become extremely popular with this weekend becoming the latest example. As Middle East tensions escalated, crypto sold off and because Bitcoin trades 24/7, it became the most liquid asset available for traders looking to hedge or express a view on the move, said Jake Ostrovskis, head of over-the-counter trading at Wintermute. The fact that BTC is acting as a proxy for broader risk being the only market open is exactly why more asset classes, commodities included and need to move to 24/7 trading. Round-the-clock price discovery is a structural upgrade for market efficiency, and were heading in the right direction, he added. The US and Israel have struck targets across Iran, which has responded with missile attacks on sites in Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and threatened further strikes against bases in Iraq linked to US forces. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to overthrow their government, deepening fears of a broader regional conflict. CEO Jason Murray said 2025 was focused on integration and performance following transformative acquisition activity in 2024, while PACS also completed eight strategic acquisitions during 2025 in existing markets. As of Dec. 31, 2025, the company operated 321 facilities across 17 states , cared for more than 31,700 patients daily , and employed over 47,000 team members . Hancock attributed performance to occupancy strength, stable skilled mix trends, and what he called disciplined execution across an expanded portfolio. He also noted that expenses rose alongside growth and investment: cost of services increased 25% year over year and general and administrative expenses increased 21% , reflecting investments in PACS Services and regional infrastructure, including compliance, risk management, accounting, and technology. For the full year ended Dec. 31, 2025, PACS reported total revenue of $5.29 billion , up about 29% versus 2024. Net income totaled $191.5 million , and diluted earnings per share were $1.22 . Adjusted EBITDAR was $883.9 million , and adjusted EBITDA was $505 million . Interim CFO Mark Hancock said fourth-quarter revenue rose approximately 12% year over year to $1.36 billion . Net income was $59.8 million , with adjusted EBITDAR of $237.7 million and adjusted EBITDA of $142.1 million . PACS Group (NYSE:PACS) outlined continued platform growth and record performance in its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings call, pointing to strong occupancy at mature facilities, improving clinical quality metrics, and a conservative balance sheet position as the company enters 2026. Management also provided 2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance and discussed acquisition expectations, payer dynamics, and emerging Medicare quality programs. Conservative balance sheet and acquisition plan : PACS ended 2025 with net leverage of ~ 0.3x , invested over $145 million in the quarter (including property purchases), holds real estate interests in 102 facilities , and expects to add roughly five facilities per quarter primarily through selective acquisitions of underperforming assets. Portfolio and quality trends : the company operates 321 facilities (over 31,700 patients daily) with total occupancy at 89.1% and mature-facility occupancy at 94.9% , while 207 facilities (73.4%) of the skilled nursing portfolio are rated four or five stars on CMS quality measures. PACS reported strong 2025 results with Q4 revenue of $1.36 billion , full-year revenue of $5.29 billion (up ~29%), full-year adjusted EBITDA of $505 million , and provided 2026 guidance of $5.655.75 billion revenue and $555575 million adjusted EBITDA. Story Continues Management said the portfolio includes 35,379 total operating beds, comprised of 32,854 skilled nursing beds and 2,525 assisted living beds. Total occupancy was reported at 89.1%, while mature facilities posted 94.9% occupancy, up from 94.4% in the prior year. NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Hancock said the companys cohort framework categorizes facilities as new during the first 18 months of ownership, ramping during months 19 through 36, and mature thereafter. Ramping facilities averaged 86.3% occupancy, down from over 93% in the prior year, which he said reflected cohort graduation and the movement of lower-occupancy facilities into ramping status as acquisitions from late 2023 and early 2024 progressed. New facilities averaged 81.1% occupancy versus 82.8% in 2024. Management described the progression from new to ramping to mature as an embedded organic growth opportunity as facilities stabilize and improve occupancy and skilled mix. Quality metrics, surveys, and facility-level examples Murray emphasized clinical outcomes and regulatory execution as central to PACS operating model. He said that based on CMS Quality Measure Star ratings, 207 facilitiesrepresenting 73.4% of the skilled nursing portfolioare rated four or five stars for quality measures. He added that the average CMS Quality Measure star rating for mature facilities was 4.4 in 2025, up from 4.3 in 2024, and above the industry average he cited as approximately 3.5. Management highlighted two examples intended to illustrate execution at the facility level: Kentucky facility quality improvement: Murray said a facility that began 2025 with a 2-star CMS Quality Measure rating implemented targeted, data-driven action plans around fall prevention, pressure ulcer prevention, mobility, medication management, and discharge planning. By year-end, the facility reached a 5-star CMS Quality Measure rating. Zero-deficiency surveys: Murray said PACS recorded seven total Zero Deficiency Surveys in 2025. He cited a newly built facility in Oceanside, California, which received a certificate of occupancy in January 2024 and completed its initial certification survey in April 2025 with zero deficiencies. He added that PACS invested millions of dollars pre-revenue for licensing preparation, staffing, equipment, and clinical infrastructure; that census increased steadily; that the facility reached profitability within its first year; and that it recorded over 250 admissions from acute hospital partners in San Diego County during 2025. Murray said PACS has completed eight de novo projects since the companys inception, while also reiterating that acquisitions remain the primary growth strategy. Balance sheet, real estate ownership, and 2026 guidance Management characterized capital allocation as disciplined in 2025, with increased attention to selectively owning real estate. Hancock said that as of year-end, PACS wholly or partially owned real estate interests (including through joint ventures) in 102 of its operated facilities. The companys lease profile included average remaining terms of approximately 13 years for operating leases and 22 years for finance leases. Hancock said cash usage during the quarter included purchases of owned properties, acquisition of a new PACS Services office in Salt Lake City, and funds placed in escrow for acquisitions that closed in early January 2026. He said these investments exceeded $145 million during the quarter and were funded from existing liquidity. The company ended 2025 with net leverage of approximately 0.3x, which management described as conservative and supportive of flexibility. For 2026, PACS guided to revenue of $5.65 billion to $5.75 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $555 million to $575 million. Hancock said the outlook assumes steady organic growth and margin expansion tied to improved occupancy and skilled mix, stable reimbursement assumptions, and continued disciplined capital allocation to support acquisition activity. In the Q&A, management said its 2026 guidance includes a nominal number of acquisitionsabout five facilities per quarterand noted that the company typically acquires underperforming assets at 60% to 70% occupancy with nominal revenue and effectively 0 margin initially. Executives described the M&A pipeline as very robust, said PACS remains selective, and indicated the company will continue evaluating opportunities to acquire real estate alongside operations when it strengthens alignment and the balance sheet. They also said pricing has risen in recent years but is beginning to plateau relative to prior accelerated increases. Management also addressed payer discussions, saying improved quality metrics and local market density support contract negotiations and could expand managed care skilled mix over time. On policy topics, PACS said it expects to be well-positioned when reimbursement is tied to quality metrics, and described both value-based purchasing changes and the TEAM model as in early stages, while emphasizing that care quality and bed access remain central to referral relationships. About PACS Group (NYSE:PACS) PACS Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the United States. The company also provides senior care and independent facilities. It engages in the acquisition, ownership, and leasing of health care-related properties. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Farmington, Utah. The article "PACS Group Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Navy divers work at the site where a Navy jet, an E/A-18G Growler, crashed in San Diego Bay on Feb. 12, 2025. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via TNS) (Tribune News Service) The crash of a Navy jet into San Diego Bay last February after its crew ejected was the result of human error and represents a $109 million loss for the military, according to a Navy investigation report. The mishap occurred on Feb. 12, 2025, and involved two crew members from Electronic Attack Squadron 135 out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., who were participating in a joint training exercise based at North Island. The crew members were using an E/A-18G Growler equipped with software they were not familiar with and which issued a warning advisory during aerial refueling, says the report, which the Union-Tribune obtained this week through the Freedom of Information Act. The pilot and his electronic warfare officer also struggled with a wet runway at Naval Air Station North Island during their second attempt to land, when winds were creating a tailwind on the air strip. They were unable to sufficiently slow the jet, forcing them to use the planes afterburners to pull up. The unidentified pilot says in the report that the planes brakes felt mushy and that he felt the jet was not going to stop in time. He said the tower controller called out not enough runway, which he said caused some confusion and concern, and he called for the ejection. They were carried into the harbor by their parachutes. A nearby fishing boat pulled them aboard. They suffered minor injuries. The plane soared upward to roughly 8,000 feet, then did a 1-minute, 15-second nose-dive into one of the busiest harbor channels in California. The report does not make clear whether the jet flew over heavily populated areas of Point Loma on its way to crashing about 250 yards from Shelter Island. According to the report, the plane originally assigned for their mission was leaking fuel from its starboard engine, forcing them to use a backup E/A-18 Growler. The aircraft took off and underwent aerial refueling, but the crew noted an unexpected advisory: normal fuel transfer from the wings was unavailable. The crew completed the fueling but were so concerned about the warning that they decided to return to North Island. Along the way, they reduced their fuel load. The report says the crew was not expecting the adverse weather conditions they found. At the time of the mishap, some E/A-18 Growlers were transitioning to a new type of software meant to help them to conduct airborne electronic warfare, mostly to protect aircraft carriers from enemy attacks. This drew criticism from investigators, who say in the report that, Critical phases of training are not the time to undergo massive maintenance and aircraft overhaul. The training of aircrew and maintenance professionals should have been the priority during the squadrons readiness phase training. The report also says the warning during refueling should have been expected, and the crew should have annotated it as normal. The mishap aircraft was safe for flight and did not experience any malfunctions in flight that would have prevented the aircraft from completing the scheduled flight or from stopping safely upon return to base, the report said. The report says investigators could not definitively determine the cause of the crash because the aircraft was destroyed. But they ruled out mechanical failure as a likely contributor and added that, The evidence instead indicates the mishap was caused by human error exacerbated by a confluence of factors: adverse weather, poor crew resource management, low aircraft currency and proficiency, and reduced familiarity with the newly instituted H18 software. These elements collectively compounded the severity of the pilots critical decision to delay a go-around or divert to a more suitable airfield, the report says. In a nuanced addition, the report notes that, There is insufficient evidence to determine whether life stressors and (operational tempo) were contributing factors to the mishap, but they do generally contribute to fatigue and increased risk to operation. The wife of one of the crew members had recently had a baby, which he said caused him stress because he had to leave his wife and new child at home while away on assignment. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle recently told reporters in San Diego that a long, fast operational tempo has a highly negative impact on many sailors, many of whom end up deciding to leave the military. The reference to the weather didnt surprise retired Navy Capt. Greg Chaser Keithley of Escondido, who was a crew member on F-14 and F/A18 aircraft. North Island Naval Air Station is not an easy place to land during adverse weather, Keithley said. A wet runway is a wet runway. Following the crash, crane operators and divers recovered about 33,400 pounds of debris from the aircraft, which was in pieces roughly 30 feet below the surface. A safety zone was set up, which temporarily restricted the movement of boats near Shelter Island and Naval Base Point Loma. The loss of an E/A-18G Growler is not insignificant. They are the main aircraft the Navy uses for airborne electronic attacks, especially when it comes to suppressing enemy air defense systems. Some of these planes are part of the airwing of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently patrolling in the Middle East, within striking distance of Iran. 2026 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Poland at Naval Support Facility at Redzikowo, seen in early 2024. NATOs missile defense system is on alert as Iranian attacks took aim at an unprecedented number of U.S. military sites and other locations across the Middle East. (Ashleigh Whitney/U.S. Navy) NATOs missile defense system is on alert as Iranian attacks aimed at an unprecedented number of U.S. military sites and other locations across the Middle East put American and partner air defenses in the region to the test. Its still unknown whether Iran will attempt to attack targets farther afield. The U.S. has numerous military bases along the Mediterranean Sea and across Europe that enable the military to project power into the Middle East. A senior NATO military official said Saturday that the alliance has a round-the-clock vigilance to ensure the security of its 32 member nations. The approach covers land, air, sea, cyber and space domains, the official said. This constant high state of alertness is designed to deter adversaries, monitor for threats and provide rapid, coordinated responses to any crisis. NATOs missile defense system, which involves a U.S. Aegis Ashore site in Romania and U.S Navy destroyers out of Rota, Spain, was initiated over 15 years ago and developed in phases over time with a ballistic missile threat from Iran in mind. The NATO system includes a missile defense suite in Poland and an early-warning mountaintop radar in Kurecik, Turkey. Colin P. Clarke, a terrorism expert at the Soufan Center think tank, said Saturday that the United States and its allies should prepare for a range of countermeasures from Tehran that stretch beyond the Middle East. For Iran, this war is existential, Clarke said in a statement. And because it is, I would fully expect Tehran to activate any sleeper cell capacity it has in the West to make this painful for the U.S. and Israel. Hezbollah and other assets could very well seek to conduct attacks in Europe, North America, etc. While Irans retaliatory strikes thus far have covered a wide range of territory in the Middle East, analysts say they could be holding large numbers of missiles in reserve. We have not yet seen saturation attacks intended to overwhelm layered air defenses, said Alex Plitsas, an expert on Iran at the Atlantic Council think tank. It is unclear if that is due to U.S. and Israeli strikes on missile stocks, Iran holding missiles in reserve, Iran testing defenses, or a combination thereof. Besides Bahrain, Irans strikes also have been directed mostly at U.S. military targets in places such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Irans response thus far has been measured and rational, Plitsas said. Papa Johns will close about 300 stores across the United States by the end of 2027, the Louisville, Kentucky-based company announced during an earnings call on Thursday, Feb. 26. Ravi Thanawala, Papa Johns' CFO and North America president, said he expects about 200 closures to occur in 2026. The closing stores, according to Thanawala, are primarily franchisee-owned and "are not meeting brand expectations or lack a clear path to sustainable financial improvement." He added that the locations generate "negative four-wall" income and are over a decade old. "We are taking action to better align corporate and field resources with our transformation priorities and optimize spans and layers in our organizations," Todd Penegor, Papa John's CEO, said of the closures during the call. It is not immediately known which stores the pizza chain intends to close or when the closures will take place. USA TODAY reached out to Papa Johns for comment. In 2025, Papa Johns undertook several efforts to improve the company, including appointing new company leadership, fleet and cost restructuring, organizational changes, innovations, and more. Papa Johns reported a 2% year-over-year decrease in its revenue from North American stores in fiscal year 2025 in its earnings release. Revenue at company-owned restaurants was down 3% while franchised restaurants were down 2%. The pizza chain saw a 1% increase in global sales for 2025 when compared to the prior year. This sales growth was supported by the international market, which saw a 5% increase in sales. Thanawala previously managed the company's international wing and said the store-closing strategy is similar to the one he implemented in the United Kingdom that resulted in a 17% increase in the average number of sales per store. "Select strategic closures will allow our North American franchisees to redirect resources to drive operational excellence in their core restaurants and accelerate growth in priority markets," he said, adding that the company has also cut its corporate workforce by 7%. The company had 3,523 locations in the United States as of the end of 2025, according to financial filings. Restaurant retreat: These chains plan to close locations in 2026 Closures in 2026 The swath of closures resembles that of pizza delivery competitor Pizza Hut, which is set to close 250 "underperforming" locations in the United States in the first half of 2026. During a Feb. 4 earnings call for parent company Yum! Brands, Chief Financial Officer Ranjith Roy said that the move was part of "Hut Forward," a strategy that includes "vibrant marketing, modernization of technology, and franchise agreements." The U.S. Embassy in Qatar, seen here in this undated photo, issued a statement advising all Americans in the country to shelter in place until further notice. Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, which is one of the largest U.S. military installations in the Middle East and also acts as forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command and Air Forces Central Command. (Courtesy photo/State Department) U.S. embassies in Qatar and Bahrain said its personnel are sheltering in place and advised all Americans in the region to do the same after a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Irans capital early Saturday morning. The alerts advised U.S. citizens to find a secure location within their residence or another safe building, along with a supply of food, water, medication and other essential items. They should also avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile and be aware of their surroundings, the embassies said. The security alerts went out minutes after Israel confirmed it had attacked Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also declared a state of emergency in the country, advising residents there to prepare for the possibility of incoming missiles. The U.S. Embassy in Israel had already authorized departure for non-essential personnel and their families on Friday. The United States is participating in the strikes, The Associated Press reported, citing a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. The strike on Iran represents a significant escalation in tensions that have been simmering in the region for weeks. Bilateral talks over Irans nuclear program have failed to progress as the U.S. has steadily amassed more naval and airpower in the Middle East. Leaders in Washington and Tehran met for six hours in Geneva on Thursday for the latest round of talks, once again leaving without a resolution. Smoke rose over Manama, Bahrain, on Feb. 28, 2026. The headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet in Bahrain was targeted in a missile attack. (Stars and Stripes) Update, 2 p.m. Saturday, Manama time: Departure flights are on hold pending further notice, U.S. officials said. Navy officials are directing personnel to continue to shelter. The Department of Defense has authorized the departure of military dependents in Bahrain after the U.S. and Israel began an attack on Iran Saturday morning. The authorized departures, which are not mandatory, come as President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. has launched a major combat operation in Iran. For weeks, the U.S. has been amassing naval and air power in the region as bilateral negotiations over Irans nuclear program languished. The alert, seen by Stars and Stripes, went out to military families living on the island just an hour after explosions were reported in Tehran. The emergency message noted that service members and dependents could book flights on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details on how the departure would work remained unclear Saturday. Last summer, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a departure that allowed military dependents to fly anywhere in the U.S. at government expense for up to six months. By the beginning of the school year, many of those families had returned. In-person classes at the Defense Department school on base in Bahrain also have been canceled for the rest of the week. Preparations are being made for remote learning, school officials said. Iranian missile and drone attacks struck the Navy base in Bahrain and several off-base residential buildings beginning around noon and stretching well into the night. U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the departure plans. Bahrain is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 5th Fleet, and is one of the only accompanied billets in the theater. In an eight-minute long video posted to Truth Social, the president on Saturday described the Iranian regime as a group of very hard, terrible people that have threatened the United States, its troops overseas and its allies around the world. The strikes, Trump said, are with the goal of ensuring Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. The president also acknowledged that the strikes could mean the loss of American lives. I do not make this statement lightly: the Iranian regime seeks to kill, the president said in the video. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this, not for now, were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. U.S. embassies in Qatar, Israel and Bahrain also issued emergency notices to Americans on Saturday, advising them to shelter in place with food, water and medicine. Trump, in an appeal to the Iraninan people, advised them to stay in their homes amid the strikes, saying that bombs will be dropping everywhere. He also encouraged them to overthrow the regime once the attacks cease. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations, he said in his video message. Irbil International Airport, in the capital of Iraqs Kurdistan region, is seen following a missile attack in January 2020. Smoke was reporting rising from a U.S. base near the airport on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, amid reports a missile was shot down there. (Chad Garland/Stars and Stripes) Smoke rose from a U.S. base near the airport in Irbil, the regional capital of Iraqs semiautonomous northern Kurdish region Saturday and an Associated Press journalist in the area heard explosions. Local media reported that missiles were shot down. There was no immediate statement from Iraqi officials or from the U.S. Iran-backed Iraqi militias had previously threatened to strike targets in the Kurdish region in case of an attack on Iran. Earlier Saturday, a drone strike targeted a headquarters of the Iran-allied Kataib Hezbollah militia southwest of Baghdad, killing two. Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in support of Operation Epic Fury on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. Satellite photos from Airbus showed that the site was heavily bombed. His death at his office showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance, state TV said. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump wrote in a social media post. He warned of heavy and pinpoint bombing that he said would continue throughout the week and even beyond, part of a lethal assault the U.S. has justified as necessary to disable the countrys nuclear capabilities. Iran, which responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, warned of retribution, with the Cabinet saying that this great crime will never go unanswered. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its most intense offensive operation ever targeting Israeli and American bases. The attack opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, carried the potential for retaliatory violence and a wider war, and represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor and because the 86-year-old supreme leader had final say on all major policies during his decades in power. He led Irans clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy. Iran quickly formed a council to govern the country until a new supreme leader is chosen. State media also reported the deaths of the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei in airstrikes. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over as the Guards top commander after Israel killed its past commander in the 12-day war last June. The adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had long been a figurehead within Irans security establishment, IRNA said. As reports trickled out about Khameneis death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, cheering from rooftops, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. Mourners raised a black mourning flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. The Iranian government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Citing unidentified sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency, believed to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild. Strikes were planned for months The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administrations success in incapacitating the countrys nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the U.S. military reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Israel, for its part, said it had killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the countrys defense minister, as well as the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei. Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do, Trump said. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and wounded in the strikes. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of Khamenei, the second leader of the Islamic Republic who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli officials confirmed the death, followed by Trump. Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance. Tensions soared as US built up military forces Tensions have soared in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program while the country struggled with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trumps decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons. Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. The Magen David Adom rescue service said Saturday night that a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in an Iranian missile attack. At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defense systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Irans state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of the Lamerd region, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel and US Israel said the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots struck hundreds of targets across Iran, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Trump acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. He said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, saying members would be given immunity or face certain death if they did not. Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but it maintained its right to enrich uranium. Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed. Effects could extend to markets and other countries The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama, and Muharraq city by drone strikes and debris from an intercepted missile. Kuwaits civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Kuwaits state-run news agency said three troops were injured by shrapnel from strikes that hit Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Lidman reported from in Tel Aviv. Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Farnoush Amiri in New York and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report. A Patriot missile launcher is set up at Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The base, which hosts U.S. Air Force personnel, came under attack Saturday from Iranian ballistic missiles, which were intercepted. (Kenneth Boyton/U.S. Air Force) Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted Saturday over a Kuwaiti base hosting the U.S. Air Force, Kuwaits military said. The retaliatory attack on Ali Al-Salem Air Base came after Israel and the U.S. carried out joint strikes against Iranian targets earlier in the day. The interceptions resulted in fragments and debris falling near the base, the Kuwaiti army said in a statement posted to X.com. The Kuwaiti base hosts American and other international forces. Elsewhere in the country, a drone strike at Kuwait International Airport on Saturday evening caused minor injuries to some workers and limited damage to the passenger terminal, Kuwaiti authorities said. Italys Deputy Prime Minister, Antonio Tajani, said the runway sustained extensive damage, Italian news outlet ANSA reported. U.S. Central Command has not made any statements regarding damage at the desert base. Iran launched a barrage of counterstrikes across the Middle East on Saturday. Plumes of smoke and explosions could be seen coming from Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Americans across the region were advised to shelter in place as sirens warned of incoming attacks. Qatar, which hosts U.S. personnel at Al Udeid Air Base, intercepted a number of attacks, Qatars Defense Ministry said. Two missiles reached the base Sunday, Qatars official news agency reported, adding that there were no reports of casualties. The United Arab Emirates, which also hosts U.S. troops, said it shot down a wave of missiles without any damage, and Jordan intercepted two ballistic missiles on Saturday, Reuters reported. Smoke could also be seen rising from a U.S. base near the airport in Irbil, in the northern part of Iraq, The Associated Press reported. Damage to The Breaker residential tower in Bahrain is seen Sunday morning following an Iranian attack that took place on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Stars and Stripes) MANAMA, Bahrain Iranian missiles and drones struck the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and residential buildings elsewhere in the island nation, as retaliatory attacks that began midday Saturday continued into early Sunday. Shortly after the U.S. announced major combat operations in Iran on Saturday morning, military personnel and residents were warned about an incoming missile attack. Within minutes, explosions could be heard across the city and plumes of smoke were seen rising from the U.S. base. Multiple explosions rocked the capital of Manama, as air raid warning sirens blared and armored vehicles convoyed along roads. The General Command of Bahrain Defense Force said Sunday that its air defense systems successfully intercepted hostile Iranian attacks, shooting down 45 missiles and nine drones, including Shahed-136 type drones. Military personnel were directed in alerts Saturday night to evacuate sections of the capital city of Manama and to leave any high-rise apartments for safer ground below. Flights out of Bahrain International Airport continued to be suspended Sunday due to the closure of Bahrain airspace. The airport was hit by an Iranian drone Sunday morning, causing minor damage. No U.S. casualties have been reported, a U.S. official said at about 1:45 p.m. Bahrain time on Saturday, roughly two hours after the strikes began. Flames climb the exterior of The Breaker residential tower in Bahrain late Saturday following an Iranian attack, with authorities investigating whether the blaze was caused by a drone strike or falling debris from a missile intercept. Abdullah Alameeri of Bahrain Police said the incident remains under investigation. The building is one of three apartment complexes reported to be damaged; in Hoora, the Era View residential tower sustained heavy damage from what officials described as a direct drone strike. (Stars and Stripes) Casualties are possible elsewhere in Bahrain. A drone slammed into the top floors of a residential tower in the Hoora neighborhood, which is about a 15-minute drive from the U.S. naval installation. The Bahraini government acknowledged that several residential buildings had been hit and said firefighting and rescue operations are ongoing. The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama was hit in a Sunday morning attack. Flames climb the exterior of The Breaker residential tower in Bahrain late Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, following an Iranian attack, with authorities investigating whether the blaze was caused by a drone strike or falling debris from a missile intercept. Abdullah Alameeri of Bahrain Police said the incident remains under investigation. The building is one of three apartment complexes reported to be damaged; in Hoora, the Era View residential tower sustained heavy damage from what officials described as a direct drone strike. (Stars and Stripes) A fire starts at The Breaker residential tower in Bahrain late Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, following an Iranian attack, with authorities investigating whether the blaze was caused by a drone strike or falling debris from a missile intercept. (Stars and Stripes) Damage to The Breaker residential tower in Bahrain before fires spread through the building late Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, following an Iranian attack. Authorities are investigating whether the blaze was caused by a drone strike or falling debris from a missile intercept. (Stars and Stripes) Earlier Saturday, nearby observers reported thick black smoke and fire at a large building on base. Other structures have also sustained damage, observers said. The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. All questions about the attack were referred by Navy officials to U.S. Central Command, which did not immediately offer a response Saturday. The missile attack was confirmed by Tasnim News Agency, a semiofficial Iranian outlet associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In-person classes at the Defense Department school on base in Bahrain also have been canceled for the rest of the week. Preparations are being made for remote learning, school officials said. Air raid sirens and missile warnings went out across the region Saturday after the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran. U.S. embassies in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel advised Americans to shelter in place. Qatar intercepted a number of attacks aimed at the country, the Defense Ministry said. Jordan also intercepted two ballistic missiles, Reuters reported. President Donald Trump said in a video posted to social media shortly after strikes began that the mission, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, would raze Irans missile industry to the ground and annihilate its navy. He also acknowledged that the U.S. may experience casualties. I do not make this statement lightly: the Iranian regime seeks to kill, Trump said. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this, not for now, were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. The U.S. has numerous installations across the Middle East that could be targets for Iranian strikes. In addition to Bahrain and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to thousands of American troops and their family members, there also are large bases in Kuwait and other locations where U.S. forces operate in Iraq. Bahrain hosts U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters and the Navys 5th Fleet, with about 8,300 sailors stationed there. It is also one of the few accompanied postings in the region, with hundreds of spouses and family members living on the island. During the 12-day conflict with Iran last summer, many families temporarily left under an authorized departure. The base also hosts the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational coalition of 47 countries tasked with countering illegal drug and weapons smuggling activities in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. The Pentagon has also surged military assets into Jordan and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. The buildup for the attack on Iran has also involved European locations such as Greece, where the Navys installation at Souda Bay has seen increased U.S. military activity. Concertgoers make their way to the venue at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Wash., Aug. 28, 2024 (Facebook) MOSES LAKE, Wash. (Tribune News Service) The Army has taken custody of the soldier accused of killing two people and injuring several others during the 2023 Beyond Wonderland music festival shooting at the Gorge Amphitheatre and has now charged him under military law. Specialist James M. Kelly, 28, was transferred from the Grant County Jail to military pretrial confinement Feb. 9 after spending more than two and a half years in civilian custody. The Army formally filed charges against him Feb. 23, according to a military charge sheet. Now that James Kellys prosecution has been transferred to the military, we continue to recognize that the loss has been deeply traumatic for many people, Grant County Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. The court process can be incredibly difficult and feelings of pain, anger or exhaustion are completely valid. Please know you are not alone in this, and that we will always remember Brandy, Josilyn, and everyone who experienced what happened that night. Kelly, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis McChord, faces multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, domestic violence and drug offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Civilian investigators say Kelly opened fire in the Gorge campground June 17, 2023, after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms and experiencing hallucinations. According to a Washington State Patrol summary, Kelly retrieved a handgun from his truck and shot Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, who were walking nearby. Both women died at the scene. He also allegedly shot and seriously injured festivalgoer Andrew Cuadra, fired at a security vehicle and struck driver Lori Williams, and shot down a Grant County Sheriffs Office drone. His now-former girlfriend, Lily Luksich, was shot twice and suffered permanent injuries, investigators said. The WSP report states Kelly fired multiple shots from his handgun at Escamilla and Ruiz... both were pronounced deceased at the scene, and later that he fired a shot at and struck Luksichs foot... [and] a second shot... causing lifethreatening injuries. The Armys charges include four specifications of murder both premeditated and unpremeditated for the deaths of Escamilla and Ruiz. Ten attemptedmurder specifications cover the shootings of Cuadra, Williams, Luksich, and three others. Kelly is also charged with three domesticviolence offenses involving Luksich and with possessing and using psilocybin. Kelly enlisted in January 2021 and held the rank of specialist at the time of the shooting. He had been in continuous custody since the night of the incident, when he was shot by law enforcement and hospitalized. With the transfer to military custody, Kelly will now face a courtmartial. The Army has not announced a date for an Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a preliminary hearing. 2026 Columbia Basin Herald (Wash.) Visit www.columbiabasinherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Vice President JD Vance speaks during a briefing at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) ABOARD AIR FORCE TWO Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that while military strikes against Iran remain under consideration by President Donald Trump, there is no chance that such strikes would result in the United States becoming involved in a years-long, drawn-out war. Speaking with The Washington Post on Thursday, Vance said he does not know what Trump will decide to do about Iran, describing possibilities that include military strikes to ensure Iran isnt going to get a nuclear weapon, or solving the problem diplomatically. But if Trump proceeds with another round of strikes on Iran - which some U.S. officials have suggested could be more comprehensive than the bombing of nuclear sites in June - Vance said confidently that it would not turn into the kind of conflict the vice president has harshly criticized. The idea that were going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight - there is no chance that will happen, he told The Post in an interview as he returned to Washington from an event in Wisconsin, effectively pushing back against predictions by some foreign policy experts that there would be no easy out if America got involved in a bigger conflict with Iran. Vance noted that last years operation in Iran and the January capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro were very clearly defined. Vance, a 41-year-old Marine veteran who served in the Iraq War, once said from the Senate floor that he had been lied to about the reasons for the United States involvement there. He said Thursday that he still sees himself as a skeptic of foreign military interventions, a description he believes continues to apply to Trump. I think we all prefer the diplomatic option, Vance said. But it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say. Talks between the U.S. and Iran continued Thursday in Geneva amid a large-scale buildup of U.S. forces around Iran, though no resolution was reached, and mediators said the negotiations would continue next week. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said Friday that it would permit the voluntary departure of nonessential staff and their family members from Israel because of safety risks, as concerns continue to mount across the Middle East over the extent of the spillover from any operation on Iran. Earlier this week, nonessential staff of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and their family members were ordered to leave Lebanon. The moves have not yet been widely followed by other Western embassies in the region. Trump has openly acknowledged that he is interested in bringing about regime change to topple Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, telling reporters this month that it would be the best thing that could happen. The current presence of U.S. military forces in the region is among the largest in more than two decades, since before the Iraq War began in 2003. Asked whether, in his days as a commentator and senator offering criticisms of the Iraq War, he could have foreseen being attached to a presidency interested in bringing about a foreign regime change, the vice president chuckled. Well, I mean, look. Life has all kinds of crazy twists and turns, Vance said. But I think Donald Trump is an America First president, and he pursues policies that work for the American people. I do think we have to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. I also think that we have to avoid overlearning the lessons of the past. Just because one president screwed up a military conflict doesnt mean we can never engage in military conflict again. Weve got to be careful about it, but I think the president is being careful. Prominent commentators within the conservative movement have spent months publicly quarreling over U.S. involvement in the Middle East, including debating what Americas attitude should be toward Israel. A growing number of conservatives - particularly young people - have soured on continued military support for the U.S. ally. Traditional conservatives have excoriated some of those voices, meanwhile, fueling a debate on the right about not only foreign policy but antisemitism as well. Vance has advocated for Israel-skeptical voices to be heard in the intraparty debate - a conversation that has upset Republican dogma of recent decades - while maintaining that he sees the nation as a strategic ally. The divide was apparent last week when former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who now has his own podcast and frequently criticizes fellow conservatives deference to Israel, interviewed Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Carlson, who has been a close ally of Vance, and Huckabee, a high-profile U.S. diplomat, have each found themselves in hot water for statements made during the filmed discussion. Huckabee said it would be fine if Israel took over other Middle Eastern countries whose land is referenced in scripture, and Carlson suggested genetic testing to determine the true descendants of Abraham. Vance, an active peruser of X, said he had not yet watched the entire interview but had seen a couple of clips here and there. Despite calls from some pro-Israel conservative activists and even two Republican members of Congress for the White House to condemn Carlson, who visited the White House on Monday, Vance described the interview as a positive development. I guess my takeaway is its a really good conversation thats going to be necessary for the right, not just for the next couple years but for long into the future, he said. What he has always liked about the political right - even the people that I find annoying on our side - is that there is a real exchange of ideas, Vance said. And if you think of the Trump coalition in 2024 - and the way that I put it is, you had Joe Rogan, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and JD Vance and a coalition of people but to do that, you have to be willing to tolerate debate and disagreement, he said. And I just think that its a good thing. The United States Capitol dome, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Congressional leaders split mostly across party lines in reaction to President Donald Trumps decision to join Israel in launching a major attack on Iran on Saturday. Republicans expressed broad support. Democrats were mostly critical, saying the strikes happened without congressional authorization.; some planned to push for a war powers vote in the House during the week ahead. Today, our commander-in-chief took decisive action against the threat posed by the worlds leading proliferator of terrorism, the Iranian regime, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota applauded the president. Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns, he said in a statement. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats. Democrats criticized the president for not being transparent enough on goals and, most specifically, the endgame. The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. Confronting Irans malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trumps fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised the U.S. troops carrying out the operations, and he said he prayed for their safety. But he condemned the attack. Against the clear wishes of the American people, President Trump has thrust our nation into a major war with Iran one he never made a case for, never sought congressional authority for, and for which he has no endgame, Reed said in a statement. The targets of the strikes included members of Irans leadership, according to an Associated Press report. Iran counterattacked against U.S. bases and others hosting U.S. troops in the region, including at the headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet in Bahrain. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to U.S. Army Central. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar, where Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of service members. There have been no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries, U.S. Central Command said in a statement, which added that its forces successfully defended against hundreds of missile and drone attacks. Not all Republicans stood with the president. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a frequent critic of interventionist foreign policy, immediately expressed his opposition. This is not America First, he said in a statement on X. Massie said that when Congress reconvenes, he would work with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., to force a congressional vote on war with Iran. Congress was notified before the strikes, as required by law, according to an Associated Press report. The notifications mentioned ballistic missiles but didnt indicate that the strikes would be so expansive or the goals so broad, the AP said. Contributing: The Associated Press Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, hosted a virtual news conference with female veterans who shared their stories about their frustrations and challenges on obtaining abortion services. Blumenthal is co-leading a joint resolution to roll back a near total ban on abortion services and counseling at VA medical facilities. (Jaimee Freeman/U.S. Air Force) WASHINGTON Harrowing stories of female veterans who sought abortion services after sexual assault and pregnancy complications were shared at an unusual news conference held by the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The first-person accounts offered at a virtual roundtable attended by veterans and abortion advocates included details of financial hardship, severe health risks and hard choices by former service members who described a health care system ill-equipped to offer the assistance they needed. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, hosted the event as a way to highlight a joint resolution that would roll back a recent ban on most abortion services at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. The resolution would restore a September 2022 rule by the former Biden administration that allowed limited abortion counseling and services in instances of rape, incest and threat to life or health. About 100 to 140 abortions were performed annually at VA facilities between 2022 and 2025, before VA Secretary Doug Collins restored a near-total ban on abortions through a rule change in December 2025. Taxpayers do not want their hard-earned money spent on paying for abortions, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., committee chairman of the House VA Committee, said last year. The near-total ban now in effect permits abortion services only if a VA physician certifies they are necessary to save the life of the pregnant veteran. Im honored to join strong advocates, including veterans here today, whose courage is most inspiring, Blumenthal said Thursday at the roundtable, which was followed by questions from reporters. We are seeing a retrograde rollback of access under this administration. The pending resolution is a Congressional Review Act that can invalidate a regulation by a simple majority, upon adoption by Congress and signing by the president. Make no mistake, the CRA will get a vote. The only question is when. I believe we will have the requisite number for it to pass, said Blumenthal, who is pushing for a vote in the next several weeks. Lauren Feringa, a former Army combat medic in Iraq and Afghanistan, was among the veterans who shared her frustrations and challenges trying to obtain counseling and services for ending pregnancies. Feringa said she had health complications while pregnant. But she said that a VA-registered clinician refused to perform a medical procedure known as a D&C or dilation and curettage when she began to miscarry. No patients should have to go back and forth with providers or politicians on the care they need to have, said Feringa, of Missouri, who is married with two children. Under abortion bans, opinions outweigh a womans word. A D&C, which removes tissue from the uterus, can be used to perform an abortion and to treat miscarriages. Feringa said in her view the abortion ban that was in effect prior to 2022 kept the clinician from providing appropriate care in her best interest. Alex Dobhailen, an Air Force veteran, said she experienced sexual assault in the military. In 2016, I was raped in the military and reported it. I was terrified I might be pregnant, said Dobhailen, a medically retired Air Force officer. Dobhailen said she had considered herself to be pro life with possible exceptions before the sexual assault. The weight of the process and an impossible decision on whether to get an abortion, if I was pregnant, became a life-threatening situation for me, Dobhailen said. This changed my view on abortion. You cant truly understand a persons situation or reasoning unless youve experienced it. For me, that was a turning point. Thankfully, I was not pregnant, she said. Dobhailen said that she and her husband since then have had problems having children. Dobhailen said she wants to use the VA for health services. But she expressed concern about her care under the abortion ban. Pregnancy is a high risk for me. I need to know I can trust my doctors, and that they will without hesitation save my life if something goes wrong. I no longer have that faith with the VA, she said. About 460,000 female veterans of reproductive age receive health services at VA facilities, with nearly half residing in states with abortion bans and restrictions, Blumenthal said. Women are the fastest-growing demographic in the military. I have pressed the VA secretary and VA leaders about this issue. But they are implacable. They are intransigent, Blumenthal said. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., a member of the House VA Committee, is helping to lead the joint resolution in the House. Denying women veterans access to essential reproductive care leaves doctors constrained from acting in their patients best interests, and patients at risk of preventable and health-threatening complications, Brownley said. We came across a bullish thesis on Paylocity Holding Corporation on Bobs Payment Stock Substack by Bob Hammel. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on PCTY. Paylocity Holding Corporation's share was trading at $101.95 as of February 23rd. PCTYs trailing and forward P/E were 38.56 and 25.51 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Scotiabank Sees Datadog (DDOG) as Safe AI Monitoring Play Despite PT Cut Paylocity Holding Corporation provides cloud-based human capital management, payroll software, and spend management solutions for the workforce in the United States. PCTY with a market capitalization under $10 billion and a strong financial profile including significant recurring revenue and a net cash position, presents a compelling opportunity for private equity interest. The companys client funds are invested almost entirely in short-term instruments such as money market securities and cash equivalents, generating yields closely aligned with the federal funds rate, reflecting a conservative and low-risk approach to cash management. Strategically, Paylocity has expanded beyond its traditional cloud-based payroll and human capital management (HCM) offerings through the acquisition of Airbase, a spend management software provider, and its recent move into information technology management. This positions the company to offer a unified platform for small and mid-sized businesses across payroll, HCM, finance, and IT, all anchored by a single employee system of record. Despite not competing directly with the hundreds of third-party providers integrated through its marketplace, Paylocity leverages these partnerships effectively, generating referrals that account for roughly one-quarter of new business sales in the most recent fiscal year. This ecosystem approach enhances client stickiness while driving growth without the capital intensity of competing solutions. The combination of a strong recurring revenue base, net cash balance, marketplace-driven growth, and strategic expansion into adjacent IT and finance services underscores Paylocitys ability to deliver both operational resilience and financial upside. For investors, these factors, coupled with the companys potential attractiveness as a takeout target, make Paylocity a uniquely positioned growth platform with multiple levers for value creation. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) by Francesco Ferrari in April 2025, which highlighted the companys strong long-term performance, low volatility, and impressive revenue and gross profit growth. PCTYs stock price has depreciated by 44.58% since our coverage. Bob Hammel shares a similar view but emphasizes Paylocitys strategic expansion through the acquisition of Airbase, the unified HCM, finance, and IT platform, and its referral-driven marketplace, enhancing revenue visibility and long-term growth potential. Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, especially for people who didn't grow up watching their parents build investment portfolios. That was the case for Neil, a 52-year-old caller from Birmingham, Alabama, who recently spoke with personal finance experts Dave Ramsey and Jade Warshaw on The Ramsey Show. Neil and his wife are investing 15% for retirement and paying off their home. But even though they're doing the right things, they're anxious. They grew up in households with pensions but no nest egg. Now in their 50s, they're playing catch-up and worried about retiring poor. Don't Miss: Fear Of Losing Control Neil admitted they were nervous about working with a financial advisor. They've never done it before. They weren't sure how it works. Would they have to, as he said, turn everything over? Would someone else control their money? Ramsey addressed that fear directly. What you don't want from an adviser is arrogance, he said. Dropping their glasses on the end of their nose and shaming or telling you what you need to do. These are all warning signs that you run from. He said that a good advisor should act like a teacher, not someone who shames you or talks down to you. If you say you don't understand something, the advisor's job is to explain it another way. Then he gave an analogy that made the whole idea feel less intimidating. Sometimes I go into a nice restaurant and we ask the waiter, you know, what's the best thing in here? Ramsey said. And I don't always get what they suggest. I don't turn my choices over to them. I just listen to them and then I make my choice. Trending: Own the Characters, Not Just the Content: Inside a Fast-Growing Pre-IPO IP Company In other words, you're still ordering the meal. The waiter just gives input. Ramsey stressed that hiring an advisor doesnt mean giving up control. They're not authorized to do trades, he said. They're not authorized to do anything unless you tell them to do it. He compared it to hiring a lawyer. You work for me. You tell me what the situation is and then I will decide based on the information you teach me about this particular situation. The advisor works for you, not the other way around. Catching Up And Seeking Clarity Neil also shared frustration that his 401(k) wasn't matching the S&P returns he hears about. Ramsey said an advisor can review fund choices and point out options that may perform better, but again, the final decision stays with the client. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Susan Sarandon has spoken about her exile from Hollywood in an emotional interview at Barcelonas Goya Awards. The Thelma and Louise star, 79, was dropped by her agency, United Talent Agency, in 2023, in what she says was a response to her marching and speaking out about Gaza. I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire, and it became impossible for me to even be on television, she said at a press conference, while attending the festival to accept a career achievement award. I dont know lately if its changed, but, I couldnt do any major film, anything connected with Hollywood. During the press conference, Sarandon also praised the Spanish governments support for Palestine. To see Spain and the Presidents support for Gaza, and to have actors like Javier Bardem come forward with such a strong voice, is so important to us in the United States, she said, growing visibly emotional. I cant tell you, when you turn on the TV and you see how strong Spain is, and how clear that you are morally about these issues, it makes you feel less alone, and it makes you feel that there is hope, because you just dont hear that on TV in the US. Before being dropped by her agency, Sarandon ignited controversy with an appearance at a pro-Palestinian rally in November 2023. Susan Sarandon gives a press conference on the eve of the 40th Goya awards ceremony ( AFP via Getty Images ) She said at the event: There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence. The actor later apologised for her comments, stating that they [imply] that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true. In the years since parting with United Talent Agency, Sarandan has continued to work in independent cinema, and starred in a play at Londons Old Vic theatre last year. I just did a film in Italy, and I did a play at the Old Vic for a number of months, she said in Barcelona. An Italian director just hired me, but he was told not to hire me. So, right now I kind of specialise in tiny, independent films with directors who have never directed before, and films that are in Europe or in Italy. So, thats the main reason I havent been been working as much. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Helen Coffeys report on the surge in Bible reading among young people sparked a wide-ranging response from Independent readers. Many suggested that Gen Zs interest in Christianity is part of a broader search for meaning amid uncertainty, with factors such as climate change, economic pressures, social isolation, and global conflict leaving young people anxious about the future. Commenters observed that while some may approach the Bible aesthetically or performatively, many genuinely seek spiritual understanding, personal growth, and ethical guidance. Several readers expressed concern over the co-opting of religion by political extremists, particularly the far right, warning that performative religiosity or Christian nationalism can distort authentic faith. Others emphasised that true engagement with Christianity requires introspection and personal effort, and that religious communities can provide social cohesion and support without being exploitative. Heres what you had to say: Theres a battle for what it means to be Christian Great article, Independent. Not surprising young people are looking for something considering the state of the world at the moment, and if the local church community can be a source of tolerant, moderate views to counter all this far-right internet nonsense, maybe it can be a good influence. There's a battle for what it means to be Christian at the moment. I'm not, but coming from a religious family, these warped Christian values we're importing from America are utterly toxic. Garlbalunzie Spirituality in general goes in and out of fashion It really shouldn't be such a surprise. The Bible is tied to one of the world's major religions. Spirituality in general goes in and out of fashion over the years. Neopaganism had an upsurge in the 90s, then in the 2000s the pendulum swung the other way, and New Atheism was all the rage. If I had a fiver for every Dickie Dawkins fanboy who made atheism their personality for a while when The God Delusion was fashionable at dinner parties... Maybe it's a revival they happen every so often. I certainly hope something rises up to challenge the horrendous attempt by the far right to claim Christianity as theirs again. It's also possible there's been a revival in classical literature, and many of these young people have realised that, to truly understand a lot of that, you need to have a working knowledge of the Bible. As a law academic, there are often concepts baked into English law which rely upon culturally Christian assumptions, making a working knowledge of specific Biblical teachings necessary to comprehend those Lord Atkin's Neighbour Principle being just one. PadraigMahone Political extremists are exploiting religion Political extremists are exploiting religion for their own ends. Trump won many votes this way, though he was never a church-goer, a reader of the Bible, nor an exponent of Christian ethics, particularly in his treatment of women, the poor and minorities generally. Fashions come and fashions go; today it's the Bible (though probably remaining unread) and tomorrow a new fad. Klingsor2 A lost generation I am not surprised. We have messed this world up and the usual plan of go to school, get a job, get a spouse, buy a house, have a family seems, for many, an unachievable or unwanted notion, leaving them searching for a purpose. Add in the environmental impacts, both social and physical, such as climate change and social media, and we are seeing a lost generation switched off by insane capitalism, loneliness and extremism. We are a social species who seek each other out on many levels, and our world is becoming isolationist on a personal level and on a country level. Maybe religion can serve a purpose to bind the social fabric back together again. As an atheist, I won't hold my breath, as religion has been used as a means of control and division since time began and has not served us well. I just hope they find what they are looking for. Jools In negative times people search for meaning Feels like two main things. First: American culture is taking over. Second: these things ebb and flow. In positive times people get more left-wing and less religious. In negative times people get more right-wing and feel a need to search for meaning. Edly You dont need to be religious to read the bible You don't have to have a strong religious faith to read the Bible. It is considered a work of literature in its own right, especially the King James version. Regarding atheism versus devotion, I've long felt these are two sides of the same coin. Dawkins's atheism comes across as fundamentalist as the most pious believer. Poulter Decent Christians are worried The recent outbreak of Christian nationalism promoted by the far right, with the encouragement and doubtless funding of US conservative evangelists pushing their own agenda on topics like abortion, other faiths and LGBT people, is not going to do much to win any sincere converts either. Decent Christians are worried about what is happening to their brand and are saying not in my name. SteveHill Spiritual satisfaction cannot be outsourced It is not surprising that in this decadent age of gross materialism the young seek spiritual satisfaction. Unfortunately, organised religions can at best provide some commendable values and the comfort of numbers. They are all competing with each other to sell their own brand of God as if one size fits all, and it doesnt. Those who truly want spiritual enlightenment must work on learning to know themselves, warts and all; if they work hard enough and long enough, they will eventually find the God of their understanding, which is not transferable. BabaYaga More truth in Orwell I've been an atheist since my teens, ever since I realised this loving, benign, omnipotent God was totally powerless, allowed all manner of horrors to take place, and that religious people seemed to be mean, especially to females. This alleged resurgence makes no sense. There's more truth in Orwell. Galileo666 The atheist case has simply collapsed Theres another reason for the revival of interest in religion, in my opinion. Its the collapse of the arguments put forward for atheism by the likes of Hitchens and Dawkins. These have been comprehensively refuted and atheists are unable to put forward any convincing newer arguments for their atheism. Indeed, one almost never sees any positive arguments presented for atheism here. The atheist case has simply collapsed. Musil Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the days top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click log in or register in the top right corner to sign in or sign up. Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment, click here. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Federal prosecutors said Friday they will not challenge a judges decision preventing them from pursuing the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In a letter, Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean Buckley informed Judge Margaret Garnett that the government will not ask the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn her ruling, clearing the way for a federal trial set to begin in September. Mangiones separate state murder trial is scheduled for June. Last month, Garnett dismissed a federal charge of murder through use of a firearm, the count that had allowed prosecutors to seek capital punishment, determining it was legally flawed. She wrote that her decision was intended to foreclose the death penalty as an available punishment to be considered by the jury as it determines whether to convict Mangione in the December 2024 killing in Manhattan. Mangiones separate state murder trial is scheduled for June ( Shannon Stapleton/Pool Photo via AP ) The judge, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor appointed to the bench by President Joe Biden, also threw out a gun charge but left in place stalking charges that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. To seek the death penalty, prosecutors needed to show that Mangione killed Thompson while committing another crime of violence. Stalking doesnt fit that definition, Garnett wrote in a 39-page opinion, citing case law and legal precedents. The ruling disrupted the Trump administrations bid to see Mangione executed for what U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. It was the first capital case brought by the Justice Department in President Donald Trumps second term. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty in the federal and state cases. The state charges also carry the possibility of life in prison. At a recent court hearing, he spoke out against the prospect of back-to-back trials, telling a judge: Its the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition. Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he walked to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Groups annual investor conference. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police say delay, deny and depose were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims. Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later after he was spotted eating breakfast at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) west of Manhattan. His lawyers have argued that authorities prejudiced his case by turning his arrest into a Marvel movie spectacle, including by having armed officers parade him up Manhattan pier after he was flown to New York, and by publicly declaring their desire to see him executed even before he was formally indicted. Jury selection in Mangiones federal case is scheduled for Sept. 8, followed by opening statements and testimony on Oct. 13. His state trial is scheduled to begin June 8, but the judge in that case, Gregory Carro, said it could have been pushed back until Sept. 8 if federal prosecutors appealed the death penalty ruling. In her ruling, Garnett acknowledged that the decision may strike the average person and indeed many lawyers and judges as tortured and strange, and the result may seem contrary to our intuitions about the criminal law. But, she said, it reflected her committed effort to faithfully apply the dictates of the Supreme Court to the charges in this case. The law must be the Courts only concern. Polands competition authority UOKiK searched Allegros Poznan headquarters and Warsaw offices in a preliminary probe into suspected antitrust breaches. The steps relate to an investigation into whether Allegro may have infringed competition law, including by favouring its own logistics services on the allegro.pl marketplace. The regulators concerns centre on whether Allegro may be promoting its own delivery options such as shipments to Allegro One Box parcel lockers and services provided by businesses in the Allegro Delivery programme. According to the regulator: The suspected actions may at the same time put courier companies not belonging to that programme at a disadvantage. UOKiK president Tomasz Chrostny added: Suspected violations of the competition rules were serious enough for us to apply to the court and obtain a permit for a search at Allegros registered office in Poznan and in branch offices in Warsaw. We have collected extensive and valuable evidence which we are currently subjecting to an in-depth analysis. UOKiK noted that the current work is being conducted in rem, meaning it is not directed at specific companies at this stage. If the authority finds evidence supporting its concerns, it may open antitrust proceedings and issue allegations against individual entities. Companies found to be part of anti-competitive agreements face penalties of up to 10% of turnover. The search follows a recent lawsuit lodged by Polish online marketplace Erli, which has accused Allegro of abusing its market position and engaging in unfair competition. The complaint centres on claims that Allegro requires price consistency across the internet, with sellers promotional exposure - both on and off the platform - linked to how they price goods on other online channels. Retail Insight Network has reached out to Allegro for comment on the matter. "Polish competition authority searches Allegro offices in antitrust probe" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The family of a Bay Area man is seeking answers after he was found dead in a creek next to Levis Stadium nearly a week after disappearing on Super Bowl Sunday. Thomas Simpkins, 44, a Santa Clara resident and father, was discovered on February 14 in San Tomas Aquino Creek, which runs alongside the stadium where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots on February 8. Simpkins death is being investigated as a possible homicide, his sister, Brandi Stroud, told the San Francisco Chronicle. He leaves behind three stepchildren and one biological son and was in the midst of a divorce, she added. The Santa Clara Police Department described the case to the outlet as an ongoing investigation but did not provide further details. The Santa Clara County medical examiners office has not yet determined the cause or manner of death and told the SF Chronicle that additional investigation is pending. Stroud told NBC Bay Area that Simpkins was last seen the night of the Super Bowl, after attending a barbecue in South San Jose with friends. He reportedly took an Uber home around 9 p.m., planning to relax after the festivities, according to texts shared with Stroud. open image in gallery Thomas Simpkins, 44, a Santa Clara father, was found on February 14 in San Tomas Aquino Creek near the stadium where the Seahawks beat the Patriots on February 8 ( Brandi Stroud/NBC Bay Area ) The next day, Simpkins 19-year-old son went to the Palo Alto restaurant where his father worked and learned that he had missed his shift. Concern grew when the family could not reach Simpkins by phone, prompting them to file a missing persons report. Stroud, who lives in Oregon, traveled to the Bay Area to help search for her brother. The familys efforts were initially unsuccessful, and she said she only learned that a body had been recovered in the creek near the stadium after a stranger sent her a link to police scanner audio on Facebook, NBC Bay Area reports. She contacted the medical examiners office and identified her brother by a large tattoo of his last name across his back. Authorities later confirmed the body had been found in San Tomas Aquino Creek, about six miles from his home. His phone and wallet were missing when police found him, according to Stroud. open image in gallery Simpkins' sister claimed she learned of a body found near Levi's Stadium only after a stranger shared police scanner audio on Facebook ( Getty Images ) The case was delayed three days as neighboring city police passed it back and forth before San Jose police took over, Stroud claimed. There was a huge delay, she told the SF Chronicle. They didnt take my brothers case seriously at all. The San Jose Police Department told The Independent in a statement Saturday that because the case involved multiple jurisdictions, the agencies coordinated to ensure the investigation was handled thoroughly and properly. We understand how incredibly difficult and emotional this situation is for the family. When a loved one is missing, every moment feels critical, and we recognize the fear and frustration that can come with that uncertainty, the statement read. At no point was this case dismissed or ignored. Both agencies worked to ensure the matter was addressed in accordance with investigative protocols and jurisdictional requirements, it continued. Santa Clara police, which led the investigation after the body was found, added in a statement to the SF Chronicle, This case was not delayed and was investigated with the protocols and investigative steps required. The Independent has contacted the Santa Clara Police Department Santa Clara County medical examiners office for comment. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholic priests to resist the temptation to use artificial intelligence to write sermons. The Chicago-born pontiff, who is the first head of the Catholic Church to hail from the United States, also urged his fellow clergymen to use your brains more. The pope made the remarks during a closed-door meeting with the clergy of the Diocese of Rome on February 19. The details of the meeting, in which the pope took questions from priests, were unsealed the next day and reported by Vatican News. During the meeting, the pope told listeners that giving a homily is to share faith, before arguing that artificial intelligence will never be able to share faith. Like all the muscles in the body, if we do not use them, if we do not move them, they die, he warned. The brain needs to be used, so our intelligence must also be exercised a little so as not to lose this capacity. open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholic priests to resist the temptation to use artificial intelligence while writing their sermons ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The 70-year-old also took aim at social media platforms and asked members of the clergy to be mindful about chasing likes and followers through an illusion on the internet, on TikTok. Pope Leo XIV often weighs in on world politics, even choosing his papal name because of his views on artificial intelligenceand the names historical connotations. There were many reasons, but mainly Pope Leo XIII, who, in his historic encyclical Rerum Novarum, addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution, Leo said last year, according to Vatican News. In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution, and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, of justice and of labor. The pope has also weighed in on politics in his birth country. He has repeatedly criticized President Trumps administration, leading some MAGA Republicans to brand him as woke. During his tenure, the pope has turned down an invitation to Trump's Board of Peace, warned of a new era centered around diplomacy based on force, and suggested that immigrants face inhumane treatment in the United States At the time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the idea that immigrants were treated in an inhumane manner in the U.S. but did not directly reference comments made by Pope Leo. open image in gallery The pope regularly speaks out about world politics, leading some critics to brand him as woke ( AFP/Getty ) However, even before becoming head of the Catholic Church, the future pope had been critical of the Trump administrations stance on immigration. In February 2025, he claimed that Vice President JD Vance was wrong to suggest that Christian teachings underpinned the governments immigration policies. Vance told Fox News that he believed people should love your family and, then, to love your neighbor. He went on to claim that, only then, should the government prioritize the rest of the world. Leo replied, Jesus doesnt ask us to rank our love for others. The Independent has contacted the Association of United States Catholic Priests for comment. We came across a bullish thesis on Ralph Lauren Corporation on TickerTrends Researchs Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on RL. Ralph Lauren Corporation's share was trading at $356.18 as of February 10th. RLs trailing and forward P/E were 24.23 and 21.83 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Jim Cramer Says Levis Strauss is Intriguing But Ralph Lauren (RL) is Better Pixabay/Public Domain Ralph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. RL appears positioned to outperform consensus expectations for FQ326, supported by alternative data pointing to sustained consumer demand and strong brand engagement. Core consumer interest trackers accelerated meaningfully through most of the quarter, signaling healthy underlying momentum across the brand portfolio. Although growth rates moderated slightly toward quarter-end, this deceleration seems more reflective of normalization against strong prior comparisons rather than a meaningful deterioration in demand. Overall engagement trends suggest the brand remains firmly in demand, reinforcing the likelihood of a revenue beat versus current estimates. The most notable driver within the portfolio has been Purple Label, Ralph Laurens ultra-premium segment, which has materially outperformed the broader brand in consumer interest metrics. Engagement accelerated sharply late in the quarter, supported by high-profile brand activity, including Purple Labels first-ever runway show in Milan. The event generated a visible spike in Ralph Laurenrelated YouTube views, highlighting elevated consumer attention and reinforcing the brands luxury positioning. Such brand moments can extend beyond short-term visibility and potentially translate into sustained demand if momentum carries forward. With market expectations already elevated into earnings, the magnitude of any revenue beat, along with forward guidance and management commentary, will be critical in shaping investor reaction. The key variable now is whether Purple Labels recent surge in engagement proves durable beyond the initial runway buzz. Continued strength in post-event consumer interest would support upside to revenue expectations and validate the brands premiumization strategy, while any fade in engagement would suggest a more temporary boost rather than structural acceleration. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on V.F. Corporation (VFC) by Fun-Imagination-2488 in April 2025, which highlighted the turnaround under Bracken Darrell, brand revitalization at Vans, margin expansion, debt reduction, and deep-value upside potential. VFCs stock price has appreciated by approximately 79.02% since our coverage. TickerTrends Research shares a similar thesis but emphasizes on alternative data-driven demand momentum and premium brand acceleration at Ralph Lauren (RL). Advertisement BusinessCompaniesCommercial real estate Spotlight and Anacondas billionaires just sold this patch of dirt in Chapel Street for $65m Nicole Lindsay February 27, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Capital Gain Fresh from splashing $183.5 million to snap up the St Germain project in Toorak Village, the billionaires behind Spotlight and Anaconda have finally offloaded a patch of dirt in Chapel Street that they own. And in an interesting quid pro quo, the buyer is understood to be none other than prolific property developer Bill McNee. 402-416 Chapel Street, South Yarra McNee was the developer who sold the St Germain complex to the Fraid/Fried family this week. Their Spotlight Retail Group owns crafts retailer Spotlight, outdoor chains Anaconda and Mountain Designs, and the Harris Scarfe department stores, giving them estimated wealth of about $5.01 billion. Advertisement Its understood McNee paid more than the $60 million asking price, about $65 million, for the block at 402-416 Chapel Street, in South Yarra. Related Article Commercial real estate Espy operator to run funky new rooftop city bar; Godfreys vacuum heir offloads rare Royal Arcade shop Morry Fraid and his nephew Zac Fried bought the site for $1.51 million in 1983 when the strip was on the verge of a retail renaissance. The row of shops and first-floor offices was demolished a few years ago to make way for apartments. The 3306-square-metre site is close to the Gurner-led Jam Factory redevelopment and the state governments social housing rebuild. Cushman & Wakefields Daniel Wolman is understood to have closed the deal for the huge chunk of development land but he declined to comment. Wolman and colleagues Nick Rathgeber, Leigh Melbourne, Oliver Hay, Mark Hansen and Leon Ma negotiated the St Germain transaction. Advertisement The 12-storey 13,000 sq m mixed-use St Germain project at 505 Toorak Road includes office space for upmarket real estate agency Kay & Burton, property developers the Deague Group, one of Tim Gurners St Haven wellness centres, Cecconis restaurant and a busy Coles supermarket. The St Germain project at 505 Toorak Road has revamped the Village. That deal was struck on a 5.5 per cent yield, which could have been sharper if the original $200 million asking price had been reached. McNee finished the project three years ago and in doing so helped put an end to the worn-out atmosphere which had permeated Toorak Village for decades. The Sivasli Group, which has undertaken projects with James Packers NPACT group, is planning to build a new family office next door to St Germain at 509-515 Toorak Road. NPACT is also involved in Orchard Pipers new $400 million luxury apartment project across the street. Advertisement Big-box buy Listed furniture retailer Nick Scali has snapped up Coco Republics 500 Church Street showroom for a record $22 million. The deal, setting a land rate of $21,421 a sq m and a building rate of $11,369 a sq m, reflected a razor-sharp yield of 3.05 per cent. While the Cremorne office buildings are renowned for their high-tech tenants, the showrooms on the strip have evolved into a designer furniture hotspot over the past 30 years. The ASX-listed Nick Scali has bought the property leased by Coco Republic in Cremorne. Advertisement Coco Republic has leased the 1935 sq m building since 2000 and has three years remaining on the lease. Its next door to Alfasis new office at 510 Church Street near East Richmond railway station. Related Article Commercial real estate Popular Prince gets a multimillion-dollar makeover after $28m sale to Godfreys vacuum heir Records show high-profile Gold Coast investor Frank Picone bought the building in 2009 for about $6 million. A caveat over the property revealed the buyers identity. Cushman & Wakefields George Davies and Oliver Hay negotiated the off-market transaction but declined to comment on the buyer or vendor. However, Davies said the deal highlights strong demand from occupiers to hold their ground on one of the countrys most tightly held retail destinations. Advertisement Six months ago, the Cushman team sold 575 Church Street to a group of Chemist Warehouse execs and directors for $4,725,000 $1,925,000 over the reserve. Drive buy Motor magnate Nick Theodossi has stumped up $18.05 million for the Clyde North Dan Murphys and a Nido Early School creche. Its the second deal at the new Meridian Village development on the corner of Thompsons Road and Matterhorn Drive about 45 kilometres south-east of Melbournes CBD. Late last year a Chinese investor paid $5.9 million for a Guzman y Gomez outlet at the project, developed by the Griffith Group. Advertisement Nick Theodossi has bought the new Dan Murphys and Nido at Clyde North. Next up is a new freestanding large-format retail centre anchored by Petbarn, Supercheap Auto and Jaycar. Stonebridges Justin Dowers, Rorey James and Kevin Tong ran negotiations. Big health Healthcare behemoth Ramsay Health Group is selling a boutique private hospital in a plum location in Hawthorns Grace Park Estate. Advertisement The 37-bed hospital is on a large 4780 sq m site at 29 Hilda Crescent, Its opposite the Hawks footy teams former eyrie, Glenferrie Oval, and close to the pool and the busy Glenferrie Road shopping strip. Records show the triple-fronted property last changed hands in 2022 when the Melbourne Orthopaedic Group sold it for $25 million. The tiny hospital is likely to attract another healthcare user or a developer and should fetch more than its last price given the blue chip neighbourhood. Healthscope is selling a small hospital in Hawthorn. CBRE agents Sandro Peluso, Marcello Caspani-Muto and Jimmy Tat declined to comment on the vendor or the likely price but were enthusiastic about the property and location. Advertisement You cannot understate the value of existing hospital infrastructure, even if its converted for an alternative use, Peluso said. Upheaval in the private health sector, triggered by the collapse of Healthscope last year, is likely to bring more properties to market. Healthscope, bought by Canadian property giant Brookfield in 2019 for $5.7 billion, has sold a slew of hospitals. Ramsay Health Care has paid $251 million for Canberras National Capital Private Hospital; Calvary has bought the Hobart Private Hospital and Holmesglen Private Hospital; and Mater Health has picked up the Gold Coast Private Hospital. But there are still pickings at the smaller end. In May last year, just before it went into receivership, Healthscope listed an ageing rehab facility at 134-146 Ford Street in Ivanhoe. Records show residential developer More Capital Groups Jacob Gilmore paid $7.7 million for the 7272 sq m property, which has a 46-bed hospital and a historic mansion. JLLs Jesse Radisich, Josh Rutman, Mark Stafford and Mingxuan Li got that deal out of rehab. Advertisement Small pharma Sydney-based developer Abadeen has snapped up the Hawthorn headquarters of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, paying $16.82 million for the 1300 sq m site. The three-level office at 40 Burwood Road not far from the Hilda Street hospital faces the south-eastern corner of St James Park and backs on to Hawthorn railway station. Colliers agents Alex Browne, Ben Baines and Eddie Foulkes, who did the deal, said the campaign attracted six offers from a range of owner-occupiers, investors and developers. Lachal Property acted as transaction adviser. Abadeen is planning to demolish the 1954 sq m office and replace it with a multi-story project. The deal potentially marks a change in direction for the suburban office market, where owner-occupiers have dominated over the past three years. Advertisement A residential developer has bought 40 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. We had owner-occupiers come through who hadnt been in the market for five years. Theyre still willing to buy, Browne said. But ultimately, they were beaten by the freshly enthused development sector, encouraged by the state governments new planning rules. The sale campaign was launched shortly after the state government designated a maximum proposed height of eight storeys for 40 Burwood Road. This encouraged strong levels of interest from residential developers who outbid owner-occupiers and office investors for the 1980s office building, Baines said. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. CLARIFICATION This story was updated after further information became available detailing the $65 million acquisition price for the Chapel Street property. The teens who attend Melbournes Rock Academy which is nothing like a typical school holiday music program describe the experience as life-changing. Many were called weird at school, but at Rock Academy, these kids have found their tribe. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A As I step into Melbournes famed Bakehouse Studios, where 64 teenagers are participating in the groundbreaking Rock Academy program, I cant shake the feeling that something isnt right. Theres no sign of discontent among the group: some are jamming in rehearsal rooms, others refining songs theyve co-written with peers, while a few take a well-earned break in the lush, plant-filled courtyard. Then it hits me: not a single young person is using their phone. Im even more astonished to learn there is no official phone ban these kids are simply choosing real human connection over screen-mediated interactions. I love showing the kids how showbiz works, and giving them the understanding that the show must go on, says Phil Ceberano (right), who co-founded Rock Academy with Alan Long in 2015. Wayne Taylor I think its because people are so invested in the creative side of things, says Isaac Wicklein, who has been a regular Rock Academy attendee over the past six years. But Ive learned a whole bunch of life skills as well, like how to connect with people, make friends and maintain conversations, because Ive kind of struggled with those things. As Wicklein talks, several other teens nod along. Some confess to being so nervous before their first Rock Academy presuming theyd be sneered at by a bunch of uber-cool musicians that they almost quit before they started. Others say its given them the confidence to find part-time jobs, or to attend parties instead of confining themselves to their bedrooms on weekends. Those who were branded as weird at school almost cry when explaining the sense of finding their tribe; as one girl puts it: This place feels like home. They speak of finding their voice, figuratively and literally. Nearly all describe the experience as life-changing. Were not these kids parents. We treat them like adults and expect them to act accordingly and generally, they do. Rock Academy co-founder Alan Long Perhaps Rock Academy, founded by musicians Alan Long and Phil Ceberano in 2015, is best described by explaining what its not. For a start, its nothing like School of Rock, the zany 2003 comedy film starring Jack Black. Nor is it a traditional music program, where students learn scales on a piano or where to place their fingers on a guitar. There are no battle of the bands-style contests in which uniform-clad pupils compete for trophies in stuffy school auditoriums. And participants can return as many times as they like, as long as theyre of high school age many of those I spoke to have attended more than 20 times over the years, with some who are now adults returning as mentors. Advertisement We assume theyve already got a music teacher showing them how to play their instrument, Long says. When the kids are writing their original songs, we might show them how to build in dynamics: making it faster or slower, or louder or quieter, so they can learn to build attention and then hold or release it. Like Long, Ceberano has been in the music game for decades. Over the years hes worked as a guitarist, producer, songwriter and composer and has learned, through personal experience, the many ways in which things can go wrong. Rock Academy veteran Owen Perks says the program teaches you things like compromise and conflict resolution, and those are skills that have helped me in my life. Aidan Bedford I love showing the kids how showbiz works, and giving them the understanding that the show must go on, he says. Maybe you get up on stage and the PA doesnt work, or the guitar lead gets unplugged, or you forget the words to your song. We want them to appreciate that these things are perfectly normal; the important thing is that you learn to just pivot and roll with it. I see what he means as I observe a rehearsal in the Bakehouses eclectically-decorated Scrap Museum room, where the likes of Paul Kelly, Archie Roach and Tones and I have performed. As one group of teens, wearing Nirvana and Metallica T-shirts, launches into a song, a guitarist accidentally yanks his lead out by stepping on it. Minami Deguchi who participated in seven Rock Academy programs as a teen before being appointed stage manager as an adult shows the boy how to thread his lead through his guitar strap, preventing future mishaps. He also demonstrates how to enter and exit the stage; how each musician should pick up their instrument; and how to avoid ear-splitting feedback. Ceberano then explains how to adjust the height of a microphone; a task that seems deceptively simple to novices. Make sure you dont move it towards your face too fast or youll break a tooth, he says. Ive done that before. When those awaiting their turn start talking, a simple Oi! from Long silences the chatter. Advertisement We have three rules here, Long says. Rule number one is, Dont be a dickhead. Rule two is, Treat this venue like its your grandmas place, because youd never trash her house. And the third rule is, If you have any issues with the first two rules, refer to rule one. Related Article Pop culture Mamma Mia! Gen Z drives massive ABBA resurgence During each Rock Academy program, participants are split into bands and tasked with picking and rehearsing a cover song. There are no adults telling them what to do; its up to each group to figure it out themselves. It can be intense, says Owen Perks, who has done Rock Academy 18 times. But the fact is you just have to learn how to do it because we know we have to play a gig at the end of the week. It teaches you things like compromise and conflict resolution, and those are skills that have helped me in my life. There are songwriting workshops, often helmed by Ceberano, which inspire attendees to compose an original tune as a group providing another opportunity to practice balancing assertiveness with teamwork. (They are regularly shuffled into different teams, allowing them to work with each of their peers at some point.) These are followed by instrument workshops, then a final stage rehearsal. While the mentors play a crucial role, theyre instructed not to give explicit directions; instead, they might say: Ive been in this situation before; have you considered approaching it this way? Were not these kids parents, Long says. We treat them like adults and expect them to act accordingly and generally, they do. Advertisement Advertisement CultureTV & radioObituaries The fade to black that pierced the heart of Australian TV Michael Idato February 28, 2026 3:26pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The breadth and depth of Lorraine Baylys working life stage actress, soap opera matriarch, TV Week cover star is almost too much to encapsulate into a sound bite. But in the annals of cultural history, the one role she will forever be associated with is that of Grace Sullivan, the indefatigable, dependable wife of Dave, and mother of John, Tom, Terry and Kitty in The Sullivans. The cast of The Sullivans. Nine Network That show, which premiered on November 15, 1976, and marks its 50th anniversary later this year, was an institution on Australian television in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and turned Bayly, who has died, aged 89, into one of Australias biggest TV stars. There would be other performances, many of them luminous. On the stage, Willy Lomans wife Linda in the Ensemble Theatres 1997 production of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman at the Sydney Opera House. The play Calendar Girls (2010), with Rhonda Burchmore, Cornelia Frances and Jean Kittson. And the 2015 national tour of The Sound of Music. Advertisement And on television, one of the original presenters of Play School, from 1966 to 1978, with John Hamblin, John Waters, and Anne Haddy. The Man From Snowy River and the miniseries 1915 (both 1982) and the 1920s period drama Carsons Law (1982-1984), as progressive lawyer Jennifer Carson, an often under-credited performance in a show that was much greater than reviewers of the day acknowledged. But at the heart of Lorraine Baylys story is the woman she saw reflected in the mirror, when she was seated in the make-up chair on the set of The Sullivans: Grace Sullivan, the matriarch of a World War II-era Australian family living in the suburbs of Melbourne in the 1940s. A son goes to war. Tom (Steven Tandy) with Grace (Lorraine Bayly) and Dave (Paul Cronin). Nine Network In an interview to mark the shows 40th anniversary in November 2016, Bayly said she based the smaller character notes of Grace Sullivan on her own mother. She had a fantastic sense of humour, yet she could be quite serious, Bayly said. Graces hairstyle was my mothers hairstyle, how she used to wear it when she was young. And little mannerisms that she had, attitudes that she had, I wanted the sense of humour to be there, but also the strength and severity. Advertisement The Sullivans, produced by Crawford Productions, the studio founded by the legendary Hector and Dorothy Crawford, was in many ways the story of Australia. The countrys coming of age, but also its loss of innocence. Though it was set in the 1940s, it was produced in the late 1970s, in the long shadow of the Vietnam War, which was at the time still a contentious topic the Australian lives it had touched often left to wrestle with grief, pain and loss in silence. Austraila at war as seen from the kitchen of The Sullivans. Nine Network As Grace sent each of her sons off to fight, the emotional impact of those stories elevated The Sullivans from mere a soap opera to cultural institution, a twice-a-week soap which became a crucible through which we explored the complex relationship between the natural ease of Australian life, and the burden of war, pressed upon us often by forces outside our national control. Graces family wrestled with duty and sacrifice. Eldest son John (Andrew McFarlane) was opposed to the conflict but eventually joined the medical corps. Middle son Tom (Steven Tandy) served in North Africa, Greece, Crete, the Netherlands and Malaya. Advertisement Youngest son Terry (Richard Morgan), meanwhile, dreamed of the air force, had to settle for the army, served and was ultimately imprisoned in Singapores infamous Changi prison. And daughter Kitty (Susan Hannaford), later a nurse, lost her husband, a war correspondent who was struggling with battlefield trauma, to suicide. Through it all, however, Grace Sullivan was propelled by sheer force of will, a reflection of every indestructible Aussie mum, and an always graceful presence who met joy and heartache with both humour and humanity. Until, of course, Grace herself was cut down, in a season cliffhanger that shocked Australia. Landing in London, in July 1944, Grace was killed when a German V-1 flying bomb struck her son Johns flat. After 598 of The Sullivans 1114 episodes, Grace was gone in an explosion of masonry and a fade to black that pierced the nations heart. In television history, you can count on one hand the episodes which have that kind of impact. Later, in 1985, the country watched in tears as leukaemia claimed Molly Jones (Anne Tenney) in A Country Practice. And in 2005, our hearts were ripped in two when Frankies (Claudia Karvan) daughter Lou (Alex Cook) died suddenly in Love My Way. Advertisement Fame is a strange thing. And television is a peculiar medium. The most intimate of mediums, the celebrated writer and director Aaron Sorkin once said. Its in your bedroom; its in your living room. Its a member of the family. That intimacy is the reason why the character of Grace Sullivan endures so deeply in Australian culture, and the reason why news of the death of Lorraine Bayly leaves us all every one who looked at Grace Sullivan and saw, somehow, a reflection of their own mother on the television screen with such a heavy heart. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Every restaurant featured in The Age Good Food Guide in Western Victoria. See all stories . Stop in to Timboon Railway Shed Distillery for lunch, but forget the food (for a moment) and prepare to be gobsmacked by the 185 bottles from 92 Australian distilleries lining the bar wall. This is only 20-30 per cent of available Aussie craft spirits, says Charlie Johnson, distillery brand ambassador and self-proclaimed spirit guru, whos tried them all. You can sample anything on the wall but the tasting paddle of the distillerys own whiskies is the best place to start. Want to visit this venue? Save it in the Good Food app. Advertisement LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life Justin Hemmes has discovered this part of the NSW coast. Get there before everyone else Paul Ewart March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A This story is part of the March 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories . Decked out in waders, Im standing waist-deep in a shimmering estuary, the salt air sharp and invigorating. In front of me a white linen tablecloth, impeccably set with a bottle of chilled local bubbles, seems to float serenely on the water. James Wheeler, a second-generation oyster farmer and supplier to the likes of chef Neil Perry, bends down, plucks a rock oyster from its bed, shucks it and hands it to me. It is, by far, the freshest oyster Ive had. And he keeps them coming. The pretty beach town of Narooma has always rewarded those willing to venture a little further down the NSW South Coast. Destination NSW A confession: Ill really go out of my way for good seafood. And I know Im not alone. So, when I discovered that a bona fide, oyster-growing capital was a picturesque coastal drive south from Sydney, I was champing at the bit to put the pedal to the metal. In NSW, the northern coastline, especially around Byron Bay, tends to hog the limelight, but more travellers are waking up to the rich delights of the Sapphire Coast. From breathtaking vistas and one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters to world-class produce and cute historic towns, the area which runs from Bermagui to the Victorian border offers a compelling blend of rugged wilderness and cultivated luxury. After that morning baptism in the estuary during our Merimbula Oyster Tours Tide-to-Table experience, my friend and I welcomed the chance to warm up at the nearby Safir House. Infrared saunas and ice baths are a dime a dozen in Sydney and this new venue is bringing some big-city bathhouse indulgence to the Sapphire Coast. Advertisement Another opening spearheading the towns evolution from sleepy backwater to sophisticated destination is the Hillcrest Motel. Built in the 1970s, its been given a slick makeover and is the perfect base to explore the areas surprisingly elevated dining scene. One standout is Merimbulas Tidal Restaurant, helmed by classically trained chef Gavin Swalwell. The menu showcases the best in ethically sourced seafood and produce from the region. Up the street, Bar Superette provides a sophisticated stop-off for a pre-dinner aperitivo. And if you like history with your hospitality, Banksia Restaurant in nearby Pambula is built inside the heritage-listed Pambula Bank. For breakfast, Toast, with locations in Pambula and Eden, offers a fusion of artisan coffee and innovative brunch dishes. The accommodation is simple, but being lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean and the chance to watch migrating whales from your verandah more than makes up for it. PAUL EWART In Narooma, the arrival of Sydney hospitality king Justin Hemmes and his Merivale group has created serious buzz. One of its venues, Quarterdeck, is housed in a former oyster shed built over the blue waters of the Wagonga Inlet and pairs tiki-style cocktails with a Mexican-inspired menu; time your visit with the sunset to catch views of pelicans silhouetted against the water. Speaking of killer views, the cabins at Surf Beach Holiday Park (also owned by Merivale) are perched high above the beach at Narooma and offer uninterrupted views of the nearby Glasshouse Rocks. The accommodation is simple, but being lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean and the chance to watch migrating whales from your verandah more than makes up for it. Advertisement Heading down the coast, we arrive at North of Eden, where a passionate husband-and-wife team run a masterclass in making your own gin. Dont let the bucolic setting fool you; their award-winning label is heavy-hitting and ranked in the top three for navy-strength gins globally. Its also the only distillery that doesnt use imported juniper berries. Over the course of three hours, I craft a custom recipe in a mini still, all in the company of the distillerys resident dogs and a curious herd of highland cattle, before emerging as a gin wizard clutching a bottle of my creation. Related Article Sunday Life Tasmanias Byron Bay and four other easy summer getaways Naturally, theres a bounty of pretty white-sand beaches to be had here and a corresponding wealth of wildlife encounters, the most thrilling of which involves joining the team from Underwater Safaris to swim with NSWs largest colony of fur seals off Montague Island. Even before we arrive at the seal colony, weve seen multiple whales, a pod of dolphins and a shark. But the real magic happens the moment I slip into the water and a trio of young Australian fur seals surround me. They twist and turn, their bodies performing an underwater ballet. Only a previous dive in the Galapagos Islands comes close to the experience. Advertisement Back on land, the non-profit Potoroo Palace offers exceptional animal encounters, allowing visitors to walk among and hand-feed rescued and rehomed native animals, such as kangaroos and emus, or you can book a one-on-one session with a koala or wombat. As my journey draws to a close, I find myself standing on the verandah of the meticulously restored Hotel Australasia, the rhythmic chime of a distant ships bell carrying across Edens deep harbour. From the exhilarating salt-sharpness of the Merimbula estuary to the soft grunt of a potoroo, the Sapphire Coast has a way of dissolving whatever weight you arrived with. Whether youre seeking a culinary excellence, wild adventure, or simply want to enjoy the restorative hum of nature youll find it here, one experience at a time. The writer was a guest of Destination NSW. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter. Advertisement Exclusive NationalQueenslandQueensland government How Queenslands new human rights boss aims to chart a less combative course Matt Dennien March 1, 2026 9:01am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A It was during a high school exchange in country Japan that freshly minted Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Debbie Platz says her first big inclusion lesson was learnt. I was very different to all the other ladies that I was at school with and I stood out like anything, she told this masthead in her first interview since starting in late January. And so for me, a huge lesson there was about you can be so different but still be included. Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Debbie Platz APM in her Brisbane office earlier this week, almost one month into her time in the role and only the second to hold it. Matt Dennien But I think that really set me on a journey of wanting to make sure community was safe, community was inclusive, and diverse. Advertisement On her return home to Brisbane, Platz just wanted to get back studying Japanese at university before going on to the Australian Institute of Radio and Television Production. Platz on her appointment as an Assistant Commissioner with Queensland police in March 2021, in charge of the agencys security and counter-terrorism command. Queensland Police Service Part of that was to do a small work experience program, and I was with Kay McGrath, who at the time was a criminal journalist, Platz said. Tagging along going to see police at crime scenes sparked an interest in, how can I help the community, and is law enforcement the way to go? For Platz, it was, and it placed her on the trajectory to become the states second human rights boss. Advertisement After starting as a Queensland police constable in 1985, Platz worked mostly in plain-clothes child protection units out of Cairns going to Indigenous communities, before moving into prosecution. As an assistant commissioner at the AFP in charge of its crime command, she dealt with child exploitation, human trafficking, slavery, forced marriage and even war crimes. Platz with Indonesian police counterpart Dr Ari Sukmanto in Jakarta in 2018, during her time with the federal police. Allaster Cox: Twitter She led the project to build the Brisbane-based Australian Centre for Child Exploitation. Then the pandemic struck, and Platz returned to the Queensland Police Service as an assistant commissioner on counterterrorism duties. Advertisement In her next job as deputy commissioner of operations for the NSW State Emergency Service, the Queensland Human Rights Commissioner role was advertised. And noting my background ... from childhood to now, [Ive] always been interested in, how can I have an impact on community, even if its just small steps, she said. How do I manage to make the community safer for everybody? Platz fronting media in July last year while still NSW SES Deputy Commissioner. Nine News So I had a real interest in this role from both the human rights perspective, but also the anti-discrimination perspective. [I was] keen on making sure that Queenslanders can speak freely, live safely, that we have a culturally diverse community where we can all enjoy each other. Advertisement This masthead sat down with Platz earlier this week, almost one month into her time in the role, following the end of inaugural commissioner Scott McDougalls seven-year term in October. Related Article Queensland government Outgoing watchdogs troubling signals from the Crisafulli government I also think that Im courageous in that I can be firm, but constructive. Ive very much a collaborative person who would work across agencies and community, she said. The role has so far seen Platz meeting with agencies, non-government organisations and community groups to understand their concerns and help shape her priorities. One of those is a shift from awareness of human rights to educating organisations in how to prevent discrimination. Advertisement To my mind, prevention is better than cure, as they say, but we can continue being combative and its almost like playing a game of Whac-A-Mole, Platz said. Were never going to get ahead of the discrimination thats occurring in Queensland or protect peoples human rights that way, and we have to become very constructive, very collaborative. Collaboration is a theme Platz returns to often during the interview. When asked if she would take a different approach to McDougall, who was often publicly critical of both governments his tenure spanned, Platz said it would depend on the situation. I am very much a firm believer, though this is an independent commission, but independent doesnt mean isolation, she said. Advertisement And for me, constructive collaboration actually promotes independence. Related Article Queensland government Police will choose their mark to enforce protest slogan ban She pointed to the commissions recent submission to parliamentary scrutiny of the governments hate speech and gun law changes, where it had opposing views but ultimately supported the intent of the legislation [and] provided opportunities for improvement. Thats an example of a constructive relationship that will continue to protect our independence as a commission. Asked about what she viewed as the most pressing human rights issues in the state, Platz said there was a lot happening in that space in Queensland and across the country. Advertisement Platz cited firebombings of childcare centres and Jewish schools, and the tragedy of the Bondi attack. Related Article ALP Dangerously low bar: Labor says hate speech laws a gag on freedom of speech All of that is culminating into issues that government is trying to assist with by bringing in new [hate speech and gun control] legislation, she said. And for us, balancing those human rights against the discrimination is critical, but challenging. This balancing act was also a challenge in youth justice. But Platz said detention is a last resort, a view not held by the government, and agencies working together could limit the children detained. Advertisement On whether she shared concerns raised by McDougall in his final speech about the troubling signals from the Crisafulli government, Platz would not be drawn. Instead, she said she agreed with his view that the state had an opportunity to showcase human rights at the 2032 Games. The key point to have troubled McDougall was the governments outright dismissal of recommendations from a review of the Human Rights Act. Last March, the police also rejected calls from a workplace diversity review by McDougall ordered by the Richards Inquiry into police responses to domestic violence. Platz also would not be drawn on whether these examples showed a broader failure of government and police to take her agency and its position seriously. Advertisement Ultimately, Platz said she felt incredibly lucky to land at the commission. Half of the battle with leadership is getting people steering the ship in the right direction and getting people to follow you basically on a journey, she said. And when you come to an organisation like this one, you dont have to worry so much about that because people are absolutely dedicated and committed to making improvements and to making Queensland safer. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. We came across a bullish thesis on Rambus Inc. on Uncle Stock Notess Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on RMBS. Rambus Inc.'s share was trading at $104.13 as of February 19th. RMBSs trailing P/E was 48.33 according to Yahoo Finance. Jim Cramer Linked Broadcom (AVGO) & Computer Storage Stocks Rambus Inc. manufactures and sells semiconductor products in the United States, South Korea, Singapore, and internationally. RMBS has long been perceived as a patent licensing firm with steady but limited upside, yet its latest results reinforce a structural transformation into a product-driven semiconductor company positioned at the core of AI memory infrastructure. While investors crowd into GPUs and power names, Rambus has quietly become a critical supplier of DDR5 memory interface chips, benefiting directly from AI server bandwidth expansion. Fourth-quarter revenue reached $190.2 million, beating expectations, with product revenue rising 41% year over year to $347.8 million for the full year, driven by DDR5 adoption across next-generation server platforms. Each DDR5 RDIMM requires an RCD chip, and with AI servers demanding higher bandwidth and increasingly adopting MRDIMMs, Rambus is seeing simultaneous volume and pricing expansion within an oligopolistic market dominated by only three suppliers. Alongside its growing chip segment, Rambus retains a highly profitable licensing engine tied to long-term agreements with major DRAM manufacturers, generating stable cash flow and near-100% margin royalties. The company produced $360 million in operating cash flow for the year and holds $761.8 million in cash with no debt, providing balance sheet strength and strategic flexibility. While seasonal Q1 guidance and a CFO departure created temporary volatility, the stocks rebound reflects renewed focus on durable AI-driven growth. Trading at roughly 30x operating cash flow, below comparable IP peers, Rambus offers a differentiated combination of high-margin licensing, expanding AI-exposed chip revenue, and emerging CXL optionality. With DDR5 penetration accelerating and CXL representing a future growth leg, Rambus stands as an undervalued enabler of AI infrastructure with favorable long-term risk/reward dynamics. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS) by The Equity Analyst in February 2025, which highlighted EDA positioning and recurring revenue from semiconductor complexity and AI demand. SNPS's stock price has depreciated by 16.72% since our coverage. Uncle Stock Notes shares a similar view but emphasizes on Rambus Inc.s transformation into an AI memory interface chip supplier. Advertisement NationalQueenslandCity council Yes, Brisbane has its own flag and some want it changed William Davis February 28, 2026 1:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Many Brisbane residents might not even know the city has its own flag and coat of arms. But for a handful, its existence evokes strong feelings. Both symbols use the same blue, yellow and white colour scheme, and incorporate pretzel-like Stafford knots, stars and the caducei emblem. These are thought to represent the commercial history of the city, and achievements in astronomy of its namesake Sir Thomas Brisbane. A tangled Brisbane flag flying alongside the Queensland and Australian flags outside City Hall this week. The Australian Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag fly on the other side of King George Square. William Davis Neither reflects who we are today, a petition lodged with Brisbane City in December by Annerley resident Lily Betzien said. It had just eight supporting signatures and received minimal attention at the time it was published. Advertisement The petition asked the local government to initiate a public review process to consider designs that better represented the city in the 21st century. Related Article The city standard, but do you recognise it? A koala, green tree frog and Brisbane wattle were suggested as possible new symbols. With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching this is an ideal opportunity to ensure our civic symbols genuinely represent our city, our environment, and our diverse community, the petition continued. These designs should ideally recognise the connection of First Nations peoples to this land and incorporate native Australian fauna and flora that reflect Brisbanes natural character. Advertisement They should present a contemporary, inclusive identity rather than relying on imagery from a European heraldic tradition with little relevance to place. The Brisbane coat of arms was introduced in 1925. The flag followed a couple of decades later, and is flown every day at City Hall, Anzac Square and King George Square. Tony Burton, a flag expert who edits the journal Crux Australis, said while this campaign attracted minimal attention, similar efforts to have civic symbols reconsidered have gained traction across Europe and Australia. They are feudal, they are out of date. They are kowtowing to aristocracies. Theyre complicated its all very English, he told this masthead. Advertisement The question is, those who want to change it, what are they proposing instead? He acknowledged some residents might have mixed feelings about its symbolism, but said Brisbanes flag was among the best designed in Australia. The Brisbane coat of arms carries the latin phrase Meliora Sequimur, meaning we aim for the best. William Davis It is just terrific. Its splendid the symmetry, the harmony, the historicity it has presence, Burton added. It is very complicated, Ill admit, and therefore probably expensive to make but it is heraldic. Advertisement If Brisbanites think its time to move on to something thats got pineapples all over it or whatever then [OK], but what will come out of is probably a lot of extremely bad vexillology because there are things you can do with flags and things [where] you end up with a mess of porridge on the floor. Petition creator Betzien could not be contacted, but councillor Nicole Johnston who represents most of Annerley said she understood why there were contrasting views on the symbols. Brisbanes flag is really unique and it has a diverse range of elements representing our local environment and history, she said. Its always good to look at whether its still relevant to our community, but the flag does have meaning for our citys identity. Advertisement The lord mayor did not comment on the proposal, but the finance and city governance committee made its view clear. It said no other Australian capital city has undertaken a formal change or replacement of its flag. Implementing a redesign to both the coat of arms and flag would necessitate extensive updates to council assets, with ratepayers bearing the costs for a change that offers little practical benefit, a response published on the council website said. As such, changes to the Brisbane Coat of Arms and flag cannot be reasonably justified. The City of Sydney previously initiated a review of its flag, and in 2024 Lord Mayor Clover Moore described it as problematic. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaExtreme weather Parts of Victoria on flood watch as heavy rain set to continue Alexander Darling February 28, 2026 6:42pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Victorias wild and wet end to summer is forecast to continue into March, with two more downpours expected before Tuesday. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts up to 15 millimetres of rain in Melbourne on Sunday, and another 35 millimetres on Monday, as rain that has caused flooding in the outback moves south. Two more bands of heavy rain are forecast to hit Victoria from Sunday, after two storms earlier this week brought hail and flash flooding. Mount Macedon SES The bureau warns severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, which could cause flash flooding, are likely for western parts of Victoria from Sunday. Advertisement Overnight tonight [Saturday], a band of heavy rainfall will move into western parts of Victoria and New South Wales, meteorologist Dean Narramore said. That tropical low thats been causing all that heavy rainfall through central parts of the country is finally on the move south through South Australia, and that will bring another round of heavy rainfall on Sunday. As we get into Monday afternoon and evening, that threat moves into inland New South Wales, but that low does finally weaken. Cumulative rainfall totals of 50 to 100 millimetres are predicted across Victoria in these two rain bands, with isolated falls above 150 millimetres. The SES is warning eight parts of western Victoria to prepare for minor to moderate flooding from Sunday evening, including the Portland coast, Warrnambool, the Grampians, Loddon, the Wimmera and Mallee. Advertisement The warning comes after several areas near Melbournes urban fringe recorded about 50 millimetres of rain in one hour and huge hailstones on Friday, and another downpour that flooded Melbourne streets on Tuesday. SES volunteers have responded to nearly 500 requests for assistance in the aftermath of these storms, with the town of Gisborne being hard hit in both. Notwithstanding the risks of damage and flash flooding, the forecast rain is welcome news for regional Victoria. The same parts of the state now on flood watch have experienced their lowest rainfall on record in the past two years, prompting drought declarations and financial relief from the state government. Advertisement Related Article Behind the Photos Drought When desperate farmers prayed for rain in the midst of a hidden drought Brett Hosking, president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, said so far the rain hadnt fallen evenly. We are quite literally seeing some farmers get in excess of 25 millimetres, and five kilometres down the road the rain hasnt even wet the ground, he said. The ground is hungry for the moisture, and soaking it up at this stage, but in some areas were starting to see the ground reach saturation and the water start to run off the paddocks into the dams and rivers. Our river systems are incredibly dry. Horsham, the largest town in western Victorias Wimmera region, received 96 millimetres on Friday night, 85 of that total in just 80 minutes. Advertisement A national phenomenon Flood watches and warnings now cover about half of Australias landmass, with five catchments in Queensland and the Northern Territory experiencing major flooding. Mt Isa in north-west Queensland has already had its wettest February on record, with almost 400 millimetres falling in the copper city. Advertisement Senior Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jon Fischer said the slow-moving tropical low which had sat over the Simpson Desert in the south-east Northern Territory for a week was highly unusual. Weve all seen images of roads being washed away, impacts to the rail line and usually dry creeks turning into torrents, Fischer said. In South Australia, Premier Peter Malinauskas has warned residents to prepare for the risks that lie in the days ahead. A severe weather alert is in place for the states western coast and west pastoral and Eyre Peninsula districts, with six-hourly totals of 30-70 millimetres likely and isolated totals of 120 millimetres possible. With AAP Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Australia ill-equipped to handle domestic interference, says Labor MP Brittany Busch February 28, 2026 6:27pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Australia is not equipped to handle the increasing threat of domestic interference as shadowy groups roll out anti-democratic tactics at scale, the head of a federal parliamentary inquiry into last years election has warned. As threats against politicians continue to soar, with a fifth man charged this month for allegedly harassing a parliamentarian, Labor MP Jerome Laxale said his inquiry into the 2025 election had seen harrowing evidence of voter intimidation and interference. Jerome Laxale voted in his Bennelong electorate alongside his wife, Jo, last year. Steven Siewert Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has for months urged civility in political debate after Decembers Bondi terror attack tore at Australias social fabric, but independent senator and former Labor MP Fatima Payman is demanding he do more to stamp out hatred. In the months since the Bondi massacre, Australia has seen a failed alleged terror attack at a Perth Invasion Day rally, the prime minister evacuated from his home because of a bomb threat, and a WA man arrested for allegedly planning a mass casualty event motivated by white supremacist ideology. Advertisement Laxale said ensuring Australians could safely participate in democracy was essential for a nation that had mandated voting, after a white nationalist ambushed shadow treasurer Tim Wilson at an event this week. Related Article Political leadership Horribly, sexually violent: How Australias women leaders deal with rising abuse [Voters] wont go [to events] because of fear of being confronted in that way, and thats a big problem for a democracy like ours, he said. The Labor backbencher said it was evident groups were intentionally interfering in the electoral process, and the lack of clear definition for what constitutes domestic interference made it difficult to legislate around. Interference is becoming a tactic, and the [Australian Electoral Commission] doesnt have the powers to deal with that, he said. Advertisement Laxale said the degree of interference in the 2025 election was chalk and cheese compared to years past, with the majority of more than 300 inquiry submissions flagging violence and domestic interference. This model picked up during the Voice [referendum in 2023], and it was then distributed at scale, he said. The committee chair pointed to the Exclusive Brethren swarming polling booths, and the National Socialist Network blasting extremist messaging from loudspeakers at voters in Melbourne. According to evidence weve received, it left people in tears, afraid to vote. Some people left the polling booth, Laxale said. In an unrelated incident, a man fronted an Adelaide court on Friday on 10 counts of sending menacing and offensive emails to South Australian MP Matt Burnell over two years. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Australia votes Private intel: Inside the far-right group disrupting the election Ronald Munro was the fifth man to be charged this month with allegedly sending harassing or menacing messages to an MP. Im not going to admit that Ive been wrong. You know, I really feel as though I do have the right to talk to my member of parliament, the 73-year-old told Nine News outside court on Friday. I try to suggest things, and nothing ever seems to get done. A couple of times I use the f-word, you know, but Im just so damn stinking mad I dont have any regrets using any words. A spokesperson for Burnell would not comment on the case, but told the broadcaster: Sadly, around the world and here in Australia, weve seen increased threats made to public figures. We should be better than this. Advertisement The prime minister has for months urged civility in political debate. As Ive said many times, we need to take the temperature down, Albanese said on Friday after the alleged terror plot in WA was uncovered. Political leaders have a particular responsibility not to fan the flames of bigotry. Independent senator Fatima Payman said women of colour received the most abuse. Dominic Lorrimer But Payman, who saw a man convicted last year after he threatened to kill her, accused the prime minister of double standards and said the words were not enough. Thats rich coming from the prime minister when he refers to Grace Tame as being difficult nobodys going to listen to you when you make such condescending, misogynistic comments about a woman like that. So what are you doing to lower the temperature, prime minister? Payman said. Advertisement Hypocrisy and double standards, people are seeing right through it. Related Article Updated AFP Threats against politicians soar as second neo-Nazi charged Payman said that as a Muslim woman, she was a lightning rod for vitriol and was getting daily threats some of which were directed at her five-year-old nephew and even her British short-haired kitten. Albanese has refused to grant staff to Paymans office after she quit the Labor Party in 2024 over its stance on the war in Gaza. She said the lack of resources was putting strain on her existing team with the volume of abuse she received. Payman grilled the AFP in a Senate estimates hearing earlier this month, saying the agency was routinely dismissing abuse as not bad enough to warrant investigation and asking her staff to collect and triage their own threats. Advertisement Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion Im a swinging voter. Heres why prospect of a new centre-right party has me excited Kylie Moore-Gilbert Political scientist and writer March 1, 2026 5:00am March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Ive long been the archetypical swing voter. Its now two decades since I first joined the queue at my local public school, nervously skirting the flyers thrust in my direction on the way in, checking whether I had enough coins in my purse for a sanga on the way out. I usually make up my mind before entering the booth, but on a couple of occasions I have been known to decide then and there, standing in front of the cardboard partition with pencil in hand. Given the current state of Australian politics, figuring out who to vote for has never been harder. My vote is usually a toss-up between a couple of candidates. Sometimes I like the local member but dont like the direction their party is travelling. Sometimes my vote in a state election is influenced by the antics of federal counterparts. Sometimes I think the government has been there long enough and should be turfed out as a matter of principle. Illustration by Matt Davidson Im not an expert on voter behaviour, but Id hazard a guess that such tendencies are pretty common in todays Australia, where membership of political parties is at record lows and scorn for the political class is more widespread than ever. Voters like myself sit in the so-called sensible centre all we want is decent leadership, good policies and the continuation of the quality of life that has delivered Australia decades of prosperity, but is now failing younger Australians. Sometimes this recipe can be found on the left and sometimes on the right, but it rarely strays far from the moderate centre ground. Advertisement Populist radicalisation at both ends of the political spectrum, driven by algorithmic polarisation and trends bleeding through from overseas, has left us moderate swing voters desperately trying to anchor ourselves onto a crumbling centre ground. Thats why the prospect of a new centrist party, potentially encompassing a loose coalition of teal independents and disaffected Liberal moderates, has me excited. Much has been written about the success of the teals in cannibalising the centre-right vote in seats that used to be held by the Liberal Party. The reality is that teal independents have far more in common with Liberal moderates than either does with the conservative wing of the Liberal Party, which is now ascendent and given the numbers is likely to remain in charge for some time. Related Article Liberal Party The Coalition is in tatters. The race is on to replace it in the centre Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is rumoured to be behind the push, but has understandably not come out and said so, given the need for such a grouping to distinguish itself from the Liberal Party, of which he is still a member. The resurgence of One Nation on the far right has arguably made the need for moderate political options more critical than ever. One Nation has already pulled the beleaguered Liberal and National parties into its orbit, dragging the Coalition further away from the centre-right policies that have previously won them many an election. Im pessimistic that the valiant efforts of those moderates who are yet to abandon the party, like Tim Wilson, Keith Wolahan and new convenor of Hilmas Network Erin Watson, will be able to dampen the allure of hard-right populism. Advertisement The Greens, once a party of principled environmentalism, is no longer the party to vote for on climate change that mantle has been ceded to the teals. To the average voter, the Greens increasingly appear to be consumed by luxury beliefs more closely associated with whatever social justice cause is in vogue at the time. In this they resemble a left-wing version of One Nation. Both see value in stoking populist culture wars and garnering votes of protest and outrage. Neither has a sensible vision of how to actually govern the country. So why not just vote Labor? One reason Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been so successful is that he has positioned Labor as the only credible party that can lay claim to this sensible centre, a winning strategy that saw him hoover up moderate votes like mine at the last election. Im not a die-hard Labor supporter, however, and I have my concerns about the outsized influence of the union movement over the party. Ive also been around long enough to know that good governance requires a strong opposition. Theres a genuine fear that the Coalitions spiral into unelectable-boys-club irrelevance may ultimately be the undoing of Labor, too. Just look at Victoria. Related Article Building Bad Labor MPs raise concerns about Allans handling of CFMEU crisis Nothing illustrates the plight of the swing voter more starkly than the upcoming Victorian state election. An uninspiring Liberal opposition has long prioritised personal ambition and factional infighting over the need to present itself as an alternative government. The Moira Deeming fiasco was just the latest scandal signalling to voters that this undisciplined rabble cannot be trusted to run a state. However, Labor, in power for more than 12 years, first under Dan Andrews and now his protege Jacinta Allan, is arguably long past its use-by date, saved only by the lack of a credible alternative. Advertisement The Ages revelations of the staggering corruption and links to organised crime that plague Allans Big Build construction projects, fleecing taxpayers out of an estimated $15 billion, should ensure Labor is unelectable. Yet new Liberal leader Jess Wilson, who is fighting to impose her authority over a nest of scorpions while shaking off the toxic taint of the federal Liberal Party, is far from a shoo-in. Bikies driving Ferraris effectively funded by taxpayers should have been Wilsons slam-dunk moment, but the memory of the Victorian Liberals many past shenanigans is yet to fade in the minds of voters. Who is there to vote for, when the choice is between the allegedly compromised and the self-absorbed? In Victorian politics there is no sensible centre option at all. The politically homeless dont want to be stuck voting Labor forever, and we cant wait for the Liberal Party to get its act together either. A new centrist party wouldnt have to do much to win my vote recruiting people who arent in bed with big business or corrupt unions would be a good start. Advertisement Australians yearn for leaders with authenticity and personal integrity. A new party should elevate candidates who can draw on real-world experience and who speak from the heart, rather than rehashing talking points and slogans dreamed up by consultants, pollsters and focus groups. Most Aussies are sensible people who are wary of political extremes. Should a new centrist party form, they will quickly find that votes like mine will be up for grabs. Kylie Moore-Gilbert is a research fellow in Security Studies at Macquarie University and a regular columnist. She is the author of The Uncaged Sky: My 804 Days in an Iranian Prison. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalModern slavery Is your new car or TV fuelled by forced labour? The $100b trade risk Rob Harris March 1, 2026 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Australians appetite for cheap electronics, fast fashion and new cars is carrying a hidden cost, with analysis estimating almost $100 billion worth of imports last year were exposed to forced labour risks. New modelling from supply chain risk intelligence platform Fair Supply found more than 21 per cent of all goods brought into the country in the past financial year about $1 in every $5 spent on imports were linked to supply chains where coercion, debt bondage and other forms of modern slavery are known to occur. Garment workers in Bangladesh, which has been linked in the past to forced labour. AP Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances topped the list, with $12.9 billion of Australias $28.3 billion spend in the category assessed as high risk. Telecommunications equipment, including mobile phones and network hardware, accounted for a further $11.5 billion in imports exposed to modern slavery concerns, much of it sourced from China and Malaysia. The findings come as the federal government reviews Australias Modern Slavery Act, introduced in 2018, which requires large companies to report on the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. Critics say the regime has improved transparency but failed to drive meaningful change. Advertisement Related Article Modern slavery Slave-like: Solar panels may be great for the environment but at what human cost? Globally, more than 28 million people are trapped in forced labour on building sites, in factories and on fishing vessels, or working in farms and private homes under threats, violence or coercion they cannot escape. In Australia, more than 40,000 people are trapped in modern slavery. Migrants working in agriculture, construction and meat processing are particularly vulnerable. Grace Forrest, the founding director of Walk Free an international human rights group focused on the eradication of modern slavery said that after eight years Australias laws had failed to bring change at the scale required. Clothing is also among the most vulnerable sectors, with $11.4 billion nearly 90 per cent of Australias total apparel spend tied to countries where forced labour is prevalent in garment production, including China, India, Brazil and Argentina. Road vehicles and parts added $8.9 billion in at-risk imports, while textiles contributed $3.4 billion, representing three-quarters of that categorys total spend. That is a staggering figure which should shock us, she said. But its not about blaming consumers. Supply chains remain opaque and it is nearly impossible to shop slavery-free. The responsibility sits squarely with government and business. Advertisement Forrest said that forced labour was not accidental or rare but built into complex supply chains that stretched across borders and into Australias economy. She said Australia needed to introduce a due diligence obligation, requiring Australian companies to move beyond disclosure and take reasonable, proportionate action to prevent forced labour, identify high-risk supply chains and provide remedy to people who have been exploited. Grace Forrest, founder of the anti-slavery organisation Walk Free. There is a global trend towards tougher laws that compel companies to act rather than simply disclose risks. Mandatory human rights due diligence obligations are already in place across the European Union, Germany, France, Norway and Switzerland, and are being considered in Britain, Canada, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. Australias Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Chris Evans, said that introducing a due diligence system would strengthen protections for vulnerable workers while giving businesses greater certainty. Evans noted that due diligence-style obligations were already embedded in other areas of Australian law, including work health and safety, foreign bribery, privacy, illegal logging, environmental protection, sex discrimination and online safety. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Modern slavery Unspeakable violence against girls and women meets global silence Virginia Haussegger Canberra writer and an academic advocate for gender equity. We have known for years that the Modern Slavery Acts transparency measures alone have not created meaningful impact for exploited workers, he said. Currently, reporting is mandatory, but taking action is not, leaving workers exposed and responsible businesses disadvantaged. He said that Australia risked becoming a dumping ground for products rejected elsewhere if it failed to keep pace, as major trading partners including the United States, the European Union, Canada and Mexico banned goods made with forced labour. New European due diligence rules are also expected to have a trickle-down effect on Australian exporters, with businesses needing to demonstrate their supply chains were free of exploitation or risk losing access to key markets. Business groups have signalled concerns that new reporting obligations would risk diverting attention from practical initiatives that more effectively address the modern slavery risks faced by Australian businesses. They argue that when resources are absorbed by mandatory reporting, entities may have less capacity to invest in activities such as staff training, comprehensive risk assessments and supplier audits. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Modern slavery Rob Harris is the national correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based in Canberra. He is a former Europe correspondent. Connect via email Advertisement PoliticsNSWAdoption & fostering Its been 20 years since Kathy found out her real identity. Now she finally has the proof Claire Moodie March 1, 2026 5:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Kathy Hodgson is shaking, staring at the envelope on her lap that has just been delivered to her home by registered mail. This is a big moment for the 68-year-old. Her husband and older brother are there for moral support. Inside is the birth certificate she has been fighting for, listing her biological parents. Its taken her more than two years to prove that she was illegally adopted as a baby. She is overwhelmed but excited at the same time. Im thinking wow Ive done it, she says. Thank Christ, adds husband Jim, and they both laugh, exhausted and relieved. Put it this way, shes now got an identity. As previously reported in this masthead, Hodgsons identity was thrown into doubt in 2006 when she learnt through a relative that she wasnt who she thought she was and that she had been adopted as a newborn in Sydney in 1957. Advertisement Kathy Hodgson and her husband Jim. Kathy fought for two years to get her birth certificate to show her true identity. It wasnt until 2022 that she found her biological family through a home DNA test and travelled from her home south of Brisbane to meet her mother, Nita Annesley, for the first time at a nursing home in Forbes. By then, Nita was suffering from dementia, but Hodgsons new-found siblings told her that their mother had years before talked about a baby shed given birth to. She told them the baby had been stillborn. Unable to verify how she came to be raised by another family there are no government records of Hodgsons adoption she has been on a mission to, at least, set the record of her origins straight. But convincing the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages that her previous birth certificate, with her adoptive parents names on it, should be replaced has been an uphill battle. Advertisement Even an official DNA test from her biological mother showing a relative chance of maternity of 99.9999971747 per cent and statutory declarations from her siblings were not enough. Her request was declined. Under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act (1995), the registry cannot alter a birth document without at least one parent applying for it. In Hodgsons case, her biological father had already died many years before and her mother, Nita, was not able. Kathy Hodgson (left) and her biological mother, Nita, at a similar age. In September last year, Hodgson appealed to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) but was unsuccessful. In the end, seeking a court order was the only avenue. Hodgson couldnt afford a lawyer, so she represented herself via video link from her home in a hearing in the District Court, with support from her son, Lee. Advertisement She is thankful that a $1100 court fee was waived due to financial hardship, but the whole journey has been highly stressful. Its dragged her health right down, says Jim Hodgson. You get put through the wringer. Kathy Hodgson at 18 months old. @rustypostcards The registry would not respond directly to questions about Hodgsons case, saying it recognises that adults who were adopted can face challenges in providing evidence to add a biological parent to the pre-adoption birth record and that it will work with applicants to assist them where possible. The Benevolent Society, which has helped people affected by historical adoption in NSW for more than three decades, says one of the issues is that legislation has not kept up with the arrival of commercial DNA testing. Sarah Burn, manager of the societys Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC), says increasing amounts of adopted people are trying to change their birth certificates, and the current system causes distress. Advertisement For some, DNA testing has led them to discover that they are not related to the family they were raised in. Burn says. Legislation and processes within the adoption space are not keeping pace with this, causing immense frustration to the adoption community, who feel they must jump through hoops to have their true identity acknowledged formally. Related Article Adoption & fostering A false birth certificate and a DNA test: Kathys fight to have her real identity recognised Peter Capomolla Moore, the president of the group, Adoptee Rights Australia, calls it trauma on trauma, saying the government should be righting the wrongs of the past in a compassionate way. I wish I could say that Kathys case is a one-off, he says. Unfortunately, nearly 13 years after the National Apology for illegal forced adoptions, there is no legislation to provide a speedy process to reinstate their [the adoptees] true identities. Asked whether there were any plans to change legislation and make the system easier, a NSW government spokesperson responded with a statement that focused on integrated birth certificates (IBCs), which were introduced in NSW in 2020 and combine information about both biological and adoptive parents on the same document. Advertisement While designed to recognise adopted peoples full identity, they have received a mixed response within the adoption community, with opponents dismissing them as a token gesture. The spokesperson also said that the government recognises the ongoing impact that historical adoption practices have. For Hodgson, that impact has been both emotional and physical, but she is starting to get her strength back after months of illness. Sadly, the birth certificate did not arrive in time to show her mother. Nita died in June last year. Hodgson is sharing her story to give hope to others heading down a similarly painful path. Im so proud that Ive actually done this with the support Ive had, she says. They really need to shake up the system, adds Jim. Not make it so bloody hard for people. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement InspirationUK The enchanting forest that gave the world its most famous bear David Whitley March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Im not going to check how many Scots pine trees there are at Galleons Lap, as Im reliably informed that no one can count whether there are 63 or 64. For Christopher Robin and his bear friend, Winnie the Pooh, this mysterious inability to count made Galleons Lap the Enchanted Place. Summer greenery at Pooh Sticks Bridge, Ashdown Forest. iStock Piglets house. In real life, rather than the House at Pooh Corner, this ridge-top clump of trees is called Gills Lap. A.A. Milne often took the names of real places and changed them slightly when writing his Pooh books, the first of which celebrates its 100th anniversary in October. Advertisement Most of the honey-loving, trouser-avoidant bears hangouts are based on spots near Milnes East Sussex home, where he would go walking with his son also called Christopher Robin. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. The real-life Hundred Acre Wood is Ashdown Forest, which actually covers 6500 acres (2630 hectares) of mostly heathland to the south of London. That heathland, as the visitor centre is keen to point out, is rarer than tropical rainforest. Honeypots at Poohs house in Hundred Acre Wood. Alamy While the locals may appreciate the biodiversity, those from further afield tend to be keener on following in the footsteps of Winnie the Pooh. Several sites dot an easy one-kilometre loop walk from the Gills Lap car park. A path opposite the wooden Gills Lap sign leaps to the Heffalump Trap. In Milnes idyllic fictional world, this was where Pooh and Piglet dug a trap by six pine trees. In reality, theres just one pine with a sprawling canopy, guarding a hollow. Advertisement Theres a bear in there: Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, England. iStock Roos Sandy Pit an old quarry that is no longer particularly sandy lies just to the north of Gills Lap, as does a memorial with a spectacular view out over a thoroughly English-looking valley. The plaque on top of a large stone slab is dedicated to Milne and his illustrator, E.H. Shepard, who captured the magic of Ashdown Forest and gave it to the world. For more insight into Milnes background and the journey of Winnie the Pooh from whimsical invention to giant Disney behemoth, its worth paying a visit to Pooh Corner in the village of Hartfield, 4 kilometres north of the Gills Lap car park. Pooh Corner, Sussex. In the 1920s, this was a sweet shop that Milne and Christopher Robin would walk to most Sundays. Now its part tearoom, part lovingly devoted museum, and is peppered with delightful details amid the movie posters and old book covers. For example, the name Pooh came about because thats what Christopher Robin called a swan. Advertisement Also, the books were such an instant hit that Christopher Robin ended up playing himself in a boarding school stage production of Winnie the Pooh at the age of just nine and three-quarters. Pooh Sticks Bridge during autumn. Alamy By the entrance to the tearoom is a collection of washed-out honey pots, which visitors are free to take. Quite why they would want to becomes apparent on another woodland walk from the Pooh car park. The half-hour return stroll passes Owls and Piglets houses charming little recreations that have been attached to two path-side trees on the way to the Pooh Sticks Bridge. This is not the original bridge it has been twice replaced since Milnes day but a faithful replica. And its a chance to indulge in A.A. Milnes greatest gift to the world Pooh sticks. The memorial to A.A. Milne on the Winnie the Pooh Trail. Advertisement Next to it, a dad says to his young daughter: Right, theres two sticks. Which one do you want? She chooses, and they throw them into the stream, then wait to see which emerges first on the other side of the bridge. Just over the bridge and around the corner is Poohs House. Again, its an adorably cute recreation, built into a tree stump. The main door is a wooden hatch with Mr Sanderz (the previous occupant) carved above it. By the little bell is a big pile of used honey pots. I know, of course, where theyve come from. But when you choose to believe they have been discarded by an adorable, hungry bear, theyre the sweetest pieces of litter on Earth. THE DETAILS VISIT Ashdown Forest is a half-hour drive from London Gatwick Airport. Special events for the 100th anniversary are being planned. See ashdownforest.org Pooh Corner in Hartfield has a helpful online guide to the Pooh sites. See poohcorner.co.uk and poohcountry.com Advertisement Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: UK England Family holidays David Whitley is a writer based in Sheffield, England, who has made it his mission to cover as much of Australia as possible. He has a taste for unusual experiences and oddities with a great story behind them. As far as Davids concerned, happiness is nosily ambling around a history-packed city or driving punishing distances through the middle of nowhere on a big road trip. He is also probably the only person to have been to Liechtenstein and the Cook Islands in the same week. Traveller Guides Advertisement InspirationChina This unlikely art deco hotspot is a must-visit in Asia Jenny Hewett March 1, 2026 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Seven Wonders of the Bund, Shanghai, China With its heritage-listed art deco architecture and rich colonial history, the former British Concession on the west bank of Shanghais Huangpu River is an open-air museum. 1 Walk over Waibaidu Bridge Waibaidu Bridge during the nightly light show in Shanghai. iStock Straddling the Suzhou Creek near the confluence of the Huangpu River, this steely grey, truss bridge was built in 1907 by the same British firm who completed the Victoria Falls Bridge over Africas Zambezi River a year earlier. It has been recognised by the city as a heritage structure since 1994. Stand in its centre to snap selfies with Shanghais futuristic Pudong skyline, but dont forget to get up-close to admire its structural nuts, bolts and rivets. Advertisement 2 Check out The Bund Historical Museum Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. If youre curious about the origins of these buildings, head to the Bund Historical Museum. iStock Venture inside the Monument to the Peoples Heroes in Huangpu Park to brush up on the history of the Bund through photos, maps, videos and timelines in this small but well-executed museum. Trace its phases from muddy riverbank to international trading port following the First Opium War in 1843, to an epicentre of culture and prosperity in the 1920s and 30s as the Wall Street of the Far East. The 22 most notable buildings are detailed within. 3 See mosaics inside Shanghai Pudong Bank Mosaics at Shanghai Pudong Bank. Jenny Hewett Advertisement Built in 1923, the former HSBC Building is one of the few on the Bund that you can enter. Friendly security guards might direct you to snap a photo of the skyline opposite, as it is framed under the exterior arch, and then into the main lobby, which features an octagonal hall and a soaring interior dome with colourful, restored mosaics. The ornate works include a centrepiece depicting the Greek sun and moon gods, and eight surrounding side panels representing the cities where HSBC had international branches, including Paris and Calcutta. 4 Admire the clock at the Custom House Custom House. Heny Hewett With its four-faced Big Ching clock tower and grand columns, this eight-storey neoclassical building is one of the Bunds most iconic. Established in the 17th century during the Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in 1927, the space still functions as a customs house. Its crowning 90-metre-tall clock tower was inspired by Londons Big Ben, although the bell has been silent since 2018. A peek inside is free but requires a reservation via WeChat. Ask your guide. 5 Listen to jazz at the Peace Hotel Advertisement Listen to the oldies play at the Old Jazz Bar, Peace Hotel, Shanghai. Jenny Hewett The art deco hotel where Charlie Chaplin once slept was completed in 1929 and rebranded in 2010 as a Fairmont hotel after multi-million dollar renovations, which involved restorations to some of its most impressive features, including the stained-glass atrium dome in the lobby. Watch live jazz daily between 7pm and 11.30pm in the Old Jazz Bar. The six-member band won a Guiness World Record in 2005 as the oldest performing jazz band in the world the current average age of its members is 82. 6 Find (but dont ride) the Bund Bull The bull on the Bund. iStock Shanghais answer to Wall Streets Charging Bull has been seeing red since its installation in 2010 in the Bund Financial District. Italian artist Arturo Di Modica is responsible for both sculptures, although the Manhattan icon was illegally installed Banksy-style in 1989. The bronze Shanghai iteration was commissioned and has a reddish tint with testicles that could stop traffic. Advertisement 7 Spot the red-brick ancient Roman-style building China Merchants Steam Navigation Building on the Bund. Jenny Hewett Related Article Asia How a noisy, polluted city of 30 million cleaned up its act The Bunds most unassuming beauty is a rarity on this mostly uniform grey-stone 1.5-kilometre European strip. Designed in Victorian red-brick style, the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company Building or No. 9, as it is referred to was constructed in 1901 with classical Roman details such as porticoes, archways and pediments on the roof. The three-storey building looks more like a mansion. The writer travelled as a guest of W Shanghai, The Bund. See marriott.com Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: China Shanghai Jenny Hewett is a Sydney-based freelance travel writer who has lived in South-East Asia and the Middle East, and loves nothing more than being among nature and wildlife. Traveller Guides Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Clinton evidence raises new questions about Trumps falling out with Epstein Michael Koziol Updated February 28, 2026 11:39am ,first published February 28, 2026 3:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Las Vegas: Bill Clintons closed-door evidence about Jeffrey Epstein raised new questions about Donald Trumps falling out with the disgraced sex offender, Democrats said following an unprecedented deposition of a former president, as they escalated their calls for the current president to testify. Clinton spent hours on Friday (US time) answering questions under oath at a hearing in New York state, marking the first time a former or sitting president had been compelled to testify before Congress. His wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, had testified to the same committee the previous day. The former presidents testimony followed his wife Hillarys a day earlier. Getty Images Republicans praised Clinton for being candid in his responses, even answering questions against his attorneys advice. Committee chairman James Comer, a Republican and close ally of Trump, was asked after the six-hour-plus hearing whether he now accepted the Clintons had nothing to do with Epsteins crimes. They said they werent I guess [theyre] innocent until proven guilty, Comer said. Advertisement But the two sides of politics were at odds over elements of Clintons testimony, which remains sealed for now. Comer emerged from the morning session to tell reporters that Clinton had partly exonerated Trump. Trump has never said anything to me to make me think that he was involved with Epstein, Clinton told the committee, according to Comer. I know theres a lot of curiosity about President Trump. I thought that was an interesting thing that President Clinton said, Comer added. James Comer speaks to the media outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Centre where former president Bill Clinton testified before congresspeople. AP However, Democrats immediately cast doubt on the accuracy of those remarks. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, said it was an incomplete summary and that the former president had brought up additional information that called into question some of Trumps past comments about Epstein. Advertisement Maxwell Frost, a Democratic congressman from Florida, said on X that Clinton brought up a conversation he had with Trump in New York about Epstein. Trump told Clinton he fell out with Epstein due to a land dispute, Frost said, summarising Clintons evidence. This directly refutes Trumps claims about why he fell out with Epstein. Trump previously claimed he fell out with Epstein because the financier was stealing young female staff from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida specifically, Epsteins most well-known accuser, Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in Australia last year. An undated photo from the Epstein files shows Clinton and Epstein together. AP This masthead could not immediately verify the claims about Clintons testimony. Under the US system, these semi-private hearings are held behind closed doors, and the video and transcript are typically released by the committee at a later date. Advertisement Democrats said the transcript should be released immediately. Claims that President Clinton fully exonerated Trump are wrong and a mischaracterisation, they said in a statement. Clinton published a copy of his opening statement, reiterating his claim that he had no knowledge of the crimes Epstein was committing, and this would not change, no matter how many photos you show me. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong, Clinton said. Even with 20/20 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me pause. We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long. By the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him. View post on X The Clintons have not been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. They were issued a subpoena by the Republican-controlled House oversight committee on the grounds that Bill Clinton was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, and made numerous trips on the financiers private plane. Advertisement Bill Clinton also appeared frequently in the millions of pages of Epstein files released by the Justice Department. That included new photos of Clinton in a jacuzzi with a woman whose face was redacted, and of Clinton and Epsteins friend and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in a pool with another woman. Bill Clinton in a hot tub with an unknown person. AP CNN reported that Clinton told lawmakers he did not know who the woman in the jacuzzi was, and he did not have sex with her, citing sources familiar with the testimony. Democrats said the Clintons appearance before the committee set a new precedent that meant Trump should now answer questions about his relationship with Epstein under oath. Historic day for transparency Advertisement Yassamin Ansari, a congresswoman from Arizona, said it was a historic day for transparency in the US, and ultimately, what this demonstrates is that nobody is above the law. Related Article Updated Epstein fallout Hillary Clinton had no idea about Epsteins crimes, doesnt recall meeting him She also mentioned very credible allegations against the president that had been investigated by the FBI a reference to notes from FBI interviews with a woman who accused Epstein and Trump of sexual crimes, and which were missing from the Epstein files. Garcia said Trump should be forced to testify. This is not a hoax; he has not been exonerated, and we have serious questions for President Trump. Earlier on Friday, Trump told reporters that he didnt like seeing Clinton deposed before Congress. He also said his commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, would comply with any subpoena to testify about his relationship with Epstein if one were issued. Advertisement Lutnick was a next-door neighbour of Epstein in Manhattan, and has recently acknowledged meetings with Epstein years after he claimed to have severed contact with the convicted sex offender. That included visiting Epsteins island with his family for lunch in December 2012. Related Article Epstein fallout Epstein links to Putin stoke fears he was a Russian agent Trump said on Friday that Lutnick was a very innocent guy which again elicited a harsh response from the Democrats. Donald Trump has asserted many times that he knew nothing of Epsteins crimes, Frost said. If he doesnt know anything how can he know for sure that Lutnick is a very innocent guy? Speaking after the deposition concluded, some Republicans on the committee said they still had questions about whether Epstein was an intelligence asset or was running a honeypot operation to compromise powerful people using sexual blackmail. Advertisement Comer said the committee intended to get to the bottom of how Epstein made his fortune. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East at war Its a war: US Democrats demand immediate Congress vote on Iran strikes Michael Koziol March 1, 2026 6:40am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Democrats are demanding an immediate vote in the US Congress over military action launched by Donald Trump against Iran, accusing the president of usurping the legislative branchs power to declare war. Trump announced the massive and ongoing operation in an eight-minute video, posted on social media at 2.30am (Washington time), promising to raze the countrys missile industry and annihilate its navy. President Donald Trump holds up a fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport . AP He also called on the people of Iran to overthrow the Islamic regime in Tehran. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take, he said. US officials have suggested this wave of strikes could last four to five days, which is in line with what an Israeli intelligence official told The Financial Times last week, although if the regime is brought down now that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, it could end sooner. Advertisement Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate Trump used the term war in his video, saying American casualties were always possible in war, but it was a noble mission. The scope of the strikes and the presidents broad goal of toppling the Islamic Republic prompted Democrats to demand a vote in Congress over the military campaign, arguing that under the US Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, only Congress could declare war. However, there is also division in the party about how to respond to Trumps strikes, with some prominent voices denouncing the strikes while others are ambivalent or supportive. Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, said Iran was a bad actor and must be restrained, but in the absence of exigent circumstances, Trump must seek congressional authorisation for pre-emptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. Advertisement The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately and provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, he said. He also noted that if Irans nuclear facilities were completely and totally obliterated last year, as Trump claimed, there should be no need to strike them now. The American people are once again dragged into a war they did not want. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had called and briefed senior members of Congress before the strikes. She said he called all eight members of the so-called Gang of Eight, and reached seven of them. The president and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day, Leavitt said on Saturday morning (US time). Advertisement The Gang of Eight, which comprises the top Democrats and Republicans in Congress and on the intelligence committee, was also briefed in person by Rubio about Iran earlier in the week. Top Democrats are calling for a vote this week on a bipartisan resolution that would specifically require Trump to seek congressional approval for further activity against Iran effectively, to enforce the existing War Powers Resolution of 1973. Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran. AP Critics of the War Powers Resolution argue it is obsolete and does not effectively deal with modern military campaigns chiefly, limited airstrikes that fall short of a full conventional war. They also say seeking congressional approval for such strikes would reveal the impending action to the enemy, removing the element of surprise and severely undermining its efficacy. Advertisement Rahm Emanuel, who was White House chief of staff to Democratic president Barack Obama, and is a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic nomination, said this was a case where congressional approval was needed. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war In the most consequential moment of his presidency, Trump reveals his end game When you call for regime change, it is not a military action it is a war, he told CNN. Its a change of government and overthrowing a government This is not a limited military action. Trump had given several reasons for the strikes, Emanuel said, including regime change. Its all of the above and more. Therefore they [Congress] need to take a vote. But there is also division within the Democrats about how aggressively to resist Trump on Iran. While Jeffries and Senate leader Chuck Schumer have called for the administration to explain itself and seek congressional approval, they have not explicitly condemned the strikes. Advertisement Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive Democratic congresswoman from New York, described the military action as unlawful, unnecessary and catastrophic. The American people are once again dragged into a war they did not want by a president who does not care about the consequences of his actions, she said, accusing Trump of being flippant about potential American casualties. A photo supplied by the White House showing President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and chief of staff Susie Wiles monitoring developments in Iran. The White House Democratic senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren said Trumps unilateral action was dangerous and illegal and called for the Senate to return immediately to decide whether war should be formally declared. It is a betrayal of the presidents duty to uphold the Constitution and a betrayal of the American people, she said. Your tax dollars are being used to bomb Iran that is not America first. Advertisement Related Article Updated Middle East at war One of the most evil people in history: Khamenei killed in strikes, Trump confirms By contrast, Democratic senator from Pennsylvania John Fetterman, who frequently breaks with his party, said he fully supported Operation Epic Fury the War Departments codename for the campaign in Iran. Republican senator Lindsey Graham, one of the biggest cheerleaders for military action against Iran in Congress, said Trump would not get the US involved in an ongoing war. He told Fox News he believed the regime would be quickly toppled. The mothership of terrorism is about to go down. There is a new dawn coming to the Middle East, he said. Read more on the US-Israel-Iran conflict Advertisement Now, with Fridays ruling opening the door to a major fee stream, law firms across the country have been springing into action. That includes Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, a sprawling firm with 1,300 lawyers on tap, which quickly publicised the launch of their own Tariff Refund Task Force, promising to pursue refunds aggressively for business clients . Compliance costs shot through the roof, with Trumps tariffs estimated to have cost businesses billions of dollars in extra administrative work, a portion of which would have gone to lawyers parsing out the details. Even before last weeks supreme court ruling, the complications of Trumps tariffs which resulted in different rates being charged based on where certain parts of a purse or toy might have been manufactured were putting trade lawyers into overdrive. All of a sudden everybody had to understand these incredibly complicated rules, or else they were committing customs fraud. So right there, you had a huge number of people having to hire a customs lawyer, Hillman said. To me, the only winners from this trade war that Trump has launched, have been the lawyers, said Jennifer Hillman, a law professor at Georgetown University, and former general counsel for the US trade representative office. How any of that money ultimately filters through to American consumers, who shouldered tariff costs through widespread price hikes , remains to be seen. And that wave, some experts say, will result in a mini-gold rush for a usually unglamorous corner of the US legal sector: delivering fees for trade lawyers, paydays for hedge funds buying up rights to businesses refunds and a cut for AI firms that are inevitably trying to get in on the action. Already, FedEx , LOreal, Dyson and others have sued for refunds. Now clients are looking for trade lawyers at a rate unseen throughout Spraragens 30-year career. Its unprecedented, he said. But that Fridays ruling deeming Trumps tariffs illegal opened the floodgates, sending hundreds of thousands of businesses across the US scrambling for advice on how to secure their share of an estimated $175bn (129bn) tariff refund pot. The seasoned New York-based attorney and his 40-strong specialised trade team at Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt (GDLSK) had spent months filing hundreds of lawsuits for heavy-hitter clients, including luxury brands Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, in protest of the US presidents decision to impose sweeping import taxes last April. At 8am, two hours before the US supreme court officially slapped down Donald Trump s liberation day tariffs on 20 February, Joseph Spraragens phone was already ringing off the hook. Story Continues The final legal fees likely to pour from tariff refund cases is hard to calculate. But to start, some firms are advertising flat fees to get cases filed in court, a sum that is likely to cost businesses $10,000-$15,000 a pop, according to Nicole Bivens Collinson, head of international trade at law firm Sandler Travis and Rosenberg. If courts request extra documentation, or if the Trump administration drags out the process, billable hours will start to rack up. Some believe the refund process could, and should, be sorted through automatic refunds. Trump, meanwhile, has warned that the issue could be tied up in courts for the next five years. And that may be by design, Bivens Collinson said. I can see a scenario wherein this administration would try to make the refund process as difficult as it can because of the reliance that it has now on those tariffs, which feed into government revenues, she explained. But the legal fees that emerged from that potentially lengthy process could yield windfalls for many firms. The flat fees alone could be in the millions, many millions, depending on how many clients for which they file. That will only end up absorbing a small proportion of the estimated $175bn refund bill, Bivens Collinson said. But the sums are not to be scoffed at. Not everyone should take the legal route, however. Hillman explained that most importers should be able to retrospectively change the tax rate applied to imported items before the charges are formally settled with customs, a process which usually takes place months after the goods actually went through the border. But that could be a hefty administrative task, and firms with bigger sums on the line, and influential shareholders to appease, will face pressure to do everything they can to get every dime they are owed. Theres no harm in bringing these cases, Hillman said. Thats like belt and suspenders: you get extra, extra surety I can understand why companies that dont know the law and are worried about it want that assurance that a law firm can give them theyre doubly protected, Hillman said. However, a two-tier system has been created: where firms that cannot afford the legal fees risk being left in limbo while the refund process plays out. That outsize demand, though, has now attracted financial speculators, with investment banks and hedge funds swooping in to buy up rights to tariff refunds. One Atlanta-based toymaker Kids2, which imports 95% of its products from China, recently made news after selling off the rights to its $15m tariff claim to a Boston hedge fund for a $2m up front. There are hedge funds out there who are looking to scoop these up. And theyve been looking to scoop up these claims since before Friday, said Richard ONeill, a partner in the Seattle office of customs and trade law firm Neville Peterson. And Im sure their rates are changing considerably now that we have the merits resolved. ONeill, whose team has filed around 117 cases for clients ranging from Xerox to Jaguar Land Rover, said hedge funds approached his own firm in hopes of being linked up with clients. It happens through law firms, it happens through brokers. Im sure they reach out directly to the importers. You know, theres no shortage of efforts, by those outfits, to try to purchase claims. Firms such as Jefferies, Oppenheimer and Seaport Global Securities are reportedly among the firms brokering deals, matching investors with importers, according to Bloomberg. But for individual business, it will comes down to how fast they need the money. Selling a portion of your claim or all of it, in exchange for some quick cash could make sense if there was uncertainty, Stephan Becker, the leader of the international trade practice group at law firm Pillsbury, said. But the uncertainty part is largely removed at this point. Giving away a huge portion of the money youre owed is not a decision that should be made lightly. Some AI firms are also rumoured to be muscling in, offering to process peoples applications in exchange for cuts of any future refunds. Theyre just saying, Ill do all the work for you, but then I get 20%, Hillman explained. There are separate concerns about opportunists in the legal sector, with less experienced lawyers willing to take on claims despite having little previous history in trade or customers law. Theres a lot of firms that do want to go out and legitimately help importers and want to help guide their refund process, ONeill said. And there may be some who are learning on the fly If you want to make sure that youre getting the best counsel available, go with a law firm that actually litigates these issues. For now, those with the experience are trying to keep their heads above water. Brian Janovitz, a Washington-based trade lawyer at DLA Piper, spent over a decade as a leading international trade and national security official at the White House and the office of the US trade representative. He has been fielding a non-stop wave of calls and emails from clients since Fridays ruling, even working around a friends wedding rehearsal in New York. Its been constant, he said. As to whether he thinks his clients should be going to court, Janovitz said it is probably a prudent step if clients want to ensure they are covering all their bases and maximising their chance of getting a refund especially if the government plays hardball. All we can do is be as efficient as possible in helping the client achieve their objectives. Ultimately, though, any complaints about legal fees should be aimed at the Trump administration, Hillman said. To be honest, its their fault, she said.If you hadnt done these cockamamie tariffs, and this changing up and down, nobody would have hired a lawyer. I mean, the system was was working just fine before you started screwing around with all these tariffs. And for companies who end up successfully securing refunds, the question remains whether they will pass on any of those returns to consumers, barring any legal orders. Whether any companies will be pressured into lowering their prices, or providing something like a tariff rebate day where everybody that comes into Walmart gets 10% off its in the realm of the possible. There could be a big growing movement to say: You should give some of this back to your customers. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaAI Trump orders military to stop using Claude chatbot in clash over AI safety Matt O'Brien and Konstantin Toropin February 28, 2026 1:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Washington: The Trump administration has ordered all US agencies to stop using Anthropics artificial intelligence technology and imposed other major penalties in an unusually public clash between the US government and the company over AI safety. President Donald Trump, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials took to social media to chastise Anthropic for failing to allow the military unrestricted use of its AI technology by a Friday deadline (US time), accusing it of endangering national security. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has designated Anthropic and its CEO Dario Amodei a supply chain risk. The Pentagon wants to use Anthropics Claude chatbot for any purpose within legal limits but without any usage restrictions from Anthropic. The firm has insisted that Claude not be used for mass surveillance against Americans or in fully autonomous weapons operations. Trumps order came after Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei refused to back down, citing concerns that the companys products could be used in ways that would violate its safeguards. Advertisement We dont need it, we dont want it, and will not do business with them again! Trump said on social media. Related Article Jobs The week AI came for Australian jobs Hegseth deemed the company a supply chain risk, a designation typically stamped on foreign adversaries that could derail the companys critical partnerships with other businesses. Anthropic said it would fight any formal designation in court, describing it in a statement as an unprecedented action one historically reserved for US adversaries, never before publicly applied to an American company. The governments effort to assert dominance over Anthropics internal decision-making comes amid a wider clash over AIs role in national security and concerns about how increasingly capable machines could be used in high-stakes situations involving lethal force, sensitive information or government surveillance. Advertisement According to The New York Times, while many military uses of artificial intelligence are still in a developmental stage, the models are already actively used for intelligence analysis. Removing Claude from government computers would hurt analysts at the National Security Agency sifting through overseas communications intercepts and could hamper CIA analysts searching for patterns in intelligence reports, the paper suggests. Citing former officials, the Times said CIA leaders are anxious to find a way to continue to use Claude, which has sped up their work and deepened their analysis. Before Trumps comments, officials had warned that any presidential order could force the agency to seek other solutions. Trump lashes out Trump said Anthropic had made a mistake in trying to strong-arm the Pentagon. Writing on Truth Social, he said most agencies must immediately stop using Anthropics AI, but gave the Pentagon a six-month period to phase out the technology that is already embedded in military platforms. Advertisement The United States of America will never allow a radical left, woke company to dictate how our great military fights and wins wars! he wrote in all caps. After months of private talks exploded into public debate this week, Anthropic on Thursday said the governments new contract language would allow safeguards to be disregarded at will, which Amodei said his company cannot in good conscience accede to. Pages from the Anthropic website. AP Anthropic can afford to lose the contract. But the governments actions posed broader risks at the peak of the companys meteoric rise from a little-known computer science research lab in San Francisco to one of the worlds most valuable start-ups. The presidents decision was preceded by hours of top Trump appointees from the Pentagon and the State Department taking to social media to criticise Anthropic, but their complaints posed contradictions. Advertisement Top Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media on Thursday that Anthropics position was jeopardising critical military operations and potentially putting our war fighters at risk. Meanwhile, Hegseth said on Friday that the Pentagon must have full, unrestricted access to Anthropics models for every LAWFUL purpose in defence of the Republic. Related Article AI Why this video of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise brawling has Hollywood alarmed Hegseths choice to designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk uses an administrative tool designed to prevent companies owned by US adversaries from selling products harmful to American interests. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, noted that this dynamic, combined with inflammatory rhetoric attacking that company, raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations. Advertisement Dispute shakes up Silicon Valley The dispute has stunned developers in Silicon Valley, where venture capitalists, prominent AI scientists and many workers from Anthropics top rivals OpenAI and Google have backed Amodeis stance in open letters and other forums. The move is likely to benefit Elon Musks competing chatbot, Grok, which the Pentagon plans to grant access to classified military networks, and could serve as a warning to Google and OpenAI, whose contracts to supply their AI tools to the military are still evolving. Musk sided with the Trump administration, saying on his social media platform X that Anthropic hates Western Civilization. But one of Amodeis fiercest rivals, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, sided with Anthropic and questioned the Pentagons threatening move in a CNBC interview and in a letter to employees, saying OpenAI shared the same red lines. Amodei once worked for OpenAI before he and other OpenAI leaders quit to form Anthropic in 2021. Advertisement For all the differences I have with Anthropic, I mostly trust them as a company, and I think they really do care about safety, Altman told CNBC, hours before he gathered employees for an all-hands meeting on Friday (US time). OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has backed Anthropics position on AI safeguards. AP Retired Air Force general Jack Shanahan, a former leader of the Pentagons AI initiatives, wrote on social media this week that painting a bullseye on Anthropic garners spicy headlines, but everyone loses in the end. Shanahan said Claude was already being widely used across the government, including in classified settings, and Anthropics red lines were reasonable. He said the AI large language models that power chatbots like Claude, Grok and ChatGPT were also not ready for prime time in national security settings, particularly not for fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic is not trying to play cute here, he wrote on LinkedIn. You wont find a system with wider & deeper reach across the military. Advertisement AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. New HHS appointees join committee tasked with national policy overhaul U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has added two new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This federal body is responsible for shaping the nations vaccine schedule and determining clinical standards. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Friday that Dr. Sean Downing and Dr. Angelina Farella will join the panel. The appointments come at a critical time for the ACIP, which has faced intense scrutiny since Kennedy dismissed all 17 original members last summer. The committees recommendations are vital for the healthcare industry. Their decisions dictate which vaccines private insurers and government programs are required to cover, directly impacting revenue streams for pharmaceutical companies. Kennedy stated that the new members bring "frontline perspective" to the group. He emphasized that their experience is essential for making recommendations that are grounded in "gold-standard science" and capable of restoring public trust. Market uncertainty rises as legal challenges delay policy meetings The restructuring of the ACIP has triggered a wave of litigation. This is currently creating significant uncertainty for pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers alike. A group of 15 states and several prominent medical associations have filed lawsuits. These suits question whether Kennedys complete recasting of the committee falls within his legal authority under federal administrative law. These legal disputes forced the postponement of a high-profile meeting originally scheduled for February. The committee is now slated to reconvene in mid-March to discuss sensitive topics, including COVID-19 vaccine injuries and long COVID. For investors in the biotech and pharma sectors, the outcome of these meetings will be decisive. Any significant changes to the childhood vaccine schedule or insurance coverage mandates could shift the demand landscape for major immunization products across the United States. Related articles RFK Jr. expands vaccine oversight panel amid growing legal battles This sector is 'poised for a big, beautiful year': Truist Morgan Stanley CIO survey: Why AI hype isnt boosting 2026 IT budgets 20 kids fell ill due to toxic smoke from brick kiln Staff Reporter : BHILAI : Around 20 students of Class-6th from Kauhi village of Patan area of Durg district fell ill after inhaling toxic smoke from a brick kiln operating near the school. The children complained of breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and vomiting, causing panic within the school premises. Upon learning of the incident, parents rushed to the school and, expressing their displeasure with the management, locked the school. Villagers allege that the toxic smoke emanating from the kiln has been affecting the children's health for a long time, yet the administration has taken no concrete action. Recognizing the seriousness of the matter, Block Education Officer (BEO) arrived at the scene and assessed the situation. The children were provided with first aid and as a precaution, the administration is preparing to temporarily conduct classes in the Samrasta Bhavan. Villagers informed that a notice was previously issued to the brick kiln operator for its closure, but operations continue. Locals have accused the district administration of adopting a lax attitude. Villagers and parents have demanded the immediate closure of the brick kiln and regular health checkups of children. It may be noted that after complaint of brick kilns operating near the school premises of Government Primary School Kauhi an investigation was conducted and the complaint was found to be true. Pollution generated by the brick kiln's operation is adversely affecting children's health (physical and mental). A joint meeting of Gram Sabha, School Development Committee, and Gram Panchayat representatives was held and a ban was imposed on brick kilns. However, these kilns continue to operate till this day. A letter was sent to the Patan SDM by the Patan District Education Officer on January 22, 2026, but the SDM has yet to take any action. In this regard, District Education Officer Arvind Singh stated that a complaint letter will be written directly to the Durg Collector, informing him of the situation, so that strict action can be taken against the kiln. He stated that the school is being operated by the government, so the school will remain in its original state and the brick kiln will have to be removed. Afghan forces kill 55 Pak soldiers ISLAMABAD : AFGHANISTANS : Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and targeted what he described as important military objectives inside Pakistan. They also captured two bases along with 19 posts The Afghan Taliban attacked several check posts along the border late on Thursday, apparently to avenge the air strikes carried out by Pakistan in Afghanistans border areas on Sunday. Pakistan responded by hitting targets in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia under Operation Ghazab lil Haq early on Friday. Pakistan on Friday said it was in an open war with Afghanistan after its forces killed more than 270 Taliban fighters and injured over 400 others in airstrikes in response to what Islamabad described as the cross-border attack by the Afghan Taliban. According to the Ministry, the attacks took place on Thursday night in response to Pakistans strikes on Afghan territory, which killed women and children. The retaliatory operation by Afghan forces targeted posts of Pakistani military forces in the east and southeast directions, across the Durand Line. During these operations, the Ministry said, the Afghan forces destroyed two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts, forcing soldiers to flee from four additional posts. It added that over the course of the four-hour battle, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, several others were captured alive, and many others managed to escape. In these operations, dozens of light and heavy weapons, ammunition, and military supplies were seized by Afghan forces. Additionally, an enemy tank was destroyed, and a large military transport vehicle was captured, the Ministry stated. Additionally, it said, 8 Afghan soldiers were killed, and 11 others were injured during the operation. The Ministry also mentioned that 13 Afghan civilian citizens, including women and children, were injured in a missile attack by Pakistani forces on a refugee camp in the Afghan province of Nangarhar. At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, but there was no immediate information on the exact location of the strikes in the Afghan capital. Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan also carried out airstrikes in Kandahar to the south and in the southeastern province of Paktia. The 2,611-km-long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is known as the Durand Line, which Kabul has not formally recognised. Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani forces killed 274 Taliban personnel and khwarij, while another 400 were injured. Twelve Pakistani soldiers were killed, while 27 others injured, and one was missing in action, he added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where he was given a detailed briefing on the current situation, Chaudhry said. According to a handout by the PM Office, Shehbaz said that zero tolerance should be adopted against the nexus between the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al Khawarij and its malicious actions. The term Fitna al Khawarij is used for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Afghan Taliban, who are A master proxy, launched unprovoked attacks at 53 locations in 15 sectors along the border in coordination with terrorists, Chaudhry said, adding that Pakistan served an effective brutal response to the attacks. The spokesperson said Pakistan destroyed 73 Afghan posts along the border while capturing another 18 posts, which are in our possession. He said that a conservative estimate showed that at least 115 tanks, armoured personnel carriers and artillery pieces were destroyed. He said the Afghan Taliban Corps Headquarters, Brigade Headquarters, Battalion Headquarters, and weapon depots were also destroyed in air attacks when jets hit targets at 22 places in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, and Laghman. Taliban government spokesman Mujahid said that the recent strikes were intended to send a clear message that our hand can reach their collar, adding that any malicious act by Pakistan would be answered in Islamabad. Afghan forces recovered weapons, ammunition, one tank and a military transport vehicle. 13 Islamic Emirate soldiers were killed and 22 others wounded in the fighting, he said. Mujahid reiterated that Afghanistan seeks peaceful relations with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and India. Sevan Louisiana completed two well interventions in January using Trendsetters Trident system, its first deployment in the U.S. Gulf, which management said broadened the rigs market potential. West Tellus reached 400 consecutive days of BOP subsea deployment while delivering five wells offshore Brazil, described as the second-longest deployment in Seadrills fleet history. West Elara received ConocoPhillips Supplier of the Year Award, which the company linked to execution consistency and reliability. West Polaris and West Neptune executed MPD programs using integrated riser joint technology, which management said saved more than 12 hours during rig up and rig down per well. West Neptune delivered a record six-zone completion for LLOG in the U.S. Gulf, completing the program in 11 days and exceeding the prior benchmark by 60%, according to management. Johnson and other executives also emphasized operational execution across several rigs: President and CEO Simon Johnson said safety is the foundation of everything we do, and noted Seadrill delivered its best safety performance in company history as measured by total recordable incident rate, which he said was 50% better than the IADC offshore industry benchmark. 3 Stocks to Gain From the Rising Demand in Offshore Drilling During the companys fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, Seadrill reported full-year 2025 EBITDA of $353 million, which management said exceeded the midpoint of its original guidance range. Leadership also highlighted what it described as record operational and safety performance, alongside a series of contract awards and extensions that lifted backlog to approximately $2.5 billion. Seadrill (NYSE:SDRL) executives said the offshore deepwater market entered 2026 with renewed strength after a subdued 2025, pointing to tightening supply, rising utilization and improving contract terms as factors that could support higher day rates into 2027 and beyond. For 2026 Seadrill guided total operating revenues of $1.4$1.45 billion and EBITDA of $350$400 million , trimmed capex to $200$240 million , and expects a midyear inflection to stronger cash flow as higherpriced contracts start and day rates rise amid a tightening market. The company reported fullyear 2025 EBITDA of $353 million and Q4 EBITDA of $88 million , ended 2025 with $365 million cash and $524 million total liquidity versus $625 million gross debt, with Q4 cash use driven by a $43 million legal payment and $69 million of accelerated capex. Seadrills contracted backlog climbed to about $2.5 billion after adding roughly $500 million since the prior update, including awards like $152 million for West Capella, and management says firm backlog covers about 90% of the midpoint of its 2026 revenue guidance. Story Continues AI Is Separating Software Winners From Losers, 2 Experts Explain Johnson said Seadrill continued to invest in its workforce in 2025 by expanding course offerings at the Seadrill Academy in Dubai, holding operational discipline and technical services workshops globally, and launching a safety leadership assessment program. Backlog builds to about $2.5 billion as Seadrill cites contracting momentum Chief Commercial Officer Samir Ali said the value of contracts secured increased in each of the last four quarters, despite a competitive market, and noted that Seadrill added half a billion to contracted backlog since its prior earnings update. Ali put total backlog at approximately $2.5 billion. NVIDIAs AI Boom Isnt Slowing After Blowout Q4 Recent awards and extensions discussed on the call included: West Neptune : a four-month extension with LLOG, extending the schedule into September and adding $48 million to backlog. Sevan Louisiana : a well intervention program with two different customers; management cited a completed campaign with Walter Oil & Gas and upcoming work with a large IOC. Sonangol Quenguela : TotalEnergies exercised a priced option for an additional 10 months into February 2027. West Elara : Equinor awarded a 450-day accommodation contract after Seadrill reached a mutual agreement with ConocoPhillips to make the rig available. West Carina : Petrobras extended the contract through April 2026. West Saturn : Equinor exercised a priced option, keeping the rig working through October 2027. West Capella: a 14-month award from PTTEP in Malaysia, expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and add $152 million to backlog over an estimated 440 days; management said the award supports the rigs reactivation and strengthens earnings potential for 2026 and 2027. Ali said 90% of the midpoint of Seadrills 2026 revenue range is covered by firm backlog. He also described U.S. Gulf day rates as stable in the low $400s, adding that seven drillships are expected to become available in 2026 and that some rigs could be bid outside the region due to longer-term opportunities in undersupplied geographies. Financial results: Q4 EBITDA of $88 million; cash of $365 million Chief Financial Officer Grant Creed said fourth-quarter 2025 total operating revenues were $362 million, compared with $363 million in the prior quarter. Contract drilling revenues were $373 million, down $7 million sequentially due to fewer operating days for West Vela as it commenced a new contract in mid-November, partially offset by additional operating days for Sevan Louisiana. Reimbursable revenues increased $5 million to $16 million. Total operating expenses were $344 million, up $7 million sequentially, primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization tied to recently completed SPS and capital projects. SG&A was flat at $27 million. Fourth-quarter EBITDA was $88 million, bringing full-year EBITDA to $353 million. Creed said Seadrill ended 2025 with $365 million of total cash, including $26 million in restricted cash. The companys $63 million use of cash in the quarter was primarily attributed to: A $43 million payment for an unfavorable legal judgment related to the Sonadrill joint venture, which management said had been previously disclosed in 2025. $69 million of accelerated capital and long-term maintenance expenditures in Q4, including spending brought forward for West Jupiter and West Tellus contract preparations and a new contract for West Capella. Timing of accounts payable disbursements. Total liquidity was $524 million at year-end, Creed said. Gross principal debt totaled $625 million, with maturities extending through 2030. 2026 guidance and expected cash flow inflection mid-year For full-year 2026, Seadrill guided to total operating revenues of $1.4 billion to $1.45 billion, excluding $50 million of reimbursable revenues. The company forecast EBITDA of $350 million to $400 million, which Creed said includes a $26 million non-cash expense related to amortization and mobilization costs and revenues. Creed said the company expects first-quarter EBITDA to be lower than subsequent quarters as West Jupiter, West Tellus and West Capella undergo new contract preparations, followed by a step up in the second quarter after contract commencements. He noted West Jupiter and West Tellus are repricing to three-year contracts at day rates roughly $200,000 per day higher than before. Seadrill guided to 2026 capital expenditures and long-term maintenance of $200 million to $240 million, which management described as a significant step down from the prior two years. Creed said the company expects an inflection to strong cash flow generation in the middle of 2026 after contracts commence and associated readiness capex and working capital investments subside. Management sees tightening market and potential day rate upside In response to analyst questions, Johnson said he expects day rates to move higher than current levels as the market tightens, suggesting higher rates could be seen in 2026 and emphasizing that the path may not be smooth as operators and contractors work through near-term availability and scheduling. Asked about Brazil and Petrobras blend and extend discussions, Johnson said Seadrill continues to have really positive discussions but does not control timing. Creed added that guidance is based on the best information available when the forecast was prepared. On stacked rigs, Johnson said there was nothing really to share at this time. He described West Eclipse as a long-term stacked, low-spec asset with material reactivation investment needs and lower competitiveness, while calling West Phoenix and West Aquarius higher-spec but still burdened by high reactivation costs. Management said reactivation would require the right work term and a customer contribution to help defray capital investment. Johnson also addressed industry consolidation, calling it healthy and saying Seadrill expects to be the third-largest deepwater driller following a peer transaction. He said the company would remain disciplined in evaluating any potential consolidation opportunities within its capital allocation framework. About Seadrill (NYSE:SDRL) Seadrill Limited, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SDRL, is a leading provider of offshore drilling services to the global oil and gas industry. The company specializes in the design, construction, deployment and operation of mobile offshore drilling units, serving major exploration and production companies with turnkey drilling solutions. Seadrills fleet comprises ultra-deepwater drillships, semi-submersible rigs and high-specification jack-up units capable of operating in some of the worlds most challenging offshore environments. The article "Seadrill Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Aura Park hosts IIM Nagpurs Rural Immersion Initiative Business Reporter : AURA Conservation Park became the center of a unique learning experience as management students from IIM Nagpur visited the site to engage with rural entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups. The field visit, part of their academic project, focused on mapping local potential, identifying sustainable business opportunities, and developing strategies to help grassroots ventures scale. Mentored by advisor at IIM, Tanveer Mirza, Prof. Debashish Rath along with Aura Conservation Parks Director Ambarish Ghatate. In response, the students proposed innovative solutions to strengthen market linkages and build resilient, eco-conscious business models. For details, contact Ambarish Ghatate of Aura Conservation Park (M: 9422332896). Budget Session adjourned sine die ahead of schedule Staff Reporter : The Budget Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly has been adjourned sine die ahead of its scheduled completion. While the Opposition has accused the Government of avoiding discussions on several critical issues, the government claimed that the fixed agenda was completed and that they received full co-operation from the Opposition. Following the adjournment of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that the agenda decided by the Business Advisory Committee was fully accomplished in the House. He claimed that 100 per cent of the scheduled list of business was discussed and noted that the opposition provided complete co-operation. However, the Congress party has raised questions regarding the Governments claims. Congress MLA Sachin Yadav hit back, stating that many important issues were not discussed at all. He alleged that there was no serious deliberation in the House on crucial subjects related to farmers. With the conclusion of the session, the round of allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling party and the opposition has intensified. Budget Session adjourned sine die: The Budget Session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly was adjourned sine die on Friday, one week before the scheduled time. Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar announced the adjournment of the House sine die. It is noteworthy that according to the pre-decided schedule, the session was supposed to run until March 6. However, amid the completion of legislative work and continuous ruckus in the House, the session was adjourned sine die. Opposition raises questions: The main Opposition party, Congress, has expressed strong objection to the premature conclusion of the session. The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the government wanted to avoid discussions on issues of public interest, especially law and order and farmers problems, and therefore the session was ended in haste. Delhi Court discharges Kejriwal, Sisodia, K Kavitha & 20 others Delhi Bureau & Agencies : NEW DELHI : SHARPLY pulling up the CBI for pursuing a case wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny, a Delhi court on Friday discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his Deputy Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the Excise Policy case instrumental in bringing down the AAP Government. Among the 21 people cleared in the case that became a political hot potato is Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha. Hours after the verdict by special judge Jitendra Singh, the CBI filed an appeal challenging it in the Delhi High Court. Several aspects of the investigation were either ignored or not considered adequately, a spokesperson of the agency said in response to the scathing criticism by the trial court. As news came in of the clean chit in the case that sent him into virtual political wilderness, a relieved Kejriwal broke down and said the corruption case against him was the biggest political conspiracy in the history of Independent India. The court has proved that Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP are Kattar Imaandar, the three-time Chief Minister said. Addressing a press conference later in the day, he said they will file an application in a court for discharge in connection with the cases registered by Enforcement Directorate as well. BJP has thrown Delhi into chaos with problems like pollution, polluted Yamuna, damaged roads... I challenge PM Modi to hold fresh polls in Delhi and if BJP wins over 10 seats, I will quit politics, he asserted. Hitting out at the BJP, Kejriwal said he has earned only honesty and reputation in his entire life, which was being attacked by Modi and Shah through a fake liquor scam case. While Kejriwal was in jail for six months in the case, Sisodia was behind bars for almost two years. The CBI has been probing alleged corruption in the formulation and execution of the erstwhile AAP Governments now scrapped Excise Policy. The Delhi court was unsparing in its criticism of the federal probe agency. The chargesheet suffers from internal contradictions, striking at the root of conspiracy theory, Justice Singh said. Declaring that it found no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the liquor policy, the court said, The Excise Policy case, as sought to be projected by the CBI, is wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny and stands discredited in its entirety. Investigation appears to have proceeded on a predetermined trajectory, implicating virtually every person associated with the formulation or implementation of the policy in order to lend an illusion of depth and credibility to an otherwise fragile narrative, it said in the 598-page judgement. According to the judge, in the absence of any evidence, the allegations against Kejriwal could not be sustained and the former Chief Minister was implicated without any cogent evidence. This, the judge said, was inconsistent with the rule of law. This court, he said, has no hesitation in holding that the material placed on record does not disclose even a prima facie case, much less any grave suspicion, against any of the accused persons. The judge said the endeavour to further connect such allegations to the Goa Assembly elections, to project, layering, and utilisation of alleged proceeds of crime, rests more on inference and assumption than on legally sustainable material. Once the formulation of the (excise) policy is shown to be the product of deliberation, institutional scrutiny, and procedural compliance, any subsequent attempt to attribute criminality to its implementation becomes wholly untenable, he said. The judge said the cases very foundation - the allegation of payment of upfront money and its purported recoupment - stands fundamentally eroded. In the absence of a tainted policy or demonstrably unlawful implementation, the prosecution theory is reduced to conjecture. Private persons who sought to derive commercial advantage from a policy validly framed and lawfully implemented a cannot be compelled to face the rigours of criminal prosecution, his judgement read. Though there was no statutory or constitutional requirement mandating the obtaining of suggestions from the Lieutenant Governor, the file notings unmistakably reflect that such suggestions were nevertheless sought, examined, and incorporated. The procedural integrity of the policy-making process thus stands affirmed from the documentary record itself, it said. The court said the alleged conspiracy was nothing more than a speculative construct resting on conjecture and surmise, devoid of any admissible evidence. The political reactions came thick and fast. The Congress took the opportunity to hit out at the BJP, calling it a shape-shifter, a wishful serpent -- Icchadhari Naag. Elections are coming. So the script is predictable. Cases against Congress leaders will suddenly accelerate -- P Chidambaram has already been dragged back into the spotlight because Tamil Nadu is going for polls. Meanwhile, proceedings against their convenient allies in the AAP and others will quietly vanish in light of the Gujarat and Punjab elections, Congress leader Pawan Khera said. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav said truth and justice stood firmly with Kejriwal, and that no allegation could be so big that it shrouded the truth. Today, every honest person will breathe a sigh of relief, while the BJP supporters must be writhing in deep shame. The BJP has betrayed the residents of Delhi, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said. The Left also came out in support of Kejriwal. CPI General Secretary D Raja said the discharge proved that the BJP has reduced federal probe agencies to instruments of political vendetta. Asked about the court discharging Kejriwal, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said it is a technical matter and the party will come up with a structured response on the courts judgment, after studying it. Enforcement Directorate officials said their investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy-linked money laundering case is a standalone probe built on credible evidence and testimonials from various entities. Murmu flies sortie in LCH Prachand near India-Pak border in Jaisalmer JAIPUR : CLAD in an olive-green flying suit and helmet, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday took a 25-minute sortie as co-pilot in Light Combat Helicopter Prachand near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer district. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the helicopter took off from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station after the President was briefed by the captain. She waved from the cockpit before departure. During the flight, Murmu -- the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces -- delivered a message to the nation from the cockpit. Prachand helicopter is a powerful symbol of self-reliance. At this moment, I am flying over the Jaisalmer district. I extend my heartfelt greetings and deepest gratitude to our brave soldiers. A warm salute to you, Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, she said. The helicopter flew over the Pokharan firing range, where the IAF is scheduled to conduct its firepower demonstration, Vayu Shakti, on Friday evening. Murmu will witness the day-dusk-night demonstration. Earlier, IAF Chief Air Marshal A P Singh welcomed the President at the IAF station. With todays sortie, Murmu became the first Indian president to fly in an attack helicopter, adding another milestone to her engagements with frontline military platforms. She undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft at the Air Force Station in Ambala in October last year, becoming the first Indian president to have flown in two different fighter aircraft of the IAF. In April 2023, she undertook a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam. , flying for about 30 minutes over the Brahmaputra and Tezpur valley with a view of the Himalayas. LCH Prachand is Indias first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Equipped with advanced avionics, stealth features, night-attack capability and a formidable array of weapons including air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, rockets and a 20 mm gun, the LCH significantly enhances the combat capability of the Indian Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had undertaken a sortie in the Prachand, which translates to fierce, during the formal induction of the first LCH into the IAF at the Jodhpur Air Force Station in October 2022. Public hearing held successfullyfor Korba Power expansion Staff Reporter : Raipur : A public hearing for the proposed 1600 MW capacity expansion of Korba Power Limited (KPL) at Pataadi in Barpali tehsil was conducted on Friday by the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB). The hearing was organised as part of the environmental clearance process for the proposed addition of two 800 MW units to the existing plant. The programme was held at the playground of a government school in village Saragbundi from 12 noon onwards. Additional Collector Devendra Patel presided over the proceedings, while Regional Officer of the Environment Board Ankur Sahu, SDM Saroj Kumar Mahilange and Executive Engineer Prasanna Sonkar were present along with other administrative officials. Representatives of the project proponent presented details of the expansion proposal and outlined environmental safeguards and mitigation measures. The hearing lasted for approximately two and a half hours and witnessed participation from thousands of residents from 12 villages including Khoddel, Pataadi, Saragbundi, Pahanda, Baridih and Tilkeja. Several villagers spoke on issues relating to local development, employment generation and livelihood opportunities. According to information shared at the venue, a majority of participants expressed support for the proposed expansion, while also placing suggestions and expectations before the authorities. Elected representatives and sarpanches from the affected villages were among those who addressed the gathering. They highlighted expectations regarding job opportunities for local youth, skill development initiatives and continued corporate social responsibility interventions in the region. Notably, the existing 2x300 MW sub critical units of the plant have been operational for over a decade. The proposed expansion seeks to augment generation capacity at the same site. The proceedings concluded with officials assuring that all representations would be recorded and forwarded as part of the environmental clear R C Plasto contributes Rs 38.23 lakh for e-library at Ramdeobaba University Business Reporter : R C Plasto Tanks & Pipes Pvt. Ltd. has reinforced its commitment to education by contributing Rs 38,23,200 towards the development of a state-of-the-art e-library at Ramdeobaba University. The contribution aims to strengthen the universitys digital infrastructure and provide students with access to modern computing facilities and advanced technological resources. On this occasion, Vishal Agrawal, Director, R C Plasto Tanks & Pipes Pvt. Ltd., formally handed over the cheque to the university administration. An alumnus of Ramdeobaba University himself, Agrawal expressed pride in contributing to his alma mater and stated that the support would play a meaningful role in advancing the universitys technological development. Dr Rajesh Pande, Vice Chancellor, Ramdeobaba University; Dr Manoj Chandak, Principal, RCOEM; Dr Rashmi Shahu, Director Admissions;, and Dr Mrudula Korde, Director Alumni Association, were present on the occasion. Sighting of rare, endangered forest owlet in cheetah territory delights officials SHEOPUR : A rare and endangered forest owlet has been sighted in Kuno National Park just ahead of the arrival of the third batch of cheetahs from Africa, which an official on Friday claimed was a significant development in the field of ornithology. Eight cheetahs, part of an ambitious reintroduction programme after the big cats went extinct in the country nearly seven decades ago, will arrive at KNP from Botswana in the southern part of Africa on Saturday. The discovery of the forest owlet is important as the bird is considered one of the world's rarest raptors and has potential ecological implications for habitat management associated with Project Cheetah, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) Subharanjan Sen told PTI. This is a significant development in the field of ornithology. The endangered forest owlet (Athene blewitti) has been recorded for the first time in KNP, Sen pointed out. The recent sighting indicates that the park has become an attractive habitat for endangered raptor species following the launch of the cheetah conservation programme. This also suggests that conservation efforts aimed at cheetahs are contributing to broader ecosystem recovery, the official asserted. The rare owl was first spotted by Labh Yadav, a local tourism operator, during a routine field visit in the Parond beat of the KNP, he said. Foresters took note of the sighting due to the species' extremely limited distribution and conservation status. Based on key identification features, Vivek Patel of Pune-based Wildlife Research and Conservation Society confirmed the species on the spot, making it the first authenticated record of the forest owlet in Kuno, Sen informed. Unlike most owls, the forest owlet is primarily diurnal and is most active between 6 am and 10 am. It is often seen perched on branches of tall trees even in harsh sunlight, Sen said. The bird was endemic to Central India and was first described in 1872, but was believed to have gone extinct after 1884. It was rediscovered in 1997 in Maharashtras Nandurbar district, a development that attracted global attention from ornithologists, officials said. The species is currently found in fragmented forest habitats in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, they added. In Madhya Pradesh, it was earlier recorded only in eastern Khandwa, Burhanpur and Betul districts, the officials said. The forest owlet is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with its global adult population estimated between 250 and 999. More surveys are needed to understand its distribution in the state, an official said. WCL finds eight rare earth elements, critical minerals in its 6 mines in Mah CITY-BASED : public sector enterprise Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has achieved a major breakthrough in exploration of rare earth elements and critical minerals after it found eight significant strategic minerals in its six mines in Maharashtra, an official said on Friday. Talking to PTI, a senior official said the WCL found these minerals in its six Open Cast (OC) mines -- Adasa UG (underground) to OC (open cast), Makardhokra-III, Durgapur OC, Gauri-Pauni, Mungoli-Nirguda, and Yekona I & II - recently. The analysis found economically significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals of Potash (K), Tellurium (Te), Titanium (Ti), Lanthanum (La) and Cerium (Ce), Rhenium (Re), Selenium (Se) and Zirconium (Zr), he said. Potash (K) has strong potential for fertiliser and agro-chemical applications and Tellurium is essential for solar photovoltaic cells, semiconductors, and thermoelectric devices. Titanium has huge potential for aerospace, defence, pigments, and advanced alloy applications. Similarly, Lanthanum and Cerium is critical for EV motors, permanent magnets, catalysts, optics and electronics. Rhenium is valuable for superalloys, jet engines, and defence components, while Selenium which is used in glass manufacturing, electronics and renewable energy and Zirconium (Zr) is important for nuclear, ceramics, refractories and aerospace applications. Critical minerals are a subset of minerals considered crucial for the manufacturing and technological needs of industries, while REEs are a subset of critical minerals. Studies were conducted through accredited agencies, and reports have been shared with Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC) in Hyderabad for further technical evaluation, the official said. These findings indicate that WCLs overburden (rock or soil layer) and mine rejects (waste material left over after mineral/coal extraction) contain high-value strategic minerals, transforming waste material into potential revenue-generating resources, he said. The discovery of REEs and associated critical minerals opens multiple diversification pathways for WCL. Extraction of REEs offers the opportunity to a commercial mineral resource, improving mine economics and sustainability, he said. WCL can expand beyond coal into critical mineral mining, beneficiation and processing, downstream material supply for EVs, renewable energy, electronics and defence sectors, he said. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been executed between Coal India Ltd (CIL) and the NFTDC to develop applied R&D projects, pilot plants, and demonstration-scale commercial technologies for mineral extraction and value addition. In collaboration with NFTDC and CIL, the WCL can establish pilot extraction plants and commercial demonstration units, positioning itself as a technology leader in REE recovery. As coal demand moderates in the long term, REEs provide a future-ready alternative revenue stream, reducing dependence on thermal coal markets, he said. With these strategic findings, WCL in its future roadmap will work on a detailed resource estimation and techno-economic feasibility studies, process development for REE extraction and beneficiation, establishment of pilot plants and commercial scale projects partnerships with PSUs, private industry, and technology providers, he added. The findings from WCLs multi-mine elemental analysis demonstrate strong technical and economic potential for REEs and critical minerals, positioning WCL to emerge as a strategic contributor in Indias critical mineral ecosystem, the official said. He said that by leveraging existing mining infrastructure, PSU partnerships, R&D collaborations, and national policy support, WCL can transform REEs into a high-value diversified business vertical, ensuring long-term sustainability, profitability, and national strategic relevance. (PTI) We came across a bullish thesis on Seagate Technology Holdings plc on Uncle Stock Notess Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on STX. Seagate Technology Holdings plc's share was trading at $407.00 as of February 27th. STXs trailing and forward P/E were 48.02 and 33.33 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Freedom Capital Initiates Coverage of Nebius Group (NBIS) with Buy Rating, $108 PT Copyright: ralwel / 123RF Stock Photo Seagate Technology Holdings plc engages in the provision of data storage technology and infrastructure solutions in Singapore, the United States, the Netherlands, and internationally. STX is redefining its role in the AI-driven storage market, moving from a traditional cyclical HDD player to a growth-oriented infrastructure provider. The companys latest Q2 2026 results underscore this transformation, with revenue of $2.83 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $3.11, significantly beating expectations. Gross margins of 42.2% highlight Seagates pricing power, production discipline, and the long-term lock-in of nearline storage demand. CEO Dave Mosley confirmed that nearline capacity is fully booked through 2026, signaling unprecedented visibility and a binding relationship with hyperscalers, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, who require vast amounts of affordable, long-term storage for AI workloads. HAMR technology, with single-platter capacities exceeding 30TB, provides the cost-effective, high-capacity solution needed to store the massive historical datasets underpinning agentic AI, positioning Seagate as a critical long-term memory provider for next-generation AI architectures. Financially, Seagate combines strong cash generation with disciplined capital allocation. Free cash flow reached $607 million, operating cash flow $723 million, and the company maintained a $1 billion cash balance while repaying $500 million in debt and sustaining dividends of $0.74 per share. With Q3 revenue guidance of $2.9 billion and EPS of $3.40, the company demonstrates high visibility and pricing leverage. Valuation metrics suggest that while STX trades at a forward P/E of 29.5x, reflecting optimism around AI-driven storage demand, traditional cyclical valuations would have implied roughly half the current stock price. Despite potential risks from SSD price erosion, macroeconomic slowdowns, or HAMR engineering setbacks, Seagates strategic positioning, full capacity utilization, and long-term contracts create a compelling narrative. For investors, the combination of robust earnings, durable competitive advantages, and AI-driven secular growth positions STX as a high-conviction play in the evolving storage landscape, offering both short-term momentum and long-term optionality as the digital data wave continues to expand. Feb 26 (Reuters) - The global smartphone market is poised to suffer its biggest decline ever in 2026, sinking to a more than decade low in shipments, as surging memory chip prices drive up device costs, the International Data Corporation said on Thursday. Smartphone shipments are expected to drop 12.9% to 1.12 billion units, the research firm said in a report. The decline will hit low-end Android manufacturers the hardest, while Apple and Samsung are positioned to gain market share as smaller rivals struggle or exit the market entirely, the report said. "What we are witnessing is not a temporary squeeze, but a tsunami-like shock originating in the memory supply chain," said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for Worldwide Client Devices at IDC. A rapid build-out of AI infrastructure by tech firms such as Meta, Google and Microsoft has captured much of the memory chips supply, lifting prices as manufacturers prioritize components for higher-margin data centers over consumer devices. Memory chips, or DRAM, are crucial to smartphones as they allow power-hungry applications to run smoothly. Analysts have said rising component costs will force budget-device focused companies to pass the expenses on to consumers, just as demand at higher price points is weakening. Apple and Samsung, with stronger balance sheets and premium positioning, are better positioned, IDC said. It expects the average selling price of smartphones to surge 14% to a record $523 this year, as manufacturers shift toward higher-margin models to offset ballooning costs. IDC expects a modest 2% recovery in 2027 as the crisis eases, followed by a 5.2% rebound in 2028, though it said that the market was unlikely to return to previous norms. "The memory crisis will cause more than a temporary decline; it marks a structural reset of the entire market," said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC's Mobile Phone Tracker. She warned that the sub-$100 smartphone segment, representing 171 million devices, will become "permanently uneconomical" even after memory prices stabilize by mid-2027. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) Vanguard Group Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of AAR Corp. (NYSE:AIR Free Report) by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,779,359 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 45,784 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 9.66% of AAR worth $338,895,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of AAR by 10.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,917,821 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $131,927,000 after purchasing an additional 188,406 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AAR by 35.2% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 640,707 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $57,452,000 after buying an additional 166,903 shares in the last quarter. Marsico Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AAR in the second quarter valued at $4,801,000. PDT Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of AAR by 758.4% during the 2nd quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 66,094 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $4,547,000 after acquiring an additional 58,394 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of AAR by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,208,796 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $83,153,000 after acquiring an additional 48,376 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.74% of the companys stock. Get AAR alerts: AAR Stock Down 0.7% Shares of AIR stock opened at $117.32 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $102.89 and a 200-day moving average of $88.19. The firm has a market cap of $4.64 billion, a PE ratio of 46.01 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 2.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. AAR Corp. has a 12 month low of $46.51 and a 12 month high of $119.24. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth AAR ( NYSE:AIR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 6th. The aerospace company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.16. AAR had a net margin of 3.17% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The company had revenue of $795.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $760.95 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.90 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that AAR Corp. will post 3.77 EPS for the current year. Several brokerages recently commented on AIR. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of AAR to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Zacks Research upgraded AAR from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on AAR in a report on Monday, January 26th. They set a neutral rating and a $121.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of AAR in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on AAR from $90.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $115.40. Get Our Latest Analysis on AIR Insider Buying and Selling at AAR In related news, CFO Sarah Louise Flanagan sold 10,750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.56, for a total value of $1,167,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 32,848 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,565,978.88. This represents a 24.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO John Mcclain Holmes III sold 30,000 shares of AAR stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.50, for a total value of $2,925,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 237,064 shares in the company, valued at $23,113,740. The trade was a 11.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 128,984 shares of company stock valued at $12,517,090 over the last quarter. 3.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. AAR Profile (Free Report) AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) is a global provider of aviation products and services to commercial, government and defense customers. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions, component repair and overhaul, and engineering services designed to support a wide variety of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Leveraging FAA and EASA certifications, AAR delivers turnkey maintenance programs and ad hoc repair services that enhance aircraft availability and reliability. In its Aviation Supply Chain Services segment, AAR sources, stores and distributes parts for both commercial airlines and military operators. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AIR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AAR Corp. (NYSE:AIR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AAR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AAR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Billerud AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:BLRDF Get Free Report) rose 0.8% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $9.00 and last traded at $9.00. Approximately 1,400 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 5% from the average daily volume of 1,467 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.93. Billerud AB (publ) Price Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average of $9.29 and a 200 day moving average of $9.16. Get Billerud AB (publ) alerts: Billerud AB (publ) Company Profile (Get Free Report) Billerud AB (publ) is a Sweden-based pulp and paper company specializing in sustainable packaging materials and solutions. The company produces a range of fibre-based products, including containerboard, corrugating medium, sack kraft paper and speciality paper. Through its integrated production network, Billerud AB supplies raw materials and finished solutions to customers in the consumer packaging, e-commerce, food service and industrial sectors. The roots of Billerud AB date back to the establishment of the Gruvon mill in 1647 and the Korsnas operations in the mid-19th century. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Billerud AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Billerud AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The UAE can bypass the Strait of Hormuz to a smaller degree, using a pipeline that runs from its oil fields to a port along the Gulf of Oman. The Habshan-Fujairah pipeline has the capacity to move 1.5 million barrels of crude a day. Saudi Arabia can divert some shipments by using a 746-mile pipeline that runs across the kingdom to a terminal on the Red Sea, where the oil can be loaded onto vessels for onward transport. The East-West Pipeline is able to carry 5 million barrels of crude a day. OPEC members Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have some ability to reroute their oil via pipelines that avoid Hormuz. Hormuz is the chokepoint for the bulk of the Persian Gulfs exports of crude, as well as refined fuels such as diesel and jet fuel. Qatar, one of worlds biggest liquefied natural gas exporters, also relies on the strait. LNG trade through the waterway is now all but halted, ship-tracking data show. Iran has long claimed that a full closure of Hormuz is within its power, but its an extreme step never taken before and a nightmare scenario for global markets. On Saturday, ships reported hearing a radio broadcast purporting to come from the Iranian navy, announcing that transit through the Strait of Hormuz had been banned. But there was no official confirmation and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday his country had no intention of shutting the vital shipping route, though there are clear signs that tankers are staying away. Here are the pressure points to watch in oil as events unfold. Iran sits on one side of the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping lane for about a fifth of the worlds crude from key suppliers including Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Traffic transiting the waterway dropped off sharply following the regional attacks that started Saturday, and three ships have reportedly been targeted near the mouth of the Persian Gulf. The Islamic Republic itself pumps more than 3 million barrels a day, or 3% of global output, making it the fourth-largest producer in OPEC. But the nation wields far greater influence over the worlds energy supplies because of its strategic location. President Donald Trumps decision to strike Iran creates new risks for a significant chunk of the worlds oil supply. Story Continues Iraq, OPECs second-largest producer, has a pipeline that runs through Turkey to the Mediterranean coast. But this can only carry oil pumped from fields in the north of the country, so almost all of its crude exports are shipped by sea from the port of Basra and pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have no option but to ship their oil through the waterway. Even with these alternative pipeline routes, any closure of the strait would still cause a massive disruption to exports and drive up crude prices. Saudi Arabia and some other Persian Gulf producers recently accelerated oil exports as Americas deployment of military assets to the Middle East fueled tensions in the region. Saudi crude shipments averaged about 7.3 million barrels a day in the first 24 days of February, the most in almost three years. On Sunday, key members of OPEC+ led by Saudi Arabia and Russia also agreed to resume output increases next month at a slightly accelerated pace. Theyll add 206,000 barrels a day in April, according to a statement after their monthly video conference. Attack Targets There have been abundant signs the war is widening, with Iranian missiles striking buildings in Tel Aviv, while defenses in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait intercepted incoming projectiles. Dubais main airport has been hit, and almost all civilian air traffic is closed across the Gulf. Sunday also brought the first maritime attacks since war broke out. Two of three reported incidents occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, off the Omani exclave of Musandam, while a third happened further south, off Muscat, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre said. DP World suspended operations at Jebel Ali in Dubai, the Middle Easts largest container port, while top container line MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. said it was halting all bookings for worldwide cargo to the region until further notice. The developments underscore the growing concern about maritime security as the conflict spreads. As far as the Strait of Hormuz is concerned, many observers say that harassment of shipping is more likely than a closure of the waterway, since its improbable that Iran could keep it shut for long. During last years war with Israel and the US, almost 1,000 vessels a day had their GPS signals jammed near Irans coast, contributing to one tanker collision. Sea mines are another long-threatened option for deterring shipping. Irans Production Irans oil output has risen to about 3.3 million barrels a day from less than 2 million barrels a day in 2020, despite continued international sanctions. The country has become more adept at skirting these restrictions, sending about 90% of its exports to China. The nations largest oil deposits are Ahvaz and Marun and the West Karun cluster, all in Khuzestan province, which is at the northern end of the Persian Gulf and borders Iraq. Irans main refinery, built at Abadan in 1912, can process more than 500,000 barrels a day. Other key plants include the Bandar Abbas and Persian Gulf Star refineries, which handle crude and condensate, a type of ultra-light oil thats abundant in Iran. The capital, Tehran, has its own refinery. For Irans overseas shipments, the Kharg Island terminal in the northern Persian Gulf is the main logistical hub. There was an explosion on the island Saturday, according to Irans semi-official Mehr news agency, which didnt provide more details or make any reference to the oil terminal. Kharg Island has numerous loading berths, jetties, remote mooring points and tens of millions of barrels of crude storage capacity. The facilities have handled export volumes exceeding 2 million barrels a day in recent years. US sanctions discourage most potential buyers of Irans crude, but private Chinese refiners have remained willing customers, provided they get steep discounts. Tehran relies for its international shipments on a fleet of aging tankers that mostly sail with their transponders deactivated to avoid detection. Last month, Iran was rapidly filling tankers at Kharg Island, probably in an effort to get as much crude on the water and move vessels out of harms way in case the facility was attacked. It made a similar move last June ahead of Israeli and US attacks. Any strike on the Kharg Island terminal would be a desperate blow for the countrys economy. Irans main natural gas fields are further to the south along the Persian Gulf coast. Facilities at Assaluyeh and Bandar Abbas process, transport and ship gas and condensate for domestic use in power generation, heating, petrochemicals and other industries. The area is the main point for Irans condensate exports. During the June war, an attack on a local gas plant sparked jitters among traders, but didnt cause a lasting spike in oil prices because it didnt affect any export facilities. Market Reactions Oil surged the most in more than three years during the June war, with Brent crude rising above $80 a barrel in London. However, the gains quickly faded once it became clear that key regional oil infrastructure hadnt been damaged. Since then, concerns about an oversupply have dominated global markets, with crude in London ending 2025 about 18% lower than where it started. Despite those fears of a glut, prices have surged 19% this year, partly due to anxiety around potential US strikes on Iran. With the main oil futures markets closed for the weekend, theres limited insight into how traders are reacting to the latest attacks. However, a retail trading product, run by IG Group Ltd., was pricing West Texas Intermediate as high as $75.33, a gain of as much as 12% from Fridays close. For global benchmark Brent, the strikes are likely to push the market toward $80 in the near term as a widening escalation cycle is priced in, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Will Hares and Salih Yilmaz wrote in a note. --With assistance from Lisa Beyer. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$138.18 and last traded at C$137.30, with a volume of 570756 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$134.53. Key Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce News Here are the key news stories impacting Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce this week: Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Positive Sentiment: TD Securities raised its price target to C$153 and kept a Buy rating (11% upside versus the current price). BayStreet.CA TD Securities raised its price target to C$153 and kept a Buy rating (11% upside versus the current price). Positive Sentiment: BMO Capital Markets bumped its target to C$150 and set an Outperform rating (8.9% upside). BayStreet.CA BMO Capital Markets bumped its target to C$150 and set an Outperform rating (8.9% upside). Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada raised its target to C$158 and maintained an Outperform (14.7% upside). BayStreet.CA Royal Bank of Canada raised its target to C$158 and maintained an Outperform (14.7% upside). Positive Sentiment: Scotiabank lifted its target to C$153 with an Outperform rating (11% upside). BayStreet.CA TickerReport Scotiabank lifted its target to C$153 with an Outperform rating (11% upside). Neutral Sentiment: Raymond James raised its target to C$148.50 but retained a Market Perform rating (7.8% upside). BayStreet.CA Raymond James raised its target to C$148.50 but retained a Market Perform rating (7.8% upside). Neutral Sentiment: National Bank Financial increased its target to C$150 with a Sector Perform rating (8.9% upside). BayStreet.CA National Bank Financial increased its target to C$150 with a Sector Perform rating (8.9% upside). Neutral Sentiment: Canaccord Genuity lifted its target to C$145 but kept a Hold rating (5.2% upside). BayStreet.CA Canaccord Genuity lifted its target to C$145 but kept a Hold rating (5.2% upside). Neutral Sentiment: CM reported quarterly results: EPS C$2.76, revenue C$8.40B, ROE 12.61%, net margin 27.87% solid fundamentals but no headline guidance change in the releases cited. MarketBeat Earnings Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$136.00 to C$145.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Desjardins increased their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$135.00 to C$139.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$135.00 to C$150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$138.00 to C$153.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$134.00 to C$158.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$146.05. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Down 2.9% The firm has a market capitalization of C$127.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.26. The companys 50 day moving average is C$128.99 and its 200-day moving average is C$119.21. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported C$2.76 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$8.40 billion during the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 27.87% and a return on equity of 12.61%. On average, analysts predict that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 6.4127341 EPS for the current fiscal year. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 28th were issued a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 29th. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio is currently 45.27%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Frank Guse sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$127.16, for a total transaction of C$635,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 1,359 shares in the company, valued at C$172,810.44. The trade was a 78.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Company insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock. About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Get Free Report) CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 15 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Coloplast A/S (OTCMKTS:CLPBF Get Free Report) shot up 0.9% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $77.0150 and last traded at $77.0150. 13 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 99% from the average session volume of 1,408 shares. The stock had previously closed at $76.2915. Coloplast A/S Trading Up 0.9% The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $82.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of $88.58. Get Coloplast A/S alerts: About Coloplast A/S (Get Free Report) Coloplast A/S is a Denmarkbased medical device company specializing in the development and manufacturing of products and services for people with intimate healthcare needs. Founded in 1957 by Aage LouisHansen and Poul Mollgaard Jensen, the company set out to improve quality of life for patients requiring ostomy care, and has since expanded into multiple clinical areas. Coloplast is headquartered in Humlebk, Denmark, and combines inhouse research and development with strategic partnerships to drive innovation in its core markets. The companys product portfolio is organized around four primary areas: ostomy care, continence care, wound and skin care, and interventional urology. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Coloplast A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coloplast A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group (OTCMKTS:EUBG Get Free Report) shot up 159.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $0.5210 and last traded at $0.5210. 11,162 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 50% from the average session volume of 22,437 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.2010. Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group Price Performance The companys 50-day simple moving average is $0.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.18. About Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group (Get Free Report) Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group, through its subsidiaries, provides digital marketing consultation services in the Hong Kong and People's Republic of China. It offers consulting, sourcing, and marketing services. The company was formerly known as REE International, Inc and changed its name to Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group in April 2020. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is based in Xi'an, China. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 27,734 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $681,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of HPE. Bleakley Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 42,532 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,045,000 after purchasing an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 7.1% in the third quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 6,694 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $164,000 after buying an additional 445 shares in the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 4,902 shares of the technology companys stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 489 shares during the last quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,253 shares of the technology companys stock worth $375,000 after acquiring an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 8,855 shares of the technology companys stock worth $217,000 after acquiring an additional 533 shares in the last quarter. 80.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Insider Activity In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, EVP Maeve C. Culloty sold 35,958 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.66, for a total transaction of $886,724.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Fidelma Russo sold 126,512 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.61, for a total value of $3,113,460.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 51,002 shares in the company, valued at $1,255,159.22. This trade represents a 71.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 585,537 shares of company stock worth $14,255,864 over the last quarter. 0.44% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on HPE shares. Argus raised their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a report on Friday, December 26th. Zacks Research raised shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $25.29. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance Shares of HPE opened at $21.49 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $22.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.05. The firm has a market cap of $28.55 billion, a PE ratio of -358.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.33. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company has a 12-month low of $11.97 and a 12-month high of $26.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.91 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 0.17% and a return on equity of 9.15%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises quarterly revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.58 EPS. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.450 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.570-0.610 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company will post 1.85 EPS for the current year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 19th were given a $0.1425 dividend. This is a boost from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 19th. This represents a $0.57 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is presently -950.00%. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Profile (Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is an enterprise technology company that designs, develops and sells IT infrastructure, software and services for business and government customers. Its core offerings span servers, storage, networking, and related software, together with consulting, integration and support services aimed at modernizing and managing enterprise IT environments. HPEs product portfolio includes systems for traditional data centers as well as solutions for high-performance computing, edge computing and telecommunications infrastructure. A major focus for HPE is hybrid cloud and consumption-based IT. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 18,736 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $663,000. A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in DB. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 2,807.4% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 785 shares of the banks stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 758 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 61.8% in the third quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,081 shares of the banks stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 413 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,186 shares of the banks stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 178.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,376 shares of the banks stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 881 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 27.90% of the companys stock. Get Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft alerts: Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance Shares of DB stock opened at $35.38 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.32, a PEG ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $38.13 and a 200 day moving average of $36.64. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a 52 week low of $18.89 and a 52 week high of $40.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Increases Dividend Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft ( NYSE:DB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The bank reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.16. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft had a net margin of 10.02% and a return on equity of 7.49%. The business had revenue of $8.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.71 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft will post 2.93 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, June 1st will be paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 1st. This is an increase from Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts previous annual dividend of $0.51. This represents a yield of 251.0%. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts payout ratio is currently 6.15%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have weighed in on DB shares. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, December 20th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a consensus rating of Hold. Read Our Latest Report on Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (Free Report) Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. Founded in 1870 to support German foreign trade, the firm has grown into a full-service bank offering a wide range of banking, advisory and transaction services to corporate, institutional, and private clients. Over its history the bank has expanded internationally and developed capabilities across capital markets, investment banking, retail and commercial banking, and wealth management. The banks core business activities include corporate and investment bankingcovering financing, advisory, sales and trading, and capital markets servicesalong with private & commercial banking for individual and small-to-medium enterprise clients. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. reduced its holdings in shares of Trinity Industries, Inc. (NYSE:TRN Free Report) by 41.5% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 24,125 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 17,110 shares during the quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in Trinity Industries were worth $676,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Trinity Industries during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in Trinity Industries by 129.5% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,058 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 597 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in Trinity Industries by 117.4% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,287 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 695 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Trinity Industries by 77.6% during the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,403 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 613 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Trinity Industries by 47.2% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,109 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 676 shares during the period. 86.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Trinity Industries alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TRN has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Trinity Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st. Susquehanna set a $34.00 price objective on shares of Trinity Industries and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $33.00 price objective on shares of Trinity Industries and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Trinity Industries in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.50. Trinity Industries Stock Performance TRN opened at $34.14 on Friday. Trinity Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $22.38 and a 1-year high of $35.62. The company has a market cap of $2.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.08 and a beta of 1.48. The companys fifty day moving average price is $29.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75. Trinity Industries (NYSE:TRN Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The transportation company reported $2.31 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.01. Trinity Industries had a net margin of 11.73% and a return on equity of 21.02%. The company had revenue of $611.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $570.45 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.39 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. Trinity Industries has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.850-2.100 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Trinity Industries, Inc. will post 1.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Trinity Industries Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th were paid a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. This is a boost from Trinity Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 15th. Trinity Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.26%. Trinity Industries Company Profile (Free Report) Trinity Industries, Inc is a diversified industrial company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with roots dating back to its incorporation in 1933. The company principally serves the transportation, infrastructure and energy sectors through the design, manufacture and leasing of railcars and related components. Trinity operates multiple business segments that encompass railcar manufacturing, aftermarket parts production, railcar leasing and management, inland barge construction and leasing, as well as infrastructure products for highways and energy applications. In its railcar segment, Trinity produces a broad portfolio of freight carsincluding tank cars, covered hoppers, gondolas and autoracksalongside critical system components such as braking systems, couplers and wheels. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Trinity Industries, Inc. (NYSE:TRN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Trinity Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trinity Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of FUCHS SE Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:FUPBY Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 30,455 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 129% from the previous sessions volume of 13,273 shares.The stock last traded at $10.8960 and had previously closed at $10.83. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of FUCHS in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, FUCHS has a consensus rating of Hold. Get FUCHS alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on FUPBY FUCHS Stock Down 1.0% FUCHS Company Profile The stock has a market capitalization of $5.70 billion, a PE ratio of 17.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 2.19, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The companys 50-day moving average is $11.16 and its 200 day moving average is $11.31. (Get Free Report) FUCHS Petrolub SE, traded over the counter under the symbol FUPBY, is a German-based manufacturer specialized in the development, production and marketing of lubricants and related specialty products. Founded in 1931 by Rudolf Fuchs and headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, the company has grown to become the worlds largest independent supplier of lubricants, serving a broad spectrum of industries from automotive and metalworking to mining and renewable energy. The companys product portfolio encompasses engine oils, industrial lubricants, greases, hydraulic fluids, metalworking fluids and process oils, as well as tailor-made solutions for customers specific requirements. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for FUCHS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FUCHS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 304,962 shares, a growth of 148.6% from the January 29th total of 122,670 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,119 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 272.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,119 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 272.5 days. Great Wall Motor Price Performance Shares of GWLLF stock remained flat at $1.70 during trading on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $1.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.97. Great Wall Motor has a 12 month low of $1.38 and a 12 month high of $2.51. Get Great Wall Motor alerts: About Great Wall Motor (Get Free Report) Great Wall Motor Company Limited is a leading Chinese automotive manufacturer based in Baoding, Hebei Province. The company specializes in the design, development and production of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks and electric vehicles. Its portfolio includes the Haval brand of SUVs, the WEY luxury SUV line, the Tank series of off-road vehicles and the ORA electric vehicle brand. Great Wall Motors vertical integration spans steel stamping, welding, painting and final assembly, allowing the company to maintain control over key production processes and quality standards. Founded in 1984 as the Baoding Great Wall Foundry Factory, the company adopted the name Great Wall Motor in 1996 to reflect its automotive ambitions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Great Wall Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Wall Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GSA Capital Partners LLP reduced its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 92.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,649 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 41,790 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLPs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $306,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $3,990,551,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,332,851,000 after purchasing an additional 5,894,747 shares during the last quarter. M&G PLC raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 320.3% in the 3rd quarter. M&G PLC now owns 2,946,277 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $247,487,000 after purchasing an additional 2,245,307 shares during the last quarter. Amundi boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 18.2% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 14,155,753 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,165,868,000 after purchasing an additional 2,180,693 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 8,010.7% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,973,730 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $158,135,000 after purchasing an additional 1,949,395 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week: Insider Buying and Selling at Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 5.8% In other news, EVP Bridget E. Engle sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.10, for a total value of $2,613,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 83,478 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,270,933.80. This trade represents a 26.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, EVP Kleber Santos sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.72, for a total value of $2,193,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 79,876 shares in the company, valued at $7,006,722.72. This trade represents a 23.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders have sold 115,000 shares of company stock valued at $10,050,000 over the last three months. 0.08% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Shares of NYSE:WFC opened at $81.33 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $90.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $86.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $250.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.97, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.09. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $58.42 and a 1 year high of $97.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.90. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.10. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.27% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The firm had revenue of $21.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.63 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.43 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 28.71%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WFC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. HSBC reissued a hold rating and issued a $74.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $104.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $99.00 to $99.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Barclays upped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $85.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $97.03. Read Our Latest Stock Report on WFC About Wells Fargo & Company (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer. Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GSI Capital Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O Free Report) by 31.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 90,128 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 41,979 shares during the quarter. Realty Income comprises 3.1% of GSI Capital Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest position. GSI Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Realty Income were worth $5,479,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in O. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Realty Income during the third quarter worth $29,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its holdings in Realty Income by 586.1% during the third quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 494 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 422 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Realty Income in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Country Trust Bank grew its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 806.5% in the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 562 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of Realty Income in the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.81% of the companys stock. Get Realty Income alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Realty Income from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on Realty Income from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Wall Street Zen raised Realty Income from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Realty Income from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $69.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Realty Income from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 24th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.88. Realty Income Price Performance NYSE O opened at $67.11 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $61.21 and its 200-day moving average is $59.41. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company has a market capitalization of $62.57 billion, a PE ratio of 57.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 0.79. Realty Income Corporation has a 12-month low of $50.71 and a 12-month high of $67.94. Realty Income (NYSE:O Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.08. Realty Income had a net margin of 18.41% and a return on equity of 2.68%. The firm had revenue of $1.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.05 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Realty Income has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.380-4.420 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Realty Income Corporation will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Realty Income Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Realty Incomes dividend payout ratio is presently 276.92%. More Realty Income News Here are the key news stories impacting Realty Income this week: Positive Sentiment: Realty Income announced an $8 billion 2026 investment plan (after ~$6.3B in 2025) to expand globally and access new capital a growth pipeline that supports faster asset deployment and AFFO growth. Read More. Realty Income announced an $8 billion 2026 investment plan (after ~$6.3B in 2025) to expand globally and access new capital a growth pipeline that supports faster asset deployment and AFFO growth. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Q4 results showed revenue above expectations, steady AFFO and 98.9% occupancy; management set FY2026 EPS guidance fundamentals that validate the growth plan and support income stability. Read More. Q4 results showed revenue above expectations, steady AFFO and 98.9% occupancy; management set FY2026 EPS guidance fundamentals that validate the growth plan and support income stability. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Short interest fell ~18.5% in February (to ~27.1M shares), reducing potential downward pressure from short-covering and signaling less bearish positioning. Read More. Short interest fell ~18.5% in February (to ~27.1M shares), reducing potential downward pressure from short-covering and signaling less bearish positioning. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Broker commentary is supportive: Royal Bank of Canada and Stifel commentary flagged upside potential, suggesting institutional analysts see further price appreciation. Read More. Read More. Broker commentary is supportive: Royal Bank of Canada and Stifel commentary flagged upside potential, suggesting institutional analysts see further price appreciation. Read More. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target to $68 but kept a neutral rating a modest endorsement that limits dramatic bullish re-rating. Read More. Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target to $68 but kept a neutral rating a modest endorsement that limits dramatic bullish re-rating. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Media coverage highlights Realty Incomes long dividend track record and inclusion in dividend-stock roundups, which can sustain investor interest but are not new catalysts. Read More. Media coverage highlights Realty Incomes long dividend track record and inclusion in dividend-stock roundups, which can sustain investor interest but are not new catalysts. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Options and fund commentary show increased activity and attention (useful for near-term liquidity/volatility signals), but these are informational rather than directional. Read More. Options and fund commentary show increased activity and attention (useful for near-term liquidity/volatility signals), but these are informational rather than directional. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Investors and analysts remain cautious about interest-rate risk and valuationdebate persists whether current multiple already prices in future rate moves; this caps near-term upside. Read More. About Realty Income (Free Report) Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and manages commercial properties subject primarily to long-term net lease agreements. The companys business model focuses on generating predictable, contractual rental income by leasing properties to tenants under agreements that typically place responsibility for taxes, insurance and maintenance on the tenant. Realty Income is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and markets itself as a reliable income-oriented REIT. Realty Incomes portfolio is concentrated in single-tenant, retail and service-oriented properties such as drugstores, convenience stores, dollar and discount retailers, restaurants, and other essential-service businesses. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding O? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Realty Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Realty Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. We came across a bearish thesis on Stellantis N.V. on r/Valueinvesting by tomtim90. In this article, we will summarize the bears thesis on STLA. Stellantis N.V.'s share was trading at $7.77 as of February 24th. STLAs trailing and forward P/E were 3.19 and 6.49 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. S&P Global (SPGI) Enters a Strategic Data Sharing Agreement with Verisk Copyright: zenstock / 123RF Stock Photo Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. Stellantis is facing a deep fundamental deterioration that suggests materially more downside than upside at current levels. The company recently announced a 22.2 billion write-down alongside a projected significant loss for the second half of 2025, effectively acknowledging that prior earnings were inflated by a failed EV-heavy strategy. Compounding the pressure, management suspended the 2026 dividend to preserve liquidity, removing a key pillar of shareholder support while signaling balance sheet strain. Rather than investing aggressively for future growth, Stellantis is deploying approximately 6.5 billion in cash to terminate contracts and cancel electric vehicle programs such as the Ram 1500 EV, highlighting strategic missteps that are now translating into tangible cash outflows. Operationally, the challenges extend beyond accounting adjustments. The companys aggressive push into higher-priced electrified and hybrid models has been met with quality concerns, including battery failures, recalls, and customer dissatisfaction, particularly within core brands like Jeep and Ram. Dealer inventories remain elevated across CDJR networks, reflecting weak demand for premium trims and EV variants that appear misaligned with the traditional customer base. This inventory buildup pressures pricing, margins, and working capital, further weighing on free cash flow. At the same time, competitive intensity from peers such as Toyota and Ford Motor Company is eroding brand loyalty, raising concerns about market share durability. With earnings resetting lower, leverage likely to rise, capital returns halted, and operational execution under scrutiny, Stellantis appears to be entering a prolonged restructuring phase. Absent a clear catalyst for margin recovery or demand stabilization, the risk profile remains skewed to further downside as fundamentals continue to weaken. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) by Clean_Bag_5433 in January 2025, which highlighted the companys strong balance sheet, net cash position, EV leadership, and high dividend yield. STLA's stock price has depreciated by approximately 40.45% since our coverage. tomtim90 shares a contrarian view but emphasizes on deteriorating fundamentals, a 22.2B write-down, dividend suspension, and downside risks. Hermes International SA Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:HESAY Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 15,531 shares, a growth of 125.3% from the January 29th total of 6,893 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 106,556 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 106,556 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently issued reports on HESAY. Barclays downgraded Hermes International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Hermes International from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hermes International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Hermes International alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Hermes International Hermes International Trading Down 1.4% About Hermes International OTCMKTS HESAY traded down $3.33 during trading on Friday, reaching $241.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 33,632 shares, compared to its average volume of 54,669. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $248.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $247.60. Hermes International has a 1-year low of $232.01 and a 1-year high of $294.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 4.50 and a quick ratio of 3.65. (Get Free Report) Hermes International is a French luxury goods company renowned for its high-end leather goods, scarves, ready-to-wear apparel, watches, jewelry, fragrances and home accessories. Founded in 1837 as a harness and bridle workshop, the firm has evolved into one of the worlds most recognizable luxury maisons, known for artisanal craftsmanship, quality materials and a focus on timeless design. The company is headquartered in Paris and maintains a strong heritage identity that influences its product development and brand positioning. Key product categories include leather goods and iconic handbags, silk scarves and ties, fashion and accessories, timepieces and fine jewelry, as well as fragrances and selected home collections. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hermes International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hermes International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LON:HIK) used its 2025 full-year results Q&A to outline a renewed focus on long-term investment and decision-making, with management emphasizing that recent performance in Injectables reflected both near-term headwinds and a deliberate reset tied to higher spending on R&D, commercial resources, and capacity initiatives. Get alerts: Leadership changes and management priorities Chief Executive Officer Said Darwazah said his decision to return to the CEO role was driven by a belief that the company had become too focused on short-term wins, including an over-focus on Injectable margins. Darwazah said he stepped down from the chair position to concentrate fully on the CEO role for the next two years, aiming to provide stability and clear direction. Injectables: reset year, margin outlook, and growth drivers He described three overarching priorities: stability, agility, and investment. Darwazah said Hikma is working to decentralize decision-making and empower teams across the business, including plant managers, to act faster. He also said Hikma has increased investment plans, including moving the R&D budget out of the segments and making it a corporate-level decision to prevent budget reductions aimed at meeting near-term targets. Management acknowledged challenges for the Injectables business in 2025 and 2026. Deputy CEO North America and Europe Khalid Nabilsi cited reduced CMO contribution as a key issue, noting that one major customer is shifting some manufacturing to domestic U.S. productioncapacity Hikma said it cannot fully offer until the Bedford facility is ramped and commercialized in 2028. Nabilsi also pointed to delayed product launches and lower optimism around a small biosimilar component, including liraglutide. On profitability, executives discussed the shift in Injectables margins from the mid-30% range to guidance of 27%28%. Darwazah said the lower level is tied to stepped-up investment and should not be interpreted as a structural market change. Nabilsi said price erosion in the core business remained in the low- to mid-single-digit range, excluding two top products, and characterized market conditions as competitive but not abnormal. Executives attributed the margin pressure to several factors, including: Higher R&D spending, with Nabilsi citing an increase of about $15 million year-over-year in Injectables R&D and another executive later referencing a roughly $45 million year-over-year increase in overall R&D spending; Increased sales and marketing investment, including expanded hiring in the U.S. Injectables commercial organization; CMO mix changes and reduced CMO volume from a customer shifting manufacturing locations; Greater use of third-party supply, which management said has increased over the last few years and is less profitable than internal production; Mix effects from growth in MENA Injectables, which management described as less profitable than U.S. and Europe Injectables. Nabilsi said that excluding MENA, Injectables margins in Europe and North America are north 30%. He also said investors could consider the 27%28% margin range as applicable for the next few years, though the company does not intend to reject sub-30% opportunities if they support profit and EPS growth. Looking further out, management repeatedly pointed to 2027 as an inflection year and 2028 as a key timeframe for larger benefits from capacity and pipeline initiatives. Darwazah and Nabilsi said they expect a stronger outlook from 2027 onward, while emphasizing that 20252026 represent a challenging period. Ready-to-use platform and TYZAVAN launch Hikma highlighted its ready-to-use (RTU) platform as a longer-term Injectables growth driver. Hafrun Fridriksdottir, President, U.S. and Global Head of R&D, said the company has about 15 RTU products in its pipeline, with launches expected to begin in early 2028. Bill Larkins, who leads the U.S. Injectables commercial business, provided detail on the TYZAVAN launch, describing it as a system and a process change for hospitals. He said vancomycin is widely used in the U.S. and that Hikma had already converted 13% of the overall gram market with an existing vancomycin RTU bag product. Larkins said the launch momentum is very active and very encouraging, but described adoption as a progression as health systems adjust workflows, systems, and protocols. He also said successful integration of TYZAVAN should help adoption of future RTU bag products. CMO strategy: capacity buildout and potential fourth division Management repeatedly pointed to CMO/CDMO as a growing focus, particularly tied to U.S. domestic manufacturing demand. Darwazah said Hikma is increasing capacity at its Cherry Hill plant by addressing bottlenecks and is working to modernize and re-engineer the Bedford site, which he described as central to larger CMO expansion. Executives stressed that CMO programs typically require long lead times, including equipment procurement, installation, qualification, and FDA approvals. Darwazah said large CMO orders often anticipate delivery two to three years after signing due to tech transfers and regulatory steps. Hikma said it is recruiting a head of CMO and described the desired profile as a senior leader with extensive industry experience, contacts, and strong negotiation capabilities. Darwazah noted that contract structure and pricing can significantly affect profitability, underscoring the importance of negotiation and contracting expertise. In response to a question about organizational design, Darwazah said CMO could be a fourth division. Rx and Branded: momentum, CMO contribution, and pipeline updates While much of the discussion centered on Injectables, management emphasized that Hikma has three divisions and said two are performing strongly. Darwazah cited MENA growth and improved performance in the Rx business, referencing margins close to 20% and prior commentary that Rx EBIT had improved significantly versus earlier targets. On Rx, Nabilsi said CMO revenue is expected to be about 10% of the Rx business in 2025 and described a longer-term goal of reaching 20% by 2030. He said Hikma would not disclose customer names, but indicated the company is working with multiple customers and negotiating additional contracts. Nabilsi also said base Rx products such as Advair and fluticasone continued to perform well, describing the business as stable early in the year. On sodium oxybate (Xyrem), management said it had renegotiated a better deal for this year and next year and expects improved profitability versus last year, when it had weighed on Rx results. Fridriksdottir provided an update on nasal epinephrine, stating that an additional FDA-required study is ongoing and that Hikma plans to submit in the U.S. after a few months. She said the product was filed in the U.K. last year, will be filed in Europe, and that Hikma is in discussions to out-license it in Europe. She added that close work with the FDA could shorten the review timeline. Separately, management said it expects to begin providing additional disclosure over time around segment margins excluding R&D, following the shift to centralized R&D budgeting, with a potential bridge of with and without R&D in future reporting. In closing remarks, Darwazah said Hikma is taking quicker decisions, investing in people and capabilities, and remains confident in returning to stronger growth. He also referenced increased attention to how artificial intelligence could be implemented across the company to support performance. About Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LON:HIK) At Hikma we help put better health within reach, every day. By creating high-quality medicines and making them accessible to the people who need them, we help to shape a healthier world that enriches all our communities. We help deliver this by living our culture, delivering our strategy, and acting responsibly. We are a trusted, reliable partner and dependable source of over 800+ (as of Feb 2025) high-quality generic, specialty and branded pharmaceutical products that hospitals, physicians and pharmacists need to treat their patients across North America, MENA and Europe. Featured Stories Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.01, Zacks reports. Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative net margin of 69.12% and a negative return on equity of 19.52%. The company had revenue of $256.03 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.02 million. Hudson Pacific Properties updated its FY 2026 guidance to 0.960-1.060 EPS. Here are the key takeaways from Hudson Pacific Properties conference call: Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts: Hudson Pacific says it materially strengthened its balance sheet in 2025executing ~ $330 million of asset sales and ~ $2 billion of capital transactions, cutting net debt ~22% and finishing with $138 million cash and $934 million total liquidity. of asset sales and ~ of capital transactions, cutting net debt ~22% and finishing with cash and total liquidity. Leasing momentum acceleratedmanagement signed over 2.2 million sq ft in 2025, reports a 2.3 million sq ft leasing pipeline and tours up >50% YoY, with Q4 office occupancy at 76.3% and only ~ 1 million sq ft expiring in 2026 (60% coverage). sq ft in 2025, reports a sq ft leasing pipeline and tours up >50% YoY, with Q4 office occupancy at and only ~ sq ft expiring in 2026 (60% coverage). The Quixote studio platform took a significant noncash impairment in Q4 and is being wound down/restructured; management targets eliminating its earnings drag by yearend but acknowledged valuation and timing remain uncertain and Quixote contributed no value to 2026 guidance. Management reinstated fullyear FFO guidance of $0.96$1.06 per diluted share, expects sequential FFO growth beginning in Q2 2026, and set average inservice office occupancy guidance of 80%82% . per diluted share, expects sequential FFO growth beginning in Q2 2026, and set average inservice office occupancy guidance of . Continued capital disciplinemanagement is targeting an additional $200M$300M of 2026 asset sales prioritized to be FFOaccretive and deleveraging (example: marketing 10950 Washington reentitled for 508 residential units with strong JV/buyer interest). Hudson Pacific Properties Price Performance NYSE:HPP traded down $0.49 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $7.20. 2,105,180 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,681,112. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. Hudson Pacific Properties has a 52-week low of $5.55 and a 52-week high of $23.52. The company has a market cap of $390.46 million, a P/E ratio of -0.55 and a beta of 1.49. The firms fifty day moving average price is $8.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $14.10. Key Stories Impacting Hudson Pacific Properties Analysts Set New Price Targets Here are the key news stories impacting Hudson Pacific Properties this week: Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company set a $2.60 target price on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $13.00 price objective on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a research note on Monday, December 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $14.50 price target on Hudson Pacific Properties and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $7.00 price objective (down from $13.30) on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Hudson Pacific Properties currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $14.64. Get Our Latest Research Report on Hudson Pacific Properties Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hudson Pacific Properties Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Hudson Pacific Properties in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Hudson Pacific Properties in the third quarter valued at about $30,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Hudson Pacific Properties during the third quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties during the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.58% of the companys stock. Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a self-managed real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, development and management of high-quality office and studio properties. The companys portfolio spans strategic West Coast markets in the United States and key markets in Canada, providing space for technology, media and creative companies as well as major film and television producers. As an owner and operator of both traditional office buildings and specialized production facilities, Hudson Pacific seeks to deliver stable income through long-term leases and strategic property enhancements. In its office segment, Hudson Pacific targets markets with strong job growth and limited supply, including Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Diego and Seattle, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingevity (NYSE:NGVT) executives told investors the company delivered higher profitability and cash flow in 2025 despite lower sales, while continuing to reshape its portfolio through divestitures and planned asset sale processes. Management also outlined 2026 guidance that excludes the recently divested Industrial Specialties product line and assumes no meaningful global economic recovery. Get alerts: Portfolio actions and strategic targets CEO Dave Li reminded listeners that the company shared results of its strategic portfolio review in early December and laid out plans to grow adjusted earnings per share by 10% and free cash flow per share by 5% through 2027. The company also announced it would initiate sales processes for its Advanced Polymer Technologies (APT) segment and Road Markings product line. Full-year 2025 results: higher EBITDA and cash flow despite lower sales Li confirmed that on Jan. 1, 2026, Ingevity completed the sale of its North Charleston CTO refinery and the majority of the Industrial Specialties product line to Mainstream Pine Products. He said the transaction reduces portfolio volatility, strengthens the companys profitability and cash flow profile, and enhances strategic flexibility. Senior Vice President of Finance and incoming CFO Phil Platt said total company 2025 sales were $1.3 billion, down 8% year-over-year. Performance Materials sales were flat versus 2024 despite lower auto production, while Performance Chemicals sales fell by $86 million, primarily due to repositioning actions within Industrial Specialties. Platt said APT continued to face weak demand tied to indirect tariff impacts and competitive pressure. On a GAAP basis, Ingevity reported a net loss of $167 million, which included $337 million of pre-tax special charges. Platt said those charges were primarily a non-cash goodwill impairment of $184 million in APT and a non-cash asset impairment of $109 million in Road Markings. Excluding special charges, management highlighted improved profitability in 2025: Adjusted gross profit of $556 million, up 6.8% year-over-year, with gross margin expanding 610 basis points. Total adjusted EBITDA of $398 million, up 10% year-over-year, with margin expanding 500 basis points to 30.8%. Diluted adjusted EPS of $4.55, up 30%. Li said the company grew total adjusted EBITDA by almost 10% compared to 2024 while delivering industry-leading margins of over 30%. He said 2025 free cash flow totaled $274 million, slightly exceeding commitments, and the company used cash to pay down debt, reduce leverage to 2.6x, and repurchase more than 1 million shares. Platt added that free cash flow was the highest level generated in the past five years and exceeded the companys updated guidance from November. He attributed the year-over-year improvement to the absence of roughly $180 million in cash outflows tied to Performance Chemicals repositioning, higher earnings, and a working capital benefit in Industrial Specialties. Ingevity spent $56 million to repurchase about 1 million shares in 2025 and ended the year with just under $300 million remaining under its authorization. Segment performance: resilience in Performance Materials; seasonality set to increase in Pavement-related businesses Performance Materials posted 2025 sales of $607 million, in line with the prior year, which Platt said was notable given that 2024 was a record year. He cited disruptions across the automotive industry, including tariff uncertainty, fires, and chip shortages. Volumes were slightly lower, but pricing helped keep sales essentially flat. Segment EBITDA declined 2% due to lower volume and higher SG&A, though EBITDA margin remained 53.8%. Li said Performance Materials continues to generate EBITDA margins above 50% and described a long runway supported by adoption of hybrids and fuel-efficient internal combustion engine vehicles. For Performance Chemicals, results discussed on the call included both continuing and discontinued operations because the divested Industrial Specialties business was included in the segments historical figures. Management said Road Technologies has been split into Pavement Technologies and Road Markings, with Road Markings now presented separately due to the sales process underway. Platt said Pavement Technologies sales were flat year-over-year, with NAFTA volume growth offset by lower infrastructure spending in South America; pricing and mix were favorable. Road Markings volumes grew slightly but the business faced ongoing price pressure from competition. Total segment EBITDA for Performance Chemicals increased by $45 million year-over-year, driven by repositioning actions that lowered raw material costs, improved logistics costs, and created a more efficient manufacturing footprint. Platt said these actions improved Industrial Specialties EBITDA by $40 million year-over-year. On a continuing basis (Pavement Technologies plus Road Markings), EBITDA rose by $7 million, or 12%, supported by pricing, mix, and lower raw materials, partially offset by volume declines and higher SG&A. Combined segment EBITDA margin expanded to 13.5% from 4% the prior year. In Q&A, Platt said seasonality will become more pronounced now that Industrial Specialties is no longer part of the portfolio, estimating roughly 90% of annual EBITDA and 75% of sales for the Pavement/Road Markings businesses will occur in the second and third quarters. APT sales declined 15% in 2025, and segment EBITDA fell 18% due to volume declines that more than offset improved operating efficiency. Platt said the business faced continued weak demand in automotive, footwear, and industrial end markets, and competitive dynamics in China pressured sales, particularly in paint protection film. Despite that, he said pricing and mix were stable, and operational discipline plus favorable foreign exchange supported an EBITDA margin of 20%. 2026 guidance and key items investors asked about Li said 2026 guidance includes a full year of APT and Road Markings but excludes the divested Industrial Specialties product line. He said sales processes for APT and Road Markings are underway and that the company is encouraged by interest in both, while emphasizing a focus on value. In response to an analyst question, Li said the company continues to expect to announce something before the end of the year, and management will update guidance as processes advance. For 2026, the company guided to: Adjusted EPS of $4.08 to $5.20 Sales of $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion Adjusted EBITDA of $380 million to $400 million Capex of $40 million to $60 million Free cash flow of $225 million to $250 million Li noted free cash flow guidance excludes approximately $95 million in pre-tax litigation-related payments to BASF expected in the second quarter. He said Ingevity plans to use free cash flow to continue share repurchases in line with its prior guidance of $300 million through 2027, and he added that the company repurchased almost $20 million of shares in the first quarter. Platt said the $300 million buyback plan does not assume any proceeds from potential APT or Road Markings sales and is expected to be executed on a ratable cadence. Management also discussed expectations by segment. Performance Materials sales are expected to grow low single digits, supported by price increases in automotive, with margins consistent with 2025. Performance Chemicals, including Road Markings, is expected to grow mid-single digits with EBITDA margins in the mid-teens. APT is expected to deliver flat to low single-digit growth with margins around 20% as commercial and productivity actions offset market pressures. In Q&A, Platt said the company expects to eliminate $15 million of stranded costs by year-end, with a cadence weighted more to the back half of 2026; he said some costs are tied to a transition services agreement the company expects to wrap up mid-year. Li also addressed longer-term market drivers for Performance Materials, citing the potential impact of China 7 emissions regulations (which he said could be adopted toward the end of the decade) and the possibility of tightening emissions standards in India. He also said Ingevity is focusing on higher-value filtration applicationssuch as water, pharma, and food and beveragewhile describing the filtration contribution in guidance as a pretty small base expected to expand over the next couple of years. In closing remarks, Li described new Ingevity as simplified, more predictable, and highly cash generative, and said the company is committed to returning cash to investors. He also acknowledged outgoing CFO Mary Dean Hall, noting the call was her last earnings call with the company. About Ingevity (NYSE:NGVT) Ingevity Corporation, traded as NGVT, is a specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina. The company operates two primary business units: Performance Chemicals and Performance Materials. The Performance Chemicals segment produces and markets specialty chemicals derived largely from wood and other natural feedstocks, including rosin acids, tall oil fatty acids and esters, as well as specialty petroleum resins. These products serve a broad range of industries, including paper, adhesives, coatings, oilfield drilling and consumer goods. The Performance Materials segment develops and manufactures activated carbon products and composites for applications such as automotive emissions control, industrial air and water purification, and spill containment. Recommended Stories Intech Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL Free Report) by 26.7% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 12,248 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 4,457 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLCs holdings in Tyler Technologies were worth $6,408,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TYL. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Tyler Technologies during the first quarter valued at $38,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in Tyler Technologies by 17.8% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 251 shares of the technology companys stock worth $146,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in Tyler Technologies during the 1st quarter worth $2,102,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Tyler Technologies by 137.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 69 shares of the technology companys stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its position in shares of Tyler Technologies by 22.7% in the 2nd quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 2,384 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,413,000 after buying an additional 441 shares during the last quarter. 93.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Tyler Technologies alerts: Tyler Technologies Price Performance NYSE TYL opened at $354.86 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.91. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $397.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $468.31. Tyler Technologies, Inc. has a one year low of $283.71 and a one year high of $626.56. Insider Activity at Tyler Technologies Tyler Technologies ( NYSE:TYL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The technology company reported $2.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by ($0.07). The business had revenue of $575.18 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $591.09 million. Tyler Technologies had a return on equity of 10.42% and a net margin of 13.53%.Tyler Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.43 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Tyler Technologies, Inc. will post 8.52 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, insider Abigail Marshall Diaz-Pedrosa acquired 610 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $325.08 per share, with a total value of $198,298.80. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 1,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at $365,064.84. This trade represents a 118.91% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Andrew D. Teed bought 1,600 shares of Tyler Technologies stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $309.91 per share, with a total value of $495,856.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 5,118 shares in the company, valued at $1,586,119.38. This trade represents a 45.48% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 2,500 shares of company stock valued at $1,136,525 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TYL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on Tyler Technologies from $510.00 to $450.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 13th. BTIG Research decreased their target price on shares of Tyler Technologies from $560.00 to $470.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $543.00 price target (down from $671.00) on shares of Tyler Technologies in a report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $750.00 price target on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Tyler Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $467.54. View Our Latest Analysis on Tyler Technologies About Tyler Technologies (Free Report) Tyler Technologies, Inc is a provider of software and technology services for the public sector, delivering integrated systems that help government and public agencies manage operations, finances and citizen services. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company focuses on developing and implementing solutions for local and state governments, school districts, courts and public safety organizations. Its offerings are aimed at modernizing administrative workflows, improving transparency and enabling digital interactions between governments and the communities they serve. Tylers product portfolio spans enterprise resource planning and financial management, tax and billing systems, court case and records management, public safety solutions (including computer-aided dispatch and records management), land and property management, permitting and licensing, and enterprise asset management. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TYL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Tyler Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tyler Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Investor AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:IVSBF Get Free Report) shot up 1.1% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $41.85 and last traded at $41.85. 487 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 95% from the average session volume of 9,966 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.40. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Citigroup reissued a sell rating on shares of Investor AB (publ) in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Sell. Get Investor AB (publ) alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on IVSBF Investor AB (publ) Price Performance About Investor AB (publ) The company has a 50-day moving average price of $38.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $34.15. (Get Free Report) Investor AB (publ) is a Stockholmbased investment company with a diversified portfolio spanning industrial, automotive, financial and life science sectors. As one of Europes leading active owners, Investor AB combines strategic longterm shareholdings in publicly traded companies with targeted private equity investments and venture capital initiatives. The group seeks to foster sustainable growth through board representation, strategic guidance and valueadded partnerships, prioritizing companies with strong market positions and potential for innovation. The companys public equity holdings include notable global names such as ABB, Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Saab and Volvo, alongside a significant stake in SEB. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Investor AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Investor AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ithaca Energy plc (LON:ITH Get Free Report) traded up 1.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 217 and last traded at GBX 217. 1,760,930 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 3,685,414 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 213.50. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Ithaca Energy from GBX 220 to GBX 210 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 205. Get Ithaca Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on ITH Ithaca Energy Stock Up 2.3% Insiders Place Their Bets The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 177.88 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 189.93. The firm has a market capitalization of 3.66 billion and a P/E ratio of -29.59. In related news, insider Yaniv Friedman bought 32,476 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 174 per share, with a total value of 56,508.24. In the last ninety days, insiders have bought 40,282 shares of company stock valued at $7,012,644. Company insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock. Ithaca Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ithaca Energy is a leading UK independent exploration and production company focused on the UK North Sea with a strong track record of material value creation. In recent years, the Company has been focused on growing its portfolio of assets through both organic investment programmes and acquisitions and has seen a period of significant M&A driven growth centred upon two transformational acquisitions. Today, Ithaca Energy is one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (the UKCS), with stakes in six of the ten largest fields in the UKCS and two of UKCSs largest pre-development fields. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ithaca Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ithaca Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (NYSE:MEC Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $22.75. Several equities research analysts recently commented on MEC shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Mayville Engineering in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research lowered shares of Mayville Engineering from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Mayville Engineering from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Northland Securities lowered shares of Mayville Engineering from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $20.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Get Mayville Engineering alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Mayville Engineering Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mayville Engineering In other Mayville Engineering news, Director Steven L. Fisher sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.11, for a total transaction of $191,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 30,482 shares of the companys stock, valued at $582,511.02. This represents a 24.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 7.20% of the companys stock. A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bailard Inc. purchased a new position in Mayville Engineering during the second quarter worth about $284,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Mayville Engineering by 21.8% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 306,982 shares of the companys stock worth $4,899,000 after buying an additional 54,843 shares during the last quarter. 22NW LP purchased a new stake in shares of Mayville Engineering during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,481,000. CenterBook Partners LP grew its position in Mayville Engineering by 86.8% in the third quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 177,659 shares of the companys stock worth $2,445,000 after acquiring an additional 82,573 shares during the period. Finally, SummerHaven Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Mayville Engineering in the third quarter worth approximately $712,000. 45.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Mayville Engineering Stock Performance Shares of MEC stock opened at $20.96 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Mayville Engineering has a 12-month low of $11.72 and a 12-month high of $22.36. The businesss 50 day moving average is $19.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.86. The company has a market capitalization of $425.95 million, a P/E ratio of 36.14 and a beta of 1.09. About Mayville Engineering (Get Free Report) Mayville Engineering Company, Inc (NYSE:MEC) is a U.S.-based industrial manufacturer specializing in engineered metal castings and precision machining services. Headquartered in Mayville, Wisconsin, the company leverages over a century of casting experience to design, produce and finish complex metal components for a broad range of heavy-duty applications. The company operates two principal business segments: iron castings and steel castings. Its iron segment utilizes green sand and lost-foam molding processes to produce gray and ductile iron components, while the steel segment employs electric-arc furnace technology to manufacture high-strength steel castings. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mayville Engineering Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mayville Engineering and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Tripoli Bancorp, Inc. (OTC:NTBP Get Free Report) shares traded down 4.9% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $975.00 and last traded at $975.00. 17 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 76% from the average session volume of 72 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,025.00. New Tripoli Bancorp Stock Performance The stocks 50-day moving average price is $1,121.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,145.27. New Tripoli Bancorp Company Profile (Get Free Report) New Tripoli Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for New Tripoli Bank that provides personal and business banking products and services. The company offers checking and savings, individual retirement, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; personal, home, auto, recreational vehicle, term, commercial mortgage, and interest-only demand loans, as well as commercial credit lines and debit and credit cards. It also provides cash management and investment, and online and mobile banking services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for New Tripoli Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Tripoli Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (BATS:NUMG Get Free Report) traded up 1.9% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $44.42 and last traded at $44.39. 16,116 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 44% from the average session volume of 28,940 shares. The stock had previously closed at $43.58. Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF Trading Down 0.8% The firm has a market capitalization of $369.77 million, a PE ratio of 31.07 and a beta of 1.12. The firms fifty day moving average price is $46.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $47.47. Get Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $632,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 7.2% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 382,679 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,541,000 after acquiring an additional 25,569 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 19.6% in the second quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 10,207 shares of the companys stock valued at $495,000 after acquiring an additional 1,674 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the third quarter valued at $271,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 277,743 shares of the companys stock worth $13,496,000 after purchasing an additional 9,708 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF Company Profile The Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Mid Cap Growth index. The fund tracks an index composed of mid-cap US companies with growth characteristics that also meet certain environmental, social, and governance criteria. NUMG was launched on Dec 13, 2016 and is managed by Nuveen. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) is among the most promising education stocks according to hedge funds. On February 7, TheFly reported that Eric Sheridan from Goldman Sachs trimmed the price target on Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) to $6 from $9 and maintained a Sell rating. According to the analyst, the company delivered a strong FY25 operating performance in the consumer segment despite a muted enterprise environment. The analyst advised investors to focus on topline progression and how initiatives advance into 2026. KeyBanc also cut the price target on Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) to $10, down from $12, and reiterated an Overweight rating on February 6. The downward price target revision came after the companys Q4 results, which demonstrated a 2.9% jump in total revenue, thanks to the Consumer and Enterprise segments. Street Confidence Builds Around Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Perhaps even more interesting is the initial 2026 revenue growth guidance of 6-8%, which is higher than the streets projection of 5.8%. The firms price trim is driven by a recent pullback in valuation, with KeyBanc supporting Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR)s long-term potential in the Enterprise segment. Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR) is a California-based global provider of online educational services. Founded in 2011, the online learning platform operates through two segments: Consumer and Enterprise. While we acknowledge the potential of COUR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Pearson (NYSE:PSO) executives used the companys 2025 full-year results presentation to emphasize what CEO Omar Abbosh described as strong secular demand for skilling and the validation of skills, driven by demographic shifts and the advance of AI. Management said 2025 delivered results in line with expectations and showed significant strategic progress, while guidance for 2026 calls for further improvement in the financial profile. Get alerts: 2025 results: growth, margin expansion, and strong cash generation For 2025, Pearson reported 4% sales growth, with underlying adjusted operating profit up 6% to GBP 614 million. Adjusted operating profit margin expanded to 17.2% from 16.9%, which CFO Sally Johnson said came despite currency headwinds. Adjusted EPS rose 4% to, reflecting solid trading and a reduced share count from buybacks, partially offset by higher interest costs. Johnson noted adjusted EPS grew Cash performance remained a central theme. Free cash flow increased 8%, with free cash flow conversion of 125% including a state aid tax recovery, and 98% excluding it. Pearson increased its dividend by 5% and began a further GBP 350 million share buyback program. Year-end leverage was 1.3x, below Pearsons stated medium-term cap of 2x EBITDA. Business unit highlights: virtual learning strength and steady performance elsewhere Pearsons business-unit commentary highlighted accelerating performance in several areas, particularly in the second half. Assessments & Qualifications (A&Q): Sales grew 4%, with management pointing to stronger second-half performance. Executives cited strength in clinical assessment and qualifications, digital growth, and international expansion. The company also referenced scope extensions and new awards with enterprises including Google and ACCA, and noted adjacent-market progress in U.S. student assessment through a partnership with McGraw Hill. Sales grew 4%, with management pointing to stronger second-half performance. Executives cited strength in clinical assessment and qualifications, digital growth, and international expansion. The company also referenced scope extensions and new awards with enterprises including Google and ACCA, and noted adjacent-market progress in U.S. student assessment through a partnership with McGraw Hill. Virtual Learning: This unit delivered a standout year, with second-half sales up 18%. Johnson said fall enrollments increased 13%, aided by enhancements to the enrollment platform, improved retention, targeted marketing, career academies, and strong underlying market growth. Segment margin increased to 16% on operating leverage. This unit delivered a standout year, with second-half sales up 18%. Johnson said fall enrollments increased 13%, aided by enhancements to the enrollment platform, improved retention, targeted marketing, career academies, and strong underlying market growth. Segment margin increased to 16% on operating leverage. Higher Education: Pearson reported faster growth than 2024 despite a K-12 transition and challenging international conditions. Management highlighted strength in Inclusive Access, while also pointing to execution and platform simplification opportunities as areas for improvement in 2026. Pearson reported faster growth than 2024 despite a K-12 transition and challenging international conditions. Management highlighted strength in Inclusive Access, while also pointing to execution and platform simplification opportunities as areas for improvement in 2026. English Language Learning (ELL): ELL continued to grow, driven by institutional demand. Pearson said PTE revenue was flat year-on-year, outperforming a market where global volumes declined about 15%, and management emphasized market share gains. ELL continued to grow, driven by institutional demand. Pearson said PTE revenue was flat year-on-year, outperforming a market where global volumes declined about 15%, and management emphasized market share gains. Enterprise Learning and Skills (ELS): The unit grew 6%, with management citing strength in vocational qualifications and momentum in enterprise solutions, which grew 20% in Q4. AI and operational efficiencies: productivity gains and flight to safety theme Abbosh positioned AI as both a product and operational catalyst. The company described embedding AI-based innovation across products and services and said it is seeing tangible improvements in learner engagement and outcomes. Pearson highlighted statistics presented during the event, including that students using Pearsons AI were said to be 24 times more likely to become active readers, alongside measures of higher-order learning behaviors. On operations, Pearson discussed AI-enabled cost optimization and process improvements. Management said teams using AI content development tools reduced content editing time by at least 40%, translation costs by nearly a third, and content alignment costs by a quarter. AI customer service agents handled more than 130,000 customer interactions, with roughly a 40% reduction in volumes where agents were deployed. In 2025, Pearson generated about 200 basis points of margin through cost savings, which Abbosh said were being reinvested. In Q&A, Abbosh argued Pearson is less exposed to risks faced by purely digital, direct-to-consumer models. He said AI-driven proliferation of low-quality content and deepfakes is contributing to a giant flight to safety, with greater demand for trusted sources, verified identities, and validated skillsareas he said align with Pearsons role in assessment and verification. Enterprise partnerships and backlog: multi-year commitments through 2030 Management repeatedly pointed to enterprise as a key medium-term growth vector. Abbosh said Pearson has revenue commitments from nine leading technology and services companies and described hundreds of millions of dollars in incremental cumulative revenue commitments through 2030, alongside hundreds of millions of locked-in revenues with existing customers. Executives described these relationships as encompassing Pearson selling to partners, Pearson buying engineering services and AI capabilities from partners, and joint innovation/go-to-market efforts. Examples cited included integrating learning products to support Amazons workforce development, English language assessments for TCS, certifications at scale for Google through Pearson Professional Assessments, Credly as a credentialing partner to Microsofts skilling platform, and sales skilling for IBM and Cognizant. Abbosh also addressed questions about the risk of pricing tied to employment levels, stating that enterprise partnership economics are based on hard commits and dollars, and characterizing the backlog as legally contracted. 2026 outlook: mid-single-digit growth and higher profit guidance For 2026, Pearson guided to mid-single-digit sales growth and adjusted operating profit of GBP 640 million to GBP 685 million at FX rates as at the end of 2025. Free cash conversion is expected to be 90% to 100%. Management guided to an effective tax rate of about 25% and interest of around GBP 80 million, reflecting the new buyback program. Johnson said guidance includes new investment and higher-than-average transformation costs weighted to the first half. By segment, management expects A&Q to grow low-to-mid single digits, with Q1 impacted by the loss of the New Jersey contract and headwinds at PDRI, before returning to growth in later quarters. Virtual Learning is expected to grow even more strongly than in 2025 on a full year of enrollment growth. Pearson expects Higher Education and English to grow more than in 2025, with English benefiting from PTE returning to growth and continued market share gains. ELS growth is expected to be driven by vocational qualifications and strategic account growth in enterprise solutions. Pearson also discussed a leadership transition: Abbosh congratulated Johnson on her 26-year career at Pearson and said the company expects to introduce incoming CFO Simon Robson, previously Group CFO at Sky, in the coming months. About Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Pearson plc is a global education company headquartered in London, England, with significant operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Tracing its roots back to 1844, Pearson evolved from its early beginnings into one of the worlds leading providers of educational content, digital learning tools, and assessment services. The companys American subsidiary trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PSO. Pearsons core business encompasses a broad portfolio of products and services for learners, educators, and institutions. Further Reading Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (NYSE:PRSU) executives highlighted record financial performance in 2025, outlined a portfolio reshaping that included acquisitions and an agreed sale of the companys FlyOver business, and introduced Vision 2030 financial targets during the companys fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call. Get alerts: Record 2025 results and operating highlights President and CEO David Barry said 2025 represented the companys best results ever, citing broad-based growth across the portfolio and continued improvements in guest experience scores. Pursuit reported serving 4.2 million attraction visitors and 439,000 room nights during the year. Chief Financial Officer Bo Heitz said full-year revenue increased 23% year over year to $452.4 million. He attributed the growth primarily to the recovery at the companys Jasper properties, which were temporarily closed in the second half of 2024 due to wildfire activity, as well as contributions from new experiences, yield optimization, and continued demand across the portfolio. Excluding Jasper properties that were temporarily closed in the prior year and new experiences not operated for all of both periods, Heitz said revenue rose $29.7 million, or 10%. Adjusted EBITDA rose $40.1 million to $117.1 million, supported by revenue growth, operating leverage, cost discipline, and a 500 basis point improvement in margin to 26%, management said. Net income attributable to Pursuit (including discontinued operations) was $22.7 million compared with $368.5 million in the prior year, with Heitz noting the year-over-year change was primarily due to the sale of GES in 2024. Adjusted net income was $33.5 million, up from $3.7 million a year earlier. On operating metrics, the company reported: Attractions: ticket revenue of $201.0 million, up 24%, with visitors up 12% on Jaspers recovery, new attractions, and demand. Same-store constant-currency effective ticket price increased 9% versus 2024, excluding Jaspers temporary closures and new attractions. ticket revenue of $201.0 million, up 24%, with visitors up 12% on Jaspers recovery, new attractions, and demand. Same-store constant-currency effective ticket price increased 9% versus 2024, excluding Jaspers temporary closures and new attractions. Hospitality: lodging room revenue of $105.0 million, up 28%, driven by Jaspers recovery, new lodging, and improvement in same-store ADR and occupancy. Same-store constant-currency RevPAR increased 7%, excluding Jaspers temporary closures and new lodging. Strategic actions: acquisitions, ownership simplification, FlyOver sale, and buybacks Barry framed 2025 as part of a disciplined transformation built around the companys Refresh, Build, Buy strategy, focused on growing sightseeing attractions and hospitality experiences in iconic destinations. Management reviewed several transactions and capital actions: In July 2025, Pursuit entered Costa Rica through the acquisition of Tabacon, described as a thermal river attraction and luxury hospitality experience. In September 2025, the company acquired full ownership of its Glacier Park subsidiary. In December 2025, Pursuit purchased the minority interest in FlyOver Iceland, which management said helped simplify the capital structure and eliminated $25 million of non-controlling interest liabilities. In January 2026, Pursuit entered into an agreement to sell its non-core FlyOver business at a premium valuation of approximately 15x 2025 adjusted EBITDA, with closing expected in the spring. The company returned $14.5 million to shareholders through share repurchases. Vision 2030 targets: revenue, margins, and a large investment pipeline Pursuit introduced long-term financial targets it expects to achieve by 2030, excluding FlyOver. Barry said the company is targeting revenue of more than $845 million by 2030, and management believes it can sustain a double-digit compound annual growth rate through the period. The company also set an adjusted EBITDA target of more than $265 million by 2030more than 2.3 times current levelswith an adjusted EBITDA margin of more than 30%. Barry said the companys growth plan is supported by four levers: improving performance across existing experiences, organic Refresh and Build investments, strategic acquisitions, and opportunistic share repurchases. He emphasized that Pursuit applies a 15%+ IRR hurdle rate for investments. Management also described a Refresh and Build pipeline of more than $300 million planned from 2026 to 2030, aimed at expanding capacity and unlocking additional yield. Barry pointed to Golden Sky Bridge as an example of expanding an attraction into a broader multi-experience adventure park, which management said has increased total revenue per visitor and improved guest experience scores. During Q&A, executives said they expect the majority of growth to continue coming from organic initiatives, while acquisitions remain an important component of the longer-term plan. They noted that the timing of individual transactions can be difficult to predict and that the company can balance the pace of organic investments depending on the acquisition environment. 2026 outlook: EBITDA guidance, FlyOver assumptions, and major projects For 2026, Pursuit guided to adjusted EBITDA of $123 million to $133 million, representing about 9% growth at the midpoint versus 2025. The guidance includes approximately $0.5 million of adjusted EBITDA from FlyOver, based on the assumption the sale closes in the spring; Heitz said FlyOver contributed a little over $5 million of EBITDA in 2025 and noted the first quarter is typically seasonally low for the business. Excluding FlyOver from both years, management said revenue and adjusted EBITDA are expected to increase at a double-digit rate at the midpoint, with margin improvement. The outlook also includes incremental adjusted EBITDA from Tabacon of approximately $7 million to $8 million relative to the prior year, reflecting the shift to a full-year run rate after the mid-2025 acquisition and anticipated growth at the property. Management said its guidance assumes some weather normalization compared with unusually favorable conditions during the prior years peak summer season. The company also expects its effective tax rate to decline to approximately 22% to 26% in 2026 and beyond, which management tied to an expected improvement in U.S. financial results after the FlyOver sale. From a macro perspective, the company assumed a CAD/USD exchange rate of $0.73 per Canadian dollar, similar to the 2025 average. Heitz said 2026 would be a pivotal year for executing large-scale, multi-year growth projects, while noting that many of the biggest projects are not expected to come online in 2026, with a large portion of returns anticipated beginning in 2028. Capital spending plans and demand indicators Pursuit expects growth capital expenditures to rise meaningfully to approximately $88 million to $93 million in 2026. Management said major planned investments carry a total commitment of roughly $200 million and are expected to deliver an effective adjusted EBITDA multiple of less than 7x by 2030. The company also noted that, over the last decade, it completed 16 major Refresh, Build, and Buy projects that contributed approximately $102 million of adjusted EBITDA in 2025, representing an effective multiple of about 6x. Projects highlighted for 2026 included planned work on the Jasper SkyTram, renovations at Forest Park Hotels Woodlands Wing, a planned refresh of the Lobstick Lodge, early-stage planning for enhancements at the Banff Gondola, a phased repositioning of Grouse Mountain Lodge in Montana, and a plan to reopen a reimagined Denali Backcountry Adventure in 2027, aligned with the anticipated reopening of road access in Denali National Park. On demand, management said early lodging pacing in Canada and the U.S. was off to a solid start, while noting that travel trade inventory is not fully reflected in early booking data due to release-date practices. Management also cited several destination-specific tailwinds, including renewed free admission to Canadian national parks through the Canada Strong Pass for summer 2026, the expected removal of timed-entry vehicle reservations at Glacier National Park, expanded Anchorage air service and a new Seward cruise ship docking area in 2026, and continued tourism momentum in Costa Rica. About Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (NYSE:PRSU) Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality Inc (NYSE: PRSU) is a travel and leisure company focused on delivering immersive experiences at some of North Americas most celebrated destinations. The companys core operations span scenic attractions such as mountain gondolas and tramways, alpine lodges and wilderness excursions, as well as complementary dining venues that showcase regional flavors. By integrating guided tours, wildlife viewing and seasonal activities, Pursuit aims to create memorable experiences for both individual and group travelers. In the mountain segment, Pursuit operates marquee attractions including the Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram in Canadas Rocky Mountains, supported by on-site accommodations like Emerald Lake Lodge. Further Reading Schindler Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SHLAF Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the six research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. Several brokerages have issued reports on SHLAF. Oddo Bhf raised shares of Schindler to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Citigroup raised Schindler from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Schindler in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Get Schindler alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Schindler Schindler Stock Performance Schindler Company Profile Shares of OTCMKTS:SHLAF opened at $369.45 on Monday. Schindler has a one year low of $293.15 and a one year high of $410.62. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $374.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $367.82. (Get Free Report) Schindler Group is a Switzerland-based multinational engineering company specializing in the design, manufacturing and servicing of elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Its product portfolio spans a range of urban mobility solutions, from machine-room-less passenger lifts for residential buildings to high-capacity elevators for skyscrapers and heavy-duty escalators for transit hubs. The company emphasizes energy-efficient drive systems, digital connectivity and predictive maintenance technologies to support safe, reliable vertical transportation. Founded in 1874 by Robert Schindler and Eduard Villiger in Lucerne, Schindler has grown from a regional ironworks into a global industry leader. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Schindler Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schindler and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE:INN Get Free Report) shot up 9.9% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $4.70 and last traded at $4.7050. 490,065 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 36% from the average session volume of 766,444 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.28. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have issued reports on INN. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Summit Hotel Properties in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Bank of America restated an underperform rating and issued a $4.50 price objective (down from $5.75) on shares of Summit Hotel Properties in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Summit Redstone set a $4.50 target price on shares of Summit Hotel Properties in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Robert W. Baird set a $5.00 target price on shares of Summit Hotel Properties in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Summit Hotel Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $5.00. Get Summit Hotel Properties alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Summit Hotel Properties Summit Hotel Properties Stock Down 3.1% The company has a market capitalization of $490.14 million, a P/E ratio of -19.59 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The stocks fifty day moving average is $4.63 and its 200 day moving average is $5.12. Summit Hotel Properties (NYSE:INN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.24). The firm had revenue of $174.96 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $172.88 million. Summit Hotel Properties had a negative return on equity of 0.50% and a negative net margin of 0.87%.Summit Hotel Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.730-0.850 EPS. Research analysts predict that Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. will post 0.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. Summit Hotel Properties Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th were given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.1%. Summit Hotel Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently -139.13%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Mehulkumar Bhikhubhai Patel sold 25,000 shares of Summit Hotel Properties stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.84, for a total value of $121,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 444,295 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,150,387.80. This trade represents a 5.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.83% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Summit Hotel Properties Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Amundi boosted its holdings in Summit Hotel Properties by 3.4% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 109,185 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $591,000 after acquiring an additional 3,623 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Summit Hotel Properties by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 62,254 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $337,000 after purchasing an additional 2,528 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in shares of Summit Hotel Properties by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 721,875 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,905,000 after purchasing an additional 9,879 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of Summit Hotel Properties by 1.7% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 165,679 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $896,000 after buying an additional 2,793 shares during the period. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new position in Summit Hotel Properties in the first quarter worth about $102,000. Institutional investors own 96.47% of the companys stock. Summit Hotel Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) Summit Hotel Properties is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and operates branded select-service hotels and extended-stay properties across the United States. The company focuses on upper-midscale and upscale lodging segments, targeting established national brands to combine the operational efficiencies of limited-service properties with strong franchise affiliation. The companys portfolio comprises over thirty hotels carrying well-known flags such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Summit Hotel Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Summit Hotel Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Free Report) and Alabama Aircraft Industries (OTCMKTS:AAIIQ Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and earnings. Profitability This table compares Teledyne Technologies and Alabama Aircraft Industries net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Teledyne Technologies 14.63% 10.08% 6.85% Alabama Aircraft Industries N/A N/A N/A Institutional & Insider Ownership 91.6% of Teledyne Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of Teledyne Technologies shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 38.0% of Alabama Aircraft Industries shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Teledyne Technologies $6.12 billion 5.15 $894.80 million $18.91 35.99 Alabama Aircraft Industries N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A This table compares Teledyne Technologies and Alabama Aircraft Industriess top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Teledyne Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Alabama Aircraft Industries. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Teledyne Technologies and Alabama Aircraft Industries, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Teledyne Technologies 0 3 7 0 2.70 Alabama Aircraft Industries 0 0 0 0 0.00 Teledyne Technologies presently has a consensus price target of $643.67, suggesting a potential downside of 5.42%. Given Alabama Aircraft Industries higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Alabama Aircraft Industries is more favorable than Teledyne Technologies. Summary Teledyne Technologies beats Alabama Aircraft Industries on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Teledyne Technologies (Get Free Report) Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States and internationally. Its Digital Imaging segment provides visible spectrum sensors and digital cameras; and infrared, ultraviolet, visible, and X-ray spectra; as well as micro electromechanical systems and semiconductors, including analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. This segment also offers cooled and uncooled infrared or thermal products, including sensors, camera cores, and camera systems; high-resolution, low-dose X-ray sensors, high-power microwave, and high-energy X-ray subsystems; and instruments for the measurement of physical properties and maritime products; as well as develops and manufactures multi-spectrum electro-optic/infrared imaging systems and associated products, such as lasers, optics, and radars, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive detectors), and unmanned air and ground systems. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring, control, and electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks. The company's Aerospace and Defense Electronics segment provides electronic components and subsystems, data acquisition and communications components and equipment, harsh environment interconnects, general aviation batteries, and other components; and onboard avionics systems and ground-based applications, aircraft data and connectivity solutions, hardware systems, and software applications. Its Engineered Systems segment offers systems engineering and integration, technology development, and manufacturing solutions for defense, space, environmental, and energy applications; and designs and manufactures electrochemical energy systems and electronics for military applications. The company was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. About Alabama Aircraft Industries (Get Free Report) Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc provides aircraft maintenance and modification services to the United States government, foreign governments, and military customers. Its services include maintenance and modification of military transport, tanker, and petrol aircraft airframes; and aircraft maintenance and modification services, such as complete airframe maintenance and repair, and custom air frame design and modification. The companys services also comprise scheduled and unscheduled maintenance; interior refurbishment and reconfiguration; lavatory, galley, airstair, and auxiliary fuel tank installations; aging aircraft inspection; structural and accident damage repair; manufacturing and parts fabrication; composite repair; service bulletin and AD compliance; component repair and overhaul; EPA approved stripping and painting; CPCP; non-destructive testing; avionics upgrades and installation; and FAA repair station RJ1R454K. Its principal services performed under military contracts are programmed depot maintenance, aircraft modifications, aircraft stripping and painting, rewiring, parts fabrication, engineering support services, system integration of component upgrades, and modification of fixed wing aircrafts. In addition, the company offers airframe corrosion prevention and control, rewiring, and component overhauls, as well as structural, avionics, and other systems modification services. It provides its services directly as a prime contractor or indirectly as a sub- contractor. The company was formerly known as Pemco Aviation Group, Inc. and changed its name to Alabama Aircraft Industries Inc. in September 2007. Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc was founded in 1983 and is based in Birmingham, Alabama. On Nov 3, 2011, the voluntary petition of Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc., along with its affiliates, for reorganization under Ch 11 was converted to Ch 7. It had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb 15, 2011. Receive News & Ratings for Teledyne Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teledyne Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (NYSE:PNC Free Report) by 70.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,803 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 16,838 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLCs holdings in The PNC Financial Services Group were worth $8,199,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PNC. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 32.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,041 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $779,000 after purchasing an additional 984 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in The PNC Financial Services Group by 2.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 8,261 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,452,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC grew its position in The PNC Financial Services Group by 50.3% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,331 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $807,000 after buying an additional 1,449 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors increased its holdings in The PNC Financial Services Group by 3.2% in the second quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 3,958 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $738,000 after buying an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its position in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 24.7% in the second quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 13,409 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,500,000 after acquiring an additional 2,659 shares during the period. 83.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get The PNC Financial Services Group alerts: The PNC Financial Services Group Trading Down 4.9% PNC stock opened at $211.85 on Friday. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc has a 12-month low of $145.12 and a 12-month high of $243.94. The businesss 50-day moving average is $222.28 and its 200 day moving average is $204.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market cap of $85.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.77, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.99. The PNC Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement The PNC Financial Services Group ( NYSE:PNC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $4.88 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.23 by $0.65. The business had revenue of $6.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.90 billion. The PNC Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 11.87% and a net margin of 20.40%.The businesss revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.77 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc will post 15.37 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th were issued a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The PNC Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.99%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on PNC shares. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on The PNC Financial Services Group from $222.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on The PNC Financial Services Group from $252.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on The PNC Financial Services Group from $228.00 to $247.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The PNC Financial Services Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $234.44. View Our Latest Stock Report on The PNC Financial Services Group Insider Buying and Selling at The PNC Financial Services Group In related news, EVP Louis Robert Cestello sold 4,279 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.01, for a total transaction of $1,001,328.79. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 18,867 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,415,066.67. The trade was a 18.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO William S. Demchak sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.88, for a total transaction of $11,544,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 554,274 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $127,970,781.12. This represents a 8.27% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 64,186 shares of company stock worth $14,840,973. Company insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock. About The PNC Financial Services Group (Free Report) The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offering a broad range of banking, lending, investment and wealth management services. PNC operates a national banking franchise with a significant retail branch network and dedicated capabilities for commercial, institutional and government clients. Its services are designed to serve individuals, small businesses, corporations and public sector entities across the United States. PNCs core business activities include consumer and business banking, residential mortgage lending, corporate and institutional banking, asset management and wealth advisory services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PNC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (NYSE:PNC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The PNC Financial Services Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The PNC Financial Services Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. reduced its position in Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Free Report) by 3.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 67,929,867 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 2,782,487 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 11.30% of Medical Properties Trust worth $344,404,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 36.5% in the 3rd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 135,472 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $687,000 after purchasing an additional 36,191 shares during the period. Savvy Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $67,000. Caprock Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $174,000. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 161,870 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $821,000 after purchasing an additional 2,794 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC raised its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 393.0% in the 3rd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 103,059 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $523,000 after purchasing an additional 82,155 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.79% of the companys stock. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Medical Properties Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Medical Properties Trust presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $6.17. Medical Properties Trust Price Performance MPW stock opened at $5.04 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $3.03 billion, a PE ratio of -4.27 and a beta of 1.43. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a 12 month low of $3.95 and a 12 month high of $6.34. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $5.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.03. The company has a current ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 2.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. Medical Properties Trust Company Profile (Free Report) Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, financing, and owning net-leased hospital facilities. Through sale-leaseback transactions, direct acquisitions and recapitalizations, the company provides capital to healthcare operators while maintaining long-term, triple-net lease agreements. Its portfolio encompasses general acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and other healthcare-related real estate assets and is structured to deliver stable, long-duration rental income streams. Founded in 2003 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Medical Properties Trust completed its initial public offering in 2004. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MPW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victoria Gold Corp (CVE:VIT Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$8.30 and traded as low as C$8.22. Victoria Gold shares last traded at C$8.30, with a volume of 136,122 shares changing hands. Victoria Gold Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of C$474.98 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.34. The firms 50 day moving average is C$8.30 and its 200-day moving average is C$8.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 96.76, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.74. About Victoria Gold (Get Free Report) Victoria Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, evaluation, and exploration of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its principal property is 100% owned Dublin Gulch property, which hosts the Eagle Gold deposit covering an area of approximately 555 square kilometers located in central Yukon, Canada. The company was formerly known as Victoria Resource Corporation and changed its name to Victoria Gold Corp. in July 2008. Victoria Gold Corp. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Yamaha Co. (OTCMKTS:YAMCY Get Free Report) traded up 2% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $7.6450 and last traded at $7.6450. 1,213 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 49% from the average session volume of 2,359 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.4950. Yamaha Stock Performance The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $7.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.93. Get Yamaha alerts: About Yamaha (Get Free Report) Yamaha Motor Co, Ltd., founded in 1955 as a spin-off from Yamaha Corporation, is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in a diverse range of mobility and power products. Headquartered in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, the company initially gained recognition for its 125cc two-stroke motorcycle before expanding into marine engines and general-purpose power units. Over the decades, Yamaha Motor has built a reputation for engineering innovation, high-performance design and reliable manufacturing processes. The companys core product portfolio encompasses motorcycles, scooters and off-road vehicles, including ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Yamaha Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yamaha and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) is among the most promising education stocks according to hedge funds. As of February 25, Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) has mixed market sentiment, with 67% of analysts recommending buying the stock and the remaining 33% advising holding it. With a 1-year median price target of $100, the stock has an upside potential of 19.08%. On January 29, BMO Capital lifted the price target on Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) to $94, up from $75, and reiterated a Market Perform rating. In a research note, the analyst says the companys Q2 2026 results surpassed street forecasts, despite the result being supported by a one-time gain. The deteriorating dynamics of General Education were more than offset by Career Learning, the firm added. Is Stride, Inc. (LRN) The Most Promising Education Stock According to Hedge funds? BMO Capital highlighted that management views last quarters key platform implementation issues as no longer a problem. Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) maintained its FY26 revenue guidance and increased its adjusted operating income (AOI) projection. On the same day, Canaccord Genuity reaffirmed a Buy rating on Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN), with a price target of $125. This came after the companys fiscal Q2 results, in which it met expectations for total enrollment and revenue, while outperforming on profitability. The companys virtual education programs demand appears steady, with application volumes remaining solid and technical pressure exposure at zero, the firm asserted. Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN), headquartered in Reston, Virginia, offers proprietary and third-party online curriculum, software systems, and educational services. Founded in 1999, the company serves a wide clientele, including public and private schools, school districts, consumers, and government agencies. While we acknowledge the potential of LRN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. TD Cowen Reiterates Hold on Raymond James Financial (RJF) Shares On February 19, 2026, TD Cowen analyst William Katz reiterated a Hold rating on Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF), while maintaining a price target of $181. In another development, on February 19, 2026, the company announced that its Board of Directors had declared the quarterly cash dividend of $0.54 per share. Shareholders of record as of April 1, 2026, will be eligible to receive the dividend, which is payable on April 15, 2026. Prior to these events, Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF) saw a significant insider activity on February 5, 2026. The companys Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Jonathan N. Santelli, sold 4,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction totaling $767,070. The sale marks a -14% change in Jonathans ownership value in the company. As of February 24, 2026, CNN recorded 31% of 16 analysts following Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF) are maintaining a Buy rating on the stock, with the 1-year average upside potential standing at 22.15%. Founded in 1962, Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF) is a diversified financial services firm operating through segments including Private Client Group (wealth management), Capital Markets, Asset Management, and Raymond James Bank. Its headquarters is in St. Petersburg, Florida. While we acknowledge the potential of RJF as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is included among the 14 Value Stocks to Buy with High Dividend Yields. Wells Fargo Raises Target (TGT) Forecast as Company Focuses on Strategic Investments Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com On February 27, Wells Fargo analyst Edward Kelly raised the firms price recommendation on Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) to $130 from $115. The analyst reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said investor day marked an important moment for the company, with investment plans emerging as the key focus as Target works to get back on track. With the stock already up 17% year-to-date, the outlook presents a more complex setup. Wells Fargo said there is room for the new CEO to fund investments and deliver results, especially in a more supportive consumer environment. On February 27, CNBC reported that Target said it would sell only cereals made without certified synthetic colors by the end of May. The move makes Target one of the latest retailers to tighten its product standards amid growing scrutiny of artificial dyes. The company said it worked closely with both national brands and its own private-label partners to reformulate products where needed. The decision applies to cereals sold in stores and through its online platform. We know consumers are increasingly prioritizing healthier lifestyles, and were moving quickly to evolve our offerings to meet their needs, Cara Sylvester, Targets chief merchandising officer, said in a statement. Targets decision places it ahead of several major brands that are still working toward similar changes. Some products currently on its shelves, including General Mills Lucky Charms, are expected to remove artificial colors on longer timelines, with Lucky Charms targeting completion by 2027. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) operates as a general merchandise retailer. It sells products through its physical stores and digital channels, offering everyday essentials and differentiated merchandise at discounted prices. While we acknowledge the potential of TGT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 14 Best GARP Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 13 Best Long-Term Dividend Stocks to Invest in Right Now Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Tesla (TSLA) is the most polarizing company I have seen in my nearly two-decade investing career. On one hand are the skeptics who see the stock as highly overvalued, while the bulls believe that Tesla would eventually become the worlds biggest company. The divergence in Teslas target prices speaks for itself. GLJ Research analyst Gordon Johnsonthe most vocal Tesla bearvalues the stock at $25.28, which is by far the lowest among all sell-side analysts. On the other hand, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives has a Street-high target price of $600 on the Elon Musk-run company. The wide gulf between the most bullish and bearish voices on Wall Street cannot be starker and is big enough to easily fit Amazon (AMZN), a $2.3 trillion company and the world's biggest company by revenue, in between. We are not even talking about ARK Invests mid-range target price of $2600 on Tesla that the Cathie Wood-run company expects the stock to hit in three years. More News from Barchart www.barchart.com To be sure, Tesla and Musk have proved skeptics wrong on more than one occasion, and the company leads the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market by a big margin. There were concerns over it losing market share in the country, but thanks to multiple EV startups going out of business and legacy automakers pulling back on their once-ambitious EV targets, Teslas U.S. market share has increased to over 60%. Tesla Is Notorious for Missing Deadlines Meanwhile, there is also the other side of the argument, as I recall no other companies that have missed deadlines and forecasts as frequently as Tesla. The company formally withdrew the forecast of 20 million annual deliveries by 2030 and has virtually given up on the 50% annual delivery growth guidance. From projecting a million robotaxis by 2020 and perpetual promises of full autonomy by the end of the year, Tesla hasnt been a shining example of meeting projections and has actually been a case of overpromising and underdelivering. While Musk is known to make bold projections, some of the projections looked unrealistic, and I had previously noted the questionable 20 million annual delivery forecast. Tesla Has Pivoted to Physical AI Meanwhile, Tesla's story is now more about artificial intelligence (AI)specifically, Optimus humanoid, autonomous driving, and, by extension, robotaxis. While one may differ on the quantum, these two account for the bulk of Teslas current valuation. India's growth from an erstwhile colony of the British Empire to a towering trade partner to the entire European Union in 79 years has been nothing short of monumental. A year ago, in Feb 2025, when the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, visited India, she wasn't merely taking photographs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in front of electric buses. That visit was one of the many that shaped a strategic partnership between the EU and the nation for the new age, built over thirty years of the India-EC Cooperation Agreement. File, Feb 2025: India PM Narendra Modi with President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen | X/PMO So, when India recently released its WTO-plus framework outlining the free trade agreement with the EU, the focus moved to the newemphasising digital efficiency, regulatory trust, and SME empowermentall the while preserving policy space for both giants. A free trade agreement is usually seen as a duty cut deal with the age of the Trump tariffs, but the India-EU FTA breaks it down granularly to serve the country's strategic pivot to services, tech, and innovation-driven trade, in the hopes of potentially unlocking 200 billion in bilateral flows. The third chapter delves into Rules of Origin, for they are the unglamorous foundation of any FTA. They answer a simple but vital question: where does a product really come from? For instance, can any exporter assemble goods from components obtained from any other country, slap a Made in India label on them, and claim FTA preferences at the EU border? This predicament is factored into the India-EU FTA text with considerable sophistication. A product qualifies as "originating" either because it is wholly obtained in India or the EU or because it has been sufficiently worked or processed there, in accordance with product-specific rules laid out in a separate annex based on the Harmonised System of tariff classification. It also introduces a "de minimis" or tolerance rule: if a product fails the product-specific rule because of a small amount of non-originating material, it can still qualify if that non-originating content stays below 5 per cent of weight for agricultural products in HS Chapters 18 and 1013, below 10 per cent for most other products, or below 10 per cent of the ex-works or FOB value for the rest. For the Indian textiles sector, where global supply chains are complex, separate, detailed tolerance provisions apply in Notes 6, 7 and 8 of the rules, acknowledging the reality of multi-country fibre sourcing. The most consequential procedural reform is the move to self-certification. Under the FTA, an exporter or producer will issue a "Statement on Origin" on their own responsibility, attached to an invoice, valid for twelve months, in a template specified by the agreement and drawn up in English. The EU goes further, also allowing importers to claim preference based on their own knowledge that a product is originating a model familiar from the EU's existing trade agreements that shifts significant responsibility and liability to the supply chain. Critically, an electronic authentication mechanism must be operational at entry into force, so that customs in the importing country can verify a Statement on Origin. If that system is not ready when the agreement kicks in, a fallback certificate-of-origin mechanism issued by authorised Indian agencies (or EU customs authorities) fills the gap. Provisions for retrospective certificates, duplicate issuance, and strict anti-fraud cooperation (including the possibility of verification visits to exporters' premises by officials from the other country), add layers of accountability to what might otherwise be a self-certification free-for-all. As India and the EU finalise this landmark pact, Chapter 3 stands as the gateway, ensuring genuine Indian-made goods flow duty-free into Europe's markets while protecting both sides from origin fraud. How this balance of flexibility and verification positions Indian manufacturers, particularly in textiles and chemicals, to compete globally on fair terms, will prove the effectiveness of the FTA, as the country looks to transform into one of the world's biggest precision manufacturing hub within a decade. The recently released full text of Indias proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union laid out a detailed roadmap for how the two sides will handle online commerce and protection of ideas, brands and technology. On digital trade, the draft text said that the aim is to facilitate digital trade and ensure an open, secure and trustworthy online environment for businesses and consumers. It covers any trade done using electronic means, such as online sales of goods or services, but keeps out audiovisual services and government procurement. Both sides keep their full right to regulate the digital economy to meet their own policy goals, including privacy and data protection. The deal promotes paperless trade at the border, acceptance of econtracts and electronic signatures, and the use of electronic invoicing. It also commits India and the EU not to demand access to the source code of software as a condition for market entry, except in limited cases like critical infrastructure or competition investigations, with safeguards against unauthorised disclosure. There are specific rules against spam, requirements for honest online commercial practices, and cooperation on cybersecurity, digital identities and consumer protection to build trust in crossborder digital trade. At the same time, each sides right to set its own level of personaldata protection is explicitly preserved. On intellectual property (IP), the FTAs objective is to ensure appropriate and effective protection and enforcement of IP rights in order to promote innovation and creativity, support trade in innovative goods and services, and encourage investment in a more sustainable and inclusive economy. The terms of the deal come on top of the existing WTO TRIPS Agreement and WIPO treaties, and confirm the commitments of boht India and the UK under key agreements such as TRIPS, the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the Marrakesh Treaty and the Madrid Protocol for international trademarks. The deal also reaffirms the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health and clearly says nothing in the IP chapter can limit either sides rights to use TRIPS flexibilities on compulsory licences, including for exports under Article 31bis. It leaves India and the EU free to decide their own rules on exhaustion of IP rights and recognises the importance of technology transfer, including protection of trade secrets against dishonest acquisition or misuse. Over 130 Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Mi-17, C-130J, C-295, C-17, the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, showcased the formidable combat readiness, operational synergy and technological prowess of the IAF across the full spectrum of air operations during the day and night at Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer. The exercise, which was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, among others, also demonstrated the ability of the force to conduct sophisticated, coordinated air operations in a challenging and realistic combat scenario. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India For the first time, Exercise Vayushakti was executed along a defined operational storyline, transforming it into a simulated live combat theatre. It seamlessly integrated offensive air strikes, air defence operations, special forces missions and humanitarian assistance, highlighting the role of the IAF as a multi-domain, integrated force and India's first responder. Fighter jets of the force carried out precision strikes on simulated enemy targets using advanced air-to-ground weaponry, including precision-guided munitions and long-range strike capabilities, highlighting the IAFs capacity to deliver accurate and decisive firepower. ALSO READ: How fierce is Indian Army's Bhairav Battalion? The 'lean and mean' force showcases its high-impact combat skills Seamless jointmanship between air and ground forces, coordinated engagements involving airborne platforms and ground-based systems such as Akash and Spyder missile systems, supported by Army air defence assets like L-70 and M-777, were showcased during the drill. Special operations and humanitarian assistance missions formed a key component of the exercise. Garud Special Forces, along with Para SF elements, were inserted by Mi-17 helicopters to conduct simulated urban intervention and hostage rescue operations at dusk. This was followed by assault landings and evacuation by C-130 and C-295 aircraft from an Advanced Landing Ground, reaffirming the IAF's critical role in rapid response and casualty evacuation, a defence ministry stated in a release. The night phase of the exercise highlighted integrated air defence and air-landed operations, followed by coordinated precision night strikes by multiple fighter platforms, intending to showcase the IAFs ability to maintain battlespace dominance around the clock. The exercise, which began with the national song and national anthem, accompanied by a ceremonial flypast of Chetak helicopters carrying the national flag, Air Force ensign and Operation Sindoor flag, concluded with a symbolic ceasefire flypast by a C-17 aircraft, followed by a drone display celebrating the IAFs legacy and achievements. "Guided by its core values of 'Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek,' Exercise Vayushakti-26 validated the IAF's operational doctrine, joint integration and technological capabilities, reaffirming its role as a key enabler of India's comprehensive national power and strategic deterrence," the defence ministry release further said. Book highlighting shared history across Taiwan Strait launched in Taipei Xinhua) 09:00, February 28, 2026 TAIPEI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A book recording Taiwan's historical landscape following the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in 1945 has been launched in Taipei, enabling readers to better understand the shared historical destiny across the Taiwan Strait. The book, titled "Taiwan's restoration: revisited moments of awakening and renewal around 1945," is edited by local media professional Chang Chun-kai, and adapted from a documentary on Taiwan's restoration. Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as Taiwan's restoration to China. Chang said that one of the purposes of the book is to rectify a distorted historical narrative promoted by the island's current authorities. About 50 representatives from Taiwan's education and media sectors participated in the launch event. They noted that it is particularly important to recover the historical truth of Taiwan's restoration amid a trend of distorting history and weakening national identity in Taiwan society. Kuan Chung-ming, former president of Taiwan University, called for greater efforts to faithfully present history. Kuan said he is confident that the history of victory in the war of resistance and Taiwan's restoration will ultimately be remembered and passed on. Lin Kuang-hui, descendant of a family known for their resistance against Japanese aggression, pointed out that Taiwan's restoration had ended 50 years of Japanese colonial rule. Reviewing history, Lin said, compatriots in Taiwan should carry forward the patriotic tradition and jointly pursue a bright future of national rejuvenation. Taiwan scholar Chen Chao-ying noted that, around 1945, many families in Taiwan named their children "Guangfu," meaning restoration, reflecting the genuine and heartfelt sentiment among the people at the time. She expressed the hope that cross-Strait cooperation will yield further results in research on the history of Taiwan's restoration. Last year, China's national legislature designated Oct. 25 as the official commemorative day of Taiwan's restoration. In 1894, Japan initiated a war against China and later occupied Taiwan. On Oct. 25, 1945, a ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) This embedded content is not available in your region. This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with: What we're watching What we're reading Economic data releases and earnings Software stocks have more or less stabilized after a period of panic. Where earlier this month the industry was nearly written off as the latest subjects of AI's conquest, they're now being viewed as something like partners. Investors are changing up how they receive major announcements from AI labs. If updates to Anthropic's Claude first sparked a sell-off, the subsequent news helped level things out. More than averting a software apocalypse, Wall Street is settling on the idea that many companies will thrive in an AI-dominated environment. Block's (XYZ) view that it can now do a lot more with fewer people certainly made its stock go up on Friday. The irony here is that each iteration of the AI story, intended to downplay the disruption or make the inevitability of AI dominance more palatable, can also have the opposite effect and trigger greater and greater skepticism. It's like a Love is Blind contestant sharing their life history with romantic partners, but changing key details every time they recite it. That won't make people like you more. It will have them thinking you're a liar. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe Will AI and vibe coding replace software engineers or free their minds for more creative work? Will advanced models usurp the roles of white collar labor or orchestrate their more tedious tasks alongside them? The different versions of these stories reflect the uncertainty of where AI is headed, and how businesses and consumers might adapt to it. But it would be naive to think that the softer interpretations aren't also a marketing tactic or worse, a Trojan horse. (It's worth noting that the AI hard sell, of models sparking mass joblessness and degrading society, is also wielded as an AI sales tool.) The Salesforce and Agentforce logos at the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, on March 5, 2025. (Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images In the same way that media companies surrendered their troves of words, perhaps their only asset of real value, in exchange for checks from OpenAI, it's hard not to see this latest replay of software partnerships as another kind of Faustian bargain. Others don't see it that way. As Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a note earlier this week, AI labs are positioning themselves atop existing software needs, rather than supplanting the enterprise software world. "It remains very difficult to replicate or displace much of the knowledge, metadata, and workflows incumbent systems have amassed," they wrote, adding the key insight: "Claude is only as useful as the data it connects to." The Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE was targeted by Iran on Saturday in response to the joint aerial strikes conducted by the US and Israel earlier in the day. Also targeted were Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. The UAE Defence Ministry confirmed in a statement that the country was targeted by Iran. The Islamic Republic fired several ballistic missiles at its installations, and many of them were intercepted by its air defence systems, the report said. One individual lost his life after shrapnel from one of the projectiles hit a residential area in Abu Dhabi, Al Jazeera said in a report. The Ministry condemned this attack in the strongest terms, stressing the states categorical rejection of the targeting of civilian objects, facilities, and national institutions, and emphasising that such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians and undermines stability, a statement by the UAE Defence Ministry said. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India The Ministry stressed that this targeting is a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and that the state reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territory, the statement read, adding that it was fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats. Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi The US Air Forces 380th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), operating under Air Combat Command, has been stationed at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2002. Located approximately 30 km south of Abu Dhabi, the base hosts around 1,200 personnel, including active-duty members, Reservists, and Air National Guard units. The wing comprises 10 squadrons, and its mission partners include an Army air defence battalion and multiple coalition forces. The 380th AEW has supported anti-Islamic State operations and participated in NATO missions in Afghanistan from this strategic location. According to a 2017 report, the base housed a range of advanced US aircraft, including the KC-10 tanker, RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude surveillance drone, E-3 Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane, and the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter. These were later joined by F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35 Lightning IIs, according to subsequent reports. While US military units are believed to have been present at Al-Dhafra since the 1990s, the US Air Force officially acknowledged its presence only in August 2017. (It was in 2002 that the 380th AEW was formally established at the base.) Today, the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defence Command's air defence artillery brigade represents the US Army at this UAE-operated facility. Three flight-trials of the VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System) were conducted from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, on Thursday. The VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) laboratories and Indian industry partners. The missile system has the capability to meet the needs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India The trials were carried out to "revalidate" the capability of the missile system in neutralising high-speed threats flying at varying speeds, ranges, and altitudes. "During all the flight-tests, the missiles intercepted and destroyed the high-speed aerial targets mimicking enemy aircraft in various threat scenarios, meeting all extreme engagement points," the defence ministry stated in a release. The ministry said the tests were carried out in the final deployment configuration, where target acquisition and missile firing were conducted by field operators. Flight data collected by multiple range instruments, including Telemetry, the Electro-Optical Tracking System, and Radars deployed at ITR, Chandipur, confirmed the effectiveness of VSHORADS against a broad spectrum of aerial threats. The user validation flight trials were conducted in the presence of representatives from the Joint Forces, along with senior officials from DRDO and its development-cum-production partners. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO, the Armed Forces, and the industry for the successful flight-tests of the system, saying the three consecutive flight-trials of VSHORADS are a great success and the system can soon be inducted into the armed forces. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday released its preliminary report on its probe into the Learjet 45 crash at the Baramati Airport last month, which killed Ajit Pawar and four others in the fatal flight. Visibility is the main issue that has been flagged in the initial report about the probe into the tragic death of Maharashtra's former Deputy CM, which is ongoing. According to the report, visibility at the time of landing was only 3km and this was conveyed to the pilots. However, the Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which are a set of rules that apply in the absence of other landing instruments, has mandated a minimum visibility of 5km. The crash of the Learjet 45 that killed #AjitPawar has sparked questions about serious safety lapses with not just the aircraft and its charter firm, but also the Baramati Airport. (ajit pawar plane crash, baramati airport, ajit pawar probe, )https://t.co/qOORODekQ8 THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) January 30, 2026 Indeed, the use of the VFR was because of the Baramati Airport's serious lack of air traffic control (ATC) facilities, such as a certified Instrument Landing System (ILS), or the wider Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The report also noted that the control tower on call that day was a temporary one manned by a ground instructor from one of the Flight Training Organisations (FTO), which hold flying lessons in the area. This, combined with the airport's lack of meteorological facilities, is said to have led to the wrong weather estimate that was offered to the pilots of the Learjet after they failed to land the first time, turned around, and came to try again. "While giving the landing clearance, the tower informed winds as calm," the AAIB report said, pointing out the marked difference between the visibility at the time and what it should have been for the tower to allow the flight to land. Barely a minute later, it had struck a tree and rough terrain beyond the table-top runway's edge. The report also flagged a major runway issue: that the last runway recarpeting was carried out in March 2016, which resulted in most of the runway markings fading and gravel coming loose at certain spots on the airstrip. As the investigation continues, more details are expected from the analysis of flight data recorder information. The cockpit voice recorder, which captures crew communications and cockpit sounds, was, however, thermally damaged in the fire after the crash and has been sent to the United States for data recovery by the National Transportation Safety Board. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma climbed atop an open vehicle outside the Gupteshwar Temple in Dhekiajuli, on Saturday and launched the BJP's 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra, as massive public outreach campaign to build momentum ahead of state Assembly elections. "I am seeking the blessings of the people of Assam," Sarma said as the procession moved off, flanked by state BJP president Dilip Saikia and Union Minister Pabitra Margherita. The BJP, which is aiming for a hat rick in the state assembly polls, will show case the work done in the last five years through this pre-election massive mobilisation where the CM will touch base with one lakh people every day covering 70-80 km. The Yatras first phase runs from February 28 to March 9, covering 34 assembly constituencies and ending in Rangiya. Sarma would present his governments report card to the people. The BJP has been in power in the state for the last 10 years. The Assam is BJPs gateway to the North East, where Sarma has played a key role in forming alliances in regional parties in other states. Through his aggressive politics, he has positioned himself as a key party leader. A victory in these polls would enhance his stature at the national level. For these polls, the BJP's messaging weaves together two threads. The first is welfare delivery infrastructure, healthcare, education and cash transfers that the yatra will publicise. The second is identity and security themes which Sarma has been flagging since he assumed charge in the state. He has maintained a hard line on illegal migration, particularly of Bangladeshi Muslims. He has been describing Assam's shifting demography as an "alarming call" and referred to recent clashes during land eviction drives, warning that some people were "still prepared to resist." The yatra is only the first move in a larger electoral campaign. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Assam on March 13 and 14. On March 15, the BJP will hold a youth rally in Guwahati. The BJP plans to contest 103 of the 126 Assembly seats and is confident of a majority. Congress alleges wrongdoing by Sarma The Congress, which has been struggling to come to power too had launched a Yatra, earlier this months. It was was actually first out of the blocks. The party launched its "Samay Parivartan Yatra" from Guwahati on February 5, nearly three weeks before the BJP's march began. The Congress campaign is led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, alongside senior state leaders Debabrata Saikia and Rakibul Hussain. Where the BJP is talking about development, Congress is talking about alleged wrongdoing. Its yatra has focused its attack directly on Sarma and his family, raising questions about the purchase of nearly 12,000 bighas of land and alleging that thousands of government schools were shut during Sarma's time as Education Minister. Assam's 126-member assembly will go to the polls in April-May, though the Election Commission is yet to announce a date. The BJP's gamble is that incumbency, combined with a visible ground operation and the Modi factor, can carry it through. Congress is wagering that voter fatigue, local grievances and a string of allegations can undo a government that has been in power for nearly a decade. Following court clearance, the controversial film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' was released this Saturday, marking the end of a high-stakes legal battle. Alongside the movie controversy, the elevation of Kerala High Court judge Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikariwho presided over the case on Fridaydrew significant attention. Justice Dharmadhikari has been appointed the new Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and will officially assume the role on March 6. He served on the division bench that reviewed an appeal against a single judge's interim order, which had suspended the release of 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' for 15 days. Justice Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan reserved the single bench's decision on Thursday. The Bench observed that the plea opposing the film's certification was in the nature of a public interest litigation and questioned how a single bench could hear it. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas stayed the release, saying that prima facie there was a manifest non-application of mind to the requirement of law by the censor board, CBFC. The possibility of "communal disharmony or denigration of a community also being prima facie involved in the movie" was cited to stay the release of the film. Who is Justice Dharmadhikari? Born to Arvind H Dharmadhikari and Shubha Dharmadhikari in 1966 at Raipur, his judicial tenure is defined by a blend of administrative leadership, courtroom rigour, and landmark public interest litigation. His diverse portfolio spans from complex tax disputes to fundamental constitutional questions, reflecting a career-long commitment to procedural discipline and judicial efficiency. Before being elevated to the Kerala High Court, Dharmadhikari had been linked to dealing with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case. His commitment to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims spans his entire career. He began as counsel for the Welfare Commissioner, and decades later, as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, he assumed the role of Welfare Commissioner himself. In this capacity, he became a vocal advocate for survivors, frequently condemning the systemic delays that stalled essential compensation and medical relief. He has also represented the Income Tax Department and the Reserve Bank of India. Justice Dharmadhikarihas a bachelor's degree in commerce and law from Nagpur University. He was first enrolled as an advocate in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur in 1992. He took an oath as a judge in the Kerala High Court in April last year. Dr M. V. Soundararajan, senior priest of the famed Chilkur Balaji Temple and former professor at Osmania University, widely respected for preserving the temples unique traditions and spiritual ethos, passed away in Hyderabad on Friday following age-related illness. He was 74. Soundararajan served for decades as chief priest of the temple, popularly known as the Visa Balaji Temple, and emerged as a prominent religious figure who blended devotion with social awareness. Notably, the deity here was often colloquially called the 'Visa God', as a number of people believed praying here cleared the obstacles for them to obtain foreign visasespecially US visas. Deeply saddened by the demise of Sri MV Soundararajan garu, Chief Priest of Chilukuri Balaji Temple. His lifelong dedication, spiritual wisdom, and unwavering service to devotees will always be remembered. May the Almighty grant strength and courage to his family, devotees, and pic.twitter.com/wSWJ7CTTJq Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (@KVishReddy) February 28, 2026 Under his stewardship, the temple gained national recognition for maintaining distinctive practices such as refusing donations, VIP privileges, and hundi collections, thereby emphasising equality among devotees. On learning of his death, thousands of devotees, political leaders and public figures expressed grief over his demise, recalling his simplicity, accessibility and commitment to spiritual values rooted in service rather than ritual grandeur. The temple premises witnessed a steady stream of devotees paying their last respects, while religious rites were conducted in accordance with traditional customs under the supervision of family members and temple authorities. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed profound condolences, describing Soundararajans death as an irreparable loss to the spiritual and cultural life of Telangana. In a statement, the Chief Minister said the priest transformed the Chilkur temple into a symbol of faith, integrity and social harmony that attracted devotees from across India and abroad. He noted that Soundararajans insistence on transparency and equal treatment of devotees set a rare example for religious institutions. Former vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu paid tribute, stating that Soundararajan dedicated his life to dharma and public good while protecting temple traditions from commercialisation. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy declared that his passing marked the end of an era for devotees of Lord Balaji in Telangana and praised his efforts to keep the temple accessible to ordinary people. Born into a family of temple priests, Soundararajan inherited the responsibility of serving at Chilkur Balaji temple and went on to become one of Telanganas most recognisable religious voices. In 1996, when the Endowments Department of the then Andhra Pradesh government attempted to take over the temple, he firmly resisted the move and announced that the shrine would not accept hundi collections, making it administratively unattractive for government control and preserving its autonomy. Under his leadership, the temple moved away from commercial religious practices. The head priest regularly interacted with devotees, speaking on constitutional values, environmental protection, and communal harmony, earning admiration beyond religious circles. His speeches would continue while devotees made the famous 108 rounds in the temple. Before dedicating himself fully to religious service, Soundararajan had a distinguished academic career as a professor of commerce at Osmania University. He later served as Registrar of the university, where he was known for administrative discipline and academic integrity. Soundararajan is survived by family members and disciples. His passing leaves behind a spiritual legacy closely intertwined with the identity of the Chilkur Balaji Temple and its enduring message of faith without barriers. Senior Supreme Court advocate Menaka Guruswamy, who argued the landmark case challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, is likely to become Indias first self-declared LGBTQ Member of Parliament. She has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) alongside Union Minister-turned-TMC leader Babul Supriyo, former West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar and actor Koel Mallick. Menaka is the daughter of Mohan Guruswamy, a former BJP strategist, scholar and vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier, he served as special adviser to the erstwhile Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha. The nomination coincided with another professional milestone for Menaka: she secured relief for the Aam Aadmi Party leaders in the liquor policy case before a CBI Special Court. This high-profile case involved several AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. In announcing the development on social media, Mohan Guruswamy pointed out the CBI terming politicians and businessmen involved in the case as the 'Southern Group', and said that the court condemned this labelling. Menaka, who openly identifies as LGBTQ+, had played a central role in the historic decriminalisation of homosexuality case before the Supreme Court. She shares her life with senior advocate Arundhati Katju, her co-counsel in the case. Menaka completed her LLM from Harvard Law School and later earned a DPhil from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, while Arundhati Katju pursued her LLM at Columbia University as a Human Rights Fellow and James Kent Scholar. West Bengal has five Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant, with elections scheduled for March 16. Given its comfortable majority in the Assembly, the TMC is positioned to secure four seats unopposed, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to contest the remaining seat. Menakas nomination reflects the TMCs established practice of elevating journalists, bureaucrats, and public intellectuals to the Upper House. The presence of figures such as former journalist Derek O'Brien, ex-bureaucrat Jawhar Sircar, journalist-author Sagarika Ghose, and activist-journalist Saket Gokhale illustrates a broader strategy. This approach aims to strengthen parliamentary articulation, expand national visibility, and project the TMC as an intellectually engaged opposition force beyond West Bengal. Congratulating its nominees, TMC expressed confidence that the new MPs would continue to uphold the partys legacy of resilience and its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every Indian. For decades, American public opinion on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict followed a familiar pattern: clear sympathy for Israel, tempered by periodic concern for Palestinian suffering. That pattern has now been disrupted. A new Gallup poll released on Friday suggests a historic realignment in the attitudes of citizens in the United States towards one of their closest allies, Israel, and its long-running conflict with the Palestinians. For the first time since Gallup began tracking the question, more Americans say they sympathise with the Palestinians than with the Israelis. According to the survey, 41 per cent of respondents express greater sympathy for the Palestinians, compared with 36 per cent who side more with the Israelis. The five-point margin may appear modest, but in historical terms it represents a dramatic narrowing of what was once a vast gulf. Between 2001 and 2018, American sympathy for Israel exceeded that for the Palestinians by an average of 43 percentage points. The latest findings, therefore, mark not simply fluctuation but a structural shift. The transformation is being driven above all by political independents, whose views have moved steadily over the past several years. Even before the October 2023 attacks by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza, independent voters were drifting away from their traditionally pro-Israel stance. Now, for the first time on record, independents sympathise more with the Palestinians, at 41 per cent, than with the Israelis, at 30 per cent. That reversal has had an outsized effect on the national balance. Among Democrats, the sympathy with Palestinians is at 65 per cent, with just 17 per cent having a favourable opinion about Israelis, a tilt which started becoming more pronounced from 2023. The issue has thus become another marker of widening ideological divides within American politics, particularly between progressive activists and more traditional foreign policy establishments. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Republicans remain the only major political group whose sympathies predominantly lie with Israel. Seventy per cent say they sympathise more with Israelis. Yet even here there are signs of erosion. Support among Republicans has fallen by ten points since 2024 and now stands at its lowest level since 2004, influenced by the America First wing within the party, which questions overseas entanglements. While this faction does not necessarily endorse the Palestinian cause, its scepticism towards international alliances has softened automatic support for Israel. Age is another decisive factor. Younger Americans, aged 18 to 34, show the strongest tilt towards the Palestinians. A majority of 53 per cent say they sympathise more with Palestinians, compared with just 23 per cent who favour Israelis. That 23 per cent figure represents a record low for Israel among this demographic. Middle-aged Americans, between 35 and 54, have also shifted markedly over the past year. Among them, 46 per cent now sympathise more with Palestinians and 28 per cent with Israelis. Older adults, aged 55 and above, remain more supportive of Israel, with 49 per cent expressing greater sympathy for Israelis compared with 31 per cent for Palestinians. Even so, the 18-point gap is the narrowest recorded in two decades. Interestingly, broader favourability ratings still give Israel an edge. Forty-six per cent of Americans view Israel favourably, compared with 37 per cent who say the same of the Palestinian Territories. Yet the trajectory is not good news for Israel. Support for a two-state solution has also climbed. Fifty-seven per cent of Americans now back the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, matching a 23-year high last seen in 2003. That figure stands in stark contrast to the opinion among the populations directly affected. Recent polling indicates that only around 27 per cent of Israelis and 33 per cent of Palestinians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem currently support such an arrangement. In this respect, American public opinion appears more optimistic about diplomatic compromise than those living with the daily realities of the conflict. The roots of this transformation stretch back several years. Sympathy for Israel began to soften around 2019, influenced in part by domestic political polarisation and growing Democratic disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What added to the shift was Israel's overwhelming use of force as it responded to the 2023 Hamas attacks. The massive death toll among Gaza residents, the widespread destruction, the humanitarian crisis, and adverse remarks from the International Court of Justice and arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli leaders seem to have worked against Israel. Massive explosions were reported from the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar as Iran launched counterstrikes after the Israel-US joint strikes in Tehran, Arabic media reported. Bahrain said that the headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet was targeted by a missile attack. Explosions were also heard in Manama in Bahrain. The attacks were deemed "treacherous" and a "blatant violation of the kingdoms sovereignty and security. Video shows plumes of smoke rising after Iran targeted a United States military base in Bahrain, following IsraelUS attacks across Iran. Two missiles were intercepted over Qatar and explosions were reportedly heard in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/5jS08X8d64 Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 28, 2026 Blasts were also heard in Doha in Qatar. Qatars Defence Ministry had said earlier that one Iranian missile was intercepted by the patriot defence system. Irans Fars News Agency confirmed the missile attacks on the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the fifth US base in Bahrain. At least one person was killed in the strike in Abu Dhabi after the UAE intercepted several Iranian missiles. The UAE called the attack a "flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law and said that "it reserves its full right to respond to this escalation. The strikes have come after Iran announced that all US and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become legitimate targets. Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE have all closed their airspaces. An explosion was also heard from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, AFP reported. Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks on the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. It warned of dire consequence over the continued violation of state sovereignty and the principles of international law. Jordan's military had reported that it downed two ballistic missiles earlier. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles. This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated, it said. Irans foreign ministry had issued a statement shortly after Israel and the USs joint attack in Tehran. The renewed military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran constitutes a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Islamic Republic of Iran considers this aggression a clear breach of international peace and security and emphasises that it reserves its legitimate right to respond decisively, the ministry said. The US has about 19 military sites throughout West Asia, stationing about 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers. The Israeli army, meanwhile, issued a statement saying that it was conducting a broad strike on a number of military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in western Iran. Amid the joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on American assets across the Persian Gulf and Israel, India on Saturday called on both sides to avoid escalation and exercise restraint. "We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The Ministry of External Affairs asserted that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. India said it is "deeply concerned" about the situation in the Middle East as the attacks have spread to Gulf nations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. "Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected," it said. The ministry said its embassies in the Middle-East are in touch with citizens and have issued appropriate advisories, asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance. The strikes have resulted in several death across different countries. These include a Pakistani national who was killed in Abu Dhabi on Saturday after Iran launched retaliatory attacks. The person, whose details have not been revealed, was killed by shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack. At least 51 students were killed in an attack on a girls' school in Minab, Hormaozgan in southern Iran. Around 60 others were also injured in the attack. Irans Red Crescent said on Saturday revealed that more than 20 provinces of Iran were under attacks. Sonoco Products Company (NYSE:SON) is one of the 13 Deep Value Stocks to Buy Right Now Truist analyst Michael Roxland, on February 20, raised his target price on Sonoco Products by 27.8% to $69 (from $54) and reiterated his Buy recommendation on the stock. He said that the companys near- and medium-term guidance, presented during an Investor Day it hosted on February 17, seemed achievable and implied lots of upside. In that investor day, Howard Coker (President and Chief Executive Officer of Sonoco Products) and members of the senior leadership team presented their financial targets over the next three years. They are targeting a 200-basis-point expansion in adjusted EBITDA margins, which would yield $1.5 billion in adjusted EBITDA by the end of 2028. The EBITDA growth would then translate to $2.5 billion in cumulative cash flow from operations over the next three years. As for capital expenditures, they are aiming to maintain CapEx levels at 4% of sales, while targeting a long-term net leverage level of below 2.5x by 2028. The CEO further added that Sonocos operations are much simpler now, running two market-leading businesses with more focused priorities. This market position and streamlined focus make the company well positioned for consistent earnings growth, margin improvement, and more efficient capital allocation all translating into strong cash flow generation. Dow (DOW) Jumps on 3rd Time Inclusion in World's Best Workplaces Sonoco Products Company (NYSE:SON) is a manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging products. The company is based in Hartsville, South Carolina, and was founded in May 1899. While we acknowledge the potential of SON as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Following the US-Israel strikes on Iran, multiple airlinesincluding IndiGo and Air Indiacancelled or suspended flights to the region. A slew of global air carriers, such as Air France, KLM, Japan Airlines, and Norwegian Air, have so far cancelled scheduled flights to the Middle East, especially to Tel Aviv, on Saturday. IndiGo took to X to announce that it temporarily suspended flights to and from the Middle East, stating, "In view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and the Middle East, all flights to and from the Middle East are cancelled till 0000 hrs". Travel Advisory In view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and Middle East, all flights to and from Middle East are cancelled till 0000hrs. These measures have been instituted as the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority. Our teams are IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026 As per reports, the suspension covers flights to and from many Middle East airports such as Dubai, Jeddah, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Bahrain, Sharjah, Kuwait, and Ras Al-Khaimah. "Our teams are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and recalibrating operations to minimise disruption as much as possible," IndiGo added. #TravelAdvisory In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026 Air India suspended all west-bound international flights till further notice, it stated, after the Delhi-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Mumbai due to the closure of Israeli airspace. "We continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and will proactively review and adjust our operations as necessary," Air India said in a statement. Scandinavian Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv from Copenhagen on Saturday, while Turkish Airlines cancelled flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman on Saturday and flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until March 2. The closure of Qatar airspace also led to Qatar Airways suspending flights to and from Doha until further notice. Explosions were heard in downtown Tehran on Saturday morning after Israel launched a pre-emptive strike' in the Iranian capital city. Several missiles reportedly struck University Street and the Jomhuri area in Tehran according to Fars news agency. BREAKING: War on Iran starts. Israel has just hit Tehran. pic.twitter.com/oPSTBapXYi Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 The strikes happened near the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran International reported. The attacks targetted the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and the Parchin military complex Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been moved to a secure location, according to a source who spoke to Reuters. President Pezeshkian also remains unharmed. Iranian media reported that there were an additional two explosions in the city of Qom which is home to the world's biggest Shia seminary and in Karaj and Kermanshah. Tehran is preparing a response to the attacks. Ebrahim Azizi, Iran's head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament posted on X saying, "We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control." The IRGC linked Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran's airspace has been closed until further notice. The strikes were confirmed by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz as the country also declared a state of emergency nationwide. The Israeli military said that schools were shut and asked residents to work from home, anticipating possible Iranian retaliation with drones and ballistic missiles "In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces," an announcement by the Defense ministry on X read. Israel's Airports Authority also announced that its airspace have also been closed to all civilian flights. US President Donald Trump said that the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran were aimed at eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He posted an eight minute video regarding the strike on his social media platform Truth Social. Short time ago, US military began major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, Trump said. Trump also said that his administration would ensure that that the "terrorist regime would never have a nuclear weapon." The strikes have come after weeks of back and forth talks and a US military buildup around the country. The US had deployed two aircraft carriers and a number of naval destroyers and more than 50 fighter jets to the region. The focus of the strikes is Iran's military apparatus according to one offficial who spoke to the NYT. Every second day, media headlines blare: migrants and refugees subjected to systematic violence; attacks on refugee camps; arbitrary arrest and detention of refugees; and so on. These raise the question of how many refugees are actually there and what their origins are. While there are millions of refugees worldwide, lets focus on those from the Middle East and North Africa. What are the refugee trends in 2025 as compared to 2015? For a better understanding, most of the MENA countries are grouped into three categories: the GCC (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman), North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco), and the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine). Countries like Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, which do not fall into any grouping, can be analysedseparately. At the same time, countries such as Mauritania and Western Sahara are not typically included in the North African group. Nirmalshankar M. According to UNHCR estimates, the origins of refugees in the Middle East from 2015 to 2025 provide valuable insights. By 2025, 1,59,882 refugees come from the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is 88.2 per cent higher than in 2015, when it was only 84,950. Similarly, in Iraq, the numbers have steadily decreased after reaching their peak of 3,72,332 in 2018. Currently, 292,822 refugees are from Iraq, a 10.9 per cent increase from 264,086 in 2015. Meanwhile, in Yemen, the number of refugees in 2025 is 53,996, which represents a significant 239.5 per cent increase from 15,901 in 2015. First, analysing the number of refugees from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from 2015 to 2025 reveals startling results. Over the past decade, the number of refugees originating from GCC countries has grown rapidly. In 2015, there were 2,332 recorded refugees from these nations; by 2025, this number had increased by an impressive 181.7 per cent to 6,570. Kuwait leads with 51.7 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia with 36.9 per cent, while the remaining 12.4 per cent is shared among the others. Additionally, Qatar has the smallest number of refugees, making up only one per cent. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Second, the same pattern has continued in North Africa, where the situation has not improved; in fact, it has worsened. Compared to 2015, when 30,790 refugees originated there, North African countries reported more refugees in 2025. Currently, the number is 64,808, representing a 110.5 per cent increase over the past 10 years, with Egypt accounting for 38.8 per cent of the total refugee population. Meanwhile, Tunisia remains at the bottom with only 5.5 per cent. Third, the Levant is the largest refugee origin country in the entire MENA region, with 55,46,734 refugees in 2025. It slightly increased to 11.4 per cent from 2015, when the majority of these refugees, who originated from Syria, accounted for 98.9 per cent or 54,84,575 of the total refugees. In second place are Palestinian refugees, with a total of 46,503 and 0.8 per cent of the total population. However, the actual information on registered Palestinian refugees under UNRWAs mandate is limited. Ultimately, over a decade, the number of refugees originating from MENA countries has increased by 53,76,284 (13%) from 2015 to a total of 61,24,812 refugees from 19 countries in the region. The data shows that growing tensions in the region have made it a breeding ground for refugees, accounting for half of the worlds total refugee population. Furthermore, the number of refugees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is 2,424 and 3,399, which is surprisingly higher compared to Israel, which is 1,271. While Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the most powerful, wealthiest, and most stable rentier states in the Middle East, they produce a higher number of refugees than Israel. This raises a critical question: how do these peaceful GCC countries generate more refugees than the states involved in active territorial conflicts? The author is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK. After Israel launched a daylight attack on Iran's capital on Saturday, the Indian embassy in Israel urged its citizens to "exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times." In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times, the embassy said in an advisory. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East The advisory comes even as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Home Front Command warned civilians to stay close to bomb shelters as sirens sounded across the country. A message from the Home Front Command said that "due to the security situation," civilians should ensure they know what the optimal protected shelter near them is and avoid non-essential travel. "Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command," the post by Indian embassy on X said. "All Indian nationals should remain in close proximity to designated shelters and familiarise themselves with the nearest protected spaces in their area of residence or work," it said. "Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel until further notice. Citizens are encouraged to monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts regularly," it added. The embassy remains closely engaged with the relevant authorities and will continue to issue updates as necessary. Meanwhile, Air India said its flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv diverted to Mumbai due to Israel airspace closure. President Donald Trump also said the US has begun "major combat operations in Iran" after Israel launched strikes. After the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, Indian missions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, among other countries in the Gulf region, issued advisories on Saturday for their citizens, urging them to "exercise utmost caution" and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently. The situation escalated with Iran responding militarily firing barrages of ballistic missiles at US bases across the Middle East. State media in the United Arab Emirates said one person had been killed in Abu Dhabi but gave no details. Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan, all of which host a US military presence, said they had intercepted the Iranian missiles. "All occupied territories and the criminal US bases in the region have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles. This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated," Iran's Revolutionary Guards said. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi urged all Indian nationals in the country "to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, and follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the UAE authorities and the Embassy." The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, and the Consulate General in Dubai are continuing to function normally, it said in a post on X. It also provided a toll-free number (800-46342) and a WhatsApp number (+971543090571), along with two email IDs (pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in and ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in), for Indian nationals to contact in case of an emergency. The Embassy of India in Riyadh asked all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia "to remain vigilant" and strictly adhere to the safety guidelines prevalent in the country. In a post on X, it also asked them to "follow advisories issued by the local authorities and the Embassy," and asserted that the Embassy of India, Riyadh, and the Consulate in Jeddah are continuing to function normally and will issue updates and advisories as and when necessary. The Embassy's post also provided emergency 24/7 helpline numbers: 00-966-11-4884697, 00-966-542126748 (WhatsApp only), and 800 247 1234 (toll-free), apart from an email ID (cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in). The Indian Embassy in Jordan said in its advisory: "In view of the prevailing regional situation, all Indian nationals and tourists in Jordan are advised to exercise utmost caution, stay safe and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently." The advisory, posted on the Embassy's social media channels, further advised all Indian tourists in Jordan to leave the country "immediately before operations of commercial flights get disrupted." The Indian Embassy in Jordan also gave a contact number (00962-770 422 276) in case of any exigency. The Embassy of India in Bahrain also advised all Indian nationals in Bahrain to take due care and "follow news and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and local authorities." The Embassy said it is continuing to function "as usual" and shared a 24/7 helpline number (00973-39418071) in view of the current regional situation. The Representative Office of India to the State of Palestine in Ramallah advised all Indian nationals in Palestine "to remain vigilant" and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures. "Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement," it said in a post on X and gave contact details (+970592916418 or repoffice@mea.gov.in / cons.ramallah@mea.gov.in) in case of an emergency. With the US and Israel jointly carrying out strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliating with attacks on US assets in the Persian Gulf, the UK said it will deploy fighter jets for regional defensive operations. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the British forces and planes were coordinating defensive efforts to protect the country's interests and clarified that it was not participating in the strikes against Iran. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East "Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before, in line with international law," Starmer said in a video posted on X, adding that the UK has increased security for British bases and personnel to their highest level. Starmer said Iran can end this conflict now by giving up their nuclear weapons programmes and stop the "appalling violence and repression" against its citizens. The UK PM asserted that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and that it is a priority for Britain and its allies. His statement came after he chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee on Saturday morning. "We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict," a UK government representative said, reiterating Britain's support for a negotiated solution. After the United States and Israel targeted multiple locations in Tehran on Saturday morning, President Donald Trump said in a video message that the objective is "to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground." There were hints of a full-scale offensive against the Islamic Republic, as Trump mentioned that American lives may be lost during the military actions in the Middle East. The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, the US President reportedly said. READ HERE | Did US attack Iran? Israeli media says Tehran was targeted during joint operation For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East He said the US had taken every possible step to minimise the risk to US personnel in the region. "We are going to destroy their missiles; we are going to annihilate their navy," Trump added. Israel launched a daylight attack on Iran's capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Earlier, news agency Reuters had quoted US military officials as saying that they were preparing for military operations targeting Tehran that may last many days. It also wasn't immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was in his offices when the USIsraeli offensive began on Saturday. He hasn't been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme. READ HERE | Israel launches pre-emptive strikes on Iran's ministries; declares nationwide emergency before counterattacks Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Neighbouring Iraq closed its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran's military, symbols of government, and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss non-public information on the attack. With the United States and Israel unleashing fresh attacks on Iran, the airstrikes have signalled that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei could be among possible targets. ALSO READ: Who was Mohammad Pakpour? IRGC chief killed in airstrike, claim Israeli officials Seven missiles hit a location near the presidential palace in Shemiran to the north of Tehran and near Khamenei's compound, according to Tasnim new agency. Khamenei's offices in Tehran were also struck, reported AP. Where is Ayatollah Khamenei? According to a source cited by Reuters, Ayatollah Khamenei is not in Tehran currently and has been moved a safer location. After the airstrikes, Trump urged Iranians to overthrow Khamenei's regime. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," the US president said. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Earlier in February, US President Donald Trump told ABC News that Khamenei should be "very worried" amid Washington's massive military buildup in the region. During the 12-day war in June, Trump said he knows where the "so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding." "He is an easy target, but is safe there We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said back then. After the 12-day war in Iran, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Iranian Supreme Leader said, "A dictator like Khamenei who stands at the head of a state like Iran and has the horrible goal of destroying Israel cannot continue to exist." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahi in June said his government has not ruled out assassination of Khamenei, which can "end the long-running conflict between the US and Iran. The commander-in-chief of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Mohammad Pakpour has been killed, according to Israel officials. Who was Mohammad Pakpour? Mohammad Pakpour succeeded Hossein Salami as the commander-in-chief of IRGC after he was killed by Israel at the beginning of the 12-day war in June. He was appointed IRGC head on June 13, 2025. ALSO READ: Where is Ayatollah Khamenei? Iran Supreme Leader moved to safer location as US airstrikes target locations linked to him With a PhD in Political Geography, Pakpour joined the IRGC in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution. He also served during the Iran-Iraq War. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Israeli officials also believe that Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami and chief of intelligence have also been killed in the strikes. However, these claims have not been verified by the Israeli military IDF nor have they been confirmed by Iran. Reports had earlier claimed that the airstrikes also targeted top leaders including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. These have not been confirmed by either sides. After the strikes by the US and Israel, IRGC said Tehran's retaliation will "continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated." It targeted US military and air bases in the Gulf countries, including, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. "All US bases, resources, and interests throughout the region are considered legitimate targets for Iranian army," stated IRGC. Amid the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Pakistan declared an open war against the latter, the US has come out in support of Islamabad, saying the country supports Pakistans right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban US diplomat Allison Hooker said in a social media post that she spoke on Friday with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistans right to defend itself against Taliban attacks, she wrote. The remarks come after US President Donald Trump praised the top Pakistani leadership, including Pakistan Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. I would (intervene). But I get along with Pakistan very, very well. They have a great prime minister, a great General. They have a great leader. They are two of the people that I really respect a lot. Pakistan is doing terrifically well, Trump had said when asked by reporters if he would be willing to mediate. The Taliban rulers have already expressed a willingness to resolve issues through dialogue. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, expressed concern over the escalation of violence between the two countries and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The UN chief is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that the violence is having on civilian populations. He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has also called for de-escalation, saying, The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan. Donald Trump at an event in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday. Photograph: Michael Gonzalez/AP Photograph: Michael Gonzalez/AP The Trump administration said refunds of tariffs struck down by the US supreme court will take time, according to court documents filed by the Department of Justice. Businesses including FedEx have lined up to demand reimbursement for US tariffs they have paid but that the court last week deemed were imposed illegally, prompting heavy criticism from Donald Trump. The justice department did not say it plans to ask the supreme court to rehear the case, despite Trumps comments earlier on Friday. Claiming that refunds could ultimately cost hundreds of billions of dollars, the president wrote: I am sure that the supreme court did not have this in mind! Related: Trumps scramble to fix his crumbling tariff strategy sows global chaos and confusion It doesnt make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved windfall, the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling, Trump posted on Truth Social. Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible??? Since the supreme court struck down many of the tariffs last week, dozens of companies have rushed to court seeking refunds, joining hundreds that had already filed suits in anticipation of the ruling. The decision amounts to a sharp rebuke, toppling a key pillar of Trumps aggressive economic agenda. It also infuriated the president, who lambasted the court and vowed to impose new tariffs in a much more powerful and obnoxious way on countries that fail to comply with his wishes. Related: Trump illegally used executive power to impose global tariffs, supreme court rules The supreme court ruled that a 1977 law designed to address national emergencies did not provide the legal justification for most of the administrations tariffs on countries around the world. As Trump and his officials scrambled to identify legal mechanisms they could use to enforce his tariffs, they imposed a sweeping, but temporary, 10% US tariff on imports from much of the world earlier this week. Under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, this new duty can be imposed for 150 days. (Trigger warning: The following review contains mentions of domestic abuse and sexual violence) I've never been to therapy. But, after seeing "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond", I'm seriously considering it. Or, maybe I'll just deal with the after-effects by watching multiple videos of fluffy Golden Retrievers and chonky Ragdoll cats. This is a "horror" movie of the bad variety. A couple of reasons. One, this is the kind of movie that you have to be mentally well-prepared for, more than you would a genuine horror movie. Two, it reminds you of the kind of hate that can be manufactured through the medium of cinema. By "you", I'm referring to the sensible, critical-thinking, independent-minded, progressive ones among us. This is a movie that professes its strong disapproval of this very group and, of course, Muslims. This movie believes qualities like critical thinking and independence are unhealthy, because apparently, they can corrupt young Hindu girls/women. In this movie's world, there's not a single bad Hindu. They are the champions of purity and culture. Their men can do no wrong, apparently. It's only the Muslim men who are capable of it. In a country where criminals associated with a ruling party, who committed some of the most heinous crimes, are allowed to walk free, right? Who are they trying to fool? Also, in a movie like this, it's not a surprise that one of the Muslim men, addressed later as a "terrorist", who forces a Hindu girl to convert and confines her to a room forever, was somebody who pretended to be a "Muslim liberal journalist". This is the least amount of the so-called "character development" they can come up with because the other two men are basically the same people except for their appearances. They are all drama queens who indulge in emotional blackmail to ensnare their victims. One cuts his hand. Another slaps himself. The third starts crying at the drop of a hat. All nefarious individuals. But where are the young Hindu men who are capable of doing the same thing? No representation. The only good Hindu men in the movie are the fathers of the three women. And, of course, the other older men who assemble together in the fight, which includes the cops. It goes without saying that this is a fictional movie completely cooked up in the imagination of people who share the delusion or should I say, fear? that their country will be overtaken by Muslims in the future. What kind of dystopian nightmare is this? I'm not asking this out of curiosity, but merely pointing out the absurdity of it all. Such people do exist, and it's evident that this movie is made for "WhatsApp uncles" who believe that all Muslims are as bad as the evil men presented in the movie. It's funny that the so-called "research" this movie is based on is shown in Hindi at the end of the movie, not in English, and read by a narrator in a hurry. Basically, if you can't read Hindi, you're not going to get an idea of what data they're referring to, and if you know Hindi, you're not given enough time to process. The same goes for the dialogues without English subtitles. As for the Malayalis, no, this movie isn't set entirely in Kerala. Three locations: Kochi, Jodhpur, and Gwalior. The characters and their parents, even the joke of a Malayali "representation" basically, Shalini Unnikrishnan 2.0 and Thekkepattu Sundari Damodharan Pillai 2.0 mostly speak in Hindi with the occasional use of "acha" (dad), "amma" (mom) and "adipoli" (super). I wish they had completely stuck to Hindi because whenever they utter a badly pronounced Malayalam word, it's like dipping beef in ice cream (not that I've tried it, but beef lovers can imagine). Speaking of beef, it's the "progressive" Malayali woman (played by Ulka Gupta in the hammiest manner possible) who is forced to eat beef by her Muslim boyfriend and the group of purdha-clad women at his lair. What's even funnier is that, after all the torture, she later magically realises that her true identity has always been... Hindu. Whoa! I must, however, say that Aishwarya Ojha is quite good as a promising javelin thrower, a devout Hindu woman, who, out of all the three women, has to endure the worst, which involves getting raped multiple times by men of all age groups. She is so convincing in depicting her suffering that you can't help but feel moved. But at the same time, one cannot help but think how tricky this casting is, because there's the nagging sense that, by casting such a strong performer, the makers are manipulating you in the cheapest manner possible. While on cheap, don't get me started on how these sexual assaults are shot. It's as cheap as anything you see in a 1980s/1990 movie. You know, the men coming out of the bedroom one by one, with a look of either smug satisfaction or a wicked smile. Two of the actors are classic examples of typecasting. One of the rapists, played by Madhur Mittal, has played the same role before, in Raveena Tandon's "Maatr". Ojha, on the other hand, played a Muslim rape victim, the Bilkis Bano stand-in, in the opening portions of actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran's "L2E: Empuraan" a movie that right-wing groups had a BIG problem with, for obvious reasons. You could ask why these actors chose to do movies like these. Well, it's their job, isn't it? Don't count on celebrities to validate your political ideologies. "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" ends with a "triumphant" sequence involving a bunch of bulldozers and a song with "Har Har Mahadev" and "Shivaji" in the lyrics. Talk about subtle. No, movies like this shouldn't be banned. Absolutely not. Let them continue to make them. It helps understand for those who can stomach the kind of sensory assault filmmakers like these subject their viewers to the insidious minds that not only make such movies but also vehemently back them. Film: The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond Director: Kamakhya Narayan Singh Cast: Ulka Gupta, Aishwarya Ojha, Aditi Bhatia, Sumit Gahlawat, Arjan Singh Aujla, Yuktam Kholsa Rating: 1/5 Pop Mart International Group Limited Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:PMRTY Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $31.6340, but opened at $28.61. Pop Mart International Group shares last traded at $29.79, with a volume of 673 shares changing hands. Pop Mart International Group Price Performance The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.78 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.65. Get Pop Mart International Group alerts: Pop Mart International Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Pop Mart International Group Ltd is a leading designer, developer and retailer of collectible art toys and lifestyle products. Founded in Beijing in 2010, the company has built a portfolio of proprietary intellectual property and artist collaborations, with its core business centered on blind-box collectible figurines that combine contemporary design with surprise-driven consumer engagement. Pop Marts distinctive toy offerings span a variety of artist-led series and thematic collections, making it a recognized name among collectors and casual consumers alike. The companys product lineup features several signature brands, including Pucky, Molly and Dimoo, each characterized by unique aesthetic styles and narrative elements. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Pop Mart International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pop Mart International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC Get Free Report) insider Kiersten Zaza Botelho bought 1,300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $14.21 per share, for a total transaction of $18,473.00. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 93,336 shares in the company, valued at $1,326,304.56. The trade was a 1.41% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Hercules Capital Price Performance Shares of NYSE:HTGC traded down $1.22 on Friday, hitting $14.22. The company had a trading volume of 10,141,365 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,633,990. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of $2.61 billion, a PE ratio of 7.77 and a beta of 0.84. Hercules Capital, Inc. has a 52-week low of $14.10 and a 52-week high of $21.14. The business has a 50 day moving average of $17.73 and a 200 day moving average of $18.21. Get Hercules Capital alerts: Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.48. The firm had revenue of $133.25 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $141.57 million. Hercules Capital had a net margin of 63.80% and a return on equity of 15.97%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.49 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Hercules Capital, Inc. will post 1.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hercules Capital Cuts Dividend Key Hercules Capital News The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 25th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Hercules Capitals dividend payout ratio is presently 87.43%. Here are the key news stories impacting Hercules Capital this week: Positive Sentiment: Multiple insiders (CEO Scott Bluestein, CFO Seth Meyer and several directors) bought stock this week collectively over ~46,000 shares signaling management confidence at current levels. See the CEOs SEC filing for details. CEO SEC Filing Multiple insiders (CEO Scott Bluestein, CFO Seth Meyer and several directors) bought stock this week collectively over ~46,000 shares signaling management confidence at current levels. See the CEOs SEC filing for details. Neutral Sentiment: Analysts have modestly lowered fair-value estimates and price targets (examples: consolidated fair value trimmed from ~$21.22 to ~$20.31; several firms trimmed targets and ratings), a recalibration rather than a wholesale downgrade of the thesis. Analyst Note Analysts have modestly lowered fair-value estimates and price targets (examples: consolidated fair value trimmed from ~$21.22 to ~$20.31; several firms trimmed targets and ratings), a recalibration rather than a wholesale downgrade of the thesis. Negative Sentiment: Unusual bearish options flow investors bought ~28,062 put contracts (a >1,200% jump vs typical daily put volume) a strong short-term bearish signal that can amplify downward pressure. Unusual bearish options flow investors bought ~28,062 put contracts (a >1,200% jump vs typical daily put volume) a strong short-term bearish signal that can amplify downward pressure. Negative Sentiment: Hercules cut its quarterly dividend to $0.07 (annualized $0.28), reducing income appeal for yield?seeking investors and increasing concern about payout sustainability (payout ratio ~87%). See company data and dividend details. MarketBeat HTGC Hercules cut its quarterly dividend to $0.07 (annualized $0.28), reducing income appeal for yield?seeking investors and increasing concern about payout sustainability (payout ratio ~87%). See company data and dividend details. Negative Sentiment: Recent analyst downgrades and price?target cuts (Wells Fargo, Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Piper Sandler and others) have pressured sentiment and likely contributed to selling. Analyst Coverage Institutional Trading of Hercules Capital Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Hercules Capital by 173.3% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 89,575 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,605,000 after acquiring an additional 56,797 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Hercules Capital by 308.9% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 79,555 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,493,000 after acquiring an additional 60,100 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Hercules Capital by 42.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 884,946 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,734,000 after purchasing an additional 263,222 shares during the period. Tred Avon Family Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hercules Capital in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,042,000. Finally, Muzinich & Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Hercules Capital by 34.5% during the 3rd quarter. Muzinich & Co. Inc. now owns 992,820 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,774,000 after purchasing an additional 254,651 shares during the period. 19.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analysts Set New Price Targets HTGC has been the subject of several analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on Hercules Capital from $20.00 to $19.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 13th. Capital One Financial set a $19.75 price objective on Hercules Capital in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Hercules Capital from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler lowered Hercules Capital from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $20.50 to $17.50 in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Hercules Capital from $18.00 to $17.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $19.29. Read Our Latest Report on HTGC About Hercules Capital (Get Free Report) Hercules Capital, Inc is a specialty finance company organized as a business development company (BDC) that provides tailored debt financing solutions to high?growth companies. Through its external management structure, Hercules Capital extends senior secured loans, subordinated debt and growth capital designed to support research and development, expansion initiatives and working capital needs. The firm primarily partners with venture capital and private equity sponsors to finance innovative enterprises across various developmental stages. The companys investment portfolio is concentrated in technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology sectors, reflecting its focus on industries with strong growth prospects and recurring capital requirements. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hercules Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hercules Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Portland Estates PLC (OTCMKTS:GPEAF Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,098,776 shares, a drop of 60.5% from the January 29th total of 2,784,935 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 34 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 32,316.9 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 34 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 32,316.9 days. Great Portland Estates Price Performance GPEAF stock remained flat at $4.63 during mid-day trading on Friday. 5 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 44. Great Portland Estates has a 1 year low of $3.64 and a 1 year high of $5.23. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $4.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $4.37. Get Great Portland Estates alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Great Portland Estates from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Great Portland Estates currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Great Portland Estates Company Profile (Get Free Report) Great Portland Estates plc is a London-based real estate investment trust (REIT) specialising in the acquisition, development and management of commercial property in central London. The company focuses on office space, retail premises and mixed-use residential schemes, targeting prime locations across the West End, the City and Midtown. Its core activities include asset repositioning through refurbishment and redevelopment, proactive leasing and tenant relationship management, and selective disposals to optimise portfolio value. The firms investment strategy centres on identifying underutilised or outdated properties and unlocking value through strategic redevelopment. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Great Portland Estates Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Portland Estates and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XHLF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 17,304 shares, a decline of 64.9% from the January 29th total of 49,347 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 263,231 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 263,231 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Stock Up 0.0% XHLF stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $50.35. The company had a trading volume of 527,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 498,570. BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a 1-year low of $50.17 and a 1-year high of $50.42. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $50.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.32. Get BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF alerts: BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were paid a $0.1649 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. This is an increase from BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETFs previous monthly dividend of $0.16. Hedge Funds Weigh In On BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Company Profile Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the third quarter worth $25,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 600.0% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 700 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 1,779.6% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 921 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 872 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nemes Rush Group LLC bought a new stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $50,000. (Get Free Report) The Bondbloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XHLF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of six months. XHLF was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Imricor Medical Systems (ASX:IMR) used its full-year FY2025 results call to frame the year as a transition from proven to ready, highlighting regulatory milestones in Europe, expanding clinical activity in both Europe and the U.S., and building commercial infrastructure ahead of broader rollouts. Management reiterated the companys focus on MRI-guided cardiac ablation, aiming to move procedures from traditional X-ray cath labs to MRI environments where physicians can see soft tissue and lesion formation during interventions. Get alerts: FY2025 milestones: regulatory progress and clinical firsts Chief Executive Officer Steve Wedan said FY2025 delivered progress across three dimensions: regulatory and clinical process, commercial readiness, and balance sheet strength. In Europe, Wedan said the company received CE mark approvals under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for its second-generation ablation catheter and capital equipment, as well as for NorthStar, which he described as the only 3D mapping and guidance system designed specifically for MRI. He called MDR perhaps the most challenging regulatory framework in the world today, positioning the approvals as a key validation for the platform. Wedan also emphasized a clinical milestone at Amsterdam University Medical Centers: the first-in-human ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation under real-time MRI guidance. He said the procedure included multiple first-in-human achievements and argued the case is a reference point for electrophysiology, particularly because outcomes and efficiency for VT remain very disappointing under conventional X-ray guidance. U.S. pathway: 510(k) clearances and trial site expansion Wedan said the company completed a large human factors study across its products, involving physician-led teams from roughly 20 U.S. hospitals, to support FDA approval efforts. He noted that NorthStar and the Vision-MR diagnostic catheter were submitted for 510(k) clearance and have since been cleared by the FDA in January. On the clinical side, Wedan said the company expanded its VISABL-AFL trial, which supports FDA approval of the ablation catheter and generator. The University of Virginia was added as a second U.S. site, followed by Virginia Commonwealth University and Oklahoma Heart Institute. He said the company was progressing toward first procedures at each site. During Q&A, Wedan said the VISABL-AFL trial target is 92 procedures. He explained the trial began with four sites (three in Europe and one in the U.S. at Johns Hopkins University) and that adding U.S. sites was intended to accelerate enrollment after disappointing enrollment rates in Europe. He also said protocol changes were made to allow more patients to qualify, describing the balancing act between regulatory trial requirements and common medical practice. Wedan added that increased U.S. enrollment would provide additional U.S. data for the FDA, reiterating managements expectation to have the entire platform approved in this calendar year. Commercial readiness: Europe pipeline growth, platform compatibility, Middle East setup Wedan said the company completed integration and testing of NorthStar on the Philips MRI platform, which he said unlocks Philips sites, and trained a European sales team hired in July. He said these efforts helped expand the European customer pipeline from 7 to 40 by year-end. In the Middle East, Wedan said construction began on two ICMR labs in Saudi Arabia and that the company supported an accredited ICMR summit in Riyadh attended by close to 100 doctors, alongside a key opinion leader from Amsterdam. In later remarks and Q&A, Wedan said platform compatibility matters because hospitals typically do not switch MRI vendors easily. He said Philips integration also supports Middle East expansion, which he described as pretty heavily weighted toward the Philips platform, and noted GE integration was progressing but not quite ready yet. He said the company expected flutter volumes to step up quite nicely through the rest of the calendar year, while also noting site activations require planning and budgeting and therefore take time. Financial results: lower revenue, higher investment, stronger cash position Chief Financial Officer Jon addressed financial performance, noting all figures were in U.S. dollars. Total revenue for FY2025 was $292,000, down from $959,000 in the prior year. Consumable revenue was $171,000, down 63% year over year. Jon attributed the decline to the prior year including an initial sale of consumables to a distribution partner in the Middle East and to continued enrollment of European sites in the VISABL-AFL trial, which he said included procedures that were not revenue-generating in the short term. Costs and non-R&D expenses increased by $2.8 million versus the prior year, reflecting renewed investment in the European sales team and commercial support functions ahead of revenue growth and preparation for a U.S. launch. R&D spending increased by $3 million, driven primarily by staffing to support multiple concurrent development programs and regulatory initiatives, including investments related to the VISABL-AFL trial and the VISABL-VT trial, which commenced enrollment during the year. Net loss was $25.3 million, a 15% improvement from the prior year, which Jon said was primarily due to a lower fair value change recognized in the current year. On an adjusted basis excluding fair value changes and foreign exchange gains, the underlying net loss was $20.99 million, up 33% compared to the prior years adjusted net loss of $15.75 million. Jon said the company ended the year with $40.8 million of cash and marketable securities. Operating cash outflow was approximately $19 million, up $3.5 million, which he attributed to increased investment in commercial development, clinical research, and regulatory affairs, as well as ongoing approval processes. He added that marketable securities consisted of short-term U.S. Treasury bills expected to convert to cash in the first half of 2026. NorthStar strategy, VT expansion, and near-term catalysts Management repeatedly highlighted NorthStar as a central commercialization driver. In Q&A, Wedan said the U.S. sales and marketing team was preparing a proper launch now that NorthStar is cleared, adding that inbound interest had already begun, particularly from pediatric hospitals. Asked about pricing, he said the company has established an approach that will be market-tested with early adopters, and described NorthStar as a platform capable of supporting multiple frameworks beyond electrophysiology, including diagnostic catheterization and structural heart applications. On VT, Wedan described MRI guidance as a way to reduce reliance on intracardiac echo and separate mapping catheters, potentially improving workflow and economics. He said the VISABL-VT trial is not expected to be linear, with additional time needed for site setup followed by faster execution. He told investors the company had targeted six high-volume VT sites with prominent key opinion leaders and that, after the first-in-human case in Amsterdam, three sites were active with three more identified. Wedan also outlined near-term milestones, including ongoing 510(k) progress, PMA module submissions (with modules one and two submitted and module three nearing submission), additional clinical milestones, new site activations, and Middle East first procedures and expansion. He also said the company continued R&D in pulsed field ablation with the intention of bringing that modality to the ICMR lab. About Imricor Medical Systems (ASX:IMR) Imricor Medical Systems, Inc, a medical device company, designs, manufactures, sells, and distributes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible products for cardiac catheter ablation procedures in the United States. The company's principal product includes the Advantage-MR EP Recorder/Stimulator system, an EP recording system and cardiac stimulator. Its products also include Vision-MR Ablation Catheter, which is used as an indication for treating type I atrial flutter; and Vision-MR Dispersive Electrode that is used to minimize eddy currents induced on the conductive pads during MR scanning. See Also SPX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SPXC Get Free Report)s share price was down 8.7% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $216.12 and last traded at $221.9950. Approximately 126,293 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 404,375 shares. The stock had previously closed at $243.04. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently commented on SPXC. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of SPX Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. TD Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of SPX Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. B. Riley Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $244.00 target price (up from $225.00) on shares of SPX Technologies in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Truist Financial upped their target price on SPX Technologies from $216.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America raised SPX Technologies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $240.00 to $280.00 in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $249.29. Get SPX Technologies alerts: Read Our Latest Report on SPX Technologies SPX Technologies Trading Down 2.0% The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $218.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $204.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.31 billion, a PE ratio of 45.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.32. SPX Technologies (NYSE:SPXC Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.02. SPX Technologies had a return on equity of 17.82% and a net margin of 10.77%.The business had revenue of $637.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $625.98 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.4% compared to the same quarter last year. SPX Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.600-8.000 EPS. Analysts predict that SPX Technologies, Inc. will post 5.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider J Randall Data sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.37, for a total value of $2,584,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 38,020 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,188,367.40. This trade represents a 23.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 3.32% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SPXC. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. purchased a new stake in SPX Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of SPX Technologies by 52.9% in the 3rd quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 156 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the period. Optiver Holding B.V. boosted its stake in shares of SPX Technologies by 110.5% in the third quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 160 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in SPX Technologies during the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new position in SPX Technologies in the third quarter worth $34,000. 92.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. SPX Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) SPX Technologies (NYSE:SPXC) is a diversified global supplier of highly engineered products and solutions serving industrial, municipal, energy and utility markets. The company designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of equipment that helps customers monitor, control and manage critical processes in water distribution, power generation, HVAC, refrigeration and industrial applications. The companys Detection & Measurement Technologies segment offers leak detection systems, pipe and asset assessment tools, fluid flow measurement devices, gas detection equipment and related services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for SPX Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPX Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NTT Inc. Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:NTTYY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 29,742 shares, a decrease of 70.9% from the January 29th total of 102,364 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 232,788 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 232,788 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. NTT Price Performance Shares of NTT stock traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $24.39. 122,487 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 138,938. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $25.00 and a 200-day simple moving average of $25.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market cap of $83.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.19 and a beta of 0.08. NTT has a 52 week low of $22.80 and a 52 week high of $28.70. Get NTT alerts: NTT (OTCMKTS:NTTYY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $23.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.07 billion. NTT had a return on equity of 10.50% and a net margin of 7.66%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered NTT from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, NTT currently has an average rating of Hold. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on NTTYY NTT Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) is a Japan-based telecommunications and information technology company. Established as a state-owned entity in 1952 and privatized in 1985, NTT provides a broad array of network services and IT solutions. The companys core offerings include fixed?line and mobile communications, high?speed internet services, and network management for enterprise and consumer customers. NTTs business operations are organized across several key subsidiaries. Read More Receive News & Ratings for NTT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NTT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sse Plc (OTCMKTS:SSEZY Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $36.8911 and last traded at $36.7480, with a volume of 41040 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $35.60. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of SSE in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of SSE in a report on Monday, January 26th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of SSE from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. UBS Group cut shares of SSE from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, November 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of SSE in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, SSE presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get SSE alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SSEZY SSE Stock Performance SSE Company Profile The business has a 50-day moving average price of $32.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $28.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. (Get Free Report) SSE plc (OTCMKTS:SSEZY) is a United Kingdombased energy company engaged across the electricity value chain. Its principal activities include power generation, energy supply to residential and commercial customers, and ownership/operation of electricity networks. The company has a significant presence in renewable energy development alongside conventional generation, and it provides a range of energy-related services and infrastructure solutions. On the generation side, SSEs portfolio spans both low-carbon technologiessuch as onshore and offshore wind and hydroelectric assetsand thermal generation that supports system reliability. Read More Receive News & Ratings for SSE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SSE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coupang (NYSE:CPNG) executives used the companys fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call to address an employee-driven data incident, outline progress in newer growth initiatives such as Taiwan, and discuss a slower finish to the year in its core Korean commerce business that management said appeared tied to customer reaction in December. Get alerts: Management details scope of data incident and remediation Founder and CEO Bom Kim opened by apologizing to customers and emphasizing that trust remains central to Coupangs strategy. General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer H.L. Rogers, who also serves as interim CEO of Coupangs Korean subsidiary, provided an update on the incident previously disclosed in late 2025. Rogers said a former employee illegally accessed data from over 33 million user accounts and retained data from approximately 3,000 user accounts in Korea and one user account in Taiwan. Coupang retained outside cybersecurity firms Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks to conduct a third-party forensic investigation. According to Rogers, the investigation found the accessed information was limited to basic contact and order information, including names, emails, phone numbers, delivery addresses, and limited order history. Building lobby codes were accessed for 2,609 Korean user accounts. Rogers said forensic experts confirmed no highly sensitive data was accessed, stating that no financial data, passwords, or government-issued IDs were compromised. Rogers said Mandiants forensic evidence was consistent with the conclusion that the former employee later deleted the retained data and that there was no evidence it had been viewed by anyone else. He added there have been 0 confirmed instances of customer data being exploited, and that external monitoring effortsincluding dark web and deep web monitoringhad not detected misuse or appearance of Coupang user data attributable to the incident. Rogers also said Korean authorities indicated they had found no evidence of misuse or secondary harm to date. Palo Alto Networks concluded, Rogers said, that Coupangs security controls were aligned with industry standards and that the incident resulted from a targeted attack by a malicious former employee who exploited a valid software development process, rather than a systemic security failure. The company said it remediated the method used to access the system in November 2025. Rogers noted customer behavior in the immediate aftermath included removing saved payment methods, changing passwords, and, in some cases, deleting accounts. He said those trends later stabilized and began to recover as more facts emerged. Coupang also announced a customer compensation program to issue approximately $1.2 billion in vouchers to notified customers, redeemable for future purchases beginning Jan. 15. Rogers said investigations by Korean agencies remain ongoing and that it is too early to determine whether fines or other actions may result. Core Product Commerce results slow late in quarter CFO Gaurav Anand said Product Commerce segment net revenue was $7.4 billion, up 8% year over year, or 12% on a constant-currency basis. That marked a slowdown from the 18% constant-currency growth rate reported in the prior quarter, which Anand attributed primarily to a December slowdown that appears related to the data incident, with a smaller impact from the timing of the Chuseok holiday shifting between quarters. Product Commerce active customers were 24.6 million, up 8% year over year but slightly below 24.7 million reported in the prior quarter. Anand said the quarter-over-quarter decline in active customers also appeared tied to the data incident, but that trends had stabilized since the end of Q4, with many customers reactivating accounts. On WOW membership, Anand said most members retained their subscriptions and that WOW members fourth-quarter spending increased double digits year over year. However, he noted a slight year-over-year decrease in total WOW members due to elevated churn in December that appeared related to the incident. He said churn and new sign-ups later returned to historical stable levels. Segment gross profit was $2.4 billion, up 5% year over year, or 9% on a constant-currency basis. Anand said that growth was affected by slower revenue growth in December and referenced a non-recurring fire insurance gain recorded in the year-ago quarter. He said adjusted gross profit growth in constant currency was 15% and outpaced revenue growth, driven by faster growth in marketplace offerings, including FLC, relative to first-party retail. Product Commerce gross margin was 31.9%, contracting more than 80 basis points year over year, but Anand said that excluding the fire insurance gain, margins improved 85 basis points, citing operational efficiencies and mix shifts toward margin-accretive categories. Segment adjusted EBITDA was $567 million, up 5% year over year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.7%. Developing Offerings led by Taiwan hypergrowth; investments continue In Developing Offerings, Coupang reported record segment net revenue of $1.4 billion, up 32% year over year, or 31% on a constant-currency basis. Anand said Taiwan again delivered triple-digit year-over-year revenue growth. He also noted a moderate impact on Eats growth following the data incident, but said those trends had stabilized and improved. Developing Offerings generated $183 million in gross profit, down 24% year over year, as the company continued investing in early-stage businesses. Segment adjusted EBITDA losses were $300 million in Q4, contributing to full-year losses of $995 million, according to Anand. Kim highlighted operational progress in Taiwan, saying the companys self-built last-mile logistics network now covers nearly 70% of the geography. He said roughly 75% of December volume was delivered next day through Coupangs own last-mile network, with consistent service and no significant increase in variable unit costs. He cautioned that growth rates may not be linear because the company is building physical retail, fulfillment, and logistics capabilities rather than operating a purely digital marketplace. Kim also said Coupang remains encouraged by Eats in Korea and early learnings from Rocket Now food delivery in Japan, noting promising retention and engagement trends across cohorts. He added that Farfetch delivered its first quarter of positive year-over-year revenue growth since Coupangs acquisition and had positive overall economics, according to management. Consolidated results, cash flow, and 2026 outlook On a consolidated basis, Coupang reported total net revenues of $8.8 billion, up 11% year over year on a reported basis and 14% in constant currency. Consolidated gross profit was $2.5 billion, up 2% year over year (5% constant currency). Gross margin was 28.8%, down more than 100 basis points year over year, with Anand citing short-term demand changes and higher investment in Developing Offerings. Operating income was $8 million, and net loss attributable to stockholders was $26 million, or a diluted loss per share of $0.01. Anand said the change in profitability was driven by higher investment in Developing Offerings and the short-term impacts discussed, while the net income shift also reflected an elevated effective tax rate tied to growing losses in Developing Offerings. He said the full-year effective tax rate was 64% and that the company continues to expect normalization toward about 25% over the long term. Adjusted EBITDA was $267 million, down 37% year over year, with a 3% margin. For the full year, Coupang reported operating cash flow of $1.8 billion and free cash flow of $527 million. Anand said the nearly 50% year-over-year decline in free cash flow was predominantly due to the data incidents working-capital impact in Q4 and higher capital expenditures. Looking ahead, Anand said Coupang expects muted trends in growth and profitability over the next few months, with data incident impacts diminishing over the course of 2026, but with some unevenness in top-line growth. He said Product Commerce had been growing 16% in constant currency in the three months prior to December and estimated growth reached its lowest level in January at about 4% after adjusting for Lunar New Year timing, with improving indicators beginning in February. For Q1, Coupang expects consolidated constant-currency revenue growth of 5% to 10%. Anand also said the companys historical pattern of annual consolidated EBITDA margin expansion would be disrupted in 2026 due to dynamic Product Commerce trends, customer-support investments, and potential incident-related costs, though he emphasized these do not represent a structural change. For Developing Offerings, Coupang expects full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA losses between $950 million and $1 billion. Q&A: AI, tech spending, and buybacks In Q&A, management reiterated that it did not provide a specific estimate for the data incidents direct financial impact in Q4, but emphasized stabilization in active customer and WOW trends and improving post-January indicators. Asked about Taiwans timeline to positive unit economics, management said its focus remains on building a customer experience that wows users, with profitability expected to follow through scale and operating leverage once the foundation is built. On technology spending, management said Coupangs cybersecurity spend has been among the top three in Korea over the past four years and that while the company will prioritize more of that spend toward cybersecurity, it does not expect a structural change in OG&A. On capital returns, Anand said Coupang repurchased about 5.9 million shares during the quarter under its existing authorization. He added that of the board-approved $1 billion program, $243 million had been utilized to date, with the company planning to remain disciplined and opportunistic as it balances buybacks with other strategic priorities. About Coupang (NYSE:CPNG) Coupang, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CPNG, is a South Korean e-commerce company headquartered in Seoul. Founded in 2010 by Bom Kim, the company grew rapidly by combining an online marketplace with a large direct-retail business model. Coupang completed a primary listing in the United States in 2021, and it has become one of South Koreas leading online retailers by focusing on convenience, speed and a wide product assortment across consumer categories. The company operates a vertically integrated e-commerce platform that includes a customer-facing marketplace and an extensive logistics and fulfillment network. Featured Articles Key Takeaways A new plan floated by President Trump would provide workers who don't have employer-sponsored plans with retirement accounts. These accounts will mimic the existing Thrift Savings Plan currently used by federal workers, according to the White House. The initiative builds on a provision in the Secure 2.0 law that would provide low-income workers with a $1,000 matching contribution to their retirement accounts beginning in 2027. President Trump just unveiled a policy that would provide retirement accounts next year to workers who don't have access to 401(k)s. "Your 401(k)s are way up. Yet half of all working Americans still do not have access to a retirement plan with matching contributions from an employer," said President Trump at the State of the Union address yesterday. "To remedy this gross disparity, Im announcing that next year my administration will give these oft-forgotten American workers ... access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker," he said. "We will match your contribution with up to $1,000 each year." According to the White House, these new accounts will be similar to the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan available to federal employees. What This Means For You Expanding access to these accounts could encourage more people to save retirement, and that could potentially reduce their reliance on Social Security and boost their standard of living. The Thrift Savings Plan resembles a traditional 401(k): employees can choose from a selection of different investment options and make contributions that are automatically deducted from their paychecks. The White House notes that these new accounts would also allow contributions from private donors and would be portable, so workers could still use them even if they switched jobs. The $1,000 government matching contribution will be provided to workers through a provision in Secure 2.0, a federal law passed in 2022. With the Saver's Match program in Secure 2.0, eligible low-income taxpayers will receive a matching contribution to their IRA or other retirement plan starting in 2027. Under the Saver's Match, those who qualify will receive up to $1,000, equal to a 50% match on a $2,000 contribution. Trump's new proposal isn't the first of its kind. The Retirement Savings for Americans Act was first introduced in Congress in 2022. The bill aims to establish retirement accounts for workers without access to employer-sponsored retirement plans and provide matching contributions to low and middle-income workers. The bill was subsequently reintroduced in May 2025, although it has yet to gain traction. CMB.TECH (NYSE:CMBT) reported fourth-quarter 2025 net profit of $90 million, bringing full-year profit to $140 million, as management highlighted a remarkable quarter that combined deleveraging, the resumption of higher dividends, and further progress integrating the Golden Ocean transaction. Get alerts: Financial results and balance sheet actions On the call, CFO Ludovic noted fourth-quarter EBITDA of $322 million, with full-year EBITDA totaling $943 million. Liquidity was described as pretty strong at $560 million. Management also pointed to several non-recurring items that affected results, primarily tied to final integration steps following the Golden Ocean merger. These included IT costs, refinancing-related one-off fees (arrangement and success fees), and aboutin non-recurring SG&A impacts related to tax reversals and integration fees. A key milestone was the repayment of the bridge facility used to acquire an initial stake in Golden Ocean. Ludovic said the company had a $1.4 billion acquisition facility and drew $1.3 billion. Following the merger, CMB.TECH arranged a $2 billion facility secured by Golden Ocean ships, using $750 million to reduce the bridge balance to $550 million, which remained outstanding from roughly September until it was fully repaid at the end of January. According to management, repayment was funded by a combination of operational cash flow, vessel sale proceeds, and refinancing actions, including shifting about $260 million from a more expensive facility into Chinese leasing executed in December. Ludovic said repaying the bridge would generate roughly $42 million of interest savings in 2026. Dividend update and capital gains visibility The company declared an interim dividend of $0.16 per share, equating to roughly $45 million to be paid later in April. Ludovic said the board felt the balance sheet had strengthened enough to raise the dividend from the $0.05 previously paid in prior quarters. Management emphasized that the $0.16 dividend was tied to fourth-quarter performance and not yet related to capital gains expected from the previously announced sale of VLCCs. Those gains are expected to be recognized in Q1 and Q2, with the board to decide related dividends at that time. Ludovic said the company had already secured more than $420 million in capital gains across Q4, Q1, and Q2. Of that, $50 million was booked in Q4, while $370 million of profit was described as guaranteed for Q1 and Q2. In the Q&A, management said it is definitely fair to expect a dividend decision related to Q1 gains, with confirmation expected alongside the May Q1 earnings release. Fleet, CapEx, and cash flow sensitivity Ludovic described a fleet of roughly 200 ships with an estimated $10.7 billion fair market value, excluding vessels already sold. He said the companys market capitalization stood at $4.2 billion following a run-up in the share price. The fleets average age was cited at 5.9 years, and dry bulk represented about 60% of total fair market value. Remaining CapEx as of the end of January was $1.5 billion, with $216 million expected to come from the companys own cash. Management said the next 12 months represent a heavy delivery period, with roughly $1.2 billion to be paid to shipyards, and stated that all financing has been secured. Ludovic added that proceeds from asset sales and cash generation meant the whole CapEx has been taken care of. On commercial exposure, the company highlighted significant spot-market leverage into 2026. Ludovic said CMB.TECH expects roughly 53,000 shipping days in 2026, including about 44,000 spot days. In dry bulk specifically, management cited 36,000 days, including 27,000 tied to Capesize and Newcastlemax vessels. The company stated that a $10,000/day move above breakeven across those days would translate into about $270 million in cash flow. Market outlook: positive on dry bulk, tankers, and offshore; cautious on containers and chemicals CEO Alexander Saverys said the companys market view was largely unchanged from three months earlier: positive on dry bulk, tankers, and offshore, while remaining cautious on containers and chemicals. Dry bulk: Saverys said the company expects very nice ton-mile growth for iron ore and bauxite in 2026. He cited Capesize/Newcastlemax orderbook-to-fleet at 12.4%, which he called manageable, and said Capesize fleet growth this year is expected to be 2.3% while trade is expected to grow more than that. He also discussed counter-seasonal support from West African bauxite and iron ore volumes and said utilization was already around 90% and could rise to 91%-92%. Bocimars Q4 achieved rates were cited at about $35,000/day for Newcastlemaxes and $30,000/day for Capesizes, with Q1-to-date levels around $30,000/day and $26,000/day, respectively. The company also said it sold the Golden Magnum and Belgravia and expects an $8 million capital gain in Q1. Tankers: Saverys said tanker sentiment and earnings remain strong, noting the market has been propelled to very, very high levels. Following recent announced sales, the tanker fleet has been reduced, leaving six VLCCs total (three on the water and three Eco VLCC newbuilds delivering soon). Reported VLCC rates were around $75,000/day in Q4 and Q1-to-date, while Suezmax spot performance was cited around $60,000-$65,000/day. Saverys said more recent market numbers have been way higher than those reported. He added that a rising crude tanker orderbook for 2028 delivery and potential scrapping levels will be important to watch. He also said an oversupplied oil market appears to be absorbed by stockpiling, which he suggested is supportive for tanker demand, while sanctions and geopolitics remain key uncertainties. Containers and chemicals: The company said it is not meaningfully exposed to container spot rates because its four container vessels are fixed on 10-year charters, with another newbuilding delivering this year under a 15-year time charter. Management said spot freight rates are trending downward, while the charter market remains supported for now due to limited available charter tonnage, though it expects pressure as a significant orderbook delivers in coming years. In chemicals, CMB.TECHs eight chemical tankers on the water are mostly on time charter, and its orderbook of eight vessels is fully fixed on long-term time charters, limiting spot exposure; management described spot rates as slightly declining versus 2024. Offshore wind and ammonia-related logistics investment Management highlighted Windcat as a strong-performing unit. Saverys said one CSOV trading on spot has earned very good rates, while another CSOV has been fixed on a three-year agreement for North Sea work. The company expects additional CSOV deliveries this year and next, and described demand support from both offshore wind project activity and the offshore oil and gas market, which Saverys said is attracting modern vessels. In response to a question on a recent China cooperation, management said it has secured offtake of green ammonia in China for ammonia-powered vessels delivering this year and invested in a company providing ammonia logistics (moving ammonia from production to storage and to ships via bunker barge). Saverys characterized the investment as a couple of tens of millions of dollars and not a huge investment. About CMB.TECH (NYSE:CMBT) Euronav NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation and storage of crude oil worldwide. The company offers floating, storage, and offloading (FSO) services. It also owns and operates a fleet of vessels. The company was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium. As of March 15, 2024, Euronav NV operates as subsidiary of CMB NV. Recommended Stories Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) executives used the companys fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call to emphasize revenue growth, margin expansion, and accelerating adoption of its Agentforce and Data 360 offerings, while also outlining an expanded shareholder return program and updated long-term targets following a fast start with Informatica. Get alerts: Fiscal 2026 results and backlog metrics Chair and CEO Marc Benioff said the company delivered phenomenal performance across revenue, across margin expansion, across cash flow, and CRPO and RPO. For the full year, Salesforce reported $41.5 billion in revenue, up 10% year over year (9% in constant currency). Fourth-quarter revenue was $11.2 billion, up 12% year over year (10% in constant currency). Remaining performance obligations were a major focus of managements commentary. Benioff said current remaining performance obligations (CRPO) rose to $35.1 billion, up 16% year over year, and that total RPO reached $72 billion, up 14% year over year. Chief Operating and Finance Officer Robin Washington added that subscription and support revenue grew slightly above 10% year over year in both nominal and constant currency. She said Informaticas Q4 results outperformed expectations, but that the strength was partially offset by continued weakness in marketing and commerce, weaker-than-expected Tableau performance, and the on-prem revenue timing in Tableau and MuleSoft referenced previously. Washington said Q4 revenue attrition ended the year at approximately 8%, in line with recent trends. Agentforce, Data 360, and a new agentic activity metric Benioff described Agentforce as a rapidly scaling product line, saying it just became an $800 million business. Washington provided more detail, stating that Agentforce and Data 360 annual recurring revenue (ARR), inclusive of Informatica Cloud ARR, reached $2.9 billion, up over 200% year over year. That total included Informatica Cloud ARR of $1.1 billion and Agentforce ARR of approximately $800 million, which she said was up 169% year over year. Washington also said new bookings for Agentforce 1 Edition and Agentforce for Apps (A4X), which she described as the companys most premium SKUs, nearly tripled quarter-over-quarter. She added that more than 60% of Agentforce and Data 360 bookings in the quarter came from existing customers expanding commitments. In Salesforces largest deals, she said every one of the top 10 wins included Agentforce, data, sales, service, platform, and analytics, and Informatica appeared in six of those top 10 wins. To provide more visibility into AI usage beyond token counts, Benioff introduced a new metric: Agentic Work Units (AWUs). He said AI agents on Salesforces platform have delivered 2.4 billion AWUs to date, including about 771 million in Q4. Chief Marketing Officer Patrick Stokes explained AWUs are intended to measure work coming out of the systemsuch as a record update, workflow trigger, decision made, or an MCP callrather than simply token consumption from model providers. On pricing and margins, Washington said Salesforce expects gross margin impact to be pretty neutral in the short run, noting the company expects model-token costs to decline over time and that engineering work is aimed at improving efficiency. Customer examples: retail, hospitality, and SMB Salesforce highlighted customer deployments across different industries and company sizes. At SharkNinja, an executive said the company stood up a guided shopping agent in eight weeks ahead of the holiday season and that agents participated in a quarter of a million consumer engagements shortly after launch, helping consumer response times while freeing human agents to focus on harder issues. Wyndham described a large rollout, stating it had more than 5,000 Agentforce deployments across more than 8,300 hotels. The company said it used MuleSoft and Data 360 to unify reservation, loyalty, and CRM data into what it called Wyndham Guest360. Wyndham cited faster response times, 0 hold times, a 200-basis-point increase in direct bookings from AI voice agents, and guest satisfaction scores up 400 basis points, while also describing millions of dollars of labor cost savings and ancillary revenue improvements for franchisees. Jason Lemkin of SaaStr described using Agentforce in a small-organization setting, saying the company went from 15 humans to 2.5 and 20 agents and had closed $2.7 million via Agentforce with $3.5 million more in pipeline. Capital returns: dividend increase and expanded buyback authorization Management also addressed shareholder returns. Benioff said Salesforce returned more than $14 billion, or 99% of free cash flow, to shareholders in fiscal 2026. Washington said the board approved a 5.8% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.44 per share. In addition, Salesforce increased its share repurchase authorization to $50 billion. Benioff characterized the move as taking advantage of low prices, and in Q&A he said the company is also evaluating multiple uses of cash, including dividends, buybacks, acquisitions, and debt, noting Salesforce is very under-leveraged on its balance sheet. Guidance and updated FY30 framework For fiscal 2027, Washington initiated revenue guidance of $45.8 billion to $46.2 billion, representing approximately 10% to 11% growth in nominal and constant currency. She guided to subscription and support growth of slightly under 12% year over year (approximately 11% in constant currency), with strength in Agentforce and Data 360 partially offset by weakness in marketing, commerce, and Tableau. Salesforce guided to non-GAAP operating margin of 34.3% (up 20 basis points) and GAAP operating margin of 20.9% (up 80 basis points), with Washington describing fiscal 2027 as a year of further investments to support long-term growth and Agentforce customer success. For Q1, Washington guided to revenue of $11.03 billion to $11.08 billion, and CRPO growth of approximately 14% year over year (13% in constant currency). Salesforce also updated its fiscal 2030 revenue target to $63 billion, which Washington said implies an 11% CAGR from FY26 to FY30. She said the company remains on track to a Rule of 50 target by FY30. Washington added Salesforce plans to reevaluate its revenue-by-cloud disclosures in FY27 to better reflect its agentic enterprise strategy. About Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) Salesforce, founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a global provider of cloud-based software focused on customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise applications. The company popularized the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for CRM and has built a broad portfolio of products designed to help organizations manage sales, service, marketing, commerce and analytics through a unified, cloud-first platform. Core offerings include Sales Cloud for sales automation, Service Cloud for customer support, Marketing Cloud for digital marketing and engagement, and Commerce Cloud for e-commerce. Featured Articles Matthews Korea Active ETF (NYSEARCA:MKOR Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 53,655 shares, an increase of 294.9% from the January 29th total of 13,586 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 22,472 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.4 days. Approximately 2.6% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 2.6% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 22,472 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.4 days. Matthews Korea Active ETF Trading Up 0.3% Shares of Matthews Korea Active ETF stock traded up $0.14 during trading on Friday, hitting $52.10. The stock had a trading volume of 23,850 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,047. Matthews Korea Active ETF has a 12 month low of $19.85 and a 12 month high of $53.15. The firm has a market cap of $109.41 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.30 and a beta of 1.10. The businesss 50-day moving average is $41.34 and its 200 day moving average is $34.76. Get Matthews Korea Active ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Matthews Korea Active ETF A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of Matthews Korea Active ETF during the third quarter worth about $91,000. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in Matthews Korea Active ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $388,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC grew its stake in Matthews Korea Active ETF by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 32,649 shares of the companys stock worth $1,123,000 after buying an additional 728 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Matthews Korea Active ETF by 278.3% in the 3rd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 75,199 shares of the companys stock worth $2,271,000 after buying an additional 55,323 shares during the last quarter. About Matthews Korea Active ETF The Matthews Korea Active ETF (MKOR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund actively manages a portfolio of South Korean, large- and mid-cap companies that are fundamentally screened for sustainable growth. MKOR was launched on Oct 29, 2010 and is issued by Matthews. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Matthews Korea Active ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matthews Korea Active ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Arcelik Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:ACKAY Get Free Report) were down 17.1% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $13.50 and last traded at $13.50. Approximately 930 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 40% from the average daily volume of 1,558 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.29. Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Price Performance The businesss 50-day moving average is $13.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.35. Get Arcelik Anonim Sirketi alerts: About Arcelik Anonim Sirketi (Get Free Report) Arcelik Anonim ?irketi is a Turkish multinational consumer durables and electronics company engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of household appliances. As part of Koc Holding, one of Turkeys largest industrial groups, Arcelik offers a broad portfolio of white goods including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens and cooking appliances, as well as small domestic appliances such as vacuum cleaners and air conditioners. The company markets its products under a variety of brands, notably Arcelik, Beko and Grundig, targeting both domestic and international markets. With its headquarters in Istanbul, Arcelik maintains production facilities in Turkey and in key overseas locations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arcelik Anonim Sirketi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dreadnought Resources (ASX:DRE) used its first shareholder webinar of the year to outline a 2026 work program centered on bringing its Star of Mangaroon gold project into production, accelerating development at Metzkes Find, and launching what management described as the companys largest-ever gold discovery drilling campaign across the Illaara Belt and the Mangaroon project area. Get alerts: Strategy: production plus discovery Management said the companys Finding more gold faster strategy is unchanged: develop high-grade gold deposits at Star of Mangaroon and advance Metzkes Find so both can move into production, while pursuing a larger-scale gold discovery through expanded exploration drilling. The company also highlighted ongoing work at its Gifford Creek carbonatite projects, where it is starting a major metallurgical program focused on critical metals. Star of Mangaroon: approvals in progress, Black Cat ready to move The presenter said Dreadnought is in a strong cashed-up position and is about to deploy that funding in earnest, emphasizing a focus on keeping corporate overheads low and directing spending into field activity. On Star of Mangaroon, management said mine approvals remain the key gating item. The mine proposal and mine closure plan (MPMCP) and the Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) are under assessment by the Western Australian Mines Department. The company has received its first request for further information (RFI) and said it is responding immediately, describing the RFI as largely administrative and not raising serious issues. Management also sought to set expectations on timing, noting the department has indicated it is overworked and understaffed and pointing to another operators experience as a benchmark. The presenter said Dreadnought is currently in month 5 of the process and referenced an example where approvals took 6 or 7 months. Dreadnought said its mine haulage and processing arrangements with Black Cat are now completed, and that once approvals are received, Black Cat has 60 days under the contract to mobilize and commence operations. The company said it is targeting the third quarter for production, with earlier production possible if approvals arrive sooner. Management also provided a financial framework it said underpins the Star of Mangaroon development. It stated the resource is 27,000 ounces, with 24,000 ounces in the pit at an assumed A$6,500 gold price. It said that scenario could generate more than A$100 million in free cash flow, split 50/50 with Black Cat up to A$80 million, after which Dreadnoughts share of profits rises to 70%. Metzkes Find: drilling in March, scoping study targeted mid-year At Metzkes Find in the Illaara Belt, management said it intends to replicate the approach used at Star of Mangaroon to fast-track development work, with the goal of having Metzkes in a similar approvals position by the end of 2026 and ultimately bringing it into production behind Star. The company said Enviros completed a final environmental survey on site during the week of the webinar, building on survey work completed previously. Resource extension drilling is scheduled to begin in early March, with the crew expected on site on March 2, the rig arriving around March 5, and drilling targeted for March 7, subject to typical operational variability. Management said the planned program is approximately 6,000 meters, describing it as roughly 5060 holes, designed to extend mineralization along strike and test shallow zones that were previously avoided due to uncertainty around historic workings. It also said some drilling would test at depth to assess underground potential. First-phase metallurgical test work is underway, and the company said it is targeting an updated resource and an initial scoping study around mid-year. Large-scale exploration: Illaara Belt aircore begins, Mangaroon follow-up in April/May Dreadnought described 2026 as a step-change year for discovery drilling, starting with a belt-scale aircore program across the Illaara Belt. Management said a rig had arrived on site and was expected to begin drilling immediately. Phase 1 is expected to total about 40,00050,000 meters across roughly 550600 holes, with an estimated three-month duration. The company said it will send samples weekly and expects initial assay-driven news flow to begin within six to seven weeks, providing sustained updates through the year. Phase 2 is expected to be of similar scale and to begin soon after Phase 1, including follow-up drilling of any anomalies and expanded coverage to the south. In total, management said it expects 80,000100,000 meters of aircore drilling in 2026described as the largest drilling program in Dreadnoughts seven-year history. At Mangaroon, management said it has now defined seven camp-scale targets from multi-year stream sediment sampling and target generation work. It noted that Star of Mangaroon sits within one of the weaker stream-sediment gold anomalies, while several other targets show larger or stronger anomalism and textbook pathfinder signatures. The company plans additional target definition and drilling across multiple prospects and said it expects to significantly expand its pipeline of drill-ready targets. Near-term drilling at Mangaroon includes 5,0006,000 meters of RC drilling on the Minga Bar Shear corridor, including follow-up at Cullens and Midnight Star, expected in April and May. Management also said it is considering gradient array IP over parts of the corridor to help refine targeting in that terrain. The webinar also discussed Steves Reward (Ora Banda), where management said each round of work has expanded the footprint of mineralization and soil anomalism, but where the next drilling targets still require refinement. A soils program is planned for March/April, with drilling at Steves Reward expected in the second half of 2026. At High Range North, management highlighted an 8-kilometer-long gold-in-soil anomaly and said it plans infill work and first-pass soils at High Range South and High Range Northwest during March/April. Gifford Creek critical metals: metallurgical program launched Dreadnought said it has begun a large metallurgical test work program at the Gifford Creek carbonatite complex, focusing on the Stinger discovery alongside its rare earth work at Yin. Management framed the next 612 months as centered on proving whether Stinger can produce saleable productspotentially including niobium, scandium, titanium, zirconium, and phosphatein addition to rare earths. It said Phase 1 would run for a minimum of six months, potentially extending to 12 months if successful. The company argued that demonstrating a viable multi-product pathway could materially improve partnership discussions and broaden development options beyond a rare-earth-only outcome. Management cited NioCorps Elk Creek project in the U.S. as an analog for a multi-product carbonatite flow sheet, while emphasizing that its focus remains on proving a sellable product rather than just in-ground grades. During the Q&A, management also addressed shareholder questions about capital returns, noting it would first need to generate cash and then weigh priorities such as additional exploration funding versus dividends or buybacks. It reiterated that strategic optionsincluding potential spin-outs of critical metals assetshave been considered, but said the company prefers flexibility while it seeks partners and completes metallurgical work. About Dreadnought Resources (ASX:DRE) Dreadnought Resources Limited explores for and develops mineral properties in Australia. The company explores for copper, nickel, gold, silver, cobalt, platinum group elements, rare earth elements, iron ore, and base metals. Its flagship project is the Tarraji-Yampi project covering an area of approximately 1,400 km2 located in West Kimberly. The company was formerly known as Tychean Resources Limited and changed its name to Dreadnought Resources Ltd in February 2019. Dreadnought Resources Limited was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Osborne Park, Australia. Read More GSA Capital Partners LLP reduced its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Free Report) by 77.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,004 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 6,892 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLPs holdings in The Hartford Insurance Group were worth $267,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in The Hartford Insurance Group during the 1st quarter worth $207,000. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group during the second quarter worth about $244,000. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 30.7% during the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,193 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $786,000 after purchasing an additional 1,454 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 122.0% in the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 14,242 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,807,000 after purchasing an additional 7,826 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund boosted its position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 9.0% in the 2nd quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 37,664 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,778,000 after purchasing an additional 3,100 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the companys stock. Get The Hartford Insurance Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Insurance Group In other The Hartford Insurance Group news, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 5,681 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.83, for a total transaction of $805,736.23. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,609,672. The trade was a 23.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher Swift sold 100,970 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.78, for a total transaction of $14,214,556.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 194,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,426,337.26. This trade represents a 34.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 343,928 shares of company stock valued at $47,393,256. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. The Hartford Insurance Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE:HIG opened at $140.69 on Friday. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $107.49 and a 52 week high of $144.50. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $137.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $133.42. The company has a market cap of $38.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.55, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The insurance provider reported $4.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.22 by $0.84. The company had revenue of $7.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.29 billion. The Hartford Insurance Group had a return on equity of 21.92% and a net margin of 13.52%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.94 EPS. Research analysts predict that The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year. The Hartford Insurance Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. The Hartford Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 17.99%. Analyst Ratings Changes HIG has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Mizuho started coverage on The Hartford Insurance Group in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set an outperform rating and a $160.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from a buy (b+) rating to a buy (a-) rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Argus lifted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $143.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $151.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $148.13. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on The Hartford Insurance Group About The Hartford Insurance Group (Free Report) The Hartford Financial Services Group, commonly known as The Hartford, is a U.S.-based insurance and investment company that provides a broad range of commercial and personal insurance products and employee benefits. Its core businesses include property and casualty insurance for businesses and individuals, group benefits such as group life, disability and dental plans, and retirement and investment solutions offered through affiliated asset-management operations. The company also delivers risk management, claims-handling and loss-prevention services designed to support policyholders across a variety of industries. Founded in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1810, The Hartford is one of the oldest insurance organizations in the United States and has a long history of underwriting and product development across multiple insurance lines. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ceconomy (OTCMKTS:MTTRY Get Free Report) and Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE:BNED Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations and profitability. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Ceconomy and Barnes & Noble Educations revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Ceconomy alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ceconomy $25.51 billion 0.10 -$38.73 million $0.08 13.25 Barnes & Noble Education $1.61 billion 0.18 -$65.82 million ($0.28) -30.89 Analyst Ratings Ceconomy has higher revenue and earnings than Barnes & Noble Education. Barnes & Noble Education is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ceconomy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Ceconomy and Barnes & Noble Education, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ceconomy 0 0 0 1 4.00 Barnes & Noble Education 1 0 0 0 1.00 Profitability This table compares Ceconomy and Barnes & Noble Educations net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ceconomy 0.71% 46.82% 2.53% Barnes & Noble Education -0.56% -22.09% -6.22% Insider & Institutional Ownership 38.5% of Barnes & Noble Education shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of Barnes & Noble Education shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Risk and Volatility Ceconomy has a beta of 1.32, indicating that its share price is 32% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Barnes & Noble Education has a beta of 1.43, indicating that its share price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Ceconomy beats Barnes & Noble Education on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Ceconomy (Get Free Report) Ceconomy AG, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the consumer electronics retail business. It operates stores under the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands. The company offers professional assistance for the installation, connection, and troubleshooting of electronic devices at home under the Deutsche Technikberatung brand. It operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, as well as in Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe. Ceconomy AG is based in Dusseldorf, Germany. About Barnes & Noble Education (Get Free Report) Barnes and Noble Education, Inc. engages in the management and operation of bookstore chains in universities. It operates through the Retail and Wholesale segments. The Retail segment operates college, university, and K-12 school bookstores, physical bookstores, and virtual bookstores. The Wholesale segment sells and distributes new and used textbooks to physical bookstores. The company was founded by Leonard S, Riggio in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ. Receive News & Ratings for Ceconomy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ceconomy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Consolidated Edison Inc (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 776,533 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 40,838 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.22% of Consolidated Edison worth $78,057,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 13.3% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 72,819 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $7,320,000 after purchasing an additional 8,562 shares in the last quarter. Bryce Point Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Consolidated Edison in the 3rd quarter valued at $556,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its position in Consolidated Edison by 3.0% in the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,028,686 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $103,404,000 after acquiring an additional 29,606 shares during the period. Nuance Investments LLC acquired a new position in Consolidated Edison during the third quarter worth $4,017,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 46.7% during the second quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 3,714 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $373,000 after acquiring an additional 1,183 shares during the period. 66.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Consolidated Edison news, Director John F. Killian sold 2,276 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.89, for a total value of $220,521.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 38,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,745,864.29. The trade was a 5.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock. Consolidated Edison Stock Up 1.6% Consolidated Edison stock opened at $112.49 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.91, a PEG ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.38. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $104.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $101.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Consolidated Edison Inc has a fifty-two week low of $94.96 and a fifty-two week high of $115.25. Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The utilities provider reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $3.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.71 billion. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 11.95% and a return on equity of 8.50%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.98 earnings per share. Consolidated Edison has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Consolidated Edison Inc will post 5.62 EPS for the current year. Consolidated Edison Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.8875 per share. This represents a $3.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 18th. This is a boost from Consolidated Edisons previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.83%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $113.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $90.00 to $86.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $104.00 target price on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $118.00 price target on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Consolidated Edison currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $107.07. Get Our Latest Research Report on Consolidated Edison About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, commonly known as Con Edison, is an investor-owned energy company that primarily delivers electricity, natural gas and steam to customers in the New York metropolitan area. Its regulated utility operations include the distribution and transmission of electric power, the distribution of natural gas, and the operation of one of the largest district steam systems in the United States, serving commercial, institutional and residential customers in New York City and nearby counties. The company operates through regulated utility subsidiaries that serve urban and suburban service territories, together with non-utility businesses that develop, own and manage energy infrastructure and clean energy projects. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 4.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 636,134 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 24,805 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned about 0.20% of WEC Energy Group worth $72,895,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its position in WEC Energy Group by 4.9% during the third quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 171,770 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $19,683,000 after acquiring an additional 7,970 shares during the last quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 53.0% in the 3rd quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 131,363 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $15,053,000 after acquiring an additional 45,477 shares during the last quarter. Alley Investment Management Company LLC boosted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 36.5% in the 3rd quarter. Alley Investment Management Company LLC now owns 59,519 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,820,000 after purchasing an additional 15,926 shares in the last quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. grew its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 13.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 419,574 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $48,079,000 after purchasing an additional 49,905 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Associated Banc Corp grew its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 64.0% during the 3rd quarter. Associated Banc Corp now owns 39,328 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,507,000 after purchasing an additional 15,342 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.20% of the companys stock. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: WEC Energy Group Stock Up 0.9% Shares of NYSE:WEC opened at $116.88 on Friday. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $100.61 and a 1 year high of $118.18. The company has a market cap of $38.05 billion, a PE ratio of 24.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The stocks 50-day moving average is $109.85 and its 200 day moving average is $110.26. WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend WEC Energy Group ( NYSE:WEC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.40% and a net margin of 15.90%.The businesss revenue was down 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. WEC Energy Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.510-5.610 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 5.23 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $0.9525 dividend. This represents a $3.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. This is an increase from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 78.88%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In WEC has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $129.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on WEC Energy Group from $124.00 to $117.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. KeyCorp restated an overweight rating on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Friday, January 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.07. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on WEC Energy Group Insider Activity at WEC Energy Group In other news, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 1,450 shares of WEC Energy Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.60, for a total transaction of $166,170.00. Following the sale, the director owned 20,541 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,353,998.60. The trade was a 6.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 8,089 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.70, for a total transaction of $895,452.30. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 66,801 shares in the company, valued at $7,394,870.70. This represents a 10.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 42,354 shares of company stock valued at $4,855,505 in the last 90 days. 0.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About WEC Energy Group (Free Report) WEC Energy Group is a Milwaukee, Wisconsinbased regulated energy holding company whose primary businesses are the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and the distribution of natural gas. The company operates through a set of utility subsidiaries that provide bundled energy service, customer billing and energy-related programs to residential, commercial and industrial customers. As a regulated utility group, WECs operations focus on delivering reliable service while managing infrastructure investment and compliance with state and federal utility regulation. Its utility subsidiaries include well-known regional operators such as We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, along with Chicago-area natural gas utilities that were part of the Integrys Energy Group acquisition. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (CVE:SPA Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$0.23 and traded as low as C$0.23. Spanish Mountain Gold shares last traded at C$0.25, with a volume of 454,996 shares traded. Spanish Mountain Gold Price Performance The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$0.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.18. The firm has a market capitalization of C$122.63 million, a PE ratio of -25.00 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a quick ratio of 3.03, a current ratio of 5.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. About Spanish Mountain Gold (Get Free Report) Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd., an exploration stage resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Spanish Mountain gold project, which comprises approximately 50 contiguous mineral claims and 13 placer claims covering an area of approximately 10,414 hectares located in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia. The company was formerly known as Skygold Ventures Ltd. and changed its name to Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Spanish Mountain Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spanish Mountain Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. UBS Cuts Target on Progressive (PGR), Maintains Neutral Rating The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) saw mixed analyst sentiments on February 23, 2026. UBS analyst Brian Meredith lowered the price target on The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) from $226 to $218, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the shares. On the other hand, Morgan Stanley analyst Bob Huang reiterated a Sell rating on the stock with a price target of $205 on the same day. Previously, on February 19, 2026, Roth Capital lowered the price target on the stock from $260 to $235 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. In a research note, the analyst observed that year-over-year growth in personal auto policies-in-force reached 12.1%, down from Decembers 12.6%. Additionally, the sequential growth rate rose modestly from 0.8% in December to 0.9%. CNN noted 41% of 27 analyst ratings support a Buy on the stock as of February 24, 2026, with a 1-year average upside of 14.63%. Founded in 1937, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is a leading American insurance holding company and the second-largest personal auto insurer in the U.S., with headquarters located in Ohio. While we acknowledge the potential of PGR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Erste Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in shares of Westlake Corporation (NYSE:WLK Free Report) by 51.6% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 260,000 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after purchasing an additional 88,499 shares during the quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbHs holdings in Westlake were worth $20,025,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of WLK. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Westlake in the second quarter valued at about $104,314,000. Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of Westlake by 246.0% during the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 1,456,871 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $110,621,000 after buying an additional 1,035,851 shares during the last quarter. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Westlake during the second quarter worth approximately $62,508,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP grew its position in shares of Westlake by 12,724.7% during the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 351,011 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $26,652,000 after buying an additional 348,274 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its stake in shares of Westlake by 2,092.7% in the second quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 306,426 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $23,267,000 after buying an additional 292,451 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 28.40% of the companys stock. Get Westlake alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Westlake In related news, Chairman Albert Chao sold 40,836 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.57, for a total value of $3,004,304.52. Following the sale, the chairman owned 627,722 shares of the companys stock, valued at $46,181,507.54. This trade represents a 6.11% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have commented on WLK. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Westlake from $100.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $78.00 price target on shares of Westlake and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group lifted their price target on Westlake from $92.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $100.00 price objective on shares of Westlake in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their target price on Westlake from $82.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $94.80. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on WLK Westlake Stock Up 5.2% NYSE:WLK opened at $105.59 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $87.02 and a 200-day moving average of $79.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.54 billion, a PE ratio of -9.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 43.32 and a beta of 0.91. Westlake Corporation has a 52 week low of $56.33 and a 52 week high of $114.75. Westlake (NYSE:WLK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.25) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($1.47) by $1.22. Westlake had a negative return on equity of 1.22% and a negative net margin of 13.50%.The business had revenue of $2.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.06 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Westlake Corporation will post 6.48 EPS for the current year. Westlake Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Westlakes dividend payout ratio is currently -18.12%. Westlake Profile (Free Report) Westlake Corp. is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, polymers and building products, serving customers across industrial and residential markets. The companys core operations encompass the production of vinylsprimarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and its key feedstock vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)as well as chlor-alkali products including caustic soda and chlorine. In addition, Westlake produces ethylene, propylene and specialty elastomers, along with construction-related materials such as vinyl siding, trim, windows and roofing systems. Operating a network of vertically integrated plants and distribution centers, Westlake serves markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Westlake Corporation (NYSE:WLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Westlake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Westlake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Erste Asset Management GmbH decreased its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 42.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 84,974 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 62,379 shares during the period. Erste Asset Management GmbHs holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $6,247,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,012,065,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 87.2% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 16,000,064 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,268,325,000 after acquiring an additional 7,454,810 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 281.0% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,431,316 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $430,540,000 after acquiring an additional 4,005,942 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 31.3% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 11,611,625 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $921,881,000 after acquiring an additional 2,765,424 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 15.1% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 19,543,455 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,549,210,000 after purchasing an additional 2,559,104 shares in the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance CP stock opened at $87.48 on Friday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a twelve month low of $66.49 and a twelve month high of $88.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a market cap of $78.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.10. The businesss fifty day moving average is $76.98 and its 200-day moving average is $75.11. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Announces Dividend Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The transportation company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.99 by ($0.04). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.88% and a net margin of 27.49%.The company had revenue of $2.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.29 earnings per share. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be paid a $0.228 dividend. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 27th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is presently 20.43%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $124.00 target price (down from $127.00) on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. National Bank Financial lowered shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 30th. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $92.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on CP About Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is a North American Class I freight railroad formed through the combination of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. The merged company operates an integrated rail network that spans Canada, the United States and Mexico, providing a single-line rail connection across all three countries. This transborder footprint is intended to streamline cross-border freight flows and provide shippers with direct rail access from Canadian and U.S. production centers to Mexican markets and ports. CPKCs core business is freight transportation and related logistics services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 240.1% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 28,382 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 20,038 shares during the quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,575,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 209.8% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares during the period. Finally, Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the third quarter worth $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Trading Down 0.3% NYSE NVO opened at $37.50 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $167.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.81 and a beta of 0.67. Novo Nordisk A/S has a fifty-two week low of $37.31 and a fifty-two week high of $91.90. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $52.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.80. Novo Nordisk A/S Dividend Announcement Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.11. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 68.91% and a net margin of 33.03%.The firm had revenue of $12.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.97 billion. On average, analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 30th will be issued a $1.2751 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 30th. This represents a yield of 541.0%. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is 23.63%. Novo Nordisk A/S News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week: Positive Sentiment: Large Vivtex collaboration expands Novos push into oral obesity/diabetes medicines, which could widen patient access and reduce dependency on injectables a long?term growth signal. Novo Nordisk Pipelines Oral Obesity Drugs Large Vivtex collaboration expands Novos push into oral obesity/diabetes medicines, which could widen patient access and reduce dependency on injectables a long?term growth signal. Positive Sentiment: Strong phase?2 China data for triple?agonist UBT251 (nearly ~20% weight loss reported) supports Novos broader pipeline beyond GLP?1 and bolsters future product optionality. China UBT251 Trial Strong phase?2 China data for triple?agonist UBT251 (nearly ~20% weight loss reported) supports Novos broader pipeline beyond GLP?1 and bolsters future product optionality. Positive Sentiment: Several bullish commentary pieces argue the sell?off overstates fundamental damage: oral Wegovy adoption and expanded Medicare coverage are cited as durable demand drivers and cash?flow support. Why Im Still Bullish On Novo Several bullish commentary pieces argue the sell?off overstates fundamental damage: oral Wegovy adoption and expanded Medicare coverage are cited as durable demand drivers and cash?flow support. Neutral Sentiment: Short interest fell meaningfully in February, reducing one immediate source of potential downside pressure (fewer forced covers), but overall market sentiment remains mixed. Short interest fell meaningfully in February, reducing one immediate source of potential downside pressure (fewer forced covers), but overall market sentiment remains mixed. Neutral Sentiment: Broader market rotation into defensive names and sector dynamics are influencing trading Novos large market cap and dividend yield make it sensitive to flows unrelated to biotech fundamentals. Broader market rotation into defensive names and sector dynamics are influencing trading Novos large market cap and dividend yield make it sensitive to flows unrelated to biotech fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Multiple analyst downgrades and lowered price targets this week prompted selling and contributed directly to intraday weakness; investors are focused on near?term U.S. price compression and margin implications. Analyst Downgrade American Banking News Multiple analyst downgrades and lowered price targets this week prompted selling and contributed directly to intraday weakness; investors are focused on near?term U.S. price compression and margin implications. Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz law?firm investor alert / investigation increases legal risk and uncertainty for shareholders, which typically depresses sentiment until clarity arrives. Pomerantz Investor Alert Pomerantz law?firm investor alert / investigation increases legal risk and uncertainty for shareholders, which typically depresses sentiment until clarity arrives. Negative Sentiment: Market reaction shows concern that large deals (Vivtex) and pipeline expansion may pressure near?term margins and raise execution questions some headlines explicitly note the stock dipped after the Vivtex announcement. Stock Dipped After Vivtex Deal Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on NVO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. CICC Research started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Friday, January 9th. They set an outperform rating and a $73.50 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Novo Nordisk A/S currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.07. View Our Latest Report on Novo Nordisk A/S About Novo Nordisk A/S (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support. The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dunhill Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PICB Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm bought 32,060 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $763,000. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of PICB. Addison Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF in the second quarter worth about $203,000. VERITY Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $418,000. Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new position in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $208,000. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF by 23.3% in the 2nd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 42,865 shares of the companys stock worth $1,036,000 after acquiring an additional 8,105 shares in the last quarter. Get Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF alerts: Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA PICB opened at $24.30 on Friday. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $21.84 and a 12 month high of $24.56. The companys 50 day moving average is $24.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.85. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Dividend Announcement About Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 23rd were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 23rd. (Free Report) PowerShares International Corporate Bond Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of an index called the S&P International Corporate Bond Index (the Index). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities that comprise the Index. The Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate bonds issued by non-the United States issuers in the currencies: Australian Dollar, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Danish Krone, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian Krone and Swedish Krona. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PICB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PICB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Erste Asset Management GmbH cut its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 104,150 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 2,573 shares during the quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbHs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $17,928,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in VLO. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Valero Energy by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,724,707 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,576,035,000 after buying an additional 286,942 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 16.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,141,511 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,089,897,000 after acquiring an additional 1,164,217 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter worth about $827,390,000. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,024,322 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $675,369,000 after purchasing an additional 148,195 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,381,316 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $331,415,000 after purchasing an additional 77,070 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the companys stock. Get Valero Energy alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have commented on VLO shares. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Valero Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $217.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Erste Group Bank initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Monday, November 10th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Mizuho restated a neutral rating and issued a $192.00 price target (up from $190.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $187.67. Valero Energy Stock Up 0.3% Shares of VLO stock opened at $204.49 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $185.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $171.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $99.00 and a 1 year high of $206.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.77, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.77. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.27 by $0.55. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 12.34%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.64 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. Valero Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 5th will be paid a $1.20 dividend. This is a positive change from Valero Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 5th. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio is 62.83%. Valero Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texasbased integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The companys operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers. In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Erste Asset Management GmbH reduced its position in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 76.9% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 199,688 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 663,384 shares during the period. Erste Asset Management GmbHs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $15,341,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Wedbush Securities Inc. boosted its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 24.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 64,158 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,843,000 after acquiring an additional 12,738 shares in the last quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co raised its position in NextEra Energy by 5.0% in the third quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 326,193 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $24,624,000 after purchasing an additional 15,600 shares in the last quarter. National Pension Service raised its position in NextEra Energy by 1.3% in the third quarter. National Pension Service now owns 4,845,447 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $365,783,000 after purchasing an additional 60,324 shares in the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in NextEra Energy by 286.0% during the third quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC now owns 22,028 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,594,000 after purchasing an additional 16,322 shares during the period. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in NextEra Energy by 61.8% during the third quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 60,985 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,604,000 after purchasing an additional 23,288 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.72% of the companys stock. Get NextEra Energy alerts: Trending Headlines about NextEra Energy Here are the key news stories impacting NextEra Energy this week: Positive Sentiment: Scale + AI tailwinds: MarketBeat highlights utilities and NEE in particular as beneficiaries of rising data?center and AI power demand, noting analyst upgrades and strong YTD performance that support a longer?term growth narrative. This reinforces the bull case that NextEras mix of regulated utility assets and renewables could see higher utilization and pricing over time. Utilities: The Unexpected AI Infrastructure Trade Scale + AI tailwinds: MarketBeat highlights utilities and NEE in particular as beneficiaries of rising data?center and AI power demand, noting analyst upgrades and strong YTD performance that support a longer?term growth narrative. This reinforces the bull case that NextEras mix of regulated utility assets and renewables could see higher utilization and pricing over time. Neutral Sentiment: Valuation re?assessment: A Yahoo Finance piece reviews NextEras strong one?year shareholder returns and questions current valuation levels useful context for investors deciding whether recent gains already reflect future growth. Assessing NextEra Energy (NEE) Valuation Valuation re?assessment: A Yahoo Finance piece reviews NextEras strong one?year shareholder returns and questions current valuation levels useful context for investors deciding whether recent gains already reflect future growth. Neutral Sentiment: Unusually large call activity: Traders bought ~217,413 call options (a ~941% jump vs. typical daily call volume). This could signal speculative bullish positioning or structured hedging ahead of corporate events outcome is ambiguous for longer?term holders. Unusually large call activity: Traders bought ~217,413 call options (a ~941% jump vs. typical daily call volume). This could signal speculative bullish positioning or structured hedging ahead of corporate events outcome is ambiguous for longer?term holders. Negative Sentiment: $2.0B equity units offering dilution and near?term pressure: NextEra priced a public offering of $2.0 billion of equity units (underwriters have an option for an additional $300M) to fund energy projects; the deal is expected to close March 3. The announcement prompted a selloff this week (shares fell notably on the news). Investors should weigh the growth use of proceeds against near?term share dilution and increased float. NextEra to sell $2 billion of equity units NEE Stock Drops on $2B Equity Offering Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on NEE. Jefferies Financial Group set a $87.00 price objective on NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Weiss Ratings lowered NextEra Energy from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. BMO Capital Markets set a $95.00 price target on NextEra Energy in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on NextEra Energy from $94.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $106.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, NextEra Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $93.05. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NextEra Energy Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Charles E. Sieving sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total value of $2,700,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 167,481 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,073,290. This trade represents a 15.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO John W. Ketchum sold 99,603 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.34, for a total transaction of $8,898,532.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 305,933 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,332,054.22. This trade represents a 24.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 159,049 shares of company stock valued at $14,194,542. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. NextEra Energy Trading Up 1.8% Shares of NEE opened at $93.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 0.60. The company has a market cap of $195.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.47, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.76. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $86.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $81.64. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $61.72 and a 52-week high of $95.91. NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.01. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.18% and a net margin of 24.93%.The company had revenue of $6.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.53 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 20.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.68 EPS for the current fiscal year. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.6232 dividend. This represents a $2.49 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This is a boost from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio is 69.00%. About NextEra Energy (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc (NYSE: NEE), headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, is a leading clean energy company with both regulated utility operations and competitive renewable generation businesses. The companys principal operating subsidiaries include Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a regulated electric utility serving customers in Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, which develops, constructs, owns and operates a large portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Together these businesses provide electricity supply, transmission and distribution services as well as utility-scale renewable generation and related services. NextEras activities cover the full lifecycle of power assets, from project development and construction to operation, maintenance and asset optimization. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bhagwan Marine (ASX:BWN) reported a solid performance for the first half of FY2026, highlighted by improved margins and stronger cash generation despite lower revenue that management attributed largely to the timing of major contract awards. Get alerts: Half-year financial highlights Managing Director and CEO Loui Kannikoski said first-half revenue totaled AUD 116.9 million, down 8.5% from the prior corresponding period, with the decline largely due to the timing of major contract awards. He said underlying demand remained strong across the companys sectors, particularly offshore energy, ports, and inshore. Kannikoski said EBITDA margins improved to, which he attributed to disciplined execution across the business. He also pointed to cash generation as a standout result, with operating cash flow of, up, and free cash flow of, which he said was significantly higher than the prior years first half. Management also declared an interim dividend, citing confidence in the outlook while continuing to invest in long-term growth and innovation. Earnings, margin initiatives, and decommissioning work Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Williams said pro forma EBITDA for the half was AUD 22.4 million, down 4.3% from the prior years first half, and noted the comparison excluded AUD 3.9 million contributed by the TVI decommissioning project in the first half of FY2025. Williams said core EBITDA margins improved from 18% to 19%, supported by high-performing contracts and ongoing margin expansion initiatives. Williams also referenced non-recurring transaction costs related to the Riverside acquisition, noting a pro forma adjustment of AUD 0.4 million. On decommissioning, Williams said the TVI project contributed AUD 91.9 million in revenue and AUD 9.9 million in EBITDA at an 11% margin across FY2024 and the first half of FY2025, and said it helped position the company in what management described as a high-growth segment. She added that in 2025 and the first half of 2026, Bhagwan completed work on the Northern Endeavour for Petrofac, contributing approximately AUD 26 million of revenue across that project. Williams said the company remains focused on further margin expansion in FY2026 toward a 20% medium-term target. Cash flow, CapEx, and balance sheet Williams said operating cash flow increased to AUD 25.4 million, driven by strong margins, high-quality earnings, and disciplined cost and capital management, translating into free cash flow of AUD 8.6 million versus AUD 1 million in the first half of FY2025. She outlined capital expenditure across growth, sustaining, and discretionary categories. During the half, Bhagwan acquired the Seawind landing craft to strengthen inshore capability, with an expected cash flow payback of about three years. The company continued investment in remote operations and hybrid vessel technology, and Williams highlighted the launch of Nara, an electric hybrid vessel for the Port of Melbourne. Looking ahead, she said second-half FY2026 growth CapEx is expected to include a planned acquisition of the Keller Ocean Multi-Cat vessel for approximately AUD 6 million. On the balance sheet, Williams said net debt to equity was 1% (excluding operating leases) and net financial debt was minimal at around AUD 1 million (excluding operating leases). Net tangible assets per share were maintained at AUD 0.61. Lease liabilities rose by AUD 8.1 million, which Williams said reflected deliberate long-term investment. She attributed the increase mainly to a AUD 6 million rise in property leases related to a new long-term head office lease and renewal of the Dampier facility lease, and a AUD 1.9 million increase in vessel leases driven by longer tenure. Operational activity and safety Kannikoski said the company made progress in its core operations, including securing a five-year contract with Jadestone Energy for the Coral Knight, and completing additional decommissioning projects. He also said Bhagwan embedded a CIO role and strengthened business development and financial governance processes. Safety metrics improved, with Kannikoski reporting LTIFR improved to zero and TRIFR improved to 8.32. In an operational update, Kannikoski said offshore energy activity remained busy, including continuation of a five-year standby contract in the Pilbara, two-year extensions with Jadestone and Vermilion, and the new five-year Coral Knight contract. In subsea, the company completed a WA decommissioning dive project and delivered ROV debris cap replacement work, along with OMR support and platform inspections. In ports and inshore, management cited a six-year maintenance contract with the Port of Melbourne, the Groote Eylandt wharf repair project, and the award of the Alkimos Desalination Marine Works project. In defense, Kannikoski said AFMR and Border Protection contracts continued and engagement with defense industry support was expanding. Riverside acquisition: rationale, financial expectations, and integration priorities Kannikoski described the announced agreement to acquire Riverside Marine Holdings as a step change for Bhagwan, citing strategic and cultural fit and an expansion of service offering, geographic reach, and commodity exposure. He said the acquisition would improve earnings quality, noting that about 88% of Riversides revenue is supported by long-term contracts with Tier 1 customers, and that this would lift Bhagwans repeatable revenue from approximately 40%50%. For FY2026, management said the transaction is expected to be highly accretive, including: EPS accretion of approximately 14% Return on equity accretion of greater than 20% Group EBITDA margins expanding from 18%24% Kannikoski said Riverside manages and operates around 30 vessels across five brands and forecast FY2026 revenue of AUD 63.3 million and EBITDA of AUD 26.2 million, implying an EBITDA margin of 41.3%. He also emphasized Riversides capital-light model focused on vessel operation and management, with more than 20 vessels under management supported by long-term contracts, and ownership of nine vessels valued at about AUD 35.7 million. Management said Riverside carries no vessel lease payments and expects annual maintenance CapEx of about AUD 7 million to AUD 8 million. During Q&A, Kannikoski said cross-selling opportunities would come from expanding towage contracts nationally and combining expertise. He also pointed to potential synergies in charter vessels for hydrographic surveys and in sand opportunities where Riversides expertise could support Bhagwans ambitions. Management said the integration priority would be business as usual, maintaining customer relationships and retaining the underlying value of the business. Asked about the timing of contract awards after December 31, Kannikoski said contract timing can shift and he would not comment on specific dates, but added that the company had already seen developments before December 31. In response to a question about a second-half rebound, management said it expected improved margins and higher activity levels in the base business in the second half, including across decommissioning and ports and inshore. About Bhagwan Marine (ASX:BWN) Bhagwan Marine Limited owns and operates marine vessel for oil and gas, subsea, port, civil construction, renewables, and defense industries in Australia. It offers vessels and services to support exploration, development, and production activities to offshore oil and gas industry; harbor towage, survey support, geotechnical support, and infrastructure maintenance services; construction of bridges, ports, jetties, and other marine infrastructure; anchor handling tug supply vessels; and geophysical, surveying, and civil engineering services. Featured Articles Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE Free Report) by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 208,941 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 27,655 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in FirstEnergy were worth $9,574,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Argent Trust Co boosted its stake in shares of FirstEnergy by 3.3% during the third quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 14,331 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $657,000 after buying an additional 455 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Association purchased a new stake in FirstEnergy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Integrated Advisors Network LLC purchased a new stake in FirstEnergy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $256,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in FirstEnergy by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,054,989 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $48,340,000 after acquiring an additional 16,700 shares during the period. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its position in FirstEnergy by 16.7% during the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 59,676 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,734,000 after acquiring an additional 8,555 shares during the period. 89.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get FirstEnergy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades FE has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays dropped their target price on FirstEnergy from $51.00 to $50.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of FirstEnergy from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of FirstEnergy in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of FirstEnergy from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $50.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Mizuho set a $51.00 target price on shares of FirstEnergy in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $49.31. FirstEnergy Trading Up 1.0% Shares of FE stock opened at $51.15 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $47.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.56 billion, a PE ratio of 29.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.46. FirstEnergy Corporation has a 1-year low of $37.58 and a 1-year high of $51.34. FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The utilities provider reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.01. FirstEnergy had a net margin of 6.76% and a return on equity of 10.50%. The company had revenue of $3.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 EPS. FirstEnergy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.620-2.820 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that FirstEnergy Corporation will post 2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. FirstEnergy Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 7th will be given a dividend of $0.465 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 7th. This is an increase from FirstEnergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $1.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. FirstEnergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 101.14%. FirstEnergy Profile (Free Report) FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is a U.S.-based electric utility holding company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The companys primary business is the delivery of electricity through its regulated transmission and distribution utilities, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers across parts of the Midwest and Mid?Atlantic. FirstEnergys service territory includes states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia, and it operates primarily within the PJM regional transmission organization. FirstEnergys core activities center on owning and operating electric distribution networks and transmission systems, maintaining and upgrading grid infrastructure, managing storm response and restoration, and offering customer programs that include energy efficiency and reliability services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for FirstEnergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FirstEnergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. grew its position in TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T) by 108.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 423,285 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after purchasing an additional 220,552 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in TELUS were worth $6,667,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Walter Public Investments Inc. raised its holdings in TELUS by 1.9% in the third quarter. Walter Public Investments Inc. now owns 39,334 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $619,000 after buying an additional 750 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its stake in TELUS by 7.0% during the third quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 11,483 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $181,000 after buying an additional 755 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of TELUS by 35.0% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,926 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 759 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of TELUS by 23.8% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,994 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 767 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of TELUS by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 46,099 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $739,000 after acquiring an additional 841 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.40% of the companys stock. Get TELUS alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TU has been the topic of several research reports. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of TELUS in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded TELUS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and set a $19.00 price target (down from $22.00) on shares of TELUS in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. TD Securities restated a buy rating on shares of TELUS in a report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of TELUS to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.17. TELUS Stock Up 0.5% TU stock opened at $13.73 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.47. The company has a market capitalization of $21.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.39, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.67. TELUS Corporation has a twelve month low of $12.54 and a twelve month high of $16.74. TELUS (NYSE:TU Get Free Report) (TSE:T) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.15 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $3.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.85 billion. TELUS had a net margin of 5.42% and a return on equity of 8.42%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.25 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that TELUS Corporation will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. TELUS Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be paid a $0.4184 dividend. This represents a $1.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. TELUSs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 230.77%. About TELUS (Free Report) TELUS Corporation (NYSE: TU) is a Canadian telecommunications and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It delivers a broad portfolio of consumer and business communications services across Canada, including mobile wireless, fixed-line voice, broadband internet, and television. TELUS also provides a range of enterprise services such as cloud and IT solutions, managed network services, cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) offerings for business customers. Beyond core connectivity, TELUS has expanded into health and digital services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T). Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its position in Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM Free Report) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 535,015 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,856 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder ABs holdings in Newmont were worth $45,107,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Newmont by 327.8% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 308 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Newmont by 1,648.3% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 507 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares during the last quarter. Caldwell Trust Co bought a new stake in Newmont during the second quarter worth $31,000. Country Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Newmont in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Newmont in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors own 68.85% of the companys stock. Get Newmont alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Newmont in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Newmont from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $121.00 to $157.00 in a research note on Friday. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Newmont from $114.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Macquarie Infrastructure lifted their price target on shares of Newmont from $115.00 to $126.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upped their price objective on shares of Newmont from $97.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $134.15. Insider Activity at Newmont In other news, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,080 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.36, for a total value of $192,108.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 32,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,021,003.24. This represents a 5.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock. Newmont Stock Up 2.0% Shares of NYSE NEM opened at $130.03 on Friday. Newmont Corporation has a 1 year low of $41.23 and a 1 year high of $134.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 2.02. The firm has a market cap of $141.45 billion, a PE ratio of 20.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $115.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $94.97. Newmont (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The basic materials company reported $2.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.81 by $0.71. Newmont had a net margin of 31.25% and a return on equity of 23.28%. The firm had revenue of $6.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.18 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.40 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 EPS for the current year. Newmont Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 3rd. This is a boost from Newmonts previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Newmonts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.65%. Newmont News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Newmont this week: Positive Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded NEM from market perform to outperform and raised its price target to $157 (from $121), signaling analyst confidence and implying roughly 20% upside versus recent levels. Bernstein Upgrade Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded NEM from market perform to outperform and raised its price target to $157 (from $121), signaling analyst confidence and implying roughly 20% upside versus recent levels. Positive Sentiment: Newmont posted strong Q4 results: adjusted EPS $2.52 vs. $1.81 consensus and revenue ~$6.82B vs. $6.18B expected; management cited higher realized gold prices and effective cost control, and Forbes reports roughly $2.8B of free cash flow in Q4supporting buybacks, dividend capacity, or further portfolio actions. Newmont Ends 2025 Strong 2026 In Focus Newmont posted strong Q4 results: adjusted EPS $2.52 vs. $1.81 consensus and revenue ~$6.82B vs. $6.18B expected; management cited higher realized gold prices and effective cost control, and Forbes reports roughly $2.8B of free cash flow in Q4supporting buybacks, dividend capacity, or further portfolio actions. Positive Sentiment: Market reaction: coverage notes NEM gained (~+2.1% on the cited session) as investors priced in the earnings beat and brighter outlook. Why the Market Dipped But Newmont Gained Market reaction: coverage notes NEM gained (~+2.1% on the cited session) as investors priced in the earnings beat and brighter outlook. Neutral Sentiment: Longer-form investor commentary explores whether to buy NEM todayarguments center on its stronger portfolio of Tier?1 assets and cash generation versus valuation and exposure to gold price moves. Should You Invest $1,000 in Newmont? Longer-form investor commentary explores whether to buy NEM todayarguments center on its stronger portfolio of Tier?1 assets and cash generation versus valuation and exposure to gold price moves. Neutral Sentiment: Company profile and personnel/resources page (reference material). Newmont Company Page About Newmont (Free Report) Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) is a leading global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, processing and reclamation of gold properties. The companys core business centers on the production of gold, with additional byproduct metals produced from its operations. Newmont operates a portfolio of long?lived mines and development projects, and its activities span the full mine life cycle from early-stage exploration through to mining, milling and closure. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Newmont has grown through organic development and strategic acquisitions. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The US and Israel struck Iran early Saturday morning in what President Trump said was a bid to destroy the country's nuclear program and potentially remove the current regime from power. The move triggered immediate retaliation and may provoke a wider conflict that poses serious risk for the oil markets. Trump said on Truth Social that the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed, but did not provide further details. The Iranian government later confirmed the death. Futures on Brent crude (BZ=F), the international pricing benchmark, had jumped by roughly 2.9% to close above $72.80 on Friday, while those on US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude (CL=F) had moved up by a slightly smaller 2.8% to trade above $67 by Friday's close. Without signs of deescalation over the weekend, prices could surge upward by as much as $10 to $20 per barrel when the market reopens Sunday night, Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, told Yahoo Finance. "Given the scale of retaliation, most of the strategic initiative now lies with Iran," Leon said. "How Tehran chooses to respond over the next 24-72 hours especially toward energy infrastructure or regional shipping will be the primary driver of near-term oil market dynamics." Throughout Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched dozens of air strikes into the Iranian capital Tehran and other major cities across the country after what were seen as last-ditch talks between US and Iranian negotiators on Thursday ended with no deal. The Oman foreign minister, serving as mediator in the talks, said on Face the Nation Friday that he believed "progress" had been made and that a deal was within reach. Iran immediately retaliated against the US and Israeli strikes, launching missiles against both US military assets and infrastructure throughout other Gulf states such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, according to news reports from the region. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister claimed in a statement that its capital Riyadh and the country's oil-rich provinces in the east had been targeted. Kuwait's Kuwait International Airport, the UAE's Zayed International Airport in Riyadh, and the UAE's Dubai International Airport have all been targeted or directly struck. Iranian missile attacks have reportedly targeted U.S. military facilities throughout the Middle East, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and others in Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain, according to The New York Times. Inside Tehran, the US struck the compound that holds the Ayatollah Khamenei's primary residence, The New York Times reported. Rafferty Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM Free Report) by 74.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 315,414 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 135,069 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLCs holdings in PulteGroup were worth $41,676,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in PHM. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in PulteGroup by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 12,290,631 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,296,170,000 after purchasing an additional 95,058 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of PulteGroup during the second quarter worth $404,339,000. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 27.2% during the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,199,906 shares of the construction companys stock worth $337,462,000 after buying an additional 683,728 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 0.9% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,634,275 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $277,811,000 after acquiring an additional 23,051 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the third quarter valued at about $315,883,000. Institutional investors own 89.90% of the companys stock. Get PulteGroup alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Monday, December 1st. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroup boosted their price target on PulteGroup from $128.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $145.00 price objective on shares of PulteGroup in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Evercore lifted their price objective on PulteGroup from $134.00 to $143.00 in a report on Friday, January 30th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $140.62. Insider Buying and Selling at PulteGroup In other PulteGroup news, VP Brien P. Omeara sold 4,000 shares of PulteGroup stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.51, for a total value of $542,040.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 8,601 shares in the company, valued at $1,165,521.51. The trade was a 31.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Todd N. Sheldon sold 14,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.01, for a total value of $1,919,842.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 69,753 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,417,352.53. The trade was a 16.93% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 149,952 shares of company stock worth $20,162,165 over the last quarter. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. PulteGroup Stock Performance Shares of PulteGroup stock opened at $137.09 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a market cap of $26.37 billion, a PE ratio of 12.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a 50 day moving average of $129.37 and a 200-day moving average of $127.61. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 1-year low of $88.07 and a 1-year high of $144.49. PulteGroup Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. PulteGroups payout ratio is 9.35%. PulteGroup Company Profile (Free Report) PulteGroup, Inc (NYSE: PHM) is a U.S.-based residential homebuilder that designs, constructs and sells single-family homes and develops master-planned communities. The company operates multiple national and regional brands that target different buyer segments, including first-time buyers, move-up buyers and active-adult customers. Its operations encompass land acquisition and development, home design and construction, community amenities and ongoing customer service and warranty programs. PulteGroup markets homes under several well-known brands, such as Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb, among others, offering a range of product types from entry-level detached homes to larger, higher-end residences and age-restricted active-adult communities. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PHM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for PulteGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PulteGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:IBP Get Free Report) declared a special dividend on Thursday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of 1.80 per share by the construction company on Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 56.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Installed Building Products has a payout ratio of 14.3% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Installed Building Products to earn $11.02 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 13.4%. Get Installed Building Products alerts: Installed Building Products Stock Performance NYSE:IBP opened at $328.27 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.74, a PEG ratio of 7.51 and a beta of 1.92. Installed Building Products has a 1-year low of $150.83 and a 1-year high of $349.00. The business has a 50 day moving average of $300.63 and a 200 day moving average of $274.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 2.78 and a quick ratio of 2.28. Installed Building Products News Summary Installed Building Products ( NYSE:IBP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The construction company reported $3.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.83 by $0.41. The company had revenue of $747.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $738.97 million. Installed Building Products had a net margin of 8.93% and a return on equity of 44.40%. The firms revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.88 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Installed Building Products will post 10.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Here are the key news stories impacting Installed Building Products this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings and revenue beat expectations: IBP reported $3.24 EPS vs. consensus ~$2.83 and revenue of $747.5M (slightly down y/y), with the company saying it delivered record fourth?quarter and FY2025 profitability a core reason investors are buying the stock. Business Wire IBP Q4 Results Q4 earnings and revenue beat expectations: IBP reported $3.24 EPS vs. consensus ~$2.83 and revenue of $747.5M (slightly down y/y), with the company saying it delivered record fourth?quarter and FY2025 profitability a core reason investors are buying the stock. Positive Sentiment: Company announced a special cash dividend of $1.80 per share (ex?dividend/record date reported as March 13; pay date March 31), representing an outsized yield headline that can attract income-focused buyers and help explain intraday strength. Company announced a special cash dividend of $1.80 per share (ex?dividend/record date reported as March 13; pay date March 31), representing an outsized yield headline that can attract income-focused buyers and help explain intraday strength. Positive Sentiment: Market commentary and headlines highlighting the beat and stock soars narrative amplified the move; several outlets ran summaries and call transcripts that increased investor attention. Yahoo Finance Stock Soars Market commentary and headlines highlighting the beat and stock soars narrative amplified the move; several outlets ran summaries and call transcripts that increased investor attention. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst actions are mixed: Wells Fargo trimmed its target from $355 to $340 but kept an equal weight rating (small upside vs. the current price), while Vertical Research upgraded IBP from sell to hold with a $326 target both are essentially neutral to only mildly supportive. Benzinga / Finviz Analyst Notes Analyst actions are mixed: Wells Fargo trimmed its target from $355 to $340 but kept an equal weight rating (small upside vs. the current price), while Vertical Research upgraded IBP from sell to hold with a $326 target both are essentially neutral to only mildly supportive. Negative Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada raised its price target to $255 but maintained an underperform rating that $255 PT implies material downside vs. the current price and introduces a meaningful bearish signal that could cap upside or prompt profit?taking. Benzinga RBC Note Installed Building Products Company Profile (Get Free Report) Installed Building Products, Inc (NYSE: IBP) is a leading national installer of specialty building products serving the U.S. residential construction market. The company partners with homebuilders and contractors to deliver a comprehensive range of interior and exterior finishing services, including insulation, drywall finishing, protective coatings and basement waterproofing systems. By offering a single-source solution, Installed Building Products helps streamline project coordination and ensures consistent service quality across multiple trades. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Installed Building Products has expanded from a regional insulation installer into a nationwide platform operating in nearly every state. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Installed Building Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Installed Building Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. APi Group (NYSE:APG Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $45.00 to $53.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 19.34% from the stocks previous close. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on APG. CJS Securities upgraded APi Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $49.00 price objective (up from $45.00) on shares of APi Group in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of APi Group from $44.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of APi Group from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of APi Group in a report on Monday, December 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, APi Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $48.57. Get APi Group alerts: View Our Latest Report on APi Group APi Group Stock Performance APi Group stock opened at $44.41 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $42.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The company has a market cap of $19.16 billion, a PE ratio of -58.69 and a beta of 1.70. APi Group has a twelve month low of $20.50 and a twelve month high of $46.89. APi Group (NYSE:APG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.04. APi Group had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 3.70%.The company had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.51 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that APi Group will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Anthony E. Malkin acquired 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $39.58 per share, with a total value of $118,740.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 7,000 shares in the company, valued at $277,060. This trade represents a 75.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Louis Lambert sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.71, for a total value of $983,620.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 16,148 shares in the company, valued at approximately $721,977.08. This represents a 57.67% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 17.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On APi Group A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in APG. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of APi Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $650,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in APi Group by 73.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 178,117 shares of the companys stock worth $6,369,000 after acquiring an additional 75,490 shares during the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC raised its stake in shares of APi Group by 30.9% in the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 4,366 shares of the companys stock worth $223,000 after purchasing an additional 1,031 shares during the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in APi Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,101,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of APi Group by 9.7% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 15,402 shares of the companys stock worth $786,000 after purchasing an additional 1,363 shares during the last quarter. 86.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Key Stories Impacting APi Group Here are the key news stories impacting APi Group this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat expectations: APi reported $0.44 EPS vs. $0.40 consensus and revenue of $2.12B vs. $2.09B, with 13.8% year-over-year revenue growth and improved adjusted EBITDA margins the core catalyst for the recent rally. Read More. Q4 results beat expectations: APi reported $0.44 EPS vs. $0.40 consensus and revenue of $2.12B vs. $2.09B, with 13.8% year-over-year revenue growth and improved adjusted EBITDA margins the core catalyst for the recent rally. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Multiple banks raised price targets and ratings (UBS, Citi, RBC, Barclays, Truist), increasing street conviction and providing near-term upside targets in the $52$54 range. Read More. Multiple banks raised price targets and ratings (UBS, Citi, RBC, Barclays, Truist), increasing street conviction and providing near-term upside targets in the $52$54 range. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Company reported record fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results and management framed outcomes as validation of a recurring-services model narrative that supports multiple-quarter growth expectations. Read More. Company reported record fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results and management framed outcomes as validation of a recurring-services model narrative that supports multiple-quarter growth expectations. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Investor access events scheduled: APis senior team will present at Bank of America (Mar 12) and J.P. Morgan (Mar 17) conferences increases visibility and gives investors a chance to probe guidance and margin drivers. Read More. Investor access events scheduled: APis senior team will present at Bank of America (Mar 12) and J.P. Morgan (Mar 17) conferences increases visibility and gives investors a chance to probe guidance and margin drivers. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcript and full disclosures are available for investors who want segment-level detail and management commentary on margin improvement and backlog. Useful for confirming whether the beat is sustainable. Read More. Earnings call transcript and full disclosures are available for investors who want segment-level detail and management commentary on margin improvement and backlog. Useful for confirming whether the beat is sustainable. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Near-term guidance caution: Q1 2026 revenue was guided to ~$1.9B$2.0B versus an implied ~ $2.1B consensus, creating execution risk and a potential cap on short-term upside if conservatism persists. Read More. Near-term guidance caution: Q1 2026 revenue was guided to ~$1.9B$2.0B versus an implied ~ $2.1B consensus, creating execution risk and a potential cap on short-term upside if conservatism persists. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: SVP Louis Lambert sold 22,000 shares (~$984k at ~$44.71), reducing his position by ~58% some investors may view this as a cautionary signal on timing or liquidity needs. Read More. APi Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) APi Group Corp. is a global specialty contractor that provides fire protection, security, mechanical insulation and energy services to commercial, industrial and institutional clients. Headquartered in New Brighton, Minnesota, the company designs, installs, inspects, tests, maintains and repairs a wide range of safety and infrastructure systems. Through its network of operating subsidiaries, APi Group delivers end-to-end solutions for new construction, facility renovations and ongoing maintenance requirements. Its service portfolio spans life safety and industrial servicessuch as fire suppression systems, fire alarms and emergency lightingand specialized offerings including technical insulation, access solutions, passive fire protection and energy efficiency upgrades. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for APi Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for APi Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of General Motors Company (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 6,853 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $418,000. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new position in General Motors during the third quarter worth $29,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. grew its position in shares of General Motors by 94.6% during the 3rd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 545 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the period. ESL Trust Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of General Motors during the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in General Motors during the second quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Motco increased its stake in General Motors by 293.0% in the third quarter. Motco now owns 841 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 627 shares in the last quarter. 92.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get General Motors alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on GM shares. HSBC raised their target price on General Motors from $48.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of General Motors in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of General Motors from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, January 4th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of General Motors from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, DZ Bank upgraded shares of General Motors from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $98.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, General Motors presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $89.52. Key General Motors News Here are the key news stories impacting General Motors this week: General Motors Stock Down 2.8% GM opened at $78.56 on Friday. General Motors Company has a fifty-two week low of $41.60 and a fifty-two week high of $87.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.10, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.36. The companys 50-day moving average is $82.09 and its 200 day moving average is $70.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.01. General Motors (NYSE:GM Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The auto manufacturer reported $2.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.26 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $45.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.81 billion. General Motors had a return on equity of 14.72% and a net margin of 1.46%.General Motorss quarterly revenue was down 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.92 earnings per share. General Motors has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.750-10.500 EPS. Research analysts expect that General Motors Company will post 11.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. General Motors Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This is an increase from General Motorss previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. General Motorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.93%. General Motors announced that its board has initiated a share buyback program on Tuesday, January 27th that permits the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the auto manufacturer to purchase up to 8.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. About General Motors (Free Report) General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, builds and sells cars, trucks, crossovers and electric vehicles, and provides related parts and services. Founded in 1908, GM has long been one of the worlds largest automakers and has evolved into a multi-brand company whose primary marques include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Beyond vehicle manufacturing, GMs operations encompass vehicle financing, connected services and advanced mobility initiatives. GM develops and markets a broad portfolio of products and technologies, including internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicles, vehicle components and on-board connectivity services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Motors Company (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U). Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc cut its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 492,699 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 31,148 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Incs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $46,604,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in COP. Tema Etfs LLC bought a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips during the third quarter worth about $1,804,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 12.1% during the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 140,829 shares of the energy producers stock worth $13,321,000 after buying an additional 15,202 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 389,995 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $36,890,000 after buying an additional 11,958 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 107.5% in the third quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 103,430 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $9,783,000 after buying an additional 53,587 shares during the period. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 5.6% in the third quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 1,047,732 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $99,105,000 after buying an additional 55,901 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.36% of the companys stock. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on the company. Roth Mkm cut ConocoPhillips from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $112.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Raymond James Financial upped their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Monday, December 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $115.92. ConocoPhillips Price Performance COP stock opened at $113.32 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The companys 50-day moving average is $101.70 and its 200-day moving average is $95.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $140.03 billion, a PE ratio of 17.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.32. ConocoPhillips has a 1 year low of $79.88 and a 1 year high of $113.80. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The energy producer reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.23 by ($0.21). The firm had revenue of $13.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.35 billion. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 11.90% and a net margin of 12.98%.The firms revenue was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.98 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.84 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio is presently 53.00%. Insider Buying and Selling at ConocoPhillips In other news, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 500,708 shares of ConocoPhillips stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total transaction of $46,315,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 325,972 shares in the company, valued at $30,152,410. This trade represents a 60.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. ConocoPhillips News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting ConocoPhillips this week: About ConocoPhillips (Free Report) ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is a Houston-based international energy company focused on exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Formed in 2002 through the merger of Conoco Inc and Phillips Petroleum Company, the firm operates as an independent upstream company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids across a portfolio of global assets. The companys activities span conventional and unconventional resources and include onshore and offshore operations in multiple regions around the world. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntington National Bank trimmed its holdings in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report) by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 252,116 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 9,125 shares during the quarter. Huntington National Banks holdings in McDonalds were worth $76,616,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 0.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 71,647,669 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $21,773,010,000 after purchasing an additional 316,638 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in McDonalds by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 34,828,352 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $10,175,800,000 after buying an additional 272,139 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,828,420 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $4,901,595,000 after buying an additional 276,065 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,780,712,000. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 29,382.3% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,737,548 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,676,339,000 after acquiring an additional 5,718,087 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the companys stock. Get McDonald's alerts: Trending Headlines about McDonalds Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week: Positive Sentiment: Street support: JPMorgan raised its price target to $325 and remains constructive, giving buy?side validation and likely contributing to bullish flows. Article Title Street support: JPMorgan raised its price target to $325 and remains constructive, giving buy?side validation and likely contributing to bullish flows. Positive Sentiment: Promotions and LTOs driving traffic: The U.S. rollout of the Big Arch supersized burger and national $1 McMuffin promotions are generating buzz and should lift short?term visits and digital engagement, supporting revenue and comp trends. Article Title Article Title Promotions and LTOs driving traffic: The U.S. rollout of the Big Arch supersized burger and national $1 McMuffin promotions are generating buzz and should lift short?term visits and digital engagement, supporting revenue and comp trends. Positive Sentiment: Loyalty and digital momentum: Coverage highlights McDonalds rewards and app-driven promotions are improving visit frequency and ticket, a structural tailwind for margins and recurring sales. Article Title Loyalty and digital momentum: Coverage highlights McDonalds rewards and app-driven promotions are improving visit frequency and ticket, a structural tailwind for margins and recurring sales. Positive Sentiment: Dividend income visibility: Management confirmed a $1.86 quarterly dividend (ex?div March 3, payable March 17), supporting demand from income?oriented investors. Article Title Dividend income visibility: Management confirmed a $1.86 quarterly dividend (ex?div March 3, payable March 17), supporting demand from income?oriented investors. Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst estimate moves from Zacks: Zacks updated numerous quarterly and FY2027/28 EPS estimates lifting some full?year/quarter forecasts while trimming others. The net effect is ambiguous for near?term sentiment but shows analysts are actively re?modeling. (Zacks coverage also discusses value strategy sustaining traffic.) Article Title Mixed analyst estimate moves from Zacks: Zacks updated numerous quarterly and FY2027/28 EPS estimates lifting some full?year/quarter forecasts while trimming others. The net effect is ambiguous for near?term sentiment but shows analysts are actively re?modeling. (Zacks coverage also discusses value strategy sustaining traffic.) Neutral Sentiment: Product novelty tests: International menu items and limited?time offers can boost visits but their incremental margin impact is uncertain; useful for short?term traffic but not a proven long?term earnings catalyst. Article Title Product novelty tests: International menu items and limited?time offers can boost visits but their incremental margin impact is uncertain; useful for short?term traffic but not a proven long?term earnings catalyst. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Executives disclosed sales (including a recent sale by Joe Erlinger), which can spook some investors even if part of routine diversification. Article Title Insider selling: Executives disclosed sales (including a recent sale by Joe Erlinger), which can spook some investors even if part of routine diversification. Negative Sentiment: Regional ad controversy: A Ramadan ad in Germany showing empty boxes drew criticism a reputational headline that may pressure local sentiment but is unlikely to materially affect global fundamentals. Article Title Insider Activity at McDonalds McDonalds Stock Performance In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 333 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $330.43, for a total value of $110,033.19. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 8,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,885,645.19. This trade represents a 3.67% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,486 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total value of $795,520.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 6,268 shares in the company, valued at $2,005,760. This trade represents a 28.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders sold a total of 78,084 shares of company stock valued at $25,661,722 in the last quarter. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Shares of MCD stock opened at $340.85 on Friday. McDonalds Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $283.47 and a fifty-two week high of $341.35. The company has a market capitalization of $242.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.52, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.52. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $316.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $310.19. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonalds had a net margin of 31.85% and a negative return on equity of 343.90%. The company had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.83 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year. McDonalds Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 3rd. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio is 62.26%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MCD shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on McDonalds from $345.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on McDonalds from $356.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on McDonalds from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Barclays upped their target price on McDonalds from $372.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of McDonalds from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, McDonalds presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $337.57. Read Our Latest Research Report on McDonalds McDonalds Profile (Free Report) McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWA Wealth Partners LLC cut its stake in shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO Free Report) by 59.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,873 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,599 shares during the quarter. RWA Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Diageo were worth $370,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Diageo during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC increased its position in shares of Diageo by 3,885.7% in the third quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 279 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 272 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of Diageo by 94.7% in the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 292 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Diageo in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Diageo by 76.5% during the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 330 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Diageo alerts: Diageo Stock Up 4.7% Shares of DEO opened at $89.51 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $91.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $95.61. Diageo plc has a 52 week low of $84.52 and a 52 week high of $116.69. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have commented on DEO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Diageo from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Diageo from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $124.00 price objective on shares of Diageo and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $116.50. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DEO Diageo Profile (Free Report) Diageo plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in London, England. The company was created through the 1997 merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is publicly traded on multiple exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange. Diageo operates a worldwide business, selling products in a broad range of markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Diageos core activities cover the production, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of spirits, beer and liqueurs. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Diageo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Diageo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE decreased its position in shares of SAP SE (NYSE:SAP Free Report) by 10.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 136,161 shares of the software makers stock after selling 15,577 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in SAP were worth $36,384,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CX Institutional boosted its position in shares of SAP by 2.0% during the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,961 shares of the software makers stock valued at $524,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in SAP by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 4,019 shares of the software makers stock valued at $1,074,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Certuity LLC grew its position in SAP by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Certuity LLC now owns 1,866 shares of the software makers stock valued at $568,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its position in shares of SAP by 1.0% during the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 4,495 shares of the software makers stock worth $1,355,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of SAP by 22.0% in the third quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 244 shares of the software makers stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Get SAP alerts: SAP Price Performance SAP opened at $201.42 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $247.45 billion, a PE ratio of 28.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.17. The businesss 50-day moving average is $223.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $247.63. SAP SE has a 1 year low of $189.22 and a 1 year high of $313.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.10. Analyst Ratings Changes SAP ( NYSE:SAP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The software maker reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.13. SAP had a net margin of 19.92% and a return on equity of 16.52%. The firm had revenue of $11.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.40 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that SAP SE will post 6.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. SAP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays set a $283.00 target price on shares of SAP in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of SAP in a report on Friday, October 31st. HSBC upgraded SAP to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Zacks Research upgraded SAP from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of SAP from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, SAP has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $305.75. Check Out Our Latest Report on SAP SAP Profile (Free Report) SAP SE is a global enterprise software company headquartered in Walldorf, Germany. Founded in 1972 by five former IBM engineers, the companys name is an acronym for Systeme, Anwendungen und Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung (Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing). SAP develops and sells software and services that help organizations manage business processes across finance, human resources, procurement, manufacturing, supply chain and customer relationships. SAPs product portfolio spans on?premises and cloud offerings, anchored by its enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions such as SAP S/4HANA and the SAP HANA in?memory database and platform. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SAP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SAP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 350.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 486,649 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 378,496 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $19,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,001,668,000. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter worth $597,031,000. BlueSpruce Investments LP grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 24,760.7% in the second quarter. BlueSpruce Investments LP now owns 3,930,732 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $220,711,000 after acquiring an additional 3,914,921 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 125,927,338 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $4,935,092,000 after acquiring an additional 2,470,213 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2,705.6% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,126,682 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $119,413,000 after acquiring an additional 2,050,882 shares in the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages recently commented on CMG. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating and issued a $44.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research cut Chipotle Mexican Grill from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Northcoast Research downgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Twenty-two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $47.24. Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance CMG stock opened at $37.18 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1 year low of $29.75 and a 1 year high of $58.42. The company has a market cap of $48.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.99. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $38.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.13. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.96 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 47.99% and a net margin of 12.88%.Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.25 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year. Chipotle Mexican Grill News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week: Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners. The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE lowered its holdings in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 188,313 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 5,476 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Aflac were worth $21,035,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Aflac by 10.4% in the third quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,731,482 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $193,407,000 after acquiring an additional 163,791 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its position in Aflac by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,768,705 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $196,662,000 after purchasing an additional 65,308 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Aflac by 126.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 21,345 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,384,000 after purchasing an additional 11,903 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in Aflac by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 97,344 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,841,000 after purchasing an additional 10,423 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its position in shares of Aflac by 31.0% in the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 55,022 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,146,000 after purchasing an additional 13,017 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.44% of the companys stock. Get Aflac alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AFL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $119.00 price objective (up from $110.00) on shares of Aflac in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Aflac from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b+) rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $120.00 price objective on Aflac in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Barclays set a $101.00 target price on Aflac and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Aflac has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $111.73. Aflac Stock Performance NYSE AFL opened at $112.75 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $58.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.39, a PEG ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $111.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $109.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Aflac Incorporated has a 12-month low of $96.95 and a 12-month high of $119.32. Aflac (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.69 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.45 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 21.24% and a return on equity of 14.35%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.57 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Aflac news, EVP Steven Kent Beaver sold 7,387 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.58, for a total transaction of $839,015.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 40,526 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,602,943.08. The trade was a 15.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 16,331 shares of company stock valued at $1,817,720. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Aflac Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflacs product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans. Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is one of the Best All-Time Low Stocks to Invest In Now. On February 18, Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) outlined its long-term strategy at the 2026 CAGNY Conference. CEO Howard Friedman and CFO BK Kelley noted key strategies, growth drivers, and financial targets for the company. Management highlighted that they are focusing on four main pillars of execution, which include outgrowing the the salty snack category profitably, expanding margins, accelerating free cash flow, and deploying leading capabilities. In the long-term, Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) plans to achieve organic net sales 2% to 3% faster than the Category. Management also projects a long-term net sales potential of $1.9 billion, along with a $500 million incremental opportunity, driven by Boulder Canyon and Expansion Geographies share growth. In terms of profitability, the company expects adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% to 8% annually, with margins reaching more than 17%. Utz Brands (UTZ) Outlines its Long-Term Strategy, Here's What You Need to Know marilyn barbone/Shutterstock.com UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) markets, manufactures, and distributes branded snacks. Its portfolio includes a range of salty snacking products, such as pretzels, potato chips, veggie chips, cheese, and pork skins. The companys brands include Utz, Golden Flake, Zapps, Good Health, Hawaiian, and Boulder Canyon. While we acknowledge the potential of UTZ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Huntington National Bank decreased its stake in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 392,278 shares of the companys stock after selling 14,077 shares during the period. Huntington National Banks holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $72,736,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 632.0% in the third quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 89,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,536,000 after acquiring an additional 77,000 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 130,934 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,278,000 after purchasing an additional 2,769 shares during the period. Guinness Asset Management LTD raised its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD now owns 1,383,195 shares of the companys stock worth $251,216,000 after buying an additional 5,994 shares in the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 8.3% during the 2nd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 1,234,945 shares of the companys stock worth $188,638,000 after buying an additional 94,957 shares during the period. Finally, National Pension Service boosted its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. National Pension Service now owns 4,926,569 shares of the companys stock valued at $913,484,000 after buying an additional 151,707 shares in the last quarter. 69.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Insider Activity In related news, EVP Timothy Schmid sold 22,623 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $244.33, for a total value of $5,527,477.59. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 26,769 shares in the company, valued at $6,540,469.77. This represents a 45.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Vanessa Broadhurst sold 6,197 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.39, for a total transaction of $1,508,287.83. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 23,003 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,598,700.17. The trade was a 21.22% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 30,142 shares of company stock worth $7,360,528 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock. Trending Headlines about Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week: Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $248.81 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $224.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $201.61. Johnson & Johnson has a fifty-two week low of $141.50 and a fifty-two week high of $248.94. The firm has a market cap of $599.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.35. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, January 31st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $24.28 billion for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 33.04% and a net margin of 28.46%. Sell-side analysts predict that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 24th. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is currently 47.06%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have issued reports on JNJ shares. Daiwa Securities Group lifted their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $203.00 to $237.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Monday, January 5th. Leerink Partners upped their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $201.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. HSBC lifted their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $240.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $225.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Johnson & Johnson currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $232.70. Read Our Latest Research Report on JNJ Johnson & Johnson Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world. The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in shares of iShares Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:IAU Free Report) by 20.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 429,422 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 73,795 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DE owned 0.05% of iShares Gold Trust worth $31,249,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in IAU. Ehrlich Financial Group lifted its position in iShares Gold Trust by 15.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ehrlich Financial Group now owns 44,884 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,266,000 after acquiring an additional 5,943 shares in the last quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 63.6% in the 3rd quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 55,530 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,041,000 after purchasing an additional 21,596 shares during the period. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 79.9% in the second quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC now owns 51,910 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,237,000 after purchasing an additional 23,054 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Corp bought a new stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust in the third quarter valued at about $1,863,000. Finally, Strategic Blueprint LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 30.2% in the third quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 136,931 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $9,964,000 after purchasing an additional 31,746 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.67% of the companys stock. Get iShares Gold Trust alerts: iShares Gold Trust News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting iShares Gold Trust this week: iShares Gold Trust Price Performance iShares Gold Trust Company Profile IAU stock opened at $99.07 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $90.29 and a 200-day moving average of $79.34. iShares Gold Trust has a fifty-two week low of $53.44 and a fifty-two week high of $104.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.53 and a beta of 0.09. (Free Report) iShares Gold Trust (the Trust) is to own gold transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust (Shares). Each Share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust consist of gold held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust. The sponsor of the Trust is iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC (the Sponsor), which is an indirect subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc The trustee of the Trust is The Bank of New York Mellon (the Trustee) and the custodian of the Trust is JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London branch (the Custodian). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IAU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:IAU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Gold Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Gold Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLC reduced its position in shares of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP Free Report) by 21.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 43,120 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 11,754 shares during the period. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLCs holdings in CenterPoint Energy were worth $1,673,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in CenterPoint Energy in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new position in CenterPoint Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. LRI Investments LLC lifted its stake in CenterPoint Energy by 107.9% in the 3rd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 684 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 355 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in CenterPoint Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of CenterPoint Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.77% of the companys stock. Get CenterPoint Energy alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Barclays decreased their price objective on CenterPoint Energy from $41.00 to $38.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 15th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of CenterPoint Energy from $45.00 to $43.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded CenterPoint Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $42.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. KeyCorp raised shares of CenterPoint Energy from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $41.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of CenterPoint Energy from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $42.00. CenterPoint Energy Stock Performance NYSE CNP opened at $43.47 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $28.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The companys 50 day moving average is $39.93 and its 200-day moving average is $39.13. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. has a 12-month low of $33.24 and a 12-month high of $43.58. CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The utilities provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.46 by ($0.01). CenterPoint Energy had a return on equity of 10.46% and a net margin of 11.24%.The company had revenue of $2.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.40 EPS. CenterPoint Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.900- EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that CenterPoint Energy, Inc. will post 1.75 earnings per share for the current year. CenterPoint Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 19th will be issued a $0.23 dividend. This is an increase from CenterPoint Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 19th. CenterPoint Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.50%. About CenterPoint Energy (Free Report) CenterPoint Energy, Inc (NYSE: CNP) is a Houston-based regulated utility company that provides electric and natural gas delivery services and related infrastructure operations. The companys principal activities center on the transmission and distribution of electricity in the greater Houston metropolitan area and the distribution of natural gas to customers across several states in the Midwest and South. As a vertically integrated utility, CenterPoint focuses on the reliable delivery of energy through owned and operated networks of lines, pipelines and associated facilities. CenterPoints core businesses include regulated electric transmission and distribution services, regulated natural gas distribution, and the operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CenterPoint Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CenterPoint Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 13.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 49,999 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 5,894 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $4,773,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 2,390 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $228,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC now owns 5,489 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $501,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Nicolet Bankshares Inc. lifted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Nicolet Bankshares Inc. now owns 13,049 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,191,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. First PREMIER Bank lifted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 23.8% during the 3rd quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 557 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harfst & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.3% during the third quarter. Harfst & Associates Inc. now owns 33,724 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,220,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Key Stories Impacting Charles Schwab Here are the key news stories impacting Charles Schwab this week: Positive Sentiment: High-profile bullish commentary and takeaways that support valuation Jim Cramer called SCHW a steal, arguing AI disruption is minimal for Schwab, which can underpin investor confidence. Jim Cramer on Charles Schwab High-profile bullish commentary and takeaways that support valuation Jim Cramer called SCHW a steal, arguing AI disruption is minimal for Schwab, which can underpin investor confidence. Positive Sentiment: Analyst/coverage pieces note SCHWs outperformance versus the financial services sector and highlight its strong fundamentals (recent quarter beat and FY2026 EPS outlook), which can support longer-term buying interest. SCHW Outperforming Analysis Analyst/coverage pieces note SCHWs outperformance versus the financial services sector and highlight its strong fundamentals (recent quarter beat and FY2026 EPS outlook), which can support longer-term buying interest. Positive Sentiment: MarketBeat/others argue recent AI-driven selling in financials is overblown and Schwab is among names likely to withstand AI disruption a narrative that can attract value-oriented buyers after declines. AI Panic Hits Wall Street MarketBeat/others argue recent AI-driven selling in financials is overblown and Schwab is among names likely to withstand AI disruption a narrative that can attract value-oriented buyers after declines. Neutral Sentiment: Local real-estate moves: Schwab has signed for space at 425 Market in San Francisco as it adjusts its Bay Area footprint a corporate real-estate shift that is more operational/PR-related than a material financial event. Schwab Moves to 425 Market Local real-estate moves: Schwab has signed for space at 425 Market in San Francisco as it adjusts its Bay Area footprint a corporate real-estate shift that is more operational/PR-related than a material financial event. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Director/insider Dennis Howard disclosed a large sale (~27,903 shares) that reduced his holding substantiallysuch transactions can be read negatively by the market even if theyre for personal/liquidity reasons. Insider Sale Filing Insider selling: Director/insider Dennis Howard disclosed a large sale (~27,903 shares) that reduced his holding substantiallysuch transactions can be read negatively by the market even if theyre for personal/liquidity reasons. Negative Sentiment: Retail caution: Schwabs own commentary and CNBC coverage note a decline in bullishness among retail traders and fading AI optimism weaker retail activity or sentiment can pressure trading volumes and sentiment-sensitive names. Retail Traders Grow More Cautious Insider Buying and Selling Charles Schwab Trading Down 2.5% In other Charles Schwab news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $210,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 21,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,285,640. This represents a 8.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, insider Dennis Howard sold 27,903 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.02, for a total value of $2,651,343.06. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 10,470 shares of the companys stock, valued at $994,859.40. The trade was a 72.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 376,247 shares of company stock valued at $38,910,898 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. SCHW opened at $95.09 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 52 week low of $65.88 and a 52 week high of $107.50. The businesss 50 day moving average is $100.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $96.49. The firm has a market cap of $166.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.94. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The financial services provider reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.07. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 22.07% and a net margin of 37.01%.Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.01 earnings per share. Charles Schwab has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.700-5.800 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current year. Charles Schwab Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. This is an increase from Charles Schwabs previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 27.47%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SCHW has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Charles Schwab from $139.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group increased their price objective on Charles Schwab from $123.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating and set a $131.00 target price on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $114.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $115.95. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Charles Schwab Charles Schwab Profile (Free Report) Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a diversified financial services firm that provides brokerage, banking, wealth management and advisory services to individual investors, independent investment advisors and institutional clients. Its primary offerings include retail brokerage accounts, online trading platforms, Schwab-branded mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), retirement plan services, custodial services for independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), and banking products through Charles Schwab Bank. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:BYLD Free Report) by 15.6% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 345,631 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 46,533 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLCs holdings in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF were worth $7,922,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF by 153.1% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 348,292 shares of the companys stock worth $7,875,000 after purchasing an additional 210,661 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF by 56.0% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 98,389 shares of the companys stock worth $2,225,000 after purchasing an additional 35,304 shares during the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF in the third quarter worth $427,000. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $392,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF by 23.9% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 77,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,751,000 after buying an additional 14,948 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF alerts: iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF Stock Up 0.0% BYLD opened at $23.03 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $22.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.86. The company has a market cap of $312.06 million, a P/E ratio of 10.76 and a beta of 0.26. iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $21.55 and a 52-week high of $23.14. About iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF The iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is a fund-of-funds that tracks a broad index of debt securities optimized for yield and mean variance. BYLD was launched on Apr 22, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BYLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:BYLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC grew its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 275,343 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 5,295 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $156,618,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MA. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 55,868.1% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,421,148 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,541,880,000 after purchasing an additional 13,397,168 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $6,725,317,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 25.6% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,372,404 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,580,909,000 after buying an additional 1,299,977 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,431,340 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $45,181,341,000 after acquiring an additional 955,533 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,062,509,000 after acquiring an additional 542,841 shares during the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Mastercard alerts: Mastercard Price Performance MA opened at $515.92 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $545.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $559.56. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $465.59 and a twelve month high of $601.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. The company has a market capitalization of $460.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.23, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.83. Mastercard Announces Dividend Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The credit services provider reported $4.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.24 by $0.52. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.65% and a return on equity of 203.92%. The company had revenue of $8.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.80 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.82 EPS. Mastercards revenue for the quarter was up 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Mastercards payout ratio is 21.07%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $665.00 to $678.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Compass Point raised shares of Mastercard from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $620.00 to $735.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $660.00 to $668.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Macquarie Infrastructure boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $660.00 to $675.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $669.27. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MA Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments. Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) executives used the companys fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2025 earnings call to emphasize what they described as a transition from proving the technology to preparing for commercial operations and higher-rate manufacturing. Management pointed to progress in FAA certification, growing international interest, and a strengthened balance sheet following significant fundraising activity. Get alerts: Commercial plans center on UAE launch and U.S. pilot program Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said Joby plans to carry its first passengers this year in the United Arab Emirates, citing the companys six-year exclusive access to the Dubai market. He also highlighted the U.S. governments eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) as an opportunity to demonstrate services in multiple locations this year, noting that the Department of Transportation was expected to select at least five locations. Bevirt said the eIPP program could allow commercial cargo and medical services as well as passenger operations, with passenger service potentially phasing in over time. When asked directly about U.S. passenger flight prospects, he said the company had been hearing very positive inclinations, though the timing could evolve. In Dubai, Joby reported completing its first point-to-point flight and announcing four nodes in its initial network. Two vertiports were described as nearing completion at Dubai International Airport and the American University in Dubai. Certification update: FAA-conforming aircraft ready, Stage Four progress Bevirt said the companys first FAA-conforming aircraft is now ready to fly, and that Joby has all aircraft intended for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing in production. He framed this as the product of years of for-credit testing at equipment and system levels. On the FAA certification process, Joby reported what it called a record 18-point increase within Stage Four. Bevirt said the improvement reflected both FAA commitment and the maturity of Jobys design, positioning the company to focus on Stage Five as it looks ahead to FAA pilots flying the aircraft later this year. In response to questions about remaining means of compliance, Bevirt said those elements were decoupled from other milestones and emphasized the importance of component- and system-level ground testing, including the creation of specialized test articles with designed in defects built to FAA-agreed test plans. Manufacturing scale-up and facility expansion Bevirt said Joby has begun shifting focus from how and when well go to market toward how many aircraft we can produce and where to deploy them. He said the company decided to scale manufacturing now to be ready for what it described as rising demand, including anticipated eIPP opportunities. In January, Joby signed an agreement to purchase a 728,000-square-foot production facility in Dayton, Ohio. Management said the site would complement growth in California and support plans to again double production to 4 aircraft per month in 2027. Bevirt also said Joby redesigned its California assembly footprint and processes to align with Toyota Production System principles, citing a nearly 50% reduction in movement of people and parts as part of efficiency improvements. Asked about the status of other aircraft in build, Bevirt said investors should expect increasing regularity in aircraft coming off the line over the next few quarters, describing improving maturity in manufacturing and conforming processes. Partnerships and market activity: Toyota, Uber, Delta, and infrastructure Joby cited multiple commercial and infrastructure developments during the quarter: A demonstration flight alongside Toyota at Mount Fuji and participation in a Nomura-led real estate consortium to bring air taxis to Tokyo. An MOU with Red Sea Global and The Helicopter Company to establish a test zone for pre-commercial operations in Saudi Arabia. A letter of intent for aircraft and services valued at up to $250 million to Kazakhstan. An agreement with Metropolis to develop 25 vertiport sites in the U.S. Bevirt also said Delta Air Lines exercised the first tranche of warrants after Joby met a warrant milestone, describing it as part of a deepening partnership. On the Uber relationship, Joby said it debuted a Joby Uber in-app experience in Dubai demonstrating how riders could book a Joby air taxi using the Uber app, and reiterated that Blade service is also planned to be integrated into Ubers platform. Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal, who joined the Q&A, said the Blade-Uber integration is expected to be deployed in the first half of the year and would allow customers to book Blade through Uber, including ground transport to a Blade lounge and a short flight to airports such as JFK or Newark in New York. He said the company expects the integration to drive growth for Blade Airport and argued it could become a competitive advantage as the helicopter option is eventually replaced by Joby eVTOL service. On infrastructure funding, Executive Chairman Paul Sciarra said that in the UAE, infrastructure is being built in conjunction with Dubais RTA. Outside the UAE, he said Joby expects to use existing infrastructure, including Blades 10 plus locations, and to lean on partners such as Metropolis. He added Joby may use its own capital for certain sites but plans to rely far more on the developer ecosystem. Financial results: cash, fundraising, Blade revenue, and guidance CFO Rodrigo Brumana said Joby ended Q4 2025 with $1.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, including $586 million raised during the quarter via an equity offering and ATM sales. After quarter end, Joby completed financing providing net proceeds of approximately $1.2 billion. Cash use in Q4 totaled $157 million versus $147 million in Q3, which Brumana attributed primarily to continued investment in certification and manufacturing readiness, including higher spend supporting TIA-related activity and market development. The quarter included about $40 million of property and equipment investment, plus a $3 million investment in Jobys first fully conforming FAA-qualified flight simulator developed with CAE. Brumana said the simulator is a mandatory component for Part 135 approval and is directly tied to future revenue because aircraft cannot be sold without an approved pilot training solution. He said Joby plans to add a second full-motion simulator later this year as it expands the Joby Flight Academy. For the full year 2025, Jobys cash use totaled $539 million, which Brumana said was within guidance and included the impact of the Blade acquisition and integration costs. On the income statement, Joby reported Q4 GAAP net loss of $122 million, an improvement from a $401 million net loss in Q3. Brumana said the quarter-over-quarter change was largely driven by $302 million in favorable non-cash warrant and earn-out revaluation, partially offset by $25 million higher loss from operations. Q4 revenue was $31 million, up $8 million from Q3, driven mainly by a full quarter of Blade revenue. Brumana said Blade contributed $21 million, while other revenue was $10 million, including approximately $8 million of one-time, non-recurring revenue related to demonstration flights in Japan for a Toyota event in December. Total operating expenses were $238 million in Q4 versus $204 million in Q3, reflecting higher certification and manufacturing spend, staffing, and a full quarter of Blade operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $154 million, compared to a $133 million loss in Q3. Looking ahead, Joby updated its cash guidance approach. For the first half of 2026, the company expects to use $340 million to $370 million in cash, excluding about $33 million for the one-time purchase of the Ohio building. Brumana said Joby will guide on a half-year basis given uncertainty in early-stage production ramp dynamics as the company transitions from prototype to repeatable manufacturing. Joby also provided full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $105 million to $150 million, with the vast majority expected to come from Blade. Brumana noted Blades passenger business is seasonal, with revenue typically peaking in Q3, and said Q2 plus Q3 historically represent about 60% to 65% of the revenue mix. In closing remarks, executives reiterated priorities of advancing certification, scaling manufacturing responsibly, and preparing for commercial launch, while emphasizing disciplined capital allocation and the role of partnerships and government programs in accelerating advanced air mobility. About Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) Joby Aviation Inc is an aerospace company focused on developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. The companys core mission is to provide zero-emission aerial ridesharing services, combining the speed of helicopters with the cost efficiency and environmental benefits of electric propulsion. Jobys eVTOL design emphasizes low noise profiles and high reliability, positioning the company to address congestion challenges in major metropolitan areas. The companys flagship aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, offering point-to-point travel at speeds competitive with ground transportation. Further Reading WealthTrust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 6,440 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $972,000. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Vertiv in the 2nd quarter valued at about $538,132,000. Winslow Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vertiv during the 2nd quarter valued at $459,284,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Vertiv by 102.7% during the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 26,837 shares of the companys stock worth $3,446,000 after purchasing an additional 1,026,837 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Vertiv by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,931,488 shares of the companys stock valued at $761,662,000 after buying an additional 1,024,634 shares during the period. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Vertiv by 934.8% during the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,098,150 shares of the companys stock worth $165,667,000 after acquiring an additional 992,031 shares during the period. 89.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Vertiv alerts: Vertiv Trading Down 1.9% Shares of Vertiv stock opened at $254.25 on Friday. Vertiv Holdings Co. has a 12-month low of $53.60 and a 12-month high of $264.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The company has a market capitalization of $97.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 74.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 2.08. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $195.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $171.53. Analysts Set New Price Targets Vertiv ( NYSE:VRT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.07. Vertiv had a net margin of 13.03% and a return on equity of 49.55%. The company had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.89 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.99 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 22.7% on a year-over-year basis. Vertiv has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.950-1.010 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.970-6.070 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Vertiv Holdings Co. will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on VRT shares. Evercore reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $280.00 target price on shares of Vertiv in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a $281.00 price target on shares of Vertiv in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $285.00 price objective on shares of Vertiv in a report on Friday, February 13th. Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and set a $275.00 price target on shares of Vertiv in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Vertiv from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $230.28. View Our Latest Stock Report on Vertiv About Vertiv (Free Report) Vertiv is a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions for data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company designs, manufactures and services equipment and software that support power availability, thermal management and IT infrastructure management for a broad set of end markets, including hyperscale and enterprise data centers, colocation providers, telecom operators and industrial customers. The companys product portfolio includes uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), battery and DC power systems, precision cooling and thermal management equipment, racks and enclosures, and integrated modular infrastructure. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vertiv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vertiv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE lowered its stake in shares of Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI Free Report) by 4.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 71,784 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,032 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DE owned about 0.05% of Cummins worth $30,320,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cummins during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Cummins during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new stake in Cummins during the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its position in shares of Cummins by 1,333.3% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 86 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tripletail Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Cummins in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors own 83.46% of the companys stock. Get Cummins alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Cummins news, Director William I. Miller sold 18,107 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $597.10, for a total value of $10,811,689.70. Following the sale, the director directly owned 34,243 shares in the company, valued at $20,446,495.30. This represents a 34.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Donald G. Jackson sold 1,600 shares of Cummins stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $600.13, for a total value of $960,208.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 7,214 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,329,337.82. The trade was a 18.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 27,141 shares of company stock worth $16,121,817. Insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock. Cummins Trading Down 0.6% Shares of Cummins stock opened at $584.37 on Friday. Cummins Inc. has a 52-week low of $260.02 and a 52-week high of $617.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.74 billion, a PE ratio of 28.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The companys fifty day moving average price is $566.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $484.51. Cummins (NYSE:CMI Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $5.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.17 by $0.64. The company had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.09 billion. Cummins had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 25.71%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $5.16 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Cummins Inc. will post 22.54 EPS for the current year. Cummins Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $2.00 dividend. This represents a $8.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. Cumminss dividend payout ratio is currently 38.99%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on CMI. Zacks Research lowered Cummins from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $600.00 price objective on shares of Cummins and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Argus set a $696.00 target price on shares of Cummins in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Cummins from $599.00 to $630.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Cummins from $485.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Cummins presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $588.93. View Our Latest Report on Cummins Cummins Company Profile (Free Report) Cummins Inc (NYSE: CMI) is a global power technology company that designs, manufactures, distributes and services a broad portfolio of diesel and natural gas engines, electrified powertrains, power generation systems and related components. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins has grown into one of the worlds leading suppliers of internal combustion engines and a provider of technologies that reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The companys product lineup includes heavy-, medium- and light-duty engines for on-highway and off-highway applications, generator sets and power systems for commercial and industrial use, and key engine components such as turbochargers, fuel systems, air handling, filtration and aftertreatment solutions. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cummins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cummins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) by 36.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,912 shares of the banks stock after selling 14,220 shares during the quarter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLCs holdings in Citizens Financial Group were worth $1,324,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Citizens Financial Group by 891.5% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 585 shares of the banks stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 526 shares during the period. Capital A Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Citizens Financial Group by 3,970.0% in the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 814 shares of the banks stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 794 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in Citizens Financial Group in the second quarter valued at $39,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 2,703.0% during the 2nd quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 925 shares of the banks stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 892 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Citizens Financial Group in the second quarter valued at about $45,000. 94.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Citizens Financial Group Trading Down 5.9% Shares of NYSE:CFG opened at $60.07 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $62.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.52, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.72. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.60 and a 1 year high of $68.79. Citizens Financial Group Dividend Announcement Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The bank reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 15.19% and a return on equity of 7.81%. The company had revenue of $2.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.85 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 18th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 4th were given a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 4th. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 47.55%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently issued reports on CFG. Barclays set a $77.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $62.50 to $71.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $65.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price target on Citizens Financial Group from $65.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Citizens Financial Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $68.77. View Our Latest Analysis on Citizens Financial Group About Citizens Financial Group (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: CFG) is a bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, corporations and institutional clients. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens conducts its banking operations principally through its primary banking subsidiary, Citizens Bank, and serves customers through a combination of branch locations, ATMs and digital channels. The company is publicly traded and operates under the regulatory framework applicable to U.S. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC) is one of the most promising penny stocks under $5 to buy. On February 25, UWM Holdings reported financial results for Q4 and the full year 2025. The company achieved its highest quarterly loan origination volume since 2021, reaching $49.6 billion in Q4, which contributed to a total annual volume of $163.4 billion. The quarter was highlighted by total revenue of $945.2 million and net income of $164.5 million. For the full year, UWM generated $3.16 billion in revenue and $244.0 million in net income. The companys growth was supported by several initiatives and technological advancements aimed at strengthening the mortgage broker channel. Key highlights include the announcement of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp., which is an MSR-focused REIT, and a new collaboration with BILT to enhance borrower retention through digital payment rewards. NuScale Power Corporation (SMR) Advances Energy Innovation Through Partnerships Additionally, UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC) launched an AI-enhanced income calculator to streamline the loan approval process for brokers and secured arena naming rights with the Phoenix Suns and Mercury for its consumer brand, Mortgage Matchup. These moves are designed to create a closed-loop platform that drives long-term value and operational scale. For 2026, UWM Holdings expects first-quarter revenue to fall between $650 and $850 million. UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC) originates, sells, and services residential mortgage lending in the US. The company offers mortgage loans through the wholesale channel. While we acknowledge the potential of UWMC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Trivium Point Advisory LLC raised its position in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report) by 33.3% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 19,157 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,790 shares during the quarter. Trivium Point Advisory LLCs holdings in Citigroup were worth $1,944,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC lifted its holdings in Citigroup by 87.6% in the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 257 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Dunhill Financial LLC boosted its stake in Citigroup by 92.2% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 319 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Citigroup during the 3rd quarter worth about $33,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Citigroup in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in Citigroup during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.72% of the companys stock. Get Citigroup alerts: Citigroup Stock Down 5.2% C stock opened at $110.11 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average is $116.72 and its 200 day moving average is $106.08. The stock has a market cap of $192.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. Citigroup Inc. has a 1-year low of $55.51 and a 1-year high of $125.16. Citigroup Dividend Announcement Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $19.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.99 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 8.50% and a return on equity of 8.28%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.34 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 2nd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Citigroups payout ratio is currently 34.43%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently commented on C shares. TD Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Citigroup from $141.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on Citigroup from $118.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $87.00 price objective on shares of Citigroup in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $115.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $127.25. Get Our Latest Stock Report on C Insider Transactions at Citigroup In other news, insider Cantu Ernesto Torres sold 43,173 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.09, for a total transaction of $4,796,088.57. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 45,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,091,810.15. This trade represents a 48.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Key Headlines Impacting Citigroup Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week: Positive Sentiment: BlackRock picked Citi Investor Services to provide select middle-office services for $4.0T of U.S. iShares ETFs a meaningful client win that supports fee income and strengthens custody/servicing credibility. Article Title BlackRock picked Citi Investor Services to provide select middle-office services for $4.0T of U.S. iShares ETFs a meaningful client win that supports fee income and strengthens custody/servicing credibility. Positive Sentiment: Citi committed $60B to affordable housing, nearly doubling its sector investment pace a large, multiyear deployment that positions the bank for stable lending and fee opportunities tied to policy and ESG flows. Article Title Citi committed $60B to affordable housing, nearly doubling its sector investment pace a large, multiyear deployment that positions the bank for stable lending and fee opportunities tied to policy and ESG flows. Positive Sentiment: Citi formed an AI infrastructure financing team to capture demand from data-center builds and related capex a strategic play to originate large commercial loans and project-finance mandates as AI adoption ramps. Article Title Citi formed an AI infrastructure financing team to capture demand from data-center builds and related capex a strategic play to originate large commercial loans and project-finance mandates as AI adoption ramps. Neutral Sentiment: Citi made a strategic investment in Japans Sakana AI (size undisclosed) signals an effort to back AI partners but unclear near-term financial impact. Article Title Citi made a strategic investment in Japans Sakana AI (size undisclosed) signals an effort to back AI partners but unclear near-term financial impact. Neutral Sentiment: Media and research outlets continue to spotlight Citi (trending coverage, analyst attention and higher targets from some firms), which can amplify both inflows and volatility depending on headline flow. (See recent Zacks/MarketBeat summaries.) Article Title Media and research outlets continue to spotlight Citi (trending coverage, analyst attention and higher targets from some firms), which can amplify both inflows and volatility depending on headline flow. (See recent Zacks/MarketBeat summaries.) Negative Sentiment: Macro/geopolitical risk is elevated today headlines about heightened cross?border conflict in South Asia and Israel/Iran tensions are driving risk?off flows across markets, which typically pushes bank stocks lower on volatility and flight-to-safety moves. Article Title Macro/geopolitical risk is elevated today headlines about heightened cross?border conflict in South Asia and Israel/Iran tensions are driving risk?off flows across markets, which typically pushes bank stocks lower on volatility and flight-to-safety moves. Negative Sentiment: Company fundamentals that can weigh on sentiment: Q4 showed an EPS beat but revenue missed estimates (reported Jan. 14), and todays elevated volume suggests profit?taking or institutional rebalancing; that combination often triggers sharper intraday declines. (See company Q4 results and trading stats.) Citigroup Company Profile (Free Report) Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide. Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Japan Airlines Ltd (OTCMKTS:JAPSY Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 63,202 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 58% from the previous sessions volume of 40,005 shares.The stock last traded at $10.30 and had previously closed at $10.05. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Zacks Research cut shares of Japan Airlines from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Japan Airlines alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Japan Airlines Japan Airlines Trading Down 0.7% The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The stocks 50 day moving average is $9.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.79. The company has a market capitalization of $8.93 billion, a PE ratio of 10.44 and a beta of 0.37. Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter. Japan Airlines had a net margin of 6.57% and a return on equity of 10.93%. The business had revenue of $3.44 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Japan Airlines Ltd will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Japan Airlines (Get Free Report) Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY) is the flag carrier of Japan, providing both scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation services. The company operates a comprehensive network of domestic and international flights, connecting major cities across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. In addition to its core passenger services, Japan Airlines offers charter operations, cargo logistics and maintenance support through its technical services division. The airlines network is centered on its primary hubs at Tokyos Haneda and Narita airports. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Japan Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Japan Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Excelerate Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EE Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Thursday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $42.89, but opened at $39.71. Excelerate Energy shares last traded at $41.0210, with a volume of 89,017 shares changing hands. The company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by ($0.01). Excelerate Energy had a return on equity of 4.18% and a net margin of 3.19%.The company had revenue of $317.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $293.49 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.40 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. Get Excelerate Energy alerts: Excelerate Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. Excelerate Energys dividend payout ratio is 24.24%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Excelerate Energy declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, December 11th that authorizes the company to buyback $75.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 2.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. EE has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Excelerate Energy from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Northland Securities set a $50.00 price target on Excelerate Energy in a report on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Excelerate Energy from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Excelerate Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a $44.00 target price on shares of Excelerate Energy in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Excelerate Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $38.44. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EE Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Excelerate Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $30,658,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Excelerate Energy by 24.9% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,607,182 shares of the companys stock worth $101,181,000 after purchasing an additional 719,148 shares during the last quarter. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP bought a new position in Excelerate Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $12,926,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd increased its stake in shares of Excelerate Energy by 328.4% in the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 453,345 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,292,000 after purchasing an additional 347,521 shares during the period. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its holdings in shares of Excelerate Energy by 219.5% during the third quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 348,394 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,776,000 after buying an additional 239,358 shares during the last quarter. 21.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Excelerate Energy Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.39 and a quick ratio of 2.39. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $34.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.99. The company has a market cap of $4.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.55, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.36. Excelerate Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Excelerate Energy (NYSE: EE) is a Houston?based energy infrastructure company specializing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions. The company develops, owns and operates floating regasification units (FSRUs) that convert shipped LNG into natural gas for delivery into existing pipeline networks. Excelerate Energys integrated platform also includes specialized LNG carriers, proprietary regasification technology and on?shore support facilities, enabling rapid deployment of import terminals without extensive capital construction. Founded in the early 2000s, Excelerate Energy pioneered the first FSRU in 2007, demonstrating the flexibility and cost advantages of floating LNG import infrastructure. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Excelerate Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Excelerate Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Echelon Resources Ltd (ASX:ECH Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Friday, February 27th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 30th will be given a dividend of 0.003 per share on Monday, March 30th. This represents a yield of 97.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 10th. Echelon Resources Stock Performance About Echelon Resources (Get Free Report) Echelon Resources Limited engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in New Zealand, Australia, and Indonesia. It also develops, produces, and sells natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and condensate. The company was formerly known as New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited and Echelon Resources Limited in July 2024. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand. Echelon Resources Limited operates as a subsidiary of O.G. Oil & Gas (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Echelon Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Echelon Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Objective (ASX:OCL) reported its first-half FY2026 results with management emphasizing continued subscription-led growth, expanding cloud adoption and what it described as a growing opportunity to deliver AI-driven productivity gains for government and regulated-industry customers. Get alerts: Financial snapshot and subscription mix Chief executive Tony Walls and chief financial officer Ben Tregoning said the company has completed its transition to 100% subscription-based software revenue, with subscription revenue growth of 13% in the first half. Management also highlighted an accelerating shift to cloud, noting that 24% of subscription revenue was on cloud and that SaaS revenue grew 24%. Revenue: $67 million $67 million ARR: $120 million $120 million Adjusted EBITDA: $26 million $26 million Adjusted EBITDA margin: 40% 40% Operating cash flow: $22 million (up 72% on the prior comparable period) $22 million (up 72% on the prior comparable period) Net profit after tax: $19 million $19 million Cash balance: $95 million (after dividends and the acquisition of Isovist) $95 million (after dividends and the acquisition of Isovist) Interim dividend: $0.13 per share (unfranked) For the half, Objective reported: Walls also pointed to the companys Rule of 40 metric, saying Objectives combination of adjusted EBITDA margin and ARR growth equated to more of a Rule of 50 outcome in the half (40% margin plus 12% ARR growth, as presented). AI positioning: productivity, records, and cost control Walls spent a significant portion of the presentation outlining how the company sees AI affecting its business. While acknowledging that AI-assisted coding tools are improving developer efficiency, he argued coding is a really small part of what makes up an enterprise SaaS provider and said domain expertise, systems architecture and end-to-end customer delivery remain critical. Objective framed AIs primary near-term value as productivity for customers, particularly in environments where records management, workflow traceability, access control and auditability are required. Walls said Objectives software is underpinned by systems of record and systems of workflow record, which he believes positions the company to support private AI use cases and to reduce the risk of hallucination by querying highly cleansed records. He also emphasized the need for systems of AI record, including what data was used for inference, whether users had access privileges to that information, and audit records of AI-generated answers. Management highlighted Objective Intelligence (OI), described as a central AI layer connecting Objective applications to model and service providers. Walls said the platform is model-agnostic and designed for cost control, citing an example where the company processed 4 billion tokens at an aggregate cost of AUD 4,000. He added that OI also includes on-prem AI capability using local GPUs, though that element was not shown in the core infographic presented. Walls said Objective is already delivering AI outcomes for customers, citing use cases including support for an inquiry for a large customer in Scotland and data cleansing for Microsoft Copilot for the Welsh Government, along with private retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and redaction-based implementations. Business line performance and operational highlights Objective reported growth across its three operating lines, with management providing percentage growth rates versus the first half last year: Information Intelligence (formerly content solutions) up 23%, Planning and Building up 38% (helped by the IsoPlan acquisition), and Regulatory Solutions up 14%. Information Intelligence: Walls said sales revenue rose 5% while ARR grew 10%. He described accelerating migration from on-premises deployments to the Nexus Cloud platform, noting more than 20,000 users and presenting customer case studies showing cloud uplift outcomes of about 1.5x to 2.5x versus on-prem economics, with management suggesting the average was north of certainly the 2x case. The company also discussed AI work in 3Sixty, new features in Objective Connect including digital signatures and tag-based access control (which Walls said has supported entry into export control markets), and continued development in Objective Keystone focused on climate-related disclosure and fund management documentation. Planning and Building: Objective said sales revenue increased 39% and ARR rose 29%. Walls highlighted rapid migration in New Zealand ahead of a June 30 sunset date for GoGet, saying 40 councils are live on Builder and Migration, representing more than 50% of New Zealand councils by number. The company said it moved all councils to an aligned pricing model from June 30. For Australia, Walls said Objective Build is on track for go-live at the end of next month, and that foundation partners have expanded beyond New South Wales to include Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. He also said Isovist has been rapidly integrated and described it as another example of the companys M&A playbook. Remote inspections were also rolling out across New Zealand, with Walls citing the first 15 councils either going live or contracting. Regulatory Solutions: The company said sales revenue rose 8% and ARR increased 9%, with Walls characterizing performance as slightly softer with a bias to the second half. He highlighted recent IRAP certification in Australia as supportive of federal government pipeline opportunities. Objective also noted the UK Gambling Commission go-live as its first high-profile reference site in the UK for RegWorks, and pointed to engagement with other gambling regulators internationally. Additional examples included the New Zealand Firearms Registry receiving positive community feedback and the Victorian Social Services Regulator achieving 98% of registrations online within statutory timelines. Outlook: ARR growth range, onboarding pace, and R&D stance Looking ahead, management reiterated its longer-term ARR growth target of 15% but said current ARR growth is tracking 10% to 14% on a constant-currency basis. Walls said the company is taking a more conservative approach to onboarding new Build Australia customers in Q4, prioritizing successful implementations for the first three customersdescribed as a First Five concept adapted to first 3 for Build Australiarather than pushing for maximum Q4 ARR. He described this as a slight slowdown to speed up in FY27. On R&D, Objective reported spending $17 million, up 28%, with R&D at 28% of software revenue (down from around 30% previously). Walls said the company is not planning to cut R&D due to AI coding tools; instead, it expects to use productivity gains from AI-assisted development to deliver a backlog of innovation faster with the same team. In Q&A, management acknowledged foreign exchange headwinds, with Tregoning saying currency movement was a negative impact worth a bit over AUD 1 million in the first half and potentially similar in the second half, contributing to the companys decision to emphasize constant-currency metrics. Walls also addressed two items raised by analysts: a small increase in churn (including churn among some Objective Connect customers due to a missing capability that has since been built) and one or two material move to the cloud opportunities that management said should have closed in H1 but did not, with Walls saying he lacked confidence on timing for closure in the second half. About Objective (ASX:OCL) Objective Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies information technology software and services in Australia and internationally. It offers Objective 3Sixty to discover, organize, and manage enterprise information; Objective Nexus, a SaaS based solution providing records compliance, enterprise scale information management, and process automation; Objective Inform, which provides document management, records management, office 365, SharePoint governance, reporting insights, and drawings management solutions; Objective Keyplan, an end-to-end solution for the planning policy process; Objective ECM, an information management and process automation solution; Objective Connect, a secure external file sharing application; Objective Redact, a redaction software for security conscious organizations; and Objective GOV365. See Also Ridley (ASX:RIC) reported a stronger first-half result, supported by growth in bulk stock feeds and a three-month contribution from its newly acquired fertilizer business, while packaged feeds and ingredients faced several short-term disruptions that weighed on segment earnings. Get alerts: First-half earnings and dividend Managing Director and CEO Quinton Hildebrand said the company delivered first-half underlying EBITDA of AUD 55.4 million, up 9% on the prior corresponding period (PCP). The result included three months of earnings from the new fertilizers segment and a strong performance in bulk stock feeds that offset a softer outcome in packaged feeds and ingredients. Segment performance: bulk stock feeds strong, packaged and ingredients disrupted Hildebrand also highlighted very positive operating cash flow, which helped reduce net debt. CFO Richard Betts said operating cash flow for the half was. The board declared a, described as a progressive dividend. The bulk stock feed segment delivered EBITDA of AUD 27.1 million, up 25% on PCP. Hildebrand noted the comparison included an earnings headwind of AUD 1.7 million in FY25 from the Wasleys Feedmill, which was sold on 30 June 2025. Volume growth drove the improvement, with 13% growth in ruminant sales and 7% growth in monogastric sales. Hildebrand also cited higher-margin supplementary feeding early in the period and said Ridley DIRECT, now in its fourth year, generated profit by leveraging procurement flows and broadening its customer network. The packaged and ingredients segment saw EBITDA fall 28% to AUD 25.6 million. Management attributed the decline to several short-term factors, including: Ovine supply constraints at OMP due to lower lamb slaughter rates, impacting sales Lower prices for protein meals compared with the prior year Temporary processing challenges at Maroota, where a rain event caused a slip in the main cooling dam wall, making the dam inoperable and forcing diversion of material and additional costs Commissioning delays at OMPs new Timaru greenfield facility, which impacted daily throughput and yields Despite those issues, Hildebrand said raw supply volumes to the rendering plants increased 7%, and packaged dog sales grew 7%, filling extrusion capacity vacated from the Aquafeed transition. He said the issues should correct through the second half as additional lamb bone supply has been secured and capital projects address processing constraints. Fertilizer segment beats expectations; integration steps underway Ridleys fertilizer segment delivered EBITDA of AUD 10.3 million over the three-month ownership period, which Hildebrand said was above the top end of expectations and above PCP under the previous owner. Management attributed the result to cost control and margin management during what it described as the lowest seasonal demand quarter. In Q&A, management said fertilizer volumes in the period were slightly lower than PCP, but the shortfall was more than offset by margins and cost control. On integration, Hildebrand said Ridley has flattened the fertilizer organization by appointing regional general managers across five regions, each responsible for sales and execution through distribution centers. The restructuring will remove 45 roles and is expected to reduce costs by AUD 8 million per annum from FY27, with a one-off cost of around AUD 3 million in FY26. The company also expects to migrate from Dyno Nobels SAP platform to Ridleys Microsoft Dynamics platform in calendar 2026 at an estimated cost of AUD 30 million. Hildebrand said the project should release corporate synergies of AUD 7 million per annum from calendar 2027. Balance sheet, working capital, and acquisition accounting Betts said the balance sheet changed significantly following the acquisition and related debt financing. Excluding the acquisition, he said working capital reduced by AUD 72.5 million during the period. Property, plant and equipment increased by AUD 15.3 million, primarily reflecting growth projects including OMPs Timaru facility and debottlenecking projects in both bulk stock feeds and rendering. Net debt reduced by AUD 22.4 million, driven by improved EBITDA and lower working capital, partly offset by higher capital expenditure, dividends, and tax and interest payments. Betts said covenant bank leverage was 0.8 times, comfortably within covenant levels. Betts said the company acquired AUD 387 million of working capital with the fertilizer business, consistent with typical September levels and additional inventory associated with shifting the Geelong single super phosphate (SSP) business to an import-only model with a longer supply chain. He said fertilizer working capital subsequently reduced by AUD 98 million, driven by receipt/payment timing and management focus on aligning with seasonal cycles. Ridley increased available funding lines by AUD 500 million to AUD 690 million, including a AUD 200 million revolver facility and a new AUD 300 million working capital facility. Management said fertilizer working capital is expected to rise into peak season, potentially around AUD 200 million above December levels, funded through facilities. Regarding acquisition accounting, Betts said total consideration for the fertilizer business was AUD 433 million, including a cash outlay of AUD 357 million, higher than initially reported due to higher working capital and SSP-related inventory. He said fair value of assets acquired was assessed at AUD 489 million, primarily working capital, resulting in a provisional gain on bargain purchase of AUD 56 million. Acquisition costs of AUD 17.8 million and project office/IT integration costs of AUD 1.7 million were also recorded. The company also incurred AUD 5 million related to unwinding an inventory step-up; Betts said the net effect on profit was nil. Overall, Ridley reported net individually significant gains after tax of AUD 31.4 million related to the acquisition. Outlook: second-half recovery in packaged and ingredients; Strategy Day planned Hildebrand said Ridley expects FY26 earnings growth to be driven by nine months of fertilizer contribution (including seasonal peak demand in the second half), increased market share and volume-related efficiencies in bulk stock feeds, processing improvements in packaged feeds and ingredients from capital investments, and modest commodity price recovery in the second half. In Q&A, management reiterated it still expects modest full-year growth in the core business (excluding fertilizer), supported by momentum in bulk stock feeds and improvement in packaged and ingredients in the second half. However, Hildebrand said it would be too optimistic to expect packaged and ingredients EBITDA to grow in FY26 versus FY25, though the company expects a better second half than first half. Ridley plans to present a FY26-FY28 growth plan at an Investor Strategy Day on 10-11 March 2026, including site visits and additional detail on the fertilizer integration and footprint optimization opportunities. About Ridley (ASX:RIC) Ridley Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides animal nutrition solutions in Australia. It operates through two segments, Packaged Feeds and Ingredients, and Bulk Stockfeeds. The company provides feeds for horses, chicken and poultry dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, kangaroos and wallabies, guinea pigs, rats, and mice; monogastric and ruminant commercial feeds; aquafeed for salmon, prawns, barramundi, yellowtail kingfish, and trout, as well as mulloway, silver perch, and other native species; and rendered poultry, red meat, and fish products. Further Reading Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a dividend of 0.1875 per share on Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This is a 4.2% increase from Harley-Davidsons previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. Harley-Davidson has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 5 years. Harley-Davidson has a dividend payout ratio of 22.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Harley-Davidson to earn $4.43 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.75 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 16.9%. Get Harley-Davidson alerts: Harley-Davidson Trading Down 2.2% NYSE HOG traded down $0.41 on Friday, hitting $17.98. 4,775,996 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,653,073. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.83. Harley-Davidson has a twelve month low of $17.93 and a twelve month high of $31.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.39. The companys 50 day moving average price is $20.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.37. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Harley-Davidson ( NYSE:HOG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported ($2.44) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.92) by ($1.52). Harley-Davidson had a return on equity of 10.27% and a net margin of 8.03%.The firm had revenue of $496.16 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $482.21 million. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.93) earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Harley-Davidson will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms have recently issued reports on HOG. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and issued a $12.00 target price on shares of Harley-Davidson in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating and set a $24.00 price target on shares of Harley-Davidson in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Harley-Davidson from $28.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Robert W. Baird set a $22.00 price objective on Harley-Davidson in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Harley-Davidson in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $23.50. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson Company Profile (Get Free Report) Harley-Davidson, Inc is a renowned American motorcycle manufacturer best known for its heavyweight cruiser and touring bikes. Founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company has built a strong reputation for producing distinctive motorcycles characterized by their signature V-twin engines, chrome finishes and robust frames. Harley-Davidson markets its products globally through a network of franchised dealerships and focuses on delivering an immersive brand experience to its customers, emphasizing lifestyle and community alongside its motorcycles. In addition to its core motorcycle business, Harley-Davidson offers an extensive range of parts, accessories and apparel under its Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories and MotorClothes lines. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Harley-Davidson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harley-Davidson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atomo Diagnostics (ASX:AT1) outlined continued revenue growth, improving operating performance, and expanding partner activity around its Pascal cassette platform during its half-year update, while also highlighting progress across its HIV self-testing business and a growing development pipeline that includes syphilis and liver-function testing. Get alerts: Half-year performance and financial position Management reported revenue of just under AUD 2.2 million for the half year, representing a 6% increase. Gross profit was AUD 850,000, with management noting a 6% reduction in gross margin largely driven by mix. The company said the prior-year period included development and license fees that carried extremely high margins, and that excluding those items, product revenue margin was stable at 37% period over period. The company also pointed to softness related to sales into the global health LMIC segment, which it said carries lower yields and represented a meaningful share of sales during the period. Other income doubled to AUD 1 million, which management attributed primarily to the companys R&D rebate and non-dilutive funding tied to the Syphilis Development Grant Program. Those funds offset costs incurred during the period, particularly employee and R&D expenses. On expenses, the company emphasized disciplined cost management, highlighting reductions in employee expenses and professional fees that were said to have halved. Underlying EBITDA loss came in under AUD 1 million for the half year, which management described as roughly half the prior level and part of a multi-period trend of narrowing losses since FY2024. At period end (31 December), Atomo reported AUD 3.5 million in cash and no debt. On cash flow, management said average monthly cash burn, excluding capital funding, was under AUD 170,000 per month, compared with roughly AUD 130,000 in the prior period. The increase was attributed to additional resources directed toward building pipeline opportunities and near- to medium-term revenue streams. Receipts totaled AUD 4.5 million, which management broke down as AUD 2 million from customers, AUD 875,000 from the R&D rebate, AUD 330,000 from a CRC-P grant, and AUD 1.3 million from a capital raise received in Q1. Total outflows were reported at AUD 4.2 million for stock and operating expenses. HIV self-testing remains the core revenue stream Management said the companys largest revenue contributor continues to be HIV self-testing, citing more than AUD 1 million in HIV sales during the half. Atomo also said it received an additional AUD 1.6 million in orders early in the second half. The company attributed longer-term opportunity in HIV self-testing to shifts in consumer expectations around at-home testing and public-health recognition that home testing can be a cost-effective way to reach target populations. The company also noted that the Australian Government extended funding for programs Atomo said it helped establish, validate, and scale with community partners. Looking forward, management said it added commercial resources with a dual focus: increasing sales in existing markets (with emphasis on Australia and New Zealand) and expanding distribution outside Europe, particularly into South America and Asia. The company said it expects to announce new distribution partner opportunities over coming quarters. Pascal platform momentum: FebriDx orders and new partners Atomo highlighted increased activity for its Pascal platform, including AUD 1.5 million in orders linked to FebriDx during the half. Management described that as a 1,600% increase versus orders received for the same product in the comparable half-year period 12 months earlier. The company referenced Lumos announcement that the FebriDx U.S. CLIA waiver study met its endpoints, adding that Pascal contributed to usability outcomes in the study, including greater than 99% concordance between trained and untrained users. Management said that usability validation is expected to support the CLIA waiver process, and noted a CLIA waiver decision is pending in the next couple of months. Atomo also sought to clarify the commercial relationship, stating that each FebriDx test sold requires a Pascal device on a one-for-one basis. Beyond FebriDx, management said the disclosed performance has helped attract additional partners. Atomo said Chromacare, a Canadian company, and an unnamed U.K. company have signed onto the Pascal platform, with the company aiming to finalize longer-term supply agreements in Q4. Chromacare: Management said the partner placed an order of more than AUD 150,000 for devices and development support, including 43,000 cassettes to support clinical and regulatory validation. Atomo said it intends to convert the relationship into a long-term exclusive supply agreement in coming months. Management also noted Chromacares interest in the U.S. market and the potential to leverage CLIA-waiver-related usability validation. Management said the partner placed an order of more than AUD 150,000 for devices and development support, including 43,000 cassettes to support clinical and regulatory validation. Atomo said it intends to convert the relationship into a long-term exclusive supply agreement in coming months. Management also noted Chromacares interest in the U.S. market and the potential to leverage CLIA-waiver-related usability validation. U.K. partner: Atomo said the partner signed up for 20,000 cassettes, but the company is not disclosing the customer or application due to commercial confidentiality and what management described as the size of the opportunity. Management said it is preparing a broader awareness pushparticularly in the U.S.through partnership opportunities, co-promotions, conference representation, and other outreach focused on the value of CLIA waiver for potential customers. Product pipeline: syphilis and ALT liver function testing Atomo discussed progress on an active syphilis test it believes could address a growing clinical need. Management cited rising syphilis rates and called it a market opportunity exceeding $1 billion in value, noting the U.K. performed nearly 2 million syphilis tests in 2024, including about 350,000 via at-home dried blood spot collection mailed to labs. The company argued that approach is costly and requires multiple lab tests. Atomo said its syphilis test correlates highly with RPR testing and is designed to distinguish prior treated cases from active casessomething it said standard antibody tests used in at-home programs do not do well. Management reported preliminary clinical verification work conducted by Burnet showing 86% specificity, and said it hopes to achieve over 90% specificity in the final product. The company also said it is working with partners, including NAPWHA, to integrate the future syphilis test into existing HIV distribution channels such as vending-machine and mail-out programs. The company also discussed an expanded partnership with Burnet to license and commercialize an ALT liver function test developed on Pascal. Management said the assay has already been evaluated in a clinical study with a pharmaceutical company, and described data showing correlation between fingerstick blood results and lab-generated whole blood. The company said early performance data supports distinguishing a 40 IU cutoff used in screening programs. Atomo identified drug-induced liver injury as the first targeted market, describing potential value for pharmaceutical partners in streamlining trials and managing liver-toxicity risk, while also noting other potential applications including hepatitis B treatment monitoring and fatty liver disease screening and monitoring. Operational scale-up aimed at capacity and margin improvement To support expected demand growth, Atomo said it has been expanding operational capabilities since late last year. Management said this work is intended to increase capacity, improve margins by bringing steps in-house and moving to larger multi-cavity tooling, improve process control under the companys quality management system, and reduce order lead times. The company highlighted two near-term operational steps: qualification of a high-cavitation injection molding tool and qualification of a second blister machine (Blister Machine-mk2) built in Australia and qualified at a Sydney facility. Management emphasized that both assets are already built and paid for, with no additional capital expenditure required to make them operational, and said the changes will support Pascal customers as well as Atomos own blister needs for syphilis and liver testing. In Q&A, management said U.S. HIV self-testing remains a PMA pathway, which it described as expensive, and noted ongoing discussion about potential down-classification to 510(k) that has not yet occurred for self-testing. The company also discussed prototype progress on additional device concepts (Curie and Florey), saying it intends to advance those platforms with partners willing to fund development tied to specific finished-test applications. About Atomo Diagnostics (ASX:AT1) Atomo Diagnostics Limited engages in the development and sale of medical devices worldwide. It offers rapid diagnostic test devices for HIV screening, pregnancy test, and respiratory test. Atomo Diagnostics Limited was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Leichhardt, Australia. Read More Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$337.51 and last traded at C$337.09, with a volume of 707276 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$328.69. Key Agnico Eagle Mines News Here are the key news stories impacting Agnico Eagle Mines this week: Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised FY2026 EPS to $16.86 (from $10.88) a material upward revision that boosts AEMs near?term earnings outlook and supports valuation re-rating. MarketBeat: AEM upgrades Zacks raised FY2026 EPS to $16.86 (from $10.88) a material upward revision that boosts AEMs near?term earnings outlook and supports valuation re-rating. Positive Sentiment: Zacks lifted FY2027 EPS to $16.28 (from $9.65), signaling analysts now expect sustained higher earnings beyond FY2026. MarketBeat: AEM upgrades Zacks lifted FY2027 EPS to $16.28 (from $9.65), signaling analysts now expect sustained higher earnings beyond FY2026. Positive Sentiment: Major quarterly upgrades for FY2026: Q1 $4.31 (from $3.02), Q2 $4.34 (from $2.65), Q3 $3.84 (from $2.57), Q4 $4.37 (from $2.64) implies stronger near?term earnings cadence. MarketBeat: AEM upgrades Major quarterly upgrades for FY2026: Q1 $4.31 (from $3.02), Q2 $4.34 (from $2.65), Q3 $3.84 (from $2.57), Q4 $4.37 (from $2.64) implies stronger near?term earnings cadence. Positive Sentiment: Quarterly upgrades for FY2027: Q1 $4.23 (from $2.70), Q2 $4.12 (from $2.46), Q3 $4.03 (from $2.26), Q4 $3.90 (from $2.22) consistent upward revisions across each quarter. MarketBeat: AEM upgrades Quarterly upgrades for FY2027: Q1 $4.23 (from $2.70), Q2 $4.12 (from $2.46), Q3 $4.03 (from $2.26), Q4 $3.90 (from $2.22) consistent upward revisions across each quarter. Positive Sentiment: Zacks issued a FY2028 estimate of $16.81, showing analysts expect the stronger earnings trend to persist into the next fiscal year. MarketBeat: AEM upgrades Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AEM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. TD Securities lifted their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$241.00 to C$251.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. National Bank Financial boosted their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$300.00 to C$320.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$300.00 to C$350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$272.60. Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Up 1.6% The stock has a market cap of C$171.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.67, a P/E/G ratio of 22.97 and a beta of 1.54. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$277.80 and its 200-day moving average price is C$241.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.88. Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 13th. The company reported C$3.71 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$4.89 billion for the quarter. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 5.05% and a net margin of 12.86%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 5.4966052 earnings per share for the current year. Agnico Eagle Mines Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This is a positive change from Agnico Eagle Miness previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is presently 18.06%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Guy Gosselin sold 4,947 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$310.00, for a total transaction of C$1,533,570.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 31,381 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$9,728,110. This represents a 13.62% decrease in their position. Also, insider James Porter sold 3,000 shares of Agnico Eagle Mines stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$247.42, for a total value of C$742,260.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 7,734 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$1,913,546.28. This trade represents a 27.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines is a gold miner operating mines in Canada, Mexico, and Finland. It also owns 50% of the Canadian Malartic mine. Agnico operated just one mine, LaRonde, as recently as 2008 before bringing its other mines on line in rapid succession in the following years. The company produced more than 1.7 million gold ounces in 2020. Agnico Eagle is focused on increasing gold production in lower-risk jurisdictions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nordic American Tankers (NYSE:NAT Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The shipping company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.03), Zacks reports. Nordic American Tankers had a return on equity of 2.42% and a net margin of 6.39%.The firm had revenue of $58.76 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $69.43 million. Nordic American Tankers Stock Up 5.6% Shares of Nordic American Tankers stock traded up $0.31 on Friday, reaching $5.71. 7,336,586 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,439,852. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $4.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 1.64. Nordic American Tankers has a 1-year low of $2.13 and a 1-year high of $5.78. The company has a market cap of $1.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 81.51 and a beta of -0.43. Get Nordic American Tankers alerts: Nordic American Tankers Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.9%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. This is a boost from Nordic American Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Nordic American Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 2,600.00%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nordic American Tankers Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of NAT. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Nordic American Tankers by 108.3% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,429,423 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $7,628,000 after purchasing an additional 1,263,228 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in Nordic American Tankers by 83.9% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,277,830 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $7,152,000 after buying an additional 1,039,353 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Nordic American Tankers in the second quarter valued at $1,264,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in Nordic American Tankers by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 4,754,688 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $12,505,000 after buying an additional 427,769 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Nordic American Tankers by 49.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 1,268,265 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $3,336,000 after buying an additional 421,326 shares during the last quarter. 44.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Nordic American Tankers from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Nordic American Tankers in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and set a $3.50 price target on shares of Nordic American Tankers in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $3.25. View Our Latest Analysis on Nordic American Tankers Nordic American Tankers Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nordic American Tankers Limited is a Bermuda-based shipping company specializing in the ownership and operation of Suezmax crude oil tankers. The companys fleet is employed on the spot and period charter markets, transporting crude oil across major global trade routes. By focusing on commercially flexible employment strategies, Nordic American Tankers seeks to optimize vessel utilization and generate stable income for shareholders. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, Nordic American Tankers maintains technical and commercial management arrangements through established ship-management partners. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nordic American Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nordic American Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. We came across a bullish thesis on Victorias Secret & Co. on TickerTrendss Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on VSCO. Victorias Secret & Co.'s share was trading at $59.22 as of February 10th. VSCOs trailing and forward P/E were 29.01 and 23.36 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Models Victorias Secret Clothing Stocks s_bukley / Shutterstock.com Victoria's Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate, and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. VSCO has delivered a powerful turnaround, with the stock up more than 100% since the positive note published on October 15, 2025, shifting the narrative from early recovery to a more demanding phase defined by execution under higher expectations. The initial rebound was driven by a resurgence in brand visibility and social interest, particularly following the return of the Victorias Secret Fashion Show, which translated into strong Q4 performance and guidance that validated the recovery thesis. However, as the stock has rerated and sentiment has improved, the bar for further upside has risen meaningfully. Current data suggests the brand is still growing, though momentum appears to be moderating. Consumer Interest and Global Usage remain up double digits year over year, but the pace of acceleration has softened compared to earlier in the turnaround. Social Interest is still positive but has trended lower in recent months, and website traffic, while up year over year, has flattened toward the lower end of its recent range. This points to normalization rather than contraction, an important distinction given elevated expectations. Management continues to lean into cultural relevance to sustain growth. Collaborations with Hailey Bieber and global K-pop group TWICE demonstrate a clear strategy to align the brand with modern, social-native attention dynamics and younger, international consumers. While these partnerships have not yet driven a visible spike in social activity, they lay the groundwork for a potential second wave of momentum. Overall, Victorias Secret is a far healthier brand than it was two years ago, and the turnaround has proven durable. The investment case now hinges on managements ability to re-accelerate demand through social and cultural execution, with social engagement emerging as the key leading indicator for the next leg of upside. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Victorias Secret & Co. (VSCO) by Nishant Chandra in January 2025, which highlighted the DCF-based undervaluation, debt reduction potential, new CEO leadership, and brand modernization efforts. VSCOs stock price has appreciated by approximately 59.62% since our coverage. TickerTrends shares a similar thesis but emphasizes social momentum, cultural collaborations, and execution under higher expectations. Millennium Prime (OTCMKTS:MLMN Get Free Report) and Black Diamond Group (OTCMKTS:BDIMF Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Millennium Prime and Black Diamond Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Millennium Prime alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Millennium Prime 0 0 0 0 0.00 Black Diamond Group 0 0 1 0 3.00 Volatility & Risk Millennium Prime has a beta of 1.17, indicating that its share price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Black Diamond Group has a beta of 0.64, indicating that its share price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Millennium Prime N/A N/A -$30,000.00 N/A N/A Black Diamond Group $326.99 million 2.65 $18.72 million $0.38 33.16 This table compares Millennium Prime and Black Diamond Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Black Diamond Group has higher revenue and earnings than Millennium Prime. Profitability This table compares Millennium Prime and Black Diamond Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Millennium Prime N/A N/A N/A Black Diamond Group 7.65% 10.20% 4.57% Summary Black Diamond Group beats Millennium Prime on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Millennium Prime (Get Free Report) Millennium Prime, Inc. develops, acquires, and markets lifestyle brands and products for the Millennial marketplace. It focuses on marketing products in the areas of beverage, apparel, and general merchandise. Millennium Prime, Inc. was formerly known as Genio Group, Inc. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Miami Beach, Florida. About Black Diamond Group (Get Free Report) Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, education, manufacturing, health care, financial, government, and defense industries in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, high security modular buildings, custom manufactured modular facilities, blast resistant structures, SmartSpace interchangeable paneled units, and storage containers. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary rental items, products, and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management logistics services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, dismantlement, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. It also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. The company markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. Black Diamond Group Limited was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Millennium Prime Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Millennium Prime and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eurofins Scient (OTCMKTS:ERFSF Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 304,127 shares, an increase of 114.4% from the January 29th total of 141,869 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,553 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 31.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys shares are sold short. Currently, 0.2% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,553 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 31.8 days. Eurofins Scient Stock Performance Shares of ERFSF traded up $1.70 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $81.76. 1,580 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,486. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $79.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $75.04. Eurofins Scient has a 12-month low of $48.55 and a 12-month high of $86.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Get Eurofins Scient alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of Eurofins Scient to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Eurofins Scient in a report on Monday, February 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold. Eurofins Scient Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eurofins Scientific is a global provider of bioanalytical testing and laboratory services, offering a wide array of testing solutions to pharmaceutical, food, environmental, agriscience and consumer products industries. Its core services include pharmaceutical quality control, environmental testing for water and air quality, food safety analysis, agrochemical trials and clinical diagnostic support. The company operates specialized laboratories equipped with advanced analytical technologies such as chromatography, mass spectrometry and molecular biology to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to support research and development efforts across multiple sectors. Founded in 1987 by Gilles Martin and headquartered in Luxembourg, Eurofins has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eurofins Scient Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eurofins Scient and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE:PNI Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 7,518 shares, an increase of 80.8% from the January 29th total of 4,159 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 89,831 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 89,831 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II during the 3rd quarter valued at $68,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II in the second quarter valued at about $79,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC purchased a new position in PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II in the second quarter valued at about $108,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II in the 2nd quarter worth about $117,000. Finally, Dopkins Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II by 83.8% during the 3rd quarter. Dopkins Wealth Management LLC now owns 28,646 shares of the companys stock worth $199,000 after purchasing an additional 13,061 shares in the last quarter. Get PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II alerts: PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II Trading Up 0.3% NYSE:PNI traded up $0.02 on Friday, hitting $7.18. 19,782 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 54,674. PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II has a 1 year low of $6.43 and a 1 year high of $7.47. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $7.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.92. PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II Announces Dividend PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.0295 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. (Get Free Report) PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PNI) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from both federal and New York State income taxes. The fund is managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO), a global fixed income investment firm. PNI invests primarily in investment-grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of the state of New York, its municipalities and related public authorities. The funds portfolio is constructed with a focus on New York state general obligation and revenue bonds, including transportation, education, healthcare and utility-backed securities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (NYSEARCA:FXC Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $70.58 and traded as high as $71.42. Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust shares last traded at $71.41, with a volume of 64,450 shares. Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust Stock Up 0.3% The business has a 50 day moving average price of $71.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $70.58. Get Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust alerts: Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were given a dividend of $0.0071 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust About Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust by 45.0% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 725 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust in the 3rd quarter worth about $204,000. Fiduciary Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust by 5.1% during the third quarter. Fiduciary Financial Group LLC now owns 3,372 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. MAI Capital Management lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust by 88,750.0% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,554 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 3,550 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust by 54.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,690 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $480,000 after purchasing an additional 2,366 shares during the last quarter. (Get Free Report) Guggenheim CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, formerly CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, is a grantor trust. The Trust issues shares (the Shares) in blocks of 50,000 (a Basket) in exchange for deposits of Canadian dollars and distributes Canadian dollars in connection with the redemption of Baskets. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the price of Canadian Dollars. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Trustee. The Trusts sponsor is Rydex Specialized Products LLC, which is doing business as Rydex Investments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lanvin Group Holdings Limited (NYSE:LANV Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 62,282 shares, a growth of 156.3% from the January 29th total of 24,298 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 109,214 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 109,214 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (e+) rating on shares of Lanvin Group in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Sell. Get Lanvin Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LANV Lanvin Group Stock Performance Lanvin Group Company Profile Shares of LANV stock traded up $0.03 during trading on Friday, hitting $1.75. The companys stock had a trading volume of 33,893 shares, compared to its average volume of 75,255. The business has a fifty day moving average of $1.68 and a 200-day moving average of $1.95. Lanvin Group has a 52 week low of $1.03 and a 52 week high of $2.69. (Get Free Report) Lanvin Group (NYSE:LANV) is a global luxury fashion company centered on the heritage French brand Lanvin. The group designs, manufactures and distributes a broad range of upscale apparel, leather goods, footwear, accessories and fragrances. Its product portfolio spans womenswear, menswear and unisex items, complemented by seasonal collections and signature handbag lines. Founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin in Paris, Lanvin holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continually operating French couture houses. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lanvin Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lanvin Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBC Group SA (OTCMKTS:KBCSY Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 676 shares, a drop of 59.4% from the January 29th total of 1,666 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 47,545 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 47,545 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on KBCSY. Zacks Research raised shares of KBC Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Barclays cut KBC Group from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of KBC Group in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of KBC Group in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating on shares of KBC Group in a report on Monday, November 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold. Get KBC Group alerts: View Our Latest Report on KBCSY KBC Group Stock Performance Shares of KBCSY traded down $0.60 on Friday, hitting $67.40. 15,842 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 20,349. KBC Group has a one year low of $38.90 and a one year high of $73.12. The company has a market capitalization of $56.30 billion, a PE ratio of 13.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.54. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $68.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $63.06. KBC Group (OTCMKTS:KBCSY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $1.42 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.64 billion. KBC Group had a return on equity of 13.89% and a net margin of 15.70%. On average, equities analysts expect that KBC Group will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current year. KBC Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) KBC Group is a Belgian bank-insurance group headquartered in Brussels that combines retail and commercial banking with life and non-life insurance, asset management, leasing and related financial services. The company operates an integrated bank-insurance model designed to serve both individual consumers and corporate clients, offering deposit accounts, lending and mortgage products, payment and treasury services, pension and protection insurance, investment solutions and wealth management. The groups banking activities include retail and private banking, corporate and commercial banking, and specialized finance such as leasing and factoring. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KBC Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBC Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Man Group (LON:EMG) executives told investors that the firm delivered resilient results in a volatile 2025, supported by diversification across investment strategies and record client inflows. Chief Executive Officer Robyn Grew and Chief Financial Officer Antoine Forterre highlighted higher assets under management, continued cost discipline, and progress against multi-year strategic priorities, including the Bardin Hill acquisition and increased investment in technology and AI. Get alerts: Volatile markets, diversification benefits Grew described 2025 as a year of pronounced peaks and troughs, citing shocks and reversals tied to events such as DeepSeek in January, tariff announcements in April, geopolitical tensions, and debate around fiscal spending and AI infrastructure investment. Within that backdrop, she said the year highlighted clearly the benefits of Man Groups diversified investment content. Trend-following strategies faced a difficult first half, continuing underwhelming performance that began in the second quarter of 2024, as whipsawing conditions made sustained trends hard to capture. Grew said sentiment improved after early April, with August an inflection point as more persistent trends emerged. Man Groups AHL Alpha and AHL Evolution finished the year up around 5%, according to Grew. She pointed to strength in the firms numeric strategies, liquid credit, and its multi-strategy platform Man 1783. Grew said Man 1783 has delivered consistent performance since its 2020 launch by dynamically allocating across uncorrelated strategies, and later added that the product delivered 10.5% net annualized performance over the past three years. AUM rises to $227.6 billion on record inflows Forterre said Man Group ended 2025 with assets under management of $227.6 billion, up nearly $60 billion since the end of 2024. The increase was driven by $21.4 billion of positive investment performance and $28.7 billion of record net inflows. Client engagement was a key theme. Grew said the firm held more than 16,000 client meetings in 2025, and that Man Group delivered record gross and net inflows, nearly 20% ahead of the industry. She said the firm has taken market share for the sixth consecutive year and posted a record year for new client additions, with 36% of gross sales coming from relationships new to the firm. Grew added that the top 50 clients remained invested in more than four strategies on average. Forterre said long-only strategies were a major driver of growth, contributing $34.5 billion in net flows. He added that overall asset-weighted relative investment outperformance was 1.3% in 2025, compared with 1% in 2024, with long-only strategies delivering particularly strong results. Other AUM movements totaled $8.9 billion, including $6.7 billion of FX tailwinds from a weaker U.S. dollar and $2.7 billion from the Bardin Hill acquisition. Forterre also noted $4.9 billion of uncalled committed capital at year-end, which he said provides a foundation for future growth in private markets. Financial results, dividends, and capital return Forterre reported net revenue of almost $1.4 billion, including $281 million of performance fees, which he said were mostly from non-AHL strategies, reflecting progress diversifying performance fee generation. The firm also recorded $38 million in investment gains. Fixed cash costs were $430 million, reflecting earlier cost actions and headcount reductions, offset by currency and acquisition impacts. The compensation ratio was 48%, within the guided range, and core profit before tax was $407 million. Core earnings per share were $0.276, including core management fee EPS of $0.196 and performance fee EPS of $0.08. Man Group proposed a final dividend of $0.115 per share, taking the total dividend for the year to $0.172, in line with 2024. In Q&A, Forterre said the dividend was kept flat because earnings were down year-on-year, and emphasized the firms capital allocation policy remains unchanged. He said the board may consider options for additional capital return in due course, but cautioned investors not to read the dividend decision as an indication about future M&A. Forterre said the firm repurchased $100 million of shares at an average price of GBP 182, and that total capital returned to shareholders in 2025 was about $300 million (including the proposed final dividend and buyback). Over the past five years, he said dividends and buybacks totaled $1.8 billion, over 50% of the firms market cap as of end-December. Fee dynamics and performance fee optionality Run-rate net management fees rose to $1,182 million at the end of December 2025 from $1,058 million at the end of 2024, which Forterre said was the highest level in more than 10 years, driven by higher AUM and the second-half recovery in trend following. However, the run-rate net management fee margin fell to 52 basis points from 63 basis points, reflecting a shift in AUM toward long-only strategies. Forterre said core performance fees were $281 million, down from $310 million in 2024, and highlighted that $59.6 billion of AUM was performance fee eligible at year-end. He added that $36.6 billion was at high-water mark, compared with $21.1 billion at the beginning of the year, and that $13 billion of long-only AUM is performance fee eligible. In Q&A, he attributed the increase in long-only performance fee eligible AUM to a series of mandates, not a single mandate. Forterre also discussed a Monte Carlo simulation of potential performance fees, saying the median simulated outcome for 2026 was $471 million. He added that as of the 20th of the month, approximately $350 million of performance fees had accrued to crystallize in 2026, while stressing this was not guidance. Strategy updates: credit growth, AI push, and new guidance framework Grew said the firms three strategic prioritiesdiversifying investment capabilities, extending client reach, and leveraging talent and technologycontinue to guide execution. She said Man Groups credit platform now manages $53.1 billion across liquid and private credit, up from $28.3 billion two years ago, supported by strong demand in high yield and investment grade strategies and the October acquisition of Bardin Hill. On quant equity, Grew said long-only strategies grew AUM by 97% in 2025 and highlighted that the firms quant alpha capability delivered 21.3% net performance during the year. She also pointed to growth in North America, saying annual gross flows nearly doubled in two years from $10 billion to nearly $20 billion, alongside a 24% increase in North American pension plan clients. Technology and AI were another focus. Grew said the firm developed over 100 AI plugins across the organization and disclosed that Anthropic partnered with Man Group on AI design and application in investment management. In Q&A, management said there were no specific milestones to share yet, but described the partnership as a way to improve research capabilities and broaden efficiency and effectiveness across the firm. Separately, Forterre said the company will shift its external modeling framework in 2026 from fixed cash cost and compensation ratio guidance to a core profit-before-tax margin range. Man Group expects to manage to a core PBT margin typically between 30% and 40%, calibrated around an average realized margin of 35% between 2020 and 2025. He said the change is intended to provide operational flexibility and should not change how investors think about overall profitability. About Man Group (LON:EMG) With a heritage in aiming to deliver attractive performance and tailored client solutions, Man Group is a highly active investment manager, powered by cutting edge investment technology. As a manager of millions of savers capital, we have a responsibility as stewards of those investments to create a better, more sustainable future for investors and society. Our quantitative expertise and data-driven culture means we believe Man Group is in a unique position to uncover the opportunities of the future. Our five investment management businesses leverage our robust infrastructure to provide a diverse range of strategies across investment approaches, styles and asset classes. We continuously invest in talent, technology and research as we strive to deliver the best results for our clients. Further Reading Harleysville Savings Financial Corp. (OTCMKTS:HARL Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 56 shares, a drop of 75.2% from the January 29th total of 226 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,130 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,130 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Harleysville Savings Financial Price Performance HARL traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $27.05. The stock had a trading volume of 2,630 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,586. Harleysville Savings Financial has a 1 year low of $21.75 and a 1 year high of $27.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.97. The business has a fifty day moving average of $25.93 and a 200 day moving average of $24.97. The company has a market cap of $96.85 million, a P/E ratio of 9.66 and a beta of 0.25. Get Harleysville Savings Financial alerts: Harleysville Savings Financial (OTCMKTS:HARL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The bank reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.22 million for the quarter. Harleysville Savings Financial had a return on equity of 11.43% and a net margin of 22.63%. About Harleysville Savings Financial Harleysville Savings Financial Corp. is the bank holding company for Harleysville Savings Bank, a community-based financial institution founded in 1871 and headquartered in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. As a federally chartered savings bank, Harleysville Savings Financial focuses on traditional banking services, including accepting deposits, offering checking and savings accounts, and providing certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. The companys mission centers on delivering personalized financial solutions to individuals, families, and small businesses across its core markets. In addition to deposit products, Harleysville Savings Financials primary revenue drivers include residential mortgage lending, home equity lines of credit and installment loans. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Harleysville Savings Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harleysville Savings Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide. Visa (NYSE:V) has completed its acquisition of Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay in Argentina, expanding its presence in a key Latin American market. The company has also agreed to act as a cornerstone investor in PayPay's planned U.S. IPO, committing capital to a large digital payments listing. These moves reflect Visa's push into digital wallets and local payment infrastructure across high growth international markets. Visa runs a global payments network that connects consumers, merchants and financial institutions, and it has been steadily building out its capabilities in digital and mobile payments. The acquisitions in Argentina bring more of the local processing stack in house, while the PayPay stake adds exposure to a scaled wallet operator in Asia. Together, they give investors more detail on how Visa is working to remain central as cash usage changes and digital payment methods broaden. For investors, these actions are less about individual transactions and more about how Visa positions itself in the broader ecosystem over time. The key considerations now include how effectively Visa can integrate its new Argentine assets, how influential it can be within PayPay's platform and how these moves might affect its competitive position relative to other global and local payment providers. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Visa by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Visa. NYSE:V Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Feb 2026 Beyond the headline: 0 risks and 4 things going right for Visa that every investor should see. For you as a Visa shareholder or watcher, the key thread across these moves is control over where and how digital payments happen. Owning Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay gives Visa more say over card and debit processing in Argentina, a market where regulators and local players have historically shaped the rules. That can matter for how quickly new products like tokenization, contactless and real-time payouts reach banks and merchants. On the PayPay side, coming in as a cornerstone investor ties Visa more closely to one of Japans largest digital wallets at the point where it is opening up to global capital. That can help Visa stay plugged into wallet-based commerce, which is important as AI agents, stablecoins and local real-time schemes increasingly sit between consumers and traditional card rails. The common question for you is whether these steps keep Visa central as payment flows digitize, or simply spread its exposure across more models that also carry regulatory, technology and integration risk. Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee has said she is deeply concerned after the US and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran. Ms McEntee also said she was dismayed by the Iranian response and has called on all sides to de-escalate tensions. The minister said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran. US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East. Ms McEntee said: I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time. I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk. We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Ms McEntee said Ireland had been a strong supporter of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) which was agreed in 2015, as well as subsequent dialogue. She urged all sides to return to this path of negotiation. The minister said: I call on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint a wider conflict will increase regional instability. Ms McEntee added: There are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place. You should follow the directions of the local authorities and advice issued on social media by the Irish embassy to your country of residence. Our embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to provide consular assistance. We would ask relatives and friends who have queries or concerns about family members in the region to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular team in Dublin at +353 1 4082000. The minister said she would remain in close contact with EU and international partners over the situation. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Taoiseach Micheal Martin should cancel his visit to the White House for St Patricks Day. Mr Murphy said The United States and Israel have launched a co-ordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification. We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump ends this war on Iran. It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression. It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Farmers have taken part in a protest outside Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydons constituency office in Co Kildare. The action by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) in Newbridge on Saturday afternoon is part of a dispute with Bord Bia, the state agency charged with promoting and enforcing standards in Irish food. The IFA said it has been protesting at Bord Bias offices since January 26, with five people occupying the lobby of the building since February 3. Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin has faced calls to step down after revelations that his company Dawn Farm Foods sourced less than 1% of its beef from Brazil last year for contingency planning in a contract. He appeared before a committee earlier this month and said security of supply agreements with major international customers requires provisions for food crises, disease outbreaks and supply issues. Mr Murrin said that while his company mostly buys from Irish farmers, he needed to demonstrate that Ireland can import beef from somewhere else as part of contingency planning. He said allegations of a conflict of interest are false and driven by social media. Those who participated in Saturdays protest carried placards reading Double standards and Minister, get it sorted. All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East following missile strikes on Iran, Irish president Catherine Connolly has said. Irish premier Micheal Martin said he is deeply concerned about the risk of wider conflict in the area while Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the joint action by the US and Israel was unprovoked military aggression. Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran. US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles targeting Israel and countries across the Middle East. Ms Connolly said she wanted to join with those who had expressed such grave concern following todays strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Irans retaliatory strikes in the region. The president added: The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has said, todays escalation undermines international peace and security with severe potential consequences for civilians and regional stability. All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the region. I call on all sides to immediately return to diplomacy and negotiation in line with the principles of international law and the UN Charter. I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. pic.twitter.com/KmQtVMxiW6 Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 28, 2026 In a statement, the Toaiseach said: I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other. The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount. Mr Martin said there was no question that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one. He added: We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it. It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East. We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law. That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table. Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety. We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves. Ms McDonald called for a cessation of military action. She said: This is an act of unprovoked military aggression. It is the second such action in just nine months, it is incredibly dangerous, lives are at stake, civilian lives. There needs to be cessation of this action, there needs to be a return to the negotiating table and diplomacy needs to win out. It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this. The Sinn Fein leader added: I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events. I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified, they will pick up the human cost of this. Young lives have been lost.there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions. Ms McEntee urged all sides to return to negotiations. She said: I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time. I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk. We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Ms McEntee said Ireland had been a strong supporter of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) which was agreed in 2015, as well as subsequent dialogue. The minister said: I call on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint a wider conflict will increase regional instability. Ms McEntee added: There are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Taoiseach Mr Martin should cancel his visit to the White House for St Patricks Day. Mr Murphy said The United States and Israel have launched a co-ordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification. We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump ends this war on Iran. It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression. It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Today's victory lap from our conservative friends won't get much attention but it should . . . Here's the best report that we could find and it's worth sharing . . . After months of intransigence, the administration of Governor Laura Kelly has finally turned over the Supplemental Assistance for Needy Families (SNAP) data demanded by the United States Department of Agriculture. Framing it as a victory, a release from Kellys office said the Department of Children and Families has agreed to turn over the data to USDA after the federal government agreed to DCFs terms, and personal data will not be shared with foreign governments. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Sentinel: Kelly backs down, releases SNAP data to feds As we noted . . . This issue primarily serves as a distraction for American voters but that doesn't mean it's not important to document the conversation as Kansas City Mayor Q looks to a "broader constituency" whilst he ramps up his national media game. Here's his recent statement: Ill never pretend to speak for my state, but I will for my city. You are welcome. You are loved. You are respected in Kansas City. Everyone. Thats what I learned from my family, from my church, from Hutchinson, from life here in KCMO. We are here for you. And here's a roundup along with more reporting . . .; "The Legislature passed an obnoxiously cruel law not just targeting bathrooms but also trans folks very identities. Between Wednesday and Thursday, Senate Bill 244 took effect and apparently stripped transgender Kansans of their driving privileges and ID documents. A national organization, Trans Liberty PAC, called for an emergency evacuation of the state. "I understand why. My heart and whole chest ache. "But I offered this plea to trans Kansans: Please dont leave." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . 2 trans men sue Kansas over law invalidating their driver's licenses Two transgender men are suing Kansas over a new law that invalidated their driver's licenses and about 1,700 others for reflecting people's gender identities and not their sex assigned at birth. Opinion: Damning paper trail reveals scope of Andrew Bailey's anti-trans crusade in Missouri Art by Teddy Rosen This opinion investigation draws on input from LGBTQ+ activists and trans and gender-expansive sensitivity readers to ensure accuracy and supports those affected by restrictive policies on bathrooms and health care. Michael McGrady Jr is a columnist for The Pitch. Transgender Kansans had their IDs invalidated overnight, causing confusion and panic Some transgender Kansans received letters urging them to request new IDs that conflict with their gender identity and presentation, because their current ones are "invalid immediately." It's the result of a new law that also regulates which bathrooms transgender people are allowed to use. Developing . . . For late night and early morning readers we want to share just a few more things that we didn't have time for but still wanted to share by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Local Uptick . . . Tenth District Services Activity Increased Further in February Tenth District services activity increased further in February, and expectations for future services activity remained positive. Input and selling price growth eased from last month and from this time last year. Rural Public Safety Reup . . . Southern Jackson County Fire Protection District moves forward with new fire station plans The Southern Jackson County Fire Protection District is building a new station and hiring staff after voters approved a half-cent sales tax. Life Lesson Postscript KCKCC president placed on administrative leave The decision came following an unanimous vote during a special meeting Tuesday evening. Golden Ghetto Rides Cut Back Johnson County bus route, microtransit reductions go into effect March 1 Johnson County public transit changes are set to go into effect over the weekend. Two bus routes are being cut and the microtransit coverage area is being reduced, along with fewer days of service. Kansas City Insta Building Brick by brick, new memories are moving in: How this developer sees his generation living amid KC's past Whether it's the $38 million overhaul of an iconic downtown Kansas City hotel, or reheating the future of an East Crossroads industrial space - think 8,000-square-foot rooftop bar atop a no-nonsense social club - Zach Molzer is building buzz, and tearing down walls. Celeb Mum Fashion Statement Singer Jessie James Decker shows off her bikini body after 4 kids The 37-year-old mother-of-four has now helped create a new line of swimwear for Cupshe. The Cupshe x Jessie James Decker Casa del Sol collection will roll out in two parts. MAGA Tech Crackdown Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI technology President Trump said he will give federal agencies six months to phase out its use of Anthropic's AI products. Progressive Threats For Midterms Democrats Vow Revenge Against Corporations that Courted Trump if They Take Back Power After the Midterms Democrats are weighing how to target corporations that have courted President Donald Trump's approval if they retake the House after the midterm elections. Here's What Bubba Said Today Bill Clinton asked about hot tub photo and testifies he knew 'nothing' of Epstein crimes The former president told the committee that he would never have flown on Epstein's plane if he "had any inkling of what he was doing". Holy Land Hits Back Israel launches "preemptive strike" on Iran, Israeli military says The Israel Defense Ministry said in a statement that it launched the strike because it was expecting "a missile and drone attack" from Iran "in the immediate future." American Songwriter Final Note Neil Sedaka, a Pop Hitmaker Across Two Eras, Dead at 86 Neil Sedaka, the songwriter and performer behind hits like "Laughter in the Rain" and "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," has died at age 86. No Free Pass?!?! People Who Cheated On Their Partners Are Sharing Why They Didn't Just Leave, And It's Complex "It's very expensive to end a marriage." Cowtown Bad Theater Debuts One of the Good Ones disrupts, dismantles the American Dream at KC Rep Photo by Don Ipock When you come from a family of immigrants, how do you know when the American Dream has finally come true? Is it when you build a smart home with a remote-control fireplace? When you hire chefs to cook the family recipes, because building generational wealth is a too-busy undertaking? Weekend Forecast For Now . . . Saturday remains warm, wintry precipitation will impact Kansas City Sunday A wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow is possible for communities and counties along and north of Interstate 70, including Kansas City. And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. The scope of rising violence in Kansas City continues to escalate as a recent spate of gunfire violates social norms even amongst the criminal class. Here's a glimpse at the aftermath as the investigation is ongoing . . . "Four people, including a police officer, were hurt after shots were fired into a church on Friday morning, Kansas City police say. "Police shared that officers with the Kansas City Police Department were working off-duty at the church, which was holding a funeral, on North Bales Avenue around 11:15 a.m., when they heard gunshots fired from outside the building. Those shots came inside the church, KCPD says." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KMBC: Funeral official describes what happened as shots rang out inside Kansas City church Friday KCTV5: Four people hurt in apparent drive-by shooting during church funeral service WDAF: Witnesses describe church shooting that left four injured at funeral for homicide victim Northeast News: Drive-by Shooting Disrupts Funeral at Northeast Church KMBC: 3 shot, KCPD officer grazed in shooting at homicide victim's funeral at old Northeast church Fox4KC: Four injured, including officer, in northeast KC funeral shooting More reporting in the aftermath shows us that there were credible threats of violence ahead of the tragedy. Of the dozens of reports out there . . . We thought the passage was the most poignant . . . Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Sergeant Phil DiMartino said officers were working off duty for this funeral when at least one person shot from outside the church to the inside. Officers in the gathering congregation took cover, DiMartino said in an interview with reporters early Friday afternoon. During that gunfire is when the injuries occurred. Sgt. DiMartino was visibly frustrated after the shooting. We dont have to live like this. I find this absolutely unacceptable that people are grieving a family member, gunshots ring out, and they come into the church where youre grieving a family member, he said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Witnesses describe church shooting that left four injured at funeral for homicide victim KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Four people are hurt after a shooting at a funeral. The shooting took place around 11:15 Friday morning at New Beginning Apostolic Church near St. John Avenue and Bales in the northeastern part of the city. Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Sergeant Phil DiMartino said officers were working off duty for [...] Family targeted in funeral shooting connected to four KC February homicides Friday's shooting at a Kansas City church hosting a funeral was yet another case of gun violence for many of the mourners inside New Beginnings Apostolic Church. Developing . . . The President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, will pay a visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the 13th Global Baku Forum, scheduled to take place from March 12 to 14, AzerNEWS reports, citing diplomatic sources. The president will take part in panel discussions addressing pressing global challenges and ongoing international developments within the framework of the forum. The 13th Global Baku Forum will be held on March 1214, 2026, under the theme Bridging Divides in a World in Transition. Established in 2013 and organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the forum has evolved into a prominent platform bringing together incumbent and former heads of state and government, representatives of international organizations, and leading scholars to discuss regional and global political issues. This years forum coincides with a period of heightened diplomatic activity in the region and is expected to focus primarily on geopolitical transition processes and international security concerns. Corporate America is in a race against time to upgrade its workforce. Top AI leaders warn that white-collar jobs could face major disruption within the next 18 monthsyet relatively few workers are using AI technology in their daily work. That disconnect is pushing major employers like Deloitte, Verizon, and Walmart to roll out large-scale AI training for their employees. And according to Donna Morris, Walmarts chief people officer, the stakes extend far beyond individual companies: The outcome could shape the competitiveness of the broader U.S. economy. Lets look at China, Morris said in an interview with Fortune. Five-year-olds are learning DeepSeek, and that says a lot about how they believe in capability building. What would it do to our U.S. economy, if we all leaned into that opportunity? In many parts of China, students are being introduced to AI concepts as soon as they enter school. Beijings primary and secondary schools plan to offer at least eight hours of AI instruction each academic year, covering topics like how to properly use chatbots and the ethics of AI. Chinese students, on average, also spend more time in the classroom than their U.S. peers. There are already signs that Chinas investment in AI education is translating into a deep talent pipeline. Nearly one-third of the worlds top AI talent were born in China, according to a 2020 study from the Paulson Institute, and many top U.S. tech companies have been dishing out sky-high compensation packages to woo that talent. When Meta, for example, unveiled its new Superintelligence Labs in June, seven of the labs 11 researchers were born in Chinaand all were recruited from outside the United States. Without increased training, the U.S. talent pipeline risks falling behind, CEOs say Enhanced AI training for the U.S. workforceand its pipeline of studentsis a growing concern among top business leaders. Last year, a group of more than 400 CEOs, including Microsofts Satya Nadella, DoorDashs Tony Xu, and Airbnbs Brian Chesky, signed a letter to lawmakers advocating for computer science and AI education to be part of the curriculum for every U.S. student. In the age of AI, we must prepare our children for the futureto be AI creators, not just consumers, the CEOs wrote. A basic foundation in computer science and AI is crucial for helping every student thrive in a technology-driven world. Without it, they risk falling behind. Overall, AI skills are becoming table stakes for workers, no matter the industry. AI literacy is the fastest-growing skill, according to LinkedIn, and two-thirds of business leaders said in a 2024 report that they wouldnt hire someone without AI skills. Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. President of Albania Bajram Begaj will pay a visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the 13th Global Baku Forum to be held on March 1214, a diplomatic source told Trend. According to the information, the Albanian head of state will take part in discussions focused on current issues on the international agenda. The XIII Global Baku Forum will be held under the theme "Bridging Divides in a World in Transition." The Forum is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and is regarded as one of the leading international platforms for addressing global political, economic, and humanitarian issues. Since 2013, the forum has brought together serving and former government leaders, representatives of international organizations, and members of the expert community, contributing to the strengthening of multinational dialogue and cooperation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Flights operated by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) to Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, and Tel Aviv have been suspended due to the restrictions imposed in the airspace due to the recent events in the Middle East, the statement of AZAL says, Trend reports. Passengers can return or change their tickets to the mentioned destinations without paying any penalty. The flights planned to Nakhchivan are operated as scheduled. AZAL continues to closely monitor the current situation and is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of flights. Passengers will be promptly informed of possible changes. For additional information, passengers can contact the airline via the e-mail address [email protected]. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, concluded his official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 28, Trend reports. A guard of honor was lined up for the Ethiopian Prime Minister at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which was decorated with the national flags of both countries. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was seen off by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, and other officials. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan has called on its citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran, and leave Iran via Azerbaijan or Turkiye, depending on the region they are located, taking into account the escalated security situation in Iran, the ministry's statement says, Trend reports. The ministry also asked the citizens to observe safety measures, stay away from mass gatherings, follow the instructions of local authorities, and regularly monitor official information sources. In case of any emergency, the citizens were requested to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran and the Consulate General in Tabriz as follows: Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran [email protected] +98 905 523 01 07 +98 901 884 55 31 Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Tabriz [email protected] +98 901 414 31 57 +98 935 317 21 01 Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Head of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta will arrive in Azerbaijan to take part in the 13th Global Baku Forum, scheduled for March 1214, a diplomatic source told Trend. President Ramos-Horta is expected to participate in panel discussions addressing pressing global challenges and international developments. Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, this years forum will be held under the motto "Bridging Divides in a World in Transition. The event has established itself as a prominent international platform for extensive exchange of views on key issues in global politics, economics, and humanitarian matters. Since its inception in 2013, the forum has served as an important instrument for strengthening intergovernmental dialogue. It traditionally brings together current and former heads of state, leaders of major international organizations, and representatives of the expert community, providing a space for effective international cooperation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The military escalation, which poses a serious threat to security and stability in the region and globally, is of deep concern, the statement of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry says, Trend reports. The Ministry called on all parties to demonstrate maximum restraint, refrain from actions that would further increase tensions, and return to the negotiating table. The statement noted that the importance of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of all states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and recognized norms and principles of international law is emphasized. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. In light of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, necessary measures are being taken to evacuate citizens from the neighboring country, Trend reports. To ensure safe transportation, special buses have been allocated, ambulance crews have been dispatched to the border area, and other emergency services have been placed on full alert. According to individuals who have already crossed the border, the number of people currently seeking evacuation from the Iranian side remains low. Earlier today, Israel carried out a preventive strike against Iran (Tehran) to eliminate threats to the state. Later, Israel closed its airspace and switched to a state of emergency restrictions. A second wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iran then began. Shortly afterward, Iran also closed its airspace. It was later reported that the attack on Iran was a joint operation by Israel and the United States. In turn, Donald Trump announced the launch of a military operation by the US Armed Forces against Iran. Information subsequently emerged about the targets of Israels strikes on Iran. Shortly afterward, Iran launched its first wave of missiles toward Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu also made a statement amid the start of the operation against Iran. It was later reported that a second wave of missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israel. Some time later, a state of emergency was declared in Israel. It was subsequently reported that Iran had attacked 14 US military bases in the region. Closer to the evening, Iran began a wave of retaliatory strikes using ballistic missiles. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. A memorial event dedicated to the anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held at the Azerbaijan House in Warsaw, Poland, Trend reports via the State Committee for Work with Diaspora. The event, organized by the Azerbaijan House in Warsaw and the Polish Azerbaijani Council (PAC), was attended by members of the Azerbaijani community as well as local public figures. Tuncay Novruzzade, a board member of the PAC Warsaw branch, and Amin Maharramzade, a council member, provided detailed information about the Khojaly massacre. They emphasized that the tragedy holds an unforgettable place in the memory of the Azerbaijani people, and that commemorating the victims is crucial for preserving historical justice and educating future generations about national and moral values. The event featured a screening of the film Nabat, which depicts the deep scars left by the Karabakh war on individuals, the pain of displacement from native lands, and the moral resilience of the people through the figure of a mother. The film deeply moved the audience and evoked strong emotional responses. A photo exhibition illustrating the horrors of Khojaly was also presented, showing destroyed homes, lost families, suffering children and elderly people, and the devastated streets of the city. The exhibition underscored the importance of international recognition of the Khojaly massacre. Organizers, speaking to the media department of the Azerbaijan House in Warsaw, highlighted the significance of such events in ensuring historical truths are not forgotten, protecting human values, and fostering moral education for young generations. The Azerbaijan House in Warsaw regularly holds memorial events, conferences, and public awareness projects on the Khojaly massacre. These initiatives not only leave a deep emotional impact on participants but also serve as an important platform for passing historical truths to future generations and promoting humanitarian values. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has been forced to return flights to Baku after Iran closed its airspace, Trend reports via the company's press service. The J2-011 flight from Baku to Dubai and the J2-1091 flight from Baku to Jeddah were both diverted back to the capital. According to the airlines press service, the Baku-Dubai flight successfully landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 10:47 (GMT+4), while the Jeddah flight is expected to arrive shortly. AZAL announced that it continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and is taking all necessary measures to ensure passenger safety. Travelers will be promptly informed of any changes to flight schedules, and further information can be obtained by contacting the airline via [email protected]. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is one of the 13 High-Quality S&P 500 Financial Stocks According to Hedge Funds. Wells Fargo Reiterates Buy on Visa (V) Amid Expansion Announcements and Proposal Rejections On February 19, 2026, Wells Fargo reiterated a Buy rating on Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) and a price target of $412. Separately, on the same day, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) announced a multi-year renewal and expansion of its partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. The agreement, which extends through 2030, increases Visas branding on vehicles in addition to securing exclusive retail banking rights. The companys Chief Marketing Officer gave the following statement. Both Red Bull Formula 1 Teams give us a dynamic global platform to connect with fans, clients and cardholders in powerful, authentic ways and this next chapter expands how we show up across the sport. In another development, on February 20, 2026, Bloomberg reported that Mexicos National Antitrust Commission rejected Visas proposal to acquire a 51% stake in the payment processor Prosa. The regulator ruled that the deal posed a potential threat to competition because it could grant Visa excessive market control and access to sensitive data on rivals like Mastercard. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), however, stated that the merger would have modernized Mexicos digital payment infrastructure. Founded in 1958, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is a leader in digital payments that facilitates electronic funds transfers across 200+ countries and processes over $15 trillion in annual volume. Its headquarters is in California. While we acknowledge the potential of V as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Dividend Stocks With High Insider Buying and 10 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Reddit Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan has called on its citizens to refrain from traveling to Israel in light of the current tensions around Iran, the ministry's publication on the social media accounts says, Trend reports. The ministry asked the citizens currently in Israel to carefully monitor the security situation, follow the instructions and recommendations of local authorities, stay away from mass gatherings, and strengthen personal security measures. Additionally, the ministry asked the citizens to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel in case of any emergency as follows: Embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel [email protected] +972 54 539 77 88 Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the US increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-021 from Baku to Tel Aviv returned to Baku due to the closure of Israeli airspace. The aircraft landed safely at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 12:24 p.m, the statement of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC said, Trend reports. AZAL continues to closely monitor the current situation in the Middle East and is taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety. Passengers will be promptly informed of changes to the flight schedule. For further information, passengers can contact the airline by email at [email protected]. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. An awareness campaign is being held in the Italian capital of Rome in order to spread information about the Khojaly genocide to the Italian public more widely and to attract the attention of the local population, as well as tourists, to this tragedy, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend. As part of the international campaign "Justice for Khojaly!", educational events are continuing in Italy with the support of the committee and the organization of the Italian-Azerbaijani Union. Moreover, video clips and information boards related to the Khojaly genocide will be shown on monitors in major public places with intensive human traffic - metro stations and bus stops - for seven days. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Switzerland is taking a regional approach in the South Caucasus. Projects in Azerbaijan are focused on macroeconomic support, improving the framework conditions for the private sector, and enhancing the business environment, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) told Trend. "Since the beginning of this year, Switzerland has been implementing a new regional program for 2026-2029 in the South Caucasus region, which builds on the results of previous programs and at the same time strengthens the focus on priority areas. The overall objective of the program is to promote human security and sustainable peace, develop civic engagement and democratic institutions, enhance climate resilience, and ensure sustainable management of natural resources, as well as promote inclusive and "green" economic opportunities. Given the importance of this agenda, climate resilience is both a separate priority area and a cross-cutting theme of the program, which means that climate aspects are systematically integrated into all projects," the secretariat reports. In addition, it is noted that SECO is currently implementing programs in Azerbaijan aimed at expanding access to finance for the rural population and supporting innovation for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as selectively promoting macroeconomic stability. "Through regional programs, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation supports the initiative to create a network of geoparks in the South Caucasus, which will not only protect biodiversity and geological heritage, but also promote sustainable sources of income and regional cooperation. Taking into account the budget, Switzerland is considering the possibility of launching new projects which, if implemented, will take climate sustainability into account as a key priority of the 2026-2029 program," SECO reports. According to the information, SECO maintains close coordination with Swiss companies and relevant business associations and encourages private sector participation where appropriate. In addition, it is emphasized that SECO is simultaneously promoting the creation of a favorable business environment aimed at strengthening the role of private enterprise through its regional cooperation program. Opportunities for more active participation by Swiss companies are also being discussed through bilateral government channels and with business associations such as chambers of commerce and industry, and Switzerland Global Enterprise. The upcoming 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be a good platform for establishing business contacts in an area where Swiss companies and academia can offer their expertise. Similarly, the development of logistics along transit corridors is also of potential interest to leading Swiss companies. According to the information, the final decision on investments is made by the companies themselves. "SECO pays particular attention to the modernization and diversification of the financial sector, as well as the strengthening of public finance management, drawing on Swiss experience. The initiatives supported have already yielded tangible results, including improved quality and accessibility of advisory services for agricultural SMEs, as well as the introduction of new e-services that have significantly reduced costs. SECO's goal is to consolidate and build on these achievements in the coming years," the secretariat says. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 28. Turkmenistan showcased its investment opportunities and key economic sectors during a business reception with representatives of the United Kingdom's business community, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The event, held at Lancaster House, London, was attended by a Turkmen delegation led by Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. In his remarks, Meredov highlighted the countrys efforts to create a favorable investment environment, including legal guarantees, international arbitration mechanisms, and special economic regimes. UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also addressed the reception, emphasizing the importance of strengthening economic ties with Central Asia and advancing sustainable partnership projects. Turkmen side expressed readiness to build long-term cooperation with UK partners. Earlier, Turkmenistan presented its plans to allocate 41.2 billion Turkmen manat ($11.8 billion) for the implementation of its investment program in 2026. The production facilities will be getting 68.5% of the total investment value, while 31.5% will be allocated to non-production projects. Turkmenistans economic policy priorities for 2026 include economic diversification, industrial development, job creation, increased investment, modernization of agriculture, infrastructure development, and support for small and medium-sized businesses. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 28. Turkmenistan has expressed its willingness to enhance energy cooperation with the United Kingdom, emphasizing discussions on alternative gas supply routes, the establishment of long-term contracts, and collaborative ventures in renewable energy projects, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov made the remarks during a business reception with representatives of the UK business community at Lancaster House, London. Meredov noted that Turkmenistan possesses some of the worlds largest natural gas reserves and has maintained its status as a reliable partner for many years. He emphasized the countrys openness to building long-term partnerships amid the ongoing transformation of energy strategies in Europe. Earlier, Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom (UK) discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, regional issues, and international topics. The talks were held between Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and UK Foreign Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper and focused on cooperation in green technologies, digitalization, energy, and transport, as well as the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 28. Uzbekistan has urged its citizens currently residing in Israel to strictly observe safety measures amid expectations of intensive rocket fire targeting Israeli territory, Trend reports via the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Israel. According to the embassy, Uzbek nationals are advised to take all necessary personal safety precautions and carefully follow the instructions issued by Israels Home Front Command. The diplomatic mission stressed the importance of full compliance with emergency guidelines and remaining vigilant in light of the anticipated escalation. Earlier on February 28, Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, which the countrys Defense Minister described as preventive measures aimed at neutralizing perceived threats. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 28. Turkmenistan offered United Kingdom (UK) investors opportunities in transport and infrastructure projects, highlighting the strategic role of the Middle Corridor and the modernization of Turkmenbashi port, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov made the remarks during a business reception with UK business representatives at Lancaster House on February 26. The Turkmen side also expressed readiness to build long-term partnerships based on mutual respect and benefit. Earlier, Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom (UK) discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, regional issues, and international topics. The talks were held between Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and UK Foreign Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper and focused on cooperation in green technologies, digitalization, energy, and transport, as well as the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 28. Several flights operated by Uzbek airlines were forced to return to their departure airports following the closure of airspace over Iran and Israel, Trend reports via Uzbekistan Airports. According to the information. Fly One Asia flight 7Q4461 on the Andijan-Medina route returned to Andijan. The airlines flight 7Q342 from Medina to Tashkent also turned back to Medina. Qanot Sharq flight HH901 en route from Tashkent to Dubai returned to Tashkent airport. Fly Khiva flight 2U7706, operating on the MedinaAndijan route, returned to Medina. Air Samarkand flight 9S3302 from Jeddah to Tashkent also returned to its departure airport in Jeddah. The airspace closure followed a sharp escalation in regional tensions. Earlier, on February 28, Israel carried out airstrikes on targets in Iran. Israels Defense Minister stated that the strikes were preventive in nature and aimed at countering what he described as immediate security threats. The increasing cost of out-of-pocket healthcare for retirees in the US, in particular, is a motivator for relocating, Stevens said. If you move to a foreign country, your Medicare coverage won't work, so the quality and cost of healthcare where you end up is paramount. For the Woodruffs, it was a quest for less stress, new experiences, and a lower cost of living. "Our monthly budget is now a fraction nearly one-fourth of what we spent in California," Joch said. Across demographic groups, Americans with lower confidence in institutions such as the government, judicial system, military, and integrity of elections are consistently more likely to express a desire to leave the country, according to the research. About one in five Americans said they would like to leave the US and move permanently to another country if they could, according to a Gallup report. According to an International Living survey , more than six in 10 Americans said today's political climate in the US has made them more likely to move abroad. The impetus for heading to a foreign land: lower cost of living, slower pace, different lifestyle, and more recently, a calmer political milieu. "It all clicked," Joch said. They purchased a condo three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and settled in. "We've adopted cats, made rich friendships, and have built a community." Six years ago, the couple sold their four-bedroom home near Sacramento, Calif., and spent six months living in a tiny studio apartment in the Bonfim district of Porto. When Jeff and Joch Woodruff decided to relocate to northern Portugal in retirement, it wasn't a rash move. Their pick was triggered by fond memories of past trips to the country, talks with friends and family who had spent time in the region, and then a long visit to explore with an eye toward taking the leap. "The rising costs for retirees in the US are motivating people to look beyond our borders," Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of the International Living's 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index, told Yahoo Finance. "In the better-value locales abroad, your dollars can really stretch. The savings for healthcare, in particular, are significant." While the precise number of Americans living outside the US in retirement is hard to pin down, roughly 700,000 receive Social Security benefits abroad , up more than 20% in a dozen years, according to the Social Security Administration. Story Continues Best places to retire outside the US That's the why. The fun part is the where. Portugal is one of Europe's most inviting countries for expats, according to a recent retirement report from Live and Invest Overseas, which analyzed factors such as cost of living, healthcare, recreation, safety, infrastructure, expat communities, taxes, and residency rules. The top 12 places in the world to retire this year, according to that data: Boquete, Panama Algarve, Portugal Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Gascony, France Crete, Greece Tarragona, Spain Santa Familia, Cayo District, Belize Hua Hin, Thailand Kotor, Montenegro Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic Sardinia, Italy Mendoza, Argentina SHansche via Getty Images As for where expat retirees are already settled, according to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration, the top countries for retirees receiving benefits are Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. It's not just retirees heading out. Pull back to the big picture, and the expat picture is exploding. Americans are moving abroad in chart-topping numbers. For the first time since 1935, those moving abroad exceeded new arrivals to the US, according to the Brookings Institution. Read more: Ask a real estate agent: We're relocating for retirement. Should we buy a house or rent first? Settling outside the US: The new retirement plan If you're considering retiring in another country, the US Department of State has resources to help you think things through. See the Retirement Abroad resource on Travel.State.gov. Here are some additional steps to consider. Do your research In addition to Retire and Invest Overseas' annual rankings, which feature specific towns, cities, or regions rather than entire countries, International Living's Global Retirement Index reviews the world's best places to retire. That list consists of 24 countries, which include Greece, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Spain, and Portugal. The index picked Greece as the top locale for 2026, jumping ahead of longtime European favorites Portugal and Spain. "Greece rose to that spot this year on the strength of its visa options, which include a Golden Visa that is accessible from 250,000 euros, a 7% tax on foreign pension income, and its great-value quality of life," Stevens said. "You can live comfortably for $2,500 to $3,200 a month. You might pay $1,200 a year for private health insurance." And of course, "there's the sun, sand, the dramatic beauty of the place," she added. Read more: How to take a mini retirement Be clear about your motivation Think about what you really want your days to look like, Stevens advised. "What and be honest with yourself are you really looking for? Make a list of what's important to you the nonnegotiables and, too, what falls into the 'would be nice' category," she said. How far away do you really want to move from your friends and family? Do you want fabulous restaurants and the opera, or are you looking for a laid-back town where you can wear flip-flops year-round? Go for a lengthy visit Before settling on a place, spend a couple of months there to see if you really fit in. Befriend local expats, and learn what brought them there and roughly what their cost of living is. Explore 'working in retirement' options If you want to continue working in some fashion to earn income as a safety net, understand the local employment laws. Find out if the country allows foreigners to hold the kind of job you want and whether a work permit is required. Also, gauge competition for the job youre seeking. AscentXmedia via Getty Images You may not have to pick a place to live based on its job market. With some professions, you may be able to turn what you've done during your career into a virtual consulting or project assignment-based business online. While Joch is retired and collects Social Security, Jeff, 57, continues to cobble together some part-time remote customer service and accounting work into his schedule. "It's not necessarily for lots of money, but for the fun and challenge it provides," he said. Pay attention to taxes If you're going to earn even a small salary, consult with someone who knows international tax issues. Both the US and your new country of residence could tax the money you earn. Your foreign bank accounts may require you to file a disclosure form with the US Treasury Department. As a US citizen or resident alien, you are taxed by the US on your worldwide income. That means you're required to file an annual tax return with the IRS. However, you may be eligible for the foreign earned income exclusion. For tax year 2026, the maximum exclusion is $132,900 per person. Have a question about retirement? Personal finances? Anything career-related? Click here to drop Kerry Hannon a note. Search for incentives Various European countries offer incentives for people to invest and live there. "That could be in the form of straight-up income tax breaks and carrots to entice you to renovate an old place ... You've got a bunch of options," Stevens said. "But keep in mind, they all come with certain caveats." Some of the best countries for financial incentives are Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland, and Portugal, according to researchers at International Living. In Ireland, the national government offers grants of up to 70,000 euros to refurbish vacant or derelict houses. You must refurbish it to live in as your principal residence or make it available to rent. Portugal offers a D7 Visa, a residence permit designed for non-European Union citizens with stable, passive income such as pensions, rental income, or dividends. It requires a minimum income of $1,086 per month, proof of accommodation such as a rental contract or a property deed, and a clean criminal record. It leads to permanent residency or citizenship after five years. Many near-retirees dreaming of retiring abroad worry that homesickness will set in. "I admit we were afraid we were going to miss seeing family regularly," Joch said. "But friends and family have been visiting every year since we left, so that anxious concern never became a reality. Plus, Portugal is a perfect hub for exploring all of Europe and northern Africa." He added, "Nearly every day we turn to each other and say, 'A vida e boa.' Life is good." Kerry Hannon is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist and the author of 14 books, including "Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future," "In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in the New World of Work," and "Never Too Old to Get Rich." Follow her on Bluesky and X. Sign up for the Mind Your Money newsletter Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 28. Turkmenistan discussed the implementation of joint infrastructure projects with the United Arab Emirates to enhance transport connectivity between Central and South Asia, Trend reports via the Turkmen Embassy in the UAE. The talks were held between Turkmen Ambassador to the UAE Bayram Bayramov and Etihad Rail Executive Director for International Relations Tariq Al-Falahi. Participants focused on the practical execution of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries railway authorities in October 2025 at the Global Rail exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The meeting marked a step toward translating declarations into concrete technical coordination measures. The sides emphasized the strategic nature of their partnership, discussed the preparation of roadmaps to outline future cooperation stages, and confirmed their readiness to continue regular expert consultations. Etihad Rail is the United Arab Emirates national railway company, responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining the countrys freight and passenger rail network. The company plays a central role in regional transport integration, including connections linking the UAE with neighboring Gulf countries and facilitating broader Central and South Asian trade corridors. In October 2025, Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Etihad Rail to implement joint railway projects and expand investment cooperation during the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 28. Kazakhstan plans to build the largest aircraft maintenance center in Central Asia in the city of Shymkent , Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Transport. The capsule-laying ceremony for the aviation technical hangar maintenance and repair (MRO) center, implemented by SCAT Airlines in partnership with Boeing, took place on February 27. The project provides for the creation of modern full-cycle center with a focus on servicing Boeing aircraft, including Boeing 737 (Classic/NG/MAX), Boeing 757/767, as well as prospective programs for Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft. In this regard, the purchase of additional Boeing aircraft is planned. The complex will be located on a 10-hectare site. The total area of engineering and technical infrastructure will exceed 45,000 square meters, including an aircraft apron of more than 6 hectares. The construction of at least 15 high-tech facilities is planned. The implementation of the project will allow Kazakhstan to form a modern service base of international level, capable of attracting foreign airlines for maintenance, expanding industry competencies and creating new highly qualified jobs. During a working visit to the U.S. on February 18-19, 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the leadership of Boeing, where the parties discussed the possibility of opening the first maintenance and repair center in Shymkent. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 28. Kazakhstan's AirAstana announced changes and cancellations of flights to the Middle East due to the closure of Iranian airspace and the unstable situation in the region, Trend reports via the company. On Feb. 28, flights KC263 AlmatyMedina, KC897 AlmatyDubai, KC653 AlmatyDoha, and KC205 and KC207 AstanaDubai returned to their departure airports. Flight KC899 AlmatyDubai was redirected to Delhi, while FlyArystan FS7617 AktauDubai landed at an alternate airport. All other flights to the Middle East on Feb. 28 were canceled. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iran has closed its airspace to flights for an indefinite period, said Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the countrys Civil Aviation Organization, Trend reports. According to the issued NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), the airspace will remain closed for 6 hours. The announcement comes after multiple explosions rocked the capital, Tehran, earlier. Iranian media reported that the blasts were the result of a missile attack. Meanwhile, several explosions have occurred in the capital, Tehran, over the past few hours. Iranian media reports that the explosions were caused by rocket fire. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Neighboring Iraq has closed its airspace amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Transport of Iraq. All civilian flights at Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq are temporarily prohibited from taking off or landing. The move follows similar airspace closures by Israel and Iran in response to rising hostilities. The closures come just days after talks in Geneva between the United States and Iran aimed at resolving the nuclear program crisis failed to reach a concrete agreement. Earlier on February 28, Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, which the countrys Defense Minister described as preventive measures aimed at neutralizing perceived threats. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian did not encounter any problems, the Iranian Presidential Administration told local media, Trend reports. The administration said that the Iranian president is in perfect health. Foreign media outlets have reported that the Iranian president was shot in a military airstrike. In the past few hours, numerous explosions have occurred in the capital, Tehran. Iranian media reports that the explosions were caused by a missile attack. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. All representatives of the Iranian leadership have become targets of Israeli attacks, Trend reports, referring to a high-ranking rep of the Israeli army, quoting Channel 12 of Israeli television. All representatives of the Iranian leadership have become targets of attack, he said. According to available information, about seven missile strikes were recorded in Tabriz, in areas where the residence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the presidential palace are located. Several ministries located in the southern part of Tabriz were also targeted. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iran is currently preparing to attack Israel, the statement of Iranian media says, Trend reports. According to information, Iran is preparing for revenge and powerful strikes. Meanwhile, after the 2nd round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran ended without progress on February 17, the U.S. increased its presence in areas adjacent to Iran and deployed more than 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated in a video address to the nation regarding the operation launched against Iran on his "Truth Social" social network account that the ongoing strikes in Iran are aimed at overthrowing the regime and has called on the Iranian people to take power using the opportunity, Trend reports. "To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the armed forces, and all law enforcement officers tonight (it was nighttime in the US at that time - ed.), you must put down your weapons, and you will receive complete immunity, or you will face inevitable death." Put down your weapons. You will be treated fairly with complete immunity, or you will face inevitable death," Trump said in an eight-minute video address confirming the U.S. strikes on Iran from the sea and air. According to Trump, the hour of freedom for the great and proud Iranian people has come. "Stay in your shelter. Don't leave your house. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will fall everywhere. After we finish our job, take power. It will be yours. This is probably the only chance you'll get in generations," Trump emphasized. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH) is among the most promising education stocks according to hedge funds. On February 12, TheFly reported that Baird trimmed the price target on McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH) to $19 from $21 and maintained an Outperform rating. This follows the firms model adjustment driven by solid results and improved guidance. On the same day, BMO Capital also lowered the price target on McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH) to $19 from $21 and reiterated an Outperform rating. The downward revision comes even after the companys strong beat in the third-quarter, thanks to the Higher Education segment. According to BMO, the divisions outperformance was driven by market share gains, market skew growth, and a strengthened product mix, among other factors. Why Wall Street Is Reassessing McGraw Hill, Inc. (MH) On the other hand, UBS slightly lifted the price target on McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH) to $17, up from $16, as it believes shares will appreciate because of robust Q3 results. Although execution has been strong and the stock offers an appealing normalized free cash flow yield, concerns about AIs impact in the long haul could constrain multiple expansion, the firm noted, adding that it remains neutral. McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH) is an Ohio-based provider of information solutions for K-12, higher education, and professional markets. Incorporated in 1888, the company operates through three segments: K-12, Higher Education, Global Professional, and International. While we acknowledge the potential of MH as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Nur Inform news agency, known for its close ties to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, reported that dozens of missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israel, Trend reports. According to information, these are ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, as a result of the Israeli and U.S. attack on Iran, there have also been reports that Iran is preparing a retaliatory strike. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Interior Ministry of Iran has called on its citizens to maintain composure and calm in light of the current situation, as well as to be cautious in intercity and intracity movements and to control travel, the ministry's statement says, Trend reports. The statement said that, taking into account the Israeli and U.S. military airstrikes on Iran, instructions have been given to the governors of all provinces of the country that the needs of the provinces should be fully and immediately met, and the needs of citizens should be immediately addressed. The ministry asked Iranian citizens to trust only information from official sources and not believe rumors. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iran is always ready to defend itself, just as it's always ready for discussion, the statement of the Iranian Foreign Ministry says, Trend reports. According to the statement, the Iranian armed forces will respond to the attacks with all their might. The statement noted that the Israeli and U.S. military airstrikes on Iran are a clear violation of the UN Charter and a clear armed attack on Iran. In response to these attacks, Iran will use its might and capabilities to prevent the attacks in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. The statement pointed out that Iran wants the UN and the UN Security Council to fulfill their duties regarding the violation of international peace and security. "All UN member states, especially regional and Muslim countries, Non-Aligned Movement countries and countries that feel responsible for international peace, are expected to respond to these attacks and take steps to preserve peace in the region and the world," the statement emphasized. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Since this morning, the U.S. and Israel have launched military strikes on targets in Iran, aiming to pressure Tehran, but Iran has vowed it will not yield to humiliating demands, Iran's Supreme National Security Council stated, Trend reports. According to the councils statement, the Iranian armed forces have begun taking measures in response to the strikes, and citizens have been advised to stay calm, seek safe areas, and limit travel to essential movements. "Iran has pre-stocked all necessary supplies to meet the needs of its population, and there is no cause for concern regarding essential goods and services. Citizens are therefore urged to avoid congregating at sales centers," the statement added. The council also announced the temporary closure of all secondary schools and universities until further notice. Banks will continue operating, and government offices will function at half capacity (50%). Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The UN Security Council must hold an emergency meeting to stop the Israeli and U.S. military air strikes on Iran, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, told local media, Trend reports. According to him, the Iranian Armed Forces will defend the country with all their might. This war is a war against Iran. "If the international community does not react to the military attacks on Iran, it will be the beginning of the end of all international organizations," he emphasized. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The U.S. militarys naval base in Bahrain, along with other regional bases, has come under attack, the statement of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC/SEPAH) says, Trend reports. According to information, U.S. facilities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as security and military sites in Israel, were targeted in the strikes. IRGC stated that in the initial phase of Operation "True Promise 4", Iranian Armed Forces struck regional targets belonging to Israel and the U.S., which had been carrying out operations against Iran. Iranian forces continue to conduct missile and drone attacks against strategic sites. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Tehran will continue to defend itself, said Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a telephone conversation with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein today, Trend reports. During the telephone conversation, Iranian and Iraqi officials exchanged views on the latest military developments in the region. Following the 2nd round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Irans army chief, General Amir Hatami, is reported to be alive and currently commanding the countrys military forces, Trend reports. According to the Iranian media, reports of General Hatamis death are false and do not reflect reality. Earlier, some outlets had claimed that the head of Irans armed forces had been killed during airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States (US). Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The aim of Israeli and U.S. military airstrikes on Iran is to undermine the country's territorial integrity, the statement of the Iranian Government Information Council says, Trend reports. According to the statement, the attack on Iran at a time during discussions between Iran and the U.S. shows that Iran's sovereignty is being targeted again. "The Iranian government, all ministries, all relevant agencies are carrying out their work. The government, realizing the dangerous situation, has taken the necessary measures long in advance, and citizens should not worry about any shortages. There are enough necessary products, fuel, and medicines in the country. Health centers, pharmacies, and banks continue their activities. Necessary measures have been taken for citizens to travel to other cities, and citizens are invited to exercise restraint and patience," the statement noted. The statement added that Iran will continue to defend its territory and the government is with the Armed Forces with full force. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Israeli Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The death toll from Israeli and US airstrikes on a girls primary school in the Minab district of Hormuzgan Province in southern Iran has reached 63, Deputy Governor of the province Ahmad Nafisi said during a briefing, Trend reports. According to Nafisi, 92 people were injured in the attack. Rescue operations are currently ongoing in the affected area. xxx 18:05 The death toll from Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on a girls' elementary school in the Minab County of Hormuzgan Province in southern Iran has reached 57, Ahmad Nafisi, assistant for political and security affairs to the governor of Iran's Hormuzgan Province, said during a briefing, Trend reports. According to him, 53 people are still trapped under the rubble of the school building. xxx 17:33 The death toll from a missile attack on a girls' primary school in the Minab County of Hormuzgan Province in southern Iran has reached 51, Trend reports via the Iranian Government Information Council. The council notes that targeting civilian areas is unacceptable, and the attacks are strongly condemned. xxx 16:48 The number of people who died as a result of missile fire at an elementary school for girls in the Minab County of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran has reached 40 people, the governor of the county, Minab Mohammed Radmehr, said during the briefing, Trend reports. According to him, the number of injured is 48 people. xxx 15:35 As many as 36 people died, and 60 were injured as a result of an Israeli attack on an elementary school for girls in Minab County of Hormozgan Province in the south of Iran, Trend reports. xxx 15:33 A total of 36 persons were killed in an Israeli attack on a girls' elementary school in the Minab County of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, Ahmad Nafisi, assistant for political and security affairs to the governor of the province, told local media, Trend reports. According to him, there were 170 students at the school in the morning. Nafisi noted that the rescue and relief operation for the students at the school is currently underway. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iran strongly condemns the Israeli and U.S. military airstrikes against the country, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a phone conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar today, Trend reports. According to him, Iran will use all its defense and military capabilities to defend its territory. Araghchi called on all regional and Muslim countries to take steps to stop the military airstrikes against Iran. During the conversation, Ishaq Dar also condemned the military airstrikes against Iran and called for an end to the attacks. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles at the USS MST, Trend reports, citing the IRGC. The American warship was struck in the attack. In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that other US Navy facilities could also be targeted by missiles and drones. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Three Hermes drones were shot down in Iranian airspace, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC/SEPAH) said, Trend reports. According to the IRGC, the drones were destroyed by air defense systems in the cities of Khomein, Tabriz, and Ahvaz. At the same time, the IRGC announced the start of a new phase of missile strikes targeting US military bases in the region. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Irans military actions are defensive and not aimed at any neighboring countries, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated in an interview with local media, Trend reports. According to Baghaei, Irans attacks are in response to US military operations that use the territory of regional countries to target Iran. He emphasized that Iran extends a hand of friendship to all countries in the region and hopes neighboring states will prioritize collective interests and regional security. Responding to US claims of a potential threat from Iran, Baghaei called such assertions unfounded, stressing that Iran is a peace-loving nation that defends itself when necessary. He added that while diplomacy often faces misunderstandings, Iran seeks to demonstrate its logic and legitimacy on the international stage through dialogue. Baghaei also noted that this is the third time in the last decade that the US has ignored the diplomatic process with Iran. The death of a large number of students and teachers as a result of the bombing of a girls primary school in the city of Minab is unacceptable, and Iran considers it a war crime, he emphasized. The Iranian Foreign Ministry highlighted that Israeli and American airstrikes on Iran have killed 85 people and injured 92 at the girls elementary school in the Minab district of Hormuzgan Province. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Trend reports. According to the IRGCs official notice to ships, no vessel is permitted to pass through the strait. Iranian media report that 14 US military bases in the region were attacked in the past hour. The missile and drone strikes targeted multiple countries and military facilities, rather than being limited to a single location. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Over the past few hours, 12 Israeli drones and American drones have been shot down in Iran, the Iranian militarys public relations department reported, Trend reports. The report states that the drones, operating in various parts of the country, included both combat and reconnaissance types and were destroyed by forces of the Iranian Air Defense Headquarters. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has sent an official appeal to the United Nations requesting an investigation into attacks carried out by the United States and Israel on its territory, Trend reports. The letters are addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the UN Security Council James Cleverly. In his letter, Araghchi stated that Israeli and US strikes on defense and civilian facilities in various Iranian cities violate the countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty and contradict Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. He emphasized that Iran is acting in self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and will use all necessary means to repel the attacks. The minister noted that all bases, facilities, and forces of the attacking sides in the region are considered legitimate military targets, and Iran will continue its resolute defense until the attacks cease. According to him, responsibility for the negative consequences of the developments lies with the United States and Israel, and the strikes on Iran have serious implications for regional and international peace and security. Araghchi called on all UN member states to take immediate and coordinated action in response to the attacks on Iran. Earlier today, Israel carried out a preventive strike against Iran (Tehran) to eliminate threats to the state. Later, Israel closed its airspace and switched to a state of emergency restrictions. A second wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iran then began. Shortly afterward, Iran also closed its airspace. It was later reported that the attack on Iran was a joint operation by Israel and the United States. In turn, Donald Trump announced the launch of a military operation by the US Armed Forces against Iran. Information subsequently emerged about the targets of Israels strikes on Iran. Shortly afterward, Iran launched its first wave of missiles toward Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu also made a statement amid the start of the operation against Iran. It was later reported that a second wave of missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israel. Some time later, a state of emergency was declared in Israel. It was subsequently reported that Iran had attacked 14 US military bases in the region. Closer to the evening, Iran began a wave of retaliatory strikes using ballistic missiles. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is firmly and decisively directing what is happening on the ground, Trend reports, citing the official Iranian media. The sources emphasized that the Supreme Leader remains fully engaged in overseeing ongoing developments and decision-making processes. No further details were provided. Earlier, some outlets had claimed that Iran's Supreme Leader had been killed during airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States (US). Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is alive and safe, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in an interview with British media, Trend reports. According to Baghaei, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also alive and safe. Earlier today, Israel carried out a preemptive strike against Iran (Tehran), saying it aimed to eliminate threats to the country. Israel subsequently closed its airspace and introduced a state of emergency restrictions, followed by a second wave of airstrikes on Iranian territory. Shortly afterward, Iran also closed its airspace. It was later reported that the attack on Iran was a joint operation by Israel and the United States. Donald Trump announced the launch of a US military operation against Iran. Information subsequently emerged regarding the targets of Israels strikes. Iran then launched its first wave of missiles at Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a statement following the start of the operation. Reports later said a second wave of missiles had been fired from Iran toward Israel. Some time later, Israel declared a state of emergency. It was also reported that Iran had attacked 14 US military bases in the region. Later in the evening, Iran began a wave of retaliatory ballistic missile strikes. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched the third and fourth waves of Operation True Promise 4, Trend reports, citing the Public Relations Office of the IRGC. According to the statement, the new waves are being carried out continuously against a wide range of US and Israeli military and security targets, using more advanced missiles with greater precision and force than those deployed in Operation True Promise 3. The Public Relations Office said key targets include the naval base in the port of Haifa, warship bases in Haifa, the Ramat David airbase, the Ministry of Defense in the Kirya area, the military industrial village of Beit Shemesh, and a military industrial center in Ashdod. The IRGC also declared its readiness to expand and intensify operations, including conducting controlled strikes against both stationary and mobile targets in the region using Iranian missiles and drones. The statement warned that subsequent waves would be more destructive and many times larger than Operation True Promise 3, citing previous operational experience and proactive measures. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Irans Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, rejected Western claims regarding Tehrans nuclear program and called for restraint amid recent military actions by the United States and Israel, Trend reports. I also categorically reject the assertion made by the representative of France, the United Kingdom, and certain other Western members regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program. These claims lack a factual and legal basis, Iravani said at the UN Security Council. He criticized the rationale provided by Washington for the strikes, noting that the justification advanced by the representative of the United States today are illegal and entirely devoid of legal foundation, and stressed that preemptive action or claims of imminent threats cannot legitimize aggression. Iravani said the recent operations by the United States and Israel amounted to an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, with civilian areas reportedly affected. While highlighting the severity of the situation, he urged all parties to exercise caution and respect international law, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to prevent further escalation. Details added: first version posted on 15:33 BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The number of people who died as a result of missile fire at an elementary school for girls in the Minab County of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran has reached 40 people, the governor of the county, Minab Mohammed Radmehr, said during the briefing, Trend reports. According to him, the number of injured is 48 people. xxx 15:35 As many as 36 people died, and 60 were injured as a result of an Israeli attack on an elementary school for girls in Minab County of Hormozgan Province in the south of Iran, Trend reports. xxx 15:33 A total of 36 persons were killed in an Israeli attack on a girls' elementary school in the Minab County of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, Ahmad Nafisi, assistant for political and security affairs to the governor of the province, told local media, Trend reports. According to him, there were 170 students at the school in the morning. Nafisi noted that the rescue and relief operation for the students at the school is currently underway. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Due to the rising tensions, a number of countries in the Middle East have closed their airspace. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The death toll from Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on a girls' elementary school in the Minab County of Hormuzgan Province in southern Iran has reached 57, Ahmad Nafisi, assistant for political and security affairs to the governor of Iran's Hormuzgan Province, said during a briefing, Trend reports. According to him, 53 people are still trapped under the rubble of the school building. xxx 17:33 The death toll from a missile attack on a girls' primary school in the Minab County of Hormuzgan Province in southern Iran has reached 51, Trend reports via the Iranian Government Information Council. The council notes that targeting civilian areas is unacceptable, and the attacks are strongly condemned. xxx 16:48 The number of people who died as a result of missile fire at an elementary school for girls in the Minab County of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran has reached 40 people, the governor of the county, Minab Mohammed Radmehr, said during the briefing, Trend reports. According to him, the number of injured is 48 people. xxx 15:35 As many as 36 people died, and 60 were injured as a result of an Israeli attack on an elementary school for girls in Minab County of Hormozgan Province in the south of Iran, Trend reports. xxx 15:33 A total of 36 persons were killed in an Israeli attack on a girls' elementary school in the Minab County of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, Ahmad Nafisi, assistant for political and security affairs to the governor of the province, told local media, Trend reports. According to him, there were 170 students at the school in the morning. Nafisi noted that the rescue and relief operation for the students at the school is currently underway. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Iranian authorities have agreed not to store enriched uranium on their territory, which is suitable for creating nuclear weapons, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who previously acted as a mediator in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, said, Trend reports. "I think the most important achievement is the agreement that Iran will never have the nuclear material to build a bomb," the minister said. "This is something that was not in the old agreement [on Iran's nuclear program], which was reached under [the 44th] President [of the United States Barack] Obama. This is something completely new," he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The United States is launching air and sea strikes on Iranian facilities, Trend reports. According to information, the operation aims to neutralize elements of Irans security apparatus. In the early hours of February 28, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli army (IDF- Israel Defense Forces) had carried out a preemptive strike against Iran, prompting the country to declare a state of emergency. Iranian media reported multiple explosions in Tehran, including in University Street and the Jomhuri district, as part of the escalating attacks. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The United States military began major combat operations in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social page, Trend reports. Trump stated that the operation aims to protect the American people by neutralizing threats originating from forces in power in Tehran. He emphasized that Tehrans actions pose a direct threat to U.S. military bases abroad and that Washington will no longer tolerate such risks. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the US increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that one of the goals of the U.S. operation against Iran is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Trend reports. "It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon," he said in a post on his Truth Social page. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Israel and the U.S. have launched an operation against Iran to eliminate threats posed by the ruling regime in Iran, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a media briefing, Trend reports. According to him, during the operation, conditions must be created so that the Iranian people can take their destiny into their own hands. "Brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, Israel and the United States of America have launched an operation to eliminate the existential threat coming from the terrorist regime in Iran. I thank our dear friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has chanted the slogans Death to Israel and Death to America. It has shed our blood, killed many Americans, and committed genocide against its own people," Netanyahu said. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, several ballistic missiles launched from Iran were intercepted over Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), foreign media outlet's statement says, Trend reports. According to information, debris from one of the intercepted missiles fell into a residential area, claiming the life of a person reportedly of Asian descent. The UAE Ministry of Defense issued an official statement condemning the attacks: "Targeting us is a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law. The UAE reserves the full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens, and residents, while ensuring its sovereignty, security, and stability." Both cities targeted host US military bases, heightening regional security concerns. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Canadian government is closely monitoring Iran-related hostilities across the Middle East and urging its citizens to take immediate safety measures, Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anita Anand said in a joint statement, Trend reports. The Canadian government is closely following Iran-related hostilities throughout the Middle East and urges all Canadians in Iran to shelter in place. Canadians in the wider region should follow local advice and take all necessary precautions, the statement said. Ottawa emphasized that it is tracking developments amid rising regional tensions and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Canadian nationals and diplomatic missions. The government stressed the importance of civilian protection in the ongoing conflict and said it would take all possible measures to safeguard Canadians in the region. Referring to broader international efforts, the statement noted: Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they have carried out a massive strike on Irans strategic defense system, Trend reports, citing the press service of the Israeli army. The statement notes that the Israel Defense Forces, acting on the basis of intelligence information, launched a large-scale attack on the strategic defense system of the Iranian regime. According to reports, one of the strikes targeted a modern SA-65 air defense system in the Kermanshah area in western Iran. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The State of Qatar has strongly condemned Iranian ballistic missile attacks on its territory, calling them a blatant violation of national sovereignty, a direct threat to security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation jeopardizing regional stability, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar published on its X page, Trend reports. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the State of Qatar reserves its full right to respond to this attack in accordance with the provisions of international law and in a manner proportionate to the nature of the aggression, in defense of its sovereignty and in protection of its security and national interests. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that the State of Qatar has been and continues to be among the foremost advocates of dialogue with the Islamic Republic of Iran, consistently calling for this approach as the optimal foundation for addressing differences and resolving disputes through peaceful means, and for sparing the region the risks of escalation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the targeting of Qatari territory is inconsistent with the principles of good neighborliness and cannot be accepted under any pretext or justification. The State of Qatar has consistently sought to distance itself from regional conflicts and has worked to facilitate dialogue between the Iranian side and the international community. However, the renewed targeting of its territory does not reflect good faith and threatens the foundations of understandings upon which bilateral relations between the two countries were based. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expresses the State of Qatar's condemnation of the violation of the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Kingdom of Bahrain in the blatant Iranian aggression, affirming the State of Qatar's full solidarity with these sisterly states in all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty, security, and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renews the State of Qatar's call for the immediate cessation of any escalatory actions, a return to the negotiating table, the prioritization of reason and wisdom, and efforts to contain the crisis in a manner that preserves the security of the region, safeguards the interests of its peoples, and prevents a slide into broader confrontations," the statement said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East, stating that it undermines international peace and stability, Trend reports, citing the UN chiefs press service. The statement reads: "I condemn the military escalation taking place today in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran and Iran's subsequent response in the region undermine international peace and stability." Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation strongly condemned Irans actions against the sovereignty and territories of neighboring countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, Trend reports. The Secretariat described these actions as an unacceptable escalation that threatens regional stability and peace. It reaffirmed full solidarity with the affected countries in defending their sovereignty, security, and stability, emphasizing that such violations of international law set a dangerous precedent and undermine the foundations of international relations based on good neighborliness, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs. "The General Secretariat reiterates its call for the immediate cessation of any escalatory actions, restraint, and a return to the dialogue table to avoid slipping into wider confrontations that may threaten the security and stability of the entire region," the statement reads. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. US President Donald Trump held discussions with the leaders of Great Britain, Kuwait, and Turkiye following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Trend reports. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump had already discussed the situation with these leaders. On February 28, Trump also held talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates, as well as with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya condemned the United States and Israel for launching military strikes on Iran, calling the actions an unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign UN member state, Trend reports. Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Iran, Nebenzya said the attacks targeted senior political leadership and civilian nuclear facilities. In real time, we are getting reports from the Iranian authorities about casualties, including among the civilian population. More than 200 people have died in 24 provinces of the country, he noted. He expressed particular concern over a strike on a girls school in Minab, reporting that 85 children were killed. We sincerely express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims, and we wish a swift recovery to the injured, Nebenzya added. Finally, he pledged that Russia would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens in Iran. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz praised President Donald Trumps leadership during a UN Security Council meeting on Iran, emphasizing the administrations resolve amid escalating tensions, Trend reports. And President Trump has met the moment. The most fundamental duty of any sovereign government is the protection of its people, Waltz said. He stressed that the current US actions reflect Trumps long-standing position that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. According to Waltz, the president has remained firm that the Iranian regime never, ever can threaten the world with a nuclear weapon. Waltz argued that Irans actions over decades have destabilized the Middle East. For decades the Iranian regime has willfully destabilized the world. It has killed American forces and citizens, threatened regional allies, and jeopardized the security of international shipping upon which the world depends, he stated. Referring to previous UN Security Council measures, Waltz said resolutions adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter created a robust multilateral framework to curb Irans nuclear and missile activities, adding that sanctions were restored in September 2025 to hold Tehran accountable. The bottom line is this, colleagues, our allies and partners can count on the United States and can count on President Trump, Waltz concluded. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Due to current circumstances, Secretary Rubio will no longer travel to Israel on March 2, Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs wrote on his X account, Trend reports. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. Israel, in coordination with the United States, has undertaken measures to address what it considers a growing threat from Irans nuclear program and regional activities, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East, Trend reports. Danon said the operation targeted nuclear infrastructure, missile production sites, and elements of Irans network of regional proxies. He emphasized that the measures were taken after diplomatic efforts were exhausted and were intended to reduce the risk posed to Israel and its neighbors. This operation was carried out to address an immediate threat and to prevent further escalation. Our goal is to protect civilians and ensure regional stability, Danon said. He also highlighted concerns over Irans continued uranium enrichment, missile development, and support for armed groups in the region, describing these activities as destabilizing. Recent missile and drone attacks have affected several countries in the region, including the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iraq, with civilian casualties reported in Tel Aviv. Danon noted that the actions are guided by clear objectives: to mitigate nuclear risks, reduce missile threats, and limit destabilizing activities, while ensuring that measures are consistent with international law and the UN Charter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Syria has closed its airspace amid ongoing strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, Trend reports. The Syrian government announced that the flight ban will remain in effect for at least 12 hours. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. Resist the urge to look at the clock during those middle-of-the-night awakenings. (Getty) Bad dreams, blaring sirens, weak bladders there are many reasons people cant sleep straight from 11 at night to 7 the next morning. Doctors say its totally normal, but how you handle these sleep disruptions can be the difference between feeling rested and refreshed or groggy and cranky. If you want to salvage your slumber, heres what to do and what not to do when you wake up in the middle of the night. What you shouldnt do if you wake up in the middle of the night Check the clock The number one, most important thing not to do when your sleep is interrupted? Check the time. As tempting as it may be to take a quick glance on the way back from the bathroom or when your mind starts to race, do not give in to the temptation. For occasional awakenings, avoid looking at the clock. Clock-watching can increase anxiety and make it harder to fall back asleep, says Dr. Harneet Walia, a board-certified family physician and the medical director of sleep medicine at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Dr. B Stephen Sanders, a board-certified mens health physician based in Florida, suggests going a step further. Put the clock where you can't see it and let your alarm do its job, he says. Every time you check the time, youre attempting to do the math on how many hours you have left, which feeds the anxiety loop. Look at your phone Who among us is not guilty of powering up a device when sleep seems elusive? But all doctors agree here this is a very bad habit that needs to be corrected. Dr. Bijoy E. John, a board-certified sleep physician in Nashville, Tenn., explains that the light exposure from screens signals wakefulness to the brain, which can make it even harder to fall back asleep. Do not reach for your phone, he urges. Panic Ready for some good news? Not sleeping through the night is pretty common, so resist the urge to freak out if you dont doze back off right away. Dr. Julia Whitaker, a board-certified sleep medicine specialist based in Colorado, says do your best to stay relaxed and calm. Waking once or twice is normal. The real problem is the reaction. Looking at the clock and thinking, Oh no, Ill be exhausted tomorrow, triggers stress hormones and makes it harder to fall back asleep, she says. What you should do if you wake up in the middle of the night Give your body time Lying awake when you could (and should) be sleeping can be frustrating, but be patient, remain calm and give yourself time to slip back into a peaceful slumber. Advertisement Advertisement The goal is to get your mind back in a relaxing and restful state without stressing over the fact that youre awake or overstimulating your mind, says Dr. Sergio Guiteau, a board-certified physician based in Florida. Get out of bed The unfortunate reality is that there will be nights when falling back asleep takes longer than you'd like. When that happens, dont force it. If youve been awake for what feels like about 20 minutes and youre not falling back asleep, get out of bed, Walia advises. Return to bed only when you feel sleepy again. This helps train the brain to associate the bed with sleep rather than wakefulness or frustration. Relax with low-light, low-stress activities So, should you start a scary movie or scroll TikTok at 2 a.m. when you cant sleep? No! If you need to get out of bed to give yourself time to get tired again, doctors recommend low-light, low-stimulation activities to pass the time. Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Jose Puangco, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Hoag, a health care system in Southern California, says good options include reading a few pages of a low-key book, listening to soft music or a calming podcast at low volume, doing gentle stretching, or practicing slow breathing or meditation. You can also try working on a jigsaw puzzle or knitting. One last note While occasional sleep interruptions are normal, long, recurring lapses in rest are worth discussing with your doctor. If waking up during the night becomes frequent or persistent, it may signal an underlying medical disorder and sleep disorder and should be evaluated, Walia notes. Shop middle-of-the-night activities to ease your mind Need something to do while youre waiting for sleepiness to return? Try these shopper-loved finds. Amazon The Woobles Crochet Kit for Beginners Rest assured, Amazon customers say absolutely no prior skills are needed to enjoy this adorable little crochet set. It's very beginner-friendly, and you can work on it in short, middle-of-the-night spurts until your little penguin friend (or one of the other little crocheted creatures) is complete. "I recently ventured into the world of crochet as an absolute beginner, and the Dinosaur Woobles Kit has been an absolute game-changer for me. I couldn't be happier with my purchase," one fan commented. Another added, "Great beginner project youll learn a lot! I had no experience with crochet and ended up with a cute gift for a friends birthday! It definitely was a challenge, but just enough to keep going." $30 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $30 at REI Amazon Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal If you find your mind racing, bouncing from thought to thought, it may help to write them down. This journal includes prompts that can help you focus and ease underlying stress. "A life-changing journal!" one shopper declared. "This is a must-have for everyone!!! This journal will change your brain to see the good and stop looking for the bad! Very easy to use and organized to keep you right on track. My husband and I have been using these for almost a year now, and one of my favorite things to gift anyone going through a tough time!" Someone else shared, "I was looking for something simple and intentional to help me focus on gratitude and positivity without feeling overwhelming, and this journal fits that perfectly." $30 at Amazon Amazon Santune Embroidery Kit Everyone's going analog these days, so why not jump on the bandwagon with this needlepoint set? It includes everything you'll need to create three different projects, and shoppers say it's easy for newbies to complete. "Great product! Everything you need to learn embroidery, and the tutorials make it easy to learn all the stitches. Highly recommend for beginners," one commenter wrote. "Ive never ever embroidered before and this kit was SO easy to follow with plenty of embroidery floss in case you mess up! The pics and videos for the techniques were perfect," another added. $22 at Amazon Amazon Bear Country 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Are you a puzzle person? Me too! They're exactly what I turn to when I need to slow down my brain and find a bit of zen. I'm currently eyeing this gorgeous design that's already earned 4.7 out of 5 stars from shoppers who say it's just as beautiful IRL as the picture, and it's the perfect balance of challenging but not impossible. "I loved this puzzle. Bold colors with endless variation. Made solving it challenging but also attainable. Great product," one shopper commented. Another wrote, "I absolutely love the design of this puzzle the colors are vivid and really satisfying to work with. The pieces are well cut and sturdy, with no peeling or fraying edges, which makes a big difference on a 1,000-piece build. Everything fit together nicely, and it felt like a quality product start to finish. Id definitely buy this brand again." $20 at Amazon BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Turkish Airlines (THY) has suspended several international flights following escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, as the conflict threatens to spread across the Gulf region, the Turkish media says, Trend reports. Yahya Ustun, THYs head of communications, announced that flights to ten countries have been temporarily halted. According to the airline, flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan will not operate until March 2, 2026, while services to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman will be canceled on February 28, 2026. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. The Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), .. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, undertook a high-level official visit to Ankara from 23 to 25 February 2026- his first since assuming office on 1 January 2026, Trend reports. The visit reaffirmed Turkiye's pivotal role as a founding member, host of the D-8 Secretariat, and a key contributor to the Organization's evolution since its inception. The Secretary-General was accompanied by a delegation comprising Ambassador Mustafa Ozcan, Director-I of the D-8 Secretariat, and Muhammad Bilal Khan, Executive Assistant. The visit commenced with a working Iftar hosted by Ambassador Aylin Sekizkok, the D-8 Commissioner of Turkiye, for the D-8 delegation. The engagement provided an opportunity to review institutional priorities -- including ongoing reform initiatives, strengthening coordination between the Secretariat and the host country, and preparations for the 12th D-8 Summit in Jakarta. Discussions underscored the importance of Turkiye's pivotal role in supporting the Secretariat's transformation agenda and enhancing the D-8's overall organizational capacity. On 24 February, the Secretary-General had meetings with senior leadership the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Deputy Ministers Musa Kulaklkaya and Berris Ekinci. The comprehensive exchanges with Ambassador Ekinci focused on the D-8's present and future trajectory, strengthening the Secretariat's human and financial resource base, streamlining institutional structures and processes, expanding international outreach, and working for concrete outcomes of the Jakarta Summit. In his call on Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood conveyed profound appreciation for Turkiye's generous support as host country since the establishment of the D-8 Secretariat and as a vital pillar of the Organization's strategic direction. Noting Turkiye's major initiatives like the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) and Presidency of COP31, the Secretary-General highlighted the global salience of D-8 Member States in geo-strategic and geo-economic terms and the Organization's overall potential to play a seminal role at the regional and global levels. He also briefed the Foreign Minister on his priorities as Secretary General, the ongoing efforts to advance institutional reform process, strengthening D-8's global outreach, and ensuring impactful outcomes of the Jakarta Summit. During the meeting, Turkiye's strong and steadfast support for the D-8 was reaffirmed by the Honourable Minister and guidance provided on ways for the D-8 to enhance its activities, visibility, and effectiveness. In his meeting with Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, the Secretary-General emphasized the imperative of expanding intra-D-8 trade and welcomed Turkiye's role in hosting the permanent D-8 Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Secretariat in Istanbul, a milestone for deeper private-sector engagement and integration. Both sides underscored the importance of the D-8 Business and Investment Forum and Halal Expo, being convened as side events of the Jakarta Summit, as further catalysts for trade and investment connectivity. The meeting with Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, focused on climate cooperation and Turkiye's COP31 Presidency, exploring joint initiatives in climate resilience, green transformation, and sustainable urbanization across D-8 economies. At the Presidential Complex, Ambassador Mahmood was received by Cevdet Ylmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye, where he briefed the Vice President on preparations for the 12th D-8 Summit and its expanded programme. The Secretary-General also attended an Iftar hosted by .. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. On 25 February, the Secretary-General continued outreach with key institutional stakeholders. At the TRT Headquarters, discussions with Director General Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zahid Sobac explored media cooperation and strategic communication partnerships. The importance of the legacy and digital media in raising global awareness about the D-8, amplifying the D-8 message and narrative, and fostering cultural and people-to-people connectivity was underscored with a view to making collective endeavors to advance these shared objectives. In his meeting with Mehmet Fatih Kacr, Minister of Industry and Technology, the Secretary-General commended Turkiye's rise as a global innovation hub and explored collaboration in advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and AI-driven industrial transformation. The Secretary-General also engaged with the leadership of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB), focusing on operationalizing the D-8 CCI Secretariat and strengthening business connectivity ahead of the Jakarta Summit. The Secretary General also attended the Iftar hosted by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for the Ambassadors/Head of Mission of the Member and Observer Countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Ankara. Concluding the visit, Secretary General Sohail Mahmood expressed his sincere appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended by the Government of Turkiye and the comprehensive programme charted for the visit. He stated that the exchanges during the visit reinforced alignment on a range of issues pertaining to institutional capacity and helped strengthen the momentum toward a more dynamic, results-oriented, and globally engaged D-8. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israeli and US attacks on Iran and called Iran's shelling of targets in the region unacceptable, Erdogan made this statement during a speech in Istanbul, Trend reports. In his speech, Erdogan emphasized that the attacks violate Irans sovereignty and threaten the peace and security of its people. He noted that Turkiye and other regional states had sought to resolve differences through dialogue. Erdogan also stated that Turkiye considers Irans missile and drone strikes against its fraternal Gulf states unacceptable, regardless of the reasons. He assured that Turkiye is capable of protecting its borders and airspace and will continue to strengthen diplomatic initiatives. Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East. The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air. Cincinnati was named the No. 2 city for street art in the country by USA Todays 10Best, a testament to the citys dynamic public art scene. From the colorful murals in Over-the-Rhine to the ever-evolving installations across Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnatis walls tell stories, spark conversations and bring neighborhoods together. But the impact of Cincinnati street art goes beyond aesthetics. Recent UC research shows that murals and public art are powerful tools for community development and urban vitality. As part of a major NEA-funded project led by UCs Hyesun Jeong, studies found that street art boosts local pride, supports small businesses, and fosters a sense of belonging. Findings have shown that murals dont just brighten up a block they help build stronger, more connected communities in Cincinnati and beyond. Read more about UC research on street art and how that research is expanding to cities like Chicago. The total combat losses of Russian troops from February 24, 2022, to February 28, 2026, in the war against Ukraine amount to approximately 1,265,900 people, including 770 people over the past day. This is stated in a Facebook post by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform. The Russian army also lost 11,707 (+1) tanks, 24,102 (+5) armored combat vehicles, 37,663 (+32) artillery systems, 1,661 (+2) multiple launch rocket systems, 1,305 (+0) air defense systems, aircraft 435 (+0), helicopters 348 (+0), tactical-level UAVs 149,637 (+1,616), cruise missiles 4,384 (+0), ships/boats 29 (+0), submarines 2 (+0), vehicles and tankers 80,329 (+149), special equipment 4,075 (+0). The data is being clarified. As reported by Ukrinform, on February 27, as of 22:00, there were 120 combat clashes between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops. Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces have struck a Russian Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and gun system at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol. According to Ukrinform, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, announced this on Facebook and published a video of the combat operation. "The Pantsir-S1 air defense missile and gun system was hunted down by pilots of the 413th Separate Battalion Raid of the Unmanned Systems Forces using a Ukrainian-made middle strike system,' Brovdi said. According to him, detecting and destroying components of the enemy's long-, medium-, and short-range air defense systems is one of the priorities for the Unmanned Systems Forces. On the night of February 23-24, the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed a BM-27 Uragan multiple launch rocket system, a Buk-M1 air defense system, and also struck a Pantsir-S1 system and a Malakhit radar system belonging to Russian invaders. Illustrative photo Thanks to Ukraine's resilience and strong support from its partners, including the Netherlands, Russia has failed to achieve its aggressive objectives through energy terror during the winter. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated this at a joint press conference in Kyiv with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, Ukrinform reports. Sybiha emphasized that the Netherlands is one of the leaders in providing military, energy, financial, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. He noted that during today's talks, the sides held detailed discussions on energy cooperation. In this context, Sybiha recalled that in recent months alone, the Netherlands has provided Ukraine with EUR 23 million for energy needs, including four large and 19 small transformers, as well as EUR 35 million mainly for solar energy systems. Read also: Ukrainian flag raised at Dutch Foreign Ministry building in The Hague "Today is the last day of winter, and that is good news. Tomorrow marks the beginning of calendar spring. This means that Russia's winter terror has failed. Once again, Moscow has not achieved its aggressive goals, and Ukraine together with its allies has thwarted the aggressor's plans. We are grateful to all our partners for this," he said. As Ukrinform previously reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that plans to restore and upgrade the protection of energy facilities have already been developed and will be approved at the state level. Ukrinform photos available for purchase here The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, and Minister of Defense, Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, of the Kingdom of the Netherlands arrived in Ukraine on Saturday, February 28, for their first visit since taking office. Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, stated this at a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "I am pleased to welcome to Kyiv the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen. This is his first foreign visit, specifically to our country, together with the new Minister of Defense. In other words, this is the first international visit by two ministers of the new Dutch government at once," Sybiha said. He added that his first conversation with Berendsen took place on February 23, just a few hours after the appointment of the new Dutch government. "It was also his first international contact in the position of minister. I am grateful to the Netherlands for these important political signals. The new Dutch government has defined international security and the development of partnership with Ukraine as its priorities. We sincerely appreciate that the coalition agreement has enshrined long-term commitments to support," he emphasized. As Ukrinform reported, on February 23 in The Hague, the new Dutch government headed by Prime Minister Rob Jetten took the oath of office and officially began its work. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Bihar Board 12th Inter Answer Key 2026 Released, Result Soon The Bihar Board of Secondary Education (BSEB) has released the Answer Key (Answer Sheet) of the 12th Inter Board Exam 2026 and is set to declare the result of Class 12th Intermediate 2026 Board exams soon Bihar Board 12th Inter 2026: The Bihar Board of Secondary Education (BSEB) has released the Answer Key (Answer Sheet) of the 12th Inter Board Exam 2026 and is set to declare the result of Class 12th Intermediate 2026 Board exams soon. 12th Answer Key Challenge Last Date Candidates who had appeared for the BSEB Inter 2026 Exams should note that they can check the Answer Key uploaded on the BSEB official website biharboardonline.com in PDF. If they find any discrepancy or error or want to raise objection they can do so till 05.00 PM on March 06, 2026. The students can use the link objection.biharboardonline.com and marked as Register objection regarding Answer Key Inter Exam 2026 to challenge the Class 12th Answer Key released by the board. The Bihar Board is the only state board which officially releases the answer key of the board exam papers. The board releases the Answer Key of the objective questions of the 12th Inter Exams of various subject including Science and other subjects. The Bihar board is also the only state board in India which conducts Class 10th and 12th board exams ahead of other states boards. The BSEB 12th Answer Key, released in PDF and OMR based, covers all subjects across Arts, Science, Commerce and Vocational streams and has been prepared by a panel of subject experts. BSEB 12th Exam 2026 Result Date The Bihar board has a history of declaring Classes 10 and 12 results in record time. BSEB 12th Inter exams last year was held from Feb 1 to 15, 2025, and the result was announced on March 26, 2025. The Intermediate or Class 12 Exam 2026 was conducted by the Bihar board from February 02 to 13, 2026. And, since the last date of raising objection is March 06, 2026, the board can declare the 12th Inter 2026 result by March 25 or even before this date. The Class 12 students from the state should note that the Bihar board in itself has not officially confirmed any exact date and time to release the Bihar board 2026 exam result. Multiple media reports citing unnamed board sources are claiming that the BSEB 12th Result 2026 can be declared any time between March 15 to 15, 2026. A total of 13,17,846 students had registered for the Intermediate 12th examination and 15,12,963 for the Matriculation Class 10 examination. The students, who had appeared for the BSEB Class 10 Exam 2026, should note that there result will be declared a week or so after Class 12 results are announced. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home The United States and Israel in a joint military strikes about one hour ago Saturday February 08, 2026 have bombed several cities of Iran, including the capital Tehran, even as the latter said it is retaliating with force [Smoke seen in the Iranian capital Tehran after the US- Israel Joint Military strikes Saturday Feb 28, 2026 (Image: Associated Press)] Blasts rock across Middle East A series of blasts are being reported from all across the Middle East, including Israel, after Iran continued to retaliate the US-Israeli joint strikes that killed the country's Supreme Leader Seyed Ali Khamenei. Explosions were heard for a second day on Sunday morning in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates; Bahrains capital, Manama; and Qatars capital, Doha, raising fears of a wider conflict in a region long seen as a haven of peace and security in an otherwise turbulent Middle East, according to Al Jazeera. Waves of sirens rang out repeatedly across much of central, southern and northern Israel on Saturday night and Sunday morning as Iran fired ballistic missiles at the country, sending millions of Israelis to shelter, according to The Times of Israel. Irans state broadcaster said 27 US bases in the region, as well as Israels military headquarters and a defense industries complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets in the new wave of strikes. On Sunday, Oman, which hosted the peace talks between Iran and the United States, was hit for the first time as retaliatory strikes on neighboring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic widened.Oman's Duqm commercial port was targeted by two drones, wounding one worker, the state news agency said. Iran confirms Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attacks Mar 01, 2026 12:00 PM (IST): Iran has confirmed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei was killed in the US-Israel joint bombing on Tehran Saturday February 28, 2026. In a statement released Sunday, the Iranian government said Ali Khamenei was killed following an attack by the Zionist regime and the United States on Saturday morning. 9-storey building hit in Israel Feb 28, 2026 04:00 PM (IST): A nine-storey building has been hit in northern Israel after Iranian missiles had been intercepted, leaving one man with minor injuries after he was struck by shrapnel from interceptor missiles, according to Israels Channel 12 broadcaster. The report added that extensive damage was sustained to one of the apartments. MDA paramedics and EMTs scanned several scenes where reports were received, and at this stage are providing medical treatment to a man approximately 50 years old in mild condition with blast injuries in northern Israel, Israels Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service said in a statement said. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) UAE in a statement said the country's air defence systems successfully intercepted, and with high efficiency, a number of Iranian ballistic missiles targeted at its territories. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an asian nationality, Khaleej Times reported. Two ballistic missiles have been shot down above Jordan, according to the countrys military. Meanwhile, a number of airlines including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Lufthansa and others, have either cancelled or suspended routine flights in the region. Israel retaliates after US-Israel joint strikes Feb 28, 2026 03:00 PM (IST): The United States and Israel in a joint military strikes about one hour ago Saturday February 08, 2026 have bombed several cities of Iran, including the capital Tehran, even as the latter said it is retaliating with force. According to media reports, explosions were heard in several parts of Tehran as U.S. and Israel conducted military strikes targeting the Ministry of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Parchin military complex and other strategic targets. The U.S. and Israel joint military operation began around 09:30 Tehran time (06:00 GMT) Saturday. About half an hour later, Donald Trump posted a video on Truth Social confirming US involvement. "A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran," he said. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," he said, adding that Washington's aim is to "ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon". He also told the Iranian people to remain in shelter and not leave their homes. "When we are finished, take over your government," he said. "It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations." Prior to the attack, Iranian news websites, including the Iranian state news agency IRNA and Press TV, went offline due t cyberattacks, Irans Tasnim news agency has reported. The U.S. and Israeli joint military operation against Iran came amidst the talks underway in Oman. This is similar to the last war between Iran and Israel when the latter bombed Tehran and other parts of the country during the peace negotiations in June last year . "Iran retaliates with force" Meanwhile, explosions are also heard in Israeli capital Tel Aviv as Iran is preparing its response to, what it called, a blatant aggression against its sovereignty. Iran said all US military bases and its interests in the region are now legitimate targets. Soon later, smoke is seen from Bahrains Juffair area that is housing a US Navy Base, Reuters news agency reported. A loud explosion has been reported from the United Arab Emirates Capital, Abu Dhabi, the Reuters news agency has reported while Qatr said it intercepted Iranian missiles. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Tensions remain high along the PakistanAfghanistan border. Over the past several hours, Pakistani armed forces have continued offensive operations, taking control of several Afghan posts, AzerNEWS reports. According to the information, two posts were captured in the Qila Saifullah sector, one in the Azam Warsak sector, as well as several others in the Khyber, Omari, and Nushki sectors. It should be noted that, according to the latest statement by Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, 331 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed and more than 500 injured in clashes over the past few days. The minister also stated that 104 Taliban posts, 163 tanks, and other armored vehicles had been destroyed. In total, 22 Afghan posts were reported to have been taken under control. It is worth recalling that tensions escalated again on the evening of February 26 along the PakistanAfghanistan border. Kabul said it had launched military operations in response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, officials announced that more than 274 Afghan military personnel had been killed and around 115 pieces of military equipment destroyed as a result of retaliatory measures by the Pakistani armed forces. CLINTON, Ill. (WAND) One man was taken to the hospital after his home caught fire in Clinton Saturday morning. According to the Clinton Fire Department, firefighters responded to a home near the intersection of West North Street and North Maple Street just after 1 a.m. Crews found a one-story home with fire coming from the front door and two windows. The department said the only person inside had evacuated and was outside the home with burns on his arms and hands. He was taken to the hospital. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, the department said. Nobody else was hurt, and crews cleared the scene around 5 a.m. The victim is being helped by the American Red Cross. The department said the cause of the fire is not suspected to be suspicious, but is under investigation by the Illinois Fire Marshal's Office. Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. The Bill That Could Make Italy the First Country to Criminalise Speech Under the IHRA Definition, With Help From the Left Italy is on the verge of passing a law that could fundamentally redraw the boundaries of political speech in the country. The bill, now heading toward a full floor vote in the Senate after clearing its committee amendment phase, is backed by the governing right-wing coalition of Fratelli d'Italia, Lega, and Forza Italia. But its passage has been complicated, and in many ways accelerated, by a fierce internal feud inside the Partito Democratico that has split the party's reformist wing from the Schlein-led majority, created an unexpected cross-party axis, and left Italy's centre-left scrambling for coherence on one of the most charged issues in European politics. A Country Facing a Real Problem The push for stronger legislation is not without justification. According to the CDEC Foundation, Italy's Jewish community antisemitism watchdog, there were 877 documented incidents of antisemitism in Italy in 2024, nearly double the 454 incidents recorded the year before. Supporters of the bill, including Victor Fadlun, president of the Jewish Community of Rome, argue that existing laws, including the Legge Mancino, which already criminalises hate speech and incitement to discrimination, are no longer sufficient to address the scale and sophistication of modern antisemitic expression, particularly online. For many in the Jewish community, the surge in incidents since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023 has made legislative action feel urgent. For them, this bill represents not a threat to democracy but a belated defence of it. A Party Divided Against Itself The central figure in the PD's internal rupture is Graziano Delrio, a former minister of transport, a doctor who completed his postgraduate specialisation in endocrinology with research stints in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel, and one of the most prominent senators in the party's reformist current. In late November 2025, Delrio presented a bill, drafted in personal dissent from his party group, that would incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) operational definition of antisemitism into Italian law. The move was immediately disowned by the PD leadership. Senate group president Francesco Boccia declared it a purely personal initiative that did not represent the position of the group or the party. But Delrio was far from alone. The bill was co-signed by ten other PD senators, including Simona Malpezzi, Alessandro Alfieri, Alfredo Bazoli, Pier Ferdinando Casini, Tatjana Rojc, Filippo Sensi, Valeria Valente, Walter Verini, Sandra Zampa, and Antonio Nicita. Shortly after, Andrea Martella and Beatrice Lorenzin also added their signatures. As of this week, Delrio has gone further still. Speaking to Il Foglio on February 27, he confirmed he will vote in favour of the bill when it reaches the Senate floor, citing meaningful concessions from the majority during the amendment process, including a softening of the IHRA reference and the dropping of both criminal sanctions and the proposed ban on demonstrations. The Israel Connection Delrio's personal ties to Israel have become part of the debate. In May 2025, as university campuses across Italy were engulfed by protests demanding an end to academic cooperation with Israeli institutions, and as over a million people took to the streets in solidarity with Gaza, Delrio flew to Israel. He met with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar and Knesset president Amir Ohana, and later described the meetings as "fruitful," saying he had shared his experience as a former minister and "suggested seeking solidarity and common actions." Critics, including writers at the progressive outlet Terzogiornale, have drawn a direct line between that visit, an Israeli university monitoring report identifying Italian campuses as hotbeds of anti-Israel activity, and the subsequent introduction of the bill just four days after the report's publication. The bill's articles 3 and 4 include a provision for an internal university official with the power to assess events and activities deemed to violate the IHRA definition, a mechanism that maps closely onto recommendations in the Israeli report. Delrio's supporters, and the senator himself, reject any suggestion of improper coordination. He is a prominent figure in Sinistra per Israele, an association founded in 1967 to maintain links between the Italian left and Israel, and his engagement with Israeli officials reflects longstanding personal and political convictions rather than any hidden agenda. His academic ties to Israel predate his political career by decades. The question of whether his bill is a response to Jewish communal pressure, to Israeli diplomatic lobbying, to a genuine rise in antisemitism, or to some combination of all three, is one on which reasonable people disagree, and one the parliamentary debate has not resolved. The IHRA Definition and Why It Matters At the heart of the controversy is the IHRA operational definition of antisemitism, which has been adopted by 24 EU member states, the European Commission, and the European Parliament, and which the Italian government under Giuseppe Conte incorporated into a council of ministers resolution in January 2020. Elly Schlein herself voted in favour of the IHRA framework when she was a member of the European Parliament, a fact that PD reformists have been quick to recall. The definition identifies a set of examples of contemporary antisemitism, several of which extend into territory many activists and scholars consider legitimate political speech. These include claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a form of racism, applying double standards to Israel by demanding behaviour not required of any other democratic state, and drawing comparisons between Israeli policy and Nazi conduct. Supporters say the definition is routinely misread. Noemi Di Segni, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI), has stressed that the definition explicitly states that criticism of Israel similar to that directed at any other country cannot be considered antisemitic. PD vice-president of the European Parliament Pina Picierno has dismissed concerns as "instrumental criticisms that smack of justificationism and hypocrisy." Critics see it differently. AVS senator Peppe De Cristofaro has argued the bill places the fight against antisemitism on the same level as criticism of the Israeli government. His party colleague Angelo Bonelli warned that prominent Jewish voices including Anna Foa and Gad Lerner, who have publicly criticised Israeli state conduct, could theoretically fall within the law's scope. A group of Italian academics published an open letter calling the approach potentially "liberticidal." Both sides are making arguments that deserve to be taken seriously. Whether a law is needed, and what form it should take, are questions on which people of good faith hold irreconcilable positions. What Comes Next The bill is expected to reach the Senate floor imminently. Delrio and the PD reformists are likely to provide enough votes, alongside the governing majority and the centrist parties Italia Viva and Azione, to ensure passage. The PD leadership, represented by Boccia, attempted this week to block the scheduling of the floor vote and failed. If the law passes, Italy will become the first country in the world to criminalise antisemitic speech based on the IHRA definition. Whether that is a historic step forward in the fight against one of Europe's oldest hatreds, or a step toward a legal architecture that could be turned against legitimate dissent, may not be known until someone tests it in court. Ph: Teo K / Shutterstock.com The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Irelands 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal waters, is holding a community information meeting about water quality and water related issues in the Metropolitan District of Waterford. Under Irelands River Basin Management Plan, LAWPRO works in areas where water quality requires protection or restoration. LAWPRO collaborates with other stakeholders in these areas, called Priority Areas for Action (PAAs), to implement targeted water quality improvements. The community information meeting on Wednesday, March 11, is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community, including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors. Details of the meeting are as follows: Metropolitan District of Waterford on March 11, 7-9pm, at Dooleys Hotel, Merchants' Quay, Waterford, X91 P86C. Over the past number of years LAWPRO has been working in the area as part of the second cycle River Basin Management Plan for Ireland. At the meeting LAWPRO experts will take you through the work that has been carried out in the second cycle and what is being planned for the third cycle Water Action Plan. There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP). The ASSAP is working with farmers in a free and confidential advisory service to help improve water quality. It is a government / industry collaborative initiative, made up of Teagasc and Dairy processor farm advisors with a focus on water quality. Where an agricultural pressure is identified by LAWPRO catchment scientists, the farmers in the area will receive the offer of a free farm visit from an ASSAP advisor. The purpose of the visit is to meet with the farmer and assess the farm for any potential issues that may be having an effect on the water quality in the local catchment. Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO, said: As we are coming to the end of second cycle work in the Metropolitan District of Waterford and begin implementation of the new Water Action Plan, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about whats happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments. "We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Waterford City because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements. "We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them. The public meeting will begin at 7pm in Dooleys Hotel in Waterford and refreshments will be available. All are welcome to attend. To register for the event, visit LAWPROs Eventbrite page. To find out more about the work of the Local Authority Waters Programme please visit: www.lawaters.ie Waterford Gallery of Art is presenting as below, so above, a solo exhibition of new and recent paintings by Robert Jackson.. Robert Jackson is a painter and printmaker based in Fife, Scotland. He spent his early years in Waterford and attended Newtown School and the Central Technical Institute before studying Fine Art Printmaking at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, and receiving his MFA from Duncan Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee. His artwork is held in private and public collections worldwide including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Waterford Healing Arts Trust, and the Waterford Gallery of Art. Jackson has won numerous commissions and awards and has previously exhibited work nationally and internationally including at the RHA Annual Exhibitions, AIB National Gallery of Ireland Portrait Prize, Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition, Royal Society of Miniature Painters, the Scottish National Portrait Awards, and most recently at Cahir Arts. This exhibition brings together a selection of Jackson's many and distinct bodies of work developed over the last 15 years, including miniature portraiture and skyscapes, fragmented dream-infused landscapes, meticulous lace fabric studies and an ambitious new large-scale work developed specifically for the exhibition. The artist said: "Im really looking forward to showing this body of work at the Waterford Gallery of Art. The Waterford art scene was so important and supportive in the development of my art practice as a teenager. I have very fond memories of being a member of Waterford Youth Drama, visiting galleries including the Dyehouse, Garter Lane and Greyfriars, and I was lucky enough to have tutors including Roger Garbett and Anne ORegan." The free exhibition runs until June 20. A man appeared in court last week in relation to a random assault he is alleged to have committed on a stranger on Meaghers Quay in Waterford city. 34-year-old Martin Creede, of no fixed abode, appeared in Waterford District Court charged with assault causing harm. It is alleged that on October 9, 2025, at approximately 8:20pm, the injured party was walking in the vicinity of Meagher's Quay, when Creede walked against him and, for an unknown reason, struck the injured party in the nose, causing him to bleed. He was later identified via CCTV footage. Judge Kevin Staunton accepted jurisdiction. The matter will come before the court again on May 5. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Since the 1990s, 33 The Mall, Waterford City, has been credited as the first ever location that saw the Irish Tricolour flown. Thomas Francis Meagher, one of Waterford's most famous sons, was widely accepted to have hoisted the Irish Tricolour above the Wolfe Tone Club at the Mall. Its been accredited as the first time the Tricolour ever flew in Ireland, and has been hailed as one of the key elements of Waterfords storied history. Born in the Granville Hotel in 1823, Meagher was a driving force of the Young Ireland nationalist rebellion that was influenced by pan-European revolutionary politics and the birth of the French Second Republic. Author John Crotty has appeared on the Discovery Channel, RTE and ITVs How the Victorians Built Britain Outside 33 The Mall, a plaque erected by Waterfords Civic Trust reads: Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher: Originator of the Irish National Tricolour, first flown in Waterford in 1848. But as local historian John Crotty puts it, his job isnt to rewrite history, rather relay what he finds. And one of his most recent findings may come as a major blow to Waterford - that the Irish Tricolour did not first fly in Waterford in 1848. In his newest piece of work, The Irish Tricolour - The Truth behind the Symbols and Struggles that Defined a Nation, Crotty posits that the mythology around Meagher, Waterford and the Tricolour became misconstrued in the 1990s. Unfortunately, which I can state as a Waterford native, my research in this first referenced work on the Irish Tricolour clearly shows it did not first fly in the city, having emerged and been popularised in 1830, Crotty said to the Waterford News & Star. The symbol also did not 'return' to Waterford on March 7, 1848 - this was very clearly the flight of a French flag, misidentified in the 1990's as an Irish Tricolour. Origins of the Tricolour Crotty, a historian and former CEO of Spike Island, examined the origins of the Tricolour and other key defining symbols of Irish nationalism in his newest piece of work. According to Crotty, the Tricolour first arrived in 1830 through the earthshaking politics of Daniel OConnells Repeal movement. Seeking to establish a parliament in Dublin, OConnell tried to court Protestants: Let orange and green blend their colours henceforth to render their country that place of plenty and happiness which God and nature intended. Months later, the first union of green and orange occurred in the form of a cockade, or rosette, which was recorded at a political event in Cork City. When the French Revolution of 1830 began, a wave of French Tricolours were imported into Ireland. "'The Irish Tricolour": The Truth Behind The Symbols And Struggles That Defined A Nation released in 2026 These events inspired a first ever Irish Tricolour device, seen in a cockade crafted by a forgotten female patriot, Emilia Eleanor Hamilton of Annadale Cottage in modern-day Fairview, Dublin. She created the symbolism of the modern Tricolour, alongside an accompanying poem: Let orange and green, no longer be seen, be stained by the blood of our island. Her symbol was reported in the press and even proposed as a national flag in Londons Atlas newspaper. It first saw the light when three months later, Daniel OConnells followers reinvented their green-orange cockades to include white. According to Crottys research, Irish Tricolours flew at an event to welcome OConnell home from London at Howth Pier in December 1830. The Tricolour was seen in flag, banner and rosette form. Tricolour streamers were seen at Saint Patricks Day in Waterford City in 1831, while a flag was unfurled in West Waterford in July 1832. Cappoquin, Lismore, Aglish, Dungourney and Castlemartyr nationalists combined with a flag of "white ground, tastefully bound with orange and green" to protest tithes (church taxes). French or Irish? So what was the historical significance of Meagher and the events of March 7, 1848? Crottys research points towards Meaghers flag likely being a French Tricolour. In an article published on March 11, 1848, The Limerick Chronicle reported that "The French Republican flag has been hoisted at the Young Ireland Reading Room in Waterford". A Waterford Standard article, published on February 27, 1943, also recalled the flight of "French Republican Tricolour flag from the windows of the Wolfe Tone Club". Meagher and the Young Irelanders did not invent or fly the first Tricolour. Nor were they involved in its initial return on March 7, 1848, which demonstrably took place in Enniscorthy, influencing the group, says Crotty. However, their re-adoption and popularising of the symbol played a very important role in the flag's later adoption by the generation of 1916, who assured its ascension to national flag. Meaghers true involvement lies in the speech he gave to an assembly in Dublin around April 15, 1848, when he said The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the orange and the green. Had the group not adopted the Irish Tricolour and created a link to Irelands independence movement to the liking of later Republicans, it is unlikely it would have become the national flag. Whats next? Chairman of Waterford Civic Trust Eugene Broderick said the Trust will discuss what to do with the plaque on 33 The Mall following Crotty's latest research. Broderick said he is currently reading Crottys book, and enjoying it. I think it is an extremely well-written book I always welcome serious research on any topic, and John Crottys book is a serious piece of research on this matter. Local historian Dermot Power said he still believes the Irish Tricolour flew on March 7, 1848 outside of the Mall. He explained that while there can never be a definitive answer to the question, and that contextually at that time the French Tricolour would have been far more common, sightings of the Irish Tricolour in Enniscorthy on March 7, 1848 prove there were exceptions. Crotty also believes that the Irish Tricolour was in Enniscorthy that day, and believes its presence is backed by far more substantive evidence. Crotty says a fleeting reference to the Tricolour in the 1840s in Waterford, which was then unearthed in 1998, led to Meaghers unveiling of the flag becoming accepted as the universal truth. Unfortunately, the work hadn't been peer reviewed. It hadn't been published or anything, said Crotty. If it had been, I think people would have pointed out fairly quickly that, well, there was actually a lot of French Tricolours around. So, it's very possible that's what that was, or actually, much more likely, that's what that was. He once again reaffirmed his belief that Meagher was integral to Irish independence: With Daniel O'Connell, [the Tricolour] was a symbol of Home Rule, it was a symbol of staying part of the United Kingdom, but having a parliament. That was never going to appeal to the 1916 generation. History doesnt sit still. We complain endlessly about our city centre yet make no connection between cause and effect. Ineffective public representation leads to poor delivery. The South East Ecomonic Monitor (SEEM) has told us for a decade that our share of state investment, which drives private investment, is the lowest in the country and that low disposable income is a factor of relatively low paying jobs. Dont people realise that everything is connected to everything else? Politicians calling for a local retail task force, when political failure is the root cause. When Digital closed in Galway in 1994 with the loss of 800 jobs the entire cabinet rightly decamped to the USA and brought back an entire sector of new employment in the medical devices industry. It employs, per Irish Times, 25,000 people in Galway. Suck on that number for a moment. When Waterford Glass closed in 2009 with the loss of 800 jobs...? Irish Times articles ad nauseam mention Cork, Limerick and Galway by rote, but rarely include Waterford, because government investment policy has separated us from our peers. We live in a smashing historical city with tons of potential, but think about the dissatisfaction you hear. People on WLR FM moan about the dangers of the N25 Waterford to New Ross road where a dual carriageway was long promised and not a cent allocated. Not a government cent for our airport while we get political promised future support for the facility shamelessly flaunted on social media. The TUI protested outside SETU because in older buildings, roofs are leaking, mould grows, rooms are freezing and teaching facilities are woefully inadequate. Billions were spent on universities elsewhere in the past 15 years. Superb academic campuses built in Cork, Limerick and Galway. 1 billion in TU Dublins Grangegorman campus alone! Industrial development policy, where Waterford has not seen a major new business announcement in years? UHW among lowest in speed of cancer treatment? 24/7 cardiology still not implemented? An overall trend? Must we roll over gratefully because a new engineering building at SETU and new surgical hub at UHW are being built? Go see the level of investment in education and acute medicine in Limerick and Galway and then tell us. The difference is shocking. People are not stupid, locals know. We want genuine fair play. Government cant throw the North Quays blanket, that political cloak of invisibility, over everything and expect us to recede happily into urban obscurity. Essentially, a few bob arrives after years of underinvestment and we must cheer? The issues raised by the TUI in a public protest at SETU Waterford last week are the product of zero investment. The last new building at WIT/SETU was planned in 1998 and opened in 2006. Two proposed buildings were cancelled by Fine Gael in 2011. Meanwhile, a massive development programme commenced in Carlow IT. Six new buildings were erected in a town less than an hour from six universities in Dublin. Not a block was laid in Waterford. We blindly refuse to understand how this impacts our childrens future and the social and economic development of our city going forward, so we elect people whose prime loyalty is to their parties Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein? Is that sensible? We need TDs who speak for us and whose partys support us. Dont watch what they say, watch what they do! SETU management responded to the TUI protest by outlining, A 13,000 m Engineering, Computing and General Teaching Building on the Cork Road campus, due for completion in 2028 is being built. Approval granted and design work underway for the retrofit of the second floor of the Engineering and Science Building, for a Government funded 2,000 m Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine facility at the Glassworks site, for a 1000m Veterinary Medicine facility at Kildalton and permission given for a 10,000 m One Health Building at the Glassworks site to progress to the next development stage. Great, when will building works start? SETU Waterford is playing catch-up after 20 years without investment. Where is the urgency, the exceptional funding to repair the damage done? SETU Waterfords original 1970s buildings are prosaic and tired. This must impact CAO student choice. SETU/WIT was eviscerated over two decades while Cork, Limerick and Galway legacy universities had an investment bonanza. The word Waterford was pettily erased. SETU has no professorial grade and still awaits ministerial sign off on five possible professorships. Maynooth Universitys Professor Ian Marder announced last week the immediate hiring of six new professors, but SETU management wont rock the boat. Clearly, our university is distinctly different to the legacy universities. Is that fair? The new 2026 HSE Capital Plan (what they hope to build) was published last week. Comparison with the 2025 Plan speaks for itself. HSE projects have four stages, appraisal, design feasibility, detailed design/planning and construction. Capital Plan 2025 listed nine Waterford projects. Surgical hub - construction, New UHW ward block going to detailed design in 2025, multi-storey car park at UHW - appraisal, Older persons hub at St Otterans - design feasibility, Childrens Therapy (Touching Hearts) hub at St Otterans - design feasibility, UHW Adult Mental Health Unit - design feasibility, UHW two-storey lab extension - construction, UHW New Out Patients Department - appraisal, new ambulance base - appraisal. Capital Plan 2026 (1,327m in total, with 54.7m for Waterford) has eight local projects. UHW surgical hub - construction, UHW path lab extension - construction, new UHW bed block - design feasibility (didnt move to detailed design), UHW multi-storey car park - design feasibility, older persons hub St Otterans - design feasibility, Adult Mental Health Unit UHW - appraisal, childrens hub St Otterans - design feasibility, new ambulance base - appraisal. In 2025 we were supposed to have the new UHW bed block in a seamless progression from planning to shovel ready and into delivery. It didnt. A new OPD was described by Minister Butler in June 2024 as a key project for UHWproposed two-floor vertical extension over the existing Outpatient Departmentreally ambitious development will progress to detailed design. Those familiar with the hospital will be cognisant of the significance of this development which will provide much needed additional capacity." This vital project has been dropped. No UHW acute project was moved from design feasibility to detailed design over the past year, meaning no project is at the planning/tender stage. Is that fair? Just check out the other Model 4 hospitals. Our project logjam remains unbroken. Advertisement BusinessCompaniesChildcare Commercial childcare operators fight to survive as parents head for exits after scandal Colin Kruger February 28, 2026 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Last years childcare sex abuse scandal dropped a bomb on Australias for-profit operators, which found themselves at the core of the tragedy, and for good reason. Their high staff turnover and lax standards have been described as fertile ground for predators. Several months on, the shockwaves havent stopped. The latest financial results from G8 Education, the nations largest for-profit childcare provider, show an alarming exodus from its centres so far this year. At the same time, the company is getting hit with soaring regulatory and compliance costs in response to the scandal. The crisis has not receded for the commercial childcare operators at the core of the sex abuse scandal. Monique Westermann The for-profit operators are on notice to demonstrate that they are not putting dollars before child safety a claim they deny while being squeezed by rising competition and falling birth rates, which raise the survival stakes. Advertisement G8 warned of trouble ahead earlier this month when it announced plans to write down the value of its centres in its financial books by $350 million based on their projected future occupancy and current and expected supply and demand levels. It also announced plans to conserve its cash. But the market was still shocked to hear this week that its occupancy levels this year had plunged below those during the pandemic. Related Article Melbourne childcare crisis Shocking new charges in case of accused childcare paedophile Joshua Brown Investment bank RBC Capital pointed to occupancy declines so far this year of more than 7 per cent compared to the same time last year. Occupancy levels reached a low of 54 per cent across G8s centres. Accused paedophile Joshua Browns arrest in the second half of last year had a noted impact on childcare centres occupancy levels, and RBC expressed concern that G8s dismal performance might be a continuation of that trend rather than a seasonal demand issue. Advertisement Brown, who had worked at 23 centres across Victoria including operations run by G8, faces 150 charges for alleged sexual abuse of children in his care. To underscore the scale of the challenges being faced by G8 right now, we note even through the COVID period, G8s occupancy remained above 60 per cent and never saw a half-year occupancy decline more than 4.5 percentage points, RBC says. It does not appear to be an industry-wide affliction. Attendance at not-for-profit giant Goodstart has been only marginally softer than usual. G8s share price, which had halved since February last year, has halved again this month to below 34. Its a low not seen in 16 years a stark contrast to its high above $5 in August 2014. Joshua Brown has been charged with sex offences in Victoria over his time working as a childcare worker. Marija Ercegovac Advertisement G8 blamed a number of factors, including Australias declining fertility rate, increased childcare supply and cost-of-living issues for its financial woes. G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat appeared before the Victorian inquiry into the early childhood education and care sector this week over the sex abuse scandal that ignited last year when charges were announced against Brown. Most of the charges relate to incidents at centres operated by G8 and fellow for-profit provider Affinity. Okhovats appearance was preceded by another shocking blight, when the Victorian regulator laid criminal charges against the company for allegedly putting a childs safety at risk at one of its centres. In the alleged incident, a child with diagnosed disabilities exited one of its centres and was later found by two members of the public in the middle of a busy road where there was fast-moving traffic. Were absolutely committed to ensuring that we learn from that isolated incident in that centre, and continue to improve, Okhovat told the inquiry. But clearly, worried parents are voting with their feet. Advertisement Georgie Dent, head of parent advocacy group The Parenthood, cited research by the Mindaroo Foundation that shows one in 10 families has withdrawn a child from childcare in recent months, while many more reduced their childcare hours. That reflects anxiety about safety, not a shift away from the need for childcare, she said. G8 Education CEO Pejman Okhovat. Glenn Campbell The numbers destroy any complacency that commercial operators dont have to worry too much about quality as parents dont have much of a choice. With their high fixed-cost base, the difference between a child care operator making money and losing it hand over fist can swing dramatically over a few percentage points of occupancy levels. Add to this the rising capital needed to remedy the massive safety holes that the scandal revealed, including the deployment of security cameras, and the financial pressure becomes real. Goodstart head of advocacy John Cherry says some providers in the industry impacted by low occupancy may struggle to generate enough revenue to support quality and safety, and be impacted by increased churn of children and employees. Advertisement The cost of regulation is also set to soar. This week, Australias education ministers said NSW and Victoria will increase annual service fees by up to tenfold for services owned by large for-profit providers, fivefold for small for-profit providers and threefold for not-for-profit providers; to reflect increases in the volume, risk and complexity of regulatory activities. Then there is market cannibalisation. The Victorian inquiry heard how the for-profit operators were responsible for most of the 500 new centres that opened in Australia last year, but few of them in areas where extra childcare was needed. Loading Over the past five years, the supply of licensed places has increased by around 29 per cent, against a backdrop of a declining number of children, G8 rival Nido Education said earlier this month. In this challenging market, we have seen services open in some oversupplied areas, which has diluted demand and led to lower than expected occupancy across local catchments, causing services in the area to trade at reduced occupancy levels. Advertisement Industry insiders say one of the issues is that developing new childcare centres appears to be a more lucrative business than running them. Commercial landlords are also said to be making a killing. Related Article Education Childcare giant says Joshua Brown ticked companys hiring boxes In a submission to the Victorian inquiry, the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research estimated that the childcare sector spent as much as $2.7 billion on rent each year. According to CICTAR, one local agent described childcare real estate as one of the hottest asset classes. One centre leased to G8 in Melbourne sold for $17.5 million in 2024. With the sector in strife, it may be a sign of things to come that some big investors in commercial childcare operators themselves are also now voting with their feet. Advertisement This week, super funds Host Plus and Australian Retirement Trust both sold down their stakes in G8 and they probably rue the fact they did not follow the drastic action taken by Vision Super last year. Vision sold out of G8 Education entirely and in an indication of just how toxic the commercial childcare providers brand has become, it put the company on its excluded investments list, alongside tobacco companies and weapons manufacturers. The media coverage of the incidents at G8 Education has been deeply disturbing, the super funds chief investment officer, Michael Wyrsch, said in a statement at the time. Our decision to sell the shares reflects the sectors poor long-term performance, concerns over the implications of the abuse, and heightened regulatory risk. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement LifestyleLife & relationshipsSex & relationships Putting the sexy back in sex: Whats the solution to rising youth STIs? Lauren Ironmonger February 27, 2026 1:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A For all the talk about Gen Z and celibacy, theres not much attention given to the many young people who actually are having sex. Research suggests STI rates are rising among younger cohorts (although they are also climbing among midlife and older adults), and that safe sex practices like using condoms, regular testing and contraception, may be declining. But whats driving this? What do young people want when it comes to sexual health, and what actually makes a difference? Grace Toombs, founder of June, Australias first at-home cervical screening test kit. Jessica Hromas STI rates rising The latest surveillance report from The Kirby Institute (UNSW Sydney) provides a comprehensive look at HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in Australia. Advertisement Chlamydia is the most common STI, with 70 per cent coming from those aged 15 to 29, although rates have remained stable. HIV diagnoses continue to decline. Meanwhile, over the past decade, infectious syphilis diagnoses have doubled, while gonorrhea diagnoses have surged 211 per cent. Editor's pick Exclusive Sexual health Drug-resistant gonorrhoea superbugs are spreading across Sydney So, whats behind the surge? Unfortunately, theres not one single answer, says Denton Callander, an associate professor in the Sexual Health Program at Kirby. But he says declining condom use, particularly with casual partners, may be one reason. Another may be the natural peaks and troughs that characterise infectious outbreaks. Right now were still on the upswing, but hopefully because research teams and our clinical partners are paying attention to this we can start to combat things in the next few years, he says. Advertisement While notification data only captures confirmed cases, Callander says data shows young people are not getting tested as frequently as they probably should. Priority populations, including Indigenous and transgender people, tend to test at even lower rates, partly because of the stigma and discrimination they can face within health settings, he adds. Decline in contraception use and safe sex practice Several recent studies suggest most young Australians arent using condoms. Researchers propose several reasons for this, including viewing them as just contraception, rather than STI prevention; thinking unprotected sex is normal; and viewing condoms as uncomfortable or disruptive. Advertisement A 2024 report from The World Health Organisation revealed an alarming decline in condom use among sexually active adolescents in Europe, with almost a third reporting using neither a condom nor the contraceptive pill at last intercourse. Editor's pick Opinion Women's health Wellness crazies are telling women to ditch the pill. Its lunacy Jenna Price Columnist Jennifer Power, deputy director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, says, a lot of the conversations and education that happened about condom use, particularly related to STIs, came from the urgency of HIV. As the spectre of the HIV/AIDs epidemic fades from the public consciousness particularly the heterosexual population STI prevention may feel less urgent. Matthew Vaughan, population health division director at ACON, says this is less true of the queer community, which fosters strong cultures of care due to this history and because LGBT youth are often excluded from relationships and sex education in schools. Advertisement When it comes to contraception, Professor Deborah Bateson from The University of Sydneys medical school says there has been an increasing move away from hormonal methods by young women in Australia, partly due to aversion to side effects that can come with hormonal contraception, as well as growing popularity of natural contraception, often spruiked by social media influencers. Despite this growing disenchantment, Bateson points out hormonal methods have never been more accessible, with newer technologies like the progesterone-only pill and a novel oestrogen pill available, alongside new subsidies for reproductive health treatments. She is also researching new, non-hormonal methods to give women more choices. Australias first at-home cervical test Proud Euahlayi/Kooma woman Grace Toombs, 24, founded June, Australias first at-home cervical screening test, after her own frustrations with the health system. Having spent most of her teenage years with severe menstrual pain that was dismissed or ignored by medical professionals, it wasnt until she started studying medicine in Sydney that she was finally diagnosed with stage three endometriosis. Advertisement The diagnosis also led to her gynaecologist discovering high-grade abnormalities (precancerous cells) in her cervix through a pap smear. Editor's pick Graphic content Sex & relationships What women want: How pleasure toys went mainstream In that moment, I thought, far out. I live in a major city, Im 21, so I wasnt even supposed to get screened [The National Screening Program covers those 25 and up]. Imagine what other women are going through who live rurally or dont have access to healthcare or the high health literacy I do, she says. June, which launched last year, allows patients to self-swab at home after completing an online questionnaire. Results are sent to 4Cyte Pathology and reviewed by a GP. Their cervical test screens for all strains of human papilloma virus (HPV), a common STI that usually has no symptoms and clears on its own, but can cause serious illness (its the most common cause of cervical cancer). Advertisement June also offers a separate at-home STI test. Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, which Bateson puts down to Australias HPV vaccination program and relatively high screening rates, the latter of which has been aided by the introduction of self-testing swabs in 2022 (as opposed to the speculum). I wanted it to feel like self-care, and so we are really shifting the narrative culturally around how women think and feel about their sexual and reproductive health. Grace Toombs, founder of Australias first at-home cervical screening test For Toombs, offering an at-home test is about providing an alternative to the clinic experience, which remains daunting for many young people. Its giving women the autonomy to do their test at home and to have it show up in a beautiful box that feels like youve ordered something from Mecca. Advertisement Flipping the script on condoms Nikhil Daftary, founder of condom brand Moments. Simon Schluter Nikhil Daftary started condom brand Moments after his wife admitted she felt shy and ashamed buying condoms. Thats when I looked at the condom shelves at supermarkets and pharmacies and realised most condom packaging revolves around men, he says. Moments is part of a generation of new condom brands putting pleasure front and centre, with features like flavours, textures and extra lubrication. Most of them target women, with bright, stylish packaging, and adopt the language of female empowerment and sexual wellness. Advertisement Daftary says he wanted the brand to more closely resemble beauty products, and be something people would be comfortable keeping on their bedside table. Editor's pick Sexual health Almost half of women experience poor sexual wellbeing in middle age but dont blame testosterone Of course, other options like dental dams and the internal condom exist, although Bateson says education around these remains limited. Doxy-PEP, an oral antibiotic taken within 72 hours of having sex and recently available Australia-wide from GPs, has been shown to be effective in preventing STIs, particularly syphilis and chlamydia. While Vaughan says data on its uptake is still in its nascency (and there are concerns about anti-microbial resistance), it can be effective for those prone to STIs. Advertisement Who bears responsibility for safe sex? The growing sexual wellness category mainly counts women and the queer community as its audience which makes sense given these cohorts have typically been excluded from conventional narratives about sex. But does this leave men behind? Editor's pick STIs This common infection can cause female infertility. It turns out men are the missing link in transmission Earlier this month, Senator Jane Hume questioned why condoms were only available in the womens change rooms at the Parliament House gym, but not the mens. Heterosexual women tend to bear the burden for contraception and can feel pressured into unprotected sex, while one in three women and one in five men have been victims of stealthing, the practice of removing or tampering with a condom without a sexual partners consent. Advertisement We know that men want to take responsibility, and thats why we just need more products they can use, says Bateson, who would like to see greater investment from government and the private sector into technology young people of all genders actually want to use. Lets talk about (safe) sex For Power, talking to young people about sexual health is about having open conversations that go beyond clinical, individual outcomes. Given most kids turn to the internet for sexual health information, this may look like parents or schools equipping them with the critical tools to understand and assess what they see even if this includes unrealistic pornography or extreme online content. One of the most memorable advertisements to come out of Australias response to AIDs was the infamous Grim Reaper campaign, which only aired for three weeks due to concerns it stigmatised gay men. Advertisement On the other hand, campaigns led by the gay community leant away from this fear-based tone towards a sex-positive one. The infamous 1987 Grim Reaper advertisement by the National Advisory Committee on AIDS relied on fear-based messaging. But experts say focusing on pleasure and fun is a far more effective public health strategy. This has been credited with having a significant effect in reducing the transmission of HIV among gay and bisexual men, and many public health campaigns since have taken a similar approach. If we try to frame it as this is the thing that you must do to protect yourself from scary gonorrhea, thats not very sexy. Its about putting the sexy back in sex, says Callander. Most people really enjoy sex in one way or another, and if we frame discussions about health in more positive lights, less about risk and more about how to make sex excellent for you and your partner, this is a more realistic and helpful approach. Advertisement Advertisement NationalWATerror charges Perth Mosque vandalised day after alleged mass casualty terror attack foiled Rebecca Peppiatt February 28, 2026 2:24pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A WA Police were on Saturday canvassing for CCTV footage that may help lead them to the person responsible for vandalising a Perth mosque, a day after a planned mass casualty terror attack targeting public buildings and Muslim places of worship was foiled. The incident in Northbridge occurred hours after police revealed that through intelligence, specifically in relation to the use of encrypted messaging app Telegram, they were able to track down and arrest 20-year-old Jayson Joseph Michaels from the Wheatbelt town of Bindoon on Friday and charge him with acting in preparation for a terrorist act. WA Premier Roger Cook addresses the media after a meeting with leaders at Perth Mosque on Saturday. Hannah Murphy They allege that Michaels, motivated by a white supremacist ideology, had written a manifesto-style document outlining plans for an ideologically motivated attack of violent extremism. The allegations include that he was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques as well as attacks on the WA Police and parliament. Advertisement On Saturday, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said he believed Michaels was part of a terrorist cell that was identified through Telegram and involved international members, as well as other Australians that were still being identified. Thats the work thats being undertaken now, as part of the joint counterterrorism team investigation to contain all of those messages and go through them one by one, he said. Perth Mosque was vandalised overnight. Hannah Murphy So if you know that you have been on that message group, if you are someone that has participated in those conversations, you can expect your door to be well, it wont be quite knocked, put it that way. He said that so far the members of the group did not seem to have any links to any far-right groups. Advertisement All we can see is a group of like-minded, meaning white supremacist groups, talking about their hate for other people in our community, he said. Our focus at the moment is to understand who is on that message group, but early indications are theres no hierarchy, theres no structure, theres no organisation. Perth Mosque was vandalised in the early hours of Saturday morning, Hannah Murphy He said Michaels had no criminal record and was not previously known to police. Blanchs comments came as he stood with WA Premier Roger Cook, acting Attorney General Paul Papalia, minister John Carey and senior Islamic leaders who met at Perth Mosque in Northbridge and spoke for almost an hour to reassure them that we condemn these potential activities. Advertisement We will continue to do everything that we can to make sure that they feel that they can fully express their religion, their faith, their culture, in a community which is tolerant and welcoming and safe, Cook said. We do enjoy an incredible amount of social cohesion, peace and safety, and we are going to defend that at all costs. Cook said he alleged that Fridays acts did meet the threshold of a terrorist attack. Terrorism is an act of hatred, of division, of trying to undermine our sense of security, making us afraid to pray, to be who we are, and thats why my government and I will do everything that we can to reassure that we stamp it out in Western Australia, that we continue to celebrate who we are, he said. Imam Mohammed Shakeeb said he had an honest conversation with the premier about language and the divisive rhetoric in parliament, calling out Pauline Hansons Sky News interview where she said: How can you tell me there are good Muslims? Advertisement I voiced my concerns to the premier that, had any one of us said something similar, that I dont think there are any good Christians, for example, no one of any sound mind would say that, Shakeeb said. Likewise, [if someone said] I dont think there are any good First Nations people; I dont think there are any good Jewish people. Imagine the legal repercussions, imagine the outrage. But yet, you know, Islamophobia has become so normalised, its become mainstream. The leaders walked through the doors of Perth Mosque, which was vandalised with graffiti in a white substance that police said was non-suspicious. Shakeeb said officers had attended the mosque after a disturbance was reported there about 1am on Saturday morning. The matter has been referred to the State Security Investigation Group. Advertisement PoliticsWAAustralian economy Why this economist says WA cant build its way out of housing crisis Hamish Hastie Updated February 28, 2026 7:51am ,first published 7:16am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Western Australia will not be able to build itself out of a housing crisis and should reconsider a sovereign wealth fund with which to guard itself from economic shock in resource downturns. These are the messages former Citibank trader and the peoples economist Gary Stevenson will relay to a Perth crowd on Monday night as part of the West Australian leg of his Down Under tour on March 2. Former Citibank trader and popular YouTube economist Gary Stevenson. Youtube/GarysEconomics Stevensons Youtube channel has amassed more than 200 million views and 1.5 million subscribers since the start of the pandemic for his simplified and sometimes blunt explanations of economic trends, particularly the explosion in global inequality since COVID-19, driven by stimulus packages. WAtoday put questions about WAs economy, particularly the states housing crisis, to Stevenson, who became a multi-millionaire while working for Citibank, ahead of his show on Monday. Advertisement Stevenson said WAs housing affordability issues were not unique to this state and were the result of a global asset price boom. Every single person in the entire world thinks the global asset price crisis, including the gold price, including the price of stocks, is caused by their local mayor, he said. The context is important, because what you have is clearly a global macroeconomic problem, and everybody is trying to fix it by tinkering around with the rules around housing. This is what drives me a little bit mad here. We could talk about negative gearing, which is obviously not going to help, we could talk about 5 per cent mortgages, which is obviously not going to help. But at the end of the day, somebody has to step back and say, why are the prices of all assets going up? Stevenson pins that on trillions in global stimulus packages, including packages like jobseeker here in Australia, trickling through the economy until eventually ending up in the accounts of the wealthy who then sought to invest that cash in assets. Advertisement He said that unless global asset prices came down somewhere, Perth would not be able to build enough houses to escape the problem. He warned that continued building of homes on the urban fringe would turn Perth into a slum. Uk economist Gary Stevenson. Every country that has tried to build its way out of housing crises without dealing with the underlying problem of inequality and distribution has built a slum, he said. The whole world is filled with these places that have had no restrictions on housing, and they built a massive shanty town outside of their city. Advertisement And you think that cant happen in a country like Australia. I grew up in Ilford, which is a poor suburb of East London...it was a poor suburb for working-class families, and it is now a slum. Its as simple as that. All respect to the people that live there, is a place of desperate poverty, and those family homes are now expanded backwards, expanded upwards, and rented out by the room. Australia is a bit behind on this, but youre going in the same direction. You will build a super luxury centre surrounded by extremely low-quality slums. On WAs resources endowments Stevenson revised the age-old argument that WA should follow the lead of Norway and its sovereign wealth fund, which holds nearly AUD $3 trillion in assets. That natural resource wealth, it doesnt last forever and thats your inheritance, he said. Advertisement I understand that wages have been good for a lot of people in Perth and in Western Australia because of the mining boom. Once thats gone, thats gone. Are you giving up your inheritance for 10, 15, 20 years of good living, and do you have a plan for what happens afterwards? You would not be the first country in the world to squander a great natural resource fortune and not have it benefit the people in the long run. Stevenson will be on stage at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco on Monday night. Advertisement Analysis WorldEuropeUK politics How a firebrand plumber triumphed for the Greens and infuriated the UK right David Crowe February 28, 2026 12:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A London: A simple message about the cost of living has shown why Hannah Spencer, a plumber who left school at 16, triumphed for the Greens at a byelection that has rocked British politics. Spencer, 34, spoke for struggling families in a victory speech that tapped into the deep frustration that Britain is broken, but she did it with an appeal from the left rather than a lunge to the right. Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer gives her victory speech. Getty Images I didnt grow up wanting to be a politician, she said. Im a plumber, and two weeks ago, during all this, I also qualified as a plasterer because even in chaos, even under pressure, I get things done. I am no different to every single person here in this constituency: I work hard, that is what we do, except things have changed a lot over the last few decades. Advertisement Because working hard used to get you something. It got you a house, a nice life, holidays, it got you somewhere. But now, working hard, what does that get you? Because talk to anyone here and they will tell you the people who work hard cant put food on the table, cant get their kids school uniforms, cant put their heating on, cant live off the pension they worked hard to save for, cant even begin to dream about ever having a holiday, ever, because life has changed. Instead of working for a nice life, were working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry. And I dont think its extreme or radical to think working hard should get you a nice life. Hannah Spencer (right) visits Green Party volunteers at a polling booth. Getty Images That is how she trounced the Labour government, led by the bland and embattled Keir Starmer, and infuriated the right-wing Reform UK party, led by the talkative but untested Nigel Farage. Advertisement Reform UK were so angry at being beaten that Farage blamed dirty tactics for the defeat. The argument centres on claims of family voting in which husbands tell wives how to vote an illegal but often unprovable practice. This argument took off in the hours after the polls closed, especially among conservatives who linked family voting to ethnic communities. This election was a victory for sectarian voting and cheating, said Farage. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage earlier this week. Getty Images In fact, the result simply showed that Farage is yet to convince enough voters to swing hard enough to the right to put him in power. Reform UK has strong showings in the national opinion polls, but it could not win a local campaign when it counted. The territory at this byelection was a disadvantaged part of Greater Manchester where 57 per cent of the population is white and 27 per cent is Asian, with 9 per cent black. The electorate, Gorton and Denton, is the face of a changing Britain. Advertisement The community is 39 per cent Christian and 28 per cent Muslim, according to the Office of National Statistics. By ONS standards, a daunting 61.5 per cent are considered deprived in some way, such as income or housing. Spencer campaigned on the need to fix basic services, lift wages, act on social problems with the drug trade and invest in the National Health Service their iconic precursor to Medicare. She also walked through communities each day with a big smile, bright clothes and her four greyhounds. She was an antidote to the anodyne political class: she dismissed the posh boys who go from Oxford and Cambridge into parliament in Westminster. Hannah Spencer on the campaign trail with her rescued greyhounds. Getty Images When right-wing critics challenged her working-class credentials, she shot back in an interview with The New Statesman: Ive been a plumber for nearly 20 years. What do they want, to see a toilet Ive fixed? Advertisement The Greens knew voters were aware of their stance on climate and Gaza, so they campaigned on the cost of living. In an area with conservative social views, Spencer made sure voters knew she did not want to legalise drugs. Were really clear that we want to regulate drugs, she said in The Manchester Evening News. This drug law thats been in place for 60 years isnt working. People can already buy Class A drugs on the street. Children can already access these things. Were saying we want to make it harder for people to access it, and we want to remove the criminal networks that have their greasy mitts in our communities. New Green Party MP Hannah Spencer stops to order lunch at Sues takeaway in Manchester. Getty Images Labour was the biggest loser in Gorton and Denton, an area it has held for decades. It got only 25.4 per cent of vote on Thursday, down from 50.8 per cent at the general election in 2024, which was down from the previous election. Advertisement The Greens leapt ahead to gain 40.7 per cent, compared to 13.2 per cent less than two years ago. The disaffection with the government is palpable. Reform increased its support, but not enough. It gained 28.7 per cent: more than Labour, but well behind the Greens. The British media has gone into convulsions over the result. The swing against the government is dramatic as happens in byelections in the UK, just as it does in Australia. Conservatives declare that Starmer is doomed, but he was already seen as a dead man walking by many observers. His big chance to save his leadership comes at the elections in Scotland and Wales in early May, which will be a much bigger test of Labours support. There is no way to extrapolate these results to the country as a whole. Only 47.6 per cent of voters turned out to cast a ballot. Advertisement A big problem for Farage was that his candidate, Matt Goodwin, was a cardboard cut-out from Reform central: busy attacking the woke agenda, active on X and always available for right-wing television channels. But he did not come from the Manchester area he was raised by a single mother in Hertfordshire and lacked a personal story that voters could relate to. He was a professor of politics at Kent University before shifting to conservative TV and then Reform. Related Article Trump's White House Losing control: Trump makes UK prime minister the target over island fiasco Labour struggled even when it chose a local councillor, Angeliki Stogia, as its candidate. Stogia talked about standing up for ordinary workers, but she did not cut through. Everyone knew she was only chosen because Starmer and his allies blocked the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, from running. So the Labour campaign had a permanent weakness. It highlighted the fear in the Starmer camp about Burnham, a potential leadership challenger, returning to parliament and standing up to the prime minister. Voters, of course, usually want an MP who will stand up to a prime minister. With Hannah Spencers victory, it looks like they just chose one. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. A widening Middle East conflict looks set to create the most significant disruption for gas markets since Russias invasion of Ukraine upended global trade four years ago. Irans neighbours, like Qatar, are some of the worlds most important producers, and the region is also a vital supply route. Twenty per cent of liquefied natural gas exports travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial choke point for global energy. A Qatari LNG tanker loading up at Raslaffans Sea Port in northern Qatar. AP LNG trade through the narrow waterway is now all but halted, according to ship-tracking data. Asian buyers which take roughly a quarter of their LNG from Qatar, the worlds second-largest exporter have been calling suppliers to check if alternative cargoes are available, according to traders. Egypt, meanwhile, is trying to bring forward shipments, after supplier Israel closed down some fields. Any naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz will be particularly bullish, as will any developments with Qatari LNG production, said Tom Marzec-Manser, director of Europe LNG and gas at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 created unprecedented turmoil in the international gas trade, cutting Moscow off from its largest export market, fuelling volatility and triggering a record rise in prices in Europe and elsewhere. Asia is particularly vulnerable to similar ripple effects from the Middle Easts worsening crisis. More than four-fifths of Qatars LNG was delivered to Asian buyers last year, with China the biggest purchaser, taking almost a third of its imports from the country. India is the second-largest importer. Shipments to Asia and Europe must pass through the Strait of Hormuz. So far, at least 11 LNG tankers going to or from Qatar have paused voyages to avoid the waterway, according to ship-tracking data. There is no replacement, Anne-Sophie Corbeau, a researcher at Columbia Universitys Centre on Global Energy Policy, said in a post on LinkedIn. Will prices spike more in Asia or in Europe? Europe is less exposed, but has low storage levels. It also depends on how much is diverted to Asia. Bloomberg Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Trump tells Iranian regime to lay down your arms as attacks rock the country Menna Alaa El-Din Updated February 28, 2026 5:59pm ,first published 2:36pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A US President Donald Trump has announced the start of major combat operations in Iran, with Israel and the US launching multiple attacks on the nation. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, Trump said in a video shared on social media, He called the attacks a noble mission, saying they were necessary because of Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile systems that could reach the US. View post on X Trump also called on Iranian officials to lay down your arms or you will face certain death, and encouraged the Iranian people to take over your government it will be yours to take. Advertisement Smoke rises on the skyline following an explosion in Tehran after a targeted strike by Israel. AP Israel along with the US launched a daylight attack on Irans capital, Tehran, on Saturday, with a cloud of smoke rising from the citys downtown. Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasnt immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time. He hasnt been seen publicly in days as tensions with the US have grown. A regime official told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location. In an interview with NBC News, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Khamenei was still alive as far as I know, and one or two commanders may have been killed. Advertisement Roads to Khameneis compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Neighbouring Iraq closed its airspace, the Ministry of Transport said. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss non-public information about the attack. Iranian authorities said Israeli-US airstrikes in southern Iran killed 85 people at a girls school, the first confirmed fatalities in the operation. The state-run IRNA news agency reported the strike happened in Minab in Irans Hormozgan province. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city. Iran shut down its airspace after the attack. The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran. Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that the proactive alert [was] to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the state of Israel. Advertisement Iran strikes back Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it has launched its first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, suggesting it planned further attacks. It had warned that US military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation. It had also warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against US bases if Washington struck Iran. Witnesses also heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central. There was no immediate word of any damage. Bahrain says the headquarters of the US Navys Fifth Fleet was targeted by a missile attack. Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain. REUTERS Advertisement Bahrains state news agency said several facilities were hit inside the kingdom as a result of an aggression from outside the country. The US embassy in Qatar posted on social media that it had told all personnel to shelter in place, adding that we recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Qatar hosts a major air base that is the forward headquarters of US Central Command and hosts thousands of American service members. The Al Udeid Air Base was targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for the US attacks on its nuclear facilities. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war In the most consequential moment of his presidency, Trump reveals his end game Advertisement The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have decided to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. Thats according to two senior Houthi officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. One of the officials said the rebels first attack could come tonight. Trump conceded in his video message that we may have casualties as a result of the military operation. The New York Times also reported that General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and one of Trumps most trusted advisers, warned the president that US troops could be killed if he attacked Iran. Smoke rises over Tehrans city centre after an Israeli army launches a second wave of airstrikes on Iran. Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement Strikes in Iran by Israel and the US suggest shaping actions designed to degrade air defences in a pattern typical of a wider military campaign, a Dutch intelligence firm said. The broader pattern suggests preparatory shaping actions, said Eric Schouten, chief executive of Dyami security intelligence firm in the Netherlands. This appears less like a symbolic strike and more like the opening phase of a co-ordinated campaign designed to establish air superiority and operational freedom of movement. Neutralising radar systems, surface-to-air missile batteries and command nodes would create more permissive conditions for sustained air operations over Iranian territory. Advertisement Australia stands with the brave people of Iran: Albanese Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed the US strikes on Iran, saying Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security, Albanese said. For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation, he said, noting the two attacks on Australias Jewish community in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement It said Australias ability to provide consular assistance was extremely limited, after the country closed its embassy following revelations that Iran was behind attacks on Australias Jewish community. Foreign Minister Penny Wong shared the latest advice from Smartraveller on social media just before the strikes began, urging Australians to leave Iran if they could. Wong and the prime minister have been contacted for comment. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done to remove threats. He did not elaborate. A projectile hits the water in Haifa Bay, northern Israel. Leo Correa/AP Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated Trumps regime change rhetoric in a statement on X, saying the Iranian regime must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and the time was ripe for Iranian people to topple the existing theocracy. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity, Netanyahu said. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles. Hospital staff move patients to a parking lot shelter at the Ichilov medical center in Tel Aviv, Israel. Bloomberg Advertisement In June, the US joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic. Tehran retaliated by launching missiles towards the US. Western powers have warned that Irans ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs. Trump had wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Advertisement People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo) AP The world responds The European Unions first statement on the attacks avoided any criticism or support for Donald Trump and his military strikes against Iran. Instead, the EU said it was sympathetic to the situation faced by Iranian civilians and was talking to Israel to urge restraint to avoid civilian casualties. The latest developments across the Middle East are perilous, said the European Commissions foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia. Irans regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security. The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue. Advertisement Kallas added that all non-essential EU personnel were being withdrawn from the region. Related Article Middle East tensions Whats in the massive armada Trump has heading towards Iran? Russia on Saturday urged an immediate halt to US and Israeli strikes on Iran, saying the situation must be returned to the path of political and diplomatic settlement. The foreign ministry said the international community should swiftly deliver an objective assessment of what it called irresponsible actions that risk further destabilising the region. Moscow added that it remains ready, as before, to assist in efforts to find peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests. Meanwhile, the British government is warning against further escalation in the Middle East and avoiding any explicit support for Donald Trump in his decision to launch strikes against Iran. Advertisement UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a security meeting cabinet ministers and defence chiefs over the next few hours. (This is known as a Cobra meeting in Whitehall). There is no sign that UK facilities or forces have been used to support the strikes, and no reporting so far about any advanced notice to the UK about the attacks. In the US, the early response from federal lawmakers to the attacks launched at Iran largely revolved around their feelings about Trump. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has long pushed for regime change in Iran, called for God to bless Trump. He said on social media that the attacks could provide freedom for the Iranian people, saying, This operation is necessary and long justified. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who was a Marine in the Iraq War, warned, Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasnt been explained or justified to the American people. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has emerged as an opponent of Trump, said the president had engaged in acts of war unauthorised by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaScience Australian hypersonic plane completes first test flight at five times speed of sound Michael Koziol Updated February 28, 2026 1:59pm ,first published February 28, 2026 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A An Australian-made hypersonic aircraft successfully completed its first flight from a NASA facility in the US, reaching five times the speed of sound in a test that scientists say will help forge the future of air travel. The aircraft, called the DART AE, was developed by Brisbane-based Hypersonix Launch Systems, led by former NASA research scientist Michael Smart and a team of University of Queensland engineers. Loading The DART was launched by a booster rocket from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia, on Friday evening (US time). It travelled through the upper atmosphere for about 800 kilometres at a max speed of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. Thats more than 6000km/h. And its not just a tube being shot into the air. The 3.5-metre-long vehicle powered by a 3D-printed, hydrogen-fuelled scramjet engine that compresses incoming air using high-speed shockwaves can be manoeuvred. It is, for all intents and purposes, an aircraft. Advertisement Most hypersonic craft are rockets. Rockets cant manoeuvre. You just point and shoot them, Smart said. The manoeuvrability is an absolutely critical new characteristic Anything you think an aircraft does, we can do. Organisers were tight-lipped about the flight plan before the launch, other than to say they were aiming to conduct the longest hypersonic flight ever staged by a hydrogen-powered vehicle. They said it could travel up to 800 kilometres, with the aircrafts metallic skin heating up to 800 degrees. The DART will travel at speeds of about Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound more than 6000km/h. This was the first launch mission for Hypersonix, founded at the end of 2019 by Smart, who for 15 years was a professor of hypersonic propulsion at UQ. The growing firm was selected as a partner by the US Defence Innovation Unit part of what is now the Department of War from a field of more than 60 applicants. Just to get in the air is a big deal for this company, and its a big deal for Australia, Smart says. Advertisement Testing this kind of technology is vital for the future of hypersonic flight, which, beyond its scientific applications, will eventually transform the way people travel. Hypersonix chief executive Matt Hill, who is in Virginia with Smart and a team of 10 for the mission, says this type of engine could power an aircraft that will fly from Sydney to London in two hours. Its not pie-in-the-sky stuff, either he says it could be technologically possible in 10 or so years, though the logistics of flying people long distances make it challenging. The team includes nearly 60 staff in Australia, including 10 who have travelled to Virginia to assist with the launch. The Photo Pitch When people fly, they expect air and champagne and movies all those things and thats really the more complex thing, Hill says. Its still a way off. But were building the core technology that would enable that type of flight. The DART separated from the rocket at 45 kilometres above Earth. Space company Rocket Lab, which conducted the launch, broadcast it live on social media and said the mission was 100 per cent successful. The launch was delayed several times throughout the week due to bad weather and external circumstances. Advertisement Hill said the successful launch confirmed an Australian company could design, build and operate technology in what he called one of the most demanding flight regimes on Earth. It is an important step toward delivering hypersonic systems that are operationally relevant for Australia and its allies. Hypersonix chief executive Matt Hill and co-founder Michael Smart. The Photo Pitch Related Video Video icon 2:01 Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg named 2026 Australian of the Year Hypersonix has 58 staff in Australia, most aged under 30, while UQ ranks as one of the worlds top universities in hypersonic research. The DART was assembled in Brisbane and transported to the US with great difficulty. The engine used in this flight is the fastest scramjet engine in the world today, Smart says, with the potential to power a vehicle to 12 times the speed of sound. Advertisement Where Australia falls down, Smart says, is in the commercialisation of its research and development. Thats what were really trying to do here. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaDonald Trump Trump says of Iran: Sometimes you have to use force Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal February 28, 2026 6:12am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment with US negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and warned that sometimes you have to use force, amid a massive military presence in the region that could presage strikes on the Islamic Republic. I am not happy with the negotiation, Trump said. I say no enrichment. Trump arrives in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday US time. AP Trump has increased diplomatic and military pressure on Iran in the weeks since an Iranian crackdown on protesters, attempting to force the countrys rulers to give up their nuclear program and other activities Washington sees as destabilising. After the latest round of talks on Thursday in Geneva ended with no deal, Trumps patience appeared to be wearing thin, although he said he had not made a final decision on the use of force. Advertisement They cannot have nuclear weapons. And were not thrilled with the way theyre negotiating. Well see how it all works out, Trump told reporters as he left the White House on a trip to Texas. Related Article Updated Middle East tensions No chance US will be in drawn-out war in Middle East: Vance Iran denies it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and wants any accord to include the lifting of US sanctions against it. Trump spoke a day after negotiations between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials in Geneva ended without a deal, though Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who was a mediator, said the talks made significant progress. Further talks are due to take place on Monday in Vienna. Advertisement A major US military force, including two aircraft carrier groups, is in the Middle East waiting on Trumps order. American refuelling tankers and F-22 fighter aircraft have also flown into the region. While the timing of any final decision by Trump is unclear, the State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 1 and 2. The US joined Israels bombing campaign against Iran in June, striking major nuclear facilities. A confidential report from the UN nuclear watchdog, meanwhile, confirmed that Iran has not offered inspectors access to the sites, and as a result, it said it could not confirm Irans claims that it stopped uranium enrichment. Asked about the potential for use of force, Trump said the United States has the greatest military in the world. Id love not to use it, but sometimes you have to, he said. When asked by a reporter how close he was to deciding on whether to launch a strike, Trump replied: Id rather not tell you. Advertisement More talks due Trump said more discussions on Iran would take place later in the day. He did not specify with whom, but Oman, which has been acting as a mediator between the two countries, sent its foreign minister to Washington on Friday for discussions with US Vice President JD Vance, according to a source familiar with the matter. Top US defence officials were at the White House on Thursday for talks. We want no nuclear weapons by Iran, and theyre not saying those golden words, Trump said. That appeared to refer to Washingtons insistence that Tehran commit to not developing nuclear weapons, something the US president made explicit in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. Related Article Analysis World politics The Putin whisperer who is really running Iran Advertisement There is internal recognition that taking on Iran would be more difficult than the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and there was also internal pessimism about whether negotiations would bear fruit, the source said. Nobody is super optimistic about the negotiations, the source said. Meanwhile, countries including the US, UK, Australia and China have evacuated embassy staff in the Middle East and issued travel advisories amid concerns about a regional conflict. The US on Friday told non-emergency staff at its embassy in Jerusalem that theyre allowed to leave Israel, with the country being vulnerable to Iranian retaliation if it participates in a US attack. Washington issued a similar evacuation order for its diplomatic mission in Beirut on Monday. The UK, China, India and others have also advised citizens or diplomats to leave some parts of the Middle East. Advertisement Poland, Finland, Sweden and Singapore have also advised citizens to leave the region, while the UK also said it was temporarily withdrawing diplomatic staff from Iran. Reuters, Bloomberg Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) Children overdosing and swallowing unsafe drugs has become a big problem in Kentucky. Startling data in the recently-released annual report from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, shows kids in Kentucky are ingesting dangerous drugs at a concerning rate. "The public just is not aware of how potentially dangerous these substances are if they fall into the hands of young children," said panelist and child abuse pediatrician Dr. Melissa Currie. The report shows in 2024 researchers saw 98 cases where children died or almost died by taking these substances. Comparably, that number was 29 in 2019. The most common is any substance that has THC or cannabis in it, while fentanyl is second. "The edibles are appealing to children for the same reasons they're appealing to adults. You know, they're sweet, they taste good, they're often in fun shapes," said Dr. Currie. "Oftentimes, the packaging mimics the packaging of popular candies." Eleven children in Kentucky died in 2024 from ingesting drugs. The report doesn't say what substance caused those deaths. Now the question is, how do we battle this issue? Terry Brooks is the executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, who are constantly looking at ways to make the Commonwealth safe for children. "The good news is common sense parenting, some tougher laws on the books when this happens and a general awareness of everybody from preachers to principals to pediatricians, we think can turn the tide," said Brooks. Now, Kentucky leaders are pushing to put this issue on parents' radar and get some harder legislation. One of the ways state legislators are trying to combat this is through Senate Bill 204. Part of the bill is enhancing the penalty on parents if a child under 13 years old ingests or inhales a controlled substance and suffers serious physical injury as a result. The bill also harps on making education on pediatric ingestion or inhalation of a controlled substance required for certain professionals. However, the number one way experts said it can be resolved is by having adults lock up any drugs that could be dangerous to children. "Folks know, to keep the drain cleaner and the bleach up and out of reach of children. But the reality is, we don't see those ingestions. We're seeing ingestions of these illicit substances," said Dr. Currie. Officials do want parents to know there are lock boxes available at pediatrician offices and public health departments across the state. Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. WASHINGTON (AP) Former President Bill Clinton told members of Congress on Friday that he did nothing wrong in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse as he faced hours of grilling from lawmakers over his connections to the disgraced financier from more than two decades ago. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong, the former Democratic president said in an opening statement he shared on social media. The closed-door deposition ended after more than six hours of questioning from lawmakers who said he answered every question posed to him. The deposition in the Clintons hometown of Chappaqua, New York, marked the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. It came a day after Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, sat with lawmakers for her own deposition. Bill Clinton has also not been accused of any wrongdoing, and Republican members of the House Oversight Committee did not immediately level any accusations against the Clintons as they departed Chappaqua. They planned to review the depositions but said their attention was mostly shifting to other individuals. Lawmakers are grappling with what accountability in the United States looks like at a time when men around the world have been toppled from their high-powered posts for maintaining their connections with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. We have questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post-conviction, said Republican Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee. Once you knew Jeffrey Epstein was a sex offender, why did you continue a relationship? Bill Clinton, in his opening statement, said that he had long stopped associating with Epstein by the time of his 2008 guilty plea. He also said it would be difficult to recall the specifics of events from more than 20 years ago, but expressed certainty that he had not witnessed signs of Epsteins abuse. Republican Rep. John McGuire accused Bill Clinton of having selective memory during the questioning, but other GOP members departed acknowledging that he had handled the deposition with skill and candor. Comer called Bill Clinton charming during the questioning. Clinton was quite candid, perhaps more candid than his attorneys were comfortable, said Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy. Republicans finally get a chance to question Bill Clinton Republicans have wanted to question Bill Clinton about Epstein for years, especially as conspiracy theories arose following Epstein's 2019 suicide in a New York jail cell while he faced sex trafficking charges. Those calls reached a fever pitch late last year when several photos of the former president surfaced in the Department of Justice's first release of case files on Epstein and Maxwell, a British socialite who was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021 but maintains she's innocent. Bill Clinton was photographed on a plane seated alongside a woman, whose face is redacted, with his arm around her. Another photo showed Clinton and Maxwell in a pool with another person whose face was redacted. Epstein also visited the White House several times during Clinton's presidency, and the pair later made several international trips together for their humanitarian work. Comer claimed the committee has collected evidence that Epstein visited the White House 17 times and that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's airplane 27 times. Democratic lawmakers said they also posed tough questions to Bill Clinton about his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell. We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long, Bill Clinton said in his opening statement. And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him. Bill Clinton also went after Comer for calling his wife before the committee, telling him that including her was simply not right. Comer said the committee was working to quickly publish a transcript and video recording of both days of depositions. Has a precedent been set? Democrats, who have supported the push to get answers from Bill Clinton, are arguing that it sets a precedent that should also apply to President Donald Trump, a Republican who had his own relationship with Epstein. I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax, said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, on Friday. Comer has pushed back on that idea, saying that Trump has answered questions on Epstein from the press. Republicans also said they have not come across any evidence that Trump did anything wrong in his relationship with Epstein. Trump on Friday expressed remorse at Bill Clinton being forced to testify. I like Bill Clinton, and I dont like seeing him deposed, he told reporters as he departed the White House en route to Corpus Christi, Texas. Democrats are also calling for the resignation of Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick was a longtime neighbor of Epstein in New York City but said on a podcast that he severed ties with Epstein following a 2005 tour of Epsteins home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife. The public release of case files showed that Lutnick actually had two engagements with Epstein years later. He attended a 2011 event at Epstein's home, and in 2012 his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island. He should be removed from office and, at a minimum, should come before the committee, Garcia said of Lutnick. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace questioned Hillary Clinton about Lutnick's relationship to Epstein during the deposition on Thursday. On Friday morning, Mace joined in calling for the commerce secretary to come before the committee. I believe we will have the votes to subpoena him, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said. Follow the AP's coverage of Jeffrey Epstein at https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) Camping on property owned by the state of Indiana will soon be illegal, one of several new laws coming to the state. The Indiana General Assembly concluded its non-budget year session in Indianapolis on Friday, with Republican leaders highlighting Medicaid reform as a key accomplishment. Democrats, however, argued the session failed to adequately address affordability concerns and said the Medicaid changes could hurt the states most vulnerable residents. However, Republicans said those issues were addressed with a housing bill and utility legislation that was signed by Governor Mike Braun Friday, with language in the bill that makes camping on state-owned property illegal. "The bill that will criminalize homeless that just did pass both chambers, and is going to the governors desk," said Wendy Dant Chesser, D- Jeffersonville. The Indiana Senate closed the session with a roar as Republicans, who have the super majority in both chambers, touted the passing of a Medicaid reform bill that they said will root out waste and fraud in the system. However, Senate Democrats countered, saying the bill burdens the states most vulnerable, low-income residents who rely on the program. Lawmakers also declined to move forward with a proposal to redraw congressional maps, which both sides said was a win. But, those two weeks lawmakers used in December is two weeks they didn't have now. In the house, Rep. Ed Clere, New Albany, started the session as a Republican but changed parties about halfway through the session and leaves the statehouse as an Independent. Clere is not seeking reelection. He said one of the defining measures of this session was legislation extending Indianas needle exchange program for another five years. These programs are not all about syringes, Clere said. It is to get people in the door, and then there is an opportunity to provide other services, including access to recovery programs. As the session ends, some lawmakers and residents in southern Indiana are questioning what tangible benefits the region will see from this years work at the Statehouse. Affordability remains a top concern. We may have moved the needle slightly, but on a scale of 1 to 10 folks need us to be moving toward the eight and nine, and we may have hit a one on a couple of things, Clere said. This years session ended earlier than usual following the failed redistricting effort. The entire House and 25 of the 50 Senate seats are up for re-election, and many lawmakers are rushing home to start campaigning. Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday said he would not accept anyone dragging "the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity", in an indirect message to the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, AzerNEWS reports, citing Tribune. In a statement released after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, Salam noted the "serious developments" in the region and called on "all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese peoples interests above any other consideration". Hezbollah has fought numerous conflicts with Israel since it was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Israel had warned Lebanon that it would strike the country hard, targeting civilian infrastructure, including the airport, in the event that Hezbollah gets involved in any US-Iran war. "I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," Salam said in a statement sent to Reuters. Israel dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah during a war in 2024, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah along with thousands of its fighters and destroying much of its arsenal. Israel and the US conducted joint strikes against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to the West's long-standing agenda to denuclearise Iran, despite Iran's repeated assertions that it will not pursue nuclear weapons. According to the Fars news agency, explosions have been heard in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Explosions can also be heard in the Iranian city of Tabriz in the northwest. Once upon a time, clinicians didnt have enough data about their patients. To put it mildly, things have changed. Today were drowning in data. As a practicing emergency physician, it is a reality I see every day. In an emergency department (ED) environment characterized by constant time pressure, staffing constraints, and high patient acuity, clinicians sometimes must wade through reams of electronic health records (EHR) data to find critical patient information that has become buried among endless details. Insights gained in the ED are highly relevant to primary care, where analogous data challenges evolve over longer periods and across multiple touchpoints. Primary care physicians today are experiencing their own challenges with data overload. For example, PCPs spend roughly between one-third and one-half of every patient encounter on EHR work, rather than directly interacting with patients, a 2025 Journal of General Internal Medicine study found. This imbalance reduces the time available for meaningful clinical conversations and contributes to clinician burnout. Adding to the challenges, the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries who visited five or more providers per year increased from 17.5 percent in 2000 to 30.1 percent in 2019, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. With every additional provider a patient sees, the likelihood of fragmented data, duplicative tests and procedures, and delayed follow-up increases. However, emerging AI tools offer physicians some hope of relief from data overload. By helping doctors organize and interpret the large volumes of information surrounding each patient encounter, these tools support clinical judgment. The result is greater focus on the most relevant details within the workflows that practices already rely on. Deeper insights in less time The practice of medicine demands efficiency, and no area more so than emergency medicine. ED clinicians must quickly synthesize and interpret information, identify risks, and take decisive action. In my more than 15 years of practicing emergency medicine, Ive witnessed how better data presentation improves clinicians efficiency. For example, AI can summarize and structure patient data in ways that support clinical reasoning, reducing complexity for doctors. By advancing small gains in clarity and speed, AI tools create opportunities for improvement. In my ED experience, AI-supported summaries have accelerated the speed at which care teams can assess patients admitted from skilled nursing facilities. In moments, we can assess changes in vital signs, treatment updates, and care plans, enabling us to reduce duplicative testing, speed up evaluation, and drive quicker, more-informed decisions about whether patients can return to their prior settings. Additionally, AI-generated predictive insights support better clinical decision-making. With risk-scoring models, physicians can identify patients most likely to deteriorate following acute events. As a result, these models drive earlier interventions and stronger coordination between acute, post-acute, and primary care providers, helping clinicians reduce preventable readmissions. However, it is essential that AI does not function as a black box. Clinicians should understand how results are produced, be able to validate source documentation, and maintain full control over care decisions. Transparency and validation foster confidence and support safe deployment across varied patient populations. Better visibility, better decisions EDs often function as a crossroads for acute, post-acute, and community-based care. Limited visibility across these settings drives avoidable readmissions and repeat emergency visits. Similarly, PCPs need visibility as patients move across different care settings, including data on discharge timing, medication changes, recent interventions, and urgent concerns. With timely data, PCPs can identify potential issues and intervene before conditions grow worse. AI-based tools support these needs by integrating and standardizing data from hospitals, post-acute facilities, and home-based providers, helping PCPs gain a full 360-degree view of patient health. When practices consider adopting these technologies to support future care delivery, they should seek solutions that ease administrative demands, fit within existing workflows, and facilitate cross-setting information exchange. Responsible AI principles, transparency, and clear physician oversight of all clinical decisions should remain central requirements. Conclusion As data volumes continue to grow across health care, AI offers a practical way to help physicians surface what matters most without adding complexity to already demanding workflows. When thoughtfully designed, these tools can reduce administrative burden, improve clinical clarity, and strengthen coordination across care settings. Ultimately, AIs value lies in supporting clinical judgment, enabling physicians to deliver more informed, efficient, and patient-centered care. Hamad Husainy is an emergency physician and physician executive. 'Today is the start of a new beginning': Barkley Airport celebrates ribbon-cutting for new service Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Family physician Travis Walker discusses his article A physician father on the Dobbs decision and reproductive rights. Travis reflects on the glaring double standard facing his daughter compared to his sons in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2022 ruling. He explores the unique medical risks inherent in every pregnancy and challenges the notion that childbirth is ever truly low-risk. The conversation highlights the struggle to reconcile professional medical ethics, which value patient autonomy and informed consent, with a legal landscape that restricts those very principles for women. Travis argues that true liberty requires personalized medical advice without state coercion and emphasizes his commitment to raising all his children to understand responsibility, equity, and respect. Listen to a heartfelt examination of how biology and policy collide to shape the freedoms of the next generation. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Lets work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Travis Walker. He is a family physician, and todays KevinMD article is A physician father under Dobbs decision and reproductive rights. Travis, welcome to the show. Travis Walker: Hi. Thank you for having me. I am glad to be here. Kevin Pho: All right, so before talking about your article and why you decided to write it, just bring everyone to the same page. Talk briefly about the Dobbs decision so we could give us some context. Travis Walker: So obviously the Dobbs decision was the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe versus Wade and pushed those decisions regarding abortion to the states. As we can see, there is a lot of varying enforcement or actions taken on that from state to state. Kevin Pho: All right, so tell us about what prompted you to write this article and have it shared on KevinMD. Travis Walker: In my practice I have come to realize that guidelines and evidence are the basis of what we try to practice. But a lot of those decisions are really based in individuals fear, memory, and their own sense of responsibility. As a father, I recognize that in myself. Looking at my kids and having two older boys and one younger girl, I see that they are going to be faced with very different decisions. This is not just because biology kind of forces that they have different anatomy, but their decisions and consequences are also going to be very different. I think wrestling with that as a father and then also seeing what I see as a physician has made it so that I kind of had to write about it and get my own thoughts on the page to process it. Kevin Pho: So when the Dobbs decision came down, this was back in 2022. Just talk to me about some of the emotions and feelings that you had after that decision. Travis Walker: I think I reflected on my own adolescence and going through decisions and probably poor decisions sometimes that I made. Seeing my boys and having them first realizing that they will be men means these are things that we need to recognize. But then having a daughter brings it full circle to realize that if she were to act or behave the same way, to have the same rights and liberties as anybody else, she may not have that opportunity to have fewer consequences. I think in time, that knowledge that depending on where she chooses to live or where she chooses to raise a family, she would be presented with very different choices and options. My goal was really to try and be as equitable as possible for both of them and to be as equitable as possible as I can for my patients. Then realizing that equity is not there since this decision. Kevin Pho: Did you have these types of conversations with your sons and daughter and what were those conversations like? Travis Walker: Yeah, they are still fairly young. My oldest is 10 years old. OK. So trying to frame those conversations around other areas involves saying things like: This is how your decision affects other people in the context of what he may do with friends or school. But the day that comes where we have to have sexual health discussions with all three of them is probably not as far away as I would like it to be. It is definitely something that we are continuing to build toward. For my patients, it is the same thing. I frame these discussions by saying: Here are your options and here is what is available to you based on where we are. They know that some of those options may not be available elsewhere. Kevin Pho: Can you tell us a story about one of your patients or those conversations that you had with your patients about how the Dobbs decision affected their choices? Tell us a story about something that may have happened. Travis Walker: Yeah. So when I started my career, it was still Roe v. Wade. I was a practicing family physician, but I also practiced obstetrics. So I was still delivering babies and providing prenatal care and postpartum care. I had a number of patients that had to come in from out of state or even just from rural areas of our state because their choice was not to have a baby. Some of it was due to youth. Some of it was due to mistakes. In egregious cases, it wasnt their choice when they had sex. So we would have that discussion. Since Dobbs, I have had patients that have come from out of state and come from states where this is not an option. Nevada doesnt have a ton of resources when it comes to this. There are still legal protections for it, but we are not in a place where everybody is treated equally. So many people have to travel long distances to try and get the care that they feel is right for them. Kevin Pho: And when they come from long distances and see you in your clinic, what is that interaction like? Tell me how you feel as a physician when they come from out of state into Nevada because their state is affected by the Dobbs decision. Travis Walker: It is difficult. Many times I dont have a relationship with them yet. Part of my ethos is that I sit with them. We talk about why they have come to this decision. But we are really talking about evidence indicating the risks that come with continuing to carry the child or not continuing to carry the child depending on where they are at in their pregnancy. Really sitting down with them involves trying to understand what their drive is for that decision. Making sure that they fully understand what that decision entails is important, not just medically and physically, but also the consequences that could come emotionally from either decision that they decide to make. Kevin Pho: It must be so difficult, especially if you dont have a relationship with these patients who come from out of state. The emotional aspect of that must be challenging. Travis Walker: Yeah. With every patient encounter, you get to know them little by little and hopefully have the time and ability to help them understand their own decision. But you must also understand internally yourself what it is that is bringing them here. Making sure that they understand the full ramifications of what is going on is key. Kevin Pho: So in your article you talk about this maxim saying that there is no such thing as a low-risk pregnancy. Talk to us about how sometimes medical complications can influence that decision and how the Dobbs decision can make those decisions even more difficult, especially if there is a medical complication with the pregnancy. Travis Walker: Yeah, I mean, I think the thing that is under-recognized is that even the most perfect pregnancy with perfect labs and great ultrasounds can turn on a dime. I think recognizing that there is inherent risk in this, a risk that men dont carry that women do, is important. Knowing that when a true complication arises there is a way to protect the mother is vital. We can often identify those with good access to prenatal care early in the pregnancy. At times it becomes necessary to have that discussion that this is not going to be a healthy pregnancy or this is not going to be a viable pregnancy. We need to be able to discuss that with that patient. Perhaps sometimes what was their dream to have a child and to get pregnant becomes difficult. Maybe it is something that we have to end because we are trying to preserve life or quality of life. Kevin Pho: Now, of course, this is a very political topic. Do you ever talk to other physicians or colleagues who support the Dobbs decision? Tell us just in general what topics are discussed and what issues are brought up when you have someone that you disagree with in terms of the Dobbs decision. Travis Walker: Absolutely. You cant work in womens health care and not at some point address this. I think ultimately what it comes down to is not necessarily the politics, but understanding the choices that are available to people. It involves being able to explain those options and choices to them in a way that makes sense to them so that they can make the best decisions for themselves. When I have these conversations with other physicians, I try not to bring out the politics in it. We all have our individual beliefs, but really anchoring it in what the right step and the right choice is that the patient needs to make helps them make the decision that is right for them. Kevin Pho: So for those patients who may be listening to you on this podcast, when the Dobbs decision came down they may not think that it would affect them at that point, but eventually it may affect them. Do you have any insight or advice to patients who may be listening to you as to how this decision may affect them going forward? Travis Walker: I think ultimately it comes down to what options are available to you. There are things that each state can do even outside of Dobbs that are legal in some and not in others. This is one of those issues where there is a very hard line on who it affects. It affects women. Women will have to suffer the consequences of any decision that is made or made for them in this situation that men wont. I try and remove my personal beliefs completely. I really focus on helping them understand for their own ethos what makes the most sense. I think ultimately if there are people who feel strongly one way or another, they should take it upon themselves to advocate for what they believe in. Just the way that we advocate as physicians for our patients to make the right decision for them, whether we disagree with it or not, those are things that I want my patients to know. We are always here to support them. I am always here to support you, but if you have your own beliefs you should definitely fight for them and push for them. Kevin Pho: Now, what do you see as the path going forward as to the ramifications of the Dobbs decision, say in the next year or so? Are there any issues in your clinic that you foresee happening that you have to anticipate? Travis Walker: For us, we dont provide abortion services out of our clinic, but oftentimes we do have patients who are seeking those services. With it being up to the states, we have been in a very supportive state as far as patient autonomy and supporting those decisions. But I do think that in time those resources can become further constrained. It can make medically appropriate decision-making more and more difficult when we are talking about how we preserve life and quality of life. It will continue to be what it will be and evolve based on how it is supported until something changes. That will be until either more advocacy takes hold or there are differing opinions in this country about how essential and necessary these services are. We can see how they affect the individual patient and how those choices and consequences vary from state to state based on what those options are. Kevin Pho: Now for those parents who are listening to you and they have teenage daughters, tell us the types of issues that you would like parents to talk about regarding the ramifications of the Dobbs decision. Travis Walker: I think it is understanding that at least for me it has come down to understanding that there are differences between how my sons will live their lives and how my daughter will live her life. Do I endorse promiscuity or any of that? Absolutely not. But I also understand that at some point I will have less and less control over their lives. My goal is to raise them to make the best decisions that they can and to think about others when they make those decisions. I also want them to recognize that they are both complicit in the consequences of those decisions. Hopefully, both my sons and my daughter will have at least equal takeaways or at least equal consequences from those decisions. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Travis Walker, family physician. Todays KevinMD article is A physician father under Dobbs decision and reproductive rights. Travis, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Travis Walker: Ultimately it is coming down to what is the right course of action for a patient, what is the right course of action for our families, and for ourselves. It involves ultimately recognizing that if we want there to be equality or equity, we must recognize that there are differences that we can have an influence on both as parents and physicians. But ultimately it is about helping everybody make the right decision for themselves. Kevin Pho: Travis, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight and thanks again for coming on the show. Travis Walker: Thank you very much for having me. Your Partys leadership election confirmed the political character of the organisation: a vehicle for advocating timid reforms, driven by Jeremy Corbyn and a narrow clique of ex-Labour Party officials. The results were a rout for the opposed Grassroots Left faction led by Zarah Sultana. Its declared aim of pushing Your Party to the left, rejecting a Labour Party 2.0 in favour of building an anti-Zionist, anti-imperialist party dedicated to nationalising the economy, suffered a bruising rejection. Jeremy Corbyn speaking at a Your Party rally in Manchester, November 25, 2025 Corbyns faction, The Many, secured 14 of the 24 seats available on the Central Executive Committee leadership body, including Corbyn and former Labour MP and current independent councillor Laura Smith as public office holders. Sultana and Grace Lewis, a former Labour councillor turned independent, take up the other two public office holder posts. Across the 24 seats, however, Grassroots Left won only seven positions. The unavoidable conclusion is that Your Partys members are overwhelmingly satisfied with Corbyns perspective for the organisation to serve as his vanity project and a meek participant in a loosely defined anti-Reform UK left, including not only Zack Polanskis Green Party but also sections of the Labour Party. If, as is expected, Keir Starmer is removed as leader, there is nothing preventing a wider tactical alliance with Labour. Corbyn and his allies can now implement any policy decisions they see fit. The Many, led by Corbyns witch-hunter in chief Karie Murphy, has already been using its control of the partys apparatus to suspend and expel the more prominent members of pro-Sultana groups, such as the Socialist Workers Party. It will now inevitably extend this purge. The Manys manifesto declared existing proto-branches illegitimate, run by the Socialist Workers Party and other sectarian groups seeking to exert control of the party through control of the branches and leaving ordinary individual members effectively excluded. They will be replaced by official branch structures. Corbyns camp also immediately announced that he would assume the position of the partys leader in parliament, despite no such position existing under its constitution. This is the shape of things to come. Corbyn currently leads an Independent Alliance group of five MPs including Your Party figures Shockat Adam and Ayoub Khan, and two others, Iqbal Mohamed and Adnan Hussain, who left the party last year in protest at the Sultana factionone of whom is now reportedly considering rejoining. Demonstrating a wilful blindness to this reality, Grassroots Lefts response statement spoke of the proto-branches being recognised immediately, of no more witch hunts or stitch-ups, the reinstatement of the expelled and building a culture of mutual respect. The most significant statement in Sultanas personal response was the insistence that now is the time to work together. Her message also concluded, The work continuestogether. The Socialist Workers Party, the largest outside group active in Your Party and whose membership has suffered the most expulsions, made Sultanas declaration appear grounded. Socialist Workers post-election article was headed, After Your Party leadership results, time to get the project back on track. The phrase takes up The Manys own slogan, using it to advocate a course from now on of welcoming all socialists. To minimise Grassroots Lefts defeat, the SWP clutches at the straw that Corbyn was endorsed by both slates. They cite uncritically his cynical statement, We have a precious opportunity to unite our movement around a bold vision for this country, as if this includes them. The Socialist Worker speaks politely of The Many having a more moderate vision and of two dangers: that the leadership continues with the methods of Labourism that were once directed against them and that it institutionalises the factional dynamics that have paralysed Your Party and alienated supporters for months The SWP calls for a line to be drawn in the sand and the CEC to seek from day one to unite Your Party behind a collective leadership that works together and with members on the ground to immediately start pushing outwards. Once again Britains pseudo-left has confirmed that nothing will push them to conflict with the wider labour and trade union bureaucracy, waging a serious struggle for a socialist alternative to Starmers government of austerity and war. Corbyns victory has a pyrrhic character, however. He heads a rump organisation with most of those initially attracted having long since turned their backs on it. The wave of enthusiasm generated by the announcement of Your Party last July, which saw 850,000 people express an interest in joining, was, by the time of the founding conference in late November, whittled down to a declared 55,000 members. The leadership elections saw 25,000 people vote, out of 41,000 validated members. This is the most precipitous decline ever in organised support for any newly formed party. It has left behind a largely ageing membership of former Labour voters who saw Corbyn as their natural leader and had little time for Sultana and Grassroots Lefts more radical phrases. As for its wider constituency, 18 percent of Britons suggested they would be willing to vote for Your Party in July, down to 12 percent in November, and according to a recent pollto barely 1 percent today, It has been heavily eclipsed by the Green Party, which has grown to nearly 200,000 members since Polanski was elected leader last September, and seen polling figures rise from 10 to 16 percent. The Greens rise was underscored within hours of the Your Party leadership results being announced, as its candidate, Hannah Spencer, won the Gorton and Denton by-election, more than tripling the partys vote share to 41 percent, halving Labours total to 25 percent and comfortably beating Reform UK on 28 percent. Polanski is a political operator who began his career in the Liberal Democrats and whose recent left-wing line is without genuine political foundations. His ability to win support is down to the total absence of competition by the largely discredited and supine Corbyn. Novara Media, which has backed the Greens since Polanskis leadership victory, was scathing: If Your Party thinks it can build a second national movement on the cult of Corbyn, it has another thing coming. There is a new left populist leader [Polanski] in town, one who has caught the zeitgeist Corbyns continued visibility within Your Party will rally some old faithfuls back to the flag but will struggle to draw in anyone new. As richly deserved as Corbyns declining political stature is, more is at stake for the working class. Once again, Britains pseudo-left, in gravitating around Corbyn, Sultana and Your Party, has worked to disorient those seeking a genuine socialist alternative, perpetuating rather than remedying the crisis of leadership and perspective facing the working class. From 2015 they held up Corbyns leadership of the Labour Party as heralding its transformation into a force for socialism. For the last six years, they have lobbied for Corbyn to assume his role as the only viable leader of a new left opposition to Starmers Labour Party. They have not changed their tune by a single note in the aftermath of this latest debacle. In contrast, the Socialist Equality Party has argued that the working class needs a new party of an entirely different character: a revolutionary socialist party opposed to the Corbynites and to illusions that social gains can be defended through a programme of protest politics and parliamentary pressurehowever radically presented. The development of globalised production during the 1980s, we wrote: fatally undermined all parties, trade unions and other organisations rooted in the nation state, destroying any possibility of securing reforms through limited trade union action and parliamentary reform. In every country, parties and trade unions committed to the defence of the capitalist profit system responded by abandoning reforms, demanding instead endless sacrifices by workers in the name of global competitiveness and carrying out an endless series of betrayals. This did not lead automatically to workers breaking from reformist illusions, but the turn by millions away from their old bureaucratic leaderships evidenced the unprecedented objective opportunities to win workers to a genuine socialist perspective. The SEP, we explained, understood this as the essential basis for the construction of a new revolutionary internationalist leadership, whereas the SWP treats it as a political hiccup presenting no way forward other than for workers to search again and again for a new reformist road. Amid the factional conflict between Corbyn and Sultana, we insisted that the issue facing workers was whether to support a programme and party based on reformist delusions or build one dedicated to the struggle for socialist revolution. The pseudo-left stands unambiguously for the promotion of reformist delusions. We urge workers and students to examine the following articles published by the SEP and take the decision to join and fight for it: Corbyns new left partyWhat it is and what it isnt The UKs Your Party implodesbuild the Socialist Equality Party An open letter to supporters of Corbyns Your Party Your Partys factional warfare: The real issue for workers is reformist delusions or revolution Jeremy Corbyns Your Party founding conference: Witch-hunts and expulsions against the left Jeremy Corbyn attacks Zarah Sultanas demand for nationalisation against the billionaires The Your Party debacle, Socialism AI and the fight for a revolutionary party Corbyns anti-socialism, Sultanas reformism and the necessary revolutionary alternative Jeremy Corbyn: Britains anti-socialist witch-hunter Martin Walsh, postal deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), has claimed a consultative ballot of members at the 35 delivery units used as the testing ground for Royal Mails Optimised Delivery Model (ODM) has endorsed the union leaderships version of the restructuring agenda. Walsh declared an overwhelming result, citing a 96.8 percent majority on a 75 percent turnout, stating that members had rejected ODM and supported the unions proposal in a CWU video on February 24. Martin Walsh speaking at the CWU Live event on April 3. [Photo: CWU] As soon as it was posted on CWU Facebook, comments from postal workers challenged whether rejection of ODM by colleagues at the pilot offices amounted to endorsement of the unions proposal: the absorption of extra work through cutting of existing duties and jobs in the Heavy and Light (H&L) model. A comment receiving over 70 likes asked pointedly: So did you give those same members the option on their ballot to say no to the unions proposal as well? I wonder if youd have had a similar result. 1 duty 1 postie, it works... tried and tested!! Another wrote: It would be interesting to see the same ballot to the same people between the options of either the unions proposed delivery method and one man one job. ODM is hugely unpopular, but I wonder if you underestimate how unpopular the unions ideas are too? True to form, CWU headquarters refused to even answer these questions as their ruse unravelled. Postal workers at one pilot office told the World Socialist Web Site that the ballot paper contained only a question on whether to reject ODM and did not include a separate option to endorse H&L as advocated by Walsh. As a point of principle, any such vote should have included the 97 percent of delivery staff outside the pilots now in the crosshairs of the restructuring agenda. The company, under new ownersbillionaire Daniel Kretinskys EP Groupdemanded last month the rollout of ODM from the pilot offices across all 1,250 delivery units nationally, claiming they have been a success. In truth, they have been marked by a collapse of the mail service and the exhaustion of postal workers due to impossible productivity targets geared to parcels. Walsh has worked to block any mobilisation against the imposition of ODM and instead used the corporatist mechanism of a month-long dispute resolution process to disappear into closed-door meetings with management to seek approval for the H&L model. As the comments from postal workers indicate, this accepts the ending of one duty to each worker, slashing jobs and intensifying workloads. Walsh has assured the company this will deliver a first wave of 150 million in cost-cutting, with a commitment to extend the pilots to an additional 120 delivery units before April. The claim to be empowering postal workers on the pilots with a ballot is drenched in cynicism. They were co-opted into the ODM from last Februarymade a testbed for a company-wide scorched-earth strategy. Duties were reduced from four to three, delivery spans expanded to five hours or more, and workers removed from their walks to cover core and combined duties prioritising parcels. This was in anticipation of the regulator Ofcoms downgrade of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) from six-day letter delivery to alternate weekdays for all but First-Class mail, rubber stamped last July. Walsh had the front to acknowledge that members on the pilots have been through a lot of hardship over the last 9 months. But this was imposed under Terms of Reference drawn up by Walsh, CWU divisional representatives and Royal Mail in December 2024an instalment of the Framework Agreement with EP Group signed by Walsh and CWU General Secretary Dave Ward, alongside the Labour governments Deed of Undertaking, to install Kretinsky. The justification that ODM pilots were about testing assumptions exposes the CWU leadership as management consultants. Any organisation defending workers would have opposed from the outset a plan to cut 25 percent of jobs and intensify workloads. Walsh was not a reluctant participant; he acted as an attack dog for Ofcom and EP Group, browbeating opposition and insisting there was no alternative. The toll on workers has been concealed. Only the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) has exposed how staff were driven to quit, safety was bypassed and no limits placed on bag weights. Fatigue was monitored using heart monitors, with no published findings, as workers were pushed to exhaustion. CWU South West and South Wales Divisional rep Ralph Ferrett blurted out on CWU Facebook the real concerns animating the apparatus: One of the many ways in which the ODM failed though was it didnt save anything like the money they wished it would. Indeed many of the bigger units in the pilots (where most of their savings would come from if rolled out) ended up costing more than they were spending before the pilot activity. Part of our argument to Royal Mail/EP is that a real 175m a year is much more valuable than an imaginary saving of 350m that wont work and will leave the company getting fined out of existence by OFCOM. CWU officials claim the H&L model preserves walk ownership and relations between posties and their regular customers. In fact, it embeds permanent workload increases, cutting eight duties to seven through lapsingabsorbing extra work from the duty cut into those remaining and reducing delivery routes. The seventh duty, under ongoing review, is already lined up for the next round of cuts. Management pressure will intensify, with threats of gross misconduct for wilful delay of the mail over failure to complete First Class and Tracked items. This is while the company itself wilfully delays mail through repeated breaches of statutory delivery targets to prioritise parcels, fuelling the service collapse over Christmas and into the New Year. This is the real face of USO reform: crafted for Kretinskys takeover of Royal Mail to entrench Amazon-style conditions and gut the mail service in favour of a low-wage courier network. Closed-door talks and government intervention aim to smother resistance through a tri-partite alliance between the CWU apparatus, EP Group and the Starmer government. The announced parliamentary committee investigation into the crisis at Royal Mail will be a whitewash. The dismantling of the mail service and prioritisation of parcels is hardwired into the restructuring agenda agreed with Kretinsky. This has no public support and is opposed by postal workers. Opposition capable of countering the corporate and political establishment must be organised from below: As a first step, postal workers should demand that Walsh end all closed-door meetings with management and the Starmer government. There is no mandate for H&L. A national ballot on ODM and H&L must be held for members to decide. This should be used as the opportunity to draw up at every workplace a list of grievances buried through managementunion collusion. The focus must shift from maximising EP Group profits to restoring staffing levels, enforcing safety protocols and delivering the mail. The critical issue is transferring decision-making from Walsh and Ward to the shop floor and committees led by trusted militants, uniting new entrants and delivery staff on the pilots and across the network, extending throughout Royal Mail Group, including Mail Centres and Parcelforce Worldwide workers also facing restructuring. The demand for a national ballot for agreed forms of industrial action, up to a strike, must be raised, based on a strategy determined and controlled by the rank and file. The PWRFC has proposed these red lines around which a struggle can be mobilised: Disband the pilots at the 35 delivery offices. Full disclosure of the wrecking operation and restoration of workers contracts Oppose executive action to impose ODM. Halt the reconfiguration of all delivery units now No to Walshs ODM Mark II of intensified workloads and job cuts Equal pay for equal work. Immediate levelling up of new entrants to the basic pay and terms of legacy workers End Royal Mails breach of its statutory duties on the USO. The public has a right to a dependable mail service The waging of such a struggle would win support beyond Royal Mail among millions of workers facing similar attacks on jobs, real-terms pay cuts and the dismantling of public services. Thursdays Gorton and Denton by-election marks a new stage in the collapse of the right-wing Labour Party and of Britains two-party system. In a constituency held continuously by Labour since 1931a solidly working-class stronghold in south-east Manchesterthe party was pushed into third place as its vote collapsed. Such is the disillusionment of millions of workers with Labour, which governs as a party of austerity and militarism, that a seat it won at the 2024 general election with a majority of over 13,000 (and a more than 50 percent vote share) was taken by the Greens. Greens Party candidate Hannah Spencer, left, stands with party leader Zack Polanski after winning the Gorton and Denton by-election, Manchester, England, Friday, February 27, 2026 [AP Photo/Jon Super] Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer, a former local councillor, secured 14,980 votes, taking 41 percent. On a swing approaching 30 percent, the Greens defeated the anti-migrant, anti-Muslim Reform UK, which won 10,578 votes (28 percent). Labour trailed in third place with just 9,364 votes, barely reaching 25 percent. Turnout was just over 46 percent. The scale of the defeat in what was Labours 38th safest seat in 2024 underlines the depth of the crisis confronting Keir Starmers government. There was speculation that defeat in the by-election could force Starmer to stand down. With a net poll rating of minus 50, he is among the most unpopular prime ministers of the modern era, with worse figures even than Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. His cabinet still backed Starmer en masse two weeks ago, in the knowledge the seat was likely to be lost. However, a leadership challenge is now ever more likely after Mays local elections, which Labour is also expected to lose heavily. This is the Greens fifth seat in a 650-seat parliament, and was both their first ever by-election victory and their first 20seat in northern England. They won by presenting themselves as a left-wing alternative to Labour. Zack Polanski became party leader six months ago on a platform of pitching the Greens to Labours left and declared his aim was to replace Labour. Polanski promotes what he calls eco-populism. He advocates a wealth tax, the abolition of landlords, and has politely questioned long-term British membership of NATO, arguing for closer alignment with European powers rather than the United States. He has repeatedly denounced Israels genocide in Gaza and spoken at mass demonstrations in London against the slaughter and ethnic cleansing. For all their very newly minted left rhetoric, however, the Greens remain a party that upholds and defends capitalism. They offer no genuine alternative for the working class. As the WSWS has noted, Polanski was a member of the Liberal Democrats between 2015 and 2017, joining after the party had spent five years in a pro-austerity coalition with the Conservatives. He joined the Greens that year, later citing being a pro-Europe Jew as one reason he could not support Labour under Jeremy Corbyn. In doing so, he embraced the antisemitism slander campaign waged against Corbyn and his supporters by the Blairites, Tories, the Zionist establishment, and the Israeli and US governments. Reflecting the Greens repositioning, Spencer made few references to traditional environmental policies in her acceptance speech. She focused instead on social inequality and the cost-of-living crisis overseen by Labour and the Tories. Instead of working for a nice life, were working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry, she said. The Greens made great play of the fact that Spencer works as a plumber, as she pledged in the speech to make space for everyone doing jobs like mine. Reform UK, which has eclipsed both the Tories and Labour in national polling, secured a 14 percent swing. It drew support from disillusioned Labour voters and from the Conservatives. The Tories lost their deposit, winning just 706 votesunder 2 percent and six points down on their general election result. A decisive factor in the result was the shift among the constituencys large, predominantly working-class Muslim population. Around 30 percent of voters are Muslim. In one of the four Manchester wards in the constituency, Longsight, the figure is about 60 percent. For decades these communities largely backed Labour. Many have now broken with the party over its support for Israels genocidal assault and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank, and over the governments repression of opposition to the slaughter. The constituencys social composition underscores the broader significance of the vote. Gorton and Denton epitomise former industrial urban areas long abandoned by Labour as it embraced Thatcherite market orthodoxy with the advent of New Labour in the 1990s. The area was central to Manchesters rise as the worlds first industrial city. Gorton housed vast locomotive works and engineering firms. Huge cotton mills dotted the district covered by the constituency. Together these industries employed many tens of thousands. One mill in Gorton owned by a wealthy 19th century industrialist, John Rylands, employed over 5,000 workers. These jobs were destroyed as deindustrialisation began in the early 20th century and accelerated after the Second World War. Between 1960 and 2000, Manchester, as did all Labour industrial heartlands, saw mass job losses. A staggering 144,000 manufacturing jobs went in the city, many in Gorton. What remains is entrenched deprivation. By 2025, after decades of Labour and Tory rule nationally and Labour dominance locally, Gorton and Denton ranked as the 15th most deprived constituency in England and Wales. Thirty-five of the constituencys Manchester-side neighbourhoods are in the top 20 percent most deprived nationally. Approximately 45 percent of childrenover 12,100live below the breadline in Gorton and Denton. In its Levenshulme and Longsight wards child poverty rises to 59 and 56 percent respectively. More than 61 percent of households are deprived in at least one dimension: employment, education, health or housing. The by-election was triggered by a scandal that epitomised Labours transformation into a party hostile to the working class. Former MP Andrew Gwynne was suspended in February 2025 after derogatory remarks in a private WhatsApp group made up of local Labourites were exposed. Gwynne mocked a constituent, saying, You f***ing well live in a shithole. He said he hoped a 72-year-old woman would croak it after she complained about bin collections. He described others as illiterate and residents of one street as crackpots. His contempt for constituents was matched by hostility to socialist policies. The Manchester Evening News reported 183 references to trots in the group chat, with calls to obliterate, bury and stamp them out. The seat was not among Reforms priority targets, so the party selected Matthew Goodwin, a prominent far-right activist and GB News presenter, to wage a deliberately provocative campaign. On his defeat, Goodwin and party leader Nigel Farage claimed without evidence that Muslims had cheated at the ballot box, electing the Greens with an illegal organised family vote. Goodwin declared, We are losing our country. A dangerous Muslim sectarianism has emerged. Farage called it a victory for sectarian voting and cheating, adding that the vote raised serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas. The Greens were helped in presenting themselves as the principal left alternative because the other main parties nominally to Labours left, Your Party and Stalinist George Galloways Workers Party of Britain, declined to field candidates. Both Your Partys main leaders, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, issued statements backing the Greens, as did Galloway, who stood in the constituency as an Independent in 2017, winning almost 6 percent of the vote. A Workers Party candidate took over 10 percent in 2024. Canadian Prime Minster Mark Carney speaks to troops at Fort York Armoury in Toronto, June 9, 2025, just before announcing an immediate 19 percent increase in military spending [Photo: Mark Carney/Facebook] When Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canadas first ever Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) on February 17, he spoke bluntly about the aims of the Canadian ruling class. The assumptions that shaped decades of Canadian defence and foreign policy, he declared, have been completely upended. Canada now confronts a more fractured and darker world in which conflict is moving closer to home. Ottawa must ensure it is never again hostage to the decisions of others. The MPs responsible for the DIS, including Defence Minister David McGuinty and Minister of Industry Melanie Joly, reiterated Carneys themes in an introduction to the document, citing the NATO-instigated war in Ukraine and the global trade disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in particular. They noted, Long-held assumptions have been upendedabout the end of imperial conquest, the durability of peace in Europe and the resilience of old alliances. In this uncertain world, it is more important than ever that Canada possess the capacity to sustain its own defence and safeguard its own sovereignty. The strategy translates this diagnosis into policy, marking the most far-reaching attempt in decades by the Canadian ruling class to reorganize the economy, state apparatus and labour force to equip itself as an imperialist power to participate in the violent redivision of the world that is already well under way. Its aim is to lessen the dependence of Canadian imperialism on its long-time partner in the United States, amid a growing breakdown in relations between the twoas expressed in President Donald Trumps trade war measures and annexationist threats, and Canadas counter-tariffs. The DIS codifies themes Carney advanced earlier at the World Economic Forum, where he warned of a rupture of the world order. Trade, finance, supply chains and technology, he said, are now weapons wielded by rival powers. Canadas procurement policy, industrial investment, research funding and labour planning will be reorganized accordingly. At the strategys core lies a commitment to raise military spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, aligned with NATO demands. The DIS notes that this will be a historic level of funding. It would in fact constitute the largest sustained militarization of the Canadian economy since the Second World War. The plan is embedded in the Carney governments 2025 federal budgetpassed with the support of the New Democratic Party and Greenswhich pledged $81.8 billion in new defence spending, including $6.6 billion dedicated specifically to implementing the industrial strategy. The Department of National Defence is considering mobilization plans for 100,000 reserve soldiers and an additional 300,000 citizen soldiers in a supplementary reserve on top of the 85,500 current full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). At the same time, Canadian military officials are for the first time in a century considering the consequences of a war with the United States. The issue of whether Canada should seek to obtain nuclear weapons has also been publicly raised for the first time since the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, with former Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre arguing Canada should keep that option open by developing among other things its ballistic missile capacities. The drive to expand Canadas military-industrial complex is tied to immense capital commitments: $290 billion in defence-related infrastructure investment and $180 billion in domestic procurement spending by 2035. The DIS serves as a long-term blueprint for reorganizing economic life around military production, funneling billions in public funds into war even as housing, healthcare, education and social services are slashed to the bone to fund it. The Liberal government and all the opposition parties, not to mention the corporate-controlled media, argue in unison that the working class must be made to pay for these gargantuan sums. The scale of the transformation outlined by the DIS is all-encompassing. Ottawa aims to add 125,000 defence industry jobs over the next decade, more than doubling todays workforce of roughly 81,000. Entire layers of skilled labour, engineering capacity and public research funding will be redirected toward producing drones, missiles, surveillance platforms, space assets, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and munitions for modern industrial warfare by Canadian-owned firms. In line with this approach, Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada, has supported transforming GMs idled CAMI auto assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario to military production. Reorganizing Canadian industry for world war The Defence Industrial Strategy is organized around a set of five interlocking pillars to establish a permanent domestic war economy. First, Ottawa intends to fundamentally remake its relationship with arms manufacturers. Defence firms are no longer treated as contractors competing project by project. The federal government will cultivate long-term strategic partnerships with companies designated essential to national security funneling billions into their coffers. The DIS defines these yet to be determined Canadian companies as defence champions. These firms will receive privileged access to procurement contracts, research funding, export promotion, capital investment support and government testing infrastructure. The main objective is domestic ownership and control over intellectual property, production capacity and technological know-how deemed vital for future wars. A related goal is to expand Canadas share of world trade in the war industries, with the government setting a goal of increasing export of military equipment by 50 percent by 2035. Second, the government introduces a new procurement doctrine summarized as BuildPartnerBuy. Canada will build weapons domestically wherever possible, partner with trusted allies when necessary and purchase abroad only as a last resort. Procurement policy is thereby transformed from a purchasing mechanism into an instrument of industrial strategy and geopolitical positioningwith reducing reliance on US military contractors a central strategic goal. The government aims to award 70 percent of defence contracts to domestic firms under the nationalist slogan Buy Canadian. Third, innovation policy and workforce planning are explicitly subordinated to military-security priorities. Universities, research councils and vocational programs will be aligned with military-industrial requirements through a national Defence Skills Agenda aimed at guaranteeing a continuous pipeline of engineers, technicians and skilled workers for arms production. Academic research, technological development and labour training will be integrated into the strategic planning of the armed forces. Fourth, the strategy prioritizes securing supply chains for wartime production. Ottawa plans expanded domestic manufacturing of ammunition inputs and explosives, including the establishment of Canadian nitrocellulose production by 2029. The problem of ammunition shortages during the war against Russia in Ukraine was explicitly cited to justify this measure. Steel, aluminum and critical mineral sectors will be retooled to meet defence specifications, a move linked to vulnerabilities exposed by US tariffs and global supply disruptions. The DIS specifically highlights the fact that of the 12 defence-critical raw materials identified by NATO, Canada produces 10, including aluminum, gallium, germanium, graphite, and tungsten. This pillar extends militarization well beyond weapons manufacturing into civilian life. Under the banner of ensuring a national supply of medical countermeasures, Ottawa plans targeted investment in biotechnology production, workforce development and stockpiling of essential pharmaceuticals coordinated with allied governments. Framed as pandemic preparedness and emergency resilience, these measures will integrate public health infrastructure into national security planning, reflecting assumptions within ruling circles that future conflicts will involve prolonged disruption, large-scale emergencies, including mass casualties overseas and on the home front, and the need to sustain essential healthcare services under crisis conditions. Finally, the DIS ties industrial expansion directly to Canadas North and Arctic. Melting sea ice, new shipping routes and intensifying rivalry among the major powersCanada, the US, the European great-powers and Russiaover territory and resources are transforming the region into a central arena of strategic competition. Shipbuilding, surveillance infrastructure and Arctic-capable systems are prioritized as instruments for asserting Canadian imperialist interests in the polar region. Canada and the race to redivide the world The Canadian bourgeoisie has been compelled to more aggressively assert sovereignty over military production due to the breakdown in the decades-long military-strategic partnership with US imperialism. The American financial oligarchys embrace through Trump of an America First agenda based on Washingtons right to unchallenged dominance over the Western hemisphere has exacerbated conflicts between North Americas twin imperialist powers. Indeed, the very existence of the Canadian federal state is at stake, given Trumps repeated threats to make Canada the 51st state. The ruling class north of the border has responded by attempting to diversify economic relations and military-security ties, a tall order given that three-quarters of all Canadian exports flow to the United States and military cooperation through NATO and NORAD is extensive. Ottawa is attempting to expand cooperation with the European imperialist powers, who are themselves engaged in massive rearmament programs, and allies in the Asia-Pacific like Japan, South Korea and Australia. However the inter-imperialist rivalries play out, what is beyond doubt is that the Canadian financial oligarchy wants to sharply escalate the exploitation of the working class at home to bear the additional costs associated with its aggressive participation in wars of plunder around the world. The government will establish a stand-alone Defence Investment Agency (DIA) through legislation it plans to introduce this year in order to insulate decision-making about investments and the conversion of civilian to military production from any semblance of democratic control. The DIS argues existing procurement structures are too fragmented and slow. The DIA will consolidate authority, accelerate contracting and align industrial policy with military objectives. It will, the document states, make the appropriate trade-offs to serve Canadas strategic security interests. In other words, decisions involving public spending, industrial priorities and consequently the jobs and livelihoods of millions of workers and their families will be subordinated to the necessity, as far as the bourgeoisie is concerned, of utilizing societys resources for imperialist war. The DIA will integrate Canadian firms into multinational procurement programs such as Security Action for Europe and Readiness2030, effectively embedding domestic industry within allied war-production networks. It will also steer subsidies, research funding and procurement decisions toward the designated industrial champions. Strategic sovereignty, as defined by the DIS, extends beyond manufacturing capacity to include control over intellectual property, technology platforms and supply chains. The strategy also proposes strengthened investment screening and export controls to prevent hostile actors from acquiring strategic assets. Defence policy thus merges with economic nationalism and national-security regulation. Team Canada and the disciplining of labour The DIS approaches labour as a strategic resource to be mobilized. Workforce shortages are identified as a central constraint on military expansion. The government proposes coordinated training programs, immigration pathways, credential recognition systems and labour-mobility initiatives aimed at channeling workers into defence industries. The union bureaucracy is explicitly named as a partner through sectoral alliances linking employers, unions and industry groups. Canada Post workers picketing a facility at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, during their four-week strike in the fall of 2024, which was broken by the Trudeau Liberal government using a cooked-up "reinterpretation" of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. A militarized economy cannot tolerate sustained labour disruption. Across Canada, federal and provincial governments have already intervened repeatedly to suppress strikes deemed economically disruptive in key industries including the docks, railways and the postal service. The logic of the DIS points toward further restrictions on the right to strike under the banner of national security and supply-chain resilience. The unions embrace of Team Canada nationalism in the name of combatting Trumps trade war provides the ideological framework for this discipline. Workers are told that the sacrifice of their jobs, living standards and even lives is necessary to defend national sovereignty. In reality this perspective splits them from their brothers and sisters in the working class in the United States and internationally and subordinates them to the interests of their own national ruling elite, who profit from rearmament and war. Hundreds of billions directed toward the militarization of Canadian society will be financed through austerity, wage restraint and massive cuts to public services and social supports. As far as the ruling class is concerned, healthcare systems strained to collapse, unaffordable housing and underfunded education are the price to pay for military investment and Canadian imperialisms bid to ensure a seat at the imperialist high table where the bounty of global aggression and war are divvied up. There is no meaningful opposition within the political establishment to this class war agenda. Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats, Greens and Bloc Quebecois alike endorse expanded military spending. NDP defence critic Lori Idlout welcomed the strategy while raising only technocratic concerns, declaring Canadians must make the necessary investments in the military. Workers can only oppose Canadian imperialisms rearmament for war by joining the struggle to construct a global anti-war movement. Canadian workers must unite with workers in the United States, Europe and internationally against the subordination of society to war production. This movement must be armed with a socialist and internationalist program to abolish capitalism, the root cause of imperialist war and militarism. On Tuesday, a nearly blind 56-year-old Rohingya refugee, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, was found dead in Buffalo, New York, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents released him at a donut shop miles from his home, without informing his family or ensuring his safe return. Nurul Amin Shah Alam [Photo: Buffalo Police Department] Shah Alam was a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar (Burma). The Rohingya are a persecuted Muslim ethnic minority, concentrated mainly in Rakhine State along the border with Bangladesh. They have their own language, culture and communal history in the region, but the state of Myanmar has refused to recognize them as one of the countrys official ethnic groups and instead labels them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Shah Alam entered the US as a refugee on December 24, 2024. He arrived in Buffalo, New York, that month with his wife and two children after fleeing persecution in Myanmar, and the family was legally resettled there as Rohingya refugees. He spoke little or no English, was nearly blind and suffering from serious health problems that left him extremely vulnerable. Relatives described him as a gentle man, a father of two, who depended on his family for navigation, communication and basic daily tasks. On February 19, Shah Alam was arrested by local police and booked into the Erie County jail after an encounter in which officers claimed he did not comply with commands he likely could not see or understand. Body camera footage shows officers threatening him, one saying, Im going to shoot you, dude before firing Tasers, taking him to the ground and handcuffing him; police later alleged he bit two officers. After his arrest, CBP lodged an immigration detainer and was notified when the county prepared to release him. This image from body camera video provided by the Buffalo Police Department shows Nurul Amin Shah Alam in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 15, 2025. [AP Photo/Buffalo Police Department] Once Shah Alam was cleared for release, CBP agents took custody of him but quickly determined he was not subject to removal and decided not to pursue deportation. Instead of returning him to his family or arranging a safe handoff with his lawyer, agents transported him into Buffalo and left him at a Tim Hortons donut shop north of downtown, roughly five miles from his home. Surveillance video later showed him wandering outside the locked coffee shop on a cold winter night. Crucially, his family and attorney were never informed that he had been released or where he was left. Relatives were still expecting him to walk out of the county jail and return home; they had no reason to imagine he had been abandoned miles away in an unfamiliar area he could not safely navigate. With city cameras in the area offline due to prior vandalism, there was no real-time public record to aid the search after he disappeared. Buffalo Mayor Sean M. Ryan issued a blunt statement condemning CBPs actions, saying the preventable death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam is deeply disturbing and a dereliction of duty by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Ryan also said the agents conduct was unprofessional and inhumane and declared that the agency had failed to protect human dignity. Federal and local officials have acknowledged that Border Patrol picked Shah Alam up from Erie County custody, drove him into the city and dropped him off, with a spokesperson confirming that he was taken to a Tim Hortons and left there. Immigration authorities said they released him the same day they received him from the county because he was not deportable, but they have offered no coherent justification for abandoning a nearly blind, nonEnglishspeaking refugee in a strange neighborhood at night. For nearly a week, Shah Alams family searched frantically for him. They filed a missing persons report, canvassed local hospitals and detention centers, distributed flyers and worked with advocates to pressure agencies for answers. His attorney discovered on February 22 that he was not in immigration detention and alerted Buffalo police, exposing the fact that no one in government had told the family that he had been released at all. Family members have described days and nights without sleep, fearing he had fallen, been assaulted or succumbed to the cold, and denounced officials for leaving a disabled man to fend for himself without even a phone call. On February 25, Buffalo police confirmed that the remains discovered on a downtown street two days earlier were Shah Alam, identified by the medical examiner using Xray comparison, and notified his relatives. He had been dead for hours when first responders arrived, and emergency personnel were unable to revive him. Shah Alams death is the direct result of the violence and abuse meted out by DHS agenciesCBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)against immigrants since the start of the second Trump administration, which has empowered federal agents to deliberately violate the Constitution and shield agents from accountability. The death of Shah Alam was one of many outrages over the past week across the US: South Texas: Newly reported internal ICE documents detail how an ICE officer shot and killed US citizen Ruben Ray Martinez in his vehicle, firing multiple times after he allegedly failed to follow commands and struck an agent. This is the same excuse federal agents used to justify the killing of Minnesota mother Renee Nicole Good in January, claiming she attempted to use her vehicle to harm officers, even though multiple cell phone videos from that day show Good did not attempt to hit the agent, who deliberately remained in front of the vehicle to justify his violent actions. Newly reported internal ICE documents detail how an ICE officer shot and killed US citizen Ruben Ray Martinez in his vehicle, firing multiple times after he allegedly failed to follow commands and struck an agent. This is the same excuse federal agents used to justify the killing of Minnesota mother Renee Nicole Good in January, claiming she attempted to use her vehicle to harm officers, even though multiple cell phone videos from that day show Good did not attempt to hit the agent, who deliberately remained in front of the vehicle to justify his violent actions. Nationwide shootings by ICE and CBP: A recent review found that ICE and Border Patrol agents have shot and killed five people in recent months, including Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in Chicago; Isaias Sanchez Barboza in Rio Grande City, Texas; Keith Porter in Los Angeles (killed by an offduty ICE agent); and Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, underlining a pervasive resort to deadly force. A recent review found that ICE and Border Patrol agents have shot and killed five people in recent months, including Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in Chicago; Isaias Sanchez Barboza in Rio Grande City, Texas; Keith Porter in Los Angeles (killed by an offduty ICE agent); and Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, underlining a pervasive resort to deadly force. Vehicle shootings and use of force: A separate analysis documented 15 incidents in which ICE or Border Patrol agents fired at people in cars, a practice that violates useofforce standards in most police departments and DHS policy itself; in these cases at least two drivers were killed. Only a minority of those shot by ICE or CBP face ongoing criminal charges, despite official claims that all posed lethal threats. A separate analysis documented 15 incidents in which ICE or Border Patrol agents fired at people in cars, a practice that violates useofforce standards in most police departments and DHS policy itself; in these cases at least two drivers were killed. Only a minority of those shot by ICE or CBP face ongoing criminal charges, despite official claims that all posed lethal threats. Detention warehouses and systemic abuse: Congressional investigations and human rights monitoring have uncovered more than 1,000 credible reports of abuses in ICE detention, including medical neglect, overcrowding, denial of food and water, physical and sexual abuse, family separation, and mistreatment of children and pregnant women, even as ICE experiments with warehouse-style mass holding sites. Congressional investigations and human rights monitoring have uncovered more than 1,000 credible reports of abuses in ICE detention, including medical neglect, overcrowding, denial of food and water, physical and sexual abuse, family separation, and mistreatment of children and pregnant women, even as ICE experiments with warehouse-style mass holding sites. Minnesota, ongoing ICE deployments and Medicaid frozen: Legal observers and community monitors in Minnesota continue to document ICE arrests, tactical teams and raids despite federal claims that the Operation Metro Surge occupation was winding down. Earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance announced that the federal government would be withholding $259 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota. This program primarily benefits the elderly, the poor and children. Public sources show that deaths in US immigration custody have surged since Trump began his second term, but there is not yet a single, definitive cumulative figure for all people who have died in U.S. custody across all agencies (ICE, CBP holding, Border Patrol field custody and related facilities). Based upon media reports the number of people who have died is somewhere between 36 and 40, with 30-32 deaths in 2025 and 6-7 deaths so far in 2026. Reports show that some deaths in immigration custody and related enforcement incidents have triggered formal investigations, but many have not, and almost none have been examined in a way that families or the public would recognize as transparent, timely or independent. For deaths in ICE detention, DHS is supposed to open at least an internal case review every time someone dies in custody, and in a subset of cases there is a more formal review or referral. In some cases, local law enforcement and county medical examiners conduct parallel inquiries. A Guardian analysis of the 32 people who died in ICE custody in 2025 found that while ICE claimed deaths were under review, only a small number had any publicly visible followup by DHS oversight offices, and details were sparse months later. Tracking projects cited by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the American Immigration Council note that at least a handful of casesfor example, the homicide of Geraldo Lunas Campos at Camp East Montana in Texasdid trigger an autopsy explicitly labeling the death a homicide, a federal court order to preserve witness testimony, and litigation. However, these cases are the exception, not the rule. Warren Truck workers leaving plant on October 3, 2024 Workers at Stellantis reacted with fury to the formal announcement by Stellantis this week that the company would not issue profit sharing checks this year due to reported negative earnings in 2025, the first time this has happened since 2011. After years of concessions and substandard pay raises, workers count on the payouts to fill gaps in their budgets. Checks have ranged from $3,000 to as much as $14,000 in 2024. Workers contacted by the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter expressed disgust with management as well as the UAW apparatus. A Jeep worker at the Toledo Assembly Complex said, We were on emergency status, ten hours, six days a week. Then it went to critical statusseven days. We went all hard, and for what? We got no profit sharing. How much more can we give? He said many workers are struggling with the rising cost of living. You walk outside for gas and food and youve spent $100 without trying. People count on that extra money every year, said a worker at Stellantis Warren Truck outside Detroit. However, if you have been following the news, this should not have come as a surprise. Corporate greed will always win, and the people actually doing the work will always lose, until we make major changes. Another said, Salary Bargaining Unit here at CTC (Chrysler Tech Center) is PISSED!!! Im well aware of the bamboozle BS. United Auto Workers officials were well aware of what was coming and said nothing to prevent walkouts and other forms of resistance. After the announcement, they went into damage control mode to try to contain the fallout. UAW President Shawn Fain issued a self-serving statement pinning all blame on management while absolving his leadership who negotiated the terms of the 2023 sellout that left workers living paycheck to paycheck. We sounded the alarm on disgraced CEO Carlos Tavares and have been pushing the company to stop throwing money away to Wall Street and instead invest in the plants, products, and people that make this company run, Fain said without proposing anything to oppose this. UAW Vice President for Stellantis Rich Boyer parroted Fain, declaring, The company chose short-term profits over sustainability, prioritized shareholder payouts instead of investing in the future, and cut the heart and soul out of the plants to cover up the results. Boyer said nothing of his own role in negotiating the 2023 agreement as head of the UAW Stellantis Department. UAW officials scrambled to prevent workers from walking out over the news. According to the Detroit News, the president of UAW Local 1700 at Sterling Heights Assembly intervened to squelch plans for a wildcat walkout Thursday by workers also working long hours of mandatory overtime. The News wrote, A letter to members from Local 1700 President Michael Spencer indicated workers were fed up. He told them they will not be walking out on a wild cat strike, and urged them to keep building the best quality vehicles possible. Fueling workers anger is that Stellantis reported that a large portion of the $26 billion global loss was due to a $29.9 billion write-down by Stellantis due to its strategic reset away from electric vehicles. These largely paper losses did not prevent management from funneling over $8 billion to shareholders and executives. The company reported that its North American operations actually produced 231,000 additional units over 2024. Stellantis claims that, under the 2023 contract formula negotiated by the UAW, reported profits did not meet the required threshold. It is well known that companies use creative accounting to massage earnings numbers in line with the interests of management. Major corporations year after year pay zero taxes using various loopholes and deductions despite funneling billions to stockholders. A veteran Warren Truck worker told the WSWS, No one has faith in any numbers corporations give us. Chrysler made $2.4 billion in 1993 and paid $8,000 profit sharing to twice as many employees. Most fundamentally, the whole concept of profit sharing promoted by the UAW bureaucracy has been a fraud from the beginning. It was introduced in contracts in the auto industry in the 1980s as the UAW adopted corporatist union-management collaboration, abandoned strikes and agreed to massive job and wage cuts in the name of boosting competitiveness and profitability. Annual improvements in pay and conditions, once a common feature in labor agreements, were converted into contingent payouts based the UAWs collusion in lowering labor costs and enforcing ever-increasing exploitation. Reacting to the Stellantis announcement and the UAW bureaucracys response, Will Lehman, a rank-and-file Mack Trucks worker in Macungie, Pennsylvania, and candidate for UAW president, stated: The elimination of profit-sharing checks is a slap in the face to workers who have created billions in wealth through their labor. It means bills unpaid, homes at risk, cars repossessed, and plans postponed. While UAW leaders try to shift all blame to management, they cover up their own role in negotiating the 2023 deal, which tied workers income to profit-sharing formulas controlled by the company. What is needed is a real fight, not more collaboration with management. When anger at Sterling Heights threatened to spark action, Local 1700 leadership intervened to block a wildcat strike and ordered workers to keep production going and work harder building more trucks, as though they were company foreman. Profit sharing is presented by employers and union bureaucrats as a way to include workers in the fruits of production. In reality, it is a political and economic device that deepens exploitation, subordinates our livelihoods to corporate management, and undermines independent class struggle. In reality, all wealth is created by the labor of workers. The corporate owners create nothing, yet they siphon off the lions share of the wealth created off our backs and leave us crumbs. The reality is the corporate owners need us, but we do not need them. What workers need is not profit sharing but workers power and workers control to wrest back the concessions stolen from us and guarantee every worker a decent wage, shorter working hours and a secure retirement. Workers can secure their needs only through organization and collective action. Power must be restored to the rank and file by building committees across plants and linking up with workers in Mexico, Canada and internationally, so that strategy and demands are decided democratically on the shop floor. The Big Three contracts signed by the UAW bureaucracy after Fains bogus stand up strike have led to massive job cuts of temporary part-time (TPT) and permanent employees and exhausting hours and speed-up. They also led to injuries and deaths, including Toledo Jeep worker Antonio Gaston and Stellantis Dundee Engine worker Ronald Adams Sr. in Michigan. Commenting on the sellout deals, a Toledo Jeep worker said, Boyer looked at us and said, Vote for this contract. This is the best you can get. It was the threat. They lied to us. Some of the TPTs at Jeep, people with six, seven years, finally got hired. But so many others lost their jobs. Then Belvidere is still closed, they screwed over Warren, which lost a shift. A lot of Belvidere guys transferred there and got laid off again. I watched the video when Will [Lehman] debated the International and Fain in 2022. Everybody knows about the backroom deals and we dont trust anybody up there. Theyre cut from the same cloth. Will is from the line and wants to empower all of us. Commenting on Lehmans call for the international unity of workers, he said, We do the same work. Im assuming the work the Mexican autoworkers are doing is even a lot rougher than what were doing. And what do they get? Five dollars an hour, and theyre pumping out all these cars. Were all autoworkers and it doesnt matter what country youre in. If we can pull them in and unite, absolutely. Its the same with Canada. We all should be together as one. Addressing the recent events in Minneapolis and Trumps scapegoating of immigrants, he said, Its just terrible. Were all humans, right? The whole ICE thing pisses me off. The killings were unjustifiable. As far as the Trump administration goes, I couldnt care less about him. A lot of people voted for Trump because he said, Were going to save American jobs. What have we got? Responding to the increasing calls for a general strike in the wake of the rampage by the Trump administrations immigration Gestapo, he said, I believe in striking. We definitely should do that. Its part of what we are, its what was done in history. Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. [AP Photo/Patrick Sison] On Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump ordered every federal agency to immediately cease all use of Anthropics technology and directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to designate the company a supply chain risk to national security after Anthropic refused to grant the Pentagon unrestricted access to its Claude AI system. In an unhinged post on Truth Social, Trump threatened major civil and criminal consequences if the company does not cooperate during a six-month phase-out period. The dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon unfolded rapidly this week and reveals growing divisions within the ruling class over the Trump administrations reckless policies. Two days after being summoned to Washington on Tuesday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published a statement Thursday evening refusing to back down on their demands that the Pentagon not use their AI model for fully autonomous drones or domestic mass surveillance. While this was presented in the corporate press as a courageous act of defiance against Trumpian authoritarianism, read in full, the letter is nothing of the kind. It is a full-throated declaration of support for US imperialism that repeats the Pentagons own talking points nearly verbatim, differing only on two narrow technical restrictions. I believe deeply in the existential importance of using AI to defend the United States and other democracies, and to defeat our autocratic adversaries, Amodei wrote. He boasts that Anthropic was the first frontier AI company to deploy on classified government networks, at national laboratories, and to provide custom models for national security customers. Partially autonomous weapons, like those used today in Ukraine, are vital to the defense of democracy, he declared, adding, Even fully autonomous weapons (those that take humans out of the loop entirely and automate selecting and engaging targets) may prove critical for our national defense. Thus, his objection to autonomous weapons is not principled, but technical: frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough at present. Most revealing of all, Amodei wrote, We have never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner. Here Amodei confirmed that Anthropic raised no objection to the Pentagons military assault on Caracas in early January, an operation that killed between 83 and 100 people and led to the illegal seizure of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and which ostensibly triggered this crisis. Not only that, he has never objected to any other US military operation! The man being hailed as a champion of ethical AI effectively told the Pentagon: we support everything you have done; we merely request two technical carve-outs going forward. In response to this letter, which was entirely deferential aside from the two demands, Trump wrote on Truth Social: The Left wing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. He added, WE will decide the fate of our CountryNOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about. Trumps fascistic ravings against Anthropic and its CEO Dario Amodei are those of a dictator unwilling to tolerate the most minimal limits to his unchecked power. While Anthropic does have a reputation as the safety-first AI company, this reputation was always more marketing than substance, and any claims that it is radical left are absurd. Anthropic is a $380 billion AI company backed by $8 billion from Amazonwhose AWS built and operates the CIAs primary cloud infrastructure$3 billion from Google, and $15 billion from Microsoft and Nvidia combined. It celebrated its $200 million Pentagon contract in July 2025, and partnered with Palantirwhose entire business model is built on serving the US military and intelligence apparatus, from drone targeting to immigrant tracking for ICEto deploy Claude on classified networks. The supply chain risk designation carries sweeping economic consequences. All military contractors must now certify that they do not use Anthropics products in their workflows. This includes Boeing and Lockheed Martin, who were asked earlier this week to assess their exposure to Claude. The $200 million Pentagon contract is terminated. As one analysis noted, using Claude will now become an affirmative choice to forgo any current or future US government business, effectively making Anthropic toxic not only to defense contractors but to any company in any sector that does or seeks to do business with the federal government. The ripple effects will extend globally, as allied governments and multinational corporations reassess their own use of Anthropics tools. The two red lines Amodei drawsagainst mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weaponsare directed against practices already firmly established by the agencies he enthusiastically serves. The Snowden revelations of 2013 exposed the NSAs PRISM program, which collected data from nine major technology companies, and upstream collection programs that tapped fiber-optic cables to vacuum up internet traffic in bulk. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the legal foundation for warrant-less surveillance, has been repeatedly reauthorized by Congress with bipartisan support, most recently in 2024. The intelligence agencies have deployed machine learning and AI-assisted analysis of mass surveillance data for years. Amodeis red line against mass domestic surveillance is a line drawn against something already happening, drawn by a man who has built his business atop the classified networks where that surveillance operates. The Trump administrations response to Amodeis limited resistance has itself been revealing. Under Secretary of Defense Emil Michael denounced Amodei on X as a liar with a God complex who wants nothing more than to try to personally control the US Military. This is the language of fascist political intimidation, in which personal vilification is deployed as a weapon to enforce submission. That a senior government official publicly brands a CEO as mentally unfit for maintaining that AI should not be used for mass surveillance reveals the character of the regime. Despite its limited character, the refusal of Anthropic to cave on these two demands has drawn broad support among tech workers, both at other AI companies and more widely. As of this writing, 558 current Google employees and 91 current OpenAI employees have publicly signed an open letter declaring: The Pentagon is negotiating with Google and OpenAI to try to get them to agree to what Anthropic has refused. Theyre trying to divide each company with fear that the other will give in. That strategy only works if none of us know where the others stand. In response to this, Open AI CEO Sam Altman separately declared that OpenAI shares Anthropics red lines. Only hours later, however, late Friday Altman tweeted that OpenAI reached a deal with the Pentagon to deploy our models in their classified network. The terms of the deal are not yet published, but Altman claims that OpenAI is demanding the same two prohibitions that Anthropic maintained. Undoubtedly there are loopholes which will soon become clear. Altmans tweet ends ominously, The world is a complicated, messy, and sometimes dangerous place. A second, broader letter from Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, the Alphabet Workers Union, No Tech for Apartheid, and No Azure for Apartheidorganizations which claim to represent 700,000 workersgoes further, stating: We are writing to urge our own companies to also refuse to comply should they or the frontier labs they invest in enter into further contracts with the Pentagon. It demands that executive leadership at Google, Microsoft and Amazon must reject the Pentagons advances and provide workers with transparency about contracts with other repressive state agencies including DHS, CBP and ICE. Significantly, this letter moves beyond Amodeis framework, which objects only to surveillance of Americans, to oppose surveillance of immigrants as well. But both letters remain within the framework of appeals to corporate management and the state. Neither demands public ownership of AI, democratic control by workers, or the termination of military contracts as such. The critical question is whether these workers will develop an independent political perspectiveopposing the capitalist state and its military apparatus as a wholeor remain a pressure group for one faction of capital against another. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) provides the organizational framework through which tech workers can fight for an independent class program based on the demands for public ownership and democratic control of AI, the end of all military AI contracts, and opposition to imperialist war. The growing dangers of the use of AI by the military were underscored this week by a scientific study which placed Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini in armed conflict simulations. AI models chose to deploy nuclear weapons in 95 percent of scenarios, while Claude recommended nuclear strikes in 64 percent of games. The nuclear question has also evidently been central to the dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon. The Washington Post reported on February 27 that at a meeting last month, Michael posed a hypothetical to Amodei: if an ICBM were hurtling toward the United States with the time to make a decision measured in minutes and seconds, could Claude help shoot it down? Pentagon officials claim Amodei responded, You could call us and wed work it outan account Anthropic calls patently false, noting it had already agreed to allow Claude for missile defense in December 2025. The dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon is a conflict within the ruling class. The working class, including tech workers, must chart its own independent path. The fight against AI militarization requires the independent political mobilization of the international working class for the public ownership and democratic control of AI, the dismantling of the surveillance state, and the end of imperialist war. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Zohran Mamdani with Donald Trump at the White House, February 26, 2026. [Photo: Zohran Mamdani] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdanis secretly organized meeting with Donald Trump in the White House, where he posed alongside the fascist president in the Oval Office, is an act of treachery aimed at forging an alliance with the far-right. The self-proclaimed democratic socialist stood side-by-side with the would-be dictator who has the blood of thousands on his hands, and may soon have the blood of millions, as his war fleet assembles off the coast of Iran. Trump beamed as the Democratic mayor of the nations largest city paid him tributetreating Mamdani as a useful prop he considers valuable, at least for the moment. Mamdani did not stumble into this meeting. He sought it. He proposed the photo-op. It is a calculated effort by the New York City mayor and leading figure of the Democratic Socialists of America to establish close relations with a fascistic president who is escalating ICE terror, building a network of detention camps, preparing to rig the 2026 elections and driving the United States toward a catastrophic war. Had Mamdani told the tens of thousands of young people and workers mobilized to elect him last year that his strategy was to form an alliance with Trump, he would not have been elected dogcatcher. His election was secured through a massive political fraud: the claim that placing a DSA mayor in office would be a step toward opposing dictatorship, defending immigrants and resisting austerity. The second Trump-Mamdani meetingafter the love fest last November before Mamdani even took officeis all the more revealing because it took place less than 48 hours after Trump delivered his State of the Union address to Congress, ranting that the Democratic Party consisted of traitors, cheaters and people who hate America. In a social media post Wednesday, Trump singled out Mamdanis fellow DSA member, Representative Rashida Tlaib, for vilification, claiming that Tlaib and Representative Ilhan Omar had bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized. Trump went on to say that the US government should send them back from [sic] where they cameas fast as possible. Tlaib was born in Detroit, in the district she now represents in Congress, the child of a Palestinian immigrant father who worked at Fords Flat Rock assembly plant. In comments on Wednesday, Mamdani went out of his way to publicly welcome selected lines of Trumps fascistic address, such as the presidents cynical praise for New York Citys snow shoveling program for requiring identificationwithout mentioning the context: Trumps campaign to impose voter ID requirements, disenfranchise millions of voters, and hold the midterm elections under the barrel of a gun. Mamdanis collaboration with Trump expresses the class character of his politics. And it must be stated plainly: these are the politics of the Democratic Socialists of America as a whole. Mamdani is not a rogue actor. He is the DSAs most prominent elected official, hailed by them as their greatest political success story. What Mamdani does in the Oval Office, the DSA does. His handshake with Trump is the DSAs handshake with Trump. What is the content of Mamdanis collaboration? He seeks $21 billion in federal funds for a housing project that will enrich real estate developers and construction firms while doing little or nothing to address the social crisis confronting millions of working-class New Yorkers. The argument that Mamdani is getting resultsthat he secured the release of a detained studentis the most pernicious form of apologetics. It is precisely the argument advanced by Pierre Lavalthe socialist turned Nazi collaborator leading Vichy France. But every such transaction strengthens the political authority of the far right. Trump releases one student and detains a hundred more. He smiles for a photograph with the communist mayor and uses the image to demonstrate that even his nominal opponents submit to his authority. A recent article in Jacobin, the main publication associated with the DSA, gave a potted history of the Popular Front, the period in the 1930s in which the Stalinist-led Communist parties collaborated openly with bourgeois liberal and social-democratic parties, supposedly in the name of waging a common struggle against fascism. The account covered up both the treacherous purpose of the Popular Frontto defend capitalism by suppressing the proletarian revolutionand the murderous methods of the Stalinist regime. It was for this reason that Trotsky denounced the Popular Front as democracy in alliance with the GPU. The operative framework of Mamdanis politics, however, is what followed from the Popular Front, namely the Stalin-Hitler Pact of August 1939. The non-aggression treaty with Nazi Germanywhich invaded the USSR less than two years laterwas the most infamous act of political treachery in the 20th century. Stalin, who had framed up and murdered the old Bolsheviks on fabricated charges that they were agents of Hitler, now toasted the Nazi leader, declaring, I know how much the German nation loves its Fuhrer; I should therefore like to drink to his health. In his groveling appearance at the White House, Mamdani might as well be saying: I know how much the American people love their commander-in-chief. This under conditions where the majority of the American people are vehemently opposed to Trump and where the authoritarian in the White House is desperately devising measures to rig the 2026 elections, just as he sought to overturn his electoral defeat in 2020 through the violent attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The entire policy of Mamdani and the DSA is directed at disorienting and demobilizing the working class. Mamdani postured as the most militant opponent of Trump and everything he represented. He won votes and recruited members on the basis of these claims. Now, by pursuing backroom collaboration and accommodation, he is working to turn that mobilized anger into demoralizationencouraging the conclusion that everyone is the same and that opposition is futile. For years, the DSA and its ideological allies have justified their politicstheir subordination to the Democratic Party, their elevation of identity politics over class struggle, their hostility to revolutionary Marxismby denouncing Trotskyists as sectarians. This epithet has served as their all-purpose answer to principled political criticism. When the Socialist Equality Party insisted that no progressive outcome could emerge from working within the Democratic Party, the DSA responded with anti-Trotskyist ice-pick memes in the best traditions of Stalinism. Now the world can see what the real content of this accusation has always been. Sectarianism, in the vocabulary of the DSA, means the fight for socialist principles. It means the refusal to make ones peace with the capitalist system and its political representatives. It means the insistence on telling the working class the truth. The DSA can denounce us as sectarians until they are blue in the face. The Socialist Equality Party will never enter into political alliances with bourgeois parties. The SEP will never meet with, shake hands with, or provide political cover for fascists and aspiring dictators. We will never peddle the lie that the interests of the working class can be advanced through backroom deals with the leaders of American imperialism. That is not sectarianism. It is the most basic requirement of socialist principle. We address ourselves now to those rank-and-file members of the DSA who joined that organization in good faithwho believed they were joining a movement for socialism, who wanted to fight against inequality, war and the assault on democratic rights. Look at what your organization has produced. Look at the photograph from the Oval Office. This is the culmination of the DSAs perspective, not a deviation from it. Those genuinely committed to socialism must draw the necessary conclusions. The DSA is not a vehicle for social transformation. Mamdanis collaboration is a lesson in the political bankruptcy of the DSAs pseudo-left politics, which expresses the class interests of privileged layers of the upper-middle classsocial strata that have no independence from the capitalist state and seek above all to secure a place within it. It is, moreover, part of an international tendency, from Syriza in Greece to the Left Party in Germany to Corbynism in Britain. The fight against inequality, against war, against the growing danger of dictatorship in the United States and internationally, requires a complete break with the DSA and with the Democratic Party to which it is umbilically attached. It requires a turn to the genuine political traditions and principles of socialismto the heritage of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Luxemburg and Trotsky, as fought for today by the Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International. Los Angeles District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, at podium, holds a news conference as SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias, left, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, right, listen, in Los Angeles City Hall, Friday, March 24, 2023. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes] On Wednesday, federal agents from the FBI and the Department of Justice executed coordinated raids at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) headquarters and at the home of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho in San Pedro. Simultaneous searches were also conducted at a residence in Florida linked to Carvalho. While the federal operation seized electronic devices, financial records, communications, and nonprofit documentation connected to Carvalho, no formal charges have been filed, and the specific nature of the investigation remains under seal as of this writing. Following the raid, Carvalho was placed on administrative leave by the board on Friday. The raids appear to stem from allegations that Carvalho accepted kickbacks from a private company during his tenure leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools. These claims reportedly prompted searches of a residence in Southwest Ranches, Florida, along with his home and office in Los Angeles. The allegation stems from a 2020 episode in which Carvalho solicited a $1.57 million contribution from online education firm K12 Inc. (now known as Stride, Inc.) as Miami-Dade schools shifted to remote learning. The funds were directed to the Foundation for New Education Initiatives, a nonprofit he founded and chaired, while the company was pursuing a major district contract. At the time, the money was distributed to teachers in the form of $100 gift certificates. A 2021 Inspector General report found no legal violation despite an appearance of impropriety. Preliminary evidence also suggests a probe into Carvalhos connection to AllHere, an AI startup which collapsed last year following the arrest of CEO Joanna Smith-Griffin for investor fraud. AllHere secured a $6 million contract with LAUSD to develop the Ed chatbot, despite being a small, unproven company in generative AI. Federal scrutiny centers on Carvalhos longstanding relationship with AllHere salesperson Debra Kerr. Whistleblower reports have also highlighted the companys mishandling of student data, raising questions about whether district officials, including Carvalho, knowingly ignored privacy violations. Carvalho has consistently defended his role in LAUSDs AI integration, asserting that while he championed the adoption of AI tools, he was not involved in the specific selection of AllHere. Other concerns were raised earlier this year over LAUSDs handling of approximately $76.7 million in Proposition 28 funds earmarked for arts and music education. Carvalho has also been a vocal opponent of Trumps policies and ICE enforcement on school grounds, barring federal agents from campuses and implementing safe passages for students at risk of detention. He has repeatedly stated: Over my dead body will any federal entity enter our schools to take immigration actions against our kids. This federal action comes amid broader tensions between the Trump administration and institutions it perceives as resistant to its policies. LAUSD, UCLA and other educational institutions have faced legal and administrative challenges, with accusations ranging from anti-ICE stances to negligence to protect against antisemitismthe dishonest euphemism for opposition to the Gaza genocideand alleged discrimination against white students. Carvalho has criticized Trumps policies, noting their authoritarian overtones and their targeting of educators and students who oppose militarization and anti-immigrant measures. Last June, in an op-ed for Time magazine titled I was once undocumented. Now Im a superintendent speaking out against Trumps immigration raids, he wrote, No preschooler, no first grader ... poses any risk to the national security of the United States. And yet, the response we are seeing looks more like a military operation than an immigration process. The raids intersect with a period of intense political opposition and class struggle. LAUSD teachers and staff are on the verge of a massive strike, potentially mobilizing 30,000 teachers and 35,000 support workers. At the University of California, 40,000 graduate student workers are also in active dispute with administrators over wages, benefits and working conditions. The Trump administration is deeply concerned about the potential for unified resistance, seeking to neutralize opposition through targeted investigations and leadership changes. While the DOJ has cited possible corruption, misappropriation of federal pandemic relief funds, and student data privacy violations as the basis for the probe, the operation bears all the markings of a political retaliation rather than a narrow criminal inquiry. By targeting a superintendent who opposed the governments policies on civil rights and immigration enforcement, the administration appears to be sending a message to other public institutions that dissent will be met with intimidation. Carvalho poses no real threat to the profit system. He is a municipal functionary with ties to the Democratic Party establishment whose career has been based on implementing austerity measures against workers and maintaining the status quo. Only last week, when the LAUSD Board of Education announced 3,200 layoff notices and at least 657 jobs cut, he stated the reductions were a calculated risk and admitted they might not be sufficient. But the broader context in which this raid takes place is the growing upsurge of the class struggle and attempts by the Trump administration to squash all forms of opposition. Importantly, in the first two months of this year, Los Angeles has experienced one of the largest waves of student activism in decades. Thousands of students across LAUSD, as well as UCLA, walked out of classrooms to protest an escalation in federal immigration enforcement and surge tactics by ICE. On January 30, 2026, a No Work, No School strike saw significant mobilization. At Venice High School, the attendance rate dropped to 64 percent, while the district-wide average fell to 80 percent, indicating that many thousands of students likely stayed home or participated in local demonstrations. The most significant mobilization occurred during the first week of February 2026, following reports of raids in the Los Angeles Fashion District and Westlake. On February 4, approximately 4,500 students from two dozen schools converged on City Hall and the Metropolitan Detention Center. Participating schools included John Marshall High, Roybal Learning Center, and Downtown Magnets. Two days later, participation nearly tripled. A district spokesperson confirmed that 12,500 students from over 85 schools walked out. In the San Fernando Valley alone, students from more than 40 schools joined the movement. The raid on Carvalho is in all likelihood aimed at political retaliation, but Trumps real concern is the growing opposition among the youth and the working class. What is required is the development of an independent political movement of the working class directed against the capitalist system itself, the real source of inequality, repression and war. Christa Prince shovels snow during a blizzard in the borough of Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. [AP Photo/Drew Callister] Tens of thousands of New York City teachers and parents opposed Mayor Zohran Mamdanis decision to hold in-person school on Tuesday as the city recovered from a historic blizzard. The area was hit by 27 inches of snowfall last week, crippling the city and making transportation nearly impossible for millions. Most businesses and city services were shut down, and schools were closed on Monday. On Tuesday, millions of workers in the city and commuters in the suburbs were unable to dig their cars out of the snow. Public transportation was unreliable and often unavailable from many areas. Mamdani, nevertheless, declared that school buildings would be open and teachers and students expected to attend, even though much of the rest of the city was closed. Attending school was impossible or, in many cases, dangerous, for children and their teachers. Many streets were not fully plowed or sidewalks not cleared. Only 60 percent of students were able to get to school and over 20,000 educators were unable to come in. Educators and parents voiced their opposition to Mamdanis decisionand to the leadership of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which had put up no opposition to iton a variety of online forums as well as a petition that collected over 170,000 signatures. The petition reads, in part: Past storms have demonstrated how quickly transportation systems, neighborhood parking, and yellow bus services become overwhelmed. These conditions create serious safety concerns for students, school staff, and families navigating hazardous roads and limited transit options We respectfully urge the New York City Department of Education to prioritize the well-being of students and staff by announcing a temporary shift to remote learning for that day. Thousands of parents and educators fumed at the decision on social media, and upbraided Mamdani and the UFT leaders. One parent on Reddit said: When mayor CEO [former mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg] decided that the most important thing during every snowstorm was to send the kids to babysitting so that the drones could go to work I understood it. I disagreed with it ... but I understood his mentality. When Mr. Im Gonna Take On The Billionaires decided the same thing it just illustrates the point that where it really counts, hes not any different than the corporate shills. Another wrote: Why is [UFT President Michael] Mulgrew and his highly paid cronies just going along with whatever the mayor says. Theres plenty of people posting on here saying their blocks have not been plowed, many teachers coming from the island [Long Island] or even Jersey. Thoughts and prayers style emails and posts do nothing. The poster called for teachers to organize an unofficial sick out stand up to the mayor like It would only take one time. Another person declared the UFT was, sitting back, collecting its dues and doing whatever the mayor tells them to do. The union is a joke. Another on an educators chat on Facebook said, The mayor should have been told no to in person [education] by our union. Period. End of story. At what point do we take the safety and wellbeing of ourselves AND our students and put them before what the mayor wants? Another teacher added: I am convinced that at this point, administration [of] NYCPS is in the business of crushing teachers spirits and stressing them up to the point of heading to an early grave. And our UFT leadership is exactly in bed with the enemy. Others called for industrial action organized by educators themselves. I think we should all stand together, one teacher said, and call out. Lets make a point with action [because] words clearly dont seem to work. Another educator wrote, referring to the recent six-week strike at four city hospitals: So are we going to strike like the nurses because we have some demands. And a third: They dont care about us. We need to take matters into our own hands. Remarks like these provoked lively responses and discussions. This anger is not a flash in the pan and reflects a growing conflict between social forces. Educators are outraged over the ICE attacks in Minneapolis and around the country, and fearful that it is only a matter of time before they come to New York City. As with the rest of the United States, New York students have held dozens of walkouts to protest ICE in the last two months. Online discussions among New York City teachers have raised the question of a general strike to stop Trumps ICE attacks. Many are aware that trade unions in Minneapolis refused to back a general strike, using no strike clauses in their contracts as an excuse. Many expressed no illusion that the UFT would do anything different. The sentiment is reminiscent of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a threatened teachers sickout in March 2020 forced Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo to shut the schools. The UFT and the American Federation of Teachers played a crucial role in overriding this opposition. The subsequent reopening, while the pandemic continued to rage, generated deep opposition. De Blasio and his successor, Eric Adams, lied on an almost daily basis that the schools were the safest places in the city. In the two months since taking office, Mamdani has emerged as another right-wing capitalist politician. His unannounced visit to Washington on Thursday, in the aftermath of Trumps fascistic state of the union rant, amounted to the so-called socialist mayor providing political cover for the would-be dictator. This makes him complicit in the assault on immigrants and democratic rights which will inevitably be unleashed in New York City. Mamdani has, moreover, reappointed Jessica Tischarchitect of mass surveillanceas the New York Police Departments (NYPD) Police Commissioner, and praised the police, even after a recent shooting of a mentally disabled person in their own home. Legislation is now pending before the City Council that would allow the New York Police Department to restrict the space for protests in front of universities and schools. The lively discussion of educators about the reopening of schools shows that teachers are confronting how to fight both a progressive mayor that many of them voted for, and the UFT bureaucracy. The way forward is building rank-and-file committees in every school, democratically controlled by educators themselves and independent of both the capitalist politicians and the union bureaucracy. Such organizations can unify teachers with parents, students and other sections of the working class, prepare collective actionincluding coordinated sickouts and broader strike actionand link the fight over immediate safety concerns and other issues to the broader struggle against authoritarianism and austerity. Across the United States, rural maternity care is in crisis. Hospitals continue to close labor and delivery units, entire counties are left without obstetric services, and pregnant patients are forced to travel hours for routine care or delivery. These closures are often framed as inevitable, driven by low volume, unsustainable costs, and staffing shortages, but this narrative ignores both the root causes of the problem and the solutions already within reach. Rural maternity care deserts are not just geographic gaps. They are system failures with predictable consequences: delayed prenatal care, higher rates of preterm birth, increased maternal morbidity, and preventable neonatal complications. When local services disappear, patients are pushed into distant urban centers, fragmenting care, eroding trust, and accelerating a bypass effect that further destabilizes rural hospitals and communities. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) sit at the center of this crisis, and the solution. In many rural and underserved communities, FQHCs are the only consistent source of prenatal care, continuity across the pregnancy-postpartum dyad, and culturally concordant care for marginalized populations. Yet these centers are often excluded from broader maternity care planning, hospital investment strategies, and policy conversations about sustainability. If we are serious about improving maternal and infant outcomes, we must move beyond closure management and toward intentional investment in local maternity care infrastructure. The path forward is clear. 1. A committed, well-supported workforce with broad scopes of practice Rural maternity care depends on clinicians who can do more than one thing well. Family physicians trained in obstetrics, certified nurse-midwives, and advanced practice providers with expanded scopes are essential anchors for local care. These clinicians provide prenatal care, attend deliveries, manage postpartum needs, and often care for the newborn and family long after discharge. Yet we continue to underinvest in training pathways that prepare clinicians for this breadth. Family medicine obstetrics training programs, rural residency tracks, and procedural competency development are proven models, but they require institutional commitment, mentorship, and long-term support. Workforce sustainability is not just about recruitment; it is about retention, scope protection, and professional respect. 2. Strong nursing leadership and obstetric-ready staffing models Low volume does not mean low risk. Rural maternity units require nurses trained in obstetric assessment, fetal monitoring, neonatal stabilization, and emergency response. Traditional staffing ratios and volume-based benchmarks often fail these settings, leading administrators to conclude that safe staffing is impossible. In reality, rural units succeed when they adopt obstetric-ready staffing models: cross-trained nurses, dedicated obstetric leadership, ongoing simulation, and protected education time. Nursing leadership is not an accessory to rural maternity care. It is foundational. 3. Reliable transfer relationships built on collaboration, not extraction Rural hospitals should not be expected to manage every complication, but neither should they function as referral funnels that hollow out local care. Effective maternity systems rely on bidirectional relationships with higher-level centers: clear transfer protocols, shared guidelines, teleconsultation, and mutual respect. When referral centers treat rural units as partners rather than feeders, outcomes improve, and local confidence grows. Collaboration preserves appropriate local deliveries while ensuring timely escalation when needed. 4. Administrative commitment to cross-subsidization and long-term investment Maternity care has never been a high-margin service. Treating it as a standalone profit center virtually guarantees failure in rural settings. Successful systems recognize maternity care as core infrastructure, one that supports emergency readiness, community trust, and long-term population health. Cross-subsidization is not a bailout; it is an investment. Hospitals that maintain labor and delivery services often stabilize other service lines, retain clinicians, and strengthen their role as community anchors. 5. Policy and payment structures that value equity and access, not volume alone Current payment models reward throughput, not presence. They penalize hospitals for serving sparsely populated regions and ignore the public good of local access. If equity matters, then access must count as value. Policy solutions exist: global budgets, rural obstetric readiness payments, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement, and funding tied to outcomes rather than volume. We already do this for trauma centers and emergency services. Maternity care deserves the same recognition. Rural maternity care is not failing because the model is broken. It is failing because we have chosen not to support it. FQHCs, family physicians, nurses, and community hospitals continue to show what is possible when local care is prioritized. The crisis is real, but so are the solutions. The question is no longer whether we can save rural maternity care. It is whether we will. Jesus Ruiz is a family physician. Students from Roosevelt High School protest during a walkout, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. [AP Photo/Jen Golbeck] As anti-ICE student walkouts continue and communities mobilize against the construction of concentration camps, the Trump administration is being joined by state and local politiciansboth Democratic and Republicanin trying to criminalize the growing opposition. Across the US, teachers and school staff are facing investigations, discipline and firings over even perceived support for antiICE protests. On February 25, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District and the home of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, an outspoken critic of Trump and ICE raids. These actions are intended to send a clear political message: no criticism of US imperialism and its alliances will be tolerated in academic spaces. Outlined below are some of the recent attacks on freedom of speech, assembly and the right to protest affecting K-12 educators nationally. The widespread and courageous protests by students have clearly helped to galvanize a broadening opposition in the working class, and struck fear in the ruling elites. Texas After hundreds of students in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth area participated in the national student walkouts on January 30 against ICE, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) issued a statewide bulletin threatening teachers for their support. The bulletin said that educators who aid or encourage students to leave class for antiICE protests would be investigated and could face sanctions, including the loss of their license. On February 16, Attorney General Ken Paxton opened formal investigations into Austin ISD, Dallas ISD, North East ISD (San Antonio), and Manor ISD, demanding internal emails, policies, and communications to see whether administrators or teachers helped organize antiICE protests. I will not allow Texas schools to become breeding grounds for the radical Lefts open borders agenda, Paxton said in a statement. Let this serve as a warning to any public school official or employee who unlawfully facilitates student participation in protests targeting our heroic law enforcement officers: my office will use every legal tool available to hold you accountable. Governor Greg Abbott publicly labeled schools and staff who permit walkouts as coconspirators and threatened funding cuts and other penalties for districts seen as facilitating protests. The American Civil Liberties Union denounced the actions, stating: Government officials should not intimidate students and educators for exercising their constitutional rights, nor can they punish students disproportionately for walkouts compared to other types of absences. Boycotts and walkouts are one of the oldest and most peaceful forms of protest in our democracyand the Supreme Court has continuously recognized that students and teachers do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse doors. California Available coverage indicates that tens of thousands of students have walked out in California to protest the violent seizures and mass deportations by ICE. This included thousands of students in the East Bay, across roughly a dozen schools, with multiple San Francisco schools also participating. Local new media LAist reported that about 4,500 students from two dozen Los Angeles schools walked out, with the Los Angeles Times citing throngs of students protesting from Long Beach to Pasadena. Students walked out in classrooms across Orange County, with marches in Santa Ana and Capistrano Valley. The massive community outrage and the growing demands for a general strike have prompted authorities in the Democratic Party-dominated state to try to intimidate students and workers. In the Fresno area, Clovis and Sanger police, in coordination with Clovis Unified School District, stated that they would seek misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor against adults identified at student walkouts protesting ICE deportations. They said at least two adults had already been identified and that others were being investigated. Ricardo Lopez, an AP US History teacher at Synergy Quantum Academy in Los Angeles, was summarily fired and escorted off campus after opening a locked gate so students leaving for an antiICE walkout would not injure themselves climbing the fence. Lopez told CBS News: My number one priority as an educator is to create a safe space and try to protect my students. In that moment, I just tried to protect them. Within the hour, the school administration fired Lopez for insubordination and escorted him off campus. He called the punishment very unfair and very unjust. I felt like a criminal, Lopez said. Community groups have shown their support for Lopez, and hundreds have signed an online petition calling for his reinstatement. The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) has failed to issue a statement in Lopezs defense. New York In New York City, the City Council is considering buffer zone legislation, part of a five-point action plan on antisemitismin reality, protests against Israels genocide in Gazaintroduced in January. Sponsored by Democratic Bronx Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, a right-wing Zionist, the bill would formalize the NYPDs authority to establish policecontrolled perimeters around educational institutions during protests, extending to entrances and exits and applying to both public and private property. This has provoked opposition from the ACLU, and a joint letter signed by nearly 100 organizations. They warn that the proposed legislation would create protestfree zones where police have broad discretion to decide which demonstrations can approach schools and under what conditions. The bill is being promoted by Zionists seeking to ban protests over the Gaza genocide, but it will inevitably be used against student and teacher opposition to deportations and other government crimes. Florida Anti-ICE walkouts also took place in Florida, a state with a large immigrant population. Local sources report hundreds of students walking out in several metro areas (Tampa Bay, Brevard/Space Coast, South Florida, Central Florida). At least several thousand Florida students have participated in the past month. In response, Education Commissioner Anastasios Stasi Kamoutsas sent a memo titled Student Protests, Student Safety and Instructional Time to all district superintendents, that any staff who encourage or promote student protests could face disciplinary action. He followed up at a Florida Board of Education meeting on February 19 saying that educators who choose to share negative opinions of law enforcement with students, distribute antilaw enforcement flyers while on school property, encourage students to protest or push an ideology on to students in any way, shape or form, will be investigated and held accountable, directly in response to antiICE walkouts after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good and the detention of fiveyearold Liam Ramos. Arizona In Arizona, a mass sickout by students and teachers closed 20 schools in Tucson, in solidarity with the National Shutdown anti-ICE movement. In response, Republican legislators have advanced a bill to ban teachers from striking or engaging in any organized work stoppage, with violators stripped of civil service and reemployment rights and other benefits. HB 2313 spells out that teachers may not strike or engage in an organized work stoppage against a school district or charter school. Republican Rep. Matt Gress emphasized the political opposition developing among educators, supporting the crackdown. The sickout was not a traditional strike over pay or contract. It was a coordinated work stoppage tied to a political protest against ICE, he was quoted as saying by KNAU NPR. Oklahoma In Oklahoma, Republican lawmakers have demanded that the state schools superintendent investigate teachers suspected of promoting or facilitating student walkouts, calling for disciplinary action and raising the possibility of revoking their certificates. At the same time, local authorities and school administrations are moving to criminalize protests themselves. Many districts have responded by threatening students with unexcused absences, suspensions, loss of extracurriculars and other penalties, insisting that walkouts will be treated as truancy rather than protected political expression. This has created a climate of fear, especially among immigrant and mixedstatus families, who warn their children to avoid protests out of fear that any contact with police or immigration agents near schools could result in detention or deportation. The ability of the school districts to threaten teachers is above all due to the refusal of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) to defend their own members. The union bureaucracy has responded to the wave of student walkouts and teacher sickouts by instructing educators to obey now, grieve later, enforcing backtowork orders and collaborating with administrations to maintain order in the schools. Rather than mobilizing their millions of members against the ICE raids, the antidemocratic laws and the investigations targeting educators, the AFT and NEA are blocking strikes, thus shielding the fascists from any challenge from below. The bipartisan drive to criminalize student walkouts, silence educators and cordon off campuses with police buffer zones is part of a nationwide attack on basic democratic rights in the service of Trumps antiimmigrant campaign and US imperialism. Defense of teachers and students cannot be entrusted to the Democratic Party and the union bureaucrats. What is required is the independent political mobilization of the working classeducators, school staff, parents, logistics, healthcare and industrial workersuniting US workers with their brothers and sisters internationally in a common struggle against deportations, policestate measures and the capitalist system that produces them. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, greets his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during a a press conference in Jerusalem, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. [AP Photo/Gil Cohen Magen] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a two-day visit to Israel this week, choosing to further elevate Indias strategic partnership with Israel at the very point that Washington and Tel Aviv are poised to launch a criminal, unprovoked war on Iran. With the US having deployed greater firepower to the Middle East than any time since it invaded Iraq in 2003, such a war will have catastrophic consequences for the people of Iran and risks setting the entire Middle East ablaze. Israels military has been on high alert for weeks, only awaiting Washingtons greenlight to join a war on Iran. Twice in the past two months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuupon whom Modi lavished praise and hugshas met with Americas president and would-be fuhrer Donald Trump at the White House to plot regime-change war against Iran. By all reports, Netanyahu has been pressing Trump to make good on his threats to rain devastation on Iran on a scale far greater than that inflicted during last Junes 12-day US-Israeli bombardment. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and his fascist regime continue their genocidal assault on the people of Gaza, the supposed Trump-brokered truce notwithstanding, and they have intensified their drive to ethnically cleanse the West Bank in furtherance of their plans to establish a Greater Israel. None of this caused Modi the slightest pause. He went out of his way to solidarize himself and India with Israels crimes. He denounced the October 7, 2023 Hamas uprising in language that was music to the ears of the entire Zionist political establishment including the far right; hailed Trumps peace plan to transform Gaza into a neo-colonial protectorate under his personal supervision; and breathed not a word about Israels campaign of terror and mass murder against the people of Gaza. Modi excoriated Hamas terrorism and lauded the strength of India and Israels shared democratic values. But he passed over in silence the deaths of more than 70,000 Gaza Palestinians from Israeli bombardment, the systematic starving of the enclaves entire population and the destruction of most of its infrastructure and dwellings. In 2017 Modi became the first Indian prime minister to ever visit Israel. On Wednesday, the first day of his two-day visit, he became the first Indian prime minister to address the Knesset. He was greeted with a standing ovation, a grotesque salute from a regime of war criminals to a Hindu supremacist who first came to national prominence in India when in 2002, as the chief minister of Gujarat, he instigated an anti-Muslim pogrom that left some 2,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. Modi branded the Hamas uprising, which was sparked by years of a punishing Israeli blockade, a barbaric terrorist attack. We feel your pain, he continued. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. In so far as Modi referenced Gaza in his speech, it was from the standpoint of Trumps peace plan, which he cynically claimed, holds the promise of a just and durable peace. In keeping with this Orwellian portrayal, Modi painted Netanyahu and the Israeli garrison state as veritable peacemakers. He lauded the Trump-brokered 2020 Abraham Accords, which were designed to give Israel a free hand in imposing its final solution to the Palestinian question, saying India applauded your courage and vision. Turning to Indo-Israeli relations, he declared that the strong partnership between Washingtons foremost partner in South Asia and its Middle East attack-dog, serves national interests but also contributes to global stability and prosperity. The Jerusalem Post was ecstatic. Speaking of Modis presentation of the now two-and-a-half-year-long war that Israel has waged on the people of Gaza in the name of fighting terrorism, it declared: No equivocation. No contextualization. No on the one hand. No reference to root causes. No balancing intended to dilute the condemnation. Netanyahu, not surprisingly, was effusive in his praise for Modi. He thanked India for standing by Israel, then declared Indias Hindu supremacist prime minister more than a friend, a brother. At the conclusion of Modis visit, the two countries signed sixteen Memorandums of Understanding and elevated their partnership to what they are now calling a Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity. The MoUs covered everything from cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, and cybersecurity, to education, commerce and agriculture. They included a deal to bring 50,000 Indian workers to Israel to make up for labour shortages caused by the post-October 2023 restrictions on Palestinian labour. Netanyahu and Modi also signed a landmark defense MoU, which focuses on co-development and co-production of advanced missile defenses like the Arrow, Davids Sling, Iron Dome (short-range rockets), and Iron Beam (laser-based). It builds on a prior MoU for broader collaboration in military training, R&D, cybersecurity and counterterrorism. No new weapons deals were announced during the visit, but the Indo-Israeli arms trade has massively expanded in recent years. New Delhi is now by far the biggest purchaser of Israeli weapons, accounting for one-third of all Israels foreign arms sales from 2020 to 2024. Indias military exports to Israel have also grown rapidly in recent years. Since the beginning of the Gaza slaughter, India has co-produced Israeli armaments and supplied combat drones, missiles, and explosives to Israel. The AI weaponry system used in Gaza was jointly developed by Indian and Israeli companies. Over the past year, the two countries have sealed military transactions worth a staggering $8.6 billion. During Modis visit, New Delhi and Tel Aviv recommitted to trying to reach a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade. Last September, when Israeli Finance Minister and staunch Greater Israel settler-fascist Bezalel Smotrich travelled to India, the two countries signed their first ever Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA). The shocks from an US-Israeli war on Iran would reverberate globally, exacerbating geopolitical tensions, stoking war, and roiling the world economy. India, which imports more than 80 percent of its oil, could face a major run up in oil prices, even as remittances from the Middle East plunge. Iran is also a longtime ally of India. New Delhi has invested both financial and political capital in developing Irans Chabahar Port to provide it with an economic corridor to Afghanistan and all Central Asia. New Delhi no doubt is apprehensive about the consequences of a US-Israeli war on Iran, but certainly not enough to in anyway stop it expanding its economic and military-security ties with Israel and, even more importantly, Washington. Moreover, it views their violations of international law as providing license for Indias own predatory actions and great-power appetites. Israel, it should be noted, stood virtually alone in declaring its unequivocal support for Indias unprovoked and patently illegal attack on Pakistan last May. The assault led to four days of air and artillery clashes and brought South Asias rival nuclear powers to the brink of all-out war. Over the past quarter-century, New Delhi, under BJP and Congress Party governments alike, has repeatedly sacrificed relations with Tehran in pursuit of its anti-China global strategic partnership with US imperialism. This includes scuttling a natural gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan that was supposed to underpin a rapprochement between South Asias historic strategic rivals; and lining up with the US at the International Atomic Energy Agency in the late 2000s in designating Irans civil nuclear program a threat. India also ultimately hopes to gain from the expansion of US influence in the Middle East through aggression, war and genocide and specifically Washingtons promotion of an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This infrastructure initiative was launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi with US backing and participation from Saudi Arabia and the UAE as a means of countering Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. The IMEC aims to establish a multi-modal trade and transport route linking India and Europe, promising a 40 percent reduction in transport times and potentially positioning Israel and its Haifa Port as a key hub. Not coincidentally, the Adani Group, led by Gautam Adanione of the worlds richest men and a close Modi allyholds a 70 percent stake in Israels Haifa Port. But the Adani Groups role in India-Israel ties goes well beyond this. It has partnerships with Israeli-based companies in technology and infrastructure, and collaborates with Israeli defense firms like Elbit Systems, producing drones and weapons for the Israel Defense Forces. The camaraderie on display between Modi and Netanyahu during the Indian prime ministers visit also has ideological roots. There is a deep and longstanding affinity between Zionism and Hindu supremacism, fueled by religious nationalism and a common antipathy to the Muslim other. This was well-recognized in the 1930s by the founding ideologue of Hindutva, V.D. Savarkar. He urged support for Zionism even as he exhorted the Hindu nation to treat Indias Muslims as Hitler was treating Germanys Jews. As would be expected, Iran has sharply criticized Modis visit to Israel. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized India for ignoring the suffering of the Palestinian people, with Modi visiting at a time when Israel is conducting war crimes in Gaza. While it did not directly raise Israels role in the impending war on Iran, the spokesperson said Tehran expected India, as an historic friend to restrain the Zionist regime, not reward it. Apart from the Stalinist parliamentary parties, there was little criticism from within the political establishment and corporate media of Modis visit to Israel and the enhancing of Indo-Israeli strategic ties. What criticism there was centered on its potential to damage relations with the Arab Gulf Statesnot Indias implicit support for genocide and the impending criminal war on Iran. A spokesperson for the official opposition Congress Party, Jairam Ramesh, chastised Modi for visiting as Israels dispossession and displacement of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has intensified Israels attacks on civilians in Gaza continue mercilessly (and) Israel and the US are planning air assaults on Iran. But this was no more than a cynical attempt to curry popular support by appealing to the mass revulsion against Israels genocide in Gaza, especially among the minority Muslim population, and latent but powerful anti-imperialist traditions among working people. The Congress Party is fully on board with the Indo-US alliance and systematically obscures Washingtons role, first under Biden and then Trump, in arming, funding, and politically supporting Israel, as it has rampaged across the Middle East since October 2023. WiseTech Global, one of Australias largest technology companies, has announced it will slash up to 2,000 jobs over the next 18 months, in the most significant AI-driven mass firing in the country to date. This amounts to the destruction of almost 30 percent of the global workforce of the company, which produces software for the logistics sector. The job losses will fall most heavily on software developers and customer service workers across the companys operations in 40 countries. This includes E2open, the American cloud computing firm WiseTech acquired last year for $US2.1 billion, which may see its workforce slashed by up to 50 percent. WiseTech Global CEO Zubin Appoo [Photo: WiseTech Global] WiseTech CEO Zubin Appoo said 500 positions had already been eliminated since last July, declaring: The era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over. Executive chairman and company co-founder Richard White boasted that individually, people can do far, far more work with AI than they could have done nine months ago and that most software could be written by AI agents, with only a single developer needed to oversee the bots output. These comments, in line with warnings internationally about the devastating impact of AI on the software industry, points to the likely wave of white-collar job destruction, in Australia and globally. The Australian Financial Review called the WiseTech announcement the most conspicuous demonstration of how AI will reshape the workforce as its use becomes more widespread and sophisticated. WiseTech shares surged more than 11 percent to $A47.74 on the day of the announcement, after having plummeted 60 percent over the past seven months, in part due to concerns the companys products would be replaced by AI-coded competitors, or that it would be forced to lower its price. White outlined a different value proposition for WiseTechs big-business customershis software would earn its sticker price by helping them slash jobs. He said the AI agents built into WiseTechs CargoWise platform would allow its customers to cut their own labour costs by 50 percent within the next two years. In other words, the 2,000 jobs to be destroyed at WiseTech are only the beginning. The companys technology is being explicitly designed to facilitate the elimination of tens of thousands more jobs throughout the global logistics supply chain. CargoWise processes an estimated 75 percent of worldwide customs transaction data and is used by 24 of the 25 largest global freight forwarders. The companys technology sits at the heart of global supply chains, giving its decisions enormous ramifications for logistics workers worldwide. Appoo revealed that, in anticipation of this jobs bloodbath at customer sites, WiseTech had altered its pricing model to charge by the number of transactions processed, rather than the number of users. He noted, products that monetise through seat fees, I think they are in trouble. WiseTechs announcement is part of an accelerating global assault on jobs under the banner of artificial intelligence. The same day WiseTech revealed its plans, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)the nations largest bank, which had just reported a record half-year profit exceeding $5 billionannounced it would eliminate 300 jobs across retail, business, and institutional banking divisions, with the majority of roles impacted in technology. CBA simultaneously unveiled its $90 million Future Workforce Program, ostensibly a mechanism for training workers for roles transformed by technological developments. The program also includes career transition support for people impacted by workforce change, in other words, redundancy pay for workers thrown on the scrapheap. In reality, CBA is implementing a company-wide restructuring operation based on vast swathes of staff being replaced by AI, with existing employees to compete for jobs tending and training the algorithms. The program shifts responsibility for the consequences of mass sackings from the corporation onto individual workers, who are told they must re-skill or face unemployment. The Finance Sector Union (FSU), effectively endorsed the restructuring, citing the Future Workforce Program as evidence CBA was making positive steps, and promoting illusions that its transition measures would support workers displaced by the cuts. The FSUs response is in line with the position taken by the broader union apparatus. Last month, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) signed a Framework Agreement with Microsoft Australia, supposedly to ensure workers have greater say in artificial intelligence adoption. The ACTU-Microsoft deal is a mechanism for incorporating the unions into the destruction of jobs, giving the appearance of worker consultation while providing corporations free rein to implement AI-driven restructuring. The federal Labor governments National AI Plan, released in December 2025, follows the same trajectory, emphasising tripartite collaboration between governments, big business and the union apparatus. Confirming the plan had nothing to do with protecting workplace rights, just two weeks after it was unveiled, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced he would slash $6.8 billion over four years from the budget by gutting the public service, specifically vowing to unlock the full potential of AI in public service delivery. The National AI Plan, and the ACTU-Microsoft deal, were intended to signal a green light to corporations for sweeping job cuts. The gambit has been rapidly taken up, with hundreds of sackings already announced this month, including by Telstra and National Australia Bank, before the latest news from CBA and WiseTech. This is in line with developments globally. Data compiled by RationalFX shows that 30,700 tech workers lost their jobs worldwide in just the first six weeks of 2026, putting the industry on track to surpass the 245,000 tech layoffs recorded in 2025. Amazon alone has eliminated 16,000 jobs in early 2026, accounting for more than half of all announced tech layoffs so far this year. Goldman Sachs has estimated that AI could displace 67 percent of the entire US workforce if widely adopted. The WiseTech announcement starkly poses a fundamental question: Who will benefit from advances in artificial intelligence? Under capitalism, the answer is clear. AI is being deployed not to lighten the burden of work for all, or to expand leisure time and improve living standards, but to maximise corporate profits by eliminating jobs and driving down labour costs. Workers cannot defend their jobs and living standards through the trade unions, which have demonstrated at every point that their role is to suppress opposition to the corporate onslaught and defend the capitalist system, under which every technological advance is used to deepen the exploitation of workers and increase the wealth of the financial and corporate elite. What is required is the independent political mobilisation of the working class on the basis of a socialist programthe expropriation of the major corporations and banks, their transformation into publicly owned utilities under democratic workers control, and the reorganisation of economic life on the basis of human need. Only then can the benefits of technological advancement, including AI, be shared by all, not hoarded by a tiny financial elite. Institutions Galib Gassanoff limits his runway collections to 30 looks. For him, this isnt the place to present commercial outerwear and wear-everywhere tailoring. The runway is a platform for ideas and stories. For his third runway collection, he continued his practice of elevating the traditional crafts and complex history of his birthplace, the Georgian village of Karajalar, to the fashion week stage. This season, the 2026 LVMH Prize semifinalist employed Azerbaijani weavers (he is also of Azerbaijani descent) to apply their labor-intensive techniques of hand-knotting on a vertical loom to three special show pieces. You can easily spot them in the collection; Gassanoff doesnt want to disguise their origins. He lets these carpets look like carpets even when wrapped around the model like a skirt and paired with a cardigan. Surrealist takes on craft continue to take center stage throughout the collection: double-faced wool shaped into sculptural outerwear and hand-stitched shoelaces that join together to create a skirt. Hes exemplified this same ethos since founding Institution in 2024 after moving to Milan at 18 to study fashion. Prior collections include full skirts woven like baskets and shoelaces string tightly to mimic chunky knits. We spoke with Gassanoff ahead of his show at Milan Fashion Week. Ahead, the designer muses on his sources of inspiration for this collection, his place in the Italian city, and his hopes for the future of his brand. launchmetrics.com/spotlight - LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT What can you tell me about this collection? What was your starting point? The idea started building about nine months ago. I take inspiration from my childhood, from my roots. I'm from Georgia with Azerbaijani roots. That's where I began my research. I work with the community on textiles, specifically in rural areas where there is a tradition of carpet making. There will be three special pieces made in collaboration with these women in the traditional way, the same as it was done a hundred years ago. And I didnt want to only take inspiration from them. The craft of making this kind of carpet is dying. To be able to collaborate with these makers, give them a way to express themselves as well as inspire newer generations to start learning this craft is important to me. Advertisement Advertisement In the early 20th century, when Georgia and Azerbaijan gained their independence from the Russian Empire, it was the first democratic republic in the Caucasus. Women gained independence with the right to vote and to be elected to Parliament in 1918. It was really early, earlier than many European countries, for women to have this kind of freedom. It was also a time when religion became secondary, and liberation, freedom, and expression were at the forefront. There was a woman, Peri-Khan Sofiev, who is from my village, elected to the government at that time. The first Muslim woman ever elected democratically. I also wanted to tell her story. So my storyline for the collection is basically about that region, about the condition of the women, how they think, their lifestyle, and so on. How does that come to fruition in the clothes themselves? I love ethnography. I love the history of clothing. What I like about looking backward is that everything was natural. Everything was handmade, and craft was so important. Everyone associates this sort of craft with something dated, something historical, but I think it's becoming very rare. Many of us are starting to miss that human touch. I think that is something very special we need to consider protecting. It will be the ultimate luxury, in my opinion, because once its gone, its gone. I place a lot of value on the fabrics themselves. I sketch, yes, but I also trace patterns, I cut fabric for dresses and different garments and most of them I tailor myself. I experiment with putting together historical and modern tailoring. I don't like to just reference a couple of things and then do something that is completely different. I like to be honest about what I'm referencing, to convey the history and craft behind it. launchmetrics.com/spotlight - LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT You've done really cool shapes in your past two seasons. How do you think about draping fabric around a body? I am quite passionate about distorting or modifying the shape, but not in a way thats disturbing. I usually try to over-exaggerate maybe the shoulders or the hips. Growing up, there were sculptures leftover from our time under the Soviet Union that usually depicted a womans body in a manner that is quite structured with metal or with concrete. I'm definitely a little bit influenced by that. But other than that, there are shapes that are really informed by the fabrics we use. Advertisement Advertisement I work with the shapes that the material gives me. When I collaborate with the communities, I don't push them to make something specific. They send me some photos or I see something when I visit. We say, Can you make this bigger? Can you make this smaller? And so on. After that shape arrives, we see what we can do with it. But it's their contribution. How are you holding your runway show this season? I always want to step up, but I don't want to overdo it. I don't have pressure from any outside investors looking for commercial success or fast growth at the moment, so I have a freedom of creativity. Even though it's difficult, I'm really happy doing it this way. I'm happy to be able to develop freely with these rigid, heavy fabrics that I use. And I can do my shapes and no one will tell me to do a lighter version to sell it. Of course, we have parts of the collection with coats, dresses, etc. that can be easily wearable every day, but it's not usually the focus on the runway because I limit it to 30 looks to tell the story properly. This season, the collection is mainly about those craftswomen that I work with. The expectations are high this time, so let's see how it'll go. launchmetrics.com/spotlight - LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT What's it like to be working and showing in Milan right now? It's not easy in Milan because there is not much space for the younger generation. Everyone is quite concentrated on big names because there are many big-name establishments that do huge shows with commercial stakes. Also, everything is done really slowly here, but you get used to it. Other than that, it's amazing that you have access to a huge textile industry with people who are able to make incredible things. Everyone comes here to do their samples, to do their collections. You can find anythingartisans, fabrics, factoriesand that is a huge plus. What are your hopes for your brand? What do you want from it? Ideally, I would love to be able to express myself and continue to be able to collaborate with these communities. But my biggest dream is to be able to continue making limited amounts and selling made-to-order. This is a system that I started in my way of working, working with traditional techniques, lots of handmade piecesto produce less of something that has extreme value. These clothes become collectible pieces. I would love to be able to expand this a little more so that the brand can sustain itself and be able to sustain the communities that I work with. And Id like to be able to expand into other regions. At the moment, I'm working with Azerbaijan because its home, but I would love to explore Central Asia, to explore the Balkans, and beyond. I think what we do now is quite organic. It's challenging, absolutely, but it's very valuable. I believe that it can be an alternative future. Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Advertisement Advertisement Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT Photo credit: LAUNCHMETRICS SPOTLIGHT You Might Also Like Candace Owens is accusing Erika Kirk and her mother, Lori Frantzve, of being social climbers. Speaking on episode 2 of her docuseries Bride of Charlie, which dropped on Thursday, February 26, Owens claimed Kirk, 37, and Frantzve have long held ambitions of being famous. The conservative podcast host, 36, suggested that Frantzve had often encouraged Erika to work the room, even before Erika married prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. (Charlie was shot dead at a Utah university campus in September 2025.) Advertisement Advertisement What people have said to me is she is the person who has always been the person in Erika's ear. She's this type A person that tells her who to go after in each and every room. She knows who those people are, who Erika should instantly transform into, what she has to say, Owens said in the episode. Charlie Kirks Wife Erika Frantzve Once Appeared on Summer House After Allegedly Turning Down Cast Role She continued, I mean, one of [Erikas] exes was very clear. He said to me, I was warned by another person in the beauty pageant world that that girl will do anything to get to the top, and her mother will do anything to help her get to the top. Owens went on to claim that outsiders suspected that Frantzve has likely been the person in her ear but also suggested that Erika was a willing participant in this, as she had similar goals. Advertisement Advertisement She wanted Erika to be famous. But let's not remove Erika from this. Erika desperately wanted to be famous. No one can deny that, Owens added. Owens also referenced Erikas past relationships, including JT Massey. Erika and Massey, her then-boyfriend, auditioned to compete on The Amazing Race together in 2014. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Tomorrow when we now begin in earnest to go through Erika's life, you will see she's never dated a normal guy. She's never dated a guy with a 9-to-5 job, Owens continued. You can see, like, she was going to be with somebody. She was, OK, you're going to the NFL. You're going to the MLB. We can be on The Amazing Race together. Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for Erika and Frantze for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Erika took over the role as Turning Point CEO after her husband, Charlie, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at an outdoor event on the Utah Valley University campus on September 10, 2025. He was 31. (A 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, was arrested in connection with the shooting but has yet to enter a plea.) Owens, a former Turning Point USA communications director, has grown increasingly critical of Erika since Charlies death. Candace Owens Claims Erika Kirk Lied About Being Raised by a Single Mom in Bride of Charlie Docuseries In January, Owens leaked audio of Erika, which was reportedly recorded two weeks after Charlie was fatally shot, and suggested the widow was possibly moving on too fast from the loss. Advertisement Advertisement Thats moving pretty quickly to the acceptance phase now, Owens told her viewers at the time. We know everybody grieves differently. In my imagination, I just thought she would be more upset. For her part, Erika shared a tribute to Charlie via her Instagram to commemorate turning 37 on February 20. I always loved celebrating you, and maybe because it was a reflection of how beautifully you always celebrated me. I romanticized growing old with you, the love of my life, Erika, who had a son and daughter with Charlie, shared. I used to wonder what our faces would look like with wisdom-wrinkles. You'd always tell me how you hoped I'd keep my long hair even when we were both gray and also that l'd always wear white (because it was the color you loved me wearing the most). Erika added, We'd laugh about how you'd probably still be out on college campuses in your 80s, doing Prove Me Wrong campus events because you loved those students. And then we'd both start to tear up when talking about our babies growing older and having a family of their own. A full life. The cause of death for Lil Jon's son, Nathan Smith, has been revealed after the 27-year-old's body was recovered from a pond near his home in Georgia on Feb. 6. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's confirmed that Smith's cause of death was "drowning in the setting of psilocybin use," People and E! News reported, citing an autopsy report. The autopsy also stated that Smiths blood had tested positive for "a pharmacologically active hallucinogenic compound of psilocybin hallucinogenic mushrooms," according to E! News and People. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY has reached out to the Fulton County Medical Examiner. Lil Jon and Nathan Smith attend the Pencils of Promise 10th Anniversary Gala at Duggal Greenhouse on Oct. 24, 2018, in Brooklyn, New York. Smith, who went by the stage name DJ Young Slade, was found dead after running out of his home without his phone on Feb. 3 around 6 a.m, according to a missing persons report. The Milton Police Department in Milton, Georgia, said at the time that he "may be disoriented and in need of assistance." After police confirmed his death on Feb. 6, Lil Jon shared a statement saying he and Smith's mother, Nicole Smith, were "extremely heartbroken" and "devastated." "Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted." Advertisement Advertisement "He loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest. He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU," the statement continued. "We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we're comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him." Lil Jon and Nicole Smith married in 2004 and later separated in 2022. The rapper is also a father to daughter Nahara, whom he shares with girlfriend Jamila Sozahdah. DJ Young Slade attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York. DJ Young Slade attends the MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York, Sept. 11, 2024. Lil Jon, Nicole Smith and Nathan Smith attends the Pencils Of Promise 2019 Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Nov. 4, 2019 in New York City. Lil Jon, Nicole Smith and Nathan Smith attends the Pencils Of Promise 2019 Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Nov. 4, 2019 in New York City. Nathan Smith aka DJ Young Slade (L) and Lil Jon perform onstage during 97.1 AMP RADIO's Amplify 2014 concert at the Hollywood Palladium on March 22, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Nathan Smith aka DJ Young Slade performs onstage during 97.1 AMP RADIO's Amplify 2014 concert at the Hollywood Palladium on March 22, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Nathan Smith aka DJ Young Slade (L) and Lil Jon perform onstage during 97.1 AMP RADIO's Amplify 2014 concert at the Hollywood Palladium on March 22, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Nathan Smith aka DJ Young Slade performs onstage during 97.1 AMP RADIO's Amplify 2014 concert at the Hollywood Palladium on March 22, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Lil Jon's son found dead at 27. Revisit his career as DJ Young Slade. 1 of 8 DJ Young Slade attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York. Who was DJ Young Slade? Nathan Smith was a DJ and musician, just like his father, Lil Jon. "Lade released this when he graduated from college. He was so happy to express his art n do it himself. I was so proud of him for doing it all on his own," Lil Jon wrote on Instagram promoting a song called "Move Thru Fire." Advertisement Advertisement Under the stage name DJ Young Slade, Smith aimed to follow in his father's footsteps while also paving his own lane. In March 2025, he dropped a new single titled "Feels" that premiered on MTV. "It's dope to appreciate my dad, show respect, and just look at all the things he's done, and it's nice to get the torch passed down and do my own thing," Smith told The Quintessential Gentleman following the release of the track in March. "Because it's like it comes from him, but also I'm definitely taking it and making it my own." Lil Jon previously said his son started DJing at age 11 and graduated from the Scratch DJ Academy in Los Angeles at age 12, according to People. As a teenager, he DJed at various LA clubs before making his own music. "Its literally in your kid's genes to do what you do," he said, per People. "It is in their genes. It is in their DNA. We pass everything we get and we learn down to our children. So he was destined to be in the music business and do music." Contributing: Anika Reed and Anna Kaufman This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lil Jon's son Nathan Smith's cause of death confirmed Kathy Ireland has worn some incredible fashions over the years, but nothing compares to her childhood newspaper delivery uniform. One of the most iconic models of the 1980s and 1990s, Ireland, 62, could make a potato sack look attractive. That's why it's no surprise that when the brunette beauty came across her old uniform from her paper route and put it on, she still looked absolutely stunning. "Dad always said, 'Kathy, always give 110%. If the customer expects the paper on the driveway, get it on the front porch.' Oh my goodness! I just found my newspaper sacks from 50 years ago! So many memories! 101 customers, 7 days a week, plus door-to-door monthly collections for 3 1/2 years! Priceless childhood lessons, especially in customer relations and service!" Ireland captioned the photos and video, which showed her recreating her paper route by throwing a paper against a doorstep. She even put on the newspaper sacks and still managed to look stunning, naturally. SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox Her New Career as a Commercial Fisherman The stunning beauty added another career to her resume back in July: Ocean commercial fisherman. These days, you can find Ireland out on the high seas with her husband, Greg OIsen, who retired from his job as a physician to hit the high seas. From filling bait jars to wearing bright orange wading pants, the beloved supermodel does it all. Who knew fishing waders could look so good? In a new interview with Fox News Digital, Ireland opened up about her new job. (She also made it clear shes not ditching her life as a model and entrepreneur.) Advertisement Advertisement The lessons Im learning from being out at sea are amazing, Ireland told the publication. Theyre powerful. Much of it aligns with business. And being out there in truly Gods country, where were just surrounded by just the wide open sea its beautiful. Its hard work, but I have a renewed appreciation for what my husband and so many others do. I knew it was hard work. But I knew, unless I experienced it, I wouldnt fully understand why he has this passion. Related: Model Kathy Ireland, Who Makes Fishing Waders Chic, Opens up About New Career as a Commercial Fisherman This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Morgan Freeman doesn't shout. He doesn't rant. And he definitely doesn't ask permission to swear on television. That's why what happened Thursday night felt so jarring. Sitting across from Lawrence O'Donnell on MS NOW's The Last Word, the 88-year-old actor the voice that has narrated penguins, presidents, and the literal Almighty paused mid-thought and asked a question nobody in that room was expecting. Advertisement Advertisement "Can I use any profanity?" O'Donnell told him he could say whatever he wanted. Freeman didn't hesitate. "We have somebody sitting in the White House who's leading us down a sh*thole," he said. "I can't personally understand how a convicted felon convicted 34 felonious... is that a word? Counts of wrongdoing gets to be president. How do you do that?" He wasn't reading a teleprompter. He was working through it in real time, searching for the right word mid-sentence "felonious... is that a word?" and that rawness made it land harder than any rehearsed monologue could. When the Calmest Man in Hollywood Stops Sounding Calm Celebrities criticize Donald Trump all the time. Robert De Niro does it so often it barely qualifies as news he was on the same network days earlier and the response was a collective shrug. Advertisement Advertisement Freeman is different, and everyone knows it. For decades, he's occupied a space in American culture that almost no one else has steady, dignified, deliberately above the noise. He played the president who held the country together in Deep Impact. He played God in Bruce Almighty. His voice has become shorthand for reassurance. If this country had an official narrator, it would sound like him. Which is exactly why the profanity mattered. It wasn't theatrical. It wasn't fiery. It sounded like a man who had simply run out of softer language. The Next Morning, He Was Narrating a Baby Monkey The whiplash was almost absurd. Less than 12 hours after the MS NOW appearance, Freeman was on The View promoting the same project The Gray House, his new Amazon Prime Civil War drama co-produced with Kevin Costner. The mood couldn't have been more different. Sara Haines asked him to narrate a clip of Punch, the baby monkey from Japan who's gone viral for getting bullied in his enclosure. Freeman obliged that voice, that gravitas, all deployed for a monkey. The night before, he'd compared the direction of the country to Germany in 1935. Advertisement Advertisement "I'm constantly reminded of Germany in 1935," he told O'Donnell. "The brownshirts, those people marching through Berlin, rounding up people, putting them in boxcars and sending them off. Now, this administration wants to build large detention centers." You don't have to agree with the comparison to feel the weight of who's making it. This is a man 88 years into a life that started under Jim Crow. He built a career in an industry that once treated the idea of a Black president as science fiction. When Morgan Freeman invokes 1935, it doesn't land like a cable news talking point. It lands like testimony from someone who's been paying attention for a very long time. The Fake Endorsement That Makes This Even Sharper There's a layer to this story that hasn't shown up in a single headline. In 2024, viral posts flooded social media claiming Freeman had endorsed Trump's presidential campaign. Shared hundreds of thousands of times across X and Facebook. None of it was true. Freeman's team had to go through Reuters to formally deny it because the actual Morgan Freeman had appeared in a White House video endorsing Joe Biden alongside other actors who'd played fictional presidents. Image credit: @morganfreeman/Instagram For months, the internet used his name to prop up a narrative he never agreed to. On Thursday night, Freeman used his actual voice to tear it apart. "Absolutely the Worst" The most striking part of the interview wasn't the profanity. It wasn't the Nazi reference. It was the quiet agreement. Advertisement Advertisement When O'Donnell suggested that many young Americans feel like they're living through the worst political moment of their lives, Freeman didn't push back. He didn't qualify it or try to offer perspective. He just said, "Absolutely. Absolutely the worst." Then he gave the only advice he had. "If you are at all aware of where we're headed, and if you don't agree with it, there is one sure way to change the direction of our country: vote." For decades, Morgan Freeman has been the voice that narrates America's story in documentaries, in disaster films, in comedies, in history lessons. On Thursday night, he sounded less like a narrator and more like a man who doesn't like where the story is going. BUCHAREST, Romania A Romanian appellate tribunal on Thursday refused an appeal by American rapper Wiz Khalifa seeking to overturn a nine-month prison sentence imposed in connection with a drug possession conviction in the Eastern European country, the Associated Press reported. The Constanta Court of Appeal ruled the plea to annul or suspend the December sentence was inadmissible and lacked merit, leaving the judgment from Romanias lower court intact, AP said. Khalifa, whose legal name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was prosecuted after police stopped him in July 2024 during the Beach, Please! Festival in Constanta County, where authorities accuse him of possessing and consuming cannabis on stage in front of thousands of spectators. Advertisement Advertisement According to AP, Romanian prosecutors originally charged him with possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis without right, for personal consumption, a crime under Romanian law that carries penalties including prison time. Earlier in the case, a local court in April issued a fine of 3,600 lei (about $830) for illegal drug possession, but prosecutors appealed for a harsher penalty. The appeal led to the December conviction and sentence that Khalifa challenged this week, AP reported. Romania enforces stringent drug laws compared with much of Western Europe; even personal possession of cannabis can draw a custodial sentence or a fine. With the latest ruling, its not clear whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, in part because Khalifa is a U.S. citizen who does not live in Romania. AP contacted representatives for Khalifa seeking comment on the courts decision and whether any further legal steps are planned. Read the original article on cleveland.com. Add cleveland.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Shia LaBeouf has been arrested on another charge related to his alleged Mardi Gras bar brawl earlier this month. LaBeouf was being held at the Louisiana Orleans Justice Center after being taken into custody early Saturday on a new charge of simple battery, according to inmate records viewed by Fox News Digital. Local outlet WWL Louisiana reports that an arrest warrant was issued Friday after an additional victim came forward from his alleged fight outside R Bar Feb. 17. Advertisement Advertisement This is the actor's third simple battery charge related to the alleged incident. He is scheduled to appear in court Saturday afternoon for his first appearance related to the new charge. Shia Labeouf Runs From Courthouse After Posting $100K Bond In New Orleans Mardi Gras Battery Case Shia LaBeouf has been arrested in New Orleans for the second time this month. (Getty Images) Fox News Digital has reached out to LaBeouf and New Orleans police for comment. Read On The Fox News App LaBeouf appeared in court Feb. 26 for a status hearing on the original charges. During the hearing, Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Simone Levine set a $100,000 bond and ordered LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement According to The Associated Press , LaBeouf was reprimanded for allegedly yelling homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people near the French Quarter last week. The police report said LaBeouf allegedly dislocated one victims nose. Levine also ordered the 39-year-old to submit to weekly drug tests. Like What Youre Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News LaBeouf posted bond after the hearing and ran away from the media outside the courthouse shortly after. In a video captured by local news network WDSU, LaBeouf, who was wearing a white fleece pullover, jeans and boots, jogged away from the courthouse as members of the media attempted to follow him. Advertisement Advertisement The "Transformer" star's whirlwind day last week allegedly began with an early-morning bar fight in the Faubourg Marigny district of the city. Authorities responded to a simple battery on the 1400 block of Royal Street at approximately 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, when two male victims reported being assaulted, according to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). LaBeouf was allegedly "causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business." When a staff member attempted to eject the actor from the establishment, LaBeouf allegedly used "his closed fists on the victim several times," police said. LaBeouf is scheduled to appear in court this afternoon. "The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive." Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Multiple people allegedly attempted to hold LaBeouf down outside the business in Faubourg, and he was eventually allowed up in hopes he would leave. The "Even Stevens" actor allegedly struck the same victim again with "closed fists to the victims upper body" before allegedly assaulting another person with a punch to the nose. LaBeouf was charged with three counts of simple battery related to the Mardi Gras incident. "LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived," police said. "He was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Upon release, he was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery." Click Here To Download The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement The next day, LaBeouf broke his silence with a two-word message posted on X shortly after 2 a.m., "Free me." Earlier in the day, the "Transformers" actor was spotted celebrating Mardi Gras and dancing on Bourbon Street with his release papers in his mouth, Wgno reported. Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright and Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Original article source: Shia LaBeouf lands behind bars again as third victim steps forward in alleged Mardi Gras melee Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon is in Spain this weekend to collect a career achievement prize at the 40th Goya awards. Speaking at a press conference in Barcelona today, the decorated star discussed her support for Palestine a cause close to the heart of the Spanish government and recent career challenges, which she said had come about because of that support. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement The Thelma And Louise star was dropped by UTA in 2023 after attending several rallies in support of Palestine and at one point telling a crowd: There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country. She later apologized for those comments. Sarandon told media today that her actions and words had led to her being shunned by Hollywood: I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a cease fire, and it became impossible for me to even be on television. I dont know lately if its changed, but, I couldnt do any major film, anything connected with Hollywood. The actress said she found new agents in the UK (United Agents) and Italy (Do MGMT) and has largely worked outside the U.S. since then. I just did a film in Italy, and I did a play at the Old Vic [in London] for a number of months. An Italian director just hired me, but he was told not to hire me. So, right now I kind of specialise in tiny, independent films with directors who have never directed before, and films that are in Europe or in Italy. So, thats the main reason I havent been been working as much. Advertisement Advertisement The actress is in post on Italian production The Echo Chamber with Alicia Vikander and U.S. indie movie The Accompanist, which marks the directorial debut of actor Zach Woods. Sarandon became emotional, and wiped away tears, as she discussed the strength and moral clarity of Spains government, which has been among the most supportive of Palestine during the Gaza war. To see Spain and the Presidents support for Gaza, and to have actors like Javier Bardem come forward with such a strong voice, is so important to us in the United States. I cant tell you, when you turn on the TV and you see how strong Spain is, and how clear that you are morally about these issues, it makes you feel less alone, and it makes you feel that there is hope, because you just dont hear that on TV in the U.S. She continued: When a nation stands up, and I include Ireland in this too, I cant tell you how very important it is to those of us who are trying in an atmosphere that is very difficult when we see that kind of strength and moral clarity, how much it means to us. Advertisement Advertisement She added: I personally feel very strongly that the annihilation of the Palestinian people is a horrible crime, and Im very ashamed to be paying for that. Sarandon also described ICE in the U.S. as unconstitutional and doing all kinds of illegal things, particularly to Black and brown people. She added: Im very proud of the communities that have managed to find a way to fight against ICE, and I think thats what its going to take, because no one at the top is going to save us from any of these things. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you were hanging around a college dorm in the 1980s, it would have been impossible to miss the percussive allure of Devo. Devo will be coming to Connecticut June 13 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. Mark Mothersbaugh, of the new wave rock band Devo performs "Whip It Good" from their "Duty Now For the Future" album in 1979. The band announced plans to play at Foxwoods in June. (Courtesy of George Rose/Getty Images) Formed in 1972 by Kent State University art students Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, Devo, according to Kent.edu, the band was forged under the pressure and turmoil of the late '60s and the Kent State killings on May 4, 1970. The band later added Akron native Alan Meyers, according to Devo's website. Devo was known, at least among insiders, for their satirical "devolution" philosophy- the idea that humanity is regressing rather than evolving, according to Far Out Magazine. They wore red hats, called "energy domes," and were popular for such hits as "Whip It," "Through Being Cool" "Beautiful World" and "Girl U Want." Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, Netflix released a documentary about the band, called Devo, which presents the band as misunderstood - fun to dance to and a bit silly, but not much more, the Associated Press reported. "We were trivialized and pigeonholed," Casale told The AP. "We were seeing a world that was the antitheses of the idealized, promised future ginned up in the '50s and '60s." Casale says in the movie. "What we saw was regression." The members of American New Wave band Devo pose, in boiler suit and hardhats, at a construction site, 1977. The band will visit Foxwoods in June. (Courtesy of Ruby Ray/Getty Images) Mothersbaugh told Spin magazine that the documentary allowed band members to show the audience "there was some intentional substance behind it all. There was some big meta view of the world. De-evolution wasn't just a smart student pose. And now here we are where it's more than real. We're living in what we talked about and worse. It's idiocracy, our worst fears came true. What we were warning about, like canaries in the coal mine, it all happened." Trivia Question Another Akron native attended Kent State University and went on to form a popular rock 'n' roll band. Who were they and what was the name of the band? August Sander, "Farming Family," is on view at the Yale University Art Museum. (Courtesy of Yale University Art Gallery) August Sander's photographs at Yale museum Anybody who remembers Studs Terkel's seminal book "Working" are likely to find a kindred spirit in the work of German photographer August Sander. Just as Terkel spent years interviewing Americans about their jobs, Sander spent decades capturing and cataloguing the sociocultural spectrum of German life. He saw people as "types," a disquieting predilection, given what we know followed such a creed. Advertisement Advertisement Now through June 28, Yale University Art Gallery is exhibiting "August Sander's People of the 20th Century," which it calls "an ambitious exhibition showcasing the work of one of the most influential photographers of the modern era." The presentation of more than 600 prints from Sander's series "Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts (People of the 20th Century) (18921954)" represents the most comprehensive installation of his life's work, according to a news release. In the groundbreaking series on view, he attempted to create a comprehensive sociological archive by photographing individuals from various classes, occupations, and backgrounds and then arranging the images into archetypal groups and subgroups, such as "The Skilled Tradesman," "The Farmer," "The Artist" and "The Woman," according to the release. The Martha Graham Dance Company is getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary. A new PBS documentary about the legendary choreographer will air this month. Above, the company takes a final bow after a performance. (Courtesy of PBS) PBS presents documentary on Martha Graham PBS has announced a new two-part series, "Martha Graham Dance Company: We Are Our Time," with Connecticut resident Meryl Streep voicing the words of the ground-breaking dancer. The Graham Dance Company rehearses in New York. The company will be featured in an upcoming PBS special about the legacy of Martha Graham. (Courtesy of PBS) Martha Graham was a central figure in the launch of the American Dance Festival (ADF) held at Connecticut College and frequently performed and choreographed there, according to Connecticuthistory.org. The documentary will premiere on March 27 at 9 p.m., with the second episode airing April 3 at 9 p.m., according to a PBS news release. Advertisement Advertisement The documentary, airing as the Graham Company nears its landmark 100th anniversary, "offers a rare behind-the-scenes portrait of the company, explores Graham's legacy through the dancers who embody her work today," according to the release. "Graham's singular vision revolutionized dance," according to the release. "Often listed alongside artistic forces such as Picasso and Stravinsky, she upended classical tradition with a striking vocabulary of movement that favored emotional truth over beauty." The choreographer, who had one of the first racially integrated companies, created dances that explore the female psyche, and works of political protest, including "Spectre-1914," the opening section of "Chronicle," according to the Martha Graham Dance Company. Martha Graham's "Spectre 1914" is the opening section of Chronicle, which premiered at the Guild Theatre in New York City in 1936. A PBS documentary about the legendary choreographer will air this month. (Courtesy of PBS) Born in Pittsburgh in 1894, Graham challenged mid-20th century audiences by creating a new type of dance of raw emotion and and psychological drama, according to The Kennedy Center, which honored her in 1979, alongside Henry Fonda, Ella Fitzgerald, Tennessee Williams and Aaron Copeland. "She believed dance should be vital, not decorative, describing it as 'an arrow pointing to life at an instant,'" according to the release. Trivia Answer Chrissie Hynde left Kent State after three years and moved to London, where she worked as a rock journalist and formed the rock band, the Pretenders, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. This article originally published at CT Culture Corner: Devo heads back to CT and Meryl Streep narrates PBS special. MANITOWOC One of Wisconsins favorite summer traditions is getting even bigger. Metro Jam has announced three new featured acts for Saturday, June 20, adding to the excitement surrounding the 47th annual Manitowoc music festival. The free, two-day live music festival in Manitowoc returns to Washington Park June 19-20, showcasing national, regional and local talent. The newly added performers will take the stage ahead of Saturday night headliner Sonny Landreth, the acclaimed Louisiana slide guitar legend, who headlines at 8:30 p.m. Read more: International champion quartet to headline Clipper City Chordsmen show Advertisement Advertisement Joining the lineup is Nashvilles Parker Barrow, bringing blues-infused Southern rock inspired by The Allman Brothers Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Parker Barrow performs at 7 p.m. Parker Barrow plays Manitowoc's Metro Jam June 20. Chicago-based The Handcuffs hit the MetroStage at 5:30 p.m., blending glam, indie, garage and blues rock into a modern sound that appeals to fans of classic and alternative rock. The Handcuffs plays Manitowoc's Metro Jam June 20. Read more: Lakeshore Wind Ensemble presents silent film night March 7 Milwaukees Elephonic opens the featured Saturday performances at 4 p.m., delivering a critically praised chamber folkpop style led by veteran musician Mike Jarvis. Elephonic plays Manitowoc's Metro Jam June 20. What is Metro Jam? Known as a standout Wisconsin summer concert destination, Metro Jam features 10 acts over two days and spans genres from blues and Americana to alternative and original rock. It is held in downtown Manitowoc at Washington Park, 1115 Washington St. Advertisement Advertisement See the full lineup and follow updates at metrojam.org. Contact Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Metro Jam adds Parker Barrow, Handcuffs, Elephonic Dalia Stasevska, a Ukrainian-born conductor raised in Finland, sits on the stairs inside Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (David Butow / For the Times) When Dalia Stasevska heard opera music for the first time, it was a moment of profound self-revelation. She was 13, growing up in the factory town of Tampere in the south of Finland, and her school librarian gave her a CD of Puccinis Madama Butterfly along with a translation of its Italian libretto. As a teenage girl, this dramatic story touched my soul, Stasevska says, adding that she still remembers the experience and thinking, 'This music understands me, this is exactly how I feel. And that waswhen I knew that I wanted to become a musician. Stasevska recently stepped down as the chief conductor of Finlands Lahti Symphony Orchestra and is a prodigious conductor of orchestral music in all forms. A busy guest baton with companies around the globe, she will make her L.A. Opera debut this Saturday with a production of Akhnaten by Philip Glass, running through late March. Advertisement Advertisement The seminal work by Glass lands at L.A. Opera just a month after the world-famous composer abruptly canceled Junes world premiere of Symphony No. 15 Lincoln at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "While Philip Glass has pulled out of Kennedy Center, his music will be front and center at our production," a rep for L.A. Opera wrote in an email. Stasevska, with her razor-sharp appreciation of the power of Glass' work, is the ideal conductor to bring it there. Read more: Philip Glass cancels Kennedy Center premiere of 'Lincoln' symphony amid massive upheaval Stasevska, 41, walks from the ornate foyer of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, with its emerald green carpets and gleaming chandeliers, to the more ordinary hallways and cubicles of L.A. Operas offices. She's been in town rehearsing for a few weeks and jokes with some of the shows jugglers in a kitchenette, where she makes herself a machine pod coffee. Advertisement Advertisement The conductor is petite with large, expressive eyes and a Cheshire cats smile. Her mouth often pulls to the right when she speaks, her admirable non-native English tugged easterly in a Finnish accent. Opera remains her great love, and it seems a perfect twist of fate that Stasevska was tapped to conduct Akhnaten. She saw it for the first time in 2019 at a Helsinki cinema, in a global broadcast of a production by the Met. She couldnt believe her friend dozed off. I was like, How could you fall asleep? This was the best thing Ive ever seen in my life. I would do anything to conduct this opera,' she recalls saying. Stasevska was born in 1984, the same year that Glass hypnotic, ritualistic opera, about an Egyptian pharaoh who dared to push monotheism onto his polytheistic culture, debuted in Stuttgart, Germany. Eight months later, Stasevska entered the world in the Soviet-controlled city of Kyiv, the child of a Ukrainian father and Finnish mother. Conductor Dalia Stasevska, who is making her L.A. Opera debut with Philip Glass' "Akhnaten," says that opera is her first great love. (David Butow / For the Times) It was a fluke that she was born in Ukraine. Her parents, both painters, were living in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, also under Soviet rule, but found themselves in a Kyiv hospital close to family when Stasevska arrived. Shes never lived in Ukraine she spent her first few years in Tallinn before moving to Finland at age 5 but her life has been infused with its heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Her father, who as a teenager in Tallinn began to rebel against Sovietization, insisted on teaching Stasevska and her two younger brothers to speak Ukrainian at home. Her grandmother, Iryna, lived with the family and was an important caretaker for much of her childhood. Stasevska grew up hearing fantastic stories filled with dreamlike imagery of the homeland. She was such a civilized, cultural person, Stasevska says of her grandmother, adding that she taught her grandkids everything she knew about her home country. Thats why, even though Stasevska was raised in Finland, she grew up eating Ukrainian food and hearing Ukrainian folk tunes. I know the language and understand the culture, she says. Stasevska grew up poor, but music education was mandatory for her and her brothers: My father said, This is going to be your profession. It was no question that this is not a hobby. So we started practicing immediately, very determined. There was maybe some forcing involved, she says, laughing. Read more: The spirit of Sibelius Advertisement Advertisement She played the violin from age 8, but it was only after she heard Puccini at 13 that she fell in love with classical music. She became obsessed with the opera and orchestral repertoires and was immediately determined to play in an orchestra. She approached the headmaster at her conservatory who placed her in a string ensemble before advancing her to the symphony orchestra as a violinist. At 18, Stasevska entered the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, which is named after Finlands most famous composer, Jean Sibelius. She couldnt stop herself from stealing a peek at the school conductors score, copying bowings and poring over the details, but she didnt indulge any dreams of taking the podium herself. I was going every week to the concerts, she says, but it took me so long to see somebody that looked like me. She was 20 when she saw a female conductor for the first time, calling it the second big moment in my life. When Stasevska expressed interest in trying it herself, she was referred to Jorma Panula, a legendary conductor and teacher in Finland. Panula invited her to attend one of his masterclasses, and on the first downbeat of her first experience conducting, I knew immediately that this was beyond anything Ive experienced in my life, she says. It became this kind of madness moment. She loved the sheer physicality of it, she says, but also that I can affect the music, and that I can affect the interpretation, because I had so much in my heart that I felt about the music. Advertisement Advertisement After completing her conducting studies in 2012, Stasevska assisted Panula who emphasized discovering unique gestures in such a way that the orchestral musicians know what you mean, she says. She also worked with her fellow Finn, Esa-Pekka Salonen. Stasevska became principal guest conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2019 and chief of the Lahti Symphony in 2020. When shes not globetrotting, Stasevska lives in Helsinki with her young daughter and her husband, Lauri Porra a heavy metal bassist who is also the great-grandson of Sibelius. She likes to champion new music her 2024 album, Dalias Mixtape, featured works by Anna Meredith, Caroline Shaw and other contemporary composers. She is also a vocal supporter of the land where she was born and has spoken out against Russias war in Ukraine. Stasevskas L.A. Opera debut arrives on the same week as the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion. Both of her brothers one a film director, the other a journalist moved to Ukraine and have borne witness to the war, which has given her another level of experiencing this horror, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Stasevska has made it her mission to raise funds more than 250,000 euros to date to provide basic supplies particularly for children and elders who are without power and huddling in freezing cold homes. She has even driven in supplies herself by truck. She has also conducted concerts there and her next album will celebrate the countrys composers in a meaningful way. Ukrainian Mixtape, which she recorded with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, features works by five composers who range from the 19th century to the 1960s. Three are premiere recordings of artists who have been completely forgotten, which required a year of searching for materials. I think that it will not leave anybody cold, Stasevska says, and I hope that it will inspire everybody to discover Ukrainian music more, and that we will hear it more on main stages of the world where it deserves to be. For now, though, her focus is on ancient Egypt and Philip Glass and opera. She says her goal, in every concert, is to give audiences the same experience she had when she was 13, that remarkable feeling that the music uniquely understands them. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Heading into the ninth episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18, the Florida alliance was in shambles after its auntie Mia Starr squabbled the "Snatch Game" as Bloody Mary and was sent home by Kenya Michaels in the Lip Sync for Your Life. Nini Coco won the challenge and joined Juicy Love Dion as the only two queens with two maxi wins, leaving Jane Don't concerned that she's falling behind despite eight straight placements within the top. This week, the final eight bridged the gap between Broadway musical and ballroom voguing with the debut of "Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical" based on both Annie and Paris Is Burning. Record producer Benny Blanco served as guest judge alongside series panelists RuPaul Charles, Michelle Visage, and Jamal Sims. More from Gold Derby Advertisement Advertisement The queens still competing for the crown on Season 18 are: Athena Dion, Darlene Mitchell, Discord Addams, Jane Don't, Juicy Love Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Myki Meeks, and Nini Coco. Read on for our recap of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18, Episode 9, titled "Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical" which aired Friday, Feb. 27 on MTV. Kenya Pleaser MTV "Are you ready to serve? Are you ready to slay? Rrrrrr, let's go." Kenya Pleaser Ru kicked off the episode with an increasingly rare mini challenge, this time called "Grindr? I Hardly Even Know Her" that tested how well the queens know their sisters. Exposed during the challenge was that Athena is most believed to lie that she's vers, most likely to hook up while in drag, and most likely to lie about her age on her profile. The majority also thought Darlene has the lowest body count, that Nini is most likely to put "masc for masc" on her profile, Kenya is most likely to be on Grindr at a funeral, and that Kenya is likeliest to go home next. By the end of the challenge, Discord and Kenya scored the most points by matching the majority answers and split a cash prize as reward. Unfortunately for Discord, the mini challenge win didn't come with an advantage in what would be their next maxi challenge, the Rusical. Of all the known challenges for the series, this was the one that Discord declared she is "most nervous about." This season they'd produce "Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball," a Rusical mashup of the Broadway classic Annie and New York City ballroom culture. During character selection, the girls that got their first-choice picks were Kenya as Grace Gaultier, Discord as Lil' Salty, Juicy as Cecile Cartier, Darlene as Brandy, Athena as Mama Big Bux, and Jane as Miss Shenanigans. The only contention was between Myki and Nini for the central role of Fannie, but when Myki won the agreed-upon audition for the part, Nini refused to accept the leftover role of Big Peppa. Instead she made a play for Athena's role only to get quickly swatted down by mother Dion. Seeing an opportunity to let Nini step in her own mess, Myki decided to back down from Fannie, gave it away to Nini, and took on the role of Big Peppa. But as was the case during the talent show, Nini got flustered in the decision-making process and made the final decision to give Fannie back to Myki and took Big Peppa for herself. Jane Don't MTV "Hey! I'm not as think as you drunk I am." Jane Don't One aspect of the Rusical that Discord was most nervous about was the vocals, even with the cast getting to record them with seasoned producers Leland and Gabe Lopez. Kenya, Jane, and Myki all arrived to the recording session with fully realized characters and vocals set for prime production, but once Myki revealed how strong her voice was, Jane quickly realized that the musical theater student would be difficult to beat. Advertisement Advertisement The other aspect of the Rusical that Discord was most nervous about was choreography, even with Jamal and ballroom legend and icon Carlos Basquiat guiding them so that their "cattiness, c--tiness, attitude, and sass" were all present and accounted for on stage. Discord was lucky enough to share her dance routine with Nini who, according to Kenya, was also dancing "awfully hhwhite." In the Rusical, Kenya and Jane both stole the spotlight, overshadowing their scene partners Juicy, Discord and Nini. Jane's solo number got a lot more laughs than Athena's, who mostly garnered flat indifferent expressions from both Ru and Michelle. Darlene was in a tough spot sharing scenes with Myki, but, in the role of a dog, she managed to make her own bark on the show. As expected, Myki was a powerhouse in the lead role because of the stunning opening number. Discord Addams MTV "Mama I'm comin', I'm on my way." Discord Addams For this week's runway, the queens walked in a "Beige Against the Machine" category that, combined with their performances in the Rusical, helped determine their placements for the week. Before announcing Darlene and Nini as safe, Ru wanted the group to know that this week they were "splitting hairs" because they were "all so wonderful" in both the Rusical and on the runway. The top three were Myki, Kenya, and Jane. On bottom was Juicy, Discord, and Athena. Ultimately, Jane was declared the winner because the judges thought she proved herself with "perfection" and "came on that stage and ripped it." From the bottom three, the two that were set to face off in the Lip Sync for Your Life were mother Athena and her daughter Juicy. As Athena aptly described it, their placement at the bottom together put them in the position of "having the one thing I've wanted more than anything in my life standing right in front of me and the one person that means the most to me in life standing between that." As two queens wanting to stay in the competition, they battled to the Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, and Gracie Adams song "Call Me When You Break Up." Both Juicy and Athena were able to vibe with the track on an emotional level, connecting with each other at the end for a tender moment where Athena sat a sobbing Juicy on her knee and mouthed, "I love you." It felt like in that moment Athena was giving the moment and the competition away to Juicy and that's exactly what happened. Ru's final decision was that it was the Greek goddess Athena's time to sashay away. Best of Gold Derby Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Whether or not the "Today" show will ever have Savannah Guthrie back in front of the cameras is still pending. Owing to a personal family crisis, the journalist is facing, she decided to step away from her desk as a host for the morning show. The time off now seems indefinite as her decision to return remains unmade. Savannah Guthrie has been away from the "Today" show since February 2 after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was declared missing. Hoda Kotb, who hosted the show years back, has returned to fill in for her former co-host. Will Savannah Guthrie Be Returning To 'Today' Soon? Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA This question lingers on in the mind of viewers as the days of Nancy's disappearance keep counting on. Guthrie stepped away to focus on the search for her mother, who has been missing for almost a month. Advertisement Advertisement As it stands, the TV host has not indicated whether or not she will be returning to "Today," and insiders told TMZ that her return or departure from the NBC morning show is still an open question. There is no pressure on her from the channel, as they are threading lightly on the sensitive subject, and as such, there is no time limit for when she might return. NBC is reportedly "fully supportive" of the journalist potentially returning to the "Today" show, but only if and when she feels ready. Nancy was allegedly kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1 after being dropped off by family members. Guthrie paused her career the next day. The Broadcaster Is Pleading For People To Come Forth With Valuable Information MPI28/Capital Pictures / MEGA Guthrie is deeply worried for her mom and even fears that the worst might have happened. Via her social media platform, she requests that anyone who has valuable information that can help the authorities with their case should come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Their family has offered a $1 million cash reward to the public in exchange for information. In a recent clip, she even told viewers that they can remain anonymous and still be rewarded for whatever useful information they might have, adding the FBI tip line for people to reach out through. Guthrie has also sent messages to the kidnappers pleading that Nancy be returned, as it is never too late for them to do the right thing. Despite Guthrie's understanding that her mother might be gone, as Nancy has been away for weeks without her heart medication, the TV host still has hope and a ray of faith that she could still come back home. Investigations by the FBI about a masked man seen in the security camera footage at Nancy's front door, supposedly on the night of her disappearance, have turned up no leads. The Mother-Of-Two Might Be Ready To Leave It Up To Fate Instagram | Savannah Guthrie Guthrie has been in Arizona for almost four weeks, following up with the authorities and searching for her mom. Investigations led by the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI have yet to produce answers, so the mom of two is considering returning to her own home to be with her husband and two kids. Advertisement Advertisement "She can't stay in Arizona forever. Her kids and her life are in New York City," a source shared, and The Blast noted that the Guthrie family may be coming to terms with the understanding that the case might slowly become a cold case, which will take years to resolve. They also noted that the mom of two is "craving normalcy" and, as such, might have to make the heartbreaking decision to put this on the shelf and continue with her life. As investigators play their part, Guthrie gathers hope in her public plea and her faith, while considering taking the painful step of returning home as the search for Nancy continues. Former 'Today' Host Katie Couric Weighed In On The Situation CraSH/imageSPACE / MEGA Katie Couric, who was a co-anchor on the "Today" show from 1991 until 2006, recently shared her thoughts on the situation with Guthrie's mom's disappearance and her break from the show. Advertisement Advertisement "This situation is tragically unprecedented, and I think it's really hard to compare anything else to what Savannah and her family are dealing with right now," she expressed. The Blast, in a previous report, noted that she praised the morning show's team for stepping in and covering for Guthrie in her absence. Couric stressed how painful it must be for them to cover stories about Nancy's disappearance that hit close to home for them. "The 'Today' show team is doing the best they possibly can, and it must be excruciating to try to carry on, but also to cover a story about a beloved colleague." Couric also previously sent words of prayer and encouragement to Guthrie and her family as they navigate through this painful ordeal. Hoda Kotb Is Stepping In For Savannah Guthrie ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Days after Guthrie left the NBC morning show to pursue finding her mother, Kotb stepped in to host the show in her stead with Craig Melvin. Kotb had worked with NBC for nearly 30 years before announcing her exit in September 2024. Advertisement Advertisement She hosted "Today" with Guthrie from 2018 until she left in January 2025 but has made periodic appearances since her final episode on the show. Kotb, being no stranger to the show's viewers, will continue to fill in for her former co-host for the foreseeable future as Guthrie's return remains to be determined. The Blast shared that Kotb previously explained that leaving the channel was a difficult decision, but it was one she had to make for the sake of her family, particularly her daughters, Haley and Hope. May Savannah Guthrie find comfort amid the turmoil! Milwaukee meteorologist Lindsey Slater is no longer with WISN-TV (Channel 12). The popular morning news meteorologist did not appear on the station's morning newscasts on Feb. 27 and she is no longer featured on the Channel 12 staff page. Slater also updated her LinkedIn page to reflect that she no longer works at the ABC affiliate. Lindsey Slater Milwaukee Business Journal first reported the departure. WISN-TV President and General Manager Shawn Oswald told employees that a search has been launched to find Slater's replacement, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Oswald didn't immediately respond to a request for comment but typically the TV station will not comment on personnel matters. Slater also didn't immediately respond to a request. Slater has been the station's early morning meteorologist since July 2019, when her predecessor Sally Severson reduced her schedule. She is a Milwaukee area native who joined Channel 12 in June 2016. Prior to WISN-TV, Slater worked for WDBD-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, and served as an intern for WKOW-TV in Madison. According to her LinkedIn, Slater attended undergraduate school at Carroll University in Waukesha and Mississippi State University. She has a master's degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management from the Millersville University of Pennsylvania. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WISN-TV morning meteorologist Lindsey Slater leaves Milwaukee station Phil Gonzales lucked into his first fishing rod. He grew up near a big bend in the Yellowstone River in Huntley, Montana, about 15 miles east of Billings. To keep the river from washing over its banks and flooding the town, workers for the Rural Electrification Administration would use their boom trucks to stack old cars, pull-behind combines, tractors, and other defunct farm equipment as riprap along the bend. Gonzalez was 9 years old, and the stockpiled machinery was his playground. One day, the workers dropped off a vintage Buick sedan with portholes along the front fenders. He loved to ransack the discarded cars and trucks, looking for treasure before they went into the river. The trunk on the Buick was locked, and Gonzalez wasnt able to get into it by cutting through the back seat like he usually did. That thing was built like a Sherman tank, but the longer it kept me out, the harder I tried to open it, he says. Advertisement Advertisement After three days of failed attempts, he managed to pop the trunk with a pry bar. And lo and behold, there it was a metal telescopic rod with a windup reel. It was pretty prehistoric. That day in 1956 marked the beginning of Gonzalezs fishing career, one that would play a pivotal role in the history of the Bighorn River in the years to come. His earliest forays were in his local waters, Pryor Creek and the lower Yellowstone, which was not the pristine river it is today. Gonzalez throws a streamer while the author guides the boat down a gravel run. Bill Buckley Dunking a gob of worms on a hook, Gonzalez would pull suckers, carp, and catfish from the water. There were no trout down there. Just trash fish. The river was pretty dirty. Youd see oil slicks on the water from the refineries, he says. Gonzalez grew up poor. He was the eighth child of 16. His father, born in Mexico, was an orphan who fought in Pancho Villas guerrilla army before crossing the border in search of a better life. Like many migrants, he headed north to find work. He settled in Montana, where he met his wife and got a job with the Northern Pacific Railway. Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez inherited his fathers work ethic My dad used to say the only way to kill time was to work it to death and his wanderlust. Gonzalez would irrigate fields for farmers (earning $5 a day and getting paid in silver dollars, paper money being viewed with suspicion) and dream about the storied fishing of the Montana that was beyond his reach. During his sophomore year in high school, in 1963, his best friend, Dave McClain, purchased a beater 1955 Dodge, which became their ticket to freedom. Gonzalez splurged on his first fly rod, a Ted Williams rod-and-reel combo from the Sears catalog for $20. Together, he and McClain planned a journey to the real Yellowstone the river in Yellowstone National Park that he had read about in Outdoor Life and other magazines throughout his youth. Bill Buckley They pointed the Dodge west down the two-lane highway to visit Dan Baileys shop in Livingston, a mecca in the world of flyfishing. Before they got there, however, disaster struck. McClain accidentally closed his door on the tip of Gonzalezs rod, snapping it off. Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez entered Baileys shop, broken rod in hand, hoping it could be fixed. Bailey looked at the rod and took pity on the poor teenage kid from eastern Montana. He pulled a new rod off the rack and told me I could borrow it for the trip, Gonzalez says. I purchased two flies a Joes hopper and a black gnat. They were 50 cents apiece. I figured I owed him something. I didnt even know how to tie a fishing knot, so I bit my leader back to where it would barely fit through the eye of the hook, and then tied an overhand knot to keep it from slipping off. I didnt catch a lot of fish, but I didnt lose those flies. Birth of the Bighorn In 1961, construction began on the Yellowtail Dam in Fort Smith, Montana. The Bighorn originates in Wyomings Wind River Range, one of the most stunning alpine areas in the U.S., home to golden trout and native cutthroats. By the time the Horn wended its way across the Montana border, however, it was a muddy fishery of no particular note. The dam changed that. The cool waters that flowed from the bottom of the 525-foot structure, which was completed in 1967, gave birth to one of the finest blue-ribbon trout fisheries in North America. During those early years, the Horn was one of the best-kept secrets in the fishing world. Much of that was due to geography. Fort Smith is the literal end of the road, a tiny outpost that even today has a population of just 160. After the dam was completed and the workers pulled out, it became a ghost town. Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez helped put the town and the river on the map, but not in any way he could have imagined. In 1978, he was fishing with friends on the river when a game warden with the Crow Indian Reservation, Wallace Red Star, brandishing a shotgun, arrested Gonzalez and confiscated the 5-pound rainbow they had caught. A photo from Gonzalezs arrest in 1978. Bill Buckley Much of the Bighorn winds through Crow country, and the tribe wanted to claim the water as its own. The arrest and subsequent court case made national headlines. It was closely followed throughout the West because it would have huge ramifications in determining who had sovereignty over rivers that crossed tribal lands. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which decided in favor of the state of Montana. That ruling was upheld on appeal in the 9th Circuit Court. The Bighorn was officially public water open to everyone. As the case played out, Montana state officials closed the river. They were afraid someone was going to get killed, Gonzalez says. Advertisement Advertisement The state reopened the river in 1980, and thats when the Bighorn exploded. Wild West Anglers flocked to the Horn in the 80s. When the Madison, Missouri, and Yellowstone were blown out, guides would haul their clients to the eastern part of the state to drift the clear waters of the Bighorn. The river is best thought of as a massive spring creek. Its relatively shallow and up to 100 yards across in some spots. The riverbottom is home to huge numbers of scuds and larvae from midges, caddis, stones, and mayflies. During the frequent hatches, pods of fish will cruise the water sipping bugs, making for excellent sight-casting to large fish with tiny dries. The fishing was so good, many of those anglers didnt want to go anywhere else, much to the chagrin of the guides who introduced them to the river. A network of local guides cropped up to cater to these fishermen. Advertisement Advertisement It was a chaotic, frontier-town scene. Guides were living out of trailers, and visiting anglers needed to make their own sleeping arrangements. The one restaurant in town wasnt reliable. On top of this, Fort Smith was developing a strong outlaw vibe. Its remoteness and minimal government oversight appealed to those looking to lie low. Coupled with an increasingly affluent crowd of sportsmen, some of whom had taken to landing their private planes on the one local airstrip, it was little surprise that a cocaine-fueled drug scene had found a foothold in southeast Montana. The era of Fort Sniff, as the town came to be known, had arrived. Gonzalez, who had been hired on as a guide in one of the three fly shops in town, was among the few with meaningful experience on the river. The fact that he had fished the Horn since the beginning, in the late 60s, and put in countless hours learning its secrets, contributed to his reputation for getting into trout when others struggled. The Bighorn not only attracted well-heeled fishermen, it also became a destination for flyfishing celebrities. During this period, Gonzalez met and became friends with the likes of Flip Pallot, Trey Combs, Dave Whitlock, Lefty Kreh, and John Randolph. Tying on a streamer. Bill Buckley Through these connections and his growing clientele, Gonzalez could act on the wanderlust that had propelled him and Dave McClain to Dan Baileys fly shop all those years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Trips to Alaska for salmon, followed by fishing for tarpon and bonefish in the Florida Keys, and Cuba for permit long before the travel embargo was lifted gave him a new perspective. It made me realize there was another world outside of Huntley, Montana, he says. Over the course of these international trips, he ended up taking more than 40 different species on the fly, everything from giant brook trout in the mountain lakes of Chile to yellowfin tuna off the coast of Mexico. These experiences also solidified his vision for what was possible for Fort Smith and the Bighorn. A Dream Realized In 1989, Gonzalez purchased a 20-acre plot of land located 13 river miles below the spillway where the Bighorn begins. With the help of a friend with a D8 Cat, they bulldozed the ground to begin construction. The following year, the Bighorn River Lodge opened. It was the first all-inclusive operation on the river. The lodge filled up immediately. Advertisement Advertisement It became a focal point not only for celebrities and wealthy anglers, but also the community and Crow tribal members. Gonzalez made a point of hiring Native Americans as fishing guides, and he created a pond on the property where hed invite children from the surrounding farm towns to come fish for free on what were called Huck Finn Days. Even today, when he goes to nearby places like Hardin, adults will stop to thank him for letting them fish at the lodge when they were kids. Hiring Crow guides presented some challenges, though. For instance, owls are considered unlucky omens and harbingers of death among many Native American tribes, the Crow included. When an owl took up residence in one of the trees on the dirt road that led to the lodge, one of his guides refused to come to work for several days until the bird moved on. Snow and Gonzalez tag-team a Bighorn brown. Bill Buckley I met Gonzalez always just Phil to me several years ago. Dudley Lutton, a mutual friend and local fishing legend in southwest Montana, had known Phil for decades and arranged for the three of us to fish the Bighorn. Advertisement Advertisement Phil had sold the lodge in 2008 and was living back in Huntley, but he maintained his personal fish camp in Fort Smith a single-wide trailer in the middle of the small town. A botched effort to reconstruct his knee left him hobbled, and he had a hard time getting in and out of a drift boat. Nonetheless, he was fired up to get on the water. As we floated downstream, I listened to him dissect the river. Each twist, side channel, and run had decades worth of stories. He talked about the deep riffles that held trout in the summer that no one bothered to fish because they didnt realize the big bows and browns were drawn to that oxygenated water. He showed me where Wallace Red Star leveled an 870 at him and placed him under arrest. He pointed out the shallows that offered the best sight-casting. He told me where he caught his largest fish on the river, a 10-pound slab brown that taped just under 30 inches. That first trip turned into many others. Floating from the spillway at the Afterbay below the dam down to Three Mile, and then from Three Mile to the takeout at Mile 13 was our two-day ritual. The time of year never mattered. He was always game to fish. Weve been caught in storms and have had to fight our way to the takeout, rowing hard against gale-force winds blowing us upstream. One time, a sudden squall hit us. Within minutes, the temperature dropped 30 degrees, and sheets of icy rain and hail forced us off the water. We huddled on the bank in a thicket of Russian olives while I strung a tarp overhead with paracord to keep us from being beaten to death. Phil was shaking uncontrollably, and I thought for sure he was going to croak. His passion for the Bighorn never flags, however. He attacks the river with the same enthusiasm he had for fishing when he discovered that rod and reel in the trunk of the old Buick. The Bighorn is my home water. Always has been. Always will be, he says. Winter in Montana can be a brutal affair. Just after New Years, cabin fever hit hard. I took a look at the forecast for Fort Smith and saw that the next few days were going to be cold but sunny and clear. I called Phil to see if he wanted to float for three days. I thought youd never ask, he said. Streamers fished slow can be especially effective in winter on the Horn. Phil had developed a pattern years ago with a friend of his, Pat Wright, that they dubbed the Gon-Wright. It isnt bulky, but it contains two elements he believes are critical for eliciting strikes: eyes and a dark streak that imitates a fishs lateral line. A bow goes back in the river. Bill Buckley We started at the Afterbay, and I was on the oars. Not two minutes after launching, Phil said he got a strike. And then another. And another. But nothing was sticking. I couldnt resist. You cant tell the difference between a rock and a fish, I said. Youre not hooking a damn thing. We pulled over to the bank and anchored, and I took out my 7-weight with a Gon-Wright tied to the leader. On the first cast, a small brown snapped at the fly and missed. I slowed the retrieve on the next cast and caught it. I hooked and landed another brown on the cast after that too. I rolled a lot of good fish with the streamer the next day on the float from Three Mile to the takeout at Mile 13, but I had better luck with the size-18 scuds and sow bugs that are mainstays on the Horn. Ive fished with Phil long enough to know that part of what drives him to get on the river is that at his age, the day will come when he wont be able to do it anymore. But hes not a selfish angler. Far from it. Hes one of the most generous people Ive ever met. When I made plans to go to Belize and fish the flats for the first time, he not only gave me his box of saltwater flies, but also gifted me some of his prize Tabor reels and Thomas & Thomas saltwater rods. Ill never go again, so you might as well enjoy this stuff, he told me. At the end of the afternoon on our third day on the river, Phil told me to pull over as we drifted along a nondescript gravel bank. The river there didnt look any different from the miles of water we had passed over, but he told me to wade out calf-deep and start working my nymphs. I hooked into a fat brown, nearly 20 inches long, that bulldogged for 10 minutes before I could coax it to the bank and into Phils net. I offered up the spot, but he told me to keep fishing, saying he had had enough, which I knew was a lie. I waded back out and stuck an 18-inch rainbow that jumped six times despite the cold temps of the January waters. I kept hooking fish, all strong and acrobatic, and infused with the fierce explosiveness that makes your heart skip a beat and is the drug that creates and sustains trout fanatics. I fished until the sun set behind the low brown hills that skirt the river, Phil leaning on his wading staff and looking on the whole time. Read Next: Id Have to Bury You Out Here. The New Mexico Stream Access Battle Is Far From Over We rowed toward the takeout in the dark, the bright moon casting shadows over the water from the tall cottonwoods that lined the banks. Rafts of Canadas and goldeneyes lifted off in front of us by the dozens and hundreds, the sound of furious honking and whistling wings breaking the silence. Lovely, aint it, the Godfather of the Bighorn said. I couldnt have agreed more. This story first appeared in the Spring 2020 issue as Godfather of the Bighorn. As Black History Month draws to a close, it is important to highlight the accomplishments of Norwichs Black leaders who continue to make a difference. One of those individuals is Global City Norwich Director Bobbie Braboy. In her role, she organizes events that honor the many cultures in Norwich. Global City recognizes Norwichs many communities with ceremonial flag raisings. Some of the countries that have been recognized during the flag raisings include Peru, Haiti, Togo, Jamaica, Guatemala and the Philippines. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Global City has held festivals such as their Juneteenth, Polish and Puerto Rican celebrations to highlight Norwichs different communities. Bobbie Braboy, director of Global City Norwich Shiela Hayes Hayes has had extensive involvement in public service in Norwich. She has served as a Norwich city councilwoman since 2023 and is currently the 1st vice president of the NAACPs Norwich Branch. She has also been a member of the City of Norwich School Building Committee and Health Equity Committee, St. Vincent de Paul Place of Norwich Advisory Board and The Arc of Eastern Connecticut Board of Directors. Hayes has gotten involved in other facets of Norwich, by becoming a corporator of Chelsea Groton Bank and Norwich Free Academy. Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, Hayes helped found Sankofa Education and Leadership, Inc., an organization that provides opportunities to marginalized individuals. Sankofa educates young people about the benefits of joining civic organizations and also provides college scholarships. Hayes currently serves as the board vice chair for Sankofa. Zato Kadambaya Born in Togo, Kadambaya was elected to the Norwich City Council in November. He has had a successful teaching career, and currently serves as a math teacher at Windham Technical High School. Prior to that, Kadambaya was head of the math department at Norwich Free Academy and also served as New London Public Schools math supervisor for grades 6-12. Outside of the classroom, Kadambaya was an active member of the Norwich Branch of the NAACP. Like Hayes, he is involved with Sankofa Education, where he serves as a board member. Kadambaya made a commitment to give back to Africa, which motivated him to co-found Africa Philanthropies, a nonprofit organization that helps people there. So far, the organization opened an elementary school and funded a water pump in Togo. Norwich City Councilman Zato Kadambaya Mirlande Daniel Mirlande Daniel emigrated to the U.S. from Haiti and shares the tastes of the island nation through her restaurant, Mommys Delicious Food in Norwich. Advertisement Advertisement The Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) honored Mommys Delicious Food with the Expansion BREAD Award at their annual meeting Jan. 30. NCDC President and Executive Director Kevin Brown said the restaurant received the award for growth. Thank you for your ability and desire to grown over the years by opening a dining room, a bar and another outdoor patio, Brown said to Daniel at the annual meeting Jan. 30. Its a demonstration of strength and hard work. Daniel, who opened her restaurant in 2016, is thrilled it has stayed open this long. It wasnt easy, it was very hard for me, Daniel said in regard to keeping Mommys Delicious Food open. I prayed every day to God to help me make it. Im gonna be 10 years in August. Im very proud of myself and thank you to everyone that has supported me. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich's Black leaders make a difference in the community Key Takeaways Eastern Europe offers affordable health care, a low cost of living, and culturally rich, historically significant cities. Countries like Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Croatia are some of the most affordable countries in Europe for retirees. Although you might think of the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben when envisioning the backdrop of life in Europe, these four affordable European countries demonstrate that looking east can offer the perks of Europe without the high costs of London or Paris. Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Montenegro offer the culture, scenery, and cafe lifestyle of Europe at a fraction of the price. Here's what you need to know about retiring in some of the continent's most affordable destinations. How We Chose These Destinations We selected these four Eastern European countries based on criteria that matter most to American retirees looking to stretch their savings without sacrificing quality of life: Advertisement Advertisement Affordability : Monthly cost of living under $1,400 for a single person, including rent, food, and transportation. Health care access : Available medical services at a lower cost than the U.S., with options for both public and private care. Visa pathways : Realistic routes to legal residency for American retirees, whether through D visas, temporary residence permits, or property ownership. Livability: Walkable cities, established expat communities, English accessibility, and cultural richness. Bulgaria An aerial view of Sozopol, a historic seaside town on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Credit: alentinrussanov / Getty Images Located along the Black Sea, Bulgaria is at the top of the list of affordable European countries for retirees to settle down for their golden years. Bulgarias capital city, Sofia, is home to architectural wonders, including extraordinary cathedrals, and UNESCO Heritage Sites can be found throughout the country. Retirees are drawn to walkable seaside towns like Sozopol and Varna, where cafes dot the spaces along the water and daily errands are easily done on foot. English is widely spoken in major cities, and the expat community is well established, especially along the Black Sea coast. Bulgarias four distinct seasonswarm summers, mild springs and falls, and snowy mountain wintersappeal to retirees who want variety without extremes. Living Expenses Average Cost Rent, One Person $448 Rent, Family $773 Food $364 Transportation $57 Monthly Cost of Living (Per Person) $961 Health care in Bulgaria is fully covered for Bulgarian nationals, but tourists have reported being overcharged for medical services. However, expats who are able to show that they are living in the country are able to get health services at lower prices and a fraction of U.S. health care costs. Advertisement Advertisement Americans looking to stay need to first obtain a D Visa by providing proof of health insurance, a police clearance that meets Bulgarian standards, and proof of housing in Bulgaria. Note Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area in January 2025 and is set to adopt the Euro in 2026, making travel and finances even easier for American expats. Croatia Split, Croatia, blends ancient Roman ruins with a lively waterfront, making it one of the best European cities for American retirees. Credit: rusm / Getty Images Along the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia can be a perfect spot for your golden years. Each major town has good health care facilities, but if youre in need of specialist care, then Zagreb is your best bet. Whatever your situation, it's best to have private health insurance. For retirees who want beach days and history in one locale, Split delivers. The coastal city gets over 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, and its ancient Roman corealive with restaurants, shops, and locals going about their dayoffers a lifestyle that's hard to match anywhere in Western Europe at this price point. Advertisement Advertisement Outside the peak summer months, coastal cities slow down considerably, offering retirees a quieter, village-like rhythm without losing the cafe culture and modern amenities. Living Expenses Average Cost Rent, One Person $707 Rent, Family $1185 Food $448 Transportation $85 Monthly Cost of Living (Per Person) $1356 The process for retiring in Croatia is similar to that in other Eastern European nations. Americans can apply for a temporary residence permit at a Croatian consulate or at a local police station if already in the country. You'll need to show proof of health insurance, have secured a place to stay, have a clean criminal record, and enough income to support yourself (about $540 per month for the passive income permit). Romania Art Nouveau architecture lines a pedestrian street in Oradea, Romania, where retirees can live for under $1,000 a month. Credit: Alexander Spatari / Getty Images Romania may too often be reduced in Hollywood to the setting for Dracula's castle, but there's nothing scary about its cost of living. At around $935 per month, it offers retirees Gothic architecture, Carpathian mountain views, and a low cost of living that's hard to beat in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Cities like Oradea, Brasov, and Sibiu offer compact historic centers, affordable dining, and a relaxed cafe culture that makes it easy to settle into a routine. Romanias food scenehearty soups, fresh bread, local wines, and a strong coffee that'll make you sit up straightadds to its appeal for foodies on a budget. Many retirees choose smaller regional cities over Bucharest for their slower pace, cleaner air, and lower housing costs. Living Expenses Average Cost (USD) Rent, Individual $430 Rent, Family $734 Food $352 Transportation $45 Monthly Cost of Living (Per Person) $935 Health care in Romania combines a nationally subsidized system with private medical options. Romania doesn't have a dedicated retirement visa, but Americans can apply for a long-stay visa under an "other purposes" category. You'll need to show proof of income (about $1,200 per month), evidence that you have private health insurance, a one-year lease or proof of accommodation, and a clean criminal record. Montenegro The medieval town of Perast sits along Montenegro's Bay of Kotor, where dramatic mountains meet the Adriatic Sea. Credit: tunart / Getty Images Montenegro appeals to retirees who want Mediterranean scenery without the crowds. A small country, Montenegro nevertheless offers a striking variety: beaches on the Adriatic, medieval towns, and dramatic mountain landscapes. Advertisement Advertisement English is commonly spoken in coastal areas, and expat communities are growing steadily, especially in towns like Herceg Novi. Living Expenses Average Cost (USD) Rent, One Person $549 Rent, Family $943 Food $385 Transportation $38 Monthly Cost of Living (Per Person) $1,068 Your retirement budget stretches further in Montenegro than almost anywhere else along the Mediterranean. A single person can live well on about $1,400 a month, though the typical cost is closer to $1,000, and a doctor's visit typically sets you back about $30. The catch is that tourist magnets like Budva and Kotor run 40% to 50% higher than inland cities, and ultra-luxury developments can rival Western European prices. However, affordable coastal destinationssuch as Herceg Novi, Bar, and Ulcinjmake for lovely, quieter alternatives. Montenegro doesn't offer a dedicated retirement visa, but property ownership has long been a popular path to residency. New rules require the property to be worth at least 200,000 (approximately $235,000), up from no minimum requirement previously. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed as long as the property remains in your ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Montenegro's tax rates remain among the lowest in Europe: 9% to 15% on income, a 9% capital gains tax, and annual property taxes ranging from 0.25% to 1% of the market value. Read the original article on Investopedia MANISTEE TOWNSHIP, MI In the depths of a Northern Michigan winter, this descendent of giants towers over a snow-covered meadow overlooking Lake Michigan. The Michigan Champion giant sequoia simply must be seen to be believed - and thats even more true as snowflakes flutter down around it. Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias At 78 years old, its thriving at Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road in Manistee Township. Planted in 1948, its the largest known giant sequoia east of the Rocky Mountains at about 116 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter. Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias For those of us who have never seen a giant sequoia or redwood in person, walking up this huge tree is a bit of a shock. Even upon second or third viewing, this mammoth can take your breath away with its quiet beauty. Deeply grooved cinnamon-red bark covers the huge trunk. Its enormous branches stretch in every direction, covered in bluish-green needles. Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias This hardy specimen is one of three surviving sequoias planted in 1948. The other two are nearby, easily recognized by their likeness to the champion; they are each about 100 feet tall. Lake Bluff is also home to the 30-foot-tall baby sequoia and a dawn redwood. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: 3 spots to see Michigans largest dawn redwoods, a species once believed to be extinct Five feet in diameter is a fraction of the size of the giant sequoias out west, but still much larger than most other trees one might come across in Michigan. Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias The tree is marked with a sign and protected by a low chain, discouraging visitors from touching the trunk. The Michigan Champion giant sequoia is an anomaly that baffles scientists. How or why this tree has flourished so far from its home range is unknown. The natural range is the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, an area that is much warmer and dryer than Northern Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: This half-mile snowshoe trail leads to dazzling Lake Michigan views from a high bluff Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias A few years ago, Lake Bluff Farms planted 15 giant sequoia clones donated by Archangel Ancient Tree Archive in Copemish. The young trees appear to thriving, with some already around 7 feet tall. One is a clone of the Michigan Champion. Another is a clone of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Tree, located in the Alder Creek Grove at Giant Sequoia National Monument in California; it is the fifth largest tree in the world. There are also several clones of the Waterfall tree, which had the biggest trunk of any sequoia; it was lost in a wildfire. While Manistees giant sequoia is the largest one east of the Rocky Mountains, its much smaller than its Californian counterparts, which stand an average 250 to 275 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet in diameter. They reach 100 to 150 feet tall by the time theyre 50 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Clones of the Michigan Champion giant sequoia could allow these trees to be planted around the world, said Jim Cowan, president of the nonprofit. That would be important since the trees remove up to 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere compared to other trees. Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias RELATED: Northern Michigans giant sequoia must be seen to be believed Lake Bluff Farms also features an arboretum, birding, hiking trails, Lake Michigan access and a vacation rental. Its open daily from dawn until dusk. Admission is free; donations are encouraged. Lake Bluff Farms is owned and managed by a nonprofit. The property is open to the public. It includes two trails, an arboretum with about 80 tree species, and a 1936 farmhouse available for short-term rental. Its also considered a top 10 birding destination in the state. A popular spot at the property is the Lake Michigan overlook. Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoias Theres a small parking lot at the northwest corner of the property, and overflow parking on other side of Lakeshore Road (follow the signs). The parking lot is not plowed and there are no onsite restrooms during the winter. Advertisement Advertisement Once parked, follow the signs pointing the way to the Michigan Champion giant sequoia. Its at the northeast corner of a field that also has a spectacular Lake Michigan overlook. Find more Up North travel news here. Read the original article on mlive.com. Add mlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. At Trinity Lutheran in Mequon, the church and school have become closely tied to the Karenni community. In 2009, the church began sponsoring a Karenni family, members of an ethnic minority who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and had been living in refugee camps in Thailand before resettling in the United States. The church wanted to help the family adjust to life in Milwaukee. But as Trinity became more of a resource to the wider Karenni community, its congregation and school grew, said Carl Lehenbauer, a discipleship pastor at Trinity. For the Rev. Daniel Reh and special education teacher Ku Mo, both Karenni who immigrated to Milwaukee in 2009, Trinity is a place to connect younger and older generations and to give back to their community through education and faith. Advertisement Advertisement Reh delivers sermons in both English and Karenni, helping to make religious services more accessible. Mo works with students and their families, often translating for parents and helping bridge cultural and language gaps between school and home. "It's very important to me to be in a position to share the gospel in a language that they understand," Reh said. "Before that, I was also an interpreter for different areas in the community, whether it was the courthouse or hospitals." The Rev. Daniel Reh, left, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mequon, and Trinity Lutheran School special education teacher Ku Mo, who are both Karenni, pose for a photo in the chapel at Trinity Lutheran Church, School & Childcare of Freistadt. The school has a long history of enrolling students from the Karenni community while Reh offers services in their language. Over the past decade and a half, Milwaukees Burmese population has grown into one of the largest in the country. Reliable local counts are difficult to find, especially for specific ethnic groups, but the U.S. Census reported about 7,000 Burmese residents in Milwaukee County in 2020. Many of them are Burmese Muslims known as Rohingya. Others are part of the Karen and Karenni ethnic groups. Many of the city's Burmese students attend Milwaukee Public Schools as well as private voucher schools like Trinity, Milwaukee Lutheran and Martin Luther High School. Advertisement Advertisement In 2012, Trinity joined the state's voucher program, which subsidizes the cost for lower-income students and students with disabilities to attend private schools using public funds. A year later, Trinity and Milwaukee Lutheran began busing more than 30 Burmese students from their homes on the south side of Milwaukee to the campuses in Mequon and on the citys northwest side. Reh was among the first group of students bused to Milwaukee Lutheran. He said the trips to and from school could take up to four hours each day. Inspired by the pastors there and his experience serving as an interpreter for Trinity and elsewhere in the community, Reh felt drawn to ministry and began pursuing theological education at Concordia University after graduating from high school in 2015. Mo also attended Milwaukee Lutheran. She said the high school encouraged her to study education at Concordia and helped her secure a scholarship. As a first-generation college student, she said her parents were unable to help her plan for higher education. Mo initially ruled out teaching English because she felt insecure about her own language skills. Staff at the university suggested special education. Advertisement Advertisement "I thought it was an education that's special," Mo said, laughing. "I didn't know anything about special needs." Still, Mo enjoyed the subject and learning about how to teach children with disabilities. In Myanmar and Thailand, she said, special education services are limited. "Students are treated differently, and parents don't know how to help them," she said. "Many of them don't have access to education because they are different. That inspired me to get into special education so there's something I can do to help my community." Trinity Lutheran School special education teacher Ku Mo, front left, and Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Daniel Reh,front center, who are both Karenni, are seen in the chapel at Trinity Lutheran Church, School & Childcare of Freistadt in Mequon. They are joined by senior pastor, the Rev. Nicholas Schram, front right, with, back row, from left, discipleship pastor, the Rev. Carl Lehenbauer, visitation pastor the Rev. Philip Hillenbrand, and executive director Sam Seefeld. The school has a long history of enrolling students from the Karenni community where Reh offers services in their language. Fifteen Karenni students currently attend Trinity Lutheran School, according to Executive Director Sam Seefeld. The number is down from previous years, with many of the school's former Karenni students graduating and going on to high school and others choosing schools closer to their homes on the south side. Advertisement Advertisement As immigrants who spent half their lives in Thailand and the other half in the U.S., Mo and Reh feel passionately about acting as liaisons in the small but close-knit community and narrowing gaps between the newer and older generations of Karenni. Now in her third year teaching at Trinity, Mo said she is especially proud of using her position to support the schools Karenni families. She translates at parent-teacher conferences and helps younger students born in the U.S. better understand their parents who grew up in Myanmar both culturally and linguistically. In one instance, when a teacher needed to relay a message home, Mo recorded a video in the Karenni language so the students parents could understand. Growing up, she said, her parents never attended her parent-teacher conferences because of the language barrier. Now, she makes sure other parents can stay involved in their children's education. Advertisement Advertisement "I take pride in my identity as a Karenni. To be able to become a resource and advocate for those families and those students makes me happy," Mo said. "This is something that I want to do so the current kids have someone to talk to and the parents have someone if something is going on in school." To Seefeld, Mos and Rehs work is evidence of Trinitys outreach with the Karenni paying off. "It's a testament to the church's mission," he said. "The fact that they're serving here it's outstanding to see things come full circle like that." Kayla Huynh covers K-12 education, teachers and solutions for the Journal Sentinel. Contact: khuynh@gannett.com. Follow her on X: @_kaylahuynh. Advertisement Advertisement Kayla's reporting is supported by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: JS Community Journalism) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689. The JS Community-Funded Journalism Project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Karenni teacher, pastor help build community at Trinity Lutheran School MANITOWOC The night of Oct. 8, 1871, changed Wisconsin forever. Now, one of the most devastating disasters in American history is coming back into focus at the Wisconsin Maritime Museums popular Think & Drink series this March. Ecologist and research scientist Jed Meunier of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will take audiences deep into the story of the Peshtigo fire, the deadliest wildfire ever recorded in the United States. Manitowoc history: How Manitowoc honored Casimir Pulaski with a bronze tablet in 1929 Advertisement Advertisement Using fascinating evidence from tree rings and fire scars, Meunier challenges the longheld belief that logging alone caused the catastrophe. Instead, he reveals how extreme drought, widespread regional fires and powerful winds aligned to create a perfect storm. More than a history lesson, the talk explores what the Peshtigo fire can teach us about modern wildfire risk now and in the future. Read more: Lakeshore Wind Ensemble presents silent film night March 7 An artist's depiction of the scene of confusion and terror in Peshtigo on Oct. 8, 1871 as citizens raced for the river when the northeastern Wisconsin community burst into flames. Many more people died in the Peshtigo fire than the great Chicago fire on the same day. The free public program takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Drive. Doors and the bar open at 6 p.m., with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages available. Advertisement Advertisement Cant attend in person? A livestream option is available with registration at https://forms.gle/FK8U46gDM6Rwsdb47. Go to wisconsinmaritime.org or call 920-684-0218 for more information. Contact Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Peshtigo fire story comes alive at Wisconsin Maritime Museum Living with a giant Maine Coon can be a lot, especially when you're a much smaller Scottish Fold cat who just wants everything to be peaceful. As a cat parent, it can be really fun watching the relationship between your cats and seeing their different personalities. In a clip shared on social media, we meet a Maine Coon and his sibling, a Scottish Fold. These two have very different personalities, and their size difference makes for an interesting watch as they interact. And it's clear one kitty is over the shenanigans of the other. Take a look! On February 16, @pipey.gray.diaries shared a video of the two cats, Pipey and Gray, a Scottish Fold and a Maine Coon, and straight away, we can tell that these two, while siblings, have some conflict with each other. Advertisement Advertisement These two cats must like each other at least a little, since they're both deciding to take their afternoon nap in the same spot. If that wasn't true, they'd be off in their own corners of the room and not trying to get an afternoon nap in the same spot on the bed together. But it's also clear that the silly Scottish Fold, named Pipey, is really tired of his sibling, Gray, the Maine Coon. Related: Golden Puppy Wins Over Orange Cat and Its the Cutest Love Story Maine Coons are big cats, and he's bothering his sibling by stretching out that one back leg while giving himself a bath. Gray, having the leg outstretched like that, just happens to kick Pipey in the head, leaving the toe beans lingering on the face just to make them just a bit more mad, for fun, of course. In the comments, one person wrote, "The Maine Coon back leg move is brutal," to which the cats parent replied, "I know, right?" Advertisement Advertisement We can see very clearly in sweet Pipey's face that he's over this sibling of his and has had enough of the Maine Coon's shenanigans. SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends Maine Coon Cats Are Big We can easily see the size difference between Pipey and Gray in this clip, and that's because Maine Coon cats are known for their incredible size, often much bigger than other cat breeds, like the Scottish Fold. According to Sassy Koonz Maine Coon Cattery, Maine Coon cats are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, and can weigh up to 25 pounds and be up to 40 inches tall. On the other hand, Cats.com says Scottish Folds usually weigh up to 13 pounds and are up to 10 inches in height. Advertisement Advertisement That's a big difference, and we see that with Pipey and Gray! This story was originally published by PawNation on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add PawNation as a Preferred Source by clicking here. In December, I was gifted a last-minute trip to Morocco and scrambled to pack all the essentials. I'm glad I brought a scarf to protect myself from the sun and wind. However, I wish I brought bug spray and warmer layers for when the temperatures dropped at night. On my 23rd birthday, a family member was in Morocco, and along with a birthday text, they sent me a plane ticket to meet them. I was shocked and incredibly grateful but I had 24 hours until the flight. As a type B person who thrives on spontaneous travel, I treated this like a challenge and immediately ran to my room to start packing. Advertisement Advertisement Here are four things I'm glad I packed, and five I wish I had brought. Comfortable walking shoes were essential for navigating the country's terrain. Amanda Shammas I've made enough packing mistakes on past trips that I now always make sure to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, regardless of the destination. On this trip, they were an absolute must. Between wandering the winding streets of the medinas, navigating bustling markets, and tackling uneven sidewalks or sand dunes, I was so glad my feet stayed happy and supported the whole time. I was especially glad I chose beige sneakers, so any sand blended right in and didn't leave noticeable stains. Advertisement Advertisement I made sure to pack plenty of modest clothing options. Amanda Shammas Although dress norms vary by region, I learned during my pre-trip research that modest clothing is common in many communities I'd be visiting. So, in an attempt to respect local culture and feel more comfortable navigating the cities and markets, I packed lots of more conservative clothing options, like long skirts, shawls, and shirts that covered my shoulders. Having local currency was helpful. Amanda Shammas When I landed in Marrakech, it was incredibly easy to grab local currency, as there were plenty of ATMs in the airport. I took out Moroccan dirham as soon as I arrived, and it ended up being helpful to have throughout the trip. Advertisement Advertisement Having local currency on hand made taking taxis seamless and shopping in the Souks or bustling markets so much easier, especially because many shops are cash-only. Between small purchases, tipping, and quick rides around the city, I was glad I didn't have to think twice about having money. My scarf came in handy on my desert excursion. Amanda Shammas I brought multiple scarves on my trip for modesty, sun protection, and to have something to drape over my shoulders when it got cold. My scarf really came in handy, though, on my desert excursion, as it was the perfect way to protect myself from any blowing dust. A worker even wrapped it around my head for me. Advertisement Advertisement If I had more time to prepare for the trip, I definitely would've ordered a new power adapter. Amanda Shammas Given the surprise nature of my trip, I wasn't able to order anything in advance. If I had more time, though, a power adapter would've been at the top of my list. My hotel used type C and E sockets, and unfortunately, the one I brought with me didn't fit the outlets. Luckily, though, the front desk had a few adapters to spare. I wish I had packed bug repellent for the late nights in the desert. Amanda Shammas Even in a dry desert, I still encountered small bugs like flies and mosquitoes. It wasn't unbearable, but bug repellent would've been nice to have. Advertisement Advertisement Next time, I'd probably opt for a bug-repellent bracelet so I could pack it without worrying about TSA liquid restrictions. Although it was warm during the day, I wasn't prepared for how cold it would get at night. Amanda Shammas I assumed Morocco would be mostly hot, with its blazing sun and dry desert, so I packed plenty of loose clothing and linens. Although those were helpful during the day, I wasn't prepared for how drastically the temperature drops at night. When I visited in December, it was warm and pleasant in the sun, but hours later, it turned surprisingly chilly. My linen clothing wasn't enough to keep me comfortable, so I should've packed a jacket or warmer layers to bundle up. Read the original article on Business Insider CANTON Kimberly A. Kenney is a historian and author, but for her 10th book, she also took on the role of detective. Kenney penned the 2023 book "Exploring the American Presidency Through 50 Historic Treasures." In conjunction with America250, the executive director of the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum has been out in the Canton community discussing significant items in presidential history. Advertisement Advertisement "This is one of my favorite things to talk about," she said. "Artifacts have a unique power to convey the immediacy of history. ... In many (cases), artifacts are raw examples of history because they're not filtered through anyone's lens they just are." Kimberly Kenney, executive director of the McKinley President Library & Museum in Canton, discusses presidential artifacts at the Stark Library's North Branch. Kenney said some presidential artifacts are communal, like the Resolute Desk, presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880. It continues to be used today. Canton's McKinley Museum has the world's largest collection of William McKinley items, she said. Of the museum's 65,000-piece inventory, around 10% are McKinley artifacts. Famous artifacts from U.S. presidents Kenney shared stories behind some of her favorite presidential artifacts in U.S. history: Advertisement Advertisement Tiffany screen: Chester Arthur, America's only bachelor-president, commissioned Louis C. Tiffany to craft a $30,000 stained-glass screen to spruce up the White House. The screen ended up missing, then found, dissembled, and sold as a box of glass for $275. It was bought and reassembled by a hotel in Maryland, which caught fire, destroying it. Carter's Crown: During World War II, Hungary gave the U.S. Army the Holy Crown of Hungary for safekeeping. It was transported to the U.S and kept in Fort Knox. To foster better relations with Hungary's Soviet-dominated government, Jimmy Carter ordered the crown returned over the objections of his advisers. After communism in Hungary collapsed, the Hungarians sent him a replica of the headpiece. Lincoln's Chair: Abraham Lincoln occupied a red velvet rocking chair the night he was assassinated in Ford's Theater. The chair was stored at the Smithsonian Institution for years, and at one point, the family who owned Ford's Theater sold it. Today, it sits in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. George Washington's false teeth: A lifetime sufferer of bad teeth, Washington had false teeth fashioned out of ivory and teeth bought and harvested from slaves. The teeth are at Mount Vernon, Washington's home. Andrew Jackson's half head: The wooden image was commissioned as a masthead for the USS Constitution, but after Jackson fell out of public favor, a man tried to cut it from the ship, but could only remove the top half. Kennedy's coconut: After his Navy boat PT 109 was cut in two by the Japanese, Lt. John F. Kennedy led his men to safety, then swam to another island, carved a message for help on a coconut hull and gave it to some natives, saving the crew. Kennedy kept the hull, encased in glass, on his desk in the Oval Office. Rounding out Kenney's favorites are the bullhorn used by George W. Bush following the Sept. 11 terror attacks; George H.W. Bush's letter to his four children on the eve of the Gulf War in Kuwait; Franklin D. Roosevelt's NBC Radio microphone; and James Madison's walking stick gifted to him by Thomas Jefferson. Kimberly Kenney, executive director of the McKinley President Library & Museum in Canton, discusses some of favorite presidential artifacts in U.S. history. Harder to land presidential artifacts Kenney said television programs such as "Antiques Roadshow" have made it more difficult for museums to secure and purchase relevant artifacts. "Everybody thinks they have something worth thousands and thousands of dollars," she said to laughter. Advertisement Advertisement However, the museum recently received a call from a man in South Carolina who is donating the Bible on which McKinley took his oath of office. "The Bible is inscribed by an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) church, which is a Black congregation," she said. Kenney said such a find confirms what historians already know. "History is not fixed. It's living and breathing, as we live," she said. "Sometimes, people find things they didn't even know their families had. When you have a thing discovered, it can change entirely what we know about a person or an event." Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. Advertisement Advertisement On Twitter: @cgoshayREP What's new? The McKinley Museum & Presidential Library in Canton has a new exhibit, "The Woman Behind the Lens: Frances Benjamin Johnston and the American Presidency," now through May 31. Johnston, who photographed five presidents, took the last official photographs of President William McKinley in Buffalo, New York. The statue of McKinley that stands in front of the McKinley memorial is based on one of those photos. Kimberly Kenney, executive director of the McKinley President Library & Museum in Canton, discusses some of favorite presidential artifacts in U.S. history. This article originally appeared on The Repository: McKinley museum curator shares her favorite presidential artifacts When Adriana Shaffer was asked in middle school to pick a job shed most want to find herself in someday, she said baker. The Port Orchard native then interned at the late Hello, Cupcake on Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. She was 12. Now shes 23, and shes opening a bakery of her own just up the hill with her fiance, Jaxon Marquardt. Coves Bakery hopes for a summer opening at 766 St. Helens Ave., which has been empty since the Original House of Donuts closed in 2020. Its one retail component of a city-supported redevelopment of the five-story Rialto Apartment and two-story Exley Apartment buildings at 9th and Broadway as well as the multi-unit structure at 9th and St. Helens. Eternal Soul Bowl is slated for the old Candy Market at 1302 Market St., and next to the new bakery, Palmerston Cellars, a Tacoma-based winery, will open its first tasting room. Farmers market regulars might recognize the Cove part of the name and think, Cookies. Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, Shaffer and Marquardt, 27, became frequent faces at Tacomas Broadway market with their bubblegum-pink tent, from which they sold jumbo cookies in classic (brown butter chocolate chip), nostalgic (such as Samoa, smores, animal cookie) and whimsical (strawberry-Oreo, almond croissant, Biscoff cookie butter) flavors, handed over to future fans in corresponding pink-and-white-striped bags. They also sold at the Bremerton Farmers Market and their hometown event in Port Orchard, as well as the occasional night market. Jaxon Marquardt and Adriana Shaffer will open Coves Bakery at 766 St. Helens Ave. in downtown Tacoma later this year. It will offer more than cookies. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com) The couple met while working at Moctezumas, mostly in Gig Harbor. Shaffer was a hobby baker honing her recipes, but the cookies needed other bellies. She would bring them to coworkers, and Marquardt started taking them to his other job at the Bremerton shipyard. Next thing you know, guys are asking, Can we buy some? recalled Marquardt. You should do something with these cookies! said Shaffer. So they went through the process of applying for a cottage-food permit through the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Their home kitchen located on a CV road that inspired the business name was inspected and approved, and then they applied to area markets. In preparation for their first big event in Port Orchard, they bought hundreds of dollars of ingredients, and Shaffer spent hours browning butter a signature move to bake off 200 cookies. Advertisement Advertisement Gosh, we were so nervous, said Marquardt, wondering why his partner insisted on buying the more expensive chocolate and salt. You cant skip on the chocolate, Shaffer replied. They sold out before the day was done, and the batches grew from there. I first tried the flagship cookie, plus a Biscoff and one inspired by strawberry shortcake with a Little Debbie snack in waiting, last spring, skeptical of the pink branding. Yes, Coves pink style calls to mind Crumbl, the chain with controversially soft and sweet cookies in constantly rotating flavors that propelled a hasty franchise expansion that has perhaps plateaued. Shaffer, though, knows what shes doing. Her attention to detail feels almost implausible: How could these cookies be so round? So flat and soft and crunchy and chewy in every place you want it to be? Advertisement Advertisement This chocolate chip cookie, finished with Maldon sea salt, is serious: perfectly round, the butter obviously browned, the Ghirardelli chocolate chunks meticulously placed in each quadrant, the Maldon flakes a-flutter. Despite more than 100 flavors in the Rolodex, the chocolate chip is the winner for just about everybody, said Shaffer. For market sales, each cookie (save for a box of a dozen minis) is vacuum-sealed in an individual wrapper with explicit instructions: Consume within three days. Ideally, blitz in the microwave for a 5-15 seconds or pop in an oven for just 3-5 minutes. They freeze nicely, but dont dare unseal the wrapper; to defrost, let it return to room temperature. Shaffer honed her recipes by baking for friends and family. Her signature, a browned butter chocolate chip cookie with Ghirardelli chocolate and Maldon sea salt is a consistently divine indulgence. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com) Cinnamon rolls, breads & ice cream, too Shaffer and Marquardt realized early in their mobile bakery adventure that a storefront could work. The states cottage permit, while a convenient and low-barrier entry-point, caps annual sales at $35,000. Advertisement Advertisement Selling out is great, but it almost hurts to be kneecapped, said Shaffer. The cottage deal also forbids ingredients like fresh fruit and icing that should be kept cold. She has cookie recipes that incorporate both. At the bakery, Coves will add variations of banana bread (think fruits and swirls and crumble toppings) and bougie cinnamon rolls with cream-cheese frosting (a non-negotiable) cut straight from the tray. There wont be coffee (plenty of nearby shops specialize in the stuff, they said), but there will be New Zealand-style ice cream, a fabulous blend of hard-pack ice cream macerated to-order with fresh fruit in a unique machine that churns it down through a cone. The resulting texture leans toward soft-serve or custard, bursting with the juiciness of the chosen fruit. (Coves will be the only place to find this trendy treat in Tacoma; the nearest shops are in Seattle or the first in Washington, Wellys in Port Angeles.) As Shaffer and Marquardt began the search for a commercial space, they saw an opportunity for a cookie-focused bakery in Tacoma and loved the idea of being in the heart of downtown, potentially with evening hours. While toting their wares from their pink van to the farmers market most Thursdays in 2025, they began eyeing the corner unit of the Rialto project. It was an ideal setup for the young couple, especially for the boost of having some infrastructure upgrades covered by the developer, Great Expectations and Urban Black, a Seattle-based company that focuses on mixed-use affordable housing and commercial projects with community-focused businesses. Advertisement Advertisement The curvy pink lettering of the logo was officially affixed to the windows in mid-February. As construction continues toward a hopeful late-summer debut, find Coves Cookies at the same mix of markets this summer plus Gig Harbor. Coves Bakery NEED TO KNOW Davawnna Clark is a 28-year-old from Chicago, whose ultimate dream is to visit 100 countries in her lifetime To jump-start that dream, she set an ambitious goal: to see all seven continents before turning 30 In November 2025, with only Africa and Antarctica remaining, Clark decided to take on the southernmost continent solo One 28-year-old has a goal most people only daydream about: visiting 100 countries in her lifetime. As an early benchmark, Davawnna Clark committed to visiting all seven continents before turning 30, and by November 2025, she had already reached five, leaving Africa and Antarctica unchecked. With a trip to Africa already scheduled for 2027 alongside her parents, she decided to take on the southernmost continent as a solo adventure. Advertisement Advertisement It was uncomfortable, freezing, slightly terrifying and completely unforgettable, Clark tells PEOPLE exclusively. Like most travelers, Clark reached Antarctica by ship and, like 90% of people who visit the continent, she departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, described as the southernmost city in the world. Her journey took about 24 hours, flying from Chicago to Bogota, Colombia, then to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and finally south to board the expedition vessel. Clark spent 13 days in Antarctica, filled with activities including polar plunges, Zodiac boat rides past glaciers, afternoon tea on the ship and heated games of Uno Mercy with new friends. But the boldest choice of the trip was sleeping outside on the ice. Honestly the real question is why not? Clark says, when asked about her choice to camp outside in freezing temperatures. I traveled all that way, so I figured I might as well take advantage of every excursion offered. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Davawnna Clark. Credit: Davawnna Clark Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to Clark, there were no tents on the expedition, just snow, wind and determination. The group was handed plastic shovels to dig what they jokingly called their grave for the night trenches designed so the wind would whip over them instead of directly into their sleeping bags. Advertisement Advertisement It was unforgettable because so few people ever get the chance to do something like that. But Ive only camped a couple of times in my life and always in a tent, Clark admits. I was not prepared to be fully outside in Antarctica." Setting up camp was more complicated than she expected and included a foam pad, bivy sack, sleeping bag, liner and a makeshift pillow, all layered precisely to keep the cold from seeping in. They were instructed to wear just one layer to avoid sweating. Clark followed directions and froze. The high that day was around 35 degrees Fahrenheit, she recalls. And the wind makes all the difference. On a windy day, 35 degrees Fahrenheit can easily feel like 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. A friend handed her two hand warmers before bed, which she rationed carefully through the endless night, waiting for the 6 a.m. pickup. Around her, avalanches rumbled in the distance. Earlier that day, shed watched one crash down a mountainside from the safety of the boat. At night, zipped into darkness, every crunch of snow from someone walking nearby sounded amplified and eerie. Davawnna Clark. Credit: Davawnna Clark Clark tells PEOPLE she probably slept a total of 20 minutes that night. Breathing was also hard, she recalls. You cant fully unzip the bag because its too cold, but when its zipped, theres only a mesh layer near your face, so it kind of feels like youre being buried alive. Advertisement Advertisement Even the bathroom situation was humbling, given it was just a bucket, partially shielded by a small snow wall, situated a short walk away from camp. If someone was waiting, others politely turned their backs. Strict environmental rules, under the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), also meant no food was allowed on land. Everything is about protecting the ecosystem, Clark explains. They inspect your outerwear to make sure its clean, and we had to scrub our provided boots in a special disinfectant solution before and after every excursion. Theyre very serious about preventing contamination. Davawnna Clark. Credit: Davawnna Clark Still, the discomfort never outweighed the awe. In the morning, Clark watched the sunrise over a frozen landscape so vast it barely looked real, with whales swimming in the distance. Its a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The scenery alone is worth it, Clark tells PEOPLE. Even with almost no sleep, I would still consider doing it again." Read the original article on People Recently, I was asked to talk about what it is like to be a female rancher. I was flattered to be asked, but I dont know the answer. I do know what it is like to be a human rancher and I know that I admire many women who also are ranchers. In fact, 36 percent of the farmers and ranchers in the U.S. are women and they manage almost half of Americas ag land. Globally, we produce more than half of all food. Advertisement Advertisement In Montana, we all benefit from amazing female leaders in agriculture. If you want to know about improving soil health or the rewards of raising sheep, talk to Linda Poole in Malta. If you want to learn how to organize a grassroots ranchers organization and effect meaningful change, talk to Maggie Nutter in Sunburst. Trina Bradley of Dupuyer will look you in the eye and tell you everything you need to know about the impacts of grizzlies on her ranch life. Colleen Gustafson, on the Two Med, graciously hosts and educates non-ranchers for months at a time without strangling them, all while maintaining every fence, buying every bull and killing every weed on her ranch. Advertisement Advertisement Adele Stenson of Wibaux and Holly Stoltz of Livingston find innovative solutions to ranching challenges and then -- even harder -- find ways to share these innovations with hard-headed, independent cusses who want to do it our own way. In fact, Ive noticed that often women seek novel innovations to deal with a ranching challenge. If a man happens to be around, she might even run it past him. Its rubber band ranching stretch with an idea, contract to assess it, then stretch again to implement it. Long ago, my friend Michelle and I promoted the One Good Cow program at the Montana Stockgrowers Association meeting. Advertisement Advertisement We asked cattle producers to donate one cow to ranchers who had lost so many in blizzards and floods that year. As we stood on stage in a room full of dour, silent men, I remember finding the one person I knew and asking what he thought. Just as he would bid at a livestock auction, he barely nodded his approval. We ended up gathering more than 900 cows from across the nation and giving them to 67 producers. One Good Cow was a good idea. Now I dont seek approval for my ideas so sometimes my rubber band doesnt contract to assess one before I stretch into action. Thats how I got myself into producing shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals made with my beef and lamb. Advertisement Advertisement This is a good idea, too. I hope. I wonder if it is easier to ranch as a woman in some ways. Society pressures men to know all of the answers all of the time, but If I mess up, I try to learn from my mistake and move forward. When Imposter Syndrome hits or we cant find a solution to an unsolvable problem the effects of climate change, commodity markets or competing demands from family secretly faking it until we make it gets lonely. The downward spiral of loneliness and the pressure to be perfect can lead to suicide. Male ranchers kill themselves 3.5 times more often than the general public. Female ranchers kill themselves, too, just a little less often. Advertisement Advertisement Im fortunate to have good friends who love me even when Im far from perfect. We laugh together, they remind me that I have a few good attributes even when I forget, they tolerate my weirdness and celebrate little successes. They stave off loneliness. They know all ranchers try our best, we appreciate a little grace, and a warm fire feels good to our cold fingers. Lisa Schmidt raises grass-fed beef and lamb at the Graham Ranch near Conrad. Lisa can be reached at L.Schmidt@a-land-of-grass-ranch.com . This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Montana women in agriculture About 25,000 people are expected to pour into Jacksonville this weekend for the World of Nations Celebration. From Cambodia to Spain to even Trinidad and Turkey, the DR included. You can access about 30 nations at the celebration. Anubhav Dahiya from the India booth showed off everything from hair accessories to handcrafted items from the Asian subcontinent, even Apu the elephant mascot. I think this gives us a two-pronged benefit. First thing is let us show Indian culture, Dahiya said. Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< We are a not-for-profit organization. It helps us generate some funds that we can use for other community activities, he added. Flying past the Perfumes of Palestine and the fruits and spices of Trinidad and Tobago, you can stop at South Sudan. Our country is going through a lot of things, war, etc. And we want to be able to bring positivity into the world, and we want to be able to show them that South Sudan is here, Sudan is here! Randa Abdelhameed of the South Sudan booth said. Their nation formed relatively recently in 2011, the Sudanese showed Action News Jax everything from the countrys native garments and wedding styles to Henna tattoos at the booth. Theyll even give you a crash course in Arabic. Advertisement Advertisement The World of Nations Celebration runs Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. For more information on the celebration, click here. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. HARTFORD - If the governor of Connecticut is abducted by space aliens, and the lieutenant governor has gone missing on a trek into the wilds of Rhode Island, and a deadlocked state Senate is unable to elect one of its own as president pro tempore, the state government could be left leaderless. As far-fetched as that scenario of governmental gridlock might be, the current line of gubernatorial succession leaves open the possibility that Connecticut would have no one in charge should the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and president pro tempore all be vacant and no person can constitutionally succeed to those offices. Advertisement Advertisement State legislators are contemplating legislation to expand the line of succession to address this vulnerability. The Government Administration and Elections Committee conducted a hearing Monday on House Bill 5219. This is the second year that legislation to expand the line of gubernatorial succession has been introduced. The House of Representatives unanimously approved the original version of the bill on the second to last day of the 2025 legislative session, but that legislation did not come to a vote in the Senate on adjournment day. The issue with the line of succession came to light two years ago when a journalist inquired if Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, planned to attend the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, said state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, the House chairman of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. Under the Connecticut Constitution, the governor loses his or her powers when he or she leaves the state. If Lamont, Bysiewicz and Looney had all attended the DNC in 2024, then no one else would have been able to exercise the governor's powers. It has sometimes happened at least once a year where Lamont and Bysiewicz are out of state, leaving Looney with the executive powers. Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut and the states of Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have the shortest lines of succession, with just two alternates provided, according to a legislative research report. The states of New York and North Carolina are tied for the longest line of succession, with 11 specifically named state officials. The Connecticut Constitution makes the lieutenant governor the first in line and the president pro tempore is second. The legislation pending before the Government Administration and Elections Committee proposes to add five more officeholders to the line of succession. If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the governor due to death, resignation, refusal to serve, or removal from office, and there is vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office, and the position of president pro tempore is also vacant, then the speaker of the House would succeed to the governor's office until the next regular election, according to the proposed bill. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said that expanding the line of succession probably makes sense, but he has not give the subject much thought. Advertisement Advertisement "I know this may surprise you, but I don't stay up at night thinking about being fourth or ninth in the line of succession to the government," he told reporters. After the House speaker, the state treasurer would be next in the proposed expanded line of statutory succession, followed by the secretary of the state, the state comptroller, the state attorney general, the Senate majority leader, and, finally, the House majority leader. Under the bill, only if all the offices earlier in the line of succession are vacant will the next officer in line become governor. In the event of impeachment or an absence from the state, the next official in the gubernatorial line of succession will temporarily exercise the governor's power and duties until the governor has been acquitted or has returned to Connecticut, according to the bill. This article originally published at How a 2024 DNC trip exposed gap in Connecticut's gubernatorial succession. Indiana lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 legislative session on Friday. The end came earlier than usual because of when the session started. Lawmakers gathered at the Statehouse in December to take up redistricting to redraw Indiana's congressional districts mid-decade. The House passed the proposed map of newly drawn congressional districts but lawmakers in the Senate did not. When both chambers came back in January, they turned their attention to issues dealing with affordability, education and immigration. The leading bill for House Republicans dealt with the cost of housing. Advertisement Advertisement To start, House Bill 1001 included several clauses to loosen building regulations as a way to make it easier to build new housing and increase supply. Almost all of that language got watered-down after push-back from local governments, leading to many changes becoming voluntary. Another priority bill, House Bill 1002, dealt with utility costs and slowing down how fast those costs are growing for Hoosiers. The bill creates plans for customers who need assistance to spread their bills out over the year. RELATED: Lawmakers in Indiana Senate debated proposed changes to bill that deals with utility costs Advertisement Advertisement It also adds heat emergencies to the instances when power companies cannot cut service. Right now, that's only during the winter. Republicans chalked these bills up to two of their biggest successes this session. "I think we went straight to affordability. We wanted to make sure we made progress on the housing. I think, driving down, you know, we work towards driving down utility costs, so I think these are all huge issues for us," said House Speaker Todd Huston. Democrats said legislation on utilities brought more accountability but could have gone farther and expressed similar sentiment when it came to the housing legislation. Advertisement Advertisement "When it comes to housing, we were able to make a little bit of progress, but not a real deep dent in housing accessibility," said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder. "In Senate Bill 1001, that bill sort of came in like a lion and left like a lamb. I mean, I don't know how else to say it, it ended up being just sort of a shadow of itself," Yoder added. Immigration was at the center of some of the biggest fights this session, touching several bills. Senate Bill 1 focused on restricting welfare access. Republicans claimed that people in the U.S. illegally were using those programs. Democrats said there was no evidence that was a problem. Even more contentious, a bill requiring all local governments to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Indiana police are already required to help federal immigration agents, but Senate Bill 76 extends that to city and town governments and even schools. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Immigration enforcement bill heads to Gov. Braun for signature When it comes to education, a bill in the House slashed a lot of rules and requirements for schools. Lawmakers also passed a blanket ban on cell phones anywhere in school during the school day. Previously, that ban only included class time. RELATED: Indiana Senate passes bill to ban cellphones in schools, advances to House Lawmakers also created a new board to oversee public and charter school buildings in IPS. One bill that received bipartisan support, Senate Bill 27 that creates a way to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana in a push to bring the Chicago Bears here. That bill has already been signed into law by Gov. Braun. RELATED: Gov. Braun signs bill that could bring Chicago Bears to Indiana; Illinois lawmakers make their move The three-month meteorological winter that ends with February saw a particularly deadly span of storms and heavy snow, claiming at least 150 lives in the United States over just 32 days. Hypothermia, snow shoveling, motor vehicle accidents and recreational activities were among the leading causes of death during the two big storms that blasted all or parts of the eastern United States, USA TODAY research shows. But the deadly tragedies share a common theme, Brett Robertson, an associate professor and associate director of the University of South Carolina's Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute, wrote in an essay for TheConversation.com after the major winter storm in late January. "Winter storms pose multiple dangers at once, and people often underestimate how quickly conditions can become life-threatening." A powerful nor'easter rapidly intensified early Monday as it pummeled much of the Northeast with heavy snow, grounding flights, shuttering schools and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. A snowplow clears a parking lot in front of a Tarrytown, N.Y. apartment building before dawn during blizzard conditions during the noreaster Feb. 23, 2026. Raymond DeFiore of the Tarrytown, N.Y. Department of Public Works operates a snowplow before dawn during the noreaster Feb. 23, 2026. A person is seen using a snowblower as the city braces for a blizzard on Sunday into Monday, Feb. 22, 2026, in New York City. Commuters wait for the train in the snow at the 125th Street subway station during a city-wide travel ban on Feb. 23, 2026 in New York City. An NYPD vehicle is seen parked in front of the 72nd Street subway station during a city-wide travel ban on Feb. 23, 2026 in New York City. A view from the inside of a Tarrytown, N.Y. Department of Public Works snowplow during blizzard conditions before dawn during the noreaster Feb. 23, 2026. Snowmen are made in Brooklyn as blizzard conditions move into New York City on Feb. 22, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. A person walks along the street during snowfall on Feb. 22, 2026 in New York City. People walk through the snow during a city-wide travel ban on Feb. 22, 2026 in New York City. A Gray's Papaya restaurant is seen during snowfall while a city-wide travel ban takes place on Feb. 23, 2026 in New York City. A snow plow moves snow along a street on Feb. 22, 2026 in New York City. Philadelphians brave heavy wind and snow in center city as a winter storm hit in the afternoon turning rain into heavy snow on Feb. 22, 2026 in Philadelphia. A woman crosses a street near Manhattan's Grand Central during a snowfall in New York City, on Feb. 22, 2026. Blizzard hammers Northeast as heavy snow and wind snarl region 1 of 13 A powerful nor'easter rapidly intensified early Monday as it pummeled much of the Northeast with heavy snow, grounding flights, shuttering schools and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. A snowplow clears a parking lot in front of a Tarrytown, N.Y. apartment building before dawn during blizzard conditions during the noreaster Feb. 23, 2026. Northeast blizzard proved deadly The most recent blizzard and storm, a Nor'easter that intensified off the Atlantic coast, struck the Northeast Feb. 22 through Feb. 24. A dozen deaths have been reported, including at least six attributed to shoveling snow. Advertisement Advertisement In Rhode Island, where more than 3 feet of snow fell in at least two locations, two people died, The Providence Journal reported. Salve Regina University identified one of the fatalities as Joseph Boutros, a 21-year-old student. Boutros died of carbon monoxide poisoning on Feb. 23 while attempting to charge his cellphone in his snow-covered car. The other person who died has not been identified publicly, but the death in North Smithfield was shoveling related, said Joseph Wendelken, a spokesman for the Rhode Island Department of Health. In addition to the deaths, the severe winter weather kept emergency rooms busy. During the Rhode Island blizzard, for example, local hospitals saw at least 263 emergency department visits related to the storm, Wendelken said. Luis Villa shovels the sidewalk on Maple Street in Croton-on-Hudson Jan. 26, 2026 after yesterday's snowstorm brought over a foot of snow to the New York City and Lower Hudson Valley region. In Maryland, two people were killed on Feb. 22 when a falling tree struck a vehicle, according to the Calvert County Sheriff's Office. The driver, Michael Lee Simpson, 60, of Deale, and front seat passenger Virginia Marie Quesenberry, 43, of Chesapeake Beach, died at the scene, the department stated. A third passenger was taken to a trauma center with critical injuries. Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland State Police reported responding to 343 crashes during the course of the snowstorm. In Massachusetts, Patrick Sarpong, 35, of Vernon, Connecticut, was struck and killed by a tractor trailer on Feb. 24 as he was clearing snow off his car on the side of the Massachusetts Turnpike, according to the Massachusetts State Police. State troopers reported responding to more than 500 disabled vehicles during the storm. On Long Island, in New York, media outlets reported five deaths were attributed to snow shoveling and the body of one man was found buried under 5 feet of snow. Bitter cold and hypothermia The winter storm and blast of polar air that covered the eastern half of the United States from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27 proved especially hazardous because of the below freezing temperatures and wind chills. Advertisement Advertisement The extended cold conditions were particularly harsh, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani noted during a news conference in late February. Bitter cold lingered for days, and although some of the deaths remain under investigation, at least 30 were attributed to hypothermia during that bout of freezing weather. Signs of hypothermia can be difficult to recognize, the National Weather Service said. They include dizziness, stiff muscles and difficulty speaking. It's important to dress in layers when venturing outside, and to choose breathable fabric for your base layer. A Metro Nashville Police Department officer and an AT&T worker assesses a utility line the fell across Franklin Road Blvd. during a massive winter storm moving across the region, Jan. 25, 2026 in Nashville. Another 11 deaths during the January winter storm were likely related to shoveling snow, according to reports from officials and coroners. In total, USA TODAY research shows nearly 20 people died as either a direct or indirect result of shoveling snow over the five weeks. Lifting heavy wet snow with shovels is much more taxing on the body than most people realize, doctors told reporters in the USA TODAY Network. Weather forecasters and medical professionals repeatedly urge those who must shovel snow to drink lots of water because of the way the activity can cause dehydration, especially in those with pre-existing medical conditions. They also advise taking breaks often and dressing warmly. Avalanches caused a dozen deaths After a winter in the West that raised concerns about lack of snow, heavy snow began to fall in the western mountains, with layers of snow creating hazardous conditions that led to several deadly avalanches. Advertisement Advertisement Over a six-day period, 13 people were killed: Feb. 17 Nine skiers in one group died in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe. Six survived. Feb. 18 A father snowmobiling in Wasatch County, Utah, became trapped at the bottom of a steep slope. As his son tried to help, an avalanche caught, carried and buried the father, the Utah Avalanche Center reported. Feb. 19 A young girl was killed in an avalanche in the backcountry near Brighton, Utah, the avalanche center stated in a preliminary report. Feb. 21 A skier died in an avalanche in the Big Cottonwood Canyon region of Utah, according to the center. Feb. 22 A person on a snowbike was caught, carried and fully buried in a very large avalanche well above the town of Midway, Utah, the center reported. Advertisement Advertisement According to the avalanche center's statistics, Utah averages between 3 and 4 avalanche-related deaths a year. A helicopter works to mitigate avalanche danger in the area of Castle Peak just outside of Lake Tahoe, California, as authorities worked to recover nine bodies killed when an avalanche hit their party on Feb. 17, 2026. How you can help prevent deaths While some deaths are unavoidable, emergency management officials, law enforcement officers and hospitals throughout the country have reiterated this winter that you can take steps to reduce your risks and protect your family. To safeguard your life and the lives of others, "before a winter storm or any hazardous weather event, preparation is key," according to the Weather Service. Ahead of winter storms, Its important to have an action plan for your home that includes enduring extended power and water outages that can last up to a week," said Charlie Woodrum, resilience and preparedness lead for the weather service. "Beyond having a plan for your family, its important to make sure you plan for the care of your pets and watch out for elderly neighbors." Advertisement Advertisement Because the elderly can be particularly vulnerable in extreme cold, the weather service routinely encourages people to check-in with any at-risk neighbors or friends and family before and during storms, bitter cold and power outages. Woodrum and many police departments posting on social media during the storm said it's important to "avoid travel altogether" when conditions are bad. In his essay, Robertson wrote that "nearby social ties matter during disasters because they help people share information and act more quickly when services are disrupted." He encouraged those preparing for storms to make sure their information is "coming from reliable sources." Contributing: Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News Advertisement Advertisement Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 winter storms claim 150 lives in US A Babson College student, deported to Honduras despite a federal court order, will remain there for now. Her attorney claims the federal governments plan to bring her back to the United States was a trap that would have resulted in her being detained again. Any Lucia Lopez Belloza is at the center of a high-profile immigration case after federal authorities acknowledged she was wrongly deported, despite a court order allowing her to stay in the United States. I was excited when I heard the news there was a flight that would take me back homeback to my communityback to the life that I have built, Lopez Belloza said on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement But she says everything changed quickly. Hours later, that excitement turned into a nightmare, she said. 25 Investigates has followed Lopez Bellozas case since November, when she was detained at Logan Airport while traveling to visit family for Thanksgiving. Despite a federal court order requiring she remain in the country while her case played out, Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported her to Honduras anyway. Federal prosecutors later admitted in court that was a mistake. Friday was the deadline the government to return Lopez Belloza to the United States. She says she received information about a possible flight on Thursday, but later court filings showed she would not be released and would instead be detained again. Advertisement Advertisement It showed that I was not going to be released at all, and I will be detained again. This is not just confusion. That its being lied about my own freedom, Lopez Belloza said. Her immigration attorney, advocates and members of Congress later came together for a Zoom meeting Friday afternoon, announcing Lopez Belloza would not get on any plane out of concern she would be detained again and potentially deported again upon landing in the U.S. She has a green card application pending right now for her and her parents that protects her under the law, and they wont even let her come back in and go get her fingerprints taken and leave her the hell alone. Enough is enough, said immigration attorney Todd Pomerleau. Pomerleau says when ICE detained Lopez Belloza in November, she had no knowledge of a longstanding removal order issued when she was a child. Advertisement Advertisement It was an order for removal that an 11-year-old didnt know about. Shes never had due process of law. Shes never had her day in court, he said. Lopez Belloza says she wants to return to the United States and continue building her life. I want to build my career. I want to support my family. I want to keep contributing to the country I call home. Instead, Im being treated as I do not belong, as if my life does not matter, she said. The Department of Homeland Security provided the following statement to Boston 25 News: Complying with a court order, ICE attempted to facilitate Any Lopez-Bellozas return back to the United Statesbut she failed to appear for her pre-arranged flight. ICE made multiple attempts to reach out to her with no response. For operational security purposes, ICE does not disclose future law enforcement operations. On November 20, CBP arrested Any Lopez-Belloza, an illegal alien from Honduras, as she was attempting to board a flight at Boston Logan International Airport. This illegal alien entered the country in 2014 and an immigration judge issued her a final order removal in 2015, over a decade ago. She was removed to Honduras. The court order to stop her removal was issued AFTER she was already removed. She received full due process including a final order of removal from a judge. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Washington state is marking the 25th anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake this week, highlighting a quarter-century of seismic safety improvements alongside significant remaining infrastructure risks. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck on Feb. 28, 2001, causing hundreds of injuries and billions of dollars in damage across the region. The Nisqually quake remains the most costly earthquake to occur in the United States within the last 30 years, according to Brian Terbush, Earthquake and Volcano Program Manager with the Washington Emergency Management Division. Advertisement Advertisement In the decades since the 45-second event, the state has implemented mandatory school drills and cataloged at-risk buildings, though experts warn that hundreds of unreinforced masonry structures still require expensive retrofitting to meet modern safety standards. Since 2001, safety improvements have included new requirements for school children to participate in drop, cover, and hold on drills. These exercises are reinforced through the Great Shake Out, an annual event designed to prepare the next generation for seismic activity. Experts noted these drills are intended to ensure that responding correctly becomes a standard reaction for students. While many structures have been upgraded, hundreds of the states most vulnerable buildings remain. These facilities, known as unreinforced masonry buildings, are typically constructed of brick without reinforcing steel bars. Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, identified these specific buildings as a primary safety concern. Advertisement Advertisement Those are the buildings that can kill people, Tobin said. The city of Seattle has begun cataloging at-risk buildings to track which structures require retrofitting. Currently, the city does not have a mandate requiring private landowners to complete these upgrades. The financial cost of retrofitting remains a barrier for many building owners. Ryan Vytlacil, owner of Seattle Seismic, explained to KIRO 7 in 2024 that the price of upgrades varies based on the size and type of the building. A small building, a couple hundred thousand dollars, a four- or five-story apartment building. Definitely over a million, Vytlacil said then. Advertisement Advertisement Seattle has applied for federal funds to help support property owners who need financial assistance for these projects. Individual preparedness is also a focus for safety experts, who recommend that residents maintain emergency packs in case of power outages or road closures. The three leading candidates in the competitive Texas Senate Republican primary have all been invited to join President Trumps Friday stop in Corpus Christi, just days ahead of the Lone Star States Tuesday primaries. Although Trump is visiting the state in an official capacity, observers are eager to see if the president will address the closely watched Senate race, in which he has yet to endorse. Incumbent Sen. Jon Cornyn (R), state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) were invited to the Friday event, a White House official confirmed to The Hill, as they battle for the GOP nod. Advertisement Advertisement Paxton boasts a lead over Cornyn roughly 39 percent to 34 percent according to Decision Desk HQs latest polling aggregate. Neither candidate, though, appears poised to secure the support he needs to win the primary outright and avoid a May runoff. Hunt is pulling in roughly 17 percent support. Trump told reporters earlier this month that he was taking a serious look at endorsing, and later said that he likes all three of them, actually. Experts are unsure whether a Trump endorsement is on the horizon and whether hed make it before or after the primary. Fridays trip is Trumps first public event since delivering his State of the Union address on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement President Trump looks forward to returning to the great State of Texas this week to discuss the economy and tout his Drill Baby Drill agenda, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Hill. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 5 races to watch before Election Day North Carolina voters will head to the polls this Tuesday to cast ballots in several high-profile primary elections. Here are five races we are watching. US Senate Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley has emerged as the frontrunner with the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Whatley faces several primary challengers, including former congressional candidate Don Brown, who has gathered grassroots support. On the Democratic side, former Gov. Roy Cooper is the frontrunner and is expected to win the primary due to his significant name recognition and campaign funding. Advertisement Advertisement Mecklenburg County District 2 On the local level, longtime Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake faces a challenge from ABC Board Chair Monifa Drayton in District two. Drayton, an experienced campaign manager, enters the race having never lost a previous contest. North Carolina State House District 106 Incumbent Democratic House Rep. Carla Cunningham is seeking reelection against challenges from the Rev. Rodney Sadler and Vermanno Bowman. Cunningham has focused her campaign on her record of bipartisan cooperation, which she said leads to results for her district. This follows her decision last year to vote to override Gov. Josh Steins veto of an immigration bill. Advertisement Advertisement 2. Mecklenburg County Sheriff The race for Mecklenburg County Sheriff features incumbent Garry McFadden and three challengers. He is facing CMPD Sergeant Ricky Robbins and former sheriffs office employees Antwain Nance and Rodney Collins. The opposition candidates have questioned the leadership and competence of McFadden. Because there is no Republican candidate in the race, the winner of the Democratic primary will become the next sheriff. North Carolina State Senate District 26 The most impactful contest involves Senate Leader Phil Berger, the states most powerful Republican. Berger faces a primary challenge from Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. While Bergers policies have shaped the states direction, Page has campaigned on the argument that Berger has neglected his district as his influence in the Capitol has grown. >> Channel 9 will live team coverage throughout Election night on March 3rd. (WATCH BELOW: Part 1: Mecklenburg County Sheriff debate on Channel 9) The sand on the Chagos Islands is impossibly white, and the turquoise waters are the clearest Ive ever seen. Antoine Lemaitre, a 67-year-old grandfather, is sitting in a deckchair, his toes dipped in the oh-so-soft sand, gazing out to the crystal-clear Indian Ocean stretched out in front of him. Which is when I ask him the obvious question: Do you miss Burnley? Mr Lemaitre smiles his great big gap-toothed endearing smile, and replies: Why would I miss Burnley? Of course not. Advertisement Advertisement He is finally home. Its taken him more than two-thirds of a century to set foot on this remote atoll, where he was conceived but never allowed to live the result of a terrible injustice wrought on him and his people by the British government in the months before he was born. Mr Lemaitres mother was heavily pregnant when the British booted her and her husband out of the Chagos Archipelago, sending them into exile in Mauritius, more than 1,200 miles away. One of his brothers died on the crossing. Left to right: Antoine Lemaitre and fellow Chagossians Clifford Aglae and Andy Antalika - Robert Mendick There are now six Chagossians living on Ile du Coin in the archipelago, the result of an extraordinary stealth operation to sail across the Indian Ocean, land there and reclaim it before the British authorities could stop them, and before ownership is handed over to Mauritius in a controversial deal backed by Sir Keir Starmer and opposed by Donald Trump. The venture was overseen by an eccentric former Conservative MP and three secretive billionaires who funded the enterprise, including buying a $2.5m yacht and hiring an ex-naval intelligence officer turned world champion sailor to ensure the missions success. Advertisement Advertisement The first the British knew about the operation was when Misley Mandarin, the Chagos Islands first minister, broadcast its success two weeks ago, using a Starlink satellite connection set up on the beach. So secretive was the Chagossians landing that they never informed their families of their plans. Pascal Castel, at 32 the youngest of the group, had flown out of the UK in January telling his wife, seven months pregnant with their third child, that he was going to Washington to lobby Congress. She was very angry when she discovered the truth, says Mr Castel. It sounds like an understatement almost as epic as the voyage to get them here. First minister Misley Mandarin, pictured right with his father Michel, has been broadcasting from the island - Robert Mendick A super-sleek catamaran had, against the odds, offloaded the first four Chagossians (as well as the ex-Tory MP Adam Holloway) at 7.44am local time on Feb 16 in the first phase of this ambitious and in all likelihood crazy scheme to establish a permanent settlement on the Peros Banhos atoll, of which Ile du Coin, a former coconut plantation, is the largest island. Advertisement Advertisement Then, on Thursday, two more exiled Chagossians a former bouncer from Crawley and a slaughterman from Manchester joined the breakaway nation. I know this because I was on the boat that delivered them there the only reporter to have been anywhere near Ile du Coin in some years. Righting a historic wrong Ours had been a challenging 36-hour voyage across the ocean and through storms to reach Ile du Coin. We only just made it, having been stopped in British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) waters by a patrol vessel that demanded the right to board. They let us go on our way only after the yachts captain assured them this was a humanitarian trip to bring medicine, food, water and other vital supplies to the four Chagossians and Mr Holloway, who were already on Ile du Coin. Advertisement Advertisement The only spanner in the works was the appearance, out of the blue, of Mr Holloway on a motorised dinghy driven from shore, who was wearing a pink dress shirt and a white towel wrapped around his head a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Bertie Wooster, shouting permission to board. The BIOT officers declined the request. Later that day, my presence on the yacht, called No Excuse, would cause quite a ruction when government lawyers discovered I was The Telegraphs chief reporter. But by then Chagossians Clifford Aglae, 57, and Andy Antalika, 40, had jumped ashore defying the captains orders to remain on the yacht to embrace their compatriots already ensconced on the palm-fringed island. Andy Antalika was one of the new arrivals on the island - Robert Mendick I had been invited to join phase two of the operation to help with the sailing but also to lend publicity to the cause to re-establish a Chagossian nation in the face of Sir Keirs deal. Advertisement Advertisement The treaty, signed last year, requires the UK to spend something like 35bn renting the Chagos Islands back, in order the British Government says to keep the strategically vital US military base on Diego Garcia (the largest island in the archipelago) functioning for a further 100 years. Increasingly few people think its a good deal, including Mr Trump, who despite flip-flopping on the sorry saga, now calls it a blight on our Great Ally. Sitting in his deckchair on the beach on Ile du Coin (literally the corner island in the atoll), Mr Lemaitre is the unlikeliest of Davids trying to smite the Goliath that is the Government by wrecking this treaty. The attempt to establish a permanent encampment, under British rule, is intended to make it that much harder for this deal to go through. The publicity around the camp and Mr Trumps condemnation has led to the treatys ratification being at the very least stalled, if not put in jeopardy altogether. Advertisement Advertisement When my mum was six months pregnant with me, she was deported from here, says Mr Lemaitre. Back in the 1960s, the British and American administrations, had agreed to the military base on Diego Garcia but then quite extraordinarily and scandalously colluded to put in place a 120-mile exclusion zone around the island. That meant every island in Chagos had to be cleared of people too. There are now six Chagossians living on Ile du Coin, on a mission to reclaim the island - Robert Mendick My father had complained that what they were doing was wrong. Their response was to deport my family first, says Mr Lemaitre. He was born in Mauritius, but he tells me I never felt Mauritius was home. It was a life of misery and poverty. He was subjected, he says, to the most terrible racism, his family treated like second-class citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Deprived of an education, he says, he got a job as a cleaner before ending up in his mid-60s in of all places Burnley in Lancashire after a change in immigration rules allowed the Chagossian diaspora 3,000 were cleared from the islands to obtain British citizenship. Burnley and Crawley, in West Sussex and close to Gatwick airport, where so many landed, have become enclaves for the UKs Chagossian community. Incidentally, just 311 Chagossians born in their homeland are still alive. When the plot was hatched to take the islanders home, Mr Lemaitre jumped at the chance. All I was thinking was I need to be here. I need to be where I was created. All I ever wanted was to see the land of my mum and dad, he says. The team of Chagossians was picked by Mr Mandarin, 47, the exiled communitys leading campaigner for independence and now their de facto leader. Anyone turning up on Ile du Coin gets a totemic Chagos stamp in their passport, which he presses on to the paper with a joyous force. By my count, only nine people in the world have such a stamp. The new stamps on reporter Robert Mendicks passport Since landing on Chagos, Mr Mandarin has done countless interviews from his desert island retreat via the Starlink satellite to broadcasters around the world. Advertisement Advertisement In the flesh, this London bus driver (the 88 route from Clapham Common to Parliament Hill, in case youre wondering) makes an impressive leader of this desert island and its motley citizens. He speaks eloquently of the Chagossian plight, and it hurts all the more that his land is being handed to Mauritius, where he grew up. They treated us so badly, like second class citizens. They kept us out of education; they called us w-gs. The sixth islander is his father, Michel Mandarin, 72, the only one of the group to have been born in the archipelago. You get the impression Mr Mandarin Sr is simply gulping it all in, reflecting on a lifetime spent trying to get back here and only now succeeding. Now a grandfather, he was 14 when the British and Americans sent him into exile in 1967. The British removed me once. I wont let them do it again, he says. Michel Mandarin, 72, the only one of the group to have been born in the archipelago - Robert Mendick Michel Mandarins own grandparents are buried in the eerily beautiful cemetery about half a miles walk from the encampment. Im not moving. Ive come here to die, he tells me. Advertisement Advertisement The British Government has served the group with an eviction notice, but will not relish the optics of dragging an old man off the island, depriving him of his one final wish. The cemetery, half a mile from the encampment - Robert Mendick Michel Mandarin remembers being taken off the island 59 years ago on a cargo ship, spending eight days at sea in the hold with livestock for company. According to the Chagossians, the American troops who rounded them up corralled the dogs into a building and then gassed them with vehicle exhaust. The Chagossians were told, says Misley Mandarin, that youll be gassed too if you dont leave now. Sharks, mosquitoes and a lack of water The camp they have created is its fair to say ramshackle. The new Chagos capital consists of five tents, one filled with provisions that should keep the islanders going for a few more weeks. The camp is well stocked - Robert Mendick There are more instant noodle pots and cans of soft drink than in my local convenience store. On our aid mission, we delivered 50kg of rice as well as fresh mangoes. Other items to sustain the community included a petrol-powered generator and 160 litres of petrol to go with it. We also took one high-capacity solar-powered battery bank and an electric kettle but two ice-making machines bought by one of the super-enthusiastic donors were left on the yacht on the grounds, quite sensibly, that electricity remains a precious commodity. When the sun shines, Ile du Coin can easily power itself. But when the tropical storms hit, thats a whole problem in itself. The rains are a gift, though, because water is scarce. Mr Holloway had found four wells during his eight-day stay. Three were unusable, having been abandoned almost 60 years ago, and he drank two litres from the fourth without feeling any ill-effects. But its a dangerous option, and we brought plastic guttering, tarpaulin and a 500-litre plastic tank to collect enough rainwater for the Chagossian Six. Survival on the island isnt going to be easy. Arriving on Ile du Coin, you feel you have reached paradise. But what lies beyond the first palms is hell. There are vicious mosquitoes that scent human blood the minute you step into the interior, where coconut trees towering to heights over 100ft block the light. There are sharks, spotted by Mr Holloway, in the ocean, one swimming in the shallows where every evening he would attempt a wash. Then theres the deadly asbestos used in the coconut plantations administrative building, which requires a clear-up of gargantuan proportions. Two huge stone gateposts, the stone walls and a stone staircase leading to a non-existent second storey are all that remain of the once sizeable building. Misley Mandarin at the coconut plantation - Robert Mendick Rusted iron railway tracks leading to the abandoned stone jetty that would cart off coconuts to the Empire are another hazard. The entrance arch and two arched windows either side (the glass long gone) are what remain of the island church. The interior is stiflingly hot too, with no wind to penetrate the trees and scrub. Inside the tents, the temperature is a blood-boiling 45C. Misley Mandarin is undeterred. I have a vision, he says, We can make it work. We arrived here on the 16th and now it is the 26th and we are still happy and healthy. They should have fish in abundance I saw them swimming right by the shore on my trek to the cemetery and seem to be catching enough to eat regularly enough. There are also coconuts, of course, all boosted by the supplies we brought. Our main, main priority right now is just to get this treaty scrapped, he says. But after that, they will start the build. You could get container-type houses and ship them in. You dont need bricks, says Mr Mandarin, adding: If you come back in a year, this will have changed big time. You will see children here. You will see women here. He plans to persuade the Americans to get on board, maybe sharing sovereignty with the UK. In a political masterstroke, he has offered to rename Eagle Islands in the Great Chagos bank as Donald Trump Islands. Plotting at Stockwell bus depot How the Chagossians got home is in itself a remarkable story. Not all of it can be told for legal and confidential reasons. Mr Holloway, a former Army captain turned television journalist turned Tory MP turned campaigner (he calls himself an unemployed bum), ran with the brilliant idea of creating a permanent base on Ile du Coin. It was Christmas, and time was pressing. The ratification of the treaty needed parliamentary approval and that was timetabled for mid-February. The ex-MP went into what he calls panic mode. He called Mr Mandarin and met him on his break at the Stockwell bus depot in south London. The plan was hatched. Former MP Adam Holloway is one of the brains behind the operation - Robert Mendick Mr Holloway then contacted two wealthy friends (billionaires, Im told) who gave it their full backing. On Jan 7 Mr Holloway flew to Italy to meet Mike Broughton, a former naval commander and helicopter pilot who had served at a senior level in military intelligence. He is also a world champion sailor. Mr Holloway told Mr Broughton he was the only man who could skipper the boat somebody who understood the security concerns the deal threw up, but who could also get a bunch of civilians with no maritime experience safely to the remote archipelago. Three days later, Mr Holloway met Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, for a lengthy session in the pub. Mr Holloway told his friend of his plan and Mr Farage, who had made much of the political running in his opposition to the Chagos deal, got on board. He in turn put Mr Holloway in touch with one of the UKs wealthiest men. The businessman and philanthropist, who does not wish to be named, was keen to help. The Telegraph understands that the backers are prepared to spend anywhere between ten million dollars and a hundred million dollars to create a permanent community on Chagos. At this point, the plotters had the financial backing and the political will but they didnt have a boat. On Jan 20, Mr Broughton and his brother Peter, a retired police officer and yacht master, flew to Thailand, buying the $2.5m No Excuse, a 55ft catamaran within two days of seeing it. Normally it takes a month to buy such a yacht. (It came, as they would later discover, with a ton of problems.) Brothers Mike and Pete Broughton on the yacht - Robert Mendick Captain Mike, as the Chagossians call him fondly, recalled probably one of the most crazy, crazy, chaotic days of my life as more and more gear arrived at the dockside. Put it like this, we were fully, fully loaded by the time we left, he says. The five-day journey was torrid. Most of the passengers were seasick, the sinks got blocked and the alternators, providing crucial power, failed. Crossing the equator, they performed a version of the King Neptune ceremony, scattering flowers at the suggestion of Rachel Trevallion, Mr Broughtons fiancee, and part of the yachts crew. The crew and passengers broke down in collective tears; Mr Lemaitre was sobbing, deeply sobbing and we could just feel the hurt, recalls Mr Broughton. That was when he learnt Mr Lemaitres brother had died on that long-ago voyage to Mauritius. They werent deemed worthy of being given cabin or deck space. They were put in the hold with some animals, he says. Pete Broughton, recounting the same King Neptune ceremony, broke down in tears. Giving the islands to Mauritius seems absolutely crazy, he says. But then renting them back for 35bn just takes it to the next level. On the trip south, Mr Castel would play his guitar, serenading the crew with Chagossian liberation songs he had written; the tunes often upbeat and the lyrics mournful. I told my wife I was going to Washington, Miami and New York, he says, having been told of the need for utmost secrecy. Was she angry when he called her to say he had arrived in Chagos? Very, very angry, he replies. Pascal Castel had to hide the planning for the mission Arriving on Ile du Coin, which is probably a couple of miles long and maybe half a mile wide, they unloaded the supplies a tricky operation in choppy waters and then waited. And waited. On day two, the BIOT patrol boat finally arrived, handing out a fixed penalty notice for entering Chagos territory without the correct permit (the Chagossians had applied and been refused). They were then served with eviction notices, one set for the islanders and another for Captain Mike and the yacht. Those notices would trigger behind closed doors legal rows to try to get them overturned. The success of the first mission prompted what the team called the Second Push. This was to restock the island, 10 days after the first drop. We took off from London me and two burly Chagossians: Mr Aglae, a father-of-four from Crawley, and Mr Antalika, who has a 15-year-old daughter heading for Gan, the southernmost island in the Maldives, almost 300 nautical miles and a 32-hour voyage from Ile du Coin. Mr Farage had flown in to meet the crew and give his support. He would later complain that British authorities were doing all they could to thwart his own attempt to reach the encampment. But he also recognised that the Chagossians were not necessarily equipped to live on a desert island. Mr Farage had spent a month in the jungle in the ITV series Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and had some understanding of the rigours of surviving such a hostile environment. He was concerned they were townies, adding: So we have got to do as much as we can as quickly as we can. He had brought his angling rod to teach them fishing but, with the clock running down, returned to the UK last Saturday. These people have been treated very badly, he says. Hes normally a cheerleader for the Empire, but this mass deportation happened in my lifetime. We were disgusting. We even killed all their pets and then dumped them in a place that hated them. They were subjected to racism of a most terrible kind. Keir Starmer is interested in human rights, but when it comes to black Chagossians, he really doesnt care, he adds. People call me a populist, but I am the opposite. This was an unpopular cause. The Chagos voices need to be heard. The voyage out On Tuesday in the tiny and frankly scruffy port of Gan, No Excuse was being prepared for its second trip to Chagos. Mike Broughton gathered the team I was now part of it for a rallying cry. This is a super important mission, he told us. The guys out there on the island absolutely need us. We are their lifeline. What we are doing is super, super important. The fact we are not going to be comfortable doesnt matter. We are out there on a limb for guys doing something truly courageous. We were assigned watch duties every three hours keeping lookout, while Captain Mike, his brother, or another world champion sailor, Piotr from Poland, took the helm. The previous 24 hours had been a frantic buying spree: stocking up on food; trying to fix the boat; trying to buy binoculars like one of those episodes in the Apprentice where the teams have to find as many obscure items as possible in a foreign country where no one speaks English. My favourite was finding a shed down a backstreet in Gan filled with blue plastic piping perfect for gathering rainwater off tarpaulin and funnelling it into a huge 500-litre drum. At 9.05pm on Tuesday, under the cover of darkness, we finally departed Gan, heading pretty much due south, guided by up-to-date navigation systems, although the Southern Cross would probably have done just as well. The voyage took 72 hours The storms hit hard in the early hours of Wednesday, but cleared at some point past dawn. From then, it was long and hot but plainish sailing. Flying fish fizzed about the ocean, and at one stage whales swam by. But these are big seas, and barely anyone uses them. No one really goes to the Chagos Islands, apart from maybe US warships gathering at Diego Garcia for a potential attack on Iran. In a round journey of 72 hours at sea, I saw one cargo ship in the distance. The other was the BIOT patrol boat that boarded us. By then, we were in touching distance of Ile du Coin and the BIOT crew, an ever so friendly bunch who I suspected were sympathetic to the Chagossian cause, waved us on our way after seeking and receiving a reassurance that nobody on our boat would be remaining on the island after departure. A few hours later, a court in London would hear a judicial review brought by the Chagossians and by Mr Broughton against the Governments deportation order. A judge had given this humanitarian mission the green light; lawyers wanted to know in that case why I, a journalist, was on board. The prospect of a journalist highlighting the plight of Chagossians was not going down well among Foreign Office mandarins. Mike Broughton had requested we all sign the yachts log asserting we would deliver the aid and then leave. Mr Aglae, a bear of a man and one-time bouncer who in his heyday could bench press 240kg, and Mr Antalika, who had worked in an abattoir, both signed. Mr Aglaes grandmother had died on the ocean, en route to exile in Mauritius. Her body was cast overboard, buried at sea. He, of course, never met her but this was his one and only chance to see his island home. There were tears in their eyes as land approached. We clambered from the yacht to the motorised dinghy and were guided ashore by Mr Castel. The Chagossians hugged like long-lost friends and after we had delivered the aid. We all got back on the boat. Except the two Chagossians they preferred to stay. Home. At last. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Feb. 27---- Copy Link Facebook LinkedIn Share on X FAIRMONT It's never too late to go back for your degree. For 50 years, Fairmont State University has partnered with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to offer the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree geared to those students returning to school after venturing into the world. Maybe you joined the military, said Lisa Jones, who coordinates the RBA program on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps you had a baby or had hired on in a job that was too demanding at the time for books, she said. Whatever the circumstance, she said, you're more than welcome at Fairmont State. "Nontraditional students bring exceptional dedication, perseverance and real-world experience to their work, " Jones said. "It's a privilege to support those students as they navigate their goals and overcome challenges." Visit www.fairmontstate.edu /academics /rba for all the particulars on the program, she said. Prerequisites are at a minimum, the coordinator said. Applicates must be in possession of a high school diploma or GED, while being out of high school for at least three years. Advertisement Advertisement It's also geared to academic forgiveness, if, say, your college transcript is marred by Fs from your time around. There's that, Jones said, plus the program's popular equivalent credit-prior learning option, where all those stops on your resume could be converted to course hours toward your degree. RBA candidates may also qualify for financial aid, she said, with the opportunity of completing course work on campus or online. More than 3, 000 West Virginians earned RBA degrees over the past years, according to numbers culled by the Higher Education Policy Commission. "This incredibly unique and flexible degree program is an unsung hero in West Virginia's higher education story, " the policy commission's vice chancellor for academic affairs Chris Rasmussen said. Advertisement Advertisement And right now, he said, there are lots of unrealized academic dreams in Almost Heaven. The National Student Clearinghouse reported in 2024 that there were 179, 965 West Virginians under the age of 65 who had some college credit but no completed credential. Action News Jax has investigated an online trend causing a local cybercrime lawyer to recommend that all social media users take warning. Over the last few weeks, weve found dozens of social media posts claiming to support local car detailing businesses. But all of the posts have almost the exact same caption, many have the same pictures, and weve noticed theyre now popping up in Facebook groups across the country. The template of the social media posts are all, essentially the same: the user making the post claims to be a recent customer of a car detailing business supposedly owned by a young man who started the business to support his mother after his father died. After reverse searching both the captions and the pictures of these posts, weve found dozens of duplicates of those posts from users around the country, using nearly the same word-for-word captions and many of the same images, although supporting different businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Curtis Fallgatter, a former chief assistant federal prosecutor and current cybercrimes attorney in Jacksonville, said this could be a method to play on your emotions as a way to make money. Many of these posts are, virtually, identical. That, in and of itself, suggests that theyre not entirely accurate or valid, said Fallgatter. Action News Jax has investigated these posts and found users sharing them anywhere from Duval Countys beaches to Tampa and even in Texas. All of them share the same story of young men hard at work, detailing cars, as a way of supporting their families in need. Some of the posts share claims of businesses offering 50% discounts, while others make urgent pleas to support the business because the owner is claiming to be experiencing a financial struggle. But no matter what is being offered, Fallgatter said Facebook posts using the same story as a means of marketing a business are worthy of a warning. Advertisement Advertisement Where youve got common images, similar names, similar endorsements, coming from different sources, that suggests its not legitimate business, Fallgatter said. One of the posts weve seen came from a user who shared an advertisement in a Jacksonville Beach Facebook group for a company called Gloss Boss. But we found another user, earlier this month, had shared a post in a St. Augustine Facebook group using the same picture and caption, though promoting a different business. We messaged Gloss Boss, showing them the similar posts, asking if the business was based in Jacksonville. We also searched the Florida Division of Corporations and found no active business licenses with the name Gloss Boss. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Gloss Boss messaged us back, saying they were based in Orange Park. The company also said that the user who posted their advertisement online lived at a Jacksonville address at a home on Merseyside Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement We called the homeowner, Holly Davis, who told us she had not only never heard of Gloss Boss, she didnt have her car detailed by them and didnt know how they obtained her address. To try and say that were a customer to possibly lure in other people, you know, thats scary, Davis told us. We sent another message to Gloss Boss asking the company to verify that it had done work at Davis address. We never received a response. The company, like other supposed car detailing companies we have investigated, did not have a public address or phone number, only an email as a means of contacting them. We reached out to some of the companies to ask about pricing and the kind of personal information they request from customers, but we have not yet received responses to those emails. Advertisement Advertisement Fallgatter said that if anyone sees online posts that seem suspicious, the first step should be contacting law enforcement. Google the name of the company, see if its legitimate, but check with the secretary of state and call the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and ask them if its legitimate, said Fallgatter. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. At least 52 civilians have been killed and 66 wounded since the start of Pakistani attacks on Afghanistan on February 22, the Taliban government said on Saturday. In a statement, deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said that the majority of the victims were women and children. The attacks took place in the provinces of Paktika, Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost and Kandahar, he added. Afghanistan's Taliban Defence Ministry said on Saturday it carried out overnight airstrikes on two Pakistani military bases in response to what it described as repeated aerial aggression by the Pakistani military. Advertisement Advertisement Bases in Miranshah and Spinwam were targeted, the ministry said in a statement. An army spokesman also claimed that a Pakistani fighter jet had been shot down in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar and that the pilot was captured alive. Pakistan has denied the claim. Fighting between the two neighbours flared up again earlier this week after Pakistan, which accuses the Islamist Taliban of sheltering militants responsible for cross-border attacks, struck targets in Afghanistan last weekend. On Thursday, Afghanistan launched a counteroffensive, leading Pakistani forces to retaliate by carrying out airstrikes on targets inside Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan said it had killed 331 Afghan Taliban forces and damaged infrastructure and arms stockpiles during the latest clashes, which marked some of the deadliest skirmishes between the neighbouring countries. Kabul again rejected Pakistani claims that it supports the Pakistani Taliban, known as TTP. The Foreign Ministry said it was participating in diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions between the two neighbouring countries, mediated by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan had repeatedly violated Afghanistans airspace and bombarded civilian areas, killing innocent people, including children. The United Nations confirmed that at least 13 civilians were killed in Pakistani attacks in eastern Afghanistan last weekend. Earlier this month, the United Nations said in a report that at least 70 Afghan civilians were killed and 478 injured in the final three months of 2025 in attacks attributed to Pakistani forces. Afghanistans Taliban leaders said they were willing to negotiate after Pakistan bombed a number of major cities, with Islamabads defence minister declaring the neighbours in open war, following months of tensions and tit-for-tat clashes. Pakistan struck the Afghan capital Kabul and the city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based, as well as other towns, on Friday, with fighting also continuing along the border. Both sides have reported heavy losses. Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared an all-out confrontation with the Taliban government, posting on X: Now it is open war between us and you. Advertisement Advertisement Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Talibans leaders were ready to negotiate with Pakistan in order to bring an end to the violence. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue, said Mujahid. The latest violence erupted after Pakistans air strikes on Afghan territory last weekend triggered Afghan retaliatory attacks along the border on Thursday, escalating longsimmering tensions over Pakistans claim that Afghanistan shelters Pakistan Taliban fighters. Afghanistan denies this. Mujahid said Pakistani strikes hit parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and on Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement That followed Afghan drone strikes that began late on Thursday on Pakistani military positions and installations in northwest Pakistan along their shared border. Pakistans army spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said Pakistani air and ground operations had killed at least 274 members of the Afghan forces and affiliated fighters, and wounded more than 400 others, while 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 others were wounded. One Pakistani soldier was missing in action. Mujahid rejected the claims of a high number of Afghan casualties as false. He said that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, with the bodies of 23 of them taken to Afghanistan. He also said many Pakistani soldiers were captured. Thirteen Afghan soldiers had been killed, he said, and another 22 wounded, while 13 civilians were also wounded. Later on Friday, the Afghan government said that 19 civilians were killed and 26 others injured when Pakistan struck the provinces of Khost and Paktika in southeastern Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Casualty claims from both sides have not been independently verified by Al Jazeera. Relations plunged The operation was Pakistans most widespread bombardment of the Afghan capital and its first air strikes on the southern power base of the Taliban authorities since they returned to power in 2021. Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based analyst on conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan, says domestic factors in Pakistan constitute a significant constraint on its ability to initiate a full-scale war against Afghanistan. This limitation stems from the deep ties between the populations of both countries, particularly the tribes residing on either side of the Durand Line, a 2,575-kilometre (1,600-mile) frontier that is internationally recognised as Pakistans border but which Afghanistan does not recognise as legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Consequently, despite its substantial military capabilities, Pakistan cannot sustain the large-scale bloodshed that an armed conflict with Afghanistan would entail, he told Al Jazeera. Relations between the neighbours have plunged in recent months, with land border crossings largely shut since deadly fighting in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides. Several rounds of negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul followed an initial ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, but the efforts have failed to produce a lasting agreement. After repeated breaches of the initial truce, Saudi Arabia intervened this month, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that is having on civilian populations, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a news briefing. Russia, Iran and Iraq are among the countries that have called for an immediate end to the fighting. Afghanistan's Taliban Defence Ministry said on Saturday it carried out overnight airstrikes on two Pakistani military bases in response to what it described as repeated aerial aggression by the Pakistani military. Bases in Miranshah and Spinwam were targeted, the ministry said in a statement. An army spokesman also claimed that a Pakistani fighter jet had been shot down in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar and that the pilot was captured alive. Pakistan has denied the claim. Advertisement Advertisement Fighting between the two neighbours flared up again earlier this week after Pakistan, which accuses the Islamist Taliban of sheltering militants responsible for cross-border attacks, struck targets in Afghanistan last weekend. On Thursday, Afghanistan launched a counteroffensive, leading Pakistani forces to carry out airstrikes on targets inside Afghanistan. Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan said it had killed 331 Afghan Taliban forces and damaged infrastructure and arms stockpiles during the latest clashes, which marked some of the deadliest skirmishes between the neighbouring countries. Kabul again rejected Pakistani claims that it supports the Pakistani Taliban, known as TTP. Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Ministry said it was participating in diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions between the two neighbouring countries, mediated by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan had repeatedly violated Afghanistans airspace and bombarded civilian areas, killing innocent people, including children. The United Nations confirmed that at least 13 civilians were killed in Pakistani attacks in eastern Afghanistan last weekend. Earlier this month, the United Nations said in a report that at least 70 Afghan civilians were killed and 478 injured in the final three months of 2025 in attacks attributed to Pakistani forces. A US official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said briefers described the operation to the president as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change in the region. Ahead of the United States attack on Iran, President Donald Trump received briefings that not only delivered blunt assessments about the risk of major US casualties but also touted the prospect of a geopolitical shift in the Middle East in favor of US interests, a US official told Reuters. The launch of what the Pentagon called Operation Epic Fury on Saturday plunged the Middle East into a new and unpredictable conflict. The US and Israeli militaries struck sites across Iran, triggering Iranian attacks against Israel and nearby Gulf Arab countries. Advertisement Advertisement The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the briefers described the operation to the president as a high-risk, high-reward scenario that could present a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change in the region. Trump himself appeared to echo that sentiment when he acknowledged the stakes at the onset of the operation, saying "the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost." "But we're doing this not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission," Trump said in a video address announcing the start of major combat operations. US President Donald Trump speaks to announce that the US had begun ''major combat operations'' in Iran, in an unknown location, in this screengrab from a video released February 28, 2026. Israel and the US conducted strikes on Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. (credit: Donald Trump via Truth Social/Handout via REUTERS ) "For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder ... We're not gonna put up with it any longer." Advertisement Advertisement The briefings from Trump's national security team help explain how the president decided to pursue arguably the riskiest US military operation since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Ahead of the strikes, Trump received multiple briefings from officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, US General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. CENTCOM joins Trump in Situation Room On Thursday, Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US forces in the Middle East as the head of Central Command (CENTCOM), flew to Washington to join discussions in the White House Situation Room. A second US official said that before the strikes, the White House had been briefed on risks associated with operations against Iran, including retaliatory strikes on multiple US bases in the region by Iranian missiles that could overwhelm defenses, as well as Iranian proxies attacking US troops in Iraq and Syria. Advertisement Advertisement The official said that despite the massive military buildup by the United States, there were limits to the air defense systems that had been rushed into the region. Experts caution that the unfolding conflict could take dangerous turns, and the first official said the Pentagon's planning did not appear to guarantee the outcome of any conflict. Trump called on Iranians to topple the government, but that is easier said than done, said Nicole Grajewski with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "The Iranian opposition is pretty fragmented. It's unclear what the population is willing to do in terms of rising up," Grajewski said. Advertisement Advertisement Both US officials requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the internal discussions. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon declined to comment. Trump's sweeping goals In the weeks leading up to the attack, Trump ordered a major military buildup in the Middle East. Reuters reported military planning to carry out a sustained campaign against Iran, if that is what the president chooses. Plans included targeting individual officials, officials said. An Israeli official said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted. Khamenei was killed, and his body was found under the rubble caused by an Israeli airstrike, according to senior Israeli officials. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Iranians to "take to the streets to finish the job." Trump made clear on Saturday that his objectives in Iran were sweeping, saying he would end the threat posed by Tehran to the United States and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. To accomplish this, he outlined plans to lay waste to much of Iran's military as well as deny it the ability to build a nuclear weapon. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon. "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground... We're going to annihilate their navy," he said. "We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces." Trump's decision demonstrates an increasing risk appetite, far greater than when he ordered US special operations forces into Venezuela last month to seize that country's president in an audacious raid. Advertisement Advertisement The unfolding campaign against Iran is also riskier than when Trump ordered US forces to bomb Iran's nuclear sites in June. Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) threatened all US bases and interests in the region and said Iran's retaliation would continue until "the enemy is decisively defeated." Experts warn that Iran has many options for retaliation, including missile strikes, but also drones and cyber warfare. Daniel Shapiro, a former senior Pentagon official for Middle East issues, said that despite the US and Israeli strikes, Tehran would still be capable of causing some pain. "Iran has many more ballistic missiles that can reach US bases than the US has interceptors ... some Iranian weapons will get through," said Shapiro, also a former US ambassador to Israel. "(The strikes are) a major gamble." Feb 28 (Reuters) - Global airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East on Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the region into a new conflict. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Bahrain and Jordan was empty early on Saturday, maps by flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed. The European Union's aviation regulator recommended that its airlines stay out of the airspace affected by the military intervention. Below is the latest on flights listed by airline in alphabetical order: Advertisement Advertisement AEGEAN AIRLINES Greece's largest carrier suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Erbil in Iraq until March 2. AIR FRANCE KLM Air France cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon for Saturday. KLM brought forward the suspension of its AmsterdamTel Aviv service, cancelling the flight scheduled for Saturday. The Dutch arm of Air FranceKLM had announced on Wednesday that flights would be halted from Sunday, but has now advanced that date. Only one flight to Tel Aviv had been scheduled for Saturday. BRITISH AIRWAYS ICAG-owned British Airways said it has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3 and its flight to Amman on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement IBERIA EXPRESS The Spanish airline owned by Iberia Group cancelled a flight to Tel Aviv scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. local time. INDIGO The airline said it was monitoring regional updates. JAPAN AIRLINES Japan Airlines cancelled a flight on Saturday from Tokyo Haneda to Doha as well as a return flight on March 1, Nikkei said. LOT POLISH AIRLINES LOT Polish Airlines returned its flight LO121 from Warsaw to Dubai to Warsaw. LUFTHANSA The German airline suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman until March 7 and flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday. They also said they would not fly through Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7. Advertisement Advertisement NORWEGIAN AIR The Nordic airline suspended all flights to and from Dubai until March 4, a company spokesperson said. The carrier did not suspend flights to Tel Aviv in Israel or Beirut in Lebanon as these destinations are only active in summer, he added. SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES The airline told Reuters it had suspended its flight to Tel Aviv from Copenhagen on Saturday. No decision had been made regarding flights on later dates. TURKISH AIRLINES The airline cancelled flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman on Saturday and flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until March 2. Advertisement Advertisement VIRGIN ATLANTIC Virgin Atlantic said it will temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of its flights and has cancelled its VS400 service from London Heathrow to Dubai on Saturday. QATAR AIRWAYS The airline said it has temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. WIZZ AIR The airline halted flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until March 7. It added that operational decisions would continue to be reviewed, and the flight schedule could be adjusted as the situation evolves. (Compiled by Josephine Mason; Reporting by Reuters buros; editing by Barbara Lewis) More than 13,000 flights were delayed worldwide on the morning of February 28 after the Iran strikes closed airports, and more than 1,700 flights were cancelled. However, major American carriers like Delta and United were not reporting cancellations, although they warned travelers that flights to some foreign cities would be impacted. The airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain was largely empty, Reuters reported, saying that travel "chaos" had erupted throughout the Middle East. Israel, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan "closed their airspace," according to USA Today. Delta & United Airlines Issued Alerts About Travel to Some Countries in the Middle East as Flights Were Delayed & Cancelled Around the Globe According to FlightAware, which tracks cancellations and delays: Advertisement Advertisement There were 13,975 delayed flights as of 10:20 a.m. on February 28. Of those, 1,236 were delays out of or into the U.S. An additional 1,704 flights were cancelled, but only 64 of those were in the U.S. Middle Eastern airlines were most impacted. For example, Gulf Air cancelled 70% of its flights; FlyDubai cancelled 64%; Emirates cancelled 57%; and Pakistan International Airlines cancelled 42%. Airports in Dubai and Bahrain reported a large number of cancellations as Dubai closed its airports altogether. Etihad Airlines wrote, "At the moment, all our flights have been cancelled until 2pm on 01 March UAE local time." Delta wrote, "Due to the security situation, travel to/from/through the Tel Aviv area may be impacted." United warned that travel to Doha could be affected. Airlines cancelled about 40% of all flights to Israel, according to Reuters. Major American airlines were not reporting cancellations. Delta and United, for example, had cancelled 0% of their flights, according to FlightAware. Video emerged of a drone strike at Kuwait's airport. BREAKING: New video shows the Iranian drone strike on Kuwait International Airport pic.twitter.com/eFvMQiSbXa Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) February 28, 2026 The strikes "disrupted flights across the region and beyond on Saturday, leaving millions of air travellers across the region affected," Euro News reported. "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel closed their airspace, and Qatar Airways Group cancelled flights to and from Doha." The Dubai Airports Suspended 'All Flight Operations' Amid the massive U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran, the airports in Dubai announced they were suspending all flights. Advertisement Advertisement "Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice," the airport wrote on its website. "Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights." Flight cancellations are displayed on a bulletin board at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on February 23, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Over 5,500 flights have been cancelled nationally due to a winter storm that has significantly impacted the Northeast, with substantial disruptions at the National Airport. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) ((Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)) We appreciate the cooperation of our guests. Further updates will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation. According to Euro News, "German airline Lufthansa cancelled its flights until 7 March to several Middle East destinations, including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil and Tehran." Advertisement Advertisement In Italy, ITA Airways "suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, avoiding Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until 7 March." Added Euro News, "Air France cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut scheduled for 28 February, while Polish Airlines LOT also suspended its Tel Aviv services in response to the situation." Related: This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. By Federico Maccioni and Joanna Plucinska DUBAI, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, the worlds busiest international travel hub, were shut on Saturday after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian missile retaliation rippled through the region, unleashing one of the most severe disruptions to global aviation in years. Dubai's international airport, which handles more than 1,000 flights a day, sustained damage during an overnight Iranian retaliatory attack on sites across the Arab Gulf states, while Abu Dhabi and Kuwait's international airports were also hit. Advertisement Advertisement Major regional gateways including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi were closed as countries across the Middle East shut their airspace following the strikes and Irans retaliation. Flight maps showed skies over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty, while airlines across Europe and the Middle East announced sweeping cancellations. Dubai and neighbouring Doha sit at the crossroads of eastwest air travel, funnelling longhaul traffic between Europe and Asia through a tightly scheduled network of connecting flights. Any prolonged shutdown of its airports ripples far beyond the region, forcing airlines worldwide to reroute or cancel services. "The scale of these hubs today is just so enormous. You will have hundreds of thousands of people being stuck in wrong parts of the world without any certainty as to when they can move," said UK-based aviation analyst John Strickland. "It hits at so many levels. There is the immediate issue of what happens today and the ricochet effect of how long this persists," Strickland added, noting that major Gulf airlines, like Emirates and Qatar Airways, are also among the world's biggest cargo operators. Advertisement Advertisement Dubai Airports suspended all flights at Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International until further notice, urging passengers not to travel. AIRSPACE COULD BE CLOSED FOR 'SOME TIME' The U.S. and Israel launched their most ambitious attack on Iran in decades on Saturday, killing Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompting Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks, sharply raising the risk of a broader Middle East conflict. "Passengers and airlines can expect airspace to be shut for quite some time," said Eric Schouten, head of aviation security advisory Dyami. Advertisement Advertisement Airlines cancelled on Saturday about half of their flights to Qatar and Israel and about 28% of their flights to Kuwait, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, according to preliminary Cirium data. In total, about 24% of flights to the Middle East were cancelled, the data showed. The region has become more important for global aviation since the Russia-Ukraine war forced airlines to avoid both countries' airspace. Conflict zones add to operational risks, raising fears of accidental shootdowns and lengthening routes, which increases fuel costs. PASSENGERS STRANDED ACROSS EUROPE Advertisement Advertisement Students travelling from Paris to Dubai said their college trip was abandoned. "We still have some students that went there earlier and they're stuck in Dubai and we don't know when theyll be able to come back," said Benjamin Gnatek. At Charles de Gaulle airport, Thai-bound traveller Roman Simon said his onward flight via Doha was cancelled. "Now, were trying to find a solution to still make our trip to Thailand," he told Reuters. At Dohas Hamad International Airport, gates were nearly empty as stranded passengers queued to make hotel arrangements, a Reuters witness said. As countries in the region closed their airspace, aircraft were forced to divert around Larnaca, Jeddah, Cairo and Riyadh. Flightradar24 briefly went down due to surging demand. Advertisement Advertisement The European Union's aviation regulator EASA on Saturday recommended its airlines stay out of the airspace affected by the ongoing military intervention. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni in Dubai and Joanna Plucinska in London; Additional reporting by Scott DiSavino in New York, Justyna Pawlak in Doha, Tim Hepher in Paris and Joe Brock in Los Angeles; Editing by Adam Jourdan, Josephine Mason, Janet Lawrence, Sharon Singleton, Rod Nickel, Louise Heavens and Deepa Babington) A wave of United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, and retaliation by Tehran on targets across the region have forced much of the Middle Easts airspace to shut down, with reverberations across the globe. At least eight states declared their airspace closed as the conflict erupted Saturday, including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Syria also announced it had closed part of its airspace in the south along its border with Israel for 12 hours. The closures came after the US and Israel carried out attacks across Iran that US President Donald Trump pledged would raze Irans missile industry and destroy its navy. Iran, which had been engaged in negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme right up until the attack, pledged a harsh response and soon began waging retaliatory strikes in Israel, as well as several Gulf Arab states that host US military assets, including Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain. Advertisement Advertisement All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target, a senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera. There are no red lines after this aggression, and everything is possible. The Middle East has become an important route for flights between Europe and Asia, as Russian and Ukrainian airspace is closed to most airlines due to the war there. As countries in the region closed their airspace, aircraft were forced to divert around Larnaca, Jeddah, Cairo and Riyadh. UAE carriers Emirates and flydubai temporarily halted operations, while Etihad suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi until 10:00 GMT on Sunday. Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways temporarily suspended flights, while Turkish Airlines also cancelled flights to several Middle Eastern destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Oman Air said it had suspended all flights to Baghdad due to the regional developments. Kuwaits aviation authority said it was halting all flights to Iran until further notice, according to the state news agency. Russias Ministry of Transport said Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel. Among other airlines announcing suspensions to destinations in the region were Aegean Airlines, Air Algerie, Air France, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Indigo, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Pakistan International Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, about 24 percent of flights to the Middle East were cancelled on Saturday, according to aviation monitor Cirium. Airlines cancelled about half of their flights to Qatar and Israel and about 28 percent of their flights to Kuwait. Passengers and airlines can expect airspace to be shut for quite some time in the region, said Eric Schouten, head of aviation security advisory Dyami. The impact on regional aviation is immediate and highly fluid. Al Jazeeras Ali Hashem, reporting from Doha, said the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran and Irans response, affecting numerous Gulf states, have created two parallel conflicts, further deepening instability. This could make the whole crisis very intertwined and very complicated in a way that this region has never witnessed, said Hashem. At the Alaska Beacon, were constantly trying to figure out where we should put our attention. Theres always more news than there are people to report it. Every Thursday, the Alaska Legislature publishes its committee schedule for the coming week. Public notices alert us to meetings and events. The governors office occasionally lets us know ahead of time that somethings coming down the pike, too. Heres what we know about for the coming week. If you know of something thats coming up that you should think we should pay attention to, email us at info@alaskabeacon.com. Advertisement Advertisement We cant cover everything on this list, but were interested in them and we think you should know about them in case youre interested in them, too. This list is ripped from our notebooks, and it is likely to change over the course of the week. Well update it when we can. Are you trying to keep track of when to testify on a bill? The Legislature has a website for that. Monday, March 2 House/Senate floor sessions in the morning 8 a.m. House Education Committee considers a resolution calling for the Trump administration to waive a $100,000 visa fee for H-1B visa holding teachers 9 a.m. House Finance continues hearing the supplemental budget Advertisement Advertisement 12 p.m. AIDEA lunch and learn 1 p.m. Alaska Division of Elections talks in House Judiciary about its decision to share data with the federal government 1 p.m. AIDEA gives an update on its work to House Resources 1 p.m. House Judiciary holds a joint hearing with the House State Affairs committee on the Alaska Division of Elections sharing voter data with the Trump administrations Department of Justice 1:30 p.m. Senate Finance hears a bill on the defined retirement benefit system 1:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary hears a bill to repeal the Workers Compensation Appeals Commission 3:15 p.m. House Labor and Commerce hears a presentation on the rising cost of healthcare Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, March 3 Southeast Alaska Landslide Preparedness and Partnership Conference takes place in Sitka 9 a.m. House Finance Subcommittee holds a close out hearing for the Department of Corrections budget request 9 a.m. Senate Finance continues hearing the supplemental budget, and a bill to create civics education curriculum 10 a.m. AOGCC public testimony meeting on carbon wells 3:30 p.m. Senate Health and Social Services hears a presentation from the Office of Childrens Services Wednesday, March 4 Southeast Alaska Landslide Preparedness and Partnership Conference takes place in Sitka House/Senate floor sessions in the morning Advertisement Advertisement 8 a.m. Senate Public Safety Committee hears a budget update from the Department of Public Safety 8:30 a.m. Special Education Service Area board meeting 9 a.m. The Division of Oil and Gas opens bids for the annual state Cook Inlet and Alaska Peninsula area wide lease sales 9 a.m. Senate Finance hears a bill that would change the state funding formula for pre-K students to a full-time student instead of one-half of a student in the count for state budgeting. They will also hear a bill to expand funding for infant learning programs and early intervention services. 9 a.m. Cook Inlet areawide state oil and gas lease sale results available Advertisement Advertisement 10 a.m. Alaska Supreme Court oral argument in Legislative Council v State of Alaska 1:30 p.m. Alaska Supreme Court oral argument in Sagoonick v State of Alaska (Lower court dismissed it, plaintiffs are appealing) 1:30 p.m. Senate State Affairs will hold a joint hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee on sharing Alaska voter information with the U.S. Department of Justice 3:30p.m. Senate Education will hear a bill related to changing graduation requirements Thursday, March 5 8 a.m. House Tribal Affairs will hear presentations on local investment and owning Indigenous small businesses 9 a.m. Board of Massage Therapists board meeting Advertisement Advertisement 1 p.m. Mental Health Trust board meeting 1:30 p.m. House Finance will hear a presentation on federal changes to SNAP and Medicaid benefits, implemented by the Department of Health 1:30 p.m. Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs discusses a resolution that would support mutual respect and cooperation with Greenland 3:15 p.m. House Health and Social Services will continue drafting a resolution on the Rural Health Transformation Fund. They will also hear a bill that would allow minors 16 or older to obtain mental health services without parental consent. 3:30 p.m. House State Affairs will continue hearing a bill prohibiting law enforcement to wear masks Advertisement Advertisement 3:30 p.m. Senate State Affairs will continue hearing a bill that would send Alaska inmates with extended sentences to out of state facilities Friday, March 6 House/Senate floor sessions in the morning 8 a.m. Senate Corrections will hear an update on the proposed budget for the Department of Corrections 9 a.m. State psychologists board meeting 10 a.m. Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority meeting 10 a.m. DNR hosts Cache Creek timber sale at the DNR office in Fairbanks 1 p.m. House Resources considers the governors commissioner-designees for the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Enviromental Conservation Saturday, March 7 10 a.m. Center for Artistic Activism workshop on incorporating art into Alaska political campaigns SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Anthropic is reportedly back in talks with the Defense Department Anthropic is reportedly trying to reach a new deal with the US Defense Department, which could prevent the government from labeling it a supply chain risk. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas State Police has released a statement about a traffic stop incident that involved a child dealing with a medical emergency. On Friday, Feb. 20, ASP officials said a trooper intentionally hit a vehicle after it failed to pull over for an attempted traffic stop on Interstate 630 in downtown Little Rock. Arkansas State Police trooper fired after hitting the wrong car during chase Advertisement Advertisement Special agents said the trooper was unaware that the driver was driving to a nearby hospital while a child in the vehicle was having a medical emergency. The trooper called for an ambulance, which took the child to a hospital, ASP officials said. The ASP Office of Professional Standards Division is conducting an investigation into the incident. Arkansas State Police, prosecutors announce state-wide crackdown to end vehicle pursuits ASP officials released a statement saying the agency agrees with the prosecutors decision to drop all charges against the driver. Knowing all that we do now, we agree with the prosecutors decision to drop all charges against the driver, ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar said. This incident underscores the importance of communication when its necessary to transport someone having a medical emergency in a private vehicle, which occurs with regularity across Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Every little news on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthries mom, is big news these days. Its partly because even though its been a month, it feels like we know very little of what could have happened. All thats certain is that Nancy was kidnapped from her home sometime between the night of January 31 and the morning of February 1, when her family reported her missing. But who did it and why remains a big mystery. Perhaps a break in the case might have come late Thursday, when a man was arrested for DUI outside Nancy Guthries home after he was allegedly seen driving by 50 to 100 times while looking at a photo of her on his phone. Media spotted the man, who has not been publicly identified, was slowly driving past the Tucson home and repeatedly stopping to look at a memorial outside, according to NewsNations Brian Entin. More from StyleCaster Advertisement Advertisement Related: Who are Savannah Guthries siblings? Police eventually stopped him and quizzed him for around 20 minutes before they arrested him on a DUI charge. Its probably like nothing but, like, it is weird. Theres some just like some creepy people that come by, he said. The sheriffs office hasnt said anything about the arrest. Its another one of those things that doesnt really add up in a case that has captured headlines for a solid month, and it comes after Savannah Guthrie said she has accepted that her missing mother may already be gone. In a video shared on February 24, Savannah said that she and her siblings, sister Annie, and brother Camron, have come to terms with the possibility that their mother may have passed, not without clarifying that they still believe in a miracle. It is day 24 since our mom was taken in the dark of night from her bed, and every hour and minute and second and every long night has been agony since then of worrying about her and fearing for her and aching for her and most of all, just missing her, Savannah said. We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home. Hope against hope. As my sister says, we are blowing on the embers of hope. Advertisement Advertisement Considering the medications Nancy Guthrie needs daily, the Today show host admitted that it might already be too late. We also know that she may be lost; she may already be gone. She may already have gone home to the Lord that she loves, and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad and her beloved brother, Pierce, and with our daddy, Savannah said. And if this is what is to be, then we will all accept it. But we need to know where she is. We need her to come home. The reward that Guthrie and her family are offering now stands at $1 million for any information about Nancys disappearance. Police have released surveillance video and photos of a suspect in the kidnapping, and reportedly recovered a glove that might contain DNA, but have not been able to make any kind of arrest. Volunteers have been helping search for Guthrie. Tucson resident Lupita Tello, a member of the Mexico-based volunteer search group Madres Buscadoras de Sonora, explained the search to USA Today. Poking at the dirt outside of the home with a sharp metal rod soldered to a handle, Tello wiggled the rod around, pulled it out, and smelled it. If it smells bad like something decomposed, thats where we start, she said. So far, theyve found nothing. Best of StyleCaster Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. LONDON (AP) America and Israel's attack on Iran disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond Saturday as countries around the region closed their airspace and key airports that connect Europe, Africa and the West to Asia were directly hit by strikes. Hundreds of thousands of travelers were either stranded or diverted to other airports after Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain closed their airspace. There also was no flight activity over the United Arab Emirates, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said, after the government there announced a temporary and partial closure of its airspace. That led to the closure of key hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, and the cancellation of more than 1,800 flights by major Middle Eastern airlines. The three major airlines that operate at those airports Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad typically have about 90,000 passengers per day crossing through those hubs and even more travelers headed to destinations in the Middle East, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Advertisement Advertisement Two airports in the United Arab Emirates reported incidents as the government there condemned what it called a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles on Saturday. Officials at Dubai International Airport the largest in the United Arab Emirates and one of the busiest in the world said four people were injured, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said that one person was killed and seven others were injured in a drone strike. Strikes were also reported at Kuwait International Airport. Though Iran did not publicly claim responsibility, the scope of retaliatory strikes that Gulf nations attributed to Iran extended beyond the American bases that it previously said it would target. For travelers, theres no way to sugarcoat this, said Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group. You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end. Advertisement Advertisement Airlines that are crossing the Middle East will have to reroute flights around the conflict with many flights headed south over Saudi Arabia. That will add hours to those flights and consume additional fuel, adding to the costs airlines will have to absorb. So ticket prices could quickly start to increase if the conflict lingers. The added flights will also put pressure on air traffic controllers in Saudi Arabia who might have to slow traffic to make sure they can handle it safely. And the countries that closed their airspace will miss out on the overflight fees airlines pay for crossing overhead. But Mike McCormick, who used to oversee air traffic control for the Federal Aviation Administration before he retired and is now a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said over the next few days these countries might be able to reopen parts of their airspace once American and Israeli officials share with the airlines where military flights are operating and how capable Iran remains at firing missiles. Those countries then will be able to go through and say, okay, we can reopen this portion of our space but well keep this portion of our airspace closed, McCormick said. So I think what well see in the next 24 to 36 hours how the use of airspace evolves as the kinetic activity gets more well defined and as the capability of Iran to actually shoot missiles and create additional risk is diminished due to the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement But it is unclear how long the disruption to flight operations could last. For comparison, the Israeli and U.S. attack on Iran in June 2025 lasted 12 days. No one knows The situation was changing quickly and airlines urged passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport. Some airlines issued waivers to affected travelers that will allow them to rebook their flight plans without paying extra fees or higher fares. Jonathan Escott and his fiance had arrived at the airport in Newcastle, England, on Saturday only to find out that his direct flight to Dubai on Emirates airline was canceled, leaving everyone on the flight stuck there. Advertisement Advertisement Escott left to go back to where he was staying with family, about an hour from the airport, but has no idea when he may be able to travel. No one knows, Escott said. No one really knows whats going on with the conflict, really. Not Emirates, Emirates dont have a clue. No one has a clue. At least 145 planes that were en route to cities like Tel Aviv and Dubai early Saturday were diverted to airports in cities like Athens, Istanbul or Rome, according to FlightAware. Others turned around and returned to where they took off from. One plane spent nearly 15 hours in the air after leaving Philadelphia and getting all the way to Spain before turning around and returning to where it started. Numerous airlines canceled international flights to Dubai through the weekend, as Indias civil aviation agency designated much of the Middle East including skies above Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon as a high-security risk zone at all altitudes. Advertisement Advertisement Air India canceled all flights to Mideast destinations. Turkish Airlines said flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan were suspended until Monday and flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman were suspended. The airline said additional cancellations may be announced, and many other airlines were suspending flights into the region through the weekend. Travelers advised to be very creative U.S.-based Delta Air Lines and United Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv at least through the weekend. Dutch airline KLM had already announced earlier in the week that it was suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv. Airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Transavia and Pegasus canceled all flights to Lebanon, while American Airlines suspended flights from Philadelphia to Doha. Advertisement Advertisement Virgin Atlantic said it would avoid flying over Iraq, meaning flights to and from India, the Maldives and Riyadh could take slightly longer. The airline already was not flying over Iran and said all flights would carry appropriate fuel in case they need to reroute on short notice. British Airways said flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain will be suspended until next week, and flights to Amman, Jordan, were canceled Saturday. Travelers should anticipate that there will be a lot of disruptions, Harteveldt said. To be honest, if you havent left home, chances are you wont be leaving home if youre supposed to travel to or through these destinations for at least several days, if not longer. And if you are returning home, you will have to be very creative about how you get home. ___ Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Adam Schreck in Bangkok and Sam Metz in Ramallah, West Bank contributed So this may be it the climax of the almost 50-year struggle between America and Iran. Judging by Donald Trumps words and the targets that have so far been attacked, the war that has just begun is not a limited operation designed to destroy nuclear plants or missile stockpiles, but a vast offensive whose ultimate goal is the downfall of the leadership of the Islamic Republic. To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand, said Trump. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran - AP Put simply, Americas objective is to clear the way for the Iranian people to overthrow their rulers. Hence the opening strike appearing to land near the offices in Tehran of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader. Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister and Americas partner in this operation, drove home the message: Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands, he said. So the success or failure of this war will be measured by the survival or demise of Irans current leadership. First things first, this attack has been forecast for days and the regime will almost certainly have evacuated all the obvious targets. Ayatollah Khamenei will surely not have been sitting in his Tehran office waiting to be bombed: he is far more likely to be closeted in a deep bunker somewhere in a secret location. And no countrys leadership has ever been toppled purely through the use of air power. If Trump and Netanyahu are to be taken at their word, everything now hinges on the reaction of the Iranian people. Only they can take their destiny into their own hands and rise up against their rulers. Advertisement Advertisement If they choose not to do the bidding of America and Israel and decide instead to rally around a regime that millions of them may abhor but is, at least, a genuinely Iranian leadership in charge of a proud and ancient nation, then this operation could fail. At a minimum, Trump and Netanyahu are prepared to risk triggering revolutionary violence in a huge country six times the size of the United Kingdom with 90 million people. Telegram / Supernova_plus George W Bush and Sir Tony Blair were prepared to put American and British troops on the ground in Iraq to at least try to stabilise the nation after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Fast forward 23 years and Trump and Netanyahu seem prepared to risk chaos and state collapse at long range without taking any responsibility for controlling what may follow. Advertisement Advertisement So this operation is far riskier than anything Trump has attempted before, in fact the most fraught and dangerous military undertaking by any Western power since the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. One immediate threat is that Iran may retaliate with its arsenal of about 1,500 ballistic missiles. Given that his enemies are openly trying to overthrow him, Khamenei has every reason to use these weapons before he loses them. Some have already been fired at Israel, though the belligerents will be doing everything in their power to destroy the missiles before they get off the ground and deprive Iran of the means to hit back. It is possible that we are witnessing the first stage of a carefully laid plan whereby Irans regime will not be destroyed but rather its current rulers eliminated. They might then be replaced by new figures from elsewhere in the power structure of the Islamic Republic, just as America removed Nicolas Maduro but otherwise left Venezuelas leadership intact. Advertisement Advertisement That would, in theory, allow a managed transition to a new figurehead who would presumably do Americas bidding. But achieving this would be extraordinarily difficult. For now, Trump and Netanyahu are running breathtaking risks. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. For several years, a rumor has circulated that Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota married her brother to help him enter the United States. The claim resurfaced online in February 2026 after U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, where Omar loudly protested. The rumor has spread since 2016, after Omar became the first Somali American elected to the Minnesota state House of Representatives. As a young immigrant with progressive politics, Omar has been the target of numerous unfounded rumors about her religion and family. Trump fueled the claim about her brother in late 2025 by calling for Omar's removal from the country. In November and December 2025, Trump repeatedly made the claim on X, on Truth Social and in speeches. Trump wrote on X: The seriously r*****ed Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both, while the worst "Congressman/woman" in our Country, Ilhan Omar, always wrapped in her swaddling hijab, and who probably came into the U.S.A. illegally in that you are not allowed to marry your brother, does nothing but hatefully complain about our Country, its Constitution, and how "badly" she is treated, when her place of origin is a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc. A very Happy Thanksgiving salutation to all of our Great American Citizens and Patriots who have been so nice in allowing our Country to be divided, disrupted, carved up, murdered, beaten, mugged, and laughed at, along with certain other foolish countries throughout the World, Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2025 Snopes has previously reported on the allegation that Omar married her brother, and concluded it lacked solid evidence and was unfounded. Snopes sent a list of questions to Omar's spokesperson at the time we first investigated this claim, but did not receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement As we reported before, the origins of the rumor surrounding Omar's relationship with her brother are unclear. The claim first appeared on an online Somali community discussion forum called SomaliSpot and was then picked up by Powerline, a conservative blog. An August 2016 blog post stated: A reader has written us to point out that the Somali website Somalispot posted information suggesting Omar's involvement in marriage and immigration fraud. The post notes that Omar married Ahmed Hirsi in 2002. Hirsi is the father of Omar's three children. Omar is depicted with Hirsi and their children on Omar's campaign website here. The post further notes that Omar married her brother Ahmed Nur Said Elmi in 2009, implying that the latter marriage assisted his entry into the United States. Her brother was a British citizen. "As soon as Ilhan Omar married him," the post continues, "he started university at her [a]lma mater North Dakota State University where he graduated in 2012. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Minneapolis where he was living in a public housing complex and was later evicted. He then returned to the United Kingdom where he now lives." Snopes sent questions to Powerline blogger Scott Johnson in 2019, who did not provide any substantive evidence supporting the claim. Omar denied the rumor in a 2016 statement, calling that marriage "a difficult part of my personal history that I did not consider relevant in the context of a political campaign." Her full statement can be found below: In 2002, when I was 19 years old, Ahmed Hirsi (whose name before he received citizenship was Ahmed Aden), the father of my children and love of my life, and I, applied for a marriage license, but we never finalized the application and thus were never legally married. In 2008, we decided to end our relationship in our faith tradition after reaching an impasse in our life together. I entered into a relationship with a British citizen, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, and married him legally in 2009. Our relationship ended in 2011 and we divorced in our faith tradition. After that, he moved home to England. I have yet to legally divorce Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, but am in the process of doing so. Insinuations that Ahmed Nur Said Elmi is my brother are absurd and offensive. Since 2011, I am happy to say that I have reconciled with Ahmed Hirsi, we have married in our faith tradition and are raising our family together. Like all families, we have had our ups and downs but we are proud to have come through it together. In 2002, Omar and Hirsi reportedly applied for a marriage license. The couple married in an Islamic ceremony but never completed the process for a civil marriage, according to Hirsi. By 2008, Hirsi and Omar had separated (per Islamic custom). After that relationship ended, Omar had a civil marriage with Elmi in 2009. When that relationship ended, Elmi moved to England and they divorced per Islamic practice in 2011, but without receiving a legal divorce. Advertisement Advertisement Omar later reconciled with Hirsi and remarried in an Islamic ceremony. In 2017, Omar formally petitioned for divorce from Elmi, and legally wed Hirsi in 2018. Hirsi and Omar legally divorced in 2019. Snopes found no credible evidence that Elmi and Omar were siblings in a fraudulent marriage. According to Omar, she and her family fled the Somalian civil war in 1991. They moved to the U.S. in 1995 after residing for four years in a Kenyan refugee camp. Omar's mother had died, so her father and grandfather raised her and her siblings. In 2018, Omar showed a reporter from the Minneapolis Star Tribune photos of documents from her family's entry into the U.S. after fleeing the civil war. She did not provide the reporter with copies of these papers but showed that they listed her father and showed her as the youngest of seven children. There was no one named Ahmed Nur Said Elmi listed in the documents. We previously noted that Omar and her siblings all arrived in U.S. with refugee statuses. Omar was a minor when she became a naturalized U.S. citizen. How one sibling could end up with a completely different immigration status from the others remains unexplained by the claims. Advertisement Advertisement According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy, immigrants can apply for permanent residency status (opening the pathway to naturalization) if they are siblings of a U.S. citizen, or if they are married to a U.S. citizen. Any sibling of Omar's would not have to marry her in order to secure a path to citizenship. Additionally, if Elmi desperately wanted U.S. citizenship, he would not have immediately returned to England after his split with Omar. Snopes has covered numerous claims about Omar, including the rumor that her father participated in war crimes or genocide, and the false claim that Omar said al-Qaida made her "proud." Snopes' archives contributed to this report. Sources: "DFL Candidate Ilhan Omar Explains Marital History in Statement." Text.Article. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, 18 Aug. 2016, https://www.fox9.com/news/dfl-candidate-ilhan-omar-explains-marital-history-in-statement. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement "DFL House Candidate Omar Clarifies Marriage History." MPR News, 18 Aug. 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/08/17/ilhan-omar-marriage-history. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Green Card Eligibility Categories | USCIS. 8 July 2025, https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility-categories. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Hirsi, Ibrahim. "Ilhan Omar, Marriage, and Somali Culture: An FAQ." MinnPost, 18 Aug. 2016, https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2016/08/ilhan-omar-marriage-and-somali-culture-faq/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. "Ilhan Omar: Who Is Minnesota's Somalia-Born Congresswoman?" BBC, 7 Mar. 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47238450. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Izzo, Jack. "Still No Evidence Ilhan Omar's Father Committed War Crimes While Serving in Somali Military." Snopes, 2 Apr. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/04/02/father-ilhan-omar-war-crimes/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. MacGuill, Dan. "Did Rep. Ilhan Omar Call for Lighter Sentences for Would-Be ISIS Recruits?" Snopes, 28 Jan. 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/ilhan-omar-isis/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Mikkelson, David. "Was Ilhan Omar's Brother Arrested with '200 Lbs. of Explosives'?" Snopes, 9 Feb. 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/ilhan-omar-brother-arrested/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Palma, Bethania. "Did U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar Marry Her Brother?" Snopes, 15 Feb. 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/ilhan-omar-marry-brother/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Palma, Bethania. "Did U.S. Rep. Omar Say Al-Qaida Makes Her 'Proud'?" Snopes, 24 July 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/ilhan-omar-proud/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. "US Rep. Ilhan Omar Divorces Husband in Minnesota." AP News, 5 Nov. 2019, https://apnews.com/article/05839987bd644e1385bc4b8d3ccd995d. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025. Legislation in both Indiana and Illinois moved forward Thursday in a race to attract the Chicago Bears. The team has not yet indicated which direction it intends to go regarding a new stadium, keeping fans and lawmakers on their toes. Indiana governor signs Bears stadium bill Indiana lawmakers passed a bill Feb. 26 outlining their financial package, and, within hours, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed the bill into law. Indiana's Senate Bill 27, which lists the financial incentives and authority to build a stadium in northwest Indiana, passed the Senate by a 45-4 vote. Advertisement Advertisement "We sure give the Bears a lot to think about to come here, because Indiana is the state it is," Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said. "It's a very good time for Lake County." Bears legislation moves to Illinois House In Illinois, the House Revenue and Finance Committee passed a bill in a 13-7 vote that would lock in property tax rates at the site the Bears already own, the former Arlington Racetrack, in a bid to keep the Bears in-state. That bill still has a long way to go, however. Illinois House Bill 910 failed to be taken up by House legislators before they adjourned their session, meaning it will not be discussed until they regroup in mid-March. Megaproject bill gains opposition in Illinois Not all Illinois leaders are on board with the bill, which would allow any megaproject involving an investment of $500 million or more to negotiate a freeze on its property tax assessment, according to CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement While proponents say the bill is meant to attract large-scale development across the state, not just applying to the Bears, opponents have argued that the average taxpayer would be burdened by the bill. "It would shift liability from megaproject developers directly onto homeowners, small businesses, creating a mechanism that could double or triple the effective property tax rates over the next few decades," said Brian Costin, deputy state director of the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a Libertarian policy advocacy group. Chicago city leaders also brought up the willingness of the state to spend on infrastructure for a new Bears stadium, as opposed to spending it on infrastructure elsewhere in the city. What have the Bears said about the situation? Regarding the signed legislation in Indiana, the Bears told IndyStar the state has taken "important steps." Advertisement Advertisement "We are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27 establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana," the team said. "We continue to work on the necessary due diligence and appreciate the ongoing engagement with Indiana state and local leaders." At the same time, the team acknowledged the progress achieved in Illinois. "We recognize and appreciate the advancement of mega project legislation by the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee, and we look forward to continued engagement as the lawmakers determine the legislative path forward," the team said. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Chicago Bears stadium bills move forward in Illinois, Indiana At a fundraiser with South Carolina Democratic leaders to celebrate former President Joe Biden, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn didnt say whether hell run for an 18th term in Congress but told his party it should look to the past for insight into how to move forward. What we need today is what we got back in February 2020: a man who saw this country at a crossroads, who brought himself into the fight, he said of the former president. Theres no American ever who has demonstrated through his service more substance and, I might add, sustenance, than Joe Robinette Biden. Clyburn, 85, has represented South Carolinas 6th district for more than 33 years. Though filing opens in about two weeks, he hasnt yet indicated whether hes running for reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Some Democrats have been calling for the partys older generation to step aside for younger leaders. Several of Clyburns colleagues in Congress, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, also 85, and Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, 86, have announced theyre not seeking reelection. But calls for generational change seemed far away at the state party fundraiser Friday in Columbia, as party leaders focused on celebrating the past. The event at the Columbia Museum of Art commemorated the sixth anniversary of Bidens 2020 victory in South Carolinas Democratic presidential primary. Addressing a group of about 400 state party leaders, donors, and legislators who had gathered to honor him, Biden thanked South Carolina for helping put him in office in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement You never gave up on me, the Pennsylvania-born former president said, calling the state home. Former President Joe Biden speaks at a fundraiser for the South Carolina Democratic Party Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Columbia. (Mark Susko/ Special to the South Carolina Daily Gazette) He was particularly grateful to Clyburn, a longtime friend. When many were writing off Bidens candidacy in early 2020, a South Carolina member of Congress saved me, Biden said of Clyburn. Heading into the Palmetto States first-in-the-South primary in February 2020, Bidens presidential campaign was on shaky footing after fourth- and fifth-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Then three days before South Carolinians went to the polls, Clyburn, the states lone Democrat on Capitol Hill, gave Biden his emphatic endorsement. Clips of Clyburns comments at a news conference where he announced his endorsement played at the start of the fundraiser. Advertisement Advertisement Biden went on to trounce the other six Democrats on the South Carolina primary ballot, and, in November 2020, win the presidency. South Carolina knows its never too late, Biden told the crowd. In his roughly 20-minute speech, he focused on bashing his two-time opponent, President Donald Trump, and on touting his contributions to Black Americans. He highlighted his appointment of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and selection of Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate. State party Chairwoman Christale Spain said Bidens primary victory demonstrated that Black voters, and voters in the Deep South, were a critical part of the Democratic Party. Black voters make up a large part of South Carolinas Democratic base. Advertisement Advertisement Never ever underestimate the power of the Deep South, she said. Never underestimate the power of Black voters. Clyburn remains the most powerful Democrat in South Carolina. Democrats eyeing a 2028 run for president seem already to be courting his endorsement, hoping for a repeat of his impact in 2020. U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, speaks at a fundraiser honoring former President Joe Biden at the Columbia Museum of Art, Friday Feb. 27, 2026. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Just last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whos indicated hes considering a 2028 presidential run, had Clyburn on his This is Gavin Newsom podcast to talk about civil rights history, voter identification laws and the late Rev. Jesse Jackson. Newsom stopped in South Carolina as part of his book tour, and held two meet-and-greet events in the state, a few days later. Advertisement Advertisement Clyburn was the first African American to be House majority whip for multiple terms, and most recently held that title from 2019-2022. The states longest-serving member of Congress, he stepped down from a formal leadership role in the party in 2024. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bidens presidential run in 2024, which ended shortly after a disastrous debate performance, further amplified calls within his party for its elder statesmen to retire. But age-related attacks havent always landed in South Carolina, home of the countrys oldest U.S. senator in office, Strom Thurmond, who retired at age 100. When he retired in 2003, months before his death, Thurmond was also the longest-serving senator in history, with more than 47 years. (His tenure now ranks fourth.) Advertisement Advertisement During the 2022 governors race, Democrat Joe Cunningham hammered his opponent, incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, for his age. In one 2022 campaign video, Cunningham, then 40, called McMaster, then 75, part of a geriatric oligarchy, and called for age limits for politicians. When asked about Cunninghams age limits ad, Clyburn told WYFF: Joe needs to grow up. McMaster went on to win overwhelmingly, earning 58% of the vote to Cunninghams nearly 41%. It was the second-widest victory margin for any Republican governor in South Carolina since Reconstruction. State Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain provided the opening remarks at a fundraiser Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, honoring former President Joe Biden at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison spoke at state Democratic Party fundraiser honoring former President Joe Biden at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina's only Democrat in Congress, speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraising event honoring former President Joe Biden at the Columbia Museum of Art on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. This event commemorates Biden's 2020 South Carolina presidential primary victory. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joe Biden ascends the stairs to speak at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Joe Biden speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Joe Biden speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. A woman records Biden speaking on stage. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Joe Biden speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joe Biden speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Joe Biden speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Joe Biden attended an event hosted by the South Carolina Democratic Party, at the Columbia Museum of Art, Friday February 27, 2026. This event was in honor of his 2020 South Carolina primary victory. Former South Carolina Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison spoke at the event spoke at the event. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Joe Biden speaks at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held to commemorate his 2020 presidential primary win. The event was Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joe Biden embraces U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-6th District, at a state Democratic Party fundraiser held at the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina's capital on Friday Feb. 27, 2026. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Former President Bill Clinton told a congressional panel he "saw nothing," and "did nothing wrong" in relation to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The all-day hearing behind closed doors in New York featured the former president being asked about his inclusion in newly released files related to the financier, including in a photo with an unidentified person in a hot tub. His testimony came one day after his wife, ex-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, told the committee she also "had no idea" of Epstein's crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Appearing in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing, and neither Clinton has been accused of misconduct by Epstein survivors who have come forward so far. Clinton said that he would have cut off ties to Epstein and never would have flown on his plane if he "had any inkling of what he was doing". "I would have turned him in myself," he said in his opening statement released to the public ahead of his testimony. After his testimony in New York, he posted a video that largely repeated his opening statement, saying he did not know of Epstein's crimes "no matter how many photos they show of me". Advertisement Advertisement "When the video of my testimony today is released, I hope it will motivate everyone to go in front of Congress to say what they know," Clinton said. "I hope it will motivate the justice department to finally release all the files and to ensure that this never happens again. The survivors deserve that." Both he and his wife had resisted subpoenas from the panel, dismissing them as politically motivated, before agreeing to testify before the House Oversight Committee as potential contempt-of-Congress proceedings loomed against them. When questioned about the photograph showing the former president lounging in a hot tub with the person who appeared to be a woman - whose face is blacked out to protect her identity - Bill Clinton told lawmakers that he did not know her. When asked if he had sex with the woman, he said he did not, a source told the BBC. Unlike his wife, Clinton did not come out and speak to reporters after his deposition wrapped up. Clinton was questioned about this photograph during the deposition, a source told the BBC [Reuters] James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, called the hours-long interview "a very productive deposition. Advertisement Advertisement "President Clinton answered every question, or attempted to answer every question," he said, adding that video of his testimony and a full transcript would be released in the coming days. He also called the Clintons' depositions "historic" and said they are the two highest-ranking officials to ever be deposed by Congress. President Gerald Ford voluntarily appeared before a congressional committee in 1974 to explain his pardon of former President Richard Nixon. "This is a serious investigation," Comer said. "We will continue to try and get the truth to the American people and justice to the victims." Advertisement Advertisement Among the topics that arose during Bill Clinton's testimony was President Donald Trump's relationship with Epstein. House Democrats said his testimony brought up "additional information" about Trump that warranted renewed calls to bring the current president in for questioning. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said Clinton brought up "additional information about some discussions with President Trump". Garcia, like other Democrats, repeated his demand for Trump to testify before the committee. "We now have a new precedent in this country that presidents and former presidents can testify before this committee," Garcia added. Advertisement Advertisement According to congressional records, six sitting and former presidents had testified before congressional committees. Clinton is now the seventh. Comer told reporters that during the deposition, Clinton was asked whether Trump should be called before the committee to testify. Comer said Clinton replied: "That's for you to decide". He said the former president went on to say that he has no knowledge of Trump's involvement in Epstein's crimes. Comer added that any new information Clinton provided did not change his belief that Trump has been cleared of wrongdoing. "He's been exonerated for a long time," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, meanwhile, spoke out about Clinton's deposition on Friday, telling reporters: "I don't like seeing him deposed". [Getty Images] During a break a few hours into the deposition, lawmakers from both parties told reporters that Clinton was cooperating, answering questions and being transparent. Clinton has said he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes and cut off ties with him two decades ago. He said their contact arose in connection with his charity work after he left the presidency in 2001, and he has voiced regret that he was ever associated with the financier, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Advertisement Advertisement The Clintons' names crop up hundreds of times in the Epstein files. Appearing in the millions of justice department documents related to the late sex offender does not imply any wrongdoing. Bill Clinton appears in documents and photos that have been released in stages by the Department of Justice in its disclosure of material uncovered during federal investigations into Epstein's crimes. The files more broadly reveal the extent of Epstein's connections with multiple high-profile individuals, including after he was first convicted of a sex crime in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Congressional depositions normally occur behind closed doors, though the Clintons had fought for their testimony to be public so that selective portions of their answers could not be leaked to the media without context. Former President Bill Clinton denied wrongdoing in his relationship with accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein as House Republicans grilled him on Feb. 27 about the late financier's fundraising, numerous visits to the White House and pictures in Justice Department files. Clinton, the first former president forced to testify before Congress, told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in his opening statement that he had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing. He dismissed the 20-year-old pictures from the departments files and Epstein's estate. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong, Clinton said. As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein in this undated photograph. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to give depositions to a House committee about accused late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein , defusing a potential showdown between the legislative and executive branches . A painting of former U.S. President Bill Clinton wearing a dress is displayed inside the Manhattan home of Jeffrey Epstein in this image from the estate of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025. Former President Bill Clinton stands with Jeffrey Epstein in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Ghislaine Maxwell are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton appears in this image released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents related to Jefferey Epstein. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Former President Bill Clinton appears in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (L-R) Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Diana Ross in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ with redactions and without location information, dates or context. Former President Bill Clinton with an unidentified woman in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the DOJ without location information, dates or context. (L-R) Mick Jagger, an unidentified woman and Bill Clinton in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Chris Tucker poses next to former U.S. President Bill Clinton in an undated photograph released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Images were released without locations, dates or context. See photos of Bill Clinton from the Epstein files 1 of 11 House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein in this undated photograph. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to give depositions to a House committee about accused late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein , defusing a potential showdown between the legislative and executive branches . Upon exiting the session, Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, said questioning the former president was "very productive" while declining to elaborate. Advertisement Advertisement "Youll see the video. Everybody knows President Clinton. Hes got Southern people skills; hes a charming individual," the congressman said. "We picked up new facts; we asked the Clintons where we should go from here." The former presidents deposition at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, near the Clintons' home in suburban New York, comes just a day after his wife and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified. The former first lady, who was also subpoenaed, told the committee on Feb. 26 she didnt know Epstein and never flew on his plane. She called her deposition repetitive and a fishing expedition. Video of the depositions will be released "within the next 24 hours," Comer suggested. GOP committee members said they have questions for the former first couple because Epstein visited the White House 17 times while Bill Clinton was president and then Clinton traveled 27 times on his private plane after leaving office. Clinton also appeared in a number of pictures released in the Epstein files with celebrities or in more casual surroundings with the faces of women redacted. Advertisement Advertisement More: Hillary Clinton's neighbors sound off on her Epstein testimony Comer said documents from the Justice Department and Epsteins estate portray the late financier as raising money for the Clinton Global Initiative, a foundation seeking action on issues such as the climate and health care. Hillary Clinton told the committee Feb. 26 to ask her husband about it because she was a senator during the period in question. This is a historical day for the United States Congress," Comer said. Nobody is accusing anyone of any wrongdoing. But I think the American people have a lot of questions." Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, center, speaks during a press conference with committee members from left to right Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina; Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisconsin; Rep. William Timmons, R-South Carolina; and Rep. John McGuire, R-Virginia, ahead of former President Bill Clinton's closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Feb. 27, 2026 in Chappaqua, New York. The inquiry comes as lawmakers and women who accused Epstein of abuse have forced the Justice Department to released 3 million pages of documents about his criminal investigation. But millions more pages remain sealed, and President Donald Trump has said the country should move on. Advertisement Advertisement Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of child sex trafficking. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term for conspiring to transport minors for illicit sex. Critics of the investigation have questioned why more coconspirators havent been charged. Here is what to know about the Clintons' testimony. Former President Bill Clinton gestures during the 2025 Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2025. Lawmakers clash over what Clinton told them about Trump A dispute arose between Republican and Democratic lawmakers about what Bill Clinton said about Trump, which led to more calls for the entire transcript and video of the deposition to be released. Comer, the GOP chairman, quoted Clinton as saying that Trump "'has never said anything to me to make me think that he was involved.' He meant with Epstein. I know theres a lot of curiosity about President Trump. I thought that was an interesting thing that President Clinton said." Advertisement Advertisement But Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, who had asked Clinton about Trump, disputed Comers summary. I think the way Chairman Comer described it, I dont think is a complete and accurate description of what was said, Garcia said. Lets release the full transcript. Comer has said the entire transcript and video would be released. Trump told reporters at the White House that he didn't know about Epstein's criminal activity. You know, I've been fully exonerated," Trump said. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, speaks to the members of the media outside of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, on the day Bill Clinton appears for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 27, 2026. Trump calls Lutnick 'innocent' but lawmakers still want to question him Trump called Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick "a very innocent guy" after revelations about socializing with Epstein on his private island, but lawmakers of both parties said they wanted to question him under oath. Advertisement Advertisement Lutnick, who appeared in about 10 emails in the Epstein files, has acknowledged having lunch with his family at Epsteins private island in 2012. Lutnick told a Senate panel he has nothing to hide. Howard Lutnick should take questions from the Oversight committee, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, said on social media Feb. 27 after a picture of Lutnick and Epstein was removed temporarily from the Justice Departments archive of documents and then restored. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Florida, said the committee should question Lutnick, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump about how Epstein documents have been handled. We have questions for him, Frost said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump defended Lutnick and said he would do what was required. Howard would go in and do whatever he has to say, Trump said. Hes a very innocent guy. Hes doing a good job. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bill defends Hillary Bill Clinton chastised the committee for subpoenaing his wife, who he said had nothing to do with Epstein. Nothing, he said. She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties. Whether you subpoenaed 10 people or 10,000, including her was simply not right. Clinton said he would answer questions to the best of his ability, but would often reply that he doesnt recall. He said he couldnt play detective with events 24 years ago and doesnt want to say something hes unsure about. Advertisement Advertisement With that Mr. Chairman, fire away, Clinton said. Clinton 'very cooperative,' possible target for economic intelligence: Luna Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, said Clinton was being cooperative and that she thinks Epstein was running a honey-pot operation to gain economic intelligence from business and political leaders by providing them with sex. President Clinton is being very cooperative, Luna said. She said she couldn't detail Clinton's responses to questions until the transcript is released. But she said he appeared to be a target for Epstein seeking economic information. I do believe that Jeffrey Epstein was targeting many politicians, many influential people, especially in regards to economic policy, Luna added. I do believe that it was possible that not just [Bill Clinton], but Secretary Clinton as well as a number of other people were targeted. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, speaks to the media outside of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, on the day Bill Clinton appears for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 27, 2026. Hillary Clinton called questions she faced 'very repetitive' Hillary Clinton commended Comer for raising a series of significant questions near the end of her deposition about what else the committee should explore. But she said most of the questions were repetitive. Advertisement Advertisement I appreciated that. I want to see the truth come out, Clinton told reporters. That was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell and late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein pose in this handout image released from Epstein's estate by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 12, 2025. She had called the event a fishing expedition in her opening statement. She said she never flew on Epsteins plane or visited his island, and couldnt recall encountering him. Outside the hearing, reporters asked Clinton why Maxwell attended her daughter Chelsea Clintons wedding in 2010. She came as the plus-one the guest of someone who was invited, Clinton said, without elaborating. Lawmakers, Clintons mum for now Lawmakers and the Clintons agreed not to detail the responses until the full transcripts and videos of the sessions are released, which could be as early as Feb. 27 for Hillary Clinton's session. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers held the depositions behind closed doors to cover more ground in questioning than traditional congressional hearings allow. The Clintons had offered to testify at an open hearing so the public could see the questions and answers immediately. Hillary Clinton's deposition paused briefly because of a dispute about Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, sending out pictures that were posted on social media. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, described Hillary Clinton as "unhinged" and screaming during her session. But Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, called that a "mischaracterization" of her being asked about UFOs and conspiracy theories in addition to Epstein. Why are the Clintons being scrutinized? The Clintons have said they were unaware of Epsteins criminal activity and knew little about him. Bill Clinton's name appears in flight logs from 2002 and 2003 that document travel with Epstein to destinations including Thailand, Portugal, Ghana, Russia and China. Those trips took place years before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to prostitution involving a minor. The former president also appeared in pictures with Epstein and in a handwritten note in a book that Maxwell assembled for Epsteins 50th birthday. Maxwell attended a Clinton Global Initiative event in 2013. In a BBC interview, Hillary Clinton said her attendance at the event was circumstantial as thousands of people go to the Clinton Global Initiative. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to the members of the media outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, on the day she appears for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. How unusual is it for Congress to subpoena former presidents? Bill Clintons deposition marks the first time Congress forced a former president to testify, although presidents occasionally answered questions voluntarily. Democrats have said the subpoena sets a precedent that will allow them to force President Donald Trump to testify about Epstein and other subjects when they regain control of Congress. Its time for the president to answer questions about why files are missing from the DOJ, why there has been a White House coverup and why they continue in that administration to call this investigation a hoax, Garcia said. Trump and Epstein had a social relationship in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump has said he ended that around 2004. Republicans said they didnt need to subpoena Trump. Comer said Trump had already answered hundreds if not thousands of questions from reporters about Epstein and signed legislation releasing millions of documents. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, said the committee questioned women who accused Epstein of abuse about Trump and they said he wasnt involved. We had cooperation. We asked the victims directly, and he was exonerated, Luna said. (This story was updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Clinton grilled in Epstein deposition, says 'I did nothing wrong' A new bill in the legislature would require the state attorney general to convene statewide grand juries to bring criminal charges in election cases. It's a delayed-reaction response by Republicans still irked by Fulton County's 2023 indictment of Donald Trump and a list of codefendants the outstanding cases of which have been dismissed. Trump's backers claimed the Fulton County case was motivated by politics. Now, some Republican lawmakers want to take away any Georgia county's ability to bring criminal election charges by creating a statewide grand jury process solely for election cases. Advertisement Advertisement "Just because the capital is in Atlanta, Fulton County, doesn't seem fair or equitable for the rest of the state of Georgia," said state Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) Friday, following a meeting of a committee he chairs investigating the Fulton County case. The Georgia attorney general would wrangle a statewide grand jury process under legislation supported by Cowsert and other Senate Republicans. Senate committee members learned the measure would prevent counties from bringing election cases. A southwest Georgia district attorney, speaking to the committee remotely, told members their bill didn't really sit well with him. Advertisement Advertisement "I've got one (election case) right now," said Joe Mulholland, whose multi-county DA's office is based in Bainbridge and is a self-described conservative. "My concern is you're not reflecting the values and perspectives of your particular jurisdiction when you get a statewide grand jury to look at any particular case," he told the panel. It's also not sitting well with Senate Democrats. "I could see a statewide grand jury for maybe some kind of gang activity," said Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta), the Senate Democratic leader. "But for elections this is very odd. So that became concerning for me." Because it's a constitutional amendment, two-thirds of the House and Senate would have to approve it, then put it on the ballot in November. Getting it out of the legislature would require Democratic votes. But getting it into GOP campaign commercials this fall would not. A flight from Birmingham to Qatar has been diverted amid ongoing US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. The delayed Qatar Airways flight was due to take off at 08:14 GMT and head to Doha, but flew as far as France before turning back to Birmingham where it landed at about 11:20, a flight tracking platform has shown. The airline has confirmed it has suspended all flights to the Qatar capital due to the closure of Qatari airspace on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement The BBC have contacted Birmingham Airport for comment. Qatar Airways said it is working with the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and plans to resume operations when the airspace reopens. A spokesperson added: "The safety of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused." Emirates, which flies to Dubai from the Solihull-based airport, has also suspended flights to and from the United Arab Emirates city. More than 200 passengers on British Airways' 20:00 flight to Doha on Friday found themselves back at Heathrow, after it was ordered to turn around about a third of the way through the journey. Advertisement Advertisement Explosions have been heard across multiple Iranian cities including the capital, Tehran, on Saturday, after negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear programme ended without an agreement this week. The UK did not participate in the strikes. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes, Israel's military says, with explosions heard and attacks reported in several other countries in the region with US facilities. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links The decision by the United States and Israel to plunge into a new war with Iran creates a highly dangerous moment with unpredictable consequences. It will have become even more so after US President Donald Trump said that Iran's long-time Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on day one of the US-Israeli air strikes. His death was later confirmed on Iranian state TV. Israel used the word "pre-emptive" to justify its attack - the largest in the Israeli Air Force's history, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Advertisement Advertisement The evidence is that this is not a response to an imminent threat, which the word pre-emption implies. Instead, it is a war of choice. Israel and the United States have calculated that the Islamic regime in Iran is vulnerable - dealing with a severe economic crisis, the fallout from the brutal crackdown on protesters at the start of the year and with defences still badly damaged by last summer's war. Their conclusion seems to have been that this was an opportunity that should not be squandered. It is also another blow to the tottering system of international law. In their statements, both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was a danger to their countries Trump said it was a global danger. The Islamic regime is certainly their bitter enemy. But it is hard to see how the legal justification of self-defence applies given the huge disparity of power between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Smoke rises above Tehran after strike [Reuters] War is a political act. Armed conflict is inherently hard to control once it starts. Leaders need clear objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu has seen Iran as Israel's most dangerous enemy for decades. For him, this is a chance to do as much damage as possible to the regime in Tehran and to Iran's military capacity. Netanyahu also faces a general election later in the year. The evidence from the two years of war with Hamas is that he believes his political position strengthens when Israel is at war. Trump's objectives have veered and changed, characteristically. Back in January, he told protesters in Iran that help was on its way. Much of the US Navy was busy removing the leader of Venezuela at the time, so he lacked military options. While the US was deploying two carrier strike groups to the region, as well as considerable land-based firepower, Trump talked a lot about the dangers of Iran's nuclear ambitions, even though after last summer's war, Trump declared that the Iranian nuclear programme had been "obliterated". The Iranian regime has always denied that it wants a nuclear weapon, but it has enriched uranium to a level that has no civilian use in a nuclear power programme. At the very least, it seems to want the option of building a bomb. So far Israel and the US have published no evidence that it was about to happen. Advertisement Advertisement In his video, Trump told Iranian people that "the hour of freedom" was at hand. Netanyahu had a similar message, that the war will present the people of Iran with the chance to overthrow the regime. That is not at all certain. There is no precedent for regime change happening just because of air strikes. Saddam Hussein of Iraq was overthrown in 2003 by a huge US-led invasion force. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was overthrown in 2011 by rebel forces that were provided with an air force by Nato and some Arab states. In both cases the result was the collapse of the state, civil war and thousands of killings. Libya is still a failed state. Iraq is still dealing with consequences of the invasion and the bloodletting that followed. Even if this becomes the first case of air power alone collapsing a regime, the Islamic regime will not be replaced by a liberal democracy that upholds human rights. There is no credible alternative government in exile waiting in the wings. Over almost half a century the Iranian regime has created a complex political system that is underpinned by a mix of ideology, corruption and when required, the ruthless use of force. The Tehran regime demonstrated in January that it was prepared to kill protesters. It has security forces that obey orders to shoot and kill thousands of fellow citizens for challenging the system on the streets and demanding freedom. Advertisement Advertisement It is now clear that the US and Israel wanted to kill the supreme leader. Israel believes in the power of assassination as a strategy. In the last two years it killed the leaders of Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and many of their lieutenants. The Islamic regime in Iran is a different matter. It presides over a state, not an armed movement. It is not a one-man show. If a supreme leader is killed, he will be replaced, most likely by another cleric supported by the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which exists alongside the conventional armed forces with the explicit task of defending the regime against threats at home and abroad. Trump offered them immunity if they laid down their arms or certain death. The IRGC is unlikely to be tempted by his offer. Martyrdom is a constant motif in the ideology of the Islamic Republic and in Shia Islam. Trump believes that the primary motivating force in politics and life is transactional as his book puts it, the art of the deal. But dealing with Iran requires factoring in the power of ideology and belief. That is much harder to measure. Advertisement Advertisement As this crisis has built since the turn of the year, and America assembled its armada, there have been increasing signs that the leadership in Tehran saw war as unavoidable. They engaged in talks, conscious that talks were going on last summer when Israel attacked and the US joined them. They do not trust the US or the Israelis. In his first term Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, the JCPOA, which restricted the Iranian nuclear programme and was the marquee foreign policy achievement of the Obama administration. There have been signs that Iran might have been prepared to accept a JCPOA mark two deal, at the very least to buy time. But the US appears to have also been demanding severe restrictions on its missile programme and its support for regional allies that oppose Israel and the US. That was unacceptable to them, amounting to a capitulation. Giving up missiles and allies might even in the minds of the leadership make it much more vulnerable to regime change than the threat and now reality of attack. Advertisement Advertisement Iran's remaining leaders will now be calculating how to ride out the war, how to survive and how to manage its consequences. Their neighbours, led by Saudi Arabia, will be dismayed by the huge uncertainty and potential consequences of today's events. Given the capacity of the Middle East to export trouble, the eruption of renewed and intensified war deepens the instability of a region and wider world that is already turbulent, violent and dangerous. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday hugged weeping residents and promised free houses to those who had lost their homes in landslides triggered by torrential rains that killed 70 people in the country's southeast. Thousands were left homeless after mud swept away their houses in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba this week, leaving desperate residents seeking loved ones under piles of sludge and debris. Firefighters said Saturday that they were still searching for three missing people, while the police updated the death toll to 70, including 13 children. Advertisement Advertisement Lula flew over the disaster area before landing and meeting grief-stricken residents and officials. He promised that his government would give free houses to those whose homes had been destroyed, outside of the at-risk areas where they had been living. "We are going to help these people recover by giving them houses," Lula said at a press conference. "The only thing we cannot give back to the city are the lives that have been lost. We don't have the power to bring human lives back, but we will give people the right to live with decency and dignity." According to the latest update from the fire brigade, just over 3,800 people have been made homeless by the landslides. Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy is the latest in a series of extreme weather disasters in Brazil, from floods to fires and drought, many of which scientists have linked to the effects of global warming. In 2024, more than 200 people died and two million were impacted by unprecedented flooding in southern Brazil, one of the worst natural disasters in its history. "Science indicates that there will be more and more extreme weather events like the one that happened here in Minas Gerais, as happened last year in Rio Grande do Sul," Jader Barbalho Filho, Minister of Cities, told the press conference. "There is only one alternative: investments in prevention," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Brazil's meteorological agency INMET told AFP that parts of the southeast were experiencing the rainiest February in years. Rainfall in Juiz de Fora -- a hilly city of half a million people -- has already exceeded 760 mm (30 inches) in February, more than triple its usual monthly average. Brazilian meteorologist Carlos Nobre attributed the unusually heavy downpours to a passing cold front system over the "very warm" Atlantic Ocean. fb/sst AP Photo/Evan Vucci U.S. and Israeli forces bombed Iran on Saturday amid ongoing peace talks between Iran and the U.S. Explosions could be heard across Tehran. In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special and permanent state of emergency across Israel. The Israeli government described its attack as preemptive. Several news organizations reported that Israel had carried out the strikes, but an anonymous American official told The Wall Street Journal that the U.S. had also participated in the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement The strikes come amid talks between the U.S. and Iran in negotiations being mediated by Oman. Israel bombed Iran in June, just before U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was to meet with Irans foreign minister. The U.S. later conducted strikes of its own on Irans nuclear facilities, which President Donald Trump said were totally obliterated. Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner were leading the most recent negotiations for the U.S. The Trump administration had demanded that Iran re-obliterate its main nuclear sites and hand over its enriched uranium. Iran has balked at the idea, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Hours before Israel struck on Saturday, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who is mediating the talks, told CBS News that the Iranians had made several concessions to the U.S. and that a peace deal is within our reach. Advertisement Advertisement Albusaidi had been mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran in recent weeks as President Donald Trump has escalated tensions by ordering a massive military buildup near Iran. There would be zero accumulation, zero stockpiling, and full verification, Albusaidi stated, adding that weapons inspections would be conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with possibly an American contingent involved. Albusaidi had said that negotiators need a little bit more time to finalize details. According to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is not clear whether Iran is currently enriching uranium. The country has long insisted that its enrichment programs are for civilian use and that it is not seeking to achieve weapons-grade uranium, which is above 90% enrichment. Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Trump said Iran must stop enrichment entirely. Not 20%, 30%, they always want 20%, 30%, they want it for civilian, you know, for civil. I think its uncivil, he told reporters. Iran had previously agreed to scale back enrichment activities while allowing more thorough nuclear inspections as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was signed by all five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (U.S., U.K., China, Russia, and France) and the European Union. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in 2018. The post U.S. and Israel Bomb Iran Amid Peace Talks first appeared on Mediaite. Editor's note: This story is being updated. Israel launched what it called a "pre-emptive attack" against Iran on the morning of Feb. 28. The U.S. has jointly participated in the strikes, according to the Times of Israel and other regional media, quoting U.S. officials. The attacks follow a major U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, with Washington deploying warships and aircraft while evacuating some non-essential embassy personnel from the region. Advertisement Advertisement The escalation also came after U.S.Iran talks in Geneva on Feb. 26 part of the Trump administration's effort to secure a deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program ended without a breakthrough. The strikes open a new and dangerous phase for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose grip on power has already been weakened by nationwide unrest and a violent crackdown that authorities now acknowledge has killed thousands. "Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime," Trump said on Feb. 18. Recent days saw U.S. officials make unproven claims about Iran developing a missile capable of striking U.S. territory and having enough material to build a nuclear bomb within days. Advertisement Advertisement During his State of the Union address on Feb. 25, Trump said he prefers a diplomatic solution but will "never allow the number one state sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon." Trump previously encouraged Iranians protesting against the regime to intensify their actions, urging them to seize government buildings and promising U.S. support. "Iranian Patriots, keep protesting take over your institutions," Trump wrote on Jan. 13. Since those encouragements, at least 6,100 and up to 30,000 people may have been killed during protests on Jan. 89 alone, according to NPR and Time, citing unnamed activists and officials from Iran's Health Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement 7,007 fatalities have been confirmed alongside 25,846 civilian injuries, and 53,777 arrests, the U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activist News Agency reported on Feb. 23. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as authorities shut down internet and mobile communications nationwide. Beyond Iran itself, the potential collapse of the regime would carry far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and for Tehran's allies, including Russia. From economic fury to regime crisis Protests erupted across Iran in late December after the national currency collapsed and prices surged, further deepening economic hardship for ordinary Iranians. Advertisement Advertisement Demonstrations quickly spread nationwide, evolving from economic grievances into something far more threatening to the regime. Protesters called not only for economic relief but for the overthrow of the current political system. Many have openly demanded the return of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah toppled during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the unrest claims both countries have denied. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, waves to his supporters during a press conference in Tehran on May 10, 2024. (Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images) The protests represented the most serious internal challenge to Iran's clerical leadership in at least three years. They have unfolded against a backdrop of mounting external pressure, including Israeli and U.S. strikes last year targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has threatened retaliation if the United States carries out attacks again. "If the U.S. takes military action towards Iran or occupied territories, the U.S. military and shipping centers will be considered legitimate targets," he said on Jan. 11. It remains unclear whether the protests are still ongoing, as internet and mobile blackouts across Iran prevent verification of their scale or intensity. Why Moscow is watching nervously Iran remains one of Russia's most important allies, particularly since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, the Iranian regime "has brought so much evil to Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky met with Pahlavi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 13, condemning cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Tehran supplied Russia early in the war with Shahed-type attack drones, which Moscow later adapted into its own Geran-1 and Geran-2 models for relentless strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. For the Kremlin, the timing of Iran's crisis couldn't be worse. Iran could become the second major ally Moscow loses since the start of 2026, following the U.S. kidnapping of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in early January. The pattern of crumbling alliances threatens to leave Russia even more isolated. Is the end really near? Uncertainty surrounds Iran's political future, even as some Western leaders suggest the end may be imminent. Advertisement Advertisement Experts, however, remain divided on whether the regime's demise is truly imminent. "In general, it is premature to believe that the Iranian regime is about to fall," said Julian G. Waller, a lecturer in political science at George Washington University. "It may do so, but the strong, violent, and coercive measures are being employed by the regime on a mass scale to prevent such an outcome." Waller said the outcome will depend on internal dynamics: defections among elites, the loyalty of the security services, and whether protests can be sustained over time. People gather during a protest on Jan. 8, 2026, in Tehran, Iran. (Anonymous/Getty Images) Russia and China, he said, may assist Tehran's crackdown by providing surveillance tools and capabilities to shut down the internet. Advertisement Advertisement Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, believes that even if the leadership is killed, the opposition is not in a position to sweep away the regime structures. Those structures "are deeply rooted and institute its own well-honed political program," he told the Kyiv Independent. What collapse would mean The fall of Iran's leadership would represent a major geopolitical shock, opening a path for Iranians to pursue political freedom while sending shockwaves across the Middle East. For Moscow, the consequences would be severe. Ryhor Nizhnikau, a Russia expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, described the fall of Iran's regime as "a major blow" for the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Iran is a strategic ally Russia cannot afford to lose, he said, adding that Moscow would likely do everything possible to prevent such an outcome. The immediate damage, Nizhnikau argued, would be reputational. Russian President Vladimir Putin's international standing would suffer further, reinforcing perceptions of weakness and undermining his efforts to project Russia as a power capable of shaping global events alongside Trump. Elena Davlikanova, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said the impact on Ukraine will depend on how power changes hands in Tehran. If hard-liners consolidate control around security elites, she said, they may attempt to preserve and renegotiate military and technical cooperation with Russia in exchange for political backing and intelligence support. "The change in Iran will not have an immediate or dramatic effect on the battlefield in Ukraine," Davlikanova said, though it could reshape alliances well beyond the region. For now, Iran's future hangs in the balance. A crisis that began with economic desperation but has grown into an existential threat to the regime's four-decade grip on power. Note from the author: Hi, this is Tim. The author of this article. Thank you for taking the time to read it. At the Kyiv Independent, we don't have a wealthy owner or political backing. We rely on readers like you to support our work. If you found this article interesting, consider joining our community today. Read also: As Iran erupts, Washington threatens, and Moscow watches in silence Read also: Why Trumps capture of Venezuelas Maduro is both a blessing and a curse for Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) Brigham Young University issued an apology today after reportedly sending congratulatory notifications to nine applicants who were not accepted into the school. According to Brigham Young University (BYU), a mistake in the admissions department led to several students getting a congratulatory message of acceptance when they logged in to their BYU admissions portal. Those nine students had not received acceptance letters and had not been accepted into the school. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement from Director of Admissions Chad Johnson, BYU apologized for the error. Johnson said, We are truly sorry that an unfortunate error in our admissions decision notification system resulted in nine prospective students mistakenly receiving congratulatory messages of acceptance. How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google The Admissions Department reached out to those impacted to express our regret and our sincere apologies, Johnsons statement continued. We know that admissions decisions are highly anticipated, and we recognize this mistake caused confusion and disappointment. Additionally, Johnson said that the BYU admissions team is working to ensure this mistake does not occur in the future, but officials have not clarified what the mistake was. BYU Admissions BYU says they had a 68.7% freshman acceptance rate for the 2025-2026 school year. This makes them one of the most competitive schools in Utah, though they are one of the only private colleges or universities in the state. Advertisement Advertisement To get into BYU, freshman applicants are also required to submit five essays, have up to three recommendation letters, and receive an endorsement from an ecclesiastical leader. You can learn more about BYUs admissions process here. For an undergraduate degree at BYU, students can expect to pay up to $24,000 per year in tuition, housing, and other fees if they are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If they are not a member, they can expect to pay more than $30,000. These statistics do not include financial aid or merit scholarships. Latest headlines: Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Britons in the Middle East have been told to shelter as Iran, the US and Israel trade missile attacks across the region. The US and Israel launched massive strikes on Iran on Saturday morning, in what Donald Trump said was the start of a major combat operation. Projectiles were seen in the skies above Dubai, home to more than 240,000 Britons, amid retaliatory attacks from Iran on US bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Office said British nationals should immediately shelter in place, urging them to remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and the UAE have all closed their airspaces, leaving thousands of British travellers stranded. Credit: X/ @flightradar24 Several thousand British travellers pass through Dubai, the UAEs most populous city, every day. Airport closures have also been reported in Oman and Syria. Qatar Airways confirmed suspension of its flights to and from Doha, Qatars capital, saying the safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority. Advertisement Advertisement Air India said it had cancelled all flights to destinations in the Middle East and urged customers to contact its call centre for updates. Tourists in Abu Dhabi reported hearing loud bangs, with hotel staff handing out complimentary ice lollies to calm nerves. Others said their flights back home out of Dubai had been delayed indefinitely. British travellers at Gatwick Airport have also had their flights cancelled or delayed. A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, airspace restrictions have been introduced in parts of the region. As a result, some flights to and from London Gatwick may experience delays or cancellations. Advertisement Advertisement Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest information on flights. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. NEED TO KNOW A California dad was found dead near Levis Stadium after he went missing following a Super Bowl party on Feb. 8 Thomas Simpkins, 44, attended a friends barbecue to celebrate the sporting event and vanished shortly after The man was remembered as "a deeply loved son, brother, husband, father and friend" A California dad was found dead, days after he went missing following a Super Bowl party. Thomas Simpkins, 44, attended a friends barbecue in San Jose to celebrate the annual sporting event on Sunday, Feb. 8, his sister, Brandi Stroud, told the San Francisco Chronicle. Advertisement Advertisement The man is believed to have left the party and returned home around 9 p.m. local time that same night, but he failed to show up for work the following day. His 19-year-old son then reported him missing soon after, the outlet reported. Me and my brother text messaged a lot," Stroud told NBC Bay Area. "I had talked to him on Feb. 8 before he had went to this barbecue." Six days after his disappearance, Simpkins body was discovered near Levis Stadium, nearly six miles from his home in San Tomas Aquino Creek, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) confirmed to NBC Bay Area and the San Francisco Chronicle. Thomas Simpkins Credit: Thomas Simpkins/Facebook It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our beloved Tommy, Simpkins' family wrote on GoFundMe. He was a deeply loved son, brother, husband, father, and friend. His kindness, strength, and unwavering love for his family touched everyone who knew him. Advertisement Advertisement Simpkins is survived by his wife, Claudia Simpkins, three stepchildren and one biological son, per the fundraising page. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Stroud told NBC Bay Area that she only became aware of her brother's death when a random lady on Facebook sent me a link" that authorities recovered a body behind Levis Stadium. After contacting the medical examiners office, Stroud was able to confirm her brother's identity through the large tattoo of his last name that stretched across his back, the outlet reported. Thomas Simpkins Credit: GoFundMe When he got home, we have no idea who picked him up or how he got all the way to Levis Stadium, Stroud told NBC Bay Area of the mysterious circumstances surrounding her brother's death. I dont believe that my brother just decided to throw himself into a creek. I dont have any answers when it comes down to really what happened to him. Advertisement Advertisement Before her brothers body was found, Stroud told the San Francisco Chronicle there was a huge delay in his missing persons case, claiming it bounced in between jurisdictional boundaries. She also claimed authorities "didnt take my brothers case seriously at all. I was praying that at least if he didnt come home alive, that wed find him, Stroud said, adding the unanswered questions about Simpkins' death continue to be the part thats killing my family. The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) said in a statement, per the San Francisco Chronicle, We understand how incredibly difficult and emotional this situation is for the family. When a loved one is missing, every moment feels critical, and we recognize the fear and frustration that can come with that uncertainty. At no point was this case dismissed or ignored. The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), which took the lead on the investigation after Simpkins body was found, added, This case was not delayed and was investigated with the protocols and investigative steps required. Read the original article on People Leaders of the Caribbean Community said Friday they plan to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, stressing that the islands deepening economic crisis could destabilize the wider region. The announcement came in a joint statement the 15-member regional bloc, known as CARICOM, said it was issuing along with the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with leaders this week in Saint Kitts and Nevis, where heads of government closed out a four-day summit that addressed a number of critical issues including their strained relationship with the U.S. and the ongoing volatile situation in Haiti, a member country. As the meeting wrapped up Friday, leaders announced the formation of a three-person working group to reframe their cooperation framework with the U.S. and elaborated on their decision to assist Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement We are going to respond on the humanitarian end, in short order, within a month, Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, the current CARICOM chairman. Drew said specifics including the type and amount of aid still need to be worked out, but we are going to respond in a significant way. All parties recognize that there should be efforts to address the growing humanitarian crisis, he added. Tightened U.S. embargo Since last month, Cuba has faced a tightened embargo from Washington after the Trump administration cut off fuel imports from Caracas following its capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The blockade has led to an acute oil shortage in the country that was already facing economic collapse amid an energy crisis that was already plunging the country into daily prolonged blackouts. Advertisement Advertisement While Cuba is not a member of CARICOM, it has long maintained close ties with member states that historically have urged the U.S. to lift its decades-old embargo. Cubas crisis, deepened by the change in U.S. policy, loomed large at the CARICOM conference and fueled fears that the whole region could be affected. Those fears were apparent as Rubio met with Caribbean leaders. The administration also held secret talks with Raul Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of Raul Castro. The talks, first reported by the Miami Herald, were focused on a possible deal involving the U.S. easing restrictions in exchange for Cuba making economic reforms. In addition to the presence of Rodriguez Castro, who met with Rubios close advisers, Josefina Vidal, Cubas deputy foreign minister and a key player in negotiations with the U.S. during President Barack Obamas effort to thaw relations with the island, was also in Saint Kitts on Wednesday and Thursday. She met with several Caribbean government officials. Asked about the meetings between the U.S. and Cuba and CARICOMs role, Drew deflected. With respect to the matter of Cuba, CARICOMs focus at this time is ton he humanitarian situation, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The State Department has not publicly addressed the Cuba discussions. A statement issued after Rubios departure said only that he met with Caribbean leaders on the sidelines of their 50th annual CARICOM conference in Basseterre. The Secretary underscored the United States enduring partnership with the Caribbean and reaffirmed our shared commitment to regional security cooperation, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement. Drew was joined at the press conference by both the immediate past chairman of CARICOM, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and the incoming chairman, Prime Minister Philipe J. Pierre of St. Lucia. They announced that new three-person team will work on U.S.-Caribbean relations. The last serious engagement between the community and Washington happened nearly 50 years ago during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. Advertisement Advertisement Working with U.S. counterparts, the goal of the team is to craft a framework appropriate to the 21st century, addressing structured migration programs, security cooperation, trade and investment, disaster recovery, human development and technical assistance. Leaders did not directly address the Trump administrations crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, nor did they comment on third-country agreements that several countries, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, have signed. Under those agreements, the United States can send asylum-seekers who cannot be returned to their home countries to participating nations. Given the migration pressures across the region, Holness said Caribbean governments have to look at the program from a holistic view, so that we are not put at a disadvantage both from losing our nationals, which is a historical challenge, as we participate in other programs. We havent worked out all the details of it, but certainly the idea of looking into this to make sure that migration is comprehensively addressed, and not just from the issue of migration to the United States, he said. The organization also said it would remain engaged in Haiti through an initiative led by the former prime ministers of The Bahamas, St. Lucia and Jamaica. Former Saint Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony and Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime both provided an update on the crisis in Haiti, including the signing of a national pact with more than 200 political parties and civil society groups. A CBS News producer who left the network after almost half a century of service issued a dire warning in a farewell memo. Weve been reading a lot of goodbyes lately, and here I am headed out the door, journalist Mary Walsh wrote Friday in a memo obtained by The Guardian, announcing that she is leaving the network after 46 years. But maybe its for the best, Walsh wrote, adding that journalists at CBS News have been told to aim their reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum. Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how to do that, Walsh added. Mary Walsh worked at CBS for nearly 50 years. / Mary Walsh/ LinkedIn The memo comes as CBSs parent company, Paramount Skydanceowned by Trump-friendly billionaire David Ellisonemerged Thursday as the frontrunner in a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, CNNs parent company, sparking fears among CNN staff that their newsroom could be taken over, just like CBS. Since Ellisons takeover of Paramount in August, CBS News has come under the control of Bari Weiss, who has been widely criticized for steering the network into Trump-friendly territory as editor-in-chief. Though Walshs statement does not specify the particular part of the political spectrum the network has directed journalists toward, Weisss tenure has been marked by a series of chaotic moments. Under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, CBS News has faced criticism for asking journalists to aim their stories at a particular part of the political spectrum / Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times In December, Weiss came under fire for pulling a 60 Minutes segment at the last minute. The segment detailed the grisly conditions at an El Salvador megaprison where Venezuelan men deported by President Donald Trump were helda move correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, who reported the story, called political. Advertisement Advertisement The following month, during an all-hands meeting across CBS News bureaus, she told staff to quit if they did not align with her vision and proposed buyouts to employees that same week. Walsh is one of nearly a dozen producers to accept the buyout and is not the first to post a fiery farewell. Producer Alicia Hastey, who also took a buyout and left, complained that journalists at the network were forced to self-censor or avoid challenging narratives. The Guardian reported that Walsh, whose exit was described by one staffer as pretty huge, was honored in an emotional farewell from CBS News president Tom Cibrowski, alongside fellow veteran producer Kate Rydell, who is also leaving the network, during a staff-wide editorial call on Friday morning. A former CNN executive described Walsh as a Mary Walsh is a legend, former CNN executive David Clinch posted on X, commenting on Walshs departure memo. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Ellison takeover has sent waves of anxiety through CNN, with insiders describing the panic among staffers as off the charts and some even claiming the network is doomed. Anderson Cooper left CBS's '60 Minutes' in February. / Cindy Ord / Getty Images for CNN The situation could be particularly awkward for Anderson Cooper, who left CBSs 60 Minutes in February, becoming one of the highest-profile departures under Weisss leadership, but remained an anchor at CNN. This will be messy and uncomfortable if Bari and Anderson are under the same roof again, a media insider told NewsNation, adding, Anderson really doesnt like her or want to work for herand hes the face of the network. For now. The Daily Beast has contacted CBS News for comment. Charlie Dannelly, who represented District 38 in the North Carolina Senate for nearly 20 years, died Thursday at age 101, according to the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Dannelly was born in 1924 and grew up during the Great Depression in Bishopville, S.C. He was a first lieutenant in the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star in the 892nd Airborne Division. Dannelly made more than 50 parachute jumps during the conflict, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. After the war, he moved to Charlotte, where he graduated from Johnson C. Smith University. Advertisement Advertisement For more than half a century, Senator Dannelly carried the mission of JCSU into every space he entered, JCSU said in a statement on Instagram Friday. A noble leader dedicated to community service, he was a proud Golden Bull who championed educational access and opportunity for all. Dannelly began teaching in Charlottes then-segregated public school system in 1962, eventually serving as principal at University Park Elementary School in north Charlotte. After the school district was integrated, Dannelly served as the first Black principal of Quail Hollow Junior High, located in what was a mostly white suburb of Charlotte. Dannelly served for 12 years on Charlotte City Council, beginning in 1977, and retired from education in 1991. He was elected to the state Senate in 1994, where he served until 2013. In this 2001 file photo, then-NC Sen. Charlie Smith Dannelly spoke in support of an ammendment to strip the posting of the Ten Commandments from a measure being discussed in the legislature. Dannelly said several times he felt that posting the Ten Commandments in schools was indoctrination. (Harry Lynch/News & Observer) Charlotte City Council Member Malcolm Graham is also a South Carolina native who attended Johnson C. Smith. From 2005 to 2015, he served in the state Senate with Dannelly, who he said was the one to encourage him to run for the office. Advertisement Advertisement He understood there needed to be new voices, and he gave me the space I needed to be that new voice, Graham told the Observer. He stayed close enough to me in the Senate to keep me out of trouble but far enough away to allow me to be my own man. Graham said he and Dannelly would often share dinners together in Raleigh, and described him as a very quiet individual that carried a very big stick. He also said Dannelly was one of the best dressers in Charlotte. When Dannelly left the Senate in 2013, Mac Everett, a former banking executive in Charlotte, called him a giant among people who represented Charlotte. In a statement to The Observer at the time, Everett said, He was willing to listen to anybody who had something to say about an issue. Graham said Dannellys legacy lives on in todays local political leaders, who, Graham said, Dannelly opened the door for. We recently lost Jesse Jackson, and like him, Charlie Dannelly is one of those icons that we are losing, Graham said. Were losing these icons that have literally cleared the way for a new generation of leaders. The phone at the Avondale Respite Center has been ringing off the hook for months and it isn't even open yet. The calls aren't surprising because the center is offering something not available anywhere else in the city: free, emergency childcare. For Holly Jenkins-Livers, the center's CEO, the journey to opening the center started in 2022 and has involved mountains of paperwork, logistics, licensing and coordination. The idea sprang out of community meetings in Avondale led by Hamilton County Job and Family Services and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Advertisement Advertisement "One of the things that's missing is a safe place to leave their children," she said. The center is already offering yoga classes. The Avondale branch of Fifth Third Bank, with the support of branch manager Domonique Broomfield, is partnering with the center to offer financial literacy classes. Reading and basic computer classes are also planned. Rina Wallace, who is also working to establish the center, said they want Avondale residents to have a stake in the center. "We can't keep doing things to people," Wallace said. "We have to do things with people." Jenkins-Livers said she expects the center to open in April or May. No-cost service could step in for emergencies There will be no cost to parents, however, state regulations limit how many times a person can use the center to 30 times a year. Advertisement Advertisement The center has the capacity to take 32 children and will have a staff of six to eight people to start, Jenkins-Livers said. She thinks of it as a "urgent daycare." Jenkins-Livers envisions parents using the center to provide childcare help during last-minute job interviews and court dates. She said it could also be used when one parent needs to get to work and the other parent is running late. It's been a long road to get the center to where it is. Jenkins-Livers said it took a year to find a building. The center is now housed in a former daycare center on Ridgeway Avenue. The building has a new landlord who has been working with the center to completely refurbish the space. Dr. Carley Riley, an attending physician and the director of the Mayerson Child Well-being Initiative at Cincinnati Childrens, is consulting for the respite center. Advertisement Advertisement "This center arose from the hearts and hands of a set of community members who came together," Riley said. "They sought positive, courageous, effective, and community-owned solutions to nurture the children and families of Avondale." Childcare costs going up The cost of childcare in Ohio is rising quickly. A report from the Columbus Dispatch found that the average cost for an infant and a 4-year-old in an Ohio childcare center was $25,532 a year in 2024. That's a 16.4% increase from 2023. Riley said many Cincinnati families lack meaningful access to affordable, high-quality childcare, especially during off hours. Hours of operation for the Avondale center haven't been set yet but long-term, Jenkins-Livers hopes, it will be open outside normal business hours including nights and weekends. Advertisement Advertisement The center is inspired by the Providence House in Cleveland, Jenkins-Livers said. Started in 1981, the Providence House calls itself a crisis nursery. It can house hundreds of children across multiple locations, even overnight, and can provide care for up to 90 days. Cincinnati Children's and Hamilton County Job and Family Services run the All Families Thrive initiative. The center is part of the initiative, which received funding from the Harmony Project, named for Judith Harmony, a pioneering woman in college education. Jenkins-Livers said the center has four years of funding secured, but they are already searching for new funding sources to sustain and grow the respite center. They are also working to hire staff, and they want to set the bar high with whom they hire. "If we're going to make a difference, we have to be different," Wallace said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Free, emergency childcare coming to Avondale Ariela Vega, a junior at the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy, became the first female student to win the Georgia state HVAC competition. The historic victory took place at the Georgia World Congress Center, where Vega outperformed competitors from across the state in technical skill and problem-solving. The achievement marked a milestone for both SkillsUSA Georgia and the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy, known as CITA. This year also represented the first time the school sent an all-girl team to compete in the state-level event. Participants were evaluated on real-world HVAC competencies, including system diagnostics, electrical components, safety practices and installation standards. Judges scored students based on their accuracy, efficiency and adherence to industry best practices. Advertisement Advertisement Vega described the state title as a starting point for her professional future. I define winning as motivational. Knowing this is just the beginning to something incredible is truly inspiring and personally, this win means more than placing first, Vega said. She noted that she hopes her performance serves as a catalyst for other students entering technical fields. I want my achievement to be an inspiration to other young ladies. Determination and passion are the foundations to becoming a champion, Vega said. The win comes as the HVAC industry faces a national shortage of skilled professionals. Trade organizations have emphasized the need for diversity and early exposure to bridge this labor gap. Vega highlighted the potential for career growth in the sector. I want other students to know that there is a place for them in HVAC and other technical careers. These are high-skill, high-demand jobs with real opportunities to make a difference, Vega said. Programs like the Cobb County Career, Technical and Agricultural Education pathways are designed to address these industry needs. The curriculum focuses on providing students with industry-aligned skills, certifications and postsecondary opportunities. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: STORY 1 STORY 2 STORY 3 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Columbia University student detained at her campus housing by ICE agents Thursday morning was released after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani received assurances from President Trump as they met at the White House Thursday. Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently, Mamdani wrote on X late Thursday afternoon. Hours later, Columbia released a statement heralding Adhayevas release. Elmina Aghayeva, of Columbia Universitys class of 2026, was arrested in her campus apartment by ICE Thursday morning. DHS says she was an illegal immigrant from Azerbaijan. Instagram / @ellharve The university is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment. We will share additional details this evening, it wrote in a statement on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Hizzoner happened to be in Washington, DC, for an unannounced Oval Office sit-down with Trump the second such tete-a-tete between the two men since Mamdani won the mayors race in November. Ellie Aghayeva was briefly detained by ICE. Instagram / @ellharve After her arrest around 6:30 a.m., Aghayeva, who is slated to graduate this year, wrote in a stunning post on Instagram, Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help captioned over what appears to be a POV-style photo of a womans thighs from the back of a car. DHS said she was an illegal immigrant from Azerbaijan, whose student visa was terminated by the Obama administration in 2016 for failing to attend classes. The media gather outside Columbia University where Ellie Aghayeva was detained. Getty Images The raid was launched at the elite schools Morningside Heights campus shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday, after agents misrepresented themselves to access the students apartment and take her into custody, Columbias acting president Claire Shipman said in a statement to the school community on Thursday evening. Advertisement Advertisement The five agents without any kind of warrant entered the off-campus building and gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child, Shipman said. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said hes received assurances from President Trump that a Columbia University student detained at her campus housing by ICE agents Thursday morning would be released without delay. Stephen Yang for NY Post They then made their way to the Aghayevas apartment with the same story, and were reportedly captured on security cameras showing pictures of the alleged missing child. Once inside the apartment, it became clear they had misrepresented themselves. A public safety officer arrived, asked multiple times for a warrant, which was not produced, and asked for time to call his boss, which was not given, Shipman said. Ellie Aghayeva covers her face after shes released by ICE. Getty Images The operation involved an unknown number of agents, who reportedly told campus security officers they were investigating a missing persons case involving a 5-year-old girl. Follow live updates on Mayor Zohran Mamdanis socialist agenda and the latest in NYC politics In a statement to The Post, DHS said the apartments building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment, and that all agents were wearing badges and swiftly identified themselves. Ellie Aghayeva wrote a letter on social media saying she was released from custody and thanking everyone for their help. Instagram / @ellharve This was a frightening and fast-moving situation and utterly unacceptable for our students and staff, Shipman continued in a statement, noting the university started immediately working to gain her release. Advertisement Advertisement Let me be clear misrepresenting identity and other facts to gain access to a residential building is a breach of protocol, she said. Hizzoner happened to be in Washington, DC, for an unannounced Oval Office sit-down with Trump the second such tete-a-tete between the two men since Mamdani won the mayors race in November. AFP via Getty Images The Ivy League president added that all law enforcement agencies including DHS and ICE are obligated to follow established legal and ethical standards. All law enforcement agencies must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to gain access to a Columbia residential building, she said. Democratic New York City officials were quick to criticize DHS for the arrest. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal claimed in an angry X post that the agents purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the students apartment. Advertisement Advertisement The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering, he fumed. Ellie Aghayeva attends Columbia University. Instagram / @ellharve Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Columbia alumna, called the incident disturbing and took aim at ICE in an X post of her own. ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance, Menin wrote. Gov. Kathy Hochul slammed the arrest, and said she was proposing a bill that would ban ICE from entering sensitive locations like schools and dorms. Advertisement Advertisement Lets get it passed now, she wrote on X. Calling the arrest unacceptable, US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) demanded immediate answers on her whereabouts, vowing his office was working closely with Columbia and the relevant authorities. Columbia will offer additional guidance and resources for students, faculty, and staff in the aftermath of the ordeal. Thank you all for your support of this institution, and the people who make Columbia what it is. And I know our thoughts are with Ellie, her roommate, and all of the affected students and staff tonight, Shipman said. WASHINGTON Congress divided largely along party lines in its reaction to the U.S. military strikes on Iran, with Republicans supporting President Donald Trump and Democrats calling it a war of choice that should have required approval by lawmakers under the Constitution. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions. He said Trump made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions to prevent Irans acquisition of a nuclear weapon, but that the adversary has armed and funded terror groups including Hamas and Hezbollah instead. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, said Democrats intend to force a House vote next week on whether to authorize the use of military force. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately, provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, clearly define the national security objective and articulate a plan to avoid another costly, prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East, Jeffries said in a statement. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video. A graffiti on a wall reads" Down with the U.S.A", after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran. A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and phone alerts warned of an "extremely serious" threat. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026. Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran 1 of 16 Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed the leaders of the House and Senate and the leaders of the intelligence committees in both chambers during the week. But Trump didnt ask Congress for permission to begin what he called "major combat operations" in Iran. The Constitution states that Congress shall have the power to declare war. But presidents have argued they may take military action to protect the American people and military. Congress approved the War Powers Act in 1973 restricting presidents to notify lawmakers within 48 hours of deploying troops and mandating their removal within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes an extension. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, said he would join again with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, to force a vote on the War Powers Act. Advertisement Advertisement I am opposed to this War, Massie said on social media. This is not America First. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, center, speaks to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, as Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, looks on as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 3, 2025. Another House Republican, Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio, said on social media Feb. 26 that War requires Congressional authorization and that no case has been made. But he hasnt commented publicly since the military action began. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, said the Constitution grants Congress the power to initiate war to make war less likely and said he would oppose Trumps preemptive war in the Middle East. James Madison, a major author of the Constitution and the fourth president, wrote that the Executive Branch is the branch most prone to war, therefore, the Constitution, with studied care, delegated the war power to the legislature, Paul said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission, Paul added. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war. More: Iran hit by 'massive' US attack; supreme leader targeted: Updates In another partisan split, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has often voiced positions against his partys leadership, supported the attack. President Trump has been willing to do whats right and necessary to produce real peace in the region, Fetterman said on social media. The divisions among House and Senate leaders, and members of the intelligence committees, were more stark. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, speaks to reporters following a Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. Iran 'posed a clear and unacceptable threat': Thune Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, commended Trumps actions in Iran in a social media post, saying for too long the country has posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies. Advertisement Advertisement The leader of the Senate committee, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, said on social media that the butchers bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs. A nuclear-weapons program. Thousands of missiles. State sponsorship of terror. Iran has waged war against the U.S. for 47 years: the hostage crisis, the Beirut Marine barracks, Khobar Towers, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or maimed thousands of American soldiers, the attempted assassination of President Trump, Cotton said. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas, the head of the House Intelligence Committee, said Trumps goal from negotiations with Iran were clear: to stop the country from developing a nuclear weapon. "Iran absolutely cannot be allowed to maintain a nuclear weapon or capabilities. The safety and security of Americans and our allies are on the line, Crawford said in a statement. Furthermore, President Trump has given Iran plenty of opportunities to take the diplomatic route. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, the former majority leader who has opposed Trump on other foreign-policy issues such as tariffs and supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, said Iran deserves no sympathy after wielding violence at home and terrorism abroad. The Islamic Republic of Iran made death to America; death to Israel a central pillar of its brutal rule, McConnell said on social media. A regime that relishes killing Arabs, Israelis, Americans, and its own people deserves no sympathy. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, right, and the vice chairman, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, preside over the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Democrats demand vote on whether to authorize military force Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said Trump needs to provide more information about the justification and goals of the military strikes. He demanded a classified briefing for all senators and a vote on the war powers. The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat, Schumer said on social media. Confronting Irans malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trumps fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy. Advertisement Advertisement The top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, asked how the attack would make America safer. Warner said Trump conducted expansive U.S. strikes beyond nuclear or missile infrastructure and including senior Iranian leadership. Warner said the president needs to offer a clear legal justification, a defined end state, and a plan that avoids dragging the United States into yet another costly and unnecessary war. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, blasted Trump for thrusting the U.S. into a "major war with Iran." Against the clear wishes of the American people, President Trump has thrust our nation into a major war with Iran one he never made a case for, never sought congressional authority for, and for which he has no endgame," Reed said in a statement. "President Trump has chosen the path of war while diplomacy was still within reach. Advertisement Advertisement More: US, Israel launch strikes on Iran. What we know so far Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, called Trumps military strikes on Iran with right-wing extremist Israeli ally Benjamin Netanyahu and illegal, premeditated and unconstitutional war. Sanders said the American people were lied to about Vietnam and Iraq, and are being lied to again about Iran. Tragically, Trump is gambling with American lives and treasure to fulfill Netanyahus decades-long ambition of dragging the United States into armed conflict with Iran, Sanders said on social media. Further, this attack against Iran is a clear violation of international law and will create increased instability in an already dangerous world. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called the attack a war of choice with no strategic endgame. He warned that conflict with Iran can easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress divides over vote to authorize Trump military strikes on Iran Video above: Is driving safer than other modes of transportation? UPDATE: News 5 has learned that this crash scene has been cleared, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Highway Patrol Division. The scene is clear, and the roadway is back open, an ALEA news release said. Earlier today, a crash closed the southbound lanes of I-65 in Conecuh County near the 83-mile marker. ORIGINAL STORY CONECUH COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) A crash has closed the southbound lanes of I-65 in Conecuh County, according to law enforcement officials. Advertisement Advertisement According to an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency news release, a two-vehicle crash happened just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Santa Rosa County mother charged with murder after daughter found dead with 20 stab wounds Because of the crash, both southbound lanes of I-65 near the 83-mile marker in Conecuh County are closed for an undetermined amount of time, the release said. ALEAs Highway Patrol Division is working the crash and will provide updates as they are available. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. This story was updated with correct information about the staff member who was fired in January. Senior Crossroads Church pastor Brian Tome has been suspended amid an independent investigation into "inappropriate physical humor," the church release stated. Tome, a founding member of one of the largest churches in America, will be suspended pending an independent review of inappropriate conduct from late 2015 during a video shoot. Advertisement Advertisement Church spokeswoman Erin Caproni declined to answer questions when reached by phone Feb. 28 but said police are not involved. The email, sent to church members Feb. 27, did not state what Tome is accused of doing. However, it stated the church believed the issue was resolved after the Crossroads Spiritual Board looked into it in 2024 and hosted a productive conversation among parties involved. "The board reminded Pastor Tome of the weight of his words and actions and formally admonished Pastor Tome to be mindful to be above reproach," the release stated. In this 2023 file photo, pastor Brian Tome leads a public prayer service for Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin at Crossroad Uptown Church in Cincinnati. The release stated the same community member contacted the church again about the incident, causing Crossroads to hire an independent investigator. Advertisement Advertisement "The Crossroads Spiritual Board has officially suspended Pastor Tome from all Crossroads responsibilities until the investigation is completed. Were committed to however long the investigation will take and will provide updates as we know more." Tome is the senior pastor at Crossroads, which he helped found in 1995. The church has six locations throughout Greater Cincinnati and has expanded to Dayton, Columbus and Lexington, Kentucky. The church broadcasts its services to thousands each week. Crossroads staff member recently fired In January, a Crossroads staff member was fired after police told the church that the staff member allegedly secretly filmed women working out at Crunch Fitness in Oakley. This behavior grossly violates biblical standards and expectations required of any individual on staff. As a result, he has been removed from staff, Tome said. Advertisement Advertisement Tome said Crossroads leadership was working to make sure the removal of the staff member doesnt negatively impact the ministry. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Crossroads suspends founder, pastor amid investigation into conduct Native youth die by suicide at rates 91% higher than the general population. Tribal communities are turning to culturally centered treatment combining ceremony, traditional practices and mental health care to address a crisis rooted in generations of historical trauma. Growing up on the Navajo Nation, Diedra Yellowhair heard only whispers of people in her community dying by suicide. In traditional Dine beliefs, speaking about the deceased is thought to beckon more death, and dying by suicide was taboo. In my generation, when I was younger, middle school, high school, suicide wasn't something that was openly talked about, said Yellowhair, an assistant professor and research faculty member in psychiatry and behavioral health at the University of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement That silence masked a growing crisis. Today, Native youth die by suicide at rates 91% higher than the general population the highest of any demographic according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its the second leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives aged 10-34. But tribal communities are breaking that silence by turning to culturally centered treatment that blends ceremony, traditional practices and clinical care. The White Mountain Apache Tribe cut its suicide rate by 38% using a model built by tribal elders that makes every resident a mandated reporter and deploys emergency response teams alongside cultural teachings. Today, tribal communities have developed culturally appropriate ways to discuss suicide without violating traditional laws around honoring life, Yellowhair said. I think that the reason we're hearing more about suicide today is that many of our tribal communities have found culturally appropriate ways to talk about it, without inviting that sense of violating those natural, traditional laws around honoring life and celebrating life, Yellowhair said. Underfunded Federal System Leaves Gaps An October 2024 study found that Native adolescents have the highest suicide rates of any group, and they may have the least access to resources to help them. Advertisement Advertisement The Indian Health Service the federal agency responsible for providing health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives is underfunded by tens of billions and chronically understaffed, leaving Native youth without mental health care they are entitled to under treaty rights. From 2000 to 2018, suicide rates climbed steadily across the United States before rising again in recent years. Studies suggest contributing factors: the opioid crisis, dwindling social safety nets, economic downturns and the rapid expansion of social media use among youth. Several tribal nations are suing social media giants for their roles in harming the mental health of youth in their communities. Private messaging channels on social media or burner accounts can create isolated spaces where bullying thrives, Yellowhair said. Advertisement Advertisement I've heard kids come in (for therapy sessions), talking about what happened on Snapchat, or what happened in direct messages on Instagram, Yellowhair said. It's not public, per se, but it happens in these back-channel rooms of social media, and kids just don't always have the tools to recognize social media bullying, how to stop or disengage from that content. For Native youth, many bearing generations of historical trauma, social media is an accelerant. Dr. Mark Standing Bear Baez (Coahuiltecan Tribe) is the president of the Society of Indian Psychologists and an associate professor at Bemidji State University. Our youth carry the weight of historical harms, Baez told Native News Online. Its looking at how we navigate modern pressures, what is happening on social media, isolation and even racism. Historical Trauma Creates Intergenerational Risk From 1995 to 1997, more than 17,000 patients in a Southern California health care system were surveyed about their childhoods during their annual physical exams. Called the Adverse Childhood Experiences study ACEs for short it is now the gold standard in linking childhood experiences with health outcomes, both physical and mental. Advertisement Advertisement The ACEs survey is made up of 10 yes or no questions addressing abuse, neglect and household dysfunction. Every yes equates to one point, resulting in a score along a scale that can tell us someones risk of developing certain chronic diseases, social, emotional and mental health disorders. A score of four or higher is associated with a higher risk of suicide, and Native youth score four or higher more often than any other demographic. In many cases, ACEs are intergenerational. Parents with ACEs have poorer mental health outcomes that result in negative parenting behaviors, creating a cycle that passes on ACEs from generation to generation. The flipside of ACEs are protective factors social connection, community engagement and resilient parents long embedded in Native cultures. Extended family and tribal kinship networks were essential, but it's important to know that it also buffers despair, Baez said. Advertisement Advertisement The boarding school era violently disrupted those protective factors, removing generations of Native people from their communities and severing kinship networks. The widespread abuse that took place at the boarding schools has been the subject of national investigations. Children were being raised in boarding schools by strangers with no understanding of kinship systems or language or traditions and culture, and really introduced a different type of upbringing and discipline, Baez said. Those parents raised a whole new generation of parents, then those parents had children, and you see how it begins to impact generation after generation. That historical trauma, paired with cultural beliefs that often reject the notion of dying by suicide, can make mainstream treatment that may be successful in other communities miss the mark in Indian Country similar to trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, Yellowhair said. Professionals have come into communities thinking they have the solution for us without fully understanding our culture, our ways, why suicide might be so taboo, and it just doesnt work, Yellowhair said. Advertisement Advertisement Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Pushing for Indigenous-Centered Care A few years ago, Baez was speaking in Arizona about incorporating Indigenous practices into evidence-based mental health care, and he was surprised to see that a renowned psychiatrist he admired was in the crowd. I was blown away, Baez told Native News Online. Hes well known globally, and he liked what I was talking about. But when he had the chance to speak to the psychiatrist, Baez's elation turned to disappointment. Perhaps the issue was less that evidence-based practice needed to be culturally competent for Native people, and more that Native people didnt want to heal, the psychiatrist told Baez. Advertisement Advertisement He said, I've been doing this before you were born. Ive kind of been around the block it could be maybe that your people are not ready, Baez recalled. That attitude is exactly what Baez and his peers are trying to change. In 2008, Baez created the Sweetgrass method, which combines evidence-based practices with Indigenous methodology. Who loves to sit in pain, who loves to embrace all of the hardships? Baez said. Quite the contrary. We know joy. We know happiness, we know the importance of healing, but maybe it's just the way it's being delivered. Dr. Mark Standing Bear Baez (Photo/BSU) Reconnecting Culture and Prevention Shelby Rowe (Chickasaw) spent her early adolescence in a school in Oklahoma with a large Native population. Her mother was a weaver who took her to events where she reveled in being surrounded by Native artists and their wares. She was a good student, involved in school, and communicated openly with her family. But, when she was 15, something shifted. Advertisement Advertisement Rowe was staying with her great-grandmother when the matriarch went into heart failure. It was the middle of the night in rural Oklahoma, and the volunteer ambulance in the area didnt run from midnight to 5 a.m., so Rowe called neighbors to bring them to Seminole, the nearest town with a hospital. That night, her great-grandmother died. In her grief, Rowe felt crushed by guilt that she didnt act fast enough, that her great-grandmothers death was somehow her fault. While her family mourned their loss, Rowe hid her suffering. We joke in tribal communities about being stoic, Rowe said. But sometimes the feelings are so deep you just don't have the capacity to process them. One night, Rowe made a plan to end her life. Advertisement Advertisement I was overwhelmed with depression and grief and guilt, Rowe said. I was like, Well, I don't know how to fix this, I don't know how to make this pain end. So Im going to take my life. At the root, I wanted help more than I wanted to die. While Rowe did not act on her plan, untreated depression and guilt festered in her. By the time she was 19, she had two young children and had lost her husband to an accidental shooting. In the following years, she grappled with suicidal ideation and survived one suicide attempt. She emphasizes that not getting treatment as a teenager led to those challenges that persisted into her adulthood. Shelby Rowe. (photo/courtesy) I was still alive, she said. But I developed self-destructive habits and had just no self-worth. Today, Rowe is the program manager for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at the OU Health Science Center and serves on several boards focused on supporting mental health services in Native communities. I think we're getting better, and there are so many incredible programs happening across Indian Country right now to help save lives, Rowe said, noting that equipping tribes with the tools they need is more sustainable than the federal government swooping in to save the day. Tribes have kept our communities and families safe and healthy and thriving for millennia, she said. Its about helping us to reconnect with the things we did to help everyone feel like they had a purpose and that they belonged. There are some real systemic factors that contribute to making someone feel like they don't belong, that their life is a burden, and we've seen in communities where they're embracing culture and that everyone has a place, that suicide risk is going down, but it's hard work. Rowe points to the Celebrating Life Suicide Prevention model, established by the White Mountain Apache tribe in 2002 after a spike in youth suicides. The model uses sovereignty via tribal law that designates all people living on the tribes Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona, as mandated reporters meaning any individual who recognizes suicidal behaviors and substance abuse must report it to the tribes suicide task force. The task force follows up with emergency response and individual case management. The program was built from the ground up with guidance from elders to incorporate cultural teachings and practices, Francene Sinquah (White Mountain Apache Tribe), an assistant scientist at the Center for Indigenous Health, told Native News Online last year. Celebrating Life is credited with lowering the community's suicide rate by 38%. I think a lot of that [success] is when you are struggling and feeling that you don't belong, youre feeling hopelessness and despair, having other people in your community show up and say, Hey, we care about you. Were not going to give up on you. That connection is huge, Rowe said. The science backs that up. A 2025 study that surveyed 197 Native youth to examine protective and risk factors showed that communities with cultural programming that facilitated strong familial and social connections were likely to see lower rates of suicide. Working with youth, ceremony, prayer, smudging, they're not add-ons, they're core systems of care, it's medicine, Baez said. Our culture is prevention. Years ago, Baez was contracted by the Bureau of Indian Education to work at a tribal school struggling with behavioral issues among its students. The community endured several suicides during his tenure. Most of the faculty were non-Native, Baez said, and the absence of culture was apparent. In the fall, the school board asked Baez to help the students put on a summer solstice ceremony. The tribal council enthusiastically approved the idea, and the youth were excited to perform, but there was a major challenge: no one knew the dances, no one had the regalia, and no one knew the traditional songs. But someone did know the elders knew, Baez said. A lot of the elders felt that no one needed them anymore. I wanted our elders to know that you are sacred and you hold our knowledge, and I wanted our children to know how much power and knowledge and how many paved roads the elders created for them. Over the course of months, elders in the community worked with the youth to make regalia, build instruments, learn songs and dances and language. By spring, the entire community showed up for the ceremony, where their songs and dances filled the air for the first time in decades. I took a step back, and I just looked at what was happening, Baez said. And it was bigger than a performance; there was healing that took place that day. Ill never forget it. Even months after, the students kept asking, When are we going to do this again? This is part one of a two-part series that Native News Online Elyse Wild reported while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2025 National Fellowship. Read part two here. About the Author: "Elyse Wild is Senior Health Editor for Native News Online, where she leads coverage of health equity issues including mental health, environmental health, maternal mortality, and the overdose crisis in Indian Country. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The Guardian, McClatchy newspapers, and NPR affiliates. In 2024, she received the inaugural Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award for her solutions-focused reporting on addiction and recovery in Native communities. She is currently working on a Pulitzer Center-funded series exploring cultural approaches to addiction treatment." Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com Many people of a certain age remember practicing loops and waves, moving our small hands clutching pencils across pages with light blue dotted and solid lines. But in many schools, that elementary school rite of passage went away as kids turned to computers and keyboards. A growing number of states, though, are requiring schools to start teaching cursive writing to students once again. New Jersey and Pennsylvania each enacted legislation in 2026 requiring schools to teach kids to read and write the way their grandparents did. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the legislation on Feb. 11; in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the mandate into law before leaving office in January. According to Education Week, more than half of U.S. states now require or strongly encourage schools to teach students to read and write in cursive compared with just 14 states just a decade ago. Advertisement Advertisement So what's behind this writing renaissance? How cursive fell out of style in school In a November 2024 story, Education Week pointed to Common Core, a set of recommended educational standards launched in 2009 and initially adopted by 46 states. Those standards emphasized mathematics and English/language arts, but did not include any specifics on cursive. Keyboarding instead was seen as a way to prepare students for the computer- and digitally focused jobs of the future. Teachers, with just so much instructional time and increasingly tighter standards, had to make choices. School districts wanted to ensure students were meeting requirements for math, science and reading. Some states and districts dropped cursive instruction. New Jersey stopped requiring it in 2010, for example. Schools also began to pivot more toward technology and away from handwritten work. Students in many districts now have tablets, Chromebooks and laptops issued by their schools, in addition to the technology in their homes and the smartphones in many of their hands. A young boy writing in a book at school. 'A big kid skill' Silvia Pereira teaches in the Newark, New Jersey, school district, but she spoke to USA TODAY in her capacity as a leader in the American Federation of Teachers' New Jersey chapter and the Newark Teachers' Union. She said most teachers she's spoken with agree students should learn cursive and are mostly happy to incorporate it into their lessons even as the 44-year-old, whose own children learned cursive in school, admits that some of her younger teaching peers never learned it themselves. Advertisement Advertisement "It went away for a while in some districts," she said. "Some teachers, like with anything new, will have some hesitance. We also have to be mindful that some teachers are learning this skill themselves. So we have to make sure we support staff who aren't familiar with it so they in turn can support their students." She pointed to benefits of cursive: Students can hone their fine motor skills. It forces them to take their time writing, which in turn helps with reading and writing fluency. And it enables them to read handwritten letters, historic documents and correspondence. A native of Portugal, she said children in Europe never stopped learning cursive. And, she said, kids seem to enjoy it. "Once a teacher really sees how much joy the kids are having with it, learning something new and realizing they can actually do it they are really excited about it. Younger students think, 'This is a big kid skill,' and they want to do it and look forward to doing it." States decide, schools on the hook New Jersey's Democratic-controlled Legislature voted nearly unanimously to reintroduce cursive writing in schools statewide. But the mandate had broad bipartisan support from lawmakers even in Pennsylvania's sharply divided Statehouse. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY reached out to the three Republicans and two Democrats in Pennsylvania's Senate who voted "no" on the legislation mandating cursive instruction in Commonwealth schools. State Sen. Dawn Keefer, a Republican, said in a brief phone interview that she supported students' learning cursive but voted no because she believed the choice should be left to individual school districts, not mandated by the state. "That was my only reservation," she said. "It's another mandate we're putting on schools without considering whether they have the necessary resources. I've gotten calls from various school board members who ask me, 'Do you want to run my school board or should I?'" Can you read cursive? Citizen archivists are helping reveal the untold stories of Revolutionary War veterans Her own children learned cursive, she added, and she recognizes the "huge value in learning it." Advertisement Advertisement One of her Democratic colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate, Timothy Kearney, had similar sentiments. A child practicing cursive writing. "The evidence is strong that learning cursive provides many benefits in learning development, but Im generally losing patience with so many legislative mandates getting placed on schools," his office wrote in an emailed response to a USA TODAY inquiry. In a Feb. 6 letter to the Record of Bergen County in New Jersey, part of the USA TODAY Network, Dierdre Glenn Paul, an education professor at Montclair State University, called the state's cursive instruction mandate "unnecessary," and something that adds consternation to children whose fine motor skills develop slower than their peers' and more pressure to schools' already overloaded curriculum. Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writing about history and Americana. Contact her by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com, on X @wordsbyphaedra, on BlueSky @byphaedra, or on Threads @by_phaedra This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is cursive still taught in schools? More states are requiring it New Mexico has officially ended a long-criticized practice of allowing foster children with no homes to be placed in state Children, Youth and Families Department offices, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday. All of the remaining children staying in agency offices have been placed in safe and appropriate settings, the governor announced in a news release. Most of them have been placed in family-based settings or were reunified with their families with additional wraparound services, though some were placed in congregate care settings such as group homes. We owed it to these kids to make it happen, and now overnight office stays for children in CYFDs care are a thing of the past, Lujan Grisham said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Fridays announcement came after Lujan Grisham in January signed an executive order barring the practice, a mandate that was set to go into effect on Sunday. The move came after years of criticism over the practice, which has been employed because of New Mexicos failure to recruit and retain enough appropriate foster placements. Critics have argued office stays are harmful to children, with some experiencing abuse or sexual assault during such placements. According to the release, CYFD had as many as 30 children stay in offices during the winter holidays. An Illinois man charged with murder in the death of his infant son had taken the 5-month-old to a hospital with severe injuries before the baby died, according to police. When Dominic G. Larson arrived at the Northwestern Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb, Illinois, with his baby on Monday, February 23, the boys face was severely injured, police said in a Wednesday, February 25, news release. Medical staff rushed the infant to an emergency room for what appeared to be life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement DeKalb County sheriffs deputies and DeKalb police officers ultimately arrived at the facility while the baby was receiving treatment, police said. Deputies who initially spoke with Larson, 30, suspected he was intoxicated, according to police. During Larsons interaction with Deputies, he was ordered to stay and wait to speak to Officers from the DeKalb Police Department, police said. Larson, however, would not listen to the deputies instructions and went to leave, according to police. Woman Arrested 5 Years After Her Alleged Babys Body Was Found in Suitcase As a result, he was physically restrained and handcuffed before he was taken into the DeKalb County Police Department for an interview, police said. Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the hospitals medical staff had Larsons baby air-lifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood to receive more treatment for his injuries, which were considered critical, according to police. Medical center staff alerted police detectives the next day, on Tuesday, February 24, that Larsons son would likely not survive the injuries, including a broken skull and brain hemorrhages, police said. The infant had been on life support and was later declared dead that evening, according to police. The DeKalb Police Department conducted a thorough investigation into this horrific and senseless crime, which led to the immediate arrest of this violent offender, police said, referring to Larson. Advertisement Advertisement Larson has been appointed a public defender, who did not immediately return Us Weeklys request for comment on Friday, February 27. In addition to first-degree murder, Larson has been charged with aggravated battery, reckless conduct, and endangering the life and health of a child, according to police. Court records show that on Thursday, February 26, a demand for a speedy trial was filed. Man Accused of Killing Girlfriends 6-Month-Old Baby Who Died of Severe Injuries, Georgia Sheriff Says A potential motive for the babys killing was not specified by law enforcement. If Larson is found guilty of first-degree murder, he would face a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and potentially up to life behind bars, according to the Restore Justice Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement In another recent case out of North Carolina, a woman was arrested in connection with the death of a newborn baby, who was found dead inside a trash bag at a landfill in 1979, according to authorities, Us previously reported. The woman, Cathy McKee, who has been identified as the infant girls mother as a result of advancements in DNA technology, was arrested February 24 on a felony charge of concealing the birth of a child, the Columbus County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1784, the Methodist Church was chartered by John Wesley. In 1885, the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. was incorporated in New York as a subsidiary of American Bell Telephone. In 1935, nylon was invented by DuPont researcher Wallace Carothers. In 1942, Japanese forces landed in Java, the last Allied bastion in the Dutch East Indies. Officials attend a flag-raising ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 4, 2023. On February 28, 1994, NATO was involved in combat for the first time in its 45-year history when four U.S. fighter planes operating under NATO auspices shot down four Serb planes that had violated the U.N. no-fly zone in central Bosnia. File Photo courtesy NATO In 1983, the concluding episode of the long-running television series M*A*S*H drew what was then the largest TV audience in U.S. history. UPI File Photo Special counsel and former U.S. Sen. John C. Danforth points to where shell casings were found at the Branch Davidian compound, in Waco, Texas, during a news conference July 21, 2000. On February 28, 1993, federal agents attempting to serve warrants on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, were met with gunfire that left five dead. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI In 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated on a street in Stockholm. Advertisement Advertisement In 1992, a bomb blast blamed on the IRA ripped through a London railway station, injuring at least 30 people and shutting down the British capital's rail and subway system. Britain's Prince Harry walks out of the woods after observing a combat simulation during a visit at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, on June 25, 2010. On February 28, 2008, Prince Harry was pulled from the front lines in Afghanistan immediately after word got out that he was on army duty. He had spent 10 weeks in the war zone. File Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/Pool In 1993, federal agents attempting to serve warrants on the Branch Davidian religious cult's compound near Waco, Texas, were met with gunfire that left at least five people dead and 15 injured, and marked the start of a month-and-a-half-long standoff. In 1994, NATO was involved in combat for the first time in its 45-year history when four U.S. fighter planes operating under NATO auspices shot down four Serb planes that had violated the U.N. no-fly zone in central Bosnia. The action came to be known as the Banja Luka incident. UPI File Photo In 2008, Prince Harry, third in line for the British throne, was pulled from the front lines in Afghanistan immediately after word got out that he was on army duty. He had spent 10 weeks in the war zone. Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI officially stepped down as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body." He was the first pontiff to resign in nearly six centuries. In 2024, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced he planned to step down as Republican leader after serving in the position for 17 years. On February 20, 2025, he said he won't seek re-election in 2026, ending four decades in the upper chamber. On Friday, a group of Detroit-area lawmakers and members of the Detroit City Council opened the floor for community members and local advocates to discuss U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity within the state at a forum in Northwest Detroit. State Sens. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield Township), Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), Detroit City Council President James Tate and councilmembers Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Denzel McCampbell, welcomed a variety of speakers to share their experiences and knowledge on immigration enforcement, and invited feedback on what they can do as elected officials. Chang, Cavanagh and Moss have each introduced legislation Senate Bills 508, 509 and 510 intended to offer residents protections and promote accountability for ICE agents, creating data privacy protections, reinstating protections against immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like courts, and limiting mask use by federal law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Paiz has also introduced similar legislation in House Bill 4858 to block government entities from disclosing certain information for the purpose of immigration enforcement. During the forum, the officials heard testimony from Ann Vue, whose husband Lue Yang, was detained by ICE in July of last year, as well as Samantha and Nahomi Ramirez, whose father, Fernando, was previously held at North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, a privately-run facility that is ICEs largest detention center in the Midwest. While Vue discussed the difficulties their family faced in monitoring her husbands whereabouts as he was transferred between facilities, the Ramirez sisters discussed their efforts to help other families connect with loved ones who had been detained and access legal services and resources. Where their stories overlapped, was in the poor treatment their family members faced and witnessed while in detention. There have been many examples that my dad has witnessed while in North Lake, where hes seen people go in diabetic shock, Nahomi Ramirez said. He himself when he was first detained was, he was telling us that his mouth was starting to become dry because he did not have access to his insulin for three days. Advertisement Advertisement Vue and Yang are both Hmong American, with Yang immigrating to the U.S. after he was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, as his parents fled persecution in Laos for supporting the United States during the Vietnam War. Hmong elders fled, believing America would be their safe place, Vue said, however their fear of persecution is rising. As my father-in-law said to me the other day, and he was one of those. He said, at least in our country in the country, in Laos we can hide behind trees and mountains and caves. Here, theres nowhere to hide, Vue said. She left the panel with three questions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Can we uphold enforcement while strengthening transparency to due process? Can we protect public safety without traumatizing our children? Can we ensure humane conditions and stability instead of uncertainty and fear, Vue asked. And as conversations continue about expanding the detention capacity, I ask to pause. These are difficult times, but I know that seasons will change. Policies continue to change, and communities will heal. And let us not build permanent systems around temporary fear, because I know one day these times will pass and when they do, I hope we are not left with rows of empty detention centers standing as a reminder of this chapter. The forum also heard from Elizabeth Orozco-Vasquez, the CEO of Freedom House in Detroit, which provides shelter and support services to refugees and asylum seekers. She shared the story of a man who they had helped find a job and housing, and who had purchased a home within Detroit. While walking to the bus, he was detained by immigration officers. His brother reached out to their church and ultimately they were able to collect $15,000 to have him released on bond. While he had work authorization, had applied for asylum and he had received the documents he needed, his community still needed to pay $15,000 to have him released, Orozco-Vasquez emphasized. This isnt just affecting the immigrants in your communities. This is affecting the citizens, the employers, because as you see, we have other people supporting those other community members and saying that this is not right, Orozco-Vasquez said. So I just want to make sure that everybody sees that this is not just an immigrant issue. As the US launches its long anticipated strikes against Iran, I find my thoughts turning to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Despite mass protests against it, the invasion was popular at the time (with 54 per cent of Brits polled that year saying invading was right). But for a long time the invasion and its aftermath have been seen as a disaster for the West. Perhaps its time now to reconsider that narrative. In the aftermath of 9/11 the US declared a war on terror. Speaking to a joint session of Congress on September 20, George W Bush said: Our war on terror begins with al-Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated. In particular, he identified jihadist groups across the world, in more than 60 countries. This was always a conceptually and practically difficult war to prosecute. The Taliban was overthrown in short order, although Osama bin Laden would evade the US for another decade. What next? How would the US win a war against a global, inchoate foe? Jihadism had no state that could be invaded and no army to be defeated. Advertisement Advertisement Soon Americas attention turned to Iraq, believed to be in possession of a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In March 2003, the US, along with Britain, Australia and Poland, invaded. The initial military victory was swift, with Bush infamously declaring mission accomplished on the deck of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier just six weeks later. George W Bush declaring mission accomplished after the invasion of Iraq in May 2003 - J Scott Applewhite/AP The disaster and chaos that followed is well known. The US and its allies disbanded the Iraqi army, making vast numbers of trained soldiers unemployed, destabilised the country, found no WMD and fought an ongoing insurgency that developed into a full-blown civil war by 2006. The death count was in the hundreds of thousands by 2008, and 179 British Armed Forces personnel and Ministry of Defence civilians died during our operations in Iraq. Sunt lacrimae rerum, as a witness at the Chilcot Inquiry remarked. Worse was to come with the rise of Islamic State, many of whose top leaders were former Iraqi army officers. This caliphate had its slave markets, executions by burning, an apocalyptic theology, and a desire to destroy the Kaaba in Mecca and overthrow the House of Saud. Throughout the civil war, and the period in which Islamic State controlled territory across Iraq and Syria, jihadists from across the world flocked to the caliphate, hoping to meet the armies of the crusaders in battle. For a time it seemed clear the invasion of Iraq had made the Middle East and Levant far worse. Advertisement Advertisement But the very formation of that caliphate, in many ways the natural end point of jihadist ideology, created a crucible in which America and its allies could fight and destroy jihadist armies, with tens of thousands killed as they were comprehensively defeated in Iraq and Syria. Those allies who fought against Islamic State came to include Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This period also led to a great change in Saudi Arabia and the wider Islamic world. For many years, the kingdom had been a source of funding and support for hardline Wahhabi Islam across the world. But confronted with the platonic form of hardline Islamism, Arab rulers seem to have thought again. Saudi Arabia changed course. Mohammed bin Salmans secularisation and his purges of Saudi princes have permanently changed the kingdom, and the whole region. And now, 25 years after the war on terror began, organised international jihadist terrorism with global reach is far weaker than it was. While we still face many terror threats in Europe, those we face now are more disorganised than they were in 2001. Global terror networks, like al-Qaeda, have been substantively defeated. And whether they intended it or not, Bush, Donald Rumsfeld and the other neoconservatives created, in their failure to stabilise and secure Iraq after their victory, conditions in which their war on terror could be fought, and on its own terms, won. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Editors note, February 28, 5:30 pm ET: President Donald Trump announced on Saturday afternoon that Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the airstrikes. The following story was published earlier on February 28, before the news of Khameneis death. With the decision to once again launch major airstrikes on Iran, in conjunction with Israel, and call for the overthrow of the Iranian government, President Donald Trumps foreign policy has come full circle. The US has once again launched the sort of regime change war, where the actual stakes for US national security are far from clear, that he has spent more than a decade deriding his predecessors for pursuing. During the 2016 election, Trump initially distinguished himself from his Republican rivals with his willingness to call the war in Iraq a mistake in fact, he called it possibly the worst decision in presidential history. During the general election, Trump was viewed by many as less hawkish than his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, who infamously backed the Iraq War as a senator. In 2024, he once again ran as a non-interventionist, blasting the Washington foreign policy consensus for its willingness to send American troops to die in foreign wars. Advertisement Advertisement Along the way, his America First supporters and the Republican Party eagerly sought to canonize him as the peace candidate leading a broader movement against reckless militarism. In endorsing Trump in 2023, then-Sen. JD Vance wrote an op-ed with the title Trumps Best Foreign Policy? Not Starting Any Wars. It was, Vance wrote, perhaps a low bar, but thats a reflection of the hawkishness of Mr. Trumps predecessors and the foreign-policy establishment they slavishly followed. Later, as his running mate, Vance said on a podcast that our interest very much is in not going to war with Iran and that Trump would resist any pressure from Israel to join one. Trumps second-term foreign policy has not exactly been dovish it has already featured a major air campaign in Yemen, an earlier round of airstrikes against Iran, the decapitation of the Venezuelan regime, a less discussed but much larger air campaign in Somalia, and the threat to use force to annex Greenland. A small number of America First supporters, most notably former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, broke with him over these policies and accused him of abandoning his campaign promises. Among the many non-interventionists in Trumps orbit who have stuck by his side, however, the goalposts appear to have shifted a bit. Even if Trumps foreign policy has been highly interventionist, theyve argued, the interventions have been short, sharp campaigns with limited objectives and most importantly few US casualties. Its an approach more akin to the gunboat diplomacy of centuries past than the costly nation-building projects of the post 9/11 years. Vance told the Washington Post on Thursday that while an attack on Iran might be necessary to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon, there was no chance of a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight. He has previously said that the difference between Trumps wars and those of previous presidents was that those presidents were dumb and got the United States embroiled in long, drawn-out, unwinnable fights. Advertisement Advertisement Its far from clear how this conflict will play out, but the comparisons to Iraq in 2003 are hard to avoid. Just as President George W. Bushs administration promoted untrue, as it turned out claims about Iraqs weapons programs to justify the intervention, the Trump administration over the past several weeks has been hyping unproven or just plain false claims about Irans ability to build an intercontinental ballistic missile or a nuclear weapon. (The latter is also hard to square with Trumps repeated assertion that last summer, airstrikes obliterated Irans nuclear program.) The Israeli military has described the airstrikes as a preemptive attack, another echo of the Iraq era. As with Operation Midnight Hammer last summer, the bombs started falling at a time when the US and Iran were still engaged in ongoing negotiations over the countrys nuclear program just yesterday it appeared some tentative progress was being made. Trumps calls for Iranians to rise up against their regime actually echoes Bushs father, who called for Iraqis to take matters into their own hands during the 1991 Gulf War. Tens of thousands were later killed when the US ultimately opted to leave Saddam Husseins regime in place, leaving the dictator free to put down a Kurdish uprising with attack helicopters. Just a few months ago, in a speech in Saudi Arabia, Trump decried decades of neocons and interventionists for intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves, wrecking them in the process. In December, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told a national security conference that the US military will not be distracted by democracy building interventionism, [or] undefined wars but would instead focus on the countrys practical, concrete interests. Advertisement Advertisement With strikes already targeting Iranian leadership compounds, including those used by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, its hard to see this as anything other than a regime change war. All I want is freedom for the people, Trump told the Washington Post early Saturday. Its true that the United States has not committed ground troops to this operation and, given the force posture it has arrayed in the region in recent weeks, seems very unlikely to. Its also worth noting that just because Trump is talking about the overthrow of the regime now, the operation could very well stop short of that goal. He has shown in the past that he is willing to walk away from military operations with limited wins, even with underlying issues left unresolved. But that doesnt mean US troops wont be at risk from retaliatory strikes from a desperate Iranian regime. Iranian retaliation against US assets and allies in the region already appears larger and more widespread than during last summers operation. Trump, who is typically reluctant to acknowledge any potential downsides to his decisions, jarringly warned on Saturday that the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. The eternal temptation of bombing the Middle East Every US president since Jimmy Carter has ordered some sort of military operation in the Middle East and every president since George W. Bush has done so while vowing to extricate the US from the regions conflicts to focus on larger priorities. Advertisement Advertisement In its National Security Strategy released by the White House in November, the administration made a major break with its predecessor by emphasizing the Western Hemisphere and border security above overseas conflicts. The brief section on the Middle East stated that Conflict remains the Middle Easts most troublesome dynamic, but there is today less to this problem than headlines might lead one to believe. Iran, the regions most destabilizing force, the regime noted, has been greatly weakened by Midnight Hammer as well as Israeli actions since October 7, 2023. Overall, the document concluded, with greater US energy independence, Americas historic reason for focusing on the Middle East will recede. And yet, here we are. Advocates for regime change argue that this is a historic moment of opportunity to change things for the better in Iran; that while the risk of destabilization from military intervention is real, the Iranian regime itself has been a source of destabilization for decades; and that its worth taking action now to remove it at a moment when its at its weakest, both domestically and internationally. Its hard to begrudge those whove lived under this repressive regime or its violent regional proxies from hoping for a better outcome; that a push from US and Israeli airpower is all thats needed to topple this house of cards and make space for a better Iran and a better Middle East. But this is the kind of logic Americans have heard before in the 21st century and have, for very good reasons, largely rejected. And the person who, one would think, understands that rejection the best, is its main political beneficiary: Donald Trump. The extensive immigration policies implemented by Donald Trumps administration have been met with counteraction from a federal judge. In a recent ruling, a Massachusetts judge deemed the deportation of immigrants to third countries to which they have no connections whatsoever unlawful, emphasizing that it violated the basic rights of people in the US. Federal Judge calls Donald Trumps immigrant policy unlawful On Wednesday, February 25, US District Judge Brian E. Murphy not only condemned the Trump administrations deportation schemes but also provided a detailed explanation behind his decision. These are our laws, and it is with profound gratitude for the unbelievable luck of being born in the United States of America that this Court affirms these and our nations bedrock principle: that no person in this country may be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, Murphy declared, as per The Hindu. Advertisement Advertisement The federal judge also noted that migrants contesting the Department of Homeland Securitys policy have the right to receive a meaningful notice, along with a fair chance to voice their objection, before they are deported. In sharp contrast, Donald Trumps immigration policy extinguishes valid challenges to third-country removal by affecting removal before those challenges can be raised. Murphy also accused Trump and his administration of having bypassed his directions on multiple occasions. For instance, the Defence Department forced the permanent transfers of six class members to El Salvador and Mexico in March 2025, without adhering to the required process listed under the temporary restraining order sanctioned by Murphy. Additionally, the Massachusetts judge alleged that the Department of Homeland Security was specifically targeting individuals who had received protection under the fear that they would be harmed if deported back to their native countries. The simple reality is that nobody knows the merits of any individual class members claim because [administration officials] are withholding the predicate fact: the country of removal, Murphy added. Advertisement Advertisement Since issuing his ruling against Donald Trumps latest immigration policy, Murphy has agreed to suspend his judgment for a 15-day period in order to enable the government to challenge his decision. Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on Mandatory The post Donald Trump Administrations Immigrant Policy Deemed Unlawful appeared first on Reality Tea. Editor's Note: This is a developing story. An oil refinery in the village of Novominskaya in Russia's Krasnodar Krai caught fire on Feb. 28 following a drone attack, according to the Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters. Falling debris from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ignited the blaze, the Operational Headquarters reported. Emergency crews and specialized services were dispatched to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement The reported target was the Albashneft "mini-refinery" in Krasnodar Krai's Novominskaya, a village that lies roughly 250 kilometers (150 miles) from the front line in Ukraine. Flames engulfed one of the tanks at the facility and burned an adjacent area of about 150 square meters, authorities said. Thirty-nine firefighters were deployed to extinguish the blaze. No casualties have been reported. By approximately 8 a.m. local time, Russian authorities reported that a fire resulting from the attack had been extinguished. Russias Interior Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 97 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions. The ministry reported that 40 drones were shot down over occupied Crimea and 22 over Bryansk region. Sixteen were intercepted over the border Belgorod region, 10 over the Black Sea, and at least four in Krasnodar Krai. Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent could not verify the Russian officials' claims at the time of publication. Ukraine has routinely launched deep strikes against military and industrial facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied territories, often using domestically developed drones. Krasnodar Krai, which lies across the Kerch Strait from the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks. The Albashneft facility in Novominskaya was reportedly struck in a previous attack in February 2025. Ukrainian forces consider Russian oil assets to be legitimate military targets, as these facilities supply the Russian army while profits from fossil fuel exports continue to fund the Kremlin's war chest. Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine war latest: Zelensky sees window for peace as Fedorov pushes Defense Ministry shake-up Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Four people were injured in a hotel fire in the Palm Jumeirah area of Dubai after a loud explosion was reportedly heard as the Iranian regime launched retaliatory strikes in the Middle East. The Dubai Media Office, a government entity, said in a statement Saturday that the site was secured and the fire had been contained. "The safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors remain the highest priority. Authorities continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the public. The public is urged to remain calm, rely solely on verified information from official sources, and refrain from circulating videos or images on social media," the media office wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Dubai authorities confirmed that "an incident" had occurred in a building and that emergency response teams had responded, although they did not elaborate on what had caused the incident. Tomahawks Spearheaded Us Strike On Iran Why Presidents Reach For This Missile First Reports suggest United Arab Emirates forces intercepted an Iranian air attack in retaliation for U.S. forces conducting Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Read On The Fox News App Iran's retaliation against the U.S. and Israel's attacks has been focused on Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East. Explosions have reportedly been heard in several countries hosting U.S. forces, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. Advertisement Advertisement Trump Oversees Us Strikes On Iran From Mar-a-lago, Speaks With Netanyahu: Wh Many Gulf states condemned Iran's retaliatory strikes on their territories and affirmed solidarity with their neighbors in the region. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said it reserves its "full right" to defend itself after what it described as Iranian aggression targeting Qatari territory, while Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry warned of "grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states sovereignty and the principles of international law." Click Here To Download The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said the country "was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles," adding that air defense systems "successfully intercepted a number of missiles." It stated the UAE "reserves its full right to respond." Original article source: Dubai hotel fire appears to be caused by Iranian strike; injuries reported Residents in Dunnellon filed a class-action lawsuit against the company responsible for a fire that released dangerous toxins into the air earlier this month. The fire occurred near East McKinney Avenue and involved tens of thousands of railroad ties. The blaze burned approximately 30,000 to 40,000 railroad ties, sending carcinogens such as creosote into the atmosphere. The legal action follows concerns over the health and economic impacts of the fire on the Marion County community. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that the contamination has caused significant suffering, disruption and damage to the Dunnellon community. According to the legal filing, the fire resulted in a loss of income for local business owners and workers who were impacted by the blaze and its environmental aftermath. Residents involved in the class action suit also cited a decline in their quality of life. The claims suggest that the release of toxic smoke and particulates into the air disrupted the daily lives of those living near the site of the fire. While the legal process begins, recovery efforts at the site have reached a milestone. Advertisement Advertisement All of the railroad ties and contaminated soil have been removed from the location near East McKinney Avenue. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The U.S. and Israel are so far going it alone in their military campaign against Iran, in a notable absence of the allies who participated in previous regional conflicts with air defenses and strikes. Several world leaders have voiced support for punishing the brutality of Irans Islamist regime. But none offered military support in the Saturday attack, which hit dozens of sites across the Middle Eastern country with missile strikes launched by U.S. warships in the region and American and Israeli fighter aircraft. U.S. officials spoke with allies about using their air bases in the assault during last-minute negotiations this week, according to one U.S and one allied official, but they did not agree to do so. Germany, France and the United Kingdom, in a joint statement, said they did not participate in the operation. Advertisement Advertisement The lack of allied assistance is a telling sign of just how far President Donald Trump is willing to go it alone in exerting his foreign policy objectives. It also highlights the global reach of a uniquely American war machine, which was able to mass two carrier strike groups, more than 100 warplanes and a slew of air defenses to the region over the past several weeks. Trump called the campaign a massive and ongoing operation that has no end in sight. Another U.S. defense official said the strikes will likely last days, not hours as American and Israeli strikes take aim at the Iranian defense infrastructure and top civilian and military leadership. The official, like others interviewed, was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic. Americas lack of support made the strikes more logistically tricky. Without access to some allied airspace and airstrips, the U.S. instead staged F-22s and aerial refueler aircraft in Israel, a new wrinkle in regional U.S. operations, which usually aim to lessen overt Israeli participation. Advertisement Advertisement Trumps justifications for the expansive strikes drew parallels with the lead-up to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, in which American officials talked up threats based on classified intelligence. But unlike the George W. Bush administration, Trump did nothing to make a public case to allies. The White House did not send diplomats to the U.N. Security Council, ask for the Senates blessing or create a coalition of the willing to drum up support. In Iraq, the U.S. had the help of 49 allies. In Afghanistan, where the U.S. led a NATO mission, more than 50 nations joined. And in more recent strikes in the Middle East, such as the April 2018 missile strikes against Syria, the British and the French were involved. Attacks on the Iranian nuclear program last June included British airborne tankers that refueled U.S. jets. The British government declined to allow American warplanes to use its bases for the attacks, although the U.K. has moved more air defense assets to the region, according to a British official. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Saturday that U.K. troops are active and British planes are in the sky as part of defensive operations to deal with Iranian attacks in the region. France on Saturday suggested it might offer some kind of support, such as humanitarian assistance, but left it very broad. Paris stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners at their request, President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Arab allies of the United States, who have largely called for peace, also sat out the strikes. Several, including Oman, had urged restraint for weeks because the operation could spiral into a regional war. Even allies nominally supportive of American operations refused to lend full-throated public support. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement Saturday. U.S. allies across Europe worried the situation could escalate out of control. Macron said the outbreak of war carried grave consequences for international peace and security. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the strikes a serious escalation. And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the news was greatly concerning. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez went further, labeling the operation a unilateral military action by the United States and Israel. He characterized the strikes as an escalation that would create a more uncertain and hostile international order. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S., to increase the volume of strikes, used one-way attack drones for the first time in combat to supplement the first volley of Tomahawk missiles. Iranian air defenses have been almost completely neutralized, a second U.S. official said, making additional rounds of strikes somewhat safer for U.S. and Israeli pilots. American forces focused on military targets on the opening day of what could be a weeks-long campaign, while the Israelis aimed at taking out regime and military officials. The conflict has already spilled outside of Iranian territory. Soon after getting struck on Saturday, Iran launched missiles toward targets in some of the Arab countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The U.S. has troops in bases in several Arab states. The Bahrain attack targeted the U.S. Navys base there. Videos circulated on social media of a large impact at the base, but U.S. officials declined to give an update, beyond saying there have been no reports of U.S. casualties. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misspelled Ursula von der Leyen's name. By Laura Gottesdiener, Stefanie Eschenbacher and Sarah Kinosian MEXICO CITY, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The Mexican government's killing of one of the world's biggest kingpins, known as "El Mencho," is being heralded as a major blow to drug trafficking. But it did little to dismantle his cartel's critical U.S. operations, which will continue fueling its dominance unless Washington steps up the fight inside its own territory, U.S. and Mexican security sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Mexican special forces killed the elusive drug lord Nemesio Oseguera in a U.S.-backed raid on Feb. 22. It was the biggest takedown of a cartel kingpin in at least a decade. El Mencho's Jalisco New Generation Cartel responded by torching buildings and blockading roads across Mexico in a terrifying display of its territorial reach that grabbed headlines worldwide. On the U.S. side of the border, the cartel also has extensive networks that receive far less attention yet are the lifeblood of its power and profits, current and former U.S. and Mexican officials said. These enable it to source military-grade weapons, smuggle billions of dollars' worth of fuel, and launder billions more in cartel cash. "The United States has become increasingly important to cartels, especially the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, for it to thrive," said Alamdar Hamdani, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Advertisement Advertisement White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said that the Trump administration "has worked closely with the Mexican government to stop the scourge of drugs and criminals entering our country" and that this cooperation led to the "elimination of infamous narcoterrorist 'El Mencho.'" "The president will continue to do everything in his power to keep America safe from these vicious criminals and the drugs they use to poison our country," she added. MEXICANS CALLING FOR U.S. TO TAKE MORE ACTION AT HOME Washington heaped pressure on Mexico to step up the cartel fight ahead of the raid against the once untouchable drug lord. Advertisement Advertisement Such actions are risky for the Mexican government because they can spark a wave of violence in a country where the drug war has already cost tens of thousands of lives. The decision by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to escalate her crackdown has prompted renewed calls for the U.S. to do more on its side of the border. "The United States can't turn a blind eye to Mexico's demands any longer," said Mexican Congressman Alfonso Ramirez Cuellar, a close ally of Sheinbaum. He said the U.S. needed to improve efforts to go after money laundering, fuel smuggling and, above all, weapons smuggled from the U.S. into Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement "We can't stop drug traffickers if the United States continues allowing them to strengthen their military capabilities," he said. The U.S. has built and prosecuted hundreds of cases related to cartel-related activity inside the U.S. in recent years. But the Trump administration last year diverted thousands of agents, including many specializing in drugs, firearms, and money laundering, away from such cases and to the mass deportation effort. Reuters also reported in September that the number of people charged with drug conspiracies and money laundering fell significantly last year. Advertisement Advertisement "The Trump administration has predominantly focused on highly militarized actions against drugs abroad and has not paid similar attention to actions at home," said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a security expert. A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Justice said the administration was "acutely focused on securing the border, prosecuting violent traffickers, deporting any and all members of cartel networks and ensuring they are held accountable for their horrific crimes against the American people." The department also pointed to a string of recent cases, including against high-ranking members of the Jalisco cartel. The office of Mexico's president did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Roberto Velasco, the Undersecretary for North America at Mexico's Foreign Ministry, said the Mexican government has repeatedly emphasized in bilateral meetings and working groups that stopping arms trafficking is a top Mexican priority. "While there has been some significant progress, we believe much more can be done to control this flow and to target the networks in the United States that facilitate it, empowering transnational criminal organizations," he said. Reuters spoke to a dozen current and former U.S. and Mexican officials after El Mencho's killing and reviewed U.S. court documents from 10 recent cases related to the cartel to gain better insight into its U.S. operations. What emerged was a picture of U.S.-based activities that are critical to the cartel's firepower and profits and unlikely to be impacted by the death of its leader. Reuters reporting also revealed how U.S. companies and professionals from fuel traders to cell phone retailers to stockbrokers are complicit in cartel activity. Advertisement Advertisement "There's a lot of economic integration - both legal and illegal," said Alexia Bautista, a former Mexican diplomat. CARTELS FIGHT THE MEXICAN MILITARY WITH U.S. WEAPONS When Mexican Special Forces descended on a cabin in a picturesque mountain town where El Mencho was waiting for a visit from his girlfriend, the cartel leader's men fought back armed predominantly with U.S. weapons, Mexican Army chief Ricardo Trevilla said at a press conference. Some 80% of the 23,000 weapons the Mexican government has seized since Sheinbaum took office in late 2024 came from the U.S., he added. Advertisement Advertisement The Jalisco cartel, in particular, has become adept at sourcing heavy, military-grade artillery from U.S. gun shops across the country, according to U.S. and Mexican authorities. Through one of its gun-running networks, the cartel obtained guns from more than a dozen U.S. states, including .50 caliber rifles capable of downing helicopters and FN SCAR assault rifles designed for U.S. Special Forces, according to a Reuters investigation. While such firepower can be purchased legally in the U.S., the arms become illegal once they enter Mexico, which has tight gun regulations. "We complain about the Mexicans' lack of effort to go after the drugs down there, but then why does the U.S. dismiss their argument that we could do better on the guns going southbound?" said Derek Maltz, former acting administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Advertisement Advertisement "The U.S. has to step up in a lot of areas," he said, citing not only arms trafficking prosecutions but also public health and mental illness programs to curb American drug demand. FUEL SMUGGLING POWERS THE JALISCO CARTEL Americans' insatiable demand for narcotics has long fueled the cartels' profits. But while drugs are the cash cow, in less than a decade the groups have quietly built a multi-billion dollar cross-border petroleum empire. The Jalisco cartel dominates this business, which would have been impossible to expand without a network of knowingly or unknowingly complicit U.S. companies that includes refiners, fuel traders, transport companies and storage facilities, as Reuters reported in October. "This is no longer stealing fuel from (state energy company) Pemex," said Guadalupe Correa, a professor at George Mason University who has studied how cartels diversify their income streams. "It's a huge, transnational business." The cartel orchestrates two versions of the scheme, according to U.S. and Mexican authorities. In Mexico, cartel members steal crude oil from Pemex that is then smuggled across the border where it gets sold to U.S. companies. In the other direction, cartel members purchase mostly diesel and gasoline from U.S. companies via shell companies. The fuel arrives in Mexico disguised as something else, in what boils down to a very lucrative tax fraud. Sheinbaum confirmed last year that U.S. business people had been involved in the fuel smuggling cases under investigation. "One cannot explain otherwise how fuel comes from the U.S. to Mexico, and enters illegally," she said. HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN CARTEL-RELATED ASSETS IN U.S. In late 2024, El Mencho's son-in-law Cristian Gutierrez Ochoa was arrested in a $1.2 million house in Riverside, California. According to the court records, Gutierrez, who pled guilty to an international money laundering conspiracy in June 2025, said he bought the five-bedroom property using drug proceeds funneled through a Mexico-based shell company set up to look like a tequila producer. Real estate is one of myriad ways Jalisco cartel cleans its cash in the U.S. In many of the schemes, the involvement of U.S. businesses is key, said Carlos Olivo, a former DEA agent who specialized in tracing the cartel's U.S. financial networks. He said the cartel's money flows through restaurants, textiles, the music industry, the agricultural sector and even the U.S. stock market. "In total, we're talking about hundreds of millions in assets in cartel-related money in the United States," he said. In response to questions about this story, a DEA spokesperson said the cartels employed a wide range of money laundering schemes and "also use trade-based money laundering schemes, cryptocurrency, bulk cash, and Chinese underground banking systems to fund their operations." Alejandro Celorio, a former Mexican diplomat, said he hoped that Sheinbaum's decision to go after the most powerful cartel leader in the country would inspire the U.S. to redouble its efforts inside its own borders. "As the world's leading commercial and military power, the U.S. could certainly investigate more deeply how money and drugs move within U.S. territory," Celorio said. (Reporting by Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey, Stefanie Eschenbacher in Mexico City and Sarah Kinosian in Miami; additional reporting by Emily Green in Mexico City; editing by Claudia Parsons) (The Center Square) Widespread improvement statewide is evident in North Carolinas index measuring the economic health of its 100 counties. Ninety of the 100 counties have performed better economically than the United States as a whole since 2010, according to the Department of Commerce index. The state calculates the index using median household income, average wages, unemployment rates, and educational attainment. Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, alone, 11 counties, largely in the metro areas of the Triangle and Charlotte and extending from Virginia Beach, outperformed the U.S., the index shows. Seven counties Moore, Cabarrus, Lincoln, Henderson, Davie, Franklin, and Pender are closing in on the national score. The reverse is true for metro areas in Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount and Greenville. Those are are barely keeping up or falling behind the U.S. Fayetteville, the Triad, Goldsboro, the index found. It also reflected the impact of Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. Eight counties in Western NC had the largest single year decline with Buncombe showing the steepest drop from 2023 to 2024, the state said. Advertisement Advertisement The states growth has been broad but uneven, the Department of Commerce said. Much of the improvement across counties has been driven by a tightening labor market and increasing high school graduation, the Department of Commerce said. At the same time, persistent gaps in wages and household income continue to constrain performance in many rural and smaller metro counties. Wake County, in the Triangle, had the highest score on the index at 117.1. Robeson County, along the South Carolina border on Interstate 95, had the lowest at 71.2. A score above 100 means that the county outperformed the U.S. and below 100 means that it was lower than the U.S. The states overall score was 98.4, the highest score since at least 2010. Advertisement Advertisement With economic success usually comes population growth. Twenty-eight of the 29 counties with top scores increased in population from 2010 to 2024; each of the 30 lowest decreased. Persistent gaps in wages and household income continue to constrain performance in many rural and smaller metro counties, the state said. Understanding both the sources of recent gains and the barriers to further progress will be essential for shaping policies that sustain growth and expand economic opportunity statewide. Lower unemployment rates and higher high school graduation rates have been the most significant contributors to counties economic success, the state said. Wage and incomes weigh heavily on lower county performance, it concluded. Christina Moreira arrived at a recent Elizabeth City Council meeting to support a rent cap measure. But as she reviewed the agenda, one item caught her attention: a $4 million bond ordinance tied to a drone program and landing pad. What is this? What is this for? How come I never heard about this? she recalled thinking. What began as questions about a single bond ordinance has since grown into a broader debate over how the city communicates with residents, who can participate in public meetings and what transparency should look like in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Elizabeth, the states fourth-largest city, has more than 140,000 residents and spans roughly 12 square miles in Union County. Decisions made by its nine-member City Council affect one of New Jerseys most densely populated and diverse municipalities. For nine years, Moreira, 50, has focused her advocacy on the Elizabeth Board of Education, where meetings are livestreamed and archived online. Ive never had an issue with access at the Board of Ed., said Moreira, a dental hygienist and president of the nonprofit Elizabeth Parents and Students Care. Everything is recorded. Everything is public. She said City Council meetings offer far less transparency. Advertisement Advertisement When Moreira questioned the drone bond during the meeting, she said council members did not respond. She also noted the meeting was neither recorded nor livestreamed. Here we are in 2026, and only the handful of people in that room even knew this proposal was happening, she said. Beyond the drone proposal itself, Moreira argues that the city does not consistently post full meeting agendas 48 hours in advance of the councils Tuesday evening sessions. Elizabeth City Council President, Manny Grova, Jr. acknowledged that agendas are often finalized shortly before meetings but said the city plans to post preliminary agendas earlier. Advertisement Advertisement We dont have to do agendas, Grova said. Were going to put out a preliminary agenda on Monday morning, so residents will have over 24 hours to look at it. Livestreaming meetings has become increasingly common in municipalities across New Jersey, both larger and smaller than Elizabeth. Moreira pointed to Rahway, a city of about 30,000 as an example, saying the city posts meeting reminders on social media along with links to livestreams and agendas. She also cited Newark, Linden and Kenilworth as municipalities that stream their meetings. Using online platforms to notify residents, she argued, has become a basic expectation rather than an added convenience. In response, Moreira launched an online petition calling for livestreamed meetings, timely agenda postings and revisions to the public comment policy. The first version collected about 150 signatures. She then circulated a second petition with a strategic twist: it automatically sent an email to the mayor and City Council each time someone signed. That version garnered 85 signatures but directly notified elected officials of each residents concern. Advertisement Advertisement Questions about public access have also raised legal considerations. According to the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the Open Public Meetings Act gives the public the right to attend, witness and participate in deliberations. Grova said the city complies with the law by publishing an annual meeting schedule each December. That information is available on the citys website. As long as you publish your schedule of meetings for the year, the Open Public Meetings Law says thats sufficient, he said. Grova emphasized that he is not opposed to livestreaming in principle. I didnt say its never going to happen, he said. I said its a costly expense. Its not in our budget for this year. If its going to happen, it would probably be in next years budget. Advertisement Advertisement He said livestreaming would require significant upgrades to council chambers. Our city council chambers would have to be completely revamped, he said. Our sound system, our microphones its a big job. He estimated equipment alone could cost roughly $200,000, not including staffing. Moreira disputed that figure. Were not talking about something high-tech, she said. You can go live on Facebook. In addition to livestreaming, Moreira has criticized a city ordinance requiring speakers to provide their name and address before speaking during public comment. Grova said the rule has long been part of city code and ensures residents receive priority when time is limited. Advertisement Advertisement If we have a room of 30 people and 10 of them are out-of-towners, we want to give our citizens priority, he said. He rejected claims that the city is violating open meetings laws. Were not violating any of these open public meeting laws, Grova said. However, Elyla Huertas disagrees. The senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said the Open Public Meetings Act does not include a residency or taxpayer requirement for public comment. Huertas added that requiring speakers to disclose their home addresses could discourage participation. I would hope that any city, any public body, would encourage public participation rather than discourage it, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Excluding nonresidents from speaking would also raise concerns, she said. Ive never been turned away because I wasnt a resident, Huertas said. It would be very disheartening to find out that any public body was turning away people who should be speaking at a meeting. For some residents, the issue is also one of accessibility. Patricia Gallante, 69, a retired teacher who has lived in Elizabeth since 1961, said she wants to attend meetings but faces physical challenges. Its a far walk for somebody with a lung disease carrying an oxygen concentrator to get into City Council chambers, Gallante said. Advertisement Advertisement She said livestreaming would help seniors, people with disabilities and working families stay informed. Anybody should be able to watch that just to be informed, she said. Gallante also questioned how residents can prepare to speak without timely agendas. If the agendas arent posted on time, how can you get yourself together and be prepared to go? she said. For her the debate extends beyond any single ordinance. Its a proven fact that most Americans learn democracy and engage in democracy at their town council, Gallante said. Thats the entry point. For Moreira, the issue remains unresolved. She said she never received answers to her questions about the drone bond ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, the council agreed to post a preliminary agenda earlier in the week, giving residents additional notice before meetings. Still, debate continues over livestreaming, public comment rules and what transparency should look like in one of New Jerseys largest cities. Mayor Christian Bollwage did not respond to a request for comment. Moreira said she plans to continue attending meetings and pressing for changes. All were asking for is transparency, she said. The next city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30p.m. followed by regularly scheduled meetings every second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. India wants to buy any energy product it can from Canada, and its officials are urging the federal government to streamline approvals for various projects so it can tap into new supplies to feed a rapidly growing country with relatively few natural resources of its own. That's the message India's high commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, relayed in an interview with CBC News before Prime Minister Mark Carney left for a five-day visit to the country. It's a trip that will be laser-focused on cutting new business deals and getting negotiations for a free trade agreement underway as part of a push to diversify from the American market. Advertisement Advertisement "On energy, there is an appetite which even Canada cannot fulfill and we are willing to buy whatever Canada is offering on crude, on LPG, on LNG," Patnaik said, referring to oil and gas products. Patnaik said turbocharging the trading relationship will help the two countries turn the page on years of bilateral bad blood. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik says increased trade will help improve Canadian-Indian relations. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press) Relations between the two countries have been frosty since former prime minister Justin Trudeau accused unnamed Indian agents of involvement in the 2023 killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist. India denies any involvement. But things have improved markedly since Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 in Alberta last year. Advertisement Advertisement It was there that the two leaders agreed to pursue a comprehensive economic agreement that is expected to move a few steps closer to reality in the coming days as the two leaders come face-to-face again in Delhi. "It's going to all come together so energy can redefine our relationship completely. Up until now, what we have been doing is just a drop in the bucket," Patnaik said. That message was echoed by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who has long been an advocate for closer trade ties with the Indo-Pacific economic powerhouse given just how much energy and agricultural products his province has that India wants to buy. "Politics aside, at the end of the day, we've had some challenges in those relationships over the course of the better part of the last decade under the previous prime minister," said Moe. Advertisement Advertisement "We have a prime minister now that is focused on advancing those trade relations." To that end, Patnaik said India is interested in getting its hands on a lot more Canadian uranium in particular to power its growing nuclear sector. India operates 25 reactors with eight more under construction. The government there is targeting a tenfold increase in nuclear capacity from roughly 8.7 gigawatts now to 100 gigawatts by 2047 and Canada, as the world's second-largest uranium producer with huge proven high-grade deposits in Saskatchewan, could help achieve that ambition, Patnaik said. "We are willing to take whatever," the high commissioner said, adding Indian companies are open to ownership stakes in Canadian uranium mines and buying more of this country's world-leading nuclear technology. Advertisement Advertisement "Nuclear is a huge field in which we want to work together." India's Madras Atomic Power Station is seen last year. (R. Parthibhan/Associated Press) Moe is hoping Carney can broker a uranium supply agreement with India and it's something a senior government official told CBC News could come about during this trip as Carney and Modi consider a series of memorandums of understanding. A 10-year deal worth some $3 billion US is what's under consideration on uranium, according to a Forbes report. An agreement would be a big boon for the prairie province and its largest uranium supplier, Cameco. Less than an hour after touching down in Mumbai on Friday, Moe met with India's Department of Atomic Energy to make his case for a uranium deal. He told reporters the discussion went well. Advertisement Advertisement "As Canadians, we have a responsibility to provide and displace some of the dirtier forms of energy," Moe said. Patnaik said India doesn't want to be a captive customer, dependent on a handful of energy suppliers. Until recently, India bought much of its oil from Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine something that angered U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump levied huge tariffs on India piling a 25 per cent tariff on top of the other "reciprocal" tariffs he already had in place on Indian products and only lifted them earlier this month after Modi apparently agreed to stop relying on the Russian oil sector. Advertisement Advertisement In exchange for tariff relief, India agreed to buy U.S. oil and U.S.-controlled Venezuelan exports instead, Trump said. But, with wider U.S. trade talks on pause, Patnaik said India also wants Canadian oil to round out its supply. "Given what's happened geopolitically across the globe, we want to diversify our supply base," he said. "The amount we need and the amount the world needs, no single country will be able to supply all of that." The trouble, Patnaik said, is so much Canadian oil is currently destined for a single customer: the U.S. According to Canadian Energy Regulator data, approximately 93 per cent of Canada's total crude oil exports were destined for the States in 2024. That puts Canadian oil companies and the governments that depend on taxes and royalties from that sector at a disadvantage because they sell their product at higher global prices. Advertisement Advertisement Patnaik applauded Carney's endorsement of a new oil pipeline to the Pacific, a project that, if built, will help break that dependence and feed more Canadian crude to other markets, mostly in Asia. A B.C. export terminal would be a lot closer to India than the U.S. Gulf Coast, which is where India gets most of its Canadian crude now a quirk of the North American market whereby a lot of Canadian oil, even oil destined for places overseas, flows through the U.S. given domestic pipeline constraints. "You're an energy superpower but you only supply one country," Patnaik said. "We would be your biggest client I think that is possible in the near future. The perception from India was Canada was a difficult country, a more bureaucratic, over-regulated country," he said. Advertisement Advertisement With Carney at the helm now, "I think people trust him to be able to do much more," he said. Canada has the third-largest oil reserves in the world and is the world's fourth-largest producer. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press) As part of its drive to establish a cleaner energy system and reduce its reliance on coal, India is also looking to raise the share of gas in its energy mix to 15 per cent by 2030 from the present 6.2 per cent. India, already the world's fourth-largest buyer of LNG, is on the hunt for more supply to meet those ambitious transition targets. With seven LNG export projects in various stages of development including two Carney has already referred to the Major Projects Office for expedited approvals Canada could become the supplier of choice for India and its more than 1.4 billion people. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about India's demand for more access to Canadian energy, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said Canada and India, as middle powers, need to draw closer together in the face of "hegemons" like the U.S. that are weaponizing economic integration and part of that includes selling that country more of what it needs. "The prime minister has said he would like us to double our trade with India by the end of the decade. I think there's a willingness from India to do the same. "I was quite frankly blown away by the positive reception we were getting in India when I was there a couple of weeks ago," he said. Carney and Modi are seen greeting each other in Alberta last June, when the two leaders announced they would be reinstating high-level diplomatic posts in each other's countries. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Sen. Peter Boehm, a former top diplomat who now chairs the Senate's foreign affairs and international trade committee, said Carney's trip has the potential to deliver huge opportunities for the Canadian economy now that the relationship has moved on from a "crisis management" phase. "India needs a lot of energy. There's a lot a lot of potential there," Boehm said. "Some 98 per cent of our energy is going to the United States and that's uncertain right now in terms of continuity branching out is the way to go." By Erin Banco WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - In the run-up to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Saturday, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency assessed that even if Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the operation, he could be replaced by hardline figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), two sources briefed on the intelligence said. The agency's assessments, which were produced over the past two weeks, looked broadly at what could occur in Iran following a U.S. intervention and the extent to which a military operation could trigger regime change in the Islamic Republic -- now a pronounced objective for Washington. Advertisement Advertisement IRGC figures taking power was among the multiple different scenarios that emerged, a third source familiar with the matter said. The IRGC is an elite military force whose purpose is to protect Shi'ite Muslim clerical rule in Iran. The intelligence agency reports did not conclude any scenario with certainty, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. The Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment. President Donald Trump has for weeks signaled the U.S. was interested in seeing regime change in Iran, but has not given in any detail Washingtons thinking on who could lead the country. Advertisement Advertisement In an early morning video address on Saturday, Trump described Tehran as a "terrorist regime" and encouraged the Iranian people to take over the government, saying the U.S. military strikes would set the stage for an uprising. The U.S. and Israeli assault comes after weeks of deliberation inside the U.S. government about whether to strike Iran following the deadly protests that broke out there in December. U.S. officials in recent weeks have tried to strike a nuclear deal with Tehran in an attempt to stave off intervention. In a briefing last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told top congressional lawmakers known as the Gang of Eight that a U.S. operation would likely move forward, but that Trump could change his mind, particularly if nuclear negotiations were successful. Those talks in Geneva did not result in an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Rubio notified the Gang of Eight on Friday night that the operation to attack Iran was likely to commence in the following hours but said Trump could still change his mind, two sources familiar with the matter said. (Reporting by Erin Banco; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk and Daniel Wallis) Southern California pilots say the Federal Aviation Administration has completely shut down the Los Angeles International Airport airspace to all helicopters, including police, fire and medical emergency choppers. Jorge Gonzalez, chief operating officer of Helinet and a former Los Angeles Police Department helicopter pilot, said the FAA this week began denying every request from helicopter pilots to enter or even cross LAX airspace. "The controlled area for the LAX airport has been restricted to all helicopter operations. Period," Gonzalez said. "What has caused this to occur is a mystery to me." Advertisement Advertisement The restricted zone covers a large swath of central Los Angeles, creating what operators describe as a sudden and unprecedented no-fly zone for helicopters. The restrictions are also impacting public safety agencies. A recorded message sent to LAPD units this week warned officers that police air support would not be available in certain areas because helicopters could not enter the airspace. The LAPD confirmed that the restrictions were in place, saying the FAA gave no reason for the ban nor an estimate of how long it would last. Gonzalez said the ban also extends to fire department and emergency medical helicopter flights, including organ transport missions. Advertisement Advertisement "Imagine human organ transplants and transports - there's a shelf life on those," he said. "That's the reason they use helicopters - to expedite the delivery. The longer the organ is out, the more the risk of losing that organ." The FAA declined an interview but issued this written statement: As a result of the FAA's proactive nationwide safety review of airports with mixed helicopter and airplane traffic, we are evaluating restricting Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). While we conduct this evaluation, air traffic controllers will more often prohibit VFR operators from entering LAX airspace based on the volume and complexity of traffic they're working, along with daily airspace occurrences, including weather and any nearby construction. But Gonzalez said every request he's been aware of has been denied. Advertisement Advertisement The FAA did not say how long the restrictions would remain in place or whether other airports are under similar limits. A review of available records shows no documented case of a helicopter colliding with an airplane in LAX airspace. "Maybe in the near future we'll get some relief, maybe some new parameters, but not a complete ban from the airspace," Gonzalez said. Claim: In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice released an FBI tip in which a complainant alleged President Donald Trump witnessed her uncle kill her newborn child and dispose of the body in Lake Michigan when she was 13 and being trafficked for sex by Jeffrey Epstein. Rating: Rating: True Context: The FBI tip was authentic, in the sense that it was publicly available on the Department of Justice website, as of this writing. Snopes has not substantiated any of the claims in the tip, some of which did not align with the established timeline of Trump and Epstein's relationship, and the FBI declined to comment on it. Advertisement Advertisement In late February 2026, a rumor resurfaced that someone claiming to be a victim of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein submitted a tip to the FBI accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of witnessing her baby being killed in 1984. The claim originally circulated after the Department of Justice released a slew of files related to Epstein in December 2025. According to posts from February 2026 (archived, archived), the complainant's newborn baby was murdered and thrown in Lake Michigan. Trump r#aped. 13 year old child, she gave birth to a newborn, they k!lled the baby and apparently disposed of the babys body in Lake Michigan. Epstein file: EFTA00025010 Link: https://t.co/zzTMI2IZkw pic.twitter.com/0sOYpUCx8V Marcus dOsint (@WarFrontIntel) February 25, 2026 The document is authentic; the complainant, whose identity was redacted, submitted the tip to the FBI National Threat Operations Center on Aug. 3, 2020, while Trump was running against Joe Biden, then a former vice president, for a second term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Although many users online took this rumor as fact, the claims that person made have not been independently substantiated, and the information did not line up with the established timeline of Trump's friendship with Epstein. Some posts claimed the DOJ removed the tip from its database this is not true, as of this writing. In an email to Snopes, the FBI declined to comment on whether it had investigated the tip. What did the tip allege? The complainant submitted the tip still viewable on the DOJ's website on the FBI's website as a follow-up to a phone call she allegedly had with a detective who had reached out to her after she submitted an initial anonymous tip three or four weeks earlier. The text read, in part: I talked to [the detective] for about 20 or 30 minutes about my being sex trafficked by my uncle and Jeffrey Epstein in 1984 while I was 13 and pregnant. I told him some other important information about other high profile individuals involved in my sex trafficking and the murder and disposal of my newborn daughter because I gave birth to her while in the middle of this sex trafficking ordeal. The tip went on to allege that Epstein and the complainant's uncle arranged a scheme "where different men, and a few women and girls, would come to a variety of boats and yachts and pay money to force me to [redacted] with them." Advertisement Advertisement The complainant wrote that Trump "participated regularly in paying money to force me to [redacted] with him and he was present when my uncle murdered my newborn child and disposed of the body in Lake Michigan." There was no additional mention of Trump in the tip. https://media.snopes.com/2025/12/case_id__50d-ny-3027571.pdf Is there evidence the tip isn't legitimate? While the tip alleged the incident occurred in 1984, Trump reportedly did not meet Epstein until the late 1980s. Trump bought Mar-a-Lago in December 1985, and Epstein bought his Palm Beach residence in 1990, though evidence suggests he may have frequented Palm Beach in the 1980s. In 2002, Trump told New York magazine he'd known Epstein for 15 years suggesting they met in or around 1987. The New York Times published a 1986 photo of Epstein with Wall Street stockbroker Nikki Haskell, whom the Times described as a close friend of Ivana Trump's Trump's then-wife, indicating they may have had overlapping social circles in New York before Epstein bought property in Palm Beach. Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear why Trump and Epstein would have been in a small town in Michigan when neither of them had any documented links to the immediate area at the time. Trump did own a riverboat casino on Lake Michigan for years but that riverboat, based in Gary, Indiana, did not open until 1996, according to news reports from the time. We reached out to the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office seeking any information regarding a sex trafficking ring in the county where the incident allegedly took place in the 1980s, and did not hear back. The complainant did not name any other prominent people involved in the alleged incident besides Trump and Epstein who were both heavily featured in the news cycle shortly after Epstein's death by suicide in 2019 and leading up to the 2020 presidential election. She wrote only: "I told [the detective] some other important information about other high profile individuals involved in my sex trafficking." Has the White House responded to the allegations? We reached out to the White House seeking comment on the allegations, and a spokesperson responded with a link to an X post (archived) by the DOJ that read: "Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election." The Department of Justice has officially released nearly 30,000 more pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) December 23, 2025 In sum The document containing an FBI tip alleging Trump witnessed infanticide involving an Epstein victim is authentic and was available on the DOJ website. Snopes has not substantiated any of the claims in the tip, some of which did not align with the established timeline of Trump and Epstein's relationship, and the FBI declined to comment on it. Advertisement Advertisement For further reading, we investigated a letter the DOJ released, purportedly from Epstein to fellow sex offender and former U.S. gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, that said, in part, "Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls." Sources: Baltz, Holly. 'Jeffrey Epstein Timeline: How the Palm Beach County Case Led to 15 More Years of Sex Abuse'. The Palm Beach Post, https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2024/07/08/jeffrey-epstein-case-timeline-why-early-case-failed-in-palm-beach/70351312007/. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025. Callaway & Price, Inc. 'Callaway & Price, Inc. Real Estate Appraisers And Consultants'. 19 Sept. 2019, https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/px-01444-callaway-price-appraisal-of-mar-a-lago-july-11-2007.pdf. Enrich, David, et al. 'Scams, Schemes, Ruthless Cons: The Untold Story of How Jeffrey Epstein Got Rich'. The New York Times, 16 Dec. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/magazine/jeffrey-epstein-money-scams-investigation.html. Advertisement Advertisement 'Epstein Library'. U.S. Department of Justice, https://www.justice.gov/epstein. Esposito, Joey. 'Investigating Letter Epstein Allegedly Sent to Larry Nassar That Mentioned Trump'. Snopes, 23 Dec. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/epstein-nassar-letter/. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 'Case ID #: 50D-NY-3027571'. U.S. Department of Justice, 24 Dec. 2025, https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%208/EFTA00025010.pdf. Jr, Landon Thomas. 'Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery'. New York Magazine, 28 Oct. 2002, https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/. Telling, Gillian. 'Ivana Trump's Friend Fought Her About Needing Live-in Help the Day Before She Fell Down Stairs (Exclusive)'. People.Com, https://people.com/ivana-trump-death-preventable-friend-says-exclusive-7560997. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement 'Trump Casino in Gary, Indiana'. The Daily Journal [Franklin, Indiana], 12 June 1996, p. 9. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-journal-trump-casino-in-gary/187490576/. 'Trump Casino Sailing to Gary, Indiana'. Journal and Courier [Lafayette, Indiana], 7 Apr. 1996, p. 10. newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-trump-casino-sailing/187490693/. Does a photo show Hillary Clinton posing with her husband, Bill Clinton, along with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell? No, that's not true: The woman in the picture is Jane Slagsvol, wife of the late musician Jimmy Buffett, not Hillary Clinton. The photo has been cropped; the original version shows Buffett standing next to Slagsvol. The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on X on February 26, 2026. It read: Hey Hillary, [Photo of a woman with blonde hair, Bill Clinton, Maxwell, and Epstein that's signed by the former president] BREAKING: Hillary Clinton under oath says she does not believe she ever met Jeffrey Epstein. This is what the post looked like on X at the time of writing: Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot of X post. Clinton testimony Hillary Clinton told the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 26, 2026, during closed-door testimony that she "never met Jeffrey Epstein." In a post (archived here) on X on Feb. 26, 2026, she included her opening statement to the committee. Referring to Epstein and Maxwell, it said: I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island home or offices. Original photo The social media post attempts to show Hillary Clinton lied by suggesting the woman in the picture is Clinton. The uncropped version of the photo tells a different story. The image was released (archived here) in December 2025 by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee and shows Buffett standing next to his wife, Slagsvol. The photo is believed to be from a Clinton fundraiser at Epstein's Palm Beach, Florida, home in 1995: Image Source: House Oversight Committee Democrats. FARMINGTON The Select Board approved updated totals Tuesday for a proposed sixmonth budget that is to go before voters March 23. The board also scheduled the next town meeting for May 11 and elected a member to the Franklin County Budget Advisory Committee. Total appropriations were set at $7,454,258, down from the previously proposed $7.48 million. With an estimated $1.58 million in revenue, the net amount to be raised through taxation would be $5,898,250. The estimated property tax rate needed to raise the $5.89 million would be $5.49 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Advertisement Advertisement The six-month budget is designed to shift Farmington from budgeting for a calendar year to a fiscal year that would run from July 1 to June 30. Many other governments, including the state, school district, county and most larger Maine communities, use the JulytoJune cycle, as do several of the towns contracts and services, such as MaineHealth Emergency Medical Services, the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and fuel agreements. The Select Board made a series of small adjustments to the proposed budget, adding $12,288 for items such as copier overages, streetlights and limited access to TRIO software, a municipal accounting system the town has been phasing out. Some additions covered items inadvertently left out of the proposal, including mobile WiFi hotspots for police cruisers, while others reflected increased costs for services, such as cellphone plans. Another unexpected expense is the first half of the bond interest payment on the Farmington Community Center project, a total of $15,707 that will be due in May instead of November. Advertisement Advertisement The buildings renovation project is nearing completion, and staff members have already moved back into the space. The town held an open house Thursday. The small increases were more than offset by a $50,860 cut to the Farmington Police Departments proposed budget. The reduction, already reviewed and approved by the Budget Committee, reflects the removal of three months of a patrol officers salary and two months of a detectives salary, along with associated benefits. Those positions are now vacant, making the cut relatively painless because the town is already two months into the year. The board and Chief Kenneth Charles of the Farmington Police Department also discussed the challenges in hiring and retaining officers. We do get thin when people take days off and when we try to get them to training, Charles said. I feel like were kind of holding our own, but, again, everythings tenuous, too. You lose somebody and all of a sudden the apple cart is upset. Advertisement Advertisement The board discussed the towns benefit package for officers and how it aligns with other agencies across Maine. An expense not included in the sixmonth budget is the towns share of a new computerassisted dispatch, or CAD, system. While most of the cost will be covered by the countys American Rescue Plan Act funding, local departments that use the CAD system are expected to contribute about $90,000 toward startup costs. Farmingtons share is $24,339 $17,373 for the upfront cost and $6,965 in ongoing costs. The Select Board chose to carry forward unspent department funds from the previous year rather than have the expense fall on the sixmonth budget. Id like to thank everybody, Board Chair Matthew Smith said after the budget had been set. This has been a weird season. I know were getting ready to start it over again, but Id like to thank everybody for this. Advertisement Advertisement The town meeting to set the sixmonth budget is scheduled for March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Voting is set for noon to 5 p.m. The board agreed to a request from the clerk to shorten voting hours because each candidate is running unopposed. Incumbents Richard Morton and Dennis ONeil are seeking the two threeyear seats on the Select Board, and J. Wayne Kinney, an incumbent, and Christina Lynch Bobrow are running unopposed for the two threeyear seats on the Regional School Unit 9 board of directors. The board also set a second town meeting for May 11. At the meeting, the town is expected to set a budget for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Advertisement Advertisement The board discussed holding the meeting in April the preferred month going forward but decided that because the next budget process will not begin until March 12, a later town meeting would be acceptable this year. Town officials are researching whether Select Board members could serve until July 1 rather than ending their terms at the town meeting. The distinction is tied largely to the Franklin County Budget Advisory Committee, or FCBAC, which includes members of the Select Board. The board also held a brief caucus to elect this years FCBAC floating member. The committee consists of two members from each of the five commissioner districts, plus an eleventh member who rotates among the districts each year. This year, the floating member comes from District 2, which includes the portion of Farmington east of the Sandy River. The board elected Scott Landry to serve in the seat on the FCBAC. Feb. 27A father pleaded guilty after his 2-year-old son was shot in the hand in Dayton earlier this year. Theodore Bryant III, 34, was convicted of one count of endangering children in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Friday. He'll be sentenced on March 11. Bryant was reportedly sleeping at an apartment in the 900 block of Neal Avenue with two children when the shooting occurred. His son woke him up and indicated his finger hurt, according to Dayton Municipal Court records. Advertisement Advertisement The boy's mother came home, and they went to Kettering Health Dayton before the toddler was transferred to Dayton Children's Hospital. Hospital staff told Dayton police the boy had a possible gunshot wound to his left index finger, according to an affidavit. Officers found blood and a bullet hole in a mirror and bedroom wall at the apartment. During an interview, Bryant gave officer several locations where the gun was before saying it was kept in a closet, according to court documents. "Mr. Bryant admitted he put the firearm on the wrong shelf, the third or second shelf, not the top," an affidavit read. "Mr. Bryant advised the firearm was not secured in a lock box." Officers got a search warrant for the apartment and found a gun with dried blood on it, according to court records. An Irish politician has become a minor celebrity in the Caribbean after many compared his Cork accent to a Jamaican one. Thomas Gould, a Sinn Fein TD in the Irish Parliament, has become well known within the republic for is passionate speeches on a wide range of topics. But this fame has now crossed the Atlantic after a clip of a recent speech on the housing crisis in Ireland went viral in Jamaica, Barbados, and other Caribbean nations. Advertisement Advertisement But it wasn't the content of the speech that pleased Jamaicans; it was how he said it. Gould told the Jamaica Observer he had been contacted by "a mixture of the Irish community, Jamaican and people from the Caribbean" who want him to visit. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. He said he "felt loved" by the outpouring but also said he didn't mind if people made a bit of fun of him. I know I have a very strong accent, and I know I speak very fast. So when I listen to Jamaicans speak, not all of them, but some of them do speak like me. Advertisement Advertisement Gould said he had recently learned the majority of Irish people who travelled to Jamaica came from Cork and Munster and brought their accents with them. "The majority of Irish people who went to Jamaica came from Cork and Monster. They would have been indentured servants brought to the Caribbean, a type of slavery, but it was only short," he told Jamaica Observer. "They were treated horrendously but not as bad as slaves who were taken from Africa," he added. Many of these people would be indentured servants, who were forcibly deported soon after the island was seized by the British during Oliver Cromwell's protectorate in the 1650s. You can hear Talking Politics wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch every episode on YouTube and ITVX. Cold weather combat is the great equalizer. Just ask Napoleon or Hitler how their winter campaigns in Russia went. With increased focus on the strategic importance of the Arctic and the entry of Finland and Sweden to NATO, its more important than ever to ensure that infantry small arms function reliably in the cold and snow. Also Read: Marines reject Armys SIG M7 rifle, opting to keep H&K M27 With many NATO militaries fielding some form of AR-15 rifle, Finnish firearms manufacturer Sako introduced an Arctic version of the rifle for the alliances newest members. Rifles have to be reliable in both the desert and the Arctic. (U.S. Army) Originally, the U.S. militarys M16s barrel twist had to be changed in order to stabilize bullets in extreme cold. The original flat trigger guard also needed to be pivoted down to allow use with gloves. But the Finnish and Swedish militaries demand more extreme cold-specific features in order to effectively fight above the Arctic Circle. So, in 2023, the two countries signed an agreement to procure Sako rifles and modernize their militaries. Swedens previous standard service rifle, the Ak 5, is a licensed copy of the Belgian FN FNC with modifications for Swedens climate and uses standard NATO magazines and ammo. Logistically, this made it easy for the Swedish military to adopt a new rifle. Following the agreement with Finland, Sweden purchased the Sako Arctic Rifle Generation (ARG) 40 and 50 in 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO, respectively. A Swedish soldier fires a suppressed Ak 24. (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) In Swedish service, the ARG 40 and 50 are designated the Ak 24 and 25, respectively. Accuracy on the ARG 40 is rated as 2 MOA, and the ARG 50 is quoted as 1.5 MOA, though it can be as accurate as 1 MOA with good ammo. The ARG series is available with both direct impingement (DI) and short-stroke piston (with a suppressed setting) gas systems, and the Swedes opted for the latter. Norways military uses the HK416, which is also driven by a short-stroke piston system. Advertisement Advertisement Notably, the ARGs handguard aligns with the standard height of an AR-15 upper receiver regardless of its gas system. Between the two variants, it also uses the same upper and lower receivers. A single bushing in the upper receiver is all that needs to be changed to switch between a DI and piston gas system. Sweden adopted an 11.5-inch barrel variant designated the Ak 24A and a 14.5-inch barrel variant designated the Ak 24B, both chrome-lined and cold-hammer forged. Standard furniture is Magpul, and the rifles are equipped with native Swedish Aimpoint CompM5 red dots. The Ak 24 also features ambidextrous controls. While the left-side magazine release can be an issue for right-handed shooters, the Sako rifle fences the control and stiffens it to prevent accidental ejection. Sako notes that both the DI and piston variants will work well in Arctic conditions, but the piston rifle will perform better, especially if lubricated with lamp and gun oil. (Sako) The Swedish military first took delivery of the Ak 24 in December 2024, and troops praised the rifle for its reduced weight and improved ergonomics over the Ak 5. However, Swedish instructors discovered an issue with the rifles where a delay occurred between the trigger press and the rifles firing. This safety concern led to a temporary ban on the use of Ak 24. An investigation revealed a tolerance issue in production that was corrected, and the ban was partially lifted. Swedish military trials of the Ak 24 resumed in November 2025, and delivery of Sako rifles is expected to resume in 2026. Across the border, Finlands military uses the RK 62 rifle, chambered in the Soviet-standard 7.62x39mm cartridge. In addition to the agreement with Sweden and Sako, the Finnish Defence Forces announced in October 2025 that it plans to adopt a 5.56mm NATO rifle by the end of the decade. Finnish evaluation is still ongoing for a specific configuration of the ARG, but the contract provides for options to extend until 2053. While the Finns have improved on the AR-15, the core design is far from finished. Dont Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty The legendary HK416 rifles biggest competitors might be its own descendants The Brits didnt want this rifle, but youll be able to buy it soon The legendary FN SCAR is back and (might be) better than before (U.S. Army/Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hamlin)A Soldier assigned to the 25th Infantry Division engages targets from a supported firing position during M7 rifle training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Jan. 24, 2026. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit supports M7 fielding by reinforcing proven marksmanship fundamentals that enhance lethality and build confident, capable Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hamlin) Firearms Flintlock to firepower: The grunts 250-year quest for a weapon that actually works By Adam Gramegna gun policy research pile of guns shhutterstock Military News What 30 years of US gun policy research actually reveals By Gina Napoletano Advertisement Advertisement Weapons The Brits didnt want this rifle, but youll be able to buy it soon By Miguel Ortiz russian military failure weapons getty History The 10 most spectacular Russian military failures of all time By Blake Stilwell M72 LAW marines dvids Weapons The M72 LAW: the tube that toughened the infantry By Adam Gramegna The only thing flying these days at the Jacksonville International Airport's new concourse is sparks from welding equipment a lot of sparks. Construction is still on track to open the airport's third concourse in December when it will add six gates and expand capacity for more flights, aviation authority officials said Feb. 27 during a behind-the-scenes tour showing the inside of the concourse. Concourse B, located between existing concourses A and B, will have more space than those concourses for seating and various activities for passengers waiting to catch their flights. Construction workers move material at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Nick Narollo, left, representative for Jacobs Engineering, talks about the 1200 pieces of window panes that will be installed in the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. JAA CEO Mark VanLo, right, listens to the presentation. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Jacksonville Aviation Authority lead a tour for the media of the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Construction workers work on the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Nick Narollo, representative for Jacobs Engineering, talks about the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. JAA CEO Mark VanLo, right, listens to the presentation. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Nick Narollo, representative for Jacobs Engineering, talks about the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. JAA CEO Mark VanLo, right, listens to the presentation. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A Delta plane sits at an adjacent concourse near the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A construction worker cuts a pice of steele at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] An American Airline jet makes its way by the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A construction worker prepares to attach a pice of steel to a wall at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Nick Narollo, representative for Jacobs Engineering, talks about the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. JAA CEO Mark VanLo, right, listens to the presentation. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Construction workers load a metal stud on a fork lift at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Nick Narollo, left, representative for Jacobs Engineering, talks about the 1200 pieces of window panes that will be installed in the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. JAA CEO Mark VanLo, right, listens to the presentation. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A construction worker cuts a pice of steele at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A construction worker watches as a weather front moves in on the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A member of a Delta ground crew runs on the tarmac near the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] A construction worker install fire sprinklers at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] An American Eagle taxis on the tarmac at Jacksonville International Airport near the construction of the new Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Behind the scenes of Concourse B construction at Jacksonville airport 1 of 18 Construction workers move material at the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] In the part of the $300 million concourse closest to the main hub of the airport, grand staircases and elevators will go up to a second floor where there will be a Delta Club for that airline's fliers and a new Club JAX for other travelers who pay a fee for use of the lounge. Advertisement Advertisement That end of the concourse also will have a food hall and stores accessible to all travelers. Moving down the concourse, a walkway with floor-to-ceiling windows on each side will head to the high-ceilinged area where the concourse will have six gates for planes. Five gates will be for American Airlines and the sixth will be for use by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. In a feature that only a few other airports have, the concourse will have 1,280 panes of glass for its windows and each pane will use "smart glass" technology that continuously adjusts the tint based on rooftop sensors conveying information about the location of the sun, cloud cover and rain. Construction workers work on the ongoing construction of the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] For passengers, the electrochromic glazing will make the concourse comfortable because they won't be too hot or too cold depending on whether they are sitting on the side of the terminal getting direct sunlight, said Nick Marollo of Jacobs Engineering. Marollo said crews have started installing the glass panes ahead of schedule and after those are all in place, electricity can be turned on which will make the next phase of the project move more quickly on the features that will be visible to travelers. A Delta plane sits at an adjacent concourse near the new Jacksonville International Airport Concourse B Friday February 27, 2026. The 120,000 square foot concourse is slated to open by the end of this year. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Chick-fil-A, two local favorites and more coming to new JAX airport food hall Advertisement Advertisement Breeze Airways adds new flights from JAX to FLL. When does it start? He said the construction has about 150 to 200 workers on site on any given day with work taking place six days a week. He said that will ramp up with more workers, construction trades, days and hours of work as the project gets closer to completion. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tour shows progress on new Jacksonville airport concourse The United States and Israel launched waves of strikes Saturday morning against Iran after weeks of tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran swiftly retaliated, firing drones and ballistic missiles at Israel, along with attacking targets in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The joint mission, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began shortly after midnight Saturday with strikes aimed at destroying Irans regime security apparatus and focusing on locations that posed an imminent threat, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said. Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, President Trump has weighed authorizing strikes against Iran and on Friday said he was unhappy with the way nuclear talks with Iranian officials were unfolding. Irans foreign minister said on Saturday morning that the regime may have lost one of two commanders, but that other high-ranking officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, survived as far as I know. But U.S. and Israeli officials later said they believe Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike, multiple news outlets reported. Here are the five takeaways: US, Israel target key government buildings and military assets The U.S. and Israel began the large-scale operation at 1:15 a.m. ET, targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities, ballistic missile and drone launch sites, military airfields and Iranian air defense systems. Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli Air Force conducted the largest military flyover in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) history, with over 200 jets striking Irans missile sites and the IRGCs air defense systems in western and central Iran, the IDF said on Saturday. The joint mission killed more than 200 people in Iran and injured nearly 750, Irans Red Crescent said to Iranian state TV, adding that the strikes hit 24 out of the 31 provinces. One of the sites the Israeli Air Force targeted was a launching site of surface-to-surface missiles in Tabriz. The IDF said its forces hit more than 500 targets, including Iranian missile launchers and aerial defense systems. Thick, black smoke could be seen from a burning ship in Irans Kanarak naval base, according to satellite imagery provided by Vantor. Drones were dispersed and the runway was blocked at the Konarak drone strip. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. military fired munitions from air, land and sea assets in the region, according the Centcom, which added that its Task Force Scorpion Strike used its low-cost, one-way attack drones for the first time in combat. Centcom said it was looking into reports that strikes hit a girls school in southern Iran, which Iranian officials said killed more than 80 students. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm, Capt. Tim Hawkins, the Centcom spokesperson, said in a statement. The U.S. military successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian drone and missile attacks and there were no reports of U.S. service member casualties or related injuries, according to Centcom. Advertisement Advertisement The command added that the damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations. Operation Epic Fury involves the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation, Centcom said in a statement. Iran strikes back at US bases across Middle East, spurring threats of retaliation Iran quickly pulled Gulf states off the sidelines on Saturday with drone and missile strikes on U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait as well as a barrage of attacks on Israel. Saudi Arabia announced it would aid countries in repelling Iranian attacks. Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Kingdoms full solidarity with the countries concerned and its firm support for them, stating that it would mobilize all its capabilities to assist them in any measures they undertake, the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement The UAE, in a statement, emphasized that the countrys security is indivisible from its Gulf neighbors and that any infringement on the sovereignty of any state constitutes a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region. Bahrain and Qatar also said they reserved the right to retaliate. Qatar also called for efforts to contain the crisis in a manner that preserves the security of the region, safeguards the interests of its peoples, and prevents a slide into broader confrontations. Irans foreign ministry called on Muslim and non-aligned states to demand an urgent meeting of the UN security council. In a post on X, it said, all bases, facilities, and assets of hostile forces in the region are considered legitimate military targets. Iran will exercise this inherent right decisively until the aggression is completely and unequivocally halted. Trump eyes regime change; Pahlavi previews final action Trump in his video posted overnight on Saturday urged members of Irans military to lay down their arms and called on Iranians to topple the hardline regime that has controlled the country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Advertisement Advertisement Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it, he said. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So lets see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force, he added. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Irans last shah, who helped lead mass protests in the country last month, told Iranians to lie low for now and follow his messages online or over radio waves. Stay vigilant and ready so that, at the appropriate timewhich I will announce to you preciselyyou can return to the streets for the final action, he said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran, he added. Trump monitored the situation with his national security team at Mar-a-Lago and spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. There alongside the president was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Dan Caine, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill. Before the strikes took place, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called all eight members of the so-called Gang of Eight to notify them of the operation, according to Leavitt. Prior to the attacks, Rubio called all members of the Gang of Eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members. War powers debate heats up in Congress Within hours of the first bombings in Iran, lawmakers pushing to check Trumps war powers called for a vote to end the Iran operation as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump has launched a war on Iran and Congress must convene on Monday to vote on [Rep.] Thomas Massies [R-Ky.] and my war powers resolution to stop this war, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said in a video posted on X, arguing Americans do not want to be embroiled in an overseas conflict. Last week, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) became the second Republican to back Khannas resolution aimed at limiting Trumps ability to take military action against Iran. We need a government small enough to fit within the Constitution, Davidson wrote Saturday on X. We need a government effective enough to solve problems and serve its own people. Or, we need a new Constitution. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called on senators to vote on Sen. Tim Kaines (D-Va.) war powers resolution. Trump once again started a cycle of violence that has already escalated and could spiral out of control. This is unacceptable, Kim wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement However, most Republicans quickly came out in support of Trumps sweeping strikes on the longtime American adversary, making any war powers vote an uphill battle especially with some House Democrats opposing the measure. I am confident this operation will be successful and the liberation of the long suffering people of Iran is at hand, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a fierce Iran hawk, wrote on X. Shipping halts through Strait of Hormuz; oil prices set for swings While Iran has not moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial lane for global energy supplies, major shipping companies are reportedly steering clear of the area. Reuters reported that several tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas shipments through the strait. Our ships will stay put for several days, one top executive told the outlet. The Wall Street Journal reported that a loaded supertanker chartered by Shell is now idle in the Arabian Gulf, rather than seeking to traverse the strait. It said dozens of tankers are avoiding the Persian Gulf for the time being. What these disruptions mean for global oil markets, which are closed until Monday, remains to be seen. The Associated Press predicted price swings early in the week as traders assess the risk of a longer, expanding war in the Middle East. Iran exports some 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, most of it going to China. If that supply is disrupted, Chinese customers would look elsewhere for oil on the global market, potentially driving up prices. Updated at 4:17 p.m. EST Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Foreign Office has updated its advice to Dubai, warning against all non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates as tensions escalate in the Middle East. Britons in the United Arab Emirates have been told to immediately shelter as Iran, the US and Israel trade missile attacks across the region. The military activity began on Saturday and has continued into Sunday. A five-star hotel in Dubai, the Fairmont on the citys Palm Jumeirah, set on fire after being hit by suspected debris from an intercepted Iranian missile. The Burj Khalifa was evacuated following the fire, according to local reports. Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, Dubai International Airport was damaged by a suspected Iranian missile. Footage showed smoke in the concourse of one of the airports terminals. In a statement, Dubai Airport said the airport had sustained minor damage. Four members of staff were injured. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has now updated its advice overnight to warn against all non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. It has also updated its advisories to Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. It also advises against all travel to Israel and Palestine. The FCDO says British nationals should immediately shelter in place, urging them to remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and the United Arab Emirates have all closed their airspace, leaving thousands of British travellers stranded. All aircraft are being forced to divert around the region. What flights have been cancelled? Airspace remains closed above much of the Middle East. Dubai International Airport is closed until further notice, as is Abu Dhabi International, Hamad International Airport in Qatar, plus airports in Bahrain and Kuwait. Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of flights have been cancelled due to the weekends disruption, affecting hundreds of thousands of air passengers around the world. Affected passengers of British Airways, Emirates and Etihad (among other airlines serving the region) are being booked onto flights next week. Whether these will take off is unknown and will depend on the events in the coming days. How badly affected is Dubai? Dubai and the wider UAE has been directly affected by the conflict unprecedented for a region that prides itself on offering a safe haven for expats and tourists in the heart of the Middle East. On Saturday evening, debris from an intercepted Iranian missile struck the Fairmont, a tourist hotel on the citys Palm Jumeirah. Footage showed flames rising from the hotels atrium. Four people, who were in the parking area of the hotel at the time, were injured and transferred to medical facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, Dubai International Airport was struck by an Iranian missile. Airport officials said that the concourse of one of its terminals suffered minor damage and said an emergency response team was immediately deployed. A spokesman said: Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights. We appreciate the co-operation of our guests. Further updates will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation. Emirates has also suspended operations to and from Dubai - Christophe Viseux/Bloomberg How close is Dubai to Iran? Dubai is around 90 miles from Iran a shorter distance than Portsmouth to Le Havre, France. It lies just west of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one fifth of the worlds oil supplies pass daily. Advertisement Advertisement Dubai sits approximately 1,325 miles from Tel Aviv a similar distance from London and Kyiv. In retaliation to US-Israeli missile strikes, Iran has targeted American air bases around the Middle East along with civilian targets including apartment buildings. The international airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were both hit by missile debris on Saturday night. Following the death of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed to take a different and tough step of revenge after promising to conduct the most devastating offensive in Iranian history. Is there a terror threat in Dubai? The FCDO notes that there is a high threat of terrorist attacks globally. Advertisement Advertisement On the United Arab Emirates, the FCDO advises: Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including against UK citizens. The FCDO lists military sites, transport hubs and crowded places as potential targets. What if I am due to travel to Dubai in the near future? The Foreign Office now warns against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. If you have booked travel with a tour operator, it is possible that your trip will have been cancelled until further notice; contact your travel provider for an update. Travel insurance is usually invalidated when the FCDO updates its advice to warn against travel to a country. Advertisement Advertisement If you have a flight booked, and your travel is essential, you should contact your airline for guidance. Expect long-lasting disruption into next week and beyond. Because the FCDO has now issued formal advice against the UAE, British travellers should be eligible to a refund if flights or holidays have been affected. Contact your travel insurance provider to check your policy details. I am in the Middle East now. What should I do? All British citizens in the Middle East should check the latest Foreign Office advice and follow the guidance of local authorities. Every country has its own travel advice page; the UKs can be found here. Broadly speaking, the advice right now is to take shelter and to avoid travel. If you entered the Middle East before the FCDO updated its travel advisories to the UAE and other countries in the region, your travel insurance will remain valid. Advertisement Advertisement With airspaces and airports closed in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, any flight bookings in the coming hours are likely to be heavily disrupted or cancelled. The good news for British passengers travelling back to the UK is that, under air passenger rights rules, you will be entitled to accommodation and meals until you can be flown home. Contact your airline for the latest information. If you travelled with a tour operator or travel agent, they will be able to offer assistance. Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, says: This remains a fast-moving situation and official advice may change quickly. Travellers should continue to monitor FCDO updates and local and international media. Travel agents will be working around the clock to assist travellers. If you have booked through a travel agent or tour operator, contact them directly for up-to-date advice and support. My flight has been cancelled. What are my rights? If your flight has been cancelled, your airline must offer you either a full refund or a seat on the soonest available alternative service, even if it is with a rival carrier. If you opt for an alternative flight, it is your choice as to whether you take the next one or travel at a later date. At this stage, it is unclear when flights in the Middle East will resume. Advertisement Advertisement Your airline must provide you with accommodation and meals. You will either be issued vouchers, or expected to make your own arrangements and reclaim the money back later. Give the scale of the disruption, it is likely you will have to do the latter. The same rules apply if you have booked your flight as part of a package holiday, though in this case the tour operator should make the necessary arrangements. Once again, you should keep costs to a minimum. Keep your receipts, as well as evidence such as screenshots, to prove that you bought the cheapest available tickets. Note that the Middle East is a major transportation hub so this weekends disruption will be wide-reaching for the aviation industry, with millions of passengers affected worldwide. It may be some time until things return to normal. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. More than 100 flights have been diverted to dozens of different destinations after strikes on Iran. Business Insider created a map showing where some of the planes ended up. Muscat, Oman, was the most common destination but dozens more returned to their origins or unexpected regions. The US and Israel's strikes on Iran have thrown global air travel into chaos. In the aftermath of the strikes, at least 145 flights in the Middle East have been diverted to 73 destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Business Insider has compiled a map showing where some of the diverted planes have ended up as of 9:30 a.m. EST. To compile the data, we looked at Flightradar24's arrivals lists for five major airports in the region: Dubai International, Doha International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Sharjah International Airport in the UAE, and Bahrain International Airport. The lists show that 63 flights have been diverted from Doha, 47 from Dubai International, 16 from Abu Dhabi, 16 from Sharjah, and three from Bahrain. This map shows where those flights landed: There are likely more flights that are affected and that Flightradar24 had not yet registered as diverted or that were bound for other destinations in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the flights that diverted didn't have to change course too dratsically. The most common airport to which flights were diverted was Muscat, Oman, accounting for 17 flights. Another 11 landed in Istanbul and Karachi, Pakistan. Air travel chaos Flights from across the globe frequently fly to and across the Middle East. The area is home to some of the world's most congested airspace and global airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Saudia. Together, these carriers diverted dozens of planes. Data from the aviation analytics firm shows some 3,400 scheduled flights were destined for the region today; it's likely many of those that haven't taken off yet will be canceled so long as the airspace remains closed. Advertisement Advertisement Diversions are costly because airlines have to pay for extra fuel, labor, and any passenger compensation. Airline operations centers which play Tetris to manage cancellations, delays, and misplaced crews are likely overwhelmed with the chaos. Planes landing in unintended destinations can have knock-on effects on their schedules. Dozens of flights had to return to their origins or ended up in unexpected cities. An American Airlines flight to Doha U-turned over Ireland and looked set to land back in Philadelphia after 13 hours. Many other US flights landed across Europe. An Emirates flight from Seattle diverted to Warsaw, Poland, and another, from New York, went to Vienna. Other airplanes landed in places like Rome and Madrid, too. The diversions also included a private jet, a Bombardier Global 7500, which was heading from Geneva to Sharjah but diverted to Cairo, per Flightradar24. Read the original article on Business Insider Passengers have been plunged into travel chaos after the cancellation of flights between Western Europe and the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The major combat operation confirmed by Donald Trump on Saturday morning has had a devastating impact on flights in the region, as Iran and Iraqs airspaces were closed due to the escalating action. Until around 6am GMT on Saturday, some planes were flying over Iran, mainly on north-south routes serving Dubai and other hubs. Such flights have now ended. Advertisement Advertisement Dubai International Airport, the biggest global hub, has suspended flights. On a typical day, around a quarter of a million passengers fly in and out of DXB. The main airline, Emirates, said: Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority. All other airlines are affected. British Airways passenger Mike Boreham was aboard flight BA108, preparing to depart from Dubai to Heathrow, when the captain announced airspace had closed. Advertisement Advertisement We were all boarded, he told The Independent. The flight is completely full. About 10 minutes after the boarding complete announcement we were told airspace is closed. After the closure was announced, many flights heading for Dubai returned to their starting points, including Emirates from Dublin, Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and LOT to Warsaw, which was also the landing place for the Emirates inbound flight from Seattle. Abu Dhabi airport has closed until at least 2pm on Sunday. The home airline, Etihad, said: All flights scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2pm UAE time [10am GMT] on Sunday 1 March. Flights scheduled to arrive into Abu Dhabi before 2pm UAE time on Sunday 1 March will be cancelled. Services scheduled to arrive after this time are expected to operate, subject to operational conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Flights already en route to Abu Dhabi are returning to their origin airports where required. Affected guests are being contacted directly and are being supported with rebooking options and hotel accommodation where necessary. Guests connecting via Abu Dhabi should note that if their onward sector has been cancelled, they will not be permitted to board at their departure airport. Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from its hub in Doha, with flights from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin and Heathrow all returning to their starting points. British Airways has cancelled all its Saturday flights linking London Heathrow with Amman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha. In addition, flights linking London with Bahrain and Tel Aviv are grounded until 3 March. Advertisement Advertisement BA passengers due to travel between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv in the coming days have the option to change their flights for free. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled its London Heathrow-Dubai flight on Saturday and the return flight on Sunday, as well as tomorrows link between Heathrow and Riyadh. Iranian and Israeli airspace has been closed (Flightradar) A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told The Independent: Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, we have made the decision to temporarily avoid the airspace of Iraq, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of our flights. The safety and security of our customers and people is always our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Advertisement Advertisement Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until 7 March as a result of the strikes. A spokesperson for the Hungarian budget airline said: The airline is closely monitoring developments and remains in ongoing contact with local and international authorities, aviation safety agencies, security authorities, and relevant governmental bodies. We acknowledge the disruption this may cause and appreciate the understanding of our customers. Passengers with affected bookings will be contacted directly with information regarding their options." The US and Israel have carried out a series of strikes on Iran (AP) Many airlines have grounded operations to and from Tel Aviv, including Delta, United, Air France, KLM, Aegean and FlyDubai. Advertisement Advertisement Even for passengers who are booked on nonstop flights between the UK and Asia, extended flight paths and air traffic control congestion are likely to cause disruption until the airspace reopens. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine. In a statement on its website, it said: Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed. British nationals in the region are urged to take sensible precautions, including following advice from regional authorities, staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents are up to date. Airlines are continuing to cancel and divert flights in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Flights in and out of airports in Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha and other international hubs in the region have been suspended. The UK Foreign Office is warning British citizens against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Those already there have been advised to shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has launched attacks on the Gulf states as part its retaliation to US and Israeli strikes which began early on Saturday. Long-haul travel is being affected more widely, with Heathrow urging travellers to check with their airlines. British government officials are understood to be formulating plans to potentially evacuate UK nationals from the Middle East. But the timings of such a move remain unclear, as much of the airspace in the region remains closed. Emirates has suspended its operations in and out of Dubai until 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Monday due to airspace closures, while Etihad has suspended flights out of Abu Dhabi until 02:00 local time. Advertisement Advertisement One person has been killed and 11 others injured at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi since the strikes began. Four of those injuries were among members of staff at Dubai International, the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. British Airways has cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday. It said services between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv could be affected for several days. Richard and Hannah from London had been en route to Oman but are now stuck in Bahrain. "In the early hours of this morning a drone attacked the airport so we can't reach Oman this evening as planned," Hannah said on Sunday, describing an "uneasy 24 hours". Advertisement Advertisement Given the situation in the region could escalate, they are now looking to return home, Richard said. Virgin Atlantic suspended services between London and Riyadh and Dubai over the weekend. It has warned that flights to India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives may take longer due to them being rerouted around the affected region. It is among a number of airlines across the world that have had to cancel or reroute flights to avoid the closed or restricted airspace. Airspace over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria remained closed on Sunday, with partial closures in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Jordanian and Lebanese airspace remains open but there is limited flight activity. Tracking shows flights between Europe and Asia travelling via Saudi Arabia or the Caucasus. Emma Belcher and her husband Vic were on their way back to Heathrow from a holiday in the Maldives via Dubai when their connecting flight was cancelled. "There is absolutely no information about when they might open airspace so we don't know how long we'll be here," she said. "We were really looking forward to getting home to see the children as we haven't been away without them before." Steve Rudderham and his wife had been on their way to the Maldives to celebrate their wedding anniversary but were stuck in Doha where they had been due to have a stopover. Advertisement Advertisement "As the days go on and the vacation is eroded, we're looking at plans to just to get back home," he said. Flights that would have gone over the affected region have been diverted, causing delays [Reuters] Qatar Airways said its operations remained temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace, with a further update to be provided at 09:00 local time on Monday (06:00 GMT). Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted Iranian missiles after explosions were heard in Doha. The UAE also said it had intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, while footage appears to show the moment a US facility in Bahrain was hit. Kuwait said it had been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. Explosions were heard at Erbil airport in Iraq early on Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement The UK Foreign Office is warning "against all travel to Israel and Palestine", and against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. British people in those areas have been urged to register their presence with the Foreign Office, with more than 76,000 people having already done so, mostly in the UAE. For British nationals in Oman, the Foreign Office advises those in Duqm to shelter in place, and those in Salalah to leave as soon as possible if commercial means allow and follow advice from local authorities. UK nationals in Saudi Arabia have been told to "remain indoors in a secure location", while those in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Turkey have been instructed to "remain vigilant" and take shelter if advised to do so. Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Office has urged people in Pakistan to be careful around protests, demonstrations, rallies and religious gatherings, after deadly pro-Iran protests broke out in several cities. It also instructed staff in the country to restrict their movements. US President Donald Trump cited a failure to reach an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme and regime change as among the reasons for launching the attack. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Trump on Saturday, having earlier said that British planes were "in the sky" over the Middle East as part of a defensive operation "to protect our people, our interests and our allies". Along with the leaders of France and Germany, he urged Iran to refrain from "indiscriminate" strikes. Additional reporting by Mary Litchfield Only the lowest paid Floridians qualify for Medicaid in the Sunshine State, the result of eligibility rules that are among the strictest in the nation. A single mom with two children can only enroll her kids if her yearly salary is less than $38,000, roughly half of Floridas average household income. Shewould be excluded from Medicaid herself, as is any parent who earns above $8,000 per year, or roughly one quarter of the federal poverty level. And adults with no children? Theyre ineligible no matter how little they earn unless theyre disabled. Advertisement Advertisement The result is that the vast majority of the almost four million Floridians enrolled in the federal health benefit program are children, disabled individuals and adults who stay home to care for young children or the elderly. Despite that, Florida may be about to adopt a work requirement program that critics say could violate federal law. It will likely cost millions of dollars to implement and enforce, though they say it would apply only to a tiny fraction of Medicaid recipients. A bill that would require able-bodied adults on Medicaid to complete at least 80 hours of work or job training was passed by a Florida Senate health committee last month. Sponsored by FloridaSen.Don Gaetz, the law is intended to take advantage of a provision in the Trump administrations One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which requires states to mandate work requirements for Medicaid recipients. Advertisement Advertisement It will help to establish a work culture as opposed to a dependency culture, Gaetz said during the meeting on Feb. 2. Theres got to be a distinction drawn between those who cant get up off the couch and those who wont get up off the couch, Gaetz said. Under the proposal, able-bodied adults who fail to meet the work requirement would be kicked off Medicaid. But critics say that makes no sense, since those who comply and take on extra work would then be at risk of losing their health coverage because they now earn too much. Such a policy would mean that very low-income parents and young adults are damned if you do and damned if you dont, said Joan Alker, executive director and research professor at the Georgetown Center for Children and Families. Advertisement Advertisement The catch-22 scenario is because the work requirement provision of the Trump bill was designed for states that took advantage of additional federal funding via the Affordable Care Act. That money goes to states that expand Medicaid to adults who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level or $45,000 for a household of four. Florida is one of 10 states that have not done so. Under Gaetzs bill, work requirements would apply to able-bodied adults under 64 who are not caregivers or whose children are 14 and up. He said that would be around 147,000 adults, a figure his office said was provided by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Advertisement Advertisement An estimate by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration puts that number even lower, according to the bill analysis: about 112,000 recipients less than 3% of all those on Medicaid. Georgia implemented a Medicaid work requirement program in 2023. Although it has not fully expanded Medicaid, Georgiaallows adults who earn up to the federal poverty level to enroll provided they do at least 80 hours of work or job training per month. The program, which had enrolled 8,000 people as of June, cost the state more than $100 million, according to a KFF Health News analysis of state reports. Two-thirds of that cost was chalked up to administrative and operation costs, an analysis by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute found. Advertisement Advertisement Its falling flat on its face and failing, said Leo Cuello, a research professor at the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University. Gaetzs bill requires that several state agencies, including the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, produce a joint business plan for Floridas program by the end of this year. The proposal needs legislativeapproval, a safety measure to ensure that it is an effective use of tax dollars, Gaetz said. We dont want to do what Georgia did, he said. Cuello has doubts that work requirement rules would be legal in a state that has not expanded Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement The One Big Beautiful Bill Act bars work requirements for individuals in traditional Medicaid categories, including parents who meet the low-income thresholds. Floridas plan would have to be submitted to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services as a waiver application. Cuello expects it would be denied. Florida doesnt have a Medicaid expansion, so theres no populations Florida can target, he said. A spokesperson for the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services said the federal bill would allow all states to adopt a work requirement program. Several health advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Florida Voices for Health, have expressed concerns about vulnerable people suddenly losing health care coverage. Advertisement Advertisement A daughter of a survivor of domestic violence, Acadia Jacob, an advocacy director with Florida Voices for Health, said women often flee from abusive relationships without a phone or a computer. They would struggle to provide the paperwork needed to prove they are working. Ultimately, if one pay stub is lost, one form submitted late, one supervisor who cant be reached, she and her kids risk losing access to their care, she said. I just want to encourage you all to be really careful about adding barriers, especially for those who are the most vulnerable, so that they dont fall through the cracks. The Brief A Florida man is accused of manipulating Winn-Dixie self-checkouts and stealing nearly $10K worth of groceries over eight months. Investigators say he avoided paying full-price for expensive items like steaks, chicken wings, laundry detergent, diapers and toilet paper. Detectives eventually caught on after Mitchell hit the same stores more than 100 times. They were able to match up the thefts since he used the same loyalty number during each purchase. RIVERVIEW, Fla. - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says they have caught the man responsible for manipulating self-checkouts at several Winn-Dixie locations across the county over eight months. What we know Julian Mitchell, 44, of Riverview is accused of stealing nearly $10,000 worth of groceries at four Winn-Dixie locations since March 2025. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say he avoided paying full-price for expensive items like steaks, chicken wings, laundry detergent, diapers and toilet paper. Advertisement Advertisement READ: Woman, 2 kids found dead inside Lakewood Ranch home: MCSO Detectives eventually caught on after Mitchell hit the same stores more than 100 times. They were able to match up the thefts since he used the same loyalty number during each purchase. What we don't know HCSO didnt describe in detail how Mitchell was allegedly manipulating self-checkout after all, they dont want anyone getting any ideas. What they're saying "Some retailers are starting to scale it back a little bit because of the theft and fraud," University of Florida Criminologist and Research Scientist Dr. Read Hayes said of self-checkout. "There are a lot of ways to not ring up an item on self-checkout or ring it up and not complete the transaction." Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Hayes and his UF research team found there are around 40 different ways to cheat self-checkout. They work with over 180 retail chains and are now leveraging artificial intelligence to help stores catch these tactics in real-time. "They either have a barcode, a fake one, a sticker or one taped on, or they're holding the grits on the bottom and the Pampers on the top and things like that," Hayes said. Theft like this has a trickle-down effect. Experts say it empties shelves for paying customers, frustrates store workers -- leading to employee turnover -- and can drive up prices for everybody else to compensate for whats gone. "It's obviously the loss of what the retailer paid to purchase those products and to transport those products and handle those products," Hayes said. "All that cost is gone and all the expenses gone." Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Chad Chronister says that this is more than a run-of-the-mill retail theft. "This arrest sends a clear message that organized retail theft will not be tolerated in Hillsborough County," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Crimes like this dont just hurt businesses, they drive up prices for hardworking families at the checkout line. Our Retail Theft Unit works closely with our retail partners to identify repeat offenders, hold them accountable, and protect our community." At the time of his arrest, Mitchell was already on active probation for a prior case involving drug charges. What's next Mitchells attorney told FOX 13 they have no comment at this time. According to online records, Mitchell is still in jail and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday. The Source Information for this story was provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. For the second time in eight months, President Donald Trumps administration launched a military strike against Iran, this time with the U.S. and Israel attacking the Islamic Republic on Saturday. Some of Floridas elected officials and politicians had much to say Saturday about the preemptive attack. Of note, not all Republican candidates running for governor agreed with the attack. And even though the attack was launched without congressional approval, the social media feeds of some of the Democratic members of Floridas congressional delegation were silent on the topic. As of early afternoon Saturday, the feeds of Reps. Darren Soto, Lois Frankel and Kathy Castor were filled with posts unrelated to the attack. By 4 p.m. Saturday, no one from this group had mentioned the attack on their X feeds. Advertisement Advertisement Neither, by the way, had Gov. Ron DeSantis. (He had something on the Global Liberty Institute Summit in Palm Beach and a retweet from earlier in the week about the Florida Highway Patrol working with U.S. Border Patrol.) Most Democrats who did mention it framed their objections from a stylistic standpoint: The Iranian regime is evil and may have deserved the attack, but Congress needed to be asked first or Trump needed a better plan. Heres a sampling of reactions: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, GOP candidate for Florida governor: President Donald Trump has acted decisively against Irans nuclear threat and terrorism. Our troops are now executing Operation Epic Fury. Erika and I pray for their safety and success. Peace is achieved through strength, not weakness. I stand with President Trump, our military, and the hope this leads to lasting security in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Paul Renner, GOP candidate for Florida governor: As a U.S. Navy veteran who served two tours in combat operations in the Middle East, I know firsthand that the threat from Iran is real and that this regime has cost us many American lives. Peace through strength is the best approach. It is the only thing the radicalized Muslim regimes understand. James Fishback, GOP candidate for Florida governor: Dont let Washington tell you this is about human rights or our safety and security. It isnt. Its about Israel, once again dragging us into their wars and expecting us to foot the bill in blood and money. President Trump ran on new wars. So did George W. Bush. So did Barack Obama. And yet here we are again: another war nobody voted for, started without a single vote in Congress. As governor of Florida, I will never allow the 12,000 men and women of the Florida National Guard to be sent to a foreign war without explicit authorization from Congress. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, GOP candidate for Florida governor: God bless our nations warriors who once more have stepped into the breach. Guide them and keep them safe. We are the greatest nation on earth because good men and women fight for freedom, liberty, and defend the American way. God bless our troops as they once again take the fight to the enemy with strength and determination unlike any other fighting force on Earth. David Jolly, Democratic candidate for Florida governor: This President enters war without the broad confidence of the American people and with a cabinet largely unqualified. He lacks the clear support of Congress or our allies, and lacks the unity of the nation he leads. We now pray for the safety of our troops and a swift end to conflict, as we likewise pray for a successful outcome from our operations a more stable region and world, a reduced nuclear threat, and a fuller embrace of freedom abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost: Congress must reconvene immediately to vote on a War Powers Resolution to stop Trumps illegal and dangerous war. We know what comes next: instability, innocent death, our troops risking their lives, and chaos. These regime change wars do not work. We can support the people of Iran without bombing them. Alexander Vindman, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate: The Iranian regime is evil. For nearly half a century, it has inflicted death and destruction on Americans and our allies. I know that firsthand. ... I also know this: wars without a plan are dangerous. Forever wars drain American strength, put our troops at risk without clear purpose, distract from real strategic priorities, and divert resources we should be investing at home. GOP U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody: For decades, this evil Iranian regime has called for the death of America, the destruction of the West, terrorized its own people and others, and caused fear and instability in the region. When someone says they want to destroy you, you should listen, and we have a president that did just that. Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: The Iranian regime is destructive, repressive, and committed to terror. The threat they pose to peace has left the region and the world on the precipice of war for generations. That cannot be allowed to continue. Diplomacy is far preferable but when does one decide that enough is enough? ... The next action must be that President Trump comply with the War Powers Act and immediately consult and fully brief Congress before any further action is taken. Americans are due an understanding of the objectives, the legal basis, the risks, and the plan for the day after. Congress has not authorized this action, nor have we been briefed on any imminent threat. ... Advertisement Advertisement Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz: The situation in the Middle East is grave and evolving rapidly. In response to US and Israeli strikes, Iran responded by attacking its Arab neighbors. That was certainly a choice. As regional partners remain on high alert, my thoughts are with the brave American service members in harms way. At this critical moment, we recognize the extraordinary dedication and sacrifice of those deployed abroad. They serve with courage under immense pressure. Update: added after 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor: The American people have repeatedly rejected the idea of another forever war. History shows that the consequences of entering conflicts without defined objectives or a realistic plan to conclude them cost our nation dearly. Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel: The Iranian regime and its proxies wreaked murderous havoc across the region targeting U.S. service members, Israel, and other allies, while advancing dangerous missile and nuclear programs that threaten global security. This threat must be eliminated and President Trump should come to Congress to consult members on his administrations objectives and plans moving forward." Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto: Iran is a terrorist state. Taking out its belligerent leaders like Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be a major victory for the United States and our allies in the region. Only Congress can declare war. We must be briefed about the threats to America and its allies, specific goals and end game. We cannot be dragged into another forever war where our troops lives and trillions of dollars are lost. Theres a dire shortage of good news in global health, so let me start with some. Earlier this month, Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed a law to spend $9.4 billion on global health work in more than 50 countries. Thats funding for HIV treatment, childhood vaccines, malaria and TB programs, and much more at roughly the same level as last year. After a year in which the administration vilified and dismantled USAID, froze and refroze lifesaving health programs, and proposed slashing global health funding by more than 60 percent, this is a genuinely surprising development. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the details in the new law are even more striking. Congress including Republicans who co-wrote the bill put $524 million toward family planning work; the administration had pushed to defund it entirely. Gavi, an international alliance that vaccinates more than half the worlds children, got $300 million despite Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s vocal opposition toward it. In the more than two decades since Congress began funding programs to fight HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis abroad, you could assume that money would actually get spent. Thats the law. But thats no longer a safe assumption. Last year, Congress also appropriated billions for this work, but the administration chose not to spend more than a third of it. Some of the money meant for global health programs was used to pay for the White House budget directors security detail, and the rest just sat there, unspent. Advertisement Advertisement So now, American foreign aid at least for lifesaving global health work is back on paper. But whether it actually reaches the patients and programs that need it is another matter. What happened last time The money was on paper last year, too. According to an analysis by the Center for Global Development, US spending on global health fell by more than a third, the consequences of which have been devastating. Consider the Global Fund, a massive international body that finances HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs in more than 100 countries. The US had pledged $6 billion to the fund for 2023 through 2025, and Congress approved the money to pay for it. But the US failed to deliver on that pledge, and as of mid-2025, less than a third of that $6 billion had reached the Global Fund. Facing a shortfall driven largely by US inaction, the Global Fund had to slash $1.4 billion from grants it had already made to lifesaving programs. Advertisement Advertisement These cuts came just as the administration was also terminating hundreds of PEPFAR programs that funded HIV and TB care on the ground. In Lesotho, where TB rates are among the highest in the world, the result was that clinics simply shut down. One patient visited nine HIV/TB clinics before finding one still open, an aid worker with direct knowledge of operations in the country told Vox. Whats different this time Under the Constitution, when Congress appropriates money, the executive branch is required by law to spend it as Congress dictates. But last year, the administration simply didnt and largely got away with it. This time, Congress is trying to force the issue. The new law sets specific funding floors for malaria, maternal and child health, tuberculosis, and nutrition, and uses unusually forceful language requiring the State Department to report its spending plans to Congress and to make quarterly payments to the Global Fund. Julianne Weis, co-founder of Aid on the Hill, which tracks foreign aid legislation, said these oversight requirements didnt exist at this level of scrutiny before. Advertisement Advertisement But laws didnt stop the administration last year. AVAC, an HIV advocacy organization, sued the government over the unspent funds; that case is still active. The real test is whether Congress enforces its own law. Congress abdicated their responsibility [last year] for ensuring that the president spent what they had appropriated, said Mitchell Warren, head of AVAC. Whether this Congress will act differently is an open question. Theres a huge question about the intent of the State Department to spend that money, and frankly the ability the operational capacity to do so, said Jocilyn Estes, a policy expert at the Center for Global Development, a nonpartisan think tank. That capacity problem is stark. Before USAID was gutted, its TB program alone had nearly 200 dedicated staff 40 in DC and 150 around the world managing about $406 million a year across 24 countries. Today, according to a person with direct knowledge of the program, two people at the State Department oversee that same portfolio. The Presidents Malaria Initiative, which manages $795 million in funding, went from 66 staffers to five. And going forward, a growing share of US global health funding is supposed to flow in a fundamentally different way. Under the administrations America First Global Health Strategy, the US is abandoning the old USAID practice of working with aid organizations and is instead striking deals with foreign governments an approach that experts say requires more specialized staff, not less. Advertisement Advertisement The administration has signed 16 such deals so far but they dont cover key areas that Congress just funded, like family planning, which received roughly $524 million despite the administration actively working to eliminate it. Weis is skeptical that the White House will follow through, even with the laws attempted safeguards. Theres going to be a lot of money left over that is not spent, she said. Still, the new law is a sign that Republicans and Democrats in Congress are reasserting that the US should continue to do lifesaving global health work. What this law mostly says is that Congress is back, AVACs Warren told me. For decades, foreign aid has had strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, even when presidents have tried to reshape it. But Warren isnt celebrating yet. Ill declare victory when every dollar Congress appropriated is spent by the administration. The fiscal year ends in September. Thats when well know. Auburn, Calif. (AP) Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wifes parents during a burglary at their home by Lake Tahoe, authorities said. Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a Friday statement that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini's crimes greatly impacted family members and friends. Advertisement Advertisement The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence," Gire said. Serafinis attorney did not return requests for comment. During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes." Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wifes wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws. During the six-week trial, Serafinis attorney David Dratman argued there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. He told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have motive to kill them. Following his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied. Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney's Office. A Fort Bragg soldier has been arrested in Cumberland County on a warrant charging him with murder in a Christmas Eve shooting in Tennessee, court records show. Spc. Jacob Ryan Stinnett, 24, originally of Powell, Tennessee, waived extradition Feb. 25 and will be transferred to Roane County, Tennessee, on a charge of second-degree murder, according to court records. He was booked into the Cumberland County jail Feb. 23, records show. The charge stems from a Dec. 24, 2025, shooting in Rockwood, Tennessee. According to WBIR-TV 10, Tommy Cooper, 48, was shot and killed and another person was injured during a dispute among family Advertisement Advertisement In other crime news: Womans ex charged after fatal shooting of Fort Bragg soldier, girlfriend The 82nd Airborne Division confirmed in a Feb. 27 statement that Stinnett is a member of the division. We are aware of the arrest of Spc. Jacob Stinnett in connection with a shooting in Rockwood, Tenn., on Dec. 24. We are working with local authorities and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. The incident is currently under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the statement said. F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@fayobserver.com This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fort Bragg soldier arrested in Christmas Eve murder i n Tennessee Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported on Saturday that strikes in Iran by the U.S. and Israel are expected to last for days or even weeks. Griffin joined Fox & Friends Weekend shortly after President Donald Trump announced strikes against Iran. The president referred to the operation as major combat operations and vowed to eliminate imminent threats from the country as he encouraged people to overthrow the current regime. The strikes led to Iran airspace to shut down, as well as Iran retaliating against Iran with their own attempted strikes. Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian missiles are already starting to land. We understand that about 40 missiles have landed in Israel, and the U.S. military in Iraq intercepted at least one missile targeting U. S. facilities in Erbil, Griffin reported. The U.S. is targeting military sites, bases, top leaders, and more as part of a three-step operation, she explained. It appears that this operation has three parts to it. Remove the current Iranian leadership, destroy Irans ballistic missile capability, and target the other aspects of Irans nuclear program, she said. Griffin further explained shes heard that the operation could extend for days and weeks all the while the potential for much worse conflict breaking out looms over it all. She said: The panic is probably starting to set in as they realize this is not going to be a sort of one and done set of strikes. In fact, Im talking to people who suggest that while this wont be a matter of hours, it will be a matter of days, but really it could be up to a matter of weeks as well. This is a war at this point, and the way Iran behaves and if it manages to hit any U.S. facilities or any U.S. warships, then were in a completely different situation. So this has the potential to escalate. The U.S. military is built up in a way and theyve certainly planned for the kind of response that were seeing from Iran and, frankly, were not seeing as massive amount of a wave of missiles as we saw, say, back in April of 2024 when they were trying to overwhelm Israels missile defense systems. We arent seeing that yet. Its possible theyre holding back a bit, but this is going to go on for days. Watch above via Fox News. The post Foxs Jen Griffin Warns Iran Strikes Could Last Weeks With Real Potential To Escalate first appeared on Mediaite. France, Germany and the United Kingdom have condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian attacks on countries in the Middle East in a joint statement issued on Saturday. "We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes," the three countries said, while adding that they had not participated in Saturday's strikes on Iran by US and Israeli forces. "We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future," they said. Advertisement Advertisement The statement said that France, Germany and the United Kingdom had consistently urged the Iranian regime to end its nuclear programme and to curb its ballistic missile programme. They had also called on Tehran to refrain from destabilizing activity in the Middle East and in France, Germany and the UK and to "cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people." The statement followed attacks on Iran by Israeli and US forces and counter-attacks by Iran on Israel and US bases in the Middle East region. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio man who was arrested in Georgia agreed to plea deal and was sentenced this week on a murder charge. According to court documents, 39-year-old Kenyatta Glass, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Shawn Grooms, who was gunned down at the Lotus Lounge on Channingway Boulevard. Columbus library shooting recorded on phone; suspect identified by multiple witnesses Advertisement Advertisement On Sept. 3, 2023, officers responded to the bar in the Walnut Hills neighborhood and found Grooms suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:50 a.m. Police said that several witnesses fled the scene during the initial panic after the shooting and the initial investigation yielded few leads. Video evidence eventually revealed that Glass was within feet of Grooms and dropped a handgun on the way out of the Lotus Lounge at the time of the shooting. Ballistics also matched shell casings recovered from the scene to the gun seen on video surveillance. DNA evidence then matched that of Glass to DNA found on the gun recovered at the scene, court documents show. The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team adopted the case and began searching for Glass in January but was unable to locate him for several months. On May 2, police charged Glass with murder and considered him armed and dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement It was determined that Glass had fled the Columbus area and was located approximately 600 miles south of Columbus. He was arrested in the 1400 block of Braxford Trace in Lawrenceville, GA, a city northeast of Atlanta. Child abducted out of Madison County found in west Columbus near Hilliard Glass, of Canal Winchester, originally pleaded not guilty to murder, two counts of felonious assault, having weapons under disability, illegal possession of a firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon, before changing his plea to guilty one count of involuntary manslaughter with a three-year firearm specification. On Tuesday, Glass was sentenced to serve 14-to-19.5 years in prison, after which he will be under post-release control for two-to-five years. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. President Donald Trump did not warn key allies before launching a major military operation in Iran, leaving them scrambling to deal with the fallout as Iran retaliated against countries aligned with the U.S. One of the administrations closest partners in Europe, the far-right government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, only learned of the attack on Iran as it was happening, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said Saturday morning, according to Italian daily La Repubblica. Soon after American and Israeli forces unleashed a series of attacks on regime targets in the Iranian capital of Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps responded with what it called a first wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Explosions also rocked Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, which host strategically significant U.S. military bases. Smoke was visible Saturday morning in the Iranian capital of Tehran. / Getty Images A military base in Kuwait that houses 300 Italian Air Force personnel was among those hit, Italys foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said. The personnel were all in their bunkers at the time and were not hurt in the attack, La Repubblica reported. Foreign allied soldiers are also stationed at the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain, which was targeted with Iranian missile attacks. Civilians from Americas allies were also caught unawares, with hundreds of Italians in Tehran now being advised to stay indoors wherever they are. Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, the U.S. embassies in Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan advised Americans in the region to shelter in place. Much of the fallout was predictable given that Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, warned on Feb. 20 that that all U.S. military bases, facilities, and assets in the region would constitute legitimate targets if the United States follows through on its military threats and attacks Iran. But by failing to advise European allies ahead of time about the attacks, the U.S. left its global partners racing to devise last-minute security plans. A government spokesperson for Germany said the country had been informed by Israel, not the U.S., in advance of the strikes, The New York Times reported. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took joint credit for the strikes on Iran. / Joe Raedle / Getty Images The Italian government said in a Saturday morning statement that high-level officials were holding emergency meetings to determine how to deal with what one senior cabinet member called a serious and concerning situation. Advertisement Advertisement The governments official statement called for a de-escalation of tensions, while several opposition leaders have called for the Italian government to distance itself from Trump to avoid being complicit in what they say is an illegal war. Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, condemned the U.S.-Israeli attacks, calling them an escalation, according to the Times. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency meeting of the U.S. Security Council following the strikes. / Win McNamee/Getty Images Irelands premier, Micheal Martin, said he was deeply concerned about the risk of wider conflict in the Middle East following the strikes, while the Brazilian government also expressed its grave concern about the attacks, The Guardian reported. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council to try to defuse tensions. France hosts several military bases in Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan. Advertisement Advertisement Residents in Tehran reported a series of explosions at about 10:30 a.m. local time on Saturday in the Pasteur neighborhood, where the presidential palace and national security council head offices are located. The Iranian cities of Qom, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Lorestan, Karaj, and Khorramabad were also targeted in the strikes. Sources said Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not at his residence at the time of the strikes. / Anadolu via Getty Images The attacks have caused a significant number of deaths, though Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not believed to be at his Tehran residence at the time, The Guardian reported. His officials have vowed a crushing response to what appears to be the start of a full-scale military exchange, and not a limited U.S. action. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House and Defense Department for comment. A Gainesville man arrested in metro Atlanta in 2024 has now been found guilty in a nearly four-decade-old California cold case murder. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office, a jury on Feb. 27 convicted Aloysius Winthrop James of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of murder committed during the commission of a rape in the 1988 killing of 30-year-old Ofelia Sandoval. Advertisement Advertisement Sandoval was found strangled to death on September 18, 1988, inside her room at the Town Center Motel in the 200 block of North Broadway in Santa Maria, Calif. Her death was ruled a homicide. The Santa Maria Police Department launched an extensive investigation at the time, collecting numerous pieces of evidence. Despite those efforts, the case went cold in 1989. TRENDING STORIES: In the early 2000s, the California Department of Justice developed a DNA profile of an unknown man from evidence collected during Sandovals autopsy. However, the profile did not match any known individuals or entries in the national DNA database. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say the case remained open, with multiple detectives revisiting the evidence over the years. In 2018, the FBI partnered with Santa Maria police to obtain a covert DNA sample from James. In 2023, the Department of Justice confirmed that the DNA profile developed from the 1988 evidence matched James. At the time of the arrest, James was living in Gainesville. On April 16, 2024, Santa Maria detectives, along with the FBI, the Hall County Sheriffs Office SWAT Team, and the Gainesville Police Department, served an arrest warrant at his Gainesville home. James, who had been a Santa Maria resident at the time of the killing, was arrested and booked into the Hall County Jail without bond before being extradited to California to face charges. Prosecutors say the guilty verdict marks the culmination of nearly 38 years of investigative work. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] James now faces a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for April 14. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators have previously said they believe there may be additional victims connected to James involving threats, sexual assault, domestic abuse, or other crimes. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information to contact the Santa Maria Police Department. The conviction closes one of Santa Marias longest-running cold cases and brings long-awaited justice in the 1988 murder of Ofelia Sandoval. Americas top generals have been as clear as they dare in warning Donald Trump off his latest military adventure. But the president wasnt listening. Eight weeks after sending helicopter-borne special forces into Caracas to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump has taken his warmongering to a new level with the launch overnight of major combat operations in Iran. The Venezuela raid was well planned, limited in scope, and a clear military success, just the kind of stunt Trump and the former Fox News host who serves as his Secretary of War needed to fire up the troops in their new anti-woke army. Advertisement Advertisement But Iran is a whole different matter. Theres a reason why, as Trump put it, the Iranian regime has been able to chant Death to America for the past 47 years as it targeted American forces and interests in the region through its network of terror groups and proxy militias. The last time the United States tried to use military power to deliver regime change in the Middle East, with the ill-fated invasion of Iraq in 2003, its forces were bogged down for eight years. The real winner of that adventure was Iran, which was effectively handed control of the new Iraq after the dismantling of the Baathist regime. Of course, Iran has been massively weakened over the past couple of years. Hezbollah and Hamas, its main proxy forces, have been all but destroyed by Israel, and while an American bombing raid last June did not actually obliterate Irans nuclear program, as Pete Hegseth claimed at the time, it did set it back. Gen. Dan Caine, Trump's closest military adviser, has reportedly been warning the president off a full-scale attack on Iran. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images Reports from inside the White House say Trumps military advisers, including Gen. Dan Raizin Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have warned the president against a full-scale attack on Iran, briefing not just that it could cost American lives but dangerously degrade already depleted weapons stockpiles. Trump dismissed a Washington Post report that Caine is against us going to War with Iran as 100% incorrect. Advertisement Advertisement Its possible that Trump will walk away with an easy military victory, or that the Islamic regime, once prodded, could fall, as the president suggested in his video address from the White House. That will depend on Irans will and ability to resist the warfighting power of the United States and Israel and whatever allies they can persuade to join them in the ominously titled Operation Epic Fury. Gen. Caine, seen here with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, warned that attacking Iran would not be as simple as the raid on Venezuela. / Alex Wong / Getty Images But its far from clear why Trump had to go to war with Iran now, while his son-in-law Jared Kushner and New York property pal Steve Witkoff are still trying to bring the regime to heel. The massive military force gathered in the Middle East and Mediterranean was already sending a pretty clear message to the Mullahs. In a text message last month to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, Trump explained that since Norway had denied him the Nobel Peace Prize despite him supposedly ending at least eight wars, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace. Announcing the attack, Trump recalled Iran's use of terror dating back to the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis of 1979. / Bettmann / Bettmann Archive When Trump first entered the White House in 2017, there was widespread fear that the nuclear suitcase would be following around such a volatile president. But he defied expectations and ended up being more cautious militarily than his Democratic predecessor as commander-in-chief, Barack Obama. Advertisement Advertisement The great American peacemaker of the late 20th century was another second-term conservative president, Ronald Reagan, who clearly had an eye on his legacy as he joined with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to limit nuclear arsenals and call an end to the Cold War. Trump seems to have gone in the opposite direction in his second term: he wants to blow everything up, to test the limits of his power, as though a switch has flicked in his 79-year-old brain. The peace president is bored of peace. Public transport workers across most of Germany entered a second day of nationwide strikes on Saturday, with local buses, trams and underground services largely suspended in many regions. The industrial action, launched by the powerful Verdi trade union on Friday morning, has brought local transport in most federal states to a near standstill. The two-day walkout is set to continue in most regions until late Saturday night and could continue into the early hours of Sunday. Workers in the states of Lower Saxony and Baden-Wuerttemberg are not taking part. Advertisement Advertisement In the ongoing labour negotiations - conducted with municipal employers' associations in each state - Verdi is pushing to improve working conditions, including shorter weekly hours, longer rest periods and higher bonuses for night and weekend work. In some states, negotiations are also focused on wage increases. The strike marks the second nationwide action in an ongoing round of labour negotiations. During the previous strike on February 2, local public transport in large parts of Germany came to an almost complete standstill. According to Verdi, the talks have made little headway recently, with employers likewise complaining about a lack of progress. It remains unclear when a deal might be reached. BERLIN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Germany, France and Britain condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region on Saturday, saying Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes and resume negotiations. "We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a joint statement. "We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future," they said. Advertisement Advertisement The leaders said they had consistently urged Iran to end its nuclear programme, curb its ballistic missile program, refrain from its destabilizing activity in the region and cease appalling violence and repression against its own people. Adding that their countries did not participate in strikes on Saturday, they said they were in close contact with international partners, including the U.S., Israel, and partners in the region. "We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life," they added. (Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Aidan Lewis) One of the worlds largest steelmakers has deployed a novel heat battery at its plant in India to curb emissions from its dirty, energy-intensive operations. Tata Steel is using the 20-megawatt-hour thermal-storage system, developed by the German startup Kraftblock, at a massive steel mill in Jamshedpur, in the eastern state of Jharkhand. The technology captures waste heat thats generated during an early stage of the steelmaking process, then repurposes that heat to replace fossil gas used within the plant. On Friday, the companies announced the project for the first time and shared the initial results. Kraftblock has been operating the heat battery since last May as part of a one-year test run with Tata Steel. Advertisement Advertisement Based on how well the system has performed so far, the cleantech firm expects its thermal-storage technology will reduce the sites carbon dioxide emissions by 22,000 metric tons per year about the same as taking 5,100 gas-fueled cars off the road and will eliminate about 110 gigawatt-hours of fossil-gas use per year. It's performing better than we calculated, Martin Schichtel, Kraftblocks CEO and co-founder, told Canary Media. The project is likely the first of its kind within the steel industry, experts say. But manufacturers in other industrial sectors are increasingly testing out thermal-storage technology as they look for cleaner ways to produce the scorching heat they need to make ceramics, chemicals, dairy products, and processed food and drinks. Some of these systems draw electricity from the grid to generate and store heat in specialized bricks, rocks, or salt. They then supply that heat to industrial furnaces and boilers whenever companies need it. Kraftblock, which launched in 2014, operates a system like this at a PepsiCo factory in the Netherlands, where heat batteries are used instead of fossil gas to deliver steam and hot oil for frying potato chips. The company has developed a stonelike storage material from byproducts such as steel slag and copper-mine waste, Schichtel said. Advertisement Advertisement Kraftblocks system in India charges up using the excess heat from industrial processes, not electricity. Schichtel said that hard-to-decarbonize sectors like steelmaking have a huge potential to harness more of their waste heat, which is typically just lost to the air. At the Tata Steel site, two Kraftblock units are connected to the sinter plant by a maze of thick silver pipes. Sintering is a highly energy-intensive process in which iron ore, limestone, and other materials are heated together to make lumps that are fed into blast furnaces the hulking coal-fueled facilities that produce iron, the main ingredient in steel. Tata Steel primarily uses fossil gas to generate heat to make the sinter, and later runs the finished product through large circular equipment to cool it back down. Kraftblocks technology gathers the thermal energy that the cooled-off sinter releases and stores it in the batteries at up to 500 degrees Celsius (932 degrees Fahrenheit). Tata Steel can then tap those batteries to warm the water needed for the sintering process. Kraftblocks system enables us to significantly reduce our fossil energy consumption and emissions while improving process efficiency, Subodh Pandey, Tata Steels vice president of technology, R&D, new materials business, and graphene, said in a statement to Canary Media. This project is a significant step towards a greener, more energy and cost-efficient steel industry. Kraftblock declined to say how much its 20-MWh system cost to build or operate. But Schichtel said the project was developed without any subsidies, a fact that reflects the growing regulatory pressure facing Indian steelmakers. India is set to launch a carbon-credit trading scheme this year, and the European Union recently enacted a carbon-border tariff on polluting imports, which applies to metal from India. Advertisement Advertisement Such policies are definitely supportive of clean technologies like Kraftblocks, Schichtel said. Globally, steelmaking accounts for between 7% and 9% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Most of that pollution comes from heating coal in blast furnaces a chemical process that cant be directly replaced with thermal-storage systems. Steelmakers are pursuing other low-carbon methods instead, including producing iron using green hydrogen or with novel electrochemical processes. Tata Steel, for its part, recently announced plans to invest $1.2 billion in advanced technologies at its Jamshedpur plant that are designed to reduce coal use in the ironmaking process and will capture carbon emissions from the steel mill. Still, heat batteries like Kraftblocks could provide a key way for steelmakers to start cleaning up their existing facilities today, even as they work to solve the much harder, longer-term challenge of fully decarbonizing, said Kaitlyn Ramirez, a senior associate in the Climate-Aligned Industries Program at RMI, a clean energy think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Curbing steelmakers energy use is especially crucial, given how much renewable power cleaner steel mills are expected to need for steps like producing green hydrogen and operating electricity-driven furnaces and reactors. Every amount of energy that we can reduce or make more efficient makes the ultimate transition to near-zero [steel] production easier and much more feasible in the near term, Ramirez said. Kraftblock is part of the climatetech accelerator Third Derivative, run by RMI. The startup joined last years industrial innovation cohort, along with other industrial-heat-focused companies such as Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems, HyperHeat, and Noc Energy. Nick Yavorsky, a senior associate at RMI who works with Third Derivative cohorts, said his team thought that Kraftblock was on a very successful commercial pathway. The startup had already raised 20 million euros ($23.6 million) in Series B financing when it joined the accelerator, and it had already deployed its thermal-storage technology at the Netherlands PepsiCo plant and at a ceramic manufacturing facility in Germany. The Tata Steel project is kind of a beacon for thermal-storage startups looking to break into the steel sector, Yavorsky said. He added that he sees significant potential for scaling Kraftblocks technology. Beyond the carbon-intensive blast furnace, steelmaking involves over a dozen upstream and downstream processes that require lots of energy and generate plenty of heat. Advertisement Advertisement Worldwide, steelmakers operate over 480 integrated iron- and steelmaking facilities, according to Global Energy Monitor. Indias steel sector is growing particularly fast, and much of that new capacity is still expected to rely heavily on coal, underscoring the need to slash steel-related emissions wherever possible. Schichtel said that Kraftblock and Tata Steel could consider expanding the heat-battery project after the full year of operations. He noted that the startups technology can store and manage heat up to 1,300 degrees Celsius (2,372 degrees Fahrenheit) much higher than the sinter plant requires which enables its technology to harness waste heat from a wide range of industrial processes. Not all steel mills will convert to hydrogen [ironmaking] within the next five or 10 years, right? he said. So each step you can do to minimize emissions, to increase energy efficiency for existing systems, is highly value-added. A correction was made on March 2, 2026: This story originally said that Third Derivative was run by RMI and New Energy Nexus. While New Energy Nexus co-founded Third Derivative, it is now run solely by RMI. Cincinnati City Council Member Mark Jefferys gives remarks duirng a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Susan Neaman, of the Cincinnati- Kharkiv Sister City Partnership, reads a note from a Ukrainian citizen during a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Attendees listen to remarks during a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Professor of History Sean Pollock, of Wright State University, gives remarks and historical context during a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Susan Neaman, of the Cincinnati- Kharkiv Sister City Partnership, draws a candle flame to begin the candle lighting ceremony during a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Attendees light each others candles duirng a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Attendees listen to remarks after lighting candles during a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Attendees sing the Ukrainian National Anthem during a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Sunflower seeds are passed out at the conclusion of a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Supporters gather for the four year anniversary of the invasion on Ukraine. See photos 1 of 9 Cincinnati City Council Member Mark Jefferys gives remarks duirng a vigil for the four year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Place Presbyterian Church of Wyoming in Wyoming, Oh. Four years ago, Ukrainians woke up at 5 a.m. to the sounds of war. Since then residents of Cincinnati's sister city in Ukraine have been bombed, killed and watched parts of their city turn to rubble. To mark the anniversary, around 80 people gathered at the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming on Feb. 27 for a vigil hosted by the Cincinnati-Kharkiv sister city partnership. They wanted to honor those in Ukraine now entering their fifth year of the conflict. Kharkiv is the second-largest city in Ukraine and just 26 miles away from the Russian border, the same distance between Downtown Cincinnati and Monroe. Cincinnati and Kharkiv became sister cities a few years before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989. Advertisement Advertisement Victoria Appatova attended the vigil. Originally from Odesa, Ukraine, she moved to the United States with her husband more than 35 years ago. She's an English professor at UC. She said her friends and family in Ukraine are not losing hope, but they are tired. "One country violating the independence of another country must absolutely not be accepted by the rest of the world and people do not have the right to close their eyes to that," Appatova said. For the past 26 years, Oleg Umnov has lived in the United States. His sister, her husband, and Umnov's nephew live in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital and largest city. This winter, the Russian military launched missiles into Kyiv's power infrastructure. His sister told him their home got down to 47 degrees Fahrenheit. During one point of the vigil, the lights dimmed and people held candles in a circle. They listened to the Ukrainian national anthem. Several knew the words and sang along. Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the sister cities partnership, elementary school students in Mariemont and Kharkiv have held joint art exhibitions, there have been student exchanges and politicians from the cities have visited each other. Anastasiia Miroshnikova was one of those exchange students. At the vigil, she wore a wore a vyshyvanka, traditional Ukrainian clothing with embroidered floral designs. She's from Kharkiv. Her exchange program only lasted three weeks, but Miroshnikova said she stayed close with her host family or "American family." When the war started, she moved from Ukraine to Cincinnati to live with them. She's now a senior at Centre College in Danville, KY. "I just hope this devastating war is going to be over and my family is going to be in peace and safety because every time I call them it's like a Russian roulette you don't know if they're alive," Miroshnikova said. "I really really hope that next year we wont be here for this reason. Well be here to celebrate Ukraine. We have a lot of traditions, we have wonderful cuisine, we have so many things to share other than the war." Enquirer Reporter Cameron Knight contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati vigil marks anniversary of war in Ukrainian sister city GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) When he became chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department four years ago, Eric Winstrom had hoped to stay long enough to retire from the job. But he says hatred toward police from what he describes as a small but vocal segment of the community helped drive him out. His home in Grand Rapids was targeted by vandals, one time struck by a brick. I got a lot of love from a lot of people, but I got a lot of vitriol, a lot of anger, not necessarily for Eric Winstrom, but for this uniform I wear, Winstrom told News 8 in an interview Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Winstrom will start his new job Monday in Penascola, Florida, at a smaller department in a much smaller city. He acknowledged that he will take a $25,000 pay cut. Its not nothing, he said when asked if taking a pay cut to move spoke volumes. He was making $206,000 a year in Grand Rapids. It just seems like the right time, GRPDs Winstrom says of move to Florida Winstrom became chief in Grand Rapids in March 2022 after two decades at the Chicago Police Department. What I found was this is actually a big city police job in a midsized city, he said. I really thought Im specially talented to come here and make such a positive impact that this was going to be sort of a dream job with less pressure, he said. I wanted to see my kids graduate from high school here. Advertisement Advertisement The next month, in April 2022, Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed by a GRPD officer, Christopher Schurr, leading to protests, a murder charge against the officer and later, a hung jury. Schurr juror: One holdout kept former officer from being acquitted Protesters and vandals targeted Winstroms home and the homes of other city leaders. A vandal threw a brick at his home. Very quickly, everyone in the city knew where I lived; people were not shy to drive by and lean on their horn and scream obscenities at me or at the house, Winstrom said. It led to extra patrols around his home and the homes of other city leaders. Advertisement Advertisement I remember the day that my son went out in the driveway and saw Abolish the police spray painted in red on my driveway, and he came back in, Dad, I think somebody bad did something to the house,' Winstrom said. My daughter at time who was probably 8, we were walking through a grocery store together in town and was accosted by a woman who pretty much got in my face and started screaming at me, Justice for Patrick.' It doesnt help, he said, that those opposed to police get an audience at every city commission meeting. He calls it open mic night. The officers here see that, and they see the city commission giving them that audience and it becomes, you just gave the squeaky wheel a microphone, a speaker, he said. We know that 90% of the city appreciates us, loves us, but those arent the voices that get amplified, and that is frustrating. Advertisement Advertisement When asked if that drove him out, he said: Well, it certainly didnt help. Grand Rapids mayor says comment on shaming gun owners was not a policy signal But the chief said he also had his successes. I would say leaving the Grand Rapids Police Department in a better place than I found it. And I inherited a great police department, great men and women, he said. The number of sworn officers grew by 45 to 305 during his stay. Its definitely achieving staffing and turning around our reputation for being a place people didnt want to go because it wasnt supported by the city, there was too much focus of the media in a negative way. Those were real challenges, Winstrom said. Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt unusual to see the chief at major crime scenes, day or night. Having been there so many times, I know there is value in the chief going out there, supporting the officer, sometimes being that buffer with the family, he said. Now, nearly four years after the Patrick Lyoya shooting, the department is facing another investigation, this time after a GRPD officer shot and killed DaQuain Johnson last week. Officers can be heard saying in video that Johnson had a gun. A death certificate shows he died of a gunshot wound to the back. Court docs: Wrong man doxed after GRPD shooting It was the 11th shooting involving GRPD officers during Winstroms time here, News 8 records show. Five ended in death, though one of those was self-inflicted. Advertisement Advertisement Its a little bit of challenge to go when theres still so much attention on this last officer-involved shooting, he said. It feels sort of a coincidence or strange to leave when theres a packed commission meeting with people yelling about police, and thats how I started my time here. Four years, he said. Im exhausted, and I know that this was the right thing for my family. I think its time that they got a break from everything that I put them through, so I just think its time. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) Guinea on Friday released 16 soldiers and police officers from neighboring Sierra Leone who were arrested earlier this week in a border dispute, Sierra Leonean authorities said. All security officers arrested by the Guinean authorities have been safely handed over to Sierra Leone, Sierra Leones Ministry of Information said in a Facebook post. The release followed a visit to Guineas capital, Conakry, by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Alhaji Timothy Kabba, the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Several members of a security team, including an officer, were apprehended and transported across the border by members of Guineas military, Sierra Leones government said Tuesday. The Guinean military said in a statement the same day that the security team had entered Guinean territory without authorization and set up a tent and raised their national flag about a mile (1.6 kilometers) inside Guineas border. For more than two decades, the West African countries have been involved in a border dispute stemming from Sierra Leones civil war between 1991 and 2002. Sierra Leones government invited Guinea to help defend its eastern borders during the war, but Guinean troops did not fully withdraw afterward. The latest incident occurred Monday in the border town of Kalieyereh in Falaba District, according to Sierra Leones government, which said members of its armed forces and police were working on making bricks for the construction of a border post and accommodation facility at the site. Last year, the Guinean military entered a mineral-rich border town in Sierra Leone, sparking regional concerns. Gulf countries expressed outrage on Saturday in the face of military attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran, a rare show of unity in pushing back against Tehran in the wake of U.S. and Israeli strikes against the country. Iran is retaliating in the face of President Trumps early Saturday decision to launch a major military operation with Israel aimed at toppling the regime in Tehran. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait all appeared to have been targeted by Iranian attacks. Iran also targeted sites in Jordan. All of these countries host U.S. bases or forces in the region. Advertisement Advertisement The regime has not capitulated in the least. At least not yet, said Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington based thinktank. They are fighting back and so what were watching is this sort of test of wills, he said in a briefing on Saturday, responding to Irans targeting of Gulf states. Saudi Arabia announced it would aid countries in repelling Iranian attacks. Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Kingdoms full solidarity with the countries concerned and its firm support for them, stating that it would mobilize all its capabilities to assist them in any measures they undertake, the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement The UAE, in a statement, emphasized that the countrys security is indivisible from its Gulf neighbors and that any infringement on the sovereignty of any state constitutes a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region. Schanzer said its interesting to see the countries banding together with the United States. The Emiratis and the Saudis are now speaking the same language, he said. They have been at odds with one another over the last several weeks, they are issuing statements of support for one another as Iranian missiles and drones are getting shot across the region. Advertisement Advertisement Heres a breakdown of attacks so far as this story develops: Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia said Iranian attacks targeted the capital city of Riyadh and the Eastern Province. The Kingdom said it had successfully intercepted Iranian attacks. In a statement on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned Iranian strikes on its territory, calling them unjustified because the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace to be used for any U.S. or Israeli attacks against the country. These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way whatsoever, and they came despite the Iranian authorities knowledge that the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran, the statement read. Bahrain Iran managed a strike against a service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain, Reuters reported Advertisement Advertisement The Kingdom of Bahrain said in a statement it had been subjected to external attacks targeting sites and installations within its borders but said it successfully intercepted some Iranian attacks. The Government affirmed its full right to respond and to take all necessary measures to defend its national security and safeguard its sovereignty, in coordination with its allies and partners. Qatar Qatar reportedly intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles targeting the Al-Udeid airbase in Doha, which hosts the U.S. Central Command. Qatar warned it reserves the right to retaliate in the face of Iranian strikes, but called for a cessation of hostilities and warned of a wider regional war. Advertisement Advertisement Qatar called for efforts to contain the crisis in a manner that preserves the security of the region, safeguards the interests of its peoples, and prevents a slide into broader confrontations. UAE Explosions were reported across Dubai and Abu Dhabi and the Emirati government said it reserved the right to respond. A Pakistani citizen was reportedly killed in the UAE related to the interception of an Iranian missile. The UAE will not tolerate any compromise to its security or sovereignty under any circumstances, the foreign ministry said in a statement on X. Reuters reported at least five booms in rapid succession that caused windows to vibrate in a house near Abu Dhabis Corniche, its premier waterfront promenade. Kuwait A drone targeted Kuwaits International Airport on Saturday, resulting in minor injuries to a number of workers and limited material damage to the passenger termina, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Saturday, Kuwaits Armed Forces said it had engaged aerial missiles detected in the airpsace. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The News The US and Israeli strikes on Iran this morning mark the end of an era in which Gulf countries have long been shielded from direct confrontation with a major American adversary despite hosting US military bases. Hours after the US and Israel began what President Donald Trump described as major combat operations aimed at toppling the Islamic Republic, Tehran launched missiles and drones targeting US facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as civilian sites including the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and Kuwaits airport. For more than a decade, Gulf capitals urged de-escalation, arguing diplomacy was the only path to prevent Iran from targeting the wealthy cities and advanced energy infrastructure the region has spent trillions of dollars building. Now, with every state except Oman long a mediator and back channel to Tehran struck, the question is how will they respond. Officially, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have condemned the attacks while reserving the right to retaliate. Advertisement Advertisement The Gulf has more to lose economically than Iran, a dynamic that still points toward restraint. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha have become global hubs for aviation, logistics, tourism, tech, real estate, and finance. All these sectors are vulnerable to disruption and reputational damage. Flights operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways were grounded, stranding tens of thousands of travelers and costing airlines millions. Travelers are already reconsidering flying through a region that can light up at any moment. Saudi Arabia is earlier in its drive to diversify from oil but its investing heavily to transform the economy and create jobs for a young population. Even if Gulf countries retaliate, there arent a lot of targets they can hit in Iran that would deter the Islamic Republics leaders. Irans calculations in striking the Gulf arent entirely clear. Some analysts see Tehran trying to inflict pain on Arab Gulf states to pressure Washington back to negotiations. Gulf governments have already declined to allow the US to launch attacks from their territory. But the strikes on Gulf capitals demonstrate that this neutrality offers little protection in a conflict that Trump framed as and Tehran believes is existential to the regime. Mohammeds view Trump explained the rationale for the war by laying out Irans decades-long violent track record. Its an argument that resonates with many people in the region and around the world. The Iranian government supported forces that murdered hundreds of thousands of Syrians, assassinated a Lebanese prime minister, and shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in 2020 (and sent its Shahed drones to kill more Ukrainians). And today, its strike in Abu Dhabi killed a Pakistani national and has wounded many more. Advertisement Advertisement The regime has its justifications and grievances, and its pointless to adjudicate the debate here. That this bloody day has come to the Gulf has long felt inevitable: The risk has been embedded in equity markets, and even sovereign wealth funds are, in a way, an insurance policy if the region faces prolonged conflict and devastation. Most people Ive spoken to are in shock, having never imagined the bubble of safety could actually be punctured. My colleague Kelsey Warner in Abu Dhabi said residents in her neighborhood are considering sheltering in parking garages, and beaches that were full on Saturday morning were deserted by the afternoon. Im haunted by a woman who was wandering the aisles of the grocery store with two limes, probably for the Coronas she had back home, she told me. Others are still keeping their dinner plans as if its a normal day. Authorities have urged calm and discouraged hoarding. Yet with flights grounded, supply chains are vulnerable. My supermarket still has imported peaches and nectarines from Argentina and Australia, but if this stretches into a long conflict it will test the resiliency of Gulf states that import most of their food. As for what the next days bring, its hard to tell. Life will resume, and Iran doesnt have the unlimited firepower that would overwhelm the Gulf. But a precedent has been set. With Trumps goal of regime change and Tehran striking across the Gulf, this region is no longer a bystander. Notable A woman from New Hampshire has been charged with murder one year after a newborn girl was found dead in a pond. The New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office shared a news release on Thursday, February 26, confirming that Hepay Juma had been arrested. Attorney General John M. Formella and Manchester Police Chief Peter A. Marr announce that an arrest has been made in connection with the suspicious death of a female infant found deceased in Pine Island Pond in Manchester, New Hampshire, on March 27, 2025, the release stated. Advertisement Advertisement The statement went on to share that Juma, 26, was arrested for alleged reckless second-degree murder for causing the death of Baby Jane Grace Doe, her child, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life. Father Arrested After 11-Month-Old Baby Found Dead and Partially Buried in a Remote Location in New Mexico The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation, the statement continued. The charges and allegations against Ms. Juma are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Juma is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, February 27, in Manchester District Court, according to CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement It is not currently clear if she has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest. The New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment. The arrest took place eight months after a funeral was held for baby Jane Grace Doe in May 2025. "The way she was discarded is heartbreaking, and it is important that we give her a proper farewell," Marr said at the time of the girls death, per CBS News. While its not clear if the baby was ever given a legal name, police decided to call her Grace "to celebrate the kindness extended to her by those who refuse to let her life go unrecognized, per CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement The babys body was discovered in late March 2025 when police responded to a report of an object floating in the water. After authorities arrived at the scene, they identified the object as the body of a newborn female. "A thorough autopsy was conducted ... While the autopsy revealed certain relevant information, additional tests are ongoing," police said in a press release at the time. Mother Who Drowned 7-Month-Old Baby in Bathtub Deemed Not Well During 1st Hearing The baby's exact age has never been confirmed, though police speculated she was a newborn at the time of her death. Early on in the investigation, police said that they were seeking "information from anyone who might have seen someone discarding an object into the water at Pine Island Park between Tuesday, March 25th and Thursday, March 27th. Advertisement Advertisement Police also offered a $5,000 reward for information in the case, though few details emerged in the early months of the investigation. Following Jumas arrest, Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen said that authorities were successful in investigating thoroughly throughout the last ... well, at this point, almost a year, and making sure that no stone was left unturned and pursuing all the investigative leads that they had," per News 9. The Attorney General's Office also confirmed that all parties involved in the case have now been identified, including the child's father. However, his identity has not been publicly revealed. Former Vice President Kamala Harris is endorsing Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) ahead of her high-profile Senate primary Tuesday. Harris lent her voice for a robocall urging Democrats to vote for Crockett, who is running against state Rep. James Talarico for the Democratic nomination to take Sen. John Cornyns (R-Texas) seat. Texas has the chance to send a fighter like Jasmine Crockett to the United States Senate, Harris says in the call, The Texas Tribune reported. Jasmine has the experience and record to hold Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Harris urged Democrats to cast their ballots early Friday or in person Tuesday. Its time to turn Texas blue, the former vice president says at the end of the call. The Hill has reached out to Harriss and Crocketts offices for comment. The two have been political allies since Crockett served as the national co-chair on Harriss 2024 presidential campaign. Crockett also spoke at the Democratic National Convention when Harris became the nominee. Crockett has said she talked with Harris before plunging into the Senate race. She told Native Land Pod in December that she was not going to jump into the race without having some real conversations with the vice president. Advertisement Advertisement And obviously, she didnt just run in one state, shes run in a lot of states, right? Crockett said. And to this day, she still remains a mentor and a friend and an auntie of sorts. Crockett and Talarico are neck and neck in the Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) polling average, with 44.4 percent support for Talarico to Crocketts 44.1 percent. Cornyn, meanwhile is in a highly competitive primary of his own, currently sitting at 33.9 percent, compared to 38.7 percent for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and 17.1 percent for Rep. Wesley Hunt, according to DDHQ. The race is seen as a crucial one for both parties in the fight for control of the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has declined to endorse in the GOP primary, saying of Paxton and Cornyn at an event in Texas on Friday, theyre both great people. All three Republicans were invited to meet with Trump during his stop in Corpus Christi. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. EAST CAMDEN Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Arkansas munitions industry Friday during the final stop on his Arsenal of Freedom speaking tour at the L3Harris arms manufacturing campus. Speaking before hundreds of L3Harris employees, Hegseth called the workers patriots and said the U.S. military must unleash our warfighters with the lethal tools only you can build. You are the proof that the promise of globalism is a lie, Hegseth said. Each day you prove that when this nation unleashes industry, when we at last unleash the raw, competitive and patriotic spirit, the United States of America always wins. Advertisement Advertisement South Arkansas is a hub of defense contracting, and L3Harris produces more than 115,000 rocket motors per year on its 2,000-acre campus. Last year, the company announced a $500 million expansion of its facility, creating 20 new buildings and 50 new jobs. Hegseth gave his speech near the site of the planned expansion. Aerospace and defense manufacturing is Arkansas top export category, according to the state Economic Development Commission, with more than $950 million worth of goods exported in 2024. The Camden area is also home to a $33 million missile plant, a joint venture that Raytheon Technologies and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems began in October 2023 to support Israel during the Israel-Hamas war. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is based in Israel. Hegseth expressed support for Trumps January announcement that the United States defense budget for fiscal year 2027 should be a record $1.5 trillion. Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, all Republicans, introduced Hegseth before his speech. Jim Watson, L3Harris senior director of the Camden campus, told reporters he was grateful for the visit from Hegseth and elected officials. He also said he was proud of the 1,500 site employees work for the U.S. military. They understand the mission, and our mission is always to support the warfighter, Watson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Feb. 27Marion resident Evie Cahalen, 65, has launched a bid to unseat incumbent Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, 47, who is seeking a third term in office. The two Republicans will square off in the June 2 primary election, where voters will choose who appears on the November ballot. This is Cahalen's first run for county sheriff. Her move to Montana from Maryland in 2013 fulfilled a childhood dream, inspired by John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High." "I wanted to be a Montanan, and I feel like I am a Montanan," Cahalen said. "I've been accepted into the community. I have wonderful friends here. I could never imagine not living here." A lifelong Republican, Cahalen serves as president of the Flathead County Republican Women and second vice president of the Montana Federation of Republican Women. She also joined the Flathead County Republican Central Committee this year. But there's no room for politics in law enforcement, she said. "Even though this is a partisan race, law enforcement can't be partisan," Cahalen said. "You have to serve every member of your community." Cahalen earned a master's degree in police management from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and a bachelor's degree in justice administration from The American University in Washington D.C.* She began her law enforcement career at the Montgomery County Police Department Public Service Training Academy in Maryland at 21 years old, and went on to work for the county police department, where she became district commander. During her career, Cahalen consulted for various law enforcement organizations, including the National Sheriffs' Association and International Association of Chiefs of Police, and taught criminal justice as an adjunct professor at Montgomery Community College. "I love law enforcement. It's just a passion," said Cahalen, who retired from her 25-year career in 2007. "People who I know, who talk to me about it, they can tell right away." She decided to run for sheriff four years ago, around the same time she joined the Flathead County Sheriff's Office Advisory Board. But there hasn't been an advisory board meeting in more than two years, she said. "I thought that it would be an opportunity to provide input to the Sheriff's Office," Cahalen said. "For all intents and purposes, it doesn't even exist. I was very disappointed to see that." Heino confirmed the advisory board no longer holds regular meetings, but said that he remains in touch with many of its members. Cahalen's campaign centers on building community relationships, improving deputy training and reducing liability risks with the county's current jail. If elected sheriff, she wants to boost Neighborhood Watch Programs. "It's actually like a real training process," Cahalen said. "You think it's just calling 911, but it's not. You have to know what to report." Since 2003, Cahalen has toured the nation teaching civilians how to answer dispatcher questions and provide detailed information as a witness. She'll also invest in repairing the current county jail while a new detention facility is constructed on Snowline Lane, funded by a $105 million bond passed by voters in November. For almost two decades, the county's current detention center has weathered overcrowding, unsafe working conditions and limited space for inmates with mental health needs. She wants to address the facility's infrastructure issues to create a safer working environment. "We're kind of just lucky at this point, I think, that we haven't had a lawsuit filed," Cahalen said. HEINO SPENT the better part of his law enforcement career, roughly 20 years, discussing the need for a new jail. Seeing the project through is part of the reason he is running for reelection, he told the Inter Lake. A Flathead Valley native, Heino graduated from Flathead High School in 1996 and went on to pursue a career in firefighting at Smith Valley Fire Department and with the U.S. Forest Service. A few years later, he followed his future wife to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he received an associate degree in police science from Sheridan College. He worked for the city's police department until the couple returned to Kalispell in 2003, where he joined the Sheriff's Office as a deputy. Heino has since served in leadership positions, including SWAT team lead sniper and patrol commander. He has overseen the Sheriff's Posse and served as coordinator with Flathead County Search and Rescue. He first ran for sheriff in 2018 with the encouragement of his colleagues, and his last seven years in office are a testament to his success, Heino said. His management skills were tested during the Covid-19 pandemic, which proved to be a difficult time for the office, Heino said. Several deputies put in their resignation or retired during the pandemic, leaving his office critically understaffed. At one point, there were 14 vacant deputy positions and eight vacant detention officer positions. "We had to really compact our resources down to the bare essentials," Heino said. "We had to pull all of our special entities into just operating on patrol." Staffing levels have bounced back since the pandemic, Heino said. Today, the office sees an average of two to three vacant deputy positions every month. But there's room for growth, he said. Across Montana, average staffing for a sheriff's office is one deputy per 1,000 civilians. Heino said his department is currently staffed with a ratio of 0.8 to 0.9 deputies per 1,000. "That's six or so positions that would be required to even meet that basic," Heino said. Outside of staffing needs, Heino said he's met every goal he set for himself as sheriff in 2019. He successfully lobbied for a new jail facility, created a new K-9 unit, hired school resource officers and secured new technology for his office. "We've done a great job here, I think, of investing in our staff," Heino said. "We have really invested in training and trying to get them the best training we possibly can afford." In a third term, Heino said he'll continue to negotiate staff and pay increases, while staying mindful of the county's limited revenue. Under his watch, the Sheriff's Office funded specialized positions in traffic and narcotics investigation divisions, as well as school resource positions, through grant funding. "While I take caution in these grants since we can't totally rely on them, we continue to look at opportunities to add additional staff through grants," Heino said in a follow up email to the Inter Lake. "I will continue to work towards paying a fair wage, but also understand those funds come from citizens' property taxes." His reelection campaign centers on investing in community mental health resources, advocating higher wages for detention officers and deputies, and prepping for the new detention facility to go online. "My slogan is for the Flathead, from the Flathead, just because I do believe in that," Heino said. "I think I'm here to protect everyone's constitutional rights, and that's how I based all my decisions." BOTH CANDIDATES also addressed the county's relationship with federal immigration authorities. In late January, advocates called on county and city officials to cut ties with the Department of Homeland Security after Minneapolis residents Rene Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by immigration officers. In 2020, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office entered a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agreement allowed the Sheriff's Office to hold a person for an additional 48 hours in jail if they were found to be in the country unlawfully. Federal immigration officers had that time to transfer the person to a detention center. Heino told the Inter Lake the agreement is no longer active. "We don't currently have the capacity to contract anything, because of our capacity issues," he said. Since the new jail is expected to hold twice as many inmates, Heino and Cahalen said they'd consider signing a new agreement with federal immigration authorities. "It's something we'd have to consider," Heino said. "What's the contract going to say? Where is that going to be at for capacity issues, and then, honestly, who offers this county the best rates for housing." Cahalen said a new contract agreement is something she would entertain, especially since reserving the beds would provide an opportunity for federal funding. "I'm not sheriff yet, so I can't make that decision, but it certainly will be something that I will visit," Cahalen said. "Right now, I see there more benefits than liabilities, but I'm not an expert in it, and I need to look into that further." *This story was updated to include Cahalen's educational background. Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected]. Sheriff Brian Heino is running for a third term as Flathead County Sheriff. He is one of two Republican candidates who will be on the primary election on June 2. Republican and retired law enforcement officer Evie Cahalen is launching her bid to unseat incumbent Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino and will appear in the June 2 primary election. (Courtesy of Evie Cahalen) Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Iran following US and Israeli strikes, warning of regional consequences while stopping short of saying it would enter the conflict. Lebanon's Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Iran on Saturday as it came under attack from the United States and Israel, warning in a statement of dire consequences for the region without saying whether it would get involved. Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Muslim terror group and political party that has fought numerous conflicts with Israel since being established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, was severely weakened by Israel in a war in 2024, when its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed. Advertisement Advertisement Israel had warned Beirut that it would strike Lebanon hard, targeting civilian infrastructure including the airport, if Hezbollah involved itself in any US-Iran war. 'American and Israeli enemy will receive a major blow' In a statement, Hezbollah said the consequences of the US-Israeli plan would "affect everyone without exception if left unchallenged." "We are confident that the American and Israeli enemy will receive a major blow," it said. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he would not accept anyone dragging Lebanon into "adventures that threaten its security and unity," a veiled message to Hezbollah. In a statement released after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, Salam noted the "serious developments" in the region and called on "all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese peoples interests above any other consideration." JEFFERSON CITY The House Education Committee is considering a bill that would bring drivers education back to Missouri public schools at the elementary and secondary education levels. Rep. Rodger Reedy, R-Windsor, sponsor of House Bill 2195, told the committee at a hearing on Wednesday that he aims to allow public schools to integrate driver education courses in their curricula for students. Reedy said he believes teaching students about the rules of the road will help reduce the teen fatality rate and make the roads safer for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Reedy said he recognizes that some schools do have driver education courses, but they are usually in the summer and have a fee attached to them. His bill will be implemented in courses that students are already learning during the school year and will not have a fee. Students would learn about obtaining a drivers permit, attitudes, habits and skills on safely operating a vehicle, as well as instruction on distracted driving, traffic stops, and learn data on driver safety in the state. The bill would not require students to actually drive vehicles. Anytime we have better-educated drivers, I think we are a safer community, Reedy said. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the leading cause of teen deaths in Missouri is car crashes; in 2023, 133 people were killed in teen-driver-involved traffic crashes. Advertisement Advertisement The bill asks the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to receive instructional lessons from school districts and professional organizations for safe driving programs. Schools can voluntarily adopt these programs into their classrooms with no cost. Nick Chabarria, a public and government affairs specialist with AAA of Missouri and the chair of the Missouri Driver Education Coalition, expressed support for this sensible, low-cost solution in terms of fostering driver safety at a young age. Missouri teens, compared to surrounding states that do require some form of formal driver education, are about 80% more likely on average to be involved in a crash compared to states that dont, Chabarria said. Kimberly St. Clair, inventor and founder of Doc Dash, a federally patented communication safety system for drivers, police, and EMS during traffic stops and medical emergencies, expressed support for the bill as well. Advertisement Advertisement The loss of young drivers serves as a solemn reminder that behind every statistic is a family and a community that is forever changed, St. Clair said. Doc Dash has been implemented in five schools, teaching students traffic laws, compliance, safe driving behavior, and clear communication to officials during traffic stops, crashes and emergencies. Their curriculum also includes mock traffic stops and scenarios for students to get a full demonstration of real-world events. These students are not only reminded what the law requires, but why compliance matters, and how speed, distraction, documentation, readiness, and respectful engagement are all very necessary, St. Clair said. Having trained nearly 600 students, St. Clair says her organization is more than prepared to provide curriculum lessons to DESE to enhance students knowledge on driver education and safety. This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online. DUBAI The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran today (Saturday), and President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. Some of the first strikes appeared to hit areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. Smoke could be seen rising from the capital. It wasnt immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was in his offices at the time of the strike. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations, Trump said in a video announcing major combat operations were underway. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sweeping goal. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands, Netanyahu said. The strikes opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran and marked the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has used military force against the Islamic Republic. They also came just weeks after Trump ordered a military operation to capture Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, and bring him and his wife to New York to face federal drug conspiracy charges. The targets included members of Irans leadership, according to a U.S. official and another person briefed on the attacks who both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing classified information on an ongoing operation. There was no immediate information on whether top officials had been killed. Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region. Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program at a moment when the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. The immediate trigger for Saturdays strikes appears to be the unsuccessful latest round of nuclear talks. But they also reflect the dramatic changes across the region that have left Irans leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago. Israeli and American strikes last June greatly weakened Irans air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. A regionwide war, sparked by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has left Irans network of proxies across the Middle East greatly weakened. U.S. sanctions and global isolation, meanwhile, have decimated Irans economy. Iran responded to the latest strikes as it had been threatening to do for months first launching a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel. It followed with strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq shut down their airspace. Irans Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement, saying the country will not hesitate in its response. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. At least 57 people were reported killed at a girls school in southern Iran in the Israeli-U.S. strikes, according to Irans state-run IRNA news agency. At least 45 others were wounded in the attack in Minab in Irans Hormozgan province. The White House and the Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on reported strike on the school. In an indication of the scope of the conflict, flights across the Middle East were disrupted and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates, Saturday afternoon. Associated Press journalists saw the aftereffects of the blast from an interceptor. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the UAE killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel and US The U.S. military has for weeks amassed forces in the region, even as U.S. and Iranian envoys held talks in Switzerland and Oman aimed at finding a diplomatic solution. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined, Omans Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said in a post on X. Al-Busaidi, a key mediator in the nuclear talks, traveled to Washington on Friday to meet with Vice President JD Vance. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this, al-Busaidi said. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. Israel said the operation has been planned for months between the Israeli and U.S. militaries. Trump, in justifying the military action, claimed that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S. He also acknowledged that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. It was a notable call on Americans to brace themselves from a U.S. leader who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars that had bogged down his recent predecessors. Trumps statement indicated the U.S. was striking for reasons far beyond the nuclear program, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic following a revolution in 1979 that turned Iran from one of Americas closest allies in the Middle East into a fierce foe. The U.S. president said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He also called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down its arms, pledging that members would be given immunity, while warning they would face certain death if they didnt. Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances and evolved into a nationwide, anti-government push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and that it is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed, though it has undercounted or not reported fatalities from past unrest. Iran has said it hasnt enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. Iran currently has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting their range to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). That puts all the Mideast and some of Eastern Europe in their range. Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran is able to make the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. More than 14 million barrels per day of oil passed through the strait in 2025, about a third of total worldwide oil exports transported by sea. Strikes hit targets across Iran Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. Roads to Khameneis compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Khamenei has not made a public appearance in recent days and wasnt immediately seen after. During the 12-day war in June, he was believed to have been taken to a secure location away from his Tehran compound. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Iran retaliates Hours after the strikes, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was working to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack. Meanwhile, Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to U.S. Army Central. Explosions could be also be heard in Qatar. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. U.S. embassies or consulates in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they told staffers to shelter in place and recommended all Americans do the same until further notice. MDT/AP Reporting: JON GAMBRELL, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, JOSH BOAK and AAMER MADHANI Like this: Like Loading... President Donald Trump has caused an uproar after suggesting that the United States could soon launch a peaceful takeover of Cuba, according to Mediaite. The Cuban government is talking with us. Theyre in a big scale of trouble, as you know. They have no money, Trump told reporters outside the White House on Friday. Americas de facto blockade of Cuba prevents any fuel from reaching the island nation, which relies almost entirely on foreign imports for energy. Advertisement Advertisement Trump continued: They dont have anything right now, but theyre talking with us, and maybe well have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba after many, many years. Weve had a lot of years of dealing with you. Ive been hearing about Cuba since Im a little boy, but theyre in big trouble, and we could well, something good. I think very positive for the people that were expelled, or worse, from Cuba, that live here. You know, we have people living here that want to go back to Cuba, and theyre very happy with whats going on. Commenters were quick to excoriate Trump. Idiot president, wrote one. Said another, Tipping a struggling state over the edge into a failed state, like were doing in Venezuela? Smoove move. Advertisement Advertisement Some commenters, however, backed Trumps stance. Wrote one, Friendly meaning that Cuba is ready to capitulate or negotiate. The US has made its intentions clear for nearly 70 years by placing embargos on Cuba to get to this exact resolution that Trump did in a few months. Every president since Kennedy has maintained it. Trump got the results. Read the original article on silive.com. Add silive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. There is new state legislation proposed to create change across Illinois, after the ABC7 Chicago I-Team's reporting on loved ones sitting unidentified at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. New state legislation has been filed in Illinois, aimed at reforming how all medical examiners offices identify bodies and notify family members. It would also make it easier for families to take legal action against a medical examiner. Two new House bills were recently filed in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement They follow West Rogers Park resident Ruthie McKinnie's fight for accountability after her son, Kelvin Davis, sat in the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office for six weeks, as she and her family were calling the morgue. "What this means to me is to help other families. Because me, myself personally, I was disrespected," Mckinnie said. The medical examiner's office previously said the mix-up stemmed from Davis not having identification. There was also a name mistake on a police report. It listed Kelvin's name as "Kevin" when he was found. But his family says they gave a detailed description of the 6-foot, 4-inch man with freckles. Advertisement Advertisement The family says that employees at the morgue could have said, "We have a Kevin, but not a Kelvin." His body was eventually identified after a missing person report listed a description of his tattoo. "Right now, there's obligations when unidentified remains come in. But there's no consequence for not following the protocol," lawyer Christopher Jahnke said. Jahnke says the legislation would make it easier for families to take legal action against a morgue in Illinois. "Ends the immunity for negligence on behalf of the medical examiner's office, it expands definitions of what is a medical facility to include the medical examiner's office," Jahnke said. Advertisement Advertisement It would also create clearer standards and more training procedures. "Because, as we've seen things keep falling through the cracks, people keep falling through the cracks, families falling through the cracks," Jahnke said. The I-Team has uncovered three other similar complaints in recent years. In each case, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has said it did all it could with the information available, especially in one case where a body was decomposed. The office says people with missing loved ones should check its website and attend an annual "missing persons day" event they hold in the spring. Advertisement Advertisement The office also says it handles 7,000 cases each year. They said the vast majority do not have any challenges with identification. "I hope deeply that this will bring upon a change," Forrest McKinnie said. The McKinnie family was able to help get that legislation filed after ABC7 Chicago's reporting. They worked with 16th District state Rep. Kevin Olicakl, who said, "The misidentification of a loved one can cause deep and unnecessary trauma for families who are already grieving. When Ruthie and Forrest first shared their story with me, it was clear that we had a responsibility to act. No family should ever have to endure the uncertainty and heartbreak they've experienced." Advertisement Advertisement "We've got to pull together as people in the state of Illinois, to get this law in place for the future families not to suffer," Ruthie Mckinnie said. One of the bills is also known as the "Kelvin F. Davis Act." Both are currently being submitted to the Rules Committee. The medical examiner's office did not yet comment on the proposed state legislation. The McKinnies have also filed a lawsuit alleging neglect and misconduct. The county says it has filed a motion to dismiss. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Limestone County Sheriffs Office says two people are facing multiple charges including drug trafficking following an investigation that began with an illegal hunting complaint. According to the sheriffs office, the case started in December 2025 when Alabama Conservation Officers responded to a report of people illegally hunting on private property in the Tanner community. Officers said they found several people occupying tree stands belonging to the property owner. When officers told the people to stop, they allegedly ended up running away while armed. Latest Headlines Advertisement Advertisement Investigators later identified the suspects and learned they were in the United States illegally. Authorities said the suspects were also in illegal possession of firearms and controlled substances. That information led to a search warrant at a home on Nuclear Plant Road, executed with assistance from multiple agencies. During the search, four people were taken into custody. Investigators reported seizing 17 pounds of marijuana, three firearms, and illegally harvested game. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Authorities arrested Oralia Salgado Luna, 53, of Mexico, and Gerson Andres Paz Rivera, 32, of Honduras, on charges of drug trafficking (marijuana), possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, hunting without permission, and hunting without a nonresident license. ICE detainers were issued for both. Advertisement Advertisement This case began as a trespassing and illegal hunting complaint, but through strong interagency cooperation, it quickly evolved into a significant drug trafficking and firearms investigation, Limestone County Sheriff Josh McLaughlin said. Limestone County has a long-standing tradition of responsible hunting and respect for private property rights. We take violations of those rights seriously, especially when they involve armed individuals and illegal narcotics. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Members of Iowa's congressional delegation are praising President Donald Trump's decision to launch military strikes and "major combat operations" against Iran, targeting the country's missile capabilities. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said Saturday, Feb. 28, calling the strikes "a massive and ongoing operation." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official told USA TODAY. Khamenei was killed in the attacks, according to Israeli sources who told USA TODAY, CNN and Reuters. He was 86 and had led Iran since 1989. Advertisement Advertisement All high-ranking officials are alive, Araqchi said. So everybody is now in its position, and we are handling this situation, and everything is fine. More: Iran hit by 'massive' US attack; supreme leader targeted: Updates The U.S. joined Israel in the attack. According to U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, President Trump "failed" to provide that minimum level of leadership by failing to explain his goals to the American public. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes, hitting American and Israeli targets inlcuding a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be "decisively defeated." Advertisement Advertisement Here is what Iowa's leaders and lawmakers have said about the attack on Iran: More: US, Israel launch strikes on Iran. What we know so far Gov. Kim Reynolds is 'praying for' soldiers Gov. Kim Reynolds posted on social media Saturday that she and her husband are praying for Iowa National Guard Soldiers currently stationed in the Middle East "as the United States executes this mission." Kevin and I are praying for our Iowa National Guard soldiers and all American military forces serving in the Middle East as the United States executes this mission. Please join us in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) February 28, 2026 U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Chuck Grassley 'closely monitor' attack U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley also offered prayers to U.S. troops and said he is closely monitoring the attack on Iran. Grassley said a regime change was "badly needed" in a post on X. Im following closely whats happening in Iran & the region Barbara + I are praying for the safety of our troops Regime change badly needed +Must stop nuclear enrichment CANT HV UNPRDICTABLE LEADERSHIP IN IRAN W NUCLEAR BOMB Pres Trump gave IRAN PLENTY OF NEGOTIABLE OPPORTUNITY Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) February 28, 2026 U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said in an X post that "President Trump is standing up for American lives that have been taken and targeted by the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies." Advertisement Advertisement She also said the attack is "critical" to "make a more peaceful Middle East and world." Through Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is standing up for American lives that have been taken and targeted by the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies. This mission is critical to ensuring the regime that chants Death to America never has a nuclear weapon to make a Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) February 28, 2026 U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn staunchly defends 'Operation Epic Fury' U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa's 3rd Congressional District said on X that "Operation EPIC FURY" is a consequence of Iran killing Americans, attacking allies, and seeking nuclear weapons. "At every turn, Irans regime slapped away peace talks, launched weapons against the US and our allies, and slaughtered thousands of Iranians who bravely stood up against the regime," Nunn wrote. Operation EPIC FURY is a direct consequence of Iranthe #1 sponsor of terrorismkilling Americans, attacking allies, and seeking nuclear weapons. At every turn, Irans regime slapped away peace talks, launched weapons against the US and our allies, and slaughtered thousands of https://t.co/6bbYjLtplO Congressman Zach Nunn (@ZachNunn) February 28, 2026 U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said attack 'protects againts tyrannical regime' U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson of Iowa's 2nd Congressional District and a candidate for U.S. Senate, said the attack will "protect American interests from the tyrannical Iranian regime," in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement "Under this president, Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon," she wrote. President Trump is taking decisive action with Operation Epic Fury to protect American interests from the tyrannical Iranian regime a regime that chants Death to America and has backed terror across the region. This operation makes clear that the United States will not sit Ashley Hinson (@RepAshleyHinson) February 28, 2026 U.S. Rep. Randy Fenstra agrees 'that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon' U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa's 4th Congressional District and is running for governor, said on X that the U.S. attack on Iran came after "the Trump Administration spent weeks calling for a diplomatic end to Iran's nuclear ambitions." Operation Epic Fury comes after the Trump Administration spent weeks calling for a diplomatic end to Irans dangerous nuclear ambitions and Iran murdered thousands of its own people who dared to protest for freedom. The leaders of Iran fund foreign terrorists in the Middle East, Rep. Randy Feenstra (@RepFeenstra) February 28, 2026 Feenstra later posted on X after Khamenei's death was announced, noting he has "threatened the United States, Israel, and every country in the region," and under President Trump's leadership, "the world is far safer." U.S. Rep. Miller-Meeks says Iran has 'sponsored terrorism' for decades U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa's 1st Congressional District, said in a post on X that Iran had "openly threatened to obliterate the United States and kill President Trump." She said the world "cannot allow a nuclear-armed Iran or ignore the damage (Khamenei's) leadership caused." For decades, Irans regime has sponsored terrorism, destabilized the Middle East through proxy groups like Hamas, and openly threatened to obliterate the United States and kill President Trump. With the reported death of the Ayatollah, that reign of terror has come to an end and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (@RepMMM) February 28, 2026 Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird 'thankful' for leadership, 'readiness to act' Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird offered her prayers in a post on X, saying that she's "thankful for President Trump's leadership, his efforts to negotiate peace, and his readiness to act when needed." Bob and I are praying for our U.S. troops and military leaders protecting our nation. Thankful for President Trumps leadership, his efforts to negotiate peace, and his readiness to act when needed. Iowa AG Brenna Bird (@AGIowa) February 28, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement What Iowa Democratic candidates for U.S. House, Senate said about Iran attack State Sen. Zach Wahls, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, released a statement saying, "Congress must invoke the War Powers Act to prevent our country from being dragged into another war of foreign regime change." He also said his generation grew up "witnessing and experiencing the horrors" of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and that "we cannot repeat those mistakes in Iran." Congress must immediately invoke the War Powers Act to prevent our country from being dragged into another war of foreign regime change. My generation grew up witnessing and experiencing the horrors of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and we are all still living with the Zach Wahls (@ZachWahls) February 28, 2026 Josh Turek, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, said in a post on X that "while there is no question the Iranian regime is brutal and repressive, bombing Iran is not the same thing as bringing lasting change to the country." The American people deserve transparency from their government, and the power to declare war rests with Congress. While there is no question the Iranian regime is brutal and repressive, bombing Iran is not the same thing as bringing lasting change to the country. And an attack Josh Turek (@turek4iowa) February 28, 2026 Turek also said an attack should not happen without Congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement This article was updated to include new information. USA Today reporting contributed to this article. Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Iowa congressional leaders are saying about US war on Iran Former IDF intelligence official Yossi Kuperwasser said Iran now views the conflict as an existential war, warning the regime is likely to escalate and use all military and proxy capabilities. The current conflict with Iran will only become more severe as the Islamic regime now understands that it is in an existential war threatening its continued rule, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute of Strategy and Security and former head of IDF military intelligence research, told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday. This is the beginning. I expect more attacks on the leadership of the Islamic regime, its ballistic missile capabilities, nuclear and military industry facilities, and security forces, mainly thy IRGC, he warned the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Iran is going to use all its capabilities, as this is an existential war for it. In addition to Israel, they are trying to hit American targets. While other experts had initially predicted in discussions with the Post that the US would conduct a limited strike as a means to pressure Iran into signing a nuclear agreement, Kuperwasser told the Post that this operation is to help pave the road for the Iranian people to topple the regime and take over. Protests have broken out in recent months across Iran over the countrys financial crisis, and the regimes brutal human rights violations against demonstrators have led to renewed calls for regime change from both outside and within the country. Thousands have been killed and detained, with Human Rights Watch warning last week that many more have disappeared to secret facilities where they face torture, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and starvation. Advertisement Advertisement What the people of Iran do now will be an important indicator of their success, he said, noting that now is an opportune time for the Iranian people to dismantle the regime. While the Iranian people may now continue their push for new governance, Kuperwasser warned that there are those who will use diplomatic or terrorist influence to try to protect the Islamic regime. China and Russia are going to exert a diplomatic effort to allow the Islamic regime to stay in power, he predicted, but [they] are not expected to get involved militarily. 'Possible' Irans proxies could join the war On the military side, Kuperwasser said it was possible that Irans proxies in Lebanon and Yemen would join the war. Advertisement Advertisement Iran is doing what it can to encourage them to, he shared. We, of course, hope thats not the case and are doing whatever we can to ensure this doesnt happen. Hezbollah announced on Wednesday night that the terror organization would refrain from joining a war or attack on Former Israeli deputy national security adviser Prof. Chuck Freilich, now an adjunct professor at Tel Aviv University and Columbia University, told the Post last week that the Lebanese terror group founded on the ideology of velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) is loyal to Khamenei, binding his position as the authority on the groups future role. While Iran may have pressed to see Hezbollah join the conflict, two years of war, a Lebanese disarmament campaign, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria have left the terror group significantly weakened and thus somewhat reluctant to rush into another battle against the Jewish state unless absolutely necessary. While Bahraini analyst Dr. Ahmed Alkhuzaie earlier told the Post that he suspected the Islamic regime would only give a proportional response to the Saturday morning American and Israeli strikes, when reapproached by the paper, he confirmed his assessment had changed significantly over the past few hours. Advertisement Advertisement Itll be a hell of a fight that [will] affect everyone in this part of the world, he warned, in a noticeably different tone than earlier. Iran will utilize its proxies in the region, that is for sure. The impact will vary since, to the Islamic Republic, this war is existential. Thats why we see Hezbollah, Islamic militias in Iraq and Yemen are on full alert. Iran - must not be equated with Syria or Lebanon Alkhuzaie warned that Iran must not be simplistically equated with Syria or Lebanon, because its infrastructure and state apparatus are far more developed and resilient. While the Assad regime fell quickly, he explained that this was the result of years of civil war that fractured its institutions, whereas the Islamic Republic has maintained a relatively intact and functioning system of governance, with nationwide networks of transportation, energy, and industry. Advertisement Advertisement The regime is less vulnerable to collapse under external pressure, as its financial systems are more robust than Syrias, even with Western sanctions. Similarly, the Iranian political landscape is not politically fragmented like Lebanons, which has meant that it is not paralyzed by [the same] sectarian divisions and weak state institutions. Iran operates through a centralized, hierarchical bureaucracy that enforces policy across its territory. Ministries, agencies, and provincial administrations in Iran are tightly integrated into the state structure, ensuring continuity even during crises, he explained. This bureaucratic depth gives Iran the ability to mobilize resources, coordinate responses, and sustain long-term strategies in ways Lebanon cannot. Misreading this capacity could lead to catstrophic miscalculations in policy or intervention. Advertisement Advertisement The blend of ideological authority with institutional control in Irans political hierarchy will also help the regime maintain cohesion and discipline across the state, he continued. This is fundamentally different from the fragmented militias and external dependencies that characterize Syria and Lebanon. Irans system allows it to project power regionally while maintaining internal stability. Any attempt to treat Iran as if it were a weak or fractured state risks provoking escalations that could destabilize the wider region, because Iran has both the institutional resilience and strategic depth to respond forcefully. Saudi Arabia joined Israel in lobbying the US to launch strikes against Iran. Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, argued in favour of an attack during multiple phone calls with Donald Trump in the past month, sources told the Washington Post. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, also continued his long-standing campaign urging the US to join strikes on Iran, the Post reported. Iran has continued its retaliation after the US and Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Saturday morning, killing its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Advertisement Advertisement Correspondents in Dubai reported a fresh round of explosions on Sunday morning after several people were injured following an explosion at the citys international airport. Strikes were also reported for a second day in Doha, Qatar and Manama, the capital of Bahrain. Iran has so far launched attacks on six of its neighbours, inadvertently uniting the Middle East against the Islamic Republic. The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), previously at loggerheads, spoke on the phone after missiles struck their nations on Saturday. The Saudi crown prince said that his country was ready to place all its capabilities at its neighbours disposal, shortly before attacks on Saudi soil were confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement The joint attack on Saturday came despite American intelligence believing that Irans military probably posed no threat to the US mainland within the next decade. An Iranian strike on Tel Aviv on Saturday night - REUTERS Iran retaliated by targeting residential buildings across the region, setting a five-star hotel in Dubai ablaze, hitting a tower block in Bahrain and striking a Kuwaiti airport, inviting further opprobrium. Many Gulf states will not side with Israel only Bahrain and the UAE have formal diplomatic ties but they believe Iran is a destabilising force and a danger to the region. In his discussions with the US, the Saudi Crown Prince said Iran would only grow stronger unless the United States decided to strike now. Advertisement Advertisement The phone calls to Mr Trump were made despite Saudi officials saying publicly that the country would not allow Saudi airspace to be used in an attack on Iran, reflecting the crown princes desire to avoid Iranian retaliatory strikes against his countrys oil infrastructure. Israel continued to strike Tehran on Sunday - Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, the Emirati political commentator, told The Telegraph that Iran was the unifying threat bringing Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) nations together, regardless of differences. He said: When things get tough, they come together. Salman Al-Ansari, a Saudi geopolitical researcher, agreed that despite political differences Saudi Arabia was united with its Gulf allies. Riyadhs security doctrine remains consistent even amid bilateral tensions with the UAE, he told The Telegraph. We must distinguish between principled commitments and bilateral disagreements. Saudi Arabias approach to regional security is not transactional but foundational. Advertisement Advertisement The Kingdom has never spared, and will never spare, any effort to safeguard regional stability. As the leading pillar of the GCC, Saudi Arabia engaged directly with the leadership of every state targeted by Iran, placing its full political and strategic weight behind their security. Aziz Algashian, the Saudi foreign policy expert, said that the strikes would at least offer the chance to mitigate tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, turning friction into co-operation and solidarity. He said that, despite their differences over their involvement in Sudan and Yemen, the two nations had always agreed on their approach to Iran. Advertisement Advertisement After attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran in 2016, the UAE in 2022, and Saudi Arabia in 2023, the UAE and Saudi Arabia cautiously rekindled ties to boycott Iran. Dr Yoel Guzansky, senior fellow at the Israel National Institute of Security Studies, noted that the Gulf states had worked together to dissuade Mr Trump from striking Iran. By attacking them all, Iran would have pushed them closer to the US, he said. Dr Guzansky said: Its not just that Iran has united them but [it] may push them towards more co-operation with the US, now they have the legitimacy after being attacked. Saudi announced its military capabilities are there for the Gulf states, and they also said that when Israel attacked Qatar in September. Its a sign of solidarity. Advertisement Advertisement All of them are being attacked apart from Oman, as the mediator in the Iran-US talks... Danny Citrinowicz, a former head of Israeli military intelligence, is an Iran expert at Israels Institute of National Security Studies. He told The Telegraph that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had been given a unified purpose to end the war, with fears that Iran could attack their tourism sites and critical infrastructure. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. A luxury hotel in Dubai was hit as Iran launched strikes across the region in retaliation for a "massive" and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel. Video verified by the BBC shows a fire raging at Fairmont The Palm Hotel. Thick black smoke rises into the sky. Dubai authorities also said four people were injured in a blaze at a building in the Palm Jumeirah area, and that the fire was brought under control. The statement did not go into further detail on the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in the region, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait - all home to US military bases - said they had intercepted missiles fired towards them. Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The extent of any damage is unclear and the US has not commented. In Doha, Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted several missiles apparently targeting the al-Udeid air base, the largest US base in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Another verified video filmed from a building opposite the Dubai hotel shows the moment of impact followed by an explosion, as a large orange fireball erupts and the person filming appears to falls to the ground. Large smoke plumes could be seen rising above the five-star luxury hotel as emergency services attended the scene. Iranian media earlier said that it had launched an attack on Dubai, although it is not clear what they are targeting. The UAE ministry of defence said in a statement on X that it intercepted a number of drones and missiles, and called the Iranian strikes a "blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law". Plumes of black smoke were seen rising above an area near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet [Reuters] The US has about 13 military bases across the Middle East, with 30,000 to 40,000 troops normally deployed between them. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Bahrain confirmed the attack on the US naval base, known officially as Naval Support Activity Bahrain. It is the home port for ships including anti-mine vessels and logistical support ships, though it is unclear if any were present. Video from Bahrain's capital, Manama, shows the moment a drone hits a tower block, exploding into a brilliant yellow fireball. Explosions were heard in Kuwait, and the local news agency Kuna said that a drone targeting the international airport caused "minor injuries to several employees" with "limited" damage to a terminal. In Doha, Qatar, explosions were seen apparently targeting the al Udeid air base, the largest American military base in the region. Footage also showed dozens of people fleeing from a falling missile in a residential area. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it condemned the "targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles", which it said was "a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty" and an "unacceptable escalation". US air defences shot down a drone over a US military base near Erbil, Iraq, the Reuters news agency reports. Advertisement Advertisement Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement it was targeting US bases and assets as part of operation "Truthful Promise 4", in retaliation for the attack on Iran launched by the US and Israel on Saturday morning. That attack - launched at approximately 09:30 Tehran time (06:00 GMT) - has so far targeted areas linked to the Iranian leadership, with US President Donald Trump encouraging the Iranian people to rise up against the regime. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said they have received reports that vessels had had been warned that the Hormuz Strait will be shut off to shipping. The strait is considered to be one of the world's most significant maritime trade routes and a crucial chokepoint for oil transit. Approximately one fifth of the world's oil and gas passes through it. Advertisement Advertisement Blocking it could have profound consequences for the global economy, disrupting international trade and ratcheting up oil prices. [BBC] In Israel, sirens have been activated across the country throughout Saturday - with its military saying numerous rounds of missiles had been launched at it by Iran, and that its air force is working to intercept them. In neighbouring Jordan, the armed forces said they had shot down two ballistic missiles targeting its territory, with authorities saying there were no casualties. The defence ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said in a statement that the country has been subjected to a "a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles". Advertisement Advertisement "UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles," it added. It said debris fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi, causing some material damage and killing a civilian. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack by the US and Israel as "wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate", and said Iran's armed forces "are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve". Additional reporting by Tom McArthur With President Donald Trump calling for regime change in Iran, the countrys leadership now faces an existential threat and is likely to respond to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes accordingly, experts said. So far, the Islamic Republic appears to be launching fewer missiles and drones in retaliation compared to its barrage in June 2025, when the U.S. joined Israels 12-day war on Iran to target nuclear facilities. But retired Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander, told CNN on Saturday that Iran has two options. One is to continue launching missiles at the current tempo and hunker down. Advertisement Advertisement Option two: if they truly believe theyre at the end of the string, they could go big and that would mean closing the Strait of Hormuz, conducting terrorist attacks against American diplomats, businessmen and citizens in the region and elsewhere, he added. They could unleash whats left of their proxies, notably the Houthis who could try to shut down shipping again through the Suez Canal. So they have a lot of cards still to play. Energy analysts have warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the worlds oil passes, could send Brent crude prices soaring to $100 a barrel. Before the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes, Iran conducted military exercises near the strait to demonstrate that threat, though there are no indications yet that it is attempting to do so now. Initial U.S. airstrikes on Saturday also reportedly targeted Iranian naval assets in the Persian Gulf, potentially degrading Tehrans ability to shut down the strait. Trump vowed to obliterate Irans navy. Advertisement Advertisement Stavridis also recalled teachings from ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, who counseled finding a way out of conflicts without actually fightingbut fighting when on death ground. I think the Iranian leadership may feel they are on death ground. Id look for them to go big, he predicted. Meanwhile, Colin Clarke, executive director of the Soufan Center security advisory firm, also warned that Iran could resort to extreme measures to retaliate, including terrorism. For Iran, this war is existential. And because it is, I would fully expect Tehran to activate any sleeper cell capacity it has in the West to make this painful for the U.S. & Israel. Hezbollah and other assets could very well seek to conduct attacks in Europe, North America, etc., he posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Thomas Warrick , a scholar at the Atlantic Council and a former deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism policy in the Department of Homeland Security, similarly raised the possibility that Iran will use asymmetric tactics against the U.S. In a blog post, he said the regime will likely target Trump and other top U.S. officials, putting pressure on the FBI, Secret Service, and Capitol Police. Iran will try every cyber trick it can mount, testing the Department of Homeland Security, the private sector, and U.S. cyber defenses, Warrick added. Iran tried in the past, unsuccessfully, to meddle in U.S. elections, and would almost certainly fail to have any impact this time. Even though the United States imports very little oil from the Middle East, energy prices may spike, setting back the U.S. economy. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com After U.S. and Israeli missiles struck Irans nuclear sites in June 2025, Tehran responded with a limited attack on the American airbase in Qatar. Five years before that, a U.S. drone strike against Qasem Soleimani, head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, was met with followed by an attack on two American bases in Iraq shortly thereafter. Expect none of that restraint by Irans leaders following the latest U.S. and Israeli military operation currently playing out in the Gulf nation. In the early hours of Feb. 28, hundreds of missiles struck multiple sites in Iran. Part of Operation Epic Fury, as the U.S. Department of Defense has called it, the strikes follow months of U.S. military buildup in the region. But they also come after apparent diplomatic efforts, in the shape of a series of nuclear talks in Oman and Geneva aimed at a peaceful resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Any such deal is surely now completely off the table. In scale and scope, the U.S. and Israel attack goes far beyond any previous strikes on the Gulf nation. In response, Iran has said it will use crushing force. As an expert on Middle East affairs and a former senior official at the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, I believe the calculus both in Washington and more so in Tehran is very different from earlier confrontations: Irans leaders almost certainly see this as an existential threat, given President Donald Trumps statement and the military campaign already underway. And there appears to be no obvious off-ramp to avoid further escalation. What we should expect now is a response from Tehran that utilizes all of its capabilities even though they have been significantly degraded. And that should be a worry for all nations in the region and beyond. Want our sharpest takes delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Freep Opinion's free, weekly newsletter. An air defense system operates as missiles are launched towards Israel from Iran, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Jerusalem, February 28, 2026. The apparent aims of the U.S. operation It is important to note that we are in the early stages of this conflict much is unknown. Advertisement Advertisement As of Feb. 28, it is unclear who has been killed among Irans leadership, and to what extent Irans ballistic missile capabilities have been degraded. The fact that ballistic missiles have been launched at regional states that host U.S. military bases suggests that, at a minimum, Irans military capabilities have not been entirely wiped out. Iran fired over 600 missiles against Israel last June during their 12-day war, but media reporting and Iranian statements over the past month suggested that Iran managed to replenish some of its missile inventory, which it is now using. Clearly Washington is intent on crippling Irans ballistic program, as it is that capability that allows Iran to threaten the region most directly. A sticking point in the negotiations in Geneva and Oman was U.S. officials insistence that both Irans ballistic missiles and its funneling of support to proxy groups in the region be on the table, along with the longstanding condition that Tehran ends all uranium enrichment. Tehran has long resisted attempts to have limits on its ballistic missiles as part of any negotiated nuclear deal given their importance in Irans national security doctrine. This explains why some U.S. and Israeli strikes appear to be aimed at taking out Irans ballistic and cruise missile launch sites and production facilities and storage locations for such weapons. Advertisement Advertisement With no nuclear weapon, Irans ballistic missiles have been the countrys go-to method for responding to any threat. And so far in the current conflict, they have been used on nations including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. More from Freep Opinion: Why Trumps Department of Justice banner reads authoritarian Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised message, after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 26, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. It will be yours to take But the Trump administration appears to have expanded its aims beyond removing Irans nuclear and non-nuclear military threat. The latest strikes have gone after leadership, too. Among the locations of the first U.S.-Israeli strikes was a Tehran compound in which the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in known to reside, and Israels prime minister has confirmed that the 86-year-old leader was a target of the operation. Advertisement Advertisement While the status of the supreme leader and other key members of Irans leadership remains unknown as of this writing, it is clear that the U.S. administration hopes that regime change will follow Operation Epic Fury. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take, Trump told Iranians via a video message recorded during the early hours of the attack. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Regime change carries risks for Trump Signaling a regime change operation may encourage Iranians unhappy with decades of repressive rule and economic woes to continue where they left off in January when hundreds of thousands took to the street to protest. But it carries risks for the U.S. and its interests. Irans leaders will no longer feel constrained, as they did after the Soleimani assassination and the June 2025 conflict. On those occasions, Iran responded in a way that was not even proportionate to its losses limited strikes on American military bases in the region. Now the gloves are off, and each side will be trying to land a knockout blow. But what does that constitute? The U.S. administration appears to be set on regime change. Irans leadership will be looking for something that goes beyond its previous retaliatory strikes and that likely means American deaths. That eventuality has been anticipated by Trump, who warned that there might be American casualties. Advertisement Advertisement So why is Trump willing to risk that now? It is clear to me that despite talk of progress in the rounds of diplomatic talks, Trump has lost his patience with the process. On Feb. 26, after the latest round of talks in Geneva, we didnt hear much from the U.S. side. Trumps calculus may have been that Iran wasnt taking the hint made clear by adding a second carrier strike group to the other warships and hundreds of fighter aircraft sent to the region over the past several weeks that Tehran had no option other than agreeing to the U.S. demands. More from Freep Opinion: I voted for Trump. That doesn't make me a racist. What happens next What we dont know is whether the U.S. strategy is now to pause and see if an initial round of strikes has forced Iran to sue for peace or whether the initial strikes are just a prelude to more to come. Advertisement Advertisement For now, the diplomatic ship appears to have sailed. Trump seems to have no appetite for a deal now he just wants Irans regime gone. In order to do that, he has made a number of calculated gambles. First, politically and legally: Trump did not go through Congress before ordering Operation Epic Fury. Unlike 23 years ago when President George W. Bush took the U.S. into Iraq, there is no war authorization giving the president cover. Instead, White House lawyers must have assessed that Trump can carry out this operation under his Article 2 powers to act as commander in chief. Even so, the 1973 War Powers Act will mean the clock is now ticking. If the attacks are not concluded in 60 days, the administration will have to go back to Congress and say the operation is complete, or work with Congress for an authorization to use force or a formal declaration of war. The second gamble is whether Iranians will heed his call to remove a regime that many have long wanted gone. Given the ferocity of the regimes response to the protests in January, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Iranians, are Iranians willing to face down Irans internal security forces and drive what remains of the regime from power? Advertisement Advertisement Third, the U.S. administration has made a bet that the Iranian regime even confronted with an existential threat does not have the capability to drag the U.S. into a lengthy conflict to inflict massive casualties. And this last point is crucial. Experts know Tehran has no nuclear bomb and only has a limited stockpile of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles. But it can lean on unconventional capabilities. Terrorism is a real concern either through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, which coordinates Irans unconventional warfare, or through its partnership with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Or actors like the Houthis in Yemen or Shia militias in Iraq may seek to conduct attacks against U.S. interests in solidarity with Iran or directed to do so by the regime. A mass casualty event may put political pressure on Trump, but I cannot see it leading to U.S. boots on ground in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement The American public doesnt have the appetite for such an eventuality, and that would necessitate Trump gaining Congressional approval, which for now has not yet materialized. No one has a crystal ball, and it is early in an operation that will likely go on for days, if not longer. But one thing is clear: Irans regime is facing an existential threat. Do not expect it to show restraint. Javed Ali is an associate professor of practice of public policy at the University of Michigan. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it in print or online. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: After U.S. attack on Iran, U-M prof explains what's next | Opinion (The Center Square) The U.S. State Department is warning Americans across the Middle East to shelter in place until further notice, following U.S. strikes against Iran overnight, leading to retaliatory strikes throughout the region. In Manama, Bahrain, home of the headquarters for the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet, the U.S. Embassy put out a security alert, citing an imminent drone/missile attack on the small island off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf. Multiple reports and videos circulating show an explosion at the headquarters of the U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Large plumes of dark smoke can be seen billowing from the headquarters area. There has been no official confirmation of any American casualties or whether the missile struck a mission-essential building. Advertisement Advertisement There are media reported threats of missiles/drones over Bahrain. The U.S. Embassy in Manama urges U.S. citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place, according to an alert put out by the U.S. Embassy Manama. With sirens roaring across Israel, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice. The embassy noted that the Israeli government closed the airspace for civilian flights, with all flights from Ben Gurion Airport cancelled. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged Americans in Israel to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), allowing American citizens to receive emergency updates from the U.S. Department of State. The Israeli Defense Forces have warned Israelis that a barrage of missiles has been launched towards Israel from Iran. Advertisement Advertisement There are multiple reports that Iran has also targeted U.S. bases around the Persian Gulf in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. UAE state news says the country has intercepted Iranian missiles. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia released a statement saying it will be joining the U.S. in military action against the Iranian regime. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to condemn these blatant attacks and to take all firm measures necessary to confront Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Qatar released a similar statement, condemning Iranian forces targeting Qatar with ballistic missiles, adding that the State of Qatar reserves its full right to respond to this attack. World leaders reacted warily to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday that triggered concerns of a broader conflict. European leaders held emergency meetings and took measures to protect their citizens in the Middle East, with key leaders calling for a negotiated settlement between Iran and the U.S. Australia and Canada were more open in their support for the strikes, while Russia and China responded with criticism. Britain, France and Germany called for a resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region. They did not directly comment on the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement their countries didnt take part in the strikes on Iran but are in close contact with the U.S., Israel and partners in the region. The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Irans nuclear program. We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future, they said. The strikes on Iran create a dilemma for Washingtons allies. While European leaders firmly oppose Irans nuclear program and crackdowns by its hard-line theocracy, they are loath to embrace unilateral military action by President Donald Trump that could breach international law and unleash a broader conflict. Trumps strikes on Iran last June, and the arrest of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro last month, caused a similar quandary. Russias Foreign Ministry called the strikes a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state. The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Irans nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change. Chinas government said it was highly concerned about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for an immediate halt to the military action and a return to negotiations. Irans sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said. Concern of new, extensive war It was unclear whether U.S. allies were given any advance warning of the attacks. The German government said it was only given notice Saturday morning. Frances junior defense minister said France knew something would happen, but didnt know when. Earlier on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting in response to the strikes in Iran. The outbreak of war among the United States, Israel and Iran has serious consequences for peace and international security, Macron said earlier on Saturday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the governments emergency committee on Saturday morning. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict, a U.K. government spokesperson said. The German governments crisis management team also was also due to meet on Saturday. NATO is closely following developments in Iran and the region, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supports the U.S. in its effort to stop Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb. He described Irans current leadership as a destabilizing force and noted two attacks on Australian soil that were blamed on Tehran. Australia in August cut off diplomatic relations with Iran and expelled its ambassador after accusing it of orchestrating two antisemitic attacks in the country. Canada too, despite recent tensions with the U.S., expressed its support for the military action. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. EU urges diplomacy Responding to the attack, the European Unions top diplomat Kaja Kallas called the conflict in the Middle East perilous and said she was working with Israeli and Arab officials to pursue a negotiated peace. EU leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in hopes of ensuring nuclear safety. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he was concerned the failure of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran meant a new, extensive war in the Middle East would happen. Totally irresponsible The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in harsher words. These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons, said its executive director, Melissa Parke. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Israeli strikes on Iran and accompanying U.S. military action, warning that the escalating conflict has pushed the Middle East to the edge of catastrophe. Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned what he described as unwarranted attacks on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Iran has targeted the US Navy base in Bahrain, highlighting gaps in air defences, which will worry Washington and its allies in the region. Videos appear to show missiles and drones striking the vicinity of the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. As yet there are no reports of casualties. The US military will likely have had some warning of the attack and taken precautions to evacuate personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy Commander, says Bahrain was likely seen by Iran as a high profile target that has, in the past, had relatively little in the way of air defences. That now appears to have been highlighted by video showing a relatively slow-moving Iranian Shahed drone breaching its defences. In Ukraine such drones can often be shot down with a simple high calibre machine-gun. Over the past few weeks, the US is reported to have flown out additional air defence systems to the region - including sophisticated THAAD and Patriot Systems - which can shoot down ballistic missiles. But these are expensive and limited in numbers. Advertisement Advertisement For context, Ukraine has fewer than 10 Patriot batteries and still struggles to defend the capital, Kyiv. It is still unlikely the US has sufficient numbers to protect all its military bases and interests it has in the Middle East. The US Navy has also deployed around a dozen Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers to the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean. These air defence destroyers can also shoot down drones and ballistic missiles. They have already proven effective in the Red Sea against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Between 2024 and 2026, the US intercepted nearly 400 Houthi drones and missiles. Advertisement Advertisement US fighters jets, which have been sent to the region, are also capable of intercepting drones and missiles. The US now has more than 100 jets in the region. But even these significant capabilities are unlikely to be enough to prevent Iran from successfully striking some targets. Before these latest US and Israeli strikes, Iran still probably had an arsenal of around 2,000 short-range of ballistic missiles. It has many more one-way attack drones. Iran's Shahed drone has been exported to Russia and continues to cause havoc across Ukraine. Russia is now producing thousands of these drones a month and has likely given Iran help to advance its technical capabilities. [BBC] Sharpe says that during his time in the Royal Navy, they conducted war games simulating an Iranian attack on military basses in the Middle East. In some scenarios missiles and drones would inevitably find their way through limited air defences. Advertisement Advertisement "If the Iranians unleash everything - go hard and fast if the regime feels threatened, then eventually the US will run out of THAAD and Patriot interceptors," he says. Sharpe also says that Iran's drones and missile capabilities "are massively dispersed". But Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies - a US-based research institute focusing on foreign policy - says there may be evidence that the Iranians, while willing to retaliate, may not want to escalate this into a wider conflict. He says it is still unclear how much the attacks by the US and Israel last year damaged some of Iran's military capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement "The early signs are that the Iranian retaliation has been rather moderate in scope," he adds. It is worth remembering that after a year of targeting the Houthis in Yemen, the US had damaged but not destroyed its ability to launch missiles and drones. Iran's Shahed drone has caused havoc across Ukraine [Getty Images] Wars fought from the air alone rarely achieve conclusive victories or regime change. The Nato-led bombing campaign on Libya in 2011 may be a rare exception, though in that case case chaos ensued. Iran also has significant capabilities to attack the US Navy - if in range. It has large stocks of anti-ship missiles, as well as small, fast, uncrewed attack boats. There is also the unanswered question of whether China may have given Iran military support over the past few months. Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Byman, from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that early strikes may damage Iran's leadership and military assets, but the US "may struggle to sustain operations while Iran's main path to survival is simply to endure". Ukraine is a reminder of the importance of air defences. It continues to be the number one request from President Volodymyr Zelensky to allies. Ukraine also shows how hard it is to defend against multiple complex attacks involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. The US has more resources and along with Israel will be targeting Iran's drone and missile factories and launch sites. But eradicating that threat won't be easy. A prolonged conflict will not just be a challenge for Iran, but also for the stocks and supplies of US weapons - in a war far from home. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Saturdays bombing strikes, along with several military commanders, senior regime officials and nuclear officials, according to several U.S. and Israeli media reports. N12 News first reported Saturday that Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei has been eliminated on X, citing a senior Israeli official it did not name. Fox, CNN, the AP and others reported shortly after that he was killed in a strike on his compound in Tehran. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted earlier in the day that there was growing evidence that Khamenei is no more, but did not confirm the supreme leaders death at the time, even as Israeli news organizations reported that his body had been found in the ruins of a bombing strike. : " , " pic.twitter.com/tgR89NGZ0K N12 (@N12News) February 28, 2026 N12 News chief political correspondent Amit Segal posted Saturday on X that Khamenei was killed by Israeli forces, and that American military was not involved. Israel, not the U.S., was the one that attacked Khamenei. Thirty bombs were dropped on the compound. Khameneis military secretary is dead, and apparently so are family members. Khamenei is almost certainly dead. Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) February 28, 2026 Trump later celebrated Khameneis death in a Truth Social post. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, the president wrote. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. Trump added that the heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD! Iranian state TV, after denying for hours that Khamenei was dead, posted confirmation on its X account. The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran early Saturday, triggering retaliatory missile attacks and raising fears of a widening regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Large explosions rocked Tehran beginning around 9 a.m. local time, with blasts continuing into the evening. Israel military officials said roughly 500 sites were targeted across Iran, including ballistic missile installations and air defense systems. U.S. officials said American attack aircraft operating from regional bases and aircraft carriers struck Iranian military assets in support. Satellite imagery showed heavy damage and smoke rising from a high-security compound associated with Khamenei. Israel said the opening wave of strikes targeted a gathering of senior Iranian officials. In response, Iran fired multiple waves of ballistic missiles toward Israel. Israeli authorities reported minor injuries as air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles. Several Gulf nations including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait said they also came under attack, while Jordan reported missile activity over its territory. The United Arab Emirates said falling debris from an Iranian missile killed at least one person. The escalating violence disrupted commercial airline travel and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil supply. Shipping companies reported halted traffic, and the U.S. Maritime Administration advised vessels to avoid the Persian Gulf, including the strait. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump, who had publicly threatened action against Iran in recent weeks, said in a video message posted Saturday that the strikes were aimed at dismantling Irans nuclear program and military capabilities. He vowed to raze their missile industry to the ground and annihilate their navy, and suggested the campaign could lead to the overthrow of Irans government. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attacks, saying Irans armed forces would teach aggressors the lesson they deserve and accusing the United States of acting in Israels interest. The post Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Killed in Bombing Strikes, US and Israeli Media Report appeared first on TheWrap. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in a major assault on Iran launched by Israel and the United States. The Ayatollahs body, riddled with shrapnel wounds, was recovered from the rubble after a daylight bombing raid aimed at toppling the regime destroyed his Tehran compound. Iranian state TV confirmed Khameneis death in the early hours of Sunday morning, hours after it was initially reported by Israeli media and declared on social media by Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Israel and the US conducted 900 strikes in 12 hours on military bases, nuclear sites and government buildings across Iran using F-35s, F-22s and for the first time one-way attack drones. The two countries launched a second wave of strikes overnight into Sunday following Iranian attacks on military bases and civilian infrastructure across the Persian Gulf. Iran continued to retaliate on Sunday, with fresh blasts heard in Dubai, Bahrains capital Manama and Qatar. Announcing Khameneis death, the US president said that many of the regimes military, security and police forces were ready to lay down their weapons and submit to the US. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. The Ayatollahs body is said to have been found in the rubble of his Tehran compound Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of defence, described Operation Epic Fury as the most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history. The United States did not start this conflict, but we will finish it. If you kill or threaten Americans anywhere in the world as Iran has then we will hunt you down, and we will kill you, he said in a post on X. Photographs of Khameneis body were shown to Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as proof of his assassination, which was met with celebrations in the streets of London and Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state TV said there would be 40 days of official mourning in the country. The regime has not announced a successor to the Ayatollah but said a council of high-level officials would now take power. Along with Khamenei, at least 40 Iranian officials are dead, according to CBS. Another 200 people were also killed in the strikes, including 85 people at a girls school in southern Minab, according to the Red Crescent. Khameneis death represents the gravest blow to the Iranian regime since the 1979 revolution, when the Ayatollahs swept into power. Am I dreaming? Welcome to the new world On Saturday night tens of thousands of people flooded Tehran and other major cities demanding change. Advertisement Advertisement In Galleh Dar, Fars province, a statue of Khamenei was torn down and set alight. One person could be heard saying: Am I dreaming? Welcome to the new world. In Finchley, north London, hundreds of Iranians waved flags and honked car horns as celebrations spilled onto the streets of the area known as little Tehran. Israels massive strike on Khameneis compound, where several of the regimes leaders were thought to have met on Saturday, was the opening salvo of what is expected to be a days-long attack. Iran on Saturday night responded by firing missiles and drones at US bases and civilian targets in five neighbouring Gulf states as it pledged a crushing retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian missiles breached Israels Iron Dome and landed in Tel Aviv, killing one woman and injuring 20 others. Iran targets Dubai and lashes out at regional enemies A five-star hotel in Dubai, several residential buildings in Bahrain and Kuwaits international airport were struck as Tehran retaliated with a barrage of ballistic missiles that it had refused to give up during negotiations on Thursday. The luxury Fairmont Palm hotel in Dubai was engulfed in flames on Saturday night after being struck by a Shahed suicide drone. Four people were injured, and British guests were last night sheltering in the basement as missiles continued to be fired towards the UAE. Dubais International Airport was also bombed. Credit: X/@adrianopmi and @ruperttait Advertisement Advertisement Iran also struck the US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, the most vulnerable of American bases, while debris rained down from the skies above Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan. The Qatari Interior Ministry said eight people were injured by falling shrapnel from intercepted missiles. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Flights across the Middle East have been cancelled, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded. Air defence fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital on Saturday night. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Advertisement Advertisement In Iran, Mohammed Pakpour, the chief of Irans Revolutionary Guards, and Amir Nasirzadeh, its defence minister, were also killed along with 40 other top leaders of the regime, according to reports. Time to take back your country is now, Trump tells Iranians President Trump told Iranian guards to lay down their weapons or face certain death as he urged the Iranian public to force regime change. Addressing the nation, Mr Trump said he had begun operation Epic Fury to ensure Americans would never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand, he said in a video posted on Truth Social. More than 12 hours later, he added: The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD! Credit: Truth Social/ @realDonaldTrump Advertisement Advertisement Mr Netanyahu said the joint attack would last as long as needed, unleashing a wave of strikes that threatened to destabilise the region. Mr Trump monitored the operation from Mar-a-Lago, his Florida holiday home, alongside other key members of his administration, where he announced the beginning of the mission. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed, he said. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world. They can never have a nuclear weapon. The US had amassed an intense strike force in the region while pressing Iran to use its nuclear program in negotiations that failed to reach an agreement on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement According to senior US officials, US intelligence believed there were indicators that Iran intended to use its ballistic missiles against American troops in the region. Iran was also unwilling as its proxy groups in the region, sources said, and the US came to believe they were not negotiating seriously about a deal. It meant the US president felt he had no choice but to strike Iran, the source added. A plume of smoke rises above Tehran after US and Israeli strikes on Iran - AP Under pressure to explain if Britain had allowed the US to use Diego Garcia, the military base of the Chagos Islands, Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was not involved in the attack. Iran can end this now, he said in a televised address. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people. Israeli air force fighter jets dropped hundreds of munitions targeting approximately 500 objectives in several locations in Iran, including air defence systems and missile launchers. One of the strikes targeted a site in Tabriz in western Iran. The Iranian Surface-To-Surface Missiles Unit used the site to launch dozens of missiles toward Israeli civilians. The timing of the attack is no coincidence. The presidents approval ratings are at their lowest. With the midterm elections looming, Republicans risk losing the House. With control hanging in the balance, Mr Trump hopes a decisive blow against a foreign aggressor will allow the Republicans to cling to power. IRGC vows to fight on Irans defence ministry said it would provide weapons and equipment to continue its operation until the enemys defeat. As in the past, we will continue to provide complete weapons and equipment support to the brave fighters of the great Iranian nation for the continuation of True promise four operations and the defeat of enemies, the defence ministry said in a statement. The IRGC blocked passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most vital oil export route in a move that risks inflating global oil prices. The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Israeli officials told Axios that Israel had targeted Khameneis sons, although intelligence suggests they survived the strikes. President Trump told Axios on Saturday that he has several diplomatic off ramps from operation Epic Fury, which raged into Sunday. I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians, he said. See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs]. In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack, he predicted. In the aftermath of the attack, Mr Trump spoke with Sir Keir, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. By Saturday night, the president had announced Khamenei was dead and that the process to bring the country to the greatness it deserves would begin soon. Negotiations broke down after Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but maintained its right to enrich uranium. It did not want to discuss other issues such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran claims it hasnt enriched uranium since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the US bombed last summer during Operation Midnight Hammer. Satellite photos analysed by media outlets have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Mr Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent violent suppression protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. More than 7,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the clampdown. Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, backed the strikes on Iran, while Left-wing politicians have claimed that they were in breach of international law. Mr Farage, the Reform UK leader, urged the Prime Minister to allow the use of British military bases and support the Americans in this vital fight. Mrs Badenoch said she stands with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of Iran. The Secret Service and FBI said it was in a heightened state of alert for attack by Iranian proxies and sleeper cells, which are feared to have been embedded across America. As darkness fell over the region, US and Israeli air forces began the second stage of the mission, continuing strikes deep into the night. Video footage circulating on social media showed Iranians celebrating the supreme leaders death, with people cheering in the streets despite the near-total internet blackout. Additional reporting by Lily Shanagher Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. This is a dangerous and unnecessary gamble with American lives that also jeopardizes stability, said former Vice President Kamala Harris. Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Saturdays joint strikes executed by the United States and Israel, President Donald Trump confirmed. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS, Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement The death of Khamenei marks a major turning point in the Middle East, where President Donald Trump announced earlier Saturday the U.S. military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. The president said the U.S., in joint operations with Israel, will destroy Irans missiles and ensure that terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces. However, Trump cautioned that the war launched against Iran could result in American casualties. That often happens in war, he said in a presidential address early Saturday. The presidents military action, which did not seek authorization from Congress as required by the Constitution, was quickly slammed by Democrats in Congress, though praised by Republicans. The strikes also sparked protests in U.S. cities such as Washington, D.C., and New York City. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, called on Congress to pass a War Powers resolution to end Trumps military campaign in the Middle East. Donald Trump promised to keep America out of costly and endless foreign wars. He is now doing the exact opposite, Jeffries said in a statement. Trumps 2024 presidential opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, also called out the presidents war on Iran. Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivers the keynote speech at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez, File) Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harms way for the sake of Trumps war of choice, said Harris. This is a dangerous and unnecessary gamble with American lives that also jeopardizes stability in the region and our standing in the world. What we are witnessing is not strength. It is recklessness dressed up as resolve. Advertisement Advertisement While the former vice president said she understands the threat Iran poses and that it should never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, this is not the way to dismantle that threat. The latest strikes in Iran come after Trump ordered strikes on the Islamic nations nuclear facilities in June 2025. At that time, Trump said the U.S. obliterated Irans enrichment capabilities. That, too, was a lie, said Harris. The former presidential nominee argued that even if Trump had received authorization from Congress, the latest strikes in Iran are unwise, unjustified, and not supported by the American people. Advertisement Advertisement There can be no equivocation in our opposition to Donald Trumps war of choice, and Congress must use all available power to prevent him from further committing us to this conflict. Our troops, our allies, and the American people deserve nothing less, she said. More must-reads: Israel has launched an attack on Iran, striking targets in Tehran. A U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ that the U.S. is attacking Iran, including strikes from air and sea. See updates down below. Details remain extremely limited at this time, but what we know is that Israel struck targets as part of what it is calling a preemptive strike. Images from the capital show smoke plumes rising in urban areas. In addition, we have seen video from Iraq showing what appears to be low flying cruise missiles or possibly fighter aircraft. Iraq has been the primary access point for the Israeli Air Force in past strikes on Iran. BREAKING: Israel says it launched a preemptive strike against Iran and declares a nationwide state of emergency. Reports of explosions across the Iranian capital, Tehran. pic.twitter.com/mRXNHj3Yy8 Ariel Oseran (@ariel_oseran) February 28, 2026 Israel has launched a preventative missile attack against Iran, the Israeli defence minister said. pic.twitter.com/yDPfQ1IMan Levent Kemal (@leventkemaI) February 28, 2026 The person behind the camera says Saturday strikes near Khameneis residence / office in Tehran pic.twitter.com/rgohz42k10 Fazel Hawramy (@FazelHawramy) February 28, 2026 : pic.twitter.com/qHgtBXTXFw (@kann_news) February 28, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Possible TLAM raid reported in northern Iraq pic.twitter.com/JhgOwd7D09 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 Some on the ground are saying the strikes targeted Iranian leadership installations in the city, particularly those used by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, although we cannot confirm that at this time. Geolocation info will soon be coming that should shed light on the target set. The IDF posted the following on X, stating: The State of Israel has launched a preemptive attack against Iran. Israels Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, declares a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the state. The State of Israel has initiated a preemptive attack against Iran to remove threats directed against the State of Israel. As a result, missile and drone launches against the State of Israel and its civilian population are expected in the very near term. Therefore, pursuant to his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Minister of Defense Israel Katz has now signed a special order mandating the imposition of a special state of emergency in the Home Front throughout the State of Israel, effective immediately. The instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities must be followed, and individuals must remain in protected areas. U.S. Central Command has declined to comment on the strikes in response to our direct inquiry to them. Advertisement Advertisement We have concluded our rolling coverage in this piece. You can get the latest updates in our new rolling coverage article here. UPDATE: 5:16 PM EST U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes earlier today, as you can read more about here. UPDATE: 4:40 PM EST Within the last hour, an Iranian missile hit a location in the Tel Aviv area of Israel. Reporters on the scene said they heard sirens and then explosions. Israeli officials say seven people were injured, one badly. Images from the scene show firefighters outside badly damaged apartment buildings. Whatever the state of the leadership in Tehran is at this point, the Iranian missile forces are clearly still an active threat. Tel Aviv after Iranian missile impact. pic.twitter.com/bbHLcUunQk Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 " . pic.twitter.com/xnyonVzoW5 (@IL_police) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 4:30 PM EST The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have provided this update on their operation codenamed Roaring Lion: Heres what happened in the last 12 hours: pic.twitter.com/F8eUvm4eNF Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 4:20 PM EST Footage recently posted to social media purports to show the aftermath of an Iranian strike on Dubai Airport this evening. If true, that would indicate that Iran is still launching additional waves against its adversaries. We are awaiting further details of the results of this potential attack on one of the busiest commercial transport hubs in the region, and in the world. Dubai airport has reportedly been hit in the latest Iranian attack against the UAE pic.twitter.com/EmAwNxGKEw Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) February 28, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: 4:05 PM EST Trump has addressed reports that Ayatollah Khamenei was killed, telling NBC News, We feel that that is a correct story. Additionally, Trump says a lot of the senior Iranian leadership was killed in strikes, claiming that most of them are now gone. Asked about the next leadership and if a successor to Khamenei has been identified, Trump said: Yes. We have a very good idea. According to Fox News, citing a U.S. official, the White House believes Khamenei is dead, along with between five and 10 top Iranian leaders who were killed in an initial Israeli strike. Getting asked a lot why this kicked off mid day and not at night. I don't know for certain, but everything points to moving up a timeline based on time sensitive intelligence. Limitations to doing this for a large bi-national operation, but yeah, that's where I would place my bet Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) February 28, 2026 Iran continues to contradict U.S. and Israeli reports that Khamenei is dead. Irans semi-official Tasnim and Mehr news agencies are both reporting that the supreme leader is steadfast and firm in commanding the field. UPDATE: 4:00 PM EST The head of public relations at the Iranian supreme leaders office today accused the United States and Israel of mental warfare after Israeli reports that Ayatollah Khamenei had been killed. Advertisement Advertisement The enemy is resorting to mental warfare; all should be aware, the public relations official was quoted as saying by Iranian state media. Khameneis Office: At a time when the American-Zionist enemy has come under heavy blows from the brave men of the armed forces, it has resorted to psychological warfare. We must all be vigilant against the enemys psychological warfare. Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 3:40 PM EST A new strike video from Operation Epic Fury has been published on U.S. military social media channels. This one is especially notable for the presence of U.S. Navy F-35C stealth fighters from the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. These aircraft are seen with single AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles carried on external stores stations, complementing whatever is in their internal weapons bays. The same footage also includes F/A-18E/F Super Hornets loaded with 500-pound-class Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) as well as AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles. As the President stated, our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. The President ordered bold action. CENTCOM forces are delivering an overwhelming and unrelenting blow. pic.twitter.com/B0k5gV4YnU U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 3:30 PM EST A spike in activity by aerial refueling aircraft at Lajes in the Azores today could well be indicative of additional U.S. air assets heading across the Atlantic to join the operation. Portuguese television crews recorded five KC-46 Pegasus tankers taking off from the base in just two minutes. Worth bearing in mind here is the fact that B-2s will likely make direct attacks on key Iranian targets tonight. They can provide hard-hitting and deep-penetrating capabilities that no other crewed platform can. These aircraft will be flying from the United States, at least initially, and would require extensive tanker support for these missions. Five in the air in 2 minutes. https://t.co/wyweCyPMq3 Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) February 28, 2026 B-2s will likely show up tonight, making direct attacks on key targets in a way no other platform can. Yes this could include MOPs, but also lots of JDAMs against less fortified targets. They can achieve massive effects in a single sortie. One B-2 can carry 80 500lb JDAMs. Entire pic.twitter.com/d0ztfmHYVN Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) February 28, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Already, the U.S. military has conducted almost 900 strikes in the first 12 hours of the operation against Iran, according to a U.S. official. In response, Iran is said to have fired around 300 missiles today, with the U.S. officials estimating that Tehran started out with a stockpile of around 2,000 longer-range missiles and 2,000 shorter-range missiles. Many of those will have been destroyed in the course of operations today. As for the Iranian targets, the same U.S. official said that the strike on the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain hit an empty warehouse and a radar installation. The US military carried out nearly 900 US strikes in the first 12 hours of this operation, US defense official tells me. The strikes came from land, air and sea and included drones. All the while defending against 100s of incoming Iranian ballistic missiles. Iran has fired Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 3:15 PM EST There have been more reports of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that airstrikes on Tehran earlier today had destroyed his compound and that all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us. Advertisement Advertisement Now, Reuters is reporting that Khamenei is indeed dead. The agency cites a senior Israeli official, who said that the supreme leader, who has ruled Iran since 1989, is dead and his body has been found. Still, we dont have official confirmation on the matter yet. US official confirms to Fox that US believes Khamenei and 5-10 top Iranian leaders killed in initial Israeli strike on compound; agree with Israels intelligence assessment. A senior US defense official tells me that the US government agrees with the Israeli assessment that Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 2:55 PM EST President Donald Trump has claimed he can end the war with Iran in two or three days, as well as outlining various off-ramps for the conflict. In a phone interview from Mar-a-Lago, the U.S. president told Axios: I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs]. In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack. Trump on Iran: I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: "See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding." Source: Axios Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 Trump also stated that Iranians officials got close and then pulled back on talks held in Geneva last week. I understood from that that they dont really want a deal, Trump said. Iran was also unwilling to address its proxy groups in the region, and was negotiating from a point of weakness following recent unrest. The US came to believe they were not negotiating seriously to approach a real deal. Bernd Debusmann Jr (@BernieDebusmann) February 28, 2026 President Donald J. Trump Monitors U.S. Military Operations in Iran: Operation Epic Fury, February 28, 2026 pic.twitter.com/OfnMkmBZ8G The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement The photo in the above tweet, showing an ad-hoc situation room at Mar-a-Lago, is interesting in that the map on the wall has not been blurred out or otherwise obscured. As a result, we can see clearly that there was some kind of Iranian attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. A close-up of the Operation Epic Fury map at Mar-a-Lago. White House via X Elsewhere on this site, you can read our analysis of satellite imagery showing what is assessed to be an Iranian Alvand class frigate billowing dark smoke after being struck as part of the U.S. and Israeli air campaign against the country. The image is the first confirmation of heavy damage or a loss of an Iranian warship since the strikes began. The frigate burning in Konarak. Vantor UPDATE: 2:40 PM EST Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that airstrikes on Tehran earlier today destroyed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis compound and adds that all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us. Advertisement Advertisement So far, this is the clearest official indication yet that the missing leader is dead. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a press statement: "The plan to destroy Israel no longer exists, and there is a high likelihood that the tyrant [Ali Khamenei] does not either." Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 Khamenei has not been heard from since U.S.-Israeli strikes began, and satellite imagery confirms that his secure compound in Tehran was heavily damaged in the initial barrage. For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed earlier today that the supreme leader was safe and sound. Netanyahu further called upon the Iranian people to take to the streets en masse and get the job done. Describing the Iranian people as courageous, he said the strikes will help them unshackle themselves from tyranny. Advertisement Advertisement They have a once-in-a-generation chance to overthrow the Iranian regime, Netanyahu added. This is an opportunity to do something. Do not sit with your arms crossed, because this moment will come and you will be demanded to go out of the streets in the masses, because you have to complete this work, and you have to bring down and eradicate this regime. UPDATE: 1:36 PM EST The Israeli Air Force says that 200 fighters took part in the initial wave of strikes on Iran this morning, and that 500 individual targets were struck near-simultaneously. This is the largest strike sortie in the history of the Israeli Air Force, executed after close planning with high-quality intelligence, synchronizing hundreds of aircraft simultaneously, according to a statement from the IDF. This enabled the expansion of air superiority over Iranian skies and caused a severe blow to the regimes central offensive capability, the launch sites in western Iran. With some 200 fighter jets, the Israeli Air Force says it carried out its largest-ever strike sortie in Iran today. The extensive strikes targeted Iranian ballistic missile launchers and air defense systems, according to the military. The IDF says the fighter jets dropped pic.twitter.com/x0xG44mAsp Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 "Approximately 200 fighter jets, guided by Military Intelligence and the Air Force, have completed an extensive strike..This is the largest attack sortie in the history of the Israeli Air Force" https://t.co/Vpi9kqv50H AirPower | MIL-STD (@AirPowerNEW1) February 28, 2026 Footage published by the IDF shows Israeli Air Force fighter jets taking off this morning for extensive strikes in Iran. pic.twitter.com/1QNrg3MD5g Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 Axios has separately reported that three sites where gatherings of the Iranian regime were taking place were struck simultaneously, and several senior figures essential to the management of the campaign and the regimes governance were eliminated. Unnamed sources have also told Reuters that prior to Iran attacks, [the] CIA assessed Khamenei would be replaced by hardline IRGC elements if killed. Many questions remain about the status of senior Iranian leaders targeted in the initial wave of strikes. IDF official: "Three sites where gatherings of the Iranian regime were taking place were struck simultaneously, and several senior figures essential to the management of the campaign and the regimes governance were eliminated" Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 28, 2026 Exclusive: Prior to Iran attacks, CIA assessed Khamenei would be replaced by hardline IRGC elements if killed, sources say https://t.co/hszaIuUz3t https://t.co/hszaIuUz3t Reuters (@Reuters) February 28, 2026 The IDF has also now issued a warning to Iranian civilians to avoid an industrial zone in Isfahan ahead of impending strikes. The IDF issues an "urgent warning" to Iranians located in an industrial zone in the Isfahan area, ahead of an Israeli airstrike. "In the coming minutes, the Israeli army will attack military infrastructure in this area," says the IDF's Persian-language spokesman, Lt. Col. Kamal pic.twitter.com/flFVCBry8n Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 Publicly available air traffic control audio indicates that U.S. Air Force tankers are up and operating in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar. This could point to new movement of American aircraft through that area ahead of new strikes on Iran tonight. The ACARS map from @thebaldgeek is painting a picture of USAF tankers along the STROG that ADSB cant pic.twitter.com/Nl1S4GClB7 Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) February 28, 2026 There are reports that three members of the Kuwaiti armed forces were injured by falling debris during Iranian strikes targeting the countrys Ali Al Salem Air Base. Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense: 3 members of the armed forces were injured as a result of shrapnel falling at Ali Al-Salem Air Base Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 Iranian media is reporting that U.S.-Israeli strikes hit 24 provinces, killing 201 people and injuring 747 more, citing the countrys Red Crescent, per Reuters. 201 people killed, 747 injured in U.S.-Israeli attacks that hit 24 provinces Iranian media citing Red Crescent Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) February 28, 2026 The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a new wave of Iranian missiles launched towards the country, noting that the operation was carried out with high efficiency and without any damage, according to a new statement from that countrys Ministry of Defense. Missiles were intercepted by the UAE Air Defence system and debris has fallen on several areas in Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Baniyas Area, Mohammed Bin Zayed area, and Al Falah area. No injuries have been reported. The UAE successfully intercepted new wave of Iranian Missiles The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a new wave of Iranian missiles launched towards the country, noting that the operation was carried out with high efficiency and pic.twitter.com/W9LvTtjR1e |MOD UAE (@modgovae) February 28, 2026 French President Emmanuel Macron has now stressed at a televised meeting that his country was not informed of the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran in advance, and is not involved. French President Macron on Iran: France was neither informed nor involved, nor were the countries of the region or our allies. pic.twitter.com/daJUg6Xm28 Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 12:19 PM EST The IDF continues to release footage from ongoing strikes on targets in Iran. WATCH: Soldiers of the Iranian terror regime were struck while arming missile launchers aimed toward Israel. pic.twitter.com/nG64x2fnuU Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 A picture said to have been taken in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz has emerged that looks to show an MQ-9 drone flying overhead. Another thread on American-Israeli strikes in Iran. 1. A UAV which looks like American MQ-9 has been seen over the city of Shiraz. Locals report it fired a missile to a base south of Shiraz industrial town. pic.twitter.com/Cuq5AMijn8 Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) February 28, 2026 Several residential buildings in Manama were targeted, according to a new statement from Bahrains Ministry of the Interior. Civil Defence continues with firefighting and rescue operations at the affected sites. Further details will be released later. Several residential buildings in Manama were targeted. Civil Defence continues with firefighting and rescue operations at the affected sites. Further details will be released later. Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) February 28, 2026 NEW: Strikes reported in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/BvWAjPxeky Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 Bahraini air defenses are intercepting several Iranian missiles over Manama. pic.twitter.com/4QxNxsLYbn Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 The United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization, which is managed by the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom, says it has also now received reports of radio transmissions saying the Strait of Hormuz has been closed. However, UKMTO also says that it has been unable so far to verify whether or not this is true. The organization has further noted that such transmissions, by themselves, are not legally binding. Israels Magen David Adom ambulance service says it has treated 89 people for injuries sustained during Iranian attacks today, according to The Times of Israel. The majority of those injuries are said to have come indirectly, which could include debris resulting from interceptions. The Magen David Adom ambulance service says it has treated a total of 89 people who were lightly injured as a result of Iran's ballistic missile attacks, the vast majority of them indirectly. MDA says a 16-year-old was hurt by shrapnel in Kfar Qasim, a man in his 50s was injured Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar a Lago alongside members of his national security team. The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also now said in a statement. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members. The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day. President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar a Lago alongside members of his national security team. The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 10:20 AM EST A wire report from Reuters, citing an official from the European Union-led Operation Aspides, says that vessels have started receiving VHF [radio] transmission from Irans Revolutionary Guards saying no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz.' Online ship tracking data shows some indications that traffic through the Strait may be slowing, but that it has not yet stopped. Iran has regularly threatened to close this highly strategic waterway in response to a major crisis. TWZ has delved into Irans ability to follow through on that threat, as well as the potential ramifications of doing so, in detail in the past. Starting to see the Strait open up as tankers hold up on each side. pic.twitter.com/r1f2f5GcTw Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) (@mercoglianos) February 28, 2026 Ahead of us is a significant, fateful, and unprecedented campaign to destroy the capabilities of the Iranian terrorist regime capabilities that constitute an ongoing existential threat to the security of the State of Israel, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has said in a video statement. This is close and unprecedented cooperation between the IDF and the US military. The IDF is competent and prepared for a range of scenarios. At this very moment, Israeli Air Force pilots are striking hundreds of targets across Iran, at great risk and in coordination with American strikes. We are focused at this time solely on victory, he added. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, in a video statement, says that Israel is ahead of a "significant, fateful, and unprecedented campaign to destroy the capabilities of the Iranian terror regime." "The IDF, together with the United States military, has begun striking pic.twitter.com/LNAfqhjYXH Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has also now released a picture of him speaking by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump. It has been pointed out that a copy of the book Allies At War by historian Tim Bouverie, about the Allied campaign to defeat the Nazis during World War II, is prominently featured in the picture. Note the book on PM Bibi Netanyahus desk during his call today with President Trump: historian Tim Bouveries book Allies at War. About how the Allies defeated Hitler in World War II. https://t.co/ymjTeFuiAg Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026 There are reports that a strike has targeted Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militants in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. U.S. forces have struck elements of Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq and in Syria on several occasions in the past. #BREAKING The sound of four explosions was heard in the Jurf al-Sakhar area, southeast of #Baghdad. The area is widely controlled byKataib Hezbollah. It has been targeted by the US multiple times previously. Mustafa Salim (@Mustafa_salimb) February 28, 2026 #UPDATE Two people were killed Saturday in air strikes on an Iraqi military base housing the powerful pro-Iran group Kataeb Hezbollah, which has threatened the US with an imminent response.https://t.co/ZR66M0H9gL AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 28, 2026 UAE air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a new wave of Iranian missiles and drones launched towards the country. It noted that the operation was carried out with high efficiency and with limited material damage. The Ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the countrys security and stability, according to a new statement from that countrys Ministry of Defense. It emphasised that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors remains a top priority that cant be compromised. The Ministry also stated that missiles were intercepted by the UAE Air Defence system, and debris have fallen on several areas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. No injuries have been reported. UAE air defence systems successfully intercepted more Iranian mssiles, drones The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a new wave of Iranian missiles and drones launched towards the country. It noted that the operation was carried pic.twitter.com/UTOCmIwJDr |MOD UAE (@modgovae) February 28, 2026 Iran is apparently targeting areas near the Burj Khalifa, with kamikaze drones approaching the building. pic.twitter.com/ZmiXW0dqRd Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 We are aware of reports concerning civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations, Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, has said in response to questions from CNN about reports from Iranian authorities that a school was struck earlier today. We take these reports seriously and are looking into them. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm. Iranian state media has said that dozens of students were killed and wounded when a primary school for girls in Minab in southwestern Iran was hit. The school is reportedly close to an IRGC facility. CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins on the strike on a school in Iran that reportedly killed dozens of students: "We are aware of reports concerning civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations. We take these reports seriously and are looking into them. The protection of Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) February 28, 2026 Iranian state media reported that there was a strike on a primary school for girls in southern Iran. An Iranian official said that the strike killed 51 students and another 60 have been wounded, with the death toll expected to rise. Our correspondent reports from Tehran pic.twitter.com/L7Vli7xyMx FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) February 28, 2026 Iran's state TV airs a video of damage to a primary school for girls in the southern city of Minab, Hormozgan province. Iranian media say that dozens of schoolgirls have been killed in a US/Israeli strike. Location: 27.109787, 57.084671 Verified by: @ChrisOsieck and @ntabrizy pic.twitter.com/KTSW4hb5Kc Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 10:35 AM EST The Israel Defense Forces have shared details about their targeting of Iranian air defenses, including an SA-65 surface-to-air missile system in Kermanshah. The IDF says it has completed an extensive wave of airstrikes targeting "strategic" Iranian air defense systems. One of the targets was an "advanced SA-65 air defense system" deployed in the Kermanshah area, according to the military. "The IDF continues at this time to strike pic.twitter.com/BDH0PaQK9f Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 Israeli authorities continue to report incoming waves of ballistic missiles and drones. There have been reports of damage on the ground from missile debris due to interceptions, but not casualties so far. Sirens again sound across central Israel amid a new Iranian ballistic missile attack. Civilians in areas where sirens are sounding are instructed to enter bomb shelters until further notice, as the IDF says it is working to shoot down the projectiles. Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 Sirens sound across central Israel amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack. Simultaneously, a siren warning of a suspected drone infiltration sounds near the Dead Sea. The IDF says it is working to intercept the threats. Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 No injuries were caused following the missile fragment impact in central Israel, medics say. pic.twitter.com/ptieNu6vlf Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 There are reports of new Iranian strikes targeting Dubai. The Palm Hotel & Resort looks to have suffered damage as a result, but what the intended target was is unknown. BREAKING Blast heard, fire and smoke rising from hotel on Dubais Palm Video below sent to me by contact there. pic.twitter.com/M7xAjvAQaP Timour Azhari (@timourazhari) February 28, 2026 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United Arab Emirates has also now issued a statement condemning Iranian strikes on its territory, as well as on other countries in the region. JUST IN: UAE condemns Iran's missile attacks on the country and other nations in the region pic.twitter.com/TNsIPFEOx7 Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 Kuwaiti authorities say a drone struck Kuwait International Airport, causing damage and injuring a number of workers. Picture from the Kuwait international Airport pic.twitter.com/zX496A61u4 Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 An Iranian drone appears to have hit the Kuwait International Airport pic.twitter.com/dAnJ42lehc Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) February 28, 2026 A U.S. official speaking to TWZ on background has denied Iranian claims that it struck a U.S. naval vessel. Not true, said the official. Lies. NYT: Irans Revolutionary Guards claim their naval missiles struck a U.S. Military Sealift Command support ship, according to state broadcaster IRIB. The claim can not be verified. Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 When I talked to Secretary Rubio, I implored him to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of these strikes and what comes next, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in that chamber of Congress, has said in statement. The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Schumer is also a member of the so-called Gang of Eight, which comprises senior lawmakers from both parties in the House and Senate, as well as the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. These individuals were reportedly contacted about the new operation against Iran shortly before strikes began. Members of the House and Senate armed services committees were briefed later. When I talked to Secretary Rubio, I implored him to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of these strikes and what comes next. Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 28, 2026 A White House official says @SecRubio called each Gang of 8 member ahead of the operation, reaching 7 of 8. He had briefed Gang for an hour Tuesday. After strikes began, DoD notified the Armed Services Committees early this morning. Olivia Gazis (@Olivia_Gazis) February 28, 2026 The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said in an address. However, our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional operations to protect our people, our interests, and our allies, as Britain has done before in line with international law. Starmer also condemned what he described as indiscriminate Iranian strikes on countries in the Middle East and said that it is vital that we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process. He also called on Iran to refrain from further attacks and to give up its weapons programs. UK Prime Minister Starmer says British planes "are in the sky today" in the Middle East "as part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies." pic.twitter.com/uPgbeTpNuW Benjamin Alvarez (@BenjAlvarez1) February 28, 2026 A spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry has now issued a brief statement calling for an end to hostilities and a return to diplomacy, according to The Wall Street Journal. Chinese and Russian authorities have called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in response to the conflict, according to state media in Russia. French authorities say the UNSC is now set to meet this evening at their request. In a single-paragraph statement, a Foreign Ministry spokesman late Saturday in Beijing urged a cessation of military operations and a return to dialogue to ensure peace in the Middle East.https://t.co/Jn43ep3YsQ Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ) February 28, 2026 RIA: China and Russia have requested an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting on Iran. Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 At the request of France, the United Nations Security Council will meet tonight at 10 p.m. Paris time to address the situation in Iran and the Middle East. Jean-Noel Barrot (@jnbarrot) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 9:42 AM EST Fox News is reporting that U.S. strikes on Iran included the first-ever combat use of unspecified one-way attack drones. Bloomberg had reported this past week that the U.S. militarys Middle East-based Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS) stood ready to participate in any future operations against Iran. TFSS was established late last year under the auspices of U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) and is armed with Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) kamikaze drones. The US military has been focusing on high value targets: IRGC significant facilities and capabilities. Naval facilities, and underground facilities likely associated with the nuclear program. Tomahawk missiles were used in the first volley of strikes. We have effectively suppressed their air defenses, one US official told me, according to Fox News Jennifer Griffin. This was a multi geographic command and control designed to overwhelm Irans defenses. There were hundreds of targets in what is being described to me as a multi day operation. NEW details on US military strikes targeting Iran: The US military used some new capabilities in these strikes: for the first time they used one way attack drones in combat. The US military has been focusing on high value targets: IRGC significant facilities and Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026 The map below shows the general locations of reported U.S. and Israeli strikes on targets in Iran so far. I've made a map with locations of US and Israeli strikes across Iran thus far. Some may be missing. Meanwhile I'm taking a break. Thank you for your attention on this matter! pic.twitter.com/2IDoYnlF8T Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) February 28, 2026 Channel 12 in Israel has reported that strikes targeting Iranian leadership have achieved very high success and that it is not clear that [Supreme leader Ali] Khamenei did not undergo a dramatic event, citing unnamed sources. This remains very much unconfirmed. BREAKING: Channel 12 reports Israel assesses "very high success" in eliminating Iranian leadership and that "it is not clear that Khamenei did not undergo a dramatic event." Israel may have hit the Supreme Leader. Conflict Alarm (@ConflictAlarm) February 28, 2026 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, to the best of his knowledge, that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are still alive. Irans constitution says that if the Supreme Leader dies, the countrys current President, as well as the head of the judiciary and a cleric from the powerful Guardian Council, will assume their duties. Iranian Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei was also reportedly targeted, but is said to be unhurt, per Iranian officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that, as far as he knows, both the Supreme Leader and the President are alive. pic.twitter.com/nSQV2A4EbM Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 That said, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje'i were reportedly also targeted in these strikes. If both were killed, this would affect the Islamic Republic's ability to function at the top level. Holly Dagres (@hdagres) February 28, 2026 Reuters is now reporting that Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and top IRGC commander Mohammed Pakpour have been killed, citing three anonymous sources. The outlet had already reported that several senior revolutionary guards commanders and political officials have been killed in the US-Israeli strikes, according to an unnamed Iranian source. Iranian Defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh and revolutionary guards commander Mohammed Pakpour killed in Israeli attacks -three sources familiar with the matter tell Reuters. Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) February 28, 2026 Several senior revolutionary guards commanders and political officials have been killed in the US-Israeli strikes, an Iranian source tells Reuters. Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 9:08 AM EST Israeli forces are continuing to target Iranian ballistic missile launch capacity, as shown in the video below. STRUCK: Operatives from the Iranian regimes surface-to- surface missiles unit as they loaded a missile launcher and prepared to immediately launch towards Israel. The threat was identified and quickly struck, preventing the launch aimed toward Israel. pic.twitter.com/nMcOeOtleX Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 Israeli Air Force tanker seen over Syria dragging F-16s to conduct airstrikes on Iran. pic.twitter.com/CtNmwiHuy9 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 Israeli authorities also continue to report incoming volleys of Iranian threats. Sirens sounding across Israel once again! pic.twitter.com/GwWf0DovWq Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 Sahand University of Technology in Irans northwestern city of Tabriz appears to have been the target of a new strike. There have been reports in the past that this institution is tied to Irans nuclear program. Faytuks Network has confirmed a strike at Sahand University of Technology in Tabriz, northwestern Iran. POV coordinates: 37.941774, 46.141334@andynovy pic.twitter.com/57aFdzxk60 Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 Online flight tracking data also shows Israels Wing of Zion presidential jet, also referred to as the Israeli Air Force One, orbiting over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea just off the countrys coast. It is currently unknown who may be on board the aircraft. CNN has reported that the current U.S. operational plan centers on an escalating series of strikes with off-ramps along the way, citing an unnamed U.S. official. Each round will be over a one to two-day period with pauses to reset and assess battle damage. New: The US has planned an escalating series of strikes with off-ramps along the way, according to a senior US official. Each round will be over a one to two-day period with pauses to reset and assess battle damage. #Iran Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 28, 2026 The Jordanian Foreign Ministry has now put out a statement that says, in part, according to a machine translation: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs has strongly condemned today the Iranian aggression on Jordanian territory with ballistic missiles, as well as the aggressions against the sisterly United Arab Emirates, the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, the sisterly State of Qatar, and the sisterly State of Kuwait. The Ministry affirmed in a statement that Jordan will continue to take all available and necessary steps to protect the safety of its citizens, its security, and its sovereignty. STATEMENT:#Jordan strongly condemned today the Iranian attack on its territory involving ballistic missiles, as well as the attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait. In an official statement, the pic.twitter.com/R0OuLYY4HB Dana Zureikat Daoud (@DanaZkat) February 28, 2026 French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a statement that includes a pledge that the country stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it, but also says the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 8:12 AM EST The Israel Defense Forces continues to release footage showing strikes on targets in Iran as part of what it is calling Operation Roaring Lion (also sometimes written Operation Lions Roar). WATCH: IDF strikes hundreds of targets in western Iran as part of Operation Roaring Lion pic.twitter.com/KYMYVL8DOQ Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 " " " . , - pic.twitter.com/X3HUAxcFYH Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) February 28, 2026 Pictures and videos said to show Iranian retaliatory strikes and their aftermath, as well as efforts to intercept them, are still emerging. Another video from the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/9dMcJGzWAc Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 Not only ballistic missiles. The video shows Iranian Shahed-type long-range OWA-UAV striking the US-operated Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Apparently, the target was a radar system located on the territory of the facility. pic.twitter.com/xmom2fZF9N Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) February 28, 2026 JUST NOW: Faytuks Network Video shows Interceptors being fired from Bahrain pic.twitter.com/qR4TdiKkbC Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 Video from Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait pic.twitter.com/0ciMdY753K Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 Smoke rises from Azraq. Potentially indicating a strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. Unclear what the munition struck. pov C: 31.832318, 36.814380 S: https://t.co/0upBENwuTm@GeoConfirmed @FaytuksNetwork pic.twitter.com/wtSYUdJuQd Andy (@andynovy) February 28, 2026 A local films interceptions of Iranian ballistic missiles over Jordan. pic.twitter.com/eMnUsNewXP Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) February 28, 2026 Additional imagery said to show Iranian missile debris, as well as that from interceptors fired at them, falling in multiple countries, is now also emerging online. Qatar, the moment a missile debris falls near a crowd of people on the streets pic.twitter.com/GcBc0WpCm3 Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) February 28, 2026 Debris of either Kheibarshekan or Fatah 1 solid-propellant missiles used against Israel. https://t.co/u0D71gsyql Fabian Hinz (@fab_hinz) February 28, 2026 #Syria: additional evidence shows the interceptor that fell in #Quneitra province was fired by a Patriot (PAC 3) system, part of the air defense array currently used to shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles. https://t.co/5bkmDYFaTc pic.twitter.com/J7OzmjoRsw Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) February 28, 2026 More imagery showing debris from strikes targeting Iran continues to emerge, as well. A second Blue Sparrow series ALBM missile booster reportedly found in Iraq. https://t.co/pKMlwmLaSG pic.twitter.com/c7azLnDoWB Trevor Ball (@Easybakeovensz) February 28, 2026 Strikes are causing widespread disruption in civilian air traffic across the Middle East. Flight Radar 24 said that there were total airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar as of 5:00 AM. Airspaces currently closed (9:55 UTC) * Iran * Iraq * Kuwait * Bahrain * Qatar pic.twitter.com/2wLYwgg8k7 Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 28, 2026 A large number of commercial aircraft are currently stuck in the air as Iranian ballistic missiles strike multiple Gulf states. pic.twitter.com/GpDP2RfAcc Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) February 28, 2026 There are also growing concerns about disruptions to commercial maritime traffic. Following todays US-Israel military operations against Iran, according to sources, the Houthis threatened to launch new attacks against Israel and US ships interest [sic] and shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. We call [on] the shipping industry to stay vigilant and be aware that attacks against all shipping cant be excluded, reads a statement from the European Union-led Operation Aspides, established to help safeguard shipping in and around the Red Sea. EUNAFOR ASPIDES assets in the area of operation remain on high alert and stand ready to contribute within means and capabilities to protect lives at sea, contributing to freedom of navigation and enhancing #MaritimeSecurity through one of the most vital and vulnerable sea trade corridors. We call the shipping industry to stay vigilant and be aware that attacks against all shipping cant be excluded. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) February 28, 2026 The U.S. military has dubbed its portion of the new operation against Iran as Operation Epic Fury. Fox News is reporting that current operations against Iran are expected to continue for several days, not just hours, citing an unnamed U.S. official. OPERATION EPIC FURY Department of War (@DeptofWar) February 28, 2026 LIVE UPDATES: Strikes on Iran will last days, not hours, US official says Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2026 Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has lamented that Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined and said that neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. Oman had been mediating talks between U.S. and Iranian officials ostensibly aimed at avoiding a conflict. I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. Badr Albusaidi (@badralbusaidi) February 28, 2026 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has put out a statement that says, in part, Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. My statement on Iran-related hostilities in the Middle East: pic.twitter.com/NcC8Pzq2Ba Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 28, 2026 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese included a near-identical statement of support for the United States in his own statement. Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation. Iran Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 7:07 AM EST Satellite imagery shows significant damage to the Supreme Leaders compound in Tehran. It remains unclear what his status is at this moment: We obtained the first known satellite image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran. There are several destroyed buildings. While the current whereabouts of Iran's supreme leader are unknown, the compound is generally used as his official residence. : @Airbuspic.twitter.com/48krjclMBL Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) February 28, 2026 We are getting our first video from Israel of attacks in Iranian targets, including a long-range ballistic missile launcher and missile: " ": " " ", - , . , pic.twitter.com/FgnoFIJMXm Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) February 28, 2026 This is video reportedly showing a hit by an Iranian weapon on Abu Dhabi: : pic.twitter.com/djdmz8mpsx N12 (@N12News) February 28, 2026 Saudi Arabias statement on Irans attacks on its bases and those of its Arab allies: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression and the blatant violation of the sovereignty of each of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, affirming its full solidarity and standing by the side of the sister states, and placing all its capabilities at their disposal to support them in all measures they take, and warning of the grave consequences of the continued violation of the sovereignty of states and the principles of international law. # | pic.twitter.com/Yb7hLBYUzG (@KSAMOFA) February 28, 2026 Israel is reportedly going after all Iranian leadership, past, present and future, according to one report. Senior Israeli official: The goal is to create all the conditions for the downfall of the Iranian regime. We are targeting the entire Iranian leadership political and military past, present, and future. Developments will also depend on the extent to which the Iranian people https://t.co/12kays75XN Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 28, 2026 An image showing an Iranian missile or other projectile impacting the water off Israel: Picture of an Iranian missile landed in the sea off the Israeli coast, according to Reuters. pic.twitter.com/83xnJodW3B Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 5:45 AM EST It appears that Iran attacked U.S.-related sites in Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Kuwait. We are also hearing Saudi Arabia, but that is not confirmed. We are now getting responses from these countries condemning the attacks and some saying they reserve the right to respond. This is exactly how this conflict would quickly widen, as we have discussed for years, and most recently in this in-depth feature. Statement:Bahrain confirms attacks on sites within the Kingdom launched from outside its territory,a blatant violation of sovereignty. Authorities activated emergency plans. We condemn the attacks & reserves the right to respond in coordination w/ allies https://t.co/Ht7DjE8ZvD Abdulla R. Al-Khalifa (@AbdullaRAK) February 28, 2026 "" . pic.twitter.com/R0WkOLHQ8k |MOD UAE (@modgovae) February 28, 2026 MIM-104 Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile Batteries with the U.S. Army attempting to down Iranian ballistic missiles over Erbil in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq. pic.twitter.com/NmY9xe0IxA OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026 We are seeing video of flaming missile bodies on the ground in Syria and other locales. Whether they are a part of the ballistic missile or the interceptor isnt clear in most cases. Do NOT breathe that! https://t.co/UFpfnQ9Tup Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) February 28, 2026 One of the interceptor missiles fell a short while ago in the city of Inkhil in the countryside of #Daraa. The skies over Daraa Governorate are still witnessing continuous aircraft activity as a result of the war between #Iran and the United States. pic.twitter.com/OHWvL3YZvr Mohammad Alasakra (@mohammed_asakra) February 28, 2026 Footage reportedly shows debris from an Iranian projectile in southern Quneitra, Syria, after an Israeli interception. pic.twitter.com/S104dPVJgX Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 A major set of strikes appears to have done significant damage to a mountainside facility in eastern Iran that is related to IRGC ballistic missile capabilities. Destroying the entrances to the missile caves is critical to lock as many of the weapons inside. Massive explosion, smoke plume, after a U.S./Israeli airstrike targeting an IRGC base in Damavand, northwest Iran. pic.twitter.com/MTwwiBGdlj OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 35.686431 52.143692 yeah it seems that this SSM Base was hit https://t.co/Dh15sRAEqP ben-reuter (@benreuter_IMINT) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 5:15 AM EST Fox News reports a U.S. official says American forces are not targeting regime targets. Instead, they are going after military, industrial, and especially missile-related ones. Israel is going after the regime. US official: Israel is targeting Iranian leadership. The US is targeting military targets and ballistic missile sites that pose an imminent threat. The US military is not targeting Irans leadership. Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026 IDF reportedly is now stating it is going after the top of the regime: Israeli officials say the IDF has conducted strikes against Iranian senior commanders and political leaders including Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Pezeshkian Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 28, 2026 IDF has warned Iranians near military-related industries in Iran: Urgent Warning to All Individuals Located Inside or Near Military Industrial Factories and Military Infrastructure Across Iran. You are in proximity to weapons and facilities that are dangerous. Dear Citizens, for the sake of your safety and health, we kindly request that you immediately evacuate these areas and remain outside them until a new announcement is issued. Your presence in these locations puts your life at risk. . . pic.twitter.com/rPrS97Dm4J | IDF Farsi (@IDFFarsi) February 28, 2026 Video shows F-15C Bazs taking off on a sortie for todays operation. It is armed with AIM-7 Sparrows, still not uncommon for IAFs F-15A-Ds. Still, a bit odd for the general mission. It also does not have external tanks. Possibly on domestic counter-drone duty, if indeed the video depicts what it claims. Footage of Israeli Air Force F-15s taking off to strike Iran this morning. pic.twitter.com/hcPKrgMQS9 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 5:00 AM EST From an IDF official to TWZ: Confirm on attacks in Bahrain and Qatar. We are being striked and missile attack[ed] all over Israel. We are being informed that Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan are being attacked as well. Videos show an intercept occurring over Dubai: The interception of an Iranian ballistic missile reported over the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emiarates. pic.twitter.com/Cl0ZMIXAqO Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 4:50 AM EST We are seeing a sizable impact from an Iranian missile on the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain. New footage appears to show smoke rising from a secured compound in Bahrain with visible perimeter walls and communications infrastructure. The location appears consistent with a military facility in the Juffair area. pic.twitter.com/sgOHekkzF4 WarMonitor (@TheWarMonitor) February 28, 2026 Major hit here. Appears to be the heart of the installation. https://t.co/7YT4fXoqkk Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) February 28, 2026 Geolocated perspective of photo showing strike on US Navy base in Manama, Bahrain https://t.co/TnsDfbAH5y pic.twitter.com/ZiQZrCdPlP John Marquee (@john_marquee) February 28, 2026 We are also seeing videos claiming to show smoke rising in the UAE. A number of the USAF tankers that were in Tel Aviv have taken off: U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tankers, staged at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport, have sortied. They will likely support ongoing US/Israeli strike operations on Iran. pic.twitter.com/a4Z9Emoni7 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 A video that shows an armada of fighters over Syria from this morning has surfaced: About 20 U.S. and Israeli fighter jets are reportedly flying over Daraa to bomb Iran. pic.twitter.com/hPF6DJkkqt Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 4:26 AM EST Iran is striking back across the Middle East, including Israel and U.S. interests along the Persian Gulf: Iranian missile (shrapnel ?) impacts in Holon, Israel pic.twitter.com/6xmIhAczhD Arya (@AryJeay) February 28, 2026 #BREAKING: The Qatari defense ministry reports that it intercepted an Iranian missile using the US Patriot air-defense system. pic.twitter.com/Lx8GpspqAY Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) February 28, 2026 Iranian ballistic missile interceptions reported over the city of Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/6GpFnjF7qR OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 4:10 AM EST Iran appears (still unconfirmed) to have struck the Navys facility in Bahrain, the epicenter of the 5th Fleet. Iran just attacked the U.S. Navy's Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, with explosions and a large smoke plume reported within Mina Salman port. pic.twitter.com/eqqu3WZUvt OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 A statement from the IDF gives a better overview of what the campaign seeks to accomplish: The IDF Spokespersons Unit announces that the IDF and the US Armed Forces have launched a broad and joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to the State of Israel over time. The strike targeted dozens of military targets and was carried out as part of a broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. In recent months, and despite the severe blow it sustained during Operation Rising Lion, the IDF identified that the regime continued efforts to advance production, fortify, and conceal its nuclear program, alongside rehabilitating its missile production processes. In addition, the regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israels borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to the State of Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole. In the months preceding the strike, close and joint planning was conducted between the IDF and the U.S. military, enabling the execution of the broad strike in full synchronization and coordination between the two militaries. The IDF, across all its branches, carried out a meticulous and long-term preparation process for this operation both in defensive systems and in various offensive plans. Video claiming to show a TLAM over Tehran: U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missile flying over Tehran, Iran, this morning. pic.twitter.com/6FiuzvurL7 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 4:00 AM EST Netanyahu has now made an address. It states in part: My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollahs regime has chanted Death to Israel, Death to America. It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. The time has come for all parts of the Iranian peoplethe Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazisto cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring freedom and peace-loving values to Iran. I call on you, citizens of Israel, to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, during Operation Lions Roar, we will all be called upon to show patience and strength of spirit. Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel. , . . 47 , . , pic.twitter.com/itTF5b4jB4 Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) February 28, 2026 Right on time, the Houthis are now saying they are closing the Bab El Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. BREAKING: Houthi movement announces the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea and warns that they will target U.S. and Israeli ships. The Middle East (@A_M_R_M1) February 28, 2026 The U.S. Mission in UAE and the Embassy in Jordan have also sent shelter-in-place alerts: Subject: Security Alert Shelter-In-Place U.S. Mission UAE, Feb. 28, 2026 Location: UAE Event: Due to regional hostilities, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate in Dubai have instructed staff to shelter-in-place (i.e., take cover). We recommend all Americans pic.twitter.com/UurG3PY6Ol US Mission to UAE (@USAinUAE) February 28, 2026 The U.S. Embassy in Jordan is implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Actions to Take: Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and pic.twitter.com/lC7Tneb4b8 U.S. Embassy Amman (@USEmbassyJordan) February 28, 2026 One of Israels prized submarines, which alas carries the countrys undeclared second strike nuclear deterrent, was seen booking it out of Haifa: An Israeli Navy submarine just hauled out of the Port of Haifa at high speed. pic.twitter.com/bML02O2HWO OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 Hezbollah in Lebanon also got struck this morning. Hezbollah infrastructure, including tunnel shafts and rocket launchers, were targeted in a wave of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon this morning, the IDF says. According to the military, Hezbollah was recently working to restore its military capabilities at the pic.twitter.com/6XkF1hfP63 Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 A prayer app that is popular in Iran has been hacked: An Iranian app for tracking Muslim prayer times has been hacked. Messages are encouraging armed forces to defect and protect your compatriots. They will protect you in return. Another message says, Help has arrived. Another, Its the time for reckoning. Via @Vahid pic.twitter.com/qoddvmE8W0 Khosro K Isfahani (@KhosroIsfahani) February 28, 2026 An unexploded Tomahawk warhead is seen on the ground in Iraq: A U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missile crashed in Kirkuk, Iraq with unexploded warhead. pic.twitter.com/AQQVJG7GBK Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 3:39 AM EST Pentagon has named this campaign Operation Epic Fury. OPERATION EPIC FURY Department of War (@DeptofWar) February 28, 2026 Reports are coming in that ballistic missiles hit Haifa in Israel: BREAKING; Reports that Iranian ballistic missile hit Haifa. At least 2 missiles were launched and 1 impacted and another was intercepted. pic.twitter.com/ABvIhKWzuq Global Surveillance (@Globalsurv) February 28, 2026 Air travel in the region is highly disrupted, with flights trying to figure out how to reroute around the conflict zone: ACARS is going nuts right now, many airlines are scrambling to reroute their flights around Iranian airspace at the moment. Via @thebaldgeek https://t.co/pmWRnxORT0 pic.twitter.com/G45W9NDsNJ Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) February 28, 2026 The IRGC has put out a statement: In the name of God, the Crusher of the Tyrants: In response to the hostile and criminal enemys aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the occupied territories has begun. Irans Ministry of Interior condemns the strikes and states: It brings to the attention of the great people of Islamic Iran that the criminal enemy, once again violating all international laws and during the negotiations, has again attacked our beloved homeland. UPDATE: 3:26 AM EST The IDF says a barrage of missiles is inboard from Iran. An additional barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel. The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 Internet traffic in Iran has plummeted. Meanwhile, Iranian state news says checkpoints are being set up and not to post any images or videos of targeted areas. It also warns of extreme instability in the coming hours. Confirmed: Network data show #Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout with national connectivity at 4% or ordinary levels. The incident comes amid US and Israeli combat operations and matches measures used during last year's war with Israel. pic.twitter.com/1XunOr4Q19 NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 3:01 AM EST There are reports that major Iranian Navy/IRGC Navy bases on the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea have been hit. This would make perfect sense to preempt a mining operation or attempted closure of the strait. Reports that US forces have struck the Iranian IRGC Naval base at Asaluyeh this morning. Explosions were also reported in the vicinity of the port at Chabahar. pic.twitter.com/OUcKGNFLEq OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026 We are also getting more indications of what was hit in Tehran. Regime, nuclear, and security apparatus targets. From unconfirmed reports, it appears that the initial strikes have targeted leadership (Office of the Supreme Leader, Presidency), repression (Judiciary), military (MODAFL, missiles), nuclear (AEOI, potentially residual facilities) Nicole Grajewski (@NicoleGrajewski) February 28, 2026 Now the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain is sending a shelter-in-place alert. Bahrain is a major center of gravitas for the U.S. military and home of the 5th Fleet. Message for U.S. Citizens Subject: Bahrain Security Alert Shelter-In-Place Month DAY, 2026 Location: Bahrain Event: The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain is implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Actions to pic.twitter.com/MGjgxsS711 U.S. Embassy Manama (@USEmbassyManama) February 28, 2026 Images are emerging showing spent boosters of Israels air-launched ballistic missiles laying in fields in Eastern Iraq. This is customary for IAF attacks on Iran at this point, with these weapons largely used to destroy air defenses and hit critical command and control related targets deep in Iran without putting manned aircraft at risk. We were first to report on these launches during Israels first direct strikes on Iran, which you can read about here. You can also read more about the latest of this unique class of weapon in the IAFs inventory here. Israeli Blue-Sparrow series missile boosters found in Iraq. The same boosters were also found after previous Israeli strikes on Iran. pic.twitter.com/iURpTEptAe Trevor Ball (@Easybakeovensz) February 28, 2026 Israeli KC-707 supposedly spotted refueling fighters over Syria: Spotted over the skies of Syria pic.twitter.com/eS1Y3Vrbtj Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) February 28, 2026 Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose fatally ill father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled Iran ahead of the 1979 Islamic revolution, is now living in exile in the U.S. He has been instrumental in urging Iranians to protest the regime. In a statement on X, Pahlavi urged Iranian military, police, and security forces to take action against the regime to protect the people. You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian peoplenot the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Your duty is to defend the people, not a regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime. Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will go down with Khameneis sinking ship and his regime. . . . pic.twitter.com/kRiamgeCpS Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 2:45 AM EST Trump has addressed what he calls a major combat operation inside Iran. He lists Irans history of nefarious operations against the U.S. and others for decades and says he isnt going to put up with it anymore. Trump says Iran will never have nuclear weapons and he will destroy their missiles and their missile industries, annihilate their Navy, and they will no longer be able to support proxies across the Middle East. He says there may be casualties as part of the operation. Trump tells Iranian troops and security forces that they will get immunity if they lay down their arms, or the alternative is they will face certain death. He tells the Iranian people to stay home as bombs will be dropping everywhere and the government will be theirs for the taking. NEW U.S. President Donald Trump: A short time ago, the U.S. military launched major combat operations inside Iran. pic.twitter.com/gxXjT3Fnlk Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 2:27AM EST Israels N12 is reporting that the operation name is Roar Of The Lion. : " " N12 (@N12News) February 28, 2026 N12 also claims a source said the Supreme Leader is in a secure hideout. Reuters also reported this. . : , N12 (@N12News) February 28, 2026 Strikes are occurring at sites throughout Iran. While these could be targeting time sensitive targets, many of these strikes would be used to prepare the battlefield for aircraft operations over Iran. In other words, degrading and destroying whats left of Irans air defenses so strike aircraft can more safely operate over the country. These operations would likely occur tonight under the cover of darkness, where direct attacks on targets can be made. So tonight will look nothing like what we are seeing today. UPDATE: 2:15AM EST A U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ that the U.S. is attacking Iran. Meanwhile the Mossad is asking Iranians to return Iran to its glorious days. As Israel launches strikes on Iran, the Mossad spy agency on its official Persian-language Telegram channel calls on Iranians to help "return Iran to its glorious days." "Our Iranian brothers and sisters, you are not alone! We have launched a highly secure and dedicated Telegram pic.twitter.com/jnL937YR8e Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026 We are getting unconfirmed reports that Israel has assassinated Irans defense minister. BREAKING: Reports emerge of the assassination of the Iranian Defense Minister. pic.twitter.com/TEJ3ajsFVM The Middle East (@A_M_R_M1) February 28, 2026 UPDATE: 1:55AM EST Israel is preparing for a reprisal strike: In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces. In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026 Flights are currently diverting away from the region and Iran has closed its airspace. Israel says it has launched a pre-emptive attack on Iran. Iranian airspace is now closed by NOTAM until at least 1200 UTC Flights are also diverting away from Tel Aviv and Amman.https://t.co/f3eeIzqVaZ pic.twitter.com/fOnJ9U7IKX Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 28, 2026 It appears USAF transport aircraft are trying to leave the ground prior to any kind of reprisal strikes. One ACARS message told a C-17 crew to remain on the ground in Jordan for as little time as possible not long before the strikes. Its looking like a U.S. strike on Iran could go down at any moment A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter with identification number 06-6166 en route to King Abdullah II Air Base in Jordan has been instructed to keep its ground time to an absolute minimum. pic.twitter.com/1GIXRN14jt Egypt's Intel Observer (@EGYOSINT) February 28, 2026 USAF C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft, previously stationed at U.S. bases in the Middle East, now appear to be evacuating. These flights are operating under the callsign MOOSE. https://t.co/8tWKzBdYf5 pic.twitter.com/5CqJS8kOz9 Egypt's Intel Observer (@EGYOSINT) February 28, 2026 The daytime nature of the attacks would point to time sensitive targets being hit. CNN is reporting that the U.S. was at least in coordination with Israel on the strikes, but that is not surprising at all even if Israel acted unilaterally in the kinetic action itself. There had been reports that the Trump administration favored Israel striking first so that it could then jump in once Iran responded with its own strikes. CNN: A source now telling CNN that in fact, the U.S. and Israel coordinated on this attack. pic.twitter.com/jcBE9XHKly Acyn (@Acyn) February 28, 2026 A shelter-in-place order has been broadcasted in Qatar, home to the U.S. militarys largest installation in the region and what is presumed (and previously demonstrated) as the top U.S. target of Iran. Message for U.S. Citizens: The U.S. Embassy in Qatar is implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Actions to Take: Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of pic.twitter.com/ENogjpfK5r U.S. Embassy in Qatar (@USEmbassyDoha) February 28, 2026 An Israel KC-707 was seen departing today, likely to support the strike operation. Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant posted simply Good luck with U.S. and Israeli flags on his X account along with an image of an IAF F-15D and him talking to crews. Good luck pic.twitter.com/gZlGMY6x3Y Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) February 28, 2026 Iraqi Shiite militias linked with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including Kataib Hezbollah and other Popular Mobilization Forces groups, were targeted in Israeli strikes, local media claims. A site in Iraq that is associated with the Iranian-backed militias has reportedly been struck amid the clashes that have broken out between the US, Israel, and Iran. Shafaq News in Iraq reported that a security source and another in the Popular Mobilization Forces reported on Saturday that an Israeli missile strike targeted the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces in the Jurf al-Sakhr area, specifically targeting the headquarters of Kataib Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement This apparently happened on Saturday morning in the context of US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran has retaliated with attacks across the region. Kataib Hezbollah is an Iraqi militia closely linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed in 2020 when he was riding in the same car as IRGC-Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani. Kataib Hezbollah had threatened US forces in Iraq in the lead-up to the recent war. It also killed three Americans in a drone attack in Jordan in January 2024. It had supported the Hamas October 7 massacre in Israel. It has used drones and missiles in the past to attack US forces, Kurdish groups, and others. It is considered the most extreme of the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement According to Shafaq News, the attack resulted in two deaths and eight injuries among the Popular Mobilization Forces, while the relevant authorities continue to monitor the situation to assess the extent of the damage. The report went on to say that no further details are yet known regarding the nature or circumstances of the strike, pending an official statement from the Popular Mobilization Forces leadership and security authorities to clarify the details of the incident accurately. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have close ties to the IRGC, and there have been concerns that they may be mobilized by Iran to attack US forces or even to target Israel. On Friday, Kataib Hezbollah threatened the US and the Kurdistan Region in the event of strikes on Iran. On Saturday, the militia reiterated this threat, stating that they are preparing to strike the US "soon." This is a developing story. Satellite imagery from Vantor shows what it assesses to be an Iranian Alvand class frigate, one of three seen in port in the photo, billowing dark smoke after being struck as part of the U.S. and Israeli air campaign against the country. Its also possible its another class of ship, but satellite imagery taken the day prior shows an Alvand in that berth. The image is the first confirmation of heavy damage or a loss of an Iranian warship since the strikes began. You can read the latest on the conflict in our live coverage here. The burning frigate is seen sitting pier-side in Konarak, a port city in Irans southeastern corner, that sits along the Gulf of Oman and near the Pakistani border. The frigate burning in Konarak. (Vantor) The location gives Iran closer access to the Indian Ocean, and its also an area known to be a hotbed of drone and missile capabilities, especially the anti-shipping kind, that can be launched from there to reach far out beyond the Gulf of Oman, putting ships at risk in the Indian Ocean. Konarak is a strategic locale for Iran, sitting in its southeastern corner, providing the best access to the Indian Ocean. (Google Earth) Vantor also captured drone-launching activities around Konarak, which include the same Shahed-136 types that are currently striking Arab gulf states that are allied with the United States. Drones, including Shahed-136s seen at a local drone base. (Vantor) Another drone base near Konarak. (Vantor) Advertisement Advertisement Though Iran refers to them as frigates, the Alvand class warships displace around 1,500 tons with a full combat load, putting them in a category more typically described as corvettes. The current Islamic Republic inherited four Alvand class vessels from the previous imperial regime, all of which had originally been built in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. U.S. forces sank one of them, the Sahand, in 1988, during the Tanker War sideshow to the Iran-Iraq War. (Iranian State Media) The ships originally came armed with Italian Sea Killer anti-ship cruise missiles, but they were replaced with Chinese C-802 types (and Iranian clones thereof) in the 1990s. The design also has a 4.5-inch main gun in a turret on the bow, as well as other smaller guns on mountings elsewhere along the hull. Iran has also since built additional warships based on the Alvand design, which are called Moudge class frigates or corvettes. One of those ships now also bears the name Sahand. The Alvand class and its derivatives are the largest surface combatants in Iranian service today. Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com Iranian media and officials are reporting that a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran struck a girls' primary school in the southern part of the country, killing 85 people. The IRNA news agency said the majority of the casualties are children at the Shajareh Tayyebeh all-girls school in Minab. Dozens more are unaccounted for, the state-run news agency said. A local Iranian prosecutor was quoted in the IRNA report. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports. US and Israeli military forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement According to President Donald Trump, the United States joined Israel in launching military strikes, as well as "major combat operations," to target Iran's missile capabilities. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said, calling the strikes "a massive and ongoing operation." While much remains unclear regarding the overall impact of the strikes, Reuters reported, citing state media, at least 40 people died due to the strike on the girls' school in Minab in southern Iran. Separately, state news agency IRNA reported one student was killed and two others injured in an airstrike on a school in Abyek, located in northwest Iran. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. Iranian authorities said the strike killed up to 175 people, most of them elementary-school-aged girls. It may be the deadliest known mass casualty event involving civilians of the war so far, though USA TODAY could not independently verify many details about the incident including the exact death toll, the identities of those involved and who was responsible for the strike. According to President Donald Trump , the United States joined Israel in launching military strikes , as well as "major combat operations," to target Iran's missile capabilities. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Trump also confirmed on Truth Social that the leader had been killed. Graves are being prepared for the victims following an Israeli strike on a school in Minab, Iran, March 2, 2026. This image was provided by the Iranian Foreign Media Department. People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency, mourners cry during the funeral of children killed in a reported strike on a primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province, in Minab on March 3, 2026. Iranian media have reported hundreds of Iranian casualties, including at a girl's school. This image was provided by the Iranian ISNA news agency. People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. Black smoke rises from a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. A view shows the aftermath of an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency, a mourner sprays flower petals on the coffins of children who were killed in a reported strike on a primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province during a funeral in Minab on March 3, 2026. Iranian media have reported hundreds of Iranian casualties, including at a girl's school. This image was provided by the Iranian ISNA news agency. Over 100 killed at girls' school in Iran amid US-Israeli strikes 1 of 14 This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. Iranian authorities said the strike killed up to 175 people, most of them elementary-school-aged girls. It may be the deadliest known mass casualty event involving civilians of the war so far, though USA TODAY could not independently verify many details about the incident including the exact death toll, the identities of those involved and who was responsible for the strike. According to President Donald Trump , the United States joined Israel in launching military strikes , as well as "major combat operations," to target Iran's missile capabilities. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Trump also confirmed on Truth Social that the leader had been killed. What is Shajareh Tayyebeh? Shajareh Tayyebeh is an all-girls' school located in the southern Iranian town of Minab. Minab is in Hormozgan Province, which is along the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic international shipping lane, according to the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Hossein Kermanpour, a spokesman for Irans health ministry, shared an X post on Feb. 28, calling the majority of those killed at the school "young child martyrs." God knows how many more children will be pulled out of the rubble, he wrote in the social media post. May God give their families strength and patience. When the strike hit, Shajareh Tayyebeh, described as an elementary school, was holding its first of multiple rotating school shifts, according to Hengaw, a Norway-based organization focusing on human rights violations in Iran. The group added that around 170 students are enrolled in the schools morning shift; however, it is unclear how many were in the building during the strike. Israel shuts down its schools as Iran launches retaliatory missiles Following the strikes on Saturday morning, Israel announced that it had shut down schools and workplaces, moved hospital patients to underground facilities and banned public gatherings, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement The move comes as Iran began launching retaliatory missiles at Israel, prompting Defence Minister Israel Katz to declare a state of emergency across the country, warning the public of Iranian missile and drone attacks, per Reuters. So far, there have been few reports of damage or injuries from Iran's initial missile attacks. Israelis typically have access to bomb shelters and are warned to hurry to them by a nationwide alert system. Smoke rises from a burning building hit by an Iranian drone strike, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Seef district, Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026. 'I did not campaign for this,' Marjorie Taylor Greene says In response to the reported deaths and decimation of Shajareh Tayyebeh, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who removed herself from Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement last year, shared an X post voicing her condemnation of what transpired at the girls' school. "I did not campaign for this. I did not donate money for this. I did not vote for this, in elections or Congress. This is heartbreaking and tragic. And how many more innocent will die? What about our own military?" Advertisement Advertisement Greene concluded her post saying, "This is not what we thought MAGA was supposed to be. Shame!" This story was updated to add new information. Reuters contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iranian girls' school decimated, dozens killed. What we know Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Mohammad Pakpour, Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were likely killed in morning strikes on Iran on 28 February, Israeli media outlets have reported, citing sources. Source: The Times of Israel; Channel 12, an Israeli TV channel, citing Israeli sources Details: Channel 12 said there are "growing indications" that Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Earlier reports suggested he had been "hurt at the very least", with the assessment coming from anonymous sources rather than satellite images of his destroyed presidential residence. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei is anticipated to make a statement soon, which Channel 12 says could have been pre-recorded. Channel 12 also reports that the strikes have caused "very significant harm" to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders. The Israeli officials also say Iran's defence minister and the country's intelligence chief are believed to have been killed. These assessments have yet to be officially confirmed by Iran or the Israel Defence Forces. It was previously reported that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian had been targeted in this morning's strikes. Advertisement Advertisement For reference: Pakpour took over as the head of the IRGC after Israel killed his predecessor, Hossein Salami, in June 2025. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Vessels in the Gulf reported receiving messages warning that no ships were allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz, according to EU and UK agencies, though Iran has not confirmed any closure. An official from the European Unions naval mission Aspides said on Saturday that vessels operating in the Gulf have been receiving VHF radio messages from Irans Revolutionary Guards stating that no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz. The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Iran has not formally confirmed issuing any such order. Advertisement Advertisement The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency separately said it had received multiple reports from vessels in the Gulf that they had been informed of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO added that there was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities. Worlds most vital oil export route The Strait of Hormuz is considered the worlds most vital oil export route, serving as a critical chokepoint connecting major Gulf oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly a fifth of the worlds oil consumption passes through the narrow waterway. A boat approaches the St Kitt's and Nevis-flagged container ship Marsa Victory while crusing in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Khasab in Oman's northern Musandam peninsula on June 25, 2025. (credit: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images) Iran has for years threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to attacks or heightened pressure against the Islamic Republic, though it has never carried out a full closure. Maritime and security officials have repeatedly warned that even limited disruptions to traffic in the strait could have significant global economic and energy market consequences. Le gouvernement a pris la decision de promulguer ce reglement qui va etablir des nouveaux delits dans le secteur bancaire et financier du pays et detablir des amendes qui vont aller de Rs 5,000.00 a Rs 250,000.00 entre autres. Cabinet has agreed to the promulgation of the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2025, which will provide an exhaustive list of breaches of legal obligations, categorised by gravity which are either low, moderate or high. The Regulations prescribe penalties ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs250,000. The Regulations further require regulatory bodies to consider key factors such as the gravity and duration of the breach, the recurrence of non-compliance, the compliance history and general conduct of the member concerned, any remedial actions already taken, and the economic impact of the penalty before determining the quantum to be imposed. The promulgation of the Regulations will also serve as a call to action for all regulatory authorities to ensure that breaches are detected, investigated, and sanctioned in a timely and consistent manner. The regulatory bodies concerned are the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Gambling Regulatory Authority, the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accounts and the Registrar of Companies. Resume en Francais Le Conseil des ministres a donne son approbation pour la promulgation des reglements de 2025 sur lintelligence financiere et la lutte contre le blanchiment dargent (Sanctions administratives) (Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2025). Le Conseil des ministres a donne son approbation pour la promulgation des reglements de 2025 sur lintelligence financiere et la lutte contre le blanchiment dargent (Sanctions administratives) (Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2025). Ces reglements visent a instaurer une liste exhaustive des manquements aux obligations legales en matiere de lutte contre le blanchiment dargent et le financement du terrorisme (AML/CFT). Cadre des Sanctions Classification des Manquements : Les manquements seront classes en categories de gravite : faible, moderee ou elevee. Montant des Amendes : Les penalites pecuniaires prevues sechelonnent de Rs 5 000 a Rs 250 000. Facteurs Determinants : Avant dimposer une amende, les organismes de reglementation devront prendre en compte des facteurs cles tels que : La gravite et la duree du manquement. La recurrence et lhistorique de conformite. Les mesures correctives deja prises par le membre concerne. Limpact economique de la sanction. Appel a lAction Reglementaire La promulgation de ces reglements est egalement un appel a laction pour toutes les autorites de reglementation. Elle vise a garantir que les manquements soient detectes, fassent lobjet dune enquete et soient sanctionnes de maniere rapide et coherente. Les organismes de reglementation concernes sont : La Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). La Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). Le Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants (MIPA). Le Registrar of Companies. Ali Khamenei transformed Iran over four decades and was revered by the regime he shaped, reports Rachel Younger for ITV News Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, US president Donald Trump has said Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. Advertisement Advertisement "He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country." There has been no official comment from Iran, but Iranian news agencies had previously denied Khamenei's death. It comes after Israel's prime minister said that "signs are growing" that Iran's supreme leader was killed by US and Israeli strikes on Saturday. In a televised address, Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes had targeted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound and there were signs "the tyrant is no longer alive. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of the 86-year-old Supreme Leader. Smoke rose from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know." Image showing damage caused to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Iran. Credit: AP There have been multiple reports of explosions across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran as part of what Donald Trump called a major combat operation. Iran launched retaliatory strikes that targeted Israel and US military bases in the region after its capital Tehran and other major cities were attacked on Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement More than 80 people were killed when a strike hit near a girls' school in southern Iran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Iranian attacks on Gulf states were widely condemned, with Saudi Arabia warning of "grave consequences for Tehran". One person was killed by debris in Abu Dhabi after air defences intercepted Iranian missiles, local media said. Qatar intercepted two Iranian missiles over its country, Qatari official said, while there were reports of multiple explosions in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, all of which have US bases. Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy's fifth fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia issued a statement saying it "condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan". It continued: "The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake. It also warns of the grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states sovereignty and the principles of international law." Trump claimed the US-Israel attacks came after Tehran had attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme despite ongoing talks that sought to avert military action. In a dramatic statement delivered via video on his Truth Social platform, the US president said the "massive and ongoing" campaign was aimed at defending the US by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime". Advertisement Advertisement Trump said American lives may be lost as a result of his military operation inside Iran. The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, the president said. The US president tells Iranian people to 'take over your government it will be yours to take'. Trump's full statement after Israel and US launch strikes on Iran Earlier, Israel confirmed it had launched strikes on Iran. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, said a state of emergency had been declared across Israel as sirens sounded across the country. The Israeli military said the sirens were a "proactive alert" in case of retaliatory attacks. Advertisement Advertisement In his first video statement after the US-Israel strikes on Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for regime change in Tehran. Netanyahu called on all parts of the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. He said, Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands." The first apparent strikes on Saturday morning happened near the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly in days as tensions with the US grew, had been in his offices at the time. Iranian state media and diplomatic channels reported dozens of casualties at a girls' school in southern Iran. The UK did not participate in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, ITV News understands. Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Starmer will speak to French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz as part of a series of calls with allies, Downing Street said. A spokesperson said it was providing consular assistance for British nationals in the region as the Foreign Office warned UK nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to "immediately shelter in place".The advice on the FCDO website said: "Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities." Iran strike risks: Have we forgotten the cautionary tale of Iraq? US and Israeli strikes on Iran signal a dangerous new chapter Advertisement Advertisement The US has been gathering a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region for several weeks. On Friday, the US urged its citizens to leave Israel as the threat of strikes grew. Multiple airlines cancelled flights as nations across the region, including Iran, Israel, Iraq and United Arab Emirates, closed their airspace. In a statement on Saturday, a UK government spokesperson said: Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. An incoming projectile explodes over the water in Haifa Bay, northern Israel. Credit: AP Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests.We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations over Tehrans nuclear programme in Geneva this week, but walked away without a deal. On Friday, US President Donald Trump said he was "not happy" with the way Iran is negotiating in the nuclear talks, but indicated he would give them more time to reach a deal to avert another war in the Middle East. Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday on Iran's capital. Credit: AP Trump once again warned Iran against pursuing a nuclear weapons programme during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, referring to the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June last year. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy - but one thing is certain. I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon," the president said during his address. Before the Genevan negotiations ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions. Gameshow Trump makes his pitch to midterm voters Iran strike risks: Have we forgotten the cautionary tale of Iraq? Iranians have been watching the buildup with growing concern, with many fearing the outbreak of a war could surpass Iran's bloody 1980s conflict with Iraq. The nation is still reeling from its devastating 12-day war with Israel in June and last month's protests, which led to thousands of people being killed and arrested. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency said 7,000 had died in the protests, although the true toll is likely to be much higher. Irans government said 3,117 people had been killed in its only death toll on January 21. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Have you heard our podcast Talking Politics? Tom and Robert dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda in every episode Several senior officials of the Iranian military, including the country's defence minister and the head of its revolutionary guard, were killed on Saturday in the Israeli-US attacks on Iran, the Israeli military said. In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the military said seven top officials had been killed. They included Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whom Israel described as "one of the leaders of the 'destruction of Israel' plan." Advertisement Advertisement Also reported killed were a senior intelligence officer of Irans armed forces high command, the head of the military bureau of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. In addition, Israel said the head of a defence organization responsible for advanced nuclear, biological and chemical weapons projects, as well as the bodys former chairman - whom it accused of advancing nuclear weapons development - had been killed. "The Israeli Air Force continues to strike across Iran," the statement said, in cooperation with the US Military, "in order to protect the State of Israel and the regional coalition. " Preliminary assessment: Supreme leader likely hurt in Israeli strike Netanyahu says objective to end Ayatollah's regime Trump confirms US operation in Iran, tells IRGC to lay down arms Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been cut off from contact, and there is no certainty about his fate, Israeli officials told Walla on Saturday afternoon. Iranian officials promised to release a recording from Khamenei soon after Israeli strikes targeted his Tehran compound. The preliminary assessment among Israeli officials was that Khamenei was hurt in the strike. No official confirmation has been received by Israeli, American, or Iranian sources. Advertisement Advertisement The strikes came as Israel and the United States launched an attack on Iran, with Iranian state media reporting explosions heard in Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. Which Iranian officials died in the stikes? Iran's Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks, two sources familiar with Israel's military operations and one regional source said. Israeli and Iranian sources said earlier on Saturday that strikes on Iran killed several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and Islamic Regime political officials. Iran International reported that the strikes killed four senior Iranian intelligence commanders: Javad Pourhossein, head of the foreign intelligence unit; Mohammad-Reza Bajestani, head of the security unit; Ali Kheirandish, head of the counterterrorism unit; and Saeed Ehya Hamidi, adviser on the war with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Reuters reported that at least three members of Iran's IRGC-linked Basij paramilitary forces were killed in the Israeli-US attacks. A member of the Tehran City Council said that Khamenei's son-in-law and daughter-in-law were both killed in strikes. Iran's Security Council instructed residents of Tehran, as well as other major cities, to stay in safe, protected locations until further notice. IDF: We struck an advanced SA-65 aerial defense system Shortly after 4 p.m., the IDF said it had completed a broad strike on the strategic Defense system of the Iranian regime, noting that it successfully struck an advanced air defense system. Advertisement Advertisement "One of the strikes was directed toward an advanced SA-65 aerial defense system located in the Kermanshah area in western Iran," the IDF said. The IDF said later on Saturday evening that it was conducting another flyover aimed at striking missile launchers across Iran to thwart the threat posed to Israel. An illustration of the aerial defense system located in the Kermanshah area (Credit: Israel Defense Forces) Meanwhile, security forces blocked roads in the Tehran area that is home to the offices of Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and parliament, witnesses said. Earlier on Saturday, an Iranian official told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a "secure location." Satellite imagery showed the destroyed complex where Khamenei was reportedly being guarded. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian media reported strikes targeting the IRGC's intelligence headquarters, as well as explosions in central Tehran. The country has closed its airspace in response to the strikes. A US official also told Reuters American strikes in Iran were "underway," adding that strikes against Iran are being carried out by air and sea. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said to NBC Live that the regime may have "lost a few commanders, but that's not such a big problem." He also said, "As far as I know, Khamenei is still alive." Satellite imagery from an alleged Israeli strike on the bunker where Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is being guarded. (credit: FAIR USE UNDER ISRAELI COPYRIGHT LAW, ARTICLE 27A) Netanyahu: Goal is to remove Ayatollahs from power Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement, saying that the aim of the operation was to remove the Ayatollah's regime from power. The operation "will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," he said. "The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran... to remove the yoke of tyranny from (the regime) and bring a free and peace-loving Iran," he added. Advertisement Advertisement "For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called for 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America.' It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people," Netanyahu said, while thanking US President Trump for his "historic friendship." "This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity," he added. "The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis, and Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," Netanyahu stated, mentioning the largest ethnic groups across Iran. "We shall stand together, fight together, and ensure the eternity of Israel together," he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi also issued a similar statement, while also calling on Iranian military and police officers to aid anti-regime activity and depose the Islamic Regime. IDF, US military striking across western Iran The IDF issued a statement, confirming the name of the operation as "Roaring Lion," which was launched to "thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to the State of Israel over time." The Israeli and US strikes targeted dozens of military targets as part of a broad, coordinated, joint operation against the regime. "The regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. In recent months, and despite the severe blow it sustained during Operation Rising Lion, the IDF identified that the regime continued efforts to advance production, fortify, and conceal its nuclear program, alongside rehabilitating its missile production processes," the military continued. Advertisement Advertisement "Additionally, the regime has continued financing, training, and arming proxies positioned on Israel's borders, posing an existential threat to Israel, and a danger to the Middle East, and the rest of the world," it added. "In the months preceding the strike, close and joint planning was conducted between the IDF and the US military, enabling the execution of the broad strike in full synchronization and coordination between the two militaries. The IDF, across all its branches, carried out a meticulous and long-term preparation process for this operation, both in defensive systems and in various offensive plans," the military confirmed. IDF chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and other commanders are conducting a situational assessment, the military stated, adding that the Israel Air Force is continuing strikes against Iran. This includes IAF strikes on a number of military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in western Iran. Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli military official stated that the IDF targeted "essential personnel who are part of Iran's plan to destroy Israel. Israel went into a state of emergency Saturday morning as the IDF sent a national warning to all citizens to stay near protected spaces. "This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel," the IDF said. Iranian officials said Tehran is preparing for a retaliatory attack. "Tehran is preparing for retaliation; the response will be crushing," the officials said, according to Reuters. Sirens later sounded across northern Israel at approximately 10 a.m. and across central Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, at approximately 10:30 a.m., as Iranian missile launches were detected. Advertisement Advertisement A rocket impacted in northern Israel, a Magen David Adom source told Walla. Some of the missiles were launched from Lebanon, a security source told Walla, but the IDF denied this. Mossad launched a Farsi-language Telegram channel for Iranians to follow news updates on Saturday morning, calling out to "Our Iranian brothers and sisters," saying that "you are not alone." "We have launched a super secure and special Telegram channel for you [and] together we will return Iran to its glorious days," Mossad wrote. A pillar of smoke seen in Juffair, Bahrain, following a reported Iranian missile impact, February 28, 2026 (credit: COURTESY) IDF issues evacuation warning for Iranians near military facilities The IDF issued an urgent evacuation warning for any Iranians "inside or in the vicinity of military weapons production factories and military infrastructure facilities," due to ongoing Israeli and US airstrikes against the Iranian regime on Saturday morning. "You are located near weapons and military facilities that are considered dangerous," the military warned, publishing the message in English. "Dear [Iranian] citizens, for your safety and well-being, we urge you to immediately evacuate these areas and remain outside of them until further notice," the IDF stated. "Your presence in these locations puts your lives at risk," the military emphasized. An Israeli security official told Reuters that the operation was planned for months and its timing was set several weeks ago. Sources in the defense establishment stated one of the objectives of the strikes will be to "remove threats to the Israeli home front, with an emphasis on missile launchers and unmanned aerial vehicle bases." Smoke was seen billowing above Bahrain's Juffair area, housing a US Navy base, witnesses told Reuters on Saturday morning. The US Embassy in Bahrain urged citizens to shelter in place while citing media reports of threats of missiles and drones over Bahraini airspace. The Bahraini Interior Ministry later confirmed that a warning alarm siren had been activated, with citizens and residents requested to head to the nearest safe place. A source living in Manama, Bahrain, confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that blasts were heard in the area. Bahrain hosts the US Central Command's 5th Fleet. Additionally, the US Embassy in Qatar implemented shelter-in-place for all personnel, recommending that all of its citizens do the same until further notice. Later on Saturday, loud blasts were also heard in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, witnesses said. An Iraqi site associated with Iran-backed Shiite militias was reportedly struck by an Israeli missile, according to Iraqi outlet Shafaq News on Saturday. The site, in the Jurf al-Sakhr area, specifically targeted the headquarters of Kataib Hezbollah (KH), part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. According to the outlet, the attack resulted in two deaths and eight injuries. KH is an influential, powerful militia closely linked to the IRGC. Then-KH leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was in the car with then-IRGC-Quds Force leader and arch-terrorist Qasem Soleimani when they were both killed by a US airstrike in Baghdad in January 2020. This is a developing story. Seth J. Frantzman, Danielle Greyman-Kennard, Tobias Siegal, Amir Bohbot, and Yoav Etiel contributed to this report. By Phil Stewart, Parisa Hafezi, Maayan Lubell and Andrew Mills WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/DUBAI/DOHA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday, state media confirmed, after the United States and Israel launched the most ambitious attack on Iranian targets in decades. Iranian state media announced Khamenei's death early on Sunday. A senior Israeli official told Reuters earlier that the Iranian leader's body had been found after a strike and U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States worked closely with Israel to target the man who led Iran since 1989. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host U.S. bases. Trump, making the biggest foreign-policy gamble of his presidency after campaigning for reelection as a "peace president," said the strikes were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iran and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon. Intelligence and tracking systems monitored Khamenei's whereabouts, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, adding that "there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do." Trump reiterated calls for Iranians to topple the government but warned: "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Khamenei's compound had been destroyed. Three sources familiar with the matter said Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were among those killed in the attacks. Israel's military said it had confirmed that five other senior military commanders were also dead, including Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader. Iranian media had said Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed. CELEBRATIONS, FEARS AMONG IRANIANS Witnesses said some Iranians took to the streets in Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj and the central city of Isfahan to celebrate after the reports of Khamenei's death. Videos posted on social media, which Reuters was unable to immediately verify, also showed celebrations in other locations. Advertisement Advertisement The explosions during the strikes caused widespread panic across Iran. "We are scared, we are terrified. My children are shaking, we have nowhere to go, we will die here," mother-of-two Minou, 32, said weeping as she spoke to Reuters by phone from the northern city of Tabriz. Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in response to the attacks, but the Pentagon said there were no U.S. deaths or injuries. Iran warned that the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage through which around a fifth of global oil consumption passes, had been closed. Traders expected a sharp jump in oil prices. Airlines cancelled flights in the Middle East. Israel's military said some 200 fighter jets had completed the largest flying mission in its history, hitting 500 targets throughout Iran, including strategic defence systems already damaged in strikes last year. Advertisement Advertisement A girls' primary school in the southern Iranian town of Minab was hit, killing 85 people, according to a local prosecutor cited by state media. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports. Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. TRUMP CITES 'IMMINENT THREATS' In a video message on social media early on Saturday, Trump said the aim of the military campaign, which the U.S. Department of Defense named Operation Epic Fury, was "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." The Iranian people should "take over" governance of their country, Trump said in the video. "It will be yours to take," he said. "This will be probably your only chance for generations." Advertisement Advertisement Israeli military operations over the past two years had already killed some of Iran's senior military officials and severely weakened several of Tehran's once-feared proxy forces across the Middle East. After Israel pounded Iran in a 12-day air war in June, joined by the United States, the U.S. and Israel had warned they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials took place as recently as Thursday, but senior U.S. officials said on Saturday that Iran had not been willing to give up its ability to enrich uranium, which the Iranians argued they wanted for nuclear energy but U.S. officials said would enable the country to build a nuclear bomb. During a United Nations Security Council meeting on Saturday, envoys from Russia and China criticized the U.S. and Israel for launching the strikes while Tehran was negotiating with Washington. Russia's U.N. envoy Vasily Nebenzya said Iran had been "stabbed in the back" and disputed the U.S. claim that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon justified the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Trump also faced pushback at home from opposition Democrats, and a few of his fellow Republicans, who said a prolonged campaign against Iran would be illegal without congressional approval and that lawmakers should vote within days. MISSILES FIRED AT ARAB GULF STATES Oil markets have been closely watching the standoff. Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, predicted prices could shoot up by $10 to $20 per barrel when markets open on Monday, if there is no sign of de-escalation. Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumps about 4% of global oil supplies, and a far larger share is shipped past its coast through the strait leading out of the Gulf. Advertisement Advertisement In Israel, sirens and mobile-phone warnings sent Israelis rushing to air raid shelters as Iran launched a series of missile barrages that were mostly intercepted, though some missiles hit. Emergency teams in Tel Aviv treated at least 20 people hurt by a missile that hit a residential building, Israel's ambulance service said. Photos from the scene showed one side of the multi-storey building blown out and its roof caved in. Iran fired missiles at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, all key east-west aviation gateways. Aviation sources had told Reuters that an overnight Iranian attack damaged an airport terminal in Dubai. One of the city's plush hotel districts was also hit. Advertisement Advertisement Loud explosions sounded in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, an oil producer and close U.S. ally. Nada AlGarhy, 30, said she and her husband had been at the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Dubai's luxury Palm development for Iftar, the evening meal during the fasting month of Ramadan, when they heard a loud blast. Bahrain said the service centre of the U.S. Fifth Fleet the base for American naval forces in the region had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the island state's coastline. Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country and that it had a right to respond. Kuwait confirmed a missile attack on a U.S. military base there. Advertisement Advertisement Tehran promised a stronger response to come, with a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, saying it had so far used only "scrap missiles" and would soon unveil previously unseen weapons. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Michael Georgy, James MacKenzie, Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis; Editing by Barbara Lewis, Sam Holmes, Timothy Heritage, Peter Graff, Sergio Non, Rod Nickel, Cynthia Osterman and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Israel is closely monitoring US military deployments as uncertainty grows over Irans next move and the possibility of a broader regional showdown. A series of developments in recent hours has underscored rising US military readiness in the region. These include a direct briefing by the commander of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, to US President Donald Trump; the arrival of eight US aerial refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport; the deployment of an F-22 squadron to Ovda Airbase in southern Israel; the expected arrival of another US destroyer in the area; and, most significantly, the evacuation of staff from the US Embassy in Israel along with an advisory urging American citizens to leave the country on regular commercial flights. Advertisement Advertisement Taken together, these moves suggest the United States is edging closer to a military campaign - a step that could prove unavoidable. Still, major questions remain. When would a strike occur - tonight, tomorrow, or later this week? How would it be carried out? What are the targets and objectives? Is the aim to weaken the Iranian regime itself, or is the focus limited to Irans nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities? At this stage, much remains unclear. In Israel, officials are closely monitoring developments. Within the defense establishment, assessments are more concrete. The IDF has prepared a broad operational plan addressing multiple scenarios, contingencies, and possible responses. 'The IDF is ready to defend you' Ahead of Shabbat,IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin delivered a clear message: Advertisement Advertisement This week as well, we are aware of the sense of uncertainty and the tension among the public in light of regional developments. The IDF is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and is alert and ready to defend you. We are operating in full coordination with our partners in order to strengthen defenses. I stress again, there is no change to the guidelines. If there is a change, I will be here, and we will provide an alert accordingly. Israeli assessments indicate that if the Americans act alone, Iran will likely respond by targeting US interests in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere in the Middle East. At a later stage, Tehran could escalate by partially or fully closing the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to apply global economic pressure on Washington. Attacks on fuel reserves in neighboring countries are also considered a possible Iranian response. Will Iran take direct action against Israel? Would Iran take direct action against Israel? It is difficult to predict. The prevailing assessment is that Tehran would prefer to avoid such a move. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed a firm message: any action against Israel would trigger Israels entry into the campaign. Israel has already demonstrated its capabilities vis-a-vis Iran. Could Iran activate the Houthis, Hezbollah, or other proxies? This is viewed as a plausible option, though the balance of deterrence remains a significant factor. Advertisement Advertisement An attack from Lebanon, whether by Hezbollah or another Palestinian organization, would prompt a powerful IDF response against a broad range of targets in Lebanon, including key sites not directly linked to Hezbollah. Such action could set the group back years. Signals emerging from Israel in recent days suggest the response would not be limited to Hezbollah alone. Israel could find itself in direct confrontation with Iran under several scenarios: if Tehran miscalculates and fires directly at Israel; if Washington asks the IDF to join operations from the outset; or if proxy forces in Yemen or Lebanon ignite a wider conflict that draws Israel into open fighting. Israels position is stronger than before How prepared is Israel? In recent weeks, the IDF has finalized multiple operational plans, both defensive and offensive. On the defensive front, Israels position is stronger than it was last summer. Comprehensive US early warning systems operating over Iran would assist Israels air defense arrays, providing longer response times and more precise detection ahead of interception. Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, the IDFs defensive doctrine includes offensive action - striking missiles and launchers while they remain on the ground. Military Intelligence and the Air Force have been engaged in such efforts for an extended period. In recent weeks, the Home Front Command has strengthened preparedness based on lessons learned from Operation Rising Lion. Numerous drills were conducted, particularly with emergency services, including Magen David Adom, fire and rescue services, the police, and local authorities. During the summer, the IDF experienced firsthand the scale of damage Iran could inflict on Israels home front, and those lessons were incorporated into civilian defense planning. For now, the IDF remains prepared, awaiting the US president's decision on when and how to act. In the Tabriz area, the IDF struck a major site from which the Islamic Republic has fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel. The IDF said that over 200 Israeli Air Force aircraft had struck 500 Iranian targets on Saturday night, in the largest aerial attack ever conducted by Israeli forces. An IDF video showed two major initial waves of attacks. The first wave struck what appeared to be dozens of radars and anti aircraft defenses, especially in the part of Iran closer to Israel and the Tehran area. Advertisement Advertisement During the second wave, the Air Force struck Iran's ballistic missile apparatus to attempt to reduce its ability to strike the Israeli home front. Israeli Air Force fighter pilots prepare to strike Iran, February 28, 2026 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) In the Tabriz area, the IDF struck a major site from which the Islamic Republic has fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel. The IDF is also working to establish stand in air supremacy which it achieved in June 2025 to be able to keep drones and other aircraft hovering in areas from which Tehran might try to fire on Israel in order to blow up the missile teams before they can fire. Israel conducts additional strikes on Iranian ballistic missile capabilities The IDF also announced that it had conducted an additional round of strikes, targeting more of Iran's ballistic missile capabilities as well as its aerial defense systems. One of the targets struck, the IDF said, was a missile launch site containing hundreds of kilograms of explosives. The site was in the Qom area of central Iran, and its destruction "thwarted dozens of launches toward the territory of the State of Israel." JERUSALEM, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that there were many signs suggesting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes in Iran. "This morning we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei," Netanyahu said in a video statement, adding that for more than 30 years Khamenei had "dispatched terrorism across the world, made his own people miserable, and worked constantly and tirelessly on a program to annihilate the state of Israel". "There are many signs that this tyrant is no longer. This morning we eliminated senior officials in the ayatollahs' regime, Revolutionary Guards commanders, senior figures in the nuclear programme - and we will continue. In the next few days, we will hit thousands more targets of the terror regime," Netanyahu said. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Kevin Liffey) MILAN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto was stuck in Dubai with his family on Saturday as flights were suspended after U.S and Israeli attacks on Iran, a source close to the ministry said on Saturday. The minister left Rome on Friday evening aboard a civilian flight to join his family, already in Dubai on holiday. He was scheduled to return to Italy on Saturday afternoon. The Italian carrier ITA Airways said it had suspended flights to and from Dubai until Sunday. (Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro; Editing by Kevin Liffey) A dozen or more people have come forward since Tiffany Score and Steven Mills found out there had been a mix-up and their newborn girl was not genetically related to them and the process of finding her biological parents is already underway, according to the couple's lawyer. According to a legal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, the Florida couple turned to the Fertility Center of Orlando, in Longwood, Fla., and Dr. Milton McNichol for help starting a family. Together, the couple produced three viable embryos but when their baby was born in December, the couple, who are both White, saw the baby didnt look like either of them. News of the husband and wife's lawsuit and the release of a photo of the two parents with baby Sheareceived massive media attention. Now, attorney Jack Scarola, who represents Score and Mills, says, "There are multiple families who believe that they might be genetically related to Shea." Advertisement Advertisement Scarola says his law office received calls from people questioning whether they might be baby Sheas parents or wondering if the children they welcomed through IVF are genetically theirs. They were told to contact the clinic and advised that genetic testing is the only way to know for certain. According to Scarola, the court directed the clinic to first offer free genetic testing to patients who underwent implantation in April 2025 when Score did. One couple is currently awaiting results, and a lawyer for the clinic told the judge that results should be in by the first week of March, Scarola tells PEOPLE. The second group for testing ordered by the court will be those who underwent harvesting at the clinic in March 2020, when Score and Mills did. According to Scarola, the second group has around 20 patients. Advertisement Advertisement Score and Mills also have concerns about what happened to their frozen embryos and whether they might have a biological child living in someone elses family. Scores egg extractions and Mills sperm produced one viable male and two female embryos, which have been frozen and stored all this time. Their male embryo may still be out there. They are told there is one embryo in storage it has not been confirmed yet if its really theirs, Scarola says. Scarola says the legal progress has been slow, but that a judge has ordered weekly hearings to speed up the process. Privacy rights have been a sticking point, with lawyers for the doctor and clinic claiming that some IVF patients prefer confidentiality, according to the Sun Sentinel. Lawyers for McNichol and the clinic have not returned messages or declined to comment. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Score and Mills have bonded with their baby, their attorney says, and are experiencing the joy of parenting, but, he says that at the same time they're worrying that Sheas biological parents can be given custody at any time. Every day counts for this family," says Scarola, noting that Shea has already celebrated her 2-month birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Although Score and Wells love their daughter, they have previously said they feel a moral obligation to find her genetic parents" and their attorney says they plan to widen the search if needed. We are praying for miracles, says Scarola. Scores sister has also set up a GoFundMe for the couple to help cover the costs of their searches and possibly to do IVF again with eggs Tiffany froze at another clinic seven years ago, which was an option they never anticipated needing. The next status hearing is scheduled for March 4. Read the original article on People Vice President JD Vance praised Tucker Carlsons interview with Mike Huckabee, declining to criticize Carlson despite antisemitism allegations and rising concern among Jewish conservatives. Vice President JD Vance has weighed in on the Tucker Carlson-Mike Huckabee interview that has ignited widespread antisemitism allegations as well as a diplomatic row with Arab states, calling it a really good conversation thats going to be necessary for the right. Vance made the comments to the Washington Post, which published them Friday morning. He said he had not seen the entire interview, which was more than two hours long, but had viewed clips here and there. Vance and Carlson longetime allies Vance is a longtime ally of Carlson, a leading far-right figure who has stirred a rift among conservatives by platforming antisemites, at times promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories himself and increasingly campaigning against Israel. (Carlson says he is not antisemitic.) Advertisement Advertisement Vances refusal to criticize Carlson or seek to end the rift has increasingly alarmed Jewish conservatives. To the Washington Post, he reiterated what he said before when asked about Carlson and the antisemitism rift - that he believes the Republican Party should be an open marketplace of ideas. He said he was pleased that the right has stoked a real exchange of ideas, even when it includes the people that I find annoying on our side, whom he did not specify. That exchange, he said, was also essential for electoral success. If you think of the Trump coalition in 2024 - and the way that I put it is, you had Joe Rogan, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and JD Vance and a coalition of people - but to do that, you have to be willing to tolerate debate and disagreement, Vance said. And I just think that its a good thing. Vance is seen as likely to run for president in 2028. For the ambitious Mauritian student, the world is about to become a much smaller place. Campus Abroad Mauritius, the islands premier educational bridge to the globe, is delighted to announce its flagship Education Fair, taking place on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at the Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene. From 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the hotels ballroom will transform into a global academic hub. This isnt just another education fair; it is a meticulously curated gathering of prestigious institutions from across the world. Students and parents will have the unique opportunity to meet directly with representatives from leading universities and colleges across Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, Spain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Mauritius. In an era of generic online searches, Campus Abroad is bringing the human element back to education. This event is designed as an interactive workshop for the future, offering more than just prospectuses. Prospective students can benefit from: Face-to-Face Consultations: Direct access to international admissions officers. On-the-Spot Assessments: Preliminary reviews of HSC and A-Level results to determine eligibility. Scholarship Navigation: Personalised guidance on merit-based awards and financial aid for the 2026 intake. Post-Study Pathways: Expert advice on work permits and career opportunities in various global markets. Reflecting on the mission of the fair, Jayasankar Seshadri, Director of Campus Abroad Mauritius, noted: Education is no longer a stationary pursuit; it is a global currency. At Campus Abroad, we dont just move students across borderswe match aspirations with reality. This fair is designed to be a definitive launchpad where local talent meets world-class academic excellence. Our goal for 2026 is to ensure that every Mauritian student walks away not just with a prospectus, but with a clear, actionable roadmap to a global career. Resume en Francais Campus Abroad Maurice organise son Salon de lEducation le jeudi 12 fevrier 2026, de 13h a 18h, au Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene. Cet evenement majeur connectera les etudiants mauriciens au monde universitaire. Campus Abroad Maurice organise son Salon de lEducation le jeudi 12 fevrier 2026, de 13h a 18h, au Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene. Cet evenement majeur connectera les etudiants mauriciens au monde universitaire. Plus quun simple salon, il rassemble des institutions prestigieuses du Canada, du Royaume-Uni, dAustralie, dAllemagne, dEspagne, de Malaisie, des Pays-Bas et de Maurice. Parents et etudiants pourront y rencontrer directement les representants universitaires. A lheure des recherches en ligne impersonnelles, Campus Abroad reintroduit lelement humain. Concu comme un atelier interactif, il offre aux futurs etudiants : Des consultations individuelles avec les admissions internationales. Des evaluations preliminaires (HSC/A-Level). Des conseils sur les bourses et laide financiere pour 2026. Des informations sur les permis de travail post-etudes et les carrieres mondiales. Jayasankar Seshadri, Directeur de Campus Abroad Maurice, souligne la vocation du salon : transformer leducation en une monnaie mondiale, offrant a chaque etudiant mauricien un tremplin concret vers une carriere internationale, bien au-dela dun simple prospectus. A federal judge in Northern Virginia has issued a preliminary injunction against a Virginia law that limits the amount of time minors can spend on social media. In a ruling issued Feb. 27, U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles granted a request from NetChoice, a nonprofit trade association representing social-media companies such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, to block a state law that went into effect Jan. 1 limiting juveniles exposure to one hour per day per platform. The trade group claimed that the law passed by the General Assembly last year violates First Amendment rights of not only the owners of the platforms but also its users, including kids. The issues in this matter are not to be taken lightly, Giles wrote in the opinion. The Court recognizes the commonwealths compelling interest in protecting its youth from the harms associated with the addictive aspects of social media. However, it cannot infringe on First Amendment rights, including those of the same youth it aims to protect. Advertisement Advertisement NetChoice filed a lawsuit in Alexandria last month against Virginia and state Attorney General Jay Jones to keep them from enforcing the context of Senate Bill 854. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Schulyer VanValkenburg and Lashrecse Aird, D-Henrico County, got bipartisan support, passing both the House of Delegates and Senate unanimously, and signed by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin. More: Two months after VSU fired 6 faculty members, they are still asking why What does the law do? Its key provisions require platforms to screen users and identify ones under the age of 16, and limit their time on the platforms to an hour a day. Parents would have the right to override those limits to increase or decrease them. The bill also forbade the kids data from being used for marketing or profiling purposes and prohibited the platforms from degrading service quality or increasing prices for kids time limits. Advertisement Advertisement It permits the attorney general to send a written notice to any platform deemed in violation of the law giving them 30 says to correct it. If not, the platforms could get civil fines of up to $7,500 per violation. More: Virginia's first female full-time undercover state trooper pens memoir 'Rationing access' In her ruling, Giles said the law was akin to rationing access to lawful speech. She said NetChoices suit aligned with a landmark 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling establishing a four-factor test for issuing injunctions the association was likely to win the case based on its merits, it demonstrated the likelihood of irreparable harm to the platforms if the limits are enforced, the platforms harm outweighs the balance of equities without the injunction in place, and issuance of the injunction is in the best public interest. A spokesperson for Jones office issued a statement to Reuters after the ruling was announced, We look forward to continuing to enforce laws that empower parents to protect their children from the proven harms that can come through social media. Advertisement Advertisement No date has been set for the next hearing on the injunction. Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia social media law for minors blocked by judge Republican gubernatorial contender Duke Rodriguez scored another legal victory Friday when a judge in Santa Fe dismissed a second complaint that sought to disqualify him from the ballot over residency requirements. State District Judge Matthew Wilson didnt weigh in on questions over Rodriguezs residency but ruled the plaintiff, James Ellison, a former Public Regulation Commission member who is also seeking the Republican nomination for governor, failed to file an expedited request for a hearing within the required 10 days. This hearing was not set within the 10-day deadline required by the rule, the judge said after deliberating behind closed doors for about 15 minutes. The deadline to remove Mr. Duke Rodriguez has thus passed. Advertisement Advertisement The judges decision to dismiss the complaint comes three days after a judge in the 11th Judicial District dismissed a separate complaint to disqualify Rodriguez from the ballot. That complaint was filed by James Rockwell III, a former chair of the Bernalillo County Republican Party, and James Maes, both of whom signed the nominating petition for Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, who is also seeking the GOP nomination for governor. In an interview after the hearing, attorney Jacob Candelaria, a former state senator who is representing Rodriguez, characterized the complaints against his client as baseless and accused his opponents of using conspiracy theories to try to undermine Rodriguezs campaign. What I see at play here is failing candidates who have no shot of actually putting together a campaign that is going to convince people on the merits, trying to give voice to their election conspiracy nonsense, he said. Theyve tried it twice; theyve lost twice, Candelaria added. Theyre welcome to try to pitch to the voters whatever movida, whatever BS, they want. But at the end of the day, theyre not going to beat Duke Rodriguez at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Ellison said he was still considering whether to file an appeal with the New Mexico Supreme Court. I did file this case on my own without representation, and I simply was not aware of all the timelines and requirements, he said. I had hoped that there would be some understanding there, but it is what it is, and well weigh our options going forward. Ellison said he would need to confer with his attorney before making a decision. But obviously, its got to be decided very, very shortly, said Ellison, who was told by the judge he had a very strict timeline in which to appeal his decision to the states high court. Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez, a former state Cabinet secretary who is CEO of Ultra Health, New Mexicos largest cannabis company, has been hounded by questions about whether he meets residency requirements to run for governor. The New Mexico Constitution requires a candidate for governor to have resided continuously in New Mexico for five years preceding the election theyre competing in. Rodriguez, who owns homes in both Albuquerque and Scottsdale, Ariz., has voted in Arizona elections in 2002, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024. He registered to vote in New Mexico in January 2025. Rodriguez insists he meets residency requirements. Advertisement Advertisement I think its a naive belief to think that someone cant have a residence in New Mexico and have a residence in Texas or even, believe it or not, Arizona, he said earlier this week. Presence in another state does not interrupt residency. Candelaria argued the constitutional provision around residency applied to holding office, not running for office. Whether or not Mr. Rodriguez can satisfy the constitutional requirements to hold office is a legal dispute that will not become ripe until Mr. Rodriguez is elected by the people, he told the judge. Candelaria said after the hearing Rodriguez certainly meets the requirement of residing continuously in New Mexico not just over the past five years but most of his life. Advertisement Advertisement The fact that he had another residence in another state does not disqualify him from running to be governor or holding the office of governor, the attorney said. In the event a challenge were to come after my client is elected governor, which I believe will happen, well handle it then. Ellison expressed concerns Rodriguez could be deemed ineligible to hold office if he wins the primary. There could be a complaint against him that hes not eligible to hold office, and I do think that thats a risk, he said. While Ellison filed the complaint against Rodriguez without an attorney, at Fridays hearing he was represented by Michael Francisco, a prominent attorney who has served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. Advertisement Advertisement Candelaria called Francisco a hired gun for the Trump administration. He has represented the former chief of staff to President Trump to suppress a congressional subpoena, Candelaria said. So, what that tells me is that there were some deep-pocketed moneyed interests in the elite old guard of the GOP who got this guy connected with Mr. Ellison at the last minute, and it didnt work, and what those self-appointed old guard power brokers in the GOP need to understand is that their movidas dont work. Francisco declined to respond to Candelarias assertions. I dont think I need to comment to that, he said. But Im flattered. Follow Daniel J. Chacon on Twitter @danieljchacon. A North Dakota judge officially ordered Greenpeace to pay $345 million to the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline following a nearly yearlong tug-of-war over a Morton County jurys verdict. The jury in March 2025 originally ordered Greenpeace to pay Energy Transfer about $667 million, finding the environmental group at fault for harming the company during anti-pipeline protests in North Dakota in 2016 and 2017 and for publishing false statements that harmed the companys reputation. Greenpeace denies these allegations and says Energy Transfers lawsuit is a veiled attempt to punish the environmental group for supporting the demonstrations. Southwest Judicial District Judge James Gion in October slashed the jurys award to $345 million, though he didnt finalize the amount until Friday. Advertisement Advertisement The final judgment also orders Greenpeace to pay 11% interest on the sum, starting from March 19, the date the jury announced its verdict, until the full amount is paid. Greenpeace said in a Friday news release it expects in the short-term to request a new trial or an amendment to Gions judgment. Later, Greenpeace will have the option of appealing the decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court. This is a setback, but the movement to defend people and the planet has always faced setbacks and resistance, and Energy Transfer will fail in its goal of silencing its critics, Marco Simons, interim general counsel for Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace Fund, said in the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement In a Friday evening statement, Energy Transfer called Gions decision an important step in its ongoing case against Greenpeace. We are currently analyzing possible next steps that we may choose to take to make sure they are held fully accountable, the company said. In the aftermath of the jurys verdict, Greenpeace asked Gion to completely eliminate or at least reduce the $667 million award, alleging it exceeded statutory caps on damages and that the verdict contained inconsistencies. Gion agreed with some of those claims when he cut the sum by roughly half. Energy Transfer previously indicated that it would ask the North Dakota Supreme Court to reverse Gions reduction of the damages. The company at the time said it was still pleased that the judge left $345 million of the award intact and that the verdict would send a clear signal to those who choose to deliberately break the laws of the United States of America. Advertisement Advertisement The judgment comes roughly seven years after Energy Transfers suit was originally filed. The company developed the Dakota Access Pipeline, also known as DAPL, to carry crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. Greenpeace was one of many activist groups that participated in a movement to halt the pipelines construction. Those protests were started by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and ultimately drew thousands to rural south-central North Dakota to demonstrate. Energy Transfer sued Greenpeace in Morton County in 2019, accusing it of organizing violent attacks against the pipeline company during the protests and of waging a misinformation campaign to sabotage its business. The lawsuit is against three separate organizations affiliated with Greenpeace Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace Fund and Greenpeace International. The more than three-week trial in early 2025 featured dozens of witnesses, including current and former Greenpeace employees, Indigenous activists, Energy Transfer representatives and law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses for Greenpeace during the trial said the environmental group only ever played a small role in the protests. Greenpeace maintains it only had six employees visit the protest camps, and that all worked for Greenpeace USA, not Greenpeace Fund or Greenpeace International. The jury found Greenpeace USA liable for almost all claims. It did not find Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund responsible for the alleged on-the-ground harms committed by protesters, but did find those entities liable for defamation and interfering with Energy Transfers business. It also found Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International liable for conspiracy. Greenpeace International has filed a separate lawsuit against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands that accuses the company of weaponizing the U.S. legal system against the environmental group. With hard-won freedoms under threat and the climate crisis accelerating, the stakes of this legal fight couldnt be higher, Mads Christensen, executive director of the Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, said in the Friday announcement.Energy Transfer asked Gion to halt the Netherlands lawsuit while the North Dakota case is still pending, which the judge denied. Energy Transfer appealed that decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court, which has yet to make a decision on the matter. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com. Two men have been indicted on federal firearms charges for their alleged roles in a shooting last month that left two people dead in a Salt Lake church parking lot while a funeral was underway. Ryan Daniel Toutai, aka Lost One, 32, of Salt Lake City, and Fineeva Pomona Maka, aka Finloc, 26, of Millcreek, were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday. Toutai is charged with unlawful disposition of a firearm and Maka is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say both are members of the Tongan Crip Gang. On Jan. 7, police responded to a shooting with multiple victims in the parking lot of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 660 N. Redwood Road just after 7:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Sione Vatuvei, 38, of Glendale, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, were killed in the shooting. Six other men were injured and taken to local hospitals. Toutai was previously arrested and later charged with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, for allegedly hindering the police investigation into the shooting. Following the incident, as police secured and processed the scene, they recovered .40 caliber casings, 9mm caliber casings, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol, according to federal charging documents. Both Toutai and Maka had previously been pictured with one of the firearms that was used during the shooting, the charges allege. Advertisement Advertisement Police obtained a search warrant and seized Toutais phone on the night of the shooting and discovered photos and videos taken a month prior where Toutai had the same Ruger 9mm that recovered from the scene, according to federal prosecutors. Toutai was identified as the creator of the photos and videos based on a distinctive tattoo on his left hand. Law enforcement photographed the same tattoo during the Jan. 7, 2026 interview with Toutai, courts documents state. Toutais phone also contained documentation of events hours before the shooting, including several photos and videos of him and Maka in a vehicle together with Toutai in the drivers seat and Maka in the front passenger seat, according to a motion for detention. Police found screenshots from videos depicting Maka holding a small black pistol that is consistent with the Ruger LC9, the court documents say. Advertisement Advertisement Due to a prior conviction, Maka is restricted from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple felony charges, including aggravated robbery, court documents say. Prior to last months shooting, Maka was already on parole and had been ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor. Evidence from the GPS ankle monitor combined with physical evidence collected from the scene strongly corroborates Makas possession of the Ruger firearm on the night of the shooting in addition to a photo and video evidence showing Toutai and Maka claiming gang affiliation, the U.S Attorneys Office of Utah said. Both men are scheduled for an initial appearance on the indictment on Tuesday, March 3, in federal court. Late last month, Ezekiel Isaiah Tai, 22, was charged in 3rd District Court with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, in connection with the shooting. According to prosecutors, Tai is from Newark, California, but frequently stays in Utah. SalamPix/Abaca/Sipa USA via AP Images Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead and his body has been recovered from his palace according to Amit Segal, chief political analyst at Israels N12 News. Senior officials in Israel were informed: Khamenei has been eliminated. His body was recovered from the ruins of his palace, wrote Segal in a Saturday afternoon post on X. Senior officials in Israel were informed: Khamenei has been eliminated. His body was recovered from the ruins of his palace. Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) February 28, 2026 Its now official: documentation of Khameneis body was shown to the Prime Minister. One of the modern worlds longest serving dictators is dead, added Segal in a follow-up post. Its now official: documentation of Khameneis body was shown to the Prime Minister. One of the modern world's longest serving dictators is dead. Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) February 28, 2026 Axioss Barak Ravid also reported that Israeli ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter told U.S. officials that Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in the Israeli strike on his compound, citing a source with knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement A translated version of an N12 update from Saturday morning suggested that the Israelis had assessed that Khamenei was likely no longer with us after the United States and Israel launched a joint operation against the Iranian regime overnight, but Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had told NBC News that he believed both Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were still alive. President Donald Trump announced that the United States had begun major combat operations in Iran in a video statement released early Saturday morning. Our objective is to defend the the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people, said Trump before calling on the Iranian people to take over their government once the United States concludes its operations. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force, he promised. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said that Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. The time has come for all parts of the Iranian peoplethe Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazisto cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring freedom and peace-loving values to Iran. This is a developing story. The post JUST IN: Ali Khamenei Reportedly Dead, Body Found in Ruins first appeared on Mediaite. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) asked whether President Trump was too mentally incapacitated to realize he set the stage for the growth of Irans nuclear program during his first term. Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of U.S. meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East? Kaine asked. Is he too mentally incapacitated to realize that we had a diplomatic agreement with Iran that was keeping its nuclear program in check, until he ripped it up during his first term? Trump in 2018 withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) initially signed in 2015, a deal that was effectively blocking Irans pathway to building a bomb. Advertisement Advertisement In launching an attack on Iran Saturday, the president said the move was necessary to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. That argument comes after the U.S. military launched strikes on Iran last June, with Trump at the time asserting the U.S. had obliterated Irans nuclear program. That claim generated much pushback, with skeptics arguing Iran wasnt on the brink of developing a weapon, while additional intelligence showed the strikes landed in other Iranian facilities and only set their nuclear development back by a few months. For months, I have raised hell about the fact that Americans want lower prices, not more wars especially wars that arent authorized by Congress, as required by the Constitution, and dont have a clear objective, Kaine continued Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at our embassies throughout the region their life, he added. Several Democrats have come out against the strikes, blasting the administration for exacerbating tensions in the region and warned the White House could be dragging the U.S. into a wider war. Many lawmakers have also pressed for more transparency following the attack and ramped up pressure for a vote on a war powers resolution. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday condemned President Donald Trumps decision to launch large-scale military strikes on Iran, calling the operation a dangerous and unnecessary gamble and urging Congress to intervene before the United States is drawn deeper into what critics are describing as a war of choice. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ + news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter. Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want, Harris said in a Saturday afternoon statement to The Advocate. It came hours after Trump announced at 2:30 a.m. on Truth Social that the United States had begun what he called major combat operations in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Retired Space Force colonel warns Trumps Iran strikes are reckless adventurism and distraction' In his eight-minute video address, Trump described a massive and ongoing operation designed to eliminate what he characterized as imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He vowed that Tehran will never have a nuclear weapon, acknowledged that American heroes may be lost, and urged Iranians to take over your government once U.S. operations conclude. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harms way for the sake of Trumps war of choice, Harris wrote. Harris argued that such rhetoric dramatically escalates the stakes. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Kamala Harris reclaims the stage in Washington at defiant book talk with Kara Swisher Related: Pete Buttigieg & Robert Garcia join chorus of leaders condemning Donald Trumps war of choice with Iran This is a dangerous and unnecessary gamble with American lives that also jeopardizes stability in the region and our standing in the world, she said. What we are witnessing is not strength. It is recklessness dressed up as resolve. Her statement echoed a growing number of Democratic lawmakers and veterans who have questioned both the legality and the strategic coherence of the operation, reportedly dubbed Operation Epic Fury. Advertisement Advertisement California U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, a gay Democrat and ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, tied the escalation abroad to economic pressures at home and called for immediate congressional action. The American people deserve lower prices and affordable healthcare, not another war in the Middle East, Garcia wrote on X. We can support the people of Iran & their self-determination without this dangerous action that is already costing innocent lives. End this war. We need a War Powers Vote now. The administration has defended the strikes as necessary to eliminate imminent threats and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. But critics note that the White House previously claimed decisive success in an earlier campaign. In June 2025, after a coordinated U.S. operation known as Operation Midnight Hammer targeted Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, the administration declared that Irans nuclear program had been obliterated, dismissing suggestions otherwise as fake news. Advertisement Advertisement That apparent contradiction has fueled skepticism about the current justification for renewed military action. During the campaign, Donald Trump promised to end wars rather than start them. It was a lie, she said. Then last year, he said we obliterated Irans nuclear program. That, too, was a lie. Harris insisted military escalation is not the answer. I know the threat that Iran poses, and they must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, but this is not the way to dismantle that threat, she said. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, warned that the strikes reportedly extended beyond nuclear or missile infrastructure to include a broad set of targets, including senior Iranian leadership, calling the move a deeply consequential decision that risks pulling the United States into another prolonged Middle East conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Under the Constitution of the United States, the President must receive authorization from Congress to enter a war, Harris said. But even if he had, that does not change the fact this action is unwise, unjustified, and not supported by the American people. She also addressed the human cost of the escalation, noting Trumps own acknowledgment that U.S. casualties are possible. And let us all be clear-eyed about what comes next, Harris said. The President has already said this conflict may produce American casualties. Doug and I will be praying for all of our brave servicemen and women, who we know are undertaking dangerous missions with exceptional skill, discipline, and precision. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Navy Reserve veteran who deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, called the strikes a war of choice undertaken without congressional authorization and without a plan for what comes next. Advertisement Advertisement Our troops deserve a Commander-in-Chief who approaches decisions on matters of war and peace with the same steadiness and discipline our troops show every day, Harris said. There can be no equivocation in our opposition to Donald Trumps war of choice, Harris said. Congress must use all available power to prevent him from further committing us to this conflict. Our troops, our allies, and the American people deserve nothing less. This article originally appeared on Advocate: Kamala Harris calls Donald Trumps Iran strikes recklessness dressed as resolve, dragging U.S. into war RELATED Former Vice President Kamala Harris has made her first major return to campaign politics since her 2024 presidential run, endorsing Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the competitive Texas Senate primary. The endorsement, first reported by the Texas Tribune, was confirmed by the Crockett campaign. Harris' endorsement involves two robocalls to boost Crockett, including one on Friday and another ahead of Tuesday's primary, according to a Harris aide. In the robocall, Harris says, Texas has the chance to send a fighter like Jasmine Crockett to the United States Senate. Jasmine has the experience and record to hold Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Crockett is in a hotly contested race against state Rep. James Talarico for the Democratic Senate nomination on March 3. GOP Sen. John Cornyn is also in a competitive primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. While the Democratic primary could be decided on Tuesday if a candidate wins a majority of the vote, the Republican contest is expected to head to a May 26 runoff. Harris' support for Crockett marks the former vice president's first endorsement in a competitive primary since she lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential race. Harris, who announced last year that she would not run for governor of California in 2026, made a low-profile appearance on the campaign trail in a special congressional election in Tennessee last year. She also went on a tour to promote her memoir about the 2024 campaign. And she recently relaunched her campaign's social media account in an effort to reach Gen Z voters. Advertisement Advertisement Crockett was a national co-chair for Harris' campaign in 2024, and she has touted that role on the campaign trail in Texas. But Crockett also had some criticism for how Democrats approached the 2024 race, suggesting at a recent campaign stop that the party had focused too much on winning over Republicans. "I have to be honest at some of the things that I heard as I traveled with the country. A lot of our base was not motivated," Crockett said at an event in Conroe, Texas, earlier this month. "When we think about the coalition that makes us successful, some people just opted to sit on the couch," Crockett continued. "And in some of those conversations, I was asking, like, 'What's happening? Like, what's going on? And there was so much attention paid to getting Republicans that a lot of Democrats were like, 'What is the point?' Right?" "There was a lot of attention about, I'm going to put a Republican in the Cabinet. I'm going to have the Republicans come out here for us," Crockett added. "I'm not saying that Republicans are not welcome, because the fights that I'm waging, they are for everyone. But I also think that it is truly only fair to the Democratic base to double down and say, 'I am a Democrat, and I am going to fight for those principle, things like raising the wage, which, again, helps everyone." Advertisement Advertisement Turning out disaffected voters who may be more inclined to back Democrats is a major part of Crockett's case that she can flip the Senate seat in Texas. Talarico, meanwhile, has stressed that he can appeal to Democrats, independents and Republicans, noting that he won a state legislative seat that Trump also carried. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. The Kansas Court of Appeals handed CoreCivic its latest in a string of legal defeats, rejecting the private prison companys argument that it should be allowed to reopen its Leavenworth facility as an immigrant detention center before securing a local zoning permit. The latest rebuke came in the form of a 22-page opinion published Friday, three days after the Leavenworth City Commission reviewed CoreCivics special use permit application and voted 4-1 to advance it to final consideration on March 10. Advertisement Advertisement Approval of the zoning permit could render the Court of Appeals ruling moot in a matter of days. Chief Judge Sarah Warner and Judges Thomas Malone and Stephen Hill upheld a Leavenworth County District Court judges temporary injunction that has so far blocked CoreCivic from accepting detainees under its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We have more than evidence of past harms to support the Citys request for a temporary injunction, the opinion says. CoreCivics actions demonstrate a very real and imminent harm; it intends to operate a detention facility, regardless of whether it has received a special use permit from the City. CoreCivic failed to convince the judges that it had been treated unfairly by the city of Leavenworth, which maintained that the company could no longer operate its detention facility without a permit after it had stood empty for more than 12 months. The rebranded Midwest Regional Reception Center hasnt held inmates since 2021. Advertisement Advertisement CoreCivic argues the City is specifically targeting CoreCivic and regulating it unfavorably based on its partnership with ICE. But it provides no evidence to support its position, the judges wrote. CoreCivic opened its Leavenworth facility in 1992. Under a 2012 city ordinance, all jail and prison operators within city limits must obtain a special use permit before opening. But the law waives the permit requirement for facilities that opened before 2012, provided they havent ceased operations. Under CoreCivics argument, the City would be powerless to rescind a propertys special use, no matter how long the property owner discontinued the use. Such an interpretation would be an unreasonable result, the opinion says. Can CoreCivic reopen safely? CoreCivics 2021 closure came amid deep community concerns over chronic violence, drug abuse and understaffing at the facility. Advertisement Advertisement The judges cited Leavenworth officials sworn testimony as compelling evidence that CoreCivic should not be allowed to reopen without guarantees that conditions would be safer for inmates and employees than in the past. Patrick Kitchens, the Citys Chief of Police, offered sworn testimony about CoreCivics operation of the MRRC that is, to put it mildly, somewhat alarming, the opinion reads. He testified that (i)n one instance in November 2018, CoreCivic failed to report a death of an inmate to City Police for six days. He added that (o)n three separate occasions, I recall receiving a voicemail from the warden following a sexual assault allegation but it was clear CoreCivic did not want any police investigation to occur. The terms of the zoning agreement under consideration by the city commission would require CoreCivic to allow law enforcement and city inspectors timely access to the detention center. Advertisement Advertisement The agreement would also require the company to replace a grinder pump that repeatedly malfunctioned and discharged large pieces of debris into the citys sewer system, requiring costly repairs. The prospect of CoreCivics Leavenworth facility being used to detain as many as 1,033 noncitizens arrested by ICE has roiled the Leavenworth community. Protesters have repeatedly organized demonstrations at City Hall in recent months, calling for officials to deny the zoning permit that CoreCivic applied for in December after previously refusing to do so. Local officials have also heard from people who moved to Leavenworth to work for CoreCivic and are frustrated that the facility has not yet been allowed to open. In an email statement, CoreCivic spokesperson Ryan Gustin declined to say whether the company will appeal the adverse ruling to the Kansas Supreme Court before the city commission makes its final decision. If local officials reject the zoning application, CoreCivic can legally appeal the decision in district court. While we maintain our legal position related to the need for a special use permit (SUP), we have been and will continue working collaboratively with city staff to address concerns raised by the community as part of the SUP process, and we are grateful for that collaboration, Gustin said. Enforcement Begins The state of Kansas has ordered transgender residents to surrender their drivers licenses following a new law that took effect Thursday. According to Erin in the Morning, a letter from the Kansas Division of Vehicles states that Kansas-issued drivers licenses must now reflect the credential holders sex at birth. The new law took effect after the Kansas Legislature overrode Governor Laura Kellys veto of Senate Bill 244, which requires all state-issued IDs to reflect a persons sex assigned at birth. Kelly had previously described the measure as poorly drafted. Driving with an invalid license may constitute a Class B misdemeanor under Kansas law, carrying penalties of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Notably, the law does not provide a grace period for compliance. Erin in the Morning (Erin in the Morning) Mandatory Replacement Affected drivers must surrender their current credentials to the Kansas Division of Vehicles to be issued a new one reflecting the gender designation required under state law, according to the letter. It also states that individuals may appeal the decision, but doing so will not preserve the validity of their existing credentials. Advertisement Advertisement The outlet notes that Kansas may be the first state to go so far as to invalidate previously issued documents. States such as Florida, Texas, and Indiana have also stopped permitting gender marker updates, though transgender residents in those states have not been required to surrender their existing drivers licenses. The Laws Reach In addition to changes affecting drivers licenses, the law is also restricting transgender individuals in Kansas from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity and allows private citizens to file civil lawsuits seeking at least $1,000 in damages for alleged violations. These measures come amid broader policy shifts during the Trump administration, as well as changes to federal passport policies requiring passports to reflect the sex assigned at birth. Beyond social policy, the administration has also introduced regulatory changes across other sectors, including the automotive industry, where certain federal electric-vehicle incentives, such as the $7,500 tax credit, have been scaled back. Reports have pointed to signs of slowing growth in EV sales and adoption, a segment strongly supported by states such as California. The administration has also moved to roll back or eliminate policies implemented by previous administrations, including Obama-era greenhouse gas standards aimed at addressing climate change. Chevrolet View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article This story was originally published by Autoblog on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here. African Heads of State and Government on February 14, 2026, formally launched the Africa Infrastructure Financing Facility (AIFF), a coordinated, Africa-led platform designed to accelerate the preparation and facilitation of financing for priority cross-border infrastructure projects aligned with Agenda 2063. The launch took place during the Third Presidential High-Level Dialogue of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), convened on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit under the theme: Strengthening Africas Financial Architecture to Finance Agenda 2063. Held under the patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and African Union Champion on AU Financial Institutions, the Dialogue reinforced Africas commitment to translating financial sovereignty into operational mechanisms capable of mobilizing long-term capital at scale. Agenda 2063 continues to face financing constraints driven by fragmented capital markets, elevated cost-of-capital premiums, limited long-term funding, and persistent reliance on external financial systems that do not fully reflect Africas development realities. Against this backdrop, African leaders emphasized the need to strengthen existing African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AMFIs) while accelerating the operationalization of African Union Financial Institutions. Africa has domestic capital pools exceeding $2.5 trillion, President Mahama stated. The challenge is not the availability of capital, but how intentionally we deploy it into infrastructure, industrialization, and job creation to realize Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area. He underscored the importance of reducing dependency on fragmented financing systems that misprice Africas risk and called for a coherent continental financial architecture capable of financing Africas development sustainably. Representing the African Union Commission, H.E. Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, reaffirmed the AUs commitment to strengthening continental financial coordination: The launch of the AIFF is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when political will and institutional coordination converge. We are confident that this Facility will contribute meaningfully to closing Africas infrastructure financing gap, estimated at approximately US$221 billion annually over the period 2023 to 2030. Delivering the opening remarks, Samaila Zubairu, President & Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation and Outgoing Chairman of AAMFI, underscored the importance of coordinated African capital deployment: The Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions represents over $70 billion in balance sheets, working together to close Africas trade, investment, and development financing gaps. Our collective action is central to mobilizing the resources needed to deliver transformative infrastructure and regional integration. He emphasized that Africas development ambitions require scale, institutional alignment, and disciplined capital mobilization to close infrastructure and industrial financing gaps. Highlighting the importance of the Facility, Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank said: The Africa Infrastructure Financing Facility has been designed to address the most persistent constraint to infrastructure delivery in Africa: the gap between political approval and financial execution. Too many projects stall not because they lack relevance, but because they are insufficiently prepared, inadequately structured, or misaligned with the requirements of long-term capital. African Multilateral Financial Institutions understand African risk, African markets, and African development realities. By pooling expertise, balance sheets, and risk frameworks, the Facility moves Africa from fragmented interventions to a coherent system capable of mobilising capital at scale. Dr. Corneille Karekezi, CEO of Africa Reinsurance Corporation and incoming Chair of AAMFI, emphasized institutional collaboration: Africas development finance must be anchored in collaboration and innovation. By strategically sharing risk, strengthening our institutions, and mobilizing both domestic and private capital, we can build a resilient financial ecosystem capable of delivering transformative infrastructure and industrial growth across the continent. The Dialogue underscored that while political commitment to infrastructure remains strong, projects often face constraints at early preparation stages. Limited project preparation funding, fragmented regional policies, and insufficient coordination were cited as key challenges. A central highlight of the Dialogue was the formal launch of the Africa Infrastructure Financing Facility (AIFF). Established under a Cooperation Framework Agreement between AUDA-NEPAD and AAMFI, the AIFF provides a structured, Africa-led coordination mechanism to accelerate project preparation and facilitate indicative, non-binding engagement on financing for priority infrastructure aligned with Agenda 2063. In a further demonstration of momentum toward strengthening Africas financial architecture, the Dialogue concluded with the ceremonial deposit of the Instrument of Ratification of the Protocol and Statutes of the African Monetary Fund (AMF) by the Republic of Cameroon. This milestone reinforces Africas ongoing efforts to operationalize key African Union Financial Institutions aimed at promoting macroeconomic stability, providing balance-of-payments support, and enhancing monetary and financial cooperation among African Union Member States. Conflict across the Middle East has entered a second week after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader on 28 February. Iran has continued to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, which have extended to non-military targets, including civilian sites and energy facilities. The fighting has escalated quickly, pulling in Cyprus and Lebanon, with casualties and damage mounting on all sides. Advertisement Advertisement What has been happening in Iran? The US and Israel launched their attack on 28 February, targeting Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed. The US and Israel have continued to target key sites linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has repeatedly insisted its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. [BBC] As of 5 March, Iranian state-linked media Tasnim said 1,230 people had been killed, while the US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) group said 1,114 civilians had been killed and a further 926 reported deaths were under review. Advertisement Advertisement Iran accused the US and Israel of launching an attack on a girls' school near an IRGC base in southern Iran on Saturday, saying more than 160 people were killed. The US said it was looking into reports of the incident, while Israel said it was "not aware" of any military operations in the area. Internet connectivity in Iran has been almost entirely restricted and its airspace has been closed, and there has been no updated death toll from Iran since 5 March. [BBC] How has Iran responded? Iran has described the US and Israeli strikes as "unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate", and has carried out widespread missile and drone attacks in response. Advertisement Advertisement The IRGC said it had targeted Israeli government and military sites in Tel Aviv and elsewhere. Iran has been accused of widening its attacks to include other targets, including shipping and civilian sites, such as hotels in Dubai. There have also been strikes in countries hosting US bases - Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait - and US-allied Oman and Saudi Arabia. Drones hit the US embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, and a drone also hit a car park adjacent to the US consulate in Dubai. Iraq said it had been struck by Iran on 6 March after explosions at Erbil airport, while two days earlier Turkey said it had shot down an Iranian missile over its airspace. Azerbaijan accused Iran of attacking an airport with drones. Advertisement Advertisement The US and its Arab allies issued a joint statement condemning Iran's attacks, saying "the targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilising behaviour". Elsewhere, a British military base in Cyprus was struck by a drone, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, which the Cypriot president blamed on Iran. Western officials later said the drone was not launched from Iran. As of Monday 2 March, six US servicemen have been killed and 18 injured, according to Centcom. Advertisement Advertisement On 7 March, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian broadcast a video message on Iranian state television apologising to neighbouring countries that were attacked. Pezeshkian said Iran did "not intend to invade neighbouring countries" and said the leadership has issued a decision to the armed forced that "from now on, do not attack neighbouring countries unless attacked first". Why have the US and Israel attacked Iran? Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attacks on Saturday as a "pre-emptive strike" to "remove threats against the state of Israel", although he did not explain why there was a need to take military action at this time. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday the US knew there was going to be Israeli action, which meant America had to act "pre-emptively" in the face of expected Iranian attacks on American forces. Advertisement Advertisement Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brig Gen Effie Defrin revealed that the military operation was preceded by months of strategic deception that caught Iran off guard. In the US, some lawmakers have called for President Donald Trump's administration to provide evidence that Iran posed a threat before Washington went to war. But there are also underlying reasons. Israel and the US - its closest ally - have been arch-foes of Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The Iranian leadership has consistently called for Israel's elimination and denounced the US as its greatest enemy. The two countries have led Western opposition to Iran's nuclear programme, claiming Iran is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb - something Iran has vehemently denied. Advertisement Advertisement They attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites in June 2025 in a war which lasted for 12 days. Since then, they have claimed Iran has been trying to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Trump said these missiles could eventually reach the US, though this has not been supported by US intelligence assessments. For its part, Israel considers Iran a threat to its existence and wants the complete removal of Iran's nuclear and missile programme, as well as regime change. The US first openly talked in January about potentially attacking Iran when its security forces cracked down on protesters with deadly force. Advertisement Advertisement But the US and Iran began negotiations and appeared to be making progress until Trump said he was "not happy" with the way the talks were going. Hours later the US and Israel began attacking. On 6 March, Trump said there would be "no deal" with Iran unless it agreed to an "unconditional surrender. The following day, in response to Pezeshkian's television statement, Trump said the Iranian leader had "apologised and surrendered ... because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack" but added later in his Truth social post "today Iran will be hit very hard!" [Reuters] What's happening in Lebanon? A new front in the war opened in Lebanon on 2 March when the militant group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions. Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched attacks in response, hitting Beirut and parts of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is allied to Iran's government and said it was seeking to avenge Khamenei's assassination. In Israel, the defence minister said on 3 March ground troops would "advance and seize additional strategic areas in Lebanon" in order to stop attacks from Hezbollah. The United Nations said more than 30,000 people had been forced to flee their homes since the escalation of hostilities. Israel launched a "broad-scale wave" of strikes against Beirut overnight on 6 March, saying it struck Hezbollah command centres and a facility storing drones in the capital's southern suburb of Dahieh. Lebanon's health ministry said on 7 March the attacks had killed almost 300 people since the war front began. How is the war affecting the economy and energy prices? Instability in the Middle East has begun to impact the global economy. Iran has been accused of attacking ships in the Gulf, forcing the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply. Attacks have also been reported on major oil and gas hubs, including in Oman's Duqm commercial port and the UAE's Fujairah terminal. The strikes have prompted some of the world's largest producers of oil and gas to suspend production, including Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and Saudi Arabia's largest domestic refinery. Oil and gas prices have surged, prompting warnings about the impact on the global economy and cost of living. Trump said on March 3 that the US navy would protect ships in the region "if necessary" and "at a very reasonable price" in a bid to stop global energy supply issues. A tanker off the coast of Kuwait was hit by a "large explosion", causing an oil spill, British maritime security agency UKMTO said on March 5. How might Khamenei's successor be chosen? Iran has said it will appoint a new supreme leader swiftly. A transitional leadership council has been formed to run the country temporarily, consisting of: President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and senior cleric Alireza Arafi. The formal selection of a successor to Khamenei is carried out by 88 senior clerics, known as the Assembly of Experts. Under the country's constitution, these clerics must appoint the new supreme leader as soon as possible, but this may prove difficult while the country is under attack. The IRGC has already named a new commander-in-chief, Ahmad Vahidi. Trump told US publication Axios that he wanted to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader. [BBC] Is it safe to travel to the region and how long could the war last? Trump first said military action was expected to last "four to five weeks" but on 7 March White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the operations could last up to six weeks. On the first day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign would "continue as long as it is needed". The war prompted one of the most serious disruptions to global travel since the Covid-19 pandemic, with airspace closures and thousands of flights grounded across the Middle East. Since March 6, Etihad announced it will begin operating limited flights from Abu Dhabi to London, Manchester, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Rome, Paris, and Milan. Emirates also said it was working to restore full network operations, following the partial re-opening of regional airspace. Airspace in Qatar partially reopened on March 7, in response Qatar Airways said it intended to operate repatriation flights. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said anyone planning to travel to the Middle East should check its website for advice relating to their destination. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, says intensifying violence across the Middle East and beyond has already triggered significant population movement. It said an estimated 100,000 people left Tehran in the first two days following the attacks. In Lebanon, it said 58,000 people were sheltering across collective sites. In Syria, it said that nearly 10,000 Syrians and close to 1,000 Lebanese crossed from Lebanon on 2nd March, nearly three times the daily average. With additional reporting by Olivia Ireland, Robert Greenall, Hafsa Khalil, Gabriela Pomeroy and BBC Persian. The war in the Middle East expanded on several fronts Monday as attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed militias struck Israel and Arab states as well as U.S. military targets. The U.S. military said Kuwait mistakenly shot down three American fighter aircraft during a combat mission, though all six pilots ejected safely. Separately, six other U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict. Israel and the United States continued to strike Iran while Israeli forces responded to attacks from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group by hitting targets in southern Lebanon, killing 52 people. Advertisement Advertisement The war began Saturday with the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike. Reaction around the globe ranged from jubilation to condemnation, while the conflict has caused canceled flights, deadly protests, shipping delays and soaring oil prices. Attacks across Iran kill hundreds, shake economy The Iranian Red Crescent Society on Monday said that attacks on scores of Iranian cities have killed at least 555 people in the Islamic Republic. Strikes in Tehran apparently took Iran's state television off the air. The joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran stoked fears of a wider war and damage to the world economy. Meanwhile, Iran has expanded its attacks on oil infrastructure, the lifeblood of the region's economy. Trump lays out his objectives President Donald Trump said the U.S. objectives were to destroy Irans naval and missile capabilities and stop it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He expects the operation to take 4 to 5 weeks, but said it could take far longer. Advertisement Advertisement This was our last, best chance to strike what were doing right now and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime, Trump said Monday. Six U.S. service members have been killed, including three killed in the Saturday attack on Iran, according to U.S. Central Command. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said regime change is not the goal. We would love for there to be an Iran thats not governed by radical Shia clerics, Rubio said Monday. Thats not the objective. Iran to name new supreme leader In the wake of Khameneis death, Irans provisional governing council is expected to name a new supreme leader. Even before the weekend's deadly strikes, Iran's theocracy had struggled with growing dissent over the economy. Activists say Iran's crackdown on protesters killed thousands. Advertisement Advertisement One of the first strikes Saturday hit near the offices of the 86-year-old Khamenei, who had ruled since 1989. Israel said that it also killed dozens of other top Iranian military officials. Iran strikes Israel and US bases in retaliation Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drones targeting Israel and nearby Arab Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces. Several ships have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where a fifth of all traded oil passes. Shipping companies suspended their vessels traffic through the Suez Canal, adding to fears the strikes could rattle global markets. Elsewhere, fire and smoke poured out of the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait after an Iranian attack. Advertisement Advertisement Bahrain, the island kingdom that is home to the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, said it has intercepted dozens of missiles and attack drones. In Israel, 11 people have been killed, including nine in a strike on a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh. In Iraq, an Iraqi Shiite militia claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in Baghdad. And at least 22 people were killed in clashes with police in northern Pakistan and in the southern port city of Karachi after hundreds of protesters stormed the U.S. Consulate there, authorities said. Travelers across the region stranded Disrupted air travel in the region stranded or diverted hundreds of thousands of travelers after Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain closed their airspace. Advertisement Advertisement They include athletes heading to the Winter Paralympics in Italy, and former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev, one of what the ATP Tour calls a small number of players and team members it is trying to help leave Dubai. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that the death toll in Israel is 11, not 20. ___ Klug reported from Tokyo, Charlton from Paris. Brian Melley in London; Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, Amir Radjy in Cairo, Matthew Lee in Washington and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report. WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) Police have made an arrest in connection with a shooting that took place in a large crowd. The suspect was only released from police supervision a few months ago. Viliami Loumoli, 38, was arrested early Friday morning. He has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges including felony discharging a firearm, aggravated assault, and riot with a dangerous weapon, all second-degree felonies. According to officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department, the shooting took place on Feb. 20, near 800 South and 700 West. Five people allegedly assaulted a victim during a fight in a large crowd. One of the suspects reportedly fired a round during the fight. Advertisement Advertisement Police search for suspect who fired gun during fight near 800 S 700 W in Salt Lake City Witnesses placed Loumoli at the scene and indicated he had a gun during the incident and even pointed it at the large crowd in the middle of the day. Documents allege the crowd was largely made up of innocent bystanders, including children. Police say surveillance footage shows Loumoli holding something in his hand during the fight. A search warrant of the suspects home in West Valley City uncovered clothing allegedly worn by Loumoli during the shooting. FBI records show Loumoli was convicted of robbing a convenience store in 2009. He was reportedly tried as part of a gang conspiracy case and was heavy involved in gang activity in Salt Lake City throughout the 2000s. Advertisement Advertisement State records show several he received several indictments for aggravated robbery which were moved to federal court as part of a RICO conspiracy case involving several other gang members. Loumoli was released from federal custody on Nov. 14, 2022, after serving about 12 years in prison. After a period of supervised release, Loumoli was discharged on Nov. 26, 2025. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. In the past, some Kurds were able to seek refuge in Iran during Saddam Husseins genocidal poison gas attacks. However, the Iranian regime has been persecuting Kurds over recent decades. The autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq borders Iran. Therefore, it also finds itself close to the frontline. For many years, the Kurdistan region has had a complex relationship with Iran. In the past, some Kurds were able to seek refuge in Iran when Saddam Husseins regime was subjecting Kurds to genocidal poison gas attacks. However, in the last few decades, the Iranian regime has been persecuting Kurds and also attacking the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement The US and Israeli strikes on Iran present both opportunities and potential pitfalls. Days before the attack on Iran, five Kurdish Iranian parties issued a statement saying they were forming a coalition against the Iranian regime. These Kurdish groups have often been divided in the past. Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim men from the Iranian-backed group Kataib Hezbollah wave the party's flags as they walk along a street painted in the colours of the Israeli flag during a parade marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Baghdad (credit: THAIER AL-SUDANI/REUTERS) They oppose the regime, but their ideological differences make cooperation difficult. The Kurdish Iranian opposition groups are primarily based in northern Iraq. This is because many Kurds in Iran have had to seek shelter in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq. The Kurds from Iran who fled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been able to join various groups and also gained experience. For instance, members of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) have been fighting against ISIS over the last decade. They joined forces with the Kurdish Peshmerga, the armed forces of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. PAK units fought on various frontlines against ISIS from 2014-2017. They gained a lot of combat experience. Other units of Kurdish Iranian groups have also been training over the years. Kurdish fears of a conflict with Iran The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is wary of being dragged into a conflict in Iran. For instance, Iran is lashing out on February 28 attack various countries in the region. There are US forces in northern Iraq. Iranian-backed militias have targeted US forces in Iraq in the past. Advertisement Advertisement They have targeted Erbil International Airport, in the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. They have also targeted the Iranian Kurdish groups that are based in northern Iraq in the past. This means that many Kurds know that they could find themselves on the frontline of this regional war. On the other hand, there is also a sense that the Kurdistan region could benefit if the Iranian regime falls. If the regime falls, then Kurds could receive more freedoms in Iran. It would also reduce the threats to Kurds in Iraq. For many years, Iran has detained Kurds and also killed Kurds who are involved in smuggling goods between northern Iraq and Iran. As such, there is a sense that the regime has committed numerous abuses and therefore any strikes could weaken the Iranian regime. The concerns among Kurds are that Irans regime might also lash out against the Kurds in Iran. This could cause a refugee crisis. It could also lead to clashes near the border between the Kurdish opposition groups in Iran and the Iranian regime. This will all leave the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in limbo. Iraq also lacks a new prime minister after the November elections in Baghdad. As such, Iraq is also in limbo. Iran could exploit this by operationalizing the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. There are tens of thousands of Iraqis who have joined Iranian-backed militias, such as Kataib Hezbollah. These groups have already threatened to target the US and Kurds in Iraq. Deported Austin college student Any Lucia Lopez Belloza did not board a court-ordered flight back to the United States on Friday after her attorneys said the federal government planned to detain and deport her again upon her arrival. Friday marked the deadline set two weeks ago by a federal district court judge for the federal government to return Lopez Belloza, a 20-year-old Honduran national whom U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested at a Boston airport and promptly deported during Thanksgiving week despite a federal court order pausing her removal. News of her deportation drew national attention, underscoring the reach of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement An ICE agent contacted Lopez Belloza on Thursday morning to offer her a 1 p.m. Friday flight to Harlingen in South Texas from San Pedro Sula, where she has been living with her grandparents since her deportation to Honduras, according to court documents obtained by the American-Statesman. The agent told Lopez Belloza that she would most likely be allowed to go free upon her arrival, she said from Honduras during a Friday video news conference. During the news conference and in a Friday afternoon court filing, Lopez Bellozas legal team and advocates said they believe the government is attempting to entrap Lopez Belloza upon her return, keeping her in immigration custody as it moves to deport her again. In all likelihood, they're going to land a plane, hide her from us again, not even let her make a phone call and then just treat this like a turnstile and send her back to Honduras, her principal attorney, Todd Pomerleau, said during the news conference. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to the Statesmans requests for comment Friday. The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement, said that it had attempted to set up a flight for Lopez Belloza but that she had "failed to appear." Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security did not directly respond to the Statesman's question about whether it planned to detain Lopez Belloza if she returned to the United States. "For operational security purposes, ICE does not disclose future law enforcement operations," the statement said. Pomerleau pointed to the governments Thursday court filing a motion to dismiss the case as evidence that federal officials intend to remove Lopez Belloza upon her return. In that filing, government lawyers told the court that while returning her would satisfy the judges order to restore the status quo, the government could still seek to deport her based on what it says is an existing removal order from 2017, when she was 11. Her mother brought her to the United States when she was 8 years old, and the family eventually settled in Austin. Lopez Bellozas team has challenged the argument that the judges order would allow her to be detained upon her return. Advertisement Advertisement Related: ICE agents attempt to arrest Austin father of deported student, lawyer says That anybody could sit here and say that is the sort of [thing] that the judge is ordering is simply false, said Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, an immigration advocacy group that has been helping Lopez Belloza and her family. Pomerleau has emphasized that his client would only return to the United States if she can live outside of detention and continue her schooling at Babson College while immigration proceedings play out. He has said that Lopez Belloza has begun a new case for legal status through her mother. Lopez Belloza called the past two days a "roller coaster that has toyed with her emotions, raising her sense of hope only for it to be pulled back down again. Advertisement Advertisement Calling the United States her home, Lopez Belloza said she was committed to continuing to fight to return. I have built my life in the United States, she added. My friends, my community, my future are there. I have worked hard for their approval, and tried to give back to the place that raised me. I have dreams just like anyone else. I want to continue my education. I want to build my career. I want to support my family. I want to keep contributing to the country I call home. (This story was updated to add new information.) The internet is giggling at the LA Metros latest merchandise, which has more than one meaning at least depending on who you ask. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has shirts available for purchase that say Ride the D. The announcement coincided with Metro's announcement of the opening date for the D Line Extension on Feb. 26, according to Maya Pogoda, a spokesperson for Metro. Advertisement Advertisement The tees have been very popular and sold out, Pogoda told the USA TODAY Network in an email on Feb. 27. More will be back up shortly. Some Reddit users were, presumably, laughing at the sexual connotation of the saying in two separate posts about the shirts on the Los Angeles and LA Metro subreddits. Hahaha, this is hilarious, one Reddit user said. Absolutely, they knew what they were doing. Who at Metro approved this lol, another Reddit user commented. Props to the marketing team, a Reddit user said. Metro, in a statement, said the "Ride the D" tee is "part of a series celebrating each of our Metro lines and encouraging riders to show a little love for their favorite route." Advertisement Advertisement "Yes, weve seen the internet chatter," Metro said. "We design for transit riders, but we can appreciate that the internet will always do what the internet does." Metro said it's happy that people are excited about public transit. "At the end of the day, its about showing some pride in your favorite line," Metro said. A first look at Amtrak's new Airo fleet, a next-generation train designed to modernize rail travel across the U.S. starting in 2026, according to Amtrak. Unveiled in Washington, the Airo trains were showcased by Amtrak leaders and federal transportation officials as part of the agency's largest fleet overhaul in decades. Built with passengers in mind, Airo trainsets feature upgraded seating, improved reliability, and modern connectivity aimed at making rail a more competitive travel option. The first Airo trains will enter service on the Amtrak Cascades route, connecting Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, B.C., and Eugene, Oregon, with full production expected by 2026. Additional Airo trainsets are planned for the Northeast Regional, with testing beginning in 2026 and passenger service expected to follow in 2027. Manufactured by Siemens Mobility, the Airo fleet is designed to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience across multiple corridors nationwide. In total, 83 Airo trainsets are planned, forming the backbone of Amtraks long-term modernization strategy to expand capacity and improve service nationwide. Amtrak unveils Airo, its most ambitious train overhaul in decades 1 of 7 A first look at Amtrak's new Airo fleet, a next-generation train designed to modernize rail travel across the U.S. starting in 2026, according to Amtrak. Wait, whats going on with the D (Line)? Go from downtown LA to Beverly Hills For folks whose minds arent in the gutter, heres the news: Section 1 of the D Line Subway Extension Project will open on May 8. The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills, the Metro said. Advertisement Advertisement Three new underground stations will be at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega, according to the Metro. These new stations will transform the way many riders can experience the Metro system, providing a seamless, single-seat ride from Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles to La Cienega in Beverly Hills is around 20 minutes with no transfers required, the Metro said. Where can I buy LA Metro merch? Metro fans can purchase these shirts and other merchandise online through the Metros website. Ride the D shirts start at $20, according to the Metro as of Feb. 27. Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LA Metro drops 'Ride the D' merch. Internet has responded Iranian state television confirmed the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump said he had been killed. The announcement came after the United States and Israel started launching waves of strikes Saturday against targets in Iran, sparking swift retaliation by the Islamic republic. Here are the latest developments. - Iran leader killed - Iranian state television reported Khamenei's death in the early hours of Sunday, broadcasting archive images with a black banner. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian media also reported the deaths of his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump had said hours earlier on his Truth Social platform. "Heavy and pinpoint bombing... will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST", Trump wrote. He later warned Iran of force "never been seen before" after he said they country indicated it was going to strike back "harder than they have ever hit." "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform early Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the ayatollah's death. The country's judiciary confirmed Sunday that the chief of the Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Pakpour, and another top security adviser, Ali Shamkhani were also "martyred" in the strikes. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the campaign sent a message to those who would do harm to Americans: "We will hunt you down and we will kill you." Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's late shah, hailed the killing of Khamenei, saying the Islamic republic was entering the "dustbin of history". Advertisement Advertisement Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and two top other officials will lead the country in a transitional period following the death of Khamenei, state television reported. The joint US-Israeli operation began earlier on Saturday with smoke rising over Tehran after strikes that Israel said were pre-emptive. Shortly after, Trump announced US combat operations, with the goal of "eliminating imminent threats". Israel's military said it targeted multiple sites where senior Iranian officials had gathered in Tehran, and launched strikes against Iranian missile launchers. It said 200 fighter jets had taken part in the "extensive attack", hitting more than 500 targets. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks killed senior Iranian officials and warned that thousands more targets would be struck in the coming days. The Iranian judiciary said 108 people died in a strike on a girls' school in Minab, citing a provincial official who blamed Israel. AFP was unable to access the location to verify the toll or the circumstances surrounding the incident. A new series of powerful blasts were heard Sunday in Tehran, AFP journalists in the Iranian capital reported. The source of the blasts was not immediately clear. - Missile, drone wave - In response to the US and Israeli attacks, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and other American bases in the Gulf on Saturday, after launching a first wave of missile and drone attacks at Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said a woman was killed and at least 21 were injured in the Tel Aviv area. The Israeli military said it deployed search and rescue teams to multiple locations across the country following reports of fallen projectiles. After Khamenei's death, the Guards said Sunday they would launch the "most ferocious" operation in history against Israel and US military bases. AFP reporters heard blasts across the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama on Sunday morning after a day of Iranian retaliatory strikes. Thick black smoke could be seen rising on the clear morning horizon in the south of Doha. Advertisement Advertisement - Gulf explosions, strait closed - Explosions had been reported across the Gulf region a day earlier following the strikes. The United Arab Emirates said that two people were killed in Abu Dhabi, including a Pakistani civilian. The country's defence ministry said that 137 missiles and 209 drones were fired at its territory. Witnesses in Dubai said they heard an explosion and saw missiles streak across the sky. Others told AFP they heard an explosion and saw smoke rising from man-made island The Palm. Four people were injured. AFP correspondents heard loud explosions in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Advertisement Advertisement Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted several missile attacks targeting the Gulf state. Two people were killed in air strikes on an Iraqi military base housing the powerful pro-Iran group Kataeb Hezbollah, which threatened the US with a response. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world's oil and gas passes. - Allied support, warnings - The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting over the fighting, with Iran's envoy accusing the US and Israel of committing a possible "war crime" by attacking civilians. Advertisement Advertisement UN chief Antonio Guterres said military action in the Middle East "carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control". Oman's foreign minister, who has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington, said he was "dismayed" by the violence. The European Union said developments in Iran were "perilous". Gulf states condemned Iran's "cowardly" attacks in a joint statement read by Bahrain's ambassador during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Russia slammed the US-Israeli strikes as a "dangerous adventure" that could spark regional "catastrophe". Advertisement Advertisement Another Iranian ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, called on countries and people in the region to stand against Israel and the US. - Airspace closures, flights nixed - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, the UAE and Israel all closed their airspaces to civilian traffic, at least in part, and multiple airlines cancelled flights to the Middle East. Russia cancelled commercial flights to both Iran and Israel "until further notice". jfx/amj/sst/lga This article was originally published in EdSource. The Los Angeles Unified School District board has voted to place Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on paid administrative leave, two days after the FBI raided his San Pedro home and district headquarters and searched a residence in Florida. While on leave, Carvalho will continue to receive pay, with a salary of $440,000. And Andres Chait, who has served as LAUSDs chief of school operations, will step in as acting superintendent, effective immediately. The length of Carvalhos leave, which is pending investigation, has not been disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement The boards nearly 8-hour-long discussion began Thursday evening, and the closed session meeting was recessed until 12:30 Friday. The final vote, which came in at about 3:45 p.m., was unanimous. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter This is a very challenging time, Board President Scott Schmerelson said at the board meeting following Fridays announcement. And I want you to know that the board believes in you, supports you, and knows that you will all continue to do your very best to support the students and families of the district. Press release from LAUSD Carvalho hasnt made any public comments since the FBI raids. The agency has also not released further information on the investigation, and the search warrant affidavits remain sealed. Carvalho has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement So far, media reports have connected the raids to the company AllHere Education, with which both LAUSD and Miami-Dade County Public Schools had entered into agreements. Three months after Los Angeles Unified rolled out Ed, an AI chatbot developed by AllHere, the companys founder and CEO, Joanna Smith-Griffin, left. She was later arrested and charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Meanwhile, the property searched in Southwest Ranches, Florida, in Broward County, reportedly belongs to Debra Kerr, whose records show is an AllHere contractor and maintained ties with Carvalho. According to The 74, her son, Richard Kerr, pitched the now-defunct AI company to LAUSD. Related Feds Charge Once-Lauded AllHere AI Founder in $10M Scheme to Defraud Investors We must strive for stability and continuity so that every school can stay focused on teaching and learning and on building on the meaningful gains the district has made in recent years, said Yoli Flores, the president and CEO of Families in Schools. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, we acknowledge that public discourse around our schools is inevitably shaped by broader political dynamics. It is essential that investigations and public actions be grounded in evidence and fairness. Chait has worked in the district since 1998, starting out as a teacher at Queen Anne Place Elementary School. He has since worked as an assistant principal and principal. He went on to serve as a field director, the administrator of operations for LAUSDs Local District Northeast from 2015 to 2019, encompassing roughly 120 schools, and eventually the local district superintendent and chief of school operations. Andres Chait (LAUSD) Chait is a highly regarded leader and educator, and we are lucky to have him step in seamlessly to oversee our schools, Schmerelson said in a written statement. Over the past several years, our educators and students have made enormous strides, and we expect that progress to continue unimpeded. He holds a bachelors degree in sociology from UC Berkeley and a masters in education administration from Cal State Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement I am humbled by the Boards confidence in appointing me to serve as Acting Superintendent during this critical time, Acting Superintendent Andres Chait said. Our focus remains clear: to ensure stability, continuity, and strong leadership for our students, families, and employees. This story was originally published on EdSource. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation after the FBI raided his home and the district's office earlier in the week. The decision comes after LAUSD's board members voted unanimously on Friday. The board issued a statement Friday afternoon that said, in part: "The Board's action was taken to ensure the District's leadership remains focused on the mission of providing world-class teaching and learning in the classroom. While we understand the need for information, we cannot discuss the specifics of this matter pending investigation." Advertisement Advertisement The board also said that Andres Chait, who currently serves as LAUSD Chief of School Operations, will now serve as LAUSD acting superintendent. "Today's action is aimed at fulfilling our promise to students and families to provide an excellent public education without distraction," Board President Scott M. Schmerelson said. "Andres Chait is a highly regarded leader and educator, and we are lucky to have him step in seamlessly to oversee our schools. Over the past several years, our educators and students have made enormous strides, and we expect that progress to continue unimpeded." "I am humbled by the Board's confidence in appointing me to serve as Acting Superintendent during this critical time," Chait said. "Our focus remains clear: to ensure stability, continuity, and strong leadership for our students, families, and employees." The board reconvened at 12:30 p.m. as it continued deliberations on the future of Carvalho after being unable to reach a decision Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was open for public comment, but only a few addressed the FBI investigation directly. The district said in a statement Wednesday that it "is cooperating with the investigation and we do not have further information at this time." AIR7 video on Wednesday morning showed agents in FBI shirts and jackets carrying items out of Carvalho's home in San Pedro. Neighbors said the school superintendent and his wife were handcuffed and detained during the search. Some of Carvalho's neighbors expressed concern that the raids may be a form of intimidation. "I hope that they're OK and I hope that he didn't do anything wrong and everything turns out OK," said San Pedro resident Pete Fabazzo. Advertisement Advertisement "He doesn't deserve this," neighbor John Schafer said. "If he did something wrong, there's a due process. And that's part of the problem -- everybody gets convicted before they do anything." Raul Claros, the director of the nonprofit California Rising, is calling for Carvalho to step down, at least temporarily. "It's a big cloud; it's an FBI cloud. Especially during this time right now, with this climate in politics coming from the federal level to Los Angeles, this is not what we need right now," Claros said. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has been placed on paid administrative leave after the FBI raided his home and the district's office earlier in the week. FBI search at Florida home tied to LAUSD case Federal authorities have not provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the nation's second-largest school district. The FBI also searched a third location near Miami, where Carvalho previously led the public schools. Advertisement Advertisement The Miami Herald reported the Florida home belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere, an education technology company that had a contract with Los Angeles schools before it collapsed and its leader, Joanna Smith-Griffin, was indicted for fraud. The FBI raided the home and office of LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. An additional raid at a home in Florida is also tied to the investigation. Kerr's home is in Southwest Ranches, about 25 miles north of Miami. Kerr describes herself on her LinkedIn page as a business and education consultant. She posted a photo with Carvalho on her LinkedIn page three years ago after what she referred to as a "brilliant" address by the superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Bankruptcy filings show Kerr claims she is owed $630,000 from AllHere. AllHere collapsed two years ago after its owner was accused of fraud and using company funds to pay for a house and a wedding. That indictment happened after LAUSD paid AllHere nearly $3 million to develop a chatbot aimed at being a personal assistant for students and parents. ABC7 did try reaching out to both Kerr and Carvalho but has not heard back from either. Sources tell ABC News the federal investigation centers around an alleged white-collar crime. Carvalho's path from Miami to LAUSD Over the past five years in Los Angeles, Carvalho has been lauded for the district's improvements to academic performance. He won similar praise while overseeing Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Florida's largest school district, where the national superintendents association named him Superintendent of the Year in 2014. The FBI on Wednesday morning served search warrants at the Los Angeles Unified School District's headquarters and the home of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. Advertisement Advertisement Spain knighted the Portugal-born administrator in 2021 for his work in expanding Spanish-language programs for Miami-Dade County schools. Months later, Carvalho took the job in California and became a harsh critic of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown, especially following raids in Los Angeles last year. Carvalho arrived in Los Angeles at a critical moment, as the district found itself flush with funding from state and federal COVID-19 relief money but still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic, including learning losses and declining enrollment. He previously sparred with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis over his order that schools not require masks during the pandemic. The Miami-Dade school system said in a statement that it was aware of the investigation involving Carvalho but did not have any comment at this time. This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. --------- The Associated Press contributed to this report. Los Angeles schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho has been placed on indefinite administrative leave, officials announced Friday two days after FBI agents raided his home and office related to an undisclosed criminal investigation. Andres Chait, a senior LAUSD administrator who has served as chief of school operations, was named acting superintendent, an announcement made by board President Scott Schmerelson. "I know that this is a very challenging time," Schmerelson said, "and I want you to know that the Board believes in you, supports you and know that you will all continue to do your very best to support the students and families of the district." Advertisement Advertisement It was not entirely clear whether Schmerelson was addressing Carvalho, the LAUSD community or both. After his remarks, board members quickly exited the room in silence. The FBI has not accused Carvalho of wrongdoing, but well-placed sources told The Times that Carvalho is a target of an investigation into AllHere, a defunct company that designed an all-purpose chatbot for the nation's second-largest school system. The chatbot was unveiled in March 2024 and quietly withdrawn from limited service within three months about the time that AllHere collapsed financially. In November of that year, company founder and chief executive Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with defrauding investors. She has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement The length of Carvalho's leave was not set in a statement released by the board. Carvalho could not be reached for comment and has made no public statement. Veteran attorney and education activist Virgil Roberts questioned the board's action unless members have information that has not been made public which, he added, seems unlikely given the secrecy of the federal investigation. "My advice to the school board will be: Slow down. Don't react immediately, because you have no facts," Roberts said. Even though the investigation could make Carvalho's job more challenging, he said, officials should not have placed Carvalho on leave unless he requested it, Roberts said. Advertisement Advertisement "The only thing you know is that search warrants have been served and executed. You don't know why, and you don't know what the genesis of it is," Roberts said. "The presumption of innocence is real," he added, especially given the Trump administration's track record of going after perceived political enemies a designation for which Carvalho qualified as a high-profile critic of Trump policies. Chait was an apparently safe fallback option he is widely seen as well-liked, capable and loyal. He is not a Carvalho man; that is, he is not part of a group from Florida and he preceded Carvalho in the L.A. district by two decades. In his long L.A. Unified career, Chait, a district parent, has served in various roles, including as elementary principal, regional superintendent and, more recently, heading operations which oversees non-education matters, including making schools safe and welcoming. Advertisement Advertisement Chait has extensive experience presenting to the Board of Education and unfailingly upholds the administration's perspective. It's not clear he had any idea of his approaching elevation. He was waiting with colleagues in the back of the public meeting room during most of the afternoon, ready with friendly greetings for people as they passed by. The district emphasized that Chait is "acting superintendent" not "interim superintendent," leaving the door open for Carvalho's return. With signs pointing toward an investigation of Carvalho, the school board decided to act quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Barring an out-of-hand emergency, calling a board meeting requires 24 hours' notice, and the board provided that notice on Wednesday within hours of the FBI raids. The Thursday board meeting opened with public comment but there was little of it with much of the school-district community in shock and uncertain how to react. Three parent activists spoke and raised general concerns about the raids and other issues. The board then exited the public chambers into closed session for nearly four hours. About 8 p.m., the board recessed for the day and resumed deliberations at 12:30 p.m. Friday. At the start of the meeting on Friday, board members did not even enter the public chamber before continuing to discuss their immediate plans behind closed doors. Advertisement Advertisement Questions before the board include whether and how long to stand by Carvalho who has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing. Raids on two coasts Along with Carvalhos San Pedro home and office at LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, the FBI provided an address in Florida that was searched Wednesday morning. Public records show that property is linked to Debra Kerr, who worked with AllHere. Kerr is a longtime associate of Carvalho's, dating to his tenure as superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Kerr has worked as a senior executive and sales consultant to companies seeking work with school districts. She has claimed in court documents that AllHere owes her $630,000. Advertisement Advertisement Attempts to contact Kerr were not successful. Investigators have not charged or accused Kerr of wrongdoing. It's not clear how long the federal probe is going to last. A high-profile leader The uncertainty over Carvalho's future has arisen about five months after the Board of Education unanimously voted to retain him for a second, four-year contract, at an annual salary of $440,000. The investigation represents a major crisis for the LAUSD, which under Carvalho's leadership has been trying to regroup after learning disruptions during the pandemic. More recently the district has responded to assist families affected by the aggressive immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. These actions have threatened to destabilize a school system with large numbers of immigrant families. Advertisement Advertisement Since his arrival in Los Angeles, Carvalho has moved aggressively to improve attendance after a pandemic-related explosion in chronic absenteeism. He also confronted issues such as labor and crime on campuses. After several years of post-pandemic academic help, Los Angeles students achieved what he described as a new high water mark, with math and English scores that rose last year across all tested grades for the second straight year, surpassing results from before the 2020 campus closures, Carvalho announced in July. The gains are generally considered solid evidence that instruction is moving in the right direction. He garnered national attention for his activism against the immigration raids that affected students last summer, emerging as a foe of the Trump administration crackdown. But the district's experience with the AI firm was a notable setback during his tenure. Carvalho had greenlighted an artificial intelligence chatbot, named Ed and represented by a smiling sun, for LAUSD students, families and teachers that quietly was disconnected three months after its release in 2024. It was supposed to respond to questions from students and parents in an accurate, helpful and private manner. Advertisement Advertisement Carvalho touted Ed as an AI-enhanced student advisor that was to be a component of a unique Individual Acceleration Plan, or IAP, for every student. But the company behind it collapsed even before the technology was fully deployed. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Africas Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 opened its doors in Cape Town , marking a pivotal moment in the continents economic trajectory. Convening a powerful coalition of policymakers, financiers and innovators, the summit signals a decisive shift from conceptual ambition to concrete, bankable action in the pursuit of a sustainable African future. Under the banner of From Ambition to Action: Scaling Opportunities in Africas Green and Blue Solutions, AGES 2026, proudly sponsored by Sanlam Investments, is not merely a forum for discussion but a catalyst for deal-making and partnership. The gathering is built on a singular premise, that Africas environmental challenges are, in fact, its greatest economic opportunities. Ambition lights the path, but it does not pave it. To transform our economies and uplift our communities, we must move beyond rhetoric to robust execution, said Lerato Mbele, Summit Moderator. This summit is a marketplace of ideas where we connect visionaries with investors, ensuring that Africas green transition is not just sustainable, but also scalable and profitable. The strategic focus of this years agenda is underpinned by compelling data. The summit is shining a spotlight on the blue economy, a colossal yet often under-leveraged asset that already injects nearly $300 billion annually into the continents GDP and sustains 46 million livelihoods through fisheries, tourism and logistics. Simultaneously, the green economy, with agriculture and renewable energy at its core, is projected to unlock a staggering $10 trillion in global business value over the next decade, positioning Africa to generate an estimated 300 million new jobs for its burgeoning youth population. These are not distant prospects, but immediate frontiers for investment and innovation. Echoing this sentiment, the Honourable Naren Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, addressed delegates with a call for holistic progress. Our journey towards a low-carbon future must be defined by a fundamental truth: sustainability is a three-legged stool, balancing the health of our planet, the prosperity of our people and the creation of shared value, he stated. By investing in our natural capital, we are investing in the most resilient infrastructure of all our communities. Over the next two days, the summit floor will be a hive of activity. Attendees will engage in high-level interactive sessions, witness live project pitches from Africas most promising green entrepreneurs, and participate in curated networking forums designed to fast-track collaboration and knowledge transfer. AGES 2026 is more than an event, it is a declaration that Africa is ready to build a future where economic resilience and environmental stewardship are the same. At least 20 people have been killed and others injured after a Bolivian air force cargo plane crashed in the western city of El Alto, the country's authorities say. The incident happened at 18:15 local time (22:15 GMT) on Friday as the plane was arriving at El Alto's airport from the city of Santa Cruz, aviation officials said. It reportedly skidded off the runway and hit nearby vehicles. The defence ministry later confirmed its C-130 Hercules was involved and that it had been transporting banknotes to the Central Bank of Bolivia. There were eight people aboard the plane, the air force commander said. Advertisement Advertisement Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds allegedly trying to take the scattered banknotes. Firefighters had given an earlier death toll of at least 15. Video footage showed the plane on the ground and badly damaged vehicles. In other videos, people could be seen running away from the tear gas and police officers, some holding shields, forming a line. Some in the crowds are seen throwing rocks. "While news crews were covering the accident, individuals attempting to steal the transported money attacked the press with unusual violence," the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement It said a mobile TV unit was "directly targeted", while other journalists "were attacked with stones, suffering serious injuries while carrying out their work". The government-run Bolivian News Agency reported that at least a dozen people were arrested for stealing banknotes. Bolivian banknotes were seen scattered at the crash site [Reuters] "I want to make it clear to those who are trying to take money from the plane involved in this tragedy that this money has no legal value since it has not been issued by the Central Bank and does not have a serial number, and that attempting to use this money is a crime," the Minister of Defence, Marcelo Salinas, said. "We also ask all those who are engaging in acts of vandalism in this area to refrain from doing so and to respect the mourning and grief we are experiencing at this difficult time." Advertisement Advertisement Bolivia's Air Force commander Sergio Lora confirmed there were eight crew members on board the plane "including cargo personnel and flight crew". Bolivia's health ministry said 31 people were injured in the incident. It also issued an urgent appeal for blood donations. El Alto International Airport was temporarily closed following the crash. "My sister told me that she was in the car when the plane crashed. The plane's tire fell on the car, and my sister was injured because the impact of the tire hit her on the head, so we rushed her to the hospital," a man told the Reuters news agency. Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, but some witnesses said the weather at the time was treacherous. "A heavy hailstorm" was falling and "there was lightning" when the plane went down," a woman whose car was struck by the aircraft wreckage told the AFP news agency. An investigation into the incident is under way. A Bolivian air force cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed on to a motorway on Friday night, killing at least 15 people. The Hercules C-130 aircraft landed and veered off the runway at an airport in the city of El Alto before coming to a stop in a nearby field, Marcelo Salinas, Bolivias defence minister, said. Cash was strewn across the road and police in riot gear were forced to deploy tear gas to repel hundreds of looters. Advertisement Advertisement The plane had been transporting the newly printed currency to the capital, La Paz, from the eastern city of Santa Cruz in inclement weather before the incident at 6.20pm (10.20pm UK), which damaged 15 vehicles and caused the jet to burst into flames upon impact. Firefighters were later able to extinguish the blaze, officials said. Pavel Tovar, the national fire chief, confirmed 15 people had died and a number of others had been injured, but it was unclear whether the victims were on board the plane or from the cars on the motorway. The inferno destroyed cars on the motorway - Getty Images Mr Tovar said the death toll could rise as police and the Bolivian military carry out rescue operations and recover bodies at the site of the wreckage. Advertisement Advertisement Two of the six members of the aircrafts crew had not been found as of Friday evening, said Gen Sergio Lora of the Bolivian air force. Flights to and from the affected terminal of El Altos airport were suspended following the incident. Debris littered the road near the crash site - EPA Photos from the scene showed the downed jet cracked in half and several of the cars pulverised into hunks of metal and shattered glass, with debris scattered across the road as darkness fell. Minibuses, vans and a tractor-trailer were among the vehicles hit by the aircraft, Mr Tovar told Bolivian daily La Razon, adding that there are deceased individuals amid the wreckage. Advertisement Advertisement Police fought back looters who had attempted to breach the secured perimeter to pick up banknotes. A number of people were seen being escorted away from the wreckage by officers and members of the Bolivian military. Mr Tovar said the large mob rushing to scoop up stray bills had hampered rescue efforts, with more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers required to regain control of the crash site. Police and military personnel burned the remaining boxes of cash under the supervision of David Espinoza, the president of the countrys central bank, who had travelled to the scene. Cars were pulverised by the impact of the plane - Getty Images Mr Espinoza said the banknotes have no legal value because they never entered circulation. Advertisement Advertisement He added that the cash arrived in Santa Cruz from overseas, but did not specify the amount of money on board the plane. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. At El Altos Hospital del Norte, where many of the victims are being treated, video footage taken by the local ATB television station showed the buildings door adorned with a black bow to symbolise mourning. An official list of the injured was posted outside the secured gate, where family members had crowded to learn of the status of their missing relatives. Police fired tear gas to push back looters - AP El Alto, Bolivias second-largest city, is only about three miles west of La Paz. Advertisement Advertisement Large parts of South America, including Bolivia, have been affected by heavy rains and flooding this week triggered by the coastal El Nino weather phenomenon. The government of Peru declared a state of emergency for nearly half of its districts amid intense rainfall, landslides and flooding that have hit the southern part of the country, just over the border from La Paz. In Brazil, at least 60 people have died in severe storms in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. At least four people were killed and 25 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said on Feb. 28. Russian troops launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 105 drones of various types, including about 60 Shahed drones, the Air Force said on Feb. 28. It reported downing 96 drones in the north, south, and east of the country. In northeastern Sumy Oblast, four people were killed, and four others were wounded by Russian attacks over the past day, the regional military administration reported on Feb. 28. The victims who were killed include two men aged 21 and 31, as well as two women aged 67 and 72, according to the local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement In northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, seven people, including a nine-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy, were wounded by Russian attacks over the past day, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Feb. 28. In eastern Donetsk Oblast, three people were wounded by Russian attacks over the past day, regional governor Vadym Filashkin reported on Feb. 28. A Russian drone attacked a train station in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight, hitting an electronic locomotive, a rail vehicle that powers electricity from the lines overhead, Oleksii Kuleba, deputy prime minister and the community and territories development minister, reported on Feb. 28. He said its driver was injured in the attack. A photo capturing the aftermath of an overnight Russian drone attack on an electronic locomotive at one of the railway stations in central-eastern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. (Oleksii Kuleba/Telegram) Kuleba said the fire erupted at the attack site, but emergency workers have swiftly dealt with the aftermath and ensured that there would be no delays in train schedules. Advertisement Advertisement "This is yet another attempt by Russia to disrupt civilian logistics," Kuleba said in his Telegram post. "The enemy is systematically attacking the infrastructure that ensures movement, evacuation, and supply throughout the country." In southern Kherson Oblast, eight people were wounded by Russian attacks over the past day, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Feb. 28. In southern Odesa Oblast, Russian drones attacked a civilian port infrastructure site, wounding a three-year-old girl and a 44-year-old man, regional governor Oleh Kiper reported on Feb. 28. He said they were both hospitalized and currently in stable conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Read also: BREAKING: US, Israel launch major combat operations in Iran, Trump says, explosions in Tehran Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned on Saturday against dragging Lebanon into a war, in a thinly-veiled warning to the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, as Israel and the United States launched a massive coordinated attack on Iran. "In light of the dangerous developments the region is witnessing, I once again appeal to all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon's and the Lebanese people's interests above any other considerations," Salam wrote on X. "I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," he added. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem had previously warned that the group would not remain neutral if Iran was attacked by the US or Israel. Feb. 26A Lebanon man will spend a year in prison for falsifying signatures on a petition. Xezakia Rouse, 41, was sentenced Thursday by Warren County Common Pleas Judge Robert Peeler to a combined one year in prison after a jury on Jan. 6 convicted him of two dozen charges: 12 counts each of election falsification and forgery. In 2023 and 2024, Rouse was employed by Texas firm Advanced Micro Targeting to collect valid signatures from registered voters in Warren County. Advertisement Advertisement Rouse was tasked with obtaining valid signatures from registered voters in Warren County. However, in July 2024, a review of 226 signatures submitted by Rouse to the Warren County Board of Elections, determined that numerous signatures were forged. Warren County Elections Director Brian Sleeth said the petition was for the statewide redistricting issue rejected by Ohio voters in November 2024. In July 2024, a review of 226 signatures submitted by Rouse to the Warren County Board of Elections found that numerous signatures did not match those on file, and when contacted, the local voters said they did not sign the petition, Sleeth said. This led the agency to contact the Lebanon Police Department to investigate. "Election integrity matters at every stage of the process, not just on Election Day," Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell stated in a release following Rouse's conviction. "As the former chair of the Warren County Board of Elections, I take falsification of petition signatures very seriously because it is a direct attack on the democratic process and the public's trust in it." Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Saturday that his country refused to be dragged into war, after Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran. Authorities fear the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah could become involved in the conflict, which saw the US and Israel bomb Iran on Saturday and Tehran respond with missile attacks. Just before the operation began, Israel announced it was carrying out strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in south Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement "I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," Salam said on X. "In light of the serious developments unfolding in the region, I once again call on all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese people's interests above any other consideration," he added. Later on Saturday, Salam said his government was making diplomatic contacts to avoid any "repercussions" of the conflict. In response to the US and Israeli attacks, Iran fired missiles at Israel but also several Gulf countries that host US bases or forces. Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanese foreign ministry condemned the "Iranian attacks" on Gulf countries. Many airlines meanwhile announced the cancellation of their flights to airports in the Middle East, including Beirut. Salam however said Beirut's "airport remains open" and that "the national carrier's flights are continuing". - 'Sparing Lebanon' - Lebanon's state-run National News Agency earlier said the Israeli strikes on the country's south had targeted mountainous areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence. President Joseph Aoun stressed on Saturday that "sparing Lebanon the disasters and horrors of external conflicts, and preserving its sovereignty, security and stability, are an absolute priority". Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X, United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert urged "all parties in Lebanon" to "prioritise, in words and actions, the need to shield the country and its people from unfolding regional developments". Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, was expected to deliver a speech on Saturday but it was postponed due to "recent developments". A Hezbollah official told AFP on Wednesday that the Lebanese movement would not intervene militarily in the event of "limited" US strikes on its backer Iran, but would consider any attack against supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a "red line". Lebanon's foreign minister said Tuesday that the government feared Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure if Hezbollah -- which still has an arsenal of ballistic missiles -- became part of the conflict between the US and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Qassem has previously said that his group is in a "defensive position", but it would consider itself "targeted" by any US attack on Iran. Hezbollah did not intervene in the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June, which the US briefly joined. The Lebanese group emerged weakened from over a year of war with Israel that a November 2024 ceasefire sought to halt. That conflict started when Hezbollah intervened in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza in October 2023. lk/at/amj/nad/jsa BEIRUT, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Lebanon's presidency said on Saturday it had been told by the U.S. ambassador that Israel would not escalate against Lebanon as long as there are no hostile acts from the Lebanese side, following the launch of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Lebanon's Shi'ite Muslim armed group Hezbollah, long one of Tehran's principal allies in the Middle East, expressed solidarity with Iran on Saturday but stopped short of saying whether it would get involved. In its statement, Hezbollah said the U.S.-Israeli actions would "affect everyone without exception if left unchallenged". "We are confident that the American and Israeli enemy will receive a major blow," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has warned Beirut that it would strike Lebanon hard, targeting civilian infrastructure including the airport, if Hezbollah involved itself in any U.S.-Iran war. The U.S. embassy in Lebanon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a statement from the office of President Joseph Aoun about the message he had received from U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa. The office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also did not comment. Hezbollah has fought numerous conflicts with Israel since being established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, but was severely weakened by Israel in a war in 2024 when its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he would not accept anyone dragging Lebanon into "adventures that threaten its security and unity", a veiled message to Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, Salam noted the "serious developments" in the region and called on "all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese peoples interests above any other consideration". (Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam in Beirut; Jana Choukeir in Dubai; Pesha Magid in Jerusalem; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Aidan Lewis, Kevin Liffey, Peter Graff) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz finally got President Donald Trump on the phone seven weeks into the administrations crackdown on Minneapolis and the president had a complaint. Trump told the Democratic governor he didnt know what's wrong with Minnesota, comparing the state to cities like Louisville and New Orleans where there had been less fierce resistance to his immigration surges. Walz was furious. You didnt kill anyone there, he fired back, two days after public outrage over Alex Prettis death at the hands of Customs and Border Protection agents forced Trump to change his approach. Advertisement Advertisement But the governors staffers, who were listening in, quietly urged him to slow it down, Walz said in an interview with POLITICO earlier this month. They feared if he let his rage take over he would antagonize the president. It's infuriating that you got to let him think he won or whatever, Walz recalled. That's not how adults usually negotiate. The call was one moment in an agonizing stretch for Democratic state and local officials as they sought to weather the Trump administrations crackdown. In interviews with POLITICO, Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Attorney General Keith Ellison and more than a half-dozen state and city officials described a concerted campaign to fight Trumps immigration enforcement in the courts and through the media while coordinating with each other to keep the city from spinning out of control under immense pressure. The behind-the-scenes effort was the crescendo of a broader, yearslong push to prepare the city for the worst, after surviving the upheavals that followed the 2020 police murder of George Floyd, when protests spiraled into looting and violence and Minnesota Democratic leaders faced criticism from both the left and right for their response. Advertisement Advertisement Before Prettis death, Trump White House officials were in dialogue with Walz, but they had not engaged in any urgent or meaningful way, said a Democratic state official, who was granted anonymity to describe private interactions. The two-term governor and former vice presidential nominee, well aware of the presidents personal enmity for him, said he understood that Trump was only now calling because this had become a disaster for him politically, and he needed me to help him get out of it. A White House official said that Trump had always wanted to work with local officials and that the recent drawdown in personnel was because they were now working with them. For all the fury the governor hoped to channel, for himself and for his constituents, he acknowledged Trump holds all the cards in this a lot of them, certainly. Advertisement Advertisement Walzs careful approach to the president on that call and other public flashes of anger, when Frey seethed at ICE to get the fuck out after Renee Good was killed represents the push-pull for Minnesota leaders, who were desperate to end the lengthy immigration showdown while not setting a precedent of submission, these Minnesota Democrats said. At least 3,000 ICE agents were deployed to Minneapolis, vastly outnumbering the citys police force, as Trump officials said Minnesota leaders had incited this violent insurrection. Democrats were united in their desperation to head off any scenes of destruction, which they believed would lead to Trump invoking the Insurrection Act something the president threatened to do multiple times for Minneapolis and during other immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago. The Pentagon ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota. Privately, Walz and Frey enlisted business leaders and state Republicans to urge the Trump administration to change course in Minnesota. In phone calls and text messages, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) urged White House officials to deescalate after the shootings of both Good and Pretti, according to a person briefed on her conversations and granted anonymity to describe private interactions. Publicly, Walz and Frey pleaded for protests to stay peaceful, and urged Minnesotans to document on video everything they saw. Carry your phone with you at all times, Walz said at the time. I think the feds were waiting and expecting for Minneapolis to devolve into chaos and for these protests to get out of hand, one Democratic city official said, and so much of what we did was just focused on preventing that from happening even if those were sometimes hard or stressful calls to make in the moment because you don't want to upset residents. Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Democrats leveraged local outrage until it combusted into a national backlash after Prettis killing, caught on video from multiple angles, rocketed across social media and cracked the countrys consciousness. As Republicans started to call for thorough investigations into Prettis death, Trump called Walz, then Frey. The president pulled Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino from the city and dispatched his border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota. On Feb. 12, Homan announced the end of Operation Metro Surge. Its a playbook other Democrats from blue cities and states are eager to replicate. Officials from San Francisco and Portland have already reached out to Frey and his staff for advice, two Minneapolis city officials confirmed. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Frey met earlier this month to discuss what Minneapolis had been through, and the mayors respective chiefs-of-staff shared similar intel with each other over the phone. The Trump administration is also looking to copy its own playbook from Minnesota, the one implemented by Homan since he took over in early February. Last week on CNN, the border czar described unprecedented cooperation from Minneapolis leaders and police force since he arrived. He said the streets of Minneapolis, the streets of Minnesota, are safer today, adding that he isnt surprised state and city leaders disagree with that assessment because they dont want to give Trump a win. He said he expected ICE to return to its regular footprint within a week. A White House official said that new cooperation allowed them to scale back personnel, adding that details of that cooperation are considered law-enforcement sensitive and declined to share specific details on it. Advertisement Advertisement Tom Homans critical work in Minnesota has secured new agreements to cooperate moving forward. These agreements, paired with pledges from local police to respond to our officers call for help, take down roadblocks, and respond to agitator unrest, represent unprecedented levels of cooperation that did not exist before, Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement. Democrat officials should want to work with federal law enforcement, not against them, to keep communities safe for law-abiding Americans. But Frey forcefully pushed back on the characterization that Minneapolis had changed any of its pre-existing policies. The separation ordinance, which prohibits city police officers from enforcing federal immigration law, is still in place, Frey noted. There were no deals cut, Frey said in an interview with POLITICO. "There were no trade-offs of our values." *** Minnesota state and city officials began preparing for a federal crackdown long before ICE descended on Minneapolis last December. It started in 2020, after Floyd, a Black man, suffocated under the knee of Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer. Floyds death triggered a wave of protests in the city, some of which turned violent and destructive, while state and city officials struggled to respond. Advertisement Advertisement In those first few moments after Renee's death my first thought was George Floyd, Walz said. Ellison echoed him: It was on everybodys mind. he said. In the five years since Floyds death, local officials have overhauled the citys emergency management protocols, incorporating 27 recommendations from an after-action report that was released in 2022. That included attending a four-day retreat to the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where more than 70 city officials, including Frey, simulated realtime emergencies. They practiced how to respond to massive civil unrest that pitted residents against a military force and game-played when to ask the governor to call in the National Guard. Walz had faced intense criticism for not activating the National Guard faster in 2020 and he and Frey had pointed fingers at each other for the delay. There was a real breakdown in communication at that time between the two officials, said a Minnesota Democratic operative who was granted anonymity to describe private conversations. Walzs role in the delay followed him into the 2024 presidential campaign, when he served as Kamala Harris running mate. Advertisement Advertisement When the city officials returned to Minneapolis after their training, one aide wrote out a one-page checklist for requesting National Guard activation and displayed it prominently on an office wall so they could move as fast as possible should the need arise. Its still hanging in the aides office now. By the time Minneapolis requested the National Guard last month, they knew what to do. Minnesota Democrats redoubled those efforts after observing and talking with officials in Los Angeles and Chicago, two early targets of Trumps crackdown. Freys office drew up and signed, once ICE arrived in Minneapolis one executive order to ban ICE from conducting operations on city-owned parking lots, after theyd seen what happened in Chicago, one city official confirmed. Ellison and his Democratic attorneys general colleagues regularly meet to discuss shared strategies for dealing with the Trump administration. If they tried to override the governor and try to nationalize our National Guard, we were ready, Ellison said. If they tried to invoke the Insurrection Act, we were ready. Walz also approached mobilizing the National Guard in a different way than he had following Floyds murder. When he did deploy the guard on Jan. 17 to support the Minnesota State Patrol, to help manage growing tensions between protesters and ICE agents near a federal building, he urged the Guard leadership to wear fluorescent orange vests and name tags. No masks. The Guard delivered donuts, hot chocolate and coffee to protesters. Advertisement Advertisement We addressed every single protester and introduced all of those protesters by name, Walz said. The goal was, Minnesotans are all in this together. Police, National Guard, everybody. *** Hours after Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, Frey walked into a third-floor conference room in city hall. His senior staff was gathered to discuss what he would say at a press conference. Stephen Miller, the presidents homeland security adviser, had already cast Goods actions as domestic terrorism, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the shooting self-defense. Frey, who had just watched the video of Goods death for the first time, was planning to tell ICE to "get out of here," he told his senior staff at the time. The expletive wasnt in his talking points, Frey recalled, but he was angry and he wanted to be honest about his feelings. He had publicly warned in December that somebody is going to get seriously injured or killed. We felt here like we were screaming from the rooftops for weeks, and they weren't listening, and so we needed to get attention, Frey said of his now-viral moment. I needed to channel the very real anger of hundreds of thousands of constituents Because, again, I wanted to encourage [a] continuation of these peaceful protests. Advertisement Advertisement For Frey, the next several weeks would test his ability to both channel the fury of his constituents while seeking deescalation even as Trumps White House continued to accuse both Frey and Walz of failing to temper their own rhetoric. Their urgency to find a way out of what Frey called an invasion of an occupying force became all the more pressing after ICE agents shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, on the North Side of Minneapolis on Jan. 14. That night, near midnight, inside city hall, Frey was on the phone with Klobuchar, asking for help. Freys chief-of-staff was on the phone with Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.). A chaotic scene played out on the TVs in the mayors office: sprays of tear gas and vandalized cars, the images of a city reaching a boiling point, Frey said. The mayor was growing desperate to find a backchannel to the White House, which theyd failed, so far, to establish, three city officials said. The next day, Klobuchar talked to White House officials about connecting them with the mayor and Minneapolis police chief, Brian OHara, said a person briefed on the conversations and granted anonymity to describe private interactions. Freys chief-of-staff sent a cold email to White House senior staff and ramped up pressure on business leaders and state Republicans. However, the channels didnt actually open up until after Pretti was killed, one of the city officials said. They faced pressure from the left. Democratic Socialist Minneapolis City Council member Robin Wonsley criticized Frey and Walz for failing to do more to get ICE out, like declaring a state of emergency or eviction moratoriums. She told CNN in late January that residents were showing extraordinary bravery thats not being matched by the elected officials who do have the power to protect our residents. I think theres a nearly unanimous belief that the mayor balanced two interests fighting for the city but at the same time, understanding there needed to be an end game, which is dialogue with the administration, said Abou Amara, a civil rights lawyer and activist in Minneapolis. Walz was already under pressure before ICE showed up in Minnesota, after a sweeping fraud scandal engulfed the state this fall, which drew the attention of Trump. The governor ended his own reelection bid in early January, citing the scandal as influencing his decision to pull out. Its clear that even after a decade of Trump, Democrats and some European leaders are still struggling with how best to approach the mercurial president. Both publicly and privately, Minnesota Democratic leaders said they mimicked how European countries responded when Trump threatened to buy Greenland: They didnt blink. They refused to give until it was too politically untenable for Trump to keep pushing. Stephen Miller talks about this whole concept of might makes right. If you have the military muscle to do something, then you can, and that's the right thing to do, Frey said. And they've attempted to use that methodology on an international level, and clearly that is also a methodology used at the local level. These Minnesota leaders were also clear about why they think Trump replaced Bovino with Homan, who ultimately ended the operation by mid-February. After Prettis death, Trumps poll numbers dropped. About six in 10 Americans now think Trumps ICE deployments in cities have gone too far, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Just 38 percent of respondents approved of Trumps handling of immigration, down from nearly 50 percent approval a year ago, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. It became urgent for them and they knew they had to cut and run, said a state official, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. It was clear theyd lost the messaging entirely. After Prettis death and the phone calls with Minnesota leaders, Trump dispatched Homan, who he called tough but fair, in a Truth Social post. Of Bovino, Trump called him very good, but hes pretty out there and rejected the suggestion that it was a pullback. Still, the exit wasnt without its possible derailments. One came after Freys first meeting with Homan on Jan. 27, when he reiterated the citys separation ordinance in a post on X. The following morning, Trump lashed out at Frey, accusing the mayor of PLAYING WITH FIRE. One of the city officials said they had been intentional with their wording of the post because a bright red line for us was when something was said about city policies or directives that were patently false, even if there were some Minnesota Democrats who felt like we were poking the bear a little bit. We really want to make this end, but like to what end? Because we also don't want to set a terrible precedent for other cities, the official continued. You just can't set the standard that you can bully cities into submission. Minnesota Democrats continue to impart the lessons they learned with other blue cities and states. A state official said Walz was in regular touch with other governors, who are supremely worried about being Trumps next target and are seeking advice, particularly over National Guard deployments. During Frey and Mamdani's New York City conversation last week, they compared notes on how to negotiate with the president, discussing the nuance required to navigate Trump, and how you go about running a city through this, according to a Minneapolis city official who attended the meeting. We talked about the state of play, how the federal administration conducts themselves, how decisions are made not that either one of us knows all of it, Frey said. Frey, too, is giving advice for anyone who wants to hear it, from other mayors to CEOs, which he summed up in three points. First, say what you believe, and you say it loudly and clearly, and people probably including Trump, respect that. Second, take the politics out by focusing on how people are affected because regular-ass people have a general concept of fairness. Lastly, keep repeating common-sense stuff, which he said hed raise in every public appearance, questioning the motives of ICEs operations. This is in the back of everybody's head if I just shut up and keep my head down, maybe they won't notice. You won't attract the eye of Sauron, Frey said. That is a wildly incorrect assumption. By bowing your head in despair, you will be the next city. Former President Clinton is sitting for a deposition in New York before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in its probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Ahead of his closed-door testimony, he released an opening statement on social media, saying he had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing and saw nothing that ever gave him pause. As a deadline passed for artificial intelligence firm Anthropic to agree to the Pentagons terms of usage, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk shortly after President Trump directed all federal agencies to cease using the companys technology amid an ongoing feud with the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Trump is in Texas, a visit related to energy policy. His presence looms large in the Lone Star State, where he has yet to make a coveted endorsement in a three-way GOP Senate primary. But hes invited state Attorney General Ken Paxton, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Wesley Hunt to attend the event. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) warned Republicans could lose the seat. In a gaggle as he left the White House, Trump suggested the U.S. could carry out a friendly takeover of Cuba and said he has not made a final decision on whether he will strike Iran, but he said he was not happy with the way Tehran was negotiating in talks with the U.S. over its nuclear program On Capitol Hill, some Republican lawmakers are growing increasingly frustrated with House GOP leadership over not moving quickly enough on a stock trading ban after Trump endorsed the push at Tuesdays State of the Union. Follow live below. Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Students across Salem-Keizer Public Schools walked out of class Feb. 27 to join a rally in support of an immigrant justice package making its way through the Oregon Legislature. The protest, organized by local youth-led advocacy group Latinos Unidos Siempre, drew thousands and began at 12:30 p.m. at the Capitol, 900 Court St. NE in Salem. Students walked out of class at 11:30 a.m. Alondra Sanchez, a North Salem High School graduate who's organizing the walkout, said arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have "put many children at risk." Advertisement Advertisement "A 15-year-old should not go to school and think about their future in fear," she said. Read below for updates, photos and videos from the Statesman Journal. How many students were at the Oregon State Capitol protest? Hundreds of demonstrators marched around the Capitol grounds at about 2 p.m., stopping in the back of the building and spilling down the steps and along the sidewalk. Students did not enter the building as they originally planned. There were about 3,000 protesters at the Capitol during the height of the demonstration, lining the steps of the building and both ramps at the back entrance. The protest, composed of Salem-Keizer students, was organized in support of an immigration rights package lawmakers are considering during the 2026 short session. Advertisement Advertisement The rally temporarily stopped traffic around the Capitol several times. Students began to peel off after the march and the rally was still going strong with about 300 demonstrators left at about 3 p.m. Students rally at the Oregon State Capitol in support of immigrant rights bills McKay High School student Arely Rodriguez, 16, said she had the idea for the walk-out, and contacted Latinos Unidos Siempre for support. The students have demands they want met, she said. They are asking the Salem-Keizer school board to support, and the Oregon Legislature to pass, a bill that would require public schools and colleges to alert students and parents if federal agents are on school property. They also want school counselors to receive training on how to support students and families who have had encounters with federal agents. Advertisement Advertisement It really affects the community, especially when were in school and our parents, if they get stopped, we wouldnt know., she said. We have a lot of students here, mainly all Latino, from the schools all over Salem-Keizer. This is how many people are already being affected by immigration enforcement practices. The rally is expected to continue until late afternoon, with Aztec dancers, speeches and a march. Students begin school walkout, citing support for immigrants Hundreds of students filed out of schools across Salem at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 27. Sarai Medrano and Cynthia Meraz, both 18, walked out of class at South Salem High and said they were protesting in support of people who immigrate to the U.S. to make better lives for themselves and future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Everyone should be able to have the American dream, Medrano said. A small group of counter-demonstrators was seen following students who walked out of North Salem High and Parrish Middle School. At McKay High, some students went from the school entrance to a nearby Cherriots bus stop to catch a ride to the Capitol. Will Salem-Keizer students be penalized for missing school? Salem-Keizer Public Schools spokesperson Aaron Harada said the district is aware of the walkout and that although officials say students are allowed to exercise their right to freedom of speech, the event is not sanctioned by the district. Participating students won't be penalized, Harada said, but those who do not return to class will receive unexcused absences. Protest is latest walkout for a Salem-Keizer high school Students walked out of West Salem High School Feb. 13 to protest U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Students left class to "raise awareness about the injustices faced by immigrants in our country," a student representative said in a release. Student demonstrators protested what they perceived to be ICE's "illegal actions" and the agency's inhumane treatment of immigrants. Salem and Oregon State Capitol have been site of protests in recent months Thousands gathered at the Oregon State Capitol and around Salem to protest the Trump administration throughout 2025. Some of the most recent protests at the Capitol have been against federal immigration activity. Contributing: Statesman Journal reporter Dianne Lugo Tracy Loew covers the environment and education at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips:tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on X at @Tracy_Loew This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem-Keizer students walk out for rally at Oregon State Capitol West African military chiefs meeting on Thursday in Freetown, Sierra Leone, underscored the imperative of closer coordination between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as plans gather pace to operationalise an ECOWAS standby force. The high-level talks, chaired by Sierra Leones President and ECOWAS Chair, Julius Maada Bio, are centred on mobilising an initial 2,000 troops by the end of 2026. The proposed force is intended to counter the growing spread of terrorism across West Africa, including mounting threats to coastal States. Despite the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS to establish the AES, participants stressed the need for structured engagement between the two blocs to safeguard regional stability. Member states are expected to clarify their respective troop contributions, with discussions emphasising self-financing and the prioritisation of internal resources before turning to external partners. The renewed drive to activate the ECOWAS Standby Force comes against a backdrop of escalating violence. Data from the Global Terrorism Index indicates that more than half of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024 occurred in West Africa, reinforcing calls for a swift and coordinated regional security response. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Demonstrators gathered Providence Saturday afternoon to speak out against strikes in Iran by the United States and Israel. I cant say Im shocked by anything that the U.S. does, particularly abroad, Kwame Gatlin, one of the organizers told 12 News. They are an aggressive nation, we always have been an aggressive nation. But, I feel a deep sympathy and sadness for the people of Iran, of Tehran because they are experiencing something that is horrible and its heartbreaking. READ MORE: US begins major combat operations in Iran; Trump urges regime change Advertisement Advertisement The strikes, which were part of Operation Epic Fury, happened early Saturday morning. President Donald Trump, who gave remarks in an eight-minute video on social media about the strikes, also called for a regime change in Iran. Trump and Israeli officials also shared that Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead. ALSO READ: Trump says Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead Meanwhile, others felt differently than those at the gathering did about the attack. Mateen Markzar, an Iranian-American citizen and counter-demonstrator, said, You dont negotiate with a terrorist regime. You dont negotiate with the people which sees its citizens as pawns and expendable, Markzar continued. There is no other way to take the regime out of power, than what happened. Advertisement Advertisement 12 News military analyst Lt. Gen. Reginald Centracchio (ret.) said he thought the move by the U.S. was the right thing to do and the right time. Had we waited perhaps another six months, or another year, wed be dealing with a nuclear weapon, Centracchio said. Thats not what we need to do. Speakers at the protest called on leaders to instead focus on other issues facing the U.S. such as health care, affordable housing and infrastructure. It is a very small subset of Americans who have a monied interest in doing this and that the vast majority of Americans actually oppose what the U.S. is doing by bombing Iran, Gatlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Markzar says hes hopeful that this may be the start of something new in Iran. Im tearing up because, my dad has said his dying wish is to go back, Markazar said. And seeing the love that they have for this country that has been destroyed, destroyed by the Islamic Republic and the regime thats in power. Knowing that this is the chance that your fathers wish might come true, I dont have words, Markzar continued. Concerns by critics of the move is how moving forward U.S. military bases in the Middle East will be affected and there will be boots on the ground. Centracchio says the troops stationed in those areas are well protected. Advertisement Advertisement Theyre on high alert, and they will take care of what they need to take care of, Centracchio said. We had the technology to be able do this through the air and through something that does not require boots on the ground. Organizers of the rally said theyll have another demonstration Monday at 5:30 p.m. in front of Providence City Hall. The strikes also drew condemnation from members of the local congressional delegation. See their full statements below. Sen. Jack Reed Against the clear wishes of the American people, President Trump has thrust our nation into a major war with Iran one he never made a case for, never sought congressional authority for, and for which he has no endgame. Advertisement Advertisement Iran is weakened, but far from incapable. Iranian strikes on American bases have already begun, and we should expect more to follow on the battlefield, in the cyber domain, and through Irans network of proxies across the region. Our forces and our allies must be fully prepared for a sustained and dangerous campaign. I salute the bravery of our servicemembers carrying out these operations, and I pray for their safety. But bravery does not constitute a strategy. Wars are unpredictable, and this administration has left the American people in the dark about the true costs, risks, and duration of this conflict. President Trump has chosen the path of war while diplomacy was still within reach. That is a decision with consequences that will outlast this presidency. I am calling for an immediate briefing and will use every authority available to conduct rigorous oversight of these operations. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Stop Work Trump has now become Start War Trump. This President is making all Americans less safe. Advertisement Advertisement My heart is with the men and women in uniform whom Trump has put in harms way. I wish our armed forces every battlefield success. I pray there is a plan beyond Wagging the Dog over the Trump/Epstein files saga and a bungled economy. Its time to follow the Constitution, which gives the War Power to Congress to declare, precisely because of dangers from an unhinged executive starting a Wag the Dog war. Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey Trumps military attack on Iran is illegal and unconstitutional. It was not approved by Congress and holds dangers for all Americans. Trumps illegal actions raise the threat of escalation into a wider regional war with grave risks for U.S. troops and civilians in the region. Trump has consistently exaggerated the imminence of Irans nuclear threat, even after insisting the United States obliterated Irans nuclear program during his illegal Operation Midnight Hammer attack. Even Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted Iran is not enriching uranium. There was time for diplomacy before this attack, and there still is. Congress must immediately vote on Senators Kaine and Schiffs bipartisan War Powers Resolution and do its constitutional duty. Advertisement Advertisement A diplomatic solution remains the best way to permanently and verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This is a crisis of Trumps creation. Americans do not want another endless war in the Middle East. They do not want to see young men and women sent overseas for endless warfare while families at home cannot afford health care. If Trump does not stop this war now, Congress must. No more war with Iran. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren Donald Trumps single-handedly starting another war with Iran is dangerous and illegal. America first doesnt mean dragging the United States into another forever war built on lies while ignoring the needs of Americans here at home. Advertisement Advertisement The Constitution is clear: only Congress can declare war. The Senate must come back in session immediately to vote up or down on a War Powers Resolution. Rep. Seth Magaziner For decades now, politicians have sent American service members to fight and die in the Middle East in wars of choice, not necessity. The Iranian people deserve freedom from their oppressive regime, but I am deeply skeptical that American troops should be sent to war in the Middle East in the absence of an immediate threat to our country yet again. I am monitoring the situation closely and praying for the safety of our troops and of innocent civilians throughout the region. Rep. Gabe Amo After months of shifting justifications and misleading statements, Donald Trump has launched a war of choice with more strikes on Iran. There has been neither an explanation to the American people nor a clear and present danger to the United States to justify this escalation. Advertisement Advertisement The American people have been clear that they do not want another forever war. Theyve seen the cost of regime change in the Middle East, with too many American troops killed and billions of taxpayer dollars wasted. Trump has started another war without clearly defining its scope, timeline, or objectives and without presenting a credible day-after plan. The world is less safe because of this action, and the instability it causes will have long-lasting effects. We should never give up on diplomacy. That is the durable path to a lasting peace that keeps our troops safe and ensures regional stability without dragging us into another drawn-out conflict. While the Iranian regime is an oppressive, destabilizing force and source of terror that should never be allowed to get a nuclear weapon, seeking a war for regime change is not the answer. The Constitution is clear: Congress decides when we go to war. I am calling on Congress to immediately assert its Constitutional authority and vote to stop this unlawful action that risks pulling our service members, their families, and the American people into another costly, chaotic, and deadly open-ended conflict. Massachusetts Rep. Jake Auchincloss Operation Epic Fury is a war of choice without congressional authorization. Given his lies to the Iranian protestors about help on the way, his weakness in Ukraine, and his blood-for-oil scheme in Venezuela, this president has no credibility on either the strategy or law guiding foreign policy. Congress must reclaim its war powers and insist that military force against Iran be debated in plain view of the American people, not on Signal chats. I will vote Yes next week on the War Powers Resolution to end hostilities with Iran until & unless the president comes to Congress for an authorization. As I have previously on policy regarding China & Russia, I am ready to work across the aisle to craft congressionally directed strategy on Iran, especially for securing American air supremacy in the region and supporting the Iranian peoples right to self determination. But first congressional Republicans must call the question on this fundamental issue of war powers by voting against a reckless commander-in-chief and for the Constitution. RI GOP Chairman Allyn Meyers Today, President Trump has defeated one of the greatest embodiments of evil in the world, Ayatollah Khamenei, who persecuted his own people and was responsible for some of the most heinous acts of terror in the Middle East. Since 1979, Persian Americans in Rhode Island, and Persians all over the world, have carried the memory of the Lion and the Sun, a symbol of their brave resistance, awaiting its return over a free Iran. Now that the Islamic Republic is collapsing, and Ali Khamenei has been terminated, that memory is in reach for the first time in 47 years, as the people of Iran can begin to chart their own destiny. Thanks to President Trump and our nations greatest and most steadfast ally, Israel, the patriots of Iran have the single-greatest chance to take back their country and help the United States restore peace throughout the Middle East and the world. May God protect the brave American servicemen and women who put their lives on the line in todays special military operation to keep our country safe. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The Iranian regime and the terrorists they back have killed over 1,000 U.S. service members and civilians. They armed militias that killed and wounded our troops in Iraq, funded attacks across the Middle East, and openly chanted Death to America while past leaders looked the other way. President Trumps actions this morning were not about starting a war. They were about preventing one. It was targeted, surgical, and strong. It made clear that if you attack or threaten Americans, there will be consequences. I served in Afghanistan. I know what endless war looks like. This is not Afghanistan. This is the kind of decisive leadership that prevents another Afghanistan. At the end of the day, this is about protecting American lives. Im grateful we have a leader like President Trump who is willing to do it. God bless our troops. Praying for their safety A man was arrested early Friday morning after he allegedly took his girlfriends 3-year-old child from her home after an argument. Officers with the Plain County Sheriffs Office responded to a house in the 500 block of Madison Way for a reported kidnapping, according to our news partners WBNS. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived on the scene, a woman told them that she was involved in an argument with her boyfriend, identified as Andrew Gonzalez-Reyes. She said that Gonzalez-Reyes was highly intoxicated at the time of the argument. Gonzalez-Reyes allegedly took the womans child out of the bedroom, placed the child into his vehicle without her consent, according to the police. Officers said that he was not the childs father and did not have parental rights. The woman told officers that Gonzalez-Reyes left the home around 2 a.m. and refused to give her his location. The Union County Sheriffs Office and the Columbus Division of Police assisted Plain City officers in locating Gonzales-Reyes at the Meijer in on Hillard Home Road in northwest Columbus. Advertisement Advertisement The child was located in the front seat of his car, and Gonzalez-Reyes was taken into custody and booked into the Tri-County Regional Jail on a charge of kidnapping. Police said that an Amber Alert was not issued due to officers being able to track Gonzalez-Reyes phone, and were able to pinpoint his location, taking him into custody within an hour. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) The caretaker who allegedly left three disabled patients in a van for hours, resulting in their deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, appeared in court Friday morning and was denied bail. Isaiah Pulu, 25, is facing three counts of first-degree murder and is currently being held without bail. The detention hearing was at 9 a.m. During the hearing, his lawyer requested his release. Pulus attorney shared Pulus public safety assessment with the judge, mentioning his young age and lack of criminal history. He claimed Pulu is not a violent individual. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears alongside attorney Jean Brummer for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears alongside attorney Jean Brummer for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears alongside attorney Jean Brummer for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears alongside attorney Jean Brummer for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. The defense quoted the police report by saying, While speaking to Isaiah he appeared very concerned. After Isaiah realized the three were deceased, tears swelled up in his eyes, and he appeared to be in disbelief. Advertisement Advertisement As his attorney read the statement, Pulu appeared emotional. Man charged with murder in West Valley carbon monoxide deaths appears in court According to his attorney, when speaking to officers after the incident, Pulu waived his Miranda Rights and spoke honestly to the officers. He assured the judge that Pulu has family, community, and religious community support. He claimed, This tragedy is very circumstantial. Pulus attorney recommended Pulu wear a GPS tracker and explained he is not at risk of fleeing because after the incident, Pulu didnt attempt to leave. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Wendy Rollins, mother of Colton Moser, one of the three victims, speaks on behalf of the victims families as she pleads with the judge to not allow Pulu to be released on bail. The State of Utah countered saying the lack of care Pulu represented and having been written up a month previously for misconduct, was evidence enough to not release him before trial. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Wendy Rollins, the mother of one of the victims, Colton Warren Moser, appeared and said, I believe wholeheartedly that if Isaiah is capable of making an intentional choice to place the most vulnerable, innocent, and fully dependent human beings into a situation that would inevitably cost them their lives, then he is also capable of posing a significant risk to the public, to our families, and to himself. Advertisement Advertisement How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google Rollins explained how her son was entirely nonverbal and said, Leaving him without support was like placing duct tape over his mouth. She continued to describe how his severe autism caused him to developmentally function like a toddler. She continued, Leaving him alone in a closed vehicle, in a small, dark garage, was like tying his hands and feet. He had no ability to advocate for himself. No ability to escape. No ability to understand what was happening. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Wendy Rollins, mother of Colton Moser, one of the three victims, speaks on behalf of the victims families as Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, bottom center, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Wendy Rollins, mother of Colton Moser, one of the three victims, speaks on behalf of the victims families as she pleads with the judge to not allow Pulu to be released on bail. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, appears for a detention hearing in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Wendy Rollins, mother of Colton Moser, one of the three victims, speaks on behalf of the victims families as she pleads with the judge to not allow Pulu to be released on bail. The last thing Rollins told the judge before taking a seat was, As a mother this is a small request, one made out of respect for what we have lost. Advertisement Advertisement Pulus representation responded by repeating his previous arguments. He claimed conditions decided by the court could be put in place to mitigate flee risk. Despite the arguments for Pulus release, the judge responded by saying, While its true that the defendant has apparently a limited criminal history, the gravity and magnitude of the charges in this case would provide anyone with incentive to flee and to not come to court. I am not comfortable at this point changing his custody status. The request for pretrial release was denied. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Third District Judge Todd Shaughnessy listens to a detention request being made in the case of Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Third District Judge Todd Shaughnessy listens to a detention request being made in the case of Isaiah Pulu, the man charged with murder in the deaths of three disabled men who he allegedly left in a running van, on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. The judge scheduled an in-person hearing for Pulu on April 24 at 9 a.m. Background On Feb. 6, three men were left inside a running van while the driver allegedly went into his apartment to eat lunch and watch TV for three and a half hours. The driver, Isaiah Pulu, was taken into custody and is facing charges of manslaughter and aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult. Advertisement Advertisement The three men who died were 22-year-old Mosaati Moa, 39-year-old Tim Jones, and 25-year-old Colton Moser. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill filed the charges against Pulu one week after the incident and his arrest in West Valley. Latest headlines: Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The California Sixth District Court of Appeals ruled Friday to reverse the convictions and ordered a possible new trial for the man found guilty of murdering Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar in 2012. Antolin Garcia-Torres was originally sentenced in 2017 to life without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping and killing of the 15-year-old. TIMELINE: Sierra LaMar kidnapping, murder case In an opinion filed Friday in the California Court of Appeals, the judgment was reversed, saying, "There was insufficient evidence of willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder or a specific intent to kill." Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the trial, Garcia-Torres was facing four counts, one for first-degree murder during the commission of a kidnapping and three others for attempted kidnapping during a carjacking in an unrelated case. The court ruled that it was an error to try the murder case with the attempted kidnappings, which occurred three years earlier in a Safeway parking lot. Therefore, the court says the error was prejudicial, requiring the reversal of all the convictions. However, the court did find that there was sufficient evidence of felony murder, and LaMar had died due to a criminal act. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office released the following statement in response to the court's ruling: Advertisement Advertisement "We just received the opinion and are digesting it. However, we will never stop seeking justice for Sierra." Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live Dennis Williams was sentenced this month to 28 years in federal prison for violently sex trafficking five young people, including a 15-year-old girl. He kidnapped two of them. The FBI and Lansing police laid the groundwork to lock him up. It started in Lansing. Police were responding to reports of violence. "Once we started looking into the cases, we were able to quickly determine that it was more than just a battery or a robbery, that these female victims were being sex trafficked," Lansing Deputy Chief of Police Mike Hynek told the I-Team. Advertisement Advertisement As the Lansing police investigation unfolded, investigators say they were able to determine that the suspect in the trafficking was the same person. Hynek brought in the FBI to assist with the case. "They went through an extremely traumatic experience. The victims were coerced into this in a variety of means. Some were befriended by the subject. Once they were in, they were forced to endure awful, awful circumstances. And the subject utilized violence threats to make sure they continued to act in this sex ring," said John Dougherty, FBI Supervisory Special Agent, Chicago Field Division. "We work on criminal enterprise cases and looking at human trafficking networks and try to identify them and disrupt them with our local partners." Both Dougherty and Hynek say human trafficking hinges on coercion, control and violence and is rampant. Over the past five years, federal, state and local law enforcement reported nearly 13,000 sex trafficking cases to the FBI. There were more than 2,600 cases in 2025 alone, according to FBI data. Advertisement Advertisement SEE ALSO: Chicago man convicted of sex trafficking 15-year-old girl at Lansing motel: officials During their investigation, Dennis Williams was manipulating those five young people, forcing them to perform sex acts in Lansing and Chicago for his financial gain. The survivors testified against Williams in open court. "Without them, we wouldn't have been able to secure the conviction and get the sentencing that was ultimately handed out," Hynek said. "If it wasn't for the bravery of the victims, these cases would never get solved," Dougherty told the I-Team. The FBI and Lansing police say grooming for sex trafficking now often starts online. Parents should watch for changes to their children's behavior. They say knowing who they're talking to is vital. Report Trafficking and Get Help If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a suspected trafficking crime, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. Advertisement Advertisement NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website. If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's (NCMEC) CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information provided to the CyberTipline. Anti-abortion demonstrators marched through the streets surrounding the Arizona Capitol on Feb. 28, braving near-record heat to attend the annual Arizona March for Life. The march, organized by the Arizona Life Coalition, drew Orthodox Christians, Catholics, nuns, young families pushing strollers, and veterans of past marches carrying worn signs. The broad coalition was united by opposition to abortion in a state that voted almost two years ago to enshrine abortion access in its constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures reached 91 degrees, near-record heat for late February in Phoenix. Nearly everyone who spoke with The Arizona Republic said it was not their first time at the march. Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican congressman from Arizona and a 2026 gubernatorial candidate, attended the event and was careful to distinguish his appearance from politics. This is not a campaign thing. This is not because Im a congressman. My wife and I believe in this... my wife and I were raised pro-life, said Biggs, 67, who added that his parents brought him to similar events when he was young. "When Roe v. Wade came down when I was in high school, and I think there was a visceral reaction," Biggs said. Advertisement Advertisement Organizer Garrett Riley did not immediately provide a crowd estimate. The previous years march drew between 3,000 and 4,000 people. Arizonas abortion laws have shifted significantly in recent years. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Arizona briefly faced enforcement of an 1864 near-total abortion ban. The state Supreme Court ruled in April 2024 that the law could take effect, but the Legislature repealed it later that year. In November 2024, Arizona voters approved Proposition 139, enshrining abortion access up to fetal viability in the state constitution. Saturdays march drew demonstrators who said the ballot result has not diminished their resolve. The event was held in conjunction with a national march for life. 'What else are we doing?' Jomina Newbold, 31, a member of the Phoenix Dream Center, came to support mothers who feel alone. She has lost all three of her children to separate tragedies. Advertisement Advertisement I want to help those that, especially moms, that dont have somebody to talk to or lean on, she said. Pastor Paul Vargas, also of the Phoenix Dream Center, said his organizations mission runs in both directions helping older adults find a second chance, as much as fetuses who never got a first chance. Father Andre Paez (right) takes part in the March for Life anti-abortion rally at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on Feb. 28, 2026. Father Andre Paez, 50, of St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Mesa, said he has attended for years but noticed crowds have thinned over time. He said the movements work must extend beyond a single day of marching. Paez, who has been to the rally before, said turnout has declined over the years from the thousands who once filled the Capitol streets. I wish there was thousands and thousands of people here more again, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Coming to a march is wonderful, but what else are we doing? Paez said, pointing to organizations like Maggies Place, which supports women through pregnancy. A shofar echoed across Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza as marchers gathered for a midday rally before setting off. The crowd stretched shoulder to shoulder down the Capitol streets, at times waiting for space to move forward. Advocacy groups, religious organizations and pregnancy resource centers all had a presence, many with their own media in tow. A board of roses stood at the pre-rally area, part of the events Roses for Life program. Bryan Costello, 42, a Phoenix machinist, carried a sign he designed and cut himself at his machine shop before a previous rally. Asked how he found the motivation to march in the heat, he was direct. Advertisement Advertisement I fail with that every day, he said, but I still have to try. Rey Covarrubias Jr. covers business and breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@azcentral.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. (This story was updated to add new information.) What to know: Judge strikes down Arizona abortion laws after 2024 ballot measure This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona anti-abortion marchers not deterred by voters' decision The United States early Saturday morning joint military operation with Israel against Iran divided Republicans, some praising President Donald Trump, but others warning against the possibility of getting into a foreign war. I am opposed to this War. This is not America First, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said on X, adding that he and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) will force a congressional vote on war. The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war. Acts of war unauthorized by Congress. The U.S. is attacking Iran according to AP.https://t.co/Bgwk8yIdRT Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 28, 2026 The president announced Saturday that the U.S. has begun major combat operations in Iran, which the defense department is calling Operation Epic Fury. Advertisement Advertisement Trump seemed to urge regime change, encouraging the Iranian public to take over their government, which he claimed has continued to develop its nuclear program with plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S. My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill, Trump said. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. The presidents announcement sparked criticism from conservatives who pride themselves on being America First. Advertisement Advertisement Former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene lashed out in multiple posts on X against the Trump administration, which she noted had promised to put America FIRST and Make America Great Again. Politics: Marjorie Taylor Greene Gets In Turf War With Fox News Host Over Who Is Most MAGA The Trump admin actually asked in a poll how many casualties voters were willing to accept in a war with Iran???, the MAGA firebrand and former close Trump ally wrote. How about ZERO you bunch of sick ******* liars. We voted for America First and ZERO wars. Conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson also decried the attack, calling it absolutely disgusting and evil, ABCs Jonathan Karl reports. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said that yet another preemptive war had begun in the Middle East, stating that the Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely. As yet another preemptive war is begun in the Middle East, John Quincy Adams words of wisdom still ring true: Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. Like most Americans I Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 28, 2026 As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission, Paul wrote. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war. But others in the GOP remained loyal to Trump, praising the presidents speech and the attack itself. News: Trump Says He's Weighing Several Off Ramps From Iran Strike: I Can Go Long Sen. Lindsey Graham said Trumps speech will go down in history as the catalyst for the most historic change in the Middle East in a thousand years. Advertisement Advertisement I echo President Trumps call to the Iranian military, IRGC and security forces to lay down their arms. I echo his call to the Iranian people to take back their government, Graham said. President Trump was right when he said hes the first president in 47 years to stand with the people of Iran and give them the backing they need. I just listened to President Trumps 8 minute speech again, describing what is taking place and urging the Iranian people to seize the moment. His speech will go down in history as the catalyst for the most historic change in the Middle East in a thousand years. I echo President Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) February 28, 2026 Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) offered full support of the operation in a statement on X, calling it a defining moment of generational leadership from President Trump to achieve sustainable peace. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) posted, History will record this night. President Trump understood what the weak could not bring themselves to say: that peace is not found in appeasement - it is won, she continued. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Feb. 27---- Copy Link Facebook LinkedIn Share on X dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN In an unusual turn of events, 12 people have filed letters of support for the MARL transmission line with the Public Service Commission. However, only one letter comes from any of the four affected counties. The PSC has received 3, 899 letters of opposition to NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic's proposed MidAtlantic Resiliency Link Project. Advertisement Advertisement The five letters of support are a first in public comment submitted to the PSC. About 58.9 miles of the 107.5 mile line would cross West Virginia: 5.9 miles across Monongalia County, 15.8 across Preston, 10.9 across Mineral and 26.2 across Hampshire. One of the 12 letters came from a Preston resident. It says: "Frequent outages weaken rural communities and local economies. President Trump has called for a stronger national grid, and MARL is a practical step toward that goal while delivering jobs and tax revenue for West Virginia." The other letters from Marshall, Kanawha, Mingo, Wood, Putnam and Jefferson Counties also mention Trump's goals and cite the positives of construction jobs, tax revenue and national security. Advertisement Advertisement Like so many of the opposition letters, they rely on a general template and use similar language. The letter from a Kanawha resident says: "Projects like MARL bring real benefits to rural communities. The proposed line would create 200 to 300 construction jobs, generate millions in wages, and provide ongoing economic activity while strengthening the electric grid. I urge approval." And the letter from Wood County says, "Modern transmission is essential for rural economic growth and national security." While 11 of the 12 letters come from counties outside the proposed line route, rate impacts would affect them all. NextEra has said the line will affect power rates for customers of Mon Power, Potomac Edison, Appalachian Power Company and Wheeling Power Company. Advertisement Advertisement Opposition to the line has focused on a few themes, with two most outstanding: disturbances to West Virginia rural land and landowners for a line that will bring no new energy to West Virginia sending it from Pennsylvania to Virginia data centers ; and rate impacts. Cathy Kunkel, energy consultant at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, drew on a study she's published to explain some of the issues. PJM, she said, indicates that data centers are placing new demands on power generation, leading to possible capacity shortages. She projects that MARL will cost Mon Power and Potomac Edison ratepayers $165 million over 40 years, with the related Valley Link Transmission line that is planned to run from the John Amos plant in Putnam County eastward to Frederick County, Md. costing another $223 million. NextEra has projected rate impacts compared to current rates for Mon Power and Potomac Edison residential customers for each year from 2026 through 2036: 2026, 12 cents ; 2027, 33 cents ; 2028, 46 cents ; 2029, 61 cents ; 2030, 70 cents ; 2031, 75 cents ; 2032, $1 ; 2033, 97 cents ; 2034, 94 cents ; 2035, 92 cents ; 2036, 91 cents. Advertisement Advertisement The current cost estimate for MARL is $1.167 billion. Of this, the current cost estimate for the West Virginia portions is $482, 706, 000. These estimates include siting, engineering, construction, financing, administration, and legal costs. NextEra has also submitted a proposed procedural schedule to the PSC. Among the key proposed dates: evidentiary hearing Oct. 26-Nov. 2 (following discovery and testimony); decision due date, March 6, 2027. NextEra also proposes public comment hearings to be held in May or June this year. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A Maryland man was sentenced after raping two impoverished girls while employed at a U.S. Embassy in a country in Africa. 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara, a U.S. citizen, was working at the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso where he was living at a residence leased by the U.S. According to evidence presented at trial, Mara forcibly raped two teenage Burkinabe girls who lived in abject poverty a short distance from his residence. Flags fly at half-staff in DC to honor civil rights leader Jesse Jackson Advertisement Advertisement The previous owner at the residence, prior to Mara, used to help the teenage girls and their families, who lived in a structure without running water. When Mara arrived and began living there, he saw an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, according to a release. For about 1 year, beginning when the victims were 13 and 15 years old, Mara repeatedly sexually assaulted them. He used the girls mothers life-threatening illness as an opportunity to demand sex, telling them he could not help them without receiving something in return. He gave the victims phones to summon them while his wife was away at work. Mara was also convicted for sending sexually enticing messages to one of the minor victims and for attempting to persuade his housekeeper to lie to U.S. investigators to help him conceal his crimes. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. At least two South Africans have died while fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine after being deceived by a recruitment scheme, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed on Thursday. It marks the first official confirmation by South African authorities that citizens allegedly lured to Russia under false promises of employment or training have been killed in the conflict. The Foreign Ministry said the families of the deceased had been informed, although further details regarding the identities, timing or location of the deaths were not disclosed. Lamolas remarks followed his visit to Durban on Wednesday to meet the families of 11 South Africans who returned home after being recruited last year in a scheme that purported to offer security training in Russia but resulted in their involvement in the war in Ukraine. Four other men linked to the same operation had earlier been repatriated, while two remain in Russia with severe injuries. The minister clarified that the two confirmed deaths were not connected to the group of 17 men allegedly recruited through a network under investigation involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma-Sambudla has denied wrongdoing but resigned as a lawmaker in November amid the allegations. She is among at least five individuals being investigated. Lamola stressed that accountability would follow, stating that all those implicated in the recruitment schemes must face consequences. The 17 men were allowed to leave the front lines after diplomatic engagements between South Africa and Russia. Ukraine estimates that more than 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russia, with several African governments reporting that their citizens were misled by offers of lucrative jobs or skills training. In Kenya, an intelligence report presented to parliament last week indicated that 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited under false pretences and deployed to the front lines. The Kenyan government confirmed that 89 nationals remain engaged in the conflict, 39 are hospitalised, 28 are missing in action, and others have returned home. One death has been officially confirmed. On Thursday, a Kenyan man was arrested and charged with trafficking 25 Kenyans to Russia in connection with the scheme. Ukraines intelligence agency also reported this month that two Nigerians were killed late last year while fighting for Russia. South Africas opposition Democratic Alliance said it had obtained around 100 WhatsApp messages suggesting that the South African recruits were promised security training and potential Russian or Canadian citizenship. Upon arrival in Russia, their passports and clothing were allegedly destroyed, their mobile phones confiscated, and they were sent to the Donetsk region of Ukraine to join Russian forces. Investigations by The Associated Press in January and in 2024 further revealed that migrant workers from Bangladesh and African women were similarly lured with promises of civilian employment or study opportunities, only to be drawn into Russias war effort including factory work assembling attack drones. The Russia-Ukraine war marked its four-year anniversary this week, with Moscow reportedly seeking to replenish its ranks by recruiting fighters from abroad. SPRINGFIELD A Massachusetts State Police sergeant charged with assault after a traffic stop allegedly mistook cosmetics for illicit drugs, forcibly taking the driver to the ground and blasting her with pepper spray. This, according to an application for a criminal complaint against Sgt. Joel P. Daoust, who was on supervisory patrol in Western Massachusetts on Jan. 3. Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni on Thursday announced charges against Daoust of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, for the pepper spray, and assault and battery, but declined further comment. Advertisement Advertisement Court records shed more light on the incident, however. What transpired over several minutes in the citys downtown could prove costly to a 12-year veteran of the state police. Daoust has been suspended without pay, according to state police spokesperson Timothy McGuirk. According to an affidavit filed Feb. 13 by state police Detective Lt. Liam Jones, Daoust followed the driver, Monieke N. McNeil, for 10 miles from the Massachusetts Turnpike, down Interstate 291 and onto East Columbus Avenue that night. He ultimately pulled McNeil over for speeding and marked lane violations at 11:10 p.m., the narrative says. Sergeant Daoust explained his observations of her flying on the highway and drifting into adjacent lanes, the report reads. Advertisement Advertisement The incident rapidly escalated, despite no resistance from McNeil, 43, of Salem, according to Jones assessment of body-worn camera footage. He requested McNeil exit her Toyota RAV4 after he thought he spotted drug paraphernalia in her purse while she fished for her license, according to the report. She complied and allowed Daoust to pat-frisk her. He then demanded she sit in his cruiser, the report says. Your cruiser? Why do I have to go to your cruiser? McNeil asked. I can stand right here. Nope, maam, you dont have that option, Daoust replied. Can I just at least ...? she began, motioning to her car. Advertisement Advertisement No, you are going to be handcuffed and detained right now, Daoust responded, before forcibly pulling her around. McNeil appeared confused and frightened, Jones wrote. Please dont do that, youre hurting me, McNeil said. Neither McNeil nor Daoust immediately responded to requests for comment. It is unknown whether either has an attorney. McNeil is a Black woman, while Daoust is a white trooper. McNeils online professional profile bills her as a social justice champion who hosts her own Unity Radio podcast. During the traffic stop, Daoust used an arm-bar takedown on the woman as she wept and implored him to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Why are you doing this, honey? she asked as Daoust remained on top of her, according to Jones report. The trooper then radioed for backup, as McNeil insisted she was willing to stand up and go quietly to his car. She also told the trooper he had ripped her stockings. In response, Daoust aimed a short blast of the toxic spray to her left eye, the report says. Additional cruisers began to pull up simultaneously and helped cuff McNeil. Daoust did a brief search of her car and found no drug paraphernalia. Ultimately, what I thought was drugs ... ended up being a piece of makeup, and no drugs, drug paraphernalia, or weapons were found, Daoust said in his own use-of-force report. Advertisement Advertisement He also conceded that McNeil did not appear to be impaired by alcohol. Daoust issued McNeil a written warning and left in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Jones noted. The other troopers who had helped handcuff McNeil then uncuffed her and called an ambulance, according to the report. At the scene, EMTs treated McNeil for the pepper spray blast, and she was later picked up by family members who were at Springfield MGM, the narrative says. Jones concluded his colleague employed unlawful uses of force in response to a motor vehicle violation. Mandated de-escalation techniques were absent from the entire incident, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Daoust is scheduled for arraignment in Springfield District Court on April 3. Gulluni said the investigation remains ongoing. Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A South Bay resident infected with measles dined at a Panda Express in Burlingame and went to work and medical appointments while contagious, triggering a public health response across two Bay Area counties, officials said Friday. The adult, who recently returned from international travel, was diagnosed with measles late Wednesday, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. The person is vaccinated, developed symptoms several days after returning and is now isolating at home. Advertisement Advertisement While infectious, the individual visited "private work and healthcare locations" and ate at the Burlingame restaurant in San Mateo County, health officials said. Santa Clara and San Mateo county health departments are working with state officials and other local agencies to identify and notify people who may have been exposed. "The individual visited Panda Express at 1453 Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame on February 23 and 24, 2026," health officials said. "People who were at the restaurant between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on those days may be at risk of developing measles, especially if unvaccinated, pregnant or immunocompromised." Anyone who was at the restaurant during the exposure window should stay home and contact a health care provider before seeking medical treatment, officials said. Calling ahead allows medical facilities to take precautions to prevent further spread. Advertisement Advertisement Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It spreads through the air when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours, according to the California Department of Public Health. Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash. In some cases, measles can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems. This marks the first confirmed measles case in a Santa Clara County resident since May 2025 and the 22nd reported in California this year, county officials said. The other Bay Area cases in 2026 were reported in San Mateo and Napa counties and are unrelated. Before 2025, the last confirmed case involving a Santa Clara County resident was in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement "Fortunately, our region has strong community immunity, because of our very high rates of vaccination or from childhood exposure decades ago," Dr. Sarah Rudman, health officer and public health director for Santa Clara County, said in a statement. State guidelines recommend two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for full protection. County officials said recommended vaccines are required to be covered by most health insurance plans in California. Nationally, measles cases are climbing at a pace that has alarmed epidemiologists. The United States has surpassed 1,000 confirmed infections in 2026 - 1,136 cases as of Feb. 26, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - putting the country nearly halfway to last year's total of 2,256 cases in just two months. Twenty-eight states have reported infections this year. Advertisement Advertisement Public health experts say the acceleration far outpaces trends seen in recent outbreaks. Scientists say the surge reflects falling vaccination rates rather than any change in the virus itself. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning there was no sustained domestic transmission. But researchers warn that status is in jeopardy as community immunity drops below the 95% threshold needed to prevent spread. Most cases this year have been linked to outbreaks across more than a dozen states, including a large cluster in South Carolina. The CDC notes that the official tally is likely an undercount. While many cases are mild, one in five unvaccinated people who contract the virus is hospitalized, according to federal health officials. Advertisement Advertisement Two children and one adult - all unvaccinated - died from measles in 2025. Public health leaders warn that without higher vaccination coverage, the United States risks losing its measles-elimination status and facing sustained outbreaks once again. This article originally published at Bay Area measles patient visited Panda Express twice while infectious, health officials say. Bibb County Sheriff David Davis wants the county government to put more public safety funds toward mental health support for local incarcerated people. While Davis said he appreciates the jails existing partnership with River Edge Behavioral Health, he said its not enough to serve the growing number of people with mental health issues who can sometimes be disruptive at the Bibb County Jail. We need to do a little bit more in the jail for mental health, Davis said. Our contract with River Edge is really good, and River Edge is doing us great work, but theyre not here all the time, like overnight and sometimes on the weekend, so were going to ask them to provide a little bit more service for us, and obviously thats going to cost a little bit more money. Advertisement Advertisement The number of people with mental health disorders in the Bibb County Jail rose from about 30-35% in 2025, to around 35-40% in 2026, according to Parrin Cowan, the jails in-reach program director employed by River Edge Behavioral Health. We made 905 inmate contacts (in January), not necessarily 905 different people, but we had contact with inmates at least 905 times, she said. The Macon-Bibb County River Edge Behavioral Health Center on Feb. 10, 2026, sits off of Emery Highway in Macon, Georgia. River Edge Behavioral Health partners with the Bibb County Jail to provide mental health services. The overall jail population has also increased, even though the county allocated $500,000 last year to decrease it. There were 1,061 people detained at the jail as of Feb. 4, and 1,018 on June. 10, 2025, when Miller announced a plan that was supposed to release 150 people on ankle monitors at no cost, in an effort to cut the jail population. The jails capacity is 966. Davis said he was only aware of around 70 people whove been released on free monitors since the program began. He blamed the delay on an administrative and bureaucratic process. Staffing, cost, psychological barriers River Edge Behavioral Health currently has two individual mental health clinicians and a group counselor for therapy sessions with detainees. As part of their judiciary in-reach program, theres also a case manager who gives people resources before their release and a nurse who handles medicines, Cowan said. Advertisement Advertisement If a detainee was never diagnosed with a mental health disorder prior to being booked in the Bibb County Jail, they will receive psychological care only if they ask for it. They can confidentially request treatment via digital kiosks in the jail blocks. They come to River Edge because they want to, not because someone is forcing them to unless its court order, and then theres a whole different ball game, Cowan said. In order to get mental health services, you have to have a desire to get the treatment. However, people with certain mental health disorders dont always know they may need treatment, which is called anosognosia, according to Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit research and medical center. Its extremely common with mental health conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimers disease, Cleveland Clinic said. This condition isnt dangerous on its own, but people with it are much more likely to avoid or resist treatment for their other health conditions. Advertisement Advertisement High healthcare costs also can prevent people from seeking care before being arrested. Violence disproportionately affects residents in low-income areas, according to records analyzed by The Telegraph from the Bibb County coroners and sheriffs offices. Bibb County Sheriff David Davis speaks to media outside of the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. Davis shared details of an altercation at the Bibb County Jail that occurred Wednesday afternoon that left one inmate dead and four injured. For those with a diagnosis and others who request mental health treatment while booked, the small team of clinicians meets with each person on their case load once per month, according to Cowan. Her staff holds individual and group therapy sessions at the jail from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. They do rounds in the infirmary on weekends, Cowan said. And if its something where its an emergency situation, then the jail contacts me directly, and then I handle it from there, she said. Advertisement Advertisement But Davis wants clinicians at the jail 24/7, he told The Telegraph. That also points to needed staff from River Edge, Davis said. That might be a high ask, even for them to be able to provide that, but we want to kind of work toward that goal. How much money Bibb County Jail puts toward mental health Cass Hatcher, CEO of River Edge, said hes working with Davis to make more staffing happen, but its up to Davis to request increased funding from Macon-Bibb County Government, which commissioners must then vote on. Were making some revisions to share access, to look at some extended hours, some other things..., Hatcher said. Then basically, maybe a psychiatrist and to have a registered nurse. Advertisement Advertisement Hatcher said he and Davis will submit public safety funding proposals to the Macon-Bibb County Government ahead of its upcoming fiscal budget cycle, which commissioners usually vote on in June. The Bibb County Sheriffs Office can then decide how to use those funds. The sheriffs office allocated less than 1% of its roughly $56.1 million budget toward its partnership with River Edge during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to a professional service agreement obtained by The Telegraph through Georgias Open Records Act. The sheriffs office, which oversees the jail, agreed to pay about $525,000 to River Edge that year, according to the document. There was a slight increase in funding the partnership since then, but it stayed basically the same, Hatcher told The Telegraph. River Edge absorbed, or paid for, some of the increase. On Friday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In that letter, she objected ICE's plan to use a recently purchased warehouse in Romulus as a detention facility that would house 500 people. She said in the letter that ICE's purchase and plans for the warehouse left her deeply troubled. Nessel said that ICE's current plan outlined in an Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100- to 500-Year Floodplain ignored Michigan's "sovereign interests and federal and state law." For those reasons, Nessel said the plans must be halted immediately. Our system of government and the law demand transparency and partnership with state and local governments, Nessel wrote. But ICE seems determined not just to ignore the need for such cooperation, but to frustrate it. Through its conduct, ICE appears intent to operate a mass detention facility a stones throw from a middle school, an elementary school, and a protected wetland. Whats more, ICE purchased the warehouse before any attempt to communicate with the State of Michigan, its agencies, or any local governing body about it. Advertisement Advertisement Nessel also cited an article from the Arizona Mirror, in which ICE Director Todd Lyons is quoted as saying "We need to get better at treating (ICE operations) like a business," and that he wants to see a deportation process "like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings." Nessel said the plans for the Romulus warehouse come with the context of those comments from Lyons. ICE recently released a floodplain notice for its plan to purchase the warehouse and asked for comments by Feb. 27, 2026. Nessel said in her letter that the warehouse is not currently designed or outfitted to house, feed, bathe, protect or provide adequate care for people being held by ICE. "The shortfalls in ICE's Notice document are evident," said Nessel in the letter. "Several statements in the Notice do not reflect a clear plan for the construction necessary to convert a warehouse into a detention facility." Nessel alleged that the notice also lacks information needed to determine whether the project would comply with federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Flood Insurance Act, the Flood Disaster Protection Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Advertisement Advertisement "The property is located within a floodplain, yet ICE has not yet applied for, or even initiated discussions, regarding permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy," read a release from Nessel. Nessel said ICE also claimed in its notice that "no municipal system capacity constraints have been identified." However, Nessel alleged ICE's "failure" to identify any constraints carries no significance because they never engaged with state, county or municipal officials. Nessel said she is calling on ICE to immediately cease any further development of the property. She asked that they "plainly and publicly" articulate the planned use and construction for the warehouse, engage in meaningful consultation with the appropriate state, county, and municipal officials, as well as comply with all state and local laws and permitting requirements for the projects impacts to the environment. Feb. 28In an effort to reduce damage to fragile ecosystems caused by snow geese's arctic breeding habits, and to reduce the waterfowl's population in the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has opened its annual light goose hunt. The hunt, which is for only snow geese and the smaller Ross's geese, opened Feb. 18 and will run through April 30. North Dakota also issued a conservation order for the geese, which took effect on Feb. 21 and goes through May 10. In Minnesota, typically, about 1,000 people get a permit, but only around 400 participate in the hunt, according to Nate Huck, DNR's resident game bird specialist. He said the hunt is statewide, although the largest populations of the geese gather in the southern and western portions of the state. Advertisement Advertisement "We recognized that they were becoming overabundant," Huck said of the geese. "Due to the way they feed we call it grubbing they grab the entirety of a plant, including the root system, rather than the way some other waterfowl, like Canada geese, feed, where they don't take the roots. That was causing damage, particularly to the sub-Arctic staging areas. They can congregate in massive numbers and those staging areas are what has seen the most damage, long-term damage." Huck said the hunts, which have been held annually since 1999, have not hurt the state's geese population. "It's something the population can sustain, and so we're going to offer it until that population dips below the threshold." Statewide, Minnesota has about 8 million snow geese; the threshold, Huck said, is 4 million geese. "When we dip below that number, we'll reconsider the hunt but not until that point." North Dakota has implemented its annual conservation order also since 1999. Advertisement Advertisement "The conservation order was implemented because mid-continent lesser snow geese and Ross's geese had grown to historically high population levels," said John Palarski, migratory game bird management supervisor with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "At that time, research documented significant grazing pressure and habitat degradation on portions of the Arctic breeding grounds. Managers were concerned that continued population growth could exceed the ecological carrying capacity of those systems." He said the conservation order remains a management tool that was implemented in response to historically high populations of the geese and documented habitat concerns. "Its original intent was to help reduce population growth during a period of rapid expansion and to address concerns about habitat impacts on Arctic breeding areas," Palarski said. In addition, "it provides additional harvest opportunity outside of traditional federal migratory bird season frameworks." During spring migration, he said, light geese typically move northward through central North Dakota along the Highway 281 corridor. As migration progresses and birds reach Interstate 94, they tend to spread east and west across much of the eastern two-thirds of the state. Concentrations are often highest in agricultural areas with abundant waste grain and access to roosting habitat, such as shallow wetlands and larger water bodies. Advertisement Advertisement North Dakota's spring conservation order is only open to light geese snows, blues and Ross's. For additional information, including license requirements and species identification, visit the department's website, gf.nd.gov . Palarski said participation varies annually depending on migration timing and weather conditions, but about 3,000 hunters participate in North Dakota's conservation order each spring. A British woman in Qatar says "doors were shaking" as Iran launched missiles towards the country. It follows the US and Israel's attack on Iran, which has since targeted neighbouring countries that host American military bases, including Qatar. Katie Evans, originally from Liverpool, said: "You could hear missiles as they were coming over. The doors were shaking. You could feel it." Advertisement Advertisement She has been working as a school teacher in the capital Doha for six months and was leaving a morning gym class when the Qatari authorities issued a warning to take shelter. "I didn't know anything else about what was going on," she said. She made her way to her friend's home as that was the nearest location and saw the news about the attacks in the region. Sirens were also heard nearby and there have also been concerns about falling debris after explosions. Katie also lived in Oman for five years and said she "loved" the region [Katie Evans] Katie said she could "see and hear the missiles being shot down" as the attacks were "going on for hours". Advertisement Advertisement Qatar's defence ministry said it "successfully countered a number of attacks targeting the country's territory". "Everyone was really worried and our employers were getting in touch saying stay safe and to reassure," Katie added. She remains with four friends - three British and one Kenyan as they wait for the shelter directive to be lifted. Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, she added that Doha was "just lovely - an amazing place to live". "I lived in Oman for five years, I just love this region." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. More on this story JAY, Okla. What started as a missing persons report turned into an arrest after Delaware County authorities say they arrested a woman driving a stolen tractor. Amarae Law, 29, of Eucha, is being held in the Delaware County jail on complaints of second-degree burglary and larceny of an auto, aircraft, or other motor vehicle. Her bail is set at $5,000. Laws family reported her missing on Feb. 25, from 38658 County Road 555. She was last seen by her family at about 10 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Her family discovered Laws clothing and phone near a pond on the familys property and called 911 around 1 p.m., said Cpt. Josh Bynum, spokesman for the Delaware County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement searched the rural Eucha area, but the search was suspended when a second property owner reported their tractor was stolen and they last saw Law driving it. Our investigation shows Law allegedly broke into a barn which held a small living area, stole a dress, then took the tractor and ran it into the side of the barn, Bynum said. Cherokee Marshals and the Delaware County deputies located the stolen tractor in a field south of the residence from where it was left. Advertisement Advertisement Law was taken into custody by the Cherokee Nation Marshals without incident. In June, Law pleaded guilty in Cherokee National Criminal Court to endangering others while eluding, attempted escape for arrest or detention, reckless driving, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. She received a three-year deferred sentence, court records show. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. MONTGOMERY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Voters in the tiny town of Montgomery, Vermont will decide on a very unique question come Town Meeting Day on March 3 theyll weigh in on the idea of impeaching President Trump. A voter in the Franklin County town population 1,184 created a petition asking folks to encourage Vermonts congressional delegation to vote in favor of articles of impeachment against the president, should they be brought forth at any point during his second term. That petition got enough signatures to make it on to Montgomerys Town Meeting Day ballot as an advisory question. Advertisement Advertisement If it passes it would signal the town as a whole wanting that to happen. Trump approval rating drops to 37 percent: Pew poll Montgomerys selectboard chair says itll be interesting to see how the vote on that goes, but he does think voters will be able to keep things civil and respectful. Were a community thats pretty tight, and I think we can have, you know, hard conversations amicably, said Charlie Hancock. You know, whats the saying We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable. And I think Montgomery exemplifies that. The question, in addition to calling for Trumps impeachment, accuses him of piracy, bullying, and being complicit in torture among other things. The full question along with the rest of Montgomerys Town Meeting Day ballot can be read at the link below. Advertisement Advertisement Final-signed-Warning-2026-TMDDownload The question will be the final one discussed during Montgomerys in-person town meeting. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Iran has targeted United States assets across the Gulf Arab states in retaliation for a huge joint attack on Iran by the US and Israel, sparking fears of a regional conflagration. The Iranian government on Saturday confirmed its attacks on several targets, according to the Fars news agency, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where airbases with US assets are hosted. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles. Advertisement Advertisement This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated, it said. All US assets throughout the region are considered legitimate targets for Irans army, it added. Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari told Al Jazeera that Iran has the right to defend itself and regrets any humanitarian loss caused by the current military escalation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a letter sent to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Iran would continue to exercise its right of self-defence decisively and without hesitation until the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally. Regional attacks United Arab Emirates At least one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, after several missiles launched from Iran were intercepted, according to the countrys state news agency, which provided no further details. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a fire broke out near a hotel on Dubais Palm Islands attraction, with huge plumes of smoke seen from a distance as multiple blasts echoed throughout the day. The Dubai media office later confirmed an incident in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area that resulted in a fire and four people injured. Bahrain Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet, which are hosted in the capital, Manama. The government called it a treacherous attack and a blatant violation of the kingdoms sovereignty and security. Later, footage circulating on social media appeared to show an Iranian Shahed drone smashing through a tower block located near the headquarters, setting the building ablaze. Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Ministry said several residential buildings in Manama, had been hit, reporting on X that civil defence was engaged in firefighting and rescue operations at the affected sites. Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrains ambassador to the United States, spoke of attacks against sites within the Kingdom, calling them a blatant violation of sovereignty in a post on X. Kuwait Kuwaits Defence Ministry said that Ali al-Salem Air Base came under attack by a number of ballistic missiles, all of which were intercepted by Kuwaiti air defence systems. Abdullah al-Rajhi, spokesperson for the General Authority of Civil Aviation in the State of Kuwait, said that a drone targeted Kuwait International Airport, leaving a number of employees with minor injuries and causing material damage to the passenger building. Advertisement Advertisement The official KUNA news agency cited a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that Kuwait maintains its right to defend itself. Qatar In Qatar, the Defence Ministry says it thwarted attacks on the country in accordance with a pre-approved security plan, intercepting all missiles before they reached the countrys territory. A long-range early warning radar in northern Qatar was targeted by an Iranian missile, according to sources who spoke to Al Jazeera. No injuries were reported. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said that the targeting of Qatar by a neighbour cannot be accepted under any justification or pretext, pointing out that it had always distanced itself from regional conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Qatar was targeted twice last year, when Iran mounted an attack on the Al Udeid base used by the US military in June, and Israel struck a Hamas meeting in Doha in September. Saudi Arabia A statement by the Saudi Foreign Ministry confirmed that Iran targeted Riyadh and the kingdoms eastern region, adding that the attacks were repelled. These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way, and they came despite the Iranian authorities knowing that the Kingdom had confirmed that it would not allow its airspace and territory to be used to target Iran, it added. Iraq An Al Jazeera correspondent reported that Erbil Airport in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq was targeted twice on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement A drone attack attempted to target Erbil International Airport, but air defences intercepted and shot it down, they added. The United States still has troops in Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region as part of an international coalition against ISIL (ISIS), which is due to be wound up by September under a deal between Washington and Baghdad. Meanwhile, a drone strike targeted a headquarters of the Kataeb Hezbollah armed group southwest of Baghdad, killing two, according to The Associated Press news service. Later, there were reports of more strikes hitting Jurf al-Nasr, an Iraqi military base housing the former paramilitary group, which is now integrated into the regular army, according to a source who spoke to news agency AFP. Advertisement Advertisement The Iraqi governments security media cell announced that at 7.25 pm (1625 GMT), the Jurf al-Nasr area was targeted by two air strikes. A Kataib Hezbollah official confirmed a new attack had occurred. Kataib Hezbollah warned in a statement, we will soon begin attacking American bases in response to their aggression. Transportation Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE all temporarily closed their airspace and condemned Irans attacks on their territories. Sea vessels operating in the Gulf said they had received messages on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, cited by news agency Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement The key oil export route connects the biggest Gulf oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Mediator Oman spared Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi, reporting from Doha, said the only country in the Gulf Cooperation Council that Iran has not struck today thus far is Oman. Oman has for years served as a liaison between Iran and other nations in the region and beyond. It has played a central role in recent indirect talks between Iran and the US in Oman and Geneva. Omans Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Friday had voiced optimism that peace was within reach as Iran had agreed during the talks never to stockpile enriched uranium. Albusaidi described the development as a major breakthrough. Hours later, Israel and the US attacked, and those talks are now dead and buried. Advertisement Advertisement Albusaidi expressed dismay at the outbreak of violence and urged Washington to not get sucked in further into the conflict. This is not your war, he said. I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. Badr Albusaidi (@badralbusaidi) February 28, 2026 The GCC is an alliance of six countries in the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, established in 1981 to promote economic, security, cultural and social cooperation. Here in Doha, in the last few hours, weve heard at least a dozen explosions. The majority of them sound like they were Patriot defence missiles intercepting incoming Iranian missiles, Basravi said. As far as Iran is concerned, with the US and Israel firing the first shot in this latest go-round, everything is now probably fair game, he added. Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported that a missile explosion killed four people and injured numerous others in an industrial area of Suwayda, without noting the source of the missile. On Saturday, Feb. 28, officials continued on their search for Nancy Guthrie, the the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, and the case hit an important milestone. Nancy Guthrie first went missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home on Feb. 1, and police and authorities have been searching for her ever since. Officials believe she was taken against her will. Saturday officially marks the final day of February, and that means it's coming up on one full month since Nancy Guthrie has been missing. Advertisement Advertisement Now, authorities have announced that they're going about the case in a different way. But, the search for Nancy continues, and they say that they're not letting up until she's found. Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Case Nears 1 Month, As Officials Shift Resources So, now that the case has been going on for nearly a month, officials are changing some aspects of their investigation. Authorities have announced that they're lowering the number of detectives assigned to the investigation, as part of a new phase. On Friday, Feb. 27, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona, Angelica Carrillo, said that only detectives directly assigned to Nancy Guthrie's case will be involved, unless large movement in the case warrants more staffing. But, Carrillo emphasized that the case remains active and says they're still focused on finding Savannah Guthrie's mother. "This remains an active investigation and will continue until Nancy Guthrie is located or all leads have been exhausted," Carrillo said, according to a report from the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Savannah Guthrie continues to ask the public to come forward with any tips. "If you've been waiting and you haven't been sure, let this be your sign to please come forward. Tell what you know, and help us bring our beloved mom home," she said in a video message on her social media pages. Savannah Guthrie Asks the Public and Experts for Information Regarding the Disappearance of Her Mother, Nancy Guthrie "Please - be the one that brings her home," Savannah added in a caption on separate video on social media. "Tips can be anonymous, reward can be paid in cash, as explained here." She added in the post, "Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) NOTE: Family reward of up to $1 million will be paid only for recovery of Nancy Guthrie, consistent with FBI criteria for payment of its reward in this case." In the clip, Savannah's "Today" co-anchor Craig Melvin talked with NBC correspondent Liz Kreutz about how the FBI ensures that people who call get to stay anonymous. Kreutz said that "experts" are handling the situation and that people who call in a qualifying tip are able to pick up their reward at a "neutral location." Advertisement Advertisement Also, collecting the award doesn't require an ID. "Experts say it is really not traceable and no questions asked," she stated. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United States have formalised a $1.2 billion health partnership aimed at strengthening disease control and healthcare financing over the next five years. In a joint statement released on February 26, 2026, the two Governments confirmed that Washington will provide up to $900 million to support efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child mortality, and other infectious diseases. Kinshasa, in turn, has pledged to increase its domestic health spending by $300 million within the same timeframe. The agreement forms part of a broader recalibration of American health assistance across Africa. As of Thursday, the US State Department has concluded 19 bilateral global health partnerships with African countries. The new framework replaces earlier arrangements under the now-dismantled United States Agency for International Development. The Trump administration has characterised the revised approach as consistent with its America First doctrine, arguing that the bilateral accords will enhance self-sufficiency, streamline funding, and eliminate what it describes as ideological priorities and inefficiencies in previous aid structures. However, the evolving model has generated unease. On the same day the Congo deal was announced, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention raised concerns about provisions in some agreements that reportedly require recipient countries to share pathogen and outbreak data with Washington as a condition for funding. These anxieties follow the collapse of negotiations between the US and Zimbabwe on February 26, 2026, after Harare rejected a clause mandating the sharing of sensitive health data. It remains unclear whether similar requirements are embedded in the Congo agreement. The latest accord signals a strategic shift in global health diplomacy, as Washington moves towards direct, transactional engagements with African governments while urging greater domestic investment in national health systems. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Space.com / Josh Dinner NASA's plan to return humans to the moon has changed. As engineers work to fix issues with the Artemis 2 mission's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, NASA officials are reexamining what flights will follow and are shaking up plans for which of those will actually land astronauts on the moon. In short, Artemis 3 is changing from a crewed mission to the lunar surface to an Earth-orbit rendezvous of NASA's Orion spacecraft with one or more of the program's moon landers in 2027, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced on Friday (Feb. 27). The program's first moon landing will now take place on Artemis 4, in 2028, with a potential second landing that same year with Artemis 5. NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket is seen on the road between the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Complex-39B on Jan. 17, 2026. | Credit: Space.com / Josh Dinner In addition, SLS' design will be standardized to streamline production, and the rocket's launch cadence will be shortened from once every three years to once every10 months, if all goes to plan. To accomplish this, NASA plans to bolster its workforce in order to "rebuild core competencies," Isaacman said, "that will directly contribute to NASA's launch cadence." Advertisement Advertisement It's a major shift in the architecture of NASA's Artemis program , which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon and in lunar orbit. A recent report from NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), however, cast serious doubts on the previous architecture, calling into question the agency's timeline, projected mission safety and the readiness of the Human Landing System (HLS) vehicles that NASA has contracted from private companies to perform lunar landings. As originally designed, Artemis 3 encompassed a long list of technological firsts, with a heavy dependency on HLS, which the ASAP determined posed "significant risks at the mission level." First-time Milestones for the Artemis III Mission prior to Feb. 27, 2025. | Credit: NASA Aerospace Advisory Panel "This is just not the right pathway forward," Isaacman said. "Going right to the moon is not a pathway to success." "We want to reduce complexity to the greatest extent possible," he added. "We want to accelerate manufacturing, pull in the hardware and increase launch rate, which obviously has a direct safety consideration to it as well." Advertisement Advertisement With the new framework, Artemis 3 is drastically simplified, and less dependent on the readiness of a moon lander's ability to actually land on the moon. The development of both private HLS landers chosen by NASA has fallen short of the space agency's hopeful timeline, resulting in impending delays. NASA contracted SpaceX 's Starship to land astronauts on the Artemis 3 and Artemis 4 moon missions. Starship has flown 11 suborbital test flights over the past three years but has yet to notch several critical milestones needed to qualify the spacecraft for lunar landings with astronauts onboard. NASA picked Blue Origin 's Blue Moon spacecraft, meanwhile, to land astronauts on the Artemis 5 moon mission. A Blue Moon pathfinder known as Mark 1 is currently undergoing testing at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Before NASA will let either Starship or Blue Moon carry astronauts to the lunar surface, the vehicles will have to demonstrate their ability to transfer and store cryogenic fuels in space , rendezvous and dock with Orion, as well as execute an uncrewed moon landing and successful ascent back to lunar orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Now, NASA plans to use Artemis 3 as a safe proving ground for those procedures in low Earth orbit before entrusting the landers to be 100% successful on their first flights to the moon. Previous architecture for Artemis 4 used an upgraded version of SLS, called Block 1B, which featured the enhanced Exploration Upper Stage in place of SLS' current Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS). If NASA's launch cadence with SLS remained unchanged, Artemis 4 would have launched sometime around 2030. Space agency officials are counting on a standardized SLS configuration to shorten the wait time between launches, and are now targeting an Artemis 4 liftoff in 2028 as the program's first crewed lunar landing, with the potential for Artemis 5 to repeat the feat later that same year. "I think what we're doing is directly in line with what ASAP asked us to do," Isaacman told Space.com during Friday's briefing. "I think it should be incredibly obvious you don't go from one uncrewed launch of Orion and SLS, wait three years, go around the moon, wait three years and land on it." Advertisement Advertisement Isaacman compared the need for an increased SLS launch cadence to the United States' first lunar program, saying, "There has to be a better way, in line with our history." "We did not just jump right to Apollo 11 . We did it through Mercury , Gemini and lots of Apollo missions with the launch cadence every three months," Isaacman said. "We shouldn't be comfortable with the current cadence. We should be getting back to basics and doing what we know works." In the meantime, teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center continue to work toward an April launch date for Artemis 2, despite its recent relocation from the pad at Launch Complex-39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for repairs. Engineers conducting routine post-fueling procedures after a Feb. 19 countdown rehearsal for the Artemis 2 rocket encountered a helium flow pressurization issue on ICPS that they could address only back inside the VAB. That countdown practice run was the second "wet dress rehearsal" for the Artemis 2 SLS, which experienced liquid hydrogen leaks and an early countdown termination during testing on Feb. 2 . Advertisement Advertisement "The suspected system component for the helium flow will be removed, and they're going to undergo detailed sections and assess the cause of the issue," Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said on Friday. "We hope to get down to the root cause of that and make changes, not just to the hardware, but to our operational procedures, so that we don't encounter the same issue again when we roll back out to the pad." Counting on a quick diagnosis and fix, NASA officials hope to have SLS back on the pad in time to meet Artemis 2's next launch window, which opens April 1, with additional opportunities April 3-6 and April 30. Artemis 2 will be Orion's first mission with a crew onboard. They are NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman , Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen . The quartet will launch on a 10-day mission to fly in a single loop around the moon before returning to Earth . LINCOLN Dozens of Nebraskans converged at the State Capitol Friday for a rally and back-to-back hearings on five immigration-related measures aimed at reining in ICE tactics in the state and increasing public scrutiny. Advocates for greater restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities dominated the roughly four hours of testimony before the Legislatures Judiciary Committee. Only two people spoke against any of the five bills. Both were agency heads in Gov. Jim Pillens administration. Advertisement Advertisement The first two hearings on Legislative Bills 854 and 906, which seek to halt mask-wearing by immigration agents in Nebraska, except in certain circumstances drew more than 20 supporters. It is un-American to have a secret masked police force in our country, State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said in discussing her LB 854. The reasons why are manifold. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) State Sen. Margo Juarez of South Omaha introduced the similar LB 906. Both bills include certain exceptions. Sponsors said they intend also to stop ICE impersonators from concealing their faces to try and commit crimes. Mia Perales, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was among proponents who said she wanted to give lawmakers a feel for what was on young peoples minds. She said she would not be part of any brain drain fleeing Nebraska because of high taxes or housing costs. Advertisement Advertisement Rather, she said, her concern is transparency and respect for people of all backgrounds. If she left, Perales said, it would be because my values arent being upheld. The two people opposing the bills on Friday were Col. Bryan Waugh, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, and Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Corrections. They took issue with Legislative Bills 963 and 881, introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha and State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha, respectively. McKinneys LB 963 would prohibit state agencies and officials from entering into agreements related to immigration enforcement without legislative approval and seeks to void a Nebraska deal with the federal government that last fall converted a rehabilitative-focused state prison in McCook into an ICE detention facility for migrants. He has been a vocal opponent of Pillens decision to partner with federal officials in the arrangement, saying the Legislature should have had oversight. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, chair of the Legislatures Urban Affairs Committee. Sept. 12, 2025. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) ICE is out of control in the United States of America, McKinney said. They are killing U.S. citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Jeffreys, as he has on previous occasions, said the governor had the authority to convert the Work Ethic Camp into the ICE detention center. He contends that the change did not disrupt WEC inmates who had to be relocated to other facilities and said the federal government has been timely in reimbursing the state for costs. Pillens office has estimated ICE reimbursements will net Nebraska $14.5 million annually. Over the next month or so, Jeffreys said, the facility should finish construction that would allow for 100 more detainees, up from the current capacity of about 200, he said. Several speakers protested the lack of public input on the conversion, however. Among them was Phil Lyons, a McCook lawyer and Red Willow County deputy county attorney who said he was speaking for himself. Lyons said he resented that community members were not consulted. Advertisement Advertisement I think its a bad picture, he said. I dont want to be associated with a concentration camp. I dont want that to be associated with McCook. We deserve better. Guereca, in describing his LB 881, focused on local and state law enforcement agencies entering into 287(g) agreements with the federal government to enforce immigration laws. The legislation would require prior notification to a local governing body and calls for a public hearing. Waugh said the new requirements could unintentionally hinder public safety operations, delay time-sensitive decision-making and create administrative burdens. Bryan Waugh, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. Aug. 5, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Many agreements or interactions with federal partners occur in urgent situations, he said. The bills framework may limit the flexibility agencies need to respond. Advertisement Advertisement The State Patrol leader challenged Guerecas assertion that such agreements cost Nebraskans. He said six state troopers have gone through 40 hours of Department of Homeland Security training and have made 65 immigration-related arrests. Waugh said the federal government has reimbursed the state for car mileage and other costs. Guereca said, however, reimbursement is not guaranteed. He said he was concerned about county sheriffs departments entering into agreements and local residents shouldering expenses. He offered examples, including Harris County in Texas, which ended its program in 2017 because it cost $675,000 a year. Guereca said the DHS Office of Inspector General estimated that ICE saves $120,000 to $250,000 a year for every 287(g) agreement because local law enforcement agents perform similar functions to ICE officers. Advertisement Advertisement Taxpayers deserve the right to have a voice in the process, Guereca said. Another Juarez legislative proposal aired Friday would prohibit law enforcement agents from entering certain community safe spaces to enforce immigration law without a judicial warrant. Legislative Bill 907 drew multiple supporters, including Daniel Russell of the Nebraska nonprofit Stand for Schools. State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha speaks at a news conference and rally on Feb. 27, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) The measure aims to ensure that places such as schools, child and health care facilities are not disrupted by warrantless immigration enforcement. Russell said families and students are on edge in Nebraska, seeing immigration enforcement activities unfolding in cities such as Minnesota and Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement When parents are worried, he said, Kids dont show up or dont fully engage in the school day. He said that while ICE hasnt reached into Nebraska schools, the Juarez bill could help alleviate tension and be preventative. Lina Traslavina Stover, executive director of the Heartland Workers Center, joined Russell and others at a State Capitol rally prior to the hearings. She said many in the Latino community in Nebraska are living in fear. Men in masks and unmarked cars are taking our neighbors away. Fear is not public safety, she said. Juarez spoke to the roughly 50 rallygoers, many of whom carried signs saying, Protect our Communities and others who wore T-shirts saying, I am a Friend of Immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement She said the country and Nebraska are in unprecedented times. As lawmakers, she said, We are here to show them we care. The Judiciary Committee took no immediate action Friday on any of the proposals. Friday was the last day of public hearings, and the rest of the 60-day legislative session that ends in mid-April will be full days of debate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEBRASKA (KCAU) Nebraska authorities made a huge drug bust this week on Interstate 80. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, a State Carrier Enforcement trooper became suspicious while conducting a vehicle inspection on a semi. A police K9 was able to detect the smell of a controlled substance in the cab of the semi. Courtesy: Nebraska State Patrol During a search, authorities found 242 pounds of cocaine underneath a sleeper bed. Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, was arrested and booked into the Dawson County Jail on possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, and displaying a fictitious license plate. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KCAU 9 News | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Among the Ukrainian units that took part in the May 2025 NATO exercises in Estonia where European forces were reportedly "defeated" were pilots from the 412th Nemesis Brigade. Over three days, they carried out nearly 30 bomber-drone missions and notched up 14 simulated equipment kills. Source: Pavlo Laktionov, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 412th Nemesis Brigade, during the Ukrainska Pravda conference "War 2026. Humans vs Machines." Details: The success of Ukrainian troops during the NATO drills was first mentioned in February 2026 by The Wall Street Journal. Laktionov said the exercises brought together troops from 13 European countries, with total personnel reaching 16,000. Nemesis was represented by four servicemen: an operator, a navigator and two ground crew members "the best of the best, taken straight from combat units as a bonus," he said. Nemesis servicemen during the NATO drills in Estonia in May 2025 Photo: 412th Nemesis Brigade European forces initially struggled to understand how to integrate a bomber-drone crew beyond striking mock targets, meaning the Ukrainian pilots had to take the initiative. Advertisement Advertisement "Our unit was attached to an Estonian Army formation and placed under an Estonian officer who coordinated the entire UAV component. At first, they just didn't know how to use us they simply waited for something to happen so we could take part. Our servicemen took the initiative and explained how we could be useful: not only as bombers, but also for logistics, reconnaissance, strike planning and more," Laktionov explained. Nemesis drone operators worked together with an Estonian crew operating a Vector reconnaissance drone the Estonians identified targets, and the Ukrainians struck them. First, the units jointly reconnoitred a location where the assault group had set up a vehicle staging area. Laktionov said that the armoured vehicles were positioned as if in a car park, "concealed" under bushes and trees. The defending side, which included the Ukrainian crews, then mapped out the targets and the operation. "It was like a shooting range we were 'destroying' the equipment, choosing what exactly we could destroy. After just the second drop of our dummy munitions, we were asked not to hit the target directly but to drop it beside the target because a driver-mechanic nearly got injured in the head he was sitting inside waiting for the buzzing to stop and got hit on the head with a mock munition," the officer recalled. Deputy Commander of the Nemesis Brigade Pavlo Laktionov, during his speech at the Ukrainska Pravda conference War 2026. Humans vs Machines Photo: Oboronka / Volodymyr Fomichov The NATO exercise lasted five days. During that time, Nemesis fighters tried to explain to their European allies the various ways copter drones could be used, as well as how to operate situational awareness systems. Advertisement Advertisement "We suggested: you've got a sniper team there, and you don't know how to get Mavic batteries to them let us deliver them. Once they figured that out, we kept bringing that sniper team batteries, water and Snickers. Then we brought them sleeping bags because they were freezing there." Over three days of flying, Nemesis fighters carried out 29 sorties including logistics missions, target destruction and remote mine laying. They were credited with 14 destroyed targets: seven armoured combat vehicles, one tank, three cars, two command posts and a bridge. They also conducted seven remote mining missions and nine humanitarian UAV missions. A Ukrainian drone operator prepares a copter drone for take-off during NATO exercises Photo: 412th Nemesis Brigade Pavlo Laktionov said that NATO forces were guided by experience from past wars, whereas for Ukraine's defence forces, drones and other modern battlefield technologies are routine. "The notional enemy relied on hiding their equipment in the forests, assuming it wouldn't be accessible. They didn't check roads for mines, even though key routes had been provisionally mined by us. This came as a complete surprise to the participants in the exercise, whereas for our guys it was ordinary routine work, carried out as if at a training ground, without any resistance," explained the deputy commander of the 412th Brigade. Advertisement Advertisement Since the brigade's creation, Nemesis pilots have carried out more than 2,500 remote mining missions and over 2,000 humanitarian missions. Their crews have also struck more than 150 tanks, 300 armoured fighting vehicles, 70 command posts, 1,000 vehicles and 600 infrastructure facilities. "In NATO, everything is very well written out doctrines, rules, standards, protocols but they are about war as it used to be. We had our own Delta system there, a situational awareness platform. We told them right away: you give us the targets, and we'll strike them. For the first two days, a runner kept bringing our pilots a paper map saying: 'Here's the target, here are the coordinates, you need to hit it!' Once, twice, three times. On the fourth day, we said: 'No more paper only Delta. Mark the points there; you can also drop a note in the chat, and we'll see it.'" Ukrainian servicemen tried to teach Europeans the technologies of modern warfare Photo: Oboronka / Volodymyr Fomichov Pavlo Laktionov said that the experience of the NATO exercise in Estonia suggests that the war in Ukraine is shaping new standards and rules of warfare, which are also influencing NATO doctrine. The officer hopes that the setback will serve as a "cold shower" for allies and help them better understand modern war. How the future battlefield may look, and the role drones will play in it, was analysed by Oboronka in the article: Drone swarm: the future of modern warfare or fantasy? Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The failure of the recent rounds of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US over the past three weeks, and Irans refusal to discuss limitations to its missiles programme, are proving to be highly costly and pose a major threat to the very existence of the Islamic regime. The pre-empted US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, which started earlier on Saturday, are targeting bases of the IRGC across the country, and also Irans stockpile of cruise and ballistic missiles, their launchers and production sites. Ballistic missiles, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometres, pose a major threat to Israel. They have the capability to penetrate Israels Iron Dome, and other air defence systems, as witnessed during the 12-Day War in June 2025, and also on Saturday, when the Israeli port of Haifa was targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Cruise and ballistic missiles also pose significant threats to the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in particular Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, where US military and naval bases are located. A number of these Arab states were targeted on Saturday. 1701 How Iran's short-range ballistic missiles compare As a matter of policy and also reassurance to Israel, Donald Trump, the US president, has reiterated that he will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Tehran has a highly developed nuclear programme, encompassing the key aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining and ore processing, production of uranium concentrate (Yellow Cake), conversion to uranium hexafluoride gas, and uranium enrichment. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, published in November 2025, Iran has accumulated approximately 440kg of enriched uranium. This quantity is sufficient for the manufacture of 10 nuclear weapons. Iran, according to the IAEA, had previously enriched small quantities of uranium to 83 per cent. It is noteworthy that the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, in August 1945, contained uranium enriched to 82 per cent. According to the IAEA, and also based on satellite imagery, significant damage was done to Irans key nuclear sites and nuclear facilities, in particular the Fordow uranium enrichment site, built some 60m underneath a mountain, the Natanz uranium enrichment facilities, the Isfahan nuclear technology centre, and the Isfahan nuclear research centre. Advertisement Advertisement To totally dismantle the physical aspects of Irans nuclear programme, it is most likely that its nuclear sites, nuclear installations and supporting infrastructure facilities will be targeted, once again, notwithstanding the extensive Israeli and US aerial attacks during last Junes 12-Day War. Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan will be targeted to ensure the key components of Irans nuclear programme are obliterated. The Arak heavy water production plant, and the Arak (Khondab) heavy water nuclear reactor were heavily damaged last June, and are unlikely to be targeted again. The Tehran nuclear research reactor will not be the target of aerial attacks as it is in proximity to densely populated areas and any damage would cause extensive societal and environmental harm. Araks heavy water production plant was heavily damaged last June is unlikely to be targeted again - Mohammad Berno/Bloomberg Equally, it is highly unlikely that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf, would come under attack. Russian scientists and technicians are present at the plant, and assist in its operation. Harm to Russian personnel could lead to a major escalation of the military conflict, which neither Israel nor the US would wish to provoke. Moreover, extensive damage to the Busher plant could lead to a Fukushima-like nuclear accident, resulting in extensive release of radioactivity into the marine environment of the Persian Gulf. This would result in contamination of ecological systems, disruption of shipping operations, and production of oil and gas in the region. It could also affect the supply of drinking water to the Arab countries of the Gulf which operate water desalination plants. Advertisement Advertisement An attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant must be avoided at all costs, as Iran may retaliate by attacking the UAEs nuclear power plant which operates four nuclear reactors. Iran may also reciprocate, and take retaliatory action by targeting Israels nuclear research reactor and nuclear research centres. Under the circumstances, and in view of the gravity of the situation, diplomatic efforts must be made by the international community, in particular the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council and the GCC, to restore peace and stability to the region. Dr Bahram Ghiassee is an associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. ROSEMONT, Ill. (WGN) You may want to plan ahead if youre heading to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont. Parking is no longer free unless youre staying for a short visit or spending a certain amount inside. The change recently took effect. It marks the second time the mall has introduced some form of paid parking since opening in 2013. It used to be free, thats actually why I came here, shopper Max Fomin said. Advertisement Advertisement The luxury outlet mall draws tourists staying nearby and shoppers hunting for deals at its high-end stores. But the new parking setup caught some visitors by surprise. It creates a hassle to get out, Fomin said. The malls owners confirmed theyve transitioned to parking operator Metropolis, which already has a large presence in Chicago. Shoppers are encouraged to register before arriving by providing a phone number, license plate number and payment method. If they dont register ahead of time, license plate readers capture the information, and the gate will still lift for entry. However, getting out can take longer. Advertisement Advertisement Many, including Fomin, say theyre learning that the hard way. Basically, it took me about five minutes to get out because its a rental and I didnt remember the license plate number, Fomin said. Parking remains free for the first hour. After that, rates increase: one to three hours costs $13, three to 12 hours costs $20, and 12 to 24 hours costs $50. Shoppers who spend at least $100 can receive free parking for their first three hours with validation. Theyll need to visit guest services to have it applied. Fomin, who used to live in the area and is now visiting from Florida, said he didnt meet the $100 minimum to qualify for validation. Advertisement Advertisement Employees familiar with the situation say some visitors have taken advantage of the previously free parking to avoid paying at nearby venues, including the Rosemont Theatre, sometimes leaving their cars for six to eight hours. Reaction on social media and in person has been mixed. I guess everythings gone up in price. My personal opinion: thats not right, it shouldnt be done, but I guess they have to make money somehow, Fomin said. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines One employee said the change has been positive so far, helping prevent people from lingering at the mall, particularly groups of younger visitors who may not actually be shopping. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, a mall spokesperson said: This update is designed to ensure convenient access for our guests while maintaining a positive overall experience at the center. The program prioritizes parking availability for our shoppers and discourages overnight, event and airport parking. Parking rates are comparable to nearby facilities in the area. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Daylight saving time means springing forward in one week. Here's when it happens this month, and when it'll end. When is the daylight saving time change 2026 in USA? Participating states turn clocks forward an hour on the second Sunday in March during the spring. Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday of November in the fall of each year and that's when states turn clocks back an hour. When does daylight savings time start 2026 spring forward? What date does DST begin? In the U.S., Daylight Saving Time will begin and clocks will officially spring forward at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026. Do I gain or lose an hour of sleep for Daylight Savings Time at 2 a.m. March 8, 2026? We lose an hour of sleep when the clocks "spring forward" and are turned ahead at 2 a.m. for one hour when Daylight Saving Time begins. Advertisement Advertisement In the fall when DST ends, clocks "fall back" an hour in November. That is when people gain an hour of sleep. Why is daylight savings a thing? What is it? The goal of daylight saving time is to ensure more daylight hours in a day for a number of reasons, but primarily to save energy. There have also been arguments that having more daylight hours benefits public safety and health. Daylight saving time was first introduced in the U.S. in 1918 during World War I and it was known as "war time." It was then abandoned after the war as there was no financial need to continue it at the time. Daylight saving time as we know it today began in the U.S. with the Uniform Time Act of 1966, only it started on the last Sunday of April and ended on the last Sunday of October. Why does daylight saving time change at 2 a.m.? In an interview with Time Magazine, author Michael Downing cited his book, "Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time," to explain how Amtrak and the railroads were the main reason clocks change at 2 a.m. for DST. Advertisement Advertisement There were no trains leaving the station at 2 a.m. on Sundays in New York City when Daylight Saving Time was established. "Sunday morning at 2 a.m. was when they would interrupt the least amount of train travel around the country, Downing said. When does 2026 daylight savings time change spring forward? What date will daylight saving time change spring forward? Clocks will spring forward at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8, in 2026. When does 2026 daylight saving time spring forward start, DST fall back end? Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 8, and ends on Nov. 1 in 2026. What time is it in Indianapolis? Visit timeanddate.com to see the current time in Indianapolis. Why does the time change in Indiana? The time changes in Indiana because it observes daylight saving time. Daylight saving time is meant to provide extra sunlight during the spring, summer and fall seasons, but in Indiana, there's a very complicated past with DST. While Indiana has spent some time without switching clocks, Hoosiers currently turn their clocks forward an hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall. Which U.S. states don't change clocks for Daylight Saving Time? As of July 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation noted that only Hawaii and parts of Arizona do not participate in daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation is the lone exception in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement The territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also do not participate. According to the website, states may exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time by state law in accordance with the Uniform Time Act, as amended. Story continues after photo gallery. Did Daylight Saving Time start because of farmers? No, according to almanac.com. "Many Americans wrongly point to farmers as the driving force behind Daylight Saving Time. In fact, farmers were its strongest opponents and, as a group, stubbornly resisted the change from the beginning," Catherine Boeckmann wrote for almanac.com. Advertisement Advertisement "When the war ended, the farmers and working-class people who had held their tongues began speaking out. They demanded an end to Daylight Saving Time, claiming it benefited only office workers and the leisure class. The controversy spotlighted the growing gap between rural and urban dwellers." When does Daylight Saving Time end permanently? Despite the Sunshine Protection Act being unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate in 2022, there is no permanent end to daylight saving time in sight. Is Donald Trump going to permanently end Daylight Saving Time? In December 2024, Trump said he planned to eliminate daylight saving time. He needs the approval of Congress in order to achieve this, and he had been urging them to approve. Others hope that instead of eliminating daylight saving time, it will be permanent. 20 states have advocated for this by passing measures in recent years in favor of year-round daylight saving time. Advertisement Advertisement Trump expressed support for such a notion in April 2025, calling it very popular, though he has also referred to the move as a 50-50 issue. Conversation in Congress about the issue is ongoing. Chris Sims is a trending reporter at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims. Katie Wiseman is a trending news reporter for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman and X, formerly Twitter, at @itskatiewiseman. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Is Daylight Saving Time change this weekend? When it ends in 2026 OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Some Norman residents are upset after state lawmakers passed a resolution naming a controversial planned turnpike after the late country music star Toby Keith, because they say Keith was a vocal opponent of the project and argue naming it after him feels like a slap in the face. Lawmakers who wrote the resolution say they got permission from Keiths family and thought it would be a fitting honor for such an influential Oklahoman. Toby Keith waswithout questionOklahomas greatest country and western star, State Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, said during a Senate hearing for the resolution this week. Hes the kind of musician who never tried to separate his music from who he was When he passed away after a long battle with stomach cancer, it felt like the country lost one of its most outspoken patriots. Advertisement Advertisement The turnpike in question is the east-west connector that the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority plans to build between I-44 in Newcastle and I-35 in Norman as part of its Access Oklahoma plan. Standridge argued it would be fitting to name it the Toby Keith Expressway after a man who had an impact on Norman and the world. Norman Fire Dept. seeks help identifying person in fire investigation Toby Keith was a great Oklahoman who never forgot his roots or his American pride, Standridge said. And Oklahomawe were very lucky to have him, Standridge said. But to Norman residents like Dave Moore, it landed very differently. Advertisement Advertisement I was a little shocked, Moore said. I believe the people of Norman are offended. This is almost a slap in the face. Moore said it was well known around Norman that Toby Keith was not a fan of OTAs Access Oklahoma plan. He was very much opposed to the toll roads and the whole idea of turnpikes in Norman and in Cleveland County in general, Moore said. News 4 shot video of Keiths Norman property in 2022 as he allowed activists with the group Pike Off OTA to put up a massive sign opposing the turnpikes. Keith was also among the people who signed on to a lawsuit challenging Access Oklahomas legality. Advertisement Advertisement Toby Covel, thats his given name, Moore said while pointing to Toby Keiths legal name on the lawsuits initial filing. And Im like wait, Toby Covel? I know who Toby Covel is that signed on to the lawsuit. Thats pretty cool. Moore said putting Keiths name on the turnpike without him here to have a say feels more than wrong. Almost criminal, Moore said. The resolutions Senate and House authors say Keiths family did get to have a sayand they gave the idea their blessing. With permission of his family, Standridge said when she introduced the resolution at this weeks hearing. After several meetings with his family, theyalong with many others, including myself- believe this is a fitting way to memorialize an individual who meant so much to so many, State Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore, said at a House of Representatives hearing over the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Moore said he sees it differently. I think its exploitation is what it is, Moore said. Theyre just exploiting him for his name. And they dont really care what Toby thought. News 4 attempted to reach Toby Keiths family to confirm how they feel about this, but was not ultimately able to reach them. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The North Carolina mother who vanished in 2001 and was found safe and sound this month was arrested on an outstanding order, officials say. Michele Hundley Smith, 62, was taken into custody Wednesday by the Robeson County Sheriffs Office on an arrest order related to her failure to appear in court 25 years ago, the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. The sheriffs office said Smith failed to appear in court on Dec. 27, 2001, in connection with a charge of driving while intoxicated issued on Nov. 11, 2001, by the Eden Police Department. Michele Hundley Smith. (namus.gov) (namus.gov) She has posted bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on March 26. Robeson County is about 175 miles southeast of Rockingham County, which is near the Virginia border. Advertisement Advertisement For decades, Smith's disappearance baffled law enforcement and her community in Eden, a small town home to about 15,500 people. She was 38 when she was reported missing, last known to have left home to travel to a Kmart in Virginia for Christmas shopping and never returned, the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office said. Then a tip on Feb. 19 led to a break in the case. Detectives followed up, and on Friday they made contact with Smith at an undisclosed location within North Carolina alive and well, the sheriff's office said. At her request, her whereabouts werent disclosed, but her family was notified that she had been found. Advertisement Advertisement Rockingham County Sheriffs Capt. Jonathan Cheek told NBC News on Wednesday that there are no charges against Smith connected to her disappearance. He said he doesn't believe there has been any contact between Smith and her family. Smith indicated when she was found that there were "domestic issues" before she left on her own accord, Cheek has told NBC News. However, the sheriff's office had no records related to such issues before she departed. Smith has two daughters and a son, her daughter Amanda Smith shared on Facebook in 2021. Amanda Smith has been vocal in the search for her mother. Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday she posted on a Facebook page she made dedicated to the search for mother, writing: I will say that my mother chose her new life and we know she is alive, and for now that is enough. The next day she shared a long post asking for respect for her family, as "we are hurting and going through a lot." My dad has been through so many accusations since all the way back then, she wrote. My father has been through so much and I want it made clear that while their marriage had issues (just as many marriages go through) that my mom did not leave simply bc of a bad marriage. As far as my opinions and feelings on my mom... I am ecstatic, I am pissed, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map! Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly I cant answer that bc I dont even know, she continued. The sheriff's office said the district attorneys office is conducting a full review of the case. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Agriculture education is big. That was not the theme but it was the message for the fourth Cultivating Connections in Agriculture, an event celebrating agriculture education and FFA in the Sauk Valley and the larger northern Illinois region. The conference and networking event, held at Tettens Grain in Nachusa, brought together FFA members, educators, school administrators and members of the local business community to learn about agriculture education, FFA and how programs can be supported. Advertisement Advertisement Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 Sterling FFA member Grace Wetzell talks about Farmapalooza Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Cultivating Connections in Agriculture in Nachusa. The event brings FFA programs from across the area to meet, learn and exchange ideas. Farmapalooza is an annual event hosted by the Sterling FFA to introduce people to aspects of farming. The event is May 7. (Alex T. Paschal) A lot of learning happens outside of the classroom and that is what we are excited to showcase today. Our goal for you is to learn who your ag ed family tree is. Who can I reach out to? How can I support my program more? Katie Pratt, Lee County agricultural literacy coordinator and manager of the Lee County Ag in the Classroom program said as she welcomed over 100 guests, including students clad in the familiar blue corduroy jackets of the FFA. Advertisement Advertisement The event was directed at educators at the local level, including teachers, counselors, principals and superintendents. One of those attending the event for the first time was Kelly Mandrell, superintendent of Polo Schools. We have an incredible ag department in Polo, with Stephanie Schultz and Alec Wetzell. They work well together and I want to find out, with the hard work they put in, is there anything were missing? What can the district or the alumni do to help support them and continue to grow our program? Mandrell said. Fifteen FFA chapters from across northern Illinois had displays showcasing their chapter and agriculture education programs highlights and specialty areas. Advertisement Advertisement We asked them to showcase something about their chapter so we have chapters showcasing community service, their career development events, leadership development and their schools agriculture curriculum. The showcase gives our attendees a very well-rounded look at what agriculture education looks like in schools, Pratt said. The chapter showcase was one part of the event that Mandrell, a graduate of Franklin Center High School and a former member of the Franklin Center FFA, said she was excited to see. I feel its important we see the whole picture, seeing what other kids and other FFA chapters are doing. It gives us another piece of the puzzle when we are looking at finances and state funding, Mandrell said. One of the messages of the event, conducted during National FFA Week, a national weeklong observance to recognize FFA and the benefits of FFA programs and agriculture education, is that agriculture education and FFA is larger than the traditional farm kid and cows, sows and plows images and mindset. Advertisement Advertisement We feel like there still is the stereotype that ag is still just for the kids who arent pursuing a four-year degree, that its still just for the kids where you just need to find a place to put them, the students who need to be in school and we know in the ag shop they are going to keep their hands busy and theyre going to work. We still fight that stereotype, Pratt said. The FFA members who talked with teachers, principals, superintendents and others about their chapters are helping to break those stereotypes. The chapters and FFA members who are here today really showcase the diversity of what agriculture education is. We have chapters today that really focus on horticulture, we have chapters who are big into animal science and plant science, and we do have what people think of as traditional ag education, the mechanics, the industrial arts-type activities, Pratt said. Mandrell echoed the need to change the way that agriculture education and FFA is viewed in the public sphere and in the education community. Advertisement Advertisement This is not just whos going to college and whos not. We need to stop that stereotype. It is all about the different activities, the different areas and specialties, Mandrell said. Mandrell said one common theme she was happy to see among the chapters represented at the event was a focus on community service. Every chapter I visited today talked about community service. Teaching our kids at a young age about being part of their communities and contributing to their communities is so important because when they start that young, chances are they are going to keep doing that for the rest of their lives, she said. The event also was designed to educate educators by offering six different break-out sessions. Speakers included ag teachers and FFA advisers, agriculture industry professionals and others connected to agriculture education and FFA, on topics ranging from how agriculture and FFA can build industry partnerships to getting students to participate in agriculture classes and FFA to engaging, attracting and managing FFA alumni groups. The 15 chapters attending included Ashton-Franklin Center, Amboy, Bureau Valley, Dixon, Eastland, Forreston, Fulton, Geneseo, Kewanee, Morrison, Oregon, Polo, Rochelle, Sterling and Stillman Valley. Kenya has begun administering the first dose of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug, in a Nairobi informal settlement on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the countrys public health response. The injectable medication, taken twice a year, has demonstrated more than 99.9 per cent effectiveness in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Although often described as vaccine-like in impact, lenacapavir is a chemical drug and does not stimulate the immune system. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the launch as a moment of renewed hope for thousands of Kenyan families, particularly young people who remain disproportionately affected by new infections. He confirmed that the drug will be provided free of charge to eligible recipients. Kenya was among nine African countries selected last year to introduce lenacapavir. The drug has already been rolled out in South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia since December. The initial rollout follows the arrival last week of 21,000 doses secured through an agreement between Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Kenya has an estimated 1.3 million people living with HIV, with the highest burden among those aged 15 to 24. Health workers say the twice-yearly injection offers greater privacy and convenience compared to regular clinic visits for daily preventive medication, strengthening efforts to curb new infections in high-risk communities. One of the first responding police officers to a house explosion on Plain St. in Taunton shared what he went through earlier this week. On Friday night, Taunton officer Casey Holmes said he was on his way home from a construction detail Wednesday morning, when he joined other patrolmen who were heading to a home explosion. We got there and the house was gone, Holmes said. The front door and the frame were blown completely off across the street into the neighbors yard. It was hot right when we walked up from 100 yards away you could feel it. Advertisement Advertisement Holmes has been on the force for twelve years. Hes responded to many fires, but he said this house explosion was the most intense by far. He and other officers arrived and went door-to-door to warn people and tell them to evacuate while the flames were burning. In body camera video released on Thursday, you can see officers and neighbors using shovels to try to find and dig out fire hydrants just two days after a historic blizzard. Something had to be done. There was a huge fire, and you just clicked into gear, and you dont think about it until its done, Holmes said. It was a community effort. The recent winter weather made the response tougher. Roads were narrow as fire engines and ambulances tried to get to the house. Holmes said people were slipping as they tried to get the fire hoses out. Advertisement Advertisement Minutes after arriving, Holmes learned a mother and daughter were badly burned inside the home. They were at a neighbors house, who was an off-duty Quincy firefighter. Thats when Holmes first came into contact with the victims. Our initial thought is nobody could have survived this, he said. They had terrible burns which were tough to see. Nothing short of a miracle that two people are going to survive. Holmes said one ambulance got stuck in the snow. The mother with serious injuries was placed into a second ambulance. The medics hopped in the back to treat her, but they needed a driver. Holmes stepped up unexpectedly and drove the ambulance to a Rhode Island hospital. While he played a pivotal role in helping the woman get the treatment she needed, he was quick to credit other first responders and the neighbors who pitched in to help. It was nice to see everyone work together come together as a team and get the job done. Advertisement Advertisement The mother and two-year-old daughter were seriously hurt, but the family says theyre expected to be okay. Holmes said he would like to visit them in the hospital when its appropriate. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW President Donald Trump ordered the entire federal government to stop using products from the AI company Anthropic on Friday to stop what he called a radical left, woke company from encroaching on the militarys decision-making. The public feud between the Pentagon and Anthropic which resulted in the firms blacklisting has become effectively a proxy for the larger battle over the future governance of AI. The coverage has focused on Anthropics refusal to budge off its two red lines using its product in mass domestic surveillance or to power fully autonomous weapons and whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths Pentagon can be trusted to use powerful software with a looser requirement to only use it in a lawful manner, as the administration demands. Advertisement Advertisement But, according to reports this week, the confrontation that sparked the feud actually focused on a different but related issue: how AI might be used in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States. Semafor and the Washington Post have reported that in early December, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael asked Anthropics Dario Amodei whether, in a scenario where nuclear missiles were flying toward the US, the company would refuse to help its country due to Anthropics prohibition on using its tech in conjunction with autonomous weapons. Administration sources say Michael was infuriated when Amodei said the Pentagon should reach out and check with Anthropic. Anthropic denies the story and says it was willing to create a carve-out for missile defense, but either way, the conversation poisoned relations between the two institutions. (Disclosure: Voxs Future Perfect is funded in part by the BEMC Foundation, whose major funder was also an early investor in Anthropic; they dont have any editorial input into our content.) As I reported for Vox in November, theres an active and ongoing debate over whether and how artificial intelligence should be integrated into nuclear command and control systems. We dont know to what extent it already is, but we do know that the US military is actively looking at ways AI and machine learning can be used to enable and accelerate human decision-making. Discussions around nuclear weapons and AI tend to focus on whether machines would ever be given control of the ability to launch nuclear weapons, and the imperative to keep a human in the loop for discussions of the use of humanitys deadly weapons. But many experts and officials say that debate is the low-hanging fruit: Neither the US, nor any other country, is likely to ever hand over decisions on whether to order a nuclear strike to AI. Advertisement Advertisement A much trickier question is the degree to which AI should be relied on for functions like strategic warning synthesizing the massive amount of data collected by satellites, radar, and other sensor systems to detect potential threats as soon as possible. This is the sort of hypothetical use case that it sounds like Michael was proposing to Amodei. If the system is only being used to give us a better chance of shooting down an incoming missile, it might seem like a no-brainer. But in a scenario where the US was under attack by ballistic missiles, the president would immediately be faced with a decision which would have to be made in only minutes about whether to retaliate, potentially setting off a full-blown nuclear war. The lives of millions of people might rely on the system getting it right and there are plenty of examples from the history of nuclear weapons of detection systems leading to near-misses that were only averted by human intuition. Advertisement Advertisement The technology to do that kind of threat detection likely doesnt exist yet, which, given the stakes, may have been one reason Amodei was reluctant to commit to this scenario. Retired Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, who flew nuclear missions in the Air Force and was later the head of the Pentagons Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, told Vox that if nuclear threat detection and response were turned over to artificial intelligence agents, I dont want to say its certain that theres going to be a catastrophe, but I think youre heading down that path. He pointed to a widely-reported study released this week from a researcher at Kings College London which found that AI models including Claude, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini were far more likely than human participants to recommend nuclear options in simulated war games. In this scenario, an AI might not be launching a weapon, but a president would have to overrule a panicked-sounding multibillion-dollar systems prescription under extreme pressure. One factor that makes military use of AI different from previous technologies with obvious national security uses is that in this case, much of the cutting edge research was done by private firms that initially had an eye on the commercial market, rather than companies responding to demand from the military. (An example of the latter case would be the internet, which evolved from Defense Department and academic projects long before companies found commercial uses for it.) Advertisement Advertisement The new dynamic is bound to lead to culture clashes, particularly between a company like Anthropic that, though it has been happy until now to let its product be used by the Pentagon, has built its public image around its concerns about AI safety, and Pete Hegseths anti-woke Pentagon. Boeing would never object to building anything the government would ask them to build, said Shanahan, who led the Pentagons controversial 2018 partnership with Google, Project Maven, a previous DC-Silicon Valley culture clash. Its a defense-industrial base company. [AI is] being born in a very different world with a group of people who dont see things the way employees of Lockheed may have seen the Cold War. Its Mars-Venus to an extent. How the clash plays out, and whether other companies are willing to let their models be deployed with fewer questions asked, may go a long way toward determining what role AI might play in a hypothetical nuclear war. This story was produced in partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. The Malaysian state of Perak has banned single-use plastic bags and issued strict warnings for local businesses. As reported by news agency Bernama, Perak's plastic bag ban will take effect on March 1. The ban was originally scheduled to launch in January, but officials pushed it back to give the public more time to prepare for the change. There will also be a six-month adjustment period to help businesses shift to plastic bag alternatives. After that time, local authorities will begin enforcing the new law. Advertisement Advertisement "Once the directive is finalized, traders will be prohibited from selling single-use plastic bags," said Teh Kok Lim, Perak's Science, Environment, and Green Technology Committee chairman, per Bernama. "Where necessary, they should provide recycled alternatives. This is a crucial step to ensure environmental sustainability and curb plastic pollution." The news from Malaysia marks one of the most recent plastic bag bans worldwide. Numerous cities, states, and nations have been implementing such bans or considering similar measures. Examples include the city of Edmonton in Canada, the state of California in the United States, and the entire nation of New Zealand. Although plastic bag bans may cause temporary inconveniences for merchants and shoppers, proponents say they are an important step toward improving public and planetary health. Advertisement Advertisement Plastic waste can contribute to harmful pollution in our neighborhoods and habitats. As it slowly breaks down in the environment, it can shed microplastics, which enter soil, water, air, and food systems. And while scientists are still exploring the potential impacts of microplastics exposure on humans, research has linked the exposure to everything from respiratory to reproductive health concerns. Even in locations that haven't yet implemented plastic bag bans, residents are taking charge themselves by voluntarily switching to reusable cotton bags for grocery shopping and other errands. Using reusable glass and stainless steel water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles can also help. In terms of plastic bag bans, some challenges beyond behavior change persist. "Challenges include low awareness, especially in rural areas, where folks remain unaware of the environmental and health risks of single-use plastics," Teh told Packaging Insights in December. Advertisement Advertisement He has also emphasized the need for collaboration among local government, businesses, and residents to ensure a smooth transition. "We must provide practical solutions, such as subsidized reusable bags for low-income families," he said, per Sustainable Packaging MEA. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said the war in the Middle East has doubled the importance of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. Source: Orban on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: On the day the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran in the Middle East, Orban said he now considers supplies via Druzhba even more important. Quote: "The war involving Iran has doubled the importance of the Friendship [Druzhba ed.] oil pipeline. Once again, I call on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to immediately resume oil deliveries to Hungary!" Advertisement Advertisement Details: Hungary and Slovakia continue to claim that Ukraine has stopped oil supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline solely for political reasons, even though the disruption was caused by damage from a Russian attack in late January. Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have decided to set up an investigative commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline and to seek permission to visit the damaged site. Background: After a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 27 February, Fico claimed that Kyiv has no interest in resuming the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline and has refused to allow an investigative commission into the country. Orban wrote a critical letter to Zelenskyy in which he demanded "more respect for Hungary". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! International calls for mediation are growing as Pakistan and Afghanistan engage in cross-border fighting for a third day, in the most serious flare-up in violence between the neighbours in months that Pakistan says has brought them into open war. The European Unions foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged on Saturday for the countries to bring down the temperature and enter talks, warning the violence could affect the wider region. Iran, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also urged de-escalation and mediation. Advertisement Advertisement Afghanistans Taliban rulers have said they are open to negotiations to bring an end to the conflict. But Pakistan on Saturday said there would be no dialogue, repeating its long-running demand that Afghanistan stop harbouring terrorism, an allegation Kabul denies. There wont be any talks. Theres no dialogue. Theres no negotiation. Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end, the Pakistani prime ministers spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, told Pakistan TV, stressing that Pakistans responsibility was to protect its citizens and territory. Meanwhile, tit-for-tat attacks occurred near the fraught border. Afghan media reported that Taliban forces fired drone attacks on Pakistani military camps in the border areas of Miranshah and Spinwam. Advertisement Advertisement Pakistans Dawn newspaper reported a drone attack hit a mosque in the city of Bannu further south, injuring at least five people. And Pakistan TV said Pakistani forces waged their own attack targeting several positions of the Afghan Taliban. The latest violence erupted after Pakistani air strikes on Afghan territory last weekend triggered retaliatory Afghan attacks stretching across six Pakistani districts on Thursday. In response, Pakistan carried out widespread aerial attacks in the early hours of Friday on the Afghan capital and two other areas, Kandahar and Paktia. It was Pakistans first air strikes on the southern power base of the Taliban authorities since they returned to power in 2021. Both sides reported heavy losses with conflicting tolls. Pakistan said 12 of its soldiers and 274 Taliban were killed, while the Taliban said 13 of its fighters and 55 Pakistani soldiers died. Neither sides claims could be independently verified by Al Jazeera. The United States, which considers Pakistan a major non-NATO ally, said it backs Pakistans right to defend itself against Taliban attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence within the country in recent years, including suicide bombings and coordinated assaults targeting security forces. Pakistani authorities blame the Pakistan Taliban, or TTP, for many of the attacks, and accuse Afghanistan of sheltering the group inside Afghanistan. Kabul rejects the allegations and says it does not allow anyone to use Afghan soil for attacks on any country, including Pakistan. Pakistan is nuclear-armed and its military capabilities are vastly superior to Afghanistans. However, the Taliban is adept at warfare, hardened by decades of fighting with United States-led forces. The papers might have seemed ordinary in their time: letters, invoices, receipts, logs, diary entries. But their contents, signatories or ties to milestone events turned them, over the centuries, into objects of great value. A letter from George Washington to one of his colonels warning of a raid during the Revolutionary War. Legal writings by Abraham Lincoln before he became President. A note from Thomas Jefferson written as he prepared to leave Europe and return to Monticello. Objects like this have been passed down through generations, discovered among a departed loved one's belongings or uncovered in dusty attics or safe deposit boxes. But what are they worth to strangers? How do experts verify such relics are authentic? How is their monetary and historic value determined? And where do they belong: in the hands of private collectors or on public view? George Washington's signature is on a 1789 document recognizing one of the heroes of Valley Forge. What's real and what's fake? Nathan Raab wrote the book, or at least a book, on the process of authenticating historic documents. Advertisement Advertisement The co-author of "The Hunt for History: On the Trail of the World's Lost Treasures," Raab, a second-generation rare documents dealer, has held letters from Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill and handled documents signed by George Washington and John Hancock, perhaps the most famous signer in American history. So when he or his father Steven, who founded The Raab Collection in 1989 after a career as a lawyer, spot a fake, they know it. "The short answer is experience," Raab said. "Like any profession, to be really good at something, you need repetition and experience. Once you've seen hundreds of letters by someone, anything that's off will jump out." "The Hunt for History: On the Trail of the World's Lost Treasures," details how Nathan Raab and others find and authenticate historic and rare documents. His father honed his own skills over a lifetime of interest in history and a passion for collecting rare pieces of it. After a short post-college stint in political consulting, the younger Raab joined the firm. Advertisement Advertisement Spotting a fake takes more than an eye for handwriting, he explained. "It's not just looking at a signature and a line here and there. It's understanding the context of the piece, the ink used, the format ... If one (item in a collection) fails the sniff test, they all do." Nathan Raab wrote "The Hunt for History," a look at the process of finding and authenticating rare and historic documents. Most people Raab has encountered who possess fakes aren't looking to fool anyone; on the contrary, they've usually been fooled, or at least misinformed, themselves. He once had to break the sad news to a woman who'd hoped her inherited document would bring enough to finance her grandkids' college educations. But he also got to tell a man who thought letters from Abraham Lincoln weren't worth much, until Raab saw that the 16th President wrote in them of his wish for divine intervention on behalf of the Union cause. Public view or private collections? Raab's company has a financial interest in buying and selling of documents with historic ties to private collectors. But, he said, the distinction is blurrier than many would think between what is publicly owned and what is publicly available. Benjamin Franklin's signature is on document relating to the first individual colonial mission to ask for clandestine aid in France. The Raab Collection often sells items to public-facing institutions like the Library of Congress, university libraries and museums like the Rosenbach Museum and Library, Raab said. Many private collectors loan items to museums and libraries, or donate or bequeath them. Advertisement Advertisement "The market and institutions are different," he said, "but the line between them is a faded, subtle one, not a strict one. Some of the greatest collectors are also the greatest philanthropists." A 1771 document is signed by both John Hancock and John Adams. Adams, a lawyer, represented Hancock in a legal dispute. "Most artifacts and documents are moving between public and private status over the course of their lives," said Whitney Martinko, a professor of history at Villanova University. "Sometimes they're on permanent loan, or a temporary display in a museum. And then there are many items that are in public hands that are totally inaccessible to the public, like records sitting in courthouse attics." She also cautioned that not all public-facing institutions have the wherewithal, facilities or resources to keep large or sprawling collections indefinitely. "We think of archives as 'forever,' but that's not always the case." She pointed to the Atwater Kent Museum in Philadelphia, which closed after years of financial difficulties; its collection is now in the hands of Drexel University. "Sometimes there's a false sense of what's public, and what's forever." A letter from Thomas Jefferson as he prepares to leave Europe and return to Monticello, and eventually become Secretary of State under President George Washington. Michelle Krowl said researchers at the Library of Congress, where she oversees the papers of presidents from James Polk to Theodore Roosevelt, ask themselves whether a potential acquisition fills a gap in their collections or whether it might complement what they already have. Advertisement Advertisement A specialist in the Civil War, Krowl said that era is particularly rich because soldiers wrote to their families frequently and many of those letters were saved and preserved. The Library of Congress accepts donations, but also has to take into consideration what researchers who use the library might need or want, the condition of the item(s), the costs for restoration, storage or preservation, and whether it's better suited to a state or local library or archives. She recalled a letter she came across from a Civil War soldier who wrote about the cost of his uniforms and how they wore out quickly while he was on "picket duty." "We recognize the blockbuster names," she said. "But in my job, sometimes its the smaller stories that offer something different and I cant anticipate how a researcher might use that information." Evaluating what should or should not be for sale Raab said his company does its due diligence when checking on the provenance of items it might buy or sell an area where his father's legal experience is helpful. Advertisement Advertisement "Anything where we have a doubt we walk away," he said. They take into consideration the best potential home for an item as well, and while he acknowledges they may sometimes have historical value, Nazi-related items are a definite "no" for the Raabs, who are Jewish. Martinko, the Villanova professor, said anyone dealing in historic artifacts or documents has to make ethical determinations around an item's provenance and history. "That's especially important around colonized or marginalized groups or people who've been oppressed," she said. The looting of Indigenous peoples' graves, items stolen by Nazis, profiting off the unpaid or unrecognized labor of enslaved people dealers, academics, curators and collectors all have to take these questions into consideration, she said. "There are people who agree that there are all sorts of things that should not be sold," she said. "What should and should not be for sale is a reflection of social values in our society." Advertisement Advertisement Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writing about history and Americana. Contact her by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com, on X @wordsbyphaedra, on BlueSky @byphaedra, or on Threads @by_phaedra This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: It's historic. But what is it worth? And who should keep it? PATH service in and out of Hoboken has resumed with delays after being suspended earlier Friday following a track fire. Just after 9 p.m., PATH resumed service from both World Trade Center and 33rd Street in and out of Hoboken. NJT rail and bus are cross-honoring at Hoboken, New York Penn Station, Secaucus, Newark, Hoboken Light Rail, Bus 126, and Bus 87. Around 11:30 a.m., Port Authority police and the Hoboken Fire Department responded to a smoke condition at the PATH Hoboken station and located a small fire in the tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the fire was quickly put out, the station was evacuated and no injuries were reported, but the station was closed, impacting service for several hours, including the evening commute. Crews replaced the damaged rail and tested trains before service resumed. Service between Newark and World Trade Center, and Journal Square to 33rd Street are operating. PATH directed impacted customers to the following alternative modes of transportation: - PATH is operating service between 33 Street and World Trade Center to accommodate transfers at Newport for NJ Transit light rail service. - NJ Transit Rail is cross-honoring PATH at Hoboken, Secaucus, New York Penn Station, and Newark with bus #126 and #87. Advertisement Advertisement - NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen light rail is cross-honoring at Hoboken, Exchange Place and Newport. - New York Waterway ferries is also cross-honoring customers at Hoboken and Brookfield Place. NJ Transit rail customers impacted by Portal Bridge cutover service changes should visit NJ TRANSIT's websitefor further information and travel alternatives. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. The Department of Defense is blocking active-duty troops from attending graduate-level education at Ivy League schools and other top universities, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Friday. Hegseth announced the move Friday afternoon in a video posted to social media. He accused the universities of being breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination and said that the ban would go into effect for the 2026-2027 academic year. The move effectively ends troops participation in higher learning at some of the top universities in the country. For decades, the Ivy League and similar institutions have gorged themselves on a trust fund of American taxpayer dollars, only to become factories of anti-American resentment and military disdain, he said. Theyve taken our best and brightest, the men and women who pledged their lives to this nation and subjected them to a curriculum of contempt. Theyve replaced the study of victory and pragmatic realism with the promotion of wokeness and weakness. Advertisement Advertisement Hegesth did not provide examples of what was being promoted or what prompted the move, but said that the universities are teaching the enemys wicked ideologies. The ban includes universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Columbia and many others. A full list of impacted schools was not given. Top Stories This Week News VA has no plans of ever doing anything about disability rule, official says By Jeff Schogol News Army warrant officers will bid against each other for their next bonus By Patty Nieberg Military Life Top enlisted Marine issues emotional appeal to reach out to somebody By Nicholas Slayton It is not immediately clear what this means for troops currently enrolled in these universities for this academic year and in multi-year programs. The secretary called for complete and immediate cancellation of all Department of War attendance, using the administrations nickname for the Department of Defense, but did not elaborate on what that means in action. Task & Purpose reached out to the Department of Defense about this, which said it did not have anything additional to share and directed Task & Purpose back to Hegseths video. In the video Hegseth also announced a top to bottom review of the militarys own war colleges, with the goal of making them once again bastions of strategic thought, wholly dedicated to the singular mission of developing the most lethal and effective leaders and war fighters the world has ever known. Advertisement Advertisement It follows a move by the department earlier this month to cut ties with Harvard University, with Hegseth accusing it of being a factory for woke ideology. On Feb. 6 he said that the Pentagon was ending its graduate-level training and certificate programs with the university. In that case and this announcement, the Pentagon and the secretary have not elaborated on what woke means. Hegseth himself holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard. The announcement regarding the universities also follows other high-profile fights between them and the Trump administration. Last year the administration canceled federal funding and launched investigations into several universities, accusing them of fostering antisemitism and criticizing policies regarding diversity and inclusion. Several of the targeted schools made deals with the administration to regain that funding. Airports across the Middle East have suspended all flight operations until further notice, leaving many stranded. The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes across the region. One Emirates passenger told Business Insider he was stuck on a plane for five hours without food before everyone was deplaned. Travelers are in limbo as airport departure boards flip to red after air strikes in Iran resulted in closed airspace and triggered mass flight cancellations. The heart of the chaos is in the Middle East, where airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi serve as megahubs for global connecting traffic. As of Sunday, all flights in and out of Dubai International Airport the world's busiest airport for international travelers remain suspended until further notice. Passengers are being advised not to travel to the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium shows their home airlines Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways carry a combined 90,000 transit passengers a day. That figure does not include the thousands of travelers whose final destination is the Middle East. The three major Middle Eastern airlines shared status updates on X: Emirates: all flights in and out of Dubai are suspended until 3 p.m. UAE on March 3, the airline said early Monday. Etihad Airways: all flights in and out of Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2 p.m. UAE on March 2, per an X update on Sunday. Qatar Airways: all flight operations remain temporarily suspended, the airline said in an X post on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said in a Sunday X post that approximately 20,200 affected passengers were assisted through temporary accommodations arrangements and rebooking services. Emirates passenger Jaiveer Cheema, who was set to fly back home to the US on Saturday, told Business Insider that he was stuck on his plane for five hours with no food before everyone was deplaned and shuffled into the crowded terminal at Dubai International. "The next several hours at the airport were chaos as no one knew what to do," he said. "We spoke to several security guards and Emirates employees, and they all gave us different answers." Cheema said they stood in line after line until they eventually got a hotel voucher and took a bus to the lodging. He was still waiting for a room 90 minutes after arriving it's after midnight in Dubai; nearly 20 hours after he initially showed up for his 9 a.m. flight. Advertisement Advertisement While many passengers are stranded within the region's closed airspace, shuttered until further notice, the disruption has rippled far beyond it. Flights to the affected region from places like London, Bali, Bangladesh, and the US have been canceled outright or diverted mid-journey leaving travelers far from home in crowded airport terminals and uncertain when they will be able to depart. Airlines have told passengers on social media to expect long wait times at airports and on customer-service phone lines as they try to manage the abrupt disruptions. The sheer number of displaced people and planes is expected to snowball worldwide if airports are unable to restart operations soon. Advertisement Advertisement Flight operations at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport in Lebanon on Saturday. Passengers in Dubai were funneled into long, snaking lines. Jaiveer Cheema is one of the thousands of people stranded in limbo. Courtesy of Jaiveer Cheema Cheema spent hours in line but managed to secure a hotel voucher though he had yet to secure a room when talking with Business Insider. He said he did not have answers from Emirates on what's next. An Emirates spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Passengers at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport in Lebanon are stranded. Passengers are stranded at Rafik Hariri International Airport on Saturday. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images Airlines are pivoting their operations in response to the strikes. Lufthansa Group said it is suspending flights to Beirut, Tel Aviv, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran until March 7. Advertisement Advertisement "The following airspaces will also not be used until March 7: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Iran," the aviation corporation said. "In addition, Lufthansa Group airlines will suspend flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Dammam until March 1. Furthermore, the airspace of the United Arab Emirates will not be used until March 1." People outside the region are stuck in places like Bali, Europe, and the US. Passengers look at the departure board at Bali Airport. Johannes P. Christo/REUTERS Passengers not in the region are still stuck as flights to the megahubs of Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi remain canceled through at least March 2. The flights that diverted to places like Rome, Paris, Istanbul and those that never took off have left travelers far from home with uncertainty about when they'll depart. Advertisement Advertisement International flights at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal were disrupted. Flights are cancelled at Tribhuvan International Airport. Navesh Chitrakar/REUTERS The Tribhuvan International Airport shared a passenger advisory on Saturday, saying international flights "may be subject to delay, rescheduling, or cancellations" due to airspace restrictions. The airport told passengers flying with major airlines including Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines to coordinate with those companies to navigate travel issues. Passengers flying with major airlines were told to check their flight status. Qatar, Etihad, and Emirates planes sit together in Bali after being forced to divert on Saturday amid the attacks in the Middle East. Johannes P. Christo/REUTERS Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad are the "Big 3" airlines of the Middle East and carry tens of thousands of passengers a day through their busy megahubs in Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Advertisement Advertisement The flight suspensions will have a significant impact on international travel. Qatar's airspace closure caused flight disruptions at Hamad International Airport. Passengers at the Hamad International Airport in Qatar on Saturday. Stringer/REUTERS Qatar's Hamad International Airport said all aircraft movement has been temporarily suspended due to the country's closed airspace. "Our priority is always the safety of our passengers and employees. We are working closely with government stakeholders and airline partners to look after passengers that have been impacted," the airport wrote in an advisory. In London, flights to the countries in the Middle East were canceled. The Emirates check-in counter at London Gatwick Airport shows cancelled flights on Saturday. Ben Stansall / AFP Flights heading to the Middle East were also canceled at London Gatwick Airport in England on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement London Gatwick Airport told some passengers to expect travel interruptions. Travelers at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Mohammad Ponir Hossain/REUTERS A London Gatwick Airport spokesperson told Sky News it's "expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights." Some international flights out of Indira Gandhi International Airport are experiencing disruptions. Passengers at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Dehli on Sunday. Hindustan Times/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect The X account for the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India, said the ongoing conflict has disrupted some flight operations. "Due to the evolving political situation in the Middle East, westbound international flights continue to experience disruptions and schedule changes," the airport said on Sunday. "Passengers are advised to check the latest flight updates with their respective airlines before heading to the airport." Are you a stranded traveler with a story to share? Contact the reporters at ledmonds@insider.com and trains@insider.com along with your preferred contact information. Read the original article on Business Insider Weeks before Graham Platner promoted an antisemitic conspiracy theorist in a now-deleted social media post on Thursday, the controversial Maine Senate candidate appeared on a popular YouTube show whose host has spread specious claims about Jews and Israel. Platner faced blowback this week for boosting a social media comment about a looming war with Iran by Stew Peters, a neo-Nazi influencer who has frequently espoused antisemitic tropes and engaged in Holocaust denial. Platners team said the post was made in error and immediately removed it after learning it elevated a despicable account. In late January, however, Platner sat for a lengthy online interview with Nate Cornacchia, a retired Green Beret who has also promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. Near the end of their hour-long conversation, Platner, a fellow military veteran, called himself a longtime fan of Cornacchias YouTube channel, Valhalla VFT, and said it was an absolute pleasure being on the show. Cornacchia, whose show claims nearly 500,000 YouTube subscribers, has in recent months helped stoke a burgeoning far-right conspiracy theory alleging that Israel was involved in the assassination of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Two days before speaking with Platner, for instance, Cornacchia went on a podcast hosted by Jake Shields, a former mixed martial arts fighter who is now a prominent Holocaust denier, and pointed to what he described as huge links connecting Israel to Kirks killing. The biggest one, the way I look at it, is because he was basically so important from the Zionist side to the young right wing, sort of that counter Nick Fuentes audience that Israel needs desperately, he said. Charlie Kirk said that he was tired of being bullied by his Jewish donors and that he no longer could support the pro-Israel cause, and he was dead 48 hours later, Cornacchia added on the show, where he also agreed with Shields assertion that President John F. Kennedy had probably been assassinated in a covert venture between the CIA and Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. 100%, he replied. In addition, Cornacchia has suggested that the global war on terror was conducted on behest of Israel and claimed Israel would benefit if another 9/11-style attack were carried out during the tenure of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, saying it would help to drum up Islamophobic sentiment and lead to another foreign military entanglement in the Middle East. The Jewish state got exactly who they wanted in Mamdani, the citys first Muslim mayor whom the Israeli government has accused of antisemitism, he argued on his own show in November. Thats their candidate, guys. You got to pay attention. The conservative YouTube commentator has also questioned why George Soros son Alex was seen posing for a photograph with Mamdani on the night of his election. You may immediately be thinking, Oh, well, of course, thats because Soros funds all the socialists, Cornacchia said of George, a Jewish billionaire donor to left-wing causes and a Holocaust survivor who is often a target of antisemitic attacks. No, no, no, no, thats surface level, he told his viewers, claiming that the philanthropist moves in coordination with our greatest ally, a term he uses to sarcastically allude to Israel. Platners interview with Cornacchia, which he promoted on his social media channels, did not touch on such topics. His team did not respond to a request for comment on Friday about Cornacchias antisemitic remarks. The 41-year-old Senate candidate, who is running in a competitive Democratic primary to challenge Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), faced skepticism from critics last fall after he denied knowing a tattoo that was on his chest for years closely mirrored a Totenkopf, the skull-and-crossbones icon adopted by an infamous Nazi SS unit. A former acquaintance of Platner who spoke with Jewish Insider said he had identified the symbol as such more than a decade ago, a claim he has denied. He had the tattoo removed last October. Still, even as he maintains a commanding polling advantage in the Maine Democratic primary against Gov. Janet Mills, Platners explanation of the tattoo combined with past and recent online blunders is raising questions about whether he can weather scrutiny in a general election that party leadership views as key to reclaiming the Senate majority. Mills, for her part, strongly hinted at such doubts in a snarky X post on Friday. For what its worth, she wrote, I dont have any tattoos. And on the same day he was drawing backlash for amplifying a conspiracy theorist this week, Platner was fielding a combative call from a listener during an appearance on a podcast hosted by the comedian Tim Heidecker. The caller cast suspicion on Platners claim that he did not know the tattoo represented a Nazi symbol until recently, citing his self-proclaimed knowledge of World War II history, and called on the candidate to apologize rather than dodging around the issue. But Platner held firm. Im not going to apologize for something that I didnt know about or do, he insisted. The moment that it was clear and I was putting it in that context I had it covered, because I dont want that on my body. The Ghana Armed Forces has rescued 71 fishermen whose boats were attacked by unidentified gunmen off Ghanas coast, a local official confirmed on Thursday. Kalala Nyamekye Eghan, Municipal Chief Executive for Awutu Senya West District in the Central Region, told the Associated Press that the armed men struck late on Wednesday, robbing the fishermen and making away with their outboard motors. The assault left the victims stranded at sea overnight. A joint operation by the navy and air force led to the successful rescue of all 71 fishermen on Thursday morning. They were transported to hospital for medical assessment and later discharged. Authorities have launched investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible. Earlier, the Ghana Armed Forces announced that a search-and-rescue mission was underway off the coast of Senya Bereku following reports of attacks on fishing vessels in the area. Navy spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin urged the public to remain calm, assuring that further updates would be provided as operations continue. The incident adds to long-standing maritime security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea, a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean along West Africas coastline from Senegal to Angola. While piracy and armed robbery at sea have historically plagued the region, reported cases have declined since 2021, attributed to intensified naval patrols and strengthened regional security collaboration, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This analysis and news roundup come from the Canary Media Weekly newsletter. Sign up to get it every Friday. No matter how you feel about data centers, we all rely on them: for reading this email, for scrolling through TikTok when you should be asleep, for streaming last nights Traitors finale, and so on. And as AI becomes more powerful and more widespread, tech companies are building more of these power-hungry facilities though exactly how many, and how much energy theyll need, is unclear. That fuzzy future is what makes data centers so complicated. Utilities that are rushing to meet data centers massive projected demand run the risk of building too many power plants, locking in more greenhouse gas and health-harming emissions, and passing unnecessary costs on to households. Advertisement Advertisement Its a dilemma that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are finally waking up to. In the early years of the data center boom, governors and the federal government created tax breaks and other incentives to secure a slice, betting that the facilities would create jobs. But just last week, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) announced a two-year pause on tax incentives for data centers in his state. Similar rollbacks have been proposed in Maryland, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Virginia, Stateline reports. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has meanwhile called for data centers to make sure their power demand isnt saddling residents with unfair costs. Its a message with bipartisan support: U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced a long-shot bill earlier this month that would ensure each new data center has its own power supply that doesnt connect to the grid that the public relies on. The idea that data centers should pay their own way is gaining traction with the White House, too. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he will push tech companies to promise that their data center build-outs wont leave Americans with higher power costs. This ratepayer protection pledge wouldnt be binding, however. Its a conversation worth following as congressional primaries begin this month, including in the data center hotbeds of Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas. A handful of Democratic candidates are already looking to differentiate themselves from crowded primary fields by going hard on data centers energy impacts, E&E News reports. And we can expect that Pritzker, Shapiro, and other governors and senators will do the same as they gear up their reelection campaigns for November and as they consider running for the White House in 2028. More big energy stories Will these fossil-fuel plants ever shut down? The Trump administrations push to keep fossil-fueled power plants running past their prime is stretching into a new year. Advertisement Advertisement Just this week, the Department of Energy ordered Pennsylvanias Eddystone oil and gas plant to keep operating for another three months, stretching its life nearly a year past its planned retirement. Its one of several fossil-fuel plants that were supposed to retire last year but are now racking up millions of dollars in costs for grid operators to contend with. Those cost battles are coming to a head in the Midwest. Federal energy regulators already agreed to spread the cost of keeping a Michigan coal plant running across 11 states served by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator. And in Indiana, the owners of two coal-fired plants forced to stay open are currently looking for a similar arrangement. The problem is only likely to grow this year as the Trump administration forces gigawatts worth of fossil-fuel generation to keep operating with no end in sight. Supreme Court considers a major climate case with a catch The U.S. Supreme Court agreed this week to take up the fossil fuel industrys attempt to shut down city and state climate lawsuits but it could face a surprising obstacle. Advertisement Advertisement The case centers on a challenge brought by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, against two oil and gas companies. After the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in Boulders favor last year, the companies appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. And now, the case could determine the fate of several dozen other local climate lawsuits. But the EPAs recent repeal of the endangerment finding could pose a problem for the fossil fuel companies it was intended to help. Because the rollback effectively erased federal climate and emissions regulations, legal experts tell E&E News, it could be harder for oil and gas companies to make their case against local protections. Clean energy news to know this week Virtual popularity: Virtual power plants which tie batteries, solar panels, and other resources into energy management systems are gaining popularity across the U.S. as states look to curb rising power prices without the need for grid upgrades. (Canary Media) Shifting gears: The U.S. EPA will revamp the Clean School Bus program and shift $2.3 billion in remaining funds away from electric buses and likely toward vehicles powered by natural gas, biofuel, and hydrogen. (Inside Climate News) Advertisement Advertisement Solar finds a spark: A growing number of states are considering legislation to allow for balcony solar systems, which can plug in to conventional outlets and help users lower their utility bills. (Canary Media) Escaping eternal limbo: The Interior Department is reviewing at least 20 commercial-scale projects that have been stuck in permitting since Trump took office, including the massive Esmeralda project in Nevada. (E&E News) Resilient rebuilds: While Oregon loosened building codes for families rebuilding in the wake of devastating wildfires, state incentives have still encouraged some residents to opt for resilient, energy-efficient new homes. (Canary Media) New federal funds: The DOE has announced a $26.5 billion loan, its largest ever, to help Southern Co.s Georgia and Alabama subsidiaries build new gas plants and transmission lines and upgrade existing power plants. (Associated Press) Advertisement Advertisement Coal has become its curse: A small Pennsylvania coal-mining town is on the verge of collapse under the pressure of noxious, smoldering underground fires; pollution; and economic challenges. (Morning Call) Nuclear who? The Trump administration is considering awarding a $25 billion contract to little-known nuclear power company Entra1 Energy, which appears to have just a handful of employees, to build new energy infrastructure using money pledged by Japan to avoid tariffs. (Politico) President Donald Trump said there could be a "friendly takeover of Cuba," though did not go into specifics, while taking questions from reporters while departing the White House on Friday. The comment came after being asked about a deadly confrontation off the coast of Cuba on Wednesday, in which Cuban officials said people on a U.S.-registered speedboat fired upon Cuban border troops in an alleged attempt to "carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes." Asked what he thought the boat was doing in Cuba and if he believed the Cuban government's telling of events, Trump responded, "The Cuban government is talking with us. They're in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money, they have no anything right now. But they're talking with us." Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - PHOTO: Donald Trump speaks to the media, as he departs from the White House ahead of his trip to Corpus Christi, Texas, in Washington, D.C., February 27, 2026. He then said, "Maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba." Advertisement Advertisement "We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba," Trump continued. Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is "dealing" with Cuba "and at a very high level." "You know, they have no money, they have no oil, they have no food and it's really, right now, a nation in deep trouble and they want our help," he said. Trump threatens tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, declaring national emergency The remarks come a month after Trump announced a plan to impose additional tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba, declaring a national security emergency regarding the island nation. Advertisement Advertisement In a Jan. 29 executive order, Trump said the "policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat," with regard to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The order includes retaliatory tariffs on products sold in the U.S. from "any other country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba." A month into the fuel blockade, a senior United Nations official warned on Thursday that as a result of Trump's executive order, the "humanitarian consequences are deepening by the day" in Cuba. Americans confirmed among the dead and injured after boat shootout in Cuba: US officials Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Friday did not provide any further updates on Wednesday's deadly boat shootout. Following the incident, Rubio said on Wednesday that the U.S. was working to independently verify what happened. The Cuban government said Thursday that it is sharing information with the U.S. through the channels that exist between the two countries. Cuban officials said people on a Florida-registered speedboat opened fire on Cuban border guard troops as they approached the boat in an attempt to identify it. Four people on the boat were killed and another six were injured and detained in the shootout, according to the Cuban Ministry of Interior. Among them, at least one American citizen was killed and another injured in the incident, two U.S. State Department officials and a White House official told ABC News on Thursday. President Donald Trump endorsed Don Huffines and Sid Miller in their respective Republican primaries for Texas comptroller and agriculture commissioner, a last-minute boost for the candidates that directly opposes Gov. Greg Abbotts picks in the races. In two similarly-worded Truth Social posts on Friday night after his appearance at an event in Corpus Christi, Trump praised Huffines, a former state senator, and Miller, the incumbent agriculture commissioner, with complete and total endorsement[s]. The posts emphasized both candidates dedication to border security, veterans and the second amendment. The endorsements could add even more pressure to Abbotts chosen candidates, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and first-time political candidate Nate Sheets, both of whom have polled behind Huffines and Miller. Abbotts interest in the comptroller primary, in particular, extends beyond an endorsement, as the position is responsible for implementing the $1 billion school voucher program that he aggressively sought for years. Advertisement Advertisement Hancock, a longtime ally of Abbotts, has seen $2.6 million of the governors massive campaign war chest go toward ads in support of his candidacy, according to the latest campaign finance report. Abbott has also praised Hancocks leadership amid the rollout of the voucher program. Hancock resigned from his state Senate seat in July to take on the comptroller role after his predecessor, Glenn Hegar, went on to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Huffines, who ran against Abbott in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, has proven to be a formidable opponent for Hancock. The former state senator has garnered several other high-profile endorsements, including Sen. Ted Cruz and the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The governor also endorsed Sheets, an agriculture businessman, in the GOP primary for agriculture commissioner. His endorsement of Millers opponent is a rare move against an incumbent and Trump ally. Abbott has described Millers tenure, which has been marked by scandal, as an utter failure Abbott has brought both Hancock and Sheets on the campaign trail promoting the candidates. Despite Abbotts backing, Miller and Huffines have both polled with comfortable leads ahead of Sheets and Hancock respectively. Disclosure: Texas A&M University System and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. (This story was updated to add new information.) The two owners of Hertel & Brown Physical & Aquatic Therapy have been sentenced to six years in federal prison and fined the maximum of $250,000 each for engineering a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme in which the well-known Erie-based clinic overbilled Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers for 14 years. The defendants, Aaron W. Hertel, 47, and Michael R. Brown, 49, must also pay restitution an in amount to be determined. They will both report to prison at dates the federal Bureau of Prisons will set. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter sharply criticized Hertel and Brown as she sentenced them in federal court in Erie on Feb. 27. She said the two damaged public confidence in the health care system as they overbilled insurers to boost the revenues of Hertel & Brown and provide more income for themselves. Aaron W. Hertel was sentenced to six years of probation and fined $250,000 for pleading guilty to running a health care fraud scheme at his business, Hertel & Brown Physical & Aquatic Therapy. "It is a breach of public trust," Baxter said. Defendants apologize to families, community Hertel and Brown apologized to Baxter in statements they gave at separate sentencing hearings in a courtroom whose gallery was filled with their friends and relatives. Other defendants: Who has been sentenced in Hertel & Brown fraud? Long case nears an end Advertisement Advertisement Hertel said he was "expressing my sincere remorse for the harm and distress caused by my actions." He said he was sorry to Hertel & Brown's employees and to his family, "who have suffered consequences they do not deserve." Brown expressed remorse to his family and Hertel & Brown's employees. "I regret my actions and the circumstances that brought me here today," Brown said. He said he realized that his time in prison will keep him from his family and children during "the most important moments of their lives," and that his conviction means that he might be prohibited from practicing physical therapy once he leaves prison. Those convicted in the Hertel & Brown case face suspension or revocation of their state-issued licenses. Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know if physical therapy is in my future," Brown told Baxter, but he said whatever he does once he leaves prison, "service to those in need will be at its core." Sentence followed plea deal for Hertel and Brown Baxter's sentences followed the terms of the plea agreement that U.S. Attorney's Office and defense reached when Hertel & Brown as a corporation and Hertel and Brown as individuals pleaded guilty a year ago to the felony of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud. The plea deal called for recommended sentences of six years each for Hertel and Brown, plus restitution and the possibility of a fine, and Baxter chose to impose the maximum amount. She will determine the amount of restitution following a restitution hearing on April 21. Baxter also sentenced Hertel and Brown to three years of supervised release. The six-year prison terms represent a significant sentencing break for Hertel and Brown. Advertisement Advertisement The advisory sentencing guidelines for Hertel and Brown called for prison terms of 15 years to eight months to 19 years and seven months. The guidelines accounted for the millions of dollars of losses to insurers due to the fraud. Baxter followed another part of the plea deal and ordered Hertel and Brown to forfeit their ownership of a condominium in Sarasota, Florida. They also must forfeit their ownership in their former satellite office on Avonia Road in Fairview Township. Hertel & Brown's flagship office was in rented space at the West Erie Plaza in Millcreek Township. Hertel and Brown were allowed to keep their individual residences. The U.S. Attorney's Office initially sought forfeiture of those properties. Hertel lives in North East and Brown in Millcreek. Hertel & Brown co-owner and founder Michael R. Brown was sentenced to six years in federal prison and fined $250,000 for his role in the federal health care fraud case against his business. Baxter at an earlier hearing on Feb. 27 sentenced Hertel & Brown as a corporation to a year of probation, with restitution based on the outcome on the hearing in April. The clinic is out of business. Owners, corporation, 18 employees indicted The case against Hertel & Brown started with an indictment filed in November 2021 against the corporation, Hertel and Brown as individuals and 18 employees. The U.S. Attorney's Office said the defendants defrauded Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers by as much as $22 million over the 14 years Hertel & Brown's existed. Advertisement Advertisement Owners make their case: Hertel & Brown owners ask sentencing judge to consider entire careers Eighteen of the 21 defendants including Hertel & Brown and Hertel and Brown as individuals pleaded guilty to the felony of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud. Before the sentencings of Hertel and the corporation, 11 of those other defendants were sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution, with the other sentencings set to occur by the end of March. Another defendant was convicted of health care fraud at a trial in April, and two other defendants were acquitted at the same trial. Among the evidence was that Hertel & Brown used low-paid and unlicensed technicians to treat patients and billed Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers as if licensed physical therapists and physical therapy assistants had done the work. Hertel and Brown were using proceeds from the overbilling to pay themselves $800,000 to $1 million a year, according to the evidence. Judge says Hertel & Brown employees mistakenly trusted owners Baxter at the sentencings alluded to the size and scope of the Hertel & Brown case the largest-ever prosecution of white-collar crime in Erie. Advertisement Advertisement She said the case "has occupied a significant part of the court's docket and community attention for a considerable period of time." She said the community attention was not due to gossip but because of public interest in the integrity of the systems for reimbursement of Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers. The criminal activity of Hertel & Brown and Hertel and Brown as individuals, Baxter said, eroded the confidence "not only in individual providers, but in the systems on which patients and families depend." Baxter also blamed Hertel and Brown for being behind the fraud that led to the charges and felony convictions against the 15 of the 18 employees who were indicted and pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial. Baxter said those employees made much less money than Hertel and Brown and put trust in them for guidance on billing practices. Advertisement Advertisement What all the employees "have in common," Baxter said, "is that they believed misplaced as that belief was in Hertel & Brown Physical & Aquatic Therapy as a vehicle for good, and not for a money-making machine for its owners. "Unfortunately, they believed that Mr. Hertel and Mr. Brown, individually, were their mentors, and that the instructions given to them were for the good of the team, for their own professional development and, most of all, the way of the practice." Prosecutor calls fraud 'a daily decision' The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Trabold, emphasized to Baxter that the Hertel and Brown committed "purposeful conduct" in leading the overbilling scheme. Trabold said many crimes grow out of alcohol and drug use and impulsive behavior. The fraud in the Hertel & Brown case was calculated. Advertisement Advertisement "This is not a spur-of-the-moment thing," Trabold told Baxter. "It is a daily decision to shirk the rules to enhance your lifestyle. "At any point in time, they could have stopped this." Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@usatodayco.com or 814-870-1813. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Hertel & Brown owners sentenced to prison, fined maximum of $250,000 The Brief Illinois taxpayers are concerned about unintended consequences over the Illinois "mega project" bill. State lawmakers warned of zero guardrails to protect families and small business owners from property tax hikes. Some Northwest Indiana residents criticized state lawmakers over trying to lure the Chicago Bears instead of providing financial aid for utility bills. CHICAGO - The future home of the Chicago Bears may be a competition between Illinois and Indiana state lawmakers. Some are offering financial incentives to build brand-new stadiums with either public tax, or property tax incentives. What we know Illinois state lawmakers advanced the "mega projects" bill that the Chicago Bears insist is necessary to build a new domed stadium in northwest suburban Arlington Heights. This gives developers of large projects, like a new stadium, the ability to save on property taxes by making a "payment in lieu of taxes" to local governments. State representative Kam Buckner, D-26th District, explained how it would work. Advertisement Advertisement "The board that has to approve this agreement; has to have members of every taxing district on it, school district, park district, etcetera' and they will be represented in a weighted vote based on what their total piece of the tax pie in the area is," said Buckner. "We're empowering these folks to be a part of these decisions, to help craft what it looks like because we know that one size does not fit all. What's good for my district may not be good for your district. So we're giving people the local control to figure that out." RELATED: Illinois lawmakers advance bill eyed by Chicago Bears for new stadium project The measure passed 137 on Thursday during the Illinois House Finance Committee, but there's still questions about whether it has enough votes to pass the full house. On that same day, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed legislation authorizing funding mechanisms for the construction of a new stadium in Hammond that could attract the Chicago Bears to northwest Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Braun announced the signing in a post on X, saying he was "thrilled" to take a step toward bringing the Bears to Indiana. "We made it clear from the beginning that Indiana is open for business. Im thrilled to sign Senate Bill 27 to create the framework to build a new world-class stadium in Northwest Indiana. Now lets get this across the goal line," his post reads. What about financial help for me? Fox Chicago has reported extensively on how many Northwest Indiana residents are struggling to pay their NIPSCO bills. Some have said their bills have doubled or tripled in the past year. Many have written to their state lawmakers, Braun, members of Congress and even President Donald Trump. We spoke with some residents who criticized Indiana lawmakers, who they feel forgot about them. "It is just upsetting when we see they told about the Bears stadium and things like that within the state of Indiana, when we're all wondering how are we going to pay our next NIPSCO bill," said Terri Logan, Hamlet, Indiana NIPSCO customer. Advertisement Advertisement "I think it's the same story a lot of times, it's the little guys that pay, it's little guys who suffer," said Christine Shabai, Chesterton, Indiana NIPSCO customer. RELATED: High Indiana NIPSCO utility bills a yearslong affordability crisis, advocates say In Illinois, it's a similar feeling with residents, but with property taxes. We spoke with Joe Angelastri, who owns the City News Cafe in Portage Park. He's a lifelong Chicago Bears fan who doesn't want to see them go to Indiana. However, he's concerned about his property tax bills skyrocketing under the "mega projects" bill. "Little stores like us are paying 5%, and they're (Chicago Bears) not going to pay not even a fraction of 1%, doesn't make sense," said Angelastri. "We're all supposed to pay our same share, that's how property taxes work. It's supposed to be even across the board, but it doesn't seem to be that way." Advertisement Advertisement Some Illinois House Republicans were skeptical about the "mega projects" bill being good for the entire state. "I wish everyone was spending as much time too with our current homeowners and business owners addressing their property tax issue," said Rep. Dan Ugasted, R-65th District. "We have to protect the taxpayers, we really do, they've been getting raked over the coals left and right," said Rep. John Cabello, R-68th District. What's next The Chicago Bears have not made a commitment to any project site and continued to say they're going to do their due diligence. Illinois lawmakers are on recess until the middle of March. That's when the "mega projects" bill could be heard for a full house vote. The Source This story contains reporting from Fox Chicago's Bret Buganski. Calls to stop the LEAP district from using water from Eagle Creek Reservoir are growing louder. The intersection at 56th Street and Reed Road are getting loud for a change. Protesters gathered Friday in opposition to a proposal to divert reservoir water to the LEAP Innovation District in Boone County. "Get their attention," one protester told 13News as she held up a sign to drivers. "That's the best we can do." Advertisement Advertisement Residents say they're concerned about plans to send up to 25 million gallons a day to LEAP, drawn from multiple sites within central Indiana. Eagle Creek is one of those sites, with a possible daily withdrawal of up to 13 million gallons. "This isn't the right way to handle our water and they need to make some better choices thinking about the longevity of our community," another protester told 13News. RELATED: Residents, utilities face off in community meeting over LEAP water supply While the conversation has been centered around the amount of water that is being drawn from Eagle Creek into the LEAP district, neighbors say their biggest concern is the wastewater that is being pumped back into the reservoir. Environmental advocates say that's a cause for concern, particularly on contaminants. Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon Utilities is handling the wastewater and says water that goes back is treated and regulated under the Clean Water Act. As Citizens Energy continues to hold in-person information sessions on the project, neighbors tell 13News they aren't lowing their voices anytime soon. "The message (is) that there is an issue and we need our community to step up and speak out against this and we're continuing to raise awareness by doing this today," protester Rachael Wolverton said. President Donald Trump says a joint attack with Israel killed Irans supreme leader. Iranian state media confirmed Ali Khameneis death late Saturday evening. The country launched retaliatory attacks on Israel, U.S. military bases, and other countries it believed helped in the strikes. The attacks come after the U.S. failed to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program. From coast to coast, crowds gathered both in protest and celebration to news of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9s Glenn Counts learned some are hopeful for a regime change in Iran, while others feel the U.S. should avoid conflict in the Middle East. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Trump says Irans supreme leader is dead You may have seen protesters marching in Uptown Charlotte Saturday. They are not the first group calling attention to Iran. There are two groups with two very different viewpoints. The protest started in Romare Bearden Park. Members of the Democratic Socialists believe the attack is a mistake. I would say look through the last several decades of history, said organizer Zach Thomas. Name me a single time where U.S. intervention in the Middle East has led to anything positive for the county. Advertisement Advertisement Jabril Hough is a spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Charlotte, and he feels the same way. When I woke up this morning, I began to mourn for the people in Iran. For the people in that region that are gonna be victims of bombs, Hough said. The supreme leader is gone and that makes every freedom loving Iranian extremely happy, said Shahram Mazhari, who opposes the regime in Iran. He has spent the last four years calling attention to the brutal dictatorship in Iran and organizing protests in the Carolinas. While Mazhari is a U.S. citizen, Iran is home. Anytime there is war, its a feeling of uncertainty because we dont know when its going to end, Mazhari said. But summarizing that, today was a good day for me. Advertisement Advertisement In the streets, protestors were blasting President Trump. This is all part of Trumps campaign. It seems to run the entire world, Thomas said. He follows Netanyahu more than he follows the American people, and thats really sad, said Hough. But now hes actually acting on his promise and is at least helping the Iranian people to topple this regime once and for all, Mazhari said. Protestors look at this action and see Iraq and Afghanistan all over again. Supporters say Iran is a different country and that will not happen again. The administration did not seek congressional approval for the attack, but did brief top leaders in advance. Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina U.S. Senator Ted Budd released a statement on the strikes. It reads in part, President Trump knows well that the American people do not favor prolonged conflict... but Irans nuclear weapons and long rang missiles represents a grave threat to our safety and security. In her own statement, Democratic Congresswoman Alma Adams wrote in part, The Iranian governments violations of human rights and nuclear ambitions must be addressed. However, without clear and pressing need, the President must seek authorization from Congress... She went on to say Speaker Johnson should call the House of Representatives back to Washington. Channel 9 will continue to follow all developments of this attack, including next steps from both the Trump administration and Iran. WATCH: US and Israel launch an attack on Iran with tensions high over nuclear talks The police chief in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, is on leave amid an investigation into a student protest that turned violent. The borough solicitor confirms that Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree - who also serves as the borough's city manager - is currently on workers' compensation leave. His leave comes as outrage grows over the arrests of five teenagers following a clash during an anti-ICE protest one week ago. RELATED | Tensions high at Quakertown School Board meeting after clash with police during protest Video captured by bystanders appears to show McElree in plain clothes confronting students and putting one teen in a chokehold. Advertisement Advertisement There is continued fallout with calls for the chief to resign and criticism over how the Quakertown Community School District handled the protest and the arrests. Quakertown police initially said some students engaged in "disruptive behavior" during the walkout, including hitting and kicking cars and blocking traffic. Students, however, countered that some of the altercations stemmed from harassment by drivers, including those in trucks. The police department, borough council and district attorney's office have declined to comment further until the investigation is complete. President Donald Trump made his case for war against Iran early on Saturday as US and Israeli forces bombed the Islamic republic, saying conflict was required to eliminate "imminent threats" from Tehran. Iran "rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions," Trump said in a roughly eight-minute video message posted on social media more than an hour after US strikes began. "They attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles" that "could soon reach the American homeland," the US president said, also calling on Iranians to overthrow their government. Advertisement Advertisement But Iran was said to have signaled in talks that it was willing to cease stockpiling nuclear material, while Tehran may still be years away from developing significant quantities of missiles with intercontinental range -- raising significant questions about Trump's rationale for the conflict. "President Trump did not make a strong case for an imminent threat posed by Iran that would justify the massive joint US-Israeli strikes," said Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "His call for the Iranian people to prepare to take control underscores that the ambitions here are more akin to regime change," Yacoubian said, also noting that according to intelligence assessments, Iran's nuclear program was "still not close to weaponizing." Trump had repeatedly claimed to have obliterated Tehran's nuclear program in June 2025 strikes, and the US military did not mention nuclear-related sites in a list of targets it had struck on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement - Progress in negotiations? - Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington, said Friday that Iran had agreed to cease stockpiling nuclear material needed to make a weapon -- a major concession he said would have eliminated the nuclear threat. "If you cannot stockpile material that is enriched then there is no way you can actually create a bomb," Albusaidi told CBS's "Face the Nation." "If the ultimate objective is to ensure forever that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, I think we have cracked that problem through these negotiations," the foreign minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump's assertion that Iranian missiles could "soon" strike the United States is meanwhile called into question by a 2025 Defense Intelligence Agency assessment that said Tehran did not have intercontinental ballistic missiles then, and that it could take until 2035 for it to develop 60 such weapons. Tehran currently possesses short- and medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges that top out at about 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometers), according to the US Congressional Research Service. Aside from nuclear and missile issues, Trump cited other sources of tension with Iran, including the 1979 takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, attacks by Iranian proxy groups on US forces and international shipping in the region, as well as Iran's deadly crackdown on protesters. But proxy attacks on American forces were not currently ongoing, and Trump had hailed a ceasefire last year as having halted attacks on shipping by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels. And while Trump had repeatedly threatened military intervention if Iran killed protesters, he pulled back from ordering strikes last month at the height of Tehran's crackdown on dissent. wd/nro Two days after the FBI searched the headquarters of the Los Angeles unified school district and the home of its superintendent, the district board of education placed Alberto Carvalho on administrative leave. The board met in closed session meetings for several hours on Thursday and Friday to discuss Carvalhos employment with the nations second largest school district. The trustees unanimously voted Friday to place Carvalho on paid leave, and appointed another high ranking district official, Andres Chait, to serve as interim superintendent. Todays action is aimed at fulfilling our promise to students and families to provide an excellent public education without distraction, Scott M Schmerelson, the school board president, said in a statement. Andres Chait is a highly regarded leader and educator, and we are lucky to have him step in seamlessly to oversee our schools. Over the past several years, our educators and students have made enormous strides, and we expect that progress to continue unimpeded. Advertisement Advertisement The boards statement noted they cannot discuss why Carvalhos home and office were raided. On Wednesday, FBI agents raided the district office, Carvalhos home in the Los Angeles area and another location near Miami where the superintendent previously oversaw schools for more than a decade. A spokesperson for the US attorneys office in Los Angeles confirmed that a search took place pursuant to an under seal, court-authorized warrant, but did not provide further comment. Media outlets have indicated the investigation is connected to the now-defunct education technology company AllHere, which created a chatbot for the district as part of a multimillion-dollar contract in 2024. Carvalho was a proponent of the chatbot, attending events with the companys founder, and said it was unprecedented in American public education. The district paid the company some $3m. Advertisement Advertisement Just months later, the parties cut ties and AllHere collapsed, the Los Angeles Times reported. The company went into bankruptcy and its founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, faced fraud charges. Amid the fallout from the collapse, Carvalho said he was not personally involved in hiring the company, and that he would establish a taskforce to investigate the matter, according to the Times. The Florida home searched as part of the investigation reportedly belonged to Debra Kerr, who had worked with AllHere, the Miami Herald reported. Kerr was said to have had ties to Carvalho, and the 74 reported that her son was an AllHere employee who pitched LAUSD on the technology. The raids on Wednesday sent shock waves through the district, where the board had recently voted to keep Carvalho on as superintendent for four more years. The development also fueled concerns that Carvalho may have been targeted for his stance on immigration operations. The superintendent has criticized enforcement activity near schools, and the district pledged to protect students and families attending graduations from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Associated Press contributed POTTSVILLE The 2026 Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council Regional Spelling Bee is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 7 in DHH Lengel Middle School. The event, coordinated by Schuylkill Technology Center, includes 37 student spellers representing 12 Schuylkill County school districts and non-public schools. The winning student will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 26-28 in DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement The winner will also be awarded a trophy made by Nathan Elo, a senior at Blue Mountain High School, who is enrolled in the Precision Trades program at Schuylkill Technology Center. Rowena Cresswell-Blickley, 13, a Blue Mountain School District student, won the MAEA Spelling Bee in 2025 in competition with 38 other students. She spelled orthochromatic correctly in the 15th round to win the competition in her fourth spelling bee competition. I feel like Im dreaming, she said afterward. Im just so overwhelmed. Darlene J. Robbins, MAEC president, said spelling bees are more than academic competitions. Advertisement Advertisement They help build foundational skills that directly impact on the strength of our future workforce, she said. Participation strengthens vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, focus and discipline all essential skills in any career path. Strong communication skills, attention to detail and problem-solving ability are essential in todays workforce, be it in manufacturing, health care, business or technology, she said. The spelling bee naturally complements the organizations Your Employability Skills, or YES, program, which focuses on building foundational skills for students and develops workplace readiness, Robbins said. Shannon Brennan, Schuylkill Technology Center assistant executive director, moderate the program, and Mary Ann Hedges is the pronouncer. Advertisement Advertisement Judging the competition are: Cynthia Mensch, director, Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne campus; Devina Singh, a former National Spelling Bee competitor; Joshua Sophy, Coal Region Canary editor, and Justin Reed, Skook News editor. Ashley Hess, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 assistant special education director, will serve as recordkeeper, and Cathy Bronakowski is the appeals judge. Dr. Renee Evans and Jaime Zimerofsky, both of IU-29, will provide stage assistance. Renee Good loved sparkles and laughter and any excuse for a celebration. She loved pretty much everyone she met, and was late for pretty much everything. She had this way of making you feel special and loved that I didnt even understand that until we lost her, Donna Ganger said Friday of her daughter, who was shot and killed by an immigration officer during the federal crackdown in Minneapolis. She was slow to anger, quick to love, quick to care, said her father, Tim Ganger. Thats the essence of who she was. Advertisement Advertisement Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed Jan. 7 as immigration agents surged through the Minneapolis area, sparking waves of protests. Her death and that of another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, just weeks later sparked outrage across the country and calls to rein in immigration enforcement. In a wide-ranging interview in Colorado, where some of the family lives, Goods parents and two of her brothers, Brent and Luke Ganger, talked to the AP about the joy Good found in life, their grief at losing her and their hopes that her death can bring some sort of change in a deeply polarized nation. Its going to be hard in the future, Donna Ganger said. Its going to be kind of a constant pain. Settling in Minneapolis Good, who graduated from college later in life, was volunteering in a local school district and working as a substitute teacher when she was killed, her parents said. Advertisement Advertisement She was working so hard to get her education, and then she was finally able to use it, and I could just tell how happy she was and how fulfilled, Donna Ganger said. Good, her 6-year-old son and her partner Becca Good the women were not legally married, according to a family lawyer, but referred to one another as wives had only recently relocated to Minneapolis from Kansas City, Missouri, settling in a quiet residential street in a tight-knit neighborhood known for its progressive activism. In social media accounts, Renee Good described herself as a poet and writer and wife and mom. On Pinterest, a profile picture shows her smiling and holding a young child, alongside posts about tattoos, hairstyles and home decorating. The family settled very quickly into the community in Minneapolis, said Donna Ganger, describing how the neighborhood had also welcomed the rest of the family when they came after the shooting. They see that as the result of the love that Good had showed her new neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement It was incredible to receive that back, Luke Ganger said. Donna Ganger held a stuffed, toy owl as she spoke, a gift from her daughter, who knew how much she loved the birds. It had sparkles on its feet, a reminder of Goods love for glitter. At Goods memorial service, a table of glitter had been set out for guests. Donna Ganger had put a piece on a lens of her glasses and its remained there. She just kind of sparkled all the way through, said Donna Ganger. I think of her and I look down and see my little sparkle. An American blend The family is a very American blend, Luke Ganger said recently in testimony to Congress. We vote differently, and we rarely completely agree on the finer details of what it means to be a citizen of this country. Advertisement Advertisement Yet we have always treated each other with love and respect, he said. On Friday, the family didnt want to discuss the specifics of their differences, but Donna Ganger said shed long prayed for guidance: Before all this happened I said Make me a wise woman. In the hours after Goods death, Trump administration officials said she had been shot as she tried to drive her car into an immigration officer. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good had committed an act of domestic terrorism. But as details of the confrontation emerged, and criticism of the crackdown began growing, administration comments softened. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump said hed been told that Tim Ganger had supported him. He was all for Trump, loved Trump. And, you know, its terrible, he told reporters. I hope he still feels that way. Tim Ganger declined to talk about his political affiliation or whether it had changed with his daughters killing. I think Im just going to leave that go, he said. Theres so many other important things, to deal with now. But family members said they hoped their ability to get along would be an inspiration. Our purpose through this whole tragic, difficult, unbelievable time, is to have something good come out of this, Tim Ganger said. Otherwise the senselessness of this is overwhelming. Advertisement Advertisement Sadness echoed in Donna Gangers voice as she talked about navigating family differences. Sometimes Im just silly, you know, and I joke with them and Im goofy, she said. But I want to be able to talk about hard things and thats hard sometimes with your own family to talk about hard things that maybe you dont agree on. And I dont want there to be any hardships between us or hurt. But its important that we learn to be careful with our words, but share them in a deep way, she said. Its really important. Family members only spoke in general ways about the change theyd like to see come from Goods death. Advertisement Advertisement I think its evident that something is broken, right? said Brent Ganger. And when something is broken, you have to take a deep look to see what it is that can be changed and fixed in order for it to not happen again. The morning of the shooting On the morning of the shooting, as immigration raids and protests were flaring across the city, Becca Good has said they stopped their car in the street to support neighbors during an immigration operation. Video shows Renee Good in a red SUV blocking part of the road and repeatedly honking her horn. Two immigration officers get out of a truck and one orders Good to open her door. She reverses briefly, then turns the steering wheel as the officer says again, get out of the car. Almost simultaneously, Becca Good, standing in the street shouts, drive, baby, drive! Advertisement Advertisement When Good begins pulling forward, an ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle pulls his weapon and fires at least two shots into the car, killing Good. Weeks later, Tim Ganger said he hoped the familys tragedy would lead to change, though Im not even sure what that will look like. But for something good, for people to stop and take a breath and take a look and have a dialog, he said. Thats the broader mission of what we want, for people to come together and take care of each other. The Justice Department has said it sees no basis to open a federal civil rights investigation into Goods death, but the family has hired a law firm that is conducting its own investigation and exploring potential legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Family members said no one from the federal government has contacted them about Goods killing, and they are unsure if anyone will be held accountable. All we can do is speak out and hope that our sincere words are enough to enact some kind of change, Brent Ganger said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Renee Good loved sparkles and laughter and any excuse for a celebration. She loved pretty much everyone she met, and was late for pretty much everything. She had this way of making you feel special and loved that I didnt even understand that until we lost her, Donna Ganger said Friday of her daughter, who was shot and killed by an immigration officer during the federal crackdown in Minneapolis. She was slow to anger, quick to love, quick to care, said her father, Tim Ganger. That's the essence of who she was. Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed Jan. 7 as immigration agents surged through the Minneapolis area, sparking waves of protests. Her death and that of another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, just weeks later sparked outrage across the country and calls to rein in immigration enforcement. In a wide-ranging interview in Colorado, where some of the family lives, Good's parents and two of her brothers, Brent and Luke Ganger, talked to the AP about the joy Good found in life, their grief at losing her and their hopes that her death can bring some sort of change in a deeply polarized nation. Its going to be hard in the future, Donna Ganger said. Its going to be kind of a constant pain. Settling in Minneapolis Good, who graduated from college later in life, was volunteering in a local school district and working as a substitute teacher when she was killed, her parents said. She was working so hard to get her education, and then she was finally able to use it, and I could just tell how happy she was and how fulfilled, Donna Ganger said. Good, her 6-year-old son and her partner Becca Good the women were not legally married, according to a family lawyer, but referred to one another as wives had only recently relocated to Minneapolis from Kansas City, Missouri, settling in a quiet residential street in a tight-knit neighborhood known for its progressive activism. In social media accounts, Renee Good described herself as a poet and writer and wife and mom. On Pinterest, a profile picture shows her smiling and holding a young child, alongside posts about tattoos, hairstyles and home decorating. The family settled very quickly into the community in Minneapolis, said Donna Ganger, describing how the neighborhood had also welcomed the rest of the family when they came after the shooting. They see that as the result of the love that Good had showed her new neighbors. It was incredible to receive that back, Luke Ganger said. Donna Ganger held a stuffed, toy owl as she spoke, a gift from her daughter, who knew how much she loved the birds. It had sparkles on its feet, a reminder of Good's love for glitter. At Goods memorial service, a table of glitter had been set out for guests. Donna Ganger had put a piece on a lens of her glasses and its remained there. She just kind of sparkled all the way through, said Donna Ganger. I think of her and I look down and see my little sparkle. An American blend The family is a very American blend, Luke Ganger said recently in testimony to Congress. We vote differently, and we rarely completely agree on the finer details of what it means to be a citizen of this country. Yet we have always treated each other with love and respect, he said. On Friday, the family didnt want to discuss the specifics of their differences, but Donna Ganger said shed long prayed for guidance: Before all this happened I said Make me a wise woman. In the hours after Good's death, Trump administration officials said she had been shot as she tried to drive her car into an immigration officer. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good had committed an act of domestic terrorism. But as details of the confrontation emerged, and criticism of the crackdown began growing, administration comments softened. President Donald Trump said he'd been told that Tim Ganger had supported him. He was all for Trump, loved Trump. And, you know, its terrible, he told reporters. I hope he still feels that way. Tim Ganger declined to talk about his political affiliation or whether it had changed with his daughter's killing. I think Im just going to leave that go, he said. There's so many other important things, to deal with now. But family members said they hoped their ability to get along would be an inspiration. Our purpose through this whole tragic, difficult, unbelievable time, is to have something good come out of this," Tim Ganger said. Otherwise the senselessness of this is overwhelming. Sadness echoed in Donna Ganger's voice as she talked about navigating family differences. Sometimes Im just silly, you know, and I joke with them and Im goofy, she said. But I want to be able to talk about hard things and thats hard sometimes with your own family to talk about hard things that maybe you dont agree on. And I dont want there to be any hardships between us or hurt. But its important that we learn to be careful with our words, but share them in a deep way, she said. Its really important. Family members only spoke in general ways about the change theyd like to see come from Goods death. "I think its evident that something is broken, right?" said Brent Ganger. And when something is broken, you have to take a deep look to see what it is that can be changed and fixed in order for it to not happen again. The morning of the shooting On the morning of the shooting, as immigration raids and protests were flaring across the city, Becca Good has said they stopped their car in the street to support neighbors during an immigration operation. Video shows Renee Good in a red SUV blocking part of the road and repeatedly honking her horn. Two immigration officers get out of a truck and one orders Good to open her door. She reverses briefly, then turns the steering wheel as the officer says again, get out of the car. Almost simultaneously, Becca Good, standing in the street shouts, drive, baby, drive! When Good begins pulling forward, an ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle pulls his weapon and fires at least two shots into the car, killing Good. Weeks later, Tim Ganger said he hoped the family's tragedy would lead to change, though I'm not even sure what that will look like. But for something good, for people to stop and take a breath and take a look and have a dialog, he said. Thats the broader mission of what we want, for people to come together and take care of each other." The Justice Department has said it sees no basis to open a federal civil rights investigation into Goods death, but the family has hired a law firm that is conducting its own investigation and exploring potential legal action. Family members said no one from the federal government has contacted them about Goods killing, and they are unsure if anyone will be held accountable. All we can do is speak out and hope that our sincere words are enough to enact some kind of change, Brent Ganger said. Significant increases in short-term rental properties may be adding pressure to local housing supplies, especially in high-value tourism areas of the state near Yellowstone and Glacier national parks. Thats according to a report by the University of Montanas Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research published this month on the State of Short-Term Rentals, which looked at the growth of short-term rentals and how local communities are responding with regulatory strategies. Shortterm rentals in Montana present a complex situation shaped by many factors, with tourism representing only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Short-term rentals account for less than 3% of Montanas total housing stock statewide, but during peak summer months, they can comprise up to 11% in gateway communities near national parks, ITRR Director Melissa Weddell said in a press release. Their influence on the housing market is highly uneven, with impacts localized and concentrated in a small number of tourism-driven counties. Advertisement Advertisement The study period spanned 2019 to 2023, during which the number of short-term rentals listed in Montana shot up 55%, heavily concentrated in Gallatin and Flathead counties. The rise also corresponds with record increases in outdoor tourism activity in Montana, similarly concentrated in the two counties. Although these properties are only one factor affecting housing availability in the state, theyre having an outsized impact on counties that are already the most expensive in the state. Of the 12,808 short-term rentals listed on sites like AirBnB and VRBO in Montana, nearly half of them are located in Gallatin and Flathead counties. Demand for rentals are often seasonal, peaking in the summer months, and during the summer of 2023, Flathead County led the state with nearly 4,000 listed rentals. Advertisement Advertisement Bookings follow a highly seasonal pattern, with Flathead and Gallatin Counties reaching peaks of 70,000 and 50,000 monthly bookings in recent summers with peak Flathead bookings in 2023 nearly doubling 2018 levels. These findings suggest that STR impacts on the housing stock are much more localized than statewide, the report concludes. Statewide, the study found that short-term rentals comprise 2.4% of total housing stock, on average, rising to 2.8% during peak tourist months. Growth of short-term rentals in Montanas counties, 20192023. (Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research) But that number differs drastically by county. In Flathead County, data shows short-term rentals comprise 6% of housing stock on average, and nearly 7.5% during peak months. Advertisement Advertisement Gallatin County, a more balanced seasonal destination with both summer and winter peaks, rises from 5.05% to 5.19% during peak months, while Lake County jumps from 4.2% to 5.45%. But the biggest standout is in Park County, due to its proximity to Yellowstone National park, where in September 2023, short-term rentals accounted for 11.5% of total housing stock, with just over 1,100 rental properties. To gain a better understanding of how short-term rentals might be impacting the housing market, ITRR researchers narrowed their analysis to short-term rentals that resemble traditional housing entire homes or apartments as opposed to unique spaces such as barns or tents. Using those metrics, Gallatin and Flathead counties still remain at the top of the short-term rental list, with 2,337 and 1,988 rental listings, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Park County again stands out under the filtered data, with short-term rentals accounting for 6.2% of housing stock at peak months, while Flathead and Gallatin counties drop to 4.5% and 3.9% respectively. The study notes that additional structural factors, such as rising construction costs and shortages, and limited land availability also contribute to housing shortages. ITRR highlighted three major contributing factors that have affected the tourism and the housing market since 2019 and boosted demand for short-term rentals: the COVID-19 pandemic, Montanas nearly 5% population growth, and amenity migration, as individuals involved in remote work relocated to outdoor lifestyle hotspots in the state. The report, which is a followup to a 2020 short-term rental study, interviewed local officials from 11 Montana communities on their perspectives of the benefits and challenges of short-term rentals and housing concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Officials acknowledge that while (short-term rentals) support Montanas economy and tourism and provide flexible housing options for temporary workers, they also present potential challenges for neighborhoods and housing affordability, according to the study. Many stress that (short-term rentals) are just one factor in the broader housing landscape and call for balanced, locally tailored monitoring and regulation. Tourism-focused communities were found to have adopted more comprehensive regulatory systems for rental units, according to the study, including requiring special-use or conditional-use permits, annual renewals, and Good Neighbor policies in newer developments that steer rental use. Short-term rental policies are one of several tools communities can use to address housing pressures, Weddell said. While implementation requires resources and impacts vary by location, these local policy options give Montana communities greater control in shaping solutions that fit their unique housing and economic needs. The study notes that there remains a lack of comprehensive data directly linking short-term rentals to displacement of residents or affordability issues in Montana communities. Short-term rentals represent one piece of a complex housing puzzle, the study concludes. While they contribute to local challenges, their role is often secondary to broader economic and structural factors. Each community must take a data-driven, context-specific approach that balances housing affordability with economic opportunity. Effective housing strategies will depend on continuous monitoring, adaptable regulation, and sustained community engagement, ensuring that both residents and local economies can thrive in Montanas evolving housing landscape. Residents in Hollywood, Florida, are livid after city commissioners approved a land-use change that cleared the way for a massive condo tower on public beachfront property. Critics say the decision puts profits over people and threatens one of the area's last quiet stretches of coast. The project, known as Portofino Residences Hollywood, would place a 27-story condo tower on land occupied by Harry Berry Park and the Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that city leaders previously agreed to lease the land to developer Related Group for 99 years but recently voted 5-2 to rezone the site, despite ongoing opposition from locals. The approval made the building, designed for a 327-foot tower with 111 units, exempt from height and density rules. Part of the deal included a new community center with an ocean view something one commissioner explained would be paid for by the condo. Advertisement Advertisement For many residents, that tradeoff isn't worth it. Opponents argue the development clashes with local resiliency goals and Hollywood's beach master plan, warning that taller buildings on the shoreline could worsen erosion and increase the risk of flooding. Barrier islands also face risks from rising seas and stronger storms, making large-scale construction controversial. Not to mention the threat of sinking buildings along Miami's barrier islands are already sinking faster than expected. City officials counter that many residents support the project and the city would collect more than $1.3 billion across the project's 99-year lease. Still, backlash continues, with protesters saying they'll fight it until the end. Mayor Josh Levy said residents against the condo are entitled to speak their opinion but that the majority supports the plan. "Thirty-six people don't reflect the sentiment of 150,000 residents of the city," he said, per the Sun Sentinel. " Residents are getting a brand-new modern community center and an improved park." Advertisement Advertisement Activist Ann Ralston said: "I just hate this project. It's the wrong place and the wrong size on a barrier island that's an evacuation zone." Local Dennis Dimartino added: "No, we don't want that tower. No, we don't want the face of Hollywood beach to be looking like Sunny Isles. No, we don't want the increased cars coming in making A1A look like Hallandale Beach Boulevard. No, we don't want to run the risk of buildings sinking on a very small and very short portion of the beach." Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. (WTVO) The Rockford Association for Minority Management celebrated the 45th annual scholarship banquet, honoring 36 students who received scholarships to help pay for college. Weve had over 900 plus scholarships given out with over $1.5 million and given to scholars, said RAMM president Dr. Allen Williams. Williams explained he couldnt be more proud. Going through this process, and they feel like theyre your own. So, every time you see them achieve and move forward, it just fills you with a certain sense of pride that a parent would for a child, shared Williams. Advertisement Advertisement 17-year-old Nadia Barbour, one of the recipients, attends Guildford High School. She said she plans to pursue a mechanical engineering degree at North Carolina A&T University, a Historically Black College or University. It really just helps me believe, especially as a biracial person, that I am black excellence. And its great to be celebrated and seen for all the hard work that Ive put in, in school and in my community. Its awesome, emphasized Barbour. 18-year-old Isaiah Kupkowski attends South Beloit High School. He shared that he intends to use his scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to become a neurosurgeon. This scholarship will definitely fill me up for success, because coming from a high school, I may not have the best financial situation, but everything. So being able to use a scholarship will definitely help me excel, especially in medicine, said Kupkowski. Advertisement Advertisement Williams said his hope is to help Rockford minority students for years to come. My goal for RAMM, honestly, is for one day someone to be standing here, whatever the media is at that time, celebrating the 145th anniversary, and that the community continues to support so that we can continue to help these kids go forward and accomplish their dreams and goals in life, said Williams. To make a donation fund directly for scholarships, the link can be found here. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO WQRF News, Weather and Sports. As it continues to wage its full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Feb. 28 condemned the U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran, claiming that it can help find "peaceful solutions." "We demand that the situation be immediately returned to the path of political and diplomatic settlement," the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed in a statement published on its Telegram channel, accusing the U.S. and Israel of driving the region toward "a humanitarian, economic, and possibly even a radiological disaster." Early reports indicate that Iran has already launched retaliatory attacks targeting areas hosting U.S. military bases across the Middle East, underscoring the risk of a wider military conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Russia claimed that the international community, including the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), should provide "an objective and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions" aimed at "destroying peace." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and floated Moscow as a potential mediator positioning Russia, even as it continues its own war on a neighboring country, as a broker of peace. Moscow's comments against the U.S. and Israel come as Russian troops launch indiscriminate attacks in both front-line areas and cities far from the battlefield, such as Kyiv, with barrages of missiles and drones. More than four years into the full-scale war, Russian troops continue to advance across the front, throwing a massive number of troops forward to gradually push Ukrainian forces back. Calling the attack "a premeditated and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. Member state," Russia condemned the fact that the attacks took place during ongoing peace negotiations between all parties. Advertisement Advertisement Russia, despite engaging in peace talks with Ukraine and the U.S., has continued to repeatedly attack Ukrainian cities. Russia and Iran have deepened cooperation in recent years, with Tehran supplying drones and other military equipment used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. The two countries held joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Feb. 19, amid reports that U.S. Armed Forces had deployed warships near Iran and were preparing for possible strikes. Iran has signed a secret 500 million euro ($589 million) deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Feb. 22, citing leaked Russian documents and sources familiar with the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Read also: BREAKING: US, Israeli missiles strike Iran heres what it means for Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Close to 2,000 middle and high school students across the Salem-Keizer School District walked out of their classrooms Friday to gather across from the Capitol, rallying for increased support for immigrant communities in Salem. The youth advocacy organization Latinos Unidos Siempre organized the rally after an inquiry from 16-year-old McKay High School student Arely Rodriguez, who called for Oregons second-largest school district and the state Legislature to do more to protect immigrant communities from overreaching federal enforcement activity. The issue hit close to home for many Salem-Keizer students, as about half the districts 38,000 students are Latino and many come from immigrant families. Some have personally experienced trauma from increased immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Every morning I leave my house with a lump in my throat. I dont know if my parents will be there when I get home from school. And I know Im not the only person living with this constant fear, Rodriguez told the crowd in Spanish. Another student translated her comments to English. My grades have dropped, not because I dont care about my education but because its impossible to concentrate on school when my community is being kidnapped. One demand students had was for the passage of House Bill 4079, which would require Oregon public schools and universities to notify students and parents of immigration enforcement actions on or near school campuses. The measure passed the House mostly on party lines last week, and a Senate vote is scheduled Monday. Students also advocated for the passage of the dozen other bills in the immigrant justice package, a suite of bills supported by the Democratic majority. If those bills pass, Oregon would offer increased guidance for schools and hospitals when addressing federal officers, guarantee additional data protections for immigrants and restrict law enforcement from wearing masks. Students organize, speak out LUS promoted the rally on its social media pages, including Instagram, which provided information for students on bills related to immigration, and bus routes from schools to reach the Capitol. Students left school around 11:30 to arrive at the Capitol mall by 12:30. The rally included dancers and speakers, then a procession around the Capitol led by Rodriguez. Advertisement Advertisement In speeches, student leaders advocated for increased support for immigrants and their families, both at state and district levels. They also described how the fear of immigration enforcement is impacting them, including affecting academic performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students also called for their schools to stop using Yondr pouches, or lockable pouches theyre required to put phones and personal electronic devices into during the school day. The district started using the pouches last school year, and Gov. Tina Kotek required K-12 schools statewide to ban personal electronic devices in a July executive order. The initiative was meant to keep students offline and more focused on the school day. However, student advocates contend the inability to contact family members during the school day causes more anxiety than focus as they fear Immigration and Customs Enforcement potentially detaining family members. Gibelly Zumba-Lopez, 14, walked from North Salem High School to the Capitol holding a sign saying veto the Cheeto. This is a historical thing that a lot of people need to be involved in, Zumba-Lopez said. As a teenager, I want to speak out about it and I want people to know that there are people who also support them. Advertisement Advertisement During the walk over, she said she experienced some people who disagreed with the students trying to interfere. Several counterprotesters tried to engage with the students, and a large group of students followed counterdemonstrators to a nearby corner, with some throwing water bottles at them. No injuries were reported and no arrests resulted from that clash, according to a Friday evening press release from the Salem Police Department. Salem-Keizer Public Schools Communications Director Aaron Harada said in an emailed statement that the district is committed to its immigrant students and their families. We see their fear, stress, and trauma and do all we can to be (a) safe and trusted place, Harada wrote. Salem-Keizer Public Schools commitment to our students is simple, steady, published on paper and present in practice. In Salem-Keizer Public Schools, every student is welcomed, protected, respected and educated every day. No exceptions. Advertisement Advertisement The rally was not a school-sanctioned event. Students attending would not be penalized for doing so, but they would receive an unexcused absence. However, for students like 12-year-old Valerie Renteria, who left class at Waldo Middle School and held a sign that said Im missing my lessons to teach you one, speaking out was worth the risk. This isnt really about politics anymore, she said. Its starting to affect people. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A new study revealed that the Earth is warming faster than previously believed, underscoring the need for immediate climate action. What's happening? Researchers at Oregon State University found that the planet's regulatory systems may become unstable if temperatures continue to rise. Their findings, published in One Earth, examined 16 environmental tipping elements, including those in the Antarctic and in the Amazon. As the planet overheats, extreme weather events become more common, and climate feedback loops can further exacerbate warming. For example, melting Antarctic ice sheets or forest dieback from high temperatures can then amplify warming. These changes also reduce the Earth's natural cooling abilities, stripping the environment of its typical defenses. Advertisement Advertisement The study estimated that global temperature increases passed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), the warming threshold set by the Paris Agreement, for 12 consecutive months. It also stated that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are 50% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution. These factors reveal the extent of our overheating problem. "After a million years of oscillating between ice ages separated by warmer periods, Earth's climate stabilized more than 11,000 years ago, enabling agriculture and complex societies," said William Ripple, distinguished professor of ecology at Oregon State University's College of Forestry, in a Phys.org article. "We're now moving away from that stability and could be entering a period of unprecedented climate change." Why are warming temperatures concerning? Warming temperatures contribute to extreme weather, which is costly for communities and families. The researchers noted that persistent heat occurred during a period when deadly wildfires and floods decimated certain regions. As we approach a crucial tipping point, we must reduce our pollution to avoid even more devastating natural disasters. Otherwise, people risk losing their homes or even their health. What's being done about warming temperatures? Researchers urged policymakers and individuals to take climate action before the planet reaches a "point of no return." Preventative measures are always better than trying to reverse environmental damage, they said. Advertisement Advertisement One way to combat this damage is to switch to and scale up renewable energy, researchers said. Solar is one great option for cutting pollution and utility costs. TCD's Solar Explorer can help you by curating competitive solar installation bids. EnergySage also provides a free service that makes it easy for readers to connect with vetted local installers, save thousands on installation, and understand available incentives. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. A senior Syrian security source familiar with intelligence reports said: There are indications that some ISIS detainees managed to escape from certain prisons during the past months. Seven years after the geographical fall of the so-called caliphate, the issue of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees in northeastern Syria continues to pose complex security, legal, and humanitarian challenges at every level. Recent prison reorganizations and detainee air transfers point to an unusual level of coordination between the United States, Iraq, and Syria, reflecting growing concern over the risk of mass escapes and the possibility that thousands of fighters could reemerge in active conflict zones. Advertisement Advertisement Sources obtained by The Media Line estimate that the number of ISIS detainees in northeastern Syria ranges between 9,000 and 12,000, distributed among prisons in Al-Hasakah, Raqqa, and al-Shaddadah. Among these are prominent leaders whom American sources classified as the worst of the worst because of their involvement in wide-scale terrorist operations since 2014. An ISIS member carries an Islamic State flag in Syria. (credit: NDLA) In Al-Hasakahs Ghwayran prison alone, there are approximately 3,000-5,000 detainees, while al-Shaddadah prison holds about 1,500 detainees, with 2,000 at al-Aqtan prison. In addition, al-Hol camp houses around 43,000 people, mostly women and children linked to members of the organization. European data indicate that approximately 700-800 detainees hold European nationalities, including 450 French, 90 Dutch, 77 German, 55 Belgian, and 27 British nationals, which further complicates the issue at the legal and political levels. A senior Syrian security source familiar with intelligence reports that have not been publicly released said that there are indications that some ISIS detainees managed to escape from certain prisons during the past months, adding, while requesting anonymity in remarks to The Media Line, that these incidents were not recorded on a wide scale but confirm security weaknesses at some facilities. Mahana Jamal, an expert on jihadist groups, told The Media Line that the opportunities available for the escape of the organizations members reflect weak local security coordination, and any limited escape could constitute a nucleus for the reformation of sleeper cells, whether in Syria or across the border into Iraq. US evacuates detainees to prevent mass escape In the face of the possibility of a mass escape of about 6,000 high-risk detainees, the United States launched a series of air transfer operations described as unprecedented, involving around 50 flights over the course of weeks, including the transfer of approximately 6,000 detainees, among them 500-600 foreigners. Advertisement Advertisement These operations relied on military transport aircraft and helicopters to ensure speed and security, with daily coordination between US Central Command, the Department of Defense, and intelligence agencies, under the supervision of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. American sources described these operations as having prevented a catastrophe that would have changed the region and perhaps the world overnight, referring to the fact that the collapse of the prisons would have led to the immediate reconstitution of the organization. At the same time, control over several prisons and the al-Hol camp in Raqqa and Al-Hasakah was gradually transferred to institutions affiliated with the Syrian government. Al-Aqtan prison came under the control of the Syrian army, while al-Shaddadah prison was managed by the Syrian Ministry of Interior through the army, and al-Hol camp came under the supervision of Damascus, with plans to transfer a number of residents to other areas. This shift reflects the end of the Syrian Democratic Forces monopoly over managing detainees and raises questions about the ability of the Syrian authorities to maintain stability in a fragile environment after years of war and chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Iraq, which experienced the Islamic States control over vast areas of the country in 2014, views these developments as a direct threat to its national security. All transferred detainees, regardless of their nationality, will be subject to Iraqi judicial proceedings in accordance with applicable legal procedures, with comprehensive documentation of crimes. Baghdad is also coordinating with European countries to repatriate their nationals, with a focus on preventing any mass escape and the reconstitution of the organization within Iraqi territory. European concerns are rising amid the continued presence of hundreds of their citizens among the detainees, as the possibility of illegal return through smuggling networks and the rebuilding of sleeper cells constitutes a direct threat to European national security. The challenge is twofold: managing internal security risks and addressing the legal and political questions surrounding the prosecution and rehabilitation of foreign fighters. Al-Hol camp remains the greatest long-term challenge, as it houses around 43,000 people, including thousands of children and women, many of whom are foreign nationals. The camp poses serious security and social concerns due to the presence of extremist influence networks capable of perpetuating ISIS ideology, especially among children who grew up amid violence and radicalization. Advertisement Advertisement With reintegration and rehabilitation programs still limited and around 18,000 Iraqi nationals awaiting phased transfers to their home areas, the camp remains without a comprehensive legal and humanitarian strategy. Aligned interests in preventing an ISIS resurgence The ongoing changes reflect overlapping regional and international interests. The United States is focused on preventing an ISIS resurgence without committing to a long-term military presence. Iraq is working to secure its borders and avoid a repeat of the 2014 collapse, while Syria views control over the camps and prisons as a means of reinforcing sovereignty and internal security. European states, meanwhile, face complex legal and political challenges related to the repatriation and prosecution of their nationals. Russia, Turkey, and Iran are also closely monitoring the issue as part of broader regional power dynamics in eastern Syria. The recent measures have had short-term success in averting the worst-case scenario. High-risk leaders were transferred, and an immediate security collapse was avoided. However, containment alone does not amount to a durable solution. Advertisement Advertisement Significant gaps remain, particularly among detainees and within the broader camp population, including women and children exposed to extremist influence. Without a more complete approach, these vulnerabilities could create conditions for the organizations reemergence. A sustainable response would require a comprehensive strategy that integrates security, legal, humanitarian, and educational components. Without such coordination, the current arrangements risk breaking down under renewed pressure. In conclusion, the challenge now facing the international community is more complex than that posed by the earlier military campaign. The focus has shifted to detention, legal proceedings, and social rehabilitation, where the ability to bring this chapter to a definitive close and to prevent the reemergence of ISIS-related security threats is being tested both regionally and internationally, particularly in Europe and neighboring countries. A rare phenomenon is coming up soon so you're excused if you hopped the gun a bit. The March full moon will occur at the same time as this year's only total lunar eclipse. The total lunar eclipse will occur in the early-morning hours March 3, but sunrise and the moon's position low on the horizon will make totality difficult to see for Florida viewers. We will be able to see the Earth's shadow move across the moon's surface earlier, if you're willing to get up early ... make that very early, or very late, depending on your point of view. Advertisement Advertisement It will be the only total lunar eclipse in 2026, although there will be a partial lunar eclipse Aug. 27-28, according to NASA. Florida residents will get a much better view of that one, according to timeanddate.com. Here's what you'll be able to see in Florida. When is the next full moon? The next full moon will be at 6:38 a.m. ET March 3. When is the total lunar eclipse? A total lunar eclipse will take place March 3, 2026. The first and only total lunar eclipse in 2026 will occur March 3. Will March total lunar eclipse be visible in Florida? Map showing where the March 3, 2026 lunar eclipse is visible. Contours mark the edge of the visibility region at eclipse contact times, labeled in UTC. Unfortunately for Florida residents, the total eclipse won't be visible since the moon will set during totality. You still might be able to see the moon appear red, though. Totality will begin at 6:04 a.m. March 3 ET, ending at 7:02 a.m. ET, according to timeanddate.com. Will you be able to see any of the total lunar eclipse in Florida? Yes. While most Florida residents won't be able to see the Earth's shadow totally cover the moon, the lunar eclipse will begin at 3:44 a.m. ET March 3. Advertisement Advertisement 2026 total lunar eclipse schedule. Best time to see in Florida, city by city You'll be able to see the Earth's shadow start to move across the face of the moon. Totality will happen at 6:33 a.m. ET but could be hard to see since sunrise will be at 6:43 a.m. ET. Where to look to see total lunar eclipse March 3 Look low on the horizon to the west and slightly to the south. Totality will happen at 6:33 a.m. March 3, although the Earth's shadow will begin to move across the face of the moon at 3:44 a.m. ET. "The eclipsed moon, combined with dimming near horizon, might make the moon very hard or impossible to see," according to timeanddate.com. Advertisement Advertisement See timing of lunar eclipse where you live Look at the moon before totality, starting at 3:44 a.m., to see the edge of the Earth's shadow move across the moon before it sets, space.com suggested. Why is a total lunar eclipse called a 'blood moon'? During a total lunar eclipse, the moon appears dark red or orange since the Earth blocks most of the suns light from reaching the moon. The light that does reach the lunar surface is filtered through Earths atmosphere. Its as if all of the worlds sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the moon, according to NASA. Do I need special glasses to see a lunar eclipse? No. Unlike a solar eclipse, where you could damage your eyes if you look directly at the sun, you don't need special glasses to view a lunar eclipse. Partial lunar eclipse visible in Florida on Aug. 27-28 A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in Florida and across most of North America, with the exception of some parts of Alaska, Aug. 27-28, according to timeanddate.com. Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, the eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. Aug. 27 ET, the maximum coverage at 12:12 a.m. Aug. 28. The eclipse will be over at 3:01 a.m. Aug. 28. The percentage of the moon covered by Earth's shadow will be 96%. Will there be a solar eclipse in 2026? Get ready to see a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12. When is the next solar eclipse? What Florida will be able to see "From 2026 to 2028, Earth will experience a double eclipse cascade three total solar eclipses (between August 2026 and July 2028) and three annular solar eclipses (between February 2026 and January 2028)," according to space.com. The next total eclipse will occur on Aug. 12. It'll be the first total solar eclipse anywhere in the world since April 8, 2024, when totality swept across North America, according to AccuWeather. Where is path of totality for August 2026 total solar eclipse? The path of totality for the next solar eclipse happening Aug. 12 will be across Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, according to space.com. Will the total solar eclipse be visible in Florida, US? Even seeing a partial solar eclipse won't be possible in Florida on Aug. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Visibility in the U.S. will be limited to the Northeast and Alaska, according to timeanddate.com. See cities, states with view of a partial solar eclipse When are 2026 solar eclipses? What is a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon. Advertisement Advertisement That causes the Earth's shadow to move across the moon. Some light will still reach the moon, but it will be filtered through Earths atmosphere, which refracts red and orange wavelengths. That makes the moon appear red or reddish-orange, hence the name blood moon. What's a total solar eclipse? "A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun," NASA said. What's an annular solar eclipse? "An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. "Because the moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the sun and does not completely cover the sun." What's a 'ring of fire'? A "ring of fire" occurs during an annular solar eclipse. Because the moon is farther from the Earth it doesn't completely block the sun. Advertisement Advertisement Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Lunar eclipse coming in March. Blood moon timing, Florida visibility (Editors note: This article contains descriptions of sexual abuse and child exploitation that some readers may find disturbing.) A 31-year-old man from Seminole has been sentenced to prison after a months-long investigation over possession and distribution of child pornography. William Allen Southern was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Seminole County District Court to 35 years for one count of aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material; 10 years for one count of distributing obscene material; and five years for one count of violating Oklahoma statute via computer. Advertisement Advertisement The counts will run concurrently, with the last five years suspended, according to a sentencing order issued by Associate District Judge Christopher Anderson. "Practically speaking, 30 years will be served in the custody of the Department of Corrections, with 5 years suspended," said Leena Rudolph, spokeswoman for the chief prosecutor for District 22. "Southern will have to serve 85% of the 30-year sentence and then finish out 5 years on parole." Related: Internet crimes against children cases are overwhelming Oklahoma officials The Seminole County Courthouse, as it appeared in 2014, is located at 120 S Wewoka Ave, Wewoka, OK. The building also is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Court filings show that Douglas Parker, a chief investigator for District 22, worked together with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in securing the conviction. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Wednesday, OSBI applauded the task force and said shielding vulnerable members of the public from harm was critical to public safety efforts. Protecting our children across Oklahoma is a top priority, OSBI spokesman Hunter McKee said. The OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force works around the clock to make sure these suspects are located and arrested. We appreciate our local law enforcement partners who assisted us throughout this investigation. According to a probable cause affidavit written in June by investigators, Southern had been arrested twice in Seminole County during the final weeks of 2024. After reviewing CyberTipline reports submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, investigators found that Southern possessed over 200 videos depicting child sexual abuse and distributed over 100 videos via social media. As detailed in the affidavit, the cyber tips were submitted by Kik, a free instant-messaging app considered a high-risk platform in the eyes of law enforcement. Because of the platform's anonymity features and popularity among children, police nationwide worry that Kik is a "predator's paradise" and regularly monitor the app to combat reported issues of child exploitation and sex trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement More: Online sexual abuse of kids is getting worse. But vigilantes aren't the answer. | Opinion Seminole County District Attorney Erik Johnson speaks with reporters at the Pontotoc County Courthouse in late 2023. More: On the rolling plains of Oklahoma, a deadly prison. 4 years, 21 homicides In a statement Wednesday, Seminole County District Attorney Erik Johnson expressed gratitude to investigators and "the tremendous preparation and fortitude" of his assistant district attorneys. "Their commitment to justice and protecting children in our communities is outstanding," Johnson wrote. Child exploitation crimes cause lasting harm to children and our community, and those who commit these crimes must face serious consequences," the DA said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Seminole man gets 35 years for child abuse material CHAPPAQUA, New York As House Republicans and Democrats embarked on two days of depositions with Bill and Hillary Clinton, both sides professed a seriousness of purpose to find answers that could aid their investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They left with completely different versions of what transpired behind closed doors. Republicans said President Donald Trump was now "exonerated." Democrats said Trump was no such thing and called the event an unserious clown show. And amid dueling news conferences and social media posts throughout Thursday and Friday, the public is now left with starkly divergent narratives in a congressional probe that shows few signs of ending anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement The split screen underscores the politically fraught nature of the House investigation, which is unfolding as the electorate clamors for someone to be held accountable for the years that the sex trafficking operation of Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, went unchecked. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee spent hours grilling both Clintons the former secretary of State on Thursday and the former president on Friday about Epstein and Maxwell, in compliance with a pair of subpoenas issued by the panel as part of its long-running Epstein investigation. Republican and Democratic committee members took turns chiding each other for their characterizations of the Clintons testimonies, while also selectively leaking comments from inside the room to support their respective party lines. Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said that Bill Clinton told the committee that Trump never said anything to me to make me think he was involved with Epstein and left Republicans confident there was no reason now to depose the president. Advertisement Advertisement From all the evidence Ive seen, hes been exonerated for a long time, Comer said of Trump during a news conference Friday. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, said repeatedly the former presidents deposition Friday sets a precedent for Trump to testify under oath, and that Comers remarks were not an accurate description of Bill Clintons testimony. Democrats said Bill Clintons deposition raised additional questions about Trump and Epsteins falling out. Trump has long said he kicked Epstein out of his club, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, years before Epsteins 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges, because he stole people that worked for me, while the White House has said Epstein was banned for being a creep. Neither of the Clintons have been accused of misconduct in connection with Epstein, nor has Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Bill Clinton has maintained he was an acquaintance of Epsteins and traveled on his plane several times internationally, while Secret Service details were present, but stopped communicating with him at least a decade before his arrest in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. Behind closed doors, Bill Clinton testified that Trump told him he and Epstein had great times together," according to a person in the room who was granted anonymity to describe the private deposition. Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost said Bill Clinton testified that Trump told him the falling out with Epstein was over a land dispute. Hes been caught in multiple lies as it relates to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Frost said, referring to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Bill Clintons office did not immediately return a request for comment. The White House referred back to an earlier statement from press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said, the President has always remained consistent in that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club at Mar-a-Lago because frankly, Jeffrey Epstein was a creep. The Republican-led committee is expected to release videos of the proceedings as soon as this weekend. Democrats on the committee requested full, unedited versions to be made public, with each side promising their version of events will then be vindicated. Republicans are under increasing public pressure to have something to show for their investigation and are eager to find a win in the Clintons testimony. Comer said Friday his panel would call in additional witnesses as part of the ongoing probe, saying lawmakers had refrained from naming any of these individuals before the Clintons depositions. He suggested names could be announced before the depositions of the co-executors of Epsteins estate, which will take place in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement "I didn't want to do anything that jeopardized losing them, he told reporters Friday, referring to the Clintons. As lawmakers left the deposition site in Chappaqua, it also appeared likely the panel would soon subpoena Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has faced calls to resign over revelations in the Justice Departments materials about the extent of his relationship with Epstein. Rep Nancy Mace of South Carolina, a Republican on the Oversight panel, said she was on board. Lutnick recently acknowledged that he visited Epsteins island in 2012 with his family, after he previously claimed their relationship ended before Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting a prostitute. Lutnick has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epsteins crimes. We have a lot of questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post-conviction, Comer told reporters when asked about calling in Lutnick to testify. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, was killed in the Israeli and US air attacks on Iran on Saturday, the Israeli military reported. Israel had attempted to kill Shamkhani during the 12-day war in June last year, but he survived severely injured. There was no immediate confirmation of his death from official Iranian sources on Saturday. Shamkhani served as defence minister for eight years and commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. In 2001 he ran for president. Advertisement Advertisement He was notably seen as a key political adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The council was set up in August last year to centralize military strategy following the 12-day war in which Israel and the United States attacked Iran. A similar body was established during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Its members include representatives of the state authorities, commanders of the armed forces and representatives of the ministries of defence and internal affairs, as well as the intelligence service. A proposed law to let contractors build houses on relatively small lots in Connecticut is hitting opposition from small towns and suburbs that call it misguided and an unwelcome intrusion by state government. Advocates say passing Senate Bill 151 would help reduce the states housing shortage by encouraging construction of starter homes, a product that developers have largely stopped building. That trend has kept many young would-be homebuyers out of the market; reducing local barriers to new construction would help create affordable housing, they say. But critics argue theres no guarantee that it would work out that way, and warn the changes would undermine environmental, health and safety protections by weakening local control. Advertisement Advertisement If it passes, the bill would bar Connecticut communities from requiring more than 5,000 square feet roughly one tenth of an acre for a home building lot with available public water and sewer service. Towns could no longer ban townhouses in residential zones, and couldnt require new homes to be set back from the property line any more than 10 feet front and rear or 5 feet from the side. Height restrictions would also be banned. That would be a jolt for virtually all rural communities, where 1- and 2-acre zoning is common and housing density is discouraged. East Haddam, Chaplin, Pomfret, Canterbury and other towns towns are opposing the bill. So far, suburbs appear less concerned, although Southbury, Greenwich, Oxford and others came out against it. The bill proposed is, without a doubt, a drastic change to the current state, Chris DAntonio, vice chair of Enfields planning and zoning commission, testified. Our current state is defined by decades of resistance to change and a heavy-handed desire to enforce the status quo (at great expense to housing availability and affordability), DAntonio said. All this in support of a system designed explicitly to be exclusionary: keep out the others, raise the bar of entry, shut the door behind you. Advertisement Advertisement Also supporting the bill was the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation. Large lot sizes severely hinder our communities ability to create more affordable, traditional housing like Capes, bungalows and starter homes, the organization said in written testimony last week. Approximately 81% of Connecticuts residential land requires the minimum lot size to be an acre or more. Smaller communities, especially rural ones where open space vistas are part of daily life, see it very differently. They argue that residents seek out quiet, lightly developed communities specifically to avoid density, Families invest in our neighborhoods with the expectation that the rules governing their community will be stable, predictable, and decided by their elected peers, said Jonathan Blake, zoning enforcement officer for Killingly. By mandating by right density increases, the state effectively renders public hearings moot, disenfranchising the very residents who live next door and telling them that their voice in their own community no longer matters. Advertisement Advertisement SharonAnn Smith of Easton and others suggested the bill is actually a gift to developers. I dont want Easton to become Fairfield Mill Plain Road with houses one on top of another. High density homes give the developer the opportunity to maximize the highest profits possible on postage-stamp size properties, she said. Greed is paramount in this proposed bill. Frank Yankocy of Easton agreed. Suggesting that smaller homes will be built is merely a wish, with no evidence. There is no requirement for affordability or for modest attainable starter homes, he said. Instead, the additional mandates like preventing height restrictions encourage exponentially high-density, larger homes in these areas, with projects that maximize the size to produce the highest profits possible on postage-stamp properties with very tiny setbacks. Advertisement Advertisement Hartford resident and housing advocate Casey Moran, however, said he sees restrictive local policies as a serious factor in the housing crisis. Reforming traditional zoning is necessary, he said, and an analysis of housing permit applications in Connecticut showed that. In 2023, over 4,700 homes were blocked formally or informally during the permitting process. What that means is over 46% of all homes proposed to be built in Connecticut were blocked during the permitting process, Moran said. In 2024, another 3,400-plus homes were blocked. Our housing crisis is caused by a shortage of homes, he said. Zoning codes have made functionally all new housing go through an arduous permitting process with multiple veto points, and the current process swats away housing for thousands of families we desperately need. In the 1980s Connecticut built four times as much housing as it currently does, I believe we can again. JOHANNESBURG (AP) It's an unusual move for the African continent's leading democracy: South Africa's president announced earlier this month that he will deploy the army to high-crime areas to fight the scourge of organized crime, gang violence and illegal mining. President Cyril Ramaphosa said soldiers would take to the streets in places that have some of the world's highest rates of violent crime to combat what he described as the most immediate threat to South Africas democracy and economic development. He said the deployment would happen in three of the countrys nine provinces, without giving a timeline. Some critics, however, say the army deployment could be seen as an admission that Ramaphosa's government is losing the battle. A top tourist city marred by violence With a population of some 3.8 million, the stunningly beautiful Cape Town is South Africa's second-largest city and one of its top tourist attractions. Advertisement Advertisement But the neighborhoods on its outskirts, known as the Cape Flats, are notorious for deadly gang violence. Street gangs with names such as the Americans, the Hard Livings and the Terrible Josters have for years battled for control of the illegal drug trade, while also being involved in extortion rackets, prostitution and contract killings. Bystanders, including children, are often caught in the crossfire and killed in gang-related shootings. According to the latest crime statistics, South Africa's three police precincts with the most serious crime rates are all in and around Cape Town. Ramaphosa said one part of the army would deploy in the Western Cape province, where Cape Town is located and which statistics say has around 90% of the country's gang-related killings. Advertisement Advertisement Two other provinces, he said, would also see troop deployments: Gauteng, which is home to Johannesburg, South Africas biggest city, and the Eastern Cape province. Illegal mining run by organized crime syndicates The outskirts of Johannesburg and the wider Gauteng province are dotted with abandoned mine shafts and authorities there have long grappled with illegal gold mining. They say the mining gang, known as zama zamas, are typically run by heavily armed crime syndicates, brutal in protecting their operations. They use informal miners recruited from desperate and impoverished communities to go into the shafts, searching for leftover precious deposits. These gangs are often connected to high-profile violence, including a 2022 case that shocked South Africa when around 80 alleged illegal miners were accused of gang raping eight women who were part of a music video shoot at an abandoned mine. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a standoff between police and illegal miners in an abandoned mine left at least 87 miners dead after police took a hard-line approach and cut off their food supplies in an attempt to force them out. The illegal miners are often involved in other crimes in nearby communities, analysts say, and turf battles between rival gangs have forced people to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere. Authorities say there are an estimated 30,000 illegal miners in South Africa, operating in some of its 6,000 abandoned mine shafts. The government has noted an increase in illegal mining, which it estimates is worth more than $4 billion a year in gold lost to criminal syndicates. Advertisement Advertisement The trade is believed to be predominantly controlled by migrants from neighboring Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, stoking anger among South African communities against both the criminal bosses and foreigners living in the local community. Previous army deployments linked to apartheid Ramaphosa is well aware that South Africans old enough to remember the years of forced racial segregation under the apartheid system, which ended in 1994, likely will recall images of troops deployed to suppress pro-democracy protests. Mindful of that painful past, he said it was important not to deploy the army without a good reason. But he said it has now "become necessary due to a surge in violent organized crime that threatens the safety of our people and the authority of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Ramaphosa sought to calm concerns by saying the army would operate under police command. There have been other recent deployments of South African troops. In 2023, soldiers fanned out into the streets after a series of truck burnings raised concerns over wider public disorder. And around 25,000 troops were deployed in 2021 to quell violent riots sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. South Africa also used soldiers to enforce strict lockdown rules during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Crime experts have expressed concern over Ramaphosa's latest deployment plans, insisting the army is not a long-term solution to fighting crime and soldiers are not experts in domestic law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Firoz Cachalia, the country's police minister, has backed Ramaphosa and insisted the army will act in support of police and "their operations in particular locations. He said the deployment is time-limited and meant to stabilize areas where people are losing their lives every day. ___ Associated Press writer Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg contributed to this report. ___ More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa A snowmobiler who died in the first of three fatal avalanches in Utah last week had become stuck on the mountain moments before a massive slide swept him away and narrowly missed his son, according to an incident report released on Thursday. The man, whose name and age have not been released, was snowmobiling with his son north of Ant Knolls near Wasatch Mountain State Park on Feb. 18, when his vehicle got stuck in a bowl on the slope. His son rode over to help him when the avalanche was triggered by their snowmobile activity, the Utah Avalanche Center wrote in its final report. It led to a 700-foot vertical, 250-foot-wide slide that swept up the father and just missed his son. Advertisement Advertisement The father and his snowmobile were carried approximately 300 feet downhill. He came to rest against a tree and was buried under about 2 feet of snow, the agency wrote. The son was able to locate his father through the beacon he was wearing and partially unbury him, but the man had already died. Utah avalanche experts arrived at the scene a day later to examine the conditions that led to the fatal slide. They determined that it originated near the ridge of an east-northeast-facing slope in an area with a 34-degree angle. Utah Avalanche Center forecaster Trent Meisenheimer at the origin site of the fatal Feb. 18 Ant Knolls avalanche. | Utah Avalanche Center Snow from the last few weeks piled atop a weak layer of snow created by mostly warm and dry January conditions. It appears to have buckled, causing the massive slide 400 feet above the snowmobile riders. Advertisement Advertisement The fatal slide indicated just how unstable the snowpack had become, the agency wrote in the report, adding that the report is meant to understand avalanche causes to help others avoid similar incidents. A man riding a snow bike, Brian OKeefe, 45, of Salt Lake City, was killed by an avalanche in a similar area just west of Midway days after the incident. The Utah Avalanche Center has yet to release a report about that slide. An 11-year-old Massachusetts girl was also killed in an avalanche near Brighton Ski Resort last week, as well. A 57-year-old man who was critically injured after being trapped in an avalanche Saturday in Big Cottonwood Canyon also died, the sheriffs office announced Thursday. He and another man were caught in an avalanche near Butler Fork. Advertisement Advertisement Those represent some of the dozens of natural and human-caused avalanches reported since the states biggest snowfall of the year last week. Conditions remain unstable in many areas of the state. The Utah Avalanche Center issued a warning on Wednesday, following another storm that delivered more snow to Utahs northern half this week. While that alert wasnt extended on Thursday, the center warns that avalanche danger remains high to considerable across most of central, northern and eastern Utah. People are urged to avoid slopes of 30 degrees or higher, have a beacon and not travel in the backcountry alone. Avalanche conditions are dangerous, forecaster Bo Torrey wrote in one report. Very large, natural avalanches occurred (on Wednesday), and more are possible (on Thursday). The avalanche danger is considerable on all aspects and elevations, and human-triggered avalanches are likely. As a certified nursing assistant, East St. Louis Jessica Hicks takes care of people every day. Hicks said an Illinois workforce initiative thats helping her shift careers to the clean energy sector unlocked a different pathway to help others. I believe in giving back to the community, Hicks said. (Renewable energy) is the best thing for future generations. Hicks is one of 17 individuals who graduated Friday morning from the East St. Louis Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program. Its one of several initiatives funded through Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which aims to transform the state to 100% clean energy by 2050. Advertisement Advertisement Macedonia Development Corporation, with the help of other area organizations, brought the program to East St. Louis. All East St. Louis program participants received foundational environmental education and general industry training, and then could specialize and earn certifications in either weatherization which refers to ways to make buildings more energy-efficient or solar power. All of this is free of charge to the participants, thanks to state funding. Solar panels in the classroom are fully functional and help teach students the fundamentals of their new careers. (Joshua Carter/Belleville News-Democrat) They can walk right into a career, said Jackie Daniel, Macedonia Development Corporations director of workforce programs. Hicks, who took the solar power route, said the program gives her several options. She could design, consult on and sell, or install solar arrays, and will possibly help facilitate the programs next cohort. Some graduates who spoke at Fridays ceremony mentioned starting their own businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Daniel said the graduates who studied solar power will have even more possibilities after they take an additional test next week. Clean energy career salaries can vary. For example, ZipRecuriter charts the average annual salary of a weatherization technician in Illinois at $50,330 and a solar installer at $55,855. Daniel said the goal of the East St. Louis Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is to provide barrier free opportunities. That means not only providing the education and training to participants at no cost, but also other supports from child care to covering gas costs to even mental health services that help ensure they complete the program. Its particularly important to grow clean energy professionals in East St. Louis, as the city is widely known for environmental hazards, Daniel said. She noted brownfield sites once-developed land that has since been abandoned and is potentially contaminated and pollutants from the major highways that run through and near the area. Its an opportunity to take our land back, Daniel said. For more information, contact Daniel at jackied@mdcnfp.org . Gov. Kelly Ayotte kept her own counsel when it came to her under-the-radar campaign to block a proposed ICE facility in Merrimack. But several days before announcing her position, private discussions may have provided a hint to Republican executive councilors that something may be in the works. The topic before Ayotte made her big announcement was whether the five-person panel should release a joint statement in opposition to the project. Advertisement Advertisement Councilor Dave Wheeler, R-Milford, and the dean of the council, was leading the effort since Merrimack is in his Fifth Council District. Not all councilors were on board with the idea. Some didnt want to interfere with the process since this wasnt in their backyard; others had concerns such a move would put more pressure on Ayotte to make the project just disappear. Sources confirm Ayotte, at the time, was not displeased to learn a unified statement had failed to come together. Message sent. Abortion ban bill dies House Republican leaders wasted no time to try and ensure that a 20-week abortion ban bill die on the vine. Advertisement Advertisement A short time after testimony on the bill (HB 1590) ended, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Lynn, R-Windham, called for an executive session to take up the measure that Ayotte had long ago vowed she would veto. The vote to recommend killing the bill was 13-4 with the only opponents to the idea being Rep. Kevin Scully, R-Nashua, and the bills sponsor, along with Reps. Jeanine Notter, R-Merrimack, Katy Peternel, R-Wolfeboro, and Louise Andrus, R-Salisbury. The bill is essentially DOA as it heads to the floor for a final vote soon. Khanna heads back to NH California Congressman and potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate Ro Khanna returns to the first-in-the-nation primary state March 12. Advertisement Advertisement His schedule will include a town hall forum with the State Employees Association membership in Concord. Last week, Khanna continued calling out his own party leaders, his latest call for the Democratic National Committee to release the full report on what went so wrong in 2024. We need to face the hard truth that our failure to stop the genocide in Gaza cost us support on Election Day, especially among young voters. We cannot fix what we refuse to face, Khanna wrote in a petition drive he began on the issue. GO-NORTH works on goals The states $204 million GO-NORTH program for rural health transformation set some goals to achieve some of President Trumps incentives that qualify states for bonus federal support. Advertisement Advertisement New Hampshires award was the largest in New England. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services clearinghouse on the program confirms New Hampshire has pledged to seek: SNAP waiver to ban candy and junk food purchases Advancing nutritional education programs Scope of practice advancements on dental hygiene Presidential Fitness test Increased pharmacist scope of practice Joining physician assistant and emergency medical services compacts Sen. Victoria Sullivan, R-Manchester, is championing the SNAP reform in the Senate while House Speaker Pro Tem Jim Kofalt, R-Wilton, has his own ambitious SNAP reform bill in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. David Rochefort, R-Littleton, has been working on the pharmacy upgrade since hes a professional in the field. Corrections needs a trim The Legislative Fiscal Committee asked Corrections Commissioner Bill Hart to do more budgetary homework before the budget oversight panel decides to grant him $15.5 million to cover a shortfall in his overtime pay line over the past six months. Hart recently informed the group his agency will have a staggering $28 million deficit in this line by June 30. He attributed the large deficit to the budget abolishing 45 full-time civilian jobs, defunding of five others plus a $10 million back-of-the-budget cut that he has to make. Advertisement Advertisement Historically, past commissioners used budgeted-but-vacant jobs as a place they could go to transfer money around and reduce the size of the overtime nut. Senate Finance Committee Chairman James Gray, R-Rochester, said he urged and Hart agreed to withdraw his request from the last agenda and to bring back more granular data on his agency spending. Campus carry panned The University of New Hampshire Survey Centers recent poll found nearly an outright majority (49%) opposed pending legislation to allow students, staff and visitors to carry weapons on college campuses that receive government dollars. Advertisement Advertisement The concept had 35% support, 13% were neutral and 4% didnt know about the legislation from Rep. Samuel Farrington, R-Rochester. What was most surprising about the question was independents were evenly split on the idea, 40% for it, 40% against, 13% neutral and 7% didnt know. Predictably, Democrats were against it (66%) while Republicans backed it (50% yes to 35% no). Child vaccines supported Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may like it but the failed House bill to eliminate childhood vaccinations tanked in the UNH poll, 73% against it to 20% in support and the other 7% neutral. Advertisement Advertisement Swing voters (independents) were even more negative with 76% of them in opposition to 19% who supported it. All prices remain a concern Despite the recurring theme about resident concerns over the price of things, the affordability of housing (22%) continued to dominate as the number one issue in the UNH poll. Taxes (16%) finished a surprisingly strong second, followed by education (9%), right-wing matters (7%), jobs (6%) and then immigration and left-wing ideology (5%) apiece and then there was cost-of-living in eighth place (4%). GOP attacks Warmington Fresh off her announcement for governor, Democratic hopeful Cinde Warmington of Concord had the attention of the Republican State Committee that debuted a billboard ad attacking her past views about opioids and legal/lobbying work for Big Pharma. Advertisement Advertisement The ads recalled Warmingtons testimony nearly two decades ago when she described Oxycontin as a miracle drug with very few side effects. Opioid Lobbyist Cinde Warmington was paid by Purdue Pharma to lie to the people of New Hampshire, NHGOP Chairman Scott Maltzie said. She lied to push more pills into New Hampshire and then defended the pill mills they flowed through she should be ashamed of her career. The move brought back memories of Ayottes sponsoring mobile billboards during the 2024 campaign that criticized Democratic nominee for governor and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craigs record on violent crime and homelessness in the states largest city. "Since Cinde first entered the race, Kelly Ayotte and New Hampshire Republicans have lashed out with desperate attacks proof that theyre afraid of Cinde and Kelly cant defend her own record. While Kelly is fixated on legal work from 24 years ago long before Purdue Pharmas lies were exposed she failed to join 26 states that sued Purdue Pharma for lying to the American people, costing New Hampshire money that could have been used to save lives," said Jon Levin, Warmington's campaign spokesman. "Then, as soon as she left the attorney generals office, Kelly Ayotte started collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the opioid and pharmaceutical industries including members of the Sackler family and then did their bidding in the U.S. Senate. Kelly is attacking Cinde because she cant answer for her own record both then and now." ISO bailout contract It got little attention at the Executive Council table, but a consultants report due out this coming July could become campaign fodder in the energy affordability debate. At the direction of the Legislature, the Department of Energy solicited proposals to study the impact of New Hampshire withdrawing from ISO-New England, the collective that manages power purchases throughout the region. London Economics International will conduct the $230,000 study that will be paid for by electric utilities but they also have permission to recover those costs through electric rates. Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon, called the contract a foolish exercise, but there is building interest in the House Republican caucus in exploring what would be the impact of New Hampshire setting up its own regional transmission organization. The House voted two weeks ago to send to interim study a bill (HB 1748) that would create a 10-person Energy Efficiency and Resource Development Authority with vast powers to explore ways to generate more homegrown power while rewarding energy efficiency efforts. Cole backs more nuclear Republican First Congressional District candidate and state Rep. Brian Cole of Manchester promoted expansion of nuclear power during a recent interview with The Dartmouth newspaper. Energy connects directly to affordability. If you lower energy prices, everything else becomes more affordable. Seabrook Station produces about 1,200 megawatts of power, Cole said. Small modular reactors produce roughly 300 megawatts each. If you added three or four at Seabrook, you could nearly double output. The infrastructure is already there. DGA and ICE contractor GOP State Chair Maltzie wants to know if Warmington and leading Democrats will condemn the decision of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) to take hundreds of thousands of dollars from CoreCivic, a longtime ICE contractor and private prison company. Politico reported the DGA intended to keep it while other committees taking the cash tried to donate it to the National Immigration Law Center, but the pro-immigrant group refused to take it. ICEs vicious tactics have made our communities less safe, and their proposed human warehouse in Merrimack created fear for so many Granite Staters. Cinde will not accept contributions from CoreCivic and she will continue to make clear what Kelly Ayotte has been too scared to say from the start: NO ICE human warehouse anywhere in New Hampshire, Warmington spokesman Jon Levin said. Whats curious about the GOP assault is Ayotte is the only candidate in the race to take money from CoreCivic, $2,500 for her Senate reelection run in 2016. DGA turns to Healey, again The Democratic Governors Association again made Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey chairman of its Women Governors Fund. And why not since while she held the post last year, Virginia and New Jersey elected new women governors by solid margins. Were going to keep getting after it and break more records for women in executive leadership this fall, Healey said in a statement. Could this mean the DGA might go all in if Warmington were to win her Democratic primary for governor? Wouldnt that be ironic since it was Healey, a New Hampshire Seacoast native, who went with Craig in the 2024 primary. A week after Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern said in response to Warmington that the party must look to the future, he flushed a potential campaign as it would divide attention when the people of New Hampshire need results. Translation: Boy, my feet got cold. Dems celebrate Carter Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley and four other Democratic activists who were there, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the late Jimmy Carter winning the first-in-the-nation primary on his way to the White House in 1976. Joining him were ex-state Sen. Jim Splaine, lobbyist Dick Bouley, Margaret-Ann Moran and Abigail Shane for the event hosted by New Hampshire Institute of Politics Executive Director Neil Levesque. The 50th Anniversary of Jimmy Carter winning New Hampshires First in the Nation Primary is a reminder of the role Granite Staters play in electing our presidents, Buckley said. As a small, purple state with an exceptional track record of civic engagement, we are best suited to go first. Granite Staters have long set the standard for how primaries are run, and we look forward to making our case in the coming months. . Correction: Stefany Shaheen served a term as a member of the Portsmouth City Council. An item in last weeks column incorrectly identified her position in city government. . klandrigan@unionleader.com Whenever theres an excuse, the gun-grabbers of the political world propose new controls on firearms owned by the law-abiding instead of focusing their ire on the criminals who pulled the trigger after laws already on the books went unenforced. It is easy to take a tough on crime pose by proposing new laws, a little more complicated to actually do some good. In this case, Kansas felon Dontae Brooks allegedly killed two bystanders in an attempt to shoot someone else at the Kansas City nightclub called Status. Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson have both said that they want tougher gun laws that they claim will help stop the next nightclub or Superbowl celebration shooting. Among their proposals are narrowing state self-defense laws and allowing cities to ban certain handguns and high-capacity magazines. Let us start with the fact that the gun used to kill 29-year-old Eboni Silas and 24-year-old Tishauna Ballard was already illegal. Brooks is a convicted felon for whom possessing a firearm is illegal in both Kansas and Missouri by state law. Buying the gun was illegal, too. And if he took the illegal gun from his home in Kansas to the nightclub in Missouri, that is a violation of federal law. Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear to me how adding new laws would make it any more likely that Brooks would respect them. Even Johnson acknowledges we need to do a better job enforcing the laws we have. Moreover, law enforcement did have a chance to stop this event from ever happening. Prosecutors in Kansas failed to convince a judge that Brooks should remain in jail while awaiting trial for his last allegedly criminal misuse of a firearm. It is unclear to me how adding more gun laws would change the fact that our judges dont think violating such laws is a serious enough and dangerous enough matter to take people off the streets when they are charged with gun crimes. It is also unclear to me how Lucas and Johnsons proposals would have stopped the Status shooter or the Super Bowl celebration gun play. Why would city laws have an impact on a man who has already allegedly broken state and federal law? Union Station shooter not deterred Would Brooks have worried about buying a legal gun when he was already buying it illegally, possessing it illegally, carrying it across state lines illegally and then using it to kill people, you know, illegally? I doubt it. Advertisement Advertisement Would the six morons who opened fire outside Union Station, killing one and injuring dozens, have been deterred by a careful analysis of the nuances of self-defense law? Surely not. Indeed, one of them wasnt deterred by a conviction for pulling a gun at a rec center. When some of the dozen guns brandished at the event were illegally purchased and others illegally possessed and security so loose that people were able to carry assault-style rifles into the celebration without anyone in charge being alerted, would handgun limitations have changed anything? When the magazines of at least some the guns used that day had bullets left over would cartridge capacity restrictions have changed anything? I wouldnt bet on it. It appears that what Johnson and Lucas are after is not to prevent gun violence from happening, but to make it more convenient to prosecute criminals after they have done their deadly work. Let me suggest a different approach. I dont disagree with Lucas and Johnson that every killing is an opportunity to assess what we are doing and make changes. People who believe in the importance of the Second Amendment and the right of the law-abiding to protect themselves from predators think that we should look at these crimes and see how their perpetrators could have been disarmed or kept off the streets in the first place. Take the Status shooting, there were multiple opportunities to stop this tragic killing. Clearly we need to train judges to take gun crime more seriously. We need to more closely supervise repeat offenders awaiting trial. Thats something both Kansas and Missouri can do without grabbing guns from people who have never broken the law. Advertisement Advertisement There were already off-duty law enforcement and metal detectors providing security in the area of Status Nightclub. Could we have done something to make Brooks easier to identify? Security was carding people that night, so maybe we could change the law so that felons ID tells security that they were someone who needed to be watched more closely? A scarlet F so to speak. Perhaps security could have given felons there that night a pat down in addition to the metal detectors. That might have saved two lives. I am open to other ideas from Johnson and Lucas, but they must begin by restricting the rights of our criminal class, not narrowing constitutional protections for those of us who have always obeyed the law. David Mastio is a columnist for The Kansas City Star and McClatchy. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Governor Kevin Stitt caught a lot of attention after taking to the mic during a National Public Radio (NPR) interview this week. Lots of topics were covered, from immigration to voting. He even asked the question What is the endgame? in reference to the federal governments recent actions on immigration. The president needs to tell us, whats the endgame?' Stitt said in the full NPR interview that can be found here. Is it truly to deport every single person here in the country? If the shoes on the other foot and the Biden administration would send federal agents into Oklahoma, Oklahomans would be very, very frustrated. The interview with NPR was done during the National Governors Association meetings in Washington this month. KFORs Flashpoint team took some time to react to it as well. Advertisement Advertisement DOJ sues Oklahoma, other states over refusal to hand over private voter data Seriously, I cant believe it. I mean, Im really kind of taken aback by it, Mike Turpin said. People talk about what Stitt will do next after eight years here, and some suggest he might go national. Its a big roll of the dice, I think, to try to position yourself in the next presidential campaign, Todd Lamb said. Stitt vouched for Voter ID requirements similar to Oklahoma laws, but argued against federal control of elections. That comment comes as multiple reports surface of a potential executive order from President Donald Trump that would give him sweeping control over them. Advertisement Advertisement My Democrat governor colleagues, theyre not trying to get illegals here to turn them into to turn them into voters, Stitt said. Stitt also mentioned hearing from residents who voted for Trump based on wanting a strong border policy, but are worried that current migrant round-ups are going too far. They also whispered to me, and they said, I run a construction company, I own a company that does this, Im a farmer, and I have some illegals that work for me, and theyre like family, Stitt said. Theyve been here for 15 years. They go to church with us, their kids go to school. Theyre great people. Theyre trying to get workforce permits and we cant figure it out and thats why theyre saying, Governor, you need as the as the governor to be able to issue these workforce permits so we can act, so they can pay taxes, they can be here legally, and they can work. Im not saying give them a citizenship, but lets figure this out, because it would devastate the different industries across the across the country. Stitt added that states should control immigration and emphasized the importance of the workforce, while being unsure of any movement nationally due to the current political climate. Advertisement Advertisement Immigration peace has been so politicized, and now it doesnt feel like Congress is going to do anything until after the midterms, he said. President Trump has yet to comment on Stitts interview with NPR. Freedom Cacus news release 2.26.2026Download Stitt responded with a letter to the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus saying: To the Members of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, I write to you as a fellow conservative, a fellow Oklahoman, and as your governorwith both appreciation for our shared values and clarity about where our paths have diverged. We agree on more than you may know. As Governor, I have directed every available tool to enforce immigration law in Oklahoma. My Oklahoma State Highway Patrol has executed multiple successful operations under the federal 287(g) program, making Oklahoma a top 3 state nationally for apprehending illegal immigrants with serious criminal records. I support ending birthright citizenship and have made my position known as this matter moves through the courts. I support E-Verify. I support ending taxpayer-funded incentives that create jobs filled by visa holders rather than American citizens. And I am proud to stand with Speaker Kyle Hilbert in his efforts to end welfare benefits for non-citizens. On these issues, we are aligned. However, I must respectfully disagree on your opposition to our efforts to bolster vetting of fraud and protect election integrity. Members of your Caucus pursued legal action to block Oklahoma from joining 47 other states in a drivers license data-sharing agreement specifically designed to strengthen public safety and prevent benefits and credential fraud. Let me give you one concrete example of why these partnerships matters. When my Highway Patrol was conducting joint operations with ICE along I-40, we discovered that the State of New York was issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. That is unacceptableand it is exactly the kind of vulnerability that cross-state data sharing is designed to expose and eliminate. Without these partnerships, Oklahoma is operating blind, and bad actors know it. The only two states declining to participate in this program with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrations that you protested are California and Illinoisstates I doubt this Caucus wishes to emulate. Your members said as much publicly, and I believe Oklahoma voters deserve to know that some of their elected representatives chose to weaken our ID infrastructure rather than strengthen it. Make no mistake: creating those kinds of vulnerabilities does not protect Oklahomas sovereignty. It invites a federalized election system, which may suit some, but it does not suit Oklahomans. I believe in federalism. I believe states should lead. But leading means doing the hard work of building systems that protect citizensnot blocking them. I remain committed to working alongside any member of this Caucus on the shared ground we hold. Respectfully, Governor Kevin Stitt Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The United States coordinated Israel's attack on Iran on 28 February. Source: CNN, citing Israeli and American officials, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to an informed source in Israel, the attack was coordinated with the US. Two American officials told CNN that the strikes on Iran had involved US participation. One official noted that the attacks are ongoing and described them as "not a small strike". Advertisement Advertisement Background: Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran and hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on the morning of 28 February. A state of emergency was declared across the country, with strict measures imposed on the civilian population. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Los Angeles School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is being put on paid leave while he is part of a federal investigation. The move on Friday by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education comes two days after the FBI served search warrants at his home and the districts headquarters. Authorities have not provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the nations second-largest school district, which serves more than 500,000 students. Carvalho became superintendent in 2022. He previously led the public schools in Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, will take over the helm while Carvalho is on leave, the district said. Carvalho has not responded to a request for comment. The FBI on Wednesday also searched a third location near Miami. The Miami Herald reported the Florida property belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere, an education technology company that had a contract with Los Angeles schools before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud. She could not be reached for comment Thursday. In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named Ed designed to help students. But about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft. The school district said in a statement Wednesday that it is cooperating with the investigation and we do not have further information at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times. After Smith-Griffin was indicted, Carvalho said he would appoint a task force to examine what went wrong with the LA school districts project, but there have been no public announcements about it since. Kerr, an education technology salesperson who connects companies with schools, said she was never paid her $630,000 commission for her work in closing the AllHere deal with the LA district, according to a news organization, The 74, that covered the companys bankruptcy hearings in 2024. The 74 reported that Kerr had longstanding ties with Carvalho from when he oversaw the Florida district and that her son who worked for AllHere pitched the technology to LA school leaders after he took over the helm there. The Associated Press was unable to reach Kerr for comment. Over the past five years in Los Angeles, Carvalho has been lauded for the districts improvements to academic performance. He won similar praise while overseeing Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Floridas largest school district, where the national superintendents association named him Superintendent of the Year in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Spain knighted the Portugal-born administrator in 2021 for his work in expanding Spanish-language programs for Miami-Dade County schools. Months later, Carvalho took the job in California and became a harsh critic of the Trump administrations aggressive immigration crackdown, especially following raids in Los Angeles last year. Carvalho arrived in Los Angeles at a critical moment, as the district found itself flush with funding from state and federal COVID-19 relief money but still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic, including learning losses and declining enrollment. He previously sparred with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis over his order that schools not require masks during the pandemic. The Miami-Dade school system said in a statement that it was aware of the investigation involving Carvalho but did not have any comment at this time. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A drone neutralised on Wednesday in the proximity to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during its stopover in Malmo could be of Russian origin, Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Thursday. According to Jonson, "a Russian military vessel was in the immediate vicinity at the time of the incident. This suspect vessel continued its route towards the Baltic Sea. He added that the Danish authorities had been contacted about the incident. The incident occurred in the resund Strait, around 13 kilometres from the ship, which was anchored before joining NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Although the aircraft carrier's radar systems had not seen it, a Swedish navy vessel spotted the drone during a patrol and activated an electronic jamming system to disrupt its navigation and sever the link with its operator. Contact was then lost. It is not known whether it was able to return to the ship from which it came or whether it simply crashed at sea. In the wake of this incident, the French armed forces' general staff has been at pains to reassure us of the solidity of military cooperation with Stockholm. Paris officially confirmed that the Swedish detection and warning systems had "worked perfectly", demonstrating the growing interoperability between France and Sweden, a new member of NATO. Advertisement Advertisement The French Navy insisted that this event had had no operational impact on the day-to-day life of the aircraft carrier and its crew. War of nerves in the 'grey zone' Four years after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine, Europe is facing an alarming upsurge in air intrusions over its most strategic sites. These drone overflights, far from being isolated, are now part of a global pattern of harassment. France has not been spared: last December, the army had to deploy its electronic jamming systems to neutralise a suspicious craft flying over the Ile Longue base, home of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and a pillar of the French national deterrent. Advertisement Advertisement Related The stakes go beyond mere technical curiosity. For Moscow, the aim is to test the responsiveness of NATO's defences in real time, to identify flaws in the detection systems and, above all, to exert constant psychological pressure on European capitals. By acting in this "grey zone", halfway between peace and open confrontation, Russia seems to be seeking to gradually weaken the cohesion and resilience of Kyiv's allies, while taking care not to cross the threshold that would provoke a direct military response. By Parisa Hafezi Feb 28 (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has been an inveterate foe of the West, crushing internal opposition while supporting proxy forces across the region in the hope of making his country respected and feared. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday declared that Khamenei died in the conflict that had defined his rule of Iran, and a senior Israeli official told Reuters his body had been found following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian authorities had not confirmed his death but satellite images showed significant damage to the leader's Tehran compound, one of the first targets of the bombing campaign. Khamenei's death would represent a massive blow to the Islamic Republic that he had led since 1989, a decade after rising to prominence in the theocratic revolution that toppled Iran's monarchy and rocked the Middle East. MOUNTING CRISES OF KHAMENEI'S RULE He survived foreign pressure before but, even before Saturday's attack, was facing the gravest crisis of his 36-year rule, attempting to spin out negotiations with the United States over Iran's nuclear programme. Advertisement Advertisement Already this year, he had ordered the deadliest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying those protesting nationwide, initially against soaring prices, "should be put in their place" before security forces opened fire on demonstrators chanting "Death to the dictator!". And only last June, Khamenei had been forced into hiding during 12 days of airstrikes by Israel and then the U.S. that killed several close associates and Revolutionary Guard commanders and smashed prized nuclear and missile facilities. That assault was among the many indirect results of the attack on Israel by the Iranian-backed Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, which not only triggered the war in Gaza but also spurred Israel to hammer Tehran's other regional proxies. With Hezbollah weakened in Lebanon and Syria's Bashar al-Assad toppled, Khamenei's reach across the Middle East was stunted, while the U.S. demanded he abandon Iran's last major strategic lever - its ballistic missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei refused to even discuss giving up missiles, which Iran saw as its only remaining deterrent to Israeli attack, a display of intransigence that may have helped invite the airstrikes that targeted him. As the U.S. military massed air and naval forces in the region, Khamenei's calculations drew on a character moulded by revolution, years of turmoil and war with Iraq, decades of sparring with the U.S., and a ruthless accumulation of power. While elected officials managed day-to-day affairs, no major policy - especially one concerning the United States - could proceed without his explicit approval; Khamenei's mastery of Iran's complex system of clerical rule combined with limited democracy ensured that no other group could challenge his decisions. AS LEADER, KHAMENEI WAS ONCE FAR FROM SUPREME Advertisement Advertisement Early in his rule, Khamenei was often dismissed as weak and an unlikely successor to the Islamic Republic's late founder, the charismatic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Not having achieved the religious rank of ayatollah when he was appointed Supreme Leader, Khamenei had difficulty wielding power through religious authority, as the theocratic system foresaw. After struggling for a long time to emerge from the shadow of his mentor, it was by forging a formidable security apparatus devoted solely to him that he finally imposed himself. Khamenei always distrusted the West, particularly the U.S., frequently accusing it of seeking to topple him. Advertisement Advertisement In a typically pugnacious speech after January's protests, he blamed Trump for the unrest, saying: "We consider the U.S. president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation." Yet despite his ideological rigidity, he showed a willingness to bend when the survival of the Islamic Republic was at stake. The concept of "heroic flexibility", first mentioned by Khamenei in 2013, permitted tactical compromises to advance his goals, mirroring Khomeini's choice in 1988 to embrace a ceasefire after eight years of war with Iraq. Khameneis guarded endorsement of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers was another such moment, as he calculated that sanctions relief was necessary to stabilise the economy and buttress his grip on power. Advertisement Advertisement Trump quit the 2015 pact during his first term in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran. Tehran reacted by gradually violating all agreed curbs on its nuclear programme. LOYAL SECURITY STRUCTURE KEY TO KHAMENEI'S POWER At times of increasing pressure, Khamenei repeatedly turned to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, a paramilitary force numbering hundreds of thousands of volunteers, to snuff out dissent. It was they who crushed the protests that exploded after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election as president in 2009 amid allegations of vote fraud. In 2022, Khamenei was just as ruthless in arresting, imprisoning or executing protesters enraged by the death in custody of the young Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. Advertisement Advertisement And it was again the Guards and Basij who crushed the latest round of protests in January. His power has also owed much to the parastatal financial empire known as Setad, under Khamenei's direct control. Worth tens of billions of dollars, it grew hugely during his rule, investing billions in the Revolutionary Guards. Scholars outside Iran have painted a picture of a secretive ideologue fearful of betrayal - an anxiety fuelled by an assassination attempt in June 1981 with a bomb hidden in a tape recorder that paralysed his right arm. Khamenei himself suffered severe torture, according to his official biography, in 1963, when at 24 he served the first of many terms in prison for political activities under the rule of the shah. Advertisement Advertisement After the Revolution, as deputy defence minister, Khamenei became close to the Guards during the 1980-1988 war with Iraq, which claimed a million lives from both sides. He won the presidency with Khomeini's support but was a surprise choice as successor when the supreme leader died, lacking both his popular appeal and his superior clerical credentials. Karim Sadjadpour at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said that "accident of history" had transformed a "weak president to an initially weak supreme leader to one of the five most powerful Iranians of the last 100 years". (Reporting by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Angus McDowall, Kevin Liffey and Cynthia Osterman) A famous Tejano musician running as a Democrat in a conservative Texas congressional district has been boosted by close to $1 million in outside spending from a moderate political operation while he faces a primary questioning his credentials on the left. The amount being spent by Blue Dog Action's political arm to support Democratic candidate Bobby Pulido could have an outsized impact on the March 3 primary playing out in a South Texas district where Democrats face a challenging picture in this fall's midterms. Pulido is competing in the primary against challenger Ada Cuellar, who has worked as an emergency physician. She has largely self-funded her campaign with around $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement The race has quietly emerged as a potential testing ground for the future of the Democratic Party. With the party cut out of power in Washington, the path back to a House majority likely means making gains in places where some voters have moved away from Democrats during the Trump era. But a clear divide has emerged between the moderate and more progressive-minded wings of the party about how to overcome some of the stark brand challenges the party is facing around the country. And the urgent question is which Democrats are electable at a time when political norms are being tested and twisted. Cuellar has criticized the recent outside spending in the race, saying in a social media post that "establishment money is trying to swing this election." Phil Gardner, a senior advisor with the Blue Dog group, pointed to Cuellar's practice of self-funding her campaign. "Bobby's the Democrat who can win in November, and we couldn't let that go unanswered," Gardner told CBS News in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Federal campaign finance records show that the Blue Dog-linked group, BDA PAC, has directed more than $997,000 toward helping Pulido's primary run. The money, which started being detailed over the last two weeks, has gone toward independent mail or advertising and production efforts to support Pulido, according to public disclosures. In a Feb. 20 announcement, interest in the race was described by the Blue Dog group as representing a "long-planned investment." BDA PAC ties back, according to an online biography, to the ethos of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition from the mid 1990s, which was "founded by a group of Democrats who believed their party and their country were being 'choked blue; by political extremes.'" The most recent detailed campaign finance data shows that as of Feb. 11, Pulido's campaign had brought in a little over $894,000 from donors, along with around $150,000 from the candidate himself, while spending around $761,000 on his run at that point. Thousands of dollars more from donors have also come in in the dwindling days of the primary contest. Advertisement Advertisement Other outside spending groups have also come to Pulido's aid in recent weeks, including the Latino Victory Fund, whose website describes it as having "the mission to elect Latino leaders who support progressive policies at all levels of government." The path for a Democrat to win the general election in the recently redrawn Texas 15th congressional district, which stretches northward from the U.S. border with Mexico, may prove to be difficult. GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz is running for re-election to the seat and as of earlier this month had a large financial advantage over her competition. The district is about 41% Democratic, according to a CBS News analysis of 2024 presidential election results. Cuellar's campaign has tried to elevate an argument on social media that she's "the real Democrat" in the race. Pulido has emphasized economic concerns in his campaign, and said during a podcast appearance earlier this year with The Bulwark that "the people down here really, really vote for the person more than the party." Hillary Clinton posts opening statement for Epstein deposition Hillary Clinton's Epstein deposition paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert sent photo to commentator Bill Clinton's opening statement for Epstein files deposition An airman stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls admitted to kidnapping a Colorado teenager and bringing her back onto the base to sexually abuse her, U.S. attorneys said. Travis Robert Larson, 24, of Denton, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Friday in the case, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas. Larson pleaded guilty last November to one count of enticement of a minor and one count of sexual abuse of a minor. The 14-year-old girls father reported her missing in May 2025, and told authorities he had found messages on his daughters phone between her and Larson, according to court documents. In the messages, Larson discussed driving to Colorado Springs to pick up the girl and take her back to Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Police found surveillance footage of Larson picking up the 14-year-old and tracked his vehicle as it traveled from Texas to Colorado Springs and back on the night before she was reported missing, according to the news release. On May 5, the U.S. Air Force Security Forces Squadron recovered the girl near Larsons dorm room on the base, officials said. The victim later disclosed that Larson began communicating with her when she was 10 or 11, and that she would send Larson explicit videos and photos of herself when he requested them, according to the statement. The girl also told authorities that Larson had traveled to Colorado Springs to sexually abuse her twice before the occasion where he took her back to Texas, according to court documents. Text messages between the two indicate that Larson promised to buy her alcohol and that he would resort to violence to coerce her into sex, if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Around 3:30 a.m. on May 4, Larson picked the girl up at her Colorado Springs home and took her to a park to rape her, officials said. Instead of driving her back to her residence, he took her against her will back to Wichita Falls, where he hid her in the trunk of his car to sneak her onto the base. He sexually abused her multiple times before she was recovered by law enforcement, according to the statement. A search of Larsons phone indicated that Larson knew the girl was 14 years old, officials said. For decades, statewide Democratic primaries in Texas were low-octane affairs. Then came the 2026 election cycle. In a year that Democrats see as a prime opportunity to finally flip Texas amid flagging approval for the second Trump administration, a vicious Senate primary on the Republican side and the potential to face scandal-plagued Attorney General Ken Paxton in November Texas Democrats are waging a dogfight primary in the contest for U.S. Senate. For the first time this century, two Democratic heavyweights with national profiles U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin are battling for the partys nomination, making for an intensely competitive race that has drawn massive attention, dollars and stakes, and cast the outcome of Tuesdays election as a window into the potential future of the Democratic Party as it continues to grope its way out of the political doldrums of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Its very exciting, said Beto ORourke, perhaps the partys biggest star of the past decade. I was not alive the last time we had this kind of talent in a statewide Democratic primary. As Texans flocked to the polls to vote early in the two weeks before Election Day, Crockett and Talarico were barnstorming the state, drawing hundreds of attendees to campaign events and at times hitting the same cities within hours of each other to shore up every drop of support they could muster. In response to a University of Texas poll, fielded before early voting, that showed her leading Talarico by 12 percentage points, Crockett, who was juggling her day job in Washington during the week, said Wednesday, Im used to being outspent, but I will never be outworked. As we head into the final stretch of this primary, my message to the voters is to tune out the noise that says what we cant do and focus on what we must do, which is win this race, she said. The only polls that matter are the ones where Texas voters cast a ballot! Advertisement Advertisement The contest drove some 1.2 million Democratic primary voters to the polls over the first nine days of the 11-day early voting period, according to VoteHub nearly doubling the final early turnout numbers from the last midterm. Much of that engagement has been inspired by the two candidates at the top of the ticket who each bring viral social media presences, major fundraising operations and deep devotion from the Democratic base. They are largely aligned on policy, but almost diametric opposites in style and theory of the kind of politics the moment demands. Crockett pugnacious, partisan and unyielding sees a path to turning Texas blue by driving legions of disengaged Democrats to the polls. Talarico populist, faith-based and seeking to persuade has also embraced an expand-the-electorate strategy, while arguing the nominee must simultaneously win over crossover voters in a state Donald Trump recently won by 14 points. Inherent in the electability debate is the reality of a Black woman and a white man squaring off in an increasingly diverse state, as part of a party that has grappled in recent years with the role of race and identity politics in its elections. Further entrenched by political commentators online, those dynamics have all fostered the kind of ugly intraparty contest in the months leading up to Tuesdays election that many Democrats had hoped would remain on the other side of the aisle. Advertisement Advertisement If I could just boil it down to just a couple of descriptors, it would be: very online, really divisive and pretty chaotic, Monique Alcala, the former executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, said in summing up the race thus far. The hostility stoked by political influencers and millions in outside spending and, as Election Day neared, embraced by Crockett herself has left some Democrats worried that the base will be divided and the nominee irreparably wounded going into November, which will already present a steep climb. Whoever wins the Dem primary, we all become 100% Team That Person, state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio, pleaded on social media. I believe both will do the right thing. Its their supporters that will need to follow their lead. If Talarico wins on Tuesday, hell need to embark on a concerted effort to win over Crocketts base, particularly the Black voters who form the core of her support and remain elusive for him. The task will be all the more challenging coming off a primary filled with attacks depicting him as anti-Black largely based on an allegation that he labeled a former rival as a mediocre Black man, which he denies and a Republican plant based on sometimes misleading digs at his record. Crockett has come under fire for comments she previously made about Latino voters a critical part of the general electorate and faced concerns about her ability to scale up a vigorous campaign in a general election context. Advertisement Advertisement Crockett also drew scrutiny after her team booted a reporter from a recent campaign event who had previously written a profile of the Dallas congresswoman that she had sought to shut down. Crockett said Wednesday there was no evidence a reporter had been removed. On Friday, The Atlantic published the reporters recording of her being forced off the property for being a top-notch hater. Republicans watched with glee as the Democratic primary nosedived into a pit of negativity. It is a full-on civil war among Texas Democrats, said Republican National Committee spokesperson Zach Kraft. The nonstop fighting and nastiness of this primary has left Democrats divided and dejected. No matter who emerges from this dumpster fire, half the base will despise them. Republicans have directly played in the race, too, working to boost Crockett ahead of Election Day under the assumption that she would be easier to beat in November. Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Greg Abbott ran ads against Crockett to drive GOP turnout a move that Crockett has used to cast herself to her supporters as the candidate Republicans fear. A Republican-aligned group called American Sovereignty blasted out text messages attacking her opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, using messaging that could bolster her with Democrats as much as it would hurt her with Republicans. And when she first launched her campaign, the Senate Republican campaign arm bragged of its efforts to goad her into the race. Republicans should be very concerned about Jasmine Crocketts surge, White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair posted on social media Friday. She poses a real threat in Texas. Some Democrats see the combative primary as an exercise in iron sharpening iron reflecting the strength of their candidates, building calluses on their eventual nominee and generating enormous engagement among voters that has already translated to soaring levels of turnout. Both candidates have also maintained strong approval ratings among Democratic voters in public polling of the race, despite the negativity. As you get to where Texas is more and more in play for Democrats, youre going to see more and more contentious primaries, said Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder. Thats just a reality of it. Advertisement Advertisement The venom in the Democratic primary has been amplified by online content creators and big-money super PACs for both candidates whose donors remain largely anonymous. By the end of early voting, Talarico had outspent Crockett nearly five-to-one on advertising, including outside spending by groups supporting the candidates, according to media tracking firm AdImpact. Talarico, who began the race with much lower name recognition, spent $15.3 million through his campaign alone, compared to Crocketts $4.3 million; a pro-Talarico super PAC dropped another $7.7 million, while a super PAC boosting Crockett had spent less than $500,000. Talarico, a Presbyterian minister-in-training whose populist pitch for a politics of love is rooted in his Christian faith, has repeatedly emphasized his intention to run a positive campaign and urged his supporters to remain respectful of Crockett. But while his campaign cannot legally coordinate with super PACs and Talarico has said he wants to ban such entities, it was a pro-Talarico group Lone Star Rising PAC that dropped the first negative ad of the primary in early February. The ad told viewers that Crockett was being backed by Republicans, alluding to GOP meddling in the primary and Republicans belief that she would be easier to beat. Advertisement Advertisement If she wins, we lose, the ads narrator said. Since then, Crockett has amped up her attacks on Talarico, at one point calling the ad straight-up racist and accusing the group of darkening her skin. The ad features a dark filter throughout, including over other people depicted. In the weeks leading up to early voting, her campaign launched an attack ad on Talarico, depicting him alongside Trump and Abbott with the narrator saying, They fight for the rich and powerful. Crockett fights for us. Forward Texas, a pro-Crockett super PAC, also ran an ad that blamed Talarico for paving the way for MAGA Republicans voter suppression law, making it harder for Hispanic Texans to vote. The charge was a reference to Talarico being one of the first to return to Austin from Texas House Democrats 2021 walkout over a Republican voting bill. Forward Texas also hit him for accepting donations from a pro-gambling group backed by GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who has donated to numerous state lawmakers from both parties in her bid to bring casinos to Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats were united to stop voter suppression, but James Talarico saw a chance to help himself, the narrator says. Then Talarico quietly accepted $59,000 from Donald Trumps largest donor. Jasmine Crockett will never sell us out to Donald Trump. At a campaign rally kicking off early voting last week, Talarico said he was trying to show moral leadership and model what I want all Texas Democrats to act like, particularly my supporters, which is running a positive race based on our values, our vision for the future, our ideas, our track record. I really wanted this race to be about what were both offering, but I know that these things can get off track, he said. My only hope now is that we can lower the temperature, we can remember that were all on the same team, and that once this primary is over in two weeks, we can come together and focus on the real fight ahead in November. ORourke, who had tried to convene a slate of prominent Democrats to run for each statewide office that fell apart when most wanted the Senate slot, said he was certain the losing candidate would unite behind whoever won the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Whoever does not win will get behind the victor and do everything they can to ensure that that person and every other Democrat gets over the line, he said. One of the wonderful things about Jasmine and James is they each have such distinct strengths, and working as a team, they will really be able to complement each other. The makings of a slugfest Talarico entered the race with a splash. In the 12 hours after launching his campaign in September, he raised over $1 million previewing the enormous fundraising operation, largely powered by small-dollar donations, that would only ramp up over the next six months. He vastly outraised his then-rival, former congressman and 2024 Democratic Senate nominee Colin Allred, and momentum seemed to be on his side until Crockett began signaling in the fall that she was considering a run. She called Talarico asking if he would run for governor instead, The New Yorker reported, but he declined the request, noting that state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, whom hed endorsed, was already campaigning to take on Abbott. After weeks of publicly vacillating, Crockett finally made her run official on the last day for candidates to file. Hours before she announced her bid, Allred dropped out and filed to run for his former congressional seat. Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn called her decision a gift, and Republicans cheered her candidacy, convinced that she would make an easier opponent to beat in November. Among Democrats, Crockett was the immediate frontrunner. She entered the race with near-universal name recognition among Democratic voters, a history of strong fundraising and deep relationships particularly with the Black base of the party. Her supporters enthusiastically welcomed the entry of a candidate they see as one of the partys best communicators and fundraisers. At the primarys only debate, hosted by the Texas AFL-CIO in January, the candidates revealed little daylight on policy, and the tenor was restrained. Talarico and a super PAC in his corner began spending big on the airwaves in a bid to increase his name ID, dropping several ads, including in Spanish, about his populist top-versus-bottom pitch, his legislative effort to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $25 a month, and his experience as a public school teacher. Crockett, meanwhile, didnt start spending on advertising until weeks before the election, and she held a handful of campaign events in the state as she worked full-time in Congress. Then, a political grenade landed in Talaricos camp at the start of February. A TikTok influencer whod supported Talaricos bid before Crockett joined the race accused him of referring to Allred as a mediocre Black man. Allred tore into Talarico for the alleged remark and endorsed Crockett in his own selfie-style video, turning the claim into a national headline. Talarico disputed the account, saying he described Allreds campaigning as mediocre but would never attack him on the basis of race. The clash was the culmination of a long-simmering proxy war online between political content creators from around the country on their preferred candidates behalf. When Crockett entered the race, many online Talarico supporters were quick to decry her firebrand profile as a liability in a red state. Crockett boosters, meanwhile, saw much of the scrutiny of her electability as driven by misogyny and racism. The social media battle cracked open the racial tensions of the primary and framed the contest as a referendum on identity politics in the Democratic Party. The racial divisions here in Texas are just on full display for everybody to see, Alcala, the former state party director, said. Theres no objective truth whenever it comes to content creators, theres just information thats out there. People either trust or they dont trust the content creator or the person thats putting out that information. And so I think whenever theres a lack of objectivity, you see that type of chaos go crazy. Then, on the first day of early voting, Talarico got the kind of media boost most campaigns would kill for: Talk-show host Stephen Colbert accused CBS of pulling his interview with Talarico for fear of running afoul of a new Trump administration rule. The incident, which Talarico spun into a direct attempt by Trump to censor him, generated the latest round of explosive national news in the primary, instantly introducing the Austin Democrat to millions of people and garnering him $2.5 million in fundraising in the 24 hours after. As the candidates canvassed the state over the last two weeks of the election, the pollercoaster as Alcala called it was well underway. A set of public polls gave Crockett commanding double-digit leads. Talarico responded with an internal survey showing him ahead by 4 points. A third candidate, Ahmad Hassan, has registered negligible support, but his presence on the ballot makes a May runoff election a remote possibility if he siphons off just enough votes to prevent Crockett or Talarico from reaching 50% on Tuesday. Dont listen to the haters on the outside, because its gonna be a lot of that, and dont listen to the distractions, Crockett said on the campaign trail Friday. It is time for us to focus on us and the future that we deserve. We deserve better. The only reason I decided to run for the U.S. Senate is because I really want change. The Brief Texas lawmakers are reacting Saturday to news of military strikes by the United States in Iran. The U.S. conducted a joint operation with Israel Saturday. Republicans largely supported President Trump's actions, while Democrats called on Congress to pass a war powers resolution. The United States and Israel conducted military strikes on Iran on Saturday and President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to "seize control of your destiny" by rising up against Islamic leadership in the country. Advertisement Advertisement The action comes after weeks of warning from the U.S. about Iran's nuclear weapons program and clashes between protesters and the countrys government. As news of the strikes made their way to the United States, Texas lawmakers weighed in on the decision. What they're saying "For too long, Iran and its tentacles of terror have destabilized the Middle East and waged an all-out assault on the West and our values. With todays strikes by U.S. forces led by our Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, there is finally an opening for these dark days to come to an end," Sen. John Cornyn said. "It is my hope that the Iranian people, after years of oppression and being ignored by previous Democrat administrations, will finally be free, and Im proud of the support being provided by President Trump and the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Ken Paxton, one of Cornyn's opponents in Tuesday's Republican Senate primary said, "Praying now for our troops. God Bless the USA." Praying now for our troops. God Bless the USA https://t.co/2Yxp0Y3qot Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) February 28, 2026 "For years, Iran has terrorized the world and threatened our nation's existence, and it's critical that the evil regime is never able to obtain a nuclear weapon," Paxton later added. Rep. Randy Weber said he was monitoring what was happening in Iran, adding that the U.S. would defend its national interests. An Iran built by its own people would be a force for peace and prosperity. When people demand sovereignty and the free world stands with them, the world changes. That moment is before us. God bless the people of Iran, and God bless the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/hL8Xb8PcmR Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) February 28, 2026 "An Iran built by its own people would be a force for peace and prosperity," Weber said on X. "When people demand sovereignty and the free world stands with them, the world changes." Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Michael McCall said the world would be safer without Iran's current leadership in place: "For 47 years, the Iranian regime has operated as the nucleus of the worlds most extensive terror network, driving instability across the Middle East and beyond. It has forged an unholy alliance with our top adversaries, arming Russia with lethal drones to massacre Ukrainians and fueling China's military machine through illicit oil sales all while deploying its terror proxies to sow regional chaos, attack our ally Israel, and target global commerce. President Trump is right that a regime this murderous which chants 'Death to America' and despises everything our nation represents cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. "As Congress awaits a detailed briefing on the scope, duration, and objectives of this mission, one thing is clear: Our world would be far safer without the Ayatollah in power. Ultimately, the dismantling of this regime must be driven by the Iranian people, who have suffered the most under its brutal grip. Now is the time for them to rise up and seize this generational opportunity to grasp democracy, prosperity, and a future free from tyranny knowing the United States stands firmly with them." Sen. Ted Cruz released the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement "Under President Trumps leadership, the United States is systematically acting against American enemies who have undermined our national security since the Cold War. As the President said again this morning, the Iranian regime has been terrorizing and murdering Americans for 47 years, including innocent civilians, our servicemembers, and American leaders. The Ayatollah has repeatedly tried to assassinate President Trump. Now they are seeking nuclear weapons and the ability to hit the American homeland. "Todays action will enhance the national security of the United States and our allies. I applaud our Armed Forces, our intelligence community, and President Trump for their capabilities and resolve to eliminate these threats, and I am deeply appreciative that our Israeli allies are fighting alongside the U.S. on behalf of our mutual interests and against our mutual enemies. May God protect our servicemembers." Gov. Greg Abbott said the state stands with Trump and that the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard were increasing patrols and surveillance at "key sites." "These joint operations with our allies in the Middle East are a clear demonstration of American resolve to neutralize threats from rogue regimes that endanger our troops, our allies, and global stability. The Iranian people deserve to be free from the radical dictatorship that has held them captive for too long," Abbott said. "I have directed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to ramp up surveillance and patrols at key sitesincluding our vital energy facilities, ports, and southern border. Texas is working closely with our federal partners to protect Texans and our critical assets from potential threats of retaliation." Democrats decry Trump's actions Across the aisle, Texas Democrats condemned the president's actions. The other side "Iran is a brutal dictatorship that represses its people and destabilizes the Middle East. But that does not give the president the authority to drag the United States into another war without a clear strategy, defined objectives, or the authorization required by the Constitution," Rep. Marc Veasey said. "Donald Trump promised the American people there would be no more endless wars. Now he has broken that promise and is purring American servicemembers in harm's way without a clear endgame. A war with Iran could spiral rapidly, cost lives, destabilize the region, and burden American families for years to come." My statement on Pres. Trump taking us to war: pic.twitter.com/k8mwHU1oLX Rep. Marc Veasey (@RepVeasey) February 28, 2026 Rep. Jasmine Crockett called on Congress to vote on a war powers resolution. Why is it that this President refuses to even pretend that he cares about following the law?! Ive been stomping & telling people that this election is life or death! CONGRESS, not the PRESIDENT, but CONGRESS has the EXCLUSIVE authority to declare war! Speaker Johnson needs to Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) February 28, 2026 "The self-proclaimed "President of peace" is once again starting illegal wars without Congressional authorization. This is not what the American people asked for," Crockett said. "Time and time again, Trump has proven that he is not interested in or capable of putting "America First." Our soldiers will have to put their lives on the line to defend his reckless decisions. Congress must pass a War Powers Resolution to rein in this dangerous overreach before more damage is done." TEHRAN, IRAN - FEBRUARY 28: Smoke rises over the city center after an Israeli army launches 2nd wave of airstrikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) US strikes Iran amid nuclear program tensions Big picture view The first wave of attacks happened early Saturday morning. Smoke could be seen in Tehran near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian media, with other strikes happening across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Iran responded with a wave of missiles and drones fired towards Israel President Donald Trump said in a video posted on his Truth social media account that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran." He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear weapons program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. and appealed to the Iranian people to "take over your government it will be yours to take." "Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The targets of the Israeli strikes included members of Irans leadership, two sources familiar with the operation told The Associated Press. There was no word on whether the attacks had been successful. Advertisement Advertisement Irans Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement, saying that the country "will not hesitate" in its response. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said: "The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault." Russia's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the strikes on Iran Saturday, calling them "a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state." Pakistans Foreign Minister called the military operation "unwarranted." Iran launched assaults on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, according to Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement The Kingdom confirmed that it fully stands by those countries and warned of the "dire consequences of continued breach of sovereignty and violating international principles." Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to take measures to confront the Iranian assaults that are "undermining" the stability and security of the region. Tension between US and Iran Timeline Iran and the U.S. have seesawed between enmity and grudging diplomacy for decades. Iran and the U.S. were strong allies under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the 1950s. American military weapons, as well as assistance from the CIA, solidified the shahs rule for years until 1979, when Pahlavi fled Iran amid massive demonstrations against his rule. Advertisement Advertisement The Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, took over and created Irans theocratic government. Later that year, university students overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seeking the shahs extradition and sparking the 444-day hostage crisis that saw diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. severed. In the 1980s, the U.S. backed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war, creating further animosity. Relations peaked with the 2015 nuclear deal, which saw Iran greatly limit its program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. But Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking tensions in the Mideast that intensified after Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The Source Comments made by Texas lawmakers come from statements posted on social media. Information on the United States' strikes in Iran come from the Associated Press and previous FOX reporting. Memorial services for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. continued Friday in Chicago, before events in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, where he was born, to honor his long civil rights legacy. Jackson died on Feb. 17 at 84. Standing patiently, thousands of people waited outside of Rainbow PUSH Headquarters in Kenwood for their turn to say goodbye to a civil icon. "I think what he's done has an impact on us, how people should get along with each other and made the world a better place," Rod Tyler said. Thousands continued to pay respects to civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson on the second day of visitation Friday at Rainbow PUSH HQ in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement "We should all be here and we should all be celebrating especially during these times to have someone to look up to someone who stood up for what they know is right," Annie Aggens said. Sabrina Jeffries brought her nieces and nephews. "I hope they learn where they came from about their history and all the people that fought before him fought for them to be here today and have the opportunities that they have today," Jeffries said. Rev. Jackson died last week after being diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease. He was 84 and left a lifetime of service in bringing more equality to education, workplaces and politics. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED | Rev. Jesse Jackson visitation continues at Rainbow PUSH HQ | LIVE Updates Some of Jackson's family greeted people waiting, sometimes hearing stories they say they had never heard. "Our family while mourning we recognize at the same time that the community itself it mourning," Jesse Jackson Jr. said. Jackson Jr. says his father taught them how to comfort people and now they are comforting while also being comforted. "I've been trying to keep it together but it's the community outpouring of love that's just taken me aback," granddaughter Jessica Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement "He would have loved this, because he was so foundational to this community. He loved everybody, just hearing everybody's stories. It's beautiful, but it's hard," grandson Jesse Jackson III said. Rev. Jesse Jackson's memorial services have been a full-circle moment for the Chicago funeral home leading them. Friday morning, the Jackson children loaded up their father's casket into a gold and black hearse that will soon drive the reverend to his home state of South Carolina. It's part of a monumental homegoing for the late civil rights icon led by Chicago' Leak & Sons Funeral Homes. But, this isn't just another job for the business. The funeral director called this a full-circle moment. Advertisement Advertisement A brand-new hearse from Leak & Sons Funeral Homes, that Rev. Jackson's body will be the first to ride in, will be driven from Chicago to his home state of South Carolina. It's a full-circle moment for the Leak family, whose history goes back to when Jackson first moved to Chicago. "Thank you to him and the Jackson family for allowing me... to be apart," said Spencer Leak, Jr. with Leak & Sons Funeral Homes. It's been a week on the job for Leak, Jr. as he plans the funeral for a civil rights icon to the world, but an old friend to his family. "I've been given an awesome responsibility because of this awesome man, and I just want everything to go perfectly for him," Leak, Jr. "Reverend Evans came to my grandfather and said, 'Hey, we need to find this young preacher and his family a place to stay. My granddad, A.R. Leak said, 'We don't have to go searching. They can just move in with me." Advertisement Advertisement Leak's family house in the South Shore neighborhood would then become the first home the Jacksons moved to in Chicago. Leak's father, the president of Leak & Sons, was honored during Friday's celebration of life for Rev. Jackson, while some of the Jackson children placed their father's casket into the brand-new hearse Friday morning. "He is going to be the first person in that hearse that I personally wanted for him," Leak, Jr. said. Soon, Leak will get behind the wheel and drive Jackson to his home state of South Carolina to continue his celebration of life there. "We'll slow down in a few states so others can pay their respects to Reverend Jackson," Leak, Jr. said. Advertisement Advertisement Leak says they plan to take off from Chicago early Saturday for the roughly 13-hour journey. The full schedule of services is as follows: Thursday, Feb. 26 Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615 Doors open: 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27 Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615 Doors open: 10 a.m. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management announced street closures ahead of Thursday and Friday's visitation. Street closures begin at 5:30 a.m. until 11:15 p.m. and affect north and southbound Lanes of South Drexel Boulevard between East Hyde Park Boulevard (51st Street) and East 49th Street. Advertisement Advertisement East 50th Street between South Drexel Avenue and South Ellis Avenue will also be closed Entry, Lines and Security Main entry and rideshare drop-off: East 49th Street and South Drexel and East Hyde Park and South Drexel Accessible drop-off at East 50th Street and South Ellis Avenue Line forms along South Drexel Attendees will go through magnetometer screening before entering. Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5 Travel to and from South Carolina and Washington, D.C. Monday, March 2 Lying in Repose at South Carolina State Capitol - Rotunda Location: 1100 Gervais St., Columbia, South Carolina 10 a.m. EST - Private Service of Remembrance Reserved for family members, clergy, and invited guests Advertisement Advertisement 10:30 a.m. EST - Public Service Remarks from Gov. Henry McMaster Reflections from local state and federal leaders Musical selections by Allen University and/or Benedict College Choir Wreath placement ceremony 6 p.m. EST - Church Service at Brookland Baptist Church 1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, South Carolina Friday, March 6 The People's Celebration at House of Hope Location: 752 E. 114th St., Chicago, IL 60628 Doors open: 9 a.m. Service: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7 Private Homegoing Celebration at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615 Doors open: 8 a.m. Service: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limited capacity The Associated Press contributed to this report. UNION COUNTY, Iowa The Creston Fire Department responded to three grass fires Thursday, resulting in damage to conservation land and a machine shed. The Creston FD says Afton Fire Department crews requested mutual aid for a fire along 260th Street around 2 p.m. Thursday. Officials say the fires stretched crews to locations on 260th St, southeast of Thayer; Yellow Rose Ave, north of Thayer; and Rose Ave, northeast of Afton. Within a half hour, a second request for water prompted an additional tanker to respond to the fire north, along Yellow Rose Avenue. Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department, also called to provide mutual aid, extinguished the fire along 260th Street and moved to fight the blaze along Yellow Rose Avenue. Creston FD says the fire along Yellow Rose Avenue required the most resources and caused damages to at least one machine shed and equipment inside. Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department Photo courtesy of Chuck Spindler/ Creston Fire Department The Creston FD says nine fire departments battled the blaze, where crews faced heavily terraced fields of corn stalks. Authorities say the land that burned was Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. Crews completed the assignment around 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement The Creston Fire Department reminds Union County residents that a burn ban remains in effect. No burning is permitted unless a special license is obtained. Keep up to date on Red Flag Warnings and Iowa Burn Bans on the State Fire Marshal website. Creston FD says Afton Volunteer FD, Murray Volunteer FD, East Peru Volunteer FD, Osceola FD, Clarke County Conservation, Truro Fire & Rescue, East Peru Volunteer FD, and Winterset FD all assisted Thursday. Iowa News: Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Warmongering President Donald Trump is failing spectacularly to live up to the much-repeated boast that he is the Peace President. Trump, 79, vowed he would start no new wars, and has insisted again and again that after apparently stopping multiple conflicts, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prizean obsession he has refused to let go of. Trumps actions, including the latest announcement of a foreign bombing campaign, which saw him confirm on Saturday that the U.S. had begun major combat operations in Iran, do not back his words. They now sound even more hollow than ever. An infographic shows the sites of the previous attack on Iran in June 2025. / Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images It is the second time in eight months the self-styled peace president has bombed the country. It comes less than two months after he attacked Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Trumps second term has seen him launch military operations across three continents. The myth-making started years ago. In his 2021 farewell address, Trump crowed that he was especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars, a line that quickly became a MAGA talking point and campaign slogan. As he left office, he was already hailing his record of no new wars as proof he was a different kind of commander in chief. On his re-election night in November 2024, he had told supporters he was not going to start a war, Im going to stop wars. Since retaking office, Trump has tried to uphold the brandingeven as he dropped bombs. Advertisement Advertisement The Nobel Peace Prize became the ultimate validation he craved. He has lobbied so aggressively throughout his second term that he personally called Norways finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg, to campaign on his behalf. Standing before the United Nations General Assembly last September, Trump told world leaders: Everyone says I should get the Nobel Peace Prizebefore claiming credit for ending seven international conflicts and insisting that no president or prime minister has ever done anything close to that. When the president didnt win his coveted prize, hein classic Trump fashionthrew a hissy fit and whined that he had been somehow slighted. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize, to make him feel better about her winning it. Nobel said this was not permitted and was therefore purely ceremonial. / The White House Trumps actions, however, tell a different story. Advertisement Advertisement In June 2025, less than 24 hours after posting a Truth Social list of reasons he deserved the Nobelciting stopping the War between Serbia and Kosovo and keeping Peace between Egypt and EthiopiaTrump authorized seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to drop multiple bunker buster bombs on Irans nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. He boasted afterwards that a full payload of BOMBS had been dropped on the primary site, Fordow. Pakistan, which had nominated Trump for the Nobel that very morning for brokering a ceasefire between Islamabad and New Delhi, was forced to condemn him hours later, calling the Iran strikes a serious violation of international law. Venezuela came nextand with it, perhaps the starkest illustration of the gap between Trumps peace brand and his military record. Advertisement Advertisement Trumps stated New Years resolution for 2026 was peace on earth. Forty-eight hours later, he ordered Operation Absolute Resolvea Delta Force raid on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas that captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them to Manhattan federal court on narcoterrorism charges. After the raid, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Colombia could be next: Colombia is very sick. Run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. Hes not going to be doing it very long. The administration has since named its new interventionist foreign policy the Donroe Doctrine. Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured after a U.S. military siege in Venezuela. / XNY/Star Max / GC Images Africa has been the least-publicized front, but arguably the most relentless. U.S. Africa Command conducted 126 airstrikes against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia in 2025 alonecompared to just 10 for the entire previous year under Bidenbefore striking 16 ISIS targets in Nigerias Sokoto state on Christmas Day 2025. Now, with Iranian nuclear sites in his crosshairs for the second time, Trump told the world on Saturday that U.S. forces were moving to eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people, in a video posted to Truth Social. The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Three teenagers including an 18-year-old now charged as an adult are facing attempted murder charges after a shooting on Rocky Butte led to a high-speed chase. This is just the latest incident involving youth violence in Portland. Sgt. Kevin Allen with the Portland Police Bureau called the case heartbreaking. Its a tragedy that kids that should be having fun with their friends and doing things that kids do are involved in such serious crimes, Allen said. Its not only alarming and disturbing, but its sad. Advertisement Advertisement WA teacher reinstated after false allegations On Friday, 18-year-old DAngelo Smartlowit pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and weapons charges. His initial court appearance comes as a 17-year-old identified by police as the driver and a 16-year-old passenger face similar charges in juvenile court. Police said shots were fired on Rocky Butte Wednesday night. Officers tried to stop a car leaving the area, but investigators said the driver fled even after spike strips were deployed. The driver kept going at high speed, 90 plus miles an hour on rims trying to get away from the police, Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement The pursuit ended near Northeast 148th and Halsey after officers used a PIT maneuver. Detectives seized three handguns from the vehicle. No victim was found at the scene, but police later confirmed a man who arrived at a Vancouver hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound was connected to the shooting. The kids that were involved, at least from a suspect standpoint, were involved in criminal group related activity, he told KOIN 6 News. Many of us out here wearing the uniform, were parents of kids. Some of us have kids that are these ages and its hard for us to really understand how they got involved in something so serious. WA fire chief sentenced to 25 years for wifes murder Clark County Advertisement Advertisement While police said youth violence is nothing new, they acknowledged that once guns are involved, the consequences escalate quickly. Allen pointed to the bureaus Focused Intervention Team, which works to identify at-risk individuals before crimes turn violent. They try to figure out which people, many times, kids, are involved, or could be involved in dangerous activities, he explained. And they try to get to them before they commit the crime, because once the crime is committed, its way worse. The arrests come just weeks after another group of teens was charged in connection with the murder of grandfather and minister Kevin Cooper in Northeast Portland. Multnomah County Juvenile Services Director Dr. Kyla Armstrong-Romero told KOIN 6 News, What weve seen is an increase of youth who are either carrying weapons and or victimized by a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Armstrong-Romero said Multnomah County has seen a spike in youth crime, especially in East County. I think about my own teenage years and being able to go to the mall, go skating, and all kinds of different pro social activities, she said. It seems as though many of those have dwindled recently, and so kids are out sometimes bored and doing things that maybe they shouldnt be. City of Portland temporarily bans tear gas at ICE facility With detention costing more than $600 a day, she said the solution is not jail but investment in community-based programs that promote mentorship, after-school activities and re-entry services including the Community Healing Initiative, known as CHI. Advertisement Advertisement With the Youth that we refer to CHI in particular, and to other service providers, we see that 86% of them do not reoffend within the first year. And so what we know is that those services work, she said. She added, Its not soft on crime to invest in opportunity. It is truly the remedy for the violence and if you want to stop the problem and not just put a band aid on it, you have to invest in it. Smartlowit is expected back in court for his arraignment on March 9. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Vice President JD Vance and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), announced on Wednesday that the administration would temporarily halt $259.5 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota amid a crackdown on public funds misuse. Dr. Oz said CMS would suspend new Medicare enrollments for six months for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and related medical supplies. Oz also unveiled a crowdsourcing initiative aimed at fighting fraud by inviting tips and suggestions from the public. He said the funding would be restored once Minnesota submits and carries out a comprehensive corrective action plan. Governor Tim Walz has 60 days to respond. Don't Miss: Advertisement Advertisement "This is not a problem with the people of Minnesota, it's a problem with the leadership of Minnesota and other states who do not take Medicaid preservation seriously," stated Oz. Notably, in January, the CMS had informed Minnesota that it planned to freeze portions of funding for certain high-risk Medicaid programs. The state said the cuts could total more than $2 billion a year if sustained and has filed an administrative appeal. Trending: Own the Characters, Not Just the Content: Inside a Fast-Growing Pre-IPO IP Company Walz responded to the Vance-Oz announcement with a post on X saying, This has nothing to do with fraud, adding, Every week Trump pardons another fraudster. Advertisement Advertisement In another post, the Governor called it a campaign of retribution. He said the cuts would be devastating for people of his state, particularly veterans and people with disabilities. This has nothing to do with fraud. The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the U.S. Attorney's Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster. https://t.co/DKRDgBykRu Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 25, 2026 Trumps Crackdown On Minnesota President Donald Trump declared a national war on fraud in his State of the Union address on Tuesday, with Vance spearheading the campaign. Colin McDonald has also been nominated as the inaugural assistant attorney general to head a newly created Justice Department division dedicated to combating fraud. See Also: This Under-$1 Pre-IPO AI Company Is Still Open to Retail Investors Learn More Trump turned his focus to Minnesota amid allegations of fraud tied to day care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis. This triggered a sweeping immigration crackdown in the city, sparking widespread protests. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Feeding Our Future, an NGO in Minnesota, has been accused of misappropriating pandemic relief funds intended for school meal programs, with prosecutors estimating losses at $300 million. States Sue Trump Administration Over Cuts The Trump administration, over the past few months, has faced legal action over funding cuts. Earlier this year, five Democrat-led states, including Minnesota, sued the administration for freezing $10 billion in federal childcare and family assistance funds. Moreover, four Democratic-led states, including Minnesota, filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago to block the Trump administration's $600 million healthcare funding cuts. These states argued that the reductions were unlawful and politically motivated. Read Next: Own a Stake in California's New Standard for Luxury Behavioral Health Image via Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Trump Administration 'Temporarily' Halts Minnesota Medicaid Funding Amid Fraud Allegations Tim Walz Calls It 'Campaign Of Retribution' originally appeared on Benzinga.com WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" in Iran aimed at wiping out Tehran's ballistic missile program and debilitating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's regime. The U.S. began carrying out strikes on Iran in coordination with Israel in the early morning of Saturday, Feb. 28, after nuclear negotiations failed to produce a deal that satisfied all of the Trump administration's concerns, including an end to its missile program. "A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard terrible people," Trump said in a video statement, which he delivered from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Latest updates: US launches 'massive and ongoing' strikes on Iran, Trump says Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video. A graffiti on a wall reads" Down with the U.S.A", after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran. A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and phone alerts warned of an "extremely serious" threat. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026. Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran 1 of 16 Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. The Trump administration has for weeks held negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program while also building up its military presence in the region. Tehran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions, the U.S. president said, prompting the overnight airstrikes, which sent smoke plumes over Iran. "They just wanted to practice evil," Trump said in the video posted on social media. "And we can't take it anymore." In laying out his justification for the strikes, Trump said in his Feb. 28 address that Iran was seeking to rebuild its nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement Maps and graphics: US forces launch 'major combat operations' against Iran The U.S. bombed Tehran's nuclear facilities last June. Trump said then that all three sites the U.S. hit had been obliterated, however a U.S. intelligence assessment found that only one of the locations had been destroyed. Trump said after the latest round of strikes that Iran was developing long-range missiles that threaten America's allies, U.S. troops stationed overseas and "could soon reach the American homeland." The latter assertion, which Trump also made in his State of the Union address, has been disputed by experts. US President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on February 27, 2026. He reviewed decades of antagonism from Iranian regime and its proxy forces and said they had been conducting a "mass terror" campaign against American forces in the region and international shippers. Advertisement Advertisement "And we're not going to put up with it any longer," Trump said. 'American heroes may be lost' Trump said the U.S. would "destroy" Iran's missiles, "annihilate" its navy and ensure proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas are no longer able to destabilize the region. "And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon," Trump said. "This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces," Trump said. It was not immediately clear when the video that was posted to Trump's social media account was taped. Trump wore a white "USA" hat in the video statement, while standing at a lectern bearing the presidential seal in front of two flags. Advertisement Advertisement "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we're doing this not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission," Trump said. Trump urges Iranians to overthrow government Trump urged the Iranian armed forces and police to lay down their weapons "and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death." He addressed protesters in Iran, who've face brutal oppression by the government, that the "hour of your freedom" is close at hand but they should shelter inside their homes while bombs are dropping. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. "When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," Trump said. Trump told the Iranian people to seize control of their government while they can. Advertisement Advertisement "No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let's see how you respond," Trump said. "This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass." (This story was updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump announces attack on Iran, says US will 'destroy' missiles President Donald Trump launched major military strikes against Iran early Saturday, describing them as part of a massive and ongoing operation in an 8minute video posted at 2:30 a.m. Eastern time on Truth Social, the social media platform owned by Sarasotabased Trump Media. Trump made the announcement from his MaraLago estate in Palm Beach, about 180 miles east of Sarasota, in a move that dramatically escalated tensions in the Middle East and prompted immediate global reaction. Details about the scope of the strikes and their potential consequences were still emerging Saturday morning as world leaders and markets responded to the news. Heres what we know so far about this developing story. For continued updates on the U.S. military operation involving Iran, follow coverage from our sister publication, USA TODAY. Trump bombs Iran: How it started The Pentagon has named the operation against Iran "Epic Fury." Israel's military codenamed it "Roaring Lion." Israel initially launched the operation and then was joined by the U.S. The explosions in Tehran were reported early in the morning Eastern Time on Feb. 28, which is mid-morning in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Within hours, Iran started sending missiles toward Israel and there were reports of attempted strikes against U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Some nations said missiles were intercepted. The number of casualties from the attacks and reprisals was not immediately known. The United Arab Emirates' defense ministry reported one civilian there was killed by falling debris. Iranian state media reported that dozens of children were killed when a missile struck a school in Minab, in southern Iran. USA TODAY could not immediately verify that report. The outside of the Sarasota office building on N. Cattlemen Road that contains Trump Media makes no mention of the President. What is happening in Iran? The White House has been ramping up the pressure on Iran for months. Trump has at times said he was displeased with the way Iran's authorities violently cracked down on protesters in December last year. He also said he wants Iran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear program. Trump said on Feb. 27 that he was "not happy" with the way attempts to solve the issue diplomatically were progressing. Still, some national security experts have questioned Trump's strategic logic for attacking Iran. Israel's case may be more clear-cut: The country has long viewed Iran as an existential threat because of its repeated threats to annihilate Israel. Trump also claimed that as a result of an earlier attack on Iran, the U.S. had destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities. Advertisement Advertisement "Trump seems interested, in no particular order, in demonstrating the prowess of the U.S. military, strengthening his negotiating position, showing he was serious when he vowed in a January Truth Social post to protect Iranian protesters, and differentiating his approach from President Barack Obama's," Nate Swanson, a former White House adviser on Iran, wrote in a Feb. 24 article for Foreign Affairs magazine, referring to a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and other world powers. That agreement was negotiated by the Obama administration. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. "This mishmash of objectives ... will make him less prepared if a strike does not yield the expected, swift capitulation," wrote Swanson. Iran's supreme leader: Where is he? Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian were both directly targeted in the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, according to a Middle Eastern official familiar with the matter. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. Reuters was the first to report the news. The official also said, without providing additional information, that several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the strikes. The official did not discuss the outcome of the strikes on Khamenei or Pezeshkian. Iranian state media has said Pezeshkian is accounted for and safe. Iran has not commented on Khamenei. Some of the areas in Tehran targeted by the U.S. and Israel were places linked to Khamenei and Pezeshkian. Iranian state media said Iran's foreign minister was also safe. 'Midnight Hammer': An earlier attack on Iran? In this handout photo obtained from the U.S. Defence Department, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sails in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 6, 2026. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations amid U.S. threats of an attack on Iran. In June 2025, Trump authorized military strikes against Iran's nuclear program as part of a war Israel, a close U.S. ally, fought with Iran over its support for the militant group Hamas in Gaza. It lasted for 12 days. The White House said at the time that the strikes completely eliminated Iran's nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement The operation was codenamed "Midnight Hammer." It involved 125 American military aircraft and targeted three nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. "Obliteration is an accurate term," Trump said of the bombings. No U.S. personnel were injured in the operation, which struck Iran well after midnight on June 22, 2025, local time. Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel a few days later, then chose to de-escalate. Iran attack: What happens now? Israelis enter an underground shelter after Israel's military announced they identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, in Haifa, northern Israel, February 28, 2026. Iran analysts have expressed concern that the attack could spill over into a wider regional war. "Lets be clear: This could have catastrophic consequences," said Trita Parsi, the co-founder and executive director of the Quincy Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank. Israelis gather in an underground shelter after Israel's military announced they identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, in Haifa, northern Israel, February 28, 2026. Parsi said that this would "not only put countless U.S. troops in the Middle East in the line of fire, but risk a massive multi-front expansion of the war and other uncontrollable chaos, from state failure and civil war to ethnic conflict that spreads through the region." An explosion in the sea, after missiles were launched towards Israel from Iran following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, as seen from Haifa, northern Israel, February 28, 2026. Whether that happens remains to be seen. The U.S. has said the operation could last several days. Advertisement Advertisement Other Iran specialists have cautioned that if Trump is able to force Iran into a new deal over its nuclear program, it may not improve on the one negotiated by the Obama administration. That agreement limited Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities and was widely regarded to be working when Trump pulled the U.S. out of it during his first term. However, the JCPOA, as that deal was called, did not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its support for regional militant groups. Trump said the U.S. would "destroy" Iran's missiles, "annihilate" its navy and ensure proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas are no longer able to destabilize the region. "And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon," he said. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Trump announces Iran attack from Sarasota-based Trump Media platform Editors note, February 28, 5:30 pm ET: President Donald Trump announced on Saturday afternoon that Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the airstrikes. The following story was published earlier on February 28, before the news of Khameneis death. Early Saturday, the United States launched an open-ended war on Iran. And nobody really knows why. For the past several weeks, the United States has been amassing forces in the area with an estimated 40 to 50 percent of its entire deployable air fleet in the region. Throughout this time, the Trump administration has refused to give any kind of straightforward public justification for the buildup: a clear accounting of why they were considering war with Iran, what such a war would entail, or what victory would look like. Advertisement Advertisement After the war began, President Donald Trump gave an eight-minute speech explaining why the war had begun. The speech ran through a series of grievances with the Iranian government: its anti-Americanism, its history of supporting terrorist groups, and its nuclear program (which he had previously claimed to have completely obliterated after airstrikes last year). For these reasons, Trump said, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. This looks, from Trumps description, to be a more open-ended military operation than his previous attacks on Iran. There is no specific defined singular objective, like setting back the nuclear program or killing an individual general. Instead, he speaks of a massive campaign dedicated to the broad goal of preventing Iran from threatening America. But what does that mean? What is the real objective here, and how far is he willing to go to get there? Advertisement Advertisement At first, Trump seemed to suggest that the war will focus on Irans military capabilities: that the US would raze their missile industry to the ground, annihilate their navy, and ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. But later in the speech, he said the ultimate goal was regime change. To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand, he said. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. These objectives are fundamentally different. Irans missile industry and nuclear program are not tools of domestic repression. If the goal is for the Iranian people to rise up, as Trump said, that would require a much more expansive military operation targeting Irans ground forces, including police and the Basij paramilitary involved in slaughtering thousands of peaceful protestors earlier this year. Most likely, a full toppling of the regime could not happen without some kind of ground invasion and a significant one at that. Advertisement Advertisement So which is it: a major bombing campaign targeting Irans military capabilities, or an even more expansive war of regime change? Or is Trump blustering, and a few days of bombing will give way to a climb down in which little ultimately changes? It is literally impossible to say from Trumps speech, or any other official communication from the US government. All we know for sure is that Trump has announced what he described as a massive war for no clear reason the result of a warmaking process that no longer follows constitutional procedure, and instead more closely resembles the way dictators make war on whims. The autocrats war In the past, when the United States launched a large-scale military operation, presidents felt obligated to explain what they were doing. Even the 2003 Iraq war, one of the most confused and disastrously planned in US history, began with months of discussion of Iraqs alleged WMD program and a congressional vote authorizing the use of force against Saddam Husseins regime. Advertisement Advertisement Nothing like this has happened with Trumps Iran war. Its not just that his speech was confusing and contradictory: its that the administration had not, at any point in 2026, articulated a straightforward justification for its military buildup and threats of war against Iran. Thats true both in public-facing communications and in private consultations with Congress. Just yesterday, Jack Reed the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee said the White Houses thinking was a mystery. I have yet to see the administration define a very clear-cut objective of what they are trying to do by massing all these naval forces, and other forces, in the area, Reed told my colleague Josh Keating during a Q&A at the Brookings Institution. Advertisement Advertisement On one level, this is not a new problem. For the past two decades, presidents have amassed more and more power to use military force unilaterally. This began with George W. Bushs expansive vision of the war on terror, but every subsequent president built on what he had started. Congress, stymied by partisan divisions, did little to try and claw its power back. The only constraint on the 21st-century presidencys warmaking powers, it appears, is the presidents own judgment. When undertaking military actions, Bush, Obama, and Biden all made the case publicly, arguing that major hostilities were within the presidents legal powers. In Trumps second term, though, the remaining few informal checks on the presidents warmaking powers have fallen by the wayside. Several second actions, ranging from the boat bombings in the Caribbean to the attack on Irans nuclear program last summer to the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro in January, illustrate that the current approach to using force is basically if we feel like it. Now, it appears, they feel like engaging in something much bigger than raids or small-scale bombing: an open-ended war against a country of 90 million, one that might be merely focused on destroying its military or could really be about regime change. Advertisement Advertisement This war is nothing short of a chaotic lashing out of an aimless administration that doesnt know or care what it wants for Iran, writes Hussein Banai, an expert on US-Iran relations at the University of Indiana-Bloomington. The closest analogy to this kind of decisionmaking is not any previous American war. Rather, it recalls the Russian invasion of Ukraine back in 2022. Before that war started, many credible observers thought that it wasnt going to happen. Invading Ukraine made no sense for Russia; there was no obvious security or economic interest that could justify the enormous risks associated with trying to annex an entire country. How could Putin, a calculating operative, possibly be so stupid? The answer, weve learned since, is that the Russian president was exactly that stupid. Animated by a series of bizarre historic grievances, Putin had convinced himself that Ukraine was a fake country populated by people best understood as Russians stolen from their motherland. Such a country would, he thought, be a pushover and the yes-men serving below him were incapable of contradicting the leader. With no constraints on his power, Putin was free to launch a war that has since proven to be a catastrophic quagmire. Advertisement Advertisement The Russian invasion is an object lesson in why authoritarian states built around a charismatic or all-powerful leader tend to make bad decisions. But what weve done in the United States, seemingly by accident, is create a presidency imbued with the same warmaking powers. And this is how the United States end up in an open-ended conflict with no clearly defined objective or exit strategy and a million different ways it could go wrong. For decades, Iran has targeted and killed Americans and US allies. Its proxies took hostages. It attacked ships in the Gulf of Oman. Now, America is responding. US President Donald Trump announced that the US had begun major combat operations against Iran on February 28. This was a different type of speech from his past comments about Iran. He reached deep down into the long list of the Iranian regimes crimes. He focused initially on Irans long history of chanting death to America, a slogan of the regime. Trump is saying that America wont put up with this anymore. For decades, Iran has targeted and killed Americans and US allies. Its proxies took hostages. It attacked ships in the Gulf of Oman. In almost every instance, Iran suffered no repercussions. It behaved with impunity since the Islamic regime came to power. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (credit: ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and innocent people in many, many countries, Trump said. A history of Iranian attacks on America Trump channeled Irans crimes in his speech. He is deeply familiar with how it all began back in the 1980s. These were formative years for Trump when he was building his real estate empire in New York City and initially dabbling in politics. Americans of that generation remember the hostage crisis and how the Ayatollahs sought to humiliate Americans. Advertisement Advertisement We are all families with films about this era as well, such as Argo. Irans regime also preyed on the world at the time, taking advantage of a sense that Iran had been harmed by American actions in the Cold War, particularly in the 1950s. Iran argued that it had a kind of right to attack Americans. Trump said, among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran's proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Trump added that many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer. This is Trump at his most genuine. His "Make America Great Again" movement, often abbreviated "MAGA," taps into this America of decades ago. To tap into this former greatness also means righting the wrongs of the past. Iran has been attacking America for more than 40 years. It has killed large numbers of Americans. Now, America is responding. In his first comments about Saturdays US military strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump claimed in a video posted to social media that Iran has been building missiles that could soon reach the American homeland. Its an argument he also made in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. However, that assertion is not backed up by US intelligence, sources told CNN. It was one of several claims about threats from Iran made publicly by the Trump administration in the lead up to Saturdays strikes. Advertisement Advertisement An unclassified assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) from 2025 said that Iran could develop a militarily-viable intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 should Tehran decide to pursue the capability. According to two sources, the claim that Iran will soon have a missile capable of hitting the US is not backed up by intelligence there is no intelligence to suggest that Iran is pursuing an ICBM program to hit the US at this time, the sources said. Iran does, however, possess short range ballistic missiles that could threaten US bases and personnel in the region, as the administration has warned. Three sources told CNN there has been no change in recent assessments about Irans intercontinental ballistic missile aspirations. Advertisement Advertisement White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded to CNNs reporting, saying President Trump is absolutely right to highlight the grave concern posed by Iran, a country that chants death to America, possessing intercontinental ballistic missiles. The matter of Iranian missile technology did not come up in a briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and the Gang of Eight congressional leaders this week, sources familiar with the briefing said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview released this week that his country was not developing long-range missiles. We have deliberately limited the range of our missiles to 2,000 kilometers, he told India Today TV, saying the missiles were for defense. Advertisement Advertisement The State Department referred CNN to remarks Rubio made Wednesday. Pressed on Trumps claim that Iran could soon have missiles that could reach the US, Rubio said he would not speculate as to how far away they are, but said Iran is certainly trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles. Youve seen them increasing the range of the missiles they have now, and clearly they are headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental US, he told reporters at a press conference in St. Kitts Wednesday. He argued that Irans refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program in negotiations that had been underway between the US and Iran in recent weeks is a big problem. The rounds of discussions between Washington and Tehran have, so far, only focused on nuclear issues. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the DIA report on Iranian intercontinental ballistic missile development, Rubio said, I wont comment on assessments or anything that the Intelligence Community says. Suffice it to say that its a threat. We can see that its possible. Beyond just the nuclear program they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans, if they so choose to do so. These things have to be addressed, the top US diplomat said. On the nuclear program, Rubio acknowledged that Iran is not enriching right now, but said theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. However, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff one of two main US negotiators claimed in an interview released last Saturday that Iran was probably a week away from having industrial-grade bombmaking material. That claim came despite the Trump administrations repeated assertions that the US had obliterated Irans nuclear program in military strikes last year. Advertisement Advertisement According to a source, intelligence shows that Iran is actively trying to build back its enrichment capability, including installing additional centrifuges, getting back online centrifuges that survived military strikes last year, and rebuilding facilities - many of which were damaged or destroyed - needed to weaponize the enriched uranium. However, sources and experts say that work would take far longer than a week. And, according to a source, the work to build back the nuclear program is happening in places that are not likely to be impacted by military strikes. CNNs Alejandra Jaramillo contributed to this report For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump squeezed in an appearance at an extravagant gala being held at his Mar-a-Lago club while telling the country he launched a full-out war with Iran. The black-tie gala was hosted Friday evening by the Palm Beach-based nonprofit Place of Hope, which describes itself as a faith-based organization providing care for children and families in South Florida. Several attendees of the gala posted pictures of the president stopping by the showy gala. Trump wearing the same trucker hat he wore while declaring war on Iran. / @jmdherin/Instagram Trump is seen at a flashy gala while declaring war on Iran. / @kellyann.mcevoy/Instagram One video from an attendee shows Trump dancing to one of his favorite songs, Lee Greenwoods God Bless the U.S.A., as he tells guests, I gotta go to work. Advertisement Advertisement Have a great time, everybody, Trump shouted to the crowd. The president is seen wearing the same white USA trucker hat he wore while telling the U.S. he launched Americas first full-scale war since 2003. During the video, he warned that Americans may die in his war. Trump, 79, launched his war on Iran via a Twitter video, wearing a white USA trucker hat, and not wearing a tie. / @RealDonaldTrump/X The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties, that often happens in war, he said in a video posted early Saturday morning. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, he added. Gala attendees can be seen enjoying the cocktail hour, participating in an auction during dinner, and watching several performances, all while the owner of the venue was declaring war in the Middle East. Gala attendees seen dining at Mar a Lago. / @placeofhope/Instagram Dancers perform at Mar a Lago. / @placeofhope/Instagram Gala attendees participate in an auction while bombs are dropped in Iran. / @placeofhope/Instagram Advertisement Advertisement The gala also boasted a letter that first lady Melania Trump wrote to Place of Hope last year. Together, we will ensure every child knows they are loved, safe, and reach their full potential, Melania wrote. @placeofhope/Instagram The White House and Place of Hope did not respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment. Trump launching an unauthorized strike in Iran directly contradicts his 2024 campaign promises, where he dubbed himself the Peace President and rallied his base on the idea of no new wars, a promise that has been broken just over a year into his second term. Trump sold his MAGA base on the idea of Trump is already facing backlash from his MAGA base over U.S. military action in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna wrote on X: Hold our country in prayer right now. Hold our service members and their families in prayer right now. Hold the innocent people of Iran in prayer right now. Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump ally who has been in MAGA exile for months, predicted Trumps military action in Iran would be the end of the MAGA movement. This is the Trump I supported, the man who called out the truth about the WMD in Iraq and declared NO MORE FOREIGN WARS. Now for some unknown reason, Trump has joined the neocons and will soon go to war against Iran with the same BS excuses. End of MAGA. Nearly 24 years ago, four months after the 9/11 attacks, former President George W. Bush delivered a State of the Union address that laid the groundwork for the war in Iraq. Over the next 14 months, Bush administration officials traveled the country, testified to Congress and made a case to Americans for war. They did so in exaggerated, misleading terms that often relied on scare tactics and, by most any objective measure, the war was a strategic disaster for the United States. But Bushs effort to rally public opinion, no matter how dishonest, stands in sharp contrast to President Donald Trumps efforts to prepare the country for war with Iran. Over the past several weeks, the U.S. moved two carrier groups into the Middle East, along with hundreds of bombers and fighter planes. It is the largest presence of U.S. military forces in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On Saturday morning, the U.S. launched attacks on Iran, in coordination with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement And yet, despite the eight-minute Truth Social video posted early Saturday morning, Trump made almost no effort to prepare the country for war or explain his actions. Trump has shown complete indifference to getting buy-in from Congress or Americans for a military conflict that even his military advisers, in news media leaks, said could put a significant number of American troops in harms way and has a limited chance at success. Indeed, Trump had the same opportunity as Bush did to make the case for war at the State of the Union this week and he refused to take it. In a more than 100-minute State of the Union on Tuesday, just a few days ago, Trump didnt bring up Iran until more than one hour and 20 minutes into the speech, and even then, he offered no explanation for why an attack was in Americas national interest. Advertisement Advertisement Surreally, Trump said in June 2025, when the U.S. military first attacked Iran (also with no effort by Trump to explain his decision to Americans beforehand), it obliterated the countrys nuclear weapons program. If that were true, it would suggest that an attack on the same program nine months later makes little sense. Trump said, They [Iran] want to start it all over again and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions, but offered no evidence or, if it is true, why there is an urgency to attack now. Indeed, even U.S. officials acknowledge that Iran has not actively resumed its uranium enrichment program after last years joint U.S. and Israeli attack. The only argument that Trump could muster for why Irans nuclear ambitions pose a threat to the United States is that Tehran has already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and theyre working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America. So the threat to America is a nuclear bomb that doesnt exist, perched on an intercontinental ballistic missile that isnt close to being built? But even that argument is highly misleading. According to a 2025 report by the Defense Intelligence Agency, Iran might be as much as a decade away from having such missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Trump did point out that it has been the policy of the United States never to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, which is certainly correct. But he didnt explain to Americans why that is the case or why that policy, which until this summer never involved the use of military force, now requires it. Perhaps the most bizarre part of the approximately three minutes that Trump spent talking about Iran was the presidents claim that Tehran wants to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words, We will never have a nuclear weapon. Iranian officials have repeatedly said that they have no intention of building a nuclear weapon. After Trumps speech, the countrys foreign minister said it again. Considering that Iran has repeatedly lied about the extent of its nuclear program, one should take such statements with a large grain of salt. But if America is seeking an off-ramp to war and if the president is to be believed when he says he prefers a diplomatic solution it would be useful for him to say what that would be, rather than making a demand that Iran has already publicly satisfied. It certainly doesnt help matters that over the past few weeks, Trump and his aides have offered a host of rationales for war. When Iranian forces were massacring pro-democracy protesters late last year, Trump rattled sabers about using force to protect them and unseat the Iranian regime. Since then, Trump has repeatedly deflected questions on whether the goal of an Iran attack is regime change, which, if it were, would necessitate a much larger U.S. military operation and even, potentially, American boots on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Trump even warned that Iran cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal, which would suggest that an agreement for Iran must be broader than an agreement on the nuclear issue, but also include an end to Irans support for armed proxies across the region. How can Americans assess the worthiness of going to war with Iran if the president cannot articulate a clear political and military objective or talk about how the use of force is in the countrys national interest? So the threat to America is a nuclear bomb that doesnt exist, perched on an intercontinental ballistic missile that isnt close to being built? U.S. attacks Iran will likely be a enjoy near-term military success. But what about the long-term economic, political, and reputational costs? What if a military attack doesnt lead Iran to soften its position on nuclear production? Does the U.S. keep attacking until it does, and then escalate the situation to include regime change? What if the Iranian regime falls, leading to regional instability? What role and responsibility will the U.S. have in post-conflict stabilization? All these questions are not only unanswered, but also unaddressed by the president and his aides. Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen this movie before. Last year, Trump and his aides spent months rattling sabers about attacking Venezuela before eventually seizing the countrys leader, Nicholas Maduro, and bringing him to the U.S. to stand trial. Yet Trump never went to the American people beforehand to explain the national interest in threatening Caracas. As was the case then and now, Trump doesnt seem to believe he has any responsibility to explain his actions to Americans. (Its worth noting that congressional Republicans have also shown no interest in demanding that Trump make the case for war or treat them like a co-equal branch of government.) The age of the imperial presidency, which began after World War II and the advent of nuclear weapons, has led to a steady decline in national deliberation about the use of military force. But weve never had a situation like the one we have today with Iran. Trump isnt even pretending to try to make the case for war. If anything, this is the imperial presidency on steroids as Trump decides to go to war with zero input from Congress (no congressional hearings) and zero effort to rally public opinion. Advertisement Advertisement It is yet another reminder of how disconnected Trump is not just from public opinion, but from the basic elements of democratic governance. Trump seems to believe that he can do whatever he wants, both at home and abroad, without even the fig leaf of democratic consent. The post Trump didnt even pretend to try to make the case for war with Iran appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool) President Donald Trump told NBC News on Saturday afternoon that his administration believes Israel killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a strike earlier in the day. We feel that is a correct story, Trump told NBCs Kristen Welker. Advertisement Advertisement The president added he believed most of Irans senior leadership is gone. The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone, he said. That report came shortly after N12 News chief political analsyt Amit Segal reported Khamenei was dead and that his body has been recovered. Senior officials in Israel were informed: Khamenei has been eliminated. His body was recovered from the ruins of his palace, Segal posted on X. Trump has not posted on his Truth Social platform about it as of 3:38 p.m. ET. About an hour earlier, Fox News anchor Bret Baier reported Trump is very happy and pleased with how the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran have gone so far, with Baier reporting on Saturday afternoon that the Trump administration expected the countrys theocratic regime to put up more of a fight to this point. Advertisement Advertisement Baier shared his latest reporting during a segment around 2:10 p.m. ET. I am being told the president is very happy with what has happened so far. There are no U.S. casualties that we know of so far, Baier reported. So far the response from my Iran is much less than they thought it was going to be. He added a few more key details, including the Trump administration has off ramps for Operation Epic Fury in place, depending on whether the regime has been toppled or if the Iranians do say something. Baier also said the sense is the president is pleased and cautiously optimistic about the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu addressed the Iranian people in a video statement on Saturday afternoon, calling for regime change in the Islamic state. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity because soon theres going to be a moment that youll have to go to the streets to complete this act and to topple this regime this help that you were wishing for helped as arrived, Netanyahu said. He added, this is the time to go together for this mission. Citizens of Iranall of you. Its your time to unite and to topple this regime. The post Trump: We Feel Report Israel Killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Is Correct first appeared on Mediaite. U.S. President Donald Trump is musing about a "friendly takeover of Cuba" as his administration tightens its economic squeeze on the island's communist government. Trump has moved to choke off much of Cuba's supply of crude oil, decimating the island's tourist industry and putting mounting pressure on the Cuban government to make some sort of deal with the White House. "They're in a big deal of trouble," Trump said Friday in Washington. "They have no money. They have no anything right now, but they're talking with us, and maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba." Advertisement Advertisement While Trump did not explain what he meant by a friendly takeover, experts on U.S. policy toward Cuba believe the president's tactics are likely more about creating business opportunities for American companies than about toppling the communist regime of President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Trump said last week he wants to "make a deal" with the Cuban authorities and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio the son of Cuban immigrants is leading the talks. William LeoGrande, a professor of government in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C., says Trump's objective in Cuba may be similar to what he's aiming to achieve in Venezuela: opening up the country to U.S. business interests. "There certainly can be commercial opportunities for the United States in Cuba without a change in regime," LeoGrande said in an interview with CBC News. Advertisement Advertisement "If that's his intent in Cuba rather than try to create a U.S.-style democracy on the island, then I think some kind of agreement between the two countries is a possibility," he said. Ramped-up embargo 'strangling' Cuban economy Though Trump referred to Cuba being in a "big deal of trouble," he neglected to mention his role in bringing the country's economy to its knees. By capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in early January and effectively taking control of the country's oil supply, the U.S. took away Cuba's staunchest ally in the Western Hemisphere and its top source of crude. Advertisement Advertisement Trump also signed an executive order threatening tariffs against any country that supplies oil to the Cuban government or its state-run enterprises. "It is really an extraordinary effort to strangle the economy of an entire country and it is already having a terrible impact on Cuba," said LeoGrande. The impact includes frequent power blackouts, shortages of food and medicines and a crippled tourism industry, after airlines stopped flying to Cuba over warnings that the country's airports may run out of jet fuel. A man walks past a Havana gas station that has run out of fuel in early February. The U.S. embassy is seen in the background. (Ramon Espinosa/The Associated Press) While the intensity of the embargo has some wondering whether Trump's endgame could actually be regime change a more "unfriendly" takeover than he alluded to on Friday it's not clear if that's the case. Advertisement Advertisement LeoGrande says the only ways the U.S. could oust the Cuban government would be to invade and occupy the island, or to squeeze the economy so badly that it collapses. He doubts the Trump administration has the appetite for either. "Cuba is not Venezuela," he said. "There's not one person that you could abduct that would lead to the remnants of the regime suddenly caving in to U.S. demands." U.S. push for private sector expansion Other experts also believe Trump's real motivation is the prospect of profits for American business interests. Nicolas Forsans, co-director of the Centre for Latin American & Caribbean Studies at the University of Essex, expects U.S. negotiators will push the Cuban regime to allow a significant expansion of the country's private sector, including greater access for U.S. companies. Advertisement Advertisement "Crucially, Washington will want some guarantees that foreign investors can repatriate profits," Forsans wrote this month on The Conversation website. (Adalberto Roque/The Associated Press) Forsans says the White House is likely seeking a deal giving U.S. businesses opportunities in such sectors as tourism, energy generation, ports and telecoms. "Cubas political system will bend at the margins, yet it is unlikely that the U.S. administration will want to break the regime entirely," wrote Forans. Vicki Huddleston, a former U.S. diplomat who worked extensively on Cuba, says the Trump administration would risk provoking serious consequences from China by forcing out the communist government in Havana. Advertisement Advertisement "Taiwan is to China as Cuba is to the U.S.," Huddleston told a recent panel discussion held by the Quincey Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a foreign policy think-tank in Washington. "So if we do intervene in Cuba, I would imagine that China will intervene in Taiwan," Huddleston said. (Jonathan Ernst/The Associated Press) Rubio has long opposed the communist government, but despite his hawkishness on Cuba, doesn't currently appear to be advocating for an overthrow. "The only way Cuba is going to have a better future is if it has a different economic model," Rubio told reporters Wednesday at a Caribbean Community (Caricom) regional conference in St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement "The problem is the Cuban private sector is very small," Rubio said, adding that if the Cuban government wants to "to open the gates and allow the Cuban private sector independent of the military, independent of the government to grow, that solution is there." Axios reported this month that Rubio was holding secret talks with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of Cuba's former president Raul Castro. The pair met again this week on the sidelines of the Caricom event, the Miami Herald reported on Thursday. The latest meeting came shortly after the Cuban military killed four exiles and wounded six others who sailed into Cuban waters aboard a Florida-registered speedboat and opened fire on a Cuban patrol. Rubio denied it was a U.S. operation and said no U.S. government personnel were involved. War is like a fire once lit, it may be hard to control. Wars can quickly spiral beyond initial plans. Winston Churchill once said, Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy or that any one who embarks on that strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The United States has deployed the largest air-power buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq and on Feb. 28 the U.S. began "major combat operations" in Iran. More: Iran hit by 'massive' US attack; supreme leader targeted: Updates Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has two carrier strike groups in the region as well as additional fighter jets, refueling tankers, and air defense systems. Once President Donald Trump promised in January to support massive anti-government Iranian protests that began in late December 2025, he set a red line. The Iranian regime ignored his warning and put down the protests by butchering more than 30,000 protesters, according to the Guardian based on testimony from medics, morgue and graveyard staff. Protests have restarted despite the brutality of the Iranian government against its own people. Trump demands three changes from the Iranian government: end uranium enrichment, stop its ballistic missile program, and sever its support of proxy terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. More: My family fled Iran. These protests are personal to me. | Opinion In June 2025, military action was limited to targeting Iranian nuclear sites. Now the aim could be to destroy its missile capability and topple the Islamic state regime. That would require targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force and Faraja law enforcement command for internal security. This likely will require a longer war. Advertisement Advertisement The United States, Canada and the European Union consider Iran a leading state sponsor of terrorism, officially designated as such by the U.S. State Department since 1984. Iran has used the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to fund, train and arm various militant groups across the Middle East and has targeted dissidents abroad with assassination and kidnapping. It has facilitated al-Qaida since at least 2009. It issued death threats against Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and National Security Advisor John Bolton. It calls the United States the Great Satan and Israel the Little Satan and has vowed to destroy both. If Iran obtains a nuclear bomb, all of the Mideast countries are at risk, not just Israel. Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim and Iran Shiite. There has been sectarian hatred between them for centuries An attack on Saudi Arabia with its oil supplies would throw the world into an economic chaos. The Iranian development of long-range missiles puts Europe at risk. U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East and farther away would be potential targets for a nuclear attack by a regime that has shown little restraint in its hatred of the West. That is why Trump and all recent presidents have said that Iran must not have a nuclear device much less the ability to deliver it great distances. That sword of Damocles would hang over our troops and friends. Trump tried diplomacy but I was skeptical Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would meet his three requirements. Iran has broken agreements before, as well. Trump wont back down after this massive military buildup. US personnel were being moved out of Lebanon and elsewhere in the Mideast as a precaution. Khamenei says that if Iran is attacked it will sink American naval vessels. It is very worrisome that Iran has been in talks with China for some time about obtaining supersonic Chinese-made CM-302 anti-ship cruise missiles. If they obtain these missiles it could be a game changer in the war. An attack with damage to an American carrier would escalate the conflict to higher grade weapons and wider targets. Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump goes out of bounds with his threats over Greenland | Opinion In the meantime, while America is tied up in a costly protracted Middle East war, China would be tempted to attack Taiwan. Chinas President Xi Jinping has said that China will be ready for a Taiwan conflict next year. Would the U.S. being involved in a Mideast war cause Xi to attack or blockade Taiwan now? The New York Times recently outlined the economic consequences of a world-wide disruption in Taiwans super computer chips that could cause a depression worse than the Great Depression. Even a "limited strike Mideast war will expend large amounts of US reserve munitions, while war games have shown the U.S. could run out of critical munitions in days in a war with China alone. Trumps choice was between a rock and a hard place. The consequences are huge. Only about 20% of the American public currently supports a war with Iran. The president should address the public about the risk of a Middle East conflict with Iran that could end with significant losses and encourage conflict elsewhere. On the other hand, an Iran with nuclear bombs and long-range missiles is a formula for conflagration. Meanwhile the people of Iran continue to demonstrate against their criminal government and are dying for its end. Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Greg Ganske is a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve. He served Iowa in Congress from 1995 to 2003. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why Trump had no appealing options on Iran | Opinion The Brief President Trump on Friday hinted at a "friendly takeover" of Cuba. He didnt elaborate. Trump has been more focused on the communist-run island nation since January, when U.S. forces ousted Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, one of Cubas closest allies. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States "could very well" have a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, a communist-run island that has been among Washingtons biggest adversaries for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Trump made the comments while speaking to reporters outside the White House, but he didnt offer any details on what he meant. Heres the latest: What did Trump say about Cuba? What they're saying Trump told reporters Thursday that "the Cuban government is talking with us, as they're in a big scale of trouble." "They have no money. They have no anything right now," he said. "But they're talking with us, and maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba." United States President Donald speaks to the press members ahead of his departure from the White House en route Corpus Christi, Texas on February 27, 2026, in Washington D.C., United States. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images) Trump didnt elaborate on what a "friendly takeover" would resemble, but he did say it would be "something good" and "very positive for the people that were expelled, or worse, from Cuba and live here." Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: US military accidentally shoots down own drone at Texas border, lawmakers say "They want to go back to Cuba," he said. Big picture view Trumps remarks came two days after the Cuban government said a Florida-registered speedboat carrying 10 armed Cubans from the U.S. opened fire on soldiers off the islands north coast. Four of the armed Cubans were killed, and six were injured in responding gunfire, Cuban officials said. Oil blockade cripples Cuba Dig deeper Trump has been more focused on Cuba since January, when U.S. forces ousted Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, one of Cubas closest allies. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Who is Nicolas Maduro? Venezuelan president captured by US forces In late January, Trump imposed a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. The order has severed the island from its primary energy sources and dealt a blow to the nation, especially to civilians. Already unreliable public buses stopped running altogether, leaving many stranded. Ambulances are struggling to find fuel to respond to emergencies. Persistent outages have plagued deteriorated hospitals. Flights bringing vital supplies have been suspended as Cubas government says its now unable to refuel airplanes in its airports. RELATED: Cuban Coast Guard kills 4, injures 6 in gunfire with Florida-based boat Advertisement Advertisement Trump was asked by a reporter in January whether he was trying to "choke off" Cuba, which he has repeatedly called a "failing nation." "The word choke off is awfully tough," Trump said at the time. "Im not trying to, but, it looks like its something thats just not going to be able to survive." Humanitarian crisis The other side Experts and some leaders of other countries have warned that Cuba is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. Dozens of U.S. social organizations including the Alliance of Baptists and the Presbyterian Church have asked Congress to "press the Trump administration to reverse its aggressive policy towards Cuba." Advertisement Advertisement "Policies that deliberately impose hunger and mass hardship on millions of civilians constitute a form of collective punishment, and as such are a grave violation of international humanitarian law," the letter to Congress said. The United Nations has also expressed concern about humanitarian conditions in Cuba . Military presence in Cuba The U.S. Navy has had a base in Cuba since 1903. The station at Guatanamo Bay is the oldest overseas naval base, and the only one in a communist-run country. Often referred to as "Gitmo," it's best known for the suspects brought there after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The Source This article includes quotes from President Donald Trump and information from The Associated Press, the U.S. Navy's website and previous FOX Local reporting. Washington President Trump announced Friday that he is ordering all federal agencies to "immediately" stop using Anthropic's artificial intelligence technology, as the company neared a Pentagon deadline to drop its push for guardrails over the military's use of its AI. "I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology," Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again!" The president said he will give certain agencies, like the Department of Defense, that use Anthropic's technology six months to phase out their use of its products and threatened to take additional action against the company if it does not assist during that period. Advertisement Advertisement "Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow," he wrote. Mr. Trump attacked the company as a "Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about." About an hour and a half after Mr. Trump's Truth Social post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed through on his promise to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk. "I am directing the Department of War to designate Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security. Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic," Hegseth wrote. "Anthropic will continue to provide the Department of War its services for a period of no more than six months to allow for a seamless transition to a better and more patriotic service. America's warfighters will never be held hostage by the ideological whims of Big Tech. This decision is final." Advertisement Advertisement In an exclusive interview with CBS News Friday evening, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called the government's actions "retaliatory and punitive." He said the company had not yet received official notification from the Pentagon and would challenge the supply chain designation in court. But he also held the door open for a future agreement. "We have wanted to strike a deal since the beginning," Amodei said, adding, "We are still interested in working with them as long as it is in line with our red lines." Anthropic said in a statement that the Pentagon's action "would both be legally unsound and set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government." The company wrote that Hegseth doesn't have the legal authority to ban military contractors from doing business with Anthropic, since a risk designation would only apply to contractors' work with the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement The Free Press: Will AI Doom Us All? The Market Can't Decide Anthropic and the Pentagon have been at odds over the military's use of its AI model, Claude, and the safeguards that the company wanted in place over the use of the technology. The Pentagon insisted Anthropic agree to give the military unrestricted access to its AI model, and Hegseth had set a deadline of 5:01 p.m. Friday for it to agree to drop its guardrails. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Thursday that the department required the ability to use Anthropic's AI model "for all lawful purposes." Anthropic had asked the Defense Department to agree to certain limits on the use of its model, including a restriction against using Claude to conduct mass surveillance of Americans. The company also sought to ensure Claude wouldn't be used by the Pentagon for final targeting decisions in military operations without any human involvement. A source familiar with the matter said Claude is not immune to hallucinations and is not reliable enough to avoid potentially lethal mistakes, such as unintended escalation or mission failure without human judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Anthropic was awarded a $200 million contract from the Pentagon last July to develop AI capabilities that would advance national security. It is currently the only AI company with its model deployed on the Pentagon's classified networks through a partnership with data analytics company Palantir. But a senior Pentagon official told CBS News that Grok, the model owned by Elon Musk's xAI, could be used in a classified setting. Later on Friday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company "reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network." "Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement," Altman wrote, adding that OpenAI is asking the Defense Department "to offer these same terms to all AI companies, which in our opinion we think everyone should be willing to accept." Increasingly heated dispute over access and guardrails Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with CBS News on Thursday, the Pentagon's chief technology officer, Emil Michael, said the military "made some very good concessions" in order to reach a deal with Anthropic. The Pentagon offered to "put it in writing that we're specifically acknowledging" federal laws that restrict the military from surveilling Americans, he said, and offered language "specifically acknowledging these policies that have been in place for years at the Pentagon regarding autonomous weapons." "At some level, you have to trust your military to do the right thing," Michael said. But an Anthropic spokesperson said that the new contract language it received from the Pentagon "made virtually no progress on preventing Claude's use for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons." "New language framed as compromise was paired with legalese that would allow those safeguards to be disregarded at will," the company said. Advertisement Advertisement In his own statement Thursday, Amodei said that the threats from the Defense Department would do nothing to change its position on the need for guardrails around the use of its AI systems. "Our strong preference is to continue to serve the Department and our warfighters with our two requested safeguards in place," he said. "Should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. Our models will be available on the expansive terms we have proposed for as long as required." Michael lashed out at the CEO in a social media post, calling Amodei a "liar" with "a God-complex." Mr. Trump's announcement targeting Anthropic was met with pushback from Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Warner accused the president and Hegseth of "bullying" the company to deploy "AI-driven weapons without safeguards," and said it should "scare the hell out of all of us." Advertisement Advertisement "The president's directive to halt the use of a leading American AI company across the federal government, combined with inflammatory rhetoric attacking that company, raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations," he said in a statement. Sneak peek: The Woman Who Died Twice Bill Clinton's opening statement for Epstein files deposition Bill Clinton facing House Oversight Committee on Epstein files In the end, President Donald Trump lost his patience. For weeks, his administration had pursued a dual-track strategy toward Iran, dispatching envoys Steve Wifkoff and Jared Kushner to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear program while staging the largest military build up in the Middle East since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. But once the USS Gerald R. Ford steamed into the Mediterranean eight days ago, current and former officials say, the balance shifted. By the end of the week, Trump made the final call to pursue military action after deciding that Irans Islamist regime would not commit to his satisfaction to forgo nuclear weapons, according to three senior Trump administration officials. Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday in Iran, U.S. forces launched coordinated strikes alongside Israel, ending a tense standoff that had built for months and bringing Washington into its most expansive military confrontation with Tehran to date. Waiting for the armada The USS Ford entered the Mediterranean around Feb. 20, a major factor in the ultimate timing of the strike, according to one former National Security Council official and one Israeli official. The carriers arrival gave Trump the full range of military options Trump wanted. The officials, like others in this report, were granted anonymity to share sensitive details of the operation. The arrival of the Ford was significant, said the former Trump NSC official whos been involved with Iran policy. Advertisement Advertisement It was also the result of weeks of close U.S.-Israeli intelligence collection and coordination. Whenever you eliminate people, and not just carry out an attack against targets, theres an element of surprise and also when you have the intelligence on them, the Israeli official said. Trump had made clear to advisers that while he wanted to give diplomacy one last chance, he would not allow talks to drag on indefinitely, according to a high-level administration official involved in Middle East diplomacy. Since January, when Iranian security forces killed what some reports havecalled tens of thousands of protesters in a brutal crackdown, Trump had grown increasingly convinced that Tehran needed new leadership, calling for an end to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis 37-year-reign in an interview with POLITICO. Still, he authorized a final diplomatic push. He sent longtime confidant Steve Witkoff, along with his son-in-law and peace envoy Jared Kushner to Geneva to explore the possibility of a nuclear deal with the Iranians. Kushner and Witkoff met Iranian officials in Geneva twice in February, with Oman serving as a mediator. Advertisement Advertisement The high-level administration official involved in Middle East diplomacy described the effort as genuine, if ultimately futile. The read is simple: He very much optimized for a deal, the official said. There was no true counterparty in the end. This is the way we have executed this from the start. In [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, for example, there is a willing counterparty, albeit tough, but at the table. Here, when its literal religion, it becomes a fool's errand at a point to keep trying to find a compromise, the official added. The American red line The Iranians made some concessions, such as offering to stop enrichment for a time, but they fell far short of what was needed to satisfy the hard American line: a commitment to not develop a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement One of the senior Trump administration officials said Iran insisted on keeping their enrichment capabilities even after Washington offered what they felt were creative workarounds, such as free nuclear fuel forever. One of the rules of dealmaking is that you have to know very quickly if there's a deal to do or not, the official said. If they wanted to have a civil peaceful nuclear program, we offered them many, many ways to do that. But instead that was met with games, tricks, stall tactics, and that was really the conclusion that we came back with. In the talks Iran wanted to talk specifics about sanctions relief and nuclear compromises, but Washington sent only Kushner and Witkoff not any experts, confusing the Iranian delegation about how to move forward, according to one person familiar with the diplomacy. The Americans did not see the need for any experts to discuss zero uranium enrichment, a second person said. Advertisement Advertisement The last-ditch effort at diplomacy was also a way to mollify Arab allies, who in recent weeks had urged caution about attacking Iran in conversations with the presidents top aides. But several Arab diplomats came away from their White House meetings with a sense that their concerns werent breaking through and that an attack at some point soon seemed likely, according to three people familiar with those conversations. Trump has been pressing hard for weeks, one of those people said. Once the military was in place, the window of opportunity was there. For weeks, two of the people familiar added, U.S. officials were quietly laying the groundwork inside Iran for strikes targeting the countrys military and religious leaders. That effort involved gleaning intelligence about the location of Irans leaders for a strike and figuring out who would be willing to work with the U.S. if the regime were to fall. On Tuesday, congressional leaders in the Gang of Eight were briefed on the possibility of U.S. military action in coordination with Israel. Two days later, Trump received a briefing from U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper on his options. In planning meetings in the lead-up to U.S. military strikes, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine expressed concern about the impacts of an extended U.S. military operation on the Pentagons stockpiles and air defenses, according to one of the people familiar with the conversations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was not part of the day-to-day planning, also had reservations. But neither of them forcefully made the case against going to war, the person said. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond Trump and a small handful of hawks, the mood in the administration became one of resignation. In the administration, these guys are just apoplectic about where things are heading, the person said. There were people uncomfortable with Midnight Hammer and Absolute Resolve, the person said, referring to the June attack on the Iranian nuclear sites and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. But those were well planned and had discrete objectives. This doesnt have that. On Friday, Vice President JD Vance met with Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi, who was mediating the U.S.-Iran talks, in a Hail-Mary diplomatic play. Though Albusaidi left the most recent round of talks in Geneva saying there had been significant progress, the American delegation was not satisfied after the most recent round. To Washingtons allies it was clear time was running out. At the center of the impasse was Trumps insistence that Iran publicly and unequivocally commit to forgoing nuclear weapons. Irans repeated pledges over the years that it would not build such weapons apparently did not meet his bar. Iran denies it has ever sought to build a nuclear weapon, but the U.N.s nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency has reported years of nuclear weapons-related work. Irans stockpiles of enriched uranium, the fissile material it could potentially use for a bomb, is believed to have been buried under rubble after the U.S. and Israel attacked its three main nuclear sites in June. Tehran says it has a right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes such as medical research. Advertisement Advertisement They have to say, Were not gonna have a nuclear weapon, Trump said Friday, hours before the strikes began. They just cant quite get there. Weve been playing with them for 47 years" By Friday afternoon, Trump was in Corpus Christi, Texas, for a rally, stopping at a burger joint after addressing supporters. Trumps tone, even then, was resolute. Weve been playing with them for 47 years, and thats a long time, Trump said. Theyve been blowing the legs off our people, blowing their face off our people, the arms. Theyve been knocking out ships one by one. And every month, theres something else, so you cant put up with it too long.That evening, Trump flew to Mar-a-Lago, where he set up operations at his private club as top defense and intelligence officials joined him. Hours later, the strikes began, as Trump watched from Mar-a-Lago and Vance and other Cabinet secretaries monitored from the Situation Room at the White House.Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, Trump said in recorded remarks, appealing directly to Iranian citizens. So lets see how you respond. Nahal Toosi and Paul McLeary contributed to this report. President Donald Trump was posting on social media into the dead of night in the hours following his war announcement, sharing a pair of messages about his election loss to former President Joe Biden. At 2:30 AM Saturday, Trump posted an announcement that the United States was in the process of attacking Iran in a video message from Mar-a-lago: A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries.Among the regimes very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Irans proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel.In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Coal. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes.Its been mass terror. And were not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. But as the operation raged, Trump apparently had other things on his mind if his posts in the 4 AM hour are any indication. Advertisement Advertisement First, Trump posted a message that read Iran tried to interfere in 2020, 2024 elections to stop Trump, and now faces renewed war with United States, along with a link to a right-wing news site. A few minutes later, he posted another message about his loss to Biden, this time complaining about the investigation into the plot to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. As Georgia prosecutor pursued Trump, Biden DOJ invited her to get lucrative grant, memos show, read Trumps post, with another link to the same right-wing news site. The post Trump Posts In Dead of Night About Election Loss To Biden Hours After War Announcement first appeared on Mediaite. Last Saturday, Denmarks Arctic command forces staged a rescue mission of an American crew member who needed urgent medical attention. Joint Arctic Command said on Facebook that it had evacuated a crew member from a U.S. submarine in Greenlandic waters, scooping them up in a Seahawk helicopter approximately seven nautical miles off the coast of Nuuk, Greenlands capital. The incident seems to have triggered a bizarre reaction from President Donald Trump, who the next day threatened or promised to send a great hospital ship to Greenland, claiming on a Truth Social post that it would help many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. Its on the way!!! The order, accompanied by an AI-generated illustration of a World War II-era hospital ship flying the U.S. flag, was confusing to many, and justifiably so. It wasnt clear what had motivated Trumps supposed gesture of generosity, or why the post made no mention of the submarine rescue. Denmarks leadership politely said no thanks, but it turns out they didnt have to: No ship was ever on its way in the first place. The U.S. operates two hospital ships: one is currently docked at an Alabama shipyard while the other is on its way to Panama, which is pretty much in the opposite direction from Greenland. No presidential order has been issued to send any ships of any description to the island nation in the North Atlantic and even more to the point, none was needed. Advertisement Advertisement As many others have noted, Denmark and Greenland have health care systems that are far superior to our own. Polls have shown Greenlanders prefer what theyve got. If anyone should be receiving hospital ships, it might be lower-income Americans struggling with the rising cost of health insurance, which the Trump administration has made much worse. As to why Trump made this strange pronouncement, reporting by the Wall Street Journal suggests it was the result of a convoluted game of telephone between the White House, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (who is also Trumps envoy to Greenland) and a native Greenlander who apparently supports the proposed U.S. seizure. But none of that entirely explains why Trump said something was happening that definitely wasnt, and that hadnt been discussed in any official capacity, beyond the fact that stuff like this happens a lot with this administration. That entire pseudo-event was one one of those blink-and-you-miss-it moments that get drowned out in the endless baying insanity of our collective reality. But as metaphors go, there couldnt be a better one for the hobbled state of public health under Trump: aimless demands for things that wont materialize and that no one asked for. Unfortunately, as amusing as this is on a certain level, it will have real-world consequences that could take decades to repair and cause millions of needless deaths. Nothing is more acute here than Trumps recent announcement of what could be called his own made-up version of the World Health Organization. As the Washington Post reported last week, the administration is working on a global disease surveillance project that seems designed to duplicate the WHOs work under the United Nations, but at roughly three times the cost. It comes only weeks after the U.S. officially withdrew from the WHO that announcement was one of Trumps first acts in his second term while also completely gutting USAID, the foreign-aid wing of the U.S. government, a move that has led to an estimated 834,000 deaths so far, more than two-thirds of them children. By 2030, the death toll from these and other cuts could rise to 22 million people. Advertisement Advertisement The secretiveness of Trumps WHO clone proposal suggests that he, or someone in his administration, actually understands that protecting public health on a global scale is important. So long as human bodies are fallible to disease, we will need labs studying viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites to see which ones could cause major problems. We also cant do this work in isolation, because pathogens like bird flu and Nipah virus dont respect borders. If we want to have a global economy, that means inviting the risk of outbreaks, disease and mass death. Indeed, history is filled with examples of this, from the medieval Black Death hitchhiking along the Silk Road to the Russian flu pandemic of the late 19th century that was accelerated by trains and steamships. All of this is precisely why the WHO was formed in 1948, just two years after Trump was born, with outsized influence from the U.S. Its professed goal is to prevent sickness that hurts our economic interests and overall wellbeing. Americans crafted this global organization in ways that directly benefited our nation, and for the most part it worked. The WHO helped eradicate smallpox, established a framework that led to a dramatic worldwide reduction in tobacco use and helped control numerous pandemics, from Ebola to mpox to Zika. Many valid criticisms can be raised about the WHO, especially regarding its important mistakes during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were regrettable delays in admitting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is airborne, along with inconsistent messaging, and a pattern of rolling out vaccines in rich countries well ahead of poorer ones. But the WHOs failures arent happening in a vacuum. As a 2025 scoping review put it: The politicization of global health governance, intensified by nationalist populism and the decline of liberal internationalism, posed significant ethical and operational challenges to the WHO during the pandemic. These dynamics constrained the organizations ability to act independently and exposed vulnerabilities within global health systems. Moreover, great power competition, disinformation and the rise of authoritarianism further undermined the WHOs mandate to ensure equitable health outcomes globally. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Trumps criticisms of the WHO are markedly different from those. He has accused the organization of being China-centric and downplaying the severity of the virus as it first began spreading in the Chinese city Wuhan. He did the exact same thing, of course, once COVID began spreading in the U.S., which is a major reason why the WHO became so useful to him as a deflection. For its part, the WHO has refuted Trumps accusations that it played favorites or responded too slowly, while underscoring that its trying to learn from its mistakes. Advertisement Advertisement Trump is correct in saying that the U.S. has paid a much higher proportion of WHO costs than other nations. His replacement idea, however, will cost about $2 billion, according to the Posts investigation. Thats roughly three times higher than the previous average average of $680 million per year in U.S. WHO dues. Arguably some of the initial costs of Trumps venture are related to building infrastructure, but none of that will be nearly as easy as the president seems to think. As far back as Trumps first term, public health experts argued that Withdrawal from WHO would have dire consequences for U.S. security, diplomacy, and influence, because the organization has unmatched global reach and legitimacy. The WHOs secret ingredient isnt money. Its trust, something that took decades for the WHO to earn through repeated successes. And trust is exactly what America lacks around the world right now as Trump bullies other nations, abducts their leaders and threatens war in the Middle East, not to mention his saber-rattling against longtime allies like Greenland. Its hard to imagine that Trumps version of the WHO will spur the development of new polio vaccines, work to advance health equity for migrants and displaced populations or seek to negotiate a ceasefire in Sudan. Yet these are all things the WHO has done just within the last several months, amid decades of similar accomplishments. Its not like other organizations havent sprung up to compete with the WHO. But outfits like the Gates Foundation and World Bank still dont have the same level of resources, let alone command the same kind of global respect. Much like Trumps absurd Board of Peace, which is geared up to operate like a less democratic U.N. clone, his WHO initiative has no hope of accomplishing its stated goals if most of the world resists it. Just this week, Zimbabwe rejected a health deal from the U.S. worth some $360 million over concerns about how the Trump administration would handle the data. It took generations to get public health to the point we enjoy now, where average life expectancy in many places exceeds 80 years and we dont have to worry too much about diseases like polio, smallpox or even relative newcomers like HIV. Instead of leaving the WHO, we should be reinforcing its mission. Again, no one claims the WHO is perfect and theres much room for improvement. Such gaps are not abstract they represent real human lives that are lost or mangled. Yet its pretty clear that Trumps attempts to reinvent the wheel here will create more such gaps, not less. Advertisement Advertisement This is yet another Trump-manufactured crisis whose consequences will be hard to fully wrap our heads around for decades. Pandemics and health disasters have ripple effects that churn through generations. Our government is only inviting more of them with this phony attempt to create a global public health body that puts America first. Electing someone else in 2028 wont be nearly enough to change course. It will take a lot more time and effort to rebuild. Trumps fake WHO is only a small slice of the Make America Healthy Again movement, which is about removing most of the governments responsibility to help people stay healthy and instead blaming ordinary people for getting sick. For Trumps administration, dumping the WHO and recreating it to MAHA specifications comes with the added benefit of controlling and dismissing undesirable or overly woke health information, as weve already witnessed under the stewardship of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the helm of Health and Human Services. Roughly half of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions surveillance databases have gone dark, while some U.S. health data has disappeared entirely. Despite the old saying, what you dont know can hurt you. Trump is driving us back to the days before germ theory, when infection and disease transmission were mysterious. But not understanding what made you sick wont stop it from killing you. As for sending that hospital ship to Greenland, Jeff Landry still wants to make that happen. He loyally told the Wall Street Journal that it might need to wait until summer, when one of the U.S. hospital ships will complete its maintenance. Landry emphasized that he wouldnt consult either Greenland or Denmark about it; whether they need or want the damn thing is apparently irrelevant. Thats the Trump health care brand in a nutshell: Youll get less and pay more, whether you like it or not. The post Trumps risky public health charade rings hollow appeared first on Salon.com. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is not pleased with the talks held so far with Iran on Tehran's nuclear programme. "We're not exactly happy with the way they're negotiating," Trump told reporters in Washington, saying Iran "should make a deal. They'd be smart if they made a deal," the US president said. That must involve Iran's renouncement of the possession and acquisition of nuclear weapons, which Trump said they have refused to do. "We want no nuclear weapons by Iran and they're not saying those golden words," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, during a visit to the US state of Texas, he also criticized Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment. He said the country wanted to "enrich a little bit," despite there being no need, adding: "I say no enrichment, not 20% not 30%," referring to levels Iran says are for civilian purposes. The president repeated "it'd be nicer" if the United States did not have to use military force "but sometimes you have to do it with." Still a final decision has not yet been made and there were more talks planned, he said ahead of his flight to Texas. Trump: Strike on Iran could pose a risk of a prolonged conflict Trump stressed that he would prefer not to use the greatest military in the world and noted that a US strike could pose a risk of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. "When there's war, there's a risk of anything, both good and bad," he said, adding that he has not yet made a final decision on the way forward. Advertisement Advertisement In mid-February Trump had told reporters that he felt 10 to 15 days would be enough for Iran to make a decision. That would put the timetable at around early March for an expected Iranian decision. The US and Iran last negotiated with each other on Thursday. They plan to meet again on Monday. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, "technical talks" are planned in Vienna. The Austrian capital is home to the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The negotiations will focus on Iran's controversial nuclear programme. The US wants to prevent the leadership in Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran's government denies any such intentions, but is willing to limit its nuclear programme. In return, Tehran is demanding the lifting of tough economic sanctions. Oman's Foreign Minister: Peace is within reach Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi, whose country is mediating between the two sides, expressed hope for a swift agreement. "Peace is within our reach," he wrote on X after a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, adding that he had briefed Vance on the details of the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement He said he looked forward to "further and decisive" progress in the coming days. The foreign minister also said in an interview published on Friday that Iran had agreed to never possess nuclear material for a bomb, describing the pledge as a breakthrough in the Omani-mediated talks. Speaking to CBS News, al-Bussaidi said that under a potential agreement Iran would commit to accumulating "zero" weapons-grade nuclear material, with "zero stockpiling" and full verification. If a deal is reached, Iran would grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) full access to its nuclear facilities, he said, adding he was confident US inspectors could eventually gain access as well. Issues including stockpiles, verification, inspections, site access and assessment could be addressed within 90 days, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Iran's missile programme, he said he believed Tehran was "open to discuss everything," despite previous statements from Iran that limits on its missile programme were non-negotiable. He added that the main points of an agreement could be settled as soon as "tomorrow," with technical details to be resolved with the IAEA. Within three months, everything would be ready, he said. President Donald Trump is teasing several off ramps from the joint U.S military strike with Israel on Iran Saturday, telling Axios in a brief phone interview he can end the conflict in mere days. I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians, See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs], the president said. In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack. Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. President Donald Trump told Axios it will take Iranians "several years to recover from this attack." Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images The major combat operation, which the defense department calls Operation Epic Fury, received a mixed response from the GOP, with critics condemning the possibility of a foreign war and the lack of congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who is floating the idea of regime change, justified the strike by claiming that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program with plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S. Politics: Israels Dangerous War Against Iran Is Escalating With Donald Trumps Tacit Blessing My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill, Trump said in announcing the military strike. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement The president told Axios that the military operation occurred in part due to failing negotiations held this week, which were led by real estate developer Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, over Irans nuclear program. The other main contributing factor was the countrys military conduct over the years, Trump told Axios. I saw that every month they did something bad, blew something up or killed someone, he said. Politics: Trump Leading U.S. Into War To End A Weapons Program He Claimed He Already Obliterated The U.S military is preparing for the possibility of a weeks-long operation on Iran, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump told Axios that the timeline of a planned U.S.-Israeli bombing operation, which would last at least five days, could change, with one factor being whether or not Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. As of Saturday afternoon, senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,were reporting that Khamenei was dead. Related... Read the original on HuffPost The Maharashtra government has ordered an urgent inquiry into the functioning of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at St Georges Hospital after concerns were raised in the Legislative Council during the ongoing Budget Session. The intervention follows a series of investigative reports published in Mumbai Mirror between October and November 2025 that alleged systemic failures within the hospitals ICU. An October 30 report cited allegations of bribery to falsify doctors ICU attendance and highlighted troubling mortality figures. A November 14 report, based on information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, found that ICU duty rosters and attendance records had not been preserved, complicating efforts to fix accountability. A third report, dated November 27, alleged misuse of Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) as a proxy for patient transfers. Critically ill patients were reportedly asked to leave without formal referral systems or supervised medical transport. A February 23, directive issued by the Medical Education and Drugs Department, marked Most Immediate / Legislative Business, directs the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to submit a detailed, point-by-point reply to Starred Question No. 7079. The communication calls for supporting documents and explanations for any delay, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue. Mortality data cited in the starred legislative question show that 520 of 1,276 patients admitted to the ICU over three years died. Nearly 13 per cent of patients reportedly left against medical advice, prompting legislators to seek clarification on clinical protocols and oversight mechanisms. The question also raises concerns about staffing, seeking clarification on whether trainees from Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic disciplines were assigned ICU duties without formal certification in critical care, and whether qualified allopathic specialists were absent during key shifts. Earlier RTI disclosures covering May 2022 to July 2025 recorded 521 deaths out of 2,152 ICU admissions. Hospital authorities later said admissions had initially been undercounted by relying primarily on casualty registers rather than comprehensive ICU transfer data, revising the mortality rate to between 23 and 26 per cent. Hospital superintendent Dr Vinayak Sawardekar attributed many fatalities to late-stage referrals. A substantial proportion of patients arrive in extremely critical condition after delays in referral or after exhausting treatment options elsewhere, he said. Subsequent RTI responses indicated that ICU duty rosters and attendance logs had not been preserved since 2024. Advocate Tushar Ramesh Bhosale, who filed multiple RTI applications, said missing records undermine transparency in a critical-care setting. The legislative question further seeks clarity on whether critically ill patients were managed in general wards due to bed shortages and whether referral and transfer protocols were followed when specialist intervention was required. Located near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, St Georges Hospital, established in 1677, is among Mumbais oldest public healthcare institutions. It primarily serves low-income and migrant populations and functioned as a dedicated facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The February 23 directive asks the department to specify whether internal inquiries have been conducted, if disciplinary proceedings have been initiated, and what corrective steps are proposed. Officials have been instructed to furnish documentary evidence to the Legislative Council. Public health advocates say the governments reply will be closely watched, framing the inquiry as a broader test of transparency in public healthcare. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday afternoon that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead following the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems, Trump wrote, adding that there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. . TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei, 86, had held ultimate control over Irans political, military and religious institutions as Irans supreme leader since 1989. He had no known successor, per the Associated Press, making his death likely to create a power vacuum. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, seen here in 2024, is dead following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump announced. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP Trump had announced early morning Saturday that the U.S. and Israel had launched a major attack on Iran. In his announcement, he seemed to push for regime change, urging the Iranian people to seize control of their destiny. He echoed that sentiment in his statement on Khamenei, calling the situation the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. However, Trump said that the heavy and pinpoint bombing of Iran will continue uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD! Politics: Marjorie Taylor Greene Sounds Alarm On 'INSANE' Way Trump May Try To Block Election Iranian state media said Saturday evening that at least 201 people were killed and 700 injured in the strikes, with more than 50 killed in a strike on a girls school. Advertisement Advertisement Iran retaliated with its own strikes on Israel as well as U.S. military bases throughout the region. As of Saturday afternoon, the U.S. military had reported no American casualties. Related... Read the original on HuffPost NEED TO KNOW President Donald Trump confirmed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death after U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28 Trump called Khamenei, who was 86, "one of the most evil people in History" as he announced his death Khamenei served as Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989 President Donald Trump has confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died at age 86 after the U.S. and Israel launched an assault on the country on Saturday, Feb. 28. In a post shared on Truth Social, the president, 79, wrote that Khamenei, whom he called "one of the most evil people in History," was killed amid the U.S. military and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)'s strike on Iran earlier this morning. Advertisement Advertisement "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS," Trump wrote. "He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do," the president continued. "This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Khamenei served as the leader of the Islamic Republic the country's highest political and religious authority since 1989 and was the central figure in Iran's military and nuclear strategy. Earlier on Saturday, Trump addressed reports that Khamenei was killed in airstrikes, saying, "We feel that that is a correct story," NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement In his statement on Khamenei's death, Trump wrote that many of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC], military and other police forces "no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us." "As I said last night, 'Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!' " the president wrote. "Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves." "That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated," Trump concluded his statement. "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" Rescuers search through the rubble of a collapsed building at the site of a strike on a neighborhood in Tehran on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: AMIR KHOLOUSI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Trump first announced that the United States was taking "massive and ongoing" military action in Iran following repeated threats from his administration to intervene due to violence against anti-government protesters and claims that the Iranian government has been rebuilding its nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. and Israel carried out the strike after months of close and joint planning," the IDF said, per CNN. A post on IDF social media pages confirmed the "broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time." Images from Tehran taken on Saturday showed smoke rising from the country's capital city as residents attempted to take cover. Iranian officials said at least 40 people were killed in a strike at a girls' school in the south, USA Today reported. Iran retaliated soon after, striking a U.S. military base in Bahrain. Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which all have U.S. bases, also confirmed that they had intercepted missiles from Iran. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In an eight-minute video about the U.S. military action, posted on Truth Social at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Trump said that his objective in the attacks "is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world." Advertisement Advertisement The president has been directly threatening U.S. intervention in Iran for over a month. Protests turned violent in the streets of Tehran in late December 2025 as citizens spoke out against Khamenei, following another sharp fall in the rial, the country's currency. On Jan. 4, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he and his administration were monitoring the situation in the country "very closely." "If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they're going to get hit very hard by the United States," he said at the time. Read the original article on People By Bo Erickson, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk and Jasper Ward PALM BEACH, Florida, Feb 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday celebrated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran's leader, but warned attacks would continue. The strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who is monitoring the operation from his Mar-a-Lago oceanfront resort in Florida, posted on Saturday afternoon that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had died in the strikes. A senior Israeli official earlier told Reuters that Khamenei's body had been found, and Trump concurred in a post on Truth Social. "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS," Trump wrote. Iranian state media later confirmed Khamenei's death. Advertisement Advertisement Trump had warned earlier on Saturday there could be American casualties from "major combat operations" in Iran. But almost 12 hours after the first strikes, U.S. Central Command said it had "no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries. Damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations." The strikes are expected to happen over several days, a U.S. official told Reuters. Trump said on social media that heavy bombing "will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary" to achieve "PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" U.S. OFFICIALS ACCUSE IRAN NEGOTIATORS OF PLAYING GAMES This is the second series of U.S. strikes on Iran since Trump returned to the White House last year. The first was in June when Washington struck Iranian nuclear sites. Advertisement Advertisement Despite talks in recent weeks between Iran and the United States, including a meeting on Thursday, senior Trump administration officials told reporters on Saturday the president saw both immediate and long-term reasons to green-light the latest strikes. One senior U.S. official said the Iranians were not willing to give up their nuclear program, and that "it was very clear that the intent for them was to preserve their ability to do enrichment, so that over time, they could use it for nuclear bombs." This official said the Iranians used "games, tricks, stall tactics" to string out talks. Another senior U.S. official said Iran's missile program posed a more immediate threat, and the U.S. had "indicators" Iran intended to use this capability against American forces "potentially, preemptively," or "simultaneous" to military operations against the Iranians. Advertisement Advertisement "We had analysis that basically told us, if we sat back and waited to get hit first, the amount of casualties and damage would be substantially higher than if we acted in a preemptive defensive way," the senior administration official said without sharing specific details. In his original Saturday announcement video, Trump encouraged regime change, telling the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran's elite armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising they would be granted immunity. The other option, according to Trump, is "certain death." The Iranian people should "take over" governance of their country, Trump said in the video. Advertisement Advertisement "It will be yours to take," he said. "This will be probably your only chance for generations." SOME LAWMAKERS LOOK FOR MORE ANSWERS Photos released by the White House from Mar-a-Lago show Trump wearing a white "USA" hat as he worked with his national security team near a large map of the Middle East dotted with American and Iranian flags. Mar-a-Lago's gold-leaf decor is nowhere to be seen in the handout photos, as the president, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles work in a space surrounded by long black curtains hanging from wood rafters. Advertisement Advertisement Other cabinet officials joined from Washington, with one handout photo showing Vice President JD Vance in the White House's Situation Room. The Trump administration said Rubio spoke this week with top congressional leaders in both parties leading up to the strike. "Everything I have heard from the administration before and after these strikes on Iran confirms this is a war of choice with no strategic endgame," said Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the administration must seek congressional authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. Advertisement Advertisement Rubio told the leaders during a briefing at the White House on Tuesday that the operation would likely move forward even as diplomatic efforts continued, two sources familiar with the matter said. The secretary of state on Friday informed the top lawmakers that the operation to attack Iran was likely to commence in the following hours, but said Trump could change his mind, the sources said. Some European nations are urging a return to negotiations, but most of Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress and a few Democrats such as Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania cheered Saturday's strikes. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and frequent advocate for an aggressive U.S. foreign policy, criticized European calls for further talks. "To our European allies: you have gone pathetically soft and lost your zeal for confronting evil apparently unless its on your front porch," Graham said in a social media post. (Reporting by Bo Erickson in Palm Beach, Jasper Ward, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle, and Humeyra Pamuk in Washington; Additional reporting by Erin Banco, Phil Stewart and David Morgan; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Peter Graff, Sergio Non, Rod Nickel and Christian Schmollinger) The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, the two countries announced. President Donald Trump said in a video that the strikes were the start of "major combat operations." The joint strikes come after the US and Israel bombed Iran last summer. The US military fired missiles, drones, and more into Iran on Saturday as President Donald Trump announced the start of "major combat operations" against the country following the collapse of nuclear talks. In a video statement, Trump vowed to destroy Iran's missile program and other military capabilities, and said the goal was to ensure that Tehran can "never" have a nuclear weapon. He called on Iranian forces to surrender or face "certain death." Advertisement Advertisement "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war," Trump said. "But we're doing this not for now we're doing this for the future. And it's a noble mission." The president also urged Iranian citizens to "seize control" in the aftermath of US operations. "This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," he said in the video statement. President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 The US strikes on Iran, which were carried out with Israel, followed months of tensions between Tehran and Washington and a massive American military buildup in the region. The Israeli government first announced the strikes. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the military action "preemptive" and carried out "to eliminate threats against the country of Israel." Advertisement Advertisement US forces fired Tomahawk cruise missiles, rocket artillery, and drones at Iran, a US official said. American land, air, and sea assets were all involved in the strikes, which the Pentagon indicated are part of an operation called "Epic Fury." Footage circulating on social media appeared to show explosions and plumes of smoke in Iran in broad daylight. Iranian retaliatory strikes targeted US bases across the region. Several countries that host American military installations, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, said that they engaged in air defense. British aircraft were also involved in defensive operations, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. US and Israeli F-35s fly together above the Middle East. US Air Force photo A US official told Business Insider that top air defenses, including MIM-104 Patriot launchers, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries, and ship-launched Standard Missile interceptors, were involved in shielding the region from the retaliatory strikes. Advertisement Advertisement The official said multiple Iranian missiles were intercepted and that no US facilities have sustained critical or significant damage. There have been no reports of any American casualties. The attack on Iran marks the second time that the Trump administration has taken direct military action against the country in less than a year. In June 2025, the US bombed the country's nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer, and Trump said at the time these had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear sites. This new round of strikes comes on the heels of negotiations between the US and Iran, part of the Trump administration's efforts to pressure Tehran into a deal that would severely limit its nuclear and military capabilities. It also follows the withdrawal of Western diplomats from several Middle East countries. In recent weeks, as Trump has issued repeated threats and warnings to Iran, pushing it to make a deal, the US has built up a large military footprint in the Middle East and nearby European waters. Smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran. ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect The Pentagon has surged hundreds of fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers, reconnaissance planes, support aircraft, and warships into the region. Advertisement Advertisement One complicating factor has been public resistance from US allies to operations against Iran. The UK barred the US from using its nearby bases, and Jordan said that its bases couldn't be used for attacks on Iran, despite imagery showing the US has shifted cargo planes and F-35 stealth fighters to one of its bases. The significant US naval presence on station or taking up position in the area includes at least two aircraft carriers, more than a dozen guided-missile destroyers, and three littoral combat ships, which are designed for near-shore operations. The two aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford are each equipped with dozens of embarked fighters, electronic attack jets, early warning planes, and helicopters. The Lincoln's air wing includes F-35 stealth fighters. On Friday, a day after the Trump administration's negotiations with Iranian officials in Geneva, White House official Dan Scavino posted a photograph on social media of eight B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on a runway, suggesting these aircraft could be used to strike Iran again. Read the original article on Business Insider U.S. President Donald Trump made an appearance in Corpus Christi at the Port of Corpus Christi on Feb. 27. Signs at the event indicate the theme of the event is American Energy Dominance. Trumps visit to Corpus Christi comes on the heels of the State of the Union address. Trump has made previous appearances in the Coastal Bend, including leading a rally in Robstown in 2022 and making a stop at the Annaville fire station in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Advertisement Advertisement The Caller-Times will provide live updates. President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd at the Port of Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb. 27, 2026. Trump visits Whataburger | 5:26 p.m. Trump made a brief stop at Whataburger after his appearance at the port, according to a White House pool report. The restaurant was full of customers who gave a deafening cheer as he entered, still wearing the Gulf of America hat hed donned earlier. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was also at the restaurant. Are these the best burgers? Trump asked. Then went to the till and said: Are you ready? Hamburgers for all! Trump said he was getting burgers for Air Force One. He briefly chatted and shook hands with a few customers and staff members. White House pool report Tanker of Venezuelan oil seen at Port of Corpus Christi during Trump's appearance | 5 p.m. After the event, Port of Corpus Christi CEO Kent Britton said that the first tanker of Venezuela oil had arrived at the port, serving as the backdrop of Trump's remarks.Britton said that port and local refineries are "happy to see as much Venezuelan oil as we can get," stating that several local refineries are capable and well-suited to processing Venezuelan oil.Britton said that he appreciated the president's references during his remarks to the shipping channel. Trump had a direct hand in ensuring federal dollars supported the project, which allows for large ships to come to and from the Port of Corpus Christi. Britton credited Trump's administration, as well as U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud.Trump did not devote time in his speech to water issues or the future of the Corpus Christi Army Depot, two topics multiple state and local officials had identified as top priorities in the Coastal Bend. Officials said they hope the president will have heard about these issues during his visit. Advertisement Advertisement Olivia Garrett Trump speaks for about an hour | 4:45 p.m. Trump finished his remarks after about an hour, departing as Y.M.C.A. played. Over the course of the hour, he spoke about everything from Texas primary elections and his recent State of the Union address to border enforcement and the cost of living. But the local issues he focused on most related to energy, including oil and liquefied natural gas imports and exports. "We're going to keep on working, and we'll keep on fighting (in) Texas and we'll keep on drilling," Trump said. "In Corpus Christi, we'll keep on shipping." Olivia Garrett Trump references third presidential term | 4:15 p.m. Trump referenced running for another term, asking the crowd if he should run for a third term. Advertisement Advertisement Calling out the many Texas politicians in the crowd, Trump named both Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who are running against each other in the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat. He has not made an endorsement in the race. Trump then brought actor Dennis Quaid, a Houston native, onto the stage. The actor stated that he loves Corpus Christi, and Trump. Olivia Garrett Trump praises Corpus Christi | 4 p.m. Trump began his remarks "next to the gleaming shores of the Gulf of America," with a reference to the new name he gave the gulf nearly a year ago. He referred to Corpus Christi as a national treasure, citing it as one of the largest energy export hubs in the world, and complimented the new Harbor Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement He also referenced the recent dredging of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel that increased its depth to 54 feet to allow for larger vessels. I think we could go a few feet deeper, he said. He later asked, If I ran for the mayor of Corpus Christi, would I win? The crowd cheered. Shortly afterward, he invited Jesse Robinson, director of asset management at the Port of Corpus Christi, to the stage. In brief comments, Robinson praised Trumps contributions to the port through federal funding for infrastructure. President Donald Trump takes the stage | 3:45 p.m. Trump, wearing a red hat that read "Gulf of America," took the stage at about 3:45 p.m. as the song God Bless the U.S.A. played. He walked the stage, waving to the crowd, for the duration of the song. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, other Texas officials in attendance | 3 p.m. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright addressed the crowd, speaking in part about Corpus Christis status as an energy hub, as Trumps scheduled time for remarks grew closer. Advertisement Advertisement Abbott said that because of Corpus Christi, Texas is set to lead the country in liquefied natural gas exports. Corpus is the linchpin of American energy dominance, Wright said to cheers from the crowd. The largest oil exporting terminal in the Western hemisphere. One of the largest natural gas exporting terminals in the country and in the world. Massive refinery complex. If not for what happens in Corpus, Americans would live worse lives. They would have the lives that Democrats want. But God bless what you do every day. President Trump is coming here to honor what you do every day. Abbott also spoke about red-meat political topics, touting Texas role in immigration enforcement and the states bans on gender-affirming care for children and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Advertisement Advertisement Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows told the crowd that the most recent session of the Texas Legislature was one of the most profoundly conservative sessions. He cited the passage of school voucher legislation. Olivia Garrett and John Oliva A woman draped in an American flag passes a line of supporters of President Donald Trump outside the Ortiz Center, where Trump was expected to make remarks the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2026. Corpus Christi, Nueces County officials applaud Trump's visit | 2:45 p.m. Nueces County Judge Connie Scott said that Trump's visit is significant for the community, county, industry and Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The area has major issues in need of attention, Scott said. Several local officials mentioned two key issues: water and the future of the Corpus Christi Army Depot, which has seen a shrinking workforce. Corpus Christi City Council member Gil Hernandez said that if he could give Trump an "elevator pitch," water and CCAD would be the issues he shared. Advertisement Advertisement These are big things the federal government can help handle, Hernandez said. "There's only so much we can do; the federal government has deeper pockets than we do, Hernandez said. "This is a great mark for our city, to have the president acknowledge the impact that our city has on the state and the country," Corpus Christi City Council member Kaylynn Paxson said. Officials from across the Coastal Bend and South Texas region were present. Refugio County Judge Jhiela Gigi Poynter said that she believes Trump's visit shines a light on the region. Olivia Garrett Protesters clash with Trump supporters | 12:26 p.m. A group of about a dozen protesters gathered opposite Trump supporters outside the Ortiz Center. Advertisement Advertisement Supporters and opponents traded insults and at times profanities. Two women at one point made contact over a protester's sign. Police approached and helped to calm the crowd. The line into the event began moving forward. Kirsten Crow Anti-Trump protesters gather near Ortiz Center | 11:30 a.m. About two dozen anti-Trump protesters were gathered about two blocks from the Ortiz Center, with insults at times being traded between supporters and protesters. Protesters held signs up that accused Trump of pedophilia and grift, among other things. One woman donned a red robe, reminiscent of The Handmaids Tale. Lily Mondragon held a sign reading, Will silence be your legacy, with a drawing of a crown crossed out, referencing the No Kings anti-Trump movement. Advertisement Advertisement I have many nieces and nephews that Im worried about their future, Mondragon said, her voice choking up with emotion. Im here to fight for them. Carole Howard said she was skeptical that Trump, as a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, did not know about his involvement in sex trafficking. She said she has a 14-year-old granddaughter and that she does not want to see her abused like the survivors and victims of Epstein. Everything that comes out of his mouth is insulting and shameful to us as a country, Howard said of Trump. I want him to have more respect for our citizens and for the citizens of the world. Kirsten Crow Significance of trade at the Port of Corpus Christi | 11 a.m. Just over a fifth of Texas' seaport trade travels through the Port of Corpus Christi, according to 2024 data. Trade through the port has increased rapidly over the past decade, rising from $15.1 billion in import and export value in 2016 to $88.6 billion in 2024, when 206.5 million tons moved through the port. But 2025 was a year of slight decline for the port. Total tonnage declined by 1.5% between 2024 and 2025, to 203.4 million tons. This includes a 2.3% decrease in crude oil shipments. Crude oil accounted for close to 63% of the port's trade last year. However, liquefied natural gas exports are up, rising by 15.4% from 2024 to 2025 to 18.6 million tons. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stopped by Cheniere's Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility the day before Trump's visit, signing export authorization for a pending expansion of the LNG facility. Olivia Garrett Democratic committee blasts state of economy under Trump | 10 a.m. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a statement critiquing Trumps visit to Corpus Christi. It referenced Republican congressional candidates Mayra Flores and the Trump-endorsed Eric Flores, who are battling for Mayra Flores' former seat in Texas 34th Congressional District. If Donald Trump wants to remind South Texans how terrible the economy is, he can be our guest, the statement released by spokesperson Madison Andrus read. No amount of lies will change the fact that home building has ground to a halt because of his recklessness, his chaotic tariffs are devastating the domestic oil industry, and hes abandoned Texas farmers and ranchers to cut a deal with Argentina. We wont stop the Floreses from fighting over who gets to hitch their wagon to that failing agenda. Supporters of President Donald Trump line up outside the Ortiz Center, where Trump was expected to make remarks on Feb. 27, 2026. Supporters begin to line up for Trump event | 9:51 a.m. A crowd of likely 150 people lined up outside the Ortiz Center at the Port of Corpus Christi, with many people sporting American flag-inspired clothing. The parking lot was slowly filling as supporters filtered in past the fence. Katy Jackson, chair of the Aransas County Republican Party, said she was in attendance to show support for Trump and his energy agenda. Another supporter, Brandon Garis, said he wanted to let Trump know that Jesus loves him and Jesus loves America. At least two protesters one referencing the Epstein files called out to supporters along the driveway into the parking lot. Noe Villarreal held a sign reading, Release the files! #Standforthechildren! He said he's calling for Trump to release unredacted files detailing the activities of Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier who was convicted of trafficking children. I voted for Donald Trump, Villarreal said. I am not Democrat or Republican, against any of those parties, but I am against the people who hurt children and touch children. I believe justice needs to be served and kids should not be touched at all, period. Kirsten Crow This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: President Trump appears in Corpus Christi, Texas. Follow Live Legal experts are already skeptical of President Donald Trumps constitutional authority to launch new military action against Iran without Congress approval, especially if it leads to a prolonged conflict. Like with the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities last summer and the January military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the attacks bring the issue of executive authority and the extent of presidential powers to the forefront. The White House hasnt presented a legal justification to the public, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio didnt give a full accounting of one to members of Congress, multiple sources told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Trump violated the Constitution by invading Iran because the Constitution is crystal clear on who has the authority to declare war and commit American service members to battle and that is Congress alone, said Christopher Anders, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union who is an expert on national security matters. The president has tried to grab that power for himself without getting authorization from Congress before doing so, Anders added. The Constitution unambiguously states that only Congress can declare or authorize war. This is very obviously a war, said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University and a scholar at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. You dont have to take my word for that Trump himself says its a war. Advertisement Advertisement In his message announcing the strikes early Saturday, the president said: The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war, but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. CNN has reached out to the Justice Department and White House counsels office for comment. While only Congress can declare or authorize war, Trump and other presidents have continuously cited the Constitutions Article II, which says the commander in chief has the power to direct US military forces in engagements necessary to advance American national interests abroad. In addition, the Supreme Court has been generous in approving Trumps expansive use of power, most notably in its 2024 immunity ruling. That view contributed to the analysis to move forward under Article II authority when the US struck Iran last summer, a senior White House official said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Article II was used in part to legally justify the recent US military operation to capture Maduro. The Justice Department issued a classified legal opinion (and later a redacted version) saying Trump was not limited by domestic law in carrying out law enforcement operations overseas. What if the conflict goes on longer? That Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel memo also argued that the scale, scope and duration for the Maduro operation did not rise to the level of war in the constitutional sense and therefore did not require prior authorization by Congress, sources said. The question of scale, scope and duration will be raised with the new actions against Iran. Trump, in his video announcing the strikes, described the military campaign as massive and ongoing. The US military is planning for several days of attacks, according to two sources. The Justice Department has come up with an increasingly dubious series of arguments in attempts to defend such strikes, but virtually all of those arguments have depended on assertions that the strikes were limited and unlikely to lead to a broader conflict, said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Advertisement Advertisement Even if that were a legal argument, rather than a policy one, its hard to take that remotely seriously here, Vladeck said. Article II powers were cited for President George H.W. Bushs use of force against Panama to overthrow dictator Manuel Noriega, President Barack Obamas use of air strikes in Libya and Trumps actions in his first term against Iran and Syria. While the United States is not the worlds policeman, as its power has grown, the breadth of its regional interests has expanded and threats to national interests posed by foreign disorder have increased, the Trump Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel wrote in 2018 regarding air strikes in Syria. In addition, Democratic and Republican administrations have repeatedly stretched the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, which authorized the Iraq War. An earlier AUMF that authorized action against al Qaeda and associated groups has also been used beyond what was conceived in the post-9/11 era. Advertisement Advertisement I think you could argue about the wisdom of it, Somin said of the new US attacks. I certainly wouldnt shed any tears if the Iranian regime were to be overthrown. Its an awful regime. Its an enemy of ours and so forth, but the war that has been started here is unconstitutional. CNNs Paula Reid contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com When President Donald Trump arrived at the deepwater port here Friday to talk about his energy agenda, the three Republicans locked in a bitter battle for Texas Senate seat might have hoped for a surprise: an endorsement. It never came. Trump, who has declined to back a candidate in the hotly contested Senate primary, praised the candidates from stage. At one point, he told reporters hed pretty much decided who to back. But when it came time to speak, Trump withheld the coveted prize, despite concerns among some senior Republicans the increasingly ugly contest is sapping resources ahead of tough general election. Advertisement Advertisement Theyre in a little race together, he observed after rattling off the names of the candidates: incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and US Rep. Wesley Hunt. Its going to be an interesting one, right? Trumps neutral stance did not stop the candidates from racing to Corpus Christi in the final days of the contest to join the president, hopeful he may tip his hat in race-altering fashion. Trump, after all, has a flare for last-minute drama. The hasty reshuffling of the trios campaign schedules underscores how much the race has become centered on Trump, and each candidates perceived proximity to him. Cornyn, an establishment conservative seeking a fifth term, will fly on Air Force One with Trump Friday. The incumbent has aired television ads broadcasting his support for the presidents agenda looking to project total alignment with Trump, despite their sometimes cool relationship. Cornyn was initially skeptical of Trumps comeback bid after the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Paxton, meanwhile, helped lead legal efforts to overturn the results of that contest after Trump lost, engendering goodwill in some corners of the presidents orbit. He earned the endorsement of Turning Point Action, an affiliate of the influential conservative non-profit Turning Point USA founded by the late political activist Charlie Kirk, who had close ties to the Trump administration. But Paxton has been plagued by ethics questions, including adultery accusations levied by his wife Angela Paxton, a state senator and longtime political adviser. Cornyn released a scathing attack ad seizing on some of the allegations this week. Some top Republicans worry Paxtons political, legal and personal baggage could put the Senate seat in jeopardy if he wins the primary and have repeatedly voiced those concerns to Trump. Some senior Republicans fear it could cost the party $200 million to defend the seat if Paxton emerges as the nominee. Hunt was an early backer of Trumps comeback bid and delivered a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention in 2024. But polls show him trailing the other two candidates, who have higher name recognition in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement The lack of a clear winner and blurred record of loyalty has led to a rare bout of political indecisiveness for Trump, who says hes friends with all three. I like all three of them, actually, he told reporters earlier this month. Those are the toughest races. Theyve all supported me. Theyre all good. Youre supposed to pick one, so well see what happens. But I support all three. And Trumps refusal to endorse in the race could contribute to further pain and uncertainty for his party. If no candidateclears the 50% benchmark, then it would head to a late May runoff between the top two finishers. That means drawing down more valuable resources that the GOP wont have for the fall campaign. This story and headline have been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Arlette Saenz contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump, who joined Israel in joint military strikes on Iran in the early morning hours of February 28, had some strong opinions against going to war with Tehran before he was sitting in the Oval Office. In 2012 and 2013, Trump repeatedly insinuated that then-President Barack Obama would start a war with Iran to shore up his re-election effort and to distract from his supposed faults as a leader. Obama never did attack Iran. That cannot be said for Trump, who has now attacked the Middle Eastern republic three times during across his two terms in office. Advertisement Advertisement On January 17, 2012, Trump wrote on social media that he believed Obama would "attack Iran in order to get re-elected." He repeated his prediction in August of that year, insisting that Obama would, "in some form" attack Iran before the election. Years before taking the Oval Office and launching military attacks on Iran, Donald Trump accused then-President Barack Obama of attacking Iran to help him win his re-election and to shore up national support (AFP via Getty Images) He did it again on October 9, 2012. "Now that Obama's poll numbers are in tailspin - watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate," Trump wrote. Later that same month, Trump warned the GOP not to "let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in oder too get electedbe careful Republicans!" On at least three other occasions, Trump predicted that Obama would attack Iran, claiming he would do so to "save face," or "because of his inability to negotiate properly" or to "show how tough he is." Advertisement Advertisement Now, eight months before what is predicted to be a brutal midterm election cycle for Republicans, Trump has launched a military strike on Iran with the purpose of driving regime change in the nation. Trump isn't the only one in his administration giving mixed messages about Iran. Vice President JD Vance, before taking office, said he hoped that the U.S. learn its lessons from the Iraq war and that he hopes we do better in the future (Getty) In 2023, just before becoming the vice president, JD Vance wrote on social media that he hoped the U.S. had learned its lesson after the Iraq war, in which he had served. "Twenty years ago we invaded Iraq. The war killed many innocent Iraqis and Americans. It destroyed the oldest Christian populations in the world. It cost over $1 trillion, and turned Iraq into a satellite of Iran," he wrote. "It was an unforced disaster, and I pray that we learn its lessons." Advertisement Advertisement He continued, saying that "even though I was just a kid, I still feel guilty for supporting the war." Vance then said that Trump's opposition to the Iraq war was the "most significant" contributor to what changed his mind about the president, whom he had once fiercely opposed and suggested could become Americas Hitler. "I hope we do better in the future. And I know that we won't until the people who led us into Iraq are scorned and ignored across the spectrum," he wrote at the time. "Iraq was a disaster, yes, but the best way to do justice to the honored dead is to learn the lessons purchased by their blood." Stephen Miller, now the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, warned voters in 2024 that voting for then-Vice President Kamala Harris was a vote for WWIII, while voting for Donald Trump would be a vote for peace (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, insisted in 2024 that a vote for then-Vice President Kamala Harris would be a vote for "WWIII." Advertisement Advertisement "To anyone still gullible enough to fall for scummy media hoaxes: Trump said warmongering neocons love sending your kids to die for wars they would never fight themselves. Liz Cheney is Kamala's top advisor. Liz wants to invade the whole Middle East," he wrote at the time. "Kamala = WWIII. Trump = Peace." Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard after unsuccessfully running for the presidency as a Democrat joined with Trump and the Republicans and assured the American people that "a vote for Trump is a vote to end wars." "A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for Dick Cheney and vote for war, war, and more war. A vote for Donald Trump is a vote to end wars, not start them. We are at a historic crossroads," she said in 2024. "Our God-given rights are under attack. Now is the time for us to stand together, for love of country, and for Donald Trump to get us back on the path to peace, freedom, and prosperity." Tulsi Gabbard, now the Director of National Intelligence, warned voters ahead of the 2024 election that a vote for Donald Trump is a vote to end wars, and previously sold No War in Iran t-shirts during her presidential run in 2020 (Getty Images) In 2020, when she was running for president, Gabbard even sold "No War with Iran" t-shirts. The ad copy on the t-shirt's sale page read Say no to war with Iran! according to the New York Post. Advertisement Advertisement How many more American lives, how many more trillions of dollars will be wasted before we exit," the ad said. It could be now, or it could be 10 or 20 years from now, but there is no American victory. Lets bring our troops home from Iraq and Syria now! Gabbard criticized Trumps foreign policy in 2019, specifically warning against war with Iran. Trump's shortsighted foreign policy is bringing us to the brink of war with Iran and allowing Iran to accelerate nuclear programjust to please Saudis and Netanyahu, she wrote at the time. This is not America first. This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Editors note, February 28, 5:30 pm ET: President Donald Trump announced on Saturday afternoon that Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the airstrikes. The following story was published earlier on February 28, before the news of Khameneis death. Welcome to The Logoff: The US is at war with Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Hi readers, by now Im sure youve seen the news: Early on Saturday morning, the Trump administration, after a weeks-long naval buildup in the Middle East, launched a major attack on Iran. As always with conflict reporting, theres much we still dont know about what has happened, much less what will come next. Trying to follow it all in real time can feel like drinking from a firehose, and this is likely to be a story of weeks and months, not days or hours. With that in mind, heres what you need to know right now: What happened? The first wave of attacks by the US and Israel, which began around 1 am Eastern time on Saturday morning, targeted multiple Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran. Hundreds are reportedly dead and many more injured. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has responded by striking at targets throughout the region, including Israel and a number of countries in the Persian Gulf that are home to US bases: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. So far, there have been no US casualties reported. There are also reports that Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the worlds oil passes as it makes its way into the global market. Why is the Trump administration doing this? As my colleague Zack Beauchamp reported this morning, Trumps justifications for war have been bewilderingly incoherent. For much of the week, it has seemed like the possibility of war turned on the outcome of US-Iran negotiations over Irans nuclear program (and its ballistic missile arsenal and support for proxy forces like Hezbollah). Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, though, Trump cast the conflict in grander terms: For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, he said in a video posted to social media. Were not gonna put up with it any longer. Trump is also promising regime change in Iran, on the heels of his threat earlier this year to intervene on behalf of anti-regime protesters; The hour of your freedom is at hand, he said on Saturday. Whats the big picture? Saturdays strikes are Trumps second norms-shattering use of military force abroad in just the first two months of 2026. But unlike in Venezuela, this looks to be a full-scale war, not a brief operation already over by the time many Americans are tuning in. Irans retaliatory strikes against Gulf states on Saturday also raise the possibility that this could further escalate into a broader regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Saturday described the US campaign as a massive and ongoing operation, and with one aircraft carrier group already in the region and another on the way, the US appears to be positioned for a potential multi-week conflict. What that will look like as it plays out, not even Trump may know: As Reuters reported Saturday, briefers told the president ahead of the attack that it would be a high-risk, high-reward operation. And with that, its time to log off We love to give you a link to click here, but that can be hard to do on days like today. So instead, Ill just encourage you to log off in whatever way you prefer, whether thats going for a walk, watching a movie, or something else. As always, thanks for reading. Well be back on Monday with more. Curious to know why we do not capitulate? Because we are IRANIAN, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote after US envoy Steve Witkoff said President Donald Trump was wondering why Tehran hadnt yielded to American pressure over its nuclear program. The remark captures much of the Islamic Republics proud worldview in a single line: that Iran is not just another regional state. Its leaders see the country as a historic power that deserves respect. Whether its confidence in defying US pressure will prove misplaced remains unclear. A third round of indirect US-Iranian talks on Thursday appeared to make progress, according to Iranian officials and mediator Oman, despite Tehrans refusal to concede on key American demands. Advertisement Advertisement Much of the disagreement centers on Irans insistence on enriching uranium on its own soil. Uranium is a fuel used in nuclear power plants, but when enriched to very high levels, it can be used to make a nuclear weapon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a bilateral meeting between Switzerland and Iran, in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17. - Cyril Zingaro/Reuters Iran argues that, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, and that it should not be singled out or denied technology that other members of the NPT possess. The US recognizes Irans right to civilian nuclear power, but it doesnt trust Tehrans assurances that its enrichment program will remain peaceful. Heres what may be driving Irans refusal to budge: National pride and sovereignty For Tehran, the nuclear program is about its identity as a modern nation. Advertisement Advertisement Iran is a country of 92 million people with a 2,500-year-old civilization that once rivaled the ancient Greeks and Romans. From the empire of Cyrus the Great to the Safavid and the imperial era, its historical self-image is that of a major power, not a peripheral state that can be pressured by other countries. Despite being governed by clerics since 1979, Iran frequently deploys nationalistic symbols and invokes its pre-Islamic past alongside its revolutionary identity. State ideology blends Shiite ideology with pride in Persian scientific, cultural and imperial achievements. Whats more, the nuclear program which was in fact created with the help of the US dates back decades and for much of Irans modern history raised little concern internationally. Mastering nuclear technology therefore isnt merely a technical achievement but proof of Irans sovereignty and advancement to the level of global powers. Construction work at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on November 10, 2019. - Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Tehrans nuclear program now functions as a structural pillar of the Islamic Republic particularly in demonstrating indigenous scientific and technological capability under pressure, Danny Citrinowicz, senior researcher in the Iran and the Shiite Axis Program at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, Israel, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement As a result, relinquishing the nuclear program would not be viewed merely as a policy concession; it would be perceived domestically as surrendering one of the regimes foundational achievements. The regimes hardliners have repeatedly warned that giving up on uranium enrichment would amount to national humiliation. If Iran abandoned enrichment entirely, hardliners would likely frame it as surrender, especially if sanctions relief were limited, said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the Chatham House think tank in London. The regime could survive a compromise on its nuclear program that is short of giving up on enrichment, but only if it delivers clear economic or strategic gains. Banking on a deal Despite the recent vast US military buildup around Iran and repeated warnings that the Trump administration will not tolerate enrichment, Tehran has not shifted its position. It has refused to offer concessions that go substantially beyond those it made during the Obama-era 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers a deal that Trump withdrew from in 2018 and is now pressing for broader relief from US sanctions, not just the nuclear-related sanctions lifted under that pact. Advertisement Advertisement It has also rejected American efforts to expand negotiations to include its ballistic missile program and support for armed groups across the Middle East. Experts say Tehran is banking on Trumps aversion to war, viewing his regional military buildup as an effort to gain leverage rather than a prelude to an attack. A US Marines F-35C Lightning II prepares to launch from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on February 15. - Seaman Daniel Kimmelman/US Navy/Reuters Tehran sees zero enrichment as a strategic red line and is betting that Washington will ultimately accept limits as it has in the past rather than risk escalation, said Chatham House expert Vakil. It assumes Trump prefers a deal he can brand as tougher rather than prolonged confrontation. Iran is also framing a deal as a potential economic win for a Trump administration that has emphasized business and trade. Iran is among the worlds largest oil and gas producers with a massive consumer market that has largely been off limits to Western firms for decades. Deterrence and leverage Despite concerns that Irans nuclear activities shorten its path to a bomb, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed through a religious edict never to pursue a nuclear bomb. Advertisement Advertisement But even if Iran is sincere in that declaration, enrichment provides it powerful strategic leverage as a nuclear threshold state one with the capability and infrastructure to build a weapon should it choose to in the future. In Tehrans thinking, its ability to change its mind at short notice is a way to prevent coercion or attack from its adversaries. Iran demonstrated how it uses that leverage after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, gradually enriching uranium to levels far beyond what is required for civilian power generation. The implicit message to Washington was clear: the 2015 deal placed internationally verifiable limits on Irans enrichment, and without it, those limits no longer applied. Satellite images of Fordow Enrichment Complex in taken on June 29, 2025, show ongoing activity near the ventilation shafts and impact craters caused by US strikes on the enrichment complex. - Maxar Technologies But that strategy appears to have backfired. Instead of getting Washington to return to an agreement, it ultimately prompted a surprise Israeli attack in June 2025 and the first direct American military strikes on Iranian territory. By the time the US bombed its facilities, Iran was the only country without an active nuclear weapons program to have enriched uranium to 60%, just short of weapons-grade, which is around 90%. The 12-day summer war likely forced Tehran to reassess this assumption, said Citrinowicz. The scale and precision of US and Israeli strikes demonstrated that threshold status does not immunize Iran from military action. Advertisement Advertisement Still, Tehran is unlikely to give up on its nuclear program, Citrinowicz said. From its perspective, abandoning the nuclear program outright would expose Iran to future coercion and possible attack. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the heart of iconic Khotachi Wadi, Girgaons postcard-perfect heritage precinct known for its Portuguese-style homes and old-world charm, residents say decay is seeping in through a half-demolished structure stuck in redevelopment limbo for over a decade. Muranjan House No. 10, located next to Giriraj Building and Hira Kunj in D Ward, now stands razed and unsecured. Locals say the long-pending site has turned into a dumping ground, a mosquito-breeding hotspot and, after dark, a congregation point for drunkards and alleged anti-social elements. A breeding ground for disease The open compound, choked with debris, wild grass and stagnant water, has become a public health concern. There have been repeated cases of dengue and malaria in the locality, including falciparum malaria. Its not just an inconvenience, its a serious health hazard, said a resident. Garbage dumped inside the premises allegedly clogs internal gullies and drainage lines, leading to pipe breakages and water contamination. Weve had to repair pipelines from our own pockets. There have even been cases of typhoid. How long are we expected to live like this? another resident said. After dark: Fear in a heritage lane Residents allege the demolished structure becomes a drinking and smoking spot at night, with groups gathering regularly. Women and senior citizens avoid the stretch after sunset. A long-time resident described what he called a steady decline in law and order, citing nuisance near a public library in Deccan Vikas Building and unruly parking at the lanes entrance. He also flagged incidents of theft and said complaints, including one filed years ago at VP Road police station, remain unresolved. The building next to ours has been razed but remains unsecured; it has become a dumping ground and even a urinal. What may seem like a civic issue has now become a serious law-and-order problem, he said. Residents said police disperse groups when alerted, but the situation soon returns to normal. We want a permanent solution, said a society member. Dinesh Surve, another resident, added, I live towards the JSS Road entrance, but I have seen how people sit there and drink. It has become a nuisance. Meetings, but no movement The redevelopment of Muranjan House No. 10 has remained stalled for years. In May 2025, MLA Ashish Shelar convened a meeting with officials, directing them to hold a joint discussion with property owners and tenants to find a resolution. However, residents say little has changed on the ground. Police say action taken Senior Police Inspector Bharat Patil of VP Road police station confirmed receiving complaints. Our team has visited the site and taken action several times under NDPS and other relevant charges for drinking and hooliganism. We have a patrol team keeping vigil, Patil said. He added that residents can dial 112 or 100 for assistance and assured that complainants identities would remain confidential. For residents, the issue goes beyond civic inconvenience. This isnt just about a plot stuck in redevelopment, said a local. Its about safety, sanitation and dignity in a heritage neighbourhood. If the premises arent secured and monitored, the situation will only deteriorate further. With inputs from Anish Patil The Trump administration's decision to launch a military operation against Iran has triggered an angry backlash from some of President Donald Trump's top MAGA supporters. After the launch of what Trump announced was a "massive and ongoing operation" to topple the Iranian regime and end their nuclear ambitions once and for all, some stalwart MAGA backers pushed back hard. The White House - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to announce that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations" in Iran, on the day Israel and the U.S. conducted strikes on Iran, Feb. 28, 2026. In an interview Saturday morning with ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jon Karl, former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson condemned the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Carlson, a long-time Trump supporter, said the attack on Iran is "absolutely disgusting and evil." He also suggested it will have a significant effect on Trump's political movement, saying, "This is going to shuffle the deck in a profound way." AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media shows people inspecting the damage at an impact site following US and Israeli strikes on Tehran. Carlson was a primetime speaker at the Republican National Convention in 2024 and has met with Trump at the White House several times, ABC News has reported. Al Drago/Getty Images - PHOTO: Tucker Carlson, former FOX News host and current host of The Tucker Carlson Show, attends a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, January 9, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Former Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal MAGA supporter who recently had a falling out with Trump over the release of the files on Jeffrey Epstein, issued a blistering, profanity-laced message on social media over the administration's decision to go to war. "The Trump admin actually asked in a poll how many casualties voters were willing to accept in a war with Iran??? How about ZERO you bunch of sick f------ liars," Greene wrote. "We voted for America First and ZERO wars." Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Protesters gather with Iranian national flags during a demonstration in support of the government and against US and Israeli strikes outside a mosque in Tehran, on Feb. 28, 2026. In a second in-depth post on X, Greene criticized Trump and the administration for reneging on campaign promises to avoid foreign entanglements. Advertisement Advertisement "We said 'No More Foreign Wars, No More Regime Change!' We said it on rally stage after rally stage, speech after speech. Trump, Vance, basically the entire admin campaigned on it and promised to put America FIRST and Make America Great Again," Greene said. ABC News - PHOTO: Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene appears on The View, Nov. 4, 2025. Greene went on to say, "My generation has been let down, abused, and used by our government our entire adult lives and our childrens generation is literally being abandoned." Greene said the Iranian people should "liberate themselves." "Thousands and thousands of Americans from my generation have been killed and injured in never ending pointless foreign wars and we said no more," Greene said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump threatens 'certain death' to Iranian guard who don't 'lay down' weapons Greene noted that after the launch of "Operation Midnight Hammer" in June 2025, the administration said it had wiped out Iran's nuclear facilities. However, Trump said in his announcement early Saturday that Iran still posed a nuclear threat and was developing long-range missiles that threaten U.S. allies in Europe and "could soon reach the American homeland." Iran has stated numerous times that it doesn't want nuclear weapons, but believes it has the right to use nuclear power for civilian purpose. It had also been part of a nuclear deal with the U.S., which Trump withdrew from during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement "We have been spoon fed that line for decades and Trump told us all that his bombing this past summer completely wiped it all out," Greene said. "Its always a lie and it's always America Last. But it feels like the worst betrayal this time because it comes from the very man and the admin who we all believed was different and said no more." Other criticism from within the base has been loud. Popular pro-Trump podcaster Tim Pool also blasted the action by the administration as a betrayal of Trump's campaign platform, while MAGA influencers Keith and Kevin Hodge wrote in an online post, "Freeing the people of Iran is not why I voted for Trump." "President Trump has completely LIED to his voters, backstabbed our country and has disgraced his legacy beyond repair at this point, biggest fall from grace i have ever seen," the Hodge brothers wrote. Advertisement Advertisement And some Republican lawmakers -- including Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio -- announced their disapproval of the operation. "This is not 'America First,'" Massie wrote in a social media post, adding that when Congress reconvenes he plans to work with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. "The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war," Massie said. Other Republicans -- and at least one Democratic member of Congress -- were more receptive of Trump's decision to launch the military operation. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a post on X, "The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us. God bless President Trump, our military and our allies in Israel." In a post Saturday, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said, "President Trump has been willing to do whats right and necessary to produce real peace in the region." The United States had successfully launched military strikes and "major combat operations" against Iran, President Donald Trump announced. In a video posted to Truth Social in the early hours of Feb. 28, Trump described the U.S. military campaign as "massive and ongoing" and alluded to potential escalation of force and American casualties, saying, "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. We're doing this for the future." More than 200 people were killed in the attacks, Iranian state media reports. Among them was Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY, and at least 40 were killed in an Israeli strike on a girls' school. In response, Iran struck a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain no U.S. casualties were reported and began disrupting oil shipments. Advertisement Advertisement The strikes on Iran come just days after Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 24, where he made a case for military action, and a day after the president said he was "not happy" with recent negotiations surrounding the country's nuclear program. The strikes also come just eight weeks after the U.S. military targeted Venezuela on Jan. 3, which led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Previously: Trump doesn't invade 'just because.' He freed Venezuela. | Your Turn Trump bombed Iran in 2025: Trump is unsuitable for office. But he was right to bomb Iran. | Your Turn Share your thoughts on US and Israel's attack on Iran With two significant strikes in two months both without congressional approval we want to know: Advertisement Advertisement What do you think about Trump's act first, ask for permission later approach to foreign policy? Do you agree with his decision to pursue military strikes and target these countries? Was the president right to proceed with these strikes on his own authority, or do you think he should have waited for Congress? Are you concerned about escalation, including a potential war with Iran and American casualties? Are you concerned about Iran's nuclear program and the development of nuclear weapons in other countries? Are you concerned about the potential for higher oil and gas prices? Share your responses in the survey below or send us an email at forum@usatoday.com with the subject line "Forum Trump Iran." You can also leave us a voicemail at (202) 655-3923. We may publish a collection of your responses in an upcoming column. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video. A graffiti on a wall reads" Down with the U.S.A", after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran. A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and phone alerts warned of an "extremely serious" threat. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026. Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran 1 of 16 Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. Janessa Hilliard is the director of audience for USA TODAY Opinion and Opinion at USA TODAY Co. Do you want to take part in our next Forum? Join the conversation by emailing forum@usatoday.com.You can also follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and sign up for our Opinion newsletter to stay updated on future Forum posts. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran leader is dead. Are you worried about war? Tell us | Opinion Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Saturday that the Middle East risks becoming a ring of fire unless the escalating conflict involving Iran is contained. We feel deep sorrow and concern over the US-Israeli attacks against our neighbour Iran, which began with Netanyahus provocations, Erdogan told a gathering of his ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) in Istanbul. The president also condemned Iranian strikes on what he described as brotherly Gulf countries, urging all sides to exercise restraint and return to diplomacy. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Saturday, Erdogans office rejected claims that Turkish airspace had been used to facilitate attacks on Iran. Turkey, a NATO ally, hosts US personnel at the jointly operated Incirlik Air Base in the country's south-east near the Syrian border. Ankara has repeatedly called for de-escalation, partly due to concerns that regional instability could trigger a fresh migration crisis along its lengthy border with Iran. Turkey is taking utmost measures to secure its borders and airspace while accelerating diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations, Erdogan added. WATERVILLE A bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Flavia DeBrito of Waterville that would expand insurance and MaineCare coverage for a range of emergency and health care services has drawn strong support from service providers and others. On Feb. 17, City Manager Nick Cloutier updated the City Council on DeBritos bill and another proposal that would expand emergency shelter funding through real estate transfer taxes. DeBritos bill An Act to Expand Reimbursement for Treatment in Place, Community Paramedicine and Alternative Destination Transport was the subject of a public hearing Feb. 11 before the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement DeBrito represents District 64 (parts of Waterville and Winslow) in the Maine House of Representatives and Ward 2 on the Waterville City Council. If adopted, the bill would expand insurance and MaineCare coverage to include onscene emergency treatment regardless of whether a patient is transported; care delivered through community paramedicine; and transportation to nonhospital sites, such as urgent care centers, primary care offices, behavioral health crisis centers, substance use treatment facilities and other appropriate locations. The bill, which requires approval from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management and Maine Emergency Medical Services, received support from the Maine Municipal Association; Legal Services for Maine Elders; the Maine Medical Association and Maine Osteopathic Association; Northern Light Health; Community Care Partnership of Maine in Bangor; the Maine Ambulance Association; United Ambulance Service in Lewiston; Spurwink; and fire and rescue departments in Sanford, Portland, Waterville, Westbrook, Windham and Winthrop. The Maine Association of Health Plans opposes the bill, and its executive director, Dan Demeritt, testified that it is overly broad, costly and not aligned with the ongoing and careful work already underway to improve access and coverage to medically necessary and fully licensed community paramedicine. Advertisement Advertisement Happy Haven, a Lewiston-based agency that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and brain injuries, also opposes the bill. Cloutier told the Waterville City Council that some services provided at the scene are not reimbursed if a patient is not transported to a hospital, and that community paramedicine visits also go unpaid. Those two things, if they were to pass, could be reimbursed, he said, so the essential services would develop some revenue. In testimony supporting the bill, Chief Jason Frost of the Waterville Fire Department urged the committee to pass it, saying, Health care providers across Maine are struggling to keep up with demand, and the challenges are especially pronounced in central Maine. Advertisement Advertisement He said that has become even more true since the closure of Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville, which has strained residents who need emergency response. Emergency departments are farther away, local services are overextended and vulnerable populations are left with fewer care options, Frost said. Our boots on the ground services emergency medical services providers, community paramedicine teams and homebased care professionals see the daily, realworld consequences of these gaps. The bill, he added, would help ease the strain. The bill would create a statewide initiative but follows a series of recent moves in Waterville to expand emergency and paramedicine programs. Advertisement Advertisement The bill has yet to be scheduled for a work session. Another bill Cloutier reviewed for councilors, L.D. 2124, is a statewide initiative aimed at addressing the challenges Waterville residents in crisis continue to face. The bill An Act to Support Emergency Shelter Funding Using Revenue from the Real Estate Transfer Tax would direct 1 percent of real estate transfer tax revenue to the Maine State Housing Authority to help fund emergency shelters. If passed, the allocation would take effect Sept. 1, 2026, reducing the share of the transfer tax retained by counties to 8.2 percent. The allocation would increase to 1.8 percent on Aug. 1, 2027, and would go directly to the shelter operating subsidiary program. Advertisement Advertisement This would help get more funding sources that are reliable for the shelters, like the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter in our community, from state funds, Cloutier said. The bill is supported by Homeless Services of Aroostook, the Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Washington County, the Maine Council of Churches, the United Community Living Center, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the Maine Mayors Coalition, the Maine State Housing Authority, Tedford Housing, Milestone Recovery, the Family Violence Project, Maine Equal Justice and other agencies that work with individuals in crisis. In testimony supporting the bill, Portland Mayor Mark Dion said, Despite the critical role they play in our community, shelters across the state continue to struggle, often operating at a loss with nearconstant risk of closure. He added that Maines emergency shelter system is in dire need of support and a more comprehensive stateled approach that would ensure shelter is available to all Maine residents, regardless of ZIP code. Advertisement Advertisement The measure is opposed by the Maine Municipal Association, members of the Maine Registers of Deeds Association and the Maine Association of County Clerks. The bill, which had a public hearing Feb. 11 before the Legislatures Committee on Housing and Economic Development, was tabled after a work session Feb. 17. The final legislative update Cloutier presented to councilors was the congressionally directed spending award of $850,000 for Waterville. The money will support three downtown projects aimed at improving pedestrian walkability. Cloutier said independent U.S. Sen. Angus King Jr. played an important role in securing the funding. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was dead after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on several locations in Iran. Iran's military retaliated against the early-morning attack with its own strikes targeting U.S. bases and sites in Israel. "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement "He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do." Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said several other Iranian defense officials were also killed in the attacks, including Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh; Revolutionary Guard Corps head Gen. Mohammad Pakpour; and Khamenei's defense adviser, Ali Shamkhani. Smoke rises in central Tehran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Israel and the United States announced they were attacking Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described it as a "preemptive strike." Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA The United States and Israel attacked multiple locations in Iran early Saturday, including multiple sites in Tehran, and Urmia, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Shiraz, Chabahar, and other spots along the Persian Gulf, The New York Times reported citing Iranian state news. Explosions were reported in Tehran, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. An Israel military representative said "dozens of military sites" were attacked in the joint offensive. Orthodox Jews gather outside a bomb shelter in central Jerusalem while sirens sound across Israel as Iran retaliates for the early-morning American-Israeli attack on Saturday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a statement that Israel's military carried out what it called a "preemptive strike against the Islamic Republic" with the mission to "eliminate threats against the country of Israel." Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times, citing authorities in multiple Gulf nations, reported that Iran fired missiles in retaliation at U.S. bases in the region. A video confirmed by NBC News showed an explosion at a U.S. Navy service center in Bahrain. Officials said there was damage at the facility but there were no reported American casualties. "Damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations," U.S. Central Command said in a post on X. CENTCOM said there have been no reported U.S. casualties in any of Saturday's actions. It also disputed reports that the Iranian military struck a U.S. Navy ship. Iran also launched missiles toward Israel, where alerts were activated, according to the Israeli military. Advertisement Advertisement "At this hour, the Air Force is operating to intercept and strike in any location where it is required to remove that threat," the Israeli military said. At least one missile struck a building in Tel Aviv late Saturday, killing at least one person, a paramedic said. Another person sustained critical injuries. Other Iranian strikes included at a Dubai hotel, and locations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan. The Dubai International Airport also sustained "minor damage," local officials said. The United Arab Emirates said it has intercepted more than 100 ballistic missiles and nearly 200 drones from Iran, the Emirates New Agency reported, according to NBC News. Shortly after the airstrikes began Saturday, Trump posted an 8-minute video posted to his Truth Social media account. He called on members of Iran's military to lay down their arms or "face certain death." Advertisement Advertisement To the Iranian people, he instructed them to seize their government following the strikes. "To the great proud people of Iran, I say your hour of freedom is at hand," he said. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations." Trump said the mission was in defense of the American people to eliminate "imminent threats" emanating from Iran. He warned that American troops may be killed in the process. "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties," he said. Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian Red Crescent said more than 200 Iranians have been killed in the attacks and another 700 injured. Among the dead were multiple people killed in a strike on a girls school in Minab province. Iranian President Massed Pezeshkian called the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school a "cowardly attack." "This brutal act is another dark page in the record of countless crimes by aggressors against this land and will never be erased from the historical memory of our nation," he said. The extent of the attacks and what had been targeted was not immediately clear, but Trump vowed to "raze" Iran's missile industry, "annihilate" its navy and the United States would ensure that its proxies throughout the Middle East "can no longer destabilize the region or the world." Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, in a statement of his own, described Operation Roaring Lion as a joint operation between the United States and Israel. "Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran -- Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochi and the Ahwazis -- to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran." Netanyahu, without offering evidence, suggested Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may have died. Advertisement Advertisement "The plan to destroy Israel does not exist -- and there are many signs that even the tyrant Khamenei does not exist either," Netanyahu said. Trump told NBC News he also believes Khamenei is among the dead. "We feel that that is a correct story," he said. "The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone." The attack follows months of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, as Trump has sought to secure a deal that would deny it from securing a nuclear weapon. Amid the talks, Trump expanded the United States' military presence in the Middle East and threatened military action if a deal was not made. The strikes come after the United States and Iran held indirect negotiations in Geneva on Thursday. Officials from mediator Oman and Iran left the talks stating there were signs of progress and plans for future negotiations. Updated at 1:05 p.m. PT: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike as part of its attack on Iran on Saturday, Israeli officials said, per multiple news outlets. Donald Trump told NBC News Kristen Welker, We feel that is a correct story. She had a conversation with the president on Saturday afternoon. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement But Iranian officials have disputed that claim, and a foreign ministry spokesman told ABC News that he was safe and sound. Trump told Welker that a large number of their leaders have also been killed. Overnight, Trump announced in a video statement that major combat operations were underway. The military action, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began with blasts being heard in Irans capital city of Tehran around 9.30 am local time on Saturday morning, with reports of people running in the streets in panic. There were also strikes on military sites in Kermanshah, Qum, Isfahan, Tabriz, Karaj and Kenarak. Iran state news agency reported 57 people had been killed in an Israeli strike on a girls school in Southern Iran, and another 60 wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian armed forces immediately launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel as well as on U.S. military installations across the Gulf including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. There were also reports of blasts in Saudi Arabias capital of Riyadh, Jordan and Iraq. News broke around 7pm local time in Dubai (7am PT) that the Fairmont Hotel in the Emirati citys Palm Jumeirah district, a neighbourhood popular with expats and tourists, had been hit by falling debris from an intercepted missile and was on fire. The Dubai Media Office issued a statement around 7.50 pm local time confirming an incident in the Palm Jumeirah area, saying the resulting fire was under control with four individuals having sustained injuries. In a separate earlier incident, Emirati-state news agency reported one person had been killed in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, after debris fell on a residential area. Advertisement Advertisement Aside from military installations, U.S. and Iran targets included Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, with seven missiles hitting the area near his presidential palace and compound. Khamenei has been Irans Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding the Islamic Republics late founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. A clutch of Israeli media outlets claimed that Khamenei had been killed but Iranian authorities countered these reports saying he was alive and would be addressing the nation. His whereabouts is unknown. Trump announced the operations in an eight-minute video statement, released in the early hours of the U.S. East Coast morning, in which he said the aim was to crush Irans military and eliminate its nuclear program as well as bring about a change in government. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people, he said. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world. (read full speech below). The U.S. president also called on the Iranian people, who have been subjected to a harsh crackdown against pro-democracy protests in recent weeks, to seize the moment once the bombs have stopped falling to bring about regime change. Advertisement Advertisement To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Dont leave your home. Its very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere, he said. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond. TV Networks Scramble TV and radio networks worldwide scrambled to get on board the story, breaking into normal programming as a chaotic picture of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation across the Gulf started to take shape. Advertisement Advertisement In a note, NBC News said it put out breaking news on NBC News NOW at 1:44 am ET, followed by a network report at 1:50 am ET, with Jessica Layton anchoring. It has been providing rolling coverage ever since on network and NOW with Peter Alexander taking over anchoring after Trumps speech around 5 am ET, and joined by Saturday TODAY co-anchor Laura Jarrett at 6 am ET. Coverage over the morning included an exclusive live interview with the Iranian Foreign Minister. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a statement on Saturday, saying that the aim was to remove the Islamic Republic regime from power. The operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran to remove the yoke of tyranny and bring a free and peace-loving Iran, he added. The military operations follow in the wake of a massive building up since mid-January of the largest force of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades, as Trump tried to force Irans Islamic Regime government to abandon its nuclear program in talks. News of the joint U.S. and Israeli attack has met with concerned reaction at home in the U.S. and from leaders worldwide, amid fears that the conflict will escalate and uncertainty over the longer term future for Iran, whether its hardline Islamic Republic falls or not. Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, condemned the fact Trump had triggered military action without consulting the U.S. Congress. The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States raises serious legal and constitutional concerns, he said in a statement on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting, writing on X: The ongoing escalation is dangerous for everyone. It must stop. U.S. President Donald Trumps Full Speech On Major Combat Operations A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries. Advertisement Advertisement Among the regimes very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Irans proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lanes. Its been mass terror, and were not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts, and it was Irans proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before. Iran is the worlds number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. Advertisement Advertisement It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular, my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. Ill say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why, in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regimes nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didnt want to do it. Again, they wanted to do it. They didnt want to do it. They didnt know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we cant take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We are going to annihilate their navy. We are going to ensure that the regions terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Its a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration, and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength, or sophistication. My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region. Even so and I do not make this statement lightly the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this not for now were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harms way, and we trust that with His help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity or, in the alternative, face certain death. So lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Dont leave your home. Its very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May God bless the brave men and women of Americas armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The U.S. has used LUCAS kamikaze drones for the first time in combat, U.S. Central Command acknowledged on Saturday. The drones, based on the Iranian Shahed-136, were launched from the ground by Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS). The task force was set up in December to flip the script on Iran, a U.S. official told us at the time. The launch of LUCAS drones marks a rare instance when the U.S. adopted Irans drone playbook and used it against them. Todays strikes were part of Operation Epic Fury, an attack the U.S. launched along with Israel on targets across Iran. You can read more about that in our initial story here. The War Zone has advocated for the procurement of this exact class of drone by the American military. CENTCOM's Task Force Scorpion Strike for the first time in history is using one-way attack drones in combat during Operation Epic Fury. These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran's Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution. pic.twitter.com/VYdjiECKDT U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026 The LUCAS drones are designed to be a far less expensive strike weapon than missiles, which not only cost more, but are far more difficult and time-consuming to produce. Advertisement Advertisement Costing approximately $35,000 per platform, LUCAS is a low-cost, scalable system that provides cutting-edge capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional long-range U.S. systems that can deliver similar effects, Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, told TWZ back in December. The drone system has an extensive range and the ability to operate beyond line of sight, providing significant capability across CENTCOMs vast operating area. In addition, the LUCAS design includes features that allow for autonomous coordination, making them suitable for swarm tactics and network-centric strikes, a U.S. official told us. As we have explained in detail in the past, the swarming capabilities combined with some of the drones being equipped with Starlink terminals, means extremely advanced cooperative tactics and dynamic targeting are possible, all while keeping humans in the loop. The LUCAS drones have an extensive range and are designed to operate autonomously, CENTCOM said in a press release announcing the creation of Task Force Scorpion Strike. They can be launched with different mechanisms to include catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground and vehicle systems. Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command operating area, Nov. 23. Costing approximately $35,000 per platform, LUCAS drones are providing U.S. forces in the Middle East low-cost, scalable capabilities to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo) Though the LUCAS drones fired against Iran were ground-launched, U.S. Navy personnel in the Middle East test-fired one from the Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara. This came two weeks after the U.S. military announced the formation of Task Force Scorpion Strike. "Bravo Zulu. U.S. Navy forces in the Middle East are advancing warfighting capability in new ways, bringing more striking power from the sea and setting conditions for using innovation as a deterrent." Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander https://t.co/TgQ4WLbph3 pic.twitter.com/WUiAVojTht U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 18, 2025 Overall, the LUCAS drones core design was based directly on the Shahed-136, a U.S. official told us. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. military got hold of an Iranian Shahed, according to the U.S. official in December. We took a look and reverse-engineered it. We are working with a number of U.S. companies in the innovation space. The LUCAS drone is the product of that [reverse-engineering] effort, the official added. It pretty much follows the Shahed design. An Iranian-made Shahed-136 Kamikaze drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. (Photo by Anonymous / Middle East Images via AFP) ANONYMOUS As we have explained for years, the Shahed was based on an Israel concept, which also has roots in a German concept. So it is a complicated lineage for sure. The LUCAS was designed by SpektreWorks. Its website provides basic specifications for a related target drone design called the FLM 136, which has a stated maximum range of 444 miles and can stay aloft for up to six hours. Its total payload capacity, not counting fuel, is 40 pounds, and it cruises at a speed of around 74 knots (with a dash speed of up to 105 knots). Whether these details reflect the capabilities of the operationalized LUCAS design is unclear. War Secretary Pete Hegseth inspecting a LUCAS drone. (US Army) In contrast, the baseline Shahed-136, which is powered by a small 50-horsepower internal combustion engine, has a top speed of around 100 knots (185 kilometers per hour) and a maximum range of approximately 1,242 miles (2,000 kilometers) while carrying an 88-pound (40-kilogram) warhead, according to the U.S. Armys Operational Environment Data Integration Network (ODIN) training portal. It was designed to strike static targets based on targeting data programmed in before launch. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has shown additional versions over the years. The Shahed-238 has new guidance systems, with radar and electro-optical/infrared guidance and jet power. Earlier Shahed versions primarily employed a combination of inertial and GPS navigation to hit fixed targets. Russia also now produces a still-expanding array of variants and derivatives of this design, referred to locally as the Geran. Iran and Russia have both been notably working to integrate more dynamic targeting capabilities into their respective versions of the drone. Russian Shahed drones. (Russian Media) The use of the LUCAS comes as Iran has launched its Shahed-136 drones against targets across the Middle East and highlights the limitations of air defenses. Even IDFs multi-tier integrated air defense system, the most advanced one on Earth, and U.S. ground- and sea-based air defense systems around the Middle East do not offer complete protection against these and other weapons. Iran used Shahed-136s to successfully strike the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain is under repeated attack via Iranian drones. pic.twitter.com/6KK905tD3x GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) February 28, 2026 Iranian Shahed 136 one-way attack drone hits U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain pic.twitter.com/mw9xUD3tCz Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) February 28, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Iranian Shahed-136 scored a direct hit on a radome at a U.S. base in Manama, Bahrain (261225N 503635E). pic.twitter.com/uGZT172TPK Shah Faisal AfRidi (@Sfaisalafridi) February 28, 2026 You can see a video of another Shahed attack in Bahrain below. Unbelievable footage from inside the Era Tower in Manama (Bahrain ), filming the Iranian Shahed drones as it slams into the buildings, just several floors up from the POV https://t.co/nYPUgTmcJypic.twitter.com/cAagZUSnvO Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) February 28, 2026 It is unclear how many of these drones the U.S. used, what targets they hit or the effect of any strikes. A U.S. official declined comment. Regardless, this is the first war where the U.S. is actively using long-range one-way attack drones and it just so happens to be against the same country that the design, and its modern operating concept, was lifted from. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com (This article has been updated with new information.) The United States and Israel launched a wave of preemptive strikes on Iran that the Pentagon dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which targeted Iranian officials, and Iran has fired back. The attacks have heightened fears and uncertainty for Michiganders who have relatives in the Middle East and in the military and ties to a region that has, once again, appeared to have been plunged into armed conflict. Advertisement Advertisement "Many people in southeastern Michigan have family ties in countries all throughout that area," Dawud Walid, the executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said. "There are many people concerned about their loved ones and friends who could be injured if not killed in this new wave of violence." The conflict is expected to last days, with President Donald Trump warning Iranians in an early Saturday morning address, that "bombs will be dropping everywhere" and warning Americans there could be casualties. But by the afternoon, some new outlets were reporting that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed, which could go a long way in toppling Iran's clerical government. Still, the reaction in Michigan, and around the world, has been mixed, and already prompted calls from groups and candidates, and protesters quickly organized demonstrations at Wayne State University and Hart Plaza. Advertisement Advertisement Kamala Harris, the former vice president who was in Detroit for a planned event to promote her memoir and a local small business, told reporters, "I unequivocally oppose this war," referring to the U.S. strikes on Iran. She added that "if we want to stop Donald Trump," then "Congress must act." More: Michigan groups to protest U.S. strikes on Iran Michigans Democratic U.S. senator, Elissa Slotkin, said on social media that Iran is a "state sponsor of terror" but also warned that the "operation doesnt appear to be a one-and-done, so were thinking about the safety of our service members and their families." Advertisement Advertisement Trump justified the attack on Saturday, Feb. 28, by saying it was aimed at ending a security threat against the United States, and he called for Iranian regime change. But he also warned that in the conflict, Americans could be injured or killed. The strikes also come as Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan a holy time in Islam, which includes a month of fasting, communal prayer and reflection. It also is eight months after Trump bombed an Iranian nuclear facility that the White House said was "obliterated." Walid said he awoke to the news just before 5 a.m. as he was breaking his Ramadan fast, adding he was distraught, and that he thought about his 77-year-old mother, who had just returned from the region. Iran retaliated, firing at Israel and U.S. bases in Qater, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The U.S. reportedly was able to intercept many of those missiles, although one did appear to hit the Navy's 5th Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. Warnings, calls for peace By early Saturday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, urged all Americans to demand an end to what it called an "unnecessary, unjustified, and unconstitutional" war launched for Israel's benefit. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Walid also said that closer to home, as the conflict continues or even escalates, he also hoped that the American strikes would not unleash anti-Muslim sentiment and animosity, which has happened in the past. In June, when Trump ordered strikes on Iran the first time, Michigan State Police warned community members to be on "high alert" and vigilant in case there was any retaliation from Tehran. Just days before the strikes, Masood Maghsoodi, vice president of the Iranian American Cultural Society of Michigan, told WLNS-TV in Lansing he has several other family members in Iran, including a brother and three sisters, and that they are scared. Maghsoodi said they did not "want military action in Iran," but also noted that "the only way that we can have freedom in Iran is if the U.S. and the European countries support the Iranian resistance." Advertisement Advertisement And some groups, like the American Human Rights Council, issued statements "urging diplomacy and negotiations" and noting that "war must never be the answer to political or ideological differences." Temple Israel, a large reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, offered its prayers and "unwaivering support" for the "safety and security" of Israel and the "courageous American and Israeli service members in harm's way." Saturday, Abdul El-Sayed, an American physician who is running for U.S. Senate in Michigan, criticized Trump, calling him a "failed president" and characterizing the attack as a distraction from other issues, and another expensive "war with no aim." "Trump has made no justification for this war to the American people or their representatives in Congress," he said, arguing that it is committing taxpayers to billions of dollars. "This war must end. This aggression must stop." Advertisement Advertisement Around the world, leaders offered statements. Russia condemned the strikes, calling them a "premeditated and unprovoked act" that was "in direct violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law." The foreign affairs ministry also implied the "negotiation process" was a ruse. Its unclear so far how many casualties there were, although Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported that more than 50 people were killed at a girls school in southern Iran in the Israeli-U.S. strikes and more were wounded. Trump: Lay down arms or die In the early hours on Saturday, while most Americans were asleep, Trump announced the strikes, encouraging Iranians to seize control of their government, and outlining a stark choice for Iranians: Lay down arms or "certain death." Advertisement Advertisement "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," the president said, calling the attack "a massive and ongoing operation." President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 He added, "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties, that often happens in war, but we're doing this not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it's a noble mission." More: USS Gerald R. Ford moving to Middle East, but its toilets are clogged Still, while Trump is the military's commander-in-chief, the power to declare war constitutionally lies with Congress. Advertisement Advertisement By early Saturday, few lawmakers had yet to weigh in on the attack. And it was unclear whether the White House had informed them that the strikes were imminent, with some of those who had released statements calling for Congress to gather. "Most elected leaders including President Trump himself have condemned the rush to war without clear goals in the past," Slotkin said, referring to the war with Iraq and adding that Congress should "come back to Washington to debate these issues." U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, also called for Congress to meet and be briefed, adding that "Michiganders have been clear they do not want more endless wars." Tweets by SenatorSlotkin Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts and a combat veteran, called the attacks "Iraq 2.0" in a CNN news interview, also connecting Trump's criticism of the conflict in 2016 while he was campaigning for president. Moulton suggested that in the latest Middle East conflict, it could be difficult to sort out what from the official statements was true and what was a lie, similar to when the weapons of mass destruction justification for the Iraq war was called into question. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat representing New Jersey, who also spoke on CNN, went further, suggesting his constituents did not support the attacks. The strikes, he said, went "against the will of the American people," who "dont want war." And Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, said on social media that the "end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us, God bless President Trump, our military and our allies in Israel." Free Press reporter Natalie Davies contributed. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U.S. attack on Iran heightens fears, uncertainty for Michiganders The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine. In a statement on its website, it said: Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed. British nationals in the region are urged to take sensible precautions, including following advice from regional authorities, staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents are up to date. Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Office has also updated travel advice for UK nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to warn people to immediately shelter in place. The advice on the FCDO website said: Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. The UK Government said its priority is the safety of UK nationals in the Middle East but that it is ready to protect our interests. It is understood the UK was not involved in the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Governments emergency Cobra committee on Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement A Government spokesperson said: Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Global airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East on Saturday. Airspace over Iran and Iraq was empty on Saturday morning, maps by flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed. Flights divert Iran after US and Israel launch strikes (Flightradar24) Below is the latest on flights listed by airline in alphabetical order: AIR FRANCE KLM Air France AIRF.PA cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon for Saturday. KLM brought forward the suspension of its AmsterdamTel Aviv service, cancelling the flight scheduled for Saturday. The Dutch arm of Air FranceKLM had announced on Wednesday that flights would be halted from Sunday, but has now advanced that date. Advertisement Advertisement Only one flight to Tel Aviv had been scheduled for Saturday. INDIGO The airline said it was monitoring regional updates. JAPAN AIRLINES Japan Airlines 9201.T cancelled a flight on Saturday from Tokyo Haneda to Doha as well as a return flight on March 1, Nikkei said. LUFTHANSA The German airline LHAG.DE suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman until March 7 and flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday. They also said they would not add Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7. VIRGIN ATLANTIC Virgin Atlantic said it will temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of its flights and cancelled its VS400 service from London Heathrow to Dubai on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement WIZZ AIR The airline WIZZ.L halted flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until March 7. It added that operational decisions would continue to be reviewed, and the flight schedule could be adjusted as the situation evolves. The prime minister has set out how the UK will respond to the strikes in the Middle East adding that British planes are "in the sky today" in the region. British planes are in the skies over the Middle East after US-Israel attacks on Iran triggered retaliatory strikes from Tehran on several Gulf nations, Keir Starmer has said. In a broadcast statement on Saturday afternoon, the prime minister said that while the UK had played no part in Saturday morning's mission but British aircraft were involved in coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies. Advertisement Advertisement US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. Britain was not involved in the strikes on Iran, and the government has advised UK nationals in some parts of the Middle East to shelter in place. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East. Starmer joined European allies in condemning Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern countries following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, Starmer condemned Irans retaliation in the strongest terms. Advertisement Advertisement The three leaders said: Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. Starmers statement comes after he chaired a meeting of the governments emergency Cobra committee before speaking to allies, including Frances President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The joint statement added that the three countries were in close contact with international partners, including the US and Israel. In his own statement from Downing Street, Starmer said he had also spoken to Middle Eastern leaders as he urged Iran to return to the negotiating table. An explosion in Tehran. Credit: AP He said: It is vital that we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process. Advertisement Advertisement We want to see peace and security and the protection of civilian life. Iran can end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programme and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people. Following the strikes, the Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Israel, while embassies in Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have advised British nationals to shelter in place. A spokesperson said: Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. Advertisement Advertisement Saturdays attack follows mounting tension in the region, with the US deploying a fleet of warships and aircraft to pressure Tehran. Talks between the US and Iran regarding Tehrans nuclear programme ended on Thursday without agreement. On Saturday, Israeli authorities said the strikes dubbed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the US were intended to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel. In a video posted on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump said the attacks were a noble mission. He said Iran had attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland. Advertisement Advertisement Dame Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was absolutely right that the UK had not been involved in the strikes. Adding that there was no legal basis for this attack, Dame Emily said the UK should prepare for shipping, oil facilities and military bases with Western troops, including British, to be attacked. Starmer said protections at British bases had been increased to their highest level while the government was reaching out to UK nationals in the region to support them. The UK is reported to have previously resisted US requests to use the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean to launch strikes on Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Iran strike risks: Have we forgotten the cautionary tale of Iraq? US and Israeli strikes on Iran signal a dangerous new chapter Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she supported the strikes on Iran, describing the Tehran government as a vile regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, sought to build nuclear weapons and brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the prime minister to rule out allowing British bases to be used for future unilateral US strikes. He said: The Iranian people deserve to live free from a brutal regime. Donald Trumps unilateral and illegal military action wont deliver freedom, peace and security. It will only unleash more bloodshed. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Have you heard our podcast Talking Politics? Tom and Robert dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda in every episode I grew up playing Holi the way most children of the 1990s did in Mumbai: In the street below our building, with a plastic pichkari in one hand and a balloon bucket in the other. By 8am, the entire neighbourhood would have assembled. Aunties in old salwar kameez, uncles pretending to be serious until someone smeared them purple, teenagers with elaborate water-balloon strategies plotted from balconies above. We knew which windows were friendly fire zones. From the third floor, a well-timed balloon could hit a cousin mid-stride. It was chaos, but choreographed chaos. There was laughter, mild outrage, dramatic revenge. At some point, during our brief rebellious phase, eggs and mud entered the equation. We were scolded. We apologised. We did it again the next year. And yet, by noon, it was all over. We were home in time for a long shower that never quite removed the pink from behind the ears. Lunch was waiting. On our table, it was usually puran poli golden, ghee-slicked, the sweet chana dal filling warm and comforting. Sometimes there was shrikhand, thick and cool with saffron. Occasionally, my grandmother would insist on karanji, crisp pastry shells stuffed with coconut and jaggery. In Maharashtrian homes, Holi is as much about these textures and tastes as it is about colour. The festival was not a spectacle. It was intimate. It belonged to your building, your lane, your small ecosystem of quarrels and friendships. Today, Holi often feels imported. Beachside DJ sets. Ticketed Holi bashes. Foam cannons. Influencer backdrops. What was once a neighbourhood ritual has become an event industry. Delhis exuberance has travelled westward. There is nothing inherently wrong with celebration evolving cities change but something of the old charm feels diluted. The unstructured joy. The accidental intimacy. The temptation, then, is nostalgia. To declare that Holi was better before. That the past was purer. That revival must mean restoration. But what if revival does not mean mimicry? What if the past is not a museum to be reconstructed, but a conversation partner? This year, that question may be floating at the edge of Ballard Estate. On March 2, INSV Kaundinya will be flagged back into Mumbai at Tiger Gate, returning from its maiden voyage to Oman. It is not a cruise liner, nor a naval destroyer. It is something far more poetic: A 5th-century style sailing vessel, constructed plank by plank using coir rope, coconut fibre and resin. I first heard about the project from Sanjeev Sanyal, a fellow Rhodes scholar, at a panel discussion we were both speaking on some years ago. At that time, the ship had not yet sailed. It existed as an idea: Part scholarship, part experiment, part provocation. Conceived during his research into Indias maritime past, it asked a simple question: What happens when you rebuild an ancient technology not to romanticise it, but to test it? What has now returned to Mumbai is not just a ship. It is experimental archaeology in motion. A live, floating argument. Built by master shipwright Babu Sankaran and artisans from Kerala, inspired by Ajanta murals and historical iconography, the vessel carries motifs that feel almost mythic in their symbolism: The Gandabherunda on its sails, a Simha Yali carved at its bow, a Harappan-style stone anchor resting on deck. It retraced ancient maritime routes between western India and Oman, corridors of trade, diplomacy and migration that pre-date our modern anxieties about identity and borders. Named after the mariner Kaundinya of Kalinga who, according to Southeast Asian chronicles, crossed the seas, married a local princess and became part of the founding lineage of Funan, the ship gestures towards an India that was never sealed off. An India that travelled. An India that absorbed and was absorbed. An India shaped as much by the Indian Ocean as by the Gangetic plains. This is why its return matters in a Holi week. Holi itself is a festival of co-mingling. Colours do not sit neatly on skin; they blend, bleed, refuse purity. It is a reminder that identities are porous. That joy is collaborative. That difference is not erased by contact but made visible. In that sense, the revival of Kaundinya is not about recreating a golden age. It is about remembering that Indias past was dynamic, outward-looking, and experimental. Those sailors did not set out to prove civilisational supremacy. They sailed for trade, for curiosity, for connection. They returned altered by what they encountered. The India that emerged from those exchanges was layered, syncretic, and confident enough to engage. What might a new Holi for Mumbai look like if we took that lesson seriously? Perhaps it is less about replicating childhood rituals exactly as they were, and more about rebuilding the spirit that animated them: proximity, participation, shared space. Perhaps it means reclaiming the street from the stage, the compound from the concert. Or perhaps it means creating new forms of gathering that feel rooted yet contemporary. Community celebrations that are as open to the world as that stitched vessel crossing the Arabian Sea. Mumbai, after all, has always been a port before it was a metropolis. It has absorbed Parsis fleeing persecution, Jews from West Asia, traders from Gujarat, dockworkers from the Konkan. It is built on arrivals and departures. That Kaundinya set sail from here and now returns here feels like a quiet metaphor: the past leaves, encounters the world, and comes back transformed. Standing at Ballard Estate, watching that vessel glide in, one perhaps can be reminded that nostalgia is only useful if it propels us forward. A revival that refuses to engage with the present is costume. A revival that tests itself against the winds of now becomes conversation. This Holi, there will still be DJs. There will still be ticketed bashes. There will also be children with pichkaris and pink behind their ears. But perhaps, somewhere between the colour and the sea breeze, Mumbai can rediscover something subtler: that we have always been a people of exchange.Of colour, yes. But also of currents. Anish Gawande is a writer and translator The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) abruptly cut off a video statement after the speaker began criticizing several United Nations officials, including one who has been sanctioned by the Trump administration. The video message was being played during a U.N. session in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday morning. Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the and president of Human Rights, called out several U.N. officials in her message, including U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who is the subject of U.S. sanctions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against Albanese July 9, 2025, saying that she "has spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism and open contempt for the United States, Israel and the West." Advertisement Advertisement "That bias has been apparent across the span of her career, including recommending that the ICC, without a legitimate basis, issue arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant," Rubio added. Un Chief Blasted As Abjectly Tone-deaf Over Message To Iran Marking Revolution Anniversary Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Francesca Albanese (Fox News) "I was the only American U.N.-accredited NGO with a speaking slot, and I wasnt allowed even to conclude my 90 seconds of allotted time. Free speech is non-existent at the U.N. so-called 'Human Rights Council,'" Bayefsky told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Bayefsky noted the irony of the council cutting off her video in a proceeding that was said to be an "interactive dialogue," an event during which experts are allowed to speak to the council about human rights issues. "I was cut off after naming Francesca Albanese, Navi Pillay and Chris Sidoti for covering up Palestinian use of rape as a weapon of war and trafficking in blatant antisemitism. I named the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, who is facing disturbing sexual assault allegations but still unaccountable almost two years later. Those are the people and the facts that the United Nations wants to protect and hide," Bayefsky told Fox News Digital. "It is an outrage that I am silenced and singled out for criticism on the basis of naming names." Bayefsky's statement was cut off as she accused Albanese and Navi Pillay, the former chair of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and Chris Sidoti, a commissioner of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She also slammed Khan, who has faced rape allegations. Khan has denied the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Advertisement Advertisement Had her video message been played in full, Bayefsky would have gone on to criticize Turk's recent report for not demanding accountability for the "Palestinian policy to pay to kill Jews, including Hamas terror boss Yahya Sinwar who got half a million dollars in blood money." When the video was cut short, Human Rights Council President Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro characterized Bayefsky's remarks as "derogatory, insulting and inflammatory" and said that they were "not acceptable." "The language used by the speaker cannot be allowed as it has exceeded the limits of tolerance and respect within the framework of the council which we all in this room hold to," Suryodipuro said. The Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2025. Melania Trump To Take The Gavel At Un Security Council In Historic First Advertisement Advertisement In response to Fox News Digital's request for comment, Human Rights Council Media Officer Pascal Sim said the council has had long-established rules on what it considers to be acceptable language. "Rulings regarding the form and language of interventions in the Human Rights Council are established practices that have been in place throughout the existence of the council and used by all council presidents when it comes to ensuring respect, tolerance and dignity inherent to the discussion of human rights issues," Sim told Fox News Digital. When asked if the video had been reviewed ahead of time, Sim said it was assessed for length and audio quality to allow for interpretation, but that the speakers are ultimately "responsible for the content of their statement." "The video statement by the NGO 'Touro Law Center, The Institute on Human Rights and The Holocaust' was interrupted when it was deemed that the language exceeded the limits of tolerance and respect within the framework of the council and could not be tolerated," Sim said. Advertisement Advertisement "As the presiding officer explained at the time, all speakers are to remain within the appropriate framework and terminology used in the councils work, which is well known by speakers who routinely participate in council proceedings. Following that ruling, none of the member states of the council have objected to it." Flag alley at the United Nations' European headquarters during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 11, 2023. Unrwa Officials Lobby Congressional Staffers Against Trump Terrorist Designation Threat While Bayefsky's statement was cut off, other statements accusing Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing were allowed to be played and read in full. This is not the first time that Bayefsky was interrupted. Exactly one year ago, on Feb. 27, 2025, her video was cut off when she mentioned the fate of Ariel and Kfir Bibas. Jurg Lauber, president of the U.N. Human Rights Council at the time, stopped the video and declared that Bayefsky had used inappropriate language. Advertisement Advertisement Bayefsky began the speech by saying, "The world now knows Palestinian savages murdered 9-month-old baby Kfir," and she was almost immediately cut off by Lauber. Click Here To Download The Fox News App "Sorry, I have to interrupt," Lauber abruptly said as the video of Bayefsky was paused. Lauber briefly objected to the "language" used in the video, but then allowed it to continue. After a few more seconds, the video was shut off entirely. Lauber reiterated that "the language thats used by the speaker cannot be tolerated," adding that it "exceeds clearly the limits of tolerance and respect." Advertisement Advertisement Last year, when the previous incident occurred, Bayefsky said she believed the whole thing was "stage-managed," as the council had advanced access to her video and a transcript and knew what she would say. Original article source: UN Human Rights Council chief cuts off speaker criticizing US-sanctioned official Corrections & Clarifications: A reference to Colorado River water temperature in 2024 and 2025 should have said 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in a previous version of this article was incorrect. The scanty snowpack accumulating this winter in the Colorado River headwaters is threatening Glen Canyon Dams hydropower production and complicating an already fraught balancing act for the Southwests waterworks. A government river forecast predicts that poor flows could drop Lake Powell below the point at which the dam can produce power later this year. In practice, however, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has suggested it will shuffle water among reservoirs to prevent that outcome so soon. Advertisement Advertisement Without a substantially wetter winter next year, though, the dam near the Utah-Arizona line could face a real prospect of halting production and raising electricity prices from metro Phoenix to the Navajo Nation and around the rural West. Even before that outcome, dam managers anticipate bypassing as much as $40 million in power production this summer and fall to aid legally protected native fish downstream in the Grand Canyon. It's water that would have flowed downstream this year anyway, but would have done so through the power plant. These are unprecedented times, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Heather Whitlaw told interagency colleagues puzzling over the impending tradeoffs between the regions economy, environment and water supply. Whitlaw joined other government officials and environmental advocates on an advisory committee to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program in supporting cool mix flows sending water from deep in Lake Powell through bypass tubes. Such a partial bypass of the hydropower turbines delivers water cold enough to keep non-native bass from breeding and then eating threatened humpback chubs. Advertisement Advertisement Hydropower advocates, on the other hand, said its a costly bet on a plan that may not actually stop the smallmouth bass invasion that began in 2022. The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) estimated the bypasses this year will cost $30 million to $40 million in lost production, forcing it to purchase and distribute power from elsewhere on the grid. That in turn forces power cooperatives who rely on Glen Canyon Dam to spend more, said Leslie James, who directs the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association. CREDA members include customer-owned utilities serving 5 million people in six states, including Salt River Project and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in Arizona. When you take energy out of a market in this region, James said, you are going to be putting an additional purchaser in the market WAPA who is going to be competing with all of my members. The cost comes at a time when the rise of data centers is already taxing the grid and power bills, she added. Outlook for runoff remains poor Crews work to raise the top of the spillways on Glen Canyon Dam in July 1983 as Lake Powell water levels continued to rise. Plywood flashboards are visible on the right gate. The stakes are rising as the Colorados multidecade shrinking act continues to challenge the Southwests capacity to water crops and supply cities with reservoir storage that cant keep up. If Powell really drops below the point of producing power in the next few years, releasing water only through the bypass tubes could complicate not just maintaining a healthy river for Grand Canyon but delivering enough water to Lake Mead and the millions of users downstream. Advertisement Advertisement A quarter century ago, Lake Powell brimmed against the dam with enough water to supply Arizona, California and Nevada for three years on its own. As February ended, it was just one-quarter full. Measurements in the Rocky Mountains suggested that the water stored in the snowpack there on Feb. 25 was the lowest of the last 30 years, Bureau of Reclamation hydrologist Alex Pivarnik said. Weather forecasts for early March showed the possibility of precipitation, he said, but likely not a game changer. This storm coming through here is a little bit warm and so it is more likely to fall as rain than snow until you get to those higher elevations, Pivarnik said. Rain is less likely to reach the reservoir than the pulse of snowmelt that follows spring thaws. The latest runoff projections estimate that Lake Powell inflows this year will reach only about half of average an average already pulled down by more than two decades of regional aridification. Advertisement Advertisement In late February the reservoir's surface sat some 40 feet above the point where all power production would cease. It was about 169 feet below capacity, having dropped about 4 feet since late January. Normally the level ticks upward in spring, but the effect is likely to be muted this year unless storms start stacking up in the mountains. Environmental costs: As states draw Colorado River water, what's left for the river? How to protect power and fish Lake Powells low water level essentially forces the government to choose among economic interests and its legal responsibility to protect Grand Canyons environment. In 2024 and 2025, that meant bypassing some water around the hydropower plant to keep the river from rising past 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats the temperature at which predatory smallmouth bass reproduce. A wave of them are thought to have passed through the dam and begun spawning in the river in 2022. (Utah stocked bass in the reservoir to create a sport fishery more than 40 years ago, but few are thought to have reached the river below until the lakes warm surface brought them closer to the power intakes.) Advertisement Advertisement Drawing water from deep in the reservoir to cool the river seems to have worked to prevent further spawning and keep bass from reaching a threatened humpback chub stronghold at the confluence with the Little Colorado River, biologists report. But it came at a cost: $26 million in low power production over two years. The cost is expected to rise dramatically this year as the drop in the reservoirs surface brings even more warm water through the hydropower turbines and into the river below. In fact, scientists reporting to the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program estimate that failing to flush some deeper water through the bypass tubes this summer could let the river rise to about 79 degrees. That would be the hottest the river around Lees Ferry has been since the dam started filling and spilling cooler water in the 1960s. It would not only risk an invasive bass explosion but would seriously stress a recreational rainbow trout fishery that has declined in recent years. It would also approach pre-dam temperatures of 85 degrees, said Larry Stevens, a Glen Canyon committee member representing the environmental organization Southwest Wildlands, formerly the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council. That would be good for humpback chubs in a perfect world, but with bass lurking it could devastate them. Were actually getting close to a natural condition that is extremely uncomfortable for everyone, Stevens said. Advertisement Advertisement James, of the energy distributors, argued that the Bureau of Reclamation should skip a year of bypass flows to gather data on whether it actually harms chub survival. The agency and its leadership at the Department of the Interior wont make a decision until later this spring. The official who chairs the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program said taking a year off of bypass flows to see what happens is unlikely. The cool mix of water from the bypass tubes is the only readily available way to thwart the bass invasion, Upper Colorado Basin Regional Director Wayne Pullan said. We cannot move ahead with hope as our strategy that, well, maybe we can take a year off of cool mix and well see what happens, because we havent studied that, Pullan said. I dont think thats in the offing. In 1961, rubber rafts were among the last river runners in Glen Canyon before the waters of Lake Powell began backing into Glen Canyon. Ranger John Riffey hangs at the edge of Glen Canyon as the Colorado River curves below him on July 14, 1962. Glen Canyon Bridge in February 1960. An overview of Glen Canyon Dam. Construction at Glen Canyon Dam. Glen Canyon Dam in October 1956. Glen Canyon Dam construction in October 1956. Glen Canyon Dam construction as seen from above in March 1958. Construction of the left bank diversion tunnel at Glen Canyon Dam in March 1958. Construction of the bridge over Glen Canyon Dam in August 1958. Construction workers at Glen Canyon Dam in October 1958. Construction at Glen Canyon Dam. Construction at Glen Canyon Dam in December 1958. The Colorado River Bridge at Glen Canyon Dam in January 1959. Glen Canyon Dam dedication. Arizona Gov. Paul Fannin at the Glen Canyon Dam dedication on Feb. 21, 1959. Construction equipment at Glen Canyon Dam in July 1959. The vehicle bridge across Glen Canyon was completed before Glen Canyon Dam began to rise from the canyon floor. This photo from 1959 shows the highway heading into Utah. A ceremonial first bucket of concrete is readied at the construction site of Glen Canyon Dam in this photo from June 1960. The first bucket of concrete is poured at Glen Canyon Dam on June 17, 1960. Glen Canyon Dam in August 1961. Glen Canyon Dam construction in March 1962. A sign marks the 3 millionth cubic yard of concrete poured at Glen Canyon Dam on May 15, 1962. Glen Canyon Dam as seen in May 1963. Glen Canyon Dam on July 1963. Glen Canyon Dam construction in August 1963. The last bucket of concrete was poured at Glen Canyon Dam on Sept. 13, 1963. Construction on Glen Canyon Dam nears an end in this photo from 1963. Lake Powell is visible behind the dam. Glen Canyon Dam in November 1963. A concrete batching plant at Glen Canyon Dam in May 1964. Glen Canyon Dam on November 1965. The finished Glen Canyon Dam. Photos from a 1967 report on Glen Canyon Dam's diversion tunnel outlets show what happens inside a hydraulic jump. Glen Canyon Dam. Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell in October 1971. Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell in November 1975. Glen Canyon Dam generators in November 1975. Glen Canyon Dam in November 1975. Glen Canyon Bridge as seen from the highway in November 1975. How an Arizona dam created a lake but drowned a canyon 1 of 39 In 1961, rubber rafts were among the last river runners in Glen Canyon before the waters of Lake Powell began backing into Glen Canyon. Getting drier: The Colorado River used to be predictable as a water supply. What happens when it's not? 'It's the water delivery problem' Although the primary job of Bureau of Reclamation is to operate dams to supply water and power, the Grand Canyon Protection Act requires it to balance those needs with environmental protection. So does the Endangered Species Act. Advertisement Advertisement To some environmental advocates who would prefer to see Lake Powell drawn down to reveal the buried wonders of Glen Canyon, the goals of preserving electrical production and preventing non-native invaders both seem futile in a warming and drying West. Theres probably smallmouth bass flying though those turbines right now because the water is so low, said Glen Canyon Institute Executive Director Eric Balken. His organization would prefer to park more water in Lake Mead than in Lake Powell as long as theres not enough to fill both. It also has championed the idea of engineering more bypass tubes, perhaps at the natural river level, to allow water to pass even if the reservoir sinks too low to flow out of either the hydropower turbines or the existing bypasses. The looming problem here isnt hydropower or even the smallmouth bass problem, because I think thats going to change, he said. Its the water delivery problem. Advertisement Advertisement If the government doesnt re-engineer the dam, he said, it could leave water stranded behind if further declines restrict releases. The push and pull between the dams competing resources places all the more importance of solving the regions water imbalance to prevent a collapse. The seven states that share the river have so far failed to reach an agreement on how to cut back among themselves to rebuild reservoir storage. That failure leaves the federal government to potentially impose its own rules, which could invite lawsuits states, tribes and water users. The existing river management guidelines expire this fall. The Bureau of Reclamation planned to close the public comment period on Monday, March 2, before crafting a final plan to save water. Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com. Advertisement Advertisement Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Low water levels at Glen Canyon Dam leave tough decisions President Donald Trump on Friday voiced frustration with Iran's stance in nuclear negotiations as US staff left Israel due to safety concerns -- but mediator Oman promoted what it said was a "breakthrough" to avert war. Trump has ordered the biggest military build-up in decades in the Middle East, with the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, approaching the coast of Israel, as he demands Iran agree to sweeping concessions on concerns starting with its nuclear program. A day after the United States and Iran held talks in Geneva, Trump said that the cleric-run state was "not willing to give us what we have to have." Advertisement Advertisement "We're not exactly happy with the way they negotiated. They cannot have nuclear weapons, and we're not thrilled with the way they're negotiating," Trump told reporters. He later said he wants Iran to have "no enrichment" at all of uranium that could go toward a nuclear bomb, which Iran denies it is pursuing. But Oman, which mediated the Geneva talks, offered a much rosier picture and said that Iran had agreed to zero stockpiling of any uranium, making moot the question of the level of enrichment. Iran also agreed to degrade current stockpiles into fuel, said Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, who was in Washington meeting US Vice President JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement "If the ultimate objective is to ensure forever that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, I think we have cracked that problem through these negotiations by agreeing a very important breakthrough that has never been achieved any time before," Albusaidi told CBS News program "Face the Nation." "If we can capture that and build on it, I think a deal is within our reach," he said, estimating that three months would be needed to finalize an accord. The renewed US pressure comes weeks after Iranian authorities killed thousands of people as they crushed mass protests. As Washington mobilizes forces, Trump said "nobody knows" if a US attack would bring down the Iranian government. Advertisement Advertisement Iran agreed to restrictions to low-level enrichment in a 2015 deal that Trump ripped up during his first term in office. Trump in June had said that Iran's key nuclear sites had been "obliterated" after the United States joined a major Israeli bombing campaign on the country. - Rubio heads to Israel - Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel for talks on Iran on Monday, the State Department said. In a rare break from decades of precedent, the top US diplomat will travel without reporters on his plane. Rubio's trip comes as the US embassy announced it was allowing non-emergency government personnel and family members to leave Israel "due to safety risks." Advertisement Advertisement Germany in a new advisory said it "urgently" discouraged travel to Israel. Britain and Canada said they were moving some diplomatic staff out of Tel Aviv, Israel's economic hub where most countries maintain embassies, as a precaution. China and Canada both called on their citizens to evacuate Iran, while Britain pulled its embassy staff in Tehran. - Issues beyond nuclear - Trump in his State of the Union address Tuesday alleged Iran was developing missiles that could strike the United States. Rubio later said it would be a "very big problem" for Iran if it does not discuss its missiles. Iran has insisted that the ongoing talks focus on the nuclear issue. Advertisement Advertisement Increasing pressure, Rubio on Friday designated Iran a state sponsor of wrongful detentions, a new blacklist, over jailings of US citizens. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that "success in this path requires seriousness and realism from the other side and avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands." The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed that it would hold technical discussions with Iran on Monday. The agency called on Iran to cooperate with it "constructively," according to a confidential report seen by AFP. In their capital Tehran, ordinary Iranians expressed distrust of the United States and hoped negotiations would lead to economic relief for their sanctions-hit nation. Advertisement Advertisement "Whatever the outcome of the negotiations...it should lead to some improvement in people's economic situation. Not just a little -- it is our right," Ali Bagheri, 34, told AFP. Hamid Beiranvand, 42, said Iran should "not give any concessions" as Washington "breaks promises" -- but that "everyone prefers that a war doesn't happen." burs-sct/nro/sla An explosion followed by successive gunfire were heard in central Kabul on Sunday, AFP journalists reported, with the Taliban government saying Afghan forces were shooting at a fresh incursion by Pakistani aircraft. Months of cross-border clashes have flared since Thursday when Afghanistan launched an offensive along the frontier, with Pakistani forces hitting back on the border and from the skies. "Anti-aircraft fire is being directed at Pakistani aircraft in Kabul," Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Sunday, referring to guns being fired overhead. Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan acknowledged bombing key cities on Friday including Kabul and Kandahar, which is home to Afghanistan's supreme leader. The Afghan authorities have accused Pakistan of killing civilians in multiple attacks, which Islamabad has not commented on. In rural southern Kandahar, construction workers said they were hit Sunday by two air strikes, which the manager of the site said killed three people. "Everything went dark before our eyes," said 20-year-old Enamullah, who only gave one name. "I came from Kabul just to earn a piece of bread." Afghan officials said Thursday's border offensive was a response to earlier air strikes that killed civilians, which Pakistan said targeted militants. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to those killed in Kandahar, the Afghan government's deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said Pakistani fire has killed 30 civilians across eastern Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces since Thursday. Casualty claims from both sides are difficult to verify independently. - 'Everyone just got out' - On the road between the Afghan capital Kabul and the border, an AFP journalist in Jalalabad heard a jet and two explosions on Saturday. Afghan security forces said they had downed a Pakistani fighter jet and captured its pilot, which Islamabad denied as "totally untrue". On Saturday, residents in Paktika told AFP exchanges of fire were ongoing, while in Khost some people had fled their homes near the frontier. Advertisement Advertisement "The bombardments started, children, women, everyone just got out," said Mohammad Rasool, 63, who had reached another district. "Some didn't have shoes, some weren't veiled," he told AFP. Diplomatic efforts have failed to secure a truce, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar engaged in efforts to halt the fighting. China said it was "working with" both countries and called for calm. The United States backed "Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks", Allison Hooker, the under secretary of state for political affairs, wrote on X after talks with her Pakistani counterpart. Advertisement Advertisement Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government rejects. Many attacks have been claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has stepped up assaults in Pakistan since 2021, the year the Taliban authorities returned to power in Kabul. This week's escalation marked the first time that Pakistan has focused its air strikes on Afghan government facilities, analysts noted, a stark change from previous operations that it said targeted militants. Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister, told AFP that gunmen he said were associated with the Pakistani Taliban had attacked a checkpoint in the northwest. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for that attack. Advertisement Advertisement "Pakistan's immediate and effective response to aggression continues," Zaidi said Friday, giving a figure of nearly 300 Afghan soldiers and militants killed. - 'Open war' - Pakistan's information minister said on Saturday that 37 locations across Afghanistan had been hit by air strikes since its operation began. Islamabad said earlier 12 of its soldiers had been killed. Fitrat, Afghanistan's deputy spokesman, said more than 80 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 military posts captured. The Afghan government earlier put the death toll among its troops at 13. The defence ministry in Kabul has also said it carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory over the past two days, which observers said could have been drones. Advertisement Advertisement Islamabad declared "open war" on Friday against the Taliban authorities, while the Afghan government called for "dialogue" to resolve the conflict. This month's violence is the worst since October fighting killed more than 70 people on both sides, with land borders between the neighbours largely shut since. Several rounds of negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan last year followed a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey. Saudi Arabia intervened this month after repeated breaches of the initial truce, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October. burs-pbt/rsc/hmn No American servicemembers were killed or wounded in a wave of attacks Iran launched at U.S. bases across the Middle East in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli missile strikes on the country on Feb. 28, the U.S. military announced hours later. The military "successfully defended" against hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones, and there were "no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries," U.S. Central Command said in a Feb. 28 statement posted to X. "Damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations," the statement said. More: on drones Are gamers the best drone fliers? The U.S. Army held a competition to find out Advertisement Advertisement There are between 30,000 and 40,000 U.S. troops in the region on any given day, Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Central Command, previously told USA TODAY. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video. A graffiti on a wall reads" Down with the U.S.A", after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran. A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and phone alerts warned of an "extremely serious" threat. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026. Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran 1 of 16 Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. A service center for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which is headquartered in Bahrain, was attacked with missiles, according to the country's communication center. Video verified by multiple news outlets showed the moment a missile struck near the naval base, leaving a billowing cloud of smoke. The United States attacked Iran roughly an hour after midnight on Feb. 28, hitting targets to "dismantle the Iranian regimes security apparatus," including the command and control facilities for its Revolutionary Guard Corps, "air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields," according to the statement. President Donald Trump has for months threatened to attack Iran a second time, ordering the largest buildup of U.S. troops and military assets in the region since the Iraq War began more than a decade ago. The U.S. military previously dropped penetrating bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of the U.S. attack, Iran launched attacks at U.S. allies where American troops are stationed across the region, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Videos posted to social media and media outlets showed missiles smashing into urban areas and high0rise buildings. Video showed smoke rise near a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain after an Iranian missile struck on Feb. 28. Videos on X also showed a missile taken down over Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command. Qatar's Defense Ministry said missiles fired at the base were intercepted. Three members of Kuwait's armed forces suffered minor injuries from falling shrapnel after Ali Al-Salem Air Base, which hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, came under attack, according to the country's defense ministry. Erbil, a city in Iraq that is home to a U.S. air base, was also hit by missiles, the Iraqi government said in a statement. Witnesses in Al Dhafra, the site of a U.S. air base south of the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi, also heard explosions, Reuters reported. A person holds a sign during a Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday. Demonstrators hold Iranian flags, during an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. People gather in Times Square as the nation reacts to "major combat operations" in Iran on February 28, 2026 in New York City. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched strikes on Iran targeting political and military leaders, as well as Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Demonstrators take part in an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. People hold signs as they take part in a "March 4 Democracy" protest in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched what the latter called a "decisive and unprecedented" campaign against Iran, which retaliated with a barrage of missiles that sent residents running for cover on Saturday in cities across the Middle East. People attend the Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday. People attend the Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. Protestors were out on East Market Street in Springettsbury Township, Pa., the morning after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. Protestors were out on East Market Street in Springettsbury Township, Pa., the morning after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. People gather in Times Square as the nation reacts to "major combat operations" in Iran on February 28, 2026 in New York City. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched strikes on Iran targeting political and military leaders, as well as Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Demonstrators take part in an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, outside the White House, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. Demonstrators take part in an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. Americans protest 'massive' strikes in Iran amid US-Israeli attack 1 of 12 A person holds a sign during a Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday. Jordan, the home of Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base, which hosts the Air Force's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, also intercepted missiles, according to news reports. Advertisement Advertisement The same could not be said in Iran. According to state media, more than 200 people were killed and more than 700 injured across Iran in the attack, including 40 at a girls' school in the country's south. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What US bases did Iran target? Were any Americans killed? Iranian strikes on US military bases have exposed Americas vulnerabilities in the region, military analysts have warned. Following the strikes against Iran in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Islamic Republic responded by firing waves of ballistic missiles targeting American bases in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, and striking the US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Footage of the strike on Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain showed a large explosion with debris and a black cloud of smoke billowing into the air along the island states coastline. Credit: X/@Osinttechnical Advertisement Advertisement Following the attack, the US militarys Central Command confirmed forces had suffered no combat casualties as a result of Irans retaliation. Damage to US installations was minimal and has not impacted operations, a Central Command spokesman added. The sizeable retaliation is likely to raise questions about the resilience of US defences at the naval base and its ability to protect its allies in the Middle East. Inside the military, theres going to be a lot of head scratching and finger pointing and trying to figure out what happened, said Mark Cancian, a defence analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Advertisement Advertisement According to Mr Cancian, the explosion appeared to have been caused by an Iranian Shahed drone, which should not be able to get through the air defences because of the slow 115mph speed at which the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) travel. Its exposed something, he said. It could be a systemic vulnerability, or it could be that someone just screwed up. Given the strike did not appear to contain swarms of drones, in what is known as a saturation attack, and the length of time the US military had to prepare for Saturday mornings strikes, he said the bases should have robust air defence systems in place, including both long-range and short-range systems. Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said the successful Iranian counter-strike was a little bit embarrassing and is likely to be used for Iranian propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Some experts believe the Bahraini base may have been sacrificed by US military chiefs as they withdrew destroyers and missile defence ships from the Gulf state for their own protection and prioritised higher-value installations. There are not a lot of missile defences in Bahrain, said Bryan Clark, a military analyst for the Hudson Institute. [The US] moved them out because of the risk of getting attacked themselves. Thats part of the reason for Bahrain maybe being hit. Satellite images appeared to show that the US Navy withdrew all of its vessels from NSA Bahrain two days before launching what Donald Trump called a major combat operation. Ships are visible at the dock in satellite images of the 5th Fleet HQ taken on Feb 21 - Planet Labs PBC/AP Three days later, on Feb 24, the dock, in Manama, Bahrain, is empty - Planet Labs PBC/AP Mr Clark said it is likely that the bases estimated 9,000 personnel had been largely evacuated in anticipation of the strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Im not surprised that Bahrain would be the target that might have been hit because it has the least robust military defences, he said. Whereas other bases in the region, such as Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, are vital for launching aircraft and are therefore more heavily defended, he said that NSA Bahrain is a command and control base and is not essential to the US military campaign. Following US strikes on three nuclear facilities in June 2025, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the Al-Udeid base, setting off explosions in the nations capital, Doha. All missiles were intercepted, and the attack resulted in no casualties. Besides hitting the US military installation, Tehran struck civilian targets in the region, including Kuwaits international airport, where several employees were wounded, and the United Arab Emirates, where a civilian was killed by shrapnel. Advertisement Advertisement Explosions have also been reported in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital. Iran has justified the strikes by claiming that all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile forces in the region shall be regarded as legitimate military objectives within the framework of Irans lawful exercise of self-defence. This is in part why some of those countries in the region didnt want US overflight or US operations from their bases, said Mr Clark. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE had, in recent weeks, blocked the US from using their airspace for carrying out bombing raids against Tehran. Mr Clark added: They didnt want this attack to start in the region and cause instability, leading to these counter attacks against their countries. Advertisement Advertisement A former Trump adviser said: By having a base in a vulnerable region like that, there are always going to be risks. The difference is here is that this a much much bigger strike than anything previously. To that end, its a much bigger threshold of risk. It is not the first time in recent years that US military installations in the region have come under attack. In 2024, three US soldiers were killed in Jordan in a drone attack linked to the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah. In January 2020, during Mr Trumps first term, Iran launched missile strikes against the USs Al-Asad air base in western Iraq, causing more than 100 troops to suffer traumatic brain injuries. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Donald Trump has called for regime change in Iran after the US launched major combat operations against the Islamic Republic. The US president said American forces were undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, he added in his address from his Mar-a-Lago resort. Smoke billows in Tehran following a US missile strike - AP Trumps remarks came as enormous explosions rocked the capital, Tehran, with the first strike appearing to target the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader. Advertisement Advertisement The military operation is expected to last several days and follows the US massing its largest military build-up in the Middle East since the Iraq war in 2003. The objective, Trump said, is clear the overthrow of the theocracy that has ruled there since 1979. Addressing the people of Iran, he said: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. But how might Trump achieve his goal? Ever since the disaster of Iraq more than two decades ago, regime change has been shorthand for folly and hubris. To avert a repetition of that nightmare, the Americans will have to make certain not only of military success, but a smooth transition of power and the approval of the Iranian public. Militarily, the US has almost total dominance over the Islamic Republic. With two aircraft carriers and accompanying warships and submarines, hundreds of combat jets, heavy bombers, refuelling and command-and-control aircraft, it has assembled an extraordinary concentration of military power. Advertisement Advertisement They are up against Iranian air defences so atrophied that they failed to down a single Israeli jet during the 12-day war last summer. And American military planners will enjoy the benefits of near-total Israeli intelligence penetration of the regime. I dont think its a match. There is no Iranian air force and no Iranian air defence that can really disrupt what theyre trying to do, says Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies. The key question, however, is whether the US can stop Iran from retaliating in a way that could force Trump to order a halt to the operation. (Within hours of the US assault, the Islamic Republic began launching waves of ballistic missiles at Israel in response.) That means hitting four targets. First, the Iranian leadership itself, which would mean killing as many top commanders and political decision-makers as possible to disrupt regime stability and military command and control. This requires mapping dozens, possibly hundreds, of individuals who can be expected to take extreme measures to conceal their locations. Finding them, and waiting for an opportunity to hit them, may take days, possibly weeks. Then there are the strategic stockpiles of long- and medium-range missiles, which the Iranians can be relied on to fire as fast as possible if they fear the regime is under threat. Last summer, the Israelis enjoyed success by hunting and destroying launch vehicles, but were not able to stop retaliatory salvos entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Third, there is the Iranian navy, which would try not only to block the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds busiest oil shipping channel, but strike at the US fleet off the coast. Its Khalij Fars anti-ship missile, previously used by Yemens Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, is a formidable threat. And sinking an American aircraft carrier would be exactly the kind of military and political shock that could knock the US out of the war. Lastly, says Citrinowicz, the Americans would have to hit everything related to the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] the Islamic Republics most capable military force in order to defang the regimes external defences and internal system of repression. In a military sense, there is nothing on this long and complicated list of tasks that the US military cannot in theory, at least achieve. But that may not be sufficient. Effecting regime change from the air is notoriously difficult. Removing Saddam Hussein from power required putting large numbers of American boots on the ground in Iraq, and that did not end well. Iran is a country of 90 million people, able to call on some 600,000 troops, and is three times the size of France making it an infinitely harder proposition than Iraq. Military analysts have previously estimated that a full-scale invasion would require more than a million US troops potentially even the entirety of the American armed forces to guarantee success. Advertisement Advertisement But experience shows force alone cannot be relied upon to deliver a successful transfer of power. In the 12-day war we surprised them. We were very active, but Iran still launched missiles until the last day of the war, says Citrinowicz. Operation Rising Lion also saw Israeli forces strike at instruments of internal repression, such as bases belonging to the IRGCs paramilitary Basij militia and Tehrans infamous Evin Prison, long used to detain political prisoners, in an apparent attempt to trigger regime collapse. It didnt work. All that actually showed you two things: one, it is very hard to undermine this regime, and two, assuming we undermine the regime, who will take over? Theres no opposition there. So you push them to what, to an abyss? It would be mayhem, says Citrinowicz. Women in Tehran march with a sign depicting Donald Trump with bloodied hands - AFP via Getty Images That brings us to the next ingredient for a successful regime change. Once the old regime is gone, who and what will replace it? And how might the US avoid initiating a civil war like those that consumed Iraq, Syria and Libya following uprisings and interventions? If Citronowicz is right about the state of the Iranian opposition (and he is far from alone in his pessimism the regime has systematically crushed organised resistance in the past), perhaps the least worst option would be a change of leadership, dressed up as regime change, rather than a dismantling of all of the power structures that currently rule the Islamic Republic. The US has such a play book to call on, having orchestrated the removal of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro at the beginning of this year. Advertisement Advertisement And if what Trump seeks above all is a deal with Iran to end its nuclear programme and limit its missile arsenal, rather than spread democracy, a symbolic change at the top may be enough. If you watch Iran very closely, the biggest hurdle right now is supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hes set in his ways, hes unwilling to compromise [with the US], says Holly Dagres, the Iranian-American author of The Iranist, a newsletter on Iranian current affairs. So I think that there are probably conversations where the possibility of taking out the supreme leader is an option Theres a common assumption that some IRGC type would rise from the ashes and take the helm of the country. Plenty of names are being bandied around. Theres Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, a veteran IRGC officer and the current speaker of Irans parliament. Mojtaber Khamanei, the current supreme leaders son, is favoured by factions within the IRGC. Ali Asghar Hejazi, Khameneis deputy chief of staff and a former intelligence chief, is perfectly poised to take the reins of power on his bosss death. Advertisement Advertisement But none of those has shown the slightest disloyalty to Khamenei, or have a constitutionally legitimate claim to power. And, most importantly, none of them has a popular mandate. In fact, they represent the same system so many Iranians are begging Trump to destroy setting the scene for chaos were one of them to be installed as part of a US takedown of the Ayatollah. And Trump himself, at least pubically, has suggested the US will pursue a complete dismantling of the Islamic Republic, which indicates the White House view none of them as a suitable replacement for Khamenei either. Citrinowicz is right that there are few obvious candidates to lead such a change. But Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince, has over the past few months moved to position himself as a national leader in waiting, calling on Iranians to mount a revolution and saying he is prepared to return to preside over a national transition to democracy. Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah of Iran, has said he is prepared to return to preside over a national transition to democracy - Clara Molden for The Daily Telegraph There is an obvious, and ironic, comparison to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis role in the revolution that overthrew Pahlavis father. Like Khomeini, Pahlavi has built a political machine in exile. Many Iranians who took to the streets in recent anti-government protests chanted his name and adopted the old monarchist flag bearing the lion as a symbol of resistance. Advertisement Advertisement But there is another comparison that troubles Trump and his closest advisers. Pahlavi could, they fear, prove to be another Ahmed Chalabi, who was lionised in Washington as a possible successor to Saddam Hussein, only to be rejected by the Iraqi people after the 2003 invasion. He seems very nice, Trump said of Pahlavi last month. But I dont know how hed play within his own country. I dont know whether or not his country would accept his leadership. Pahlavis political judgment has also been questioned. The massive response to his call for Iranians to take to the streets last month triggered the massacre in which tens of thousands of people may have been killed. Some Iranians have blamed Pahlavi for risking other peoples lives from abroad. Others have a more favourable view of the king across the water. Maryam Mazrooei, an exiled Iranian journalist and photographer who reported from wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, argues that the unifying appeal of a monarch sets Iran apart from those countries. It could, she suggests, stop a regime-change operation going wrong. Advertisement Advertisement I am not a monarchist. In my generation, people are sceptical of Pahlavi, but they say we have no choice. We have to change this regime and we want stability. [And] the Iranians that I talk to say he has given people hope, she says. The question of Pahlavis popularity is linked to the third and most important pillar of any US attempt at regime change: the Iranian people themselves. It is they who will pay the price if an operation to end the autocracy plunges the country into a civil war, after all. Will the US operation encourage the Iranian public to rise up in revolution, this time decisively? Or might they rally to the flag to defend their nation, as they have for thousands of years? Could they bear the betrayal of a Venezuela option that leaves an IRGC strongman in place? And how many of them see their own futures as being tied to the survival of the regime? This is the biggest unknown for American policy makers. There are no reliable opinion polls to tell them who would welcome what. Bitter experiences in places like Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan have convinced many American politicians notably JD Vance, the vice president that no one likes being invaded, and that taking down dictators can unleash destructive forces outsiders simply do not understand. American vice president JD Vance has spoken out against US-led regime change in Iran - Saul Loeb/AFP That is one reason successive presidents had resisted pressure from parts of the American Right and Israeli leaders to bring down the Ayatollah by force. Even if American bombers kick the door in, the conventional wisdom goes, it must be the Iranian people themselves who storm through and effect regime change themselves. Advertisement Advertisement The flip side is that American generals cannot plan a war on the assumption that the Iranian public will risk being subjected to another massacre. Nor is there any guarantee that another uprising would succeed, rather than being crushed as brutally as Januarys. However, many Iranians clearly feel the Islamic Republics time is nigh. I was talking to a 23-year-old man about whats happening the other day, says Mazrooei. He still has the pellet wounds on his back after being shot in January, and he told me something that was completely shocking. He said its not about going back 50 years to the monarchy; it is about going back 1,400 years to [before] the battle of Qadissiyah [which marked the first Islamic conquest of Iran]. They want regime change. They want their identity back. That kind of soaring rhetoric from ordinary people captures the depth of public revulsion at the Islamic Republic, says Dagres. Many are turning to Persian history to express it. Every Iranian also knows the story of Zahak, a demon king who fed the brains of young people to two snakes growing out of his shoulders. The public, the story goes, put up with this for a thousand years until one ordinary citizen, a blacksmith called Kaveh, snapped when the kings guards came for his last son. The subsequent revolution is one of Irans founding myths, and the comparison of Khamenei to Zahak has become a popular meme (a recent variant says such comparisons are unfair to Zahak, on the grounds he probably killed fewer people than the Islamic Republic has). Thats where we are at, says Dagres The massacre [in January] was them coming for Kavehs last kid, and I dont think the people are going to stand for it. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. US forces are actively engaged in air defense operations in the Middle East, an official said. The operations involve American air, land, and sea forces. It comes as Iran has launched retaliatory missiles following US and Israeli strikes. American forces are actively engaged in air defense operations in the Middle East, a US official told Business Insider, as Iran launches retaliatory missile strikes at countries across the region. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the military developments, said that US land, air, and naval forces are participating in the air defense operations, including for American bases in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said that the IRGC, or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, launched missiles at US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. All four countries host major US military installations. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest in the Middle East, while Naval Support Activity Bahrain is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. Kuwait and the UAE also host important bases for ground and air forces. Qatar's defense ministry said it shot down Iranian missiles targeting the country in multiple waves. Bahrain's state news agency said that 5th Fleet was attacked. Rocket shrapnel killed at least one person in the UAE, the country said, adding that it intercepted several incoming munitions. The Israeli military said it detected multiple waves of missiles fired from Iran, with air defense systems working to intercept them. Iran carried out retaliatory strikes against US military sites in Bahrain. Stringer/REUTERS The US embassies in several Middle East countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, issued warnings earlier that missile strikes were imminent, warning American citizens to shelter in place. Advertisement Advertisement The US has surged military forces into the region in recent weeks, assembling a substantial presence capable of conducting air defense operations. More than a dozen US warships, including two aircraft carriers, are operating in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. American fighter jets and air defense batteries are also operating in the region. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran aimed at degrading the country's nuclear and military capabilities. His video statement came shortly after the Israeli government announced that it had carried out a "preemptive" strike against the country. US ground, air, and naval forces were involved in the strikes, along with Israeli F-35 stealth fighters and F-15 jets. The UK, which has military assets in the Middle East, was not involved in the offensive operations. Advertisement Advertisement The new attacks mark the second time in less than a year that the US has taken direct military action against Iran. In June 2025, American forces bombed Tehran's nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. The US has provided air defense for Israel in previous clashes with Iran, including during the June conflict. Read the original article on Business Insider Washingtons Gulf Arab partners are bracing themselves for a fraught period ahead as the U.S. and Israel press on with a major operation in Iran one they had lobbied against. With Iran retaliating and taking aim at targets in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and elsewhere where the U.S. has military assets, these countries are considering their options and whether there is any way to avoid a regional war. Trump administration officials signaled to some U.S. allies in the Gulf ahead of time that the attacks were coming and have been in frequent contact with Gulf Arab officials in the hours since, according to two officials from Arab countries in the region. Those officials declined to provide details of the conversations other than to say they had been briefed on the operations. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Saturday in a post on X. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for additional details. This is a delicate moment for Irans neighbors, many of which count on the U.S. for defense backing and are still hoping to have some influence over how the U.S.-Israel military campaign goes forward but now also need to focus on protecting their own airspaces and critical infrastructure. Its clear the Trump administration disregarded pleas from allies in the region in launching the attack on Iran. At least half a dozen Middle Eastern officials, including two foreign ministers, descended to Washington in the past month to caution against strikes, including from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman. These countries fears of a new level of instability in the region are already being realized. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE is now coordinating on how to respond. Advertisement Advertisement The days ahead will be tricky, a senior diplomat from a Gulf country said. Iran grossly miscalculated by attacking the GCC, using the abbreviation for the grouping. The person declined to say what actions were being discussed. The diplomat, like others, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations. The GCC and each of the targeted countries issued statements condemning the Iranian attacks and have vowed to defend themselves. The leaders of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who have been at odds for months over the civil war in Sudan and other tensions, spoke over the phone Saturday in a sign of how Irans response has jolted the region. Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi who has been mediating nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran said Saturday he was dismayed by the joint operation, launched just hours after he met with Vice President JD Vance in a last-ditch effort to head off the military strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this, Albusaidi said on X. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war. Its unlikely U.S.-Iran technical talks scheduled to take place next week in Vienna will proceed. Turkey, the European Union and others have called for regional diplomacy to de-escalate tensions. Turkey, a NATO member which maintains relations with both governments and shares a border with Iran, lamented the U.S.-Israel attacks and Irans retaliation, saying in a statement: We call on all parties to cease the attacks immediately. Now facing escalating attacks from the Iranians, Gulf states have a series of difficult options. Advertisement Advertisement The GCC is in the peculiar position of becoming a primary target when it had been pushing for de-escalation and diplomacy all along, said Firas Maksad, managing director for Middle East and North Africa at the Eurasia Group. He said Iran hopes its targeting of Gulf states will pressure Washington to stop the attacks, though he said such an approach is unlikely to succeed. A more likely outcome is a collective decision by GCC states to either allow the U.S. greater operational freedom to target Iran from their territories or even to respond themselves, he said. The escalation scenario favors the U.S., he said. Should Iran target Gulf energy infrastructure, that would trigger even more of a response from the U.S. and its Arab allies. Advertisement Advertisement Elisa Ewers, a former U.S. official who has worked for decades on the Middle East, said these countries have no choice but to place significant faith in the Trump administration, especially now that Iran has upped the cost and targeted them so directly. They must hope air defenses hold for as long as needed and this conflict isnt prolonged with serious economic impacts, said Ewers, who is now at the Council on Foreign Relations. The United States and Israel on Saturday launched an air attack on Iran, aimed at destroying its nuclear program, wiping out its military and overthrowing its government. U.S. Central Command said on X targets included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields. As the President stated, our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. The President ordered bold action. CENTCOM forces are delivering an overwhelming and unrelenting blow. pic.twitter.com/B0k5gV4YnU - U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026 Strikes began around 1:15 a.m. ET. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump announced the assault by posting a video on Truth Social shortly after 3 a.m. Eastern. "A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran," Trump, wearing a white "USA" cap and standing behind a lectern, said. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world." President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ - The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 Large explosions were reported in Tehran, Iran's capital, including in the neighborhood of the presidential palace, according to The New York Times. Iran launched retaliatory strikes against at least four U.S. military bases in the Mideast, including those in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. It also fired waves of ballistic missiles at Israel. It was not immediately clear whether air defenses had intercepted the Iranian missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Through its state media, Iran's government vowed "crushing retaliation" against its attackers and said it would not "surrender to their despicable demands." The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that 85 students were killed in a strike on an elementary school in southern Iran. Straight Arrow News was not able to independently verify this number. "This brutal measure marks another black page in the countless record of crimes by aggressors against this land which will not be erased from the memory of our nation," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday. CENTCOM said there have been no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries. Attacks follow diplomacy The attacks followed weeks of diplomacy over the future of Iran's nuclear program. Iran says it is enriching uranium only for peaceful purposes, but the United States and Israel have accused the country of attempting to build nuclear weapons that could threaten other countries in the Mideast and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Even as diplomatic efforts continued, the U.S. amassed its largest collection of naval and air power in the region since the second Gulf War. Trump had threatened to launch attacks if Iran did not agree to end its nuclear program and rid itself of ballistic missiles, although Vice President JD Vance said this week there was "no chance" the U.S. would end up in a lengthy war with Iran. In his video message, Trump said the United States had attempted to reach an agreement with Iran, but "they just wanted to practice evil." Trump makes case for war on social media In his eight-minute video, Trump attempted to make the case that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States and its allies - a case he had not publicly presented in the run-up to the attacks. He said Iranians have chanted "death to America" for the 47 years since the 1979 revolution that created the Islamic republic, while waging "an unending campaign" that targeted the United States. Advertisement Advertisement He cited the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by protesters in 1979; blamed Iran for a 1983 bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 241 Marines and other military personnel; and claimed that Iran was "probably involved" in an attack on the USS Cole in 2000 that killed 17 U.S. sailors and wounded about 40 others. He also said Iran was responsible for the deaths of American military personnel in Iraq. Claiming the Iranians have "soaked the earth with blood and guts," Trump said: "It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer." Trump said Iran was attempting to develop long-range missiles that would threaten U.S. allies in Europe "and could soon reach the American homeland." Military analysts have disputed that claim. Airstrikes will attempt to wipe out all Iranian missiles and "annihilate" the Iranian navy while also focusing on the nuclear program, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement "It's a very simple message: They will never have a nuclear weapon," he said. Face certain death' Trump called on members of the Iranian military to surrender. Otherwise, he said, they "face certain death." He also acknowledged that the U.S. military is likely to experience casualties. "That often happens in war," he said. "We're doing this not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission." He warned Iranian civilians to remain in their homes, but said they should later rise up and install new leaders. "The hour of freedom is at hand," he said. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance in generations." No congressional approval Trump ordered the attack without seeking congressional approval or notifying key lawmakers, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. Warner said Trump needs to clearly articulate his objectives, strategies to prevent escalation and the actual threats against American interests. Advertisement Advertisement "By the president's own words, 'American heroes may be lost!" Warner said. "That alone should have demanded the highest level of scrutiny, deliberation, and accountability, yet the president moved forward without seeking congressional authorization. The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations - particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States - raises serious legal and constitutional concerns." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that Secretary of State Marco Rubio called members of the Gang of Eight, and was able to reach and brief seven of them on the strikes. The Gang of Eight refers to eight members of Congress: four members - the chair and ranking member of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Select Committees on Intelligence, and the four leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, supported the attack. Advertisement Advertisement "Today, our commander-in-chief took decisive action against the threat posed by the world's leading proliferator of terrorism, the Iranian regime," Wicker said. "This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests." U.S. allies also backed the attack. "Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his foreign minister, Anita Anand, said in a joint statement. Others condemned the strikes, including Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who said that "active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined." Advertisement Advertisement "Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer," he said on X. "I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war." Related Links The United States and Israel have launched strikes on Iran despite ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran over Irans nuclear programme. Iran responded to Saturdays attacks with missile and air strikes across the region, including in Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Israeli officials said their strikes targeted Irans military and nuclear-related infrastructure, while airspace across Israel was closed and emergency measures imposed. Several other countries in the region also announced the closure of their airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Washington has begun a major combat operation in Iran, aimed at eliminating threats from the Iranian regime. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces, he said. The strikes came just two days after high-stakes USIran nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, ended without a breakthrough. The US-Israel attack marks the most serious escalation since the brief but intense June 2025 war. Here is a timeline of the events, including attacks and diplomatic overtures leading up to Saturdays strikes by the US and Israel, and Irans fierce response. Advertisement Advertisement June 13, 2025 Israel launches major air strikes against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, amid ongoing talks between the US and Tehran. Iran responds within hours with large-scale missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities. June 22 The US strikes Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, with Trump claiming the attacks degraded Tehrans nuclear programme. Iranian officials said their programme was set back but not destroyed. June 23 In retaliation, Iran fires missiles towards Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, housing US soldiers. The missiles are intercepted, and no casualties are reported. June 24 After 12 days of fighting, a US-brokered ceasefire takes effect between Iran and Israel, ending all hostilities. Iran says at least 610 of its citizens were killed in the war, while Israel claimed 28 were killed on its side. Advertisement Advertisement July 2 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signs legislation halting cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), barring its inspectors from accessing Irans nuclear facilities unless specifically authorised by the countrys Supreme National Security Council. INTERACTIVE - IRAN timeline - FEB28, 2026-1772271216 July 22 Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, says Tehran will not give up its uranium enrichment programme, despite a temporary halt due to serious and severe damages. August 12 Iranian police arrest as many as 21,000 people related to the 12-day war with Israel, according to state media. August 22 Iran agrees to resume nuclear talks later in the month with the United Kingdom, France and Germany, despite the threat of revived sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement August 28 The three European countries trigger a mechanism reinstating the United Nations sanctions on the Islamic republic for the first time in a decade. November 1 Oman urges both the US and Iran to go back to the negotiating table as Iran reiterates it will not stop enriching uranium. November 7 Trump says Iran has requested that Washington remove its crippling sanctions on Tehran, and that he is willing to talk about the issue. December 28 Protests break out in major cities, including Tehran, over soaring prices after the rial plunges against the US dollar. January 8, 2026 The internet is shut down across Iran following the outbreak of antigovernment protests, which have now spread beyond cities. The blackout lasts for more than two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement January 13 Trump tells Iranians to keep protesting , claiming that help is on the way, and that the US may be preparing for military intervention against Tehran. The US begins to bolster its military presence off Iran. February 6 Iran and the US begin indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, with the aim of reaching a deal to curb Tehrans nuclear programme. February 17 High-level USIran nuclear talks resume in Geneva, again with Omani mediation. (Al Jazeera) February 22 Oman confirms another round of discussions in Geneva, describing a positive push but admits that significant differences remain. Advertisement Advertisement February 26 A third round of nuclear talks concludes in Geneva, with mediator Oman saying significant progress was made and more discussions would be held the following week in Vienna. February 27 Omans foreign minister says Iran has agreed to degrade its current stockpiles of nuclear material to the lowest level possible effectively to unrefined levels. US President Donald Trump says he prefers diplomacy but warns that all options remain available if diplomacy fails. February 28 Israel launches coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, including sites in and around Tehran. Iran retaliates by launching air and missile strikes across the region, including Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. The U.S. and Israel pounded targets across Iran on Sunday, dropping massive bombs on the countrys ballistic missile sites and wiping out warships as part of an intensifying military campaign following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Blasts rattled windows across the country and sent plumes of smoke high into the sky above Tehran. More than 200 people have been killed since the start of the strikes that killed Khamenei and other senior leaders, Iranian leaders have said. Iran vowed revenge, firing missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states in a counteroffensive that the U.S. military said resulted in the deaths of three service members the first known American casualties from the conflict. Israeli rescue services said strikes had hit several locations, including Jerusalem and a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh, where nine people were killed and 28 wounded, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 11. Eleven people were still missing after the strike, police said. Advertisement Advertisement But the attacks on Iran showed no signs of relenting as the U.S. and Israel took aim at key military, political and intelligence targets in what appeared to be a widening war that carried the potential for a prolonged conflict that could envelop the Middle East and destabilize it. The strikes represented a startling show of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and pledged to keep out of forever wars. Trump vows vengeance for US deaths U.S. President Donald Trump said in a video posted to social media that the U.S. would avenge the deaths of the service members and that there will likely be more killed before the conflict ends. "Earlier today, CENTCOM shared the news that three U.S. military service members have been killed in action. As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation... We send our immense love & eternal gratitude to the https://t.co/AhuV4v3LGo The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 1, 2026 Israel, which had pledged nonstop strikes, said it was increasing its attacks, with 100 fighter jets simultaneously striking targets in Tehran, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters at a briefing. The targets included buildings belonging to Irans air force, its missile command and its internal security force, which violently quashed anti-government protests in January. The U.S. military, meanwhile, said B-2 stealth bombers struck Irans ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. Trump said on social media that nine Iranian warships had been sunk and that the Iranian navys headquarters had been largely destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Europe has mostly stayed out of the war and pressed for diplomacy, but in an indication that the conflict could draw in other nations, Britain, France and Germany said Sunday they were ready to work with the U.S. to help stop Irans attacks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would allow the United States to use its bases to strike Iranian missile sites. The U.K. maintains nearby bases on Cyprus and the Chagos Islands, a British archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The weekend attacks were the second time in eight months that the U.S. and Israel had combined against Iran. In the 12-day war last June, Israeli and American strikes greatly weakened Irans air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. But the killing of Khamenei, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, creates a leadership vacuum, increasing the risk of regional instability. Trump, who a day earlier had encouraged Iranians to take over their government, signaled Sunday that he was open to dialogue with Irans new leadership. Advertisement Advertisement They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them, he told The Atlantic. Iranian strikes extend beyond US and Israel In the Gulf, Irans retaliatory strikes went beyond U.S. and Israeli targets, pushing the conflict into cities that have long marketed themselves as regional safe havens. The foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain said Sunday that their countries retain the legal right to respond and the right to self-defense after Iranian strikes hit hotels, airports and other sites in multiple cities throughout the Gulf. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities said most Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted. But some either got through or fell as debris, killing three people, injuring others and causing significant damage. Advertisement Advertisement Bahrain and Kuwait said Iranian strikes in both countries hit civilian targets. Israel fires on Lebanese capital In other developments, Israel launched strikes on Lebanons capital, Beirut, after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired missiles across the border early Monday. It was the first time in more than a year that Hezbollah has claimed a strike against Israel. The Israeli military said it intercepted a projectile that crossed the border and that several others fell in open areas. No injuries or damage were reported. Hezbollah said in a statement that the strikes were carried out in retaliation for the killing of Khamenei and for repeated Israeli aggressions. Advertisement Advertisement Associated Press journalists in Beirut were jolted awake by a series of loud explosions that shook buildings and caused windows to shatter. Warplanes could be heard flying low overhead. Lebanese government officials had urged Hezbollah not to enter the fray in support of Iran, fearing another war. The country has not recovered from the last Israel-Hezbollah war, which nominally ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November 2024. Since then, Israel has continued to launch near-daily strikes in Lebanon aimed at stopping Hezbollah from regrouping. The Israeli military urged people in nearly 50 villages in Lebanon to evacuate ahead of possible retaliatory strikes. Streets of Tehran are largely deserted In Tehran, there was little sign that Iranians had heeded Trumps call for an uprising against the government. Advertisement Advertisement The streets were largely deserted as people sheltered during airstrikes, witnesses told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution. The paramilitary Basij, which has played a central role in crushing protests, set up checkpoints across the city, they said. Two powerful explosions were heard in Tehrans Niavaran neighborhood late Sunday. An eyewitness in the city told AP that the windows of their apartment shook violently, and residents came out onto the streets fearing it was too dangerous to stay inside. The witness spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Video footage from Tehran showed plumes of smoke filling the skyline, and the official IRNA news agency reported that parts of the building of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) were struck Sunday. In southern Iran, at least 165 people were killed Saturday when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, IRNA reported. The Israeli military said it was not aware of strikes in the area. The U.S. military said it was looking into the reports. New Iranian leadership is in place As supreme leader, Khamenei had final say on all major policies since 1989. He led Irans clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a prerecorded message that a new leadership council had begun its work. The countrys foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said a new supreme leader would be chosen in one or two days. Araghchi wrote Sunday in a letter to the United Nations that the attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel including the strike on Khamenei recklessly open a dangerous Pandoras box, eroding the bedrock of sovereign equality and the stability of the international system. Iran promises revenge for Khamenei killing As word spread of Khameneis death, some in Tehran could be seen cheering from rooftops, witnesses said. Others mourned as a black flag was raised over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. An Iranian medical professional in northern Iran said he and colleagues spent the early hours of Sunday celebrating Khameneis death indoors because armed security forces are still heavily deployed in his city. Advertisement Advertisement There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars, but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. It was one of the best nights, if not the best night of our lives, the doctor said in a voice message from the city of Rasht. In fact, it was actually my first time ever smoking a cigarette. It was a very, very nice time. We didnt sleep at all. And we dont even feel tired. Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, blamed the U.S. and Israel for starting the war. He said he had spoken to his counterparts in the Gulf countries and urged them to pressure the U.S. and Israel to end it. You have crossed our red line and must pay the price, Irans parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said in a televised address. We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg. Advertisement Advertisement In a social media post, Trump warned against any retaliation, saying IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE! Chance to kill senior leaders was a golden opportunity An Israeli military official described Saturdays mission against the Iranian leadership as the result of months of extremely high coordination with the U.S. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a covert operation, said a variety of factors created a golden opportunity. Those factors included weeks of training and monitoring the movements of senior figures, along with real time intelligence that the targets were gathered together. The results, the official said, were near-simultaneous strikes, within 60 seconds of one another, in three locations 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) from Israel that killed Khamenei and some 40 senior figures, including the head of the Revolutionary Guard and the countrys defense minister. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was dead, after Israel and the United States launched an attack of unprecedented scale aimed at bringing down the Islamic republic. Cheers could be heard on Tehran's streets after reports of the death of Khamenei, Iran's paramount leader since 1989, as plumes of black smoke hovered over the Pasteur district where he usually resides, witnesses told AFP. "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump said on his Truth Social network. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said there were "many signs that this tyrant is no longer alive". Addressing the people of Iran, the arch-enemy of Israel and the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Netanyahu said, "This is your time to join forces, to overthrow the regime and to secure your future." The strikes prompted Tehran to fire off a missile barrage across the Middle East, with injuries and at least one death reported in explosions that rocked showcase cities in Gulf Arab monarchies. Iranian authorities urged residents to evacuate the capital, a city of 10 million, while the country's Red Crescent society said that at least 201 people had been killed in the strikes and more than 700 wounded. Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian judiciary said one strike that hit a school in the south killed 108 people, although AFP was unable to access the site to verify the toll or the circumstances surrounding the incident. The UAE reported one civilian dead and damage from missiles in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as blasts from Tehran's retaliatory salvo and air defences intercepting it also echoed over Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier told NBC News that Khamenei was alive "as far as I know", adding that "all high-ranking officials are alive". Also asked about Khamenei's health, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told the BBC he was "not in a situation to confirm anything", but "the whole system, the whole nation is focused on defending (our) national integrity". Advertisement Advertisement In a sign that the fighting was far from over, Netanyahu said "thousands" of targets would be hit over the coming days, while Iran's top security official vowed a fierce reprisal. The Israeli army said that Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Khamenei, and the head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Pakpour, were both killed. Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said: "The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will teach an unforgettable lesson to the international oppressors." - 'Barbaric' - Tehran residents had been going about their usual business when the strikes began. Security forces quickly flooded the streets, shops pulled down their shutters and few pedestrians risked venturing out, an AFP journalist saw. Advertisement Advertisement "I saw with my own eyes two Tomahawk missiles flying horizontally toward targets," a Tehran office worker told AFP before communications and internet access were cut. The Red Crescent said 24 of Iran's 31 provinces were affected by the strikes. Across Israel, city streets stood deserted as residents took cover in shelters while the blasts of intercepted Iranian missiles reverberated overhead. Emergency services reported two people injured. Iran's Revolutionary Guards, meanwhile, radioed ships to say the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, was shut, according to the EU's naval mission and Iranian media. Advertisement Advertisement - 'Eliminating imminent threats' - The attacks came after Trump expressed frustration at Iran's stance in negotiations over its nuclear and missile programmes. In an earlier video address, Trump told Iranians the "hour of your freedom is at hand", urging them to rise up and "take over your government". It was the first US military action of this scale apparently aimed at toppling a foreign government since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Israel's army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the operation was "taking place at a completely different scale" than the 12-day war it fought against Iran in June, which the US briefly joined. Advertisement Advertisement A military statement called the operation "an extensive attack", saying it was the largest military air raid in the history of the Israeli Air Force". Iran's Revolutionary Guards said their "missiles and drones have struck the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and other American bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military and security centres in the heart of the occupied territories (Israel)". Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, the UAE and Israel all closed their airspaces to civilian traffic, at least in part, and multiple airlines cancelled flights to the Middle East. - Blasts across Gulf - Advertisement Advertisement Residents and AFP correspondents in the Emirati, Qatari and Bahraini capitals heard multiple rounds of explosions from Iran's retaliatory strikes. In Qatar, people fled in panic as a falling missile plunged into a residential neighbourhood, erupting in a fireball as it hit the street. And in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, golfers were stunned to see dozens of projectiles flying overhead. In Bahrain's capital Manama, residents were hurriedly evacuated from the Juffair district housing the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. "When we heard the sounds, we cried out of fear," said Jana Hassan, a 15-year-old student who was in the area. "I will never forget the sound of those loud blasts." Advertisement Advertisement Two witnesses told AFP they heard an explosion and saw a plume of smoke rising from Dubai's famed man-made island The Palm, with authorities reporting four injured. The foreign ministry of Oman, a mediator in recent US-Iran talks, called "on all parties to immediately cease military operations" and urged the UN Security Council to impose a ceasefire. burs/sct/sst President Donald Trump said the United States and Israel launched "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28 after the largest build-up of American power in the Middle East since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Trump also called for Iranians to overthrow their government. Explosions were observed in Tehran and at least five cities across the country, and Iran's military started retaliating against Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces. There were also explosions and siren-alerts reported in several Middle East nations where the U.S. has military bases. Here's what we know about this developing story. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video. A graffiti on a wall reads" Down with the U.S.A", after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran. A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and phone alerts warned of an "extremely serious" threat. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026. Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran 1 of 16 Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. US and Israel bomb Iran: How it started The Pentagon has named the operation against Iran "Epic Fury." Israel's military codenamed it "Roaring Lion." Israel initially launched the operation and then was joined by the U.S. The explosions in Tehran were reported early in the morning Eastern Time on Feb. 28, which is mid-morning in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Within hours, Iran started sending missiles toward Israel and there were reports of attempted strikes against U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Some nations said missiles were intercepted. Analysis: Trumps Iran gamble could spark wider war The number of casualties from the attacks and reprisals was not immediately known. The United Arab Emirates' defense ministry reported one civilian there was killed by falling debris. Iranian state media reported that dozens of children were killed when a missile struck a school in Minab, in southern Iran. USA TODAY could not immediately verify that report. What does Trump want to achieve in Iran? The White House has been ramping up the pressure on Iran for months. Trump has at times said he was displeased with the way Iran's authorities violently cracked down on protesters in December last year. He also said he wants Iran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear program. Trump said on Feb. 27 that he was "not happy" with the way attempts to solve the issue diplomatically were progressing. Advertisement Advertisement Still, some national security experts have questioned Trump's strategic logic for attacking Iran. Israel's case may be more clear-cut: The country has long viewed Iran as an existential threat because of its repeated threats to annihilate Israel. Trump also claimed that as a result of an earlier attack on Iran, the U.S. had destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities. Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026. "Trump seems interested, in no particular order, in demonstrating the prowess of the U.S. military, strengthening his negotiating position, showing he was serious when he vowed in a January Truth Social post to protect Iranian protesters, and differentiating his approach from President Barack Obama's," Nate Swanson, a former White House adviser on Iran, wrote in a Feb. 24 article for Foreign Affairs magazine, referring to a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and other world powers. That agreement was negotiated by the Obama administration. "This mishmash of objectives ... will make him less prepared if a strike does not yield the expected, swift capitulation," wrote Swanson. Maps and graphics: US, Israel launch first of 'major combat operations' against Iran A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. A satellite image shows heavy traffic, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows a frigate on fire at the Konarak naval base in Iran, February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows a frigate on fire at the Konarak naval base in Iran, February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows drones dispersed at an airbase in Konarak, Iran February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows drones dispersed at an airbase in Konarak, Iran February 28, 2026. See inside White House and Mar-a-Lago as US leaders monitor attack on Iran 1 of 6 A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Iran's supreme leader: Where is he? Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian were both directly targeted in the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, according to a Middle Eastern official familiar with the matter. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. Reuters was the first to report the news. Advertisement Advertisement The official also said, without providing additional information, that several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the strikes. The official did not discuss the outcome of the strikes on Khamenei or Pezeshkian. Iranian state media has said Pezeshkian is accounted for and safe. Iran has not commented on Khamenei. Some of the areas in Tehran targeted by the U.S. and Israel were places linked to Khamenei and Pezeshkian. Iranian state media said Iran's foreign minister was also safe. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. Iranian authorities said the strike killed up to 175 people, most of them elementary-school-aged girls. It may be the deadliest known mass casualty event involving civilians of the war so far, though USA TODAY could not independently verify many details about the incident including the exact death toll, the identities of those involved and who was responsible for the strike. According to President Donald Trump , the United States joined Israel in launching military strikes , as well as "major combat operations," to target Iran's missile capabilities. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Trump also confirmed on Truth Social that the leader had been killed. Graves are being prepared for the victims following an Israeli strike on a school in Minab, Iran, March 2, 2026. This image was provided by the Iranian Foreign Media Department. People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency, mourners cry during the funeral of children killed in a reported strike on a primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province, in Minab on March 3, 2026. Iranian media have reported hundreds of Iranian casualties, including at a girl's school. This image was provided by the Iranian ISNA news agency. People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. Black smoke rises from a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. A view shows the aftermath of an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026. In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency, a mourner sprays flower petals on the coffins of children who were killed in a reported strike on a primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province during a funeral in Minab on March 3, 2026. Iranian media have reported hundreds of Iranian casualties, including at a girl's school. This image was provided by the Iranian ISNA news agency. Over 100 killed at girls' school in Iran amid US-Israeli strikes 1 of 14 This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. Iranian authorities said the strike killed up to 175 people, most of them elementary-school-aged girls. It may be the deadliest known mass casualty event involving civilians of the war so far, though USA TODAY could not independently verify many details about the incident including the exact death toll, the identities of those involved and who was responsible for the strike. According to President Donald Trump , the United States joined Israel in launching military strikes , as well as "major combat operations," to target Iran's missile capabilities. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Trump also confirmed on Truth Social that the leader had been killed. 'Midnight Hammer': An earlier attack on Iran? In June 2025, Trump authorized military strikes against Iran's nuclear program as part of a war Israel, a close U.S. ally, fought with Iran over its support for the militant group Hamas in Gaza. It lasted for 12 days. The White House said at the time that the strikes completely eliminated Iran's nuclear program. The operation was codenamed "Midnight Hammer." It involved 125 American military aircraft and targeted three nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. "Obliteration is an accurate term," Trump said of the bombings. No U.S. personnel were injured in the operation, which struck Iran well after midnight on June 22, 2025, local time. Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel a few days later, then chose to de-escalate. Iran attack: What happens now? The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sails in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 6, 2026. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations amid U.S. threats of an attack on Iran. Iran analysts have expressed concern that the attack could spill over into a wider regional war. Advertisement Advertisement "Lets be clear: This could have catastrophic consequences," said Trita Parsi, the co-founder and executive director of the Quincy Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank. Parsi said that this would "not only put countless U.S. troops in the Middle East in the line of fire, but risk a massive multi-front expansion of the war and other uncontrollable chaos, from state failure and civil war to ethnic conflict that spreads through the region." Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Reuters and CNN also reported that Khamenei had been killed during the operation. He was a cleric and politician who led Iran since 1989. He previously served as the president from 1981 to 1989. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. A person holds an image of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iranian demonstrators protest against the U.S.-Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. Pedestrians pass a burned out building on Jan. 10, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Some areas of Tehran sustained heavy damage during ongoing protests that came to a head on Jan. 8, amid a growing economic and political crisis sweeping the country. Protests began at the end of December over inflation and turned into demonstrations against the nations repressive government. Islamic Revolutionary Guard troops, state police and other government agents responded fiercely on Jan. 8 and 9, firing at close range using guns loaded with metal pellets on protesters and since then the government has threatened capital punishment for people involved. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting with students in Tehran, Iran, November 3, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reacts during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, March 21, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a mourning ceremony for the deaths of Iranian military commanders and scientists, who were killed in Iran's 12-day war with Israel, in Tehran, Iran, July 29, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visits the defence achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran, February 12, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei listens to the national anthem as Air Force officers salute during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 7, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during the 36th anniversary of the death of the leader of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, at Khomeini's shrine in southern Tehran, Iran June 4, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays during a meeting with a group of girls who reached the age of puberty in Tehran, Iran February 3, 2023. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the tomb of Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of Khomeini's return from exile in Paris, at his mausoleum in Tehran, Iran January 31, 2023. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks to the youth in Tehran April 20, 2000. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stands in front of a jeep as he inspects 110,000 hardline Basij militia voluteers, October 20, 2000, during maneuvers in support of the Palestinian war against Israel. Ayatollah Khamenei said the Middle East crisis could only be resolved if Israel is eradicated, and called on an upcoming Arab summit to back Palestinians in setting up their own state. Seyyed Hassan Nassrollah (L), secretary general of the Lebanon's Hizbollah, kisses the hand of Iran's Supreme Leader (R) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Khamenei's opening speech at a conference, April 24, 2001 in support of Palestinians. Khamenei said on Tuesday that Zionists had exaggerated the Holocaust to justify crimes against Palestinians. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaks to Iranian airforce officers in Tehran Febuary 7, 2002. Khamenei warned the United States it would be made to regret any attack on the Islamic Republic. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowleges the salutations of members of Iran's revolutionary guards in Tehran on September 15, 2002. Khamenei told the guards on Saturday that the United States' possible attack on Iraq is only the first step in a plan to bring the whole Middle East under U.S. control. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami (L) accompanies his visiting counterpart Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong, in a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on October 21, 2002. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) watches a naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman, southeastern Iran on February 28, 2003. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a sermon during the morning Eid prayers at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in central Tehran November 14, 2004. Millions of people in Iran celebrated Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and Iran's new President Ahmadinejad walk together after a meeting in Tehran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and Iran's new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad walk together after an official meeting in Tehran August 30, 2005. Accused by the United States of seeking atomic arms, Iran says it has no intention of using its nuclear facilities for anything other than peaceful purposes. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) and judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi (R) pray while supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (C, front) leads the morning Eid prayers at the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in central Tehran November 4, 2005. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to supporters while visiting of the city of Semnan, 220 km (137 miles) east of Tehran, November 8, 2006. Iran's most powerful figure Khamenei said on Wednesday the United States was wrong to think the world opposed Tehran's nuclear program. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei casts his ballot for the Iranian Assembly of Experts election in Tehran December 15, 2006. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in Tehran January 8, 2007. Khamenei said on Monday Tehran would never yield to international pressure to deprive it of its right to nuclear technology, state radio said. Russia's Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov (C) and his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani (L) meet Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran January 28, 2007. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised message, after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 26, 2025. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah (L), late secretary-general of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, kisses the arm of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, July 4, 2000. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stands in front of a jeep as he inspects 110,000 hardline Basij militia voluteers, October 20, 2000, during maneuvers in support of the Palestinian war against Israel. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei kisses coffins of bodies recently recovered from former front line areas of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War in Tehran, May 22, 2001. An Iranian youth holds a picture of Iranian supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the "hostage crisis", the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by militant Iranian students, Tehran, November 4, 1999. Iranian President Hojatoleslam Ali Khamenei reviews an honour guard in front of the Great Hall of the People during an official visit to Beijing, China, May 9, 1989. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (3rd from R) attends a memorial service for the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini alongside senior officials including Ayatollah Azari Ghomi and members of the Khomeini family in Tehran, Iran, June 7, 1989. Ayatollah Passandideh, the brother of Khomeini, and Ahmad Khomeini, the son of Khomeini are also in attendance. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd during Friday prayers, with an automatic rifle visible behind the rostrum, in Tehran, Iran, July 17, 1989. Iranian President Ali Khamenei listens to a speech during the Non-Aligned Movement summit as PLO leader Yasser Arafat sits in the background, in Harare, Zimbabwe. September 1, 1986. Who is Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader killed in US-Israeli attack? See him in power 1 of 34 Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. Reuters and CNN also reported that Khamenei had been killed during the operation. He was a cleric and politician who led Iran since 1989. He previously served as the president from 1981 to 1989. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026. This image was provided by the Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader. Whether that happens remains to be seen. The U.S. has said the operation could last several days. Other Iran specialists have cautioned that if Trump is able to force Iran into a new deal over its nuclear program, it may not improve on the one negotiated by the Obama administration. That agreement limited Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities and was widely regarded to be working when Trump pulled the U.S. out of it during his first term. However, the JCPOA, as that deal was called, did not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its support for regional militant groups. Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the U.S. would "destroy" Iran's missiles, "annihilate" its navy and ensure proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas are no longer able to destabilize the region. "And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon," he said. (This story has been updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What we know so far about why the US and Israel hit Iran The United States and Israel launched what President Donald Trump described as major combat operations against Iran on Saturday, marking a dramatic escalation in regional tensions. The strikes appeared to target military, intelligence and government-linked sites across the country. Trump said, we tried to make a deal, and accused Iran of developing missiles capable of threatening Europe. Trump called on the Iranian public to seize control of your destiny, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to create conditions for Iranians to take their fate into their own hands. What was targeted? Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei has not made a public appearance in recent days and wasn't immediately seen after. During the 12-day war in June, he was believed to have been taken to a secure location away from his Tehran compound. In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Khameneis office. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause. More explosions struck Irans capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Both Iran and Israel closed their air space for civil flights Israel declared a state of emergency. Sirens sounded throughout the country. The authorities announced that the so-called "proactive alert" was intended to prepare people for possible rocket attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps releases statement after strikes on Israel. In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of large-scale missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the occupied territories has begun, the statement said. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen say they'll resume attacks on shipping. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen have said they will resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. Thats according to two senior Houthi officials, who spoke in condition of anonymity because there is no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. How did Iran respond? Iran responded within hours. The Revolutionary Guard said it launched a first wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel. Sirens sounded across Israeli cities as air defenses worked to intercept incoming projectiles. Advertisement Advertisement Iran also launched strikes targeting US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, according to regional officials and Euronews journalists based in Dubai. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates temporarily closed their airspace. Irans Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement, saying the country will not hesitate to defend itself. How did the Europeans respond? European leaders moved quickly to assess the fallout from the strikes on Iran, amid concerns about regional spillover. The European Union began evacuating some staff from the Middle East and convened emergency consultations. Germany scheduled a crisis meeting, while France and Italy urged their citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution. Advertisement Advertisement EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as perilous and said Brussels was coordinating with both Israeli and Arab officials to explore diplomatic options. While reaffirming concerns over Irans missile and nuclear programs, the EU also called for restraint and de-escalation. Several European governments said they had little or no advance notice of the strikes. Switzerland urged all parties to respect international law and protect civilians, reflecting broader European efforts to prevent the conflict from widening. Follow our live blog for the latest updates. The US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on 28 February, after which they revealed the names for their operation. Source: Pentagon; The Times of Israel, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Details: Israel has named its operation against Iran Lion's Roar. The previous Israel Defence Forces operation against Iran in June 2025 was called Rising Lion. The Pentagon has said that strikes on Iran were named Operation Epic Fury. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Investing.com - The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran early Saturday, with explosions reported in Tehran and other cities across the country. In an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social early on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran. Israel also confirmed it was conducting attacks on Iranian targets. The Israeli attack on Iran began at 08:10 a.m. local time, the New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement According to reports from various media outlets, over 30 targets were struck across Iran, including the countrys intelligence headquarters, defense ministry, and nuclear energy department. Irans presidential palace is reportedly also under attack. A Tehran resident and local journalist said landlines in the city were down and only mobile phones had sporadic reception, the New York Times reported. The cities of Isfahan and Qom are also reportedly under attack. Videos by Iranians circulating on social media show numerous rockets overflying the countrys territory. The strikes followed weeks of US military buildup in the region. The New York Times said the strikes began after Trump became disappointed with negotiations that had been ongoing for several weeks. Advertisement Advertisement In his announcement, Trump called the Iranian regime "a vicious group of very hard, terrible people" and said "its menacing activities directly endanger the United States" and its troops. Trump called on Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Armed Forces and police to lay down their weapons in exchange for "complete immunity." U.S. President also urged the Iranian people to "take over your government" once the military action is completed. "This will be probably your only chance for generations," he said. "For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond." Related articles U.S., Israel strike Iran what is known so far Citi pushes back Fed rate cuts to May after blowout January jobs report Nvidia's new Alpamayo project: What it means for Tesla? Early Saturday, Israel and the United States launched coordinated military strikes against targets inside Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and marking one of the most significant confrontations between Tehran and Washington/Tel Aviv in years. Israeli officials described the operation as a pre-emptive strike aimed at neutralizing threats from Irans nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Explosions were reported across the Iranian capital Tehran, and Iranian state media broadcast plumes of smoke over other cities, including Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. In Israel, air raid sirens sounded nationwide, a 48-hour state of emergency was declared, and civilian airspace was shut down as defense forces prepared for potential retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement The United States participated alongside Israel, though U.S. officials have not fully detailed the scope of its involvement. In a video message announcing the strikes, President Donald Trump said major combat operations were underway and urged the Iranian people to rise against their government. Irans government denounced the attacks, calling them a breach of the U.N. Charter and vowing no leniency in defense of its territory. Tehran has responded with its own missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military bases across the Middle East, according to regional reporting. The strikes come after months of deteriorating diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran over Tehrans nuclear program and missile development. Negotiations earlier in 2026 had shown brief promise but ultimately collapsed without a comprehensive deal. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. International reactions were swift. Russia condemned the U.S.Israeli action as an unprovoked act of armed aggression, warning that the strikes could trigger a humanitarian and regional crisis, and called for a return to diplomacy. Meanwhile, European governments expressed concern about the potential for further escalation and urged restraint. Advertisement Advertisement Civilian impact on the ground in Iran remains unclear, with no confirmed casualty figures from the initial strikes. Airspace closures and regional travel disruptions are widespread, and military forces across the Middle East are on heightened alert. This situation is still developing, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available. The post US and Israel strike Iran in major escalation and possible regime change appeared first on Salon.com. Israel's military has said it struck oil depots in and around the Iranian capital and further missile and drone attacks have been reported by the Gulf states on the ninth day of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Verified video shows thick black smoke in the sky above Tehran after at least four oil facilities were hit overnight. Fires could still be seen at the Shahran oil depot in the north-west of the city on Sunday. The Israeli military has continued attacks on Lebanon, saying it had carried out a "precise strike" targeting commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. Lebanese officials said four people were killed after a strike on a hotel in Beirut. Advertisement Advertisement In the Gulf, a government tower block caught fire in Kuwait following a drone strike early on Sunday morning, while Bahrain said a water desalination plant was struck. Missile alerts were also issued in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says 1,205 civilians are reported to have been killed in Iran since 28 February. Six US service personnel were killed in a strike on a military base in Kuwait. Where in Iran has been hit by US and Israeli strikes? The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted on Sunday morning that it had attacked 400 targets in western and central Iran in the past 24 hours. BBC Verify has seen footage of smoke and fires at four Iranian oil facilities. IDF spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani said such sites were a "legal, military target" Advertisement Advertisement Iran's foreign ministry said the strikes had released "hazardous materials and toxic substances into the air" and accused Israel of "poisoning civilians". The first US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on 28 February with Israel's military saying it had targeted Iran's leadership and military infrastructure. The former Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in Tehran during the initial wave of strikes. [BBC] BBC Verify has so far confirmed visual evidence of more than 100 attacks across the whole of Iran, including at least 49 strikes in Tehran. Among the satellite imagery captured since the conflict began on 28 February BBC Verify has seen: Advertisement Advertisement Damaged aircraft and large burn marks on the tarmac at Mehrabad airport in Tehran after an attack on Saturday Damage to a naval and air base in the southern port city of Bushehr At least 11 Iranian naval vessels damaged or destroyed by US and Israeli strikes on the Konarak and Bandar Abbas naval bases The nuclear facility at Natanz and at least three Iranian missile sites have been damaged [BBC] In Minab, in the south of Iran, at least 168 people including children were killed at a girls' school when it was hit on 28 February, Iranian authorities said. Two buildings can be seen in satellite imagery - an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps base has been completely flattened and the school building has partially collapsed. Analysis of the imagery reveals multiple strikes and burn marks around the school suggesting it was hit more than once. Israel strikes Lebanon after Hezbollah attack Israeli forces have also carried out air strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, the militant group that has long been backed by Iran. Hezbollah launched missiles towards Israel on 2 March following the killing of Khamenei. Advertisement Advertisement Israel said it carried out what it called a "precise strike" on the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday targeting commanders from the Quds force - the foreign operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The Lebanese health ministry said four people had died in an Israeli strike on a hotel in central Beirut. According to the health ministry, 394 people have been killed in the past week from Israeli strikes. Israel said on Sunday that two soldiers had been killed during fighting in southern Lebanon where it has also been carrying out operations against Hezbollah. Explosions were heard in Israel on Sunday after officials warned that Iran had launched ballistic missiles. Footage checked by BBC Verify shows damage to cars on a street in Tel Aviv following an apparent missile interception. Advertisement Advertisement A missile attack on 1 March, which Israel said came from Iran, killed at least nine people and injured 27 others in the city of Beit Shemesh, according to emergency services. [BBC] Iranian strikes across the Middle East The governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE all reported what they said were Iranian missile and drone attacks on Sunday. Kuwait said it had contained a major fire in a government office block following a reported attack during the early hours of the morning. Advertisement Advertisement The UAE said its air defences intercepted 16 ballistic missiles and 113 drones on Sunday. The latest attack came after an apparent drone strike hit Dubai International airport on Saturday. The UAE said that in the past week 238 missiles and 1,422 drones had been launched at the country. Earlier, Bahrain said an Iranian drone attack caused "material damage" to a desalination plant. It also reported three people had been injured by falling debris from a missile attack. [BBC] Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have also come under attack since the war began on 28 February. Shipping in the Gulf has been severely disrupted as well after Iran threatened to "set fire" to vessels in the Strait of Hormuz through which 20% of the world's oil and gas flows. [BBC] Attacks outside the Middle East The US-Israeli war with Iran has also spread beyond the region. Advertisement Advertisement An Iranian warship was sunk by a US submarine off Sri Lanka, according to the Pentagon. Eighty-seven of the 130 people onboard were killed, Sri Lankan officials said Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drones that it said injured two people in the western territory of Nakhchivan on Thursday. Tehran denied being involved A UK air base on the island of Cyprus was hit by a drone on 1 March which British officials believe was launched by Hezbollah forces from Lebanon [BBC] This story is being updated daily by BBC Verify. The first missile struck the compound of Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, at 9.55am Tehran time. As many as twenty-nine more followed shortly after. Within minutes, the presidential palace in Pasteur Square was hit. Then the parliament building in Baharestan Square. The Ministry of Intelligence headquarters on Nejatollahi Street. The defence ministry compound just off the Qasem Soleimani Expressway. The national security council headquarters on Valiasr Street. And Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centres across the capital. At 9.55am Tehran time, the first missile struck the the Iranian supreme leaders compound - Airbus DS/AP There could be no doubt about Donald Trumps mission. This was about taking down the Iranian regime. Advertisement Advertisement Mohammed Pakpour, the IRGC chief, was killed, as was Amir Nasirzadeh, Irans defence minister. Khameneis daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also killed. And then late on Saturday night, Donald Trump announced that Khameni himself was dead. Israel said his body had been pulled from the rubble. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do, the president posted on his Truth Social channel. More than 200 US and Israeli jets surged into Iranian air space as strikes were launched across the country and continued on Saturday night. Advertisement Advertisement IRGC naval bases along the Persian Gulf coast were struck, as were missile production facilities in Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and Bushehr. Explosions were heard at Kharg Island, Irans main oil export terminal, as well as in Tabriz, Dezful, Nahavand and Kangavar in Kermanshah province. President Trump and senior US leadership monitor military operations from Florida - x.com/WhiteHouse The US launched strikes on Iran because intelligence indicated Tehran intended to use conventional missiles pre-emptively against US troops and was rebuilding nuclear facilities destroyed in last years war rather than negotiating seriously, US officials said. We had indicators that they intended to use it potentially, pre-emptively, but if not, if not simultaneous, against with any actions against them, immediately against us, a senior Trump administration official added. Advertisement Advertisement Tehran was negotiating from a position of weakness following Januarys mass protests but still would not make necessary concessions. The US was willing to establish guardrails and framework for a civilian nuclear programme as other countries do but Iran wanted to enrich, which the US said made no sense for a purely civilian program, officials said. Nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow were being rebuilt after Operation Midnight Hammer last year. The US believed that they were rebuilding manufacturing capacity a violation of existing protocols and what the US wanted after Midnight Hammer, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement In Tehran, residents were told to leave the capital amid the ongoing bombardment. As explosions rocked Tehran, Iranians were told to evacuate the city - AP In all, Irans Red Crescent said that more than 20 provinces were hit, with many residential homes also being struck. Two hours later, Donald Trump addressed the world and specifically the Iranian regime about operation Epic Fury. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death. Then he spoke to the Iranian people. To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at handwhen we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. Advertisement Advertisement He admitted that Americans may be lost and there may be casualties. Credit: Truth Social/ @realDonaldTrump Mr Trump launched the attack during nuclear negotiations. His envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been in Geneva on Thursday for what Irans foreign minister called one of the most serious rounds of talks. Omans foreign minister, who was mediating the talks, said peace is within our reach. Instead, there was war. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said Israel had joined the operation to remove the existential threat posed by the Islamic Republic, and create the conditions for Iranians to change their destiny. Israel joined the operation to remove the existential threat posed by the Iran, said Benjamin Netanyahu Security officials said the strikes would be more intensive than in last Junes 12-day conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir Starmer said British planes are in the sky today in the Middle East as part of defensive operations, though the UK was not directly involved. Iran took two hours to respond. The IRGC announced Operation True Promise 4 and claimed strikes on 14 American military bases across the Middle East. Credit: X/@Osinttechnical The targets included Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan, though most missiles were intercepted. The US Navys Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain was struck by a Shahed suicide drone, though no US personnel were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Iran claimed to have struck an American naval support ship, though the US denied this. Iranian missiles targeted Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and northern Israel, though the Iron Dome appeared to hold. In Israel, the government banned all unnecessary gatherings and advised citizens to stay close to bomb shelters. A person takes shelter as sirens sound over Jerusalem - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP Israeli airspace has also been closed until further notice, while the health ministry ordered hospitals to move their operations underground. Out at sea, an official from Operation Aspides, the EUs naval mission to protect Red Sea shipping, said vessels have been receiving VHF transmissions from the IRGC saying: No ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz. Advertisement Advertisement Irans armed forces spokesman declared all American interests in the region on land, sea and air are legitimate targets. By midday, Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, was on American television. When asked about Khamenei, he said, as far as I know, the supreme leader remains alive. Almost all officials are safe and sound and alive. We may have lost one or two commanders but that is not a big problem. Last night, Mr Netanyahu said there were many signs that Khamenei was no longer. And then Mr Trump said he was dead. There was no immediate response from Iran to the Truth Social post which called Khamenei one of the most evil people in history. Advertisement Advertisement In southern Iran, it was feared that 85 people, including dozens of schoolgirls, were killed at the Shajare Tayyebe elementary school in Minab. Dozens of schoolgirls are feared to be among the reported 85 dead after an elementary school in southern Iran was hit - Abbas Zakeri/AP The supreme national security council told citizens to leave Tehran and targeted cities if possible because their operations will continue. Irans retaliation as dangerous as it was desperate. Last night, it fired missiles and drones across civilian targets in the Middle East A five-star hotel in Dubai, several residential buildings in Bahrain and Kuwaits international airport were all hit, while waves of ballistic missiles were fired at Israel. One breached the fearsome Iron Dome, killing one woman in Tel Aviv and injuring more than a dozen others. Smoke fills the skyline of Dubai as the five-star Fairmount Hotel burns after an Iranian strike - Stephen Huntley The luxury Fairmont Palm hotel in Dubai was on fire after being struck by a suicide drone. Four people were injured, and British tourists staying at the hotel were among those sheltering in the basement. At least one person was killed by debris from an intercepted missile in Abu Dhabi. Eight people were injured in Qatar. The exchange of fire continued into the night. Credit: X/@clashreport This is the second full-scale war waged on Iran by the US and Israel in less than a year. The first conflict, in June 2024, lasted 12 days. It ended with a ceasefire after strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military infrastructure. This time, war came during negotiations that appeared to be making progress. Oman had mediated three rounds of talks. Iran had agreed never to stockpile enriched uranium. It was called a major breakthrough that meant Iran will never ever have nuclear material that will create a bomb. Technical teams were scheduled to meet in Vienna on Monday. A fourth round of high-level negotiations was planned. Foreign minister Araghchi had called Thursdays Geneva talks one of the most serious rounds. Neither side appears interested in limiting escalation. Iran promised operations until definitive defeat of the enemy. Mr Trump promised to annihilate Irans navy and ensure the regime never gets nuclear weapons. These objectives require regime change, not negotiated limits. New details about American capabilities used in the war emerged on Saturday afternoon. For the first time, the US military used one-way attack drones in combat. These are expendable weapons that loiter over targets and destroy themselves on impact. Combined with Tomahawk cruise missiles and aircraft munitions from multiple directions, the assault created defence saturation, more threats than any air defence system can handle simultaneously. We have effectively suppressed their air defences, one US official said. The wreckage of an Iranian rocket that was reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces near the Golan Heights - Bakr Alkasem/AFP The operation used a multi-geographic command and control structure. Hundreds of targets. Not a single night of strikes but a multi-day operation designed to systematically dismantle Irans military infrastructure. Irans air defences use Russian S-300 systems, Chinese radars and domestically produced networks. They faced coordinated strikes from every direction. Some were destroyed. Others went silent to avoid being targeted. US officials dismissed Irans retaliation as ineffective. The internet blackout in Iran cut connectivity to 4 per cent of normal levels. Major news agencies, including state outlet IRNA were hacked and taken offline. Basij militia patrols are deployed across all 22 districts of Tehran to suppress any civil unrest, though some people were seen celebrating the bombs falling on regime targets. There were sporadic chants of death to the dictator. The Supreme National Security Council warned of severe punishment for spies and told citizens to report suspicious activity to intelligence agencies. The IRGC claimed to have destroyed a Qatar-based US FP-132 radar system with a 5,000-kilometre range. They said that their response on Saturday was just a warm up. They have not commented on the claimed demise of their supreme leader. Mr Trump said: The heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world! I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians, see you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs]. In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack. Of the US Army, he said: We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Amador County, CAAn Amador County man has been arrested for arson of the Tiger Fire in August of last year that forced evacuations in that county. CAL Fire Amador-El Dorado Units Law Enforcement Officers arrested 37-year-old Jacob Heitz, of Pine Grove, on suspicion of starting the Tiger Fire in Amador County on August 8, 2025. He was handcuffed in Amador County with assistance from the Amador County District Attorneys Office, the Amador County Sheriffs Office, and the United States Forest Service Law Enforcement. Cal Fire determined that the 118-acre blaze began near Tiger Creek Road in the Pioneer area, where the ACDA office stated that investigators recovered a lighter. Although no properties were damaged or destroyed in the fire, prosecutors did not provide specifics but said a lady sustained serious injuries. Heitz faces felony charges of arson resulting in bodily injury, arson of a structure or forest, and arson of anothers property. Donald Trumps failure to build a case with the US public for striking Iran and then going ahead apparently after a last-minute alert to Congresss key national security experts the so-called gang of eight has fuelled fierce domestic criticism of the military action against the Islamic Republic on Saturday. Belying the gravity of Saturdays attacks, the president spent just three minutes of Tuesdays record-length one hour and 48 minute State of the Union address trying to explain why the need to act against a regime that had been a strategic foe for decades had suddenly become so urgent and whose nuclear facilities he claimed to have obliterated in previous strikes last June. The recent precipitous buildup of what Trump called a vast armada in the region aimed against Iran starkly contrast with the long steady drum-beat to war with Iraq in 2003 under President George W Bush, who publicly and repeatedly made the case ultimately disproved that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. Advertisement Advertisement Related: A visual guide to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehrans response Against that backdrop, condemnation on Saturday was swift, amid protests that the strikes breached the 1973 war powers resolution mandating congressional approval. Tim Kaine, a Democratic senator from Virginia, accused the president of pre-empting a Senate vote scheduled for next week on a motion he has sponsored with the Kentucky Republican, Rand Paul. He called for Congresss urgent return to address the issue. Asked by NPR how much notice the Trump administration had given Congress, Kaine said: Zero. The evidence suggests that the secretary of state called the speaker of the House, and that was it. We did not receive notice. Advertisement Advertisement The White House knew that I had a war powers resolution scheduled for vote by the Senate early next week. I assume they wanted to try to rush the initiation of an illegal war before Congress had a chance to vote on it. The 1973 act passed in the wake of the Vietnam war and designed to rein in a presidents ability to embark on military adventures without authorization demands consultation with Congress and 48-hours notification for troop deployments. It also imposes a 60-day limit on unauthorized engagements. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, called on Congress to return and for the administration to brief senators in a classified briefing and public testimony. The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat, Schumer said in a statement. Confronting Irans malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions, and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination, and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trumps fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Mark Warner, a senator from Virginia and vice-chair of the select committee on intelligence, called the strikes a deeply consequential decision that risks pulling the United States into another broad conflict in the Middle East. David Janovsky, of the non-partisan Project on Government Oversight (Pogo), said: The constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to declare war. The presidents announcement today that the US has conducted military strikes in Iran without congressional approval is yet another flagrant abuse of power by this administration. Significant military actions should have more than the sole backing of a single leader thats why the constitution requires the peoples representatives to make these decisions. Kaine a member of the Senate armed services and foreign relations committees said the war powers act could be invoked even after hostilities began, thus justifying his call for Congress to return immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, likewise condemned the action as illegal. I lost friends in Iraq to an illegal war, he wrote on social media. Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasnt been explained or justified to the American people. We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our troops to die. Thomas Massie, the maverick Republican representative from Kentucky who is a frequent Trump critic echoed Kaines theme in condemning the strikes as acts of war unauthorized by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Massie had a joint resolution with the Democrat, Ro Khanna, on war powers which shadows Kaines and Pauls Senate motion and is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives next week. Jim Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, called the strikes a war of choice with no strategic endgame. In a particularly striking response, the rightwing broadcaster, Tucker Carlson a strident supporter of Trumps Maga movement excoriated the actions as disgusting and evil, the journalist Jonathan Karl, posted on Instagram. Carlsons comments reflected a prominent view among many of Trumps supporters that his vaunted America first foreign policy should preclude open-ended military entanglements such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which the president himself has repeatedly criticized as a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement But Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican senator and staunch Trump loyalist, praised the strikes in ecstatic terms as a historical turning point. The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us. God bless President Trump, our military and our allies in Israel, he posted. In a separate post, Graham wrote: My mind is racing with the thought that the murderous ayatollahs regime in Iran will soon be no more. The biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years is upon us. Addressing members of the US military, he added: If you are injured or fall, I believe with all my heart that your sacrifice makes your country and the world a better and safer place. This moment is why you chose to serve. This article was amended on 28 February 2026. Congresss gang of eight was given a last-minute alert about an impending US strike on Iran. An earlier version stated they apparently were not notified. The United States has lifted sanctions on three senior Malian officials who were previously designated for their ties to Russia's Wagner Group, the Treasury Department announced Feb. 27. An update on the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control website shows those removed from the sanctions list include Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara and senior military officials Alou Boi Diarra and Adama Bagayoko. The three had been sanctioned for their connections to the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary organization that Moscow has since folded into its Africa Corps. A former U.S. official who spoke with Reuters said the move appears linked to broader U.S. efforts to improve relations with countries in the Sahel, where extremist violence and instability have surged in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Wagner, which deployed forces in Ukraine and staged a short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin in 2023, built a significant footprint across Africa. The group has supported Moscow-friendly governments while advancing Russian business and security interests on the continent. In Mali, Wagner fighters had operated alongside government forces since late 2021, helping battle Islamist insurgents. The group has also faced repeated accusations of human rights abuses. In December 2024, Human Rights Watch accused Wagner mercenaries and Malian government forces of deliberately killing dozens of civilians. A separate media investigation reported that since 2021, Wagner personnel have detained, tortured, and forcibly disappeared hundreds of civilians in secret prisons across Mali. Wagner announced in 2025 that it would withdraw from Mali, though the Africa Corps is reportedly maintaining a presence in the country. Read also: How Russia blackmails the desperate families of Ukrainian POWs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sir Keir Starmer said British planes were in the sky to protect allies in the Middle East as he condemned Irans retaliatory strikes on its neighbours in response to attacks by the US and Israel. Speaking for the first time since Donald Trump authorised a joint US-Israeli preemptive strike on Iran over its nuclear weapons programme, the prime minister made it clear that the UK had not taken part. However, he condemned the authoritarian regime in Iran and demanded that it end its attempts to develop nuclear weapons and stamp down on protesters in its country. Advertisement Advertisement Explosions were heard over Tehran on Saturday morning after the coordinated preventative attack, which has prompted retaliatory attacks from Iran towards Israel. President Trump confirmed a major combat operation in an eight-minute speech posted to Truth Social, stating Iran could never have a nuclear weapon and adding: Its been mass terror, and were not going to take it any longer. Smoke rises over Tehran after military strikes (AP) Sir Keir chaired an emergency Cobra security meeting on Saturday morning and has increased military and security at the UKs military bases in Cyprus. He also discussed the crisis in a three-way telephone call with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to the nation from Downing Street, Sir Keir warned that the situation was evolving very quickly. The prime minister said: I condemn Irans attacks today on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict, we extend our support and solidarity to them as part of our commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East. We have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which weve recently strengthened. Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before, in line with international law. He added: Weve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them. Advertisement Advertisement He also said that the Ayatollah regime in Tehran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and accused it of trying to instigate at least 20 terrorist attacks on the UK in the last year alone. He said: We have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community. However, the UK government is at odds with the Trump administration, having denied permission for the US to use RAF bases for the strikes because of concerns over international law. Keir Starmer made a statement on the crisis (Getty) In an earlier joint statement, Sir Keir, Chancellor Merz and President Macron also avoided any condemnation of US actions with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement They said: We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. It comes after former UK national security adviser Peter Ricketts warned that the UK would not consider the attacks by the US to be legal. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: None of this, I think, is in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise. There was really no imminent threat to the US. This is action that they chose to undertake, or were dragged into it by the Israelis. Advertisement Advertisement The UK and US have been at odds over Middle East policy, with Sir Keir refusing to take a role in Mr Trumps Board of Peace for Gaza, although former prime minister Sir Tony Blair has accepted a seat on it. President Trump was also angered over the UKs decision, along with France and other allies, to recognise the state of Palestine. But the row over the use of RAF bases in Cyprus to bomb Iran is also understood to have had wider implications, with President Trump withdrawing his support for Sir Keirs Chagos Islands deal to cede the British territory to Mauritius. Lord Ricketts warns the strikes are not legal in a way the UK would recognise (Getty) However, Mr Trumps biggest ally in the UK, Nigel Farage, said the government should allow the US to use British bases to carry out strikes against Iran. Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X, he said: The prime minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran! Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also gave her backing to the strikes on Iran. She said: I stand with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime. The same regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, that seeks to build nuclear weapons that would threaten our country and that brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Meanwhile, a senior Labour MP warned that the UK should resist being drawn into a conflict in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme she did not think the US-Israeli strikes were legal. Asked whether the UK should resist being drawn into the conflict, Dame Emily said: Absolutely, unless were attacked ourselves, which, as I say, unfortunately this morning, we dont know whether we will be because there may be attacks by the Iranians on Western bases in the Arab Gulf, and so then the situation may change. We just dont know. WASHINGTON The potential payoffs for the massive U.S. strikes on Iran are historic: Ending Tehran's nuclear ambitions and even ousting a regime that has been the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. But the risks are also huge. "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties; that often happens in war," President Donald Trump said in a middle-of-the-night video posted on social media Feb. 28, wearing a white cap that read "USA." "But we're doing this not for now; we're doing this for the future, and it's a noble mission." Advertisement Advertisement While the fundamentalist Islamic government has few defenders in the West, critics warn that the military assault dubbed Operation Epic Fury could spark a wider regional war one that could ensnare the United States in a long and costly conflict. Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders. The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue." See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. People tear down an Iranian flag after it was taken down in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on January 8, 2026. Date when the video was filmed could not be confirmed. An overturned car and multiple fires burn as protesters chant outside a police station, during Iran's biggest demonstrations in three years over economic hardship, in Azna, Lorestan Province, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on January 1, 2026. Protesters gather amid evolving anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. People gather on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. The date of the videos could not be verified. Witnesses in Tehran told Reuters that protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8. People gather on the streets during a protest in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on January 8, 2026. The date could not be verified but multiple videos verified to Mashhad were posted online on January 8. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, January 9, 2026. Burning debris lies in the middle of a street during unrest in Hamedan, Iran on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. A person uses a lighter to set fire to a banner during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Burning debris lies next to an overturned dumpster in the middle of a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Rocks, tree branches, and a toppled charity box remain on a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. A protester flashes victory signs as traffic slows during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Security forces detain protesters outside a commercial building on Ahmadabad Street in Mashhad, Iran on January 3, 2026. Iran has experienced recurrent waves of protests in recent years driven by political repression, economic hardship, rising living costs, and restrictions on civil and social freedoms, including women's rights. Demonstrations have frequently been met with arrests, heavy security deployments, internet disruptions, and, according to activists and rights groups, the killing of protesters, as authorities move to suppress dissent. People walk down the street, chanting in Farsi, "Reza Shah, rest in peace", in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on December 30, 2025. Demonstrators attempt to force a gate open to gain access to a building during a protest in Fasa, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on December 31, 2025. See Iran's anti-government protests, huge crowds, unrest in photos 1 of 16 Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders. The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue." See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. In the nearly half-century since the Islamic Republic gained power, it has bedeviled a string of U.S. presidents. As explosions shook Tehran, and Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and U.S. bases in the region, there are three fundamental questions the president will face in the weeks and months ahead. And maybe longer. Are Americans on board? Most Americans aren't persuaded at least, not yet that a U.S. attack on Iran makes sense. Advertisement Advertisement In a University of Maryland poll in February, only 1 in 5 (21%) said they favored the U.S. initiating an attack on Iran. Half (49%) opposed it. Almost a third (30%) said they didn't know. Republicans were more supportive than Democrats and independents, but even among the president's partisans, support fell well short of a majority, with 40% backing the idea. Nearly as many in the GOP, 35%, weren't sure. The survey of 1,004 adults, taken Feb. 5-9, has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. More: US, Israel launch strikes on Iran. What we know so far President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Trump's suggestion in recent months that he was contemplating action against Iran has divided his political base. Many Republicans backed the president, but some "America First" supporters have argued that it risks the sort of "forever war" he vowed during his political campaigns to avoid. Advertisement Advertisement "We said 'No More Foreign Wars, No More Regime Change!' We said it on rally stage after rally stage, speech after speech," former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump ally-turned-critic, posted on the social-media platform X. "Another foreign war for foreign people for foreign regime change. For what?" Critics say Trump hasn't clearly articulated his goals and hasn't coherently explained to Americans why an attack is in U.S. strategic interests. That is something policymakers generally have considered crucial since the Vietnam War, which polarized the nation. Before the first Gulf war and the second Gulf war, President George H.W. Bush and then President George W. Bush embarked on public-relations campaigns across the country to make the case for those conflicts. Now, Americans aren't at all sure whose interests would be most advanced by a war with Iran. Advertisement Advertisement A third (33%) said in the University of Maryland poll that they didn't know, a stitch more than the 31% who cited U.S. interests. Another third divided among the interests of Israel, the Iranian people and Arab states. A person holds a sign during a Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday. Demonstrators hold Iranian flags, during an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. People gather in Times Square as the nation reacts to "major combat operations" in Iran on February 28, 2026 in New York City. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched strikes on Iran targeting political and military leaders, as well as Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Demonstrators take part in an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. People hold signs as they take part in a "March 4 Democracy" protest in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched what the latter called a "decisive and unprecedented" campaign against Iran, which retaliated with a barrage of missiles that sent residents running for cover on Saturday in cities across the Middle East. People attend the Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday. People attend the Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. Protestors were out on East Market Street in Springettsbury Township, Pa., the morning after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. Protestors were out on East Market Street in Springettsbury Township, Pa., the morning after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. People gather in Times Square as the nation reacts to "major combat operations" in Iran on February 28, 2026 in New York City. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched strikes on Iran targeting political and military leaders, as well as Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Demonstrators take part in an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, outside the White House, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. Demonstrators take part in an anti-war with Iran protest rally and march, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Washington D.C., U.S., February 28, 2026. Americans protest 'massive' strikes in Iran amid US-Israeli attack 1 of 12 A person holds a sign during a Stop the War on Iran protest at Times Square in New York City on February 28, 2026. The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday. How will Iran and Iranians respond? During his second term, Trump has ordered bombing strikes on a half-dozen other places: Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria, Syria, Venezuela. But Iran's size and military muscle dwarf those countries. It has active-duty forces estimated at more than 600,000, thousands of short- and medium-range missiles and a formidable arsenal of drones. While its military response was relatively restrained when the U.S. bombed its nuclear facilities in June, this attack was more far-reaching and the retaliation instantly fiercer. Within hours, Iran launched missile strikes on Israel and on U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Advertisement Advertisement The death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hailed by Trump as a triumphant achievement, is likely to intensify the determination of his followers to seek revenge on Israel and the United States. Iranians protest against attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States on Feb. 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Iran launched a wave of missiles at Israel and regional U.S. military sites in response to today's attacks. In his video address, Trump called on the Iranian people to take the opportunity to overthrow the government. There have been widespread protests on Iran's streets this year, prompting a brutal government crackdown that reportedly killed thousands. "When we are finished, take over your government; it will be yours to take," Trump declared. "This will be probably your only chance for generations." What does history say? The lessons of history are sobering. Advertisement Advertisement Since the U.S.-backed shah of Iran was overthrown in 1979, the Islamic Republic has frustrated the best-laid plans of several American presidents. A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. A satellite image shows heavy traffic, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows a frigate on fire at the Konarak naval base in Iran, February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows a frigate on fire at the Konarak naval base in Iran, February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows drones dispersed at an airbase in Konarak, Iran February 28, 2026. A satellite image shows drones dispersed at an airbase in Konarak, Iran February 28, 2026. See inside White House and Mar-a-Lago as US leaders monitor attack on Iran 1 of 6 A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY. President Jimmy Carter was unable to win the release of 52 hostages being held in the U.S. embassy, a failure that contributed to his defeat for a second term in 1980. The biggest policy scandal of President Ronald Reagan's tenure was the Iran-Contra Affair, which included a secret outreach to Iran. President Barack Obama tried sanctions diplomacy to win a multinational agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program a deal Trump judged so wanting that he canceled it during his first term. Hours before the new strikes, Trump warned he was "not happy" with the lack of progress of his own attempts at diplomacy. "Sometimes you have to use force," he said then. Advertisement Advertisement Will Trump's war be different? Susan Page is the Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY. She's covered 12 presidential campaigns and seven White House administrations, and she's interviewed the past 10 presidents. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US strikes Iran: Trump rolls the dice as fears of wider war surge VIRGINIA BEACH A skillful negotiator. A budget aficionado. A true Virginia gentlemen. Barry Knight, a Republican lawmaker who represented Virginia Beachs 98th District in the House of Delegates since 2009, left a lasting impression on his colleagues and friends who have been sharing memories of him in recent days. Knight died Feb. 19 after battling cancer for nearly two years. He was 71. His funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 691 Princess Anne Road. Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday ordered flags to flown at half staff through Saturday for Knight. Advertisement Advertisement Having served as chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee for several years, Knight was widely regarded as a respected voice on budgetary issues and practical matters. He was one of the wisest and smartest men Ive ever come across, said Del. Jay Leftwich, a Republican who represents Chesapeake. He and Knight not only worked together on bills in the General Assembly, but were good friends. Leftwich told his fellow colleagues on the House floor last week that Knight loved flying his helicopter and riding his Harley Davidson. He liked to relax in Carova, on North Carolinas Outer Banks, and enjoyed bonefishing in the Bahamas. But Knight didnt always have the resources for big adventures. He grew up poor, and it shaped his perspective, Del. Delores McQuinn, a Democrat who represents Henrico County, said in an address to her colleagues Monday in Richmond. Advertisement Advertisement It grounded him and it gave him a deep understanding of everyday Virginians and the importance of opportunity, stability and good government, she said. Knight was a lifelong Pungo area resident. He began working as farmhand as a teenager, graduated from Kempsville High School and worked as a long-haul truck driver. At 26, he bought his own farm. He raised hogs, and eventually bought hundreds of acres of farmland in Virginia Beach. Knight served on the Virginia Beach Planning Commission from 2003 to 2009 and was chairman for two of those years. Barry had a way of getting things done, said Rosemary Wilson, vice mayor of Virginia Beach. Advertisement Advertisement He also had a knack for making people laugh with him at his corny jokes and would always lend a hand when needed. In his role as a delegate, he fought to protect farmland and raised awareness about the importance of menhaden. He was passionate about rural issues and a champion of environmental conservation who strove to build bipartisan consensus, says a House joint resolution celebrating his life. Knight received numerous accolades throughout his political career from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce; Virginia Sheriffs Association and the Virginia Maritime Association. He received an honorary doctorate degree from Old Dominion University, which named a lecture hall in his honor. But he never let the awards go to his head. Advertisement Advertisement Im not sure Ive ever known a man of greater accomplishment and less pretense than Barry Knight, said Del. Lee Ware, a Republican who represents Powhatan. McQuinn was sworn into the House with Knight 17 years ago. He respected this institution, he respected this tradition and he respected members on both sides of the aisle, McQuinn told her colleagues Monday. Barry believed in relationships over rhetoric, solutions over division and service over self. He brought a quiet strength to the Virginia House of Delegates. McQuinn recalled how she urged Knight, in his role as chair of the appropriations committee, to find the funds to widen the notorious 29-mile gap on Interstate 64. Advertisement Advertisement We talked several times about it, she said. Barry came to me one day and said, Weve found the funds for I-64. She later learned that Knight gave her the credit for bringing attention to it. He didnt have to do that, but it spoke volumes to me in terms of who he was, she said. Over the years, Knight bought and enrolled hundreds of acres of land in a program that aims to preserve farmland in Virginia Beachs rural south. He then leased some of that land to other farmers, including Don Horsley, owner of Land of Promise Farms and a member of the Virginia Beach Development Authority. Advertisement Advertisement Horsley and Knight met in the 1970s and remained friends for decades, sharing some of the same grumbles and successes of farm life. He was always a pretty level-headed guy, said Horsley. Thats the reason why he was so successful in the General Assembly because he could get along with people. One of the last pieces of legislation Knight worked on was a proposed Virginia Beach city charter amendment that would have required a higher threshold in the approval process for development into the citys most rural area, referred to as below the Blue Line. I want to protect my neck of the woods, where I live and all my friends and neighbors live, Knight said in an October interview with The Virginian-Pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Knight had not attended the 2026 General Assembly session, and the Blue Line bill fizzled. Horsley hopes the next delegate to represent District 98, which extends from the resort areas south end to the North Carolina border, will look out for the agricultural community like Knight did. A special election will be held March 17. Virginia Beach Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Andrew Rice, a Republican, will face Democrat Cheryl Smith. Knight will long be the example to follow, McQuinn said. Barrys legacy is not only in the legislation he helped move forward, his legacy lives in the way he served, and the respect he showed this institution, in the relationships he built and in the example he set for all of us, she said. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com The Virginia State Senate and its Democratic majority may have voted to nearly triple their pay if a provision inserted into their final budget survives the House reconciliation process and reaches Gov. Abigail Spanbergers desk. The development comes as Spanberger has centered her campaign on "affordability," with Richmond Democrats echoing that they are working to improve their constituents personal finances. Virginias legislature itself was founded as a part-time, gentlemans chamber, where lawmakers would return to their day jobs when Richmond wasnt holding session. Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Democrats Seek Dozens Of New Tax Hikes, Including On Dog Walking And Dry Cleaning Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs executive orders. (Getty Images) Proponents of raising the current 1988-established salary of $18,000 for senators and $17,640 for delegates say the structure restricts who can afford to serve as a lawmaker today. Lawmakers also qualify for a $237 per diem, mileage reimbursements, and coverage of office, meeting and other expenses. Senators new salary would be $50,000. Read On The Fox News App Republicans were quick to criticize the final budget, with the Virginia Senate Minority Caucus saying in a statement that "teachers got a 3% raise, but Democrats give themselves 300%." The actual increase would be closer to 178%, though one could say the new salary would be 300% of the original. Advertisement Advertisement "The affordability hoax just gets worse and worse," the caucus said, adding that the chambers majority killed a repeal of the car tax something GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Sears ran on while increasing the state budget by $1 billion overall. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, told WVTF it is the "wrong time" to address lawmaker pay. New Dem Star's Quick Hard-left Turn After 'Moderate' Campaign Won Her Coveted Response To Trump: Lawmaker "It's supposed to be affordability for working families across Virginia, not members of the General Assembly," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Virginias legislature the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World has been making laws since its inception as the House of Burgesses in Colonial Williamsburg, where Spanberger gave the Democratic Partys State of the Union response. In her speech, she claimed President Donald Trump is the one "enriching himself, his family and his friends" and said Republicans are the ones "making your life more expensive." "I traveled to every corner of Virginia, and I heard the same pressing concern everywhere: costs are too high. In housing, healthcare, energy, and childcare," she said. "Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that keep them up at night." Advertisement Advertisement "Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability in our nations capital and in state capitals and communities across America," Spanberger said Tuesday. The pay raise could be moot if the Democrat-controlled House of Delegates does not amend its own budget proposal to include the provision. Click Here To Download The Fox News App The Houses budget includes $137 million for expanded childcare access, a minimum wage increase to $13.75 in 2027 and $15 in 2029, and a $20 million appropriation for state employees and home health care workers collective bargaining, according to Washingtons ABC affiliate. Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Digital reached out to the governor, as well as the House and Senate minority leaders, for further comment. Original article source: Virginia Democrats talk affordability and vote to nearly triple their own pay A volunteer firefighter is in custody in connection with a fire at a Lee County wildlife area that spread over 700 acres, a news release says. Shortly before 11:15 a.m., Lee County Dispatch was notified of a large grass fire in the Green River State Wildlife Management Area that was intentionally set, the release says. Witnesses observed a subject get out of a vehicle and set some areas of grass on fire in the preserve. The witnesses were able to stop the person and detain him for law enforcement personnel to arrive. Trent Schafer (Lee County Sheriffs Office) Trent W. Schafer, 21, of Kasbeer, Illinois, was taken into custody by Lee County Deputies at the scene. He was charged with one count of arson for the fire at Green River Wildlife Area. Additional counts of Arson are pending for several other fires previously set in Lee County. Investigators also worked with the Bureau County Sheriffs Department, and additional arson charges will be pending in that jurisdiction. Arson is a Class 2 Felony offense that is punishable by three to seven years in the Department of Corrections. It is also a detainable offense under the SAFE-T Act. Schafer is also a volunteer firefighter with the Ohio, Illinois, Fire Department. (Lee County Sheriffs Office) The Walnut Fire Department assumed command of the fire, which quickly rose to a five-alarm level as the weather conditions caused the flames to rapidly spread. Fire departments from Princeton, Ohio, Tampico, Amboy, Sublette, Manlius, Yorktown, Rock Falls and Dixon Rural all responded to assist. Advertisement Advertisement The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also dispatched its own firefighting crews that specialize in wild-land fires. The fire was brought under control about 3:45 p.m. with crews still extinguishing numerous hot spots until after 5 p.m. The fire was estimated to involve about 700 acres. A Special Weather Statement had been issued by the National Weather Service at 9:40 a.m. Friday for the elevated threat of brush and grass fire spread. The combination of warm temperatures in the low to mid 60s, relative humidity values dropping to the 25 to 35 percent range, and southwest winds gusting 30 to 35 mph led to an increased threat for brush and grass fire spread in the afternoon, the release says. The Lee County Sheriffs Office was assisted the scene by the Illinois State Police, Bureau County Emergency Management, CGH Ambulance, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Salvation Army. (Lee County Sheriffs Office) Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of Saputo Cheese USA Inc. cottage cheese sold at Walmart stores that may pose a serious health risk to those who consume it. There's a possibility that the cottage cheese was made with some liquid dairy ingredients that were not fully pasteurized according to state regulations. How To Identify the Recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese The recalled Saputo Cheese USA Inc. cottage cheese was sold under Walmart's Great Value private label. At this time, five products are impacted by this recall: 24-ounce containers of Great Value Fat Free Small Curd Cottage Cheese 0% Milkfat with the UPC 078742373393 and best-if-used-by date of April 1, 2026, or April 3, 2026. 24-ounce containers of Great Value Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese 2% Milkfat with the UPC 078742116730 and best-if-used-by dates of April 1, 2026, April 2, 2026, or April 3, 2026. 16-ounce containers of Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 4% Milkfat minimum with the UPC 078742372358 and a best-if-used-by date of April 2, 2026. 24-ounce containers of Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 4% Milkfat minimum with the UPC 078742372365 and best-if-used-by dates of April 2, 2026, and April 3, 2026. 3-pound containers of Great Value Small Curd Cottage Cheese - 4% Milkfat minimum with the UPC 078742147970 and best-if-used-by dates of April 1, 2026, and April 2, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement The recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese was sold at Walmart stores in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20. No other Great Value or Saputo Cheese USA Inc. products are impacted by this recall. You can find images of the recalled products on the FDA's site to help identify them. What To Do if You Have the Recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese If you have the recalled Great Value Cottage Cheese, you should not consume it. Dairy is pasteurized "as a basic public health measure to kill dangerous bacteria and largely eliminate the risk of getting sick," according to the FDA. Consuming raw or unpasteurized dairy products can pose a serious health risk, especially for young people, elderly individuals, and those who are immunocompromised. Raw dairy can carry Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and other foodborne illnesses that can sicken even healthy individuals. At this time, no illnesses have been reported. Advertisement Advertisement The FDA urges customers who have the recalled cottage cheese products to either throw them away or return them to Walmart for a full refund. Saputo Cheese USA Inc. issued the recall on Walmart's Great Value Cottage Cheese after a troubleshooting exercise revealed an issue with the company's pasteurizer. The company has since returned the pasteurizer to normal function, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture has verified it is safe to use. For any health-related questions, you should contact your healthcare provider. For questions about this recall, you can call Saputo at 1-888-587-2423. Read the original article on Allrecipes A state senator recently offered an insightful opinion on South Dakotas property tax conundrum. He was arguing, unsuccessfully, for a bill incentivizing data center construction. But his comments made a broader point. Whats happened in South Dakota is we get people moving here for freedom, and thats great, said Sen. Steve Kolbeck, R-Sioux Falls. But then they work from home. And there is no large commercial building paying property tax. Advertisement Advertisement In other words, people need public services such as schools, roads and law enforcement. Remote-working homeowners pay property taxes to the local South Dakota governments that provide those services, but their employers often do not, because theyre in a different state or dont have a physical location. Sen. Steve Kolbeck, R-Brandon, speaks in the South Dakota Senate on Jan. 29, 2026, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Its partly a product of the in-migration surge that South Dakota experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor back then was Kristi Noem. She infamously flouted public health precautions and invited the world to relocate here for our Freedom (she always capitalized the F, apparently to inflate the word with her expanding sense of self-importance). Noems overtures worked for a while. The number of people moving to South Dakota briefly surged during the pandemic. One of the consequences was out-of-control home prices in parts of the state. Some Freedom-lovers came from states with higher incomes and housing costs. When they brought their bigger incomes to South Dakota and saw the lower home prices, they salivated. Some were eager to bid more than the asking price to get the house they wanted. Advertisement Advertisement Counties in South Dakota assign a taxable value to every home based on its market value, so when prices go up sharply, it affects property taxes. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the median listing price in the state exploded upward by 65% from $242,000 to a peak of nearly $400,000, while property taxes paid by homeowners have increased by 43%. When those increases took off, complaints followed. Not knowing how to solve such a big and complex problem with property taxes, but desperate to appear to be doing something, lawmakers and Noem temporarily lowered the statewide sales tax rate from 4.5% to 4.2%. They did that three years ago and scheduled a return to 4.5% next year. Voila, tax relief! Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX South Dakotans werent buying it. The sales tax reduction saved them a penny for every $3.33 they spent. Property taxes were hundreds or even thousands of dollars higher for some people than they had been a few years earlier. They kept complaining. Noem moved on to lead the federal Department of Homeland Security, leaving her successor and lawmakers to respond to lingering calls for property tax relief. They did so last year, with multifaceted legislation. It temporarily caps the countywide growth of taxable home values, and also temporarily limits the value from new construction and growth that can be used to increase property tax collections. It prevents some home improvements from causing higher home valuations, and expands eligibility among disabled and elderly people for property tax relief programs. With elections looming, legislators have filed dozens of bills this winter to show theyre doing even more to bring property taxes down. The leading contender, due to a lack of consensus around other ideas, is Gov. Larry Rhodens proposal to let counties impose a half-percent sales tax and devote the proceeds to property tax credits for homeowners. Advertisement Advertisement Kolbeck, the senator from Sioux Falls, thinks data centers could be part of the property tax solution. Its true that a large data center would pay a lot of property taxes, but that would only ease the burden for taxpayers in the local jurisdiction where the data center is located. And questions remain about how the extreme electrical needs of large data centers might affect the rates paid by other electrical customers. Meanwhile, the housing market continues to normalize as the effects of the pandemic fade. Whatever lawmakers do now in response to an eruption of property tax anger that peaked several years ago will be too late for relief that was needed back then. They couldve quelled property tax complaints at that time by using the states run of budget surpluses buoyed by several years of federal COVID relief and stimulus programs to provide property tax credits or other forms of temporary assistance. Instead, it appears the trade-off were about to get for lower taxes on our homes is higher taxes on the things we buy. I guess thats the price of Freedom. President Donald Trump warned that Iran is working to build missiles that could "soon reach the United States of America," elevating concerns about a weapons program that already places U.S. forces across the Middle East within range. Iran does not currently possess a missile capable of striking the U.S. homeland, officials say. But its existing ballistic missile arsenal can target major American military installations in the Gulf, and U.S. officials say the issue has emerged as a key sticking point in ongoing nuclear negotiations. Heres what Iran can hit now and how close it is to reaching the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Iran Announces Test Of New Naval Air Defense Missile In Strait Of Hormuz As Us Military Buildup Continues A map shows what is within range of ballistic missiles fired from Iran. (Fox News) Iran is widely assessed by Western defense analysts to operate the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Its arsenal consists primarily of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges of up to roughly 2,000 kilometers about 1,200 miles. That range places a broad network of U.S. military infrastructure across the Gulf within reach. Read On The Fox News App Among the installations inside that envelope: Iran Signals Nuclear Progress In Geneva As Trump Calls For Full Dismantlement Advertisement Advertisement Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to the U.S. 5th Fleet. Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, a major Army logistics and command hub. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, used by U.S. Air Force units. Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which hosts U.S. aircraft. U.S. forces have drawn down from some regional positions in recent months, including the transfer of Al Asad Air Base in Iraq back to Iraqi control earlier in 2026. But major Gulf installations remain within the range envelope of Irans current missile inventory. Israel's air defense targets Iranian missiles in the sky of Tel Aviv in Israel, June 16, 2025. Multiple U.S. officials told Fox News that staffing at the Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain has been reduced to "mission critical" levels amid heightened tensions. A separate U.S. official disputed that characterization, saying no ordered departure of personnel or dependents has been issued. At the same time, the U.S. has surged significant naval and air assets into and around the region in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Arabian Sea alongside multiple destroyers, while additional destroyers are positioned in the eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is also headed toward the region. U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft including F-15s, F-16s, F-35s and A-10s are based across Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, supported by aerial refueling tankers, early warning aircraft and surveillance platforms, according to a recent Fox News military briefing. Iran has demonstrated its willingness to use ballistic missiles against U.S. targets before. In January 2020, following the U.S. strike that killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at U.S. positions in Iraq. Dozens of American service members were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. Advertisement Advertisement That episode underscored the vulnerability of forward-deployed forces within reach of Irans missile arsenal. Most publicly known Iranian missile systems are assessed to have maximum ranges of around 2,000 kilometers. Depending on launch location, that could place parts of southeastern Europe including Greece, Bulgaria and Romania within potential reach. The U.S. has some 80,000 troops stationed across Europe, including in all three of these countries. Iran is widely assessed by Western defense analysts to operate the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Reaching deeper into Europe would require longer-range systems than Iran has publicly demonstrated as operational. Iran Nears China Anti-ship Supersonic Missile Deal As Us Carriers Mass In Region: Report Advertisement Advertisement Iran does not currently field an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the U.S. homeland. To reach the U.S. East Coast, a missile would need a range of roughly 10,000 kilometers far beyond Irans known operational capability. However, U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that Irans space launch vehicle program could provide the technological foundation for a future long-range missile. In a recent threat overview, the Defense Intelligence Agency stated that Iran "has space launch vehicles it could use to develop a militarily-viable ICBM by 2035 should Tehran decide to pursue the capability." Advertisement Advertisement That assessment places any potential Iranian intercontinental missile capability roughly a decade away and contingent on a political decision by Tehran. U.S. officials and defense analysts have pointed in particular to Irans recent space launches, including rockets such as the Zuljanah, which use solid-fuel propulsion. Solid-fuel motors can be stored and launched more quickly than liquid-fueled rockets a feature that is also important for military ballistic missiles. Space launch vehicles and long-range ballistic missiles rely on similar multi-stage rocket technology. Analysts say advances in Irans space program could shorten the pathway to an intercontinental-range missile if Tehran chose to adapt that technology for military use. For now, however, Iran has not deployed an operational ICBM, and the U.S. homeland remains outside the reach of its current ballistic missile arsenal. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. relies on layered missile defense systems including Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Patriot and ship-based interceptors to protect forces and allies from ballistic missile threats across the Middle East. These systems are technically capable, but interceptor inventories are finite. During the June 2025 Iran-Israel missile exchange, U.S. forces reportedly fired more than 150 THAAD interceptors roughly a quarter of the total the Pentagon had funded to date, according to defense analysts. The economics also highlight the imbalance: open-source estimates suggest Iranian short-range ballistic missiles can cost in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece, while advanced U.S. interceptors such as THAAD run roughly $12 million or more per missile. Advertisement Advertisement Precise inventory levels are classified. But experts who track Pentagon procurement data warn that replenishing advanced interceptors can take years, meaning a prolonged, high-intensity missile exchange could strain stockpiles even if U.S. defenses remain effective. The ballistic missile issue has also emerged as a key fault line in ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Irans refusal to negotiate limits on its ballistic missile program is "a big problem," signaling that the administration views the arsenal as central to long-term regional security. While current negotiations are focused primarily on Irans nuclear program and uranium enrichment activities, U.S. officials have argued that delivery systems including ballistic missiles cannot be separated from concerns about a potential nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App Iranian officials, however, have insisted their missile program is defensive in nature and not subject to negotiation as part of nuclear-focused talks. As diplomacy continues, the strategic reality remains clear: Iran cannot currently strike the U.S. homeland with a ballistic missile. But U.S. forces across the Middle East remain within range of Tehrans existing arsenal and future capabilities remain a subject of intelligence concern. Original article source: Where Irans ballistic missiles can reach and how close they are to the US COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Joe Biden made a rare public appearance on Friday in South Carolina, basking in the appreciation of Democrats who resuscitated his presidential campaign six years ago. Although Biden faces scorn in many corners for his failed attempt at a second term that preceded Donald Trumps return to the White House, the audience here welcomed him as a political hero. Thank you, Biden said to cheers as Rep. Jim Clyburn, his longtime political ally, welcomed him to a stage set up in an art museum in downtown Columbia. Its good to be back home. Biden swiped at Trump in his remarks, suggesting he may tamper with the falls midterm campaigns. Biden accused Trump of trying to steal the election, because he knows he cant win your vote. Mark my words, Biden added. I hope Im wrong. The gathering on a rainy night hosted by the state Democratic Party was intended to commemorate the sixth anniversary of Bidens pivotal primary win in the state. Bidens bid for the presidential nomination was faltering until the victory catapulted him to the front of the field. Since leaving office, Biden has largely stepped away from the public eye. His appearance in South Carolina was also a balm after a difficult stretch for Biden. Trump has rolled back many of Bidens policies, and the 83-year-old former president announced in May he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had spread to his bone. In October, a spokesperson said the former president had been receiving radiation and hormone therapy. Biden has referred to South Carolina as a second home state after his native Delaware. He has long vacationed with his family on Kiawah Island, near Charleston. He also spent time there after his son Beau died of cancer. Folks, when it mattered, you were there for me, Biden said Friday. You believed in me and I believed in you, too. As a U.S. senator, he developed deep relationships with both of the states long-serving senators, Republican Strom Thurmond and Democrat Fritz Hollings, delivering eulogies for both men at South Carolina services. In January 2025, Biden spent his final full day in office in Charleston, where he urged Americans to keep the faith in a better day to come as Trump prepared to return to the White House. But perhaps the most powerful relationship has been between Biden and Clyburn, whose endorsement just ahead of South Carolinas 2020 primary appeared to serve as a long-awaited signal to the Black voters who are foundational for the states Democratic Party. My buddy Jim Clyburn, you brought me back! he said. Clyburn introduced Biden on Friday, and suggested he had no second thoughts about his endorsement. There is no American ever who has demonstrated through his service more substance and, I might add, sustenance, than Joe Robinette Biden Jr., he said. Biden tapped South Carolina for notable roles during his presidency. He urged Democrats to make South Carolina to first primary state, shaking up the partys nominating process, and he made Jaime Harrison, a native of Orangeburg, leader of the Democratic National Committee. Now South Carolina Democrats are at a political crossroads. The national party is reconsidering its primary calendar, which could undercut the states influence. Christale Spain, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, defended the states role. By boosting Biden in 2020, she said, it helped defeat Trump. South Carolina did what South Carolina does best, Spain said. We made the difference. Biden draw laughter from the party faithful as he jabbed at Trump. Did you see Trump give the State of the Union the other night? he asked, referring to the Tuesday night speech that became the longest ever delivered. He still talking? ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP By MEG KINNARD Associated Press FITCHBURG Dozens of birders have been flocking to Fitchburg Municipal Airport from miles around during the past three months since the first sighting in December of a lone chestnut-collared longspur, a rare bird at least in Massachusetts. "This is a huge deal," said Mark Faherty, science coordinator with Mass Audubon Cape Cod. "It's a bird I've never seen in Massachusetts, and hasn't been sighted here in years." Common in the Dakotas and the American prairie lands, the bird's last reported sighting in the state was in 2020 on a beach in Barnstable, according to the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee, an organization that records and verifies reported bird sightings throughout the Bay State. Advertisement Advertisement The small bird with a characteristically long tail and super long back claw was spotted by Jon Skinner, a Leominster resident who started birding during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to get outside and enjoy nature. Skinner, who birds in his backyard and in Gardner, where he works, also makes a habit of stopping at the airport to look for birds. On the morning of Dec. 4, he was hoping to spot horned larks or snow buntings maybe even an elusive Lapland longspur. Instead, he saw a bird so rare in Massachusetts that it has been spotted only five other times since 1979 and then mostly in coastal areas, according to the state Avian Records Committee. Two other sightings have yet to be confirmed. One male specimen was shot and killed in 1876 and donated to the Boston Society of Natural History. Another was spotted in 1975 in Chatham. A chestnut-collared longspur eats seed in the grass at the edge of a parking lot at the Fitchburg Municipal Airport Feb. 27. I knew it was different, Skinner said, adding it was exciting to spot a bird out of the ordinary. At first, he tried to record the image using a scope and his phone, then pulled out his digital SLR camera with the long lens and snapped the image. Advertisement Advertisement I shared it with friends, Skinner said. The group debated what kind of bird it could be, finally arriving at the now-verified conclusion. He shared the news on Discord and other platforms, including eBird, a website managed by Cornell University that records bird sightings on a global level. The news brought fellow birders out of the woodwork, and they started showing up at the airport to catch a glimpse and maybe even a picture of the bird. "It's funny," Faherty said. "It's one of those birds that an average person would look at and ask: 'Are you kidding me?' But for birders, its one of those that present a real challenge." He acknowledged that it is difficult to identify. "It's one of those where you need to phone a friend," Faherty said, explaining there are four different longspur species; one more commonly seen in Massachusetts is the Lapland longspur. Skinner estimated that as many as 400 people have driven by to see the bird, and said the Fitchburg Airport has even considered funding to bring food trucks to the area. Advertisement Advertisement We want to support the people coming, but we also want to reduce the burden on Fitchburg taxpayers, said airport manager Russell Cornelia. While the airport welcomes the birdwatchers, the crew would relish hosting a food truck to enhance their experience. Some people tell me they have driven more than an hour to see the bird, Cornelia said, adding that one enthusiast was combining the bird sighting with a ski trip to Wachusett Mountain. The chestnut-collard longspur spends its summers in the northern reaches of the U.S. prairie lands and southern Canada in short grass prairies, migrating thousands of miles to Texas and Mexico for the winter. The bird likes disturbed fields, those that have been aggressively grazed or that have sustained fire damage. "The mystery is how did it end up here," Faherty said. "That's what gets birders up and starting their cars in the morning. We never know if we will find a rare, a marquee bird." Advertisement Advertisement In Fitchburg, the bird has been mixing in with the horned larks and snow buntings that frequent the airport. It can be seen where plow crews have pushed snow away from the tarmacs, revealing a grassy verge. The birds peck in the grass for food, Cornelia said. Its very tiny, Cornelia said. While normally shy, the bird seems to be enjoying its celebrity, as well as the birdseed that has been strewn into the exposed grassy areas. Its really enjoyable when you find something you havent seen before, Skinner said. In his birding years, he has seen 376 distinct species of birds in Massachusetts, spotting 273 of them in and around Worcester County. When I first started birding, I questioned how many different birds can I see in Massachusetts. Maybe 100 different species. Advertisement Advertisement One of the bird's main attractions is its accessibility, said Skinner. Even though it is small, it can be seen without a scope or other special equipment, he said, adding that birders dont even have to get out of their cars to see it. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Chestnut-collard longspur has birdwatchers flocking to Fitchburg Editors note, February 28, 2026, 5:45 pm ET: This article was originally published on February 19, in the lead-up to war in Iran, and updated on February 28 after airstrikes had begun, before the news of the death of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the US and Israel had launched an attack on Iran, saying the goal was to eliminate an imminent threat from Iran, raze their missile industry to the ground and annihilate their navy, and for Iranians to overthrow their government. The strikes began on Saturday morning, Tehran time, and appeared to be aimed at regime leadership targets, including the offices and residences of senior officials and possibly including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Advertisement Advertisement In response, Iran has launched a wave of retaliatory missiles against US and Israeli targets in the region, as well as US allies including Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The bombing comes after weeks of buildup in the region, and all indications before the strikes suggested it would be a larger and more extensive campaign than what we saw last summer or than most Americans were probably prepared for. And at the moment, both sides seem dangerously confident they will prevail. Here are a few key questions about the operation to keep in mind for the days ahead: What has the US military been up to in the Middle East? Trump first threatened new military action against Iran in January, promising help is on the way when protests over economic conditions broke out throughout the country and were brutally repressed by Irans theocratic regime. Trump ultimately held off at the time at the urging of regional allies, as well as some of his own advisers, when it became clear that the US military at the time engaged in major operations around Venezuela didnt have sufficient assets in the region to deter Iranian counterattacks. Advertisement Advertisement That is no longer the case. The United States deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups to the region, each with three destroyer escorts, as well as half a dozen other surface ships and almost certainly nuclear submarines whose locations are not disclosed. Dozens of aircraft, including F-22 and F-16 fighter jets and surveillance planes, were deployed around the Middle East as well the greatest concentration of airpower in the region since the buildup to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The US has also worked to replenish air defense batteries that were depleted by Iranian missile and drone strikes during Junes 12-day war. In short, analysts suggest this is enough firepower for an engagement lasting multiple weeks, not just a few hours or days. Why is this happening? What does America want from Iran? This is something of a moving target. Trumps threat to Iran in January was in response to the massacre of protesters. But the protests largely subsided, and its too late to rescue the thousands who were massacred. Nonetheless, Trump on Saturday called for Iranians to take over your government, effectively calling for a new mass uprising along with the airstrikes. But the main discussions before the attack concerned Irans nuclear program. Though this program was severely degraded by US airstrikes in June (Trump proclaimed it obliterated), the Trump administration is calling for Iran to abandon nuclear enrichment entirely, the process that can be used to create material for weapons. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, is insisting on its right to enrich, though it has indicated a willingness to make some concessions, such as diluting its stock of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. Advertisement Advertisement In the week leading up to the airstrikes, the administration also put forward a few more specific claims. One was that Iran was, in the words of US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, just a week away from having enough weapons-grade uranium to build a bomb. This is a reference to Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium currently unaccounted for which is just a short technical step away from weapons-grade, though Irans nuclear infrastructure was badly damaged last summer, and most experts dont believe the regime is actually currently working to weaponize it. There were reports in the days leading up to the strikes that Iran might be willing to dilute this material in exchange for sanctions relief, perhaps even beyond the levels that were required in the 2015 nuclear deal, but this evidently wasnt enough to convince Trump that it was worth continuing to negotiate. The United States also sought to expand the talks to encompass issues including Irans ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Iran has been extremely resistant to this. For all the focus on nuclear weapons, Irans ballistic missiles may end up being the crux of this crisis: theyre a particular concern for Israel, which is in range of them. But Iran also views them as a core component of its ability to defend itself. Trump also claimed in his recent State of the Union address that Iran was working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America, but US intelligence agencies believe it is years away from such a capability. Advertisement Advertisement There were reports in the lead-up to Saturdays operation that the initial goal of strikes might be to pressure Iran into making concessions on its nuclear program, missiles, and perhaps other issues as well. But Trumps recent rhetoric suggests the United States seeks not to make a deal with the Islamic Republic, but to eliminate it. Trump said earlier this month that regime change in Iran is the best thing that could happen. Many Iranians would surely agree, though Trump did not elaborate on what he envisioned replacing the regime if they were to follow through on his call to overthrow it. What would the war look like? Americans may assume that war will look something like Junes Operation Midnight Hammer, a relatively brief series of strikes that was resolved quickly. That does not appear to be the case. The June war was a primarily Israeli operation, with the US joining in to attack three Iranian nuclear facilities a week in, when it was already clear that the Israelis were having military success and Irans retaliation was limited. This time around, the United States is in the drivers seat from the start, though Israel is involved. And reporting suggests the administration has a more extensive operation in mind. Advertisement Advertisement According to the Wall Street Journal, the options Trump was presented with by military briefers included a campaign to kill scores of Iranian political and military leaders, with the goal of overthrowing the governmentas well as an air attack that would be limited to striking targets including nuclear and ballistic-missile facilities. Both types of campaigns could potentially last for weeks. The reality could well turn out quite different: Ahead of the US intervention in Venezuela, few predicted that the United States would simply capture the countrys president while leaving most of its regime in place. Trump has shown a willingness in the past, as in the airstrikes against Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels last year, to walk away from military campaigns with limited wins even when underlying issues are left unresolved. In June, Iranian retaliation against US forces in the Middle East was limited and telegraphed in advance. That may not be the case this time, as Irans leaders may feel theyre in an existential fight for survival that requires a stronger response, and all indications so far suggest the Iranians were much more prepared to retaliate and have a much higher tolerance for risk. Though its nuclear program may be in shambles, the regime has worked diligently since last summer to reconstitute its ballistic missile deterrent. How much damage it is really capable of inflicting is an open question, though Israel was reportedly running dangerously low on interceptors by the end of the 12-day war and may have sustained more casualties if the conflict had lasted longer. Iran conducted exercises in recent weeks that temporarily shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil chokepoint through which 31 percent of the worlds sea-born crude oil flows. Trump has clearly grown more confident about using military force, but Irans calculation may be that he has little tolerance for a long, drawn-out, messy conflict. In Trumps more than five years as president, one thing we have not yet seen is how he would respond to a conflict with a significant number of US casualties. Its notable in that context that Trump explicitly warned the public on Saturday that the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. What do other countries think? Though the Israeli government was reportedly concerned in January about the state of their air defenses, they were a participant in the attacks early Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deeply unpopular heading into elections later this year, would no doubt much rather keep the public focused on the destruction of Irans nuclear and missile programs than the swirling questions about his handling of the October 7,2023, attacks. Advertisement Advertisement As for other regional countries, the picture is more mixed. During the Obama administration and Trumps first term, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf states pushed for a maximally hawkish position on Iran. Today, while they would no doubt prefer an end to the Islamic Republic, theyre less enthusiastic about war, due to concerns about Iranian retaliation as well as the regional destabilization that could result from a collapse of the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have said they will not allow the United States to use their airspace for an attack on Iran, though it does not seem to have spared the UAE from Iranian retaliation. The UK had reportedly sought to prevent the US from using its airbases for an attack on Iran, including the strategically located base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, prompting an angry outburst from Trump early this week. So far, the European allies seem tentatively supportive, with a joint statement from leaders of the UK, France, and Germany that puts the blame for the conflict on Iran while also calling for the resumption of negotiations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has clashed with Trump over trade and foreign policy in the past, also endorsed the strikes. As for Irans few allies, it conducted joint naval drills with Russias military in February and was reportedly nearing completion of a deal to buy supersonic anti-ship missiles from China, but its hard to imagine either Moscow or Beijing doing much to come to Tehrans aid now that war has begun. Is any of this legal? The administration did not ask Congress for an authorization to use military force against Iran, or present a detailed legal rationale for doing so. Given that Irans nuclear program is, according to the administrations own assessments, nowhere close to producing a weapon, and given that the United States is not in range of Iranian missiles, it would be hard to make the case that it constitutes the type of imminent threat that would allow the president to order military action without congressional authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Past administrations, including Trumps after Midnight Hammer, have argued that military operations that are limited in scope and duration dont constitute war in the constitutional sense and dont require authorization. Many legal scholars dont buy that, but even if you do, it would get harder to justify it if the war turns out to be the kind of expansive operation reportedly under discussion. In Congress, after several weeks of delay, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) are planning to move next week to force a vote on a resolution that would require the administration to seek congressional authorization, but previous efforts to do this under the Trump administration have not been successful. In all likelihood, congressional oversight of Trumps ability to wage war is about to be further watered down. Pride before the war In fairness to Trump, in each of his previous military engagements, dating back to the strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in his first term, he has been able to defy critics who warned he was risking a dangerous quagmire. But if he is really contemplating an operation as extensive as what has been reported or pursuing the overthrow of the Iranian state itself, this suggests he may be growing confident to the point hes considering just the sort of war he has lambasted previous presidents for getting involved with. Both sides appeared dangerously confident about their prospects heading into a conflict: the United States in its ability to inflict damage on Iran at will without significant blowback; Iran in its ability to make the conflict so painful for the United States that it can inflict a strategic defeat rather than hastening its own demise after a year that has left it severely weakened, economically, politically, and militarily. The confidence on both sides may end up getting a lot of people killed. Editors note, February 28, 7:20 am ET: Israel joined the US-led assault on Iran early Saturday. For more on that story, read Voxs latest coverage. This past week, we got a vision of what the future of world politics might look like. And it wasnt pretty. The glimpse came during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Israel, in which he signed an expansive defense cooperation agreement and gave a speech to Israels parliament (called the Knesset). This kind of thing may seem like the routine stuff of international politics, but its actually highly unusual: Historically, India has kept its distance from Israel and has often acted as a prominent international supporter of the Palestinian cause. Advertisement Advertisement Such a country should, in theory, be moving away from Israel, given the past several years of brutality in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been aggressively attacking the foundations of Israeli democracy, which youd think would be a problem for the leader of a country frequently described as the worlds largest democracy. But the opposite is true. It is quite likely that Israels assault on Gaza and ongoing democratic backsliding are, for Indias current leadership, not vices but virtues. India under Modi is strikingly similar to Israel under Netanyahu. Modi, a deep believer in the chauvinist Hindutva ideology, has worked to undermine the basic idea of the Indian state replacing its historic secular democracy with a state by and for the Hindu majority, particularly targeting the Muslim minority for exclusion. In order to accomplish this agenda, Modi has worked to consolidate power in his own hands and undermine the fairness of the Indian electoral system in the process. Growing security cooperation between India and Israel doesnt just make sense on a material level: Its also because these countries, with these particular governments, feel a genuine ideological affinity. Advertisement Advertisement And in a post-Trump world, where old rules about human rights and international law continue to weaken, these kinds of ties between human rights-abusing authoritarians may become an increasingly important part of the global landscape even in countries that claim, on the surface, to be democracies. The India-Israel ideological alignment, explained India and Israel, both formerly British possessions, became independent within a year of each other (August 1947 and May 1948, respectively). And at first, the two countries appeared to be traveling in opposite directions. The early Indian state was defined by its partition with Pakistan. While India aimed to be a secular liberal democracy for all of its citizens, Pakistans leaders believed that its citizens could only be secure in a Muslim-majority state. The process of splitting the two states was violent and massively disruptive, causing one of the largest episodes of human migration in recorded history as Hindus and Muslims uprooted their lives to fit the new national boundaries. For Indias early leaders, the bloodiness of partition and enduring hostilities with Pakistan proved the folly of ethno-nationalism. Advertisement Advertisement Israel, by contrast, was more like a Middle Eastern Pakistan. Believing that the Jews of Palestine could only be safe in an avowedly Jewish state, the Zionist movement pushed for post-colonial political separation from surrounding Arab states and fought its first war to enforce it. Thus, the Indian political elite long viewed Israel and Zionism suspiciously, its sympathies aligning with the Palestinian refugees displaced in the Nakba. This approach was, as leading India expert Christophe Jaffrelot recently wrote in The Wire, a driving force in Indias Middle East policy. India has long been a leader in the Palestinian cause, he writes. Historically, it opposed the creation of the State of Israel, with [first prime minister Jawaharlal] Nehru advocating for the creation of a secular state where the Jewish minority would enjoy protections. This changed, in Jaffrelots telling, because of Modi. Since becoming prime minister in 2014, he has gradually worked to strengthen ties between New Delhi and Jerusalem focusing, in particular, on their shared interests and experience in combating jihadist terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement The decisive break came after October 7, 2023. India tried hard not to take sides in Israels war on Gaza, but by abstaining [in UN votes] as civilian casualties and international outrage continued to mount, it effectively sided with Israel, Jaffrelot writes, adding that India also sent weapons to Israel and deepened economic ties as the Gaza war grew more vicious. Today, theres little doubt where India lies. Not only does New Delhi explicitly cite Israel as a source of inspiration for its counterterrorism policies, but it has begun paying into them making up roughly half (46 percent) of all foreign purchases of Israeli arms. Modis trip this past week was, on top of any tangible agreements, an all-but-official confirmation that India has switched sides in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Modis speech to the Knesset spent a lot of time lavishing praise on Israel and confined its discussion of the Palestinians to a thin, barely noticeable aside. Why the Israel-India alignment matters Modi sees Israel differently from his predecessors because his worldview is fundamentally opposed to theirs. Advertisement Advertisement Unlike secularists like Nehru, Hindutva devotees see a spiritual twin in the hardline versions of Zionism embraced by Netanyahu and his allies on the Israeli right. Both Modi and Netanyahu see the nation in ethno-national terms: There is only one people who has a legitimate claim on belonging and ownership. Both share a special antipathy for Muslims living on land they see as rightfully theirs, seeing them as interlopers at best and invaders at worst. After October 7, 2023, leaders of the Hindutva movement including ministers and members of parliament expressed their unreserved solidarity with Israel, denouncing not only terrorists but Muslims in general, Jaffrelot writes. This pro-Israel bias was so widespread that the judiciary once again echoed it by banning demonstrations in support of the Palestinians. Growing India-Israel partnership is not just the result of strategic interests: It reflects a new development in the rise of the so-called nationalist international. This is, in essence, the concept that far-right movements are increasingly sharing knowledge and coordinating their activities to advance a shared struggle against the existing liberal order. Advertisement Advertisement Originating from Western politics, in reference to things like the ties between the Republican party and Hungarys ruling Fidesz group, the term nationalist international is often deployed semi-ironically in the sense that nationalist movements are, by their nature, unlikely to be able to be stable partners with each other for very long. But unlike, say, Eastern European nationalist movements, the Israeli and Indian far-right nationalisms have few points of geographical or historical conflict. Separated by geography and history, they are free to prioritize their shared ideological interests and are, increasingly, doing so. This is a glimpse into a possible future for global politics: one in which the might makes right ethos championed by the current US administration wins the day. In this future, countries will no longer feel burdened by the need to even pay lip service to human rights concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Leaders of ascendant powers like Modi, who might once have at least had political reservations about being too closely linked to an Israeli prime minister under ICC indictment, will act on their unrestrained impulses. A network of far-right movements, united in large part by shared hostility to Muslims, will unite a group of governments ranging from Western Europe to South Asia maybe even North America. This is not an inevitable future. But it is an increasingly possible one enabled both by the Biden administrations fecklessness in the face of Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the Trump administrations bulldozing of the current international order. A murder suspect was allowed to walk out of the Harris County Jail hours before or after a murder charge was filed against him, based on conflicting accounts from authorities. Charging documents show Johna Robinson was being eyed as a suspect in the murder of 52-year-old Terribia Dembry at a Willowbrook area apartment complex on Tuesday from the beginning. Records show he was pulled over three hours after the murder and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Advertisement Advertisement The charging documents note the ongoing homicide investigation, and a hearing officer brings it up again during Robinson's bail hearing Tuesday night. "Officers allege this was some type of homicide investigation. Your vehicle was listed as a suspect vehicle," the hearing officer said. Robinson's bond was set at $75,000 on the gun charge. Records show he posted it on Thursday. That same night, around 9 p.m., Houston police told Eyewitness News that a murder charge was filed against Dembry while he was still in custody. The Harris County District Court Clerk's site, however, doesn't record the murder charge being filed until 4:15 a.m. Friday. Advertisement Advertisement The Harris County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Eyewitness News that Dembry was released from custody at 1:05 a.m. Friday after bonding out on the weapons charge. A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest on the murder charge. "This is an unforced error," said Brice Wice, a criminal defense attorney and legal analyst not affiliated with this case. "This is simply the left hand not telling the right hand what's going on." "They dropped the ball," one of the victim's sisters told Eyewitness News by phone. Eyewitness News has been asking the District Attorney's Office and the Harris County Sheriff's Office for answers, but so far, no one has explained why Robinson was allowed to post bond on the weapons charge when he was being investigated for murder. Advertisement Advertisement Wice says law enforcement could have asked for an investigative hold to be placed on him, meaning he wouldn't have been able to get out of jail even after posting bond. "Law enforcement can hold those individuals if they can show that the individual does not need to be in the free world unless and until that investigation is complete," said Wice. Records show Robinson was twice convicted on federal drug trafficking charges: once in Florida in 2003 and again in Houston in 2022. He was placed on five years' probation after his release from prison in 2024, which would have taken him to 2029. Advertisement Advertisement But one week before the murder, a federal judge ended Robinson's probation three years early at Robinson's request. Records show Robinson is not in custody as of Friday night. For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram. YORK, Maine Wiggly Bridge Distillery is celebrating two major honors this month, earning both statewide recognition and national attention for its smallbatch spirits and growing reputation as a destination for bourbon lovers. The familyowned York distillery was voted Best Distillery in Maine in the 2025 Best of the 207 Awards, a statewide competition decided by thousands of public votes. It was also featured in Tasting Tables national roundup of the "Best Bourbon Distilleries Outside of Kentucky to Visit," placing it alongside some of the countrys most acclaimed producers. Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York marks dual honors after being voted Maines best and named among the top bourbon distilleries outside Kentucky. Founder David Woods said the dual recognition reflects years of steady investment and community support. Advertisement Advertisement Being recognized both by our community and on a national stage is incredibly humbling, he said. From the folks who visit our tasting room to readers discovering us through national media this is something special. The Best of the 207 award highlights top businesses across Maine, while Tasting Tables list spotlights standout bourbon destinations beyond Kentuckys traditional bourbon trail. For a Maine distillery, the national nod underscores the growing influence of craft producers outside the Bluegrass State. Marketing Director Amanda Woods said the honors affirm the familys longterm approach. Weve continued to invest in our craft and in our community, she said. Being named Maines Best and then earning national recognition reinforces that consistency and integrity matter. Advertisement Advertisement Founded by a fatherandson team, Wiggly Bridge Distillery has built its brand on smallbatch production, handson craftsmanship, and a distinctly Maine identity. Visitors travel to York for tastings, tours, and a chance to experience its awardwinning spirits. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wiggly Bridge ranked among best bourbon distilleries outside Kentucky They are impatient, unafraid and hungry for change. Inspired by Zohran Mamdanis shock victory in last years New York mayoral race, a wave of insurgents is mounting primary challenges against Democratic incumbents ahead of Novembers midterm elections. The emboldened lineup of primary challengers often, but not always, from the partys progressive wing has been fuelled by anger over the partys tepid response to Donald Trumps authoritarianism, complicity in the war in Gaza and a crushing affordability crisis. It has left entrenched Democrats, who for years were able to cruise in safe seats in the House of Representatives, reportedly panicking that they could be swept aside in an anti-establishment revolt reminiscent of the tea party that rocked the Republican party in the 2010 midterms. Advertisement Advertisement The simmering discontent was evident last week in a focus group conducted by the New York Times newspaper in which rank-and-file Democrats described their own party as spineless, complacent, paralyzed, afraid, incompetent, suffocated, or given up, sold out, sellouts and suckers and no balls. Ezra Levin, co-founder of the grassroots movement Indivisible, commented: The size of this years primary engagement is indicative of the chasm between rank-and-file Democrats and the Democratic leadership right now. People want a different version of the Democratic party from what weve got. Last year Indivisible channeled the backlash against Trump into No Kings protests. The first, staged in June, drew 5 million people while the second, in October, attracted 7 million. A third, planned for 28 March, is aiming for a record 9 million. The Democratic primaries kick off in March and run through the spring and summer ahead of the national midterms in November. Levin predicted: The primaries are going to be the No Kings primaries: are you willing to fight back against this would be-king or arent you? The general election will be a combination of: this guys a would-be authoritarian, he is engaged in hiding the Epstein files and starting foreign wars and enriching himself and hes not doing anything for you. Its a one-two punch, and the second one of those punches is affordability. Advertisement Advertisement The political tremors were recently felt in New Jersey, where Analilia Mejia, a progressive organiser allied with Bernie Sanders, the senator, and won a crowded special Democratic House primary to fill the open seat formerly held by New Jersey governor, Mikie Sherrill. The left smells blood following Mejias victory, according to the Axios news site, which reported: A senior House Democrat, asked if members were freaking out about their own primaries in the wake of the shock result, told Axios, simply, Yes. But Tom Malinowski, a former congressman and moderate Democrat who came a close second in that New Jersey race, suggested that old left v centre divide was less important than the dynamic of fighters v folders. He told the Guardian: One lesson of my race is that the two candidates who received the most support, myself and Mejia, both campaigned as uncompromising fighters against Trump and for democracy. One of us came from the progressive wing of the party; one was seen as more moderate on issues like, for example, Medicare for all or policing issues and other things that have divided the left and centre flanks of the party in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Malinowski, who was hurt by a $3m negative ad blitz funded by the pro-Israel lobbying group Aipac, perceived a shift among Democratic voters away from the type of bipartisan centrism espoused by Joe Manchin, a former senator from West Virginia who frustrated Joe Bidens legislative agenda. He added: There was a Manchin-to-Mamdani mood among the electorate. It didnt matter which wing of the party you were seen as coming from so long as you were seen as a fighter apart from a complacent establishment. This demand for combativeness is a recurring theme on the campaign trail, where scores of insurgents vying either to win open seats or oust Democratic incumbents are better funded than in past cycles. March On, a political action committee (PAC), recently announced early endorsements of visible fighters who meet this moment head-on and give Democrats the strongest chance to mobilize the base. Show some spine Andrea Pringle, president of the March On and Future Dems Pacs, said: Theres a thirst for people that will stand up and show some spine and be willing to call things out and not be afraid. But theres also voters who are responding to people who see them and who appear to hear them. Advertisement Advertisement Age and ideology are among the factors in play. David Scott, 80, who has represented Georgias 13th district for 12 consecutive terms, is facing a primary challenge from Jasmine Clark, a state representative who discovered through a public records request that Scott has allegedly not voted in six consecutive elections, including the 2024 presidential election. Dan Goldman, a moderate, is under threat from Brad Lander, a progressive former New York City comptroller backed by Mamdani and Sanders, in New Yorks 10th district. While the oligarchy drives the affordability crisis, they shouldnt be able to buy a seat in Congress, Lander said in a campaign video, an apparent reference to Goldman, who is an heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune. Another test case is Illinois deep blue 9th District, where Kat Abughazaleh, 26, a progressive Palestinian American, is taking on a Democratic establishment she accuses of complacency and cowardice. Abughazaleh said: I even see it in my own campaign where there are local leaders and elected officials that call me before endorsing one of my opponents, apologetically saying, I love what youre doing but Im feeling a lot of pressure to endorse this way or the other. They feel that pressure in the first place instead of being able to stick to their values and its a shame that we have a party that makes people feel like that. Advertisement Advertisement Abughazaleh says her community was devastated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and she is frustrated with moderate leaders who capitulate or simply pay lip service to the resistance while courting donors. The fighting talk of some Democrats has to go beyond mere words. Im glad that a lot of the party seems to have gotten the message that people want a fighter. But it took a while and its also kind of funny to see how they interpret it, where its this idea of yes, Im a fighter, but only to a certain extent, or yes, Im fighter, but I also need to make sure that Im appeasing my donors, or saying fighting words and not actually fighting for people. Abughazaleh believes that Democrats have long failed to meet the moment of taking on the far right. For her and many progressive challengers across the country, countering the Trump administration is inextricably linked to combating the influence of groups such as Aipac and challenging the corporate status quo. I dont know how many times we have to keep doing the same thing over and over and over again of insisting that we have to be more moderate, that we have to move to the right, Abughazaleh added, arguing that policies ensuring affordable housing, groceries and healthcare should represent the political centre. Complicity with the Gaza genocide Norman Solomon, national director of RootsAction.org, said many primary challengers view the party establishment as functionally serving the same Wall Street and big tech corporate interests as the Republicans. He also argues that the party leaderships complicity with the Gaza genocide is a major factor. Advertisement Advertisement He said: Its like a dam thats starting to burst or, to use another metaphor, a lot of Democratic incumbents in the House are like rotted fruit and theyre starting to fall. No wonder theres a lot of fear and trepidation thats going on because I dont think its cyclical; its more of a spiral that is gaining some momentum. But centrist Democrats are still sounding the alarm, claiming that a leftward lurch would be electoral suicide. Matt Bennett, executive vice-president for public affairs at the thinktank Third Way, said this seasons primaries range from problematic to idiotic. The problematic are primaries against Democrats in safe seats because they waste resources trying to turn a blue seat bluer and they contribute to the idea that Democrats have gone very far to the left, which is something that a lot of the electorate believes and in swing districts its a real problem. The idiotic are the seats where there is an attempt to move to the left in a swing district or a red district, which is insane and that is what the tea party did on the other side where they handed Democrats seven Senate seats that Republicans easily could have won if they hadnt nominated total whack jobs who were way too far right. Thats the big fear, which is that we will fumble away winnable seats by nominating people that are way too far left of the district. Advertisement Advertisement Progressive organisers reject this logic, viewing it as a tired excuse to protect an entrenched donor class. Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, a grassroots political action organisation founded by Sanders, said: What newer candidates are seeing and feeling is an electorate that is tired of the establishment and the status quo. Geevarghese added: The way to win is to demonstrate that youre going to fight to raise the standard of living for American voters. Just being moderate on economic issues I dont think will get you there. Were talking about full-throated economic populism, which I believe is the way to win. Bernies candidacy, Mandani and even Trump himself all point to that. Hello spring? The weather forecast is looking promising for warmer weather as the calendar turns to March. In the East, a dramatic warm-up is in the forecast, and the Climate Prediction Center's outlook for March 6 to 12 shows warmth spreading across much of the nation, including the beleaguered Northeast. But a winter weather boogieman may still be lurking. "We are not completely done from an influence from the polar vortex," said AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok in an e-mail to USA TODAY. Advertisement Advertisement The infamous weather pattern is actually partly influencing our weather as February ends. And it may again throughout the month of March, forecasters told USA TODAY. Meanwhile, Sunday, March 1, is the first day of meteorological spring, which is the three months when meteorologists expect the weather to feel more like spring (even if it sometimes takes the calendar a few weeks to catch up). Polar vortex helped shape multiple cold weather outbreaks The polar vortex made its biggest headlines of the winter in late January and early February, as it was a significant factor in the Arctic air that flooded south into the eastern United States, helping produce record cold and memorable snowstorms. As meteorologists predicted multiple cold snaps this winter, the polar vortex was often one of the many forces at play. After the dust settled, experts found only one example (in late January and early February) where sudden stratospheric warming (and the polar vortex disruption that causes) was the primary cause of freezing weather in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement But disruptions of another phenomenon, the Arctic Oscillation, contributed to frigid temperatures as well. Experts, including Laura Ciasto, a meteorologist with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, tend to describe cold outbreaks as a dance between multiple weather forces. "It's been an active winter for both the stratospheric polar vortex and the Arctic Oscillation (AO)," Ciasto told USA TODAY in an e-mail. The polar vortex has become a popular point of discussion in winter weather, in part because of its catchy name. But meteorologists note it's a complex and confounding climate force that acts in mysterious ways. Advertisement Advertisement For one thing, a weaker polar vortex tends to send cold air to the United States, as it fails to contain cold air way above the Arctic. (For another: Meteorologists will distinguish between a stratospheric and tropospheric polar vortex, based on where the cold air is in the atmosphere.) A Nor'easter winter storm buried streets, cars and neighborhoods across the Northeast. At least 49 locations reported more than 24 inches of snow by 1:30 p.m. on Monday. Matt Powers shovels a Jersey City sidewalk, Monday, February 23, 2026 after more than a foot of snow had blanketed the area. Jay Johnson is covered in snow as he clears the sidewalk outside his Center Street home in Brewster, New York Feb. 23, 2026. Almost a foot of snow covers cars and a home on Main Street in Marshfield, Mass. on Feb. 23, 2026. A school bus covered in snow in front of a private school on North Main Street in Brewster, New York Feb. 23, 2026. Paul Ortiz, of Elmwood Park, shovels the snow out from his front walkway during a blizzard in the early morning of Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Elmwood Park. A man clears snow outside his Brick Township, NJ, home Monday morning February 23, 2026. One of the biggest snow storms in history is leaving the Shore under blizzard conditions. Robin Giglio clears snow from her driveway along Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Monday morning February 23, 2026. One of the biggest snow storms in history is leaving the Shore under blizzard conditions. A snowplow clears the road in Central Park as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, Feb. 23, 2026. A child walks through the snow in Brooklyn as blizzard conditions continue on Feb. 23, 2026 in New York City. A snow plow vehicle clears snow on a street as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, Feb. 23, 2026. A man cleans the heavy snow off his car on Progress Street in Brewster, New York Feb. 23, 2026. A person removes snow from a grocery store marquee during a winter storm in New York City on Feb. 23, 2026. Residents in Philadelphia dig out their cars as heavy snow continues to fall on Feb. 23, 2026. A car is covered by snow by Summit street on Feb. 23, 2026 in Norwood, N.J. An MTA worker clears snow outside a subway station during a powerful winter storm that forced school closures and pushed offices and transit systems onto emergency schedules, in New York City, Feb. 23, 2026. Cars are encased in snow during the blizzard in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Feb. 23, 2026. Snow covers a mailbox and cars during a blizzard in the early morning of Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Elmwood Park, N.J. Snow up to your eyeballs! Photos show how deep the wintry blanket got 1 of 17 A Nor'easter winter storm buried streets, cars and neighborhoods across the Northeast. At least 49 locations reported more than 24 inches of snow by 1:30 p.m. on Monday. Matt Powers shovels a Jersey City sidewalk, Monday, February 23, 2026 after more than a foot of snow had blanketed the area. Polar vortex changes may shape the forecast again for March Pastelok said a "lobe" of the vortex is extending into eastern North America and is influencing the cold, snow and ice into early March in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, although the polar vortex isn't the only weather system at play. A polar vortex expert, MIT's Judah Cohen, told USA TODAY that "another sudden stratospheric warming looks all but inevitable and this time it would be a polar vortex split. This looks to take place at the end of the first week of March." (Sudden stratospheric warming is a rapid warming high above the Arctic that disrupts the polar vortex and can set the stage for major winter weather shifts weeks later down here in the United States.) Advertisement Advertisement Cohen said the warmth could be replaced later in the month by more cold. "I would expect a milder period in the eastern US until close to the spring equinox," Cohen said. "Then I think eventually colder weather arrives to the eastern US related to the polar vortex split in late March or early April that could hang around for a while." We still need to watch the storm track in late March, Pastelok noted. "Perhaps (there will be) a late winter storm anywhere from the upper Midwest to the interior Northeast." Above-average temperatures are finally forecast for the eastern U.S. by March 6-12, 2026, according to this map from NOAA. Cold weather might impact the West this time This time, the impacts from the split vortex would be for colder and stormier weather in western North America in early March, Pastelok said. Conversely, for many areas in the eastern U.S., temperatures will run above average from March 5-15. "This will lead to rapid snow melt and ice jams in U.S. from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast that can cause flooding." Cohen agreed with Pastelok, saying that "ironically even though everyone gets most excited about a polar vortex split (that it will cause more severe winter weather) I think the only guarantee is that it will likely bring a milder period to the eastern U.S. that could be multiple weeks. Instead, it probably favors colder, stormier weather in the Western U.S." Advertisement Advertisement Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, focusing on weather and climate. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The polar vortex isn't done. It's still in the March 2026 forecast. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. Satellite photos from Airbus showed that the site was heavily bombed. Advertisement Advertisement His death at his office showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance, state TV said. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump wrote in a social media post. He warned of heavy and pinpoint bombing that he said would continue throughout the week and even beyond, part of a lethal assault the U.S. has justified as necessary to disable the country's nuclear capabilities. Iran, which responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, warned of retribution, with the Cabinet saying that this great crime will never go unanswered. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its most intense offensive operation ever targeting Israeli and American bases. The attack opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, carried the potential for retaliatory violence and a wider war, and represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. Advertisement Advertisement The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor and because the 86-year-old supreme leader had final say on all major policies during his decades in power. He led Irans clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy. Iran quickly formed a council to govern the country until a new supreme leader is chosen. State media also reported the deaths of the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei in airstrikes. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over as the Guards top commander after Israel killed its past commander in the 12-day war last June. The adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had long been a figurehead within Irans security establishment, IRNA said. As reports trickled out about Khamenei's death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, cheering from rooftops, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. Advertisement Advertisement Mourners raised a black mourning flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. The Iranian government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Citing unidentified sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency, believed to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild. Strikes were planned for months The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administration's success in incapacitating the country's nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the U.S. military reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Advertisement Advertisement Israel, for its part, said it had killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the countrys defense minister, as well as the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei. Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do, Trump said. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and wounded in the strikes. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of Khamenei, the second leader of the Islamic Republic who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli officials confirmed the death, followed by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance. Tensions soared as US built up military forces Tensions have soared in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program while the country struggled with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trumps decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons. Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. The Magen David Adom rescue service said Saturday night that a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in an Iranian missile attack. Advertisement Advertisement At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defense systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Irans state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of the Lamerd region, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel and US Israel said the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots struck hundreds of targets across Iran, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Trump acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. He said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, saying members would be given immunity or face certain death if they did not. Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but it maintained its right to enrich uranium. Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Advertisement Advertisement Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed. Effects could extend to markets and other countries The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama, and Muharraq city by drone strikes and debris from an intercepted missile. Advertisement Advertisement Kuwaits civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Kuwaits state-run news agency said three troops were injured by shrapnel from strikes that hit Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. ___ Lidman reported from in Tel Aviv. Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Farnoush Amiri in New York and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the IRNA news agency reported 40 people were killed in the school strike, without specifying students. A 70-year-old Georgia woman has been charged with felony murder for the Feb. 25 shooting death of her husband. Madison County Sheriffs Office said deputies responded to a home in the 7000 block of Highway 72 East in Charlton at about 8:15 p.m. Deputies found a man in the living room who had been shot in the head and was unresponsive. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators identified the victim as Gregory Waco Compton, 77, of Carlton. Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Marion Jackson Compton, 70, is accused of shooting her husband with a handgun. The two lived together at the residence, and she was at home when the deputies arrived. Investigators also charged Marion Jackson Compton with malice murder, elder abuse and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, all felonies. She was arrested and taken to the Madison County Jail, where she was held without bond. The case remains under investigation by the sheriffs office. Channel 2 Action News had reached out to the sheriffs office for a mug shot. The mans next of kin has been notified. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEED TO KNOW Genice Horta, 51, was awarded $5.4 million by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury following a 10-day trial In her lawsuit, she claimed that she was hired to transport a dog from the East Valley Animal Shelter in L.A. to Arizona and had not been warned the dog previously injured others After attempting to give the dog a treat containing trazodone, the dog attacked her, severely injuring her right arm A woman who was injured after getting mauled by a dog at an animal shelter in Los Angeles has been awarded millions of dollars in damages. Genice Horta, 51, was awarded $5.4 million by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury following a 10-day trial, over three years after she filed a lawsuit claiming that she was attacked by an animal shelter dog who had a history of injuring others, according to the Los Angeles Times. Advertisement Advertisement Horta alleged in her lawsuit, per the L.A. Times, that she should have been warned about the dog a Belgian Malinois named Maximus by East Valley Animal Shelter or the rescue group she worked for. The incident unfolded on Sept. 23, 2020, when Horta was hired by Pampering Pet Rescue to drive Maximus from the East Valley Animal Shelter to Arizona, per the L.A. Times. She said that she was informed by a shelter employee that Maximus had kennel anxiety, and she offered it a treat containing trazodone, a common anxiety medication for dogs. A photo of East Valley Animal Shelter in Van Nuys, Calif. Credit: Google Maps Maximus took the treat and then lunged and latched onto Hortas right hand and arm, severely injuring her. She noted that she had to undergo six surgeries to repair the damage done to the bones and nerves in her right arm, and she sustained permanent damage from the incident, according to the lawsuit obtained by the L.A. Times. Advertisement Advertisement The shelter employee reportedly testified in court that he had warned Horta not to approach the dog with the treat, and he was seen in video played in court trying to restrain the dog with a cable looped around the canines neck. Horta claimed in her lawsuit that the shelter employee failed to control Maximus or warn her that the dog was dangerous as he had previously sent a teenager and a shelter employee to the hospital after biting them, per the L.A. Times. It is required by California state law that city animal shelters notify potential adopters that a dog had bitten or seriously injured someone. Her attorneys also said that the dog was documented by the shelter as having been seen viciously biting and snapping at people walking past his enclosure, and one employee wrote the warning USE EXTREME CAUTION!!! when discussing the dog. Hortas case revealed a series of serious and preventable mistakes made with respect to warning about Maximus bite history and adopting out and failing to control a dangerous dog, Hortas attorney, Ivan Puchalt, told the L.A. Times in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement The L.A. County Superior Court jury reportedly determined that the city of Los Angeles was 62.5% liable, the rescue group was 25% liable and Horta was 12.5% liable. A generic photo of a Belgian Shepherd Credit: Getty Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Puchalt did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the case. A spokesperson for L.A. Animal Services, which oversees animal shelters in Los Angeles, told PEOPLE in a statement that the organization's "mission is to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people in the City of Los Angeles." Advertisement Advertisement "The Department's Dog Bite and Behavior Documentation and Disclosure policy requires that staff must provide a bite and behavioral disclosure to any person receiving an animal with a prior bite history," they added. According to the L.A. Times, this is the third case in which a person won a payout after alleging that an L.A. animal shelter failed to notify people of the dangers of certain dogs. Kristin Wright, was previously awarded $3.25 million after claiming that she was severely injured by a pit bull she adopted from a South L.A. shelter that had injured its last owner. Argelia Alvarado also received a $7.5 million settlement after she was attacked by a pit bull that her son adopted from a city animal shelter that had previously attacked a jogger, per the L.A. Times. Read the original article on People WASHINGTON (AP) Key members of Congress are demanding a swift vote on a war powers resolution that would restrain President Donald Trumps military attack on Iran unless the administration wins their approval for what they warn is a potentially illegal campaign that risks pulling the United States into a deeper Middle East conflict. Both the House and Senate, where the presidents Republican Party has a slim majority, had already drafted such resolutions long before the strikes Saturday. Now they are ready to plunge into a rare war powers debate next week that will serve as a referendum on Trumps decision to go it alone on military action without formal authorization from Congress. Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of U.S. meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East? said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a leader in the bipartisan effort. He said the strikes on Iran were a colossal mistake. In the House, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are demanding Congress go on record with a public vote on their own bipartisan measure. Congress must convene on Monday to vote, Khanna said, to stop this. Massie blasted Trumps own presidential campaign slogan and said: This is not America First. But most Republicans, particularly their leaders, welcomed Trumps move against Iran. Many cited the longtime U.S. adversarys nuclear programs and missile capabilities as requiring a military response. Well done, Mr. President, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. As I watch and monitor this historic operation, Im in awe of President Trumps determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evils worst nightmare. War powers debate tests Congress The administrations decision to launch, with Israel, what appears to be an open-ended joint military operation aimed at changing the government in Tehran is testing the Constitutions separation of powers in deep and dramatic ways. Nearly two months earlier, Trump ordered U.S. strikes that toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. While presidents have the authority as the commander in chief to conduct certain strategic military operations on their own, the Constitution vests Congress with the power to wage war. Before the Iraq War began in March 2003, Republican President George W. Bush made a monthslong push to secure congressional authorization. No such vote was attempted on Iran, and an earlier Senate effort to halt Trumps actions after last summers strike on Iran failed. The congressional debate over war powers would mostly be symbolic. Even if a resolution were to pass the narrowly split Congress, Trump likely would veto it and Congress would not have the two-thirds majority needed to overturn that rejection. Congress has often failed to block other U.S. military actions, including in a Senate vote on Venezuela, but the roll calls stand as a public record. Republican leaders back Trumps action The response by House Speaker Mike Johnson reflected the partys long-standing views. Iran, he said, is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions. Johnson, R-La., said the leaders of the House and Senate and the respective intelligence committees had been briefed in detail earlier in the week that military action may become necessary to protect U.S. troops and citizens in Iran. He said he received updates from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and will stay in close contact with Trump and the Defense Department as this operation proceeds. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., commended Trump for taking action to thwart these threats. Thune said he looked forward to administration officials briefing all senators a signal that lawmakers are seeking more answers to their questions about Trumps plans ahead. Democrats warn strikes are illegal Many Democrats are calling the operation illegal, saying the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war. To them, the administration has failed to lay out its rationale or plan for the military strikes, and the aftermath. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the president has undertaken illegal, regime-change war against Iran. This is not making us safer & only damages the US & our interests, Van Hollen, D-Md., said in a social media post. The Senate must immediately vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop it. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said while Iran is a bad actor and must be aggressively confronted for its human rights abuses and the threat it poses to the U.S. and allies, the administration must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, demanded that Congress be briefed immediately on the administrations plans. Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home, he said. ___ Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Matt Brown contributed to this report. By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent This image of Flavio Alexandra Alves, taken at Walmart in Leominster, is part of court documents. WORCESTER A Brazilian national accused of smuggling hundreds of people illegally into the United States has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release, according to a press release from the office of U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. Federal prosecutors said Flavio Alexandra Alves, previously of Worcester, would purchase airline tickets for Brazilian nationals to travel from border cities to locations across the United States. The 42-year-old pleaded guilty in October to charges of conspiracy to bring aliens to and transport aliens within the United States, conspiracy to launder money and unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Advertisement Advertisement Most recently living in Worcester, Alves had joined a human smuggling organization in 2021 that would illegally bring Brazilian nationals into the United States through Mexico for a fee and then launder the proceeds, Foley's office said. Coordinating with others in Brazil and Mexico, Alves would send money to smugglers and people looking to cross the border to pay for travel expenses to the United States, sending hundreds of thousands of dollars in money transfers to facilitate the travel of people into the country. Smugglers would help people cross the border. Those people would then be detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and later released from detention, at which point they would travel from border cities to locations across the United States using tickets bought by Alves. Between May 2021 and August 2022, Alves purchased more than 100 airline tickets from Arizona shortly after border patrol encounters, to cities throughout the country, Foley's office said. Advertisement Advertisement Alves collected payments from the people as a fee for being smuggled into the United States, took a percentage of the fee as his cut and transferred the remainder of the money to other members of the organization, based in Mexico. Alves would conceal the nature and frequency of the transfers by using in-person money transfer services throughout Massachusetts, giving different names and home addresses, but also having others complete the transactions on his behalf, Foley's office added. He was arrested in March as part of an investigation that started in April 2022. Alves, who was living illegally in the country, will face deportation at the end of his sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Foley's office said that in 2005, Alves had been deported to Brazil after being convicted for human smuggling offenses in California, but eventually illegally reentered the United States. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester man faces prison time, deportation for human smuggling Reactions from world leaders poured out early Saturday after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The initiation of Operation Epic Fury, which came after weeks of threats from President Trump over the Middle Eastern nations nuclear program, sparked support from allies but also stoked fear in many countries in the region about the possibility of a wider conflict. Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has led indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran in recent months, said he was dismayed by the news. Advertisement Advertisement I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined, Busaidi posted on the social platform X. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this, he continued. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war. Busaidi met with Vice President Vance yesterday following the latest rounds of meetings between Iranian and American officials, in which he said significant progress had been made. Technical teams were set to meet in Vienna next week to continue nuclear talks. The joint strikes follow the Friday arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the nations largest aircraft carrier, to Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special and immediate state of emergency on Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement For 47 years, the Ayatollahs regime has chanted Death to Israel, Death to America. It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu posted to X. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity, he continued. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. Saudi Arabia condemned Iranian attacks on targets in the Persian Gulf in a statement shared with NewsNation, The Hills sister network. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression and the blatant violation of the sovereignty of each of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, affirming its full solidarity and standing by the side of the sister states, and placing all its capabilities at their disposal to support them in all measures they take, and warning of the grave consequences of the continued violation of the sovereignty of states and the principles of international law, the country said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement The Iraqi prime ministers office said the countrys military leaders met on Saturday and briefed Iraq President Abdul Latif Rashid on the security situation. The office condemned the unjustified aggression against Iran and warned against using Iraq as a launchpad for aggression toward the country in a statement posted after the meeting. The meeting affirmed Iraqs position on the necessity of an immediate cessation of military actions, resorting to dialogue and peaceful means provided by international law to resolve international problems, and pointed out that the entire region will be vulnerable to slipping into uncalculated consequences, and that major powers, foremost among them the United States of America, must exercise a spirit of responsibility and contribute effectively to putting forward solutions away from the military option, the office wrote. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack on Iran greatly concerning in an X post Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement In close coordination with EU Member States, we will take all necessary steps to ensure that EU citizens in the region can count on our full support, von der Leyen said. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reflected the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war in the aftermath of the strikes, noting the Iranian regimes support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently, Zelensky wrote on X. It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also reacted to the military operation in a post online, saying, The peacekeeper is at it again. Advertisement Advertisement The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew that, Medvedev wrote. So who has more patience to wait for the enemys sorry end now? The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago. Lets see what happens in 100 years or so Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government is tracking the situation in Iran closely and urged Canadians currently in the country to shelter in place. Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security, Carney posted online. The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict. We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Trump in a video posted to Truth Social also encouraged the Iranian citizens to topple the regime. He later told the Washington Post that he wants the nation to be safe and freedom for Iranians. Iran quickly responded to the attacks on Saturday, launching missiles toward Israel. Netanyahu and Trumps war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. Trump has turned America First into Israel Firstwhich always means America Last' Our Powerful Armed Forces are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve, he added. Advertisement Advertisement The Houthis, a militant group in Yemen backed by Iran, defended Tehran after the strikes and suggested the group would take action in response. It is the duty of the Arab and Islamic nationstates, peoples, and all the free people of the world threatened by the barbaric, savage, and frenzied American policyto take serious and effective action to confront this treacherous aggression and work immediately to stop it, and to declare all forms and types of solidarity with the Islamic Republic in Iran and with the right of its people to life, freedom, and dignity, the group wrote in a statement obtained by NewsNation. Russia also condemned the strikes, according to The Associated Press, and called for a return to diplomacy. In a post to Telegram, Russias foreign ministry blasted the operation as unprovoked act of armed aggression against another U.N. member and accused the Trump administration of using Irans nuclear program as a cover for seeking regime change. Advertisement Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron warned of grave consequences for international peace and security in the aftermath of the strikes called for an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council. The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop, Macron wrote on X. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. He added, This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East. Macron joined the leaders of Germany and the United Kingdom to push for a return to negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution, they wrote in a joint statement. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. Updated at 9:50 a.m. EST. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. World leaders reacted with a mix of support, condemnation and urgent calls for restraint after the United States and Israel launched a sweeping military campaign against Iran on Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump announced Khameneis death in a post on Truth Social, calling it the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country. The U.S. and Israel announced their strikes on the Middle Eastern nation in the early hours of Saturday morning after weeks of Trump threatening Iran over their nuclear deal program. The strikes hit the capital Tehran, as well as Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, Tabriz and Isfahan, where there is a major nuclear facility. Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Does Trump Have the Legal Authority to Strike Iran? An Expert Explains In the hours after the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes, Russia and China released statements in support of Iran, while Canada, Australia and Ukraine were among those who expressed support for the U.S. and Israel. Several world leaders urged restraint and de-escalation on both sides moving forward. Here is a round up of what world leaders have said about the operation that has begun war in the Middle East. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee as the country weighs its response to the attacks and Tehrans retaliation across the Gulf. Advertisement Advertisement It did not participate in the military action, but the country had deployed RAF Typhoons to Qatar to protect the al-Udeid airbase and allied bases across the region. The UK government on Saturday said in a statement it does not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. Still, a government spokesperson emphasized that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Starmer released a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, telling Iran to stop their retaliatory attacks on countries in the Middle East. We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms, the joint statement reads. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. Russia Russia condemned the U.S. and Israels attack, calling it a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state, in a statement from Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry posted to Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement It accused the U.S. and Israel of plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation and said the attacks could cause a humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe in the Middle East. China Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on X that Irans sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East, the statement continued. France In addition to the joint statement with the leaders of the United Kingdom and Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron said on X, in a post originally in French, that the escalation is dangerous for all. Advertisement Advertisement It must stop, he added. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East. He called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. European Union Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union's chief executive, said in a statement on social media that the EU has consistently promoted diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the nuclear and ballistic programmes through a negotiated solution. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law, she said. Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on X that Canada supports the U.S. acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. Advertisement Advertisement Canada's position remains clear: The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world's worst human rights records and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons. Australia Australias Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said in a statement on X that the country backs the U.S. in their military operation. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security, he said. The country also updated their travel recommendations to Do Not Travel for Lebanon and Israel. Pakistan Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement Saturday condemning what it calls unwarranted attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as retaliatory attacks by Iran against the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. Advertisement Advertisement The Ministry confirmed that a Pakistani national was killed in the UAE during the attacks. We urge all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries, the statement read. India Indias Ministry of Foreign affairs said in a statement that the country is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians, it continues. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected. Spain Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on X for immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law, decrying the potential for another prolonged war in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement We reject the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order, he said. We likewise reject the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard. Saudi Arabia The Saudi Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned Irans retaliatory strikes across the region in a statement. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the U.A.E., Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, the statement reads. United Arab Emirates After the UAE was hit by retaliatory strikes from Iran, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned its neighbor in a statement, calling the strikes a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement The UAE underscored that it retains its full and legitimate right to respond to these attacks in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity, and ensures the safety of its citizens and residents, in accordance with international law, the statement continued. Oman Omans Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi said on X Saturday after the attacks that he was dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined, said Al Busaidi, who has been a key mediator in recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. United Nations Volker Turk, the UNs Human Rights Commissioner, criticized both the strikes against Iran, and Irans retaliatory strikes. As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price, he said in a statement on Saturday. I call for restraint and implore all parties to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the 'negotiating table' where they had been actively seeking a solution only hours earlier. Advertisement Advertisement United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned military action on all sides of the conflict. I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities & de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians & regional stability, Guterres said on X He also pointed out in the post that the UNs Charter prohibits the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations. Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Iran for being Putins accomplice in a post on X reacting to the escalation. It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians. Albania Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama said on X that Albania stands firm with Israel and with the peace-seeking brotherly Arab countries and that it supports the United States military contribution. We fully endorse every decisive effort to prevent once and for all the murderers in Tehran from acquiring nuclear or any other military capacity to harm Israel or any other peace-loving nation in the Middle East, Rama said. Terrorism must be named. And once named, it must be stopped. Hungary Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally in Europe, immediately expressed concerns for how the strikes would impact oil prices. The strikes, he told reporters, doubled the importance of the Friendship oil pipeline, which runs through Ukraine. Shipments of Russian oil have been disrupted since January, and Orban has accused Ukraine of imposing an oil blockade. Kuwait Kuwaits Ali Al Salem Air Base, which is used by the U.S. military, was also targeted as part of Irans military retaliation. Kuwait released a statement condemning the Iranian attacks on their soil and asserted their right to respond to the brazen attack via Article 51 of the UN Charter. Qatar In similar statements to Kuwait and UAE, Qatar condemned Irans retaliatory attacks and reaffirmed their own right to respond, as per international law. The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, considering it a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, a direct infringement on its security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region, the statement, posted to X, read. Lebanon Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on X that he will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity. Contact us at letters@time.com. The outbreak of conflict between Israel and the United States against Iran, triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes across Iran, has drawn frantic calls for calm as deep consternation spreads across globe. Criticism has mounted against Washington for taking part in the attacks while still engaged in nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Anger has also surfaced in Gulf states caught up in the conflict, as Iran launches retaliatory missile strikes against US military assets hosted on their soil. Here is a breakdown of how countries and institutions are responding: United States President Donald Trump announced that the US was engaged in a major combat operation aimed at eliminating threats from the Iranian regime on Saturday morning, as missiles hit numerous areas in Tehran and across the country. Trump pledged to raze Irans missile industry and destroy its navy, while urging the Iranian people to overthrow the government. Israel A senior Israeli defence official told the Reuters news agency the joint US-Israeli attacks had been planned for months, with a specific date set weeks ago. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attacks aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran. He said the attacks would create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. Iran Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel and the US of violating the United Nations charter with their attacks and pledged a harsh response, as the country waged retaliatory attacks on Israel as well as in several Gulf states that host US military assets, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target, a senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera. There are no red lines after this aggression. Hezbollah Lebanons Hezbollah condemned the US-Israeli attacks as a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, saying it was an attempt to destabilise the region and force its people to accept domination and occupation schemes. Advertisement Advertisement It declared solidarity with Iran and called on people in the region to confront this aggressive plan and recognise its danger. United Nations UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security, he said, warning of the risks of a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Saturday. European Union European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa called the conflict greatly concerning and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law. Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, called on countries to respect the rules of war and urged them to find the political will to prevent further death and destruction. She warned that a dangerous chain reaction of military escalation was under way across the Middle East, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians. Oman The main mediator in ongoing US-Iran negotiations, Oman expressed dismay at the outbreak of violence. Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the conflict would not serve US interests, nor the interests of global peace, and urged Washington not to get sucked in further. Advertisement Advertisement The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all parties to immediately cease military operations and for the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to impose a ceasefire. Germany, France, the UK In a joint statement, the prime ministers of the three countries said they condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms and remain committed to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life. They also said they want a resumption of US-Iran negotiations. Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, saying the conflict carries serious consequences for international peace and security. The current escalation is dangerous for everyone. It must stop, he said. The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 28, 2026 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in an address that UK forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations. Advertisement Advertisement Iran can end this now, he said, calling on them to give up their weapons programmes, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people. Qatar The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned Iran for firing missiles at Qatari territory, which is home to the Al Udeid Air Base that hosts US troops. The ministry called the attacks a flagrant violation of Qatars national sovereignty and a direct assault on its security. It added that Qatar reserves the right to respond, as per international law. United Arab Emirates The Ministry of Defence condemned in the strongest terms Irans attacks on its territory, several of which it said its air defences intercepted. It called the attack a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians, stressing that the UAE has the full right to respond. Bahrain Bahrain confirmed that an Iranian missile attack targeted the headquarters of the US Navys 5th Fleet that it hosts, and called the attack treacherous. Kuwait The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the Iranian attack on its soil as a flagrant violation of international law and said it had the right to respond. It warned that any additional escalation would only deepen regional instability. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states and warned of dire consequences. Turkiye The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all parties to end the spiral of violence, which it stressed started with US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The events that began with Israel and the US attacking Iran, and continued with Iran targeting third countries, are of a nature that risks the future of our region and global stability, said the ministry. Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran and called for an immediate halt to escalation through urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis. Russia Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, accused the US of having used its nuclear talks with Iran as a cover-up before military operations. The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to swiftly deliver an objective assessment of what it called irresponsible actions that risk further destabilising the region. China The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged an immediate halt to military actions and appealed for the resumption of dialogue and negotiations to maintain regional peace and stability. It stressed that Irans national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected. India The Ministry of External Affairs called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalation. It said dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued and that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected. The statement came several days after the countrys Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Israel and hailed their vital partnership. Ukraine The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Iran of being responsible for the chain of events leading to the conflict, including its crackdown on protests earlier this year. The cause of the current events is precisely the violence and impunity of the Iranian regime, in particular the killings and repression of peaceful protesters, which have become particularly widespread in recent months, said the Foreign Ministry. Norway Foreign Minister Espen Barth said the initial attack on Iran by Israel breached standards of international law. The attack is described by Israel as a preventive strike, but it is not in line with international law, said Barth. Preventive attacks require an immediately imminent threat. Belgium Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the Iranian people must not pay the price for their governments choices. We deeply regret that diplomatic efforts could not lead earlier to a negotiated solution. Canada Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the country stands with the Iranian people and reaffirms Israels right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people. He said Canada supports the US acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Ireland Irelands prime minister, Michael Martin, strongly urged all parties to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and wider conflict. Advertisement Advertisement The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount, he said. Venezuela The government of Venezuela said that it condemns and regrets deeply that, in a context in which diplomatic efforts and ongoing negotiations are being developed, the military route was opted for, through attacks against Iran. It also described Tehrans response as undue and condemnable. Americans are being advised to immediately leave the Middle East. The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday, sparking retaliation in the region. The State Department said late on Wednesday that it's providing charter flights out for US citizens. The US government is advising Americans to leave the Middle East immediately amid the US-Israel war with Iran. As of Thursday, the Middle Eastern countries and territories US citizens are advised to vacate continue to be: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement Airspace in most of these countries remains largely closed for commercial travel, though a few flights have left. How Americans stuck in the Middle East can get home The US State Department said late on Wednesday that it was providing charter flights out of the Middle East for US citizens, and that one plane had taken off. Security updates in the region are currently as follows: Level 4, do not travel: Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen Level 3, reconsider travel: Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Kuwait, and Qatar Level 2, exercise increased caution: Egypt The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans worldwide. Here is a summary of our Middle East security updates as of March 4, 9pm EST. Americans trying to get home from Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, or pic.twitter.com/ZXTbH3NfB5 TravelGov (@TravelGov) March 5, 2026 3 steps US citizens in the Middle East should follow: In an X post on Monday, the US Department of State Consular Affairs said US citizens should: Advertisement Advertisement 1) Enroll in http://step.state.gov for security updates from the nearest US Embassy. 2) Follow @travelgov on social media or the WhatsApp channel "U.S. Department of State - Security Updates for U.S. Citizens." 3) For emergency assistance, call: +1-202-501-4444 from overseas +1-888-407-4747 from the US and Canada The government's approach to helping US citizens has evolved since the war began on Saturday, and it was criticized after it told people to leave Middle Eastern countries "immediately," when airspace was largely closed and several embassies initially said they would not be able to get US citizens out. Advertisement Advertisement Dylan Johnson, the assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, said on X Thursday that since Saturday, nearly 20,000 American citizens had safely returned to the United States from the Middle East, a figure that didn't include "the many Americans who have safely relocated to other countries or those who have departed the Middle East but are still in transit back to the United States." Advice for Americans in the Middle East and neighboring countries varies The US government is sharing updates for US citizens from its respective embassies (including its virtual Iranian embassy) on X. US embassies in the Middle East were explicit about the potential dangers of remaining in and traveling to the region and provided advice tailored to the perceived threat in each country and territory. The guidance varies by country. On Thursday, the US told Americans in Iran to shelter in place, or to leave by land. It warned the Iranian government may restrict or prevent departures from Iran and told US-Iranian dual nationals to leave on their Iranian passports. Advertisement Advertisement Americans in Iraq were told to consider overland routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. On Wednesday, the US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan, a neighboring country to Iran that also has a defense pact with Saudi Arabia, updated its advisory to state that non-emergency US government employees and the family members of US government personnel from the Lahore and Karachi Consulates should leave Pakistan. There were no further updates on Thursday afternoon EST. Middle Eastern airspace is largely closed After Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar closed their airspaces over the weekend, some flights from the Middle East resumed on Monday, including from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, albeit somewhat chaotically. On Friday, Etihad said it has resumed a limited flight schedule between March 6 and March 19. Etihad to resume limited flight schedule from 6 March Etihad will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from 6 March 2026, operating between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations. Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated on these flights as soon as pic.twitter.com/GNiAWjmmY2 Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 6, 2026 The airline said it would operate flights between Abu Dhabi and destinations such as Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Toronto, and guests with prior bookings would be accommodated on these flights. Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Emirates said it was operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice and that it continues to prioritize customers with earlier bookings. With the limited reopening of airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice. Visit https://t.co/A2RdND1Gjr for more information. These flights are open for booking and we are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority. pic.twitter.com/a0R100YFUL Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 5, 2026 The latest guidance from Dubai Airports is that travelers should not go to the airport unless their airline has confirmed their flight is operating. As limited flight operations resume at DXB and DWC, here are answers to some common questions were receiving 1 Should I travel to the airport if my airline has not confirmed my flight? No. If your airline has not confirmed your flight is operating, please do not travel DXB (@DXB) March 3, 2026 Most flights remain suspended. Please do not come to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your departure time. Guests without a confirmed flight may not be able to access the terminals. Please contact your airline directly for the latest updates on your flight. DXB (@DXB) March 4, 2026 Other airports in the region have advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight updates before leaving for the airport. Read the original article on Business Insider Questen Inghram is a Murrow News Fellow at the Yakima Herald-Republic whose beat focuses on government in Central Washington communities. Email qinghram@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7674. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, email news@yakimaherald.com. Actor Shia LaBeouf, known for his off-screen troubles as well as his film roles, has converted to Catholicism after being confirmed on New Years Eve at a Mass presided over by Capuchin Franciscan friars. The Capuchin Franciscans-Western American Province announced the news on its Facebook site where it posted images of a smiling LeBeouf receiving Communion, kneeling with his eyes shut in prayer at Mass and hugging friars who attended the ceremony. The sacramental ceremony was held at Old Mission Santa Ines Parish in Solvang, California, the same friary where LaBeouf who has acknowledged alcoholism and faced abuse allegations trained for months for his role as one of Italys best-known and most revered saints in the 2022 film, Padre Pio. The Capuchin Franciscan friars are overjoyed to welcome him into the fold and witness his deep commitment to his faith journey, the Catholic religious order said. LaBeouf has embarked on a profound spiritual journey that has led him to embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church, the order said. His decision to fully enter the Church is a testament to his sincere desire to grow in his relationship with God and live out the Gospel values. LaBeouf first gained fame as a teenager on the Disney Channel show Even Stevens, and is best known for his roles in 2007s Transformers and in 2008s Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. He also starred in the 2019 film The Peanut Butter Falcon. He has had several run-ins with the law during his career, including a 2017 New York City arrest on suspicion of assault that happened during a livestream. LaBeouf, who has been accused by a former girlfriend of abuse, spent months in the California friary preparing for his role in Padre Pio. The actor has said the chance to play the mystic Capuchin monk best known for having displayed the stigmata wounds of Christ he bled from his hands, feet and sides was a miracle for him personally. LaBeouf said last year in an interview with Bishop Robert Barron, of the Winona-Rochester diocese in Minnesota, that he was agnostic before turning to Catholicism. He said he had a bar mitzvah as a 13-year-old boy but never embraced the Jewish faith. Barron, in an email to The Associated Press on Friday, described LaBeoufs conversion as a testament to Gods grace. God seems to specialize in finding the lost, Barron wrote. Jesus himself said, I have come not for the righteous but for sinners. So, forgiveness is always available; redemption is always possible. LaBeoufs confirmation sponsor, Capuchin friar Brother Alexander Rodriguez, told the AP that LaBeouf would not have become a Catholic if he had not gone through the personal difficulties and sins that we know about. It is because of his sufferings that hes gone through that he was able to come to know God, especially with playing the part of Padre Pio, the friar said in a telephone interview. Padre Pio died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II, going on to become one of the most popular saints in Italy, the U.S. and beyond. The Capuchin Friars Minor is a Catholic religious order of men inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. On its site they say their life mission is to serve the poor and live the Gospel through fraternity, simplicity, and contemplative prayer. __ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. __ This story was first published Jan. 5, 2024. It was updated on Feb. 27, 2026, to correct that LaBeoufs 2017 New York arrest was on suspicion of assault, not public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. By LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated Press Katelyn Thomas, the student executive officer for community relations at Edmonds College, puts away her belongings last May after a student executive board meeting at the center for student engagement and leadership where she has a desk in Lynnwood. Thanks to Running Start, Thomas was able to take college and high school classes simultaneously, earning both a high school diploma and an associate degree. Taking Running Start and College in the High School classes to earn her associate degree while still in high school saved Thomas at least $20,000 in college tuition, by her moms estimate. (Ivy Ceballo / The Seattle Times) Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. One of the remaining barracks at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming is shown here. Japanese Americans from the Yakima Valley were sent to the camp under Executive Order 9066, which directed the removal of all people of Japanese descent from the West Coast. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistans military, backed by artillery and air power, struck more military installations deep inside Afghanistan overnight after Pakistan said it was in open war with its eastern neighbor. Pakistan on Saturday claimed more than 330 Afghan forces had been killed since fighting erupted Thursday night during a broad Afghan cross-border attack into Pakistan. Afghanistan rejected the figures as false. The casualty figures provided by either side could not be independently confirmed. The fighting was in response to Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan last Sunday. Pakistan said it was targeting the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, or TTP. The group is separate but closely allied with Afghanistans ruling Taliban. Afghanistan, however, said only civilians were killed in Sundays airstrike. After the Afghan attack, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared Friday: Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us. Continued fighting Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Saturday that more than 331 Afghan forces had been killed and over 500 others wounded during the ongoing military strikes in Afghanistan. Pakistan destroyed 102 Afghan posts, captured 22 others and destroyed 163 tanks and armored vehicles at 37 locations, he said. Kabul has dismissed the casualty claim as inaccurate. On Saturday, the Afghan Defense Ministry claimed that Afghan forces killed 110 Pakistani soldiers during ongoing fighting. Enayatullah Khawarazmi, a ministry spokesman, wrote on X that Afghan forces also captured 27 Pakistani posts. There was no immediate response from Islamabad. Pakistans army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday that 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the fighting. The Afghan governments deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, on Saturday accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas in the provinces of Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar and Kandahar, as well as refugee camps in Torkham and Kandahar. Fitrat said 52 people had been killed, most of them women and children, and 66 others wounded. Meanwhile, the United Nations wrote on X that major cities in Afghanistan were reportedly bombed by the Pakistani military on Friday, marking a new escalation and raising fears for civilians already struggling under the harsh rule of the Taliban authorities. On Friday, Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said 13 Afghan forces were killed and 22 wounded. He also said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Pakistan put its own military figures at 12 killed, 27 wounded and one soldier missing in action. Pakistans state-run media reported the countrys air force carried out strikes targeting key military installations in various areas of eastern Afghanistan. According to Pakistani authorities, hundreds of residents living near the northwestern Torkham border crossing had fled. In recent days, Pakistan has also deported dozens of Afghan refugees to Torkham. Ejaz Ul Haq, an Afghan refugee stranded near the Torkham border with his family, said he could not return to Afghanistan because of the fighting. Many others were struggling to obtain food during the fasting month of Ramadan, he said. Afghanistans Defense Ministry on Saturday said Afghanistan attacked Pakistani military bases in Miranshah and Spin Wam overnight, destroying military installations and causing heavy casualties in response to the ongoing airstrikes by Pakistan. Afghanistan says Pakistan targeting civilian areas In eastern Afghanistan, the Department of Information and Culture accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas, destroying homes and killing at least 11 people. There was no immediate response from Pakistan, which has said it is targeting only military installations. Mullah Taj Mohammad Naqshbandi, a commissioner on the Afghan side of the Torkham border, said in a statement Saturday that the brave forces of the Islamic Emirate destroyed the Pakistani military regimes commissariat, military units, and three important security towers. On Friday, the Afghan government said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during its strikes and Afghan losses were far lower than Pakistan claimed. Mujahid, the Afghan government spokesman, said Friday that the countrys attacks on Pakistani military targets were meant as a message that our hands can reach their throats and that we will respond to every evil act of Pakistan. He added that Pakistan has never sought to resolve problems through dialogue. Pakistan has frequently accused Kabul of sheltering the TTP, allegations the group and Afghanistans Taliban government deny. Pakistans army spokesman Chaudhry said Friday the Afghan government had to choose TTP or Pakistan. Tension high for months Tensions have been high since October, when dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants were killed in border clashes. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire ended the intense fighting that month, but several rounds of peace talks in Turkey in November failed to produce a lasting agreement. The two sides have occasionally traded fire since then, though the ceasefire had largely held until last week, when Pakistan struck what it described as TTP hideouts. Since then, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China and several other countries are again attempting to defuse tensions by offering mediation. Qatars minister of state, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, spoke Friday with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to de-escalate tensions, Qatars Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. ___ Abdul Qahar Afghan reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writers Riaz Khan and Rasool Dawar in Peshawar, Pakistan, contributed to this report. By MUNIR AHMED and ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN Associated Press The understanding was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The proposed greenfield airports are planned at Manas National Park, Umrangshu, Majuli, Diphu and Charaideo. Assam already has seven airports - Guwahati, Jorhat, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Lakhimpur, and Rupsi. Chief Minister Sarma thanked the Airports Authority of India for undertaking the initiative to carry out the pre-feasibility studies at the five identified locations. He stated that a greenfield airport at Manas would not only address strategic and security considerations but would also significantly boost wildlife tourism in the region. He further said that the proposed airports at Majuli, Umrangshu, Diphu and Charaideo would enhance regional connectivity and increase tourist footfall, thereby contributing to local economic development. The Chief Minister also observed that the development of these greenfield airports would enable Assam to set a model that could be replicated by other states. He requested AAI to consider upgrading Rupsi Airport into a full-fledged airport, keeping in view its strategic proximity to the Siliguri Corridor, Chicken's Neck. Additionally, he urged AAI to take steps to enhance international flight connectivity from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. He also said that the greenfield airports and consequently launching flight operations from these airports is expected to provide a major fillip to regional connectivity, while boosting tourism, industry and commerce, and strengthening strategic communication infrastructure across the state. He further said that the move would reinforce Assam's role as a key gateway to North East and South East Asian nations. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], February 28: CollegeSathi, an emerging Indian edtech platform, aims to address the confusion around higher education choices with its latest feature, ClikPick, a smart comparison tool designed to simplify decision-making. Built on the idea that students need clarity before commitment, ClikPick lets users compare multiple universities and courses side by side in just three clicks. Rather than searching across several scattered sources and promotional pages, students can find key academic and admission details in one place, presented clearly and ready to use. Online Education and the Need for Clarity As online education expands across India, students now have more programmes and institutions to choose from. While access has improved, understanding which options are credible and right for the long term has become more challenging. CollegeSathi works in this space by focusing on verified online programs and clear guidance. The edtech platform helps students understand their options in a simple and honest way, so they can choose a course with confidence. Turning Complexity to Clarity with ClikPick ClikPick is designed to make online education decisions simpler and faster. Rather than confusing students with excessive information, the tool brings together the most relevant academic and admission details needed to make a confident choice. Users can compare online programs based on course structure, fees, scholarship availability, placement outcomes, accreditation, student feedback, and eligibility requirements, all within a single view. By presenting information side by side, ClikPick helps students focus on what matters most to them, whether that is affordability, flexibility, academic quality, or career alignment. As Raviraj Khatri, Founder and CEO of CollegeSathi, Says Education is the root solution to every problem, and everyone deserves a clear, honest path to it. When online learning became a real opportunity for many people, the focus needed to shift from promotion to guidance. ClikPick is meant to help students understand their options clearly before they commit. From Guidance to a Full Edtech Platform Founded in 2016, Collegesathi Private Limited began with a simple objective to help learners explore online higher education without financial pressure or misinformation. What started as a guidance initiative has grown into a full edtech platform that combines technology with expert counselling. Throughout this journey, the focus has stayed the same - giving students clear and unbiased information. Over the years, CollegeSathi has supported more than 30,000 learners through structured guidance journeys. The platform continues to operate on a free-to-use model, ensuring that access to education guidance remains open and inclusive. Leadership Perspective CollegeSathi is led by a team with great experience in education guidance and platform building. Founder and CEO Raviraj Khatri brings over 18 years of experience in student counselling and education advisory, shaping the platform's focus on practical outcomes and informed decision-making in online education. Supporting this vision, Chirag Nagpal, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, looks after the platform's day-to-day operations and execution. His role ensures that student guidance, platform features, and support systems work smoothly as CollegeSathi continues to grow. On the strategic front, Keerti Khandelwal, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, drives long-term planning and growth initiatives. Her work centres on building structured, data-led systems that support CollegeSathi's guidance-first approach. Together, the leadership team continues to make CollegeSathi a student-focused platform built on consistency, trust, and long-term value. Vision and Mission CollegeSathi envisions an online education ecosystem where learners can make informed choices without barriers of location, background, or access to reliable information. Its mission is to make it easier for students to discover and choose the right courses by offering transparency and guidance at every step. The platform works to bridge the gap between students and quality education options while also providing personalised counselling alongside its tools. CollegeSathi supports learners throughout the entire admission process, from exploration to enrollment. With ClikPick, the platform aims to make decision-making faster and more confident, helping students choose courses that fit their future goals. At its core, the platform encourages learners to compare carefully before committing. Its message, "Compare Karo, Choose Karo" reflects that simple approach to informed decision-making. Redefining How Students Choose Education With more online courses, hybrid programs, and specialized degrees available, education is made easier, but it has also made choosing a course more complicated. Learners spend weeks comparing universities and courses, and still do not get a clear picture of their future. Therefore, ClikPick is designed to reduce confusion. Instead of checking multiple websites and brochures, students can see key details in one place and compare them directly. It does not reduce choices, but it does make them easier to understand. CollegeSathi's latest innovation is more than a time-saver. It supports learners by giving a clearer starting point so they can make decisions without feeling confused. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) HT Syndication New Delhi [India], February 28: Rising in Greater Noida's Sector Delta-2, it is the group's first landmark -- designed to bring together retail energy and modern studio spaces in one integrated urban setting. The idea is simple but powerful: bring organized retail spaces and thoughtfully designed studio units together in one cohesive structure -- reflecting how modern cities actually live and function today. Retail creates everyday movement. It brings visibility, interaction, and economic energy. Studios add continuity and flexibility, catering to professionals, entrepreneurs, business travelers, and investors looking for compact, efficient spaces in well-connected locations. Together, they create a natural balance -- vibrant commercial spaces below and smart, functional urban units above. City Vista is not just a combination of two formats; it is a relationship between them, where each strengthens the other. The choice of Greater Noida makes this vision even more relevant. Over the past decade, Greater Noida has steadily evolved into one of North India's most structured and promising urban corridors. Wide roads, planned sectors, improving metro connectivity, and the upcoming Noida International Airport have all contributed to its growing importance. The city's development has been guided by planning and infrastructure, creating a stronger sense of confidence for both businesses and investors. Within this larger growth story, Delta-2 stands out as a location with the right fundamentals -- strong connectivity, a growing residential base, and a developing commercial presence. It is not a market driven by short-term momentum, but by steady, long-term activity. That makes it a natural starting point for Levante's first landmark. At the same time, Levante City Vista represents more than just a new project. It reflects the larger philosophy behind Levante Group. Levante was established with a clear purpose: to create landmark developments that redefine how people live, work, and grow. The focus is on integration -- building spaces where commerce, lifestyle, and community exist together seamlessly. Each development is intended not just to occupy space, but to add lasting value to its surroundings -- architecturally, economically, and socially. This philosophy is shaped by the complementary strengths of its founders. Rajiv Goel, Co-Founder of Levante, brings over three decades of experience in structural and geotechnical engineering. A Civil Engineering graduate from BITS Pilani and a Master's degree holder in Structural Engineering from IIT Delhi, he has worked on complex infrastructure and development projects where precision and durability were essential. As the Founder of Globe Infra Solutions and a former Vice President of the Builders Association of India (North India), he has remained closely involved in advancing construction and engineering standards. At Levante, his role is focused on one critical responsibility -- ensuring every project is built on strong engineering principles and long-term structural integrity. Complementing this technical expertise is equally deep financial and strategic leadership. Parul Singhal, Co-Founder of Levante and a Fellow Chartered Accountant, brings more than three decades of experience in real estate finance, governance, procurement, and project structuring. His career has been defined by building sound financial systems that support sustainable growth. Known for his disciplined approach and practical insight, he ensures each project is carefully planned, transparently managed, and financially robust. At Levante, his focus is on turning vision into viable, well-structured reality. Together, the founders have contributed to residential, commercial, IT, and industrial developments across Delhi NCR and North India. Their combined experience spans private and government projects, large-scale construction environments, and diverse asset classes. This shared journey shapes Levante's core belief: ambition must be backed by execution, and growth must be guided by experience. Looking ahead, Levante Group plans to invest over 500 crore in the Delhi NCR real estate market over the coming years. This investment will focus on carefully selected micro-markets where infrastructure, demand, and long-term potential come together. The goal is to create integrated developments supported by strong construction standards, thoughtful design, and efficient execution -- ensuring each project contributes meaningfully to its environment while creating enduring asset value. The aim is not simply to expand, but to participate with purpose in Delhi NCR's evolving urban future. Levante City Vista is the first step in that journey. It reflects confidence in Greater Noida's direction, clarity in product thinking, and balance in leadership. More importantly, it marks the beginning of a development group committed to building with trust, experience, and responsibility. As Levante moves forward, City Vista stands as both a foundation and a preview -- a landmark shaped by intent, strengthened by expertise, and guided by a vision to create spaces where people and businesses can grow together. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) VMPL New Delhi [India], February 28: KSB limited one of the worlds leading supplier of pumps, valves and systems have declared that their sales revenue of 2025 is registered as INR 2,696 crores, which is 6.42% increase over the previous year. The sales revenue of Quarter 4 recorded at 7.93% growth, compared to the same period last year, closing the quarter with sales revenue of INR 784 crores.The company has announced a 220 % dividend, reflectinga consistent year-on-year increase and demonstrating the company's strong performance. Major Highlights of the Q4 results. The company has bagged Solar Projects where in the orders for Solar pumps have been received from the Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan, Maharashtra State Electricity, Maharashtra Energy, MPUVNL and DGVCL for 58 crores. The company has also secured Refinery Project export order for the Hassi Massoud Refinery Project, Algeria. A major order in water segment has been received as Pumps Export (UAE) from KSB Pumps Arabia. KSB ltd also got a Specialised Service Order - Cavern Application. A breakthrough service order has been received for a customized solution for a cavern application (LPG). Also the company received a key order in Power Plant Project for powerplant based at Chhattisgarh. Summarizing the business highlights, Mr. Prashant Kumar, Vice President - Sales and Marketing, KSB Limited, said, "This year, we have delivered strong sales performance, registering a 6.42% YoY growth, driven by disciplined execution and strategic market focus. We have seen robust traction across Solar, Building Services, Energy and WWW segments, strengthening our leadership position in core markets. Key order wins across Solar, Oil & Gas, Power, and specialized service applications demonstrate our competitive strength. Our export momentum continues with significant project orders reinforcing our expanding global footprint. With a balanced portfolio, strong standard business foundation, and growing export presence, we are well positioned to sustain growth and outperform market volatility in the coming quarters." Mr. Mahesh Bhave, Chief Financial Officer at KSB Limited, commented: "We are pleased to report a stable and consistent financial performance for FY 2025, achieving growth in both revenue and profit, despite volatile Geo-political situation. The Board has recommended an increase in the dividend over last year, which reflects robust profitability commitment and continued value creation for investors." About KSB Limited KSB Limited, founded in 1960 in India, is a part of KSB SE & Co. KGaA, one of the world's leading suppliers of pumps, valves, and systems. Combining innovative technology with excellent service to provide intelligent solutions, the company offers robust and reliable solutions catering to the diverse needs of customers in India and overseas across sectors such as power, oil, building services, process engineering, water treatment, and water transport. KSB specializes in Centrifugal End Suction Pumps, High-Pressure Multistage Pumps, Industrial Gate, Globe and Check Valves, Submersible Motor Pumps, Monobloc and Mini Monobloc Pumps, Hydropneumatic Systems, and Control Valves. Today, the KSB Group has a presence across all continents through its own sales and marketing companies, manufacturing facilities, and service operations. In 2025, the Group generated consolidated annual sales revenue exceedingEUR3 billion. Contact: KSB Limited, Mumbai-Pune Road, Pimpri, Pune 411 018, Tel- +91 020 2710 1000. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) NewsVoir Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) [India], February 28: Manipal Tata Medical College (MTMC), Jamshedpur, a premier constituent unit of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), was privileged to host the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at its campus recently. The Presidential visit underscores a pivotal moment for the advancement of medical education and healthcare infrastructure within the state of Jharkhand. The Hon'ble President was received with a warm welcome by dignitaries including: - Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon'ble Governor of Jharkhand- Shri Irfan Ansari, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Jharkhand- Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE- Shri Somnath Das, Group President, Manipal Education & Medical Group (MEMG)- Shri D.B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel Ltd. The visit commenced with the Hon'ble President group photographs with the Faculty, Management and Students, followed by MIYAZAKI MANGO sapling plantation. In his welcome address at T.M.A Pai Hall, the Vice Chancellor referred to the significant policy change by Government of India in 2019 which led to the establishment of first ever Private Private Consortium model medical college named Manipal Tata Medical College (MTMC). Tata Steel Ltd. has provided its Tata Main Hospital as teaching Hospital. The first batch of 150 MBBS students commenced from the academic year 2020-21 which is now due to pass out in March 2026. Referring to MAHE's legacy, the VC mentioned specifically on the role of Dr. Ramdas M. Pai, Chancellor, MAHE & Dr. Ranjan Pai, President MAHE Trust. He highlighted about Manipal's role in medical health care system by establishing first Private Medical College in 1953 followed by first Public Private Medical college in Sikkim. The VC concluded with thanking the Hon'ble President on behalf of entire MAHE family for having spared her valuable time to be present with us today. During the interaction with the students, Smt. Purnima Hembram (2nd year student) expressed her strong resolve to complete her studies notwithstanding the fact that she is married with three children and a family to support. She belongs to a village in Jharkhand but her parents and family continuously encouraged her to complete her studies and become a doctor to enable her to work in the rural areas for the health care of the downtrodden. The Hon'ble President expressed her admiration for all the students and highlighted the resolve of Smt. Purnima and appealed to the MTMC and its entire student community to adopt Purnima's resolve as a role model. Hon'ble President lauded the legacy of Manipal Group which led to MTMC formation which has earned its reputation in the region in just six years. She specifically expressed the fact that she felt completely at home while being in the MTMC Campus. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) PNN New Delhi [India], February 28: EnerSynk Group has appointed the 6th President of the Republic of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, as Emeritus Chairperson, adding former head-of-state and scientific leadership to the company as it scales renewable energy and atmospheric carbon infrastructure across multiple continents. "Bringing a former President with a scientific background into our leadership structure reinforces our commitment to building infrastructure that combines governance, credibility and environmental performance," said Jason Temasfieldt, Founder of EnerSynk Group. "As climate pressures intensify globally, scalable infrastructure solutions must move beyond concepts and into deployable systems." EnerSynk develops utility-scale solar projects, hybrid renewable systems, energy storage platforms and industrial manufacturing ecosystems designed to align economic growth with environmental accountability. A key component of its innovation portfolio is FORESTA, a deployable microalgae-based carbon infrastructure system housed within a standard 20-foot container. Designed as air management infrastructure, the system continuously absorbs carbon dioxide, reduces nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, captures particulate matter and releases oxygen through controlled photosynthesis. Within approximately 14 square metres, a single FORESTA unit is engineered to capture between 8 and 14 metric tons of CO annually, produce 4 to 8 tons of oxygen and generate commercially usable biomass. The system operates 24 hours per day without requiring soil or extensive land areas. ISO certification is currently in process. "Sustainable development must be rooted in science, accountability and measurable impact. EnerSynk's integrated approach to renewable energy and deployable carbon infrastructure reflects the type of innovation required to address climate challenges at scale. I look forward to supporting the Group's continued international expansion," said Dr. Gurib-Fakim. The company is currently negotiating a 500-megawatt solar project in Zambia and a 150-megawatt solar project in Zimbabwe, signaling its growing footprint in utility-scale renewable energy across Africa. EnerSynk Chairman Huzaifa Khorakiwala said the appointment strengthens the company's governance framework as it enters its next phase of growth. "Strong governance and scientific oversight are critical as we scale commercially viable climate-aligned infrastructure," he said. "This appointment reflects our long-term approach to responsible expansion." In parallel with its energy and carbon initiatives, EnerSynk has a mandate to attract international manufacturers to Bocsa Hungary, positioning Bocsa as a potential advanced-manufacturing hub within EnerSynk's broader European strategy. The company's combined focus on utility-scale renewable generation, industrial manufacturing corridors and atmospheric carbon systems reflects a strategy aimed at integrating energy production with environmental infrastructure at a regional scale. About EnerSynk Group EnerSynk Group is an international renewable energy and climate infrastructure developer operating across India, Hungary, Zambia and the UAE, with expansion plans into the United States. The Group develops utility-scale solar, hybrid energy systems, energy storage solutions and sustainable industrial projects, and is advancing deployable atmospheric carbon solutions such as FORESTA, positioning itself within the emerging category of air management infrastructure. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) Speaking at the inauguration of the plant, Mehrotra emphasised that "this facility will convert advanced DRAM and NAND wafers from Micron's global network into multiple hundreds of millions of chips per year that go into our finished products for our global customers. "There is no artificial intelligence without data," Mehrotra stated. "And there is no data without memory and storage. And the memory and storage that powers AI for everyone, that is what Micron builds." The project involves a planned investment of USD 2.75 billion and represents India's first world-class semiconductor assembly and test clean room. The facility is smart manufacturing, powered by AI automation, real-time analytics, and advanced robotics. The CEO confirmed that the site has already achieved 23 million working hours with a strong safety record and incorporates sustainable practices such as 100% water reuse. India has evolved into a global powerhouse for Micron's operations since 2019, expanding from R&D to full-scale manufacturing. The company's Indian team has grown to 6,000 members, with local engineers contributing to the design of advanced memory technologies like "gamma DRAM and generation nine NAND chips." Mehrotra highlighted the high level of innovation occurring locally, noting that "over 300 inventors already hold patents" in India, with more than 2,500 patents and disclosures already filed by the local team. Addressing previous skepticism regarding India's ability to host advanced semiconductor manufacturing, Mehrotra credited the success to structural reforms and the government's focus on national skilling. He stated that the partnership between American innovation and India's vision is writing the next chapter of global technology. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Micron ATMP (Assembly, Test, Marking, and Packaging) facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The landmark event, marking the commencement of commercial production, signifies a historic milestone in India's journey toward global technology leadership. The Prime Minister noted that after the world's largest and most successful AI Summit, the country is witnessing another historic milestone. "While the AI Summit introduced the world to India's AI prowess, today is a testament to India's commitment to technology leadership," he said. The Prime Minister noted that while India was once primarily known for software and IT services, it is now rapidly strengthening its identity in the hardware sector. "Today, in Sanand, we see the dawn of a new future. The commencement of commercial production at Micron's ATMP Facility is set to bolster India's role in the global technology value chain," he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the "New India" mindset, where the transition from policy to production is happening at unprecedented speed. He emphasised the project's rapid progression, noting that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed in June 2023, followed by the groundbreaking in Sanand in September 2023. "By February 2024, machine installation in the pilot facility had begun, leading to the commencement of commercial production in February 2026," he noted. PM Modi stated that India has significantly streamlined complex regulatory processes, successfully clearing Advanced Pricing Agreements (APAs) in just a few months. He noted that this same procedure typically takes between three and five years to complete, even in developed nations. "When the intent is clear and the dedication is toward the nation's rapid development, policies become transparent and decisions gain momentum," the Prime Minister remarked. He emphasised that this facility is a testament to the robust partnership between India and the USA, particularly in AI and chip technology. He mentioned that two of the world's largest democracies, India and the USA are working continuously to secure the global supply chain, citing the Pax Silica agreement signed during the AI Summit as a key effort to make the supply chain for critical minerals more reliable. Terming the present century as the century of the AI Revolution, the Prime Minister called semiconductors a bridge to this change. Comparing historical shifts, PM Modi stated that if oil was the regulator of the 20th century, the micro-chip is the regulator of the 21st century. A tiny chip is the medium connecting the Industrial Revolution to the AI Revolution. "With this vision, India decided to move forward aggressively in the semiconductor sector. Recall that when the world was struggling with the havoc of Covid, India announced its Semiconductor Mission. During the pandemic, when everything felt like it was falling apart, the seeds we planted with conviction are now growing and bearing fruit," he said. The Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to the semiconductor sector, noting that while 10 projects have been approved under the Semicon India program, three more are set to begin production soon across various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Punjab. "This ecosystem we are building is not limited to one region; it is Pan-India. New tech hubs for a 'Viksit Bharat' are being developed in every corner of the country," Modi stated. The Prime Minister noted that a semiconductor ecosystem is far more than just a factory; it is a multi-layered system comprising machine manufacturers, design engineers, research institutions, logistics networks, and skilled technicians. A chip is produced through the seamless coordination of all these elements. "India is focusing on the entire value chain. In this year's budget, we announced the 'India Semiconductor Mission 2.0' for this very purpose," the PM stated. "As production increases, the demand for materials, components, and services within India will also grow. This is the greatest opportunity," he added. He said a massive portion of India's population is becoming first-time gadget users and whether it is electronics, automobiles, or other technologies, demand is constantly rising. "Make in India" is now in full swing." Stating the manifold growth in the production and exports of the electronics sector in the last 11 years, he said for investors, both the domestic market and global opportunities stand ready." Drawing parallels to Sanand's transformation into an automobile hub, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Micron facility would anchor a new semiconductor ecosystem. The plant will produce D-RAM and NAND solutions to power global data centers, AI applications, and mobile devices. He also lauded the facility for housing one of the world's largest ATMP cleanrooms and its focus on environmental sustainability through minimized water consumption. Praising the policies of the Gujarat government, PM Modi noted that the policies created for the semiconductor sector are now yielding results on the ground. The Prime Minister highlighted that Gujarat is advancing rapidly in technology. "Simplifying processes like approvals, land allotment, and utilities has strengthened investor confidence. Dholera and Sanand are developing as the semiconductor clusters of Western India." The Prime Minister further stated that industries related to the inputs required for the semiconductor sector, such as chemicals and petrochemicals, along with skill centers and training initiatives, are being developed simultaneously. "India is ready. India is reliable. India delivers," he said. (ANI) Netflix's upcoming Indian drama series 'Hello Bachhon' is set to premiere all episodes on March 6, bringing the real-life story of Alakh Pandey, founder of the ed-tech platform Physics Wallah, to the digital screen. Produced by The Viral Fever (TVF), the series highlights the challenges and triumphs of a teacher determined to make quality education accessible to every child. Actor Vineet Kumar Singh, who plays the dedicated physics teacher in the series, told ANI that the project was a unique and inspiring opportunity. "It's an amazing story, a very unique journey, a very inspiring journey. It's highly relatable," Singh said. He added that his involvement with Netflix and TVF was a major reason the project excited him, noting that it offered a role unlike anything he had done before. In preparation for his role, Singh met with Alakh Pandey extensively, visiting his home, speaking with his family, and observing his teaching methods. "As an actor, those small details really help. Both the little nuances and the larger emotions matter," he explained. Singh believes the story will resonate with a wide audience, including students, parents, and educators, due to its emotional depth and relatability. "Any child who wants to study, any parent who wants their child to study, any teacher trying to improve society through their work, there is something in it for all of them. In fact, even for those outside the teaching profession, there may be something in their past or family that will touch them," Singh said. He added that the story highlights how ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary outcomes through their dedication and hard work. The series underscores the importance of teachers as nation-builders. Singh emphasised, "When children are young, teachers touch their lives. As they grow into teenagers, the teachers they meet at that stage help shape their future. When these children grow up and take on responsible positions, their past experiences and understanding stay with them throughout life." The narrative of 'Hello Bachchon' focuses not only on the journey of Pandey but also on the struggles of five students from diverse backgrounds, dealing with financial hardships, societal pressures, and personal sacrifices as they pursue careers in medicine and engineering. The series examines the ethical and emotional challenges within India's competitive education system while celebrating the transformative power of good teachers. Directed by Pratish Mehta and created by Abhishek Yadav, known for the acclaimed education-themed series 'Kota Factory,' 'Hello Bachchon' aims to provide a character-driven exploration of ambition, education, and social impact. The supporting cast includes Vikram Kochhar and Girija Oak Godbole, who play pivotal roles in the narrative. Singh also shared his reflections on the show's title, which mirrors Pandey's teaching style. "When Alakh sir teaches, he begins by saying, 'Hello, Bachchon! How are you all? Is everything good?' That's how it starts. And when you watch the show, there's a scene where the story moves in that direction. When teachers receive respect, and when there is a healthy relationship between students and teachers, the future becomes bright," he said. Here's the trailer, which was released by Netflix on Saturday:https://www.instagram.com/p/DVShzfQDPsu/?hl=en All episodes of the series will be available for streaming on Netflix starting March 6, 2026. (ANI) 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' director Kamakhya Narayan Singh has addressed the ongoing protests, as cinema halls across the country reopened screenings of the film. Speaking to ANI, Kamakhya Narayan Singh weighed on the victory of truth after the Kerala High Court lifted the ban on the film on Friday. "Satya pareshan hota hai par kabhi parajit nahi hota hai. Court ke judgement ke baad yeh baat satya saabit hui hai. Yeh kahaani humare liye sirf ek film nahi hai, yeh ek emotion hai (Truth is troubled, but it is never defeated. After the judgment of the court, this has been proved to be the truth. This story is not just a film for us, it is an emotion)" he said. Yeh humari responsibility hai ki desh ke log jaane kis tarah se humari betiyon ko conspiracy se fasaya ja raha hai. Unko victim banaya jar aha hai. (It is our responsibility that all the people of the country know that how our daughters are being trapped by doing conspiracy. They are being made victims)" he added. Reflecting on the message that 'The Kerala Story 2' conveys, Singh explained that it shows the fights of the girls, who have come forward with their stories. "The entire country should know about them," he continued. Kamakhya Narayan Singh also opened up about the protests across the country against the film and explained, "Some videos have come from Kerala, where some people are protesting. But I think these are just some lumpent elements in the society. We have the freedom of expression. Our film is a spiritual sequel, which tells the story of the entire country and not just Kerala. This is spreading in every lane, every corner, every neighbourhood." He urged audiences to watch 'The Kerala Story 2', stating that the film should reach more people to create awareness. The Kerala High Court Division Bench on Friday lifted the stay on the release of the film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond'. High Court Division Bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan stayed interim order passed by Single Bench Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, which stayed the release for 15 days. The film follows the lives of three young women who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions. (ANI) Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Friday argued the discharge of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and 22 others in the excise policy case, stating that the truth will come out and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has the right to appeal in the High Court to challenge the discharge order. "Even though Arvind Kejriwal has received relief in the liquor policy case, the CBI has the right to appeal in the High Court. The truth will come out. There should be no tampering with justice. There is no vendetta..." she said. Meanwhile, BJP MP and Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, stated that the discharge order given by the Rouse Avenue Court in the excise policy case is not the final order. "The verdict that recently came is not final. The CBI can go to the High Court against this. A discharge order is not a final order. After this, the prosecution can challenge the order. The collected evidence will then be examined by the High Court, which will pronounce the final verdict. So Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia need not be overly happy at this stage..." he said. This comes after the Court's decision to discharge former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and 22 others in Delhi's excise policy case. The case originated from allegations of corruption in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The CBI had alleged that the policy was framed to benefit certain private liquor licensees by allegedly reducing licence fees and fixing profit margins, resulting in kickbacks and financial loss to the Delhi government. The FIR was registered by the CBI in August 2022 following a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. According to the agency, a criminal conspiracy was allegedly hatched at the stage of policy formulation, with deliberate loopholes introduced to favour select entities after the tender process. With the Special Court's order discharging all accused, the matter at the trial court stage has concluded for now. The legality of that order will now be examined by the Delhi High Court following the CBI's challenge. (ANI) China's manned space program releases major tasks ahead Xinhua) 09:32, February 28, 2026 This real-time image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Nov. 25, 2025 shows the Shenzhou-22 spaceship docking with the space station combination. (Xinhua/Wang Chuntao) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China is scheduled to launch two crewed missions and one cargo spacecraft mission for its space station operation in 2026, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). An astronaut from the Hong Kong or Macao special administrative region is expected to carry out a space station flight mission as early as this year, the CMSA noted. One astronaut from the Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct a year-long in-orbit stay experiment, the CMSA said. Currently, China's space station is operating stably in orbit with sound performance. Since entering the application and development phase, China's manned space program has successfully completed six crewed missions, four cargo resupply missions, and seven spacecraft return missions. It also carried out the first emergency launch in 2025. The six astronaut crews have conducted long-term stays in orbit. A total of 13 extravehicular activities (EVAs) by astronauts and multiple transfers of application payloads outside the spacecraft have been performed. Several extravehicular repair missions have been carried out, and a new world record for the longest single EVA by astronauts has been achieved. The selection of the fourth batch of astronaut candidates, including payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macao, has also been completed. The development of various tasks for the country's crewed lunar exploration program is progressing smoothly, with multiple breakthroughs achieved in phases. China is targeting a crewed lunar landing by 2030. The development of major flight products, including the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, and the Lanyue lunar lander, is proceeding smoothly. Key tests have been completed, including the zero-height abort test for the Mengzhou spacecraft, the landing and takeoff test for the Lanyue lunar lander, the static fire test and the low-altitude demonstration and validation test for the Long March-10 rocket system, and the maximum dynamic pressure escape test for the Mengzhou spacecraft system. In 2026, the country will intensify efforts to advance the construction of supporting facilities and equipment for the lunar mission at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in southern Hainan Province, as well as the development of ground support systems. Since its inception and implementation, China's manned space program has consistently upheld the principles of peaceful use, equality, mutual benefit, and common development, actively promoting international cooperation and exchanges in human spaceflight. In 2025, China and Pakistan signed an agreement on the selection and training of astronauts, with the selection process proceeding smoothly. According to the CMSA, a Pakistani astronaut will participate in a short-term flight mission as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments aboard China's space station. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Fire officer Sachin Pawar stated that the fire is very intense and the fire department is making efforts to control the situation. There are at least five fire trucks present at the scene. "4-5 fire trucks are present at the scene. Efforts to extinguish the fire are underway... The fire is very intense... " he stated. So far, there have been no reports of any casualties. Further details awaited. (ANI) On the occasion, while speaking to ANI, Dhankhar urged people to rise above ego, hatred and become healthy and happy in life. "May we rise above ego, hatred, revenge, and jealousy, and become healthy and happy in life. I prayed for our country's progress and prosperity," said former Vice President. The Former Vice President also expressed his gratitude for the sacrifice of farmers and army personnel towards the country. "I come from a farming background. The sacrifice of our farmers and Army personnel towards our country is immense, and we will always remain grateful to them... I pray for everyone's well-being," Dhankhar added. The Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is considered one of the sacred temples in India. The former Vice President resigned in July 2025 "to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice". Dhankhar's resignation was accepted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, a day after. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the launch of the City Gas Infrastructure Project on Friday, highlighting the benefits of this initiative for residents, vehicles, and industrialists across Raipur, Balodabazar, and Gariaband districts in the state. He stated that the initiative aims to provide piped natural gas (PNG) to the residents while also advancing environmental sustainability, as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will be available for vehicles. Adressing mediapersons at the launch in Raipur, the CM said, "Chhattisgarh is steadily progressing towards development. Today, another development initiative has been launched, with the launch of the City Gas Infrastructure Project to provide piped gas to residents, vehicles, and industrialists in Raipur, Balodabazar, and Gariaband districts." In an X post yesterday, the CM said, "Today, I participated in the inauguration program of the city gas infrastructure in Raipur. Under this project, the supply of PNG through pipelines to homes and commercial establishments in Raipur, Baloda Bazar, and Gariaband districts will now be ensured, and CNG will be available for vehicles. This initiative will directly benefit domestic consumers, vehicle drivers, and industries. This system is affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly. Along with reducing fuel costs, it will have a positive impact on the income of the common people." https://x.com/vishnudsai/status/2027342753303343492?s=20 He emphasised that the state's development agenda is aimed at uplifting every section of society. "Inspired by the successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's 'Green Energy' vision, we are continuously moving forward in the direction of a clean Chhattisgarh - a clean India," the post added. Meanwhile, a sector-wise assessment shows that growth is broad-based and well-distributed in Chhattisgarh. At current prices, agriculture and allied sectors are expected to grow by 12.53 per cent, industry by 10.26 per cent, and services by 13.15 per cent. The figures highlight a balanced development trajectory, with all three key sectors playing a significant role in driving the state's economic progress, as per the Economic Survey Report presented in the state assembly on Monday. (ANI) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday hit back at All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi for his remarks targeting the government's international engagements. Rijiju's response came after the Hyderabad Member of Parliament questioned the Prime Minister's recent state visit to Israel, alleging it was driven by ideological motives rather than national interest. Addressing the nature of the opposition's rhetoric, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "This is politics being done.One should not always criticise the government, abuse PM Modi." Meanwhile, on Friday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter's state visit to Israel, alleging that "PM's love for Israel is only on the basis of ideology" and not national interest. Addressing a large gathering at the Jalsa-e-Youm-ul-Qur'an held at Masjid-e-Chowk here, Owaisi questioned India's stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of abandoning the country's traditional multi-alignment policy. "I am telling you, the Prime Minister's love for Israel is only on the basis of ideology. You have openly supported a genocidal regime. The ideology is the same, of Zionism and the RSS ideology. It is based on hatred. People ask what your concern with Palestine is. My brother, it is also the third largest religious place for Muslims, and it is a matter of justice," Owaisi said. In his address, Owaisi claimed, "The ideology of Zionism and RSS is the same. It is based on hatred," adding that it now drives India's foreign policy. "What is the national interest in this? The entire Global South is troubled today. They are worried about what the Prime Minister of India is doing. Where did our policy of multi-alignment go?" the AIMIM chief questioned. He alleged historical links between Israeli diplomats and leaders of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the precursor to the BJP, referring to reports in sections of the media. "These people have an old relationship. A very old relationship," Owaisi said. (ANI) In the high-profile Lamborghini accident case in Kanpur, the court has ordered the release of the luxury vehicle seized after the crash, advocate Dharmendra Singh, representing the accused Shivam Mishra, said on Saturday. Singh stated that the court's order for the release of the vehicle, which was seized by police following the accident, was issued based on compliance with its conditions and was communicated to the concerned police station. "In the accident case, the Court ordered the release of the vehicle seized yesterday, and that order was sent to the concerned police station. The court issued the order based on which the vehicle was released. The Court's order required sureties, including personal bonds and a bond which required a surety equal to the vehicle's value," he said while speaking to ANI. He added that the court's directive required sureties, including personal bonds and a bond equal to the value of the vehicle. "In compliance with that order, the bond amount of Rs 8.5 crore was paid and thus the vehicle was released...The vehicle seized by the police was released from the police station yesterday night," he added. The accident occurred near Jhula Park Crossing on February 8 afternoon when the Lamborghini hit an autorickshaw, a bullet motorcycle, and later crashed into a pole. Eyewitnesses had claimed that the car was being driven at a high speed at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, on February 12, Shivam Mishra, the alleged accused in the Kanpur Lamborghini accident, was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 by the District Court. Speaking to the media, his lawyer, Naresh Chandra Tripathi, alleged that the police had been "working under pressure from the government" and wrongly arrested Mishra. "... The Court has refused the remand. He (Shivam Mishra) is being released now, on an undertaking of Rs 20,000 and a personal bond of Rs 20,000. The police were working under pressure from the government... Police had wrongly arrested him (Shivam Mishra)," he said. Meanwhile, the court rejected the police's remand plea. Shivam Mishra's lawyer, Mrityunjay Kumar, said, "On a personal bond of Rs 20,000, Shivam Mishra's remand plea was rejected by the Court..." Mishra, son of tobacco businessman KK Mishra, was arrested on February 12, after a court rejected his driver Mohan's claim of being behind the wheel. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that "self-declared Vishwaguru" has been "exposed" following US President Trump's recent stance on the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict. Ramesh described Trump's "full-throated and categorical support" for Pakistan during the US's escalating conflict with Afghanistan as a significant setback for what he termed Indian "huglomacy". In an X post, Ramesh wrote, "President Trump's full-throated and categorical support for Pakistan in its war with Afghanistan is another setback for Indian 'huglomacy.' He has once again gone out of his way to praise the man whose inflammatory remarks provided the backdrop to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam on April 22nd, 2025, that were orchestrated by Pakistan." Referring to the India-US interim trade agreement, he claimed that economic diplomacy between the two nations has "failed badly", alleging that the PM agreed to a "clearly one-sided trade deal" where India pledged to import from American farmers while receiving only vague concessions. "Our economic diplomacy with the US has failed badly, as evinced by Mr. Modi suddenly surrendering to a clearly one-sided trade deal in which India has made firm pledges especially to import from American farmers, while the US has made vague commitments to allow for greater exports from India. Not only that, days after the agreement, the US imposed a 125.87% import duty on solar modules from India," the post read. The Interim Agreement includes India eliminating or reducing tariffs on various US industrial goods, food, and agricultural products, while the US applies a reciprocal 18 per cent tariff on certain Indian-origin goods under an existing executive order, with provisions for removals upon successful conclusion of the agreement. "The Prime Minister may, through his means, manage to get awards. But the fact is that the self-declared Vishwaguru has been exposed and the world, especially the US, has got his measure," Ramesh wrote on X. This comes after US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said he might consider intervening in the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan but emphasised his good relations with Pakistan's leadership. Speaking to the reporters, Trump said, "I would (intervene). But I get along with Pakistan very, very well. They have a great Prime Minister, a great General. They have a great leader. Two of the people whom I really respect a lot. Pakistan is doing terrifically well." Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, with both sides accusing one another of retaliatory strikes, raising fears of a wider military conflict in the region. While Islamabad declared "open war" on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, further intensifying tensions between the two neighbouring countries. (ANI) Delhi Police have arrested two persons for the murder of a 17-year-old boy whose burnt body was found in the bushes near Majlis Park Metro Station in North West Delhi on February 11, officials said on Friday. Delhi North West District Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Sikander Singh said the murder was a revenge killing related to another murder case from August 2025. "On the morning of February 11th, we received a PCR call around 8:30 in the morning informing us that a burnt body was found in the bushes near the Majlis Park Metro Station. Our team arrived at the scene, and the body was sent to the mortuary for identification," ADCP Singh said. The body was identified on February 15 at the Ashok Vihar Police Station. The deceased's father identified the body in the mortuary as that of his son, named Vishnu, 17-years old. During the investigation, the police examined CCTV footage from the relevant time and date on the approach road to understand the situation. The CCTV recorded two people carrying someone on a scooty. "A man named Vinay was arrested by tracing the scooty number, followed by his accomplice, Gaurav. During interrogation, it was revealed that they committed this murder as a revenge act. In August 2025, a murder case was registered at the Adarsh Nagar police station, in which a man named Deepak was killed," he said. The ADCP said the interrogation revealed that Vishnu had confided in the accused that he was also involved in the murder case of Deepak. "The interrogation also revealed that Vishnu had confided in them that he was also involved in the murder case, so to avenge Deepak's murder, they (Vinay and Gaurav) killed Vishnu," he added. Police are investigating the matter further to ascertain more details about the August 2025 murder case and the roles of all individuals involved. (ANI) The accused has been identified as Munchun Kewat. Kewat had been on the run since Wednesday, after the bodies of his wife and children were discovered with their throats slit. The arrest follows an intensive manhunt involving 15 specialised police teams. On Wednesday, DCP Outer North District in Delhi, Hareshwar V Swami, told ANI that police received a PCR call at 8 pm from the Chandan Park area of Samaypur Badli. "There was information about a dead body being found in a room. Police reached the spot and inspected it. A woman named Anita has been identified. She and her three daughters were murdered by slitting their throats," he said. Delhi police said that Munchan Kewat, husband of the deceased woman, absconded from the scene since early morning and was the prime suspect. Rubi, a relative of the victims, told ANI, "I saw that all of them were lying dead and their throats were slit. I don't know who murdered them." Delhi police said that a crime team and the FSL team were called to the spot. Police added that bodies were discovered by neighbours. In this regard, a case under section 103(1) BNS was registered. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai on Saturday said that alliance talks with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have begun and are progressing smoothly. Speaking to the media, Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperunthagai said, We have started alliance talks with the DMK. "We have started alliance talks with the DMK. Whatever places we need, we have asked for them. There is no problem in the alliance talks; everything is fine and good," he said. Meanwhile, Girish Chodankar, All India Congress Committee (AICC) In-Charge for Tamil Nadu, also expressed optimism over the seat-sharing discussions with the DMK leadership. "We have shared the wish list with each other and will update you as soon as it is finalised. We are very hopeful and confident that our wishes will be fulfilled," Chodankar said. The statements come amid ongoing discussions between the Congress and the DMK over seat-sharing arrangements in the state. Meanwhile, expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala on Friday said that the decision of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to join the "evil force" of DMK was a "grave mistake" and accused the party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami of dictatorial tendencies. Sasikala criticised Panneerselvam, who was also expelled from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for aligning with the Chief Minister, MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The aide of 'Amma', the former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, alleged that at a time when the DMK "stands as a malevolent force that must be eradicated from Tamil Nadu," joining it under the belief that it is the "mother party" was a serious miscalculation. On the other hand, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed former CM and expelled AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam into the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), calling him a "dear brother" and praising his humility and virtues. "Former Chief Minister and dear brother Thiru. O. Panneerselvam has joined the mother organisation, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. I welcome him with open arms. He, who bears the name of the great leader of the Dravidian movement, has joined our great movement to safeguard the Dravidian movement's ideology," he posted on X. Stalin said the 2026 Assembly election is a democratic battle against the BJP, and various democratic forces are joining the DMK alliance. He described former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam as a humble and virtuous leader. (ANI) BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh on Saturday raised questions over the handling of the excise policy, following the discharge of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by the Rouse Avenue Court in the Delhi Excise Policy case. "There have been similar cases in the past when Lalu Prasad Yadav was acquitted by the lower court, but later the high court sentenced him. The CBI had gone to the High Court. Why don't they explain that if they are innocent, why did they make changes in the excise policy? And then why did they revert to the old policy? It's clear that the scam did happen," Singh told ANI. This comes after the Rouse Avenue Court on February 27 discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the high-profile Delhi Excise Policy case. The court's decision to refuse to frame charges has been hailed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a total vindication of their leadership's integrity. The 600-page order by Special Judge Jitendra Singh delivered a scathing critique of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) case. The court observed that the alleged "central conspiratorial role" of Kejriwal could not be proven with any material evidence. The judge described the probe as a "premeditated and choreographed exercise" where roles were retrospectively assigned to fit a narrative. The court noted that the allegations "failed judicial scrutiny" and found no criminal intent on the part of Manish Sisodia. An emotional Kejriwal, who broke down in tears after the order, challenged the BJP to fresh elections in Delhi, stating, "If the BJP wins over 10 seats, I will quit politics." (ANI) The World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region on Saturday congratulated the Government of India on the national launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls. Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia, said on X, "This landmark step, led at the highest level of government, reflects India's strong commitment to protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer". "India's introduction of HPV vaccination at a national scale will have a far-reaching impact -- accelerating progress not only for the country, but for the Region and the world. Despite being preventable, cervical cancer continues to claim the life of a woman every two minutes globally, and the WHO South-East Asia Region bears nearly one-quarter of the global burden. With today's milestone, nine of the ten countries in the Region now include HPV vaccination in their national immunisation programmes -- a powerful testament to growing regional momentum toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem" she said. "WHO remains committed to support Member States achieve high and equitable coverage of vaccination, and to strengthen screening and treatment services in line with the global 90-70-90 targets for 2030 vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15, screening 70% of women by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90% of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancer receive appropriate treatment"," she said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the 'government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the health and prosperity of the country's daughters'.In line with this commitment, he will this morning at around 11:30 AM will launch the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in Ajmer, Rajasthan, aimed at preventing cervical cancer. In an X post, PM Modi said, "We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the daughters of the country are healthy and prosperous. In this direction, this morning, around 11:30 AM, I will launch the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The objective of this initiative is the prevention of cervical cancer. During this time, I will also have the opportunity to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate several projects, along with handing over appointment letters to my young colleagues. "According to an official press release, the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccination campaign marks a decisive move in India's public health journey and fulfils the Government's commitment to advancing the vision of "Swastha Nari", ensuring prevention, protection and equity at the core of women's healthcare. The programme will target approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years every year across all States and Union Territories, said the release. The vaccine will be provided free of cost at designated Government health facilities. (ANI) The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will continue to thwart any threat forming against the citizens of the State of Israel anywhere and at any time, said an IDF spokesperson on Saturday as strikes by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps continue across West Asia, including in Bahrain, UAE, and Israel. "The IDF will continue to act to thwart any threat forming against the citizens of the State of Israel anywhere and at any time. Even at this moment, the Air Force continues to strike across Iran based on precise intelligence. The operation will continue as long as required," the Israeli Air Force posted on X. The IDF and the US Army have launched a joint, extensive, and powerful operation to comprehensively strike the Iranian terror regime and remove existential threats to the State of Israel over the long term, the spokesperson added. The official further warned that Iran has "not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel." "In recent months, and despite the severe blow it suffered in Operation "Roaring Lion," the IDF identified that the regime continued its attempts to fortify, protect, and conceal its nuclear programs, alongside the restoration of its missile production process. "In addition, the regime continued to fund, train, and arm its proxies based along the borders of the State of Israel. These actions constitute an existential threat to the State of Israel, and threaten the Middle East and the entire world," he said. The IDF has been preparing for months preceeding the offensive by Iran, with Israel and US Army carrying out "joint and meticulous planning", which in turn enabled the execution of a broad offensive with coordination from the western forces. "The Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, and IDF commanders are currently conducting a situation assessment. Many IDF forces are prepared and deployed in forward defense and readiness for attack across all sectors and against any enemy," the spokesperson said. The Israeli air force has further called on the civilians to heed the guidelines which will be updated from time to time. "Civilian resilience and adherence to the guidelines save lives and constitute a critical component in the success of the campaign," the spokesperson said. Earlier, Iran said it has launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain. According to the Iranian embassy in India said on Saturday., "A U.S. military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes.," The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned the "Brutal Aggression of the Zionist Regime" against itself, claiming that their attacks are a "response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran". "In the Name of God, the Breaker of Tyrants. In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes by the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the occupied territories has commenced," the Iranian embassy in India said. The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. In response to the developments, in a televised address on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear and military infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as the combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. (ANI) Amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, Air India and Qatar Airways issued travel advisories suspending all their flights to destinations across the region. In a travel advisory posted on X, the airline said operations to all Middle East destinations have been halted in view of the developing situation. "In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required. Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengers. We recommend that you check your flight status here https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html for the latest updates," the airline said. https://x.com/airindia/status/2027681087649157268 Similarly, Qatar Airways confirmed the temporary suspension of flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace. "Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways Flights due to Qatari Airspace Closure. Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens. Once usual operations resume, we anticipate delays to our flight schedule. We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers. The safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused," the airline wrote on X. https://x.com/qatarairways/status/2027681936089464946 The advisories come amid heightened regional conflict after Israel and the United States launched a joint military strike on Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion. The operation reportedly targeted military sites, missile production facilities and areas near the office of Iran's Supreme Leader. The developments have led Iran, Israel and Iraq to close their airspace, suspending all commercial flights. Earlier, IndiGo also issued a travel advisory stating it is closely monitoring updates concerning Iran and its airspace. The airline reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority and advised customers to check flight status prior to departure. IndiGo said any operational impact would be communicated promptly through registered contact details. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution and avoid unnecessary movement as tensions escalate. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency, while reports indicate powerful explosions in parts of Tehran. (ANI) Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East region and temporary closures across multiple international airspaces, both Mangaluru International Airport in Karnataka and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala have issued passenger advisories cautioning travellers about possible flight disruptions. The alerts come as several international routes face delays or rerouting due to evolving geopolitical developments in the region. In their advisories posted on X, both airports stated, "Due to temporary closures and restrictions affecting multiple international airspaces, certain international flights may experience delays or rerouting. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport and plan their journey accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive to enhance your travel experience." https://x.com/mlrairport/status/2027673525201604755 https://x.com/TRV_Airport_Off/status/2027675027144118560 The advisories follow reports of heightened military activity in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel. According to the Iranian embassy in India, Iran launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain. The embassy stated that the strike was part of a broader response to what it termed aggression against Iran, and shared visuals showing plumes of smoke following the attack. The situation intensified after Israel and the United States reportedly initiated a joint military operation targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as an effort to neutralise what he called an existential threat. US President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of military operations and warned Iranian forces to surrender or face severe consequences. The Israeli Defence Forces also announced the strike, naming it "Operation Roaring Lion." Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reportedly intercepted missiles launched by Iran, signalling broader regional implications. In India, IndiGo issued a separate travel advisory stating it is closely monitoring developments concerning Iranian airspace. The airline reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority and advised travellers to check flight status prior to departure. (ANI) As tensions escalated in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that India will have to maintain its strategic partnership. "The events are moving pretty fast. I am happy that we are in India. I think the present government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given macroeconomic and geopolitical stability. In the Middle East, we have a large diaspora. We will have to continue to maintain our strategic partnerships," said Singh while speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit. The US and Israel on Saturday launched a joint attack at Iran, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme. Trump said in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social that the US has begun "major combat operations in Iran." He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. "Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," he said. In response to the strikes, Iran has launched a targeted missile strike against Israel and the United States military base in Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar. Iranian officials vowed a "crushing response," warning of strong retaliation against perceived aggression. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures and public anxiety spreading as developments continue to unfold. (ANI) Amid the rising conflict between Iran and Israel, concern has increased among Indian students and their families. Above a thousand Indian students, from Jammu and Kashmir, are studying in different cities of Iran, mainly in medical courses, and are feeling unsafe due to the tense situation. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate intervention. The association has requested the government to ensure the safety of students and arrange evacuation if necessary. The letter mentioned that on 28 February 2026, the Israel Defence Forces carried out major attacks in Tehran and other areas, which made the situation very serious. Airspace restrictions and emergency security measures have increased risks for foreign nationals. JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami told ANI that around 2,000 students from Jammu and Kashmir were in Iran. Out of them, about 900 students have already returned to India, but nearly 1,100 students are still stuck there due to the ongoing conflict and travel restrictions. "Families of the remaining students are extremely worried and are hoping the central government will take urgent steps to ensure their safe return and protect their academic future," he said. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent safety advisory to all Indian air operators, warning of heightened risks to civil aviation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf airspace following a sharp escalation in regional tensions. The advisory was issued today after a review of the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB No.: 2026-03) published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It cautioned that recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran have created a high-risk operating environment for civil aircraft. According to the DGCA, Iran has announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns over potential spill-over risks to civilian aviation. The regulator flagged several critical hazards, including possible retaliatory attacks affecting Iranian airspace and neighbouring states, the presence of advanced weaponry such as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, all-altitude air defence systems and military air assets, as well as the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft or operational errors during military interception procedures. The high-risk zone covers all altitudes and flight levels within multiple Flight Information Regions (FIRs), including Tehran (OIIX), Baghdad (ORBB), Tel Aviv (LLFI), Amman (OJAC), Beirut (OLBB), Kuwait (OKAC), Jeddah (OEJD), Emirates (OMAE), Bahrain (OBBB), Doha (OTDF), and Muscat (OOMM). In line with international safety standards and the EASA bulletin, the DGCA has advised Indian operators to refrain from operating in the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes. Airlines have also been directed to closely monitor updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the concerned countries and national authorities. The regulator further noted that previous advisories concerning the airspace over Syria and Yemen remain in effect. The advisory is effective immediately and will remain valid until March 2, 2026, unless reviewed or superseded. "Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this communication and confirm that flight planning departments have been updated accordingly. Safety remains our highest priority," it further read. This comes amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after joint military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites, triggering retaliatory threats and the closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq. The developments have disrupted key international air corridors used by airlines operating between India and Gulf nations. (ANI) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued an urgent safety advisory to all Indian air operators, warning of heightened risks to civil aviation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf airspace following a sharp escalation in regional tensions. The advisory was issued today after a review of the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB No.: 2026-03) published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It cautioned that recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran have created a high-risk operating environment for civil aircraft. According to the DGCA, Iran has announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns over potential spill-over risks to civilian aviation. The regulator flagged several critical hazards, including possible retaliatory attacks affecting Iranian airspace and neighbouring states, the presence of advanced weaponry such as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, all-altitude air defence systems and military air assets, as well as the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft or operational errors during military interception procedures. "The current situation presents the following critical hazards to civil flight operations: Retaliatory Actions: Potential attacks against U.S. and Israeli assets in the region, affecting both Iranian airspace and neighboring states; Weaponry Capabilities: The presence of all-altitude capable air-defense systems, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and military air assets; Operational Errors: High probability of "spill-over" risks, including misidentification of civil aircraft, miscalculation, or failure of military interception procedures," the advisory read. The high-risk zone covers all altitudes and flight levels within multiple Flight Information Regions (FIRs), including Tehran (OIIX), Baghdad (ORBB), Tel Aviv (LLFI), Amman (OJAC), Beirut (OLBB), Kuwait (OKAC), Jeddah (OEJD), Emirates (OMAE), Bahrain (OBBB), Doha (OTDF), and Muscat (OOMM). In line with international safety standards and the EASA bulletin, the DGCA has advised Indian operators to refrain from operating in the affected airspace at all flight levels and altitudes. Airlines have also been directed to closely monitor updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the concerned countries and national authorities. "In alignment with international safety standards and the EASA CZIB, all Indian operators are advised to: 1. Avoid Operations: Refrain from operating within the affected airspace listed above at all flight levels and altitudes; 2. Monitor Publications: Closely monitor all updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and NOTAMs issued by the affected countries and national authorities," the advisory further read. The regulator further noted that previous advisories concerning the airspace over Syria and Yemen remain in effect. The advisory is effective immediately and will remain valid until March 2, 2026, unless reviewed or superseded. "Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this communication and confirm that flight planning departments have been updated accordingly. Safety remains our highest priority," it further read. The advisory comes amid a sharp escalation in West Asia after joint military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites, triggering retaliatory threats and the closure of airspace in Iran, Israel and Iraq. The developments have disrupted key international air corridors used by airlines operating between India and Gulf nations. Airlines across the country have been forced to reroute or cancel flights, with airports setting up help desks to assist stranded passengers. Both Air India and IndiGo said they remain in close coordination with aviation authorities and are monitoring the situation round-the-clock.' Services will resume once safe flight corridors become available, the airlines said, urging passengers to stay updated through official channels as the situation evolves. (ANI) "The developments in the Middle East are deeply concerning due to their significant economic and political activities. It is crucial that all issues be resolved through talks, negotiations, and deliberations rather than war, as modern conflicts result in losses for all sides..." he said. He further underlined the presence of nuclear weapons, which pose a greater threat to human life across the globe. "Given the presence of nuclear capabilities, which pose a severe and dangerous threat, both parties must engage in negotiations to prevent a catastrophic loss of human life..." he added. Earlier on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his counterparts in Israel and Iran amid the escalating tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's stance of de-escalating tensions through dialogue and diplomacy. "Spoke with Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar this afternoon. Reiterate India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions," Jaishankar posted on X about his call with FM Gideon Sa'ar. In a separate post on X, he said that during his call with FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, he shared India's "deep concern at the recent developments". "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region. @araghchi," Jaishankar posted on X. This comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites. Iran has also carried out strikes in the region, apparently targeting US military baes. The escalation has led to temporary airspace closures in parts of West Asia, forcing airlines worldwide to reassess routes that traditionally pass through or near affected corridors. (ANI) US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker on Friday (local time) expressed condolences to Pakistan for the lives lost in the recent conflict with Afghanistan and affirmed support for Pakistan's right to defend itself. In a post on X, Allison Hooker wrote, "Spoke today with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Baloch to express condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. We continue to monitor the situation closely and express support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks." https://x.com/UnderSecStateP/status/2027488449171730683?s=20 The US Embassy in Pakistan has issued a security alert advising citizens to exercise caution in major cities due to heightened tensions with Afghanistan and potential terrorist threats targeting law enforcement, military, and commercial sites. As per the statement, "Due to heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Pakistani security forces have increased their presence in major cities in response to potential terrorist threats. Law enforcement facilities, military installations, and major commercial centers remain likely targets for terrorist organizations. The U.S. Mission advises citizens to exercise caution when visiting these locations, particularly during peak hours." "We remind U.S. citizens to observe good personal security practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP registration is up to date," the statement reads. Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, with both sides accusing one another of retaliatory strikes, raising fears of a wider military conflict in the region. Islamabad declared "open war" on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, further intensifying tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Earlier, Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said that Afghanistan carried out drone attacks on Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera, as per Tolo News. He also added that anti-drone systems brought down the drones and that there was no loss of life. The Pakistan government announced a nationwide ban on all drone operations after tensions intensified due to border clashes. The Ministry of Interior issued a notification enforcing the prohibition on all commercial and privately operated drones across the country, as per Geo News. (ANI) Former rapper and mayor Balendra Shah (Balen), vying for PM, has launched a Kathmandu-centric campaign as the election draws close, with polling set for Thursday. Balen, standing in the fray from the Jhapa in the March 5 election, against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, launched the campaign in Kathmandu with a road show. Hundreds of supporters and voters stood on the side of the road as the projected Prime Minister, alongside the party president Rabi Lamichhane, greeted voters from the sun-roof of the vehicle. The silence period for the election of the House of Representatives, dissolved after September's Gen-Z protest, is set to start from Monday past midnight. "The campaign has drawn an enormous crowd as Balen (Balendra) Shah and Rabi Lamichhane came for the campaign. It brought more people than any other political gathering. This has further increased the election fever," Sitaram Tiwari, a resident of Sankhu, Kathmandu, told ANI. Balen had been campaigning across the nation for his party Rastriya Swatantra Party. The rapper turned mayor on January 18 had resigned from his post to contest the March 5 election. The former rapper who won the local election of 2022 from the Nepali capital also assumed the charge of senior leader of the Rastriya Swantra Party (RSP) on the same day. "He (Balen) had been living up to his promises than other parties and those in power. The construction of roads, water, and other infrastructures as well as I am expecting him to create more job opportunities and bring a wave of change; he is projected as the Prime Minister by all age group," Ambika BK, a resident of Kathmandu, told ANI. On December 28, Balen had struck a deal with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) where it was agreed that he would be the next Prime Ministerial candidate from the party. As per the 7-point agreement, RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane will continue as the party's central chairman, while Shah will be presented as the party's parliamentary leader after the elections and its prime ministerial candidate. The RSP had emerged as the fourth largest political force, winning 21 seats in the dissolved House of Representatives within a year of its establishment. Balen has promised to institutionalise the agenda raised by the September Gen-Z movement. The electoral battle in Jhapa-5 is shaping up to be an intriguing contest this time. (ANI) President Donald Trump on Saturday criticised the recent decision by the Supreme Court on tariffs, alleging that it could result in "ripping off" the US of billions of dollars. He also hinted at seeking a rehearing of the case. The US President made the remarks in a post on Truth Social and said, "The recent Decision of the United States Supreme Court concerning TARIFFS could allow for Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to be returned to Countries and Companies that have been "ripping off" the United States of America for many years, and now, according to this Decision, could actually continue to do so, at an even increased level. I am sure that the Supreme Court did not have this in mind! It doesn't make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved "windfall," the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling. Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible???" His statement comes after last week, the US Supreme Court ruled against most of Trump's sweeping tariff measures. Trump later signed an order making 10 per cent global tariff on all countries, effective "almost immediately". The Court ruled 6-3 that the administration exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose broad-based import tariffs, affirming that the power to levy taxes resides primarily with Congress. Following the ruling, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global tariff on all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, describing it as a temporary import surcharge (up to 15%) allowed for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits. He later raised it further to the "fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level," effective immediately. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that this adjustment responds to the Supreme Court's "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision," while his administration would determine new, legally permissible tariffs in the coming months to continue "Making America Great Again." (ANI) Anthropic AI CEO Dario Amodei on Saturday pushed back against the Pentagon's decision to label the company a supply chain risk, calling it "retaliatory and punitive," in an interview with CBS. He told CBS, "This is unprecedented and never happened before with an American company and it was made very clear in some of their statements and language that this was retaliatory and punitive. I don't know what else to call it." This move comes after Anthropic refused to grant the military unrestricted access to its AI model, citing concerns over mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon's designation restricts military contractors from working with Anthropic, effectively blocking the company's $200 million contract with the government. Amodei argues that the decision is contradictory, as the Pentagon claims Anthropic's AI is essential to national defence while also labelling it a security risk. Anthropic has vowed to challenge the designation in court, with support from industry leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman. The standoff highlights the growing tension between tech companies and the government over AI regulation and usage. On Friday, the face-off between Dario Amodei-led Anthropic AI and the US administration intensified. First, it was Secretary of War Pete Hegseth launching into a diatribe against Anthropic, accusing them of engaging in duplicity, then it was Anthropic's turn. Amodei's company, in its statement, called the US administration's decision to label it a supply chain risk legally unsound. "Earlier today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared on X that he is directing the Department of War to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk. This action follows months of negotiations that reached an impasse over two exceptions we requested to the lawful use of our AI model, Claude: the mass domestic surveillance of Americans and fully autonomous weapons. We have tried in good faith to reach an agreement with the Department of War, making clear that we support all lawful uses of AI for national security aside from the two narrow exceptions above. To the best of our knowledge, these exceptions have not affected a single government mission to date," Anthropic said in its statement. "We believe that mass domestic surveillance of Americans constitutes a violation of fundamental rights. Designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk would be an unprecedented action--one historically reserved for US adversaries, never before publicly applied to an American company...We believe this designation would both be legally unsound and set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government. No amount of intimidation or punishment from the Department of War will change our position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons." The company further alleged that Hegseth does not have the authority to designate Anthropic a supply-chain risk. "Secretary Hegseth has implied this designation would restrict anyone who does business with the military from doing business with Anthropic. The Secretary does not have the statutory authority to back up this statement. Legally, a supply chain risk designation under 10 USC 3252 can only extend to the use of Claude as part of Department of War contracts--it cannot affect how contractors use Claude to serve other customers," it said. Earlier, after President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic AI, Hegseth directed the Department of War to designate Anthropic. "This week, Anthropic delivered a master class in arrogance and betrayal as well as a textbook case of how not to do business with the United States Government or the Pentagon. Our position has never wavered and will never waver: the Department of War must have full, unrestricted access to Anthropic's models for every Lawful purpose in defence of the Republic. Instead, Anthropic AI and its CEO Dario Amodei have chosen duplicity. Cloaked in the sanctimonious rhetoric of "effective altruism," they have attempted to strong-arm the United States military into submission - a cowardly act of corporate virtue-signalling that places Silicon Valley ideology above American lives," he posted on X. "In conjunction with the President's directive for the Federal Government to cease all use of Anthropic's technology, I am directing the Department of War to designate Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security. Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic. Anthropic will continue to provide the Department of War with its services for a period of no more than six months to allow for a seamless transition to a better and more patriotic service. America's warfighters will never be held hostage by the ideological whims of Big Tech. This decision is final," he added. Earlier, Amodei, in a statement on Thursday, said that the firm would not support certain uses of AI, including mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons, citing concerns about democratic values and the current reliability of frontier AI systems. Amodei stated that despite pressure from the DOW to agree to "any lawful use" of its technology and remove specific safeguards, the company would not change its position. (ANI) In a major escalation of regional hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday confirmed a short while ago that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following a joint US-Israeli "pre-emptive" strike on Iranian territory. According to the IDF, defensive systems were immediately activated to intercept the incoming threat, underscoring Israel's layered missile defence capabilities. The Home Front Command has issued precautionary directives via mobile phone alerts to citizens in affected areas, instructing them to seek immediate shelter. "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," IDF posted on X. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Regional and international observers are closely monitoring developments, as further responses could influence stability across the Middle East in the hours and days ahead. In a post on X, the Israeli Defense Forces wrote, "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas." The launch follows a series of urgent advisories issued by the Indian Government to its citizens in the region earlier today. The Embassy of India in Tehran had already advised all nationals to "exercise utmost caution," "avoid unnecessary movements," and "remain indoors". Tourists in Jordan were urged to "leave the country immediately" due to the high risk of commercial flight disruptions. Earlier in the day, Iranian officials on Saturday had vowed a "crushing response" against their targets in response to a major joint military strike by Israel and the United States, according to Tasnim News Agency. Israel and the US launched a joint military strike on Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeting military sites, missile production facilities, and areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office. The name was decided upon by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the IDF had a different internal name for the strikes, according to The Times of Israel. Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful blasts as tensions surged following a pre-emptive military strike by Israel, which reportedly targeted multiple sites, including in the capital. The situation has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with emergency measures and public anxiety spreading as developments continue to unfold. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, moving hospitals underground and activating sirens. Iran, Israel, and Iraq have closed their airspace, suspending all flights. The attack cones in the backdrop of diplomatic fallout as the nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Oman have been disrupted. (ANI) In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel and the United States have initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralizing what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. In a public address to the nation, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the long-standing hostility of the Iranian regime, framing the move as both defensive and strategic. "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." "I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called for 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America.' It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," he said Netanyahu then made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the Islamist regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. The IDF earlier announced the strikes dubbe OPERATION ROARING LION saying the aim was to remove the threat to Israel. "The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole," it said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as the ombined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. In a televised address on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear and military infrastructure. "To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death," he said. Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". He framed the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government. This direct strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. (ANI) Iran says it has launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain According to the Iranian embassy in India said on Saturday., "A U.S. military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes.," The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned the "Brutal Aggression of the Zionist Regime" against itself, claiming that their attacks are a "response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran". "In the Name of God, the Breaker of Tyrants. In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone strikes by the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the occupied territories has commenced," the Iranian embassy in India said. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej times. In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel and the United States have initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralizing what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strike are still being assessed, the launch signals a significant retaliatory move in the broader confrontation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Trump for the American support and dubbed Trump's leadership "historic." "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," the statement declared. Netanyahu then made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the Islamist regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. In response to the developments, in a televised address on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear and military infrastructure. The IDF had also earlier announced the strike, dubbed OPERATION ROARING LION saying the aim was to remove the threat to Israel. US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after the Middle East plunged into a state of full-scale conflict as the combined military operation by Israel and the United States struck multiple targets across Iran. (ANI) Jonathan Conricus, former International Spokesperson of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), said that the aim of Operation Roaring Lion in Hebrew and Epic Fury in English is to bring down the Iranian regime. Conricus, in conversation with ANI, said that this operation marks a historic shift in the Middle East. He said, "The US and Israel have launched a joint operation with the target of bringing down the Iranian regime. Both leaders of these democracies, the US and Israel, have said very clearly in video statements issued to public networks. The aim of Operation Roaring Lion in Hebrew and Epic Fury in English is to bring down the oppressive, brutal, terror-supporting and warmongering Iranian regime." Conricus said that it is difficult to assess damage because of internet shutdown there. "What Israel and the US have done is strike a variety of military and regime targets in Iran. The Internet is down in Iran, so it's really difficult to get battle damage assessment. But we're talking about missile launchers, production facilities, regime locations, IRGC centres, the president's residence was reportedly hit, and various other targets that I'm sure we will learn about in the coming hours. The Iranian regime has retaliated by firing missiles towards Israel. So far, all of those missiles, apparently three in number, have been intercepted successfully. No casualties in Israel so far...I think we are at the beginning of a historic shift in the Middle East," he said. Conricus further said that the operation comes after Iranians begged for aid during their protests. He said, "I think that the Iranian people out in millions some 50 days ago made it very clear that the Iranian people want to see the oppressive Iranian regime gone and begged for help. Then they were brutally slaughtered by the Iranian regime. So that's one point. Second point is, I think this has become Israel's business since Iran has been waging indirect and direct warfare against Israel," he said. Conricus said that Israel is now responding directly against the regime and hopefully giving the Iranian people the opportunity that they wanted to actually free themselves. "Iran has spent billions, if not trillions, of dollars, in arming all of Israel's enemies, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and many others...Iran is the country that has been waging an indirect war against Israel. Israel is now responding, finally, after many, many years of sustaining Iranian indirect attacks, Israel is now responding directly against the regime and hopefully giving the Iranian people the opportunity that they wanted to actually free themselves and bring down this horrible, oppressive and failing regime," he said. Conricus said that Iranians were killing Israeli civilians, and US-Israel strikes are aimed at regime and military targets. He said, "The US-Israeli strike is aimed at regime and military targets, which, by the way, is totally contrary to what the Iranians have been doing in the past, and I'm sure will try to do now, firing missiles indiscriminately at Israel and killing civilians. Last time in June, when the last round of fighting between Israel and Iran was, we had more than 85 Israeli civilians killed by Iranian missiles and only two military personnel, which shows you exactly what the Iranians were aiming for," he said. On the reasoning behind attacking Iran, Conricus said, "Because the Iranian regime is belligerent and poses a threat to the state of Israel. They are conducting indirect warfare, supporting all of our enemies, funding them with advanced weapons and aiming to kill Israeli civilians; they have an outspoken goal to destroy the state of Israel...Israel is indicating to the Iranian regime that it will not tolerate this...The Iranian regime is going to be held accountable for its long-standing aggression against Israel." Conricus further said that Iran is developing nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Conricus said, "The Iranians have been conducting a clandestine underground secret weapons program, a nuclear weapons program, with the aim of building a nuclear bomb. They have a large and very successful missile program. And from an Israeli perspective, it's very clear what the Iranians have been trying to do to develop weapons of mass destruction in order to wield that as a threat against Israel and maybe use it.' He said that Iran still has about 400kg of enriched Uranium at military level. "And that's not a threat that Israel, as a sovereign country that needs to defend itself, is going to accept and just sit down. Even after the June war between Iran and Israel, Operation Rising Lion, it was still clear that the Iranians still had about 400 kilograms of enriched uranium at military level...I believe that we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the Iranian regime," he said. Conricus said that the world will see a better beginning for the Middle East, for the Iranian people and for Israel. "I think the country in breach of international norms, as clearly shown by the UN Security Council and by sanctions by most of the world, is the Islamic Republic of Iran. They are the ones who have been trying to develop nuclear weapons. That is a breach of international norms and international law. What Israel is doing is defending itself against that regime. And I think it's fully justified by any freedom-loving country to defend itself against external threats...We will see a better beginning for the Middle East, for the Iranian people and for Israel," he said. Israeli air defence systems intercepted missiles over Jerusalem and Central Israel, after the military said it had detected a missile attack launched from Iran. Smoke was seen rising from southern Tehran's Azadi Square following strikes carried out by the US and Israel. (ANI) Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." https://x.com/araghchi/status/2027732295629873332?s=20 Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran. https://x.com/realdonaldtrump/status/255784560904773633?s=46 Araghchi said in a post on X, "Netanyahu and Trump's war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate. Trump has turned 'America First' into 'Israel First'--which always means 'America Last'. Our Powerful Armed Forces are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve." https://x.com/araghchi/status/2027724061892043214?s=20 The Israel Defense Forces had said in a post on X earlier in the day, "OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole." https://x.com/IDF/status/2027673076121375077?s=20 However, several countries have called for peace in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Switzerland said in a post on X, "Switzerland is deeply alarmed by today's strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. Switzerland calls for full respect of international law, including the UN Charter and IHL. We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Swiss Embassy remains operational. Our good offices remain at the disposal of the parties involved." (ANI) The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) on Saturday carried out a "broad strike on strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime," including the SA-65 system in western Iran in the Kermanshah area. "The IDF completed a broad strike on strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime. The IDF struck multiple strategic aerial defense systems, including an advanced SA-65 system in the Kermanshah area of western Iran," the IDF posted on X. https://x.com/IDF/status/2027752617313481035?s=20 Earlier, IDF also struck operatives from the Iranian regime's surface-to- surface missiles unit as they loaded a missile launcher and prepared to immediately launch towards Israel. "The threat was identified and quickly struck, preventing the launch aimed toward Israel," IDF said, while posting visuals of the strike on X. Israeli defence forces said that the Iranian attacks are "designed to terrorise civilians, and destroy neighbourhoods." Meanwhile, President of European Union Commission is set to convene a special security college on Monday (local time). "Following the ongoing situation in Iran, I am convening a special Security College on Monday. For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran's unjustified attacks on partners in the region," she wrote on X. French President Emmanuel Macron, "The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security. At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East." "France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it. The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East," Macron wrote on X. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security. "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN. The Charter clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," he wrote on X. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran. (ANI) Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Saturday warned the US and Israel, stating that Tehran is "fully prepared" and will take all "necessary options" to protect itself. Condemning the US and Israel strikes, Mohammad Fathali accused them of targeting civilian areas along with the defensive infrastructure of Iran. "Now we will defend our country... Iran has the lawful right of self-defence; as an independent country, Iran will use all necessary options to protect its territorial integrity, its independence, and the lives of its citizens. The armed forces of Iran are fully prepared," he said. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has once again been attacked by the US and the Zionist regime... They violated Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They attacked targets in several cities, including defensive infrastructure and civilian areas," he added. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by Untied States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermines international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN. The Charter clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," he wrote on X. Meanwhile, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced that apart from Iran and its neighbouring airspace; Syria, Yemen and are also closed off. Earlier, in a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on an Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful blasts as tensions surged following a pre-emptive military strike by Israel, which reportedly targeted multiple sites, including in the capital. In response, Iran has launched a targeted missile strike against Israel and the United States military base in Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar. (ANI) Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that the US and Israel's attack against his country is "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate. Araghchi justified Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an "act of self-defence", which he said is "absolutely legal and legitimate," Reuters reported. "This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate," Araghchi said, according to Reuters. Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, after the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, following Israeli strikes. Araghchi earlier alleged that the Israeli strike on an Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in some Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. (ANI) Saudi Arabia on Saturday denounced in the strongest terms "Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan" and extended its support for the brotherly countries. Iran earlier launched a targeted missile strike against a United States military base in Bahrain in apparent retaliation to Israel's and US' attack on it. Qatari defence forces also said they "successfully intercepted and repelled a number of attacks that targeted the country's territory. Following Iran's action, Saudi Arabia warned of grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states' sovereignty and the principles of international law. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to condemn these blatant attacks and to take all firm measures necessary to confront Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region," the statement said. According to the Iranian embassy in India, a US military base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missile strikes." The embassy also posted a video of the aftermath of the strike, with plumes of smoke visible. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran earlier condemned what is said "brutal aggression of the Zionist Regime" claiming that their attacks are a "response to the aggression by the enemy of Iran". Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intercepted missiles launched by the Iranian military, according to Khaleej Times. Israel and the United States earlier today initiated a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Iran. The repeated strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. In a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has made an impassioned appeal to the Iranian people to rise up against the ruling regime. "The time has come for all segments of the people in Iran - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Balochis, and the Ahwazis - to rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran," he said. US President Donald Trump has also warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death." (ANI) The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting at 10 pm CET to address the situation in Iran and the Middle East, French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot said on Saturday. In a post on X, Jean-Nol Barrot said, "At the request of France, the United Nations Security Council will meet tonight at 10 p.m. Paris time to address the situation in Iran and the Middle East." https://x.com/jnbarrot/status/2027763483161313352?s=20 Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by the United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermines international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." "All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN. The Charter clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," he wrote on X. Earlier, in a blow to Tehran's leadership, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered." Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in some Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. (ANI) US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Saturday informed that the US President has been monitoring the situation post the strike on Iran from his Mar a Lago residence. In her statement, Leavitt said, "President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar a Lago alongside members of his national security team. The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone. Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members. The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day." Earlier, Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the US and Israel's attack against his country is "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate. Araghchi, justified Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military bases as an "act of self-defence", which he said is "absolutely legal and legitimate," Reuters reported. "This attack was unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate and against international law and should be condemned. We are attacking military bases in the region as an act of self-defence. What we are doing is an act of self-defence, which is absolutely legal and legitimate," Araghchi said, according to Reuters. Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, after the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, following Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security. While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General, said that the principle document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations." (ANI) Thousands of passengers including hundreds of Indians were stranded at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Friday in the wake of tensions in the Middle East as Iran fired missiles apparently targeting US bases in the region after Israel and the United States launched a joint operation aimed at neutralising what they describe as the existential threat posed by Tehran. The escalating tensions led to the closure of the airspace disupting operations at one of the Middle East's busiest transit hubs. The escalating tensions in the wake of Iran's military action sent shockwaves through the airport as alarms blared across terminals, sending panicked passengers towards the exits. National Guard personnel swiftly moved in, taking control of the airport premises and advising remaining passengers to stay inside the building for their safety. Within minutes of explosions, all flights were suspended, and after two anxious hours, authorities formally announced the cancellation of all departures -- leaving thousands of international travellers with no clear way forward. Abu Dhabi airport, which serves as a critical transit gateway connecting flights across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, came to a halt as the ripple effects of the attack spread through global aviation networks. Hundreds of connecting flights that were scheduled to depart through the airport were left stranded, affecting passengers from dozens of nationalities. Inside the terminals, the mood quickly shifted from confusion to anxiety. Food stalls and restaurants were packed as stranded travellers sought comfort and a way to pass the uncertain hours. Airport lounges -- including premium Business and First Class facilities -- were filled to capacity. The AU Transit Hotel, the airport's only on-site accommodation option, which had been offering promotional discounts earlier in the morning, was fully booked within hours of the flight suspensions having being announced. The transfer desks became a focal point of desperation, with passengers waiting for hours to secure hotel accommodations as per airline and airport guidelines. Foreign nationals without UAE visas were offered 10-day emergency transit visas -- but only after exhausting waits in long, slow-moving queues that snaked through the terminal halls. Indian workers based in Dubai, were at the airport at the time of the attack, were reportedly advised by officials to return to India as soon as conditions permitted. Airport administration, meanwhile, arranged emergency food and water supplies for the stranded passengers as the hours wore on. Stranded traveller Sanjeev Mehta, who had flown into Abu Dhabi for a friend's weekend party, described the ordeal. "I came to Abu Dhabi to attend a friend's party over the weekend, and we are stuck here. Right now we are at the airport -- Abu Dhabi airport. Many alarms went off, and as the news suggests, some missiles have landed. The national guards have kind of taken over the airport, and there is a bit of a commotion inside. The local people who had come here are slowly leaving, but the guards are advising us to stay inside. All the flights are suspended, and no flights are going to any country anywhere," he told ANI. Vil Varadhan, an American citizen from Chicago who had spent three weeks visiting India and was transiting through Abu Dhabi on his return journey, described the uncertainty that gripped him and fellow passengers. "I'm flying back from Chennai to Chicago via Abu Dhabi. This morning when I left Chennai at 10 a.m., there was no issue. We took off, flew here, and now I'm kind of stuck. I understand there is bombing going on, and our flight status is unknown at this point. Right now authorities are saying it's still on time or to be determined. My flight is supposed to go only at midnight tonight, so there are still a few more hours. I hope things can still start functioning by the end of the day, but it is completely unknown," he said, his voice reflecting anxiousness shared by thousands around him. UAE's Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Saturday announced that the UAE today was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an asian nationality. The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock.The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE's categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability.The Ministry further stated that the targeting represents a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. The Ministry affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised. The Ministry urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified reports. The Ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources within the UAE and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with his counterparts in Israel and Iran amid the escalating tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's stance of de-escalating tensions through dialogue and diplomacy. "Spoke with Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar this afternoon. Reiterate India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions," Jaishankar posted on X about his call with FM Gideon Sa'ar. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027784134324851042?s=20 In a separate post on X, he said that during his call with FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, he shared India's "deep concern at the recent developments". "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region. @araghchi," Jaishankar posted on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027785905881461139?s=20 Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Syria also issued an advisory to Indian nationals in the country to "avoid unnecessary travel" and take "due care" amid the tensions. "In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Syria are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and the Syrian Authorities. For any emergency query, Indian nationals in Syria can contact the following number: Mobile No: +963-993385973," the embassy posted on X. Meanwhile, in United Arab Emirates, multiple passengers, including Indians, have been stranded at various airports across West Asia. Passengers were left stranded at Abu Dhabi airport after flight operations were disrupted following joint military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran. Speaking to ANI, Sanjeev Mehta, an Indian passenger stranded at the airport, described scenes of panic and uncertainty. "I came to Abu Dhabi to attend a friend's party over the weekend, and we are stuck here. Right now we are at the airport. Many alarms went off at the airport, and as the news suggests, some missiles have landed. Missile attacks have also taken place," he said. Concern has also increased among Indian students and their families amid the escalating tensions, as over a thousand Indian students, from Jammu and Kashmir, are studying in different cities of Iran, mainly in medical courses, and are feeling unsafe due to the tense situation. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate intervention. The association has requested the government to ensure the safety of students and arrange evacuation if necessary. The letter mentioned that on 28 February 2026, the Israel Defence Forces carried out major attacks in Tehran and other areas, which made the situation very serious. Airspace restrictions and emergency security measures have increased risks for foreign nationals. (ANI) Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Iran will not remain silent after the United States attacks its people, amid rising tensions following US and Israeli military actions. He said Iran is acting in self-defence under the UN Charter and warned that those responsible for killing Iranian citizens would face consequences. In an interview with NBC News, Araghchi said, "Engaging with counterparts from brotherly neighbors to clarify that Iran is solely exercising its right to self-defense under UN Charter. Iran will not sit idly by as the U.S. attacks our people. Regretful that targets are located in friendly states." https://x.com/araghchi/status/2027801115933266270?s=20 "I do not know why the U.S. administration insists on beginning a negotiation with Iran and then attacking Iran in middle of talks. The same thing happened last June. 48 hours ago, even Oman's Foreign Minister confirmed," he said. https://x.com/araghchi/status/2027805505029025988?s=20 "We do not understand the reasons for the U.S. attack on Iran. Perhaps the U.S. administration was dragged into it. Here is what I do know: Iran will punish those who kill our children. Our enmity is not with the American people, who are being lied to yet again," he said. https://x.com/araghchi/status/2027806327901245797?s=20 Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran after Israel also said it had launched missile attacks against the country, as per Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. Several countries across the region have shut their airspace amid the exchange of attacks. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday issued an advisory for Indian students in the UAE to avoid unnecessary travel. The advisory was one of the many issued by Indian missions in the Middle East. "In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the UAE authorities and the Embassy. The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are continuing to function normally and will issue updates as necessary," the advisory read. (ANI) In light of the recent volatile situation and escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iran, the Government of Bangladesh has expressed deep concern regarding the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in the region. Due to the temporary closure of air routes and airspace, the travel of Bangladeshi workers heading to the Middle East for employment has been disrupted. In this context, the Government of Bangladesh has already requested the concerned countries to allow entry for Bangladeshi citizens who wish to travel to the Middle East, as well as those currently stranded, once the situation improves. Several countries have provided positive assurances in this regard, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The relevant authorities in Bangladesh have taken measures to ensure necessary assistance for workers currently present at various airports in the country. They are also maintaining regular communication with the relevant authorities in the Middle East to address emerging concerns, it added. The Government of Bangladesh has initiated necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the premises of the Bangladesh Mission in Tehran, its diplomats and officials, as well as Bangladeshi students studying in Iran, the statement said. "Bangladesh expresses deep concern over the failure of dialogue processes in the Middle East and the recent intensification of tensions in the region. Bangladesh reiterates that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country in the Middle East is essential. We firmly believe that conflict never brings a lasting solution; rather, disputes can only be resolved peacefully through dialogue, mutual respect, and commitment to international law. Bangladesh calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalation, and immediately intensify diplomatic efforts", said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry. "Bangladesh reaffirms its consistent and principled position in favour of peace, stability, and security in the Middle East, and calls upon the international community to strengthen efforts toward restoring peace and creating a conducive environment for dialogue", the statement said. This evening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, and the Foreign Secretary met in an emergency meeting to review the evolving situation in the Middle East. During the meeting, they also held a telephone conversation with the Head of the Bangladesh Mission in Tehran. (ANI) US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, praised India's entry into the global semiconductor supply chain, highlighting that India is becoming a major player in semiconductor manufacturing. He also spoke about the growing relationship between the United States and India. Gor mentioned that there are currently 10 semiconductor projects worth 19 billion dollars being developed in India, which shows the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Modi. Speaking at the inauguration of Micron's new semiconductor facility in Gujarat, Gor said, "Today marks India's entry into the global semiconductor supply chain as a manufacturing nation. This is just the beginning. With 10 semiconductor projects worth $19 billion underway across India, that is a direct testament to your Prime Minister's leadership, to his vision, and to his ability to secure the future for India and for our global partners, including the United States." "Gujarat's leadership is incentivising semiconductor projects. From Sanand to Dholera, it sets an example for your entire country... We are beyond proud of Micron being here, and in just the last few years, they have achieved incredible results. The United States stands ready to participate in this growth. American companies are watching closely, and many are eager to explore opportunities to do business in Gujarat. President Trump cares deeply about our relationship. The next three years of our administration enable our two nations to tap into the limitless potential that exists," he said. He added, "This facility represents the future. It represents American technology leadership working hand in hand with Indian manufacturing excellence. It represents supply chain resilience, built on trust between our two great democracies. The chips packaged in this facility will power devices around the world. More importantly, the partnership this facility represents will power our shared prosperity and security for generations to come." Gor said a 2.75 billion dollar investment is seen as a major step in strengthening US-India relations and boosting both countries' technology leadership. He emphasised that this project represents more than just a factory; it marks the future of the global semiconductor industry and shows the shared commitment to building strong and reliable supply chains. "I join you today for this historic moment, the inauguration of Micron's pioneer project, India's first major semiconductor assembly and test facility. This $2.75 billion investment represents far more than a new factory. It represents the future of American technology leadership, the strength of the U.S.-India partnership, and our shared commitment to building resilient supply chains that serve both our nations and the world... Under President Trump's leadership, we are securing our position at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry... Our president has a dear friendship with your prime minister. It is something that has endured for many years in the past, and it is something that we will carry on for the next 3 years of the Trump administration in Washington," he said. He added, "When PM Modi and President Trump met in Washington last February, they launched the U.S.-India Compact. Compact stands for Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce, and Technology. At the heart of this framework is the TRUST initiative, transforming the relationship utilising strategic technology. Today's inauguration embodies that vision. Semiconductors are the foundation of modern technology... Creating resilient supply chains for these critical components requires building semiconductor ecosystems in multiple trusted locations." "Gujarat has emerged as a vital hub in this network. India's role in the global semiconductor supply chain is not just welcome, it is essential... As other nations in this neighbourhood aggressively expand production of legacy chips and seek to dominate the sector, India offers a secure and reliable alternative. Your focus on mature chip designs and assembly, testing, marking, and packaging operations complements America's drive to produce the most advanced chips domestically," he said. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his counterparts from several Gulf countries amid rising tensions in West Asia, stressing the need for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. He said India is concerned about the escalating situation and highlighted the country's strong interest in regional peace and the safety of the Indian community living in the region. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Just spoke to Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, FM of Saudi Arabia. Exchanged views on the ongoing situation in the Gulf. Underlined India's stakes in regional peace and stability and in the welfare of Indian community." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027816704852758635?s=20 In another post, he said he spoke with Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who briefed him on the latest situation in the country. "Spoke with Kuwait FM Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He briefed on the latest situation in Kuwait. Underlined India's concern at the escalation. Value his reassurance for the welfare of the Indian community," in another post, he said. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027803038099116046?s=20 Jaishankar spoke with top leaders from Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE about rising tensions in the Gulf. He said he was assured by Bahrain's FM Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Qatar's PM and FM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and UAE's DPM and FM Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan that the Indian community's safety and welfare would be protected. "Exchanged views with FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain on the turn of events in the region. The escalating developments are clearly a matter of concern. Was assured that his Government would take all measures to keep the Indian community safe," he said. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027802768321483038?s=20 "Called Qatar PM & FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani this evening. Was apprised of the situation in Qatar. Value his assurance on the well-being of the Indian community," he said. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027802325897908680?s=20 "Discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf with UAE DPM & FM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan this evening. India is concerned with the escalating situation. Appreciate his commitment to the welfare of the Indian community," he said. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2027801741656576039?s=20 Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran after Israel also said it had launched missile attacks against the country, as per Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. Several countries across the region have shut their airspace amid the exchange of attacks.The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday issued an advisory for Indian students in the UAE to avoid unnecessary travel. (ANI) Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, senior Israeli officials were informed on Saturday evening, according to The Jerusalem Post.Senior Israeli officials were also informed that the body of Iran's Supreme Leader was found under the rubble left by the air strike, the report said. According to Reuters, a senior Israeli official told on Saturday that the Supreme Leader of Iran is dead and his body has been found. Iran has not confirmed reports about the fate of its Khamenei. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may no longer be alive, without directly confirming his death. He said Iran's top leaders and nuclear officials were targeted after recent attacks by Israel and the US in several parts of Iran, including Tehran. In a video statement, PM Netanyahu said, "There were many signs indicating Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is no longer, without explicitly confirming his death. Khamenei's compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had been destroyed." Israeli TV had earlier reported that their assessment suggested that the supreme leader had likely been killed in the strike. However, Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said, "The Supreme Leader is in good health and never has a fear of America or any other people... He will continue by his dignity and wisdom, and I hope that we will win this war." Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported. Nasirzadeh was the Deputy of Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military carrier as a fighter pilot. Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025, who had overtaken following the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami following Israeli strikes. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead, describing him as "one of the most evil people in History," and said the development marked "justice" for Americans and others worldwide. He added that advanced US intelligence and coordination with Israel left Khamenei and other leaders "with nothing they could do," while asserting that it presents a major opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country. This comes after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, senior Israeli officials were informed on Saturday evening, according to The Jerusalem Post. Senior Israeli officials were also informed that the body of Iran's Supreme Leader was found under the rubble left by the air strike, the report said. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us." https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116150413051904167 "As I said last night, "Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!" Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" he said. On Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out joint missile attacks on Iran, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities, signalling a sharp escalation that risks expanding tensions into a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. (ANI) US President Donald Trump is closely overseeing ongoing American military actions in Iran, which were initiated on Saturday under "Operation Epic Fury." https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2027838386342334802?s=20 Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as diplomatic engagements continue amid ongoing US military operations in Iran. In a post on X, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared, "President Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte." https://x.com/PressSec/status/2027821388367597572?s=20 On Saturday, the United States and Israel carried out joint missile attacks on Iran, with large explosions reported in Tehran and other major cities, signalling a sharp escalation that risks expanding tensions into a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country. FBI Director Kash Patel said FBI teams across the United States are on high alert following developments overseas, with counterterrorism and intelligence units fully mobilised to respond to any potential threats. Patel said he had directed the FBI's Counterterrorism and intelligence teams to stay vigilant and deploy all necessary security resources. He added that Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) across the country are working round the clock to identify and prevent any threats to the homeland. https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2027811694244692294?s=20 "FBI personnel are fully engaged on the situation overseas. Last night I instructed our Counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilize all assisting security assets needed. Our JTTFs throughout the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland. While the military handles force protection overseas, the @FBI remains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home - and will continue to have our team work around the clock to protect Americans," Patel said in a post on X. "We ask everyone to please report anything that may seem suspicious to law enforcement - 1-800-CALL-FBI and http://tips.fbi.gov. Thank you to all military service members, federal partners, and law enforcement who continue to put mission first," the post read. (ANI) Mauricio Pincheira represents a modern model of executive leadership shaped by global operations, disciplined process improvement, and long-term strategic thinking. With more than 25 years of experience across the automotive, industrial, and energy sectors, Mauricio Pincheira has developed a reputation for guiding organizations through operational complexity while maintaining a steady focus on sustainability, workforce engagement, and measurable performance outcomes. In an era defined by supply chain volatility, technological disruption, and increasing environmental accountability, automotive leadership requires more than technical knowledge. Automotive leadership demands structured execution, cross-functional alignment, and cultural clarity. Mauricio Pincheira has built a career at the intersection of these priorities, leading transformation initiatives that connect operational rigor with organizational resilience. The Foundations of Automotive Leadership Automotive leadership today operates within a highly interconnected global ecosystem. Manufacturing networks span continents. Regulatory frameworks evolve rapidly. Electrification and sustainability initiatives continue reshaping long-term product strategies. Within this context, automotive leadership must balance performance, innovation, and compliance simultaneously. Mauricio Pincheiras professional background reflects these realities. Through leadership roles in automotive and industrial environments, Mauricio Pincheira has overseen operational systems that require precision, scalability, and adaptability. Automotive leadership at this level requires deep familiarity with manufacturing excellence frameworks, disciplined capital deployment, and continuous improvement methodologies. As a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Project Management Professional, Mauricio Pincheira applies structured methodologies to operational challenges. These credentials reflect a commitment to measurable performance improvement rather than abstract strategy. In automotive environments, incremental efficiency gains can translate into significant competitive advantages. Mauricio Pincheiras work demonstrates how disciplined systems thinking supports long-term value creation. Industrial Transformation as Strategic Imperative Industrial transformation is no longer optional for manufacturing-based enterprises. Digital integration, sustainability mandates, workforce development, and cost pressures have accelerated the pace of change. Industrial transformation requires leadership that understands both operational detail and enterprise-wide strategy. Mauricio Pincheira has guided organizations through industrial transformation initiatives that align operational execution with broader business objectives. Industrial transformation often involves process redesign, supply chain optimization, sustainability integration, and cultural alignment. Mauricio Pincheira approaches industrial transformation as a structured evolution rather than a disruptive overhaul, emphasizing planning, stakeholder engagement, and measurable milestones. Effective industrial transformation depends on integrating technology with human capability. Automation, data analytics, and digital process control systems must function alongside engaged teams and clear governance. Mauricio Pincheiras leadership experience demonstrates an understanding that industrial transformation succeeds when operational systems and workforce culture evolve together. Sustainability and Operational Excellence Sustainability has become a defining component of modern automotive leadership. Environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and responsible resource management are central to long-term competitiveness. Automotive organizations must integrate sustainability into core operations rather than treat it as a peripheral initiative. Mauricio Pincheira has been associated with sustainability initiatives that connect environmental performance with operational efficiency. Industrial transformation frequently includes waste reduction, energy optimization, and responsible materials management. Mauricio Pincheiras experience in chemical management and industrial operations highlights how sustainability initiatives can align with cost control and risk mitigation. Operational excellence frameworks, including Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, provide structured pathways for reducing waste and enhancing productivity. Mauricio Pincheiras certification as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt reflects a commitment to data-driven performance management. Within automotive leadership, disciplined process control strengthens quality outcomes, improves safety performance, and enhances supply chain reliability. Global Perspective and Cross-Border Operations Automotive and industrial enterprises increasingly operate across international markets. Cross-border operations introduce complexity related to regulatory environments, cultural dynamics, and logistics coordination. Leadership in these contexts requires adaptability and global awareness. Mauricio Pincheiras professional experience spans operations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Managing industrial systems across multiple jurisdictions requires careful alignment of compliance standards, workforce engagement strategies, and supplier networks. Mauricio Pincheiras background reflects experience navigating these cross-border considerations while maintaining operational continuity. Global automotive leadership also requires sensitivity to regional market dynamics and workforce diversity. Industrial transformation initiatives must respect local conditions while aligning with global performance standards. Mauricio Pincheiras leadership profile includes advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion, reinforcing the importance of inclusive leadership in multinational environments. Human-Centered Leadership in Industrial Settings While operational metrics remain central to industrial performance, long-term success depends on workforce engagement. Automotive leadership increasingly emphasizes safety culture, skills development, and collaborative decision-making. Industrial transformation initiatives often fail when workforce alignment is overlooked. Mauricio Pincheiras leadership approach incorporates human-centered principles alongside operational discipline. Workforce empowerment, transparent communication, and structured training programs contribute to sustainable transformation outcomes. Automotive leadership benefits when technical process improvement aligns with cultural reinforcement. In manufacturing environments, frontline employees directly influence quality, safety, and productivity outcomes. Industrial transformation that includes workforce engagement strengthens adoption rates and reduces implementation friction. Mauricio Pincheiras experience reflects recognition of this dynamic, reinforcing the role of people-first leadership within complex operational systems. Strategic Discipline in Times of Change The automotive sector continues to experience structural change driven by electrification, digital integration, and shifting consumer expectations. Industrial organizations must respond to evolving supply chain patterns and regulatory frameworks. Leadership during these transitions requires strategic discipline and measured execution. Mauricio Pincheiras career trajectory demonstrates sustained involvement in environments undergoing change. Automotive leadership in transitional periods requires scenario planning, risk assessment, and careful capital allocation. Industrial transformation initiatives must balance urgency with sustainability, avoiding short-term decisions that undermine long-term performance. Strategic discipline involves aligning operational improvements with enterprise-wide objectives. Mauricio Pincheiras leadership profile reflects attention to measurable outcomes, cross-functional coordination, and governance structures that support accountability. Automotive leadership grounded in disciplined execution reduces volatility and strengthens organizational resilience. Diversity, Inclusion, and Corporate Responsibility Corporate leadership increasingly integrates diversity and inclusion into strategic frameworks. Inclusive workplaces foster innovation, enhance workforce retention, and reflect evolving stakeholder expectations. Automotive and industrial sectors, traditionally characterized by rigid hierarchies, continue evolving toward more inclusive cultures. Mauricio Pincheira has been recognized for contributions to corporate and community leadership, including advocacy related to diversity and inclusion. Automotive leadership that incorporates inclusive principles supports broader talent pipelines and stronger organizational culture. Industrial transformation initiatives benefit from diverse perspectives that challenge legacy assumptions and introduce innovative solutions. Corporate responsibility also includes community engagement and ethical governance. Automotive leadership extends beyond operational performance to encompass environmental stewardship and social accountability. Mauricio Pincheiras professional record reflects alignment with these broader leadership responsibilities. The Future of Automotive Leadership Looking ahead, automotive leadership will continue evolving alongside technological innovation and regulatory transformation. Electrification, advanced manufacturing systems, and supply chain digitization will require leaders capable of navigating complexity with clarity. Industrial transformation will remain central to competitiveness. Organizations that integrate sustainability, digital systems, and workforce development into coherent strategies will be better positioned for long-term stability. Mauricio Pincheiras background in operational excellence and structured leadership methodologies illustrates how disciplined transformation frameworks support enduring performance. Automotive leadership grounded in operational rigor, cultural alignment, and strategic foresight provides a foundation for navigating uncertainty. Mauricio Pincheiras career reflects experience within environments where performance, compliance, and sustainability intersect. As the automotive and industrial sectors continue adapting to global pressures, leadership models emphasizing structured execution and inclusive engagement will remain critical. About Mauricio Pincheira Mauricio Pincheira is an accomplished executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across the automotive, industrial, and energy sectors. Mauricio Pincheira currently leads Automotive and Industrial operations at The Chemico Group, one of North Americas largest minority-owned chemical management and distribution enterprises. Mauricio Pincheira is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Project Management Professional and has guided organizations through operational transformation, sustainability initiatives, and cross-border operational integration in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mauricio Pincheiras leadership profile reflects a commitment to operational excellence, environmental stewardship, workforce empowerment, and responsible corporate governance. Morocco is embarking on one of the most comprehensive overhauls of its intellectual property framework in decades, as the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property known by its French acronym OMPIC launches a deep revision of the countrys foundational industrial property legislation, Law 17-97, and its implementing regulations. The reform is being carried out under the Swiss PartnershIP Morocco project, a bilateral development cooperation agreement between the Swiss and Moroccan governments funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs to the tune of 1.5 million Swiss francs. A legal expert will be commissioned to produce concrete amendment proposals, ready for legislative adoption. The case for reform is clear. Although Law 17-97 has been updated over the years, Moroccos legal framework has not kept pace with the realities of a digitalized global economy, the emergence of new forms of innovation, or the obligations arising from international treaties recently ratified under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization including the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, the Patent Law Treaty, and the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge. The reform is structured around four strategic pillars. The first targets the substantive protection regime for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and appellations of origin, with plans to introduce utility models for lower-complexity innovations, provisional patent applications, and clarified rules on well-known marks. The second pillar focuses on procedural modernization streamlining filing deadlines, notification rules, and administrative processes to make the system more accessible and attractive to users. The third axis addresses the professionalization of industrial property advisors, the intermediaries between inventors and the administration, by tightening qualification requirements, clarifying professional conduct rules, and introducing a strengthened code of ethics with enforceable sanctions. The fourth and most innovative pillar concerns rights enforcement, aiming to reduce dependence on lengthy and costly court proceedings by introducing mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Challenges remain substantial. Transposing international treaty obligations into domestic law requires careful calibration too rigid an approach risks implementation failures, while too loose a transposition undermines the reforms purpose. Legislative coherence across overlapping texts, meaningful stakeholder consultation, and rigorous impact assessments will all be essential to the process. Scheduled to run through 2026 and 2027, the reform carries a straightforward ambition: to develop an industrial property framework that tangibly improves conditions for investment and innovation in Morocco and positions the kingdom as a regional leader in the protection of creative and economic value. Morocco will soon host two international events aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation and building consensus around fundamental human rights standards, Interministerial Delegate for Human Rights Mohamed Elhabib Belkouch announced in Geneva. The first will be a targeted retreat, scheduled before the summer, dedicated to reflecting on avenues for reforming the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as it approaches its fifth cycle, Belkouch said while delivering Moroccos statement during the general debate of the high-level segment of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). Morocco will also organize a thematic event focused on torture prevention, designed to promote the exchange of best practices among national preventive mechanisms, independent institutions, and international partners, he added. These two initiatives are part of Moroccos ongoing efforts to help build consensus around the core standards and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, Belkouch said. He also underscored that Morocco continues to advance structural reforms aimed at strengthening equality and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, in line with the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the principles enshrined in the Constitution. Belkouch reaffirmed the Kingdoms commitment to multilateralism and to reinforcing the international human rights system. In this context, he expressed Moroccos full support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, particularly the High Commissioners personal engagement on several priority issues, including the prevention of violations, capacity-building efforts, and the promotion of human rightsbased approaches in public policies. Morocco has condemned in the strongest terms Irans missile attacks that violated the integrity and security of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. These attacks are blatant violation of the national sovereignty and security of these Brotherly Arab countries and threaten stability of the region, said Moroccan foreign ministry in a press release issued Saturday. Morocco expresses its full solidarity with the targeted Arab states in all legitimate measures they take in response to the Iranian aggression to protect their security and peace of their citizens and residents. The US and Israel launched on Saturday pre-emptive attacks against Iran, with explosions heard across the country. In response, Iran has launched missile attacks targeting neighboring Arab countries, allies of the United States. In a statement posted on social media, US President Donald Trump said: A short time ago the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. He added: Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He said Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons program, affirming that they can never have a nuclear weapon. On Saturday, King Mohammed VI held phone calls with several Gulf leaders following Iranian attacks on the sovereignty of those countries, the Royal Office said in a statement. The King thus held several phone conversations with his Gulf brothers, namely Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain; Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia; and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. During these phone calls, the Monarch reiterated Moroccos strong condemnation of the blatant attacks targeting the sovereignty of these brotherly countries and the integrity of their territories. The King also expressed Moroccos full support and solidarity with them in all legitimate measures they deem appropriate to preserve their security and the safety and peace of mind of their citizens, the statement said. Based on the deep fraternal ties and ongoing solidarity binding the Kingdom of Morocco to these brotherly states, the King stressed that the security and stability of the Gulf countries are an indivisible part of the security and stability of the Kingdom of Morocco, and that any violation of their safety constitutes a serious and unacceptable aggression and a direct threat to stability in the region, the statement added. The first trailer for POKEMON WINDS AND WAVES has been released. Releasing in 2027. pic.twitter.com/hy5cibmLHh DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 27, 2026 First look at the Gen 10 Pokemon starters. pic.twitter.com/Dk6aFsmIGE DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 27, 2026 Time to head back to the Kanto region! Pokemon FireRed Version and Pokemon LeafGreen Version are available to download now on Nintendo Switch! #PokemonFRLG pic.twitter.com/tPJsVGPNsL Pokemon (@Pokemon) February 27, 2026 in celebration of Pokemon Day, the 10th generation games have officially been announced for Nintendo Switch 2! Pokemon Winds and Waves will release in 2027.Here are your Gen 10 starters:Also, you can now download FireRed and LeafGreen for the Switch if you'd like to relive the glory days of the Kanto region!sources: 1 Analysts expect significant volatility and a sharp "war premium" to be priced into crude oil when markets open, as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for 20 percent of the world's oil supply, is now considered a war zone. The attack, which included strikes on cities like Isfahan and Qom, led Israel to declare a state of emergency and close its airspace. The United States and Israel launched a massive, coordinated military strike across Iran, including the capital of Tehran, marking a major escalation in the regional conflict. Global energy markets are set to see significant volatility following a United States-Israel coordinated wave of military strikes across Iran early this morning. The attack, which targeted multiple cities including the capital of Tehran, marks a huge escalation in a regional conflict that has simmered for months. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the "preemptive strike" as a state of emergency was declared across Israel. U.S. officials described the operation as "not a small strike," involving attack planes from regional bases and aircraft carriers. Explosions were reported in Isfahan, Qom, and Karaj, with witnesses in Tehran reporting thick smoke rising from districts housing government buildings. Oil prices have been creeping up for weeks as geopolitical tensions intensified, but this morning's military action is expected to send them higher. Related: Trumps Secret Weapon in the Rare Earth War On Friday, crude prices rose more than 2% as traders considered the likelihood of a strike after the meeting between Iran and the U.S. in Switzerland failed to produce any meaningful progress. The strikes come during a period of extreme domestic instability within Iran. Human rights groups estimate that over 5,000 protesters have been killed in a recent government crackdown. President Donald Trump cited both the nuclear program and the treatment of protesters as justifications for the assault. Anticipating the attack, Iranian authorities reportedly spent the last several days rushing to ship as much crude oil as possible out of the country. Satellite imagery and shipping data indicated an unusual surge in tanker activity at Iranian terminals throughout the week. Tehran sought to maximize its revenue and clear storage facilities before the potential destruction of infrastructure or the implementation of even stricter maritime blockades. This is the second time the U.S. has struck Iranian soil in less than a year. In June 2025, American warplanes bombed three nuclear sites, including the Fordo enrichment facility. While that conflict ended in a brief ceasefire, the current operation appears far more extensive. Israel has closed its airspace and suspended all civilian flights. The Home Front Command has ordered the public to cease non-essential activities, prohibiting gatherings and closing schools. In Iran, the strikes occurred on a Saturday morning, the start of the work week, leading to reports of chaos as millions were already in offices and classrooms. With the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for 20 percent of the world's oil supply, now effectively a war zone, analysts expect a sharp "war premium" to be priced into crude at the Monday market open. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com There are still many areas of the world where people do not have access to electricity, due to a lack of funding for the necessary transmission infrastructure and several other challenges. Now, some countries are tackling the issue by investing in programmes to support battery rental. By allowing those without access to power to rent batteries, which helps provide a mid-term solution to the lack of power, until long-term infrastructure can be developed. Approximately 730 million people worldwide did not have access to electricity in 2024, marking a decrease of just 11 million from 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Access to electricity is much lower in some parts of the world than in others, such as in many sub-Saharan African countries, where population growth continues to outpace electrification. Debt burdens driven up by the Covid-19 pandemic, and cuts to aid investment, have hindered progress in several regions. Developing Asia achieved an access rate of 98 percent in 2024, with India and Indonesia reporting universal access. The remaining gap is largely concentrated in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Universal access has almost been achieved in Latin America, although some remote areas, such as the Andean Highlands and the Amazon, still do not have the infrastructure required to supply electricity. In addition, there is still a significant access gap in Honduras and Haiti. However, progress in enhancing access remains slower in sub-Saharan Africa, which account for eight out of ten people globally without electricity, according to the IEA. While progress has been made in Cote dIvoire, Kenya, and Mozambique, 27 countries in the region are still lagging behind the pre-pandemic rate of access expansion. However, investment in solar projects across several countries, mainly by China, is expected to speed up the deployment of clean electricity in the coming years. Investments in clean energy projects and supporting transmission infrastructure signal a future with greater access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. However, it could take several years before many people get connected to the grid. In the meantime, governments and private companies are investing in alternative connectivity options to ensure that people are not left without electricity. Related: Magnet Wars: How the U.S. Plans to Break Chinas Grip on Rare Earths The energy company BP launched an initiative in South Africa in 2025 known as BPowered, offering daily rental batteries. The batteries range from 300 to 1,000 watt-hours and are capable of powering lights, televisions, laptops, and some appliances for several hours. This helps people to run businesses, such as convenience stores and hair salons. Users can return the batteries to be recharged to use the following day. The batteries are distributed across businesses equipped with solar panels, such as petrol stations, where users can collect and return them easily. Roughly 200 million people across sub-Saharan Africa rely on solar power for electricity, according to the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. BPower hopes to expand the programme to Nigeria. Around a decade ago, the U.K.-based firm MOPO launched a similar programme, distributing around 125,000 rental batteries in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, and Uganda. MOPO installed solar battery-charging stations in various communities where petrol stations and similar structures do not exist. While the batteries can generally provide users with regular access to power, they are not big enough to power large appliances and electronics. In 2025, the development finance institution Norfund invested $5 million in MOPO to expand its battery projects. MOPOs CEO, Chris Longbottom, stated, Were revolutionising access to energy Our proprietary batteries and pay-per-use rental model are transforming energy for millions. The company offers two battery options: the MOPO50, designed for lighting, phone charging, and DC appliances, and the more powerful MOPOMax, to replace fossil fuel generators or provide a battery swap for e-motorbike taxis. In October, MOPO achieved its 20th million battery rental milestone. The rollout of battery projects in Africa can help reduce reliance on noisy and polluting diesel generators, which over 40 percent of businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to rely on to keep the lights on. While diesel generators are cheap to buy, they are expensive to run and release large quantities of carbon dioxide. However, many people in sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford to invest in a battery of their own, which makes rental programmes extremely popular, boosting access to electricity in poor communities. To achieve sustainable, universal access to electricity, governments and energy companies worldwide must invest in expanding the production capacity of a broad mix of energy sources and investing in the development of supporting transmission infrastructure. This will likely take several decades to achieve. In the meantime, battery rental projects can provide communities without access to electricity with the means to power basic devices to enhance living standards and help people run businesses. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com With production projected to reach over 1.5 million barrels per day by the end of the decade, Guyana's GDP is expected to expand by 61% between 2025 and 2030, driving significant economic and infrastructure growth. The future of Guyana's oil boom was secured by US intervention in Venezuela, which removed the military threat posed by former President Nicolas Maduro's escalations over the oil-rich Essequibo region. Once one of South Americas poorest countries, Guyana is now ranked among the worlds richest because of the vast petroleum wealth contained in its territorial waters. A swath of major oil discoveries in the offshore Stabroek Block by operator ExxonMobil, with partners Chevron and CNOOC, saw Guyana emerge as a major oil producer and exporter. There is considerable production growth ahead which will boost the economy and global oil supply. U.S. intervention in Venezuela, with President Nicolas Maduro captured during a daring night raid, secured the future of Guyanas oil boom. After decades of poor drilling results, Exxon made the first major oil discovery in Guyana with the Liza-1 wildcat well during May 2015 in the offshore 6.6-million-acre Stabroek Block. Unknown to Georgetown or the Exxon-led consortium, this heralded the beginning of one of the world's hottest oil booms. Liza-1 was followed by a swath of major oil discoveries, which are estimated to contain at least 11 billion barrels of oil. This challenged accepted models of the Guyana-Suriname Basins geology and estimated petroleum potential. You see, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in a May 2001 report determined the sedimentary basin held mean undiscovered oil resources of 15.2 million barrels. Related: Trumps Secret Weapon in the Rare Earth War Recent oil discoveries in Guyanas waters, both within and outside of the Stabroek Block, coupled with updated geological data, point to the former British colonys share of the oil basin containing far more oil than that estimated by the USGS. Since 2020, several discoveries have been made in offshore Suriname, primarily in Block 58, which is contiguous to the Stabroek Block. These sparked considerable interest from foreign drillers seeking the success Exxon is experiencing in the Stabroek Block. TotalEnergies and 50% partner APA Corporation made five discoveries in Block 58 offshore Suriname, where they are developing the $10.5 billion GranMorgu project targeting a 760-million-barrel reservoir. Those events illustrate the considerable petroleum potential held by offshore Guyana, which has been a game-changer for the tiny country of less than one million. The former British colony is now ranked by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the worlds seventh wealthiest country, ahead of Norway and behind Qatar, based on gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Guyanas oil production continues to grow. By the end of December 2025, the country was lifting 914,730 barrels of crude oil per day, all of which comes from the prolific Stabroek Block. Hydrocarbon output will keep expanding, at least until the end of the decade. Exxon, which is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds a 45% share with Chevron controlling 30% and the remaining 25% held by CNOOC, is developing three additional projects. Firstly, there is the 250,000-barrel capacity Uaru facility, which will come online later this year. This will be followed by the 250,000-barrel capacity Whiptail project that is expected to start up in 2027. Finally, there is the 150,000-barrel capacity Hammerhead development, which will begin lifting oil in 2029. Related: Magnet Wars: How the U.S. Plans to Break Chinas Grip on Rare Earths Combined, those three facilities will boost Guyanas oil production by at least 650,000 barrels per day, perhaps more as operational efficiencies are identified and implemented. This means by the end of the decade Guyana will be pumping at least 1,550,000 barrels per day, seeing it overtake Venezuela to become South Americas second largest oil producer behind Brazil. This will deliver a further economic windfall that will continue to grow as additional facilities and infrastructure are built in the Stabroek Block. One of the Exxon-led consortiums most ambitious projects is the Longtail development. Currently, this project is undergoing regulatory review, with Exxon expecting to make a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2026. This will be the consortiums eighth facility to be built in the Stabroek Block, although it differs from previous operations in that it will focus on extracting natural gas and condensate. Exxon anticipates that Longtail will start up during 2030 and lift 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 290,000 barrels of condensate per day. The completion of the Longtail facility will lift Guyanas overall hydrocarbon production to well over 1.8 million barrels per day once the operation reaches full capacity. These developments make the former British colony one of the top non-OPEC countries driving global oil supply. This notable increase in petroleum output will also further boost Guyanas economy. The IMF estimates the one-time impoverished South American countrys gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by a stunning 61% between 2025 and 2030, seeing it grow from $25 billion to $40 billion. Georgetown is using the growing inflow of petroleum revenues to fund a nationwide infrastructure program, which will alleviate poverty and modernize the developing country. These include new community roads and highways to modernize Guyanas transportation network and enhance internal commerce. Then there is the Parika Stelling port, which is being transformed into a world-class international port facility through the investment of $21.5 million. The port, which is situated on the west bank of the Essequibo River, is an essential piece of infrastructure required to support Guyanas burgeoning oil boom. While such rapid economic growth raises questions around governance and the sustainable management of such wealth, notably because of Guyanas long-history of corruption, it will potentially contribute to greater institutional stability. For these reasons, along with Guyanas proximity to the United States, the tiny South American country will enhance regional energy security. This is because of the close relationship which formed between Georgetown and Washington after Venezuelas former President Nicolas Maduro threatened to annex the Essequibo. By 2023, the illegitimate leaders saber-rattling was escalating as he massed military forces on Guyanas border and ordered incursions into the Essequibo. Maduro was threatening to invade the Essequibo, which not only comprises two-thirds of Guyanas territory but also contains the prolific Stabroek Block. His capture by U.S. forces during a daring January 2026 night raid removed this threat and secured the future of Guyanas oil boom. In one fell swoop, President Donald Trump not only guaranteed the countrys future but also bolstered U.S. energy security by removing a serious threat to Guyanas growing oil production. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com OPEC+ is preparing to consider a significantly larger oil output increase at its meeting on Sunday, as escalating military conflict involving Iran threatens energy flows across the Middle East. According to sources close to the talks, the alliance could raise production by as much as 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in April three times the previously expected 137,000 bpd increase. One source suggested the hike could even reach 548,000 bpd if market volatility intensifies. The move would mark a sharp shift in tone for the group, which had paused output increases for the first quarter of 2026 amid seasonal weakness and earlier oversupply concerns. Now, with U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iran and Tehran retaliating across the region, OPEC+ appears ready to pivot from price management to supply stabilization. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have already begun increasing exports in anticipation of potential disruptions, according to trade sources. Saudi crude shipments averaged near three-year highs in February, while UAE exports of flagship Murban crude are set to rise in April. Combined exports from Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE are also trending higher. Related: The U.S. Just Took a Giant Step in The Rare Earth Race With China The stakes are significant. Iran produces roughly 3.3 million bpd and exports over 2 million bpd, largely to China. Its key export hub at Kharg Island has reportedly faced explosions, while the broader conflict has reignited fears over the security of the Strait of Hormuz through which about 20% of global oil supply passes. At the same time, Israel has temporarily shut offshore gas facilities amid security concerns, and DNO has suspended production in Iraqs Kurdistan region, highlighting how quickly regional output can be affected. Brent crude has climbed to multi-month highs as traders price in geopolitical risk. By moving to boost supply, OPEC+ appears intent on preventing a sustained price spike that could destabilize global markets even as conflict risks remain elevated. Sundays meeting now carries far greater weight than expected, with the alliance balancing revenue objectives against the need to reassure an increasingly fragile energy market. By Tom Kool for Oilpice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter went to the counter-State-of-the-Union rally this week. The Portland frog mascot that started the frog theme and became famous, is known for calling for the death of the President and death to any of his supporters. He is a frequent sight at the violent Portland ICE building riots. Here is what the frog guy has said according to the Telegraph In since deleted social media posts, Mr Todd, who uses the online name Apollo Toad, called for the Trump administration to be bombed a nd suggested that the only good police officer is a dead one. Someone just needs to bomb this administration. This government needs to burn and a bullet needs to be put in every one of Trumps cronies heads, one post read.Another added: Trump is fascist tyrant Nazi, and if you support him, well that makes you a Nazi. And the only good Nazi is a dead Nazi.A biography on a now-deleted Facebook page dedicated to Apollo Toad said: Just a little gay non-binary toad and proud Antifa terrorist. Lets check in on the Dem counter event to Trumps SOTU pic.twitter.com/5rBoH38bPz End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 25, 2026 Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have launched the first massive wave of a full-scale war on Iranyet the reason for attacking now and the vision of what happens the day after are murky, to say the least. An eight-minute video that Trump posted on social media early Saturday morning, announcing that he had begun major combat operations, raised more questions than it answered. He made very clear that the intent of the attackcalled Operation Epic Furywas not only to wipe out Irans nuclear infrastructure (which Trump already claimed to have obliterated in last Junes attack) but also to raze its ballistic missile force and, above all, to topple the Islamic regime. To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand, Trump proclaimed. He warned the people to stay inside while bombs fall but implored them, afterward, to take over your government. It will be yours to take. This is a bit of fantasy. There is no civic or protest group with the arms or organization to grab the reins of power in Tehran, nor are U.S. or Israeli troops going to occupy Iranian territory to help them to do so. Even if they did, the results wouldnt be certain. It is worth recalling that, in 2003, President George W. Bush sent 150,000 troops to depose Saddam Husseins regime in Iraq, yet even they were unable to impose order but instead incited an insurgency and a civil war that lasted nearly a decade and destabilized the entire region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear how Trumps stab at regime change without any ground supportin a country three times the size of Iraqwill be any smoother. Even if the airstrikes succeed in ousting the regime, either by killing its leaders or forcing them to flee, it is doubtful the successors will be any friendlier to the West. [Update, March 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. EST: Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed. A wide range of possible consequences could follow: It could weaken Irans regime, splinter its leadership, or inflame his devout followers.] The most likely faction to succeed the supreme leader and his mullahs are the officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpsthe countrys elite military unit, which holds about 190,000 members, well-armed, brutal, and thoroughly enmeshed with Irans social structure and in control of much of its economy. They would resist any attempt by civilians to undermine their control. Advertisement In his eight-minute address, Trump urged the IRGC, as well as Irans armed forces and police, to roll over. Lay down your arms, he said. You will be treated fairly with total immunity. If you dont lay down your arms, you will face certain death. Advertisement This mix of promise and threat is a puzzler. Just who will reward surrendering officers with immunity, and who will kill those who dont succumb? Who will have the power, authority, and armed strength themselves to enforce this ultimatum? If Trump were to send several armed divisions to Iran, they could try to do thatbut its extremely doubtful, if just for domestic-political reasons, that he would do that. Its possible, one might imagine, that the CIA or Mossad has secretly contacted key Iranian officers, promising support if they take the reins after the mullahs fall and steer their country to more peaceful policies. But if so, it is not at all certain that these collaborators would be able to sway or dominate their fellow officersor whether rival factions will rise in opposition. Advertisement Advertisement In other words, assuming the war succeeds in its strategic aim of regime change, the likeliest outcome will be a new dictatorship, a civil war among various armed factions, or utter anarchy and chaos, reminiscent of Libya after the killing of Muammar Qaddafi. Whatever happens, it seems that Trump has not thought through the political consequences of his wara crucial failing in a war of choice; this certainly was not a war forced upon him. Advertisement Advertisement Trump is right, and hardly alone in noting, that the Iranian regime is led by terrible people. They sponsor terrorism, murder domestic dissenters, and have a record of killing American troops in the region. Yet he did not muster even the pretense of evidence that they pose an imminent threat. They are not on the brink of building nuclear weapons. (Trump exaggerated when he claimed last summer that Midnight Hammer, his bombing raid on three enriched-uranium sites, obliterated their nuclear capability, but the attack probably did set the program back a few years.) And their network of armed militias in the regionHamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthisis as weak as it has been for decades, thanks to a series of Israeli attacks. In negotiations over the past few weeks, Iran had offered to reduce its nuclear potential to below even the levels agreed in the nuclear deal negotiated by President Barack Obama and six other leaders in 2014a deal that Trump ripped up in his first term. But it seems Trump didnt want a deal at all. Advertisement Related From Slate The Iranians Offered a Good Deal. I Think I Know What Trump Is Really Afraid Of. Read More Meanwhile, the Iranians are doing what they said they would do if the U.S. or Israel unleashed an attackthey are firing their own missiles and drones at Israel and at Arab countries where the U.S. has military bases, including Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Many of these missiles were shot down, but video footage shows some of the missiles flew through unscathed and exploded. It is not yet known how much damage these strikes didor, for that matter, the full effects of the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. Still, this war is very different from Trumps previous airstrikes on Iran or Venezuela, which were one-off raids with limited goals. This is a war, aimed not just at destroying some military targets or abducting a single leader but bringing down a well-entrenched government. Even under optimistic assumptions, this is going to take a while. Trump himself admitted, in his video, that some Americans will die. In other words, Trump has crossed a red line that he has never crossed before, and that he once promised he never would. The consequences are as murky as everything else about this conflictfor Trumps political party in this years elections, for his own image in history books, as well as the fate of Iran, the stability of the Middle East, and the course of war and peace, possibly worldwide, in our times. Sign up for Executive Dysfunction, a weekly newsletter that surfaces under-the-radar stories about what Trump is doing to the lawand how the law is pushing back. The second Trump administration has forced us to think a lot about what it meansand why it matterswhen government lawyers lie in open court and ignore judicial orders. This week saw a rather extraordinary version of a jurist reacting to both offenses when U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy issued a remarkable 81-page decision rebuking and decrying the Trump administrations so-called third-country deportation scheme. Murphy, who sits in Massachusetts, did not merely rule against the policy; he also documented the many ways that government officials lied, stonewalled, and disobeyed court orders throughout the litigation. On this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, co-hosts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed both his order and why it is vitally important for judges to do what he did. An excerpt from their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: Can you start by reminding us what this cruel and unusual policy allows for? Because I think third-country deportation sounds a little benign for what it actually is. Mark Joseph Stern: It sounds antiseptic, but its absolutely atrocious. This is the policy the Trump administration uses to banish immigrants to countries that are not their home countries, and to which they often have no connection whatsoever. The Trump administration does this without giving people notice of where they were being expelled, or an opportunity to object to being expelled there. That clearly violates the Convention Against Torture, which bars the government from deporting people to any country in which there is substantial reason to believe they will be tortured or killed. The Trump administration claimed it could just ignore that law and deport noncitizens to random countries as long as it received diplomatic assurances that deportees would not face torture or death there. But it refused to say what those assurances were or to reveal anything about them in court. In the most notorious instance, the government dumped immigrants in South Sudanwhere they had never stepped foot before, and which the U.S. government currently tells citizens not to visit due to a high risk of crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Government lawyers said it was fine, though, because they received pinky-promises from South Sudan diplomats that nobody would be tortured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his opinion, Judge Murphy cited an extraordinary colloquy from a hearing. He had asked Justice Department lawyer Mary Larakers: Is your position that the Government can decide right now that someone who is in their custody is getting deported to a third country, give them no notice and no opportunity to say, I will be killed the moment I arrive there, and, as long as the Department doesnt already know that theres someone standing there waiting to shoot him, that thats fine? And Larakers responded: In short, yes. That is the official position of the U.S. government. And as Judge Murphy explained in this opinion, it is outrageously unlawful for many reasons. Ill just list two. First, the Convention Against Torturewhich Congress has implemented into federal lawrequires individualized determinations of risk when an immigrant says that they fear torture if deported to a certain country. That means that the immigrant must be told what country theyre going to be sent to and then get an opportunity to object. Thats what the government had been doing for decades before the second Trump administration changed the rules. Advertisement Related From Slate The Catholic Bishops Supreme Court Brief Is a Searing Moral Rebuke to Donald Trump Read More Second, Judge Murphy said this policy obviously violates due process. And that is a modest holding. He is not saying that third-country deportations are always unconstitutional. Hes not saying that immigrants always have to be believed when they say they fear torture or persecution in a certain country. All he held is that the government has to tell people where they will be expelled to, and give them a chance to raise a claim of persecution before theyre put on a plane. Anything less would deprive them of due process and nullify the Convention Against Torture. Advertisement Theres a piece of this thats a recurring theme on this show: Judge Murphy walks through every single way that Trump administration officials violated his earlier orders trying to halt this policy. And they just dont care. Advertisement Listeners may remember when the Trump administration defied one of Judge Murphys earlier preliminary injunctions, when the government loaded immigrants onto a deportation flight to South Sudan. And even though Murphy tried to halt those expulsionsand though the Trump administration initially defied his orderthe Supreme Court ended up siding with the government on the shadow docket. This time around, I think Judge Murphy is trying to show the justices that this incident was not a one-off. The rot here, the outrageous flouting of court orders, goes so much deeper, to the point that the governments position is just a stack of lies. Advertisement So, for instance, Judge Murphy laid out why it looks like Solicitor General John Sauer misled the justices during the South Sudan episode. Sauer told the Supreme Court that because of Murphys attempted intervention, the government had slammed on the brakes while these aliens were literally mid-flightthus forcing the government to detain them at a military base in Djibouti. But an ICE official later testified that that was untrue. The plane was always scheduled to stop at Djiboutiit was not diverted there at the last minute. And in fact, it stopped over in Ireland for several hours before that, and could have stayed there or turned around. So Sauers claim that Murphy forced an unscheduled emergency stopover in Djibouti is just flat-out false. Advertisement Advertisement Heres another example: The government wanted to expel a Guatemalan refugee to Mexico. The refugee told an immigration judge that he had been persecuted in Guatemala, and also raped and held hostage in Mexico. So the judge held that he could not be deported to either country. The government affirmed to the judge that it would not deport him to either country. It then promptly deported the refugee to Mexico, which in turn sent him to Guatemala. When Judge Murphy asked the government about these events, it claimed it had a witness who would testify that this refugee actually stated he was not afraid of being sent to Mexico. Then hours before this supposed witness was set to testify, the government admitted that no such witness had ever existed, and it had no basis to claim that the refugee was unafraid of deportation to Mexico. The government made the entire thing up. Advertisement Advertisement This is another theme weve talked about so much in the last year, which is the essential role that lower court judges play in telling the truth and getting the record straight. Its easy to say that what happens in court doesnt matter. But when a judge says, Youre lying, that goes on the record. Its essentialnot just for the preservation of the rule of law and democracy, but for creating a historical account of whats happening. Advertisement Our friend Skye Perryman, head of Democracy Forward, has been hitting this point. She has said that when this full factual record is presented to the justices, itll be a hell of a lot more difficult for them to side with the Trump administration. When all of the facts are laid out the way that Judge Murphy did it, it sends a message to the Supreme Court: If you side with Trump again, you will not just allow for this horrible, illegal policy to take effect; you will also incentivize defiance of the judiciary. Youll incentivize lying to the judiciary. And you will ultimately pave the way for your own ruin by unwinding the principle that the executive branch has to follow court orders. That, over anything else, is the message that I think Judge Murphy is trying to send to the Supreme Court. One week after failing on an open lead as the 1-5 favourite, Goo For Broke got many of her friends back after taking the $17,123 featured conditioned trot in a lifetime-best 1:53.2. I got a lot of hate [for last week], said driver Brett Beckwith in reference to Goo For Broke finishing second by a head over the sloppy going. People thought I fell asleep. But she had an off day. It wasnt all my fault, but she rebounded well tonight. Instead of racing on the lead, as they did last week, Beckwith worked out a pocket trip for Goo For Broke behind 8-5 favourite Royal Comet (Anibal Borjas) and scooted up the cones late to record a resounding three-length win over the public choice. Tom Swifty (Joe Bongiorno) finished third. She warmed up really well on a helmet, said Beckwith, and I thought Anibal would cover me up. Shes a sweetheart and really likes her job. Shes pretty versatile and Im looking forward to the future she has. A six-year-old daughter of Googoo Gaagaa-Hs Carry On who is trained by Per Engblom, Goo For Broke lifted her lifetime stats to 10 wins in 58 starts for owner/breeder Timothy Betts of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. As the 2-1 second choice in the wagering, she returned $6 to win. Beckwith led the driver colony with four wins on the night, upping his Big M dash-win-leading total to 48. Colin Kelly swept the late double ($7). His two winners on the night have him firmly in second in the standings with 30 victories. Engbloms two walks down victory lane led the trainers. Racing resumes on Saturday at The Meadowlands at 6 p.m. When the first race heads to the starting gate, there figures to be some serious green in the 20-cent Pick-5 pool. Friday nights Pick-5 sequence proved too tough for players as winners' odds were 9-1, 12-1, 5-2, 10-1 and 27-1. As a result, bettors will be gunning for a carryover of $26,400. Those with four correct cashed in for $391.80. The $1 Pick-8 went unhit for a third consecutive offering, upping the carryover to $66,454. A sequence where winners' odds went to the gate at 5-2, 10-1, 27-1, 4-5, 9-1, 7-2, 2-1 and 5-2 proved to be too much for the masses. Those with six correct collected $163.40. The 20-cent Pick-5 is offered on races one through five, while the $1 Pick-8 is available on dashes three through 10. All-source handle on the 14-race program totalled $2,735,565 USD. (With files from Meadowlands Racetrack) Case Name : State Bank of India Vs Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (Supreme Court of India) State Bank of India Vs Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (Supreme Court of India) The Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the judgment dated 13.01.2020 of the Delhi High Court, which had upheld the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dated 09.07.2019. The ITAT had held the appellant, a public sector bank, to be an assessee in default for Assessment Year 201314 for not deducting tax at source (TDS) on Leave Travel Concession (LTC) payments made to its employees. The central issue before the Court was whether the appellant was in default un Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content. Jazz FM Awards 2026 nominees set the jazz world ablaze with a powerhouse lineup that blends timeless legends and boundary-breaking innovators. Samara Joy emerges as a frontrunner in International Jazz Act, joined by Ezra Collective jazz trailblazers who continue their meteoric rise after Mercury Prize triumphs and global festival dominance. Mavis Staples brings her soul-steeped blues legacy, while Raye crosses genre lines from pop stardom into Soul Act contention. The ceremony makes its eagerly anticipated return to London's iconic KOKO venue on Thursday, April 16, fortified by partnerships with PPL and PRS for Music. This event captures jazz's explosive momentwhere traditional harmonies fuse with electronic pulses, hip-hop rhythms, and world music flavors, influencing charts from London to New York. Public voting returns for Album of the Year and UK Jazz Act, giving fans direct power over crowning moments amid a slate that spans over a dozen categories. Top Nominees Across Key Categories Samara Joy anchors International Jazz Act of the Year with bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Nate Smith, all pushing global jazz boundaries. Ezra Collective jazz ensemble grabs The Innovation Award alongside Emma-Jean Thackray's bold experiments and Theon Cross's tuba mastery. Blues Act of the Year: Mavis Staples Alice Armstrong Gary Clark Jr. Soul Act of the Year: Raye Omar Young Gun Silver Fox Public vote categories add excitement: Album of the Year: Ambrose Akinmusire - "honey from a winter stone" Cecile McLorin Salvant - "Oh Snap" Emma-Jean Thackray - "Weirdo" Fergus McCreadie - "The Sheiling" Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell - "We Insist 2025!" Tyreek McDole - "Open Up Your Senses" UK Jazz Act of the Year: Emma Rawicz Kokoroko Tom Skinner RadioToday breaks down the full nominee buzz. Ceremony Legacy and KOKO Return Since launching in 2013, the Jazz FM Awards have bridged legends like Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, and George Benson with contemporary forces such as Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jacob Collier, and Robert Glasper. The KOKO venue revival on April 16 promises an electric night, complete with special awards revealed in the weeks ahead. More category contenders: Breakthrough Act: Donovan Haffner Earth-o-Naut Poppy Daniels Instrumentalist of the Year: Joe Webb Laura Jurd Shabaka Vocalist of the Year: Brigitte Beraha Marvin Muoneke Yazmin Lacey Jazz FM content director Nick Pitts hails the lineup as a true mirror of jazz's thriving moment. Standout Collaborations and Innovations Collaboration Award celebrates: Balimaya Project meets Discos Pacifico All-Stars - "Calima" Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - "Somni" The Jazz Social and EFG London Jazz Festival These picks underscore jazz's collaborative heartbeat. Music Week unpacks the entire category rundown. Jazz FM Awards 2026 Voting and Must-See Moments Public voting launches any moment for Album and UK Jazz Act showdownsmonitor Jazz FM's site and social channels for official links and deadlines. The April 16 KOKO extravaganza promises unforgettable sets from Samara Joy nominees, explosive Ezra Collective jazz showcases, and cross-genre fireworks that affirm jazz's role as music's most vital force. Expect red carpet glamour, surprise duets, and conversations that preview the genre's next chapter, drawing thousands live and online. This isn't just awards seasonit's jazz claiming its place at culture's forefront, with every vote and performance fueling the momentum. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Two Falcon 9 launches from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and one from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California deployed 83 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (at center), wrapping up the last week of February 2026 for the SpaceX network. | Credit: SpaceX In what has become hardly a leap for the company, SpaceX concluded its Starlink satellite launches for February 2026 with a trio of flights this week. On Tuesday (Feb. 24) at 6:04 p.m. EST (2304 GMT), a Falcon 9 lifted the first 29 satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The next day, 25 more Starlink units were sent spaceward by a different Falcon 9 flying at 9:17 a.m. EST (1417 GMT or 6:17 a.m. PST local time) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, on Friday (Feb. 27) at 7:16 a.m. EST (1216 GMT), a third Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 new additions for the SpaceX megaconstellation lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Booster 1092 missions CRS-32 | NROL-69 | GPS III-7 | USSF-36 | 5 Starlink missions Booster 1093 missions T1TL-B |T1TL-C | 8 Starlink missions All three launches successfully deployed their Starlink payloads (Groups 6-110 , 17-26 and 6-108 ) into the expected orbit, SpaceX confirmed. Also on all three flights, the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage flew back to Earth to land on an ocean-based drone ship. Tuesday's booster (B1092) touched down on Just Read the Instructions stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 10th mission. Wednesday's booster (B1093) landed on Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean, marking the end of its 11th flight. Advertisement Advertisement Booster 1069 missions CRS-24 | Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F | OneWeb 1 | SES-18 and SES-19 | 25 Starlink missions Friday's booster (B1069) wrapped its 30th trip to space and back on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The 83 satellites boosted the commercial broadband internet network to including more than 9,850 units in Earth orbit, according to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell . The Starlink service provides access to the internet to areas around the world where connectivity is sparse or non-existent. The network also supports cell-to-satellite on select carriers and in-flight wifi on some airlines. Friday's launch was SpaceX's 25th Falcon 9 mission of 2026. Sam Fender and Olivia Deans Rein Me In has won Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards. Olivia Dean won her first-ever BRIT Award in the Song of the Year category The duo took home the opening award of the night at Saturdays (28.02.26) ceremony in Manchester for the duet - which originally appeared on Sams album People Watching before the pair reworked the track. It marks the first-ever BRIT win for Olivia - who is up for five prizes at the ceremony - whilst Fender takes home his fourth prize overall. Olivia, 26, said after she and Sam received the prize from Robbie Williams : "I think this is a beautiful song and it's been a pleasure to be a part of it." Sam said: "I love this, I wrote it about four years ago and I loved it then. Olivia has made it her own, so I want to say thank you to Olivia and thank you to the fans." The triumph continues the awards success for Olivia, who declared how she was the product of bravery after triumphing in the Best New Artist category at the Grammys earlier this month. The Man I Need hitmaker - who also performed that track at the BRITs - said at the time: "I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated. So thank you so much. "I just want to say that an artist is really nothing without their team. Emily, my best friend, my manager, we've been doing this for 10 years. So this is for you, too, my family." Olivia released the acclaimed album The Art of Loving last September and revealed that it was inspired by the Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw - even though she had never watched the series before. The London-born star told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Id never seen Sex And The City before, and started watching it from the beginning. I have been living my Carrie moment her influence will be there." Olivia also shared that one particular song focuses on relationship struggles. She said: "Something In Between is about when you are between being with somebody and not, and you are like, I dont want to just have you in my life, like now we are not supposed to talk?" Local guitar industry strikes a chord in E China's Shandong People's Daily Online) 09:55, February 28, 2026 Chen Chongyang, a quality inspector, fine-tunes a guitar at a musical instrument factory in Tangwu town, Changle county, Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Song Cui) Guitar manufacturing has been a hallmark industry in Tangwu town, Changle county, Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, since the 1970s. Liu Qingbo, deputy director of a local musical instrument factory, held up a guitar and explained the craftsmanship behind it, starting with the careful selection of the wood. Liu said his guitars are made from two pieces of wood bonded with special glue. The pieces are pressed together by machine, four hours in summer and at least eight hours in winter. After polishing, the two parts merge seamlessly to form the guitar's body. Chen Chongyang, a quality inspector born in the 2000s, graduated from an arts academy. He was once a member of a band, and his first guitar was made in Tangwu. A worker assembles a guitar at the production workshop of a company in Tangwu town, Changle county, Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Song Cui) "Tuning a guitar involves three stages, and as the quality inspector, I handle the final one, which demands extra precision and care," Chen said. "I start by inspecting the appearance, checking for any damage, cracks in the finish or loose screws," Chen said. "Then, when adjusting the sound, I focus on the frets to ensure none are lifted and fine-tune the string height to meet professional standards." Zhao Weiguo, founder of the town's guitar industry, said the locally made guitars are not only high quality but also visually appealing and available for custom orders. The necks, for instance, are crafted in a hybrid U-and-C shape, with the thickness tailored to each player's preferences. Tangwu is home to 108 manufacturers of musical instruments and components, employing more than 5,000 people. Each year, the town produces 2 million electric instruments and 5 million instrument parts, generating more than 1 billion yuan (about $146 million) in annual revenue. Tangwu accounts for more than 40 percent of China's electric guitar production, with its products reaching more than 30 countries and regions worldwide. A customer selects a guitar at a guitar shop in Tangwu town, Changle county, Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Song Cui) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Paris Jackson has shared rare photographs with her mother Debbie Rowe. Paris Jackson has shared rare photographs with her mother Debbie Rowe Posting intimate images to social media offering a glimpse into their relationship years after they reconnected, Michael Jacksons daughter, 27, uploaded two images to her Instagram Story featuring Debbie, 67, the nurse who was married to Pariss father, Michael Jackson, from 1996 to 1999. In the first image, Paris wore a red jacket with a Navajo-inspired pattern while Debbie stood beside her in a plaid flannel shirt. And in the second, the pair appeared outdoors, with Paris in the same red jacket and a turquoise trucker hat, while Debbie smiled in a cream-coloured top. Paris captioned the image: Lately, followed by a heart emoji. She also posted a series of clips showing herself riding a horse while dressed in a cowboy hat and blue jeans. Paris wrote: Just a chip off the ol block. Debbie married Michael in November 1996 while pregnant with their eldest son, Prince. The couple later welcomed Paris in April 1998. Debbie ultimately relinquished full custody of both Prince and Paris when she and Michael divorced in October 1999. Michael went on to raise Prince and Paris, along with his son Bigi Jackson formerly known as Blanket until his death in June 2009 at the age of 50 after getting hooked on hospital-grade tranquiliser Propofol. Paris has previously spoken about reconnecting with Debbie after her fathers death. The two resumed contact when Paris was 13. In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Paris said: When I was really, really young, my mom didnt exist. She added: By the time my mom came into my life, it wasnt a mommy thing. Its more of an adult relationship. Paris was also by Debbies side when Debbie underwent cancer treatment in 2016. Speaking on Red Table Talk in 2021, Paris described the dynamic they share. Paris said: Getting to know her, seeing how similar we are, getting into what kind of music she likes and she really likes country and folk. She added: We look a lot alike. Its just cool having her as a friend. Its very chill, which I love. Its the perfect word to describe it. New details have been released in the investigation into the fatal police shooting of a man by Tucson police during a standoff in November on the city's east side. The Nov. 23 incident started about 8 p.m. when police were called to a house in the 9000 block of East Cooper Street after a boy told 911 that his father threatened him with a gun, the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team says in a video update posted on YouTube. The PRCIT is a multi-agency team that investigates local police shootings. Two siblings an 8 year old and a 4 year old were safely removed from the house prior to the standoff near East Broadway and South Camino Seco. Brett Jividen, 35, was shot and killed when police say he walked out the front door of the house and pointed a handgun toward police, the release says. The Tucson police officers who fired their weapons were identified as Detective Steven Acavedo, a 20-year veteran; Officer Joseph Jensen, a 13-year veteran; Officer Chad Barker, an 11-year veteran; and Alexander Bianchi, an 8-year veteran. The investigation continues. Neighbors were not naturally attracted to the idea of a 20-story tower at East Speedway and North Campbell Avenue in Midtown Tucson. The proposed 250-foot structure on the northwest corner of the intersection would have dwarfed most of the nearby buildings in this low and spread-out city, rivaled only by the 190-foot Banner UMC hospital to the north and the 100-foot Aloft Hotel across the intersection. But in the mid-2010s, the developers, led by property owner Richard Shenkarow, held a series of neighborhood meetings, tweaked the design and succesfully sold the concept of transit-oriented development. It helped that the ground floor was to have retail stores, notably a Whole Foods Market, and that the environmentally friendly design was attractive and innovative, featuring public access, deep shade and water harvesting. So, while some neighbors still objected, there wasn't a broad NIMBY uprising, and the Tucson City Council approved the rezoning on Feb. 1, 2018. The $300 million project, where many residents would live without cars, was supposed to be done in 2022. But Shenkarow got sick and has since died, and the COVID-19 pandemic threw everything off. Now the transit-oriented development idea is kaput, and the Speedway Campbell Gateway project, as it was called, can be dumped onto the pile of creative Tucson development ideas that never got built. Instead, the University of Arizona plans to build a mega-dorm there for 1,200 or more students, similar in scale to the Shenkarow proposal, but different in design and purpose. Instead of the ground-floor retail, four-story office building, shady breezeway and a 20-story building with market-rate apartments, the structure will be up to 19 stories with modern dorm amenities like a dining hall and, presumably, a large gym. The university plans to close some other dorms and encourage more first-year and second-year students to live in campus housing. The idea is that students who live in campus housing in their first year or two tend to graduate at higher rates, as President Suresh Garimella explained to the regents. What happens off campus is that even if there might be some good options, the lack of programming and oversight renders that option somewhat less beneficial for our first- and second-year students, especially dealing with landlords, dealing with some other things, he said. In that sense, it sounds good for the university and students, though I do worry about first-year students crossing Speedway to get to campus, even with the Warren Avenue underpass just one block west. Let's not forget: Three UA students were killed while crossing North Euclid Avenue last year. No student housing But solving the university's housing problems is not what this project was supposed to be about. In fact, it was explicitly not to be a student housing project when it went to the City Council for approval, said Steve Kozachik, who represented Ward 6, where the project is taking place, at the time. "Some of the assurances included that it was not going to be student housing," Kozachik said. "It was going to be high-end stuff." But that wasn't a formal condition of the rezoning approved by the council, just a commitment by the original developers, later loosened by the new developers, Mortenson. Some neighbors, like Blenman-Elm Neighborhood Association president Alan Myklebust, are viewing the news with resignation. "I think many neighbors within the neighborhoods did come to accept a mixed-use project, expecting that they might benefit from retail businesses on the lower levels," Myklebust told me by email, speaking for himself, not the neighborhood association. "The parking issues were addressed, and it was sold as residential units for urban professionals. Student housing exclusively changes the equation to just another tower like those that already exist, just a lot taller." The current design is a version of the Shenkarow plan redesigned by Mortenson Development, which still hoped to do a mixed-use development but had brought student housing into the mix. Now, the plan is for Mortenson to close on the property and sell it to a nonprofit called the Collegiate Housing Foundation. Then the Arizona Board of Regents will purchase the property from the foundation and lease it back to them for 50 years. 'Not a great look' The university's plan fits within the Planned Area Development approved by the Tucson City Council, city spokesman Andrew Squire told me, so it would not need a new rezoning. But also, if the state takes ownership through the Board of Regents, that would excuse it from such city regulations anyway. It's something the U of A took advantage of just a few years ago in establishing the W.A. Franke Honors College at 1101 East Mabel Street, despite some local opposition. "Im not sure its a great look for the U of A to double down and do it a half-mile to the east," Kozachik said, noting that it is a way to avoid neighborhood scrutiny. In the early versions of the Speedway Campbell project, Kozachik recalled, the university was expected to participate by leasing out several stories of office, classroom and laboratory space. But the UA never committed to that. The UA also declined to sell to developers a half-acre sliver of property along North Campbell Avenue, which would have allowed the original project to be shorter and more spread out. Now the UA is including that property in the dorm plan. In a way, it isn't fair to criticize the UA over this: It was a different administration that decided not to join the Speedway-Campbell project when it could have made a difference in getting the project done. Also, the university's involvement is the only thing rescuing any version of it now. But it sticks in the craw that the one thing this innovative project was not supposed to be when neighbors agreed to it student housing is what it will exclusively be now. And it's disappointing to see a creative idea for city living thrown on Tucson's ash heap. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. Satellite photos from Airbus showed that the site was heavily bombed. His death at his office showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance, state TV said. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump wrote in a social media post. He warned of heavy and pinpoint bombing that he said would continue throughout the week and even beyond, part of a lethal assault the U.S. has justified as necessary to disable the country's nuclear capabilities. Iran, which responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, warned of retribution, with the Cabinet saying that this great crime will never go unanswered. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its most intense offensive operation ever targeting Israeli and American bases. The attack opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, carried the potential for retaliatory violence and a wider war, and represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor and because the 86-year-old supreme leader had final say on all major policies during his decades in power. He led Irans clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy. State media also reported the deaths of the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei in airstrikes. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over as the Guards top commander after Israel killed its past commander in the 12-day war last June. The adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had long been a figurehead within Irans security establishment, IRNA said. As reports trickled out about Khamenei's death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, cheering from rooftops, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. Mourners raised a black mourning flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. The Iranian government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Citing unidentified sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency, believed to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild. Strikes were planned for months The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administration's success in incapacitating the country's nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the U.S. military reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. The Latest: Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attack Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news announced the 86-year-olds death early Sunday. President Donald Trump had announced his death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. The announcements came after a joint U.S. and Israeli aerial bombardment that targeted Iranian military and governmental sites. Trump said the heavy and pinpoint bombing was to continue through the week or longer. Israel, for its part, said it had killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the countrys defense minister, as well as the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei. Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do, Trump said. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and wounded in the strikes. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of Khamenei, the second leader of the Islamic Republic who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli officials confirmed the death, followed by Trump. Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance. Tensions soared as US built up military forces Tensions have soared in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program while the country struggled with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trumps decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons. Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. The Magen David Adom rescue service said Saturday night that a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in an Iranian missile attack. At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defense systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Irans state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of the Lamerd region, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel, US Israel said the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots struck hundreds of targets across Iran, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Trump acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. He said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, saying members would be given immunity or face certain death if they did not. Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but it maintained its right to enrich uranium. Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed. Effects could extend to markets The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama, and Muharraq city by drone strikes and debris from an intercepted missile. Kuwaits civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Kuwaits state-run news agency said three troops were injured by shrapnel from strikes that hit Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Susan Sarandon says she was blacklisted in Hollywood after speaking out about the Gaza war. Susan Sarandon claims that she has been exiled from Hollywood The Thelma and Louise star was dropped by United Talent Agency in 2023 for calling for a ceasefire in the conflict and claims that it "became impossible" for her to land film and TV roles in the United States as a result. Speaking at the Goya Awards ceremony in Barcelona, Susan said: "I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire. "It became impossible for me to even be on television. I don't know lately if it's changed. I couldn't do any major film or anything connected with Hollywood." Sarandon explained that she has now landed work in Europe. The 79-year-old actress said: "I just did a film in Italy, and I did a play at the Old Vic (in London) for a number of months. I know this Italian director that just hired me - he was told not to hire me, so that's still recently. He didn't listen, but they had that conversation. "Right now, I kind of specialise in tiny films with directors who have never directed, in independent films." Susan - who will receive the International Goya award in recognition for her career - feels that Spain has more intellectual freedom than the US. The Oscar-winning star said: "In a place where you feel repression and censorship, to see Spain and to see the president and what he says and the support that he's giving about Gaza, and to have actors like Javier Bardem come forward with such a strong voice, is so important to us in the United States. "I can't tell you, when you turn on the TV and you see how strong Spain is, and how clear that you are morally about these issues, it makes you feel less alone, and it makes you feel that there is hope, because you just don't hear that on TV in the US." Susan previously lamented how society suffers from a culture of "negativity and selfishness and greed" and urged the world to rediscover the attitudes of the 1960s. The Dead Man Walking star told The Sunday Times newspaper in 2024: "I think that the Beatles were right. What is the line? The love you take is equal to the love you make. "I think its very hard these days, when were being assailed by so much negativity and selfishness and greed, to hold a place of love and possibility that people can find when the dust settles." PHOENIX There won't be any cap on corporate ownership of homes in Arizona, at least this year. The one bill given the best chance of approval based on its Republican sponsorship has been sidelined after it did not get a hearing. Rep. Jeff Weninger who chairs the House Commerce Committee told Capitol Media Services there should be a discussion about whether the state needs to take action to ensure that private individuals have a reasonable chance to buy a home. But the Chandler Republican who made the decision not to give it a hearing, said he's not convinced that what's in HB 2325 is the way to go. And without a committee hearing, the measure never got a chance to be debated by the full House, much less make it to the Senate or the governor. Rep. Nick Kupper, who crafted the proposal, said he remains convinced that there is a need for some guardrails to keep institutional investors from snapping up single family homes before Arizonans have a reasonable chance of making a purchase. And he believes that limit on corporations should be 50. But the Surprise Republican said there isn't the time in this session to craft something that will meet his goals and still be able to get sufficient support to become law. So Kupper is now focusing his attention on bringing back the plan in 2027. Still, he acknowledged there is likely to always be opposition by some Republicans to any legislation that seems to restrict the right of people to buy and sell what they want. And Kupper said that likely will continue to exist even with President Trump publicly supportive of such limits on the national level what he is hoping to do here. At the heart of the issue is the concern that institutional investors corporations, partnerships, investment trusts and other legal entities have been buying up homes as they go on the market. They generally have an advantage over families because they can make all-cash offers. Complicating the problem is many of these are turned into rentals. That, in turn, reduces the number of homes available for purchase, further driving up prices. Kupper proposed a two-pronged approach. One would give other would-be homebuyers first crack, prohibiting institutional investors from making any bids for the first 60 days days a property goes on the market. And the other would bar any such investor of owning more than 50 single-family homes in Arizona. "If all the housing gets bought up over time by investment firms and they turn them into rentals, because it's more profitable for them long term, you won't have anything to buy,'' Kupper said. And he said the four largest firms that are doing this are buying up a combined 1,000 homes a year in Arizona. "The more that happens, the smaller your available market is to sell homes because your prices get jacked up,'' Kupper said. "And the people who maybe could have afforded them are forced into rentals now.'' His bill was assigned to the House Commerce Committee the one headed by Weninger. And that was the end of it. "I commend Rep. Kupper for introducing HB 2325 and sparking discussion on prioritizing family homebuyers,'' Weninger said. But he said it was not suitable for approval. "The 50-home cap seemed premature without more data on effects like supply and investment,'' Weninger said. As it turns out, though, Kupper isn't the only one who thinks 50 is a good limit. Even before he introduced his bill, Kupper had a conversation with House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos who was thinking along the same lines. And the Laveen Democrat introduced his own version, HB 2705, which uses that same figure, but with a difference: He would limit institutional investors to buying no more than 50 in any calendar year, with no absolute cap. De Los Santos, however, had no better luck getting a hearing on his measure which was assigned to the House Government Committee. That is not a surprise, given it is difficult for Democratic lawmakers to get their proposals advanced in the Republican-controlled legislature. But Kupper figured that, as a member of the GOP, he had a better chance. That did not prove the case. "His bill is a great first step in starting the dialog about corporate ownership of homes in Arizona,'' Weninger said. "I look forward to further discussions.'' Kupper said he has talked with Weninger about what it would take to make his proposal acceptable. "And I don't think we were able to get where we both wanted yet,'' he said. Part of the problem, Kupper said, appears to be concern among some Republicans to do anything that would seem to interfere with private property rights. "That's a difficult thing,'' he said. "And that's where, when we work on it, we need to use a scalpel rather than a meat cleaver.'' But Kupper said he has a somewhat different attitude than some other members of the GOP caucus. "Yes, conservatives, we tend to be free enterprise,'' he said. "But it doesn't mean we don't put in certain guardrails.'' Consider, he said, the fact that there are various laws designed to regulate monopolies to prevent them from controlling a market and being able to use their size and influence to make their own rules. The key, said Kupper, is crafting something with minimal interference. "So I think there's a way forward,'' he said. "I'm not sure exactly what that looks like at this point,'' Kupper continued. "But I think we can get to a strong bipartisan solution on it.'' All this is occurring against the backdrop of what Trump is advancing at the federal level. In January he issued an executive order directing federal agencies to take steps to limit the purchase of single-family homes by "large institutional investors.'' That, however, has only limited effect as it deals with actions by federal agencies under his purview who can approve and guarantee loans. And, similar to what is in Kupper's bill, it directs those federal programs to promote sales to individuals by giving owner-occupants and nonprofits a 30-day window to bid on foreclosed properties. Trump, in his State of the Union speech this past week, asked Congress to put the concept into federal law, with the administration circulating a memo asking for a statute that prohibits investors who now own more than 100 homes from purchasing more. "We want homes for people, not for corporations,'' the president said. "Corporations are doing just fine.'' Kupper said he doesn't believe that what Trump is proposing even if it gains congressional approval negates the need for state legislation. Tributes for Lorraine Bayly Former co-stars have paid tribute to showbiz legend, Lorraine Bayly. Former stars of The Sullivans paid tribute to Lorraine Bayly, who died yesterday aged 89. On social media Andrew McFarlane (John Sullivan) said, Dearest Lorraine. A beautiful soul and beautiful actress and dear friend. Steven Tandy (Tom Sullivan) said, I have so many cherished memories of Lorraine. She was the most giving of people always down to earth and affectionate, yet not without a certain almost girlish vivaciousness. I truly loved and admired her and was so grateful for the close friendship we shared. Fly high, lovely lady. Your work is done. May love and beauty surround you always. Lorraine Bayly, a legendary Australian actor who shaped the nations cultural identity for over six decades, has died aged 89. pic.twitter.com/ZyVmG1FUms 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 28, 2026 Christine Amor who performed with her in Carsons Law told Seven News, Im really said weve lost a really good woman. Craig Bennett on Facebook noted, Lorraine had enjoyed a stellar 62-year career on stage and screen, until her retirement 10 years ago. After years of gruelling health issues, shes now free and off onto her next wild adventure. Big block of chocolate in hand! By Phil Stewart, Parisa Hafezi, Maayan Lubell and Andrew Mills WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/DUBAI/DOHA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday, state media confirmed, after the United States and Israel launched the most ambitious attack on Iranian targets in decades. Iranian state media announced Khamenei's death early on Sunday. A senior Israeli official told Reuters earlier that the Iranian leader's body had been found after a strike and U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States worked closely with Israel to target the man who led Iran since 1989. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran has called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host U.S. bases. Trump, making the biggest foreign-policy gamble of his presidency after campaigning for reelection as a "peace president," said the strikes were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iran and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon. Intelligence and tracking systems monitored Khamenei's whereabouts, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, adding that "there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do." Trump reiterated calls for Iranians to topple the government but warned: "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Khamenei's compound had been destroyed. Three sources familiar with the matter said Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were among those killed in the attacks. Israel's military said it had confirmed that five other senior military commanders were also dead, including Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader. Iranian media had said Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed. CELEBRATIONS, FEARS AMONG IRANIANS Witnesses said some Iranians took to the streets in Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj and the central city of Isfahan to celebrate after the reports of Khamenei's death. Videos posted on social media, which Reuters was unable to immediately verify, also showed celebrations in other locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The explosions during the strikes caused widespread panic across Iran. "We are scared, we are terrified. My children are shaking, we have nowhere to go, we will die here," mother-of-two Minou, 32, said weeping as she spoke to Reuters by phone from the northern city of Tabriz. Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in response to the attacks, but the Pentagon said there were no U.S. deaths or injuries. Iran warned that the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage through which around a fifth of global oil consumption passes, had been closed. Traders expected a sharp jump in oil prices. Airlines cancelled flights in the Middle East. Israel's military said some 200 fighter jets had completed the largest flying mission in its history, hitting 500 targets throughout Iran, including strategic defence systems already damaged in strikes last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A girls' primary school in the southern Iranian town of Minab was hit, killing 85 people, according to a local prosecutor cited by state media. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports. Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. TRUMP CITES 'IMMINENT THREATS' In a video message on social media early on Saturday, Trump said the aim of the military campaign, which the U.S. Department of Defense named Operation Epic Fury, was "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." The Iranian people should "take over" governance of their country, Trump said in the video. "It will be yours to take," he said. "This will be probably your only chance for generations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli military operations over the past two years had already killed some of Iran's senior military officials and severely weakened several of Tehran's once-feared proxy forces across the Middle East. After Israel pounded Iran in a 12-day air war in June, joined by the United States, the U.S. and Israel had warned they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials took place as recently as Thursday, but senior U.S. officials said on Saturday that Iran had not been willing to give up its ability to enrich uranium, which the Iranians argued they wanted for nuclear energy but U.S. officials said would enable the country to build a nuclear bomb. During a United Nations Security Council meeting on Saturday, envoys from Russia and China criticized the U.S. and Israel for launching the strikes while Tehran was negotiating with Washington. Russia's U.N. envoy Vasily Nebenzya said Iran had been "stabbed in the back" and disputed the U.S. claim that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon justified the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Trump also faced pushback at home from opposition Democrats, and a few of his fellow Republicans, who said a prolonged campaign against Iran would be illegal without congressional approval and that lawmakers should vote within days. MISSILES FIRED AT ARAB GULF STATES Oil markets have been closely watching the standoff. Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, predicted prices could shoot up by $10 to $20 per barrel when markets open on Monday, if there is no sign of de-escalation. Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumps about 4% of global oil supplies, and a far larger share is shipped past its coast through the strait leading out of the Gulf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Israel, sirens and mobile-phone warnings sent Israelis rushing to air raid shelters as Iran launched a series of missile barrages that were mostly intercepted, though some missiles hit. Emergency teams in Tel Aviv treated at least 20 people hurt by a missile that hit a residential building, Israel's ambulance service said. Photos from the scene showed one side of the multi-storey building blown out and its roof caved in. Iran fired missiles at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, all key east-west aviation gateways. Aviation sources had told Reuters that an overnight Iranian attack damaged an airport terminal in Dubai. One of the city's plush hotel districts was also hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loud explosions sounded in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, an oil producer and close U.S. ally. Nada AlGarhy, 30, said she and her husband had been at the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Dubai's luxury Palm development for Iftar, the evening meal during the fasting month of Ramadan, when they heard a loud blast. Bahrain said the service centre of the U.S. Fifth Fleet the base for American naval forces in the region had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the island state's coastline. Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country and that it had a right to respond. Kuwait confirmed a missile attack on a U.S. military base there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tehran promised a stronger response to come, with a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, saying it had so far used only "scrap missiles" and would soon unveil previously unseen weapons. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Michael Georgy, James MacKenzie, Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis; Editing by Barbara Lewis, Sam Holmes, Timothy Heritage, Peter Graff, Sergio Non, Rod Nickel, Cynthia Osterman and Raju Gopalakrishnan) The incident occurred during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. The affected capacity accounted for nearly 10% of Vietnams total international Internet bandwidth, equivalent to about 45,000 Gbps. However, this reduction was considered relatively minor in the overall context and insufficient to create an imbalance between international bandwidth supply and demand. Immediately after the disruption was detected, telecom operators activated contingency plans, rerouting traffic to other undersea cables and alternative connection routes. Coordination between domestic carriers and international partners was carried out promptly, and no localised service interruptions were reported. Following the incident, FPT Telecom said its total international bandwidth at peak times remained secure and within backup capacity. MobiFone reported that its average international channel load stood at 56%, rising to 64.2% when the AAE-1 cable encountered problemsstill within safe limits. Viettel and VNPT also confirmed that their international connectivity capacity has been sufficiently upgraded and backed up, making the capacity loss from AAE-1 negligible compared to the overall capacity of remaining routes. According to the Telecommunications Authority, Vietnam has steadily expanded its international connectivity infrastructure in recent years. Internet access to the global network relies mainly on three channels undersea fiber-optic cables, terrestrial cables and satellite Internet with undersea systems playing a dominant role. Vietnam currently operates six undersea cables, namely AAG, IA, AAE-1, APG, ADC and SJC2. The newly launched ADC and SJC2 have boosted outbound capacity, while AAE-1, in service since July 2017, links Vietnam to Europe and the Middle East and provides backup capacity toward Hong Kong (China) and Singapore. To reduce reliance on undersea cables, in 2025, Vietnam, for the first time, took full control of the VietnamSingapore Terrestrial Cable Network (VSTN), which has a designed capacity of 4 Tbps and scalability up to 12 Tbps. The route enables end-to-end operational control, helping mitigate risks of international Internet disruptions. Vietnam has also agreed to pilot satellite Internet services. In mid-February, after completing relevant procedures, Starlink was officially licensed, though its rollout schedule and pricing for the domestic market have yet to be announced./.VNA If implemented effectively, Resolution 80 could mark a turning point from a mindset of preserving identity to one of shaping influence, positioning Vietnamese culture as a source of strength as the nation enters a new era of development. When national values are reinforced and human standards are shaped within a humane and disciplined environment, culture becomes a regulatory framework for development. Photo: Hoang Ha. In recent years, competition among nations has unfolded not only in economic or military arenas, but increasingly in the cultural sphere. Values, lifestyles, creative products and symbolic influence have become defining elements of national standing. Cultural industries and the creative economy are emerging as new growth drivers, while the rapid expansion of digital space presents both opportunities and complex challenges related to identity and cultural sovereignty. For Vietnam, reassessing the role of culture has become an urgent task. After nearly four decades of doi moi, the country has achieved significant economic milestones, yet it also faces widening disparities in cultural access between regions, risks of heritage erosion, underdeveloped cultural industries and the multifaceted impact of the digital environment. As the nation looks toward 2030 and 2045, culture is no longer the concern of a single sector. It has become a strategic national issue. Against this backdrop, Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture carries special significance. Culture is clearly defined as a foundation, an endogenous resource, a driving force and a pillar for rapid and sustainable development. This marks a pivotal shift in development thinking - from viewing culture as a supporting field to placing it on par with the economy and politics, making it a guiding axis for the countrys next phase of growth. The 2026 - 2030 period: Laying foundations and creating breakthroughs If Resolution 80 is seen as a two-stage strategic blueprint, then the period from 2026 to 2030 represents the phase of groundwork and momentum building. While five years may not be long enough to fundamentally transform the national cultural structure, this period is decisive for removing bottlenecks, unlocking resources and forming an initial ecosystem for long-term development. First, the five-year vision is reflected in the requirement to complete cultural institutions and infrastructure. The Resolution emphasizes fully institutionalizing Party guidelines into concrete laws and policies; drafting legislation related to the arts, copyright and cultural industries; and introducing a national cultural index system. This demonstrates a shift from campaign-style mobilization to governance based on standards and measurable benchmarks. With a clear set of indicators, culture is placed within a transparent evaluation framework with accountability. Alongside institutional reform is the issue of resources. The goal of allocating at least 2% of total state budget expenditure to culture is not merely a financial matter, but a strategic signal of priority. In a context where the state budget faces multiple pressures, setting a minimum ratio reflects determination to reshape allocation structures. Ultimately, however, effectiveness will depend on targeted spending capable of catalyzing social participation. Digital transformation stands out as a defining feature of this phase. The target of digitizing 100% of nationally recognized heritage; building digital cultural platforms; and developing online libraries, museums and performing arts reflects a clear awareness of the shift of cultural life into digital environments. Digitization is not only about preservation. It expands access, generates resources for creativity and education, and helps safeguard cultural sovereignty in cyberspace. On the economic front, the 2026 - 2030 period is identified as the time to create momentum for cultural industries. The target of contributing 7% of GDP and building five to ten national brands in film, performing arts, cultural tourism and design underscores the view of culture as a sector capable of generating high added value. This marks a transition from a consumption-oriented mindset to one focused on production and export of cultural products, tied to enhancing national standing. Yet the Resolution does not focus solely on economics or infrastructure. It places people at the center. Ensuring that 100% of students regularly engage in artistic activities and heritage education reflects the aim of cultivating a generation of citizens with strong aesthetic foundations and cultural awareness. Cultural industries can only thrive when there is an audience capable of appreciation and sophisticated consumption. The development of national values, family values and standards for Vietnamese people in the new context also strengthens the spiritual foundation for growth. Overall, the 2026 - 2030 vision serves as a strategic launch phase. It concentrates on three pillars: institutional completion, strengthened resources and digital transformation linked to cultural industries. If implemented with seriousness and resolve, this stage will lay a solid foundation for the long-term vision toward 2045. Conversely, without determined execution, quantitative targets will remain aspirational. The next five years therefore constitute a crucial test of governance capacity and of the genuine priority accorded to culture within the national development structure. The 2030 - 2045 period: Positioning the nation through culture At the level of development space, Resolution 80 envisions heritage cities, regional creative centers, and art festivals and events of international scale. Photo: Hoang Ha. If 2026 - 2030 is about laying groundwork and generating momentum, then 2030 - 2045 is the phase of positioning and affirmation. This is no longer about addressing limitations, but about shaping the image of a developed nation with identity, influence and cultural appeal in a new global order. The vision toward 2045 coincides with the centenary of national founding. Culture is not treated as a specialized field, but as a permeating foundation across all areas of social life. The Resolution calls for building an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with socialist orientation, in which people are the center, the subject, the goal and the driving force of development. This reflects a shift from purely growth-driven objectives to comprehensive development, where human quality and spiritual life become key measures of national achievement. A notable highlight is the ambition to elevate cultural industries and the creative economy into pillars of sustainable development, striving to contribute 9% of GDP. If the 7% target in the earlier phase is a launchpad, the 9% figure signals the ambition to place culture alongside major economic sectors. This implies the formation of creative conglomerates, cultural industry clusters and value chains spanning creation, production, distribution and export of cultural products. When culture becomes a robust economic sector, it not only creates jobs and attracts investment, but also stimulates innovation and drives structural shifts toward higher added value. The 2045 vision also aims to enhance national standing through soft power. The goal of ranking among the top three in ASEAN and the top 30 globally in the Soft Power Index reflects the aspiration for Vietnam to be recognized not only for economic scale, but for cultural values and human image. When culture becomes an effective diplomatic instrument, each film, festival and internationally recognized heritage site contributes to promoting the national image. At the spatial level, Resolution 80 evokes a vision of heritage cities, regional creative hubs and internationally scaled art festivals. Culture is not confined to museums or monuments, but integrated into urban development, tourism and service structures. Heritage economy and cultural tourism, if professionally organized, can preserve traditional values while generating sustainable livelihoods for communities. Another important dimension is digital cultural sovereignty. As life becomes increasingly intertwined with online environments, cultural data turns into a strategic asset. The standardization and comprehensive digitization of heritage, the building of national cultural data infrastructure and the application of new technologies in content production and distribution all underscore the imperative of mastering digital space. The 2045 vision is therefore not only about developing culture, but about ensuring autonomous capacity in a deeply globalized environment. Notably, this vision consistently centers on people. Culture permeates governance, education, business and community life. When national values are reinforced and human standards are shaped within a humane and disciplined environment, culture becomes a regulatory framework for development. An economy may grow rapidly, but it is only sustainable when supported by a strong cultural foundation. Viewed across the arc of history, the 2030 - 2045 vision of Resolution 80 aims to shape a new development identity for Vietnam: a high-income nation with dynamic cultural industries and compelling values. It signals a shift from preserving identity to shaping influence, from defensive posture to proactive positioning. The longer the vision, the greater the challenges. Yet setting clear goals through 2045 demonstrates determination to place culture at the center of national development strategy. If the next five years test implementation capacity, the following 15 years will measure Vietnams ability to position itself through cultural strength in the 21st century. Culture as the development axis in a new era Resolution 80 is not merely a document for the cultural sector. It is a strategic declaration on the national development model for the coming decades. For the first time, culture is explicitly defined as a pillar - a spiritual foundation, an endogenous resource and a regulatory framework for rapid and sustainable development. This represents a shift from growth-centric thinking to development grounded in values, creativity and human quality. The two-stage design reflects a roadmap: laying foundations and creating breakthroughs in the first five years, then positioning the nation through cultural strength in the subsequent phase. If the initial stage tests implementation capacity, the long-term stage will gauge Vietnams ability to rise through soft power and identity. The feasibility of this vision does not lie solely in figures such as 2%, 7% or 9% of GDP, but in policy coherence and execution resolve. Culture can only become a true pillar when it is adequately invested in, modernly governed and placed on par with other development priorities. In a world where competition over values is intensifying, proactive investment in culture is no longer an optional supplement, but a strategic choice. If effectively carried out, Resolution 80 could become the milestone marking Vietnams shift from preserving identity to shaping influence, enabling Vietnamese culture to serve as a source of strength as the nation steps confidently into a new era of development. Dr. Trieu Quang Minh The Department of Customs reported on February 27 that during a peak anti-smuggling campaign ahead of the 2026 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, customs forces uncovered 35 cases and seized about 165kg of various drugs, including nearly 4.5kg of cocaine trafficked through Tan Son Nhat International Airport. In the first two months of 2026 (December 15, 2025 February 14, 2026), customs units, working independently and in coordination with other forces, detected 35 cases involving 42 suspects, with customs leading nine. Seized items included 14.18kg of cannabis, 14.2kg of heroin, 4.94kg of cocaine, 5.96kg of ketamine, 126kg of synthetic drugs, and 372.25 grams of other narcotics. Notably on February 5, a Thai female passenger was arrested at Tan Son Nhat airport after 4.94kg of cocaine was found concealed in her luggage. She had arrived from South America and was transiting to a third country. Customs authorities said traffickers have been exploiting short transit time in Vietnam to evade detection, reflecting organised transnational operations. The agency will continue strengthening risk analysis, applying advanced technology, and enhancing inter-agency and international cooperation to combat drug trafficking and smuggling./.VNA Dr. Nguyen Hong Son. Prior to becoming a doctor, Son once dreamed of being an architect designing landmark structures, a seafarer sailing across oceans, a diplomat immersed in different cultures, or an artist. But in early 1979, at age 17, he was admitted to the Military Medical Academy after a rigorous screening process. Upon graduation, he joined Military Hospital 175 and performed international duties in Cambodia, and since then has remained dedicated to medicine for over 40 years. He recalls moments when opportunities arose to pursue different paths, advance his career, or secure greater financial stability. Yet he chose to stay. The journey, he said, involved a lot of sweat and tears but he was truly happy. If given the choice again, he would still choose to be a physician and teacher in uniform. Often dubbed the man who built the most hospitals in Vietnam, he smiles and calls it a playful description. However, the number of projects he helped conceptualize, advise on planning, and design is indeed significant. These include key facilities at Military Hospital 175 such as the Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Institute and the Orthopedic Trauma Institute, the Truong Sa Medical Center, Hong Duc Hospital, and An Sinh Hospital. Each project bears the mark of Major General Nguyen Hong Son's thinking. It is not about how many hospital beds but the investment value per hospital bed, he said, adding that hospital architecture must also bring a sense of healing. Drawing on practical experience and academic knowledge, he worked closely with architects to ensure that patients remain at the center of every planning decision, from space and functionality to equipment. This patient-centered approach once made the licensing of a hospital with just 25 beds a notable case at the time. From 3-person medical team to Truong Sa Medical Center The Major General recalls that 30 years ago, on Truong Sa Lon Island, there was only a three-member medical team living on dry coral sand, lacking fresh water, vegetables, medicine, and proper equipment. Today, it has become a modern medical center, a lifeline in the middle of the sea. The center was initiated by leaders of Military Hospital 175, with significant contributions from Son and sustained support from Tuoi Tre newspaper through campaigns such as CQ boats, Bricks for Truong Sa, Sacred Land for Truong Sa, and Green Trees for Truong Sa. All were driven by the aspiration for peace and safeguarding of national sovereignty. Over the years, the center has provided tens of thousands of medical examinations and treatments, handled thousands of emergency cases, and performed hundreds of surgeries. Notably, two babies born on the island were named Nguyen Ngoc Truong Xuan and Thai Binh Hai Thuy, in gratitude to the medical staff and to Truong Sa. According to Son, the success of the island medical model comes from five core factors: the ability to handle basic internal and surgical emergencies; doctors trained to move from specialists to generalists; a telemedicine system implemented since 2007 enabling mainland consultations; air and sea medical evacuation capacity day and night; and a tightly coordinated command system among forces. Field hospitals and military medicine abroad Beyond developing maritime healthcare, in 2018 Vietnam deployed, for the first time, a military unit overseas for an international mission at the request of the United Nations. Military Hospital 175 was entrusted with leading the Level 2 Field Hospital in South Sudan. From personnel organization, training, equipment, and foreign languages to adapting to local climate, culture, and religion - everything was unprecedented, the Major General recalled. From the Level 2 Field Hospital 2.1 in 2018 to 2.7 in 2025, Vietnamese field hospitals in South Sudan fulfilled their missions with distinction, earning Peacekeeping Medals and commendation letters from the UN Secretary-General. Beyond medical treatment, we instructed our doctors to also teach literacy, guide farming practices, and provide community health education. These efforts created a unique story of vegetable diplomacy. There were successful emergency cases after which local authorities and residents gifted cows and goats, their most valuable assets, as expressions of gratitude, he said. Le Huyen Every nation, on its path of development, reaches moments when it must ask itself a difficult question: continue along the old trajectory or courageously step into a new orbit? Vietnam today stands at such a moment. The world is changing faster than ever. Technological competition, supply chain realignments, green standards, artificial intelligence and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the hierarchy of nations. To rise, a country must rely on more sustainable resources - sound thinking, strong intellect, credible institutions and deep integration. The major resolutions recently issued by the Politburo - Resolution 57 on science, technology and innovation; Resolution 59 on comprehensive international integration; Resolution 66 on reforming lawmaking and law enforcement; and Resolution 68 on private sector development - do not merely address immediate bottlenecks. Together, they form a coherent intellectual framework that defines Vietnams new development model in a new generation of globalization. If Doi moi (Renewal) in 1986 opened the door for Vietnam to escape the subsidy mechanism and enter the market economy, todays resolutions open a new chapter: Doi moi 2.0, in which the nation not only reforms to adapt but proactively designs its own breakthrough. At a deeper philosophical level, these resolutions are shaped by four overarching ideas: intelligence as the engine of growth; the world as the space of development; institutions as the foundation of national operating capacity; and the private economy, with enterprises and entrepreneurs at its core, as a vital driver of national prosperity. These four ideas intersect to create a consistent development blueprint - Vietnams answer to the increasingly demanding challenges of a new era. Intelligence as the engine of development For many years, Vietnams economy grew largely on easily exploited resources and foreign capital inflows. That model is reaching its limits. Successful nations in the 21st century demonstrate that the greatest value of an economy lies not beneath the soil, but within the human mind. Resolution 57 marks a decisive shift from expansion-based growth to upgrade-based growth. It signals a move from development grounded in finite factors - natural resources, land and low-cost labor - to development driven by infinite resources: knowledge, technology and innovation. At a philosophical level, this resolution affirms a simple truth: a nation cannot develop faster than its own creative capacity. When intelligence becomes the engine, a country can generate higher value added, move up supply chains and proactively create new industries. Resolution 57 affirms that Vietnams future must be built by Vietnamese intellect. The world as the nations development space A powerful engine requires a sufficiently wide space in which to operate. Resolution 59 articulates a clear idea: integration is not only about opening doors but about expanding the nations space for existence and action. By participating more deeply in international networks, Vietnam not only attracts capital and technology but also enhances its standing, expands its influence and contributes to shaping the rules. Its core message can be summarized in one proposition: a country small in territory can still be large in stature if it expands its capacity to act within the international order. Through deep integration, Vietnam can enter arenas of the digital economy, green economy, high technology and high-quality trade and investment flows. This is also the path to elevating the countrys international position to a new height. Institutions as the foundation of national capacity No matter how strong the intellect or how wide the space, a nation cannot break through if its operating system remains burdened by bottlenecks. Resolution 66 focuses on fundamentally renewing the thinking behind lawmaking and law enforcement. At a philosophical level, it affirms that institutions are the foundation of national operating capacity. A country that aspires to develop must have laws that are transparent, predictable and aligned with emerging global trends. Resolution 66 aims to standardize, digitize and modernize the entire legal system. When institutions become a driving force rather than an obstacle, enterprises will be bolder, citizens more creative and investors more confident. That is the basis for smooth national operation in a volatile world. The private economy as the driver and creator of prosperity Finally, even the most profound development ideas require concrete actors to realize them. Resolution 68 clearly establishes the private sector as an important driver of Vietnams economy. At a deeper level, it affirms a simple yet powerful truth: no developed nation has ever emerged without strong enterprises and entrepreneurs willing to take risks. Entrepreneurs see opportunity where others see risk. They transform knowledge into products, integration into markets and institutions into tangible social value. Without them, even the most well-designed institutional architecture cannot come to life. Resolution 68 therefore aims to liberate the private sectors capacity, safeguard freedom of business, reduce legal risks, cut compliance costs and establish fair competition. When private enterprises grow, the nation grows. When Vietnamese entrepreneurs step onto the global stage, Vietnams stature rises with them. This is not merely economic policy. It is a strategic choice: placing trust in the Vietnamese people, in the creative strength of Vietnamese entrepreneurs and in the breakthrough potential of the Vietnamese private sector. Opening an entirely new development trajectory When these four resolutions are viewed as a whole, they reveal themselves as the structural components of a coherent and interconnected development ideology for Vietnam in a new era. Intelligence provides the engine of renewal and breakthrough. Integration expands the nations development space. Institutions create a transparent, efficient and trustworthy operating foundation. The private economy, with enterprises and entrepreneurs at the center, transforms development ideas into action and tangible outcomes. More broadly, these resolutions are Vietnams answer to the challenges of the 21st century: sustainable development must rest on intelligence, smart integration, modern institutions and a private sector driven by aspiration. They not only remove present bottlenecks but open an entirely new development trajectory for the decades ahead: from capital- and labor-based growth to knowledge-, technology- and innovation-based growth; from participating in markets to co-creating global rules and standards; from administration-heavy management to modern governance based on data, transparency and accountability; from thinking small and safe to thinking big - building private enterprises capable of competing internationally. If Doi moi in 1986 was a revolution of liberation that allowed the country to enter the market economy, todays resolutions represent a revolution of creation - creating new institutions, a new growth model, a new integration space and a generation of Vietnamese entrepreneurs aspiring to reach regional and global heights. It is this synchronized transformation that provides the foundation for Vietnam to confidently pursue its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045 - a country strong in intellect, open in integration, modern in institutions and prosperous through the strength of its private economy. We have reason to believe that the nation is entering a completely new phase of development - one defined by big thinking, great aspiration and decisions grounded in long-term vision. Nguyen Si Dung (Former Vice Chairman of the Office of the National Assembly) The newly launched Galaxy S26 series. Photo: Samsung Samsung has officially equipped its Galaxy S26 lineup with a new superpower - AI-powered scam detection - as the smartphone giant moves to confront what many consider todays most pressing digital threat. As expected, artificial intelligence took center stage throughout the presentation, with a series of upgrades focused on smarter experiences and stronger security. Among the most notable additions is AI-driven scam detection, a feature once reserved exclusively for Googles Pixel devices, now making its debut on Samsungs flagship Galaxy S line. Block scams before they strike One of the most appreciated features on Googles Pixel 10 models has been built-in scam detection. The technology relies on on-device AI to analyze the content of phone calls and text messages, identifying behavioral patterns commonly associated with fraudulent activity. Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: The ultimate flagship showdown If the system detects suspicious signs during a call or message, the phone immediately alerts the user through sound and vibration, helping them recognize potential risks before sharing sensitive information or completing a transaction. Since its introduction, Google had kept the feature exclusive to Pixel devices. However, at this years Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung confirmed that AI-powered scam detection is now officially available on the Galaxy S26 series. Notably, Galaxy S26 users do not need to install the Google Phone app to access the feature. Instead, it operates directly within Samsungs default calling application. The move is widely seen as a commendable collaboration between two Android giants, combining Googles AI strengths with Samsungs native user experience. In terms of operation, the feature on Galaxy S26 functions similarly to its Pixel counterpart. It is turned off by default, requiring users to manually enable it within the phone apps settings. The system analyzes only calls and messages from unknown numbers, avoiding interference with familiar contacts. Google has also emphasized that conversation content is not uploaded to the cloud, ensuring user privacy remains intact while protecting them from online scams. A necessary weapon in the fight against digital fraud In recent years, phone and messaging scams have evolved into a global crisis. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, total losses worldwide from scam calls and messages in 2024 surpassed US$1 trillion. The figure underscores the growing scale and sophistication of cybercrime. Against that backdrop, a proactive AI warning system embedded directly into smartphones is no longer a premium extra - it is increasingly a necessity. As scam tactics become more elaborate, from impersonating banks and government agencies to posing as family members, having an intelligent layer of protection operating around the clock significantly reduces risk. Should you leave iPhone for the Galaxy S26? Samsungs integration of scam detection into the Galaxy S26 also reflects a broader industry shift. Smartphone makers are no longer competing solely on camera performance or processing power, but on their ability to shield users from digital threats. This emerging battlefield places AI at its core. In a post on its official blog, Google revealed that scam detection will not remain limited to Pixel and Galaxy S26 devices. The company plans to roll out the feature to more Android devices in the near future. This opens the door for hundreds of millions of Android users worldwide to gain access to the protective technology. For now, however, the Galaxy S26 feature supports only English and is available exclusively in the US market. On Pixel devices, the tool is already active in several other countries, including Australia, India, the United Kingdom and additional markets. With the rapid expansion of the Galaxy ecosystem, industry observers expect Samsung to extend the feature to more regions soon, particularly in markets with high rates of online fraud. The arrival of Pixels superpower on the Galaxy S26 is more than a feature upgrade. It signals a new phase in the smartphone industry, where digital security and personal safety take priority. In the battle against cybercrime, AI is no longer a supporting tool. It has become the first line of defense for users navigating an increasingly complex connected world. Hai Phong Donald Trump on Friday ordered all federal agencies to immediately stop using technology from AI company Anthropic, escalating a public clash between the White House and the firm over military use of artificial intelligence. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he directed "EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology." He added, "We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again!" The decision follows a dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon over how its AI chatbot, Claude, can be used by the US military. The Defense Department had given the company until 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time Friday to remove safeguards that limit how the system can be deployed in classified settings, NY Post reported. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday that the company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Pentagon's demands. Anthropic has objected to allowing its technology to be used for mass surveillance of Americans or for fully autonomous weapons that can fire without human control. Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI models, says 'leftwing nut jobs' made 'disastrous mistake' https://t.co/p8yq9NoneP pic.twitter.com/umBnQbI68u New York Post (@nypost) February 27, 2026 Donald Trump Orders 6-Month Anthropic Phase-Out The Pentagon has said it would only use AI in lawful ways and insisted the disagreement was not about violating the company's "red lines." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly warned that the military needed unrestricted access for legal defense purposes. Trump announced there will be a six-month phase-out period for the Pentagon and other agencies currently using Anthropic's models. The company signed a $200 million contract with the Pentagon last July. During the transition, Trump warned he would use the "Full Power of the Presidency" to ensure compliance, with "major civil and criminal consequences" if the company resists. According to AP News, Hegseth also labeled Anthropic a "supply chain risk," a designation typically used for foreign adversaries. Anthropic said in a statement Friday evening that it would challenge what it called an unprecedented and legally unsound action. The dispute intensified earlier this year after Claude was reportedly used in an operation to arrest Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. Pentagon officials claimed Anthropic had raised concerns with contractor Palantir about how the AI was deployed. Amodei denied that anyone at the company made such a complaint. Originally published on vcpost.com Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver improved image quality thanks to a completely new image processing algorithm. At the center of this rumored leap is an entirely new image processing algorithm, which could make Galaxy S26 Ultra one of the most impressive camera smartphones Samsung has ever produced. According to multiple sources, these software upgrades are not minor refinements. They reportedly represent a substantial shift in how the phone processes image data after capture. This means real-world photo quality could improve noticeably, even if the hardware changes are not dramatic. A new image processing algorithm for Galaxy S26 Ultra Earlier reports indicated that Galaxy S26 Ultra would decisively address skin tone reproduction, an area where even high-end smartphones still struggle. The new algorithm is said to more accurately recognize skin tones under a variety of lighting conditions, from natural daylight to complex artificial lighting. Recent leaks also reveal that Samsung has significantly upgraded its noise reduction system. This is particularly important for low-light photography and long-range zoom shots. With these improvements, images are expected to appear cleaner, with less grain, while preserving natural detail instead of over-smoothing textures. Sample images accompanying the leaks show skies with almost no visible noise or uneven color banding - common issues when cameras process wide dynamic ranges. Instead, the sky appears smoother and more uniform. Zoomed images are also said to be noticeably sharper, with clearer detail at longer distances. Samsung has been aggressively promoting camera upgrades on its new flagship, although current marketing campaigns focus heavily on artificial intelligence rather than specific technical enhancements. Even so, early positive reactions suggest the new camera system could genuinely elevate the photography experience. Alongside the algorithm changes, Galaxy S26 Ultra is also rumored to receive a hardware upgrade, albeit not as dramatic as some users had hoped. The rear camera is expected to feature a wider aperture compared to the previous generation. This is reportedly why the camera bump will become more pronounced in the new design. A wider aperture allows the sensor to capture more light, improving performance in low-light or high-contrast environments. That said, this remains a moderate improvement. Meanwhile, some competitors are rumored to adopt true variable aperture systems, technology that physically adjusts aperture size depending on shooting conditions. Samsung is reportedly sourcing variable aperture modules from suppliers, but it remains uncertain whether this technology will appear in the current generation. Still, when a wider aperture is combined with the new image processing algorithm and the broader Galaxy AI ecosystem that Samsung is strongly promoting, nighttime photo and video quality on Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to reach a very high level. These changes signal that Samsung continues to invest heavily in computational photography, a trend reshaping the entire smartphone camera industry. Instead of merely increasing megapixel counts or installing larger sensors, the company appears to be focusing more on how software interprets and reconstructs images. This reflects a new design philosophy: hardware captures the data, but software determines the final quality. When algorithms become powerful enough, even modest hardware upgrades can result in meaningful real-world improvements. Samsungs emphasis on Galaxy AI in its marketing strategy further suggests that the company wants to position the camera not just as a capture tool, but as a context-aware intelligent imaging system. Samsung fine-tunes its flagship strategy More broadly, the improvements on Galaxy S26 Ultra reflect Samsungs recent strategic adjustments. The company seems to be balancing technological innovation with practical upgrades, rather than pursuing purely headline-grabbing specifications. Recent advances in other premium product lines show a similar pattern, with more substantial generational improvements instead of minor spec bumps. At the same time, Samsungs next-generation in-house chipsets are expected to mark a strong comeback for its internal semiconductor platform in future flagships. Although the Galaxy S26 Ultra design may spark debate, the combination of a wider aperture and advanced image processing brings optimism about the long-term direction of the Galaxy lineup. Beyond photography, users are also awaiting other enhancements, particularly in battery performance. One of the most persistent criticisms of Samsungs high-end smartphones in recent years has been battery capacity that does not clearly outperform rivals. Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to support faster charging speeds, a long-awaited upgrade. This raises hopes that Samsung could soon surpass the 5,000mAh battery threshold - a limit many users have been eager for the company to break in future flagship generations. If that happens, technology communities on X and Threads are unlikely to stay quiet. Overall, Galaxy S26 Ultra may not represent a hardware revolution, but it could mark a significant step forward in computational photography. As image processing algorithms grow increasingly sophisticated, smartphones move closer to capturing scenes in ways that resemble how the human eye perceives them. If the leaks prove accurate, Galaxy S26 Ultra may stand as clear evidence that the future of mobile photography lies not only in larger sensors, but in the intelligence behind every shot. Hai Phong The changes mean that many trains will no longer pass through the narrow residential strip near Long Bien Bridge that has become a magnet for visitors seeking close-up photographs of trains running just metres from cafes and homes. The adjustments form part of a broader roadmap to transfer control of a key section of national railway infrastructure from Hanoi Station to Gia Lam Station to the municipal government, clearing the way for urban renewal and heritage-led redevelopment in the capitals historic core. Under the agreement, passenger and tourist train frequencies on the HanoiGia Lam line will be reduced, with some services no longer stopping at Gia Lam Station. Freight trains will cease operating on the HanoiLong BienGia Lam corridor altogether and will be rerouted to the existing western freight line via Bac Hong and Van Dien. City officials said Hanoi would establish additional bus transfer hubs near the Gia Lam locomotive factory to maintain passenger connectivity after the rail service reductions. To manage displaced freight traffic, the city will also work with Vietnam Railways to identify and allocate around one hectare of land near Ha Dong Station in Phu Luong ward for use as a freight yard. Earlier this year, Hanoi formally proposed taking over the railway infrastructure on the HanoiGia Lam section to facilitate restoration and redevelopment projects linked to the Old Quarter. The proposal included a recommendation to halt passenger trains through the train street area, citing safety and urban management concerns. An inter-agency task force was set up by the Ministry of Construction to review the legal framework, assess the condition of the assets and draft an overall transfer plan. The group is expected to report back to both the ministry and the city for final decisions. The ministry also agreed to transfer railway infrastructure from track level downward along the HanoiGia Lam corridor, including Long Bien Bridge, enabling the city to pursue urban renovation while preserving the areas historical and cultural character. Officials say the restructuring is intended to give Hanoi greater control over urban planning in its central areas, while ensuring safer and more efficient rail operations as the city continues to grow./. VNA Construction site of Long Thanh International Airport. Photo: Nguyen Hue. The Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has issued a directive to implement conclusions made by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha following his inspection of the construction site and Lunar New Year visit to officials and workers of the Long Thanh International Airport Phase 1 project. The document, signed by Vice Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Bui Xuan Cuong, assigns the Ho Chi Minh City Police to take the lead in developing plans to ensure security, public order and traffic safety along major connecting routes. Authorities are also required to coordinate traffic organization and regulation during peak periods, particularly when the project becomes operational. The city has tasked the Department of Construction with coordinating with the Management Board for Traffic Construction Investment Projects and relevant units to review all transport projects connecting Long Thanh International Airport with central Ho Chi Minh City and Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Under the directive, the Department of Construction must clearly identify items on the critical path schedule, clarify technical bottlenecks, site clearance issues, material supply constraints and construction organization challenges. It is also required to propose specific and feasible solutions to ensure synchronized completion in accordance with the approved plan. The department has been instructed to strengthen on-site inspection and supervision, requiring investors and contractors to commit to detailed monthly and weekly schedules. Before the 25th of each month, it must consolidate reports and submit them to the municipal Peoples Committee. City leaders have also assigned the Department of Finance to coordinate with the Department of Construction and project investors to review and advise on sufficient and timely allocation of public investment capital for connectivity projects under municipal authority. The department must monitor and expedite payment for completed volumes of work, and propose solutions to resolve financial obstacles so as not to affect construction progress. The Department of Planning and Architecture has been asked to review the compatibility of connection projects with approved master plans, ensuring synchronization between aviation infrastructure and the broader urban and regional transport system. If adjustments are needed, it must promptly advise and propose them to the municipal Peoples Committee in accordance with regulations. The Management Board for Traffic Construction Investment Projects is required to focus resources, assign leaders to oversee specific tasks, review the progress of each contract package and component, and develop catch-up plans if delays occur. The board will be held accountable before the municipal Peoples Committee for any delays caused by subjective factors. The municipal Peoples Committee has requested heads of departments, agencies and units to strictly implement the directives and promptly report difficulties or issues beyond their authority for consideration and resolution. Quoc Ngoc Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a decision mobilizing Hoang Minh Son, a member of the Party Central Committee and Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, to take up work at the Ministry of Education and Training, assigning him to serve as Acting Minister. Hoang Minh Son. Photo: VGP Earlier, on the afternoon of February 27, Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Education and Training, received a decision appointing him as Deputy Head of the Party Central Committees Policy and Strategy Commission. Hoang Minh Son was born in 1969 in Hung Yen province. He holds the academic title of Associate Professor and earned a PhD in Automation Engineering, a doctorate in German language studies, and a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. Throughout his career in the education sector, he has served as Vice Rector, Rector and later Chairman of the University Council of Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He also held the position of Deputy Minister of Education and Training. On September 3, 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Council and Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. At the 14th National Party Congress, he was elected to the Party Central Committee. The Ministry of Education and Training currently has four deputy ministers: Pham Ngoc Thuong, Nguyen Van Phuc, Le Tan Dung and Le Quan. Tran Thuong Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan recently held bilateral meetings with State Secretary and Director of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Helene Budliger Artieda, and State Secretary of Norways Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries Ragnhild Syrstad. The events took place within the framework of the 19th round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) held in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 24 to 27. At Tans meeting with Helene Budliger Artieda, the two sides acknowledged substantial progress across all negotiating areas and reaffirmed the political commitment to soon finalising the Vietnam EFTA FTA. They engaged in direct and substantive discussions to address outstanding issues, including trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, trade, sustainable development, and government procurement. To help expedite the process, Tan formally invited the Swiss official to visit Vietnam for further consultations aimed at resolving outstanding matters. For her part, Artieda expressed hope that once the agreement is largely concluded, the Swiss President would be ready to pay an official visit to Vietnam to promote bilateral cooperation at the highest level and mark this important milestone. During the meeting between Tan and Ragnhild Syrstad, both sides welcomed the progress achieved in most negotiating areas and reiterated their political determination to bring the agreement to an early conclusion. They also discussed some outstanding issues related to trade in goods, investment, intellectual property, and trade and sustainable development, seeking pragmatic solutions to bridge differences. The two sides also exchanged views on certain issues of mutual concern, underscoring their shared support for a rules-based multilateral trading system. Vietnam and Norway agreed that the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will be a key topic at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14). Vietnam and the EFTA member states agreed to continue handling differences flexibly and intensify negotiations, with the aim of concluding the FTA at the EFTA Ministerial Conference scheduled to take place in Iceland this June. Once signed, the Vietnam EFTA FTA is expected to provide fresh impetus for trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and some of Europes most advanced economies, contributing to regional supply chains and sustainable growth./.VNA The Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee this morning held a conference to announce the Politburos decision on personnel work. The Politburo decided to mobilize, assign and appoint Duong Quoc Huy, a member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Inspector General of the Government, to join the Provincial Party Executive Committee and Standing Board, and to serve as Secretary of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term. At the conference, Le Minh Hung, Head of the Party Central Committees Organization Commission, presented the Politburos decision to Duong Quoc Huy. Duong Quoc Huy was born in 1974 in Hung Yen province. He holds a Masters degree in Law and a Bachelors degree in Economics. Over the course of his career, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Inspectorate Magazine, Chief of Office of the Government Inspectorate, Director General of Department I under the Government Inspectorate, and Deputy Inspector General of the Government. Duc Hoang Addressing the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang described the inauguration as not merely a diplomatic formality but the opening of a new chapter in bilateral relations. She recalled that more than 50 years ago, on July 1, 1975, Portugal was among the first Western European countries to establish diplomatic relations with reunified Vietnam. She also highlighted the deeper historical ties dating back over five centuries, when Portuguese traders first arrived in Hoi An. In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries left a lasting imprint by contributing to the development of the Vietnamese Latin-based script, which remains an invaluable cultural bond for the Vietnamese people. Hang noted that Vietnams launch of its embassy in Lisbon in November last year and Portugals establishment of its embassy in Hanoi represent meaningful reciprocal steps. These diplomatic missions will serve as bridges to promote cooperation across politics, the economy, culture and education. She affirmed the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs commitment to close coordination and favourable conditions to ensure the effective operation of the Portuguese Embassy. For his part, Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel described the inauguration as a highly significant moment, noting that the two countries' celebration of the 50th anniversary of modern diplomatic relations last year by opening embassies in each others capitals is a tribute to their shared history. He also referred to the cultural connections between the two nations, from references to Vietnam by Portugals greatest poet Luis de Camoes, author of the epic Os Lusiadas, to the 16th-century accounts by writer Fernao Mendes Pinto, voicing his hope that the shared history will continue heralding a bright common future. Portuguese Ambassador Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos speaks at the event. (Photo: baoquocte.vn) Portuguese Ambassador Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos stressed that as Portugals first resident ambassador to Vietnam, he considers the inauguration both symbolic and forward-looking, ushering in a new phase of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries./. VNA Once regarded merely as draft animals, white horses have, through the pioneering efforts of Nong Duc Tho, become an effective economic driver amid the mountains of Lang Son. From workhorse to sustainable livelihood in the highlands Having taken up the trade at the age of 20, Nong Duc Tho, born in 1966 and a Tay ethnic resident of Suoi Mo hamlet, Quan Son commune, Lang Son province, is among the first local households to raise white horses as a key economic model in the Huu Kien mountainous region. Speaking to VietNamNet, Tho said his family currently maintains a herd of 10 horses. This year alone, he has sold five breeding horses at around VND30 million each (US$1,200 per horse), generating a significant source of income. He recalled that in the past, highland residents mainly kept horses for pulling loads, carrying maize and transporting rice from fields back home. His family was no exception. At the time, a horse was simply the backbone of the household economy, an indispensable means of production in the mountains. In the past we raised horses purely to serve the familys daily livelihood. Later, seeing that many places were breeding white horses for sale at good prices, I began to study the model more carefully and shift towards commercial breeding, Tho shared. Recognizing the market potential of white horses, a valuable breed with high economic returns, he boldly changed his husbandry methods. From just a few animals at the outset, he gradually expanded the herd, selected quality breeding stock and paid close attention to care techniques. Today, a foal raised for about four months can be sold for breeding at roughly VND30 million (US$1,200), while a healthy, mature mare meeting reproductive standards can fetch up to VND60 million (US$2,400). With five breeding horses sold this year, the family earned nearly VND150 million (US$6,000), excluding the value of horses that continue to reproduce. After many years of diligence, Thos family has built a spacious new house, tangible proof of the economic transformation in this highland area. White horses are naturally grazed on high mountains with favorable climate conditions and clean grass sources. Quietly mastering the craft, safeguarding the herd through disease The path to prosperity has not always been smooth. There were times when disease struck the herd, causing significant losses. Watching the horses fall ill and refuse to eat was heartbreaking. At one point, I thought I might have to give up, he recalled. Instead of retreating, he resolved to learn more, studying technical materials and attending husbandry training sessions. He invested in upgrading the stables to ensure ventilation and cleanliness, keeping them dry during the rainy season and warm in cold weather. Feed sources were also improved, prioritizing natural grass supplemented with maize to strengthen the animals. Through persistent refinement of his breeding process, the familys herd has grown increasingly robust, producing high quality pure white horses associated with the Huu Kien area. According to Tho, caring for white horses requires meticulous attention at every stage of development. Each day, he releases them onto high hillsides to graze freely and exercise naturally. In the evening, the herd is led back to the stable and given additional maize to ensure proper nutrition. This semi free range method helps the horses develop well, suffer fewer illnesses and maintain firm physiques. Nguyen Van Vui, Vice Chairman of the Farmers Association of Quan Son commune, told VietNamNet that the commune currently has nearly 2,800 horses raised by local households. White horse breeding has been helping many families develop their economy, increase income and gradually change living standards. In the past, many households struggled, but now they have built new houses and purchased additional machinery and household equipment, Vui said. He added that local authorities are encouraging residents to develop livestock production on a commercial scale, with greater attention to disease prevention and the quality of breeding stock. In addition to natural grazing, white horses are supplemented with maize when they return to the stable to enhance their health. White horse breeding is becoming a new direction for economic development in the highland areas of Lang Son province. Herds of white horses in Quan Son commune. Photo: Vu Hai Nong Duc Tho tends to his horses during daily grazing. Photo: Vu Hai White horses are naturally grazed on high mountains with clean grass sources. Photo: Vu Hai Tho values white horses for transforming his familys economy and changing the face of the highlands. Photo: Vu Hai Thos spacious house after many years of raising white horses. Photo: Vu Hai White horses are given additional maize in the stable to boost their health. Photo: Vu Hai White horse breeding is opening new economic prospects in Lang Sons upland areas. Photo: Vu Hai Pham Cong The company, under Hyosung Group of the Republic of Korea (RoK), has signed a land-rent contract with the Chu Lai Industrial Zone Authorities for an expansion of its investment in central Vietnam, which started with the introduction of its first plant in 2019. The new plant was designed with a capacity of 6,750 tonnes of products per month, including polyester curtain fabric and nylon fabric for car airbags, made for both domestic and export markets. In the first phase of investment, the Korean company produced high-strength industrial materials for the automotive support industry, including tyre cords, seat belt materials and airbag fabric. HS Hyosung Quang Nam has invested more than 450 million USD since it set up a footprint in the former Quang Nam province (now merged with Da Nang city), operating two projects and creating 1,500 jobs for local residents. Da Nang and central Vietnam are seen as a favourable destination for information and communications technology (ICT) companies from the RoK, the country's consulate general in Da Nang reported. The RoK remains the largest foreign investor and a key partner in the citys digital transformation and innovation plan 2025-30 in the ICT sector. The city has been calling for investment from the RoK in ICT and high-tech industries, including semiconductors and AI, to help transform the city into a global and regional destination for innovation. Around 250 Korean businesses are currently operating in Hue, Da Nang and Quang Ngai, while more investors from the RoK are looking at the region, according to the consulate general./. VNA Lobster exports to China surged strongly in 2025. Photo: HSOG. Why did China spend as much as US$845 million on this premium seafood from Vietnam in 2025, a sharp jump from US$363.5 million in 2024? According to Le Hang, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Chinese consumers are increasingly drawn to high-quality, safe and traceable seafood products, and are willing to pay a premium for distinctive culinary experiences. Notably, instead of focusing on low-priced frozen shrimp, they are shifting toward higher-end segments such as large-sized shrimp, live and fresh lobster, and deeply processed products for restaurants and hotels. Hang emphasized that this change in consumer preference has created strong momentum for Vietnamese lobster, which is widely recognized for its quality and well suited to the premium market segment. Alongside this trend, lobster demand in China typically spikes during year-end festive seasons and the Lunar New Year. Lobster is favored at banquets for its striking appearance and bright red color symbolizing luck. In particular, small-sized lobsters weighing 150 - 300 grams each are popular at the seafood buffet restaurants that are currently in vogue across China. Beyond Chinese consumers readiness to open their wallets, the VASEP deputy secretary general noted that booming lobster exports have also been fueled by positive developments in Vietnam - China agricultural and fisheries trade relations. In addition, Vietnams key seafood products such as lobster, black tiger shrimp and pangasius are granted zero import tariffs by China under free trade agreements including ACFTA and RCEP. Thanks to this advantage, Vietnamese lobster is far more price-competitive than lobster from the US and Canada, which face import tariffs of around 17% and 32%, respectively. Vietnam also benefits from geographical proximity, shortening transport time for live lobster shipments to China and reducing mortality rates as well as logistics costs. The country has quickly adapted to inspection and quarantine requirements and import regulations imposed by Chinese authorities. Notably, to meet Chinas enormous demand, Vietnamese enterprises currently enjoy abundant supplies of green lobster, a key advantage that allows exporters to ramp up shipments swiftly whenever the Chinese market shows signs of shortage. Statistics show that China imported 17,365 tonnes of lobster from Vietnam in the first three quarters of 2025, nearly tripling the figure from the same period in 2024, Hang cited, adding that the volume far exceeded the industrys target of 3,000 tonnes by 2025. From a market perspective, China is also seeking to diversify supply sources and reduce dependence on Western partners. In 2025, the country cut lobster imports from North America while increasing purchases from Vietnam and other ASEAN nations. As a result, Vietnam officially surpassed Canada, which accounted for 22%, to become Chinas largest lobster supplier last year, holding a 34% share of total import value. This marked a dramatic rise from just 1.7% in 2023 and 18% in 2024. According to VASEP, in January this year, Vietnams lobster exports to China, including Hong Kong, reached about US$100 million, up 6% compared to the same period in 2025. The figure indicates that demand remains strong at the start of 2026, reinforcing Vietnams position in the premium lobster segment in the worlds most populous nation. However, 2026 will be a test of resilience. Those who can maintain product quality, delivery speed and stable distribution channels will be able to retain market share as Canada re-enters the race and competition in the high-end segment intensifies, VASEP cautioned. Tam An Actor Ahn Jae Wook is back in the news after comments he made about drinking alcohol brought attention to his two past convictions for driving under the influence. The controversy started after he appeared on comedian Shin Dong Yup's YouTube show "Zzanbros," where he drank with other guests and talked openly. Ahn discussed his relationship with alcohol in what appeared to be a casual manner but some viewers took issue with this and it sparked a bit of a stir on various online forums. Ahn talked about drinking habits during the show. He said, "You can't become a wreck just because you drink a lot." READ MORE:'Mouse' Episode 19: Lee Seung Gi is Ahn Jae Wook's Real Son When asked about his experiences with alcohol, he said, "I black out often." He went on to explain his point of view on drinking more. He said, "Alcohol helps people socialize and laugh together. When I'm upset or going through a hard time, I try not to drink. In those moments, I'd rather stay home. I prefer drinking gatherings where we're laughing." The episode quickly spread online, where people looked up Ahn's past legal troubles. The actor had already been arrested for DUI in 2003 and again in 2019. After the 2019 event, he stopped working on his current project and put all of his planned activities on hold. He publicly apologized and took some time to think about what he had done. About three months later, he returned to the stage in the play "Misery." This led to a lot of talk about whether his return had come too soon. Koreaboo says that people online were critical of his recent comments and questioned whether it was right for him to talk about alcohol lightly given his past. Some people on the internet said, "Has he still not learned to control his drinking?" "If you've had brain surgery, you should take better care of your health," "How can he appear on a drinking show after DUI?" and "What is there to be proud of?" Xportsnews also reported that Ahn talked about a health scare he had in the past. He talked about having brain surgery about ten years ago after passing out from a subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2013, which needed emergency care and a long recovery time. Ahn said, "About 10 years ago, I underwent brain surgery, and because of that, I couldn't drink or smoke at all for 15 months." The renewed discussion shows that people are still very sensitive about celebrity DUI cases, especially when they are linked to personal health problems. Ahn hasn't said anything else about the backlash since the debate is still going on online. READ MORE: 'Superman Returns' Ahn Jae Wook Plays With Lee Twins Throughout the thousand-year journey of Vietnams medical heritage, generations of eminent physicians have made extraordinary contributions to the health and well-being of the nation. Tue Tinh - the founding father of Vietnamese traditional medicine Tue Tinh (1330-?), born Nguyen Ba Tinh, is revered as the Saint of Southern Medicine and the founding father of Vietnams traditional medicine. Orphaned at the age of six, he was raised by monks at Hai Trieu and Giao Thuy pagodas. At 22, he passed the highest imperial examination under the reign of Tran Du Tong but chose not to enter official service. Instead, he became a monk under the Dharma name Tue Tinh and devoted himself to studying and practicing medicine to heal the people. At 55, in 1385, he was sent to the Ming court in China as tribute. There, he continued researching and treating patients and was conferred the title Great Zen Master and Physician by the Ming emperor. His greatest legacy lies in two classical works, Nam duoc than hieu and Hong nghia giac tu y thu, among the oldest surviving medical texts of Vietnam. He famously championed the philosophy Southern medicine for Southern people, laying the foundation for a distinct national medical identity. Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac - the great master of medicine Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac. Photo: Ministry of Health Le Huu Trac (1724-1791), known by his pen name Hai Thuong Lan Ong, was not only a brilliant physician but also a prominent cultural figure. Born into a scholarly family under the Le dynasty, he devoted his entire life to researching and developing Vietnamese traditional medicine, integrating rich folk experience with systematic theory and practice. His most important work, Hai Thuong y tong tam linh, is an encyclopedic collection of 28 volumes and 66 books, considered the most comprehensive legacy of Vietnamese traditional medicine. Beyond its scholarly value, the collection provides guidance on internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, ophthalmology, emergency care and medical ethics. He selectively absorbed foreign medical knowledge and adapted it to suit Vietnamese conditions. For his immense contributions, he is honored as the Great Master of Medicine of Vietnam. Professor Ho Dac Di - pioneer of modern surgery Professor Ho Dac Di. Photo: VNA Ho Dac Di (1900-1984), born in Hue, was one of Vietnams most distinguished surgeons. After studying in France from 1918 to 1932, he defended his doctoral thesis in Paris, introducing an innovative method of gastrojejunostomy to treat pyloric stenosis caused by ulcers, replacing the more radical gastric resection technique. The work marked a significant Vietnamese contribution to international medicine. Throughout his career, he published 37 research works, many of which were applied directly in clinical treatment. He served as Rector of Hanoi Medical University, President of the Vietnam General Medical Association and a member of the National Assembly for multiple terms. He was awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize and numerous prestigious honors. Doctor Pham Ngoc Thach - founder of Vietnams tuberculosis specialty Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach in his youth. Archival photo. Pham Ngoc Thach (1909-1968) graduated in medicine in France in 1934. Upon returning home, he opened a private clinic and hospital specializing in tuberculosis and lung diseases. A patriotic intellectual, he joined the revolutionary movement early and became the first President of the Vietnam Youth Federation. He served as the first Minister of Health of the Provisional Government from 1945 to 1946 and later continued in the role from 1958 to 1968. He founded the National Institute of Tuberculosis, laying the foundation for Vietnams tuberculosis and pulmonary specialty. In 1958, he became the first individual in the health sector to receive the title Hero of Labor and was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize in 1997. Professor Dang Van Ngu - producing penicillin during wartime Professor Dang Van Ngu. Photo: VNA Dang Van Ngu (1910-1967), born in Hue, graduated from Hanoi Medical University in 1937 and headed the Parasitology Laboratory. During the resistance war against the French, he successfully researched and produced liquid penicillin to treat infections among wounded soldiers and civilians - a remarkable achievement under severe shortages. In 1955, he founded the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, playing a crucial role in malaria prevention and control in Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize in the first phase for medicine. Professor Ton That Tung - a global name in liver surgery Professor Ton That Tung. Archival photo: SKDS Ton That Tung (1912-1982) stands among Vietnams most renowned surgeons. His doctoral thesis, The vascular segmentation of the liver, earned a Silver Medal at the University of Paris. Building on his anatomical research, he developed the planned hepatectomy technique, internationally recognized as a liver surgery method bearing Vietnams name. He performed Vietnams first heart surgery in 1958, advanced neurosurgery and pediatric surgery, and introduced open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine in 1965. In 1977, the Paris Academy of Surgery awarded him the prestigious Lannelongue International Surgical Medal, honoring outstanding surgeons worldwide. He was also conferred the title Hero of Labor and many other distinguished decorations. Their enduring legacy continues to inspire generations of Vietnamese physicians, especially as the nation commemorates Vietnamese Doctors Day on February 27 - a moment to honor those who dedicate their lives to protecting and caring for public health. N. Huyen Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Pham Thu Hang made the statement on February 28 in response to reporters' queries regarding Vietnam's reaction to the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Vietnam calls upon all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease all escalatory actions, protect civilians and essential infrastructure, and resolve differences by peaceful means in strict accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant United Nations resolutions, she said. The parties concerned must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations and create favourable conditions for peace negotiations to ensure security, safety, peace, and stability both in the region and across the world, the Spokesperson remarked. Smoke rises above Tel Aviv after Iran launches retaliatory missiles into Israeli territory on February 28, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Facing the latest developments in the Middle East, the MoFA and related domestic agencies have ordered Vietnams representative missions in Iran and Israel to maintain close coordination with domestic authorities, Vietnamese missions in neighbouring countries, and agencies and diplomatic bodies of the host countries to keep a close watch on the situation and remain fully prepared to implement all necessary measures to ensure safety for Vietnamese citizens, as well as the representative offices' headquarters. According to the latest reports from the Vietnamese representative missions in Israel and Iran, all Vietnamese citizens in these areas are currently safe. The MoFA advised Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Iran or Israel at this time, or to neighbouring areas affected by the conflict unless absolutely necessary. Vietnamese nationals currently in Iran, Israel, and conflict-affected neighbouring zones must maintain regular contact and closely monitor updates from Vietnamese representative missions in the two countries. Citizens are urged to strictly comply with local government regulations regarding travel and adhere to all MoFA safety warnings. To receive support, Vietnamese citizens in Iran and Israel should contact the citizen protection hotlines of the Vietnamese embassies in the two countries, or the MoFAs citizen protection call centre as follows: The citizen protection hotline in Israel: +972555025616, email: giooctv.mofa@gmail.com or +972508783373, email: thuynb.mofa@gmail.com The citizen protection hotline in Iran: +989339658252 (direct line), or +989334609074 (WhatsApp, Viber) The citizen protection call centre of the MoFAs Consular Department: +84981848484 or +8496541118, email: baohocongdan@gmail.com./. VNA Melting glaciers peel back Earth's frozen secrets, exposing climate records trapped in ice for millennia. Scientists pull ice core data from these retreating giants to map temperature shifts, gas levels, and ancient weather patterns. This evidence spans ice ages and warm spells, showing how today's fast melt fits intoor breaks fromthe planet's past. Greenland's ice sheet alone sheds 270 billion tons yearly, enough to raise seas by nearly a millimeter annually. Each exposed layer holds air bubbles from thousands of years ago, plus dust, pollen, and isotopes. These climate records reveal CO2 fluctuations, volcanic impacts, and even solar activity echoes. Understanding ice core data helps predict sea-level rises, extreme weather, and ecosystem shifts ahead. Remote mountain glaciers, like those in the tropics, add unique regional insights to the global picture. Why Are Glaciers Melting So Fast? Rising temperatures melt more ice than snowfall replaces, tipping the balance. Global warming has shrunk glaciers by about 30% since 1980 across key regions like the Alps, Himalayas, and Patagonia. Human emissions from cars, factories, and deforestation trap extra heat in the atmosphere, overriding slower natural cycles such as Earth's wobble or volcanic cooling. Oceans amplify the damage. Warmer surface waters, absorbing 90% of excess heat, flow under glacier tongues and melt them from below. In Antarctica, Thwaites Glacierdoomed to rapid collapsecould alone raise seas 65 cm if fully lost. Up north, in 2023, Alaska's glaciers dumped enough ice to blanket Texas under 4 feet of water, fueling local floods. Black carbon from wildfires and industry lands on white ice, darkening it like ash on snow. This cuts reflectivity, so surfaces absorb more sunlight and melt quicker. Feedback loops kick in: Less ice means less cooling reflection, hastening more melt. Tropical glaciers, smaller and more vulnerable, have lost half their area since the 1970s. NASA's satellite data backs this up, showing quicker losses lately, with mountain glaciers down 7% per decade. Communities feel it first. Swiss villages relocate as permafrost thaws under shrinking ice, and Andean farmers face erratic water flows. Read Also: Rising Water Levels in Arctic Peatlands Cuts Carbon Emissions Ice Core Data Reveals About Past Climates Glaciers compress snow into ice over centuries, creating annual bands like tree rings. Each layer traps air, dust, and chemicals from that year's atmosphere. Ice core data from deep drills, like Greenland's 3-km GISP2 project, stretches back 123,000 years, while Antarctica's EPICA core hits 800,000. CO2 levels in bubbles stayed below 300 ppm for nearly a million yearsuntil industrial times spiked it to 420 ppm. The Last Glacial Maximum, 20,000 years ago, locked Earth in deep freeze: Polar temperatures 5-6C cooler, seas 120 meters lower, with ice sheets covering Canada. Bubbles confirm low methane from tundra lockup, while isotopes track rain patternslighter oxygen signals warmer, wetter times. Dust spikes reveal arid winds whipping across ice-free plains. Warmer eras shine through. The Eemian interglacial, 125,000 years back, matched today's CO2 but saw hippos roam England's rivers and seas 6-9 meters higher from partial melt. Our Holocene kicked off 11,700 years ago, warming steadily to nurture agriculture. Ice core data flags abrupt changes too. Dansgaard-Oeschger events yoyoed Greenland's climate 10-15C in decades, likely from Atlantic current flips. Meltwater pulses drowned coasts. Younger Dryas, a millennium-long chill 12,900 years ago, followed mammoth extinctions. Melting glaciers unearth these climate records in new spotsthe Alps spit out Bronze Age artifacts beside ice cores, Andes sites yield Inca-era pollen. Volcano layers date precisely: Tambora's 1815 ash matches the "year without summer." Glacier Melt Signals Urgent Climate Risks Exposed ice core data warns of tipping points crossed before. Past CO2 feedbacks melted vast ice, driving 70-meter sea swings over eons; today's rate risks 1-2 meters by 2100. Greenland's cores show instability thresholds near. Freshwater pulses from glaciers feed 2 billion people via rivers like the Indus and Yangtze. Himalayan melt, peaking mid-century, could flip to shortages, sparking conflicts. Peru's Cordillera Blanca already sees dry spells hurting crops. Glacial lake outbursts flood downstream: Iceland's 2024 event swept bridges away. Marine heatwaves erode Antarctica faster, committing locked melt. Habitats scramble. Pikas vanish from Rockies as snowlines rise; krill under thinning sea ice starve penguins. Carbon release from thawing permafrost loops back more warming. That Nature paper spells out Greenland's thaw patterns well, matching ice core hints. Engineers build higher dams, but nature's pace outruns fixes. Island nations like Tuvalu eye relocation. Ice Core Lessons for Tomorrow's World Ice core data from melting glaciers underscores unmatched warming speed10 times post-ice-age rates. Historical patterns guide forecasts: Curb emissions to dodge irreversible Antarctic flips and meter-scale seas. These frozen archives, vanishing fast, demand swift protection for water security and climate wisdom. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why are glaciers melting faster now? Glaciers melt faster due to human-driven warming from greenhouse gases, warmer oceans eroding bases, and soot darkening surfaces. This outpaces natural snow buildup, with 30% volume loss since 1980. 2. What do glaciers reveal about past climates? Glaciers preserve climate records in layered ice, showing CO2 below 300 ppm for 800,000 years, ice ages with 5-6C cooler poles, and sudden warm-cold flips like Dansgaard-Oeschger events. 3. How is ice core data extracted and analyzed? Scientists drill cores up to 3 km deep, then measure isotopes for temperature, trapped gases for CO2/methane, and dust for aridity. Tools like mass spectrometers reveal annual details spanning millennia. 4. What risks come from melting glaciers today? Risks include sea-level rise up to 1-2 meters by 2100, water shortages for 2 billion people, outburst floods, and ecosystem shifts as species reach habitat limits. 5. Can ice core data predict future climate? Yes, it highlights tipping points like past CO2 feedbacks causing big melts. Today's rapid warming10x faster than recoverieswarns of locked-in changes without emission cuts. Staff from Rossett Hall Hotel near Wrexham are preparing to take on a gruelling 200-mile charity challenge inspired by a colleague battling incurable breast cancer. They will join fellow employees from across the Everbright Hotels group to walk and cycle from North Wales to Cumbria in just 10 days to raise money for Breast Cancer Now. Around 100 colleagues will tackle the 200-mile route in relays as part of the groups 10th anniversary celebrations and in honour Fiona Sellars, a mum-of-two with incurable cancer. Fiona, 57, the groups Marketing and Business Development Support Manager known to friends and colleagues as Fi was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Since then, she has faced extensive treatment with what colleagues describe as remarkable courage, guided by her simple mantra: It is what it is. The challenge will begin at the Belmont Hotel in Llandudno on April 7 and finish at the George Hotel in Penrith on April 16. long the way, fundraisers will stop at sister venues including The Wild Pheasant Hotel and Spa in Llangollen, Rossett Hall near Wrexham and Stone Cross Manor in Kendal. Staff not taking part in the physical challenge will organise fundraising events to help reach the 10,000 target. Fiona, who has worked at The George Hotel for 19 years, said she was overwhelmed when told the company had chosen to support Breast Cancer Now in recognition of her journey. Sine her diagnosis Fiona has undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone infusions, electro chemotherapy, and a left breast mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. In 2024 she was diagnosed with lymphoedema and last March, Fiona was told she had a local reoccurrence within the initial area, related to the primary cancer, for which she is receiving further treatment. She was then diagnosed with a number of cancerous nodes under the right arm, prompting more treatment. Fiona said: Ive been told by so many people family, friends, colleagues that Im strong and positive. The truth is, I dont always feel that way, but I know the only option is to keep going. People sometimes ask, Why havent you just curled up in a corner? And my answer is simple why would I? Giving up has never felt like a choice. Of course, there are days when I dont want to get out of bed, when treatment feels overwhelming and I think, I cant do this anymore. Right now, my breast cancer is incurable, which means treatment is ongoing. For the foreseeable future, Im living with the disease and continuing treatment but I hold onto hope, because you never know what might be around the corner. Fiona said she takes her inspiration from her two daughters, 27-year-old Molly and Lola, 20, and her husband Gavin. She hopes to attend both the start and finish of the challenge, depending on her treatment schedule. Among those taking on an extra test is Becky Shields, general manager of The Wild Pheasant Hotel and Spa, who will cycle the entire route from North Wales to Cumbria in just two days. Becky, who lives in Oswestry, is timing her ride to arrive as the main group reaches The George Hotel in Penrith. Fi helped me with some marketing work a couple of years ago, she said. It took a massive amount off my plate and I was extremely grateful for her help, she was so supportive. Everbright Hotels Operations Director Darryl Shaw said the idea for the challenge came as the company considered how to mark its 10-year milestone. Darryl said: We all just wanted to do something which raises awareness in support of the challenge Fiona has faced over the last few years. The response from the staff to the challenge has been so positive, it has been overwhelming really how colleagues are so keen to help and support the cause. A JustGiving page has been set up for the 10,000 charity challenge. People can donate to the fund by visiting the fundraising page, here. Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com A 9-year-old boy in Plainfield, Illinois, suffered serious burns after trying a viral "hack" on TikTok that involves microwaving a NeeDoh sensory toy, prompting burn experts to warn families that heating gel-filled stress toys can cause them to rupture and spray scalding contents. The child, Caleb Chabolla, was injured Jan. 20 after placing a NeeDoh toy in a microwave in an effort to make it softer and more pliable, according to Loyola Medicine and interviews with his family. In seconds, the toy burst, and a thick, gel-like substance stuck to his face and hands, his mother, Whitney Grubb, told ABC 7 Chicago. Loyola Medicine said Caleb was transferred to the burn center at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood for treatment, and that his vision was expected to be OK despite the burns being close to his eye, according to Parents. Doctors at Loyola said the case reflects a broader pattern tied to social media challenges. Burn outreach coordinator Kelly McElligott said the injured children are not always the ones posting videos, and that clips can make dangerous behavior look harmless. Loyola Medicine also said Caleb was the fourth case the center had seen this year involving NeeDoh-related burns. At the same time, Shriners Children's said it has treated patients at multiple locations for severe burns connected to the same trend, which encourages children to microwave gel-filled stress toys to make them more malleable, NBC News reported. Dr. Alice Fagin warned that when these toys rupture, the hot gel can be sticky, cling to skin, and cause deeper burns, adding that "even 15 seconds in a microwave can raise the temperature to more than 200F." Shriners Children's emphasized that the injuries are linked to misuse, heating toys that were not designed to be heated, rather than a product defect. Hospitals and burn specialists are urging parents to talk with children about online trends, supervise younger kids around appliances, and read toy safety warnings carefully. Shriners Children's advises that if a child suffers a scald burn, caregivers should remove the child from the hot substance, take off clothing near the injury, cool the area with cool tap water (not ice), and seek medical care, calling 911 if needed. Caleb and his mother said they hope sharing his experience will discourage other children from copying risky "challenges" without asking an adult first, as per ABC7. A North Wales Member of the Senedd has said he is unwavering in his decision to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the Senedd. Welsh Conservative MS Sam Rowlands said he remains totally against any moves to make assisted dying during a debate in Cardiff Bay last week. The motion, which was approved by 28 votes to 23, was not a vote on whether assisted dying should become legal. It was a vote on whether Welsh ministers should have the power to design and oversee how any future assisted dying system would operate within NHS Wales, including safeguards, oversight and Welsh-language provision. If the bill becomes law, a further Senedd vote will be required after Mays Welsh elections before services can be introduced in Wales. Sam Rowlands MS said his opposition was founded in my Christian faith, that it is not right for this Bill to proceed, because no matter their health, no matter their stage of life, every person is precious, every life is of equal worth, and our laws and healthcare system should always reflect that. He said: Beyond my personal beliefs, I have serious concerns about patient safety, legal clarity, inequality and constitutional accountability. The fact is that granting consent now would embed into Welsh health services a practice that remains deeply contested. The Bill is still in Committee Stage with, as weve heard from others, over 1,000 amendments yet to be resolved. Lets be clear, while this Bill is titled with the words assisted dying, the Bill seeks to amend section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 to remove criminal liability for those who assist another person to end their own life. This LCM is asking us to embed assisted suicide within devolved health services in Wales. While crucial details remain unresolved. At a time when we rightly invest in suicide prevention and tell vulnerable people their lives matter, we must confront the contradiction of facilitating suicide as a medical service in certain circumstances. Doctors, as we know, are guided by the principle to first do no harm. This Bill would place our clinicians in Wales in conflicting roles, preventing suicide in some patients while validating it in others. If we are serious about dignity at the end of life, our priority should be universal access to high-quality palliative care, not the introduction of assisted suicide into mainstream practice. Tuesdays vote split the political divide, with First Minister Eluned Morgan MS voted against the motion, as did Health Secretary Jeremy Miles MS. Plaid Cymru and Labour both split, with majorities in each party voting in favour but significant minorities voting against. Among north Wales regional members, Llyr Gruffydd MS (Plaid Cymru) and Mark Isherwood MS (Conservative) voted against the motion. Carolyn Thomas MS (Labour, North Wales) did not vote. Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com Welsh Government planning inspectors will decide whether to approve a 5.5 hectare green energy battery on a historic site after Wrexhams planning committee missed its determination deadline. The Rhostyllen energy storage project proposes using agricultural land at Bronwylfa Road which in the 18th century was part of a farmstead where the Davies brothers smithy was located. The case has gone to appeal after Wrexham Councils Planning Committee failed to decide on the application within eight weeks of its final submission. The committee will now meet on Monday to decide whether to oppose the development in front of Welsh planning inspectors or allow them to make a decision on the evidence before them. The site was where the brothers created elaborate ironwork gates for Chirk Castle and Erddig Hall that are still in use today. Applicant Innova Renewables Development wants to use 5.5 hectares of a 17 hectare parcel of land to install 118 energy storage system (ESS) units. An ESS is like a battery each one is 3.5 metres tall and together they will store 400 megaWatts of electricity from nearby solar farms, enough to power around 100,000 homes for a year. If approved the site will also feature a substation and cabling to receive energy and distribute it to the National Grid via cables, with some planned to run under Offas Dyke. The application was last amended on December 13, last year, giving Wrexham Councils Planning Committee eight weeks to make a decision. Having missed that deadline, the case will now go to before the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) inspectors, where both sides will present evidence before a final decision is made. The scheme has been opposed locally, with Esclusham Community Council raising concerns over the loss of high quality agricultural land the impact on local residents and flooding. The plan has also received objections from 426 nearby residents raising concerns over a possible increased fire risk and proximity to the A483, however there were no objections from statutory consultees including Cadw, the North Wales Fire Service and others that would prevent the plan going ahead. Wrexhams own planning officers have even recommended approval. The proposed development would play an important role in supporting the transition of the energy grid in Wales to one where the majority of energy is generated by low carbon and renewable sources, concluded Wrexham Councils interim Chief Economy and Planning Officer Matthew Phillips. As such, there is an overriding need for the development which is considered to outweigh the loss of BMV land within the site. Councillors will consider whether to formally oppose the plans with PEDW when Wrexhams Planning Committee meets on Monday, March 2. By Alec Doyle BBC Local Democracy Reporter Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com UPDATE March 2, 04:06 p.m. The Reno Police Department is responding after the Washoe County District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute Chemarion Cooks in connection with the Zephyr Pointe apartment shooting. In a statement, the Reno Police said: This is a tragic incident involving a difficult and complex investigation. Our detectives dedicated significant time and resources to thoroughly investigating this case and pursuing all available leads. We value our partnership with the District Attorneys Office and believe the conviction of Mr. Hewitt helps make our community safer. Successful prosecutions are the result of strong collaboration between law enforcement and our prosecutorial partners, and we remain committed to holding offenders accountable. The arrest of Mr. Cooks was lawful and was conducted during the course of this investigation. Cases of this nature are often challenging and multifaceted, and unfortunately, they do not always result in a conviction. However, our responsibility is to follow the evidence wherever it leads and take appropriate enforcement action based on the facts available at the time. The Reno Police Departments mission remains focused on enhancing public safety and enforcing the law as investigations develop and new information emerges. Any allegations made about the actions of our officers are taken seriously. Those matters are currently under review, and we are unable to comment further while those processes are ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case or any other Reno Police Department investigation is encouraged to contact us. Community cooperation is critical to helping us keep Reno safe. UPDATE March 2, 01:40 p.m. The Washoe County District Attorney's Office is not pursuing charges related to the arrest of the second suspect in the Zephyr Pointe apartment shooting that left seven people wounded - until more evidence is presented. The case is now referred back to the Reno Police Department for additional evidence. 20-year-old Chemarion Cooks was arrested for seven charges of attempted murder, five charges of battery with a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, and two charges of child abuse using a deadly weapon. 2 News Nevada obtained the no-issue memorandum on Monday morning. The DA's office says it is not pursuing the charges due to "a lack of sufficient and reliable evidence produced in the investigation by the Reno Police Department (RPD)." The memo shares multiple reasons why the investigation prevented prosecution. One of the first reasons was that none of the victims or witnesses could identify any of the suspects in the shooting. The other suspect, Frank Hewitt, was recently convicted of the shooting and is now awaiting his sentencing set for April 23. The video surveillance on the apartment's property showed two unidentified men. Officers believed those to be Hewitt and Cooks, but since the two were wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, the office feels they cannot properly identify them. The two suspects left in a car that the officer who first arrived at the shooting was unable to stop. The car is associated with a home that multiple people live in, including Hewitt and Cooks. In January 2024, detectives from the Regional Homicide and Gang Unit presented the investigation to the DA's office and said they believed Cooks and Hewitt were the two shooting suspects. The memo claims that officers knew they needed more evidence to prosecute a case. In terms of phone data, prosecutors say that only Hewitt's phone was placed near the apartments during the time of the shooting. Cooks' phone was placed in a location the memo redacts, but it wasn't near the shooting. However, the number Hewitt gave to investigators turned out to belong to someone else, so the evidence couldn't be used against Hewitt. The memo shares that the DA's Office wanted to meet with detectives, but the office says they declined and closed the case on July 24, 2024, until new evidence was presented. A few months later, a Regional Gang Unit detective got a willing confidential informant to wear a recording device and talk with Hewitt. Authorities say that on November 27, is when detectives received a recorded confession from Hewitt. The memo says that during the confession, Hewitt said he received a call from Cooks, agreed to go to the shooting, and then described what happened. Prosecutors say that Hewitt's call records do not show this call being made by Cooks' phone during that time frame around the shooting. The memo shares that the confession did not give them enough to prosecute Cooks. The DA's office says after Hewitt was found guilty, detectives reached out to the office to prosecute Cooks. The memo claims that no new evidence was presented from July 2024 to when Hewitt was found guilty on February 9, 2026. On February 19, 2026, officers wanted to discuss the case with the office. The memo says officers wanted to use Hewitt's statements about Cooks in the recorded confession, but the office says it was "inadmissible hearsay and could not be relied upon as usable evidence against Cooks." The memo says that the only way it could be used against Cooks was if Hewitt was willing to testify against him. The office says it needed new evidence to establish that Cooks was the second shooter or have evidence eliminating the other suspects as the second shooter. There are several redacted names in the memo who could be other possible suspects in the case. Prosecutors say that officers deemed that Cooks "most likely" committed the crime, but the office stresses it needs the case to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The memo also alleges that officers threatened that if the office did not charge Cooks after the arrest, they would go to the media to publicly blame the DA's office for a lack of prosecution on a serious case. Cooks has already been released. FEBRUARY 27, 2026, UPDATE: The investigation into a birthday party shooting more than two years ago that left seven people wounded has resulted in the arrest of a second suspect. On October 7, 2023, a party at the Zephyr Pointe Apartments in northwest Reno turned into chaos when two shooters opened fire into an apartment, sending seven people to the hospital, including two 15-year-olds. Everyone survived. On February 9, 2026, a jury found Frank Hewitt Jr. guilty of the shooting. He was found guilty of seven charges of attempted murder and battery with a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm. He was also found guilty of two charges of child abuse with a deadly weapon. Hewitt awaits another trial for a shooting at the Sparks Marina that left four people wounded in June 2024. Reno police have since arrested 20-year-old Chemarion Cooks for the gang-related shooting. So, what took so long to arrest the second suspect? According to 66-page probable cause documents obtained by 2 News Nevada, after the shooting, detectives were looking through surveillance footage near the apartments. Both Cooks and Hewitt were identified and seen wearing face masks around the time of the shooting. Documents also suggested that the video showed both Cooks and Hewitt discharging handguns. After further investigation, officers found a box of ammunition in a car with Cooks identification. Since Cooks was on juvenile probation for battery with the intent to commit robbery, they searched his home. Detectives say that during the search, they found a Sportsman Warehouse bag with a manual for a Glock handgun and empty ammunition boxes. On October 9, 2023, officers interviewed Cooks. They asked him about the manual and ammo boxes, and he said they were his cousin's. About three weeks later, officers collected DNA from Cooks. Detectives noticed he was visibly shaking during it. When RPD asked why, Cooks allegedly said, Because Im uncomfortable doing this. Officers continued to press Cooks for more information, but he reiterated that he was innocent and that he was not the shooter. After that, things go silent in the documents for about a year. On January 13, 2025, detectives obtained a warrant to look through Cooks search history. Some searches allegedly included gun stores near me and can I buy a handgun at 18? The documents show nine pages of relevant search results surrounding guns. During the investigation, Hewitt gave a recorded confession to a person wearing a hidden wire and camera. In that conversation, officers say Hewitt positively identified Cooks as the second shooter who orchestrated the shooting, and said that he joined without hesitation. About a year later, Cooks had a recorded conversation with someone in jail. That persons name is redacted from court documents. In the call, officers say Cooks asked if federal authorities were investigating him and questioned if recorded calls could be used against him. Those calls were the final domino to fall that officers say gave them probable cause to arrest Cooks. In the interview following his arrest, Cooks profusely denied any involvement before using his right to remain silent, where the interview ended. Cooks is due for a bail hearing on March 3, and Hewitt is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23. Reno Police says this case is still under investigation. ORIGINAL ARTICLE (JANUARY 8, 2025): 19-year-old Frank Hewitt Jr. is accused of the Sparks Marina shooting that happened in June that injured four people. He was also arrested for the Zephyr Pointe Apartment shooting in northwest Reno that injured seven people last year. He was arrested in both cases in December. Hewitt is facing 25 total charges between the two cases, 11 of which are attempted murder. Police believe the two shootings are connected and may be gang-related. However, the Reno Police Department says many of the victims hurt in the apartment shooting are not gang-affiliated. "This was a very difficult case," said Chief Kathryn Nance, Reno Police Department. "Many detectives worked day and night just so we could get to this point." According to court documents, on October 6, 2023, an RPD officer was dispatched to a report of a party with about 20 people at the apartment complex. The officer heard gunshots and saw two people wearing all black clothing and face masks get into a Honda Accord. The officer tried to follow the suspects, but they drove away. Seven people were ultimately shot, but no one died. Investigators later found the suspect's car at another apartment complex and saw him get into another car there as well. That car was stopped for a traffic violation a day after the shooting. Officers arrested Hewitt for resisting arrest and misidentifying himself. Detectives say that while interviewing Hewitt, he contradicted himself multiple times. Officers then took photos and DNA swabs of Hewitt, but he was not booked on the shooting charges. When asking the Reno Police as to why, they said they have to make sure they have proper evidence. "What we really want to do is make sure we have the most solid case possible when we present that to the District Attorney's Office to ensure that the person stays in custody and we know there isn't more evidence outstanding," Chief Nance said. For more than a year, RPD detectives tracked the guns they believed were used during the shooting. Using cell towers, they say they found that Hewitt's phone was near the location of the shooting. They also used two of what the documents called "Confidential Human Services (CHS)" for this investigation. The first CHS, officers claim, was able to confirm the purchase of the guns; the second met with Hewitt with a wire and was able to get a verbal confession. Since Hewitt was already arrested by Sparks Police Department earlier in December, Reno Police arrested him on additional charges while he was in custody. Chief Nance says that both Sparks and Reno Police Departments have been working together to address gang issues in our area. "Sparks Police Department and Reno Police Department have officers that work together on a crime gun initiative that help us track extend shell casings or fire arms used in incidents and try and develop leads and develop an arrest on that so we have worked really closely with them in our Regional Gang Unit," she said. Chief Nance says they are still looking into other suspects in the case. Hewitt's next hearing is scheduled for January 8. He has a preliminary hearing on February 6th. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. Satellite photos from Airbus showed that the site was heavily bombed. His death at his office showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance, state TV said. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump wrote in a social media post. He warned of heavy and pinpoint bombing that he said would continue throughout the week and even beyond, part of a lethal assault the U.S. has justified as necessary to disable the country's nuclear capabilities. Iran, which responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, warned of retribution, with the Cabinet saying that this great crime will never go unanswered. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its most intense offensive operation ever targeting Israeli and American bases. The attack opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, carried the potential for retaliatory violence and a wider war, and represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor and because the 86-year-old supreme leader had final say on all major policies during his decades in power. He led Irans clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy. Iran quickly formed a council to govern the country until a new supreme leader is chosen. State media also reported the deaths of the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei in airstrikes. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over as the Guards top commander after Israel killed its past commander in the 12-day war last June. The adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had long been a figurehead within Irans security establishment, IRNA said. As reports trickled out about Khamenei's death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, cheering from rooftops, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. Mourners raised a black mourning flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. The Iranian government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Citing unidentified sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency, believed to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild. Strikes were planned for months The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administration's success in incapacitating the country's nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the U.S. military reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Israel, for its part, said it had killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the countrys defense minister, as well as the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei. Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do, Trump said. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and wounded in the strikes. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of Khamenei, the second leader of the Islamic Republic who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli officials confirmed the death, followed by Trump. Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance. Tensions soared as US built up military forces Tensions have soared in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program while the country struggled with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trumps decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons. Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. The Magen David Adom rescue service said Saturday night that a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in an Iranian missile attack. At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defense systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Irans state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of the Lamerd region, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel and US Israel said the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots struck hundreds of targets across Iran, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Trump acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. He said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, saying members would be given immunity or face certain death if they did not. Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but it maintained its right to enrich uranium. Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed. Effects could extend to markets and other countries The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama, and Muharraq city by drone strikes and debris from an intercepted missile. Kuwaits civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Kuwaits state-run news agency said three troops were injured by shrapnel from strikes that hit Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Lidman reported from in Tel Aviv. Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Farnoush Amiri in New York and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report. This story has been corrected to show that the IRNA news agency reported 40 people were killed in the school strike, without specifying students. AceShowbiz - Netflix has demonstrated a keen interest in British television, backing acclaimed projects like Baby Reindeer and Adolescence, along with the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man. Among these successes, one notable British crime drama that found new life on the streamer is Top Boy. Its revival was significantly influenced by a prominent musical figure, which played a crucial role in bringing the show back to screens. Created by Ronan Bennett, Top Boy first premiered on Channel 4 in 2011 with a short four-episode season. The series is set in Hackney, London, and follows the complex partnership between Dushane, played by Ashley Walters, and Sully, portrayed by Kane Robinson (also known as Kano), a well-known UK grime artist. Together, they run a drug enterprise from the Summerhouse council estate tower block. The initial season was met with critical acclaim and holds an impressive near-100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In 2013, the show returned for a second season that was also well-received by critics and fans alike. Despite the positive reception and growing fanbase, Channel 4 decided not to continue the show beyond its second season, leaving viewers with an unresolved cliffhanger. One high-profile fan eager to see the story concluded was rap superstar Drake. His enthusiasm for the series led him to advocate for its revival, reaching out directly to Netflix on its behalf. This intervention set the stage for Dushane and Sullys story to continue, despite how abruptly it had ended. The revival of Top Boy owes much to Drakes persistence. After the cancellation in 2014, it took several years before a new season could be produced, largely due to the rappers efforts. Speaking with BAFTA Guru about the shows comeback, Ronan Bennett admitted, "When 'Top Boy' was canceled, it was one of those ones I wasn't able to shrug off. It meant too much. When I heard that Drake was interested, I didn't pay it a lot of mind, partly because I didn't know who he was." Eventually, negotiations succeeded, and in 2019, Top Boy returned, this time reaching a global audience who were encountering Dushane and Sully for the first time. AceShowbiz - Nick Reiner has formally entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner. The plea was entered in Los Angeles Superior Court. The 32-year-old faces two counts of murder and could potentially receive the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted. Attorney Kimberly Greene, a deputy public defender with nearly two decades of experience in Southern California, is now representing Nick Reiner. She took over the case after the defendant's first lawyer, Alan Jackson, stepped down on January 7, 2026. During the hearing, Nick Reiner spoke only to enter his plea, with no discussion of his mental state. He is being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. Nick Reiner has previously been open about his struggles, detailing a long battle with drug addiction. He revealed he attended 18 rehabilitation facilities between the ages of 15 and 19. On the podcast Recovery Rocks, he stated, "I was insane," describing his experience with addiction. The bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner were discovered in their Brentwood, California home on December 14, 2025. Nick Reiner was arrested that same night after his sister found them. District Attorney Nathan Hochman called Rob Reiner "one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation," adding, "We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken." AceShowbiz - Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi has shared a difficult health update, confirming a diagnosis of stage one cervical cancer. The Jersey Shore alum revealed the news in a TikTok video, explaining that a cone biopsy confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that starts in glandular cells. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi admitted the diagnosis was "obviously not the news that I was hoping for," but expressed gratitude that it was detected at an early, treatable stage. "But also not the worst news because they caught it so early," she said. The reality star explained she had been dealing with abnormal Pap smear results for several years before the diagnosis. She urged her followers not to delay their own health checkups. "Instead of just putting it off because I didn't want to go and it hurt and I was scaredno. I just went and did it and it was there," Snooki shared. "Cancer's in there and it's only stage one and it's curable. Well, if I do all the things right, it can be curable or gone." A positive aspect of her cone biopsy was that it showed the cancerous cells had not yet invaded deeper into her cervix. However, she noted that her doctors informed her adenocarcinoma "is more aggressive when it comes to spreading throughout your body and the lymph nodes." For the next steps, Snooki will undergo a PET scan to determine if the cancer has spread. Based on those results, she will decide on her treatment course. "After that, I'm gonna probably get the hysterectomy," she explained, referring to the surgical removal of the uterus. "Because the oncologist said you can either do chemo, radiation or the hysterectomy. Obviously, I think the smart choice here is the hysterectomy." Reflecting on the unexpected turn her year has taken, she stated, "So 2026 is not panning out how I wanted it to, but also could be worse. Could be very much worse." The mother of three, who shares children with husband Jionni LaValle, expressed deep thanks for the support from her fans. "I love you so much," she said. "Everything's going to be fine. I'm going to tackle this and get it done. I'm gonna continue to be vulnerable and let you guys know what's going on, and that's that." Snooki first alerted followers to a potential issue in a January TikTok, where she said she was "terrified" about an upcoming cone biopsy but emphasized the importance of addressing it. "It's scary," she said at the time, "but we have to get it done because cervical cancer is nothing to joke about." AceShowbiz - Dave Grohl has shared the emotional complexity of Foo Fighters continuing after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, while also addressing the recent departure of drummer Josh Freese. In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1, Grohl reflected on the profound loss of Hawkins, who passed away in March 2022. "We had Taylor Hawkins as our drummer for 25 years and, beyond being an amazing drummer, he was this incredible spirit. He was this incredible human being and he was our brother. He was our best friend," Grohl said. "So, continuing after Taylor was really complicated, not just for us, but for any drummer that was going to come in to like, you know, fill his shoes." The interview took place on what would have been Hawkins' birthday, a day that remains significant for the band. "It's Taylor's birthday today. And so, we wake up in the morning and everybody just texts about how much we miss him and how the world's not the same without him, but we still feel him very much," Grohl continued. "We always talk about him every fucking day. In everything we do we want to have that energy - we want to have that energy for Taylor." Following Hawkins' death, Josh Freese joined Foo Fighters as touring drummer in 2023. However, his tenure ended abruptly in May 2025. Grohl broke his silence on the split, explaining the band's collective decision after taking a break in 2024. "In those six or seven months, as a band, we talked about what to do next, a new direction, and thought, 'OK, let's call Josh and let him know that we are going to move on with a different drummer'," Grohl said, noting the choice "didn't happen overnight." "We called, as a band, all of us called, it wasn't just me," he emphasized. "Basically, we called Josh, and were like, 'Hey man, that was awesome. That was such a blast, thank you so much, but we are going to move on and find another drummer.'" Grohl stated the band did not make a formal announcement at the time and referenced Freese's own comment that the music didn't fully resonate with him. "I think Josh said it best when he said that he didn't feel our music really resonated with him, and that's really important." Freese has since returned to work with Nine Inch Nails, swapping places with Ilan Rubin, who is now the drummer for Foo Fighters. The conversation coincided with the announcement of Foo Fighters' twelfth studio album, 'Your Favorite Toy', set for release on April 24. Grohl described the upcoming record as being stacked with "noisy, loud bangers" that recall the sound of the band's "old days." The album will feature last year's single 'Asking For A Friend'. Foo Fighters have extensive touring plans, including UK and European stadium shows, North American dates through the summer and autumn, and an Australia and New Zealand leg scheduled for 2026 and 2027. Veracity Research Co., LLC allegedly failed to provide employees with legally required meal and rest breaks throughout their shifts. This additionally resulted in allegations of underpayment of wages to employees since their time was not being accurately accounted for. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** ORANGE, Calif., Feb. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Veracity Research Co, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Veracity Research Co., LLC class action lawsuit, Case No 30-2025-01533351-CU-OE-CXC, is currently pending in the Orange County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed According to the lawsuit filed, Veracity Research Co., LLC allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, (f) failed to pay sick wages, and (g) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Allegedly, Defendant required Plaintiffs to work from time to time interrupted by work assignments while clocked out from what should have been Plaintiffs' off-duty meal break. Resulting in Defendant rounding the meal period time to avoid paying penalties to Plaintiffs. As a result of Plaintiffs' rigorous work schedules, employees' were from time to time unable to take thirty (30) minutes off duty meal breaks and were not fully relieved of duty for their meal periods. Employees were also allegedly required to perform work as ordered by Defendant for more than five (5) hours during some shifts without receiving a meal break. Defendant allegedly violated Cal. Lab. Code 1194, 1197, and 1197.1 . For more information about the class action lawsuit against Veracity Research Co., LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact: Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Karma in Indian Politics: The Cycle of Accusation, Power, and Collapse 2 Indian politics has perfected a brutal art the art of manufacturing morality, weaponizing outrage, and then pretending innocence when the same weapons are turned inward. What we are witnessing over the past decade is not just a contest of ideologies or governance models. It is the exposure of a cruel, cyclical system where power is pursued through public humiliation, narrative manipulation, and institutional combat. Every party that ascends the throne does so on the shoulders of accusation, and every party that falls cries vendetta. This is not ideology; this is a revolving door of political karma. When the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh was in power, a nationwide moral spectacle was staged in the name of anti-corruption. Anna Hazare was projected as a modern-day Gandhi fasting, speaking softly, wrapped in moral symbolism. The message was simple and emotionally explosive: the country had been looted. Television channels amplified every slogan. Social media, then a growing political weapon, converted suspicion into certainty. Behind that moral theatre stood sharp political operators, most notably Arvind Kejriwal. Files were displayed before cameras. Complex policy decisions were reduced to punchlines. Allegations became prime-time verdicts. The target was clear: discredit the Congress ecosystem entirely. Sheila Dikshit was relentlessly attacked. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were dragged into a daily cycle of ridicule and suspicion. The branding of Rahul Gandhi as Pappu was not spontaneous mockery; it was a calculated erosion of legitimacy, repeated until it entered public vocabulary. Simultaneously, Baba Ramdev entered the stage promising to bring back black money. Then came Narendra Modi with electrifying rallies and sweeping assurances that illicit wealth would return to citizens. The emotional pitch worked. Anger was consolidated. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a historic mandate. The anti-corruption movement had achieved its political outcome. But this is where the cruelty of Indian politics reveals itself most starkly. Allegations that dominate headlines do not always translate into convictions in courtrooms. Legal processes move differently from television debates. Over time, several high-profile cases that were projected as decisive scandals did not end with dramatic punishments. Yet reputations had already been damaged. Elections had already been won. Narratives had already reshaped public opinion. In politics, accusation often achieves what evidence later cannot undo. The anti-corruption agitation also gave birth to the Aam Aadmi Party. Arvind Kejriwal, once the accuser, became the establishment in Delhi. The outsider became Chief Minister. The system he condemned became the system he governed. And then the wheel began to turn again. Investigative agencies became central to political battles. Cases were registered. Arrests were made. AAP leaders described it as vendetta; the BJP described it as accountability. The script felt familiar because it was familiar. The language once used against Congress was now being used against AAP. The same moral intensity. The same media framing. The same public shaming. By 2025, the BJP reclaimed power in Delhi. By 2026, AAP leaders secured bail in major cases and began portraying themselves as victims of political persecution. Demands for apology surfaced. Appeals to democratic fairness were made. But a haunting question lingered: when Congress leaders were relentlessly targeted, who apologized when courts did not deliver the apocalyptic conclusions that were predicted? When reputations were dragged through mud for years, who restored them? The cruelty of Indian politics lies not merely in competition, but in the normalization of character assassination as a legitimate electoral strategy. Allegations are amplified beyond proportion. Social media ecosystems are mobilized to create permanent perceptions. Institutions are drawn into political narratives. The public is conditioned to see every opponent not as a rival, but as a criminal-in-waiting. Today, even the BJP faces rising discomfort among sections of voters over economic strain, centralization of authority, and governance challenges. Its ideological plank of Hindutva continues to energize a committed base, but fatigue and skepticism are visible in other quarters. The irony is unmistakable: the very strategy of relentless narrative control that once dismantled Congress is now scrutinized by a more digitally aware electorate. Political permanence is an illusion; dominance is temporary. This is not about declaring any party innocent or guilty. Courts exist for that purpose. This is about recognizing the pattern: outrage is weaponized to win power; once in power, the same instruments are justified as governance tools; when out of power, they are condemned as authoritarian misuse. Every party claims moral superiority in opposition and procedural legitimacy in government. Every party speaks of democracy when cornered and strength when dominant. And the voter? The voter watches this cycle unfold with growing exhaustion. There is anger, yes but also disgust. Not because politics is adversarial, but because it often feels performative and vindictive. The language is extreme, the accusations dramatic, the promises grand. Yet accountability rarely matches rhetoric. The cruel face of Indian politics is not a single party. It is the system of mutual destruction that all major players have, at different times, embraced. Congress once enjoyed near-unchallenged authority. It declined. The BJP rose with unprecedented dominance. It now faces its own tests. AAP emerged as a moral alternative. It too became entangled in the very structures it criticized. The wheel turns without sentiment. Karma in politics is not mystical revenge; it is structural inevitability. If you normalize public humiliation as strategy, you will one day be humiliated. If you reduce governance debates to criminal insinuations, you will one day defend yourself against insinuations. If you build power through anger, you will eventually confront anger. The deeper tragedy is institutional erosion. When investigative agencies, courts, media, and digital platforms become intertwined with political narratives, public trust weakens. Democracy survives not merely through elections but through credibility. And credibility is fragile. So the final question is not whether one party deserves sympathy or another deserves criticism. The real question is whether Indian politics can move beyond this cycle of accusation and retaliation. Can it mature into a system where evidence precedes outrage, where dissent is not equated with criminality, where victory does not require annihilation of the opponents dignity? Or will we continue watching leaders bite at each others heels while citizens oscillate between hope and cynicism? The cruel face of Indian politics is not hidden. It is visible in every rally, every televised debate, every trending hashtag. Power is pursued with moral fervor and defended with institutional force. But the electorate remembers. And in democracy, memory is the most unpredictable force of all. Sena (UBT) Calls Kejriwals Discharge a Slap on Vendetta Politics, Demands Action Against Probe Agencies 2 The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday described Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwals discharge in the excise policy case as a slap on political vendetta and demanded action against those who allegedly fabricated charges against the former Delhi chief minister. In a strongly worded editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party claimed the case was politically motivated and alleged that BJP leaders, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and central probe agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) acted in tandem to destabilise the AAP government. A Delhi court on Friday discharged Kejriwal, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the excise policy case. The court observed that it did not find any overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the policy and criticised the CBI for failing to substantiate its allegations. Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, and later by the CBI, had spent 155 days in jail before being granted bail. The Sena (UBT) editorial termed the verdict a significant setback to what it called a politically driven prosecution, asserting that the charges lacked merit and that no criminal conspiracy had been established. It alleged that raids and arrests were carried out to portray the AAP government as corrupt ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The party further claimed that central agencies had tightened a noose around Kejriwal, Sisodia and other ministers, and said the courts decision had now exposed weaknesses in the case. The editorial demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah apologise to Kejriwal and called for action against officials involved in the investigation. It also alleged that central agencies have been misused over the past decade to target political opponents. Referring to Maharashtra, the party cited cases involving leaders such as Chhagan Bhujbal, Anil Deshmukh, Nawab Malik and Sanjay Raut, claiming that prolonged incarcerations and investigations were used as political pressure tactics. The Sena (UBT) also criticised the judiciary, alleging that it had failed to adequately curb what it described as excesses by central agencies and violations of democratic norms. English News Chinese electronic products win favor with European consumers Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Fevrier 2026 Leveraging the strong manufacturing supply chain in the Pearl River Delta region, SmallRig has developed a "fast manufacturing" capability characterized by small batches, high frequency, multiple categories, and rapid iteration. From project initiation to warehousing, some products can be completed in as short as 21 days. In 2025, the brand launched more than 600 upgraded products, an average of 1.6 new products per day, and currently offers over 1,000 products on the market. By Lyu Shaogang, People's Daily, He Qian, People's Daily Online On London's Oxford Street, one of the busiest shopping areas in the UK, pedestrians frequently pause to capture moments with their smartphones. A closer look reveals that many of these devices are from Chinese brands. Inside a retail store operated by a British telecommunications carrier, several customers were browsing at an HONOR smartphone counter. "This model was launched in May last year. It features advanced AI functions and performs very well in photography and videography. It's quite popular with consumers," said an assistant sales manager surnamed Kevin at the store. With nearly four years of experience in mobile phone sales, Kevin has been a witness to the development of the HONOR brand in the UK. "In the past, customers questioned what HONOR represented. Now, our phones have become the first choice for many buyers," he said. Since entering the UK market in late 2021, HONOR has launched multiple premium models priced between 700 ($945) and 1,700, all targeting the high-end segment. According to Zhang Bin, CEO of HONOR UK, the market presents two distinctive characteristics: high-end models account for 70% of the market, and carrier channels contribute to another 70%. The market also features strong brand loyalty, robust premium demand, and highly concentrated distribution channels, Zhang added. Addressing these dynamics, HONOR prioritizes foldable smartphones featuring lightweight designs, enhanced performance, and extended battery life. "Compared with similar products, these foldable phones are thinner, lighter, and more stylish, which attracts many consumers to inquire about them," Kevin said. At the same time, HONOR has worked closely with telecom operators to roll out bundled promotions combining smartphones and tablets. At present, its products are available in more than 2,600 offline retail outlets across the UK. "Market cultivation requires patience and long-term commitment," Zhang Bin noted. Consumers need time to build trust; operators need time to verify cooperation models; and brands need time to gain reputation. To enhance its brand image, the company has continuously optimized product design, partnership models, and customer services. For example, in response to Europe's multiple-operator and multi-frequency environment, HONOR devices ensure full-spectrum 5G coverage to guarantee stable signals; the company has also worked to address operators' inventory concerns and streamlined after-sales services by replacing multi-step call transfers with one-touch direct connections. According to Gao Xiang, marketing manager at HONOR, the company has expanded its business to nearly 30 European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, and Spain. In addition to smartphones, its laptops, tablets, and smart watches have also entered international markets. "Our supply chain includes not only outstanding Chinese companies but also many partners from Europe and the United States," Gao said. "We have also established research and development centers in countries such as Japan and France, enabling a globally distributed and deeply integrated innovation system." Beyond smartphones and tablets, a number of niche Chinese electronic products have also found popularity overseas. SmallRig, an imaging accessories brand under Shenzhen Leqi Innovation Co., Ltd. in south China's Guangdong province, has successfully entered the European market with a range of products designed for diverse imaging scenarios. Europe now accounts for over 30 percent of SmallRig's global revenue. Its products, covering tripods, selfie sticks, batteries, lighting equipment, microphones, and more, are available in more than 300 photography equipment stores and supermarkets across over 30 European countries. Zhou Yang, founder of the SmallRig, said his entry into the imaging accessories sector was inspired by a specific request from a European user. In 2010, while working in cross-border trade in Shenzhen, Guangdong, Zhou was asked by a German photography enthusiast to find an accessory that could securely fix a power supply to photography equipment. After searching extensively through electronics markets and factories in Shenzhen without success, he decided to develop one himself. "If I couldn't find it, I decided to create it mysel," Zhou said. That decision marked the beginning of his first customized imaging accessory business for overseas markets. Since 2017, the company has collaborated with more than 1,300 photographers to develop over 2,700 customized imaging accessory products. Leveraging the strong manufacturing supply chain in the Pearl River Delta region, SmallRig has developed a "fast manufacturing" capability characterized by small batches, high frequency, multiple categories, and rapid iteration. From project initiation to warehousing, some products can be completed in as short as 21 days. In 2025, the brand launched more than 600 upgraded products, an average of 1.6 new products per day, and currently offers over 1,000 products on the market. Zhou noted that user diversity is taken into account from the very beginning of product development. For example, tripod heights and handle ergonomics are optimized to suit the body characteristics of European users, while battery technologies capable of withstanding extreme cold are applied to meet the needs in Northern Europe. "We believe the European market will continue to provide strong momentum for the brand's long-term development," Zhou said. Dans la meme rubrique : < > China implements measures to counter Japan's accelerating remilitarization Professor helps high-altitude communities grow fresh vegetables year-round China's total power use exceeds 10 trillion kWh in 2025 Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News 'Diplomatic surge' that highlights China's resolve, responsibility Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Fevrier 2026 No matter how the international situation may change, China remains committed to the path of peaceful development and values the primacy of harmony and harmony within diversity. Partnering with China means embracing opportunities, and together contributing positive energy for peace and development to the world. By He Yin, People's Daily On Jan. 29, Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was on an official visit to China. This marked the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years and was widely seen by the international community as an important step by the UK to seek a new chapter in relations with China. As the world today is undergoing both changes and turbulence, China and the UK, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies, should enhance dialogue and cooperation in order to maintain world peace and stability, while promoting the economy and people's livelihoods of both countries. Over the past year and more, under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, China-UK relations have steadily stabilized and improved. At the meeting, Xi outlined the direction for further advancing bilateral ties, from enhancing exchanges to jointly shouldering global responsibilities, and emphasized the need to translate the promising potential of cooperation into remarkable accomplishments. Starmer noted that it is vital for the UK and China to build a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership with mutual respect and trust, especially in a volatile and fragile world. History and reality show that as long as both sides adopt a broad historical perspective, rise above differences, and respect each other, China-UK relations and cooperation can indeed open up new horizons, bringing benefits to the peoples of both countries and to the world as a whole. Since the beginning of the year, leaders from several countries, including Ireland, Canada, Finland, and the UK, have visited China in succession. International media have described this as a wave of "diplomatic engagement" centered on China. With the global situation growing ever more unsettled and the world facing the risk of sliding toward a "ruleless" era, various parties are once again "rediscovering" China and placing greater emphasis on dialogue and cooperation to jointly address global challenges. This should not be simply interpreted as an "impulsive response" to changes in the international environment. Rather, it underscores the consistent resolve, sense of responsibility, and confidence that China has demonstrated as a responsible major country amid profound global transformations. China's role as a "source of momentum" for mutually beneficial cooperation has become more prominent. During his visit to China, Starmer led a delegation of more than 60 important representatives from Britain's business and cultural sectors, which demonstrated the strong desire across British society to tap into opportunities in China. According to Sky News, China is already the UK's third-largest trading partner, supporting 370,000 jobs across the country. The China-Britain Business Council recently stated that, for British companies, China is key to enhancing their global competitiveness. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo likewise noted that Finnish companies have a strong interest in cooperation with China, adding that his visit to China was intended to open the door to opportunities for Finnish businesses. At a time when de-globalization and trade protectionism are on the rise, opportunities for cooperation have become a scarce resource. As China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), it is steering high-quality development through sound scientific planning, steadfastly expanding high-standard opening up, and offering the world a "list of opportunities," welcoming enterprises from all countries to dive into the vast ocean of China's market. This not only helps all parties enhance the resilience of development, but also anchors the right course toward building an open world economy amid the headwinds of the times. China's role as a stabilizing force within the international order has also grown more pronounced. In recent years, the surge in unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics has dealt severe blows to the established international system. International law is only effective when universally respected, with major powers leading by example; otherwise, the world risks reverting to a state where might makes right. This is precisely the resolve and responsibility that the international community sees in China today. China champions equality, the rule of law, cooperation, and good faith, and firmly upholds the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. It practices genuine multilateralism and works to build a more just and equitable global governance system, contributing to an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. In its interactions with other countries, China does not demand that other countries choose sides. Even when bilateral relations encounter difficulties, China consistently advocates seeking common ground while shelving differences and focusing on cooperation, striving for harmony in diversity and shared progress. The growing recognition of China's ideas and role by the international community further shows that what a turbulent world truly needs is not the logic of power or narrow calculations of interest, but a firm commitment to standing on the right side of history and on the side of human progress. No matter how the international situation may change, China remains committed to the path of peaceful development and values the primacy of harmony and harmony within diversity. Partnering with China means embracing opportunities, and together contributing positive energy for peace and development to the world. Dans la meme rubrique : < > China implements measures to counter Japan's accelerating remilitarization Professor helps high-altitude communities grow fresh vegetables year-round China's total power use exceeds 10 trillion kWh in 2025 Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Last November, the German government extended the exemption of electric trucks from tolls -- a multibillion-euro, indirect subsidy for a nearly nonexistent market segment and an additional burden on German taxpayers. In the transport sector, the same pattern repeats itself as with private cars: politics is trying to impose ideology over market forces. Advertisement The climate-driven transformation of Germanys economy unfolds in countless incremental steps, through administrative acts and executive directives, largely under the public radar. Last November, the Bundestag passed the so-called Fourth Act to Amend Toll Regulations, which extends the toll exemption for zero-emission trucks for another six years. The EU Parliament grants the national legislator this extension under the Eurovignette Directive -- with the stated aim, in political jargon, of scaling up toward an emissions-free transport sector. In reality, the share of electric trucks in Germanys transport fleet remains under 0.4 percent, roughly 3,000 vehicles out of some 850,000 registered trucks. Advertisement The political calculation is clear: competitive conditions for conventionally powered trucks will gradually worsen, while incentives to switch to a growing E-truck fleet will increase. This strategy falls under the concept of emissions-free restructuring of the transport sector, initially ignoring technical limitations, range issues, and charging challenges. The toll exemption for battery-electric trucks also implies fiscal losses -- gaps that taxpayers ultimately have to cover in other ways. Toll revenues generated roughly 7 billion last year -- costs fully passed on to consumers. A simple example illustrates the scale: a 40-ton E-truck saves 30,000 to 45,000 annually due to the toll exemption, based on a rate of 0.35 per kilometer and an assumed annual mileage of 100,000 km. Advertisement In relative terms, this sharply raises the purchase cost of conventional trucks, incentivizing a gradual switch to electric models. Indirectly, these figures give an idea of what electrifying Germanys 850,000-truck transport fleet could cost. Astronomical, grotesque -- and just as with the heating law, it seems likely that reality will quietly force this economic madness to disappear into the vault of ideological grandiosity. The transformation strategy is further reinforced through additional subsidies. To date, the federal government has offered bonuses of up to 160,000 per E-truck, or 80 percent of the extra cost compared to diesel trucks. Whether these incentives will continue given tight budgets remains uncertain. Meanwhile, E-truck operators enjoy electricity tax reductions, while operators of conventional vehicles are additionally burdened with CO2 certificate costs. Advertisement Everything is being done to force a structural shift toward zero-emission fleets. Taxpayers are harnessed to the ideological cart, and the entire existing subsidy framework is leveraged. Here, we see a blueprint of political control in the spirit of the Green Deal: adjustments to subsidy programs follow the systems logic -- more funds, more incentives, more regulation -- regardless of the economic collateral damage already caused. Germanys conventional transport sector is increasingly squeezed by Brussels climate regulation. Starting this year, large diesel trucks face an extra 720 per year under CO2 levies. The so-called AFIR regulation provides the government with another tool to fund zero-emission fleets by 2040. Electric vehicles continue to receive subsidies, while diesel operators face potential penalties. Advertisement Next year, the next financial hammer will hit. The EU carbon trading system enters a new phase, now including transportation and industrial fuels, while E-alternatives benefit from special discounts. With virtually no fiscal constraints, Brussels and Berlin will pour billions into charging infrastructure in the coming years, including via the LIFE-IP program. Berlin and Brussels are unleashing a firework of incentives to scale a nearly nonexistent E-truck market. The consequences -- increased burdens on taxpayers and the near-elimination of productive private-sector segments from international competition -- play no meaningful role in the political calculus of green central planning. Advertisement The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) last year estimated the cost of Germanys green transformation by 2049 -- assuming the economy does not collapse before then -- at 4.8--5.4 trillion, 1.3 to 1.5 times annual GDP, just for the energy transition, grid expansion, and imports. 2--2.3 trillion for energy imports, 1.2 trillion for grid costs, and 1.1--1.5 trillion for new generation capacity. Last week, Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that there is essentially no turning back. In a podcast with WELT journalists Robin Alexander and Dagmar Rosenfeld, he praised the success of the CO2 trading scheme -- a redistribution mechanism that channels productive capital from functioning German industrial sectors into political control. How long the erosion of Germanys economic productivity can continue without severe social consequences is uncertain. Yet the fact that the public sector creates 150,000--200,000 new jobs annually suggests politics is trying to cover the economic distortions with more taxpayer money. The DIHK study New Paths for the Energy Transition (Plan B) concluded that the current transformation path is unsustainable for both companies and households. Its implicit call for a technology-neutral approach did not propose abolishing CO2 trading or other fundamentally flawed regulations. Criticism of Germanys green transformation, regardless of origin, largely operates within the existing subsidy framework. We face a system that has become a state within a state, rewarding rent-seekers and effectively eliminating the principles of technology-neutral competition in free markets. Environmental protection and prosperity, however, can only be reconciled through market coordination. There is no more democratic mechanism than allocating scarce resources according to the choices of free, sovereign consumers. Image: Linie29 I was raised to believe that democracy came with duties as well as rights. You voted. You accepted the outcome. You argued your case, made your peace with defeat when it came, and waited for the next election. Politics was competitive, sometimes bruising, but it was not meant to be an existential threat. The oppositions role was to hold the government to account, not to weaken the country for political gain. Advertisement That older civic instinct now feels rather quaint. In theory, the idea of the loyal opposition remains central to democratic life. But in practice, it is disappearing before our eyes. We still have opposition parties, of course. What we increasingly lack is: loyalty to anything beyond political allegiance. Advertisement Recent events have made this vividly clear. The State of the Union address, where political rivals once observed a shared civic ritual, has now descended into open contempt. Shouting from the chamber, orchestrated walkouts and the conspicuous absence of large numbers of opposition members were not acts of principled dissent, but of deliberate delegitimization. More telling still was the decision to stage a competing event at the same time as the address was being delivereda symbolic rejection not just of the speaker, but of the institution itself. This is no longer opposition in any meaningful constitutional sense. It is a shift toward political sabotage, where the objective is not to challenge governance, but to undermine the framework in which governance occurs. The phrase His Majestys Loyal Opposition emerged in Britain for a reason. It captured a delicate balance: one could oppose the government vigorously while remaining loyal to the constitutional order, the nation, and the legitimacy of the democratic process itself. The opposition was not an enemy of the state. It was an alternative government-in-waiting, tasked with scrutiny, restraint, and the discipline of knowing it might soon inherit the same institutions it was criticizing. Advertisement You could fight fiercely over policy, but you did not burn down the house you might one day be asked to lead. In healthier eras, opposition meant holding power accountable. It meant asking hard questions, exposing incompetence, preventing abuses, and offering a competing vision. It did not mean opposing everything reflexively. A loyal opposition would support measures that were clearly in the national interest, disaster relief, security concerns, major infrastructure, basic governance, even if the governing party received the credit. That was part of democratic maturity: the country came first, political advantage second. Advertisement So, what happenedand when did the watchdog become a wrecking ball? The decline did not occur overnight. It has been a long, slow erosion, accelerated over the past few decades by forces that reward permanent outrage over sober accountability. Advertisement One of the most obvious changes is that politics has shifted from being about policy to being about identity. In the past, you could disagree with your opponents ideas and still recognize them as a legitimate participant in the democratic processarguing over taxation, welfare, foreign affairs, or immigration without treating the other side as an enemy. Today, disagreement is increasingly framed as moral failure. The other side is not merely mistaken, but dangerousno longer simply misguided, but illegitimate. Once politics becomes about tribal identity, losing is not an inconvenience, it is an existential threat. And if every election feels like the end of the republic, then no outcome can ever be accepted with grace. Democracy depends on the losing side accepting that, We lost, we will regroup, and we will have another chance. When that belief collapses, elections become less a process of renewal, and more a battlefield of delegitimization. Advertisement The mainstream media has played a major part in this disintegration by pouring petrol on the fire. Mid-century democracies were shaped by a limited number of mainstream news institutions, often restrained by professional norms and a shared sense of national cohesion. Today we live in an ecosystem of 24-hour commentary, algorithmic outrage, and viral incentives. Calm analysis does not travel. Fury does. The politician who speaks carefully is ignored. The politician who accuses loudly is amplified. Outrage is profitable. Restraint is not. Delegitimization is no longer only confined to domestic headlines. Increasingly, politicians carry these narratives abroad, travelling to international conferences, summits, and media platforms to denounce their opponents before foreign audiences. Instead of presenting a united front in the national interest, they seek validation overseas by portraying rival leaders as uniquely dangerous or immoral. The result is that partisan warfare is no longer merely internal; it becomes internationalized, amplified, and harder to contain. It is no longer enough to argue that a policy is flawed: one must suggest it is malicious. It is no longer sufficient to say the government is incompetent: one must imply it is tyrannical. Politics has become theatre, with the opposition permanently auditioning for attention rather than preparing for governance. The rise of the career politician has only deepened this dynamic. In theory, elected office was meant to be temporary. However, for many, it has become a lifelong career. A politician who wants to remain in office for decades is not incentivized to repair institutions. They must survive the next news cycle. That survival often depends less on serving the nation and more on appeasing the partisan base. In earlier generations, politicians frequently had relationships across the aisle. They lived in the same communities, attended the same civic events and belonged to overlapping social worlds. Those bonds acted as guardrails. Today, political life is increasingly siloed. The opposition is not simply the other party. It is the other tribe. And tribes do not compromise. Tribes wage war. This is the deeper problem: opposition has shifted from opposing bad ideas to opposing legitimacy itself. Instead of We disagree with your policies, the message becomes You have no right to govern. Instead of We will defeat you at the ballot box, the implication becomes Your victory cannot be accepted. This is not accountability. It is sabotage. A loyal opposition asks, How do we make the country better? A toxic opposition asks, How do we make them look worse? None of this is to suggest that governments should be shielded from criticism. Power without scrutiny can lead to corruption. But there is a difference between scrutiny and scorched earth. There is a difference between holding leaders accountable and dehumanizing them and the citizens who voted for them. There is a difference between opposition and showing contempt for the nation itself. A country cannot function if half its population is taught to regard the other half as morally illegitimate. A democracy cannot survive if every election result is treated as a catastrophe, every opposing leader as an existential threat, and every compromise as betrayal. The question is whether democratic societies can recover the older civic discipline: the ability to lose without hysteria, to oppose without hatred, to criticize without dehumanizing, and to remember that loyalty to country must come before loyalty to party. Democracy cannot survive without disagreement. But it cannot survive without loyalty either. The opposition must be a watchdog, not an arsonist, because when politics becomes scorched earth, it is the nation itself that burns. Image generated by ChatGPT. Sex, war, espionage, and betrayal are constant companions. History is replete with examples of femme fatales, honey pot traps, and men ruined by their own libido. Intriguingly, the Bible and the American Revolution followed similar patterns. Advertisement The Righteous Prostitute In 1406 BC, as the Israelites prepared to attack Canaan, they sent spies to Jericho. The spies survived because of Rahab (Joshua 2, 6), a righteous prostitute (James 2:25) who believed in their cause. Advertisement Rahab and the Spies, Frederick Pickersgill (1865). Public domain. Advertisement Our Revolution saw its own righteous prostitute in Mary Wenwood. Dr. Benjamin Church, a major patriot figure in colonial Boston and confidant of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, was elected a delegate to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1774 and later appointed to its Committee of Safety as the colony prepared for war. In July 1775, the Continental Congress named Dr. Church the Continental Armys chief physician. He was seen as a great patriot and a successful doctor. But Church was also a spendthrift in great debt. Early in 1775, he started a second career as a well-paid, prolific spy for the British. The Patriots learned this in October 1775, when Church employed Wenwood, a prostitute and his one-time mistress, to deliver a coded letter to the British with intelligence on the Massachusetts militia troop strengths and disposition. Instead, Wenwood delivered the letter to the patriots, who decoded the letter and discovered Churchs treason. Advertisement Church could have seriously damaged the American cause had his treason not been stopped. A righteous prostitute performed a great service to her nation. Advertisement Posthumous portrait of Dr. Benjamin Church. Public domain. A Wifes Betrayal to Protect her Country Advertisement Around 1130 BC, Samsons first wife, a Timnahite, betrayed him by passing secrets to her Timnahite kin to save them. (Judges 14) Samson Rending the Lion, Albrecht Durer (1497). Public domain. A similar story played out in the American Revolution with Margaret Gage, the New Jersey-born wife of General Thomas Gage, Britains commander of forces in 1775 Boston. Margaret was openly sympathetic to her patriot countrymen. In 1775, Gage drew up a plan to march on Concord, Massachusetts. There, his soldiers would capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock, then capture the Continental militias stores of cannon and gunpowder. This would instantly kill the incipient revolution. Gage kept the plan secret, divulging it to only two people, one of whom was likely his wife. Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Margaret Gage then passed this intelligence to her physician, the patriot leader Dr. Joseph Warren. When British forces began to execute the plan the night of April 17, 1775, Patriot forces were ready, complete with the midnight ride of Paul Revere (and others), the safe withdrawal of Sam Adams and John Hancock, and an American victory at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. General Thomas Gage, John Singleton Copley (1788). Public domain. Mrs. Margaret Gage, John Singleton Copely (1771). Public domain. A Sordid Tale of Adultery Perhaps the most sordid tale of the Bible is that of King David and Bathsheba, the wife of one of his soldiers. David lusted after Bathsheba when he spied her bathing, took her to his bed, and sent her husband off to die in battle. For that, his punishment was appropriately biblical. (2 Samuel 11-12). Bathsheba at her Bath, Rembrandt (1654). Public domain. The Revolution has its own equally sordid tale of adultery that came with severe consequences, ultimately costing Britain the American Revolution. When General William Howe took command of the British Army in 1775, he faced a strong Continental Army. He also met 25-year-old Elizabeth Loring, a beautiful blonde mother of two and wife of loyalist Joshua Loring. Howe made Loring the British Commissary of Prisoners, a very lucrative position. In exchange, Howe gained Mrs. Loring. The war, however, interrupted Howes time with Mrs. Loring. Leaving her behind in New York, Howe took to the field. Between July and November 1776, his New York Campaign devastated the Continental Army, reducing it by 75%, leaving only a few thousand demoralized soldiers. One final battle would easily have crushed the American Revolution. Instead, Howe sent his army to winter quarters and went back to Mrs. Lorings warm embrace. Francis Hopkinson, who signed the Declaration of Independence, summed up Howes winter interlude in a poem, The Battle of the Kegs: Sir William he, Snug as a flea, Lay all this time a snoring, Nor dreamed of harm As he lay warm In bed with Mrs. Loring. Howes sexually-inspired decision to return to New York in November was an inflection point in the Revolution. On December 25, in a desperate gamble, General Washington crossed the Delaware, winning decisively at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. That saved the Revolution, starting the colonists on a path to victory. Washington Crossing the Delaware. Emanuel Leutze (1851). Public domain. The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships 13 Stars & Stripes Its not just in the Bible that we learn about the ancients letting lust lead to military defeat. In Homers Iliad, Paris became so enamored of the beautiful Helen, Queen of Sparta, that he kidnapped her, setting off the Trojan War. The Loves of Paris & Helen, Jacques-Louis David (1788). Public domain. The American Revolution has its analog. Howes pursuit of earthly pleasure wasnt the only bad decision leading to an American victory in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. The Hessian commander, General Carl von Donop, also let lust rule. When Howe ordered his army into winter quarters, von Donop spread his Hessian regiments across New Jersey, leaving reinforcements under his own command. Von Donop sent Colonel Johann Ralls regiment to occupy Trenton while von Donop positioned his HQ and reinforcements several miles away. However, when Washington attacked, von Donop wasnt at his station. Instead, he was pursuing other conquests. As one of Hessian officers would later write, General von Donop was extremely devoted to the fair sex and had spent Christmas night and the morning afterwards with a beautiful widow. Thus, while Washington was decimating Hessian troops at Trenton, von Donops reinforcements were nowhere to be seen. Who was the besotted Hessian commander pursuing in lieu of his military obligations? Modern scholarship suggests it was Mary Magdalene Bancroft, an 18-year-old whose husband, Dr. Daniel Bancroft, had been captured as a suspected spy. Mary supposedly presented herself to von Donop as a widow to gain protection while seeking her husbands release. With a nod to the Bible, that would make one aspect of this storyincluding the Hessians destruction at Trentonpositively Abrahamic. Interestingly, a second possibility is that the widow was the famous seamstress Betsy Ross, who is popularly credited with creating the American flag. We will never know for sure. Betsy Ross presenting the first U.S. flag to General George Washington, Edward Percy Moran (1917). Public domain. A Femme Fatale Leads to Treason and Ruin The most famous biblical femme fatale was Jezebel. After she married King Ahab of Israel, she convinced him to forsake the Hebrew God and, instead, to lead Israel into Baal worship. (1 Kings 16 - 22, 2 Kings 9). It ended in ruin for both. The Death of Jezebel, Leon Auguste Perrey (1889). Public domain. The American Revolution had its own Jezebel, Peggy Shippen, the young wife of Benedict Arnold. She played a significant role in bringing about his treason. Shippen was the beautiful socialite daughter of loyalist parents. When the British occupied Philadelphia in 1777, the 17-year-old Shippen became the belle of many balls, pursued by a veritable conga line of British officers. She struck up a particularly close relationship with Major John Andre, General Clintons chief of intelligence. Meanwhile, General Benedict Arnold was a hero of the Revolution. A highly aggressive commander, he had most famously led the charge that won the Battle of Saratoga, where he was severely wounded. Washington regarded Arnold as his finest field commander. In 1778, while recuperating, Washington gave Arnold command of Philadelphia after British troops withdrew. Once in Philadelphia, the 38-year-old Arnold, a widower, met Peggy Shippen and was smitten. Soon they were married, after which Peggy went to work convincing her husband to turn coat and join with Britain. She coordinated her husbands treason with Andre (for which the British government later paid her handsomely). The treasonous plot was for Arnold to strip the defenses of the patriot fortress at West Point, a critical position, then for Arnold to slip the lines and take a commission as a general in the British Army. The plan would have been devastating to the Revolution had it succeeded. Only an occurrence of pure serendipity foiled it. Arnold was still made a general, but the British never trusted Arnold enough to make effective use of him. In the end, Andre met the hangmans noose. Peggy Shippen authored her husbands downfall, and the name Benedict Arnold has gone down in history as our nations most infamous traitor. It was an ignominious end for our nations most consequential femme fatale. Peggy Shippen, Maj. John Andre (1777). Public domain. Benedict Arnold, John Trumbull (attributed) (c. 1777). Public domain. Pete Hegseths military clearly hasnt forgotten these and other stories of betrayal through history: Peter Navarro, one of President Trumps trade and economics advisors, insists on blaming meat packers for persistently high prices and manipulating the beef supply: Advertisement . @POTUS is taking on the Big Beef cartel. Four packers: Cargill, JBS, Tyson, and National Beefcontrol 80%+ of Americas beef supply. JBS and National Beef are effectively run from Brazil, where exports to China help set U.S. beef prices. That squeezes ranchers and hits pic.twitter.com/dQmih1ZZsY Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) January 26, 2026 Meat packers have long been convenient villains, accused of exploiting supply shortages and rigging prices. Yet no one asks why beef supplies and prices differ from pork and chicken prices, considering that all are processed by many of the same villains. What is Peter Navarro missing or purposely ignoring? Advertisement Look, punishing beef processors for alleged price fixing and anti-competitive conduct may be warranted. This is especially true if the alleged cartel is unlawfully imposing price caps on producers, which would indeed discourage ranchers from increasing their herds, while forcing many to retire or declare bankruptcy. However, the overall mathematics of beef prices is governed by beef cattle herd-size management bio-math, not by some nefarious boardroom titans. Advertisement Heres a quick tutorial on animal protein economics, which is dominated by mathematical constantsanimal biology, gestation periods, offspring per gestation, and costs in raising to slaughter-maturity, and capital investment over maturity durations. Todays biological supply of beef cattle is depleted, and sits at levels not seen since the 1950s. Reasons are varied, but theyre primarily due to COVID-related supply and labor constraints during the Biden years. Advertisement Now, just staying even is a struggle for most beef cattlemen/ranchers. The time from pregnancy to market weight for slaughter is a minimum of 2 years for feedlot animals and up to 3 years for grass-fed animals. Because a cow has one calf per year, of which only half are females, for a given herd size N to stay even, a rancher can only afford to slaughter .5 of his breeding animals per year or 1.0 every two years. If the rancher wants to increase his herd size, he must reduce the slaughter rate to less than 50%, allowing extra females to reach fertility age plus produce, say, seven to ten years of calves, at that slow rate of one per year. This means he must invest in idle capital for an extended period with no assurance of profitable slaughter prices at full maturity. If the rancher slaughters a fertile female earlier, hell need to replace her with another fertile post-heifer stage female. Advertisement If the rancher sells off more than 50% of his herd, he will automatically further deplete it. To reach parity again, let alone increase beyond the starting equilibrium, hell be strapped with more idle capital, with reduced cash inflow. It is a straightforward mathematical equation. Expansion is painfully slow, even as cash-flow pressuresbank credit terms, loan repayment maturities, and livestock losses due to disease and droughtimmediately thwart growth. Consistent profitability is elusive. Advertisement Now compare beef cattle math factoids with pigs (and chickens): The gestation period for sows is less than one-half of that for a beef cow. Pig litters are 10 to 1 versus cattle, and a sow can have two litters per year. Absent disease or feed supply issues, hog production is robust up or down. Investments in equipment, grazing land, and livestock, plus variable costs to raise and feed hogs, are fractions of the investment capital and working capital costs for beef. Three hogs in 6-8 months produce the same pounds of retail meat as one beef animal over 2-3 years. This is why, under global protein economics, worldwide pork production is nearly twice as much as beef, and chicken even more than pork. Now, lets take a short excursion into beef protein mathherd growth factorsthat are expressed in first-order linear distance time series equations. The factors for beef production include 1) the starting point herd size including fertile breeding females, 2) the biological reproduction rate (gestation, time to maturity, calving proportions of males/females), 3) slaughter rates, 4) market prices for slaughtering, 5) herd culling through disease, drought, cattlemen/rancher exits, 6) costs to raise and feed females to breeding maturity, and 7) accumulating idle capital costs and opportunity costs resulting from a reduced slaughter rate for females so that the herd size of females can increase. Here are the issues facing the beef industry today, as expressed in todays herd math: There are approximately 87 million beef cattle, of which 28 million are fertile females, 33 million are calves, and the remainder are steers (bulls are negligible). The number of fertile females is down from 32-33 million in 2019, before the COVID pandemic. The slaughter rate is around 32 million. Ergo, the herd is still shrinking. For the overall herd to return to 2019 and prior levels, cattlemen/ranchers must invest in breeding and retaining 3-4 million additional females for at least 5 years to allow multiple calving cycles. That can only happen if slaughtering rates decline over the next 3-4 years, which will inevitably raise prices further. Retail beef prices are up 30-40% since 2019. To unwind 40% higher prices, we need a capital infusion into the cattle/ranch producers on the order of $16 billion4 million retained female heifers at roughly $4,000 each, including all cost outlays for feed, operating equipment, grazing land, veterinary services, labor, and borrowing costs, as well as lost revenue. This is not about greed. It is all about the beef protein economics/biology supply curve. Today, that curve is in a downward destructive pattern and wont change because a) selling cows at high prices is rational, and b) retaining cows is a long-dated high-risk proposition. And so, beef is the de facto luxury protein price leader. Lower beef prices in the future will require enduring years of higher prices, reduced slaughter rates, and reduced retail supply, accompanied by billions invested in idle restorative biological financial capital. Instead of hurling accusations at beef producers, Navarro and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins (a lawyer more than an Ag economist) ought to propose meaningful multi-year capital investment incentives encouraging ranchers to invest in long-cycle capital commitments in livestock expansion. Even so, increasing the US herd by 1/3 will still require 6-8 years. For example, the USDA could create a beef cattle biological investment reserve (heifer retention reserve), similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, where contracts with cattlemen would include government support for all operating costs for five years, with guaranteed downside price supports upon contract maturity, and drought/feed supply contingencies, along with some sort of opportunity cost mitigation. The cattleman/rancher would agree to the five-year retention, pledging to house and care for each animal during the contract period under Grade A USDA animal husbandry standards, and neither slaughter nor export their cattle. Beef herd bio-math is easy enough to master. But the real-life economics of beef herd management are brutal. Left to free market forces with no outside incentive to invest in herd expansion, beef will remain a luxury good, as todays depleted beef cattle herd becomes the constant equilibrium, at best, or suffers further erosion at worst. Meanwhile, get used to pork tenderloin, chicken wings, and ham and cheese omelets. Image created using AI. California has long been known as the Golden State. In 1968, the Legislature made the nickname official, capturing a history shaped by the Gold Rush, sun-drenched beaches, golden poppies, grassy hills, and abundant orchards. It was a fitting label for a place associated with promise and prosperity. Yet over the past two decades, political choices have fostered habits that are steadily tarnishing that brand. Advertisement California entered the United States in 1848, after the Mexican-American War. The Gold Rush brought explosive population growth, and by 1850, California was admitted as the 31st state. What followed was a remarkable modern era marked by sustained population increases and world-leading economic expansion. Natural resources, agriculture, industry, tourism, and technological innovation powered the rise. For generations, Californians shared a broad optimism grounded in individual enterprise and upward mobility. Those days are gone. For years, the state has waged a quiet but persistent campaign against the three indispensable ingredients of any successful modern economy: capital, energy, and individual initiative. Advertisement The pattern is clear. Capital is treated with hostility rather than respect. Investors and employers operate within an intensifying regulatory thicket layered mandates, expanding compliance regimes, and punitive taxation. Starting or expanding a business in California requires navigating a complex maze that deters many would-be builders. When companies relocate, shelve projects, or choose not to launch here at all, our California dreams are stifled. Capital is mobile. It flows toward stability and predictability and away from hostility. Energy policy reflects the same mindset. Affordable, reliable power is the lifeblood of a sophisticated economy. California is rich in energy resources, yet policy has inhibited their development in favor of ideological signaling. The result is paradoxical: a resource-rich state that imports much of its energy, burdening residents with the highest costs in the nation. Infrastructure projects stall under litigation and review. Mandates drive costly investments with marginal returns. Industry, agriculture, transportation, and households absorb the burden. The implicit assumption seems to be that markets and physics will yield to aspiration. They do not. Advertisement Individual initiative suffers as well. The small contractor delayed by permits. The restaurateur juggling wage mandates, benefit requirements, and inspection rules. The entrepreneur deciding where to incorporate and hire. The cumulative message is unmistakable: Ambition is narrowly constrained by distant regulators. Over time, that message dulls the instinct to build. Families and businesses vote with their feet. This trajectory is especially short-sighted because Californias expansive public sector depends entirely on private enterprise. Government does not generate wealth; it redistributes what the private sector produces. Tax revenue arises from payrolls, profits, property values, and capital gains. Schools, infrastructure, social services, and environmental programs rest on taxable economic activity. Even nonprofits and advocacy organizations rely on private wealth. Philanthropy presupposes profit. Grants presuppose tax receipts. Redistribution presupposes production. Advertisement Eroding the base while enlarging the superstructure defies economic arithmetic. For much of the past twenty years, one party has held overwhelming control in Sacramento. The Democrat supermajority has shaped the current policy framework and therefore owns its outcomes: rising living costs, chronic housing shortages, business outmigration, and budget volatility tied to a narrow band of high earners. Advertisement This is not a claim that Republicans would govern without fault. Concentrated power tempts any party. A Republican supermajority would display its own excesses. The structural problem is dominance itself. Californias identity was forged not by bureaucratic choreography, but by the confidence that individuals, given room to act, would generate prosperity sufficient to support both private ambition and public goods. That confidence has been replaced by suspicion of the very mechanisms that built the state. Advertisement The old fable of the golden goose endures because it captures a timeless truth. A productive economy yields steady returns when allowed to function. Overburden it, squeeze it, or treat it as an adversary, and output declines. Destroy it, and the stream of benefits ends. California earned its golden reputation because millions mined, farmed, engineered, manufactured, financed, coded, and invented. They converted natural advantage into sustained growth. If leadership continues to treat capital, energy, and initiative as liabilities rather than assets, the shine will continue to fade. New faces in power would not solve every problem. They might, however, restore accountability. And accountability, more than rhetoric, is what keeps a golden state from becoming fools gold. Image: Famartin via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped). GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. allegedly failed to accurately record employees' time during their shifts. Allegedly, this resulted in violations of various California Labor Codes, including but not limited to missed overtime wages and inaccurate pay statements. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** STANISLAUS, Calif., Feb. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. violated the California Labor Code. The GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. class action lawsuit, Case No. CV-25-012103, is currently pending in the Stanislaus County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed According to the lawsuit filed, GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, and (f) failed to pay sick wages, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. The lawsuit further alleges that Defendant failed to provide all the legally required off-duty meal and rest breaks and failed to compensate Plaintiffs for missed meal and rest breaks. These employees, from time to time, were denied their first rest periods of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of at least two (2) to four (4) hours, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of ten (10) hours or more, from time to time. Defendant allegedly paid Plaintiffs less than they would have been paid had they been paid for their actual recorded time rather than "rounded" time. Allegedly, Defendant violated Cal. Lab. Code 1194, 1197, and 1197.1. For more information about the class action lawsuit against GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact: Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Many Americans may wish that one day the nation can return to inter-party comity. You know, those good old days when we could politically disagree with our family members over a beer while the turkey was roasting and then sit down to carve it up and share bread on Thanksgiving. Advertisement Some may hope that once the controversial Donald Trump has finished his term, such normalcy will return. Not on your life. In his insightful 2016 book, Listen, Liberal, or What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?, liberal pundit Thomas Frank laid out his own party in lavender for sacrificing policy in favor of a virtue cult that had abandoned the working class and become the party of Marthas Vineyard elites, its sole message being to vilify Donald Trump and his supporters. Frank warned that this was a failed mission over time, but Democrats have doubled down. Advertisement Eight years later, it is evident that Mr. Frank had the liberal elites pegged. He wrote, This is modern liberalism in action: an unregulated virtue-exchange in which representatives of one class of humanity ritually forgive the sins of another class, all of it convened and facilitated by a vast army of well-graduated American professionals, their reassuring expertise propped up by bogus social science, while the unfortunate objects of their high and noble compassion sink slowly back into a preindustrial state. Advertisement The working class did not thrive under Obama and Biden the elites, technocrats, and NGOs did. When populist Trump rose as a counterforce to this betrayal, the Dems doubled down, and Trump Derangement Syndrome was born. The justification was that Trump was a scoundrel (itself a propaganda lie), and that anything he does (even lowering prescription prices and exempting tips from taxation?) is innately wrong. But this was never limited to Donald Trump; it extended to all of his deplorable supporters. Dehumanizing the other has become the cornerstone of the bogus Dem party, which seeks to discredit anyone who does not comply with its growing list of intersectional purity tests. This is a uni-party that, in the name of protecting democracy, seeks to extinguish all parties but one and is willing to jettison the Constitution and engage in classic Alinsky power-grabs to do so. Advertisement Gavin Newsom recently demonstrated the post-Trump future by launching a grotesque and adolescent demonization of V.P. J.D. Vance. In a revealing interview with Jen Psaki on MSNow, Americans can view the post-2028 future of their nation: Gavin Newsom: Vance, for whatever reason, scares me almost more than Donald Trump. Advertisement Psaki: Why? Newsom: I dont know. I just, I mean, talk about a guy who put a mask on and his face grew into it. I mean, JD Vance and Marco Rubio were two of the most effective critics, just like that guy, whats his name, Graham Lindsay, of Donald Trump. What frauds! What phonies. But JD is a unique fraud and phony, and hes a little more dangerous, and the folks around him, these are not folks that believe. ... Theres a nihilism to the way they talk about the world. I know these guys. I literally know them, not figuratively. Advertisement One will note the typical left-wing projection here. The nihilists are those who seek to protect borders and uphold the Constitution, not the freak show of perverts strutting in front of children at Drag Queen Story Hour, mutilating children with puberty-blockers and genital mutilation, flinging the borders open, releasing criminals, hating America, calling to return lands to Native Americans, and refusing to stand to support U.S. citizens at the State of the Union address. Newsom and Psaki conspiratorially nodded in agreement that Donald Trump will surely run for a third term. Noted Gavin: if, God forbid, we dont take back the House of Representatives, he may be on that ballot. I just wouldnt put it past him. What he does, its the old adage Once the mind is stretched, it never goes back to its original form. All of a sudden, its socialized, now its normalized. Sorry, Jen, its a world were up against. Newsom perverted the mind-stretching quote attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., who was referring to the beneficial influence of enlightening ideas that broaden the mind. Holmes was not inclined to view gender surgeries, open borders, and treating criminals as victims as enlightened concepts...but the party that cant define what a woman is probably cant go back to normal. And so you see two Democrats pre-emptively declaring the 2028 election stolen unless they win the midterms. They are seeding division, not supporting democracy. Let us recall the BLM riots, the lies about Russiagate, the suppression of Hunter Bidens laptop, lawfare against Trump, abridged freedoms on social media under Biden, spying on Catholics, etc. These people will do whatever it takes to stop Trump and any other conservative. The derangement is hardly confined to The Donald. When Elon Musk dared to search for Democrat thievery and fraud, the party of climate alarmism jettisoned Teslas with Molotov cocktails and accelerated global warming. Musk Derangement Syndrome evaporated once Elon left. Kennedy Derangement Syndrome persists daily. (He has a worm in his brain, and his cousin said bad things about him, dontchaknow?) ICE derangement is the most current hate feast; Vance Derangement Syndrome may come next. The Democrats have become a hate cult, with no productive policies to offer just lies and contempt for anyone who dares demur. Author and attorney John Klar raises grass-fed beef in Vermont. His Substack, Small Farm Republic, is based on his 2023 book Small Farm Republic: Why Conservatives Must Embrace Local Agriculture, Reject Climate Alarmism, and Lead an Environmental Revival. John is a staff writer at Liberty Nation News and a contributor to The MAHA Report on Substack. Image: Gavin Newsom. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. During recent heavy snowfall in New York City, several police officers responded to 911 calls of disorder in Washington Square Park in Manhattan. When they arrived, they were pelted with snowballssome obviously containing more than snowby a hostile crowd that outnumbered them hundreds to one. Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post Advertisement The NYPD said that multiple uniformed officers were hit in the face with snowballs and were taken to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital, where they were treated for facial injuries. Mayor Zhoran Mamdani did not endear himself to New Yorks Finest: Advertisement Ive said time and time again that, having seen these videos, to me it was a snowball fight that got out of hand and it should be treated accordingly, he told reporters Wednesday when asked if anyone should be prosecuted. Some dimwitted tweeters, pundits and others have suggested the officers shouldnt have been there in the first place, so the blame was theirs, which is rather like the insurrectionists in Minneapolis blaming their crimes on ICE for being there to enforce federal law. Advertisement What happened wasnt a snowball fight. Thats consensual, friendly play where everyone involved knows theres little to no potential for injury, and even so, they avoid hitting each other in the face. What happened was assault, which is generally understood to be any unwanted, hostile touching of another with hand, foot or some weapon, even including a snowball. Virtually every state has specific laws with enhanced penalties for assault on a police officer, which laws are necessary if were to enjoy the rule of law. Yes, some laws differentiate between assaultessentially the intentionand batterythe physical act, but I trust the point is understood. Advertisement Police officers understand, as so many people do not, that the only reason they can do their jobs and survive is most people will obey most laws most of the time. In any crowd situation, they are always badly outnumbered, and crowd psychology teaches them perfectly normal people will do things in the cover of crowds they would never do alone or if more exposed. That thin, blue line holds because most people understand you do not put your hands on copsor throw anything at themor interfere with them. But put a few cops in the midst of a hostile crowd and all bets are off. This is particularly true when that crowd knows, due to weather conditions, the police are not going to get backup in time to matter. The two officers showed the kind of restraint officers in their position commonly display. In trying to get out of there are quickly as possible, they pushed two people out of the way and did their best to cover their backs as they fled. That was, practically, all they could do. Advertisement Couldnt they just start shooting? Not legally. The police may use deadly force when a reasonable police officer would believe theyre facing an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death. As video of the attack reveals, that wasnt the casenot yet. The officers surely knew even if they began using their tasers or batons, even fists or feet, the most likely outcome would be the mob descending on them to beat them to death, and then theyd have no choice but to start shooting. Would that scatter the mob after they shot five or 10 attackers, or only increase their blood lust? Officers know that when cops lose their guns, 80%+ of the time, theyre shot with their own guns. Worse, in places like NYC, prosecutors are far more likely to prosecute the police than the criminals trying to hurt them, and every NYPD officers knows it. Yes, some police union officials are demanding prosecutions, but in Alvin Braggs NYC, thats highly unlikely. So, whats the only choice of officers in such situations? Retreat as quickly as possible and dont harm anyone trying to harm them. The problem is that sane strategy only further frays the already torn fabric preventing people from attacking the police. It makes life much more dangerous for every police officer, everywhere, but particularly in blue cities and states. The other problem is people in crowds of hundreds know the chances of being identified are very low, the chances of being arrested lower still, the chances of being prosecuted lower still, and in a blue city, the chances of being convicted for assaulting a cop are virtually nonexistent. Hmmm. Perhaps were starting to understand why so many professionals are fleeing police ranks, and why recruiting competent people to replace them is so difficult. Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. If you remember the Snow White classic then you probably remember that line: "Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?" Advertisement Well, today's political version of the story would feature someone asking "mirror mirror on the wall who is the dumbest one of all"? The mirror would answer with "Democrats at the State of the Union." Its over ten years since Trump came down the elevator and the Democrats have not figured him out. It's the same story as Jason Kyle Howard points out: Advertisement This was Donald Trumps sixth State of the Union, and after all those spins on his MAGA tilt-a-whirl, it was clear that Democrats still have not figured out how to effectively rebut the president at his annual marquee address. In 2025, Texas Rep. Al Green shook his cane at Trump and yelled in protest of the administrations looming cuts to Medicaid; he was escorted from the House of Representatives by the Sergeant at Arms. Some Democrats walked out midway through the speech in protest. Others raised small placards distributed by the Congressional Progressive Progress that read Save Medicaid, Protect Veterans and Musk Steals. Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib furiously scribbled responses like Thats a lie and No King on a small whiteboard. Advertisement None of the strategies worked. Viewers found it hard to make out exactly what Green was yelling about unless they stayed around for post-speech coverage on cable news. The lawmakers who marched out were shown for only a few seconds as Trump continued to speak. The signs looked performative and anemic and the visual impact was poor. The cumulative image was one of chaos, which reinforced peoples perception of the state of the Democratic Party itself. Tearing up the speech didn't work. Neither did yelling back about killing Americans. Neither did dancing with frogs at some alternative state of the union. And having Joey Reid sing didn't hit the right tone either. Advertisement The problem is that no one is thinking beyond hating Trump on that side. It's all about standing up to Trump and reminding their supporters that the guy speaking is the biggest threat to democracy since God knows who. It probably has something to do with "signaling" and keeping those primaries away. It would have been a smarter strategy to show up, sit and listen, clap when necessary, show respect to the office, and then run to their favorite MS Now host to talk about affordability. Unfortunately, that's not the thinking on the other side. Everyone wants to have their "hate Trump" moment to post on X or wherever they post. Advertisement As some pundit said, the Democrats are in deep trouble when they turn Trump into the moderate in the room. Yes, deep trouble because Americans actually like adults in their government. And many agree with President Trump when he calls them crazy about injecting kids without parental consent. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. What really bothers Democrats? When government officials hold themselves to the same standards to which they hold others. Yes, thats backwards, insane, self-defeating and stupid, but thats the Democrat Party Circa 2026. Advertisement Democrats particularly hate Pete Hegseth, an Army combat veteran and the Secretary of Deoops! Make that Secretary of War. That really ticks them off too, because Republicans dont get to mandate the language, only Democrats do. Not only has Hegseth restored the warrior ethictoxic masculinity at its bestwhen he visits the troops, he does PT with them. He dresses for it, runs the miles, does the calisthenics, lifts the weights and does PT when they do it: early in the morning. As a result, our military, which had badly diminished under Bidens Handlers, is reenergized and recruiting is now at historic levels for every military branch. Advertisement At his famous all hands meeting, he told the highest levels of brass and NCOs, physical fitness standards were coming back and everyone would be required to meet those standards. Many in the woke military went berserk, as did Democrats generally. Hegseth met their complaints by walking the walk as well as talking the talk. To my knowledge, no Secretary of War has ever done that. Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post On 20 February 2026 he visited Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and did PT, including bench pressing 315 pounds. Sound like a lot? It is. I could manage about that much weight 30 years ago when I was heavily lifting. Now? Not a chance. Advertisement And of course, the anti-military, anti-Hegseth, anti-male, anti-American whiners whined piteously: Suddenly, X was inundated with people who claimed that 315 pounds was nothing. One moron claimed that three-fourths of the guys in his high school class could do it. And another school claimed it was all fake. Advertisement Which indicates they have no clue about weights or physical fitness in general. In virtually any contemporary high school class, only a handful are capable of that feat. That was true in my youth when kids where generally fitter. Reality Check: Dude, do you see those troops standing there? Do you think a single one of them would let Hegseth get by with claiming he'd pressed 315 pounds if he'd really pressed 314? If you think an E-4 is intimidated by rank and won't call out anyone, including generals, when they think they can get away with it, you obviously know nothing about any branch of the U.S. military. Advertisement This is particularly good: There were the imbeciles who pointed out that if the six plates on the bar weighed 45 pounds each, then he "only" pressed 270 pounds, loudly announcing to the world they were utter strangers to moving iron because the bar itself weighs 45 pounds. Anyone who has ever done free weights for any time at all knows that. Its a universal standard. So what? Is Hegseth just showing off? Quite the opposite. Hes exercising true military leadership, essentially shouting: follow me instead of very dangerous; you go first. The bottom line is that Hegseth is building a bond with the rank and file unlike any Secretary of War/Defense in our history. He's showing them that he can walk the walk he's imposing on them. He's laying down a marker for their bosses, because if SecWar presses 315, you can bet there will be pressure on lots of colonels and generals to be seen lifting weights at the gym. The services are recovering the professionalism destroyed by Lloyd Austin, and the cultural rot is being excised. And the rot had run deeply indeed. The changes Hegseth has been able to make in such a short time indicate most of our troops always wanted to be warriors. They always wanted to be highly trained and capable. All it took was real military leadership. The competence of the military makes Hegseth immune from attacks in that quarter, so the left has to find something else. And this is the crap they come up with: lying and mocking Heseth for lifting weights with the troops, when most of the critics would be hard-pressed to do a single rep of push-away-from-the-table, much less lift the plates. Most of Hegseths critics would be hard pressed to do a single pushup, or even to bench press an unladen, 45-pound bar. So, they attack a man like Pete Hegseth, a man who has been there and done that and whose example is inspiring the current generation of American warriors, the people to whom George Orwell referred when he wrote: People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men [and women] stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. [This essay originally appeared in yesterdays edition of the weekly subscribers only newsletter. Along with unique essays such as this one from American Thinkers editors, subscribers also get an ad-free experience and the ability to comment.] Advertisement Winston Churchill didnt actually say that jaw-jaw is better than war-war. What he said was, Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war, a saying that became pithier over time. Either way, Churchill made clear that, while he never intended to be taken for a ride as Neville Chamberlain was in 1938 (although Chamberlain was struggling with the fact that Britain had no meaningful military at the time), he did recognize that wars destruction should always be avoided, if possible. Donald Trump understands that, too. He has made it remarkably clear that he has no intention of becoming a war president. Indeed, hes the only president in recent history who, to date, has not started a war. What he has done, all over the world, is to use his understanding of human psychology, along with Americas economic power, to stop wars. Advertisement But Trump, like Churchill in 1938, also understands that there are certain wars that cannot be stopped. Instead, they must be confronted sooner because theyre only going to be worse later. Thats certainly the case with Iran. If Iran gets nuclear weapons, it will effectively hold the whole world hostage. The same fanatically religious government that slaughters its own people will not have a problem with unleashing nuclear Armageddon on its enemies. Indeed, the mullahs ideology leads them to embrace Armageddon. Advertisement Image created using AI. Advertisement Both Judaism and Christianity foresee an apocalyptic moment, but theyre not trying to hasten its arrival. What differs about the Iranian version is that Iran believes that its role is not simply to be a passive, albeit faithful, observer of the End of Days, which is how Christians and Jews approach the subject. Instead, it will trigger the End of Days. We saw a lot of this when Ahmadinejad was Irans president. His speeches and acts demonstrated the Mahdist's belief that it is Irans responsibility to bring about Armageddon and what could be more Armageddon-like than the fact that Iran bravely destroys the Little Satan (that would be Israel), only to be destroyed in turn by the Great Satan (America). Or, even better, it destroys America first. If that doesnt bring about the return of the 12th Imam, nothing will. Advertisement While most of the world is in denial about this reality, Trump surely understands it, which is why he has been so consistent about denying Iran a nuclear weapon. That being the case, why all the jaw-jaw now? After all, Irans faith demands that it go nuclear, and nothing will stop it although for now, it seems to think that it can cleverly drag out talks until the West does what it always doescave. The way I see it, there are two reasons for the talks: Advertisement First, the jaw-jaw has given Trump time to build up a massive military presence on Irans doorstep. As weve seen, Trump doesnt believe in long wars because he knows that the longer a war goes onthe longer it goes on. Trump is big on the ripping off the band-aid approach, which is to go in so hard and fast that you win in the first 15 minutes. I believe thats what he instructed Hegseth to do, and thats what Hegseth will do. This game wont end with checkmate; it will begin with checkmate, as the American military instantly destroys every military and political power center in Iran. Second, by doing all this pointless talking, not only is Trump amassing a huge force that should quickly annihilate Irans military and leadership, but hes also insulating himself against later accusations that hes a warmonger. He tried! Lord knows he tried, but the mullahs were absolutely intransigent. The only option, he can say, unless the world is ready to bow down to a global Iranian caliphate (and again, look what the mullahs did to their own people), is a decapitation strike. And Trump is right. Iran is already the fomenter of worldwide terrorism. It is a completely destabilizing force that must be brought to heel and now is the time, because its unlikely that it will ever be so helpless again. With Americans being withdrawn from consular billets across the Middle East, it looks as if Trump has run out of patience with the jaw-jaw game. It will be war but, God willing, a swift one with maximum casualties for the evil mullahs and their military, minimal casualties for the long-suffering Iranian people, and no casualties at all for America and Israel. Well, he did it. Trump was true to his word and rained fire on Iran in Operation Epic Fury, which is still going on now. Advertisement Iran's citizens are thrilled: Amazing. Iranians are playing music and DANCING IN THE STREETS. Everyone waited for this day. pic.twitter.com/zxXsh8qqS3 (@NiohBerg) February 28, 2026 But not surprisingly, Iran's allies on the left have jumped right in, attempting to defend Iran with their words to continue Iran's propaganda war. Most are saying pretty stupid things; some are whimpering, some are discombobulated, some say they really want freedom for Iran, but ..., others say it's 'greatly concerning,' or stroke their chins about 'grave consequences'; others spew 'international law,' tripe as if terrorist state Iran were an upstanding nation, while still others mouth the olde-tyme leftist claptrap about yanqui imperialismo, and in the case of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Trump violating the sacred Islamic Ramadan fasting period, which didn't seem to bother Afghanistan or Pakistan, both of which lobbed missiles at one other in the last two days. Advertisement Iraq was attacked by the US during Ramadan and it sickening to know that the US is again going to attack Iran during Ramadan. The US apparently loves to strike Muslim countries during Ramadan and I am convinced it isnt what these countries have done to violate international law Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 27, 2026 Omar, who's got plenty of problems with her immigration status these days, jumped to the defense of her allies in Iran, using all the tired, boring tropes of the global left to attempt to stop President Trump's powerful actions to take the evil regime out. Advertisement Iraq was attacked by the US during Ramadan and it sickening to know that the US is again going to attack Iran during Ramadan. The US apparently loves to strike Muslim countries during Ramadan and I am convinced it isnt what these countries have done to violate international law Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 27, 2026 She spouts that against the iron wall of resolution presented by President Trump in the past few hours: Advertisement Listen to this ENTIRE message. This isn't blustery Trump. This is, "You f**ked around, now find out" Trump. https://t.co/yVWJDK3b08 Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) February 28, 2026 ...which makes her look pretty small. But the best stuff is in the retorts from Iran, whose people are incredibly grateful and happy. Advertisement To all Americans who voted for Donald J. Trump: thank you from the bottom of my heart from me and from Iranians everywhere. Arsalan Naamdar (@arsalannaamdar) February 28, 2026 If youre not Iranian, shut the fuck up. Iranians are celebrating and crying tears of joy right now. Long live Iran Persian Culer (@Persian_Culer) February 28, 2026 I am an Iranian and I would like to ask you to pray for the U.S. forces, and the Iranian people (Not the Ayatollahs' regime). Long live the people of Iran, and God bless the United States of America. | Sana Ebrahimi (@__Injaneb96) February 28, 2026 Here's the mother of all smackdowns from an Iranian in Iran, directed specifically at Omar: Advertisement Ilhan, just for your information We Iranians don't give a shit about Ramadan I'm having lunch right now We are waiting for the US attack to overthrow your friend the Ayatollah https://t.co/zi5WN8yGgS (@Mosolchi) February 27, 2026 She's interrupting his lunch. This Hong Konger, whose territory has been oppressed by China, has some important insights: Whatever the rights or wrongs of US interventions in Venezuela and Iran under international law, lets not forget that both interventions appear to have significant support from Iranians and Venezuelans. And in Venezuelas case, the objection from its people appear not so much Kevin Yam (@kevinkfyam) February 28, 2026 As do these Venezuelan and Russian expatriates, who note the left's hypocrisy: EXACTLY. I dont wanna hear your concern for Iranian lives if you didnt care when the dictatorship massacred thousands in days. Leave the selective outrage at home and listen to Iranians please https://t.co/O0gRSGn7Qk Germania Rodriguez Poleo (@iamGermania) February 28, 2026 Against all of this, Omar looks like a boob. Image: Screenshot from X. In the United States, education is primarily under the purview of the states. Although the federal government has taken a larger role since the creation of the Department of Education in 1979 and the passage of laws like No Child Left Behind in 2002, education pedagogy generally remains under the sole discretion of state entities. Advertisement In the education circle, there have been calls for a national curriculum for decades. In 2009, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were introduced to provide clear, consistent learning goals designed to prepare students for success in college, careers, and life. Since the launch of Common Core, 41 states have adopted the CCSS, which only applies to mathematics and English Language Arts. Sadly, national test scores in mathematics and reading have declined precipitously in recent years. According to the Nations Report Card, in 2024, only 28 percent of eighth graders performed proficient in math. Advertisement I am not solely blaming the steep decline in math scores on Common Core, but I can say that when I was a public-school teacher less than a decade ago, I routinely heard complaints about Common Core from many math and English Language Arts teachers. The chief criticism was that Common Core took a one-size-fits-all approach, which any teacher can tell you is a recipe for student failure. Advertisement One of the few holdouts to Common Core has been Florida. When it comes to education, the Sunshine State has bucked recent trends that favor universalizing standards, adopting DEI programs in public schools, and granting more power and influence to public schools and teachers unions. Advertisement More importantly, Floridas education standards, in my opinion, are the best in the nation. I have spent many hours combing through state standards, and I was thoroughly impressed with the Florida Board of Educations unique approach. Advertisement For starters, Florida has a very user-friendly digital hub labeled Standards and Instructional Support. While many states make it quite difficult to find and access standards, Floridas standards are easily accessible, and the website includes a litany of resources and instructional materials. Advertisement In 2022, Florida updated its mathematics standards to incorporate what it calls Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (BEST). The chief changes and improvements focused on simplicity, practicality, and specificity. Believe me, those are three words that are music to the ears of teachers. More importantly, the guiding principles for change were centered upon high expectations and clarity. Those terms are music to the ears of parents. As a former high school social studies teacher, I was most curious about Floridas social studies standards. In 2008, Florida adopted the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies, which defined core content knowledge in American History, Civics/Government, Geography, Economics, World History, and Humanities. In 2025, Florida added a new content area to its social studies standards called the history of communism. To my knowledge, Florida is the only state with a specific set of standards dedicated exclusively to teaching the history of communism. I think this is something more states should consider because American students are not only falling behind in math, science, and reading. The Nations Report Card shows that American public schools are utterly failing to teach basic U.S. history and civics. Even more concerning, multiple polls, and recent election results, show that most young Americans want socialism in the United States. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did not mince words when he explained why he signed SB 1264 into law. We will not allow our students to live in ignorance, nor be indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools. To the contrary, we will ensure students in Florida are taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism, he plainly stated. Make no mistake, Florida shows that states can do right by parents, students, and teachers when they take their roles as the laboratories of democracy seriously and ensure that their education standards and policies are accessible, understandable, and as rigorous as possible. If you think your states standards are not up to par, the good news is that you can always do a little research and relocate to a state like Florida, which puts the interests of parents and students above all else. Chris Talgo ([email protected]) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute. Image: Pixnio These are simply random thoughts that come to one who wonders Why? Why, when the Islamic God (Allah in Arabic) is called the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful in a religions holy book, is Islam in practice characterized by so much murder, rape, church burnings, honor killings, destruction, and mayhem? Advertisement Every sura (chapter) except for one in the Islamic Quran begins with Allah, the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful. That being the case: Why in Egypt, Nigeria, Iraq, The Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Somalia, and elsewhere in the lands of that religion are Christian churches burned when the Christians simply accept their minority, second-class citizenship, and do their best to live with their Muslim neighbors in peace? Advertisement Why are Christians who do no harm to their Muslim neighbors or countrymen murdered or maimed? Why is acid thrown in their faces? Why do these same Christians continue to turn the other cheek, as commanded by Jesus Christ, not retaliating in kind, by not murdering, raping, maiming Muslims, or destroying and burning mosques? Advertisement X screen grab (cropped). Advertisement Why do accidental or other burnings of the Quran result in the murder of innocent people when the burning of churches or the Bible does not result in the same? Why do perceived or real insults of Muhammad result in assassinations, fatwahs (legal death sentences) when insults to Jesus Christ (and some of the worst in pornographic art) result in quiet protestation? Advertisement Why is it that if a Muslim decides to become a Christian, he or she risks death at the hands of Muslims, while if a Christian decides to become a Muslim, he or she is greeted only with confusion or sadness from his former co-religionists? Why is it that Muslims who wish to be like Allah, the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful do not rail against such horrific violence in the name of Allah toward so many innocent men, women, and children? Advertisement Why is it that Muslims who murder innocent people in the name of Allah are named martyrs while the posthumous name of martyr is reserved only for those Christians who die for Christs sake or on behalf of their faith in Christ? Why is such a religion called a religion of peace when so much blood is shed in its name? Why must a simple wonderer wonder about so much evil unleashed on so many in the name of God Who is rightly called the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful? Christians also believe Allah, God also to Arabic-speaking Christians, is most compassionate and most merciful, and they believe He calls them also to be compassionate and merciful to all. Dont those words mean the same regardless of language? Fact: As the call to prayer shouted around the world five times a day begins with Allahu Akbar (God is greater), join this wonderer by adding the words of the Psalmist: God is great and greatly to be praised. Psalm 48:1 Such a God is also holy. Conclusion: Lets share our wonderments with the Muslim world and ask why so many innocent men, women, children have to die, why so much destruction must take place, why so many women must endure rape, and why a multitude others must be maimed for lifeall to please a Most Compassionate and Most Merciful God? Signed: A simple, Christian wonderer. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Paysafe To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or acquired securities in Paysafe between March 4, 2025 and November 12, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Paysafe Limited ("Paysafe" or the "Company") (NYSE: PSFE) and reminds investors of the April 7, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Paysafe's ecommerce business had significant exposure to a single high risk client; (2) as a result, the Company's credit loss reserves and/or write-offs were understated; (3) Paysafe had an undisclosed issue with higher risk Merchant Category Codes, making its client services difficult to bank; (4) the foregoing issues were likely to have a material negative impact on the Company's revenue growth and overall revenue mix; (5) as a result, Paysafe was unlikely to meet its own previously issued financial guidance for fiscal year 2025; and (6) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On November 13, 2025, before the market opened, Paysafe announced third quarter financial results, including revenue of $433.8 million, which missed consensus estimates by $5.8 million, and a net loss of $87.7 million, a steep drop from the prior year period wherein the Company's net loss was only $12.98 million. The Company also slashed full year 2025 expected revenue to $17 million at the midpoint, and adjusted EPS $0.50 at the midpoint. The Company further revealed that its credit loss expense for the quarter was $13,220 "primarily [as] the result of a specific provision for expected chargebacks related to an individual merchant in the Merchant Solutions segment." The report revealed write-offs of $9,924 "driven by the write off of irrecoverable amounts receivable in the Merchant Solutions segment." On the same date, the Company held an earnings call during which CEO Bruce Lowthers revealed the Company "had a last-minute client that had to shut down that caused several million-dollar write-down in Q3." Lowthers further revealed the Company is in a market tier with "higher risk MCC [Merchant Category Codes] codes." Lowthers explained "those things sometimes are a little difficult to bank" and "sometimes the banks aren't open to the additional risk" "so, we've had a little bit of challenge with that with some of those MCC codes." On this news, Paysafe's stock price fell $2.80, or 27.6%, to close at $7.36 per share on November 13, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Paysafe's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Paysafe Limited class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/PSFE or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Five white male Philadelphia police officers have accused their city and department of denying them promotions due to their race and sex, a new lawsuit claims. America First Legal, a group co-founded by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller that defends conservative causes in the courts, filed a federal class-action lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of the police officers who claim they were passed over for advancement in favor of cops who were either Black or women. Lieutenants Christopher Bloom, Kollin Berg and Joseph Musumeci were denied a promotion to captain, and Sergeants Marc Monachello and Leroy Ziegler Jr. were passed over for advancement to lieutenant in November 2025, according to the lawsuit. America First Legal claim that each cop had high civil exam scores, strong service records, positive annual performance reviews, and significant law-enforcement experience and that they were denied their promotions in favor of non-white male candidates with lower civil-service exam scores and lower rankings on the promotion-eligibility lists. Five white male Philadelphia cops have accused their city and police department of denying them promotions due to their race and sex, a new lawsuit claims (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The lawsuit challenges Philadelphias Rule of Five policy, which it says the city created in 2021 to increase the representation of minority and female candidates in supervisory positions. The Rule of Five policy, which America First Legal calls illegal and discriminatory, replaced the citys Rule of Two policy. In Philadelphias Rule of Two policy, only the top two candidates on the civil service eligibility list were allowed to be selected for promotion, according to the lawsuit. When then-Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, who is now Philadelphias mayor, introduced legislation in 2021 to eliminate the Rule of Two, she said, It is one thing for an employer to say, Black Lives Matter, and an entirely different thing for an employer to make real, substantive changes that ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion. When introducing legislation in 2021 to increase diversity in hiring, then-Philadelphia Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, who is now the citys mayor, said, It is one thing for an employer to say, Black Lives Matter, and an entirely different thing for an employer to make real, substantive changes that ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Independence Historical Trust) Our municipal government is one of the largest employers in the City of Philadelphia, and for too long, the Rule of Two has held back Black and Brown employees, either from obtaining that entry-level job or from getting that promotion, Parker said. This legislation is by no means a silver bullet to making our Citys workforce, and particularly our Citys upper management, more reflective of Philadelphias demographics, but it is a necessary and important step. When reached out to by The Independent, the Philadelphia Police Department and the mayors office declined to comment on the case, citing the active litigation. Federal civil-rights law prohibits employers from making promotion decisions based on race or sex, Nick Barry, Senior Counsel at America First Legal, said in a statement about the lawsuit. Put simply, employers cannot use protected characteristics to override merit. Promotions must be based on excellence, experience, and performance, not on the race or sex of the candidate. Aaron Collins penalty deep into stoppage time snatched MK Dons a point in a 1-1 draw at promotion rivals Cambridge. Substitute Collins rolled home from the spot in the sixth minute of time added on after Sean Raggett was adjudged to have fouled Aaron Nemane. Cambridge had looked set to claim a massive victory in the challenge for a top-three finish, having taken the lead in the 75th minute through a sub of their own. Elliot Nevitt and Ben Knight both saw efforts blocked before the ball was bundled in by substitute striker Shayne Lavery. In the first half, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy ran clear but fired wide for the visitors. The Us went close after 51 minutes when Kell Watts crossed for James Gibbons, whose header was kept out by a strong Craig MacGillivray save, before they did go ahead through Lavery. MK looked to hit back, with Jake Eastwood denying both Joe Tomlinson and Curtis Nelson from point-blank range in the final five minutes, before they did deny Cambridge victory at the death. Mothin Ali has faced scrutiny for his pro-Palestine and anti-Israel comments - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Anti-Semitism is being used as a weapon to silence criticism of Israel, the deputy leader of the Green Party has said. Mothin Ali, 44, made the comments while throwing his weight behind the Zionism is racism motion expected to be debated at the Greens conference later this year. Earlier this month, The Telegraph revealed that grassroots members of Zack Polanskis party had submitted a proposal calling for the belief in the right to Jewish self-determination to be labelled as a racist ideology. Among the eight principles that will be adopted if the motion passes is support for Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation, including by armed struggle. This could be interpreted as support for violent uprisings and terror attacks. Green Party members can submit comments and suggestions on the motions intended for the spring conference via the party website. Underneath the Zionism is racism motion, a post seen by The Telegraph, appearing to be from Mr Ali, says: International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition [of anti-Semitism] has been used as a weapon to silence criticism of Israel and Zionism. Its time we recognise Zionism for what it really is. I support this motion. The proposed resolution also calls for the complete abolition of the state of Israel and the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. The widely adopted IHRA definition is a non-legally binding description of anti-Semitism including 11 examples that illustrate how anti-Jewish hatred can manifest in modern society. These examples include drawing comparisons between contemporary Israeli policy and that of the Nazis and uniquely denying Jewish people the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. In 2016, the Conservative-led Government formally adopted the IHRA definition. It was incorporated in full into the Labour Party in 2018. Last week Mr Polanski suggested he would back the controversial motion, telling Times Radio when asked: If the definition of Zionism is what is happening right now by the Israeli government, then yes, absolutely, thats racist and Ill vote for it [the motion]. It follows the landslide victory by Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer in the Gorton and Denton by-election, amid accusations that she ran a sectarian campaign by distributing Urdu-language leaflets about Gaza to the Pakistani community. Mothin Ali, Zack Polanski and Hannah Spencer celebrate the Green Partys Gorton and Denton by-election victory - Asadour Guzelian While some motions may not be voted on because of time constraints, Jewish groups have warned that, if adopted, the Green Party resolution could lead to a witch-hunt against Jews. A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said that an overwhelming majority of British Jews identify as Zionist, adding: This motion would effectively declare them inherently racist and would open the door to a frightening witch-hunt against Jews. It is appalling that the party would even consider this motion, let alone for its leaders to suggest that they may support it. Mr Ali has come under scrutiny several times in the past for pro-Palestine and anti-Israel comments. Shortly after the Oct 7 attacks, Mr Ali shared a post on social media stating that indigenous people have the right to fight back. He later apologised for any upset and claimed he did not support violence. Mothin Ali and Green Party members and supporters gathered on Bournemouth beach for a pro-Palestine protest at the partys conference in October last year - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch, the former Leeds University Jewish chaplain who was forced to flee his home after receiving threats, also claimed that Mr Ali amplified rape and death threats made against him and his wife with his provocative posts on social media. In videos Mr Ali referred to Rabbi Deutsch as an animal and a creep after he volunteered to serve in the Israeli army shortly after Oct 7. A Green Party spokesman said: The Green Party is a democratic party and members submit motions to our conference to set policy. This is currently not policy. It is a proposed motion. Each motion goes into a prioritisation ballot to decide which will be voted on. We do not yet know whether this motion will be debated at this years spring conference. Benfica have suspended five supporters for racist behaviour during their Champions League play-off first-leg defeat to Real Madrid earlier this month. Vinicius Junior was booked by referee Francois Letexier after putting Real ahead for what was deemed an excessive celebration in front of the Benfica fans and footage showed some supporters appearing to make racist gestures towards him. Shortly afterwards play was suspended for 10 minutes after the Brazilian alleged to the referee he had been racially abused by Benficas Gianluca Prestianni, who denies the claims. Benfica said in a statement they had suspended five members and cancelled their respective red passes following the initiation of disciplinary proceedings which may lead to the application of the maximum sanction provided for in the statutes: expulsion. Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring in the return leg in Madrid (Manu Fernandez/AP). (Manu Fernandez) They added: The opening of these disciplinary proceedings results from the internal inquiry triggered following the match between Benfica and Real Madrid, held on February 17th, and the adoption of inappropriate behaviours in the stands of a racist nature, incompatible with the values and principles that govern the club. Benfica reaffirms that it does not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism and will continue to act firmly whenever behaviours that undermine the values of the club, sport and society are involved. Prestianni, who is under investigation, missed last weeks second leg in Madrid, in which the hosts completed a 3-1 aggregate win, after being provisionally suspended by UEFA. What he said to Vinicius is disputed, with Prestianni vehemently denying using racist language. The Argentinians mouth was covered when he appeared to say something to Vinicius. Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee emerged from a six-hour deposition with former President Bill Clinton with sharply contrasting takeaways particularly when it came to President Donald Trumps relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. During the closed-door proceedings in upstate New York, Clinton was peppered with questions about the billionaire pedophile including whether or not he had sex with an unidentified woman pictured in the Epstein files. The former two-term Democratic president stressed that he did nothing wrong, that he saw nothing that ever gave me pause and that he cut ties with the convicted sex offender long before his 2008 guilty plea. Following the deposition Friday, Republican lawmakers thanked Clinton for his cooperation, with Rep. Nancy Mace telling reporters that he did attempt to respond to every single question asked, even when his attorneys told him to shut up. GOP officials also claimed that Clintons testimony absolved Trump of wrongdoing, while Democrats contended that it actually raised more questions than it answered about the 79-year-old president. Both Clinton and Trump have denied wrongdoing associated with Epstein. Neither has been charged with a crime associated with him. Former President Bill Clinton sat for a six-hour deposition with House Oversight Committee members about his relationship with Epstein (AP) Video of the proceeding is expected to be released soon and lawmakers have said that more people will be brought in to testify. Here are the main takeaways from Bill Clintons deposition. Democrats and Republicans sparred over Trump's relationship with Epstein Democratic members of the committee told reporters that Clintons testimony raised more questions about why Trump and Epstein stopped being friends in the early 2000s. In fact, President Clinton confirmed that he knew Trump and Epstein had a close relationship and said Trump reported having great times with Epstein, Oversight Democrats wrote in a statement. Trump, who has always maintained his innocence related to Epstein, has said he stopped being friends with Epstein because he kicked him out of Mar-a-Lago after learning Epstein acted inappropriately with women. But Republican Chairman James Comer had a different takeaway claiming Clinton exonerated Trump of wrongdoing. He stated that he has no information that President Trump did anything wrong, and that President Trump never said anything to Clinton to make him think that he was involved with Epstein, Comer said in a statement. Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, urged Republicans to release the transcript and video of the Clintons' depositions within 24 hours (Reuters) Bill Clinton said I did nothing wrong The former president adamantly stated in his opening remarks that while he once knew Epstein, he knew nothing of Epsteins crimes and never participated. "I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing, Clinton told lawmakers. Bill Clinton has always maintained his position of innocence, despite unflattering photos that have emerged, which have led to speculation. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that, at the end of the day, matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn't see. I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn't do. I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong, Clinton said. The former president added that as someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane. I would have turned him in myself. As someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doingI would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not sweetheart deals. pic.twitter.com/0rX8cat5Pu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) February 27, 2026 Lawmakers asked Bill Clinton about photos in Epstein files The former president was reportedly asked about photos where he appears alongside Epstein and occasionally women. The photos were unveiled by the Justice Department as part of the Epstein files. One photo in particular shows Bill Clinton reclined in a jacuzzi with a woman whose face is redacted. When asked if he knew the women, the former president said he did not. When asked if he had ever had sex with the woman, Clinton said he did not, sources told CNN. The former president specifically told members of the committee that his memory may not be able to recall some of the details from years ago. Bill Clinton insisted he did not know the identity of the woman pictured with him in a jacuzzi in the Epstein files (DOJ) Bill Clinton criticized lawmakers for deposing Hillary Clinton As part of his opening statements, Clinton criticized lawmakers for forcing his wife, Hillary Clinton, to also sit for a six-hour closed-door deposition Thursday. You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties. Whether you subpoenaed 10 people or 10,000, including her was simply not right, Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton has consistently said she did not know Epstein well, had never been to his home or offices, never flown on his jet and didnt remember meeting him. Hillary Clinton, appearing after her deposition Thursday, said lawmakers asked her unrelated questions during her six-hour testimony (AFP/Getty) Democrats accused Republican committee members of subpoenaing Hillary Clinton for a political show, saying they asked unrelated questions about UFOs, conspiracy theories and her personal feelings. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, meanwhile, accused the former secretary of state ofscreaming and being unhinged during her deposition. A spokesperson for Hillary Clinton called Mace full of s***. GOP lawmaker appeared to share photo from closed-door briefing Hours after the deposition, Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, posted a photo that appeared to depict Clinton as he testified before lawmakers. It came one day after Boebert reportedly leaked a photo of Hillary Clinton during her own deposition to a right-wing influencer, which was posted online. The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffrey Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee, MAGA influencer Benny Johnson wrote on X. This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy. After the post, the proceedings briefly went off the record in order to determine what happened and whether any rules had been violated, Clinton adviser Nick Merrill said. While recorded, both depositions were held behind closed doors against the wishes of the Clintons. What comes next? After Clintons deposition, Republican committee members emphasized that their investigation remains ongoing, noting they still seek answers about Epstein including about the source of his wealth and the network of individuals connected to him. Were going to bring more people in, Comer told reporters. Were not finished. In addition to the Clintons, the committee deposed billionaire Les Wexner, a longtime Epstein associate, in Ohio earlier this month. When asked whether Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would be brought in to testify, Comer urged viewers to stay tuned. We have a lot of questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post conviction, the first conviction, he said. Earlier in the day, Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, said he believes they have enough votes to subpoena Lutnick, who admitted to visiting Epsteins private island in 2012. When it came to Trump, Republicans struck a different tune, claiming there was no need to bring the president before the committee as they said without evidence that he has been exonerated of wrongdoing. Democrats, on the other hand, have repeatedly called for Trump to face questions about his relationship with Epstein. If Donald Trump, according to them, is exonerated, then why did Secretary Hillary Clinton who's literally never met Jeffrey Epstein come before us? Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat, told CNN on Friday evening. By that standard, Donald Trump should come before this committee. Mark Hancock, CEO: 'Character formation requires moral steadiness not cultural reinvention' GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following comments by Secretary Pete Hegseth indicating the Department of War will closely review youth organizations for compliance with the administration's executive order, Trail Life USA reaffirmed that it has never wavered in its mission to form courageous, principled young men grounded in timeless values. The Secretary's comments came in a video noting that Scouting America (originally the Boy Scouts of America) had agreed to drop "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" (DEI) elements from its program, including a new DEI-centric merit badge required for Eagle, in response to an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump. The department will monitor their progress and evaluate it during the next six months, Hegseth said. "There are also additional youth and boys' organizations, groups like Trail Life USA that are already compliant with President Trump's executive order, that the Department may eventually support as well. But we're watching, and we're watching closely," he said in the video . Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA, stated, "We are grateful for Pete Hegseth's recognition of Trail Life USA as a premier national character development organization for young men, which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. Since our inception, Trail Life has remained true to its mission: to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. "When institutions responsible for forming boys allow their core convictions to shift with cultural or political pressure, they lose moral authority and boys lose trust. Character formation requires moral steadiness, not constant reinvention," Hancock added. "It's important to remind boys that their 'Y' matters, that they matter to their families, their communities and to their nation. We are ready to answer America's call to assist boys in discovering their God-given purpose and potential." Trail Life USA is the premier national character development organization for young men, producing godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. Trail Life's mission is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. Troops exist in all 50 states and are growing as Trail Life USA expands around the country. Find a Troop today, or Start a Troop in your community. Find out more at TrailLifeUSA.com . Trail Life USA's K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences that build a young man's skills. A robust awards program motivates young men to grow on a personal level to become role models and leaders among their peers. Living the Trail Life USA is a journey established on timeless values derived from the Bible. Discover more about Trail Life USA at TrailLifeUSA.com , Facebook , Instagram , X (formerly Twitter), YouTube , or Vimeo . SOURCE Trail Life USA Thomas Simpkins, 44, a Santa Clara father, was found on February 14 in San Tomas Aquino Creek near the stadium where the Seahawks beat the Patriots on February 8 (Brandi Stroud/NBC Bay Area) The family of a Bay Area man is seeking answers after he was found dead in a creek next to Levis Stadium nearly a week after disappearing on Super Bowl Sunday. Thomas Simpkins, 44, a Santa Clara resident and father, was discovered on February 14 in San Tomas Aquino Creek, which runs alongside the stadium where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots on February 8. Simpkins death is being investigated as a possible homicide, his sister, Brandi Stroud, told the San Francisco Chronicle. He leaves behind three stepchildren and one biological son and was in the midst of a divorce, she added. The Santa Clara Police Department described the case to the outlet as an ongoing investigation but did not provide further details. The Santa Clara County medical examiners office has not yet determined the cause or manner of death and told the SF Chronicle that additional investigation is pending. Stroud told NBC Bay Area that Simpkins was last seen the night of the Super Bowl, after attending a barbecue in South San Jose with friends. He reportedly took an Uber home around 9 p.m., planning to relax after the festivities, according to texts shared with Stroud. Thomas Simpkins, 44, a Santa Clara father, was found on February 14 in San Tomas Aquino Creek near the stadium where the Seahawks beat the Patriots on February 8 (Brandi Stroud/NBC Bay Area) The next day, Simpkins 19-year-old son went to the Palo Alto restaurant where his father worked and learned that he had missed his shift. Concern grew when the family could not reach Simpkins by phone, prompting them to file a missing persons report. Stroud, who lives in Oregon, traveled to the Bay Area to help search for her brother. The familys efforts were initially unsuccessful, and she said she only learned that a body had been recovered in the creek near the stadium after a stranger sent her a link to police scanner audio on Facebook, NBC Bay Area reports. She contacted the medical examiners office and identified her brother by a large tattoo of his last name across his back. Authorities later confirmed the body had been found in San Tomas Aquino Creek, about six miles from his home. His phone and wallet were missing when police found him, according to Stroud. Simpkins' sister claimed she learned of a body found near Levi's Stadium only after a stranger shared police scanner audio on Facebook (Getty Images) The case was delayed three days as neighboring city police passed it back and forth before San Jose police took over, Stroud claimed. There was a huge delay, she told the SF Chronicle. They didnt take my brothers case seriously at all. The San Jose Police Department told The Independent in a statement Saturday that because the case involved multiple jurisdictions, the agencies coordinated to ensure the investigation was handled thoroughly and properly. We understand how incredibly difficult and emotional this situation is for the family. When a loved one is missing, every moment feels critical, and we recognize the fear and frustration that can come with that uncertainty, the statement read. At no point was this case dismissed or ignored. Both agencies worked to ensure the matter was addressed in accordance with investigative protocols and jurisdictional requirements, it continued. Santa Clara police, which led the investigation after the body was found, added in a statement to the SF Chronicle, This case was not delayed and was investigated with the protocols and investigative steps required. The Independent has contacted the Santa Clara Police Department Santa Clara County medical examiners office for comment. The attacks by United States and Israeli forces on the Iranian regime had no clear objective and no basis in international law. Nevertheless, if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, the clerical ruler who transformed Iran into one of the Middle Easts dominant powers, was killed by US-Israeli strikes on Saturday, we are waking up to a new reality. What usually happens with a policy of decapitation is that dangerous leaders are replaced by even more dangerous hardliners. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu had no good reason to suppose that the outcome in Iran would be any different. President Trump, it is true, has basked in the praise of his cheerleaders since the US military captured Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro from his fortified compound at the start of January. But this is nothing like Venezuela, which was closer in conception and execution to a specialised police operation. With the vast firepower involved and the potential for regional escalation, this is of a different scale entirely. Almost unanimously, the international community agrees that the Iranian regime must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons. But so far, it has not been demonstrated that the negotiations to that end have failed and in any case, disrupting the Iranian nuclear programme was the purpose of the bunker-busting bombing of the Fordow and Natanz nuclear plants in June last year. This time, the US-Israeli strikes seem to be aimed at political targets and the purpose seems to be regime change, although President Trump has not used the phrase, calling instead on the Iranian people to take over your government. However, there is no evidence so far that airstrikes will enable them to do this. Sir Keir Starmer was right, therefore, to refuse permission for US attacks to be launched from British bases, including Diego Garcia, the US base on the Chagos Islands, which are still British territory. The prime minister was also right to decide that while British forces should stand aside from the attacks on Iran, they should be sent to the defence of nations in the region to help protect them from Iranian counterattacks. It is not surprising that the initial attacks have divided opinion across the world and in Britain. The Saudi Arabian government, for example, supported the US-Israeli action. More surprisingly, perhaps, Anthony Albanese, the Labor prime minister of Australia, backed it, too. At home, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, and Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, supported it in Mr Farages case with a Trumpian exclamation mark: The prime minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran! Most of the other parties in parliament are opposed, although from Jeremy Corbyn, who took Iranian state TVs money, a period of silence would be welcome. The division of opinion is to be expected because the Iranian people are entitled to our support, and the Iranian regime richly deserves condemnation. But these strikes so far have not actually helped the brave Iranian people resist their oppressors; they will only answer bloodshed with bloodshed. There are many in Iran who will welcome the US strikes. Perhaps, this time, they really will take over [their] government. But it must be said that when the president promised Iranian protesters that help is on the way six weeks ago, it did not materialise, and tens of thousands of them were murdered by the regime. Now that this help has arrived, the emptiness of what he offered before will only be more evident. We can only hope that this time will be different. With Mr Trump, there is always a tweet. In fact, there are usually half a dozen tweets, including those some years ago in which he criticised Barack Obama for doing exactly what he is doing now. In 2013, he wrote on what was then called Twitter: Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly not skilled! President Obama never did attack Iran, and, inconclusive as negotiations were, the Iranian regime never did acquire nuclear weapons. If only the US was still under such wise and reliable leadership. The Gibraltar-Spain land border will no longer require passport checks - Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Gett British citizens in Gibraltar will regain lost EU freedom of movement rights under the Rocks new Brexit deal. Residents will get back the right to work in the EU as if they were citizens of the bloc under the EU-UK treaty. Gibraltarians will be able to freely cross the land border into Spain and take employment there with equal rights as Spaniards. The privileges were lost when Brexit took practical effect in 2020. Jose Manuel Albares, the Spanish foreign minister, celebrated the fall of the last wall in Europe. Under the terms of the treaty between the EU and UK, UK nationals and their family members who legally reside in Gibraltar shall have a right to take up and pursue an activity as an employed frontier worker in the kingdom of Spain. Gibraltar residents will be allowed to enter Spain on a daily basis for work, just as EU citizens, mostly Spaniards, will continue to be able to work in Gibraltar. 2802 Gibraltar satellite The deal means that land border checkpoints between Gibraltar and Spain will be removed, probably sometime this spring, allowing for a free-flowing movement of workers, tourists and shoppers in either direction. The absence of passport checks will allow effective free movement across the land border for UK residents of Gibraltar, although technically the treaty includes a limit on stays of 90 days every six months in the Schengen space including Spain. The deal means passports do not have to be stamped. Gibraltarians will not have to use the EUs new entry/exit system, which requires biometric data like fingerprints and enters into force on April 10. Under the agreement, Spanish border police will screen entrants to Gibraltars airport alongside Gibraltar police and Spain will also have the right to block the issuance of a Gibraltar residency permit to any individual it deems a threat. But UK citizens in Gibraltar will not be allowed to live or study in the EU, like they had before Brexit. The Left-wing government of Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, parked the countrys historical sovereignty claim to the Rock. Terms of Gibraltar agreement Instead, it sought an agreement that would trigger greater economic activity in the neighbouring area, known as Campo de Gibraltar, where unemployment is consistently above 25 per cent. Every day, 15,000 cross-border workers enter Gibraltar from Spain, usually passing quickly through the border control by flashing their special cards. But the inflow of workers into Gibraltar could become more balanced if the deal successfully fosters growth on the Spanish side. La Linea, the town closest to Gibraltar, is planning to build a technology park to compete with the Rocks booming IT services sector. With this agreement we change the relationship between Gibraltar and Campo de Gibraltar with a focus on cooperation and shared prosperity, Mr Albares said. Most goods will be able to pass freely across the border thanks to a customs union as part of the treaty but Spanish and EU negotiators sought to ensure that Gibraltar will not be able to export food or medicine into Spain. As part of a safeguard to protect single market rules and stop food and drugs moving into Spain, pre-packaged food made under non-EU standards must be marked not for EU and medicines labelled UK only The deal on Gibraltar comes as Sir Keir Starmer attempts to accelerate his reset with the EU. He is seeking closer alignment with the single market and deeper security cooperation with the bloc. The Government is currently negotiating with Brussels on the terms of a youth mobility deal, under which tens of thousands of young British and European citizens would be given the right to live and work in each others countries. Starmer is trying to slide the UK back into the UK, agreement by agreement, its a conspiracy as he makes it clear the EU is helping him every step of the way, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, told The Telegraph earlier this week. Labour insists it will not stray from its manifesto red lines of no return to the single market or freedom of movement in the reset negotiations. A UK-EU summit this summer in Brussels could pave the way to further negotiations on closer ties between the UK and EU. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali at a four-day meeting of Caribbean leaders. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/AFP/Getty Images) Caribbean countries have pledged to support Cuba through a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a US fuel embargo, after a leaders summit defined by regional divisions over Washingtons policies. The decision to send humanitarian assistance to Cuba was announced during a press conference on Friday to mark the end of the four-day Caribbean Community (Caricom) meeting in St Kitts and Nevis, which secretary of state Marco Rubio attended to discuss US relations with Caribbean governments. The summit was held amid escalating tensions between Cuba and the US after the arrest of the Caribbean nations key ally, the Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, by US forces and the Trump administration imposed an oil blockade on Cuba in January. At the opening of the conference there were calls for dialogue to de-escalate the tensions between Cuba and the US, with Jamaicas prime minister Andrew Holness raising concerns about the severe economic hardship, energy shortages and growing humanitarian strain and its potential consequences on the wider region. Related: Caribbean leaders call for de-escalation and dialogue amid US oil embargo on Cuba On Friday, the chair of Caricom, St Kitts and Nevis prime minister, Terrance Drew, said that the 15-country bloc will be responding in a significant way to help the humanitarian situation in Cuba within a month. Asked whether there will be a joint Caricom statement condemning the US military intervention in the region, which has included deadly military strikes against suspected drug boats in the area killing at least 151 people without providing evidence of wrongdoing, Drew told reporters that the body was investigating and gathering information to ensure a complete and comprehensive response. Caribbean political analyst Peter Wickham said a disagreement among members about the US policies may be the reason for Caricoms lack of a clear position on the matter. At the meetings opening session, Trinidad and Tobagos prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has continuously praised Trumps military attacks in the region, challenged calls from fellow leaders to protect the Caribbean as a zone of peace. Crediting the US military intervention for a reported reduction in crime in Trinidad and Tobago, she said: Dont talk to me about a zone of peace when Trinidad and Tobago, 1.4 million people, we recorded 623 murders in one year, in 2024. And 40% of those murders were gang-related, driven by narcotics, by firearms smuggled in from Venezuela, and gangs coming out of Venezuela and mingling and mixing with gangs in Trinidad. This staunch support of the Trump administration may have made it difficult for a Caricom consensus on US military interventions in the region, Wickham said. The reality is that America believes its legal. Trinidad and Tobago, who is an ally, believes its legal. Everyone else has reservations about the legality. But Caricom has to speak from everybodys perspective. So once Trinidad and Tobago is in the room and they hold a different view, theres absolutely nothing that you can do to get a common position in that regard. And I think that thats what was probably needed, he added. David Abdulah, a Caribbean politician and regional executive committee member of civil society organisation, the Assembly of Caribbean People, has also called for a clear position from Caricom on the matter. Referring to an open letter from the Assembly sent to Caricom ahead of the meeting and urging it to defend Cubas sovereignty and its right to self determination, he said it is very clear that the Caricom leaders withered. This was what we were concerned about, that Rubios visit and meeting with the heads of government would further split and divide Caricom, so that Caricom would not be able to take a strong common position, he added. Pointing to Trumps invitation to only Persad-Bissessar and Guyanas president Irfaan Ali from Caricom to his meeting with Latin American leaders, he said: Its very clear that what Trump and Rubio are doing, is to divide Latin America and the Caribbean into those who are supporting them, and this is going to pose very grave dangers to the sovereignty of our individual countries and to the wellbeing of our citizens going forward. In Fridays press conference, Drew addressed the concerns about disunity in Caricom. Caricom does not have a homogeneous or a single foreign policy that is left up to sovereign states. Caricom might seek to coordinate but each state, as was mentioned before, has the opportunity to determine what would be its foreign policy agenda he said, adding that Caricom is not a political union and that Trinidad and Tobago or any other country being invited to a meeting does not fragment Caricom. Drew also said that Caricom and the US will work out a new cooperation agreement to strengthen their relationship and guide migration, security, trade and investment, disaster recovery, human development and technical assistance. The new framework, he said, will supersede agreements such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative, launched in 1983 to manage economic relations between the region and the US. Thousands of Britons have been left stranded in the Middle East after global airlines grounded hundreds of flights due to US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Iran and Iraqs airspaces were closed due to the escalating military action, which has seen blasts reported in multiple countries across the region, and Dubai International Airport, the biggest global aviation hub, suspended all flights on Saturday. Martin Boreham, who had been on holiday in Dubai with his wife, was due to get the 1.10pm British Airways flight back to Heathrow when the captain told the passengers the airspace had been closed. Mr Boreham spoke to The Independent just after he had disembarked the flight, which stood on the tarmac for three hours. He said: "We were all ready to go, sat there for about 15 minutes, and then the captain came on and said that the airspace was shut. We were on the plane for three hours. Weve actually just got off and been given instructions to go back into immigration. Its carnage here. British Airways have told us: Go to immigration, pick up your bags and then youll get a text message, which seems a bit wishy washy to be honest. Im a bit concerned about that." Dubai International Airport, the biggest global aviation hub, has suspended flights due to US-Israel strikes on Iran (AP) He said he would book a hotel once he got out of Dubai airport, but he has no idea how or when he will be able to leave the country. He said: My biggest concern now is we just dont know when were going to get out. It could be Monday, it could be a week Monday. Nobody knows whats going on. Its 90 degrees today if that helps, but Im ready to come home. Weve been here a week on holiday. Weve been coming here for 30 years. Its all a bit discombobulated at the moment, because I dont think that anyones been in this situation before. Mr Boreham, who is now retired and has been travelling to Dubai for 30 years, added that when he and his wife stepped off their flight, they realised they faced queueing with hundreds of other people through immigration and baggage handling. Its not just BA, its every single flight that was due to leave. So its chaos here, just imagine 100 flights getting off at once. Its hundreds of people, Ive never seen the airport like it. On a typical day, around 250,000 passengers arrive and depart at Dubai. Qatar Airways has also suspended all flights to and from its base in Doha. Smoke in the sky after reported blasts were heard, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in this still image obtained from a video obtained by Reuters (via Reuters) Media professional Elliot Worthing was flying home to Manchester from Doha on Qatar Airways but was diverted to Muscat in Oman on Saturday morning after Qatar's airspace was shut. He told The Independent that passengers were told about the attacks in Qatar once they landed, and have since disembarked the flight to be taken to a hotel. Have you been affected by flight cancellations? Share your story with holly.bancroft@independent.co.uk Mr Worthing said there was initially panic when the flight first touched down, with passengers trying to find out whether Oman was a safe place to be, adding: Its not the case of a delayed flight. Its a case of an attack. He said he was worried he might be stranded in Muscat for several days. Ive got work on Monday. Im sure everyone else has as well, he said. Im not thinking its going to be a long day. Im thinking it's going to be a long few days, possibly even a week. Im even beginning to think a bit longer than that. People in Tehran look to the skies from a rooftop amid reports of widespread attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel (Getty Images) Jonny Escott, 30, who has lived in Dubai for the past five years, was scheduled to fly home on Emirates from Newcastle at 1.10pm on Saturday with his partner, Rebecca. He told The Independent that check-in wasnt open when he got to Newcastle airport for his flight back home. We knew what was going on, so then we were waiting around. At about 12, my sister-in-law, who works for Emirates, let us know that the flight had been cancelled. We got told at the airport five minutes later. The Emirates staff said that it looks like two flights will go out on Monday, but I dont think anyone has a clue what will happen over the next few days. Mr Escott and his partner have gone back to stay with family in Hartlepool while they wait to find out what might happen. Speaking about the situation back in Dubai, he said: Everythings on shutdown from what weve been told, its pretty scary. Its hard for everyone, and its such a unique situation. Emirates are doing their best, but no one has a clue whats going to happen next. Rosie Murray-West is stuck in Doha until further notice (Rosie Murray-West) British journalist Rosie Murray-West is stranded with her husband in Doha as missiles heading towards the city are being intercepted above her. She was supposed to be flying home early on Monday morning after joining her husband at a work conference in Qatars capital, but said that everyone has been told to shelter. Mrs Murray-West had been at the Museum of Islamic Art when alarms on her phone started going off. She said she has been told nothing but that she cannot fly, and she has no idea when she will be able to get home. People are very calm, and it is quiet on the streets, but you can hear the missiles coming over and being intercepted, which is quite disconcerting, she told The Independent. Its Ramadan, so the streets are quiet until sunset anyway, so its a bit hard to tell. Ayatollah Khamenei is dead. Who is likely to succeed him? Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a series of US-Israeli strikes across Iran, Donald Trump has said. The US and Israel struck dozens of targets in the attacks, including the supreme leaders compound. Iranian authorities say the strikes killed at least hundreds of people on Saturday morning. Trump confirmed Khameneis death after a senior Israeli government source told The Independent that the clerical ruler, who has overseen Irans transformation into one of the Middle Easts dominant powers since 1989, was killed in the strike that flattened his compound. His death ends 37 years of the clerical rulers leadership of Iran, in which he oversaw its transition into one of the Middle Easts major powers. Khamenei ruled Iran since 1989 (AFP via Getty Images) Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, the US president wrote on Truth Social, adding that it is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country. He added: This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. Here, The Independent looks at the different groups who form Irans fragmented opposition and who could vie for the Iranian leadership in the event of a power vacuum. The Peoples Mujahideen Organisation The remnants of the once-powerful leftist militant group which bombed the Shahs government and US targets in the 1970s still wield a degree of influence in Iran, and now advocate for the overthrow of the Iranian government. Known by its Persian name, the Mujahideen-e Khalq Organisation (MEK or MKO), the group fell out with the other factions alongside which it deposed the Iranian Shah and replaced the Imperial State of Iran with the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979. Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Peoples Mujahideen, salutes her supporters as she arrives for a meeting organised by the group (AFP/Getty) But the Mujahideen soon developed large numbers of enemies in Iran after siding with Iraq during the war of 1980-88. Massoud Rajavi, its former leader, remains in exile and has not been seen for more than 20 years. His wife, Maryam Rajavi, is now in control, but the group has shown little evidence of activity within Irans border for years. Instead, the group is the driving force behind the National Council of Resistance of Iran, led by Ms Rajavi, which has an active presence in many Western countries. The Mujahideen has been criticised by rights groups for what they describe as cult-like behaviour and the abuse of its followers, but the group denies these allegations. The monarchists When revolution swept through Iran in 1979, transforming the country into an Islamic Republic, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi Irans last Shah fled the country. He died just a year later in Egypt in 1980. Reza Pahlavi, his son, was heir to the Iranian throne at the time of the revolution. He now lives in the US, from where he calls for regime change through non-violent means and a referendum on a new government. Reza Pahlavi, activist, advocate and oldest son of the last Shah of Iran (AFP/Getty) Following reports Khamenei had been killed, he wrote on X: Ali Khamenei, the bloodthirsty despot of our time, the murderer of tens of thousands of Irans bravest sons and daughters, has been erased from the face of history. With his death, the Islamic Republic has in effect reached its end and will very soon be consigned to the dustbin of history. This week he staked his claim to lead Iran. In a TV interview he told Fox News that he has the support and mandate necessary to helm a transitional government in Iran. "The military will side with us, and we have a plan of action and a transition plan," he said, though experts have cast doubt on the level of sway he holds on the ground in a country he has not lived in for almost half a century. There are also many splits even among pro-monarchist groups in Iran. Ethnic minority groups Irans Sunni Muslim Kurdish and Baluch minorities have long expressed opposition to Tehrans Persian-speaking and Shiite government. Kurdish groups have carried out periods of active insurgency against government forces in western areas of Iran, where they form a majority. Meanwhile in Baluchistan, along the border with Pakistan, opposition ranges from supporters of Sunni clerics to armed jihadists linked to al-Qaeda. Major protests in Iran have often been the fiercest in the Kurdish and Baluchi areas, but there is no strong, unified resistance against Tehrans rule. Leaders of mass protests movements Mass protest movements have swept Iran at different points for many decades, often with key figureheads at the helm. Protests in December and January, which began over economic unrest but soon spiralled into anti-regime protests, were met with brutal force by the Iranian regime. Some reports suggested around 30,000 were killed by regime forces. Whether mass unrest will once again erupt following Khameneis death is a matter that remains to be seen. So is the question of whether Tehrans response would be quite as forceful as it was in January - and who would lead it. Former Iranian prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi shows his identification card as he registers his candidacy for the presidential election in 2009 (AFP/Getty) Iran has a history of such protests. After a presidential election in 2009, thousands filled the streets of Tehran and other major cities as they accused authorities of rigging the vote in favour of incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who faced an electoral threat from rival candidate and former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mr Mousavi's Green Movement was crushed and he was put under house arrest, along with political ally and former parliament speaker Mehdi Karoubi. The movement, which sought democratic reform within the existing system of the Islamic republic, is now widely seen as defunct. In 2022, major protests again gripped Iran, centred on womens rights. Narges Mohammadi, a 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner who served as one of the figureheads, is currently in Irans notorious Evin prison. A power struggle Members of Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) march during an annual military parade (AFP/Getty) There are now real concerns about the possibility of a violent power struggle, with Iran now in a power vacuum. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could impose martial law and take control of the country in the short term if the clerical elite are removed from power. A civil war in Iran would bring serious disorder to the Middle East and risk destabilising Iraq, Turkey and potentially Pakistan. Trump need only look at Afghanistan and Libya for examples of the danger of ousting a regime without an obvious plan for a transition to liberal democracy. The NGO Project Play documented the impact of the hostile conditions in northern France, where migrants are subject to regular teargassing, evictions and dinghy-slashing by the French police Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA (Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA) The deaths of 22 children while trying to cross the Channel in the last two years, along with the mistreatment of thousands of others, were due to catastrophic failures of the UK and French governments, according to a new report. Project Play, an NGO that has worked with 2,192 children hoping to cross the Channel from northern France to the UK to claim asylum in the last two years, has documented the impact of the hostile conditions in northern France due to regular teargassing, evictions and dinghy-slashing by the French police. During that period the NGO documented the deaths of 22 children trying to cross the Channel, including five last year. The 2025 deaths were all due to crushing or asphyxiation in overcrowded dinghies. The youngest was eight-year-old Agdad Hilmi from Turkey, who died alongside her mother. Related: Legal challenge over plan to use East Sussex army camp as asylum housing dismissed Since 2023, the UK has provided 473m to the French government for the securitisation of the border in northern France but the breakdown of how that money is spent is unclear. Project Play workers say UK taxpayers are not aware that they are helping to fund violent tactics against children at the UK-France border. The report calls for a statutory inquiry into this border security operation and safe and accessible routes for those who want to claim asylum in the UK. Many families with children have tried to come to UK legally under the one in one out scheme which allows one person to come legally to the UK in exchange for another who arrived in a small boat being forcibly removed to France but have had their applications rejected. One man was rejected because his two children, who were aged six and one, did not have the correct documentation, the report says. Instead, the family tried to travel via a small boat. The father was beaten by French police on a beach, breaking several of his ribs. One four-year-old girl in the report described being teargassed, saying scary scary scary ouch, while another child said that the feeling of teargas in her mouth, eyes and lungs felt spicy. Childrens smaller respiratory systems make the effects of teargas more severe. The four-year-old girl received chemical burns on her back and stomach from dinghy fuel mixed with salt water, while another 12-year-old girl described sitting in a boat while police slashed it and teargassed those on board. The report found that children have developed fear of the police due to officers beating their parents and regularly evicting them from the places where they pitched their tents. Some played games pretending to be police or pretending to hide from police, while one placed a pretend blue siren on his head to arrest a play-worker. Related: Drop in overseas workers is car crash for UK hospitals and care homes, say experts Katie Hall, advocacy coordinator of Project Play, said: What we are seeing is a catastrophic failure on both sides of the Channel to ensure that childrens rights are protected. Every day, the children we work with face repeated violence on the beaches, in living sites and as a consequence of the basic services they are denied access to. Although this is happening in France, the UK is in no small part culpable. Investment to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds has correlated with a sharp rise in violence, including record child fatalities. Project Play is holding vigils in London and Leeds on Saturday and in Manchester on Sunday to commemorate the 22 children who lost their lives. At each vigil one toy will be placed for every child who died. Supporters will be invited to observe a two-minute silence. A Home Office spokesperson said: We continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminal smugglers from exploiting vulnerable people. We are driving down small boat crossings and disrupting criminal smuggling gangs through our work with international partners. Work with France has prevented 40,000 crossing attempts under this government. The home secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times, removing the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up the return of those with no right to be here. Frances interior ministry has been approached for comment. English water firm have accumulated nearly 1,200 criminal convictions for pollution and environmental offences, but not one chief executive has been charged with any offence. Photograph: The Photolibrary Wales/Alamy (Photograph: The Photolibrary Wales/Alamy) default Sarah Lambert took her usual morning swim for 40 minutes off Exmouth town beach before her volunteer shift helping disabled people get access to the water. A wheelchair user herself, Lamberts regular sea swims twice a week between the lifeboat station and HeyDays restaurant were the perfect form of exercise for her disability. It was August 2024, and a dry summers day on Englands south-west coast. At 4.15pm, lifeguards shut the beach, erected red flags and asked people to leave the water after East Devon district council was alerted to a catastrophic burst of the main pipe pumping sewage to the towns Maer Lane treatment works. But it was too late for Lambert. She started vomiting later that day and was admitted to hospital suffering life-threatening sepsis after being infected by E coli and Citrobacter bacteria, both of which are commonly found in sewage. Anger about the state of the privatised water industry in England intensified this week after the screening of Channel 4s docudrama Dirty Business. It weaves the human tragedy of the death from E coli O157 poisoning of eight-year-old Heather Preen in 1999, who had paddled just the other side of the Exe estuary from Lamberts swimming spot, with the unfolding of an environmental and public health crisis. It explores three decades of underinvestment by water companies, uncovered in part by amateur sleuths Peter Hammond and Ash Smith, as well as the cosy relationship between the water companies and those meant to be holding them to account. Related: Dirty Business and the failure of privatised water Lambert is now frightened and anxious about sea swimming, the form of exercise she used to love. I was seriously ill, I spent a week in hospital before I had to have 10 more days of intravenous antibiotics at home, said Lambert, 47, who is part of a group environmental legal claim against the local water company, South West Water. It took me a long time to recover. I am disabled, so I am quite vulnerable, and I moved to Exmouth to be coastal. The sea is just on my doorstep, but I dont swim there any more. None of this is right, none of this is acceptable. England remains an anomaly across the world, as the only country apart from Chile where water, a natural resource, is owned by private companies for profit. The then Conservative prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, promised in 1989 that privatisation would deliver higher investment. Related: Channel 4s Dirty Business is a clarion call to nationalise the water industry But as far back as 2002, ministers were warned in a report, which has remained secret, that privatisation would allow large external private equity shareholders to load companies with debt, and the financial regulator Ofwat inevitably would lose any regulatory control. Now, Prof Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human right to clean water, has singled out the English system for criticism, saying water should be managed as a publicly owned service, rather than run by private companies set up to benefit shareholders. Lambert, like others across the country who closely monitor the performance of their water companies, agrees with the UN rapporteur. The situation is not getting better, things are getting tangibly worse, said Andy Tyerman, of Exmouths anti-sewage pollution campaign Escape. South West Water set its own target for 2025 to be a four-star performer. But they have never been anything higher than two-star for more than 10 years. They set a target of no more than 20 sewage spills on average; last year there were 40 spills on average. We seem to be going backwards to the 1990s. Increased rainfall as a result of climate breakdown, combined with increased housebuilding, is adding pressure to an industry that has had decades of underinvestment. The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) says it is vital to have regular mapping and reporting of ageing pipes and treatment plants to prevent failures, rather than just reacting to them. None of us can expect every service to be 100% reliable in the face of big shocks to the system, but we should at least know what we can reasonably expect from different utilities when extreme events occur, said Jim Hall, a professor of climate and environmental risks at the University of Oxford and an adviser to the NIC. In the 27 years since Heathers death the water industry has built debts that today stand at 73bn, having paid out dividends of 88.4bn in that time, as well as having overseen record sewage spills. Dozens of people have fallen ill, sometimes with life-changing conditions, after swimming in waters polluted by sewage. Once-clear rivers have turned brown, countless fish and other animals have been killed, and local communities have resorted to waging endless David v Goliath battles against the water industry and political inaction. English water companies have accumulated nearly 1,200 criminal convictions for pollution and environmental offences, but not one chief executive has been charged with any offence. The biggest criminal case against any water company, the prosecution of Southern Water for dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into protected seas, for which it was fined a record 90m, did not put any director in court despite the prosecutor saying there was long-term corporate knowledge. There have been moments when ministers in one of the seven governments over the period have taken on the water companies, waving the stick of growing public support for renationalisation unless they reform. In 2018, Michael Gove, as environment secretary for the Conservative party, accused the companies of financial engineering, pointing out that not a single new reservoir had been built since privatisation, while 95% of the industrys profits had been paid in dividends to shareholders. The Labour party took power in 2024 promising to be tough, banning bonuses for poor-performing companies. Its draft legislation promises the biggest shakeup of the water sector in a generation, focusing on tougher regulation with a single powerful body, ending the policy of water companies reporting their own pollution. But ministers are resisting any kind of public control of water, even for the most egregious performers, such as Thames Water, which provides water and sewerage services to 16 million customers across London and the south-east and is struggling with 20bn debts. In effect Thames is now being controlled by a consortium of global private equity firms and hedge funds, who say they will not comply with environmental rules for 15 years and are pushing to be let off any resulting pollution fines, something ministers are seriously considering. Examples across the world show nationalised systems running more efficiently. In Paris, France, water is 100% municipally owned and the customer satisfaction rate of the publicly owned Eau de Paris ranges from 90-96%. In the UK, ministers repeat the figure of 90-100bn as the cost of restoring water to public control, but it has been criticised as economically illiterate and is based on an estimate from a thinktank funded by water companies. Clive Lewis, a Labour MP who is leading a campaign for the public ownership of water, said: Public ownership works around the world. The cost the government keeps putting up of 100bn has been thoroughly debunked, and there is no good argument not to do this. Public control of the water industry has always been popular, with a 2024 poll indicating support from 82% of people. At the grassroots, campaigners responsible for shining a light on the scale of sewage pollution by water companies believe public control is key. Everyone thinks nationalising will be the same as it looked in the 1970s, but there are lots of modern models we can look to, said Tyerman. Becky Malby, of Ilkley Clean Water campaign in West Yorkshire, said: The [governments plan] shackles the public to failed privatised water companies with long-term increases in bills and no end in sight to broken infrastructure and pollution for profit. There are interesting hybrid public ownership models, none of which the government has considered. From within the Environment Agency, the government regulator that has been criticised for failing to protect the environment from sewage pollution, a whistleblower who has worked with the Guardian and who revealed his identity in Dirty Business has spent the past nine years trying to expose what is going on from the frontline. Robert Forrester, who was an environment officer for 21 years, believes the structure of a water regulator funded in large part by permit fees from private water companies, which in 2025-26 provide 149m out of the total budget of 189m for water regulation is corrupted. The Environment Agency did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for South West Water said: We are sorry to hear that someone has been unwell, however we are unable to comment on individual cases. We are planning important improvements to the Maer Lane sewage treatment works to help cut storm overflows and better manage wastewater for the Exmouth community. The early stages are going well, and weve already completed the first surveys and flowmodelling needed to plan the upgrade properly. Forrester said: Public control is absolutely needed. [The] regulator cannot regulate because it has so many vested interests in the businesses it is regulating. London & Valley Water, the consortium of investors in effect running Thames Water, denied it was seeking leniency from fines in discussions with Ofwat. A spokesperson said: Our plan will transform Thames Waters operations, investing billions of pounds to upgrade infrastructure, deliver long-term performance improvement and clean up the local environment. Donald Trump said Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - one of the most evil people in history - was killed during US and Israeli strikes. Earlier, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there are growing signs Khamenei is no longer. But he did not explicitly confirm his death as he called on ordinary citizens to flood the streets and finish the job. Writing on his Truth Social platform the US President said: Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. On Saturday evening, a senior Israeli official told the Reuters news agency Khamenei, who has ruled Iran since 1989, is dead and his body has been found. Israeli TV networks reported that a photo of his remains had been shown to Trump and Netanyahu after his compound was blitzed in Tehran. Fire at entrance to Fairmont The Palm (.) Asked about who will replace Khamenei, Trump told NBC: I dont know, but at some point theyll be calling me to ask who Id like... Im only being a little sarcastic when I say that. Before confirming the news, Trump told ABC he believed the tyrant was dead, adding to correspondent Rachel Scott: I dont want to say anything definitively until I see things but we believe he is. And much of their leaders are gone. However, Iranian officials insist Khamenei is safe and sound. State media cited the head of public relations at Khameneis office as saying the enemy is resorting to mental warfare, all should be aware. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Donald Trump (AFP via Getty Images) On Saturday a fire broken out near the entrance of the Fairmont The Palm, a luxury hotel in Dubai popular with Westerners and Britons. Debris reportedly fell from the sky during an Iranian missile attack. Dramatic photos and videos shared on social media show flames tearing through the area outside the beachfront hotel, with a thick plume of smoke rising into the night sky. Iran has struck several Middle Eastern countries, including Dubai, following a joint US-Israeli attack on Saturday morning (Fatima Shbair/AP) (AP) The cause of the blaze has not been officially confirmed, but Iranian state media had earlier reported that an attack had been launched on Dubai amid escalating tensions in the region. Sir Keir Starmer has discussed the situation in the Middle East with Trump, Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister spoke to Trump by phone on Saturday evening, a spokesman said. Sir Keir set out that the UK was taking part in coordinated regional defensive operations to protect British people and regional partners following Irans indiscriminate retaliatory strikes on allies in the region, they added. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned indiscriminate Iranian strikes after a fire broke out at a luxury hotel in Dubai. In a statement on X, Cooper said she had spoken to her Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to express our solidarity with the UAE. She said: The scenes in the Palm Hotel in Dubai are awful. The UK condemns these indiscriminate Iranian strikes. In a call with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sir Keir expressed his deep concern about Irans attacks and reaffirmed the UKs commitment to the defence of Qatar and its allies. A Downing Street spokesperson said: They set out their shared resolve to find a path to de-escalation, working with allies to protect civilians and defend regional stability. The US and Israel have carried out a series of strikes on Iran (AP) (AP) Speaking to UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sir Keir expressed solidarity with the UAE and partners across the region in response to the loss of life, casualties and damage that has taken place. The spokesperson added that Sir Keir thanked the president for his efforts to keep British nationals in the UAE safe. The apparent assassination of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, would throw Irans future into doubt and raise the prospect of a protracted conflict given its threats of retaliation. Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trump told ABC US strikes have done such damage already and that a lot of Irans leadership is gone. We dont know all, but a lot of it is, Trump says in a phone interview. The president also says the US has a very good idea of who the next batch of Iranian leaders will be. The United States believes Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and five to 10 top Iranian leaders were killed, a Fox News reporter said on Saturday citing a US official. Israeli military lists seven senior Iranian figures eliminated including Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people had been killed across 24 provinces and 747 have so far been injured. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dressed the Security Council at an emergency meeting and says he is not in a position to confirm reports that Irans supreme leader had died. Iran struck the world-famous Fairmont hotel in Dubai, setting the hotel alight, as the war launched by the US and Israel on Iran quickly spread to the rest of the Middle East on Saturday. Residents watched in shock as an Iranian missile hit the five-star hotel in Dubais luxurious Palm Jumeirah area. Social media videos showed fires breaking out near the entrance of the hotel, which led to four people being injured. Later Dubai authorities said debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire at the citys famous luxury hotel the Burj Al Arab and Dubais international airport. Abu Dhabi Airports said in a post on X that an incident at Zayed international airport in the UAEs capital resulted in one fatality and seven injuries. It later deleted the post. Related: US and Israel launch strikes on Iran: what we know so far Civil Defence teams responded immediately and brought the incident under control. No injuries have been reported, the Dubai media office wrote on its X account. The media office also said that part of Dubais international airport sustained minor damage in an incident, without giving further details. One Dubai resident said that everyone is very scared as the situation continued to deteriorate. There is footage of missile interceptions all over the city, they said. I am packing a suitcase just in case not that we can leave, because airspace is closed. It is the thing we have all been frightened about happening, and now it has. Elsewhere in the Gulf, previously considered oases of stability in the Middle East, similar scenes unfolded. Within hours of the first US and Israeli bombs being launched, Iran responded with a wide-ranging attack targeting more than six countries, pulling in places that had been previously untouched by the escalating crisis. In Bahrain, an Iranian drone flew into a high-rise building in what looked like a targeted attack, exploding and engulfing the skyscraper in flames. Earlier, the countrys national security agency was also struck by an Iranian missile. Social media footage also appeared to show a missile hitting the huge US naval base in Bahrain. In Kuwait, a drone crashed into the countrys main airport, wounding several employees and damaging the facility. As Iran responded to US and Israeli strikes by bombing the Gulf and Israel, its proxies joined the fray. Bases belonging to the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq were struck by either the US or Israel, killing at least two members of the armed Iraqi group Kataib Hezbollah. The Iran-backed groups responded by coming to its aid, with Kataib Hezbollah and Yemens Houthis both warning they would be joining strikes on US military bases across the region. Just a few hours into what Washington was calling Operation Epic Fury, fighting had already expanded far beyond the geographic scope of the previous war in Iran in June 2025, which was almost entirely confined to Israel and Iran. For citizens in the Middle East, the escalating war prompted anxiety and concern. In Lebanon, gas stations across the country had lines 10 cars deep within an hour of the strikes. People in Beirut airport watched as commercial flights were cancelled, and grocery stores were filled with the more cautious stocking up on essential goods the memory of the 2024 war with Israel fresh in their minds. Related: Strikes reported across Middle East after US and Israel launch war on Iran All eyes were on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that previously said the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a red line. A statement from the group on Saturday afternoon made no mention of whether it would help its chief patron, Iran, but instead condemned what it described as a violation of the UN charter by the US and Israel. Many Lebanese dreaded the entry of Hezbollah into the ongoing conflict, fearful of triggering a response from Israel, which has signalled through diplomatic channels that it would unleash a wide-ranging attack against Lebanon in the case of Hezbollahs involvement. Explosions rocked the rest of the Middle East as Israel intercepted incoming Iranian ballistic missiles above other countries. In Jordan, fires blazed in the northern city of Irbid as missile shrapnel fell from the sky and caught alight. The attacks drew condemnation from Arab states around the region for what they called a violation of their sovereignty by Iran. Qatar called the Iranian strikes on its territory a direct assault on national security, while it and other Gulf states warned they have the right to respond. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with NBC that he told Gulf states we have no intention to attack them but we are actually attacking the American bases in the act of self-defence. Attacking the Gulf states was a line Iran did not cross in past rounds of conflict, with rare attacks on oil infrastructure remaining unclaimed. Gulf states had previously tried to prevent the Trump administration from attacking Iran, fearful of blowback and unintended consequences destabilising the country of 93 million. Imposing material costs on Gulf states, stable kingdoms unused to wars in their back yards, could be to get the monarchies to put pressure on Trump to halt the bombing campaign. Some of the ruling families, such as the al-Thani family in Qatar and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, have close relationships with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, who has a heavy hand in shaping the presidents Middle East policy. Conversely, some analysts warned targeting the Gulf kingdoms could backfire, alienating voices that were previously lobbying the US to reconsider its military campaign on Iran. China records best air quality in history in 2025: official Xinhua) 10:17, February 28, 2026 BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's air quality in 2025 reached the best level since monitoring records began, Li Tianwei, an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said on Friday. Among the three assessment indicators, the average concentration of PM2.5 in cities at or above the prefecture level was 28 micrograms per cubic meter, the proportion of days with good air quality reached 89.3 percent, and the proportion of heavily polluted days was 0.9 percent, all marking the best performance since the start of monitoring, Li told a press conference. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the nationwide PM2.5 concentration decreased by 20 percent, Li said. Currently, 29 cities have a GDP exceeding 1 trillion yuan (about 144.45 billion U.S. dollars), with an average PM2.5 concentration of 27.8 micrograms per cubic meter, better than the national average, according to Li. "These cities have all seen significant improvements during the 2021-2025 period, demonstrating through tangible governance achievements that economic growth and blue sky protection can advance together and achieve a win-win outcome," Li added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Blog Archive: Mar 2026 (45) Feb 2026 (140) Jan 2026 (155) Dec 2025 (126) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Donald Trump has been planning a full-scale bombing campaign aimed at overthrowing the regime in Iran for some time - Mandel Ngan/Getty Not long ago, Donald Trump had little patience with the idea of full-scale wars with Iran. The 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June last year, he said, could have gone on for years and destroyed the entire Middle East, had he not told Benjamin Netanyahu that it had to stop. Eight months later, Mr Trump has ordered a full-scale bombing campaign aimed at nothing less than the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran itself. This time, he and Netanyahu seem to be working hand-in-hand on the same project. What changed? And how did he amass a force for one of the most ambitious and risky American wars since the 2003 invasion of Iraq? This is not the first time Mr Trump has contemplated attacking or even invading Iran. In 2020, after the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) strongman Qassim Soleimani, US forces were put on 24-hour notice to invade the country, says Jonathan Hackett, a former US Marine intelligence official based at the US embassy in Jordan at the time. That plan was a short-notice, knee-jerk response to Iran striking at US forces in Syria following the assassination, and was never put into action. But between Trump one and Trump two, the way that theyre approaching this is more deliberate, and a lot of what theyre doing is planned much further in advance than it was during Trump one, said Mr Hackett. The plan put into action on Saturday morning wasnt come up with in the last three weeks, and it didnt come up in January when the regime murdered the protesters. This plan was likely to have been in the works since at least six months ago, he added. Publicly, however, the impetus for moving from plans on paper to an actual force build-up only came last month. In the first weeks of the year, large crowds started to build on the streets of Iran, responding to a call from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince, to rise up against the regime. The regime responded with the bloodiest domestic crackdown in its 47-year history, gunning down protesters and killing detainees in custody in an attempt to crush the insurrection. Up to 30,000 people were killed. Trump saw the images of the protesters. He saw that they were getting killed. He was moved by it. [Senator] Lindsey Graham was in his ear saying, bomb Iran, and Trump almost did it on January 14, says Holly Dagres, an Iranian-American political scientist and author of The Iranist, a daily newsletter on Iranian current affairs. But then Israel and Saudi Arabia and maybe Qatar called him up and said you dont have enough assets to defend us in the region. Dont do this. And then they called it off, says Ms Dagres. Credit: X / @mamlekate @daneshjo_pishro At that point, the president seems to have charged his military with getting just those assets into theatre. The man in charge of the planning this time is Gen Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. An air force man with an appreciation of air power, Gen Caine is also known as a disciple of the doctrine espoused by Colin Powell, the chairman of the joint chiefs during the first Gulf war. Powell, stung by his own experience in Vietnam, insisted the US should only go to war with precise political goals, clear public support, and decisive force to achieve its objectives. He also insisted that all non-military avenues should have been exhausted before war was contemplated which may explain reports that, as late as last week, Gen Caine was cautioning the president against military action. However, once Mr Trump set the clear objective destruction of the Iranian regime Gen Caine seems to have done his best to assemble the kind of decisive action Powell would have called for. On Jan 26, nearly two weeks after Mr Trump initially tried to launch a war against Iran, the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Arabian Sea accompanied by its strike group of destroyers, missile cruisers and support vessels. By the beginning of last week, there were more US forces in the Middle East than at any time since the invasion of Iraq. More than 50 American fighter jets, including F-35s and F-16s, were moved to the region in the 24 hours before Tuesday night. By Thursday, at least 14 US refuelling aircraft had arrived at Israels Ben Gurion airport. On Friday, the last piece of the jigsaw the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrived off the Israeli coast. While the Abraham Lincoln and its escorts would attack Iran itself, the Gerald Fords role is defensive, helping intercept the anticipated Iranian missile barrage against Israel. That is crucial, says Danny Citrinowicz, an Israeli security expert, because the Iranian strategy will be to inflict enough damage on the US or its allies to force Mr Trump to stop the war. Large-scale missile barrages against Israel, other US allies such as Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia would be one way to achieve that. Suppressing the Iranian response will also require hitting as many military and political decision-makers as possible, destroying the ballistic missiles and their launch vehicles, and preventing the Iranian navy from closing the Strait of Hormuz or even more dramatically hitting or even sinking an American ship. Meanwhile, there was almost certainly unseen, covert activity going on inside Iran, said Mr Hackett. For example, providing Starlink terminals to several thousand Iranians, so that during the expected protests, which will happen, theyll be able to communicate with the outside world. Then ensuring that those terminals couldnt be jammed, which is, again, another thing that you cant do organically that has to come from covert action, he says. Concurrent with the military build-up was a diplomatic back and forth. American-Iranian diplomacy froze from the moment Israel launched Operation Rising Lion its name for the 12-day war in June. Afterwards, neither side seemed interested in resuming talks, said Nicholas Hopton, a former British ambassador to Iran. Israeli missiles seen in the sky over Tehran during the 12-day war in June, 2025 - Majid Saeedi The US saw little reason to engage now that Irans ability to enrich uranium to weapons-grade let alone build a bomb and put it on a missile had been catastrophically damaged. The Iranians did not want to talk under what they considered to be duress. That changed after the Iranian regime massacred protesters on Jan 8 and 9. After Mr Trump made several threats to strike the regime to defend protesters, talks resumed between the US and Iran in Geneva in early February. As the talks dragged on, Gen Caines military build-up continued. There is evidence that Mr Trump was hoping that the mere spectacle of might could cow the Iranians into concessions on their nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. I dont want to use the word frustratedbecause he [Trump] understands hes got plenty of alternatives, but hes curious as to why they havent I dont want to use the word capitulated, but why they havent capitulated, Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps special envoy, told Fox News after talks with the Iranians in Geneva last week. At this point, war might still have been averted if the two sides had not failed to understand one another. To put it very simply, Trump doesnt understand Iran. He doesnt have smart people to explain Iran to him, and he thinks that this is a business deal, and if he bullies people into a deal hell get what he wants, says Ms Dagres. But he doesnt understand the mentality of this ideological regime, their whole modus operandi, is to oppose the United States and Israel, and that theyd rather be martyred and face death than give in to these demands. The Iranians, she argues, were equally dumb and naive in thinking they could just finagle their way out of it as they have in the past. They havent adjusted to the post-October 7 world dynamics; they havent understood that you shouldnt be relying on your old playbook Israel and the United States are not going to tolerate your bad behaviour any more. Ms Dagres, who has been following Iranian affairs every day for years, believes many commentators are still naive about just how impulsive Mr Trump is. There is every reason, she believes, to think a deal could have been done. There is a possibility, however, that the diplomatic track was merely cover for a course of action on which Mr Trump had already decided. Mr Hackett claimed two weeks ago that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his top officials were offered an Assad solution leave for exile in Russia. Khamenei, apparently, refused point blank. The Telegraph was unable to immediately confirm that claim. The subsequent American insistence that Iran give up its ballistic missiles as well as its uranium enrichment, said Mr Hackett, was a demand Washington must have known could never be met. I mean, if they did, it wouldnt be the regime any more, because what are they going to defend themselves with? he said, speaking a few hours before the American attack began. I think the US has purposely selected this as a red line topic because its the way that were going to use to justify moving forward. Ryanair plain on the tarmac in Spain ((Alamy/PA)) Scores of Ryanair passengers were reportedly left behind at the Spanish island of Lanzarote due to congestion at border control. The airlines Flight FR4756 departed from Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote for Bristol Airport half empty, Delays began where fliers from outside the Schengen Area queue to have their passports stamped. Running out of patience, Ryanair staff began removing their suitcases from the jet which took nearly an hour and eventually left, newspaper La Voz de Lanzarote reported, leaving around 89 passengers behind. The plane departed the Canary Islands at 3.15pm and arrived in the UK 52 minutes late. According to the Spanish outlet, large queues have formed at border control on many occasions, causing flight delays and widespread anger. Ryanair told the Standard: Due to passport control delays at Lanzarote Airport (February 25), a number of passengers missed this flight from Lanzarote to Bristol. Should these passengers have presented at the boarding gate desk before it closed, they would have boarded this flight alongside the 90 passengers who did present at the gate on time. It is not known what happened to the travellers left behind, how long they waited in Lanzarote or if stayed overnight. When boarding is closed, a legal report of the manifest is signed and sent to the captain, therefore it cannot be re-opened. Passengers who miss a flight are offered the option of a 100 missed departure fee to be moved to a new one. This is not the first time passengers have been left in Lanzarote. Last year February 2025, the simultaneous arrival of 17 non-EU flights collapsed the airport as they had to stamp their passports on arrival. Jose Valle, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, warned about the implementation of the new EES Entry Exit System could cause serious collapses. A Frontex Italian Guardia Di Finanza OPV Osum patrols the Aegean Sea near Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) An Israeli-built Heron 2 drone whirs off the tarmac on a new surveillance mission. The aircraft's sensors scan for boats along the 350-kilometer (220-mile) stretch of sea between Libya and the Greek island of Crete and can detect activity hidden below deck. Crete, Greeces largest island, saw a threefold increase in irregular migration last year, becoming the countrys busiest point of entry with about 20,000 arrivals, even as overall irregular migration to Europe fell by 26% in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to data from Frontex, the European Union's border agency. One of Europes deadliest migration corridors, where unclaimed bodies often wash up on shore, the passage to Crete is fueled by wars and instability across Africa and is growing busier even as pressure eases on other Mediterranean routes. As the EU readies tougher measures to combat illegal migration, Frontex says it will focus resources on Crete in an attempt to end the surge in arrivals. Eastern Libya has become a key launch point for smugglers, undercutting years of EU efforts to curb departures and making Crete a new pressure point. Many boats leaving Libya are overcrowded and barely seaworthy, attempting a long, exposed journey across the Libyan Sea, leading to tragedies such as a sunken fishing trawler that killed at least 700 in 2023. Greek authorities recently rescued 20 migrants and recovered four bodies from a vessel in distress south of Crete. Dozens of others are believed missing. Each rescue underscores the same brutal reality: The crossing is a gamble with lives. Frontex officers from the Italian Guardia Di Finanza OPV Osum patrol by speedboat on the Aegean Sea near Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The route to Crete is significantly longer and more perilous than the short trip from Turkey to nearby Greek islands. It requires larger vessels capable of navigating open sea for days and a different operational response from Frontex, including bigger patrol boats and expanded aerial surveillance. Standing beside a drone at Tympaki airfield on Crete, Mariusz Kawczynski, a senior Frontex operations official, said the technology was indispensable. This asset is of critical importance, he said. There is no substitute in modern technology to have eyes for Europe of the threats that are coming to our borders. Georgios Pyliaros, head of Frontex operations in Greece and Cyprus, said the bad weather led to an expected seasonal lull in activity in January and February, but the agency expects increased crossings in the spring. If we take into consideration what happened in the last two or three years, we will have some increase in the following months, for sure, Pyliaros said. A Frontex HERON2 UAV drone is parked at Tympaki airport on Crete island, Greece, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The surge in Crete last year hardened political positions in Athens. Greece temporarily suspended asylum claims from migrants arriving via the Libya route for three months, scrapped certain amnesty provisions and introduced mandatory imprisonment for asylum seekers whose claims are rejected. The EU also is taking a tougher line, with new bloc-wide migration rules starting in June aimed at stricter border screening and faster deportations. Frontexs standing corps is set to reach 10,000 officers by the end of the year double the number employed in 2021 reflecting the policy shift and expectations of sustained pressure along key routes. A war-tracking project at Swedens Uppsala University recorded 61 active conflicts globally in 2024 the highest number since World War II including expanding militant activity in western Africa, a major driver of displacement. The International Organization for Migration, a United Nations agency, estimates at least 2,185 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2025. The agency said 606 migrant deaths already had been recorded in the Mediterranean as of Feb. 24, warning that limited access to search-and-rescue information means the true toll is likely higher. The continued loss of life on migration routes is a global failure we cannot accept as normal, IOM Director General Amy Pope said. These deaths are not inevitable. A drone strike ignited a fire at Dubais iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that triggered retaliatory assaults across the region. Authorities confirm that a drone was intercepted, and debris caused a minor fire on the Burj Al Arab's outer facade, the Dubai Media Office wrote on X on Saturday afternoon. Civil Defense teams responded immediately and brought the incident under control. No injuries have been reported. Perched on an artificial island off Dubai's coast, the 60-story Burj Al Arab luxury hotel stands a short distance from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. It was just one of several structures in the glitzy Middle Eastern city to sustain damage on Saturday. Four people were injured after an incident at the Dubai International Airport, the office stated, adding that debris from an aerial interception ignited a fire at Jebel Ali Port. A fire also broke out outside the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubais prestigious Palm Jumeirah area, following a projectile strike, The Independent previously reported. Videos circulating on social media appear to show drones slamming into high-rise buildings, triggering loud explosions. The Burj al-Arab tower, an iconic hotel in Dubai, is on fire after being hit by shot-down Iranian drone (AFP via Getty Images) The chaos in Dubai the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, home to many American and European expatriates comes after the U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran. Early on Saturday morning, President Donald Trump announced strikes were underway, justifying them as an effort to dismantle Iran's nuclear program and eliminate its leadership. The operation, dubbed Epic Fury, follows the build-up of U.S. military assets in the region over a period of weeks. The aerial bombardments have destroyed government and military sites across Iran, with video footage depicting smoke billowing over crumbling buildings. Hundreds of casualties were reported, including dozens at an elementary school near the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media. On Saturday afternoon, Trump announced the death of Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. He described the 86-year-old cleric as one of the most evil people in History and added: This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. The Republican president said the heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue throughout the week or longer to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD! A fire broke out outside the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubais prestige Palm Jumeirah neighborhood (@LunaETHWhale/X) In response, Iran launched a wave of retaliatory strikes across the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar key allies of the U.S. sparking fears of a broader conflict. Iran considers all U.S. and Israeli bases, facilities, and assets in the region to be legitimate military objectives, the countrys foreign minister told the U.N. Security Council in a letter on Saturday. A number of nations have condemned the attack by the U.S. and Israel, including Russia and China, while European nations called on Iran to seek a negotiated solution. On Capitol Hill, reactions were hotly divided. Many Democrats have characterized the surprise operation as an illegal war and a naked attempt to effect regime change. They have called for Congress to immediately vote on a war powers resolution to rein in the president. In contrast, Republicans have strongly endorsed Trumps military action, framing it as essential for U.S. security and the eradication of an authoritarian government. Tucker Carlson has described Donald Trumps airstrikes in Iran as disgusting and evil, according to a new report. The former Fox News host and close ally of the president made the remarks to ABC White House correspondent Jonathan Karl, who said he had reached out to several prominent Trump supporters to get their reaction to Saturday's military operations. I just heard back from Tucker Carlson, Karl said. Tucker Carlson, of course, spoke at the President's convention in 2024 and he's been a frequent visitor at the White House. In fact, he was at the White House just last week. He told me the president's decision is, quote, absolutely disgusting and evil. The Independent has attempted to contact Carlson for confirmation on the remarks, as he has not yet spoken publicly about the strikes in Iran, which were carried out early Saturday alongside Israeli military forces. Tucker Carlson is seen as a close ally to the president although he has criticized him in the past (Getty Images) However, he has previously been highly critical of U.S. foreign intervention in the Middle East and has been extremely vocal in his criticism of the Israeli government, describing escalating conflicts with Iran as a reckless effort to serve the interests of Tel Aviv. Following the previous U.S. strike on Iran in June last year, Carlson wrote in his newsletter that Trump was complicit in such efforts by Israel and warned that getting further involved would be suicidal. Shortly after, Carlson went viral for an interview with Texas Senator Ted Cruz in which he accused him of not knowing enough about Iran to comment on the situation. Cruz had called the overthrow of the Iranian government but was unable to answer basic questions about the nation such as its population. Carlson went viral in summer 2025 for an interview with Texas Senator Ted Cruz in which he accused him of not knowing enough about Iran to comment on the political situation there (The Tucker Carlson Show) Carlson also later received backlash for a separate interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with critics alleging that he provided a platform for regime propaganda without sufficient pushback. Karl suggested that the strong reaction from Carlson, as a MAGA stalwart, was significant and that the action in Iran was a momentous and potentially defining, or maybe redefining, move for President Trump. Many critics of Trumps actions in Iran have pointed to the fact that he campaigned largely on his America First policy, which included the pledge to end so-called Forever Wars such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Carlson also received backlash for an interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with critics alleging that he provided a platform for regime propaganda without sufficient pushback (Twitter: Tucker Carlson) The president vowed to not involve the U.S. further in foreign conflict, seemingly at complete odds with Saturdays strikes and the potential for a major conflict going forward. Carlson has been critical of Trump at other times in the past, once referring to him as a demonic force, a destroyer. Ive been thinking about this every day for four years, Carlson told a Fox News producer on November 13 2020 in a text message that emerged as part of the high-profile defamation lawsuit between the broadcaster and Dominion Voting Systems. Hes only good at destroying. Jason Burke in Jerusalem, Emma Graham-Harrison in Tel Aviv, Patrick Wintour in London and Andrew Roth in Washington Jason Burke in Jerusalem, Emma Graham-Harrison in Tel Aviv, Patrick Wintour in London and Andrew Roth in Washington Israel and the US have launched a war on Iran, unleashing waves of air attacks across the country in an attempt to bring about regime change and plunging the region into a conflict that could last weeks or months. The sudden offensive triggered Iranian retaliatory strikes throughout the day across a swathe of the Middle East, with explosions reported in Israel, Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In a televised address, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, indicated that the strikes had killed Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei has not been heard from since the strikes began and satellite imagery has shown that his secure compound was heavily damaged in the initial barrage. There are many signs that [Khamenei] is no longer alive, Netanyahu said on Saturday evening. Netanyahu said that Israeli strikes had also killed several leaders involved in the Iranian nuclear programme and that strikes against sites linked to the programme would continue in the coming days. The remarks, which stopped short of confirming Khameneis death, were the strongest official indication yet that the missing leader is dead. Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, had earlier claimed to NBC News that Khamenei and president Masoud Pezeshkian were alive as far as I know. In a televised address, Donald Trump claimed Operation Epic Fury would end a security threat to the US and give Iranians a chance to rise up against their rulers. Netanyahu in his evening address called on Iranians to flood the streets and finish the job. Iranian officials said they had not been surprised by the US attacks and that the consequences would be long-lasting and extensive. All scenarios were on the table including ones that were not previously considered. Irans Revolutionary Guards threatened all US bases and interests in the region and said Irans retaliation would continue until the enemy is decisively defeated. The first wave of Israeli and US strikes early on Saturday morning targeted senior Iranian officials as well as air defence systems, Israeli military officials said, adding that the offensive would continue as long as necessary to make a change that would last for years to come. Satellite images showed extensive damage at the secure compound of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though his whereabouts remains unclear. Analysts have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that an open-ended US or Israeli military offensive against Iran risked severe regional destabilisation and could bring chaos and violence across much of the Middle East. Experts cautioned that the unfolding campaign, the most ambitious US effort to alter political realities in the region since the 2003 Iraq war, would have grave economic and political consequences for the region and the world. The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran is able to make the strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. The UN security council called a rare emergency meeting on Saturday to address the situation in the Middle East. It was due to start at 4pm (21.00 GMT). Dozens of countries issued statements calling for an immediate de-escalation. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said in a statement: The escalation under way is dangerous for everyone. It must stop The outbreak of war among the United States, Israel and Iran has serious consequences for peace and international security. In Iran, there were reports of dozens of explosions across the country including in Tehran. Iranian state media said dozens of pupils had been killed at a primary school in southern Iran. In response, Iran launched waves of attacks at Israel throughout the day, prompting repeated alerts to Israelis to head for bomb shelters. Israeli emergency services report 94 wounded, including a teenager lightly wounded by shrapnel and others affected by blasts. Outside Israel, Irans retaliatory strikes appear to have focused primarily on US military bases across the Middle East, though some other targets appeared to have been hit. There were reports of attacks in Abu Dhabi, Manama in Bahrain, and near Erbil in northern Iraq. Experts said Tehran had many other options for retaliation, including cyberwarfare and the use of militant groups it has long supported, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthis in Yemen. The US-Israeli offensive had been planned for months and involved close cooperation, Israeli military officials said, adding that 70,000 Israeli reservists had been called up, mainly air defence personnel. The attack began hours after Trump said he was not happy about the latest negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme. On Thursday, diplomats from Oman mediated indirect talks between Iran and the US in Geneva and further technical negotiations were due to take place on Tuesday. Related: US and Israel launch strikes on Iran what we know so far Omans foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, who has been leading the negotiations, said on X: Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. He was referring to similar Israeli-US attacks during nuclear negotiations last year. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this, he said. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. Oman called on Saturday for all parties to stop fighting, warning of the danger of the conflict escalating into something with dire consequences for the region. The US had built up a large military presence in the region in recent weeks in preparation for an attack, including two aircraft carrier strike groups. Trump, who repeatedly said he preferred a diplomatic solution to the crisis, told Iranians the hour of your freedom is at hand, urging them to rise up and take over your government in a video on his Truth Social platform. He offered the Iranian military immunity should they surrender, or certain death if not. Israel directly addressed Iranians in a Persian-language post on a dedicated Telegram channel. Our Iranian brothers and sisters, you are not alone! the post said, calling on Iranians to upload photos and video of anti-regime protests. Together we will return Iran to its glorious days. An Israeli official said the supreme leader and Irans president, Masoud Pezeshkian, were targeted. Israeli military officials and an Iranian source close to the establishment said that several political officials and senior commanders in Irans Revolutionary Guards had been killed. Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Israel have all closed their airspace, and international airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights to or around the region. The strikes create a dilemma for many allies of the US. While European leaders firmly oppose Irans nuclear programme and crackdowns by its hardline theocracy, they are loathe to embrace unilateral military action by Trump that could breach international law and lead to a broader conflict. It was unclear whether US allies were given any advance warning of the attacks. The German government said it was only given notice on Saturday morning, while Frances junior defence minister said France knew something would happen, but not when. Macron called on Irans leadership to commit to negotiations on its nuclear and ballistic programmes. The Iranian people should also be able to build their future freely, he said. The massacres perpetrated by the Islamic regime disqualify it, and necessitate that the people be given a voice. A UK government spokesperson reiterated Britains support for a negotiated solution to Irans nuclear ambitions. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict, they said. Iranian state television reported that Pezeshkian was safe and sound, while the Fars news agency said seven missile impacts were reported in the Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts of Tehran. The strikes come weeks after Iranian authorities killed thousands of people in a crackdown on mass protests, according to rights groups. Trump then promised to intervene to support protesters and ordered the buildup of US forces around Iran. President Donald Trump confirmed a "major combat operation" as the US and Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran. The declaration came as dense smoke billowed from a blast in central Tehran, Iran's capital city. Simultaneously, air raid sirens wailed across Israel. The IDF said it issued an alert to prepare citizens for the "possibility of missiles being launched" towards Israel. Iranian state television subsequently reported the explosion without providing an explanation for its cause. President Trump confirmed a major combat operation in an eight-minute speech, stating Iran could never have a nuclear weapon and adding: "It's been mass terror, and we're not going to take it any longer." The US-Israeli attack on Iran was launched with the aim of removing an existential threat, Benjamin Netanyahu has said in a statement. The Prime Minister of Israel said this morning that the operation would create the conditions to Iranian people to take destiny into their own hands. Israel and the US have launched an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terror regime in Iran, he said in a statement to the nation. Iran has retaliated by launching missiles towards Israel, the Israel Defence Forces said. The Associated Press reports explosions have been heard in northern Israel. The Israeli Air Force said it is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat. An IDF spokesperson said: "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. "In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas." The attack comes as Washington has deployed a substantial fleet of warships and fighter aircraft to the region in a bid to pressure Iran into agreeing a deal on its nuclear programme. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran, an Iranian official tells Reuters, and has been transferred to a secure location. According to the Associated Press news agency, the United States is participating in the Israeli strikes against Iran, although there has been no official statement from Washington. Associated Press reported that a US official and a person familiar with the operation said the US is taking part in the Israeli strikes. They spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. The US has been assembling a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region for several weeks. On Friday, the US urged its citizens to leave Israel as the threat of strikes grew. Iran and Israel have closed their airspace, while mobile services have been cut in Iran. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, said a state of emergency had been declared across Israel. Sirens sounded across Israel at the time of the attack on Iran. The Israeli military said the sirens were a "proactive alert" in case of retaliatory attacks. Tensions between the United States and Iran remained high after their latest talks in Geneva on Thursday failed to reach a breakthrough. On Friday, US President Donald Trump said he was "not happy" with the way Iran is negotiating in the nuclear talks, but indicated he would give them more time to reach a deal to avert another war in the Middle East. Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme in Geneva this week, but walked away without a deal. On Friday, the UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran due to security concerns. The Foreign Office moved some staff based at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents to another location in Israel amid concerns of a wider regional war. The British Government is yet to comment on the strikes, which came shortly after US-Iran talks on Tehrans nuclear programme ended without agreement. A former UK national security adviser said US and Israeli strikes against Iran were not legal in a way that the UK would recognise. Lord Peter Ricketts told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: None of this, I think, is in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise. There was really no imminent threat to the US. This is action that they chose to undertake, or were dragged into it by the Israelis. Lord Ricketts added that the Israeli government had pre-empted any risk that the US-Iranian negotiations were going to reach some sort of deal on the nuclear programme. A federal judge has blasted President Donald Trumps administration for turning the American dream into a dystopian nightmare with Homeland Securitys new policy to arrest and detain recently resettled refugees who are not yet lawful permanent residents. The order from Minnesota District Judge John Tunheim is blocking federal authorities from interpreting immigration law to terrorize refugees who immigrated to this country under the promise that they would be welcomed and allowed to live in peace, far from the persecution they fled. Decades ago, as a nation, we made a solemn promise to refugees fleeing persecution: that after rigorous vetting, they would be welcomed to the United States and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives, Tunheim wrote in his order Friday. We assured them that they could care for their families, earn a living, contribute to their communities, and live in peace here in the United States. We promised them the hope that one day they could achieve the American Dream, he wrote. The governments new policy breaks that promise without congressional authorization and raises serious constitutional concerns, he added. The new policy turns the refugees American dream into a dystopian nightmare. A federal judge has blocked immigration officers in Minnesota from arresting or detaining recently settled refugees under a new policy he said has turned the American dream into a dystopian nightmare (AP) Tunheim had previously blocked federal officers from arresting and detaining new refugees after a lawsuit accused agents of hunting them down and sending them to a detention center in Texas. He also commanded the administration to immediately release any detained refugees and return them to their homes in Minnesota. His ruling on Friday granted a preliminary injunction that continues to block immigration officers from targeting refugees who have not yet obtained a green card. The preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit from a group of refugees who were arrested under the Trump administrations sweeping operation to target Minnesota refugees as part of a war on alleged fraud (REUTERS) An internal memo revealed in court documents earlier this month marks a stark reversal of long-standing policy that protected legally present refugees who have not yet obtained lawful permanent residency in their first year in the United States. Under the administrations new policy, those refugees must report to Homeland Security or face arrest and detention in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody even if the government has no reason to believe they should be deported or committed any crime. Thousands of refugees across the country could be targeted under that policy. The Trump administration which has severely limited refugee admissions launched Operation PARRIS last month to exclusively target Minnesotas 5,600 new refugees after Homeland Security labeled the state ground zero for the war on fraud. ICE officers arrested refugees at immigration check-ins, on their way to work or school, and appeared at their doorstep without a warrant for their arrest, according to court filings. Others were shackled and sent to a detention center in Texas, more than 1,200 miles away. The judges order arrived moments after a group of refugees and advocacy groups filed a separate lawsuit to block the administrations new refugee detention policy nationwide. I fled death threats and waited nearly a decade to resettle as a refugee in the United States, plaintiff Mona C. said in a statement. My family has worked hard to restart our lives, but now I am worried that ICE might arrest me. Who will take care of my children if I am arrested and detained? We came to the U.S. to live in peace and safety, not to relive the horrors of our past. This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media on February 28, 2026, and verified by AFPTV teams in Paris, shows the moment of an Iranian strike on a US base in Bahrain. Iran has responded to a wave of US-Israeli air strikes by launching retaliatory missile and drone attacks on multiple countries hosting some of the tens of thousands of US troops deployed across the Middle East, notably in the Gulf Arab states. Bahrain The tiny Gulf kingdom hosts an installation known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, where the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command headquarters are based. Bahrain's deep-water port can accommodate the largest US military vessels, such as aircraft carriers, and the US Navy has used the base in the country since 1948, when the facility was operated by Britain's Royal Navy. Several US ships have their home port in Bahrain, including anti-mine vessels and logistical support ships. Bahrain said the service centre of the US Fifth Fleet a base for American naval forces in the region had been targeted in a missile attack. Video footage showed a thick, grey plume of smoke rising from near the island state's coastline as sirens wailed. Read more'Prime moment for Hezbollah and the Houthis': US-Israeli strikes on Iran risk igniting regional war Iraq The United States still has troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group, but their mission is due to end by September under a deal between Washington and Baghdad. US forces have already completed their withdrawal from facilities in federal Iraq whose government is an ally of Iran but also a strategic US partner under the same agreement. AFP journalists reported explosions near the US consulate in Erbil the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan on Saturday, while Iraq's powerful pro-Iran Kataeb Hezbollah group threatened attacks on US bases. Kurdish security forces later said the US-led coalition had intercepted multiple drones and missiles over Erbil. Jordan The United States reportedly deployed dozens of military aircraft to Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in the run-up to the strikes on Iran. A Jordanian military official said the kingdom's forces shot down two ballistic missiles targeting its territory on Saturday, without specifying who launched them. Jordan's Public Security Directorate later said there were "no casualties but only material damage". Read moreWhat we know about the joint US-Israeli air strikes on Iran Kuwait Kuwait hosts several US bases, including Camp Arifjan, the location of the forward headquarters for the US Army component of the military's Central Command (CENTCOM). The US Army also has stocks of equipment and supplies in the country. Ali al-Salem Air Base hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military describes as the "primary airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces" in the region. The United States has also deployed drones, including MQ-9 Reapers, to Kuwait. Kuwait's defense ministry said its forces intercepted missiles targeting the air base on Saturday while Italy's foreign minister said an Iranian attack caused "significant damage" to the runway of the facility, which also hosts Italian air force personnel. A drone also targeted Kuwait's international airport, causing light injuries to several workers and limited material damage, the Kuwaiti state news agency reported on Saturday Read moreLive: Iranian authorities urge Tehran's residents to leave the capital Qatar Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US facility in the region, includes the forward components of CENTCOM as well as the command's air forces and special operations forces. It also hosts rotating combat aircraft and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military says includes "airlift, aerial refueling intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets". Iran fired missiles at al-Udeid last June following US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Explosions were heard over central Doha and near al-Udeid on Saturday, and the Gulf emirate said an Iranian missile attack targeted its territory. Syria The United States for years maintained troops in Syria as part of international efforts against the Islamic State group, which emerged from the country's civil war to overrun large parts of that country and neighbouring Iraq. US forces are currently in the process of withdrawing from Syria, and three sources told AFP earlier this week that the American exit would be completed within a month. Syrian state media said four people were killed by an Iranian missile that hit the country's south on Saturday. United Arab Emirates Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates hosts the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, a force that is composed of 10 squadrons of aircraft and also includes drones such as MQ-9 Reapers. Combat aircraft have rotated through al-Dhafra, which also hosts the US Air Force hub for "advanced air warfare training". Two witnesses told AFP on Saturday they saw smoke rising from al-Dhafra base shortly after explosions were heard in the UAE capital on Saturday. The UAE said it had intercepted two rounds of Iranian missile attacks on Saturday, with debris from the first wave killing a civilian in Abu Dhabi. AFP correspondents later heard a loud explosion in Dubai later on Saturday and one of them saw a plume of smoke rising from the city. (FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem created significant security risks at U.S. airports by permitting passengers to proceed through security checkpoints with their shoes on, according to a new report. The no-shoes rule was instituted nationwide by the Transportation Security Administration in 2006, after a British man attempted to blow up an American Airlines plane with explosives concealed in his footwear. In July, Noem scrapped the rule, putting an end to a policy that had long frustrated travelers and was seen by many Americans as ineffective. But in November, a classified report by the inspector general at DHS concluded that some full-body scanners operated by TSA are incapable of screening shoes, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. The report found that Noems reversal of the decades-old policy had inadvertently created a new security vulnerability in the system. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem created a 'significant' security risk by permitting air travelers to pass through checkpoints with their shoes on, according to a new report (Getty Images) When Noems office was informed of the findings, it reportedly didnt take action to remedy it. Instead, the office prohibited it from being published and increased its level of classification, sources told the WSJ. A DHS spokesperson disputed this account, stating that all of the reports recommendations had been implemented. Within the past year, TSA has conducted over 1,000 red team tests and we constantly update our transportation security posture and tactics based off these findings, the spokesperson told The Independent. This decision was also informed by risk assessments, including a risk analysis from the Biden Administration that concurred with the decision to end the shoes off policy. The report was also brought to the attention of several White House officials. When reached by the WSJ, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump retains total confidence in Noem. Our homeland is undoubtedly safer today than it was when the president took office last year, Leavitt added. The no-shoes rule was first implemented in 2006 and lifted last year (Getty Images) While the report was not published, the DHS inspector general wrote a letter to members of Congress stating that, as of February, the department and TSA had not answered requests to address the apparent security lapse. It noted that the department was legally bound to create a plan to remedy the issue by January 30 three months after the report was filed. The inspector general stated in the letter that he first informed Noem of the security concern in August, the WSJ reported. I am writing to make youthe chairs and ranking members of the committees with primary jurisdiction over the Transportation Security Agency (TSA)aware of an unresolved oversight matter with significant safety and security implications for the traveling public, the letter stated. My office has advanced this issue as far as we are able, yet the findings and recommendations have not been addressed despite our best efforts. The letter noted that the inspector generals office has given four recommendations for corrective action, and that TSA had not responded to them. The report and Noems response comes as the secretary faces growing scrutiny over her management style. DHS officials have claimed that Noems focus on maintaining her public profile has at times come at the expense of the departments primary responsibilities, according to the WSJ. At the same time, the department she oversees has faced criticism over the administrations immigration crackdown in Minnesota, which resulted in two fatal shootings of American citizens by federal agents. The Greens Hannah Spencer speaking to Muslim supporters on the campaign trail in Gorton last week. Photograph: Adam Edwards/Alamy (Photograph: Adam Edwards/Alamy) The Green partys success at winning Muslim votes in Gorton and Denton has sent tremors through Westminster, prompting recriminations and accusations from opposition parties, who sense another major realignment in British politics. Experts say Hannah Spencers unexpectedly wide margin of victory was delivered in part by a significant shift of Muslim voters from Labour to the Greens. Labour and Reform UK have accused the Greens of playing sectarian politics, highlighting the partys use of the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, in campaign materials, its endorsement by George Galloway and accusations of voter manipulation. Keir Starmer wrote to Labour MPs on Friday telling them: [Their] divisive, sectarian politics is a sign that the Greens are not the harmless environmentalists they pretend to be. Related: Hannah Spencer: the Green MP speaking to everyday peoples frustrations But senior figures within Labour admit that the Greens ability to turn out the Muslim vote shows the leftwing party is starting to build the kind of finely tuned political machine on which they themselves have relied for years. The Greens were doing a lot of stuff with the mosques, persuading people there they were best placed to defeat Reform, said one Labour source. When progressive voters were looking for a party to coalesce around, persuading the networks in the Muslim community that you were the party best placed to win made a huge difference. Labour has traditionally relied heavily on Muslim voters. Shortly before the last election, a poll by Savanta found that nearly two-thirds of the UKs nearly 4 million Muslims intended to vote Labour. Since the election, anger at the partys stance on Gaza has been exacerbated by fury at its approach to immigration. Labour MPs say they found many Muslim voters mentioning the name of Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary and one of the countrys most prominent Muslim politicians and not in a good way. Lots of people were angry at Shabana and our approach to immigration in general, said one MP. The person added they had encountered a lot of hostility to the governments plans to make it harder for migrants to earn settled status in the UK. Several people said these rules would not have allowed their parents to make their lives here. Accusations from Labour and Reform of sectarian campaigning have focused on a few details. The first is a Green campaign video in Urdu that accused the government of being too close to Modi, the Hindu nationalist prime minister of India, who is a particularly polarising figure for many from Pakistani backgrounds. The second is the last-minute endorsement of the Greens by Galloway, the firebrand former MP who has previously been accused of running divisive campaigns in areas with high Muslim populations. Finally, Reform and the Conservatives have highlighted a report by election observers warning of widespread family voting, where one member of a family accompanies another into the ballot box with the intention of influencing their vote. The Democracy Volunteers report does not provide any detail on the identities of those its observers saw apparently colluding on votes. Matt Goodwin, Reforms candidate for the seat, claimed a dangerous Muslim sectarianism had emerged and said there was one general election left to save Britain. Nigel Farage made a broad claim of serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas. Those accusations have prompted anger among prominent British Muslims, who accuse Reform of trying to deny the legitimacy of an entire community by linking the family voting report to the wider legitimate effort to court Muslim voters. They point out that shaping messages to a particularly demographic group is a universal feature of political campaigns. Wajid Akhter, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, condemned what he called gutter rhetoric from a desperate political class not willing to give ordinary British voters the dignity they deserve. Shaista Gohir, who leads the national charity Muslim Womens Network UK, said: Muslims have every right to vote for the party that listens to them and is most aligned with their issues just as many voters now seem to be aligned with the Reform party. It is not the first time concerns have been raised about the way in which family and religious networks can influence votes among British Muslim voters. A report by academics at Manchester and Liverpool universities in 2015 found: These networks tend to be reciprocal, and are hierarchical and patriarchal, which may undermine the principle of voters individual and free choice. Green officials point out that voter fraud tends to be most prominent in postal ballots, and that on this occasion Labour won the postal vote. Experts also say any voter manipulation is unlikely to have been so widespread as to call into doubt Spencers 4,402-vote majority. A Green spokesperson said: The scale of our victory shows that the Green party has picked up substantial support in all parts of the constituency, in all areas, among all people. It was a victory for unity over division, for hope over hate. One thing Labour and Green sources agree on is that in an election where progressive voters were seeking credible information for how to block Reform, Muslim community networks proved vital messaging tools. They add that this could be even more important at the next general election if it becomes a de facto referendum on Reform and its leader, Farage. At some point you reach a tipping point where Labours most traditional voters realise they can depart the party en masse and still keep out Reform, said one Labour source. Thats the real danger for us at the next election. Josh Simons. Earlier this month the Guardian revealed he had personally commissioned a report on journalists. Photograph: Labour Together (Photograph: Labour Together) The Labour minister Josh Simons has resigned from the government after the Guardian revealed that he falsely linked reporters to a pro-Kremlin network in emails to GCHQ despite having claimed to be surprised and furious about a PR firms investigation into their journalism. Simons, who had been a Cabinet Office minister, previously ran the thinktank Labour Together. He quit on Saturday, saying his position in office had become a distraction from this governments important work. The Makerfield MP had faced mounting pressure over his role in Labour Togethers commissioning of the lobbying and public affairs agency APCO to investigate journalists reporting on the thinktanks failure to disclose political donations. Simons faced a formal investigation by the prime ministers independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus. Magnus concluded that Simons had not breached the ministerial code, but that there was a distraction and potential reputational damage in Simons remaining in the government. Earlier this month, the Guardian revealed Simons, 32, had personally commissioned and reviewed APCOs report on journalists looking into the groups funding. In his resignation letter to Keir Starmer, Simons said he had commissioned APCO in November 2023 to investigate whether the thinktanks confidential material had been disclosed through a hack of the Electoral Commission. This followed a Sunday Times story that raised fresh questions about 730,000 of undeclared donations to Labour Together. The contract Simons agreed with APCO for 36,000 was to investigate the sourcing, funding and origins of a Sunday Times article about Labour Together. They would also investigate a series of publications by the freelance journalist Paul Holden, who had supplied the newspaper with material for its story, and stories published by the American reporter Matt Taibbi, to establish who and what are behind the coordinated attacks on Labour Together. APCO would provide a body of evidence that could be packaged up for use in the media in order to create narratives that would proactively undermine any future attacks on Labour Together. Simons told Magnus that the terms of reference agreed with APCO were wider than he had understood and that he acted too hastily in confirming their appointment without the benefit of legal advice. Simons had recognised there was a perception that his purpose extended more widely than investigating the source of a suspected illegal hack, when that was not in fact his intention, Magnus said. After the Sunday Times reported that APCOs report made baseless allegations about its journalist Gabriel Pogrunds faith, upbringing and personal and professional relationships, Simons had said he was surprised and shocked to read the report extended beyond the contract by including unnecessary information on Pogrund. Magnus said Simons acknowledges that this perceived gap between his public statements and what he now accepts appears to be a more extensive scope has been damaging. Accepting Simonss resignation, Starmer said: It is essential that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear or favour, including holding politicians of all parties to account on behalf of the public we serve. In a statement on Saturday evening, Labour Together chair Sally Morgan appointed in September 2024 sought to present the organisation as having turned a page since the APCO report was commissioned. Describing the scope of the report as indefensible, Lady Morgan added that there had since been a governance review and said: Much has already changed, including establishing an audit and risk committee, a whistleblower policy and fostering a more open and accountable culture. But we must do more. She added that the recently appointed CEO Alison Phillips had already begun a radical reshaping of Labour Together. Phillips said: We are improving our governance arrangements and will learn the necessary lessons of the past. Last Friday the Guardian revealed that Simons and his chief of staff had emailed the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) after the APCO report, naming Pogrund and his Sunday Times colleague Harry Yorke and suggesting their story could be linked to a Russian disinformation campaign. They told the NCSC they suspected the Sunday Times article might be linked to a wider coordinated effort to discredit Labour Together in order to undermine Starmer and his then chief adviser, Morgan McSweeney. They also sent a truncated version of the APCO report to NCSC officials and claimed that Holden could be linked to people known to be operating in a pro-Kremlin propaganda network with links to Russian intelligence. In his resignation letter, Simons said he had never sought to smear [the] newspaper reporters targeted by APCO. He said: The work of reporters like Gabriel Pogrund, Harry Yorke and Henry Dyer sustains our democracy. With rigour and objectivity, they hold those in positions of power to account. Simons had previously disputed the Guardians report about his emails with the security officials. In his letter, he said he had filed a case with the NCSC so they could establish the facts. He said officials had met with Labour Together and thanked us for filing the case. The NCSC never opened an investigation into the issues raised by Simons, but a law firm representing Labour Together told another newspaper in mid-February 2023 that it could not comment on questions about the donations due to ongoing investigations by the UK Intelligence services. Simons did not address in his resignation letter why he had claimed never to have received information about any journalist other than Pogrund. The APCO report is understood to have contained information about at least three other journalists: Holden, Taibbi, and Andrew Murray, a journalist at the Morning Star. There is no credible evidence any of the journalists were involved in a pro-Russian campaign. Holden recently showed the Guardian his source materials, which indicate the story was based on files leaked from the Labour party by whistleblowers. Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons has dramatically resigned amid a probe into claims a Labour think tank he once ran paid for an investigation to smear journalists. Mr Simons said he was stepping down his role at the heart of Downing Street because he had become a distraction from this government's important work. He was previously a director of Labour Together, succeeding Keir Starmers controversial former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, and is facing accusations he employed a PR company to discredit reporters who were investigating party donations. Labour MP Josh Simons has resigned from the government (House of Commons/PA) (House of Commons) Mr Simons has always denied the allegations, claiming APCO had only been taken on to deal with a leak of confidential information from Labour Together, but demands for him to be sacked had increased. His resignation is another blow for the embattled prime minister, and comes after Labours humiliating third place finish in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with MPs on the left of party using the probe into Mr Simons to exert further pressure. Labour Together was at the centre of Sir Keir Starmers attempts to reclaim the Labour Party from Jeremy Corbyn and allies on the left. Now left-wing Labour MPs Richard Burgon and John McDonnell have confirmed to The Independent that they have requested all documents relating to them from both the think tank and APCO. Mr Simons had been cleared by ethics advisor Laurie Magnus but nevertheless said his continued place in the government was a distraction. In his resignation letter, Mr Simons said: I welcome that Sir Laurie Magnus has cleared me of breaching the Ministerial Code. It was important to me to complete this process to prove that I behaved with integrity and that my public statements have been truthful and honest. Sir Keir Starmer accepted the resignation (Scott Heppell/PA) (PA Wire) Nonetheless, it is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this governments important work. For that reason, and with sadness and regret, I offer my resignation. He insisted that the work of journalists sustains our democracy. With rigour and objectivity, they hold those in positions of power to account. In an age when trust in politics is low, anything perceived to be an attack on their integrity and independence deserves thorough investigation. But he added: As I have said many times, I never sought to smear these newspaper reporters. I have not been able to go into detail on these claims while this investigation has been ongoing. Nevertheless, the resignation is unlikely to mean that the controversy will go away. Labour MP Clive Lewis, one of the MPs who was believed to be targeted by Labour Together, warned that the failure to remove Mr Simons earlier reflected badly on a prime minister whose judgement is already being questioned. He said: Josh Simons should have resigned weeks ago. Failing that, he should have been dismissed. That he wasnt speaks volumes. A prime minister who is serious about standards doesnt wait for an ethics adviser to state the obvious. Sir Laurie Magnus has now concluded what many could see from the start: that a minister attempted to undermine and smear journalists for doing their job. Asking questions. Holding power to account. That is not a grey area. It is a basic test of democratic instinct. Instead of acting decisively, the prime minister chose to wait. He chose process over principle. And in doing so, he projected weakness where clarity was required. He added: History rarely remembers the technicalities or the delays. It remembers whether leaders were prepared to make simple moral decisions when they mattered. The question now is why the prime minister felt unable to act himself, and why he needed cover to do what should have been done from the outset. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also blasted Sir Keir for failing to sack Mr Simons and insisted there are still questions to answer. She said: Keir Starmer has used the conflict in the Middle East to sneak out yet another ministerial resignation. Another time hes lacked the backbone to sack a minister who was obviously in the wrong. Josh Simons was in charge of a group that deliberately smeared journalists, even using a journalists Jewish faith to call him into question. Labour hasnt changed. The think tank Labour Together has donated or provided support to over 100 Labour MPs, including many of the cabinet. Their former staff members are in positions of influence across government, including serving as civil servants. Simons has resigned so its clear Labour Together is utterly finished as an organisation. Keir Starmer must tell us immediately if he will now end Labour Togethers links with his government and return the tainted money theyve donated. The subject access request by a number of Labour MPs who were allied to Mr Corbyn is aimed at looking at the role of Labour Together in forcing him out and installing Sir Keir as leader. Added to that the question marks over treatment of journalists came at a time when Sir Keir has been accused of trying to reduce press access in the Commons and to his government. Since the new year his government cancelled one of the daily lobby press briefings and he has directed a number of the questions at press conferences to Labour friendly social media influencers instead of journalists. Sir Keir thanked Mr Simon in his response to the resignation, adding: As you note in your letter, freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy. The government remains firmly committed to upholding and protecting that freedom. It is essential that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear or favour, including holding politicians of all parties to account on behalf of the public we serve. A Cabinet Office source added: In stepping aside despite being cleared, Josh has shown hes the type of person to take responsibility and put the long term direction of the government first. He'll not give up his energy in driving the party and this country forward." Josh Simons resigned on Saturday despite being cleared of breaching ministerial code A Cabinet Office minister has resigned over an alleged smear campaign against journalists by a Labour think tank. Josh Simons was the director of Labour Together when it paid a public affairs firm to investigate the backgrounds and motivations of journalists researching the sources of its funding in 2023. He left the think tank, which was central to Sir Keir Starmers rise to power, in 2024 and joined the Prime Ministers Cabinet after Labours general election victory that year. On Saturday, Sir Keir published an exchange of letters with Mr Simons that confirmed he had accepted the ministers resignation. In his investigation into the alleged smear campaign, Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, found that Mr Simons had not breached the ministerial code. However, Sir Laurie said: You will wish to consider, in the light of this distraction and potential reputational damage, whether he continues to hold your confidence as a member of your Government. With sadness and regret In his resignation letter, Mr Simons said: I welcome that Sir Laurie Magnus has cleared me of breaching the ministerial code. It was important to me to complete this process to prove that I behaved with integrity and that my public statements have been truthful and honest. Nonetheless, it is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this Governments important work. For that reason, and with sadness and regret, I offer my resignation. It has been an honour to serve this great country. Mr Simons was accused of paying a PR firm 36,000 to investigate the sourcing, funding and origins of a Sunday Times article about Labour Together, as well as the authors of a forthcoming book by Paul Holden and Matt Taibbi. The PR firms report labelled newspaper journalists who had reported on the think tanks undeclared funding as persons of interest and looked into their personal, religious and political backgrounds. The Cabinet Offices propriety, ethics and constitution group has since launched an investigation into Labour Together. The allegations surrounding the Cabinet Office ministers potential role in the smear campaign became the latest in a series of scandals under Sir Keirs administration. Last year, the Prime Minister was forced to sack Lord Mandelson over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and accept the resignation of Angela Rayner over underpaid stamp duty. Sir Keir said he accepted Mr Simons resignation with sadness and expressed his thanks for the commitment, focus and energy that he had brought to the role. Mr Simons explained in his resignation letter that he never intended to smear newspaper reporters, but instead sought to investigate how confidential material had been disclosed and whether it was the result of a hack. I talked to my board, hired expert lawyers, and commissioned a firm Apco who said they had relevant cyber-security expertise, he said. I also filed an official case with the National Cybersecurity Centre so they could establish the facts, who met with Labour Together and thanked us for filing the case. Given the concerns I had, it would have been irresponsible not to do these things. He said he did not know that journalists would be labelled as persons of interest, and did not expect the Apco report to include reprehensible material. Mr Simons stated in his resignation letter that it is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this Governments important work Mr Simons initially claimed he was distressed by the full contents of Apcos report, accusing the firm of going beyond its brief. In particular, he tried to distance himself from the decision to include unnecessary and falsified details about the Sunday Times Whitehall editor Gabriel Pogrund. But it was later revealed that Mr Simons shared details about the reporters private life with the National Cyber Security Centre in January 2024 and wrongly suggested that the Sunday Times story was the result of a Russian computer hack. The investigation was commissioned by Labour Together after the Sunday Times revealed the think tank had failed to declare 730,000 of donations between 2017-2020. Allies of Mr Simons said he had wanted to investigate what he thought was a potentially illegal hack and deeply regrets what happened. Josh has done the responsible thing to resign to end the distraction, putting the interests of the party first, said one. Josh has always been focused on the radical change this country needs. He wont be quiet on the backbenches, but will be passionately making the case to change this country for the better. Labour hasnt changed On Saturday night, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said: Keir Starmer has used the conflict in the Middle East to sneak out yet another ministerial resignation. Another time hes lacked the backbone to sack a minister who was obviously in the wrong. Josh Simons was in charge of a group that deliberately smeared journalists... Labour hasnt changed. The think tank Labour Together has donated or provided support to over 100 Labour MPs, including many of the Cabinet. Their former staff members are in positions of influence across Government, including serving as civil servants. Simons has resigned, so its clear Labour Together is utterly finished as an organisation. Keir Starmer must tell us immediately if he will now end Labour Togethers links with his Government and return the tainted money theyve donated. Labour Togethers chief executive said last night the think tank was under new leadership and committed to the highest standards of transparency and integrity. Alison Phillips, who took over as chief executive in 2025, said it had been a difficult period for everyone connected to Labour Together. Journalists should not have been investigated In a statement, the former Daily Mirror editor said: We were shocked by revelations about the work undertaken on behalf of the organisation more than two years ago, and have cooperated with appropriate inquiries, including that undertaken by the Cabinet Office. Journalists should not have been investigated. The organisation is under new leadership, and we are determined to act to the highest standards of transparency and integrity in the work we do. We are improving our governance arrangements and will learn the necessary lessons of the past. Labour Together has undertaken great work in the past and played a crucial role in achieving a historic victory for the party in 2024. But we are now in a new phase and working out how best as an organisation we can support the party in government working to deliver a better, fairer and more equal Britain. Baroness Sally Morgan, Labour Togethers chairwoman, said the organisation had waited until the investigation into Mr Simons had concluded before making a statement. She said the scope of work carried out by Apco was indefensible, adding: The board was not shown the contract with Apco. Nor was the Apco report shared with the board. Baroness Morgan added that Labour Together had instituted several improvements to our operations following a governance review since she took over in 2024. She added: We are committed to operating at the highest standards of integrity and transparency at all times, and a forthcoming external audit will examine further possible improvements. The Liberal Democrats said it was right that Mr Simons had resigned. Lisa Smart, the partys Cabinet Office spokeswoman, said: The public voted for change, instead were seeing the same old ministerial merry-go-round as we had under the Conservatives. Targeting journalists in this way was a sinister attack on our free press, and so its right Josh Simons has resigned. Keir Starmer needs to end this constant chaos and get on with delivering for people on the cost of living and NHS. Emergency crews rushed to the scene in El Alto - Getty Images A Bolivian air force cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed on to a motorway on Friday night, killing at least 15 people. The Hercules C-130 aircraft landed and veered off the runway at an airport in the city of El Alto before coming to a stop in a nearby field, Marcelo Salinas, Bolivias defence minister, said. Cash was strewn across the road and police in riot gear were forced to deploy tear gas to repel hundreds of looters. The plane had been transporting the newly printed currency to the capital, La Paz, from the eastern city of Santa Cruz in inclement weather before the incident at 6.20pm (10.20pm UK), which damaged 15 vehicles and caused the jet to burst into flames upon impact. Firefighters were later able to extinguish the blaze, officials said. Pavel Tovar, the national fire chief, confirmed 15 people had died and a number of others had been injured, but it was unclear whether the victims were on board the plane or from the cars on the motorway. The inferno destroyed cars on the motorway - Getty Images Mr Tovar said the death toll could rise as police and the Bolivian military carry out rescue operations and recover bodies at the site of the wreckage. Two of the six members of the aircrafts crew had not been found as of Friday evening, said Gen Sergio Lora of the Bolivian air force. Flights to and from the affected terminal of El Altos airport were suspended following the incident. Debris littered the road near the crash site - EPA Photos from the scene showed the downed jet cracked in half and several of the cars pulverised into hunks of metal and shattered glass, with debris scattered across the road as darkness fell. Minibuses, vans and a tractor-trailer were among the vehicles hit by the aircraft, Mr Tovar told Bolivian daily La Razon, adding that there are deceased individuals amid the wreckage. Police fought back looters who had attempted to breach the secured perimeter to pick up banknotes. A number of people were seen being escorted away from the wreckage by officers and members of the Bolivian military. Mr Tovar said the large mob rushing to scoop up stray bills had hampered rescue efforts, with more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers required to regain control of the crash site. Police and military personnel burned the remaining boxes of cash under the supervision of David Espinoza, the president of the countrys central bank, who had travelled to the scene. Cars were pulverised by the impact of the plane - Getty Images Mr Espinoza said the banknotes have no legal value because they never entered circulation. He added that the cash arrived in Santa Cruz from overseas, but did not specify the amount of money on board the plane. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. At El Altos Hospital del Norte, where many of the victims are being treated, video footage taken by the local ATB television station showed the buildings door adorned with a black bow to symbolise mourning. An official list of the injured was posted outside the secured gate, where family members had crowded to learn of the status of their missing relatives. Police fired tear gas to push back looters - AP El Alto, Bolivias second-largest city, is only about three miles west of La Paz. Large parts of South America, including Bolivia, have been affected by heavy rains and flooding this week triggered by the coastal El Nino weather phenomenon. The government of Peru declared a state of emergency for nearly half of its districts amid intense rainfall, landslides and flooding that have hit the southern part of the country, just over the border from La Paz. In Brazil, at least 60 people have died in severe storms in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, Donald Trump and Iranian state media confirmed, after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, plunging the region deeper into chaos. Khamenei was killed while he was working in his office at his compound in Tehran, according to Iranian state media. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran was martyred at his workplace in the Beit Rahbari (his compound)," state news agency IRIB said on its Telegram account. "He was carrying out his assigned duties and present at his place of work (his office) at the moment of martyrdom, and this attack took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. Iranian state media officially confirmed his death hours after Trump had announced it. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, the US president wrote on Truth Social, adding that it is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. Trump confirmed that the US had carried out major combat operations in Iran. The Israeli military later said that around 200 warplanes were involved in the attack. Explosions were heard across the country on Saturday morning, including in the capital Tehran, with strikes appearing to target the compound of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Local authorities said 108 people, mostly schoolgirls, were killed in a strike on a girls primary school in southern Iran. Khamenei was killed on Saturday 28 Feb (AP) The Israeli military said seven top Iranian defence officials, including commander of the Revolutionary Guards Mohammad Pakpour and defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, were also killed. Iran has launched a wave of missiles towards Israel and US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain. World-famous hotels in Dubai were seen in flames on Saturday after being hit by Iranian projectiles and debris. Hundreds of flights have been grounded across the region, leaving thousands of travellers stranded after Iran, Israel, the UAE and Kuwait closed their airspaces and major carriers and airports suspended services. Sir Keir Starmer said British planes are in the sky today in the region as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies but he confirmed the UK was not involved in the strikes. He condemned Irans authoritarian regime and demanded that it end attempts to develop nuclear weapons. This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026 (ISNA/AFP via Getty Images) He said: We have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community. However, the UK government is at odds with the Trump administration, having denied permission for the US to use RAF bases for the strikes because of concerns they could be a breach of international law. On a dramatic day of developments: Israel said it killed seven senior Iranian defence officials, including the defence minister and the commander of the IRGC The prime minister joined European allies France and Germany in condemning Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern countries in the strongest terms Sirens sounded across Israel, with citizens urged to take shelter, while retaliatory strikes in Bahrain targeted the US Navys Fifth Fleet At least 108 girls were killed in a strike on a girls school in southern Iran, authorities said Iranian media earlier reported the Red Crescent saying that at least 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in strikes across 24 provinces A man was killed by falling debris following strikes in Abu Dhabi, while sirens and explosions were heard in Kuwait, which is home to US Army Central The conflict spread to the tourist hotspot of Dubai where a fire broke out at the world-famous Fairmont The Palm hotel during an Iranian air attack Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran The Foreign Office urged British nationals in the Middle East to immediately shelter in place and told them to remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. This includes Dubai, which is home to 240,000 Britons. Meanwhile, Irans Foreign Ministry has said the country "will not hesitate" in its response, adding: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. The Revolutionary Guard said it considers all US bases, resources and interests in the region to be legitimate targets for retaliation. Iranian authorities said hundreds were killed (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) It promised a stronger response to come, with a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, saying it had so far used only scrap missiles and would soon unveil unforeseen weapons, state television reported. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen also vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior officials. The assault follows a rapid buildup of US military assets in the region, deployed in a show of force amid a growing row over Irans nuclear programme. President Trump gave the regime a deadline of 10-15 days to make a deal to curb its programme on 19 February, but insiders say indirect talks in Geneva failed to make progress on key issues. Smoke billowing from the US Navys Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain (UGC/UNKNOWN/AFP via Getty Images) In a post on Truth Social confirming the attacks on Saturday, the president said he hoped to force Iranian concessions in nuclear talks. He said the massive operation was intended to ensure Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and was aimed at eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He urged Iranians to stay sheltered because bombs will be dropping everywhere. But he added: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. US Democrats have criticised the action, with Senator Tim Kaine suggesting Mr Trump may be too mentally incapacitated to understand the harm of his policy on Iran, stating: Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of US meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East? Is he too mentally incapacitated to realise that we had a diplomatic agreement with Iran that was keeping its nuclear programme in check, until he ripped it up during his first term? The US president campaigned on a ticket of bringing peace to an unstable world, and has repeatedly taken credit for ending eight wars a claim he has argued made him deserving of last years Nobel Peace Prize. Several of the name-checked conflicts are ongoing or were not formally wars. Since returning to office, Mr Trump has also bombed Venezuela, Nigeria, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. He also threatened Colombia and Greenland, a territory of Nato ally Denmark. Donald Trump announces US military strikes against Iran in video posted to Truth Social (Truth Social) The latest strike on Iran comes after the US attacked the country last summer after Israel struck Iranian military infrastructure, commanders and nuclear sites. Israel warned the US in December that Iran was reconstituting nuclear sites buried deep underground. The US and Israel accuse Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons with its enrichment programme, which it denies. Irans clerical leaders were already in a difficult position after mass anti-government demonstrations in January, which led to a crackdown in which thousands of people were killed the worst domestic unrest since the era of the 1979 revolution. Protesters had again taken to the streets in recent days in remembrance of those killed the previous month. The attack by Israeli and US forces on Iran, and subsequent response by Tehran, has brought aviation across much of the Middle East to a halt. Hundreds of thousands of airline passengers have had their travel plans disrupted. Cancellations and diversions began after a major combat operation was confirmed by Donald Trump against Iran. Dubai International Airport, the biggest global hub, has closed to arrivals and departures, while giant Gulf carrier Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from its hub in Doha. Many readers have got in touch with travel correspondent Simon Calder about their rights and options. These are a few of the key questions. Stranded in Dubai Q I am one of the many passengers whose British Airways flight on Saturday from Dubai to London was cancelled. I have been rebooked to fly home on Monday on Qatar Airways but this involves a 12-hour wait at Doha airport. I asked for a non-stop flight instead, but BA told me: Unfortunately, we do not have the interline agreement with Emirates. I challenged again and was told: There are no such policies to entitle passengers with the direct flight if there is disruption. What are my options? Mike Boreham A Under air passengers rights rules, travellers whose flights are cancelled by British Airways or any other European airline are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any carrier that has seats available under comparable conditions to the original flight. To me, that means a like-for-like nonstop trip to Heathrow. In calmer times: when my BA flight from London to Singapore was cancelled at the gate, the airline first offered a Qatar Airways replacement via Doha but then agreed to transfer me to Singapore Airlines nonstop. I recently asked the Civil Aviation Authority whether a cancelling a nonstop flight requires the airline to replace it with another nonstop or whether airlines can offer take-it-or-leave-it connecting flights. The CAA declined to give firm guidance, saying it is a matter for the courts or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve. If you would like to become a test case, do go ahead and buy a new nonstop ticket on Emirates. The British Airways assertion that we do not have the interline agreement with Emirates is irrelevant: BA has to find the most appropriate flight, paying cash if necessary. Having said that, I doubt Emirates will have have any space for the next week or so, as the airline seeks to recover from disruption. So I think your reasonable request will be moot. And while I hate to add more gloom to your day: your flight on Monday does not look at all certain to go ahead. Stranded in paradise? Q Were due to fly from Male to London Heathrow via Doha on Monday with Qatar Airways. Its booked as part of a package holiday so does that change our passenger rights? This was all booked with Travelbag. Alex Pease A Booking a proper package holiday always confers stronger consumer protection than flight-only/DIY arrangements. In this context, I am sure Travelbag like other good travel firms will be working to find potential alternatives. At this stage, though, the assumption is that your flights will be operating as expected. If it is cancelled, that will signify wider and continuing disruption. This will be difficult to solve, with so many holidaymakers in the Maldives dependent on flying via the Gulf. Air passengers rights rules, which would entitle you to be flown to your destination as soon as possible on any airline, and to be provided with meals and hotels until you get there, will not apply because you are outside Europe and on a non-UK/EU. But under the Package Travel Regulations 2018, the travel firm must provide up to three nights of accommodation. If you are, if I may, stranded in paradise for any longer than that, travel insurance should pick up the bill. Sri Lanka to Spain? Q We are currently in Sri Lanka due to fly home to Spain via Abu Dhabi with Etihad next week. Any advice? Tracey Kennedy A Wait and see. A week is a long time in international geopolitics. While this is clearly a large-scale disruption of schedules, let us hope that the conflict in the region ends swiftly. When flights resume, it is the people who have confirmed reservations for those departures who take priority. Passengers who have had flights cancelled must battle for any empty seats. I hope you will be able to travel as normal. If not, you are in the uncomfortable position that air passenger rights rules do not apply to journeys from outside Europe on non-European airlines. Etihad can offer you whatever alternative it likes including simply offering you a refund for the unused part of your ticket. Hong Kong to Manchester? Q My sons flight from Hong Kong to Manchester flight via Doha with Qatar Airways has been cancelled. Whats his best option to get home ? Should they reroute him? D Leigh A If seats are available he could be rebooked on nonstop Cathay Pacific, or BA via Heathrow, or on one of the Chinese airlines via the Peoples Republic. But as he is flying on a non-European carrier from outside Europe, I am sorry to say there is no legal obligation to help him beyond a refund. Ask at the airport? Q Should we report to Manchester for check in for Qatar Airways to rebook and reroute our flights? Adrian Strain A Were I booked on an urgent trip via Doha to somewhere in Africa, for example, I might well be tempted to go to Manchester airport and ask staff there to re-book me as passenger rights rules require on another airline, such as Air France or Lufthansa via their hubs. However, I think it would be a futile journey. Almost all of the ground staff who work for Qatar Airways at Manchester are employed by third-party companies and have no authority to rebook you. I recognise this is frustrating, particularly if you have spent hours trying to get through to the airline to find out your options, but it is the unfortunate reality. At least you know the carrier has an obligation to you because you are beginning your journey in the UK. If you are not getting any helpful response, and can demonstrate that you have made every effort to contact Qatar Airways, you can always make an appropriate alternative booking and send the airline the bill. Home from Riyadh? Q What would be the best route getting from Riyadh to London not going via Doha and other closed airspace? Elaine Shannan A At present I cannot see any problem affecting flights from the Saudi capital to the UK beyond Virgin Atlantic cancelling its flights on Sunday/Monday. The standard routing that many carriers are following to avoid the Gulf involves flying over Saudi Arabia. The usual flight path would see you travel west to the Gulf of Aqaba and then northwest over Egypt and the Mediterranean, followed by a normal track from Athens to the UK. Read more: 21 years of air passengers rights rules Kim Ju-ae aims and fires a gun dressed in a brown leather jacket - KCNA North Korea has released an unprecedented photo of Kim Jong-uns daughter firing a rifle. Kim Ju-ae can be seen looking through a viewfinder, aiming and firing the gun, while dressed in a brown leather jacket. Released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the photo is particularly unusual as Kim Ju-ae is alone in the photo. It fuels speculation that Kim has chosen his daughter as his successor. The photo was taken at the Party Central Committee headquarters where Kim met with leading cadres and military commanding officers to give each of them a new-generation sniper rifle. Kim Ju-ae takes part in a practice shooting session with her father - KCNA Kim said he personally prepared the special presents to commend those in attendance for their commitment to their country. He said: As was already made public, this new-generation snipers rifle our Academy of Defence Science developed and produced is really a wonderful weapon. These presents represent my appraisal of your extraordinary devotion for the country and the people and an expression of my absolute trust in you. I hope that you will, in the future too, discharge your official duties in a responsible manner for the victorious advance of our cause. Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae meet with North Koreas leading military commanders - KCNA State media reported that those who received the rifles made a pledge of single-minded loyalty to add glory to their worthwhile life as the very loyalists who support and defend the country. Photos appear to show Kim Ju-ae assisting her father in the presentation of the gifts and taking part in a practice shooting session. Earlier this week, Kim attended North Koreas ninth party congress the countrys most important political event, held every five years with his daughter at his side. Kim Jong-un attended North Koreas ninth party congress with his daughter at his side - KCNA The father-daughter duo wore matching black leather trench coats - STR The duo wore matching black leather trench coats as they stood before cheering citizens on the streets of Pyongyang. It was the latest in a long line of public appearances by Kim Ju-ae, who has steadily attended more events alongside her father. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo heard racial slur while presenting award at Baftas (BBC) For Black people living with Tourette syndrome, the British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards incident earlier this week where a vocal tic manifested as a racial slur while two Black stars of the movie Sinners were onstage has left them with complicated feelings. Its been pretty difficult because I feel like theres such a clash between both sides, said Chloe Winston, 24, who experiences coprolalia, the same verbal tic as John Davidson, the BAFTA nominee and Tourette syndrome advocate who yelled the slur. A tic is not intentional, but it still causes harm. And I think that does require accountability. Davidson's utterance just as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first award of that night's ceremony ignited a firestorm that overshadowed Sunday's BAFTAs. There was immediate outrage that the actors and other Black attendees were subjected to the slur. Then there was frustration from the disability community at a lack of understanding about Tourette syndrome. But anger has been loud and widespread for broadcaster BBC because of its decision to allow the racial slur to air uncensored two hours after the live event. Most live awards shows like the Oscars operate on a seconds-long tape delay. The BAFTA and BBC apologies also were criticized as insufficient. The BBC plans to edit it out of its iPlayer streaming service. The ordeal has compelled Black people with Tourette syndrome, from politicians to content creators, to speak out. They assert that showing empathy for those dealing with the disorder doesn't minimize the pain felt by the Black community. There needs to be acknowledgment of the harm, some have said. Others also worry that misinformation or stereotypes about Tourette syndrome could exacerbate racial profiling or discrimination for Black people who live with it. Now, advocacy groups are using the BAFTA moment to try to grow existing support networks focused on Black people who feel isolated by Tourette syndrome. What is Tourette syndrome and coprolalia? Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by sudden, involuntary movements and/or sounds called tics, according to the Tourette Association of America. These can be motor and vocal tics. Tics can range from mild and inconsequential to moderate and severe and can even be disabling in some cases. We know that theres this sort of sensory and motor loop happening. And again, similarly in the vocalizations, they typically start with things like coughing, sniffing, or other just non-specific sounds, said Dr. Jeremiah Scharf, a tic disorder specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. In a majority of people, the symptoms begin to emerge during elementary school age and peak between ages 10 and 14, according to Scharf. Roughly 1.4 million people in the U.S. live with Tourette syndrome or a persistent tic disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coprolalia is the involuntary utterance of obscene and socially unacceptable words and phrases. The Tourette Association of America estimates between 10%-15% of people with Tourette syndrome live with it. The organization has cautioned against making assumptions about the person based on the content of the tic. These vocal outbursts typically vulgarities and insults are a biological condition that can sometimes be triggered by stress such as not enough sleep or being upset, Scharf said. The tics are hard to stop and involuntary almost like a sneeze. Unfortunately, for this subset of people, it is incredibly disabling because they dont want to say those things. Its very distressing to them, said Scharf, who was talking in general terms and not about the BAFTA awards incident specifically. They feel significant remorse about it. Treatment for severe tic disorders can range from medication to behavioral therapies. Retraining the brain to handle tics is takes an enormous amount of practice in terms of recognizing when the tics are coming, Scharf said. But, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Michael B Jordan attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire) Jhonelle Bean, an American Sign Language interpreter who is Black and has Tourette syndrome, took to TikTok after seeing so much all-or-nothing discourse around the BAFTA awards. Her video about the complexity and duality of the situation has garnered over 3 million views. Two things can be true at the same time, Bean said. Just because he ticced that does not mean it was intentional. But then also that still caused hurt or harm for people that heard it, which again is why Im mad at the BAFTAs and the BBC for keeping it in the broadcast in the first place because they had the power to take it out. The incident also brought up ableism comments that were flat-out discriminatory. They included that Davidson, the man who shouted the racial slur, should have been locked away, he shouldve had a muzzle, things like that, Bean said. At the same time, Bean disagreed with some engaged in the social media discourse who said those who took offense over the N-word needed to get over it. Jumaane Williams, New York City's public advocate who is Black and has Tourette syndrome, said it can be painful both physically and mentally to hold in a tic. As someone who has coprolalia too, Williams gives Davidson some credit for removing himself from the situation though maybe he could have moved a little sooner. For me, it was all about making sure were practicing care. And I dont think that happened for the two actors that were there or the Black folks who were there or people who didnt want to hear the word, Williams said. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) There's always going to be inherent concern if you are Black with Tourette syndrome or any tic disorder, said Reice Griffin, 20, who is a Tourette Association of America rising leader and ambassador. She has had people witness her tics and assume she uses drugs or is typically belligerent. And interacting with police can be even more stressful. Law enforcement is not well equipped to deal with Tourette syndrome, but also historically, as a Black person, you never really want to be around law enforcement, Griffin said. The association, which offers printable I Have TS cards, is actively trying to offer more support for people of color. Griffin recently attended a virtual support group meeting for Black young adults, and she has been speaking at schools and to groups to become more comfortable with herself. I thought that because I had Tourette syndrome that, like, public speaking was out the window, Griffin said. If I could help another young Black girl with Tourette syndrome not feel as alone or help people get diagnosed thats the dream. Williams, the New York City public advocate, agrees there is not enough support for Black people with Tourette syndrome. He tries to help by speaking about his own life. That has led to him hearing directly from New Yorkers. Sometimes in the street or an event people will bring their family member up which is always a pretty emotional space for me because when I see the kid, I know what theyre going through, Williams said. Flowers and photos at a memorial site for Renee Good, on 31 January in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP (Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP) The family of Renee Good, an unarmed US citizen and mother who was killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis last month, said in an interview with NBC News that neither Donald Trump nor anyone in his administration has contacted them since her death. Theres a reason that we hired our own investigators to make sure that the truth is transparent and available, to make sure that this is really taken seriously, and to make sure that we know what occurred, Brent Ganger, Goods brother, told NBC News. During the interview, Goods family opened up about the shootings aftermath, which caused a whirlwind of false claims by the Trump administration. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem falsely portrayed the 37-year-old mother of three as a domestic terrorist. Were the ones who know Renee, said Goods brother, Luke Ganger. No one else knows Renee. Theres a bunch of opinions and whatever, but were the ones who know her, and those other things arent going to change that, he added. The family described Good as a gentle person who loved raising her children. The family told the news outlet that they have yet to watch the videos of the moment Good was killed by a federal immigration agent on 7 January. I cant bring myself to do that, said Brent Ganger. In another interview with CBS Evening News, Goods father, Tim Ganger, said he would have traded places with his daughter and instead taken the bullets. As her dad, my first instinct: I would trade a thousand times stepping in front of her to protect her, he said. Goods family requested a private autopsy last month, which determined that Good was shot three times: in her forearm, breast and head. Along with the private autopsy, incident reports from the day she was shot similarly chronicled two apparent gunshot wounds to the right side of Goods chest, and a possible gunshot wound with protruding tissue on the left side of the patients head. Despite the lack of support from the Trump administration, Goods family has received condolences from community members and others across the country grieving her death. I felt the overwhelming peace that God said: Ive got Renee. Its OK. Im gonna walk with your family through this. Youre not gonna be alone, Goods mother, Donna Ganger, told NBC. We have been very consciously grateful for having Renee and having her in our lives for 37 years, she added. It changes your perspective when youre grateful. Just weeks after Goods death, Alex Pretti became the second victim of a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Family and friends of the 37-year-old intensive care nurse also spoke about Prettis character, describing him as happy and someone who represents the best of us. Prettis parents, who spoke to the New York Times , recalled their sons frustration over the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in Minnesota. He said: Mom, theyre kidnapping kids, Prettis father said. Why would anybody do that? Why would people treat each other like that? That just doesnt make any sense. Theres no reason to. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on 17 February 2026. Photograph: Office of the Iranian supreme leader/Wana/Reuters (Photograph: Office of the Iranian supreme leader/Wana/Reuters) When he appeared in public for the first time in five years in October 2024, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had an uncompromising message: Israel wont last long, he told tens of thousands of supporters at a mosque in Tehran in a Friday sermon. We must stand up against the enemy while strengthening our unwavering faith, the then-84-year-old told the gathering. Seventeen months later, Khamenei faced his final climactic confrontation after decades of bitter struggle against multiple enemies. Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that there were many signs indicating Khamenei is no longer with us, without explicitly confirming his death. Hours later, after Donald Trump also claimed Khamenei had been killed, it was confirmed by Iranian state media. It is very clear that the supreme leader was in the crosshairs from the earliest moments of Saturdays strikes, with satellite imagery showing that his secure compound was heavily damaged in the initial barrage. Certainly, Israel and the US have made little secret of their keen desire to eliminate Khamenei and so trigger the downfall of the Islamic Republic of Iran in its present form. Back in October 2024, Khamenei already appeared to have his back to a wall. Days before, Israel had killed Hassan Nasrallah, the veteran secretary general of Hezbollah, with huge bombs dropped on the militant Islamist movements headquarters in Beirut. The assassination was a personal blow to Khamenei, who had known Nasrallah for decades. The Israeli air offensive against Iran in June last year was another such blow, revealing the weakness of both Irans air defences and the coalition of Islamist militias that Khamenei had built up to deter Israel. The Iranian barrage of missiles and drones launched at Israel inflicted some damage but far from enough to stop Israeli attacks. The war ended after Donald Trump dispatched US bombers to strike Iranian nuclear sites, a grave setback to a programme that Irans supreme leader had cherished. That brief conflict revealed that Khamenei had few good options left a situation this careful, pragmatic, conservative and ruthless revolutionary always sought to avoid. Born the son of a minor cleric of modest means in the eastern Iranian shrine city of Mashhad, Khamenei took his first steps as a radical in the febrile atmosphere of the early 1960s. The then-shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had launched a major reform project largely rejected by the countrys conservative clergy. As a young religious student in Qom, a centre of theology, Khamenei had soaked in the traditions of Shia Islam and the radical new thinking of the emerging leader of the conservative opposition, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. By the late 1960s, Khamenei was running secret missions for Khomeini, who had been exiled, and organising networks of Islamist activism. Khamenei soaked up other influences, too. Though an avowed aficionado of western literature, particularly Leo Tolstoy, Victor Hugo and John Steinbeck, the young activist was steeped in the anti-colonial ideologies of the time and the anti-western sentiment that often went with them. He met thinkers who sought to meld Marxism and Islamism to create new ideologies, liked works describing the westoxification of his country and translated works by Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian who would inspire generations of Islamist extremists, into Farsi. Imprisoned repeatedly by Irans feared security services, Khamenei was nonetheless able to take part in the vast protests of 1978 that eventually convinced the shah to flee and allowed Khomeini to return. A protege of the implacable cleric, he swiftly rose up the hierarchy of the radical regime that seized power, and by 1981, after surviving an assassination attempt that deprived him of the use of an arm, he had won election to the largely ceremonial post of president. When Khomeini died in 1989, Khamenei was selected as his successor, once the constitution changed to allow someone of lesser clerical qualifications to take on the role and with much greater powers than before. Khamenei swiftly deployed these to consolidate his control over the sprawling and fragmented apparatus of Irans post-revolutionary state. One key power base was the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the beating activist heart of the new regime and a powerful military, social and economic force. But Khamenei, as ever, was careful to find other powerful allies and clients, too. Through the 1990s, he further strengthened his grip, eliminating opponents and rewarding those loyal to him. Even poets Khamenei had once professed to admire were targeted by security services. Overseas dissidents were hunted down, and the relationship with Hezbollah, which the IRGC had helped found in the aftermath of the revolution, was reinforced. At all times, he followed his strategy of pragmatically advancing the inflexible principles of the project bequeathed him by his late mentor. When in 1997, Mohammad Khatami, a reformist candidate, won the presidency in a landslide, Khamenei allowed him some freedom of action but worked hard and often forcefully to protect the core of the regime and its ideology from any serious challenge. Khamenei did not, however, stop Khatami reaching out to Washington in an ultimately abortive effort to establish better relations in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and, following Khomeneis example, forswore weapons of mass destruction. But he also backed the IRGCs efforts to bleed US forces in Iraq after their 2003 invasion and extend Iranian influence in the neighbouring country. This marked the further extension of his strategy of relying on proxies to project power across the region and deter and threaten Israel, named Little Satan by the revolutionaries in 1979, with the Great Satan being the US. Khamenei was sceptical of the nuclear deal painstakingly negotiated by Iranian officials with the US and others, but he did not oppose its implementation in 2015. Analysts argue over whether he has sought to restrain or encourage hardliners in the IRGC who have pushed for Iran to acquire a bomb. Successive waves of unrest and reform efforts were met with surges of vicious repression alongside continuing harsh treatment of measures targeting women, gay people and religious minorities. This, along with deteriorating economic circumstances, disillusioned many erstwhile supporters of the regime and broadened existing unrest. A pressure cooker of discontent was building. Overseas, Khamenei chose to invest heavily in the so-called axis of resistance Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen and a motley assortment of Islamic militant militias in Syria and Iraq. This may have seemed a clever tactic but it collapsed under the weight of Israeli attacks following the outbreak of war in Gaza, while Irans historic alliance with Damascus was ended with the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in December. On Saturday, as US and Israeli jets and missiles pounded Iran, striking Khameneis offices and killing him, Hezbollahs new leadership offered rhetorical support to Iran, but nothing else. There is little Hamas can do to help, and the Houthis seem frozen. Thus weakened, Khamenei has spent the last months facing spiralling crisis. During his more than three decades in power, Khamenei sought to navigate the pressures of conflicting forces within Iran, to avoid outright war and to preserve Khomeinis legacy as well as his own power and that of his immediate loyalists, of course. On the international scene, it is possible to detect evidence of some remaining pragmatism. Faced with the huge military power of the US and Donald Trumps demands for massive concessions that would strip away the last defences of his regime, Irans supreme leader played for time, offering at least some concessions to forestall immediate attack. Domestically, it was the hardline ideologue, not the master tactician, who took centre stage as he sent police and paramilitary thugs to bloodily crush the biggest wave of internal protest and unrest since the 1979 revolution that set him on his way to power. In the run-up to the US and Israeli attacks, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessed that even if Irans supreme leader were killed in the operation, he would probably be replaced by hardline figures from the IRGC, the most powerful military force within the country and the most ideologically committed to continuing what they consider the values and project of the 1979 revolution, two sources told Reuters last week. For a long time, Khamenei has been ailing, prompting feverish speculation over a successor. The end of his long career has made his many failings and many challenges manifest. It looks now that Khameneis brutal balancing is over. This article was amended on 1 March 2026. An earlier version said the Iranian revolution happened in 1970; this should have said 1979. The Islamic Centre of England, in Maida Vale, is under investigation and accused of being an outpost of the Iranian regime - Mickey Lee/Alamy Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to clamp down on charities accused of operating as part of an Iranian influence network in Britain. A group of Labour MPs have warned of a web of organisations that appear to be actively promoting the Iranian regimes ideology and interests. In a letter to Dan Jarvis, the security minister, the MPs argued that proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was an important step in limiting the regimes ability to repress and kill protesters in Iran. They went on to list several charities, which they alleged are part of the Iranian regimes influence on our shores, arguing that the response of the sector watchdog, the Charity Commission, had been inadequate. Labour MPs have urged the Government to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Morteza Nikoubazl/Getty One charity cited is the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which describes itself as a campaign, research and advocacy non-profit which struggles for justice for all peoples. Set up in 1997, it has special consultative status with the economic and social council of the United Nations. It has been under a statutory inquiry by the Charity Commission since last October. It was criticised in the 2023 independent review of the Prevent counter-terror strategy by Sir William Shawcross, who described it as an Islamist group ideologically aligned with the Iranian regime, that has a history of extremist links and terrorist sympathies. The official report notes: Several senior figures within IHRC have espoused support for violent jihad, expressed sympathy for convicted terrorists, and advocated for the extraction and eradication of Zionists. Campaigns have supported high-profile associates of a number of terrorist or extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The letter also mentioned the Islamic Centre of England, which has been under investigation by the Charity Commission since 2022. Based in the affluent north-west London suburb of Maida Vale, itd is accused of being an outpost of the Iranian regime. It first sparked concern in January 2020, when it held a candlelit vigil for Gen Qassim Soleimani of the IRGC, who was killed in an American drone strike. During the vigil, he was referred to as a dedicated soldier of Islam and a great martyr. Expressing support for the dead general exposed the centre to the risk of being charged with committing a terrorist offence. The vigil along with another event at the centre that eulogised Soleimani led to an official warning by the charity watchdog. In October 2022, Seyed Hashem Moosavi, the centres director, gave a speech in which he described Iranian protesters against the regime as enemies and soldiers of Satan. He also said women who refused to wear hijabs were guilty of spreading poison. The following month, the Charity Commission launched a full-scale statutory inquiry that could ultimately lead to the centre being stripped of its charitable status. The investigation is ongoing. Seyed Hashem Moosavi described anti-regime protesters as soldiers of Satan David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and one of the letters signatories, said: I am keen for the Government to move forward with proscribing the IRGC with even more urgency given current events. I would also like to see action by the Government on all the other ways Iran is trying to destabilise the UK, with groups like the IHRC. I am confident that fellow Labour MPs and most MPs in the House of Commons would agree that this is urgent. MPs who signed the letter also urged ministers to designate Press TV, the Iranian state broadcaster, under the UKs financial sanctions regime. They noted that it was currently not subject to sanctions by the UK, despite being sanctioned by the US, Canada, Australia and the European Union. Speaking from Downing Street on Saturday, Sir Keir said the Iranian regime posed a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community in the UK. Over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil, he said. Sir Keir Starmer said the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to UK-based dissidents and the Jewish community - Jonathan Brady/PA A spokesman for the IHRC said: William Shawcrosss review of Prevent has been thoroughly debunked as a piece of Islamophobic propaganda. It is more fitting for MPs in this country and the fourth estate to challenge entrenched and institutionalised racism rather than regurgitating it. The Islamic Centre for England said it was an independent religious charity and not an official office or representative body of any government, political entity, or individual. A spokesman added: The centre does not represent, promote, or advocate for the political views or agendas of any state, figure or regime. Its religious guidance is confined to matters of faith, ethics, and spirituality. The centre promotes religious peace, and harmony between different faiths. All activities of the centre are aligned with its charitable aims, to promote religious education, culture, moral guidance, and social cohesion, within the framework of UK law. The centre is non-political and remains committed to its role as a place of religious learning, service, and community support. A Charity Commission spokesman said: We take very seriously any alleged links between a charity and extremism or terrorism such links are abhorrent, and corrosive to the trust on which the charitable sector depends. As a civil regulator we use the powers granted to us by Parliament to respond robustly to evidence of wrongdoing and make referrals to other agencies where appropriate, including where there is evidence of criminality. As the range of these threats grows, we know our powers must keep pace. We are currently in welcome dialogue with the Government to ensure our powers and our corresponding resources are fit for the present and the future. A government spokesman said: The Government has already sanctioned the IRGC in its entirety, as well as more than 550 Iranian individuals and entities. We have a robust package of measures to tackle threats from the Iranian regime. We keep that threat constantly under review, and will not hesitate to take action wherever and whenever necessary. RAF Typhoon fighter jets have been deployed to Qatar to protect al-Udeid airbase and other allied military facilities in the region. Photograph: Simon Maycock/Alamy (Photograph: Simon Maycock/Alamy) Keir Starmer has said RAF fighter jets are flying in the sky today to defend allies in the Middle East against Iranian retaliation after the US and Israel launched a bombing campaign aimed at regime change in Tehran. The UK did not participate in the first waves of strikes against Iran on Saturday morning and has no immediate intention of doing so, but fighter jets were running defensive operations from Qatar and Cyprus to shoot down any incoming drones and missiles. Iran launched an immediate counterattack, including strikes on Israel and Jordan as well as on US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. British forces are located at the bases in small numbers. Details of the operations were scant, and the Ministry of Defence would not specify which countries and bases were being defended, though the UK recently boosted deployments in case there was an escalation of hostilities. Last month, the UK deployed RAF Typhoons to Qatar to protect al-Udeid airbase in the country and other allied military facilities in the region. An extra six F-35s and additional air defence, radar and counterdrone systems were deployed to the RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, from where they could be deployed to defend Israel, Jordan or other countries in the Middle East. British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were advised to immediately shelter in place after reports of Iranian missile attacks. The Foreign Office advised against all travel to Israel and Palestine. The prime minister, in a joint statement with his French and German counterparts, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, said: We did not participate in these strikes, but all three leaders added that they were in contact with the US, Israel and other regional allies. The bulk of the three leaders comments focused on Iran. We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future, they said. It is understood British airbases were not used by the US air force as part of the attack; Starmer rejected a request from Donald Trump to use RAF bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford earlier this month. The US and Israel have started a wide-ranging campaign aimed at regime change in Iran, as well as bombing its nuclear and missile sites. But in its initial statement, Britain would only say it did not want Tehran to have a nuclear weapon. A government spokesperson said: Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. Earlier on Saturday, Starmer chaired a meeting of the governments emergency Cobra committee to discuss how the UK would respond to the bombing of Iran, and Tehrans retaliation. The chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Emily Thornberry, said the UK should resist being drawn into a conflict in the Middle East. The Labour MP told BBC Radio 4s Today programme she did not think the US-Israeli strikes were legal. As far as Im aware, were not involved in this, she said. Theres not been British agreement to be involved in this, and I think thats the right thing to do. I dont think that theres a legal basis for this action. Related: US and Israel launch strikes on Iran: what we know so far Thornberry added that the US and Israel were not under imminent threat, and so its therefore difficult to see what the legal justification is. Asked whether the UK should resist being drawn into the conflict, Thornberry said: Absolutely, unless were attacked ourselves, which, as I say, unfortunately this morning, we dont know whether we will be because there may be attacks by the Iranians on western bases in the Arab Gulf, and so then the situation may change. We just dont know. The leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, said she supported the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. In a post on X, the Conservative leader said: I stand with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime. The same regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, that seeks to build nuclear weapons that would threaten our country and that brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Under my leadership, the Conservative party will always put our national security first and work with our allies to make the world a safer place. I cant bring myself to do that: Renee Goods brother refuses to watch deadly Minneapolis shooting video Much of Renee Goods family has not watched the widely circulated video of an ICE agent fatally shooting the Minneapolis mother-of-three last month. I have not, I cant bring myself to do that, Brent Ganger, Goods brother, told NBC News in an interview aired Friday. I think weve all intentionally just let that go, her father, Tim Ganger, added. Donna Ganger, Goods mother, said the only part of the clip she has watched is when Renee Good told ICE agent Jonathan Ross, Im not mad at you moments before he opened fire. That was so Renee, Ganger said in the interview. Renee Goods family members say they havent watched the widely circulated videos of an ICE agent fatally shooting her in January (AFP/Getty) Good was killed on January 7. She had been observing immigration operations from her SUV and was in the middle of a group of officers when she was ordered to get out of the car. Good seems to turn the vehicle to begin driving away as officers including Ross stood nearby, and the agent soon fired multiple shots into the SUV. The family described a sense of alienation since Goods death, both from the partisan narratives about her death that spread, as well as from the Trump administration, which quickly labeled Good a wannabe domestic terrorist who sought to use her car as a weapon. I feel like were the ones who know Renee, brother Luke Ganger told NBC. No one else knows Renee. I think at least for me, the default thing when you hear any of the noise is its just, I dont know, to a certain degree its easy to tune out because its just, no one knew her. The family said the Trump administration has not been in touch with them since the shooting. Theres a reason that we hired our own investigators to make sure that the truth is transparent and available, to make sure that this is really taken seriously and to make sure that we know what occurred, Brent Ganger said in the NBC interview. The familys claims follow other irregularities in the investigation into Goods death. Local officials say federal agents have blocked them from fully investigating Goods death (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Federal officials did not launch a civil rights investigation into the shooting, instead reportedly pushing to investigate Goods partner and her ties to local activist groups. Federal prosecutors were reportedly preparing to search Goods vehicle shortly after the shooting as part of a joint investigation with state officials but were ordered by senior FBI leadership to call off the effort. State police in Minnesota say theyve been blocked from accessing the full evidence in the shooting and have bowed out of doing a local probe as a result. Numerous federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned from a local U.S. Attorneys Office this year, reportedly over the Trump administrations handling of the Good investigation. Goods killing prompted mass protests, and federal prosecutors resigned as the Trump administration reportedly pushed them to investigate Goods wife instead of launching a civil rights probe into the shooting (AP) Last month, Goods family hired a team of lawyers which represented the family of George Floyd, a Black man whose murder in 2020 by Minneapolis police set off nationwide protests. Good was shot at least three times during her encounter with Ross, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family found. The Department of Homeland Security continues to investigate the shooting. In the wake of Goods killing and after federal agents shot dead another American in Minneapolis, Alex Pretti, the Trump administration began drawing down the military-style immigration crackdown that had been active in the Twin Cities since late last year. Dubai International Airport, the biggest global aviation hub, has suspended flights due to the major combat operation confirmed by Donald Trump against Iran. The move comes after Iran and Iraq closed their airspaces in response to the escalating action, which has seen explosions across the Middle East with blasts reported in Bahrain and the UAE, which house US military bases, as well as in Jordan and Qatar. The main airline at Dubai, Emirates, told passengers: Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 3pm UAE time [11am GMT] on Sunday, 1 March. If you are booked to travel in the next 72 hours, your options are:Rebook on an alternate flight. You can rebook on another flight to your intended destination up to 10 days from your original date of travel. You can request for a refund of your ticket by completing the refund form if you booked with us directly. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them. We urge all customers to check flight status before proceeding to the airport. All other airlines using the airport are affected. British Airways passenger Mike Boreham was aboard flight BA108, preparing to depart from Dubai to Heathrow, when the captain announced airspace had closed. We were all boarded, he told The Independent. The flight is completely full. About 10 minutes after the boarding complete announcement we were told airspace is closed. After the closure was announced, many flights heading for Dubai returned to their starting points, including Emirates from Dublin, Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and LOT to Warsaw which was also the landing place for the Emirates inbound flight from Seattle. On a typical day, around 250,000 passengers arrive and depart at Dubai. The giant Gulf carrier Qatar Airways has also suspended all flights to and from its hub in Doha. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the airline said: Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens. Once usual operations resume, we anticipate delays to our flight schedule. We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers. The safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. In the Gulf region, Doha is second only to Dubai in terms of the number of flights and passengers handled. Thousands of British passengers are affected by the airspace closure, including travellers who are returning home from locations in Asia, Australasia and Africa. Inbound flights from Colombo and Dhaka have landed at Muscat in Oman. The inbound flight from Chicago is in Cairo, while the service from Boston landed in Athens. Many Qatar Airways flights from Continental European airports have also returned to their starting points, including the departures from Berlin, Brussels, Zurich, Vienna, Warsaw, Barcelona, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Brussels, Paris, Milan and Madrid. Donald Trump at an event in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday. Photograph: Michael Gonzalez/AP (Photograph: Michael Gonzalez/AP) The Trump administration said refunds of tariffs struck down by the US supreme court will take time, according to court documents filed by the Department of Justice. Businesses including FedEx have lined up to demand reimbursement for US tariffs they have paid but that the court last week deemed were imposed illegally, prompting heavy criticism from Donald Trump. The justice department did not say it plans to ask the supreme court to rehear the case, despite Trumps comments earlier on Friday. Claiming that refunds could ultimately cost hundreds of billions of dollars, the president wrote: I am sure that the supreme court did not have this in mind! Related: Trumps scramble to fix his crumbling tariff strategy sows global chaos and confusion It doesnt make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved windfall, the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling, Trump posted on Truth Social. Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible??? Since the supreme court struck down many of the tariffs last week, dozens of companies have rushed to court seeking refunds, joining hundreds that had already filed suits in anticipation of the ruling. The decision amounts to a sharp rebuke, toppling a key pillar of Trumps aggressive economic agenda. It also infuriated the president, who lambasted the court and vowed to impose new tariffs in a much more powerful and obnoxious way on countries that fail to comply with his wishes. Related: Trump illegally used executive power to impose global tariffs, supreme court rules The supreme court ruled that a 1977 law designed to address national emergencies did not provide the legal justification for most of the administrations tariffs on countries around the world. As Trump and his officials scrambled to identify legal mechanisms they could use to enforce his tariffs, they imposed a sweeping, but temporary, 10% US tariff on imports from much of the world earlier this week. Under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, this new duty can be imposed for 150 days. Explosions were seen in Tehran and other cities across Iran - Getty Images Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have backed Donald Trumps strikes on Iran, while Left-wing politicians have claimed that they are in breach of international law. Mr Farage, the Reform UK leader, urged the Prime Minister to allow the use of British military bases and support the Americans in this vital fight. Mrs Badenoch, the Tory leader, said she stands with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of Iran. Posting on X, she wrote: The same regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, that seeks to build nuclear weapons that would threaten our country and that brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Under my leadership, the Conservative Party will always put our national security first and work with our allies to make the world a safer place. The strikes followed weeks of US military build-up in the Middle East. The Trump administration had assembled a huge fleet of fighter jets and warships in an effort to pressure Iran into agreeing to a deal over its nuclear programme. Damage in Tehran following a missile strike - AFP/Getty Images On Saturday, Mr Trump announced that the US and Israel launched massive and ongoing combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, he said, adding that Washingtons aim was to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Israels defence minister declared a special and permanent state of emergency as Iran launched two barrages of retaliatory missiles towards northern Israel, while also targeting US airbases in several Middle Eastern countries including Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE. The Labour chairman of the foreign affairs select committee said she believed America and Israels initial strikes were illegal under international law. Dame Emily Thornberry, who has previously served as shadow attorney general, said there was no imminent threat posed by Tehran. I dont think that theres a legal basis for this action, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Saturday morning. They were not under imminent threat, and so its therefore difficult to see what the legal justification is. Smoke billows following a US missile strike in Tehran - AFP She is amongst a number of Left-wing MPs who have expressed their opposition to the military action. Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, described the strikes as an illegal, unprovoked and brutal attack and said the US and Israel were now rogue states. Meanwhile, Your Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, said the UK should call for an immediate halt to the attack on Iran, and suspend arms sales and supplies to Israel and the US. Clive Lewis, a Labour MP and former shadow defence secretary, said he also believed it was likely an illegal war. Lord Ricketts, a minister in Sir Tony Blairs and Gordon Browns governments who now sits as a crossbench peer, told Radio 4: None of this, I think, is in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise. There was really no imminent threat to the US. This is action that they chose to undertake, or were dragged into it by the Israelis. Labour MP Richard Burgon added: The bombing of Iran by the US and Israel is an illegal act of aggression. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the UK must not be dragged into another Middle Eastern war, adding: Keir Starmer needs to rule out the use of UK bases for any future unilateral US strikes. The Iranian people deserve to live free from a brutal regime. Donald Trumps unilateral and illegal military action wont deliver freedom, peace and security. It will only unleash more bloodshed. It will pile pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, to outline the Governments legal position, with critics accusing him of sitting on the fence. On Saturday afternoon he announced that British planes were in the sky as part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations. He clarified that Britain played no role in the opening attacks against Iran. But James Cleverly, a former foreign secretary and current shadow minister, said Britain must stand shoulder to shoulder with its allies. He added: Starmer really is pathetic. This equivocal language, neither for nor against, weak and woolly, timid beyond belief, is unfitting for a national leader. If he just made a decision he would generate respect, if not agreement. But he cant, he wont. What is the point of him? Donald Trump announced the attacks on Saturday morning, with Keir Starmer later saying Britain played no role in them - Anadolu/Getty Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, urged the Government not to sit on the fence and called on it to do what was needed to support our allies. Writing on X, she said: This could be a hugely consequential moment for the entire Middle East. Britain cannot sit on the fence. We must also protect our military personnel and assets in the region, British nationals and support our allies in the Gulf who are now being attacked. The murderous, terror-supporting regime in Tehran should have nobodys sympathies at this time. The Reform UK MP Richard Tice said: We at Reform UK stand with and thank Israel and the US unlike the Labour and Liberal Democrat cowards. A Government spokesman said: Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. As part of our long-standing commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. The United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran." He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. Here's the US president's address in full: A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran's proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lines. It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran's proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before. Iran is the world's number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear programme at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. Again they wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. They didn't know what was happening. They just wanted to practise evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They've rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it any more. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme and to continue developing the long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with, nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We're going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy. We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs, or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It's a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration is taking every possible step to minimise the risk to US personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we're doing this not for now. We're doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask god to protect all of our heroes in harm's way. And we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America's help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May god bless the brave men and women of America's armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you. Soldiers collect garbage in Old Havana, Cuba, on Thursday. Photograph: Ramon Espinosa/AP (Photograph: Ramon Espinosa/AP) Donald Trump has suggested the US could carry out a friendly takeover of Cuba as tensions between Washington and Havana reach a new high after the capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro. As he left the White House for a campaigning event in Texas on Friday, Trump said: The Cuban government is talking with us. Theyre in a big deal of trouble. Although he gave no further details, it has been widely reported that US officials had met with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of 94-year-old Raul Castro, on the sidelines of the Caribbean leaders summit, Caricom, as part of negotiations on opening up the island. Trump said on Friday: They have no money, they have no anything right now. But theyre talking with us and maybe well have a friendly takeover of Cuba. The presidents comments come as relations between the two countries have sunk to one of their lowest points in an often bitter 67-year history. The US has cranked up pressure on Cubas struggling regime after its successful abduction of Venezuelan president and Cuba ally Nicolas Maduro in January. In advance of the attack on Caracas, US officials won a promise of cooperation from Maduros deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, now Venezuelas acting president, who has promised to open up the countrys sizeable oil reserves to foreign companies. Pressure from Washington also led to the departure of the attorney general, Tarek William Saab, and prompted Venezuela to cut off oil exports to Cuba. The US has imposed an oil blockade on the island, strangling what was left of the islands already parlous economy. Trump said: Ive been hearing about Cuba since I was a little boy, but theyre in big trouble. Alluding to the large Cuban exile community in the US, he suggested a takeover of the island could be something good very positive for them, saying: You know, we have people living here that want to go back to Cuba, and theyre very happy with whats going on. Trumps acquisitive language will provoke worries among Cubans that history is repeating itself: US financial domination of the Cuban economy was one of the main drivers of Fidel Castros 1959 revolution. Related: No fuel, no tourists, no cash this was the week the Cuban crisis got real His claim marked a startling departure from previous public statements. The Cuban president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, has previously said that although his government is willing to talk, discussions could not involve Cubas internal affairs, and had to come from a position of equals, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our self-determination. Cubas Berlin Wall moment is around the corner, said Manuel Barcia, a history professor at the University of Bath who has family on the island he left in 2001. It sounds like [US secretary of state] Marco Rubio has orchestrated a very impressive take down. Trump has long counted on electoral support from Cuban exiles concentrated in Miami who have dreamed of overthrowing the islands communist government, established by Fidel Castro. Pedro Freyre, a leading figure in the exile community who acts as lawyer for companies wanting to do business on the island, said Trumps language suggested a deal similar to Venezuelas was under way, where many of the regimes leading figures could remain in place. This is phrased in business terminology. When you read it together with the recent comments by Rubio, it points to economic rather than political openings, all under the aegis of the US, Freyre said. That could go down very badly in Miami. William LeoGrande, professor of government at the American University in Washington, believes the White House is focused on bringing Cuban Americans along. He pointed to an international tour currently being undertaken by Mike Hammer, the US charge daffaires in Havana. Hammer is functioning more as ambassador to the diaspora than as the US representative to the Cuba government, LeoGrande said. By travelling to Miami and Madrid, he makes Cubans in exile feel heard, so they are more likely to accept a change in US policy if Trump manages to make a deal with Cuba. Trumps comments come days after what appeared to be a group of heavily armed exiles from Florida attempting to land a speedboat full of weapons on the islands north coast, causing a gunfight at sea that left four dead and seven injured. Citizens in countries across the Middle East have been told to take cover from Iranian airstrikes in retaliation for an unprovoked attack on Iran by America and Israel. But the shockwaves from blasts as US-made Israeli jets and American pilots unleash their bombs against Irans regime and a nuclear weapons programme that Donald Trump said had already been obliterated in the past will be felt from London to Bangkok. The strikes described by President Trump as a major combat operation reaffirm a new age. A rogue order led by the US president that many nations around the world run by authoritarian thugs will relish. They will also look to many Muslims and non-Muslims as an attack on Islam itself. After killing upwards of 80,000 people in Gaza, flattening the enclave, Israel has continued with land grabs on what small patches of territory remain to Palestinians on the West Bank. The strikes on Iran as with the war on Gaza will lead to a violent backlash. It will lead to terrorism. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Irans regime has murdered thousands of its own people just this year. It has been an evil force of instability all over the Middle East. It backed the vile Assad regime in Syria, it foments Shia hatred for Sunnis in Iraq, it backed Hamas atrocities on October 7 2023, and the years of pointless rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel before. Since they hijacked the Iranian revolution against the monarchy in 1979, Irans brand of Islam under successive Ayatollahs has weaponised religion to destabilise Lebanon by backing Hezbollah. The so-called Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, which calls itself the Party of God, is anything but. It runs drugs and gold from South America and an organised criminal network that stretched across Africa into Europe, peddling narcotics, stolen cars, and weapons. Iran has threatened the annihilation of Israel and backed the Houthis racketeering and war in Yemen, as well as choking the Red Sea with mines and piratical attacks. At home, its securocrats of the Iranian National Guard Corps control at least 40 per cent of the national economy. So one could not mourn the demise of the Iranian government and the crooks and terrorists that keep it in power. It is a force for bad in the world and it should never get hold of nuclear weapons. Donald Trump confirmed a 'major combat operation' in Iran (Truth Social) But there is a forum to stop Iran. It is the United Nations, and through its offices, Barack Obama and Iran signed a nuclear deal that, in part, put its programme back. Trump tore that up. Instead, we now have a rogue order in which it would appear more irresponsible for a national leader not to start a nuclear weapons programme. Trump believes that Russia has earned a chunk of Ukraine just by invading it. He has also taken control of Venezuelas oil revenues by invading Caracas and arresting its president. He is banking the Venezuelan oil revenues in the Middle East, beyond the scrutiny of Americas legal system or Congress. If Ukraine had not given up its nuclear weapons it had the third biggest stockpile on earth it would not have been invaded by Russia. If Venezuelas government had built a bomb, it would still be in office. Saudi Arabia is looking at whether it should, or could, become a nuclear power. So, the Israeli-American attack on Iran risks local instability, a wider terrorism war and a clash of civilisation of the kind that feeds the energies of Isis and al-Qaeda. It also tells the world that there is no such thing as international law and therefore, the only way to survive is to be able to threaten armageddon. Hundreds of British travellers are feared stranded in Dubai after all flights into and out of the city were suspended until further notice. Dubai Airports confirmed that operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International (DWC) have been halted after explosions rocked the city amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The suspension comes after the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, with Iranian counterattacks reported across the region. In a statement, the Government of Dubai Media Office said: Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice. Passengers have been told not to travel to the airport and to contact their airlines directly for updates. We appreciate the cooperation of our guests. Further updates will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation. The shutdown has sent shockwaves through global aviation, with airspace closed across the UAE, as well as Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Iraq and parts of Saudi Arabia. British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until 3 March. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled its London to Dubai service and is rerouting other flights to avoid Iraqi airspace. Lufthansa has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman. Norwegian Air has halted all services to and from Dubai. Wizz Air confirmed it is suspending flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until 7 March. Qatar Airways has also temporarily suspended flights following the closure of Qatari airspace. The disruption follows reports that warplanes and cruise missiles launched from Israel and a US carrier strike group struck multiple sites across Iran. In retaliation, Iran said it was targeting American bases and interests in the region, according to the Tasnim News Agency. For thousands of passengers, including Britons travelling for half-term breaks and business trips, the sudden airspace closures have triggered uncertainty and long delays. The UK Government has said its priority is the safety of British nationals in the region and is monitoring the situation closely. Travellers are being urged to check directly with airlines before making their way to airports, as the fast-moving crisis continues to upend flight schedules worldwide. At least 55 Ghanaians have been killed in Russias war with Ukraine after being lured into battle, Ghanas foreign minister said after a visit to Kyiv in which officials raised the issue of Russian recruitment of African people. The foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said in a post on X on Thursday: We were informed that 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been lured into battle since 2022 for which an estimated 55 have been killed and 2 captured as prisoners of war. Reports of African men being attracted to Russia by promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraines frontlines have become more frequent in recent months, creating tensions between Moscow and some of the countries involved. Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine. Ukraine says more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries are fighting in the Russian army. A Taliban security personnel stands guard along a road in Kandahar on 27 February, 2026, after overnight cross-border firing between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Photograph: AFP/via Getty Images (Photograph: AFP/via Getty Images) Washington endorsed Pakistans right to defend itself after it bombed major cities across Afghanistan amid heightened tensions between the two hostile neighbours. The Taliban government in Kabul stressed it was ready to negotiate on Friday as violence intensified between the two countries. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahi said: The Islamic emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue, he said. The Pakistani strikes hit parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman on Friday, he said. Related: Pakistan declares state of open war after bombing major Afghan cities Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif earlier said his country was in open war with Afghanistan, and that patience had run out in Islamabad. The latest wave of attacks came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night, which Afghanistan said was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas last weekend. Pakistan accuses Afghanistans Taliban government of sheltering militant groups that stage attacks across the border a claim denied by Kabul and of allying with India, its historic enemy and regional rival. The UK and the EU called for swift de-escalation, and urged both sides to reenter negotiations. While a Qatari-mediated ceasefire ended fighting in 2025, talks in Istanbul in November did not yield a formal peace agreement. Allison Hooker, US under secretary of state for political affairs, spoke on Friday with Amna Baloch, the Pakistani foreign secretary, and expressed condolences for lives lost in the recent violence with Afghanistan. We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistans right to defend itself against Taliban attacks, Hooker wrote on X. Pakistan is a key ally of Washington, which considers the Afghan Taliban which returned to power in Kabul in 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces to be a terrorist group. The European Union called for immediate de-escalation and a halt of hostilities and warned of potentially serious implications for the region. The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan, said Kaja Kallas, the blocs high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. We urge both sides to engage in dialogue, added Kallas. International law, including humanitarian law, must be fully respected by all actors. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be ensured, and all feasible precautions must be taken to prevent further civilian harm. Yvette Cooper, UK foreign secretary, wrote on X: The UK is deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward deescalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and reengage in mediated dialogue. with Reuters Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei has been killed as the US and Israel launch a war on Iran to trigger regime change, Donald Trump has claimed. The US president announced the death of the ayatollah, who has ruled Iran as supreme leader since 1989, in a post on Truth Social. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump wrote. British planes in the sky in Middle East to defend allies after US strikes on Iran Sir Keir Starmer said British planes were in the sky to protect allies in the Middle East as he condemned Irans retaliatory strikes on its neighbours in response to attacks by the US and Israel. Speaking for the first time since Donald Trump authorised a joint US-Israeli preemptive strike on Iran over its nuclear weapons programme, the prime minister made it clear that the UK had not taken part. However, he condemned the authoritarian regime in Iran and demanded that it end its attempts to develop nuclear weapons and stamp down on protesters in its country. Explosions were heard over Tehran on Saturday morning after the coordinated preventative attack, which has prompted retaliatory attacks from Iran towards Israel. President Trump confirmed a major combat operation in an eight-minute speech posted to Truth Social, stating Iran could never have a nuclear weapon and adding: Its been mass terror, and were not going to take it any longer. Smoke rises over Tehran after military strikes (AP) Sir Keir chaired an emergency Cobra security meeting on Saturday morning and has increased military and security at the UKs military bases in Cyprus. He also discussed the crisis in a three-way telephone call with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz. Speaking to the nation from Downing Street, Sir Keir warned that the situation was evolving very quickly. The prime minister said: I condemn Irans attacks today on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict, we extend our support and solidarity to them as part of our commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East. We have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which weve recently strengthened. Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies, as Britain has done before, in line with international law. He added: Weve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them. He also said that the Ayatollah regime in Tehran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and accused it of trying to instigate at least 20 terrorist attacks on the UK in the last year alone. He said: We have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilise the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community. However, the UK government is at odds with the Trump administration, having denied permission for the US to use RAF bases for the strikes because of concerns over international law. Keir Starmer made a statement on the crisis (Getty) In an earlier joint statement, Sir Keir, Chancellor Merz and President Macron also avoided any condemnation of US actions with Israel. They said: We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. It comes after former UK national security adviser Peter Ricketts warned that the UK would not consider the attacks by the US to be legal. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: None of this, I think, is in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise. There was really no imminent threat to the US. This is action that they chose to undertake, or were dragged into it by the Israelis. The UK and US have been at odds over Middle East policy, with Sir Keir refusing to take a role in Mr Trumps Board of Peace for Gaza, although former prime minister Sir Tony Blair has accepted a seat on it. President Trump was also angered over the UKs decision, along with France and other allies, to recognise the state of Palestine. But the row over the use of RAF bases in Cyprus to bomb Iran is also understood to have had wider implications, with President Trump withdrawing his support for Sir Keirs Chagos Islands deal to cede the British territory to Mauritius. Lord Ricketts warns the strikes are not legal in a way the UK would recognise (Getty) However, Mr Trumps biggest ally in the UK, Nigel Farage, said the government should allow the US to use British bases to carry out strikes against Iran. In a post on X, he said: The prime minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran! Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also gave her backing to the strikes on Iran. She said: I stand with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime. The same regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, that seeks to build nuclear weapons that would threaten our country and that brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Meanwhile, a senior Labour MP warned that the UK should resist being drawn into a conflict in the Middle East. Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme she did not think the US-Israeli strikes were legal. Asked whether the UK should resist being drawn into the conflict, Dame Emily said: Absolutely, unless were attacked ourselves, which, as I say, unfortunately this morning, we dont know whether we will be because there may be attacks by the Iranians on Western bases in the Arab Gulf, and so then the situation may change. We just dont know. Reality star Vicky Pattison is among celebrities taking shelter in Dubai after the US and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran and the UAE closed its air space. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East. The former Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here winner and Strictly Come Dancing star had been enjoying a break in Dubai with husband Ercan Ramadan, best known for The Only Way Is Essex, but her departing flight to Australia has been cancelled. She wrote on her Instagram story: Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others out flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai. We are receiving a lot of messages from people asking if were ok which we are. We are currently in our hotel and have been assured were safe. We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and Im also aware that theres a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning. Im not sure what else to say, other than were doing our best to stay calm, not feed any unconfirmed narratives and were thinking of everyone who is feeling unsettled and unsafe right now. Earlier today Pattison had shared a video of herself and her husband eating breakfast in the worlds highest outdoor infinity pool at Zeta Seventy Seven at the Address Beach Resort in Dubai. Former Love Island star Laura Anderson had also recently arrived in Dubai with her daughter Bonnie when the Iranian retaliation started and air defence fire was seen over the UAEs commercial hub. She wrote on Instagram: Horrendous situation. Bonnie and I are fine. Her fellow Love Island star Arabella Chi is also in Dubai with her daughter Gigi and wrote on Instagram: Dubai friends. Scary times. Stay safe. (Rus) The illness of the King and questions over how much he knew about the misdemeanours of the former Prince Andrew have prompted renewed interest in the Prince and Princess of Wales. There is a chance they may attain the throne much earlier than anyone might have expected or than they would have wished. This is the first joint biography in a decade since Christopher Andersons 2011 William and Kate: A Royal Love Story, although there have recently been a plethora of self-published books as well as several individual lives such as Robert Jobsons separate biographies of 2022 and 2024 and Robert Laceys 2020 Battle of Brothers. However, much has changed, even in the past two years enough to justify a new book. Russell Myers fluently tells a story familiar from the news cuttings but spiced up with some fresh insights from contacts nurtured during his eight years in the royal rota. He claims to have conducted 100 interviews though they are not immediately apparent in the text. There are only a few names in the acknowledgements, few direct quotations, no source notes, bibliography or index, so much of his material has to be taken on trust. The book has an authoritative feel but is in the tradition of soft royal biography sympathetic and with few real revelations. The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Baftas this year (Jaimi Joy/PA) (PA Wire) The outline will be familiar to readers the heir to the throne who as a teenager tragically loses his mother; finds love at university but takes his time to commit; initially close to his younger brother but with whom he falls out after their marriages as they are on different paths; who suffers a renewed tragedy when both his father and his wife succumb to cancer within months; and now, in his mid-forties, is facing the possibility of succeeding to the throne while his three children remain minors. Catherines growing confidence In many ways, the more interesting trajectory is that of Catherine, the Home Counties all-rounder from a stable family who falls for/ensnares (depending on ones point of view) the young prince, brings out many of his best qualities and grows in stature as she develops confidence in her new role. After a brisk trot through their youth, school days, university courtship, first career steps, break-up then engagement, marriage in 2011, the birth of three children in quick succession and the couples growing assurance in their public roles, Myers quickly moves to the present day and a number of contemporary concerns. The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new photo for Valentines Day (Lisa Ferguson/The Scotsman/PA) (PA Wire) He addresses Williams disintegrating relationship with Prince Harry, the controversial 2022 tour of the Caribbean, the impact on the family of the cancer diagnoses, and Williams early recognition of the need for the royal family to distance itself from the former Prince Andrew. Myers reveals, for example, William was furious that the York couple had been invited to Sandringham for Christmas 2023 and has consistently pushed for a tougher line against his wayward uncle. One of the most interesting elements of the book is how William sees his future role as monarch One of the most interesting elements of the book of which there could have been more is how William sees his future role as monarch, how he advised from an early stage of the importance of distancing the family from Andrew and how both issues have often placed him at loggerheads with his father. An early example was his refusal to be crowned Prince of Wales, to learn Welsh or maintain a house in Wales, though he lived for a time in Anglesey. Williams coronation, Myers says, will be 90 minutes long, as opposed to his fathers ceremony of three hours, and the heir is working towards a more slimmed-down monarchy with fewer patronages and a focus on particular interests such as early learning, homelessness and the environment. Myers demolishes many of the myths which have grown up around the couple Myers demolishes many of the myths which have grown up around the couple, notably that Catherine set her sights on William by switching from Edinburgh University to St Andrews University. Unfortunately, he shies away from anything critical, such as Williams alleged affairs. There may be no truth in the stories, supposedly subject to injunctions, but they should have been addressed. Likewise there is little on Williams stewardship of the Duchy of Cornwall. The future of the royals It is perhaps no wonder that the Waleses are widely seen as the future of the royal family, managing to combine familiarity with formality and the dignity of their position with a relatability to the ordinary citizen. They rarely put a foot wrong and remain the most popular of the royals. What emerges from the book is a couple with a strong partnership, sense of public duty and vision of how they can carry the monarchy forward. That will be quite a task given the choppy waters ahead. Andrew Lownie is a royal expert and biographer William & Catherine by Russell Myers is out now (Ebury Spotlight, 22) Sarah Ferguson unveiled her plans for the Mothers Army at the United Nations in 2010 - Stan Honda/AFP On stage at the United Nations headquarters in New York in March 2010, Sarah Ferguson, the then Duchess of York, unveiled her plans for an online mothers army to link women in need with those able to help. I will be the general uniting mothers all over the world, wherever they are, so that they can come and be listened to, Ms Ferguson told reporters, explaining that the charity would connect women facing rape, abuse and poverty to support services. She claimed the idea was inspired by British women who distributed sugar and butter from village halls during the Second World War. But emails disclosed by the US Department of Justice last month show that the Mothers Army brand, incorporated the next year, was first suggested to Ms Ferguson by Jeffrey Epstein. [Y]ou should run a compny [sic].. suggestion start Mothers army, Epstein wrote on April 6, 2010, while serving a prison sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution. You can form it as a public vehicle, but with military terms.. chairman general board of directors joint chiefs, etc, he wrote. If she thought it at all inappropriate for a convicted paedophile to propose a philanthropic venture built around integrity, consciousness and morals, she did not show it. My dear, spectacular and special friend Jeffrey, she replied four days later. You are a legend, and I am so proud of you. The proposal appears to have served two purposes for Epstein: a potential commercial opportunity and a route back into the life of her former husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, after the financiers 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Emails show how vulnerable Ms Ferguson was in April 2009, financially and emotionally, when she met the convict for a quick cup of tea at his Palm Beach office. Under an extraordinary sweetheart deal, he was allowed to leave jail for 12 hours a day on work release. Around this time, Ms Ferguson wrote that she felt broken and had lost my way completely. But with flattery, gifts and the promise of a business venture to ease her debts, Epstein quickly won her over. On April 17, he sent further ideas for the Mothers Army, urging a multi-level marketing model. Charge for enlistment, he wrote, have ranks, move up the ranks by accomplishment, prove you are a good mother get a mothers army medal. On June 14 he told her to recruit five powerful women. Merchandise was central. He suggested a mother pin similar to the pink rbibon for aids (sic), pink berets and army chic uniforms. Promotional material should echo the US army slogan be all you can be, and after each typo-ridden directive, Ms Ferguson appeared energised: Yet her emails also reveal a growing dependence. On June 8, 2009, she wrote: I dont want to do any of this without you. I need your silent vigil, and making sure I dont F... Up the business and commercial arm. Even routine steps were left to him. On July 21 she asked, Would your lawyers mind looking into trademark of Mothers Army.. Please? Already done, he replied. He later transferred the domain to her in 2011. A review of the DoJ emails between the pair reveals a previously unknown level of contact. Ms Ferguson appears to have met the convicted paedophile at least six times between April 2009 and December 2010, including twice while he was on day release from custody. A review of the emails between Epstein and Ms Ferguson reveals a previously unknown level of contact - Rick Friedman/Getty Images In July 2010 she appears to have travelled to his private island, writing: My friend, am I allowed to go visit Little St Jeffs? Or is it unavailable to bankrupts? Epstein replied: ill meet you there. It was as an adviser on her debts and the proposed Mothers Army venture that Epstein introduced David Stern to Ms Ferguson in 2009. Business plans shared between Epstein and Mr Stern, a German financier, show Epstein was to hold a 51 per cent stake. Revenue would come from books, childrens television and speaking fees, with Ms Ferguson to receive a $250,000 (185,839) salary. By then her debts exceeded 5m. In August 2009, Mr Stern warned Epstein that the venture could succeed only if it was completely outsourced to professionals. The next February, Ms Ferguson introduced Mr Stern to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, describing him as a trusted adviser rated highly by Epstein, and telling her former husband that Mr Stern had offered his help to assist in the wealth fund idea with China. The introduction proved pivotal. In the months that followed, as she faced legal action from creditors and the fallout from a News of the World cash-for-access sting, she turned to Epstein, writing I am drowning and feeling very traumatised and alone. By then, however, Epstein had his man, Mr Stern, inside her husbands inner circle and his focus had shifted to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. He broke from Ms Ferguson and abandoned plans to set up a business with her in April 2011, after she apologised for allowing him to pay her debts, telling the Evening Standard: I abhor paedophilia. In a rare moment of insight in September 2011, Ms Ferguson emailed Epstein: It was s00000 crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeply. More than you will know. While Ms Ferguson did become a director of a UK company called Mothers Army, it never traded and was dissolved in December 2016. Ms Ferguson has declined to comment. Parents have demanded that a plaque commemorating a visit from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to a Scottish primary school is removed. Castle Douglas Primary School, in Dumfries and Galloway, was opened by the former prince in 2006 and has a plaque marking the royal visit. Parents and former pupils have urged the council to remove it following Mr Mountbatten-Windsors arrest earlier this month, arguing that he should not be honoured in a school or anywhere. However, Dumfries and Galloway council has yet to act, suggesting that it would be inappropriate to make presumptions about the current matters relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. The former Duke of York was arrested on his 66th birthday amid accusations that he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as British trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. Parents and former pupils have urged the council to remove the plaque commemorating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors visit - Justin Tallis/AFP Katrina Ann McKerlie, 41, who has lived in Castle Douglas all her life and whose daughter attended the school, said the council should remove the plaque. My daughter went to that school. He should not have his name on that wall, she said. I would say a lot of other parents would agree. The council should have acted, of course they should. Meghan Whalen, 24, attended Castle Douglas and was in year four when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor opened the school. She said: I can remember all the families coming around and applauding Andrew. They all felt so honoured to have royalty open our wee school. I just remember the buzz everyone had about it. I personally am not a loyalist, but for everyone else it was a privilege. Following the revelations about the former princes ties to Epstein, Ms Whalen said: It makes me feel angry that he opened our primary when at that time he was involved with Epstein and knowing what was happening and he could happily open a primary. He should not be honoured in a school Ms Whalen added that Mr Mountbatten-Windsors links to Epstein, including that he may have leaked information to him, means he should not be honoured as a good role model. She said: Why should we have a plaque to honour someone like that? He should not be honoured in a school or anywhere and thats the truth. Its not something a school should have any more. Susan, another local resident, echoed that view, saying: He opened the school about 18 years ago. I definitely think the plaque should be removed, absolutely. A council spokesman said: The council is aware that Castle Douglas Primary School was opened by the former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and that a plaque marking this visit is located at the school. No decision has been taken to remove the plaque. Current matters relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor are ongoing and it would be inappropriate for the council to prejudge the outcome of these. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow national guidance where relevant. Castle Douglas Primary School has been contacted for comment. A number of plaques across the UK dedicated to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor have already been removed elsewhere in the country. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. President Donald Trump signaled an expansive military campaign against Iran early Saturday and explicitly called for regime change in the Islamic Republic. In a video posted on Truth Social, he confirmed combat operations aimed at eliminating imminent threats from Iran and recounted decades of aggression against U.S. forces at the hands the regime while also pointing out the tens of thousands of protesters who have been slaughtered in Iran in recent months. Trump added that U.S. policy has been to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and developing long-range ballistic missiles. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests, he said. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally obliterated. Were going to annihilate their navy. Were going to ensure that the regimes terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world. In a nod to a potential prolonged operation, Trump also warned we may have casualtiesthat often happens in war, in contrast with recent attacks he ordered that resulted in minimal harm to U.S. personnel. He then appealed directly to Irans armed forces and police, telling them will have complete immunity if they disarm. Otherwise, they face certain death. Trump called on the Iranian people to shelter in place while bombs are falling but to take over your government once the U.S. finishes. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it, he continued. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. The message came after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran early Saturday after weeks of negotiations and the biggest military build-up in the region since the war in Iraq. The airstrikes follow the 12 Day War last June, when the U.S. joined Israels air campaign to target Tehrans nuclear facilities. While Trump had reportedly considered limited attacks on the regime, sources told CNN that the U.S. involvement was not a small strike. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done to remove threats, according to the Associated Press. The AP also reported that one of the strikes took place near the office of Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iranian state media reported strikes in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Since early January, the U.S. has moved enormous military assets to the region, including two aircraft carriers, several destroyers armed with guided missiles, fighters, bombers, and air-defense systems. At the same time, Trump dispatched envoys to engage in indirect talks with Iran, demanding the country stop uranium enrichment as well as its ballistic-missile program. But he grew impatient with negotiations in recent days. Trump had initially warned Iran last month again killing protestors calling for the end of the regime and vowed that help was on the way. But since then, he has sounded alarms about Tehran rebuilding its nuclear capabilities. Advertisement The latest U.S. strike on Iran represents a wider offensive compared to its June attacks that hit a few nuclear sites. Thats despite Arab Mideast allies urging Washington to hold off on new attacks as Iran has indicated it would retaliate more aggressively this time, perhaps with medium-range missiles, drones as well as via proxy forces like Hezbollah. Domestic backlash against the U.S. attack on Iran was swift after some members of Congress sought a vote on military action. Acts of war unauthorized by Congress, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., on X. The latest attack on Iran also comes less than two months after the stunning U.S. raid on Venezuela that captured dictator Nicolas Maduro. While the countrys leader was removed, Trump left the rest of the government in place and has been dealing with Maduros vice president. The Venezuela raid was lasted hours, but early indications point to the Iran attacks being the start of a more expansive, longer offensive. Thats after years of the U.S. depleting its stockpiles of munitions and also supplying Ukraine and Israel with weapons too. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CNBC before the Iran strikes that the U.S. is not prepared for an extended campaign or to support allies in a longer-term war. We simply dont have the defense industrial base to do that, let alone the stockpiles of key weapons such as such as Patriot and THAAD and then strike weapons such as JASSMs, he said Friday morning. A wider U.S. offensive also risks roiling oil markets. After the limited U.S. airstrikes in June, crude prices briefly spiked but resumed a downtrend as Tehrans response was also limited. But given Trumps new policy of regime change, Tehran could take more drastic measures to upend energy markets. Iran pumped 4.7 million barrels per day last year, accounting for 4.4% of global oil supplies. Much of its heavily sanctioned shipments go to China via a so-called shadow fleet. But the bigger risk centers on the potential for Iran to close off the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of all the worlds oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes through on the way to export markets. Analysts have estimated that Iranian moves to close off the strait could send prices to $100 per barrel. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com February 26, 2026: South Korea has developed the 35-ton Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile carrying a 7.8 ton warhead at ranges of 600 kilometers or more. Lighter warheads allow the missile to travel up to 5,000 kilometers. The 600 kilometers missile is sufficient for North Korean targets. At 5,000 kilometers the targets would be in China or Russia. The 7.8 ton warhead is 80 percent metal to enable deep penetration through earth or concrete. South Korea was able to develop the Hyunmoo-5 despite an agreement with the United States to not develop missiles with ranges of more than 180 kilometers and warheads of more than half a ton. By mutual agreement, these restrictions were abolished in 2021. Such agreements are imposed by the United States as a condition of continued American support for the defense of South Korea from North Korean attack. Since South Korea is now an economic powerhouse and a major manufacturer and exporter of military equipment, such restrictions are superfluous. South Korea has been in the top ten of nations in terms of productivity and is headed for the top five. South Korean military forces are better armed and equipped than the northerners. The economies of the two countries are very different, with South Korea having a per-capita GDP more than fifty times that of the north. South Korea is also considering developing nuclear weapons to match those already held by North Korea, The Americans have long pledged to supply nuclear weapons support to deter the north. American politics, or simply changes in American attitudes towards defending South Korea, prompted South Korea to consider developing their own nuclear weapons, which could certainly do within a few years. The US understands that South Korea is now a major military and economic power. This means the two nations are now allies with each possessing the same military capabilities in East Asia. The would allow the Americans to withdraw their troops from South Korea, where they have been stationed since the end of the Korean War 71 years ago. The U.S. will probably keep a token number of troops in South Korea until the two Koreas are reunited as a democratic nation with a market economy. Russia and China oppose this, but are not willing to start a war over such a unification. South Korea is a major trading partner with China and had similar relationships with Russia until the Ukraine War sanctions were imposed in 2022. It wasnt too long ago that South Korea depended on the United States for all sorts of modern weapons. For example, seventeen years ago the U.S. agreed to sell South Korea GBU-28 bunker buster bombs. This 5.8 meter long, 2.2 ton weapon was designed and built in 17 days during the 1991 Gulf War. It can penetrate more than six meters of reinforced concrete or 45 meters of earth, before detonating 306 kg of Tritonal explosive inside a bunker. The bomb is actually a BLU-113 fitted with a laser guidance kit, turning it into the GBU-28. Saddam Hussein was known to have built two heavily protected underground shelters in 1982 and 1983. The German firms that designed and constructed these 9,000 square meter shelters described them as having 3.2 meters of reinforced concrete for a ceiling and walls with 2.2 meters of reinforced concrete. The main entrances were through three-ton steel doors. Each had two escape tunnels, one going 200 meters to the Tigris River. One bunker was under a Presidential Palace, which would have to be leveled before the GBU-28 could get a shot at the bunker several dozen feet underneath. North Korea has long been installing military installations in large underground bunkers, often dug into the sides of mountains. North Korea has lots of mountains for this. North Korea has become so good at it that they sell their expertise to other countries. Iran is a current client. As the Trump administration weighs its next move on Iran, one of the most advanced aircraft in the U.S. arsenal has taken up position closer to Tehran. Eleven U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighters have arrived at Israels Ovda Air Base in the countrys south, Fox News reported, marking the first-ever operational deployment of American combat aircraft to Israel. The move comes amid a broader U.S. military buildup in the region not seen at this scale in years and as concerns grow over Irans nuclear program and missile capabilities. For American decision-makers, the significance is straightforward: The F-22 changes the military equation. "The F-22 is indeed the most air-to-air capable fighter in the world; nothing comes close to it in the air-to-air role," said retired Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, former deputy chief of staff for operations at U.S. Air Force headquarters. During a May 26 webinar hosted by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), he described its presence as "a very clear deterrent signal" that allows the United States to "negotiate with strength." Trump 'Not Happy' With Iran Talks, Hasn't Made 'Final Decision' On Us Strikes An F-22 Raptor flies in this undated image provided by Lockheed Martin. Designed to establish and maintain air superiority, the F-22 can operate in heavily defended airspace and suppress enemy air defenses. In any potential strike scenario against Iran, that capability would be critical. Before bombers or strike aircraft can reach hardened nuclear or missile targets, someone has to clear the skies. That is the F-22s core mission, former generals explained in the webinar. Read On The Fox News App Guastella underscored what forward positioning means in practical terms. "The advantage of the large force thats there is that it can hold almost any target in Iran at risk if thats what the president wants to do," he said. Retired Lt. Gen. Charles Moore, former deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command, said in the webinar that the deployment is about expanding presidential options rather than signaling a predetermined strike. Trump Issues Stern Iran Warning As Tehran Angrily Reacts To Speech Amid Muted World Reaction "There is a lot of combat capability thats been moved into the region the more capability, the more assets we put, the more options that the President has. We dont box him in," Moore said. He added that the posture allows the United States "to be prepared for a long-term type of deployment and sustainment of combat capability if thats what the President decides he wants us to do." Trump signaled Friday that diplomacy remains his preference but did not rule out force. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Texas, he said he was not happy with Iran and wants to make a deal with Tehran, but warned that "sometimes you have to" use military force. He added that Iran remains unwilling to forswear nuclear weapons as demanded by the United States. Advertisement The choice of Israel as the deployment site also matters. Unlike some Gulf bases, where operational restrictions can apply, Israel offers fewer political constraints, they explained. That gives U.S. planners additional freedom of action in a fast-moving crisis. The Only Map You Need To See To Understand How Serious Trump Is About Iran A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet climbs after taking off from the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Puerto Rico, Jan. 4, 2026. JINSAs fellow for American Strategy, Jonathan Ruhe, said the move follows a JINSA recommendation to expand U.S. basing options in Israel, outlined in a report the organization published last fall. That report argued that forward basing in Israel would enhance U.S. flexibility and deterrence in the region. The organization has for months pushed the idea that Israel could function as a land-based platform for American airpower in the Middle East. Former Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amikam Norkin said deploying such high-end aircraft to the region is not routine and framed the move as both operational and strategic. "It presents the American commitment to Israeli security once you are landing with your best airplane in Israel," he said, adding that regional actors "understand the very strong commitment of the American government, American military, American President, to the national security of Israel." At the same time, he rejected the idea that the deployment represents a shift toward American "boots on the ground" in Israel. "Well, its not the first time that America is on the ground. As you remember the 12-Day War, the American Air Defense System supported us. So its already been done," Norkin said. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Map shows where the U.S. is building up military forces near Iran. More broadly, he emphasized that Iran is not solely an Israeli problem. "The Iranian threat, its not just an Israeli threat, its a regional threat, and the American forces support the region, not just Israel." Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command briefed President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday on potential military options targeting Iran, a source familiar with the meeting confirmed to Fox News. The presidents top military adviser, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, also attended the briefing. For now, officials describe the move as part of preparedness rather than a prelude to immediate conflict. But the arrival of Americas premier air-dominance fighter on Israeli soil signals a new phase in U.S.-Israel military coordination and a clear message to Tehran: If the president chooses to strike, the tools are already in place. Original article source: US positions F-22 stealth fighters in Israel, puts 'almost any target in Iran at risk' The Virginia State Senate and its Democratic majority may have voted to nearly triple their pay if a provision inserted into their final budget survives the House reconciliation process and reaches Gov. Abigail Spanbergers desk. The development comes as Spanberger has centered her campaign on "affordability," with Richmond Democrats echoing that they are working to improve their constituents personal finances. Virginias legislature itself was founded as a part-time, gentlemans chamber, where lawmakers would return to their day jobs when Richmond wasnt holding session. Virginia Democrats Seek Dozens Of New Tax Hikes, Including On Dog Walking And Dry Cleaning Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs executive orders. (Getty Images) Proponents of raising the current 1988-established salary of $18,000 for senators and $17,640 for delegates say the structure restricts who can afford to serve as a lawmaker today. Lawmakers also qualify for a $237 per diem, mileage reimbursements, and coverage of office, meeting and other expenses. Senators new salary would be $50,000. Read On The Fox News App Republicans were quick to criticize the final budget, with the Virginia Senate Minority Caucus saying in a statement that "teachers got a 3% raise, but Democrats give themselves 300%." The actual increase would be closer to 178%, though one could say the new salary would be 300% of the original. "The affordability hoax just gets worse and worse," the caucus said, adding that the chambers majority killed a repeal of the car tax something GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Sears ran on while increasing the state budget by $1 billion overall. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, told WVTF it is the "wrong time" to address lawmaker pay. Advertisement New Dem Star's Quick Hard-left Turn After 'Moderate' Campaign Won Her Coveted Response To Trump: Lawmaker "It's supposed to be affordability for working families across Virginia, not members of the General Assembly," he said. Virginias legislature the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World has been making laws since its inception as the House of Burgesses in Colonial Williamsburg, where Spanberger gave the Democratic Partys State of the Union response. In her speech, she claimed President Donald Trump is the one "enriching himself, his family and his friends" and said Republicans are the ones "making your life more expensive." "I traveled to every corner of Virginia, and I heard the same pressing concern everywhere: costs are too high. In housing, healthcare, energy, and childcare," she said. "Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that keep them up at night." "Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability in our nations capital and in state capitals and communities across America," Spanberger said Tuesday. The pay raise could be moot if the Democrat-controlled House of Delegates does not amend its own budget proposal to include the provision. Click Here To Download The Fox News App The Houses budget includes $137 million for expanded childcare access, a minimum wage increase to $13.75 in 2027 and $15 in 2029, and a $20 million appropriation for state employees and home health care workers collective bargaining, according to Washingtons ABC affiliate. Fox News Digital reached out to the governor, as well as the House and Senate minority leaders, for further comment. Original article source: Virginia Democrats talk affordability and vote to nearly triple their own pay Image by Alexei from Pixabay Two stories this week add up to something important when placed side-by-side. Congressional Republicans introduced a bill to nationalize book banning, which would give federal authorities sweeping powers to purge school and public library collections of content they dont like. In the second, a volunteer group called Citizen Historians for the Smithsonian has spent thousands of hours photographing wall texts in the Smithsonian museums before the Trump administration rewrites them (which is in process). A lawsuit also accuses the administration of a sustained campaign to erase history in Americas national parks. While the Trump administration seeks to reframe official cultural history, people are responding by mobilizing to preserve the cultural record. Among all the other craziness of our current politics, this strikes me as the heart of the cultural moment were in. Evidence abounds this week that the battles for culture are intensifying. The FCC asked broadcasters to sign a pledge to produce patriotic programming celebrating American civic life and then doubled down with a formal push for pro-America content. Trump demanded Netflix fire a board member Susan Rice, a former Obama official who warned corporations not to bend the knee to him. Netflix then pulled out of a contentious battle to buy Warner Studios, a few hours after CEO Ted Serandos met with Trump at the White House. The Netflix acquisition had already been approved by the Warner board, but regulatory approval for the deal was going to be bloody. Meanwhile Disney told the creator of its anti-fascist drama Andor not to use the word fascism in press interviews. Taken together, these tests of authority over cultural institutions are probes of where the line is, of how much self-censorship the cultural sector will perform without being explicitly required to. A quieter version is playing out in public funding all over the map. Illinois arts budget is flat and below where it was 20 years ago. And the province of Nova Scotia eliminated 100% of its funding for programs that put artists in schools and closed nearly half of its provincial museum sites. The UKs free museum entry policy, once treated as untouchable, is now under active scrutiny. The DePaul Art Museum in Chicago announced it will close this summer. Londons Young Vic is laying off staff after years of deficits. None of these are the same story, but they pose the same question: what does society actually owe cultural institutions, and why? Aeon ran an essay this week on instrumentalization the pressure on universities and arts institutions to justify their existence in terms of economic or civic outcomes rather than intrinsic value. This is an old and much debated question that has tilted back and forth over the years. Is the case for culture (to the powers that be and in their language) the economic value it performs? Or is it the appeal for support and relevance that culture helps shape the character of our wider culture? The argument is swinging hard to the justify your worth question. Culture is increasingly asked to prove its worth in somebody elses currency. The FCCs patriotic content push and Illinoiss flat arts budget are different expressions of the same underlying logic. The strategic question for arts leaders isnt whether to engage with this pressure theres not really a choice but how. A few things may be worth keeping in mind. First, the self-censorship risk is real and insidious. Disneys instruction to its Andor creator didnt come from the government; it came from Disneys own risk calculus. Organizations that start editing themselves before anyone demands it are doing the governments work for free. (how has that worked out so far for the big law firms and universities that capitulated?) Second, the volunteer archivist story is a model worth pondering. When institutions are under pressure to change what they say, the most durable response is to build a record thats harder to erase. Third, the funding crisis and the political pressure are not separate problems. Theyre related. Defunded institutions are more precarious, more vulnerable to capture. The organizations most at risk of bending to political pressure are the ones already operating at the margins financially (see Metropolitan Opera, et al). Also Worth Your Attention Irelands basic income program for artists goes permanent with caveats. Ireland has made its basic income for artists a permanent program, which sounds like unambiguous good news. But the fine print is important: more than half of artists and arts workers in Ireland still experience what the report calls enforced deprivation, even with the support. The program proves the concept but also proves how much more is required. For leaders thinking about artist sustainability which should be everyone this is the most interesting policy experiment in the sector right now. And as AI threatens more and more jobs, universal guaranteed income is poised to be a bigger part of the conversation. What might that look like and how might it be implemented? Artists are using AI and not telling anyone. A new study finds that artists and writers routinely hesitate to disclose AI collaboration and the fears seem to be justified: positive assessments of work shift measurably once people learn AI was involved. This is the human provenance issue at the fundamental level. Organizations that present or commission work might need some sort of a disclosure policy. But that seems problematic on all sides of the equation. The gap between what artists are actually doing and what audiences know about it is widening, and when it closes, it wont close gently. Like this: Like Loading... Related February 28, 2026: Last year Ukraine received 49 U.S.-made M1A1 tanks from Australia, which is receiving more effective M1A2 SEPv3 models from the Americans. Ukraine had received 31 M1A1s from the U.S. in 2024. As of 2026, nearly 90 percent of these have been lost in combat. Ukrainians modified the M1A1s to operate and survive in a war dominated by the widespread use of drones. The M1A1s received reactive armor, rooftop cages, and electronic countermeasures. The main problem the Ukrainians had with the M1 was that this tanks was designed to operate in a combined arms environment. That means the M1s would be accompanied by infantry in Bradley IFV/Infantry Fighting Vehicles along with air and artillery support on call. A combat engineer vehicle would be added if anti-tank mines were expected. Conditions are different in the Ukraine War were tanks are considered targets rather than threats. In the first year of the war Russia lost some three thousand tanks. After that tanks were rarely seen in combat. When tanks are used, they are put to work individually, providing artillery support for infantry attacks. Tanks like the M1 and the German Leopard 2 were useful in night combat because their night vision sensors allowed an individual tank to monitor Russian activity several kilometers distant. If a target was spotted, the tank could fire a 120mm shell and destroy it. These tanks, if equipped with reactive armor and overhead nets, could survive multiple drone attacks but would eventually succumb when drones damaged the track laying system tanks travel on. Once immobilized a tank was an easy target for artillery and additional drone attacks. There have been few tank-versus-tank actions in Ukraine because tanks dont last long. The United States sent 31 M1 tanks to Ukraine and were put to work, but not in ways that the mass media was able to understand or report on accurately. In the combat zone the Ukrainians quickly figured out how to best use their impressive new tanks. The Ukrainian crews had been trained before the tanks arrived and praised the efficient internal layout of the tanks and the number of useful capabilities of the M1. The battlefield in Ukraine is unlike any the M1 had ever operated in. Within a year at least five Abrams tanks were lost in combat, with another three damaged. The Ukraine War has seen an unprecedented use of drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and attacks from above. All tanks are more vulnerable to attacks from above. Sending dozens of quadcopter type drones against tanks turned out to be a decisive weapon if the tank was not equipped with metal screens and signal jammers to cause some or all of the drones to lose their control signals and fall to the ground, or fly around aimlessly. If a tank was not prepared for drone attack it was soon immobilized as its engine was damaged and disabled. That was because armor is thin or nonexistent over the engine compartment behind the turret. Normally the engine compartment was not vulnerable to attack. The extensive use of drones changed that. To make matters worse there were a lot of anti-vehicle mines used in Ukraine, which could damage or destroy a portion of the tracklaying system that tanks rely on for movement and mobility. Bust a track and the tank is immobilized until the crew or someone else can fix the track. This is a laborious process that can take over an hour and cannot be done while the tank is under attack by drones or just rifle and machine-gun fire. The war in Ukraine has made it easier for the U.S. Army to get all the money wanted for upgrades to the American M1 tank force. The problem was that few of those upgrades protect tanks from drones. The army had already developed and scrutinized a new SEP/ System Enhancement Package update called SEP4 for its M1 tanks. The previous upgrade was Sep3 and entered service in 2020 after years of testing. This upgrade contained lots of incremental improvements of features the SEP3 tanks already have. This included upgrades to the gunners sight and a meteorological sensor that collects data on weather conditions to improve accuracy of the main gun. The U.S. Army has led the world in tank gun accuracy for decades and the SEP4 features offer small improvements. In Ukraine the 120mm gun was rarely used because the Russians had few tanks left after they lost so many in the first year of the war. Since the 1980s there have only been these incremental improvements for use against opponents who largely use T-72 upgrades that have not closed the wide effectiveness gap with the M1 and a few similar tanks like Leopard 2, Challenger, LeClerc and Merkava. A major advantage of the M1 is that it has more combat experience than any other tank, especially its primary opponent: improved T-72/90 models. The most recent combat experience for these tanks has been in Ukraine, when the most modern Russian tank failed in a spectacular fashion against modern Western portable anti-tank weapons. These infantry weapons have a long history of success and to capitalize on that Poland has obtained lots of them and even built its own versions. Noting the similar success of the M1, in 2021 Poland ordered 250 M1A2SEP3 tanks for $6 million each. These will be new tanks, not upgrades of older models and all will not be delivered until 2026. The M1A2SEP3 is also known as the M1A2C and is currently the most advanced version of the M1. The Poles consider this tank the best option to deal with any new Russian tank developments. The 66-ton M1A2C also includes the Israeli Trophy ADS/active defense system which has proved itself in combat and is capable of defeating ATGMs/Anti-tank guided missiles and RPGs/rocket propelled grenades. Deliveries began in late 2022 and were in four years. The 250 Polish M1A2s will complement the 240 used German Leopard 2A4s Poland obtained at bargain prices since 2002, along with a license to upgrade them to the 2A6 standard as the 62-ton Leopard 2PL. Poland is also upgrading over a hundred of its 380 older Russian T-72 tanks, most of them built in Poland during the Cold War, and 225 PT-91s, a much-improved Polish T-72 variant designed and built locally since 1995. Poland plans to retire its remaining T-72s as the M1A2s arrive and the experience of these tanks in the Ukraine fighting will accelerate the retirement process. Poland has also ordered a thousand modern K-2 tanks from South Korea, most of them to be built in Poland. Currently the most advanced Russian tank in service is the T-72B3, which is considered as good as the T-90, a 48-ton T-72 upgrade introduced in 1993 as the T-72BU but had a marketing name change to T-90. Over 3,200 were built and most were exported to India where they were produced under license. The 45-ton T-72B3 is cheaper and considered by Russian commanders and crews as equal to the more expensive T-90. Russia used to have about 2,000 T-72B3s, with most of its 590 T-90s in storage and T-72B3 used for active-duty units. Russia lost most of those T-72B3s in Ukraine since February 2022 along with many of the T-90s brought out of storage. Poland sees its M1 order as a prudent and successful investment. Russia has a new tank design, the T-14, that improves on the T-72 but has not been in combat and is too expensive to purchase in large quantities. The 48-ton T-14 is a radical new design that appears quite impressive but has so far proved too complex and too expensive to mass produce. Mass production was supposed to have started in 2015 but technical problems and shrinking defense budgets halted that until 2020 when covid19 restrictions again delayed production until 2022. The war in Ukraine meant further delays. Russia has fewer than thirty development and pre-production T-14s which have been undergoing field tests with tank units since 2016. The T-14 has a three-man crew and a fully automated turret with the three crew all in an armored capsule under the turret. The T-14 relies on a lot of new techs, some more advanced than any other Western tank has installed. Getting all that tech to work reliably has been a major problem. Getting all these problems fixed has made the T-14 more expensive, at about $4 million each. Thats twice what the reliable T-72B3 costs and Russian combat commanders and crews will have to be convinced that the T-14 works and is not just as reliable as the T-72B3, but also better at surviving in combat. Mass production to build less than two hundred more T-14s was supposed to begin in 2022. At the moment it looks like the Polish M1A2Cs will be the first American tanks to meet the T-14 in combat if Russia ever tries to make a move on Poland and has any new tanks to do it with. The Russians considered sending some T-14s to Ukraine but the list of known and potential defects made it obvious that T-14s in combat would be an embarrassment. There are major problems with the engine and electronics and now Russia cant afford the money needed to deal with those problems. The M1A2C tank is considered the best combat proven tank in the world. But there are many different models of M1s which vary considerably in their combat capability. The earliest model is only about half as capable as the 2013 M1A2SEP2 model. The M1 is an old design with the first of 3,273 M1 tanks produced in 1978. This version had a 105mm gun. The first of 4,796 M1A1s with a 120mm gun and depleted uranium armor were produced in 1985. Another 221 were built for the U.S. Marines, 555 co-produced with Egypt and another 200 M1A1s sent to Egypt. Production of the M1A2 with its improved fire control system began in 1986, with 77 for the US Army, 315 for Saudi Arabia, and 218 for Kuwait. Another 600 M1s were upgraded to M1A2 standards. Deliveries of these upgrades began in 1998. In 2001 the army began to upgrade 240 M1A2 tanks as part of an ongoing SEP program with better thermal imaging and fire control equipment as well as communications and computer equipment that would allow tanks to operate a full color battlefield internet with each other, as well as headquarters and warplanes with similar equipment. By 2013 the army had upgraded 700 tanks to the M1A2SEP2 standard and built another 240 new M1A2SEP2 vehicles. The goal is to get at least 2,000 upgraded to M1A2SEP2 or higher in the 2020s. So far over 10,000 American M1 tanks have been produced and most of them subsequently updated at least once, mainly in the 1990s. The army is planning to maintain and upgrade its M1 tank fleet of 7,000 vehicles into the 2030s. The M1 has already been in service since the 1980s and may become the first MBT/main battle tank design to stay in service for half a century. Technically, some World War II tanks achieved that dubious goal but not in the service of a major power. The SEP3 entered service in 2020 after being introduced for testing in 2017. SEP3 includes more improvements in the previous TUSK (Tank Urban Survival Kit) armor and RWS/remote weapons station machine-gun upgrades, improved electricity generation and distribution for all the electronic gadgets that need recharging, upgraded communications and networking and installation of VHMS/Vehicle Health Management System and the use of LRMs/ Line Replaceable Modules to make it easier to upgrade or repair problems. The new communications features include ADL/Ammunition DataLink to use airburst rounds. There is also an improved counter-IED/ improvised explosive device armor package, an upgraded FLIR/night vision heat sensor and an APU/Auxiliary Power Unit under armor to run electronics while stationary instead of using its fuel-thirsty turbine engine. The final addition was the Trophy ADS. The SEP2/3 upgrades also expanded on MVP/Multifunction Vehicle Protection features which includes external cameras that let the crew see what is going on outside at all times, day, or night and in bad weather. The SEP program is continuous, upgrading existing M1A2 tanks to the new SEP3 standard as well as upgrading more M1A2SEPs to the SEP2 level. These upgrades keep the M1, or at least some of them, competitive with more recently designed and built tanks. The U.S. has over a thousand of the SEP2 upgraded M1A2s and is getting as many of those upgraded to SEP3 as the budget allows. The original M1A2SEP was developed in the late 1990s by upgrading protection and a few other minor fixes. These were followed after 2003s combat experience in Iraq with TUSK and evolved into the SEP2 upgrade. TUSK was installed on hundreds of tanks headed for Iraq as well as several hundred more M1s that had battle damage repaired and TUSK upgrades installed at the same time. TUSK entered service in 2007 with reactive armor panels for the side and rear of the tank, to provide added protection from RPGs. A slat armor panel protects the engine exhaust outlet of the tank from RPGs. A 1.5-ton belly armor kit, which can be installed in two hours, provides additional protection from mines and large bombs. Enhancements also include night vision for all crew members. There is also a telephone added to the side of the tank, so that infantry can more easily communicate with the crew when the tank is buttoned up/all hatches closed. The complete TUSK kit costs about $500,000 per vehicle and requires about twelve hours to install all the components. Later additions to TUSK included a rear-view camera for the driver and RWS so the commanders' 12.7mm machine-gun can be operated from inside the tank. This is particularly useful if the tank is taking a lot of small arms fire. This led to providing all-round vidcam views of what was going on outside the tank. The M1A2SEP2 made most of the TUSK items standard and added more improvements like the RWS for the 12.7mm machine-gun as standard, as well in computer hardware, including color flat screen displays for the crew and software, including a new operating system along with improved TUSK ERA/explosive reactive armor, making the external phone standard and upgrading the transmission to make it more reliable. The electronics on the M1 have undergone several upgrades so far, in addition to new ammo types for the main gun. A major enhancement was depleted uranium armor, which made the M1 virtually invulnerable from the front. The one remaining item in need of major improvement is the 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine. Past improvements here included electronic monitors on many engine components, an electronic logbook to record all pertinent engine activity, and a maintenance program that makes the most of all this data. If the engine is monitored closely and constantly, it's possible to carry out maintenance in a timelier manner before something fails. The army would also like to develop an improved, more efficient and less expensive to maintain engine, but that is also a costly item they can't afford at the moment. MVP can also link to audio sensors that work with video sensors to automatically detect where enemy fire is coming from. The United States tested MVP on their Bradley M2 IFV. New anti-tank weapons are always being developed and the army wants to at least be able to afford new gear to deal with new threats. One threat that is currently ignored is top attack warheads that put a shaped charge type attack against the thin top armor. There are also new types of mines and electronic threats. If the M1 is to survive for half a century it will have to evolve, as well as endure. The M1A2C is an evolutionary design compared to the T-14 which is a revolutionary design with a lot of new techs introduced at once. by Stefano Caprio The peoples of the world are tired of war. Pope Leo XIV's appeals for "humanity to advance towards a genuine and lasting peace" are multiplying, but these calls are heard in very different ways in the various regions of the world devastated by neo-imperial conflicts. In the space of a month, anniversaries have followed one another celebrating the new imperial ideology of the contemporary world, of Russia and the United States. 20 January marked the first year of Donald Trump's new term as president of the United States of America, Venezuela, Greenland, and much more. 25 February marked 12 years since the Russian occupation of Crimea, when the conflict with Ukraine truly began in 2014 after the Euromaidan. And 24 February marked the start of the fifth year of the full-blown invasion of Ukraine, the "special" war that completed the previous, albeit already bloody, "hybrid" phase. On 3 January, these imperial celebrations were preceded by the "impeccable" US special operation in Caracas and the abduction of Putin's friend, Nicolas Maduro. This action cannot, however, be considered the start of a new Cold War between the United States and Russia, but rather an episode of the new era of neo-imperialism, with no need for numerous ideologies and easy flag-waving around the world. We are not, in fact, facing a new opposition between two world blocs, East versus West, Global North versus Global South. Notwithstanding the easy rhetoric, this is the birth of a new system, in which the great powers act in accordance with a multipolar logic of power and business. For US leaders, Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela should not be considered a "war", just as the invasion of Ukraine cannot be called a war. The first is a "law enforcement action against international crime, the second is the "defence of Russians in Donbass from neo-Nazi genocide, with increasingly colourful and grotesque formulations depending on the region and local history. In the latest Geneva talks between Russians, Ukrainians, and Americans, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, justified Moscow's claims by tracing them back to the Baptism of Kyiv in AD 988 , which, according to a certain historical review, should be given to the Kremlin as a "moral and spiritual" legacy, in an unresolved medieval dispute over the identity of Russia and Ukraine. International law itself appears to be a relic of the past, completely ignored both in Crimea and Donbass, and in Caracas, with no consultation of the UN General Assembly, let alone the US Congress, or the psychedelic Duma in Moscow. The latest UN General Assembly approved a generic resolution support for lasting peace in Ukraine by 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, while the prospects for peace and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip are being discussed in Trump's imaginative Board of Peace (BoP), with the US leader as its chairman for life. The BoPs purpose, according to its charter, is to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. The membership fee to this "UN support structure" is one billion dollars, except for complimentary tickets given to spectators and observers, with 24 countries on board of the 60 invited to the show. As several commentators have noted, these international events reflect the transformation of neocolonialism, typical of the second half of the 20th century, into the new form of neo-imperialism that embodies the globalist shift of the early 21st century. No one speaks anymore of the fight against communism in the name of liberal values; if anything, the notion of "civilising mission" is flaunted by former Communists against "liberal degradation, with increasingly nebulous and contradictory rhetorical variations. Russian neo-imperialism differs primarily from US neo-imperialism not so much in content as in rhetorical language. The Americans cite universal values to justify their actions, such as security, the law, and the fight against crime, while Russia operates according to the logic of historical spheres of influence, denying its neighbouring ex-Soviet countries (and beyond) the right to exist as fully autonomous states. Russias claims, born out of resentment over the end of the Soviet empire, exist long before the dates celebrated these days; for example, at the time of the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008, then interim Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated without any qualms that Moscow had "privileged interests" in many regions of the world, starting with the post-Soviet space a statement he made when he was still sober and moderate. The 2008 scheme led to the creation of the "independent republics" of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, "quasi-annexed" to Russia, while those of Crimea and Donbass were incorporated into the Russian Federation without being fully conquered; indeed, they are still in limbo thanks to the Ukrainian counteroffensive facilitated by the suspension of Russian connections to Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, perhaps the most symbolic figure of this time of total disorientation in the skies and on earth. In July 2021, Vladimir Putin published an article, "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, in which he explained that Ukraine was the product of a historical error, attributed to the insufficient civilisational vision of revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin, partially corrected by the missionary spirit of Georgian dictator Joseph Stalin. It is no coincidence that Putin's proclamation appeared two months after the start of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, the symbolic event that marked the end of neocolonialism in a place where the Cold War between the two great colonial blocs of East and West had ended. The Russians interpreted this turning point as a "green light" for the start of neo-imperialism, deploying masses of soldiers on Ukraine's borders while the Americans were pulling theirs out Kabul airport, leaving their former allies at the mercy of the Taliban, who are now the Kremlin's new great friends. Another symbolic date is worth mentioning. On 12 February 2016, exactly 10 years ago, the historic embrace between Moscow's Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Rome's Pope Francis took place at Havana airport, uniting the pontiff's Latin American origins with the patriarch's pastoral jurisdiction over Cuba, a land of Latin-Soviet heritage. That meeting did not resolve the millennium-old dispute between Catholics and Orthodox, but it did provide an excellent justification for blessing the Russian intervention in Syria, at the expense of US ambitions. Syria has been an excellent training ground for Russias hybrid wars, fostering the creation of military companies ready for any "special" intervention, such as the Chechen Kadyrovites and Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner "musicians, the main protagonists of Russias invasion of Ukraine. The anniversaries of the recent and distant past intertwine, overlap, and contradict each other, leaving no glimpse of the new historical turning points of the near and distant future. The peoples of the world are tired of war, and Pope Leo XIV's appeals are multiplying for "humanity to advance towards authentic and lasting peace. But these calls are being heard in very different ways in the various regions of the world devastated by neo-imperial conflicts. The Ukrainians are confident in their strength to resist, hoping for the material and moral reconstruction of the country, without being swallowed up by Putin's monster, while the Palestinians dream of seeing the light from beneath the rubble again, perhaps to live in Trump's new Gaza tourist resort. Americans are torn between supporting the new imperial-commercial ideology and defending the freedoms of all forms of moral and social expressions, while Europeans, historical experts in internecine warfare of all kinds, struggle to understand each other and express a position capable of influencing the neo-imperial demands coming from Moscow and Washington, while Beijing silently watches, seemingly complacent about the unfolding of world events. The most disoriented of all, however, appear to be the Russians, despite the obsessive domestic patriotic propaganda that infiltrates families and schools, starting in kindergartens, even the nurseries for the children born to schoolgirls paid to get pregnant. Russian society considers war an inevitable event, to be passively endured or economically exploited, depending on whether one lives in a poor region or a wealthy metropolis. Sinking into the muddy trenches of Donbass is not much worse than working in the dark mines of Siberia; the pay is better, and death is a guarantee for the family. The Russian people do not understand their destiny because they do not want to understand it, and, according to the Kremlin leaders, they should not understand it, but passively accept it, trusting in protection from above. This protection appears highly unreliable and stifling, and there is no way out, for who knows how long, just hope that one may not have to commemorate more anniversaries of the universal war. RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. The attacks launched by Israel and the United States on the eve of Purim and Iran's retaliation against US bases in the region have already claimed the life of one Asian immigrant, a Pakistani national working in Abu Dhabi. In India, the opposition has criticised Modi, who has just returned from Israel. Indonesias Prabowo (who promised soldiers for Gaza) offers to mediate. China ponders the repercussions. Milan (AsiaNews) The feared large-scale attack by Israel and the United States on Iran has finally arrived, coming on a particularly symbolic date for Jews worldwide, on the eve of Purim, a holy day that this year begins on 2 March commemorating the survival of the Jewish people from a plot hatched by the court of the king of Persia, according to the story told in the Book of Esther, in the Bible. Since this morning, Tehran and other Iranian cities have been hit by airstrikes, with the goal of regime change, a goal explicitly expressed by both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. Bombings and massive rocket launches are hitting symbolic sites and strategic targets, claiming civilian victims. Iranian television specifically showed a girls' elementary school that was hit in the southern Iranian city of Minab, with around fifty people reportedly buried under the rubble. Iran immediately initiated a "strong and decisive" response, with rockets and drones fired at Israel, most of which have been intercepted. Gulf countries that host US military bases are also among the targets of the retaliation in the all-out conflict. Iran attacked Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. Explosions were reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, likely caused by missiles and debris intercepted in the air by anti-aircraft guns. In Abu Dhabi, one death was reported, a Pakistani national, in a city where, it is important to note, hundreds of thousands of Asian workers live. In fact, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed concern over the more than two million Filipinos living in the region, where all flights have been cancelled. In recent days, Arab countries repeatedly called for negotiations, as evinced by Oman's offer to mediate. It is no secret that regime change in Tehran is not a priority for Gulf countries, especially at a time when the Iranian regime is weak. Along with the expected support for the right to self-defence by the countries hit by Iranian missiles targeting US bases, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir al-Thani jointly expressed their hope for an "immediate halt" to the escalation and a "return to the dialogue table. This is the opposite path taken by Trump, following Netanyahu. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Mohamed bin Sayyid, president of the United Arab Emirates, following renewed tensions between the two countries in recent months. Riyadh condemned Iranian attacks and asserted its full solidarity with the UAE. Regarding reactions in the rest of Asia, the attack on Iran is causing problems for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been criticised by the opposition for his recent visit to Israel. So far, Indias External Affairs Ministry has refrained from issuing official statements, limiting itself to urging caution among the millions of Indian immigrants living in the region. Pakistan, currently engaged in attacks against the Taliban in Afghanistan, has instead condemned the attack on Iran. In a personal telephone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar slammed the "unwarranted attacks" by the United States and Israel in violation of international law. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry also issued a statement declaring that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter. Indonesia, another country whose President Prabowo Subianto has sought to gain credibility in the Middle East in recent weeks, has also taken a stand. "Indonesia calls on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy," the Foreign Ministry wrote on X, adding that, if the parties agree, Prabowo is available to travel to Tehran for mediation. China is silent for now, awaiting developments, watching a BRICS member, as well as a country crucial to its oil supplies, directly attacked. For the People's Republic of China, an unstable Gulf region is the worst nightmare, since it is key to its trade. Just two days ago, at the daily press conference of the Foreign Ministry, the Iranian state TV correspondent asked spokeswoman Mao Ning whether, in the event of a US attack, the People's Republic of China would stand with Iran "against any US aggression". China advocates the resolution of issues through political and diplomatic channels, Mao said when asked whether China would join Russia in backing Iran. Stressing the traditional friendship between the peoples of Iran and China, she noted that, China supports the Iranian government and people in safeguarding (their) legitimate rights, interests, and national stability, adding that, We hope all sides exercise restraint and solve disputes through dialogue. 28 February 2026 15:25 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Robert Kocharyans latest speech, widely circulated in Armenian media, exposes how easily political rhetoric can distort reality and manipulate history for personal or partisan purposes. Most striking is his claim that during my time, Azerbaijan did not dare to wage war against Armeniaa statement that misrepresents the facts and provokes deep indignation. For ordinary people unfamiliar with the regions history, his carefully manipulated statements may sound convincing. Yet for anyone with knowledge of politics and the South Caucasus, it is clear that Kocharyan was not only an obstacle to Armenias development but also one of the figures who inflicted the greatest damage on the entire region. In detail, all available historical records show that the Russian Empire exploited the South Caucasus harshly, and this exploitation reached its peak under the Soviet Union. Under the banner of internationalism and social equality, the Kremlin not only drained natural resources but also distorted demographic development. For instance, before the Soviet Union, the South Caucasus population was around 68 million, while Irans was about 810 million and Turkiyes 1012 million. By the time the USSR collapsed, Iran and Turkey had grown to around 5560 million, while the South Caucasus had only reached 1516 million. In other words, while neighboring populations increased five- to six-fold, the Caucasus barely doubled. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the republics in the South Caucasus inherited empty central banks and ruined economies. This was not unique to the Caucasus; all republics of the former USSR were left in similar crisis. Thirty years of independence have made the contrasts even clearer. During Soviet times, Russia had the highest economic indicators, but today its GDP per capita ranks fifth after three Baltic republics, and Kazakhstan. GDP per capita in the Baltic republics is several times higher than that of Russia. The South Caucasus, with rich resources and strategic location, could have followed a similar path. However, we failed. Why? The reason lies in politicians like Kocharyan, who used the collapse of the USSR not as an opportunity for the development of the entire region, but for their opportunistic ambition. Under the slogan of Miatsum (unification), they pursued irredentist policies against their neighbor that led to bloodshed, the displacement of more than a million people, the destruction of cities, and economic disruption. Guess who benefited from it? Of course, Moscow and its associates in the region, such as Kocharyan and his clique. His claim that Azerbaijan did not dare is pure manipulation. Unfortunately, political outcomes are shaped by decades of prior policies. Armenias success in the First Karabakh War was rooted in structural imbalances inherited from Russian imperial and Soviet policies. Under Tsarist rule, Azerbaijanis were largely excluded from military service, while Armenians often rose to officer ranks. This imbalance persisted in the Soviet era: Azerbaijanis were often assigned to construction battalions, while Armenians served in elite units. Economically, Armeniathough dependent on subsidieswas favored by Moscow, while Azerbaijans resources were exploited without equivalent investment. Most importantly, Russia provided Armenia with massive military support during the First Garabagh War. History proves that a state led by those who place personal ambition above true independence cannot thrive, and Armenia under Kocharyan was no exception. The country became an isolated outpost. His policies led to mass emigrationone in six citizens left the country. By the time the Karabakh Clique was ousted in 2018, Armenia had become the poorest nation in the region. In contrast, Azerbaijan pursued independent foreign policy and built a strong economy. Its GDP grew more than 170 times, and per capita income rose dramatically. Baku became the financial and cultural hub of the region, and Azerbaijans military budget eventually surpassed Armenias entire state budget. Alongside Russia and Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan developed its own space industry, underscoring its technological progress. By the late 2010s, reclaiming Karabakh had become a matter of time. Kocharyans circle, however, managed to fall on their feet, deflecting responsibility for past failures onto successors such as Nikol Pashinyan. The reality, though, is inescapable: decades of opportunism and Moscow-dependent policies left Armenia isolated, impoverished, and weakened. Today, the South Caucasus stands at a pivotal moment. A lasting settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan could open the door to economic recovery, regional cooperation, and social development. The lessons of the past are clearpolitical ambition and dependency on external powers cannot substitute for genuine national strategy and independence. For Armenia, the challenge is to embrace these lessons, prioritize reform, and build institutions that serve the long-term interests of its people. Only by learning from history and resisting manipulative rhetoric can Armenia avoid remaining an isolated state with a struggling economy, outmigration, and limited prospects. The choices made today will determine whether the South Caucasus finally fulfills its potential as a region of stability, growth, and shared opportunity. 28 February 2026 11:35 (UTC+04:00) Albanian President Bajram Begaj will pay a visit to Azerbaijan on March 1214 to participate in the 13th Global Baku Forum. AzerNEWS reports, the head of state of Albania will take part in discussions dedicated to pressing issues on the international agenda. The forum brings together heads of state and government, senior officials, and international experts to discuss key global and regional challenges. The 13th Global Baku Forum is scheduled to be held on March 1214, 2026, under the theme Bridging Divides in a World in Transition. Established in 2013 and organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the forum serves as a platform for current and former heads of state and government, representatives of international organizations, and scholars to discuss regional and global policy issues. This years gathering comes at a time of increased diplomatic activity in the region and is expected to focus primarily on geopolitical transition processes and international security matters. The United States Senate has blocked a resolution that sought to limit the authority of Donald Trump to carry out military action against Iran without congressional approval, AzerNEWS reports. The bipartisan measure failed to pass in the Senate with a 5347 vote, preventing it from advancing. The proposed resolution would have required explicit authorization from Congress for any additional military strikes on Iran. Supporters argued that such action should fall under the constitutional war-powers authority of the legislative branch. However, most Republicans opposed the initiative, maintaining that the president retains the authority to direct military operations as commander-in-chief. Rand Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky, was the only member of his party to support the resolution. Meanwhile, Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voiced concerns about the scale of the ongoing conflict but ultimately voted against the measure. US-Israeli forces continue attacks on Iran as the conflict entered its sixth day. Iran reported the casualties have risen to nearly 1200. xxx Explosions in Tehran and Karaj Explosions are being heard in Tehran and Karaj, Iranian state media report. This comes after Israel announced it was launching a broad wave of attacks on the Iranian capital. The Israeli army has also issued another evacuation threat for residents of southern Lebanon, warning them to continue evacuating to the north of the Litani River. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or combat means endangers their life, it said. Any home used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting. xxx The UK Ministry of Defence has clarified the recent drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Officials confirmed in a post on X that the Shahed-like UAV which hit the British sovereign base shortly after midnight on March 2 was not launched from Iran, though it is Iranian-designed. RAF Akrotiri, Britains primary regional military hub, hosts F-35 and Typhoon fighter jets, along with the Cyprus Operations Support Unit, which supports UK missions across the region. To reinforce air defences, the Ministry announced that Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles will be deployed to Cyprus in the coming days to counter aerial threats. xxx Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that a ballistic missile launched from Iran and headed towards Turkiye was neutralized by NATO forces stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean. "The fragments that fell to the ground in the Dordyol district of Hatay province were identified as belonging to air defense ammunition. No casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the incident," the statement noted. xxx The Israeli side asserts that military operations in Iran will continue for at least two weeks with the goal of undermining the regime. xxx Khamenei ceremony postponed A ceremony commemorating Irans late leader Khamenei in Tehran, originally scheduled to start at 10pm today, has been postponed, according to Irans Tasnim news agency. It quoted an official citing logistical issues for the delay, including requests from people in different provinces to attend the ceremony. xxx The Iranian warship that the U.S. targeted off the coast of Sri Lanka was the IRIS Dena, which had approximately 180 crew members on board. The ship was struck about 40 kilometers south of the Sri Lankan coast. Reports indicated that the vessel was en route to Sri Lanka to participate in the international naval exercises "MILAN 2026," scheduled for February. The Sri Lankan Navy rescued about 30 crew members and transported them to Karapitiya Hospital. An Iranian ship was attacked by a submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. At least 101 people were missing and 78 were injured in the attack. xxx Iran's ISNA Telegram channel has published footage of the downing of a US-Israeli fighter jet north of Tehran by Iranian air defence forces. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 xxx Israeli army is expanding the scope of its attacks in Lebanon Earlier today, we saw air strikes level at least five residential buildings in Beiruts southern suburbs. While those strikes came with prior warning, Israel also carried out strikes without warning, including on a hotel in the Beirut suburb of Hazmieh. In addition, the Israeli defence minister yesterday authorised the army to take control of additional positions inside Lebanon. I can confirm that the Israeli army has advanced at least a kilometre (half a mile) from seven positions. So, theres pressure coming from the ground and from the sky. There are Israeli warplanes, the constant buzzing of Israeli drones and people receiving phone calls telling them to evacuate their buildings. There is chaos and a lot of panic in Lebanon about where this conflict is heading. xxx The IRGC reported that its Navy targeted a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean while it was refueling. Both the tanker ship and destroyer were attacked, resulting in smoke and fire rising from their decks. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 xxx Israeli military announces new wave of strikes on Tehran and Beirut Israels army says it has begun a broad wave of strikes targeting government infrastructure in Tehran. xxx French fighter jets have neutralized Iranian drones targeting the UAE, according to France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. He stated that the French Rafale fighter jets, stationed at the Dhafra base near Abu Dhabi, were deployed to safeguard the bases from potential Iranian attacks. On Tuesday, Barrot confirmed the deployment of these jets, highlighting the presence of hundreds of French military personnel from the navy, air force, and army in the UAE. Additionally, President Macron announced on the same day that France would send its flagship aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the escalating conflict. Israeli defence minister pledges to eliminate any successor to Khamenei Israel Katz says the Israeli military will attempt to kill any Iranian leader appointed to succeed Khamenei. Any leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan to destroy Israel, threaten the US and the free world and the countries of the region, and oppress the Iranian people, will be an unequivocal target for elimination, Katz said in a statement. It does not matter what his name is or where he hides, he said. Katz went on to say that Israel will continue to act with the US to destroy Irans capabilities and create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow their government. Iran's Assembly of Experts elected Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba as the next Supreme Leader under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards, AzerNEWS reports. He was selected as Khamenei's successor by Iran's Assembly of Experts, according to reports. Khamenei, who ruled the country for 36 years, was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 while he was in his compound. Along with him, his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter also lost their lives. Khamenei's wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, died later from injuries sustained during the strikes. xxx The United States has successfully destroyed 17 Iranian warships, including one submarine, and has struck nearly 2,000 targets across Iran in less than four days, according to Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, in a statement made on March 3. In a video address on Platform X, he stated, There is not a single Iranian ship operating in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, or the Gulf of Oman today. A significant military force has been mobilized for "Operation Epic Fury," which involves over 50,000 U.S. troops, more than 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carrier strike groups, and long-range bombers. The admiral noted that the initial phase of this operation is nearly twice the scale of the "shock and awe" campaign conducted in Iraq in 2003. xxx IRGC claims complete control of Strait of Hormuz The IRGC, which has pledged to close the Strait of Hormuz, maintains it has full control of the waterway, where Trump has said he is prepared to deploy the navy to escort tankers. Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the complete control of the Islamic Republics Navy, IRGC navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh said in a statement carried by Irans Fars news agency. xxx Israeli military issues orders to flee Beirut buildings targeted for attacks The Israeli militarys Arabic-language spokesperson has issued new forced displacement orders for residents of the Haret Hreik neighbourhood in Beiruts southern suburbs. The spokesperson released a map of the Lebanese capital with buildings marked in red and warned that people should flee the site, claiming it was affiliated with Hezbollah. For your safety and the safety of your family members, you are required to evacuate these buildings immediately and stay away from them for a distance of at least 300 metres as shown on the map, the spokesperson said. Last nights recap The bombardment of Iran and Lebanon by the US and Israel is ongoing, with recent strikes hitting a hotel near Beirut and the Assembly of Experts building in Qom, Iran. The death toll in both countries has now exceeded 800. Tehran is conducting retaliatory attacks on Israeli and US targets in the Middle East for the fourth consecutive night. Reports indicate that strikes have occurred on Washingtons consulate in Dubai and at a port in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. xxx 04.03.2026 US President Donald Trump stated that it is "too late" for discussions with Iran. In a social media message, he claimed that Iran had requested negotiations only after the US-Israeli attacks had begun. xxx Irans president says country has not come to a halt Irans President Pezeshkian says the government remains operational despite the escalating war on the country, insisting that state functions continue across the country. In a post on X, Pezeshkian said authorities are coordinating closely with provincial leadership as the situation unfolds. We are in direct contact with the governors. The situation is exceptional, but the country has not come to a halt, he wrote. Ongoing activities are continuing across the country. xxx Israel claims strike on senior Iranian commander The Israeli army says it has carried out a strike in Tehran targeting a senior Iranian commander. The army said the attack took place a short time earlier but did not immediately provide further details about the identity of the target or the outcome of the operation. xxx A significant blow to Tehran has just occurred. A powerful missile strike has been launched against the city, though the specific target has not yet been revealed. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 Ballistic missile bases located in the western mountains of Iran are currently under attack. Israel has released footage of the assault on the office of Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian. The primary targets of this attack included the office of President Pezeshkian, the building of the Supreme National Security Council, meeting locations for the High-Level Forum on Security Issues, a military officer training facility, and other critical infrastructure. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 xxx UAE Defence Ministry says 186 missiles, 812 drones launched from Iran. Three people have been killed and 68 injured across the UAE by Iranian attacks, the UAEs Defence Ministry spokesperson has said. UAE Defence Ministry spokesperson says: 186 missiles were launched against our country 172 of them were destroyed, 13 of them in the sea One missile landed on our territories 812 Iranian drones were monitored, and 755 of them were intercepted xxx Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has cautioned that military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran might push not just Tehran but also neighbouring countries toward seeking nuclear weapons. He said the expanding conflict in the Middle East increases the danger of more nations pursuing atomic arms. xxx Irans Foreign Ministry says the government is focused on defence following attempts at negotiations. Eternal disgrace will remain upon those who claimed to pursue diplomacy but, in the face of Irans logic, bowed down and turned to the military option, said spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. On escalating tensions with regional neighbours by attacking their energy infrastructure, he only emphasised that Tehran considers itself committed to humanitarian principles. The Zionist regime refrains from no act of malice. I ask my Arab friends to reflect carefully. The regime has no hesitation in expanding the scope of the war, smearing Irans reputation, and committing crimes in other countries. Baghaei also said that Iran is currently the only remaining force standing against evil, also appearing to refer to the US as the devil. xxx IAEA confirms recent damage to entrance buildings of Irans Natanz nuclear facility The International Atomic Energy Agency has said it can confirm, based on the latest available satellite imagery, some recent damage to entrance buildings of Irans underground Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP). No radiological consequence expected and no additional impact detected at FEP itself, which was severely damaged in the June conflict, it added, referring to the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran last year that also included US attacks on the Natanz facility alongside two others. xxx The United States Department of Defense has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, deploying additional air, naval and ground resources, AzerNEWS reports via Flightradar data. This buildup includes aircraft, strike groups and support forces positioned in the region as part of preparations for sustained operations. While there is no full-scale ground invasion reported so far, U.S. commanders have not ruled out the possibility of deploying troops inside Iranian territory if required. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that military operations against Iran may last weeks rather than days. In recent remarks he said the campaign was planned to span roughly four to five weeks but could extend far longer if necessary, framing the effort as part of achieving strategic objectives in the region. xxx France ready to defend partners, its foreign minister says France is ready to defend its partners if they request support and reserves its right to intervene, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says. In comments to French broadcaster BFM TV, he said fighting was dragging a number of countries in the region into the conflict with which we have relations, defence agreements and interests, including military bases. He said about 400,000 French nationals were in affected countries in the region and France was ready to repatriate those most at risk with commercial and military flights. xxx A member of Irans Assembly of Experts, which will elect a new Supreme Leader, says the process will not be lengthy, according to the ISNA agency. Ali Moalemi said the members of the Assembly of Experts have sworn that in choosing the new leader, personal preferences for individuals or political and party factions would not be a factor and that they will vote based on their judgement and in accordance with religious principles. The Assembly of Experts will, as in the past, select a personality like the martyred Leader of the Revolution, he said, referring to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israel strike on Saturday morning. xxx China imports about 70 percent of its oil and about half of that comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Much of it is from Iran, but also from other countries in the region, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. China has been watching the situation escalate with much concern. It has strongly condemned the actions of the US and Israel, saying that the recent nuclear negotiations [with Iran] did seem to be on track. Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, spoke on Monday to the foreign ministers of Oman, Iran, and France, and his conclusion is that the US and Israel intentionally derailed this diplomacy, sending the region into what he called an irreversible state. China continues to call for a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table. Lets not forget China is one of the major economies that supports Iran, at least economically. Beijing has called the Iranian government a friend and has made it clear that it supports Irans right to defend its territory, to defend its interests. However, Wang Yi did not endorse any retaliation from Iran, and when asked about it, Chinas foreign ministry denied supplying weapons or helping Iran militarily. It says its support only comes down to political and moral backing. xxx Fire at US embassy in Riyadh after drone strike Saudis confirm US embassy in Riyadh hit by two drones, sparking fire Saudi Arabias defence ministry has confirmed on social media that the US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, according to initial estimates, and caused a limited fire and minor material damage to the building. A loud blast was heard and flames seen at the embassy early on Tuesday morning, reports said. Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadhs diplomatic quarter, which houses foreign missions. Reuters quoted two people as saying there were no reported injuries, given the building was empty in the early morning hours. US cancels all consular services in Saudi Arabia following attack on embassy The US Embassy in Riyadh has announced the cancellation of all its services across several missions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All routine and emergency appointments are cancelled on Tuesday, adding that a shelter in place are in effect at its several missions in the kingdom including Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahram, according to the embassy statement posted on X. Avoid the Embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility, it added. We advise all US citizens to maintain a personal safety plan, the embassy said. xxx An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps senior official said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, threatening that if any vessels pass through it, Iran will set those ships ablaze, state media reported. Choking off the Persian Gulf waterway, the worlds most vital oil export route, threatens to send crude prices soaring. However, Fox News cited the US militarys Central Command (CENTCOM) as saying the strait was still open. In remarks carried by Irans state media, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Guards commander-in-chief, said: The Strait [of Hormuz] is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze. It was the most explicit threat to Hormuz shipping by Irans Guards since the force told ships on Saturday that the export route was closed. Earlier Monday, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked an allegedly US-linked oil tanker in the Hormuz Strait as part of a wave of strikes retaliating against the US-Israeli attack. xxx US General Dan Caine says this is not a single overnight mission Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, US Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said that the joint US-Israeli operation on Iran is not a single overnight mission. We expect to take additional losses, as always we will work to minimise US losses but as the secretary general said this is major combat operations. xxx Hegseth urges Iranians to seize opportunity The US defence secretary says Washington hopes the Iranian people will take advantage of what he described as an incredible opportunity. He pointed to previous remarks by Donald Trump, saying the president has made clear that now is your time, in an apparent message directed at the Iranian public. Hegseth also addressed Irans security forces, warning they should carefully consider their next steps. xxx Ali Khamenei's wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, has died from her injuries, a few days after missile strikes. xxx European gas prices have skyrocketed by nearly 50% after Qatar announced a halt in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in response to attacks in the Middle East. This disruption is likely to intensify competition for available cargoes between Asia and Europe. Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president of gas and LNG research at Wood Mackenzie, stated, "Disruptions to LNG flows will reignite competition." As of 12:55 GMT, the Dutch front-month contract at the TTF hub, which is a key benchmark for European gas pricing, rose by 14.56 euros, reaching 46.52 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), or about $15.92 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), according to ICE data. Prices had already increased by around 25% earlier in the day but surged further after Qatar Energy's announcement. In Asia, benchmark LNG prices also experienced a significant increase, with a nearly 39% jump on Monday morning. The S&P Global Energy Japan-Korea-Marker (JKM), used as an Asian LNG benchmark, reported prices at $15.068 per mmBtu, as per Platts data. Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, suggested that if the market begins to factor in an extended reduction in Qatari LNG supply, the TTF could potentially spike to between 80 and 100 euros/MWh (approximately $28 to $35/mmBtu). Additionally, the British April contract increased by 40.83 pence, reaching 119.40 pence per therm, according to ICE data. xxx Israeli army says it killed Hezbollah intelligence commander Israeli army says it killed overnight Hussein Makled, who served as the head of Hezbollahs intelligence headquarters. The military said he was killed in a precise strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut. There was no immediate comment from the group. xxx Israel-US joint strikes on Tehran intensifies Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 xxx Iran's president names Majid Ebnelreza as acting defence minister Irans president has appointed Revolutionary Guards general Majid Ebnelreza as acting defence minister after his predecessor was killed in Israeli-US strikes. By order of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Revolutionary Guards general Majid Ebnelreza has been appointed as acting defence minister, said deputy for presidential communications Mehdi Tabatabaei on X. xxx The Israeli military announced that two senior Iranian intelligence officials were killed in the initial wave of strikes on Iran. A statement released Monday named the deceased as Sayed Yahya Hamidi and Jalal Pour Hossein. According to the military, Hamidi served as deputy minister of intelligence responsible for Israel-related affairs. Hossein, the statement said, headed the espionage division within Irans Ministry of Intelligence. The Israeli army added that several other senior operatives were also neutralized during the operation. xxx Iran attacks oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out strikes against oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia as part of its response to the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, footage shows. According to initial accounts, oil facilities including the world-leading energy hub at Aramcos Ras Tanura terminal have been hit by drones or missiles in recent attacks. One report cites the precautionary shutdown of the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the Middle Easts largest with a processing capacity of roughly 550,000 barrels per day, after an Iranian drone strike struck the facility. The strikes form part of a broader wave of attacks and retaliatory operations in the region following U.S. and Israeli military action against Iranian targets, which included the killing of Irans Supreme Leader a few days ago. Oil infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and other Gulf states has been under threat in recent days. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 xxx France ready to defend Gulf countries France is ready to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says. To allied countries that have been deliberately targeted by the missiles and drones of the [Iranian] Revolutionary Guards and dragged into a war they did not choose Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan France expresses its full support and complete solidarity, he said. It stands ready to take part in their defence, he added. xxx The Israeli military has stated that it is considering a ground invasion of Lebanon, with army spokesperson Effie Defrin announcing the deployment of nearly 100,000 reservists to the northern border. He noted that numerous battalions are prepared for "all possibilities, both defensive and offensive." "All options are on the table," he emphasized. xxx An estimated 300,000 people are currently stranded across the Gulf region, with reports of the UK sending teams to assist with evacuations. According to flight-tracking data, over 3,400 flights have been canceled in the first few days of the conflict. Major regional airports, including Dubai International, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Hamad International Airport in Doha, have suspended operations. In total, six or seven major airports across the region are closed. Airspace over much of the region remains shut down, significantly impacting global air travel, as Middle Eastern hubs are critical connectors between Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. When these hubs close, the disruption cascades worldwide. Social media is filled with posts from stranded passengers at Hamad International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Abu Dhabi. Travelers report long queues to rebook flights, secure hotel vouchers, or receive assistance, with many sleeping inside the terminals. As long as the airspace remains closed and the conflict continues, thousands of passengers face uncertainty. xxx The United States did not request access to a British military base in Cyprus from which an overnight drone strike occurred, British Foreign Minister Cooper told Times Radio. She also confirmed that the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri continues to operate normally. xxx Several US warplanes crashed in Kuwait Kuwaits Defense Ministry says several US warplanes have crashed in the country, all the crew survived. xxx A recent video shows heavy displacement in the southern Lebanese town of al-Abbassieh, where families were seen walking on the streets after leaving their homes at dawn due to the Israeli escalation in the country. They also showed congestion in several axes, with families moving their belongings to safer areas. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 xxx Israel declares offensive campaign against Hezbollah The Israeli armys chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, made the announcement in a meeting after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, according to the countrys military. We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah, he was quoted as saying. This comes as Lebanese authorities said that Israeli air attacks on the country have so far killed at least 31 people and wounded 149 others. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a statement condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon. "We condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory and warn that using Lebanon as a platform to support wars that do not concern us will once again put our country at risk," President Aoun said. He also condemned strikes on Israel launched from Lebanese territory by the Lebanese radical movement Hezbollah, noting that they undermine the government's efforts to "keep Lebanon away from dangerous military clashes." xxx Only 25% of Americans support US strikes on Iran Only one in four Americans approves of the US strikes that killed Irans leader while about half including one in four Republicans believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military force. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, about 27 percent of respondents said they approved of the strikes, while 43 percent disapproved, and 29 percent were not sure. Some 56 percent of Americans surveyed said they think Trump, who also ordered strikes on Venezuela, Syria, and Nigeria in recent months, is too willing to use military force to advance US interests. The vast majority of Democrats 87 percent held this view, as did 23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of people who dont identify with either political party. The poll, which began on Saturday after the strikes got underway, gathered responses online from 1,282 US adults nationwide. It had a margin of error of three percentage points. xxx Trump says he has agreed to talk to new Iranian leaders The US president says the countrys new leadership wants to talk with his administration and that he plans to do so, according to an interview with The Atlantic magazine. They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them, he was quoted as saying by the magazine. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long, he also said. He did not comment on when the conversation will happen when asked, according to The Atlantic. xxx Trump says 48 Iranian leaders killed in US strikes President Donald Trump says 48 Iranian leaders have been killed in the ongoing US-Israeli bombardments of the country. Nobody can believe the success were having; 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And its moving along rapidly, Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Fox News. Were doing our job not just for us but for the world. And everything is ahead of schedule, Trump was quoted as saying in a separate interview with CNBC. Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, a very positive way. The interviews were conducted before the US military for the first time announced casualties in the war: three unidentified service members killed, five seriously wounded and several others lightly injured. 16:50 Heres the latest on how many people have been killed in the Middle East since joint US-Israel attacks on Iran were launched on Saturday, AzerNEWS reports via Al-Jazeera: 15:00 Ship struck by unknown projectile near Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says A ship near the Strait of Hormuz has been struck by an unknown projectile, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) says. A vessel north of Oman and east of the strait has been struck by an unknown projectile above the waterline, it said. Although the engine room was originally reported as on fire it has now been reported that the fire is under control, read the statement published on X, adding that authorities are investigating. It is the second incident the agency reports today after reporting an incident off Omans Kumzar in the Strait of Hormuz. 14:40 UKMTO warns of significant military activity around Strait of Hormuz The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says it is aware of significant military activity in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. In its latest advisory, it said the maritime security environment in the region remains highly volatile, with ongoing regional military activity adding to elevated threat to commercial shipping. There is significant military presence and activity across the region. Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure, it said. Claims regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to circulate via open source reporting and VHF communications. No official closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been formally communicated to the maritime industry through recognised maritime safety channels, UKMTO added, noting that VHF communications indicating transit restrictions do not constitute a legally recognised suspension of transit passage under international maritime law. UKMTO also warmed there were threats beyond the Strait of Hormuz, including in areas such as the Bab al Mandab, where, it said, tensions remain elevated. 14:30 Alireza Arafi appointed to Irans leadership council Alireza Arafi, a religious leader on the Guardian Council, has been appointed to Irans leadership council, the body tasked with fulfilling the supreme leaders role until the Assembly of Experts elects a new leader. Arafi will be part of the temporary leadership council alongside President Pezeshkian and Supreme Court Chief Justice Mohseni-Ejei. Arafi, a 67-year-old cleric and member of the Guardian Councilthe body responsible for vetting candidates for the leadershipwas confirmed to this temporary role by the Expediency Council. He joins two other high-ranking officials on the council: Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei: The hardline Judiciary Chief. Masoud Pezeshkian: The President of Iran. While these three hold the formal keys to governance, the true balance of power remains uncertain. Analysts are closely watching the IRGC and security veteran Ali Larijani, both of whom are expected to exert considerable influence over the transition process. Chaos Within the IRGC The military establishment is currently grappling with a leadership vacuum. The Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC has reportedly been assassinatedthe second such high-profile killing in less than a year. Key updates on the IRGC succession: No formal successor has been named to lead the elite military and economic powerhouse. Ahmad Vahidi, the current deputy chief appointed by Khamenei just two months ago, is being surfaced by IRGC-linked media as the primary candidate for the role. Note: The dual pressure of a leadership transition and the decapitation of the IRGCs top brass marks one of the most volatile periods in the Islamic Republic's recent history. 14:10 Pezeshkian says US, Israeli attacks an open declaration of war against Muslims Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an open declaration of war against Muslims, particularly Shia. This tragic event is the greatest trial facing the Islamic world today, he said in a written message offering condolences over the killing of the leader. IEA monitoring events in the region and potential impact on markets The International Energy Agency (IEA) is actively monitoring events in the Middle East and the potential implications for global energy markets and trade flows, its director general Fatih Birol has said on X. Markets have been well supplied to date, Birol said, adding that he is in contact with ministers from major producers in the region. ****11:35 Iran confirms killing of defence minister, army chief of staff The official IRNA agency says the Iranian armys chief of staff, Abdul Rahim Mousavi, and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Saturday. As weve been reporting, Iran has also confirmed the killing of Khamenei and his security adviser, Ali Shamkhani, as well as IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour. IRNA said more commanders of the armed forces were also killed and that their names will be announced later. 10:22 Iran to form temporary leadership council today, Larijani says Ali Larijani, the secretary of Irans National Security Council, says the country will set up interim leadership council today. It comes as a temporary measure before the successor of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is selected. 10:09 Thousands of mourners have gathered in the historic Iranian city of Isfahan to pay tribute to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A video posted by Irans English-language state channel Press TV showed a large crowd of people protesting at the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square. Earlier on Sunday, the government confirmed the death of Khamenei, following a joint US-Israeli strike in the capital Tehran on Saturday. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 09:50 Trump warns Iran against hitting very hard today Trump has just issued a new statement on his Truth Social media app, warning Iran against hitting back. Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before, the US president wrote. They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before! 09:00 Iranian state media have confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed at his office in the Israeli-US attacks on Iran, following earlier reports of his killing by US and Israeli officials. A 40-day mourning period for the longtime Iranian leader has been announced. The Sunday confirmation comes after Irans Tasnim and Mehr news agencies initially reported that Khamenei remained steadfast and firm in commanding the field. 00:15 Reuters and several Israeli media outlets, citing unnamed senior Israeli officials, have reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed. In response, the head of public relations at the Iranian Supreme Leaders office dismissed the reports as psychological warfare carried out by Irans adversaries, according to Iranian state media. Follow this page for further developments. *** 19:24 The Tasnim news agency claims that three Israeli Hermes-type drones were shot down by Irans air defense system near Tabriz, Khomeini, and Ahvaz. According to the report, the drones were neutralized within Iranian airspace. *** 18:34 Tonight, Israel will face a true hell. Let them preparethey will witness a brutality and vengeance unlike anything they have seen before. We will fulfill our real, genuine promise. Israel will experience a tragedy it has never seen until now. *** 16:50 Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Forces have placed 128 ballistic missiles on full combat alert at three military sites near Mashhad, Isfahan, and Khorramshahr. Reports indicate that the missiles are being maintained in a ready state to strike U.S. military bases in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. No precise information is yet available on when a potential fourth wave of strikes might occur, with only various claims and speculations circulating. *** 16:36 Bahrains Interior Ministry reports that sirens are sounding across the country. *** 16:33 The death toll at a girls primary school in Minab, southern Iran, has climbed to 40, according to state media reports. Earlier statements from a local governor had put the number of fatalities at 24 following the Israeli strike. Details regarding injuries or the circumstances of the attack remain limited, while emergency responders continue their efforts at the site. *** 16:16 Several leading oil firms and trading companies have temporarily halted the transport of oil and fuel through the Strait of Hormuz following a morning exchange of fire involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. *** 16:06 Irans army has reported that a wave of attack drones was launched toward Israel, according to . The military statement described it as the first major drone offensive carried out from Iran against Israel. *** 15:59 Israels military says it has hit hundreds of Iranian military targets, including missile launchers, during airstrikes on western Iran. The statement added that the Israeli Air Force is actively working to intercept any retaliatory attacks launched by Iran. *** 15:43 Based on satellite images, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's residence in has sustained damage from the strikes, with several buildings reportedly destroyed. His current location is unknown. 28 February 2026 11:17 (UTC+04:00) Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, concluded his official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 28, AzerNEWS reports. A guard of honor was lined up for the Ethiopian Prime Minister at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which was decorated with the national flags of both countries. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was seen off by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, and other officials. 28 February 2026 12:40 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran due to escalating security tensions, AzerNEWS reports. Azerbaijani nationals currently in Iran are advised, depending on their location, to leave the country via Azerbaijan or Turkiye. According to a statement shared on the Ministrys official social media account, citizens are asked to follow safety measures, avoid crowded areas, comply with local authorities instructions, and regularly monitor official information sources. In case of any emergencies, Azerbaijani citizens in Iran are encouraged to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran or the Consulate General in Tabriz through the following channels: Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran Email: [email protected] Phone: +98 905 523 01 07 | +98 901 884 55 31 Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Tabriz Email: [email protected] Phone: +98 901 414 31 57 | +98 935 317 21 01 The warning comes after Israel carried out a preemptive strike on Iranian territory in response to perceived threats, prompting the immediate declaration of a state of emergency across Israel. Both Israel and Iran have closed their airspaces. Reports indicate that the United States is participating in Israels strikes against Iran. 28 February 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Pentagon is reportedly developing artificial intelligence-based tools aimed at identifying vulnerabilities in Chinese infrastructure and potentially exploiting them in a future conflict, AzerNEWS reports, citing Financial Times. According to the information, the new AI systems are designed to gather detailed intelligence on power grids, utility networks, and other critical infrastructure, as well as to detect weaknesses in the software that supports these systems. The tools could also help map potential targets in military planning, allowing the U.S. to infiltrate and disable systems if a conflict were to arise. The Pentagon is reportedly already in discussions with several leading AI companies. Earlier, it signed contracts totaling approximately $200 million with technology providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Elon Musk. The sources did not clarify which of these companies would directly develop the AI tools targeting Chinese infrastructure. Experts note that this initiative highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. Beyond traditional intelligence gathering, AI could potentially enable more precise, rapid, and automated decision-making in high-stakes scenarios. Some analysts warn, however, that such developments could accelerate strategic tensions and increase the risk of miscalculation between global powers. Interestingly, this marks one of the first publicly reported instances where AI is being explicitly integrated into plans for offensive cyber and military operations, signaling a new era in the intersection of technology and national security. 28 February 2026 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Iran has agreed not to keep enriched uranium on its territory that could be used to produce a nuclear weapon. AzerNEWS reports that Omans Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who previously served as a mediator in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, said this in an interview with CBS. I believe the most important achievement is reaching an agreement that Iran will never possess nuclear material for building a bomb, he noted. This is something that did not exist in the previous [Iran nuclear deal] reached during the presidency of [the 44th U.S. President] Barack Obama. This is something completely new, he added. It makes the enrichment argument less relevant because we are now talking about zero stockpiles. And this is very, very important, because if you cannot keep enriched material, then regardless of whether you enrich or not, you cannot build a bomb, he emphasized. February 28, 2026 : Russia is increasingly dependent on China for economic support and help in rebuilding an economy ravaged by more than four years of war in Ukraine. China is willing to help, but not as an ally but as a patron for its new Russian client state. China seeks to turn Russia into a vassal state. This is nothing new, not when you consider that the traditional Chinese name for their country is Zhongguo, which is usually translated into English as Middle Kingdom. But a more literal and accurate translation is everything under the heavens. Until the 21st century this mainly meant adjacent land areas. But now China points out that everything means the South China Sea, portions of India and the Russian Pacific Coastal region. The Zhongguo tradition also means China does not have allies, just powerful trading partners, like America and European nations. Then there are client states like North Korea, Pakistan and others who deny the status, like Russia. That has always been the Chinese outlook, and it hasnt changed. Some things have changed. China finally underwent the Industrial Revolution during the 1980s. While that made China an economic superpower, China is no longer a self-sufficient continental power, as it had been for thousands of years. Now China is dependent on international trade to keep its economy going. Treating foreigners with disdain and often deceiving and exploiting them has consequences. The most immediate example is how China is dealing with its recent debt crises and the possibility of a major economic disruption. China is seeking to make its enemies suffer for this, instead of itself, and so far, that appears to be working. Less hostile foreigners can also be a problem. This can be seen in the problems China is having with its two nuclear-armed clients, Russia and Pakistan. Both these clients have used their connections with China to carry out aggressive actions against weaker neighbors. China supports this misbehavior because China is also an empire trying to reclaim lost territories. That some of those territories are currently Russias Far East is not officially discussed in Russia or China but is no secret to many Russians and Chinese. That is a problem for another day as currently Russia and China support each others imperial ambitions in Ukraine and the South China Sea and help each other out to deal with any associated problems, especially the UN or economic sanctions. China is confident it can achieve its goals because it is not only an economic superpower but a military one as well. The top ten armed forces in the world by number of troops are 1. China 2. India 3. United States 4. North Korea 5. Russia 6. Ukraine 7. Pakistan 8. Iran 9. Ethiopia 10. South Korea The top ten according to military effectiveness is different with the Americans in first place followed by China, Russia, India, Britain, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Israel and France. Note that the top ten according to military spending for 2023 is quite different. 1 United States $916 billion, which is 3.4 percent of GDP and 37 percent of global defense spending 2 China $296, 1.7 percent and 12 percent of global defense spending 3 Russia $109, 5.9 percent and 4.5 percent of global defense spending 4 India $83, 6 2.4 percent and 3.4 percent of global defense spending 5 Saudi Arabia $75.6, 7.1 percent and 3.1 percent of global defense spending 6 Britain $74.9, 2.3 percent and 3.1 percent of global defense spending 7 Germany $66.8, 1.5 percent and 2.7 percent of global defense spending 8 Ukraine $64.8, 37 percent and 2.7 percent of global defense spending 9 France $61.3, 2.1 percent and 2.5 percent of global defense spending 10 Japan $50.2, 1.2 percent and 2.1 percent of global defense spending China does not want to fight a war to achieve this hegemony, and it doesnt have to. The Chinese economy is the second largest in the world while its military exists mainly to protect China from military threats. The Chinese economy is the offensive weapon China is using to dominate the globe. 28 February 2026 11:05 (UTC+04:00) Tensions remain high along the PakistanAfghanistan border. Over the past several hours, Pakistani armed forces have continued offensive operations, taking control of several Afghan posts, AzerNEWS reports. According to the information, two posts were captured in the Qila Saifullah sector, one in the Azam Warsak sector, as well as several others in the Khyber, Omari, and Nushki sectors. It should be noted that, according to the latest statement by Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, 331 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed and more than 500 injured in clashes over the past few days. The minister also stated that 104 Taliban posts, 163 tanks, and other armored vehicles had been destroyed. In total, 22 Afghan posts were reported to have been taken under control. It is worth recalling that tensions escalated again on the evening of February 26 along the PakistanAfghanistan border. Kabul said it had launched military operations in response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, officials announced that more than 274 Afghan military personnel had been killed and around 115 pieces of military equipment destroyed as a result of retaliatory measures by the Pakistani armed forces. 28 February 2026 13:45 (UTC+04:00) There will be no negotiations, Pakistans Prime Ministers Press Secretary, Musharraf Zaidi, said, commenting on a recent statement by the Afghan Taliban, AzerNEWS reports. Zaidis remarks came after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a Friday press conference that his country was open to talks to reduce tensions. Negotiations will not happen. There is no dialogue. No discussions will take place. Terrorism originating from Afghanistan must end, Zaidi stated. He emphasized that Pakistans responsibility is limited to protecting its citizens and territory. The Afghanistan conflict has reignited in Pakistan following a series of terror attacks on its soil. On February 6, a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad killed at least 36 people. On February 21, another suicide attack targeted a security convoy in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two soldiers. These attacks prompted Pakistan to launch its first wave of retaliatory strikes across the Afghan border. According to Pakistani authorities, the operations targeted shelters and bases used by armed groups, particularly members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Afghan sources reported that at least 18 people were killed in the strikes and vowed to respond, leading to armed clashes on Thursday night. 28 February 2026 19:10 (UTC+04:00) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday imposed new sanctions targeting 10 Russian transport and logistics companies for "delivering goods to Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia," his office said, AzerNEWS reports, citing Anadolu Agency. According to a statement, the sanctions list includes private Russian companies that deliver goods to the Russian occupiers and vice versa, providing logistical support to the Russian army. It also includes companies operating in temporarily occupied territories using the infrastructure of Ukraines national postal service Ukrposhta. They not only issue pensions and other payments there, but also work as a passport desk, where people are illegally issued passports and draft notices, the readout said. The postal operators are subject to sanctions for creating channels to circumvent restrictions through so-called parallel imports of dual-use goods, including electronics and drones, according to the statement. In elementary school, there was always the kid who claimed "the dog ate my homework". Now we have an NC House candidate making an equally absurd excuse for why he gets bad ratings from gun rights organizations. In the 79th NC House District, the National Rifle Association rates incumbent conservative Keith Kidwell an A+ on his positions on gun rights and ranks his opponent Darren Armstrong an F. The NRA has endorsed Kidwell. Similarly, the state's most prominent gun rights organization, Grassroots North Carolina gives Kidwell its highest rating on his stands on gun rights, and Darren Armstrong a zero. GRNC has also endorsed Kidwell. Now Armstrong's brother has made a social media post that is the equivalent of "the dog ate my homework" as an excuse for Armstrong's poor ratings. He claims Armstrong returned the issue surveys to both groups but they were gobbled up in the Postal Service. He makes a similar excuse for why Armstrong failed to answer the issue questionaire of the NC Values Coalition, a social issues conservative group that compiles the iVoters Guide.. Armstrong obviously sent them his picture, but NOT his positions on issues. Come on! Three separate organizations and the postal service lost ALL of those questiionares? Do they think voters are stupid? Let's look at what is really going on. Armstrong is trying to run an issues-free campaign. His website does not give any stands on any issues. In his presentations, Armstrong avoids issues, and if he has to say anything about them answering questions, he punts, either talking generalities or saying he hasn't made up his mind. That is why he does not want to answer questionaires of organizations that want specifics on where he stands. Armstrong does not want to tie himself down on issues because his campaign is dependent on hundreds of thousands of dollars of special interest money being spent on his behalf in the primary, much of it "dark money" where nobody knows where it really comes from.. If elected, he would owe his political soul to these special interest PACs, and he does not want to tie himself down to commitments to voters on issues that might go against the wishes of the special interests funding the flood of postcards, TV, and other media spent on Armstrong's behalf One question voters will need to answer on March 3 will be "is our district for sale to the special interests"? NC Values Coalition's iVoters Guide can be viewed online at https://ivoterguide.com/?partner=nc Justin F. Jackson is a historian and visiting lecturer and scholar with the Department of History at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His book, "The Work of Empire: War, Occupation, and the Making of American Colonialism in Cuba and the Philippines," was recently published with the University of North Carolina Press. The Iran war has already caused oil prices to rise, but how will that affect prices here in Berkshire County? Well, it's more than just how much you're paying for gas. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS What happens during the first meeting of an affordable housing trust? North Adams residents found that out on Feb. 25 during the inaugural meeting of its trust, where a presenter laid out the different funding opportunities and programs to help its members define a clear goal. Affordable housing trusts are formed to help distribute funds that support housing projects, grants and programs at an affordable, usually income-limited, level. Most of the money comes from Community Preservation Act funds which North Adams has not yet adopted. The seven-member North Adams Affordable Housing Trust was established by City Council in October. On Wednesday, the trust elected Lillian Zavatsky, a freshman city councilwoman, as its chair, and listened to a presentation about the various funding sources, projects and responsibilities a trust has. The trust's members delayed the remaining items on its agenda until the next meeting on March 11 so they could have more time to understand North Adams' housing needs. "We've got like a huge scope, and I'm really interested in setting some goals for the next year and being able to make them reasonable and attainable goals and build off of that for years to come," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who sits on the trust as required by ordinance. A bulk of the meeting consisted of a presentation laying out the various functions, projects and programs affordable housing trusts can leverage to achieve their goals. "Most trust communities also have the Community Preservation Act, and it is a common funding source for a trust," said Shelly Goehring, a senior program manager for Massachusetts Housing Partnership, a public nonprofit that works to facilitate more affordable housing. This leaves the North Adams Affordable Housing Trust at a disadvantage until it adopted the CPA, which adds up to a 3 percent surcharge to property taxes. The earnings go back to the city. The state also matches a portion of the funds earned through the act, increasing the match if the municipality has higher surcharges. Trusts can use payments in lieu of taxes, inclusionary zoning, imposing fees on short-term rentals and donations to fund their projects, Goehring said. Goehring then walked the trust through data about what is going on with housing in the city, showing that 55 percent of renters in North Adams are cost-burdened, spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent. "I'm really encouraging trust to take some time to identify two or three things you're going to focus on and then to create, well-defined measurable goals so that there's some accountability and some clarity about what you mean by your goals," Goehring said. After the presentation concluded, the board decided to push the rest of the agenda to March 11. Members said they will use the time to study the city's housing needs and determine where the trust's energy and money should be directed. "We created this commission because we know how desperately our city needs it," said Ashley Shade, the City Council president who was sitting in on the meeting. PITTSFIELD Looking to grow your career? New, free artificial intelligence certifications may help you do just that. Through a partnership with Grow with Google the companys flexible, online training platform state residents now have access to free courses via the Massachusetts AI Hub. The courses cover the uses and risks of artificial intelligence and offer certifications in fields such as data analytics, project management and cybersecurity. The AI Hub which will operate as a division of the quasi-public state agency Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will lead the Google AI training programs, which range from a beginners guide to AI to ways to implement and use tools in a work setting. The Google Career Certificates program, which predates the hub, provides professional credentials designed to strengthen resumes and build in-demand skills. "It is something, I believe, everyone should have access to," Healey said. "This partnership creates an opportunity for us to support our workers, students and small business owners across Massachusetts, making sure they have the tools they need to compete and succeed in this rapidly evolving economy, Healey said. Residents will have access to AI Hub courses and Google Career Certificates through Dec. 31, 2027. The hub currently offers three courses: Google AI Essentials, which explains what AI is and how to write effective prompts; Google AI Professional Certificate, which focuses on using AI for tasks such as idea generation and app development; and Google Agile Essentials, which teaches efficient project management strategies. Participants who enroll in the AI Professional Certificate will also receive three months of access to Google AI Pro. Those interested can fill out the interest form on the AI Hub's website. "This initiative gives Massachusetts residents the tools they need to harness AI, unlock new ideas and gain skills to strengthen the workforce regardless of age or income," said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. The Google Career Certificates are typically available for $49 per month on Coursera. More than 1 million people have completed the program, with 70 percent reporting career advancement such as a raise or promotion after earning a certification. 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US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles targeting Israel and countries across the Middle East. The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life. Catherine Connolly Ms Connolly said she wanted to join with those who had expressed such grave concern following todays strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Irans retaliatory strikes in the region. The president added: The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life. Advertisement As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has said, todays escalation undermines international peace and security with severe potential consequences for civilians and regional stability. All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the region. I call on all sides to immediately return to diplomacy and negotiation in line with the principles of international law and the UN Charter. I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. pic.twitter.com/KmQtVMxiW6 Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 28, 2026 In a statement, the Taoiseach said: I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other. The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount. Mr Martin said there was no question that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one. Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected Micheal Martin He added: We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it. It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East. Advertisement We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law. That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table. Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety. We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves. Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald condemned the strikes by the US and Israel (Niall Carson/PA) Ms McDonald called for a cessation of military action. She said: This is an act of unprovoked military aggression. It is the second such action in just nine months, it is incredibly dangerous; lives are at stake, civilian lives. There needs to be cessation of this action, there needs to be a return to the negotiating table, and diplomacy needs to win out. It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this. I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events Mary Lou McDonald The Sinn Fein leader said: I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events. I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified; they will pick up the human cost of this. Young lives have been lost.there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has urged all sides to return to negotiations (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms McEntee urged all sides to return to negotiations. She said: I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time. I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. Advertisement As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk. We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Ms McEntee said Ireland had been a strong supporter of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which was agreed in 2015, as well as subsequent dialogue. The minister said: I call on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint a wider conflict will increase regional instability. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world. Helen McEntee Ms McEntee said: There are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place. Paul Murphy said the attack had no justification (Damien Eagers/PA) People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Taoiseach Mr Martin should cancel his visit to the White House for St Patricks Day. Mr Murphy said, The United States and Israel have launched a co-ordinated attack on Iran. Advertisement This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification. We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump end this war on Iran. Ireland Irish embassy in the UAE advises citizens to shelter and avoid unnecessary movement Read more It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give a shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression. It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Chinese students who were woken from their sleep at their Cork home in the early hours of the morning two years ago by two intruders who attacked them with a crowbar have spoken in court about the trauma they suffered in the incident. Two of the three victims flew from China to Ireland for the sentencing hearing on Friday. They made the journey at their own expense, having permanently left Ireland following the vicious attack two years ago. The third victim, who is an engineer, still lives and works in Ireland. However, her parents are constantly checking in with her amid concerns for her safety. Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that on April 17th, 2024, at 5.45am, Aidan Cullinane and Gerard Quinlan, both of no fixed abode, went into a property at Millerd Street in Cork city as intruders. Advertisement They were not known to the three Chinese nationals living there, all of whom were asleep in their beds. Dt Garda Brian Barron said that Cullinane (32) and Quinlan (41) burst into two upstairs bedrooms simultaneously, demanding cash and mobile phones from the three young people. They were terrified and gave the men 200 and a laptop. The occupants of the property complied with the demands of the men. However, the garda said that they were subjected to a vicious and sustained assault at the hands of Aidan Cullinane and Gerard Quinlan. The assault lasted seven minutes and the two men repeatedly hit the three young people using a crowbar. A 22-year-old man suffered a 7cm laceration to his forehead, amongst other injuries. A 26-year-old woman received a 4cm laceration to her scalp and three broken ribs in the incident. The third person in the house share, a 22-year-old female, required surgery and the insertion of a wire to stabilise a hand injury. Two of the three young people were learning English at a language school in Cork city when the burglary occurred at their home. They were left out of pocket for thousands of euros in fees when they abruptly left their courses, having finished just two months of their eight months of tuition. Victim impact statements The victim impact statements of all three were read into evidence today. One of the victims spoke of being permanently scarred by the incident, which also left her with broken ribs. Even though they are healed now, the resulting dislocation cannot be remedied. My back also suffered injuries in the incident, and still today, I dare not apply pressure on where the wounds were, as it might cause pain. I am also mentally shaken and impacted. Advertisement I am now easily startled by any unfamiliar noise. I must make sure the doors of my residence are properly locked, checking again and again, even after rounds of previous inspection, just for reassurance. She also detailed the direct and indirect financial losses she suffered as a result of the attack. I hastily left the residence involved in the incident and flew back to China to reassure my family of my safety. The flight ticket had to be booked abruptly and rescheduled several times, costing me extra fees. I also left many of my personal belongings behind, some of which were never recovered. My professional career in civil engineering and promotion were also delayed as I must go through long recovery and hiatus from job. A second victim also spoke of the hardship she had suffered because of the incident. My hand and forehead still have very visible scars. Till today, I would occasionally have nightmares of this incident and wake up very scared "I also suffered significant financial losses. I never got any refund from my tuition of the language school as I quit my study after feeling not safe in Ireland. "I hastily left Ireland, so I left a lot of personal belongings which were not recovered. I also had to come up with extra money for the flight ticket back to China. Moreover, this incident has severely disrupted my life plan. "I was out of jobs and had no income for at least six months, and my plan for further study and a career in Ireland had to be abandoned. Advertisement "My families were also deeply shocked by this incident, and now they would oppose any of my future plans to study or work outside of China because of what happened here in Cork, Ireland. The third victim told Judge Helen Boyle that she suffered a severe injury to her right wrist and hand as a result of the attack. For roughly two or three months after the injury, I could not move my right wrist as usual, and I could not even take a proper shower. Even now, my right hand still has one finger that cannot move properly. Ireland Former school caretaker gets two more years for sexual abuse Read more "I was also mentally shaken and scarred. Even now, I would get extremely nervous when I hear unfamiliar noises outside of my residence or if someone shuts a door with a loud bang. "My families are now extremely concerned about my safety outside of China, and they would staunchly oppose any of my plans to study or tour abroad, citing this incident as the reason. A jury had found both Cullinane and Quinlan guilty of aggravated burglary and three counts of assault. Sentencing will be finalised on July 1st next, with the two men being further remanded in custody to allow for the preparation of various reports. The UAE Irish embassy has advised Irish citizens to shelter in place, avoid unnecessary movement and follow the advice of local authorities given the deterioration of the security situation in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The UAE is home to one of Ireland's largest diasporas per capita, with an estimated 14,000 Irish nationals residing in the country, many of whom live in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Irish embassy in the United Arab Emirates said it is also aware that the UAE, Kuwaiti, and Qatari airspace has been temporarily closed. Citizens affected are advised to liaise directly with their airlines and follow the guidance provided, it said. We will share any updates as more information becomes available. For Irish citizens affected and concerned family members, please contact the duty officer in Dublin at +353 (0)1 408 2000. Advertisement The Department of Foreign Affairs on X said that there are significant flight disruptions across the Gulf & Middle East regions. "Irish citizens with plans to travel to, or through, the regions, should contact their airline or travel agency immediately, and avoid non-essential travel. "Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel and Lebanon at this time." On the Department of Foreign Affairs website, travel advice for Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Lebanon is now classed under "Do not travel". "This is our highest level of warning. You should not travel to this country or territory. If you are already in this location, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Our ability to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in this location is extremely limited," the website says. It also advises Irish citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE. "This is our second-highest level of warning. Countries or territories at this level have serious and potentially life-threatening risks. Our ability to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in this location is extremely limited," the website says. It is worth noting, however, that at present, there have been no strikes in Saudi Arabia, where it is estimated that over 2,000 Irish citizens live. Previously, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world, she added. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. The Irish Defence Forces confirmed that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated tasks, it said on Saturday. Irish politicians have been reacting to the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, after a US official said the military campaign could last days. The Taoiseach has said he is "deeply concerned" by the developments in Iran, "and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East. I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region. I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome. pic.twitter.com/KmQtVMxiW6 Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 28, 2026 Micheal Martin urged "all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome," in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon. "Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other. Advertisement "The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount," Martin said. He added that there "can be no question but that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one. "We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it. It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East. "We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law". That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table, Martin said. "Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety. "We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves." Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the joint action was unprovoked military aggression and described it as a frightening turn of events. McDonald called for a cessation of military action. She said: This is an act of unprovoked military aggression. It is the second such action in just nine months, it is incredibly dangerous, lives are at stake, civilian lives. There needs to be cessation of this action, there needs to be a return to the negotiating table and diplomacy needs to win out. Advertisement It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this. The Sinn Fein leader added: I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events. I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified, they will pick up the human cost of this. Young lives have been lost.there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee also expressed concern about the US-Israeli attack. Irish citizens should not travel to Iran, she said, while also advising against travel to Israel. In a statement, McEntee said: I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time. I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk. We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Ireland was a strong supporter of the JCPOA and of subsequent dialogue and diplomacy for this very reason. We urge all parties to return to this path of negotiation. The Fine Gael TD called on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint - a wider conflict will increase regional instability. Advertisement She said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years. I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world, she added. Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected. The travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place, she said. You should follow the directions of the local authorities and advice issued on social media by the Irish embassy to your country of residence. Embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to provide consular assistance. McEntee said she will remain in close contact with EU and international partners as the situation continues to evolve. Meanwhile, the Irish Defence Forces have confirmed that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated tasks, it said on Saturday. Oglaigh na hEireann can confirm that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated pic.twitter.com/gcO4kAgGhV Oglaigh na hEireann (@defenceforces) February 28, 2026 'Unthinkable' that Taoiseach would go to US and give a shamrock to Trump - TD People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called on the Taoiseach to condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to The Irish Times. He also called for Micheal Martin's upcoming visit to the White House to be cancelled. Advertisement The Dublin South-West TD said: The United States and Israel have launched a coordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification. We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump ends this war on Iran. It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression. It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Many will die in this latest atrocity started by Trump. He is a war criminal and the St Patricks Day engagement must be cancelled. Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews has said that the attack is "against all international law. Such strikes are only legal when there is a clear and imminent threat, he said on X. This looks again like regime change. Nobody supports this Iranian regime, but this is not the way. Andrews also said Trump tore up the nuclear deal with the international community in 2018 while Netanyahu has pushed for this bombing for decades. They are responsible for the fallout, he added. But we all could suffer the consequences, especially innocent Iranian civilians. Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith expressed "grave concern" after the strikes. Ultimately these strikes originate from the Trump administrations pulling out of the treaty Obama negotiated with Iran on enrichment, he said. Ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapons capability should only be done through negotiation, the strong application of the IAEA inspections, and the broader non-proliferation regime. Instead we have an Israeli government that due to the international communitys inability to hold them accountable for their actions in Gaza, are acting with continuing impunity across the region. We also have a US administration that continues to display authoritarian tendencies, with these strikes being no exception. Smith added that launching pre-emptive strikes, despite reports that breakthroughs had occurred in negotiations on stockpiling, risked a new long-term war in the Middle East. An emergency meeting of EU leaders must be called and I urge the Irish Government to call on our European allies to ensure that Europe works to de-escalate this conflict, he said. Peace in the Middle East will never come on the battlefield, I urge the United States and Israel to stop their attacks and return to the negotiating table. Relatives and friends who have queries or concerns about family members in the region should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular team in Dublin at +353 1 4082000. A Limerick man charged in connection with possession of over 1.5 million worth of drugs, tore up the charges against him and threw them in a toilet bowl, a court heard Saturday. Jamie Long, (26), Thomond Student Village, Ballygrennan, Limerick, appeared before a special weekend sitting of Limerick District Court and was refused bail. Gardai told the bail hearing it was their belief Long was an integral part of an organised crime group supplying wholesale amounts of drugs into the Southern region. Long was arrested last Wednesday, in the front seat of a white Ford transit van, at Kilbranish Drive, Woodview, Limerick, in possession of 70,000 worth of cocaine, it was heard. In a follow-up search of another Ford transit van, parked at Longs home address, gardai allegedly recovered around 800,000 cocaine and around 700,000 cannabis. Advertisement Detective Garda Anthony Harnett, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, gave evidence in court of arresting and charging Long with three counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply, and three counts of possession of drugs for his own use. Det Garda Harnett said Long did not reply to the charges, and when he was given a copy of the charges, they were ripped up and thrown into the toilet by him. Detective Garda Harnett said part of his objection to bail was based upon my belief that Jamie Long will continue to commit further serious crimes, including continuing to engage in the sale and supply of wholesale distribution of controlled drugs. The charges are very serious offences, Jamie Long has admitted he was under duress to store and deliver vast amounts of cocaine and cannabis in order to pay off a drug debt that is in excess of 50,000, alleged Det Garda Harnett. The applicant has stated he is addicted to cannabis and cocaine, and if given bail, it is my belief that he will undoubtedly engage in similar activity to address what is now an even greater debt due to the seizure of the (drugs). Det Garda Harnett further alleged that Long is an integral part of an organised crime group who are at the forefront of suppliers of controlled substances in the Limerick region and further beyond. He was entrusted to store, control and deliver huge amounts of cocaine and cannabis, and he has stated that he believes that harm will come to him if he fails to carry out the orders of the group, in which he operates, and which will now leave him in a more vulnerable position, added Det Garda Harnett. Advertisement Det Garda Harnett said that when gardai arrested Long, allegedly in possession of 70,000 of cocaine, they also found him in possession of a key to the second Ford transit van that was parked outside his home address. Det Garda Harnett said investigating gardai obtained a warrant to search the van, and using the key to open the van they found 11kg of cocaine, and 35 kg of cannabis valued at around 1.5 million. Jamie Long was interviewed on eight occasions and made admissions to being a courier and storing drugs for which he had full control of, alleged Det Garda Harnett. He also admitted that when stopped by gardai he was in possession of 70,000 of cocaine and was to deliver it to an unnamed person, continued Det Garda Harnett. He has stated that his DNA will be found on every individual pack of cannabis and cocaine that was seized from this vehicle, the garda alleged. Det Garda Harnett told the court it was his belief that Long will attempt to leave the jurisdiction if granted bail. He is a serious flight risk, he will attempt to evade justice given the opportunity, the garda added. Michael ODonnell, solicitor for the accused, refuted the suggestion Long was a flight risk and told the court Long did not own a passport. ODonnell suggested the accused could sign on at a garda station daily, as well as keep to a curfew, he has a partner who is pregnant at the moment, added the solicitor. Advertisement ODonnell said that an independent bail surety of a substantial amount - which would be fortified if any bail conditions were to be breached - was also available to the court. Judge Patricia Ryan said this would not be required. Inspector Martyn Wallace, Henry Street Garda Station, reiterated the gardas concerns if bail was granted. Judge Patricia Ryan said she was satisfied, on hearing the evidence provided, to refuse bail. Several members of Longs family, who were present in court, and hugged him. He was remanded into custody to appear before Limerick District Court via video-link on March 3rd. A 32-year-old man has been denied bail after a Garda was injured in a collision with a "high-powered" scrambler on a footpath in Mulhuddart, Dublin. Michael Jones appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday in connection with the incident on Thursday evening, February 26th. Jones, of Whitestown Drive, Mulhuddart, was charged with endangerment by intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another at Blakestown Way. He was remanded in custody by Judge Conor Fottrell and is due back in court on Thursday. The defendant denies the charge, which is a charge under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and, on conviction, is punishable by a sentence of up to seven years' imprisonment. Opposing bail, Garda Liam Bowes cited the seriousness of the case and concerns that the accused would fail to appear in court. Advertisement Garda Bowes said Jones "made no reply" when charged at Blanchardstown station. He alleged that he and a male colleague observed a person wearing a black balaclava riding a motorcycle at about 8.25 pm. The bail hearing was told that the motorcycle was driven "in a dangerous manner" on a green area, endangering members of the public. Garda Bowes remained in the patrol car to watch the suspect, who he claimed continued driving dangerously. The garda gave evidence that his colleague got out and tried to approach the motorcyclist to seize the vehicle and prevent it from being a danger to members of the public. The court heard that the person on the scrambler was on a footpath and accelerated at high speed, reaching about 40km/h. Judge Fottrell was told that the motorcycle collided with the officer, and both parties were knocked to the ground. The garda, in his 20s, suffered injuries to legs, arms, and head, consistent with a collision with a powerful motorcycle, the court heard. A Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance crew treated him and did not attend the hearing because he was on bed rest. Garda Bowes gave evidence that he identified the accused at the scene. Defence solicitor John Quinn told Garda Bowes that the allegations would be "fully contested." He argued that there were no grounds to refuse bail. Quinn stressed that his client had the presumption of innocence, which Garda Bowes accepted, but alleged Jones was caught "red-handed" and that there was good evidence against him. Advertisement In response, Quinn said that would be a matter for the trial, and he argued that the bail objections were not well-founded. Ireland Chinese students beaten with crowbars left Ireland following vicious attack Read more The court heard Jones had suffered some mental health difficulties in 2025 and was unemployed. Jones, dressed in a blue T-shirt, grey tracksuit pants, and black runners, did not give evidence. Judge Fottrell emphasised that the accused still enjoyed the presumption of innocence. However, he held that as a matter of probability, he would attempt to evade justice given the seriousness of the case and the supporting evidence. Legal aid was granted along with an order sought by the defence that Jones received medical and psychiatric treatment in custody. European leaders have held emergency security meetings and scrambled to protect their citizens in the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered global concerns of escalation into a broader conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting in response to the US and Israeli strikes, and Germany and the UK held their own emergency meetings on Saturday to discuss the situation. The European Union is evacuating some staff from the region, and European leaders are planning to coordinate further responses. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a statement saying their countries did not take part in the strikes on Iran but are in close contact with the US, Israel and partners in the region. Advertisement The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Irans nuclear programme. We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future, they said. The strikes by the US create a dilemma for its democratic allies. While European leaders oppose Irans nuclear programme and crackdowns by its hard-line theocracy, they are reluctant to embrace unilateral military action by Donald Trump that could breach international law and unleash a broader conflict. The US presidents strikes on Iran last June, and the arrest of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro last month, caused a similar quandary. It is unclear whether US allies were given warning of the attacks. The German government said it was only given notice on Saturday morning, and Frances junior defence minister said Paris knew something would happen, but did not know when. The escalation underway is dangerous for everyone. It must stop, Mr Macron said in a statement. France, which has military presence in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan, will offer military aid to its partners in the Middle East, the president said. The outbreak of war among the United States, Israel and Iran has serious consequences for peace and international security, Mr Macron said. He called on Irans leadership to commit to negotiations on its nuclear and ballistic programmes. Advertisement The Iranian people should also be able to build their future freely. The massacres perpetrated by the Islamic regime disqualify it, and necessitate that the people be given a voice. The European Unions top diplomat called the conflict perilous and said she was working with Israeli and Arab officials to pursue a negotiated peace. Irans regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security, said Kaja Kallas, foreign policy chief of the 27-nation bloc. Norways foreign minister Espen Barth Eide told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he was concerned the failure of negotiations between the US and Iran would mean a new, extensive war in the Middle East. Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Madrid rejected the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order. He said Spain likewise rejected the actions of the Iranian regime. European Union leaders issued a joint statement on Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in hopes of ensuring nuclear safety. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law, said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in harsher words. These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons, said its executive director, Melissa Parke. Advertisement World Airlines suspend Middle East flights after US and Israel strikes on Iran Read more Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned that the escalating conflict has pushed the Middle East to the edge of catastrophe. Pakistans foreign minister Ishaq Dar, condemned the unwarranted attacks on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Russias Foreign Ministry called the strikes a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy. The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of hiding behind concerns about Irans nuclear programme while pursuing regime change Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is growing evidence that Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US and Israeli attack on his country. Speaking in a televised address, Mr Netanyahu said the strikes had targeted Mr Khameneis compound in Tehran. There are growing signs that Khamenei is no longer around, he said. Mr Khamenei has not been seen in public since the operation began. Following the attack on targets across Iran, US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to take over your government. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people had been killed. The first strikes appeared to target the compound of Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader in central Tehran. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Mr Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know. Advertisement The US president said in a video posted on social media: For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries, He urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but said: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. In southern Iran, at least 85 people were reported killed after a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, said he was aware of reports that the school was struck and they were looking into them. The violence quickly expanded with the Revolutionary Guard saying it had responded by launching a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was bringing down Iranian fire. Irans Foreign Ministry said the country will not hesitate in its response, adding: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. An explosion in Haifa Bay, northern Israel (Leo Correa/AP) Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the US Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and explosions were heard in Qatar. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the US military reported no US casualties and minimal damage at bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. Advertisement It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their air space, and sirens sounded in Jordan. The UAE said one person had been killed by falling shrapnel, and air defence fire was seen over its commercial hub Dubai. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior officials. Mr Trump said the US had begun major combat operations in Iran after the US assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme. He claimed in the video that Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He acknowledged there could be American casualties in the conflict, saying that often happens in war. Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analysed by the Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Tehran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. Donald Trump said the US has begun major combat operations (Michael Gonzalez/AP) Iran has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile programme, limiting their range to 1,240 miles. That puts all the Middle East and some of Eastern Europe in their range. There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has said its space programme could allow it to one day. Advertisement Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and Mr Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme. He saw an opportunity while the country struggles at home with growing dissent after nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. But Mr Trumps statement indicated the US was striking for reasons far beyond any nuclear ambitions, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran (AP) Mr Netanyahu said the attack aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands, he said. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official source. Irans Revolutionary Guard had vowed to respond if attacked, including saying American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets. Ireland All possible steps must be taken to avoid Middle East escalation Connolly Read more Explosions rocked Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties. Several hospitals in Israel launched emergency protocols, including moving patients and operations to underground facilities. US embassies or consulates in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they had told staff to shelter in place and recommended all Americans do the same until further notice. The US attack on Iran follows a major build-up of US firepower in the region, with a naval gathering including the USS Gerald R Ford, the worlds largest warship, along with additional destroyers in the area. One has been sent to the Northern Arabian Sea, and another is en route, bringing the total number of US destroyers in the wider region to thirteen, a Navy official said. Air assets have also been concentrated at strategic bases. Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan has emerged as a central node for the buildup, receiving at least two waves of attack aircraft between mid-January and mid-February, bringing the total number stationed there to nearly 30. What is facing is an Iranian regime with one of the largest ballistic missile stockpiles in the Middle East. Iran has several missiles capable of reaching all US bases and sites with an American military presence across the region. Advertisement The most recent demonstration of Irans missile capabilities came during the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025. During the conflict, Tehran launched volleys of ballistic missiles toward Israel, killing dozens of people and damaging residential buildings and apartment blocks in the countrys centre and north. An analysis by the Institute for the Study of War and the AEI Critical Threats Project found that Israel likely destroyed around a third of Irans missile launchers during the fighting. Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly said the country has recovered from the damage sustained in the war and that its missile capabilities are now stronger than before. On the US side, the firepower is led by the USS Gerald R Ford supercarrier. The attacks will disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. The strait is vital to global energy markets, carrying about a fifth of the worlds total oil consumption. More than 20 million barrels a day of crude, condensate and refined fuels transited the passage on average last year, according to the EIA. However, conflict between the US and Iran is not new and there is a history of tensions and clashes dating back decades. The US and Israel have launched a major attack on targets across Iran as Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to take over your government. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people had been killed. The first strikes appeared to target the compound of Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in central Tehran. It was not clear if he was there at the time. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Mr Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know. The US president said in a video posted on social media: For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries, He urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but added: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. In southern Iran, at least 85 people were reported killed after a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. Advertisement Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, said he was aware of reports that the school was struck and they were looking into them. The violence quickly expanded with the Revolutionary Guard saying it had responded by launching a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was bringing down Iranian fire. Irans Foreign Ministry said the country will not hesitate in its response, adding: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the US Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and explosions were heard in Qatar. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the US military reported no US casualties and minimal damage at bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. An explosion in Haifa Bay, northern Israel (Leo Correa/AP) Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their air space and sirens sounded in Jordan. The UAE said one person had been killed by falling shrapnel and air defence fire was seen over its commercial hub Dubai. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior officials. Advertisement Mr Trump said the US had begun major combat operations in Iran after the US assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme. He claimed in the video that Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He acknowledged there could be American casualties in the conflict, saying that often happens in war. Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analysed by the Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Tehran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. Donald Trump said the US has begun major combat operations (Michael Gonzalez/AP) Iran has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile programme, limiting their range to 1,240 miles. That puts all the Middle East and some of eastern Europe in their range. There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has said its space programme could allow it to one day. Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and Mr Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme. He saw an opportunity while the country struggles at home with growing dissent after nationwide protests. Advertisement Iran had hoped to avert a war but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. But Mr Trumps statement indicated the US was striking for reasons far beyond any nuclear ambitions, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands, he said. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official source. Irans Revolutionary Guard had vowed to respond if attacked, including saying American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets. Ireland Irish embassy in the UAE advises citizens to shelter and avoid unnecessary movement Read more Explosions rocked Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties. Several hospitals in Israel launched emergency protocols, including moving patients and operations to underground facilities. US embassies or consulates in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they had told staff to shelter in place and recommended all Americans do the same until further notice. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, Israeli officials have told the Associated Press. The assassination of the leader of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, would throw its future into doubt and raise the prospect of a protracted conflict given Iranian threats of retaliation. In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were growing signs that Mr Khamenei had been killed when Israel struck his compound early on Saturday. Shortly after the address, two officials said Israel had confirmed his death. Mr Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He had the final say on all major policies, leading Irans clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard the two main centres of power in the countrys theocracy. Asked about reports that Mr Khamenei was killed in air strikes on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said: We feel that that is a correct story. Advertisement In a brief phone interview with NBC News, he said a large amount of leadership of Iran had been killed, adding: I dont mean like two people. He also said most of Irans senior leadership is gone, including many people who make decisions. Asked who might become Irans new supreme leader, Mr Trump said I dont know but at some point theyll be calling me to ask who Id like before noting he was being only being a little sarcastic in suggesting that. The Israeli military said the strikes also killed Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Iranian Security Council and a close adviser to Mr Khamenei, and Mohammad Shirazi, the head of Mr Khameneis military bureau, were also said to have been killed. The Iranian supreme leaders compound is said to have been hit (Airbus DS 2026 via AP) Following the attack on targets across Iran, Mr Trump called on the Iranian people to take over your government. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people had been killed. The first strikes appeared to target the compound of Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader in central Tehran. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Mr Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know. The US president said in a video posted on social media: For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Advertisement He urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but added: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. In southern Iran, at least 85 people were reported killed after a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, said he was aware of reports that the school was struck and they were looking into them. The violence quickly expanded with the Revolutionary Guard saying it had responded by launching a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was bringing down Iranian fire. Irans Foreign Ministry said the country will not hesitate in its response, adding: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. An explosion in Haifa Bay, northern Israel (Leo Correa/AP) Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the US Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and explosions were heard in Qatar. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the US military reported no US casualties and minimal damage at bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their air space and sirens sounded in Jordan. The UAE said one person had been killed by falling shrapnel and air defence fire was seen over its commercial hub Dubai. Advertisement The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior officials. Mr Trump said the US had begun major combat operations in Iran after the US assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme. He claimed in the video that Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He acknowledged there could be American casualties in the conflict, saying that often happens in war. Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analysed by the Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Tehran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. Donald Trump said the US has begun major combat operations (Michael Gonzalez/AP) Iran has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile programme, limiting their range to 1,240 miles. That puts all the Middle East and some of eastern Europe in their range. There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has said its space programme could allow it to one day. Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and Mr Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme. He saw an opportunity while the country struggles at home with growing dissent after nationwide protests. Advertisement Iran had hoped to avert a war but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. But Mr Trumps statement indicated the US was striking for reasons far beyond any nuclear ambitions, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran (AP) Mr Netanyahu said the attack aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands, he said. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official source. Irans Revolutionary Guard had vowed to respond if attacked, including saying American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets. Explosions rocked Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties. Several hospitals in Israel launched emergency protocols, including moving patients and operations to underground facilities. US embassies or consulates in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they had told staff to shelter in place and recommended all Americans do the same until further notice. Britain will chair an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday following missile strikes across the Middle East. The meeting has been called at the request of France, Colombia, Russia and Bahrain after the US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday morning. The attacks, which hit targets in Tehran and across the country, prompted retaliation from Iran with strikes reported in several Gulf countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Saturday is the last day that the UK holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council before handing over to the United States. The meeting is expected to start at around 9pm UK time. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggested Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in the US-Israeli strikes, with pictures showing severe damage to his compound in Tehran. Advertisement The US and Israel described the attacks as a pre-emptive strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. Talks between the US and Iran aimed at resolving the issue of Tehrans nuclear ambitions ended on Thursday without agreement, but were expected to resume at a later date. Following the strikes, Keir Starmer convened the Governments emergency Cobra committee on Saturday morning, before consulting with European and Gulf allies. In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister condemned Irans retaliation and urged Tehran to refrain from indiscriminate military strikes and seek a negotiated solution. Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer said the UK had not been involved in the strikes, but had subsequently deployed aircraft as part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies. He added that protections had been stepped up for British bases in the Middle East and the Government was reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has advised UK nationals in some parts of the Middle East to shelter in place. The advice extends to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where a fire has broken out at the luxury Fairmont Hotel in Dubais Palm area something Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned in a call with her Emirati counterpart. Hundreds of thousands of British nationals are currently thought to be present in the Gulf. Advertisement Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she supported the strikes on Iran, describing the Tehran government as a vile regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, sought to build nuclear weapons and brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people. Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should immediately shelter in place. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities. pic.twitter.com/pjdFAQMMji Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 28, 2026 Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged the Prime Minister to rule out allowing British bases to be used for future unilateral US strikes. He said: The Iranian people deserve to live free from a brutal regime. Donald Trumps unilateral and illegal military action wont deliver freedom, peace and security. It will only unleash more bloodshed. World Growing signs Iranian supreme leader killed in US-Israel attacks Netanyahu Read more But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Starmer should change his mind and allow the US to launch attacks from British bases, including Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. The Government is reported to have previously refused American requests to use the Diego Garcia base to attack Iran due to concerns it would breach international law. Senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Press Association there was no legal basis for this attack. Global airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the region into a renewed military confrontation. Dubai Airports has suspended all flight operations at Dubai International Airport until further notice, it announced. Flight maps showed the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty as Israel said it struck Iran and the U.S. military initiated a series of strikes against targets in the country. Iran retaliated with a salvo of missiles. Airlines have cancelled almost 40% of flights to Israel and 6.7% of flights to the broader region on Saturday, according to preliminary Cirium data. Witnesses told Reuters about explosions across the Gulf, including in Qatar's Doha, which hosts the biggest US military base in the Middle East, as well as Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Advertisement The escalation dimmed hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's nuclear dispute with the West and reignited conflict after weeks of U.S. military buildup in the region. It marks the latest upheaval for air travel in the usually busy region amid escalating tensions. Airports in the Middle East are some of the busiest in the world, covering an area stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean and serving as a connecting hub for flights between Europe and Asia. The region has also taken on a more important role since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has forced airlines to avoid airspace over both countries. Conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic. Longer flight times also require more fuel, adding to their costs. Israel, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan closed their airspace following the attacks and a map of the region on Flightradar24 showed planes avoiding these areas. The European Union's aviation regulator EASA on Saturday recommended its airlines stay out of the airspace affected by the ongoing military intervention. British Airways, owned by IAG, said it was monitoring the situation and had cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3, as well as Saturday's flights to Amman. The Russian Ministry of Transport said on Saturday that Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel. Germany's Lufthansa said it was suspending flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday and halting temporarily the Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman routes until March 7. Air France cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut. Advertisement Iberia also cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air suspended flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until the same date, it said. Passengers and airlines can expect airspace to be shut for some time in the region. Its also important to look at the tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan as that will limit airspace even further, said Eric Schouten, head of aviation security advisory Dyami. "With hostilities now underway, the impact on regional aviation is immediate and highly fluid," he said. "We also anticipate precautionary evacuations or temporary shutdowns at select Gulf airports if the threat envelope expands, which would immediately disrupt key transit hubs," he noted. Various Indian airlines, including Air India, also suspended flights to the Middle East. World Inside the US build-up: Warships, airbases and Irans missile arsenal Read more Regional airspace closures have disrupted several Emirates flights, the Dubai-based carrier said, while its sister airline flydubai said it had temporarily suspended operations on Saturday "due to the ongoing developments in the region." Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways temporarily suspended flights, while Turkish Airlines also cancelled flights to several Middle Eastern destinations. Kuwait's aviation authority said it was halting all flights to Iran until further notice, according to the state news agency, while Oman Air said it had suspended all flights to Baghdad due to the regional developments. KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM, has brought forward the suspension of its AmsterdamTel Aviv service, cancelling the flight scheduled for Saturday after strikes in Iran, a spokesperson said. The airline had announced on Wednesday that flights would be halted from Sunday, March 1. Only one flight to Tel Aviv had been scheduled for Saturday. Virgin Atlantic said it had decided to temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some re-routing of its flights. - Reuters The US and Israel have launched a major attack on targets across Iran as Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to take over your government. The first strikes appeared to target the compound of Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in central Tehran. It was not clear if he was there at the time. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries, the US president said in a video posted on social media. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran (AP) The US president called the attacks a noble mission, saying they were necessary because of Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile systems that could reach the US. Mr Trump acknowledged there could be American casualties, but added that often happens in war, and called on Iranian officials to lay down your arms or face certain death. Advertisement He urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but added: When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported that one strike at a girls school in Minab in Hormozgan province had killed 40 people. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city. The violence quickly expanded with Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard saying it had responded by launching a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it was bringing down Iranian fire. Irans Foreign Ministry said the country will not hesitate in its response, adding: The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemys military assault. Elsewhere, Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the US Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and explosions were heard in Qatar. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, and sirens sounded in Jordan. The UAE said one person had been killed by falling shrapnel and air defence fire was seen over its commercial hub Dubai. Four people were also killed by an Iranian missile striking a building in Syrias southern city of Sweida, according to state television. Advertisement The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior officials. Smoke rises on the skyline over Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) Mr Trump said the US had begun major combat operations in Iran after the US assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme. He claimed in the video that Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He said Iran had attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme and to continue developing the long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Iran has said it has not enriched uranium since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analysed by the Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Tehran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. Iran has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile programme, limiting their range to 1,240 miles. That puts all the Middle East and some of eastern Europe in their range. There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has said its space programme could allow it to one day. He added that Saturdays strikes will be part of a massive and ongoing operation that will aim to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground as well as annihilate their navy and ensure that the regions terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world and attack our forces. Advertisement Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to sources. Roads to Khameneis compound in central Tehran had been shut by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Donald Trump said the US has begun major combat operations (Michael Gonzalez/AP) Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and Mr Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme. He saw an opportunity while the country struggles at home with growing dissent after nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. But Mr Trumps statement indicated the US was striking for reasons far beyond any nuclear ambitions, listing grievances stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack aimed to remove an existential threat posed by Iran. Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands, he said. Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official source. World Trump says Iran threatened Europe as he confirms strikes on Tehran Read more Irans Revolutionary Guard had vowed to respond if attacked, including saying American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets. Explosions rocked Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties. Several hospitals in Israel launched emergency protocols, including moving patients and operations to underground facilities. US embassies or consulates in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they had told staff to shelter in place and recommended all Americans do the same until further notice. Advertisement LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life Belle always thought her marriage was solid. Then she got a call that ripped her apart Charlotte Heathcote March 1, 2026 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A This story is part of the March 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories . Im sorry to tell you this, but your husband is having an affair with my wife. To hear these words out of the blue, from a stranger on the end of a phone, would bring anyones world crashing down. But lawyer Belle Burden believed that she and her financier husband had been happily married for 20 years, and that James*, a man she had chosen for his steadfastness and reliability, was as committed to raising their three children as she was. I felt total confusion, just absolute disorientation, and a belief that he would somehow explain it and it wouldnt be true, she says, speaking from her New York apartment as she recounts the events of that night, which she eventually wrote about in a viral article, and now a book, Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage. Even worse, the phone call came during the second week of the pandemic lockdown in March 2020. Belle, James and their daughters Evie, then 15, and Carrie, 12 their son Finn, 17, was staying with friends had retreated from New York to hunker down in their Marthas Vineyard home. Belle immediately sought out James. I promise you, this meant nothing, he assured her. He said that the affair, with a banker and mother of two whom he met through work, had only begun a few weeks ago. Advertisement And then he said, I still love you and only you. So I felt absolute heartbreak and hurt but I also felt like I was dealing with my husband, someone I knew and recognised. And that somehow we would have muddled through, though I dont know if we would have stayed together. Belle Burden had no idea about her husbands affair until a fateful phone call. The New York Times Belle and James had met in 1998 when they worked for the same law firm. In marrying the steady, unflappable lawyer, Belle was consciously trying to break the pattern of her family history. Her grandparents were Bill Paley, CBS founder and notorious philanderer, and socialite Babe who was the subject of a scandal in 1975, when Truman Capote exposed the goings-on in her glamorous social set in Esquire magazine. Her parents were politician Carter Burden, descendant of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, and town planner Amanda. They both had affairs, divorcing when Belle was two. I felt that I was breaking a pattern because James was so even tempered and mild mannered and never yelled, and the men in my family all yelled. I felt that I was picking somebody who would be the last person to do this. But it was not to be. That evening, the womans husband told Belle that his wife had taken an overdose and was in an ambulance. James attention pivoted to his mistress. That night, he slept in another bedroom, and appeared in their bedroom at 6am, fully dressed, his bag packed, his expression cold. Ive decided I want a divorce, he said. Im leaving. Advertisement In the morning when he came in, he seemed so different, says Belle. All the warmth had gone. It was a very icy person his eyes, his whole aspect because he had decided. After James walked out, Belle spent the next five hours trying to call him. Once hed arrived back in New York, she was given as much insight into James feelings as she would ever get. I thought I was happy but Im not, he told her. I thought I wanted our life but I dont. I feel like a switch has flipped. Im done. You can have the house and the apartment. You can have custody of the kids. I dont want it. I dont want any of it. Instead of finding James comforting his daughters, she was stunned to find him rummaging through boxes in search of their prenuptial agreement. And then I felt my whole world crumble, says Belle. He was someone I trusted more than anyone in the world. He was my childrens father. Advertisement And we were all so afraid then. We didnt know when we would get a vaccine. And he was walking out the door. So I felt an absolute chill. Fear along with the heartbreak. And it really took me down. I could not get out of bed for a long time. I was pretending for my kids that I was OK, so I would only be able to get myself up when I had to do something for them. It was really, really hard. In April, Belle asked James to come back to Marthas Vineyard and tell the children that they were divorcing. Informing Belle he would only stay for 90 minutes before taking his bosss seaplane back to New York, James broke the news to the girls, and Carrie ran out of the room sobbing while Evie sat silently with crossed arms. James turned to Belle and said, Im starving, can you make me a sandwich? Though shocked, Belle obliged, deciding that the best strategy was to make the nicest possible sandwich. Then, instead of finding James comforting his daughters, she was stunned to find him rummaging through boxes in the basement in search of their prenuptial agreement. By September, James divorce papers were filed. Though he earned millions of dollars a year, he sought to enforce the prenup which would require Belle to sell both of their family homes. She was prescribed antidepressants. James only reached a settlement an hour before their divorce trial was due to begin, which brought me to my knees, Belle says. James choice to relinquish responsibility for their children was especially difficult for Belle to process. That was the part that broke my heart the most and continues to break my heart, she says. Advertisement He took a two-bedroom flat but turned the spare bedroom into an office, though their youngest wanted to visit her father so badly that she would send him links for homeware shop Pottery Barn beds. Related Article Sunday Life After a breakdown, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, 60, is back on top where it all began That was really painful. I said to my daughter, I dont know why but your dad cant make a home right now. And that was better for her than saying, This is fine. Everythings normal. So its been this line of acknowledging the challenges of their reality but not being nasty about their dad. But one of the biggest challenges for Belle in coming to terms with the end of her marriage, which she still describes as a huge loss, is the fact that James could never explain his decision to leave. Though she doesnt know if he is still with the woman he had an affair with, she knows he hasnt remarried. Belle asked James at least 50 times for an explanation, but to no avail. Emotionally, she reached a turning point a year after he left. Advertisement I said, Can you just please tell me something about why? Even hoping that he would say, This woman and I are now living together and were going to get married or I just was not attracted to you any more. And he couldnt do it. The most he would give me is to say that something broke in him. And in that moment, I thought, Its like trying to get blood from a stone. It was not going to happen. Its not that hes not telling me. Its that he may not know himself why. Their children are now 23, 21, and 18. Theyre all really great kids. My hope is that this experience actually helps them have very honest and open relationships and doesnt harm them. He is kind to them, he is sweet to them. They see him occasionally for a dinner or a game. But there are no overnight staycations or any of the day-to-day parenting with teenagers with college applications and all that. But there are good things to that, too. I have them for every holiday, which I really like. Belle says she found it helpful to write her account of the marriage, the reflective and poignant Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage. It helped me to figure things out. I never really figured him out. Or why. But I think I figured out a way to have it rest. Putting it behind me is not quite right but just have it live somewhere for me, and move on to figuring out myself. In the wake of the divorce, her friendships are much stronger. Perhaps its just looking at silver linings, as much as I miss being married, having an intact family, which I cared so deeply about having. Advertisement Friends occasionally try to introduce Belle to eligible men and she accepts their invitations. But I think I am meant to focus on this book and on the kids for right now. I definitely am guarded. But I still believe in love and relationships. It would be wonderful if that happened, but I also think Ill be OK if it doesnt. Related Article Good Weekend Rachel spent five years quiet quitting her marriage. Her husband didnt see it coming My biggest priority in another relationship is to have a very deep emotional and intellectual intimacy. But, of course, Belle thought she had that intimacy in her marriage. I felt like we really knew each other and that it was really intimate. It probably changed at some point and I didnt know when. But I dont think there were things that happened between us that should have been a sign of what was to come. I wouldnt do much differently. I dont kick myself for certain things. I am almost proud of the way I trusted my husband, and behaved in the marriage. I dont regret falling in love with him. * Name has been changed. Advertisement Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage (Ebury Press) by Belle Burden is out now. The Telegraph, London. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Sunday Life Marriage Divorce For subscribers Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war One of the most evil people in history: Khamenei killed in strikes, Trump confirms Jon Gambrell , Melanie Lidman , Josh Boak and Eric Tucker Updated March 1, 2026 4:08pm ,first published March 1, 2026 6:26am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A US President Donald Trump says the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the greatest chance for Iranians to take back the country following a stunning new chapter in American military intervention that opens the potential for retaliatory violence in the Middle East and elsewhere. Iranian state media confirmed the death, without elaborating on a cause of death, following the most ambitious strikes on the country by the United States and Israel in decades on Saturday Australian time. In a social media post on Sunday Australian time, Trump called Khamenei one of the most evil people in history and said that heavy and pinpoint bombing would continue uninterrupted in the coming week and possibly beyond. US President Donald Trump said that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could not escape the US and Israeli web of surveillance. AP, Bloomberg This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei, he said in the post. Advertisement Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationally televised address that there were many signs indicating Khamenei is no longer and calling on Iranians to finish the job. He said that Khameneis compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had also been killed. Iran has called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases. Advertisement Mourners raised a black flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened on Sunday to launch its most-intense offensive operation ever after the killing of the supreme leader. The most-intense offensive operation in the history of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will begin in moments, targeting (Israel) and American terrorist bases, it said. Related Article Analysis Middle East at war Trump and Netanyahu have decided on war, putting their alliance above any other The death of the Iranian leader opens a stunning new chapter in US intervention in Iran and carries the potential for retaliatory violence in the Middle East and elsewhere. The strikes launched on Iran also represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor. The 86-year-old supreme leader had the final say on all major policies during his decades in power. Advertisement Khamenei led Irans clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the two main centres of power in the governing theocracy. As reports trickled out about the death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. View post on X Australia doing its best to help stranded citizens Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that the federal governments ability to help Australians stranded in the region was limited because of the lack of diplomatic staff in the region. Were doing this on an hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute basis, he said on Sunday. Advertisement The governments national security committee met on Sunday morning to discuss the fast-developing situation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that no-one would mourn Khamenei. Flavio Brancaleone Australia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2025 after spy agency ASIO accused Tehran of orchestrating two attacks on Jewish sites in Sydney and Melbourne. The prime minister backed the US-Israeli strikes but called for civilians to be protected while dodging questions about the legality of the attacks, saying that was a matter for the countries involved. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security, he said. Advertisement Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime. He added that no-one would mourn Khamenei. Foreign Minister Penny Wong played down the likelihood of Australian troops becoming involved in the conflict, even if there was the potential for a change of Iranian leadership. She confirmed Australian leaders were not told in advance about the strikes. The joint US-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday Australian time during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administrations success in incapacitating the countrys nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the US military reported no US casualties and minimal damage at US. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Advertisement Israeli military officials confirmed that the initial Israeli-led strikes had killed Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour, along with five other senior Iranian military officers. People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran on Saturday. AP At least three explosions were heard on Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defence systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defence systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-US strike on a girls elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday. Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency via AP Advertisement State news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of Lamerd, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Iranian counterattack causes travel chaos With much of the airspace over the Middle East closed, most major airports in the region, including the Dubai International Airport, have been forced to close. Four people were injured after an incident at Dubai Airport, which is the worlds busiest international travel hub, handling more than 1000 flights a day. Iran fired missiles at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, all key east-west aviation gateways. Airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on Saturday including to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai and neighbouring Doha sit at the crossroads of east-west air travel, with much of the long-haul traffic between Europe and Asia passing through both airports. A prolonged shutdown, which looks likely, will put the global aviation network under pressure with airlines forced to cancel or reroute flights. Advertisement On Saturday, nearly 1000 of about 4200 flights scheduled to arrive in Middle Eastern countries were cancelled, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows. Adding in scheduled departures, the total number of cancellations exceeded 1800 flights in a day. Some flights already en route today were diverted, said Juliette Alpha. Most of those were from Middle Eastern carriers. A few non-Middle Eastern airlines had already departed at the time of the military action today. Emirates cancelled 108 of 269 scheduled flights. Etihad cancelled 80 of 191 scheduled flights. Qatar cancelled 174 of 304 flights. View post on X An unforgettable lesson Iran has responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, with Ali Larijani, the secretary of Irans National Security Council, saying that Israel and America will regret their actions. Advertisement The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will deliver an unforgettable lesson to the hellish international oppressors, Larijani posted on social media platform X. Iran has targeted US bases in Qatar (Al-Udeid), Kuwait (Ali al-Salem), the UAE (al-Dhafra), and Bahrain (Fifth Fleet base), alongside attacks in Iraq and Jordan. Israeli news outlet Haaretz said that one person had died and more than 20 wounded after an Iranian missile directly hit a building in central Tel Aviv. The building partially collapsed and a fire broke out at the scene, emergency services told Haaretz. An explosion is seen as a missile hits a building in Tel Aviv, Israel. AP Meanwhile, blasts were heard in the Dubai area and over Qatari capital Doha for a second day on Sunday, as Iran continues to target the neighbouring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes. Advertisement Irans government has declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Iranian state television described Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as being at his compound in downtown Tehran when the initial attack began. Satellite photos from Airbus showed the site heavily bombed. The daughter and son-in-law of Khamenei were killed in the US-Israeli attacks in Iran, according to semi-official news agency. A satellite image shows heavy damage to Khameneis compound in Tehran. Airbus Also killed in Saturdays attacks were a grandchild and a daughter-in-law, Fars News Agency, citing unidentified sources. The agency didnt provide further details. Domestic response to the attacks in the US Advertisement Trumps military strikes have prompted the Democrats to demand an immediate vote in the US Congress, accusing the president of usurping the legislative branchs power to declare war. Given the scope of the strikes and the US presidents broad goal of toppling the Islamic Republic, the Democrats are arguing that under the US Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, only Congress could declare war. However, there is also division in the party about how to respond to Trumps strikes, with some prominent voices denouncing the strikes while others are ambivalent or supportive. Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, said Iran was a bad actor and must be restrained, but in the absence of exigent circumstances, Trump must seek congressional authorisation for pre-emptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately and provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, he said. Advertisement Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have clashed with Iran at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council where the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and many other countries urged a halt to their attacks and a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from spreading further into the region and beyond. Guterres also condemned Irans attacks on Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iranian ambassador to the UN, told the council that the airstrikes have killed and injured hundreds of Iranian civilians, which he called a war crime and a crime against humanity. However, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, insisted the US military action was lawful. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, he told the council. Israels UN ambassador Danny Danon also defended the airstrikes as necessary to stop an existential threat. Government supporters gather in mourning after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. AP What happens next in Iran Advertisement Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He had the final say on all major policies, led Irans clerical establishment and personally commanded the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard the two main centres of power in the countrys theocracy. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is only the second Supreme Leader since the Islamic revolution of 1979. AP He served as Irans president from 1981 to 1989 and is only the second Supreme Leader since the Islamic revolution of 1979. A hardliner, Khamenei had strenuously resisted efforts from the Iranian government to improve relations with the US and was not in support of Iran downgrading it nuclear capabilities. The regime led by Khamenei was under growing pressure with protests held earlier this year. Advertisement Rioters must be put in their place, Khamenei declared after security forces cracked down on hundreds of thousands protesters on January 8 and January 9. Activists said they documented more than 7000 killed and were working to verify more. The government has acknowledged more than 3000 dead, which is still higher than the toll from past crackdowns. Israeli and US bombardment during last summers 12-day war had heavily damaged Irans nuclear program, missile systems and military capabilities. Irans network of regional proxies, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, has been weakened by Israeli and US attacks since the war in Gaza began, along with Tehrans influence across the Middle East. Related Article Protests How Iran crushed a citizen uprising with lethal force The first major threat to Khameneis grip was the reform movement in 1989 that swept into a parliamentary majority and the presidency soon after he became supreme leader. It advocated for giving greater power to elected officials, which Khameneis hard-line supporters feared would lead to dismantling the Islamic Republic system. Khamenei rallied the clerical establishment, and unelected bodies run by mullahs shut down major reforms and barred reform candidates from elections. Since then, waves of popular protests have been crushed, including nationwide demonstrations erupted in 2009 over allegations of vote-rigging and protests in 2017 and 2019. Advertisement More protests came in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained by police for not wearing her mandatory headscarf properly. And the latest demonstrations touched off after the countrys currency, the rial, plunged to a record low of 1.42 million to the US dollar were mercilessly suppressed. With no succession plan in place, a panel of Shiite clerics will be tasked with choosing one of their own to succeed Khamenei. Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies, told The Associated Press this week that a key lesson Tehran drew from last years war was the need to ensure regime continuity in case of Khameneis death. He added that power could shift to a small committee of top officials until hostilities subside. It is possible that Khamenei has indicated a preferred successor behind closed doors, Citrinowicz said. However automatic implementation of a preselected successor will increase internal friction during war. Advertisement Advertisement Analysis WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Trump and Netanyahu have decided on war, putting their alliance above any other David Crowe Updated February 28, 2026 8:51pm ,first published 8:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A London: Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have decided on war regardless of the stance taken by world leaders from nations that have backed America and Israel in the past. The US President and the Israeli Prime Minister do not need any support from other nations to destroy Iranian military targets, but their decision highlights the rift between western leaders over this use of overwhelming military force. The American alliance with the United Kingdom appears weaker from this decision. Trump is frustrated with the UK and its leader, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, over the refusal in the UK to join this strike against Iran in some way. Starmer has refused to allow the US to use the shared Indian Ocean military base of Diego Garcia sovereign British territory, but run by US forces - to send aircraft to bomb Iran. Starmer has also ruled out using airfields in the UK for the same purpose. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have decided on war regardless of the stance taken by world leaders from nations that have backed America and Israel in the past. AP Trump complained about this one week ago when he called on Starmer to stop plans to give Mauritius sovereignty of the island, a secure and strategic location that allows aircraft to reach the Middle East. He painted UK leaders as weak. We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the UK, but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them, he posted on social media. There is no sign, so far, of any help from major US allies for the attack on Iran. There appears to be no NATO involvement in any strikes and no statements of support from the European Union in the first hours after the bombing began. The first response from the European Commissions foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, criticised Iran but did not support or reject the US military attacks. Advertisement The Australian response may signal the view taken by some other American allies, given that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talks regularly with Starmer and other leaders. Albanese was clear about the Australian stance: We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security. As of 9pm AEDT on Saturday in Australia, no other US ally has been so direct. Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate There are clear tensions in the European relationship with Trump after he laid claim to Greenland and threatened tariffs on allies in January. And there are strains between Europe and Israel after French President Emmanuel Macron gained support from Starmer and others in moving to recognise the state of Palestine despite fierce objections from Netanyahu. Starmer chose to stay silent in public in the first hours after the attack so he could convene a security meeting with cabinet ministers and defence chiefs, known in the UK as a Cobra meeting. He authorised a statement from a spokesperson warning against further escalation in the Middle East, but this avoided any explicit support for, or rejection of, the strikes. Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution, the UK government said. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Analysis WorldNorth AmericaDrugs After six decades of the war on drugs, what works? Maria Abi-Habib March 1, 2026 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Mexico City: Drug lords have been killed or captured, and cartels have splintered or collapsed, only to see more violent ones replace them and the illicit trade expand. So, in nearly 60 years of the war on drugs, what has actually worked? On Sunday, the Mexican military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, the leader of one of the worlds largest drug cartels. The death of the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel on Sunday sparked a firestorm of violence. AFP It is called the Jalisco cartel, and its reach can be felt in nearly every corner of the globe. It is more of a conglomerate than a single entity, composed of dozens of groups spread across Mexico that do everything from growing the avocados used in Americans guacamole to smuggling migrants into the United States and, of course, trafficking drugs. Advertisement As Mexican and US officials wait to see what lies ahead for the cartel whether a successor is quickly appointed or it devolves into infighting over who assumes the leadership one thing appears likely: El Menchos death alone is not the end of the group. Related Article Updated Crime Tryst with a lover brought down Mexicos most wanted man, sparking a firestorm of violence The groups full name, the Jalisco New Generation cartel, underscores its ambition and how deeply rooted it is in Mexico. Eradicating it requires a more patient, long-term approach than killing or capturing one man, analysts say. They created a new generation of doing things differently, said Carlos Perez Ricart, an expert at the Centre for Economic Research and Teaching, a Mexican research group. They employed a mode of violence that was very calculated and instrumental. It was narco-terrorism. Perez, like other analysts, said each new generation of cartel members tended to be more violent than its predecessors, as a way to assert authority. With every new generation, what was once unthinkable became the new norm. Advertisement The gratuity of the violence rivals are beheaded, their bodies displayed in public parks was the point, they said. It became the new standard, a gruesome way of outdoing rivals. Todays leaders have a much lower life expectancy, Perez said. Their education is also lower and their attachment to the territory they work in is now almost zero. One result was an especially ruthless detachment from the suffering of the local population. Loading Mexico is now fighting what may turn out to be one of the bloodiest and most consequential wars against the cartels in its history, analysts say. Since 2024, the Mexican government has been bogged down in the north, fighting the Sinaloa cartel. Now, the government has opened up a second front, against the Jalisco New Generation cartel, based in western Mexico and with branches throughout. The two Mexican cartels, arch rivals, are arguably the worlds most powerful drug organisations. Advertisement Perhaps the most comparable battle against drug trafficking was during president Felipe Calderons presidency, which ended in 2012. But then, the government was mostly taking on a single cartel, Los Zetas, and that fight was concentrated in northern Mexico. The histories of the cartels offer important reminders of how resilient they can be, even when the government makes major strides against them. The Sinaloa cartel, after all, did not go away after its chief, Joaquin Guzman Loera, the notorious drug lord known as El Chapo, was captured and extradited to the United States. And the Jalisco cartel itself was born from the ruins of another drug group, the Milenio cartel, which disintegrated into infighting after its leadership was captured and killed. Advertisement By 2009, Oseguera, the Jalisco leader killed on Sunday, had emerged on top in part because of his willingness to embrace spectacular levels of violence to defeat his enemies. Rather than simply going after kingpins like Oseguera, authorities need to take a holistic approach to dismantle these groups more completely, analysts say. The Sinaloa cartel did not go away after its chief, Joaquin Guzman Loera, the notorious drug lord known as El Chapo, was captured and extradited to the United States. AP The Mexican government has to use a combination of force on the ground and smart investigative work to defeat the Jalisco cartel, former diplomats say. It is a model similar to the one Colombia adopted beginning in the 1990s. Mid-level commanders need to be targeted, since they provide critical links between the top leadership and the cartels boots on the ground, analysts and diplomats say. Advertisement And when it comes to the Jalisco cartel, its sprawling business empire and hidden financial network must also be unwound, they say. That investigative capability, however, is still being built up by Mexicos government. Related Article Violence Mexico hunts prisoners sprung by cartel as violence fuels World Cup safety fears That is where the US may be most useful, experts say. On Sunday, the Mexican military credited US officials with sharing vital intelligence that allowed its troops to capture and kill Oseguera. We have the best technical intelligence, and local partners in Mexico and Colombia have the best human, on-the-ground intelligence, said Todd Robinson, a former assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement at the US State Department. And if you have that and a government that is willing to fight corruption, you can get positive results, he said. Advertisement Colombias initial success battling the cartels in the 1990s offers a good lesson for Mexico, former US diplomats familiar with both countries say. At that time, the Colombian government deployed its security forces to capture and kill high-ranking cartel members, while also increasing its investigative capacities to unravel the groups hidden financial infrastructure. It also strengthened the judicial system to end impunity. Jalisco showcased its strength and reach when it set fire to banks and shops and blocked highways in some 13 states across Mexico. AFP After Colombia largely brought down the countrys kingpins in that decade, the US helped the government there expand its authority across the country. For every dollar the US spent, Colombia spent three, Robinson said. It was part of an effort to eradicate coca crops and bring schools, roads and other economic incentives to remote communities where the government had dislodged drug trafficking groups. Advertisement But the government was not able to expand its authority to all parts of the country. In the vacuum, guerrilla groups took over cocaine production and trafficking. Cocaine production exploded across the country about a decade ago, analysts say. Related Article Updated Crime Violence rocks Mexico after military kills cartel kingpin The Mexican government needs to immediately start working across municipalities and states to dislodge the Jalisco cartel and start exerting authority, Robinson said. But historically, Mexicos federal governments have been reluctant to work with political rivals, creating a patchy security response that provides safe havens in which cartels can operate. Mexico is not traditionally good at that, Robinson said. The ruling party tends to support the governor or mayor that are part of their party, and leave those mayors who are from the opposition alone to fend for themselves against the cartels. In contrast, the Jalisco cartel works closely with dozens of smaller criminal groups to exert its muscle across the country and to challenge the governments authority. Advertisement On Sunday, the cartel was able to showcase its strength and territorial reach when it set fires to banks and storefronts and blocked roads and highways in some 13 states across Mexico. In many states, the Mexican government failed to respond. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaScience Australian hypersonic plane completes first test flight at five times speed of sound Michael Koziol Updated February 28, 2026 3:59pm ,first published February 28, 2026 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A An Australian-made hypersonic aircraft successfully completed its first flight from a NASA facility in the US, reaching five times the speed of sound in a test that scientists say will help forge the future of air travel. The aircraft, called the DART AE, was developed by Brisbane-based Hypersonix Launch Systems, led by former NASA research scientist Michael Smart and a team of University of Queensland engineers. Loading The DART was launched by a booster rocket from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia, on Friday evening (US time). It travelled through the upper atmosphere for about 800 kilometres at a max speed of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. Thats more than 6000km/h. And its not just a tube being shot into the air. The 3.5-metre-long vehicle powered by a 3D-printed, hydrogen-fuelled scramjet engine that compresses incoming air using high-speed shockwaves can be manoeuvred. It is, for all intents and purposes, an aircraft. Advertisement Most hypersonic craft are rockets. Rockets cant manoeuvre. You just point and shoot them, Smart said. The manoeuvrability is an absolutely critical new characteristic Anything you think an aircraft does, we can do. Organisers were tight-lipped about the flight plan before the launch, other than to say they were aiming to conduct the longest hypersonic flight ever staged by a hydrogen-powered vehicle. They said it could travel up to 800 kilometres, with the aircrafts metallic skin heating up to 800 degrees. The DART will travel at speeds of about Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound more than 6000km/h. This was the first launch mission for Hypersonix, founded at the end of 2019 by Smart, who for 15 years was a professor of hypersonic propulsion at UQ. The growing firm was selected as a partner by the US Defence Innovation Unit part of what is now the Department of War from a field of more than 60 applicants. Just to get in the air is a big deal for this company, and its a big deal for Australia, Smart says. Advertisement Testing this kind of technology is vital for the future of hypersonic flight, which, beyond its scientific applications, will eventually transform the way people travel. Hypersonix chief executive Matt Hill, who is in Virginia with Smart and a team of 10 for the mission, says this type of engine could power an aircraft that will fly from Sydney to London in two hours. Its not pie-in-the-sky stuff, either he says it could be technologically possible in 10 or so years, though the logistics of flying people long distances make it challenging. The team includes nearly 60 staff in Australia, including 10 who have travelled to Virginia to assist with the launch. The Photo Pitch When people fly, they expect air and champagne and movies all those things and thats really the more complex thing, Hill says. Its still a way off. But were building the core technology that would enable that type of flight. The DART separated from the rocket at 45 kilometres above Earth. Space company Rocket Lab, which conducted the launch, broadcast it live on social media and said the mission was 100 per cent successful. The launch was delayed several times throughout the week due to bad weather and external circumstances. Advertisement Hill said the successful launch confirmed an Australian company could design, build and operate technology in what he called one of the most demanding flight regimes on Earth. It is an important step toward delivering hypersonic systems that are operationally relevant for Australia and its allies. Hypersonix chief executive Matt Hill and co-founder Michael Smart. The Photo Pitch Related Video Video icon 2:01 Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg named 2026 Australian of the Year Hypersonix has 58 staff in Australia, most aged under 30, while UQ ranks as one of the worlds top universities in hypersonic research. The DART was assembled in Brisbane and transported to the US with great difficulty. The engine used in this flight is the fastest scramjet engine in the world today, Smart says, with the potential to power a vehicle to 12 times the speed of sound. Advertisement Where Australia falls down, Smart says, is in the commercialisation of its research and development. Thats what were really trying to do here. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaIran Opinion The stakes for Australia in Trumps Iran gamble Jennifer Parker Defence and national security expert March 1, 2026 7:50am March 1, 2026 7:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Last night, a missile struck the United States 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, a base where I served in 2023. That strike is a reminder of how much the strategic landscape has hardened in recent years. The United States and Israel have struck Iran. Tehran has responded immediately, targeting US and Israeli forces across the Gulf. This is not a limited reprise of last years strike on Irans nuclear program. The objective now appears broader. Washington appears to be attempting something far more ambitious than its limited strike in June 2025. It is seeking to remove what it views as a persistent source of instability in the region: the regime of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who US President Donald Trump says was killed in the strikes on his compound. Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-US strike on a girls elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday. Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency via AP It is a significant gamble. Whether it succeeds will not be clear for some time. How did we get here, and what does it mean for Australia? The answer to both is complex. Much will be written in coming days about the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the 1983 bombing of US Marines in Beirut, and the attack on USS Cole in Yemen in 2000. But the more relevant point is what Iran has represented strategically over the past two decades. Advertisement In recent years, Iran has acted as a destabilising force across the Middle East, relying on proxies to conduct attacks in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel, with Iranian-linked activity also reported in Australia last year. This has been reinforced by direct action, including the 2019 missile strikes on Saudi Arabia and persistent harassment of commercial shipping. Some incidents make headlines. Many do not. Related Article Updated Middle East at war One of the most evil people in history: Khamenei killed in strikes, Trump confirms Irans 2019 campaign of attacking merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman, including the seizure of a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, had tangible consequences. War risk insurance premiums rose sharply for vessels transiting the strait, a waterway through which roughly a quarter of the worlds oil flows. It was this pattern of attacks that prompted my 2020 Royal Australian Navy deployment to the Middle East as part of the International Maritime Security Construct, helping protect freedom of navigation through one of the worlds most critical chokepoints. Since 1979, the US and its allies have repeatedly surged forces to manage instability linked to Iran, while also in the past two decades sustaining major commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Middle East has consumed strategic attention, military resources and political capital. That sustained focus constrained Washingtons ability to compete as effectively as it might have with China. The Indo-Pacific was emerging as the central theatre of strategic competition while the US and its allies remained absorbed elsewhere. Washington has attempted to step back. During my time at the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain from 2022 to 2023, US naval force flow in the Middle East was at its lowest level in decades. Yet the Middle East still matters. The US has enduring allies and economic interests there, and Irans destabilising activity continued to draw American forces back. Advertisement In 2025 and 2026, aircraft carriers were diverted from the Indo-Pacific, where they were intended to deter China, to respond to crises in the Middle East. For a country that identifies China as its primary strategic competitor, that reallocation sits uneasily with its stated priorities. Related Article Analysis National security Entirely on form: Why Irans Revolutionary Guard targeted Australia Iran has also advanced a nuclear program with long-term weapons ambitions. There is no publicly available evidence that it was on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon, and many assessments suggest it remained years away, if at all. Even so, Irans hardened and dispersed nuclear infrastructure ensured that it would remain a persistent strategic complication for the US. Facilities constructed deep underground and bolstered against air attack are difficult to reconcile with a purely civilian nuclear intent. In his address following the strikes, President Trump indicated that regime change in Tehran was an objective, though not the sole one. That rhetoric raises the stakes. Moving from degrading capability to seeking political transformation alters the scale and risk of the undertaking. There is no widely accepted historical example of air power alone producing regime change without ground invasion, internal uprising or elite defection. US efforts at regime transformation in the Middle East have produced mixed results at best. This is therefore a high-risk strategic play. Advertisement If this succeeds, it could remove one persistent adversary from the US strategic calculus and allow greater focus on the Indo-Pacific. For Australia, Chinas military modernisation and coercive behaviour in our region represent the most consequential long-term security challenge. Sustained US attention there matters to our strategic outlook. Related Article Middle East at war Where are Irans nuclear facilities and does it have a nuclear weapons program? Periods of American distraction have carried costs. While Washington was absorbed in the Middle East, China accelerated island building and militarisation in the South China Sea. More recently, weapons support to Ukraine and operations against the Houthis have drawn down stockpiles and strained force availability. This attack on Iran may be an attempt to consolidate commitments rather than expand them. It may fail. It may deepen instability. But if it succeeds, it could strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and, in doing so, enhance Australias security. Jennifer Parker is an adjunct professor with the University of Western Australia Defence and Security Institute and a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute. She served for more than 20 years as a warfare officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Trump says US carrying out 'major combat operations' in Iran In an eight-minute video on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump confirmed the military action to eliminate "imminent threats from the Iranian regime". China's zero-tariff policy to benefit Congo's development: Congolese official Xinhua) 10:29, February 28, 2026 BRAZZAVILLE, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's zero-tariff policy will bring new opportunities for Congo's agricultural and industrial development, said Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, minister of international cooperation of the Republic of the Congo, hoping the measure will benefit the Congolese people. A China-Congo trade promotion and signing ceremony themed "Zero Tariff New Opportunities" was held on Thursday in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo. Christel, together with Chinese Ambassador for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Affairs Liu Yuxi, and Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo An Qing, attended the event. In an interview with Xinhua, Christel expressed hope that the zero-tariff policy will help enhance the added value of Congolese agricultural and industrial products, boost youth employment, and effectively improve local living standards. For his part, Liu said that the zero-tariff policy is a hallmark of China-Africa cooperation in the new era and an important step taken by China to expand unilateral opening-up. During the event, more than 10 enterprises from the two countries signed letters of intent for cooperation. Products from the Republic of the Congo, including poria cocos, peanuts and potassium salt, will be exported to China under the zero-tariff arrangement. China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1, 2026. At the same time, China will continue to push forward the negotiation and signing of the agreements on economic partnership for shared development, and further expand access for African exports to China by upgrading the "green channel" and other measures. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced the appointment of two new members to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These appointments reflect the commitment of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to transparency, rigorous science, and diverse clinical expertise in guiding the nation's immunization policies. In June 2025, Secretary Kennedy reconstituted ACIP to restore public trust in vaccines. The two new members are: Sean G. Downing, M.D., physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Downing is a Florida-licensed physician who has practiced primary care across the lifespan for more than two decades, including internal medicine and pediatric concierge care in Sarasota, Florida, with admission privileges at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He previously served as an outpatient primary care physician for medically uninsured patients in Nashua, New Hampshire, and also worked part-time in emergency/urgent care settings. Dr. Downing completed a combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency at Brown University and earned his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, with additional graduate training in physiology and pharmacology. Angelina Farella, M.D., pediatrician and owner of A Brighter Tomorrow Family Health and Wellness in Webster, Texas. Dr. Farella has practiced pediatric care for more than two decades, including leading her own practice since 2004 and serving in a range of clinical roles spanning private practice, pediatric urgent care, and locum tenens work. She completed pediatric residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), including service as Pediatric Chief Resident, and held academic appointments including Clinical Assistant Professor at UTMB and Adjunct Clinical Professor at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Farella earned her M.D. with honors from Ross University School of Medicine and her B.A. in Biology from Rutgers University. "ACIP must scrutinize the evidence openly, ask hard questions, and earn the nation's confidence through transparent deliberation," Secretary Kennedy said. "Dr. Downing and Dr. Farella bring decades of real-world experience caring for children, adults, and familiesand that frontline perspective is essential to making recommendations that are grounded in gold-standard science and worthy of public trust." "Public health works best when the science is rigorous and the process is transparent," said CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD. "These appointments strengthen ACIP with experienced clinicians who understand how immunization guidance matters for patients and families." ACIP provides recommendations to the CDC Director and HHS Secretary on the use of immunizations for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the civilian population of the United States. Terra Running Company is coordinating a 5K run at Greenway Park on May 16 at 9 a.m., as part of the Walk Run Pedal Jamz Festival hosted by the city of Cleveland and the 100 Black Men of Bradley County. Runner check-in will start at 8 a.m. in the park. This festival combines fun and purpose. The morning kicks off with a 5K run that has a $25 entry fee. The donation will support youth programs and scholarships for students in Cleveland and Bradley County. The first 200 participants will receive official timing, so be sure to sign up early. The first 25 to register will receive a complimentary festival T-shirt. Everyone who registered and attends on the day of the run (in-person or virtual runners) will be given a free ticket for a chance to win fitness and fun giveaways. You must be present to win. Click here to register for the race. The Walk Run Pedal Jamz Festival is free to attend and packed with activities for all ages. Enjoy food trucks, vendor tents, a toddler walk, free giveaways throughout the day, and live music. The featured band is the Dexter Thomas Band. There will also be a casual 12 mile walk and leisurely 57 mile bike ride. Click here to register for the walk and here for the bike ride. Registration is also open for vendor tents, food trucks, and volunteer opportunities. For more information about the festival, visit www.WalkRunPedalJamzFestival.com. Day Shift February 26: A Squad 26-001744 700 BLK Frawley Road- Disorder/Arrest Police were dispatched to this address after the caller reported her and her boyfriend engaged in a verbal confrontation. She also said he had pushed her, threatened to shoot her with an airsoft pistol, and attempted to keep her from leaving. A video of the incident disproved those claims and supported the caller had assaulted the male. She was arrested and charged with domestic assault. 26-001743 400 BLK Meadowlark Trail - Well-Being Check ERPD was dispatched to this address after neighbors grew concerned, they hadn't heard from the resident. Police contacted the resident who advised she was fine. 26-001741 1200 BLK South Seminole Drive - Suspicious Person A church member observed a man sleeping on the property and requested he leave. The party was checked for warrants and given a courtesy ride to his friends house. 26-001746 100 BLK Bass Pro Drive - Suspicious Person/Arrest Dispatch was notified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) that a female with outstanding warrants was attempting to purchase a handgun at the business. Officers contacted the suspect and took her into custody on outstanding harassment warrants. Night Shift February 26 : C Squad 26-001760 5300 BLK Connell Street Traffic Stop / Arrest Police Officers observed an older model Dodge Dakota driving down the road with a broken taillight. Police initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver. During a consensual search, Police located a total of 7.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and charged with Possession of Schedule II Drugs with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver. 26-001762 500 BLK Notre Dame Avenue Residential Fire Police Officers and Firefighters responded to a residential fire at this location. On scene, Police ensured all occupants exited the dwelling in a safe manner and the Fire Department assumed control of the scene. The fire was quickly extinguished. 26-001765 6500 BLK Ringgold Road Suspicious Person An anonymous person reported an elderly man was intoxicated and driving a red Ford Mustang in an erratic manner. Police Officers checked the area and located the Mustang pulling into a gas station. An officer spoke to the driver and determined that he was not intoxicated and the only beverage in his vehicle was iced tea. 26-001766 600 BLK Shady Lane Vehicle Fire Police Officers and Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire at this location. On scene, Firefighters located a vehicle with heavy smoke coming from the engine compartment. The small fire was contained without damaging the nearby home. A Fire Investigator determined the source of the fire was a battery booster that was incorrectly connected to the vehicle. 26-001767 1000 BLK McHann Drive Noise Complaint A neighbor reported loud music emanating from this location. Police spoke with the residents of the home, and they agreed to lower the volume. 26-001768 700 BLK Frawley Road Disorder Police Officers responded to this address after three separate callers reported a disorder at the location. ERPD spoke with several individuals who were involved in the incident. Police found that earlier in the day, a subject was arrested in the apartment for Domestic Assault. Police determined that the suspect had called the Hamilton County Dispatch and requested Disorder Prevention so she could collect her belongings. During that same timeframe, her friend initiated a disorder by beating on the apartment door and demanding entry. Police directed her to call for Disorder Prevention during normal business hours and counseled the friend on Disorderly Conduct. The individuals agreed to separate for the night. 26-001770 900 BLK South Seminole Drive Warrant Service / Arrest for Other Agency A Deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office (HSCO) contacted the East Ridge Police and notified them of a home invasion suspect that may be in their jurisdiction. Police were informed that the suspect had several active warrants to include Burglary, Aggravated Assault, and Theft of Property. Based on the HSCO Deputys information, Police checked the complex and located the subjects gray Infiniti Q50 in the parking lot. A search warrant was obtained, and the wanted party was eventually located in his sisters apartment. He was taken into custody and transported to Hamilton County Jail without incident. The sounds of traditional Appalachian music will once again echo through downtown Etowah as the 31st Annual Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Festival returns on Friday and Saturday, March 67 at the historic Gem Theater and the nearby L&N Depot.The weekend celebration honors the legacy of Cousin Jake Tullock, a beloved East Tennessee performer who gained national recognition as bassist and comedian for Flatt & Scruggs, and was later inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.Known for his humor, musicianship and love of Appalachian traditions, Cousin Jakes spirit lives on through this annual festival.The festival opens on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. with the John Studdard Memorial Gospel Concert, a heartfelt tribute to a cherished figure in Etowahs music community. Mr. Studdard was a founding member of the Hiwassee Ridge Bluegrass Band, a dedicated member of the Etowah Arts Commission and longtime coordinator of the Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Festival.Friday evenings concert will feature performances by Just Us and Lakeside Bluegrass, both Southeast Tennessee favorites. Admission is free and open to the public.Music continues on Saturday, March 7, with the Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Concert beginning at 1 p.m. at the Gem Theater.The days lineup includes: Wilson & Cross; Just Us; Lakeside Bluegrass; Valley Grass Express; and Headliner: Seth Mulder & Midnight Run.On Saturday afternoon from noon-4 p.m., visitors are invited to enjoy Pickin at the Depot at the historic L&N Depot, where local musicians will gather for informal bluegrass jams in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.Guests are encouraged to bring their instruments and join in the jam.Festivalgoers can also enjoy food and refreshments throughout the day, with Iron Pig BBQ and Tennessee Pop Shop set up at the depot, and concessions provided at the Gem Theater by Southern Sweets Bakery.Admission: Friday Night Gospel Concert: free Saturday Bluegrass Concert: $10 admission Children 12 and under: freeOrganizers said, "The Cousin Jake Tullock Memorial Bluegrass Festival is a proud tradition that celebrates the music, heritage and community spirit of the Tennessee Overhill region. Locals and visitors alike are invited to come enjoy a full weekend of authentic bluegrass, fellowship and Appalachian culture in the heart of Etowah."For more information, contact the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association, or visit the Gem Theater in downtown Etowah. The government should not be forcing itself into Boy Scouts in any way, period. As an Eagle Scout, I feel that the changes made today as well as in 2024 have changed what the organization was and will be in the future. While I know and accept that horrible mistakes have been made in the past within the program, the way it has been handled is a huge mistake. Now, Scouting America will be altering its policies at the request of the Pentagon. In all my life, I did not expect to even think this was something that the organization would consider, let alone approve. The BSA is also discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge, and replacing it with a Military Service merit badge. I know many, many merit badges are discontinued for various reasons, as I have several that have been discontinued, such as beekeeping, Communications, Handicap Awareness, and Machinery. I feel that letting the government in, especially the Pentagon, will alter the spirit and the honor of this program. I ask myself, should I still be proud to have achieved the rank of Eagle? Do I still represent and agree with what Scouting is changing and turning into? Sadly, I feel that changes will continue, with excluding transgender youth, as well as the handicapped and those that may not agree with what the current administration is doing with the program. While I was in the BSA program, I did things that I never thought I would do in my life. From handling firearms, to riding a horse, to learning Morse code, to rappelling off parts of the Smoky Mountains, as well as a police training course. Also, taking charge of a group of individuals, and finishing a project that was to be approved by a committee. I built a lean-to, and slept in it multiple nights, learned survival skills, and, most importantly, I interacted with other people that I would have never gotten the chance to - from my own troop, to interacting with various troops at Scout camp. But now, I fear that the BSA will be pushed to include military propaganda, exclude groups, and teach our youth with skewed agendas. My troop had many different types of boys, parents, and leaders. I learned so much from so many people, an FBI agent, teachers, Vietnam veterans, even former police officers. Our government needs to be hands-off, and should include everyone. I for one would certainly welcome anyone that would like to learn and be part of this historic and amazing program. A statue of Will Rogers sits in front of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and above a mausoleum where he rests with family members. The Memorial Museum plans to develop a program that can be taken to schools to allow students to learn more about Will Rogers. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Photo credit: Facebook/ Dr. Robert Jeffress / As he prepared to accept one of Christian medias most prestigious awards, Pastor Robert Jeffress emphasized the importance of integrity in leadership and warned that no minister is beyond the possibility of moral collapse. Im very honored and feel very undeserving to receive the reward, the 70-year-old pastor, author and broadcaster told The Christian Post before receiving the 2026 NRB William Ward Ayer Award for Distinguished Service at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention. Its a sober reminder none of us is immune to moral failure. The honor was presented during the NRBs annual convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and recognizes longstanding excellence and character in Christian communications. Jeffress, who leads the 16,000-member First Baptist Dallas and serves as the Bible teacher for the broadcast ministry Pathway to Victory, said the recognition reinforces his commitment to remain faithful. We all know there are many ministers and ministries that have fallen into sin and really given enemies of the Lord a reason to blaspheme the name of Christ, he said. We need to be alert, as the Scripture says, on guard. Our adversary, the devil, roars about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Founded in 1996 after a church member in Jeffress previous Texas congregation offered to fund its first year on television, Pathway to Victory has grown significantly. Today, the program airs on more than 1,100 radio stations and 10,000 television outlets in seven languages. Reflecting on shifts within the broader church landscape, Jeffress said denominational labels carry less weight than they once did. People really dont care anymore about what denominations believe. They want to know, What does the Bible say? he said. Its not Thus saith Robert. Its Thus saith the Lord. Citing 1 Corinthians 4:7, he added, What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you act as if you did not receive it? He said any good in his life is attributable to what God or others with Gods power have done for me. Jeffress also encouraged believers not to abandon the local church despite its imperfections. The Bible says Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, he said. If you ever find a perfect church, dont join it. You won't find that till you get to Heaven, but you can find a Bible-based church. There are plenty of biblically based churches with sincere men and women in leadership. Find that church, and if it's not perfect, work to make it better, but don't give up on the church. Addressing declining church affiliation in the United States, Jeffress said he does not anticipate a nationwide spiritual awakening in the near future. If there were a great revival going on, you would see people flocking to church, not exiting from the church, he said. I think there are pockets of it here and there ... but that shouldn't discourage us, because the truth is, the light of the Gospel shines brightest in the darkness. If there were a great revival going on, you would see people flocking to church, not exiting from the church. If there were a great revival going on, you would see basic positions of Christianity being held on to, rather than let go of. If you saw a great revival, you would see a great increase in sexual morality and so forth. Jeffress cautioned that legislative victories alone cannot substitute for spiritual transformation. I'm not reneging on what I've said in the past, Jeffress said. I think as Christians, we should vote our biblical convictions, but we need to understand that the short-term trajectory of this nation is downward away from God, but that gives us even greater opportunity to share the Gospel well. The full original interview is available at The Christian Post. Home News Imprisoned archbishop sees incarceration as 'providential' amid crackdown on Armenian church WASHINGTON Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan considers it a great privilege to face incarceration amid the ongoing prosecution of Armenian Apostolic Church leaders and escalating tension with the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, an advocate has said. In a small, plain prison meeting room, the gray-bearded, lively-eyed, and cassocked archbishop cut a larger-than-life figure, Christian Solidarity International President John Eibner said of Galstanyan during a Thursday briefing organized by the opposition coalition National Democratic Alliance on Capitol Hill. Eibner recounted his visit with the archbishop, who has been imprisoned since June 2025 on what the advocate calls "trumped-up charges" of terrorism and conspiracy to overthrow the government." The meeting, which also included one of Eibner's colleagues, was organized by a team of pro bono lawyers at the Armenian Center for Political Rights. [Galstanyan] assured us it was a great privilege to be incarcerated because of his efforts to be faithful to Christ, faithful to his church, and faithful to his nation, especially at a time when that Christian nation and its civilization faces an existential threat," Eibner said. The event focused on Pashinyans ongoing crackdown on top leaders within the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the world's oldest national churches, as well as the aftermath of Vice President JD Vances historic visit to Armenia. Galstanyan, who headed the Tavush for the Motherland movement, suspended his priesthood in 2024 and announced plans to run for prime minister. He headed the Tavush Diocese in Armenia's northeast, which opposed land concessions to Azerbaijan, and led a protest movement against Pashinyan. Archbishop Bagrat believes it providential that he should now be an inmate in Kentron Prison, where the Armenian KGB executed his episcopal namesake and role model during Stalins Great Purge of 1937, Eibner said. That was Archbishop Bagrat Vardazarian. This martyr of the Church had also been falsely charged with plotting to overthrow the government. The Armenian Apostolic Church dates back to the early fourth century and serves as the most solid institutional bastion of Armenian nationhood and of Christian witness among Armenians," Eibner said. Armenias national church has survived the violent efforts of the atheistic Soviet authorities to eradicate [it], he said. It has also survived the Armenian Genocide that began in 1915 as well as the ethno-religious cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, known affectionately to Armenians as Artsakh. Because of the spiritual and institutional strength of the Armenian Apostolic Church, it has not been enough for Pashinyan to imprison only Archbishop Bagrat, the CSI president said during the briefing. He was the first of more than a dozen prominent clerics who have been placed behind bars, consigned to house arrest, or indicted on a slew of unsubstantiated charges including terrorism, coup plotting, obstruction of justice, and even planting drugs. In May 2025, Pashinyan made a series of critical statements against the head of the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, and called for his forced removal. Following the verbal attacks, the prime minister began arresting and imprisoning high-ranking archbishops and clergy members. Eibner contends that the charges against Armenian church leaders are part of a movement to adhere to Pashinyans "Real Armenia" ideology. Pashinyans ideology, he contends, calls for seizing control of the Armenian Apostolic Church and transforming it into a servant of the state. Archbishop Bagrat has long seen the Ideology of Real Armenia as nothing more than appeasement in the hope of satisfying Turkeys and Azerbaijans harsh conditions for accepting Pashinyans submission to their authority, Eibner stated. Should the Real Armenia project continue unchecked, it is not only conceivable but is very likely that within a generation Armenian Christians will be a minority in Armenia, without political agency, living mainly in a diminishing Armenian quarter in Yerevan, much like one finds today in Aleppo or in Jerusalem, he added. At the end of the visit with Galstanyan, Eibner received a letter from the archbishop, which he delivered to Vance ahead of the vice presidents visit to Armenia in February. Eibner recounted each of the actions that the archbishop recommended that the Trump administration take to achieve genuine and lasting peace in Armenia by securing the following: the release of the Armenian Christian prisoners held in Baku, as already called for by President Trump," "the release of the church-related prisoners held in Yerevan," and "guarantees for the safe return, with fundamental human rights intact, of the 150,000 Armenian Christians who were forced out of their homes in Nagorno Karabakh. During his visit to Armenia, Eibner noted that Vance endorsed Pashinyans reelection campaign and later deleted a tweet referencing the Armenian Genocide. Following the vice presidents visit, Armenian prosecutors pressed criminal charges against the Catholicos and placed a travel ban on him and six other bishops after a pro-Pashinyan cleric was excommunicated. Wittingly or unwittingly, Vances visit has effectively given the green light for the continuation of the persecution of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Eibner asserts, calling on the Trump administration to show strength and conviction by defending the Armenian Apostolic Church. In addition to Eibner, Ambassador Alberto Fernandez of the Middle East Media Research Institute, and former European Union special envoy, Jan Figel, also spoke at the briefing. Fernandez told attendees that there is a clear, direct connection between the freedom given to the Church or to religious bodies and other freedoms of speech and conscience. I dont know of any situation where a regime persecutes religious bodies and then turns around and is open and accepting of secular criticism, political criticism, sarcasm, any other kind of stuff, the MEMRI vice president warned. Regimes that dont want to hear criticism from religious authorities tend also not to want to hear criticism from the media or from secular critics, he added. Home News Trump confirms Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead; Iran missile strikes Tel Aviv Iran hits back with missiles targeting Israel, US bases; Trump urges Iranians to seize power Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET, Feb. 28, 2026: President Donald Trump confirmed in a lengthy post on Truth Social late Saturday afternoon that Iran's 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is dead. Earlier in the day, a senior Israeli official confirmed that 40 senior leaders of the Iranian regime were also killed in targeted Israeli and U.S. strikes. News agencies in Iran, however, claim that Khamenei is alive and remains "steadfast and firm in commanding the field." In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said in part: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country, he said. Hopefully, the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots. Read the president's post in full here. Updated at 3:15 p.m. ET, Feb. 28, 2026: Forty senior leaders of the Iranian regime, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have been killed in targeted Israeli and U.S. strikes, a senior Israeli official has said. In Tel Aviv, Israel, more than 20 people were injured from a missile that hit a residential building, according to Israels emergency response service. Earlier Saturday, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that, as far as I know, Khamenei and senior officials are alive. Irans Tasnim and Mehr news agencies also reported that Khamenei was well and steadfast and firm in commanding the field, according to the Qatari government-run news outlet Al Jazeera. Original report: The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran on Saturday, targeting senior military leaders and calling for political change in the country. Iran responded by firing missiles toward Israel and several Gulf nations that host U.S. bases, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel and U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The U.S. military intercepted multiple Iranian missiles, The Wall Street Journal reports. President Donald Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida Saturday morning, said the operation aimed to eliminate what he called an imminent security threat and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. In a video message, he urged Iranian security forces to surrender and encouraged Iranians to overthrow their government once the bombing stopped. President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 Reports from regional sources said Irans defense minister, Amir Nasirzadeh, and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in the strikes. Israeli officials said they also targeted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, though the outcome was unclear. Iran denied Khamenei had been harmed, saying he was expected to deliver a speech. An Iranian source told Reuters that several senior Revolutionary Guards and political figures were killed. Iranian state media reported that 40 people died in a strike on a school, a claim Reuters could not independently confirm. Iran condemned the attacks as illegal and unprovoked. In a letter to the United Nations, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the Security Council to take immediate action to stop what he called unlawful aggression by the United States and Israel. He said [Benjamin] Netanyahu and [Donald] Trumps war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate." Araghchi warned that the countrys armed forces were prepared to teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve, according to The Telegraph. Iran has retaliated by launching missiles at Israel and at Gulf Arab countries. Explosions were reported in several oil-producing states, which said they intercepted incoming missiles, Reuters reports. A senior Revolutionary Guards commander, Ebrahim Jabbari, said Iran had used only scrap missiles so far and promised a stronger response. The Pentagon said the first wave of attacks part of what it called Operation Epic Fury primarily targeted Iranian officials. Israel said it hit strategic airdefense systems in western Iran. The U.N.s International Atomic Energy Agency said it had seen no radiological impact from the strikes or Irans retaliation, though it did not confirm whether nuclear facilities were targeted. In a televised statement Saturday, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that the U.K. has taken no part in the strikes in Iran, but said British planes "are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies" in the Middle East. "We've stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level," Starmer added. Condemning the actions of the Iranian regime, Starmer said, "They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent, and sought to destabilize the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community. He continued, "Over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on U.K. soil. So it is clear they must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. That remains the primary aim of the United Kingdom and our allies, including the US." My statement on Iran. pic.twitter.com/Ki4VVTYO4N Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 28, 2026 Following the strikes in Iran, the U.S. Transportation Department advised commercial vessels to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, citing significant military activity. The agency said U.S.flagged, owned or crewed ships should stay at least 30 nautical miles from U.S. military vessels to avoid misidentification. Trump, in his speech Saturday morning, referenced decades of U.S.Iran tensions, including the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and said the current operation is intended to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. He warned Iranians to remain sheltered because bombs will be dropping everywhere, but added, When we are finished, take over your government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint operation would create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands." Irans leadership had already been under pressure following mass antigovernment protests in January, which were met with a severe crackdown. Home News Republicans rally behind Trump as US strikes Iranian nuclear sites, enters Israel-Iran war After the United States carried out coordinated strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites Saturday, several congressional Republicans praised President Donald Trump for bringing the country into Israels war with Iran, a move that has sparked fears of a broader regional conflict. Trump confirmed the attacks Saturday evening, saying American forces had completely and fully obliterated Irans key nuclear facilities. The Pentagon said the strikes targeted Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan sites, using bunker-buster bombs dropped by B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. submarines, according to The Associated Press. The Fordo site, buried under a mountain, was among the most heavily fortified locations in Irans nuclear program. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs showed the facilitys entry tunnels blocked and smoke lingering in the air, said the newswire. Trump said the strikes marked a historic moment and warned Tehran that there will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran. Responses from members of Congress both those in favor and those opposed to the actions followed. Well done, President Trump, said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called it a courageous and correct decision. Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt described the action as strong and surgical. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he stood with the president as we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who was briefed before the operation, said the attacks proved President Trump means what he says. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Ark., said he had been in touch with the White House and thanked U.S. servicemembers for carrying out precise and successful strikes. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said Trump had eliminated the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania broke with most of his Democratic colleagues to support the strikes. Iran is the worlds leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities, he posted, calling the move correct, according to the AP. But not all lawmakers agreed. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said the action was unconstitutional, and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., posted that his attention to the matter should have come BEFORE bombs fall, citing his duty under the U.S. Constitution. The Senate is expected to vote soon on a resolution by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., requiring congressional approval before the U.S. can declare war or take military action against Iran, according to the AP. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at any of the locations. Irans Atomic Energy Organization claimed the countrys nuclear program would continue. Irans Foreign Ministry denounced the strikes, declaring that the U.S. had launched a dangerous war and warned that Iran reserves its right to resist with full force. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told reporters in Istanbul Sunday, Im going to Moscow this afternoon, and I have a meeting with President Putin tomorrow morning. Russia is a friend of Iran, as reported by Reuters. Hours after the U.S. assault, Irans Revolutionary Guard fired 40 missiles at Israel, including the Khorramshahr-4 model, which can carry multiple warheads. One building in Tel Aviv was heavily damaged, and over 80 people were injured, mostly with minor wounds. The Israeli military said it quickly destroyed the launchers used in the Iranian missile attack and began retaliatory strikes against military targets in western Iran. The country also closed its airspace to commercial flights following the American operation. The U.S. intervention follows nine days of Israeli airstrikes that weakened Irans missile defenses and nuclear facilities. U.S. and Israeli officials said the window created by Israels campaign gave the U.S. a rare opportunity to cripple Irans nuclear program. The Trump administration had spent two months engaged in back-channel talks with Tehran in a failed effort to secure a diplomatic halt to Irans nuclear activities. In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trumps action, saying, Your bold decision to target Irans nuclear facilities will change history. The U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called the strikes a dangerous escalation and urged all sides to pursue diplomacy. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen called for Muslim nations to unite against the Zionist-American arrogance. Home News President Trump declares war on evil Iranian regime: Operation Epic Fury This is the full transcript of U.S. President Donald Trumps address to the American people, delivered early on Saturday morning. The transcript was lightly edited for clarity. A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran's proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran's proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7th attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before. Iran is the world's number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why, in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it again. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. They didn't know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They've rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions. And we can't take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We are going to annihilate their navy. We will ensure that the regimes terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world, attack our forces, or use IEDs and roadside bombs to wound and kill thousands including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It's a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration. And there is no military on Earth even close to its power, strength, or sophistication. My administration has taken every possible step to minimize risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so and I do not make this statement lightly the Iranian regime may seek retaliation. Courageous American heroes may be lost. We may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we're doing this not for now. We're doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm's way, and we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or, in the alternative, face certain death. So lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America's help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May God bless the brave men and women of America's armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Home News Va. Gov. Spanberger facing criticism after criminal illegal immigrant stabs woman to death at bus stop Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is facing criticism over her public safety and immigration policies after an illegal immigrant who fatally stabbed a woman at a Fairfax County bus stop was found to have a lengthy arrest history. Abdul Jalloh, 32, has been charged with the murder of Stephanie Minter, 41, of Fredericksburg, in an attack at a bus stop shelter Monday night, the Fairfax County Police Department said, according to Fox News. Officers found Minter with stab wounds to her upper body, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Jalloh, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone, has a criminal history of more than 30 arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security, including for rape, malicious wounding, assault, identity theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, assault and pick-pocketing, station WFMD reports. Surveillance cameras captured Jalloh exiting a bus with Minter near Richmond Highway and Arlington Drive shortly before the murder. Authorities arrested him the next day at a liquor store after an employee called 911, initially taking him into custody for alleged shoplifting before investigators linked him to the homicide a day later. Investigators said they were still working to determine a motive for the killing. Online court records show Jalloh has more than a dozen arrests in northern Virginia, including charges of petty larceny and malicious wounding. In most of those cases, prosecutors reportedly dropped the charges. Laura Birnbaum, chief of staff for Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano, said the defendant was known to prosecutors and that the office was acutely aware of the risk he posed to the community. Birnbaum said the office secured a conviction against Jalloh in a 2023 malicious wounding case and sought to have him held in custody during later encounters with the criminal justice system. Birnbaum added that Jalloh had a history of selecting victims with no fixed address and said prosecutors in several cases were unable to proceed because victims could not be located or contacted. Minter was a happy, jolly person and a beam of light in dark places, according to an obituary. The murder has drawn political attention as federal officials criticized policies in Virginia that they say limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Gov. Spanberger ended all 287(g) agreements in Virginia on Feb. 4, referring to partnerships that allow local law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration authorities in identifying and processing people for removal. The department said the change makes the state less safe and requires federal officers to take a more visible role in apprehending suspects released from local custody. In a statement released ahead of Spanbergers response to President Donald Trumps State of the Union address, Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said DHS officers under the current administration have removed more than 700,000 illegal immigrants from American communities and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, is targeting individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes. Bis also said sanctuary politicians, including Spanberger, have tried to slow ICE operations and have chosen to release criminal suspects from local jails into communities. Federal officials maintain that cooperation between local agencies and DHS expands the resources available to arrest people accused of immigration violations. The department pointed to enforcement outcomes in other states, citing 40,000 arrests in Florida, where local agencies cooperate with DHS and a recent two-week operation in West Virginia that resulted in more than 650 arrests. DHS also said seven of the 10 safest cities in the U.S. cooperate with ICE. Federal officials listed several individuals they identified as criminal illegal immigrants in custody or facing charges in separate cases, including people convicted of offenses such as murder, sexual crimes against minors and other violent felonies. Authorities in Fairfax County said the investigation into Minters murder remains ongoing as they continue to review evidence and seek to determine what led to the fatal stabbing. Home News Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu declare war on ayatollah regime, tell Iranian people: Take over your govt! The leaders of the United States and Israel declared the launch of a broad, coordinated military operation against the Iranian regime on Saturday morning, beginning with massive waves of airstrikes across several areas in the country. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the start of major combat operations in Iran, explaining that the objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. At the time of publication, there was no verified information available regarding the extent and the targets of the combined U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Sounds of explosions and unverified footage of smoke plumes were reported from Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and several other cities. Internet access was almost completely blocked in Iran on Saturday morning, according to the Internet Observatory NetBlocks. President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 Trumps comments echoed statements he made during the State of the Union address on Wednesday, where he stressed the threat that the ayatollah regime posed to American interests. The president made clear that the destruction of the regime is a central objective of Operation Epic Fury, addressing the great and proud people of Iran: The hour of your freedom is at hand. Trump advised Iranians to stay sheltered during the strikes, adding, When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This may be your only chance for generations. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his own statement, thanked Trump for his historic leadership, stressing that our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short while ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. pic.twitter.com/nhlJTfTi8i Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 28, 2026 In a notable departure from previous statements, Netanyahu explicitly mentioned several minorities in Iran, saying the time had come for them to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran, including Kurds, Azeris, Baloch and Ahwazi, as well as the Persians, who are the ethnic majority in the country. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has chanted Death to Israel and Death to America. It has shed our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity, Netanyahu stressed. Trump, for his part, noted the U.S. has always said that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon, noting that the regime consistently refused a nuclear deal and just wanted to practice evil. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and continue developing long-range missiles that can threaten our friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and potentially the American homeland itself. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if it ever possessed nuclear weapons, Trump said. The American president stressed the regimes history of hostility toward the U.S., noting attacks on the U.S. embassy in 1979, the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, the USS Cole in 2000, and on American forces in Iraq, where the regime killed and maimed hundreds of American service members. He added, The regimes proxies have continued launching countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. From Lebanon to Yemen, and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth in blood. For these reasons, the United States military has undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests, he stressed. Trump declared that the U.S. military would destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, which Israel had classified as a strategic threat on the level of the nuclear program. We are going to annihilate their navy. We will ensure that the regimes terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world, he continued. Addressing members of the Iranian armed forces and police, Trump promised them complete immunity if they laid down their weapons. Otherwise, you will face certain death. This article was originally published at All Israel News Home Opinion Bethel's 'culture of honor' is a prettier name for culture of idolatry Ive never attended Bethel Church or their school of ministry, and Ive only listened to a handful of sermons by Bill Johnson. However, as a lifelong Pentecostal/charismatic, Im aware that Bethels influence has saturated charismatic culture for decades. One concept Bethel promotes is creating and maintaining a culture of honor. This sounds like a beautiful and biblical idea, since human beings should honor one another as image bearers of God but what does it really mean? In Bethels view, current forms of church leadership should be discarded, and five-fold ministers (based on Ephesians 4:11) should be placed in charge. While the notion of five-fold ministry is a theologically complex issue, suffice it to say this reconsideration of leadership structure offers an alternative to top-heavy, authoritarian, pastor-led churches. Keeping in mind the gamut of views on what five-fold ministry should look like, one supposed benefit of implementing this type of leadership is that it puts people in power in a position to empower those around them, thus making it possible for Gods kingdom to come and his will to be done. The blurb on the back of Culture of Honor by Danny Silk makes exactly this claim, and quotes Matthew 20:25-26 in that context: But Jesus called them to Himself and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Yet note that Jesus doesnt say we should seek positions of honor in order to empower others. He explicitly says we are not to exercise authority over others we are to serve them. The question must be asked: How has honor culture worked out in real time? Culture of Honor was written in 2013. At the time, its premise resonated with many charismatics, feeling like a breath of fresh air in its attempt to contrast the culture of shame that is present in certain swaths of the church. It tapped into something real. Sadly, the concept didnt age well. Despite the appeal of honor culture (and many peoples genuinely positive experience of feeling honored and loved at Bethel), evidence now reveals its significant flaws. Recently, Bethel leaders offered an apology for failing to protect and prioritize victims of abuse in the case of Shawn Bolz. Since then, another abuse survivor has stepped forward, this time with regard to Bethels prophetic ministry overseer Ben Armstrong. If we pan out to look at the charismatic church in general, one celebrity leader after another is tumbling off their pedestal as more and more abuse victims speak out. (Of course, this issue is not limited to charismatics.) Im afraid weve only seen the tip of the iceberg. The problem is systemic. And with the charismatic movement in particular, honor culture is part of the issue. The idea of people in power using their position to empower those around them sounds nice but the actual practice doesnt work. Instead, the people who receive honor in a culture of honor arent the ordinary folks. Honor is reserved for leaders. Leaders are elevated, revered, cherished, and protected. Just watch what happens when a celebrity pastor commits clergy sexual abuse. What is seen as the tragedy in that scenario? Not the unfathomable damage to the soul of the victim(s). Not the fact that a leader used his position of power to selfishly use and abuse someone in his spiritual care. No, the great tragedy, apparently, is that a ministers reputation might be tarnished and he might lose his position. At least Bethel made a public apology, which is more than can be said for other churches facing this kind of egregious shepherding failure. But a public apology is the very smallest first step in the direction of real repentance and thats only if the apology is sincere, which will take time to prove. When we discover that our admired leaders have been covering for abusers (or have been abusers themselves), here's the question we face: Shouldnt we be more concerned about the sheep whove been wounded than with the shepherds who let the wolves inor worse, who are wolves themselves? It appears that the culture of honor functionally means that every leader has so much potential good in them that they can never be held accountable or face any significant consequences for sin, no matter how reprehensible. Which in turn means we push for the restoration of our cherished celebrity leaders and revictimize the wounded in the process. But Jesus heart is for the marginalized, the spurned, the rejected. We do well to pay attention to his harsh words for those who harm the vulnerable: But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6). The abominable behavior of abusive, predatory spiritual leaders causes trauma in those they harm. The combination of spiritual abuse and SA is especially soul-shattering. Its no wonder many victims have left the faith. So, how has "honor culture" worked out in real time? Has it demonstrated value for every image-bearer, not just for those at the top? Does it prioritize justice, righteousness, protection, peace, and well-being for all? Have those in power empowered everyone else? No. Instead, culture of honor is code for, Dont ever make your leaders look bad, no matter how badly they behave. In other words, leaders matter, and the people they hurt do not. Turns out, honor culture is not honorable at all. Its just a prettier name for a culture of idolatry. Susanne Maynes is the author of Prophesying Daughters: How Prophetic Ministry and Women in Leadership Strengthen the Church. She holds a Master of Theological Studies degree and served as Director of Prophetic Ministry for six years at her former church (she currently co-leads a house church with her husband). Susanne offers an original, scholarly research-based workshop on prophetic development to churches and enjoys preaching as opportunities arise, as well as blogging regularly. Home Opinion Candace Owens must be excommunicated for the sake of her soul I do not write these words lightly. To call for the excommunication of a fellow Catholic is not rhetorical theater. It is not partisan strategy. It is not personal grievance. It is, if it is anything at all, an act of trembling seriousness. And yet, Candace Owens must be excommunicated. Excommunication in the Catholic Church is not spiritual exile. It is a severe mercy. It is medicinal. Its purpose is not humiliation but repentance. It is meant to awaken a soul and to protect the faithful when grave, public distortion of the faith places others in danger. Candace Owens is not merely a political commentator who happens to be Catholic. She has become one of the most influential voices shaping Gen Z Catholics in America. Her reach is vast. Her words travel faster than bishops letters. For many young Catholics who feel disoriented by cultural chaos and ecclesial confusion, she appears strong, decisive, unafraid. But influence carries proportionate responsibility. When that influence is wrapped in Catholic identity while gravely misrepresenting Catholic teaching particularly in ways that contradict the Churchs explicit moral and doctrinal commitments the damage is not merely political. It is ecclesial and spiritual. The decisive issue is not that she holds controversial views. Catholics may disagree about prudential policy questions. The decisive issue is that she speaks as though she represents authentic Catholic teaching while publicly distorting what the Church actually teaches. The Church does not outsource doctrine to social media influencers. Especially not to someone so recently received into the Church who now speaks as though she possesses the authority of those entrusted with guarding the apostolic faith. Under the Code of Canon Law, obstinate, public distortion of teachings that require assent can constitute grave matter especially when it causes scandal. When a Catholic with global reach repeatedly frames her interpretations as faithful Catholicism while contradicting authoritative teaching, the matter ceases to be political commentary. It becomes doctrinal confusion on a mass scale. We have seen bishops act decisively when clarity was required. In 2010, Bishop Thomas Olmsted declared that St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center could no longer be called Catholic after administrators authorized a direct abortion in contradiction to Church teaching. Sister Margaret McBride incurred automatic excommunication for her cooperation in that act. Bishop Olmsteds intervention was controversial, painful, and widely debated. But he acted because the integrity of Catholic teaching and the salvation of souls required unmistakable clarity. His decision was not an act of vengeance, but an exercise of pastoral governance. That example matters. The Church disciplines her own when public contradiction of core teaching creates scandal and confusion among the faithful. The purpose is not to punish but to delineate the boundaries of authentic Catholic witness. Candace Owens commands enormous digital authority. When she speaks about Jews and Judaism in ways that contradict the Churchs magisterial commitments, many young Catholics assume they are hearing legitimate Catholic teaching. When polemic is presented as orthodoxy, the faithful are misled. The bishops are the authentic teachers of the flock. Not viral personalities. This is not about suppressing disagreement. It is about protecting the integrity of the Churchs teaching authority and preventing scandal. I wish young people spent as much time reading Sacred Scripture as they do consuming social media clips. A generation hungry for truth is being formed more by algorithms than by the Word of God. If public distortion persists and if correction is refused then discipline may become an act of charity. Excommunication would not declare her beyond hope. It would clarify that her platform does not speak for the Church. It would mark a boundary between Catholic doctrine and personal polemic. And it would be for her soul as well. To wield extraordinary influence while gravely misrepresenting the faith places one in real spiritual peril. Our Lord did not mince words about the danger of leading others astray: Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6) Bishop Olmsted acted because clarity was necessary. If a diocesan bishop were to determine that canonical thresholds have been met in this case after dialogue, warning, and pastoral effort he would not be acting out of politics. He would be exercising his duty as shepherd. The alternative is more corrosive: a generation of Gen Z Catholics increasingly unsure who speaks with authority in the Church, increasingly formed by charismatic personalities rather than apostolic teaching, increasingly equating outrage with fidelity. As St. Paul exhorts us, we are called to be speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). And as Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Caritas in Veritate, Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Sometimes love requires courage not the courage of spectacle, but the courage to guard the flock and to call even the powerful to repentance, for the sake of their souls and ours. In this article XYZ Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Block, listens during the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, June 4, 2021. Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty Images The tech industry has spent the last couple years debating whether artificial intelligence will actually eliminate jobs at scale or simply be used as an excuse for companies to engage in mass layoffs. Block just firmly planted its flag. Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of the Square parent, announced Thursday that his company is cutting about 40% of its workforce, reducing head count from over 10,000 to just under 6,000. And he was explicit about the reason, telling investors on Block's earnings call that "intelligence tools" have fundamentally changed what it means to build and run a company. Dorsey suggested the rest of corporate America is about to follow suit, predicting that the majority of businesses will reach the same conclusion within a year. "Our business is strong," Dorsey wrote in a post on X. "Gross profit continues to grow, we continue to serve more and more customers, and profitability is improving. But something has changed." watch now Investors instantly embraced the message, sending the stock up about 25% in extended trading on Thursday, though the gains were muted a bit on Friday, with shares closing up 17%. Block also provided an earnings forecast for the year that sailed past estimates, even as results for the past quarter were largely inline with expectations. Morgan Stanley analysts upgraded Block to overweight, writing that AI-driven efficiencies should deliver increased profitability. Analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their price target, noting that the cuts would vault Block from middle of the pack to near the top in fintech workforce productivity. Wells Fargo kept its buy rating, calling the quarter "chock full of positive surprise." Block expects to take a $450 million to $500 million hit for restructuring costs, largely front-loaded in the first quarter, with the bulk of the cuts done by the middle of the year. Dorsey said he chose to act all at once rather than phase the cuts. "Repeated rounds of cuts are destructive to morale, to focus, and to the trust that customers and shareholders place in our ability to lead," he wrote. AI efficiencies The move dwarfs recent AI-linked cuts at Pinterest , CrowdStrike and Chegg , and lands as the debate over AI and jobs is consuming Wall Street. Earlier this week, Citrini Research published a thought experiment that went viral titled, "The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis" a hypothetical memo set two years in the future warning that AI-driven layoffs could trigger a negative feedback loop of white-collar displacement, collapsing consumer spending and systemic financial damage. While the report found its share of critics, notably from Citadel Securities, the argument that AI-based head count reductions would first show up at strong, profitable software companies has a real-world case study. Block says it's now aiming for north of $2 million in gross profit per head roughly quadruple where that figure sat before Covid. Goldman noted that the cuts appear concentrated in engineering roles rather than revenue-generating or regulatory positions consistent with Block leaning on its in-house AI platform, Goose, to replace that work. Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost said on Friday that revenue per employee is the defining efficiency metric for management teams. "We are absolutely looking at efficiency moving forward," Anagnost told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "We are going to hire less people at Autodesk because of efficiency. We're certainly seeing engineering efficiency because of AI." watch now Still, not everyone is buying Dorsey's explanation. Block ballooned from about 4,000 employees in 2019 to nearly 13,000 during the pandemic, a fact that was cited by skeptics across social media after the cuts were announced. Dorsey acknowledged the overhiring on X, calling it a mistake he corrected in mid-2024. Goldman noted that the reduction effectively takes Block's head count back to 2020 levels. Dorsey previously went on another hiring spree when he ran Twitter. Elon Musk slashed roughly 80% of Twitter's payroll within six months of buying the company, later renamed X, in 2022. Analysts at Piper Sandler reiterated their underweight rating on Block after Thursday's report, emphasizing that the company's transaction losses increased to 18% of gross profit in the period from 14% in the prior quarter and 11% a year earlier. "Bottom line, while the right sizing from XYZ is being well received by investors and should boost ST profitability, it seems like an extreme step, and we remain skeptical of XYZ's longer term growth profile," the analysts wrote. WATCH: Block shares pop more than 20%, announces plan to reduce workforce by almost half Airlines canceled hundreds of Middle East flights while dozens of others diverted midflight due to closed airspace over a large swath of the region after the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes in Iran. Some service was paused until at least the end of next week. Travel chaos spread as far as Brazil and Australia. Airspace closures also forced carriers to scrub flights that would normally transit the region. More than 1,800 flights in and out of the Middle East countries were canceled on Saturday, according to aviation data firm Cirium. Another 1,400 flights in and out of the region were canceled for Sunday, Cirium added. Qatar Airways said it was temporarily suspending all flights, while Dubai-based Emirates said service at Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, was halted. "We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements," Emirates said in a statement. "The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority." Airspace was closed over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, according to Flightradar24. Air India said it was suspending all flights to the Middle East on Saturday. It later also canceled flights between India and both Europe and the United States scheduled for Sunday, a sign of how the airspace closures were affecting flights that regularly transit the region. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad also canceled all departures through Sunday afternoon from and to that airport. Berkshire Hathaway 's Greg Abel used his first annual shareholder letter as chief executive to reassure investors that the conglomerate's culture of financial conservatism and disciplined investing established under Warren Buffett will continue "into perpetuity." "I am honored by our Board's decision to appoint me CEO of Berkshire and humbled to succeed Warren as I write my first annual letter to you," Abel wrote in the missive to begin the company's annual report released Saturday along with Berkshire's quarterly earnings. "Warren is obviously a very hard act to follow." Abel, 63, signaled continuity rather than change as he takes the reins from the 95-year-old Buffett, who stepped down as CEO at the start of 2026 and remains chairman. The new CEO laid out a clear framework of foundational values for how he intends to keep running the conglomerate: to preserve its financial strength and maintain strict capital discipline. "We maintain a fortress-like balance sheet, ensuring Berkshire's foundation is never compromised," he wrote. "We preserve this financial strength by using debt sparingly and prudently. Our substantial liquidity enables us to meet our obligations even under the most adverse conditions and to respond swiftly when opportunities arise." Other values he highlighted included a decentralized management model and "reputation for integrity." Berkshire's cash pile stood at $373.3 billion at the end of 2025. Abel described the mountain of cash as strategic dry powder, which allows the company to act decisively when opportunities surface without jeopardizing resilience. Abel also used the letter to push back on any notion that the sizable cash position signified that Berkshire was retreating from investing. But Abel noted he will continue Berkshire's long-standing resistance to paying a dividend. "Our approach to cash dividends continues to be that Berkshire will not pay dividends so long as more than one dollar of market value for shareholders is reasonably likely to be created by each dollar of retained earnings," Abel wrote, adding that the board reviews the policy annually. Overseeing stock portfolio Abel emphasized that Berkshire applies the same disciplined framework whether it is acquiring an entire business, buying shares of a public company or repurchasing its own stock. "We will assess value carefully, act patiently, and hold for the long term preferably forever," he wrote. He added that Berkshire's equity portfolio will remains concentrated in a small group of American companies, including Apple , American Express , Coca-Cola and Moody's , that he said Berkshire expects to compound over decades. Notably absent from that list was Bank of America , which ranked as Berkshire's third largest holding at the end of 2025. Abel said the concentrated approach will continue, with limited trading activity, though Berkshire would "significantly adjust" a position if long-term economic prospects change. He also settled a key question hanging over the leadership transition: he will directly oversee the equity portfolio. Ted Weschler will continue to manage about 6% of the portfolio, including investments previously overseen by Todd Combs, an investment manager and Geico CEO who left for JPMorgan recently. "At Berkshire, equity investments are fundamental to our capital allocation activities; responsibility ultimately resides with me as CEO," Abel wrote. Long-term commitment Abel has been known internally as a hands-on operator with a deep bench of subsidiary CEOs reporting to him. The Canadian executive, born in Edmonton, Alberta, has a 25-year tenure at Berkshire under his belt. Abel joined Berkshire in 2000 when the conglomerate bought MidAmerican Energy, where he eventually became the CEO in 2008. Prior to that, Abel worked at CalEnergy where he transformed the small geothermal firm into a diversified energy business. He underscored that he views the role as a long-term commitment as he intends to steward Berkshire for decades. "Our owners' time horizon extends beyond the tenure of any individual CEO," he wrote. "I will not be your CEO for the next 60 years as simple arithmetic makes that shall we say an ambitious plan. However, 20 years from now, when I will have just a fraction of the tenure that Warren had, my intention is that you or your descendants will be proud that your company is even stronger." He noted that Buffett remains actively engaged as chairman, coming into the office five days a week and continuing to provide input. Abel also made clear that Berkshire will not adopt Wall Street's typical cadence of quarterly earnings calls. "We concentrate on quality, not frequency. If a significant issue arises, you will hear from me, but it will not be through quarterly commentary, given our long-term horizon," he wrote. Explosions were heard across the Middle East on Saturday after the U.S. and Israel launched a "broad & joint operation" in Iran, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israeli and U.S. bases across the Gulf. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates each home to a U.S. base all confirmed they had intercepted missiles from Iran. In the UAE, "the Ministry of Defense announced that the country was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles, which was dealt with by the UAE air defenses with high efficiency and a number of missiles were successfully intercepted." CNBC's team in the UAE confirmed hearing several loud explosions in both the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Qatar's Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying: "State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, considering it a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, a direct infringement on its security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region." Motorists will be under increased surveillance from today as authorities drastically bolster the capabilities of their roadside cameras in one state. It comes as a leading NSW lawyer reveals there has been a marked "increase in the number of people challenging fines", over "unreliable detections". NSW's transportable mobile phone and seatbelt cameras have today begun operating at full bi-directional capacity on single-lane roads. That means there's now twice the chance of offenders being caught in hotspots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, the cameras were limited to monitoring up to two lanes travelling in one direction, but that's now changed. Across the state, there are 10 transportable mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras, and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said they've now been fit with updated capabilities in response to a 12 per cent rise in vehicle registrations. Fixed mobile phone and seatbelt cameras will remain unchanged Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh. Source: Astor Legal Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh said he's noticed a significant uptick in the number of people challenging fines handed down as a result of these cameras, as the number of cars on NSW roads grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As criminal defence lawyers, we have certainly seen an increase in the number of people challenging infringements for using a mobile phone while driving," he told Yahoo News Australia. "We would expect this to further increase once the bi-directional cameras are introduced from March 1, as the issues that have plagued the current AI detection cameras would be expected to be exacerbated." Singh, from Astor Legal, said while infringements are routinely issued as a result of AI camera detections, "often these detections are unreliable". "We have been able to successfully challenge numerous camera detections on the basis that the photos depicted other items being held, such as wallets, glasses cases, battery packs and other items," he said in relation to alleged mobile phone offences. Now, NSW cameras will be able to scan for offences in multiple directions, after previously only being able to monitor lanes headed the same way. Source: TfNSW "If a driver believes they have been issued an AI-detected infringement incorrectly, they can lodge a review to their State transport authority or appeal the fine to court." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rollout of the expanded capability will begin in March and is expected to take around six months to complete. Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said when the fleet of cameras was first switched on seven years ago, the target was to be able to check each registered vehicle in NSW an average of at least 20 times a year. "Since then, the number of registered vehicles in NSW has jumped almost 12 per cent, from 6.7 million to 7.5 million," he said. What have we learned since introducing mobile and seatbelt cameras? Murray said the mobile phone camera program has made a significant impact in the road safety space, with seatbelt offences added in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One in just under every 1,300 vehicles checked by these cameras in 2025 had someone breaking seatbelt laws, while around one in every 1,200 were caught using their mobile phone illegally," Murray said. That's compared to as many as one in every 400 cars when TfNSW first started camera enforcement of mobile phone offences. We know lives have been saved as people change their behaviours in response to awareness and education with seatbelt use and distractions through phone use featuring as key contributors to the road toll," Murray added. We need to ensure our program continues to check the appropriate number of vehicles, and we use our technology to its full effect." Revenue from infringements issued by the cameras will continue to be directed into road safety initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In NSW, the penalty for illegal mobile phone use is $423, or $562 if detected in a school zone. There's also a penalty of 5 demerit points for illegal mobile phone use, which increases to 10 demerit points during double demerit periods. The penalty for incorrectly wearing a seatbelt is a $423 fine and three demerit points. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The joint U.S. and Israeli attack on OPEC member Iran risks a major oil supply disruption in the Middle East that, in a worst-case scenario, could trigger a global economic recession. Iran is the fourth-largest oil producer in OPEC at just over 3 million barrels per day in January. The Islamic Republic shares a coastline with the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important waterway for the global oil trade. The oil market has long shrugged off the risk of an oil supply disruption in the Middle East. Traders are underestimating the threat that Iranian retaliation to the U.S. attack poses to the market, said Bob McNally, a former White House energy advisor to former President George W. Bush. "This is the real deal," said McNally, founder and president of Rapidan Energy. Crude oil future prices will likely rise by $5 to $7 per barrel when trading opens at 6 p.m. ET Sunday as the market prices in some risk, he said. On Friday, Brent crude prices settled at $72.48 a barrel, up $1.73, or 2.45%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude finished at $67.02 a barrel, up $1.81, or 2.78%. Iran could try to scare President Donald Trump by making the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic, which could spike oil prices above $100 per barrel, McNally said. The market does not appreciate the fact that Tehran has large stockpiles of mines and short-range missiles that could seriously disrupt traffic in the waterway, he said. More than 14 million barrels per day flowed through the Strait in 2025, or a third of the world's total seaborne crude exports, according to data from energy consulting firm Kpler. About three-quarters of those barrels went to China, India, Japan and South Korea. China, the world's second-largest economy, receives half of its crude imports from the Strait. "A prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a guaranteed global recession," McNally said. More than 20 million barrels of crude have been loaded for export today in the Gulf from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, said Matt Smith, an oil analyst at Kpler. Some tankers have been observed diverting from passing through the strait, Smith said. The world's spare oil capacity comes from the Gulf states and would be unable to pass through the strait in the event of a closure, effectively sealing it off from the market, McNally said. About 20% of the world's liquid natural gas exports also flow through the strait, mostly from Qatar, and would be unable to be replaced, he said. "What you would see is hoarding, especially by Asian countries that were big importers of oil and gas when they realized that Hormuz is closed," McNally said. "You would see the mother of all bidding wars." Oil prices would have to rise high enough to trigger an economic downturn that reduces demand to balance the market, the analyst said. "There just isn't enough discretionary or elastic demand for oil," he said. Only a small fraction of the crude that passes through the strait might be able to be redirected, McNally said. The Saudis have a pipeline that spans the country from the East to its Western coast on the Red Sea. The UAE has a pipeline that terminates at the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has launched missile strikes on U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain, according to state media reports. These attacks could affect traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, said Tom Kloza, principal at oil and gas consulting firm Kloza Advisors. "The attack by Iran on other neighbors in the Persian Gulf changes the calculus and the extent of the assaults put pressure on insurers to either aggressively raise tanker rates for Strait of Hormuz travel or balk at underwriting any traffic," Kloza said. The Trump administration could tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if oil prices spike, said Kevin Book, managing director of Research at ClearView Energy Partners. The reserve currently has an inventory of about 415 million barrels, according to data from the Department of Energy. "But we'll say it again: in supply crises, duration matters. Scale does, too," Book told clients in a note Saturday. "A full Hormuz crisis could outstrip offsets provided by strategic stocks in the U.S. and International Energy Agency (IEA) members." The major stock indexes declined on Friday as investors digested the latest producer price index data that came in a lot hotter than expected. Sweeping layoffs at tech company Block also weighed on investors, adding to existing concerns that artificial intelligence could soon disrupt a variety of industries, from software to health care, among others. The market downturn put some stocks, especially those belonging to the private equity industry, into oversold territory, priming them for a rebound in the near term on a technical basis. A stock is considered oversold when its relative strength index is at or below 30. On the other hand, some stocks closed out the week in overbought territory. Overbought stocks are those that have RSIs that are greater than or equal to 70. Using LSEG data, CNBC Pro looked for overbought names with RSIs of 70 or more that were up at least 5% over the last week. We also identified oversold names with RSIs at or below 30 that shed at least 5% during the last five days. Here's a look at the most oversold and overbought S & P 500 stocks in the thick of earnings season. Oversold stocks Private equity firms such as Apollo Global Management led the list of oversold stocks as investors worry about exposure in the private credit industry. Apollo had the lowest RSI of the names in our list at 24. Its shares shed more than 11% over the week, even though most analysts still rate the stock a buy. Apollo and other private equity firms are facing a variety of setbacks as of late, including declining returns, longer holding periods and investment exit concerns against a challenging backdrop for fundraising. Other names in oversold territory are Blackstone , Ares Management , and KKR & Co. Apollo's decline on Friday was tied to concerns about potential exposure to a UK mortgage provider Market Financial Solutions that collapsed. Overbought stocks Dell Technologies is one of several names on our list of overbought stocks. The stock, which has an RSI of 70.1, has gained 20% over the past five days amid blowout earnings from higher server demand. Confidence in the stock is largely due to Dell's "ability to navigate the cyclical challenges stemming largely from its agility in adapting to the macro changes with frequent changes in pricing, which many other companies have failed to deliver on," JPMorgan analysts said Friday in a note to clients. They added that Dell's recent success "also stems from its leadership position in AI compute for Tier 2 Cloud and Enterprises where the significant revenue inflection is able to provide the company a lot more flexibility in managing operating margin and earnings outcomes." Other names on the overbought list include Corning , Hershey and Keysight Technologies . Democrats called for a briefing and questioned the constitutionality of another military action without congressional approval. "The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States raises serious legal and constitutional concerns," Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., ranking member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement. "Congress must be fully briefed, and the administration must come forward with a clear legal justification, a defined end state, and a plan that avoids dragging the United States into yet another costly and unnecessary war," Warner said. Both the House and the Senate were expected to take up war powers resolutions in the coming week, which could have limited Trump's ability to engage militarily in Iran. The issue does not break cleanly along partisan lines, and passage in either chamber was uncertain. Trump drew similar complaints from Democrats in early January after a targeted operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, about which lawmakers said they were not briefed beforehand. The Constitution grants Congress primary authority to declare war. The War Powers Resolution, passed in 1973 in response to the Vietnam War, limits the president's ability to take military action unilaterally and requires the president to consult with Congress when troops are deployed. "For months, I have raised hell about the fact that the American people want lower prices, not more war especially wars that aren't authorized by Congress, as required by the Constitution, and don't have a clear objective," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who introduced an Iran war powers resolution, said in a statement. "These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives." Justin Papp In this article UAMY Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch now Follow CNBC's live coverage of the U.S.-Israel strikes in Iran The U.S. military has begun "major combat operations" in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday, as Iranian missiles targeted several Middle Eastern cities. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said in a video message on his Truth Social account. A U.S. official confirmed earlier that American forces attacked Iran by air and sea, Reuters reported. It also cited an unidentified Iranian official as saying that several ministries in the southern part of the Iranian capital, Tehran, were targeted Israel also launched a Saturday attack on Iran's capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. Explosions were heard in key cities around the Middle East, including Jerusalem, as Iran launched counterattacks. CNBC producer Joan Muwahed in Dubai reported hearing two explosions over the city in the United Arab Emirates. Qatar and the UAE condemned Iranian missile counterattacks. "The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, considering it a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty," Qatar's Ministry of Defense said in a statement. A UAE statement said: "the Ministry of Defense announced that the country was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles, which was dealt with by the UAE air defenses with high efficiency and a number of missiles were successfully intercepted." The Israel Defense Forces said it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. "Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," the IDF said in a tweet. watch now Elsewhere, Bahrain said the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile attack. The U.S. embassy in Bahrain's capital, Manama, issued a security alert warning of "imminent drone/missile attack in Bahrain". In a tweet, the embassy urged "U.S. citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place." The U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, also issued a shelter-in-place alert. Failed negotiations? The Saturday attacks come after the United States had assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region in an effort to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program. Trump warned earlier in February that "really bad things" would happen unless Tehran agreed to a nuclear deal. The U.S. and Iran held a third round of talks in Switzerland on Thursday to try to resolve a standoff. Ahead of the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran's reluctance to talk about its ballistic missile development program, alongside its nuclear program, was a "big, big problem." Iran had said it was willing to compromise when it came to its nuclear program, but had repeatedly said Tehran's missile program had never been part of the talks' agenda. However, Trump said Iran has continued to pursue nuclear weapons despite ongoing negotiations to end its program. "[In] Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal," Trump said. "But Iran refused." "Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland," he said. In addition to the capital Tehran, the cities of Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah were targeted. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images A Pentagon duty press officer said the department has received CNBC's emailed requests for comment but made no further statement. A senior Middle East diplomat who has direct knowledge of the recent talks between Iran and the U.S. told MS Now: "Yet again, when negotiations get close to success ... Israel has intervened to preempt diplomacy." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for "his historic leadership" and said that Iran's government "must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity." Iran, meanwhile, harshly condemned the attacks, accusing the U.S. and Israel of "grossly violating" Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty. French President Emmanuel Macron said the outbreak of war between the U.S., Israel and Iran carries "grave consequences." "The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs," Macron said, and called for an "urgent" meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Russia was unequivocal in its condemnation of the U.S. and Israeli strikes. "It is particularly reprehensible that these strikes are once again being conducted under the cover of the renewed negotiation process, ostensibly intended to secure long-term normalisation of the situation around the Islamic Republic of Iran," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. This combination of pictures created on April 09, 2025 shows US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff after a meeting with Russian officials at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025 (L); and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein | Amer Hilabi | AFP | Getty Images Xiaomi launched its latest flagship smartphones globally on Saturday as an unprecedented surge in memory chip prices threatens to dampen sales. The Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra represent the Chinese technology giant's top tier devices aimed at challenging the likes of Samsung and Apple in the high-end segment of the market. Xiaomi, which is the third-largest smartphone player globally, has maintained the prices of the devices versus last year's flagship, even amid the huge jump in memory prices that are critical for smartphones. The Xiaomi 17 starts at 999 euros ($1,179) while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at 1,499 euros. In the first quarter of the year so far, memory prices have soared between 80% and 90%, Counterpoint Research said. This surge has been driven by a shortage of memory chips with supply being directed toward data centers for AI. Memory is an expensive component in a smartphone. Smartphone prices could rise 13% in 2026, according to a Gartner forecast from Februrary. IDC forecasts the smartphone market to decline 12.9% in 2026 as a result of the chip crunch. Analysts suggest companies selling more expensive phones will be more insulated and able to absorb the cost. The bulk of Xiaomi's volume comes from mid-range devices, a category that could take a hit to demand from any price rises. While its higher end devices will be unlikely to offset any losses. "This year will be even worse because Xiaomi does not have a very strong premium share which means that they cannot rely on the premium segment to offset low margins in other devices like Apple and Samsung can," Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president for data and analytics at IDC, told CNBC. In November, Xiaomi management warned that the industry would likely have to raise smartphone prices in 2026. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said that Xiaomi will likely have to hike prices of their low-to-mid-tier devices. While Xiaomi still makes the bulk of revenue consumer electronics, the company has been ramping up its electric vehicle business in China, which now accounts for around a quarter of all sales. That's become an important source of revenue amid the memory crunch. Xiaomi reported a 3% year-on-year decline in smartphone revenue in the September quarter, the last publicly-available financial figures. But sales at its electric car business surged nearly 200%. The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv on Saturday, February 28, issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Israel to exercise caution following Israel's strikes on Iran In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times, the Embassy said in a statement.The advisory comes after Israel launched what it described as pre-emptive or preventive strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran and other cities.Irans state-affiliated media reported multiple blasts in the capital, while Israeli authorities declared a state of emergency and sounded sirens across parts of the country.The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had earlier asked residents to remain close to protected spaces amid concerns of possible missile retaliation. Israel subsequently closed its airspace to civilian flights, while Iranian airspace was also shut through a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM).Flights were seen diverting away from Tel Aviv and Amman, and several aircraft headed toward Tehran turned back.Against this backdrop, the Indian Embassy advised nationals to strictly follow safety instructions issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. Updated guidance can be accessed at oref.org.il/eng, it said.The Embassy also asked Indian citizens to remain in proximity to designated shelters and familiarise themselves with the nearest protected spaces near their residence or workplace. Nationals have been asked to avoid all non-essential travel within Israel until further notice.Citizens were encouraged to regularly monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts.In case of emergencies, Indian nationals may contact the Embassys 24x7 helpline at +972-54-7520711 or email cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.inThe Embassy said it remains closely engaged with relevant authorities and will continue to issue updates as necessary. Irans Revolutionary Guard warned of its most intense offensive operation yet against Israel and US bases. Airspace over Israel has been closed, flights diverted including the DelhiTel Aviv service returning to India while multiple embassies issued advisories for citizens in the region. In India, Indira Gandhi International Airport cautioned that westbound international flights may face disruptions due to the evolving Middle East situation, urging passengers to check with airlines before heading to the airport. Meanwhile, Brent crude jumped 10% to around $80 a barrel, with analysts warning prices could climb to $100 amid fears of prolonged conflict. Irans foreign minister said a new Supreme Leader could be selected within one or two days as the country moves swiftly to fill the top post. Iran Israel War | Iran has launched strikes against US bases in Bahrain, UAE and Kuwait with long-range missiles, in response to the Israel-US attacks on Tehran earlier in the morning on Saturday, February 28.Iranian ballistic missile hit the US naval base in Bahrain.Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters, the main American naval base in the Persian Gulf.Explosions were also heard in Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, as per multiple media reports.Iran's response came after Israel launched additional barrage of missiles on Iran after its morning operation, which the Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu named 'The Lion's Roar'.Shortly after, US President Donald Trump confirmed in a video message on his TruthSocial account that the US too was involved in the attacks.Trump said he will ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. He said the US will destroy Iran's missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. He said they are going to annihilate Iran's navy. "Americans may be lost and we may have casualties," he said.Meanwhile, Netanyahu said Israel and the US launched the operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terror regime in Iran.He said the operation will create conditions for Iranian people to "take destiny into their own hands." Reiterating Trump's message, he too said Iran must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons. What happened in the last 24 hours Why are Pakistan and Afghanistan at war? Afghanistan has shot down a Pakistani fighter jet over Jalalabad, with the pilot captured alive, according to an AFP report, citing local officials on Saturday, February 28.Police spokesman Tayeb Hammad told AFP, "A Pakistani fighter jet was shot down in the sixth district of Jalalabad city, and its pilot was captured alive."While the eastern Afghanistan military confirmed the reports, Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, told AFP, Thats a false claim. Totally untrue.The latest tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated into what Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called an "open war" on the Taliban administration following a huge breakdown in diplomatic and border security coordination.The reported downing marks a dramatic escalation in what has become the most serious armed confrontation between the two neighbours in recent months, with both sides exchanging airstrikes and cross-border attacks.Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks into Pakistan across multiple provinces on Thursday night, February 26, describing them as retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes.Pakistan had carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan on Sunday, February 22, saying it targeted militant hideouts. Afghan authorities, however, claimed the strikes killed civilians, including women and children.In response to the Afghan cross-border operation, Pakistan conducted fresh airstrikes early Friday, February 27, targeting areas including Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. The renewed strikes triggered further clashes along the border.Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared on Friday, February 27, that the country was now in an open war with Afghanistan, signalling a breakdown of the fragile Qatari-mediated ceasefire reached in October.Heavy exchanges were reported along the 2,611-kilometre Durand Line, the contested frontier between the two countries, with artillery shelling and air activity intensifying in several sectors.Tensions between Afghanistan and PakistanThe immediate trigger for the escalation has been Pakistans repeated allegations that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operates from Afghan soil. Islamabad accuses Kabul of providing safe haven to the group responsible for a surge in militant attacks inside Pakistan.Kabul has denied the allegation, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against any country.Recent months have seen a sharp rise in militant violence inside Pakistan, including suicide bombings and coordinated attacks on security forces. Islamabad says it can no longer tolerate cross-border militant threats.The collapse of earlier ceasefire arrangements and failed talks have further strained relations. Skirmishes along the frontier have become more frequent, but the current round of strikes and the reported downing of a fighter jet mark a significant escalation.The renewed hostilities have raised alarm internationally, with concerns that sustained fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan could destabilise an already fragile region where militant groups remain active.The Durand Line, the long-disputed colonial-era border, remains central to the conflict, with both sides accusing each other of cross-border militancy and violations of sovereignty.Pakistan has alleged that Afghan Taliban forces began unprovoked firing across multiple sectors along the frontier, leading to casualties among its security personnel. Islamabad said its subsequent strikes were carried out in retaliation to safeguard territorial integrity.Afghanistan, however, claimed its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and seized 19 military posts, including a headquarters at Anzar Sar in Khost province, according to The Dawn. Taliban authorities also reportedly said they were holding the bodies of 23 Pakistani soldiers.Pakistan has rejected those claims. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three injured, while 36 Afghan fighters died in the clashes, describing Kabuls figures as exaggerated. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the US and Israeli attack on Iran and called upon "all actors, starting with the Islamic world, must urgently take action.In a post on the social media platform on X, Erdogan also condemned, but with 'regret', Iran's retaliation, which included attacks on other Gulf countries.To prevent the war from escalating further, to stop more blood from being shed, andGod forbidto spare our region from even greater suffering, he said.Earlier on Saturday, Erdogans office rejected claims that Turkish airspace had been used to facilitate attacks on Iran. Turkey, an ally of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), hosts US personnel at the jointly operated Incirlik Air Base in the country's south-east, near the Syrian border.The latest escalation came hours after the foreign minister of Oman, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, publicly declared that a peace deal was within sight and that there were agreements between the US and Iran like never before.However, according to Erdogan's latest post, despite efforts from many countries, including his own phone conversations with US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, "the desired outcome could not be achieved, as neither the trust deficit between the parties could be overcome nor did Israel's efforts to poison the process come to an end."Turkey's Erdogan is competing with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, among others, to be the dominant voice for the Middle East, particularly one that aims to represent the interests of Muslim countries which is a fairly divided campon the global stage. Irans supreme leader will not be mourned, Anthony Albanese says as Iranian state media confirms he has been killed in joint US-Israeli strikes. Fronting press after a snap National Security Committee meeting, the Prime Minister restated his support for the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime. Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei was responsible for the regimes nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal violence and intimidation against its own people, Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This claimed countless lives in Iran but also internationally. He was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. His passing will not be mourned. In reporting Mr Khameneis death, Iranian state media announced 40 days of mourning. There has been no mention of a successor or details of how he died beyond it being a cowardly attack. Mr Khameneis daughter, son-in-law, grandchild and daughters-in-law have also been killed, according to government-controlled outlets. Iranian state media have confirmed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. Picture: AFP / Atta Kenare Videos flooded social media on Saturday afternoon (AEDT) showing a large smoke plume towering above the Iranian capital Tehran, with reports following soon after that Mr Khameneis compound was targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump on Sunday morning (AEDT) declared the Islamist cleric dead hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is no more. In his statement, the US President hailed Mr Khameneis death as the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Mr Trump posted on social media. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD! US President Donald Trump says the death is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. Picture: AFP / Jim Watson Saturdays strikes followed weeks of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, with the Trump administration demanding Tehran cease all uranium enrichment, surrender its existing enriched stockpiles and dismantle centrifuges and infrastructure that allow for rapid enrichment. It also demanded limits on Irans long-range ballistic missile program and for it to stop supporting proxy Islamist groups across the Middle East, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza the Houthis in Yemen. Community groups speak out Australias Iranian community has welcomed news of Mr Khameneis death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With many still shocked by the deadly force used to crush protests earlier this year, Australian Iranian Community Alliance vice president Suren Edgar said millions would feel a sense of relief. The confirmed death of Ali Khamenei marks the end of an era defined by repression, executions, censorship, and systemic violence against the Iranian people, Mr Edgar told NewsWire. For millions of Iranians, this moment brings a sense of relief. He was not just a political figure. He was the ultimate authority behind crackdowns, the silencing of women, the imprisonment of journalists, and the killing of protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Executive Council of Australian Jewry also welcomed Mr Khameneis death, saying the need for military intervention was regrettable but unavoidable. The Iranian Government is a murderous regime, ECAJ president Daniel Aghion said. It has attacked synagogues and Jewish targets in Australia and around the world. It funds terrorist groups Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. It massacres its own civilians. He added: Western nations, led by Israel and the US, must curtail the nuclear aspirations of the Iranian Government, disrupt its international terrorism network, and protect the Iranian people from their own leadership. Brutal Iranian regime During his Sunday press conference, Mr Albanese said Australia had not been immune from the impact of the regimes actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed to the countrys Iranian community who see what happens overseas and it understandably affects them greatly as they fear for the safety and security of family and friends. He also highlighted the anti-Semitic attacks Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps orchestrated in Australias biggest cities in 2024. The Albanese government responded by expelling the Iranian ambassador, slapping sanctions on hundreds of individuals and listing the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Iran has long been a threat to global peace and security. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw While we arent directly active in the current military strikes, we have been clear and acted on our utter rejection of the brutal Iranian regime, Mr Albanese said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to say Canberra had long recognised that Irans nuclear program is a threat to global peace and security and called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Irans citizens. Sadly, these calls have gone unheeded and action has now been taken, Mr Albanese said. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security. We are concerned about regional escalation and urge the protection of civilians. For those on the ground, Australian officials are closely monitoring what is an evolving situation. These events are unfolding rapidly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that the government was in contact with the United States over all of these issues. We want to see, when it comes to military action, I think as always, Australia always supports diplomatic action where possible, and we hope that the actions that have been taken lead to a swift resolution, he said. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has lambasted the Iranian government as authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent. Picture: NewsWire / Tertius Pickard The opposition has also weighed in, with Angus Taylor saying the theocratic Iranian regime is authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent. It wants nuclear weapons, seeks the destruction of Israel, has encouraged terrorism through its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis and has supplied weapons to Russia to support Putins invasion of Ukraine, the Opposition Leader posted on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also responsible for acts of foreign interference in Australia and igniting antisemitism. Since 1979, the revolutionary Islamic government in Tehran has oppressed, imprisoned and murdered Iranians. We pray for the Iranian people at this time. May courage prevail. Meanwhile, his Nationals counterpart David Littleproud on Sunday backed Mr Albaneses response. I agree totally with the Prime Minister and I support his actions and his words entirely in what hes brought forward, Mr Littleproud told Nines Today. Iran has played a role in the anti-Semitism thats been on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne. ASIO found the Revolutionary Guard was involved with that, and the civil unrest that weve seen on the streets of our of our city. So its important we understand this regime is about trying to destroy our way of life. The Trump administration on Friday moved to ban the use of products from artificial intelligence company Anthropic by federal businesses, escalating a high-stakes clash over whether private AI makers can limit how the US military uses their systems. Just hours later, Anthropic rival OpenAIs CEO, Sam Altman, announced that his company had reached a deal to supply the Pentagon with its technology, ostensibly under the same terms that the military had rejected for Anthropic. Calling Anthropic Leftwing nut jobs, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he was directing EVERY Federal Agency to stop using Anthropics technology immediately. At the same time, the Pentagon prepared to designate the company a supply chain risk, a label more commonly associated with foreign adversaries tech products, such as telecom gear made by Chinas Huawei. The decision follows an unusually public dispute between Anthropic and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over what the Pentagon called an all lawful purposes requirement, which means that once the military licenses an AI model, it must be free to deploy it for any lawful mission without being constrained by vendor-imposed safety policies. In recent weeks, AI giant Anthropic has been locked in a highstakes confrontation with the Trump administrations Department of Defense (DoD) over new standard terms the Pentagon wants to impose on AI vendors. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had demanded contract language that would give the military any lawful use of Anthropics models, effectively stripping out the companys longstanding limits on certain battlefield and domestic applications. Lawful, in Hegseths mind, means the DoD could do practically whatever it wanted, up to and including domestic mass surveillance and AI-controlled weapons. If that sounds like the premise for how a war between Terminators and humans might begin, youre not the only one to think so. Caution, however, is not a word Hegseth seems to know. But Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, however, is well aware of the real-world risks of AI and not just the ones torn from science-fiction horror movies. Passengers have been plunged into travel chaos after the cancellation of flights between Western Europe and the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The major combat operation confirmed by Donald Trump on Saturday morning has had a devastating impact on flights in the region, as Iran and Iraqs airspaces were closed due to the escalating action. Until around 6am GMT on Saturday, some planes were flying over Iran, mainly on north-south routes serving Dubai and other hubs. Such flights have now ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dubai International Airport, the biggest global hub, has suspended flights. On a typical day, around a quarter of a million passengers fly in and out of DXB. The main airline, Emirates, said: Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority. All other airlines are affected. British Airways passenger Mike Boreham was aboard flight BA108, preparing to depart from Dubai to Heathrow, when the captain announced airspace had closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were all boarded, he told The Independent. The flight is completely full. About 10 minutes after the boarding complete announcement we were told airspace is closed. After the closure was announced, many flights heading for Dubai returned to their starting points, including Emirates from Dublin, Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and LOT to Warsaw, which was also the landing place for the Emirates inbound flight from Seattle. Abu Dhabi airport has closed until at least 2pm on Sunday. The home airline, Etihad, said: All flights scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2pm UAE time [10am GMT] on Sunday 1 March. Flights scheduled to arrive into Abu Dhabi before 2pm UAE time on Sunday 1 March will be cancelled. Services scheduled to arrive after this time are expected to operate, subject to operational conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flights already en route to Abu Dhabi are returning to their origin airports where required. Affected guests are being contacted directly and are being supported with rebooking options and hotel accommodation where necessary. Guests connecting via Abu Dhabi should note that if their onward sector has been cancelled, they will not be permitted to board at their departure airport. Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from its hub in Doha, with flights from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin and Heathrow all returning to their starting points. British Airways has cancelled all its Saturday flights linking London Heathrow with Amman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha. In addition, flights linking London with Bahrain and Tel Aviv are grounded until 3 March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BA passengers due to travel between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv in the coming days have the option to change their flights for free. Virgin Atlantic has cancelled its London Heathrow-Dubai flight on Saturday and the return flight on Sunday, as well as tomorrows link between Heathrow and Riyadh. Iranian and Israeli airspace has been closed (Flightradar) A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told The Independent: Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, we have made the decision to temporarily avoid the airspace of Iraq, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of our flights. The safety and security of our customers and people is always our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until 7 March as a result of the strikes. A spokesperson for the Hungarian budget airline said: The airline is closely monitoring developments and remains in ongoing contact with local and international authorities, aviation safety agencies, security authorities, and relevant governmental bodies. We acknowledge the disruption this may cause and appreciate the understanding of our customers. Passengers with affected bookings will be contacted directly with information regarding their options." The US and Israel have carried out a series of strikes on Iran (AP) Many airlines have grounded operations to and from Tel Aviv, including Delta, United, Air France, KLM, Aegean and FlyDubai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even for passengers who are booked on nonstop flights between the UK and Asia, extended flight paths and air traffic control congestion are likely to cause disruption until the airspace reopens. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine. In a statement on its website, it said: Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran, Israeli airspace has now closed. British nationals in the region are urged to take sensible precautions, including following advice from regional authorities, staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents are up to date. Ali Khamenei transformed Iran over four decades and was revered by the regime he shaped, reports Rachel Younger for ITV News Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, US president Donald Trump has said Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country." There has been no official comment from Iran, but Iranian news agencies had previously denied Khamenei's death. It comes after Israel's prime minister said that "signs are growing" that Iran's supreme leader was killed by US and Israeli strikes on Saturday. In a televised address, Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes had targeted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound and there were signs "the tyrant is no longer alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of the 86-year-old Supreme Leader. Smoke rose from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive as far as I know." Image showing damage caused to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Iran. Credit: AP There have been multiple reports of explosions across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran as part of what Donald Trump called a major combat operation. Iran launched retaliatory strikes that targeted Israel and US military bases in the region after its capital Tehran and other major cities were attacked on Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 80 people were killed when a strike hit near a girls' school in southern Iran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Iranian attacks on Gulf states were widely condemned, with Saudi Arabia warning of "grave consequences for Tehran". One person was killed by debris in Abu Dhabi after air defences intercepted Iranian missiles, local media said. Qatar intercepted two Iranian missiles over its country, Qatari official said, while there were reports of multiple explosions in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, all of which have US bases. Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy's fifth fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia issued a statement saying it "condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan". It continued: "The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake. It also warns of the grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states sovereignty and the principles of international law." Trump claimed the US-Israel attacks came after Tehran had attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme despite ongoing talks that sought to avert military action. In a dramatic statement delivered via video on his Truth Social platform, the US president said the "massive and ongoing" campaign was aimed at defending the US by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said American lives may be lost as a result of his military operation inside Iran. The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war but were doing this not for now. Were doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission, the president said. The US president tells Iranian people to 'take over your government it will be yours to take'. Trump's full statement after Israel and US launch strikes on Iran Earlier, Israel confirmed it had launched strikes on Iran. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, said a state of emergency had been declared across Israel as sirens sounded across the country. The Israeli military said the sirens were a "proactive alert" in case of retaliatory attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his first video statement after the US-Israel strikes on Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for regime change in Tehran. Netanyahu called on all parts of the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. He said, Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands." The first apparent strikes on Saturday morning happened near the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly in days as tensions with the US grew, had been in his offices at the time. Iranian state media and diplomatic channels reported dozens of casualties at a girls' school in southern Iran. The UK did not participate in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, ITV News understands. Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer will speak to French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz as part of a series of calls with allies, Downing Street said. A spokesperson said it was providing consular assistance for British nationals in the region as the Foreign Office warned UK nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to "immediately shelter in place".The advice on the FCDO website said: "Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities." Iran strike risks: Have we forgotten the cautionary tale of Iraq? US and Israeli strikes on Iran signal a dangerous new chapter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US has been gathering a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region for several weeks. On Friday, the US urged its citizens to leave Israel as the threat of strikes grew. Multiple airlines cancelled flights as nations across the region, including Iran, Israel, Iraq and United Arab Emirates, closed their airspace. In a statement on Saturday, a UK government spokesperson said: Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. An incoming projectile explodes over the water in Haifa Bay, northern Israel. Credit: AP Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests.We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations over Tehrans nuclear programme in Geneva this week, but walked away without a deal. On Friday, US President Donald Trump said he was "not happy" with the way Iran is negotiating in the nuclear talks, but indicated he would give them more time to reach a deal to avert another war in the Middle East. Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday on Iran's capital. Credit: AP Trump once again warned Iran against pursuing a nuclear weapons programme during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, referring to the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June last year. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy - but one thing is certain. I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon," the president said during his address. Before the Genevan negotiations ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions. Gameshow Trump makes his pitch to midterm voters Iran strike risks: Have we forgotten the cautionary tale of Iraq? Iranians have been watching the buildup with growing concern, with many fearing the outbreak of a war could surpass Iran's bloody 1980s conflict with Iraq. The nation is still reeling from its devastating 12-day war with Israel in June and last month's protests, which led to thousands of people being killed and arrested. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency said 7,000 had died in the protests, although the true toll is likely to be much higher. Irans government said 3,117 people had been killed in its only death toll on January 21. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Have you heard our podcast Talking Politics? Tom and Robert dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda in every episode Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more The brand had already been credited with designing 'the perfect undies' by shoppers. So it's no surprise that when The Knicker launched an ultra-flattering 'Tummy Smooth' design last month, the collection sold out in under 24 hours. Now, the Aussie brand has announced that its range of soft, stretchy, supportive underwear has been restocked - and with the designs priced from just $20, shoppers will need to act quickly before they're gone again. Daily Mail readers can also get 10 per cent off using discount code KNIX10. While most shapewear feels restrictive and comes with an eye-watering price tag, The Knicker has won praise for offering gentle support where it's needed, paired with buttery-soft fabric and a design that won't dig in or create unwanted bulges. Huge demand for the range was driven by a live try-on video shared by Over 40s shopping expert Natalie Angel on her @letmetrybeforeyoubuy Instagram account. Fans were so impressed with the fashion influencer's detailed review that the entire range promptly sold out. Some customers were so enamoured with the affordable shapewear they snapped up as many as seven pairs in one order. An Aussie underwear brand credited with designing 'the perfect undies' sold out of their latest collection in under 24 hours The Tummy Smooth range by The Knicker is back in stock after selling out, with the affordable shapewear priced from just $20 'I purchased 3 pairs after seeing Nat's live, they are amazing, fit is perfect and they actually fit and feel as they say they do,' one customer, Colleen, shared. 'I then ordered another 4 pairs. Ladies give them a try, I haven't had undies fit this well or feel nice in 10 years.' Another customer, Tanya, added: 'Repeat purchaser here too. Used to buy from another well known brand but noticed the quality was slipping. These have never let me down. They look gorgeous, feel divine and are a great price too.' The key feature of the Tummy Smooth collection is the power mesh front panel, which smoothes the silhouette from waistline to pubic bone, while the full-coverage tummy panel ensures comfort for those with scars from surgery such as caesarean sections. The four styles in the collection, Full Brief, Hi Cut, Anti Chafing Short and High Waisted G-String, are available in both nude and black, in sizes 10 to 24. The soft stretch lace waist and leg panels avoid any uncomfortable cutting in and deliver minimal panty lines. The sell-out Tummy Smooth collection follows the roaring success of other designs from The Knicker, including the Classic, Bamboo, and Micro & Lace lines, with every style promising to deliver on its motto of 'No VPL, no ride up, pure comfort'. Practical and pretty: The Bliss Cheeky Brazilian in Black is a customer favourite for combining comfort with style - and cost just $10 a pair The bestselling Classic Comfort Full Brief in Nude is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by shoppers The brand's unique gusset design works with the back seam to hug the bottom while removing the common irritations from many underwear designs - riding up, pinching and pulling. 'Absolutely love these,' shopper Tara wrote in an online review. 'Fit is perfect & comfy yet sexy all in one.' Another customer, Julie, shared that her pair are 'so comfy and the material is so luxurious.' Huge demand for the range was driven by a try-on video shared by Over 40s shopping expert Natalie Angel. Fans were so impressed with the fashion influencer's detailed review that the entire range promptly sold out. One recent shopper praised The Knicker team's customer service, revealing how the team contacted her when they noticed a discrepancy in her order - saving a lot of time and inconvenience of having to return. 'I somehow accidentally chose a size 8 for one pair when I needed size 14's, they noticed and a HUMAN rang me to check if it was a mistake!' Lisa wrote. 'I was amazed by that service. Can highly recommend this brand.' A shopper who missed out on the Tummy Smooth collection's first drop commented on Nat Angel's video that she had 'been wearing [the brand] for nine years Won't buy anything else ever! Missed out on the new control nickers and can't wait to try them.' The Knicker was founded in 2016 by friends Helen Anderson and Lara Brockhurst after years working in lingerie and sleepwear for major retailers including David Jones, Myer, Selfridges and Nordstrom. The duo's experience and determination to deliver on what women truly want: underwear that fits beautifully, is truly comfortable to wear all day long, and looks great - led to The Knicker becoming a cult sensation for shoppers. As he relaxed at his mistress' $17 million Beverley Hills mansion, the infamous mobster who built the Las Vegas strip's first luxury casino was killed in cold blood by two gunshots to the head. For decades, mystery has surrounded who pulled the trigger that killed Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, but experts have offered new insight into what happened on the fateful night of June 20, 1947. Larry Gragg, a historian and the author of two books about Bugsy, gave the Daily Mail a detailed timeline of the night the gangster was murdered, which he reconstructed through FBI files, the memoir of an FBI agent and other sources. On the night of his murder, Bugsy, who had moved in the highest circles befriending movie stars including Clark Gable and Cary Grant, was entertaining at the luxurious Los Angeles pad after going to dinner with friends. But 280 miles away at his beloved casino, The Flamingo, a table of revelers aroused suspicion as they stood out like a sore thumb. It was 8.30pm, and a Las Vegas resident and his friend had visited the Flamingo for a night out, Gragg told the Daily Mail. They recounted everyone having a good time at a dinner show, except for one table of eight men who had not been clapping or laughing. During the show, another individual whispered something into each of the unamused men's ears. They soon slowly got up and began to spread around key points in the Flamingo. For nearly 80 years, mystery has surrounded the murder of Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, the mobster who built Las Vegas' first luxury casino. Bugsy is pictured in 1940 Bugsy was murdered at his mistress Virginia Hill's Beverly Hills mansion on the night of June 20, 1947. The mansion is pictured on the night after the killing Virginia Hill's mansion is now worth $17 million. The home is pictured when it was last on the market in late 2022 Your browser does not support iframes. Two went to the front door, two went to the registration desk of the hotel, two went to the security desk and two went to the cashier's cage. As this was occurring, Bugsy was having dinner in Beverly Hills with his friend Allen Smiley, his longtime mistress Virginia Hill's brother, Chick, and Chick's girlfriend, Jerry Mason. The group returned to Virginia Hill's mansion around 10.30pm. Shortly before 11pm, as Bugsy was reading the Los Angeles Times next to Smiley on the living room couch, he was shot dead through the window. The assailant, who was concealed by shrubbery, fired a total of nine rounds with an M1 carbine from 14 feet away. Four of those bullets hit their mark. One struck Bugsy on the bridge of the nose, knocking out his left eye. A second hit him in the cheek and exited through the back of his neck. The other two shots tore through his chest. The rest of the bullets destroyed a white marble statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of revelry, which stood on a grand piano. One of them put a hole in Smiley's jacket, but he was unharmed, as he had immediately dove to the floor. Just minutes after the hit, an FBI agent named Curtis Lynum received a call 'from his most important confidential informant in Las Vegas,' Gragg told the Daily Mail. The informant was calling from a payphone outside the Flamingo, and he told Lynum, 'Ben Siegel has been shot and killed in Beverly Hills.' An interior of what the home looks like now when it was last put up for sale four years ago The assailant shot Bugsy with an M1 carbine from 14 feet away through the living room window as he was reading the Los Angeles Times. His body is pictured with the paper between his legs Bugsy's covered body is pictured being transported away from the crime scene on the night of the murder A less substantiated theory claims that the brothers of Bugsy's mistress, Virginia Hill (pictured), conspired to kill him because they found out he would physically assault her Immediately after the call, gangsters Moe Sedway, Gus Greenbaum and Morris Rosen walked into the Flamingo and proclaimed that it was now under their control. The eight men who had spread about the casino were there to enforce its takeover. Gragg told the Daily Mail he is 'certain' that Sedway was the confidential informant who called the FBI, because in Lynum's autobiography, his description of the informant perfectly matches Sedway. The fact that the call was placed so soon after the shooting, and the immediate, well-planned takeover of the casino, made Gragg 'absolutely convinced that Moe Sedway knew what was going to happen,' he said. '[Sedway] and Greenbaum and Rosen were ready to walk in as soon as they got word that Siegel had been shot,' the historian added. 'That's as close as I can get to a definitive answer.' Although the timeline of events does not identify who the shooter was, the other historians interviewed by the Daily Mail agreed that it indicated the mob knew Bugsy would be killed that night. Claire White, the senior director of education at the Las Vegas Mob Museum, said: 'The fact that someone is murdered in LA and that in Las Vegas, 300 miles away, two men immediately know what happens next - that's planned. 'And it's something that is not only planned, but it's something that Greenbaum and Sedway, I think we can reasonably assume, were at least aware of and prepared for. 'That's a transfer of power that we don't see play out every time there's a mob hit. A lot of times... there is a bit of a power struggle, and there is absolutely no power struggle (when taking over the Flamingo).' Within minutes of Bugsy being murdered, three gangsters went into the Flamingo and declared it was now under their control. The Flamingo Hotel is pictured in 1947, shortly after it opened The Flamingo looks entirely different than when it opened almost 80 years ago The lively Vegas Strip today. The Flamingo was the first luxury casino to grace the Strip The experts the Mail spoke with laid out three main theories as to the motive of Bugsy's murder, which White said, 'break down one of two ways. 'Either that it is a mob hit, or that it is not a mob hit - that it is in some way personal or unrelated to his criminal activity.' Two of the theories attribute Bugsy's assassination to the mob for different reasons, and the third suggests he was murdered because of a vendetta held by Virginia Hill's brothers. A rift with the mob Born in New York, Bugsy was an extremely successful criminal who was influential with the National Crime Syndicate, a collaborative alliance between the Italian and Jewish mobs in the Big Apple. He led Murder Inc, the enforcement arm of the syndicate, and in the mid-1940s, he moved from New York to California and began securing gambling interests in Las Vegas for the mob. In 1946, Bugsy began working with William Wilkerson, founder of the Hollywood Reporter, to construct Vegas' first luxury casino, the Flamingo. In May of that year, the gangster took over control of the project and secured funding from the mob for its construction. It was a dangerous strategy made all the more risky by Bugsy's overspending. The Flamingo was meant to cost $1.2 million to build, but he ended up going dramatically over budget and spent at least $7 million. Bugsy was a highly successful criminal who was influential with the National Crime Syndicate, an alliance between the Italian and Jewish mafias in New York City. His mugshot is pictured In 1946, Bugsy began working with William Wilkerson, founder of the Hollywood Reporter, to build the Flamingo. Wilkerson's down payment check for the Flamingo's land is pictured A 1952 photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau shows an aerial view of the Flamingo hotel-casino grounds in Las Vegas, including the home where Bugsy is said to have once lived High-ranking gangsters who loaned Bugsy money for construction of the Flamingo were getting impatient because they were not getting their investments back, let alone any profit. They also suspected that he was skimming money. The Flamingo first opened in December 1946, when it was still unfinished, and its tables were $275,000 in the red during the first two weeks. The casino briefly shut down before reopening on March 1, 1947, and it soon began turning a profit. By that point, however, many believe the mob's patience had run its course. Bugsy was assassinated less than three months after the reopening. 'The primary prevailing theories are that Siegel was killed because of souring relationships within his own organized crime associates,' White told the Daily Mail. 'That was at least in part motivated by his mismanagement of the Flamingo Construction project... as well as the belief, either real or otherwise, that he was skimming off the top of the Flamingo construction project.' The personal grudge Gragg told the Daily Mail that Sedway and Bugsy had a falling out in late 1946 or early 1947 and that a Las Vegas policeman was convinced that Sedway engineered the killing of Bugsy. The conflict between Bugsy and Sedway could have been a result of a few issues, including management of the race wire, an illegal bookie network that made it possible to place off-track bets on horse races from anywhere in the US. White explained that some members of the mob believed Bugsy was 'skimming money from the race wire in LA without having explicit permission to take that personal cut.' Bugsy took over control of the Flamingo project in May of 1946 and secured funding from the mob to build the casino. The Flamingo's construction site that year is pictured The Flamingo first opened in December 1946 before briefly closing and reopening in March 1947. The casino complex is pictured in 1950 The Flamingo was Las Vegas' first luxury casino. An invitation to its grand opening is pictured on display at the Las Vegas Mob Museum The Flamingo's tables were $275,000 in the red in the first two weeks it opened. A $100 Flamingo casino chip is pictured on display at the Las Vegas Mob Museum But the most compelling reason for the falling out is that Meyer Lansky, one of the leaders of the National Crime Syndicate, had assigned Sedway to oversee Bugsy's expenses and suspected skimming. When Bugsy found out about this, he held a meeting with Flamingo officials and told them he was going to take out Sedway. When Sedway learned of Bugsy's plan, he held a meeting of his own with the same officials, as well as Lansky. It is theorized that Sedway's plan was essentially to kill Bugsy before Bugsy killed him, which Lansky authorized. That theory came from the prospectus for an autobiography written by Sedway's wife, Bee. She contended that Lansky had greenlit the hit on Bugsy, with the only caveat being that the shooter must be someone outside 'the family.' Bee claimed that a man named Matthew Pandza, with whom she was having an affair, agreed to carry out the hit. Bee is the only source of this theory, so it is impossible to substantiate. Whatever the reason was for souring relationships between Bugsy and the rest of the mob, all of the historians the Daily Mail spoke with agreed that Lanksy would have had to authorize Bugsy's assassination. The love angle A highly dramatic but less accepted theory is that the brothers of Bugsy's mistress, Virginia Hill, conspired to kill him because they found out that the gangster would physically assault her. A skilled gambler named Bernie Sindler, who had been hired to make sure the Flamingo's dealers weren't cheating, wrote an autobiography in which he recounted a conversation with Chick Hill, one of Virginia Hill's brothers. Moe Sedway (pictured) and Bugsy had a falling out around late 1946 or early 1947, and a Las Vegas policeman was convinced that Sedway got Bugsy killed Meyer Lansky (pictured) was one of the leaders of the National Crime Syndicate. One theory claims that he greenlit the hit on Bugsy, which was engineered Sedway All of the historians interviewed by the Daily Mail agreed that if Bugsy's death was a mob hit, Lansky would have had to authorize it. Lansky is pictured Chick had learned that Bugsy was physically abusive, and Sindler remembered him saying: 'I ought to kill the son of a b****.' In his autobiography, Sindler wrote that Chick was in the mansion on the night of the shooting to make sure the curtains were open so the shooter, who was one of Virginia's other brothers, would be able to see Bugsy through the window. Sindler argued that his theory was supported by the fact that Bugsy was not killed in a typical mob hit, which was characterized by a point-blank shot from a pistol to the head, rather than a long-distance barrage of shots from a rifle. Some people also point to the fact that Virginia had flown to Paris just a few weeks before Bugsy was killed, indicating that she knew what was about to happen. But Lissa Rodgers, a historian who wrote a book about Virginia Hill, told the Daily Mail: 'I don't really subscribe to the idea that her brother, who was also actually friends with Bugsy, went and got somebody to rub him out for mistreating Virginia.' 'Bugsy and Virginia's relationship was over a decade long... But they had gone back and forth and they were kind of getting to the end. The strain of the Flamingo and other things sort of dissolved [their relationship].' Rodgers said. 'It was an abusive relationship, but I just don't think her brother did it,' she added. An 80-year legacy After nearly a century, Bugsy's unsolved murder continues to capture the public's curiosity, and the celebrity gangster's legacy still ripples through Las Vegas' history and image. Lissa Rodgers, a historian and expert on Virginia Hill, does not believe the theory that her brothers killed Bugsy is true. Hill is pictured at a hearing in New York Bugsy's legacy continues to capture the public's curiosity after nearly 80 years. A pair of his sunglasses is pictured on display at the Las Vegas Mob Museum Bugsy has become cemented in Las Vegas' lore. A collection of artifacts related to Bugsy and the Flamingo is pictured on display in the Las Vegas Mob Museum For all his flaws, Bugsy's vision for Sin City's first luxury casino, 'really did help Las Vegas turn the corner,' White told the Daily Mail. 'The opulence of the Flamingo set the stage for a huge Las Vegas boom in the late 1940s and 1950s.' And Bugsy's grisly murder, which Las Vegas once worked hard to distance itself from, has become cemented in the city's lore. His name is plastered throughout bars and restaurants in the Flamingo, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary this year. The Beverly Hills Police Department still lists Bugsy's murder case as open, and its files are sealed to the public. The Daily Mail reached out to the department to ask if it is still actively investigating the murder, but did not receive a response. Although historians have inched closer to the truth of who ordered Bugsy's death and who pulled the trigger, certainty remains elusive. Without access to the sealed files, Gragg said, 'it might be a case that's never solved.' 'I did it. I did everything. I put the paper towel in the babys mouth because she was crying.' Those were the harrowing words from a Long Island woman after she was arrested and accused of murdering her newborn baby girl in a decades-old cold case. Denise Merker, 55, made the bombshell confession this month about the 1993 killing, according to court records obtained by the Daily Mail. Merker was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing her newborn daughter and stuffing her body in a garbage bag. She had allegedly left the babys lifeless body in the grass along a roadside in Calverton. A state highway cleaning crew discovered the newborn's body on September 27, 1993, near Riverheads western border. 'They were doing their routine maintenance, picking up paper, when they came across this,' a transportation department spokesperson said. Police at the time said 'little effort was made to obscure the bag,' meaning the baby's body was essentially left in plain view, with no attempt at concealment. The newborn girl's lifeless body was discovered at the intersection of Middle Country and Wading River-Manor roads in Calverton, Long Island, New York Denise Merker, 55, made the shocking confession on February 2 after she was arrested in connection with the baby's death A photo of police cars at the scene where the baby girl was found in September 1993 Now, 33 years later, Merker, who was 22 at the time of the murder, confessed the heartbreaking truth after Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) played a 'significant factor' in cracking the case. FIGG is a powerful tool that matches crime scene DNA with public databases, tracing relatives to help identify victims and track down suspects. Retired NYPD detective Michael Alcazar told the Daily Mail how crucial this technology has become for solving decades-old homicide cases. 'When we gather DNA evidence, we just check it off CODIS (the Combined DNA Index System) and see if that person's in the database. When it's not in our database, then they go to genealogy,' Alcazar told the Daily Mail. CODIS is an FBI database that lets investigators match crime scene DNA to profiles from offenders and arrestees. '[Genealogy is] very helpful in identifying people's family tree, and somehow linking a suspect to that DNA. 'Of course, with that, you have to utilize a little bit of investigative techniques, meaning it just doesn't give you the answer. 'You have to follow leads and to see if it develops into something probative that you can actually exploit and perhaps find out who the person is,' he added. Your browser does not support iframes. The front page of local newspaper the Riverhead-News Review on September 30, when police ruled the baby's death was a homicide Forensic investigative genetic genealogy is a powerful tool that links crime scene DNA to public databases Police officers are pictured at the scene where the baby girl's body was found in September 1993 Michael Alcazar Adjunct Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice spoke to the Daily Mail about the importance of forensic investigative genetic genealogy The baby's identity remained a mystery up until January 2025, when records show her information was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database. Alcazar also noted that preserving evidence is critical - it can make or break a homicide case. 'Crime scene processing is key, which is so frustrating when I'm watching the Nancy Guthrie case, and, you know, you can tell, like, they didn't process the scene well. 'They released it too soon, then they had to revisit it, so now perhaps more DNA is introduced, stranger DNA is mixed in with people that have access,' Alcazar said, noting that the process is tedious and can influence an investigation. 'Crime scene processing is a very, very important part of solving a homicide.' Merker was arraigned in Riverhead Town Justice Court and jailed, with a grand jury arraignment set for March 2. The abductor of Nancy Guthrie could be caught using tactics that were crucial in the Bryan Kohberger case, according to a digital forensics investigator who analyzed the Idaho killer's phone. While criminals know to turn their phones off when committing an offense they are less aware of how going dark can also be a major clue for law enforcement. Special agents from the FBI's Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) will now be trawling through cell tower data from a wide area around Nancy's Arizona home, building up a picture of historically normal activity and looking for anything abnormal, such as phones being turned off and then on again in the early hours, when the kidnapping happened. 'You have to know what normal is to find evil, and this person's phone would be considered the evil,' Heather Barnhart, an expert with Cellebrite and the SANS Institute, who worked on the Kohberger case, told the Daily Mail. Today star Savannah Guthrie's elderly mother, Nancy, was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1 and FBI special agents are painstakingly going through cell phone tower data to find her kidnapper Nancy, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was taken on February 1 between 1:47 am, when her doorbell camera was disconnected, and 2:28 am when her pacemaker app dropped from her phone. Drops of her blood were found on the front porch and eerie footage, recovered from her Nest doorbell camera, showed an unidentified masked suspect standing at her front door. Barnhart said investigators have all the cell phone tower data and would be methodically going though which devices entered the area on that night, and then also looking at 'pings' when they leave. They will have a particular interest in phones with pings showing that they were driving away, and especially if they were not numbers from the area. In the Idaho case, Kohberger entered 1122 King Road at 4 am where he murdered Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. His phone, which Barnhart analyzed, was off between 2:54 am and 4:48 am. 'If you think about Bryan Kohberger, his device was turned off, so the tower right near King Road probably wouldn't have picked that up at all. But when he left, he turned it on, because most people rely on their phones for navigation,' she said. 'Unless these people (Nancy's abductor) knew exactly where they were going their phone will be off and then suddenly ping. So, not just cell towers right by Nancy's home, but take it a few miles out, spread out and look.' Left to right: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders), Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle Bryan Kohberger deliberately shut off his phone at the time he committed his crime There is also the possibility that Nancy's kidnapper could have done reconnaissance at her house, which would help forensic digital investigators. Police have already asked neighbors to check their home security systems for suspicious people and vehicles going back to January 1, a full month before the abduction. Barnhart said: 'If the person ever scoped out the house in advance, is there an unusual ping to towers? So, look at normal behavior. If we live in the same neighborhood, our phones are going to constantly ping that tower. Which ones are outliers?' She used the example of a robbery in which the only reason law enforcement found the culprit was cell phone tower data showing he had made more than one visit to the area. 'He scoped it out. Then, the day of the robbery, his cell phone pinged again, and then he came back an additional time to check on it. So it was that repeated behavior of someone that typically doesn't belong in that area.' She added: 'You need to do a sprawling look around Nancy. I would look at all routes leaving and entering her neighborhood, and try to get that tower data, which I'm sure they're already doing. Heather Barnhart, an expert with Cellebrite and the SANS Institute, said cell phone tower data was a key tool in the hunt for Nancy Guthrie's abductor The abductor's phone would have 'pinged' a cell tower when they turned it back on 'Digital forensics isn't always exciting, and looking through the normal can be really monotonous and take a long time. People, I think, want answers immediately, and I get it, but it's hard to do digital forensics thoroughly. And to me, they're doing a thorough job, and that's why it's taking this long. 'If you're Verizon, if you're AT&T, if you're T-Mobile, there are different formats that the data exists in, so you need an investigator that knows how to look at all the different formats of tower data to parse it and make it normalized. The public has to be patient, and know that people are trying to dig through and find something that doesn't belong.' She said the process also depends on how many towers and phones there are in an area. The rural nature of Nancy's home would make it easier than a crime in 'a really populated area that's constantly busy near a university, so there's kids who are up all night.' However, the cell service near Nancy's home is poor. 'Cell service isn't good, but even if your cell service isn't good, you could be pinging other towers and your phone's constantly beaconing out,' Barnhart said. 'So we need to capture anywhere that those beacons exist to see what is normal and what is not.' The rural nature of the area around Nancy's home may help digital forensic investigators While criminals are getting wiser to how technology can be used to retroactively track them, investigators are still a step ahead. Some criminals continue not to realize their phones 'ping' to cell phone towers while on airplane mode. 'It's a stupid choice by criminals putting your phone in airplane mode, you're still pinging. It's still beaconing out so it would have to be completely powered down not to make a ping,' said Barnhart. 'Bryan Kohberger not only powered his down, he turned off Wi-Fi, turned off cellular, and then powered it down like he was trying to completely get rid of his digital footprint.' But that deliberate activity by Kohberger proved intent. 'In Idaho, that's how we knew,' said Barnhart. 'There is this gap of information where there are no phone pings from his device. It's weird. Him powering off his phone gave us the perfect bookend of his crime, and really proved his intent to do harm to those kids in that house.' Nancy, 84, Savannah Guthrie's mother, was last seen by her family on January 31. She was reported missing the following morning and has not been seen or heard from since As examiners go through tower data, it may be the best hope for identifying Nancy's abductor. 'I think this is probably the best chance, in addition to license plate readers and other people's cameras catching footage of cars passing by,' said Barnhart. 'There's not a perfect criminal out there. Bryan Kohberger thought he was, and clearly we saw he was not. Everyone has cameras. License plate readers are everywhere. So unless you're using a flip phone, you've never touched technology, you enter a house that doesn't have cameras, and you're doing it on foot or horseback, you're going to be found. 'It may feel to the family like they're chasing the impossible, (but) with digital, people will be found. There's infinite amounts of data to keep thinking through.' We Are China Military vehicle releases smoke in CBRN decontamination drill China Military Online) 10:35, February 28, 2026 A military vehicle attached to the Chinese PLA Army releases smoke during a Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) decontamination drill. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zeng Cunjun) Soldiers assigned to the Chinese PLA Army decontaminate simulated chemical-contaminated vehicles during a Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) decontamination drill. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zeng Cunjun) Soldiers assigned to the Chinese PLA Army decontaminate simulated chemical-contaminated vehicles during a Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) decontamination drill. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zeng Cunjun) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Conflict across the Middle East has entered a second week after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader on 28 February. Iran has continued to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, which have extended to non-military targets, including civilian sites and energy facilities. The fighting has escalated quickly, pulling in Cyprus and Lebanon, with casualties and damage mounting on all sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has been happening in Iran? The US and Israel launched their attack on 28 February, targeting Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed. The US and Israel have continued to target key sites linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has repeatedly insisted its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. [BBC] As of 5 March, Iranian state-linked media Tasnim said 1,230 people had been killed, while the US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) group said 1,114 civilians had been killed and a further 926 reported deaths were under review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran accused the US and Israel of launching an attack on a girls' school near an IRGC base in southern Iran on Saturday, saying more than 160 people were killed. The US said it was looking into reports of the incident, while Israel said it was "not aware" of any military operations in the area. Internet connectivity in Iran has been almost entirely restricted and its airspace has been closed, and there has been no updated death toll from Iran since 5 March. [BBC] How has Iran responded? Iran has described the US and Israeli strikes as "unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate", and has carried out widespread missile and drone attacks in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IRGC said it had targeted Israeli government and military sites in Tel Aviv and elsewhere. Iran has been accused of widening its attacks to include other targets, including shipping and civilian sites, such as hotels in Dubai. There have also been strikes in countries hosting US bases - Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait - and US-allied Oman and Saudi Arabia. Drones hit the US embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, and a drone also hit a car park adjacent to the US consulate in Dubai. Iraq said it had been struck by Iran on 6 March after explosions at Erbil airport, while two days earlier Turkey said it had shot down an Iranian missile over its airspace. Azerbaijan accused Iran of attacking an airport with drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US and its Arab allies issued a joint statement condemning Iran's attacks, saying "the targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilising behaviour". Elsewhere, a British military base in Cyprus was struck by a drone, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, which the Cypriot president blamed on Iran. Western officials later said the drone was not launched from Iran. As of Monday 2 March, six US servicemen have been killed and 18 injured, according to Centcom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 7 March, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian broadcast a video message on Iranian state television apologising to neighbouring countries that were attacked. Pezeshkian said Iran did "not intend to invade neighbouring countries" and said the leadership has issued a decision to the armed forced that "from now on, do not attack neighbouring countries unless attacked first". Why have the US and Israel attacked Iran? Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attacks on Saturday as a "pre-emptive strike" to "remove threats against the state of Israel", although he did not explain why there was a need to take military action at this time. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday the US knew there was going to be Israeli action, which meant America had to act "pre-emptively" in the face of expected Iranian attacks on American forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brig Gen Effie Defrin revealed that the military operation was preceded by months of strategic deception that caught Iran off guard. In the US, some lawmakers have called for President Donald Trump's administration to provide evidence that Iran posed a threat before Washington went to war. But there are also underlying reasons. Israel and the US - its closest ally - have been arch-foes of Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The Iranian leadership has consistently called for Israel's elimination and denounced the US as its greatest enemy. The two countries have led Western opposition to Iran's nuclear programme, claiming Iran is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb - something Iran has vehemently denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites in June 2025 in a war which lasted for 12 days. Since then, they have claimed Iran has been trying to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Trump said these missiles could eventually reach the US, though this has not been supported by US intelligence assessments. For its part, Israel considers Iran a threat to its existence and wants the complete removal of Iran's nuclear and missile programme, as well as regime change. The US first openly talked in January about potentially attacking Iran when its security forces cracked down on protesters with deadly force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the US and Iran began negotiations and appeared to be making progress until Trump said he was "not happy" with the way the talks were going. Hours later the US and Israel began attacking. On 6 March, Trump said there would be "no deal" with Iran unless it agreed to an "unconditional surrender. The following day, in response to Pezeshkian's television statement, Trump said the Iranian leader had "apologised and surrendered ... because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack" but added later in his Truth social post "today Iran will be hit very hard!" [Reuters] What's happening in Lebanon? A new front in the war opened in Lebanon on 2 March when the militant group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched attacks in response, hitting Beirut and parts of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is allied to Iran's government and said it was seeking to avenge Khamenei's assassination. In Israel, the defence minister said on 3 March ground troops would "advance and seize additional strategic areas in Lebanon" in order to stop attacks from Hezbollah. The United Nations said more than 30,000 people had been forced to flee their homes since the escalation of hostilities. Israel launched a "broad-scale wave" of strikes against Beirut overnight on 6 March, saying it struck Hezbollah command centres and a facility storing drones in the capital's southern suburb of Dahieh. Lebanon's health ministry said on 7 March the attacks had killed almost 300 people since the war front began. How is the war affecting the economy and energy prices? Instability in the Middle East has begun to impact the global economy. Iran has been accused of attacking ships in the Gulf, forcing the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply. Attacks have also been reported on major oil and gas hubs, including in Oman's Duqm commercial port and the UAE's Fujairah terminal. The strikes have prompted some of the world's largest producers of oil and gas to suspend production, including Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and Saudi Arabia's largest domestic refinery. Oil and gas prices have surged, prompting warnings about the impact on the global economy and cost of living. Trump said on March 3 that the US navy would protect ships in the region "if necessary" and "at a very reasonable price" in a bid to stop global energy supply issues. A tanker off the coast of Kuwait was hit by a "large explosion", causing an oil spill, British maritime security agency UKMTO said on March 5. How might Khamenei's successor be chosen? Iran has said it will appoint a new supreme leader swiftly. A transitional leadership council has been formed to run the country temporarily, consisting of: President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and senior cleric Alireza Arafi. The formal selection of a successor to Khamenei is carried out by 88 senior clerics, known as the Assembly of Experts. Under the country's constitution, these clerics must appoint the new supreme leader as soon as possible, but this may prove difficult while the country is under attack. The IRGC has already named a new commander-in-chief, Ahmad Vahidi. Trump told US publication Axios that he wanted to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader. [BBC] Is it safe to travel to the region and how long could the war last? Trump first said military action was expected to last "four to five weeks" but on 7 March White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the operations could last up to six weeks. On the first day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign would "continue as long as it is needed". The war prompted one of the most serious disruptions to global travel since the Covid-19 pandemic, with airspace closures and thousands of flights grounded across the Middle East. Since March 6, Etihad announced it will begin operating limited flights from Abu Dhabi to London, Manchester, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Rome, Paris, and Milan. Emirates also said it was working to restore full network operations, following the partial re-opening of regional airspace. Airspace in Qatar partially reopened on March 7, in response Qatar Airways said it intended to operate repatriation flights. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said anyone planning to travel to the Middle East should check its website for advice relating to their destination. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, says intensifying violence across the Middle East and beyond has already triggered significant population movement. It said an estimated 100,000 people left Tehran in the first two days following the attacks. In Lebanon, it said 58,000 people were sheltering across collective sites. In Syria, it said that nearly 10,000 Syrians and close to 1,000 Lebanese crossed from Lebanon on 2nd March, nearly three times the daily average. With additional reporting by Olivia Ireland, Robert Greenall, Hafsa Khalil, Gabriela Pomeroy and BBC Persian. It's a delicate tightrope, a beautiful, rich woman talking about cosmetic surgery and tweakments. She doesn't want to make the rest of us feel like half-dead tortoises who don't try hard enough, so she will say she eschews Botox, despite her job appearing on a screen in high definition, because it makes her forehead too smooth, apparently. Oh, bully for you! Still, in spite of being a beauty at the age of 53 with perfect dimples, Jennifer Garner admits she sees a dermatologist once a year to become a human pin cushion. But, in case we get all jealous and chippy, she adds this bit of nonsensical garble: 'I can't really tell the difference after because that's what I've noticed: the more you spend on a dermatologist doing a bunch of things to your face, the less you can tell that they've done it. And somehow, that's a good thing.' It's true: women can't be beautiful AND clever. She was talking to Kylie Kelce earlier this week on a podcast called, incongruously, Not Gonna Lie. These celebrities don't want to alienate feminists, cinemagoers or mums, so they chatter on about how they are happy in their own skin, insisting we are 'all beautiful'. But scratch the perfectly exfoliated skin and they're just as insecure as the rest of us. Intellectually, we want to channel Linda McCartney, not dye our hair or wear make-up, stomp around in wellies raising sheep, but we realize that of course Linda had a devoted husband, was brought up by the sort of wealthy, patrician family who told her she could do no wrong, the world was her oyster. Not many of us are that lucky, raised in a bubble where we're assured, just as Mark Darcy told Bridget, that we're fine, just as we are. In spite of being a beauty at the age of 53 with perfect dimples, Jennifer Garner admits she sees a dermatologist once a year to become a human pin cushion (Pictured: February 20) I had a facelift and blepharoplasty when I was the age Garner is now: it's the moment your face tends to melt like the South Pole but also the age when you should feel settled, loved, with a great career, secure home. But as women land in their fifties only to find their lives are chaotic and busy, while at the same time spoon fed the oleaginously smooth face of Nicole Kidman, the undimmed sexual magnetism of Monica Bellucci, of course we're going to find we come up wanting. I looked less miserable after my face lift, so I cheered up inside, too: but boy, what a high price, literally. Inner peace would have been so much cheaper, but amid the noise of the media and advertisements, it's awfully hard to meditate these days, to quiet self doubt. I've also had a brow transplant nothing more aging than a few scraggy grey tufts! while my body below my eyes is entirely hair free: go figure. I've had fat injected into the backs of my hands, Botox, filler, collagen in my lips (super painful!) and on and on. I justified the pain and expense as being an extension of self care: most of us dye our hair, after all. It boosts confidence to dress well. But the expense and pain haven't meant I'm loved: I was still cheated on by my last boyfriend with a woman whom I judged a frump in a bad coat. The lesson here is that most men of my generation (more on this later) don't notice or, if they do, are terrified by our fabulousness and act out. The truth is that Garner's soft anti-tweakment stance is a privilege, given she's a natural beauty with access to great nutrition and spare time to work out. But on podcasts like this one she wants to play the feminist, not call out the fatties in Walmart who pay to see her movies. She wants to be relatable, but deep down she, like 99 per cent of women, has succumbed to the idea rammed down our throats by the fashion and beauty industries that we need to look like adolescent girls, for ever (I doubt Linda McCartney ever spent much on skincare or even clothes beyond a shrunken cardi and an old tea dress). Garner knows most women can't afford a Hollywood surgeon or even a massage to make us feel better. Hence her word salad. I looked less miserable after my facelift, so I cheered up inside, too: but boy, what a high price, literally (Pictured: Author Liz Jones) On podcasts like this one she wants to play the feminist, not call out the fatties in Walmart who pay to see her movies (Pictured: Garner in 2004) And she's not the only one at it. Halle Berry, legendary sex symbol, is now, aged an improbable 59, extolling the wonder that is the JoyLux vFit, just one of myriad options for 'intimate wellness'. Its LED light improves blood flow vital for vaginal health and lubrication. She's telling us that hovering near 60 (I'm too busy Hoovering), we must be oven ready, able to emerge from the ocean looking ravenous in a bikini. An emerging problem is that the prices of even the most invasive cosmetic interventions have plummeted, readily available in every shopping mall. And for twentysomethings, pressure is not just from magazines and movies and older male partners, it's from Instagram and from young men who are addicted to reality TV and porn. One young woman told me that boys now say, if a girl hasn't had anything done lips, cheeks, lashes 'Look at the state of that!' It's expected, particularly among working-class communities. My eightysomething friend's minimum wage caregiver took a week off for a facelift and new teeth in Turkey, only to return and have her daughter exclaim in tears: 'You no longer look like my mum!' Doubtless the effect she was after. Is there an end to us regarding women's bodies as playthings when we should just be grateful we're healthy? Will I be making the shape of a pretzel for a Hollywood wax when I'm 70? As Germaine Greer points out in The Whole Woman: 'One of my girlfriends is forever stroking the underside of her chin unconsciously feeling for the emergence of a bristle and can be seen doing it even in her daughter's wedding video.' There is not one second when we're not wondering if our body is letting us down. I'm afraid Jennifer Garner's long legs are dangling each side of a precarious fence: of wanting to be relatable but also nursing insecurities as deep-seated as Kris Kenner's facelift. She's having her cake and eating it. It's a hypothetical cake, mind: these gals don't do carbs. Since it first appeared on UK shelves in 1956, paracetamol has become the nation's default painkiller - swallowed for everything from headaches and toothache to back pain and fever. An estimated 200 million packets are sold over the counter each year. Cheap, widely available and generally safe when used correctly, it is a medicine cabinet essential for millions of Britons. But despite its ubiquity, paracetamol remains one of the most misunderstood drugs we take. Scientists still debate exactly how it works in the body. Its effectiveness for some common conditions has been questioned in recent years. And while it is safe at recommended doses, it is also one of the leading causes of overdose-related hospital admissions in the UK. That leaves patients with some surprisingly basic questions: Should you take it before pain strikes or wait until symptoms hit? How long is it safe to use? And is there any real benefit in paying more for branded versions over supermarket generics? So how did this small white tablet become a household staple - and how safe is it, really? Since it first appeared on UK shelves in 1956, paracetamol has become the nation's default painkiller - swallowed for everything from headaches and toothache to back pain and fever Deborah Grayson, a pharmacist with 30 years of experience, tells the Daily Mail: 'When it comes to precisely what paracetamol does and how it works, it's a bit unclear. 'It's not uncommon for scientists not to fully understand how medicines work - particularly those that act on the nervous system.' Unlike ibuprofen, which reduces inflammation at the site of injury, paracetamol works primarily in the brain and spinal cord. Researchers believe it dampens the production of chemical messengers involved in pain and temperature regulation, though the precise mechanism remains under debate. 'It reduces the production of substances called prostaglandins, essentially inhibiting the enzymes responsible for transmitting pain signals,' says Ms Grayson. 'There is also some suggestion that it acts on the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway, which plays a key role in inflammation. 'Ibuprofen inhibits this enzyme too, though paracetamol does not appear to have the same anti-inflammatory effect. 'Instead, paracetamol seems to work mainly by blocking pain signals in the brain.' Here, Ms Grayson reveals exactly what you need to know about paracetamol... Is branded paracetamol better than supermarket own-brand generics With prices ranging from 35p for a packet of supermarket own-brand paracetamol to 2.35 for the branded equivalent, is there any real difference? 'Standard 500mg paracetamol tablets are essentially the same,' says Ms Grayson, dubbed the 'Godmother of Pharmacology'. 'There may be subtle differences in the non-active ingredients, such as fillers, colourings and binding agents, but they should work in exactly the same way.' She adds that although the active ingredient is identical, prices can vary significantly between brands due to packaging, marketing and advertising. 'Generic tablets usually have simpler packaging and aren't heavily advertised,' she says. Do cold and flu medicines work better than plain paracetamol? Paracetamol is often the first-line over-the-counter treatment for fever, headaches and body aches associated with colds and flu. Many brands also sell dedicated cold and flu products formulated with a combination of active ingredients - most commonly paracetamol and a decongestant. These typically come with a much higher price tag than plain paracetamol. For example, a packet of 16 Lemsip Max Day & Night Cold & Flu Relief capsules costs 6.80 at Boots - 43p per capsule. By comparison, 16 Boots 500mg paracetamol tablets cost just 49p, or around 3p per tablet. So is there any real benefit to choosing a branded cold and flu remedy over standard paracetamol? 'While decongestants can make you feel a little better in the short term, they can actually worsen symptoms over time,' says Ms Grayson. 'You can end up more congested than you were before taking them. From a cold and flu perspective, you're usually better off taking regular paracetamol two to four times a day to control fever and ease pain.' What does 'maximum strength' paracetamol actually mean? Many paracetamol products are labelled 'maximum strength' - a term Ms Grayson says can be misleading. 'When a product is labelled 'max strength', it simply means it contains 500mg of paracetamol per tablet,' she explains. 'That's the same dose as standard 'regular' paracetamol.' According to the NHS, the maximum recommended dose for adults is two 500mg tablets, up to four times in 24 hours. The phrase is often used on cold and flu remedies that combine paracetamol with other ingredients. The danger is that people may take more than one type of cold medicine at the same time, not realising they are stacking their total paracetamol intake - increasing the risk of serious liver damage. In reality, 'maximum strength' usually just indicates that the product contains the highest dose permitted for over-the-counter sale in a single tablet, rather than a more potent formulation. Does rapid-release paracetamol work faster? According to Ms Grayson, there is some scientific evidence behind 'rapid-release' tablets, such as Panadol Rapid. These formulations are designed to provide faster pain relief than standard paracetamol, with studies suggesting they can begin working within 30 minutes. 'Typically, manufacturers add ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate to rapid-release formulas, which helps the tablet dissolve more quickly in the gastrointestinal tract,' she explains. 'They can also micronise the active ingredient - meaning the particle size is made much smaller - so it passes across the gut wall more easily.' This allows the paracetamol to reach the small intestine faster, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. 'The difference in speed is often marginal, though,' Ms Grayson adds. While standard paracetamol can take up to an hour to take effect, rapid-release - particularly effervescent forms - may begin working in around 30 minutes. Why is caffeine added to paracetamol - and does it help? Paracetamol is often combined with caffeine to enhance its pain-relieving effects. According to Ms Grayson, caffeine can accelerate the absorption of paracetamol, helping it enter the bloodstream more quickly. It also acts on adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain. This is why products marketed for period pain and migraines frequently contain caffeine alongside paracetamol. Caffeine also acts as a vasoconstrictor, narrowing blood vessels - particularly in the brain - by blocking adenosine receptors, which would normally cause them to dilate. This temporary narrowing can raise blood pressure slightly and reduce cerebral blood flow, which may help relieve certain types of headache. What's the difference between paracetamol and co-codamol? Paracetamol is also available in combination with codeine in varying strengths. Lower-dose formulations - commonly known as co-codamol - can be bought over the counter at pharmacies, while higher-strength versions require a prescription. When taken together, paracetamol and codeine work through complementary mechanisms. Codeine is an opioid that binds to opiate receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the transmission of pain signals. Paracetamol works through a different pathway, primarily within the central nervous system. 'It's like an additional mode of action on top of the paracetamol,' says Ms Grayson. Is paracetamol safer than ibuprofen? 'Paracetamol is gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen, but it is far more dangerous in overdose because it can cause irreversible liver damage,' says Ms Grayson. 'This is because ibuprofen inhibits not only COX-2, but also COX-1. 'COX-1 is an enzyme involved in producing mucin and bicarbonate in the digestive system. 'Mucin forms the protective mucus lining of the stomach, while bicarbonate helps neutralise stomach acid. 'If you inhibit COX-1, that protective barrier is weakened, meaning the stomach lining can effectively be digested by acid and pepsin. 'So if you're taking ibuprofen over a prolonged period, blocking that mechanism increases the risk of gastric irritation or even erosion.' Why is there a limit on how much paracetamol you can buy in the UK? Paracetamol overdose is a leading cause of acute liver failure. Compared with the US, where paracetamol can be purchased in large quantities, the UK tightly regulates sales to reduce the risk of overdose. General retail outlets can sell packs of 16 tablets or fewer, while pharmacies can sell up to 32, with a maximum of 100 tablets per transaction. This legislation was introduced in 1998 to help prevent self-poisoning. Can taking paracetamol too often cause headaches? 'All painkillers taken regularly carry the risk of an analgesic overuse headache, with opiates being the worst,' says Ms Grayson. 'Taking painkillers pre-emptively on a regular basis can increase the risk. For people with chronic pain, this may be unavoidable, but if you're taking them to prevent pain, there's a real danger of getting caught in a perpetual loop.' What happens if you take too much paracetamol? While safe at the recommended dose, taking too much paracetamol can cause serious harm and requires urgent medical attention. 'Most people are now hopefully aware of the risks, and we generally see fewer accidental overdoses,' says Ms Grayson. 'However, some people assume the occasional extra dose is harmless. The risk is higher if your liver isn't functioning well or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.' A deliberate overdose is a medical emergency, even if the person feels well. 'Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain usually appear 24 to 72 hours after an overdose,' explains Ms Grayson. 'Over the following days, jaundice, confusion, extreme drowsiness, and liver or kidney damage can develop. If the overdose isn't treated quickly, permanent liver damage - even cirrhosis - can occur. 'That's why restrictions on over-the-counter sales were introduced: to prevent people stockpiling large quantities of paracetamol.' Speaking at the White House, President Trump told expectant mothers to 'tough it out' and 'fight like hell' not to take the drug, claiming it was contributing to rising rates of autism Does paracetamol really cause autism? In September, US health chiefs urged pregnant women to take paracetamol - known as Tylenol in America - sparingly, advising use at only 'the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time'. Speaking at the White House, President Trump went further, telling expectant mothers to 'tough it out' and 'fight like hell' not to take the drug, claiming it was contributing to rising rates of autism. The remarks sparked an international furore - not least because in many countries, including the UK, paracetamol is recommended as the first-line painkiller during pregnancy. Around half of pregnant women in Britain are thought to take it at some point, rising to about 65 per cent in the US. Since then, a major research paper published in The Lancet has found no evidence that paracetamol use in pregnancy causes harm when taken as directed. Major health bodies worldwide - including the NHS, the World Health Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - continue to state that paracetamol remains the safest and recommended option for pain relief during pregnancy when used appropriately. Men are ignoring the early signs of erectile dysfunction putting symptoms down to stress, fatigue or just 'getting older' leaving them at risk of developing life-threatening heart conditions, a top GP has warned. Experts say that there are five key signs that all men need to be aware of, including fewer morning erections and reduced sensitivity. As many as half of all men aged 40 to 70 will at some point experience erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. The prevalence rises significantly with age by 70, over twothirds may be affected. Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said: 'Erectile dysfunction doesn't happen overnight. 'In many cases, there are plenty of early warning signs that can indicate a potential issue with achieving or maintaining an erection. 'Despite this, many early signs are often ignored or brushed off as stress, tiredness, or simply getting older. 'Recognising the warning signs early and seeking advice can make a significant difference, not just for sexual health, but for overall wellbeing.' As many as half of all men aged 40 to 70 will at some point experience erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons Research has shown that men with erectile dysfunction are at higher risk of suffering from heart disease. One study by US scientists, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, found men with erectile dysfunction had a 70 per cent increased risk of an early death from any cause. Another Dutch study found men with erectile dysfunction were up to 250 per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. Experts say that this is because erections are an early warning sign for disease. 'Erections rely on strong and consistent blood flow, so a reduction in morning erections could be an early indication of the body's vascular changes,' says Dr Grant. Now experts say that these are the warning signs that men need to watch out for. Loss of morning erections Waking up with an erection is a sign that a man is healthy according to experts. Medically termed nocturnal penile tumescence, or night time erections, these are a normal part of male sexual function. During certain stages of sleep, parts of the nervous system that normally control the muscles governing blood flow to the penis switch off. This, along with naturally fluctuating hormone levels, leads to erections at night and in the morning on waking. Studies show that, for most men, it is normal to get between three and five erections a night, each of about ten to 30 minutes. FirmTech a company that manufactures penis monitors analysed data from 150,000 men and found the number of nighttime and morning erections remains relatively stable throughout life. A morning erection is essentially the final nocturnal penile tumescence and the only insight a man can have into whether they are still getting them without an expensive penis monitor. 'Many men don't understand that regular morning erections are a sign of healthy blood flow and nerve function,' says Dr Grant. 'This means when they become weaker or less frequent, it can often be a sign that circulation isn't working as efficiently as it should. Erections rely on strong and consistent blood flow, so a reduction in morning erections could be an early indication of the body's vascular changes. 'Occasional changes are completely normal and can be influenced by stress, poor sleep, or alcohol. However, if someone notices a persistent decline over weeks or months, it's important to seek medical advice from your GP.' Lower sex drive or loss of sexual desire Last month research dispelled the commonlyheld belief that libido declines with age. Researchers from the University of Tartu in Estonia analysed data from more than 67,000 adults ranging in age from 20 to 84. They discovered that male sexual appetite increased through their 20s, peaked in the early 40s and then began a gradual decline. Now experts say that reduced libido can be a key warning sign for erectile dysfunction. 'Reduced libido is one of the most common early indications that something may be affecting a man's sexual health,' says Dr Grant. 'With so many potential contributing factors, men often ignore or dismiss them as stress, ageing, low testosterone, or temporary lifestyle changes such as increased alcohol consumption. 'ED can cause reduced libido because sexual desire and sexual performance are closely linked. When a man begins to experience difficulty with erections, it can lead to anxiety around intimacy, lowered confidence, and a fear of repeated problems, reducing sexual interest over time.' Between the sheets: It's often seen as a taboo subject, but a new study is finally lifting the lid on Britons' sex lives. This graph illustrates the percentage of people who have had sex recently Longer time needed to get an erection after sex Even if a man can get an erection, a delay between being able to get another can be an early warning sign of erectile dysfunction. 'It's completely natural for recovery time after orgasm to increase gradually with age. However, a sudden or significant change in the amount of time it takes to achieve an erection after having sex can sometimes indicate hormonal shifts, reduced blood flow, or underlying health concerns,' says Dr Grant. 'Many men put this sign down to age, but this sign should never be ignored. If recovery time has increased alongside other symptoms such as reduced firmness or lower libido, it may be an early sign of erectile dysfunction and is worth discussing with a GP. Reduced penile sensitivity or weaker erections Experts say one of the earliest signs of the problem is an erection that lacks rigidity. This means it might feel soft to the touch or be difficult to maintain during intercourse. FirmTech says its research has shown that, between the ages of 20 and 60, rigidity reduces, on average, by about 15 per cent. And for those with underlying health issues, this change can be far more pronounced. 'Finally, it can be normal for men experiencing ED to notice reduced sensitivity. This may mean that stimulation feels less intense than it once did, making it more difficult to achieve or maintain a firm erection,' says Dr Grant. 'Changes in sensitivity can be attributed to many different potential factors, including reduced blood flow, heightened stress, or lifestyle habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Like all of these signs, it's important to monitor this symptom closely.' Inconsistent erections or difficulty maintaining firmness Experts say that the final early warning sign that men need to look out for is inconsistent erectile dysfunction. 'Occasional erectile difficulty is completely normal and can happen to any man. However, if issues begin occurring more frequently, even if not every time, this inconsistency can signal the early stages of ED,' says Dr Grant. 'Due to stigma or fear of embarrassment, men often wait until the problem becomes constant before seeking help, but recurring issues are usually the body's way of highlighting an underlying issue that shouldn't be ignored.' I have found my 96-year-old bedridden mother Beatrice under the covers, scooted down in the hospital bed as far as she can go. She nods at me and points towards a corner of the ceiling, telling me a horde of strangers has invaded her room, people she doesnt recognize. I look in the direction of her crooked finger but theres nothing there. Presumably the strangers have all skedaddled upon my appearance, so I dismiss her statement as a lot of hooey. Mom is imagining things. It is April 2006, and I have returned from Europe to assume responsibility for her hospice care in Cape Cod. Give me an A for Good Intentions but an F for End-of-Life Issues. As her primary caregiver, I must reach into that well of strength we all possess but rarely use. Flip a switch, turn off emotion, and do what needs to be done, be it changing diapers or serving food at odd times of the night when I would rather be asleep. From May to July, I often hear the thumping theme song to Ghostbusters in my head because the mysterious visits continue. The visitors are her old friends or family members. A few days later, its her elder sister, Helen, who pays a visit with a little boy on a red tricycle. Helen predeceased Bea by two decades. I hand mom another grape and assume this is yet another complication of growing old, a senior moment that has escalated into cognitive decline. Beatrice holds a newborn Alexandra - decades later, the child became the carer As her mom's primary caregiver, Grabbe had to reach into a well of strength we all possess but rarely use Grabbe returned from Europe to assume responsibility for her mom's hospice care in Cape Cod (stock photo) I pay no attention until voices resound in the bedroom, and I realize she is arguing with somebody. Since I hear her mention needing Moms approval, I figure Helen has probably returned and hurry into the bedroom. Who were you talking to? I ask. No one, she replies like a naughty child unwilling to risk disapproval. Our life becomes peppered with these strange visits. When I phone my moms doctor to ask what in the world is going on, he suggests an anti-psychotic for hallucinations. Politely I refuse. Mom does not have a psychosis, nor does she suffer from dementia. For a while, I conclude that her imagination has spiraled into overdrive. If I remind her that we are alone in the bedroom, she corrects me, describing, for instance, what her former college roommate wore during her visit earlier in the day: A nice new blue dress with flowers. I indulge her, reluctant to point out that a recent alumnae magazine has published the roommates obituary. Why contradict? Whats more, the hospice nurse has told me to play along. Be patient, I tell myself. Squelch the reflex to judge. I cant explain her visitors, so I stop trying. They slip in through a corner of the ceiling as might a ghost. Not once do they come through the door or the window. I label them my moms crazy visions. Today hospice professionals call this phenomenon, common prior to death, visioning. Its obvious Bea enjoys the invisible people who keep her company. Their presence relieves the caregiving burden I carry and, for that, I feel grateful. After a while, I get into the habit of eavesdropping from the bedroom threshold. Of course, I can only hear her side of the conversation, but from time to time shell pause to give a friend the opportunity to speak. Mom, a great hostess, has always enjoyed entertaining, and often she asks me to serve her guests tea. I disengage from our normal day-to-day routine and let myself drift along with her, accepting that I am witnessing - or seem to be witnessing - some rather unconventional activity. Her reality no longer matches mine, but thats OK. We are both proceeding down a road with stupefying twists and turns. I love her and the best support I can provide is to hold on tight to her hand and see where she leads. Toward the sixth month of hospice, the visits suddenly stop. The change is so abrupt that I cant help but wonder what caused it. Grabbe with her mother - she assumed her visions were yet another complication of growing old Grabbe cared for her 96-year-old bedridden mother Beatrice as she was dying Seeing Joy, A Story of Life, Death, and What Comes Next, by Alexandra Grabbe, published by Koehler Books on March 17 'Whats happened to your 'invisible people'? I ask. Dont they come see you anymore? They keep calling, she says with a shudder. But I dont want to talk to them. No stream of words bursts from her lips now. Her mind does not invent any more tea parties. Even chocolate ice cream doesnt interest her. She talks in monosyllables, breathing out short words through missing teeth and the yellowed stubs that remain, puffs of communication. The day before her death in November, she tells me that my father and her beloved grandmother are hanging out in a corner of the ceiling. I wave at them with a simple open and close of my hand. Im convinced that they have come to escort her away. A moment of melancholy sweeps over me. I have such mixed emotions at losing my mother - sadness, grief, but also relief at what my daughters call being able to get your life back. The next night, my husband places candles in all the windows. I decide to photograph our Cape Codder to announce, on my blog, that Mom has passed and we are in mourning. The brick walkway feels uneven beneath my feet. The moon shines beyond the fir tree Bea planted one Christmas. Clouds race across the night sky. I snap a first photo, then glance down at the tiny screen. It seems my new digital camera has malfunctioned. How can the lit candle in her window have appeared on the far side of the house and why is its glow so round? Thinking the moon might work for our annual Christmas card, I snap one more image. In my haste, I dont hold the camera straight. Half a fir tree wont do, so I start over. This photo is blurry as if mist has obscured the view. Blurry makes no sense on such a clear night. I take yet another photo. I transfer the digital photos to my computer. For a minute or two, I stare at the screen in disbelief. The first shot reveals a golden orb. The orb appears to have an outer ring. It looks exactly like images I have seen in books written by ghost-hunters, only this orb is in our yard, hovering over the roof of our house. The Christmas card photo is even more astonishing. Mist swirls like arms seeking an embrace. Without meaning to, I seem to have captured an image of my mothers spirit. Perhaps she wants me to know that the spirit lives on after death. She has joined her friends. I call to my husband and click through iPhoto. Check it out. Ectoplasm. One of Beatrice's 'visitors' included her elder sister Helen (left). Beatrice is on the right, with her mom, younger sister Dorothy, and younger brother The Cape Cod cottage where Beatrice spent her last days - and where she 'communicated' with long-dead family members A mysterious orb appears in the photograph Grabbe took of the Cape Cod home after her mother passed: 'It looks exactly like images I have seen in books written by ghost-hunters' He leans over my shoulder. Are you sure? he says, slack jawed. Must be. Theres no mist tonight. Looks like what we saw in the A&E documentary last year, he reminds me. There was a man who could contact spirits. The guy walked around cemeteries, taking photos. Remember? I do. You thought it was bogus. Perhaps it wasnt. Perhaps it was nothing more than light refracting through cold November air. A glitch in my new camera. A trick of mist and shadow. I only know that the home care experience had already unsettled everything I thought I understood about control, about end-of-life, about the tidy border between the living and the dying. By the time I sat in my office staring at that golden orb on my computer screen, I was no longer certain what counted as impossible. Caring for my mother had required me to loosen my grip on explanation. Death, it seemed, was not a single moment but a gradual unmooring. And I was still trying to understand where, exactly, it had taken her - and where it had left me. Alexandra Grabbe is the author of Seeing Joy, A Story of Life, Death, and What Comes Next, published by Koehler Books on March 17 Today, if your career choice means you work in front of a computer screen, AI is after your job; Mustafa Suleyman, Microsofts head of AI, believes most white-collar work will be fully automated within 12 to 18 months. And a few boffins in AI are starting to frighten themselves. Some of those who walked out of ChatGPT early on because of safety concerns started a rival company, Anthropic, makers of chatbot Claude. This month one Anthropic developer Mrinank Sharma, who has a computer engineering degree from Cambridge and a tech PhD from Oxford, has left, saying that the world is in peril. Sharma is now planning to take a degree in poetry. Some still say the panic is overblown I did too until a few months ago. But its now very clear that AI is the most significant workplace crisis since the age of computerisation began in the 1950s. The Institute for Public Policy Research calculates that eight million UK jobs are under threat, from architects and accountants to those working in customer service. If you want to help any youngsters in your life make sound, future-proof career decisions, read on. Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's head of AI, believes most white-collar work will be fully automated within 12 to 18 months IN PERIL Lawyers One top barrister is inclined to think that, thanks to AI, law is doomed as a career Shortly before Christmas, a senior London barrister gave an anonymous interview to The Spectator magazine that made headlines. He said he had recently spent a day working on a legal opinion likely cost to his client of several thousand pounds then asked AI to do the same task, which it did, in seconds, and at no cost. AIs efforts were, the lawyer admitted, frankly better than his own. He was inclined to think that, thanks to AI, law was doomed as a career. The problem, the barrister said, was not so much that a top KC could be outwitted by AI, but that entry-level lawyers would no longer be needed. And with no young lawyers to develop into senior professionals, experienced lawyers will eventually die out. That anonymous barristers conclusion resonated with me. Last year, a 22-year-old friend decided to take legal action against a cousin over a family matter. The errant cousin had engaged one of the most expensive solicitors in London to fight off the action. My friend a young woman in turn had asked a medium-ranking solicitor in the suburbs to represent her. You have an excellent case, the lawyer said. But wed need 60,000 upfront to represent you and the final cost could go into six figures. Horrified, she got ChatGPT, Claude and Googles Gemini to work on the case for her and appeared in front of the court as a litigant in person representing herself. I went along to the High Court case, worried that it would be an embarrassment, but was amazed when the judge, the court clerk and a barrister sitting in on the hearing said how impressed they were with the litigant-in-persons work and how slapdash the expensive opposition solicitor had been. The proceedings continue, but what I witnessed has extraordinary implications. If AI can handle such a complex case competently, something as simple as a house purchase or an uncomplicated divorce will, before long, surely be done automatically by AI in seconds. Taxi drivers Oddly enough, it was cab-driving that became an early victim of pre-AI technology and suggests the pattern of things to come. Ten years ago, the choice in London was between black cab drivers, who spent years learning routes doing the Knowledge, and untrained minicab drivers, armed with only an A to Z, who often had no idea where they were going. Then came sat nav, then smartphone apps like Uber and, suddenly, it was cheaper, easier, quicker and more comfortable for the public to use the modern alternative to the black cab. The last laugh, of course, will be on both types of taxi when AI-run self-driving vehicles will make almost all human driving jobs as obsolete as blacksmithing became when the car itself was invented. LOOKING SHAKY Doctors Skilled surgeons will still be needed, but, like lawyers, gaining experience will be an issue I wouldnt tell a young person not to try medicine, a medical consultant friend tells me. But its going to be a very different profession from now on. We forget that usable AI is only three years old. Imagine how it will be in ten years. He cites a key example of how things have already changed: doctors now routinely use AI to view X-rays. AI will look at every pixel of an X-ray in an instant and is pretty well incapable of making a mistake, he says. But if youre a human viewing a hundred X-rays, its impossible NOT to make the odd mistake. Im just glad Im retiring soon. The NHS is reportedly planning to let GPs work remotely full time, even if they are on a beach. But people are already consulting AI first, even showing it photos of rashes, bumps etc before seeking a hard-to-get doctors appointment. Skilled surgeons will still be needed, but, like lawyers, gaining experience will be an issue. Oh, and forget psychotherapy or psychiatry. Millions already consult AI on emotional matters. Its free and never gets bored with your problems. You can have 12-hour appointments if you like. HOPEFULLY OK Nurses, teachers, hairdressers, physios, farmers, chefs Because these jobs rely on physical dexterity, they are less likely to face redundancies Similar to nursing, we have deemed hairdressing to be 'hopefully OK' in the face of AI These jobs rely on manual dexterity, and while we always thought robots would take over such work, theres never been one that could so much as carry a cup of tea without spilling it. There are rudimentary kitchen robots, but they are more amusing than useful. Teachers are an odd case, because even 50 years ago, future gazers like TVs Tomorrows World were saying teaching machines would soon make them obsolete. However, they were trialled but didnt catch on. The issue? The machines worked for basics like arithmetic and spelling drills, but failed as will AI to stimulate educational essentials such as curiosity, creativity, discussion and social learning. Children quickly became bored, confused or stuck the human touch of a good teacher cant be replicated. (Good) writing While bottom-end journalism is already taking a hammering, with AI churning out fake or repackaged old news by the ton, serious investigative journalism and intelligent, lighter-touch newspaper writing is pretty safe. AI can summarise facts, but it cant be curious, funny or morally courageous. High-end writers, composers, designers and filmmakers who have taste, cultural authority and a personal take on things could thrive in a market flooded with literary slop. Entrepreneurship Another form of creativity that should be in the ascendant is entrepreneurship. It is highly unlikely that in the near or medium future, your computer will be like the talking toaster in the old Red Dwarf science-fiction series and pop up with ideas its not been asked for. Vets Id put a career as a vet on the list of things Id tell a teenager to consider. Why? Because while you and I can tell an AI doctor whats the matter, a cat cant. THESE SEEM FINE Tradespeople Electricians, plumbers and carpenters have an assured, lucrative future Electricians, plumbers and carpenters have an assured, lucrative future. Finding and repairing a specific pipe in a specific house is impossible to automate and always will be. Hospitality This sector will always need people. As Martin Ford, the futurist and award-winning author of four books on AIs threat to traditional work, says: To automate jobs like these would require science-fiction robots, like C-3PO in the Star Wars movies. One last thing: how about going into AI itself? Heres my tip for a safe job in the future: if youre made of sterner stuff than the Anthropic-developer-turned-poet Sharma, what about going into AI? Back when computerisation was going to take over everything and wed be swanning around doing whatever, nobody envisioned that the IT industry would instead become one of the biggest employment opportunities of the future. So today, when AI can do more grunt work than we ever expected, it is more than likely that the AI industry will need more and more humans to build the AI to do said grunt work. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more It felt oddly symbolic that on the first day of their much-publicised court case last month, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni both arrived wearing olive green. The running joke? That their stylists must have conspired against them. But in high-stakes settings such as a courtroom, outfit choices are important. What you wear is a form of non-verbal messaging and green, in particular, gives off certain vibes. Softer than black or navy, it suggests composure under pressure. It feels optimistic, too, and being such a laid-back shade, boosts the wearers approachability. It also photographs beautifully. Interestingly, Ive found myself strongly drawn to olive green since early February. As you can see from the outfit Im pictured in here, my preferred hue to pair it with is butter yellow rather than pink the colour both Lively and Baldoni chose. Where pink can feel overtly romantic, yellow makes olive feel modern. Sweater (worn over shoulders) and trousers, Cos. Blazer, Toteme. Rollneck, Massimo Dutti. Sunglasses, Prada. Bag, The Row. Boots, Khaite The other exciting look Ill be wearing this spring is the boudoir trouser long, silken and gloriously relaxed. Effortlessly stylish when worn with heels and something structured, such as a blazer, this nonchalant silhouette cemented its high-fashion credentials on the S/S 26 shows of Carven and Schiaparelli. This hero trouser is poised to overturn even the most loyal devotion to traditional tailoring. Finally, one persons style Im keen to watch is that of Chloe Malle, 40, who was named head of editorial content at American Vogue by Anna Wintour, 76, in September. The two women were interviewed recently by The New York Times and their style and personalities couldnt have been more different. I dont want the fact that Im editing Vogue to mean Im intimidating to talk to at kindergarten drop-off, said Malle. The daughter of actress Candice Bergen, she acknowledged the nepo baby discourse but prefers to be seen as a Vogue workhorse. She added that shed never be a fashion girl whos too cool, unavailable [or] laconic. Meanwhile, in the photograph of the two women sitting together, Wintour had her signature dark shades on. Only time will tell if Malles girl-next-door style stays the same. Sweater (worn over shoulders) and trousers, Cos. Blazer, Toteme. Rollneck, Massimo Dutti. Sunglasses, Prada. Bag, The Row. Boots, Khaite @thestylistandthewardrobe @youmagazine TREWS LOVE These trousers by Balzac Paris are on my wish list for spring. Perfect with creams, yellows and olive greens. HOT TO TROT Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse with this bold pendant. Horseshoes also bring luck and who doesnt want a little of that? SPOTTED Jennifer Lawrence in an outstanding airport outfit at New Yorks JFK. Dressed in a butter-yellow coat by The Row, she teamed it with La Ligne trousers and Mary Jane flats by Tory Burch. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more In preparation for International Womens Day next Sunday, Im spotlighting four wines made by women across the world. This years theme, Give To Gain, feels particularly relevant in wine, where mentorship, shared tastings and generosity of time have shaped my own career. So, consider this your excuse to gather friends, open a bottle and share in both wine and friendship. Characterful English fizz from doctors-turned- wine aficionados Archie Patel and Allie Cope, made from 100% Pinot Meunier a Champagne grape having its moment. Gently floral with a hint of spice, this polished Viognier comes from viticulturist Caroline Frey, who crafts prestigious wines across the Rhone, Bordeaux and Burgundy. From Malbec maestro Susana Balbo, this is velvety and berry-rich yet lifted with freshness, thanks to high-altitude fruit from Mendozas Uco Valley. Warm, ripe Chardonnay with layers of tropical fruit and gentle creaminess, balanced by a crisp finish, from leading South African winemaker Ntsiki Biyela. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more It began as a cost-saving decision six years ago: while renovating her four-bedroom 1970s house in Bedford, Laura Deller resolved to take it room by room, teaching herself DIY along the way. Fast-forward to today and the part-time science teacher and mum of two, 41, is also an Instagram DIY expert (@houseprojectuk), specialising in budget-friendly hacks using high-street brands such as B&Q, Dunelm, Home Bargains and as with the three projects here Ikea. Laura in her workspace BASICS NEEDED 12mm MDF 9mm hardwood ply Nail gun Mouldings Wood filler and caulk Cartridge gun Jigsaw and circular saw Fine-grit sandpaper MDF and wood primer Paintbrush and roller Paint and topcoat No More Nails adhesive Caster wheels Screws and washers THE POSH BOOKCASE I wanted to create a stylish bookcase without spending a fortune. I used Ikeas Ivar pine shelving components and added hardwood ply, coving and decorative mouldings to cheat the look of bespoke carpentry. It is one of my favourite projects in the house. The posh bookcase Before Time to make 4 days You will need Ivar shelving components (3 cabinets, 6 side rails, 6 shelves) Cost 375 The step-by-step 1 Build the Ivar shelving units according to instructions. 2 Clad the sides with 9mm hardwood ply and secure in place with a nail gun. 3 Secure the unit to the wall with screws. 4 Decide whether you are having a gap between the units (this will usually depend on the size of your room). I opted for a 15cm gap between each unit. 5 Use 9mm hardwood ply to fill in gaps between cabinets for a seamless finish. 6 To add an arched front to the cabinets, measure the space across the width of each one. Draw semi-circles on a 9mm hardwood ply to this width and cut around using a circular saw. 7 Secure to the front of your Ivar frame using No More Nails adhesive and a nail gun. 8 Sand down the entire unit and apply a wood primer. Then roller on an eggshell paint of your choice (I colour-matched Farrow & Balls Inchyra Blue). 9 Once dry, arrange your favourite pieces on the shelves and enjoy. THE UNDER-STAIR STORAGE I had an awkward dead space under my stairs and knew it could be transformed into a hidden storage compartment with a few clever tweaks. The concealed cupboards store my DIY supplies, and the open shelving doubles as a handy log store. This design could also easily be adapted for shoes and bags. The under-stair storage Before Time to make A weekend You will need 1x vertical 4 cube Kallax storage unit 1x 4x4 Kallax storage unit Cost 69 The step-by-step 1 Measure the highest point of your space and cut off the top of the vertical Kallax unit accordingly so that it can fit in that space. Slot it in and secure with a nail gun. 2 Add low-profile caster wheels (Amazon sells a wide selection) to the base of the 4x4 Kallax unit. Mark and drill holes where you want the wheels to be and secure them in place with screws and washers. 3 Measure and cut a piece of 12mm MDF at an angle with a jigsaw and attach it to one side of the 4x4 Kallax unit with adhesive and a nail gun. This creates a bespoke covered, boxed in look, while providing storage when the 4x4 Kallax is wheeled out (you can add Drona boxes, 3 each, on the shelves to keep items secure and tidy). 4 Feel free to add decorative mouldings (diy.com sells a selection) along the edges to make it look fancy. Fasten in place with adhesive. 5 Give the unit a light sand and apply an MDF primer. Finish by painting it a shade of your choice. I used Lamp Black by Little Greene. 6 Once the paint is dry, add a door handle. Mine is from B&Q. THE BED NOOK My sons room doubles as a playroom, so I needed a bed that includes storage and makes the most of all available space. I customised his high-sleeper by sawing off the legs to a height that could fit a Kallax storage unit snugly underneath. The bed nook Before Time to make A weekend You will need 2x Billy bookcases (40cm wide) 1x vertical 4 cube Kallax unit Cost 110 The step-by-step 1 Build two Billy bookcases according to the instructions and secure them to the walls directly next to the bed with screws. 2 Slot the Kallax shelving unit underneath the bed. Mine fit snugly but if needed, secure to your bed with timber screws. 3 Using 12mm MDF, box in any visible gaps underneath the bed between the Kallax unit and the bottom of the bookcases. 4 Sand down and prime the bookcases and Kallax unit, then paint using a roller. I colour-drenched the space in Oakley Park by Dulux. Nailed It: The Essential Guide To Doing It Yourself by Laura Deller will be published on 26 March (Pavilion, 20). To order a copy for 17 until 15 March, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 25 LAURAS TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS If this is your first DIY project, keep it achievable. Putting up a peg rail, adding a gallery wall or painting furniture will give you a dopamine boost with a quick win. Measure twice, cut once. If in doubt, take your measurements to a timber merchants cutting service. B&Q offers five free cuts, followed by a 50p charge on further cuts. When decorating a room, always paint the ceiling first, followed by the walls and finally the woodwork. To create a cohesive scheme, consider colour drenching all surfaces in the same paint. A live interview ahead of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address took an unexpectedly comic turn on Tuesday when Energy Secretary Chris Wright appeared to be soaking up sunlight instead of getting ready for his interview. Fox News anchor John Roberts introduced Wright with a standard toss - 'Let's bring in the Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. He joins us now.' But when the camera cut to the Port of Los Angeles, viewers were greeted with an unusual sight: Wright standing at a microphone, head tilted back, eyes closed, face lifted directly into the shining California sun. The pose lasted only seconds, but it was long enough for social media to wonder whether America's top energy official was personally attempting to recharge himself from the sunlight. Viewers on X were quickly amused with one user asking 'Is he solar powered?'. 'Is he communicating with the mother ship?' another chimed in. 'So much energy. The most beautiful energy,' joked a third. 'Dude is literally powering up,' another wrote, posting an animation of the solar-dependent supervillain from Superman IV. Energy Secretary Chris Wright went viral after appearing to soak up the sunshine during a live Fox News hit ahead of Trumps State of the Union earlier this week The brief sun-drenched shot quickly became meme material on X Even the US Department of Energy joined in with its own tweet captioned: 'Energy Maxing.' 'My boy is powering up so what,' White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair added. Wright had been appearing on the network to discuss energy policy ahead of Trumps prime-time address to Congress. The Port of Los Angeles backdrop added to the cinematic effect with industrial cranes and cargo ships in the background. Online, others continued to pile on. 'He loves the smell of coal fumes in the morning,' one quipped. Join the debate What does Chris Wright's sun-soaking moment say about the public image of America's energy leaders? As Energy Secretary, Chris Wright oversees U.S. energy policy though for a brief moment Tuesday, viewers joked he appeared to be personally harnessing it The image quickly became the subject of online memes As Energy Secretary, Chris Wright oversees US energy policy - though for a brief moment Tuesday, viewers joked he appeared to be personally harnessing it The lighthearted online reaction overshadowed what was meant to be a policy-focused interview on energy and the economy 'That was me yesterday after 5 days of cloudy weather, I can relate,' another wrote. 'Is he sleeping or sunbathing?' one person asked. 'Is he communicating with the mother ship?' lampooned another. The moment lasted only seconds and came before the interview with Wright began. Journalist Joe Scarborough revealed what President Donald Trump said to him just hours before the US strikes on Iran. Scarborough, the host of Morning Joe, hopped on a phone call with Trump on Friday afternoon to discuss the ongoing tensions with Iran. 'I spoke to the president late yesterday afternoon and he seemed far more determined that Iran had been a menace to the United States for over four decades,' the journalist said on his show on Saturday. 'They had been, as we say here, the epicenter of terrorism. And they had to be taken out.' The president's comments to Scarborough echo what he told the American public at 2.30am on Saturday morning from his home at Mar-a-Lago. 'Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world,' Trump said on Saturday. Scarborough had been under the impression from those involved with the negotiations that the 'tale would be [told] over the next three to four days,' he told viewers. The Trump Administration carried out the strikes early Saturday morning, which launched several retaliatory strikes from Iran on US military bases in the Middle East. Joe Scarborough, the host of Morning Joe, said President Donald Trump told him just hours before the US strikes on Iran that the Middle Eastern country had been a 'menace to the United States for over four decades' 'They had been, as we say here, the epicenter of terrorism. And they had to be taken out,' Scarborough recalled Trump telling him Trump said the attacks were to protect the US 'by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.' Trump detailed some of the violence Iran has perpetrated against Americans, including taking over the US embassy in Tehran and holding US citizens hostage in 1979. 'The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,' Trump said. 'Its been mass terror, and were not gonna put up with it any longer.' Scarborough and Trump have had a rocky relationship, despite regularly chatting by phone call. Earlier this week, Scarborough flew into a rage over Trump's response to the Supreme Court's move to overturn his sweeping tariff agenda last week. 'Everything he is saying is wrong. Everything is the opposite. It's the most Orwellian thing,' Scarborough said after playing a clip of the president where he said three justices who ruled against him Friday may have been swayed by figures overseas. 'Foreign influences? Please. Is this projection? Is this confession coming from the president?' Scarborough said. On Saturday morning, the US attacked Iran, who retaliated with more strikes against US military bases in the Middle East Your browser does not support iframes. Trump told reporters last week that the court's 6-3 decision was influenced by not only 'foreign interests' but 'a political movement that is far smaller than people would think', after jurists ruled a 1979 law did not give the president permission to impose tariffs. Still reacting, Scarborough turned to a Friday op-ed from The Wall Street Journal that framed Trump's remarks as 'the low point of his second term.' The host smirked: 'Please, seriously, I mean, Casey [Kasem] could count down the hits and this wouldn't be the top 40. '[You] would have to go to a year-end 100 countdown for the top 100 shocking things he's said - that may crack the top 10.' A US national has proposed a new search location in the hunt for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 ahead of the 12-year anniversary of the disappearance. Randy Rolston, a Kansas-based businessman, has released a report identifying a 1000 square kilometer possible crash location as he proposes a targeted search of a 10 nautical mile strip in the mid-Indian Ocean. Mr Rolston believes the flight may have crashed into the ocean roughly 1100km west of Coral Bay, a settlement in Western Australias Gascoyne region, and about 1600km north of the area where authorities say the plane most likely is. A new search for missing Malaysian Airways flight MH370 is being proposed for 1100km east of Coral Bay in 2026. Picture: Randy Rolston/ Supplied. What happened to MH370? The flight took off from Kuala Lumpur heading for Beijing in the early hours of March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It last communicated with air traffic control about 38 minutes after takeoff over the South China Sea, before deviating from its planned flight path and disappearing off radar entirely. After analysis of satellite data, it was later found the flight continued for more than six hours after contact was lost. Debris from the plane was first located in 2015 however the bodies of its 227 passengers and 12 crew have never been recovered, with the incident remaining one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. The Boeing 777-2H6ER departed Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014 bound for Beijing. A three-year search primarily involving the Malaysian, Australian and Chinese governments was suspended in January 2017 after mapping 710,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean sea floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a final report published by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and area of about 25,000 square kilometres has been identified as having the highest likelihood of containing MH370s wreckage. Map showing the Australian search area for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. Picture: Supplied Since then, private US-based marine exploration company Ocean Infinity has conducted several searches of the area, roughly 2400 km southwest of Perth, using autonomous underwater vehicles. Most recently, in December 2025, Ocean Infinity and the Government of Malaysia announced a 55-day resumption of seabed searches under an agreement that Malaysia would pay $US70 million if the plane was found. US marine robotics company Ocean Infinity is conducting searches for the missing flight. Picture: Ocean Infinity Why is a new search site proposed? In a 19-page report, Mr Rolston argues a spike in carbon monoxide detected by NASA on the morning of March 8 could be a smoking gun of the plane crashing into the ocean at his proposed search site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argues parts of the proposed search area were missed during the 2014 ocean surface search. Mr Rolston also suggests the most plausible theory for the crash was a deliberate effort by the pilot to hide the planes wreckage in the Wharton Basin, an area of deep sea. This contrasts with the ATSB report, which found the plane kept flying until it ran out of fuel, likely because the passengers and crew had died from oxygen deprivation. Mr Rolston says he put forward his proposal because, after nearly 12 years, the families and loved ones of those missing deserve answers. Finding the aircraft would finally provide them with a measure of clarity and closure, he said. Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money's specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence. Ofgem has announced it is piloting low or no standing charge tariffs from April, with four energy suppliers set to offer them initially. Eligible customers of British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus will be able to take part in the trial, which is set to last for 12 months. The energy regulator expects around 150,000 households will be able to sign up. Daily standing charges will be 57.21p for electricity (209 a year) and 29.09p for gas (106 a year) under the energy price cap from April. 'Collectively, that's a sizeable 315 a year in standing charges for a dualfuel household,' says Gareth Kloet, energy expert at Go.Compare. 'Early modelling suggests that lowusage homes could save around 150 a year under the new tariff structures.' Eligibility for the tariffs varies, with Eon confirming customers need to have a smart meter But suppliers are expected to charge more for the unit cost of energy on these tariffs than regular ones, so how much you could save depends entirely on your overall energy usage and the rates that suppliers end up setting. 'Households shouldn't wait in the hope that these tariffs will significantly cut their bills, especially during winter when the cost of heating means that bills are at their highest,' said Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch. More choice for households but further detail needed Low or no standing charge tariffs are designed to give customers more choice, especially those who use don't use much energy, said Ofgem. Eligibility varies between suppliers, with Eon Next requiring customers to have a smart meter and pay by direct debit. But with no detail available on the exact rates that suppliers will charge, it's difficult to work whether you'll be better off under these tariffs. Eon Next trialled this type of tariff in 2024 and found that 64 per cent of customers who took part had higher energy usage and could have saved money on another fixed product with a higher standing charge. 'Having your annual consumption to hand and comparing the whole market is the best way to see whether a lowstandingcharge tariff, a standard tariff or a fixed deal offers the best value for you. 'If you're already in a fixed contract, remember to factor in any exit fees, as these could wipe out potential savings,' said Gareth Kloet of Go.Compare. Ben Gallizzi of Uswitch told us the new tariffs are unlikely to be the best choice in most circumstances, and 'taking action now' to cut energy bills by fixing is a must. 'If more low standing charge tariffs do become available, it will still be really important that consumers compare them with the fixed deals available to them, as lower usage households are likely to save more by choosing the most competitive tariffs available,' he said. It's quick to compare energy tariffs using a price comparison website, which should show the best deals for you based on your address. Smaller energy suppliers such as Outfox Energy and Fuse Energy have consistently offered the cheapest energy deals over the last year. A top deal from Fuse Energy earlier this week offered savings of 260 annually for the average household against the current cap and 143 against the April cap. Keep in mind that neither the price cap nor fixed tariffs limit your total bill, instead they set the unit cost of energy. If you use more than the average household, you'll pay more than the average annual prices quoted. > Compare energy tariffs with Uswitch* Elon Musk says that 'it is time to go forth, be out there among the stars, expand the scope and scale of human consciousness'. The Tesla tycoon's latest deal may inspire investors to follow his call, although the recent failure of the UK space venture Orbex, based in the Orkneys, highlights the hazards of boldly going beyond this planet. Earlier this month, Musk unveiled a $1.25trillion (930billion) merger between his rocket company SpaceX and his loss-making start-up xAI, owner of the X social network. The combined entity to be called X.AI Holdings is set to land on the stock market in July in what may be the largest flotation ever. The business may be valued at $1.5 trillion (910billion). X.AI aspires to colonise Mars and construct factories on the Moon. But, more immediately, it hopes to build solar-powered data centres that will orbit in space and provide the computing power required to fuel the growth in artificial intelligence. Reaching for the stars: Elon Musk says that 'it is time to go forth and expand the scope and scale of human consciousness' This latest expansion of the 'Muskonomy', as Musk's empire is known, underlines the pivotal role that space is set to play in the AI arms race. But it also underlines the importance of space to terrestrial defence, at a time when Nato countries are pledging to boost spending in this area by 5 per cent to $13.4 trillion (9.9 trillion) by 2035. Space firms of every type could seize 10 to 20 per cent of this uplift, thanks to surging expenditure on technologies like earth observation which involves the satellite surveillance of infrastructure and troop movements. For example, the Azalea satellites, operated by UK defence titan BAE, provide 'intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to enhance the nation's ability to protect against modern threats'. The information coming from satellites is now a key defence capability, according to Mark Boggett, chief executive of the Seraphim Space Fund investment trust. He said: 'Ships and tanks can now be destroyed by drones that cost a few dollars to build. But better technology gives you an advantage over your aggressors.' About 70 per centof the revenues of the companies in which Seraphim Space invests are derived from defence. These tech stars are switching over their satellites from monitoring projects for insurance and oil firms to the observation of hostile zones on behalf of the US, UK and other Nato states. Defence is one reason why the S&P Kensho Final Frontiers index, which is made up of space technology companies, has risen by 86 per cent over the past 12 months. The index's members include armaments and weapons companies like the US giants Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, but also names like Planet Labs. This business, set up by three ex-Nasa scientists, operates a fleet of image-taking satellites. Its shares are 409 per cent higher than a year ago. The creation of X.AI has been described as 'financial engineering' by sceptics. There are also no details yet as to how Musk plans to raise the vast sums of capital to pay for the assembly and launching of the satellites he would like to have a constellation of one million satellites. But it would be short-sighted not to see the enterprise, however far-fetched, as an alert to look beyond planet Earth for the next portfolio opportunities. Here's how to plan your voyage into space. Taking off?: A SpaceX rocket during launch A stake in SpaceX The planned stock market debut of X.AI should be 'the healthiest wealth creation event in history', according to Shaun Maguire of the US venture capital firm Sequoia Capital. This is presumably because the wellbeing of the company's workforce will be enhanced by the appreciation in their stock options. The flotation could also be a massive boost for Musk, SpaceX's largest shareholder with 43 per cent of the company, in his campaign to outpace the other tech billionaires in the AI arms war. Boggett said: 'The combination of the two businesses will enjoy a moat a competitive advantage. Data centres are voracious users of energy which is costly. But X.AI's data centres in space will have access to an unlimited source of free energy from the sun.' Musk may opt to deploy these data centres only for the use of his own ventures, including Tesla, or give access to his rivals for a fee. The star funds Musk's extraterrestrial ambitions could also be good news for you if you have money in Scottish Mortgage. This 13.38billion investment trust, managed by Baillie Gifford, invested $200m in SpaceX in 2018. This is now worth $3.3billion. SpaceX is also held by other Baillie Gifford trusts: Baillie Gifford US Growth, Edinburgh Worldwide and Schiehallion. Despite the promise of X.AI bounty, buying shares in these trusts carries a reasonably large degree of risk right now. Saba, the hedge fund run by activist investor Boaz Weinstein, still owns 30 per cent of Edinburgh Worldwide, and is making a third attempt to gain control of the trust. Schiehallion and Scottish Mortgage (where I am an investor) are both a bet on tech innovation of every kind. Baillie Gifford US Growth backs Amazon, Meta, Nvidia and other Magnificent Seven stocks Tesla, Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple to which you may be already exposed. Another trust RIT Capital Partners also has a tiny slice of SpaceX. But this trust is also for the more adventurous since unquoted companies account for 30 per cent of the portfolio. Shares in Seraphim Space have leapt by 155 per cent to 146p over the past year, but the trust does not have a stake in SpaceX, choosing to back start-ups and established companies in every aspect of space infrastructure. The Finnish tactical satellite maker ICEYE is currently the top holding. The firm will be producing satellites for the German government in a joint venture with that country's armaments leviathan Rheinmetall. Among Seraphim's other investments is HawkEYE, the US leader in the collection and analysis of radio frequency (RF) data, a service with several military applications. AST SpaceMobile is another Seraphim investment. This US satellite designer is assembling a mobile network in space that should boost connectivity in poorly covered remote, rural or urban spots. This week Seraphim secured finance from its second venture capital fund from the British Business Bank and the National Security Strategic Investment Fund. If you wish to explore every aspect of space, other options include two exchange traded funds (ETFs): Ark Capital Space and Defence Innovation and VanEck Space Innovators whose ticker symbol (by which it is known on the stock exchange) is Jedi after the Star Wars warrior order. In this fund's portfolio you will find Planet Labs and Rocket Lab, a US spacecraft manufacturer which is seen as a mini-SpaceX. Defensive strategy Over the past year, BAE shares are up by 52 per cent, while Babcock has jumped by 118 per cent. Rheinmetall, which this week won a contract to supply drones, or 'flying warheads', to the German army, has risen by 66 per cent. Mounting geopolitical tensions since the start of this year are a reason to continue to hold these defence names. But Musk's new emphasis on space could divert even more defence expenditure towards this area which could provide extra support for their shares. If you would like a broader spread of defence operators, there are three defence ETFs: Future of Defence, Global X Defence Tech and VanEck Global. None promises to take you to infinity and beyond. But they can play a vital defensive role in your portfolio at this uneasy time. Shares in aircraft parts maker Senior surged yesterday as it revealed multiple takeover offers, sparking fears it could be the next defence firm to fall into foreign hands. US private equity firm Advent International confirmed it was considering throwing its hat into the ring for Senior, which is speaking to several possible buyers. Senior confirmed takeover chatter and said it had received two offers and discussions were 'ongoing'. It means that Senior could follow in the footsteps of British aerospace rivals that have been plucked off the London stock market in recent years. Advent bought Cobham for 4billion in 2020 and Meggitt was sold to the Parker-Hannifin Corporation in 2022. Senior said it had received five takeover proposals in recent months, beginning with a bid in January that it rejected for 'fundamentally undervaluing' the business. Centre of attention: Shares in aircraft parts maker Senior surged as it revealed multiple takeover offers This bidder made two higher offers this month, which were subsequently batted away. Then the firm hired investment banks to kick-start talks with a 'limited number of third parties' to see how much it would be worth. This has resulted in two 'further, superior all-cash proposals'. Rachel Reeves has been urged by Tony Blair's think-tank to 'take the brakes off' growth, as tax increases and new rights for workers hold back the 'fragile' economy. Ahead of Tuesday's Spring Statement, the Tony Blair Institute said Labour's policies have 'added friction at the moment the UK needs greater agility'. It added: 'Britain needs a reset in favour of reigniting growth and dynamism.' It comes as economists expect little change to borrowing and growth forecasts when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) reveals its latest outlook on Tuesday. The event is not expected to be a 'mini Budget' as it has been in the past, with Reeves pledging now to hold only one fiscal event each year at the autumn Budget. Advice: Rachel Reeves has been urged by Tony Blair's think-tank to 'take the brakes off' growth However, with the economy sluggish and unemployment rising, the Chancellor will face calls to act as firms struggle under the weight of rising costs and red tape pressure intensified by Labour's dismal performance in last week's Gorton and Denton by-election, coming third behind the Green Party and Reform UK. It comes as a survey of firms by pollster Ipsos shows 75 per cent are concerned about the economic outlook for the next six months and 23 per cent believe Reform would have the best policies for businesses, narrowly ahead of the Tories (21 per cent) and Labour (20 per cent). And economists at French bank BNP Paribas warned that while the OBR's forecast this week should show only slight changes, Ministers will leave unaddressed the question of how to fund a promised increase in defence spending that is likely to create a funding gap of up to 15 billion. The Tony Blair Institute's report identified policies such as higher taxes on employment, curbs on migration and expanded employment protections as making growth harder. Nationwide has pumped more than 1 billion into Virgin Money's Clydesdale Bank to prop up the struggling Scottish lender, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The huge injection is far higher than the 650 million previously reported, and comes as Britain's biggest building society prepares to absorb millions of customers from Virgin Money after a judge approved the transfer last month. It follows the mutual's 2.8 billion takeover of Virgin Money in 2024, which created the UK's second largest savings and loans group after Lloyds. Nationwide, which has 16 million members, and Virgin Money are still separate brands but from April they will be part of the same financial powerhouse. It is unclear how many of Virgin Money's customers will become Nationwide members and qualify for its annual 100 'Fairer Share' bonus payment. > Read more: Nationwide promises to keep ALL branches open until at least 2030 Dealmaker: Nationwide's Debbie Crosbie led the 2.8 billion tie-up with Virgin Money But the growing amount of money being set aside to bolster Clydesdale's financial position will raise concerns that Nationwide may have bought a much lower-quality business than it previously thought and will have to keep putting in more capital to bring it up to scratch. A Nationwide spokesperson said: 'Nationwide has a peer-leading CET1 ratio, holding a significant level of capital above its regulatory requirements. We allocate capital in the group to ensure the business remains appropriately capitalised and generates the best returns for our customers and members. 'The allocation of capital in the group should not be confused with how we invest for the benefit of all our customers and members across great-value products and excellent service.' Nationwide booked a 2.3 billion gain on the Virgin Money deal because the assets that it bought were valued at more than the purchase price. It has now emerged that Nationwide has had to pump money into Clydesdale Bank twice since its half-year results in June to stop its capital ratios from falling as a result of the buyout, according to Companies House filings. These capital cushions are assets banks keep on their books to make them more resilient to financial shocks such as stock market crashes and economic downturns. Most of the money pumped in to Clydesdale was used to bring its accounts in line with the more conservative approach of Nationwide. The rest covered a 250 million payment that tycoon Sir Richard Branson is set to receive for the continued use of his Virgin brand name over the next four years. Clydesdale's capital ratios a key measure of financial strength are among the lowest in the banking sector, whereas Nationwide's are among the highest. The building society's chief executive Debbie Crosbie a former senior executive at Clydesdale has hailed the Virgin Money deal as a 'unique opportunity', which would take the mutual into business banking, diversify funding and 'strengthen us financially'. She has promised a gradual and measured approach to integrating Virgin Money but has yet to say how much it will cost to merge Virgin Money's IT systems and improve its customer service. Nationwide had previously faced criticism for not allowing members a vote on the Virgin Money takeover. 'The way Nationwide has handled this transfer, and the general lack of transparency surrounding the integration of Virgin Money, is another example of why I think there should be greater member representation at a board level,' said campaigner James Sherwin-Smith, who plans to stand for election to the mutual's board. He says it would be the first time in 20 years that a member candidate was on the ballot. US raider Boaz Weinstein, bane of the UK's investment trust sector, is to get a taste of his own medicine after another activist investor unveiled plans to install one of its directors on the boards of his funds. Last month, Connecticut's Gamco said it would nominate David Schachter, part of its investor relations team, to the board of Weinstein's Saba Income & Capital Opportunities and the Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund. Gamco said Schachter would 'meaningfully enhance board independence and expertise' while 'improving accountability and enhancing shareholder value'. It noted the stock market value of the two funds was less than what they own in their portfolios, as their share prices have fallen 16 and 10 per cent respectively in a year. It turns the tables on Weinstein, who has repeatedly cited similar discounts at UK-listed investment trusts in his bid to oust their boards and install his own nominees. Turning the tables: Boaz Weinstein is to get a taste of his own medicine after another activist investor unveiled plans to install one of its directors on the boards of his funds Several trusts have called for the City watchdog to put a stop to Saba's repeated attempts. On Thursday, analysts at Investec branded Saba's campaign as 'fundamentally flawed' and said the US raider's performance at its other funds should serve as a 'cautionary tale' for investors thinking of backing Weinstein. While in Paris in January, my twin sister and I took a 20 minute taxi ride from the Musee dOrsay to the Gare du Nord to return to London. We were told the fare would be 29.90. When I looked at my Halifax credit card statement the following month, to my horror, I found I had been charged 2,990 (2,606.08). I was absolutely shocked and immediately called Halifax to advise that this amount was not correct. Halifax has refused to offer a charge back as I had used chip and pin. I explained that when I tried to tap my card on the terminal, the amount was 29.90 but the driver said there was a problem with my card. Sacre bleu!: Our reader and her sister were charged 2,990 instead of 29.90 by a dodgy taxi driver in Paris He said to try again which I immediately did but his hand had covered the terminal and I did not see that he had altered the amount. I asked for a receipt but he said that he couldnt provide a receipt. Sadly now I know why. As I cannot supply a receipt, Halifax has refused a chargeback or to offer any solutions. It was obviously a scam whereby the driver added a few zeros in a nano second. We did take care that we got a taxi from a licensed taxi rank and a Paris taxi. We have not contacted the French police as we cannot give any details of the taxi. Please help. GP, London. Helen Kirrane of This is Money replies: I am sorry to hear what should have been a memorable celebration for the birthday of you and your twin sister turned into a nightmare ordeal. This is a pernicious scam which Money Mail and This is Money have investigated before. In the summer of 2024, a wave of rogue operators targeted British tourists visiting Paris for the summer Olympics. Unbeknownst to holidaymakers, a network of dodgy unlicensed taxi drivers as well as legitimate drivers breaking the rules were overcharging tourists using a range of clever ploys, including the one you were duped by. Based on your experience, taxi scammers are unfortunately still very much up to their old tricks. It can be fiendishly difficult to spot one, but there are several signs a taxi is genuine. The taxi you took was waiting in an official taxi rank but on your credit card statement you found a reference to VTC next to the amount you paid, which stands for private car with a driver. These are not genuine taxis. Taxis in Paris must have a lit-up taxi sign on top of the car, with the words 'Taxi Parisien'. Unfortunately, you can buy them online and just plug them into the lighter, so its not enough to prove you are in a genuine taxi, but its a good start. Genuine taxis will also have a small black plaque with red numbers that sits on the front right of the car. Inside, there should also be a see-through sticker with the charges explained. The drivers licence must be clearly shown in the windscreen, to the right of the driver. Minicabs such as Ubers must all have a red macaron on the front and back of the vehicle, which indicates that it is authorised. You told me the card you used to pay for the taxi was a Halifax Clarity credit card. But as you used chip and pin to pay for the taxi when the driver told you there was a problem when you tapped your card, Halifax - part of Lloyds Group - said it could not activate a chargeback. I asked Halifax if it would investigate your case, as it was clear to me that the driver had deceived you into paying a sum of money you would never have agreed to for a 20 minute journey. Join the debate Should banks be doing more to protect travellers from scams? In the summer of 2024, a wave of rogue operators targeted British tourists visiting Paris for the summer Olympics In some cases reported to the police in Money Mail's investigation, tourists have been charged hundreds of euros for short journeys and locked inside the car until they pay up. These criminals can be dangerous plain-clothed police workers have been followed, threatened, had their tyres slashed and their homes attacked. Halifax decided this was a case of authorised fraud, whereby a fraudster deceives a person into paying them or transferring money. As a result, it has raised a chargeback as an authorised fraud case and your Halifax account has now been credited with a temporary refund. The merchant has 45 days to dispute this chargeback. They could deny liability and provide documentation or evidence to support their stance. If this were to happen, Halifax will notify you and allow you to respond with a counter claim and to explain why it should continue with this claim. The experience left you feeling traumatised, vulnerable and you now worry about making payments when you next go on holiday, which I was very sorry to hear. A Lloyds Bank spokesman replies: 'We are sorry to hear about Ms Ps experience. Weve reviewed the case and raised a chargeback. Were aware of reports of overcharging in some taxi transactions outside of the UK and encourage customers to check the amount shown before entering their PIN and to contact us if anything looks wrong.' 'This is one of the most common - and heartbreaking - estate situations I see' Dear Vanessa, Our dad remarried at 67 after our mum died. We were happy for him. He seemed lonely and she brought energy back into his life. They were married for 12 years. Dad always told us not to worry - that we would be 'looked after' one day. He said everything would eventually come to us. He passed away last year. We've now discovered his entire estate went to his wife. The house, the investments, everything. There was no trust. No structure. Just a simple will leaving it all to her. She's in her early 60s and has two adult children of her own. We're terrified that when she dies, everything will go to them - and my siblings and I will receive nothing. We don't want to fight her. But this feels wrong. Money educator gives advice about making a will when you have a blended family Did Dad make a mistake? Confused and Hurt. Dear Confused and Hurt, What you are describing is one of the most common - and heartbreaking - estate situations I see. When someone remarries later in life, leaving everything to their new spouse often feels like the simplest, most loving decision. They want their partner to feel secure. They want to avoid complexity. They assume fairness will sort itself out later. But in blended families, 'simple' can become dangerous. In many countries - including the UK, the US and here in Australia - if a will leaves everything outright to a spouse, those assets legally become that spouse's property. They are free to spend it, gift it, change their own will, or leave it entirely to their biological children. There is no automatic obligation to preserve it for stepchildren. That means your stepmother may be under no legal requirement to pass any of those assets on to you when she dies. That may not have been your father's intention. But intention and legal structure are two very different things. Many parents rely on informal promises. 'Don't worry, you'll be looked after.' The problem is that verbal reassurance disappears the moment paperwork takes over. Blended families require more planning, not less. There are legal structures that can protect both a surviving spouse and children from a first marriage - for example, life interest arrangements or trusts that allow a spouse to live in a property or receive income during their lifetime, while preserving the underlying capital for children later. But those must be deliberately set up. A basic will leaving everything to a spouse does not create that protection. It doesn't necessarily mean your father made a mistake. He may have believed trust would be enough. He may have assumed goodwill would prevail. He may have felt uncomfortable raising the topic directly. Many people avoid these conversations because they feel awkward or fear conflict. Ironically, avoiding the conversation often creates far greater conflict later. Before taking any steps, I strongly recommend seeking legal advice in your jurisdiction to understand your position. There are sometimes time limits on contesting a will. However, challenging an estate can be expensive and emotionally exhausting. It can permanently fracture already delicate family dynamics. That's why these conversations matter so much while everyone is still alive. Across the world, families are changing. People are living longer. Divorce and remarriage are common. Children and stepchildren are part of modern life. Yet many wills are still written as if every family fits the traditional model. They don't. And when the paperwork doesn't reflect the family structure, someone almost always feels blindsided. If there is one lesson in your story, it is this: love is not a legal strategy. Trust is not an estate plan. Silence is not protection. For anyone in a second marriage - or with adult children from a first - clarity is an act of kindness. Spell it out. Structure it properly. Explain it openly. Because when estate planning goes wrong, the argument isn't just about money. The three women standing shoulder to shoulder have 14 children between them. Some of those sons and daughters have seen more than any child should. 'On the night I thought he was going to kill me, my daughter was asleep in her bed,' says 37 year-old Siobhan McTaggart, the smallest of the women and the one who is most nervous about being here today. 'She was six at the time,' she continues. 'He was on top of me, hands around my neck, strangling me. I couldn't breathe or shout. I could feel myself going, losing consciousness. All I could think was 'She's going to come in here in the morning and I'll be dead in my bed. And what will he do with her?'.' Neither of the other two women is remotely shocked by this. They simply nod, and share their own stories of the things that somehow became 'normal' in their homes, at the hands of their same tormentor, Mark McMillan. Screaming. Swearing. Blood. Walls punched in. Bruises. Rape. Strangulation. Drugging. Financial exploitation. Sexually explicit pictures taken without consent, even without the women's knowledge, and uploaded to the internet for the world to see. Think that the sort of depravity evidenced in France during the shocking case of Gisele Pelicot couldn't happen in the UK? Think again, because there are parallels here. 'I'd often pass out when he was strangling me and wake up in a completely different position, up against the wall or on the floor,' says Lynne-Marie Hand, 39. Lynne's older children, she says, had some understanding of what was going on, 'but as a mother you try to say, 'Oh I'm fine. Nothing to worry about',' she says, Pictured from left to right: Charmaine Walker, Lynn-Marie Hand and Siobhan McTaggart. All three women were victims of the same man who repeatedly violated by him over the same period. None of them knew of the other's existence, and thought they were suffering alone, and in silence Mark McMillan, the Beast (their agreed name for him), is a 18 stone former body-builder who between January 2022 and July 2023 raped and sexually abused Charmaine Walker, Lynn-Marie Hand and Siobhan McTaggart There was lots to worry about. 'I'm just surprised he didn't kill one of us. It was the only thing left for him to do, really. He told me exactly how he was going to kill me, too. He said it would be the perfect crime.' Astonishingly these three women, meeting me in an Ayrshire hotel and bravely waiving their legal right to anonymity, were victims of the same man, repeatedly violated by him over the same period. None of them knew of the other's existence, and thought they were suffering alone, and in silence. And the only reason he is behind bars today - found guilty in December 2025 of five counts of rape and sexual assault - is because, having learned of each other's existence, they got in touch, joining forces to bring their attacker to justice. This month, at the High Court in Kilmarnock, Lord Harrower imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on McMillan - 11 to be served in prison and three on licence in the community. 'This is what happens when you tell women you will kill them if they speak out,' says Lynne The Beast (their agreed name for him) is a 18 stone former body-builder who specialised in, as Siobhan puts it, 'helping himself to women's bodies'. Between January 2022 and July 2023, he raped and sexually abused all three women. It was Lynne - the eldest and their leader - who first found the courage to go to the police, but only after five months of torture. All three women suffered abuse at the hands of McMillan but Charmaine (right) discovered worse. Her images had been uploaded to a website. 'It was Lynne who found them,' she says. 'They've been taken down now, but it's the most vile thing in the world to think that pictures of you are out there' The women claim McMillan - who was very active on dating sites which allowed him to hook up with local women - asked them to have sex with other men while he watched. None would agree While McMillan was being questioned, she retrieved the Sim card from his phone, which he'd smashed in a fit of rage, and inserted it into her own handset. She scrolled through his messages, rightly suspecting she would find other women there. When she answered a text from one, she found herself in conversation with mother-of-two Charmaine Walker - a complete stranger then; a friend today. 'The first time we spoke Lynne told me [ITAL] she [ITAL] was Mark's partner and she'd just had him [arrested] by the police and she was going to press charges,' says Charmaine, 35. 'She said he'd raped her and beaten her up. I said 'He did that to me, too'. She said 'You have got to come forward'. I said 'I can't'. She said 'Yes you can'.' And so it began. It didn't take much detective work for them to find a third woman who also involved with him - Siobhan, a mother of three. She told them [ITAL] she [ITAL] thought she was McMillian's girlfriend: he'd moved himself into her house, and had his own front door key. Her story was familiar: he'd seemed OK to begin with, but it wasn't long before she was being raped, abused and gaslit on a daily basis, with not a single soul aware of what was going on. After Lynne (left) called the police on McMillian things became much darker. On his return, McMillan told Lynne that he would kill her if she made a further complaint 'Until I spoke to Lynne, I hadn't told another person in the world that he'd been raping me,' says Siobhan. 'I was ashamed and embarrassed. I didn't know how. This was a man who was having dinner with my parents. How could I say to them about all the vile things he was doing, about the fact that I thought he was going to kill me?' It is a surreal experience to sit overlooking manicured hotel lawns listening to these women's overlapping stories, particularly when you discover that McMillan used to be a delivery driver for a local bakery company, and would deliver baked goods here. 'Sometimes he'd make me go with him to his work,' says Siobhan. 'He liked to know where I was, although it didn't work the other way. He would disappear for days on end. I know now he was with either Lynne or Charmaine.' Being a serial cheat is not against the law, but McMillan was a serial abuser too, and a sexual deviant who was active on swinging websites. Siobhan claims she discovered via a neighbour that he'd been showing around intimate pictures of her, taken during forced sex - ones she'd not been aware he had taken. Charmaine discovered worse. Her images had been uploaded to a website. 'It was Lynne who found them,' she says. 'They've been taken down now, but it's the most vile thing in the world to think that pictures of you are out there.' All claim McMillan - very active on dating sites which allowed him to hook up with local women - asked them to have sex with other men while he watched. None would agree. On Thursday, at the High Court in Kilmarnock, Lord Harrower imposed an extended sentence of 14 years on McMillan - 11 to be served in prison and three on licence in the community 'But we know that he had sex with other men because he had reviews from men on that swingers' site, so my theory now is that he actually just hates women. What's definite is that he is a danger to them.' The astonishing story of how the women supported each other emerged after the guilty verdict in December when Lynne put a no-holds-barred post on Facebook about her history with her attacker. She claims to have been inundated with messages from other women - quite apart from the two who joined her in pressing charges. 'I've had about 14 women contact me,' she says. 'Lots of them know all about Mark McMillan.' McMillan's three known victims may be different in looks, but there are striking similarities in their backgrounds. All were single mothers when McMillan moved in with them. All had terrible past experience with men. Several talk of chaotic childhoods and households where violence was simply the norm. It's probably not an exaggeration to say that the bar, when it came to partners, wasn't high. 'I'd been abused in a previous relationship, and he knew that because it was one of the first things I told him,' says Siobhan, who got chatting to McMillan when he came into the shop where she worked. After discovering each others existence they swapped stories - discovering eerily parallel lives. The frequencies of the attacks on the others were not quite at the level Lynne (centre) had suffered, but the modus operandi was identical 'He said, 'I will treat you like a woman should be treated'. I believed him, and for the first few months it was all great. That was until the night I woke up and he'd taken my jammies off and was on top of me. He'd tied my hair around his fist, which allowed him more control. That's how it was.' McMillan had grown up in Stevenson in Ayrshire. Charmaine, from the same town, had known him when she was a teenager, and says she felt a bit sorry for him when they got chatting again in 2022. 'He had a sob story about how he needed to get out of his house. I remember lending him money for a bus fare.' Lynne, who works in a funeral directors in nearby Kilbirnie, remembers meeting him too, fleetingly, when she was a teenager but it was only when she started chatting to him again at a bus stop in January 2023 that she accepted his offer of a drink. 'I suppose I didn't see him as a threat because I'd known him.' She thought he was fun, and attractive. She also knew that he was taking cocaine (and would later discover that he had drug-related debts) but 'at the start he was lovebombing me.' She let him move in because he was having a 'bit of bother' with his own house. The first hint that she was involved with a dangerous man came within weeks - and in front of a friend. Gisele Pelicot in October last year.Their story is reminiscent of Ms Pelicot's own horrific ordeal 'We were just sitting having a few drinks at home. I thought he was fooling around, going to tickle my toes and I said I hated my toes being tickled. But he just grabbed my ankles and pulled me off the sofa. I landed on my knees and he booted me up the backside and I hit my face off my friend's knee. 'My nose just went 'bang', blood everywhere. My friend said 'what the' and he said 'she needs to learn to take a joke'.' By the February, Lynne was walking on eggshells around this man. 'He had always been a bit possessive but he started to ask who I was messaging. He was paranoid I was with other men, yet he'd be the one messaging in the middle of the night.' Then the rapes started. She believes he gave her a date rape drug for the first attack. 'He just laughed afterwards and said I'd had a good time'. The beatings were frequent, too. 'He'd bang my head off the wall, throw trainers at me. If he was in a rage he was out of control.' Often, her children were witness to this. 'They knew exactly what he was like.' There was police involvement. In the April, Lynne dialled 999. McMillan was arrested but he returned to her home. She let him in, 'which I should not have done but you believe these men when they say they are sorry, it should not have happened'. And this is where things became much darker. On his return, McMillan told Lynne that he would kill her if she made a further complaint. 'He told me exactly how he'd do it, how he'd dress himself in a protective suit, cover me in cling film, stab me through it, then wrap me in a tarpaulin. It was so detailed, even down to the fact he'd put a dead dog in the grave with me, to deter any police dogs. He said it would be the perfect crime'. By now, he was stealing from her. 'I gave him money first. People were after him, for drug money. I wanted to help. But then I was buying him clothes, a phone. 'One night I discovered that he was pressing my finger to my phone when I was asleep and transferring money to his own account. He took 4,000 over a few months.' The rapes got worse. We can't actually go into what he did to Lynne but suffice to say this wasn't 'just' rape, it was sadistic torture. 'He made a game out of it. I had to count along,' she recalls. 'If I didn't let him do it he'd say we'd have to start all over again. I'm a strong person but I was sobbing in the bed and he'd tell me to shut up or he'd put a pillow over my head. I tried to cry quietly, but that's hard.' In July 2023, there was yet another row - this one witnessed by one of her sons - and Lynne finally asked him to leave. He'd punched her and pushed her against a shelf, splitting her head open. Again she called the police 'and they took him away'. The next day she retrieved his phone, and sent that fateful message to Charmaine, asking who she was. Over the next weeks all three women swapped stories - discovering eerily parallel lives. The frequencies of the attacks on the others were not quite at the level Lynne had suffered, but the modus operandi was identical. 'He gets inside your head,' says Charmaine. 'He made me feel worthless, like nobody else would want me. He'd go through my phone. I'd be saying 'That's my daughter's ice dance teacher'. He'd go mad, accusing me of going with other men, and I wasn't.' Siobhan nods. 'He'd call me a dirty slut, a whore. I was only texting my mum'. If there is any hope to be gained from these women's stories it is that they were believed as soon as they went to the police. 'I can't fault the police,' says Siobhan. 'Especially the female officers,' says Lynne. Yet what a world they were plunged into and still inhabit. Siobhan - who spent time in a women's refuge - had to be rehoused because of McMillan's attacks. All three now live in houses with panic alarms. 'I love my new place because there's cameras everywhere,' she tells the others, cheerily. 'I feel safe'. Why, why, why did they all stay with this man for as long as they did? It's a question mostly asked by those who have never been in abusive relationships, says Lynne. 'His defence lawyer said, 'Well, it can't have been that bad, if you stayed with him', but it's not that easy. People like him get into your head, mess with it. He thought he could do what he liked, because men like that do.' Until women like these speak up, it seems. 'If I could send one message to other women it would be 'speak up',' says Charmaine, as the women leave, in time for the school run. 'You won't be alone.' A couple is selling their Queensland home on Facebook Marketplace instead of using real estate agents, in protest against commission fees of up to $40,000. Tech entrepreneur Warren Burger and his wife, Nolene, both aged 36, moved to Australia from South Africa almost nine years ago. In 2023, they bought a 750 sqm property with four bedrooms and two bathrooms on the Sunshine Coast for $1.2 million. But now, they have decided to sell it to access capital to help them start a new venture in the technology sector - and they've taken an unorthodox route. 'We went through the process of interviewing a bunch of agents,' Mr Burger told the Daily Mail. 'None of them could honestly justify an exorbitant fee of $30,000 to $40,000 commission to sell the house. That's why I decided I was going to sell it myself and document the entire process. 'I don't feel like a real estate agent's job is useless or that they're not needed at all. 'But after speaking to my conveyancer, I realised how achievable it is to actually sell a property in Australia without the two major platforms and their gatekeepers.' Tech entrepreneur Warren Burger (pictured) and his wife, Nolene, are selling their Sunshine Coast home for $1.6 million on Facebook Marketplace The couple have lived in the 750 sqm home for three years but want to use money from the sale to fund a new business venture In a tongue-in-cheek move, Mr Burger launched a social media platform with the name 'agents_want_me_cancelled' to share his journey, gaining thousands of views. In one video, he described how realestate.com.au had 'banned' him from selling directly. He opened up about the challenge, explaining how being prevented from the website had pushed him to use Facebook Marketplace instead. 'I asked them if I could list my house on their platform... without using a real estate agent [or agency], and I was told that I can't do that,' he said. 'The strange thing is, landlords can actually list their properties on the platform and do a self-managed rental listing, but ordinary Australians are locked out from being able to self-manage sales of their property, even though they own it. 'That's why I chose to go to Facebook Marketplace and do it there. I live in a nice area, it's a nice house, it's a good street. You can pretty much put a board up outside the house and it would sell itself. 'That was my frustration around paying the commission for the amount of work and effort that's involved in making that particular transaction happen.' Mr Burger has listed his property for $1.65 million. Mr Burger said the couple decided not to use a real estate agent to sell their house due to a lack of justification for the 'exorbitant' commission fees of up to $40,000 The tech entrepreneur added that he does not think agents are 'useless', but that the system needs to evolve Prospective owners can then request to book an appointment rather than the couple holding an open house. Mr Burger said there has been plenty of interest and that he and his wife are in no rush to sell their home to anyone, but there have also been challenges. 'So probably the biggest challenge would be the distribution,' he said. 'I can't tell you how many [direct messages] I've received from people that are like, "Where are you selling? We're interested in buying that." 'I reckon I could close the deal within two days from now through social media, but I don't want to do it that way. 'I know that not everyone who's selling as a homeowner has the opportunity to do that, and I'm doing this to prove to myself and to people out there that it can be done without the gatekeepers and the platforms in the industry.' He also said that, while real estate agents had seen his social media, he had not heard from a single buyer's agent who could 'close a deal really quickly and easily if they wanted to'. If Facebook does not work for Mr Burger, he said the next step will be to try the marketplace website Gumtree. Mr Burger said there had been challenges in distributing his listing and that he had received no messages from buyer's agents in relation to the property The home, which is near the popular holiday spot Noosa, will be listed on Gumtree if Mr Burger doesn't find the right buyer on Facebook Marketplace Asked if he had any reactions from real estate agents, Mr Burger said some had been justifying the difficulty of their roles. 'I have no views that it's not a difficult job, to be honest with you,' he said. 'Roughly 87 per cent of real estate agents bail out of the industry within the first five years, and that's why I feel the whole system is fragmented. 'The adoption of technology and AI, I don't think, has grown at the rate it should in that industry, and that's why it's so difficult to make sales because they're following the same procedures they have for the last 20 years. 'Professionals in the industry are going to have to evolve with the way that the industry is going to be rewritten soon.' Mr Burger suggested that instead of being paid a huge commission for the entire transaction, agents should be paid according to their specific contributions to the sale. 'For example, if an agent hosts an open home, they [could get paid] $200 or $400 to host the open home,' he said. The Daily Mail has contacted realestate.com.au for comment. Looking at this picture of lush grass in an Australian paddock, youd probably think it was healthy. But it's actually swamped by an invasive weed. Invasive African lovegrass is one of the only species to retain a vivid green colour during the hotter months on South Australian farms, making it easy to spot. The Limestone Coast Landscape Boards Michelle Sargent explained its hardy and drought-tolerant, so it can out-compete native species, and it has metre-long, grey-coloured tussocks that contain seed heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its pretty easy to spot in late summer, because its often the only green thing growing, especially on roadside, railway tracks, car parks, or heavily-grazed paddocks, she said. Everything else is brown. It also contains little nutrition, so its a farmers worst nightmare when droughts hit, contributing to a loss of feed for cattle and sheep. Worse still, its a fire risk the opposite of many native grass species that actually retard flames. Outbreak of African lovegrass detected in small Aussie town Experts from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board describe the weed as "disastrous", saying it poses a "significant risk" to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team was recently horrified to learn the weed had extended its range south along the Limestone Coast by 30km. African lovegrass is a declared pest in South Australia. Source: Limestone Coast Landscape Board Luckily, the plant, at a property near Millicent, in South Australias far east, was quickly reported and destroyed. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is now urging nearby residents to report any sightings of the plant to its officers. They will be able to confirm the species identified and enable us to rapidly respond to any outbreak, Sergent said in a media release. We want to eradicate the weed from this area, and early detection is essential. How the weed rapidly spreads in Australia Its a declared pest species under South Australias Landscape Act, and can rapidly spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each plant can hold up to 1,000 seeds per seed head, so even a young plant can be a massive risk, Sargent told Yahoo. Seeds are viable for around five years, so its critical to get onto those first plants straight away to stop their spread. Worse still, there are only two herbicides registered for use against its spread, glyphosate and flupropanate, so there are concerns it could develop resistance. Anyone on the Limestone Coast who spots a suspected tuft of African lovegrass can report it on lc.landscape.sa.gov.au or phone 8429 7550. It is planning a field day on April 10 to inform residents about efforts to tackle the problem using herbicides. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. If bets were placed on what led to the ultimate downfall of the most wanted and dangerous drug trafficker in the world, youd expect his demise to be the culmination of a decades-long and elaborate intelligence gathering operation. Instead, the seizure and killing of Mexican drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes on February 22, commonly referred to by his alias El Mencho, was the result of a terrible blunder on behalf of the late kingpin. During his lifetime, the drug lord was notorious for heading the fearsome Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), infamous in Mexico for its flagrant displays of ultraviolence and its enormous, military-style arsenal. The renowned trafficker, who presided over 400 gunmen, bomb-delivering drones and land mines, always took extraordinary precautions to keep himself safe - including rarely allowing a phone near him because he feared a GPS signal might reveal his location. But last week, the fabled criminal met his death not because of a dramatic betrayal on behalf of one of his loyal gunmen, or even due to a cocaine trafficking operation being intercepted by watchful authorities. In fact, El Mencho was finally brought down by the easily-trackable movements of one of his girlfriends, who US and Mexican intelligence forces covertly followed using Predator drone surveillance to a secluded forest cabin, which the couple mistakenly believed was private. Early last Sunday, after a stealthy rendezvous with his lover, the 59-year-old cartel chief remained holed up in the romantic hideout, discreetly located in the picturesque western town of Tapalpa. He had a rude awakening when a squad of elite Mexican army and National Guard special-operation soldiers descended on his retreat in the verdant pine woods - turning an otherwise relaxing morning into his violent death. But El Mencho is far from the only cartel boss whose intimate date transformed into the scene of an unanticipated assassination within a matter of seconds. Throughout time, scores of women - from secret mistresses to illustrious actresses - have won the hearts of otherwise lethal gangsters, spelling the end of their criminal enterprises. Mexican drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes was killed in a military raid last week Maria Julissa, 25, has been accused of revealing the cartel leader's location and causing his eventual death at the hands of the Mexican army The model at the centre of Mexico's cartel chaos has furiously denied leading authorities to El Mencho The model at the centre of Mexico's cartel chaos has furiously denied leading authorities to El Mencho, but that hasn't stopped online speculation that a certain Mexican influencer was responsible for his ultimate demise. Maria Julissa, 25, has been accused of revealing the cartel leader's location and causing his eventual death at the hands of the Mexican army. A banner hung from a bridge in Zapopan, Jalisco, called Julissa a 'b***h' and claimed that she 'sent the marine' after the criminal, who rose to the top of one of the most dreaded and dangerous cartels in modern Mexico. It also accused her of 'biting the hand that fed [her]', alluding to a rumored but heavily denied relationship with the drug lord who hailed from humble rural roots in the western state of Michoacan. The death of one of worlds most wanted drug traffickers triggered a wave of explosive disorder across 20 Mexican states, with masked gunmen setting fire to stores and vehicles and setting up disruptive roadblocks - causing the government to deploy 9,500 troops to restore order. In a statement posted to her almost four million followers on Instagram, Julissa denounced the rumours as 'fake news', writing: 'I want to make it absolutely clear: I have nothing to do with that situation. The information circulating is false and unfounded.' While Julissa may have been falsely framed by the masses, hoping to make some sense out of El Mencho's downfall, there is a precedent for kingpins being fatally undone by their muses. Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, commonly known as El Chapo is the jailed former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, which the US Justice Department describes as one of the worlds most prolific, violent and powerful drug cartels - trafficking billions upon billions of dollars in marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Believed to be responsible for the death of over 34,000 people, in 2019 he was sentenced to life in jail and is currently languishing in the high-security ADX Florence, Colorado, after having escaped from prison multiple times. He was first captured in 1993 in Guatemala before he was extradited and sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mexico for murder and drug trafficking, but he bribed multiple prison guards and escaped from a federal maximum-security prison in 2001. El Chapos status as a fugitive resulted in an $8.8million combined reward from Mexico and the US authorities for information leading to his seizure, and he was eventually arrested again in 2014 and held in the feared El Altiplano facility. Nevertheless, the formidable kingpin, known for using intricate tunnel systems for both evading authorities and moving massive quantities of drugs, managed to escape formal sentencing a year later, through an underground underpass dug by one of his associates. When El Chapo, 68, was finally apprehended, it was because of his fatal weakness for female attention, and a desire to be in the spotlight. The farm boy who hailed from an impoverished background from the rural community of La Tuna in Sinaloa - who amounted assets worth more than $12.6billion through his illicit activities - had escaped the grip of authorities countless times, but a growing correspondence with Mexican actress Kate del Castillo made him blind to danger. In 2012, Del Castillo published an open letter on X, in which she stated she trusted El Chapo more than the Mexican government while asking the Sinaloa boss to start trafficking with love. Today I believe more in Chapo Guzman than in the governments that hide the truth, even if its painful, Del Castillo said, while starring in La Reina Del Sur as the girlfriend of a slain cartel chief, who eventually built her own criminal empire. Lets traffic with love. You know how to. Life is a business and the only thing that changes is the merchandise. Dont you agree? Mr Chapo, wouldnt it be cool that you started trafficking with love? The open letter would spell the beginning of the end for the kingpin, as it kickstarted his ultimately destructive obsession with having a film made about his extraordinary life. The drug lord sent flowers to the soap actress, and traded BBM messages with her while he was on the run, even allowing her and American actor Sean Penn into his hill country hideout for a meeting about a potential movie. At that meeting, Penn even interviewed the fugitive for Rolling Stone magazine. But investigators were able to monitor the movements of Penn and Del Castillo and took photographs of the actors when they landed in Mexico before their ill-fated get-together with El Chapo. Following the rendezvous, troops raided El Chapos remote mountain stronghold in northwestern Mexico, in order to flush him out toward a city, according to government officials. He fled and eventually made his way to the seaside city of Los Mochis in his native Sinaloa state, where he was recaptured in a deadly military operation. One factor that led El Chapo to Los Mochis was that he was really very interested in meeting the actress again, a Mexican official said following the dramatic operation. This was an almost obsessive interest that turned into another incentive to go down to the city, where he wanted to meet with her. Authorities said he used the codename hermosa (beautiful) when referring to the star, and had DVDs of her famous TV series in the house that the marines ultimately raided. El Chapo fled the residence through a tunnel during a gunfight between troops and his henchmen, but he was later caught after he had stolen a vehicle, ending a months-long manhunt involving 2,500 investigators and federal forces. Authorities escort Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman from a plane, New York, 2017 The drug lord sent flowers to Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and their meeting helped authorities to hunt him down Another kingpin brought down by a love interest was Servando Gomez Martinez, or La Tuta, the leader of the Knights Templar cartel and one of Mexicos most-wanted fugitives. As the chief of the Templars, a quasi-religious criminal group that once controlled all of Michoacan state, La Tuta controlled politics and commerce through tactics of extortion, intimidation and coercion. On February 27, 2015, he was arrested by Mexican security forces in Morelia, Michoacan, and in 2019 he received a 55-year prison sentence for a kidnapping conviction. He was ultimately captured because of his desire to celebrate his 49th birthday in style, however. Alert security agents - tracking his movements - noticed an unusual amount of people coming and going from one of the homes they were keenly monitoring in Morelia. Authorities knew that Maria Antonieta Luna Avalos was one of the kingpins girlfriends, so when a vehicle registered under her name arrived at one of his residences, they immediately understood they were in business. Luna Avalos, who reportedly has had three children with Gomez, had entered the home presenting a chocolate birthday cake, but it was this special delivery that led to the drug lord's arrest and the crumbling of his criminal enterprise. He was seized by an elite squadron of the Mexican federal police in a stealthy operation where no shots were fired, ending his reign of terror. Another kingpin brought down by a love interest was Servando Gomez Martinez, or La Tuta' In December 2024, a drug cartel ringleader paid the ultimate price for his glamorous wife's Instagram addiction. Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, a Costa Rican drug lord, was grabbed by National Crime Agency officers near London Bridge just after Christmas, after his partner, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, shared photographs of their luxury travels to her 21,000 followers on social media. During the pair's European holiday, she had posted snaps of herself posing by Rome's Trevi Fountain, with the caption: 'A trip is lived 3 times: When we dream it, When we live it, When we remember it.' While Grijalba, nicknamed 'Shock', usually travelled separately from his wife, the couple were in the capital enjoying a 16,000 trip that took them from Costa Rica's Juan Santamaria Airport to Paris and onwards to London. But little did he know, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents were tracking his every move, and asked National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in the UK to assist in the surprise operation. With an arrest warrant already in place from the US, Shock was handcuffed at an airport, after being investigated for years by Costa Rican authorities. Limon province, where Grijalba primarily operated his criminal network, has seen a huge surge in gang-related violence in recent years, with its capital city of the same name boasting a port thought to be a drug trafficking hotspot. In 2023, 214 homicides were recorded in the metropole - more than in Costa Rica's capital San Jose despite being a third of the size, according to investigative platform Insight Crime. The drug lord himself had reportedly survived two assassination attempts prior to his seizure. Together with his brother Jordie Kevin Picado Grijalba , nicknamed 'Noni', Shock established himself as one of the most prolific cocaine traffickers in the country, mostly through his direct contact with cocaine suppliers in Colombia. Shock and Noni were responsible for importing cocaine largely via maritime routes and storing the drug at warehouses throughout Costa Rica. They expanded their business by forming alliances with other prominent traffickers, such as Celso Manuel Gamboa and Edwin Danney Lopez, as well as armed groups, including a gang of sicarios, or hitmen, controlled by Tonny Alexander Pena Russell. On March 2, 2022, he survived an ambush in which seven other men were shot dead on a farm at Matama, on the outskirts of Limon, after he hid from gunmen behind a cherry tree and a cabin. At least four of the victims had homicide and drug trafficking convictions. Grijalba was ordered to give witness testimony at the subsequent trial of four men, but refused to attend court in Limon. Despite this, one Costa Rican and three Venezuelan men were convicted of the murders in March 2024, and will serve the maximum penalty of 50 years in prison. Shock is currently being held in the UK pending a final decision on extradition to the US, according to the Treasury Department. Rodriguez had plastered glamorous photos of her various holidays across social media - leaving a trail for authorities to follow Grijalba, nicknamed 'Shock', was wanted in the US on suspicion of trafficking cocaine internationally Of course, in the underground world of cartel violence, women aren't just taking a back seat. 'The only man I was ever afraid of was a woman named Griselda Blanco.' This is what notorious Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist Pablo Escobar allegedly once said about the female who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. Blanco was so influential that a whole six-part Netflix thriller dedicated to telling her life story called Griselda was released in 2024. Dubbed the 'cocaine godmother' and responsible for the murder of her three husbands, the mother of four amassed a vast empire and was a central figure in the Miami drug wars in the 1970s. Born in Colombia in 1943, Blanco had a net worth of billions before her arrest in February 1985 for manufacturing, importing and distributing cocaine to the US. She was credited with inventing the motorcycle ride-by killing during her time controlling southern Florida's nascent cocaine trade, and established a distribution network across America that generated tens of millions of dollars a month, making shipments of more than 1,500kg. Following her death in 2012, she was remembered for concocting creative methods to get cocaine into the US, even setting up a lingerie shop in Colombia that produced underwear for export with secret compartments. But during her lifetime, there is no mistaking the fact that Blanco was responsible for an enormous amount of pain and suffering, wreaking death and bloodshed wherever she went. Born in Colombia in 1943, Griselda Blanco had a net worth of billions before her arrest in February 1985 for manufacturing, importing and distributing cocaine to the US Griselda Blanco was so influential that a whole six-part Netflix thriller dedicated to telling her life story called Griselda was released in 2024 She was involved in criminal activity from the age of 11, when she allegedly shot dead a wealthy boy after she kidnapped him when his parents refused to pay a ransom. In 1964, aged 21, she illegally immigrated to New York with her three children and husband and began selling marijuana, but by 1970 she had him assassinated, and moved to Miami. There, she met her second husband, drug trafficker Alberto Bravo, and honed her audacious approach to smuggling by flying young women from Colombia to the US, with cocaine stashed in their bras and underwear. Bravo also met a grisly end in a blazing gun battle with his wife in 1975, when he and his six bodyguards were shot dead in a Bogota nightclub car park over millions of dollars missing from the profits of the cartel they built together. In 1983, she had her third husband assassinated, after he left Miami with the couple's child, Michael Corleone - named after the central figure in the Godfather trilogy of mafia movies. Overall, she was suspected of responsibility in at least 40 murders, possibly as many as 200, but was ultimately convicted of only three two drug dealers and a two-year-old boy, Johnny Castro. He was the son of one of her former enforcers, Jesus, who Blanco ordered to be assassinated after he allegedly insulted one of her sons. But in an operation-gone-wrong, the toddler, who was travelling in his father's vehicle, got caught up in the crossfire and was shot twice in the head by her hitmen. Blanco's former lieutenant, Jorge Ayala, told police: 'At first she was real mad because we missed the father, but when she heard we had gotten the son by accident, she said she was glad, that they were even.' She escaped the death penalty when Ayala was discredited as a witness, after being caught having phone sex with secretaries in the prosecutors' office, and she served 20 years in jail. Three of her sons were killed during her prison sentence, and once released in 2004, she was deported to Colombia and led a quiet life. Blanco met her own demise aged 69 on September 3, 2012, when she was shot dead by a man on a motorbike outside a butcher's shop, in a drive-by shooting that was a copycat of the assassination style that she coined during her lifetime. One of the last surviving members of Bomber Command has told the extraordinary story of his heroic wartime service for the first time aged 104. Former pilot Colin Bell recalls in a new memoir how his station commander refused to ground his squadron of Mosquito fighter-bomber aircraft despite the manufacturer warning it had to fix a potential engine fault. When asked what would happen if the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines failed on take-off, the commander replied in stark terms: You die like an officer and a gentleman. Mr Bell also reveals that, rather than carrying a teddy bear as a mascot on his death-defying bombing raids over Nazi Germany, he took along a Smith & Wesson revolver with 20 rounds of ammunition in case he was shot down. He writes in the memoir, serialised today in the Daily Mail: At this time, Hitler and Goebbels were encouraging the German population to lynch downed airmen. My intention, if caught, was to shoot at least half a dozen members of any approaching mob before blowing my brains out. The modest war hero captures the incredible bravery of the air crews who faced unimaginable danger every time they set off on a mission. Of the 30 or so pilots and navigators he shared a mess with during his time with 608 Squadron, based at RAF Downham Market in Norfolk, 13 were dead by the time he left after six months. His final raid, over Berlin, took place in March 1945, just before his 24th birthday. Two days later the very Mosquito he had flown in was shot down and both crew members were killed. Former Mosquito pilot Colin Bell, 104, has written a memoir about his time flying daring raids over Nazi Germany for Bomber Command during the Second World War Mr Bell, who turns 105 next week, also addresses recent criticism of Bomber Commands devastating attacks on German cities like Dresden, which hit civilians as well as military targets. He writes: There is certainly an argument to be had about this, but I do often wonder how that argument would go if we had lost the war. People might be expressing reservations about living as slave labourers under a Nazi regime, with concentration camps set up in every city for its opponents. So, when people say, What about Dresden? I reply that Dresden was indeed horrific. But so too was the blitzing of London, Coventry, Plymouth, Exeter, Liverpool and Southampton, to name but a few. Bloody Dangerous by Colin Bell is published by Abacus on March 5. Read an extract here. When it comes to illegal immigration, the focus is usually on the issue of small boats crossing from France. But criminals are also smuggling in migrants using an alternative route - Britain's Common Travel Area (CTA) with Ireland. Law enforcement say the CTA, which allows British and Irish citizens to pass freely between both countries, is being exploited by illegal migrants and smuggling gangs as a 'back-entry route' into the UK. To clamp down on this method, police and immigration officials launched a crackdown which led to the arrests of 32 immigration offenders at UK-Ireland seaports and airports. The Daily Mail witnessed the operation unfold at Holyhead, with ferry passengers scanned with live facial recognition as they moved through the terminal. The operation also saw lorries searched for stowaways and contraband as they entered the port, with separate checks carried out next to a motorway outside the town. DCC Wendy Gunney leads the Domestic Organised Immigration Crime taskforce, which coordinated the three-day operation alongside Immigration Enforcement, Border Force, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and police forces. UK Border Force staff watch passengers arrive off a ferry at Holyhead passenger terminal earlier this week Passengers were scanned with live facial recognition against a database of known immigration offenders 'The Common Travel Area is exploited by criminal gangs as a back-entry route into the UK, so our operation is about making our borders as robust as they can be,' she told the Mail. 'Creating a visible presence at the border is a good deterrent and we've been using live facial recognition technology as well.' As well as illegal migrants, gangs also use the CTA to move drugs and black market goods, DCC Gunney explained. There is no passport control between Britain and Ireland, although passengers are required to bring some form of photo ID and officials regularly carry out spot checks. 'The threat from the Common Travel Area is going up in relation to organised crime elements,' said DCC Gunney. 'Small boat arrivals are very visible and there is a lot of effort going into that, but our job is to ensure all entry points to the UK are protected. 'The taskforce has been really key to driving up intelligence.' Facial recognition vans work by using cameras to automatically scan the facial features of passersby and record measurements, such as the distance between the eyes. This data is then compared to an existing watchlist while an officer checks the matches flagged by the system. Civil liberties activists claim the rollout of live facial recognition represents a 'significant expansion of the surveillance state'. Officers search a lorry containing frozen food. No stowaways or illicit cargo was found inside A lorry moving through Holyhead port during this week's operation However, DCC Gunney insisted it was a 'tried-and-tested technology' and innocent members of the public who were not on an existing watch lift had 'nothing to fear'. As well as Holyhead, the ports of Loch Ryan in Scotland, Heysham in Lancashire, and Birkenhead on Merseyside were also flooded with officers during the crackdown. Among the 32 arrested was a man from Lesotho who did not have valid entry to the UK and was wanted by Irish authorities for a domestic violence offence. The man, who had an extensive criminal history in Ireland, was immediately returned to Ireland and into the arms of the Irish authorities. Four Pakistani men who arrived at Birmingham airport from Belfast were found to not have valid UK visas and all had outstanding UK asylum claims. As they had broken their reporting conditions by traveling to Northern Ireland, all four men had their asylum applications withdrawn. Ben Thomas, Regional lead for Immigration Enforcement, said the operation had delivered 'swift justice' to immigration offenders exploiting the CTA. Following a traffic stop on the A55 in North Wales, an Indian man was found to be a visa overstayer with a failed asylum application. An aerial view of Holyhead port, the second busiest passenger ferry terminal in the UK He was also suspected of working illegally for a delivery company. The Home Office said 'efforts were underway' to deport him and the company may be fined. In 2024, 14 Albanians were found hiding inside a livestock wagon that had travelled into the British mainland from Northern Ireland. In other cases, migrants have been found going between the UK and Ireland to claim benefits in both countries at once. Alex Norris, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said: 'We are continuing to deliver in our fight against those who attempt to make a mockery of our borders.' On the frantically busy trading room floors of Morgan Stanley's Manhattan offices where billions of dollars change hands every day there is one perpetually quiet corner - a single desk that sits unoccupied. It is empty because the young Wall Street executive it belongs to remains on unpaid leave - as she is working as a paramedic on the frontline of the war to save her homeland, Ukraine, from invasion by Russia. So incredulous were colleagues of Viktoriia Honcharuk, 25, giving up her six-figure salary job as a New York investment banker to go to war that her line manager promised to keep her job open for when she changed her mind. That was in late 2022 - and that desk remains unoccupied. Viktoriia was moved to sign up when Vladimir Putin launched his 'special military operation' and brought Europe's bloodiest war since World War Two to her homeland. 'I thought if I don't do something now, I won't be able to look myself in the eyes,' she recalls. 'If something happens and Ukraine does not exist in a few years, how am I going to look in the mirror and say "I am Ukrainian" or a person of values? 'If you care about something, you have to act on it, otherwise it just gets worse.' And so the banker scheduled a meeting with her boss at Morgan Stanley and told him she was going to return to Ukraine. Viktoriia Honcharuk, 25, gave up her six-figure salary on Wall Street to go and fight in Ukraine Viktoriia was moved to sign up when Vladimir Putin launched his 'special military operation' Despite starting out with a phobia of needles she has now worked across some of the war's deadliest battlefields, including in Bakhmut and Avdiivka Most days she is triaging patients, who have lost legs, arms and even eyes in battle, documenting some of the gruesome injuries on her popular social media accounts The high achiever first visited the United States when she was 15-years-old as part of a young leaders exchange programme. She later joined Morgan Stanley after graduating from university in San Francisco To her surprise, her manager was fully supportive of her move - and three years later her desk still remains in the office, ready for her whenever she wants to return. The banker-turned-battlefield paramedic added: 'As soon as I went into his office, the first thing he said to me was: "You want to go to Ukraine, don't you?" 'I asked him how he knew, and he told me "I can see you walking in every single day to your desk, and I see your eyes, and I know you are not here, you are not here with us." 'Which was fair and also true. So he told me to go, figure things out, take a few months and said I am welcome to come back anytime. And I never did.' Since leaving the shimmering skyscrapers of NYC behind in December 2022, Viktoriia has treated thousands of soldiers as well as Russian prisoners of war. Despite starting out with a phobia of needles she has now worked across some of the war's deadliest battlefields, including in Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Viktoriia says that at times she has feared she would perish on the front line. Most days she is triaging patients, who have lost legs, arms and even eyes in battle, documenting some of the gruesome injuries on her popular social media accounts. She has also set up a think tank where she leads on defence tech, warning politicians around the world about how fibre-optic drones are changing the nature of modern warfare. Speaking to the Daily Mail this week about her former life of luxury in Manhattan, Viktoriia said: 'I do miss it but my conscience couldn't let me stay.' Viktoriia got a internship at Citi Bank before joining Morgan Stanley The high achiever first visited the United States when she was 15-years-old as part of a young leaders exchange programme. She later returned to attend Minerva University in San Francisco where she was enrolled in the elite international programme, that sees students travel across seven cities around the world during their study. Viktoriia had watched from afar as Russian troops amassed on Ukraine's borders four years ago, as Vladimir Putin began his invasion. So when the 22-year-old quit her role at Morgan Stanley to become a paramedic on the frontline - despite a phobia of blood and needles - friends in New York begged her not to go. They called her foolish. Her older sister, Maryna, 30, grabbed a bag and joined the resistance the day the war broke out - while her father and mother, who had previously been against women joining the army, joined the local territorial army. 'My family is a lot more involved than most of the families in Ukraine,' she previously told a YouTuber. 'My Mum, Dad and sister all joined the armed forces at the beginning. Even my Mum, who was very against women in the army, was standing there with AK74s. 'I was very proud of her and how my family reacted to the full scale invasion. I knew I needed to at least be as good as them.' Thousands of miles away, Viktoriia offered support by donating money to Ukraine's war effort to help buy food, clothes and other supplies for soldiers. Yet she suddenly felt that this was not enough. She said: 'The Ukrainian army quadrupled in a day, so people needed a lot of things, and that was making me feel that I was useful. But as time passed, what I was doing now was not enough. Her older sister, Maryna, who was an inspiration to Viktoriia, is one of her biggest supporters and admires how she put her Manhattan life on hold for Ukraine. Maryna, who was working at a television firm in Ukraine when the war broke out, told the Daily Mail this week: 'I actually think she is a very, very brave girl to leave her dream work and her dream life to do all this. 'It was not a big question for me about what to do - but for her, it required a lot of thinking, and she is an overthinker. I don't know if I would have done the same if I were in her shoes.' Not everyone in her life, however, was so supportive. Her mother even went on hunger-strike to stop her from joining. Viktorria and her sister Maryna, 30, at the Osborne Studio gallery looking at their portraits from the front line Speaking on the military YouTube channel NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade, she said previously: 'My sister was always supportive of me and supports my choices because she knows I am going to do what I want anyways. 'My dad has always been understanding but my mom not so much. She was not always supportive of my choices. For example when I went to Flex (Future Leaders Exchange Programme) she could not understand what it was. 'So with this war she stopped eating for a few days as a sign of protest, even though she did the very same thing. 'She's good now and she's supportive now. She's learnt to support it.' Friends in Manhattan had actively encouraged Viktoriia not to go to her war-torn country, fearing she was giving up on her career in the United States. 'Some of my friends were not very supportive,' she said. 'They thought it was a very foolish idea. They had seen me trying to get the career that I had really wanted throughout the years and saw how hard it was for me to do. 'They said I was giving up too much by doing something like this. But some were supportive and that's what I needed.' Viktoriia - or Tori as she is called in the military - now works in the Third Assault Brigade, the same unit her sister works in intelligence in. The unit is a volunteer-only unit, mostly made up of young, educated Ukrainians who gave up their everyday jobs and studies at university to join the resistance. Seen as one of the most elite and efficient units, known for its intense training, the Third Assault Brigade has more than 500 people trying to sign up to join every month. Maryna has been working in the army for four years, since the day after the war broke out. She was given a week's training in technical medicine before being let out into the field. Viktoriia - or Tori as she is called in the military - now works in the Third Assault Brigade, the same unit her sister works in intelligence in 'When I joined, I thought I would die in three days because I didn't know what would be happening in the next week,' Maryna said. 'There was no understanding on how the world would be and if Russians would come here. We didn't know anything so my plan was to do something and if I was going to die, I would die for my country.' Maryna, who was Ukraine's first female assault trooper and now leads the intelligence unit in her squad, has, according to her sister, 'the most badass job here in Ukraine'. The older sister captured members from the Wagner Group, who her sister says 'couldn't believe he had been taken prisoner by a woman'. The sisters, who used to constantly squabble as children, are now grateful they work in the same unit and can check in on each other. The pair, who were brought up in Baranivka, close to the Belarus border, can hear each other chatting on the radio and be assured the other is okay. 'I can tell by her voice if she was tired or not, if she was scared or not, for me it was a lot more peaceful just knowing she was okay and we were getting to see each other a lot more often,' Viktoriia said. There are still disagreements, however. Most notably on their view of Russian prisoners of war. Speaking of having to treat their opponents, Maryna said: 'I see this sad little guy. This old white guy, who is so scared to say a word to you. 'It's not like an option [to treat them]. You don't think he is a prisoner of war (PoW), just someone you need to help.' As part of the think tank Viktoriia set up she has spoken in the US, London and at the Munich Security Conference But Viktoriia, who admits she is the more emotional one of the pair, said while she will always treat PoWs with compassion, she finds it hard to fully disassociate from the situation. She said: 'I don't feel the same way. It is hard for me not to think that these are the people that came. They could have made a different choice. They could have done something about this. 'I was a very big believer that people are inherently good before all of this but I don't think so anymore. 'One of the PoW I had to treat was right after four friends were killed, right after we retrieved their bodies, and then the same night I had to pick up a PoW and change him and I thought, really - this might be the guy who killed our friend. 'It's difficult because it's something we have to do because Russians are really cruel with our prisoners of war and we are not like this, we are civilised people.' When she is not working as a paramedic, saving lives in often terrible conditions, Viktoriia is working on her think tank - the Snake Island Institute - which was set up in the wake of President Trump's bust-up with President Zelensky in the Oval Office. The think tank aims to represent Ukraine's military experience in the international arena, communicated by those actively working in units, rather than purely through politicians. It has led to Viktoriia speaking in the US, in London and last week at the Munich Security Conference about various issues from defence technology to building better partnerships with allies. 'Often, certain messages about Ukraine's military experience do not get across in the way they need to,' she said. 'We saw this urgent need to create something that is independent and that can communicate our Ukrainian military experience to our Western allies. 'So we started the Snake Island Institute as an emergency think tank with the goals to aggregate Ukrainian military experience and use it to position Ukraine as a partner. 'Ukraine has so much to offer. President Trump wants a deal, let's have a deal, right? The deal is we help you, you help us.' And it's not just the United States Viktoriia wants to send a message too - it is also to the UK and the rest of their allies in Europe, who she believes are simply not prepared for the threat of war. 'You guys [the UK] are not ready to fight anyone and you need to be,' she said bluntly. 'In Ukraine, we are really interested in you guys [Europe] being strong as you are our allies. 'It is not a race between the allies; we should be one big allied association.' The work the sisters have done over the past few years has seen them being made poster-girls for the Ukrainian army - even being painted by the British war artist Max Denison-Pender. A portrait of Viktoriia sitting in a ruined tank in the city of Bakhmut in 2023 hangs in the reception of the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham, as an inspiration to British troops. She has spoken at Sandhurst and spoke at the Munich Security Conference last week about how fibre optic drones are changing the face of warfare. Viktoriia has been depicted as a role model to many in Ukraine, and around Europe as a whole and while she was initially proud of this, it comes at a price which weighs on her conscience. 'I thought it was cool at first until the first girl I knew who I was inspired to join went into the army and was killed,' she said. 'I felt very uneasy about it.' 'That is the hardest part, the hardest part is to see people die,' she adds. When she is not working as a paramedic, saving lives in often terrible conditions, Viktoriia is working on her think tank - the Snake Island Institute Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion four years ago, at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since 24 February 2022 according to President Zelensky, however, the estimated figure is expected to be higher. Amongst the pictures of herself surrounded by friends in the army, there are several tributes to close friends of Viktoriia who have died in the war. And as for her return to Manhattan, Viktoriia does not know what the future holds. Her desk remains open for her at any point she does decide to return, but for now, she is focused on creating a stronger Ukraine. Disturbing 911 audio has revealed a neighbor shouting, 'She tried to kill the babies,' after a North Carolina mother allegedly murdered one of her children and tried to take the life of the other. Andrea Faust, 41, of Durham, was arrested on murder and attempted murder charges after her two children, both under the age of five, were found unresponsive at their Chartwell Court home on February 12, according to WNCN News. One child later died at the hospital while the other remained in recovery as of last week, with the nature of their injuries still unknown. 'I want to let the court know this was a complete mental health crisis,' her husband Eric Faust told the judge Tuesday, according to WRAL News. Newly released 911 calls captured the sheer horror of at least two neighbors, with one caller painting a chillingly clear picture of the scene during a frantic seven-minute plea for help. 'The emergency is across the street from me. Somebody came out of the house yelling for help, saying she tried to kill the babies,' the caller told authorities, according to the outlet. The neighbor told dispatchers they rushed to the front door after hearing desperate cries for help, all while a man's screams rang out in the background. 'I looked out and at the house across the street and somebody came out, with a child that was slumped over their shoulder saying, 'Help! Help! Call the police. She tried to kill the babies,'' the caller said. Andrea Faust (pictured), 41, of Durham, North Carolina, was arrested on murder and attempted murder charges after her two children, both under the age of five, were found unresponsive at their Chartwell Court home on February 12 The man then carried one of the children onto the front lawn and laid him down while neighbors tried to revive him, according to the audio. 'They are also saying someone else is inside and they think they are dead,' the caller added. 'I really think you need to expedite things. This is ridiculous. The child just looks limp.' Another call revealed a witness telling 911, 'He says one of the children is dead.' Meanwhile, a different neighbor said they could hear a woman - identified as the mother and grandmother - screaming in the background that her daughter had overdosed, according to WTVD News. A separate audio clip revealed a first responder confirming they had used Narcan on someone at the scene. 'She's not an awful person, she's not,' neighbor Charlene Montford told WRAL News, describing Faust as a 'very loving mother.' The Durham Police Department arrested Faust the following day, while city and county officers remained at the home overnight, collecting evidence and towing an SUV from the driveway. The mother was slated for a court appearance on February 16, three days after her arrest, but was hospitalized following a suicide attempt in Durham County Jail, according to WRAL News. Newly released 911 calls captured the sheer horror of at least two neighbors, with one telling dispatchers: 'Somebody came out with a child that was slumped over their shoulder saying, 'Help! Help! Call the police. She tried to kill the babies'' (Pictured: Faust's home) Faust addressed the court from a hospital bed on Tuesday, where county prosecutors requested she be placed on suicide watch. Her husband, Eric Faust, was present at the hearing and shared that their surviving child, Kenny, is expected to make a full recovery. 'We still have Kenny Faust, who I am happy to announce is going to make a complete and full recovery,' the father said, before speaking to his wife directly. 'You are still his mother, and I promise you, if you do everything you can to address your mental health, I will keep you updated on his progress in life and hopefully, there will be a time when you can see him again,' he added. He went on to plead with her and the court, explaining that, while no motive is known, she was a loving mother. 'Anyone will tell you what a tremendous, tremendous mother Andrea was. These were not the actions of my wife,' he said. He also made an emotional statement to his wife, asking her not to harm herself and urging her to heed her medical team for the sake of their family. 'Andrea, I'm begging you, please no more attempts to harm yourself,' the father said. Faust's husband, Eric Faust (pictured), told the court on Tuesday: 'I want to let the court know this was a complete mental health crisis' 'Work with your doctors. Work with anything you can. I promise you, if you do that, I will let you know how Kenny is doing as often as I can,' he added. 'Anybody watching this news, just take a moment to assess where you are mentally, where your family is mentally. Mental health is a very important thing. Please, just make sure everyone's okay.' Montford, who has known Faust for more than ten years, revealed that she had only recently observed a change in her behavior. 'Only like the last month or so,' she told WRAL. 'Before that, she was very engaged with the kids. She would try to get them out when the weather was nice.' She described her as once being 'the sweetest woman,' who had grown increasingly stressed since the birth of her second child. 'She was no longer working. She was staying home with both of the boys. There were health challenges with the boys. I think that took a toll on her,' Montford added. Durham County Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow requested that Faust be placed under suicide watch and closely supervised due to the severity of her charges, the outlet reported. A motion was submitted to place her in the safekeeping unit at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh. She was denied bond and ordered to receive mental health services while in custody. Faust is in the hands of a public defender, with her next hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at 8:45am. According to her LinkedIn page, she teaches at two community colleges: Guilford Technical and Central Carolina. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Nova Scotia's Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has found that no workplace safety violations occurred in the October 2024 death of a 19-year-old Walmart employee who was found inside a walk-in bakery oven at a Halifax store. The department concluded its investigation after the body of Gursimran Kaur was discovered inside the oven at the superstore on Mumford Road. The report made no mention of whether her death may have been suicide and was unable to offer any insights into how she might have ended up in the oven. 'The Province has concluded its workplace safety investigation into the October 2024 death of an employee at the Walmart on Mumford Road in Halifax and found no violations,' the department in a formal statement. According to the department, its safety branch conducted what it described as an extensive investigation into the workplace conditions and the specific oven involved. 'Investigators determined the oven was in proper working order at the time of the incident, and no safety violations were identified that could have contributed to the worker's death,' the release stated. The department added that it found 'no broader safety concerns associated with the type of oven.' 'Our thoughts remain with the worker's family, friends and co-workers as they continue to cope with this tragic loss,' Labour Minister Nolan Young said in a statement. Gursimran Kaur, 19, tragically died in the Halifax, Nova Scotia superstore. She was found inside a walk-in bakery oven A spokesperson for Walmart Canada said the oven was removed from the store as part of store remodeling 'Our responsibility is to understand what happened, determine whether safety requirements were met and use those findings to support future prevention efforts.' Under Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act, the province investigates serious workplace incidents to determine whether laws were followed and to identify opportunities to improve safety. The findings follow an earlier police investigation when in November 2024 police announced they did not believe the death was suspicious. 'We do not believe anyone else was involved in the circumstances surrounding the woman's death,' Halifax Regional Police Constable Martin Cromwell said at the time. 'We acknowledge the public's interest in this case and that there are questions that may never have answers.' The Maritime Sikh Society told how Kaur and her mother had moved to Halifax from India about three years earlier, and both were employed at the Walmart. Community members said Kaur's mother became concerned the night of October 19 after not seeing her daughter for over an hour during their shift. Repeated phone calls went unanswered. According to statements shared by the Society and on a GoFundMe page created to support the family, Kaur's mother began searching the store before eventually discovering her daughter inside the walk-in oven in the bakery area. Kaur and her mother began working at Walmart together in 2002 shortly after arriving from India seeking new opportunities 'Imagine the horror that her mother experienced when she opened the oven, when someone pointed it out to her!', a spokesperson for the family wrote on the fundraising page. The same page described Kaur as 'a young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams.' A spokesperson for Walmart Canada told the media in fall 2024 how the oven would be removed from the store. The company said at the time that 'removing the oven had always been part of the standard remodel program' being implemented across the country. Following the incident, the Mumford Road Walmart was closed for several months for renovation work. The store reopened in February 2025. A Colorado Democrat avoided jail time after she was convicted for forging bogus letters of support following accusations of bullying her staffers. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, an ex-state senator, was found guilty on one count of attempting to influence a public servant and three counts of forgery back in January. On Friday, she avoided prison time but was sentenced two years of suspended probation and 150 hours of community service. Back in July, she was indicted over her supporting documents in a workplace harassment complaint submitted in November of 2024. She was accused of paying an aide to do odd jobs, such as bartending and landscaping work, with campaign checks. The state senator also paid the staffer to campaign for a candidate for county commissioner against a legislative rival's wife. Jaquez Lewis failed to report any of these expenditures in her campaign finance reports. In response, Jaquez Lewis submitted a 17-page response which featured what she said were letters of support from ex-staffers and friends. Sonya Jaquez Lewis avoided jail time after she was convicted for forging bogus letters of support following accusations of bullying her staffers Sonya Jaquez Lewis, an ex-state senator, was found guilty on one count of attempting to influence a public servant and three counts of forgery back in January In February of 2025, the State Senate Ethics Committee learned that one of the letters may have been a forgery and asked an attorney to contact every letter writer. Jaquez Lewis resigned within the next week and said that while she never wanted to trick anyone, she made 'bad choices' under pressure, Colorado Politics reported. In a statement at the time of her resignation, she said she was going to work for a nonprofit that 'focuses on developing future women and LGBTQ+ leaders through an International lens.' In November, a settlement agreement showed Jacquez Lewis committed multiple violations of campaign finance law and was fined nearly $3,000. She boldly declared to the ethics committee that she could have been better at 'conveying my supporters beliefs' and apologized for submitting the forgeries, calling it a 'mistake.' The Denver District Court judge who sentenced her said Jaquez Lewis, 68, could have faced up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine just for the improper influence conviction. She instead faces just a $3,000 fine that can be knocked off her record if she completes an additional 100 hours of community service on top of what she was already sentenced. Denver District Attorney John Walsh chastised her for breaking the public's belief in its representatives. 'This should send the message that elected officials will be held accountable when they break the law and violate the public's trust. Sonya Jaquez Lewis will now pay a price for behavior that simply cannot and will not be tolerated in our community.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Jaquez Lewis for comment. The government has been spying on millions of electric vehicle drivers through their mobile phones as part of a 'bizarre nanny state' plan, a new report has revealed. The Department for Transport commissioned mobile network operator 02 to spy on 25 million devices as part of a 600,000, two-year study intended to produce a 'comprehensive evaluation and understanding of the uptake and usage of electric vehicles'. At the request of the DfT, 02 tracked people's mobile phone data and tracked car journeys, with EV users identified by their use of EV-related apps. It also tracked those people's physical movements and sent 'anonymised and aggregated' data before it was received by the department. The report by the DfT this week revealed details of the project. The work was conducted by the department under the previous Conservative government and ended before Labour won the 2024 general election, The Telegraph reported. The report states that it set out to discover where EVs are kept overnight and how spread out ownership is across the country, trip frequency, locations and distances travelled. The mass surveillance project ended after the DfT concluded that 'mobile data cannot directly be used to provide information around charging behaviour or travel time.' The government has been spying on millions of electric vehicle drivers through their mobile phones The Department for Transport commissioned mobile network operator 02 to spy on 25 million devices as part of a 600,000 two-year study Around the same time, the department and the Treasury were exploring ways of introducing new taxes on EVs. O2 searched through the web browsing history of its own customers, and those of other networks that 'piggyback' on its infrastructure, to identify EV owners. These other networks included Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Virgin Mobile. It is not known whether these operators were informed of the mass surveillance exercise, which O2 offers as a paid service under the brand name O2 Motion. The report raises strong questions about the level of tracking that firms are making of phone users, and if the scope of how data is being used by mobile phone providers. A DfT spokesperson told The Daily Mail: 'This was a time-limited project using fully anonymised and aggregated data, with no risk of being linked to any individual's personal information or location.' Angela Rayner today led calls for Keir Starmer to drag Labour even further Left following its 'catastrophic' by-election defeat. The former deputy prime minister said the disastrous result in the previously safe Labour seat of Gorton and Denton should serve as a 'wake-up call' for a party struggling to demonstrate 'the change that we promised'. Ms Rayner, who is among the favourites to succeed Sir Keir if he is forced out in the coming months, said the party leadership had to be 'braver' and adopt a 'Labour agenda that puts people first' code for a more Left-wing platform on tax and spending. Labour's Angeliki Stogia trailed in a poor third behind the Greens and Reform in Gorton and Denton just days after the Prime Minister campaigned in the seat and claimed only Labour could defeat Nigel Farage's party. Sir Keir appeared rattled by the scale of the defeat but insisted he would not resign. In a TV clip, he said he would fight on 'for as long as I've got breath in my body'. But panicking Labour MPs urged him to lurch to the Left to take on the Greens before the party takes another battering at the local elections in May. Some called on him to resign. Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell suggested the party should ditch efforts to match Mr Farage on issues such as immigration, saying 'we can't out-Reform Reform'. Others called for the introduction of wealth taxes and the nationalisation of utilities. The PM appeared rattled by the scale of the defeat in the Gordon and Denton by-election but insisted he would not resign. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the Walbottle Academy in Newcastle, England on February 26 2026 The PM also faced fury over his decision to block Andy Burnham from fighting the seat, which many Labour MPs believe he would have won, but which would have opened a route to return to Parliament where he could mount a challenge for the leadership. There were no signs of an immediate leadership challenge. But the disastrous result hardened the belief among Labour MPs that Sir Keir could be forced out after the local elections in May. Labour's Norwich South MP Clive Lewis described Sir Keir as an 'interim leader', adding: 'It's now just a matter of how long that interim is.' Mr Lewis, a supporter of Mr Burnham, said No 10 had 'lost its way, adding: 'This is a Labour Government that seems to be completely out of its depth, a Prime Minister out of his depth, a front bench out of its depth.' Another senior Labour figure described the PM as a 'dead man walking'. The source said the result dealt a hammer blow to Sir Keir's strategy of trying to unite the Left against Reform. 'The big winners in all this are Reform because if the Greens can build a wedge on the Left, Reform can come through the middle,' the source said. Former Labour frontbencher Karl Turner described the Gorton result as 'catastrophic' and urged the PM to shift Left. Angela Rayner today led calls for Keir Starmer to drag Labour even further Left following the party's 'catastrophic' by-election defeat (pictured speaking at the Night Time Economy Summit in Liverpool on February 12) Mr Turner said: 'We can't out-Right Reform on immigration and we can't out-Green the Greens on progressive policy. Perhaps we should try being Labour... what about a wealth tax that people can actually get behind?' Left-winger Richard Burgon said responsibility for the defeat 'lies squarely with Keir Starmer and his clique'. Mr Burgon called on ministers to stop treating Left-wing voters with 'contempt' and adopt 'real Labour values' like wealth taxes and nationalisations. Trade union leaders also called for a change in direction, with Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, demanding Sir Keir resign 'immediately'. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the party needed to 'ditch the gimmicks and get back to being Labour'. She urged Cabinet ministers to 'stop listening to your rich mates and start listening to everyday people.' Fire Brigades Union chief Steve Wright said the party would face 'heavy losses' at local and devolved elections in May if it did not 'change course immediately'. In her victory speech Hannah Spencer said voters wanted a party that would stop them being 'bled dry' by billionaires. 'People in their thousands told me, on the doorstep and at the ballot box, that what we are sick of is being let down and looked down on,' she said. 'That we are sick of our hard work making other people rich.' Ms Spencer, a former plumber, won comfortably with 14,980, well ahead of Reform's Matthew Goodwin on 10,578. Ms Stogia picked up just 9,364 votes in a seat where Labour's majority in 2024 was more than 13,000. The Tories had their worst ever by-election result, with Charlotte Cadden receiving just 706 votes and losing her deposit. Responding to the result Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir was 'in office but not in power' adding: 'If he had any integrity he would go.' But Sir Keir insisted that only Labour could fight off the 'extremes' of Reform and the Greens. In a letter to Labour MPs he wrote: 'We will continue to warn of the risk the Greens pose: the risk of extreme policies like legalising all drugs and pulling out of Nato that most voters strongly reject, and the risk of splitting the progressive vote so that Reform come through the middle.' The former Archbishop of Canterbury said he has turned to therapy to live with the 'failure' of the Church's sex abuse scandal. Justin Welby, 70, admitted that he has been consulting therapists for 'a considerable period of time' following his resignation from the role in November 2024 days after the publication of a independent report into a prolific child abuser. Welby had served for over a decade after his appointment in 2013, but resigned after a report into John Smyth, the child sex abuser linked to the Church of England. The report found that senior leaders within the Church, including Mr Welby, were guilty of a 'conspiracy of silence' and, despite knowing of Smyth's abuse, had failed to report it to the police. Speaking on TV personality Gyles Brandreth's podcast Rosebud, Mr Welby said: 'I've been seeing a psychotherapist for a considerable period of time. And a psychiatrist. Very helpful. 'It's not about saying, 'oh, it didn't matter,' or anything like that, quite the reverse how does one live with such a failure?' The Telegraph reported that in response to Welby's comments, Andrew Graystone, an advocate for survivors of church-related abuse, said: 'I hope that Justin Welby's therapists will help him to reflect on the experience of victims of abuse, and what it is about the theology and culture of the church that facilitates abuse and makes the church so resistant to transparency and repair.' Justin Welby said he is seeing therapists to cope with the 'failure' of the child sex abuse scandal Welby served as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England from 2013 to 2025 Mr Welby has previously spoken about his mental health struggles, revealing in 2019 that he was taking medication for depression. But during the interview, Mr Welby also appeared to reject that he had done what Keith Makin, the author of the independent review into Smyth and the church, accused him of doing. Mr Welby said he was 'perceived not to have given enough priority to a group of victims' which was 'absolutely correct'. He added: 'The initial perception was that we'd not reported it to the police - in fact, it had been reported to the police.' One of John Smyth's victims, known as 'Graham', told the Telegraph: 'The former Archbishop says he has turned to therapy after his 'safeguarding failure' but then spends the rest of the interview trying to project that he did nothing wrong, need not have resigned, and was subsequently exonerated. 'Will Justin Welby accept that John Smyth, his friend, was not found, stopped or brought to justice. Is that not a failure?' John Smyth subjected more than 100 boys and young men to 'traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks' over the course of five decades and died without being brought to justice. Last year, Welby admitted he had got it wrong when he failed to act on allegations that were presented to him - but claimed he was simply overwhelmed by the scale of the abuse that Smyth was later found to have perpetuated. Welby had served for over a decade after his appointment in 2013, but resigned after a shocking report into John Smyth, the child sex abuser linked to the Church of England He was heavily criticised for his seemingly blase perspective on the scandal, using his House of Lords resignation speech to crack jokes and appearing at a British Museum gala a day after announcing his intention to quit. The ex-archbishop knew Smyth from his time at Iwerne Trust holiday camps in Dorset - where further abuse is alleged to have been committed by the barrister - but denied that played any part in his decision not to flag allegations to the authorities. 'Yes I knew Smyth but it was an absolutely overwhelming few weeks,' he added. 'It was overwhelming, one was trying to prioritise - but I think it's easy to sound defensive over this. 'The reality is I got it wrong. As archbishop, there are no excuses.' But one of Smyth's victims, who reported his abuse in 2013, told the broadcaster: 'No one should be too busy to deal with a safeguarding disclosure.' DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a major attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their greatest chance to take back their country. State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. Satellite photos from Airbus showed that the site was heavily bombed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His death at his office showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance, state TV said. Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead, Trump wrote in a social media post. He warned of heavy and pinpoint bombing that he said would continue throughout the week and even beyond, part of a lethal assault the U.S. has justified as necessary to disable the country's nuclear capabilities. Iran, which responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, warned of retribution, with the Cabinet saying that this great crime will never go unanswered. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its most intense offensive operation ever targeting Israeli and American bases. The attack opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, carried the potential for retaliatory violence and a wider war, and represented a startling flex of military might for an American president who swept into office on an America First platform and vowed to keep out of forever wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killing of Khamenei in the second Trump administration assault on Iran in eight months appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum given the absence of a known successor and because the 86-year-old supreme leader had final say on all major policies during his decades in power. He led Irans clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy. Iran quickly formed a council to govern the country until a new supreme leader is chosen. State media also reported the deaths of the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and a top security adviser to Khamenei in airstrikes. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over as the Guards top commander after Israel killed its past commander in the 12-day war last June. The adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had long been a figurehead within Irans security establishment, IRNA said. As reports trickled out about Khamenei's death, eyewitnesses in Tehran told The Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, cheering from rooftops, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mourners raised a black mourning flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Irans second-largest city and a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims. The Iranian government declared 40 days of public mourning and a seven-day nationwide public holiday to commemorate Khameneis death. Citing unidentified sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency, believed to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild. Strikes were planned for months The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months, took place Saturday during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek. It followed stilted negotiations and warnings from Trump, who last year trumpeted his administration's success in incapacitating the country's nuclear program but nonetheless cast the latest round as necessary to head off its potential resurgence. About 12 hours after the attacks began, the U.S. military reported no U.S. casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases despite hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. It said targets in Iran included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel, for its part, said it had killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the countrys defense minister, as well as the secretary of the Iranian Security Council, a close adviser to Khamenei. Khamenei was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do, Trump said. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and wounded in the strikes. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night. Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of Khamenei, the second leader of the Islamic Republic who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli officials confirmed the death, followed by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance. Tensions soared as US built up military forces Tensions have soared in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program while the country struggled with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trumps decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons. Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted. The Magen David Adom rescue service said Saturday night that a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in an Iranian missile attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there. Israels military said it had begun new strikes against missile launchers and aerial defense systems in central Iran. In southern Iran, at least 115 people were reported killed when a girls school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the local governor told Iranian state TV. U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said he was aware of reports that a girls school was struck and that officials were looking into them. Irans state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, quoting the governor of the Lamerd region, Ali Alizadeh, as saying a sports hall, two residential areas and a hall near a school were hit. Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said. Attack was coordinated between Israel and US Israel said the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots struck hundreds of targets across Iran, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Targets in the Israeli campaign included Irans military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack. Trump acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying that often happens in war. He said he was aiming to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, saying members would be given immunity or face certain death if they did not. Iran had said it hoped to avert a war, but it maintained its right to enrich uranium. Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump had threatened military action but held off following Irans recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide push against the ruling clerics. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed. Effects could extend to markets and other countries The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025. Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama, and Muharraq city by drone strikes and debris from an intercepted missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kuwaits civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Kuwaits state-run news agency said three troops were injured by shrapnel from strikes that hit Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it dealt with 49 drones and ballistic missiles. ___ Lidman reported from in Tel Aviv. Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Farnoush Amiri in New York and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the IRNA news agency reported 40 people were killed in the school strike, without specifying students. Donald Trump emphatically told all government agencies to stop using the 'woke' Anthropic AI technology and quickly set up a replacement deal with Sam Altman's OpenAI. Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials took to social media to chastise Anthropic for failing to allow the military unrestricted use of its AI technology by a Friday deadline. Anthropic is accused of endangering national security after CEO Dario Amodei refused to back down over concerns the company's products could be used in ways that would violate its safeguards. 'We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again!' Trump said on social media. Hegseth also deemed the company a 'supply chain risk,' a designation typically stamped on foreign adversaries that could derail the companys critical partnerships with other businesses. In a statement issued Friday evening, Anthropic said it would challenge what it called an unprecedented and legally unsound action 'never before publicly applied to an American company.' Anthropic had said it sought narrow assurances from the Pentagon that its AI chatbot Claude would not be used for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon said it was not interested in such uses and would only deploy the technology in legal ways, but it also insisted on access without any limitations. Donald Trump emphatically told all government agencies to stop using the ' woke' Anthropic AI technology and quickly set up a replacement deal with Sam Altman's OpenAI Anthropic is accused of endangering national security after CEO Dario Amodei (pictured) refused to back down over concerns the company's products could be used in ways that would violate its safeguards 'No amount of intimidation or punishment from the Department of War will change our position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons,' the company said. 'We will challenge any supply chain risk designation in court.' The United States used a form of artificial intelligence during the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The use of Anthropic artificial-intelligence tool Claude highlights how AI use is gaining tractions in the Pentagon. It is understood that Anthropic was the first AI model developer to be used in classified operations by the US's Department of Defense following a $200 million with the company last year. However, the developers have refused to comment on whether the software was used in any specific operation. They have also said Anthropic's usage guidelines prohibit Claude from being used to facilitate violence, develop weapons or conduct surveillance. Despite this the mission to capture Maduro and his wife on January 3 involved the bombing of several sites across Venezuela's capital Caracas. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials took to social media to chastise Anthropic for failing to allow the military unrestricted use of its AI technology by a Friday deadline The government's effort to assert dominance over the internal decision-making of the company comes amid a wider clash over AIs role in national security and concerns about how increasingly capable machines could be used in high-stakes situations involving lethal force, sensitive information or government surveillance. Hours after its competitor was punished, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on Friday night that his company struck a deal with the Pentagon to supply its AI to classified military networks, potentially filling a gap created by Anthropics ouster. But Altman said that the same red lines that were the sticking point in Anthropics dispute with the Pentagon are now enshrined in OpenAIs new partnership. 'Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems,' Altman wrote. He added that the Defense Department 'agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement.' Altman also said he hopes the Pentagon will 'offer these same terms to all AI companies' as a way to 'de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions and toward reasonable agreements.' Trump said Anthropic made a mistake trying to strong-arm the Pentagon. He wrote on Truth Social that most agencies must immediately stop using Anthropic's AI but gave the Pentagon a six-month period to phase out the technology that is already embedded in military platforms. Hours after its competitor was punished, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (pictured) announced on Friday night that his company struck a deal with the Pentagon to supply its AI to classified military networks, potentially filling a gap created by Anthropics ouster The United States used a form of artificial intelligence during the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (pictured) 'The United States of America will never allow a radical left, woke company to dictate how our great military fights and wins wars!' he wrote in all caps. Months of private talks exploded into public debate this week and hit a stalemate when Amodei said his company 'cannot in good conscience accede' to the demands. Anthropic can afford to lose the contract but the government's actions posed broader risks at the peak of the company's meteoric rise from a little-known computer science research lab in San Francisco to one of the world's most valuable startups. The president's decision was preceded by hours of top Trump appointees from the Pentagon and the State Department taking to social media to criticize Anthropic, but their complaints posed contradictions. Top Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Anthropics unwillingness to go along with the military's demands was 'jeopardizing critical military operations and potentially putting our warfighters at risk.' Hegseth said the Pentagon 'must have full, unrestricted access to Anthropic's models for every LAWFUL purpose in defense of the Republic.' Trump's social media post said the company 'better get their act together, and be helpful' during the phase-out period or there would be 'major civil and criminal consequences to follow.' However, Hegseth's choice to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk uses an administrative tool that has been designed for companies owned by US adversaries to prevent them from selling products that are harmful to American interests. Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed his concerns with the entire process Retired Air Force General Jack Shanahan, a former leader of the Pentagons AI initiatives, wrote on social media this week that the government 'painting a bullseye on Anthropic garners spicy headlines, but everyone loses in the end' Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, noted that this dynamic, 'combined with inflammatory rhetoric attacking that company, raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations.' The dispute stunned AI developers in Silicon Valley, where venture capitalists, prominent AI scientists and a large number of workers from Anthropic's top rivals - OpenAI and Google - voiced support for Amodei's stand in open letters and other forums. The moves could benefit OpenAI's ChatGPT as well as Elon Musks competing chatbot, Grok, which the Pentagon also plans to give access to classified military networks. It could serve as a warning to Google, which has a still-evolving contract to supply its AI tools to the military. Musk sided with Trumps administration, saying on his social media platform X that 'Anthropic hates Western Civilization.' Altman took a different approach, expressing solidarity with Anthropic's safeguards and opposing the government's 'threatening' approach while also working to secure OpenAI's deal with the Pentagon. It marked the latest twist in OpenAI's longtime and sometimes acrimonious rivalry with Anthropic, which was founded by a group of ex-OpenAI leaders in 2021. Retired Air Force General Jack Shanahan, a former leader of the Pentagons AI initiatives, wrote on social media this week that the government 'painting a bullseye on Anthropic garners spicy headlines, but everyone loses in the end.' Shanahan said Claude is already being widely used across the government, including in classified settings, and Anthropics red lines were 'reasonable.' He said the AI large language models that power chatbots like Claude, Grok and ChatGPT are also 'not ready for prime time in national security settings,' particularly not for fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic is 'not trying to play cute here,' he wrote on LinkedIn. 'You won't find a system with wider & deeper reach across the military.' For a moment, I could be listening to a young Margaret Thatcher with a Mancunian lilt. I work hard. That is what we do, says the earnest, poised blonde figure at the lectern. Because working hard used to get you something. It got you a house, a nice life, holidays. It got you somewhere. But now, working hard, what does that get you? It sounds straight out of the traditional aspirational Tory playbook. Indeed, within five seconds of starting this speech, she has managed to remind us that she is a plumber a self-employed one to boot and has even just qualified as a plasterer. Hannah Spencer, the new Green MP for Gorton and Denton, will certainly be something of a curio down at Westminster next week an MP in possession of a pair of overalls, a set of tools and a genuine trade. Its 4.30am and she has just walked into the Manchester Convention Centre with her party leader, Zack Polanski, to hear herself returned as the first by-election victor in her partys history. The atmosphere is oddly sterile for a properly momentous result Labour thumped into third place in what was hitherto one of its ten safest seats and the Tories, minus their deposit, also enduring their worst by-election result in memory. The candidates have each been given a ticket ration of just half a dozen. The only ones making any noise are the posse with Loony candidate, Shaun Sir Oink-a-Lot Jones. Shake on it: Hannah Spencer and Labours Angeliki Stogia during the Gorton and Denton by-election count Hannah Spencer (left) with Green party Leader Zack Polanski (right) in Gorton, Greater Manchester The returning officer has banned booze from the count but one of the Loony gang has managed to smuggle some in beneath his huge stovepipe top hat and they are in celebratory mood. Their by-election aim had been to beat the communists which they have done by a margin of six to one. The victorious Ms Spencer is heard in respectful silence as she switches from plucky plumber to pained victim. Whereupon the Mrs Thatcher tribute act morphs into a beardless Jeremy Corbyn. The public, she warns, are being bled dry by billionaires and are sick of being let down and looked down on. And, on she goes: We are sick of our hard work making other people rich. I saw how much harder life is when the things around you are broken the litter, the fly-tipping, the dirty air. This last point is a momentary reminder that Ms Spencer is actually from a party whose raison detre is to fight for a cleaner planet. That, though, was pretty much all we heard of the fluffy eco stuff. The Greens have steered well clear of greenery during this by-election. Its hard to preach about tree-hugging when you have pulped more trees to produce more leaflets than any other party. Besides, there are no votes in being anti-fossil fuel in a constituency so full of cars that every street has vehicles spilling on to the pavement. What has proved to be much more effective round here is the pursuit of the Muslim block vote. Assalamu alaikum, begins one of Ms Spencers final leaflets which then continues: Keir Starmer failed on Gaza I can, at least, read this one since it is in English. Other campaign literature and broadcasts have been in Urdu and Bangla, accompanied by images of Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy meeting the prime ministers of India and Israel. So what is the underlying message there? Coming off the stage, she is asked that question by a television interviewer and pulls a baffled look. I dont know, Ive been out on the streets every day, she deflects. Across the room, the runner-up (and earlier favourite), Reform candidate, Matt Goodwin, is simmering and does not mince his words. He accuses the Greens and their leader whom he repeatedly calls Mad Zack of sectarianism and playing the Islamic card in a constituency where 30 per cent of the electorate defines as Muslim. Reform UK's by-election candidate Matthew Goodwin is pictured arriving at the result declaration He latches on to earlier warnings from an election monitoring watchdog which has spotted a marked upswing here in family voting ie men escorting women into the polling booth. The reason the Greens have won here, lets be honest, is exactly what that report was warning about: family voting, says Mr Goodwin. Now we can have a conversation about sectarianism and what its doing to our democracy, or we can pretend its not happening. Its clearly happening. Just five hours later and the Greens have reconvened in a glittering Asian wedding hall in Gorton to introduce their new MP to the media. This time, they have some supporters to generate applause and Ms Spencer walks up the aisle alongside Mr Polanski, like a pair of bashful newly-weds. No tongues are wagging. Mr Polanski is gay and Ms Spencer is said to be happily single with four greyhounds. Im probably going to get a bit teary and I am actually not going to apologise for that, she begins, before ladling out the pieties. Im so proud that we fought a really positive campaign against the Reform Party that dances to the tune of their billionaire donors and against the Labour Party who stooped so incredibly low, she tells us. I have been surprised by some of the divisive, dog-whistling campaigning from other parties. If bombarding Pakistani communities with leaflets showing a Labour Prime Minister hobnobbing with the PM of arch-enemy India is not dog-whistling, I wonder what is. Ms Spencer starts channelling her inner Mandela. Today, the people here in this constituency have sent a very clear message. Weve rejected hate and embraced the politics of hope hope that is rooted in an ambitious plan to transform our country for the better. And not just our one, either. Many voters Ive worked with are deeply troubled by this Labour governments complicity in genocide. And I am so proud that the Green Party stands firmly against genocide and war crimes and defends human rights in Gaza and across the world. Questions were permitted from broadcasters and hand-picked outlets like the New Statesman but there was no opportunity for pesky hacks like me to ask a question. For example, how would her colleagues in the building trade cope with the sort open-borders policy advocated by the Greens? However, there was a lot about caring. We have very high levels of empathy here and I think that really shows how much we care about each other. After little more than half an hour of a one-hour press conference, the spin doctors ushered her out into the Bridal Room and to a rather un-Green Audi A5 and away for a spot of kip. But then, I think we now have to acknowledge that all that net zero/polar bear business really is a second order issue for the party now. There is a revealing moment when Mr Polanski, unprompted, lists the three key goals of his party: To lower peoples bills, to protect the National Health Service and to rebuild our public services. Across the constituency, the sense of polarisation which has permeated this by-election has not subsided. Over in Levenshulme, a relatively mixed area, I find elation and surprise among Green supporters. We are all very happy, says Takeer, manager of the Jabeenz bridalwear shop. Labour loyalists, such as 34-year-old Alan, a software engineer, voice continued frustration that Manchester Mayor and King of the North Andy Burnham had been barred from standing by his own party. Among Reform supporters, there is a shrug and a sense that the momentum still rests with Nigel Farage. The whole country is utterly f***** and no one else is going to solve it, says a lunchtime drinker at the Union pub who calls himself the man with no name. Landlady Kath Hennigan says she is a lifelong Lib Dem who was very disappointed by the Green campaign and tried Reform as a result. I receive a fairly objective analysis from John Commons, a former Lib Dem city councillor for more than a quarter of a century who stayed loyal to his party on Thursday night (they lost their deposit). I take some pleasure from the fact that Reform failed but they will do well in the local elections, he reflects. He deplores the cynical way in which the Greens have ridden the twin horses of progressive student activism and religious politics but thinks it may work again next time in this seat. And his overall conclusion? Starmer is completely finished. At teatime, Hannah Spencer resurfaces for a walkabout on the Stockport Road. Very regal. I have read in the local paper that she got her plumbing business off the ground thanks to help from the Princes Trust. Might she actually be that rare breed, a Green royalist in what is now a republican party? I dont think so, she tells me. I dont really believe in that sort of thing. A referendum on the monarchy? Why not? she says, before a minder intervenes. Here in Gorton and Denton, there is a real sense that the old certainties are starting to crack. The full battiness of the Greens views on defence, open borders, drugs and the like are unlikely to survive first contact with a general electorate, as Jeremy Corbyn discovered in 2019. But, at the same time, it does feel as if a tectonic plate has shifted. May is round the corner. Local elections have never looked more portentous. The Taliban called for peace talks with Pakistan last night after cities in Afghanistan came under aerial attack. The regime, which toppled the Western-backed government five years ago, requested dialogue after Kabul and Kandahar were bombed in what Pakistan declared as 'open war'. Officials in Islamabad said the operation was 'ongoing' as it claimed to have killed at least 274 Taliban members. Fighting in border regions between Taliban and Pakistani forces has resulted in hundreds of casualties in recent weeks. The countries have endured a fractious relationship over recent decades with Pakistan previously providing sanctuary for Taliban leaders who attacked Western troops. The strikes by Pakistan were the first time it has directly engaged Afghanistan. The attacks were in response to Taliban incursions into its territory. Last night the situation was described as 'open war' with plumes of black smoke rising from buildings in Kabul. According to Pakistan, the targets were Taliban military buildings, including an ammunition depot. Unconfirmed footage appeared to show large explosions in Afghanistan on February 27 An injured Pakistani girl being treated for her wounds at a hospital in Bajaur, Pakistan following overnight cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan Taliban security personnel operating an anti-aircraft gun and watching for Pakistani air strikes Missiles were dropped from aircraft seen in the skyline over the Afghan capital. Qatar is expected to mediate between the Afghan and Pakistani governments in a bid to find a resolution to the conflict. Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi said: 'Afghanistan has never been a supporter of violence and has always preferred to resolve issues based on mutual understanding and respect. 'However, this approach will be effective only if the other party demonstrates a practical and sincere willingness to find solutions.' The Taliban has used drones to attack targets inside Pakistan. According to unconfirmed reports clashes have resulted in approaching 300 killed and wounded across both sides. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,615-mile border which is effectively porous and crossed by smugglers and jihadist fighters. Pakistan threatened the Taliban last night, with defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif saying 'our cup of patience has overflowed', adding 'now it is open war between us and you'. Afghan Taliban fighters patrol near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on Thursday, which saw large scale cross-border fighting Pakistani news channels broadcast footage of major explosions in Afghanistan He threatened that any further attacks by the Taliban would result in a 'measured, decisive and befitting response'. Pakistan is nuclear-armed and its military capabilities are vastly superior to Afghanistan. However, the Taliban are adept at guerrilla warfare, hardened by decades of fighting UK and international forces. The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, surprising the West with the speed of military operations to depose the country's democratic government. Yesterday, ambulance sirens could be heard in Kabul and the sound of Pakistani jets. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistani forces carried out air strikes on parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and on Paktia, Paktika, Khost, and Laghman on Friday. Pakistan has been on high security alert since it launched air strikes earlier this week that Islamabad said targeted camps of Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan. Kabul and the United Nations said the strikes killed 13 civilians and the Taliban warned there would be a strong response. The government of Pakistan's Punjab province said it was on high alert for militant attacks on Friday and had conducted a series of security operations, taking 90 Afghan nationals to holding centres for deportation. Actor Dennis Quaid compared Donald Trump to Ronald Reagan 'on steroids' when asked what the former president would think of him aboard Air Force One. The 71-year-old Hollywood veteran - who stepped into the shoes of Ronald Reagan in the 2024 drama Reagan - was spotted alongside Trump aboard AF1 on Friday as the pair headed to a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas. Senator Ted Cruz quickly shared a video of the exchange on X, in which he asked Quaid what Reagan would think of Trump today. 'I think he's like me but on steroids actually,' Quaid responded with a chuckle. The president appeared pleased with the remark, replying, 'I like that,' before laughing and giving the actor a few playful nudges on the arm. The video, which Cruz captioned, 'An historic conversation on AF1 between TWO great American Presidents,' quickly racked up thousands of likes, with many viewers appreciating the nod to Quaid's portrayal of Reagan. Quaid has grown increasingly outspoken in his support for President Trump, most recently during an appearance on The Greg Laurie Show podcast just days before the flight down South. 'I've never seen anybody with that kind of energy,' he told the evangelical pastor, noting that Trump's stamina rivals his own high-energy reputation. Actor Dennis Quaid compared Donald Trump to Ronald Reagan 'on steroids' when asked what the former president would think of him aboard Air Force One on Friday (pictured) The 71-year-old Hollywood veteran - who stepped into the shoes of Ronald Reagan in the 2024 drama Reagan (pictured) - headed to a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, with Trump this week The actor raved that the president is 'surprisingly approachable' and 'very funny,' claiming that Trump's authenticity is what truly connects with voters nationwide. Quaid told the show's host that, in his opinion, Trump's supporters 'know he has their best interests at heart.' He praised Trump's consistency, saying he has been pursuing the same policy goals 'ever since he's been on television' back in the 1990s. The Reagan star joined Trump at the Port of Corpus Christi, where the president appeared alongside Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to highlight US energy production. 'We have an actor. He's one of the best actor's in America. He played a gentleman who preceded me by a few years named Ronald Reagan,' the president told the crowd. 'Dennis Quaid has gotten accolades all over the place, and he really is good,' the president added before calling the actor onto the stage. Quaid took the microphone and told the crowd he was glad to be back in his home state of Texas before declaring, 'I love Donald Trump!' During Friday's rally, Trump drew audible boos from the crowd when he singled out embattled Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales during his speech. The president appeared pleased with the remark, replying, 'I like that,' before laughing and giving the actor a few playful nudges on the arm (pictured) The video, which Cruz captioned, 'An historic conversation on AF1 between TWO great American Presidents,' racked up thousands of likes, with many viewers appreciating the nod to Quaid's portrayal of Reagan (pictured) During Friday's rally, Trump drew audible boos from the crowd when he singled out embattled Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales during his speech He offered unexplained 'congratulations' to the lawmaker, who is engulfed in a scandal over an alleged affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. 'Congressman Tony Gonzales is here!' Trump declared from the podium as Republican officials stood nearby. 'Tony, congratulations.' The crowd's reaction was split, with sharp jeers piercing the applause. Meanwhile, the president failed to clarify what Gonzales was even being congratulated for. Trump once again suggested he should be 'entitled' to a third term as president, reiterating his frequent claim that the 2020 election against Joe Biden was 'stolen' from him. 'I've been here one year. Think of it, one year, little bit more than one year. Now, time flies. Time flies,' he said just minutes into his speech. 'Maybe we should - maybe we do one more term. Should we do one more? One more term?' 'We would actually be entitled to it,' he added, claiming that the 'Democrats cheated like hell,' five years back. Although the rally was billed as an energy policy event, the president veered off to attack Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for heckling him during the State of the Union last week. At the rally, the president said 'Dennis Quaid has gotten accolades all over the place, and he really is good,' before calling the actor (pictured in Raegan) onto the stage Quaid took the microphone and told the crowd he was glad to be back in his home state of Texas before declaring, 'I love Donald Trump!' He complained that Democrats 'just sat there' during his time at the podium before singling out the Minnesota congresswoman directly. 'How about Omar? Screaming, screaming, screaming, like a lunatic. You looked at her bulging eyes, she's crazy,' Trump said. Last week, Omar and Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib appeared visibly emotional as the president criticized what he referred to as 'Somali pirates who ransack Minnesota.' The pair began screaming, calling Trump a 'liar' and claiming that he had American blood on his hands following the deadly immigration crackdown in the state. But they were quickly drowned out by the President's Republican majority who took to their feet and started chanting: 'U-S-A, U-S-A.' Trump said: 'When it comes to the corruption that is plundering America, there has been no more stunning example than Minnesota - where members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion from the American taxpayer.' The president said the welfare fraud 'reminds us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception.' He warned that 'importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA.' The Reagan star joined Trump at the Port of Corpus Christi, where the president appeared alongside Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to highlight US energy production Although the rally was billed as an energy policy event, the president veered off to attack Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for heckling him during the State of the Union last week (pictured) Quaid (pictured) has grown increasingly outspoken in his support for President Trump, most recently during an appearance on The Greg Laurie Show podcast Cameras panned to a distraught Omar - who is Somali - as Trump tore into the compatriots in her home state who have become enemy number one in his immigration crackdown. 'You have killed Americans,' the Democratic pair screeched as the House descended into anarchy. The President turned his fury on the women, branding them a 'disgrace' and telling the pair: 'You should be ashamed.' The director of Bafta-winning film I Swear said Tourette's campaigner John Davidson was 'let down' after his racist outburst was broadcast during the BBC's coverage of the ceremony. Davidson, 54, yelled the N-word at black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the BAFTAs at the Royal Festival Hall in London last Sunday. The Scottish activist admitted he felt a 'wave of shame' over the outburst and issued a swift apology, claiming he was 'deeply mortified'. Kirk Jones, who directed the film inspired by Davidson, said he thought the slur had been contained within the auditorium. 'I think John was let down on many, many levels,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'And I think the fact that that [tic] went out for broadcast was perhaps one of the worst ways in which he was let down on the night. 'If you just imagine for a second that that was not broadcast, then suddenly the problem was restricted to everyone in the room. 'And Bafta could write to everyone in the room, and they [could have] said, 'We wanted to apologise again, we understand, this, that and the other.' Kirk Jones (pictured), director of Bafta-winning film I Swear, said John Davidson was 'let down' after his racist outburst was broadcast during the BBC's coverage of the ceremony Tourette's campaigner Davidson (pictured) yelled the N-word at black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the BAFTAs at the Royal Festival Hall in London last Sunday Jordan and Lindo were on stage presenting an award when Davidson's outburst occurred 'They could have done that the next day to all the guests, and no one would have known that it happened You wouldn't have the clips.' It comes after Davidson spoke out about his 'unbearable guilt and shame' at the incident as he described how the word 'burst out of me like a gunshot'. He said he shouted 10 different offensive words on the night of the awards, not just the N-word, even calling BAFTAs host Alan Cumming a 'paedophile'. Davidson told Variety: 'On Sunday, Alan Cumming joked about his own sexuality and, when referencing Paddington Bear, said, 'Maybe you would like to come home with me, Paddington. It wouldn't be the first time I have taken a hairy Peruvian bear home with me.' 'This resulted in homophobic tics from me and led to a shout of "paedophile" that was likely triggered because Paddington Bear is a children's character.' One of Davidson's biggest symptoms is coprolalia which makes him involuntarily say socially inappropriate words or phrases, including when he famously shouted 'f*** the Queen' at Queen Elizabeth II when he was awarded his MBE in 2019. Davidson has suffered from a severe form of Tourette's since the age of 12. A mother and her daughters brawled with off-duty police officers at a bottomless brunch cocktail bar when one of the cops was called a 'lesbian', a court has heard. Rose Webb, 58, was eating and drinking with her children at the Cocktail Club, on Shaftesbury Avenue, in central London, when the fight began on October 15, 2022. She and Casey Jackson, 32, Emma-Dee Jackson, 34, and Billie-Jo Jackson, 35, were sitting near a group of off-duty Metropolitan Police officers at the afternoon event. Tanisha Whitlock, Binal Valji, Daniella Andrean, Megan Pearson and Bethan Thomas all work for the force's Territorial Support Group, tackling serious crime. The cops were enjoying their time off at the High School Musical-themed brunch, drinking prosecco and singing We're All In This Together, from the hit Disney film. But when Webb became irritated by Ms Whitlock dancing and asked if she was a lesbian, an 'almighty melee' soon broke out, Wood Green Crown Court heard. The scuffle between all nine women involved kicking, punching, hair pulling and choking, jurors heard, forcing staff and other customers to try to intervene. At one point, Webb allegedly grabbed Ms Whitlock's hair, 'dragged her along the floor and simply would not let go' - before punching her in the head, prosecutors said. Rose Webb (pictured), 58, was eating and drinking with her children at the Cocktail Club on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London when the fight began on October 15, 2022 She and Casey Jackson (pictured), 32, Emma Dee Jackson, 34, and Billie Jo Jackson, 35, were sat near a group of off-duty Metropolitan Police officers at the afternoon event But when Webb became irritated by one of the off-duty cops dancing and asked if she was a lesbian, an 'almighty melee' soon broke out. Pictured: Emma-Dee Jackson, one of the defendants Webb and her three daughters, all of Northolt, west London, all deny affray. Prosecutor Alex Balancy told the court: 'The incident took place at a venue on Shaftesbury Avenue. It was a bottomless brunch that was meant to start at around 3pm. 'Two groups of females went to that event. On the one hand, you have the four defendants, Ms Rose Webb and her three daughters. 'They were placed in a room. Seated next to them was another group. The group is the complainants. They were five off-duty police officers. 'As you expect, everyone had been drinking and everyone started off in a good mood, singing, having a good time. 'Ms Rose Webb, the Crown says, started trying to engage in conversation with the officers.' The pleasant mood switched in an instant when Webb allegedly shoved one of the officers, sparking a mass brawl between all nine women. 'At some point, one of the complainants, Tanisha Whitlock, clearly the more social one, was dancing,' Mr Balancy continued. 'It seemed to annoy, at some point, Ms Webb, so the four defendants appear to move away from that area. 'At some point, Ms Webb said she was going to the bathroom and headed towards the officers. 'It would appear that along the way, she pushed one of the defendants, which appears to have escalated. 'Casey Jackson appears to try to diffuse the matter.' It was then Webb asked Ms Whitlock if she was a lesbian, Mr Balancy continued: 'It escalated. Emma Jackson came into the picture. 'She appears to place her hand on one of the complainants, Daniella Andrean. 'She tried to bat her hand away and Emma Jackson pushed her with significant force, and she fell backwards onto another complainant. Webb and her three daughters, all of Northolt, west London, all deny affray. Pictured: Billie-Jo Jackson, one of the defendants 'The whole thing erupted into an almighty melee. 'The prosecution say violence took place, kicking, punching, pulling of hair, choking that was not warranted, that was not necessary and that these defendants, under the influence of alcohol, went over the top. 'Ms Rose Webb, the mother, grabbed the hair of Tanisha Whitlock, dragged her along the floor and simply would not let go. 'Even when eventually they managed to get her to release her grip, she went back and punched Ms Whitlock in the head. 'The crown says that those four defendants simply lost it and went over the top, and that the complainants were trying to restrain them. 'Other members of the public tried to jump in to try to separate the parties, and members of staff jumped in too.' Bille Jo Jackson works in water safety at Hammersmith Hospital, while Casey Jackson works for a property firm with celebrity and high-profile clients. Webb has a managerial role in a business. The trial continues. President Donald Trump was met with audible boos on Friday when he singled out embattled Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales during a speech at the Port of Corpus Christi. Trump offered unexplained 'congratulations' to the lawmaker who is engulfed in scandal over an alleged affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. 'Congressman Tony Gonzales is here!' Trump declared from the podium as Republican officials stood nearby. 'Tony, congratulations.' The remark drew a mixed reaction from the crowd, with noticeable jeers cutting through the applause. Trump did not clarify what Gonzales was being congratulated for. The president was in Texas to highlight US energy production and was joined by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. But the brief aside to Gonzales, who is fighting calls from members of his own party to resign, quickly overshadowed the policy-focused event. Gonzales, a married father of six, has been under intense scrutiny following reports of an alleged affair with his former regional district director, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. President Donald Trump gave Rep. Tony Gonzales a public shoutout during a speech at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas prompting boos from some members of the crowd Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas is facing scrutiny over an alleged affair with his former aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles Regina Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire; her death was ruled a suicide Santos-Aviles, a married mother of one, died in September 2025 after dousing herself in gasoline and setting herself on fire in her backyard. Her death was ruled a suicide. The scandal has roiled Gonzales's reelection campaign as early voting in Texas's Republican primary gets underway. Earlier this week on Capitol Hill, Gonzales struck a defiant tone when pressed by reporters. 'I will not resign. I work every day for the people of Texas. And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts that come out. What you've seen is not all the facts,' Gonzales said. He has also said the allegations amount to 'personal smears' and that he will not be 'blackmailed' as Santos-Aviles's husband seeks financial damages. But the controversy has deepened in recent days. The San Antonio Express-News reported that Santos-Aviles wrote to another staffer in April 2025: 'I had an affair with our boss and I'm fine.' The outlet said the message surfaced amid growing internal scrutiny. Congressman Tony Gonzales, pictured in a campaign photo with his wife and six kids presenting himself as a family man had two trysts in a cabin with a married aide before her suicide, a friend has alleged Aviles is survived by her husband, Adrian, and their eight-year-old son. Her obituary described her as 'a devoted mother, a loving daughter, sister, and wife and a loyal friend' Santos-Aviles's husband, Adrian Aviles, claims to possess a cache of text messages between his wife and Gonzales. 'The man has no values. He runs his whole campaign on family values, and he runs everything saying that he's some family man. He's actually quite a sick man,' Aviles said to CNN. 'I have all the messages that's shared between them two. And the things that I just released a tip of the iceberg of the things that this man was telling her. I released just what was enough information for the people to understand who this person is and who they're dealing with.' Alleged text messages were also published in which Gonzales asked Santos-Aviles to send him a 'sexy pic.' She initially replied: 'This is going too far, boss.' The House's code of conduct prohibits members from engaging in sexual relationships with employees in their offices. Gonzales has been under review by the Office of Congressional Conduct over whether he violated the rule. Several Republicans have publicly called on Gonzales to resign, including Reps. Chip Roy, Lauren Boebert, and Thomas Massie. Roy told The Hill, 'For the good of the country, good of the party and move forward, he should just step out of the race.' House GOP Chair Lisa McClain told the Daily Mail: 'If it's true, it's extremely disgusting, let me just start with that. I do believe in law and order, I do believe in the rule of law, so let it play out, but my God, I hope it's not true.' Gonzales is facing a primary challenge from gun rights influencer Brandon Herrera, whom he narrowly defeated by fewer than 400 votes in a 2024 runoff. Early voting opened February 17. Kristi Noem has been accused of ignoring an internal watchdog's report that her changes to airport security are creating 'significant' national security risks. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general Joseph Cuffari's report referred to Noem's decision last summer to get rid of requirements forcing passengers to take off their shoes when going through screenings. In November, Cuffari filed a classified report claiming that TSA scanners are unable to scan shoes - meaning that Noem's new rule had created newfound airport security risks, The Wall Street Journal reported. DHS officials allegedly blocked the watchdog's filing - which expanded on problems Cuffari claimed he made Noem aware of this past August - from being released to the public and gave it a higher level of classification. Homeland security officials told WSJ that Noem's treatment of the report is typical of her attitude toward national security concerns. Noem, who has been nicknamed 'ICE Barbie,' was also accused by department-wide officials of being more concerned with her public image and standing with Donald Trump than DHS's actual work. A spokesperson for DHS told The Daily Mail that they had appropriately responded to the report and disputed Cuffari's claims. They also argued that many of his recommendations had already been put into practice. Kristi Noem faces another wave of controversy after it was revealed she's ignored an internal watchdog who says her changes to airport security are creating 'significant' risks The report refers to Noem getting rid of requirements forcing passengers to take off their shoes when going through screenings As far as getting rid of the policy of taking your shoes off, DHS claimed it had been tested and risk assessed over a thousand times, dating back to the Biden administration. Cuffari told Congress in a letter, dated February 17, that DHS and TSA have not responded to any request to deal with the problem, breaking the law by not addressing his recommendations within three months. He wrote that he made 'four recommendations for corrective action' that TSA has yet to engage with. A department spokesperson disputed that. Many White House officials are allegedly unaware of the report. Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Mail in response to the allegations: 'President Trump and Secretary Noem have ensured the most secure border in our Nations history and our homeland is undoubtedly safer today than it was when the President took office last year. 'The President continues to have full confidence in the Secretary.' The Daily Mail has reached out to DHS for further comment. After more than two decades of forcing travelers to remove their shoes in airport security lines, the shoe removal requirement was suddenly pulled effective immediately last July. According to an internal memo at the time, the policy shift appeared to be tied to recent improvements in screening technology and an updated assessment of current security threats. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck have long enjoyed the privilege of keeping their shoes on but now that same courtesy is being extended to the general public. DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari (pictured) referred to Noem getting rid of requirements forcing passengers to take off their shoes when going through screenings The policy shift appeared to be tied to recent improvements in screening technology and an updated assessment of current security threats To bypass the shoe rule, passengers must hold a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight, with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it. Travelers requiring special security procedures may still be asked to remove their footwear under the new requirements. The original rule was introduced in the wake of the 2001 incident involving Richard Reid, infamously known as the 'Shoe Bomber,' who attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his sneakers during a transatlantic flight. Since then, passengers have been required to walk through security checkpoints barefoot or in socks unless they were PreCheck members, under 12, or over 75 years old. Noem has been as under fire as any cabinet secretary under the second Trump administration, especially following the two ICE-involved shootings in Minnesota in January. Last week, it was reported that Noem has developed a secret plan to quit the Trump administration for a return to the Senate as voters begin turning on the president's mass deportation agenda. Noem and her rumored lover Corey Lewandowski commissioned a poll to evaluate her approval rating with the public, a source told the Daily Mail. Around this time, however, voters in South Dakota were asked whom they would vote for in a matchup between herself and the state's Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, according to the Atlantic. Noem and her rumored lover Corey Lewandowski commissioned a poll to evaluate her approval rating with the public, a source told the Daily Mail last week Last week, it was reported that Noem has developed a secret plan to quit the Trump administration for a return to the Senate as voters begin turning on the president's mass deportation agenda Noem previously served two terms as South Dakota's governor before joining Trump's cabinet. The possibility of Noem running to electoral office in the state has prompted clandestine discussions among advisers close to Trump about waiting to shake up Homeland Security leadership until after next month's filing deadline, according to the Atlantic. Noems potential departure from Homeland Security would make her the first cabinet secretary to exit the Trump administration since the start of his second term. Her tenure at DHS has been marred by allegations of corruption and bitter infighting within the department. Widespread reports paint a culture of fear among the rank-and-file in Homeland Security as Noem and Lewandowski openly began firing and demoting officials not viewed as loyal to her for the past year. The department has splintered into two camps: those loyal to Noem and a bloc of career law enforcement officials aligned with Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, multiple DHS insiders have revealed. Homans decades-long career in immigration enforcement has earned him credibility among law enforcement officials frustrated with Noem and Lewandowskis leadership. As pressure grows for Noem to meet Trump's deportation goals, approximately 80 percent of career leadership at ICE has been fired or demoted by Noem. After the death of Pretti, Trump sidelined Noem by placing Homan in charge of the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Two boys, both on bail, have been charged following Friday night's alleged random stabbing attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. A 54-year-old man was allegedly randomly attacked by two teenagers with a machete at about 9.15pm on February 27. Police rushed to the corner of Gould Street and Glasgow Avenue, just off the popular tourist spot, to find a 54-year-old man with a stab wound to his upper body. 'Police were told the man became involved in an argument with a boy on an e-bike, which then escalated into a fight,' a NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement. 'The boy allegedly fled the scene and later returned with another boy who was allegedly armed with a knife, before the pair assaulted the man a second time and then left.' He was treated at the scene before paramedics rushed him to St Vincent's Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Two boys, aged 15 and 17, were arrested at Beach Road, before being taken to Surry Hills Police Station. On Saturday morning, police charged the boys, who will face court over the alleged stabbing. A man, in his 50s, was allegedly stabbed at Glasgow Avenue in Bondi Beach on Friday He was treated by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to hospital Members of the public came to help the man The 15-year-old boy was charged with 10 offences including wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. He was also charged with stalking and intimidation intending fear physical harm and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug and breach of bail. The 17-year-old was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, and possession or use a of prohibited weapon without permit and breach of bail. They were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Division Court on February 28. Photographs from Friday night's scene showed members of the public helping the 54-year-old as he sat on the ground before paramedics arrived. One stranger could be seen applying pressure to the man's back, while a woman had helped bandage and apply a tourniquet to his arm. Friday nights incident was just hundreds of metres away from the scene of Decembers Bondi Beach shootings, where 15 people were killed in the nations worst terrorist attack. Labour's grievance politics had come back to bite it following one of the dirtiest election campaigns yet, Kemi Badenoch said yesterday. The Tory leader said Keir Starmers party had created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes which had been used by the Greens to beat it on the streets of south Manchester. The Gorton and Denton by-election campaign saw accusations of dirty tricks, dodgy polling, misleading leaflets and intimidation throughout. Following the Green victory, Mrs Badenoch accused Labour, the Greens and Reform UK of stirring up grievance politics. Labour created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes and yesterday that monster came back to bite them, she said. The three main parties were all accused of using underhand tactics to manipulate the vote. Labour accused the Greens of whipping up hatred among Muslims in Pakistani areas of the constituency by putting out a campaign video in Urdu featuring Sir Keir shaking hands with the Hindu nationalist Indian PM Narendra Modi. Labour MP Dr Jeevun Sandher said the video doesnt feel relevant to Gorton and Denton, adding: I can hear the dog whistle. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour had created the 'monster' of 'Muslim community bloc' voting which she claimed came back to bite them in Gorton and Denton Keir Starmer's party lost the by-election after being pushed into third place in a previously safe seat Labour had used pictures of Boris Johnson shaking hands with Mr Modi to put off potential Tory voters in the fierce 2021 battle for the Batley and Spen seat. Elsewhere, the Greens produced charts which were dramatically out of proportion and suggested Labours vote was lower than it was. They were accused of twice misquoting an academic who then made an official complaint to the returning officer. And a get out the vote leaflet claimed there were 600 votes in it between them and Reform and no one else can win it, despite polls showing a three-way race. Meanwhile, Labour were accused by the Greens of inventing fictional organisations to convince voters that they were the tactical voting choice to beat Reform. The Greens said that leaflets from a non-existent group called Tactical Choice had urged voters to back Labour. They also complained about a Labour campaign vehicle which reportedly claimed that Zack Polanskis party wants to let our daughters be used for legal prostitution. The party is said to have reported Labour to the police over it. Reform candidate Matt Goodwin ended up in court over a leaflet said to be from a concerned neighbour that was actually sent on behalf of the party. He narrowly avoided a fine of up to 5,000 for the document, sent to 81,000 homes. Credit: The Sal Licata Show 15 years before WFAN moved on from Sal Licata as a midday host, they fired him as Mike Francesas board operator after a behind-the-scenes incident. Like many on-air personalities in radio, Licata broke in as a producer. Prior to getting his shot on-air, Licata worked as a board-op for Mike and the Mad Dog, and continued in the role on Francesas show after Russo left for SiriusXM. But in 2010, Licata was abruptly fired. Details werent reported at the time, but the firing was believed to have stemmed from what a prominent station sponsor considered to be an alleged extortion attempt. And the fact that Francesa was unable to keep Licata on his production staff implied this was a big deal. But on the latest episode of Licatas podcast, he described what led to his first firing from WFAN as a nothing story. I went to Connecticut School of Broadcasting, Licata said before explaining that then-midday host Joe Benigno was getting paid to read commercials for CSB on-air. But I was reaching out to them, saying, Hey, I went to the school, Im on Francesas show, Id love to be able to endorse the spot. They were not responding to the email. And then I guess one email I sent, they took it as a threat. But it was not a threat because, usually, to threaten, you have to have some kind of power. I never had any power. I was on Francesas show, but I was barely on the air. And I guess they took it as, If you dont sponsor me, I will then rip you on the air, which was not ever gonna be the case. Licata remembered Connecticut School of Broadcasting founder Dick Robinson calling the control room to address the supposed threat. Immediately, Licata said he attempted to explain that the email was not a threat, and further stated his desire to endorse the school on-air. But according to Licata, Dickerson was not interested in the explanation and took his issue to higher-ups at CBS, which owned the station at the time. They didnt know who the hell I was, Licata said of the higher-ups at CBS. I was just a board-op on Francesas show. But when you start talking about threatening a sponsor or any issue with a sponsorthey werent gonna worry about me, they were gonna say, Just gonna keep the sponsor happy, well just fire him. Thats what happened, even though Mike tried to save my job. To this day, Licata swears the email was not threatening. He admitted it may have sounded frustrated because he was trying to get a response, but there was no threat. And as a board-op with no airtime, Licata wasnt really in a position to issue any credible threat. Three years later, Licata returned to WFAN as a fill-in host, which would imply the station never thought much of this incident with CSB. Eventually, Licatas fill-in work led to a full-time opportunity in overnights before ultimately landing the midday show with Brandon Tierney. Licatas most recent WFAN tenure ended last December, seemingly on better terms than when he was fired in 2010. But if he was able to go from being a fired producer to a prominent full-time host at the same station, then its reasonable to wonder if Licata will eventually work his way back to WFAN again in the future. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been dumped as keynote speaker at a women property influencers' convention after her leading gig was mocked online and industry members quit in protest. The Real Estate Institute of NSW has now issued a grovelling backdown letter to its members over the Women in Real Estate conference due to feature Hanson at Sydneys Shangri-La Hotel in April. The $545 a head WIRE event had promised a gathering of the forces influencing the future of real estate with Hansons lecture on housing and national policy a moment youll want to be in the room for, so you wont want to miss it. The invitation to female real estate industry figures has the words 'Introducing Senator Pauline Hanson' above a photo of the beaming politician and the words 'Connected. Empowered. Inspired'. The REINSW made the announcement Hanson would headline the annual event on February 23, exactly a week after her controversial statement that there are no good Muslims. Four days after that, on February 27, the Institute cancelled her. Its email to members admitted it had been snowed with complaints, saying a significant number have told us they cannot separate Senator Hansons story of resilience from her policies. This was in reference to the original WIRE promotional poster touting Hanson as an enduring presence in national politics with sustained electoral relevance and a central force who has shaped conversation across the country. One member, REINSW Regional Advisory Committee official, Marc Minor, posted his resignation on Facebook effective immediately, and said his industry should be 'inclusive, respectful and forward-looking'. Pauline Hanson has been dumped from the real estate convention promoted (above) as a chance for influential property figures to hear her thoughts on housing and national policy Female property influencers were invited to the $545-a-head event touting Hanson as an enduring presence in national politics with sustained electoral relevance and a central force who has shaped conversation across the country The invitation for the women's real estate convention was sent out on February 23, a week after Pauline Hanson's controversial comments on Sky News that there were 'no good Muslims'. She was dumped on February 27 On Reddit, people mocked the industry for considering Hanson, saying when you think real estate agents cant get a worse reputation?. One poster quipped, Its the lets pretend housing unaffordability is all the fault of migrants not property speculators show. Pauline says: Hands off our tax rorts! Hanson was to lead the line-up at the WIRE event which included mentalist and mindset speaker Andy Nunn, PropTech CEO Rebecca Moroney, Nitschke Real Estate CEO Michael Nitschke, and Domain Vice President Belinda Sinclair. The conference blurb praised Pauline Hanson's ability to mobilise voter support and her agenda-setting voice in public debate. In his backdown letter, REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin - who calls himself on his LinkedIn page a 'Real Estate Thought Leader' - wrote that over the years, WIRE has featured presentations from a wide variety of speakers.' 'Including people from different sectors and different backgrounds with different perspectives, who have talked about their lives, the challenges and adversity they have faced, their successes, their motivation, and more. Consistent with this theme we asked Senator Hanson to tell her story, given her four decades in politics and being in the public eye. Irrespective of her politics, she has faced many challenges and her resilience is clear. Nonetheless, Senator Hanson is a politician, and her policies cover a variety of issues. Reddit users mock the real estate industry's proposed use of Senator Hanson as their keynote speaker at a female property influencers' convention, joking she would argue that migrants were to blame for housing unaffordability In his backdown letter, REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin (above) - who calls himself on his LinkedIn page a 'Real Estate Thought Leader' - admitted a significant number have told us they cannot separate Senator Hansons story of resilience from her policies In his grovelling backdown letter, the Institute CEO admitted he'd been snowed by complaints from members and that Hanson's 'policies cover a variety of issues' The governing NSW real estate body received a torrent of protests from members before being forced to cancel Hanson. Above, REINSW official Marc Minor quits 'effective immediately' A significant number of members have told us they cannot separate Senator Hansons story of resilience from her policies. We understand and respect those views and consequently, Senator Hanson will no longer be speaking at WIRE. Hanson has copped flak even from conservative figures since she claimed on Sky News on February 16 that there were no good Muslims and that those who practise the religion hate Westerners. You say, oh, well, there's good Muslims out there. Well, I'm sorry, how can you tell me there are good Muslims? she told Sky. The comments have received widespread condemnation. One of Australia's most prominent conservatives, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, described Hansons remark as divisive, inflammatory and un-Australian. The ASOS co-founder who fell to his death from the 17th-floor of his apartment in Thailand had been convicted of fraud weeks before, it has now emerged. Quentin Griffiths, 58, who died on February 9, was being investigated by the Thai police over an alleged 500,000 fraud at the company he ran with his ex-wife, Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43. Mr Griffiths had been convicted of fraud last October and sentenced to 18 months in prison, the Sun reported, but allegedly appealed so that he could remain free under Thai law. He had been due to have a meeting with his ex-wife's lawyers this month in an attempt to stay out of prison - but just two days before fell to his death in Pattaya, a seaside city south of Bangkok. But now it has been reported that Mr Griffiths was arrested at Bangkok airport after a flight from London on January 15 last year, according to the Sun. He was accused of allegedly falsifying documents to fraudulently remove his ex-wife as director of a firm used to hold property for a family home. Police Chief Lt Col Worapoj Lallitjirakul told the Sun: 'The court convicted him. He was sentenced to one year and six months in prison on October 21.' Yesterday, Mr Griffith's ex-wife, Ploy Kringsinthanakun, launched a custody battle for their two children. Mr Griffiths pictured with his ex-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun and their two children The ASOS co-founder was reportedly being investigated for fraud at the time of his death Ms Kringsinthanakun announced she is fighting to regain custody of their two children, aged 12 and 11, after they were handed over to their paternal relatives following Mr Griffiths' death. Her lawyers have said that Kringsinthanakun and Mr Griffiths shared court-ordered joint custody of the children, and that this is in direct contravention of the order. 'Our client is profoundly concerned about the safety, emotional well-being, and stability of her children during this extremely difficult time,' they said. 'She is the childrens legal custodial parent and is seeking their immediate and safe return in accordance with the standing court order.' In a statement released by her counsel, Kringsinthanakun said: 'My children have already suffered the devastating loss of their father. At a time when they most need the comfort, love, and stability of their mother, I have been prevented from being with them. 'I am pleading with those who currently have my children please do the right thing and return them to me immediately so we can begin to heal as a family.' Ms Kringsinthanakun has said she played no role in his death, which occurred just days before their next scheduled court appearance. Ms Kringsinthanakun said she and her ex-husband had not been in contact for four years and eight months after she discovered he had been unfaithful. The building from which Andrew Griffiths was found dead on February 9 after falling from the 17th floor She said she found out about his death from his lawyer, and in a state of shock, checked local Pattaya news but found nothing. Speaking about the death, a source close to the family said: 'It's a real mystery. The phrase 'suspicious circumstances' has been used but we just don't know yet.' Mr Griffiths' girlfriend at the time of the tragedy, Jom Thipanongsri, said she was shocked at his death. Speaking to The Sun, the 26-year-old said: 'I just can't believe he would do something like that. 'No one close to him ever thought he would take his own life, because no one saw any warning signs at all. 'And personally I never saw him taking antidepressants or any other medication.' She said she is heartbroken, in complete shock and has cried every day since his death. Hundreds of thousands of people will line the streets of Sydney for Saturday night's 48th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, but an activist float has been pulled at the last minute. Pride in Protest, a left-wing group that has marched in the past with Palestinian flags, was banned from the event after not replying to a formal warning by organisers. The organisation was emailed by Mardi Gras boss Jesse Matheson at 11am on Friday asking for it to remove an Instagram post characterising a Jewish float, Dayenu, as 'pro-genocide' and alleging they 'support genocide'. Mardi Gras was happy to support Pride in Protest but gave the group until 5pm that same day to remove the posts. Pride in Protest did not reply to the email, and so was banned from the parade. The group's spokesperson Jean Maxine said they didn't reply because the emails were sent during business hours to a member who was at their job at the time. Pride in Protest did not wish to comment further on what it called a 'shameful decision' when contacted by the Daily Mail, but said it would be gathering at Town Hall at 3.30pm. 'We did not comply with Minns pro-genocide crackdown via anti-protest laws, and we have not complied with this censorship by the Mardi Gras CEO,' the group posted on its Facebook page on Friday. Pride in Protest won't feature at the Mardi Gras this year after a controversial Instagram post Mardi Gras boss Jesse Matheson sent the group a warning email The email sent to Pride in Protest, to which it did not reply Meanwhile, more than 10,000 marchers and 200 floats will descend on Oxford Street on Saturday night following the parade theme of 'Ecstatica'. 'Ecstatica is about euphoria as resistance, a reminder that our collective queer joy is on a break from the battle,' Mr Matheson told 9news.com.au. Floats for this year's parade will include companies like Canva, Coles and Qantas, the NSW SES Pride, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance. Like many Sydney fixtures held following the Bondi terrorist attack, the event will feature police from the Public Order and Riot Squad carrying high-powered rifles as added security. However, NSW Police have said there is no specific, active or imminent threat to the public. When is the 2026 Sydney Mardi Gras? The main procession starts at 7.30pm, proceeding down Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade. It will then pass through the Taylor Square Glitter Club viewing area. The parade is due to wrap up at 10.30pm. Do I need tickets? The event is free and unticketed for spectators, but some tickets can be bought for better viewing of the parade. About 10,000 marchers are expected to hit the Sydney streets tonight At least 200 floats will be on show at the parade in Sydney C an I watch it on TV? Yes, the parade will be broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iview from 7.30pm. What public transport is available? For the first time, train, light rail, and metro services will run a 24-hour timetable for an event other than New Year's Eve. There will be added train services late at night and early in the morning to help parade-goers get home, but from 1am, not all train lines will run regular services, so plan ahead. Metro services will run every five minutes from 5pm until midnight, every 10 minutes until 2am, and subsequently every 20 minutes until 5am on Sunday. The light rail will run around the clock until 5am on Sunday. What roads are closed? Major roads across Sydney's CBD up to Moore Park will be shut from 4pm on Saturday and will not reopen until 2am on Sunday. Road closures along the parade route include: Liverpool Street, Oxford Street between College Street and Darlinghurst Road, Flinders Street southbound from Oxford Street to Moore Park Road, and sections of Crown Street. Sections of South Dowling Street between Oxford Street and Fitzroy Street will also be closed, together with Anzac Parade southbound from Moore Park Road to Lang Road, including the Eastern Distributor Randwick Anzac Parade off-ramp. The metro line will run all night to help parade-goers get home The Mardi Gras after party, attended in previous years by Kylie Minogue, will not take place 'Leave the car at home,' Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said. 'Check signs carefully because your vehicle will be towed.' What will the weather be like? Unfortunately for parade fans, the wet weather that's plagued Sydney in recent days will persist through the night with a chance of showers hitting by 8pm. Longer opening hours The state government has extended business hours for shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, breweries and live music venues in Sydney, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Potts Point, Paddington, Camperdown, Newtown and Erskineville until midnight. No after party Unfortunately, the traditional party held after the Mardi Gras parade has been cancelled as organisers fight to secure its financial future. The party, which has previously featured stars such as Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa and Cher, could not be justified, according to the organisation. Mr Matheson said earlier this month that the rising production and infrastructure costs made running the party financially irresponsible. 'This decision was not taken lightly,' he said. 'Facing an existential threat to the future of Mardi Gras, and with new sponsorship uncertain, it was absolutely the right decision.' In 2025, two of the official major partners, Google and Meta, ended their support of the party. Joe Biden appeared to mix up Russia's Vladimir Putin with Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday night as he delivered a head-scratching line about meeting the Russian strongman while praising the bravery of Ukrainians. 'I spent a lot of time in Ukraine and I've met with Putin more than any other world leader has,' Biden said during remarks in South Carolina. Biden, 83, made the confused remarks moments after criticizing President Donald Trump for not mentioning 'the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine' during his record-length State of the Union address earlier this week. Biden had condemned Trump for failing to reference Russia's invasion but then, in the same breath, he invoked Putin, the architect of that invasion, while speaking about Ukrainian courage and sacrifice. 'Incredible bravery of those people,' Biden continued. 'Imagine how they feel, wondering, are we leaving them? We're walking away. He doesn't apologize.' Former President Biden and President Putin met for a formal summit in June 16 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. It was the only face-to-face meeting between the two leaders while Biden was president. Meanwhile, Biden and Zelensky held numerous in-person meetings throughout his four year presidency where they encountered one another at international summits, during Zelenskys visits to Washington, D.C., and during Bidens 2023 trip to Kyiv. During Friday's speech Biden had attempted to open with humor aimed at Trump's address to Congress. Joe Biden appeared to mix up Russia's Vladimir Putin with Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday night Biden praised the 'bravery of Ukrainians' before speaking about how he had 'met Putin more than any other world leader'. Biden is seen with Ukraine's President Zelensky in Kyiv in 2023 Former President Joe Biden met with Russian President Valdimir Putin in Geneva in June 16, 2021. It was to be their only face-to-face meeting while Biden was in office 'By the way did you see Trump give the State of Union.is he still talking?' Biden joked, stumbling over his words yet drawing laughter. But it was when he shifted from mocking Trump to reflecting on his own foreign policy experience that the mixup occurred. 'I don't know. But folks, it's unbelievable. The guy talks for almost two hours, but never mentions the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine. Never once.' The phrasing sparked instant reaction online, with critics arguing the 83-year-old former president appeared to blur the lines between Russia's president and Ukraine's wartime leadership. Biden did not clarify the remark during the speech. The appearance marked one of Biden's rare public outings since leaving office. After Trump's return to the White House, Biden has largely stayed out of the spotlight. In May, he announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bone, and a spokesperson said in October that he had been receiving radiation and hormone therapy. Join the debate How much do gaffes like Bidens slip shape your trust in politicians ability to lead? Former President Joe Biden is seen greeting the crowd after speaking to the South Carolina Democratic Party on Friday in Columbia South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn introduced Biden at the event on Friday The South Carolina event was meant to be sort of political homecoming and a celebratory return to South Carolina, where Biden marked the sixth anniversary of his pivotal 2020 primary victory. The win revived his faltering presidential campaign and ultimately propelled him to the White House. 'Thank you,' Biden told supporters as Rep. Jim Clyburn introduced him at an event hosted by the state Democratic Party in Columbia. 'It's good to be back home.' 'My buddy Jim Clyburn, you brought me back!' Biden said, recalling the congressman's crucial endorsement in 2020. Clyburn praised him in return. 'There is no American ever who has demonstrated through his service more substance and, I might add, sustenance, than Joe Robinette Biden Jr.,' he said. Angus Taylor has launched an attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accusing him of lying about his government's role in bringing ISIS brides back to Australia. The Opposition Leader claimed the Labor government has spent 'several years' planning for the return of the women and children from Syria. 'I'm calling bulls*** on the Prime Minister,' Taylor told The Saturday Telegraph. 'It's clear [Home Affairs Minister] Tony Burke has been up to his eyeballs in assisting the repatriation. 'We're going to continue to forensically look for the facts that Australians deserve to know.' Taylor's choice of words in 'calling bulls***' on Albanese came just days after the Prime Minister used the same phrase during an appearance on The Karl Stefanovic Show earlier this week. 'I call bulls***,' Albanese said, responding to a suggestion that Burke had made a deal with refugee advocates to help repatriate the brides before last year's election. 'The fact is that that group that was spoken about, the non-government organisation, took the Australian government to court to demand the repatriation, and we won that case. We opposed it, and we won.' Liberal leader Angus Taylor has launched an attack on Anthony Albanese over questions about whether Australian ISIS brides will be permitted to return from Syria Anthony Albanese has said his government opposes the repatriation of ISIS brides ISIS brides had travelled to Syria to marry members of the Islamic State terror group Last week, Burke confirmed the 11 ISIS brides had been issued Australian passports, but maintained the government was not 'conducting repatriation' for them. A government delegate was sent to the Al Roj camp in Syria's northeast, where the families have lived for seven years, to perform DNA tests and issue their passports. This week, Albanese doubled down on his government stance and repeated that it was not 'providing repatriation' to the women and their children. 'We've said that we have compassion for the children involved, but that others who chose to travel to that area have made those decisions in life,' he said. The ISIS brides travelled to Syria between 2014 and 2019 to live with, support, or marry members of the Islamic State (IS) terror group. After the collapse of the caliphate, the women and their children were detained in Syrian refugee camps that have been described as 'inhuman'. Taylor has demanded tough new laws that would make it impossible for ISIS brides to return to Australia and proposed penalties for anyone who assists them. Proposed legislation, introduced by the Liberal leader, would make it a criminal offence to assist Australians with links to IS in returning home. Join the debate What's YOUR take on Angus Taylor's comments? Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has been accused of being 'up to his eyeballs' in assisting the repatriation of the women and children to Australia Two ISIS brides who want to return have been labelled as 'extremists' Taylor said the bill was designed to 'protect Australia's way of life'. 'We will take action and refuse to let people come here who abandoned Australia to support Islamic extremist terror overseas,' he said. 'We must shut the door to people who do not share our values and these people rejected our values in favour of terror.' Two women who reportedly married Australian ISIS fighters were declared 'extremists' by the head of a Syrian camp. Camp director Hakamia Ibrahim has previously said the two women were being held separately from the group of 11 women and 23 children, who are pleading with the government to help them return to Australia. 'In the camp, they [the Australians] did not cause problems except for two people, of course,' Ms Ibrahim told The Australian. 'They are still among the extremists, from the extremist women.' The haunting messages by a Sydney man who tried to arrange for a woman and young girl to be assaulted 'in the woods' have been published after he was sentenced to three years in jail. Edwin Carr, 41, was apprehended after he asked an undercover police officer if he was 'interested in some meat I'm offering' and sent a photo of the four-year-old child in early 2024. A text exchange on Telegram, which was published by news.com.au on Saturday, showed Carr under the username @devilyaknow messaging the officer, who was posing as a 30-year-old pedophile. Carr's plan was to drug a woman known to him and have her sexually abused - along with the little girl. 'So the meat is 4. Not far off 5. Mixed white and black. Autistic,' Carr wrote. He asked the officer whether he had 'experience', adding that 'obviously some men flake out due to nerves'. 'Have you an idea of what you'll do? I'd pretty much cuck and help keep her still. I'm thinking maybe an inflatable and a hire van or something like that. In the woods,' he said. Edwin Carr, 41, was sentenced to more than three years in jail after he tried to organise a sick fantasy with an undercover officer in 2024 A little girl was described as 'meat' during a message exchange on Telegram (pictured, a mock up of the text exchange) Carr told the officer that he was hunting for a candidate to spike and assault a woman, known to him. 'Looking a while If it's just the kid U want. Fine,' he said. 'If I could get away with it, I'd just forget the spiking of her drink and have her [abused] by thugs. 'But like you, I'm not trying to get caught. That's why I gotta plan it carefully.' The messages also revealed a vile initial plan that he was originally considering organising for a 'HIV guy' to abuse the girl. 'Mmm what changed your mind?' the undercover officer wrote. 'I haven't. She's half black. As well as an HIV guy, I thought a neo Nazi would like to leave his mark in her also,' Carr said. 'I really try to think offensively.' During his arrest in March 2024, Carr claimed his plan 'never would have transpired' The woman and child cannot be identified for legal reasons. Carr blocked the officer after a month of planning on March 8, 2024, after 'losing trust' in his imagined accomplice, news.com.au reports. His apartment in Liverpool was then raided by police the following day. Carr told police the plan 'never would have transpired' and he found the conversation 'kind of weird', court documents seen by News Corp said. 'I was talking but I was never going to meet anybody,' he told officers when he was arrested. 'I found interesting about the stuff we were talking about. But I'm not like into it.' Carr was charged with pleading guilty to intentionally inciting another person to sexually touch a child under 10, and to inciting a third party to sexually touch another person without consent. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail last week. The judge gave Carr a 25 per cent discount for pleading guilty on the first occasion. He is eligible for parole on June 8, 2026. An Iranian schoolboy was filmed shouting 'I love Trump!' as smoke rose over Tehran following US airstrikes on the capital. Video shared online shows a group of high school students celebrating as plumes billowed into the sky behind them, with one boy heard praising the American president. The footage emerged after President Donald Trump urged Iranians to use the US attacks as an opportunity to overthrow the country's clerical regime. 'When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,' he declared in a video address. He also told members of Iran's security forces they would be granted 'immunity' if they laid down their arms, warning that those who refused would 'face certain death'. In early January, Trump threatened to bomb Iran as security forces cracked down on nationwide anti-government protests, killing at least 6,480 people, according to human rights activists. He warned that those responsible would 'pay a big price' and told protesters that 'help is on its way'. But the president said days later that he had received assurances from Iran's government that the 'killing has stopped' and his focus turned to the country's nuclear programme, which has been at the centre of a long-running dispute with the West. Iranian students say we LOVE TRUMP thrilled about the attacks https://t.co/UUxk7VM1Eq The tired girl (@zibanistaya) February 28, 2026 An Iranian schoolboy was filmed shouting 'I love Trump!' as smoke rose over Tehran following US airstrikes on the capital Video shared online shows a group of high school students celebrating as plumes billowed into the sky behind them, with one boy heard praising the American president Aerial photographs show the Iranian supreme leader's Tehran compound razed to rubble after Donald Trump unleashed joint US-Israeli airstrikes on the city Footage shows smoke billowing into the sky above the complex An image shows smoke billowing from a building after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday morning People walking on the street with suitcases after explosions started in Tehran University students carrying their belongings after explosions started in Tehran Trump unleashed joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Saturday. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. The attack, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, targeted the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - with a plume of thick grey smoke seen pouring from the building. It is unclear whether the 86-year-old dictator was caught up in the strike, with the compound understood to be generally used as his official residence. Earlier, Iranian officials reported that Khamenei had been moved out of Tehran to a secure location. In a post on Truth Social, Trump told the Ayatollah to either 'surrender or die' as he announced the US had launched strikes across several cities in Iran. He said: 'To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. 'Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.' Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' with explosions rocking northern Israel shortly after 8am on Saturday morning. A vehicle explodes into flames after the US carried out strikes on Iran President Trump announced on Saturday morning the United States had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran with thick black smoke seen rising into the sky A man looks on as a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran Your browser does not support iframes. The Israeli military said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all out war. A Dubai resident reported hearing a blast so loud it made her home 'tremble' after an Iranian strike hit Abu Dhabi, 100 kms away. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. The operation in the Middle East has been dubbed 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defence, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. 'We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, it will be totally, again, obliterated,' Trump said in his announcement. 'We're going to annihilate their navy, we're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. 'And we will ensure that Iran does not attain a nuclear weapon a very simple message: They will never have a nuclear weapon.' The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Mr Khamenei's office on Saturday morning. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, without offering a cause. There have also been unverified reports of explosions in other locations across Iran including Isfahan, the third biggest city, and Tabriz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint attack with the US aimed to 'remove an existential threat posed' by Iran. More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Meanwhile, Iran shut down its air space and mobile phone services were cut. Israel has warned its own citizens to prepare to take cover if the Iranians fight back, with sirens already being heard across Israel. Your browser does not support iframes. People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, announced that the country is under a state of emergency as thick smoke rose from an explosion in downtown Tehran (pictured) Smoke rises as the Israeli army carries out airstrikes on multiple locations in southern Lebanon Israelis run for cover after Iran unleashed retaliatory strikes in the country More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes Hospital staff move patients in a parking lot at Sourasky Medical Center for safety after sirens sounded in Tel Aviv Your browser does not support iframes. The country's Defense Force said: 'This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel.' Airspace above Israel was closed to civilian flights following the strike this morning. The explosions come as tensions are high between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme. This week Trump made the grave warning that Iran is manufacturing weapons that could soon strike US. Tehran is 'working on missiles that will soon reach' America, Trump said during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. He also vowed to prevent Iran, the 'number one sponsor of terrorism,' from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump has openly flirted with regime change too, telling reporters recently that the ousting of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'would be the best thing that could happen.' But US intelligence reports have not yet concluded that Iran is capable of crafting a weapon capable of reaching the homeland. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessed last year that Iran could need until 2035 to create a 'militarily viable' intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) - the kind that travels thousands of miles, including, for a time, through space before the warhead plummets towards its target. Smoke rises over residential area after an explosion in Tehran, Iran A woman runs for cover following an explosion in Tehran The explosions come as tensions are high between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme 'Iran has space launch vehicles it could use to develop a militarily-viable ICBM by 2035 should Tehran decide to pursue the capability,' the DIA report states. Two aircraft carrier strike groups - representing around 15,000 soldiers, over a dozen ships, hundreds of planes and likely some submarines - are being used by Trump to get Iran to capitulate to his denuclearization demands. In addition, many thousands of troops and scores of military assets are on bases throughout the region, though there are some reports of evacuations. The stalemate has recently shown some signs of traction with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, with chief Iran negotiator Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Oman's foreign minister. Additional meetings were scheduled for Friday. The heated tensions this year come just months after Operation Midnight Hammer - one of the most sophisticated military aviation successes in recent American history. Last June, Trump's B-2 Stealth Bombers were flown to Iran in a 37-hour secret mission to quell the Middle Eastern country's nuclear capabilities. This week Trump made the grave warning that Iran is manufacturing weapons that could soon strike US Smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran, the capital of Iran Two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles hit Iran in the operation. Their purpose was to neutralize Iranian defense systems protecting nuclear enrichment facilities at Isfahan. When these sites had been destroyed, the B-2 group entered Iranian airspace. The stealth jet squadron slipped into enemy skies, moving into attack formation at 'high altitude and high speed', with lighter, more mobile F-22 fighter jets sweeping in front of the B-2s to shield them from any surface-to-air or air-to-air fire. There was none. Not a single shot was fired at any of the aircraft or warships involved in Midnight Hammer from the beginning of the operation to its end. The ABC has tried to distance itself from comments made by chairman Kim Williams calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an 'aberrant creature', just over two years since the broadcaster unlawfully sacked a presenter because she shared her own political beliefs on social media. Williams, 73, took charge of the broadcaster, which has a statutory duty to ensure its news is impartial according to the recognised standards of objective journalism, in January 2024. He sat down for a lengthy interview published on Friday by The Age's Good Weekend, which resulted in the dramatic comments about Netanyahu. 'I think he is an aberrant creature I think he's frankly an aberrant creature in the history of Israel,' he said. 'But that's a very inappropriate thing for me to say and I shouldn't really be saying it.' When questioned about the seemingly partisan comments, an ABC spokesperson emphasised that Williams' views were separate from the broadcaster he oversees. 'The comments made by Kim Williams reflect Mr Williams' personal view and are not attributable to the ABC,' it told the Daily Mail. The outspoken views seem a rather dramatic turnabout from Williams' staunch views against 'activist journalism'. ABC chair Kim Williams (pictured) has referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an 'aberrant creature' in the nation's history In 2024, the chief prosecutor of the world's top war crimes court announced they were seeking arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Netanyahu, over the ongoing war 'If you don't want to reflect a view that aspires to impartiality, don't work at the ABC,' he told the Fourth Estate podcast in March 2024 after commencing his role. Williams' comments arose during the interview this week when asked about the issue of antisemitism. In 2013, the executive made a statement to the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in which he described himself as a 'lifelong, dedicated supporter of the state of Israel'. He also told The Age he has a 'continuing, distinct empathy with the spirit of Jewish religious practice and ethical precepts'. This prompted questions about whether his Jewish spirituality affected the broadcaster's objectivity in coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. 'I don't have any dilemma bifurcating the Netanyahu government completely away from my very deep engagement with, and respect for, Jewish humanism,' he said. In 2024, the chief prosecutor of the world's top war crimes court announced they were seeking arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Netanyahu. The prime minister, his then-defence minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders were accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Netanyahu condemned the request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned the request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. Australia has consistently joined other like-minded nations, especially the UK, Canada and France, in issuing public rebukes to Israeli actions during its war in Gaza. Previous comments by ABC staff on the conflict, most notably those by Antoinette Lattouf, have also attracted controversy. The federal court ruled last year that she had been unfairly dismissed three days into a five-day casual radio shift in December 2023, for reasons including her political beliefs. Lattouf had shared a Human Rights Watch post saying Israel was using starvation as a tool of war in Gaza before her position was terminated. Following the ruling, the ABC said it regretted how the decision to remove Lattouf was handled and the distress it caused her. 'We extend our sincere apologies to Ms Lattouf and wish her well in her future endeavours,' it said. Williams was not chair of the broadcaster at the time of the incident. The federal court ruled last year that Antoinette Lattouf (pictured) was unfairly dismissed from her ABC contract after she shared a Human Rights Watch post criticising Israel The lengthy ABC profile highlighted the mixed reviews Williams has received from his colleagues. One ABC staffer, who spoke to The Age anonymously, said Williams is 'a pompous git' but also 'amazing, super-smart and successful'. One radio staff member claimed 'the last time Kim Williams found himself to be wrong was when he was about 12.' They added it is 'almost Trumpian these people who are so convinced of their own rightness', but admitted Williams is also a 'great guy in a lot of ways' and 'very affable'. A speech Marco Rubio gave on the floor of the Senate warning about the dangers of Iran becoming a nuclear power has re-emerged. Rubio, now the US secretary of state, spoke out against former President Barack Obama's Iran deal, saying at the time that it would only expand the country's arsenal. 'They'll also work with other terrorist groups in the region to target American servicemen and women, and they may or may not deny that they're involved, but they will target us and raise the price of our presence in the Middle East until they hope to officially pull us out of the region,' he prophesized. 'They'll also continue to build long-range missiles - missiles capable of reaching the United States,' Rubio continued, likening the ayatollah getting nuclear weapons to Kim Jung Un having nuclear weapons in North Korea. 'And this is the goal Iran has as well, to reach a point where they become immune to any sort of credible military threat, because the price of a military strike would be too high and then they become an established nuclear weapons power. 'And never in the history of the world has such a regime possessed weapons so capable of destruction.' Rubio then went on to talk about Ayatollah Khamenei, who he called a 'radical Shia cleric with an apocalyptic vision of the future.' 'He has a religious apocalyptic vision of the future - one that calls for triggering a conflict between the Muslim world and the non Muslim world. One that he feels especially obligated to trigger - and he's gonna possess nuclear weapons.' 'And so I want to be recorded for history's purpose if nothing else to say those of us who oppose this deal understood where it would lead, and we are making a terrible mistake,' the then-senator concluded. 'And I fear that passage of this deal will make it even harder for us to prevent it. And I hope that there's still time to change our minds. 'But here's the good news - Iran may have a supreme leader, but America does not. 'In this nation, we have a republic and soon we will have new leaders... and I pray that on their first day in office they will reverse this deal and reimpose sanctions and back them up with a credible threat of military force or history will condemn us for not doing what needed to be done at this critical moment in the world's history.' President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal in his first term in office. Iran has launched missile attacks across the Middle East as it vowed a 'crushing' retaliation to the United States and Israel's joint daylight strike today. Explosions were heard across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi amid fears the region may now be on the brink of all-out war. Several US bases have been subjected to missile attacks, including Al Dhafra air base in UAE, Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, Muwaffaq al-Salti in Jordan and Al Udeid air base in Doha, Qatar, as Israel warned its citizens of impending drone attacks. Iran has claimed to have struck a total of 14 US military bases across the Middle East, its state news agency Tasnim reported, as it was reported tonight that Iran's Foreign Minister has written a letter to the United Nations secretary-general and president of the UN security council stating that all US, Israeli bases and assets in the region are legitimate military targets. Iran's Foreign Ministry said on X: 'The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy's military assault.' Huge plumes of black smoke were seen close to the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain, though the extent of the damage has not been confirmed. Iranian drones also targeted Kuwait's international Airport; however, the attack only caused light injuries to several workers and limited material damage, the Kuwaiti news agency reported. Elsewhere in Tel Aviv, strikes remain ongoing as explosions have been seen in the sky after air raid sirens were sounded across the city, with alerts also heard in Jerusalem and across northern and southern Israel as residents desperately fled the streets. Tehran's leadership has vowed a 'crushing' response to the United States and Israel's joint daylight missile strike, with US bases across the Middle East now considered targets. Pictured: Al Udeid air base in Doha, Qatar following a strike on Saturday Dramatic footage and images have captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was hit and set ablaze by an Iranian missile Huge plumes of black smoke were also seen close to the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain Your browser does not support iframes. A spokesperson for the Iranian Red Crescent said that so far 201 have been killed in today's attacks on the country, according to reporting from Iranian outlets. 747 are reported to be injured, and 24 provinces out of Iran's 31 are said to have been hit. Meanwhile, tourists in Dubai have been left running for their lives after dramatic footage emerged online captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was hit and set ablaze. The sheer speed of the missile - which is said to be able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound - can be heard cutting through the air before blasting into the hotel. Located a half-hour drive from Dubai International Airport, rooms at the opulent hotel average 292 a night, while guests wanting a more upmarket stay in the presidential suite can spend closer to 828 a night. Four people have been injured in the 'incident' in the Palm Jumeirah area of the city, according to the government of Dubai's Media Office. Israel said that it had completed a 'broad strike' against Iran - but in return was subjected to a heavy barrage of ballistic missile attacks across the country. Two central areas of Israel have been hit by Iranian missiles, however, no deaths have been reported in the incident, according to AlJazeera. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have said 'several senior figures' in the Iranian regime have been 'eliminated' in today's airstrikes on the region. The official stated that members of the Iranian regime were hit at the same time at three sites, the BBC reported. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told the BBC this evening that he was 'not in a position to confirm' whether members of Iran's senior leadership targeted by the US and Israel are unharmed. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was 'alive' as far as he was aware but Iran 'may have lost one or two commanders'. An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago. The IDF also said this evening on the encrypted messaging app Telegram that approximately 200 of their fighter jets had completed the 'largest ever military flyover in the history of the Israeli Air Force'. They said the jets had completed an extensive attack against the missile and defence systems of the Iranian regime in western and central Iran. Kuwait International Airport after being targeted by Iranian drones. The attack caused minor injuries to several workers and damage to the site Residents among general destruction caused by a missile fired from Iran, in Rosh Haayin, Israel Members of Israel's military Search and Rescue Brigade and a police officer attend the scene of where damage was caused by missiles Your browser does not support iframes. Smoke plumes were seen rising over Abu Dhabi following an Iranian air strike on the UAE Two Royal Air Force Airbus A400M military transport aircraft departed from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, for Akrotiri this morning, data from FlightRadar showed Since this morning, the IDF identified at least three waves of ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. The Home Front Command in Israel has been continuously sending alerts to mobile phones warning citizens to head for their safe rooms and shelters. Sirens originally sounded across Tel Aviv, with the alerts later heard in Jerusalem, as well as across northern and southern Israel. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has announced it will remain closed until at least Monday, with airlines including the Lufthansa group suspending flights for the next week to Israel and across the Middle East. Israel has also called up 20,000 reservists, in addition to the 50,000 reservists currently on duty. The IDF told civilians that they must remain in bomb shelters until further notice. 'You are requested to continue following the Home Front Command instructions and the guidelines distributed to you. You must remain in a protected area until an official notice is given,' the army said. Images have emerged showing terrified residents fleeing for safe rooms and shelters, while hospital patients were placed in a car park at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv for safety, following the sounding of sirens. Today's joint operation, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned the Iranian regime 'must not be armed with nuclear weapons'. 'My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. He said the regime had 'spilled our blood', and 'murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people.' Israeli citizens were seen running to their shelters amid warnings of a missile strike on Israel Residents in Tel Aviv are seen taking shelter amid warnings of incoming ballistic missiles Israeli citizens were this morning warned to stay close to shelters amid incoming missiles A map of sirens sounding across Israel shortly after 9am on Saturday morning Thick smoke was seen rising across the skyline of Tel Aviv, as residents have been warned to stay in their shelters until further notice Smoke trails in the sky were spotted after Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system shot down missiles over Jerusalem A mother cradles her newborn baby while sheltering in an underground station in Tel Aviv Israeli citizens have been told to shelter for much of the day amid continuing air strikes President Benjamin Netanyahu said the purpose of the operation was to remove the 'existential threat' posed by Iran An incoming projectile explodes over water close to Haifa Bay in northern Israel Jews gather and pray as they take shelter in Tel Aviv following continuing strikes on Iran 'This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity,' he said. 'Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. 'The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. 'Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.' Israel remains on high alert as Iran has warned that it has launched 'dozens of attack drones', which are due to reach the country within the next few hours. In a statement this morning, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army said it carried out a 'first extensive drone offensive operation against specific targets in the occupied territories and all interests of the Zionist regime.' Israel reported that at least 35 ballistic missiles had been launched at the country in the last few hours. Meanwhile, at least 53 have died after a girls' school in Iran was struck by 'three missile attacks', according to the country's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). A spokesperson for the country's Ministry of Education said another 63 people had been injured in the strike as searches for other victims among the school's debris continue. More than 15 have died after a gymnasium was hit by US-Israeli attacks in Lamerd, Iran, as the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed their 'powerful operations' will 'continue with greater force,' AlJazeera reported. Your browser does not support iframes. Iron Dome air defence system missiles are seen going into action as Iran launched ballistic missiles towards Israel A couple with their two children are seen rushing towards their shelter amid warning sirens Citizens gather in their safe room in Haifa, northern Israel on Saturday morning amid sirens Qatar has warned its citizens to 'remain indoors' and to 'stay away from windows and open areas...until the situation stabilizes' with several loud blasts heard in the city of Doha today. The Hormuz Strait, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is closed, according to Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to Iran's IRGC. Ships had received messages from the IRGC that no vessels were allowed to pass through the Strait, according to 'sources' who spoke with Tasnim News Agency. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated they received several reports that ships had been warned of the Hormuz Strait's closure. Today's action comes just over eight months after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles across the Middle East in revenge for strikes on its nuclear sites. At that time, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed to 'inflict heavy blows' in a chilling threat to civilians in Tel Aviv, having blamed Israel for starting a war. Iran claimed they fired 'hundreds' of missiles, the IDF insisted fewer than a hundred were launched, with most either 'intercepted or fallen short'. Israel has named its latest operation 'Lion's Roar', following on from its previous operation in June, which was named 'Rising Lion'. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. Iran has since called on the United Nations to 'address the US and Israeli regime's act of aggression, in a letter to the diplomatic bloc. In a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, they told the organisation to 'bear the responsibility for international peace'. They also described the US and Israel's strikes as 'acts of aggression' that were a 'breach of peace which is a real and serious threat to international peace and security.' Your browser does not support iframes. Hospital staff are moving patients to safety amid a vow from Tehran of a 'crushing' response Patients are placed in a car park at Sourasky Medical Center for safety after sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following 'pre-emptive' strikes on Tehran this morning People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday It comes as President Trump announced the United States had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran, with explosions heard in five cities across the country. In a video posted to Truth Social, he claimed Iran had continued to expand its nuclear programme and has plans to develop missiles to reach the US. 'We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, it will be totally, again, obliterated,' Trump said. 'We're going to annihilate their navy, we're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called, to gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. 'And we will ensure that Iran does not attain a nuclear weapon a very simple message: They will never have a nuclear weapon.' The latest strikes come as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said they were a necessity 'to remove threats'. Several hospitals in Israel have launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities. As events unfold this morning, exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to prepare to return to the streets as he claimed the Islamic Republic was 'collapsing'. In a message to the nation, Pahlavi called on members of the military, police and security forces to break with the clerical regime and back what he described as a 'stable and secure' transition. Addressing security forces directly, Pahlavi said they had sworn to defend Iran and its people, not the Islamic Republic, warning they would 'sink' with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei if they failed to switch sides. He described the US action as a 'humanitarian intervention' targeting the regime's repression apparatus rather than the Iranian nation, and appealed to President Donald Trump to exercise maximum caution to avoid civilian casualties. In the last two years, Israeli military operations have killed some of Iran's senior military officials and severely weakened several of Tehran's once-feared proxy forces across the Middle East. After Israel struck Iran in a 12-day air battle last June alongside the US, the two countries warned they would hit Iran again if they pressed ahead with their missile programmes. The threats were backed up in recent weeks by a U.S. military build-up in the region, even as Iranian and U.S. officials held nuclear talks. A woman runs for cover following an explosion in Tehran on Saturday People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday The United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office. The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. UK nationals in Qatar have also been warned by the British Embassy in Doha to shelter in place following this morning's strikes. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security concerns. The Foreign Office has also moved some staff based at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents to another location in Israel. 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer urged against further escalation. And while he maintained the UK did not participate in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, he said British planes are 'in the sky today' to 'protect our people, our interests and our allies'. Earlier today, the UK tightened security at its Akrotiri air base in Cyprus despite stating was 'not involved' in the strikes. Two Royal Air Force Airbus A400M military transport aircraft departed from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, for Akrotiri this morning, with one landing at 1.15pm local time, and the other at 2.30pm. A UK government civilian plane left from the air base this morning heading for Britain. NATALIE LISBONA: Israelis would rather face weeks in bomb shelters than allow existential threat from Iran Earlier this month, the RAF sent six F-35B fighters to join the 10 Typhoons that are already stationed at Akrotiri, in anticipation of the region becoming 'hot', The Times reported. Natalie Lisbona, Middle East Correspondent, Tel Aviv For three weeks, a sense of inevitability had been building in Israel. The question was no longer whether a regional war would erupt, but when. Schoolchildren were sent home with their books in anticipation of possible closures, and hospitals activated emergency contingency plans. On Friday, the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, issued an unusually stark warning urging American staff to leave 'TODAY', while the British Embassy moved personnel out of Iran. Even so, many in the region clung to the belief that the deployment of US naval fleets and air power to the region was a calculated show of force leverage intended to corner Tehran into a nuclear agreement. A source familiar with the situation, who could not be named, told me: 'It's in the DNA of Iran's regime to wreck deals.' Though it was clear that the Trump administration's patience had worn thin, officials maintained that further talks were scheduled for Friday. Israel, of course, has long prized the element of surprise. At 8.13 on Saturday morning, the unrelenting, piercing shriek that has become grimly familiar sounded from our phones, instructing us to seek shelter. As so many times over the past two years, Israelis took cover. This time, Israel and the United States had begun targeting Iranian Republics sites by air, land and sea. 'Operation Epic Fury' was underway. American forces struck military installations, while Israel focused on sites linked to the Iranian regime and its senior leadership, the Ayatollah Khamenei is the prime target. Israeli officials assess that the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Mohammad Pakpour, was likely killed in the morning's strikes. Pakpour became head of the IRGC after Israel killed his predecessor, Hossein Salami, at the outset of the June 2025 war. Officials further assess that Iran's defence minister and intelligence chief may also have been killed, though it is too early to confirm. Tehran's leadership was behind the October 7 attacks and has for years destabilized the region through proxy groups. There is little expectation here that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would allow Iran's nuclear program to advance to the point of producing an atomic bomb. He has said the campaign aims to 'create conditions' for Iranians to change their destiny after years of repression of their own people. 'For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called out 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America.' 'It has shed our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people,' Netanyahu said in a televised address. 'This murderous terror regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity.' Iran retaliated almost immediately, launching approximately 35 ballistic missiles at the time of writing. It also struck all US bases in the Gulf, apart from in Oman, drawing us deeply into a regional conflict. Heavy booms echoed in the distance as missile defence systems engaged. Authorities instructed media outlets not to report the locations of impact sites; as of this writing, there have been no confirmed direct hits inside Israel. It's anticipated that this won't be as heavy as it was during June's 12-day war, this has been planned with Washington for months, but all eyes will be on the regime's proxy response, including, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas. Despite Israeli soldiers heading into yet another conflict, many here frame the moment in stark terms. Ask almost any Israeli and they will say they would rather endure weeks in shelters than allow what they see as an existential threat from Tehran to go unanswered. Donald Trump has condemned Iran's 'vicious' leaders' 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder' as he announces strikes on the country. The US President spoke via a video on Truth Social following a daylight missile attack, launched by the US and Israel on Iran. Trump vowed 'to raze [the country's] missile industry to the ground' as he stressed the region's terrorist proxies would be 'obliterated' and troops would face 'certain death' if they did not lay down their weapons. Iran had 'waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder', Trump said in his eight-minute-long address, while asserting his country would not tolerate 'mass terror'. Stressing how the regime's proxies continued to launch attacks on US forces in the Middle East in recent years, he added: 'It's been mass terror, and we are not going to put up with it any longer. 'From Lebanon to Yemen, and from Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias which have soaked the earth with blood and guts.' It comes as the first apparent strike was launched on Iran following weeks of knife-edge tensions between the countries. They are believed to have targeted the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this morning. However, officials have said the 86-year-old, who has not been seen in public for days, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location, as unverified reports claim Iranian cities, including Isfahan and Tabriz, have been hit. Meanwhile, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to prepare for an uprising and to take to the streets in the midst of the Islamic Republic's collapse. Donald Trump has condemned Iran's 'vicious' leaders' 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder' as he announces strikes on the country The explosions come as tensions are heightened between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme He warned civilians to stay at home for now and to prepare to mobilise, ready for his instructions. Describing the US's attacks as 'humanitarian intervention', he reminded security forces they had sworn to protect the Iranian people and not IS and its leaders. He urged that if they did not switch sides, they would 'sink' alongside the current regime and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, in his statement, Donald Trump described the Iranian regime as a 'vicious group of very hard, terrible people'. 'For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and has waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder,' he said. 'Targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many many countries. 'Among the regime's first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, holding of dozens of American hostages for 444 days. 'In 1983, Irans proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut, which killed 241 US military personnel. 'In 2000, they knew and were probably involved in the attack on the USS Cole. Many died, Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. Plumes of smoke rise into the air following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026 This week Trump made the grave warning that Iran is manufacturing weapons that could soon strike the US A woman runs for cover following an explosion in Tehran Smoke rises over residential area after an explosion in Tehran, Iran 'The regimes proxies have continued to send attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US vessels in international shipping lanes. 'It's been mass terror, and we are not going to put up with it any longer. 'From Lebanon to Yemen, and from Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias which have soaked the earth with blood and guts.' Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned the Iranian regime 'must not be armed with nuclear weapons'. 'My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. He said the regime had 'spilled our blood', and 'murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people'. 'This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity,' he said. 'Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. 'The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. 'Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.' It is understood that the UK did not participate in the attacks and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later today. Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' with explosions rocking northern Israel shortly after 8am on Saturday morning. The Israeli military said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, announced that the country is under a state of emergency as thick smoke rose from an explosion in downtown Tehran (pictured) More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes The IDF launched the surprise 'preemptive' attack in coordination with the US, according to Israeli and American officials Hospital staff move patients in a parking lot at Sourasky Medical Center for safety after sirens sounded in Tel Aviv Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all-out war. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office. The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. Your browser does not support iframes. Israelis run for cover after Iran unleashed retaliatory strikes in the country People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday A man looks on as a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Mr Khamenei's office on Saturday morning. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, without offering a cause. There have also been unverified reports of explosions in other locations across Iran including Isfahan, the third biggest city, and Tabriz. More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace and mobile phone services were cut as internet access dropped by over half, according to NetBlocks. Israel has warned its own citizens to prepare to take cover if the Iranians fight back, with sirens already being heard across Israel. The country's Defense Force said: 'This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel.' Airspace above Israel was closed to civilian flights following the strike this morning. An image shows smoke billowing from a building after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday morning A man carries two children as he runs to take shelter after sirens sounded in Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026 Thick clouds of smoke rising in Tel Aviv on February 28, 2028 Rubble and destroyed building in Tehran after US and Israeli launch strikes on the city on February 28, 2026 The explosions come as tensions rose between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme. Earlier today, Trump denounced the regime as the 'world's number one stage sponsor of terror', which had recently killed 'tens of thousands of its own people as they protested'. 'It has always been the police of the United States, in particular my administration that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon,' the US president added. 'I will say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon.' He also said 'Iran's proxy Hamas' 'launched the monstrous October 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1000 innocent people'. Trump lambasted the incident as 'brutal' and 'something like the world has never seen before'. He said they 'sought repeatedly to make a deal' with Iran, but claimed the regime continuously changed its mind. 'They didnt know what was happening; they just wanted to practice evil,' he said. 'Iran refused just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every possibility to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore. 'Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and continue developing their long-range missiles, which can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe and our troops' stations overseas and could soon reach the American homeland. 'Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and were actually armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message.' The US president maintained that for these reasons, the US would undertake 'a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America' and its national security interests. 'This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the US armed forces,' he added. 'I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration, and there is no military even close to its power, strength or sophistication.' He warned that while his administration had taken 'every possible step to minimise risk to US personnel in the region, 'the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost' in what he described as a 'noble mission'. 'We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and their children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran,' he said. 'We are the greatest in the world, and [the US armed forces] will prevail. 'To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police. Smoke billows into the sky of Tehran after Israel launches a second wave of airstrikes on February 28, 2026 A woman runs with her dog for shelter in Haifa, northern Israel after the US and Israel launch strikes on Iran A snip of a video of people inspecting an impacted site in Tehran following airstrikes from the US and Israel on February 28, 2026 'I say tonight you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative face certain death. 'So lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.' He then turned his address to the 'great proud people of Iran', saying it was their 'hour of freedom' that was at hand. Warning them to stay sheltered and at home, he urged them to 'take' their government after the US operation is over. 'This will probably be your only chance for generations,' he said. 'For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it.' 'No president was willing to do what I was willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is willing to give you what you want. 'So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. 'Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is in your reach. 'This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May god bless the brave men and women of Americas armed forces. 'May god bless the United States of America. May god bless you all.' The Bureau of Meteorology's upgraded website, which cost almost $100million to roll out, failed right when South Australians needed it in the middle of brutal weather. 'Some observation and forecasting information is unavailable,' a message on the bureau's website read on Saturday. 'Bureau technicians are currently working on a resolution.' It is understood the website crashed and then failed to record rainfall levels from about 5.30am until it was eventually fixed in the evening. The fault came as people in South Australia were warned about a deluge of rain and severe thunderstorms. Forecasters warned the severe weather could lead to flash-flooding in parts of the north, west and southeast of the state. Those affected wrote to The Advertiser expressing their dismay at the bureau's technical issue, with one reader rating the webpage a 'big fat zero'. 'Unbelievable. The day it rains and we need to check rainfalls for safety when travelling, the BOM website is not recording rainfall levels,' another user said. Massive downpours and flash flooding have pummelled parts of South Australia (stock image) But, as the deluge of rain began, the Bureau of Meteorology website crashed A third person commented on the high cost of the bureau's website upgrade. 'Isn't it amazing that after spending $96m, the BOM can't show me how much rain we had overnight? Thank heavens for the old rain gauge,' they said. It was revealed in November last year that the major redesign and launch of the bureau's website cost taxpayers $96million. The staggering fee was significantly higher than the figure originally declared: $4.1million. It is understood the initial number did not include a $78million website design contract for 'private consultation' by Accenture Australia. Responding to queries about the technical difficulties, a spokesperson for the bureau confirmed late on Saturday that the issue had been resolved. 'All forecasts, warnings, and observation information are now showing on the BOM App and Bureau website,' they told the Daily Mail. 'Bureau technicians were made aware of a fault that has now been resolved.' A spokesperson for the bureau confirmed late on Saturday that the issue had been resolved South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has warned residents to prepare for the risks that lie ahead for the state. 'When we start to see rain events north of 50, 60, 80ml, that starts to represent the sort of conditions where we will see flash flooding,' he said. 'If we see that volume of rain in a short period of time, then we should anticipate flash-flooding events throughout the state.' A severe weather warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall has been issued for much of the state. This includes Adelaide, Mount Lofty Ranges, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Kangaroo Island, Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East, Lower South East, North East Pastoral and parts of West Coast and North West Pastoral districts. Central Australia's big wet is slowly but surely headed south. Senior Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jon Fischer said the slow-moving tropical low - which has sat over the Simpson Desert in the southeast Northern Territory for a week - was highly unusual. 'We've all seen images of roads being washed away, impacts to the rail line and usually dry creeks turning into torrents,' Mr Fischer said. The system is forecast to move southeast over the course of the weekend, with a flood watch issued for all catchments across the state. Adelaide was expected to feel the effects late on Sunday and overnight into Monday morning. Flood warnings remain for large parts of central Australia, with much of the water flowing into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. A failed asylum seeker sparked a major terror alert after he left a fake stick of dynamite outside MI5's HQ. Julian Valente Pereira, a 32-year-old Brazilian national, staged a protest at the secret services central London base at Thames House a day after he had been told he would be kicked out of the UK. Bizarre CCTV footage from outside the building shows Pereira stuffing paperwork about his immigration case through the doors of the building. He then drops the 'dynamite' by the steps of the entrance, allowing the CCTV operator to zoom in to reveal what appeared to be a fuse hanging out of the top of the brown cylinder. Pereira moves the object, propping it up against the MI5 HQ doors, with a green cigarette lighter positioned nearby, he then walks off leaving the fake explosive and papers at the door. A counter terrorism bomb expert rushed to the scene where it was then discovered Pereira had used rolled-up A4 paper, brown masking tape, and string to create the fake dynamite. The incident happened on January 1, the day after Pereira's final appeal for asylum had been dismissed by a judge. Following a trial at City of London Magistrates' Court, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Pereira guilty of carrying out a bomb hoax, concluding he had wanted those watching to believe the device was real. Bizarre CCTV footage from outside the building shows Julian Valente Pereira, a 32-years-old Brazilian national, leaving a stick of fake dynamite outside MI5 HQ in central London Pereira then drops the 'dynamite' by the steps of the entrance, allowing the CCTV operator to zoom in to reveal what appeared to be a fuse hanging out of the top of the brown cylinder Pereira has been remanded into custody until sentencing on April 1, and the footage of the incident has now been released by the Crown Prosecution Service. Prosecutor Shannon Revel told the trial Pereira has admitted he wanted 'maximum attention' on his complaints against the Home Office, after a long-running failed bid for asylum. 'No-one was going to pay attention to this act if they thought it was masking tape and paper,' she said. 'The attention he desperately wanted on January 1 is only achieved by the fact that someone believed that object could explode.' Pereira came to the UK with permission to work in July 2018 and has remained in the country illegally since February 2019. 'The defendant attended Thames House in Millbank, knowing it to be the headquarters of the security services MI5,' said Ms Revel. 'He tried to open the doors of the building without success. 'He started to push pieces of paper between the closed doors that were locked.' Ms Revel added that Pereira then produced his object 'designed to look like a stick of dynamite'. Pereira used rolled-up A4 paper, brown masking tape, and string to create the fake dynamite Pereira staged a protest at the secret services central London base at Thames House a day after he had been told he would be kicked out of the UK Giving evidence, Pereira said he left the object at the front of MI5 because he wanted to 'catch the attention' of the security services. 'I swear it wasn't my intention to cause any disruption on Vauxhall Bridge,' he said. He told the court he had also visited Buckingham Palace to throw a bag containing a copy of the immigration ruling and a knife stabbed through his ID inside the perimeter gates. In messages read out during the trial, Pereira had told a friend of his plan. 'I'm going to Buckingham Palace with a knife and one pen drive,' he wrote, adding: 'All the information is inside the pen drive.' When he was told to 'stop being an idiot', Pereira wrote: 'I'm going to try and get attention. 'I'm going to throw the bag into Buckingham Palace.' In a note on his phone from August 2025, Pereira wrote about 'MI5 terrorising people inside hotels', and added: 'I need to see the King.' He also said he planned to 'give information' to the Archbishop of Canterbury as a precaution. When giving evidence, Pereira insisted the device he left outside MI5 would not have been mistaken for an explosive, but added: 'The news inside was dynamite.' Pereira was arrested in his room at an asylum hotel in Uxbridge, west London, and told officers about his 'long and tireless battle with the Home Office to try to attain asylum', said the prosecutor. The court heard that Pereira made allegations of Home Office 'corruption', claimed illegal immigrants are employed by the Government department, and said those in the system are living in 'squalor'. Judge Goldspring was also told that Pereira handed himself in to police as an overstayer in October 2020, but later sought asylum after being told to leave the UK. He was placed in asylum seeker accommodation in June 2021, asylum was refused in 2023, and his appeal against that decision was rejected by a judge on December 31 2025. The court heard that Pereira's paid-for accommodation was withdrawn on January 9. In his police interview, he told officers he has schizophrenia and had been hearing voices in his head. He denied carrying out a bomb hoax by placing an article with intent. The judge asked for reports on Pereira's mental health and risk of reoffending, and warned that he may be jailed or sent to the Crown Court for sentencing. The one item you might not expect to find on your teenage daughter's wish list is a sniper rifle. But that's what North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has gifted his 13-year-old Kim Ju Ae amid rumours he is grooming her to become the country's future leader. The despot was pictured, alongside his daughter, on Friday as he presented new sniper rifles to top government and military officials following a weeklong ruling party congress celebrating his leadership. Ju Ae, believed to be between 12 and 14 years old, was also seen looking down the barrel of a sniper rifle - with her increasingly prominent appearances fuelling speculation that Kim is lining her up as North Korea's next dictator. Kim called the weapons a sign of his 'absolute trust' and gratitude for their commitment over the past five years since the last Workers' Party congress in 2021, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday. The report also confirmed that Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong - who in recent years has served as his fierce spokesperson toward Washington and Seoul - now serves as the general affairs director of the party's central committee following a promotion at the congress. Her new title signals a broader role overseeing the party's internal operations and administrative affairs. State media photos showed Kim Yo Jong and other top officials aiming the rifles handed out by Kim Jong Un at a shooting range. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, pulls the trigger on a sniper rifle The despot gifted the new sniper rifles to top government and military officials following a weeklong ruling party congress celebrating his leadership North Korean soldiers salute their leader during military a parade in Pyongyang on Friday The dictator's teenage daughter, who was wearing a brown leather coat similar to her father's, was pictured looking down the firing range with binoculars and handling a sniper rifle as smoke rose from the barrel. Ju Ae made her first public appearance at a long-range missile test in November 2022. She has accompanied her father to a growing number of events, including military demonstrations, factory openings and a trip to Beijing in September, where Kim Jong Un held his first summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in six years. The party congress, which concluded on Wednesday in Pyongyang after seven days, is North Korea's most significant political event. Held every five years since 2016, it is a carefully choreographed spectacle glorifying Kim's leadership before thousands of delegates. At this year's meetings, Kim doubled down on his plans to accelerate North Korea's nuclear arsenal, which already is equipped with various weapons systems threatening the United States and its allies in Asia, and confirmed his tough view of rival South Korea. But he also left the door open for dialogue with the US, reiterating Pyongyang's earlier stance calling for Washington to abandon demands for the North Korea's nuclear disarmament as a precondition for resuming long-stalled talks. South Korean officials and experts closely monitored the congress for signs Kim was preparing to extend the family's dynastic rule to a fourth generation by cementing his daughter as successor. Ju Ae's appearance comes amid speculation the North Korean leader is lining her up as his successor The teenager made her first public appearance at a long-range missile test in November 2022 Top government and military officials carrying cases which appeared to be containing the new sniper rifles Kim Jong Un and his heir-apparent daughter were pictured in matching outfits as they sang along with performers at a military parade marking the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea earlier this month Earlier this month, South Korea's spy agency said it assessed Kim Jong Un was close to designating her as heir. She was not seen at party meetings during the congress but shared center stage with her father at a military parade on Wednesday night marking its conclusion. Despite speculation she might receive a formal party post at the congress, state media reports indicated no such move and party rules require members to be at least 18 years old. Some experts say if Kim Jong Un sought to use the congress to solidify his daughter as successor, the signals would likely be subtle, such as self-congratulatory statements about North Korea's survival and crediting that endurance to the successful inheritance of the socialist cause. In a report assessing the congress on Thursday, North Korean state media said the meetings 'laid a solid foundation for the sacred effort to ensure and realise the glorious succession and development of our party'. Election monitors in Friday's Gorton and Denton by-election were told to show 'sensitivity' when looking for illegal 'family voting', it has emerged amid claims of fraud and calls for police to investigate. The Green Party won a crushing victory in the contest, securing 40.7 per cent of the ballot, with Reform UK finishing second and Labour pushed into third place in what had been a former stronghold. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage referred reports of so-called family voting to Greater Manchester Police, citing concerns about voters being accompanied into polling booths. He said: 'If this is what was happening at polling stations, just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes. If action isn't taken now, then we will ensure it is after the next general election' The guidance at the centre of the row, issued ahead of polling day, advises observers to be mindful of cultural differences when challenging cases where relatives appear to be influencing how someone casts their ballot. The move has sparked criticism in areas including Gorton and Denton, where monitors have previously been deployed amid concerns about breaches of ballot secrecy. Family voting - where one person accompanies another into a polling booth and seeks to influence their choice - was made a specific criminal offence in 2023. Presiding officers have the power to remove anyone interfering with another person's vote. Green Party's candidate Hannah Spencer reacts during vote counting in the Gorton and Denton by-election Nigel Farage seen holding scissors to cut the ribbon and Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin, during the campaign Party observers watch as votes are counted for the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central But The Telegraph revealed that observers must agree to a mandatory code of conduct requiring 'sensitivity for United Kingdom cultures and customs' and the 'highest level of professional conduct at all times'. Democracy Volunteers, an accredited monitoring group, said it witnessed 32 separate incidents of family voting across 15 of the 22 polling stations it observed, calling the proportion 'extremely high'. Mr Farage urged the Electoral Commission to liaise with Greater Manchester Police to ensure all reported incidents were properly investigated 'with a view to prosecute where the evidence supports it'. In a statement, he said: 'If this is what was happening at polling stations, just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes. 'If action isn't taken now, then we will ensure it is after the next general election. 'The principle of the secret ballot is the cornerstone of British democracy. When accredited observers document breaches on this scale, swift and transparent action by the regulator is essential to maintain trust in the entire electoral system.' He added that the Commission was 'both empowered and obliged' to review what happened in Gorton and Denton and examine 'any systemic weaknesses that allowed such widespread breaches of the secret ballot to occur'. Greater Manchester Police confirmed it is reviewing a report into the allegations and said a further update would be provided in due course. The Conservatives also wrote to the Electoral Commission to demand an inquiry into the alleged offences and the local council's handling of the situation. Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said Sir Keir Starmer's by-election loss was a consequence of previously 'harvesting' the Muslim vote, claiming this tactic 'came back to bite them'. Sir James Cleverly, the shadow communities secretary, said: 'Any cultural practice of husbands being allowed to instruct their wives how to vote is an insult to the hard-fought liberty of female suffrage. 'The rights of all British voters across class, colour and creed must be defended. The law must be applied equally and fairly to everyone.' A spokesman for the watchdog said: 'We take allegations of family voting very seriously. It is a criminal offence to attempt to pressure someone to vote in a certain way. We encourage anyone who believes an offence has occurred to report it to the police. 'We are in close contact with the returning officer and Greater Manchester Police to speedily and carefully review the concerns that have been raised. W 'We have received letters from Nigel Farage MP and Sir James Cleverly MP. We have replied, and will carefully consider the points raised.' Anthony Albanese has declared his support for a series of joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran's Islamic regime, as flights from Australia to the Middle East turn around. The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 'We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,' Albanese said in a statement on Saturday night. 'Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation. 'We continue to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.' Last year, Australia categorised the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism following the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador over allegations he directed attacks against Jewish targets in Sydney and Melbourne. These included a firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6, 2024, and an arson attack on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney two months earlier. 'Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression,' Albanese said in his statement. Anthony Albanese has declared his support for a series of joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran's Islamic regime The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei An Etihad flight from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was turned around 'For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation. 'Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australias Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty.' The government has upgraded Australias travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to 'Do Not Travel', with the warning: 'Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so'. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region. According to FlightRadar24, Qatar Airways and Etihad planes turned around just hours after taking off from Australian cities for Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The prime minister added that his government has called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Irans citizens. 'These calls have gone unheeded. Instead, the regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people, leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead,' he said. 'A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy.' Suren Edgar, 42, who moved to Australia from Iran in 2014, said Iranian-Australians watching from afar are experiencing deeply mixed emotions President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran with thick black smoke seen rising into the sky A vehicle explodes into flames after the US carried out strikes on Iran Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also issued a statement on Saturday night, offering prayers to the Iranian people and saying: 'May courage prevail'. 'The theocratic Iranian regime is authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent,' he said. 'Since 1979, the revolutionary Islamic government in Tehran has oppressed, imprisoned and murdered Iranians. 'It wants nuclear weapons, seeks the destruction of Israel, has encouraged terrorism through its proxies - Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis - and has supplied weapons to Russia to support Putins invasion of Ukraine. 'It is also responsible for acts of foreign interference in Australia and igniting antisemitism.' Suren Edgar, 42, who moved to Australia from Iran in 2014, told the Daily Mail Iranian-Australians watching from afar are experiencing deeply mixed emotions. 'For Iranian-Australians, this is deeply personal. Communication with Iran is currently unstable,' he said. 'Internet access is disrupted and phone lines are unreliable, making it extremely difficult to check on family members. A Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha was turned around People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday 'People here are anxiously trying to reach parents, siblings and loved ones, often without success.' Mr Edgar said some communications that have made it over said a portion of Iranians are sharing 'visible relief and even celebration' while others remain afraid for their safety. 'Many believe this escalation is the consequence of the Islamic Republics long-standing regional aggression, threats against other nations, and support for armed groups such as Hamas,' he said. 'There is also a painful truth: no foreign power has killed more Iranians than the Islamic Republic itself. 'The greatest loss of Iranian life in modern history has come at the hands of its own rulers. 'There is fear but there is also hope that this moment may finally open a path to change, and that one day Iranians will be free to determine their own future.' US President Donald Trump vowed to topple Iran's Islamic regime during an address on Saturday morning local time. He warned there may be 'US casualties' but said the 'objective is to defend the American people by eliminating the imminent threats from the Iranian regime'. But officials have said Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has not been seen in public for days, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location. Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' with explosions rocking northern Israel shortly after 8am on Saturday morning. The Israeli military said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all-out war. Questions have been raised about whether Sir Keir Starmer allowed the US President and his US bombers to use Diego Garcia so they could fly 3,500 miles to Iran. Last week, senior military figures urged the Prime Minister to put national security first and let Donald Trump use British bases for an attack on Iran. Meanwhile, the Chagossian First Minister, said he gave his 'blessing' for the United States to use the base at Diego Garcia to launch strikes on the Iranian regime. Misley Mandarin said they 'govern' and 'decide what happens' on the island while also giving Trump 'permission' to use the base 'in defence of peace'. The UK-US base, located in the Indian Ocean, plays a critical role in both countries' ability to deter their adversaries and transatlantic defence. Last May, Labour signed over sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius in exchange for retaining full operational control of the base on an initial 99-year lease. And a month before, the US sent an 'unprecedented' deployment of its heavy B-2 bombers to the Chagos Islands as tensions grew over nuclear talks with Iran. Six stealth bombers flew into the US airbase on Diego Garcia from Missouri in what was said to have been the 'largest single deployment in US history' as Trump was queried if he was preparing to strike Iran 3,500 miles away. Senior military figures previously urged Sir Keir Starmer to put national security first and let Donald Trump use British bases for an attack on Iran The Chagossian First Minister, Misley Mandarin, said he gave his 'blessing' for the United States to use the base at Diego Garcia to launch strikes on the Iranian regime Donald Trump today condemned Iran's 'vicious' leaders' 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder' as he announces strikes on the country And as the US and Israel launched a daylight missile attack on Iran today, with Trump vowing to 'raze their missile industry to the ground', questions have been raised over whether the President used the British overseas military base. Richard Tice, the Reform MP for Boston and Skegness took to X, saying 'the US & Israel rightly aim to protect us all in the West by destroying the dangerous Iranian regime'. However, he questioned whether 'Starmer & Labour cowardly refused to allow use of UK bases, including Diego Garcia?' He added: 'If so, they've seriously damaged the special relationship at a critical point in history.' Last week, Downing Street refused to give the US permission to launch an air strike from UK and overseas bases, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper telling US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Britain favoured 'diplomatic and economic pressure' on Iran. Trump was said to be particularly keen to use Diego Garcia as well as RAF Fairford in Suffolk to 'eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime' in Tehran. However, Sir Keir blocked US plans amid concerns over the legality of the air strikes, which the US were preparing to launch at the time. It is understood that the UK did not participate in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and that Sir Keir is set to chair a meeting of the Governments emergency Cobra committee this morning. Last week, Labour also came under fire from both the Conservative Party and former top brass over their decision to refuse US permission to launch air strikes, as they said Iran's nuclear programme 'poses a grave threat to Britain and our allies'. Reform MP Richard Tice took to X to question whether the Prime Minister had refused to allow the US President to use the overseas British military base A US Air Force B-1B bomber takes off from Diego Garcia on October, 7, 2001 Six B-2 bombers seen on the apron of the US military base on Diego Garcia island, April 2 Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a retired Royal Navy officer, said: At a time when our US ally needs to be reassured of Britains staunch opposition to brutal regimes and about its access to the Chagos Islands and [UK-US military base] Diego Garcia, our Government is proving unreliable and weak. Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe said: We absolutely should let the US use UK bases in launching targeted strikes against Iran. It would be madness not to. The Americans can use Diego Garcia anyway, as it is a joint base, but we should be actively supporting. Last April, when the US launched the 'largest single deployment in US history' as they flew six stealth bombers from Missouri to Diego Garcia, Trump was asked whether he was gearing up to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. At the time, he said: 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and if the talks aren't successful, I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran if that's the case.' US Air Force tankers were deployed across the Atlantic en route to the region at the time. However, retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson said refuelling bombers tasked with potentially travelling 3,500 miles from Diego Garcia to the Middle East would prove to be a challenge. With the B-2 Bombers, the US would be able to provide vital bunker busters, such as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (GBU-57), capable of penetrating up to 200ft and putting Iran's remaining nuclear sites in jeopardy. In May 2025, the Pentagon sent fighter jets to the military base in the Indian Ocean to protect assets there, the War Zone military news website reported. A senior officer from US Indo-Pacific Command said that F-15s had been deployed to 'provide force protection', without specifying how many. In March, satellite imagery showed C-17 cargo planes and KC-135 refuelling tankers had been moved to Chagos. And by the end of the month, the US said it had sent 'several' additional A-10 Warthogs to the Middle East, along with 300 airmen. It comes as airstrikes were launched on Iran today by, following weeks of tension building between Washington and Tehran. They are believed to have targeted the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, officials said the 86-year-old, who has not been seen in public for days, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location. Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' with explosions rocking northern Israel shortly after 8am on Saturday morning. The explosions come as tensions are high between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme The Israeli military said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all out war. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. President Trump announced today that the US had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran with explosions heard in five cities across the country. In a video posted to Truth Social, he claimed Iran had continued to expand its nuclear programme and has plans to develop missiles to reach the US. The operation in the Middle East has been dubbed 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defence, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. Keir Starmer will talk to French President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz as part of a series of calls with allies over the US-Israel attack on Iran, Downing Street said. It comes after Starmer convened the Government's emergency Cobra committee as missile strikes continue to rock the Middle East. US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a 'pre-emptive' strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East. It is understood that the UK was not involved in the US-Israeli strikes. A Government spokesperson said the UK did not want to see 'further escalation into a wider regional conflict' and reiterated Britain's support for a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Following the strikes, the Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Israel while embassies in Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have advised British nationals to shelter in place. The spokesperson added: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.' People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran Sir Keir Starmer will chair an emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday morning The United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun 'major combat operations in Iran.' He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. In a briefing with reporters, a military spokesman said Israel has identified 'a sharp acceleration' in Iran's missile program. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani says Iran was beginning to make dozens of ballistic missiles a month. He also said there had been no significant hits in Israel. He spoke just before noon, roughly four hours after the operation began. Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed its armed forces had 'commenced a decisive response to these hostile acts.' In a statement, it warned the Iranian people to travel to areas not included in the zones being targeted and said the government had made 'prior arrangements' to ensure the supply of basic necessities. Schools and universities were ordered to close while the statement said banks would continue to operate. The German government was informed in advance this morning about Israel's military strikes on Iran, a spokesman said on Saturday. Germany is in close consultation with its European partners, the spokesman said. Its crisis management team will meet at noon to discuss Iran. The government urged German citizens in Iran, Israel, and the wider region to register on the official system for citizens abroad and follow the instructions of the local authorities for their own protection. President Trump announced on Saturday morning the United States had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran with thick black smoke seen rising into the sky A vehicle explodes into flames after the US carried out strikes on Iran A man looks on as a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran The foreign ministry said it was in 'close and constant' contact with the embassies in Iran and Israel, as well as other missions in the region. Two officials with different Iran-backed militias in Iraq told The Associated Press that a meeting took place two months ago between Iranian officials and allied Iraqi militias to make plans for a response in case Iran was attacked, including distributing tasks among the Iraqi armed groups. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. One of the officials said it was decided that the response would target U.S. forces and interests in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region and in neighboring Jordan. U.S. troops have vacated bases where they were previously stationed in Iraq in areas under the control of the central government in Baghdad. This followed an agreement to end the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, but U.S. forces remain in the Kurdish region. One of the most prominent Iraqi militias, Kataib Hezbollah, on Thursday issued a public statement urging its fighters to 'be prepared to engage in a war of attrition that may be prolonged and exceed the expectations of the U.S. administration.' It also issued a warning to the Kurdish regional government in Iraq 'against collaborating with hostile foreign forces' that 'could threaten its security and future.' This is a breaking news story more to follow. Iran launched a barrage of missiles against US military bases in the Middle East in response to Donald Trump and Israel's massive assault on Saturday morning. Explosions rocked Bahrain the home of the US Fifth Fleet and other bases in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai as Iran's Foreign Ministry threatened to attack all American military assets in the region. Tehran launched one of its largest operations in a decade in retaliation to Trump's Operation Epic Fury. The United States responded by deploying its Patriot missile defense system to take down rockets before they reached the bases. An Iranian military spokesperson said 'we will teach Israel and America a lesson they have never experienced in their history'. 'Any base that helps America and Israel will be the target of the Iranian armed forces,' the spokesperson added. The first apparent strike followed weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, and targeted the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday morning. In response, Iran targeted US military bases around the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Bases in Oman appeared not to have been targeted, after acting as mediators in nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. The Fifth Fleet oversees some of the world's most combustible waters, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. In total, thousands of US sailors operate under Fifth Fleet's command at any given time, often alongside coalition partners including Britain and France. The Pentagon moved its ships out of the base earlier this week, indicating a widespread military operation and retaliation were expected. Announcing the strikes in the early hours of Saturday, Trump condemned Iran's 'vicious' leaders' 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder.' Trump vowed 'to raze [the country's] military industry to the ground as he stressed the region's terrorist proxies would be 'obliterated' and troops would face 'certain death' if they did not lay down their weapons. Iran had 'waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder,' Trump said in his eight-minute-long address, while asserting his country would not tolerate 'mass terror.' Explosions rocked Bahrain the home of the US Fifth Fleet as Iran's Foreign Ministry threatened to attack all American military assets in the region Stressing how the regime's proxies continued to launch attacks on US forces in the Middle East in recent years, he added: 'It's been mass terror, and we are not going to put up with it any longer. 'From Lebanon to Yemen, and from Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias which have soaked the earth with blood and guts.' As part of Iran's promised 'crushing response,' Israeli citizens were seen fleeing to shelters amid warnings of several incoming missile launches. Shortly after 8am, the Israeli Defense Forces said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat.' The IDF updated minutes later to warn: 'an additional barrage' had also been detected. Several areas have reported missile fragments falling to the ground but no injuries have so far been reported. Tehran launched one of its largest operations in a decade in retaliation to Trump's Operation Epic Fury. Smoke is seen rising over Manama, Bahrain, after an attack on a US base A plume of smoke rises above Tehran after the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes ob Saturday Rocket trails from Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system as Iran retaliates with strikes Explosions were also heard in Doha as Iran launched an enormous response The Home Front Command in Israel has sent alerts to mobile phones in the areas thought to be targeted, warning citizens to head for their safe rooms and shelters. Sirens originally sounded across Tel Aviv, with the alerts later heard in Jerusalem as well as across northern and southern Israel. Israel has also called up 20,000 reservists in addition to the 50,000 reservists currently on duty. The IDF has told civilians that they must remain in bomb shelters until further notice, The Times of Israel reported. 'You are requested to continue following the Home Front Command instructions and the guidelines distributed to you. You must remain in a protected area until an official notice is given,' the army said. Images emerging show hospital patients being placed in a parking lot at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv for safety following the sounding of sirens. This is the moment women laugh in disbelief as they realise Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran has been hit by an airstrike. Footage shows smoke billowing into the sky above the complex as screams and giggles ring out from a nearby rooftop where onlookers watch the blast. 'Oh my God they hit it. They struck it. Oh my God,' one woman shouts. The United States and Israel targeted Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in strikes on Saturday, though the outcome of the attacks remains unclear, an Israeli official said. The first strike happened near the offices of Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun 'major combat operations in Iran.' He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. Footage shows smoke billowing into the sky above the complex In a briefing with reporters, a military spokesman said Israel has identified 'a sharp acceleration' in Iran's missile program. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani says Iran was beginning to make dozens of ballistic missiles a month. He also said there had been no significant hits in Israel. He spoke just before noon, roughly four hours after the operation began. Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed its armed forces had 'commenced a decisive response to these hostile acts.' In a statement, it warned the Iranian people to travel to areas not included in the zones being targeted and said the government had made 'prior arrangements' to ensure the supply of basic necessities. Schools and universities were ordered to close while the statement said banks would continue to operate. The German government was informed in advance this morning about Israel's military strikes on Iran, a spokesman said on Saturday. Germany is in close consultation with its European partners, the spokesman said. Its crisis management team will meet at noon to discuss Iran. The government urged German citizens in Iran, Israel, and the wider region to register on the official system for citizens abroad and follow the instructions of the local authorities for their own protection. People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran A vehicle explodes into flames after the US carried out strikes on Iran The foreign ministry said it was in 'close and constant' contact with the embassies in Iran and Israel, as well as other missions in the region. Two officials with different Iran-backed militias in Iraq told The Associated Press that a meeting took place two months ago between Iranian officials and allied Iraqi militias to make plans for a response in case Iran was attacked, including distributing tasks among the Iraqi armed groups. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. One of the officials said it was decided that the response would target U.S. forces and interests in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region and in neighboring Jordan. U.S. troops have vacated bases where they were previously stationed in Iraq in areas under the control of the central government in Baghdad. This followed an agreement to end the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, but U.S. forces remain in the Kurdish region. One of the most prominent Iraqi militias, Kataib Hezbollah, on Thursday issued a public statement urging its fighters to 'be prepared to engage in a war of attrition that may be prolonged and exceed the expectations of the U.S. administration.' It also issued a warning to the Kurdish regional government in Iraq 'against collaborating with hostile foreign forces' that 'could threaten its security and future.' The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and 'architect' of the regime's brutal crackdown against protesters has reportedly been killed during the joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Saturday. IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour is said to have been 'eliminated' in strikes targeting the capital, Tehran, according to Israeli assessments. Tehran has vowed a 'crushing' response to the joint operation, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the US, Israel and Iran. Footage and photographs show dozens of smoking buildings in the Iranian capital close to the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Israeli media Channel 12, quoting unnamed Israeli sources, Khamenei's palace has been completely destroyed, though it is unclear whether the 86-year-old was present. An Israeli official confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian was also among those targeted by the strikes, alongside other senior regime and military commanders. The results of the strikes are currently unclear, but the official said there had been a 'very high success' from the operation, which Israel has named 'Lion's Roar'. The US meanwhile has named its military operation 'Epic Fury'. IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour is said to have been 'eliminated' in strikes targeting the capital, Tehran, according to Israeli assessments Pakpour, as head of the IRGC, was credited with being the 'architect' of the regime's brutal crackdown against protesters Hossein Salami was killed in in Israeli airstrikes, prompting the promotion of Pakpour last June Pakpour was appointed the new commander of the IRGC in June 2025 following the killing of his predecessor, Hossein Salami, in Israeli airstrikes. Promoted to the rank of major general, he was directed to 'enhance the IRGC's capabilities, readiness, and internal cohesion.' Pakpour came to prominence again in January as the man said to have directed the bloody massacre of tens of thousands of Iranians during a series of uprisings against the regime. According to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 6,872 people, mostly protesters, were killed in the crackdown, though they and other rights groups warn the toll is likely far higher. Some estimates place the death toll as exceeding 30,000. Just over a month ago Pakpour sent a stark warning to Israel and the United States 'to avoid any miscalculations' as tensions between the countries continued to rise. Referring to the conflict which took place in June 2025, Pakpour told US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to learn 'from historical experiences and what they learned in the 12-day imposed war, so that they do not face a more painful and regrettable fate.' He added, during his statement in January: 'The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and dear Iran have their finger on the trigger, more prepared than ever, ready to carry out the orders and measures of the supreme commander-in-chief a leader dearer than their own lives.' Since the strikes this morning, the Israeli military has identified dozens of ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'. Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all out war. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. President Trump announced the United States had begun 'major combat operations' amid claims Iran had continued to expand its nuclear programme and has plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He said: 'We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground, it will be totally, again, obliterated,' Trump said in his announcement. 'We're going to annihilate their navy, we're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. 'And we will ensure that Iran does not attain a nuclear weapon a very simple message: They will never have a nuclear weapon.' President Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said the purpose of the operation was to remove the 'existential threat' posed by Iran. He said: 'My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. 'I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has been shouting 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America'. 'It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. 'The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. 'I appeal to you, the citizens of Israel, to listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, in Operation "The Roar of the Lion", we will all be required to have endurance and fortitude. 'Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.' President Donald Trump launched an all-out attack on Iran in a surprise video address in the wee hours of the morning. He posted an eight-minute video from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, at 2:30 am ET announcing a 'major' campaign to ensure Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. The president also warned that US troops could be killed in the dangerous campaign. 'The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,' he stated. Since his announcement, strikes have been reported across the Middle East. Iran's Supreme Leader was targeted in a first wave of joint attacks with Israel. And Tehran launched an attack on the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and bases across the region. Trump declared he will 'raze their missile industry to the ground' as he warned troops in Iran to lay down their arms or face 'certain death.' Read Trump's speech in full below: A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. President Donald Trump launched an all-out attack on Iran in a surprise video address in the wee hours of the morning An explosion in the sea, after missiles were launched towards Israel from Iran following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, as seen from Haifa, northern Israel For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regimes very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Irans proxies carried out the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole, many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. Its been mass terror, and were not gonna put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. It was Irans proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7th attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal. Something like the world has never seen before. Iran is the worlds number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran The president also warned that US troops could be killed in the dangerous campaign Its always been the policy of the United States, in particular, my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. Ill say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regimes nuclear program at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons and we sought, repeatedly, to make a deal. We tried, they wanted to do it, they didnt want to do it, again they wanted to do it, they didnt want to do it. They didnt know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions and we cant take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland. Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain Just imagine how emboldening this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with, nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military has undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. Were going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. Were going to annihilate their navy. Were going to ensure that the regions terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Its a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and theres no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But were doing this not for now, were doing this for the future and it is a noble mission. Image shows damage at an impact site following US and Israeli strikes on Tehran A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harms way and we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world and they will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity or in the alternative, face certain death. So lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered, dont leave your home. Its very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran Jubilant protestors outside the Iranian Embassy in London this morning as attacks on Iran are underway For many years, you have asked for Americas help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close, within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May God bless the brave men and women of Americas armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you. A CNN anchor reporting live from Abu Dhabi was forced to seek shelter after a live broadcast was interrupted by blaring alarms when Iran launched a counterstrike in retaliation against US-led military action. The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday after weeks of tension and failed negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. Iran counterattacked by launching a wave of missiles against several Gulf Arab states, including Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, all of which house US military bases. British journalist Rebecca 'Becky' Anderson was anchoring CNN's flagship news and current affairs program from Abu Dhabi during the strikes, until the broadcast was abruptly interrupted by piercing alarms. Anderson notified viewers that her staff had been instructed to 'seek immediate shelter.' She calmly turned to the camera and said her team would adhere to the order, adding, 'Our breaking news coverage returns after this short break.' President Donald Trump released a video message shortly after the US strikes, vowing a 'massive and ongoing' effort against Iran to 'raze their military industry to the ground.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added in a separate statement: 'Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.' Israel and the US launched a military operation against Iran, prompting counterstrikes across the Middle East. Pictured above is a strike on a US base in Bahrain CNN anchor Rebecca 'Becky' Anderson was reporting live from Abu Dhabi when her team was told to find shelter in a dramatic on-air moment Trump said in a video message after the attacks that the military action would be 'massive and ongoing.' Pictured above is an explosion in the sea following the missile attack The strikes targeted Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran. Iran has promised 'crushing retaliation' for the attack. 'All occupied territories and the criminal US bases in the region have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles. This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated,' Iran's Revolutionary Guards said. Loud booms were heard across Abu Dhabi during the retaliatory attacks, with many receiving an alarming phone alert warning to shelter in the closest secure building and stay away from windows. One witness told Reuters she heard five booms that made the windows in her house vibrate. Fighter jets were also seen flying around the artificial Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi. One death has been reported in Abu Dhabi, according to Reuters. Global airlines have suspended flights across the Middle East as the region braced for military action. Trey Yingst, the chief foreign correspondent of Fox News, also found himself in a frightening on-air moment when his broadcast on the ground in Tel Aviv was interrupted by air raid sirens. Yingst continued the broadcast, but asked his producers to grab his bulletproof vest. The cameras continued to roll as Yingst took off his jacket and put on the vest as sirens rang out, warning citizens to take shelter. Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst took off his jacket and put a bulletproof vest on as sirens rang out during his live reporting from Tel Aviv Yingst continued the broadcast as sirens rang out and missiles were intercepted in the sky Sky News reporter Adam Parsons was seen in a bulletproof vest and helmet as he reported live from Jerusalem The cameraman then captured a missile interceptor piercing through the air over Tel Aviv as Israelis attempted to stop Iranian fire. In Jerusalem, Sky News reporter and Middle East Correspondent, Adam Parsons reported live on the ground with a 'Press' ballistics vest and a helmet as sirens rang out across the land. Parsons said the team had received reports of missiles on the way to Palestine. Loud booms from missile interceptors were heard in the background of the broadcast. Five explosions were also heard across Dubai, with a CNN team on the ground reporting smoke rising from an area near the Jebel Ali port. Bahrain officials have confirmed an attack at the US Fifth Fleet. Video footage obtained by Reuters showed gray smoke billowing along the coastline as sirens pierced through the air. Qatar's military said it had intercepted Iranian strikes, resulting in heavy booms heard throughout the capital city of Doha. Countries across the Middle East launched interceptors to stop Iranian missiles. Pictured above is a reported rocket interception seen in Abu Dhabi Citizens across the Middle East were told to seek shelter during the military operations. A smoke plume rising in Abu Dhabi from an Iranian missile strike is pictured above Anwar Gargash, the UAE president's advisor, told CNN that the military strikes present a 'lot of challenges' for the Middle East. 'Our part is to work together with the United States and neighbors like Iran in order to ensure the stability and security of the region clearly this time we have failed,' he said. Gargash added in his first remarks to the outlet that the UAE had not been given notice of the military operation, but officials were not surprised, given the state of Iranian-US negotiations. The death toll for the military operations remains unclear, but Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that 40 girls at a school near the strikes were killed and at least 45 others were wounded. Syrian state television reported four people killed by an Iranian missile, while Iraqi officials reported two people killed in a drone strike. Authorities are searching for the origin of a mysterious white substance found at a mosque in Perth. Officers quickly rushed to the place of worship on William Street in Northbridge at about 1am on Saturday after reports of a melee outside the building. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a white, 'non-suspicious substance' on the steps outside, 7News reports. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the powder posed no risk to the community. However, he added that the discovery had been concerning. 'We don't know if it was in fact targeted at the mosque, but certainly, given the location, we are doing an investigation,' he said. The matter has been elevated to the State Security Investigation Unit, which handles serious security threats such as suspected terrorism and extremism. CCTV footage will be reviewed by police as they hunt the person who may have placed the substance in the area. Any connection between the scuffle and the powder is also being investigated. Police found a white substance outside a mosque on William Street in Northbridge, Perth, about 1am on Saturday WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the powder had never posed any risk to the public but that its placement had been concerning It is unknown whether the white substance was an attempt at intimidation, a prank or unrelated to an alleged terror plot. Perth had already been on high alert as, just hours before, it was revealed Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, had been charged in an unrelated incident. He was accused of preparing for a 'terrorist act' on public buildings, including mosques. Police said they had carried out a search at a home in Bindoon, about 80km from Perth, where officers allegedly seized firearms, imitation firearms, a knife collection, ballistic vest, gas masks, and lock-picking equipment. Commissioner Blanch told reporters on Friday that officers allegedly also found a notebook written as a 'manifesto-style document'. It 'outlined preparations for a terrorist attack at significant locations, including the WA Police Headquarters, Parliament House and places of Muslim faith', he said. He alleged the messages contained 'white supremacy ideology' and 'anti-Muslim ideology', 'antisemitism' and other conversations about minority groups, which he described as 'abhorrent'. Following the raid on the Wheatbelt property, Michaels, who lives with his parents, was charged with five offences. Premier Roger Cook said the young man's alleged plan had been for a 'mass casualty event'. He said the counter terrorism team 'had prevented an alleged act of terror in our city' to 'attack the heart of our democracy'. 'Whatever our differences, we all have the right to go about our lives free from the fear of violence,' he said. After an appearance at Perth Magistrate's Court on Friday, Michaels' bail was refused while the matter remains before the court. Western tourists have been seen running for their lives from supersonic Iranian missiles targeting the United Arab Emirates, amid fears of an all-out war escalating in the Middle East. Influencers in the populous city of Dubai have taken to social media to speak of their shock in being caught up in the retaliatory strikes, which have come just hours after the US and Israel embarked on an air assault targeting the Iranian regime, on Saturday morning. The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said unnamed Israeli sources had revealed there were 'growing indications' the leader had been killed during this morning's air strikes or that he was 'hurt at the very least'. Iran has so far launched revenge attacks across the region, with missiles reported in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudia Arabia. Dramatic footage and images captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit and set ablaze to the front of the building's exterior by an ultra-fast Shahed drone. Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances had rushed to the scene. 'Dubai Civil Defence has confirmed that the resulting fire is now under control. Four individuals sustained injuries and have been transferred to medical facilities,' the authority added. The sheer speed of the missile - which is said to be able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound - can be heard on video footage cutting through the air before blasting into the hotel. Dramatic footage and images have captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was hit and set ablaze by an Iranian missile Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances had rushed to the scene An orange aura filled the air as the missile struck at supersonic speed into the luxury hotel A cyclist watches in horror as a supersonic missile launched by Iran falls over Dubai The Iranian-made Shahed drone is said to be able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound (file pic) British influencer Will Bailey, who was close to the Fairmont hotel in Dubai, expressed his shock as the missile landed just metres away from him Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Located a half-an-hour drive from Dubai International Airport, rooms at the opulent hotel average 292 a night, while guests wanting a more upmarket stay in the presidential suite can spend closer to 828 a night. The hotel is located on Dubai's famed man-made island The Palm. British influencer Will Bailey, who has just landed in Dubai and was sitting poolside at the hotel, said: 'That was metres away from us. Look at this. 'That is the Fairmont hotel in Dubai. Oh my God, oh my God.' He added: 'Oh my days, over the beach club is f****** mental. Literally directly above us. That is insane. They were so loud. 'I have no words. In the safest city in the world. Wow.' Meanwhile Samantha, who lives in Dubai Hills, reported seeing the missile pass over her head some 26km away from the hotel. 'It's panic. Total panic. I saw it passing above my head', she said, speaking to the Mail. 'I'm stressed out because any one little part of a missile could come on top of our building.' And with the United Arab Emirates having said it has now 'partially and temporarily' closed its airspace as a precaution, according to state media, Brits trying to flee the country have found themselves stuck. One such passenger was forced off a plane from Dubai back to London just minutes after boarding as flights in and out of the Emirati nation were grounded. Mike Boreham was on the British Airways flight 108 to Heathrow Airport with hundreds of others when the UAE came under fire from retaliatory Iranian missiles. He told The Independent: 'We were all boarded. The flight is completely full. 'About ten minutes after the "boarding complete" announcement, we were told airspace is closed.' The passengers headed back into the terminal and it is unclear when the flight will be able to depart as planned. Elsewhere, a short 11-second clip has emerged online showing the brief moment Iranian ballistic missiles were shot out of the sky above the UAE city. Westerners poolside watch on as Iranian missiles are intercepted in the skies of Dubai today In the video, with over half a million views, the woman says, 'Oh my god' as she pans the camera across the pool and back up to two plumes of smoke in the sky Samantha Dicomo, 50, (pictured) who has lived in Dubai for eight years, said the explosion at Al-Dhafra air base was so powerful it made the walls of her home in tremble 18-year-old influencer Julis, shared a clip of herself working on a laptop in a cafe, shortly after 'hear[ing] explosions in Dubai'. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. People were soaking up the sun beside the pool as two clouds expanded in the blue sky above. SHAHED-136 'KAMIKAZE' DRONES Iranian-made Shahed-136 'kamikaze' drone The Shahed-136 is an unmanned drone model developed by Iran and deployed by Russia on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. It is designed to attack ground targets from a distance in a kamikaze-style assault. The AI-powered autonomous drone have been spotted in terrifying footage coming out of the Middle East as Iran retaliates to the US-Israel missile strikes on Saturday. The 200kg drone is 11ft long with a wingspan of 8.2ft. It can carry a 90kg warhead and has an operational range of 1,600 miles - and maximum speed of 115mph. The drone also has a maximum payload of 400kg. In December the US military said it had developed the LUCAS drone - a clone of the Shahed-136. Russia has deployed the Geran-2, an upgraded version of the Shahed-136 which is manufactured in Russia, on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict. According to the Institute for Science and International Security, 4,442 Shahed-type drones were launched in January in the war - of which 2915 were designated as Shahed/Geran strike drones. Advertisement In the video, with over half a million views, the woman says, 'Oh my god,' as she pans the camera across the pool and back up to two plumes of smoke in the sky while insisting, 'They are bombing it.' Another witness, Samantha Dicomo, 50, who has lived in Dubai for eight years, said the explosion at Al-Dhafra air base was so powerful it made the walls of her home in tremble. 'I heard a huge sound. It was so loud that it was like it was on top of my head. The walls trembled,' the Italian furniture designer told the Daily Mail. 'There was no warning whatsoever. I was just doing my stuff when I heard this clear sound of a bomb. At first, I thought it was an earthquake.' Samantha said she has heard multiple explosions throughout the afternoon, with terrified residents staying indoors as the streets emptied. 'I don't know what is safe at the moment. The streets are empty. Normally, there are many more cars and buses in the street,' she added. She said residents have been given little information, but know the airspace has been closed and they cannot leave the country. 'Nobody is coming in, and nobody's going out, okay? We're all stuck here. We can't flee,' Samantha said. She added that she had heard at least four explosions and was growing increasingly fearful. 'I'm not relaxed anymore. I thought it was just one bomb,' she said. 'Because last time when it happened in Qatar, it was one bomb only we heard it, and that's it. But now it's one, two, three, four!' Meanwhile, Mike Hales, another Brit in Dubai took to the social media platform to share his shock after the missile was struck down from the sky. 'What the actual f**k, a bomb just went off,' he said. 'I was standing here on the balcony in Dubai, so we aren't too far away from Saudi. 'And this massive explosion sound, and it sounded like it rumbled, a bit like thunder, and I was like, what the hell is that noise. 'It is mad, I have never heard a bomb go off before. Literally here on the balcony and we heard this massive explosion. That was scary.' In another clip posted by @iknowuea, loud reverberating sounds can be heard as a plume of white smoke emerges as a missile was intercepted. A video from outside a Brewdog in the Middle Eastern city shows a second projectile being struck down in the sky. The Italian furniture designer added that she had heard at least four explosions and was growing increasingly fearful Will Bailey, who is visiting Dubai, said he was 'awoken to what seems like World War Three' on his visit to the city Dennis, who lives in London, shared a video of himself lying on the beach alongside a snippet of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder On The Dancefloor' In one video, a Brit can be heard saying, 'That's three missiles, over our heads,' while focusing on the white missile streak above Mike Hales from the UK shared how he heard an explosion comparable to 'thunder' while on a balcony in Dubai Meanwhile, British influencer Leah Mai, who moved from London to Dubai, shared a short clip of the blue sky to her story following the missile interception In another clip posted by @iknowuea, loud reverberating sounds can be heard as a plume of white smoke emerges as a missile is intercepted A plume of smoke rising over Abu Dhabi following in Iranian missile strike on February 28, 2028 'F****ng close,' a British voice could be heard saying, while another added: 'That's the second one.' In one video, a Brit can be heard saying, 'That's three missiles, over our heads,' while focusing on the white missile streak above. 'Isn't that cool?' one says, as another exclaims in shock, 'What the f**k.' Meanwhile, British influencer Leah Mai, who moved from London to Dubai, shared a short clip of the blue sky to her story following the missile interception. 'Every so often, you get reminded that you live in the Middle East. A place where bombs do actually go off. Mad,' she wrote. Elsewhere, Jamie Smith, who was drinking pints by the pool, said he heard 'three loud bangs'. 'Hotel is delivering complementary ice lollies like all is good,' he added. 'Well the pool and the adjoining pub are very quiet for a Saturday.' Dennis, who lives in London, shared a video of himself lying on the beach with a snippet of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder On The Dancefloor'. 'Casually at the beach in Dubai whilst Iran just tried bombing the UAE 45 minutes ago,' he wrote. Meanwhile, 18-year-old influencer Julis, shared a clip of herself working on a laptop in a cafe, shortly after 'hear[ing] explosions in Dubai'. 'Out of interest, tell me your last words,' she added. An American in Dubai, who goes by the username @bitcoincapitalist, said: 'I was just making a video on how Trump just attacked Iran and there was just a very loud explosion off in the distance. 'Do not know what is going on right now, but things are heating up. I just saw a video from the marina with a convoy of helicopters going but I am very curious what that explosion just was. 'But it looks like the war with Iran, the US and Israel is finally here.' The UAE evacuated the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, amid the attacks, Turkiye Today reported, as all flights in and out of Dubai have been cancelled. After the UAE's airspace was closed, many flights heading to Dubai were forced to return to their starting points. Services by Emirates from Dublin, Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and LOT Polish Airlines to Warsaw were all grounded as the country locked down. An Emirates service to Dubai from Seattle was also diverted, to Warsaw. Around 250,000 passengers normally pass through Dubai International Airport - the world's busiest international hub - every day. Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates said in an update: 'Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. 'We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. 'The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.' Many major airlines have similarly cancelled or diverted flights to and from the Middle East amid safety concerns. Wizz Air has suspended flights until March 7 to and from Israel, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and in Amman in Jordan, and in Saudi Arabia until Tuesday. After the UAE's airspace was closed, many flights heading to Dubai were forced to return to their starting points. Pictured: A check-in desk showing information on cancelled Emirates flights at London Gatwick Airport on Saturday Many major airlines have similarly cancelled or diverted flights to and from the Middle East amid safety concerns. Pictured: Passengers stranded at Rafik Hariri International Airpotr in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday after the US and Israel's air strikes on Iran Meanwhile, British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday, along with Saturday's service to Amman. And Emirates has temporarily suspended services to and from Dubai, with Lufthansa, Air India and Turkish Airlines all also announcing cancellations. Virgin Atlantic cancelled a Heathrow to Dubai flight - and also warned services to India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives might take longer after rerouting. The aviation authority in Kuwait has halted all flights to Iran until further notice, according to state media. Other countries in the Middle East have also closed their airspace, including Iraq and Jordan, leaving thousands of tourists stranded at airports. Iranian airspace has also been closed, with flight tracking showing international air traffic avoiding the region. Bosses at Heathrow Airport, which is the UK's busiest air terminus, have urged passengers to check with their airline for updates. A British passenger has told of the chaos she faced when trying to return to Heathrow on Saturday from a holiday in Dubai. Sarah Short told the BBC: 'We got on the plane and were literally about to taxi when the pilot said, "We have some bad news - we're not going anywhere". 'We then sat on the plane on the tarmac for over three hours. 'There's no flights, everything's suspended. BA said there's nothing they can do. It's all so volatile, you just don't know what's going to happen next.' One passenger plane, travelling from Birmingham to Qatar, was grounded as US and Israeli military action against Iran escalated. The Qatar Airways service, scheduled to leave at 8.14am GMT for Doha, took off but only reached airspace over France before it was forced to turn back. Flight tracking data has shown it landed back in Birmingham at around 11.20am GMT. The airline has since confirmed it has stopped all flights to Doha after Qatari airspace closed on Saturday. Other countries in the Middle East have also closed their airspace, including Iraq, Qatar and Jordan, leaving thousands of tourists stranded at airports. Pictured: A display board showing the cancellation of all flights at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday The carrier said it is working with authorities to help passengers affected by the disruption and will restart services once Qatar's airspace reopens. A spokesperson said: 'The safety of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.' Jo Rhodes, a travel expert at Which?, explained what this means for passengers: 'In light of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, many airlines are taking precautionary steps to amend their schedules, including cancelling flights in the region. 'Given the extraordinary circumstances, passengers on delayed or cancelled flights will not be entitled to compensation. 'However, if you are flying with a UK or EU airline, or are departing a UK or EU airport with any carrier, your airline should provide assistance during your delay. 'Depending on the length of your delay, assistance may include food and drink and, where necessary, overnight accommodation. 'If your journey is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund.' The British Foreign Office's travel guidance for Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman now advises travellers to 'remain vigilant, follow local authority advice and take shelter if advised'. It has also warned against all travel to Israel and Palestine and has urged Brits already in other Middle Eastern countries to 'immediately shelter in place'. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: 'Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. 'On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran. Israeli airspace has now closed.' British nationals in the region have been urged to take 'sensible precautions', including following advice from local authorities, staying away from military facilities and making sure their travel documents are up to date. Any people from the UK in Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait have also been advised to immediately shelter in place. The update read: 'Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.' It comes as blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all-out war. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. An Iranian suicide drone has also now reportedly struck a tower block in the country, hours after strikes targeted the major US naval base in the state. Video footage shows a huge fireball erupting towards the top of the high-rise building, believed to be the luxury apartment building Era View Tower, with debris scattering and falling onto the surrounding area below. It is not known at this stage if there are any casualties. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. A British national who is on holiday in the Qatari capital of Doha was in a shopping centre with his family when an air raid alert was sounded. John Henry, 71, told the BBC: 'We heard a bit of a thud and felt a tremor, and we saw a number of people moving quickly out of the shopping centre.' The Qatari defence ministry confirmed it had intercepted Iranian missiles, with Mr Henry hearing further thuds and seeing vapour trails as this happened. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. NEW: Strikes reported in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/BvWAjPxeky Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026 People take cover in an underground light rail station amid reports of incoming missiles in Israel More Israeli's taking shelter at an underground train station as they prepare for retaliatory missile strikes An image shows smoke billowing from a building after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday morning Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain It is understood that the UK did not participate in the attacks, and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later today. Sir Keir Starmer has said Iran must 'refrain from indiscriminate military strikes' in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, condemning the country's attacks on its neighbours. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office. The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' Meanwhile, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to prepare for an uprising and to take to the streets in the midst of the Islamic Republic's collapse. He warned civilians to stay at home for now and to prepare to mobilise, ready for his instructions. Describing the US's attacks as 'humanitarian intervention', he reminded security forces they had sworn to protect the Iranian people and not IS and its leaders. He urged that if they did not switch sides, they would 'sink' alongside the current regime and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned the Iranian regime 'must not be armed with nuclear weapons'. 'My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. He said the regime had 'spilled our blood', and 'murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people.' Israelis run for cover after Iran unleashed retaliatory strikes in the country People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday A man looks on as a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran An image shows smoke billowing from a building after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday morning 'This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity,' he said. 'Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. 'The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. 'Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.' In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Mr Khamenei's office on Saturday morning. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, without offering a cause. There have also been unverified reports of explosions in other locations across Iran including Isfahan, the third biggest city, and Tabriz. More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace and mobile phone services were cut as internet access dropped by over half, according to NetBlocks. Israel has warned its own citizens to prepare to take cover if the Iranians fight back, with sirens already being heard across Israel. The country's Defense Force said: 'This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel.' Airspace above Israel was closed to civilian flights following the strike this morning. The explosions come as tensions rose between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme. Earlier today, Trump denounced the regime as the 'world's number one stage sponsor of terror', which had recently killed 'tens of thousands of its own people as they protested'. 'It has always been the police of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon,' the US president added. Rubble and destroyed building in Tehran after US and Israeli launch strikes on the city on February 28, 2026 Smoke billows into the sky of Tehran after Israel launches a second wave of airstrikes on February 28, 2026 A woman runs with her dog for shelter in Haifa, northern Israel after the US and Israel launch strikes on Iran 'I will say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon.' 'This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the US armed forces,' he later added. He then turned his address to the 'great proud people of Iran', saying it was their 'hour of freedom' that was at hand. Warning them to stay sheltered and at home, he urged them to 'take' their government after the US operation is over. 'This will probably be your only chance for generations,' he said. 'For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it.' 'No president was willing to do what I was willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is willing to give you what you want. 'So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. 'Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is in your reach. 'This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May god bless the brave men and women of America's armed forces. 'May god bless the United States of America. May god bless you all.' British tourist stranded in Qatar: 'I'm terrified it will get worse and we will be stuck here' By Liz Ivens A terrified British woman trapped in Qatar saw missiles being shot down and 'debris falling from the sky'. 'It's really scary. I just want to come home but we have just been told to stay inside by the British Embassy,' she said as the bombardment started again, 'I am frightened this is just going to get worse and we will be stuck here.' The 56 year old from Bath was sheltering inside her house today as 'wave after wave of bombings' struck targets in the Arab state. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday from her home, she said she had 'seen and heard missiles in the sky' as Iran hit back and seen 'huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky' outside the capital Doha. The Brit, who wished to remain anonymous because of her husband's job, recently moved to Qatar where her husband now works and they live in Doha. The pair, whose two children in their twenties are in the UK, found out about the bombings on Iran on television this morning at 10am Qatar time, which is three hours' ahead of the UK, she said, and her husband was 'called into work'. 'We didn't think too much of it and I wasn't really concerned but within two hours it started happening. We heard the loud booms. It was pretty scary and the windows started shaking. 'The noise is undeniable and - even if you've never heard a bomb before you know what it is immediately from the huge thud. I knew it was connected to what was happening in Iran straight away. 'You looked up into the sky and could see the plumes of smoke. Now we can see missiles being shot down. We have been told they are trying to shoot them down over the sea to stop the debris from falling over the city.' Describing the frequency of the strikes, she said: 'The bombing came in waves - there were three waves to begin with all in a matter of an hour and then it quietened again and then started again and that seemed very close. It has started again this evening,' she said. She said at first the couple weren't sure what the target was because they were told last week that the US military base 'had been evacuated'. 'We didn't have any idea where they were bombing and we do not know for sure it is the base but we are assuming it is.' And she said fellow ex pats and other nationalities including Australians in the city were 'keeping in touch via WhatsApp' and that 'embassies have not been in touch with any of their citizens just issued a memo online telling us to shelter inside'. 'They have just told us to shelter not where to shelter or how to shelter or anything else we would absolutely welcome some more advice,' she said. 'We had to find that ourselves what is happening. The only way we are getting updated is via WhatsApp groups and we are sharing any news we get with each other. 'The British community and others are helping each other out. The airport is closed and we obviously know we can't get out but I can't wait to come home.' President Donald Trump is facing furious backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle after launching a 'massive' military campaign against Iran. The president announced in a surprise video early Saturday that the US was engaged in a 'major' campaign to ensure Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. He also warned that US troops could be killed during the dangerous campaign in conjunction with Israel, as it 'often happens in war'. 'Operation Epic Fury' got underway in the early morning hours as reports of explosions across the Middle East started raining in. 'Bombs will be dropping everywhere,' warned the president. The US base in Bahrain, which houses the US Fifth Fleet, was hit, and Iran's Foreign Ministry threatened to attack all American military assets in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed the bipartisan congressional 'Gang of 8' intelligence heads shortly before the strikes. But the administration did not seek formal congressional approval, which is a prerequisite to war, according to the US Constitution. Trump's unilateral action is now setting off a firestorm of criticism as lawmakers slam his 'illegal' strikes. The president announced in a surprise video early Saturday that the US was engaged in a 'major' campaign to ensure Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon Damage at an impact site following US and Israeli strikes on Tehran The moment of a strike on a U.S. base in Bahrain Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky and staunch anti-Trump lawmaker, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, plan to force a vote next week on their Iran War Powers resolution. The legislation would block any action taken by the US military without prior congressional approval. It's unclear how it would, if at all, impact Trump's ongoing military campaign. Massie posted on X shortly after Trump's video address condemning the president's 'acts of war unauthorized by Congress'. Khanna posted a video early Saturday calling out Trump's 'illegal regime change war in Iran'. He went on to say that Congress must convene on Monday to vote on his act. 'Every member of Congress should go on record this weekend on how they will vote,' said Khanna. The president has repeatedly insisted that he would not move to start another foreign war. On the campaign trail, he pledged: 'Im not going to start a war, Im going to stop wars.' And since he re-entered office 13 months ago, he has the Nobel Peace Prize on his mind. Just last week, he credited himself for ending 'eight wars' across the globe during his State of the Union address. And he's been trying to broker Ukraine-Russian peace since he started his second term, to no avail. Others started piling on. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona tore into Trump after the president's warning that US troops could be killed in the ongoing operation. 'We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our troops to die,' he wrote in a scathing post to X. Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey stated, 'Americans dont want to go to war with Iran.' 'Trump once again started a cycle of violence that has already escalated and could spiral out of control. This is unacceptable.' He went on to say that he planned to back the Senate's version of the War Powers Act - being led by Tim Kaine. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican, also came out against Trump's move. 'The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely,' he wrote on X. '[M]y oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war.' The map depicts US military forces in the region as Trump wages war The moment of a strike on a US base in Bahrain that houses the US Fifth Fleet headquarters Jubilant protestors outside the Iranian Embassy in London I lost friends in Iraq to an illegal war. Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasnt been explained or justified to the American people. We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our https://t.co/wEGUCekIZs Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) February 28, 2026 Ex-Trump ally Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene ripped into the President's action. 'Another foreign war for foreign people for foreign regime change. For what?' she wrote on X. Former President Barack Obama's Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes is also calling out Trump for launching an 'illegal' war. 'A war that has no domestic or international legal basis. A war that Americans do not support. A war in response to no imminent threat. A pointless war,' he wrote on X. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a strong supporter of Israel, is offering praise for Trump's massive military campaign. His statement of support is rare coming from a member of the opposite political party. A 12-year-old Los Angeles girl has died days after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle at school. Khimberly Zavaleta was hit by a female classmate after stepping in to protect her sister from alleged bullying. A girl hurled a metal water bottle at her in a hallway at Reseda High School on February 17, her family claimed. She was taken to the emergency room for treatment and released the same day but 10 days later she suffered a brain hemorrhage and collapsed. She was rushed to UCLA's Children's hospital, where she was put into an induced coma and underwent emergency surgery. She died early Thursday morning after she went into heart failure, her uncle Guy Gazit said in a Facebook post. The Los Angeles Police Department has since opened a homicide investigation and said no further information will be released because the case involves juveniles. Authorities have not yet determined whether the initial water bottle incident is directly connected to the hemorrhage that caused her death. 'God is touching the heart of many people who are coming to ask for justice and to support me. I feel happy that at some point there will be justice,' her mother, Elma Chuquipa, told KTLA. Khimberly Zavaleta, 12, was hit by a female classmate who threw the bottle at her inside a hallway at Reseda High School, her family said She was treated in the emergency room and released the same day, but ten days later she suffered a brain hemorrhage and collapsed Dayari Diaz, Khimberlys friend and a student at the school, organized a protest at Reseda High School on Friday with help from her mother. 'We're all sad. Because she was the one who gave all the energy to us, because she was so happy. She was always happy. She was always smiling,' Diaz told NBC Los Angeles. 'We want justice for her. The school is not doing anything.' Her family has created a GoFundMe to help pay for her medical bills and funeral expenses, which has since raised nearly $26,000 - just $4,000 shy of the fundraiser's goal. 'As the baby of our family, she brought a special light and joy into our lives,' the description of the fundraiser created by her uncle read. 'She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future. Tragically, Khimberly's life was cut short following a bullying incident at school.' A spokesperson with the Los Angeles Unified School District issued a statement following the student's death: 'The Los Angeles Unified School District is deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student. 'Our thoughts and condolences are with the student's family, friends, and the entire school community. 'Out of respect for the family and to protect confidentiality, we cannot share details. She was rushed to UCLA's Children's hospital where she was put into an induced coma and underwent emergency surgery Her family has created a GoFundMe to help pay for her medical bills and funeral expenses 'The District remains committed to providing support to students, staff, and families affected by this loss, including counseling services and additional resources on campus. 'The District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident.' A service will be held for Khimberly on March 22. Reseda High is a charter school that educates students from grades 6-12. The Daily Mail has reached out to LAPD for comment and Khimberly's family. The row over allegations of voter fraud in the Gorton and Denton by-election deepened today after a leading academic claimed that the practice of cousin marriages was a key driver of illegal 'family voting'. Oxford-based academic Dr Patrick Nash argued that there was a strong correlation between family voting often involving a man entering the polling booth with his wife or daughters to tell them how to vote and marriages between blood relations in the local Muslim community. It has been claimed that as many as one in eight votes cast in the by-election - which was won by the Green Party's Hannah Spencer - could be attributed to group voting. Police have been urged to investigate 'clear evidence' of voter fraud in the Manchester by-election amid warnings that Britain is 'sleepwalking into sectarian politics'. Ms Spencer cruised to victory for the Greens in the previously safe Labour seat of Gorton and Denton. Labour was pushed into third place, a humiliating result for Keir Starmer which triggered fresh calls for him to resign. But Ms Spencer's historic win was immediately mired in allegations of sectarianism after the Greens targeted the constituency's large Muslim population with messages about the war in Gaza. Election observers reported record levels of so-called 'family voting' an illegal practice which carries a prison sentence. The Green Party's Hannah Spencer won a crushing victory in the contest, securing 40.7 per cent of the ballot Reform UK leader Nigel Farage referred reports of so-called family voting to Greater Manchester Police Soon after the polls closed, the independent group Democracy Volunteers issued a rare report to warn that as many as one in eight votes cast may have been affected by the practice. Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK party trailed the Greens by 4,402 votes, said Ms Spencer's triumph was a 'victory for sectarian voting and cheating'. Mr Farage also called on the Electoral Commission to investigate. 'What was witnessed yesterday is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas,' he said. 'If this is what was happening at polling stations just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes.' Kemi Badenoch said Labour had 'created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes' at previous elections, adding: 'That monster came back to bite them.' The Tory leader said the rise of sectarian politics was starting to 'unravel the culture of tolerance that makes Britain great'. She accused the Greens of running 'a nasty, sectarian campaign while simultaneously wanting to legalise crack cocaine'. Greens leader Zack Polanski denied fuelling sectarianism. Today Dr Nash, who estimates that up to 50 per cent of the Muslim community in the constituency practice cousin marriage, told the Daily Mail: said: 'Electoral fraud is typically perpetrated by South Asian Muslim clans and higher rates of cousin marriage are a good predictor of high rates of fraud allegations. Green Party leader Zack Polanski with new MP Hannah Spencer at a press conference in Manchester yesterday Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'These clans are routinely courted by the Labour party to deliver bloc votes in exchange for lucrative local authority contracts and prestigious official positions. 'Wherever clans are a major electoral force, corruption and sectarian violence follow. There is a pressing need for a cross-party agreement to break up these toxic mafia families by banning cousin marriage and strengthening our electoral safeguards.' Richard Holden, the Tory MP campaigning to ban first cousin unions, said: 'Yet again we're seeing the negative consequences of first cousin marriage playing out in our country with our very democracy itself at stake. Individual rights and hard-fought for freedoms - such as the secret ballot and women's right to vote for who they wish - are being sacrificed on the altar of cultural sensitivies. 'This is just another reason why the Government must back my campaign to ban first cousin marriage and finally see off these bullying clan networks that seek to control people's lives and dictate elections.' Authorities have already drawn a link between grooming gangs and cousin marriage. Baroness Casey said that 'two thirds of suspects offended within unsophisticated and informal groups mainly being brothers or cousins.' Because the unions enforce 'strict patriarchal hierarchies' held together by fathers and husbands and are used to oppress women this fuels the link between close-relative marriage and electoral fraud. There are even claims of votes being exchanged for social or financial support through the cousin marriage network. Lawyers have said that the current system is vulnerable to fraudsters because there is nothing to verify someone's ID when they sign up for postal votes. Veteran electoral judge Richard Mawrey QC said because the system 'operates under trust' and assumes 'both voters and officials are honest' it is open to abuse. Critics have called for an urgent investigation into voting practices at the by-election, although the Electoral Commission has insisted that 'there is no evidence of large-scale electoral fraud'. Canada threw its support behind the US after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran in partnership with Israel. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his backing for Trump's attack in a statement issued alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. 'Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security,' the statement said. Trump announced the attack in an eightminute video posted on Truth Social around 2.30am ET, calling it a 'massive and ongoing operation' to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon. The US President vowed to 'raze their missile industry to the ground' and 'annihilate their navy.' Carney and Anand said Canada's position remained 'clear' in the wake of the USIsraeli airstrikes. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world's worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons,' the statement read. Canada added it would 'take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region.' The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, with the first wave targeting the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Prime Minister Mark Carney's statement said that Canada supported the US in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon Carney's statement said that Canada had 'consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program' only for this to not happen. 'Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups,' it read. The first wave of USIsraeli strikes titled Operation Epic Fury happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early Saturday morning. Khamenei's condition remained unknown, as of Saturday morning. He has not been heard from since the attack. Trump cautioned Iranian people to 'stay sheltered' but also urged them to take advantage of the USIsraeli operation. Explosions were also reported in Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz, as well as port cities around the Persian Gulf. 'When we are finished, take over your government,' he said. 'It will be yours to take.' Trump added: 'This will be probably your only chance for generations.' The US President also issued a caution and said: 'The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. 'That often happens in war.' A plume of smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday The US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran were announced by Donald Trump around 2.30am ET on Truth Social Your browser does not support iframes. Reactions from around the world poured in Saturday morning following the USIsraeli attack on Iran. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a Trump ally, offered his full backing of the strikes. 'We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,' Albanese wrote on X. He said that calls for 'the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran's citizens' had been ignored. Most global leaders were more restrained in their statements after the airstrikes. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that war between the US, Israel and Iran threatened 'grave consequences for international peace and security.' Macron called for the 'ongoing escalation' to end and for Iran to engage in negotiations to end its nuclear program. He said: 'The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future. The massacres committed by the Islamic regime disqualify it and demand that the voice be returned to the people. The sooner, the better.' A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' The statement added: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.' Iran's retaliation after the US-Israeli attacks included striking the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain An explosion was also seen in Qatar at what appeared to be Al Udeid Air Base, near Doha Iran has retaliated by launching missiles targeting Israel, as well as US military bases in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. This morning, Israel warned of a new wave of missiles coming from Iran. Sirens could be heard blaring around the country. No fatalities have been reported in Israel until now. Four people were killed in an Iranian missile strike in Syria when a building was hit in the southern city of Sweida, according to state television. In Abu Dhabi, shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack killed one person, state media said. Tehran also struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain with a missile attack, per the staterun Bahrain News Agency. In Qatar, fire and smoke was seen at what appeared to be the AlUdeid Air Base. Several vehicles were pictured engulfed in flames, as Iran continued targeting US and Israeli assets across the Middle East. A Seattle Democrat apologized after he was caught being drunk at a State House budget meeting. Washington House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon was seen slurring his words and nearly napping at the House Appropriations Committee meeting on Wednesday night. He appeared to struggle to get through his train of thought, awkwardly pausing and stuttering through his speech. At points, his eyelids appeared to droop as he struggled to stay awake. 'In spite of those incredible expenses...that Washington State taxpayers are now being asked...to bear,' he said, dragging out the last word. The Democrat, who represents West Seattle, admitted to being 'impaired' during the meeting after consuming alcohol beforehand - a move he said he 'deeply' regrets. 'This was a painful and embarrassing lesson, one I wont forget,' he said in a statement to Seattle Red. 'I am disappointed in myself and take responsibility for that poor choice. It wont happen again, and Im committed to completing my work this session without alcohol.' It is unclear if he will face disciplinary action. Washington House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon admitted to being drunk at the State House meeting on Wednesday Fitzgibbon (pictured back row in white) was caught nodding off during the meeting and slurring his words Four Republican lawmakers told the radio station that Fitzgibbon was 'clearly drunk' and 'hammered.' 'He was sleeping, quite a bit [during the meeting],' one source told the station. 'Let's just say someone said they werent sure if hed pass a field sobriety test. 'I've never seen him like that before.' A different lawmaker agreed, saying the behavior was 'very out of character' for Fitzgibbon. The budget hearing finished shortly after 10pm. The Daily Mail has reached out to Fitzgibbon for comment. 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.4-7 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.4 4.4-1234 9.5.2 7.3 ... American forces have battled a barrage of Iranian missiles at US bases after the US and Israel launched a military attack on Iran on Saturday. American military bases have intercepted multiple missiles on Saturday morning, two officials told the Wall Street Journal. The Qatari Ministry of Defense also said it had 'successfully thwarted the third wave of attacks' in the country, which is home to the US' biggest military base, Al Udeid Air Base. A US Navy base in Bahrain was also hit on Saturday morning as part of retaliatory strikes following the initial one from the US. Bahraini authorities said the US Fifth Fleet headquarters were hit with a missile, The New York Times reported. Iran has targeted five key US bases, including those based in Qatar and Bahrain. It has also gone after the Al-Salmiya base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and King Hussein Air Base in Jordan, the Tehran Times, an Iranian newspaper, said. Air raid sirens have gone off in Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Jordan has shot down two ballistic missiles, authorities said. The Pentagon has bolstered air defenses in the region, including moving in a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Systems, which are missile defense systems. American military bases have intercepted multiple missiles on Saturday morning, two officials told the Wall Street Journal. Smoke was seen rising from the area where the US' biggest base Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is Smoke was also seen rising from the area where the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain is, which was confirmed to have been hit by a missile Those systems were moved in recent weeks as the US bolstered its presence in the region. The US also has a dozen destroyers, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, stationed in the Mediterranean. Saturday's strikes came after the US and Iran failed to come to a conclusion over the Middle Eastern country's nuclear program. Officials met several times, including most recently in Switzerland on Thursday. Last year, the Trump Administration attacked the Fordow site in Iran to hinder its nuclear program. President Donald Trump announced the latest US strike at 2.30am from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Saturday, warning American troops could be killed due to the dangerous Operation Epic Fury. 'Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,' the Republican said. 'Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.' Trump detailed some of the violence Iran has perpetrated against Americans, including taking over the US embassy in Tehran and holding US citizens hostage in 1979. President Donald Trump announced the latest US strike at 2.30am from his estate in Florida on Saturday The US has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in the last few weeks, including moving the USS Gerald Ford to the Mediterranean from the Caribbean. The destroyer was seen earlier this week near Crete, Greece An Israeli submarine was also seen in the Mediterranean on Saturday Your browser does not support iframes. 'The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,' Trump said. 'Its been mass terror, and were not gonna put up with it any longer.' Trump's surprise attack infuriated Congress, as he did not seek their approval for the strike, which is a prerequisite of war, according to the US Constitution. Many lawmakers have branded the strike 'illegal.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed the bipartisan congressional 'Gang of 8' intelligence heads shortly before the strikes. However, Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky and staunch anti-Trump lawmaker, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, plan to force a vote next week on their Iran War Powers resolution. The legislation would block any action taken by the US military without prior congressional approval. It's unclear how it would, if at all, impact Trump's ongoing military campaign. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona tore into Trump after the president's warning that US troops could be killed in the ongoing operation. Iran has vowed to retaliate after the US and Israel launched an attack on the country this morning. Iranian state television broadcasted the devastation after the attack 'We can support the democracy movement and the Iranian people without sending our troops to die,' he wrote in a scathing post to X. Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey stated: 'Americans dont want to go to war with Iran.' 'Trump once again started a cycle of violence that has already escalated and could spiral out of control. This is unacceptable.' Despite the homegrown irritation, Trump continues to focus on his message to Iran, telling the country to lay down their arms or face 'certain death.' He also threatened to 'raze their missile industry to the ground.' President Donald Trump's MAGA wing of the Republican Party is elated following America's joint military strikes on Iran with Israel Saturday morning. South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, once a Trump foe who has since turned into a top ally, shared that he was 'in awe of President Trump's determination to be a man of peace, but at the end of the day, evil's worst nightmare.' 'Well done, Mr. President,' Graham added, piling on the praise. Graham was seen at the White House on Thursday and has been one of the President's closest advisers on Iran strategy. He also noted that the operation was 'well planned' in the post to X. Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, argued that 'Iran has waged war against the U.S. for 47 years,' before providing a slew of examples to back up his argument. 'The hostage crisis, the Beirut Marine barracks, Khobar Towers, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or maimed thousands of American soldiers, the attempted assassination of President Trump,' Cotton wrote in an X post. 'The butcher's bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs. May God bless and protect our troops on this vital mission of vengeance, and justice, and safety,' he concluded. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, called the strikes, 'a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests.' Donald Trump (L) smiles as he stands alongside US Senator Lindsey Graham (R), Republican of South Carolina, during a rally at on February 28, 2020 A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran 'The President has stated the operation's goals clearly: thwart permanently the ayatollahs' desire to create a nuclear weapon, degrade their ballistic missile force and their production capacity, and destroy their naval and terrorism capabilities,' Wicker added. Republican Rick Crawford, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman, added that prior to the attack, 'President Trump was very clear about his red line from the start and his expectations of Iran during these negotiations,' also noting that 'President Trump has given Iran plenty of opportunities to take the diplomatic route,' before the strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed the bipartisan congressional 'Gang of 8' intelligence heads shortly before the strikes. House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson also noted in a statement that the 'Gang of 8 was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran.' 'I received updates from Secretary Rubio thereafter, and I will remain in close contact with the President and the Department of War as this operation proceeds,' Johnson added. Senate Majority Leader John Thune added that he thanked 'Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week,' and 'looks forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations.' But the administration did not seek formal congressional approval, which is a prerequisite to war, according to the US Constitution. Still, that did not deter top voices in the US House of Representatives from piling on their praise for the president. Congresswoman Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and also co-chairs the Iranian Women's Caucus, noted that 'America and Israel did not flinch and did not negotiate with darkness. President Trump understood what the weak could not bring themselves to say: that peace is not found in appeasement - it is won.' 'The Iranian people have bled for their freedom. Their cries did not fall on deaf ears. Not on Trump's watch,' Mace observed. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican who sits on the Intelligence Committee and was briefly nominated as Trump's ambassador to the UN added that 'President Trump has to make some of the most difficult decisions imaginable and there is no decision more serious that military action to protect U.S. national security and American lives.' Representative Nancy Mace at the U.S. Capitol on November 29, 2023 Tom Cotton speaks at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC Elise Stefanik at the White House in Washington, DC on Friday, December 12, 2025 Leading conservative voices in the greater political ecosystem chimed in as well. American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp wrote on X that, 'It is a diplomatic disaster to draw a line in the sand and not act when it's crossed. President Trump understands that. Dictators the world over are realizing Trump doesn't just talk; he will act.' Meaghan Mobbs, the director of Independent Women's Center for American Safety and Security, noted in a statement that she stands 'unequivocally with President Trump and his decision to strike Iran,' while her colleague Ellie Cohanim, an Iranian refugee, argued that 'the Iranian people ...finally have the opportunity to take our proud country back from the Mullah lunatics.' 'The region will soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief and move towards stability and co-existence,' Cohanim added. A former fire chief has been sentenced to 25 years for strangling his wife to death so that he could be with his mistress - causing a divide between his son and daughter. Kevin West, now 52, has been found guilty of killing his wife and hospital clerk Marcelle 'Marcy' West in their $723,000 home in Washington state on January 8, 2024. A medical examiner determined Marcy, 47, died from asphyxiation caused by blunt neck trauma and ruled her death a homicide. West claimed his wife of 22 years died from a seizure that left her whole body 'vibrating.' The killing has split the West family in two. Megan West, 20, the younger of the killer's two children, told the court that her father had expected the family to accept his mistress, Cynthia Ward, as a replacement for her mother, according to a court reporter with local outlet OregonLive. 'My father's actions not only took my mom's life, they took my future with her - moments, memories and milestones that will never exist Then you had the nerve to look me in the eyes and ask if I was relieved she was dead,' she said, drawing applause from half the courtroom before the judge warned the gallery to stop. Meanwhile, Ted West, 22, described his father as 'kind and selfless,' saying he routinely worked long hours to pay for whatever lessons or activities his children wanted. He told the judge he still believed his father was innocent, even after a jury found him guilty. Former Camas-Washougal Fire chief Kevin West, 51, has been sentenced to 25 years for killing his wife Marcelle 'Marcy' West in their home in Washington state on January 8, 2024 West's killing divided his children as his youngest child, Megan West, 20, told the court her father expected the family to accept his mistress as her mothers replacement, while her brother Ted defended his innocence Marcy, 47, died from asphyxiation caused by blunt neck trauma as the coroner ruled her death a homicide 'He has given me many reasons to trust him, not only through his words but through his actions,' West's son said in court. Prosecutors reminded the court that Ted had previously suggested a 'vigorous massage' he gave his mother might explain her injuries, a claim that contradicted his earlier statement to detectives that he'd only used a light touch. Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis imposed 300 months, or 25 years, saying the evidence supported the jury's finding that West deliberately killed his wife. West, who addressed the court, apologized for his affair but again insisted, 'that was my only wrongdoing,' maintaining his innocence even as he was led away. On the night of Marcy's death, West dialed 911 just before 4.30am on January 8, 2024, claiming Marcy was having a seizure and had stopped breathing. First responders, including some of West's own colleagues from CamasWashougal Fire, tried to save her, but she was pronounced dead at 5.11am. West told investigators they'd enjoyed a normal evening of takeout, movies - which he didn't recall the details of - and even had sex before going to bed. But the medical story shifted as the case unfolded. After initial findings were inconclusive and Marcy's body was released to a funeral home, investigators learned West had been seen out bowling with another woman. West proposed to his mistress Cynthia Ward, who testified during his trial, in September 2024 The defense argued that the bruising on Marcy's body may have been caused by a massage she received from her son Ted West on January 7, 2024. Ted demonstrated the massage he gave to Marcy during his father's trial Investigators allege that West made contradicting statements to detectives and showed little sadness in the aftermath of Marcy's passing Authorities retrieved the body, and a second autopsy found bloody tissue in the throat and neck injuries consistent with strangulation. The cause of death was ruled asphyxia due to blunt neck trauma and the manner a homicide. Smartphone and healthapp data contradicted Wests claim that he slept through the night, showing hours of movement resembling pacing in the leadup to the 911 call. Prosecutors argued West had become obsessed with Cynthia Ward, a woman he first met in 2004 when she volunteered with the department, and with whom he reconnected in 2023. Evidence included texts and letters in which West vowed '2024 will be our year,' as well as messages indicating he planned to move out on January 8 and finalize divorce papers the next day, according to Court TV. Financial stress compounded the motive, prosecutors said. Despite a roughly $160,000 salary, the couple carried a heavy mortgage and debts, and West had calculated he could end up paying thousands in monthly alimony if he divorced. Several of West's closest friends and coworkers who were the first to arrive after his 911 call said they were stunned by his demeanor in the hours and days after Marcy's death. Jurors heard testimony that he took down photos, asked if it was 'too soon' to throw out her belongings and even expressed relief, comments prosecutors framed as proof he was 'ready to move on.' Kevin and Marcy West with their son Ted in 2004 The Wests had been struggling to pay make the $7,000 per month mortgage payments on their Washougal home, which realtors estimate to be worth around $723,000 Colleagues testified that he stormed out of work after tallying what he'd owe Marcy. West's attorneys argued Marcy died of medical complications, pointing to headaches and the massage performed by her son the night before she died. They also suggested missteps by first responders. The jury rejected those theories after hearing the forensic findings and seeing the digital evidence, returning guilty verdicts on first and seconddegree murder in January 2026. Megan spoke about the close bond she shared with her mother. She said that as her physical and mental health deteriorated in the aftermath of the killing, her father kept his distance only to call her later, drunk, to apologize without ever saying what he was apologizing for. 'You had the audacity to call me when you were drunk, apologizing and dumping your emotions like I was your parent,' Megan said. 'You never said what you were sorry for, but in that moment, I knew you were guilty.' The White House has released images of Donald Trump monitoring the strikes on Iran from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The president launched 'Operation Epic Fury' on Saturday morning that resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US operation was done in conjunction with the Israeli military. One photo taken from situation room shows CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefing the president while Marco Rubio and Susie Wiles listen in. Another image shows Vice President JD Vance at a separation situation room alongside top Trump officials, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Daniel 'Raizin' Caine was also seen in another image briefing the president in the Florida situation room. Trump confirmed Khamenei's death in a post on Truth Social, saying this is the 'single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country'. He also said some people in Iran are looking for immunity. 'We are hearing that many of their IRGC (Revolutionary Guards), Military, and other Security and Police forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,' said Trump. Donald Trump monitoring the military operation against Iran from Mar-a-Lago Vice President JD Vance speaks with top Trump officials, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard at the Situation Room in Washington DC Trump speaks to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles while Marco Rubio stands in the background The first images of Trump's reaction to the military operation are released Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Daniel 'Raizin' Caine was also seen in another image briefing the president in the Florida situation room Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that airstrikes in Iran had destroyed the Supreme Leader's compound, and added that 'all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us'. Meanwhile, four people have been injured in a retaliatory Iranian missile strike on the world-famous five-star Fairmont hotel in Dubai. Dramatic footage and images captured the moment the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit, and the front of the building's exterior was set ablaze by an ultra-fast Shahed drone. The attack came as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following the joint US-Israel attack on Tehran earlier today. Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The Iranians are also using kamikaze drones to strike residential buildings and airports in the Middle East. The ayatollah's palace was destroyed by missiles as part of the US-Israeli military operation Iran has responded by launching attacks on multiple Gulf nations and US military bases It is unclear how many civilians have been killed by Iran's revenge strikes Footage emerged on Saturday morning showing an Iranian drone crashing into a high-rise apartment building in Bahrain. The president warned that US troops could lose their lives, adding that 'we may have casualties.' Following the ayatollah's death, the FBI and counterintelligence teams are currently on elevated alert across the United States. A former FBI boss has issued a stark warning over fears Iran could activate sleeper agents in the US to carry out terror attacks on American soil as vengeance for Saturday's bombardment. Chris Swecker, an assistant FBI director in the mid-2000s, said Hezbollah and other Iran-linked groups may feel they have nothing left to lose after Trump unleashed Operation Epic Fury this weekend. Swecker told the Daily Mail: 'We've got a cornered animal here, and if ever we're going to see attacks on the United States, this would be the catalyst for that.' 'It's a tinder box right now,' Swecker said. 'You've got the leadership of Iran in a state of desperation.' He added that while Iran-linked sleeper cells may previously have hesitated out of fear of US retaliation, that might no longer be the case after the joint US and Israeli strikes this weekend. He urged the FBI and the intelligence community to 'be on their toes' and 'assume there are plans ongoing' for a terror attack in the US. Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker told the Daily Mail that Iran-linked sleeper cells could carry out terror attacks on American soil Swecker said Iranian leadership was in a 'state of desperation' after US-Israeli airstrikes on Saturday An agency official said that FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams are on elevated alert across the country. The FBI did not confirm how long the terror alert will remain in effect. Swecker told the Daily Mail there was 'no question' that sleeper cells linked to Iran exist in the US. 'We know that they're mainly here to raise funds through different frauds,' he said. 'Food stamp frauds, SNAP fraud. Just various crimes.' Swecker, who led the FBI's Charlotte, North Carolina, office from 1999 to 2004, said he encountered these cells during his time at the bureau. 'We saw them disseminating propaganda, raising funds, training out into remote areas with shoulder weapons and relying on their training as former militia,' Swecker said. Swecker stressed that he does not have current intelligence now he has retired, but based on his experience 'sleeper cells are lying in wait for an order.' 'These people would be awakened to act and morph from financing cells, for example, into committing violence,' Swecker said. He said possible terror attacks on American soil are unlikely to be highly sophisticated. The US and Israel struck Iran in the morning hours of Saturday, which Swecker said could remove the 'impediment' for sleeper cells to carry out attacks on American soil Smoke rises following an explosion in Tehran, Iran, after the US-Israeli joint airstrikes US President Donald Trump announced the airstrikes on Iran around 2.30am ET Saturday and promised to 'raze their missile industry to the ground' 'I'm sure they have been paying attention to what has happened in this country over the last five or six years with decidedly low-tech attacks by lone wolves,' Swecker told the Daily Mail. Swecker cautioned that an organized operation leading to terror attacks could take place. 'I just think you have to plan for that,' he told the Daily Mail. 'They are a militia. They are organized. They are state-sponsored. 'If ever we're gonna see something happen, it would be at a time like this where we see conflict over and direct attacks against Iran,' Swecker said. He compared the possibility of Iran-linked sleeper cells striking inside the US to the September 11 terrorist attacks. '9/11 was a failure of imagination, right?' Swecker told the Daily Mail. 'It was a failure to foresee risks that were present. In this case, we can't afford to do that again.' Swecker said 'the number of Hezbollah sympathizers or card-carrying members' had grown exponentially under Joe Biden's presidency, with pro-Iran militants believed to have entered the US during the 'open borders' era. But he also called for the Trump administration to be disciplined in its pursuit of the sleeper cells. 'I think under Kash Patel, he heads them towards the shiny object like immigration, when they should be laser focused on this mission right here,' Swecker said. The Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit by an Iranian suicide drone. Four people were injured, per Dubai's media office Iran retaliated to the airstrikes by launching a missile attack targeting the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain Your browser does not support iframes. Swecker also warned of lone actors connected to Hezbollah and other Iran-linked groups, which he said were typically 'the hardest to root out.' Law enforcement authorities have previously derailed some of those plans. 'Some have gotten careless over the years and sort of spouted off on social media sites,' Swecker told the Daily Mail. 'The FBI has run operations, infiltrated the sites [and] arrested those people.' US President Donald Trump announced the joint attack on Iran in an eight-minute video posted Saturday on Truth Social around 2.30am ET. Trump called the strikes a 'massive and ongoing operation' to prevent the Middle Eastern country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran retaliated by launching missiles targeting Israel, as well as US military bases and assets in the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Against this backdrop, the Daily Mail takes a look at the groups Tehran has used to project power around the world. The Quds Force Size: 20,000 (estimated) Location: Iran, operates globally Leader: In flux Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps armed personnel wear masks and participate in a military rally in downtown Tehran in January At the heart of Tehran's global war machine is the Quds Force, the elite wing of the IRGC, tasked with foreign operations. It is named after the Arabic word for Jerusalem and is likened to a spy agency with commando units. With decades of experience funding, training and arming foreign fighters, the Quds Force is Tehran's go-to instrument for asymmetric warfare. Analysts say that it is likely coordinating Iran's response, selecting targets across the region and beyond. The force built up a network of Arab allies known as the Axis of Resistance, establishing Hezbollah in Lebanon in 1982 and supporting the Palestinian militant Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Quds Force leaders have in recent years plotted to bomb Israeli and Saudi embassies in Washington and been involved in assassination plots against Republican hawks John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, along with a Saudi ambassador to the US. Intelligence chiefs fear that Quds Force already has 'sleeper' cells operating in the US homeland. Some 729 Iranian nationals were reportedly allowed into the US between 2021 and 2024 under the Biden administration's relaxed border rules. Still, the group has suffered setbacks. Its leader, brigadier general Esmail Qaani, was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike on June 13. His infamous predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, died in a 2020 US drone strike. Hamas Size: 20,000 (estimated) Location: Palestinian territories Leader: In flux Hamas fighters put on a show of force in January 2025, but it's not clear whether they can stage a serious attack on Israel today The Palestinian group Hamas was quick to condemn US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, branding Washington and its regional ally Israel 'fully responsible for the grave repercussions of this aggression'. Yet while expressing 'solidarity' with Tehran in its official response, Hamas steered clear of that fight, saying it had 'complete confidence in Iran's ability to defend its sovereignty and the interests of its people'. Hamas is not the force it was before the coordinated October 7, 2023, raids on southern Israel that prompted a ferocious reciprocal military onslaught on the militants and innocent Gaza residents alike. Virtually all of Hamas's senior leaders have been killed, and it remains unclear whether the group can still mount major attacks on Israel. Israel says that it has killed some 20,000 militants in Gaza. US officials in January said Hamas had recruited as many as 15,000 fighters since the war began, though many were young and untrained. Hamas is a Sunni militant group focused on a land dispute with Israel. It only ever had moderate ties with Shiite Iran. Hamas leaders expressed 'disappointment' at the lackluster support they received from Axis allies against Israel. Hezbollah Size: 50,000 (estimated) Location: Southern Lebanon Leader: Naim Qassem Hezbollah fighters seen in 2002. The group has been torn apart by recent Israeli attacks Hezbollah was once seen as the 'crown jewel' of Iran's surrogates and the most deadly member of the 'ring of fire' to attack Israel in the event of war between the Jewish state and Iran. But much has changed since Hamas's October 2023 raids and Israel's military response in Gaza and then against Hezbollah in Lebanon, involving everything from airstrikes to exploding pagers. The group is understood to be well short of the 100,000 fighters it boasted in 2021. It bears the brunt of regular Israeli strikes and commando raids and has not launched a single attack on Israel since the recent flare-up began. A spokesperson for Hezbollah told Newsweek that the group did not have immediate plans to retaliate against Israel and the US over their strikes on Iran's nuclear program, saying Iran was a 'strong country capable of defending itself'. 'Logic dictates that it can confront America and Israel.' Still, US intelligence agencies remain alarmed at Hezbollah's worldwide footprint of terrorist cells, including militants who could have crossed America's southern border to launch attacks on American soil. The Houthis Size: 10,000 to 30,000 Location: Yemen Leader: Abdul-Malik Al Houthi Yemen's Houthi group followers are a wild card that could be the most likely to join Iran's fight The rebel Houthi armed movement in Yemen is the Tehran-aligned group perhaps best positioned to forcefully respond to the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Since the weekend attacks, the Houthis have vowed to support Iran in its fight and called for Muslim states to join the 'Jihad and resistance option as one front against the Zionist-American arrogance'. Yet while the Houthis have a track record of long-range drone strikes on Israel and missile attacks on shipping containers transiting the nearby Red Sea, these do not appear to have resumed amid the current escalation. The Houthis are still technically bound by a ceasefire they struck with the US in May - Washington stopped its military campaign in exchange for the group halting attacks on US interests in the region. The Houthis, too, have had their missile and other military assets in Yemen pounded by Israeli warplanes for months, along with US and British strikes aimed at reducing their threat to shipping in the region. While the Houthis have received arms and training from Iran over the years, they follow a different branch of Islam, are geographically isolated and chiefly focused on their country's 11-year civil war. Syria and Iraq Sizes: Various groups from 3,000 to 60,000 Location: Syria and Iraq Leader: Various Kata'ib Hezbollah members mourn the loss of one of their commanders in an Israeli antistrike in September 2024 In terms of raw manpower, Iran's proxy strength is perhaps greatest across Iraq and, to a lesser extent, in Syria. Tehran has strong ties to nearly a dozen armed groups there, some with as many as 60,000 fighters. Among the most formidable are Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia Islamist paramilitary group founded in 2003 to fight off US-led forces there, and the Badr Organization, which was formed in the years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Kata'ib Hezbollah has a record of attacking US bases at the behest of Iran. Its commander Abu Ali al-Askari has threatened to target US bases over its attack on Iran, telling CNN that they 'will become akin to duck-hunting grounds'. Still, these Shiite groups are also focused chiefly on local concerns. Iran in the past wielded great influence in Syria, thanks to President Bashar Al Assad's growing reliance on Tehran to prop up his embattled government. Tehran's influence in Syria collapsed after Assad's regime fell in December and Sunni rebels seized control of the country. Crucially, this denied Iran a land route to supply missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator John Fetterman was full of praise for President Donald Trump after his decision to strike Iran on Saturday. Fetterman expressed his support of Trump's latest military operation targeting Iran on Fox & Friends. 'You can put out tweets and statements to support peace. But to create real peace, you have to do these kinds of actions, just like happened, like last year to destroy their nuclear facilities.' Trump's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in Operation Midnight Hammer last June were said to have eliminated Iran's nuclear capabilities. 'Sometimes peace is possible after these kinds of steps, that's why I support those things.' Fetterman also blasted Republican Congressman Thomas Massie's criticism of Trump's campaign, saying it is illegal for a President to to star a war without congressional approval. The Democrat described Massie's comments as 'bizzare.' Massie posted on X shortly after Trump's video address condemning the president's 'acts of war unauthorized by Congress.' Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman on Fox & Friends Weekend, Saturday February 28th A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran The administration did not seek formal congressional approval, which is a prerequisite to war, according to the US Constitution. 'I might be a Democrat, but in this specific case, the President is absolutely correct to do these kinds of actions,' Fetterman noted. 'Now we have Israel's back. That is why it is entirely a path for peace in that region,' Fetterman added. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026 This map shows the locations of strikes within Iran Israeli military shared clips of strikes on Iranian troops setting up missiles. They say they knocked out several launchers and hit Iran's missile unit while they were prepping another one Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Compound in Tehran.The first publicly released satellite image of the compound associated with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, georeferenced.The imagery, captured by Airbus, shows multiple structures within the secured complex that appear heavily damaged or destroyed The Pennsylvania Democrat has bucked many progressive members of his party by being a staunch supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, and has occasionally backed other GOP-led policies like tougher immigration enforcement. Fetterman also praised his colleague Lindsey Graham of South Carolina's take on the strikes. 'I listen to my colleague from South Carolina earlier, I even had the option to talk to him before the State of the Union speech as well,' Fetterman said. South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, once a Trump foe who has since turned into a top ally, shared that he was 'in awe of President Trump's determination to be a man of peace, but at the end of the day, evil's worst nightmare.' 'Well done, Mr. President,' Graham added, piling on the praise. Graham was seen at the White House on Thursday and has been one of the President's closest advisers on Iran strategy. He also noted that the operation was 'well planned' in the post to X. After launching a massive military operation against Iran last night, Operation Epic Fury, President Trump delivered a message to Americans that wasn't merely a regime change speech. I've spent years arguing that the only durable solution to the threat from the Islamic Republic isn't another nuclear deal, isn't just another round of sanctions, and isn't only another limited military strike that sets the program back by months or years. It's the end of the regime that has been waging war on America, Israel, and its own people for 46 years. But that's not exactly what Trump prioritized late Friday evening, and we need to be honest about what he did and didn't say. What he did do was set two clear and critical priorities. First, the elimination of Iran's reconstituting nuclear and missile programs. He won't accept a freeze or a cap or a negotiated pause that Tehran will cheat on the moment the pressure lifts. He will only accept full dismantlement, zero enrichment and zero reprocessing. That's the right standard. After launching a massive military operation against Iran last night, Operation Epic Fury, President Trump delivered a message to Americans that wasn't merely a regime change speech Because here's what we know: Iran is sealing tunnels at its nuclear facility at Esfahan and moving centrifuges deep underground. It's accelerating work at its nuclear operation at Pickaxe Mountain buried even deeper than Fordow, with its own cache of thousands of centrifuges to build a new enrichment facility that conventional bombs can't reach. Additional weaponization sites at SPND and Taleghan 2 inside Parchin that were struck by Israel in June are also being actively rebuilt right now. And China is shipping thousands of tons of solidfuel missile propellant to Iran in open defiance of UN sanctions, while Tehran is close to finalizing a deal for supersonic antiship missiles designed to kill American sailors in the Persian Gulf. Iran is rebuilding its ballistic missile program and also has an active ICBM program designed to target the American homeland. The nuclear program didn't end in June 2025 following the first attack by Israel and America during their 12day war last year. It was severely set back but it's coming back. Elimination not degradation is the only acceptable outcome. Iran and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is rebuilding its ballistic missile program and also has an active ICBM program designed to target the American homeland An explosion rocks teh Bahrain capital of Manama, which is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet U.S. air defense missile systems at the Erbil International Airport neutralize Iran rockets Second and this is where I think Trump may have done something historically significant by enabling Israel to target elements of the regime's repression apparatus, he handed the Iranian people a window. Maybe the last window in a generation, as he noted. The Islamic Republic has survived every crisis by deploying its security forces against its own population. Notorious arms of regime repression such as Evin Prison, the Basij, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the IRGC units that gunned down more than 30,000 protesters in the streets in January. These are not just human rights atrocities; they are the guarantors of the regime's survival. When you degrade them, you change the internal calculus. You give the Iranian people who have risen up in 2009, 2019, 2022, and again in January 2026 a fighting chance to finish what they started. Trump was right to give them a choice: defect or die. I've always believed that maximum pressure on the regime and maximum support for the Iranian people are two sides of the same coin. Last night's speech moved the needle on the pressure side. Whether the Iranian people can seize this moment, whether the regime will be degraded enough, whether the will is there, whether the world will back them I don't know. History rarely announces itself in advance. But this is the best chance we've had in 46 years. Mark Dubowitz is the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Donald Trump unveiled his sweeping plan to transform Iran just as bombs rained down in the early hours of Saturday morning. The President revealed the military's Operation Epic Fury in conjunction with Israel was underway in a video posted to Truth Social at 2:30am ET. After an hour and a half of silence from Trump, he briefly spoke on the phone with a Washington Post reporter. The President revealed that his ultimate goal with the strikes on Tehran is to give 'freedom' to the Iranian people. 'All I want is freedom for the people,' Trump said in a brief interview just after 4am ET, his first remarks on the operation since his initial video. When asked about what he hopes his legacy will be after launching a regime change war against Iran, Trump responded, 'I want a safe nation, and thats what were going to have.' The US military, in a joint operation with Israel. launched tomahawk missiles on Iran with Air Force and Navy jets. Iran responded to the aggression by launching 'revenge strikes' on US military bases across the Middle East. Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service centre in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Other US regional allies, including Iraq and Jordan, have also reported various missile activity from Iran. Israeli media is now reporting there are 'growing indications' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his Tehran compound was bombed by US missiles. However, Iran's foreign ministry claims the ayatollah and top regime leadership are alive. The President revealed that his ultimate goal with the strikes on Tehran is to give 'freedom' to the Iranian people US military forces in the region according to the Institute for National Security Studies Satellite shows Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran following strikes Trump addressed the American people on camera from his Mar-a-Lago estate shortly after the military strikes began. The president warned that US troops could lose their lives in the operation, adding that 'we may have casualties.' 'The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,' Trump said. 'That often happens in war. But we're doing this, not for now. We're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.' Trump then called on the Iranian people to 'take over your government' amid the military chaos because 'this will be, probably, your only chance for generations.' Trump's previous military strikes against Iran have been brief operations designed to not entangle the US in a prolonged regime change war with Tehran. However, Saturday's attack marks the first time Trump has unleashed America's firepower in the Middle East with the goal of ending a country's government. Israeli media claim Iran's supreme leader is dead following US strikes on Tehran but the regime's foreign ministry claims the ayatollah is still alive Trump outlined a long-list of grievances with the Islamic regime, including their desire to assemble a nuclear bomb. He also ripped Iran for carrying out a 'mass terror' campaign against the American people for nearly five decades. 'No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight,' Trump declared from his Palm Beach fortress while wearing a 'USA' baseball cap. 'Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so lets see how you respond,' Trump said while addressing the Iranian people. 'America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.' Trump won the 2024 presidential election on a campaign advocating against regime change wars in the Middle East. Trump, moreover, slammed 'so-called nation builders' during an investment conference in Saudi Arabia last May, adding they 'wrecked far more nations than they built.' 'And the interventionalists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand,' Trump claimed at the time. Now regime-change and nation building has become the central focus of the Trump administration's foreign policy. Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have reportedly been shown a photograph of Ali Khamenei's body following airstrikes in Tehran. Two Israeli television networks said the US President and Israeli Prime Minister were shown the image of Iran's Supreme Leader after it was recovered from the rubble of his compound. 'Senior Israeli officials were informed of Khamenei's elimination,' reported public broadcaster Kan. It comes after Israel's Prime Minister had said in a televised address on Saturday evening that 'there are signs' that Iran's Supreme Leader is dead. Netanyahu said airstrikes have destroyed Khamenei's compound, adding that 'all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us'. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry said earlier this evening that the Supreme Leader and the country's president were both alive and well. 'They are all safe and sound,' a spokesperson told Sky News. Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said earlier today that unnamed Israeli sources had revealed there were 'growing indications' the leader had been killed during this morning's air strikes or that he was 'hurt at the very least'. Officials had earlier reported that the strikes had caused 'very significant harm' to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders. Khamenei has not been heard from since the US and Israel launched their dual attack on Iran on Saturday morning. Israeli sources said today that President Donald Trump specifically targeted Iran's supreme leader in its first wave of joint missile strikes with Israel. Both Khamenei's palace and compound in Tehran are reported to have been destroyed in today's operation, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghch claimed the Ayatollah is alive 'as far as I know'. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has said 'there are signs' that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead There are 'growing indications' that Iran 's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the first wave of the US and Israeli strikes earlier today Women laughing on a rooftop in Tehran: They hit the Supreme Leader compound. 28 Feb 2026pic.twitter.com/W0XxueBDg9 Khosro K Isfahani (@KhosroIsfahani) February 28, 2026 Footage shows smoke billowing into the sky above Khamenei's complex Video footage from Tehran shows smoke billowing into the sky above the compound this morning, which is understood to be used as his official residence in the Iranian capital. Screams and giggles could be heard ringing out from a nearby rooftop as onlookers watched the blast. 'Oh my God they hit it. They struck it. Oh my God,' one woman shouts. It comes after it was reported that the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and 'architect' of the regime's brutal crackdown against protesters is already said to have been killed in the strikes. Israeli sources said they believed that IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour has been eliminated, adding that several senior military officials are understood to have been killed. Today, the US and Israel jointly launched a wave of strikes across Iran, including Tehran, Bushehr, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and Isfahan. In the capital, Khamenei's palace, compound, the Ministry of Intelligence and Ministry of Defence were all affected. Elsewhere, they nations hit southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and an area said to be housing Iran-supporting militia groups in al-Nasr, Iraq. In a post on Truth Social, Trump told the Ayatollah to either 'surrender or die' as he announced the US had launched strikes across several cities in Iran. He said: 'To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. 'Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.' Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' and launched missiles across Israel including in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. In a statement, the country's military said that all US 'bases, resources and assets' are 'legitimate targets'. Dramatic footage showed the moment Iran hit US's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, with a huge mushroom of smoke billowing into the sky following an explosion. Aerial photographs show the Iranian supreme leader's Tehran compound razed to rubble after Donald Trump unleashed joint US-Israeli airstrikes on the city The aftermath of an attack by Iran on the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain on Saturday People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran President Trump announced on Saturday morning the United States had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran with thick black smoke seen rising into the sky A man looks on as a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran Iran also targeted US infrastructure at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and areas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Explosions have been reported in Dubai, including at the five-star Fairmont The Palm Hotel, and Jordan has shot down two ballistic missiles. Iran and Israel continue to exchange fire this afternoon, with multiple waves of strikes across the Middle East. Countries across the world are appealing for calm and urgent de-escalation, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer holding an emergency Cobra meeting in Downing Street today. There is confusion over whether President Trump is expected to give an update on today's operation - dubbed 'Epic Fury' by the Americans - later. The 86-year-old Khamenei has been Iran's supreme leader since 1989 when he succeeded the Islamic Republic's late founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khamenei has had ultimate control over all branches of Iran's government, the military and the judiciary. He has also been the country's spiritual leader for the decades he has been in control. Khamenei's dictatorship has been marked by his adversarial relationship with the West and in particular the United States. His relationship with Trump's administration rapidly deteriorated in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region, and the US president said he wanted a deal to constrain Iran's nuclear programme. Trump saw an opportunity to assert his influence while Iran has been consumed by dissent at home with nationwide protests. Khamenei had hoped to avert a war but maintained his country has the right to enrich uranium. He has long said Iran would never build a nuclear weapon and that the development of such technology was for civilian purposes only. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to press on with her radical reforms to the asylum system despite calls for Labour to swing to the left to counter the Greens. Ms Mahmood says Labour must now bring in Danish-style populist reforms to restore the public's faith in the 'broken' asylum system or risk its political future. She wants to mirror the success of Denmark's centre left party in stemming its own flood of illegal migrants which saw refugee status made temporary with most asylum seekers sent back home when it was deemed safe and the creation of departure centres to remove failed asylum seekers. Such a system would see even genuine asylum seekers granted only temporary status to remain in the UK until they could safely return to their own countries as well as tighter family reunification rules to prevent abuse of the system and even a financial incentive system to encourage repatriation. While the Home Secretary has previously said that Britain will always provide sanctuary to people genuinely fleeing war and danger, she has insisted that our overly generous asylum system is attracting people from across the world, funding human traffickers and encouraging false asylum claims. She has also warned that unless Britain follows a similar approach to Denmark in dealing with the spiralling migrant crisis, the far right will gain momentum, bringing 'havoc and chaos' to Britain's streets. She will double down on her proposals which have previously been criticised by the left wing of the party in a major speech next week, saying they are in line with Labour values. She will also warn that the Government must cut migration now or risk opening the door to ultra tough right wing measures being imposed by Reform UK which could even include US-style ICE anti-immigration raids. This week's annihilation of Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election also raises the spectre of Ms Mahmood not just fighting on two fronts against the Green Party's open border plans and Reform UK's tough stance but also against Labour's own backbenchers. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on a visit to housing for Asylum Seekers in Copenhagen earlier this week. Ms Mahmood says Labour must now bring in Danish-style populist reforms to restore the public's faith in the 'broken' asylum system or risk its political future Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a meeting with local party members in London yesterday. In the wake of the Gorton and Denton by-election, senior Labour figures including likely leadership contender Angela Rayner said the party must shift to the left to counter the Greens In a humiliating defeat, Labour was beaten into third place behind the Greens and Reform in its formerly safe seat in Manchester leading many Labour MPs to bay for leadership blood. In the wake of the poll disaster, senior Labour figures including likely leadership contender Angela Rayner said the party must shift to the left to counter the Greens, meaning Ms Mahmood's plans to get tough on borders would inevitably be ditched. But Ms Mahmood will come out fighting next week and will criticise the Greens' open border plans as a 'fairytale' and Reform's stance on borders as a 'nightmare', instead offering a 'centrist path' and laying out a roadmap for legislation. Fresh from a visit to Denmark, which now has the toughest immigration rules in Europe, she praised the country's 'firm but fair' approach and said legal and illegal migration must be cut. 'The levels of illegal migration are putting immense strain on our country, and our public services - creating division within communities across the country,' she told the Telegraph today. 'Illegal migration is undermining the contract between government and its citizens - eroding support for the asylum system entirely. 'But Denmark shows us how to be firm but fair: increasing the removals of illegal migrants that have no right to be in their country while providing refuge to those in genuine need. That is why we will follow the Danish model to restore order and control to our borders.' Denmark's then promised and now implemented radical reforms helped its own current government sweep to power, seeing off threats from the left and right. Denmark now has the lowest number of asylum seekers in 40 years and has removed 95% of rejected asylum seekers. Gorton and Denton's new Green MP Hannah Spencer poses for a selfie with Zack Polanski. In a humiliating defeat, Labour was beaten into third place behind the Greens and Reform in its formerly safe seat in Manchester Ms Mahmood with the Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rasmus Stoklund in Copenhagen earlier this week. The Home Secretary wants to mirror the success of Denmark's centre left party in stemming its own flood of illegal migrants The parallels with Labour's own situation will not be lost on Ms Mahmood as she outlines her plans in a speech to a progressive thinktank next week as pressure piles on the Government following the crucial by-election defeat. With Sir Keir Starmer's leadership further weakened by the by-election result, he yesterday accused the Greens, who campaigned on a pro Palestine platform, of 'sectarian' politics for its tactics in targeting the high Muslim population in the constituency and also rejected fresh calls for him to quit. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Mr Farage, the Reform leader, accused Muslim voters of cheating to elect the Greens through 'illegal family voting'. The Home Secretary is expected to face tough backbench pressure from her own benches as she introduces any reforms with at least forty Labour MPs known to be against her plans. Left wing Labour MP Nadia Whittome has previously said that the Labour Government should 'not be flirting with' a Danish style asylum shake up, condemning the Danish policies as all 'undeniably racist'. Ms Whittome, a member of the party's Socialist Campaign Group, said it would be a 'dangerous' path for the party to go down. The MP for Nottingham East said in November that the policies of the Danish government were 'the policies of the hard right' and were 'not the kind of model that we should be looking to emulate'. Sir Keir outside Downing Street last week. With Sir Keir Starmer's leadership further weakened by the by-election result, he yesterday accused the Greens of 'sectarian' politics for its tactics in targeting the high Muslim population in the constituency 'I think that these are the policies of the far right - I don't think anyone wants to see a Labour government flirting with them,' she said. But, in a sign of the division in the party, senior Labour sources have warned that a swing to socialism, such as that under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, would lead to disaster at any general election. 'We must not learn the wrong lessons here. When Labour tried socialism [under Jeremy Corbyn], we got shellacked - with our worst result since 1935,' one source told the Telegraph. Touring the Danish asylum system earlier this week, Ms Mahmood was taken to a reception centre on the outskirts of Copenhagen where asylum seekers are taken by police to stay on a short-term basis, and a returns centre. The centres, operated by the Danish Red Cross, included communal canteens and outdoor exercise machines. She was shown accommodation which included plain rooms furnished with small single beds or bunkbeds and lockers. Denmark began to crack down on asylum seekers in the mid 2010s to counter the rise of the hard-right Danish People's Party in striking echoes of the success of Reform UK. Facing a similar collapse of working-class support to the party, social democrat opposition leader Mette Frederiksen - now the prime minister - first introduced temporary stays for asylum seekers. Her party's recognition of the strain uncontrolled immigration was placing on working class communities led to success at the polls as well as the record levels of low immigration. Introduction I wanted a text that would bring together the ideas behind many of the more recent distributed systems - systems such as Amazon's Dynamo, Google's BigTable and MapReduce, Apache's Hadoop and so on. In this text I've tried to provide a more accessible introduction to distributed systems. To me, that means two things: introducing the key concepts that you will need in order to have a good time reading more serious texts, and providing a narrative that covers things in enough detail that you get a gist of what's going on without getting stuck on details. It's 2013, you've got the Internet, and you can selectively read more about the topics you find most interesting. In my view, much of distributed programming is about dealing with the implications of two consequences of distribution: that information travels at the speed of light that independent things fail independently* In other words, that the core of distributed programming is dealing with distance (duh!) and having more than one thing (duh!). These constraints define a space of possible system designs, and my hope is that after reading this you'll have a better sense of how distance, time and consistency models interact. This text is focused on distributed programming and systems concepts you'll need to understand commercial systems in the data center. It would be madness to attempt to cover everything. You'll learn many key protocols and algorithms (covering, for example, many of the most cited papers in the discipline), including some new exciting ways to look at eventual consistency that haven't still made it into college textbooks - such as CRDTs and the CALM theorem. I hope you like it! If you want to say thanks, follow me on Github (or Twitter). And if you spot an error, file a pull request on Github. 1. Basics The first chapter covers distributed systems at a high level by introducing a number of important terms and concepts. It covers high level goals, such as scalability, availability, performance, latency and fault tolerance; how those are hard to achieve, and how abstractions and models as well as partitioning and replication come into play. 2. Up and down the level of abstraction The second chapter dives deeper into abstractions and impossibility results. It starts with a Nietzsche quote, and then introduces system models and the many assumptions that are made in a typical system model. It then discusses the CAP theorem and summarizes the FLP impossibility result. It then turns to the implications of the CAP theorem, one of which is that one ought to explore other consistency models. A number of consistency models are then discussed. 3. Time and order A big part of understanding distributed systems is about understanding time and order. To the extent that we fail to understand and model time, our systems will fail. The third chapter discusses time and order, and clocks as well as the various uses of time, order and clocks (such as vector clocks and failure detectors). 4. Replication: preventing divergence The fourth chapter introduces the replication problem, and the two basic ways in which it can be performed. It turns out that most of the relevant characteristics can be discussed with just this simple characterization. Then, replication methods for maintaining single-copy consistency are discussed from the least fault tolerant (2PC) to Paxos. 5. Replication: accepting divergence The fifth chapter discussed replication with weak consistency guarantees. It introduces a basic reconciliation scenario, where partitioned replicas attempt to reach agreement. It then discusses Amazon's Dynamo as an example of a system design with weak consistency guarantees. Finally, two perspectives on disorderly programming are discussed: CRDTs and the CALM theorem. Appendix The appendix covers recommendations for further reading. 1. Distributed systems at a high level Distributed programming is the art of solving the same problem that you can solve on a single computer using multiple computers. There are two basic tasks that any computer system needs to accomplish: storage and computation Distributed programming is the art of solving the same problem that you can solve on a single computer using multiple computers - usually, because the problem no longer fits on a single computer. Nothing really demands that you use distributed systems. Given infinite money and infinite R&D time, we wouldn't need distributed systems. All computation and storage could be done on a magic box - a single, incredibly fast and incredibly reliable system that you pay someone else to design for you. However, few people have infinite resources. Hence, they have to find the right place on some real-world cost-benefit curve. At a small scale, upgrading hardware is a viable strategy. However, as problem sizes increase you will reach a point where either the hardware upgrade that allows you to solve the problem on a single node does not exist, or becomes cost-prohibitive. At that point, I welcome you to the world of distributed systems. It is a current reality that the best value is in mid-range, commodity hardware - as long as the maintenance costs can be kept down through fault-tolerant software. Computations primarily benefit from high-end hardware to the extent to which they can replace slow network accesses with internal memory accesses. The performance advantage of high-end hardware is limited in tasks that require large amounts of communication between nodes. As the figure above from Barroso, Clidaras & Holzle shows, the performance gap between high-end and commodity hardware decreases with cluster size assuming a uniform memory access pattern across all nodes. Ideally, adding a new machine would increase the performance and capacity of the system linearly. But of course this is not possible, because there is some overhead that arises due to having separate computers. Data needs to be copied around, computation tasks have to be coordinated and so on. This is why it's worthwhile to study distributed algorithms - they provide efficient solutions to specific problems, as well as guidance about what is possible, what the minimum cost of a correct implementation is, and what is impossible. The focus of this text is on distributed programming and systems in a mundane, but commercially relevant setting: the data center. For example, I will not discuss specialized problems that arise from having an exotic network configuration, or that arise in a shared-memory setting. Additionally, the focus is on exploring the system design space rather than on optimizing any specific design - the latter is a topic for a much more specialized text. What we want to achieve: Scalability and other good things The way I see it, everything starts with the need to deal with size. Most things are trivial at a small scale - and the same problem becomes much harder once you surpass a certain size, volume or other physically constrained thing. It's easy to lift a piece of chocolate, it's hard to lift a mountain. It's easy to count how many people are in a room, and hard to count how many people are in a country. So everything starts with size - scalability. Informally speaking, in a scalable system as we move from small to large, things should not get incrementally worse. Here's another definition: Scalability is the ability of a system, network, or process, to handle a growing amount of work in a capable manner or its ability to be enlarged to accommodate that growth. What is it that is growing? Well, you can measure growth in almost any terms (number of people, electricity usage etc.). But there are three particularly interesting things to look at: Size scalability: adding more nodes should make the system linearly faster; growing the dataset should not increase latency Geographic scalability: it should be possible to use multiple data centers to reduce the time it takes to respond to user queries, while dealing with cross-data center latency in some sensible manner. Administrative scalability: adding more nodes should not increase the administrative costs of the system (e.g. the administrators-to-machines ratio). Of course, in a real system growth occurs on multiple different axes simultaneously; each metric captures just some aspect of growth. A scalable system is one that continues to meet the needs of its users as scale increases. There are two particularly relevant aspects - performance and availability - which can be measured in various ways. Performance (and latency) Performance is characterized by the amount of useful work accomplished by a computer system compared to the time and resources used. Depending on the context, this may involve achieving one or more of the following: Short response time/low latency for a given piece of work High throughput (rate of processing work) Low utilization of computing resource(s) There are tradeoffs involved in optimizing for any of these outcomes. For example, a system may achieve a higher throughput by processing larger batches of work thereby reducing operation overhead. The tradeoff would be longer response times for individual pieces of work due to batching. I find that low latency - achieving a short response time - is the most interesting aspect of performance, because it has a strong connection with physical (rather than financial) limitations. It is harder to address latency using financial resources than the other aspects of performance. There are a lot of really specific definitions for latency, but I really like the idea that the etymology of the word evokes: Latency The state of being latent; delay, a period between the initiation of something and the occurrence. And what does it mean to be "latent"? Latent From Latin latens, latentis, present participle of lateo ("lie hidden"). Existing or present but concealed or inactive. This definition is pretty cool, because it highlights how latency is really the time between when something happened and the time it has an impact or becomes visible. For example, imagine that you are infected with an airborne virus that turns people into zombies. The latent period is the time between when you became infected, and when you turn into a zombie. That's latency: the time during which something that has already happened is concealed from view. Let's assume for a moment that our distributed system does just one high-level task: given a query, it takes all of the data in the system and calculates a single result. In other words, think of a distributed system as a data store with the ability to run a single deterministic computation (function) over its current content: result = query(all data in the system) Then, what matters for latency is not the amount of old data, but rather the speed at which new data "takes effect" in the system. For example, latency could be measured in terms of how long it takes for a write to become visible to readers. The other key point based on this definition is that if nothing happens, there is no "latent period". A system in which data doesn't change doesn't (or shouldn't) have a latency problem. In a distributed system, there is a minimum latency that cannot be overcome: the speed of light limits how fast information can travel, and hardware components have a minimum latency cost incurred per operation (think RAM and hard drives but also CPUs). How much that minimum latency impacts your queries depends on the nature of those queries and the physical distance the information needs to travel. Availability (and fault tolerance) The second aspect of a scalable system is availability. Availability the proportion of time a system is in a functioning condition. If a user cannot access the system, it is said to be unavailable. Distributed systems allow us to achieve desirable characteristics that would be hard to accomplish on a single system. For example, a single machine cannot tolerate any failures since it either fails or doesn't. Distributed systems can take a bunch of unreliable components, and build a reliable system on top of them. Systems that have no redundancy can only be as available as their underlying components. Systems built with redundancy can be tolerant of partial failures and thus be more available. It is worth noting that "redundant" can mean different things depending on what you look at - components, servers, datacenters and so on. Formulaically, availability is: Availability = uptime / (uptime + downtime) . Availability from a technical perspective is mostly about being fault tolerant. Because the probability of a failure occurring increases with the number of components, the system should be able to compensate so as to not become less reliable as the number of components increases. For example: Availability % How much downtime is allowed per year? 90% ("one nine") More than a month 99% ("two nines") Less than 4 days 99.9% ("three nines") Less than 9 hours 99.99% ("four nines") Less than an hour 99.999% ("five nines") ~ 5 minutes 99.9999% ("six nines") ~ 31 seconds Availability is in some sense a much wider concept than uptime, since the availability of a service can also be affected by, say, a network outage or the company owning the service going out of business (which would be a factor which is not really relevant to fault tolerance but would still influence the availability of the system). But without knowing every single specific aspect of the system, the best we can do is design for fault tolerance. What does it mean to be fault tolerant? Fault tolerance ability of a system to behave in a well-defined manner once faults occur Fault tolerance boils down to this: define what faults you expect and then design a system or an algorithm that is tolerant of them. You can't tolerate faults you haven't considered. What prevents us from achieving good things? Distributed systems are constrained by two physical factors: the number of nodes (which increases with the required storage and computation capacity) the distance between nodes (information travels, at best, at the speed of light) Working within those constraints: an increase in the number of independent nodes increases the probability of failure in a system (reducing availability and increasing administrative costs) an increase in the number of independent nodes may increase the need for communication between nodes (reducing performance as scale increases) an increase in geographic distance increases the minimum latency for communication between distant nodes (reducing performance for certain operations) Beyond these tendencies - which are a result of the physical constraints - is the world of system design options. Both performance and availability are defined by the external guarantees the system makes. On a high level, you can think of the guarantees as the SLA (service level agreement) for the system: if I write data, how quickly can I access it elsewhere? After the data is written, what guarantees do I have of durability? If I ask the system to run a computation, how quickly will it return results? When components fail, or are taken out of operation, what impact will this have on the system? There is another criterion, which is not explicitly mentioned but implied: intelligibility. How understandable are the guarantees that are made? Of course, there are no simple metrics for what is intelligible. I was kind of tempted to put "intelligibility" under physical limitations. After all, it is a hardware limitation in people that we have a hard time understanding anything that involves more moving things than we have fingers. That's the difference between an error and an anomaly - an error is incorrect behavior, while an anomaly is unexpected behavior. If you were smarter, you'd expect the anomalies to occur. Abstractions and models This is where abstractions and models come into play. Abstractions make things more manageable by removing real-world aspects that are not relevant to solving a problem. Models describe the key properties of a distributed system in a precise manner. I'll discuss many kinds of models in the next chapter, such as: System model (asynchronous / synchronous) Failure model (crash-fail, partitions, Byzantine) Consistency model (strong, eventual) A good abstraction makes working with a system easier to understand, while capturing the factors that are relevant for a particular purpose. There is a tension between the reality that there are many nodes and with our desire for systems that "work like a single system". Often, the most familiar model (for example, implementing a shared memory abstraction on a distributed system) is too expensive. A system that makes weaker guarantees has more freedom of action, and hence potentially greater performance - but it is also potentially hard to reason about. People are better at reasoning about systems that work like a single system, rather than a collection of nodes. One can often gain performance by exposing more details about the internals of the system. For example, in columnar storage, the user can (to some extent) reason about the locality of the key-value pairs within the system and hence make decisions that influence the performance of typical queries. Systems which hide these kinds of details are easier to understand (since they act more like single unit, with fewer details to think about), while systems that expose more real-world details may be more performant (because they correspond more closely to reality). Several types of failures make writing distributed systems that act like a single system difficult. Network latency and network partitions (e.g. total network failure between some nodes) mean that a system needs to sometimes make hard choices about whether it is better to stay available but lose some crucial guarantees that cannot be enforced, or to play it safe and refuse clients when these types of failures occur. The CAP theorem - which I will discuss in the next chapter - captures some of these tensions. In the end, the ideal system meets both programmer needs (clean semantics) and business needs (availability/consistency/latency). Design techniques: partition and replicate The manner in which a data set is distributed between multiple nodes is very important. In order for any computation to happen, we need to locate the data and then act on it. There are two basic techniques that can be applied to a data set. It can be split over multiple nodes (partitioning) to allow for more parallel processing. It can also be copied or cached on different nodes to reduce the distance between the client and the server and for greater fault tolerance (replication). Divide and conquer - I mean, partition and replicate. The picture below illustrates the difference between these two: partitioned data (A and B below) is divided into independent sets, while replicated data (C below) is copied to multiple locations. This is the one-two punch for solving any problem where distributed computing plays a role. Of course, the trick is in picking the right technique for your concrete implementation; there are many algorithms that implement replication and partitioning, each with different limitations and advantages which need to be assessed against your design objectives. Partitioning Partitioning is dividing the dataset into smaller distinct independent sets; this is used to reduce the impact of dataset growth since each partition is a subset of the data. Partitioning improves performance by limiting the amount of data to be examined and by locating related data in the same partition Partitioning improves availability by allowing partitions to fail independently, increasing the number of nodes that need to fail before availability is sacrificed Partitioning is also very much application-specific, so it is hard to say much about it without knowing the specifics. That's why the focus is on replication in most texts, including this one. Partitioning is mostly about defining your partitions based on what you think the primary access pattern will be, and dealing with the limitations that come from having independent partitions (e.g. inefficient access across partitions, different rate of growth etc.). Replication Replication is making copies of the same data on multiple machines; this allows more servers to take part in the computation. Let me inaccurately quote Homer J. Simpson: To replication! The cause of, and solution to all of life's problems. Replication - copying or reproducing something - is the primary way in which we can fight latency. Replication improves performance by making additional computing power and bandwidth applicable to a new copy of the data Replication improves availability by creating additional copies of the data, increasing the number of nodes that need to fail before availability is sacrificed Replication is about providing extra bandwidth, and caching where it counts. It is also about maintaining consistency in some way according to some consistency model. Replication allows us to achieve scalability, performance and fault tolerance. Afraid of loss of availability or reduced performance? Replicate the data to avoid a bottleneck or single point of failure. Slow computation? Replicate the computation on multiple systems. Slow I/O? Replicate the data to a local cache to reduce latency or onto multiple machines to increase throughput. Replication is also the source of many of the problems, since there are now independent copies of the data that has to be kept in sync on multiple machines - this means ensuring that the replication follows a consistency model. The choice of a consistency model is crucial: a good consistency model provides clean semantics for programmers (in other words, the properties it guarantees are easy to reason about) and meets business/design goals such as high availability or strong consistency. Only one consistency model for replication - strong consistency - allows you to program as-if the underlying data was not replicated. Other consistency models expose some internals of the replication to the programmer. However, weaker consistency models can provide lower latency and higher availability - and are not necessarily harder to understand, just different. Further reading 2. Up and down the level of abstraction In this chapter, we'll travel up and down the level of abstraction, look at some impossibility results (CAP and FLP), and then travel back down for the sake of performance. If you've done any programming, the idea of levels of abstraction is probably familiar to you. You'll always work at some level of abstraction, interface with a lower level layer through some API, and probably provide some higher-level API or user interface to your users. The seven-layer OSI model of computer networking is a good example of this. Distributed programming is, I'd assert, in large part dealing with consequences of distribution (duh!). That is, there is a tension between the reality that there are many nodes and with our desire for systems that "work like a single system". That means finding a good abstraction that balances what is possible with what is understandable and performant. What do we mean when say X is more abstract than Y? First, that X does not introduce anything new or fundamentally different from Y. In fact, X may remove some aspects of Y or present them in a way that makes them more manageable. Second, that X is in some sense easier to grasp than Y, assuming that the things that X removed from Y are not important to the matter at hand. As Nietzsche wrote: Every concept originates through our equating what is unequal. No leaf ever wholly equals another, and the concept "leaf" is formed through an arbitrary abstraction from these individual differences, through forgetting the distinctions; and now it gives rise to the idea that in nature there might be something besides the leaves which would be "leaf" - some kind of original form after which all leaves have been woven, marked, copied, colored, curled, and painted, but by unskilled hands, so that no copy turned out to be a correct, reliable, and faithful image of the original form. Abstractions, fundamentally, are fake. Every situation is unique, as is every node. But abstractions make the world manageable: simpler problem statements - free of reality - are much more analytically tractable and provided that we did not ignore anything essential, the solutions are widely applicable. Indeed, if the things that we kept around are essential, then the results we can derive will be widely applicable. This is why impossibility results are so important: they take the simplest possible formulation of a problem, and demonstrate that it is impossible to solve within some set of constraints or assumptions. All abstractions ignore something in favor of equating things that are in reality unique. The trick is to get rid of everything that is not essential. How do you know what is essential? Well, you probably won't know a priori. Every time we exclude some aspect of a system from our specification of the system, we risk introducing a source of error and/or a performance issue. That's why sometimes we need to go in the other direction, and selectively introduce some aspects of real hardware and the real-world problem back. It may be sufficient to reintroduce some specific hardware characteristics (e.g. physical sequentiality) or other physical characteristics to get a system that performs well enough. With this in mind, what is the least amount of reality we can keep around while still working with something that is still recognizable as a distributed system? A system model is a specification of the characteristics we consider important; having specified one, we can then take a look at some impossibility results and challenges. A system model A key property of distributed systems is distribution. More specifically, programs in a distributed system: run concurrently on independent nodes ... are connected by a network that may introduce nondeterminism and message loss ... and have no shared memory or shared clock. There are many implications: each node executes a program concurrently knowledge is local: nodes have fast access only to their local state, and any information about global state is potentially out of date nodes can fail and recover from failure independently messages can be delayed or lost (independent of node failure; it is not easy to distinguish network failure and node failure) and clocks are not synchronized across nodes (local timestamps do not correspond to the global real time order, which cannot be easily observed) A system model enumerates the many assumptions associated with a particular system design. System model a set of assumptions about the environment and facilities on which a distributed system is implemented System models vary in their assumptions about the environment and facilities. These assumptions include: what capabilities the nodes have and how they may fail how communication links operate and how they may fail and properties of the overall system, such as assumptions about time and order A robust system model is one that makes the weakest assumptions: any algorithm written for such a system is very tolerant of different environments, since it makes very few and very weak assumptions. On the other hand, we can create a system model that is easy to reason about by making strong assumptions. For example, assuming that nodes do not fail means that our algorithm does not need to handle node failures. However, such a system model is unrealistic and hence hard to apply into practice. Let's look at the properties of nodes, links and time and order in more detail. Nodes in our system model Nodes serve as hosts for computation and storage. They have: the ability to execute a program the ability to store data into volatile memory (which can be lost upon failure) and into stable state (which can be read after a failure) a clock (which may or may not be assumed to be accurate) Nodes execute deterministic algorithms: the local computation, the local state after the computation, and the messages sent are determined uniquely by the message received and local state when the message was received. There are many possible failure models which describe the ways in which nodes can fail. In practice, most systems assume a crash-recovery failure model: that is, nodes can only fail by crashing, and can (possibly) recover after crashing at some later point. Another alternative is to assume that nodes can fail by misbehaving in any arbitrary way. This is known as Byzantine fault tolerance. Byzantine faults are rarely handled in real world commercial systems, because algorithms resilient to arbitrary faults are more expensive to run and more complex to implement. I will not discuss them here. Communication links connect individual nodes to each other, and allow messages to be sent in either direction. Many books that discuss distributed algorithms assume that there are individual links between each pair of nodes, that the links provide FIFO (first in, first out) order for messages, that they can only deliver messages that were sent, and that sent messages can be lost. Some algorithms assume that the network is reliable: that messages are never lost and never delayed indefinitely. This may be a reasonable assumption for some real-world settings, but in general it is preferable to consider the network to be unreliable and subject to message loss and delays. A network partition occurs when the network fails while the nodes themselves remain operational. When this occurs, messages may be lost or delayed until the network partition is repaired. Partitioned nodes may be accessible by some clients, and so must be treated differently from crashed nodes. The diagram below illustrates a node failure vs. a network partition: It is rare to make further assumptions about communication links. We could assume that links only work in one direction, or we could introduce different communication costs (e.g. latency due to physical distance) for different links. However, these are rarely concerns in commercial environments except for long-distance links (WAN latency) and so I will not discuss them here; a more detailed model of costs and topology allows for better optimization at the cost of complexity. Timing / ordering assumptions One of the consequences of physical distribution is that each node experiences the world in a unique manner. This is inescapable, because information can only travel at the speed of light. If nodes are at different distances from each other, then any messages sent from one node to the others will arrive at a different time and potentially in a different order at the other nodes. Timing assumptions are a convenient shorthand for capturing assumptions about the extent to which we take this reality into account. The two main alternatives are: Synchronous system model Processes execute in lock-step; there is a known upper bound on message transmission delay; each process has an accurate clock Asynchronous system model No timing assumptions - e.g. processes execute at independent rates; there is no bound on message transmission delay; useful clocks do not exist The synchronous system model imposes many constraints on time and order. It essentially assumes that the nodes have the same experience: that messages that are sent are always received within a particular maximum transmission delay, and that processes execute in lock-step. This is convenient, because it allows you as the system designer to make assumptions about time and order, while the asynchronous system model doesn't. Asynchronicity is a non-assumption: it just assumes that you can't rely on timing (or a "time sensor"). It is easier to solve problems in the synchronous system model, because assumptions about execution speeds, maximum message transmission delays and clock accuracy all help in solving problems since you can make inferences based on those assumptions and rule out inconvenient failure scenarios by assuming they never occur. Of course, assuming the synchronous system model is not particularly realistic. Real-world networks are subject to failures and there are no hard bounds on message delay. Real world systems are at best partially synchronous: they may occasionally work correctly and provide some upper bounds, but there will be times where messages are delayed indefinitely and clocks are out of sync. I won't really discuss algorithms for synchronous systems here, but you will probably run into them in many other introductory books because they are analytically easier (but unrealistic). The consensus problem During the rest of this text, we'll vary the parameters of the system model. Next, we'll look at how varying two system properties: whether or not network partitions are included in the failure model, and synchronous vs. asynchronous timing assumptions influence the system design choices by discussing two impossibility results (FLP and CAP). Of course, in order to have a discussion, we also need to introduce a problem to solve. The problem I'm going to discuss is the consensus problem. Several computers (or nodes) achieve consensus if they all agree on some value. More formally: Agreement: Every correct process must agree on the same value. Integrity: Every correct process decides at most one value, and if it decides some value, then it must have been proposed by some process. Termination: All processes eventually reach a decision. Validity: If all correct processes propose the same value V, then all correct processes decide V. The consensus problem is at the core of many commercial distributed systems. After all, we want the reliability and performance of a distributed system without having to deal with the consequences of distribution (e.g. disagreements / divergence between nodes), and solving the consensus problem makes it possible to solve several related, more advanced problems such as atomic broadcast and atomic commit. Two impossibility results The first impossibility result, known as the FLP impossibility result, is an impossibility result that is particularly relevant to people who design distributed algorithms. The second - the CAP theorem - is a related result that is more relevant to practitioners; people who need to choose between different system designs but who are not directly concerned with the design of algorithms. The FLP impossibility result I will only briefly summarize the FLP impossibility result, though it is considered to be more important in academic circles. The FLP impossibility result (named after the authors, Fischer, Lynch and Patterson) examines the consensus problem under the asynchronous system model (technically, the agreement problem, which is a very weak form of the consensus problem). It is assumed that nodes can only fail by crashing; that the network is reliable, and that the typical timing assumptions of the asynchronous system model hold: e.g. there are no bounds on message delay. Under these assumptions, the FLP result states that "there does not exist a (deterministic) algorithm for the consensus problem in an asynchronous system subject to failures, even if messages can never be lost, at most one process may fail, and it can only fail by crashing (stopping executing)". This result means that there is no way to solve the consensus problem under a very minimal system model in a way that cannot be delayed forever. The argument is that if such an algorithm existed, then one could devise an execution of that algorithm in which it would remain undecided ("bivalent") for an arbitrary amount of time by delaying message delivery - which is allowed in the asynchronous system model. Thus, such an algorithm cannot exist. This impossibility result is important because it highlights that assuming the asynchronous system model leads to a tradeoff: algorithms that solve the consensus problem must either give up safety or liveness when the guarantees regarding bounds on message delivery do not hold. This insight is particularly relevant to people who design algorithms, because it imposes a hard constraint on the problems that we know are solvable in the asynchronous system model. The CAP theorem is a related theorem that is more relevant to practitioners: it makes slightly different assumptions (network failures rather than node failures), and has more clear implications for practitioners choosing between system designs. The CAP theorem The CAP theorem was initially a conjecture made by computer scientist Eric Brewer. It's a popular and fairly useful way to think about tradeoffs in the guarantees that a system design makes. It even has a formal proof by Gilbert and Lynch and no, Nathan Marz didn't debunk it, in spite of what a particular discussion site thinks. The theorem states that of these three properties: Consistency: all nodes see the same data at the same time. Availability: node failures do not prevent survivors from continuing to operate. Partition tolerance: the system continues to operate despite message loss due to network and/or node failure only two can be satisfied simultaneously. We can even draw this as a pretty diagram, picking two properties out of three gives us three types of systems that correspond to different intersections: Note that the theorem states that the middle piece (having all three properties) is not achievable. Then we get three different system types: CA (consistency + availability). Examples include full strict quorum protocols, such as two-phase commit. CP (consistency + partition tolerance). Examples include majority quorum protocols in which minority partitions are unavailable such as Paxos. AP (availability + partition tolerance). Examples include protocols using conflict resolution, such as Dynamo. The CA and CP system designs both offer the same consistency model: strong consistency. The only difference is that a CA system cannot tolerate any node failures; a CP system can tolerate up to f faults given 2f+1 nodes in a non-Byzantine failure model (in other words, it can tolerate the failure of a minority f of the nodes as long as majority f+1 stays up). The reason is simple: A CA system does not distinguish between node failures and network failures, and hence must stop accepting writes everywhere to avoid introducing divergence (multiple copies). It cannot tell whether a remote node is down, or whether just the network connection is down: so the only safe thing is to stop accepting writes. A CP system prevents divergence (e.g. maintains single-copy consistency) by forcing asymmetric behavior on the two sides of the partition. It only keeps the majority partition around, and requires the minority partition to become unavailable (e.g. stop accepting writes), which retains a degree of availability (the majority partition) and still ensures single-copy consistency. I'll discuss this in more detail in the chapter on replication when I discuss Paxos. The important thing is that CP systems incorporate network partitions into their failure model and distinguish between a majority partition and a minority partition using an algorithm like Paxos, Raft or viewstamped replication. CA systems are not partition-aware, and are historically more common: they often use the two-phase commit algorithm and are common in traditional distributed relational databases. Assuming that a partition occurs, the theorem reduces to a binary choice between availability and consistency. I think there are four conclusions that should be drawn from the CAP theorem: First, that many system designs used in early distributed relational database systems did not take into account partition tolerance (e.g. they were CA designs). Partition tolerance is an important property for modern systems, since network partitions become much more likely if the system is geographically distributed (as many large systems are). Second, that there is a tension between strong consistency and high availability during network partitions. The CAP theorem is an illustration of the tradeoffs that occur between strong guarantees and distributed computation. In some sense, it is quite crazy to promise that a distributed system consisting of independent nodes connected by an unpredictable network "behaves in a way that is indistinguishable from a non-distributed system". Strong consistency guarantees require us to give up availability during a partition. This is because one cannot prevent divergence between two replicas that cannot communicate with each other while continuing to accept writes on both sides of the partition. How can we work around this? By strengthening the assumptions (assume no partitions) or by weakening the guarantees. Consistency can be traded off against availability (and the related capabilities of offline accessibility and low latency). If "consistency" is defined as something less than "all nodes see the same data at the same time" then we can have both availability and some (weaker) consistency guarantee. Third, that there is a tension between strong consistency and performance in normal operation. Strong consistency / single-copy consistency requires that nodes communicate and agree on every operation. This results in high latency during normal operation. If you can live with a consistency model other than the classic one, a consistency model that allows replicas to lag or to diverge, then you can reduce latency during normal operation and maintain availability in the presence of partitions. When fewer messages and fewer nodes are involved, an operation can complete faster. But the only way to accomplish that is to relax the guarantees: let some of the nodes be contacted less frequently, which means that nodes can contain old data. This also makes it possible for anomalies to occur. You are no longer guaranteed to get the most recent value. Depending on what kinds of guarantees are made, you might read a value that is older than expected, or even lose some updates. Fourth - and somewhat indirectly - that if we do not want to give up availability during a network partition, then we need to explore whether consistency models other than strong consistency are workable for our purposes. For example, even if user data is georeplicated to multiple datacenters, and the link between those two datacenters is temporarily out of order, in many cases we'll still want to allow the user to use the website / service. This means reconciling two divergent sets of data later on, which is both a technical challenge and a business risk. But often both the technical challenge and the business risk are manageable, and so it is preferable to provide high availability. Consistency and availability are not really binary choices, unless you limit yourself to strong consistency. But strong consistency is just one consistency model: the one where you, by necessity, need to give up availability in order to prevent more than a single copy of the data from being active. As Brewer himself points out, the "2 out of 3" interpretation is misleading. If you take away just one idea from this discussion, let it be this: "consistency" is not a singular, unambiguous property. Remember: ACID consistency != CAP consistency != Oatmeal consistency Instead, a consistency model is a guarantee - any guarantee - that a data store gives to programs that use it. Consistency model a contract between programmer and system, wherein the system guarantees that if the programmer follows some specific rules, the results of operations on the data store will be predictable The "C" in CAP is "strong consistency", but "consistency" is not a synonym for "strong consistency". Let's take a look at some alternative consistency models. Strong consistency vs. other consistency models Consistency models can be categorized into two types: strong and weak consistency models: Strong consistency models (capable of maintaining a single copy) Linearizable consistency Sequential consistency Weak consistency models (not strong) Client-centric consistency models Causal consistency: strongest model available Eventual consistency models Strong consistency models guarantee that the apparent order and visibility of updates is equivalent to a non-replicated system. Weak consistency models, on the other hand, do not make such guarantees. Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list. Again, consistency models are just arbitrary contracts between the programmer and system, so they can be almost anything. Strong consistency models Strong consistency models can further be divided into two similar, but slightly different consistency models: Linearizable consistency: Under linearizable consistency, all operations appear to have executed atomically in an order that is consistent with the global real-time ordering of operations. (Herlihy & Wing, 1991) to have executed atomically in an order that is consistent with the global real-time ordering of operations. (Herlihy & Wing, 1991) Sequential consistency: Under sequential consistency, all operations appear to have executed atomically in some order that is consistent with the order seen at individual nodes and that is equal at all nodes. (Lamport, 1979) The key difference is that linearizable consistency requires that the order in which operations take effect is equal to the actual real-time ordering of operations. Sequential consistency allows for operations to be reordered as long as the order observed on each node remains consistent. The only way someone can distinguish between the two is if they can observe all the inputs and timings going into the system; from the perspective of a client interacting with a node, the two are equivalent. The difference seems immaterial, but it is worth noting that sequential consistency does not compose. Strong consistency models allow you as a programmer to replace a single server with a cluster of distributed nodes and not run into any problems. All the other consistency models have anomalies (compared to a system that guarantees strong consistency), because they behave in a way that is distinguishable from a non-replicated system. But often these anomalies are acceptable, either because we don't care about occasional issues or because we've written code that deals with inconsistencies after they have occurred in some way. Note that there really aren't any universal typologies for weak consistency models, because "not a strong consistency model" (e.g. "is distinguishable from a non-replicated system in some way") can be almost anything. Client-centric consistency models Client-centric consistency models are consistency models that involve the notion of a client or session in some way. For example, a client-centric consistency model might guarantee that a client will never see older versions of a data item. This is often implemented by building additional caching into the client library, so that if a client moves to a replica node that contains old data, then the client library returns its cached value rather than the old value from the replica. Clients may still see older versions of the data, if the replica node they are on does not contain the latest version, but they will never see anomalies where an older version of a value resurfaces (e.g. because they connected to a different replica). Note that there are many kinds of consistency models that are client-centric. Eventual consistency The eventual consistency model says that if you stop changing values, then after some undefined amount of time all replicas will agree on the same value. It is implied that before that time results between replicas are inconsistent in some undefined manner. Since it is trivially satisfiable (liveness property only), it is useless without supplemental information. Saying something is merely eventually consistent is like saying "people are eventually dead". It's a very weak constraint, and we'd probably want to have at least some more specific characterization of two things: First, how long is "eventually"? It would be useful to have a strict lower bound, or at least some idea of how long it typically takes for the system to converge to the same value. Second, how do the replicas agree on a value? A system that always returns "42" is eventually consistent: all replicas agree on the same value. It just doesn't converge to a useful value since it just keeps returning the same fixed value. Instead, we'd like to have a better idea of the method. For example, one way to decide is to have the value with the largest timestamp always win. So when vendors say "eventual consistency", what they mean is some more precise term, such as "eventually last-writer-wins, and read-the-latest-observed-value in the meantime" consistency. The "how?" matters, because a bad method can lead to writes being lost - for example, if the clock on one node is set incorrectly and timestamps are used. I will look into these two questions in more detail in the chapter on replication methods for weak consistency models. Further reading 3. Time and order What is order and why is it important? What do you mean "what is order"? I mean, why are we so obsessed with order in the first place? Why do we care whether A happened before B? Why don't we care about some other property, like "color"? Well, my crazy friend, let's go back to the definition of distributed systems to answer that. As you may remember, I described distributed programming as the art of solving the same problem that you can solve on a single computer using multiple computers. This is, in fact, at the core of the obsession with order. Any system that can only do one thing at a time will create a total order of operations. Like people passing through a single door, every operation will have a well-defined predecessor and successor. That's basically the programming model that we've worked very hard to preserve. The traditional model is: a single program, one process, one memory space running on one CPU. The operating system abstracts away the fact that there might be multiple CPUs and multiple programs, and that the memory on the computer is actually shared among many programs. I'm not saying that threaded programming and event-oriented programming don't exist; it's just that they are special abstractions on top of the "one/one/one" model. Programs are written to be executed in an ordered fashion: you start from the top, and then go down towards the bottom. Order as a property has received so much attention because the easiest way to define "correctness" is to say "it works like it would on a single machine". And that usually means that a) we run the same operations and b) that we run them in the same order - even if there are multiple machines. The nice thing about distributed systems that preserve order (as defined for a single system) is that they are generic. You don't need to care about what the operations are, because they will be executed exactly like on a single machine. This is great because you know that you can use the same system no matter what the operations are. In reality, a distributed program runs on multiple nodes; with multiple CPUs and multiple streams of operations coming in. You can still assign a total order, but it requires either accurate clocks or some form of communication. You could timestamp each operation using a completely accurate clock then use that to figure out the total order. Or you might have some kind of communication system that makes it possible to assign sequential numbers as in a total order. Total and partial order The natural state in a distributed system is partial order. Neither the network nor independent nodes make any guarantees about relative order; but at each node, you can observe a local order. A total order is a binary relation that defines an order for every element in some set. Two distinct elements are comparable when one of them is greater than the other. In a partially ordered set, some pairs of elements are not comparable and hence a partial order doesn't specify the exact order of every item. Both total order and partial order are transitive and antisymmetric. The following statements hold in both a total order and a partial order for all a, b and c in X: If a b and b a then a = b (antisymmetry); If a b and b c then a c (transitivity); However, a total order is total: a b or b a (totality) for all a, b in X while a partial order is only reflexive: a a (reflexivity) for all a in X Note that totality implies reflexivity; so a partial order is a weaker variant of total order. For some elements in a partial order, the totality property does not hold - in other words, some of the elements are not comparable. Git branches are an example of a partial order. As you probably know, the git revision control system allows you to create multiple branches from a single base branch - e.g. from a master branch. Each branch represents a history of source code changes derived based on a common ancestor: [ branch A (1,2,0)] [ master (3,0,0) ] [ branch B (1,0,2) ] [ branch A (1,1,0)] [ master (2,0,0) ] [ branch B (1,0,1) ] \ [ master (1,0,0) ] / The branches A and B were derived from a common ancestor, but there is no definite order between them: they represent different histories and cannot be reduced to a single linear history without additional work (merging). You could, of course, put all the commits in some arbitrary order (say, sorting them first by ancestry and then breaking ties by sorting A before B or B before A) - but that would lose information by forcing a total order where none existed. In a system consisting of one node, a total order emerges by necessity: instructions are executed and messages are processed in a specific, observable order in a single program. We've come to rely on this total order - it makes executions of programs predictable. This order can be maintained on a distributed system, but at a cost: communication is expensive, and time synchronization is difficult and fragile. What is time? Time is a source of order - it allows us to define the order of operations - which coincidentally also has an interpretation that people can understand (a second, a minute, a day and so on). In some sense, time is just like any other integer counter. It just happens to be important enough that most computers have a dedicated time sensor, also known as a clock. It's so important that we've figured out how to synthesize an approximation of the same counter using some imperfect physical system (from wax candles to cesium atoms). By "synthesize", I mean that we can approximate the value of the integer counter in physically distant places via some physical property without communicating it directly. Timestamps really are a shorthand value for representing the state of the world from the start of the universe to the current moment - if something occurred at a particular timestamp, then it was potentially influenced by everything that happened before it. This idea can be generalized into a causal clock that explicitly tracks causes (dependencies) rather than simply assuming that everything that preceded a timestamp was relevant. Of course, the usual assumption is that we should only worry about the state of the specific system rather than the whole world. Assuming that time progresses at the same rate everywhere - and that is a big assumption which I'll return to in a moment - time and timestamps have several useful interpretations when used in a program. The three interpretations are: Order Duration Interpretation Order. When I say that time is a source of order, what I mean is that: we can attach timestamps to unordered events to order them we can use timestamps to enforce a specific ordering of operations or the delivery of messages (for example, by delaying an operation if it arrives out of order) we can use the value of a timestamp to determine whether something happened chronologically before something else Interpretation - time as a universally comparable value. The absolute value of a timestamp can be interpreted as a date, which is useful for people. Given a timestamp of when a downtime started from a log file, you can tell that it was last Saturday, when there was a thunderstorm. Duration - durations measured in time have some relation to the real world. Algorithms generally don't care about the absolute value of a clock or its interpretation as a date, but they might use durations to make some judgment calls. In particular, the amount of time spent waiting can provide clues about whether a system is partitioned or merely experiencing high latency. By their nature, the components of distributed systems do not behave in a predictable manner. They do not guarantee any specific order, rate of advance, or lack of delay. Each node does have some local order - as execution is (roughly) sequential - but these local orders are independent of each other. Imposing (or assuming) order is one way to reduce the space of possible executions and possible occurrences. Humans have a hard time reasoning about things when things can happen in any order - there just are too many permutations to consider. Does time progress at the same rate everywhere? We all have an intuitive concept of time based on our own experience as individuals. Unfortunately, that intuitive notion of time makes it easier to picture total order rather than partial order. It's easier to picture a sequence in which things happen one after another, rather than concurrently. It is easier to reason about a single order of messages than to reason about messages arriving in different orders and with different delays. However, when implementing distributing systems we want to avoid making strong assumptions about time and order, because the stronger the assumptions, the more fragile a system is to issues with the "time sensor" - or the onboard clock. Furthermore, imposing an order carries a cost. The more temporal nondeterminism that we can tolerate, the more we can take advantage of distributed computation. There are three common answers to the question "does time progress at the same rate everywhere?". These are: "Global clock": yes "Local clock": no, but "No clock": no! These correspond roughly to the three timing assumptions that I mentioned in the second chapter: the synchronous system model has a global clock, the partially synchronous model has a local clock, and in the asynchronous system model one cannot use clocks at all. Let's look at these in more detail. Time with a "global-clock" assumption The global clock assumption is that there is a global clock of perfect accuracy, and that everyone has access to that clock. This is the way we tend to think about time, because in human interactions small differences in time don't really matter. The global clock is basically a source of total order (exact order of every operation on all nodes even if those nodes have never communicated). However, this is an idealized view of the world: in reality, clock synchronization is only possible to a limited degree of accuracy. This is limited by the lack of accuracy of clocks in commodity computers, by latency if a clock synchronization protocol such as NTP is used and fundamentally by the nature of spacetime. Assuming that clocks on distributed nodes are perfectly synchronized means assuming that clocks start at the same value and never drift apart. It's a nice assumption because you can use timestamps freely to determine a global total order - bound by clock drift rather than latency - but this is a nontrivial operational challenge and a potential source of anomalies. There are many different scenarios where a simple failure - such as a user accidentally changing the local time on a machine, or an out-of-date machine joining a cluster, or synchronized clocks drifting at slightly different rates and so on that can cause hard-to-trace anomalies. Nevertheless, there are some real-world systems that make this assumption. Facebook's Cassandra is an example of a system that assumes clocks are synchronized. It uses timestamps to resolve conflicts between writes - the write with the newer timestamp wins. This means that if clocks drift, new data may be ignored or overwritten by old data; again, this is an operational challenge (and from what I've heard, one that people are acutely aware of). Another interesting example is Google's Spanner: the paper describes their TrueTime API, which synchronizes time but also estimates worst-case clock drift. Time with a "Local-clock" assumption The second, and perhaps more plausible assumption is that each machine has its own clock, but there is no global clock. It means that you cannot use the local clock in order to determine whether a remote timestamp occurred before or after a local timestamp; in other words, you cannot meaningfully compare timestamps from two different machines. The local clock assumption corresponds more closely to the real world. It assigns a partial order: events on each system are ordered but events cannot be ordered across systems by only using a clock. However, you can use timestamps to order events on a single machine; and you can use timeouts on a single machine as long as you are careful not to allow the clock to jump around. Of course, on a machine controlled by an end-user this is probably assuming too much: for example, a user might accidentally change their date to a different value while looking up a date using the operating system's date control. Time with a "No-clock" assumption Finally, there is the notion of logical time. Here, we don't use clocks at all and instead track causality in some other way. Remember, a timestamp is simply a shorthand for the state of the world up to that point - so we can use counters and communication to determine whether something happened before, after or concurrently with something else. This way, we can determine the order of events between different machines, but cannot say anything about intervals and cannot use timeouts (since we assume that there is no "time sensor"). This is a partial order: events can be ordered on a single system using a counter and no communication, but ordering events across systems requires a message exchange. One of the most cited papers in distributed systems is Lamport's paper on time, clocks and the ordering of events. Vector clocks, a generalization of that concept (which I will cover in more detail), are a way to track causality without using clocks. Cassandra's cousins Riak (Basho) and Voldemort (Linkedin) use vector clocks rather than assuming that nodes have access to a global clock of perfect accuracy. This allows those systems to avoid the clock accuracy issues mentioned earlier. When clocks are not used, the maximum precision at which events can be ordered across distant machines is bound by communication latency. How is time used in a distributed system? What is the benefit of time? Time can define order across a system (without communication) Time can define boundary conditions for algorithms The order of events is important in distributed systems, because many properties of distributed systems are defined in terms of the order of operations/events: where correctness depends on (agreement on) correct event ordering, for example serializability in a distributed database order can be used as a tie breaker when resource contention occurs, for example if there are two orders for a widget, fulfill the first and cancel the second one A global clock would allow operations on two different machines to be ordered without the two machines communicating directly. Without a global clock, we need to communicate in order to determine order. Time can also be used to define boundary conditions for algorithms - specifically, to distinguish between "high latency" and "server or network link is down". This is a very important use case; in most real-world systems timeouts are used to determine whether a remote machine has failed, or whether it is simply experiencing high network latency. Algorithms that make this determination are called failure detectors; and I will discuss them fairly soon. Vector clocks (time for causal order) Earlier, we discussed the different assumptions about the rate of progress of time across a distributed system. Assuming that we cannot achieve accurate clock synchronization - or starting with the goal that our system should not be sensitive to issues with time synchronization, how can we order things? Lamport clocks and vector clocks are replacements for physical clocks which rely on counters and communication to determine the order of events across a distributed system. These clocks provide a counter that is comparable across different nodes. A Lamport clock is simple. Each process maintains a counter using the following rules: Whenever a process does work, increment the counter Whenever a process sends a message, include the counter When a message is received, set the counter to max(local_counter, received_counter) + 1 Expressed as code: function LamportClock() { this.value = 1; } LamportClock.prototype.get = function() { return this.value; } LamportClock.prototype.increment = function() { this.value++; } LamportClock.prototype.merge = function(other) { this.value = Math.max(this.value, other.value) + 1; } A Lamport clock allows counters to be compared across systems, with a caveat: Lamport clocks define a partial order. If timestamp(a) < timestamp(b) : a may have happened before b or may have happened before or a may be incomparable with b This is known as clock consistency condition: if one event comes before another, then that event's logical clock comes before the others. If a and b are from the same causal history, e.g. either both timestamp values were produced on the same process; or b is a response to the message sent in a then we know that a happened before b . Intuitively, this is because a Lamport clock can only carry information about one timeline / history; hence, comparing Lamport timestamps from systems that never communicate with each other may cause concurrent events to appear to be ordered when they are not. Imagine a system that after an initial period divides into two independent subsystems which never communicate with each other. For all events in each independent system, if a happened before b, then ts(a) < ts(b) ; but if you take two events from the different independent systems (e.g. events that are not causally related) then you cannot say anything meaningful about their relative order. While each part of the system has assigned timestamps to events, those timestamps have no relation to each other. Two events may appear to be ordered even though they are unrelated. However - and this is still a useful property - from the perspective of a single machine, any message sent with ts(a) will receive a response with ts(b) which is > ts(a) . A vector clock is an extension of Lamport clock, which maintains an array [ t1, t2, ... ] of N logical clocks - one per each node. Rather than incrementing a common counter, each node increments its own logical clock in the vector by one on each internal event. Hence the update rules are: Whenever a process does work, increment the logical clock value of the node in the vector Whenever a process sends a message, include the full vector of logical clocks When a message is received: update each element in the vector to be max(local, received) increment the logical clock value representing the current node in the vector Again, expressed as code: function VectorClock(value) { // expressed as a hash keyed by node id: e.g. { node1: 1, node2: 3 } this.value = value || {}; } VectorClock.prototype.get = function() { return this.value; }; VectorClock.prototype.increment = function(nodeId) { if(typeof this.value[nodeId] == 'undefined') { this.value[nodeId] = 1; } else { this.value[nodeId]++; } }; VectorClock.prototype.merge = function(other) { var result = {}, last, a = this.value, b = other.value; // This filters out duplicate keys in the hash (Object.keys(a) .concat(b)) .sort() .filter(function(key) { var isDuplicate = (key == last); last = key; return !isDuplicate; }).forEach(function(key) { result[key] = Math.max(a[key] || 0, b[key] || 0); }); this.value = result; }; This illustration (source) shows a vector clock: Each of the three nodes (A, B, C) keeps track of the vector clock. As events occur, they are timestamped with the current value of the vector clock. Examining a vector clock such as { A: 2, B: 4, C: 1 } lets us accurately identify the messages that (potentially) influenced that event. The issue with vector clocks is mainly that they require one entry per node, which means that they can potentially become very large for large systems. A variety of techniques have been applied to reduce the size of vector clocks (either by performing periodic garbage collection, or by reducing accuracy by limiting the size). We've looked at how order and causality can be tracked without physical clocks. Now, let's look at how time durations can be used for cutoff. Failure detectors (time for cutoff) As I stated earlier, the amount of time spent waiting can provide clues about whether a system is partitioned or merely experiencing high latency. In this case, we don't need to assume a global clock of perfect accuracy - it is simply enough that there is a reliable-enough local clock. Given a program running on one node, how can it tell that a remote node has failed? In the absence of accurate information, we can infer that an unresponsive remote node has failed after some reasonable amount of time has passed. But what is a "reasonable amount"? This depends on the latency between the local and remote nodes. Rather than explicitly specifying algorithms with specific values (which would inevitably be wrong in some cases), it would be nicer to deal with a suitable abstraction. A failure detector is a way to abstract away the exact timing assumptions. Failure detectors are implemented using heartbeat messages and timers. Processes exchange heartbeat messages. If a message response is not received before the timeout occurs, then the process suspects the other process. A failure detector based on a timeout will carry the risk of being either overly aggressive (declaring a node to have failed) or being overly conservative (taking a long time to detect a crash). How accurate do failure detectors need to be for them to be usable? Chandra et al. (1996) discuss failure detectors in the context of solving consensus - a problem that is particularly relevant since it underlies most replication problems where the replicas need to agree in environments with latency and network partitions. They characterize failure detectors using two properties, completeness and accuracy: Strong completeness. Every crashed process is eventually suspected by every correct process. Weak completeness. Every crashed process is eventually suspected by some correct process. Strong accuracy. No correct process is suspected ever. Weak accuracy. Some correct process is never suspected. Completeness is easier to achieve than accuracy; indeed, all failure detectors of importance achieve it - all you need to do is not to wait forever to suspect someone. Chandra et al. note that a failure detector with weak completeness can be transformed to one with strong completeness (by broadcasting information about suspected processes), allowing us to concentrate on the spectrum of accuracy properties. Avoiding incorrectly suspecting non-faulty processes is hard unless you are able to assume that there is a hard maximum on the message delay. That assumption can be made in a synchronous system model - and hence failure detectors can be strongly accurate in such a system. Under system models that do not impose hard bounds on message delay, failure detection can at best be eventually accurate. Chandra et al. show that even a very weak failure detector - the eventually weak failure detector W (eventually weak accuracy + weak completeness) - can be used to solve the consensus problem. The diagram below (from the paper) illustrates the relationship between system models and problem solvability: As you can see above, certain problems are not solvable without a failure detector in asynchronous systems. This is because without a failure detector (or strong assumptions about time bounds e.g. the synchronous system model), it is not possible to tell whether a remote node has crashed, or is simply experiencing high latency. That distinction is important for any system that aims for single-copy consistency: failed nodes can be ignored because they cannot cause divergence, but partitioned nodes cannot be safely ignored. How can one implement a failure detector? Conceptually, there isn't much to a simple failure detector, which simply detects failure when a timeout expires. The most interesting part relates to how the judgments are made about whether a remote node has failed. Ideally, we'd prefer the failure detector to be able to adjust to changing network conditions and to avoid hardcoding timeout values into it. For example, Cassandra uses an accrual failure detector, which is a failure detector that outputs a suspicion level (a value between 0 and 1) rather than a binary "up" or "down" judgment. This allows the application using the failure detector to make its own decisions about the tradeoff between accurate detection and early detection. Time, order and performance Earlier, I alluded to having to pay the cost for order. What did I mean? If you're writing a distributed system, you presumably own more than one computer. The natural (and realistic) view of the world is a partial order, not a total order. You can transform a partial order into a total order, but this requires communication, waiting and imposes restrictions that limit how many computers can do work at any particular point in time. All clocks are mere approximations bound by either network latency (logical time) or by physics. Even keeping a simple integer counter in sync across multiple nodes is a challenge. While time and order are often discussed together, time itself is not such a useful property. Algorithms don't really care about time as much as they care about more abstract properties: the causal ordering of events failure detection (e.g. approximations of upper bounds on message delivery) consistent snapshots (e.g. the ability to examine the state of a system at some point in time; not discussed here) Imposing a total order is possible, but expensive. It requires you to proceed at the common (lowest) speed. Often the easiest way to ensure that events are delivered in some defined order is to nominate a single (bottleneck) node through which all operations are passed. Is time / order / synchronicity really necessary? It depends. In some use cases, we want each intermediate operation to move the system from one consistent state to another. For example, in many cases we want the responses from a database to represent all of the available information, and we want to avoid dealing with the issues that might occur if the system could return an inconsistent result. But in other cases, we might not need that much time / order / synchronization. For example, if you are running a long running computation, and don't really care about what the system does until the very end - then you don't really need much synchronization as long as you can guarantee that the answer is correct. Synchronization is often applied as a blunt tool across all operations, when only a subset of cases actually matter for the final outcome. When is order needed to guarantee correctness? The CALM theorem - which I will discuss in the last chapter - provides one answer. In other cases, it is acceptable to give an answer that only represents the best known estimate - that is, is based on only a subset of the total information contained in the system. In particular, during a network partition one may need to answer queries with only a part of the system being accessible. In other use cases, the end user cannot really distinguish between a relatively recent answer that can be obtained cheaply and one that is guaranteed to be correct and is expensive to calculate. For example, is the Twitter follower count for some user X, or X+1? Or are movies A, B and C the absolutely best answers for some query? Doing a cheaper, mostly correct "best effort" can be acceptable. In the next two chapters we'll examine replication for fault-tolerant strongly consistent systems - systems which provide strong guarantees while being increasingly resilient to failures. These systems provide solutions for the first case: when you need to guarantee correctness and are willing to pay for it. Then, we'll discuss systems with weak consistency guarantees, which can remain available in the face of partitions, but that can only give you a "best effort" answer. Further reading Lamport clocks, vector clocks Time, Clocks and Ordering of Events in a Distributed System - Leslie Lamport, 1978 Failure detection Snapshots Causality 4. Replication The replication problem is one of many problems in distributed systems. I've chosen to focus on it over other problems such as leader election, failure detection, mutual exclusion, consensus and global snapshots because it is often the part that people are most interested in. One way in which parallel databases are differentiated is in terms of their replication features, for example. Furthermore, replication provides a context for many subproblems, such as leader election, failure detection, consensus and atomic broadcast. Replication is a group communication problem. What arrangement and communication pattern gives us the performance and availability characteristics we desire? How can we ensure fault tolerance, durability and non-divergence in the face of network partitions and simultaneous node failure? Again, there are many ways to approach replication. The approach I'll take here just looks at high level patterns that are possible for a system with replication. Looking at this visually helps keep the discussion focused on the overall pattern rather than the specific messaging involved. My goal here is to explore the design space rather than to explain the specifics of each algorithm. Let's first define what replication looks like. We assume that we have some initial database, and that clients make requests which change the state of the database. The arrangement and communication pattern can then be divided into several stages: (Request) The client sends a request to a server (Sync) The synchronous portion of the replication takes place (Response) A response is returned to the client (Async) The asynchronous portion of the replication takes place This model is loosely based on this article. Note that the pattern of messages exchanged in each portion of the task depends on the specific algorithm: I am intentionally trying to get by without discussing the specific algorithm. Given these stages, what kind of communication patterns can we create? And what are the performance and availability implications of the patterns we choose? Synchronous replication The first pattern is synchronous replication (also known as active, or eager, or push, or pessimistic replication). Let's draw what that looks like: Here, we can see three distinct stages: first, the client sends the request. Next, what we called the synchronous portion of replication takes place. The term refers to the fact that the client is blocked - waiting for a reply from the system. During the synchronous phase, the first server contacts the two other servers and waits until it has received replies from all the other servers. Finally, it sends a response to the client informing it of the result (e.g. success or failure). All this seems straightforward. What can we say of this specific arrangement of communication patterns, without discussing the details of the algorithm during the synchronous phase? First, observe that this is a write N - of - N approach: before a response is returned, it has to be seen and acknowledged by every server in the system. From a performance perspective, this means that the system will be as fast as the slowest server in it. The system will also be very sensitive to changes in network latency, since it requires every server to reply before proceeding. Given the N-of-N approach, the system cannot tolerate the loss of any servers. When a server is lost, the system can no longer write to all the nodes, and so it cannot proceed. It might be able to provide read-only access to the data, but modifications are not allowed after a node has failed in this design. This arrangement can provide very strong durability guarantees: the client can be certain that all N servers have received, stored and acknowledged the request when the response is returned. In order to lose an accepted update, all N copies would need to be lost, which is about as good a guarantee as you can make. Asynchronous replication Let's contrast this with the second pattern - asynchronous replication (a.k.a. passive replication, or pull replication, or lazy replication). As you may have guessed, this is the opposite of synchronous replication: Here, the master (/leader / coordinator) immediately sends back a response to the client. It might at best store the update locally, but it will not do any significant work synchronously and the client is not forced to wait for more rounds of communication to occur between the servers. At some later stage, the asynchronous portion of the replication task takes place. Here, the master contacts the other servers using some communication pattern, and the other servers update their copies of the data. The specifics depend on the algorithm in use. What can we say of this specific arrangement without getting into the details of the algorithm? Well, this is a write 1 - of - N approach: a response is returned immediately and update propagation occurs sometime later. From a performance perspective, this means that the system is fast: the client does not need to spend any additional time waiting for the internals of the system to do their work. The system is also more tolerant of network latency, since fluctuations in internal latency do not cause additional waiting on the client side. This arrangement can only provide weak, or probabilistic durability guarantees. If nothing goes wrong, the data is eventually replicated to all N machines. However, if the only server containing the data is lost before this can take place, the data is permanently lost. Given the 1-of-N approach, the system can remain available as long as at least one node is up (at least in theory, though in practice the load will probably be too high). A purely lazy approach like this provides no durability or consistency guarantees; you may be allowed to write to the system, but there are no guarantees that you can read back what you wrote if any faults occur. Finally, it's worth noting that passive replication cannot ensure that all nodes in the system always contain the same state. If you accept writes at multiple locations and do not require that those nodes synchronously agree, then you will run the risk of divergence: reads may return different results from different locations (particularly after nodes fail and recover), and global constraints (which require communicating with everyone) cannot be enforced. I haven't really mentioned the communication patterns during a read (rather than a write), because the pattern of reads really follows from the pattern of writes: during a read, you want to contact as few nodes as possible. We'll discuss this a bit more in the context of quorums. We've only discussed two basic arrangements and none of the specific algorithms. Yet we've been able to figure out quite a bit of about the possible communication patterns as well as their performance, durability guarantees and availability characteristics. An overview of major replication approaches Having discussed the two basic replication approaches: synchronous and asynchronous replication, let's have a look at the major replication algorithms. There are many, many different ways to categorize replication techniques. The second distinction (after sync vs. async) I'd like to introduce is between: Replication methods that prevent divergence (single copy systems) and Replication methods that risk divergence (multi-master systems) The first group of methods has the property that they "behave like a single system". In particular, when partial failures occur, the system ensures that only a single copy of the system is active. Furthermore, the system ensures that the replicas are always in agreement. This is known as the consensus problem. Several processes (or computers) achieve consensus if they all agree on some value. More formally: Agreement: Every correct process must agree on the same value. Integrity: Every correct process decides at most one value, and if it decides some value, then it must have been proposed by some process. Termination: All processes eventually reach a decision. Validity: If all correct processes propose the same value V, then all correct processes decide V. Mutual exclusion, leader election, multicast and atomic broadcast are all instances of the more general problem of consensus. Replicated systems that maintain single copy consistency need to solve the consensus problem in some way. The replication algorithms that maintain single-copy consistency include: 1n messages (asynchronous primary/backup) 2n messages (synchronous primary/backup) 4n messages (2-phase commit, Multi-Paxos) 6n messages (3-phase commit, Paxos with repeated leader election) These algorithms vary in their fault tolerance (e.g. the types of faults they can tolerate). I've classified these simply by the number of messages exchanged during an execution of the algorithm, because I think it is interesting to try to find an answer to the question "what are we buying with the added message exchanges?" The diagram below, adapted from Ryan Barret at Google, describes some of the aspects of the different options: The consistency, latency, throughput, data loss and failover characteristics in the diagram above can really be traced back to the two different replication methods: synchronous replication (e.g. waiting before responding) and asynchronous replication. When you wait, you get worse performance but stronger guarantees. The throughput difference between 2PC and quorum systems will become apparent when we discuss partition (and latency) tolerance. In that diagram, algorithms enforcing weak (/eventual) consistency are lumped up into one category ("gossip"). However, I will discuss replication methods for weak consistency - gossip and (partial) quorum systems - in more detail. The "transactions" row really refers more to global predicate evaluation, which is not supported in systems with weak consistency (though local predicate evaluation can be supported). It is worth noting that systems enforcing weak consistency requirements have fewer generic algorithms, and more techniques that can be selectively applied. Since systems that do not enforce single-copy consistency are free to act like distributed systems consisting of multiple nodes, there are fewer obvious objectives to fix and the focus is more on giving people a way to reason about the characteristics of the system that they have. For example: Client-centric consistency models attempt to provide more intelligible consistency guarantees while allowing for divergence. CRDTs (convergent and commutative replicated datatypes) exploit semilattice properties (associativity, commutativity, idempotency) of certain state and operation-based data types. Confluence analysis (as in the Bloom language) uses information regarding the monotonicity of computations to maximally exploit disorder. PBS (probabilistically bounded staleness) uses simulation and information collected from a real world system to characterize the expected behavior of partial quorum systems. I'll talk about all of these a bit further on, first; let's look at the replication algorithms that maintain single-copy consistency. Primary/backup replication Primary/backup replication (also known as primary copy replication master-slave replication or log shipping) is perhaps the most commonly used replication method, and the most basic algorithm. All updated are performed on the primary, and a log of operations (or alternatively, changes) is shipped across the network to the backup replicas. There are two variants: asynchronous primary/backup replication and synchronous primary/backup replication The synchronous version requires two messages ("update" + "acknowledge receipt") while the asynchronous version could run with just one ("update"). P/B is very common. For example, by default MySQL replication uses the asynchronous variant. MongoDB also uses P/B (with some additional procedures for failover). All operations are performed on one master server, which serializes them to a local log, which is then replicated asynchronously to the backup servers. As we discussed earlier in the context of asynchronous replication, any asynchronous replication algorithm can only provide weak durability guarantees. In MySQL replication this manifests as replication lag: the asynchronous backups are always at least one operation behind the primary. If the primary fails, then the updates that have not yet been sent to the backups are lost. The synchronous variant of primary/backup replication ensures that writes have been stored on other nodes before returning back to the client - at the cost of waiting for responses from other replicas. However, it is worth noting that even this variant can only offer weak guarantees. Consider the following simple failure scenario: the primary receives a write and sends it to the backup the backup persists and ACKs the write and then primary fails before sending ACK to the client The client now assumes that the commit failed, but the backup committed it; if the backup is promoted to primary, it will be incorrect. Manual cleanup may be needed to reconcile the failed primary or divergent backups. I am simplifying here of course. While all primary/backup replication algorithms follow the same general messaging pattern, they differ in their handling of failover, replicas being offline for extended periods and so on. However, it is not possible to be resilient to inopportune failures of the primary in this scheme. What is key in the log-shipping / primary/backup based schemes is that they can only offer a best-effort guarantee (e.g. they are susceptible to lost updates or incorrect updates if nodes fail at inopportune times). Furthermore, P/B schemes are susceptible to split-brain, where the failover to a backup kicks in due to a temporary network issue and causes both the primary and backup to be active at the same time. To prevent inopportune failures from causing consistency guarantees to be violated; we need to add another round of messaging, which gets us the two phase commit protocol (2PC). Two phase commit (2PC) Two phase commit (2PC) is a protocol used in many classic relational databases. For example, MySQL Cluster (not to be confused with the regular MySQL) provides synchronous replication using 2PC. The diagram below illustrates the message flow: [ Coordinator ] -> OK to commit? [ Peers ] <- Yes / No [ Coordinator ] -> Commit / Rollback [ Peers ] <- ACK In the first phase (voting), the coordinator sends the update to all the participants. Each participant processes the update and votes whether to commit or abort. When voting to commit, the participants store the update onto a temporary area (the write-ahead log). Until the second phase completes, the update is considered temporary. In the second phase (decision), the coordinator decides the outcome and informs every participant about it. If all participants voted to commit, then the update is taken from the temporary area and made permanent. Having a second phase in place before the commit is considered permanent is useful, because it allows the system to roll back an update when a node fails. In contrast, in primary/backup ("1PC"), there is no step for rolling back an operation that has failed on some nodes and succeeded on others, and hence the replicas could diverge. 2PC is prone to blocking, since a single node failure (participant or coordinator) blocks progress until the node has recovered. Recovery is often possible thanks to the second phase, during which other nodes are informed about the system state. Note that 2PC assumes that the data in stable storage at each node is never lost and that no node crashes forever. Data loss is still possible if the data in the stable storage is corrupted in a crash. The details of the recovery procedures during node failures are quite complicated so I won't get into the specifics. The major tasks are ensuring that writes to disk are durable (e.g. flushed to disk rather than cached) and making sure that the right recovery decisions are made (e.g. learning the outcome of the round and then redoing or undoing an update locally). As we learned in the chapter regarding CAP, 2PC is a CA - it is not partition tolerant. The failure model that 2PC addresses does not include network partitions; the prescribed way to recover from a node failure is to wait until the network partition heals. There is no safe way to promote a new coordinator if one fails; rather a manual intervention is required. 2PC is also fairly latency-sensitive, since it is a write N-of-N approach in which writes cannot proceed until the slowest node acknowledges them. 2PC strikes a decent balance between performance and fault tolerance, which is why it has been popular in relational databases. However, newer systems often use a partition tolerant consensus algorithm, since such an algorithm can provide automatic recovery from temporary network partitions as well as more graceful handling of increased between-node latency. Let's look at partition tolerant consensus algorithms next. Partition tolerant consensus algorithms Partition tolerant consensus algorithms are as far as we're going to go in terms of fault-tolerant algorithms that maintain single-copy consistency. There is a further class of fault tolerant algorithms: algorithms that tolerate arbitrary (Byzantine) faults; these include nodes that fail by acting maliciously. Such algorithms are rarely used in commercial systems, because they are more expensive to run and more complicated to implement - and hence I will leave them out. When it comes to partition tolerant consensus algorithms, the most well-known algorithm is the Paxos algorithm. It is, however, notoriously difficult to implement and explain, so I will focus on Raft, a recent (~early 2013) algorithm designed to be easier to teach and implement. Let's first take a look at network partitions and the general characteristics of partition tolerant consensus algorithms. What is a network partition? A network partition is the failure of a network link to one or several nodes. The nodes themselves continue to stay active, and they may even be able to receive requests from clients on their side of the network partition. As we learned earlier - during the discussion of the CAP theorem - network partitions do occur and not all systems handle them gracefully. Network partitions are tricky because during a network partition, it is not possible to distinguish between a failed remote node and the node being unreachable. If a network partition occurs but no nodes fail, then the system is divided into two partitions which are simultaneously active. The two diagrams below illustrate how a network partition can look similar to a node failure. A system of 2 nodes, with a failure vs. a network partition: A system of 3 nodes, with a failure vs. a network partition: A system that enforces single-copy consistency must have some method to break symmetry: otherwise, it will split into two separate systems, which can diverge from each other and can no longer maintain the illusion of a single copy. Network partition tolerance for systems that enforce single-copy consistency requires that during a network partition, only one partition of the system remains active since during a network partition it is not possible to prevent divergence (e.g. CAP theorem). Majority decisions This is why partition tolerant consensus algorithms rely on a majority vote. Requiring a majority of nodes - rather than all of the nodes (as in 2PC) - to agree on updates allows a minority of the nodes to be down, or slow, or unreachable due to a network partition. As long as (N/2 + 1)-of-N nodes are up and accessible, the system can continue to operate. Partition tolerant consensus algorithms use an odd number of nodes (e.g. 3, 5 or 7). With just two nodes, it is not possible to have a clear majority after a failure. For example, if the number of nodes is three, then the system is resilient to one node failure; with five nodes the system is resilient to two node failures. When a network partition occurs, the partitions behave asymmetrically. One partition will contain the majority of the nodes. Minority partitions will stop processing operations to prevent divergence during a network partition, but the majority partition can remain active. This ensures that only a single copy of the system state remains active. Majorities are also useful because they can tolerate disagreement: if there is a perturbation or failure, the nodes may vote differently. However, since there can be only one majority decision, a temporary disagreement can at most block the protocol from proceeding (giving up liveness) but it cannot violate the single-copy consistency criterion (safety property). Roles There are two ways one might structure a system: all nodes may have the same responsibilities, or nodes may have separate, distinct roles. Consensus algorithms for replication generally opt for having distinct roles for each node. Having a single fixed leader or master server is an optimization that makes the system more efficient, since we know that all updates must pass through that server. Nodes that are not the leader just need to forward their requests to the leader. Note that having distinct roles does not preclude the system from recovering from the failure of the leader (or any other role). Just because roles are fixed during normal operation doesn't mean that one cannot recover from failure by reassigning the roles after a failure (e.g. via a leader election phase). Nodes can reuse the result of a leader election until node failures and/or network partitions occur. Both Paxos and Raft make use of distinct node roles. In particular, they have a leader node ("proposer" in Paxos) that is responsible for coordination during normal operation. During normal operation, the rest of the nodes are followers ("acceptors" or "voters" in Paxos). Epochs Each period of normal operation in both Paxos and Raft is called an epoch ("term" in Raft). During each epoch only one node is the designated leader (a similar system is use President Donald Trump signaled Saturday afternoon that he was willing to give the Iranian regime a way out after mounting a 'major' attack Saturday morning. Trump talked by phone to Axios Saturday afternoon and said he had several 'off ramps' the Islamic republic could take to avoid further attacks, which are being carried out by both US and Israeli forces. 'I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs],' Trump told Axios from Mar-a-Lago. 'In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack,' the President added. When speaking with NBC News Trump came close to confirming the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who Israeli sources told outlets had perished in Saturday's attacks. 'I've spoken to a lot of people beyond, and we feel certain, we feel, we feel that that is a correct story,' the President said, adding, 'The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone.' On the same call he said Khamenei 'killed many people' and 'destroyed a country.' Just in recent week's the Supreme Leaders regime is estimated to have killed thousands with upward estimates going as high as 36,500. He later confirmed via Truth Social that Khamenei was dead. Smoke can be seen rising over Tehran, Iran Saturday morning after the US and Israel conducted 'major' operations after nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran broke down President Donald Trump announced the news of the Iran strikes via Truth Social, posting a video of his speech at 2:30 a.m. ET 'Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,' he wrote. 'This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,' the President continued. Trump said the Iranian leader was unable to avoid 'our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems,' also giving credit to Israel. 'This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,' Trump said. The President claimed that members of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps, the broader military and the police 'no longer want to fight' and are looking for immunity - something Trump pledged in his early Saturday remarks. 'Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves,' he said. Trump also said the bombings would continue in the meantime and would continue 'as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!' Trump had told NBC 'I don't know' when asked who he'd like to see lead Iran next, adding, 'but at some point they'll be calling me to ask who I'd like.' This map charts US and Israel's strikes on Iranian targets in red and Iran's retaliatory strikes in Israel, Qatar the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in orange An explosion is seen off the coast of Haifa in northern Israel Saturday as Iran retaliated against a joint US-Israel operation that took place Saturday morning He then said he was 'only being a little sarcastic when I say that.' CNN reported earlier on Saturday that Trump had planned 'escalating' strikes on Iran with several 'off ramps' if regime leaders decided to come to the table and again seek a diplomatic solution. Tehran instead first responded by sending missiles and drones toward Israel and the US's regional partners in the Middle East, with attacks reported in Qatar - the location of the US's largest military base in the region - the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. In the popular UAE tourist destination of Dubai, the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was seen on fire after a strike, with video footage showing the assault was carried about by a suicide drone. Saudi Arabia - which doesn't have diplomatic relations with Israel but whose leadership is close to the Trump administration - also reported that Iran had targeted Riyadh, but the attacks were repelled. Giving the Iranians an off ramp could give Trump political cover, as new Daily Mail/JL Partners polling had shown there wasn't an appetite among American registered voters to go to war with Iran. Just 32 percent of registered voters surveyed backed the use of force with 37 percent outright opposed. Trump's own voters, however, were more supportive than their Democratic counterparts. The initial assault - which Trump referred to as 'Operation Epic Fury' - used 'one way attack drones' for the first time in combat, according to Fox News Channel. Also referred to as 'kamikaze' drones, the weapons fly into targets and then detonate. Tomahawk missiles were used to take out Iran's air defenses before the drones were deployed. 'We have effectively suppressed their air defenses,' a US official told Fox. The US military focused on 'high value targets,' Fox said, including assets important to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and 'underground targets' that likely were part of Iran's nuclear program. Iran's Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in Israeli attacks, sources told Reuters Iranian state media say an Israeli strike on a girls elementary school killed at least 40 people. Trump announced the US strikes in a video message posted to Truth Social at 2:30 a.m. ET. In an eight minute speech, given from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the President said he had ordered a 'major' strike on Iran after nuclear negotiations between the two countries had broken down. A social media post shows the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in the popular tourist destination of Dubai, UAE on fire Saturday after an Iranian rocket strike 'Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,' Trump said. He, again, reiterated that the Iranian regime must never obtain a nuclear weapon. While Trump's military maneuvering so far in his second term - the January capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the 'Midnight Hammer' attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in June - haven't cost servicemembers' lives, he warned that Americans could die this time around. 'Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill,' Trump said. 'The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties.' 'That often happens in war,' the commander-in-chief added. 'But were doing this not for now, were doing this for the future and it is a noble mission.' Trump called out the Iranian regime and their proxies for creating 'mass terror' around the world, but he also pointed to the Tehran's recent mass murder domestically, of protesters in their own streets. In mid-January, the President had promised those protesters that 'help is on the way.' In his overnight message, he pushed the Iranian people to take back control of their government, which was put in place after the 1979 Iranian revolution. A smoke plume rises over Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a country that houses US military personnel and installations Smoke from a reported rocket interception is seen over the sky in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates where the US has military personnel 'Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered, dont leave your home. Its very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere,' Trump said. 'When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.' The President is not immediately expected to address the American people with the reporters present. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said mid-morning Saturday that ahead of the strikes Secretary of State Marco Rubio had reached out to members of the Gang of Eight, the members of Congress who are expected to be briefed on top classified matters. Leavitt said Rubio was able to reach seven of the eight members, without revealing which lawmaker hadn't been informed. She also said Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. 'The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day,' Leavitt said. Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump following strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader - as he urged against further escalation in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Sir Keir 'set out that the UK was taking part in coordinated regional defensive operations to protect British people and regional partners following Iran's indiscriminate retaliatory strikes on allies in the region'. The Prime Minister had earlier said that British planes are 'in the sky' to 'protect our people, our interests and our allies' after waves of missile attacks in countries across the region. He also spoke to European leaders - with whom he issued a joint statement calling for a diplomatic solution. In a statement, Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the US and Iran to resume talks and said they favored a negotiated settlement. The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Iran's nuclear program and did not take part in the strikes. 'We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes,' they said. 'Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.' And, speaking in Downing Street on Saturday, the Prime Minister hit out at Iran's 'abhorrent' regime, saying they must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon. 'Earlier this morning the US and Israel struck targets in Iran,' Sir Keir had said. 'Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region, and communities across our country will be deeply concerned about what this means for security and stability and for the fate of innocent people across the region, which for so many of us includes friends and family members.' He continued: 'The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, but we have long been clear the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. 'They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilize the region. Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community.' The PM added: 'I condemn Iran's attacks today on partners across the region, many of which are not parties to this conflict. We extend our support and solidarity to them as part of our commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East. We have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we've recently strengthened. 'Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies. 'As Britain has done before, in line with international law, we've stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level. We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them.' Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump following US-Israeli military action in Iran that led to the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader Speaking in Downing Street today, the Prime Minister said British planes are in the sky to 'protect our people' It came after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed her full support for the attack on Iran. She described the Tehran government as a 'vile regime' that 'carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens', sought to build nuclear weapons and 'brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people'. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage earlier called for the UK to allow the US to use its bases in further strikes. 'The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran!' he said in a post on X. Meanwhile Zack Polanski, leader of the Greens, dubbed the attack 'illegal' and 'unprovoked'. He wrote: 'This is an illegal, unprovoked and brutal attack that shows once again that the USA and Israel are rogue states. 'The UK must end our cosy relationship with the USA and our ongoing support for Israel.' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Prime Minister to rule out allowing British bases to be used for 'future unilateral US strikes'. He said: 'The Iranian people deserve to live free from a brutal regime. Donald Trump's unilateral and illegal military action won't deliver freedom, peace and security. It will only unleash more bloodshed.' It comes as speculation grows that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may have been killed in the first wave of missile strikes in the country by the US and Israel this morning. The two nations struck targets in cities including Tehran, Bushehr, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and Isfahan. Elsewhere, they hit southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and an area said to be housing Iran-supporting militia groups in al-Nasr, Iraq. In a post on Truth Social, Trump had told the Ayatollah to either 'surrender or die' as he announced the US had launched strikes across several cities in Iran. He said: 'To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. The aftermath of an attack by Iran on the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain on Saturday 'Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.' Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' and launched missiles across Israel including in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. In a statement, the country's military said that all US 'bases, resources and assets' are 'legitimate targets'. Dramatic footage showed the moment Iran hit US's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, with a huge mushroom of smoke billowing into the sky following an explosion. Iran also targeted US infrastructure at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and areas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Explosions have been reported in Dubai, including at the five-star Fairmont The Palm Hotel, and Jordan has shot down two ballistic missiles. Iran and Israel continue to exchange fire this afternoon, with multiple waves of strikes across the Middle East. Starmer also joined European allies today in condemning Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern countries following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Britain was not involved in the strikes on Iran, and the Government has advised UK nationals in some parts of the Middle East to 'shelter in place'. Earlier the Prime Minister hosted an emergency Cobra meeting at Downing Street, and the UN Security Council is also scheduled to meet later today. In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, Sir Keir condemned Iran's retaliation 'in the strongest terms'. The three leaders said: 'Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.' Sir Keir's statement comes after he chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee before speaking to allies including France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The joint statement added that the three countries were 'in close contact' with international partners including the US and Israel. Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was blasted after wrongly claiming the US has previously attacked Islamic countries during Ramadan. Omar, 43, belligerently ranted on X on Thursday evening ahead of the attacks on Iran. She claimed the US bombed Iraq in 1990 during Ramadan. 'And it's sickening to know that the US is again going to attack Iran during Ramadan,' Omar, who is Muslim, wrote. 'The US apparently loves to strike Muslim countries during Ramadan, and I am convinced it isnt what these countries have done to violate international law but about who they worship.' Although the Saturday attack of Iran by US forces is during the month of Ramadan, which runs from February 17 to March 19 this year, the other US attacks in the Middle East were not during the religious holiday. The US invaded Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which started the Iraq War, on March 20, 2003 - seven months ahead of the October 26 start date of the Muslim holiday that year. The US had also completed Operation Desert Storm, which was part of the Persian Gulf War, in the country on January 17, 1991, after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August of the year prior. Ramadan started on March 17, 1991, two months after the attack. Omar, 43, belligerently ranted days before the US struck Iran on Saturday that the country had a history of attacking Muslim countries during Ramadan, which is false She claimed the timing of the attacks was a message about disliking Islam The Muslim holiday occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which runs 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. During this time, Muslims refrain from consuming food or drink from dawn to sunset, sex, smoking, and other negative behaviors, while increasing prayers and reading the Quran to deepen their faith. Omar's competitor, Dalia al-Aqidi, who is running for her spot in Congress, told the Muslim congresswoman to 'sit this one out.' 'As a Muslim Iraqi-American, I will not stay silent while my faith is turned into a propaganda tool,' she wrote on X. 'Claiming America chooses Ramadan to attack Muslims is not advocacy, it is a deliberate lie meant to inflame anger and divide Americans... So when this false narrative is pushed, it isnt ignorance, its manipulation. 'America deserves honesty, not political theater.' Omar has turned the comment section off on the post. She also kept the comments off on her latest post, where she claimed Trump has 'launched an illegal regime change war' by attacking Iran on Saturday. Join the debate Is it irresponsible for politicians to use religion to criticize military actions? President George W Bush (middle) in the Cabinet Room discussing Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 The US attacked Iraq in January 1991 as part of the Persian Gulf War. Ramadan started on March 17, 1991, two months after the attack. Iraqi prisoners are seen being herded by a Kuwaiti military helicopter as part of Operation Desert Storm The US struck again on March 20, 2003 - seven months ahead of the October 26 start date of the Muslim holiday that year. US soldiers are seen in Iraqi territory on March 23, 2003 'As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos,' she wrote. 'When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction.' President Donald Trump announced the latest US strike at 2.30am from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Saturday, warning American troops could be killed due to the dangerous Operation Epic Fury. 'Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,' the Republican said. 'Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.' Trump detailed some of the violence Iran has perpetrated against Americans, including taking over the US embassy in Tehran and holding US citizens hostage in 1979. 'The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,' Trump said. 'Its been mass terror, and were not gonna put up with it any longer.' On Saturday, Omar claimed Trump has 'launched an illegal regime change war' by attacking Iran On Saturday, the US and Israel attacked Iran, which responded with retaliatory strikes Trump announced the attack at 2.30am on Saturday. Since then, several US military bases in the Middle East have been targeted Your browser does not support iframes. Trump's surprise attack infuriated Congress, as he did not seek their approval for the strike, which is a prerequisite of war, according to the US Constitution. Many lawmakers have branded the strike 'illegal.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed the bipartisan congressional 'Gang of 8' intelligence heads shortly before the strikes. However, Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky and staunch anti-Trump lawmaker, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, plan to force a vote next week on their Iran War Powers resolution. The legislation would block any action taken by the US military without prior congressional approval. It's unclear how it would, if at all, impact Trump's ongoing military campaign. Conservative podcasting titan Tucker Carlson torched Donald Trump for his 'evil' attack on Iran as the president's MAGA base fractures over the Middle East war. Carlson has levied a rare criticism against the president following the US military's joint attack with Israel on the Iranian regime on Saturday morning. 'Absolutely disgusting and evil,' Carlson said to journalist Jon Karl. Last week, Carlson met with Trump in the Oval Office where he reportedly urged the president against striking Iran. Trump launched his political career and re-entered office advocating against regime change wars in the Middle East. Carlson has for years praised Trump for showing restrain when it comes to waging war in the region. Carlson is a major political ally of Vice President JD Vance and one of the biggest supporters of Trump in the media. He campaigned for Trump in the election and spoke in support of him at multiple rallies, including the Republican National Convention in 2024. Carlsons break with Trump signals that the decision to plunge the US into a major war with Iran could carry legacy-altering consequences for the president. Tucker Carlson is calling out Trump for his 'disgusting and evil' military strike on Iran Carlson's attack on Trump comes just a week after the conservative commentator met with the president in the White House Carlson is a major political ally of Vice President JD Vance The US military, in a joint operation with Israel, launched tomahawk missiles on Iran with Air Force and Navy jets. Iran responded to the aggression by launching 'revenge strikes' on US military bases across the Middle East. Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Other US regional allies, including Iraq and Jordan, have also reported various missile activity from Iran. The president warned that US troops could lose their lives in the operation, adding that 'we may have casualties'. The current casualties resulting from Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases remains unclear. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene issued a statement denouncing the president, claiming he is betraying voters who supported him for ending foreign wars. 'Thousands and thousands of Americans from my generation have been killed and injured in never ending pointless foreign wars and we said no more. But we are freeing the Iranian people. Please,' the former GOP lawmaker wrote on Saturday. 'There are 93 million people in Iran, let them liberate themselves. But Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons. Yeah sure.' Carlson spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee a week before the strikes on Iran, where the pair sparred over their differing views on Israel. Trump has stated that the US may have casualties from the war with Tehran In the weeks leading up to the US strike on Iran, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee debated Carlson Huckabee made controversial comments during the interview that drew disapproval from US Gulf allies. Carlson stated that, according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham are entitled to land that today encompasses much of the Middle East. In response to whether Israel had a right to take over the entire region, Huckabee said: 'It would be fine if they took it all.' Huckabee then added that Israel was not seeking to expand its territory and has a right to maintain security on the land it legitimately holds. His words provoked a heated international condemnation from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States. The world's busiest airport has closed and flights over the Middle East have ground to a halt leaving travelers stranded after blistering counterattacks were launched following America's strike on Iran. The US and Israel launched a coordinated military attack against Iran on Saturday morning, prompting counterstrikes across Middle Eastern countries housing US military bases. The international community has been bracing for renewed action in the region after negotiations between the US and Iran in Geneva proved unsuccessful. President Donald Trump announced the strikes overnight in the US, vowing a 'massive and ongoing' effort and calling for regime change in Iran. Several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan have reported intercepted missiles in the counterattacks. The sharp increase in military activity in the area has resulted in massive flight delays and cancellations, as officials fear commercial planes could be collateral damage while missiles are hurled through the sky. Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC), two major airline hubs, suspended all flight operations at 4pm Dubai time/7am EST. 'Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights,' a spokesperson for the airports said in a statement. Flights to and from airports in the Middle East have been cancelled due to ongoing military strikes in the region. Pictured above is flight information at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday Passengers are stranded at airports internationally as travel warnings are issued across the Middle East. Passengers in Nepal are pictured above waiting outside the airport as all evening flights to Dubai are cancelled Emirates, FlyDubai, and Etihad Airways were the most impacted airlines. Emirates cancelled 328 flights on Saturday morning, according to FlightAware. Pictured above is a file photo of an Emirates plane at Dubai International Airport 'We appreciate the cooperation of our guests. Further updates will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation.' DXB is the world's largest airport for international travel. Other countries, including Iraq, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait have also issued temporary bans affecting all commercial flights. Live tracking data from Flightradar24 showed empty airspace above Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, and Iran on Saturday afternoon. Some flights passed through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The data is a stark contrast to Friday afternoon, when multiple flights were seen passing through the region. Dubai International had the most cancellations and delays of any airport on Saturday afternoon, according to data from FlightAware. Frustrated travelers shared video footage online of crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder at Dubai airports. Crowds of people crammed onto escalators in one video, as travelers aimlessly wandered around the gates in another. Almost every seat near the gates was taken, as some passengers resorted to sitting on the floors outside a food court. Live tracking data of flights on Saturday afternoon showed planes avoiding countries in the Middle East as military tensions escalate The tracking data is a stark contrast with flight paths from Friday afternoon, pictured above Abu Dhabi International, Bahrain International, King Abdulaziz International, Hamad International, Ben Gurion International, King Khalid International, and Kuwait International were also largely impacted. The top 10 airports with the most cancelled or delayed flights were all in the Middle East for both incoming and outgoing flights. London Heathrow Airport has also seen cancellations, with 22 flights cancelled and 53 delayed from the UK to the US. Emirates, FlyDubai, and Etihad Airways were the most impacted airlines. Emirates cancelled 328 flights on Saturday morning, according to FlightAware. Etihad issued an operational update on their official X account just before 11am EST, announcing that all departures from Abu Dhabi were suspended until 2pm UAE time/5am EST on Sunday. The European Union's aviation safety body issued warnings to all European airlines, citing a 'high risk' of flying. Missiles launched into the airspace above the Middle East have the capacity to reach the same altitudes as commercial flights. Flying over the region poses a high risk of clashing with a ballistic. Missiles can also blow up en route, making aircraft in the vicinity vulnerable to debris. Your browser does not support iframes. Military forces across the Middle East have intercepted missiles launched by Iran in a counterattack. Pictured above is a rocket interception seen in the skys above Abu Dhabi Iran launched a counterattack against several Middle Eastern countries that house US military bases. A photo of a strike on a US base in Bahrain is pictured above Reports of the US-Israeli attack on Iran occurred around 9.30am Tehran time/1am EST. Pictured above is the aftermath of one of the strikes as rescuers sift through rubble in Tehran Commercial planes can sometimes be mistaken for military aircraft. In 2024, Russian forces accidentally shot down an Azerbaijani commercial flight. Iranian media first reported the strikes around 9.30am Tehran time/1am EST. Trump first confirmed the strikes on Truth Social, announcing a 'major combat operation.' Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have issued chilling messages to Iran, urging the country to 'take over your government' and 'throw off the yoke of tyranny.' Iran responded to the strikes with a chilling promise of 'crushing retaliation,' launching a barrage of missiles across Middle Eastern countries. 'All occupied territories and the criminal US bases in the region have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles. This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated,' Iran's Revolutionary Guards said. The international community has had mixed reactions to the strikes, with some countries backing the US-Israeli effort to initiate regime change in Iran, while other officials have condemned the military action as a violation of international law. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting at 4pm EST to address the ongoing tensions in the region. The professor who intentionally halted a controversial puberty blockers trial has been withdrawn from any further involvement after accusations of bias. Professor Jacob George, who was appointed chief medical and scientific officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in January, raised new concerns about the Pathways trial of puberty blockers in February. The medical officer's intervention subsequently triggered the Department of Health to pause the trial. Scientists and lawyers have since raised concerns over George's involvement, questioning crucial misunderstandings about clinical trials and medical law. The professor intervened five months after the trial was approved by his colleagues and more than a month after it was set to start, raising concerns that included participants being as young as 10. Yet the recent surfacing of a series of social media posts by George indicate a strong gender-critical stance, with an added admiration for JK Rowling. In the now deleted posts, the professor slated the 'well-meaning idiocy' of the NHS through its denial to adhere to the 'basic biological fact' that gender is set at birth. George, who is a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Dundee, celebrated JK Rowling as a 'treasure of our time' after she publicly welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that the legal definition of a woman should be founded on biological sex. Professor Jacob George (pictured) intentionally halted a controversial puberty blockers trial In a separate post, following the publishing of test results confirming the Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif was a woman, he said 'the denial of basic biological fact is concerning'. An MHRA spokesperson said: 'Civil servants, like anyone else, hold personal views but must also carry out their roles in line with the civil service core values of integrity, honest, objectivity and impartiality. 'While there is no evidence to suggest that decisions taken were not impartial, Professor Jacob George is recused from further involvement in the Pathways clinical trial as a precaution.' Dr Max Davie, a consultant paediatrician who previously worked at the the NHS Children and Young People's Gender Service, told The Sunday Times: 'The tweets by Professor George give a clear indication of his personal views on the topic. 'He is quite at liberty to hold whatever views on gender identity he may, but what he cannot do is allow these views to affect the fulfilment of his public duty. 'To be clear, there is no compelling scientific reason to halt the Pathways trial. While Professor George's personal convictions are not the only possible explanation for the MHRA's abrupt volte-face, it is the only one for which we have evidence.' The Pathways trial involved testing the effect of puberty-blocking drugs on 226 children at a cost of 10.7million, with the recruitment of participants due to start in January. The trial was commissioned after a recommendation by Baroness Cass, the author of a condemning report into NHS gender services that spearheaded the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) at the Tavistock Hospital in north London. George celebrated JK Rowling (pictured) as a 'treasure of our time' after she publicly welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that the legal definition of a woman should be founded on biological sex The report said there was no adequate evidence that puberty blockers helped children with gender incongruence, which is the alignment between one's gender identity and physical body, and recommended that the banning of the drugs for routine use. Cass instead called for a rigorous clinical trial with the goal of determining whether puberty blockers actually worked and, if so, for which children. She described the MHRA's intervention as 'completely bizarre' and said the pause of the trial was founded on politics rather than science. She told the Observer: 'There are no new research findings and the MHRA hasn't presented any new evidence.' Within a letter to the Pathways trial leaders at King's College London on February 13, George raised concerns about the age of the participants, who the researchers had said might be as young as 10. He recommended the age should be raised to 14. Yet one scientist said the majority of participants would have already started puberty by 14, thus making the trial redundant: 'It would be pointless, and completely unethical, as the trial would not answer the question it is setting out to achieve.' George also questioned 'Gillick competence', which is the legal principle used to determine whether a child under 16 is mature enough to understand and therefore consent to routine treatment. Sir Jonathan Montgomery, who is a professor of healthcare law at University College London and former chair of the Health Research Authority, said this principle did not apply to clinical trials. This was then supported by the Court of Appeal in September 2021 in a case involving Keira Bell, a patient who was treated by the Tavistock clinic. Ms Bell had been prescribed drugs by doctors aged 16 to pause her development before realising six years later, and after a double mastectomy, that it was a catastrophic mistake. Her case shed light on the dangers surrounding the medical transition of children, based on a child's beliefs about their gender. Ms Bell told The Mail on Sunday: 'It's been a long time coming, but I believe an important change is occurring and now at least the awful experience I have had hasn't happened in vain. 'I just hope that what this will mean is the end of the medicalisation of children.' Montgomery, who had provided legal and ethical advice to the Pathways trial team, told The Sunday Times: 'It reflects badly on the MHRA that they seem not to understand the law governing their work. 'The reference to Gillick competence in the MHRA's letter suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the clinical trials regulations. 'Under those regulations, consent for studies involving those under 18 is required from a person with parental responsibility. 'Young participants do not give a legally valid consent but they have specific rights to receive information according to their understanding.' The MHRA contested the claim that the use of Gillick competence was inappropriate. The leaders of the trial have since met with the MHRA twice last week in attempts to resolve the issues, and are due to meet again over the next few days. Helen Joyce, who is the director of advocacy at sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, supported George. She told Times Radio: 'Professor George's position is entirely aligned with the mainstream. 'There is nothing inappropriate about welcoming the Supreme Court's judgment that sex means male or female. 'There is no reason for him to rescue himself from assessing the puberty blockers trial. 'He should be reinstated immediately.' At least 85 people have been killed in an airstrike on an elementary school in southern Iran, the government in Tehran claims. The majority of the dead are schoolgirls aged between seven and 12, according to the regime-controlled news outlets Tasnim and Fars. Missiles struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the the city of Minab, in Hormozgan province, on Saturday morning as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Sources inside Iran told the Daily Mail that reports from the regime should be viewed with skepticism as a propaganda offensive is being waged under the fog of war. A teacher at the school told the London-based outlet Middle East Eye that she saw bodies on classroom benches. She had stepped out when she heard the blast and returned to find carnage. 'I felt like I had gone mute. I couldn't speak,' she said. 'You could hear the sound of children crying and screaming.' There were 170 girls at the school at the time of the attack as Saturday is the first day of the working week in Iran. Footage shared on Telegram by accounts linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps showed citizens digging through the rubble and smoke rising from the school building. Iran has vowed to retaliate after the US and Israel launched an attack on the country this morning. Iranian state television broadcasted the devastation after the attack This picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province Citizens outside the the girls' school in Minab, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province A teacher at the school told the London-based outlet Middle East Eye that she saw bodies on classroom benches. She had stepped out when she heard the blast and returned to find carnage. 'I felt like I had gone mute. I couldn't speak,' she said. 'You could hear the sound of children crying and screaming' Donald Trump announces strikes on Iran in the early hours of Saturday from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach Your browser does not support iframes. A United States Central Command spokesman said: 'We are aware of reports concerning civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations. We take these reports seriously and are looking into them. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm.' Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who had been leading nuclear negotiations with Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, seized on the news. 'The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils,' he posted on X. 'Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone.' The US military launched Tomahawk missiles on Iran in a joint operation with Israel, deploying Air Force and Navy jets. Iran responded to the aggression by launching 'revenge strikes' on US military bases across the Middle East. Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Other US regional allies, including Iraq and Jordan, have also reported various missile activity from Iran. The president warned that US troops could lose their lives, adding that 'we may have casualties.' Casualties from Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases remain unclear. Trump is already facing fierce political backlash for pulling the US into a new war in the Middle East. Conservative podcasting titan Tucker Carlson branded Trump's attack 'absolutely disgusting and evil' as the president's MAGA base fractured. Tucker Carlson is calling out Trump for his 'disgusting and evil' military strike on Iran Carlson's attack on Trump comes just a week after the conservative commentator met with the president in the White House Carlson is a major political ally of Vice President JD Vance Carlson's break with Trump signals the decision to go to war with Iran could carry legacy-defining consequences for the president. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene issued a statement denouncing the president, claiming he is betraying voters who supported him for ending foreign wars. 'Thousands and thousands of Americans from my generation have been killed and injured in never ending pointless foreign wars and we said no more. But we are freeing the Iranian people. Please,' the former GOP lawmaker wrote on Saturday. 'There are 93 million people in Iran, let them liberate themselves. But Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons. Yeah sure.' Carlson spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee a week before the strikes on Iran, where the pair sparred over their differing views on Israel. Trump has stated that the US may have casulties from the war with Tehran In the weeks leading up to the US strike on Iran, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee debated Carlson Huckabee made controversial comments during the interview that drew disapproval from US Gulf allies. Carlson stated that, according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham are entitled to land that today encompasses much of the Middle East. In response to whether Israel had a right to take over the entire region, Huckabee said: 'It would be fine if they took it all'. Huckabee then added that Israel was not seeking to expand its territory and has a right to maintain security on the land it legitimately holds. His words drew condemnation from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States. Tana Ramsay, 51, 'is training to become a midwife in a bid to help other mums - and husband Gordon and their six children 'could not be more proud' of her new career The United Arab Emirates has released photos showing debris and electronic components from intercepted Iranian missiles after air defense systems shot down a new wave of projectiles launched toward the country. The images show fragments of the fast-moving projectiles, including exposed wiring and internal guidance components, recovered in Abu Dhabi after the interceptions. Officials said the missiles were successfully intercepted with no injuries or damage reported, despite debris falling across several parts of Abu Dhabi. In a statement issued Saturday, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced their air defense systems 'successfully intercepted a new wave of Iranian missiles launched toward the country.' They said the threat was handled with 'high efficiency,' and that no damage or casualties were reported. Fragments were reported in several areas including Saadiyat Island, the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City, Beni Yas, Mohamed Bin Zayed City and Al Falah. The ministry confirmed the country will remain on high alert and is prepared to respond to any further threats. The announcement comes as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and claims that Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed. In a post on Truth Social, US President Trump said: 'Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. Photos released by the UAE show electronic components and wiring from intercepted Iranian missiles recovered in Abu Dhabi after air defenses shot down a new wave of projectiles The images show fragments of the fast-moving projectiles, including exposed wiring and internal guidance components Officials said the missiles were successfully intercepted with no injuries or damage reported, despite debris falling across several parts of Abu Dhabi 'He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.' Earlier reports said his body was found under rubble in his compound in Iran after US and Israeli airstrikes. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have been shown a photograph of his body, according to Israeli officials. 'A photo of the body was shown to Netanyahu and Trump,' reported Israel's Channel 12. 'Senior Israeli officials were informed of Khamenei's elimination. His body was recovered from the rubble of his compound,' reported public broadcaster Kan. There has been no confirmation of Khamenei's death from Tehran. In a televised address on Saturday evening, the Israeli Prime Minister said that airstrikes in Iran had destroyed the Supreme Leader's compound, and added that 'all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us.' However, Iranian state media has denied the claims so far. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social The Ayatollah's palace was destroyed by missiles as part of the US-Israeli military operation Meanwhile, four people were injured in a retaliatory Iranian missile strike on the world-famous five-star Fairmont hotel in Dubai. Dramatic footage and images captured the moment the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit, with the front of the building set ablaze by an ultra-fast Shahed drone. The attack came as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following the joint US-Israel attack on Tehran earlier today. The FBI has issued a chilling warning to Americans as fears grow Iran will strike the US through its terrorist proxies. FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams are on elevated alert across the country, according to an agency official. Terrorism fears are surging in the wake of Donald Trump's military strikes on Iran, as reports circulate that the Islamic regime's supreme leader was killed. Iran uses a network of proxy militant groups around the globe to carry out violent attacks against Western countries. The FBI did not say how long the terror alert will remain in effect. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem said Homeland Security is 'in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as we continue to closely monitor and thwart any potential threats to the homeland.' Under orders from the president, the US military launched Tomahawk missiles on Iran in a joint operation with Israel, deploying Air Force and Navy jets. Iran responded to the aggression by launching 'revenge strikes' on US military bases across the Middle East. Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The Iranians are also using kamikaze drones to strike residential buildings and airports in the Middle East. Footage emerged on Saturday morning showing an Iranian drone crashing into a high-rise apartment building in Bahrain. The president warned that US troops could lose their lives, adding that 'we may have casualties.' Casualties from Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases remain unclear. FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams are on elevated alert across the country following Trump's strikes on Iran The Iranians are also using kamikaze drones to strike residential buildings and airports in the Middle East Iran uses a network of proxy militant groups around the globe to carry out violent attacks against Western countries Trump was reportedly warned by his top military advisers that Iran could respond to strikes with terror attacks with proxies on US soil. The president grew frustrated during the planning process to strike Tehran when his generals could not assure him that the risk of U.S. casualties would remain low. Trump is already facing fierce political backlash for pulling the US into a new war in the Middle East. Conservative podcasting titan Tucker Carlson branded Trump's attack 'absolutely disgusting and evil' as the president's MAGA base fractured. Carlson's break with Trump signals the decision to go to war with Iran could carry legacy-defining consequences for the president. Trump won the 2024 presidential election with a campaign advocating against regime change wars in the Middle East. Trump, moreover, slammed 'so-called nation builders' during an investment conference in Saudi Arabia last May, adding they 'wrecked far more nations than they built.' US missiles reportedly struck the living quarters of Iran's supreme leader 'And the interventionalists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand,' Trump claimed at the time. Now regime-change and nation building has become the central focus of the Trump administration's foreign policy. The number of US and Iranian casualties following Saturday's military attacks in the Middle East remains unknown at the moment. Scottish Labours plan to force medics to work for the NHS for five years or face a hefty bill has been touted as a silver bullet to save the flagging health service. However, party leader Anas Sarwar has been left red-faced as it emerged he would have to repay his OWN tuition fees if his policy was adopted. The Mail on Sunday can reveal Sarwars work as an NHS dentist fell weeks short of the five-year period he is seeking to impose on doctors and dentists. Labours plans would require medics and dentists who graduate from Scottish universities to work in the NHS in Scotland for five years after graduating, or be charged for their otherwise free tuition fees and any bursaries. Currently, the Scottish graduate entry medicine (ScotGEM) bursary offers students 4,000 a year, up to four years, which requires one year of NHS employment per year they get the bursary. A similar scheme is in place for dentists. The Scottish Conservatives said Mr Sarwars position was astonishing given his own work history. Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: Having spent almost two decades working in our NHS, I know the commitment doctors and dentists make to serving patients across Scotland. Thats why it is astonishing that Anas Sarwar has announced a policy which could have meant he himself paying back tuition fees, given he did not serve a full five years in the NHS after qualifying. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was an NHS dentist but quit when he became an MP Anas Sarwar and his wife Furheen, who still works as a dentist in Glasgow GP Dr Sandesh Gulhane said it was 'astonishing' that Labour hadn't thought out its own policy And Nationalist MSP Clare Haughey accused Mr Sarwar of hypocrisy, saying: There cant be one rule for him and one for everybody else. Anas Sarwar should set out if he would pay back any support he received. The Scottish Labour leader has repeatedly stated he worked for five years in the NHS before entering parliament and his biography on his party website states worked as a dentist in the NHS in Paisley for five years. He claimed the new train here, stay here policy would end the scandal of poor NHS workforce planning and make sure the people trained in Scotland build their careers in Scotland. He previously said: We will change the rules so that Scottish medical, nursing and dental students on funded university places will be expected to work in Scotlands NHS or social care system for at least five years after graduating or repay their tuition support and bursaries. When asked about the apparent hypocrisy, a Scottish Labour spokesman said the current NHS climate was not the same as when Mr Sarwar graduated but didnt dispute that he had not worked as a public dentist for five full years. He said: Anas Sarwar graduated more than 20 years ago. Our train here, stay here policy is about changing the existing rules so we can fix the mess the SNP have made of Scotlands NHS over the past 20 years. The SNP minister in charge of tackling Scotlands drug deaths crisis has likened the struggle addicts face to her partys attempts to break up Britain. In a bizarre interview, Maree Todd compared the misery of substance abusers to her partys campaign for independence. During her discussion on the subject of dependency, the MSP also said: I do actually really love drugs while trying to outline her interest in pharmacology. However, despite facing criticism for her choice of words, Ms Todd has stood by her candid responses. Speaking to the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland podcast, Ms Todd admitted to doubting that Scottish independence will ever come but said that her interactions with recovering addicts gives her hope. She said: I suppose one of the reasons I love this job... and if you think about my politics, Im somebody who wants a profound change for Scotland. I want a different kind of country. And there are certainly times when I think: Oh my goodness, thats a tough gig. Maybe its not going to happen. Well, theres nothing more exciting than spending time with people in recovery, who have been in the absolute depths of despair, where continuing looked impossible, never mind change. And bang theyve done it, and their lives have been transformed. So never lose that hope. While discussing being given her Cabinet role by John Swinney, she also said: I spent 20 years working as a mental health pharmacist. Having got back into this job, Ive realised, gosh, I do actually really love drugs. Im interested in them. Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Maree Todd has been criticised for her remarks Scotland has eight times the European average for drugs deaths with 1017 people dying in 2024 Campaigner and charity boss Annemarie Ward said recovery from addiction was not a 'slogan' Scottish Conservative drugs spokeswoman Annie Wells said: To draw parallels between vulnerable Scots battling addiction and the SNPs obsession with breaking up the United Kingdom is utterly crass. Under the Nationalists, Scotland is facing a drugs-death emergency, with fatality rates still the worst in Europe. The charity Faces & Voices Of Recovery (FAVORUK) was an architect of the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill, which proposed giving a legal right to rehabilitation but it was voted down by the SNP and Greens. Its chief executive Annemarie Ward said: The independence people need in order to get recovery is freedom from dependence on drugs. Recovery is not a slogan or a national mood, its a measurable outcome for real people and families. Families dont need a minister fascinated by drugs. They need one relentlessly focused on helping people escape them. Ms Todd was made Drugs and Alcohol Policy minister last June, with the job of reducing Scotlands huge toll of narcotics fatalities. In 2024, 1,017 Scots died from drugs at a rate thats more than twice that of England and Wales and around eight times the European average. In a statement, Ms Todd stood by her comments, saying: I was really pleased to record the podcast and I gave very candid responses which I hope help people to understand why Im so passionate about this job. My previous job as a pharmacist has helped me understand the challenges we face in responding to a complex and increasingly toxic drug supply and variety of substances, including highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes. A newly uncovered photo from the Epstein files revealed a shocking home surgery appearing to show a woman getting stitches on his dining room table, as the disgraced financier's ties to the medical industry are exposed. Millions of documents tied to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, released by the Department of Justice, are beginning to show how entrenched the famed figure was in high society. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges before he died by suicide in prison, but evidence of his abuse dates back decades. Information on his large-scale scheme has slowly come to light since the DOJ released millions of files related to the disgraced financier, including several loyal medical specialists who allegedly brushed his wrongdoings under the rug. Emails released by the DOJ and first reported by the New York Times revealed that Dr Eva Dubin, former Miss Sweden and founder of the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City had frequent correspondence with Epstein. In one particularly shocking exchange, Epstein told Dubin that he was flying to New York with a Russian female student, whose name was redacted in the files, after she fell off an ATV on his private island in the US Virgin Islands. In an email to Dubin dated October 6, 2012, Epstein wrote: 'I am flying to ny will land at 630... [redacted] fell off the ATV and needs stitches in her forehead and an x-ray to ensure no concussion... can you organize thanks will call later or try my cell.' A disturbing photo from the Epstein files depicted what appeared to be a medical procedure coordinated by Jeffrey Epstein Epstein reportedly had deep ties with the medical industry and had multiple doctors cater to his private needs Dr Eva Dubin was mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files. She's pictured above at a benefit in 2015 Dubin responded that top plastic surgeon Jess Ting was 'standing by' and told Epstein to call her when they landed so she could go with them. The next day, Epstein sent another email to his assistant, instructing her to purchase large first-aid kits and asking for a defibrillator. '[Redacted] had a bad accident on the island. dr ting put 35 stitches in her head, laid out on the dining room table,' the email continued. A photo in the files showed a woman lying down, apparently undergoing a medical procedure. Her face was blocked by towels, and the faces of the three other individuals in the picture were redacted. A person in a checkered shirt who looked like a man was seen sitting near the woman while two other women stood over them, and one held a lamp over the alleged procedure. The New York Times also found several other emails included in the files between Dr Ting and Epstein. One of the emails revealed correspondence about Ting's family taking a trip to Epstein's island. Another email, months later, revealed that Epstein agreed to donate $50,000 to breast cancer research. Ting denied any wrongdoing and said he was not in the photo of the alleged home procedure. He added that he never witnessed any criminal activity from Epstein. Mount Sinai previously said they would donate an equal sum to a foundation preventing human trafficking and sexual exploitation after it was revealed Epstein donated millions Dubin was the former Miss Sweden and founder of the Dubin Breast Center. She's married to billionaire Glenn Dubin. The two are pictured above in 2012 'In my treatment of these adult patients, I never knew, witnessed, or had any knowledge of any illegal or potentially illegal activities,' Ting said in a statement to the Times. 'Mr Epstein represents the very worst of human nature, and I deeply regret having had any association with him.' Epstein's ties with Mount Sinai and other New York hospitals ran deep. A Politico review of three million pages of files revealed that Epstein gave at least $250,000 to the hospital even after his 2008 conviction on prostitution charges. Mount Sinai pledged in 2019 that a sum equal to the donations received from Epstein would be donated to a foundation preventing human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Some of Epstein's donations were to the Dubin Breast Center. Dubin and Epstein dated in the 80s and remained in contact for decades. Epstein mentioned Dubin in an email with the unnamed Russian student, where she asked whether she could have sex with another man if she used a condom. Epstein told her that she would have to visit a gynecologist first, adding in another message, 'Eva will organize pussy doctor.' Dubin also reportedly arranged for the young woman to volunteer at the Dubin Breast Center, telling Epstein in an email: 'I told them she will only sit there and look pretty.' The files also mentioned Mount Sinai surgeon Dr Jess Ting. Ting has denied any wrongdoing or close association with Epstein. He's pictured above at a speaking event in 2019 One email exchange in the files revealed that a woman allegedly hit her head while at Epstein's island, pictured above. Epstein asked for help coordinating a surgery to get her stitches A representative for Dubin told the New York Times that she had provided hundreds of referrals to medical specialists during her career, including Epstein. 'Each referral was made in good faith and without any awareness of wrongdoing,' the representative added. The statement denied that Dubin had ever witnessed or suspected Epstein's criminal conduct. A spokesperson for Mount Sinai said in an additional statement that the hospital had formed a committee to investigate ties to Epstein, and added: 'We will continue to take any and all appropriate actions.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the press team at Mount Sinai for additional comment. AN MP who campaigned for a grooming gangs inquiry in Scotland has told how she was branded a racist by the SNP for raising the plight of vulnerable girls. Joani Reid, Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, said the Nationalists went straight for the smear and she faced toxic abuse when she first started talking about girls being groomed by gangs of Asian men. And she claimed that the partys decision to vilify those who highlight the scandal is ultimately down to its leader, John Swinney. She said: When I first started raising grooming gangs in Scotland, the SNP went straight for the smear, painting me as far-right, racist, unpatriotic and anti-Scottish. Apparently grooming gangs are an English problem. Apparently Scotland is different, and to suggest otherwise was somehow a betrayal of the nation. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth told MSPs last week that a public inquiry would be held into the grooming gangs scandal after victims and professionals revealed harrowing stories of abuse. The Mail on Sunday first revealed how Holly Alex was targeted by a grooming gang at an Edinburgh care home from the age of 13 by Asian men who plied her with drugs and alcohol and raped her. We also told how groomers were smuggling mobile phones into residential homes to make contact with vulnerable children and that staff felt powerless to stop it. Victims and politicians have been demanding a public inquiry for months but the Scottish Government repeatedly rejected the requests, citing a lack of evidence. Labour MP Joani Reid was one of the first to raise concerns about grooming gangs operating in Scotland Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced a public inquiry into grooming gangs last week Grooming gang survivor Holly Alex spoke about her harrowing experiences as an Edinburgh teenager Ms Reid said she faced a pile-on with coordinated threats and abuse when she first suggested Scotland had an issue with grooming gangs. She added: Then came the full mob aggressive, toxic and openly misogynistic. A culture thats been allowed to thrive inside the SNP. She added: John Swinney likes to present himself as a statesman above it all, but this happens on his watch, in his party, to protect his governments record. He owns every bit of it. I will not be intimidated. Not by the smears, not by the mob, not by any of it. Im not raising this for sympathy or praise. Im raising it because they need to be held to account and shamed. Every time they reach for abuse rather than answers, theyre telling you exactly why vulnerable girls werent protected in the first place. The public inquiry will be chaired by Professor Alex Jay, who looked into the same issue of group-based sexual exploitation in Rotherham and is seen as one of the foremost experts on grooming gangs. The probe has been welcomed by campaigners and survivors, as well as parliamentarians. The SNP declined to comment. President Donald Trump surprised guests at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser just prior to launching top-secret military strikes in Iran. The president made a brief surprise appearance at the Place of Hope's 2026 LEXUS Hope Bash Gala, according to images and video posted on social media, greeting guests and thanking them for coming. As the song 'God Bless the USA' played, the president danced briefly to the song before bidding the guests farewell, telling them he had to go back to work. 'Good song, huh?' he said. 'Have a good time, everybody I gotta go to work.' The president also briefly spoke with independent journalist James O'Keefe about his recent work exposing allegations of fraud. 'I briefed him on our upcoming investigations domestically that I believe will lead to arrests and he was very supportive,' O'Keefe wrote on social media. The bombs started dropping early Saturday morning as the president announced the mission on social media, wearing the same suit and white USA hat. Earlier in the day, the president traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas to promote the economy with Texas lawmakers. US President Donald Trump makes a fist after he steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Palm Beach Photos and video of President Trump at Mar-a-Lago were posted just hours before he announced the strikes in Iran Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe quietly traveled to Mar-a-Lago to prepare for the military operation while the president was in Texas. Vice President JD Vance traveled to the White House to monitor the military strikes in Iran from the Situation Room a source familiar told the Daily Mail. For security reasons, the president and the vice president are rarely in the same location when the president is not at the White House. The vice president was joined by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright. In Texas, the president surprised a local Whataburger Friday evening where he shook hands with the patrons and proclaimed, 'Hamburgers for everybody!' before picking up a to-go order for the plane ride to Florida. The vice president has not addressed the attacks publicly since they began. On Thursday, the vice president reassured the American people that any action in Iran would be different from previous American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 'The idea that we're going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight there is no chance that will happen,' he told the Washington Post. President Trump issued a video statement on social media early Saturday morning, demanding the Iranian military to surrender and urging the people to rise up and seize control of their country. The White House released photos of Trump monitoring US strikes on Iran from Mar-a-Lago The United States has released video footage showing some of its airstrikes in Iran Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet Secretaries in the Situation Room at the White House 'Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass,' the president said. The United States military confirmed that the operation was the first use of low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) one-way attack drones. 'I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication,' the president added in his video statement, boasting of the unprecedented display of air power. Not for the first time, international travel is in turmoil but on this occasion it's not down to a technology blip, a dust cloud or some other natural disaster. It's far more serious than that. There is a war going on in the Middle East, with the Foreign Office telling British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 'immediately shelter in placeremain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities'. Chaos on the ground; chaos in the air. The UAE, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar have all closed their airspaces in response to the retaliatory attacks on Gulf states by Iran; airlines serving the Middle East have cancelled or diverted flights and thousands of passengers are left stranded at airports in the region. Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai are two of the biggest airports in the world. And, along with Doha airport in Qatar, these three serve as major hubs for onward connections to the east and to Australia and New Zealand. Some 127 million passengers passed through Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports in 2025. And the UAE remains one of the most popular hotspots for British holidaymakers. Dubai welcomed nearly 20 million international visitors last year, including some 1.32million from Britain. Information on cancelled Emirates flights at London Gatwick airport on Saturday after the US and Israel's strikes on Iran Explosions from Israeli projectile interceptions over Tel Aviv on Saturday after the nation launched strikes against Iran with the US Passengers stranded at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday after the missile attacks Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai are two of the biggest airports in the world. Pictured: A passenger stranded at the airport in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday after the missile strikes Passengers stranded at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday after the missile strikes A display board showing the cancellation of all flights at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. And thousands of Britons have moved to Dubai since Labour came to power, driven out of the country by rising taxes and lowering expectations. In a statement last night, British Airways said: 'We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East. 'Safety is always our top priority, and we're contacting our customers to advise them of their travel options.' Dubai is only 80 miles across the water from Iran, divided by Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Those due to fly into the region have been advised to contact their airline to seek the latest guidance. If their flight has been cancelled they will be due a full refund and the airline will be responsible for picking up any hotel bill or any other expenses associated with the disruption. But it's not so clear-cut once flights to the region have resumed for those who want to cancel due to fears for their safety, because the Foreign Office has not officially advised against travel to the UAE. While that remains the case, airlines may not issue refunds. Emirates, one of the major carriers in the region, has announced that it has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai, stating that they are 'actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities'. Wizz Air has announced that it will be suspending all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman, with immediate effect until March 7. Virgin Atlantic is also rerouting flights to avoid Iraqi airspace and cancelled its London to Dubai service. Nigel Rawlence, a retired businessman from the Isle of Wight, was on holiday with his wife in Abu Dhabi. 'We managed to get out on Friday before the attacks started. 'You would never have known that something like this was about to happen. We consider ourselves fortunate and won't be going back in a hurry.' The US military used unmanned Iranian-inspired drones to strike Tehran on Saturday, a historic first. US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees America's military operations in the Middle East, confirmed the use of Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones during Operation Epic Fury. 'These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran's Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution,' CENTCOM said. Iran's model uses a GPS system to navigate to its target and can strike on command. They are used to hit buildings and military sites. The American version was made by SpektreWorks and is much lighter than the Iranian version. It is launched through a catapult and is rocket-assisted, Defense News said. Each drone cost roughly $35,000 to make. The first one was successfully launched during a drill of the USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf in December. The US and Israel began hitting Iranian targets around 1.15am on Saturday to 'dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus.' The areas that were hit first 'posed an imminent threat,' CENTCOM said in a statement. The US military used unmanned drones modeled after an Iranian one after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran on Saturday The $35,000 drones used the drones starting around 1.15am to hit Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, among other places Your browser does not support iframes. 'Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields,' it said. After the initial strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks, causing US forces and surrounding Middle Eastern countries to 'defend against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks,' CENTCOM said. The US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain was hit by an Iranian missile, but the command post said damage was minimal to US installations. There were no US casualties or combat-related injuries, CENTCOM said. Operation Epic Fury used the largest regional concentration of US military firepower in a generation, the command post said. Admiral Brad Cooper called President Donald Trump's strikes a 'bold action' and thanked 'our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardians, and Coast Guardsmen' for answering the call. Americans learned of the strikes around 2am this morning when Trump addressed the nation in a video posted to Truth Social. 'Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,' the Republican said. Iran's model uses a GPS system to navigate to its target and can strike on command Admiral Brad Cooper called President Donald Trump's strikes a 'bold action' and thanks the service members involved in the operation 'Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.' Trump detailed some of the violence Iran has perpetrated against Americans, including taking over the US embassy in Tehran and holding US citizens hostage in 1979. 'The regimes proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,' Trump said. 'Its been mass terror, and were not gonna put up with it any longer.' Dubai's famous Burj Al-Arab hotel caught alight last night after being 'hit by an Iranian suicide drone' as Tehran launched UAV attacks on Western enclaves across the Middle East today in retaliation for US air strikes. Footage showed the five-star hotel ablaze with Dubai authorities saying debris from an intercepted drone caused the fire at the city's famed luxury hotel. Nearby four people were hurt at Dubai's popular Palm Jumeirah hotel after being hit by a suicide drone launched from Iran hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit Tehran. Suicide drones also attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain, with missiles launched from Iran hitting US bases in Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Dramatic footage and images captured the moment the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit by a Shahed drone, with an Iranian suicide drone also striking a tower block in Bahrain. The Dubai media office confirmed four people were injured in the strikes on the Palm Jumeirah hotel, which is popular among Western tourists, with witnesses saying ambulances had rushed to the scene. 'Dubai Civil Defence has confirmed that the resulting fire is now under control. Four individuals sustained injuries and have been transferred to medical facilities,' it added. Video footage also showed the moment a high-rise building in Bahrain, believed to be the luxury apartment building Era View Tower, was struck by an Iranian suicide drone, hours after strikes targeted the major US naval base in the state. A huge fireball erupted towards the top of the high-rise building, with debris scattering and falling onto the surrounding area below. It is not known at this stage if there are any casualties. Iran also hit the US's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, with a huge mushroom of smoke captured billowing into the sky following an explosion. Dubai authorities said debris from an intercepted drone caused the fire at the city's famed luxury hotel Footage showed the Burj Al-Arab hotel ablaze after being 'targeted by an Iranian suicide drone' The Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel was hit by a Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit Tehran Suicide drones also attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain Smoke rises from a burning building in Bahrain, believed to be the luxury apartment building Era View Tower hit by an Iranian drone strike Footage captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was hit and set ablaze by an Iranian missile Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances rushed to the scene A huge fireball erupted towards the top of the high-rise building, with debris scattering and falling onto the surrounding area below. It is not known at this stage if there are any casualties Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the US's 5th Fleet in Bahrain Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said unnamed Israeli sources revealed there were 'growing indications' the leader had been killed during this morning's air strikes or that he was 'hurt at the very least'. Iran has so far launched revenge attacks across the region, with missile strikes in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Videos posted on social media show the famous Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel - which is popular with tourists - on fire, with plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, something Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned in a call with her Emirati counterpart. The sheer speed of the missile - which is said to be able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound - can be heard on video footage cutting through the air before blasting into the hotel. Located a half-an-hour drive from Dubai International Airport, rooms at the opulent hotel average 292 a night, while guests wanting a more upmarket stay in the presidential suite can spend closer to 828 a night. The hotel is located on Dubai's famed man-made island The Palm. Hundreds of thousands of British nationals are currently thought to be present in the Gulf. British influencer Will Bailey, who has just landed in Dubai and was sitting poolside at the hotel, said: 'That was metres away from us. Look at this. SHAHED-136 'KAMIKAZE' DRONES Iranian-made Shahed-136 'kamikaze' drone The Shahed-136 is an unmanned drone model developed by Iran and deployed by Russia on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. It is designed to attack ground targets from a distance in a kamikaze-style assault. The AI-powered autonomous drone have been spotted in terrifying footage coming out of the Middle East as Iran retaliates to the US-Israel missile strikes on Saturday. The 200kg drone is 11ft long with a wingspan of 8.2ft. It can carry a 90kg warhead and has an operational range of 1,600 miles - and maximum speed of 115mph. The drone also has a maximum payload of 400kg. In December the US military said it had developed the LUCAS drone - a clone of the Shahed-136. Russia has deployed the Geran-2, an upgraded version of the Shahed-136 which is manufactured in Russia, on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict. According to the Institute for Science and International Security, 4,442 Shahed-type drones were launched in January in the war - of which 2915 were designated as Shahed/Geran strike drones. Advertisement 'That is the Fairmont hotel in Dubai. Oh my God, oh my God.' He added: 'Oh my days, over the beach club is f****** mental. Literally directly above us. That is insane. They were so loud. 'I have no words. In the safest city in the world. Wow.' Meanwhile Samantha, who lives in Dubai Hills, saw the missile pass over her head some 26km away from the hotel. 'It's panic. Total panic. I saw it passing above my head', she said, speaking to the Daily Mail. 'I'm stressed out because any one little part of a missile could come on top of our building.' And with the United Arab Emirates having said it has now 'partially and temporarily' closed its airspace as a precaution, according to state media, Brits trying to flee the country have found themselves stuck. One such passenger was forced off a plane from Dubai back to London just minutes after boarding as flights in and out of the Emirati nation were grounded. Mike Boreham was on the British Airways flight 108 to Heathrow Airport with hundreds of others when the UAE came under fire from retaliatory Iranian missiles. He told The Independent: 'We were all boarded. The flight is completely full. 'About ten minutes after the "boarding complete" announcement, we were told airspace is closed.' The UAE evacuated the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, amid the attacks, Turkiye Today reported, as all flights in and out of Dubai have been cancelled. After the UAE's airspace was closed, many flights heading to Dubai were forced to return to their starting points. Services by Emirates from Dublin, Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and LOT Polish Airlines to Warsaw were all grounded as the country locked down. Many major airlines have similarly cancelled or diverted flights to and from the Middle East amid safety concerns. Bosses at Heathrow Airport, which is the UK's busiest air terminus, have urged passengers to check with their airline for updates. The British Foreign Office's travel guidance for Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman now advises travellers to 'remain vigilant, follow local authority advice and take shelter if advised'. It has also warned against all travel to Israel and Palestine and has urged Brits already in other Middle Eastern countries to 'immediately shelter in place'. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: 'Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. 'On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel commenced joint military action in Iran. Israeli airspace has now closed.' British nationals in the region have been urged to take 'sensible precautions', including following advice from local authorities, staying away from military facilities and making sure their travel documents are up to date. Any people from the UK in Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait have also been advised to immediately shelter in place. The update read: 'Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.' Your browser does not support iframes. Israeli sources said today that President Donald Trump specifically targeted Iran's supreme leader in its first wave of joint missile strikes with Israel. Both Khamenei's palace and compound in Tehran are reported to have been destroyed in today's operation. Two Israeli television networks said Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump were shown the image after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's body was recovered from the rubble of his compound. It comes after Israel's Prime Minister had said in a televised address on Saturday evening that 'there are signs' that Iran's Supreme Leader is dead. Netanyahu said airstrikes have destroyed Khamenei's compound, adding that 'all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us'. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry said earlier this evening that the Supreme Leader and the country's president were both alive and well. 'They are all safe and sound,' a spokesperson told Sky News. Video footage from Tehran shows smoke billowing into the sky above Khamenei's compound this morning, which is understood to be used as his official residence in the Iranian capital. 'Senior Israeli officials were informed of Khamenei's elimination,' reported public broadcaster Kan. Screams and giggles could be heard ringing out from a nearby rooftop as onlookers watched the blast. 'Oh my God they hit it. They struck it. Oh my God,' one woman shouts. It comes after it was reported that the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and 'architect' of the regime's brutal crackdown against protesters is already said to have been killed in the strikes. Israeli sources said they believed that IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour has been eliminated, adding that several senior military officials are understood to have been killed. Elsewhere, a wave of US and Israeli strikes also hit Bushehr, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, Isfahan and southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and an area said to be housing Iran-supporting militia groups in al-Nasr, Iraq. In a post on Truth Social, Trump told the Ayatollah to either 'surrender or die' as he announced the US had launched strikes across several cities in Iran. He said: 'To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. 'Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.' Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' and launched missiles across Israel including in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. In a statement, the country's military said that all US 'bases, resources and assets' are 'legitimate targets'. Dramatic footage showed the moment Iran hit the US's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, with a huge mushroom of smoke billowing into the sky following an explosion. Iran also targeted US infrastructure at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and areas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all-out war. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. People take cover in an underground light rail station amid reports of incoming missiles in Israel Israelis taking shelter at an underground train station as they prepare for retaliatory missile strikes An image shows smoke billowing from a building after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday morning It is understood that the UK did not participate in the attacks, and Sir Keir Starmer said Iran must 'refrain from indiscriminate military strikes' in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, condemning the country's attacks on its neighbours. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office. The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she supported the strikes on Iran, describing the Tehran government as a 'vile regime' that 'carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens', sought to build nuclear weapons and 'brutally repressed pro-democracy protests only months ago and murdered thousands of its own people'. Meanwhile, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to prepare for an uprising and to take to the streets in the midst of the Islamic Republic's collapse. He warned civilians to stay at home for now and to prepare to mobilise, ready for his instructions. Describing the US's attacks as 'humanitarian intervention', he reminded security forces they had sworn to protect the Iranian people and not IS and its leaders. He urged that if they did not switch sides, they would 'sink' alongside the current regime and Supreme Leader Khamenei. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned the Iranian regime 'must not be armed with nuclear weapons'. 'My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. He said the regime had 'spilled our blood', and 'murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people'. Israelis run for cover after Iran unleashed retaliatory strikes in the country People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday A man looks on as a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran An image shows smoke billowing from a building after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday morning 'This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity,' he said. 'Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. 'The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people - the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis - to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran. 'Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.' In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Khamenei's office on Saturday morning. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, without offering a cause. There have also been unverified reports of explosions in other locations across Iran including Isfahan, the third biggest city, and Tabriz. More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes. Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace and mobile phone services were cut as internet access dropped by over half, according to NetBlocks. Israel has warned its own citizens to prepare to take cover if the Iranians fight back, with sirens already being heard across Israel. The country's Defense Force said: 'This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel.' Airspace above Israel was closed to civilian flights following the strike this morning. The explosions come as tensions rose between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme. Earlier today, Trump denounced the regime as the 'world's number one stage sponsor of terror', which had recently killed 'tens of thousands of its own people as they protested'. 'It has always been the police of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon,' the US president added. Rubble and destroyed buildings in Tehran after the US and Israel launches strikes on the city on February 28, 2026 Smoke billows into the sky of Tehran after Israel launches a second wave of airstrikes on February 28, 2026 A woman runs with her dog for shelter in Haifa, northern Israel after the US and Israel launch strikes on Iran 'I will say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon.' 'This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the US armed forces,' he later added. He then turned his address to the 'great proud people of Iran', saying that their 'hour of freedom' was at hand. Warning them to stay sheltered and at home, he urged them to 'take' their government after the US operation is over. 'This will probably be your only chance for generations,' he said. 'For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it.' 'No president was willing to do what I was willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is willing to give you what you want. 'So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. 'Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is in your reach. 'This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May god bless the brave men and women of America's armed forces. 'May god bless the United States of America. May god bless you all.' Sir Rod Stewarts wife Penny Lancaster is backing a drive to rescue the over-50s from the jobs scrapheap as unemployment in the age group hits a record rate. The number of Britons aged 50 to 64 on out-of-work benefits is at an all-time high of 2.15 million, according to a leading think tank. It is the first time the figure has exceeded 2 million, and represents an increase of 600,000 since the pandemic leading to a bulge in employees facing a bleak and unwanted retirement. In response, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has set up a commission of experts, politicians and public figures, including broadcaster Angela Rippon and Lady Lancaster, to examine what it calls a midlife crisis for the economy. The lost tax is estimated at 16 billion per year more than the annual Ministry of Justice budget. Lady Lancaster, 54, a presenter on ITVs Loose Women, told The Mail on Sunday that while her own circumstances are not typical her husband has made more than 230 million from his career she wanted to help ensure midlife is seen as a time of renewed possibility instead of decline. Sir Rod, 81, and Lady Lancaster, pictured, have been married for 18 years. Since Chancellor Rachel Reeves last Budget, which burdened companies with a 25 billion tax increase, more workers aged 50 to 64 have left company payrolls than any other age group except for those aged 25 to 34. One focus group participant said: When it comes to looking for work, its like walking into a horror film. Wellbeing brand founder Liz Earle, 62, who will chair the commission, said: For too long weve overlooked people in midlife and older despite their experiences and their resilience... This comes at great cost to individuals, companies, and the Government. Penny Lancaster pictured at the London film premiere of EPiC Elvis Presley this month A time of renewed possibility, not decline by Penny Lancaster Ive met many women who feel pushed aside in midlife, when they still have so much to contribute. There is no better time for this commission to listen to the real experiences of people facing obstacles to work and ensure midlife is seen as a time of renewed possibility instead of decline. Whether in my campaigning, policing or television work, the women I speak to in their 40s, 50s and 60s have built careers, raised families and held communities together, yet feel quietly pushed aside just when their experience should carry the greatest weight. I recognise that my own circumstances are not typical, and that many women face pressures I do not in my life today, that makes it all the more important to use my platform to amplify what I hear. When the Centre for Social Justice invited me to get involved in this initiative, I said yes because I believe that this is a stage of life that cannot be written off. We will listen to men and women in their prime who feel blocked from reaching their potential, and find the solutions that will help thousands more people in their golden years to live happy, secure and fulfilling lives. The last man to see missing British yachtswoman Sarm Heslop alive is planning to sue the BBC over a documentary which alleged he was not telling the 'full story' about her disappearance, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. American boat captain Ryan Bane, who met Ms Heslop on dating app Tinder and employed her as a chef on his boat before she vanished five years ago, is said to be enraged by the documentary Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm, which aired last September. The programme recounted the events of the night Sarm, 41, went missing in March 2021, when she returned to Bane's 500,000 Siren Song boat, moored off St John in the US Virgin Islands. Bane, 49, who has not been interviewed by police, has always insisted via his legal team that he woke at 2am to find her missing, and believes she fell overboard or drowned while swimming. But the programme, presented by journalist Tir Dhondy, included claims made by Sarm's friends who launched the Find Sarm campaign that Bane 'wasn't telling us the full story'. It also featured interviews with his ex-wife Cori Stevenson, who alleged she had been violently assaulted by him and choked until she 'passed out' a claim Bane insisted was 'unproven or false' in a statement on Facebook last year. A well-placed source in the US told the MoS: 'Ryan feels his name has been trashed. He wants to sue both individual members of the Find Sarm team and the BBC. He's claiming defamation and trying to find a legal firm to represent him in the UK. As well as fighting back against the allegations, he wants to draw a line under what happened and move on with his life.' On March 7, the couple apparently returned to the boat, moored 100ft from the shore in Cruz Bay, after visiting the 420 to Centre bar on St John. Sarm Heslop (pictured) disappeared from Siren Song, the yacht belonging to her boyfriend Ryan Bane, in the Caribbean five years ago Sarm met Ryan Bane (pictured) on dating app Tinder and was employed as a chef on his boat Pictured: Bane's 47-foot, 500,000 catamaran, Siren Song. Bane allegedly refused to allow police on board to conduct a forensic search of the boat Bane says they fell asleep at 10pm and, after being woken at 2am by an anchor alarm, he realised she was missing. He rowed ashore to inform the police half an hour later and was advised to contact the US Coast Guard. He did not do this until 11.46am the next day and, when police arrived to conduct a forensic search of the boat, Bane allegedly refused to allow them on board. He has never been formally questioned about Sarm's disappearance and the boat has never been searched. One of Sarm's friends, Kate, told producers that she spoke to Bane soon after Sarm vanished. Kate said: 'I was asking questions and his response was always a massive, long pause and then a stuttering, "Ugh, I don't know, I was pretty smashed". I was beginning to have suspicions that maybe he wasn't telling us the full story.' Speaking on the documentary, Bane's lawyer David Cattie insisted that his client was 'devastated' and that Sarm was the 'love of his life'. Chinese embassy issues security alert for citizens in Israel Xinhua) 10:59, February 28, 2026 JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a security alert on Friday, urging Chinese nationals in Israel to strengthen precautionary measures as risks in the Middle East further escalated. In an advisory, the embassy urged Chinese nationals to closely monitor developments and follow security guidance issued by Israeli authorities, maintain heightened vigilance, strengthen precautionary and emergency measures, and avoid non-essential travel. It also advised Chinese nationals to familiarize themselves with nearby bomb shelters and evacuation routes to ensure their safety. In an earlier notice on Tuesday, the embassy said the regional security situation remained tense and warned that further deterioration could not be ruled out, urging Chinese nationals to stay alert and take appropriate precautions. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) News / National by Staff reporter Citizens Coalition for Change (CDF) leader Tendai Biti has vowed to defy a police ban on his party's planned event, accusing ZANU-PF of hypocrisy over consultations on the contentious Constitutional Amendment Bill.Addressing supporters, Biti said it was "ironic and hypocritical" for the ruling party to block opposition discussions on the proposed legislation while holding its own internal consultations on the same Bill."It is ironic and hypocritical for ZANU-PF to stop us from discussing and debating this heinous Bill when they themselves are consulting and meeting over the same Bill," Biti said.He also condemned what he described as escalating attacks against civic and opposition figures, including an assault on a member of the National Constitution Assembly (NCA).Biti further referenced the defacing of property linked to opposition leader Jameson Timba, as well as incidents at Mandaza House associated with academic Ibbo Mandaza and the residence of political figure Gilbert Bgwende.He alleged that the developments point to what he termed a "de facto state of emergency," but insisted the opposition would not back down."They have declared a de facto state of emergency, but we can assure you we are not stopping. We are going ahead with our launch," he said.The police ban and rising political tensions come amid growing debate over the Constitutional Amendment Bill, which has triggered sharp divisions between the ruling party and opposition groups.Authorities had not immediately responded to Biti's remarks at the time of publication. Jeremy Corbyn has joined hundreds of pro-Iran protesters who gathered in London carrying banners of the Ayatollah to demand an end to 'Trump's wars'. The former Labour leader, 76, was seen with his brother Piers Corbyn, 78, alongside supporters of the regime at a rally in Parliament Square on Saturday. The crowds of activists gathered to condemn the US and Israel's missile strikes on the capital of Tehran and other targets across the nation, The Telegraph reported. They brandished signs bearing portraits of the Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, and the slogan, 'Choose the Right Side of History'. Other placards read 'Stop Trump's Wars' and 'No War on Iran', while some flew the country's tricolour flag, bearing the regime's Islamic emblem. Demonstrators chanted, 'Long live the resistance! Long live Iran!', and, 'Resistance is justified when people are colonised!', as well as, 'USA are war criminals! USA are baby killers!' Other chants included, 'Zionism is a crime, get your hands off Palestine', and 'Zionism is terrorism', while some activists waved the Palestinian flag. Jeremy Corbyn (centre left) was seen with his brother Piers (centre right) alongside supporters of the regime at a rally in Parliament Square on Saturday The crowds of activists (pictured) gathered to condemn the US and Israel's missile strikes on the capital of Tehran and other targets across the nation. Many bore placards (pictured) reading 'Stop Trump's Wars' They also brandished signs (pictured) bearing portraits of the Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, and the slogan, 'Choose the Right Side of History' It is not known whether there were any arrests. The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment. David Polden, 85, from Highgate, north London, said: 'It's just very dangerous to have a war in the Middle East, which the United States is determined to have. 'Killing Iranians is hardly supporting them, I would have thought.' He said it was 'terrible' tens of thousands of Iranians had been killed by the regime in its recent crackdown on protests: 'It's a terrible regime - but so is America.' Mr Polden said he thought the US and Iranian governments were 'equally' bad - but because America is more powerful, it can do greater damage. The rally was organised by the Stop The War In Iran Coalition, which had urged people to gather under the slogan 'Hands Off Iran'. The organisation said the Iranian people would be the real victims of American and Israeli strikes. It said in a statement: 'They will lead to death and destruction in Iran and they threaten wider war across the region with unimaginable consequences. 'We must protest this madness and demand that our Government takes no part and condemns Israel's and US's catastrophic actions.' The event was also supported by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, Jewish Network for Palestine and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It came a few hours after hundreds of Iranian democracy activists gathered in Whitehall for a separate protest calling for the end of the Iranian government. The rally was organised by the Stage of Freedom group, which opposes the Ayatollahs' regime and supports the American strikes. Demonstrators gathered outside the Ministry of Defence in central London ahead of a march down to the Iranian embassy. They waved the Iranian flag from before the Islamic regime, which features a green, white and red horizontal tricolour, with a central gold lion and sun. One pro-democracy protester against the hardline Iranian government carried a puppet of the Ayatollah hanging from a noose. Photographs were displayed outside the Iranian embassy of people killed by the country's authorities in recent protests against the regime. Many anti-regime activists are in support of the return of the Shah, or the former monarch of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who was ousted in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Join the debate Should British politicians openly support regimes accused of human rights abuses if they oppose Western military actions? It came a few hours after hundreds of Iranian democracy activists gathered in Whitehall for a separate protest (pictured) calling for the end of the Iranian government The rally (pictured) was organised by the Stage of Freedom group, which opposes the Ayatollahs' regime and supports the American strikes One pro-democracy protester against the hardline Iranian government carried a puppet of the Ayatollah hanging from a noose (pictured) Explosions from Israeli projectile interceptions over Tel Aviv on Saturday Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. They also call for the British government to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of the army set up when the Ayatollahs came to power. Ehsan Fathi, 45, a British-Iranian national highways project manager, said he had long called for an end to the Iranian regime. But he said events in January, which saw around 36,500 Iranians killed in the protest crackdown, had added greater urgency to his fight. Mr Fathi said he was appreciative of American and Israeli intervention, which he said could weaken the Iranian government enough for the people to take back control. Kima Mohajeran, 63, who was protesting with her husband Davood, 71, said she had seen videos of Iranians celebrating in the streets about the US and Israeli strikes. She said the Stop The War protesters do not understand this is how the Iranian people feel. Her husband said he is anti-war but that this war is not against the Iranian people but what he saw as a deadly regime, which will allow the people to take over. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions on both protests. The Stop The War event was limited to a particular section of Parliament Square, while Stage for Freedom protesters had to disperse by 5.30pm. Both rallies came as the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday morning. Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran just after 9.30am local time (6am GMT), with pictures showing smoke over the capital. Explosions were also reportedly heard in other cities across the country, including Karaj, Isfahan, Qom and Kermanshah. President Donald Trump said America had begun 'major combat operations' and urged the Iranian people to use the opportunity to overthrow the regime. Iran responded to the attack by launching missiles at Israel and four Gulf states which host US military bases: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. Countries across the Middle East have since locked their airspaces, amid safety concerns. And multiple Israeli officials have since claimed Iran's Supreme Leader is dead. Trump and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu have allegedly been shown a photograph of his body. 'A photo of the body was shown to Netanyahu and Trump,' reported Channel 12. 'Senior Israeli officials were informed of Khamenei's elimination. His body was recovered from the rubble of his compound,' reported public broadcaster Kan. There has been no confirmation of Khamenei's death from Tehran. Netanyahu said on Saturday, in a televised address to his nation, 'there are signs' Iran's Supreme Leader is dead. He said airstrikes have destroyed Ayatollah Khamenei's compound, adding: 'All indications show this tyrant is no longer with us.' It followed the Iranian foreign ministry's claim earlier this evening that the Supreme Leader and the country's president were both alive and well. 'They are all safe and sound,' a spokesperson told Sky News. Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said earlier today unnamed Israeli sources revealed there were 'growing indications' the leader had been killed during this morning's air strikes or he was 'hurt at the very least'. Officials earlier reported the strikes had caused 'very significant harm' to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders. Khamenei had not been heard from since the US and Israel launched their dual attack. Israeli sources said on Saturday Trump specifically targeted Iran's Supreme Leader in its first wave of joint missile strikes with Israel. But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghch claimed the Ayatollah is alive 'as far as I know' - and denounced the strikes as 'wholly unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate'. A Met spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a number of anti-Iranian government protests taking place on Saturday, 28 February in central London. 'To minimise disruption to the local community, conditions have been imposed requiring that any assembly near the Iranian Embassy must conclude by 17:30hrs, and that participants must not use amplified sound systems, musical instruments, or any other noisecreating devices during an assembly.' Nigel Farage has sensationally claimed that Reform UK was robbed of victory by foreign-born voters in last weeks Manchester by-election. Amid mounting allegations that voter fraud and sectarianism contributed to the Green Partys shock win, Mr Farage makes the incendiary assertion in the Mail on Sunday that Reform UK won the Gorton and Denton by-election among British-born voters. And he vowed that if he becomes Prime Minister he will rip up rules which allow non-British citizens to vote in UK elections. Zack Polanskis Greens targeted the Muslim vote in Gorton and Denton, focusing their campaign on Gaza and accusing Israel of genocide. The party, which released leaflets and videos in Urdu, has been accused of whipping up hatred and exploiting sectarianism to secure victory for their candidate, Hannah Spencer. Independent election observers also reported record levels of so-called family voting, the illegal practice that often involves a man entering a polling booth with his wife or other relative and telling them how to vote. The observers estimated that up to one in eight votes could have been affected by this. Under current rules, citizens of Commonwealth nations such as Pakistan can take part in British ballots as long as they register themselves as being resident at an address within a UK constituency. Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer won in the Gorton and Denton by-election this week (pictured with her party leader, Zack Polanski) Nigel Farage has sensationally claimed in response that his own party, Reform UK, were robbed of victory by foreign-born voters They must be in the UK legally, which generally means they must have valid immigration status. Now, in an article for this newspaper, Mr Farage whose party lost by 4,402 votes has called the Gorton and Denton result the most glaring example yet of what happens if were not careful about the impacts of mass immigration and about the legitimacy of those who can vote in our elections. Mr Farage said Reform had established that 10 per cent of the electorate in the constituency were born in Pakistan, and that in half of the wards, more than 20 per cent of voters had been born abroad. In one ward, 48 per cent of the voters were not born in Britain. Sir Keir Starmers Labour was beaten into third place in the contest, triggering fresh calls for him to resign as leader. In other developments: Oxford-based academic Dr Patrick Nash claimed the practice of cousin marriages was a key driver of family voting in the by-election; Mr Polanski hired a spin doctor, Abi Wilkinson, who denied that any of the victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks were raped, posted about demonic zionists and has repeatedly compared Israel to Nazi Germany; The BBC was accused of bowing to woke cultural sensitivities by not reporting the claims of voter fraud in its flagship Today programme on Radio 4; Supporters of Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham predicted that he would forge an alliance with the Greens and rip up the first-past-the-post electoral system if he succeeds Sir Keir as Prime Minister; Mr Burnham is understood to be trying to persuade Marie Rimmer, the veteran Labour MP for St Helens South, to stand aside to let him return to the Commons, with what sources described as an implicit promise of a peerage so he can mount a leadership bid; Exclusive polling published in the Mail on Sunday shows 44 per cent of voters think the Prime Minister should resign after losing the by-election, with 34 per cent saying he should stay; Chancellor Rachel Reeves will lead an attempted Government fightback this week with announcements focusing on the cost of living and a spring forecast claiming to point to green shoots in the economy. Zack Polanski's Greens targeted the Muslim vote in Gorton and Denton, focusing their campaign on Gaza and accusing Israel of genocide Join the debate Should voting in UK elections be reserved for British citizens only? A new offence designed to tackle family voting was created in 2023, making it illegal for a person to accompany a voter to a polling booth or position themselves nearby with the intention of influencing their decision. Lord Hayward, the Tory peer and pollster who introduced the law using a private members Bill, said the system had clearly gone wrong in a substantial way in Gorton and Denton. He said he felt very disappointed that the law was apparently flouted. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour had created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes at previous elections, adding: That monster came back to bite them. She said the rise of sectarian politics was starting to unravel the culture of tolerance that makes Britain great. Greater Manchester Police has said it will investigate the allegations highlighted by Reform. A spokesman said: We can confirm a report has been made. We are in the process of reviewing this report and will provide a further update in due course. The Green Party has said claims it cheated were an attempt to undermine the democratic result. Nigel Farage: Allowing non-British citizens to vote here poses a grave risk to our democracy For years, I warned of the looming threat of sectarian voting. Naturally, of course, I was derided by the political establishment and accused of spouting outrageous hyperbole. My generation grew up witnessing the violent horrors of sectarianism in Northern Ireland and the impact it had. But most believed it could never come to England. That was until the last general election, when four pro-Gaza Independent MPs were elected to Parliament. Then, finally, everybody woke up to those dangers. I am well aware that what I am about to say will be viewed as sour grapes. But I say it because I believe it to be 100 per cent true. Reform leader Nigel Farage has said allowing non-British citizens to vote in the UK poses a grave threat to democracy What happened last Thursday at the Gorton and Denton by-election, in which the Green Party emerged victorious in a historically Labour stronghold, was the most glaring example yet of what happens if we're not careful about the impact of mass immigration and the legitimacy of those who can vote in our elections. Because let's be frank: Reform UK won the Gorton and Denton by-election among British-born voters. What makes me so certain of saying this is that the raw figures are so stark: 10 per cent of the overall constituency were born in Pakistan. When you drill down into the actual details of what happened last week, the results really are quite extraordinary. There were 14 wards that made up the constituency and in ten of them, more than 20 per cent of people were born abroad. In one ward, Longsight, 48 per cent of the population are foreign-born. Meanwhile, it was perfectly clear that throughout the campaign, in Gorton specifically, the Green Party campaigned not on local issues or even national issues that would directly impact Gorton but on issues surrounding Gaza. There could have been no greater demonstration of how mass immigration under both Labour and Conservative governments has fundamentally changed the very nature and atmosphere within many of our cities. The Greens' Hannah Spencer, pictured with party leader Zack Polanski, won the Gorton and Denton by-election with 40.7 per cent of the vote But the issue that is most astonishing, and, frankly, is not discussed enough, is the right for Commonwealth citizens to vote in UK elections. I had never really quite understood before last week's events the sheer scale and implications of what I believe could be a massive problem for British politics. If you come into this country from a Commonwealth nation such as Pakistan, provided you can prove that you normally reside at a property within a constituency, through Commonwealth rights you get the right to vote. As a result, the thousands of those who voted Green last Thursday are not actually British citizens. And in my opinion this is having a terrifying effect on the British electoral process. I am well aware many people will find this to be shattering news. Some will even find it difficult to believe. But I have checked this out legally and I am right. Reform UK's Matt Goodwin (centre right), pictured with party leader Nigel Farage, finished second in the by-election with 28.7 per cent of the vote, a 15 per cent rise compared to the 2024 general election Sectarianism, in all its forms, leads to even deeper hostility. We saw it in Manchester itself last October when there was the murderous attack on a synagogue. Last week, a man was arrested for entering a mosque in central Manchester allegedly carrying an axe which worryingly looked like a tit-for-tat reprisal. These conflicts, if played out through British politics, will have a deleterious effect on the whole of our society and all of our communities. How do we tackle this? First, the time has come to confront the extraordinarily dishonest behaviour taking place in polling stations. Democracy Volunteers, a group of election observers who check that voting processes are being followed correctly, claimed last week that in 68 per cent of the polling stations they surveyed in Gorton and Denton, they witnessed what they described as 'family voting'. This is a process where people are walking into booths with their relatives, many of whom speak little or no English, and watch over them as they vote for the 'right' candidate. Make no mistake: This practice must be outlawed. Pictured: votes from the Gorton and Denton by-election are counted in Manchester And if you think about that, it makes you wonder what level of coercion is applied to those who receive postal votes in some of the Muslim communities in Britain, where women have far fewer rights than men. I personally doubt that they get to exercise that option in secrecy. But I feel we have to go further. Which is why, secondly, I think the time has come to end the practice of Commonwealth voting. Yes, I know Britain has a historic association with the Commonwealth. But if we do not, then I fear that what we have seen in Gorton and Denton will play itself out in many areas where local electoral elections are taking place in May. And it's not just council seats. The implications for the next general election are enormous. I'm sorry, but surely it is only right that British citizens should be able to vote in British elections on British issues not have international problems that are taking place thousands of miles away brought into campaigning. The events in Gorton and Denton over the past few weeks highlighted the troubling direction in which our democracy is heading. After nearly 30 years in politics, I can honestly say this was one of the most disturbing by-elections I have witnessed. It should serve as a wake-up call. Green Party leader Zack Polanski and new Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer, a plumber, pictured at a press conference after her win on Friday 'Woke' BBC silent on election fraud claims By Gabriel Millard-Clothier The BBC has been accused of bowing to woke cultural sensitivities by not reporting claims of voter fraud in the Gorton and Denton by-election on its flagship Today programme. After the polls closed on Thursday, observers reported record levels of so-called family voting, which is a criminal offence. Nigel Farages Reform UK, which lost to the Greens, urged Greater Manchester Police to investigate 32 such incidents and the force said it was reviewing this report. However, Radio 4s Today programme did not address the issue on Saturday mornings broadcast. On BBC News At Ten the previous night, concerns were dismissed with the line: There was plenty of talk about family voting... officials said no such issues were reported by staff. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: The BBC is the national broadcaster. They must address these concerns. If not, it would be another example of bowing to woke cultural sensitivities rather than serving the national interest.' Nigel Huddleston, Shadow Culture Secretary, said: Given the scale of coverage on the by-election, it is surprising the BBC hasnt more comprehensively covered evidence of electoral offences. Electoral law should not come second to cultural sensitivities. A spokesman for the BBC said BBC News reflected the claims of family voting across its output. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp weighed in and said: The BBC is the national broadcaster. They must address these concerns' Family voting 'driven by cousin marriages' By Gabriel Millard-Clothier A leading academic has claimed the practice of cousin marriages is a key driver of illegal family voting. Dr Patrick Nash argued that there was a strong correlation between family voting and marriages between blood relations in Gorton and Dentons Muslim community. It has been claimed that as many as one in eight votes cast in the by-election could be attributed to group voting. Dr Nash is an expert on cousin marriage and estimates that up to half of the Muslim community in the constituency engage in this practice. He said: Electoral fraud is typically perpetrated by South Asian Muslim clans and higher rates of cousin marriage are a good predictor of high rates of fraud allegations. Police are investigating claims of family voting amid warnings that Britain is sleepwalking into sectarian politics. Hannah Spencers win was mired in allegations of sectarianism after the Greens targeted the constituencys Muslim population with messages about the war in Gaza. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Greens of running a nasty, sectarian campaign, and said the rise of sectarian politics was starting to unravel the culture of tolerance that makes Britain great. Health authorities are scrambling to contain a potential measles outbreak in Sydney after a new case with no known exposure links raised fears the virus is circulating undetected. NSW Health on Saturday confirmed a southwest Sydney resident had contracted the highly infectious illness despite having no connection to previously identified cases or exposure sites, prompting concerns of broader community transmission. The unexplained infection brings the states tally to 22 measles cases this year, with officials warning the number could rise as contact tracers work to map the patients movements and identify further potential exposures. The individual visited Fresh & Hot Restaurant in Wolli Creek and several health facilities in Campbelltown and Gregory Hills between February 22 and 25, including two separate presentations to the Campbelltown Hospital emergency department. Most exposure locations previously identified by NSW Health have been concentrated in Sydneys CBD, the Inner West, parts of the North Shore and Western Sydney. A NSW Health spokesman said it was 'likely measles is currently circulating within the community, and other people may have been unknowingly exposed to measles'. South Western Sydney Local Health District Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Stephen Conaty, said people should monitor for symptoms particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time. 'If symptoms develop and you've been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department,' he said. Measles induces a blotchy rash (above) and flu-like symptoms The individual visited Fresh & Hot Restaurant in Wolli Creek and several health facilities in Campbelltown and Gregory Hills between February 22 and 25 'Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don't spend time in waiting rooms with other patients. 'Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.' Symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear after exposure. Measles spreads through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes, but is preventable through vaccination. Health authorities are again urging people born after 1965 to ensure they have received two doses of the vaccine, particularly before travelling overseas amid outbreaks in several regions. A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website. Hundreds of jubilant Persians took to the streets in cities across the United States on Saturday night after President Donald Trump claimed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in airstrikes. Celebrations broke out in Washington DC, Los Angeles, Boston, St. Louis and Atlanta, as Iranian expatriates waved Iranian and American flags, blasted music and cheered as news of the reported killing spread. Crowds gathered in public spaces and city centers, with demonstrators waving pre-revolution Iranian flags and chanting anti-regime slogans as the announcement circulated. Independent reporter Raheem J. Kassam posted video from Washington DC on X, describing a festive atmosphere as large numbers of Iranian expatriates assembled near the White House. 'Wow it's crazy in downtown DC right now as hundreds of Persians descend on the White House to celebrate the ouster of the Iranian Islamic regime,' Kassam wrote. His videos showed a sea of flags while YMCA, a song long associated with Donald Trump's campaign rallies - played through loudspeakers. Some of the largest gatherings were reported in Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, where crowds waved Iranian and American flags and celebrated in what appeared to be spontaneous street parties. A woman holds pictures of Reza Pahlavi and US President Donald Trump as members of the Iranian community celebrate in front of the Federal Building in the West LA neighborhood of Los Angeles, on February 28, 2026 Iranians Mehrnoosh Rahbardar, left, and Hamta Farrokhi dance and chant as they celebrate the military action against Iran with a group of other Iranians in Kiener Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri Demonstrators hold signs thanking US President Trump as they waved flags of the republic of Iran, the US and Israel and celebrate the US and Israeli intervention in Iran at a rally in Boston, Massachusetts In New York City, however, protests broke out as demonstrators condemned the strikes and warned the killing could escalate tensions in the region. Videos posted online showed crowds chanting and holding signs criticizing US and Israeli military action. In a post on Truth Social, US President Trump said: 'Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. 'He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.' The gathering followed proactive claims from multiple Israeli officials that Khamenei had been killed during joint USIsraeli airstrikes on Tehran earlier in the day. A man holds a sign reading 'Khamenei is dead' as people wave Iranian pre-1979 Islamic Revolution flags during a rally expressing support for US and Israeli military action against Iran's Islamic Republic government on February 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia A woman kisses a picture of President Trump as members of the Iranian community and supporters celebrate on February 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California A person holds a photo of Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Iran, next to another holding a toy mouse with a sign reading 'dead mouse' as members of the Iranian community celebrate in front of the Federal Building in the West LA neighborhood of Los Angeles, on February 28, 2026 Pro-regime-change demonstrators display Iranian and Israeli flags and images of opposition leader Reza Pahlavi in Boston, Massachusetts His body was reportedly found beneath the rubble of his compound following the strikes, according to defense officials cited by news agencies. Israeli media outlets reported that both Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were shown a photograph said to depict Khamenei's body. 'A photo of the body was shown to Netanyahu and Trump,' Israel's Channel 12 reported. Public broadcaster Kan similarly reported that senior Israeli officials had been informed of Khamenei's death and that his body had been recovered from the wreckage of the compound. There has been no confirmation from Iranian authorities, and Tehran has denied that the Supreme Leader was killed. In a televised address Saturday evening, Netanyahu said Israeli airstrikes had destroyed Khamenei's compound and suggested the Iranian leader was dead. 'All indications show this tyrant is no longer with us,' he said. The reported killing marks a dramatic escalation in tensions following the joint US-Israel strikes on targets in Tehran earlier Saturday. Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Middle East in response. At least four people were injured after an Iranian missile strike hit the five-star Fairmont hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, according to local reports. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social The Ayatollah's palace was destroyed by missiles as part of the US-Israeli military operation Dramatic footage showed the exterior of the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel burning after it was reportedly struck by a high-speed Shahed drone. Iran was historically known in the West as Persia, a name derived from the ancient Persian Empire. The country formally adopted the name Iran for international use in 1935 under ruler Reza Shah. Today, Iran refers to the modern nation-state, while Persian commonly describes the language, culture and largest ethnic group in the country. Members of the Iranian community often refer to themselves as Persian, particularly at cultural or political gatherings abroad. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has served as Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989 and is the country's highest political and religious authority. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and the Israeli government for comment. A 49-year-old man has died following a skydive at an aerodrome in Devon. Police officers rushed to Dunkeswell Aerodrome, in the town of Honiton, near Exeter, just before 1pm on Saturday. But despite the best efforts of emergency services, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been told. Guards remain in place at the site on the airfield and investigations are ongoing. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police were called to Dunkeswell Aerodrome just before 1pm today, Saturday 28 February, following concerns for the welfare of a male skydiver. 'Emergency Services attended the scene, where sadly a 49-year-old man was confirmed deceased. His family have been informed. 'Scene guards remain in place currently, and enquiries are ongoing into the incident by the relevant agencies.' Dunkeswell Aerodrome and South Western Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment. Police officers rushed to Dunkeswell Aerodrome (pictured, file photo), in the town of Honiton, near Exeter, just before 1pm on Saturday It comes just months after Belinda Taylor (pictured), 48, and her skydiving instructor Adam Harrison, 30, both died in a tandem jump from 15,000ft at the same airfield Inquests into the pair's deaths opened that same month, with senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney saying they died from multiple injuries after their parachute failed to open. Pictured: Adam Harrison It comes just months after a 'selfless' mother-of-four and her skydiving instructor both died in a tandem jump from 15,000ft at the same airfield. Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, Devon, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, Dorset, passed away after the jump in June last year. Police, the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry, the Civil Aviation Authority and the council quickly launched an investigation. And inquests into the pair's deaths opened that same month. Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney said they died from multiple injuries, with their bodies found in a field near the aerodrome in east Devon on June 13. The Exeter hearing was told Ms Taylor was taking part in a tandem parachute jump when she and her instructor exited the aircraft for the freefall dive. Mr Spinney said: 'The parachute did not open as expected and they died as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the fall.' The coroner adjourned the hearings to a later date as inquiries continue. Dubai International Airport is being evacuated after 'an incident' amid reports it was hit by an Iranian suicide drone as Tehran launched UAV strikes across the Middle East today in retaliation for US air strikes. Dramatic footage shows passengers at Dubai's primary international airport fleeing one of its terminals, with airport officials confirming four members of staff have been injured. Videos posted on social media also show smoke filling the terminal at the airport, which is one of the busiest in the world. Other images show parts of the airport deserted after passengers were forced to evacuate the terminal, which has been left damaged by the incident. The airport, which is the second busiest in the world, remains closed with hundreds of flights cancelled and passengers warned not to travel amid the ongoing unrest. It was one of a number of airports damaged during Iran's retaliatory strikes, with at least one person killed and seven others injured at Abu Dhabi's airport, while Kuwait's airport was also hit. 'Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,' a statement read. 'Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. 'Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention. 'Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers. Further updates will be provided as they become available.' Dramatic footage shows passengers at Dubai's primary international airport fleeing the airport following reports of a strike on one of its terminals Images show passengers leaving the airport in Dubai after one its terminals was hit by an Iranian drone The terminal at Dubai International Airport is seen covered in smoke after being hit by an Iranian drone The airport in Dubai is deserted after being evacuated after being hit in an Iranian revenge attack Dubai Airports earlier today suspended all flights at Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International until further notice, urging passengers not to travel following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Earlier today, Dubai Airports urged passengers not to travel and suspended all flights at Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International until further notice. A similar 'incident' has now also happened at the airport in Abu Dhabi, which saw at least one person killed and seven wounded, officials said on Sunday. The body that manages the Zayed International Airport said in a statement posted on X: 'Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed an incident at Zayed International Airport that resulted in one death of an Asian national and seven injuries.' It comes after US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles targeting Israel and countries across the Middle East. British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should register their presence with the UK Government to receive updates on the situation in the Middle East, the Foreign Office has said. In a statement published on X on Saturday night, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: 'British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East. 'You should continue to follow travel advice and the advice of the local authorities.' Major airlines have cancelled flights to the region over the coming days, and UK airports are advising passengers to keep in touch with their airlines for updates. In a statement on its website, the FCDO said: 'Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. British nationals in the region are urged to take 'sensible precautions', including following advice from regional authorities, staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents are up to date. Your browser does not support iframes. The advice on the FCDO website also warned British nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait to 'immediately shelter in place'. 'Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,' the update read. The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. In a televised address on Saturday evening, the Israeli Prime Minister said that airstrikes in Iran had destroyed the Supreme Leader's compound, and added that 'all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us.' Iran has so far launched revenge attacks across the region, with missile strikes in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudia Arabia. The world-famous five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel in Dubai was hit by a Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran, leaving four injured. Another popular hotel in Dubai, the Burj Al-Arab hotel is also on fire after being 'hit by an Iranian suicide drone'. Suicide drones also attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain, with missiles launched from Iran hitting US bases in Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Footage captured the moment the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel in Dubai was hit, and the front of the building's exterior was set ablaze by an ultra-fast Shahed drone. The attack came as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following the joint US-Israel attack on Tehran earlier today. Tehran has struck the Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, and claims to have hit bases across the region including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Footage shows the Burj Al-Arab hotel ablaze after being hit by a suspected Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit Tehran The Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel was hit by a Shahed suicide drone launched from Iran hours after US and Israeli air strikes hit Tehran Suicide drones also attacked residential skyscrapers in Bahrain Smoke rises from a burning building in Bahrain, believed to be the luxury apartment building Era View Tower hit by an Iranian drone strike Footage captured the moment the five-star Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel was hit and set ablaze by an Iranian missile Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances rushed to the scene A huge fireball erupted towards the top of the high-rise building, with debris scattering and falling onto the surrounding area below. It is not known at this stage if there are any casualties Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. Israeli media outlet Channel 12 said unnamed Israeli sources revealed there were 'growing indications' the leader had been killed during this morning's air strikes or that he was 'hurt at the very least'. Iran has so far launched revenge attacks across the region, with missile strikes in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudia Arabia. Videos posted on social media show the famous Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel - which is popular with tourists - on fire, with plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, something Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned in a call with her Emirati counterpart. The sheer speed of the missile - which is said to be able to fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound - can be heard on video footage cutting through the air before blasting into the hotel. Located a half-an-hour drive from Dubai International Airport, rooms at the opulent hotel average 292 a night, while guests wanting a more upmarket stay in the presidential suite can spend closer to 828 a night. The hotel is located on Dubai's famed man-made island The Palm. Hundreds of thousands of British nationals are currently thought to be present in the Gulf. The US Secretary of State has canceled his upcoming trip to Israel following the death of Iran's Ayatollah at the hands of American airstrikes. Collaborative strikes ordered by American and Israel killed the Iranian Supreme Leader on Saturday morning, Donald Trump confirmed - triggering destabilizing missile strikes across multiple countries in the Arab world. Marco Rubio, who was scheduled to arrive in Israel on March 2, has canceled his visit. Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, Dylan Johnson, wrote on X: 'Due to current circumstances, Secretary Rubio will no longer travel to Israel on March 2.' The trip was announced just 24 hours ago, and was set to be a place for Rubio to 'discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza,' State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement. Rubio was in Trump's situation room in the early hours of Saturday, moments before the strikes hit a building near the Ayatollah's offices in Tehran, Iran. The president launched 'Operation Epic Fury' that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US operation was done in conjunction with the Israeli military. One photo taken from situation room shows CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefing the president while Marco Rubio and Susie Wiles listen in. Marco Rubio , who was scheduled to arrive in Israel on March 2, has canceled his visit President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are seen monitoring activity related to 'Operation Epic Fury' Another image shows Vice President JD Vance at a separation situation room alongside top Trump officials, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Daniel 'Raizin' Caine was also seen in another image briefing the president in the Florida situation room. Trump confirmed Khamenei's death in a post on Truth Social, saying this is the 'single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country'. He also said some people in Iran are looking for immunity. 'We are hearing that many of their IRGC (Revolutionary Guards), Military, and other Security and Police forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,' said Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that airstrikes in Iran had destroyed the Supreme Leader's compound, and added that 'all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us'. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Multiple counties in the Middle East have faced bombing today following the ordeal in Tehran - including tourist hotspot Dubai in the UAE. Dubai International Airport was evacuated late on Saturday after 'an incident' amid reports that it was hit by an Iranian suicide drone. Dramatic footage showed passengers at Dubai's primary international airport fleeing one of its terminals, with airport officials confirming four members of staff have been injured. Videos posted on social media also show smoke filling the terminal at the airport, which is one of the busiest in the world. Other images show parts of the airport deserted after passengers were forced to evacuate the terminal, which has been left damaged by the incident. 'Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,' a statement read. 'Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. 'Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention. 'Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers. Further updates will be provided as they become available.' Questions about how much Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, knew about their parents' dealings with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein will certainly give the Prince and Princess of Wales cause for concern. However, Kate, 44, is believed to have had reservations about Beatrice and Eugenie long before the Epstein scandal and their father's arrest. It appears the pair may have made the mistake of crossing Kate's younger sister Pippa, who the future Queen is extremely close to. Before Kate married William, the York princesses allegedly snubbed Pippa at a London fashion show for Issa in February 2008. It is believed that Beatrice and Eugenie categorically refused to make room for Pippa in the front row when organisers asked them to change their seats, as one attendee told the Daily Mail: 'People remember these things.' Some said Kate retaliated to the perceived slight by leaving Beatrice off the guest list for an Eighties-themed charity roller disco bash that she and Pippa - dubbed the 'sizzler sisters' - organised a few months later. When an invitation was sent to Beatrice - but not by Kate, sources said - it did not mention the dress code, as the princess was left humiliated amid a sea of neon outfits. 'Some say there were tears,' said Catherine Ostler, the former editor of high-society bible Tatler. Questions about how much Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, knew about their parents' dealings with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein will certainly give the Prince and Princess of Wales cause for concern It appears the pair may have made the mistake of crossing Kate's younger sister Pippa, who the future Queen is extremely close to Rumours of a rift between the York sisters and Kate began in 2016 when a somewhat unflattering picture showed Beatrice and Eugenie glaring at the future Queen as she walked ahead of them at a Buckingham Palace tea party. But insiders told the Daily Mail that Kate, Beatrice, and Eugenie never really warmed to each other. The earliest cracks began to show in 2008, when Beatrice and Eugenie allegedly faced off against the Middletons, who were dubbed the 'sizzler sisters' by the media. Beatrice and Eugenie were sitting front row for royal-approved label Issa's show in September 2008, when organisers rushed over asking them to make room for Pippa. They allegedly refused, as one source told the Daily Mail: Pathetic, maybe, but however you look at it, people remember these things. 'They deplete mutual goodwill, if there is any to begin with.' Kate may have taken the snub personally, as neither Beatrice nor Eugenie was initially invited to her disco-themed fundraiser. After all, Kate joined forces with Pippa to organise the Eighties bash to raise money for their school friend Thomas Waley-Cohen, who passed away from bone cancer in 2004, aged 20. However, Beatrice was later photographed arriving at the Renaissance Rooms with her then-boyfriend Dave Clark - but the princess did not follow the disco-themed dress code. Join the debate Do royal family rifts over personal snubs and scandals undermine the monarchys image and unity? It is believed that Beatrice and Eugenie categorically refused to make room for Pippa in the front row when organisers asked them to change their seats, as one attendee told the Daily Mail: 'People remember these things.' The York princesses are pictured at Issa's fashion show at the National History Museum on September 18, 2008 Pippa was also in attendance - but Beatrice and Eugenie reportedly declined to shuffle seats to accommodate Kate's sister in the front row In stark contrast to Kate and Pippa's shimmering outfits, Beatrice opted for a more demure blue frock that she paired with a jacket and black ballet flats. Kate, on the other hand, was dressed in a dazzling turquoise top and luminous yellow shorts, while Pippa lit up the dance floor in a black sequinned sleeveless top and matching skirt. Sources told the Daily Mail that Beatrice was 'in tears' because she felt left out. Kate and William's 2011 wedding may have aggravated the tension between the trio, after Beatrice and Eugenie's mother, Sarah Ferguson, was booted off the guest list. The embattled former Duchess of York had been excluded after Sarah was involved in a 'cash for access scandal'. In a sting operation by the now-defunct News of the World, Fergie was filmed offering access to Andrew for 500,000 to an undercover reporter posing as an Indian businessman. Commenting on her absence from William and Kate's 2011 royal wedding on Oprah that year, she said: 'I was not invited, and I chose to go and be in Thailand in a place called Kamalaya and... the jungle embraced me. 'I wanted to be there with my girls and to be getting them dressed and to go as a family. And also it was so hard because the last bride up that aisle was me.' Some said Kate retaliated to the perceived slight by leaving Beatrice off the guest list for an Eighties-themed charity roller disco bash that she and Pippa - dubbed the 'sizzler sisters' - organised a few months later When an invitation was sent to Beatrice - but not by Kate, sources said - it did not mention the dress code, as the princess was left humiliated amid a sea of neon outfits. She is seen here arriving for the bash, wearing a blue frock, with her then-boyfriend Dave Clark She added: 'I felt that I ostracised myself by my behaviour, by the past, by living with all the regrets of my mistakes, that I sort of wore a hair shirt and beat myself up most of the day thinking and regretting why did I make such a mistake? 'Why have I made so many mistakes? So I did spend a good three hours on that.' To add insult to injury, Beatrice discovered her American beau, Dave, had also been snubbed following her mother's public humiliation. A source suggested the tech executive was not invited because 'William has the Spencer paranoia gene', adding: Dave is a gregarious, chatty American and William is so private it hurts. 'He would accuse his dog of being indiscreet if it barked at someone else too often. Over the years, the relationship between the Middleton and York sisters has had ebbs and flows. When Pippa tied the knot with James Matthews in 2017, Eugenie was among the guests at St Mark's Church in Englefield - but her sister Beatrice was a no-show. When Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank the following year, the then-heavily pregnant Pippa was in attendance. Sources have also suggested Kate and William could not be more different to 'party-loving' Beatrice and Eugenie, implying there was never really any common ground. Beatrice and Eugenie have a very glitzy, international, party-girl streak - particularly Beatrice. They like the deck of a superyacht, a chalet pool, a New York dance floor or a hot new restaurant in LA,' one insider told this newspaper. 'William and Kate are more at home among the red trouser brigade of north Norfolk or in East Anglian fields in their wellies,' they continued, adding: 'They have no interest in befriending celebrities.' Another source said: 'William and Kate don't appear to be close to either of the sisters. They havent got that much in common.' Kate and William's 2011 wedding may have aggravated the tension between the trio, after Beatrice (right) and Eugenie's (left) mother, Sarah Ferguson, was booted off the guest list. Further, Eugenie's closeness with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is said to have left the Princess of Wales 'cautious' since Megxit, and Kate is 'seldom seen' with either sister, they added. Any concerns that Kate and William have about the York sisters will only be aggravated by their parents' continued association with Epstein after he was jailed in 2008 for soliciting underage sex from girls as young as 14. The release of files connected to Epstein - who died by suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in 2019 - contains further damning evidence of their friendship with the billionaire sex offender yet. Astonishing emails unearthed by The Mail on Sunday revealed Fergie was so desperate to cosy up to the convicted paedophile that 'she was the first to celebrate' his release from jail 'with her two daughters in tow'. Emails reportedly show the group met at Epstein's Palm Beach mansion, where the paedophile served vegetable lasagne prepared by a Parisian chef. The Daily Mail has also found an email from Epstein in 2015 where he told a friend not to worry about meeting Beatrice at an event in Mexico because she 'liked' him. The paedophile famously attended her lavish Victorian-themed 18th birthday masked ball at Royal Lodge with Ghislaine Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein in 2006. And their relationship is likely to have suffered a fatal blow after Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last Thursday. Andrew, who turned 66 last week, was detained by officers during an 8am raid on his new home at Wood Farm. In events that rocked the Royal Family, he became the first senior royal to be arrested in modern times. Thames Valley Police confirmed the disgraced former prince had been taken into custody just after 10am on Thursday, marking one of the worst days for the family in recent history. It is understood the former Duke of York was arrested in relation to allegations he passed sensitive information to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the British government. King Charles issued an unprecedented statement confirming his 'wholehearted support and co-operation' with the investigation into Andrew just hours after he was detained on Thursday - with Buckingham Palace understood not to have known the former Duke of York would be arrested. The statement said: 'I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. 'What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. 'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.' William and Kate are understood to support the King. Posing in salopettes on a ski slope, playing on the lawn at the polo, sharing a joke on the Buckingham Palace balcony... pictures of the royal cousins enjoying each others company over the years are countless. They give a precious glimpse into the close bonds shared by the late Queen Elizabeths oldest grandchildren: William, Harry, Beatrice, Eugenie, Peter and Zara. But those friendships, once so strong, have come under immense strain in recent months and in some cases brought to a point many royal insiders believe is beyond repair. The cause, of course, is the Epstein scandal and the torrid revelations that continue to haunt the former Duke of York. While Andrews fall from grace, and that of his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, have been well documented, the spotlight has now turned on their daughters, Beatrice, 37, and 35-year-old Eugenie. Not only do the princesses names appear several times in the infamous files, but questions are being asked over just how much they knew about their parents dealings with Epstein and, separately, how they funded their notoriously lavish younger years. This month, reports emerged of a gulf between William, 43, and Catherine, 44, and the York girls. Harry and Meghan, too, once so close to the princesses Eugenie especially have yet to reach out, a source has told the Daily Mail. In private, however, we can reveal things are far worse than they appear. A source close to the family says William, mindful of being heir to the throne, is currently taking a hard line towards Beatrice and Eugenie. Following Andrews fall from grace, the spotlight has now turned on his daughters Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35 A source says William is currently taking a hard line towards the York sisters, while Kate is said to have never been close to the pair William has shifted his position quite a lot in recent weeks and really now thinks that the girls should be kept at arms length, the royal insider told the Daily Mail this week. He is particularly annoyed that they are frequently involved in projects in the Middle East, which could impact on relations with the UK royals. William, just back from a visit to Saudi Arabia largely knocked out of the headlines by Andrew is beginning a long-term project to promote relations between London and Riyadh. Beatrice and Eugenie going off piste with their own projects could muddy the waters. He is particularly concerned, the source says, by their apparent lack of discretion and fears this could backfire on the monarchy. For example, Beatrices decision to host a tea party for the wealthy in Saudi Arabia last November [the event was for women business leaders] just after her father became a commoner, angered William, who thought it epitomised the total lack of self-awareness which they have inherited from both parents. He is acutely concerned that the sympathy they are receiving in some quarters could quickly evaporate if tales of their hedonistic youth resurface. Nor did he take it well when, as the Daily Mail reported in November, they turned down his suggestion to allow an ethics check to be carried out on their personal investments. This, William believed, would have shown a willingness to toe the line, protecting them from any alleged impropriety concerning Andrews and indeed Sarahs financial dealings with Epstein. The Palace is acutely aware that Andrew and his business friends acted as Beatrice and Eugenies financial advisers, and no one is quite sure what might not be entirely above board, the source adds. There is also the future of the monarchy to think of and, as heir to the throne, this is foremost in Williams mind. William will undoubtedly be planning the future as best he can and it is highly unlikely to include Beatrice and Eugenie in any official capacity, says royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. Meanwhile, in private, Kates influence has shaped the cooling of her husbands relationships with Beatrice and Eugenie. She has never been close to the pair, the royal insider insists, after they along with Andrew made her arrival into the Royal Family very uncomfortable. They were convinced by their father that William was marrying below his status and that his relationship with Kate would fizzle out. The insider added: Both William and Kate find it hard to believe that neither Andrew nor Sarah saw anything untoward in Epsteins world and nor did Beatrice and Eugenie, aged around 19 and 20 when their mother took them to visit the paedophile in New York in 2009, just after he was released from prison. Once it became clear that Andrews dealings with Epstein were far murkier than a solitary accusation made by Virginia Giuffre, Kate has kept a distance from the entire York family. Both Beatrice and Eugenie are said to still be 'welcomed at Gatcombe' where their cousin Zara Tindall lives with her husband Footage in the 2022 Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan showed Eugenie visiting her cousin in California Notably, there were no presents under the Sandringham tree [this year] for Beatrice and Eugenie from William and Kate something everyone pretended not to notice. Neither of the girls were asked to be godparents for the Wales children; nor were Kate or William asked to be godparents for Beatrice and Eugenies offspring. Much of this, of course, may be chalked up to the reality of having young families and busy lives. Beatrice has two daughters, Sienna, four, and Athena, one, with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, as well as being stepmother to his nine-year-old son, Wolfie. Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank have two sons, August, five, and Ernest, two. Beatrice splits her time between her Cotswolds property and an apartment in St James Palace, while Eugenie lives between Portugal and Ivy Cottage, in the grounds of Kensington Palace. The Waleses, meanwhile, are mainly with their brood on the Windsor estate or Anmer Hall in Norfolk, rather than Apartment 1A, their official London residence. But even when their time in the capital overlaps, the cousins rarely make time to see one another especially of late. The girls have tried to build some bridges with William, although he hasnt been as willing to reciprocate as they hoped, the family source explains. They havent seen each other very much at all over the past year only at the two family Christmas lunches in December, which were both strained affairs. William and Kate were apparently polite but stand-offish on both occasions. Everyone is perfectly civil and avoids mentioning the Andrew-shaped elephant in the room when the girls are around. One of Kates public appearances allowed an opportunity to make contact and share support about her recovery. But this was Beatrice rather than Eugenie. Eugenie really wants to keep out of the limelight and keep a low profile spending a lot of time in Portugal and elsewhere overseas gives her the perfect opportunity. Indeed, the princess was last spotted at an art fair in Doha, Qatar, earlier this month in her role as a director at art dealer Hauser & Wirth. Beatrice, meanwhile, is very much present in the UK and had been, prior to his arrest at least, spending time with her father in private. In January, she and eldest daughter Sienna were seen at Royal Lodge, Andrews Windsor home (before he was unceremoniously banished to the Sandringham estate earlier this month). Beatrice has also been leaning on another cousin, Zara, who despite reports last week to the contrary has been a much-needed shoulder to cry on as events turned from bad to worse. Zara, 44, and her former England rugby player husband Mike Tindall, 47, live at Aston Farm, on her mother Princess Annes Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, just down the road from Beatrice. She, a family friend reveals, continues to welcome both sisters at Gatcombe, principally so their young children can remain close to the family and do not feel ostracised by events beyond their control. Both Beatrice and Eugenie are still welcomed at Gatcombe, the friend says. She has hosted family get-togethers there. Beatrice and Eugenies children being kept close to the rest of the family has been Zaras mission. In recent months, the source adds, Beatrice has returned the favour at her Cotswolds home. Sources say the York sisters' closeness to Harry has fallen apart in recent years Zara and Mikes children Mia, 12, Lena, seven, and four -year-old Lucas are said to get on well with Beatrice and Eugenies. The gatherings which, much like Zaras, are informal and relaxed also give Beatrice and Eugenie a chance to stay in contact with their aunt Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, as well as cousin Peter Phillips, 48, and his children, Savannah, 15, and Isla, 13. Peter, who divorced his wife Autumn in 2021, also lives at Gatcombe and is also believed to remain close to the York sisters. From time to time, the source close to the family says, the King has joined low-key reunions although in the past year, this has happened just once. Queen Camilla tends not to join him. She has, the insider says, urged Charles to keep his distance from Beatrice and Eugenie, concerned about reputational damage by association. Behind Palace doors, by contrast, the King is fiercely loyal and protective of the girls and has offered them as much support as possible. He is said to approve of the way they balance family life and royal duties with their charitable work and it is thanks to him that they have retained their HRH titles. But what of their cousin some 5,500 miles away in Montecito, California Harry, 41, and 44-year-old wife Meghan, who knew Eugenie before she met her husband. They were certainly close at one time. Eugenie moved into Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes ten-bedroom home on the Windsor Estate, after they vacated it in 2020 and there were reports that they planned to buy a house in Portugal near to hers to have as a European base. The pair are said to have visited Eugenie and Jack during a three-night mini-break to the coastal town of Melides, Portugal, after the 2023 Invictus Games. Meanwhile, footage in the 2022 Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan showed Eugenie visiting her cousin in California, going on bike rides and playing with his son, Archie, on a beach. However, sources say her and her sisters closeness to Harry has fallen apart in recent years, in part because of his fractured relations with his father and brother. The girls, along with Zara, tried hard to keep open channels of communication with a view to building a path to peace with the rest of the family, but all gave up the project, a family friend says. Beatrice and Eugenie got on well with Meghan and had been part of a charm offensive organised by Sarah Ferguson to welcome her into the Royal Family. But they were tainted by their father. Meghan... was repulsed by him and couldnt understand why he was still allowed to carry out royal duties. She became increasingly wary of Beatrice who was too close and ready to sing the praises of her father. As a result, Harry has had little contact with the sisters in recent years. However, when their father was stripped of his royal title last October, a family insider says Harry contacted them by email from Montecito. How the girls responded isnt known, the source says. But it all came to nothing because of the continuing revelations. Meghan in particular will want to keep her own brand clear of any link. As for what the next troubling few months hold, sources say there is only one way for Beatrice and Eugenie to proceed. It would seem only fitting if they kept an extremely low profile, avoiding royal events, advises Richard Fitzwilliams. This means skipping the traditional Easter Sunday service at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, and bowing out of any upcoming appearances during the summer. In private, of course, the sisters will need support as the pressures are so intense, adds Mr Fitzwilliams. But a low profile and humility is the only foreseeable public course for them. They ought to bear in mind that silence, sometimes, really is best. Anxiety is mounting in the housing market after a new report revealed that one in seven home sales fell through last month - a troubling signal that echoes patterns seen in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis. Redfin's data found that nearly 40,000 home-sale agreements were canceled in January - that's equivalent to almost 14 percent of all the houses that went under contract. Worst yet, last month's cancellation rate was up a staggering 13 percent from just a year earlier, and represented the highest January share in almost a decade. It all comes down to supply and demand. Most major metros across the country fall into buyer's market territory at the moment - meaning there are more houses on sale than there are people looking to buy. Because of this, house hunters have all the power. They can take their time searching for the perfect home, negotiate a lower price, and, yes, pull out of a deal at the very last minute when they get cold feet. Another factor driving the high cancelation rates is financial uncertainty. While house prices are dropping significant from pandemic peaks, they're still historically high. The median sale price for a home a decade ago was around $300,000, according to federal data. Today, that number is pushing close to $423,000. Nearly 40,000 home-sale agreements were canceled in January Over one in every 10 deals are being backed out of in Atlanta, Georgia - the highest rate of any major metro (pictured: Atlanta suburbs) Mortgage rates aren't helping things. High mortgage rates are forcing buyers out of home deals because they drastically reduce affordability, causing monthly payments to surge beyond what buyers can afford. This 'economic nausea' is leading to record contract cancellations. 'More buyers are backing out,' said Alin Glogovicean, a Redfin premier agent in Los Angeles, where 16.7 percent of home purchase agreements were cancelled in January. 'They're second-guessing the wisdom of making a huge purchase when there's a fear in the back of their mind about the state of the economy and the uncertainty of their finances. That's particularly true when they're first-time buyers who don't have equity from a previous home sale, and they're using most or all of their savings on a down payment.' Certain areas were hit harder by last-minute cancellations than others. In San Antonio, Texas, 21.2 percent of home-purchase agreements were canceled in January - the highest rate among the 47 major metros analyzed by Redfin. Atlanta followed at 18.5 percent, then Cleveland (17.9 percent), Riverside (17.5 percent), and Orlando (17.3 percent). Cancellations are more common in these areas largely because theyre buyers markets, where sellers outnumber buyers. Join the debate Is todays unpredictable housing market failing buyers, sellers, or everyone involved? In San Antonio, Texas (pictured), 21.2 percent of home-purchase agreements were canceled in January Jake Krimmel, Realtor.com's senior economist That gives buyers more leverage - and more freedom to walk away from deals. In San Antonio, there are about twice as many sellers as buyers, and in Atlanta, there are roughly 80 percent more sellers than buyers. At the other end, just 3.5 percent of deals were canceled in San Francisco, the lowest rate in Redfins analysis. Next were Nassau County (4.8 percent), San Jose (5.3 percent), Milwaukee (7.6 percent), and Oakland (8.4 percent). Jake Krimmel, Realtor.com's senior economist, noted that, 'as inventory grows and the pace of sales slows that means the buyers in those markets have more homes to choose from and fewer other buyers to compete with.' 'Given those more favorable market conditions, it's no surprise that some buyers are pulling out of deals in those metros in particular,' he continued. This trend matters for the whole US because these hot metros often act as early warning indicators. When buyers in major markets begin walking away from contracts en masse, it reflects broader market dynamics: rising supply, slowing demand, and increased leverage for buyers. If such conditions continue or spread, they could ripple outward, slowing sales, pressuring prices, and creating a more cautious market nationwide. In short, the ghosting trend in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and other hard-hit cities isnt just a local headache - its a red flag for homeowners, sellers, and the housing market across the country. News / National by Staff reporter A local businessman, Tendai Jemwa, has been issued with a warrant of arrest after failing to appear in court for judgment in a ZWL$29 million property dispute involving his brother-in-law.Francis Mapfumo, a regional magistrate in Harare, issued the warrant after Jemwa did not attend proceedings in a matter where he is accused of unlawfully sidelining his business partner, Thomas Masango.The State, represented by prosecutor Ephraim Zinyandu, alleges that Masango and Jemwa had agreed that Masango would hold a 50 percent share in Ten Jem Consultancy Pvt Ltd, a company formed to manage the jointly acquired Spitzkop property.According to court submissions, the two allegedly entered into a verbal agreement governing their partnership and the management of the property.However, Masango claims that in 2012, Jemwa secretly obtained the property's transfer documents from their lawyer without his consent and transferred the entire property into the company's name, effectively excluding him from ownership.Masango further alleges that he had already been unlawfully ousted from the property in 2007, sparking a long-running legal battle over his claimed 50 percent stake.At the heart of the dispute is the allegation that Jemwa reneged on their verbal partnership agreement and transferred full ownership to Ten Jem Consultancy Pvt Ltd, contrary to the terms they had agreed upon.The matter was scheduled for judgment when Jemwa failed to attend court, prompting the issuance of the arrest warrant.Further proceedings are expected once the accused is brought before the court. It's known for being the birthplace of the Republican Party, where the first official statewide convention was held on July 6, 1854. But Jackson in Michigan - which has a population of just over 30,000 - is getting attention for another reason: being a city of single people. New data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that Jackson has witnessed a 10.1 percentage-point increase in single-person households in just 10 years. In 2014, about 28.6 percent of households in the Midwestern city were occupied by a single person. By 2024, that share had climbed to 38.7 percent. When it comes to the reasons behind this surge, Nadia Evangelou, NAR's principal economist and director of real estate research, says it boils down to several factors. However, she notes that affordability is one of the most tangible drivers. In Jackson - like other Midwestern cities following the same trend - living alone is simply more feasible than in higher-cost areas. 'In extremely high-cost metros, living alone can be financially difficult. But in more affordable markets, single-adult households may be more feasible. New data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that Jackson has witnessed a 10.1 percentage-point increase in single-person households in just ten years Nadia Evangelou is NAR's principal economist and director of real estate research 'Housing markets that remain relatively affordable can allow individuals - whether young professionals, mid-career workers, or older adults - to live independently,' she explained. In terms of what it's like living in Jackson - known for its strong manufacturing roots, downtown revival, and proximity to Ann Arbor - current and former residents offered positive feedback in a Reddit thread. In the thread, a Redditor based in Phoenix asked, 'Should I move to Jackson?' prompting more than 100 responses. One commenter offered a glimpse of daily life: 'If you're mostly a homebody, Jackson isn't bad at all. 'There are enough decent restaurants and stores that you won't get bored if you don't go out all the time. For the price, you really can find some nice houses.' However, one downside they mentioned is that 'the roads suck - that's not likely to change anytime soon.' Another user gave the city a thumbs up: 'Hey, I no longer live in Jackson, but I love it, and I'm proud to be from there. Sure, it's a bit of a sleepy town with some rust-belt, post-industrial problems, but there are good folks here. 'The local parks are great. Food is solid. Beer is top-notch. If you feel like getting out of the small town, Detroit is 80 miles away, and Ann Arbor and Lansing are about a 40-minute drive.' Jackson is known for being the birthplace of the Republican Party, where the first official statewide convention was held on July 6, 1854. Above, grounds at the historic prison According to Zillow, as of early 2026 the average rent in Jackson is $1,098 - about 45 percent lower than the national average of $1,995. Meanwhile, the average home value in the city is $180,346, compared to the national average which is pushing close to $400,000. Evangelou also highlights that aging plays a role in shifting housing trends. As populations age, more people outlive their spouses, leading to higher rates of widowhood and single living, especially among older women. Aging also increases the share of people in life stages where remarriage is less common and independent living is more likely, boosting the number of single-person households overall. However, looking specifically at Jackson, Evangelou notes that aging does not appear to be the primary cause of the increase. 'Jackson's median age rose only slightly over the decade, from 41.2 to 41.8,' she said. 'That modest increase suggests that the rise in one-person households is not simply the result of a rapidly aging or retirement-heavy population. According to Zillow, as of early 2026 the average rent in Jackson is $1,098 - about 45 percent lower than the national average of $1,995 This three-bedroom home in Jackson is currently listed at $149,900 on Zillow 'In some Florida or coastal retirement markets, rising solo living can be closely associated with older adults aging in place.' Evangelou says realtors should take note of the single-home trend in Jackson, as 'when more people live alone, demand patterns shift.' She added: 'Smaller homes, condominiums, townhomes, and low-maintenance properties may become more attractive. 'Aging-in-place design becomes more relevant. Rental demand dynamics can change.' While Jackson stands out for the magnitude of its shift, Evangelou emphasizes that it is not the only market experiencing this trend. 'Larger metros such as Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. have also seen increases in one-person households over the past decade,' she said. 'In those markets, however, the increase has generally been more gradual and closer to the national average. 'The difference is scale. Nationally, the share rose 1.1 percentage points. In Jackson, it rose more than ten.' A Babylonian 'time capsule' buried for more than two millennia under the ruins of a ziggurat in modern-day Iraq has revealed never-before-seen details about the biblical king Nebuchadnezzar II. Two cylinders bearing a royal inscription were buried as 'foundation deposits' - ritual objects buried under ancient buildings as a divine blessing believed to ensure the structure's longevity. The cylinders, each made of baked clay, were originally unearthed at the ruins of the temple in the ancient city of Kish, one of the most important cities in Mesopotamia. Two locals who found the relics at the Kish archeological site named Tell Al-Uhaimir handed them to the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage in 2013. The new findings about what was inscribed on the cylinders were revealed in December. The cylinders offered a new perspective on Nebuchadnezzar II, a historical figure who was an agent of destruction in the Bible. The king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire ruled from 605BC to 562BC. Specifically, the cylinders bear a royal inscription written in ancient Babylonian cuneiform script directly on their clay surfaces. King Nebuchadnezzar II himself 'speaks' in the text, proudly describing how he restored an old, crumbling stepped temple tower in the city of Kish that was dedicated to the Mesopotamian god and goddess of war, Zababa and Ishtar. He explained that earlier kings had built and fixed the ziggurat before, but it had fallen into disrepair again from age and rain. He ended the time capsule with a prayer asking the gods for a long life, old age, and help in defeating his enemies. Ruins of the temple of the goddess Ishtar near the ziggurat at Tell Al-Uhaimir, in the ancient city of Kish The Kish cylinders (Pictured) offer a new perspective on Nebuchadnezzar II, a historical figure who is an agent of destruction in the Bible Nebuchadnezzar II was a famous warrior king who defeated Pharaoh Necho II in his early years, before turning his attention to so-called rebellious states such as Israel. The tale of how he besieged Jerusalem, destroying it and the kingdom of Judah before deporting much of its population in the 'Babylonian captivity,' appears in the Old Testament books 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. In the Bible, he was infamous for abducting Israelites, including the prophet Ezekiel, and ending the independent kingdom of Judah. Their exile would not end until 538BC. However, the cruel king who is described as a 'destroyer of nations' in Jeremiah 4:7 also built an empire which was the largest in the world at that time, stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean, and including parts of present-day Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey. Now, the Kish cylinders show another side to the warrior-king, one that ties closely to his description in Daniel as walking on the roof of Babylon's royal palace and saying, 'Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?' The Kish inscription highlights his role as a builder. This particular ziggurat was named E-u-nir-ki-tus-mah, which means 'House, temple-tower, exalted abode.' Translated to English, the inscription says: 'The ziggurat of Kish, which a king of the past had built, but its walls had buckled and a former king had restored (the damaged walls), and made its structure suitable, with the passage of time, it again became weak, buckled, and showers of rain carried away its brickwork.' Nebuchadnezzar then described his motivation as being devotion to the Gods. In particular, the king mentioned Zababa, described as 'the strongest one, the one who kills my enemies' and Ishtar 'who magnifies my kingship.' Join the debate What's YOUR take on the discovery? King Nebuchadnezzar II (Pictured) depicted in the Old Testament book of Daniel The cylinders were translated from cuneiform and revealed that the ziggurat at Tell Al-Uhaim was rebuilt by King Nebuchadnezzar II to honor the Mesopotamian god and goddess of war According to the findings, published in the journal Iraq, the inscription continued: 'Zababa and Ishtar had pushed my heart (to do it). (So) I put its brickwork in good order, I built its collapsed sections anew, and I completed it and raised its superstructure. 'I embellished its outward appearance and made it shine like the daylight for Zababa and Ishtar, my lords.' 'Zababa and Ishtar, look on account of this and, by your exalted command, may my days be long, may I attain very old age, may I conquer my enemies, and may I kill my opponents, with your fierce weapons, cut down and bind my enemies.' Although these sacred time capsules were typically buried underneath the temples, the Kish inscriptions were reportedly found on the surface in Tell Al-Uhaimir. A team from Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage said the cylinders confirm previous archaeological excavations which referred to three kings, the builder, the first restorer and Nebuchadnezzar II. Previous archaeological excavations found that the ziggurat went through four major stages of construction and excavation, the last of which was carried out by Nebuchadnezzar. Zababa has multiple temples built to him in the area, and bricks bearing Nebuchadnezzar's name were found in the ruins of the ziggurat. Kings in the Neo-Babylonian period were expected to restore temples, and ancient Babylonian religion saw the duty of kings as to build and maintain religious order. Lauren K McCormick of Biblical Archaeology wrote: 'The biblical authors, writing in the aftermath of exile, understandably portray Nebuchadnezzar as a destroyer because he literally did destroy their temple.' 'Babylonian inscriptions, on the other hand, depict the same ruler as a restorer of temples - a deeply pious and reverential figure.' Keen astronomers are in for a treat tonight, as a rare 'planetary parade' of six planets lights up the night sky. Tonight, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all be visible from Earth. Excitingly, four of these planets will be visible with the naked eye, so you won't need any special equipment to enjoy the spectacle. However, if you want to see the full array, you will need a telescope or a powerful pair of binoculars to catch distant Uranus and Neptune. Although the planets are spread out over millions of miles, they all orbit on the same plane, known as the ecliptic. This means, when the timing is right, multiple planets can line up in just the right way for stargazers to spot them from Earth. Dr David Armstrong, associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Warwick University, says: 'Chances to see 4 bright planets with your own eyes occur every few years on average, so it's not once in a lifetime. 'Even so, the planets are best observable just after sunset, so this is one of the most convenient opportunities for several years.' Your browser does not support iframes. Tonight will be the best opportunity to spot the 'planetary parade', during which Mercury, Venus , Jupiter , Saturn , Uranus, and Neptune will all be visible from Earth How to see the planetary parade The planetary parade technically began near the start of the month, when multiple planets were visible in the sky. However, until now, planets like Venus and Mercury have been too low and too far west to be visible so close to sunset. That makes tonight and tomorrow evening the best possible opportunities to see all six planets stretching across the sky. However, given the recent spell of rainy weather, it will be worth having a look during any clear evenings for the first week of March, as you may be able to see a few planets. 'The planets will be visible for an hour or so after sunset, though some will stay up for longer,' says Dr Armstrong. 'The best time is about half an hour after sunset.' Mercury sits between Earth and the sun, which means that it often follows the sun quite closely in the evenings, making it quite hard to spot. Saturn, Venus, and Mercury will all be visible very low above the horizon shortly after sunset. If you are using a telescope, be extremely careful not to look at the sun Tips to see the planetary parade The best time to look will be about half an hour after sunset. Venus, Mercury, and Saturn will be clustered, so look for the three bright lights near the western horizon. The planets will be low in the sky, so find a place with a wide, unobstructed view of the horizon. Try to avoid city lights or other sources of light pollution. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness after the sun sets by avoiding your phone. If you are using binoculars or a telescope, be certain that the sun has set first. Accidentally looking at the sun through magnification can cause serious eye damage. Advertisement For most of February, Mercury has been so far in the west that the setting sun has made it all but impossible to see. However, the closest planet to the sun is now setting much later after sunset, and should be visible close to the western horizon. Venus has been similarly difficult to spot throughout the month, but will now be visible at around the same height and slightly to the left of Mercury. These two planets will both be visible to the naked eye and should be so close to one another that you can't see one without spotting the other. Saturn will only be a little higher in the sky than this pair and should be recognisable due to its distinctive yellow glow. Jupiter will be much higher in the sky, and should be the brightest and easiest to see. The gas giant will be about as high as the moon and further towards the East. To get the best view, the most important thing will be to find a spot with an uninterrupted view and a wide, flat western horizon. Jupiter (pictured) will be much higher in the sky near the moon and should be the brightest and easiest to spot of all the planets This will maximise the time that the planets will be visible after sunset, and allow you to see them when it is darkest. Since they might be quite faint, it is best to avoid sources of light pollution, such as city lights, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness by not using your phone. If you do have a telescope or pair of binoculars, you can also look for the planets Neptune and Uranus, which are not visible to the naked eye. 'If you're looking for Neptune it will be very close to Saturn, which can help finding it,' says Dr Armstrong. Uranus, meanwhile, will be higher in the sky and located near the Pleiades star cluster in the constellation of Taurus. Dr Armstrong adds: 'You have a pair of binoculars or small telescope try looking at Jupiter and Saturn and seeing if you can spot Jupiter's moons, or Saturn's rings. 'Four of Jupiter's moons can sometimes be seen as bright points of light near the planet.' However, since these planets will be so low to the horizon shortly after sunset, you must use extreme caution when looking through a telescope. Even a small glimpse of the setting sun seen through a powerful telescope lens can cause instant, serious eye damage and even blindness. You should be especially careful if you choose to look for Neptune, which will only be just above the western horizon at sunset and extremely close to the sun. Do planetary parades cause any effects on Earth? The sight of several planets grouped together in the sky has long been thought to have astrological and spiritual significance. But, in reality, this is nothing more than a consequence of the physics of our solar system. Dr Shyam Balaji, an astronomer at King's College London, told the Daily Mail: 'Planetary alignments have often inspired cultural or astrological interpretations, but scientifically they are predictable geometrical coincidences with no known physical influence.' Another common myth about planetary parades is that the alignment of the planet somehow 'amplifies' the gravitational pull felt by Earth, leading to natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. However, although the planets look as if they are near one another, that is only due to our perspective along the ecliptic. Although the planets might look close together, as they did during the 2025 planetary parade (pictured), they are actually millions of miles apart and will not cause any gravitational effects on Earth For example, even though Mercury and Venus will be next to each other in the night sky, they are actually 23.3 million miles (37.6 million km) apart at the very closest. This also means that the 'alignment' of the planets won't trigger any physical consequences for Earth. 'These alignments have no gravitational effects on Earth,' says Dr Balaji. 'Their combined gravitational pull of the planets on Earth is negligible compared to that of the Moon or the Sun.' Bella Hadid attended the Miss Sixty presentation at Milan Fashion Week on Friday, sporting a full fringe for the event. The model teamed a zip front denim jacket with a pair of matching vintage-style flared jeans. She layered a white high neck top underneath and topped off her stylish look with red strappy heels and tinted sunglasses. New look: Bella Hadid with her new fringe at the Miss Sixty presentation during Milan Fashion Week The event returned to Italy's fashion capital this week and will run until March 2 with top luxury brands showcasing their Fall/Winter 2026-2027 looks. Bella is usually a permanent fixture on the runway in Milan but has recently taken some time off due to her battle with Lyme disease. The 29-year-old, who has struggled with the chronic neurological disease for 14-years, has been undergoing treatment and recently revealed she was forced to turn down 'every job for almost a year.' Milan Fashion Week: The model wore a double denim ensemble while smiling for photos The model said she struggled to maintain a work-life balance and has since learnt to say no. She told Vogue Italia: 'Being able to be in Texas with my horses and my dog, having a real life, and then going back to work makes it more fulfilling.' Bella now knows that she is able to say "no" to jobs that aren't with the people she loves, trusts, supports and respects. 'Now I know that if Im able to say "No," even going through my [Lyme disease] treatment last year and having to say no to every job for almost a year, which I cried about.' She added: 'I was emotional because you feel disposable.' Very different look: Bella's bangs are unusual as she normally favors slicked back hairstyles In September 18, her mother Yolanda Hadid posted an Instagram tribute of her 'bada** warrior' daughter in the hospital. She wrote: 'I admire your bravery and your willingness to keep fighting for health despite the falling protocols and countless setbacks you have faced. 'There simply aren't words big enough for the darkness, the pain, and the unknown hell you've lived through since your diagnosis. 'You didn't really live, you learned how to exist inside the jail of your own paralyzed brain. I am so proud of the fighter that you are. You are not alone, I promise to have your back every step of the way, no matter how long this takes.' Merry-go-round: Bella poses on a carousel after taking some time off due to her illness Yolanda continued: 'You have fought through another month of treatment and I know god is good, miracles do happen every day. I pray for your speedy recovery my love. 'This disease has brought us to our knees, but we always get back up. We will continue to fight for better days, together. You are a survivor I love you so much.' Like Bella and her younger brother Anwar, Yolanda contracted the tickborne illness in 2012 but stopped sharing her personal story because she wanted to stop 'absorbing other people's opinions about my journey.' Lisa Rinna has talked about her daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin's battle with a serious autoimmune disorder. In her new book You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It, Lisa, 62, revealed that Delilah, 27, battled PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) for almost a decade. Delilah was diagnosed with the condition, which is triggered by an immune malfunction and causes a sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder, at age 11. Struggle: Lisa Rinna (right) has explained about her daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin's (left) battle with a serious disorder According to Lisa, Delilah started to have 'expansive panic attacks' and would 'scream, yell, and pound on the windows of our house, trying to get out'. She was unable to ride the school bus, use elevators, or fly, and refused to go to school unless her father, Harry Hamlin, sat outside of her classroom for hours at a time. 'I would drive her in the car, like who new moms drive babies around, to self soothe,' Lisa Rinna wrote. Tough: Delilah Hamlin was diagnosed at age 11 'At night, the panic would creep in, almost like the sundowning patterns dementia patients exhibit,' she continued. 'I would sit with her and pull her away from the windows as she was screaming and pounding on them to try to get out.' Lisa Rinna added: 'It was almost like she was possessed by the devil.' The former Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills member described it as 'the worst time' in her family's life. Delilah's health woes continued, with the then-teenager also getting diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis, better known as 'mono', which left her bedridden for an entire month. 'She was as sick as you've ever seen anybody. We felt we'd lost our child,' Lisa Rinna reflected. Throughout the years, Lisa and husband Harry sent Delilah to 'every doctor imaginable', including therapists, medical specialists and more. 'Delilah was melting down and everything in our lives revolved around taking care of her,' Lisa Rinna said, before admitting that as a result, their younger daughter, Amelia Gray, 'felt a bit left out'. Battle: Delilah Hamlin struggled with the condition 'Nobody meant to neglect Amelia, and I don't think we did, but our focus was on Delilah,' Lisa Rinna said. As a result, Amelia would often stay with her housekeeper and nanny in Inglewood while her parents were dealing with Delilah's issues. Delilah's health woes continued into her early 20s, with the model spending time in rehab on two separate occasions in 2018. She is now sober after receiving treatment, which she says also helped with her anxiety and depression. Delilah opened up about her battle with PANDAS in a Instagram post during 2023. 'I've been struggling with autoimmune/chronic illness issues that I've been silently battling and overcoming. It's definitely been tough mentally alongside physically,' she wrote on Instagram at the time. Back then: Delilah and Amelia (right) are seen together on an episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills during their teenage years Her younger sister Amelia has also had her own share of struggles, with the model, 24, battling an eating disorder as a teenager. Despite her hardships, Amelia has gone on to become one of the most successful models in the industry. She's booked multiple Vogue magazine covers and has fronted fashion campaigns for brands like Valentino and Givenchy. Her big sister also works as a model, but is focusing more on her music career these days. Meanwhile, Lisa Rinna is currently on the promotional trail for her new book, You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It. Together: Rinna linked up with her Traitors co-star Rob Rausch in New York City on Friday The look: She dressed up in Rausch's signature blue denim overalls Out now: Lisa is on a press tour to promote her new memoir Lisa recently claimed she was spiked during The Traitors premiere party last month at the West Hollywood nightclub The Abbey. The actress alleged during an interview with Fox 5 New York that she had fentanyl and 'high levels of amphetamines' in her system. 'I had fentanyl in my system. Yes. I'm not kidding. I had fentanyl, high levels of amphetamines and other things, but I can't talk a lot about it because we're still dealing with it. It was leaked and my team is dealing with it now.' When asked if she could identify who she believed was the responsible for the drugging, she replied: 'I can't say, but it was at the Abbey in West Hollywood.' 'Luckily my husband was there and was able to get me out of there quickly,' she said. Bijou Phillips has made a fresh appeal to find a kidney donor, saying she could be 'gone in a few days' if no one steps forward. In a heartbreaking update on her search, the 45-year-old actress told followers that 'time is of the essence.' Now on dialysis, she is seeking the public's help in finding a living donor after a kidney transplant she received in 2017 was rejected. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Plea: Bijou Phillips, pictured last January, has offered a heartbreaking update about her search for a kidney donor In a new interview with Us Weekly, Phillips re-iterated just how delicate the situation is, stressing she could be 'gone in a few days' if an infection were to occur. 'Ive been immunosuppressed for so long I could make it on dialysis for a couple years, or I could get an infection in my line tomorrow and be gone in a few days,' she said. 'Im really hopeful, [but] its an extremely urgent situation.' Phillips has started dialysis again, a treatment intended for those suffering from kidney failure which cleans the blood. 'I feel pretty good since I started dialysis I was possibly going to be able to get a kidney from my brother [Aron Wilson], but he wasnt a match. 'Hes maybe going to be able to get into the kidney exchange, but theyre not sure. Theyve already denied him once, so hes gonna try again.' Phillips said she is 'sort of hanging by a thread' as her wait for a donor continues. 'Ive needed a transplant for a year. Im sort of hanging on by a thread. My dad had a liver transplant when I was 10, and then when I was 20, he had to get on dialysis at UCLA. 'The medication you take when youre transplanted is very toxic to kidneys. So when you get a transplant heart or liver or kidney within a decade, youre probably going to need a kidney transplant. 'My dad needed to get on dialysis after his liver transplant, [and] he got an infection in his line and was dead within three days because his immune system was so weak. So for me, getting on dialysis at UCLA was terrifying.' In the wake of the ordeal, Phillips has found solace in religion. 'Ive been praying a lot. Im in a little group that prays the rosary in the morning, right after drop-off. Im going to try to do a traditional Lent, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays,' she said. (A rep for Phillips debunked speculation Phillips was a member of Scientology to Us, telling the outlet she was never a member and that her sole link to the Church was her ex-husband Danny Masterson, a lifelong member.) On a typical day, Phillips is able to retain a semblance of normalcy. 'Today I took my daughter to school, came home, had a little snack, went to dialysis, came home, and normally I would go do a couple things, grab her from school, take her if she has an after-school thing, or maybe go get an early dinner or come home and make dinner. 'Thats my day. If I dont have dialysis, Im running errands and going to the grocery store.' Interview: Phillips has revealed to Us Weekly just how delicate her health situation is Time running out: Phillips sought the public's help for a kidney donor earlier this month after a transplant she received in 2017 was rejected Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and was on dialysis the first three months of her life with limited kidney function, according to Us. At age 36, she received her first kidney transplant and was living a full life until her health took a turn for the worse. 'Before I got the call that my kidneys were failing again, I was playing shows and putting music out,' she said. 'I was working on a new album I was about to go make a movie in Bulgaria I was so excited it was such a good part but I had to pull out because I got sick.' In 2017, Phillips then-husband Masterson publicly shared news of her kidney transplant, revealing on social media that she had received a life-saving donation and was beginning her recovery. Earlier this month, Phillips took to Instagram with an emotional plea for help, urging followers to share her message and consider becoming a living donor. She revealed she was under the care of a doctor at UCLA and on dialysis again. A rep for the actress told Variety at the time that Phillips had been hospitalized for a second kidney transplant and was looking for a donor. Agonizing: Phillips said she is 'sort of hanging by a thread' as her wait for a donor continues Medical update: Phillips then-husband Masterson publicly shared news of her kidney transplant, revealing on social media that she had received a life-saving donation and was beginning her recovery Writing on Instagram alongside baby photos of her daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, 12, whom she shares with Masterson, Phillips wrote: Please read and share. 'And if you are interested in becoming a living donor, please go to the link in my bio and fill out a brief form. I am so grateful for your support.' In one of the posts, Phillips detailed her lifelong battle with kidney disease, writing: I was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of life in the NICU on dialysis. 'In 2017, I received the incredible gift of a kidney from a dear friend. 'That transplant gave me 5 precious years to be a mother to my daughter - but I have had many complications since, including the BK virus which led to both a cellular and antibody rejection. 'I am currently under care of Dr Anjay Rastogi at UCLA and back on dialysis 'Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends. Time is of the essence. 'We are the oldest hotel in Amsterdam - we could even say we were a hotel before hotels existed...' guest relations manager Martha tells me, as I'm whisked off on a private tour of the Tivoli Doelen. And while she's technically right - it is the oldest five-star hotel in the city, as recognised by the Michelin Guide - that's really just one small part of the bigger picture. Set in the Dutch capital's historic city centre along the Kloveniersburgwal canal, the Tivoli Doelen is a key part of Amsterdam's rich history. Guests aren't just treated to plush interiors, a concept-led restaurant and world-class service worthy of, not one, but two Michelin Keys; they're stepping into the world - and mind - of the Netherlands's most famous painter: Rembrandt. Why, you might ask, is the legendary artist so integral to the hotel? In the 17th century, Rembrandt van Rijn lived next door and used the building's first floor to host aristocrats and sketch his masterpieces. His iconic The Night Watch, completed in 1642, hung on the Tivoli Doelen's wall for more than 70 years before moving to the Rijksmuseum. The very wall where it once was remains untouched in the hotel's Rembrandt Suite, which now houses a breathtaking replica. Jowena Riley (look closer and you'll spot her in Rembrandt Square!) documents her stay at the Tivoli Doelen - Amsterdam's oldest five-star hotel and former neighbouring property to Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn The 16th century Tivoli Doelen, set along the Kloveniersburgwal canal, is a key part of Amsterdam's history Rembrandt van Rijn (pictured) lived next door and used the building's first floor to host aristocrats and sketch his masterpieces in the 17th century The hotel has 81 rooms and suites, each with a subtle nod to the painter's work - from The Night Watch to Man in a Turban and The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Just outside my canal-view suite, a personalised placard sits above room 414, displaying what looks like a knight from Rembrandt's most famous painting. Next door, room 413 features a fragment of a drummer from the same piece. As I wander down the corridor, each door reveals a single detail from one of his works, prompting guests to guess where it's from. For me, it becomes a fun little game. But before I delve into my room's interiors, my standout meal at Omber, the unexpected stories from my private tour and my stroll to nearby Rembrandt Square, let me rewind to my arrival. As my companion and I step out of our transfer, we're instantly taken aback by the location. Tucked along a quiet street just minutes from popular museums and attractions - the Tivoli Doelen somehow feels like a retreat from the cyclists, tourists and revellers weaving their way through the city. Inside, we're warmly welcomed by Teresa, assistant manager of the front desk, who offers us a drink: water, tea, coffee or a glass of cava (all guests are offered this). As we sip our bubbly, she talks us through the details of our stay and finishes by inviting us to join managers and fellow guests at the hotel's daily happy hour. 'Happy hour?' I repeat, a tad perplexed. Pictured: The ornate main lobby at the Tivoli Doelen, complete with plush teal carpet The hotel's Omber restaurant is where the Dutch painter's artistic approach comes to life through food and drink Outside Jowena's Superior Room, a unique placard displays what looks like a knight from Rembrandt's most famous painting, The Night Watch Jowena's Canal-View Suite offers a stunning view of the Kloveniersburgwal - and there's plenty of seating spots close to the window to watch cyclists, tourists and revellers weaving their way through the city Each evening, she explains, guests are treated to a complimentary drink and snack at the hotel's restaurant and bar. It's just one of the many bespoke touches, alongside valet parking, 24-hour room service, airport transfers, massage treatments, an exclusive boat jetty and even a nanny service. With just under an hour before happy hour begins, I head up to my fourth floor room - where I'm left wide-eyed as I cross the plush carpet and step into a vast, airy bedroom that feels like a canvas itself. White is the dominant colour in this room - white sheets, white curtains and white walls provide a fresh feel, while splashes of deep red, ochres and rich browns appear in ornaments, cushions, and other soft furnishings. 'Clever', I think, as these were the primary pigments used by Rembrandt to create the dramatic scenes in his work. The king-size bed takes centre stage here, while a sofa, coffee table and two cushioned chairs line the walls, offering the perfect spot to sit and watch life drift by along the canal below. After pulling out my evening outfit, I head to the spacious bathroom to get ready and I take in the classic black-and-white tiling, the generous walk-in shower and the double sinks. Fresh flowers and Lalique toiletries - from cotton pads and shower caps, to hand cream and lip balm - are neatly laid out across the vanity. The service here is unparalleled; if you happen to be celebrating a special occasion, expect fresh fruit, a thoughtful note and regional cheese! Soon, we head down to Omber bar for our complimentary drink before moving into the adjoining restaurant for dinner. As we sip our second glass of cava, our waiter explains that Omber's wine list pays tribute to Saskia - Rembrandt's wife - featuring bottles from wineries owned, led or represented by female winemakers. The bar's mixologist has also created several signature cocktails inspired by stories and famous figures connected to the hotel. I order the Chiaroscuro - a nod to Rembrandt's signature light-and-shadow technique - before browsing the menu. Made of coffee infused vodka, cream de cacao and espresso ice, it's perhaps one of the best variations of espresso martinis I've ever had. It's creamy, moreish, but still boozy enough that I'm nursing it for a good hour before I decide on another drink. What I soon discover is that Omber is more than just a restaurant, it's an immersive dining experience inspired by the Dutch master's artistic approach. Textured elements mimic brushstrokes, and colour palettes echo Rembrandt's paintings, turning each plate into something that feels like art. We go for the three-course set menu and I choose Omber's Colour Study to start - Dutch vegetables with tomato dressing - followed by Maiden's Tenderloin: perfectly cooked beef served with creamy celeriac, demi-glace and a green salad. Each dish arrives looking like a composition, and tastes just as good. The vegetables are crisp and fresh, while the tenderloin is soft and beautifully seasoned, the demi-glace adding just the right touch of sweetness. I try a bite of my companion's veal cheek with pumpkin mash - equally delicious. The creamy Chiaroscuro, an espresso martini featuring coffee-infused vodka, is made using Rembrandt's signature light-and-shadow technique At Omber, every plate looks like a beautiful composition Breakfast options include a buffet, a tiered selection of cakes and scones, and dishes like Eggs Benedict that can be cooked to order After a blissful night's sleep and a generous buffet breakfast - with options like Eggs Benedict and fresh crepes available on request - I meet Martha the next morning to dive deeper into the hotel's history. She leads me through hallways and rooms once visited by royalty and celebrities. On the first floor, she tells me, The Beatles stayed here in the 1960s, sparking a frenzy of fans along the canals. Other dignitaries hosted at the hotel include Queen Victoria, who stayed as a guest during her 63-year reign in the 19th century. Then there was Empress Elisabeth of Austria - Sisi - who found comfort here during an extended stay in the late 1800s. 'She would book 40 rooms - 20 just for her luggage', Martha says. She also points out an intriguing detail: the ground and first floors are more ornate, with higher ceilings and marble floors hidden beneath the carpet, while the upper floors are simpler, with wood flooring and lower ceilings. Back in the 16th century, before lifts existed, the ultra-wealthy preferred to stay on the lower floors to avoid climbing stairs - a stark contrast to today, when penthouses are preferred and privacy is found at the top. We're then invited to take a look inside the Rembrandt Suite, where we sit for a few moments in a part of the room that has been cleverly designed to emulate a gallery space, and marvel at the giant replica of The Night Watch on the wall. Pictured: The Beatles doing a spot of sightseeing in Amsterdam in the 1960s. During a two-night concert tour in the city, the band stayed at the Tivoli Doelen, sparking a frenzy of fans Room 105 is the Rembrandt Suite, where the famous Night Watch painting used to hang centuries ago The ground and first floors in the hotel are more ornate than the upper floors - this is because the ultra-wealthy preferred to stay on the lower floors to avoid the stairs in the 16th century At Rembrandt Square, just a three minute walk from Tivoli Doelen, you'll find plenty of shops, cafes, bars and subtle odes to the painter - can you spot any? We conclude our second day with a three-minute walk to Rembrandt Square, a bustling hub packed with cafes, restaurants, shops and clubs, where we're treated to many references to the artist; including his 1852 bronze statue, a huge glittering sign bearing his name, and murals of his works. Although we don't have much time to spare (I'm also celebrating my birthday this weekend), it's worth noting that the hotel offers guests a range of Rembrandt-inspired activities, including a Rembrandt Paint Making Workshop. In addition, In the Footsteps of Rembrandt, is a private walking tour that retraces the life and legacy of the painter. Accompanied by a local guide, guests visit his iconic former home and studio, Rembrandt House Museum, along with the gothic Zuiderkerk and the historic De Waag guild building. For a truly unique blend of 17th century history and modern city life when you're next in Amsterdam, the Tivoli Doelen is the ultimate destination. You'll find a masterpiece wherever you look; whether you're tucking into a meal, observing the decor in your room, taking walks along the canal, or admiring iconic artworks that would go on to shape the city's history. 'A town isn't a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a bookstore, it knows it's not foolin' a soul.' These words, from writer Neil Gaiman in his 2001 novel American Gods, might sound a tad outdated. With the rise of audiobooks, e-readers, Kindles and social media, you might think a bookshop is a thing of the past. But with the rise of book-inspired travel, and the prevalence of 'BookTok' on social media driving a rise in sales, it's clear reading is far from dead. Visiting a bookshop might not be at the top of your agenda while travelling to a new country or city. But you'd be missing out. Around the world, these literary hotspots provide not only a cosy hideaway for bookworms, but also a real hint into the tastes and interests of a local community. That's not to mention that they are, in many cases, a city's crown jewel, with incredible architecture, often housed in world-class buildings that rival major tourist attractions. With World Book Day coming up this week on Thursday, March 5, it's the perfect time for a deep dive into some of the world's most glamorous, intricately designed and ingenious bookshops. Here's our guide to the most beautiful bookshops around the world - including seven that can be easily visited here in the UK. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal Golden glow: Lello bookshop (Livraria Lello) in Porto, Portugal is one of the most beautiful in the world The Livraria Lello & Irmao, commonly known in English as the Lello Bookshop, is found in one of the most eye-catching buildings, famed for its ornate staircase, stained glass windows and golden ceilings. Built in 1906, the Livraria Lello is packed with unique architectural details, as well as exhibitions on everything from precious jewels to rare and luxury books. Often described as the 'prettiest bookshop in the world,' it has recently become an officially recognised national monument in Portugal, and is set to close for the time being to undergo preservation works. Word on the Water, London, UK Water way to buy a book: Word on the Water, the bookbarge bookshop in London that sits on the water Many tourists and locals discover Word on the Water entirely by accident. The quirky bookshop has a real unique selling point - it's located on a barge. Also known as the London Bookbarge, it can normally be found on Regent's Canal in the King's Cross area at Granary Square, London. While you can browse books from the outside, especially in summer, the chance to peek inside should not be missed - with quaint furnishings, it's arguably the cosiest spot in London. Carturesti Carusel, Bucharest, Romania Fairytale find: In Bucharest, Romania you'll find the majestic Carturesti Carusel bookshop More often associated with stag dos and party holidays, Bucharest in Romania is actually also home to one of the most incredible bookshops. Its aim? To make reading 'cool' again. With an inviting space for customers to meet, displays, fragrant teas, music, book launches and exhibitions, there's plenty going on here. Visitors have sung its praises, with one Tripadvisor review saying: 'Walking into Carturesti Carusel feels like stepping into a storybook. The white spiral staircases, open balconies, and soft light make it one of the most beautiful bookstores I've ever visited. 'It's not just a shop - it's an experience. You can wander through endless shelves of books, music, and gifts, then relax upstairs in the cafe with a view over the whole magical space. It's the kind of place where time slows down and you just want to soak in the atmosphere. A must-visit in Bucharest!' Barter Books, Alnwick, UK Railway reads: In Alnwick, Northumberland you'll find the unique Barter Books store Set inside a former Victorian railway station in Alnwick, Northumberland, Barter Books is not your average bookshop. Complete with restored station features, open fires and a model railway running above the shelves, it's the perfect place to browse for second-hand books. There's also The Station Buffet and an ice cream parlour which offer refreshments. Daunt Books, London, UK Cool classic: Daunt Books bookshop in Marylebone, one of its many branches You might have seen many commuters wielding Daunt's popular tote bag, filled to the brim with books. Daunt Books is a household name for many London-based bookworms, and visiting any of the chain's branches makes it easy to see why. Founded in 1990 by a former banker, the interiors of each chain retain a real ambience of old-school London. Originally a specialist travel bookshop, nowadays it sells popular fiction and most other mainstream books. Livraria Ler Devagar, Lisbon, Portugal Street art spot: Livraria Ler Devagar in Lisbon, Portugal draws in tourists and locals alike In Lisbon's impossibly cool LX Factory lies this bookshop, decorated with street art and graffiti and more reminiscent of an underground night club than a place to buy books. But with rows upon rows of books, it's a vibrant hub, popular among young people in the city. One visitor last month wrote in a Google review: 'Such a great-looking setup. This store appeals from the moment you enter it. It has a wonderful and unique layout, with a good variety of books. There's some sections of English books (both new and classics) that you can spot when you browse the tables and shelves.' Another added: 'Very unique experience in the heart of LX factory. The decor of the place is equal parts retro and neo-garage fusion. 'Aside from books they also have a surprisingly large collection of vinyl records and vintage DVDs as well, the Tarantino fan in me loved the pulp fiction availability. They're also stocked with other memorabilia.' Shakespeare & Co, Paris, France For the Frenchies: Tourists often gather outside the famous Shakespeare & Co bookstore in central Paris If you visit Shakespeare & Co in Paris, you're sure to find a queue going out the door full of excited tourists seeking a glimpse inside the French capital's iconic English bookshop. The independent store, just a stone's throw from the Notre-Dame, has long been a meeting spot for English-speaking readers and writers - in a city full of, well, readers and writers. If you pay a visit, be sure to try out the attached cafe and grab a sweet treat. Hatchards, London, UK Historic monument: Hatchards is London's oldest bookshop, having been established in 1797 Founded in 1797, Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in the UK - and, after a quick glimpse inside, you won't need convincing. With beautiful historic interiors and seemingly endless floors, nooks and crannies, it's located right in the heart of the UK capital. It also has major credentials, as the official booksellers to the royal household. Maison Assouline, London, UK Posh selection: Maison Assouline bookshop, St James's, Piccadilly, London Once you step inside Maison Assouline, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in an upmarket cocktail bar rather than a simple bookshop. But it's actually both - describing itself as a 'cultural salon and cabinet de curiosites', it's a great place to browse elegant coffee-table books, the latest Assouline brand releases and rare first editions of classic titles. While you're there, grab a cocktail at the Swans Bar - it might be pricy, but the ambience is beyond compare. El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina Theatricality: El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookshop is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina Further afield, the El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookshop in Buenos Aires looks much more like a concert hall than a shop. And that's because it is - or was. Built in the former Gran Splendid theatre/cinema, it's now filled with around 120,000 books. There's even a bar on the former stage, perfect for a coffee in unique surroundings. Naturally, it's drawn in many intrigued visitors, with one rave Tripadvisor review saying: 'If you're visiting Buenos Aires, you absolutely must stop by El Ateneo Grand Splendid. 'I spent eight weeks living in the city while studying, and this is hands down the most beautiful bookstore I've ever set foot in. It's a former theater that was converted into a bookstore, so it still retains the original frescoed ceilings, ornate carvings, and even the velvet curtains.' Boekhandel Dominicanen, Maastricht, Netherlands Church setting: The shop is located inside a 13th century Gothic Dominican church in Maastricht Perhaps located in one of the most unique spots of any bookstore, Boekhandel Dominicanen's church home creates an imposing, jaw-dropping impression on anyone who enters. In fact, last year it was voted the most beautiful bookshop in the world, TimeOut reported. It's been described as 'a magical place for bookworms,' a 'must-see' and 'unique'. One visitor noted: 'It's wonderful how they've given this church a second life. There's something for everyone, including books. It's great to browse and enjoy a cup of coffee, too.' Leakey's Bookshop, Inverness, Scotland Second-hand steal: Leakey's Bookshop, Scotland's largest second-hand bookstore With more than 100,000 books to peruse, Leakey's Bookshop is not only impressive because of its large selection but also its location inside an old church in Inverness. Complete with stained glass windows, a spiral staircase, and a wood burning stove, literary enthusiasts could easily spend a full day in this beautiful bookshop. To make a staycation out of it, bookworms could stay at Mary Ann Villa, a stylish four bedroom property sitting in the heart of Inverness. Guests can read their new novels in the free-standing bathtub... Open Door Bookshop, Rome, Italy Come on in: The Open Door Bookshop is an old English bookstore along Via della Lungaretta Many readers and writers have graced the streets of Rome. Arguably the city's prettiest offering, Open Door Bookshop has titles in English, Italian and French, and has a quaint, vintage feel to it, a far cry from the chain bookstores found across European capitals. One reviewer wrote: 'This place has a book for everyone. 'An excellently stocked small bookshop in the Trastevere area of Rome city centre. Far from the crowds, step inside. Diverse range of books on many topics and not at rip-off prices.' The English Bookshop, Rabat, Morocco Hidden haven: The English Bookshop in Rabat, Morocco is a real hidden gem Rabat's English Bookshop is so easy to miss, located on a side-street near Rabat Ville train station. Its charm lies in its slightly chaotic display of books, strewn every which way as the kindly owner chats to customers about their reading habits. While the Moroccan capital is hardly on the tourist map, there are plenty of reasons to visit - and if you get the chance, stop at this bookshop for an insight into the city's culture. Combine your excursion with a coffee and cookie at nearby Boho Cafe, for a buzzing atmosphere and quality brunch. Richard Booth's Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, Wales The home of books: The front facade of the famous Richard Booth's bookshop in Wales Located in Hay-on-Wye, famously associated with all things reading as the UK's first 'Book Town', Richard Booth's Bookshop has a charming tiled exterior and an even more inviting interior, with high ceilings and wooden finishings. Offering new and second-hand books, as well as a selection of arts and crafts supplies, it's the perfect place to nurture your creative side. A visit to Richard Booth's Bookshop followed by dinner overlooking the countryside makes for the perfect tranquil break. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, US Downtown destination: The Last Bookstore is an iconic bookstore housed in the grand atrium of an old bank in downtown Los Angeles When you think of LA, it's unlikely a visit to a bookshop will be on your mind. But this one is like no other. California's largest new and used book and record store, in downtown LA, is housed in a former bank, and boasts an immense 22,000-square-foot space. With much to explore - including a sort of 'book alleyway' - it's a must-visit. With 'a special hang loose vibe', according to one visitor, and maze-like interiors, it's a unique spot to round out our list of the world's most beautiful bookshops. Time to get reading! Veteran Married At First Sight groom Eliot Donovan has revealed he has a surprising history with incoming intruder Sam Stanton. Taking to TikTok, the MAFS alum shared a throwback photo of the pair together at a bustling bar in Saint Martin back in 2014 - long before either of them signed up for reality TV. In the image, a fresh-faced Eliot and Sam are seen sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in sleeveless tank tops, each clutching a beer as they grin at the camera. Eliot, sporting dark tousled hair and a muscular build, flashes a relaxed hand sign while Sam beams broadly, his arm draped casually around his now fellow MAFS groom. The tropical backdrop and crowded bar setting suggest a carefree working holiday vibe - a far cry from the high-pressure dinner parties of the experiment. 'So I actually know the new masked villain that's coming on, this guy,' Eliot began in the clip, before quickly laughing. 'I'm just kidding, he's not a villain.' Veteran MAFS groom Eliot Donovan has revealed he has a surprising history with incoming intruder Sam Stanton Taking to TikTok , Eliot shared a throwback photo of the pair together at a bustling bar in Saint Martin back in 2014 - long before either of them signed up for reality TV Eliot explained the pair met more than a decade ago while working as personal trainers. 'We met back in 2014 though, there's a photo of us together at a bar in Saint Martin,' he said. 'I took over a ship that he was working on. I'll never forget, everyone on the ship was obsessed with this guy. They were like, 'Oh my God, he's so amazing.' Eliot admitted he was intrigued by Sam's popularity at the time. 'I remember I messaged him and I was like, 'Dude, what the f*** did you do to this cast because it's like they're obsessed with you.' Despite the hype, Eliot insisted Sam was the real deal. 'We ended up meeting up later on and he is just a really genuine, sweet guy.' The pair eventually lost touch over the years and have not spoken since. Despite the hype, Eliot insisted Sam was the real deal. 'We ended up meeting up later on and he is just a really genuine, sweet guy' 'I do really hope that he finds love on the show and I'm so grateful someone genuine and positive is coming into the experiment because I don't know about you guys but I don't even want to watch it at the moment, it's just so catty and toxic' 'We don't talk or anything, so I don't know how his journey goes,' Eliot said. But he made it clear he is backing his former colleague to find love. 'I do really hope that he finds love on the show and I'm so grateful someone genuine and positive is coming into the experiment because I don't know about you guys but I don't even want to watch it at the moment, it's just so catty and toxic.' Eliot's show of support comes as Sam himself has been navigating his own on-screen drama. The 34-year-old fitness studio owner recently broke his silence on husband Chris' shock baby bombshell, admitting he has 'thought about it a lot' and questioned whether he should have known sooner. 'I think there's definitely reasons that I should have known upfront what I was walking into,' Sam told Daily Mail. However, he was quick to show empathy towards his partner. 'I also understand and empathise with Chris, that it was big news that he wanted to feel some security between us before he shared that information with me.' 'I've thought about that a lot and wondered whether it was the right timing.' Despite the looming revelation, Sam said he believes he will handle the moment maturely. Viewers watched sparks fly between the pair during their wedding in Episode 14, but Sam admitted the chemistry was not instant. 'I wouldn't say it was instant connection,' he said 'I think when he does tell me, I'll receive that news well.' Viewers watched sparks fly between the pair during their wedding in Episode 14, but Sam admitted the chemistry was not instant. 'I wouldn't say it was instant connection,' he said. 'I turned around and I was like, 'Oh, this guy's handsome - beautiful blue eyes, good looking dude - but it was definitely like, you're a stranger. I don't know you at all.' Instead, he felt there was potential to build something meaningful. 'I had high hopes. There was a lot of potential. I just wanted to get to know him.' Sam has also not shied away from calling out controversial behaviour in the experiment, taking aim at fellow groom Tyson. 'What I'm not liking is seeing this Sergeant Tyson and the way that he speaks to women,' Sam said. 'I think that's the problem with him. He really has some misogynistic values deep in him.' As alliances begin to form - and fractures deepen - Sam teased possible tension between the couples. 'The Chris and Gia versus Sam and Beck - there might be something there,' he said. Still, he insisted he did not sign up to ride out a doomed marriage for airtime. 'I was never ever going to stay if I found out it wasn't going to work for whatever reason. I'm not just going to stay there for no reason.' Olivia Dean has been the big winner at the 2026 BRIT Awards, as the ceremony relocated to Manchester for the first time ever. The hitmaker had led the nominations with five gongs, and dominated the ceremony with wins including Album Of The Year, Best Pop Act and Artist Of The Year. Jack Whitehall returned as host for the first time since 2021, and led to ITV censors being quick off the mark with jokes covering all manner of topics from Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to the controversy-filled BAFTAs. Harry Styles also made his long-awaited return to the stage for the first time since 2023, ahead of the release of his new album on Friday. Ten-time Grammy Award winning artist and producer Mark Ronson, 50, received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, before taking to the stage to perform. Follow live updates from the 2026 BRIT Awards below... News / National by Staff reporter The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has set a June 2026 deadline for mobile network operators to cleanse their customer databases of unverified accounts.RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu announced that all accounts must be verified with legitimate identity documents, and any unverified accounts must be removed. The central bank will conduct audits by the end of June to ensure compliance, citing concerns over money laundering and the use of anonymous accounts for illicit financial activity.In addition, the RBZ has mandated that all nano-loans issued by mobile operators must be underwritten by commercial banks and reflected on their balance sheets.Mushayavanhu criticized the practice of mobile operators issuing instant microloans outside the regulated banking system, arguing that it creates unbacked money and circumvents financial regulations.The governor extended the banking sector's zero-fee policy for small-value transactions to mobile operators, emphasizing that any charges on transactions under five dollars could lead to the revocation of their payment service licenses. The measures aim to tighten regulation, close loopholes, and ensure that mobile financial services operate under proper oversight, aligning them with the broader financial system. A Miami-based woman has claimed she was in a months-long 'digital romance' with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton just weeks before he was seen with Kim Kardashian. Fashion designer Julia Medeiros, who has been dubbed a Kylie Jenner lookalike, says she began regularly speaking with Hamilton through Instagram in November and is now under the impression they had an online fling. The DMs, which have been seen by Daily Mail, show the F1 driver, 41, and Medeiros, 24, casually getting to know one another in exchanges from November 2025 to January 2026, though there are no explicitly romantic messages between them. His final message to the Brazilian business owner appeared to be sent on January 28, just days before romance rumours emerged between Hamilton and Kardashian. Medeiros had wished him a happy birthday and he said to her: 'Thank you. Sorry I haven't been on here for a long time, over a month.' Medeiros responded asking where he was, but she never received a message in return. A Miami-based woman, 24, has claimed she was in a months-long 'digital romance' with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, 41, just weeks before he was seen with Kim Kardashian, 45 'It wasn't casual. We spoke constantly. There was intensity. It felt like a real connection,' Medeiros insists to Daily Mail, saying Hamilton began watching her Stories in 2024. 'He would actively view everything I posted. However, it was in 2025, during the Formula 1 event in Brazil, that we effectively began talking.' At the time, many racing drivers, including Hamilton, were in the South American country where Medeiros was born. It was then Medeiros, who was living in Miami, sent the first message to Hamilton, asking if he was in her home country. 'I hope you're having an amazing time. Brazilians are honestly one of the most welcoming people,' Medeiros said when he confirmed his location. 'Best people here,' Hamilton replied. 'Where are you?' 'From that point on, he started messaging me daily. He also continued watching all of my stories, almost always being one of the first people to view them,' Medeiros claims. 'Something that always caught my attention was how quickly he would see my stories.' Fashion designer Julia Medeiros, who has been dubbed a Kylie Jenner lookalike, says she began regularly speaking with Hamilton through Instagram in November and is now under the impression they had an online fling 'If I posted anythingwhether it was something simple like a glass of wine or a landscapehe would view it almost immediately,' she continues. 'That surprised me, especially because he doesn't follow me on Instagram. In fact, he barely follows anyone. Yet he was consistently among the first to watch.' Medeiros goes on to say she and the seven-time world champion 'maintained frequent conversations' for months before he was romantically linked to Kardashian. 'In the screenshots I have, he shares his travel schedule, mentioning that he would be in Qatar, then Singapore, then the United States, detailing where he would be so we could potentially arrange to meet,' she says. 'There are also many messages where he asks where I was. 'Even when I took time to reply because I was busy with work or everyday commitments, he would continue messaging, showing strong interest in knowing my location so we could see each other.' Indeed, the screenshots of their DMs appears to show Hamilton frequently asking where Medeiros was located and sharing details of his own schedule. However, he never explicitly asked Medeiros to meet up or showed any overt romantic intention toward her. The DMs, which have been seen by Daily Mail, show the F1 driver and Medeiros casually getting to know one another in exchanges from November 2025 to January 2026, though there are no explicitly romantic messages between them. Pictured: Hamilton and Kardashian Some exchanges show Hamilton talking about his day while Medeiros responded with voice messages doing the same. 'Ah wow did know [sic] you used to live in London. I just got back to London for a couple days. Heading to LA Saturday then Vegas. What do you do, Julia?' read one message he sent to her, which she responded to with a voice note. In November, Medeiros commented on an Instagram Story the racing driver shared in tribute to his mother's birthday. 'That's so sweet. Happy birthday to future mother-in-law,' Medeiros said before sending another voice note. Hamilton sent his thanks to Medeiros but did not address her 'mother-in-law' comment, instead he changed the topic to the languages Medeiros can speak and asked about a shop she earlier mentioned. Medeiros and Hamilton appeared to exchange casual messages almost daily throughout November, but their conversation began to die down over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. However, Medeiros appears to be under the impression their conversation was leading to a romantic connection. Medeiros tells Daily Mail: 'When someone messages you every day, comments on your photos, shares their movements, you start to believe it means something.' 'It wasn't casual. We spoke constantly. There was intensity. It felt like a real connection,' Medeiros insists to Daily Mail, saying Hamilton began watching her Stories in 2024 Then came Super Bowl LX on February 8, when photographers captured Hamilton and Kardashian, 45, seated next to each other in a VIP suite at Levi's Stadium. Just days earlier, they had sparked romance rumours in the headlines when reports claimed they spent a 'romantic' weekend at Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds, UK. The speculation was further fuelled when they were seen arriving together at a hotel in Paris on February 2, shortly before their Super Bowl appearance. Medeiros claims she was blindsided and 'hurt' by reports of an apparent romance between Hamilton and Kardashian. 'After months of talking, I truly believed we were building something. The messages were constant. I didn't expect to see him publicly involved in another story,' she says. She says the communication between them allegedly dropped significantly after the Super Bowl images went viral though screenshots of their DMs show messages began to dwindle long before that. 'There was no dramatic confrontation. But everything changed,' she says, adding that their exchanges may have only been 'digital' but they 'didn't feel superficial'. 'Throughout this entire period, I was under the impression that we were about to meet. He showed strong interest in getting to know me personally.' Screenshots of their DMs appears to show Hamilton frequently asking where Medeiros was located and sharing details of his own schedule. However, he never explicitly asked Medeiros to meet up or showed any overt romantic intention toward her 'He asked about my life, my work, where I grew up, where I'm from, and what I do,' she adds. 'That's why I was caught by surprise when his romance with Kim Kardashian became publicbecause until then, I believed we were close to arranging a meeting.' Hamilton is thought to have struck up a secret romance with the US reality TV star in recent weeks, with the pair spotted sitting together at this year's Super Bowl. However, neither Hamilton nor Kardashian has publicly commented on the rumours to date, with the Ferrari man telling a reporter earlier this month that he was not answering questions on his 'private life' when probed. Rumours surrounding Hamilton and Kardashian first began at the end of January, when the pair were pictured checking into upmarket hotel Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds. The pair were seen arriving with a motorcade in tow at the five-star establishment, and whispers of a romance have been growing louder ever since. After they appeared together at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to watch the Seattle Seahawks clinch the Super Bowl on February 8, Hamilton was asked about the relationship by a member of the press. But, according to Sky Sports' F1 reporter Ted Kravitz, the seven-time world champion shut it down by saying: 'It's my private life, I'm not talking about that.' While their relationship is believed to have intensified romantically this year, Hamilton and clothing brand SKIMS founder Kardashian are known to have been friends for many years. When the F1 legend was with Nicole Scherzinger and Kardashian was married to Kanye West, the four were pictured together at GQ's 2014 Men of the Year awards in London. West and Kardashian went on to announce their split in 2021 and divorced the following year, while Hamilton and Scherzinger split in 2015. There has been a notable absentee from the GB News airwaves this week: its star breakfast host Eamonn Holmes. The famously workaholic Eamonn, 66, uncharacteristically took a week off, leading to much chatter about the reason for his no-show. After all, despite his poor health he suffers from severe back problems and relies on walking aids following a 2022 operation on his spine that went badly wrong Eamonn is proud of barely missing a day of work, even when his physical pain is almost too much to bear. Im told that Eamonn, once the king of daytime television courtesy of his 1million-a-year role as the host of the now defunct ITV breakfast show GMTV, is struggling emotionally these days. And while he has not been happy for some time, his colleagues suspect this weeks absence may have something to do with his ex-wife Ruth Langsfords tell-all memoir. Serialised exclusively in the Daily Mail last week, Ruths book rather provocatively titled Feeling Fabulous told how their split after 14 years of marriage had initially left her blindsided and broken. Yet, said Ruth, 65, there was a silver lining: she said that she was now beginning to embrace her life, and considering whether to date again. Im told Eamonn was heartbroken to see his ex speak so openly of her hurt. Eamonn has hosted the breakfast show on GB News since 2022 but has been a notable absentee from the airwaves this week More than this, Im also told he was blindsided by the books contents, as the first he knew of it was when he saw it splashed across this newspapers pages. He had, it seems, been given no courtesy preview. Those close to him say Eamonn has been severely bruised by Ruths decision to go public especially as, he says, they had both agreed to keep a dignified silence throughout their increasingly messy separation. Eamonn obviously knew that there was a book coming, but he had no idea what was going to be in it, says a source close to the TV star. It was, to be honest, upsetting for him to see it in black and white. Hes an angry man generally, so he must have gone bloody mad when he saw it all. Hes really not in a great place at the moment and Ruths book coming out seems to have brought everything to a head all over again. His recent time off could be a coincidence, the source added, but the extra stress and anxiety definitely hasnt helped. I first revealed the pair had split in May 2024 after 27 years together and 14 years of marriage. Eamonn's colleagues suspect his absence from work may be down to the shock release of his ex-wife's tell-all book, Feeling Fabulous serialized exclusively in the Daily Mail last week A statement issued by the former This Morning presenters announced that they were divorcing after work commitments took their marriage in different directions. Their relationship had begun in 1997, some three years after the end of Eamonns marriage to his first wife Gabrielle, with whom he has three children, Declan, Rebecca and Niall. Friends say the couple had been tested by health, financial and professional problems in recent years and that something had to give. In particular, Ruth struggled to cope with Eamonns back condition following slipped discs and a fall at home in 2022. The pair, who have a grown-up son named Jack, attempted to live together in harmony at their 3.2million home in Weybridge, Surrey, but Eamonn soon moved to a nearby penthouse flat. He was quickly dating a much younger girlfriend, Katie Alexander, 44, a marriage counsellor whom he met on social media, but friends told me at the time that he was still shocked by the split from Ruth. One friend said: He thought that Ruth would put up with his c**p for ever. But she had begun to tire of her role as carer and nursemaid to her increasingly immobile and cantankerous husband. But while she is sad about the split, her friends are absolutely relieved. In her book, Ruth revealed she has moved forward, with the help of therapy, and now feels the same sense of relief. She said: I was devastated in the beginning. We had gone from being a couple, traversing the usual ups and downs of a marriage, to an abrupt end. [But] worrying about things... is a waste of energy at exactly the time you need to be firing on all cylinders. Eamonn's relationship with marriage counsellor Katie Alexander, 44, has been a 'bone of contention' and 'fractured' relationships with his children, writes Katie Hind Today, Im told Eamonn remains in denial. When they first split, he refused to confirm it to anyone. To a certain extent he still is [in denial] now, said the friend. Even though hes with Katie. Eamonn was once a jolly soul but, as he aged, cheeriness gave way to bitterness. When he was sacked from This Morning in 2021, he was furious with the networks bosses. That made it so hard for Ruth who was, and still is, on ITVs show Loose Women, the friend said. He was mouthing off like a bitter old man while Ruth needed to keep working to bring the money in. Ruth struggled with that. Today, life isnt much fun for Eamonn. He and Ruth remain financially entwined by several business interests, and he is battling HMRC over a huge tax bill of which 250,000 remains outstanding, despite him handing over more than 1million already. And with the couples divorce still to be finalised, his health remains an issue. Problems at work reached a head last year when he fell off his chair live on air on his GB News show. Subsequent claims of him losing his temper and patience with production staff have become increasingly common. He has become isolated from other loved ones, too. His relationships with his children have become fraught after they all sided with Ruth in the divorce. Eamonns relationships with his kids are fractured, says a source close to him. They can all see things from Ruths side, which he finds annoying and disappointing... the boys, especially Niall, have been pretty outspoken and in his case has just refused to speak to him. One bone of contention is Katie. Today, she apparently splits her time between Eamonns home and her own in Yorkshire where her two children live with their father. Because of their significant age gap, many in the industry have been mildly mocking of the couple. There is also a suggestion that Katie is enjoying the perks of dating him including a lavish Mediterranean cruise they took in the summer of 2024. One source close to Eamonn said: Everyone thinks its weird, but shes up for the freebies and the attention which comes with dating Eamonn at least for now. Whether she can tolerate his grumpiness and other issues long term, remains to be seen. Lets hope she doesnt read Ruths book it might just give her ideas. Jennifer Garner is a skilled multitasker whether she realizes it or not and she was in full work mode on the Los Angeles set of her new movie One Attempt Remaining on Thursday. The actress, 53, seemed to always be balancing more than one thing in her capable hands as the day progressed. At one point, she was carrying a large tote bag and a super-sized water bottle while dressed down in white jeans and white top with a blue blouse thrown on for extra comfort, along with white trainers. Then Garner was seen juggling a cup, her cell phone and a napkin in one hand near the area where the trailers are kept. This time she appeared to be in costume, a casual outfit comprised of a gray cardigan, wide-legged jeans and pink trainers, and she appeared to be in full makeup as well. But busy though she was, Garner, who recently revealed how her kids begged her not to get a facelift, seemed to be in a happy mood. Jennifer Garner was in full work mode on the LA set of her new movie One Attempt Remaining on Thursday - and always seemed to be balancing more than one thing in her hands At another point during the day, Garner was seen holding a cup, her cell phone and a napkin in one hand near the area where the trailers are kept The comedy casts Garner and John Cena as exes who, after a messy divorce, discover the cryptocurrency they won on a cruise is worth millions, but they can't remember the password. The film began shooting on Tuesday and is expected to wrap at the end of April. Cena, 48, was also spotted on set, looking sporty in a green polo shirt and gray shorts. The sighting comes after Garner discussed the challenges of co-parenting her three children with ex-husband Ben Affleck, 53, on Tuesday's episode of Bustle's One Nightstand YouTube series. The Dallas Buyers Club star shared that raising daughters Violet, 20, and Fin, 17, and son Samuel, 13, in separate households comes with its own set of difficulties. Garner said that when the kids are with her, she has to 'become mom and dad' and admitted that there is 'a little bit of loss' that comes with that. Addressing how she finds the balance in raising her children with a 'conscientious upbringing' and 'appreciation,' Garner told host Charlotte Owen that she feels she provides 'a bit of both.' 'And I think my kids' dad does too. Especially when your kids grow up in two separate households, I become mom and dad and he becomes dad and mom.' Garner's co-star in the comedy John Cena was also spotted on the Studio City, California set looking sporty in green polo shirt and gray shorts The sighting comes after Garner discussed the challenges of co-parenting her three children with ex-husband Ben Affleck on Tuesday's episode of Bustle's One Nightstand YouTube series The Dallas Buyers Club star shared that raising daughters Violet, 20, and Fin, 17, and son Samuel, 13, in separate households comes with its own set of difficulties (pictured with Affleck in January 2013) Garner said that when the kids are with her, she has to 'become mom and dad' and admitted that there is 'a little bit of loss' that comes with that (pictured with her brood in August 2018) Despite the co-parenting difficulties, Garner added, 'You also just learn. It's made me let go and not focus so much on bringing up' (pictured on February 20 in London) 'You kind of can't help it, right? Because you don't have the benefit of both sides of the yin and yang being in the same house,' she continued. 'There's a little bit of loss in that, but there's also something gained in that. You also just learn. It's made me let go and not focus so much on bringing up,' she added. Garner and Affleck were wed from 2005 until 2018 but have managed to keep things amicable between them. She's been in a relationship with burger chain CEO John Miller for over seven year, and even though they briefly split in 2020 they reunited in 2021. The Argo director and Jennifer Lopez wed in July 2022 only to separate less than two years later, finalizing their divorce in January 2025. Affleck and Lopez, who has 18-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex-spouse Marc Anthony, continue to maintain their blended family despite the divorce. They remain friendly for the sake of their children. TV veteran Jonathan Ross has spoken out on his rivalry with Graham Norton ahead of Claudia Winkleman making her chat show debut. Jonathan, 65, has been interviewing A-list stars for almost four decades now, though continues to face stiff competition from Irish host Graham - and soon Claudia, 54. In a new interview, Jonathan has conceded Graham, 62, will always attract bigger stars such as movie actors, which he puts down to the fact you cannot advertise on the BBC. He also said: 'I've never looked at another person's show and thought I wish that wasn't on, or I never felt threatened by another person's show. 'Because all you can really do is do your show as well as you can and hopefully you'll find an audience and if it doesn't, they'll let you know and you'll stop doing it.' Continuing to speak to The Sun, Jonathan also wished former Strictly host Claudia look as she prepares to launch her new series on March 13. TV veteran Jonathan Ross has spoken out on his rivalry with Graham Norton ahead of Claudia Winkleman making her chat show debut In a new interview, Jonathan has conceded Graham, 62, will always attract bigger stars such as movie actors, which he puts down to the fact you cannot advertise on the BBC The dad-of-three said: 'I suspect Claudia will do great. She's such a charming person. She's a really lovely host. She knows what she's doing. I don't know anyone who doesn't like her. 'I'll be watching along with everyone else, looking forward to it and rooting for her.' Jonathan's career in the hot seat began in 1987 with The Last Resort, which was followed a year later by One Hour with Jonathan Ross. He continued fronting various shows for the broadcaster throughout the nineties before moving to the BBC in 2001 where he hosted Friday Night With Jonathan Ross until 2010. Jonathan's current chat show with ITV has been on air since 2011. Meanwhile, Graham has been at the helm of his show since 2007. A first look at Claudia new BBC chat show on Friday sees the host mock her own love of fake tan - by slapping orange paint on her face and joking, 'I'm ready!'. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the new format will launch on screens from Friday, March 13 at 10.40pm. In a teaser trailer for the series, the former Strictly Come Dancing host can be seen placing small oranges inside a bucket of gloop as she jokes the colour 'isn't orange enough' for her liking. 'Yes, just still not orange enough...' as she checked the colour of the paint, before continuing: 'Hi, it's Claud here. I have a new show, I am really getting prepared. 'They want me to tell you it starts on Friday the 13th, well, I've had a good run.' Putting the paint of her face and pouting towards the camera, Claudia concludes before walking off screen: 'Yep, I'm ready.' A first look at Claudia new BBC chat show on Friday sees the host mock her own love of fake tan - by slapping orange paint on her face and joking, 'I'm ready!' Her first guests include Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen and Devil Wears Prada's Vanessa Williams. The set for the show will reportedly be modelled on the aesthetic of The Traitors castle in a bid to recreate a look which 'is now synonymous with Claudia'. Speaking about her new gig, Claudia said previously: 'I can't quite believe it and Im incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity. 'I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon theyre letting me try.' Rarely does a compliment cross the lips of the usually vituperative Gordon Ramsay. As for grudges, once hes made one he certainly knows how to hold it as his daughters new mother-in-law, Caroline Peaty, can certainly attest. But of all the enemies hes made, theres one Gordon has loathed more than any: his former boss, chef Marco Pierre White. He once described him as the living person he dislikes the most. So what a surprise it is to hear on his new Netflix show, Being Gordon Ramsay, that after decades of denigrating him, he now has fond things to say about Marco, revering him all of a sudden as a father figure. Extraordinarily, I can reveal this affection is very much reciprocated so much so that after 30 years of war, peace has officially broken out between these two culinary titans. Indeed Marco, 64, told me this week in an exclusive interview, how he now loves Gordon, 59, whom he describes as a beautiful man, and heaps praise on his former protege for being brave enough to take part in the new documentary (albeit one produced by Ramsays own production company). In fact, the Daily Mail can further exclusively reveal that, so deep is this new-found bond, the two former enemies have collaborated to drop a common old foe and fellow chef Jamie Oliver, from a future project they were all considering working on together. Its true that Gordon owes much to Marco: he got his first big break in his restaurant, Harveys, in Wandsworth, south west London, in the 1980s. As for grudges, once hes made one Gordon Ramsay (pictured) certainly knows how to hold it as his daughters new mother-in-law, Caroline Peaty, can certainly attest But of all the enemies hes made, theres one Gordon has loathed more than any: his former boss, chef Marco Pierre White (pictured). He once described him as the living person he dislikes the most - but the pair's feud appears to have thawed Marco, the Enfant Terrible of the UK restaurant scene of the era, was known for his fiery temper and uncompromising standards that once reduced his tough guy apprentice to tears. On his Netflix show, however, Gordon reflects warmly on those times, saying: Marco was brutal in an incredible way. The hardest boss. When I started cooking, I didnt have a father that got me and my career. I had a father that told me, you know, cooking was for women, it wasnt a mans job. 'Then I got into a kitchen with the first British chef ever to win three [Michelin] stars, the most prolific chef in this country, Marco Pierre White and he was like in fact a father figure. He had this gift, this Picasso, he put food on a plate like no other. He adds: I was Marcos right hand man. I went to hell and back every day for 18 hours a day six days a week. But the skills I was learning was at a rate of knots. I became good very quickly and he brought that out of me. These are dramatically different terms from how Gordon used to talk about his old boss. He once described him as a two faced bruiser, who was so bitter about his former employees success. He may have had a point: Marco infamously once posed on a magazine cover with a facsimile of Ramsays head on a platter and was quoted saying: Everything Gordon does is contrived, unnatural, derivative. The insults continued: Gordon spoke about how Marco compared him to dog **** when they got in each others way during one service at Harveys. He also recalled in his autobiography, how the torment once became so unbearable that one night he put his head in his hands and cried. Marco later commented: I didnt make Gordon Ramsay cry. He made himself cry. That was his choice to cry. More fuel for the fire between them came in 1998 when Ramsay stole the reservations book from Chelseas Aubergine restaurant where he was head chef a serious act of sabotage and blamed Marco, who Gordon believed wanted to take his job at the Michelin-starred establishment. Marco threatened legal action. Nine years later, Gordon admitted. It was me. I nicked it. I blamed Marco because I knew that would f*** him. Another cause of enmity was Gordons theory that Marco was to blame for his poor reviews from restaurant critics AA Gill and Giles Coren not to mention the incident in 2000 when he turned up at Marcos wedding to his third wife Mati, uninvited and with a TV crew in tow. Marco was appalled. I dont want him as part of my life, he growled. But speaking to Marco today, its clear that where once there was jealousy and hostility there is now mutual respect. Certainly, they have common ground: both men have been marked by difficult childhoods. Marcos Italian mother died suddenly when he was six. Gordons violent alcoholic father walked out when he was a child. More recently, the pair have bonded over their common troubles, with Marcos struggles with his drug addict son, Marco Jr, an echo of Gordons own torment over his addict brother. Ronnie Ramsay, less than two years Gordons junior, has been addicted to heroin for 40 years. In his new show the chef speaks of carrying a burden of guilt over Ronnies struggles. The Daily Mail can further exclusively reveal that Gordan and Marco have collaborated to drop a common old foe and fellow chef Jamie Oliver (pictured), from a future project they were all considering working on together. Meanwhile, Marco Jr, a former Big Brother contestant, was handed a three-year prison sentence in October last year for a 60,000 shoplifting spree. He was already in prison for other offences, all committed to fund his long-standing drug habit. Marco said Gordon got in touch after hearing about his son. Gordon sent me the most beautiful and sensitive and beautifully written text that anyone has ever sent. You know his brother is a heroin addict, so he understands the situation. There is a lifetime of pain and guilt he has gone through, that we have been in. We have been in it together. He sent me this text, written from the heart and I was very moved by it. He adds: Gordon is a beautiful man, he is truly a beautiful man. He had a dream and like me he made that dream into a reality. He deserves the success. It turns out the pair have been circling a reconciliation for ten years. In 2015, Gordon bid for three pictures of Marco by Bob Carlos Clarke that had been published in his famous White Heat, part memoir, part cook book, 25 years before. Marco was rather thrilled Gordon wanted to buy a memento of their shared history. He said: I heard he had bought three pictures. At the end of the night I stood up, lifted the picture off the wall and I wrote on the back of it: The Ram, with love, the Bull MPW x and hung it back up. This message using their old nicknames for each other was enough to spark contact. Marco agrees their bond is something like a father-son relationship. It goes deep with us, says Marco. To him, I am Chef. You know, when we meet, he will greet me as his Chef, that is who I am to him. The reconciliation is so complete Marco reveals he has agreed to make a show with Gordon called The Rock N Roll Chef something which will bring him out of his self-imposed countryside exile. For these days Marco can be found at the Rudloe Arms, a ten-room hotel in Corsham, Wilts. And while his influence is felt in the kitchens, he no longer cooks, having retired from the kitchen in 1999 when he gave back his three Michelin stars. Of the new show, Marco says: Gordons production company came to see me. They had asked Heston [Blumenthal] and they also saw Jamie Oliver. Gordon arranged for them to see me I was the last person on the list and I said no [to them]. They asked me why and I said: Heston works very hard. He has three Michelin stars. Gordon worked very hard for his three Michelin stars. And I worked very hard for my three Michelin stars. Jamie has never won a Michelin star. Not one. He is not part of our jigsaw. Hes very successful, he works very hard, but he is not part of it. They rang me back the next day and said: You are absolutely right Marco. We understand. If Jamie is not part of it will you do it? and I said yes. One of the first scenes to film will be a reunion between the three chefs: Marco, Gordon and Heston. One can imagine they will all remember their debts to Marco and their common pursuit of what he calls the insane dream of perfection. And that, perhaps, is the greatest bond of all. Benny Blanco defended his personal hygiene just days after fans begged his wife Selena Gomez to divorce him over his 'filthy feet.' The 37-year-old record producer - who had dirt on his bare feet in the pilot episode of his new podcast - addressed the social media frenzy during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday. At one point during the interview, Blanco - who was also joined by fellow guest Lil Dicky - was questioned about the situation. 'I neglected something important because there is something that turned up as people were watching your multimedia experience and people seem to be fascinated with the idea that Benny's feet are very dirty,' Kimmel said. A photo of the podcast episode popped up on the screen to show Blanco casually sitting on a couch, his feet exposed with a layer of dirt on the bottom. 'Okay, wait, wait!' Blanco exclaimed as some audience members laughed. 'Okay first of all, it's the facility's fault, not mine!' Benny Blanco, 37, defended his personal hygiene just days after fans begged his wife Selena Gomez to divorce him over his 'filthy feet' The record producer - who had dirt on his bare feet in the pilot episode of his new podcast - addressed the social media frenzy during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday He motioned towards his podcast co-host Lil Dicky and added, 'The floors are - I have great feet. Hold on!' The star then removed one of his boots to expose his very clean foot for the crowd. 'Someone zoom in on my foot,' Blanco encouraged. 'Look at that!' Kimmel then told the music artist to show the bottom of his foot, which was revealed to also be clean. 'Look at that clean foot. Look at that. Are you kidding me?' he humorously continued as the live audience began to applaud. Lil Dicky - whose full name is David Andrew Burd - chimed in to explain the circumstance and said, 'It was the first day we filmed anything, so crew was coming in and out.' Kimmel questioned, 'So, you're saying that Dave's floors are not clean,' with Lil Dicky adding, 'On that day, it was dirty. You know how floors get.' Elsewhere during the conversation, the talk show host joked to Blanco, 'You should get an OnlyFans for that thing,' which prompted the record producer to proudly say, 'Thank you, thank you!' At one point during the interview, Blanco - who was also joined by fellow guest Lil Dicky - was questioned about the situation 'Okay, wait, wait!' Blanco exclaimed as some audience members laughed. 'Okay first of all, it's the facility's fault, not mine!' The star then removed one of his boots to expose his very clean foot for the crowd. 'Someone zoom in on my foot,' Blanco encouraged. 'Look at that!' Kimmel then told the music artist to show the bottom of his foot, which was revealed to also be clean 'Look at that clean foot. Look at that. Are you kidding me?' he humorously continued as the live audience began to applaud Blanco's podcast Friends Keep Secrets with Lil Dicky and his wife Kristin Batalucco launched its pilot episode earlier this week on Tuesday. However, some viewers had been left distracted by Blanco's bare feet that had dirt on the bottom while lounging on a sofa. Fans labeled the music artist as 'disgusting' while others encouraged Gomez - whom he tied the knot with in 2025 - to divorce him. One penned on X, 'Bro needs to take a shower and hire a better house cleaner,' while another typed, 'I am HORRIFIED.' 'Not even a minute into this benny podcast and am in complete disbelief..,' an X user shared, and one added, 'the fact that his feet are ACTUALLY that filthy makes me sick to my stomach like selena girl what's going on.' Another commented, 'That is disgusting idk how selena dealing with this,' and one wrote, 'Selena needs to divorce him and find someone better.' Elsewhere in the pilot episode showed Blanco farting into the microphone in order to test out the volume, also leaving some fans shocked. Despite the wave of backlash, Blanco brushed aside the criticism as he packed on the PDA with Gomez in a sweet clip uploaded by the former Disney channel actress. Blanco's podcast Friends Keep Secrets with Lil Dicky and his wife Kristin Batalucco launched its pilot episode earlier this week on Tuesday In the reel shared to her Instagram stories on Wednesday, the lovebirds could be seen cozying up outdoors. The Rare Beauty founder kissed Blanco before flashing a cheerful smile towards the camera. She then kissed him once again on the cheek in another loving moment. In text added towards the bottom, Gomez penned: 'I fall more and more in love with you every day my love.' While Blanco has been busy with the launch of his latest project, the Only Murders In The Building actress recently whisked herself away for a relaxing vacation. Despite the wave of backlash, Blanco brushed aside the criticism as he packed on the PDA with Gomez in a sweet clip uploaded by the former Disney channel actress While Blanco has been busy with the launch of his latest project, the Only Murders In The Building actress recently whisked herself away for a relaxing vacation; seen in January in El Segundo The star was spotted in San Jose del Cabo over the past weekend for a girls' trip at the Las Ventanas al Paraiso resort. Gomez soaked up the warm sunshine wearing a strapless, pastel pink swimsuit and also added a tan hat on top of her darker locks. She also took a dip in the cool water while holding a conversation with some of her close pals. The Wolves songstress later had a blast on an Azimut-brand superyacht and mingled with Vampire Diaries alum Nina Dobrev. Hilary Duff was spotted on an outing in Los Angeles on Friday - just days after the tragic passing of her former Lizzie McGuire castmate Robert Carradine at age 71. The 38-year-old actress, who recently led the heartbreaking tributes following the late actor's death, kept it low-key as she stopped by Rage Tattoo to pick up a few items during the daytime excursion. Carradine's brother confirmed earlier this week on Monday that the star died by suicide after a 'nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.' Duff donned a pastel yellow tank top while a yellow cardigan was loosely tied around her neck. She additionally slipped into a pair of light blue jeans as well as comfy sneakers for the errand run. Her locks were parted in the middle and pulled back into a simple bun, revealing a pair of mini earrings. Hilary Duff, 38, was spotted on an outing in Los Angeles on Friday - just days after the tragic passing of her former Lizzie McGuire castmate Robert Carradine at age 71 Carradine's brother confirmed earlier this week on Monday that the star died by suicide after a 'nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder'; Carradine and Duff seen above The star easily carried a large Gucci purse over her shoulder and carried her phone in one of her hands. Duff opted for a classy makeup look which comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a warm blush to her cheekbones. A darker, rosy pink tint was worn on her lips for a final touch. The former Disney channel actress was seen strolling along a sidewalk with a shopping bag from Rage Tattoo before heading to her next destination. It comes only days after her former Lizzie McGuire co-star passed away by suicide on Monday. Carradine had notably portrayed her on-screen father Sam McGuire in the hit Disney series which aired from 2001 through 2004. Duff paid tribute to the late star as she shared a few photos of her time with Carradine on set of the show. 'This one hurts,' she began in her emotional caption. 'It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend. 'There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I'll be forever grateful for that.' The actress kept it lowkey as she stopped by Rage Tattoo to pick up a few items during the daytime excursion Carradine had notably portrayed her on-screen father Sam McGuire in the hit Disney series which aired from 2001 through 2004 'This one hurts,' she began in her emotional caption. 'It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend' She concluded with, 'I'm deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.' Carradine's brother Keith and family confirmed the star's death on Monday in a statement to Deadline. 'It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. 'In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him.' They continued, 'We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby's valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder. 'We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. 'At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.' Keith expressed that there is 'no shame' with mental illness. They continued, 'We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby's valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder'; Carradine seen in 2025 in Beverly Hills Keith added, 'We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That's who my baby brother was'; seen above in the series King Of The Nerds 'It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.' Keith added, 'We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That's who my baby brother was.' Additional details about Carradine's passing came to light on Friday according to a case file from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner obtained by the Daily Mail. The late actor died at a hospital in Los Angeles and his death was caused by hanging which caused an anoxic brain injury, brought on by total oxygen deprivation. Carradine's acting career began at an early age when he appeared in the 1972 film The Cowboys with John Wayne. Additional details about Carradine's passing came to light on Friday according to a case file from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner obtained by the Daily Mail; seen above in 1974 The following year, he took in a minor role in the crime drama movie Mean Streets (1973) which was directed by Martin Scorsese. He continued to star in other projects throughout the 70s and 80s. In 1984, he took on a leading role in Revenge Of The Nerds as well as the sequels. The early 2000s showed him portraying Duff's on-screen dad in Lizzie McGuire. His final acting credit before his death had been the 2026 horror comedy titled Skate To Hell and he had additional projects in the works, according to his official IMDB page. If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org Chelsea Handler has urged men to undergo vasectomies rather than placing the responsibility for birth control on women. The 51-year-old comic, who has proudly never married or had children, issued the message in a cheeky topless Instagram video she posted Friday. She has previously poured scorn on 'horny old men' who 'won't stop spreading their seed,' pointing the finger in particular at aging celebrity fathers like Al Pacino, 85, Robert De Niro, 82, Alec Baldwin, 67, and Elon Musk, 54. Now the Uganda Be Kidding Me author has taken aim at ordinary 'horny little pigs in blankets' who 'say things like: "But using a condom doesn't feel so good," or: "Can't you just take birth control?" or: "Oops, I forgot to pull out."' In response to such men, Handler shot back that IUDs 'feel like a mousetrap in your uterus' and birth control pills can have side effects including mood swings, acne and 'a period that's so heavy it feels like the Hoover Dam just broke.' Handler offered up the slogan: 'Vasectomies, one snip and that's it,' quipping that 'if you can't do that, then enjoy the company of your hand.' Chelsea Handler has urged men to undergo vasectomies rather than placing the responsibility for birth control on women The video showed her sitting topless in bed with her hands clamped over her breasts, in the process of 'giving myself a mammogram,' Handler chirped. 'As a woman with natural breasts - not that that has anything to do with this - it is time to explore vasectomies! Since the beginning of time, women have been ducking and diving and dodging pregnancy face-first or Pikachu-first, and frankly, they're exhausted,' said the Chelsea Lately hostess. 'We've had to listen to men say things like: "But using a condom doesn't feel so good," or: "Cant you just take birth control?" or: "Oops, I forgot to pull out."' Admonishing men for being 'horny little pigs in blankets,' she demanded: 'Do you know how painful it is to get an IUD placed? It feels like a mousetrap in your uterus, and sometimes those things don't even catch all the mice.' Turning her attention to birth control pills, the New Jersey native said: 'You think I wanna be an adult woman with acne, or have mood swings or get a period so heavy it feels like the Hoover Dam just broke? I don't.' She argued: 'Everybody already hates women enough. I don't need my insides to join in on the fun. Women are tired of making concessions for men, especially in the bedroom. We have already been through enough letting you wear socks while you penetrate us. So man up, men, and if you can't do that, enjoy the company of your hands. Vasectomies, one snip and that's it.' Her video was met with roars of approval in the comments, where Pretty Little Liars alumna Ashley Benson gushed: 'This is everything,' The Kissing Booth star Joey King wrote: 'My queen,' and Jewel commented fire and clapping emojis. 'Thats the first accurate description of what an IUD feels like' wrote podcast host Kelly Rizzo, the widow of comedy icon Bob Saget. Her video was met with roars of approval in the comments, where Pretty Little Liars alumna Ashley Benson gushed: 'This is everything' Handler went viral in 2023 for a video in which she slammed Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin and Elon Musk for having masses of children and continuing to sire offspring in spite of their advancing ages. 'There's an epidemic sweeping the country and, no, it's not another virus, it's worse. Horny old men who won't stop spreading their seed,' she joked. At that stage - June 2023 - De Niro was 79 with seven children, Pacino was 83 and expecting his fourth child, Baldwin was 65 with a recently born eighth child and Musk at the age of 51 had fathered a total of nine children. 'Don't get me started on these four horny old men who have never met a broken condom they didn't like. They cannot stop procreating,' Handler vamped. Amanda Holden has said Simon Cowell has finally dropped his 'Mr soft act' on Britain's Got Talent and has returned to his straight-talking self. The TV personality, 55, opened up on what viewers can expect to see on this year's BGT as it made a triumphant return to television screens last week. She said: 'Simon is back. He's been Mr Soft in recent years, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that KSI is so honest on the other end of the panel. 'He's not honest in a bad way, just very to the point, and he doesn't sugar coat anything. I think Simon's just gone, "actually, do you know what? Whatever you're saying, I agree with that as well. And I don't know why I just didn't say that in the beginning". 'I'm glad to see that Simon is no longer being soft serve ice-cream, although it was nice for a year or so!' Amanda added: 'It feels very loose and very chaotic this year! And I think having KSI there, who's very succinct in his answers and doesn't hold back, has really helped the show. Amanda Holden, 55, has said Simon Cowell, 66, has finally dropped his 'Mr soft act' on Britain's Got Talent and returned to his straight-talking self 'We've got the old Simon back, and his one liners are better than ever and I'm loving that!' Simon revealed viewers will be able to get closer to the action than ever before, as he opened up about what fans can expect from the new series. Discussing his plans to lift the lid on the ITV favourite, he said: 'Fans can expect lots of surprises. We've tried to make it different this year. He continued: 'The intention is to open up as much of the background of the show as possible so that the viewer can see everything, what goes on behind the scenes, what it's like to be a contestant, what it's like to work on the show. 'So it's almost like we've opened up a lot more to let people see how the show's made. Were letting people behind the Wizard of Ozs curtain, you could say.' When asked whether fans will see a more personal side to the judging panel, he added: 'A bit, yeah! You can expect to see things youve never seen from us. 'But I think it's more aimed at the contestants, the crew, the people who work on the show, because it is an army, and I think people are interested at home, personally, about things like how we set up an act between auditions, the stuff that we see in the theatre. 'I think it's important to kind of show all of that, have it a bit rough around the edges. We always say were a circus coming to town, well now youre going to see all the chaos it takes to bring it alive.' BGT's Anthony McPartlin, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell, KSI and Declan Donnelly returned to screens last week It comes as the Britain's Got Talent judges gave their verdict on Stacey Solomon after her debut on the panel of the ITV talent competition. The former X Factor contestant, who rose to fame in 2009, will appear alongside Amanda, Alesha Dixon and YouTube star KSI for an upcoming episode. Simon will go missing from the panel for one episode, as Amanda takes on the role of head judge on the ITV series. And it will see Stacey, 36, who is the host of Sort Your Life Out, a Loose Women panellist and star of her own reality series Stacey & Joe, take a seat on the panel. Luckily for Stacey, the show's judges and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly alike admitted they were thrilled to have her on board, gushing over her as 'warm, funny and down to earth'. Asked what it was like to have Stacey join the series, co-star Alesha, 47, said: 'Stacey was adorable. Shes so sweet, very natural, and I liked the way she spoke to contestants because she's always coming from a good place. 'Shes a good person, and she cares. If there was something she didnt like or didnt get, she would say, but shed do it in that Stacey charm that she has. 'She knows how it feels to be on stage and audition, so she had that empathy for them. I thought she did a great job!' Britain's Got Talent returns Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Maura Higgins has revealed she has been celibate for 'a year' as she took a swipe at her 'cheating' exes. The Traitors US star, 35, whose last known relationship was with Pete Wicks, confessed she has been celibate after a run of bad romances. Last year, Maura took a public swipe at her ex-boyfriend Pete and suggested he cheated on her after she discovered texts to other women on his phone. Insiders told Daily Mail at the time that Pete was never unfaithful to Maura and was hurt by the accusations. Discussing her love life amid her busy work schedule, Maura said: 'I've already got severe trust issues. 'I've been cheated on by the majority of my exes - that's the reason I've been celibate for a whole year.' She added: 'I don't trust men anyway. Maura Higgins, 35, has revealed she has been celibate for 'a year' as she took a swipe at her 'cheating' exes The Traitors US star, whose last known relationship was with Pete Wicks, confessed she has been celibate after a run of bad romances (pictured together in 2024) 'If I wasn't used to that kind of guy, I reckon I would've been crying, storming out, never speaking to him again,' she said in reference to losing to Traitor Rob Rausch during the interview with Elite Daily. Last month, Maura revealed she goes through a man's phone just a week into dating him because she has 'serious trust issues'. She said she has turned into an 'investigator' when it comes to dating men after years of 'men doing her dirty'. Last year, Maura took a public swipe at her ex-boyfriend Pete Wicks and suggested he cheated on her after she discovered texts to other women on his phone. Insiders told Daily Mail at the time that Pete was never unfaithful to Maura and was hurt by the accusations. In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Maura detailed her red, green and beige flags and said: 'I'd say my biggest red flag in a relationship is I've got serious trust issues. 'If I'm dating you and it's only a week in, I've already gone through your phone. I've turned into a bit of an investigator because men have done me dirty. So like, I mean, I'd probably say it's a beige flag, but we call it red. 'We call it red because it's not okay to go through someone's phone, but I'm going to do it again.' TV star Maura has regularly dated in the public eye. She fell for Curtis Pritchard on Love Island before dating Chris Taylor, whom she met on the same series. Following their split, Maura was in a relationship with axed Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, but they parted ways after four months. After being spotted sharing a kiss at the National TV Awards in 2022, Maura and TOWIE's Joey Essex denied that they were romantically involved. Maura said: 'I've already got severe trust issues. I've been cheated on by the majority of my exes - that's the reason I've been celibate for a whole year' (Maura seen this week) In March 2024, Maura split from stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton after ten months together. Maura was then seen sharing a 'drunken kiss' with McFly's Danny Jones - who has been married to his wife Georgia for over a decade - as they attended Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty. Most recently, Maura sparked romance rumours with her Traitors US co-star Rob, 27. Fans have picked up on apparent chemistry between Maura and fellow player Rob, hoping they get together. While appearing on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, the Irish star broke her silence on this speculation as she was quizzed about their relationship. It saw Andy ask her: 'The internet wants you and Rob to get together, and?' To which Maura responded: 'I saw, there's a lot of videos on TikTok at the moment.' Continuing, Andy followed up with: 'And what do you think?' Maura coyly replied: 'I mean, you'll have to watch the show to see if that happened.' The pair knew each other through Love Island US, where Rob appeared as a contestant in 2023 and 2024. News / National by Staff reporter Government has unveiled plans to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in every province as part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth and unlock provincial potential.Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the initiative yesterday in Bulawayo while addressing a high-level academiaindustry engagement at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).The engagement, held under the theme "Aligning the 2026 Budget with National Development Strategy 2 for Inclusive Growth and Vision 2030", brought together policymakers, captains of industry, academics and students to examine how fiscal policy can be aligned with national development priorities.Prof Ncube said the push to introduce one SEZ per province forms part of Government's wider economic transformation agenda aimed at leveraging local resources and comparative advantages across the country."Government is working on introducing one special economic zone per province in a bid to stimulate economic growth," he said.He explained that SEZs are designed to drive nationwide industrial development by tapping into resource-rich zones and promoting value addition."The idea around special economic zones is meant to stimulate economic growth countrywide, tapping into resources in specific zones," he said.Prof Ncube cited examples of provinces where Government is already considering sector-focused zones aligned to local strengths."For instance, in Bulawayo, Government is thinking of setting up an iron and steel economic zone. In Matabeleland South we are considering and I must stress considering developing an agro-processing and horticulture zone around Antelope Dam. In Matabeleland North we have the Masuwe economic zone," he said.In December, Prof Ncube indicated that a study would be commissioned to support evidence-based policymaking for the resuscitation of Bulawayo's industrial base and the operationalisation of SEZs.The announcement comes as preparations gather momentum for the proposed Bulawayo Industrial Park, expected to position the city as a hub for industrialisation, attract investment, create jobs and drive wider regional economic transformation.Industrial parks are designated areas developed for manufacturing and related activities, typically offering subdivided plots supported by essential infrastructure such as roads, transport links and utilities. By clustering operations, such parks reduce logistical costs, improve the ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for enterprise growth.In Bulawayo, the Umvumila Zone has been identified as a priority starting point.Bulawayo's industrial sector has experienced significant decline over the years, with many firms closing or relocating to Harare, resulting in substantial job losses. However, Government says reforms under the Second Republic, including ease of doing business measures, have helped some companies recover and increase capacity utilisation.Prof Ncube said the proposed SEZs are expected to attract domestic and foreign direct investment, boost exports, create employment and drive infrastructure development across host provinces.Special Economic Zones typically operate under distinct economic regulations designed to attract investors, often offering incentives such as tax breaks, simplified customs procedures and streamlined administrative processes.By decentralising industrial development and aligning economic activities with provincial strengths, Government expects the initiative to enhance productivity, strengthen value chains and contribute towards achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030. Jeff Brazier expressed his immense pride after seeing his son Bobby walking for Gucci during Milan Fashion Week and said his late partner Jade Goody would have been 'so proud'. The TV host, 46, shares Bobby, 22, and Freddie, 21, with late Big Brother star Jade and stressed 'it will never be fair' that she doesn't get to be 'immersed in this feeling of pride', but her 'amazing genes live on'. The doting father shared a tribute post to his son and shared some snaps of him walking the runway. Taking to Instagram, Jeff wrote: 'Proud Dad post! This kid has served up a few pinch me moments but this is up there! 'To walk for @gucci in Milan!! It's his most loved brand and I know how much it meant to him to, there's no better feeling than watching someone you love realise a dream and as usual he took it all in his stride.' He added poignantly: 'I can't celebrate Bobby without acknowledging how elated his Mum would be, she spent a good few quid in their stores too! Jeff Brazier expressed his immense pride after seeing his son Bobby walking for Gucci during Milan Fashion Week and said his late partner Jade Goody would have been 'so proud' Jeff, 46, shares Bobby, 22, and Freddie, 21, with late Big Brother star Jade and stressed 'it will never be fair' that she doesn't get to be 'immersed in this feeling of pride' (Jade and Bobby seen in 2006) 'Seriously it'll never be fair that she doesn't get to sit immersed in this immeasurable feeling of pride like I do but her amazing genes live on in both of her boys. 'Thank you @bobbybrazier That was so fun to watch.' Bobby's mum, who rose to fame as a contestant on the third series of Channel 4 reality show Big Brother in 2002, passed away in March 2009 aged 27 from cervical cancer. Bobby and his brother Freddy are reported to be 'pushing ahead with their own ITV reality show' - despite Jeff 'dropping out' amid a series of family rows. Last month, it was revealed that This Morning presenter Jeff had pulled out of the Osbournes-style fly-on-the-wall documentary series alongside his sons. Sources said that it came amid another fall out between the father-of-two and EastEnders actor Bobby and Freddy causing 'production chaos'. Jeff raised the brothers as a single parent after Jade passed away. The insider revealed: 'Nobody really knows why, but there is a lot of ongoing stress in the Brazier clan, especially with Freddy about to become a dad. The doting father made an ode to his model son after he achieved his catwalk milestone earlier this week, sharing some stunning shots from the day Bobby's mum, who rose to fame as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002, passed away in March 2009 aged 27 from cervical cancer (pictured with Jeff in 2002) 'It's a lot, but Jeff deciding to take himself away from the show has come as a shock to ITV, who had it down as a big ratings winner.' However, it's now been revealed that Freddy and Bobby are planning to go ahead with the project regardless - with 'contracts close to being signed'. The brothers are pushing on with the series, with a source telling The Sun: 'Talks are ongoing and a Brazier project is still very much on the table. 'Jeff had a change of heart... but the boys think otherwise. They have been through so much and they didn't want to let this opportunity pass by. 'They're facing this together as a team and it has actually brought them closer together after months of tough times.' Jim Carrey continued to spark speculation that he's gone under the knife as he stepped out in Paris with an unrecognisable new appearance on Friday. The Hollywood funnyman, 64, left fans doing a double take when he hit the red carpet at the 51st Cesar Awards earlier in the day. The actor arrived at upscale Laperouse restaurant where he spent the evening celebrating his grandson's 16th birthday. He wore a casual black T-shirt under a glitzy blazer and was swarmed by fans upon entering the lavish eatery. Jim was joined by his rarely-seen partner Min Ah, 32, who cut a glamorous appearance in a black lace gown. Earlier in the day, Jim was presented with an Honorary Cesar celebrating his decades-long career, a milestone moment he dedicated to his late father in an emotional speech that quickly made the rounds online. Jim Carrey, 64, continued to spark speculation that he has gone under the knife as he stepped out in Paris with an unrecognisable new appearance on Friday The actor arrived at upscale Laperouse restaurant where he spent the evening celebrating his grandson's 16th birthday 'I wanted to recognize my dad. I mean, my dad was the type of person that if you met him for five minutes, you felt like you knew him for 50 years,' he said in a viral clip captured after the event. But while the tribute tugged at heartstrings, viewers seemed more fixated on something else entirely. Within minutes, social media lit up with speculation about his noticeably different appearance, with some fans bluntly suggesting he'd gone under the knife. Fans wrote: 'Must have had a lot of work done to his face. Looks very different', 'Man, he looks different! Hasn't been in the public eye for a while', 'Is he turning into Bill Maher? He looks different.' A few went for the jugular, referencing Kris Jenner's recent facelift at 70: 'Ooh, fire that plastic surgeon and call Kris Jenner's,' one wrote. 'I'm no conspiracy theorist, but that's not Jim Carrey,' commented another. However, most fans were quick to applaud the tribute, celebrating the fact that Jim was being recognised for his incredible body of work and beloved films, including The Mask, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Liar Liar, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from Carrey's representatives. He wore a casual black T-shirt under a glitzy blazer as he was swarmed by fans upon entering the lavish eatery Jim was joined by his rarely-seen partner Min Ah, 32, who cut a glamorous appearance in a black lace gown The Hollywood funnyman left fans doing a double take when he hit the red carpet at the 51st Cesar Awards earlier in the day Within minutes, social media lit up with speculation about his noticeably different appearance, with some fans bluntly suggesting he'd gone under the knife In April 2022, while promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Carrey shocked reporters by admitting he was 'probably' stepping away from acting; (Carrey in December 2024) A few critics went for the jugular, referencing Kris Jenner's recent facelift at 70: 'Ooh, fire that plastic surgeon and call Kris Jenner's' Join the debate Would YOU like to see Jim Carrey make a comeback? Jim didn't just turn heads for his appearance at the Cesar Awards - he also showered praise on the special people in his life. The Hollywood star was joined on the red carpet by his daughter Jane, 38, her teenage son Jackson, and his partner Min Ah, who Jim referred to in a heartfelt speech delivered entirely in French. 'Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever. Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah,' he said. 'I love you, Min Ah.' Exactly when Jim and Min Ah got together remains a mystery. During the ceremony, director Michel Gondry reflected on their work together on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in an emotional speech. When Jim finally stepped up to speak, the The Mask star said, 'About three hundred years ago, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Marc Francois Carrey, left Saint-Malo in France for Canada. 'Tonight, with this magnificent honour, this 'square' has come full circle. Perhaps this is what my family was looking for.' Jim's presence on the 51st Cesar Awards red carpet itself was already notable - after a fouryear hiatus from major film roles, he resurfaced in 2020 as the mischiefmaking Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog. But even then, whispers of retirement followed him. In April 2022, while promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Jim shocked reporters by admitting he was 'probably' stepping away from acting. 'Well, I'm retiring. Yeah, probably. I'm being fairly serious,' he said at the time, adding that unless 'the angels bring some sort of script that's written in gold ink,' he was ready to embrace a quieter life. 'I really like my quiet life and I really love putting paint on canvas and I really love my spiritual life,' he continued. 'I feel like - and I feel like this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists - I have enough. I've done enough. I am enough.' Despite that frank talk of hanging up his acting hat, Jim couldn't stay away from the role that has become a latecareer trademark. He returned as Dr. Robotnik for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 last year, candidly admitting that part of his reason for coming back was practical. 'I needed the money,' he joked in an interview. Jim is set to reprise his role as Dr. Robotnik in Sonic 4, scheduled for release in 2027. Kate Price was spotted running errands back in the UK on Friday, while her new husband, Lee Andrews, remains in Dubai. The ex-glamour model and mother-of-five, 47, shocked fans when she married the businessman, 43, in Dubai last month following a whirlwind 'one-week' romance. Now back on UK soil, the star wasted no time getting back into her routine as she paid a visit to her local supermarket before heading to a nearby charging station to power up her electric car. The mother-of-five wrapped up warm for the outing, wearing a padded black gilet teamed with a black jumper. She sported a pair of black drawstring jogging bottoms and chunky grey-and-white trainers. Showcasing her glorious tan, Katie completed her look with a black Chanel beanie hat. Kate Price was spotted running errands back in the UK on Friday, while her new husband, Lee Andrews, remains in Dubai The ex-glamour model and mother-of-five, 47, shocked fans when she married the businessman, 43, in Dubai last month following a whirlwind 'one-week' romance The star flashed a smile for the cameras whilst picking up her essentials from a local Sainsbury's supermarket. Meanwhile, her husband Lee is currently residing in Dubai, where explosions rocked the famous Palm Jumeirah hotel on Saturday. An Iranian missile hit Dubai's famous hotel as Tehran launches widespread revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes. Missiles fired by Tehran have struck US military bases in Qatar and have also rained down on Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel. Videos posted on social media show Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah ablaze after it was hit by a suspected Iranian missile or missile debris. Meanwhile, Israeli media is now reporting there are 'growing indications' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his Tehran compound was razed to the ground in a strike. Officials had earlier reported that the strikes had caused 'very significant harm' to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders. Khamenei has not been heard from since the US and Israel launched their dual attack on Iran on Saturday morning. Follow all the latest on the Daily Mail's live blog. Now back on UK soil, the star wasted no time getting back into her routine as she paid a visit to her local supermarket before heading to a nearby charging station to power up her electric car The mother-of-five wrapped up warm for the outing, wearing a padded black gilet teamed with a black jumper She sported a pair of black drawstring jogging bottoms and chunky grey-and-white trainers It comes after Katie finally returned to the UK to face her family on Thursday. Dressed in a grey crop top and tracksuit bottoms, the model was flanked by two members of staff who helped her with her luggage before she got into a 300,000 chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Cullinan, with a personalised HR 7 number plate. Katie and fourth husband, Lee, got engaged last month and married days later. They then formally registered the marriage on February 17. Despite his insistence that he would be returning to the UK with Katie this week, he was nowhere to be seen, but he did take to social media to talk about their baby plans once again. He shared an image of a baby's bottle alongside the words: 'What are your plans for next year?' The couple had been enjoying their time in Dubai, where the latter lives, but Lee has been slapped with claims that he is on a flight ban and not allowed to leave. In recent days, he has continued to state that he will join Katie in the UK, despite frequent claims from his ex, Alana Percival, that he is legally bound to the UAE. Since they wed, Katie has returned home alone twice - despite Lee insisting he would join her both times. There were also assertions that they would be going somewhere on honeymoon together, but they remained in Dubai. Lee previously claimed he returned to his Lincolnshire hometown for Christmas. But Alana mocked his recent social media posts, among them footage of the businessman racing horses along what he claims to be the Skegness coastline. Remarkably, the sun is high and the sky is clear despite much of England being battered by torrential rain and fierce wind since the turn of the year. Reposting the clip, she said: 'People of Skegness watching this asking where exactly is this tropical upgrade?' A second video, in which Andrews claims to be freezing while driving in 'his mum's car' is also savaged by Percival, who previously accused him of being 'physically and mentally abusive' during their relationship. Commenting on the clip, she writes: 'When you put on a woolly hat in an underground car park in Dubai to pretend you're in the UK.' Showcasing her glorious tan, Katie completed her look with a black Chanel beanie hat The star flashed a smile for the cameras whilst picking up her essentials from a local Sainsbury's supermarket While Andrews has presented himself as a high-flying business mogul, the Daily Mail shattered the illusion by revealing that he has been banned from leaving Dubai after spending three weeks locked up in a UAE jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to secure a 200,000 loan. He allegedly applied for a mortgage in personal trainer Dina Tajis name last year without her consent. Lee told the Daily Mail it was 'complete b******s' that he couldnt leave. Lee and Katie maintain that they are very much in love and that he will be coming to the UK soon to have a bigger wedding with family and friends. Her five children are yet to meet the businessman, but Princess, 18, and Junior, 20, said on This Morning this week that the family are 'happy as long as she's happy'. Asked if they had met their mum's new husband yet, Princess said: 'I've not met him.' Junior quickly chimed in, as Princess nodded along: 'Our mum is her own person, she's her own woman, she's going to do what she's going to do, and at the end of the day, we're supportive of her as long as she's happy.' 'As long as she's happy, that's all I care about,' Junior added, as Princess chimed in: 'If she's happy, we're happy.' Lottie Moss was rushed back into hopsital on Saturday, just days after suffering a mystery injury that left her forced to wear a medial boot. The influencer and younger sister of Kate Moss, 28, took to Instagram Stories with an update from A&E where she was supported by boyfriend Themy Kalaitzis. Lottie posted a clip from the waiting room appearing downcast, with the caption: 'Guess whos back in A&E second time in 1 week' - but did not reveal the reson for her return. Luckily art expert Themy soon left the stunner in stitches as he joked about their less than romantic 'Saturday dates'. It comes after she shared a snap of the boot and wrote 'FML (fresh pedi though)' on Wednesday, but again did not reveal the cause of her injury. The day before, Lottie shared a photo of herself walking in a fashion show by artist and designer Grete Henriette. Lottie Moss was rushed back into hopsital on Saturday, just days after suffering a mystery injury that left her forced to wear a medial boot The day before, Lottie shared a photo of herself walking in a fashion show by artist and designer Grete Henriette. She and Themy have reportedly been enjoying a string of dates in London, with sources claiming 'things are getting serious' between them. He shares his lavish lifestyles to his small 677 Instagram followers and reveals in his bio that he is an art advisor for Maddox Gallery. Lottie appeared to go Instagram official with the hunk last week, posting a picture of Themy during their candle-lit Valentine's Day dinner. She also filmed a TikTok video this month and teased their relationship status while Themy placed a kiss on her head. In the video, she says: 'Something has to be said for the fact that I willingly am choosing to stay single... Just kidding.' A source told The Sun: 'Things seem to be getting serious. They both love the arts and Lottie is enjoying learning more about that world. They are smitten and enjoying the honeymoon period.' Daily Mail has contacted Lottie's representatives for a comment. The influencer and younger sister of Kate Moss , 28, took to Instagram Stories with an update from A&E where she was supported by boyfriend Themy Kalaitzis. The day before, Lottie shared a photo of herself walking in a fashion show by artist and designer Grete Henriette Lottie previously dated musician Evan Campbell but revealed in September 2024 that she had been dumped. Prior to her romance with Evan, Lottie enjoyed a fling with Love Island star Adam Collard after they met while filming Celebs Go Dating. The pair had been seeing where their relationship goes since it started blossoming on the show. But after spending three nights in bed together, Lottie seemed to have developed a lot more feelings than he did. During an awkward brunch which saw Adam's previous date arrive, she revealed that he said to her 'things are nothing more than physical with Lottie'. In disgust, Lottie was left fuming after hearing what Adam had said seeing as they spent nights together as well as calling each other 'every single day'. Adam was then asked to pick who he wanted to take on another date between Jasmine, Autumn and Lottie during the tense brunch. Before her romance with Adam, Lottie dated The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans in 2021. The pair were first spotted out together in July 2021 but by November they had decided to part ways. In August 2020, it was reported that Lottie had enjoyed a date with TV and radio presenter Roman Kemp at a private members' club and shared a kiss at the end of the night. A source told The Sun On Sunday: 'They have known each other through the party circuit for a few years, but nothing has ever happened before. 'Roman's always thought she was beautiful and decided to pluck up the courage to ask her out. They had a really fun, very tipsy date and have been in touch every day since.' Israeli socialite Hofit Golan and British TV stars Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson are among the celebrities and influencers currently caught up in the Iranian missile strikes on Dubai's famous Palm Jumeirah. An Iranian missile hit Dubai's famous hotel on Saturday as Tehran launches widespread revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes. Hofit, 40, posted footage from her hotel balcony of rockets and explosions hitting the hotel after arriving in Dubai just hours ago. She wrote on Instagram: 'After being debriefed from my flights as the skies closed above us. I came home to see the Palm filling up with smoke! 'I can see rockets and explosions from my balcony! reports of other explosions being heard all over the city. Please stay safe, everyone', she urged. Vicky Pattison shared her and husband Ercan Ramadan are 'safe and trying to stay calm' amid the airstrikes. The pair touched down in Dubai this week after flying on a lavish first class Emirates flight and just hours after sunbathing at the beach, the pair were forced to safety. 'Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others our flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai', she wrote. 'We're receiving a lot of messages from people asking if we're ok which we are. We are currently in our hotel and have been assured we're safe. We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and I'm also aware that there's a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning. 'I'm not sure what else to say, other than we're doing our best to stay calm, not feed any unconfirmed narratives and we're thinking of everyone who is feeling unsettled and unsafe right now'. Israeli socialite Hofit Golan (pictured) and British TV stars Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson are among the celebrities and influencers currently caught up in the Iranian missile strikes on Dubai's famous Palm Jumeirah An Iranian missile hit Dubai's famous hotel on Saturday as Tehran launches widespread revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes Vicky Pattison shared her and husband Ercan Ramadan are 'safe and trying to stay calm' amid the airstrikes 'Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others our flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai', she wrote The pair touched down in Dubai this week after flying on a lavish first class Emirates flight and just hours after sunbathing at the beach, the pair were forced to safety Luisa Zissman, who relocated to Dubai earlier this year, said she was hearing 'lots of bangs' from her home Love Island star Laura Anderson, 36, reassured her followers that her and daughter Bonnie, two, 'are fine' after touching down in Dubai in the early hours of Saturday. She shared: 'Horrendous situation. Bonnie and I are fine.' Luisa Zissman, who relocated to Dubai earlier this year, also updated her followers, writing: 'Lots of messages re: Dubai. Lots of bangs we are hearing. Stay safe fellow UAE gang.' Fellow Love Islander Arabella Chi is also in the proximity of the explosions. Petra Ecclestone and her husband Sam Palmer, who recently moved to Dubai with their children, are also stuck in the UAE. Sam took to social media following the strikes and wrote: 'Everyone in UAE watching the news now'. In a separate post, he said: 'Forget the war. The Americans have now ruined my golf trip... just when I was looking forward to a week of golf in Marbella. THIS HAPPENS'. He added: 'And I know there is bigger problems than my golf trip, but honestly I am boiling inside. I was so looking forward to it, it was going to be brilliant.' Meanwhile, the daughter of Baroness Karren Brady, influencer Sophia Peschisolido, expressed her fears after hearing the bomb exploding. She wrote: 'I never imagined I'd experience the sound of a bomb exploding. So scary omg. Stay safe guys.' Jamie Laing has also sent his 'thoughts and prayers' to his wife Sophie Habboo's sister Georgia, who is currently on holiday in Dubai with her baby daughter and husband Tom Berry. Ahead of Jamie and Sophie's appearance at the 2026 BRIT Awards, he wrote: 'Thoughts and prayers to friends, families and people in the Middle East'. Hofit posted footage from her hotel balcony of rockets and explosions hitting the hotel after arriving in Dubai just hours ago She wrote on Instagram: 'After being debriefed from my flights as the skies closed above us. I came home to see the Palm filling up with smoke!' Hofit (pictured at Cannes Film Festival in 2024) is among the celebrities and influencers currently fearing for their safety in the UAE 'I can see rockets and explosions from my balcony! reports of other explosions being heard all over the city. Please stay safe, everyone', she urged Love Island star Laura Anderson, 36, reassured her followers that her and daughter Bonnie, two, 'are fine' after touching down in Dubai in the early hours of Saturday Arabella Chi also shared a worrying video of rockets over the top of her home Jamie Laing has also sent his 'thoughts and prayers' to his wife Sophie Habboo's sister Georgia, who is currently on holiday in Dubai with her baby daughter and husband Tom Berry Georgia, her husband Tom Berry and their baby daughter are currently stuck in Dubai Pregnant influencer Gemma Alster also took to Instagram hours after she touched down in the UK following her Dubai holiday Former Love Island star Sam Gowland also shared a video of the terrifying moment rockets could be seen in the sky over his hotel Missiles fired by Tehran have struck US military bases in Qatar and have also rained down on Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel. Videos posted on social media show Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah ablaze after it was hit by a suspected Iranian missile or missile debris. Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances had rushed to the scene. Meanwhile, Israeli media is now reporting there are 'growing indications' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his Tehran compound was razed to the ground in a strike. Officials had earlier reported that the strikes had caused 'very significant harm' to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders. Khamenei has not been heard from since the US and Israel launched their dual attack on Iran on Saturday morning. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. It is understood that the UK did not participate in the attacks, and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later today. Sir Keir Starmer has said Iran must 'refrain from indiscriminate military strikes' in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, condemning the country's attacks on its neighbours. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office. The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' Pregnant influencer Gemma Alster also took to Instagram hours after she touched down in the UK following her Dubai holiday. She wrote: 'For everyone that's checking in, thank you so much for your kind and caring messages. I landed back from Dubai late last night and I'm back with Addy [her husband] and my babies. 'It's crazy to think of what I was doing in Dubai yesterday morning feeling like I was living in a dream compared to the images and videos coming out of it today. 'Thinking of my friends and family in Israel and Dubai who are in shelters right now and praying this is the beginning of the end of the Iranian Regime. The people of Iran, we are with you!' Shia LaBeouf has been issued a new warrant related to his February 17 bar brawl arrest in New Orleans. While celebrating Mardi Gras, the ex Disney star, 39, got into a late-night altercation that led to his arrest. On Friday sources told WWL Louisiana that the warrant involves an additional victim from the same fight. Eyewitnesses previously alleged LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive at a business and was escorted out by staff, at which point he allegedly struck one man multiple times with closed fists. It comes after LaBeouf posted a $100,000 bond on Thursday after making a court appearance. He is now required to check into rehab and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. Shia LaBeouf has been issued a new warrant related to his February 17 bar brawl arrest in New Orleans; pictured on February 26 While celebrating Mardi Gras, the ex Disney star, 39, got into a late-night altercation that led to his arrest Before Thursday's hearing, New Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Simone Levine ordered LaBeouf to take a drug and alcohol test, which Levin said found 'evidence of past substance use in the actors system.' Per Nola.com, Levine said 'LaBeouf is taking a prescription that could be responsible for one of the substances found in his system' and that her biggest concern is his alcohol use. His attorney Sarah Chervinsky denied there were any illegal drugs in his system, saying the test showed evidence of past alcohol use. She added that it is 'not illegal to get drunk on Mardi Gras.' According to the New Orleans Police Department, officers were called to Royal Street in the French Quarter around 12:45am following reports of a disturbance involving two adult male victims. Court records show LaBeouf was arrested and booked on February 17 on two counts of simple battery and released on his own recognizance. LaBeouf allegedly used a homophobic slur repeatedly during the Mardi Gras altercation, according to a police report obtained by The Daily Mail. This week Judge Levine slammed him for his alleged use of the derogatory term against a 'marginalized community' that has faced so much 'terror' already. Eyewitnesses alleged LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive at a business and was escorted out by staff, at which point he allegedly struck one man multiple times with closed fists LaBeouf pictured in November 2019 at the Hollywood Film Awards Authorities said the Mardi Gras situation escalated when LaBeouf returned to the scene and allegedly assaulted the same victim again before punching a second man in the nose. Witnesses reportedly attempted to restrain him until police arrived. LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries before being booked into Orleans Parish Prison. He was charged with two counts of simple battery. In a statement provided to Daily Mail, the police said: 'At approximately 12:45am on February 17, 2026, NOPD officers were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street in response to a simple battery where two victims (two adult males), reported being assaulted. 'Investigators say a man identified as 39-year-old Shia LaBeouf was reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business. 'A staff member attempted to eject Mr. LaBeouf from the establishment. Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times. 'The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive.' Calista Flockhart showed off her natural beauty by going makeup-free during a rare outing in Los Angeles on Friday. The Ally McBeal star, 61, whose husband Harrison Ford will be honored at the Actor Awards on Sunday, kept things casual in jeans and a simple black top while running errands. Looking far removed from her red carpet glamour days, Flockhart seemed completely at ease as she strolled the streets of LA. She gave fans a glimpse of her natural visage as she slipped off her sunglasses back in her car. The outing was particularly unusual, as the couple was last spotted sharing a rare public display of affection on the New York subway in April 2025. Before that, Flockhart had been absent from red carpets, last appearing alongside her Indiana Jones icon husband at the 2025 Emmy Awards in September 2025. Calista Flockhart showed off her natural beauty by going makeup-free during a rare outing in Los Angeles on Friday She gave fans a glimpse of her natural visage as she slipped off her sunglasses back in her car Their relationship, now more than two decades strong, began almost by accident. The pair first crossed paths at the Golden Globe Awards in 2002 - Ford, then 60, was being honored while Flockhart, 38, was nominated for Ally McBeal. Despite a 22year age gap that had tabloids buzzing, the two hit it off immediately. Years later, both have joked about the early rumors - particularly the legendary story that Flockhart threw a drink on Ford to get his attention. In joint interviews, they both laughed off that version, with Ford admitting he was actually the one who spilled the wine during their first conversation. Their courtship moved slowly at first; they dated for eight years before Ford popped the question on Valentines Day in 2009 during a family vacation. The following June, they married in an intimate ceremony in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with only close family present. A central part of their life together has been Calistas son, Liam, whom she adopted as a single mother in 2001, a year before meeting Ford. Flockhart last appeared alongside her Indiana Jones icon husband Harrison Ford at the 2025 Emmy Awards in September 2025 At the time, Ford already had four children from previous marriages but welcomed Liam into his life without hesitation. 'When I met Liam, he was just beginning to walk, and it just didnt matter to me,' Ford later told The New York Times. Ford legally adopted Liam after marrying Calista, and the blended family became a defining part of their partnership. Ford has frequently praised Flockharts parenting, telling Readers Digest that she had done 'a really wonderful job' raising Liam even before Ford became part of their family. Both have acknowledged the age difference openly. Flockhart once told People that the 22year gap 'doesnt factor into our relationship at all,' joking that she sometimes forgets hes that much older. Ford has also reflected candidly on how his prior parenting experiences shaped his role with Liam. In a 2010 interview with The Independent, he admitted that, despite his success and busy career, 'my older children have taught me a lot about parenting,' and that he feels hes 'a little better at it now' than in his youth. The pair first crossed paths at the Golden Globe Awards in 2002 - Ford, then 60, was being honored while Flockhart, 38, was nominated for Ally McBeal; (pictured 2024) Despite being one of Hollywoods most recognizable couples, Ford and Flockhart have mostly kept their personal life private, preferring to avoid the glare of tabloid scrutiny. They have split time between residences in Los Angeles, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and New York when Calista has taken stage roles, like Curse of the Starving Class. Despite their long marriage, the pair have never appeared on screen together - a fact Ford says comes down to practical concerns. Their marriage has also weathered Fords past experiences. He was previously married twice - first to Mary Marquardt, with whom he had two sons, and later to screenwriter Melissa Mathison, with whom he shared a son and a daughter. Despite those earlier chapters ending, Ford has said his life with Flockhart feels like a unique and lasting partnership. Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo headed to the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday as they sent their 'thoughts and prayers' to the Middle East amid the missile strikes. Sophie's sister, Georgia, her husband and their baby daughter are stuck in Dubai after an Iranian missile struck the famous Palm Jumeirah. The couple put on brave faces as they attended the ceremony at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena amid fears of an all-out war escalating in the Middle East. Georgia welcomed a baby girl, Bella, with her husband Tom Berry back in November with the family currently on holiday in the UAE. Ahead of Jamie and Sophie's appearance at the event, he wrote on his Instagram Story: 'Thoughts and prayers to friends, families and people in the Middle East.' A few hours later the couple were seen leaving their hotel in Manchester and making their way over to the arena with Jamie holding Sophie's hand as he helped her down the stairs. Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo headed to the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday as they sent their 'thoughts and prayers' to the Middle East amid the missile strikes Sophie's sister, Georgia, her husband and their baby daughter are stuck in Dubai after an Iranian missile struck the famous Palm Jumeirah Influencers in the populous city of Dubai have taken to social media to speak of their shock in being caught up in the retaliatory strikes, which have come just hours after the US and Israel embarked on an air assault targeting the Iranian regime, on Saturday morning. The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran. Missiles fired by Tehran have struck US military bases in Qatar and have also rained down on Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel. Videos posted on social media show Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah ablaze after it was hit by a suspected Iranian missile or missile debris. Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances had rushed to the scene. Meanwhile, Israeli media is now reporting there are 'growing indications' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his Tehran compound was razed to the ground in a strike. Officials had earlier reported that the strikes had caused 'very significant harm' to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders. Khamenei has not been heard from since the US and Israel launched their dual attack on Iran on Saturday morning. The couple put on brave faces as they attended the ceremony at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena amid fears of an all-out war escalating in the Middle East Sophie wore a black semi-sheer gown with a thigh-high leg slit The presenter styled her hair into a chic updo The couple posed for a photo before hopping into a waiting car and making their way over to the red carpet Ahead of Jamie and Sophie's appearance at the event, he wrote on his Instagram Story: 'Thoughts and prayers to friends, families and people in the Middle East' A few hours later the couple were seen leaving their hotel in Manchester and making their way over to the arena with Jamie holding Sophie's hand as he helped her down the stairs Sophie's dress featured a plunging neckline with a diamante embellishment In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack - with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions. The Operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War. It is understood that the UK did not participate in the attacks, and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee today. Sir Keir Starmer has said Iran must 'refrain from indiscriminate military strikes' in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, condemning the country's attacks on its neighbours. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases. The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office. The UK Government said its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East but that it is 'ready to protect our interests'. A Government spokesperson said: 'Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution. 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7. 'As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests. 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' Mary Cosby is mourning the loss of her son Robert Cosby Jr following his untimely death earlier this week at the age of 23. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, 53, took to her Instagram Stories to post a throwback picture of herself with her son in days gone by. 'Im going to miss you, Bubs,' she wrote alongside heart, prayer and weeping emojis. Her touching post was accompanied by Jessica Mauboy's cover Time After Time, and Cosby added hashtags for 'God First,' 'Love' and 'Forever.' Her Real Housewives family, which seems to be constantly mired in drama, responded warmly in the comments. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards wrote, 'Beautiful picture, Mary. Youre an amazing Mom and gave him so much love. May his memory be a blessing.' The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby took to her Instagram Stories to post a throwback picture of her son following his tragic death on Monday at age 23 'Im going to miss you, Bubs,' she wrote on her post which was accompanied by Jessica Mauboy's cover Time After Time and hashtags for 'God First,' 'Love' and 'Forever' (pictured in October 2021) 'He looks just like you. You will see him in you so much. He will always be with you. Love you, Mary, and God got you both,' The Real Housewives of Dubai star Chanel Ayan added. Kandi Burruss, Heather Dubrow, Whitney Rose, Cynthia Bailey, Gretchen Rossi, Lisa Barlow, Sheree Whitfield, Candiace Dillard-Bassett, Crystan Kung Minkoff and Shamea Morton also offered the Cosby family their deepest condolences. Cosby's tribute comes on the heels of talk that she plans to get back to work on the reality shows upcoming season, per TMZ. Cosby wants to work as she continues to lean on faith and friends, according to the outlet. She will be allowed to work at whatever pace she is comfortable with. While The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is known to have some of the most intense and chaotic drama of the franchise, the cast has mobilized in support of Cosby, who had a premonition her son would die weeks before his passing. Robert, Cosby's only son with husband Robert Sr, died on Monday three weeks after his release from prison. Police initially responded to what was described as a 'possible overdose,' which later became a death investigation, per People. An official cause of death has not been released. Police initially responded to what was described as a 'possible overdose,' which later became a death investigation (Cosby and son are pictured on Instagram) Cosby and her husband Robert Cosby Sr had no other children besides Robert Jr The struggles between Robert and his then-wife Alexiana Smokoff were often featured in episodes of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Robert's death comes just weeks after he was released from Salt Lake County Metro Jail where he had served two months behind bars after pleading guilty to assault and violating a protective order Cosby had a premonition that her son would die weeks before his passing (pictured on the RHOSLC season 6 reunion that aired January 20) Cosby and her husband shared a statement with the Daily Mail, asking for 'peace' for their late son. Robert, Cosby's only son with husband Robert Sr, died on Monday three weeks after his release from prison. Police initially responded to what was described as a 'possible overdose,' which later became a death investigation, per People. An official cause of death has not been released. Cosby and her husband shared a statement with the Daily Mail, asking for 'peace' for their late son. 'Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace,' the couple said. 'We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.' Robert's death comes just weeks after he was released from Salt Lake County Metro Jail. He had served two months behind bars after pleading guilty to assault and violating a protective order. His attorney Clayton Simms told People at the time that Robert 'expresses deep regret regarding his prior actions and acknowledges that his past behavior demonstrates poor judgment.' The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is one of the most chaotic and dramatic shows of the franchise but the cast members have rallied around Cosby during this difficult time Cosby's Housewives family responded warmly to her touching tribute to her son (pictured in May 2023) Cosby's family life was occasionally featured on the show and Robert appeared on the Bravo series several times over the years. During season four, Cosby revealed she had learned that her son had secretly married his girlfriend Alexiana Smokoff without her knowledge. The wedding reportedly took place in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse. Robert and Alexiana's alleged struggles with substance use were also featured as part of Cosbys storyline on the show. In November, Alexiana filed for divorce. Robert had a history of legal issues and was arrested in Utah in September on multiple alleged charges, including trespassing and assault. He was previously arrested in 2022 for driving under the influence, at which time police said he did not have a valid license and failed to follow traffic laws. He later pleaded guilty to the DUI charge. During part 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6 reunion, which aired in January, Cosby spoke about her son's arrest and time in jail. 'I know he's somewhere where he's not using,' she said. 'Unfortunately he's learning the hard way, but I'm okay with it.' Still, she said, as a mother, 'you don't wanna see your kid suffer, but I know it's good, and I'd rather him be there than dead.' Elijah Blue Allman, 49, the son of Cher and the late Greg Allman, was arrested Friday evening at St. Pauls School, a prestigious prep school in Concord, New Hampshire. According to the Concord Police Department, officers were called just before 7 p.m. local time after reports of an unauthorized individual causing a disturbance in the schools dining hall, TMZ reported on Saturday. The man, later identified as Allman, was said to be acting aggressively and 'belligerently,' prompting authorities to respond. Allman was taken into custody, processed, and released on his own recognizance, meaning no bail was required, per the outlet. He is scheduled to appear in court for a future arraignment. Sources indicate that Allman has no known ties to the school and that it is unclear why he was on campus, per the outlet. Daily Mail has reached out to Cher and Allmans representatives for comment. Elijah Blue Allman , 49, the son of Cher and the late Greg Allman, was arrested Friday evening at St. Pauls School, a prestigious prep school in Concord, New Hampshire; (pictured 2023) According to the Concord Police Department, officers were called just before 7 p.m. local time after reports of an unauthorized individual causing a disturbance in the schools dining hall, TMZ reported on Saturday; (pictured 2001) The incident follows a troubling health scare in June 2025, when Allman was hospitalized after suffering a drug overdose. In addition to Elijah, Cher is also the mother of 56-year-old Chaz Bono, her child with late musician Sonny Bono. A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokesman told Daily Mail at the time of the overdose: 'On Saturday, June 14, 2025, at about 1:25 p.m., deputies from our Morongo Basin Station responded to a residence in the 2300 block of Cambria Avenue, in Landers, for a male subject acting erratically. 'When deputies arrived, Elijah Allman, 48, was being evaluated by emergency medical personnel. Deputies located drugs inside the home and Allman was transported to the hospital.' In 2014 Allman revealed he began using drugs, like weed and ecstasy, at just 11-years-old and detailed some close calls. 'I [was] just looking to escape all the things in my past and, that's when you turn to those kind of drugs, you know heroin and opiates,' he told ET at the time. He added, '[Heroin] kind of saved me If I didn't have that at that point, I don't know what I would have done You may jump off a bridge. If you can only just go through that time period and live through it and then get help.' Allman also recalled 'some moments of really feeling at the edge of mortality.' 'I always kind of kept it a little bit safe but you never can do that,' he explained. 'Even though you think that in your mind, of course the wrong things can happen. 'The wrong combination of things can happen and you can just slip into the abyss. I knew it was wrong and I knew that I was very unsatisfied with life at that point.' The 79-year-old music icon shared Elijah with the late Gregg Allman, who died in 2017; pictured in 1978 Cher and Allman pictured in 2001 In addition to Elijah, Cher is mom to son Chaz Bono, whom she shared with Sonny Bono; pictured with both her kids in 1980 In early 2024 a judge threw out Cher's bid to have Elijah placed in a conservatorship controlled by her. She had petitioned LA Superior Court to appoint her as Elijah's temporary conservator, arguing that his drug addiction, plus mental and physical health issues, made him unable to manage the $120,000 a year he gets from a trust fund set up for him by his late father, rock star Gregg Allman. Cher said she feared he would spend his $10,000 a month payouts on drugs, putting his life in jeopardy. Judge Jessica Uzcategui refused to appoint Cher as conservator, saying that the star's attorneys had not given Elijah enough notice of the court action and refused to share confidential information with him about his case. After the brief hearing, when the Daily Mail asked how he felt about the result, Elijah just smiled and shook his head. Cher's attorney, Gabrielle Vidal, asked the judge to waive the usual five-day notice required to inform a person of a proposed conservatorship, arguing that 'absent a (conservatorship) order today' distribution of money to Elijah from his trust fund could put him 'in a life or death position.' News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of Prosper Isaka, Director of Profutunny Investments (Pvt) Ltd, over allegations of smuggling grocery consignments into Zimbabwe.Authorities allege that in March and June 2024, Isaka imported grocery shipments from Boss Foods (Pvt) Ltd but misrepresented the cargo at Plumtree Border Post as agricultural equipment to evade paying import duties. The alleged scheme reportedly involved collusion with clearing agents Nyasha Moyo and Blessing Kodzawako, as well as revenue officers Luckson Chikwara, James Dzimirwa, and Tinotenda Allen Mawoyo, who are all currently on remand.As a result of the alleged misrepresentation, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is said to have suffered a financial loss of ZAR 2,700,876.45 in unpaid import duty. ZACC continues to investigate the matter as authorities assess the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities. This year's BRIT Awards paid a touching tribute to music legends lost over the past year during Saturday's ceremony. Host Jack Whitehall introduced Tim Burgess to the stage who started off the In memoriam segment with a tribute speech to English bassist Mani. Gary 'Mani' Mounfield died in November last year aged 63, leaving the music industry in mourning. The Charlatans rocker told the arena: 'Hi everyone, I'm here tonight to pay tribute to my good friend. Mani changed music and inspired generations ahead of him. These songs he recorded will be his legacy. 'He was truly one of the phenomenal ones. I'd like you to think about Mani for a moment and we can cherish the thought that we got to experience our time and his time together. Let's take a few moments to remember Mani.' After Tim's touching speech, a VT package then played with some of the other music legends lost in the last year, including Ozzy Osbourne. Host Jack Whitehall introduced Tim Burgess to the stage who started off the In memoriam segment with a tribute speech to English bassist Mani After Tim's touching speech, a VT package then played with some of the other music legends lost this year, including Ozzy Osbourne Other names which appeared on screen included Nicky Ryan, Roberta Flack, Thommy Price, Gilson Lavis and Chris Dreja. However, for viewers watching at home, they were left less than impressed at what was supposed to be a touching moment and flooded social media with comments. One said: 'What a touching tribute with some people's names in bigger font while others are tiny and barely stay on screen more than half a second'; 'Possibly the worst tribute segment I've seen at the Brits. Also is that all they're doing for Ozzy Osbourne?! He got way more at the Grammy's! Very poor'; 'Is this In Memoriam section of the #BRITs a f***ing competition? Do we get points if we can read that quickly?'; 'This is the worst tribute ever. a load of random names on a screen with about 5 clips shown through out ahahahahahhahaa wtffffff'; 'Ouch that tribute to Mani was . er lost for words He really deserved better'; 'Nice tribute to Mani by Tim Burgess, before a shockingly long list of names cycle past for a sombre In Memoriam section. Sometimes it seems like the great first era of pop is fading before our very eyes. Congrats to the #BRITs for bringing this home so sensitively'. Another blasted: 'What the f*** kind of tribute was that'. Meanwhile, the late Ozzy Osbourne will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award later in the ceremony. The frontman of Black Sabbath, who passed away in July last year, will be celebrated for his inimitable impact and influence on music worldwide. The awards will be closed out by an all-star rock tribute performance which will be led by Robbie Williams, who was asked to be a part of the show personally by Ozzy's wife Sharon as a long-standing fan of the music, and friend of the Osbourne family. Curated by Sharon herself, it will feature a special arrangement of No More Tears - the title track from Ozzy's multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name. Jack returned to present the ceremony for the sixth time, having previously hosted the event in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025 The segment will boast a phenomenal line up of British and international musical talent, featuring musicians that played as part of Ozzy's band over the years. Robbie will be joined on stage by Ozzy's lead guitarist Zakk Wylde as well as Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo and Tommy Clufetos. The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards launch at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena for the first time tonight. Since removing gendered categories, such as Best Male and Best Female, the ceremony has faced backlash for the low number of female artists nominated, particularly in 2023 when the Artist Of The Year shortlist was entirely male. But 2026 will ring in the changes, with 70 percent of this year's nominations being female or non-binary. Comedian Jack Whitehall returns to present the ceremony for the sixth time, having previously hosted the event in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025. He stepped away in 2022 when Mo Gilligan took over for two ceremonies, and Maya Jama, Roman Kemp, and Clara Amfo co-hosted the event together in 2024. It will be his first time presenting in Manchester, and Whitehall, 38, credits the city as shaping his early comedy career after he studied at The University Of Manchester. In a recent clip shared to social media titled Ode to Manchester, the TV personality showed off everything from the Curry Mile to Coronation Street. He said: 'I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me. 'The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone's throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10 minute set in all those years ago.' He added: 'Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.' Shia LaBeouf has been taken into custody again in New Orleans. The 39-year-old actor was booked into a local jail just after 1:30 PM on Saturday on a misdemeanor simple battery charge, court records reveal, according to TMZ. It's not yet clear whether the new allegation is connected to the February 17 incident that sparked his earlier arrest. LaBeouf's bond has been set at $5,000. Earlier on Saturday, reports surfaced that a new warrant had been issued for the Disney alum in connection with the prior incident. The latest booking comes just hours after LaBeouf gave his first interview since the initial arrest, in which he made a series of bizarre claims. In the Channel 5 segment with Andrew Callaghan, the former child star shocked viewers with his outlandish and often controversial statements. Shia LaBeouf has been taken into custody again in New Orleans; (pictured February 27) The 39-year-old actor was booked into a local jail just after 1:30 PM on Saturday on a fresh battery charge, court records reveal, according to TMZ Among them was a claim that he felt 'scared' when approached by three gay men on Fat Tuesday. 'Big gay people are scary to me,' LeBeouf said plainly during one part of the hour-long conversation with Callaghan. 'When I'm standing by myself and three gay dudes are next to me, touching my leg, I get scared. I'm sorry. If that's homophobic then I'm that.' He also explained about the altercation, 'I was drunk and then I felt infringed upon in terms of my proximity. But I wasn't in my right mind, and so it's on me.' And he took accountability for reportedly using a gay slur, admitting, 'I said words not ok to say. I don't want to hurt nobody's feelings... I'm wrong for what I did.' The Channel 5 interview was conducted on February 24, one week after Fat Tuesday, but published days later on February 28. On Friday LaBeouf was issued a new warrant related to his February 17 arrest. Sources told WWL Louisiana that the warrant involves an additional victim from the same fight. Eyewitnesses previously alleged LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive at a business and was escorted out by staff, at which point he allegedly struck one man multiple times with closed fists. Eyewitnesses previously alleged LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive at a business and was escorted out by staff, at which point he allegedly struck one man multiple times with closed fists on Fat Tuesday In the wide-ranging interview, the movie star briefly discussed the demise of his marriage to actress Mia Goth (pictured in 2014), saying, 'I failed my marriage,' and 'That's why I moved out here [to New Orleans]' Authorities said the situation escalated when LaBeouf returned to the scene and allegedly assaulted the same victim again before punching a second man in the nose. He posted a $100,000 bond on Thursday after making a court appearance. The actor is now required to check into rehab and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. LeBeouf told Callaghan he relocated to New Orleans, where he has deep family roots, following the Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025. LaBeouf detailed some family history elsewhere in the thorough interview. He explained that his paternal grandmother was a lesbian who married a man who served as her 'beard,' a partner meant to publicly disguise someone's homosexuality. His last name was originally spelled LeBoeuf but the spelling was changed by his grandmother in an effort to distance herself from her family, who had disowned her. Speaking on the subject of homosexuality, he clarified: 'I'm good with gay. Be gay over there though. Don't be gay in my lap.' In the wide-ranging interview, the movie star briefly discussed the demise of his marriage to actress Mia Goth. The exes share daughter Isabel, who will turn four in March. 'It's not new heartbreak. I don't want to talk too much about it. It's not my story alone to tell, but my side is I failed my marriage, so I had to own up to that. So that's why I moved out here,' he said. 'SOFIA! ... The camera lens looks greasy as s**t... There was no point in posting this.' It might be brute honesty, but more than 600,000 people flock to Evan Gray Smith's Instagram and TikTok to get very forthright advice on how to up their social media game. And the sassy Pace University student, who will publicly humiliate you for using emojis as names for your story highlights, makes good money doing it. In fact, his followers are so desperate for the 20-year-old's advice on how to curate their Instagram aesthetic, he started charging them $25 just to be rated. And they're paying it. Happily so. The hobby that turned into a side hustle started when he was a junior in high school in Massachusetts. It was trendy to roast your friends' social media pages at the time, but Smith thought he could take it to a different level and be a bit more useful with his feedback. 'I was like, what if I do kind of a more constructive version, where I reconstruct their feeds and tell them what I want them to change? Because I've just always been so hyper-fixated on what mine looks like,' he told the Daily Mail. He started with his friends, and eventually, he had hundreds and hundreds of comments from strangers asking him to do theirs. More than 600,000 people flock to Evan Gray Smith's social media pages to get advice on how to level up their Instagram profiles. He makes up to $4,000 a month doing it Smith would rate his own grid an 8.75 out of 10 and said he takes his color scheme very seriously. He calls his Instagram a 'little art project for me' Smith's grid showcases whatever he is up to in his daily life. He admits it is not a perfect 10 out of 10 By Fall 2022, he had to become more selective with what requests he fulfilled to keep up with demand. He started charging $3, allowing his followers to boost themselves to the top of his review list. Slowly, the price got higher and higher, jumping to $5, then $7, and now $25. The now-college junior hasn't seen a slowdown in demand either. He has a sign-up form, which is only open for short periods, and roughly 40 paying customers will make it before it closes. Then, he sets off to make 20 videos, two profiles per video. He now makes $1,000 alone just from one cycle's sign-up. But Smith makes the majority of his money from the tens of thousands of views his videos get. One of his recent Instagram ratings TikTok video - labeled part 1,206 - raked in 100,400 views in less than 24 hours. His other video, posted just an hour before that, got 16,600 views. 'She wouldn't be picking up butterflies, let's be f**king for real,' he said, while reviewing a woman named Grace's page, who had herself sleeping as the profile picture and a photo of her holding a butterfly on her grid. 'Delete this one, I f**king hate aquarium photos,' he said as he worked his way further down Grace's page. He gives his honest opinions on pages, such as suggesting a user deletes certain photos, changes their highlight names, and rearrange their grid. It takes him 1.5 hours to make a video from start to finish and it will pull in tens of thousands of views 'SOFIA! ... The camera lens looks greasy as s**t... There was no point in posting this,' he told one user during one video 'Why would you choose the one with the f**king glare?' he said of the second subject of the video, Xavier. 'I can't even tell what's going on.' His brutally honest takes earn him up to $4,000 a month, he told the Daily Mail. The majority of his money is made through the TikTok Creator Rewards Program, as most of his videos are over a minute long and he boasts far more than the follower count needed to enroll. On the lower end, he takes home $2,800 a month. All for an hour and a half worth of work per video. He starts by taking screenshots of two people's pages, ones he hasn't seen before starting the video. Then he spends 30-40 minutes analyzing their profile. After that, he takes around 30 minutes to record his footage and another 30 minutes to edit. Done. Post. Two times a day. 'Even though the series is kind of a little harsh, and there's obviously a bit of making fun, it's all [with] good intentions,' Smith, who bartends part-time, told the Daily Mail. 'It's for the fun of it. Everybody who's paying for the ratings knows what I do, how I talk in the other videos. It's meant to be a joke while still getting that aesthetic that you're looking for.' Some of Smith's advice include diversifying photos, including solos and group pictures He also recommends including architectural shots as well to balance out the grid. 'A lot of people enjoy scrapbooking. This is kind of like a digital scrapbook,' he told the Daily Mail Your browser does not support iframes. He understands the demand for aesthetic content and the pressure to look cool and fun on social media. 'I think it definitely highlights the best moments, but that's kind of what Instagram's for,' Smith told the Daily Mail. 'Those are the ones that you want to remember. 'If I have a photo that I don't necessarily love of myself, but I think it's a really fun picture, and it has great memories, I'm still going to put that in. Like, I'm not as hyper-fixated on my appearance as I am, like, the vibe.' And those who are coming to him for advice also care about the grid's aesthetic as much as he does. 'I think the pressure comes from the people who also care,' he said. 'I think that there is a demand for people to now be aesthetic with their content, but that's if you care about the content that you're putting out. 'A lot of people enjoy scrapbooking. This is kind of like a digital scrapbook.' Plenty of his close friends don't care about their grids or the way their page looks overall. And he understands some people post infrequently and only really highlight big moments, like a wedding or a graduation. But for those posting multiple times a year, and creating story highlights, 'they're going to put effort into it and they're going to care about what it looks like,' Smith said. Smith shared his top tips for what people should and shouldn't do on their Instagram profile Smith shared a photo of himself at the beach. He is planning a trip to Italy with some of the money he has earned from his side hustle And he does have his best dos and don'ts for those looking to curate their pages a little more. Do: Have your face in your profile picture ('because that's exactly what the profile picture is used for'), keep your bio short and sweet and keep emojis to a minimum, keep your highlight names short and consisting of words, and have an array of shots from solos to group photos to architecture. Oh, and commit to a color scheme. 'The best thing you can do is transition between those colors, and try to keep it consistent for an extended period of time, so that it doesn't look all over the place,' he said. Don't: Do borders, collages ('it's just not my cup of tea'), harsh filters, lots of editing, and posting aesthetic photos that are pulled from Pinterest. 'Those pictures are inspiration, they're not meant to be stolen,' he lamented. 'Just go ahead and duplicate it, or kind of copy it yourself in your own way, and add your own twist on it, rather than just stealing the actual picture.' And despite claiming to be the 'Instagram bible,' Smith does not think his own page is a perfect 10 out of 10. He calls it a 'little art project' and rated it an 8.75 out of 10. But, he says, his page is authentically him. His followers will see him doing an array of things and him living life, traveling, going on dates with his boyfriend, and hanging out with his friends. The 20-year-old college student, who also bartends, is now investing his money with the help of his dad 'And I want them to also see the color scheme,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I think that's my main thing that I care about. 'So, if I get a compliment on my Instagram, it's not like: "That photo of you is so good." It's like: "Oh my god, that color scheme, this section of your feed just looks so good."' 'Like, that's what I look for.' Despite his success as a New York City influencer, Smith doesn't plan on making this gig his full-time job long-term. The college student, who is studying media and communications, is hoping to find a way to take his viral ratings system and make a long-term impact somewhere in marketing. But for now, his dad is helping him invest his money, but he's also splurging on a spring break trip to Florence, Italy. 'I do have money put aside, because this income might not last forever, and I might as well make the best of it.' Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:AMBO Get Free Report)s share price traded down 11.6% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $1.76 and last traded at $1.76. 11,399 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 5% from the average session volume of 11,959 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.99. Ambow Education Trading Down 11.6% The company has a quick ratio of 2.19, a current ratio of 2.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firms fifty day moving average is $2.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.44. Get Ambow Education alerts: Ambow Education (NYSEAMERICAN:AMBO Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 13th. The company reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.19 million for the quarter. Institutional Trading of Ambow Education Ambow Education Company Profile A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Ambow Education stock. Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new position in Ambow Education Holding Ltd. ( NYSEAMERICAN:AMBO Free Report ) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 17,667 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $64,000. Citadel Advisors LLC owned 0.62% of Ambow Education at the end of the most recent reporting period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.65% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Ambow Education (NYSEAMERICAN:AMBO) is a China-based provider of comprehensive educational services, operating through a network of subsidiaries and proprietary learning platforms. The company offers a spectrum of programs that span K-12 supplemental tutoring, vocational and professional training, and preparatory courses for English proficiency and standardized tests. Leveraging a blend of classroom instruction and online delivery, Ambow aims to enhance student outcomes through tailored curriculum design and technology-enabled teaching tools. The companys offerings include after-school tutoring for core academic subjects, career-focused training programs in areas such as finance, information technology and hospitality, and test-preparation services for exams including TOEFL and IELTS. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ambow Education Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ambow Education and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:BKRIY Get Free Report) shares were down 1.7% on Friday . The company traded as low as $19.36 and last traded at $19.48. Approximately 83,569 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 153% from the average daily volume of 32,968 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.82. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have commented on BKRIY. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Bank of Ireland Group from an underweight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Bank of Ireland Group to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut Bank of Ireland Group from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Bank of Ireland Group in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Bank of Ireland Group in a report on Monday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of Ireland Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Bank of Ireland Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on BKRIY Bank of Ireland Group Price Performance Bank of Ireland Group Company Profile The firm has a 50 day moving average of $19.62 and a 200-day moving average of $17.67. (Get Free Report) Bank of Ireland Group (OTCMKTS:BKRIY) is a leading financial services provider headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1783, the bank has grown to become one of the countrys largest banking institutions, offering a diverse range of products and services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. The groups core operations include traditional retail banking, corporate and commercial banking, and wealth and asset management. In the retail segment, Bank of Ireland provides deposit accounts, personal loans, credit cards, mortgages and insurance solutions to individual customers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Ireland Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Ireland Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE:BTZ Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 26,008 shares, a growth of 337.6% from the January 29th total of 5,944 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 263,486 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 263,486 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Institutional Trading of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 889,121 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $9,531,000 after buying an additional 12,607 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 56.9% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 17,799 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $191,000 after acquiring an additional 6,455 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 24.8% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 31,753 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $347,000 after purchasing an additional 6,309 shares in the last quarter. Rareview Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Rareview Capital LLC now owns 159,518 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,742,000 after purchasing an additional 5,470 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 491,558 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $5,367,000 after purchasing an additional 14,529 shares during the last quarter. Get BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust alerts: BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust Stock Performance Shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.62. The companys stock had a trading volume of 341,097 shares, compared to its average volume of 296,910. BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust has a 1-year low of $9.54 and a 1-year high of $11.18. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.89. BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust Announces Dividend About BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.0839 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. (Get Free Report) BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE: BTZ) is a closed-end management investment company sponsored by BlackRock Fund Advisors. The trust seeks to provide investors with a high level of current income, as well as the potential for capital appreciation, through an actively managed portfolio of credit and income-producing securities. BTZ primarily focuses on instruments that offer attractive yields while aiming to preserve capital over the long term. The portfolio is diversified across a broad spectrum of credit sectors, including investment-grade corporate debt, high-yield bonds, leveraged bank loans, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:XHYT Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 119 shares, a decline of 72.8% from the January 29th total of 438 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,409 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,409 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA XHYT traded down $0.05 on Friday, hitting $34.29. The stock had a trading volume of 203 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,710. BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF has a 52-week low of $32.85 and a 52-week high of $36.47. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $34.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.79. The stock has a market cap of $51.44 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.49. Get BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom Media & Technology Sector ETF alerts: BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.2124 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. About BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF The BondBloxx US High Yield Telecom Media Technology Sector ETF (XHYT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a modified market value-weighted index of USD-denominated high-yield corporate bonds of any maturity, issued by companies classified under the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors. XHYT was launched on Feb 15, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom Media & Technology Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom Media & Technology Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California Resources (NYSE:CRC Get Free Report) is expected to be issuing its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Monday, March 2nd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.49 per share and revenue of $789.6660 million for the quarter. Individuals may visit the the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning results page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET. California Resources Trading Up 2.9% CRC stock opened at $58.97 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $50.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $49.85. California Resources has a fifty-two week low of $30.97 and a fifty-two week high of $60.03. The firm has a market cap of $4.94 billion, a PE ratio of 13.71 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.89. Get California Resources alerts: Institutional Trading of California Resources Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in California Resources by 89.1% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 46,532 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $2,046,000 after buying an additional 21,923 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in California Resources by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 41,663 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,832,000 after purchasing an additional 2,394 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of California Resources by 38.2% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 657,628 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $28,916,000 after acquiring an additional 181,833 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in California Resources by 3.8% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 50,786 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $2,233,000 after acquiring an additional 1,857 shares during the period. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in California Resources by 17.7% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 31,870 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,401,000 after acquiring an additional 4,783 shares in the last quarter. 97.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have commented on CRC shares. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of California Resources from $71.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $56.00 price target (down from $58.00) on shares of California Resources in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of California Resources in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Pickering Energy Partners lowered California Resources from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded California Resources to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $63.90. Read Our Latest Research Report on California Resources About California Resources (Get Free Report) California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) is an independent exploration and production company focused exclusively on developing oil and natural gas assets in California. Headquartered in Newport Beach, the company engages in hydraulic fracturing, well completions, reservoir management and enhanced recovery operations to produce crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. CRCs operations are concentrated in three core regions: the Los Angeles Basin, the Ventura Basin and the San Joaquin Basin. Read More Receive News & Ratings for California Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for California Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Campari Group (OTCMKTS:DVDCF Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $7.30, but opened at $7.72. Campari Group shares last traded at $7.72, with a volume of 130 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Barclays raised Campari Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Campari Group alerts: Get Our Latest Report on DVDCF Campari Group Price Performance Campari Group Company Profile The businesss fifty day moving average price is $7.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. (Get Free Report) Campari Group is an Italian-based global beverage company specializing in the production, marketing and distribution of premium spirits and wines. Founded in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, the company has built a diversified portfolio of iconic brands that span various categories, including aperitifs, liqueurs, vodka, whiskey, rum, gin and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. The companys flagship product, Campari, is a bright red, bittersweet aperitif known for its distinctive taste and versatility in classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Americano. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Campari Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Campari Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Outspoken politician Temba Mliswa has claimed that some military officials recently held a meeting where an alleged decision was made to "stop" him, escalating tensions between the former Norton legislator and elements within the security establishment.In a post on X, Mliswa alleged that following the meeting, a report was delivered to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's wife, Colonel Minnie Baloyi. He did not provide evidence to support the claim.Mliswa said he has always respected the Zimbabwe National Army and the broader security services, noting that he has previously worked closely with and held in high regard several senior military leaders. Among those he mentioned were the late Solomon Mujuru, Vitalis Zvinavashe, Paradzai Zimondi, Josiah Tungamirai, Perrance Shiri, Mike Chimonyo and Sibusiso Moyo. He said his long-standing association with senior commanders demonstrated his understanding of and respect for the military's role in national affairs.However, Mliswa warned that some individuals within the security sector may be attempting to use their positions and political ambitions to silence dissenting voices. He said Zimbabwe is not known for political assassinations and cautioned that anyone contemplating such actions should be prepared to face the consequences. Writing partly in Shona, he stressed that the situation should not degenerate into threats.Addressing the events of 2017, Mliswa argued that Operation Restore Legacy was not a military coup. Instead, he said it was Parliament's impeachment process and widespread public protests that ultimately compelled former President Robert Mugabe to resign.Mliswa further stated that no individual or group should seek to appropriate what he described as a people-driven revolution for personal political ambitions. He reiterated his loyalty to the current President and said all citizens should show respect and allegiance to the country's leadership. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM) opened fiscal 2026 with what management described as an exceptional first quarter, highlighted by record earnings, broad-based revenue growth, and a return on equity that exceeded the banks current medium-term target. Executives also emphasized continued investment in technology and AI, while maintaining a focus on disciplined execution and credit vigilance in a fluid macro environment. Get alerts: First-quarter results: record earnings, diversified revenue growth On a reported basis, CIBC posted earnings per share of CAD 3.21, up 47% from the prior year. Management said reported results included income tax recoveries, which the bank treated as an item of note. On an adjusted basis, CIBC reported earnings per share of CAD 2.76, up 25% year-over-year. Adjusted net income was, an increase of, while pre-provision earnings rose, supported by balance sheet growth, net interest margin improvement, and higher fee income. Total revenue ofincreasedfrom a year earlier, which management said was well diversified and included record revenues across each business unit. Adjusted return on equity was 17.4%, up 210 basis points from the same quarter last year. The bank noted a 13.4% CET1 ratio, which increased five basis points from the prior quarter, supported by organic capital generation and strong reported earnings, partially offset by higher risk-weighted assets and accelerated buybacks. Margins and fees: expansion driven by mix, deposits, and constructive markets Management highlighted net interest margin (NIM) expansion as a key driver of the quarter. Excluding trading, net interest income rose 13% year-over-year. All-bank margin excluding trading increased 17 basis points from the prior year and six basis points sequentially, which the bank attributed to higher deposits, business mix, and improved product margins. In Canadian Personal and Business Banking, NIM improved 34 basis points year-over-year and nine basis points sequentially. Canadian P&C NIM was 300 basis points, up 10 basis points sequentially. In the U.S. segment, NIM was 401 basis points, up 17 basis points from the prior quarter, which management said was partially seasonally driven by deposit strength. Chief Financial Officer Robert Sedran said the quarters margin uplift was driven roughly a third, a third, a third by three factors he cited: hedging/positioning, business mix, and product margin. He cautioned that the bank often sees a seasonal dip in Q2, such as lower checking and credit card balances and commercial balance roll-offs, and said a similar basis point or two pullback would not be surprising. Even after accounting for seasonality, management maintained its expectation for a stable to gradual positive bias in margins over time. Non-interest income totaled CAD 4.1 billion, up 18%, with growth across payments, institutional, trading, and consumer fees. Market-related fees increased 18%, helped by constructive markets, with strong growth in trading, underwriting and advisory, and mutual fund fees. Transaction-related fees rose 10%, driven mainly by higher credit and FX fees. Expenses and operating leverage: 10 straight quarters of positive leverage Expenses increased 12% from the prior year, driven by increased business activity, revenue-linked costs, and technology investments across the bank. Despite the higher spending, management reported operating leverage of 360 basis points, marking the banks 10th consecutive quarter of positive operating leverage. Sedran said CIBC has had pretty good revenue visibility and used the opportunity to advance some spending that might otherwise have occurred later, emphasizing the investments were conscious and intentional to support the banks priorities. He added that if revenue growth were to slow, management believes it has levers to pull back spending to protect the operating leverage gap. In response to questions about efficiency in the retail bank, Personal and Business Banking head Hratch Panossian said the business is focused on scaling where costs already exist and using investments to create a flywheel of productivity. He cited a goal to save one million frontline hours through automation and AI-enabled use cases, which he said the bank achieved a year ahead of schedule. Business segment performance: strength across retail, wealth, U.S., and capital markets Management pointed to record or improved results across major segments: Canadian Personal and Business Banking: Revenue increased 13% , supported by margin expansion, loan growth, and higher fee-based revenue. Expenses rose 7% , primarily due to technology and strategic initiatives and higher compensation. Revenue increased , supported by margin expansion, loan growth, and higher fee-based revenue. Expenses rose , primarily due to technology and strategic initiatives and higher compensation. Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management: Revenues rose 13% . Commercial revenues increased 9% , with commercial loan and deposit volumes up 7% and 8% , respectively. Wealth management revenues grew 16% , supported by higher fee-based assets and client activity. AUA and AUM were up 14% and 15% , respectively, versus Q1 2025. Revenues rose . Commercial revenues increased , with commercial loan and deposit volumes up and , respectively. Wealth management revenues grew , supported by higher fee-based assets and client activity. AUA and AUM were up and , respectively, versus Q1 2025. U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management: Net income increased 19% , mainly due to lower provisions and pre-provision earnings growth. Revenue increased 6% ; net interest income rose 10% . Management noted lower annual performance fees in asset management and expenses up 6% , including severance and strategic initiatives. Net income increased , mainly due to lower provisions and pre-provision earnings growth. Revenue increased ; net interest income rose . Management noted lower annual performance fees in asset management and expenses up , including severance and strategic initiatives. Capital Markets: Revenues climbed 28% and net income rose 42%. Global markets revenue grew across most products, while investment banking benefited from higher underwriting and advisory activity. Corporate and transaction banking revenues also increased on volume growth and higher fees. During the Q&A, management addressed whether elevated capital markets performance could create an imbalance versus retail banking. Sedran said the banks balance is more about growth rates over time than relative size, noting capital markets may be benefiting from a cyclical tailwind that could normalize. Credit quality: stable overall, with higher impairments in some commercial portfolios Chief Risk Officer Frank Guse said credit performance in the first quarter remained aligned with our expectations amid tariff-related headwinds and negotiations. Total provisions for credit losses were CAD 568 million, down from CAD 605 million last quarter. Allowance coverage remained at 79 basis points. Performing provisions were CAD 48 million, reflecting credit migration and the evolving economic environment. Provisions on impaired loans were CAD 520 million, up CAD 23 million quarter-over-quarter. Guse said higher provisions in Canadian and U.S. commercial banking were partially offset by lower provisions in capital markets and Canadian personal and business banking. The gross impaired loan ratio was 64 basis points, up three basis points sequentially. Guse noted new formations were down, driven by fewer business and government loan formations, partially offset by higher consumer loan formations. He said mortgage loan-to-value remained strong at 57% for the overall mortgage book and 68% on impaired balances, and that the bank does not expect material increases in losses in the mortgage portfolio. In Canadian consumer portfolios, 90+ day delinquencies increased quarter-over-quarter, which management attributed to the macroeconomic backdrop and some seasonality, particularly in credit cards. Net write-offs increased modestly, mainly driven by credit cards, which Guse linked to elevated unemployment and ongoing uncertainty. Despite the movement, he said the trends broadly reflected expectations and that the bank remained comfortable with its full-year guidance. CEO Harry Culham said the bank started the year with positive momentum, emphasizing strong client relationships, continued execution on strategic priorities, and preparedness for uncertainty. The bank also highlighted capital returns, noting it returned roughly 78% of earnings to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and CAD 8 million in common share buybacks. About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE: CM), commonly known as CIBC, is a major Canadian financial institution headquartered in Toronto. Formed in 1961 through the merger of the Canadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada, CIBC is one of Canadas largest banks and provides a broad range of banking and financial services to retail, small business, commercial and institutional clients. CIBCs activities span personal and business banking, wealth management, capital markets and corporate banking. Featured Stories Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK) reported what management called a record year in 2025, extending its streak to 19 consecutive years of earnings growth as customer additions, large capital investments, and contributions from both regulated and unregulated operations lifted results. Get alerts: 2025 results: double-digit growth and record capital spending Chair, President and CEO Jeff Householder said the company produced adjusted earnings of $6.01 per share in 2025, representing 12% growth versus 2024. CFO Beth Cooper added that Chesapeake generated approximately $639 million of adjusted gross margin and $141 million of adjusted net income, with both measures up at a double-digit pace year over year. $19 million of transmission project margin of transmission project margin $14 million of incremental infrastructure margin of incremental infrastructure margin About $13 million of gross margin tied to completed rate cases in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida electric jurisdictions Householder highlightedof capital investment in 2025, aover 2024 and $20 million above the companys guidance range. He also pointed to record incremental adjusted gross margin growth of, including: Cooper said the years earnings drivers added $2.41 per share of incremental benefit, partially offset by $1.79 per share from higher expenses and financing costs. She attributed incremental adjusted EPS to transmission expansion projects ($0.58), infrastructure projects ($0.43), higher demand and customer growth ($0.51 total), and permanent rates from three rate cases completed in 2025 ($0.39). Unregulated businesses contributed $0.29 of net incremental earnings per share, with Marlin Virtual Pipeline Transportation cited as a key driver. On the headwinds side, Cooper noted a $0.51 per share impact from the absence of a 2024 RSAM benefit tied to Florida City Gas, plus higher depreciation and amortization ($0.31) and higher operating expenses ($0.41) associated with growth. Financing activity reduced adjusted EPS by $0.35, as Chesapeake accelerated its return to a 50% equity capitalization. Customer growth and expansion opportunities Householder said the company added nearly 11,000 customers in 2025 across its natural gas and electric distribution areas. Residential customer growth was 4.1% in Delmarva, 3.6% at Florida Public Utilities, and 2.2% at Florida City Gas. Management said these customer additions produced $7.4 million of incremental adjusted gross margin in 2025. The company also discussed opportunities in Ohio, which Householder described as a growing market for data center development. Chesapeake said it is beginning construction on the Duncan Plains pipeline to support AEPs data center fuel cell and is providing temporary virtual pipeline service through Marlin for a data center construction project north of Columbus. During Q&A, management said it continues to view Delmarva growth as strong and ongoing, citing continued development and related infrastructure buildout, particularly in southern Delaware. Executives also described higher-growth pockets within Florida City Gas service territory, including areas around Port St. Lucie/Vero Beach and parts of Brevard County. Florida City Gas: depreciation ruling and planned rate case Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Risk Officer Jim Moriarty provided an update on Florida City Gas depreciation study. He said the Florida Public Service Commission denied the companys request to amortize a $19 million excess depreciation reserve over two years and instead adopted staffs recommendation to recover $6.8 million over the life of the assets. Management said the outcome results in annual depreciation savings of about $500,000. Because the order arrived late in the year, Chesapeake said it chose not to reopen 2025 results and instead will apply two years worth of reduced depreciation expenseabout $1 millionin 2026. Moriarty said Chesapeake filed a notice of intent to submit a general rate case for Florida City Gas in mid-April 2026, seeking appropriate cost recovery and an improved allowed return on equity. The company expects interim rates to be effective by early July 2026 and said it anticipates Florida City Gas returning to its earnings contribution levels in 2027 and beyond. Moriarty also described interim rates as typically becoming effective about 60 days after filing and said the process generally uses existing rate base and the low end of the allowed ROE range, while noting the company expects to debate certain components with regulators. 2026 plans: capital program, major projects, and ERP transformation Looking ahead, Householder introduced the companys 2026 theme: Transforming for Growth: Powered by People. Chesapeake issued 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $450 million to $500 million, which includes higher technology spending tied to its multiyear enterprise resource planning implementation (1CORE). Management noted that about 20% to 30% of 2026 capital is expected to drive margin growth in 2027 or later due to regulatory recovery timelines and project completion schedules. For major projects, the company said nearly all are generating margin through interim or full service, contributing $22.8 million of adjusted gross margin in 2025. Chesapeake forecast these projects will contribute about $47 million of gross margin in 2026 and an additional $9 million in 2027. Householder also announced the Delmarva Regional Enhancement Project for Eastern Shore Natural Gas, which includes more than 20 miles of 16- and 24-inch pipeline and looping to add firm capacity and improve reliability. Chesapeake estimated capital investment of approximately $75 million with an in-service target around the end of 2028. In addition, Chesapeake said Accomack County, Virginia, awarded a $6.5 million grant to begin feasibility, design, and engineering work for potential infrastructure that could extend natural gas service from Princess Anne, Maryland, into Virginias Eastern Shore. On business transformation, Moriarty said Chesapeake will invest about $75 million in 2026 on its 1CORE ERP project and is targeting a Q2 2027 go-live date. Executives said the ERP effort is expected to improve decision-making and drive efficiencies across customer service, supply chain, field services, and finance, but they did not provide a quantified savings target. Financing, dividends, and long-term outlook Cooper said Chesapeake ended 2025 at its 50% equity capitalization target, supported by $123 million of equity issuance (961,000 shares) and $76 million of retained earnings. She also noted the company received its inaugural credit rating from Fitch during the year and completed a $200 million debt issuance in August and September, while extending private placement shelf capacity. Chesapeake ended 2025 with 78% of its total $755 million capacity available across its revolver and shelf facilities. The company said it plans to refinance the first tranche of debt issued in connection with the Florida City Gas acquisition and expects to fund its 2026 capital program with a mix of retained earnings, equity, and debt while generally maintaining a 50/50 capital structure. During Q&A, Cooper said refinancing could reduce coupon rates by roughly 50 to 100 basis points if market conditions remain similar. On shareholder returns, Cooper said Chesapeakes annualized dividend of $2.74 per share reflects a 7% increase from 2024 and aligns with a long-term dividend CAGR of 9%. She reiterated the board-approved payout target of 45% to 50%, while noting the company retained 54% of earnings in 2025 to support capital investment. Chesapeake reaffirmed its 2028 adjusted EPS range of $7.75 to $8.00 and said it remains on track for its long-term adjusted EPS growth target of 8%. Management also said it does not plan to provide annual EPS guidance for 2026, consistent with its historical practice outside of the period immediately following the Florida City Gas acquisition. About Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK) Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) is a diversified energy services holding company headquartered in Dover, Delaware. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company engages in natural gas distribution, transmission and storage; propane distribution; wholesale propane supply; and contract compression and natural gas liquids processing. Its core mission is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective energy solutions to residential, commercial and industrial customers across multiple U.S. See Also American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:DCH Get Free Report) is one of 31 public companies in the Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare American Axle & Manufacturing to similar businesses based on the strength of its dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and valuation. Institutional & Insider Ownership 91.4% of American Axle & Manufacturing shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.8% of shares of all Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories companies are owned by institutional investors. 3.7% of American Axle & Manufacturing shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 13.1% of shares of all Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get American Axle & Manufacturing alerts: Volatility and Risk American Axle & Manufacturing has a beta of 1.6, suggesting that its share price is 60% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Axle & Manufacturings competitors have a beta of 1.85, suggesting that their average share price is 85% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American Axle & Manufacturing 2 0 3 0 2.20 American Axle & Manufacturing Competitors 177 672 519 3 2.25 This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for American Axle & Manufacturing and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat. American Axle & Manufacturing presently has a consensus price target of $12.45, indicating a potential upside of 89.21%. As a group, Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories companies have a potential downside of 7.66%. Given American Axle & Manufacturings higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe American Axle & Manufacturing is more favorable than its competitors. Profitability This table compares American Axle & Manufacturing and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American Axle & Manufacturing -0.34% 10.00% 1.17% American Axle & Manufacturing Competitors -561.48% -11.41% -7.16% Earnings and Valuation This table compares American Axle & Manufacturing and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio American Axle & Manufacturing $5.84 billion -$19.70 million -36.56 American Axle & Manufacturing Competitors $1.47 billion -$2.71 million -11.33 American Axle & Manufacturing has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its competitors. American Axle & Manufacturing is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Summary American Axle & Manufacturing beats its competitors on 7 of the 13 factors compared. About American Axle & Manufacturing (Get Free Report) American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. is a leading supplier of driveline and drivetrain systems, modules and components for the light vehicle market world wide. It manufactures Driveline and Metal Forming technologies to support electric, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Its the primary supplier of driveline components to its major customers include General Motors, Stellantis and Ford. It also sells various products to Ford & Stellantis from Metal Forming segment. It has the 2 operating segments. Driveline segment comprises front & rear axles, driveshafts, differential assemblies, clutch modules, balance shaft systems, disconnecting driveline technology, and electric & hybrid driveline products and systems for light trucks, SUVs, crossover vehicles, passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Metal Forming segment comprises axle & transmission shafts, ring and pinion gears, differential gears & assemblies, connecting rods and variable valve timing products for OEM and Tier 1 automotive suppliers. Receive News & Ratings for American Axle & Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Axle & Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CTT Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTOF Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 13,514 shares, a drop of 81.6% from the January 29th total of 73,439 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,366 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 2,366 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.7 days. CTT Correios De Portugal Price Performance OTCMKTS:CTTOF remained flat at $8.69 during mid-day trading on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $8.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.42. CTT Correios De Portugal has a 12-month low of $6.42 and a 12-month high of $9.40. Get CTT - Correios De Portugal alerts: About CTT Correios De Portugal (Get Free Report) CTT Correios de Portugal, SA is the national postal operator of Portugal, offering a comprehensive range of mail and parcel delivery services to individual and corporate customers. The companys core activities include the collection, sorting and distribution of letters, direct mail and parcels both domestically and through an extensive international network. CTT also provides express courier solutions, specialized logistics for e-commerce, and value-added services such as registered mail and postal insurance. In addition to its traditional postal operations, CTT has expanded into financial services under the brand Banco CTT, offering savings accounts, payment cards, transfers and money-remittance services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (NYSEARCA:AIBU Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,554 shares, a drop of 62.5% from the January 29th total of 6,814 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 13,346 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 13,346 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:AIBU traded down $0.92 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $39.55. 16,309 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,975. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $47.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $51.14. Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares has a 1 year low of $18.66 and a 1 year high of $65.41. The company has a market cap of $25.71 million, a P/E ratio of 35.29 and a beta of 3.38. Get Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares alerts: Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were issued a dividend of $1.0621 per share. This represents a $4.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 10th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares during the third quarter valued at approximately $440,000. Traynor Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares during the third quarter worth approximately $402,000. Simplex Trading LLC raised its stake in Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares by 289.5% in the 2nd quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 2,481 shares of the companys stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 1,844 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc acquired a new position in Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. (Get Free Report) The Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (AIBU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive US AI & Big Data index. The fund tracks 2x the daily price movements of a concentrated index of US companies involved in artificial intelligence (AI) applications and big data. Stocks are weighted based on their relevance to the business fields. AIBU was launched on May 15, 2024 and is issued by Direxion. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dominos Pizza Enterprises (ASX:DMP) executives used the companys November 2025 results call to frame first-half performance as a reset focused on rebuilding unit economics, reducing broad-based discounting, and strengthening the balance sheet, even as that strategy pressured sales in the near term. Get alerts: Leadership changes and reset priorities Executive Chair Jack Cowin said a key step in positioning the business for the future was a revamped leadership team. The companys incoming Group CEO, Andrew Gregory, was described as a longtime McDonalds executive who will join later in 2025 after completing obligations to his current employer, with a transition expected no later than early August. Cowin also outlined several new leadership appointments across markets and functions, including new country heads and senior roles in procurement and technology, and noted Drew OMalley (formerly CEO of Collins Foods) had been appointed as a new director. Financial results: EBIT up modestly, free cash flow improved Group CFO George Saoud, who joined in July 2025, said the first half was about resetting the business and rebuilding the foundations in pricing, store economics, and capital discipline, with a deliberate approach of strengthening unit economics first and then rebuilding volume on a better base. Cowin said first-half EBIT was AUD 101.5 million, up 1% versus the prior corresponding period (PCP), while NPAT was AUD 60.1 million, up 2.2%. Free cash flow was AUD 70.6 million. Saoud attributed the result to a mix of factors, including network sales of AUD 2.04 billion and a same-store sales decline of 2.5%, which he said reflected a deliberate reduction in deep discounting in ANZ and Japan and the impact of fewer stores versus the PCP. He said strong sales in Europe helped offset softer performance in ANZ. Saoud also noted a higher effective tax rate due to a greater share of earnings in higher-tax jurisdictions. Free cash flow improved by AUD 40.6 million versus the prior year, which Saoud said was driven largely by disciplined capital management and reduced spending on technology and digital investments and new store openings. He said operating cash flow improved by around AUD 5.8 million and net leasing payments improved by AUD 4.8 million due to store closures and a smaller store base. The interim dividend was lifted to AUD 0.25 per share, described as unfranked and not underwritten, with the dividend reinvestment plan remaining in place. Discounting pullback weighs on sales, but franchisee profits rise A central theme of the call was the move away from broad discounting and toward more targeted, economics-led promotions. Cowin said sales year to date, including the first trading week of the second half, were down 3.6% versus the prior year. He pointed to a Western Australia trial that shifted from heavy discounts to everyday pricing, which resulted in the loss of price-driven heavy users and lower sales, but improved franchisee profitabilityan outcome management said it expected. Management said it is now refining promotional activity to rebuild traffic on profitable terms, emphasizing it is not abandoning discounting but shifting to more disciplined offers. Saoud said the WA trial delivered improved ticket and margin per order while volumes moderated as expected, and he highlighted that voucher dependency has reduced materially by more than half. On franchisee economics, Cowin said rolling 12-month EBITDA per store increased from AUD 98.6 thousand in FY25 to AUD 103 thousand in FY26, calling it the highest level in three years. Saoud said global average franchisee store EBITDA improved 4.5% to AUD 103 thousand, and noted that ANZ franchise profitability was more than 10% higher in January versus the prior year. Regional performance: Europe offsets ANZ softness; Japan and France need work Saoud said Europe produced same-store sales growth of 1.3%, offsetting an ANZ decline of 4.7%. He added that Germany and Benelux performed strongly, while ANZ, Japan, and France were softer. Group EBIT was up 1% overall, with ANZ impacted by a AUD 6.3 million decline due to lower orders; this was offset by Europe EBIT growth of AUD 7.6 million and Asia growth of AUD 1.4 million. Saoud said Asia benefited from overhead and cost control and improved margins on orders, noting the region includes many corporate stores. In Q&A, Saoud said Japans store closures did not drive the level of sales recapture the company expected. He contrasted Japans pre-COVID performanceroughly AUD 5053 million profit on about AUD 600 million of sales in 2019with a more complex post-COVID operating environment that management is now working to simplify. For France, Saoud said the business was a small loss in the half and pointed to the need to simplify pricing tiers and marketing programs and improve franchisee alignment and execution. Cost-out program, capex discipline, and de-leveraging Management reiterated progress on its cost-out and simplification program. Cowin said the company remains focused on a AUD 100 million objective, while Saoud said the program is tracking to AUD 6070 million of annualized savings, with AUD 55 million actioned to date. Saoud said savings were driven largely by headcount reductions (particularly in IT), procurement and logistics savings, and other marketing and G&A expenses. He also said the company has begun a phase II initiative targeting indirect services and further food and packaging opportunities, with expected benefits of AUD 1525 million annually; in Q&A, management indicated the majority of those phase II benefits would flow to DPE. On debt, Cowin said total debt was reduced by AUD 196.1 million from June to December, with net leverage reduced to 2.21x from 2.57x and average debt tenure of 4.5 years. Saoud said the company refinanced AUD 1.05 billion in new facilities with better pricing and staggered maturities, and noted an interest coverage ratio of 19.8x. Looking ahead, Cowin said management expects FY26 full-year results to be in line with the guidance provided at the AGM and consistent with market expectations at that time; in Q&A, Saoud said the company was looking to beat the consensus referenced at the AGM. Cowin also outlined selective, returns-led expansion, stating the system expects between 20 and 40 new stores over the next 1218 months, and reiterated that restoring positive same-store sales remains a prioritywithout returning to what he called giving the shop away. About Dominos Pizza Enterprises (ASX:DMP) Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores. Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited was founded in 1983 and is based in Brisbane, Australia. See Also Generation Development Group (ASX:GDG) detailed a strong first-half performance for FY26, citing broad-based growth across its Generation Life, Evidentia managed accounts, and Lonsec research businesses, alongside continued investment in staff, technology, and product development. Management also highlighted legislative and regulatory tailwinds, progress on its BlackRock alliance, and a measured rollout of artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and operating leverage. Get alerts: Half-year headline results and segment performance Management reported group revenue of AUD 88.4 million, up 35% year-on-year, with underlying NPAT of AUD 20.1 million, up 63%. Statutory NPAT was AUD 6.9 million, which management attributed to the crystallization of the Lonsec asset following GDGs purchase of the remaining half of Lonsec in June 2024. Lonsec underlying EBIT up 29% to AUD 10.0 million up to Generation Life underlying EBIT described as AUD 11.8 million on a like-for-like basis (management noted reporting impacts from consolidated tax treatment) described as on a like-for-like basis (management noted reporting impacts from consolidated tax treatment) Evidentia managed accounts EBIT up 21% to AUD 10.1 million On profitability by business line, management pointed to similar EBIT contributions across subsidiaries, highlighting: Terrence (CFO) said operating leverage was evident at the group level, with revenue up 34% and expenses up 29% over the period. GDG kept its dividend flat at AUD 0.01 and emphasized a strong cash position and balance sheet flexibility to support growth initiatives, bolt-on acquisitions, and AI investment. Funds growth: investment bonds, managed accounts, and research coverage In Generation Life, GDG reported investment bond funds under management of AUD 5.2 billion, up 34% year-on-year. Management said annual net flows over the last 12 months increased by AUD 1.3 billion (up 57%) and described its investment bond inflow market share as a record 60%, up from roughly 50% historically. Management also emphasized the long duration of the funds on platform, stating that every dollar that comes on the platform sits for over 14 years. For Evidentia managed accounts, GDG reported combined FUM of AUD 34.5 billion. Management attributed the scale to the February 2025 Evidentia acquisition combined with Lonsec Investment Solutions, plus organic growth, and said FUM rose AUD 9.1 billion in the 12 months to December 31, 2025 (a 36% increase). GDG cited 11.6% market share based on industry data through June 30, 2025. GDG also highlighted growth in tailored managed account clients since the acquisition. Management said Evidentia had 41 tailored clients at acquisition completion (February 18, 2025), Lonsec Investment Solutions had 12, and the combined group expects to have close to over 70 clients by the end of the quarter and close to 80-plus clients by year end. At Lonsec, management described the research business as more mature but growing, with product coverage rising to 1,880 products (up 5% over six months). CFO commentary emphasized that more than 90% of Lonsecs revenue is recurring, and management reported recurring revenue growth of 7.6% and EBIT growth of 29%. Investment, integration work, and tax reporting changes Executives described significant change over the last year, including a group restructure and integration initiatives following the Evidentia acquisition and internal segment reporting changes. Management said Lonsec was restructured to focus on research and ratings (including iRate), while Lonsec Investment Solutions and an RPI business were moved into Evidentia. The company also described IT separation and consolidation work that it said was completed without disrupting business as usual, as the subsidiaries continued to deliver record outcomes. Within Generation Life, CFO commentary pointed to three primary investment areas driving expense growth: Sales capability , including hiring a new head of sales and plans for additional hires , including hiring a new head of sales and plans for additional hires IT investment , particularly in the registry system to support scaling without significant headcount increases , particularly in the registry system to support scaling without significant headcount increases Cybersecurity and product development to support new offerings (including liquid and leveraged products) Management also discussed a shift to consolidated tax reporting, noting that tax offsets that previously appeared at the life company level now flow through at the corporate entity level. The CFO described the net impact as neutral at the group level. Strategic priorities: AI, BlackRock alliance, and new products GDG reiterated priorities including platform integration, efficiency improvements, and the deployment of AI across the group. Management stressed a considered, measured approach, particularly for customer-facing AI tools, emphasizing accuracy, governance, and return on invested capital. Over a two-to-three-year horizon, management said the aim is increased productivity, improved operating leverage and scalability, and later a more transformational use of AI as capabilities evolve. The company described an AI spine at the GDG level that would be tailored to each subsidiary. On product and partnership initiatives, management said it remains focused on leveraging the strategic alliance with BlackRock and developing new annuity-style products, subject to regulatory approvals. In Q&A, management said one product is expected to launch in the second half of FY26 and another productintended to address a gap in the marketis targeted for the first half of FY27, pending regulatory approval. Management also said it is engaged in RFP processes with super funds related to Retirement Income Covenant and longevity solutions, and that discussions are down to a couple of life insurers, though it did not provide specific counterparties due to NDAs. Outlook and Q&A: mandates, flows, regulation, and tax reform tailwinds Management said it expects a stronger second half of FY26 than the first half, supported by continued momentum in managed accounts and investment bonds. On mandates in Evidentia, management said a few hundred million mandate had already transitioned in Q3 and that a larger mandatedescribed later in Q&A as about AUD 1.8 billionis expected to transition next month, with zero reason cited for delay. Management also noted the possibility of another mandate transition in Q4. On managed account flows, management addressed a question about GDGs previously discussed AUD 12 billion FY26 managed account flows number, stating that it includes mandates, net growth, and investment performance, and that the company still views it as realistic given mandate progress. Executives also addressed regulatory scrutiny in managed accounts, suggesting GDG may be positioned to benefit due to its independence and lack of vertical integration, noting it does not own distribution or operate as a licensee with aligned practices. On pricing, management said the group does not compete on price, emphasizing service breadth and capabilities, and said it has not seen fee margin compression in managed accounts. Finally, management discussed tax reform as a potential tailwind for investment bonds. On the public debate around changes to the capital gains tax discount, management argued that while investment bonds operate on revenue account (and therefore do not receive CGT discounts), the structure can provide advantages such as the ability to offset capital losses against income, contributing to an effective tax rate management said is typically in the 10%15% range across the current investment menu. Management said any reduction in CGT discount could increase the tax arbitrage benefit of the investment bond structure versus other ownership structures, depending on investor circumstances. About Generation Development Group (ASX:GDG) Generation Development Group Limited engages in the marketing and management of life insurance and life investment products and services in Australia. The company operates in two segments, Benefit Funds Management and Funds Administration, and Other Business. It also provides administration and management services to the Benefit Funds of Generation Life Limited, as well as administration services to institutional clients. The company was formerly known as Austock Group Limited and changed its name to Generation Development Group Limited in March 2018. Further Reading Globus Medical, Inc. (NYSE:GMED Get Free Report) EVP Kelly Huller sold 20,000 shares of Globus Medical stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.50, for a total value of $1,890,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Kelly Huller also recently made the following trade(s): Get Globus Medical alerts: On Thursday, February 12th, Kelly Huller sold 10,000 shares of Globus Medical stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.67, for a total transaction of $876,700.00. Globus Medical Stock Down 1.4% Shares of NYSE:GMED traded down $1.32 during trading on Friday, hitting $95.39. 1,205,994 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,436,818. Globus Medical, Inc. has a one year low of $51.79 and a one year high of $101.40. The businesss fifty day moving average is $90.69 and its 200-day moving average is $76.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.21, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.06. Analyst Ratings Changes Globus Medical ( NYSE:GMED Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The medical device company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $826.42 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $803.29 million. Globus Medical had a return on equity of 12.57% and a net margin of 18.30%.The businesss revenue was up 25.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.84 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Globus Medical, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on GMED shares. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Globus Medical from $70.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Citigroup reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Globus Medical in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Globus Medical from $98.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Globus Medical from $118.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a neutral rating on shares of Globus Medical in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $104.36. View Our Latest Research Report on GMED Institutional Investors Weigh In On Globus Medical Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Globus Medical by 98.2% during the 4th quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 337 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Globus Medical by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,316 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $375,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Globus Medical by 45.1% during the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 557 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Globus Medical by 14.7% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,438 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $82,000 after buying an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Globus Medical by 74.3% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 462 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.16% of the companys stock. Globus Medical Company Profile (Get Free Report) Globus Medical, Inc (NYSE:GMED) is a leading medical device company specializing in musculoskeletal solutions for spine and orthopaedic applications. Founded in 2003 by David C. Paul and headquartered in Audubon, Pennsylvania, the company develops, manufactures and markets implantable devices and surgical instruments designed to treat spinal disorders and promote bone healing. Its product portfolio encompasses solutions for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, including interbody fusion devices, pedicle screw systems, and biologics used to enhance fusion outcomes. In addition to its core spine business, Globus Medical has expanded into robotics and navigation systems to support precision and efficiency in the operating room. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Globus Medical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Globus Medical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GMO Beyond China ETF (NYSEARCA:BCHI Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 28,674 shares, a drop of 65.4% from the January 29th total of 82,944 shares. Approximately 7.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 4,270 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 4,270 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.7 days. Approximately 7.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Institutional Investors Weigh In On GMO Beyond China ETF A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in GMO Beyond China ETF stock. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of GMO Beyond China ETF (NYSEARCA:BCHI Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 20,851 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $570,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned 5.21% of GMO Beyond China ETF as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Get GMO Beyond China ETF alerts: GMO Beyond China ETF Price Performance Shares of BCHI stock traded down $0.21 on Friday, hitting $35.55. 1,113 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,349. The companys fifty day moving average is $32.62 and its 200 day moving average is $30.60. GMO Beyond China ETF has a 1-year low of $21.81 and a 1-year high of $35.86. The company has a market capitalization of $14.22 million, a PE ratio of 14.75 and a beta of 1.37. About GMO Beyond China ETF The GMO Beyond China ETF (BCHI) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is actively managed to invest in equity securities of any market capitalization from emerging markets, with the exemption of China. BCHI was launched on Feb 12, 2025 and is issued by GMO. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for GMO Beyond China ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GMO Beyond China ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 49 shares, a growth of 188.2% from the January 29th total of 17 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,130 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,130 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Great Wall Motor Trading Down 8.6% Shares of OTCMKTS:GWLLY traded down $1.55 during trading on Friday, reaching $16.51. The company had a trading volume of 482 shares, compared to its average volume of 749. Great Wall Motor has a fifty-two week low of $13.87 and a fifty-two week high of $26.12. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $17.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.84. Get Great Wall Motor alerts: About Great Wall Motor (Get Free Report) Great Wall Motor Co, Ltd. is a Chinese automotive manufacturer headquartered in Baoding, Hebei Province. Founded in 1984, the company has evolved from a regional vehicle assembler into one of Chinas largest producers of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks. Over the decades, Great Wall Motor has invested in research and development to broaden its product portfolio and enhance its manufacturing capabilities. The companys principal business activities include the design, development and production of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and new energy vehicles. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Great Wall Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Wall Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Russia on Saturday condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as "a preplanned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state," demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.In a statement posted to Telegram, the Foreign Ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.It warned the attacks risked triggering a "humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe" in the region and accused the U.S. and Israel of "plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation."The ministry also said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Araghchi briefed Lavrov on Iran's attempts to repel the attacks and said Iran would seek to convene an urgent U.N. Security Council session, it said. Lavrov reiterated Russia's condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli strikes and Moscow's readiness to help broker peace.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Iran with Russia's Security Council via videoconference, but did not give details.In the Foreign Ministry statement, Moscow called the bombing of nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards "unacceptable" and said it stood ready to help broker a peaceful resolution, while placing full responsibility for the escalation on the United States and Israel."Responsibility for the negative consequences of this manmade crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and spiraling violence, lies entirely with them," the statement said.Russia's Foreign Ministry also condemned what it called "the serial nature of destabilizing attacks carried out by the U.S. administration," accusing the U.S. of attacking "the international legal pillars of the world order."Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran.Iranian forces and Russian sailors conducted annual drills in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean last week aimed at "upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences," Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a broad cooperation pact in January last year as their countries deepened their partnership in the face of stinging Western sanctions.The West alleges that in 2022, Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion deal for Shahed drones after Putin sent troops into Ukraine, and the U.S. also believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles, but neither Moscow nor Tehran ever acknowledged the actions.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for the strikes on Iran, calling it "an accomplice of Putin" for supplying Moscow with Shahed drones and the technology to produce them and other weapons during its four-year war against Ukraine.Russia and Iran also pooled their efforts to shore up Bashar Assad's government during Syria's civil war, but failed to prevent his downfall after a lightning offensive by the opposition. Assad and his family fled to Russia.Though Russia's Foreign Ministry was quick to condemn the attacks, the Kremlin will likely carefully assess its response following a recent warming of ties between Moscow and Washington.Putin has praised U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and Moscow and Washington have discussed ways to revive their economic ties.Some observers in Moscow argue that the focus on the confrontation between Israel and Iran could distract global attention from the war in Ukraine and play into Russia's hands by potentially weakening Western support for Kyiv. Hawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE:HE Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The utilities provider reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.24, Zacks reports. Hawaiian Electric Industries had a return on equity of 9.51% and a net margin of 0.56%.The business had revenue of $805.82 million for the quarter. Here are the key takeaways from Hawaiian Electric Industries conference call: Get Hawaiian Electric Industries alerts: Maui wildfire settlement moved materially forward the Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed denial of insurer intervention, the circuit court granted summary judgment on insurers direct claims, and the class settlement has final approval steps remaining, bringing the company closer to triggering the first payment. moved materially forward the Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed denial of insurer intervention, the circuit court granted summary judgment on insurers direct claims, and the class settlement has final approval steps remaining, bringing the company closer to triggering the first payment. Financial results improved sharply with 2025 net income of $123.1 million (core consolidated net income $149.3 million), stable customer bills in 2025, and material liquidity on hand at both the holding company and utility. (core consolidated net income $149.3 million), stable customer bills in 2025, and material liquidity on hand at both the holding company and utility. The first $479 million settlement payment is expected only after outstanding appeals are resolved and now targeted for the second half of 2026, with HEI planning to fund subsequent settlement payments via debt or convertible debt (currently leaning toward convertibles), which could increase leverage or dilute shareholders. Management reiterated elevated capital spending 2026 CapEx $550M$700M and higher spend in 20272028 and outlined a March 6 joint PBR rebasing proposal (with PBR Phase 6/PIM redesign and potential securitization for wildfire safety) to address rate design and affordability amid the large investment cycle. Hawaiian Electric Industries Stock Performance Shares of NYSE HE traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $15.45. 4,064,862 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,189,937. Hawaiian Electric Industries has a 52 week low of $9.06 and a 52 week high of $17.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $14.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.69. The company has a market cap of $2.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 193.15 and a beta of 0.63. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades HE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries in a report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Hawaiian Electric Industries from $11.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries from a hold rating to an underperform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $13.50 to $12.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.17. View Our Latest Report on HE Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hawaiian Electric Industries Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Comerica Bank grew its holdings in shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries by 45.0% in the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 6,075 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,886 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in Hawaiian Electric Industries by 51.9% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 379,888 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,159,000 after purchasing an additional 129,819 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries by 16.4% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 121,582 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,331,000 after purchasing an additional 17,158 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in Hawaiian Electric Industries by 12.9% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 26,690 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $292,000 after purchasing an additional 3,060 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries by 36.9% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 491,366 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,380,000 after acquiring an additional 132,321 shares during the period. 59.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Hawaiian Electric Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc is a diversified holding company operating in the energy and financial services sectors in the state of Hawaii. Its principal subsidiary, Hawaiian Electric Company, provides generation, transmission, distribution and customer service to the island of Oahu, while its Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light Company subsidiaries serve Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island. The roots of the electric utility business trace back to 1891 when service first commenced in Honolulu. Through its subsidiary Hawaii Gas, HEI extends its energy portfolio to include the distribution of natural gas and propane, supporting residential, commercial and industrial customers across the islands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hawaiian Electric Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hawaiian Electric Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heartland Group (ASX:HGH) executives told investors its strategic reset continued to gain traction in the first half of fiscal 2026, driving a sharp recovery in profit, wider margins, and improved credit quality, while the group began multi-year technology programs in both New Zealand and Australia. Get alerts: Group results show profit rebound, margin expansion, and lower impairments Chief Executive Andrew Dixson said the group delivered net profit after tax (NPAT) of NZD 48.8 million for the first half, or NZD 46.1 million on an underlying basis. Underlying return on equity (ROE) rose to 7.3%, up 540 basis points from the first half of fiscal 2025 and 142 basis points above the second half of fiscal 2025. Dixson attributed the improvement to a strategic reset centered on core portfolio growth and tighter arrears management. Average net interest margin (NIM) expanded 51 basis points to 3.92%, which management linked to favorable deposit market conditions in both jurisdictions and Heartland Bank Australia benefiting from a full year of its funding transition. Asset quality also improved materially. The group reported an impairment expense ratio of 0.35%, down 105 basis points, alongside a sharp reduction in non-performing loans (NPLs). Management said prescriptive collections and recoveries policies are now embedded, and noted motor finance arrears were performing better than the industry average. On balance sheet trends, Dixson said aggregate receivables grew AUD 157 million, steady at 4.3% on an annualized basis, despite AUD 173 million of non-strategic asset (NSA) realization. Reverse Mortgages were cited as a consistent growth engine, with annualized growth over 15% in New Zealand and around 19% in Australia. Livestock finance grew nearly 15% in Australia despite seasonality and extreme weather impacts, while motor and business finance portfolios contracted as the group shifted toward higher quality lending. Reported vs. underlying narrowing; Harmoney exit boosted statutory profit Management said the gap between reported and underlying NPAT was only NZD 2.7 million in the half, primarily due to a NZD 3.1 million fair value gain associated with the full exit of Heartlands Harmoney equity investment above its carrying value. While the company will retain two NPAT measures for the remainder of fiscal 2026, Dixson said Heartland intends to move to a single statutory reported measure from fiscal 2027 and is already transitioning by recording certain one-off costs within reported NPAT. Technology uplift begins in both banks with Pega and Constantinople Dixson confirmed each bank has commenced a multi-year technology program, with Pega selected in New Zealand and Constantinople in Australia. In New Zealand, the program is designed to leverage Heartlands Oracle core banking investment to unify origination and servicing across product sets and increase automation. In Australia, the initiative aims to consolidate three origination and servicing platforms into a single banking solution. Management said both platforms will integrate with Workday, Snowflake, and Genesys investments and include embedded AI capability, with implementation starting in Reverse Mortgages before extending to other product sets. Total implementation costs were estimated at no more than NZD 17 million over three years (approximately NZD 11 million in New Zealand and AUD 5 million in Australia, in local currency). During Q&A, management said there would be very little capitalization in FY26, with some New Zealand delivery costs capitalized, but not in Australia due to the nature of the build. Executives suggested the second-half P&L impact at a group level would be roughly NZD 1 million to NZD 2 million, and said project benefits and metrics would be presented in detail at an Investor Day. Capital position strengthened by regulatory decisions and NSA run-off On capital, Dixson said Heartland holds excess capital across the group following NSA realization and recent Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decisions on capital settings. He highlighted RBNZs December 2025 final decisions, which are expected to reduce total capital requirements relative to previously determined 2028 settings, remove the need for additional Tier 1 capital instruments, allow a higher mix of Tier 2 capital, and introduce more granular and reduced risk weightsparticularly for small business and rural lending. These settings are targeted for implementation in October 2026, with further RBNZ information expected 27 February 2026. Separately, effective 1 March 2026, RBNZ reduced Heartland Banks transitional capital overlay (imposed after acquiring what is now Heartland Bank Australia) by 1.5%, from 2% to 0.5%. Management said the remaining overlay is expected to remain until a formal group supervision policy is implemented, expected in December 2028. RBNZ has also indicated it will review Reverse Mortgage risk weights in 2026. As of 31 December 2025, management said Heartland Bank holds about NZD 125 million of regulatory capital in excess of expected requirements, rising to approximately NZD 190 million when applying expected risk weight changes to the same balance sheet. NSA realization also continued to release capital. Dixson said NSAs reduced by nearly NZD 190 million in the first half, creating more than NZD 21 million of available capital, with recovery rates in excess of 90% since the NSA portfolio and dedicated team were established. Management said the NSA program is tracking to be largely concluded by the end of fiscal 2026. Bank-by-bank: NZ retraction offsets growth; Australia scales and funds with deposits In New Zealand, Chief Financial Officer Kerry Conway said reported NPAT was NZD 31 million, while underlying NPAT was NZD 28.3 million, reflecting the non-repeat of large impairment activity in the prior year. Receivables retracted NZD 254 million (10%) over six months to NZD 4.5 billion, with NZD 173 million of the retraction attributed to NSA execution. Reverse Mortgages grew at a 15% annualized pace, rural grew 8% annualized excluding livestock seasonality, while motor, asset finance, and business relationship portfolios contracted amid economic headwinds, competition, and a strategic quality shift. Conway said the New Zealand banks December exit NIM was 4.11%, with expectations to exit the year above 4.20%. Operating expenses were up NZD 0.5 million year-on-year to NZD 62.6 million, while the cost-to-income ratio for the bank was 53.8%. Impairment expense was NZD 11.5 million, down NZD 38 million from the prior year period, and the NPL ratio improved to 3.04% (2.07% excluding NSAs and non-core lending). The New Zealand banks regulatory capital ratio was 17%, above the 14.5% minimum. In Australia, Conway reported first-half NPAT of AUD 16.7 million, up 39% on an underlying basis. Receivables grew 17% to AUD 2.5 billion. Average NIM expanded 93 basis points to 3.68%, driven by lower funding costs as the bank shifted toward retail deposits; management said retail deposits represented 86% of funding at December. Operating expenses rose to AUD 28 million, reflecting staffing and technology investment and higher onboarding costs tied to strong Reverse Mortgage growth. The banks impairment ratio was described as stable at 10 basis points, and its capital ratio was 19.5%. Heartland declared an interim dividend of NZD 0.035 per share, up NZD 0.015 from the prior corresponding period, with a first-half payout ratio of 72% of underlying NPAT. Management said it is not changing its dividend policy (at least 50% of underlying NPAT) and views the higher payout as tied to excess capital, particularly from NSA realization, while emphasizing a preference to deploy capital into organic growth. For the full year, Heartland reaffirmed guidance of underlying ROE of at least 7% and underlying NPAT of at least NZD 85 million. Management said NIM remains on track and impairment guidance was positively adjusted following first-half improvements, while cost-to-income guidance was revised to reflect portfolio retraction and technology investment. About Heartland Group (ASX:HGH) Heartland Group Holdings Limited provides various financial services in New Zealand and Australia. The company offers savings accounts, term deposits, and direct and business call accounts. It also provides home loans, business loans, term loans, revolving credit, car loans, and reverse mortgage lending and other financial services. In addition, the company offers term debt, plant and equipment finance, commercial mortgage lending, and working capital solutions for small-to-medium sized businesses; and livestock finance, rural mortgage lending, and seasonal and working capital financing, as well as leasing solutions to farmers. Featured Articles Garrett Motion Inc. (NYSE:GTX Get Free Report) SVP Daniel Deiro sold 13,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.31, for a total value of $264,030.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,994 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,675,988.14. This represents a 6.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Daniel Deiro also recently made the following trade(s): Get Garrett Motion alerts: On Thursday, February 26th, Daniel Deiro sold 20,000 shares of Garrett Motion stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.29, for a total value of $405,800.00. Garrett Motion Stock Performance Shares of NYSE GTX traded down $0.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $20.36. 3,362,113 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,592,434. Garrett Motion Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $7.01 and a fifty-two week high of $21.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.03 and a beta of 0.33. The businesss fifty day moving average is $18.73 and its 200 day moving average is $16.15. Garrett Motion Announces Dividend Garrett Motion ( NYSE:GTX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.03. Garrett Motion had a net margin of 8.12% and a negative return on equity of 38.75%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Garrett Motion Inc. will post 1.25 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Garrett Motions payout ratio is presently 21.05%. Garrett Motion declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, December 3rd that authorizes the company to repurchase $250.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 7.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently commented on GTX. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Garrett Motion from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Garrett Motion from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Garrett Motion in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. Finally, BWS Financial upped their target price on Garrett Motion from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $18.80. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Garrett Motion Institutional Investors Weigh In On Garrett Motion A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GTX. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new stake in Garrett Motion during the first quarter worth about $42,000. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Garrett Motion by 641.7% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 90,919 shares of the companys stock valued at $761,000 after buying an additional 78,661 shares in the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC raised its holdings in shares of Garrett Motion by 153.5% during the 2nd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 38,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $406,000 after buying an additional 23,420 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in Garrett Motion by 50.9% in the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 258,734 shares of the companys stock worth $2,719,000 after buying an additional 87,280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank purchased a new stake in Garrett Motion in the second quarter worth approximately $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.27% of the companys stock. About Garrett Motion (Get Free Report) Garrett Motion Inc is a technology leader specializing in the design, development and manufacture of turbocharging systems and related technologies for the global automotive industry. Its product portfolio includes conventional exhaust gas turbochargers, variable-geometry turbochargers, electric and e-boost turbochargers, as well as electronic actuators, sensors and thermal management systems. The companys solutions are engineered to improve engine efficiency, reduce emissions and support automakers efforts to meet evolving regulatory standards for fuel economy and air quality. Garrett Motion traces its roots to the founding of AiResearch by Cliff Garrett in 1936, a pioneer in aircraft and automotive turbocharging technologies. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Garrett Motion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Garrett Motion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Government Money Market ETF (NYSEARCA:GMMF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,102 shares, a decrease of 79.1% from the January 29th total of 5,280 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 12,082 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 12,082 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Government Money Market ETF An institutional investor recently bought a new position in iShares Government Money Market ETF stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Government Money Market ETF (NYSEARCA:GMMF Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 7,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $714,000. iShares Government Money Market ETF accounts for about 1.4% of Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. owned 0.92% of iShares Government Money Market ETF as of its most recent SEC filing. Get iShares Government Money Market ETF alerts: iShares Government Money Market ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA GMMF traded up $0.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $100.48. The company had a trading volume of 4,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,888. iShares Government Money Market ETF has a twelve month low of $100.06 and a twelve month high of $100.55. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $100.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $100.35. About iShares Government Money Market ETF The iShares Government Money Market ETF (GMMF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund which invests in US government money market instruments with short-term maturities. The fund seeks current income. GMMF was launched on Feb 4, 2025 and is issued by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Government Money Market ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Government Money Market ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:JPSWY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $34.0740, but opened at $32.00. Japan Steel Works shares last traded at $31.22, with a volume of 21 shares traded. Japan Steel Works Stock Up 0.4% The firm has a market cap of $4.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.33 and a beta of 0.28. The stocks 50 day moving average is $28.89 and its 200 day moving average is $30.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 2.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. Get Japan Steel Works alerts: Japan Steel Works (OTCMKTS:JPSWY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.02). Japan Steel Works had a net margin of 7.41% and a return on equity of 8.80%. The firm had revenue of $417.46 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $486.28 million. Analysts forecast that The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. will post 0.81 EPS for the current year. Japan Steel Works Company Profile The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. engages in the provision of industrial machinery products, and material and engineering business in Japan and internationally. It operates through Industrial Machinery Products Business, and Material and Engineering Business segments. The Industrial Machinery Products Business segment offers plastic production and processing machinery, such as pelletizers, film and sheet manufacturing equipment, and twin-screw extruders; molding machines including plastic injection molding, magnesium injection molding, and blow molding machines; and other machinery consists of excimer laser annealing systems, defense equipment, railway products, hot press devices, vacuum laminators, and deposit systems, as well as after-sales services for plastics, mobility, high-performance batteries, electronic devices, and defense applications. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Japan Steel Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Japan Steel Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MyHealthChecked PLC (LON:MHC Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 1.7% on Friday . The stock traded as high as GBX 9.15 and last traded at GBX 9.15. 57,186 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 33% from the average session volume of 42,954 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 9. MyHealthChecked Trading Up 1.7% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 12.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 9.15 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 9.32. The company has a market cap of 4.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.43 and a beta of 1.37. Get MyHealthChecked alerts: About MyHealthChecked (Get Free Report) MyHealthChecked PLC, based in Cardiff, is an AIM-quoted pioneering UK healthcare company focused on a range of at-home healthcare and wellness tests. MyHealthChecked is the umbrella brand of a range of at-home rapid tests, as well as DNA, RNA and blood sample collection kits which have been created to support customers on their journeys to wellness. The tests are lateral-flow self-tests, whilst the sample collection kits enable the collection of blood, urine, nasal or mouth swab samples that are analysed in partner laboratories for a range of biomarkers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MyHealthChecked Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MyHealthChecked and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the ten research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation, four have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $83.80. Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Zacks Research upgraded National Grid Transco from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. BNP Paribas Exane cut shares of National Grid Transco from an outperform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, National Bank Financial set a $85.50 target price on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Friday, December 12th. Get National Grid Transco alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on National Grid Transco Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Grid Transco National Grid Transco Stock Performance A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NGG. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in National Grid Transco in the 2nd quarter worth about $487,000. Creative Planning boosted its holdings in shares of National Grid Transco by 23.3% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 89,239 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,640,000 after acquiring an additional 16,857 shares during the last quarter. Summit Global Investments boosted its holdings in shares of National Grid Transco by 19.1% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 53,559 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,985,000 after acquiring an additional 8,603 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of National Grid Transco by 189.2% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 111,083 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,604,000 after acquiring an additional 72,673 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of National Grid Transco by 2.4% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,089,650 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $151,855,000 after purchasing an additional 48,048 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 4.68% of the companys stock. NGG opened at $93.78 on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $84.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $77.34. National Grid Transco has a 52 week low of $59.35 and a 52 week high of $94.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.90. About National Grid Transco (Get Free Report) National Grid Transco (NYSE: NGG) is a utility company focused on the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas. The company builds, owns, operates and maintains large-scale energy infrastructure, including high-voltage electricity transmission lines, electricity distribution networks and high-pressure gas pipelines. Its core activities center on providing safe, reliable delivery of energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers while meeting regulatory requirements across its service territories. Services provided by National Grid Transco encompass network operation and maintenance, system balancing and control, metering and connections, and capital investment in grid modernization and reliability projects. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for National Grid Transco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Grid Transco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palmer Square Capital BDC (NYSE:PSBD Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.42 by ($0.01), Zacks reports. Palmer Square Capital BDC had a return on equity of 10.77% and a net margin of 10.85%.The business had revenue of ($0.31) million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.11 million. Palmer Square Capital BDC Stock Down 2.0% Shares of Palmer Square Capital BDC stock traded down $0.21 on Friday, hitting $10.44. The stock had a trading volume of 130,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 83,560. The stock has a market cap of $328.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.28 and a beta of 0.68. Palmer Square Capital BDC has a twelve month low of $10.10 and a twelve month high of $15.64. The businesss 50 day moving average is $11.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.43. Get Palmer Square Capital BDC alerts: Palmer Square Capital BDC Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 13.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 27th. Palmer Square Capital BDCs payout ratio is currently 334.88%. Institutional Trading of Palmer Square Capital BDC Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Palmer Square Capital BDC during the 1st quarter worth $360,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of Palmer Square Capital BDC by 5.0% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 300,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,196,000 after acquiring an additional 14,220 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP grew its stake in shares of Palmer Square Capital BDC by 142.9% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 131,545 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,614,000 after acquiring an additional 77,393 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new position in Palmer Square Capital BDC during the third quarter worth about $230,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in Palmer Square Capital BDC by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 134,249 shares of the companys stock worth $1,647,000 after purchasing an additional 2,638 shares in the last quarter. 6.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. A number of research analysts have weighed in on PSBD shares. UBS Group decreased their price target on Palmer Square Capital BDC from $13.50 to $13.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut Palmer Square Capital BDC from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on Palmer Square Capital BDC Palmer Square Capital BDC Company Profile (Get Free Report) Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc (NYSE: PSBD) is a closed-end, externally managed business development company that provides customized financing solutions to middle-market companies in the United States. The firm offers a broad range of debt and equity productsincluding first-lien and second-lien senior secured loans, unitranche financings, mezzanine debt and equity co-investmentsto support corporate acquisitions, refinancings, growth initiatives and balance sheet restructurings. PSBD primarily targets established privately owned and sponsored businesses across diverse industries such as healthcare, business services, industrials and consumer products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Palmer Square Capital BDC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Palmer Square Capital BDC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Smartgroup (ASX:SIQ) executives told investors the company delivered strong financial results with solid operating momentum in 2025, supported by higher novated leasing volumes, new client wins, and ongoing investment in its digital platform and operating model. Get alerts: Managing Director and CEO Scott Wharton and CFO Jason King also reiterated a medium-term ambition for EBITDA margin to reach the mid-40s in 2027, describing 2026 as a significant year for technology investment and change delivery to underpin that outcome. Full-year 2025 financial performance and dividends For 2025, Smartgroup reported revenue of AUD 329.3 million, up 8% versus 2024. Total expenses rose 5% to AUD 182.7 million, which management attributed in part to continued investment to deliver strategic priorities, including marketing, lead generation, and technology. EBITDA increased 14% to AUD 135.3 million, with EBITDA margin rising to 41%, an increase of 2 percentage points compared to the prior year. NPAT A increased 11% to AUD 80.2 million, and return on equity was 30%, up 1.2 percentage points year-on-year. The board declared a final fully franked dividend of AUD 0.215 per share and a fully franked special dividend of AUD 0.12 per share. Combined with the AUD 0.195 per share interim ordinary dividend declared in August 2025, total fully franked dividends for the year were AUD 0.53 per share, representing 90% of 2025 NPAT A. Operating metrics: salary packaging, leasing, and fleet growth King said Smartgroup delivered broad-based growth across product lines, customer segments, and vehicle segments. Key operating measures cited on the call included: Active salary packages: up 10% year-on-year to 491,000 up 10% year-on-year to 491,000 Novated leases under management: up 15% to 85,300 up 15% to 85,300 Fleet managed vehicles: up 9% to 35,200 In novated leasing, new lease vehicle orders were up 13% and total settlements (including new, used, and refinanced vehicles) were up 7% year-on-year. King noted that the pipeline unwind reduced in 2025 relative to 2024, affecting growth rates off a higher base. Management emphasized a focus on yield, stating leasing yield was stable year-on-year. King said yield dipped modestly in the first half due to higher plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) volume, then recovered in the second half as the company focused on product attachment rates. Average delivery time frames improved to 35 days, and management said it did not currently see vehicle supply as a constraint on the business. EV and ICE demand trends and policy considerations Smartgroup said its novated lease proposition continues to generate demand for both electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In 2025, battery electric new vehicle orders grew 49% versus 2024, while ICE new vehicle orders increased 4%. King discussed the end of the federal governments Electric Car Discount policy for PHEVs on March 31, which he said accelerated PHEV demand in the first quarter. Following the policy change, new PHEV orders declined 31% year-on-year, while interest shifted toward battery EVs. On questions about the impact of EV-related policy on margins, Wharton said the government review of the Electric Car Discount policy is underway and Smartgroup does not know the outcome. He added the company does not anticipate significant changes, while also emphasizing Smartgroup has driven growth in both EV and combustion engine vehicles and views novated leasing as a strong product irrespective of EV policy. Strategy execution: digital investment, simplification, and efficiency Wharton outlined progress against the companys strategic priorities, which focus on (1) digital and technology investments in salary packaging, (2) innovative leasing growth, (3) broadening the product range, and (4) targeted investment in the fleet business. He described a phased roadmap, with phase one focused on growth and demand generation in novated leasing and front-end digital assets, phase two (commencing in 2025) focused on building a scalable platform, and phase three focused on proposition innovation and new products. Examples cited of digital and platform progress included: Launch of an enhanced car leasing portal in 2024 and the smart.com.au digital customer home A new digital salary packaging sign-up journey delivered in 2025, which management said has received positive client feedback A new smart app in testing, with rollout planned for 2026 Wharton said smart.com.au has attracted 3 million total users since launch at the end of 2024. He also pointed to operational simplification efforts, including reducing the brand footprint from eight to four and rationalizing contact center operations. On technology modernization, he said 45% of compute is now running in the cloud, with a target of 100% modernization by 2028. Management also highlighted increased automation activity, including AI-driven knowledge management and automation of high-volume processes such as claims. Efficiency improvements were framed in part through customers per operations FTE, which improved 16% to 1,645 in 2025. On costs, King said staff costs increased 3% due to wage pressures, but with lower average headcount, while non-staff costs increased 12% largely from marketing, lead generation, and technology investment. Depreciation and amortization rose 40%, primarily due to capitalized IT development costs. Cash conversion, balance sheet, and 2026 investment plans Smartgroup reported cash conversion of 122% of NPAT A, which King said was influenced by timing of working capital movements and tax payments. Capitalized IT development costs were AUD 12.6 million in 2025, in line with guidance. The company ended the year with net debt of AUD 38.1 million, equating to 0.3 times leverage. King said Smartgroup has been piloting fleet funding products using its balance sheet since 2021 but has moved toward integrating external fleet funding providers, which it expects will lead to significantly lower internal funding in coming years. For 2026, management guided technology capital expenditure of AUD 11 million to AUD 13 million, similar to 2025, and said capex should remain at current levels in the short term as strategic priorities are delivered before returning to a more normalized level. Outlook: robust demand and mid-term margin ambition Looking ahead, management said it sees a supportive environment for further growth and described demand as robust. Wharton said January leasing orders and settlements increased versus the prior comparable period, and January yield also increased. Executives reiterated that 2026 will be a major year for technology investment and change delivery, positioning the group to realize scale benefits. Management maintained its expectation for EBITDA margin to reach the mid-40s during 2027 and said that with sustained investment, including automation and engineering capabilities, it sees opportunities to further elevate performance beyond 2027. During Q&A, management declined to comment on February trading. It also said it does not feel compelled to pursue acquisitions to achieve strategic goals, though it retains flexibility for compelling inorganic opportunities and noted there is nothing active at present. About Smartgroup (ASX:SIQ) Smartgroup Corporation Ltd provides employee management services in Australia. The company operates through three segments: Outsourced Administration (OA); Vehicle Services (VS); and Software, Distribution, and Group Services (SDGS) segments. The Outsourced Administration segment offers outsourced salary packaging services, novated leasing, and outsourced payroll services. Its Vehicle Services segment provides end-to-end fleet management services. The Software, Distribution, and Group Services segment offers salary packaging software solutions; markets salary packaging debit cards; and distributes vehicle insurances and workforce management software to the healthcare industry. Recommended Stories Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for CAE (NYSE: CAE): 2/17/2026 CAE was downgraded by Weiss Ratings from buy (b-) to hold (c+). 2/17/2026 CAE had its outperform rating reaffirmed by Scotiabank. 2/17/2026 CAE had its buy rating reaffirmed by TD Securities. 2/15/2026 CAE had its hold rating reaffirmed by Jefferies Financial Group Inc.. 2/3/2026 CAE was upgraded by Weiss Ratings from hold (c+) to buy (b-). 1/21/2026 CAE had its outperform rating reaffirmed by Scotiabank. 1/12/2026 CAE had its buy rating reaffirmed by TD Securities. 1/12/2026 CAE was upgraded by Zacks Research from strong sell to hold. 12/29/2025 CAE had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by Weiss Ratings. CAE Inc is a global leader in training and simulation technologies, headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of high-fidelity flight simulators and training systems for civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets. Leveraging advanced software and hardware integration, CAE delivers comprehensive training solutions that address pilot proficiency, mission readiness and patient safety across a wide range of platforms. In civil aviation, CAE partners with major airlines, aircraft manufacturers and flight schools to provide pilot training services, courseware development and crew scheduling solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for CAE Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAE Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff Reporter The Chimanimani Magistrates' Court has set 13 March as the trial date for Buhera South Member of Parliament Ngonidzashe Mudekunye (Zanu PF), who is facing a public violence charge alongside five coaccused. Mudekunye, who is out on bail, appeared before magistrate Regis Mawarire. Prosecutor Hardlife Machando told the court that the docket was not yet ready. Mudekunyes lawyer, Benjamin Bhasikiti, applied for the matter to be removed from remand, but the court ruled in favour of the State and granted a postponement.According to the allegations, on 18 January Mudekunye arrived at Birchnough Bridge and ordered a female security guard, Prettymore Kasiya, to allow a truck behind him to pass without the required weighbridge documents. When Kasiya refused, Mudekunye allegedly became furious and assaulted her with open hands.Kasiya was left bleeding and in pain. She reported the matter to the police, leading to Mudekunyes arrest. He was detained in leg irons by Mutare police.Mudekunye is reportedly no stranger to controversy, with a history of disrupting party events and allegedly assaulting people in Buhera. Ninepoint Partners LP acquired a new stake in McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 1,670 shares of the fast-food giants stock, valued at approximately $507,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MCD. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 972 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Clare Market Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 24.4% during the third quarter. Clare Market Investments LLC now owns 3,134 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $952,000 after buying an additional 615 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its stake in McDonalds by 321.7% during the third quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,606 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $792,000 after purchasing an additional 1,988 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its holdings in shares of McDonalds by 1.6% in the third quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 279,129 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $84,825,000 after purchasing an additional 4,346 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Generali Investments Management Co LLC lifted its holdings in McDonalds by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Generali Investments Management Co LLC now owns 9,423 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $2,864,000 after buying an additional 283 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the companys stock. Get McDonald's alerts: Insider Activity at McDonalds In other McDonalds news, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 26,276 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $333.54, for a total value of $8,764,097.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,638,066. This trade represents a 53.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Jonathan Banner sold 6,201 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.29, for a total value of $2,066,731.29. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 2,291 shares in the company, valued at approximately $763,567.39. This represents a 73.02% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 78,084 shares of company stock worth $25,661,722. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Key Stories Impacting McDonalds Positive Sentiment: Street support: JPMorgan raised its price target to $325 and remains constructive, giving buyside validation and likely contributing to bullish flows. Article Title Street support: JPMorgan raised its price target to $325 and remains constructive, giving buyside validation and likely contributing to bullish flows. Positive Sentiment: Promotions and LTOs driving traffic: The U.S. rollout of the Big Arch supersized burger and national $1 McMuffin promotions are generating buzz and should lift shortterm visits and digital engagement, supporting revenue and comp trends. Article Title Article Title Promotions and LTOs driving traffic: The U.S. rollout of the Big Arch supersized burger and national $1 McMuffin promotions are generating buzz and should lift shortterm visits and digital engagement, supporting revenue and comp trends. Positive Sentiment: Loyalty and digital momentum: Coverage highlights McDonalds rewards and app-driven promotions are improving visit frequency and ticket, a structural tailwind for margins and recurring sales. Article Title Loyalty and digital momentum: Coverage highlights McDonalds rewards and app-driven promotions are improving visit frequency and ticket, a structural tailwind for margins and recurring sales. Positive Sentiment: Dividend income visibility: Management confirmed a $1.86 quarterly dividend (exdiv March 3, payable March 17), supporting demand from incomeoriented investors. Article Title Dividend income visibility: Management confirmed a $1.86 quarterly dividend (exdiv March 3, payable March 17), supporting demand from incomeoriented investors. Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst estimate moves from Zacks: Zacks updated numerous quarterly and FY2027/28 EPS estimates lifting some fullyear/quarter forecasts while trimming others. The net effect is ambiguous for nearterm sentiment but shows analysts are actively remodeling. (Zacks coverage also discusses value strategy sustaining traffic.) Article Title Mixed analyst estimate moves from Zacks: Zacks updated numerous quarterly and FY2027/28 EPS estimates lifting some fullyear/quarter forecasts while trimming others. The net effect is ambiguous for nearterm sentiment but shows analysts are actively remodeling. (Zacks coverage also discusses value strategy sustaining traffic.) Neutral Sentiment: Product novelty tests: International menu items and limitedtime offers can boost visits but their incremental margin impact is uncertain; useful for shortterm traffic but not a proven longterm earnings catalyst. Article Title Product novelty tests: International menu items and limitedtime offers can boost visits but their incremental margin impact is uncertain; useful for shortterm traffic but not a proven longterm earnings catalyst. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Executives disclosed sales (including a recent sale by Joe Erlinger), which can spook some investors even if part of routine diversification. Article Title Insider selling: Executives disclosed sales (including a recent sale by Joe Erlinger), which can spook some investors even if part of routine diversification. Negative Sentiment: Regional ad controversy: A Ramadan ad in Germany showing empty boxes drew criticism a reputational headline that may pressure local sentiment but is unlikely to materially affect global fundamentals. Article Title Analysts Set New Price Targets Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week: A number of research firms have issued reports on MCD. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on McDonalds from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $323.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Barclays lifted their price target on McDonalds from $372.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of McDonalds in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on McDonalds from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $337.57. View Our Latest Report on MCD McDonalds Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:MCD opened at $340.85 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $316.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $310.19. McDonalds Corporation has a one year low of $283.47 and a one year high of $341.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $242.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.52, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.52. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 343.90% and a net margin of 31.85%.The firm had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.83 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year. McDonalds Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be given a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio is presently 62.26%. About McDonalds (Free Report) McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion. See Also Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Accent Group Limited (ASX:AX1 Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Thursday, February 26th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.033 per share on Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 279.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Accent Group Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 129.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.58, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.80. Get Accent Group alerts: Accent Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Accent Group Limited engages in the retail, distribution, and franchise of lifestyle footwear, and apparel and accessories in Australia and New Zealand. The company's brands and banners include The Athlete's Foot, Platypus Shoes, Hype DC, Skechers, Merrell, CAT, Vans, Dr. Martens, Saucony, Timberland, Hoka, Superga, Kappa, Palladium, Supra, Subtype, The Trybe, Stylerunner, Autry, Glue Store, and UCG. The company was formerly known as RCG Corporation Limited and changed its name to Accent Group Limited in November 2017. Receive News & Ratings for Accent Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accent Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aeroports de Paris SA (OTCMKTS:AEOXF Get Free Report) shares were down 2.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $139.7250 and last traded at $139.7250. Approximately 9 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 92% from the average daily volume of 111 shares. The stock had previously closed at $143.4275. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on AEOXF shares. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Aeroports de Paris from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Oddo Bhf lowered shares of Aeroports de Paris to an underperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Aeroports de Paris in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Aeroports de Paris in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Aeroports de Paris has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Aeroports de Paris alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Aeroports de Paris Aeroports de Paris Stock Performance About Aeroports de Paris The companys 50 day moving average is $130.78 and its 200-day moving average is $135.86. (Get Free Report) Aeroports de Paris, operating under the Groupe ADP umbrella, is the principal airport operator for the Paris metropolitan area, overseeing Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Le Bourget airports. The company is responsible for airport management, passenger services, air traffic coordination, security operations and infrastructure development across its Paris hub. In addition to serving as a gateway to France, Aeroports de Paris handles cargo operations, maintenance support and ground handling services for a broad range of commercial, charter and cargo airlines. Beyond its core aeronautical activities, Aeroports de Paris has developed substantial non-aeronautical revenues through retail concessions, food and beverage outlets, duty-free shopping, parking facilities and property leasing. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Aeroports de Paris Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aeroports de Paris and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alcidion Group (ASX:ALC) reported a strong performance for the first half of FY2026, highlighted by record half-year revenue growth, a sharp improvement in underlying EBITDA, and continued momentum from contract expansions in Australia and the UK, according to managements earnings call. Get alerts: The company said results reflected higher recurring revenue contributions from customer wins signed in FY2025, plus expansion activity including contracts with Leidos and North Cumbria. Management also reiterated its focus on scaling its modular, cloud-native Miya Precision platform across key markets, while pursuing selective expansion into new geographies such as Canada and the Middle East. Financial performance and revenue mix For the first half, Alcidion delivered revenue of, upfrom the prior corresponding period. Chief Financial Officer Matt Gepp said the revenue increase totaledyear over year, withdriven by the ANZ business andby the UK. Gepp said recurring revenue in ANZ rose AUD 2.9 million, driven by the third Leidos expansion announced in November and a full six months of recurring revenue from Peninsula and NALHN, which were signed late in the prior years first half. This was partly offset by a decline of about AUD 800,000 in ANZ services revenue, largely due to completion of the Hume project in the prior year and Leidos implementation work on the original two contracts being materially completed in the prior period. In the UK, recurring revenue increased AUD 2.7 million, attributed to revenue from the Haldar Flow and North Cumbria EPR deals, which did not contribute in the prior years first half. UK services revenue increased AUD 2.1 million, largely from implementation work on Haldar and North Cumbria. The company also recognized a AUD 1 million capital license from the North Cumbria Mosaic expansion signed in September. Management said recurring revenue totaled AUD 19.3 million and represented 76% of first-half revenue, with the UK contributing just more than half of the total result. ARR, contract activity, and profitability Alcidion reported Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of AUD 31.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2025, up 9% from June 30, 2025, which management attributed to contract expansions during the half. The company also signed AUD 23.6 million in new total contract value (TCV) in the period, up over 29% year over year. Underlying EBITDA was AUD 4.2 million, up 675%, representing a AUD 3.7 million improvement from the prior corresponding period. Net profit after tax (NPAT) for the half was AUD 1.3 million, which Gepp said included a AUD 1.9 million amortization charge on acquired intangibles. Gross margin declined compared with FY2025. Management attributed the change to a higher portion of third-party products in first-half deals, including the Mosaic expansion and third-party medications management components in the Sussex opportunity. The company said it expects gross margin to be lower in FY2026 than FY2025, calling the impact an anomaly and anticipating a return to margins in the higher 80s in FY2027 and beyond. Cash, balance sheet, and operating cash flow Alcidion ended the half with AUD 14.2 million in cash, which Gepp described as a AUD 6.5 million improvement compared with cash of AUD 7.7 million at the end of the prior years December half. First-half receipts were AUD 17 million, around 11% higher than the prior year. The company posted an operating cash outflow of AUD 2.6 million, improving by about AUD 1.6 million to AUD 1.7 million versus the prior period depending on the comparison referenced by management. Gepp said working capital movements were a seasonal feature tied to billing cycles, with trade receivables typically higher at December than June and collections historically stronger in the second half. Capital expenditure remained limited, with AUD 32,000 spent in the half, largely on staff equipment upgrades. Management said the companys model does not require heavy CapEx and that full-year CapEx rarely exceeds about AUD 150,000. Contract expansions, Sussex EPR, and market strategy Management highlighted multiple expansions at North Cumbria, including the previously announced Mosaic expansion and additional purchases of Smartpage modules. In the Q&A, Gepp said the Smartpage Non-Clinical win was about GBP 600,000 (around AUD 1.2 million), slightly below the Smartpage Clinical contract previously referenced at AUD 1.5 million. Alcidion also cited a material expansion with Leidos related to the Australian Defence Forces Healthcare Knowledge Management System (JP 2060). Management said a AUD 12.3 million TCV expansion was signed in November, and the company now expects the Leidos contract ARR to exceed AUD 5.5 million. The original contract runs to June 2028, with an option for the project to extend out to 2036. Post period-end, Alcidion said it was selected as preferred provider by University Hospital Sussex for a new electronic patient record (EPR) platform. Management said Sussex is an existing customer for Patientrack observations and one of the largest acute trusts in the UK, with seven hospitals and about 1.5 million appointments per year. Alcidion expects a minimum seven-year term and a total contract value of around AUD 35 million, with negotiations ongoing and signing targeted for mid-Q4. Implementation is expected to begin shortly after signing and run for around 18 months, depending on final scope. During Q&A, management said its UK pipeline included three main buckets: large EPR opportunities, new customers for modules such as emergency department flow and remote patient monitoring, and expansion opportunities within the existing base. The company estimated the first two categories comprised roughly 70% (or more) of the pipeline, with add-on expansion making up the remainder. Management also discussed expanding the addressable UK market into mental health and community care trusts, noting it already has a mental health trust customer in Hereford and Worcester using Miya Precision. AI developments and FY2026 guidance Management said it is expanding product capabilities in AI, citing releases including Miya Scribe, Miya Insight, and Miya AI. The company also referenced registering Miya Precisions Concept Detection as a Class I software device in Australia and the UK. Executives said healthcare customers remain cautious about AI, but Alcidion views a standardized data foundation as a key differentiator and moat. The company also said it is using tools such as Claude internally to improve development and testing speed, but does not expect AI to drive near-term headcount reductions. Looking ahead, management said it entered the second half with AUD 43.1 million in total FY2026 contracted and renewal revenue, excluding any second-half new sales and excluding Sussex. Assuming Sussex is signed as expected and incorporating marginal staffing increases across sales, marketing, and deployment, the company guided that FY2026 revenue is expected to exceed AUD 50 million, with EBITDA in excess of AUD 5 million, and operating cash flow positive and in line with FY2025 operating cash flow of AUD 5.8 million. The company confirmed the revenue guidance includes an upfront fee component for Sussex, alongside a third-party component for medications management. On geographic expansion, management said it is participating in RFIs in Canada and expects to appoint a reseller partner in the Middle East in the very near term, while noting these markets are unlikely to contribute materially in FY2026. About Alcidion Group (ASX:ALC) Alcidion Group Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and licensing of healthcare software products in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The company offers Miya Precision, a consolidated fast healthcare interoperability resource (FHIR) based platform to deliver smart healthcare; Smartpage, a smartphone and web-based system for hospital communication and task management to address the requirements of clinical and non-clinical users; Patientrack, a real-time patient monitoring and risk screening solution; Silverlink, a patient administration system; and ExtraMed, a clinical and patient flow management software. Read More Shares of Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $116.50. Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Diageo from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $124.00 price objective on Diageo and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Get Diageo alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on DEO Diageo Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo Shares of DEO opened at $89.51 on Monday. Diageo has a one year low of $84.52 and a one year high of $116.69. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $91.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $95.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the 4th quarter valued at about $202,000. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Diageo by 6.9% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,099 shares of the companys stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. MQS Management LLC boosted its stake in Diageo by 20.2% in the second quarter. MQS Management LLC now owns 5,726 shares of the companys stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 963 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Diageo by 84.0% during the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 357 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Diageo by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 180,923 shares of the companys stock worth $18,244,000 after purchasing an additional 1,649 shares during the period. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Diageo Company Profile (Get Free Report) Diageo plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in London, England. The company was created through the 1997 merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is publicly traded on multiple exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange. Diageo operates a worldwide business, selling products in a broad range of markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Diageos core activities cover the production, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of spirits, beer and liqueurs. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Diageo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Diageo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ariadne Australia Limited (ASX:ARA Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Friday, February 27th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of 0.005 per share on Wednesday, March 25th. This represents a yield of 94.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. Ariadne Australia Price Performance The firm has a market cap of $99.04 million, a PE ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.68, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 2.14. Get Ariadne Australia alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Gary Weiss bought 200,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of A$0.53 per share, for a total transaction of A$106,000.00. 61.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Ariadne Australia Ariadne Australia Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an investment company in Australia and New Zealand. It operates through Investments and Property segments. The company invests in securities, as well as provides financial services. It also invests in and develops residential properties, as well as engages in marina management activities. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Sydney, Australia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ariadne Australia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ariadne Australia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atturra (ASX:ATA) reported first-half FY26 results that management said were impacted by a large contract dispute disclosed to the market in December, but the company reiterated its full-year guidance and said it expects the profit impact to be confined to the first half. Get alerts: Presenting the results, Managing Director and CEO Steven stated that while revenue rose strongly, our strong revenue growth was not our results, pointing to the contract issue as the primary reason underlying earnings fell versus the prior corresponding period (PCP). He added that the companys business model is flexible enough to absorb the impact and still deliver against our guidance for the second half, and said management has put processes in place to prevent a repeat. First-half revenue growth, but earnings hit by contract dispute For the half-year, Atturra reported revenue up 28% to, alongside continued workforce growth to more than. The company also noted it anticipates productivity benefits from AI could affect the rate of future revenue growth. Despite the revenue increase, Steven said the contract dispute drove a sharp decline in profitability, with underlying EBITDA down 46% versus PCP. CFO Herb To provided additional color, saying the quality of the business has remained stable, citing gross margin of 27% (in line with PCP), but EBIT fell 10% and included several items he characterized as non-recurring. Those items included a provision for debt relating to work performed to date, AUD 2 million of organizational restructuring, and AUD 1.5 million in integration costs. Herb said Atturras underlying EBITDA adjustments add back items such as share-based payments, retention costs, acquisition-related integration costs and certain other expenses, consistent with reconciliation disclosures provided in the companys materials. Herb said underlying EBITDA for the half was AUD 2.1 million, down AUD 6.3 million from PCP. Cash flow and balance sheet comments On cash, Steven said the company ended the half with cash in excess of an amount not fully captured in the transcript, and deferred details to the CFOs section of the call. Herb said the balance sheet reflected cash of AUD 8.6 million, down 36% (or AUD 33 million) from six months earlier, which he attributed to investing in subsidiaries and share buyback programs. He also cited net tangible assets of AUD 16 (figure not fully captured in the transcript). Operating cash flow declined, with Herb describing net cash from operations moving from AUD 91.6 million to AUD 58.6 million versus the comparative period (as presented). He said seasonality and timing can create slightly volatile period-to-period cash movements, and highlighted timing impacts including payroll timing, restructuring payments, integration payments, deposits held by counterparties, and the cash flow effect of acquisitions. In response to an analyst question, management also pointed to an increase in inventory associated with the Blue Connections acquisition and the timing of a payroll cycle near the period end as factors that affected the halfs cash presentation. Strategy: proprietary solutions, managed services, sales expansion, and an AI-first approach Management reiterated near-term priorities that it said were consistent with those outlined at the end of FY25. Steven emphasized four focus areas: Proprietary solutions: The company cited traction in offerings including Boomi ACP and Scholarand, as well as ERP data accelerators, which it said can provide competitive advantage and help clients manage their environments. The company cited traction in offerings including Boomi ACP and Scholarand, as well as ERP data accelerators, which it said can provide competitive advantage and help clients manage their environments. Managed services expansion: Atturra highlighted managed services as a strong, fast, and predictable recurring revenue stream and pointed to its acquisition of Blue Connections in the first half, which it said allows it to combine end-user compute and device businesses. Atturra highlighted managed services as a strong, fast, and predictable recurring revenue stream and pointed to its acquisition of in the first half, which it said allows it to combine end-user compute and device businesses. Sales expansion: Management said it is building a larger, longer-term sales capability and plans additional sales hires in several focus areas in the second half of FY26, particularly AI. Management said it is building a larger, longer-term sales capability and plans additional sales hires in several focus areas in the second half of FY26, particularly AI. AI and data: Steven said the company is taking an AI-first approach, both internally and externally, and noted Atturra has more than 270 AI and data experts. Steven also said Atturra is simplifying parts of the business and increasing its focus on operational performance, including implementing a new continuous benchmarking process. He said the company appointed a full-time director dedicated to business improvement and measurement, taking an AI-first approach, and recruited two executives to drive transformationone focused on internal process adoption and change and another focused on external data-market activity. Product and platform updates: schools ERP and Boomi ACP growth Steven provided updates on initiatives previously disclosed in August 2025, including an in-house platform built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 for schools. He said the product, when complete, will have 12 modules that can be deployed as an integrated system or selectively. Atturra has sold two licenses to early adopters, and has already reached a pre-release target of six schools trialing the solution. He highlighted a signing with Haileybury College spanning multiple campuses, and said a major change to core pioneers toward Dynamics is due in December 2026, with investment planned across FY26 and FY27. On Atturras cloud platform, Steven said the company remained on track in FY26, and highlighted growth in its Boomi ACP offering. He said Boomi ACP launched in September 2024 with two early adopters, grew to 35 clients by the end of FY25, and reached 52 clients by the end of the first half of FY26. He said the objective is organic growth of one ACP client every six (time period not fully captured in the transcript). Management also discussed M&A strategy, saying Atturra intends to continue pursuing both organic and inorganic growth, with priority acquisition targets depending on pricing and with an emphasis on increasing capability in cyber, cloud, and data. Steven said the company may consider accelerating its ServiceNow practice through acquisition, but described it as a lower priority. He added that integration focuses first on cultural and operating-process alignment, while Atturras broader aim is full system integration to support scalability. For Blue Connections specifically, he said systems integration is not scheduled until FY27 due to complexity. Guidance reiterated; AI viewed as both disruptive and an opportunity Atturra reiterated full-year guidance of revenue in the range of AUD 364 million to AUD 374 million and underlying EBITDA in the range of AUD 30 million to AUD 31 million. Management said achieving that implies a materially stronger second half, with underlying EBITDA of roughly AUD 23 million to AUD 24 million, and attributed the first-half weakness to the adverse contract termination and a resulting change in work-in-progress (WIP) processes. During Q&A, Steven said AI will be a bit of both disruptive and beneficial. He pointed to coding productivity improvements but said client expectations are rising, and he expects companies to continue spending on AI-related disruption, particularly with security becoming more important. On internal AI use, he highlighted applications in sales and marketing intelligence, ticket handling and self-healing, and described experimenting with agentic agents to help stand up a ServiceNow go-to-market effort with fewer people than historically required. Asked about the contract dispute, Steven said it involved a new client and described it as unusual, saying the customer just decided to stop and ran up too much WIP. He said the company has changed processes in response. On public sector and defense demand, he said he expects defense spending to increase in the medium term, but indicated conditions remain soft and could stay pretty flat for one to three years, with Atturra focusing growth efforts outside those core areas. About Atturra (ASX:ATA) Atturra Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides advisory and information technology solutions in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It offers consulting, business application, data and integration, cloud, change management, management control, and industry engagement and managed services. The company serves defense, federal and state government, financial services, education, manufacturing, local government, and utilities industries. Atturra Limited was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Recommended Stories Basf (OTCMKTS:BASFY Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Friday. The basic materials company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by ($0.42), Zacks reports. Basf had a net margin of 0.43% and a return on equity of 6.86%. The company had revenue of $16.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.32 billion. Basf Stock Down 2.0% OTCMKTS BASFY traded down $0.30 during trading on Friday, hitting $14.41. The stock had a trading volume of 106,068 shares, compared to its average volume of 200,360. Basf has a one year low of $10.75 and a one year high of $15.60. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Get Basf alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have weighed in on BASFY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Basf from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. DZ Bank downgraded shares of Basf from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Zacks Research lowered Basf from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Berenberg Bank upgraded Basf from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Basf in a research report on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Basf presently has an average rating of Reduce. Basf Company Profile (Get Free Report) BASF SE is a Germany-based chemical company founded in 1865 (originally Badische Anilin- & Soda-Fabrik) and headquartered in Ludwigshafen. It is one of the worlds largest chemical producers, supplying raw materials, intermediates and finished chemical products to a broad range of industries including automotive, construction, agriculture, consumer goods, electronics and industrial manufacturing. The company combines large-scale production with global commercial and logistics networks to serve customers in many end markets. BASFs activities span basic and specialty chemicals, performance materials, functional additives, catalysts and coatings, as well as products for nutrition and personal care. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Basf Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Basf and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NatWest Group (NYSE:NWG Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at BNP Paribas Exane from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Zacks.com reports. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Barclays restated an equal weight rating on shares of NatWest Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating on shares of NatWest Group in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of NatWest Group in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of NatWest Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, NatWest Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get NatWest Group alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on NatWest Group NatWest Group Stock Down 2.8% Shares of NYSE:NWG opened at $16.58 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The stock has a market cap of $66.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average of $17.42 and a 200-day moving average of $15.96. NatWest Group has a one year low of $10.40 and a one year high of $19.35. NatWest Group (NYSE:NWG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.08. NatWest Group had a net margin of 18.59% and a return on equity of 13.05%. The firm had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.59 billion. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that NatWest Group will post 1.35 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On NatWest Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in NatWest Group by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 40,912,201 shares of the companys stock worth $715,964,000 after buying an additional 1,677,879 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of NatWest Group by 1.2% during the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 13,531,451 shares of the companys stock worth $188,764,000 after acquiring an additional 156,832 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its position in NatWest Group by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 13,399,866 shares of the companys stock valued at $234,498,000 after acquiring an additional 494,472 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in NatWest Group by 10.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 11,061,146 shares of the companys stock valued at $193,570,000 after acquiring an additional 1,009,044 shares in the last quarter. Finally, L1 Capital Pty Ltd acquired a new position in NatWest Group in the 2nd quarter worth $146,913,000. 1.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. NatWest Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) NatWest Group plc is a major UK-based banking and financial services group headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company traces its roots to the Royal Bank of Scotland, founded in 1727, and adopted the NatWest Group name in 2020 as part of a strategic refocus on its NatWest brand. NatWest Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and also has American depositary shares trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NWG. The group provides a broad range of banking services across retail, private, commercial, corporate and institutional segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for NatWest Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NatWest Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boralex (TSE:BLX Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Friday. The company reported C$0.13 EPS for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. Boralex had a return on equity of 4.29% and a net margin of 7.55%.The business had revenue of C$258.00 million during the quarter. Here are the key takeaways from Boralexs conference call: Get Boralex alerts: FY2025 production was up 8% YoY but came in 10% below forecasts , and combined EBITDA of CAD 655 million was down 2% vs. 2024, driven mainly by lower shortterm prices in France. FY2025 production was up but came in , and combined EBITDA of was down 2% vs. 2024, driven mainly by lower shortterm prices in France. Boralex increased installed capacity to 3.8 GW (+615 MW, all organic) and commissioned two battery projects (Sanjgon and Hagersville), adding 380 MW and making it the largest battery storage operator in Canada. Boralex increased installed capacity to (+615 MW, all organic) and commissioned two battery projects (Sanjgon and Hagersville), adding 380 MW and making it the largest battery storage operator in Canada. The development pipeline and growth path remain large, with a portfolio exceeding 8.2 GW and secured projects including the NYSERDA-backed Fort Covington and Two Rivers solar projects (450 MW) and the 125 MW Oxford BESS. The development pipeline and growth path remain large, with a portfolio exceeding and secured projects including the NYSERDA-backed Fort Covington and Two Rivers solar projects (450 MW) and the 125 MW Oxford BESS. Financial flexibility was strengthened with available liquidity and authorized financing of CAD 681 million , CAD 1 billion in project financing closed during the year, and a CAD 250 million corporate financing led by La Caisse and Fondaction. Financial flexibility was strengthened with available liquidity and authorized financing of , CAD 1 billion in project financing closed during the year, and a CAD 250 million corporate financing led by La Caisse and Fondaction. Boralex is advancing a repowering pipeline (~450 MW) (about 200 MW net new) such as Le Mercure (to 104 MW by 2028) and expects recontracting headwinds in France to ease after 2026 as longerterm contracts are pursued. Boralex Stock Performance Shares of BLX stock opened at C$27.76 on Friday. Boralex has a fifty-two week low of C$23.48 and a fifty-two week high of C$33.30. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$26.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$26.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 233.60, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 1.54. The firm has a market cap of C$2.85 billion, a P/E ratio of -126.18, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.58. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on Boralex from C$41.00 to C$39.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on Boralex from C$38.00 to C$36.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce decreased their price target on shares of Boralex from C$37.00 to C$36.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have given a Buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$38.88. Get Our Latest Report on Boralex Boralex Company Profile (Get Free Report) Boralex Inc is an electric utility company involved in the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy power facilities. The company controls a portfolio of electricity producing plants that utilize wind, hydroelectric, thermal, and solar fuel sources. Most of Boralexs plants rely on wind power, while a significant number also employ hydroelectric power. The company generates the vast majority of its revenue from the sale of energy through long-term contracts to customers in Canada, France, and the United States. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Boralex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boralex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Stephen Jakes A 51yearold man from Nyadongo Village under Chief Zimunya has been jailed for six months after defrauding two women of US$1,150 in a fake communal land sale. Stephen Shamu appeared before Mutare magistrate Honest Musiyiwa on 25 February 2026 facing two counts of fraud under Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He pleaded guilty to both charges.The court heard that between August and November 2025, Shamu misrepresented to the complainants, Nokuthula Nleya and Bridget Batsirai Chiwandika, that he had lawful authority to sell land in Dora Village, Mutare. He collected US$525 from Nleya and US$625 from Chiwandika, promising them ownership rights, village registration and fencing.To authenticate the fraudulent deal, Shamu allegedly drafted false affidavits in November 2025, impersonating the supposed landowner, Douglas Bhunu, by inserting Bhunus details while signing and appending his own fingerprint.The scam was exposed when the complainants attempted to develop the land and were stopped by the village head, Bvirindi, who informed them that the land did not belong to Shamu or Bhunu but had been reserved for his sister.The matter was reported to the Zimbabwe AntiCorruption Commission (ZACC), leading to Shamus arrest on 23 February 2026.Magistrate Musiyiwa sentenced Shamu to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended on condition that he reimburses the full US$1,150 to the complainants by 10 March 2026. BT Group plc (LON:BT.A Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 191.41 and traded as high as GBX 214.60. BT Group shares last traded at GBX 210.24, with a volume of 15,532,285 shares traded. BT Group Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 187.58, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.89. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 192.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 191.47. The firm has a market cap of 21.12 billion, a PE ratio of 22.59, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 0.69. Get BT Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other BT Group news, insider Sara Weller acquired 5,932 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 201 per share, with a total value of 11,923.32. Also, insider Sunil Bharti Mittal bought 3,317,006 shares of BT Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 179 per share, for a total transaction of 5,937,440.74. Over the last 90 days, insiders have acquired 3,332,938 shares of company stock worth $596,766,406. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock. About BT Group BT Group is the UKs leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network and IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries. BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business* covers companies and public services in the UK and internationally; Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers over 650 communication providers across the UK. British Telecommunications plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BT Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BT Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BW LPG Limited (NYSE:BWLP Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 675,430 shares, a drop of 43.3% from the January 29th total of 1,191,693 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 330,820 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 330,820 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in BW LPG during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of BW LPG during the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BW LPG during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new stake in shares of BW LPG during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. increased its stake in BW LPG by 99.3% in the third quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 4,541 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 2,263 shares during the last quarter. Get BW LPG alerts: BW LPG Stock Performance Shares of BWLP stock traded up $0.40 on Friday, hitting $18.24. The companys stock had a trading volume of 178,300 shares, compared to its average volume of 308,354. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.47. The stocks 50 day moving average is $14.98 and its 200-day moving average is $14.19. BW LPG has a fifty-two week low of $7.86 and a fifty-two week high of $18.35. The company has a market capitalization of $2.76 billion and a PE ratio of 16.14. BW LPG Increases Dividend BW LPG ( NYSE:BWLP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.57 by ($0.19). BW LPG had a return on equity of 8.78% and a net margin of 4.57%.The business had revenue of $279.98 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $242.92 million. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.8%. This is a boost from BW LPGs previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. BW LPGs payout ratio is presently 141.59%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently weighed in on BWLP. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of BW LPG in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of BW LPG from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. View Our Latest Stock Report on BWLP BW LPG Company Profile (Get Free Report) BW LPG (NYSE: BWLP) is a pureplay owner and operator of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. The companys core business centers on the maritime transportation of LPG, predominantly propane and butane, under both time and voyagecharter arrangements. Its fleet comprises pressurized and semirefrigerated vessels designed to meet the specific requirements of LPG producers, traders and endusers around the world. Headquartered in Singapore, BW LPG serves a global customer base, with commercial offices in key energy hubs including Houston, London, Dubai and Tokyo. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BW LPG Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BW LPG and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The bank reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.25, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $6.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.53 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 15.83% and a net margin of 15.15%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.20 EPS. Here are the key takeaways from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces conference call: Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Management reported a strong quarter with adjusted EPS CAD 2.76 (+25% YoY) , revenues of CAD 8.4B (+15%) , adjusted net income of CAD 2.7B (+23%) , ROE 17.4% and the 10th consecutive quarter of positive operating leverage. Management reported a strong quarter with , revenues of , adjusted net income of , and the 10th consecutive quarter of positive operating leverage. Revenue growth was broad-based record results across business units led by Capital Markets (revenues +28%, net income +42%) , while Canadian Commercial and Wealth businesses also posted strong volume and fee growth. Revenue growth was broad-based record results across business units led by , while Canadian Commercial and Wealth businesses also posted strong volume and fee growth. Credit remained generally resilient but showed signs of stress: Q1 provisions of CAD 568M (down QoQ) and allowance coverage of 79 bps, while impaired provisions rose in parts of Commercial Banking and consumer delinquencies/credit-card write-offs increased modestly. Credit remained generally resilient but showed signs of stress: Q1 provisions of (down QoQ) and allowance coverage of 79 bps, while impaired provisions rose in parts of Commercial Banking and consumer delinquencies/credit-card write-offs increased modestly. The bank is accelerating tech and AI investments (revenue, efficiency, risk pillars), citing the Cortex platform which drove a noted 44% conversion uplift on targeted savings/deposit offers and frontline productivity gains. The bank is accelerating tech and AI investments (revenue, efficiency, risk pillars), citing the platform which drove a noted on targeted savings/deposit offers and frontline productivity gains. Capital management was active and shareholder-friendly roughly 78% of earnings returned via dividends plus repurchases (8M shares), CET1 at 13.4% and a disclosed ~30 bps CET1 boost expected in Q2 from operational risk-weight changes. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Price Performance Shares of NYSE CM traded down $2.77 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $100.99. 1,266,221 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 969,981. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $94.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $86.32. The company has a market cap of $93.57 billion, a PE ratio of 14.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 1-year low of $53.62 and a 1-year high of $105.00. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Announces Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 27th will be given a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 27th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.2%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.34%. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,404 shares of the banks stock worth $272,000 after buying an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. boosted its stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 2.6% in the second quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 6,277 shares of the banks stock valued at $445,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 12.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,801 shares of the banks stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC raised its stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 4.6% during the third quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 4,644 shares of the banks stock worth $371,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 119.7% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 402 shares of the banks stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.88% of the companys stock. More Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce News Here are the key news stories impacting Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce this week: Positive Sentiment: CIBC reported a very strong Q1: adjusted EPS $2.76 vs. consensus $1.74 and revenue of $6.16B (vs. ~$5.53B est.), with revenue up ~15% YoY results point to broad-based business-line growth and margin strength, a direct catalyst for upward revisions to earnings and valuation. CIBC Q1 press release/slide deck CIBC reported a very strong Q1: adjusted EPS $2.76 vs. consensus $1.74 and revenue of $6.16B (vs. ~$5.53B est.), with revenue up ~15% YoY results point to broad-based business-line growth and margin strength, a direct catalyst for upward revisions to earnings and valuation. Positive Sentiment: The board declared a quarterly common dividend of $1.07 per share (annualized yield ~4.2%) with an ex-dividend/record schedule supports income investors and signals management confidence in cash flow and capital. (Dividend announcement 2/25) The board declared a quarterly common dividend of $1.07 per share (annualized yield ~4.2%) with an ex-dividend/record schedule supports income investors and signals management confidence in cash flow and capital. (Dividend announcement 2/25) Positive Sentiment: Multiple outlets highlight record revenue and stronger profit growth across divisions, reinforcing the beat as not one-off but business-wide momentum that can support higher target prices. CIBC earnings top estimates Multiple outlets highlight record revenue and stronger profit growth across divisions, reinforcing the beat as not one-off but business-wide momentum that can support higher target prices. Neutral Sentiment: Managements full earnings presentation is available for review useful for investors who want detail on segment trends, reserve guidance and capital plans before adjusting models. Q1 earnings call presentation Managements full earnings presentation is available for review useful for investors who want detail on segment trends, reserve guidance and capital plans before adjusting models. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/press pieces emphasizing CIBC as an attractive dividend stock and reviews of historical returns provide context for income-focused investors but are less likely to move the stock immediately. Why CIBC is a great dividend stock Analyst/press pieces emphasizing CIBC as an attractive dividend stock and reviews of historical returns provide context for income-focused investors but are less likely to move the stock immediately. Neutral Sentiment: Look-back pieces on 5year returns offer long-term performance context but are unlikely to change near-term trading. 5year return analysis Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CM. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Zacks Research cut shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Barclays raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from an underweight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $107.50. View Our Latest Analysis on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE: CM), commonly known as CIBC, is a major Canadian financial institution headquartered in Toronto. Formed in 1961 through the merger of the Canadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada, CIBC is one of Canadas largest banks and provides a broad range of banking and financial services to retail, small business, commercial and institutional clients. CIBCs activities span personal and business banking, wealth management, capital markets and corporate banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CLEAR Secure, Inc. (NYSE:YOU Get Free Report) Director Adam Wiener sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $750,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 132,634 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,631,700. This trade represents a 10.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Adam Wiener also recently made the following trade(s): Get CLEAR Secure alerts: On Wednesday, February 25th, Adam Wiener sold 18,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.07, for a total transaction of $775,260.00. On Friday, January 2nd, Adam Wiener sold 14,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.00, for a total transaction of $490,000.00. On Friday, December 12th, Adam Wiener sold 8,000 shares of CLEAR Secure stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $320,000.00. CLEAR Secure Price Performance Shares of YOU stock opened at $48.62 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $35.06 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.78. CLEAR Secure, Inc. has a 1 year low of $22.23 and a 1 year high of $50.46. The company has a market cap of $6.47 billion, a PE ratio of 43.41 and a beta of 1.21. CLEAR Secure Announces Dividend CLEAR Secure ( NYSE:YOU Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.31. The business had revenue of $240.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $235.66 million. CLEAR Secure had a net margin of 12.12% and a return on equity of 70.08%. The businesss revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.91 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that CLEAR Secure, Inc. will post 0.98 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 129.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. CLEAR Secures payout ratio is 53.57%. Key Headlines Impacting CLEAR Secure Here are the key news stories impacting CLEAR Secure this week: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades YOU has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings lowered CLEAR Secure from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on CLEAR Secure from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of CLEAR Secure from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Telsey Advisory Group raised their price target on shares of CLEAR Secure from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of CLEAR Secure from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.43. View Our Latest Research Report on CLEAR Secure Hedge Funds Weigh In On CLEAR Secure Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of YOU. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in CLEAR Secure by 59.7% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 271,498 shares of the companys stock worth $7,034,000 after purchasing an additional 101,476 shares during the period. Amundi raised its stake in shares of CLEAR Secure by 62.5% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 3,743 shares of the companys stock worth $97,000 after buying an additional 1,440 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of CLEAR Secure during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its stake in CLEAR Secure by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 52,755 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,367,000 after acquiring an additional 2,801 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in CLEAR Secure by 64.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 4,583 shares of the companys stock worth $119,000 after acquiring an additional 1,801 shares in the last quarter. 73.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. CLEAR Secure Company Profile (Get Free Report) CLEAR Secure, Inc operates a biometric identity platform designed to expedite identity verification for air travelers and venue guests. The companys core offering is the CLEAR membership service, which uses fingerprint and iris scans to confirm a members identity and provide access to dedicated security lanes at participating airports. Members link government-issued IDs and personal biometric data via the CLEAR app, enabling faster processing through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and select event entrances. Founded in 2010 by Caryn SeidmanBecker and Ken Cornick, CLEAR is headquartered in New York City. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CLEAR Secure Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CLEAR Secure and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:DHY Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $2.05 and traded as low as $1.94. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund shares last traded at $1.94, with a volume of 495,557 shares. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Trading Down 0.5% The firms 50-day moving average price is $2.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.05. Get Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund alerts: Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were paid a $0.0155 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 17th. Institutional Trading of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund About Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund during the third quarter worth $31,000. Allworth Financial LP bought a new stake in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the 2nd quarter worth about $43,000. Integrity Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund during the 3rd quarter worth about $44,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund by 227.2% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 24,628 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 17,101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. bought a new position in Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund during the 4th quarter valued at about $51,000. (Get Free Report) The Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:DHY) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with high current income by primarily investing in below-investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated corporate debt securities. The fund offers exposure to a broad array of high-yield bonds issued by companies across various sectors, including industrials, communications, and financial services. It is structured to trade on the NYSE American exchange, enabling investors to gain intraday access to a diversified high-yield portfolio. In managing its portfolio, the fund adheres to a disciplined credit research process that evaluates issuers fundamentals, cash flow profiles, and relative valuations. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Free Report) had its price target upped by Mizuho from $175.00 to $180.00 in a report published on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the technology companys stock. A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $166.00 to $182.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Dbs Bank raised shares of Dell Technologies to a moderate buy rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $165.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Dell Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Dell Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 14th. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $160.47. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Dell Technologies Dell Technologies Trading Up 21.8% DELL traded up $26.44 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $147.89. 33,424,964 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,748,003. Dell Technologies has a 12-month low of $66.25 and a 12-month high of $168.08. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $121.17 and a 200 day moving average of $131.99. The firm has a market cap of $98.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.03. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The technology company reported $3.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.53 by $0.36. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 229.86% and a net margin of 5.23%.The firm had revenue of $33.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.60 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.68 earnings per share. Dell Technologiess revenue was up 39.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Dell Technologies has set its Q1 2027 guidance at 2.900-2.900 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 12.900-12.900 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 20th were issued a dividend of $0.525 per share. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 20th. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.00%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Dell Technologies news, Director Egon Durban sold 71,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.12, for a total value of $9,806,520.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 1,172,428 shares in the company, valued at $161,935,755.36. The trade was a 5.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 42.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dell Technologies A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DELL. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC bought a new position in Dell Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rossby Financial LCC grew its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 968.4% in the 4th quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 203 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 84.7% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.37% of the companys stock. More Dell Technologies News Here are the key news stories impacting Dell Technologies this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and raised FY2027 guidance: Dell reported Q4 EPS and revenue above consensus and issued FY2027 revenue and EPS guidance well above street expectations, which investors see as evidence the company is capitalizing on AI demand. Article Link Q4 beat and raised FY2027 guidance: Dell reported Q4 EPS and revenue above consensus and issued FY2027 revenue and EPS guidance well above street expectations, which investors see as evidence the company is capitalizing on AI demand. Positive Sentiment: Massive AI-server opportunity: Management projects roughly $50 billion in AI server revenue for the fiscal year and highlighted a record backlog (~$43B), signaling continued strong enterprise demand for AI infrastructure. Article Link Massive AI-server opportunity: Management projects roughly $50 billion in AI server revenue for the fiscal year and highlighted a record backlog (~$43B), signaling continued strong enterprise demand for AI infrastructure. Positive Sentiment: AI revenue surge this quarter: Dell disclosed AIoptimized server revenue jumped materially year-over-year (near ~$9B for the quarter, +300%+ ranges reported), showing the business already contributing significant top-line growth. Article Link AI revenue surge this quarter: Dell disclosed AIoptimized server revenue jumped materially year-over-year (near ~$9B for the quarter, +300%+ ranges reported), showing the business already contributing significant top-line growth. Positive Sentiment: Record annual results & shareholder actions: Dell posted record fullyear revenue and signaled durability in its datacenter franchise; the company also boosted its dividend, which supports investor confidence. Article Link Record annual results & shareholder actions: Dell posted record fullyear revenue and signaled durability in its datacenter franchise; the company also boosted its dividend, which supports investor confidence. Positive Sentiment: Analyst optimism: Multiple firms raised price targets and kept/raised ratings after the print (examples include Barclays, Raymond James, Mizuho), reinforcing the buy-side narrative around Dells AI momentum. Article Link Analyst optimism: Multiple firms raised price targets and kept/raised ratings after the print (examples include Barclays, Raymond James, Mizuho), reinforcing the buy-side narrative around Dells AI momentum. Neutral Sentiment: Supplychain / cost note: Management acknowledged memory cost pressures and supply dynamics, but said Dell has largely managed shortages a potential margin headwind if component costs rise further. Article Link Supplychain / cost note: Management acknowledged memory cost pressures and supply dynamics, but said Dell has largely managed shortages a potential margin headwind if component costs rise further. Negative Sentiment: Not all analysts are uniformly bullish: some firms (e.g., Morgan Stanley) remain cautious and maintain underweight ratings with lower targets, reminding investors there is still debate on valuation and sustainability. Article Link About Dell Technologies (Get Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of information technology products, solutions and services. Its offerings span client computing devices (consumer and commercial laptops and desktops), enterprise infrastructure (servers, storage systems and networking equipment), software and cloud infrastructure, and a variety of professional services such as IT consulting, deployment, managed services and financing solutions. The company serves organizations of all sizes as well as individual consumers, with products and services aimed at enabling digital transformation and modern IT environments. Founded by Michael Dell in 1984, the company grew from a direct-to-consumer PC business into a diversified IT provider through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by investment analysts at Desjardins from C$182.00 to C$200.00 in a report released on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Desjardins target price suggests a potential upside of 5.06% from the companys previous close. A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on NA. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$188.00 to C$202.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$172.00 to C$177.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$164.00 to C$177.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$170.00 to C$180.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$173.00 to C$179.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$191.10. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on NA National Bank of Canada Trading Down 1.1% Shares of NA stock opened at C$190.37 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$172.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$161.85. The company has a market cap of C$74.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.05. National Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$106.67 and a 12-month high of C$193.71. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The financial services provider reported C$3.25 earnings per share for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.43% and a net margin of 19.69%.The firm had revenue of C$3.89 billion for the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that National Bank of Canada will post 10.8360791 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Trending Headlines about National Bank of Canada Here are the key news stories impacting National Bank of Canada this week: Positive Sentiment: Desjardins raised its price target to C$200 and set a buy rating, signaling stronger bullish institutional conviction and adding upside to consensus expectations. Desjardins Raises Target Desjardins raised its price target to C$200 and set a buy rating, signaling stronger bullish institutional conviction and adding upside to consensus expectations. Positive Sentiment: BMO Capital Markets lifted its target to C$195 and kept an outperform stance, which supports investor optimism about earnings resilience. BMO Raises Target BMO Capital Markets lifted its target to C$195 and kept an outperform stance, which supports investor optimism about earnings resilience. Positive Sentiment: Scotiabank moved its target to C$202 and maintained an outperform viewanother major bank upgrade that reinforces sector-level strength. Scotiabank Upgrade Scotiabank moved its target to C$202 and maintained an outperform viewanother major bank upgrade that reinforces sector-level strength. Positive Sentiment: Raymond James raised its target to C$200 (market perform) and RBC lifted its target to C$193; both moves add to the cluster of higher targets from large dealers. BayStreet Analyst Summary Raymond James raised its target to C$200 (market perform) and RBC lifted its target to C$193; both moves add to the cluster of higher targets from large dealers. Positive Sentiment: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised its target to C$193, and Barclays raised its target to C$183 (see below for nuance) overall more upward pressure on consensus targets. CIBC Raises Target Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised its target to C$193, and Barclays raised its target to C$183 (see below for nuance) overall more upward pressure on consensus targets. Positive Sentiment: Macro/sector note MoneySense highlights big gains for Canadas banks in Q1, supporting a favorable backdrop for NA shares amid stronger net interest income and trading activity expectations. MoneySense Bank Q1 Note Macro/sector note MoneySense highlights big gains for Canadas banks in Q1, supporting a favorable backdrop for NA shares amid stronger net interest income and trading activity expectations. Neutral Sentiment: Canaccord raised its target to C$191 but keeps a hold the move narrows uncertainty but doesnt signal a clear buy-case; impact is mixed. Canaccord Update Canaccord raised its target to C$191 but keeps a hold the move narrows uncertainty but doesnt signal a clear buy-case; impact is mixed. Negative Sentiment: Jefferies set a new target at C$172 and TD at C$182 (and Barclays C$183 sits below the recent market price), which could cap upside and add selling pressure from investors focused on target/price gaps. Jefferies Target TD Target About National Bank of Canada (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Drax Group (LON:DRX) executives highlighted record renewable power generation, strong cash flows, and progress on a broadened U.K. flexibility strategy during the companys latest results call, while also addressing impairments tied to its Canadian pellet operations and a paused U.S. development project. Get alerts: Record output and a new post-2027 operating framework Management said the group delivered a strong operational and underlying financial performance in 2025, underpinned by safe and efficient operations. The company produced a record level of renewable power, primarily from Drax Power Station, and described itself as a major provider of renewable generation and flexibility in the U.K. The company said it accounts for around 6% of overall U.K. power and 11% of renewables, and in certain peak-demand periods has represented more than 50% of U.K. renewable power generation when wind output was limited. 2025 financial performance and shareholder returns A central theme of the call was preparation for the new low-carbon dispatchable contract-for-difference (CfD) regime covering the post-2027 period. Executives described the signing of CfD agreements for Drax Power Station as a key inflection point, providing earnings and cash-flow visibility while enabling investment for growth. Finance leadership reported adjusted EBITDA of GBP 947 million for 2025. The company said a particularly strong December helped drive a record year for biomass power production of 15 terawatt-hours. Adjusted earnings per share were 137.7 pence, up 7% year over year, which management attributed to the impact of share buybacks and lower net finance costs offsetting lower EBITDA. Drax ended the year with net debt of GBP 784 million, equivalent to 0.8x 2025 EBITDA, which management said was well below its long-term leverage target of around 2x. Total cash and permitted facilities were reported at GBP 942 million. The company guided to an expected full-year dividend of 29 pence per share, an 11.5% increase from 2024. It also reiterated its focus on capital returns, noting that it completed a GBP 300 million buyback in 2025 and started a further GBP 450 million program; as of Feb. 24, it had repurchased GBP 57 million under the new plan. Pellets, biomass generation, and impairments Drax reported pellet production EBITDA of GBP 129 million in 2025, down from GBP 143 million in 2024, even as volumes rose to a record 4.2 million tons. Management emphasized that cost reductions in U.S. pellet production flow through to biomass generation via internal transfer pricing, shifting value within the group rather than destroying it. The company said that if pricing had remained at 2024 levels, pellet production EBITDA would have been above GBP 150 million. Outside of EBITDA, Drax recorded significant charges tied to shifting pellet-market dynamics and project decisions: GBP 198 million charge reflecting reduced expectations for the Canadian pellet business, citing an expected softening in the global pellet market post-2027 and constrained fiber supply in parts of Canada. charge reflecting reduced expectations for the Canadian pellet business, citing an expected softening in the global pellet market post-2027 and constrained fiber supply in parts of Canada. GBP 139 million impairment related to the paused Longview development project in Washington State; management said it retains the land and the option to restart if market conditions improve. impairment related to the paused Longview development project in Washington State; management said it retains the land and the option to restart if market conditions improve. GBP 48 million impairment related to BECCS at Drax Power Station, which the company linked to a lack of progress on U.K. commercial and regulatory support for carbon removals, while maintaining that removals remain important for net-zero goals and that Drax retains future optionality. On questions about Canada, executives said the impairment largely formalized issues they had been communicating for multiple quarters and was not an indication that things are getting worse. Management said it is reviewing strategic options for the Canadian business, including cost management, contract management, supply optimization, and potentially disposal, while also stressing it intends to deliver on customer contracts in Japan and Korea. FlexGen expansion: Cruachan upgrades, OCGTs, and batteries The company pointed to growing importance of its Flexible Generation (FlexGen) strategy as the U.K. power system evolves. It said Cruachan pumped storage represents about a third of U.K. long-duration storage by megawatt-hours and has increased operating activity from 20% to 60% over six years under Drax ownership. Drax outlined an GBP 80 million investment program between 2025 and 2027 to replace two of Cruachans four turbines with larger machines. Management noted that Cruachan units 3 and 4 were unavailable due to a grid connection failure in late December attributed to assets owned by Scottish network operator SPEN. The company said it is working with SPEN to restore the connection and is using the downtime to progress planned outage work. Drax also discussed open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), saying it expects to take commercial control of the first site shortly, with one unit already receiving Capacity Market payments. The second and third sites are expected to commence commissioning in 2026, with earnings supported by around GBP 270 million of Capacity Market payments, plus system support services and peak power generation. On batteries, management said it has moved quickly to build a gigawatt-scale pipeline. Over the past six months, it has purchased or reached agreements that would provide operational control of more than 700 megawatts of battery capacity across five sites, and committed roughly half a billion pounds in total across battery-related initiatives. This includes the acquisition of three Apatura development projects totaling 260 megawatts, tolling agreements covering 450 megawatts with Fidra and Zenobe, and the planned acquisition of Flexitricity for about GBP 36 million, expected to complete in March. Executives said the companys medium-term post-2027 adjusted EBITDA target of GBP 600 million to GBP 700 million across pellets, biomass generation, and FlexGen remains unchanged, but they now expect FlexGen to make up a greater portion of that mix over time. They also reiterated a goal of over GBP 150 million per year in structural cost savings by 2027 versus a 2024 base, emphasizing these savings are already embedded in the EBITDA target. Data center plans at Drax Power Station and capital allocation priorities Drax said it is exploring options to maximize value from the Drax Power Station site, including a potential data center development. Management described the site as having more than 1,000 acres and 4 gigawatts of grid access, alongside existing cooling systems and proximity to the U.K. fiber optic network. The company said it is in discussions with a developer, but did not provide further commercial details. Executives outlined a three-phase concept: an initial ~100 megawatts phase using existing infrastructure with a planning application expected shortly, a second phase targeting 500 megawatts before 2031 (subject to agreement with the U.K. government during the CfD period), and a third phase from 2031 adding 600 megawatts or more. Management said it views the opportunity as potentially representing a multi-billion-dollar foreign investment into the U.K. On cash deployment, Drax reiterated its expectation to generate about GBP 3 billion of free cash flow between 2025 and 2031 from the current business, before new growth cash flows. Management said it expects to allocate over GBP 1 billion initially to shareholder returns (including the ongoing buyback) and up to GBP 2 billion toward growth investments. Executives said batteries could potentially account for plus-or-minus GBP 1 billion of that growth capital over time, while also noting the company is assessing additional investments in flexible renewable energy and would provide further updates later in the year. About Drax Group (LON:DRX) Drax Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in renewable power generation in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Pellet Production, Generation, and Customers. The Pellet Production segment produces and sells biomass pellets. The Generation segment provides renewable, dispatchable power, and system support services to the electricity grid. The Customers segment supplies electricity and gas to non-domestic customers. The company owns and operates Drax Power Station located in Selby, North Yorkshire; Cruachan Power Station, a pumped storage hydro station, with an installed capacity of 440 megawatts (MW) located in Argyll and Bute; and Lanark and Galloway hydro-electric power stations with an installed capacity of 126 MW located in southwest Scotland. Featured Stories Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Enbridge Inc (NYSE:ENB Free Report) (TSE:ENB) by 71.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 492,221 shares of the pipeline companys stock after buying an additional 205,215 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in Enbridge were worth $24,832,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Enbridge by 83.1% during the second quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 2,301,067 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $104,284,000 after purchasing an additional 1,044,093 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in shares of Enbridge by 15.3% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,676,947 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $83,176,000 after purchasing an additional 221,976 shares during the period. Trajan Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Enbridge by 15.3% during the third quarter. Trajan Wealth LLC now owns 804,261 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $40,583,000 after purchasing an additional 106,784 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Enbridge by 7.7% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 339,147 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $17,113,000 after purchasing an additional 24,165 shares during the period. Finally, Aviva PLC boosted its stake in shares of Enbridge by 6.7% in the second quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 1,785,676 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $80,959,000 after purchasing an additional 112,305 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 54.60% of the companys stock. Get Enbridge alerts: Enbridge Price Performance Shares of NYSE ENB opened at $53.17 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The company has a market capitalization of $116.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.12 and a beta of 0.69. Enbridge Inc has a twelve month low of $39.73 and a twelve month high of $54.19. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.36. Enbridge Increases Dividend Enbridge ( NYSE:ENB Get Free Report ) (TSE:ENB) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 13th. The pipeline company reported $0.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.03. Enbridge had a net margin of 11.30% and a return on equity of 11.19%. The firm had revenue of $17.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.75 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Enbridge Inc will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a $0.97 dividend. This is a boost from Enbridges previous quarterly dividend of $0.94. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $3.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.3%. Enbridges dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 120.87%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have commented on ENB. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Enbridge from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating on shares of Enbridge in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. TD Securities lowered Enbridge from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. National Bank Financial reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Enbridge in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Enbridge in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Enbridge presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $65.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on ENB Enbridge Profile (Free Report) Enbridge Inc is a Calgary, Albertabased energy infrastructure company that develops, owns and operates a diversified portfolio of energy transportation, distribution and generation assets. Its core activities include the operation of crude oil and liquids pipelines, natural gas transmission and distribution systems, and energy storage facilities. In addition to midstream transportation and storage, Enbridge has expanded into renewable power generation and energy transition projects, including wind, solar and utility-scale generation assets. The company serves customers primarily in Canada and the United States and has interests in other international energy projects. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Enbridge Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enbridge and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Erste Asset Management GmbH lifted its position in Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 77.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 50,820 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 22,137 shares during the quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbHs holdings in Chevron were worth $7,974,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Chevron during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 86.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 255 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Chevron during the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Chevron by 306.1% in the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 268 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the period. Finally, LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA raised its position in Chevron by 106.7% in the 2nd quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA now owns 310 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. 72.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Trading Up 1.3% NYSE CVX opened at $186.47 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $372.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 0.70. Chevron Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $132.04 and a fifty-two week high of $187.90. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $169.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $159.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.15. Chevron Increases Dividend Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.08. Chevron had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 6.51%.The company had revenue of $45.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.18 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.06 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a $1.78 dividend. This is a boost from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.71. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $7.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 106.91%. Insider Transactions at Chevron In related news, Vice Chairman Mark A. Nelson sold 45,800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.17, for a total value of $7,976,986.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,161 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,247,231.37. This represents a 86.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CTO Thomas Ryder Booth sold 1,122 shares of Chevron stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.37, for a total value of $204,619.14. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 534,898 shares of company stock worth $89,543,711. 0.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Chevron from $183.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating and issued a $190.00 target price on shares of Chevron in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Chevron in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. HSBC cut Chevron from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $180.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Chevron from $174.00 to $189.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $176.36. View Our Latest Report on Chevron Key Chevron News Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week: Chevron Company Profile (Free Report) Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide. Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Donald Trump hinted Friday that talks with Cuban leaders are progressing and suggested the islands profound economic collapse could open the door for the United States to regain significant influence over decisions on the Caribbean island just 90 miles off the Florida Keys. The Cuban government is talking with us, Trump said. Theyre in a big deal of trouble, as you know, they have no money. They have no anything right now, but theyre talking with us, and maybe well have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba, he repeated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether Trumps friendly takeover amounts to a negotiating posture or an offhand remark was unclear. The remarks came as the Miami Herald reported fresh details of those behind-the-scenes contacts. READ MORE: Secret talks: Rubio team meets with Castro grandson on sidelines of Caribbean conference Secret talks in Saint Kitts On Wednesday, U.S. officials close to Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Raul Castros grandson on the sidelines of the annual meeting of Caribbean leaders in the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, as efforts to negotiate economic and political changes in Cuba continued. Multiple sources with knowledge of the meeting said Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro met with one of Rubios close advisers in a hotel near where the 50th meeting of the Caribbean Community was taking place. Herald sources said they discussed the possibility of gradually easing U.S. sanctions in exchange for Cuban leaders enacting changes on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Caribbean diplomat privy to discussions between Rubio and Caribbean leaders said he suggested that talks with Cuba were well advanced, though another source said a deal had not been reached yet. The diplomatic maneuvering is unfolding against a backdrop of renewed tensions. Also on Wednesday, the Cuban government said its coast guard exchanged gunfire with a Florida-registered speedboat of armed Cuban exiles, killing four people and wounding six. Cuban officials said the boat neared the island and opened fire first, and that they later found guns, explosives, and combat gear on board. One of the four people killed was an American citizen, the U.S. State Department confirmed. Cubas economy is in free fall. The Trump administration stopped oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico to Cuba, to bring Cuban leaders to the negotiating table. But the standoff is also aggravating a humanitarian crisis already unfolding on the island. Trump himself had recently described Cuba as a failing nation and the U.S. government has offered humanitarian assistance to the island. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 6,979 shares of the retailers stock, valued at approximately $626,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Target by 32.3% during the second quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 401 shares of the retailers stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp raised its holdings in shares of Target by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 17,618 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,738,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Binnacle Investments Inc lifted its position in Target by 11.4% during the 2nd quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 1,013 shares of the retailers stock worth $100,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. IFG Advisory LLC lifted its position in Target by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 7,387 shares of the retailers stock worth $729,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC boosted its holdings in Target by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 16,271 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,605,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.73% of the companys stock. Get Target alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets TGT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Target in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Target from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Evercore set a $105.00 target price on Target in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Wolfe Research raised Target from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Target in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $107.24. Target Trading Down 1.0% Target stock opened at $113.70 on Friday. Target Corporation has a 1 year low of $83.44 and a 1 year high of $127.06. The firms 50-day moving average is $107.74 and its 200-day moving average is $97.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.97. The company has a market cap of $51.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.80, a PEG ratio of 11.68 and a beta of 1.14. Target Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 11th will be paid a $1.14 dividend. This represents a $4.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 11th. Targets payout ratio is presently 55.34%. More Target News Here are the key news stories impacting Target this week: Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $130 and reiterated an overweight rating, signaling a sizable upside vs. current levels and offering a strong analyst vote of confidence for the stock. Benzinga Wells Fargo raised its price target to $130 and reiterated an overweight rating, signaling a sizable upside vs. current levels and offering a strong analyst vote of confidence for the stock. Positive Sentiment: Target announced it will sell only cereals made without certified synthetic colors by the end of May a retailer-leading move that supports merchandising authority, ESG positioning, and could strengthen brand perception. PR Newswire Target announced it will sell only cereals made without certified synthetic colors by the end of May a retailer-leading move that supports merchandising authority, ESG positioning, and could strengthen brand perception. Positive Sentiment: Target and Roller Rabbit will launch an exclusive spring collection (250+ items) to drive traffic and seasonal sales a merchandising collaboration that may support comp trends if it resonates with customers. PR Newswire Target and Roller Rabbit will launch an exclusive spring collection (250+ items) to drive traffic and seasonal sales a merchandising collaboration that may support comp trends if it resonates with customers. Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target to $115 but kept a neutral rating a modest upward revision that offers some support but stops short of a bullish endorsement. Benzinga TickerReport JPMorgan raised its price target to $115 but kept a neutral rating a modest upward revision that offers some support but stops short of a bullish endorsement. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks commentary and multiple analyst pieces flag Target as a trending / value candidate ahead of results useful for investors evaluating relative valuation and estimates but not an immediate catalyst. Zacks Zacks commentary and multiple analyst pieces flag Target as a trending / value candidate ahead of results useful for investors evaluating relative valuation and estimates but not an immediate catalyst. Negative Sentiment: Bank of America initiated coverage with an underperform rating and $103 price target a fresh analyst downside that adds selling pressure and gives investors a lower-conviction view. Finviz Bank of America initiated coverage with an underperform rating and $103 price target a fresh analyst downside that adds selling pressure and gives investors a lower-conviction view. Negative Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein cut its price target to $91 and kept an underperform stance, representing a material downside and reinforcing a segment of analyst skepticism about near-term performance. Benzinga Sanford C. Bernstein cut its price target to $91 and kept an underperform stance, representing a material downside and reinforcing a segment of analyst skepticism about near-term performance. Negative Sentiment: Reuters reports growing investor agitation and leadership scrutiny tied to merchandising and policy decisions over the past three years governance concerns can pressure the stock if activists push for changes or if execution missteps persist. Reuters Target Profile (Free Report) Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is a U.S.-based general merchandise retailer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company operates a network of full-line and small-format stores across the United States alongside a national e-commerce platform and mobile app. Targets retail assortment spans apparel, home goods, electronics, groceries and household essentials, plus beauty, baby and pet categories. The firm complements national brands with a portfolio of owned and exclusive labels and partnerships that help differentiate its merchandise assortment. Target traces its roots to the Dayton Company, founded by George Dayton in 1902; the Target discount chain was launched in 1962 and the parent company later adopted the Target Corporation name. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TGT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Target Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Target and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 29,660 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $764,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Bath & Body Works by 11.5% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,080,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,120,000 after buying an additional 733,000 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in Bath & Body Works by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 5,737,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $171,904,000 after acquiring an additional 315,738 shares during the period. Cooper Creek Partners Management LLC lifted its stake in Bath & Body Works by 42.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cooper Creek Partners Management LLC now owns 5,409,919 shares of the companys stock valued at $162,081,000 after acquiring an additional 1,619,276 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bath & Body Works by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,203,326 shares of the companys stock valued at $125,322,000 after acquiring an additional 210,153 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GMT Capital Corp increased its stake in shares of Bath & Body Works by 8.8% in the second quarter. GMT Capital Corp now owns 4,067,000 shares of the companys stock worth $121,847,000 after acquiring an additional 329,300 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.14% of the companys stock. Get Bath & Body Works alerts: Bath & Body Works Stock Down 2.5% BBWI stock opened at $22.73 on Friday. Bath & Body Works, Inc. has a 52-week low of $14.27 and a 52-week high of $37.29. The firm has a market cap of $4.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.00, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.54. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $22.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.76. Bath & Body Works Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. Bath & Body Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 24.62%. BBWI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Telsey Advisory Group boosted their target price on shares of Bath & Body Works from $17.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bath & Body Works in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Bath & Body Works in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. They issued a hold rating and a $21.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup lowered Bath & Body Works from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the stock from $21.00 to $25.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Bath & Body Works from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fourteen have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $23.71. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BBWI Bath & Body Works News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Bath & Body Works this week: Positive Sentiment: Telsey Advisory Group raised its price target on BBWI from $17 to $23 and kept a market perform rating, signaling modest analyst confidence in the companys near-term outlook (small upside vs. current price). This can provide some support to the stock if other news is neutral. Telsey price target note Telsey Advisory Group raised its price target on BBWI from $17 to $23 and kept a market perform rating, signaling modest analyst confidence in the companys near-term outlook (small upside vs. current price). This can provide some support to the stock if other news is neutral. Positive Sentiment: Bath & Body Works launched a limited-time PEEPS fragrance and gifting collection a seasonal product tie-in that can help drive traffic and gift-season sales if consumer demand is solid. Product collaborations are usually modest near-term positives rather than transformational. PEEPS collaboration Bath & Body Works launched a limited-time PEEPS fragrance and gifting collection a seasonal product tie-in that can help drive traffic and gift-season sales if consumer demand is solid. Product collaborations are usually modest near-term positives rather than transformational. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published a preview of Wall Street projections for Bath & Body Works fiscal Q4 results and key metrics. Analysts consensus expectations for revenue, comp sales and margins will be important when BBWI reports; the preview itself doesnt move the stock but sets the bar for the upcoming earnings reaction. Zacks Q4 preview Zacks published a preview of Wall Street projections for Bath & Body Works fiscal Q4 results and key metrics. Analysts consensus expectations for revenue, comp sales and margins will be important when BBWI reports; the preview itself doesnt move the stock but sets the bar for the upcoming earnings reaction. Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms (Rosen, Faruqi & Faruqi, Pomerantz, Bernstein Liebhard, The Gross Law Firm and others) have issued shareholder alerts about a securities class action covering purchases between June 4, 2024 and November 19, 2025 and are urging investors to file by mid-March deadlines (March 1316, 2026). Heightened litigation activity increases legal and settlement risk and can weigh on the stock, especially while deadlines and potential lead-plaintiff developments are pending. See representative notices: Rosen notice Faruqi notice Gross Law Firm notice Bath & Body Works Profile (Free Report) Bath & Body Works, Inc is a leading specialty retailer focused on personal care, home fragrance and complementary products. Through its flagship Bath & Body Works brand, the company offers a diverse assortment of shower gels, lotions, fragrance mists, candles and home fragrance items. Its product portfolio also includes the White Barn Candle Co range of premium scented candles and diffusers. Bath & Body Works serves consumers through a combination of brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platforms, delivering seasonal collections, limited-edition releases and signature scent lines. Founded in 1990 as part of Limited Brands (now L Brands), Bath & Body Works opened its first store in New Albany, Ohio, and quickly expanded across the United States. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBWI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bath & Body Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bath & Body Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gildan Activewear (TSE:GIL Free Report) (NYSE:GIL) had its price target lifted by Desjardins from C$95.00 to C$108.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock. Separately, TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Gildan Activewear from C$74.00 to C$77.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Gildan Activewear presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$85.75. Get Gildan Activewear alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Gildan Activewear Gildan Activewear Trading Down 1.7% TSE:GIL opened at C$92.97 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$91.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$84.04. The firm has a market capitalization of C$17.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 1.41. Gildan Activewear has a 1-year low of C$52.77 and a 1-year high of C$100.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.26. Gildan Activewear (TSE:GIL Get Free Report) (NYSE:GIL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported C$1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gildan Activewear had a return on equity of 23.10% and a net margin of 13.05%.The firm had revenue of C$1.41 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that Gildan Activewear will post 4.5460385 earnings per share for the current year. About Gildan Activewear (Get Free Report) Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Companys product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, and intimates sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters, embellishers, retailers or e-commerce platforms, as well as global lifestyle brand companies. Gildan markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan, Hanes, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, ALLPRO, GOLDTOE, Peds, Bali, Playtex, Maidenform, Bonds, as well as Champion which is under an exclusive licensing agreement for the printwear channel in the U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Gildan Activewear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gildan Activewear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Herdez, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GUZOF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,560 shares, a decline of 42.0% from the January 29th total of 4,415 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. Grupo Herdez Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS GUZOF remained flat at C$4.76 during mid-day trading on Friday. Grupo Herdez has a 12-month low of C$2.52 and a 12-month high of C$5.23. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$4.28 and its 200 day moving average is C$3.95. Get Grupo Herdez alerts: About Grupo Herdez (Get Free Report) Grupo Herdez (OTCMKTS:GUZOF) is one of Mexicos leading packaged food companies, with a portfolio of well-known brands serving both retail and foodservice channels. Established in Mexico City in the early 20th century, the company has grown from a regional sauce producer into a diversified food processor with operations spanning multiple product categories. The companys core offerings include salsas, sauces, canned vegetables, frozen foods, jams and jellies, and ready-to-eat meals. In addition to its flagship Herdez brand, the group holds licenses and partnerships to produce and distribute international brands in the Mexican market, such as Barilla pasta and McCormick spices. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Herdez Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Herdez and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GSA Capital Partners LLP lessened its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 94.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 507 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 8,743 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLPs holdings in Mastercard were worth $288,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Robbins Farley grew its position in Mastercard by 50.0% in the third quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the period. Tacita Capital Inc raised its stake in Mastercard by 50.0% during the third quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 57 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 45.2% during the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 61 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the period. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Mastercard alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Mastercard from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Daiwa Securities Group set a $610.00 price target on shares of Mastercard and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $685.00 to $655.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Tigress Financial lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Compass Point raised Mastercard from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $620.00 to $735.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $669.27. Mastercard Trading Up 0.2% Shares of NYSE MA opened at $515.92 on Friday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $465.59 and a 1-year high of $601.77. The company has a 50-day moving average of $545.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $559.56. The company has a market cap of $460.11 billion, a PE ratio of 31.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The credit services provider reported $4.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.24 by $0.52. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.65% and a return on equity of 203.92%. The business had revenue of $8.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.80 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.82 earnings per share. Mastercards revenue for the quarter was up 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Mastercard Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 21.07%. About Mastercard (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments. Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hafnia (NYSE:HAFN) reported that fourth-quarter conditions in the product tanker market were stronger than the company had expected, helped by tight effective vessel supply, robust seasonal demand, and shifting trade flows tied to geopolitics and sanctions. Get alerts: During a Q4 presentation moderated by HC Andersens Tue stergaard, CEO Mikael Skov said the company generated net profit of $109.7 million in the quarter and reiterated Hafnias capital return framework, which links dividends to its net loan-to-value (LTV) level. Skov also discussed the impact of the dark fleet and sanctioned tonnage on market balance, the outlook for vessel supply growth, and Hafnias views on industry consolidation. Q4 results and dividend framework Skov called Q4 the strongest quarter of last year and noted that Hafnia had not expected results to be as strong as they turned out. He added that market strength continued into Q1. Hafnia paid out 80% of Q4 net profit as a dividend, consistent with its stated policy based on net LTV. Skov said net LTV ended Q4 just below 25%, which places the company in the 20%30% band that triggers an 80% payout. If net LTV drops below 20%, Skov said the payout rises to 90%. On capital returns, Skov said any share buybacks would be in addition to the companys dividend policy rather than replacing part of it. It wont be a mixture of the two, he said, describing the dividend policy as firm. Operating model and cost focus Skov described Hafnia as a refined products tanker operator with close to 200 vessels owned and controlled, including third-party vessels, and said the majority of earnings come from the spot market. He also outlined adjacent businesses, including commercial management for other ownersabout 80 vessels operated on behalf of third partiesand a fuel procurement joint venture with Cargill called Seascale. On performance versus peers, Skov emphasized shareholder returns as a primary metric and said Hafnia has delivered the highest returns in its peer group over three years, citing 75.3% on the slide shown. He also said Hafnia seeks to keep fixed costs low in a cyclical industry, using variable compensation such as bonuses when markets are strong. Skov argued that a low fixed cost base helps the company navigate downturns. Market drivers: crude strength, ton-miles, and geopolitics Skov attributed Q4 and Q1 market strength to a combination of supply and demand factors. On the supply side, he said a very strong crude market has been pulling vessels away from clean product trades into crude transportation, tightening effective supply for refined product shipping. He also said fleet supply growth has been almost zero, a topic he later tied to vessel switching between segments. On the demand side, Skov pointed to changes in ton-mile patterns linked to geopolitical uncertainty, some inventory building, and strong refining economics. He cited the release of Venezuelan crude flows as super positive for the U.S. Gulf and Caribbean region because barrels that had been restricted and moved on sanctioned or dark fleet routes shifted into the compliant fleet, increasing demand for conventionally traded tonnage. Skov also said there was an element of concern about potential Middle East disruption that may have encouraged higher exports. He discussed the risk of escalation involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, describing a full closure as an extreme scenario and not likely, while noting that conflict introduces uncertainty and can affect trade patterns and oil prices. He added that oil demand has been stronger than many expected and that seasonality matters: Skov said Q4 and Q1 are typically the strongest quarters for refined product transportation. Sanctions, dark fleet, and effective supply A key theme was the impact of sanctioned and non-compliant tonnage. Skov said markets are strong in part because a large number of vessels have shifted into sanctioned trades or the dark fleet, which he described as non-compliant trading patterns that may lack proper insurance and do not comply with international regulations. He said the number of sanctioned/dark fleet vessels has risen to massive numbers, close to 1,000, and added an additional nuance: Hafnia is seeing signs that some of this fleet is being used less than a year ago. Lower utilization of those vessels, he said, can push more oil onto compliant ships, increasing demand in the mainstream market. Looking ahead, Skov said uncertainty around sanctions enforcement is a major variable in the outlook. He framed it as a political questionwhether the U.S. comes down hard on Russia and restricts transportation by such shipswhich could force more volumes onto compliant tonnage. At the same time, he cautioned that it can be dangerous to lean too heavily on macro analysis when markets are unusually strong, noting that seasonality typically fades after the high season. Supply outlook, consolidation views, and strategic projects Skov argued that headline orderbook numbers can be misleading because vessel types can shift between clean and dirty markets. He said some LR2 deliveries that appear as product tankers often end up trading crude because LR2s can be equivalent to Aframax crude carriers, and owners may choose coated ships that can trade both. As a result, he said net fleet growth for product tankers was way below 1% last year. For 2025, Skov said supply growth is likely to be higher than last year because ordering and deliveries are tweaked a bit more towards MRs (medium-range vessels) rather than LR2s, though he still expects some movement from clean to dirty trades. He also noted that newbuild lead times are longhe said ordering a product tanker today could mean delivery in 2029and said shipyards have been more focused on higher-return segments such as gas carriers and container ships. On operations, Skov said some of Hafnias LR1s have been trading crude as Panamax vessels in the Caribbean and described that as one of the strongest markets at the moment, citing rates around $60,000 so far in Q1. On consolidation, Skov confirmed Hafnia bought 14% of TORM, describing it as a good investment so far and another way to increase exposure to product tanker markets. More broadly, he said Hafnia believes larger scale can support valuation multiples, improve liquidity, and create cost synergies. He also said scale could matter longer term as the energy complex changes, arguing that larger, well-capitalized operators may be better positioned to finance fleet transition over time. Finally, Skov discussed Hafnias strategic projects outside its core shipping operations, focusing on technology and energy transition preparedness. He highlighted its work with Complexio, which he described as using AI agents to automate workflows after first analyzing company processes. Skov said Hafnia has reached a point where it is now a paying customer and expects the initiative to generate savings, while stressing that technology investments should be tied to measurable returns rather than experimentation for its own sake. About Hafnia (NYSE:HAFN) Hafnia is a global shipping company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HAFN. The firm specializes in the marine transportation of refined petroleum products, providing safe and reliable shipping solutions across key global trade lanes. Its core operations focus on the carriage of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other clean petroleum products, catering to the needs of oil majors, trading houses and independent refiners. The company operates a modern fleet of double-hulled product tankers, managed to comply with stringent safety and environmental standards. Featured Articles Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE:PNW Free Report) by 22.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 99,333 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 18,049 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. owned approximately 0.08% of Pinnacle West Capital worth $8,906,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in Pinnacle West Capital during the second quarter worth $27,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. 91.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Pinnacle West Capital Trading Up 0.7% PNW opened at $100.26 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.49. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $85.32 and a fifty-two week high of $101.13. The companys 50 day moving average price is $93.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $90.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.81, a PEG ratio of 5.99 and a beta of 0.54. Pinnacle West Capital Announces Dividend Pinnacle West Capital ( NYSE:PNW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. Pinnacle West Capital had a net margin of 11.55% and a return on equity of 8.86%. Pinnacle West Capitals revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.06) earnings per share. Pinnacle West Capital has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.550-4.750 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Pinnacle West Capital Corporation will post 5.13 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 2nd. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.74%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently weighed in on PNW. Morgan Stanley set a $96.00 price objective on Pinnacle West Capital in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $100.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Stifel Nicolaus set a $107.00 price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $91.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $100.08. View Our Latest Stock Report on Pinnacle West Capital Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile (Free Report) Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is a publicly traded utility holding company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Through its principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Pinnacle West generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than one million residential, commercial and industrial customers across central and southern Arizona. The companys regulated operations focus on delivering safe, reliable power while meeting evolving environmental standards. The companys diversified generation portfolio includes natural gasfired plants, the nuclear-powered Palo Verde Generating Stationthe largest nuclear facility in the United States by net outputplus growing investments in solar and battery storage projects. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T) by 108.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 423,285 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after buying an additional 220,552 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in TELUS were worth $6,667,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TU. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in TELUS by 20.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,529,471 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $76,335,000 after purchasing an additional 780,607 shares during the last quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. increased its position in shares of TELUS by 1.6% in the second quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 18,842,084 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $302,519,000 after buying an additional 288,532 shares in the last quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of TELUS in the second quarter valued at $51,091,000. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in shares of TELUS in the 2nd quarter worth about $531,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TELUS in the 2nd quarter worth about $457,000. 49.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TELUS alerts: TELUS Price Performance Shares of NYSE:TU opened at $13.73 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $21.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.67. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.47. TELUS Corporation has a 52 week low of $12.54 and a 52 week high of $16.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. TELUS Announces Dividend TELUS ( NYSE:TU Get Free Report ) (TSE:T) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.15 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.03). TELUS had a net margin of 5.42% and a return on equity of 8.42%. The company had revenue of $3.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.25 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that TELUS Corporation will post 0.71 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.4184 per share. This represents a $1.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. TELUSs dividend payout ratio is presently 230.77%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Citigroup upgraded shares of TELUS to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of TELUS from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. Barclays cut their price objective on TELUS from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded TELUS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of TELUS in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $18.17. View Our Latest Research Report on TU TELUS Profile (Free Report) TELUS Corporation (NYSE: TU) is a Canadian telecommunications and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It delivers a broad portfolio of consumer and business communications services across Canada, including mobile wireless, fixed-line voice, broadband internet, and television. TELUS also provides a range of enterprise services such as cloud and IT solutions, managed network services, cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) offerings for business customers. Beyond core connectivity, TELUS has expanded into health and digital services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T). Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. raised its holdings in FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE Free Report) by 15.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 208,941 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 27,655 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in FirstEnergy were worth $9,574,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of FE. Argent Trust Co boosted its holdings in FirstEnergy by 3.3% in the third quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 14,331 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $657,000 after purchasing an additional 455 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Association acquired a new stake in FirstEnergy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $209,000. Integrated Advisors Network LLC purchased a new position in shares of FirstEnergy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $256,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of FirstEnergy by 1.6% during the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,054,989 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $48,340,000 after buying an additional 16,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of FirstEnergy by 16.7% during the third quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 59,676 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,734,000 after buying an additional 8,555 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.41% of the companys stock. Get FirstEnergy alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages recently weighed in on FE. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of FirstEnergy from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of FirstEnergy in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of FirstEnergy from $51.00 to $50.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Mizuho set a $51.00 target price on FirstEnergy in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of FirstEnergy in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $49.31. FirstEnergy Price Performance Shares of FE opened at $51.15 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.46. FirstEnergy Corporation has a 1-year low of $37.58 and a 1-year high of $51.34. The stock has a market cap of $29.56 billion, a PE ratio of 29.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $47.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $45.82. FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The utilities provider reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.01. FirstEnergy had a return on equity of 10.50% and a net margin of 6.76%.The business had revenue of $3.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.20 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. FirstEnergy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.620-2.820 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that FirstEnergy Corporation will post 2.66 EPS for the current year. FirstEnergy Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 7th will be paid a $0.465 dividend. This is an increase from FirstEnergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $1.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 7th. FirstEnergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 101.14%. FirstEnergy Company Profile (Free Report) FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is a U.S.-based electric utility holding company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The companys primary business is the delivery of electricity through its regulated transmission and distribution utilities, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers across parts of the Midwest and MidAtlantic. FirstEnergys service territory includes states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia, and it operates primarily within the PJM regional transmission organization. FirstEnergys core activities center on owning and operating electric distribution networks and transmission systems, maintaining and upgrading grid infrastructure, managing storm response and restoration, and offering customer programs that include energy efficiency and reliability services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for FirstEnergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FirstEnergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 38.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,864 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 3,740 shares during the quarter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $4,670,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. First PREMIER Bank purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Corundum Trust Company INC acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the third quarter worth $29,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 100.0% during the third quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 40 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter valued at $31,000. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $1,048.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Argus increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $863.00 to $1,066.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $970.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. BNP Paribas Exane increased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $775.00 to $970.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $750.00 to $775.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and fourteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $916.86. The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance NYSE:GS opened at $857.90 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $254.58 billion, a PE ratio of 16.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $924.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $836.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $984.70. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 15th. The investment management company reported $13.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $11.52 by $2.03. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 13.73%.The business had revenue of $15.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.30 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $11.95 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a dividend of $4.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $4.00. This represents a $18.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is 31.20%. Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group In other news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 272 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $938.92, for a total value of $255,386.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 125,527 shares in the company, valued at approximately $117,859,810.84. This represents a 0.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Treasurer Carey Halio sold 2,846 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $927.17, for a total transaction of $2,638,725.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the treasurer directly owned 2,017 shares in the company, valued at $1,870,101.89. This trade represents a 58.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 117,283 shares of company stock worth $112,016,033. 0.55% of the stock is owned by insiders. Key The Goldman Sachs Group News Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week: The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide. Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.